If you know the history ROH in 2006 you know I'm skipping a few shows mainly the Bitter End which saw Jim Cornette written off. If you were looking foreword to me ranting about Cornball again sorry but I never have had a copy of that show. Its simple its a DVD with Jim Cornette, Steve Corino, and Konnan. If you do want me to review let me know and since I'm sure I can find it for cheap now I'll review than. Moving onto current ROH we had new tag team champions in Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels and why both are great talents I never liked them as a team. They just never gelled right. Plus they took the titles from The Kings of Wrestling a team I loved. Now around this time both Hero and Claudio had gotten WWE tryouts and Claudio was said to signed so the title change could have been because of that. At least the Bricoes didn't win them. We also have some new faces in ROH and this weekend is key as it's the last ROH weekend before Final Battle where we get the blow off to Homicide vs Bryan Danielson for the ROH world title. So these two shows in Chicago are about tying up lose ends for the year so far and setting the stage for 2007. How did they do? Well we are off to bad start as Gabe Sapolsky is back on the microphone under his Jimmy Bower name.
Brent Alright aka Gunner Scott from that two week stint on WWE Smackdown sits in the ring before show time. Albright introduces himself and tells we better get used to hear his name and it will be a signature name in ROH. He says tonight he is done messing around and tonight he will make money. It's a damn good promo by Albright. It's short to the point and sounds cold you get the message this is't some guy her to joke around this guy is a "killer." Bryan Danielson talks about this success in Pro Wrestling NOAH and says he's used to the pain in his shoulder. Danielson promise to end the myth of Samoa Joe. Danielson than start talking about Tomorrow's tag match and how he needs to pick partners. Lacey enters and says she would love to do business with the world champion. Danielson ignores her and start talking to Jimmy Jacobs putting over what he's done to BJ Whitmer and Colt Cabana in the past and offers him a spot. Jimmy agrees only if Lacey agrees. Jimmy does but tells Jimmy tonight he needs to destroy Colt Cabana. To me this comes off like Danielson picked Jacobs and it wasn't Lacey making a deal. Its a nice subtle rub for Jimmy with the world champion putting over what he can do.
Kikutaro vs Tank Toland- Kikutaro aka Ebssen is a comedy wrestler who had worked for DDT, Dragon Gate, PWG and TNA. Tank aka James Dick ha just be cut by The WWE. I find it kind of funny that Gabe went out of his way to bring in guys from OVW who Paul Heyman had been booking at the time. Don't get me wrong I like both Tank Toland and Brent Albright but once an ECW mark always an ECW mark right Gabe? Lock up and Toland tosses Kikutaro down. Lock up and Toland power Kikutaro back into the corner. The referee counts and so does Kikutaro who tries to get the referee and Tank to fight. KIkuaro does the old up high down low to slow bit. Toland misses a clothesline and gets poked in the eyes. Head lock by Kikutaro. Shoulder tackle by Kikutaro but Tank doesn't go down.Kikutaro tries again but still Tank won't got down. Kikutaro challenges Tank to arm wrestling match. So does the winner of this means the winner also wins the pro wrestling match? The fans bait Tank into getting down witch lets the Kikutaro stomp him in the back. Snap mare and Muta style elbow by Kikutaro and gets a series of one counts and than gets a shoving match with the referee. Tank levels Kikutaro with a clotheslines and than kick him in the back. Knee drop by Toland gets two. Running back elbow by Toland and than he stand on Kikutaro's throat. Chin lock by Tank. Running knee than spear by Toland gets two. Ground and pound punches by Tank. Big bile by Toland sends the comedy man across the ring. Running boot to the seated wrestler by Tank than a ties up the arm and head. Kikutaro goes for the ropes but Toland pulls him back to the center. Referee checks the arm and of course the third time it doesn't drop. Toland runs into an elbow. Dragon screw leg who by Kikutaro than the shinning wizard gets two. Kikutaro start to give a speech as he holds Toland up. Kikutaro finally calls for the brain buster but Toland gives him a suplex instead. Sit out bomb by Toland for the win. Really fun comedy match to start. It always nice when the comedy is actually funny.
