The very first Survival of the Fittest was held in 2004. Bryan Danielson won the tournament but it was Austin Aries breakout night as he showed he belonged in the top level matches in ROH. The next year Aries was back in the finals but came up short to his tag team partner Roderick Strong So with a real hit on there hands and Gabe admitted "Survival of the Fittest is a really cheap to run." So in 2006 it was brought back. If you have never seen Survival of the Fittest it's a one night tournament where 12 wrestlers engage in a series of qualifying matches usually there one on one but this year there was a tag team match. The winners advance to elimination match where there must be a winner. Now this event takes place in October it feel right after Glory By Honor Weekend and was really when ROH was amping up the Road of Homicide as the battled toward his ROH world title shot at Final Battle.
We open in about as poor a way as you can a Briscoe Brothers promo. Jay claims last time they were in Cleveland Ohio Homicide gave him a scar. And than something about teamwork. Jimmy Rave interrupts and wants to know what happened to Prince Nana while he (Rave was in Japan) Mark just goes Man Up. The truth is Nana had left ROH and Rave gimmick was about to be over hauled. Austin Aries talks about what a bitter sweat event SOTF is for him and recaps being in the final two the last two years. Aries says this is the year he finally finishes what he starts. Awful promo by the Briscoe Brothers decent one by Aries.
SOFT Round 1
Davey Richards vs Matt Sydal- All first round matches have a twenty minute time limit and if time expires both men are out of the tournament. Lock up and Richards gets a firemen's carry into head lock. Head scissors by Sydal. Richards bridges out and ties up the legs and shots the half for two. Go behind by Sydal. Reversed by Richards. Revered into head lock by Sydal. Arm bar by Richards. Sydal gets free and gets a hammer lock. Reversed back to the head lock by Richards. Top wrist lock by Richards. Sydal flips out and gets the trip. Arm drag by Sydal who than goes for it again. Richards blocks it. O'Conner Roll by Sydal is blocked by Richards. Flipping Japanese arm drag by Sydal into an arm bar. Head lock by Sydal. Richards shoves him off and no sells the shoulder block. Sydal tries again and Richards won't go down again. Sydal grabs a head lock and gets suplex for it. Series of chops and kicks to the chest by Richards gets two. Back drop suplex by Richards and he gets two again. Series of kick to the chest by Richards. Head scissors by Sydal. Sydal rolls to the ropes. Vertical suplex by Richards gets two. Richards telegraphs the back body drop and gets kicked than drop kicked.Knees to the gut by Richards and than a running kick to the chest of Sydal. Series of kicks by Richards again. Sydal gets in Richards face and gets slapped. Sydal catches the leg and gets the dragon screw leg whip. Head scissors takedown by Sydal who than side steps a changing Richards and sends him to the floor. Over the top dive by Sydal takes out Richards. Inverted DDT with the leg across the chest by Sydal than the standing moonsault for two by Sydal. Sydal goes for the double leg Richards goes a power bomb by Sydal turns it into a Rana. Lariat in the corner followed by the attempt at the jumping DDT by Sydal. Richard catches him and hits a gut buster. Liger Bomb by Richards only gets two. Richards to the top. Sydal cuts him off. Head butts and slaps by Richards sends Sydal back to the matt. Richards dives but Sydal catches him with a leg lariat as he comes down. Exchange of punches. Forearm and kicks Richards he goes for the round house to the head but Sydal ducks.Big slap by Sydal and over hand chops. Handspring kick by Richards. Running elbow by Richards by Sydal gets his leg up and kicks the elbow. Enziquri by Sydal who than runs into a discos lariat by Richards. Richard covers and only gets two. Richards places Sydal up top and goes for a super DR Driver. Sydal fights out kicks Richards off. Shooting star by Sydal but Richards moves. Sydal lands on his feet.DR Drive escape an a roll up by Sydal gets two. Back slide by Richards gets two. Jig and Tonic by Sydal for the win. Really good opening match a wonderful mix of highflying, strikes, and technical wrestling.
Roderick Strong talks about how just yesterday it feels like how he won SOTF. He adders losing the tag title to the Kings of Wrestling and wanting the belts back but tonight he needs to win SOTF again. Typical boring Strong promo.
