Ring of Honor Results and Opinions Big Andy-pinions from Reborn Again and Respect is Earned
Although Pulse Glazer wrote excellent review of the shows here and here I am going to weigh in with my Big Andy Pinions: post show version.
Reborn Again: Friday, May 11th 2007; Hartford Expo Center, Hartford, CT
Since Aaron and I were travellin’ buddies for the “Reborn Again†at the Hartford Expo Center we have basically the same opinions. My gripe lies with a certain website that provides a cartographic projection journey, but the less said about that, the better.
Jimmy Rave vs. Pelle Primeau
Rave won with the Heel Hook
Nikki Roxx vs. Daizee Haze
Haze won this one and was congratulated by Sarah Del Ray afterwards continuing their rivalry. Nikki Roxx is awesome.
Kevin Steen and El Generico vs. Jason Blade and Eddie Edards
I walked into the building to the sound of bodies hitting the mat and the crowd shouting “OOHHH!!†The Connecticut fans who were obnoxious at times were red hot for this match. Steen and Generico have combined their contrasting styles to form one hell of a team and their combined finish of the Package Piledriver into the BRAINBUSTA is one of the best combo finishers that I have seen. Needless to say, they finished off the New England duo with that very combination.
Winners: Kevin Steen and El Generico
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: Seemed to have the crowd hot and the finishing sequences was well executed, so let’s call it **1/2 and move on.
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bobby Fish
Bobby fish is the type of gaijin that gets over in Japan, so it make sense as to why he was booked for Pro-Wrestling NOAH. Claudio cut his hair, which is not a bad thing, but the hatchet job performed by whomever he chose as a barber was. This match was fairly back and forth, but also marked the end of my love affair with the Hartford Expo Center crowd. Every bit of offense from Bobby was met with “FISH!†exaltations from the Connecticut fans. It got annoying quickly. Claudio hit several versions of the European Uppercut and eventually won with the Ricola Bomb.
Winner:Claudio Castagnoli
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This was not offensive, but not stellar. We’ll call it ** and move on to one of the most interesting points of the show.
The lights went down in the arena and Europe’s “The Final Countdown†blared over the loudspeaker. A man in cloak and hood appeared at the entrance ramp as the crowd erupted for the returning “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson. He slowly walked around the squared circle and entered the ring. He stood in the center as the lights came up and suddenly a voice was heard insulting the Connecticut fans. We were tricked!
It was actually Adam Pearce’s personal Man Servant Shane Hagadorn under the cape. Pearce continued his tirade on the audience informing us that taped under one of the seats were general admission tickets to the Pay per View the following night. Many fans looked, but considering I have seen NWA matches from the 80s, nay the 70s, I knew better.
Pearce, still on the mic, challenged the real Dragon to a match with Shane Hagadorn. “The Final Countdown†hit the loudspeakers again and the crowd gave a fitting welcome to their returning hero.
â€ÂAmerican Dragon†Bryan Danielson vs. Shane Hagadorn
This was short and extremely well executed. Dragon began by selling Hagadorn’s slaps and punches like they were coming from a Mixed Martial Arts fighter before deciding enough was enough and forcing him to submit to a combination Fujiwara Armbar and a jujigatame. The same maneuver the defeated Roderick Strong at “This Means War.
Winner: “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This did what it was meant to, and probably exceeded what it should have been. I go about *1/2 for this one.
â€ÂAmerican Dragon†Bryan Danielson vs. “Scrap Iron†Adam Pearce
Another short match, Dragon dominated Pearce and won with a side leglock.
Winner: “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: Short, but effective *
The No Remorse Corps entered the Ring of Honor ring apparently to congratulate the triumphant Dragon after his return, but instead they offered him a spot in the No Remorse Corps. Danielson decided he would rather be against Richards, Strong, and Romero than be with them. Before a proper beatdown could be administered Erick Stevens and Matt Cross saved the day leading to
The No Remorse Corps of Davey Richards, Roderick Strong and Rocky Romero vs. The Resilience of Erick Stevens and Matt Cross and the “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson
Part of me expected this to be the brawl through the crowd match of the evening as most of the action was around the ring before the match got underway proper. Dragon got tagged in a couple of times in the early going to monstrous reactions from the crowd. Eventually, though, the NRC was able to isolate Matt Cross and mercilessly beat him for a very long time. Some would say it brought the crowd down a bit, and those people would be pretty much right. Matt Cross was never able to make a hot tag to truly change the momentum. The high point of the match came when Richards was able to put Matt Cross in the key lock while Romero slapped an ankle lock on Stevens and Strong administered the Stronghold on Danielson to prevent their interference. Luckily, Cross was able to make the ropes, but despite Stevens and Dragon’s best to obtain victory, Cross succumbed to the DR Driver.