The Briscoe Brothers Jay and Mark Briscoe vs The Irish Airborne Jake and Dave Crist- I will never under stand the booking of the Airborne in ROH. You start them off with a win over former tag champions. Appear like they are about to be a break out team even pinning the Bricoes in a match but than you job them out. The ROH tag division was so poor at this point and ROH is passing up on a great team. I have to wonder of ROH thought they couldn't' have a high flying team that doesn't suck with out making the Bricoes looks like the awful team they are. Mark and Jake start us off Lock up and go behind take down by Jake. Firemen's carry by Mark. Arm bar into a wrist lock by Mark. Jake revers into a side headlock. Shoulder tackle by Mark. Spring board into a head scissor by Jake. Tag to Dave and series of double teams. Sloppy looking northern lights suplex by Mark. Here's a tip for young wrestlers it should look like you just drove the top of your head into the ground while doing a move. Tag to Jay who hits a running back elbow. Forearms by Dave.Flying head scissors by Jay who than runs Dave back first into the corner. Tag to Mark who hits some shitting elbows another tip for young wrestler while you don't want to actually hit the guy you do want to make it look like you did. Sloppy gut wrench by Mark a knee drop that clearly misses. Tag to Jay. side slam leg drop combo by the Bricoes gets two. Beautiful leg lariat by Dave. Tag to Jake. Spring board drop kick by Dave sends Jay to the floor. Mark into and gets back body dropped.. As usual Mark decide to land in a way that cause him to smack the guar rail with his head. Double summer fault dives by The Crist Brothers. Jay sent back into the ring and Jake covers for two. The Airborne set up the Air Raid but Mark knocks Dave off the ropes. Sloppy ace crusher off the ropes by Mark to Dave. Neck breaker by Jake on Jay who rolls to the floor. Forearm exchange between Jake and Mark. running big boot by Jay on Jake gets two. Double team neck breaker by the Bricoes gets two. Dave goes for a spring boar cross body but Jay caches him and that lead to a DVD. Spring board dooms day device on Jake for the win. BULL SHIT! Sadly this is the pattern in ROH if your a great young team you have job out to the Bricoes and pretty much always lose the feud. The Airborne, ANX, The Young Bucks, The Wolves, Steenerico all hand to do the job to the back yard wrestling rejects.
We get footage from the pre show with Pelle Priemeau calling for a who at Top of the Class Trophy Champion Shane Hagadorn for a match tomorrow night. Pelle promises to win and than crowd surf all over the building. It's a pretty standard wrestling promo but hey it beats anything I have ever heard from the Briscoe Brothers or Roderick Strong.
During the next match they explain that Jarred David had to leave ROH due to scheduling issues. Gabe even explains that he won't be announcing full time and they are looking for a replacement. But it doesn't end there because Gabe has to push his whole Jimmy Bower is a drunk story. Do we really need a storyline like this? It just seems like trying to show "I'm not a ego manic I book myself as a drunk." You have to great talents wrestling but no we gotta talk about Bower as a drunk.
Brent Albright vs Homicide- I'm convinced the biggest reason Albright got hired in ROH was the fact he had a great OVW feud with CM Punk but hey he's a great talent and it's nice to see him get a shot in any company. Some fans chant next world champ at Homicide. Homicide refuses to shake hands with Albright witch pisses the new comer off. They stall way to long on this finally Homicide gets nailed in the back. Stomps in the corner by Albright. Homicide fire back with right hands. Hurricanra by Homicide. Monkey flip by Homicide than a running dropkick sends Albright to the floor. Ok what the hell was that. For those that have never seen Albright the guy is huge and built like Mark Coleman at his peak he should not easily tossed around by Homicide. Baseball slide by Homicide sends Albright into the guard rail. Homicide rams Albright's head into the guard rail and than he does it again and again. Albright whipped into the guard rail. Albright with a big kick and than he sends Homicide into the guard rail and than he whips very hard. Chair shot to the gut by Homicide right in front of the referee but of course no DQ. For the love of give me a break was ROH really a hardcore company? Albright than nails Homicide with a chair. Homicide rams Albright's face into the ring. Back int he ring and Albright misses an elbow. Arm drag by Homicide into the arm bar. Slap to the face by Albright but runs into the drop toe hold that sends him into the buckle. Running kick by Homicide. Homicide goes for the cop killer but Albright frees free and hits a great looking back drop suplex. Weak looking running knee lift by Albright. Neck breaker by Albright. Leg drop by Albright gets two. Snap suplex by Albright gets two. Running knee to the face through the ropes by Albright. Camel clutch by Albright. Sunset flip by Homicide gets two Running clothesline by Homicide. Albright sends Homicide to the floor. Double sledge off the apron by Albright. Homicide to the eyes. Homicide tries to whip Albright into the guard rail but the big man reverses it and sends Homicide in. Back in the ring Albright covers and gets two. Swinging DDT by Homicide and both men are down. Flying back elbow by Homicide than a corner clothesline by Homicide followed up by the bulldog. Cover and Albright kicks at two. Over head belly to belly Suplex by Homicide. Again what is with the big guy getting tossed around.
Clotheslines by Homicide sends Albright to the floor. Homicide goes for the topa con hello but Albright moves. Homicide stops himself and goes for a cross body off the apron. Albright catches him and rams Homicide's shoulder first into the ring post. For the first time in a months ROH brings up Homicide's' injured shoulder. Albright kicks and pulls at the arm and tosses Homicide into the ring. Release German suplex by Albright. Homicide no sells it and hits the three amigos on Albright. Remember he's supposed to have a bad shoulder. Homicide to the top rope but Albright gets ups a pulls Homicide off the rope into an arm break position. Albright covers and gets two. Homicide fires back and goes for the lariat it's blocked. Half nelson suplex by Albright who than locks int eh crowbar. Homicide gets the ropes but Albright won't break. The referee is an idiot he starts to count stops warns Albright and than restarts the count before DQ'ing Albright. It's an match with some real logic gaps in it. Homicide throwing around the much bigger man being the real issue.
