And we have reached the end of both the ROH Fifth Year Festival and Samoa Joe's time in the company as regular. Why Joe would return and wrestle one more match as a DVD bonus for a PPV release this huge deal. Joe was the third ever ROH champion but he was the one that truly made the title mean something. Low Ki's title reign had been brief, Xavier was a talented wrestler but he wasn't a main event guy. Joe would have classic matches with CM Punk, Homicide, Daniels, AJ Styles, and Bryan Danielson. ROH often points to a match between Joe and Zebra Kid in the UK as when there title became a world title. But Joe did so much more than just add a new world to the name of the title. He was amazing matches with most of the young roster in ROH. But by 2007 they were out of things for Joe to do. He pretty much worked with everyone. Hell didn't even wrestle at Final Battle 06. Hell if not the CZW war and his teaming with Homicide vs Cornette's guys he would have had nothing in 2006. Plus Joe had already become a major part of TNA so even if he had stayed in ROH past this show he would be pulled once the PPV deal for ROH started. So is Joe's last show a proper good bye to the ROH icon or did Joe get out at just the right time.
We open with men screaming in the dark picking up on the Whitmer and Jacobs brawl that ended the last show. After several seconds of seeing nothing We see half of Whitmer's face yells to get the camera out of his face. This is an awful opening. First we open in total darkness with screaming with I"m sure confused anyone who just bought the DVD with out seeing the the previous show. Second that's all you end on the fight making us think maying something epic was about to go down and instead its that. A good opening should make fans excited for what they are going to see maybe lay some ground work for big match or even plant a seed for something to come. This did none of that.
Backstage the Briscoes Brothers are talking. Mark points out that twice in 2007 they lost a championship in there first defense and says they are getting soft. Jay agrees they need toughen each other up and the brothers start shoving each other playfully. This wasn't a bad promo it wasn't that great but for once I could them. The promo had a point to it and helped clear up the gibberish segment from the night before. And for once even the annoying man up wasn't that annoying because it fit the story of the promo and the match for later. Don't get me wrong it's still the Briscoes so I have no interest in watching them wrestle but hey for once they didn't totally suck.
Delirious vs Colt Cabana- Cabana came out to the music of and dressed like UK wrestling legend Big Daddy. Like Big Daddy he even picked a fan up and carried him around ringside before deciding o pick a small child instead. Cabana also had a small baby doll with. Since Delirious was in his pre match trance Cabana took time to put his hat, vest and doll on Delirious. The bell rings and Cabana steals Delirious gimmick of freaking out at the start. A very confused Delirious yells at his opponent and tosses a chair into the ring. Delirious than start grabbing Colt Cabana head bands off fans head and tosses them into the ring. Delirious tacked the doll and tosses it into the ring. Leaving to great reaction from the fans when Cabana fails to catch it. Delirious best back in the ring but is hesitant to lock up. Delirious has the doll and puts it in his mouth while Cabana messes with Todd Sinclair. Lock up and Delirious locks up a top wrist lock but Cabana powers free. Lock up and another top wrist lock has same result. Cabana gets a top wrist lock but Delirious gets free and take Cabana over with a side head lock takeover. Big Daddy Style chest bumps by Cabana send Delirious to the floor. Cabana just insulted Delirious' mom and as we all known that is to far. Delirious demands an apology and even gets a hug before Cabana ties up the wrist and and goes into a greco knuckle lock. Cabana turns mask of Delirious around so he can't see and claps the ears. Roll up by Delirious on the referee get two. Oklahoma roll on Sinclair gets two. Cabana starts counting when Delirious is in the ropes. Waste on lock on Sinclair by the blind man. Delirious start to feel up Sinclair realizing he's not wrestling Cabana finally. Mask is turned right. Double team by Cabana and Sinclair when he pushes Delirious and the roll up gets two. Lock up by the actual wrestlers and Delirious gets a wrist lock. Cabana spins around and get out through the legs. Delirious through the legs of Cabana and Sinclair. Leap frog by Cabana over Sinclair than he hits a single leg. Series of clotheslines by Delirious capped off by the leaping lariat. Delirious covers and gets one or four or ten or three if you listen to Delirious argue with Sinclair. Forearm followed by a head butt by Delirious. Cabana messes with the mask again. head but to the stomach by Delirious and he takes a second to fix the mask. Head butt to the stomach by Cabana. Cabana to the mask again but stop once the fans boo. Cabana runs in a boot. Running drop kick by Delirious. Swinging supple by Cabana gets two. Series of "Karate" thrusts by Delirious. Butt Butt by Cabana. rolling cradle by Delirious gets two. School boy out of the corner by Delirious soft a series of near falls to get the win. A great comedy with all the spots being truly funny. It's has a great energy to like you want an opening match to have. Yeah the finish comes a little out of no where but it still a fun watch.
Backstage Not the American Wolves Davey Richards and Roderick Strong are talking. Roderick brags about making the FIP title a world title. Strong says tonight he will become a double champion. Richards says he will get his first taste of gold. Richards warn Doi that Roderick already broke his back once and warns all of Dragon Gate there will be no remorse. Suddenly BJ Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs attempt to brawl up the stars. I say attempt to brawl because it was pretty obvious they weren't' sure how to pull the shot off so instead of they came off more like hugging with Whitmer slapping Jimmy on the back. The promo was meh its you usual Strong miss and Davey wasn't any better. I think he was trying to play the cocky heel Strong is going for. But that style just doesn't work for Davey Richards.
