The final US show of the FYE took place in the Windy City. Chicago had always been a hot bed for ROH actually drew some of it biggest crowds and some is biggest moments. Chi Town's own Colt Cabana is ready to blow off his feud with Jimmy Jacobs and Samoa Joe is well still leaving so this is his final US appearance for ROH as a regular. It will also be the final appearance for world champion Morishima for a while. I get if you have a hot enough show or a good enough storyline you don't have to have the world title defend but not having the champion even appear really hurt the rest of the FYF. Looking back at this time it would have better for Morishima to win the title later. So far the FYF has just been a let down but I do see some good stuff taking shape let see ROH can deliver a hot night in Chicago or will feel there own version of the Billy Goat's Curse.
We pick up from where we left off last time with Aries saying he wants to lead someone the camera turns showing us its Matt Cross, CJ Otis, and Trik Davis are the ones he is talking to. Aries tells them he will be watching there match. This is a very flat opening. It just start with a pan over. They should included the little speech by Aries. I'm sure anyone that skipped the Dayton show or turned off the DVD after the main event had no idea what was going at first. Also I think Otis and Davis are kind of let down. Since its implied the winner gets a the spot in the faction and Cross is the only guy working for ROH regularly it's clear who is going to win.
Claudio Castagnoli makes his entrance fore the opening match still coming through the crowd and still acting like a heel. Brent Albright than makes his entrance. Claudio gets a microphone. Claudio says it doesn't like a genius like himself to figure out Larry Sweeney is paying for Albright to wrestle Claudio tonight. Claudio says a large amount of money from Sweeney is just a good bottle of win for the Most Money Making Man. Claudio offers Albright double the money to go after Sweeney. Sweeney comes out and admits he took a contract out on Claudio. Sweeney explain his reason is he doesn't like Claudio. Sweeney says he and Albright have a contract and if he breach it he will sue him. Albright grabs Sweeney by the collar. Albright says he doesn't like the tone Sweeney is using. Albright says he's a man of his word and he will keep his contract with Sweeney tonight. Bu tin the further he does business his way. I like this segment. Its a nice twist of the idea of a bounty and given Claudio's gimmick it makes sense. I just wish they would have used this a chance to give a good reason for why Sweeney doesn't want Claudio to team with Hero. Even if the idea was just Claudio had rejected Sweeney as his agent as well.
Claudio Castagnoli vs Brent Albright- Albright nails a forearm right after letting go of Sweeney. Right hands by Albright and Claudio fires back with forearms and goes rapid fire in the corner before stomping. Sweeney stays at ringside. Albright goes after the eyes. Claudio blocks the attempt to ram him into the turnbuckle and does it to Albright a few times. Back body drop by Claudio than a diving uppercut. Albright to the floor and Sweeney yells they have a deal. Albright shoves Sweeney. Claudio gives them the old meeting of the minds. Claudio chases after Sweeney. Albright nails a clothesline on the floor. In the ring Albright overs and gets two. Elbow drop by Albright than forearms to the back by Albright. Cravat by Albright. Claudio gets to his feet but runs into a back elbow. Albright covers and gets two. Albright rams Claudio's face into the canvas over and over than gives him a gutwrech suplex. Sweeney keeps yelling for Albright to him him. Cravat by Albright again. Claudio back to his feet and best free. Sunset flip by Claudio gets two. Albright sends Claudio to the floor. Albright distracts the referee so Sweeney can stomp on Claudio. Sweeney tosses Claudio back in. Albright covers and gets two. Running clothesline by Albright gets two. Mounted punches by Albright. Albright tosses Claudio to the floor. This time Sweeney uses a towel to choke Claudio. Claudio reverses a whip and sends Albright into the guard rail. Back into the ring. Sweeney grabs the boot of Claudio allowing Albright to drop an elbow. Big right hands but Claudio but a drop kick by Albright. Chin lock by Albright. Chin breaker by Claudio. Albright runs into a boot. Uppercuts but Claudio. Spinning face buster by Claudio gets two. Albright block the water slide and goes for the crowbar. Claudio blocks it and manages to hits the water slide for two. Ricola bomb is blocked. Crowbar by Albright. Claudio gets the ropes but Sweeney knocks the boot off. Claudio finally gets the ropes with his hand for the break. Drop kick to the leg by Albright than the swinging knee to the face. Neck breaker by Albright gets two. Spring board uppercut by Claudio after ducking a clothesline gets two. Exchange of Strikes by the big men. Backslide by Claudio is counted into the crowbar. Claudio turns it around. Ricola bomb by Claudio only gets two. Claudio runs the ropes but Sweeney tries to tip him. Claudio is distracted by Sweeney. Half Nelson suplex by Albright for the win. Very good opening match its cool to see two athletic big men go at it like this. Hell I would rather this match any day of the week over what Mark Henry is doing.