Jimmy Rave with Daizee Haze vs Delirious- Even with the Embassy gone Rave still get his usually toilet paper treatment from the fans. Big freakout by Delirious at the start. Rave kicks the stomach and gets a head lock. Shoulder block by Rave and he goes for a full nelson. Snap mare by Delirious. NEar fall exchange. Delirious to the floor and Rave chases after him. Back in the ring a cross by by Delirious doesn't' get one. Rave back to the floor and Haze checks on him. Rave starts to climb back in the ring so Delirious gets of out it. A fan has sign that says Rave will win so Delirious tears it up and than starts to eat it. Back in the ring Delirious goes the poster still in his mouth. SIngle leg trip into a headlock by Rave. Wrist lock by Rave. Escapes and Under hooks by Delirious but since this isn't MMA Rave head butts him. RUnning knee to the gut by Rave than a stomp to the face gets two. Rave dumps Delirious to the floor a double chop by the Haze and some stomps. Rave out of the ring to get Delirious. Rave cranks on the head of the Lizard Man. Abdominal stretch by Rave. Back drop suplex by Rave gets two. Rave put his knee to the throat. Back to the abdominal stretch by Rave. Hip toss by Delirious to get free. Head butt to the stomach and clothesline by Delirious. Back body drop on Rave. Leaping lariat by Delirious draws a two count. Rave blocks the cobra stretch but runs into a boot. Running drop kick to the back by Delirious sends Rave into the corner. Delirious tries for the panic attack but runs into the spear. Both men are down and roll to the apron. Clothesline by Rave and Delirious smacks the edge of the ring. Sling shot drop kick in the corner by Rave gets two. Rave sets for Greeting from Ghana. Modified northern lights suplex by Delirious gets two. Running knee by Rave gets two. Drop toe hold by Delirious and running knee light. Cobra stretch by Delirious for the win. Good match. It seemed like they were playing that Rave was off his game because he had no idea where Nana was.
Austin Aries vs Christopher Daniels with Alison Danger- Aries was growing out his hair and beard again to do the Austin Starr Gimmick in TNA. Before the match start Aries explains that the airline lost his luggage so he had to borrow gear from other wrestlers. Lockup and Aries gets Daniels in the corer. Clean break after a bit of a delay. Hammer lock into a head lock by Aries. Head lock takedown by Aries. Back to standing and Daniels gets top wrist lock but only for a second. Back to the head by Aries. Daniels tries for back suplex but Aries land on his feet and goes fight back to the head lock. Shoulder tackle elbow drop back to the head lock by Aries. Daniels escapes and gets his own head lock. Shoulder tackle by Daniels. Japanese arm drags by Aries than back to the head lock. Head scissors by Aries. Headstand escape is blocked twice. Third time Daniels just rolls out of the ring to avid the drop kick. Baseball slid by Aries. Aries goes for a dive but Daniels moves. Aries lands on his feet. Back to the ring. Headlock by Daniels Aries counters back to the his own headlock. Shoulder block by Aries. Hip toss by Daniels. Monkey flip by Aries but Daniels with a cartwheel. Hip toss by Daniels. Aries rolls to the floor. Daniels goes for a dive but Aries moves. Daniels lands on his feet. Shoulder to the stomach by Aries when Daniels climbs back to the apron. Aries goes to suplex Daniels back in the ring. Daniels lands on his feet. Back slide by Daniels gets two. Aries nails the basement dropkick to the face coming out of the backslide. Daniels to the floor. Suicide dive by Aries whips out Daniels. Slingshot senton and frog elbow by Aries gets two. Chin lock by Aries. Knee to the midsection of Daniels by Aries gets two. Shoulder in the gut by Aries in the corner. Running knee to the gut by Aries. Second rope elbow drop by Aries gets two. Brain Buster is blocked. Gourd buster by Aries into the indian Death lock. Front chancery by Aries. Brain buster blocked again. Neck breaker counted by Daniels into a death valley driver. Aries rolls to the floor. Jaw snapped on the top rope by Daniels gets two on Aries. Belly to back suplex by Daniels and than he snaps the neck. Reverse headlock takedown by Daniels gets two. Jaw breaker by Aries but he runs into a drop toe hold that sends him into the ropes. Daniels with a head scissors using the ropes for extra leverage. To the floor and Daniels sends Aries into the guard rail. Back in the ring the blue thunder bomb gets two. Arabian press misses. Twisting body press by Aries gets two. Kaprana by Aries gets two. Roaring elbow by Aries. Daniels blocks the brain buster by Driving Aries into the corner. Aries tries again but Daniels hooks the ropes. STO by Daniels and he hits the Arabian press gets two. School boy by Aries is countered into the Koji Clutch. Aries gets the ropes. Yuri Nagi by Daniels. Daniels signals for the BME but Aries grabs onto his leg. Another Yuri Nagi. BME, Aries moves but Daniels lands on his feet. Forearm by Aries. Crucifix bomb by Aries. Running corner drop-kick by Aries gets two. Aries to the top rope. Daniels up with a big palm strike to stun Aries. Daniels goes for a super Angles Wings but it's blocked. Daniels crashes to the floor. 450 for the win by Aries. Very good match. Not quite the dream match you would expect from these two but still very good. Sadly this match always show just how directionless Daniels was in ROH. He was a face but wound up playing heel because Aries was a face who actually had been featured.