Jetta and Eden Black vs The Dangerous Angles Sara Del Rey and Alison Dangers- This match had been set up on a backstage promo the night before. Even though Back and Jetta were in there home country they played the heels. Jetta and Del Rey start us off. Waste lock takedown into a press by Del Rey get two. Arm wringer into a wrist lock by Del Rey. Reversal by Jetta and reversed by Del Rey. Jetta gets free. Lock up into a head lock than back to the wrist lock by Del Rey. Jetta kicks free but Del Rey responses with a slap to the face. Tag to Black and tag to Danger. Monkey flip by Danger but Black holds onto the legs and gets a two count. Wrist lock by Black countered by Danger into a roll up for two. Black with a blow to the stomach I'm not sure if its' supposed to be a a knee that just look bad or a kick she was way to close for. Tag to Jetta. Double team kick s by the Brits. Jetta with blatant choke. Cover by Jetta gets one. Greco roman knuckle lock into a suplex by Jetta gets two. Wrist lock by Jetta. Danger reverses a whip and hits a forearm.La Mahe Stroll by Danger gets two. Jetta goes to the eyes. Tag to Eden Back Drop toe hold by Jetta followed by the leg drop by Black. Jetta holds Danger so Black can hit a running drop kick. Triangle choke or the Garden of Eden by Eden Black. Del Rey breaks up the hold. Rolling cradle by both girls and neither one can get the pin. Tag to Del Rey and tag to Jetta. Running big boot by Del Rey and a second one. Northern nigh suplex with a bridge by Del Rey on Jetta Black bread up the pin and a hits a crucifix bomb on Del Rey. The referee starts to coin even though Jetta should be legal. Face buster folioed by a running knee to the head of Black by Danger. Jetta tosses Danger's to the floor. School girl holding the tights by Jetta gets two. Royal Butterfly by Del Rey to get the pin on Danger. Its an ok nothing to spectacular. A big problem Del Rey and Danger's matches have it the fact you know they aren't jobbing so you use wait for them to pick up the win. In hindsight it appears its all about building up Del Rey before she joins Sweat and Sour Inc.
Falls Count Anywhere Match BJ Whitmer vs Jimmy Jacobs- As the girl shake hands post match the announcers start talking about something going on at the back of the building. We cut over to Whitmer whipping Jacobs int a stack of chairs. Thus kick starting there match. Whitmer is dressed in street clothe while Jacobs has his gear on. I get the idea is this started at the open of the show. But are we really supposed to believe they have been fighting backstage nonstop for a half of hour or so? With no one trying to stop them? Also Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard act shocked this is going on except we saw it going on backstage and there have been plenty of times something backstage has talked about by the commentary team meaning that they should be able to know this was was happening. Oh and right away the brawling leads into a dark spot so I can't tell what is going on. And you should by now how know who much I hate that. Mounted punches by Jacobs. Chop exchange before Jacobs goes to the eyes and than he tosses Whitmer into a steps. They fight up the steps to the upper level. Whitmer's head rammed into the railing. Jacobs sent flying down the upper bar they have located in this arena. Whitmer has taken off his shirt I use noticed. Jacobs sends Whitmer face first into a wall. Jacobs has a fire extender and hits Whitmer in the back with it. Big shops by Whitmer sends Jacobs falling down the stares. Whitmer sets to power bomb Jacobs off the balcony but it's blocked. Whitmer tosses Jacobs over the edge but he holds hold. Thumb to the eye stop Whitmer and allows Jacobs to climb back up. Another hard chop by Whitmer sends Jacobs falling down even more stopes. Barrel shot by Jacobs and than he rams Whitmer into table. Jacobs stand on something to hit a flying rana on the floor. Jacobs covers and gets two. Jacobs back up the steps and dives form the upper deck and hits a cross body witch I'm sure was an awesome spot if you saw it. We didn't on the DVD because the idiot camera man missed the shot. They don't show a pin fall attempt but they claim Whitmer had just kick out at two. Jacobs is holding his knee and we can a put on it. More brawling in the dark and with the bad movie shaky style shots I can't tell what is going on. Trash can shot by Jacobs. Elbow drop off a chair onto the floor gets two for Jacobs. The fight bad into the ringside area. Normally I hate this but THANK YOU GOD ABOVE I can finally see and the camera can settle down. Jacobs lines Whitmer up on the apron and drop kicks him in the head. Jacobs to the second rope for an elbow drop that gets two. Jacobs pulls out the spike and runs at full speed to stab whitmer in the head with it. Whitmer is busted open. Another running stab by Jacobs. Jacobs plants the spike in to turn buckle pad. Jacobs starts whipping BJ's blood on himself and than lays under BJ telling him to bleed on him.
