Well have reached that point not just the end of the ROH vs CZW feud but that point where it became clear to me ROH was going downhill. Oh sure don't get me wrong ROH has had good shows since this one. And I didn't think this show was a bad one when I got it years ago. Sure now looking back you can see cracks forming in the foundation or ROH throughout 2006. But on this show it became obvious hell and don't just mean when I fist watched the DVD it was so bad it was obvious just reading the results. Hell I would say the moment I'm talking about damages ROH though out the rest of the year takes away from what should have been a classic moment and even is the true beginning of the end for Gabe Sapolsky as booker.
Now I'm skipping a number of ROH show since the 100th show to get to this one. After Double C had turned on ROH the home team tried to get revenue but failed. How ever one name was brought up that might make the difference one name that had been with ROH since the first show but a man that had shown he could play dirty and brawl when he had to. That name The OG of Ring of Honor Homicide. So thus a pattern would start ROH would want Homicide to join in the war but something would happen that would piss him off. Usually it would be kind of controversy ending a title shot for him the most notable one being when his shot at Bryan Danielson was stopped by the referee like UFC 169. The feud set to end in a Cage of Death at this event it's 5 on 5 but the question is will Homicide join in and if he does what side will he be on? No major title changes have happened since the 100th show although a feud between Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness has started. Davey Richards has made his ROH debut and Alex Shelley has left the company. Lenny Leonard is not commentary for this as they claim he is injured. Jarred David fills in and does a ok job but I don't think he was really comfortable on this show.
By this time ROH had started included theB ROH Video Recap on the DVD's and I say thank god. If you run an indy company and sell DVD's please include a recap so fans that can' afford every show can stay up to date. Hell ROH should still be doing this because there TV show does an awful job of recapping on going stories. Dave Prazak is at an FIP show looking for Homicide who had walked out on ROH during a recent show and as if Homicide will be part of the Cage of the Death at Death Before Dishonor. We than cut a previous filmed video of Homicide in an empty ROH arena. Homicide recaps his ROH history as we see clips of his career. Homicide says since day 1 he has failed to win a title and he's not just talking about the world title he's never won any title. We than see clips of the various times he's come up short in title matches. Homicide promises that by the end of the year he will become a champion he will leave. Really good prom I liked they putting in here. It helped to explain he wasn't just a guy throwing a fit. Homicide desperately wanted to finally win a title in the company he loved but he felt he wasn't getting his fair break. We also get a promo by BJ Whitmer talking bout Cage of Death and his barbwire match with Necro Butcher its a good promo by BJ who admits he had been the whipping boy the last few months but this is what he has to do now. We than get a video recapping the various brawls from the entire CZW feud and it's well down recapping times where both ROH and CZW had the advantage its the kind of thing that even if you hadn't seen one moment of the feud before would get you excited for COD. Prazak has found Homicide at the FIP show while he is hanging out with So Cal Val. Was this filmed so early in the day she was the only one around. I like Val but it's just random she and Homicide are together. Prazak pleads ROH needs Homicide. Homicide agree to join the team if he gets three wishes. Its an effective end to the recap. Since now your wondering why what Homicide could want.
We open the show problem with Adam Pearce showing the scare he got during the match vs CZW at the 100th show. Pearce says it's gone on and one and tonight it ends. Pearce says he's not a death match wrestler but he will do it tonight. Pearce says it could the end or is just beginning. Great promo by Pearce. We than Chris Hero's entrance for his match with Bryan Danielson at Heel Freezes over. I don't get why you would just show Hero's entrance I know it started it the CZW war but Hero walking to the ring doesn't make for compelling stuff. Now though out the night we will get more promos by the ROH guys but nothing from the CZW guys. Now I get not wanting to give promo time Necro Butcher but Hero, Claudio, and Nate Webb could talk why not let them say something at the very least Hero who was the CZW mouth piece should have had sometime.
Seth Delay vs Delirious- Delay had worked for FIP and he was thing a shot here. Freakout by Delirious to start. Delay with a wrist lock but Delirious frees himself and get a side head lock than a front chancery into a butterfly lock. Single leg by Delay fooled by the shoulder and a sunset flip gets two. Arm drag into a crucifix by Delirious. Dropkicks send Delirious to the floor and Delay with a summersault flip that misses enough that you can her him smack the concert on the floor. Delay misses the stinger splash allowing Delirious to hit the series of clotheslines in the corner. Bulldog by Delirious. Delay fights off the cobra stretch and gets a small package for two. Flying for arm by Delay scores. Up and over by Delay in the corner and hits an inverted X-Factor. Moonsault senton by Delay but Delirious moves. Shadows over Hell by Delirious than the cobra stretch for the win. Ok match nothing great Delay did have that big botch and he seems pretty generic so its not shocking he didn't get more chances in ROH.