Mschif and Serena vs The Dangerous Angles Sara Del Rey and Alison Danger- Del Rey and Serena start us off. Go behind by Del Rey. Serena revers ago a hammer clock. More fighting over and position finally a front chancery by Del Rey for control. Wrist lock into a hammer lock by Serena. Drop toe hold into a front face lock by Del Rey. Shoulder tackle by Del Rey. Arm drags by Serena. Monkey Flip by Serena. Danger into the ring with no tag and gets arm dragged. Del Rey nails the distracted Serena. Hip attack by Del Rey. Tag to Dangers who nails a double ax handle. Wrist lock by Danger. . Arm drag by Serena and finally into an arm bar. Tag to Mschif. Arm wringer by MsChif. They try for a comedy spot Where Danger gets scared after the MsChif scream but than screams back at her. And its juts not funny. Exchange of strikes. Rapid fire chops by MsChif and she goes for a spinning back fist. Danger ducks it and drive a shoulder and than hits the love lace choker neck breaker to the knee for two. Tag to Del Rey. Chops by Del Rey. Body scissors takedown by MsChif gets two. Running kick toe the chest by Del Rey and than she stands on MsChif's. Short clothes line by Del Rey gets two. Tag to Danger. Trip by Dangers sends McChif crashing throat first to the bottom rope Curb kick by Danger who ties Mscihiff up in the ropes. Running spear to MsChif's chest as she's hung upside down in the ropes. Cover by Danger gets two. Tag to Del Rey. Code green out of no where by MsChif gets two. Tag to Serena and tag to Danger. Right hands by Serena and dropkick. Dangers blocks the suplex.. They tools around the ring going for a cradle. Danger tags Serena to the corner and tags Del Rey. Head butt to the back by Del Rey. Samoan drop by Del Rey gets two. Royal Butterfly by Del Rey. Dangers with a big spear as MsChif tries to make the save and they go to the floor. Del Rey covers and gets the win. Very good match nice bit of filler on what is supped to be a big card. Is clear about impressing fans to check out SHIMMER.
Colt Cabana looks out a hotel window into Chicago. Cabana talks what a great place Chicago is. Cabana talks about every tin in ROH. Cabana talks about being a young kid growing up in Chicago and says he thinks about tJimmy Jacobs being a young kid growing up in wrestling. Cabana says he was willing to give Jimmy a helping hand not just in wrestling but out of the ring. Cabana says Jimmy is so emotional wrecked. Colt again says he would have been happy to help Jimmy be a better person or wrestler. But Jimmy made a decision. Cabana talks about how the world flipped when Jimmy sided with Lacey. Colt says Lacey has no idea what she is talking about. Cabana recounts the various attacks Jimmy has pulled on him. Cabana says he is pre parted to finish it off. Cabana says he's sick of Lacey and Jacobs. Cabana warns Jacobs he will be in pain and he will bleed. Cabana says Jacobs will have a breakdown and he will love to see it. This promo has some good and some bad. Its a good promo for the most part and what Cabana is saying is a great story. The bad is it's to long its over five minutes and for a promo of just one guy talking alone in a room it needs to great to keep you interested. Not helping is most of the promo is done with Cabana's back turned to the camera looking out the window. This was part of the whole experimental shots stuff ROH was doing but they did it to long. And finally all that stuff about Cabana trying to help Jacobs must have taken place off screen because that isn't' what we saw on the DVD's. What we did see was Cabana mocking Jacobs when he asked him about the rumors he was sleeping with Lacey. Cabana doing a whole match where Lacey forced Jacobs to work with him and made sure to humiliate him over and over and over again. A video wire where Cabana comes off as total asshole messing around with Lacey while Jacobs is about to cry.
Four Corner Survival CJ Otis vs Trik Davis vs Matt Cross vs. Shingo- This was the match Aries said he would be watching earlier. Cross and Davis start us off. Lock up and a wrist lock by Davis. Cross flips free and reverse the hold. Waste lock by Davis into a headlock. Shoulder tackle by Davis than rolling cradle gets two. Shingo tags Cross to get into the match. Davis tags in Otis. Knee to the stomach by Shingo. Head lock by Shingo and than shoulder tackle. Firemen's carry by Otis than back elbow and body slam. Otis tags in Cross. Drop kick by Cross on Shingo. Back drop suplex by Cross gets two. Cross tags in Davis. Shingo ducks a double clothesline and shoves them into each other. DDT on Otis STO on Cross at the same time by Shingo. Shingo tags in Otis. Running forearms by Otis on Davis than fishermen's' suplex for two. Shingo tags in off OTis. Shot to the ribs of Davis by Shingo. Hard chop by Shingo. Head butt to the gut by Davis. Spine buster off the shoulder by Shingo gets two on Davis. Half crab by Shingo. Shingo changes to a cross face. Shingo tags in Otis. Northern lights suplex by Otis gets two than half camel clutch. Otis tags in Shingo. Shingo drive Davis into the corner and than chops him. Running corner clothesline by Shingo. Shingo charges into a boot than an elbow. Lung blow by Davis. Shingo tags in Otis and Davis tags in Cross. Springboard misled dropkick on Otis by Cross. Otis to the floor. Cross Goes after Davis but takes a flying head scissors. Shingo and Otis are on one side while Cross in on the other. Davis goes for a dive but Shingo trips him. DDT into the knee by Shingo than he a spinning power bomb gets two on Davis. Cross and Otis fight on the floor. Bulldog by Davis on Shingo in the ring. Cross sends Otis in the guard rial. Shingo is now on the floor. Cross into the ring and fakes Shingo out on a dive. Assisted moonsault over the ropes sends Davis over the ropes onto Shingo. Hand spring dive by Cross whips out the other three men. Cross pitches Otis into the ring. Waste lock suplex by Otis on Cross. Shingo whips Davis into the guard rail. Shingo into the ring. Shinigo and Otis double team Cross. Chop and German suplex combo by Otis and Shingo. Shingo breaks up Otis pin attempt. Minkcuo driver by Shingo and Otis breaks up the pin. Shoving match by Shingo and Otis. Davis is back up and missile drop kicks Shingo into Otis. Double knees by Davis on Shingo. Running lariat by Shingo on Davis. Drop kick to the face by Otis on Shingo. Double stomp to the hard by Cross on Otis gets two. Cross ducks a Shingo lariat but Otis doesn't. Davis sends Shingo to the floor. Suicide dive by Davis but he hooks his feet and nearly hits the floor face first. Cross with a neck breaker on the knee on Otis. Shoot star leg drop by Cross for the win. Pretty good match. A few mistimed and awkward spots though.
