Saturday, June 28, 2014
Larry Mercer is the host tonight, and he announces that Michael Elgin captured the ROH World Title at ROH’s live pay-per-view debut Best in the World.
Elgin talks about his history as a wrestling fan and getting into the business. Tyson Dux gets some face time here talking about training Elgin. That segues nicely into our first match.
MATCH #1: “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin vs. Tyson Dux, Raising the Bar: Night 2, 3.8.14
This is a classic teacher versus student match. Elgin shows off his power early, and Dux responds with a delayed vertical suplex. That just angers Elgin though, who pops up and hits his own delayed vertical suplex, keeping Dux in the air way longer than Dux did to him. Commercial time, and when we come back Elgin is in control. Elgin goes for the super duper plex but Dux blocks it and goes after the leg. That doesn’t last long and Elgin fires back with a hard clothesline. Elgin follows with rolling German Suplexes. Dux comes back with a superplex and holds on to hit a Fisherman Buster for a two-count. They take it to the apron and Elgin dropkicks Dux to the floor. Elgin powerbombs Dux into the barricade and throws him back in the ring. Dux makes an impressive recovery to Death Valley Drive Elgin into the buckles for a two-count. Elgin puts on a Crossface which Dux counters to a cradle for two. Back on their feet Elgin unleashes strikes and a Buckle Bomb. Elgin lands the Elgin Bomb to get the win.
WINNER – Michael Elgin
Next Elgin talks about his history with getting into Ring of Honor, including comments from “Zombie Princess” Jimmy Jacobs and Truth Martini.
Next up they talk about Elgin’s classic match with then ROH World Champion Davey Richards at Showdown in the Sun – Day #2. Kevin Kelly, Jacobs, Martini, and Elgin talk about how important this match was to Elgin’s development and the fans’ perception of him.
They backtrack a little bit to show the final minutes of the elimination match at Survival of the Fittest 2011, as Elgin conquered Kyle O’Reilly to win it all.
Next they cover Elgin’s relationship with Truth Martini, and that segues into Elgin’s match against RHINO at Survival of the Fittest 2012.
MATCH #2: Michael Elgin vs. RHINO, Ring of Honor Wrestling Episode #57, 10.20.12
They start off slugging right away. Elgin has been compared to RHINO many times over the years so this is an intriguing match-up. Elgin surprises by hitting a slingshot back elbow. RHINO takes a powder. Elgin follows him out and throws some punches. RHINO whips Elgin into the barricade. Roderick Strong comes out to watch. Elgin reclaims control. Back in the ring Elgin hits a flying shoulder tackle off the top rope for two. RHINO hits a belly-to-belly suplex and goes for the Gore. Elgin moves out of the way and gets a schoolboy rollup for two. RHINO catches Elgin with a spinebuster for a two-count. He continues to wear Elgin down on his way to trying another Gore. Elgin hits an enziguiri and both men are down. Back on their feet Elgin unloads with a series of clotheslines and a bicycle kick. Elgin hits a Black Hole Slam for two. He follows with a bridging German Suplex for another two-count. Elgin tries the powerbomb but RHINO backdrops his way out of it. RHINO drives a shoulder to the midsection and this a TKO for two. Strong gets up on the apron to argue with the referee. RHINO sets up for the Gore but Truth Martini gets in the ring and begs him not to. That gives Elgin the distraction he needs to hit his own Gore. Elgin that hits the Spiral Bomb to get the win and move to the finals at 7:50. That was a very good power match from two guys with similar styles. I’d like to see them go again.
Rating: **¾
We finish with final comments from Elgin, Kelly, Jacobs, and Dux, talking about Elgin’s place in the ROH record books.
