McXal's Reviews

The 16th Anniversary was a fantastic pay-per-view, and we now enter the TV taping which followed that show. There is little time to dwell upon their success however, as by the time these episodes make air we are already just two weeks away from Supercard Of Honor 12 - the biggest drawing ROH show ever. Tonight we'll see the Women Of Honor Title Tournament Quarter Final between Kelly Klein and Mandy Leon, and a grudge clash between Flip Gordon and Scorpio Sky. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana are in Las Vegas, NV.

The Kingdom open the show, with more complaints about the conspiracy against them. Taven complains about Cody being allowed to have Brandi and Bury The Bear at ringside for the 16th Anniversary whilst Bully Ray had banned TK O'Ryan and Vinny Marseglia from having his back. Bully comes out and writes off the 'conspiracy' as The Kingdom just sucking...and formally drops them the Supercard Of Honor card. They aren't booked

Highlights of Kagetsu vs Jenny Rose and Sumie Sakai vs Hana Kimura are both shown. Again, since they are on YouTube to watch in full I will check them out and review below. As a reminder, neither appear in anything like this kind of format on this broadcast.

This is another WOH Title Tournament first round bout taped in Japan as part of a Stardom live event. Oedo Tai's Kagetsu faces ROH Dojo graduate Jenny Rose, knowing that a victory punches her plane ticket to the US where she can spread the Oedo Tai message internationally. Her stable-mate Hana Kimura, who is also part of the tournament, is at ringside.

Both women appear tentative, as Ian R spots the heavily-bandaged shoulders of Kagetsu. Jenny immediately goes after the arms and shoulders, causing her opponent such pain that she is almost pinned early after a DDT. Other members of Oedo Tai drag Jenny out of the ring and mob her on the floor whilst Kagetsu distracts the referee. Hana and Kagetsu start choking Rose in the ropes whilst the ref is preoccupied on the other side of the ring as well. When Rose finally battles back to her feet Kagetsu disrespectfully spits water into her face. Jenny dumps her high on her damaged shoulders with a sidewalk slam though then dives off the top rope with a flying clothesline for 2. Rapid-fire kicks by Kagetsu, into a fireman's carry driver that leaves both women down. Chokeslam blocked, then converted to Rose's signature Spear! Once again the rest of Oedo Tai mob Jenny before she can press home her advantage, allowing Kagetsu to score with a superplex. Kicks to the shoulder by Jenny...so Kagetsu Codebreakers her into an armbar! Chokeslam gets 2 for the Oedo Tai representative. Oedo Coaster (450 Splash) wins it for Kagetsu at 08:39

Rating - ** - Whilst it wasn't the most imaginative or innovative of contests, this was a snappy eight minute wrestling match which introduced ROH fans to what the Oedo Tai faction is all about, and showed that Jenny can hold her own in the ring when given a higher calibre of opponent. Jenny tried to exploit Kagetsu's injuries but found the skill of her opponent and the overwhelming number of Oedo Tai representatives at ringside too much to overcome. Simple, solid...and of a higher quality than several of the tournament matches we've already seen.

Writing this less than a month after Hana's tragic death is extremely tough. Like many Joshi wrestlers, she was so young - and so gifted for such a young age. This was taped at the 16th Anniversary pre-show, and sees her arrive as a member of Oedo Tai to face a veteran more than double her age in Sumie Sakai. The winner advances to face Hana's stable-mate Kagetsu (who is at ringside) in the Quarter Finals. Deonna Purrazzo is on commentary and instantly provides great insight into Sumie's history with Hana's mother, respected veteran Joshi performer Kyoko Kimura.

Saying Sumie has been in ROH since 2002 is so misleading to any new fans. Apparently Sakai has known her opponent since she was a baby, so Kimura's jovial displays of disrespect towards her won't be appreciated. Eventually Kimura jumps Sakai from behind...then sends her to the floor where Kagetsu batters her into the apron and chokes her. Mexican surfboard stretches out the veteran, and Hana stays on the back with a half crab right afterwards. Kagetsu pulls the bottom rope back to make it harder for Sumie to break the hold as well. DDT by Sakai, then the fisherman neckbreaker...so Kimura leaps into the air and blasts her with a dropkick. Running boot in the ropes almost knocks Sumie out! BACK DROP DRIVER by Sumie gets a close two-count! She wants to follow that with her signature missile dropkick, but finds Kagetsu on the apron grabbing at her leg. Superplex by Kimura...ROLLED into a stalling brainbuster for 2. Again Kagetsu tries to get involved...but this time Hana accidentally kicks her own partner off the apron. TOP ROPE SUICIDE DIVE TO THE FLOOR BY SUMIE! Missile dropkick rockets Kimura across the ring...but Hana drops down and counters the Smash Mouth with a kick to the face. YAKUZA KICK for 2. Sakai instantly hits back with a hurricanrana. Smash Mouth wins it for Sumie at 07:59

