Soulpower
Guest
Greetings, and welcome to the FIRST (I think) review for an ROH PPV in IWF History. Since ROH matches tend to be long, I will NOT give a blow by blow account of each match (There might be an exception or two). Not only that, but I will debut a brand new rating system dubbed... THE BAM RATINGS! How does it work? You can get 0 Bam's (Bam Neely is mad at this crap) up to 5 Bam's (Bam applauds you for putting on a classic).
On to the review!!
We begin with a snazzy video package that highlights the ROH PPV's from the past year. After that, we get a run-down of the recent Tag Title changes, and Mark Briscoe's injury which forced them to drop the titles (The Age of the Fall are the current tag champs).
The Vulture Squad (Jigsaw and Ruckus) vs El Generico and Kevin Steen
This was the right choice for the opener. The first half of the match was pretty slow, but the it picked up in the second half when everyone started hitting the big moves. Steen and Generico get the win after Steen hits a Senton on Jigsaw, which was followed up by a Splash from the top by Generico.
Winners:Steen and El Generico
Match Rating:
We get a video package for The Briscoes.
Claudio Castagnoli vs Davey Richards
Nigel McGuiness is on commentary for this match. This was a bit underwhelming considering the talent in the ring. Claudio took over the match early using his size for an advantage. CC goes for a Springboard move, but Davey shoves him to the outside and hit a SICK Tope con Hilo. Davey takes over, working over Claudio's arm in the process. Castagnoli manages to escape, and mounts a comeback with some European Uppercuts and a Dropkick. He hits Davey with the Apamare Waterslide, but only gets a 2.
CC sets up for The Ricola Bomb, but Davey send him into the corner, and a Frankensteiner from the second rope. Richards continues to attack by hitting a running forearm, but Castagnoli comes back with a Springboard European Uppercut. Moments later, Davey charges at Castagnoli, but is thrown up, and is met by a European Uppercut on the way down, which gives Claudio the win.
Winner:Claudio Castagnoli
Match Rating:
We get a Brent Albright promo, as he gets ready for his match, which is NEXT!
Brent Albright, Pelle Primeau and Delirious vs Chris Hero, Adam Pearce and Eddie Edwards
This was a fun tag match. Primeau and Delirious played face-in-peril for the majority of the match, until Delirious tags in Albright who just cleans house! He hits a SICK German Suplex on Hero, followed by a Backdrop to Pearce. Hero, Primeau, Pearce and Delirious all take the fight to the outside, leaving Albright and Edwards in the ring. Eddie hits a Superkick, then charges at Albright but is greeted by a Powerslam. Brent hits The Air Raid Crash (Celtic Cross) and then Knees Eddie repeatedly in the head until the ref stops the match.
Winners:Brent Albright, Delirious, and Pelle Primeau
Match Rating:
and half
Post-Match, Adam Pearce attacks Albright with a brief case, and opens it, revealing that the NWA title was inside (Pearce was the NWA champion until last night, where Albright won it). Sweeney says that having the NWA title gives him THE POWER! Unfortunately.. that's not a lot of power :shifty:
We get a video package for the Erick Stevens vs Roderick Strong match
Erick Stevens vs Roderick Strong (Fight Without Honor)
HOLY CRAP! This is where the PPV went from decent, to awesome. I'm not even going to try to recap this. We had a lot of chops, and a lot of insane bumps in this one. They bring out one HUGE ladder, and a couple of tables. Once again, they trade chops and forearms, and both men go down after Stevens hits a Lariat on Strong. Both men get up, but Strong takes Steven's head off with a chair shot. Roderick sets up the tables in the corner, then sets up the ladder. Both men climb the ladder, and fight on their way up. Roderick hits a Superplex of the top of the ladder, through both tables, and that is enough for the pin, and the win. Awesome, awesome match, and a great way to end this feud which lasted almost a year.
Winner:Roderick Strong
Match Rating:
Nigel McGuiness vs Go Shiozaki (ROH Title Match)
This is our second straight great match. Go looked like he could hang with the champ, and Nigel was just an all-out dick in this match, doing everything for hair pulling, to eye poking, to mocking Bryan Danielson mid-match. Near the end of the match, Nigel locks in The London Dungeon, but Go counters into a roll-up for a near fall. Shiozaki gets up and hits a Superkick, followed by the Go Flasher for another near-fall. Both men are back up, and Nigel hits a Chinbreaker, and follows up with a Crossbody from the top rope, but Go rolls through and hits The Orange Crush for another 2 count. Both men get back up and exchange palm strikes, Go hits a Superkick which sends Nigel to the ropes, but he uses the momentum to hit The Rebound Lariat. Nigel locks in The London Dungeon one more time, and Go has to tap!
