Ring of Honor Live Review
RoH Returns to Long Island
On May 12th Ring of Honor made its triumphant return to the Lake Grove Sports Plus in Lake Grove Long Island. This was their first time in this location since Unscripted II and the East Coast farewell of CM Punk. The main attraction of this card was the “One Time Only” appearance of “The Canadian Rage” Christian Cage.
Opening Contest: High Flyers Attraction Match – Jimmy Yang vs. Matt Sydal
This was an exciting match to say the least. Jimmy Yang delivered with his typical arsenal of stiff kicks, and Matt Sydal countered with lots of smiles, and a very impressive aerial assault. Sydal ended up getting the win with his version of the shooting star press. As I said, it was an entertaining match, and a good opener. After the match Jimmy Yang thanked the RoH fans and said check him out soon on Velocity.
Four Corner Survival: “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. “Classic” Colt Cabana vs. “The Lizard Man” Delirious vs. RoH Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness
The first three competitors make their way to the ring but before Nigel makes his entrance we are treated to the presence of NWA World Champion Christian Cage. He says he has come out to ask two questions to Colt Cabana. The First question was, “What is Delirious smoking, and where can I get some of that?” and he also asked Colt to be his partner in the main event later tonight. Colt said that the answer to the first question was Homicide and the second was yes. That brought out the Ring of Honor World Champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson. Daniels and Christian had an epic exchange in which Dragon said he was disgusted with television and the fans for cheering someone just because they wrestled on TV; he was in turn called “John Cena with AIDS” in a very tasteful comment and told to get some sun. Danielson eventually asked Daniels to be his partner considering they had a history of teaming together. Daniels then got on the mic and told Christian that he was upset that he wasn’t the choice given the TNA connection. He eventually agreed to team with Dragon if he could get another shot at the title. Dragon agreed if his team won, and our main event for the evening was set.
The ring cleared with only Delirious left. Nigel then made his entrance, and before the match could get started Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild” hit the loudspeakers. Some fans in attendance thought perchance Mick Foley who lives near the venue would be making his presence felt. That was not the case, but we did get the man formally know as Ebessan Kikutaro, and we have…
Impromptu Triple Threat Match: RoH Pure Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Delirious vs. Kikutaro
Kikutaro first tried to go after Nigel, but his strikes just got laughed off. Nigel was eventually forced out of the ring, and Delirious and Kikutaro engaged in an epic battle. The Long Island fans were treated to the slow motion wrestling that Kikutaro is famous for. McGuinness eventually broke this up, and tried to make things more serious. Many excellent comedy spots followed and the finish came when referee Mr. Duke, yes referre Mr. Duke, DDTed Kikutaro with help from Delirious, and Delirious locked on his bridging cobra clutch submission for the victory.
For the #1 Contendership to the Tag Team titles: The Embassy of Jimmy Rave and Alex Shelley with Prince Nana and Daizee Haze vs. The Rottweilers of Homicide and Ricky Reyes with Julius “The Devil’s Son-in-Law” Smokes
This was an interesting match with the main story being the interaction between Nana and Smokes. That is not to take away from the action in the ring. The Rottweilers played the aggressors while The Embassy cowered away and took every shortcut to their advantage. Julius Smokes and the Ghanan Prince almost fought and several occasions and interfered in the match in several more. Julius Smokes was unfairly caught trying to exact some revenge on the Embassy and the Rottweilers were disqualified. After the match Homicide said, “F*** Ring of Honor” and left in disgust.
RoH vs. CZW WAR: Adam Pearce and BJ Whitmer vs. Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli
Team CZW came out with their referee Bryce Remsburg to ensure “fairness.” This match was for the most part an all out brawl, not to the level of the 100th show, but intense nonetheless. Hero and Claudio showed some great double team offense, and cohesion as a team. It really is a shame that they have chosen to support the garbage wrestling that is CZW rather than competing within the rules of RoH. It seemed that Pearce and Whitmer had the match won, when once again Remsburg stopped Sinclair from making the call, and Hero and Claudio took the victory. The beat down did not stop there. Eventually Samoa Joe made his way to the ring and cleared out the CZW dregs.
After intermission
Samoa Joe vs. Apocalypse
This match was taped for
www.rohvideos.com.
Samoa Joe won with the Muscle buster, not before Apocalypse got in his share of offense.
Grudge Match #1: Mark Briscoe vs. RoH Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong and Mark Briscoe immediately brought the violence to one another and proved just why this is a grudge match. The winner was in doubt through the entire match as neither man could get a decisive advantage. Roderick Strong bloodied his nose after receiving a Mark Briscoe dive to the outside. Mark ended up winning after the Cut-Throat Suplex. Score one for the Briscoes.
Grudge Match #2: Jay Briscoe vs. RoH Tag Team Champion Austin Aries
This may or may not have been match of the night depending on your tastes as a fan. This had intense striking technical wrestling, and a genuine disdain between the two competitors. Aries took everything that Jay could dish out and likewise jay took everything the wrestling machine could throw at him. Briscoe spent most of the match working on Aries arm and it certainly hampered Aries high impact offense. Briscoe ended up getting the victory with a Cobra Clutch/Leg Scissor submission.
Main Event Champion vs. Champion Dream Partner Tag Team Match:
RoH World Champion “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. NWA World Champion Christian Cage and “Classic” Colt Cabana
Christian Cage got a mixed reaction from the Long Island crowd as did American Dragon. Colt Cabana and Chris Daniels started the match for their respective teams. Daniels was quick to make a Lucha roll early on and said to Christian, “That’s how I roll,” drawing a laugh from the mostly stoic Long Island fans. The match was very intense especially when American Dragon and Christian were in the ring together. Christian did his best to stand toe to toe with the Greatest Wrestler in the World. Christian Cage eventually got the win hitting the Unprettier on Christopher Daniels. Danielson opted not to save his partner.
After the match Christian thanked all of the professional wrestling fans in the audience and bade the Long Islanders good night.
This was a good show. I can honestly say I was entertained by every match. It did not produce a “one for the ages classic,” but if as a fan you expect that as a show even a Ring of Honor show, you will be disappointed almost every time. The Delirious/Nigel/Kikutaro match did exactly what it set out to do entertaining the fans through comedy. Both Grudge matches delivered to the more serious fans, and the main event was extremely entertaining. I would recommend this show when it comes out DVD. For more information check out
www.rohwrestling.com
And any questions, comments, or concerns for me can be sent to
bigandymac@yahoo.com
I’ll see you next time…