Rating - *** - Hana's death was a desperately sad and completely preventable tragedy. The sense of her loss is amplified by matches like this where you see how talented she was. Not even old enough to drink in Vegas when this match was taped, she strode into her first match in the US with poise, grace and athletic dynamism that many of the core WOH roster don't yet possess. Compared to her, Sumie looked like she was moving in slow motion. They told a surprisingly engaging story of weathered veteran against precocious young star - further fleshed out by the strong commentary talking about Sumie's history with the Kimura family. There were some big hits and really exciting moments, and more of the Oedo Tai brand of villainy on display for the ROH fans. This is one of my favourite matches from the tournament thus far.

This is our second Quarter Final Match, with the winner joining Tenille Dashwood in the Semi-Final round, which takes place at Supercard Of Honor. Kelly emerged victorious from a bruising first round encounter against Jessie 'Bonesaw' Brooks and still has just one count-out loss on her WOH record. Mandy overcame Madison Rayne in a minor upset. Both of these women are veterans of the Women Of Honor relaunch, but have apparently never met each other in a singles match as Mandy's pre-match interview claims that Klein has never beaten her. If she keeps that record alive this evening then she will be heading to New Orleans for the final rounds.

SLAP DUEL! Mandy refuses to back down from the powerful Gatekeeper...so Klein muscles her into an ugly backbreaker. That looked like it really hurt and Kelly makes it worse by peppering her opponent with kicks as she struggles to get up. Next Klein batters her in the corner...and as Leon staggers away from that she is decked again with a big boot. Trying to set up for her finishing moves, Klein cranks onto a neck vice, but gets over-confident and allows Mandy to shove her out of the ring. Apron cannonball by the Exotic Goddess! She returns to the ring with a Morishima-style missile dropkick then rattles Kelly's jaw with a diving knee strike in the corner. Panic Attack dodged though, setting Kelly up for more elbows to the neck. Leon hits a kryptonite neckbreaker almost to defend herself from sustaining more damage to her own neck. Kelly chases to the top rope and uses raw power to hit an avalanche fallaway slam. They come up still clubbing at each other's necks, before Leon tries to cut Klein's strike-power off by attacking the leg as well. Kelly stops that by brutally cranking onto a dragon sleeper until she releases it. Astral Projection gets 2...and Mandy converts it straight into the Havana Dreams. Kelly taps out - but out of sight of referee Paul Turner. Mandy celebrates victory and releases the hold before looking devastated when Turner doesn't call for the bell. Kelly suplexes her into End Of The Match, choking her into unconsciousness and winning the bout at 08:53 (shown).

Rating - ** - I didn't like the finish and there were moments of sloppy execution, but I still feel like both women should be proud of this effort. It was intense, hard-hitting, had a strong narrative core and did a great deal to showcase the real improvements they've made as workers. Neither are perfect or the finished article. Both have been lightning rods for huge amounts of the criticism that ROH's Women Of Honor division has received - sometimes wholly unfairly. This was good stuff, with the tone set early after a fierce slap exchange. Each woman attacked the neck hard, and took some big hits to get their work over. In truth they were let down by a corny finish that felt flat, took the crowd out of the moment and made a referee who has officiated ROH shows for most of the company's existence look foolish. Kelly will meet the winner of Purrazzo/Iwatani (which I believe main events the show next week).

Jay Lethal is attempting to rebound from his disappointing loss at the 16th Anniversary by turning his attention to an ROH championship he has never held; the Tag Titles. He has recruited New Japan's Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, to team with him against the Briscoes at Supercard.

SCU confirm that since Joe Koff put a 'ticking clock on their careers', they'll do whatever it takes to keep hold of the ROH Six-Man Championship...

The Villain challenges Dalton Castle for the World Title at Supercard Of Honor, so he looks to prepare by beating up his beloved Boys this week. Hangman is his problem-solving partner. He too is preparing for a big New Orleans match - looking to stand up for 'Team Cody' against Kota Ibushi. Dalton is on commentary; Marty has decided to wrestle in a suit for some reason...

The suited Villain is also wearing an eye-patch as a result of the eye injury he suffered against Punishment Martinez at the Anniversary PPV. Hangman starts with Boy #2 (dark hair), joking around for a while and then deciding to take his head off with a forearm strike. During a commercial break The Boys start unloading some of their fast-paced, squealing offence, but by the time we come back Page has restored order by driving #2 into a buckle bomb. He and Marty mess around again, making it seem like Marty is going to wrestle...only to have him tag out immediately before locking up. Unseen by Bullet Club, Boy #1 has switched places with his identical twin brother...and he uses his speed to land strike after strike on Page. Marty has left the apron and is antagonising Castle on commentary - as inside the ring Hangman hits a pop-up elbow. Buckshot Lariat wins it for Hangman at 04:52 (shown).