Austin Aries makes his way out. Shingo Otis, and Davis leave. Aries tells Cross good job and says its safe to say Chicago is impressed with Cross. Aries says he's impressed with Cross. Aries asks Cross to be his partner vs Strong and Richards later tonight. Cross calls Aries a ROH legend and says he would be horned to team with him. Strong and Richards runs out and jump them. Aries and Cross face fight and send the NRC to the floor. Delirious runs out of the crowd to go after Strong. I think originally it was going to be Aries and Delirious vs Strong and Richards tonight but the injury changed plans. Its kind of an underwhelming moment to have Cross join Aries.
Jimmy Rave vs BJ Whitmer- Back during the Chicago Spectacular weekend Rave had made Whitmer tap out during an elimination match after Jacobs had attacked him with a chair leading to this match. ROH would do this a lot back than something would happen in one city to set up a small or side feud for guys outside of there main one they were in and it would play out the next time they visited what ever city be it Chicago, Dayton or, Philly. Rave its a running knee to the back when Whitmer is up on the apron. B to the floor. Rave rams Whitmer head first into the guard rail. Rave takes off Whitmer's vest and uses it to choke him. Chops by Whitmer and than he sends Rave into the ring. Back breaker by Whitmer gets two. Whitmer rams Rave into the turnbuckle and than chops him. Forearm by Whitmer and than stomps to the chest. Snap suplex by Whitmer who rolls through to a northern lights suplex for two. More chops by Whitmer. Knee to the gut by Rave. Stomp to the face by Rave gets two. Boot to the head by Rave. Another knee to the midsection by Rave and than he rakes at the face. Rave with elbow on the chest. Chin lock by Rave than he just goes for a straight choke. Chops by Rave than a side russian leg sweep into a head scissors while pulling on the arm. Crucifix by Rave gets two. Shoulder blocks in the midsection by Rave. Chop to the throat by Rave. Whitmer fires back with chops of his own. Exploder suplex by Whitmer but he can't follow up right away. Hard chops by Whitmer than a leg lariat. Back body drop by Whitmer followed by the spine buster for two. Rave escapes a verily suplex but Whitmer side steps a spear and Rave goes to the floor. Suicide dive by Whitmer. Both men are down on the floor. Whitmer pulls up the mats not eh floor. Um first this feud isn't nearly hot enough for Whitmer two want to do that second isn't that more of heel move and last I cheek BJ was a face at this time. Whitmer goes for a power bombs but Rave back body drops him on the concert. Rave sends Whitmer into the ring. Drop kick to the leg by Whitmer. Spear by Rave cuts off the running knee. Move that rocked the world by Rave gets two. Rave goes for the pedigree but Whitmer drives him into the corner. Whitmer sets Rave on the top rope. Rave blocks the super exploder and shove Whitmer to the canvas. Rave off with a double ax handle but Whitmer catches him and hits the exploder for two. Whitmer drags Rave to the top rope with him. Whitmer goes for the sunset bomb but Rave holds on. Running power bomb by Whitmer gets two. Drop toe hold by Rave and he goes for the heel hook. Whiter rolls through and sends Rave into the turn buckle. School by Rave they try to do where Rave puts his feet on the ropes but they are to far so Rave actually looks like he's not even trying to pin Whitmer. That's the finish. Ok match but dumb fish. Truth is both men needed wins as they were both in big feud Rave with Nigel and Whitmer with Jacobs. I kind of have to question the logic of putting them in a match with each other.
ROH World Tag Team Championship Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels © with Alison Danger vs The Briscoe Brothers Jay and Mark- Well we have reached the dawn of a very dark age. See from here on out until really 2013 the Bricoes will dominate the ROH tag title scene. Bot only are they gong to rack up the most reigns as champions they are going have the longest reigns as champions. Oh yeah there will be some great teams in ROH in the yeas ahead but ultimately all roads lead back to Sandyfork and the two morons. Trash talking during he handshake between Sydal and The Bricoes. Daniels and Jay start us off. Lock up and they fight for position. Head lock by Daniels. Awful looking rana followed by an even worse looking leg lariat by Jay. Sydal into the ring and hits a great looking flying scissors on Jay. Mark into the ring and gives Sydal a back body drop. Daniels with a power slam on Mark than an elbow drop. Arm drag by Jay on Daniels. Sydal with an arm drain Jay. Arm drag by Mark on Sydal. Arm drag by Daniels on Mark. Is this a tornado tag they just never advertised? I mean these teams aren't feud so its just out of place they are all in like this. FInally the referee remembers he is supposed to do something and steps. We are back to Jay and Daniels in the ring. Lockup and a head lock by Jay. Daniels rolls him up for one but Jay retakes control. Bricoes change to a front face lock than rich track to the head lock. Shoulder tackle by Jay. Leg lariat by Daniels and he tags in Sydal. Wishbone by the champions. Cannon ball leg drop by Sydal gets two. Running corner clothesline by Sydal and a tag to Daniels. Running back elbow by Daniels than a few right hands. Daniels nails Mark on the apron. Mark trips Daniels than Jay hits a leg drop. Tag to Mark. Vertical suplex by Mark Briscoe gets two. Chin lock by Mark. Awful looking side russian leg sweep by Mark. Daniels runs Mark back into the corner and tags in Sydal. Kicks to the chest by Sydal than standing drop kick to the face by Sydal gets two. Exchange of punches with Mark getting the best. Tag to Jay. Back elbow by Jay gets two. Awful looking drop kick by Jay. Tag to Mark. Back elbows in the corner by Mark than a belly to belly suplex gets two. Sydal escapes a suplex and hits a chop and enziuri. Tag to Daniels. Running knee in the corner by Daniels on Mark. Neck breaker by Daniels. Mark drives Daniels into the corner and tags in Jay. Daniels fight back. Meeting of the minds for the Bricoes but Daniels runs into a double boot. Awful looking leg lariat by Jay than a sloppy back drop suplex. Mark with a double stomp on Daniels. Jay with a weak looking stretch plum. Daniels rammed in the corner. Tag to Mark. Oh my god the bricoes did there double shoulder tackle with out barking its a freaking miracle. They did a move without annoying me. Cover by Mark gets two. Gut wretch suplex by Mark than a knee drop. Figure four head scissors that isn't applied right by Mark on Daniels.