Backstage Bryan Danielson claims he put SOTF on the map by winning in 2004 and reminds up he beat Aries in the match that made him. Danielson says Joe doesn't deserve the rematch after Fight of the Century. Danielson says even with his bad shoulder he will kill the legacy of Samoa Joe. Its a good promo by Danielson. Sadly his injury was very real As I talked about in the Gut Check review ROH didn't want him to drop the ROH world title since that would kill the build for Final Battle. But it also limited what Danielson could do.
Jim Cornette and the Briscoes comes out. Cornball goes right into full heel mode so much for that "I only have an issue with Homicide." ROH shows how bush league there production is by having a dead spot with the audio. We waste a bunch of time with Cornette trying to get head and taking shots at the city. What's worse its just a repeat of what we have already seen Cornette claiming he's not the bad guy but than being the bad guy. Cornette puts over the Briscoe Brothers. Cornette recaps that Homicide is getting a title shot at Final Battle and orders the Briscoes to hurt Homicide to make sure get his title shot. He than uses that stupid gasoline britches line. You know this show goes over three hours they easily could have save time and money and not brought in Cornette. I could understand if he was announcing something anything but no it was a recap of what anyone that had seen the last few DVD's already knew.
The Briscoe Brothers Jay and Mark Briscoe with Jim Cornette vs Roderick Strong and Homicide- This match is so stupid. See the winner of SOTF gets an ROH world title shot. So why would Cornette who wants to makes sure Homicide doesn't win the title allow him in the tournament that could give him a shot. Yes you could argue "He's stacked the deck and it gives The Briscoes another chance to hurt Homicide." But again why risk it? Hell if you want to book another Homicide vs Briscoes match why not make it non tournament? Cornette waddles to the back to get away from Homicide. Homicide come sin and gets in a shoving contest with Jay Briscoe. The referee finally gets control. Strong and Mark start us off. Wrist lock by Strong. Trip by Mark. Test of Strength. Broken by Strong and a drop toes hold into a press for one. Head lock by Mark. Awkward moment when Strong goes for a half spear half roll up. Backslide by Mark gets nothing. Tag to Homicide tag to Jay.Shoulder block by Homicide. Back body drop by Jay. Arm drag by Homicide and dropkick. Jay to the floor. Mark in and sends Homicide to the floor and than he dives coming close to dating his feet in the top rope. Back in the ring the Briscoes do that stupid bark before a double shoulder tackle.I don't know what they were going for I think it was supposed to be Homicide dropkicking one leg each but it just looks like the Briscoes tripped. Mark to the floor and Homicide follows. Mark send in tot eh guard rail. Jay and Strong fight in the ring. Homicide sent int other guard rail. Strong and Jay to the floor Chair shot right in front of the referee by Mark. Ok I have mentioned this in the past but it keep happening in these reviews. You can't just have a segment like that right in front of the referee. It makes no sense he wouldn't DQ someone. More brawling and guys going into the guard rail. Homicide has a chair but the refers takes it from him. More brawling. And Mark tosses a chair at Strong in front of the referee. And let me make this clear they are not trying to set up this referee Todd Sinclair is with Cornette. This is just lazy dumb booking. Homicide drops Jay on the guard rail. Homicide has a chain and again the referee stops him. Ok you can't have it both ways in booking. The refers can't' relax the rules and than enforce them two seconds later. Again they are not setting up a heel referee thing here. Back in the ring Jay and Homicide go. Clotheslines in the corner by Homicide than a running kick. Tag to Strong. Back suplex by Strong gets two. Tag to Homicide. Double team board buster. Strong with a camel clutch and a running boot by Homicide. Exploder by Homicide and a tag to Strong. Dropkick by Strong gets two. Tag to Homicide. Chops by Homicide. Jay blocks a suplex and boots him. Tag to Mark. Mark charges as Homicide is in the corner but gets back body dropped he flips over and lands on his face and than hits the guard rail because well Mark Briscoe is an idiot.
