ROH Escalation Review

A Three Way match that was supposed to be a World Title Match highlights this show in Dayton.

ROH Escalation

Dayton, Ohio 11/21/08

1.) Brent Albright vs. Davey Richards (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.): **1/4

On paper this looked like a really interesting match up. In reality, it under-delivered. 

Nigel McGuinness announces that his match tonight is no longer a title match because Dayton doesn't deserve to see an ROH World Title match.

2.) Four-Corner Survival: Go Shiozaki (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.) vs. Rhett Titus vs. Grizzly Redwood vs. Sami Callihan: **1/2

This was actually a decently good match. A nice showcase for all four guys.

3.) The Briscoes vs. Irish Airborne: **1/4

This has got to be the worst encounter between these two teams. Mark suffering a knee injury during this match might have been the reason for that, but the match overall just didn't really flow well.

4.) Lights Out Match - Chris Hero (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.) vs. Roderick Strong: **3/4

Seeing that this was a Lights Out Match, you think this would top their match from the last Dayton Show. Sadly, it didn't. It was decent, but something was lacking.

5.) ROH World Tag Team Titles - Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious with Allison Wonderland): **3/4

Steen reiterates his promise from the previous Dayton show of returning as a champion. This was decent, though their rematch at Final Battle 2008 would prove to be better. Rhett Titus distracts Delirious, costing his team the win.

6.) Bryan Danielson vs. Claudio Castagnoli: ***

This whole thing got started (if I remember correctly) when Claudio went berserk by attacking Bryan Danielson after Danielson eliminated him in the Four Way World Title Match at Death Before Dishonor VI. It was a good match. Danielson gets a surprise win with the small package, but Claudio attacks Danielson with a chair post match.

7.) Non-Title Triple Threat - Nigel McGuinness vs. Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black (with Allison Wonderland): ***

So this was going to be a World Title Match until Nigel changes things earlier in the night. For a main event, especially with the caliber guys involved, this was definitely below par. The match was just booked really weird with Nigel hiding on the ramp most of the match. The fact that it was short for a main event did not help.

Bonus

Samoa Joe vs. Tyler Black (with Allison Wonderland): ***3/4

I'm going to refrain from talking about this match since it's also on the Rising Above 2008 DVD, so I will discuss this there.

Overall: 5.75

You want the definition of a bad ROH show? Well this is it. It wasn't the fact that the matches were bad....they were more than likely on the short side and just did not deliver as expected. Aside from Danielson getting injured by Claudio, nothing happened here, essentially making the show meaningless. You don't need this...unless you're an ROH completist.