Daniels gets the ropes. Tag to Jay. Side slam by Mark as Jay hits a leg drop gets two. Chin lock by Jay. Elbows by Daniels and a great looking enziquri Tag to Sydal. Enziquri by Sydal on Mark who has charged into the ring. Standing moonsault for Jay gets two. Amazing looking dive over the top rope by Sydal whips out Mark. Daniels Holds Jay as Sydal comes off the second rope with a flying side kick. Seated abdominal stretch by Sydal. Jay yes free but Sydal drags him down with a head lock. Jay gets the ropes. Tag to Daniels. Double team power slam by the champs than Daniels slams Sydal onto Jay. Gut buster off a suplex by Daniels. Tag back to Sydal. Side slam by Daniels and a second rope cannon ball leg drop by Sydal. Sydal taunts Mark and he charges into the ring to break up the pin. The referee forced Mark to leave allowing Daniels to put the boots to Jay. Back to the seated abdominal stretch by Sydal. Rolling crucifix by Sydal gets two. Tag to Daniels. Standing abdominal stretch by Daniels. Its a small thing but I really like both Daniels and Sydal doing that move working over the same area. Sometimes in a tag match it seems one partner works over body part while his partner works overs another. Mark distracts the referee again allowing Sydal to hit a sling shot drop kick on Jay while Daniels keeps the hold locked in Jay hung over the top rope and Daniels hits a top rope leg drop. Mark detracts the ref again Switch with no tag by the champs. Sydal stands on Jay's throat. Running back elbow by Sydal than the running corner clothesline. He takes time to mug for the camera allowing Jay to hit an awful looking belly to belly suplex. Sydal cuts off the tag. Tag to Daniels. Knee to the stomach by Daniels. Gut buster by Daniels gets two. Chin lock by Daniels. Jay rammed into the corner. Jay sat on the top rope and Daniels nails a palm strike. Iconoclasm is blocked. Sydal Goes for a top rope Rana but Jay contour into a face first superplex. Tag to Mark who has to start yelling on a spring board kick. Awful looking spin kick than a shitty looking corner clothesline by Mark. Daniels runs into a boot. Moonsault press that nearly misses by Mark and he almost comes down on his head Daniels literally had to make the save on that one. Power slam by Mark gets two. Mark leaps over the top rope nearly slips. Slips on the rope and goes for a corkscrew splash that has him drives head to Daniels crotch. But I'm not shocked the guy can't do basic moves so of course he can't do bigger spots. Mark covers and gets two. High low by the champions. Sydal knocks Jay off the apron. Arabian press by Daniels gets two. Tag to Sydal. Mark escapes a back drop suplex attempt and Sydal nails Daniels on a flying back elbow.
Tag to Jay. House of fire by Jay. Its way to soon to have Jay back in the ring after all the punishment he took much less have him be the house of fire.. Running big boot on Daniels by Jay than one for Sydal. An ace crusher off the top rope by Mark on Sydal and it looks like Mark never even actually touched Sydal. Jay covers and gets two. Double chops by the Brisoces than they double team hip toss. Jay runs into Sydal's boot. T-Bone suplex by Mark on Sydal. So wait early at the start of the match the referee jumps in to restore order but now late in the match he doesn't? Is it so much to ask for consinsity in the same match with the rules? Sydal sat on the rope rope. Daniels with a double clothesline for the Brisoces. Bricoes with strikes on Daniels. Daniels sat on the top rope opposite corner form Sydal. Daniels fights off a double team superplex. Sydal with a rana on Daniels that laces him into a double flying cloth lien. Mark sent to the floor. Lung blower Daniels than standing moonsault by Sydal on Jay gets two. Tag to Daniels. Double team leg drive gets two. Yurniagi by Daniels. BME misses. Stunner by Jay on Daniels. Bricoes toss Sydal into the air. Spring board dooms day set up for. Daniels cuts off Mark. Death Valley Driver by Daniels and a hurricanrana by Sydal on Jay. Double cover only two. Sydal to the top. Double team Angles wings by the champions. Mark makes the save. Mark and Daniels exchange strikes. Yurnagi is blocked. Cut throat driver by Mark. Sydal nail Mark. Mark ducks an enziquri. Sydal goes for the standing moonsault by Mark gets his legs up. Cut throat driver to Sydal. Brisoces to opposite corner leg drop by Jay and Mark slips. He gets back up to hits a shooting star press for the title win. Bad match that goes way to long it was clear the early arm dragathon was just to kill time because the Brisoces are so limited. It felt lie Daniels and Sydal just went into repeat mode on there office. Mark screws up the finish. Its just a bad match as usual from the Brisoces where they rush through tons of high spots and blow basic moves.
Post match Jay talks about how great it is to get the belts back. Daniels and Sydal snatch back the tag belts. Daniels and Sydal step the belts around the new champions. Jay says its a party tonight and than his stupid man up line. Ok segment but the Brisoces should never be allowed to talk.