Winner:Nigel McGuiness
Match Rating:
and a half.
Post-Match, Bryan Danielson comes out and accuses Nigel of ducking him. Bryan wants his title shot, and he wants it on PPV.
We get a video package highlighting the feud between Austin Aries and The Age of The fall
The Age of The Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) vs Bryan Danielson and Austin Aries (ROH Tag Team Title Match)
Wild brawl at the start, which actually causes an early DQ. The match gets re-started shortly after that and we get a great match. This is easily one of the top matches (Overall, not just tag matches) of the year. Near the end of the match, Aries and Jacobs fight all the way to the backstage area. Back in the ring, Danielson locks in The Cattle Mutilation on Tyler Black, hits the MMA Elbows, then goes back to the Mutilation. Black manages to make the ropes, but Danielson gets a Small Package for a near-fall. Danielson now locks in an Armbar, but Tyler escapes with kicks to the head. Black hits The Small Package Driver for a 2 count. Tyler goes up top, but Danielson follows suit. Black hits some kicks to send Danielson back to the mat. Tyler hits a Superkick, a Small Package Driver, and hits The Phoenix Splash to get the win.
Winners:Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black
Match Rating:
and a half.
Post-Match, Nigel makes his way to the ringside, and calls Danielson pathetic. He says he lost to Tyler, someone that he (Nigel) had already defeated in the past. McGuiness says that Bryan will get NO title shot, until Danielson defeats all the wrestlers that Nigel has beat.
Tyler Black celebrates the win, as the show comes to an end.
Overall Thoughts:Score another one for Ring of Honor. This was a PPV well worth the price of admission (Between 10 to 15 bucks). The first three matches were decent enough, but the last three were just INCREDIBLE, and have to be seen to be appreciated. The ME is on the short list for MOTY, and the Strong vs Stevens match was just an insane brawl from start to finish. The World Title Match was more than solid, and as I stated earlier, it made Go look like a top guy in ROH. Nigel continues to be GOLD as a heel, and it really makes you wonder who (If anyone) will take the title from him.
Easy thumbs up for this show, which ranks among the top PPV offering from any fed this year. If you want to watch some great wrestling for a good price, ORDER THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
As usual, remember to read Kaedon's No Smark Zone, and his SD review, as well as my RAW Review. Until next time, I am out!
On to the review!!
We begin with a snazzy video package that highlights the ROH PPV's from the past year. After that, we get a run-down of the recent Tag Title changes, and Mark Briscoe's injury which forced them to drop the titles (The Age of the Fall are the current tag champs).
The Vulture Squad (Jigsaw and Ruckus) vs El Generico and Kevin Steen
This was the right choice for the opener. The first half of the match was pretty slow, but the it picked up in the second half when everyone started hitting the big moves. Steen and Generico get the win after Steen hits a Senton on Jigsaw, which was followed up by a Splash from the top by Generico.
Winners:Steen and El Generico
Match Rating:
We get a video package for The Briscoes.
Claudio Castagnoli vs Davey Richards
Nigel McGuiness is on commentary for this match. This was a bit underwhelming considering the talent in the ring. Claudio took over the match early using his size for an advantage. CC goes for a Springboard move, but Davey shoves him to the outside and hit a SICK Tope con Hilo. Davey takes over, working over Claudio's arm in the process. Castagnoli manages to escape, and mounts a comeback with some European Uppercuts and a Dropkick. He hits Davey with the Apamare Waterslide, but only gets a 2.
CC sets up for The Ricola Bomb, but Davey send him into the corner, and a Frankensteiner from the second rope. Richards continues to attack by hitting a running forearm, but Castagnoli comes back with a Springboard European Uppercut. Moments later, Davey charges at Castagnoli, but is thrown up, and is met by a European Uppercut on the way down, which gives Claudio the win.
Winner:Claudio Castagnoli
Match Rating:
We get a Brent Albright promo, as he gets ready for his match, which is NEXT!
Brent Albright, Pelle Primeau and Delirious vs Chris Hero, Adam Pearce and Eddie Edwards
This was a fun tag match. Primeau and Delirious played face-in-peril for the majority of the match, until Delirious tags in Albright who just cleans house! He hits a SICK German Suplex on Hero, followed by a Backdrop to Pearce. Hero, Primeau, Pearce and Delirious all take the fight to the outside, leaving Albright and Edwards in the ring. Eddie hits a Superkick, then charges at Albright but is greeted by a Powerslam. Brent hits The Air Raid Crash (Celtic Cross) and then Knees Eddie repeatedly in the head until the ref stops the match.