Rating - N/A - So I thought this was quite an inventive piece of television if the purpose was to build Scurll/Dalton for Supercard but Marty isn't able to do much because of his eye injury. Him working in a suit and refusing to get involved was funny. Page beating The Boys by himself further underlines his capabilities - whilst also making the point that he keeps winning matches for Bullet Club but having the spotlight hogged by his stable-mates (in this instance Marty's pursuit of Dalton). 

Dalton has to check on the injured Boys whilst Marty mischievously poses with the World Title

Backstage we see Silas Young and Kenny King brawling again...

The 9-time ROH Tag Champions plan on spoiling Supercard Of Honor weekend by putting an almighty beating on Lethal and Tanahashi. They may be great singles wrestlers, but Jay thinks they are no match for the best tag team in the world.

After commercials the brawl between Silas and Kenny spills down the ramp and to ringside. The Last Real Man gets on the microphone and yells at Bully Ray for the referee failing to see his legitimate pinfall at the 16th Anniversary. King challenges him to a Last Man Standing Match at Supercard...

Last year Scorpio and Flip formed something of an alliance to fight against Bullet Club. The 'Flip Army' were given a Six-Man Title shot at Final Battle...and Gordon pissed Sky off by overlooking him for that in favour of CMLL luchadors. He aligned himself with The Addiction to form SoCal Uncensored, and they have now taken the Six-Man Titles from the Hung Bucks. He targeted Flip for an attack two weeks ago along with Shane Taylor (that needed an unlikely intervention from the Young Bucks to thwart). This is the inevitable showdown between former allies.

Flip flies out of the blocks trying to land strikes on Sky. It is a new position for Scorpio being the slower of two men in the ring and he struggles to identify a sound strategy. When Flip does his silly handstand taunt Scorp tries to kick him...but Gordon goes onto one hand to avoid that then drops into a headscissors. That was awesome! NO HANDS somersault plancha drops Sky...but the 4-Nifty back in misses. Sky hangs him in the ropes as he tries another springboard and tries to slow things down with pumping right and left body shots in the corner. Gordon cartwheels off the ropes still selling his midsection, but doesn't have another core strength to hit the Samoan Pop. Springboard Sling Blade instead. The Addiction run out; Daniels distracting the ref as Kazarian tries to attack Flip...except the young man fights him off. Wheelbarrow pin on Sky - giving Flip a big win at 04:23 (shown).

Rating - ** - Not giving these guys even five minutes of television time kind of sucked. What little match we had here was good; Sky struggling to cope with not being the quickest or most agile performer in a match, then going after the midsection to stop Flip flying everywhere was a good story. In four minutes they really had nowhere to go with it though.

All of SCU start attacking Flip...until the Young Bucks run out to save him for a second time. Matt asks Flip to shake hands - and this time Gordon accepts! He and the Bucks hug in the middle of the ring. Bully comes out and, since he dropped The Kingdom from Supercard Of Honor, he needs Six-Man Title challengers. It'll be SCU defending against the Bucks and Flip in New Orleans...oh and it'll be a Ladder Match!

NEXT WEEK - It's a Champions' Challenge as Tag Champions the Briscoes face World Champion Dalton Castle and TV Champion Kenny King, plus Mayu Iwatani against Deonna Purrazzo in the Quarter Finals of the WOH Title Tournament.

Tape Rating - ** - To a certain extent ROH deserve a pass on this episode (and next week). They don't decide when WWE runs WrestleMania, so if they want to run a major show piggybacking onto it like Supercard, then they need to work their TV around WWE's schedule. In this instance there just isn't much time between their 16th Anniversary PPV and New Orleans...and as a result they have LOADS to cram into the next two broadcasts. Inevitably, therefore, the wrestling content on this episode is light. Creditably, the longest match on the show is the decent Klein/Leon WOH tournament bout but Flip/Scorpio and Bullet Club/Boys were super-short. The focus here was on booking matches for New Orleans, and as a result we now know that The Kingdom aren't booked, Lethal and Tanahashi challenge for the Tag Titles, Silas and Kenny will have a TV Title Last Man Standing Match, Hangman faces Ibushi and it'll be a Six-Man Title Ladder Match between champions SCU and the challenging trio of the Bucks and Flip. When you look at how much this 45-minutes of programming actually accomplished, it is rather impressive...