Winners: The No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong, Davey Richards, and Rocky Romero
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: The Resilience could more accurately be called the “Got Our Ass Kicked.†Their best efforts have been spurned again and again by the No Remorse Corps. Tonight was no different. The match is probably about *** as I did enjoy it, but I am starting to just flat out feel bad for The Resilience. When’s go’n be their time?!?!?!
Intermission time! If you need a break check out Shawn M. Smith and his Scraps and then come on back and read the second half of my opinions on Reborn Again No, really, I’ll wait.
Tank Toland with Bobby Dempsey vs. Mitch Franklin
We come back from intermission to this match.
Good things about Tank Toland:
1) He knows how to draw heat from the fans
2) His workout based offense is unique
3) He is really strong
4) He is trying to get Bobby Dempsey to lose a little weight
This match was a bit overlong, but watching Bobby Dempsey work out with the cables and wrist weights on the outside was amusing. Toland’s jumping jack double stomps are fun, but this match could have been a good bit shorter. Toland eventually won with a one armed gorilla press slam completely decimating young Franklin.
Winner: Tank Toland
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This kind of annoyed me but not nearly as much as the next match *
Naomichi Marufugi vs. Matt Sydal
On paper this seemed to be a very good to great match. I just didn’t think it was. It had some really amazing sequences especially some of the counters from Marufugi. His springboard dropkick while Sydal was on the apron was inspiring. Sydal’s big moves are as good as anyone’s. He skies when he hits his standing cannonball moonsault and his jump up rana is a sight to behold, but something wasn’t clicking in this match. It could very possibly come off a lot better on DVD, but time will tell on that. After a nice reversal sequence Marufugi was able to score the victory with a shiranui.
Winner: Naomichi Marufugi
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: The story here was that Marufugi is on a different level than Sydal. That’s not an insult, but it’s not a compliment either. I can’t give this any higher than **1/2 because live, I did not enjoy it. I hope it comes across better on the home release.
KENTA vs. Delirious
I predicted that Delirious would score a huge upset win over KENTA, but I was wrong. The match was awesome and probably second best of the night from where I was standing. I was very curious how Delirious’ antics were going to play against the hard striking, stiff kicking KENTA, but it worked very well. Delirious attempted biting KENTA’s leg to try and hamper his offense but to no avail. Delirious did not want to be kicked. He even went as far as to hide underneath the ring to avoid the swift, deadly feat of KENTA. It was not to be though, as KENTA obliterated Delirious with vicious kick after vicious kick. The man from the Edge of Sanity proved he may be a more deft mat wrestler though winning many of the sequences that went to the mat.
Delirious’ best, the Panic Attack, Shadows Over Hell, Bizarrro Driver 2, and even two separate applications of the Cobra Stretch were not enough to give KENTA his second singles defeat in Ring of Honor. Delirious went 2 sleep and that was that.
Winner: KENTA
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This was the match that I would have expected not to click, but it was the other NOAH Challenge match. I guess that speaks to the quality of KENTA and the improvement of Delirious. The masked man is always entertaining and I have yet to see a KENTA match I did not like. ***1/2
For the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship: Ring of Honor World Champion Takeshi Morishima and BJ Whitmer vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe (champions)
Nigel McGuinness had a herniated disc in his back and a separated shoulder which prevented him from competing in this contest. BJ Whitmer is a passable replacement, but almost anyone would have been a letdown, except for maybe Danielson. Either way Whitmer has established chemistry with the Briscoes from the Prophecy days.
The Briscoes are the best thing going in American wrestling period. They have risen to a new level and continually outdo themselves. They planned a perfect attack against the Japanese behemoth and there were moments when I thought that maybe the illegitimate son of Terry “Bam Bam†Gordy and Godzilla was going to go down in defeat. Morishima was able to withstand the Briscoes running football tackle.
The combo attacks and double teams of the Briscoes are as good as any team in history and they are still improving. They eventually were able to get Whitmer alone and defeat him with a Jay Driller followed by a Shooting Star Press from Mark.