Over head belly to belly suplex by Jay off the second rope. Mark in with leaping kick and he has to scream like a money again because Mark Briscoe is an idiot. Homicide kicks at two. Sloppy gut wrench by Mark than a knee drop. Northern lights suplex by Mark. Tag to Jay who comes in with a crap jumping leg that gets two. Drop kick by Jay gets two. Tag to Mark. Drop kick to the face by Mark gets one than Homicide kicks but Mark won't get off and in a trying another pin way in a he doesn't get Homicide just kicked out way. Butter fly suplex by Homicide. Tag to Strong. Sling shot shoulder tackle by Strong. Leg lariat by Strong. Yuri Nagi back breaker by Strong. Jay brakes up the pin. Tradition back breaker by Strong. Suplex by Strong. Tag to Homicide. Monkey flip by Homicide Mark lands on his feet so Strong clotheslines him. Cover by Homicide gets two. Neck breaker and a tag to Strong. Leg full nelson by Strong. Rolling cradle by Strong gets two. Chops by Strong and a tag to Homicide. Rolling into a butter fly by Homicide. Jay breaks up the move. Tag to Strong. Blind tag by Jay. Mark holds Strong and Jay with a big boot. That crappy stretch plum by Jay. Homicide breaks it up. Tag to Mark. Double team by the Briscoes. Back drop suplex by Mark. Tag to Jay. Chops by Jay. Tag to Mark and shoulders to the stomach and a elbow that misses by a mile. Tag to Jay. Knee to the gut by Jay. Snap suplex by Jay. Tag to Mark. Double team hip toss by the Briscoes gets two. Jaw breaker by Strong and an enziquri. Tag to Homicide. Over head belly to belly by Homicide. Jay in no tag but gets a swinging DDT. We get the announcement there are two minutes left in the time limit. Knee drop to the back by Homicide on Mark. Jay is on the floor and gets a topa con hellilo. Spin kick by Mark. Sick kick by Strong. Strong and Mark to the top for a superplex by Strong. Frog splash by Homicide gets two. Jay break it up. Jay sends Homicide to the floor. Power bomb neck breaker combo by the Briscoes. Homicide Mark to the floor and hits the three amigos. Cornette back out and he gives the tennis racket to Mark. Cornett up on the apron to distract the referee (Why? HE let the Briscoes use chairs earlier) Homicide gets hit the racket and the Briscoes steal the win. This match sucked big time. Its got the usual sloppy Briscoe Brother stuff sloppy spots and annoying habits. Than we get a long boring brawl to start and the referee being stupid. Its annoying when the ref is this bad about the rules. I think Gabe wanted the tennis racket to be a big deal but Dave Prazak and Jarred David don't really sell it like that.
Bryan Danielson vs Samoa Joe- Danielson's ROH world title is not on the line here. There two had just wrestled back in August to an hour long draw. So yeah this match's finish was already clear they were going to go to a draw and thus both guys would be out. They had just shown an hour wasn't enough for either guy to get a win so of course twenty minutes wouldn't be enough. This is made extra stupid as I remind you Danielson had a serious injury. Plus why is the world champion in this tournament anyway? To me tournaments are something extra to win for the guys that are chasing the world title. And if you are going to put Danielson in the tournament have someone beat him to set up a title challengers like ROH had done in 2004 with Colt Cabana and Samoa Joe. (Yes I know that was the finals but same point stands) Apparently the airline also lost Danielson's gear because his trunk actual look to big. Circling around each other. Danielson goes after the leg trying a single leg. Joe blocks it. Test of strength and Joe goes the advantage. Daniels gets up and lock in the strange hold. Joe to the ropes. Danielson breaks but goes afar the leg. Wrist lock by Danielson and he goes for a crank on the arm. Danielson keeps working over the arm. Joe gets free and power Danielson off. Test of strength and and Joe forces Danielson into a bridge. Joe tries to break it but gets caught in a body scissors. Cross arm breaker by Danielson. Joe gets the ropes for a break. Uppercut by Danielson and a head butt. Joe with a big chop. Danielson back on the bike moving away. Kick to the leg and series of jabs by Joe. Series of jabs by Danielson and he goes for the face wash. Joe catches the boot and throws Danielson down. Chop by Joe and than he whips Danielson into the corner for the charging forearm and flip kick. Face wash by Joe. ST JOE when Danielson charges. Dragon to the floor. Suicide dive by Joe But Danielson moves. Joe lands on his feet. Danielson get pouched into the guard rail than tossed into it shoulder first. Joe goes for the Ole Kick but Danielson runs away back to the ring. Single leg by Danielson and he sets up for the mexican surfboard. Danielson can't get Joe over so he drives the knees into the mat. Kick to the head by Danielson and he chokes Joe on the ropes. Danielson tears at the face. Chops and jabs in the corner by Danielson. Butter fly locked in by Danielson. Joe powers him over for modified northern lights suplex that gets two. Joe charges into boot. Diving Upper cut by Danielson gets two. Top wrist lock on the ground by Danielson with the other arm tripped. Joe drives his knees to try and get free. Danielson with palm strikes to the face. Butterfly locked in agin and Danielson drives knees to the face and than he gets the butter fly suplex. Back to the Crossarm breaker by Danielson. Joe to the ropes. Knee drops by to the face Danielson. Danielson ties up the legs and after the sexy party Danielson drops back in a shin breaker. Another sexy party and shin breaker.
