ROH on Sinclair – Episode 032 – 28th April 2012
Not long to go now until the Border Wars ippv, and it’s a crucial time for fresh content to begin airing on ROH’s weekly television show. The card for the Toronto show is already pretty stacked, so the two weeks of TV we have left should be about setting the stage and drawing as many ppv buys as possible. After their nightmare weekend in Florida, Ring Of Honor need a stellar card to even tempt buyers into giving their product another shot. There are three big matches announced for this evening – with Caprice Coleman and Cedric Alexander getting another Proving Ground shot against the Briscoes and new TV Champion Roderick Strong coming up against Adam Cole. Rhino, fresh off his trade from The Embassy to the House Of Truth, makes his ROH TV debut too. We’re back in the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, MD. Nigel McGuinness and Kevin Kelly will call the action as usual.
Jay Briscoe/Mark Briscoe vs Caprice Coleman/Cedric Alexander
Caprice and Cedric have plenty of experience in the Tag Title Proving Ground, so won’t come into this with any fear at all. They have, however, unsuccessfully challenged the Briscoes for the Tag Titles already this year (Underground, in Jauary) so will know they are the underdogs here. Kevin Kelly is billing this as the Briscoes at their ‘lowest ebb’ following the beatdown they received from WGTT at Showdown In The Sun…although on this same evening they were defending ROH’s honour (and Tag straps) in the main event against Chikara’s Jigsaw and Hallowicked at Unity.
Mark starts with Alexander, meaning lots of athletic and fast-paced stuff. Cedric hangs with Mark there, but soon gets overwhelmed by the double team attacks of the champions. Coleman comes to his aid with a springboard dropkick, followed by the Bless-TO on Jay for 2. Jay finds the name of that move so ridiculous he basically no sells it to drop Caprice with a chokeslam. Crabwalk Froggy Bow gets Mark a 2-count. Tag to Alexander…as Coleman hits the running elbow/moonsault to the floor combo! He tries a 619 around the ringpot…only for Jay to catch him and dump him into the guardrails. Splash Mountain Neckbreaker scores on Cedric…for 2. Alexander shoves Jay off the top rope, and in come Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team to deliver a low blow to Jay Briscoe – who’s nutsack is still feeling the effects of Showdown In The Sun. STANDING SUPER RANA/FROG SPLASH COMBO! Caprice and Cedric, not for the first time in 2012, benefit from the WGTT/Briscoes feud with a huge victory. They’ve guaranteed themselves another Tag Title at 05:41
Rating - ** - The wrestling was pretty good, albeit brutally one-sided. Caprice and Cedric got the win, but at no point did this match ever really present themselves as a top flight team in ROH’s tag division. You never felt like they were on the Briscoes’ level, so even in victory they don’t get as much of the rub as they should. The WGTT interference was regrettable but not unexpected. I think everyone is hoping they draw a line under the feud at Border Wars and move onto something new.
Veda Scott catches up with Prince Nana, RD Evans and Truth Martini. The Embassy Ltd are delighted at the talent ‘sale’ – as they transfer Rhino to the House Of Truth. The Man Beast enters and promises to rip Eddie Edwards in half at Border Wars. AWESOME promo from the veteran…
Rhino vs Vinny Marseglia
This is a Ring Of Honor debut for Vinny, who is another one getting a shot on TV having impressed at one of ROH’s try-out camps. Unfortunately for him his prize is a slot against another man making his debut on ROH television – the 'Man Beast' Rhino. Having appeared on national TV for ECW, WWE and TNA he certainly isn’t an unknown quantity, but his size and experience make him an intimidating prospect standing across the ring from anyone on the roster.
Massive reaction for Rhino’s entrance. He tries to look intimidating, but you can tell Rhino is delighted with that ovation. He storms through Marseglia with a clothesline then incapacitates him with a belly to belly suplex. GORE! It’s over in a mere 23 seconds…
Rating - N/A - Exciting way to re-debut Rhino, who ROH have signed up to appear on a regular basis for the remainder of 2012. I’m not sure why he needed to be put in the House Of Truth though. He is bigger than Michael Elgin, therefore immediately takes away some of Unbreakable’s unique selling points to the faction. And at 36 years old, is Rhino really the man you want eclipsing arguably your top breakout star? I would suggest not…and he certainly seems massively expensive if they are going to use him as a secondary character in the House Of Truth. But I’ve liked him since his ECW days, thought he was underrated in TNA and his experience on TV will be of benefit to ROH.