At intermission Bayless tells us the Brisoces will be defending the tag titles next weekend in the united kingdom. She is with Lacey and Jimmy Jacobs. Lacey says it doesn't mater if he wins or loses. Lacey says someone needs to die. Jacobs says the irony of the world is there is death through life. Jimmy says through one man's blood shed two lovers unite. He does this while playing with her hair. It comes as as unnerving and I think that was going but it's not a memorable promo. It almost comes off like Jimmy and Lacey are already moving past the feud with Cabana.
The No Remorse Corps Davey Richards and Roderick Strong vs Austin Aries and Matt Cross- I assume it was going to be Delirious teaming with Aries until he got hurt. Aries spring into the ring and goes right after Strong. Cross after Richards. The Corps bail to the floor. Cross fakes them out on a dive. The NRC back up the ramp. Strong gives a fire up speech and tells Richards they will go in together. Strong than doesn't do it and Davey gets double teamed kicked and hip tossed. Standing moonsault by Cross. First that makes Richards looks really stupid and like he can't trust Strong. Second do you really want comedy in the first match of a major feud you are building the company around? Aries to the floor and causes after Strong. Baseball slide by Cross on Strong. Cross hangs off the ring post and drops an elbow. Aries to the apron and hits a shoulder block on Richards. Boot to the midsection by Aries on Richards. Stiff chop on Richards by Aries. Richards revers a whip and Strong knees Aries in the back. Aries is distracted. Dropkick by Richards. Power slam by Richards. Tag to STrong who puts the boots to Aries Shoulders in the corer Strong. Aries duck a chop and lands some of his own. Tag to Richards. Drop toe hold by Aries. Cross in with a drop kick to the face. Cover by Aries gets one. Tag to Cross. Leg lariat by Cross gets two. Richards is rammed into the boot of Aries. Tag to Aries who hilts a sling shot back elbow Cannon ball shoulder by Aries. Aries holds Richards for a Cross leg drop. Ok commentary gets really strange here as suddenly Prazak and Leonard get really annoying it almost sounds like they were given bullett points to hit during the match and just decided to do them all at once. It goes like this. "I can't believe Aries and Strong are wrestling against each other… I know they were partners for so long… And now they are leading there own factions… And is Cross a member of Aries? how many more members will each side add… Who will be in Evans faction?… Who attacked Evans… Well it wasn't Davey Richards but who did it?" Elbow drop on the apron by Aries gets two. Tag to Cross. Sling shot by Cross into a elbow by Aries Richards falls back. Sling shot elbow Aries. Leonard makes a great point reminding us that was a move Aries and Strong used to use. Strong breaks up the pin and than runs away. Power slam by Aries on Richards. Tag to Cross. cross misses the missile drop kick. Richards dumps Cross on the ropes. Round house kick by Richards. Strong drags Cross to the floor and tosses him back first into the post. Strong tosses Cross in the ring. Richards covers and gets two. Tag to Strong. Power slam by Strong than an elbow drop. Butterfly suplex by Strong gets two. Tag to Richards. Strong pops Cross into the air and Richards hits a big kick. Slam by Richards who than mock Aries by doing the set up for the power drive elbow. Cross driven into Strong's boot. Tag to Strong. Knee to the side a and kick to the face by Strong. Chin lock by Strong. Cross gets free but Strong nails a drop kick. Aries breaks up the pin. Richards tags in. Double team ax handle by the NRC. Round house kick by Richards gets two. Seated abdominal stretch by Richards. Cross gets free but runs into a knee. Kick to the head by Richards. Tag to Strong.
Knee to the side as Richards holds. Strong teases like he is going to do a big chop but pokes the eyes instead. Strong knocks Aries off the apron. Double team choke by the NRC behinds the referee's back. Cross goes for a flying head scissors by Strong turns it into a side slam. I think Strong was going for back breaker but the combo of spinning around and Cross being kind of low made him change it up and I give him credit for covering well. Strong runs into a the boots. Tornado DDT by Cross. Both men are down. Tag to Richards and tag to Aries. Aries ducks the Richards clothesline and hits the running corner drop-kick on Strong. Forearm for Richards. Strong to the floor. Aries to the top rope but Richards cuts him off. Spring board back elbow by Aries on Richards. Suicide dive by Aries takes out Strong. Shoulder to the stomach on Richards by Aries than he snaps the jaw on the top rope. Twisting press by Aries gets two. Aries goes for the kaprana but Strong trips him. Baseball slide by Richards on Cross. Back breaker on Aries by Strong. Handspring kick by Richards on Aries gets two. Double team DDT by The NRC. Cross makes the save. Richards sends Cross to the apron. Richards charges but Cross pulls the rope down and Richards falls to the floor. Strong into the ring and goes after Aries. Aries escape gut buster and hits a roaring elbow. Cross to the top rope. Richards knocks Cross to the floor. Strong goes for the half nelson suplex on Aries but he escapes and shoves Strong into Richards. Belly to back suplex by Aries. Spring board april tap by Cross takes out Strong not he floor. I think Cross landed on the guard rail witch had to hurt. Aries tries to superplex Richards but he fights it off. Kick to the face by Aries and hits the brain buster. Aries to the top rope for the 450 for the win. Its a pretty good match and really enjoyable to watch I like Strong and Richards as a team and the gelled well as did Aries and Cross. But the NRC loses? Yeah I know I talked about how the NRC will pretty much every other match in this feud but the first time this new faction teams and they lose? SHould it be the win the early matches and than lose when Aries and Cross have had time to gel they get some payback. At least Aries didn't pin Strong but still.