Post match Albright won't break the hold the annocuers are confused why he wants to hurt Homicide and point out this is bad so close to final battle. Samoa Joe runs out and Albright bails out. Bryan Danielson appears on the ramp and hands a wad of money to Albright. Joe gets a microphone and promises to murder Danielson and regain his ROH world championship. Well finally we get something with Homicide and Danielson. Why wasn't this this story sooner? Why not have Danielson be behind the return of Corino, the attacks of the Bricoes. This does kickstart Albright hired gun gimmick that he got some good stuff out of. Mainly it was an excuse to insert into any match they wanted.
Four Corner Survival Matt Cross vs Davey Richards vs BJ Whitmer vs Christopher Daniels with Alison Danger- Daniels has one of the ROH tag belts with him and the TNA X-Division title with him. Daniels and Davey Richards start us off. Greco knuckle lock and Davey takes Daniels down and gets the strangle hold locked in. Daniels breaks the pressure and get an arm drag into an arm bar. Arm ringer by Daniels into the wrist lock. Richards flips free and reveres the hold. Daniels flips free and takes Richards down. Richards with a an arm drag. Daniels goes for one but Davey avoids it so Daniels fall the the mat. Rolling cradle by Richards gets two. Arm bar by Richards. Arm drag by Daniels using the ropes than a forearm. Tag to Whitmer by Daniels. Waste lock takedown by Whitmer but Richards rolls into a hammerlock. Richards ties up the arm of Whitmer and tags Cross who hits a stomp to Whitmer's arm. Chops by Cross. Whitmer reveres and fires bad and than rams Cross face first into the corner. Arm drag by Cross than an elbow drop. Whitmer sends a charging Cross up and over to the apron. Cross avoids a few strike but not a big Yakuza kick by Whitmer back in the ring. Whitmer rams Cross into Daniels boot. Tag to Daniels by Whitmer. Head lock by Daniels. Shoulder tackle by Daniels. Flying head scissors by Cross on Daniels. Cross runs into a big boot. Tag by Daniels to Whitmer who nails Cross. Leg lariat by Whitmer gets two. Tag by Whitmer to Daniels. Double team shoulder tackles by the former Prophecy members. Chin lock by Daniels. Sunset flip by Cross gets two. Tilt ta whirl back breaker by Daniels and than he pounds on Cross. Daniels rams Cross into Whitmer's boot. Chops by Whitmer than a nice looking snap suplex. Tag to Daniels by Whitmer. Back suplex by Daniels gets two. Running corner fore am by Daniels. Cross ducks a clotheslines and hits an enziquri on Daniels. Both men are down. Tag to Whitmer and tag to Richards. Hard chops by Richards on Whitmer than a head scissors takedown. Rana for Daniels by Richards. Boot to the gut by Whitmer who goes for a suplex. Knee to the head escape by Richards. Kick combo by Richards than a german with a bridge gets two. Daniels forearm Richards but than takes a boot to the stomach and a falcon arrow. The ref counts a pin even though Whitmer is legal. Its a minor thing but I do find it annoying keep track who is legal. Whitmer breaks up the pin. Richards ducks a clothesline. Daniels and Whitmer hit each other and Whitmer goes to the floor. Back hand spring kick by Richards on Daniels. Cross in with a spring board double stomp on to Richards. Cover by Cross gets two. Ok that is even more annoying I can buy with Whitmer and Daniels in the ring that long you get confused. But Cross was on the apron and just jumps in.
Cross picks Richards up in a firemen's carry but takes to long. Whitmer back in and sends them both into a corner. Richards revers a whip by Whitmer who winds up nailing Daniels with a forearm. Whitmer sent to the floor by Richards. Cross charges but takes the alarm clock. Running corner fore am by Richards on Cross the a suicide dive to the floor taking out Whitmer. Cross goes for a move but Daniels cuts him off. Arabian press by Daniels to the floor takes out Richards. Hand spurn over the top rope into a rana by Cross onto Whitmer. Whitmer has blood coming form his noise. Richards and Daniels back into the ring. Exchange of forearms. Kicks by Richards but Yurinagi by Daniels. BME by Daniels only gets two. On the floor Whitmer sends Cross into the guard rail. Small package by Richards gets two. Gut buster than a sit out power bomb by Richards. Whitmer breaks up the pin. Whitmer goes for the wrist clutch exploder but Richards turns it into a roll up that gets two. Whitmer catches Davey on the hand spring and hits a power slam. Cross break up the pin. DDT by Cross on Whitmer. Cross goes to the top rope. Richards hits him. Richards and cross fight not he tope. Daniels up and gets cross with a reveres Rana that sends Cross onto Whitmer pretty awesome spot. STO on Whitmer into the Koji clutch by Daniels. Cross breaks it up with a summersault senton off the top. Problem is Daniels let go of the hold to soon so it's clear Daniels saw him coming. Falcon arrow by Cross on Daniels gets two. Jaw breaker by Daniels on Cross. Spring board missile drop kick by Richards takes out Daniels. Richards fires up on Cross and sets him on the top rope. Richards looks for the super DR driver but it is blocked. Cross goes for a shooting star but Richards moves. Cross lands on his feet. Back slide by Cross gets two. KImurea by Richards but Whitmer breaks it up. Adrenaline spike by Whitmer on Cross for the win It's an ok match but I find it annoying tags were just forgotten about five minutes in. I do like Whitmer getting the win since he as just back in ROH from an injury and needed to build momentum. Post match Richards argues with the referee that Cross was taping out. Whitmer and Richards have words post match. They are starting to hint at Davey's up coming heel turn and this is a nice subtle way to do it.