Jacobs has the spike again and stabs Whitmer again in the head. Kick to the stomach by Jacobs than a head butt. Jacobs mounts Whitmer in the corner and goes to stab him again. Whitmer moves goes for an electric chair but Jacobs turns it into an reverse rana. Contra code counted into an adeline spike pile driver by Whitmer. Whitmer covers and only gets two. Chop exchange. Forearm exchange and Whitmer lands a big one that sends Jacobs to the floor. Jacobs is up to the entrance ramp and Whitmer follows him. Whitmer sets for a power bombs off the ramp but Jacobs blocks. Jacobs uses the entrance set to swing and kick Whitmer in the face. Jacobs goes for the spear but Whitmer hits a running dropkick to the face. Brain buster on the ramp for the win by Whitmer. This match is ok but it could have great. The biggest thing that hurts it is the early shit camera work and brawling in the dark at the start. Look I've been to shows live where the guys are fighting near you and it is awesome but for a home viewer if you can't tell what is gong on it's sucks. It also doesn't help that we had just seen Jacobs in bloody war with Cabana a brawl tag team match the night before vs Whitmer and Cabana and now this. Finally this is way to much no selling of big moments.
Jimmy Rave is backstage. Rave says it all started when Nigel throw toilet paper at him in New Jersey. Rave says Nigel became just like everyone else in the crowd. Rave says he can't stand the crowd and brings up the fans in the UK last year hitting him with TP. Rave starts to yelling saying he is going to teach Nigel and all of us he deserves respect. Its a great promo that get ruined right at the end. At the end of the promo Rave chops the wall behind him. And the camera pans over to show a hole in the wall. This was clearly meant to imply that Rave was so pissed off he put it there.. But its clear that Jimmy slapped the wall not punch it. Also the way the pan over the camera makes it clear the hole was already there. As I have said before ROH was trying some different things with backstage promos. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. And some times both at once.
Pac vs Matt Sydal- Sydal insist the referee whip up the blood from the previous before the match and that might be the strangest cheap heat getting ever. Fight over a waste lock. Headlock takeover by Sydal. Head scissors by Pac. Sydal gets free. Wrist lock by Sydal. the first over revers and a drop toe hold for Sydal. Front face lock by Sydal. Sydal drives back into the cover. Pac revers but breaks clean. Sydal charges trying to get a cheap shot but Pac lands an arm drag. Series of Arm Drags by Pac. Sydal lands the arm drag. Another arm drag by Sydal but Pac lands on his feet. Exchange of forearms. Over hands by Sydal but Pac lands a leg lariat. Leg lariat by Sydal. Stomps in the corner by Sydal. Back body drop by Sydal. Running back elbow followed by the running knee and flying corner clothesline by Sydal. Seated abdominal stretch Sydal. Cannon ball leg drop by Sydal. Cocky cover by Sydal gets two. Shoulder to the gut by Pac than a roundhouse kick. Sydal drops kick the stomach and rolls him up for two. Forearms by Pac. Pac botches a flying head scissors and lands on his face. Sydal chokes Pac with his boot. Chops in the corner than a standing drop kick by Sydal. Sling shot drop kick by Sydal for two. Sydal locks in a bow and arrow than he changes it to a chin lock. Pac gets the rope break. Sydal sits Pac on the top rope. Sydal goes for a top rope rana but Pac escapes and Sydal crotches himself. Chin breaks by Sydal. Running forearm shy Jack and series of kicks. Beautiful looking standing dropkick to the face by Pac. Drop kick by Pac sends Sydal to the floor. Pac to the top reps and hits a corkscrews press to the floor. Back to the ring. Sydal cuts off Pac on the top rope. Pac blocks the moonsault belly to belly. Second rope 450 splash by Pac. Snap mare driver followed up by the standing moonsault gets two for Sydal. Clubs and chops by Sydal. Standing rana by Pac gets two. Fight over the waste lock. ROund house to head by Pac. Tiger supple by Pac gets two. Pac back to the top. Rana off the top by Sydal. Sydal to the top and he hits the Sydal press. Very good match. The only real problem is Pac's early botch but it's astir a great match to watch as two amazing high flyers made some very difficult moves look so easy. Post match Sydal holds up Pacs hand? WTF Sydal you just turned face. I get you might really respect Pac but way to undo you own heat one night after finally "taking it a step to far." You act like a face again.
