1. As I’ve stated before, I’m a fan of the Pick 6 Series as a way of determining ROH World Title contenders. Makes it even better that they’re planning on having Pick 6 matches on a weekly basis. It ensures that there is at least one meaningful match on TV every week (something they haven’t pulled off consistently), and it accomplishes that without having title shots handed out like Pez.
2. Just as I expected, the interaction between Jim Cornette and Austin Aries was pretty awesome – especially Aries defending the Lucky Lottery by stating “I don’t think Grizzly Redwood and ‘Sugarfoot’ Alex Payne appreciate you calling them bums.” This could make for some pretty good television.
3. Pretty good match between The Briscoes and Steen & Generico, although not as good as their most recent, which ended with the American Wolves run-in. Steen popping right up after taking a Diamond Cutter (even if it was to take a clotheslne), however, was a bit ridiculous.
4. Steve Corino is looking like he’s put on some weight (and not the good kind) since I last saw him. Here’s hoping it won’t affect his in-ring performance, especially if he is planning on wrestling on a regular basis.
5. Surely I’m not the only one who questions the wisdom of announcing Aries vs. Black at Final Battle in a commericial run RIGHT BEFORE the Four-Corner Survival match for the World Title. Gee, I wonder who’s going to win now . . .
6. The interactions between Davey Richards and Roderick Strong were REALLY good. I’m probably not the only one who would love to see these two engage in more one-on-one action. Perhaps a title feud one of these days . . . ?
7. Kenny Omega looked very impressive in this match. A performance like this is the kind that can go a long way towards helping Omega build some credibility as a future World Title contender.
8. Very good main event. I was concerned during the first couple of minutes, when it looked like they were going to follow a “two guys wrestle while two guys lay around or brawl on the outside” formula, but as the match went on, the four men did a great job of working in all kinds of different combinations. And as always, great storytelling by Aries, wrestling a smarter match than each of his opponents (hitting quick moves and immediately going for covers, laying low on the outside, eventually stealing the pin from Strong).
9. If you’re going to advertise Tyler Black’s return as the main “hook” to the show (before the show started, at least), you may want that oh-so-triumphant return to consist of more than Black coming to the entrance ramp and taking off his shirt. At this point, having Aries’ retain at Final Battle makes much more sense . . . but I fear they’re actually going to pull the trigger on a title switch, because Lord knows, Black can ill-afford to squander another title shot. The upside is that he could eventually drop the belt to Richards (and if/when that happens, I get the feeling the crowd would turn on Black and side with Davey).
10. Great show tonight – definitely one of my favorites in a while. I figured they would try to deliver a little something extra for Cornette’s debut, and I know they can’t do this every show due to a limited amount of time to showcase a lot of guys, but my favorite part about tonight is that every match and segment meant something and felt big. Helps build intrigue leading into the Cornette era, if nothing else.