BJ Whitmer is backstage and says sometimes he can still fill the pain from the various attacks he has felt in the CZW war. He says feeling it only pisses him off more. Whitmer says tonight he will destroy CZW and finish off Necro in Dayton. Decent promo by Whitmer.We than get footage of Hero and Necro jumping the rail back at tag wars and Cornett coming out covered in blood from losing a tooth during the brawl.
Prince Nana was in the ring and he calls Philly the trashiest city he's ever been to and he can't wait to fly out of there. Nana brags he has done it again and he will make the crown jewel Jimmy Rave begin even better. Nana claims Rave has been kicking butt in Japan. Nana says he has hired the man that will take Jimmy to the top. Daziee Haze bring out the new man who comes out covered by a sheet over his head. Haze has to lead to the guy to the ring because he can't see through it. Nana pulls off the sheet and it's Sal Rinauro. Rave makes his entrance and uses Sal as a steep stole to get into the ring like they used to do with Jade Chung. Of all the guys you could have picked to get back on the roster and to team with Rave you pick Sal Rinauro. It's not that the guy is an awful wrestler but to me he in the Roderick Strong box just plan looking not overly impressive. As I had mentioned earlier Alex Shelley had left ROH at this point. Now before Shelley had shown up most of the members of the Embassy had one job protect Rave the crown jewel. Shelley had changed that and suddenly the Embassy had two great talents with main event potential. Sal returns it the old way and I like Rave I think the Embassy was weaker for it.
The Embassy Jimmy Rave and Sal Rinauro with Prince Nana and Daziee Haze vs Colt Cabana and Jay Lethal- Lethal was back in ROH for one night only and sadly now I can dream about how good a potential Rave/Shelley vs Lethal/Cabana could have been. Pre match Lethal and Cabana had some fun joining in the at the toilet paper toss at the Embassy. Rave and Lethal start us off. Fans chant Die Jimmy Die. Writ lock by Lethal than into an arm bar. Rave escapes and gets a double leg. Both men stand up and Sal tags in. Hammer lock than head lock to the wrist lock by Lethal finally an arm drag. Tag to Cabana and he takes over the wrist lock. Cabana Sal all dizzy as he literally wrestlers circles around him. Colt offer the wrist and Sal takes it only to get it reversed again. Rave won't tag in and Sal gets arm dragged. Rave brakes up a double team attempt by tripping up Lethal and than he sends Cabana to the floor. Rave slaps Rinauro. Ok I have to ask that what logic is there in making Sal a member. I could get if he was just a lackey but no he's supposed to be the replacement for Shelley I remind you. Rave bails out so Sal takes a double hip toss. Lethal in now. Hip toss into the dropkick to the face by Lethal. Tag to Cabana and he dos the same move as Lethal. Tag to Lethal. Dropkick to the back than tag to Cabana who again does the same thing as Lethal. Tag to Lethal. Lethal tosses Sal into the air and lets him drop. Rave in illegals and hits a lariat to the back of the head of Lethal. Tag to Rave and a double team on Lethal. Belly to back suplex by Rave than a vehicle suplex gets two. Lethal locked into the abdominal stretch. Clothesline by Rave a tag to Sal. Leg drop by Sal gets two. Corner splash misses but a clothesline on the outside by Rave keep control. Nana with a cheap shot. Power slam by Rave and a tag to Sal who hits a top rope elbow. Cabana makes the save on the cover. Rave tags in and another double team but Lethal sees it coming and sends Sal into Rave for a back body drop.Tag to Cabana who comes in with elbows and clotheslines. Double Noggin Knocker by Cabana than a second rope moonsault press on both Embassy members. Butt Butt to Sal and a lariat to Rave. Sal makes the save on the core. Running back heel kick from Lethal on Sal DDT by Lethal on Rave gets two. Sal pulls Lethal to the outside and we hear Lethal hit the guard rail no camera shot of it though.Sal breaks up the Colt 45. Stunner by Sal and running knee by Rave on Cabana but Lethal with the save. Suplex on Rave and Lethal goes to fly. Rave cuts him off. Lethal head butts Rave off but Sal than crotches Lethal. Top rope bulldog by Sal. Superkick by Sal than a Spear by Rave on Cabana for the win. Ok match but we are supposed buy that Sal is some little moron that is so desperate for a spot and money he will be a slave yet also buy he's tough enough to hang with ROH's best.
Next we get footage of Samoa Joe and Chris Hero fighting at the 4th Anniversary Show. Than it's footage of the ending of Arena Warfare where CZW took over the show and destroyed BJ Whitmer.