Jay Briscoe vs Mark Briscoe- Well you know the story the Briscoes want too face off to "man up" since they keep losing tag titles in there fist defense. The two had actually wrestled each other early on in ROH when Mark did a heel turn that went no where. They also come out together. Again the idea for the match is a good one its just well it's Jay and Mark Briscoe they suck so I don't care. Circling around each other and they lock up Fight along the ropes for position. Mark shoves Jay off. Lock up an magian and Jay gets an arm drag. Lock up and Mark gets a hammer lock. Drop toe hold by Jay into a front face lock. Firemen's' by Mark. Awful looking arm wringer by Mark. Jay gets the ropes. They do a lock up and all of a sudden Jay falls back onto his ass. REALLY? You blew a double leg takedown? How the hell do you do that? Mark ties up the legs and Jay with strikes to the head trying to free. Jay with an awful looking dragon sleeper than a cross arm breaker. Mark gets the ropes. Mark yells at his brother. Jay calls for a test of strength but slaps Mark in the face. Test of strength and Mark drives Jay to his knees Jay power up. Mark breaks the lock and slaps Jay in the face. Another lock up and Mark with an wrist lock. Jay with an arm drag. They rush through a bunch of get hold locked in than the other revers spots. There is exchanging holds and than there is just going through a rolodex of moves. Single leg by Jay and he ties up the legs. Mark goes for the eyes. Side head lock by Mark. Awful looking side suplex by Jay. Mark holds onto the head lock. Snap mare by Mark followed up by the kick to the spine. Lariat by Jay and they both fall for the floor. Once again Mark fails to get his hands up to protect. Not shocking at all that Mark during this year suffered several injurers that kept taking him out of the ring the guy is to stupid to to protect himself. More chops exchange.d this time on the floor. Body slam by Jay on the floor. Mark whips Jay head first in tot he guard rail. Moonsault off the guard rail by Mark. Jay's tea crammed into the table. This match is so boring to watch. It just not the repeated exchange of strikes. What worse is neither guy sells the the strikes instead take chop make dumb face fire back. Jay sends Jay into the guard rail. The fight onto the entrance ramp. More exchange of fore arms. Mark erase a body slam and hits a brain buster on the ramp.OH FUCK YOU JAY AND MARK BRISCOE! That was the finish to the previous match. I get you two don't know very many moves and removing the double teams slices them down even more but don't do the finish to the match that came right before the one your in. Back into the ring and Mark spring boards right into atomic drop. BTW Jay took maybe three seconds to sell the move on the ramp. Mark no sells and hits a kick but runs into a rana. Shitty looking spin kick by Mark gets two. Head scissors by Mark and its' clear the moves isn't on right. Jay gets the ropes. Awful look kin gut wrench suplex by Mark folded up by a knee drop gets two. More exchange for forearms. Mark sits Jay on the top setting up for a top rope ace crusher. Jay knocks his brother down. Mark to the floor and trips Jay before hitting a spring board double stomp. Spring board senton that misses by a mile by Mark he covers and still gets two.
Jay counters a northern lights in a DDT. Jay with a snot rocket because I guess he wants me to hate him ever more. Power slam by Jay and a leg drop that misses. Jay covers and gets two. Strange hold by Jay. Stomp to the head by Jay. Jay goes for a fertile suplex Mark escape but than falls over. Fight over the waste lock. Running knee by Jay to the stomach. Awful looking drop kick by Jay gets two. Running corner clothesline by Jay. Mark revers a whip "hits" drop kick where his legs never even start to come out than nits an exploder suplex for two. Jay blocks a second suplex. Stunner by Jay than a running boot to the face. Jay decides we haven't had enough bad looking submission so he puts in a stretch plum wrong. Mark gets the ropes. More exhaling of slaps and chops that goes on want long no even thinks to sell. Mark goes for a spring board but ay hits a drop kick and Mark falls to the floor. Summer salut dive by Jay to the floor and both spot monkey's are down. Back in the ring Jay hits a top rope frog splash. Hey what do you know that move actually good. Mark kicks out at two. Jay driller is blocked. Mark with that dumb red neck kung fu BS. Spring board ace crusher by Mark gets two. And more overly long exchange of strikes. ROH has that a lot but this is getting ridiculers trust me I haven't mentioned every one if I did this review would be another page long. Mark appears to go for a running knee he misses so it just look like he jumped over the top rope for fun. Spring board missiles drop by Mark than a sprain board twisting corkscrew splash. Of course since Mark is an idiot who love to annoy me he has to that dumb yell on every single one. Both men are down again. Mark goes for a superplex but Jay blocks and a super goard buster. Falcon arrow by Jay and I think he came this close to breaking Mark's neck. Also the idiot camera man show Mark is wide awake and reaching the ropes thus wrecking the near fall. Jay back to the stretch plum and this time he had is locked in correctly. The referee checks the arm. Jay suddenly lets the hold go and hits a big lariat… You know I might be in the minority here but that actually makes more sense to me than letting the referee check the arm the third time. Think about it why choke outs are much more common in wrestling finishes these days the old check the arm three times thing usually ends with the guy getting up. Why not daze the guy and hits a big move. Mark kicks at two. Jay driller blocked again. Saito suplex by Mark and Jay pops right up. A second Saito by Mark gets two. Shitty looking clubs by Mark. Jay out to the apron. Mark shoves the ref who falls over. Mark uses the ref to hit a spring board leg lariat that takes both brothers to the floor. Mark gets up and tosses Jay back in the ring to cover. Jay kicks at two.
Double count by the referee. Jay gets up first and that makes no sense given he took the big spot. Jay driller hit and both men are down again. Mark who I remind you just took his brother's finisher is actually moving more . That is a minor nit pick but still. Suddenly the both pop up to do what else exchange shitty looking strikes than they both fall over. Cut throat driver by Mark and both men are down again and this time they get counted out to end this shit match in a draw.This match as I said was shit! You have to men who suck in the ring given nearly thirty minutes. So many of the moves just look awful. The over do the exchange of strikes spot and so much of this match is done 50 50. Jay hits a moves but Mark no sells it. Mark hits a move but Jay no sells it. And the over selling really kills this match. Why should I give a damn about any more if they don't appear to hurt the guy taking them.
