McXal's Reviews

I believe this airs the same weekend as ROH's crew are flying to Japan to participate in New Japan's second annual 'Honor Rising' weekend. It is also taped the night before (but airing well after), the experimental 'Experience' show in Columbus, but still very much in the countdown to the double-header of huge shows Manhattan Mayhem and then the 15th Anniversary Show. This set of tapings features the 2017 Top Prospect Tournament (without wanting to spoil anything, this isn't a vintage year)...and our headline bout tonight sees Marty Scurll defend the TV Title to Donovan Dijak in the latter's final Ring Of Honor appearance. We are in Pittsburgh, PA and Ian Riccaboni leads TV commentary (for a non-Women Of Honor episode) for the first time, which is a pretty major moment for him. He is joined by a rotating cast throughout the taping, with Bobby Fish alongside him here.

Christopher Daniels is the first man through the curtain hyping his title match at the 15th Anniversary, but doesn't get far before being interrupted by the World Champion himself. He has Adam Page attack Daniels from behind, quickly bringing Frankie Kazarian through the curtain for a save. Since everyone is dressed for combat (how convenient) we have ourselves a match...

Unless Bobby Fish throws a spanner in the works at Manhattan Mayhem, we now know what our 15th Anniversary main event will be. Christopher Daniels won the Decade Of Excellence Tournament and will challenge for the belt, meaning this is as close as he is been in years to realising a destiny he claimed to be his as far back as 2002 when he participated in the first ever Ring Of Honor Championship Match. Bullet Club are out in force to make sure that doesn't happen. Cole and the Hangman will use this as an opportunity to critically derail his championship prospects...

Daniels and Cole come to blows whilst Frankie ejects the Hangman and levels him with a pescado. TOPE SUICIDA by Daniels! He tries an Arabian Press as well...but Page traps him upside down in the ropes allowing Cole to drill him with a superkick. Back from commercials with Bullet Club in charge, but quickly losing control allowing him to make a hot tag to Kazarian. He hits an electric belly to belly into the turnbuckles to wipe Page out, soon followed with the slingshot cutter on Cole for 2. Hangman eats the Jerry Lynn rope leg drop, clearing the ring for Daniels and Cole to come to blows. BME blocked, and Cole rolls Daniels up to grab a quick win at 04:52 (shown).

Rating - * - The finish sucked, and the match was forgettable. ROH have been pushing this narrative of Daniels having 'one more chance' to win - despite the fact that Daniels has been working at the same level of excellence he always has done. Therefore having Cole, the younger champion in his prime, score a quick win on the veteran fuels that angle. It isn't the angle I'd like to see or the way I'd build to Daniels/Cole - but I can't criticise it for not being logical. Given the men involved this could have been a hell of a bout. It isn't and that is a major disappointment however...

In the ring Daniels and Kazarian are arguing again over another defeat. Frankie actually walks away from the #1 contender. Meanwhile on commentary Bobby Fish rants about being overlooked and calls himself the uncrowned 'king' of Ring Of Honor...

After commercials we go backstage to see Daniels and Kazarian still arguing. Frankie accuses Daniels of letting Cole 'into his head' and therefore has already lost.

I've accused ROH of loading their 'Top Prospect Tournament' with broken down old timers who don't really fit that mould. Even someone like Hanson, arguably one of the tournaments biggest successes, was hardly a 'prospect', more a veteran of the independent scene. At least these guys are both in their 20's. Skyer, known as the 'Southern Saviour' has a strong look and appears confident in front of the camera. It is quickly understandable as to why some consider him among the favourites for the tournament this year. Carr is an east coast talent, who's career involves appearing regularly for a slew of semi-reputable east coast indies. He also briefly appeared in the 2016 Honor Rumble during the Reloaded Tour. 'Brutal' Bob Evans replaces Fish on commentary

We begin with a speedy exchange of basics, contested in front of total silence from an unfamiliar audience. Carr breaks cover first and gets a nearfall with a standing moonsault. Skyler retaliates with a lariat, rolled into a Tiger Driver for 2. Skyler telegraphed the kick-out by being half-way back to his feet, which is something I really hate. Having seen Sean's speed first-hand, Skyler tries to slow him down with a rear chinlock. They exchange big kicks, with a superkick from Carr knocking his opponent out of the ring and vulnerable to a tope suicida. Carr goes for broke attempting a big spot at the side of the ring, only to be tossed aside for a SPEAR ON THE APRON by John! He follows that with a slingshot spear back into the ring for 2. Diving Codebreaker by Carr, giving him a 2-count right back. Moonsault nailed...but still Skyler kicks out. He clambers to the ropes trying to escape - luring Carr in so he can hit his finisher. It's a diving fireman's carry slam from the second rope called the 'Southern Salvation'. Skyler advances at 06:00

Rating - *** - The Top Prospect Tournament doesn't exactly have a rich heritage of delivering must-see matches. As I've said for the last few years, these guys have a really tough job going out onto a national TV taping with miniscule match times trying to get themselves over in front of a crowd which doesn't give a sh*t about them. Both Skyler and Carr battled that well. They kept a fast pace, they threw heaps of action in...and above all gave the impression that they cared and were busting their ass. Skyler looked the more polished, but Carr the more athletic and exciting. The fact that I came away thinking neither wrestler was horrible is testament to the quality of this one. I look forward to seeing Skyler work again later in the tournament...