ROH Pure Title Match
Nigel McGuinness © vs Roderick Strong- Strong had submitted McGuinness during a recent tag title match thus earning a Pure Title match. By this point Nigel feuding with Bryan Danielson in a champion vs champion feud so it was pretty much a given he wasn't losing the Pure title. Nigel as usual interrupts the expiation of the rules to call the fans nerds. Roderick with a big chop right at the start of the match. Nigel to the floor and Roderick chases. Nigel blocks some chops and gets a few takedown. Hammer lock into a chin lock by Nigel. Nigel with an elbow to the back. Chops by Roderick and I'm already board as he hits his first back breaker for one. Strong goes for the Strong Hold and forces Nigel to use his first rope break. Arm wringer takedown by Nigel. Nigel starts to work over the arm. Powerful headlock takedown by Nigel than a bridging top wrist lock. Crucifix by Strong gets two. Lariat, enziqurie and falcon arrow by Strong gets two. Strong goes back for the Strong hold. Nigel uses rope break number two meaning he only has one left. Top wrist lock with a trip by Nigel. Shot arm lariat by Nigel. Hammerlock takedown by Nigel. Uppercut by Nigel back to the hammer lock but Strong counters and arm drags Nigel into the corner. Strong show he is a fucking idiot see throughout the match Nigel has worked over Strong arm and shoulder so Strong suddenly hits a clothesline and forearm with the bad arm. He doesn't even shake it to try and sell its still hurting. Than again what do I expect Strong the same guy that ran around and did back breakers in a match where he was supped to have suffered a knee injury. Belly to back suplex by Strong. Dropkick by Strong. Gibson driver by Strong gets two. Strong back to the strong and Nigel uses his final rope break while Roderick still has all three. Even with ropes now in play The referee forces Strong back when Nigel goes into them again and this allows Nigel to poke Strong in the eyes. Ok so wait the ropes are in play but no really? IF the guy can't uses the ropes to breaks up something than why would the referee pull Strong back. Double leg by Strong back to the Strong hold. Nigel goes for the ropes but no brea. Nigel crawls to the floor breaking the hold. I think they were hoping it would look like the ropes aided Nigel in powering free instead it just looks like Strong let go. Forearm off the apron by Strong. Now Strong sells the injured arm. Nigel snaps the ropes into Strong's faces when he tries to climb back in. Nigel with a head lock on the apron but Strong hits a belly to back suplex.Sick thud as Nigel hits the apron. Chops with the bad arm by Strong. The referee keeps counting Nigel tosses Roderick into the crowd and jumps back into the ring. Strong beats the count. Kick to the back and lariat to the chest by Nigel gets two as Roderick uses his first rope break. Running uppercut in the corner by Nigel. Nigel goes for this head stand kick but Strong hits the sick kick right to the face. Strong gut buster. Nigel is dazed and falls back going for the jaw breaker lariat but another Sick Kick cuts him off. Nigel back off the ropes again and than nails the jaw breaker. Strong use his second rope break. OK WHAT THE FUCK IS WITH THE LOGIC THERE? I get it The Jaw Breaker lariat is one of those moves you kind of just have to accept wouldn't but any use in a real fight because Nigel has to fall back between the ropes catch himself flip over and than believe that allows him to generate enough power to KO guys. But he got kicked in the face I don't care if he does fall right back to where he was he should't be aware enough to hit the move again. Nigel climbs the ropes but Strong cuts him off. Superplex set for for but Nigel head bus free. Top rope senton by Nigel but Roderick gets the knees up. Strong sets for the super gut buster but Nigel pulls free using the referee. Tower of London but Strong kicks at two. Back to the floor and we can see Nigel is bleeding from the noise. Nigel gets a front face lock and pulls Nigel up the ramp. Strong tires to power free to back to the ring but Nigel won't let go. Sadly the camera shows Nigel doesn't have the hold actually locked in. DDT on the floor by Nigel. Roderick still goes for the ring but Nigel throws him back and jumps in the ring of the count out win.
There was some good to that match as I liked some of the exchanges early on. I even enjoyed the logic of Strong going for the Strong Hold early on to get Nigel to give up his rope breaks. The problem is logic keeps falling this match we have Strong using his bad arm and forgetting it's been worked over. We have Nigel getting kicked in the face but than hitting his finisher. FInally I really think by this point they needed to start moving Nigel into a face run. Given his rivalry was with Danielson who had to be heel for his feud with Joe and title loss to Homicide I don't why they are still having Nigel play a heel willing to cheat and take count outs to keep his title.