Nigel McGuinness cuts a promo talking coming up short against Joe just like he did against Dragon in August. Nigel says he suffered a pulled groin the night before and to repay the fans for there respect he will kick Jimmy's ass. Good quick promo by Nigel
ROH World Tag Team Championship Naruki Doi and Shingo © vs The No Remorse Corps Davey Richards and Roderick Strong- I guess this is another open contract since I'm pretty sure The NRC lost it's first match and only match as a team at that point in time. Richards and Shingo start us off. Lots of stalling at the start. Front far clock take down by Shingo but Richards revers and gets the hold. Side head lock by Shingo. Arm wringer by Shingo. Davey bridge back and lands a big kick to get free. Lock up and head lock take over by Richards. Head scissors by Shingo. Shingo plays to the fans after he lets the hold go. Snap mare by Richards and a hard kick to the back. Richards taunts the fans and turns around into a big chop by Shingo. Series of kicks by Richards that Shingo shakes off. Running big boot by Richards. Shoulder tackle by Shingo sends Richards to the floor. Tag to Do and Strong comes in. Shoulder tack by Doi. Chop exchange. BTW they just mentioned this match is under dragon gate rules a good three minutes in. That should be something said at the start since Dragon Gate rules means not tags are needed. Up an over int he corner by Strong fooled by a drop kick to the knee and than a big chop by Strong. Tag to Richards. Beautiful looking belly to back suplex by Richards on Doi. Cover by Dave gets two. Chin lock by Richards. Tag to Strong. DOuble team by NRC. Power slam by Strong followed by the elbow. Shingo breaks up the pin. Tag to Richards and he lands a few round house kick. Running back elbow by Richards. Head scissors locked in by Davey. Chop to the back to Shingo. than a kick to the back. Over hand chop by Doi and a tag to Shingo. Double team spine buster by the champions. Shingo hold Richards in the air so Doi can hit a running drop kick. That gets two. Bum rush by Dave puts Shingo in the wrong corner. Tag to Strong. Shingo blocks a suplex. Blind tag to Doi. Right hands by Doi than a over hand chop. Stomps to the chest by Doi. Doi with the running cannon ball senton. Doi knocks Richards off the apron. Tag to Shingo. Double team shoulder tackle by the Dragon Gate stars. Head butt by Shingo. Shingo charge in a boot but hits a Spine buster. Richards breaks up the pin. Half crab by Shingo. Tag to Doi. Shingo Holds Strong on the ropes. Senton off the top by Doi. They claim Strong gets his foot on the ropes except his foot was always on the rope so it doesn't make any sense the ref would count or why the champions wouldn't pull him off before covering. Chin lock by Doi. Tag to Shingo. Right hands by Shingo. Forearm exhaling knee to the gut by Shingo. Davey kicks Shingo in the back why he is running the ropes. Cheap shot by Strong. Shingo's head hung in the ropes. Leg drop on the exposed head of Shingo by Strong. Shingo to the floor and Strong follows him out to chop him. Shingo sent back into the ring for the now legal Richards. Chin lock by Richards. Richards stand on the throat of Shingo. Tag to Strong. Neck breaker using the ropes for assistance by Strong gets two. Strong uses the ropes to choke Shingo. Davey in and does the same thing. Great looking jumping drop kick by Richards. Tag to Strong. Chop exchange. Strong uses the ropes to top himself from running into the Shingo dropkick. Jackknife grade by Strong gets two. Back breaker by Strong. Strong stands on the throat. Tag to Richards. Double team clubs by the NRC. Strong whips Richards right into the boot of Shingo. Shingo avoids a strong splash. DDT for Davey and STO for Strong by Shingo.
Tag to Doi. House of fire time is cut off by Strong. Doi ducks a clotheslines and Strong takes out Richards. Doi ducks another clothesline and a missile like suicide dive on Richards who had gone to the floor. Shingo into the ring and this a series of rights on Strong. Chops by Shingo. DDT using the ropes by Shingo gets two. Shingo to the top rope. Strong cuts him off. Strong hits a superplex but Shingo no sells it. I know that is part of Shingo's gimmick but it's a stupid idea. I hate when guys decided this one move I will never sell. Lariat by Shingo and a cover. Strong kicks out at two. Blind tag to Doi. Missile drop kick belly to back suplex combo by the champions. Richards breaks up the pin and sends Shingo to the floor. Doi and Richards exchange strikes. Hot shot by Doi followed up by the DDT for two. Gut buster by Richards than the falcon arrow for two on Doi. Kick series by Davey. Running Yakuza by Davey. Strong in and elevates Doi for the big kick to the chest by Davey. German with a bridge by Davey and Shingo breaks up the pin. Strong and Shingo to the floor and Strong sends the Dragon Gate star into a guard rail. DR Drivers i blocked by Doi. Richards with the knee to the head to break up the suplex of Doi. Spine buster by Doi. Shingo back in the ring. Running back elbow by Doi in the corner followed by Shingo's running lariat. Leg drop off the second rope by Doi. Strong breaks up the pin. Doi sends Strong to the floor. Spinning gut wrench by Shingo gets two. Crucifix by Richards gets two. Shingo blocks the hand spring kick and hits the blood fall on Richards. Running boot by Doi. Strong makes the save again. Strong with an ezquri on Shingo. Back breaker on Doi by Strong. Hand spring kick by Richards on Doi. Cover and Doi kicks at two. Power bomb inverted lung blower combo The NRC on Shingo. Doi breaks up the pin. Davey to the top rope but Doi cuts him off. Strong rolls up Doi and has the tights and gets two. DDT off the apron by Richards on Shingo. Half nelson back breaker by Strong who hits a sling shot cross body on Shingo. Davey to the top rope for the shooting star press. Doi gets the knees up and hits the Doi 5. Richards kicks at two. Running power bomb by Richards only gets two. On the floor Shingo whips Strong into the corner. Doi cuts off Richards onto the top rope. Super Doi 5 for the win for team Dragon Gate. Very good match. Lots of great action and all four men got some cool spots in. There are some issues though. One I think it would have more sense for the challengers to win. Hell have them win on night 1 and defend vs Dragon Gate night 2. I think ROH was trying to go some type of story with non regulars holding the belts but it never really Martinez not helped by the far Doi and Shingo drop the belts right away. There are also some little hiccups that hold this back from being great.
