ROH on Sinclair – Episode 041 – 30th June 2012
With two live events sandwiched between this episode and last week’s ROH on Sinclair, it is probably understandable that it seems like the TV show has a lot to catch up on. However, that’s going to have to wait as, whilst we’re caught between a live ppv and the next round of TV tapings, we go back to Road Rage. Thankfully this time it’s not giving away pay-per-view content for free, instead it’s content taped at The Nightmare Begins. I really have no problem with the Road Rage stuff when it’s spotlighting house shows, so I’m genuinely looking forward to this episode. The Nightmare Begins was a solid B-show in front of what turned out to be a decent crowd, so I eagerly anticipate viewing how that translates to TV. We’re in Charleston, WV with Kevin Kelly and Jim Cornette.
Kevin and Jim open in the middle of the ring welcoming us to the show and hyping the Texas Death Match main event of Jay Briscoe vs Charlie Haas (amateurishly spelt ‘Hass’ on the graphic).
First we go to another of the decent matches from the DVD. As usual I’ve copied the below from my original review, meaning it won’t mention any edits/commercial breaks/cuts.
Mike Mondo vs Davey Richards
Although I strongly disagree with Kevin Kelly’s claim that Mondo has had ‘some of the finest matches in ROH in 2012’ (yes, he really said that), he has undeniably improved a lot since becoming a regular on the roster earlier this year. This encounter is a real chance to prove himself and his credentials to be a top level player in the promotion. Personally I’ve been a critic of his, but he obviously has a lot of support behind the scenes and if he can repay that faith by delivering a strong match with the best ‘worker’ in ROH, and the fans accept Mondo on Davey’s level, then who knows where this push could take him.
Richards bridges into an instant kick to the shoulder – delivering an emphatic statement of intent to the over-confident Mondo. A slap and a couple of kicks have Mike diving through the ropes for cover seconds later. No Fear hasn’t started well, but fires back by trapping Davey in a pendulum stretch much to the surprise of the announce team at ringside. They run through an engaging exchange of holds on the canvas. Richards is more aggressive but Mondo hangs with him every step of the away and it ends up in an even stand-off. Mondo is tripped to the floor, into the path of the RUNNING PUNT from the apron! Mondo sells that so hard he does a standing back flip! The former World Champion scales the ropes to miss a double stomp…and Mondo SPEARS him through the ropes and into the guardrail! Davey immediately grasps at his ribs, and his opponent capitalises by running him sternum-first into the barricades again. The American Wolf is in trouble and noticeably injured, with Mike taking full advantage and clinging to a grounded bodyscissors hold. Richards throws a dropkick only to miss and come crashing down onto that wounded midsection once again. Such is his desire to continue attacking the injury that Mondo just hammers at him with headbutts and shoulder blocks. Even when cranking on a leg submission he grinds his fists down into the ribcage. Finally Davey counters a sunset flip attempt with a double stomp…with just two minutes left in the time limit. He dropkicks Mondo to the outside into the path of the TOPE SUICIDA! BOTH MEN DOWN! Just a minute left in the time limit as Richards lands a missile dropkick. Bridging German suplex…into the Anklelock! Leg grapevined! Can Mondo hang on?? He can! 15-minute time limit expires (at 14:52) meaning this one is a draw
Rating - *** - I’ve read a fair bit of criticism of this match, but for what it’s worth I really liked it. I have my usual complaints with both men (Mondo’s heat segment was pretty tedious, Davey’s selling was pretty average) but by and large they told a story and ran with it. I don’t even object to the finish. In ROH, when a champion’s World Title run ends, if they stay with the company (like Joe, Eddie, Aries, Danielson etc) their role is to have a rematch then to start putting over other guys. Davey has had his run. I question whether Mondo is the right guy to get the rub from Richards – but I do respect the sentiment.
A graphic promoting another double shot in the Carolinas is shown – scheduled for late July. Interestingly those cards would end up being cancelled with ROH giving mixed messages as to the reasons – ranging from poor ticket sales, date postponement meaning they couldn’t get promised talent, not being able to promote matches they’d promised to internet fans etc. The promised rescheduled dates have, as yet, not been announced or hinted at.