Post match Aries and a ROH staff member help the injured Cross to the back. As soon as they are through he curtain theNRC jumps them. Strong sends Aries into the ring back first. Strong pulls down some the guard rail and give Cross the Gibson driver on it. Delirious comes out and Chases the NRC the back. Ok your old give the heels there heat back attack. And if you had the NRC win the match. I have to wonder if Gabe knew it was a dumb call so that is why he let the NRC win out the rest of the feud.
We get a video recapping the Cabana and Jacobs feud. Starting with the "rumors" about Lacey and Cabana. Jimmy finding Cabana and Lacey in the shower. Jacobs being forced to team with Cabana. Jacobs snapping and the attack on Cabana after he broke up with Lacey. Highlight from the matches they have had over the months before this. Its a decent video Setting the stage for what we are about to see. ROH was smart enough to not put the moments that make Cabana look like a jerk in them.
Windy City Death Match Jimmy Jacobs with Lacey vs Colt Cabana- Both guys come out in normal wrestling gear and while that doesn't kill the match I have made it clear to me it adds to matches like these when the guys don't wrestle in there normal gear. Cabana comes our waving a Chicago flag and runs Jimmy and Lacey out of the ring. Cabana is also wearing a t-shirt but still has his usual singlet on under it. Jimmy reuses to get int he ring until Cabana puts down the flag. FInally Cabana comes out and chase Lacey add Jimmy around the ring. Cabana best a pair of hairs and gets into the ring. Colt "Wildly" swings the chair. Its pretty clear he was trying to miss so he wouldn't' nail Jimmy yet. Cabana throws the chair and misses. Dirt boxing and Jimmy goes to the eyes. Cabana shakes it off and knocks Jacobs down with rights. Chops by Cabana. Jacobs sent to the floor. Jacobs sent head first into the guard rail. Cana runs Jacobs to the guard rail on the other side. Cabana lays Jacobs on the time keepers table. Cabana climbs up the top rope. Lacey grabs to the foot. Cabana brings Lacey into the ring. Lacey tries to attack Cabana but he catches hear and puts her in a suggestive position. Jacobs back in and clips Cabana in the leg. Punches to the head by Jacobs. Jacobs holds Cabana's legs open for Lacey to do something. Daizee Haze out and give Lacey the mind trip and they brawl to the back. Cabana rams Jacobs head into the corner and than hangs him in the tree of woo. Cabana under the ring and brings out a ladder. Jacobs gets free and drops kicks the ladder into Cabana face. Punches by Jacobs to the jaw than he tosses Cabana into the ring. Cabana ducks a back elbow and hits a atomic elbow that bust Jacobs open. Rapid fire elbows by Cabana. Cabana pulls a pair of scissors out his elbow pad. That another little thing I like as its a change from the usual store weapon on body until you pull it out and it did damage while being hidden. Cabana drives the blade into Jacobs face. More girding into the face. Cabana goes to stab Jacobs who moves. The scissors are driven into the to turn buckle pad. Chair shot to the back by Jacobs. Jacobs goes to pull his spike weapon out of his boot but he can't find it. Cabana pulls it out of his. Ok I give them credit for trying something different but Jacobs hasn't been KO'ed in this match how could Cabana realistically get the spike away form him and have time do hide it again without the camera picking it up? Cabana spikes Jacobs. Cabana uses his T-shirt to choke Jacobs and than grinds the spike into Jacobs face. Jacobs to the floor. Cabana gets the flag and hits Jacobs with the pole. Jacobs back into the ring Cabana climbs back in giving Jacobs a chance to kick to the middle rope. Jacobs tears the flag off the pole and breaks the pole over Cabana back. Jacobs uses the jagged edge of the pole to cut open Cabana. Jacobs uses the flag to whip his face and than he chokes Cabana with it.
Jacobs has the spike and hits Cabana with it and than he grands the point into Cabana's head. Jacobs hits Cabana with the chair. Cabana handing not he ropes and get punches. Jacobs puts a the chair on Cabana and hits a series of stomps followed by an elbow drop. Jacobs covers and gets two. Jacobs chokes Cabana with his hands and the ropes. Cabana blocks another shot by the pole. Cabana block the contra code. They go to the corner. Cabana gets the scissors out of the top turnbuckle and stabs Jacobs with them. I believe the idea is Cabana grabbed into the scissors to block the contra code and that also helped dislodge them Again nice spot. Jacobs begs for mercy. Cabana throws the scissors into the air and lands right hand not he distracted Jacobs. Jabs by Cabana than a wind up right hand. Big chair shot by Cabana levels Jacobs. Colt calls for the colt 45. Brent Albright runs out and give Cabana half nelson suplex. Albright puts Jacobs on top. Cabana kicks at two. BJ Whiter runs out and goes after Albright. Jacobs and Albright double team Whitmer. Albright holds Whitmer and Jacobs has a chair. Whitmer kicks the chair. Whitmer tosses Albright to the floor. Running clothesline by Whitmer sends himself and Jacobs to the floor. Cabana with a osi moonsault and its sadly one of those times where everyone decides to be that guy that goes "The other will catch." And poor Cabana smacks the ground hard. Everyone is down. Cabana tosses Jacobs back into the ring. Cabana gets a hammer and the spike. Cabana misses hitting the spike and instead just hits Jacobs in the head. Butt butt by Cabana. Cabana starts tossing chairs into Jacobs face. Power slam by Cabana and hits drives a chair onto Jacobs . Cabana to the top for a moonsault onto the chair that gets two. Cabana sets a table up on the floor but is slow due to the loss of blood. Right hands by Jacobs. Exchange of Strike. Cabana gets the broken flag pole and stabs Jacobs with it. The table that Jacobs is on gives out. Cabana gets the ladder and set it up on the ring and guard rail. Jacobs gets another table. Cabana gets a chair and tosses into Jacobs face and than lays Jacobs on the table. Cabana to the top rope. Lacey is back and shoves Cabana off the turnbuckle and he is crotched on the top rope. Cabana placed on the table. Jacobs gets the ladder and sets it up inside the ring. Jacobs climbs up the ladder. Senton off the ladder though the table. HOLY SHIT doesn't even being to describe that. Jacobs and Lacey roll Cabana into the ring. Jacobs covers and gets two.