Joe gets the ropes and Danielson still has until five. Slap to the face by Danielson Joe responds and Danielson beg for mercy and runs. Single leg and a leg screw by Danielson. Danielson cannon balls onto the leg a few times. Running cannon ball by Danielson and than he grape vines the leg. Knee bar by Danielson. Joe charges into a boot. Danielson to the second rope he dives writhing into a cutter by Joe. Running forearms by Joe. Snap power slam by Joe gets two. Danielson goes for a roaring elbow. Joe catches the arm and locks in a fujiwar arm bar. Cross arm breaker by Joe and Danielson gets the ropes. Joe goes for the muscle buster. Danielson goes to the eyes. Missile drop kick by Danielson sends Joe into the corner. Running forearm followed by the front chancery suplex by Danielson. American Dragon to the top rope for the diving head butt and gets two. Danielson goes for the cross faces chicken wing. Joe blocks it. Power bomb by Joe into the STF. Joe changes to the cross face as the two minute warning sounds. Danielson counters into the cattle mutilation in the center of the ring. Joe gets the ropes. Awkward moment I think the plans was for Danielson got go for a thez press than Joe wold catch and hit the atomic drop but it winds up looking like Danielson just tries do use his chest to knock Joe. (Hey maybe that's where Sarah Del Rey got that idea. *See last CHIKARA Review). One minute left and Joe hits a flying big boot. Joe with a senton but Danielson gets the knees up. Both men are down. Flip kick by Joe and he sets for the muscle buster. Danielson back to the eyes. The bell rings just a Joe locks in the choke. Its a good match I mean it's Samoa Joe vs Bryan Danielson. Baring a major breakdown the match is always going to be good. Its was just way to obvious this match was going to a draw.
Joe and the fans want five more minutes. Danielson is still down. Joe is asking the referee. Danielson crawls over and gets the ROH world title belt. The come out and say the referee will give extra time if Danielson agrees. That is really stupid. They made it clear the match goes to a draw both men are out. So how would the referee have this power? I assume this why have a commissioner. Hell since Cornette whole deal was "I only have a problem with Homicide and people who side with him." And Joe had sided with Homicide why not have Cornball come out and refuse the extra time. Danielson asks the fans if they want five more minutes. Prazak points out Danielson never gives the fans what they want. Danielson tears he will do it but than hits Joe with the belt. Danielson works JOe over with the belt and stomps it not Joe. Danielson gets the microphone and tells the fans to kiss his ass. Well at least they used the as a chance to make it clear Danielson was a heel. Danielson goes to attack Joe again but the ROH students hold him back. Danielson says to the camera he is the best ROH champion of all time not Samoa Joe. Joe gets helped to the back.
Intermission time Dave Prazak makes it clear it will be a five way. Jimmy Rave interrupts and demands to know what is going on with the embassy. DP says he doesn't know. Rave demands DP find Jim Cornette.