Winners and still Champions: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This was the best match of the night and probably ***1/2. Jay and Mark have gotten so good, and if Morishima’s previous matches are any indication this will be much better on DVD. Whitmer played his role well, but was hated by the Connecticut crowd. This is most likely because he was Nigel’s replacement. Either way, I found this match highly enjoyable and slightly different
Big Andy Mac’s Overall Big Andy-pinion: This was a decidedly average show. I went in expecting it to do a lot to hype and tease the Pay per View on Saturday. It didn’t really do that, but to be fair, it didn’t try to either.
Two matches were very good and a few others were certainly entertaining. I enjoyed the way the reintroduced Danielson, and I will most likely purchase the DVD. But some things I just didn’t love. The bad taste in my mouth left by Sydal vs. Marufugi stands out. Still it was a good show.
Respect is Earned: Saturday, May 12th 2007; Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, New York, NY
The crowd was absolutely electric for the show, and while things may have waned towards the end of the evening stayed up pretty much all night. It was a special atmosphere for the show and everyone hoped that it would deliver. I thought it did, but I will go more into detail to explain why, and you can decide if you agree with me.
Brent Albright vs. Tank Toland with Bobby Dempsey and “Sweet and Sour†Larry Sweeney
It is amazing what a crowd can do for the performers. I am not a particularly big fan of either wrestler, but both are growing on me. Toland’s workout based offense took a new level as he did sit-ups while holding Albright in a body scissor. On each rep he delivered an elbow to his opponent.
Albright was way over with the New York crowd. This could most likely be a response to his performance in the tables are legal match last time at the Grand Ballroom. Despite the workout based offense and strength displays from Tank, “The Gun for Hire†was able to dominate most of the match and score a victory after his version of the half-nelson suplex.
Winner: Brent Albright
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This was a very good match, I wouldn’t have chosen it for the opener, but judging by the crowd reaction to these two, the right choice was made. I’m going to put it at **3/4 stars, but the night is off to a good start.
After this “dark match†the Pay per View was now ready to begin in earnest. Dave Prazak was in the ring with BJ Whitmer to hype the crowd before exiting and leaving BJ in the ring alone to issue an open challenge to anyone in the lockerroom. That challenge was met by Takeshi Morishima.
Ring of Honor World Champion Takeshi Morishima vs. BJ Whitmer
This is a rematch of Morishima’s first title defense, and although it is a truncated version of that match it truly delivered. Whitmer through his best stuff at the man mountain, but it was almost without effect. Even his exploder suplex followed by a frog splash could not keep the champ down. All it took was one backdrop driver
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: Morishima was made to look like a monster, it is a shame that it was at the expense of BJ Whitmer who is a formidable presence in his own right. Still it did the job it needed to and it gets *** but the booking of the match and what followed is more worthwhile.
While Morishima was celebrating his win Nigel McGuinness made his way to the ring to challenge the champion for his crown. But, really, who can have the unmitigated gall to challenge for a championship when the best wrestler in the world is waiting in the wings. Bryan Danielson made his first appearance in New York since losing the title to Homicide at Final Battle 2006.
Dragon laid his claim on a title shot and then went after Nigel with the help of Morishima. The champ then snacked on the delicious leather of his title belt and departed presumably to eat some wild game. Nigel made his way back to his feat and attempted to go after Danielson who made a quick exit.
Rocky Romero vs. Naomichi Marufugi
This was sort of a surprise match up but with both men’s experience and their similar styles it is no surprise that it was a stellar contest. Marufgi is a technical marvel and Romero is no slouch as well. In the early going Rocky went after Marufugi’s arm in a most vicious way.
Naomichi was able to use his technical prowess to counteract some of the violent kicks of the NRC member. In a bit of smart thinking, though, Romero was able to cinch in a cross arm breaker and positioned himself between the ropes and Marufugi’s chance of reaching them.
Not to be outdone, the former GHC Heavyweight title holder attacked Romero’s leg with no remorse. (I’m hilarious) A figure four leglock from Marufugi ignited the crowd, but Rocky was able to reach the ropes. At this point they both went out of their way to get a win. Neither was able to achieve victory. An avalanche style cross arm breaker and several stellar tornado ddts were not enough to put down Marufugi. The Japanese star’s counters of a face breaker and a coast to coast springboard dropkick could not put Romero down. One Shiranui later, however, and the match was over with a victory for the star from Pro-Wrestling NOAH.
Winner: Naomichi Marufugi
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This match was absolutely awesome and an easy ****. It is probably Romero’s best singles match in Ring of Honor, and Marufugi’s best singles match not contested for a championship. I am looking forward to see what he can do in an extended program in Ring of Honor.