Jacobs grabs one of the broken table and paces it into the ring with Lacey's help. Jacobs props the table up in the corner. Jacobs goes for a spear but Cabana side steep it and Jacobs goes through the table. Lacey on the apron screaming for Jacobs to get up. Lacey gets her high heel and goes to hit Cabana with hit. Cabana blocks the shot tosses Lacey down anne gets the shoe. Spiked heel to the head than to the throat of Jacobs. Lariat by Cabana followed by the colt 45. Colt 45 for Lacey. Cabana puts Lacey on top of Jacobs and covers getting the win. This was a pretty good hardcore match but it had it's ups and downs. I do like some of the creative stuff they did to set up spots intend of just the usual paint by numbers hardcore spots. that have become to common in matches like these. However I feel there was an over uses of stabbing spots. Yes the spike was Jacobs weapon and the heel had been symbol of the feud but did were really need scissors and the flag pole onto of that? How ever given the back story the quality of the match the pretty insane senton spot this makes a great main event for this…. Oh wait it's not the main event. This is more an issue with the pacing of the card but if this match isn't the main event than it should have done earlier in the night to give fans a chance to breath.
Next up we get a video looking at great moments from the past years. The final match of Generation Next as a faction. Joe vs Danielson in a cage. Cabana winning his feud with Homicide. Christian Cage and Lacey storm appearing in ROH. Jim Cornett getting fired. Homicide siding with ROH in the CZW feud and wining the world title. The stars from Dragon Gate. ROH winning the CZW feud. Stars from NOOAH appearing. Bruno Sammartino appearing. The barb wire match with Whitmer and Necro Butcher and Whitmer winning. Its a nice collection but my usual complaint. The FYF should be more than just stuff the took place for the past year where is the sense of history? Where is stuff like Joe winning the world title? CM Punk's time in ROH? Stuff like that.
Nigel McGuinness and Takeshi Morishima vs Samoa Joe and Homicide- This can be seen as an ROH vs NOAH match even thug Nigel works for ROH his role had become that of NOAH's mouth piece in ROH. He was the one the came out when Joe called out NOAH and he spoke on behalf of Morishima. Massive please don't go chant for Joe who looks real emotional for this one. I get why even though he still had two appearance left those were for fans that ROH had played to a handful of times live this was his last appearance in front of regular ROH fans. Nigel and Homicide start the match. Lock up and Nigel drive Homicide into the corner and breaks clean. Head lock by Nigel than into a cravat Rolling cravat by Nigel but Homicide gees the mount and grinds the forearm into the face. Front face lock by Nigel is counted into a wrist lock by Homicide. They repeat the spot after Nigel gets free. Upper cut by Nigel by Homicide shakes it off to nail a drop kick. Morishima tags in. Homicide with a head lock is shoved off. Homicide goes for a shoulder tackle but he's the one that goes down hard. Homicide keeps trying it but he can't move the champion. Tag to Joe. Head lock by Joe. Joe goes for a shoulder and neither man goes down. Chops by Joe. Joe hits the ropes but runs into a flying hip. Cartwheel avalanche by Morishima. They go for the STO Joe but Joe can't get him. Kicks to the back by Joe and Morishima rolls to the floor. Joe goes for the dive but Nigel on the apron drive his knee into Joe head. Homicide knocks Nigel off the apron. Double suicide dives by Joe and Homicide take out team Noah. Joe sends Morishima into the guard rail and than they go into the crowd. Exchange so strike int eh crowd by Joe and Morishima. Joe rams Morishima into the merchandise stand than into a steel stand. Joe has a chair and nails Morishima in the back. On the out he side Homicide hits Nigel with a chair. Joe is back at ring side and give Morishima the ole kick. Head butt by Homicide to Nigel Kick to the chest by Joe on Nigel. Nigel back into the ring. Homicide with right hands on Morishima and than one for Joe. Homicide is in the ring with Nigel and kick him. Running corner clotheslines by Homicide than a running boot. Tag to Joe. Jabs by Joe on Nigel. Chop by Joe. Running back elbow by Joe than flip kick gets two. Tag to Homicide. Joe puts Nigel in the camel clutch running start by Homicide for a dropkick to the face. Homicide covers and gets two. Hammer lock takedown not a stretch by Homicide. Homicide lets it go to tag in Joe. Wishbone by Joe and Homicide. Chin lock by Joe and he flips off Morishima. Nigel get free by Joe hit the atomic drop than the flying big boot followed by the senton gets two. Tag to Homicide.