ROH World Tag Team Championship The Kings of Wrestling Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli © vs Colt Cabana and Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey- The Kings of Wrestling had won the tag title at Glory by Honor weekend cashing in a open contract and hitting Austin Aries in his bad with a brief case. After Jimmy Jacobs had found Lacey and Cabana in the shower he wound up being forced to work with Cabana at Lacey's orders. Lacey is convinced Colt is going to Lacey's Angles even though he scoffs at it every time she brings it up. Lacey rushes out to he ring and demands the shut up Jimmy's song Ballad of Lacey and makes them play Cabana's music. Cabana dances with Lacey as Jimmy start to cry. Colt goes over to check on him and Lacey just keeps yelling at Jacobs. I think ROH included this stuff with Cabana last second. I think that because Cabana had come off as ass hole in everything before this and ROH saw it was indirectly turning Cabana heel. The Kings alway have the CHIKARA tag titles with them since they held those title at this point and they come in through the crowd still selling the idea they weren't ROH guys. The King refuse to shakes hands. Hero and Jacobs start the match. Lock up and Hero gets a hammer lock and into a wrist lock. Jimmy uses his legs to power out. Headlock by Hero back to the wrist lock. Reverses by Jacobs. Power slam by Hero. Headlock by Jacobs. Hero powers off and they colloid shoulders. Hero goes for a drop kick as Jacobs hits the ropes but Jacobs hold onto the ropes so Hero hits the mat. Arm drag and a drop kicks by Jacobs. Helicopter head scissors by Jacobs. Drop toe hold and a tag to Cabana. Colt wants a double team but Jacobs refuses. Tag to Claudio. Arm wringer take over by Cabana. Side headlock takeover by Claudio. Cabana with a head scissors. Claudio kips up. Head lock take over Cabana. Claudio with the head scissors. Cabana can't kip up and it appears he is going out Colt than just breaks it and mock Claudio. Strangle hold by Claudio. Reversed by Cabana and some fun and games. Single leg by Cabana into a knee bar. Body scissors by Claudio and he hurt Cabana's ass than his hands. Cabana and escapes and back to the knee bar. Head scissors takedown by Cabana. Monkey flip by Cabana. Tag to Jacobs who comes in with sling shot double stomp than more double stomps and an elbow drop. Head scissors take down by Jacobs. Tag to Hero. Claudio to the floor and he goes after Lacey. Jacobs to the floor and he slaps Double C. Back in there ing Hero elbows Jacobs and than a body slam. Hair mare by Hero and tag to Claudio. Wishbone by the Kings of Wrestling. Big upper cut by Claudio tag to Hero. Double team by the Kings of Wrestling. Club to the back by Hero. Sunset flip by Jacobs gets two. Hero cuts off the tag drags Jimmy away from the corner and tags in Claudio.
Power slam by Claudio gets two. Abdominal stretch by Claudio and Hero pulls the arm for extra leverage. Hip toss by Jacobs. Claudio catches Jimmy on the tag and power him back spine buster style into the KOW corner. Tag to Hero. Double team Gorilla press by the Kings of Wrestling gets two. Hero ties up the legs and gets a chin lock. Hero into the surfboard and kicks at the back. Forearm by Hero Jacobs answers back Chop by Jacobs. Jacobs goes for a rana. Hero blocks it but Jimmy gets through the legs and makes the tag to Cabana. Top rope cross body on Hero. Claudio into the ring and takes a series of elbows. Hero is back up and a double atomic elbow. Butt Butt on Hero. Kaprana by Cabana gets two. Claudio in with an uppercut. Jacobs tags in. Diving spear by Jacobs on Claudio. Jacobs goes for the contra code on Hero who blocks it. Tag to Claudio who has Jacobs on his shoulder as Hero hits a running big boot. Claudio covers and gets two. Upper cut by Claudio who than goes to whip Jacobs into the corner. Cabana uses his body to cover the turn buckle to soften Jimmy's landing. Double team by the challenges and a school boy by Jacobs gets two. Fishermen neck breaker by Jimmy gets two. Cabana wants a tag and Jacobs does it. Double team whip and assisted charges by the challengers. Jacobs goes for the spear but Claudio leaps frogs him and Jacobs nails Cabana. Hero in with a big boot sends Jimmy to the floor. Double team Hero's Welcome for the win by the Kings of Wrestling. Good tag match. I do question who Jimmy and Cabana got a title shot since they never teamed before but they did gel pretty well.
Post match Lacey yells at Jimmy again and goes to check on Colt. The King of Wrestling leave through the crowd. Music hits and BJ Whitmer runs our and attacks Jacobs. Jimmy drops kick Jimmy in his bad leg with he's still wearing a brace for. Cabana pulls Jacobs off. Jacobs leaves alone. Really underwelming way to bring BJ back. I would have just had him come out stand on the ramp and cut a promo warning Jacobs he's about to be cleared and than hell to pay. Have Cabana hold Jimmy back while Lacey is screaming for Jimmy to get BJ. Witch could also be use to force the issue with Lacey and Cabana.
