Ring of Honor returns to TV again, this time with a main event of KENTA vs. Roderick Strong. I apologize for the lateness of the update but I was attending the most recent set of TV tapings live and in person. If you follow that link you can read about it. Anyways, tonight’s show should be good, read on to find out…
The show starts with a dedication to Mitsuharu Misawa
Claudio Castagnoli vs. The Necro Butcher
I have to say, I don’t think Necro’s new music suits him as much as some of the other guys’ do. Necro actually gives Claudio all he can handle on the wrestling front with some moves mixed in with the brawling. These two actually have pretty good chemistry with one another. The Butcher even busts out the Necro-canrana. Jimmy Rave interjects himself, distracting the referee and allowing Claudio to hit a low blow for the win. Rave and Claudio give Necro the business afterwards, but Brent Albright is there to make the save.
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli via pinfall
We get a quick interview with Nevaeh.
Nevaeh vs. MsChif with Jimmy Jacobs
Nevaeh is pretty easy on the eyes and not too bad in the ring. I feel I need to comment now on the “If you’re watching RoH on HDNet at a friend’s house…†ticker. It’s so cute. I don’t know what else they can do, though. Jimmy distracts the ref allowing MsChif to spray mist in Nevaeh’s face and hit the desecrator DDT for the victory.
Winner: MsChif via pinfall
We go to the back with Colt Cabana’s “The Art of Pro Wrestling.†Colt is there to shill merchandise with the help of Brent Albright. It is “The Art of the DVD Reco.†This was cute, but Colt can do so much more. I want the return of “Good Times, Great Memories.†There I said it. What’re you gonna do about it?
We get footage of Ric Flair putting over RoH for the last time…EVAR!!!!
Kenny King w/ Rhett Titus and a pair of… “dancers†vs. Kenny Omega
These guys have an issue stemming from when Kenny Omega stole a victory in a three way match a few weeks ago. They start off with some flashy wrestling which both of these guys are very good at. Rhett Titus keeps giving his teammate an advantage. Omega is lightning quick in a way that most guys aren’t. He is one of the first unique wrestlers to come down the pike in a while. Titus tries to intervene, but it backfires and Omega hits a sick reverse Rana and the Electric Chair German Suplex for the win. Titus tries to exact some revenge on his partner’s behalf, but Erick Stevens of all people comes out for the save. This was a pretty fun match if I do say so myself.
Winner: Kenny Omega via pinfall.
Next Week we will see The American Wolves defend the Tag Team Titles against Bryan Danielson and Tyler Black.
We also get a highlight from Eddie Kingston vs. Chris Hero where Kingston knocked out the referee.
Eddie Kingston vs. Andy “Right Leg†Ridge
Squash city for Andy Ridge. Kingston wins with the Backfist to the Future.
Winner: Eddie Kingston via pinfall
Jimmy Jacobs and Delirious will meet each other next week in a Fight Without Honor. The first of its kind on HDNet.
Kyle Durden is backstage with Jimmy Jacobs who quotes Janice Joplin. That notwithstanding he cuts a pretty intense cryptic promo.
Main Event: Roderick Strong vs. KENTA
Normally, I would like Roddy’s chances, but he is neither RoH champion nor does he have an arm injury, so KENTA probably isn’t losing. If you like kicks and chops, well this is the match for you. These guys just trade off on each other with ridiculous strikes and slams. This is fun, to say the least. Roderick actually kicks out of the Busaiku knee and the fans don’t care…for shame fans, for shame. KENTA reverses the Gibson Driver into the Go 2 Sleep for the win. This was an awesome match. Roderick needs an angle and needs one NOW! He is just getting lost in the shuffle. Hell put him in a team with Stevens send them after the Wolves. Put him in serious contention for the world belt. Give him a midcard belt to defend. Hell, give him a program with Sami Callahan. Just give him something purposeful to do.
Winner: KENTA via pinfall
Next week we get two huge matches in the form of a Fight without Honor and a Tag Team Title Match. That should be pretty cool.
Big Andy Mac’s Big Andy Final Thoughts: This was a fun show. It was very heavy in terms of wrestling which is a good thing. It didn’t seem like the same format as the early episodes either. The Kingston/Hero program has legs, and the rest of the matches were good at least. That makes a good TV show. In closing, GIVE RODERICK STRONG A PURPOSE!!!
I’ll see you next time…