NEXT WEEK - Bullet Club of the Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes and Adam Cole face Jay Lethal, Bobby Fish and the Briscoes. We also get The Kingdom defending the Six-Man Tag Titles against The Rebellion. They get some promo time where Taven and TK come off like stars whilst Vinny looks like a f*cking moron...

Up next it is supposed to be the Tempura Boyz against the Motor City Machine Guns, but Ian announces some breaking news that there has been a 'backstage attack'...and we hear no more about it since we go to commercials. That was odd.

Not that it counts for much since this is his last night with the company, but Dijak has been outstanding recently. He had a killer TV Title Match on pay-per-view with Bobby Fish last year, and has been consistently enjoyable ever since despite running his contract down so he can go sign with another promotion. Scurll is still new to ROH despite holding the title. Beating established players like Dijak is critical if The Villain wishes to cement his spot at the top of the card...

Marty refuses to shake Dijak's hand...so the challenger boots him out of the ring for a RUNNING MOONSAULT! SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROP for 2! Scurll has to rake the eyes to block Feast Your Eyes and then wrenches the arm as Donovan goes for Time To Fly instead. Trust Fall gets another nearfall for the rampant Dijak however. The match goes to the floor, where Marty rams his opponent's head hard into the ringpost - setting up a tornado DDT on the floor. Ian Riccaboni, bless his soul, is trying to make the recent live events in Texas relevant by pointing out that Cody went after Dijak's neck - so Marty is too. Dijak BACK FLIPS off the apron to escape Scurll, only to get his head snapped backwards after a kick from the apron. Despite the size difference Marty is dominating now and hauls Donovan back between the ropes so he can start working the arm over. Time To Fly nailed, but causes Dijak to slump in the corner afterwards. He eventually follows with the dismissive body throw spot but can't land the Choke Breaker. Just Kidding from Scurll, as the camera picks up Lio Rush watching from the stage. Rack Bomb gets 2 for the challenger. MARTINI KILLER! TIME TO FLY COUNTERED WITH A BRAINBUSTER! Scurll gets a nearfall. Chickenwing blocked...Choke Breaker countered into a roll-up for 2. SNAP PILEDRIVER BY MARTY! ONE COUNT OF DISRESPECT! Chickenwing rolled through into FEAST YOUR EYES! BUT MARTY KICKS THE F*CK OUT! Has anyone else kicked out of that? Dijak berates Scurll for not shaking his hand...so Scurll BREAKS HIS FINGERS! CHOKE BREAKER! SPRINGBOARD CORKSCREW SENTON MISSES! CHICKENWIIIIIIIIIING! WITH ANOTHER FINGER BREAKER! DIJAK TAPS! Scurll retains in a breathless 10:32 (shown).

Rating - **** - This was a statement match for Marty Scurll. He delivered an incredible performance, convincingly dominating a man substantially bigger than him. Convincing both through the skill of his ring work but also the physical charisma and performance he was able to give. Dijak too deserves credit - he worked insanely hard to put the new TV Champion over on his way out. Dijak could've phoned this in, could have protected his body and could've not allowed his heavily protected finishing move to be used as a false finish. He went out in the correct manner, making Scurll look even better as a result. As I write this in early September 2019 speculation is starting to ramp up about where Marty will sign at the expiration of his current ROH deal - be it joining his friends in All Elite Wrestling, taking the plunge and adding to WWE's bottomless NXT talent stockpile or re-upping with a down-on-its-luck Ring Of Honor who can ill-afford to lose another big name. And it was apparent here during one of his very early US appearances that he is a big name. He is a marketable star. This pre-dates his time on Being The Elite. He was super over on his own steam, and the fact that he hasn't become ROH World Champion (as of writing anyway) feels like a major waste of his potential over the next two years...

Ian Riccaboni announces that Lio Rush will face the TV Champion at the 15th Anniversary Show (on the back of his victory over Marty at The Experience, which hadn't even taken place when this was taped). Will Marty survive Manhattan Mayhem to meet him? He tries to put Lio in the Chickenwing, only for Lio to be saved by The Rebellion. Motor City Machine Guns and Jay White make a belated save too, which is pretty awkward. Have The Rebellion recruited Lio?

Tape Rating - *** - I hated the Bullet Club/Addiction opening segment, and the non-match between the Tempura Boyz and MCMG was pretty weird...but this episode hinged on the main event and thankfully it was exceptionally good (arguably the best TV match so far this year). There are far worse TPT matches than Skyler/Carr that ROH have put on TV in the past too. Honor Club members with ten minutes to spare - the main event of this is well worth a watch.