Jimmy Rave vs Nigel McGuinness- Rave had revamped his look wearing darker colors he change his entrances music. ROH had also banned the throwing of toilet paper. In storyline it had been banned after Rave snapped and "attacked a fan." Really it was just more trouble than it was worth and with Rave in a new gimmick it was a good time to kill it.N Rave was also coming off an upset win over Homicide. At this point Nigel was pretty directionless after his feud with Danielson ended and the pure title went away he had nothing to do. These two did have a back story as Nigel had beat Rave in a intense match a few weeks before and even put him over on the microphone. Nigel than jokingly threw a roll of toilet paper at him. Rave "over reacted" and got in Nigel's face leading to this rematch. Intense stare down before the match and Rave lands a cheap shot on the hand shake. Double leg by Rave and he pounds on Nigel before standing him throat. Nigel gets up and lands forearms and uppercuts. Charing upper cut by Nigel than a super kick. Judo toss style throw by Nigel on Rave. Single hand greco lock suplex by Nigel. Short arm lariat by Nigel gets two. Nigel goes the apron and tires to suplex Rave to the floor. Rave hooks the ropes so Nigel snaps the top rope into Rave's face. Ravel ands on the sparing and hits a back breaker into the ring frame. Rave goes to throw Nigel back into the ring but Nigel catches himself and comes off with a lariat. Nigel is limping appearing to have "hurt" his leg. Back in the ring and an uppercut by Nigel than a double thrust to the throat. Nigel goes for the corner head stand mule kick he does but he can't get the momentum due to his "injury." Back elbow by McGuinness than another uppercut. Nigel goes for a running upper cut but Rave gets his knee up. Rave goes for a knee bar but Nigel gets the ropes. Rave pulls Nigel to the center and locks it back in. Nigel kicks free. Dragon screw leg who by Dave back to the grape vine on the leg. Nigel gets the ropes again. Nigel to the floor but Rave follows and tosses McGuinness' leg into the guard rail twice. Back in the ring locks in the grape vine on the legs again. Nigel gets the ropes again. Rave cannonballs onto the bad leg. Drop kick to the leg by Rave than another dragon screw and into the grape vine again. Nigel with hard elbows to the head to get free. Jimmy has the leg still as they stand so Nigel head butts him. Uppercuts by McGuiness than a back body drop. Rave ducks a short clothesline and nails a spear that gets two. Snapmare by Rave than a running knee to the face get two. Rave hits the move that rocked the world (his TNA finisher) and again only gets two. Rave sets for the pedigree. Nigel escapes. Nigel goes for the jaw breaker lariat but Rave with a awful looking double leg stops him. Rave into a half boston crab half ankle lock hold but Nigel gets the ropes. Pedigree by Rave but Nigel kicks out at one. Nigel's fires up and no sells some chops. Uppercuts and thrusts by Nigel. Running uppercut by Nigel. Rave blocks the tower of london.
Kick to the back and club to the chest but he kicked with his bad leg leg and doesn't follow up Nigel goes for the Tower of London and nails it. Rave kicks out at two. Second tower of London is blocked and Rave with a missile drop kick to the back. Nigel uses it go for the jaw breaker lariat again. Double leg by Rave and he gets the half crap half ankle lock in again and Nigel taps out. This match has two great wrestler i it but it wasn't a good match. While working over the bad leg Rave repasts the same moves over and over again. I understand you working over a injured body part but even than mix it up. Nigel has shifted his move sets towards a more lariat heavy style and it back fired it took a while for him to find the balance. I also just don't like the Rave locked in the modified ankle lock and it was broken. That moves would become Rave's finisher and having it broken right away just hurts it. That said this is a much needed feud for Nigel at this time as he needed to doing anything besides random matches.
Post match Rave gets a a microphone as Nigel struggles to his feet. Jimmy says Nigel disrespected him last time but tonight Rave made him tap like a little bitch. Nigel speaks real softly so I have no idea what he said. Rave attacks Nigel and locks in the hold again. At intermission Dave Prazak asks Bryan Danielson is he paid of Albright to injury Homicide. Danielson tells him not to worry about. Danielson claims tonight will be the essayist cage match in wrestling history. Danielson than introducers Jimmy Rave as the next member of his team. Rave warns Nigel no to get his face again.