INTERMISSION – Kevin and Jim introduce highlights of the Proving Ground four-way from this show pitting Roderick Strong against BJ Whitmer, Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. That’s significant as Cole wins and earns himself a TV Title shot which he will cash in during a future episode
Up next it’s the usual waste of TV time Jim Cornette kisses the asses of local TV execs and sponsors.
Charlie Haas vs Jay Briscoe – Texas Death Match
This feud was supposed to end at Final Battle 2011. Then it was supposed to end at Border Wars in the Fight Without Honor. Then it was supposed to end at The Battle Of Richmond when these two guys tore the ring apart beating each other up. But tonight, finally, we are promised this will settle it. Shelton isn’t here, and Mark won’t be at ringside. It’s Haas vs Briscoe one more time with all the bragging rights at stake.
Obviously there is no time for Bobby Cruise’s introductory guff as these two get right down to business. Briscoe gets the first pinfall in 11 seconds with a sunset flip…and there’s no ‘rest period’ as advertised – the fight continues. Briscoe slings Haas into the guardrails then rings the bell over his head…but that only seems to piss Charlie off as the Tag Champion retorts with a back suplex onto the guardrails. That’s enough to earn a fall back for him at 02:15. Neither man looks close to failing to answer the 10-count at this stage yet though. Haas gets another pin with a powerslam, and denies Jay a rest period as he continues to stomp on him. Jay is obviously struggling, and is tossed across the ring with a violent biel. Briscoe takes a rough ride into the barriers…made worse when Haas rams him face-first into a steel chair. The chair comes back to bite him in the ass though as Briscoe gathers his senses sufficiently enough to dish out a mafia kick which knocks the chair into Charlie’s face. Olympic Slam nailed…but it wipes the referee out in the process. Haas is pissed, and vents his frustration on Bobby Cruise before taking his table (freshly replaced after Steen broke it in the previous match). Jay then steals the table and whacks Charlie in the back with a chair. He goes backstage and returns with a cooler full of beer and assorted weaponry. Beer is thrown in Haas’ face, blinding him and giving Jay freedom to erect the table. DOUBLE STOMP THROUGH THE TABLE! Unfortunately Jay bounced off Haas and landed on top of the stricken official again. He opens up two chairs, and balances a section of chain-link fence between them. DVD THROUGH THE FENCING! A Singapore cane is brought into play…but Haas low blows Briscoe and steals it from him. Cane to the head of Jay! Haas digs under the ring and pulls out the towel and spray can…looking to repeat the finish of the Border Wars Fight Without Honor. Cue more bad acting from Kevin Kelly…but this time Jay ducks it and blasts him with the cane. He then smashes Charlie in the head with the spray can and he is motionless. He pins him…and Haas can’t answer the ensuing ten count. Jay wins at 19:23
Rating - *** - I’ve seen this one get some negative press, but personally I thought this was the best match in the Briscoes/WGTT feud…possibly in its entirety. Certainly it’s the best since the Briscoes/WGTT tag match at the 9th Anniversary. The Texas Death Match rules got some criticism, and I’ll admit it was a little outdated. However, I actually quite liked them. If ROH were serious about bringing this gimmick match back I wouldn’t object to it – they just need to build it into a bigger deal. As it was, the crowd took a while to get into this thanks to uncertainty about the rules. BUT, once they were into it, this Charleston crowd (who have been really good) were into everything. Haas was getting monster heel heat, and every Jay Briscoe comeback was cheered to the rafters – and that’s what wrestling is supposed to be about. Ultimately, this feud has sucked…but it should be over now and this was at least an entertaining way to end it
Tape Rating - N/A - I’m slightly disappointed there was no ‘Inside ROH’ segment, but my disappointment at that is outweighed by my happiness that Ring Of Honor have got back to promoting live events on their TV show rather than just screwing fans over by recycling ppv content. The Charleston crowd were good, and the two matches they showed were solid TV bouts. Putting Briscoes/Haas on the show is a fine way to televise the conclusion to the Briscoes/WGTT feud, whilst we also got Cole’s Proving Ground win and the Richards/Mondo match – which was a tremendous wrestling match and a decent vehicle to put Mondo over.. All that was missing was a strong promotion of the DVD to boost sales.