Next we get footage of the CZW segments during the main triple shots. While I liked these videos and get recapping the feuding the problem is a lot of them are all the same thing brawling. I think they would been better off just doing one big history video package at the start of the show or the main event. Jim Cornette is introduced and he comes to the ring. Cornett mocks the CZW fans in attendance saying they are going to watch the CZW guys get turned into hamburger. Cornette talks about the recent ECW revival and says Vince and co could fuck up a wet dream and two ROH is now the only home town company Philly has. OH BULLSHIT! First we all know Cornette doesn't give a damn about ECW as he's always made a point to burry it any chance he got and two it was about this time ROH started expanding all over and ran Philly less and less. More ranting about Vince McMahon. Cornette announces that the next show in Philadelphia will feature the return of KENTA to the city but before that KENTA will get a title shot at Glory by Honor. Cornette turns back to the CZW war. Cornette talks about everything he has lost and than remember to mention the actual wrestlers. Cornette plugs JJ Dillion being the team ROH coach. I never really got why from the storyline standpoint the idea was Dillion has been with the horsemen for there war games but we never see him do anything with Team ROH. Cornette talks about how he wants Homicide to join team ROH. Cornette says he won't give Homicide three wishes since that is to much power. ROH world champion Bryan Danielson comes to the ring. Danielson claims he no Homicide is the real CZW killer. Danielson volunteers to be the fifth member of team ROH. Danielson says he won't needed weapons to do damage. Cornette asks if Danielson wants any favors and Danielson says no. Cornette agrees and puts Danielson on team ROH. This segment drags as a good chuck of it is Cornette grinding his usual axes well except for Vince Russo who he was working with in TNA.
Clips from the 100th show with Super Dragon putting BJ Whitmer through a table and Claudio Castagonli turning on ROH allowing CZW to win finally we get the shot of CZW celebrating on that night and the massive injury to the head of Adam Pearce.
The Irish Airborne Jake and Dave Crist vs the Briscoe Brother Jay and Mark- It still amazes me that the Crist Brothers haven't even gotten a tryout with WWE or TNA that I'm aware of. It also amazes me people are stupid enough to think the Bricoes are talented. Dave and Jay start us off. Jay backs Dave into the corner on a lockup. Dave does that to Jay. Knuckle lock go behind by Jay but Dave a wrist lock. Trip Jay and tag to Mark. Mark with chin lock but Dave gets a head scissors. Mark with a wrist lock and it's clear the hold it's on. Hip toss by Dave he bounties off the ring. Tag to Jake who keeps working over the arm. Side head lock by Mark and than he does for a go behind and mover steps it some how. Tag to Jay. Headlock by Jay. Escape into one of his own by Jake. Spring board headlock takedown by Jake Crist. Head scissors by Jay but Jake escapes and back to the headlock. Blind tag to make who comes with a kick that looks awful. Running suplex by Mark gets two. Knee to the face than neckbrekaer by Jake tag to Dave. German suplex by Jake onto Dave who had the knees up. Body scissors by Dave Crist. Mark fights free a gets a go behind and than he hits something it starts off as German than turns into a side slam. Knee lift by make than gut wretch suplex. Tag to Jay Briscoe. That stupid barking double shoulder block. Dropkick by ay that misses. Cape Rana by Dave Crist and he tags in Jake. Dave elevates Jake so he can hit Jay with a top rope rana. Springboard elbow by Dave. Mark makes the save. Power slam by Jake tag to Dave. The Crist climb the ropes and Dave belly to back suplex Jake off so he plashes onto Jay. Sloppy elbow by Jay Briscoe Drop toe hold into the ropes and Tag to Mark who hits a double stomp. Back drop suplex by Mark tag to Jay. Bricoes with those awful looking club shots they do. They don't even look like they are trying to be serious it's more like they are doing some strange massage on the guy. Jay with an awful looking spinning neck breaker. Mark tags back in Dooms day spring board spinning heel kick by the Bricoes gets two. Tag back to Jay. Up and over in the corner by Dave who tag Jake. Jake in with a top rope clothesline. Double team flapjack by the airborne than spring board rana by Dave. Bricoes to the outside. Baseball slide by Dave and he sends one Briscoe into the guar rail. Shooting star by Jake onto Jay and Mark with his awful attempt at the move onto Dave. Everyone is done on the floor. Jake and Mark back in the ring. Awful looking toss by Mark. Razors Edge and Neck breaker combo by The Briscoe Brothers. Dave in and a spring board drop kick takes out both Rednecks. Ace Crusher by Dave gets two. Jay catches a cross body and hits that bad looking Death Valley driver of his. Dooms days device is Blocked. Irish Air Raid buy the Airborne but Mark makes the save. Bull shit the Airborne had a grand total and 3 wins as a team you didn't need to kill off there finisher. I get with ROH and the Briscoe they do 700 finishers a match but they don't need to hurt other teams. Mark with a burning hammer for the win. Match was good when the talented Airborne were in control sucked when the spot monkey Bricoes had any control. The Airborne should have won to set them up as top team. Instead no we have to have 10 ROH title wins by the Bricoes over the years.
Crazy Ace Steel talks about ROH brining him to the east coast for this match. Steel talks about Hero and Butcher wrecking one of his matches earlier that year. Steel rants about Nate Webb putting him through a table in Chicago. Good intense crazy promo as only Ace Steel can do. Next footage of the Weekend of Champions shows where BJ Whitmer took out Super Dragon out with a Exploder though a table to the floor.