Survival of the Fittest Finals
Matt Sydal vs Delirious vs Austin Aries vs Jay Briscoe vs Mark Briscoe - There is no time limit for this match and there must be a winner. Its under elimination rules. So yeah another super long match from ROH. Also I dislike up only having five guys here. It doesn't kill match but it' be like the WWE cutting the Royal Rumble down to 25 guys. Delirious freaks out at the bell and everyone bails out of the ring. Matt Sydal in and Delirious goes for a leg but he misses it. Sydal works over the arm. Reversed by Delirious in a head lock takedown. Head scissors by Sydal. Head stand escape by Delirious. Go behind by Sydal gets free and goes trip into a headlock. Sydal rolls out and gets a front chancery. Small package by Delirious gets one. Test of strength and Sydal is forced into the bridge. Sydal power up but gets caught in a head lock. Revered by Sydal. Shoulder tackle by Sydal. Arm drag by Delirious into the arm bar. Shoulder tackle by Delirious. Arm drag into a arm bar by Sydal. Full nelson by Delirious. Sydal drives Delirious into the corner and elbows on the break. Mounted punches by Sydal and than a great looking monkey flip. Delirious tags in Aries. Lock up but Aries shoves Sydal off. Jay Bricoes tags in taking out Sydal. Knee to the gut by Aries than a firemen's carry followed by a elbow into head lock. Jay escapes and gets a full nelson. Waste lock takedown by Jay. Aries escapes and gets a front chancery and than changes to a head lock. Jay tags in Mark. Spring board dooms day spin kick but the Briscoes . The usual BS from the Briscoes as the match hadn't built to a spot like that yet. The Briscoes bring in Sydal and double team and Double team hip toss him to the floor taking out Aries and Delirious. Sydal tossed back into the ring. Tag to Jay and they do that dumb "Beatdown" witch really looks like they are giving him a massage on top of that they have scream while doing. I guess Sydal tagged in at some point.. Running suplex by Mark than a sloppy looking gut buster. Tag to Jay by Mark. Side slam second rope leg drop combo by the Briscoes. Snap suplex by Jay. Jay goes to the eyes. Gourd buster by Jay than a awful looking neck barker gets two. Top rope Rana as Jay goes for a tornado DDT by Sydal. Tag to Aries. Running knees than a snap back drop suplex by Aries. Mark breaks up the cover. Aries ducks a charge and Mark nails Jay. Aries stacks the briscoes int he corner and hits the running drop kick. Aries up top but Mark shoves him off. Spring board dooms day by the Briscoes to eliminate Aries. Well there goes the best over all wrestler in the match. Sydal in and gets double teamed but the Briscoes. The Briscoes toss Sydal into the air. Delirious in and the poor gets hits with the worst looking double flap jack ever. On the floor Delirious talks to Sydal and they agree to team up. Jay chops Sydal in the back. Tag to Mark.
Flying cross body by Mark gets two. Series of forearms and shoulders by Mark. Samoan drop by Mark gets two. Sydal with a leaping lariat in a the corner the a sunset flip gets two. Tag to Delirious by Sydal. Delirious holds Mark down so Sydal can hit the cannon ball leg drop. Wasteland by Delirious and a tag to Sydal. Delirious holds Marks in a camel clutch. Sydal goes for a running drop kick but Jay kicks him in the back from the apron. Superkick by Sydal knocks Jay off the apron than a drop kick to Mark's face. Cover and only gets two. Diving upper cut by Mark and tag to Jay. Just shit looking worked punches by Jay who than chokes Sydal with the boot. Dropkick by Jay Briscoe gets two. Tag to Mark back breaker split legged corkscrew leg drop by the Briscoes. Delirious breaks p the hold. Mark's Yuri Nagi block. OVer head belly to belly suplex by Mark gets two. Tag to Jay. Jay pounds on Sydal. Running corner clothesline by Jay than a DDT. Bad looking drop toe hold by Jay and Mark kicks Sydal front he apron. Mark goes for a sling shot double stomp but Sydal rolls to the apron so it misses. Mark sling shots back over and nails out. Mark and Sydal to the floor. Mark sends Sydal into the guard rail. Delirious nails Mark in the back of the head. The referee pulls Delirious back. Mark put Sydal back in the ring.Double team by the Briscoes and I note the referee does nothing to stop this. Double dropkick to the legs by Sydal. Jay with the military press into his shitty and dangerous Death Valley Driver. Delirious breaks up the pin. The Briscoes go for the spring board dooms day device misses and Sydal with a victory roll pins Jay to eliminate him. Mark goes after Sydal. Tag to Delirious who chops at Mark. Back drop suplex by Delirious gets two. Elbow drop by the masked man. Tag to Sydal. Double sling shot leg drop gets two. Sydal ties up the arms. Delirious pulls back the the rope to make it Harder for Mark to get but eventually he does. Beautiful looking fishermen's suplex by Sydal. Nice looking spin kick by Sydal gets two. Tag to Delirious. Double team is blocked and Mark nails Sydal with Yurinagi suplex. Shitty looking spin kick by Mark on Delirious. Mark sits Sydal on the top rope. Spring board ace crusher by Mark. Delirious breaks up he pin. Oh great now Mark is doing the barking thing on a spinning back elbow. So that also confirms I'm not mis hearing it he's not trying to do a football thing they idiots just bark. Drop toe hold by Delirious followed by the Panic attack. Sydal Press by Sydal gets rid of Mark. Note to wrestling promotions never book the Briscoes at all if you do sure as hell don't put them in more than one match.