Winners:Brent Albright, Delirious, and Pelle Primeau
Match Rating:
Post-Match, Adam Pearce attacks Albright with a brief case, and opens it, revealing that the NWA title was inside (Pearce was the NWA champion until last night, where Albright won it). Sweeney says that having the NWA title gives him THE POWER! Unfortunately.. that's not a lot of power :shifty:
We get a video package for the Erick Stevens vs Roderick Strong match
Erick Stevens vs Roderick Strong (Fight Without Honor)
HOLY CRAP! This is where the PPV went from decent, to awesome. I'm not even going to try to recap this. We had a lot of chops, and a lot of insane bumps in this one. They bring out one HUGE ladder, and a couple of tables. Once again, they trade chops and forearms, and both men go down after Stevens hits a Lariat on Strong. Both men get up, but Strong takes Steven's head off with a chair shot. Roderick sets up the tables in the corner, then sets up the ladder. Both men climb the ladder, and fight on their way up. Roderick hits a Superplex of the top of the ladder, through both tables, and that is enough for the pin, and the win. Awesome, awesome match, and a great way to end this feud which lasted almost a year.
Winner:Roderick Strong
Match Rating:
Nigel McGuiness vs Go Shiozaki (ROH Title Match)
This is our second straight great match. Go looked like he could hang with the champ, and Nigel was just an all-out dick in this match, doing everything for hair pulling, to eye poking, to mocking Bryan Danielson mid-match. Near the end of the match, Nigel locks in The London Dungeon, but Go counters into a roll-up for a near fall. Shiozaki gets up and hits a Superkick, followed by the Go Flasher for another near-fall. Both men are back up, and Nigel hits a Chinbreaker, and follows up with a Crossbody from the top rope, but Go rolls through and hits The Orange Crush for another 2 count. Both men get back up and exchange palm strikes, Go hits a Superkick which sends Nigel to the ropes, but he uses the momentum to hit The Rebound Lariat. Nigel locks in The London Dungeon one more time, and Go has to tap!
Winner:Nigel McGuiness
Match Rating:
Post-Match, Bryan Danielson comes out and accuses Nigel of ducking him. Bryan wants his title shot, and he wants it on PPV.
We get a video package highlighting the feud between Austin Aries and The Age of The fall
The Age of The Fall (Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black) vs Bryan Danielson and Austin Aries (ROH Tag Team Title Match)
Wild brawl at the start, which actually causes an early DQ. The match gets re-started shortly after that and we get a great match. This is easily one of the top matches (Overall, not just tag matches) of the year. Near the end of the match, Aries and Jacobs fight all the way to the backstage area. Back in the ring, Danielson locks in The Cattle Mutilation on Tyler Black, hits the MMA Elbows, then goes back to the Mutilation. Black manages to make the ropes, but Danielson gets a Small Package for a near-fall. Danielson now locks in an Armbar, but Tyler escapes with kicks to the head. Black hits The Small Package Driver for a 2 count. Tyler goes up top, but Danielson follows suit. Black hits some kicks to send Danielson back to the mat. Tyler hits a Superkick, a Small Package Driver, and hits The Phoenix Splash to get the win.
Winners:Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black
Match Rating:
Post-Match, Nigel makes his way to the ringside, and calls Danielson pathetic. He says he lost to Tyler, someone that he (Nigel) had already defeated in the past. McGuiness says that Bryan will get NO title shot, until Danielson defeats all the wrestlers that Nigel has beat.
Tyler Black celebrates the win, as the show comes to an end.
Overall Thoughts:Score another one for Ring of Honor. This was a PPV well worth the price of admission (Between 10 to 15 bucks). The first three matches were decent enough, but the last three were just INCREDIBLE, and have to be seen to be appreciated. The ME is on the short list for MOTY, and the Strong vs Stevens match was just an insane brawl from start to finish. The World Title Match was more than solid, and as I stated earlier, it made Go look like a top guy in ROH. Nigel continues to be GOLD as a heel, and it really makes you wonder who (If anyone) will take the title from him.
Easy thumbs up for this show, which ranks among the top PPV offering from any fed this year. If you want to watch some great wrestling for a good price, ORDER THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
As usual, remember to read Kaedon's No Smark Zone, and his SD review, as well as my RAW Review. Until next time, I am out!