Nigel returned to the ring again to try to gain a measure of satisfaction from the champ and the best wrestler in the world. Instead they come out and try to beat him down. He is saved however by KENTA and we have a main event tag team match for the Pay per View.
Davey Richards vs. Erick Stevens
This is another chapter in the No Remorse Corps vs. The Resilience feud. Stevens is unbelievably over with the New York area crowd. Unfortunately it is mostly due to his ability to make train noises, and not his wrestling ability. He deserves to be loved for his in-ring talents, but I just don’t think that is why New York likes him so much. They had an excellent match though, and maybe the fans will start appreciating his talents in the ring.
Both men were lighting each other up with chops and Davey’s kicks were as violent as ever. I have to admit, I like the “I’m winning!†schtick, but I think it needs to be used more sparingly. Stevens unfortunately got trapped in the key lock and submitted proving once again just how Resilient the Resilience isn’t.
Winner: Davey Richards
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: When’s go’n be the Resilience’s time, Lord, when? It seriously has to be soon or people might stop caring. The fans are treated to good matches, but if the feud remains so one sided, I might stop caring. And I like Stevens, not because of the “Choo Choo.†Ok, not only because of the “Choo Choo!â€Â
The match gets ***3/4. It might be four if Stevens won.
Claudio Castagnoli comes out to announce that he will be challenging for the tag team titles with his partner Matt Sydal.
For the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship: Matt Sydal and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe (champions)
I wasn’t thrilled that Matt Sydal was Claudio’s partner based on last night, but then I remembered that Sydal excels in multi-man matches especially tag team matches. He has teamed with pretty much everyone but Morishima at this point.
The Briscoes put on classic matches every time out now. This was no different. Claudio who was dressed in horrendous looking tights showed why he can be as good as anyone. He gave a ridiculous giant swing to Jay and showed off more of his Lucha Libre than he has in many matches. Sydal hit his amazing high flying spots with flawless precision as usual.
The Briscoes are just awesome. Mark and his redneck kung fu is a sight to behold and all of their combinations and double teams are out of this world. The Inside-out Springboard Doomsday Device might be my favorite in the Briscoes’ arsenal of finishing maneuvers.
Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: The Briscoes are the best thing going. As far as I am concerned they deserve the RoH MVP this year already. Claudio and Sydal made a solid team, but at the same time if they both focus elsewhere, I am fine with that too. Regardless, this is a ****1/2 star match, and although I never suspected a title change, this match delivered on all levels.
After the match Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard appeared on the stage to hype the card. As a matter of fact the place was so loud it was difficult to hear what they were saying.
While they were talking Kevin Steen and El Generico make their way to the stage to ask the Briscoes when their shot at the title is going to be. The Briscoes, always ready to “Man Up,†entice the mismatched duo into the ring. What followed was one of the all time classic pull-apart brawls in the history of wrestling. They truly showed hatred for one another and this is becoming one of the best feuds of the year in RoH. Eventually Steen and Generico were left in the ring and demolished the students before diving back into the fray with Jay and Mark.
Before intermission we were treated to a surprise appearance of the Notorious 187. I am not going to pretend I understood half of what he said, but the emotion spoke volumes that words couldn’t. It was nice that Homicide were able to bid adieu to his most devoted fans and his most devoted fans were able to pay their respects to their favorite son was a special moment. It is a shame that it will not appear on the Pay per View. Nothing expresses the emotion and passion of the RoH fans like a farewell to one of their top stars.
Intermission number two back to action
Bonus SHIMMER match: Sara Del Ray vs. Daizee Haze
Sara no comes out to Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.†They exchange some strikes and Daizee is able withstand the onslaught of the more powerful Del Ray. Haze speed and trickery, however is not enough and Del Ray gets the win over the plucky young pothead.
Winner: Sara Del Ray
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: How awesome it was for Del Ray to come out to “Ride of the Valkyries†compounded how much Daizee Haze’s entrance music sucks. The match was solid, if unspectacular, but it was enjoyable: *1/2. Watch SHIMMER dvds for truly great women’s wrestling.
Tag Team Scramble Match: Mitch Franklin and Pelle Primeau vs. Irish Airborne vs. Adam Pearce and Jimmy Rave vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico
This is the first straight up scramble match that I have seen in a long time. Irish Airborne looked as good as they have ever. Pelle delivered a nice déjàvu to Jimmy Rave in the spirit of their rivalry, and the team of Steen and Generico dominated the match. The most noteworthy spot of the match, however was Pearce’s response to the “Repo Man†chants that he gets every time out in New York. He donned the lone ranger mask to give New York a little bit of what it was asking for, and by golly if he didn’t look just like Barry Darsow under that mask. Steen won the match for his team with the package pildriver.