Adam Pearce and Shane Hagadorn vs Ace Steel and Delirious- Pearce and Delirious had been feuding because Cornette found Delirious annoying and Pearce had than used several heel tricks to pick up win over the masked man. Pearce came out with a leather strap because he is stet to have a strap match with Homicide the next night. Pre match comedy with Pearce trying to get more cheers than home town hero Steel and slipping on the ropes. Steel wants to start of this team but Delirious has gone into his pre match trance and won't move. Finally Steel gives up. So it's Delirious and Pearce that start. after his freak Delirious tags in Steel. Head lock by Pearce. Shoulder tackle by Pearce. Hip toss by Steel than an arm drag and some fore arms. Steel goes for a drop kick but Pearce hooks the top ropes. Pearce misses some elbow drops as Steel rolls to the floor and than pulls Hagadorn off the apron. Steel goes for a sunset flip back into the ring but Pearce hooks the ropes. Pearce goes for a punch but misses an chits the ground. Bite on the ass by Steel. Pearce runs into Hagadorn and they both hit the floor. Hagadorn tags in legally. Tag to Delirious. The masked man nails a head butt to the stomach of Hagadorn. Arm drag by Delirious than a cradle for two. Full nelson by Delirious but Hagadorn walks up the ropes. Delirious breaks the hold so Hagadorn falls to the ground. Tag back to Ace Steel. Drop toe hold by Delirious and an elbow drop by Steel. Chops by Crazy Ace. Steel runs into a boot and Pearce nails him with a cheap shot on the apron. Stomps by Hagadorn and a tag to Peace who drops an elbow. Pearce draws in Delirious to get the ref to turn his back and than claps his hands to fake the tag. In comes Hagadorn whole works over Steel's back. Snap supple by Hagadorn gets two. Tag to Pearce. Power slam by Hagadorn and second rope elbow drop by Pearce. Cover by Pearce gets two. Pearce has Steel in a front face lock but Steel drives towards his corner. Hagadorn in the ring so the referee misses Delirious making the tag. Pearce with the clap to again fake his tag and than he choke steel with the leather strap. Hagadorn uses his boot to choke Steel. Cravat by Hagadorn into a snap more and than stands on Steel's head. Chin lock by Hagadorn. Knee to the gut by Hagadorn and than a tag to Pearce. Back break by Pearce than an second rope elbow by Hagadorn gets two. Steel escapes a suplex and goes under Pearce legs to tag in Delirious. House of fire time for Delirious and hits hits a missile drop kick on Pearce. Steel is up they hit double back body drop on Pearce. Blind tag by Hagadorn. But he gets brought into the ring the hard way. Hagadorn gets whipped into Pearce and they fall in a rather suggestive way. Panic attack by Delirious on Pearce than they Hagadorn gets dropped toe holed into another rather suggestive position on Pearce. Delirious holds his knees up and Steel bull dogs Hagadorn onto them. Leaping lariat on Pearce. Battering ram by Steel and Delirious on Pearce sends him to the floor. Delirious locks in the cobra stretch on Hagadorn for the win. Fun comedy match. A nice way to east into the second half of the show which would featured some heavier matches other wise.
Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey vs Colt Cabana- The Cabana and Jacobs team had fallen apart after Cabana made it clear he was just having fun with Lacey and was not joining Lacey's Angles at witch point Jacobs and Lacey attacked him. I really feel like ROH blew this one. So many of the early promos with Jacobs and Cabana had Colt come off as such an ass hole I was convinced he was a heel now and Jimmy was setting for a big face turn. By the time they started teaming they seemed to play it like Colt was trying to nice to Jimmy. But even than it was clear what would happen. I wish they had done a better job of setting it could either way. With Colt being nice to Jimmy and maybe having Jimmy appear to be getting over his crush. Only to than bam stab Colt in the back or him stabbed with Lacey's heel which is what Jimmy did when he attacked. Jimmy and Colt get in each other's face and refused to shake hands to start. Colt calls Jimmy pussy whipped and says Lacey is easy while thrusting. Jimmy with a big slap. Colt does it again and Jimmy slaps at him. Finally an exchange of punches while holding each other dirty boxing style. Belly to belly suplex by Cabana into ground and pound style punches. Another belly to belly by Colt and Jimmy rolls to the floor. Jimmy up to the apron and Cabana brings him in the hard way. Big right hand by Cabana. Lacey tries to trip Cabana but fails and Colt his a back elbow. Colt to the floor and goes after Lacey. Jimmy to the floor but run into the Cabana clotheslines. Lacey into the and Cabana gets a hold of her. Jimmy tries to come off the top but Cabana nails him coming down and than tosses Jacobs into the ring post. Cabana has his hands on Lacey and shovers her into the corner forcing her to dry hump Jacobs. Lacey finally gets out of the ring. Butt butt by Cabana on Jacobs. Atomic elbow by Cabana. Jacobs in hung in the ropes. Cabana hits him Jimmy falls back and the bounces up to get hit again and again and again. Fighting on the apron. Lacey trips Cabana on the apron. Double stomp series and an elbow drop by Jimmy Jacobs on the apron. Cabana whipped into the guard rail after a head butt. Diving forearm off the guard rail by Jacobs. Jacobs tries to STO Cabana into the time keepers table but Cabana blocks it and Jimmy hits it instead. Cabana chokes Jacobs as Lacey screams for him tot get up. Head butt to the stomach by Jacobs. Series of right hands by Cabana an the picks Jacobs up and tosses him like a javelin into the guard rail head first. Back into the ring. Cabana on the ropes and hits a flying cross body off the top but doesn't go for the pin. Power bomb by Cabana into the billy goat's cures (Inverted Boston Crab). Lacey int the ring and she throws body into Cabana eyes causing the DQ. Ok match but it felt like they never really got going in this big bloody feud where I felt the hate. I think part of it was knowing how crazy the feud with both Cabana and Whitmer were going to be so this first match was more of a taste.