Davey Richards vs AJ Styles- Richards had just made his ROH debut and had scored a few upset wins over Jimmy Rave. I think he had only really worked a handful of shows on the east coast including winning the ECWA Super 8 tournament. Hard takedown by AJ. Double leg takedown by Richards but AJ gets a chin lock. AJ goes for the leg but Richards counters into a ankle lock. AJ gets the ropes. Hammerlock by Richards AJ rolls though for a wrist lock. Davey bridges bad and manages to kick AJ in the arm. Kick to the leg by AJ Davey returns fire. Headlock by Richards AJ power him off but Richards hits the ropes and nails a shoulder tackle knocking AJ down. AJ with the Kick to the arm like Davey used. Kick to the back by Davey and the two men get face to face. Chop exchange. Back breaker by Richards than a great looking snap suplex. Headlock by Richards AJ gets free but takes a running knee to the gut. Chops to the chest than big kick by Richards. Grounded head scissors by Richards. AJ escapes to a knee grape vine and bound on the knee. Richards goes for the arm breaker but AJ gets the ropes. Another back breaker by Richards. Second rope drop kick to the knee by AJ. Richards rolls to the ground and AJ follow. Kick exchange AJ gets pissed and tosses Richards into the guard rail and than nails a shin breaker on the guard rail. Back in the ring AJ with a roll up and into a leg bar in the center of the ring. Richards rolls though and gets an indian death lock position. Single leg by AJ an the keeps after the knee. Knee drop to the knee by AJ. AJ goes for the clash but Richards blocks it and than gets the ropes to escape. Richards goes to spring board but AJ cuts him off with a jumping kick. Richards back to the floor. Richards blocks the baseball slide and hits an elevated DDT onto the floor. Back to the ring and a back drop by Richards and than a over head belly to belly suplex. Richards with a spring board missile dropkick. Series of kick by Richards than boot to the head. German with a bridge gets two for Richards. AJ gets a hammer lock and than hits a back drop driver that gets two. German by AJ and he rolls though looking for a belly to back. Richards counters and rolls into a victory roll for two. Richards escapes the hangman's neck breaker. AJ ducks a kick. Handspring front kick by Richards and both men are down. AJ blocks the DR Driver. Richards with another hand spring but AJ catches him and gets a torture rack bomb for two. AJ climbs to the top. Spiral tap but Richards gets the legs up. Gut buster than power bomb into the horse collar by Richards. Richards mocks AJ pose but gets the pelle. AJ with the styles clash for the win. Very good match. AJ made the up and comer look like a star. Back in the day this was one of my first looks and Richards and damn was I impressed.
Backstage Samoa Joe talks about the CZW boys jumping him and going after knee. Joe says there are no sneak attacks. Tonight in a cage they can't away from him and he will get his revenge. Joe than warns he is coming for Danielson next. Next is footage of Ring of Homicide where Homicide finally joined the CZW war and highlights of his match with Necro Butcher.
ROH World Heavyweight Championship
Bryan Danielson © vs Sonjay Dutt- The story of this match was that Danielson wanted to challenge someone from the CZW roster so he picked a guy most fans associate with TNA. Look I know Dutt worked for CZW but he's a TNA guy. Than again better Sonjay get this than one of the CZW guys like Nick Gage or Mad Man Pondo. Danielson insists he introduced as the CZW Killer. Sonjay refuses to shake hands and instead slaps Danielson. Sonjay pulls a Larry Zbyszko and goes to the floor to stall. Back in the ring Sonjay scores a slap and goes to the floor again. Back in the ring Danielson drives Sonjay into the corner and slaps him in the face. Go behind takedown by Danielson but Sonjay escapes to a head lock. Another big slap on the break by Danielson. Son sick so getting slapped gives Danielson a clean break. More stalling between the two men. Danielson escapes a wrist lock and hits a dropkick. Sonjay back to the floor. Drop toe hold into a headlock by Danielson. Sonjay kip ups and escapes. Single leg into a leg tie up by Danielson. Sonjay flops free. Firemen's carry takeover but Danielson. Sonjay with a wrist lock Danielson rolls free and hits a forearm. Danielson sets up for the surfboard but first he goes for the noise. Danielson gets the arms and locks the surfboard in. Danielson puts it down just so he face the CZW fans when he locks it back in. Danielson drops the hold to drive the knees into the mat. Uppercuts by Danielson. Chops by Dutt. Arm drag by Dutt and he sends Danielson to the floor. Summersault flip by Dutt to the floor. Dutt sends Danielson into the guard rail. Back in the ring Sonjay with an elbow drop cover gets one. Snap suplex by Sonjay than the Arabian Press gets two. Dutt goes for a cross body but Danielson catches him and gives him the fall away slam. Dropkick by Danielson. Danielson goes for a dive but Sonjay catches him with a dropkick. German suplex by Danielson but Dutt lands on his feet. Standing shooting star by Dutt gets two. Danielson blocked Sliced bread and sits Dutt on the top. Back drop superplex but Dutt twist around and lands on top. Count of one count of two Danielson kicks out. Spine buster by Dutt. Lionsault by Dutt Danielson moves, Dutt lands on his feet but gets German Suplexed. Danielson goes for the cross face chicken wing. Standing sliced bread by Dutt gets two. Sonjay to the top. Danielson moves on the twist splash and hits a running forearm. Cattle Mutilation by Danielson. Dutt gets the ropes. Danielson goes for a superplex but Sonjay gets a sunset bomb for two. Dutt with a superkick. Moonsault stomp by Dutt only gets two. Half camel clutch from Dutt. Danielson gets the ropes. Top rope belly to back suplex into the elbows for the referee stoppage win. This match is very average it has some good points and the guys do wrestle well but it goes to long. Dutt's stalling got real annoying. It also never felt like Dutt ever had a chance of winning. To be honest I think the better thing wold have been to announce Danielson as a member of team ROH earlier and just not have this match.