Winners: Kevin Steen and El Generico
Jimmy Rave has truly made himself a star even now without Prince Nana. The way he carries himself in the ring is truly that of a top tier wrestler. Steen and Generico are an awesome team and the two underdogs of Pelle and Franklin and Irish Airborne did fine. Scrambles are always fun matches and this was no different. I am going to say it was *** but that is as much for scramble match nostalgia as for the enjoyment I got out of the match.
Delirious vs. Roderick Strong
Delirious has had issues ever since he was concussed and then summarily Tiger Drivered onto the guard rail in Philadelphia when he competed against Strong for the FIP heavyweight title.
This match was slow to get moving and in truth did not get moving as fast as probably a lot of people expected it to be. They brought the hatred and truly tried to destroy each other. Delirious threw his best at Strong and likewise Roderick back at Delirious. In the end, though, another Tiger Driver and that spelled the end for the masked man.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This match was good, but my big gripe is that Delirious did not do what he was best at. He was the most orthodox he has ever been in a ring of honor match. None of his usual antics were used to try and throw Roderick Strong off of his game. I know it was a grudge match, but what better way to piss someone off than to get in their head and then steal a victory. The crowd was sort of out of this match, probably because it followed a high energy scramble match, and the deliberate pace of this one stood in sharp contrast. Either way it was a *** match and will come off better on PPV when the scramble is nowhere to be seen.
After the match Richards and Romero came out with their own personal guard rail to put more hurt on Delirious. (How awesome would it be if they made a No Remorse Corps guard rail with their logo instead of the RoH one for future usage?) Erick Stevens made the very late save clearing the ring only after Delirious suffered yet another Tiger Driver through a guard rail. Stevens then carried Delirious to the back while “I Will Always Love You†played over the PA in my head I’m weird.
Main Event: Ring of Honor World Champion Takeshi Morishima and “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness and KENTA
With out without hype this is an awesome looking match. I only had a few hours to build up excitement for this one and I was thoroughly pumped. Nigel and Dragon started the match off and their history needs no recap. They exchanged moves and counter-moves and both teams traded tags for the early bits. Whenever Dragon and KENTA were in the ring together the crowd was electric and their exchanges were violence borderlining on felonious assault. When Nigel and Morishima were teeing off on each other with clotheslines and strikes the crowd was equally energized.
At one point Nigel attempted a somersault bomb to Morishima out of the corner and he countered with a Bonsai drop that seemed to almost kill Nigel. At one point Nigel tried to attack Dragon with his rebound lariat, but Dragon countered and with a quick flick of his feet Nigel’s arm was in considerable pain, so much so that he had to be taped up at ringside in order to continue. And continue he did!
He tried his best to take out Morishima going as far as delivering a flying clothesline from the top rope to the third row where the Beat from the Far East was standing. Unfortunately for Nigel’s team that left KENTA in the Ring with Danielson and he was not able to revenge his win from the last time the two met in the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center. After an epic exchange Danielson cinched in the Cattle Mutilation for the tap out victory.
Winners: “American Dragon†Bryan Danielson and Ring of Honor World Champion Takeshi Morishima
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy-pinion: This was a classic mid nineties style All Japan Pro Wrestling match. It may have lacked the head drops and Toskiaki Kawada, but it had the spirit there all the same. The Briscoes tag was probably better, but this match was no far behind. It gets ****1/4 from me for the finishing sequence and the effort put forth by all involved. This match was a total commercial for the main event scene in Ring of Honor over the next few months and things are shaping up to be amazing.
After the match Dragon draped the belt over his shoulder only to be met with a backdrop driver from the champ. The Bottom Line is: You don’t touch the champ’s chew toy. Nigel then respectfully handed the belt over to his sometimes rival sometimes partner. That rematch will be amazing.
Big Andy Mac’s Overall Big Andy-pinion: This was as good a show as they have put on this year, despite what a lot of the naysayers may think. It was not going to be a typical RoH show, because it is airing in six weeks so nothing “life-changing†could happen.
If they show highlights of the matches that were on this card but not entirely aired at the Pay per View, they will sell a lot of DVDs, because they can entice fans to see what they are missing. The show did a good job of showcasing just about everything Ring of Honor does right, and it did so in a way that is palatable to new fans. As far as I am concerned they succeeded in what they were trying to do, and now time will tell if they draw new fans in.
I’ll see you next time
