McXal's Reviews

This is the first episode taped after the 14th Anniversary, so will be our first glimpse at the fall-out from that event. ROH released the taping on DVD separately (I assume the New Japan guys are proven to be enough of a DVD-sales draw that it makes it worthwhile) so I’ve reviewed all of the next four weeks of TV separately on that. Since they were lazy and just put the broadcast episodes on DVD, rather than unedited match versions, I’ll quite literally be copying and pasting. The headline act tonight pits the Young Bucks against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Michael Elgin in an intriguing collision of New Japan juniors and heavyweights. Underneath that the Briscoes are in action, and Tomohiro Ishii will make his TV debut to defend his Television Title. Kevin Kelly and Mr Wrestling III are in Las Vegas, NV

We are set to open this episode with BJ Whitmer challenging Tomohiro Ishii for the TV Title. Just as we saw with Jon Gresham previously, Veda Scott and Cedric Alexander interrupt and offer BJ money for his title shot…and to the delight of the Vegas fans he accepts!

The chronic mis-use of Cedric has reached such an extent now that he wasn’t booked for the 14th Anniversary PPV. It’s the second PPV in succession he hasn’t had a match on, and given his lack of ongoing storylines or memorable in-ring performances recently it is hard to argue. Had Cedric already given notice that he was running down his contract at this point? Either way, tonight he has a huge chance to make a big statement by dethroning the mighty Stone Pitbull and preventing the TV Title from going back to Japan with him again.

Ishii no sells strikes from Alexander like gentle taps, and actually starts encouraging him to have a free swing in his direction. Eventually he delivers a chop with such force that Cedric crumbles to his knees. Veda trips Ishii from behind which does allow the challenger to blindside him and assume a measure of control. Kelly and Mr Wrestling question his tactics though as he taunts the Pitbull, and targets the head which is known to be pretty impervious to pain. Inevitably the champ snaps and decimates Cedric with chops and elbow strikes in the corner. Alexander retaliates with a rebound enzi out of the corner, and gets his closest nearfall yet with a Michinoku Driver. Lumbar Check blocked with a KNOCK-OUT HEADBUTT! Sliding lariat countered back by Alexander into a crucifix pin for 2! LARIATOOOOO by Ishii! BRAINBUSTER! He retains at 06:15

Rating - ** - Disappointingly brief and surprisingly slow considering how little time they actually had to play with. The last couple of minutes were great, but it didn’t seem to have a whole lot of drive or direction before that. The contrast between the complete lack of momentum in Cedric’s career at the start of 2016, versus the universal acclaim he received for his work in the Cruiserweight Classic, is remarkable. It’s quite depressing to watch his talent wasted so spectacularly in ROH at this point.

The Addiction are out next to give their reaction to the Motor City Machine Guns reuniting. They claim to have saved Sabin’s career and made him ‘relevant again’ and demand an apology for his betrayal. MCMG come to the stage to call them ‘bitter, delusional douchebags’ and are very up for a fight. Daniels and Kaz back away claiming they’ll only wrestle them when the time is right…

TWO WEEKS – After commercials Mr Wrestling III announces that Nigel McGuinness has taken the decision out of The Addiction’s hands, and booked them versus the Machine Guns for two weeks time.

Scum (Thornstowe and Luster The Legend) have appeared before, but are back looking to nail down a spot permanently. They’ll know a victory over the Briscoes would more than likely secure future bookings with the promotion, so will be supremely motivated (particularly in their home state). Jay and Mark need the win themselves, having lost to Tanahashi and Elgin at the pay-per-view.

Mark starts by putting the boots to Adam Thornstowe, then leaves him to get clobbered to the floor by Jay. Luster barges in to lend a hand and tackles Mark in the corner handing the momentum back to Reno Scum. They show their experience and fluency as a team by competently cutting the ring in half and isolating Mark for a couple of minutes. Catapult DVD combo gets such a close nearfall that it necessitates Jay diving in to save his brother. Jay gets the tag and retaliates with a DVD of his own on Thornstowe. Meanwhile Mark floors Legend with the urinage to take him out. Splash Mountain Neckbreaker gets 2 on Adam! GERMAN SUPLEX DOUBLE STOMP COMBO from Reno Scum to Mark for 2! Mark recovers with the Froggy Bow on Thornstowe, for the win at 06:59

Rating - ** - Reno Scum are solid hands, and I’ve seen people request them to be used more regularly before. This was a nice little exhibition of their skills in the ring against the most decorated team in ROH history. They didn’t disgrace themselves and clearly have more to offer should ROH decide they are worth the investment. At the time they didn’t, and Reno Scum eventually made their way to TNA by way of the relationship with Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling. As a filler TV midcard bout there wasn’t much wrong with this. It felt hard-fought and physical, with Thornstowe and Luster coming off credibly enough that the amount of offence they got in didn’t feel damaging to the Briscoes in any way.