Backstage GMC is with Nigel McGuinness. Nigel says he's one again proved he's the best champion in Ring of Honor and he's coming up on a year as Pure Champion. Gary asks about the more questionable means. Nigel says he just bring the best pure wrestling and brags about beating Danielson. GMC asks Nigel attack Danielson in the locker room. Nigel says Danielson hasn't done anything about it. Nigel than blames Colt Cabana for there loss in the tag title match at a previous show. We spot Colt Cabana with Lacey. Lacey runs off. Colt points out Nigel tapped out. Nigel says he couldn't depend on Colt. Colt reuses to get into there history again. Colt challenges to one final match between the two of them for the pure title. Nigel accepts. Decent segment as it was helping to set up the eventual unification match with Nigel and Danielson plus the Cabana and Lacey affair.
Next west footage of In Your Face where Homicide took out Hero with a massive dive. Than Chi-Town Struggle where Necro and Claudio took out Samoa Joe's leg. Again it's decent stuff but I really think they would have been better off just showing a long history package before the match. Back i the arena the Cage of Death has been set up. Bobby Cruise explains this will be war games rules two men start one team adds a member than the other and so own. Cruise introduced ROH coach JJ Dillion call the flip of the coin to determine who gets the advantage. I don't why the even bothered with this I mean we all know how this goes CZW are the heels (on the ROH shows) so of course they will…. Holy hell JJ won the flip meaning ROH will get the advantage.
Cage of Death Team ROH Samoa Joe, BJ Whitmer, Adam Pearce, Ace Steel, and Bryan Danielson vs Team CZW Chris Hero, Claudio Castagonli, Necro Butcher, Nate Webb, and Eddie Kingston- Kingston wasn't named a member of the match until after it had started. Cage of Death is CZW's marquee match like Hell in the Cell for WWE or the Lethal Lockdown for TNA. Now unlike those matches the cage design would change from year to year. This one looks like someone built a UFC style Octagon Cage and put an ROH ring in it. The cage does have room on the floor to fight like Hell in a Cell does and we see various weapon inside the cage. Like the 100th show we have ROH referee Paul Turner and CZW referee Bryce Reemberg each calling the action. ROH made the call not to have commentary for this match because the action would speak for itself but I just don't like that move. I actually think commentary helps this match and maybe even helps cover for dead spots and other issues that might come up. Samoa Joe is man number one for ROH. Claudio Castagonli if first out for team CZW. Claudio takes his time getting in ring trying to avoid getting killed by Joe. Dropkick but Claudio and some forearms at the start. Claudio goes for the muscle buster but it's block however he still hits the upper cut. Joe sends Claudio to the apron and hits a kick sending the ROH traitor to the floor. Suicide dive by Joe and Claudio hits the steel. Joe soccer kicks a trash can into Claudio's head. Chair shots by Joe. Claudio gets sat in chair because it's Ole Ole kick time. Claudio reverses a whip and sends Joe into a ladder that had been set up. Uppercuts by Claudio Joe revers a whip in the ring and hits a forearm than back ward spin kick. Face wash by Joe. Claudio to the floor and Joe rams his face into the cage. Joe drops a ladder on Claudio's back. Claudio gets sat in the chair again but cuts off the Ole kick with an uppercut. Time is up and here BJ Whitmer who comes down with a black bag. Punches by Whitmer and a leg lariat. Whitmer with a a snap suplex. Claudio with a knee to the cut. Running knee on Joe. Whitmer whips Claudio into Joe for the ST Joe. Team ROH puts the boots to Claudio than a double shoulder tackle. Time is up and out for CZW is Chris Hero . Hero gets jumped as soon as he's in the ring