Fight Without Honor Jimmy Rave vs Nigel McGuinness- The first FWOH was the Samoa Joe vs Low Ki classic. The idea was that Joe who was working for the heel faction The Prophecy wasn't wiling to follow the code of honor. Eventually it became the match guys used to settle a big feud. By this time with the Code of Honor not meaning as much its just another label you can swap out of grudge match, street fight, etc. These two had been feuding since Rave's gimmick change. After an intense match Nigel had put Rave over on the microphone before jokingly throwing a roll of TP at him. Rave has also managed to tap Nigel out several time and they had brawled numerous times. There is also a minor story of Nigel wanting to score a big win in his home country. I love the look Rave has on his face coming out like it's pure joy to him being able to piss off the UK fans and beat Nigel in front of them. Nigel has one of his leg wrapped in a bandage dealing with a pulled groin the night before. Lock up and Nigel drives Rave into the corner. Rave ducks between the ropes and the referee forces a break. Lock up and Rave gets a head lock. Nigel powers free. Shoulder tackle and neither man goes down. Slap to the face by Rave. Nigel ducks a running clothesline and hits a lariat. Rave to the floor. Rave pulls Nigel to the floor and chops him and rams him back first into the guard rail. Rave goes to toss McGuinness back into the ring but he catches himself and rebound back for another lariat. Nigel sends Rave into the guard rail. Upper cut by Nigel than forearms. Rave sent back into the ring. Nigel under the ring and pulls out a chair. Running drop kick to the chair witch Nigel has resting on his bad leg by Nigel. Rave attacks the leg using the ring apron. Chops by Rave than a stomp to the inured leg. Snap mare and a stomp to the face by Jimmy Rave. Rave stomps to the leg and than he goes back to using the apron Punch to the mouth by Rave. They go to the floor. Chops by Rave and drag McGuinness around the ring. Rave sets Nigel up on the post and is ready to pull him into it like Danielson did back at Unified. Nigel blocks and it pulls Rave into the post shoulder first. Upper cut by Nigel. Power slam on the floor by McGuinness. Nigel gets a spare guard rail out from under the ring and slides it into Rave's midsection. Nigel sets the spare guard rail up on the ring and actual guard rail. Running upper cut by Nigel. One man flap jack into the set up guard rail by Nigel than he sling shots Rave first first into it. Nigel starts to slam Rave's face into the set up guard rail and Rave is starting to bleed. Back into the ring. Cross face punch to the face by Nigel than an uppercut. McGuinness has the chair. Rave cuts off the chair shot with a boot to the leg. Exchange of strikes. Nigel slips on the chair. Running knee to the face by Rave only gets two. Chops and forearms by Rave in the corner. Running knee b Rave followed up by the neck breaker gets two. Butterfly lock by Rave. Nigel power back to to his feet and block the pedigree. Spear by Rave and McGuinness kicks out at two. Butterfly lock again by Rave. Wouldn't it make more sense to work the leg? Rave's finisher is heel hook and Nigel has a bad leg. Nigel back to his feet and drives Rave into the corner.
Series of slaps and elbows by Nigel. Running uppercut by Nigel. I like Nigel but that is the wrong move to use. With his legit hurt leg he can't get the speed for it and it just looks strange. Its not as bad Roderick Strong running around and doing back breakers on a leg he was supposed to have injured but still. Rave blocks the tower of London. Short arm lariat by Nigel gets two. Tower of london is blocked again. Missile drop kick by Rave but he runs into a boot. Tower of London connect this time but only gets two. Series of strikes in the corner. Another running upper cut attempt. Rave gets his knee up and Nigel hits it. Move that rocked the world by Rave than the pedigree. McGuinness kicks out at two. Rave to apron. Rave tries to spring board for a DDT But Nigel blocks it and crotches Rave on the ropes. Diving lariat by Nigel. Rave kicks at two. Both men out to the apron. Fight over posting. Rave send Nigel crashing in to the set up guard rail and it bends under his weight. Rave bring him back into the ring to cover. McGuinness kicks out at two. Rave goes for the heel hook. Nigel kicks him off. Super kick by Rave rocks Nigel. Rave charges… Back body by Nigel sends Rave over the top and crashing onto the guard rail. Rave is not moving as Nigel sets up a chair in the ring. Nigel sends Jimmy back into the ring. Tower of London into the chair by McGuinness. Rave kicks at two. Nigel power Rave up and goes for the short arm lariat again. Rave ducks and rolls him up into the heel hook. Nigel gets the ropes but Rave won't break it since it's a fight without honor. Nigel teases he will tap but gets tot his feet. Nigel swing wildly trying to get free and nails the referee. Nigel to the apron and pulls Rave over the rope. Tower of London onto the guard rail. Nigel covers but the referee is still down. Todd Sinclair out to count 1 2 and Rave kicks out. The first ref has been busted open. I think it might be unintentional like he bit his tong when Nigel hit him. Exchange of slaps. Head butt by Rave and a spear. Rebound lariat by Nigel for the win. I want to like this match. I want to rave about an amazing effort by two of ROH's best. But there is just something off putting about it. It doesn't help Nigel has lost the night before cooling his momentum. Also Rave kicks after a normal tower, a tower through a chair, and a tower through a guard rail but the rebound finishes him off? Finally the finish just looks awful.instead of hitting the normal spear and having Nigel go down with it. Jimmy hits the move Nigel stays standing and than goes into the set up for the rebound lariat. Other things that hold it back we already falls count anywhere match so some of the thunder is gone and this match should have been a main event. I get what happened Joe leaving meant he had to main the final show but sometimes where match falls affects it.