Dazie Haze runs out and hits Lacey with a heart punch. The haze pounds on Lacey. Jacobs Dazie off . Neck breaker by Lacey on Haze. Lacey holds Haze and hand Jacobs spear her. We actually see Dazie shoes fly off. Cabana is up and tosses Jacobs into the post again. Lacey is to busy yelling at Dazie to notice. Cabana grabs Lacey by the hair. Brent Albright runs out and hits a exploder suplex on Cabana. Jacobs and Albright hold Cabana's legs open. Lacey puts her heels back on and than stomps Colt in the crotch. BJ Whitmer runs out and goes after Jacobs. As they help Cabana to back, Delirious comes out an start to talk in his strange language to Whitmer. Whitmer asks if Delirious wants him to partner with him tomorrow night and accepts. Nigel McGuinness limps out and gets into the ring. Nigel asks to join up since Rave is on Danielson's team. Delirious accepts. There is way to much going on here. First we have the big spear on Daziee by Jimmy than Colt getting stomped. Both of witch got no time to be absorbed what we had just seen. Also sending out Delirious takes away front the seriousness. Now don't get me wrong I love Delirious but remember his gimmick is he is lizard man speaks his own language and goes bock. Sending him out there changes the tempo to much. Besides all of Danielson's picks had been backstage promos why not do the same for Delirious plus the next night opened with a segment where the teams were re-picked any way.
Dragon Gate Rules Austin Aries and Roderick Strong vs Matt Sydal with Alison Danger and Shingo- Dragon Gate Rules lucha rules where if a guy leaves his partner can come in with out tagging. Shingo is a wrestler out of the Dragon Gate in Japan and why he would go on to be one of there top guys at this stage he was just a young wrestler off learning more about the business in the USA. I'm really confused why they are having this match. By this point I think Aries and Strong has wrestled Sydal more times than they had teamed with him in Generation Next. Sydal already had a partner in Daniels and the next night was supped to be Daniels and Sydal defending the tag belts again Aries and Strong. Now Shingo and Sydal were both member of Blood Generation in Dragon Gate. Shingo and Strong had a bit of a feud with Shingo putting Strong through a table and than Strong beating him in a FIP Title match. But still it's strange having the tag team champion team with someone else. And while they were stable mates I don't think they were regular tag partners. Prior to the match Sydal taunts Aries and Strong with the tag belt. Shingo shoves Strong. Strong and Sydal start us off. Lock up and they go to the mat and roll into the ropes. Lock up again and Strong back Sydal into the corner. Reversed by Sydal and breaks clean. Lock up again and they got into the corner and Strong brakes clean. OH lit a by Sydal than an arm drag. Back breaker by Strong and Sydal goes to the floor. IN comes Shingo and in comes Aries. Shoulder tackle by Aries but Shingo doesn't go down. Another one and again Shingo doesn't go down. Shingo poses and Aries kick him in the leg. Shoulder tackle by Aries that backs Shingo into the ropes he comes off and shoulder tackles Aries who does go down. Aries goes for a leap frog but get caught. Power slam by Shingo. Up kick by Aires. Head scissors by Shingo. Head stand escape into a drop kick by Aries. Tag to Strong. Sydal tags in. Strong kicks Sydal as soon as he's in the ring. Chop by Strong. Sydal runs into a boot but hits a leg lariat Cover by Sydal gets two. Snap mare than a leg drop by Sydal. Chops by Strong. Strong picks Sydal and tosses him into the ropes in a hot shot like move. That's one of those moves that sounds cool I bet planning out the match seemed like a good idea but its to faking looking. Tag to Aries a hod comes in with a sling shot twisting splash. Kaprana by Aries but Shingo breaks up the pin. Aries drives Sydal into the corner and chops him. Tag to Strong for big chop. Butterfly suplex by Strong gets two. Tag to Aries. Catapult by Strong into the the Aries forearm. That knocks Sydal onto Strong's knees. Slingshot elbow by Aries. Shingo breaks up the pin. Tag by Strong. Double team atomic drop than double team side slam. Strong with the full nelson using the leg. Strong into a press that gets two. Strong drives Sydal into the corner for a chop. Knee to the gut by Strong than he stomps on Sydal. Tag to Aries. Sling shot suplex by Strong setting up for the Aries sling shot senton but Sydal gets his legs up. Enziquri by Sydal who rolls the floor. Shingo into the ring and nails Strong off the apron. Running corner clotheslines on Strong than rapid fire forearms.