Hero with thumbs to the eyes. Yakuza for BJ and drop kick for Joe. The Kings of Wrestling double team Whitmer. To get hat Hero pulls ROH shirt BJ is wearing and whips his ass with it. Claudio hold BJ in air as Hero kicks him in the head. Bryan Danielson out next for ROH. Big forearms by The American Dragon. Hero goes after the eyes and than goes for a belly to back. Danielson flips free and hits one an atomic drop into a big boot by Joe. Danielson with a knee drop followed by the Joe senton. The go after Claudio. Running knee but Joe who than runs Claudio into the the flying uppercut by Danielson. Danielson clotheslines Claudio over the top to the floor. Joe pounds on Hero but runs into a big boot. Hero goes for the cravat o'claims but Danielson makes the save and calls for Joe to hit the muscle buster. Danielson clips Joe in the leg as he goes for the moves. Danielson goes after Joe's leg. Jim Cornett runs out scramming "What are you doing?" Nate Webb infer CZW as Danielson hits Joe with a chair. ROH officials in to check on Joe. Danielson walks out of the cage as he and Cornette yell at each other. See this is where combinatory would have really helped. See it's eventually explained that Danielson took out Joe because he was trying to prevent Joe from getting another title shot. Having commentary would have allowed that be explained but it's not here also I think it would have helped the shock value to have Prazak and Jarred David freaking out reacting to it.
Team CZW goes after Whitmer as Joe is helped from the cage. Webb with a spring board moonsault kick as Hero and Claudio hold a chair and trashcan in front of BJ's face. BJ is busted open. Adam Pearce in for ROH. Pearce with big shot to the CZW crew and hits a spin buster on Claudio Pearce held Whitmer up and they double team Claudio. Hero has trashcan and takes out BJ. Webb uses a chair to choke Whitmer. Pearce sent to the floor. Pearce gets sling shotted into the cage by Claudio. Necro Butcher out for CZW. Butcher hits Whitmer with a chair. Hero actually sits down in a chair to relax before he hits Pearce with a chair. Hero with trash can lid shots to Pearce's head. Butcher with power slam onto chair for Whitmer. Nerco Butcher shows he's an idiot and pins even though the rules were made clear you can't win until everyone is in the ring. Claudio with an elbow drop on Whitmer Necro hits Pearce with a ladder. Hero to mock the fans locks the cravat in on Whitmer. Ace Steel in with a cowbell and takes out CZW with shots form it. Necro gets his bell run with a bell and one for Webb Hero takes the bell and hits Steel with it. Ladder shot by Hero on Steel. Necro chokes Pearce with the rope for the cow bell. Team ROH is out as Hero gets a microphone and starts a CZW chant. Hero introduces the final member of team CZZ but first Steel hits him with a trash can. the rally is cut off. Hero stomps on Pearce and Steel. Hero says the final man is someone he hates but that man hates you (I assume he means the ROH fans) and its Eddie Kingston. Now again this would have been a great place for commentary to help explain this moment. See Hero and Kingston have a long and bitter feud with each other so teaming should have been "Oh my god!" stuff but of non CZW fans I'm sure this was confusing. Yakuza in the corner on Steel by Kingston. Giant flush DDT by Kingston on Steel than a Yakuza for Whitmer. Necro and Ace Steel are busted open as is Adam Pearce. Steel laid out with a trash ban lid shot. Butcher with an awful looking bulldog into a barbwire bat on Steel. Hero holds Whitmer so Kingston can chop him but Whitmer moves so Hero takes it. Hero shoves Kingston and than slaps him again this would have been great place for commentary to set up how Hero and King can't trust each other and even something as small a missed chop can set them off. Claudio tries to calm them down and than Suddenly Homicide's music hits.