Flying cross body by Delirious and both men crash to the floor. Chop exchange on the floor. Delirious tries for a suplex on the floor. Sydal blocks it and he suplex Delirious. Sydal tries to send Delirious into the guard rail but the whip is reversed and its' Sydal that hits the steel. Head butt by Delirious. Back body drop by Sydal sends Delirious into the crowd. Sydal climbs up the ropes Moonsault press by Sydal over the guard rail into the crowd. Sydal uses a tassel to choke Delirious. One things I've noticed its Sydal comes off a heel at times in the match but some reason it's ignored by the commentators. Back in the ring Sydal covers and gets two. Standing moonsault by Sydal but Delirious gets the legs up. Here it is driver by Sydal gets two. Sydal runs into the boots twice. Sydal goes for a Rana off the top but Delirious shoves him off. Panic attack by Delirious and a second one. Bizzaro driver by Delirious only gets two. Strikes exchanged again. Both men go for a running big boot and each connect both men are down. School boy by Delirious gets two. Cobra stretch is locked in. Sydal gets the ropes for a break. Delirious to the top. Sydal cuts him off. Sydal goes for the moonsault belly to belly. Big head butt by Delirious knocks Sydal off. Shadows Over Hell into the cobra stretch. Sydal rolls into a pin and gets two. Series of near falls exchanged. Standing moonsault by Sydal only gets two. Spin kick by Sydal. Sydal sits Delirious on the top rope. Moonsault belly to belly is blocked and Sydal is shoved off the ropes. Sydal leaps back up and nails the move. Delirious kicks at two. The announcers do point out both time Sydal has beat Delirious in ROH it was with that move. Sydal back up the ropes. Delirious back to his feet and the exchange. Chemical ImbalanceTwo by Delirious gets two. Chops by Delirious and he sits Sydal on the top. Superplex blocked. Sydal press misses. Oklahoma roll by Delirious only gets two. Cobra stretch is locked in for a third time this time Sydal taps out giving the win to Delirious. Early part of the match sucked because it had the usual Briscoe Brothers BS. The last two was really good. Unlike Jay and Mark who pull out six hundred big moves and call it a match Sydal and Delirious built there spots and started pulling out bigger and bigger moves to try and win. I do think Sydal would have been a better pick given he never got an ROH world title shot while Delirious had already faced Danielson a few times. But there is no denying Delirious is insanely over.
Backstage Prazak tells Jimmy Rave that JIm Cornette is outside. Rave runs outside and asks where Prince Nana is. Cornette says Nana tried to pull a power play and is out of ROH. All Rave can do is ask "What is going on here?" I do like what ROH did. They used Nana leaving as chance to change things up for Rave. They also had a good slow build to it with Rave not just showing up one day with black tights and a heel hook submission.
Over all SOTF 2006 is a very middle of the road show. I've seen much better from ROH but I have also seen so much worse. I do with they hadn't put the Briscoes in so much of it. Most of the matches are pretty good. But again nothing you need to go out of your way to see. Overall though you can see the real weakness in ROH. Again why isn't there more more interaction with Danielson and Homicide. This is your big money match and the two guys never interact. So I recommend it but try to find it on the cheap.
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