We than get a video looking that the ROH world championship over the sate ear showing many of Bryan Danielson's title defenses including Lance Storm, Colt Cabana, and Nigel McGuinness and him uniting the title. We than shift to Homicide winning the title at Final Battle. Homicide match with Joe, Chris Hero, and than we get a look back at the men the thane held the title in the past. We close on a still shot of Morishima holding the world title.
Homicide with Julius Smokes vs Samoa Joe- I still can't believe ROH was stupid enough to bring Smokes over seas. Joe and Homicide had a long and legendary feud in ROH over the world title. Joe had also been teaming with Homicide after the CZW war. So in terms of a final opponent he's perfect also Joe winning to "Send the fans home happy." Doesn't hurt Homicide that much. In a really cool touch we follow Joe from the back as he makes is entrance and tis' a nice way to get a real sense for the pop as Joe enters. Joe also comes out to the champ is here the song he used during his long ROH title reign. Lock up and Joe with a top wrist lock. Homicide contours and trips Joe. Hammer lock into a head lock take over by Homicide Joe gets free. Head lock by Joe. Shoulder tackle by Joe than am arm drag. Butterfly suplex by Joe . Head lock by Homicide. Homicide ducks a clothesline and hits a drop kick that sends Joe to the floor. Joe moves out of the way and goes into the crowd. Homicide stops himself from flying when eh sees Joe has moved. Joe goes back to the concession stand to get a beer. Homicide wants Joe to come back or get him a beer. Joe comes back to the ring. Lock up and Joe drives Homicide into the corner and hits some elbows. Joe runs into a back elbow. Cross body by Homicide but Joe just steps out of the way. Homicide is pissed off and even slaps away the hand when Joe offers it. Smokes being a indict is jumping from side to side at ring side. Head lock by Joe but Homicide back him into the ropes. Joe breaks. Smokes holds the leg allowing Joe to hit him when his back is turned. Right hands by Homicide. Running corner clothesline followed by the running boot by Homicide. Homicide sends Joe to the floor. Joe back in and gets stomped in the head. Running falling lariat by Homicide gets one. Big right hands by Homicide. Homicide chokes Joe. Homicide to the top. Joe catches him and hits an atomic drop. Flying bit boot followed by the senton by Samoa Joe. Chop to the back kick to the chest and a knee drop by Joe. Right hands by Joe. Running back elbow followed by the flip kick by Samoa Joe. Face wash for Homicide and the final running boot. Head butt by Joe. Joe charges into a elbow. Homicide off the topes but Joe catches him. Homicide fight into a sunset flip for two. Swinging DDT off the second rope by Homicide gets two. I think Homicide goes for a knee drop off the top what ever it was it missed and missed badly yet Joe still bumps. Homicide covers and gets two. Reverse chin lock by Homicide. Flying head scissors off the second rope by Homicide. Both men out to the apron. Exchange of strikes. Low blow by Homicide right in front of the ref. Ace crusher by Homicide off the apron. Back into the ring and Homicide covers Joe rolls the shoulder at two. Rear chin lock by Homicide. Joe elbows free. Knee to the gut by Joe. Sunset flip into the rolling cradle by Joe and finally he gets two. Big lariat by Joe. Both men are down. Exchange of right hands. Kick to the stomach by Homicide than a chin breaker. Snap power slam on the charging Homicide gets two. Smokes is getting annoying again always yelling "NOOOOOOOOO!" When ever Joe covers Homicide. Homicide charge into a boot. Joe with a knee off the second rope gets two. Chops in the corner by Homicide after a kick. ST JOE.