Back from commercials to the now-customary Kevin Steen in-ring interview segment. Jimmy Jacobs is at his side for the first time on TV, and Jim Cornette is waiting in the ring to greet him. Steen continually interrupting Cornette, and using wolf calls to coax Davey Richards out of his ass is hilarious. The way he switches gear and tears Davey a new one for not helping him get back into ROH and for constantly threatening to quit despite ‘loving ROH’ is also really impressive - and a clear sign that Steen is ready to be the focal point of the company. Security has to separate them, and the hatred between them is such that Cornette makes them sign a waiver that say they can’t sue the company if either of them loses their career, or life, in Canada. Apparently the contract also says if Steen loses, he’ll never get another title shot. Terrific interview segment…
INSIDE ROH – Kevin makes the announcement we’ve been waiting for: Border Wars is the last time we’ll see Briscoes/WGTT for the Tag Titles. Lethal vs Ciampa and Elgin vs Cole are added to the card too
Roderick Strong vs Adam Cole – ROH TV Title Match
Many are calling Adam the breakout star of 2012 thus far. He goes into Border Wars scheduled to face the OTHER 2012 hot prospect in ‘Unbreakable’ Michael Elgin. What better way to warm up for that than to face Elgin’s partner in the House Of Truth? And, on the eve of his World Title shot against Davey Richards in Dayton, can he dethrone Roderick in his first defence and leave Baltimore the new Television Champion as well? He lost a violent match to Strong at Homecoming 2012, but a win here would be the perfect way to make amends for that defeat.
First takedown goes to Cole, who hits a big neckbreaker in the first minute. A reverse elbow from the second rope gets an early nearfall and rattles the defending champion. Flying Crossbody misses though, and it’s a high risk failure that hands Strong the initiative. He doesn’t do anything fancy but starts the expected tactic of picking apart Adam’s midsection. He clamps onto a camel clutch as we go to commercials…and as we come back he NAILS the half nelson backbreaker for 2. He chases Cole around the ring with big chops…only for the plucky challenger to unleash a barrage of forearm strikes in response. Michael Elgin comes to ringside and will surely have been impressed as Cole hits a Shining Wizard which gets 2. Roddy kicks at the ribs then lands the Death By Roderick…but still Cole refuses to stay down. Gibson Driver blocked…JUMPING KNEE INSTEAD! COLE NO SELLS TO HIT A CRADLEBREAKER! Both men go down! Slingshot DDT on the apron attempted, only for Roderick to counter by throwing Cole INTO Elgin! TOPE SUICIDA from Cole to Elgin! Flying Crossbody nailed this time…but Roderick kicks out. Elgin is on the apron protesting furiously, so Martini hops into the ring and blasts Cole in the back with the Book Of Truth. ORANGE CRUSH BACKBREAKER! Strong retains at 08:49 (shown)
Rating - *** - I liked this, although it was disappointingly short. The storyline of Strong beating the hell out of Cole, only the challenger to keep fighting back was really well done. It plays to the strength of both workers, so obviously they clicked and were getting real heat from the live crowd. The overbooked finish was annoying too, although the advantages outweigh the negatives here as it furthers the Strong/Elgin gradual split…and gives Cole grounds for a rematch. Given that Roderick obviously has much better chemistry with Adam than he did with Jay Lethal, I want these two to lock up again
Tape Rating - *** - Maybe that’s quite a generous rating, but I enjoyed this episode. It’s always nice to get back to the ‘regular’ show after Road Rage weeks, and generally I thought this one played out well. Briscoes/C&C wasn’t great, but giving Caprice and Cedric the win was a positive step whilst continuing the build to Briscoes/WGTT at Border Wars. Rhino’s re-debut was rapid, rabid and full of impact, whilst the electric in-ring verbals between Davey Richards, Jim Cornette and Kevin Steen were the undeniable highlight. A fun main event always helps as well. If you’re a ringside member and have a spare 45 minutes this isn’t a bad show to check out…