Power slam into the chin lock by Shingo on Aries. Elbow to the head by Shingo. Aries rammed into the corner and tag to Sydal. Drop top hold by Shingo and a la ma he stroll by Sydal but he goes into the ropes. Kick to the back by Sydal. Sydal seems lost in the ring. as he actually leaves Aries right next to Strong and takes time to pose so Strong and Aries have to short arm each other on a tag so they don't' actually tag and ruin the flow of the match. Seated abdominal stretch by Sydal into a roll up for two. Standing drop-kick by Sydal in the corner and he mocks Aries. Strong into the ring and kicks Sydal in the back. Shingo over and tires to go after Strong. Sling shot drop kick in the corner by Sydal. Shingo keeps jumping into the ring to cut off Strong problem is Strong isn't getting into the ring. So it just looks awkward as The referee lets a third man in the ring. Tag to Shingo who chops Aries. Shingo goes to the face of Aries. Knee drop to the back by Shingo. Sleeper by Shingo. Aries starts to fade. Aries gets free for a second but Shingo with the sleeper giant swing. Strong breaks up the pin. Tag to Sydal. Shingo and Sydal go for a double team back body drop but set to soon. Kick to the face of Shingo but Sydal with a single leg. Double team lung blower than and face double team face buster by Shingo and Sydal. Sydal sets Aries on the top ropes. Sydal goes for the jump up rana but Aries holds onto the ropes. Shingo up the second but shoved down. Sunset flip by Aires but Shinto rolls through and goes for a power bomb. Hurricanrana by Aries. Tag to Strong. Forearms by Strong than a enziqurio for Shingo. Back body drop for Sydal. Falcon arrow by Strong on Shingo gets two. Aries back up. Ridiculous spot where Shingo and Sydal put Aries onto Strong shoulder and than kick out Strong legs so he sit down power bombs Aries. Again it's just one of those moves that sounds cool but looks to fake. Standing moonsault by Sydal on Aries gets two. Strong rolls to the floor so Aries is now legal. No hand dive by Sydal over the top to take out Strong. Shingo into the ring . Shingo blocks the brain buster. Gut wrench spinning suplex by Shingo gets two. Shingo to the top rope. Strong in to cut him off. Super plea by Strong but Shingo pops up because "Shingo is immune to super plexs." Yeah so no matter who ever hits that move on him Shingo won't sell it. That's not Human Tornado no selling low blows bad but it still bad.
Half nelson back breaker by Strong on Shingo. Sydal breaks up the pin. Strong and Sydal exchange and sydal with a running knee to the head. Strong gets sat on the top rope . Top rope rana by Sydal. Strong rolls through and goes for a power bomb. Sydal stand on Aries shoulder and hits big DDT. Aries breaks up the pin. And honestly that should have been the finish. I know Aries broke it up but that move was amazing and should have been the end. Aries with a suplex on Sydal than the running dropkick. Aries sets Sydal on the top rope. Chop by Strong than a super brain buster by Aries. Shingo breaks up the pin. Strong sends Shingo to the floor. Strong goes for a power bomb while Aries goes to the top rope. Shingo knocks Aries off. Rana by Sydal followed by the running lariat by Shingo gets two. Power slam by Shingo. Sydal to the top. Aries hits Shingo with something and sends him to the floor. But the camera misses it. I get happens but usually the announcers point out here Gabe and Dave Prazak just ignore it. Aries shoves Sydal off the ropes. But Sydal than rolls up Strong for two. Spine buster Strong on Sydal and than he dives over the ropes to take out Shingo. 450 by Aries on Sydal for the win. This match had a lot of flaw. Blown spots. missed spots guys not being able to communicate. Now I should point out Shingo came into this match with some kind of Injury and Sydal was injured during it that might have affected things.
Post match Aries holds up the ROH tag belts Sydal brought out with him It's a quick effect way to promote the title match for the next night problem as Sydal as I said was hurt in the match so he couldn't' wrestle the next night. WE get a video package recapping the history with Danielson and Joe showing highlights from there various matches over the years. It's a good hype job vide
Steel Cage Match for the ROH World Championship Bryan Danielson © vs Samoa Joe- Pin, submission, knockout or escape rules in effect. I believe this is the last one on one match these two ever had if not there final match period given Danielson was on hiatus after Final Battle and didn't return until after Joe had been pulled by TNA. And given Joe is still with TNA and Danielson is with WWE there is a chance we may never see it again. Lock up and Joe gets a head lock. Danielson escapes and tries to send Joe into the cage wall but Joe puts on the breaks. Jabs by Joe and tries to put Danielson into the cage wall but Danielson gets his boot up to stop it. Heat by Danielson that Joe no sells and hits one of his own. Upper cut by Joe than an elbow to the head. Upper cut by Danielson. Danielson tries to escape and Joe stops him. Big back chop by Joe than an elbow to the back of the head. Snap power slam by Joe than a another big jab. Danielson with punches. Low blow by Joe. Daniels tires to go out the cage but Joe stops him. Ok I kind of get doing that with a cowedly heel but Danielson doesn't play that roll. It just makes him look stupid since it was clear Joe could stop him. Joe goes to toss Danielson into the cage wall and Danielson put the boot up again. Hard whip into the corner by Joe. Danielson ducks the clothesline and hits a roaring elbow. Danielson tries to escape by climbing but Joe cuts him off again. Danielson kicks Joe off and tries again but Joe recovers and hits a modified electric chair. Jabs in the corner by Joe. Joe whips Danielson who uses the momentum to spring up to try and escape. Joe stop him again but Danielson lands and elbow to the ear. Danielson slips and gets caught between the ring ropes and the cage. Running forearm by Joe on Danielson levels the champion. Danielson has been busted open and Joe with a downward elbow to he head. Joe stomps at Danielson. Joe tears at Danielson's cut. Hard chop by Joe. Another elbow to the head by Joe . Homicide comes out and tosses Joe the ghetto fork and than leaves Danielson blocks the fork shot and punches Joe in the gut and head. Danielson hits the ropes but runs right into the fork shot. Repeated fork shots by Joe. Danielson begs for mercy but Joe stabs him in the ass. Joe tosses Danielson into the cage wall. Joe digs the fork into Danielson's cut and than stabs him again. The referee tries to take the fork from Joe. WAIT ONE DAMN SECOND! Time and again in these reviews I have seen ROH referee clearly see a guy use a weapon in a normal match and not DQ. Now in a cage match with is supposed to be DQ he's stopping the weapon. Joe must share my anger and threats to step Todd Sinclair. Jumping forearm in the corner by Joe than the flip kick. One two combos by Joe and than a big chop gets two. Danielson and Joe climbs up the wall and fight. Joe with elbows and Joe rams the head into the cage. Joe with a jumping kick to the back after walking the ropes. Joe covers and only gets two.