Uppercut by Nigel. Awkward spot where all of a sudden they just stop. Nigel was charging but than stops and next thing Homicide hits a snap suplex. Nigel ducks a clothesline an chits a lariat. Tag to Morishima. Homicide avoids the corner splash. Homicide to the top for a cross body attempt. Morishima catch shim and hits an over head belly to belly suplex. Neck crank by Morishima before tearing at the face. Morishima stands on the chest in the corner. Joe chops Morishima in tieback to break i up. Nigel over and chokes Homicide. Hip attack Morishima on the floor. Morishima tosses Homicide to the floor. Nigel his Homicide with an uppercut and than tosses him into the guard rial Nigel sends Homicide in the ring. Leg drop by Morishima. Tag to Nigel. Head butts by Nigel than a upper cut. Vertical suplex by Nigel and a tag to Morishima. Power bomb by Morishima. Morishima stands on Homicide's throat. Stiff chop to the throat by Morishima than he uses his boot to choke him. Yakuza kick by Morishima. Tag to Nigel. Hammer lock takedown by Nigel. Wrist lock by Nigel. Nigel traps the arm with his body and bend back. Joe in and kick Nigel in the chest to break it up. Morishima no just in and is legal. Morishima no sells kick and strikes by Homicide. Abdominal stretch by Morishima and also picks up the leg. Nigel gives the assistance from the outside. No tag exchange by Nigel and Morishima. Homicide ducks a short arm lariat and hits the ace crusher. Both men are down. Tag to Morishima and tag to Joe. Jabs for both the foreigners . Shoulder tackle for Nigel and an enziquri for Morishima. Death Vally driver by Joe on Morishima gets two. Morishima blocks a power bomb attempt and back drops Joe before dropping down and crushing him. Tag to Nigel. Upper cuts and thrusts by Nigel than the running uppercut in the corner. Joe blocks the tower of london. Kick to the back and falling lariat by by Nigel gets two. Blind tag Homicide. Rana off the top rope by Homicide. McGuinness blocks the monkey flip and places Homicide on the top. Thrust by Nigel. Homicide blocks the super plex. DDT off the top by Homicide. Top rope elbow by Homicide gets two. Neck breaker series by Homicide on McGuinness than a pile driver. Morishima breaks up the pin and knocks Joe off the apron. Morishima drags Nigel to there corner for a legal tag. Morishima to the top and hits a missile drop-kick on Homicide. Shoulder tackle by Morishima. Tag to McGuinness. Tower of London is blocked. Forearm off the top by Homicide. Homicide runs into the boot. Tower of London by Nigel but Joe break up the fall and than knocks Morishima off the apron. Joe tags in. Series of jabs by Joe but Nigel lands a head butt to the stomach.
Short arm lariat by Nigel on Joe. Homicide ducks the rebound lariat attempt and hits a lariat of his own. Morishima in and levels Homicide with a lariat. Joe takes out Morishima with a lariat and all four men are down. Joe back up and he gets Nigel. McGuinness goes for a head stand in the corner kick but Joe hits a running boot to his face. Morishima after Joe. Homicide boots Morishima who shakes it off. Homicide tires a again and again having no effect. Back drop driver by Morishima on Homicide. Homicide to the floor. Series of palm strikes by Joe. Side slam by Morishima on Joe. Morishima to the top but a leaping kick by Joe stuns him. Muscle buster by Joe on Morishima. Joe goes for it on Nigel who is legal. Nigel escapees and hits an upper cut. Nigel blocks the ST Joe and hits an arm drag. Nigel goes for a super kick but Joe catches it and kick McGuinness in the head. Joe sees the rebound and punches Nigel. Nigel falls back right into position for another rebound and this time it connects for the win. Its very good match but the finish is dumb. Joe sees it once but doesn't see it coming again? What was he to busy trying admiring his punch? Also its strange Nigel works like such a heel here since he was a face his heel turn was a long ways off. I do like Nigel getting the win since Joe was the only one to beat Morishima and now Nigel becomes the guy that beat the guy. The fans boo I think upset Joe lost although I would like to think few them agree with me on what a dumb finish it was.
Post match Morishima grabs his belt. The fans start to change thank you Joe. Morishima starts to back up the ramps while Homicide checks on partner. Nigel gets the microphone and says he respects Joe just like all the fans. Nigel points he the one that got the win and says he wants a shot at Morishima. Morishima doesn't react to it and just leaves. I really feel ROH just let a major story opportunity pass them by. At this stage Nigel moves into the champion in waiting role. Now that role can be both good and bad. Booked right you are super strong going into your title reign. Booked wrong you come off a guy that missed several chances and the fans are sick of you main eventing before you even touch the belt. Nigel wasn't booked wrong he was booked terrible. For one it always come across like he wanted Morishima respect so he tried to nice to him only for Morishima to turn right around and attack him. Also Morishima just blows off the challenge he should become angry maybe even setting up the idea Nigel was the guy that could beat him.
Nigel hands Joe the microphone as the ROH locker room empties and fills the ring.. The fans chants think you Joe. Joe hugs than ROH owner Carey Silkin. The idiots chant fuck TNA. Joe and the other guys that work for TNA stop them and encourage to change for ROH instead of hating on the company that is giving them better paydays. Joe says the fan have just as much passion all all the boys in the ring. Joe says the fans show up to watch the best and they apperiacte professional wrestling. Joe talks about ROH wanting to be the very best Joe says he loves the sport he loves ROH and he loves the fans. Its another rood goodbye speech by Joe. Joe embrace the various guys in the ring including Homicide, Whitmer, and Aries.
Backstage Roderick Strong says people keeping asking him who attacked Jack Evans. Strong says maybe next week he will tell us who did it. Strong says his only concern is making the FIP title a world title and that's our cliffhanger. And dear lord it is a stupid one. First off its the typical boring Strong promo. The guy has the charisma of a mound of dirt. Second it was pretty clear who ever attacked Evans was going to be tied to Strong and the NRC. Since they had already made it clear it wasn't Richards that left Strong or ye to be named third member. Since Strong was the leader even if a third member had done it would have been because Strong had told him to. So it was clear Strong was going to be the man behind it. There is no drama to this cliff hanger.
Overall the Chicago event comes off as one of the strong ones in the FYF. There are some pretty good matches. The tag title match goes way to long and instead of Daniels and Sydal brining up the Bricoes the Brisoces drag them down. The Death Match should have been the main event. I also feel several matches just go on to long as the last four matches all go about 30 mins. I recommend picking it up as long you can get a decent price.
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