Joe to the top rope but Smokes grabs onto his foot and of course this being Smokes he can't just grab the foot. He has to grab it while is screaming at the top of his lungs and shaking like he is having a sesiure. Homicide with a poke to the eye. Superplex by Homicide. Smokes can't let the moment be quite and is screaming "ITS OVER!" Over and over and over again. Homicide covers and gets the shoulder up again. Neck breaker series by Homicide than a pile drivers only gets two. Homicide to the top Joe blocks the rana into a power bomb than he picks him up for a second power bomb into the STF by Joe. Homicide gets the ropes. Samoa Joe plays to the fans and sets for the muscle buster. Homicide hooks the ropes. Joe climbs the ropes and nail Homicide with punches. Homicide bites Joe. DDT off the top rope by Homicide. Homicide sets for the lariat. But Joe doesn't get up so Homicide covers. I don't know if that was a mistake by Joe or Homicide but I actually like it. It would make sense if you see a guy isn't moving why not cover he is kicks odds are you can still land the lariat. Joe gets his feet on the ropes. Lariat to the back of the head by Homicide. He goes for another one but Joe kicks the arm. Ace crusher by Homicide only gets two. Homicide pulls Joe up and pulls him over to the ropes. Palm strikes by Joe. Homicide escapes the muscle buster by flipping over Joe's back. Joe ducks the lariat and locks in the coquina clutch. Smokes climbs up the ropes and Joe lets the choke go so he can slam Smokes off the ropes. Of course this being Smokes he can't just sell the damn move like a normal manager would instead he must move around like he's being elected. Homicide has the ring bell and nails Joe. OK this has really been bugging me why is Homicide working like a heel? I get there is going to be a natural cheering for Joe given its his last show. But still why is fellow face Homicide going this far? Its one thing for Homicide to be slow to break a hold or poke the eyes. This him just cheating. Homicide covers and Joe kicks at two. Homicide is snapping at the referee. Joe is back up and Homicide goes for a monkey flip. Joe blocks and sets for the muscle buster and hits it. Smokes pulls the referee out of the ring before the three count. Joe out the floor. Joe rams Smokes into the guard rail. Ole Ole kick for Smokes who once again sells it in such stupid way its' clear he's faking. This is the kind of stuff that non wresting fans look at and sneer "how can you watch this stupid stuff." Joe goes for a second ole kick on Smokes but Homicide cuts him off with a topa con hellio. Awesome spot and the camera man did a great job of catching it and shooting it in a way he didn't tip off what was to come. Back into the ring Homicide hits the lariat but Joe kicks at two. Homicide sits Joe on the top rope. Head butts by Joe. Super muscle buster by Joe for the win.
This match had some very good points. But if there one draw back to doing Joe vs Homicide is that since Joe and Homicide have wrested each other so many times they can't hope to top what they have done in the past. Hell the two had just wrestled back in January of that year so it wasn't like ROH fans hadn't seen it a while. Smokes of course is his usual god awful self. Having this guy out there at a major match really hurts it. You have Joe and Homicide working hard and than you have this moron doing all he can to make sure you are watching him not the match. Also as I said I don't get Homicide working as such a strong heel in this match. Over all though it is a good match just not anything we haven't seen before from these two.
Post match Joe and Homicide embrace as the ROH locker room appears on the ramp giving both men a standing ovation along with the fans. Joe is left in the ring alone and he is clearly trig to not break up as he leaves a company that was such a key part of his live. The fans chant he's a legend at Joe. Joe gets a microphone as the fans change to chanting we will miss you. Joe tells the fans he will miss them. The fans chant please don't' got. Joe says why he may be gone all that is standing right there as he points at the rest of the wrestlers. Joe jokes Gabe gave him notes for his speech. Joe acts like he is reading from his palm. This actually draws a pretty laugh especially when he makes it seems like the speech is all about Gabe putting himself over. Joe talks the mission of ROH when it started to be the alternative. Joe talks about the doubters saying it would burn out in a few moths and it's now running shows in the US and UK five years later. Joe says he will always love ROH and when his legacy is said and done it will have started in ROH. Joe thanks the fans one more time. A very classy and well done good bye promo by Samoa Joe. I also love the UK fans were respectful. No one tried get themselves over making dumb jokes when Joe took a pause not stupid chants against the company Joe was leaving to work for. Just a thank you to Joe.
Joe drops to his knees and kisses the ROH logo. Joe start to huge various members of the roster on the ramp. Finally we see Joe hugging Gabe who is making a rare appearance on camera. Joe gets back in the ring ring and poses on the ropes. Joe than start to high five members of the crowed as he takes one final lap around an ROH ring. Joe makes his way to the back. We than get a video recapping Joe's tie-in ROH his debut vs Low Ki. The riot at the first anniversary show. His title win and various matches vs Danielson, The Briscoes,Jay Lethal and CM Punk . We see Joe hitting his many trademark moves the STJOE, Muscle buster etc. The match with Kobashi. His matches vs AJ Styles and him being in the CZW war. Teaming with Liger at one point and so many other moments. Its a great video and a fun look back at such a key person for ROH.
Over all this show is a pretty big letdown. Joe's exit was pretty well done but I feel they could have done more may being showing high lights throughout the night instead of a big video at the end. Also why no pre-match comments even just some simple like Joe saying he's going out a winner and Homicide saying he can't let Joe get the final win in ROH. They were stupid enough to have a Briscoe vs Briscoe match go about thirty minutes and that maybe the hardest match I have ever had to sit through doing these reviews. There isn't a truly great match on the card everything just hits celling and can't get through it. Also by this point any celebration of ROH running for five years was over. Why not call these last two shows something else. Pick it up if your a big ROH or Samoa Joe fan but it's not something that needs to be hunted down.
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