Chin lock by Joe with a knee in the back. Joe tears at the cut. Power bomb by Joe into the STF. Joe keeps the legs tied up but instead tears at the cut some more. Crossface by Joe. Danielson gets a pin rolling though and gets two. Joe sets for the muscle buster but Danielson with fore ams to the back of the head. Danielson tries to climb Hoe cuts off Danielson again and gain head first Danielson goes and than he falls over. Joe starts to try and climb over but Danielson gets up and hits a belly to back superplex on Joe. Danielson is up on jelly legs. Diving head butt by Danielson gets two. Danielson calls for the door to be opened and crawls. Joe gets the foot. Regalplex with a bridge by Danielson gets two. Danielson tries to climb over again. Joe up and stops Danielson. Danielson stomps at Joe's head to get him off. Missile dropkick by Danielson who than kips up. Danielson goes for the cross face chicken wing. Joe gets free and tosses Danielson into the steel cage. Danielson trying to climb again Joe hooks the foot. Joe has Danielson and carries him to the center for an atomic drop than a flying boot and a back senton. Joe covers and only gets two. Danielson with a roll up but Joe gets him in the choke dead center of the ring. The referee checks the arm but the arm doesn't fall a third time. Danielson to his feet but Joe has the clutch locked. Hart and Piper finish from Mania 8 but only gets two. Danielson kicks a Joe kick and gets a school boy for two. Rolling cradle by Joe gets two. Running lariat by Joe gets two. Palm strikes by Joe and knee to the head. Joe goes for the running knee but Danielson moves. Danielson hangs Joe from the tree of woah and start to elbow Joe's knee than to the head. Danielson start to climb over Joe. The ref frees Joe as Danielson gets his one leg over. Joe gets up. Danielson hangs from the cage. Joe tease a super muscle buster but can't get Danielson int he right position. They are still on the top. Joe is in the cage but Danielson is over the top. Joe with the choke over the cage. Danielson is fading. and goes limp. Joe loses his grip and Danielson falls to the floor. Lame finish the try to act like Danielson passing out caused it but really it just looks like Joe let go. I would rather they have had Danielson goes to the eye or something. THis match starts a little rough and finishes poorly but its still a very good match.
Backstage an angry Davey Richards is alone he congratulates BJ on wining. He puts out BJ only one after smashing him in the face when he had cross in a kimuera. Davey says tomorrow night he wins. WE than cut back to Danielson celebrating. Danielson tells Bobby Cruise to announce him best wrestler in the world. Danielson than slaps Cruise when he doesn't do it right. We than cut back to Adam Pearce who has a strap. Pearce talks about losing a recent match to Homicide and Joe. Pearce says the people love Homicide but Homicide could care less about them. Pearce claims Homicide only got into Cage of Death for his own gain and that disgusts. Pearce say Homicide deserved the whipping he got after that match. Pearce rants about how Cornette is gone because of Homicide and the sheep that follow him. Pearce say no one thinks he can beat Homicide tomorrow night. Pearce says he doesn't care about wining he just wants to keep that whipping Cornette gave Homicide going. Davey's promo is good. They were setting up for his heel turn and forming the No Remorse Corps with Strong and Rocky Romero next year. He wasn't heeling up yet but they were showing he was getting frustrated. I do find it strange they cut to Danielson to show him slapping Cruise. Pearce's promo was awesome. The guy was maybe the best promo guy in ROH when he was on.
A good comparisons for this show is like seeing a baseball team swing as hard as they can they are trying but they either strike out or they get to the warning track and the ball gets caught. I give the guy of credit for trying but at times it feels like they are trying to hard. Certain spots feel really over booked. Gabe strains as booker are really showing at this stage. Its clear he wants to go places in 2007 but he's not sure how to get there yet. If your a fan of early ROH it might be worth checking out to see the final Joe vs Danielson match in the companies history but other wise skip it.
No comments:
Post a Comment