The ROH Fans go nuts as Smokes leads Homicide down. Dillion looks confused or maybe he's just sad that Smokes is what passes for a manger these days Hominid has a board with him and gets in the ring to clock Kinston with hit. Butcher goes after Homicide. Homicide gets the black bag Whitmer brought down and pours out thumb tacks that Butcher runs over. BJ with the exploder on Butcher Steel hits a Kingston with a trash can. Homicide pulls out forks and hands them out to ROH. Fucking Smokes as usual won't shut up witch is even worse since there isn't commentary to block him out.Whitmer stabs Necro. Homicide picks up tacks and rubs them in Kingston's face. Steel goes to down on on Webb. Kingston is busted open. Pearce with a pile driver for Claudio on the floor. Claudio is bleeding. Whitmer wraps Butcher up in barb wire. Pearce with a press slam over the ropes into the cage wall on Webb. We jump around I have no idea who is doing what I have feeling they missed a lot and had the camera guys running around. Steel and Pearce with a ace crusher back breaker and leg drop combo on Webb and Kingston. Necro. Steel with a suicide dive but Kingston moves and Steel hits the cage. Back drop suplex by Pearce sending Webb into the tacks. Hero goes after Homicide and tears at his face. Homicide with a top rope ace crusher through chair on Hero. Pearce with an elbow on Webb and only gets two. Hero busted open as Homicide stabs him with a fork. Hero should tacked off the apron into he steel by Homicide. Homicide with a board shot for Necro. Whitmer pounds on Kingston. Board shot but Claudio. Exploder on the floor by Whitmer and Kingston hits the cement floor. Webb with a big flip dive takes out Whitmer. Claudio and Pearce crash though a table as the fight on the cage walls. Homicide with a flip dive takes out Webb. Hero with a moonsault off the cage takes out everyone. Hero and Homicide into the ring, Hero cover but BJ makes the save. Elevated DDT by Whitmer on Hero into a chair. Butcher with a chair shot. Whitmer and BJ fight. Double team backdrop by Homicide and Whitmer puts Butcher through a chair but only gets two. Some who Necro has laid out Homicide and BJ. Butcher pulls Whitmer onto the apron and they fight. Whitmer with an exploder though a table wrapped in barb wire. Massive barb wire board in the ring now.Webb to top for moonsault with a chair onto Homicide. It misses but Webb lands on his feet. Lariat by Homicide. COP KILLER counted. Power bomb counted. Cop Killer into the barb wire for the win by team ROH. Well with a match called Cage of Death you get what you pay of this was a hard core spot fest and its was pretty entraining. I actually like they twist they did with Danielson leaving thus blowing the advantage for team ROH.
Post match ROH celebrates. Cornett comes and says the garbage wrestlers got there asses kicked. Cornette order the ring crew to take out the trash. The CZW wrestlers are removed from the cage and the building. Cornette laughs as Webb is dragged out. Cornette thanks Steel and Whitmer calling them warriors. He asks Pearce, Dillion, and Homicide to stay in the ring. Massive Homicide chant breaks out. Cornette thanks JJ for leading team ROH even though he did nothing. He thanks Pearce for helping out while Cornette was out of ROH. Cornette says he knew Homicide was a warrior and says he knew Homicide couldn't stand back when ROH was in trouble. Cornette give his word of honor Homicide gets his three wishes. Homicide gets a microphone. First wish is for a fight with Steve Corino Homicide's long time rival. Cornette swears he will get Corino to come back. Wish two is a shot at the ROH world title. Cornette agrees and grants Homicide a shot. Wish number three for Low Ki to be reinstated. Ok I should explain a little. Low Ki had one of many fallings out with ROH early in 2006 to cover up for him being gone ROH claimed he had been the one to attack Jim Cornette and knock out his tooth. Cornette than had banded Low Ki for life. Cornette's mode changes and he gets real serious. Cornette says he won't do it since it's not a favor for Homicide not Low Ki. Homicide talks about his history with Low Ki and says if Cornette won't do it than he's a liar. Cornette than does the one thing he should never have done and turns heel refusing to do it asking if its Homocide since Low Ki is his lover. Homicide sits in Cornette face. Pearce goes after Homicide. Cornette cements his heel turn macing Homicide while Dillion locks the door. Dillion and Pearce handcuff Homicide to the ropes Smokes clubs in the cage and gets maced. Cornett pulls off his belt and whips Homicide across the back. Cornette rants at Homicide and the fans. The cage is opened as Cornette and company leave the ROH students run out and try to unlock Homicide but they don't have the key. Finally the cut the cuffs. We close with Homicide in agony from the beating and mace.
JIm Cornette going heel was a major mistake. By 2006 the heel boss was already so over done in wrestling plus WWE has been doing it nonstop. One of ROH's biggest strengths was it was different than what you would see on WWE or TNA. Now we had ROH doing that same angle we could see on Raw with Vince. Also Cornette's heel act is just so out place in modern wrestling. Not helping the fact is Homicide spent most of the year now feuding with Cornette, Pearce, The Bricoes and Steve Corino when he returned not Bryan Danielson who would win the title from. I understand thy wanted to save the title win for Final Battle the last show of the year but Danielson had nothing to do with Homicide again until two weeks out match. Hell if you insists on having Heel boss why not have Cornette and Danielson working together. Finally there is a huge issue we need to talk about. Remember how this all about Low Ki? So you would think at some point Ki has to come back well he doesn't and they never planned on brining him back. To make a comparison when MVP came into TNA he didn't say anything about AJ Styles since AJ was coming back. Sadly at this show it was clear Gabe Sapolsky was burned out. Glory by Honor IV has some weak moments but over all it's a pretty weak show. I do like the main event just not the follow up segment. AJ vs Richards is good but the rest of the matches you can skip and skip this show as well
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