Fresh off stealing the show at the 14th Anniversary with their spectacular NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Title defence alongside Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson actually enter this one with a hell of a lot to prove. In ROH they may be established as arguably the most over stars in the promotion…but they know a win here would have major implications for their work in NJPW. If they were somehow able to defeat the Ace, Tanahashi, and his partner Big Mike (i.e. major heavyweight stars) it would be a significant statement. Kevin Kelly brings his NJPW knowledge in and calls this a legitimate grudge match due to the Bucks helping Kenny Omega beat Tana for the IWGP Intercontinental Title and repeatedly attacking his bad shoulder in matches.

This will feel very different to NJPW, as even Tanahashi has to play second fiddle in the popularity stakes to the deliriously over Bucks. Tana sensibly starts on the apron given that both Jacksons are vocal about wanting to attack his shoulder again. Nick starts with Elgin and is just too quick for him, eventually ejecting him from the ring via a pop-up dropkick with the assistance of brother Matt. RUNNING CORKSCREW PLANCHA TO THE FLOOR! But when we cut back from commercials we see Tanahashi blocking a Superkick attempt and holding Matt hostage so Big Mike can blast him off the apron. Tana does a great job of conveying his dislike of the Jacksons – going so far as to emulate them with some theatrical back rakes. Elgin suplexes both Bucks at the same time in his latest display of freaky strength. Abdominal stretch to target Matt’s back comes next, and the Bucks are starting to struggle with the power and big game experience of their opponents. SUPERKICK ON THE FLOOR from Matt to Elgin! MOONSAULT OFF THE APRON INTO A TORNADO DDT ON THE FLOOR BY NICK! Back from commercials with Nick getting a 2-count on Tanahashi off a Swanton Bomb. Tana retaliates with a rebound crossbody and vacates the ring to leave Big Mike to drop bombs on both opponents. Fallaway slam/Samoan drop combo sends them skittling to the outside, only or Elgin to drag Matt back in with a DEAD-LIFT AVALANCHE FALCON ARROW! SUPERKICK PARTY ON TANAHASHI! 450 SPLASH COMBO ON ELGIN! Big Mike blocks More Bang For Your Buck…then Tana NO SELLS a Superkick to deck Matt with a lariat. WHEELBARROW SPLASH GETS KNEES! SUPERKICKS ON ELGIN! NO SOLD! SUPERKICKS ON TANA! Meltzer Driver…BUT ELGIN CATCHES NICK WITH A POWERBOMB! SLING BLADE ON MATT!  HIGH FLY FLOW! Tanahashi wins at 12:29 (shown).

Rating - **** - What I liked about this was that it felt very different to the usual Young Bucks, spot-heavy junior main event style. They did a great job of tweaking their usual formula to work with heavyweights like Elgin and Tanahashi and this was, as expected, supremely entertaining. Elgin’s catch-and-counter spot on the Meltzer Driver was unreal to watch. I liked the carry over from NJPW, particularly as it drew a more character-driven performance from Tanahashi (as opposed to ‘exhibition house show match, play the hits’ Tanahashi). 

NEXT WEEK – Hirooki Goto challenges Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship.

Tape Rating - *** - Although the only match worth your time was the main event, I actually quite liked this episode as a total package. Obviously the success of it hinges on the terrific main event, which is a great watch as it gives us a slightly different flavour of Young Bucks-style match and arguably Tanahashi’s most layered showing in a Ring Of Honor ring too. But beneath that stuff with The Addiction and the Machine Guns played out well (albeit also like an episode of TNA Impact from a few years ago), with Daniels and Kaz being reliable old-hands on the stick. Briscoes/Reno Scum was enjoyable enough too (as far as forgettable filler matches go), and Ishii popping up for his first appearance on TV was welcome. There are going to be some PACKED weeks of TV coming out of this taping in the weeks to follow, and this was a solid start.