ROH Respect is Earned II Review

The Austin Aries/Jimmy Jacobs Saga Continues

ROH Respect is Earned II

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 6/7/08

PPV

1.) Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. The Vulture Squad (Jigsaw & Ruckus): ***

This was a good match between two solid tag team. The match was going fine but really picked up after the hot tag. A good way to start the show.

2.) Davey Richards vs. Claudio Castagnoli: **3/4

The was a good match, but it was also nothing really spectacular either. Nigel is on commentary, who I must say is a very enjoyable guy to listen to on commentary, especially as a heel.

3.) Brent Albright, Pelle Primeau & Delirious (with Daizee Haze) vs. Adam Peace, Chris Hero & Eddie Edwards (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.): ***

This came about after Brent Albright broke away from Sweet 'n' Sour in a few months after The Hangman 3 were bought out by Sweeney. It was a good contest. Again, nothing really outstanding, but still good. 

After the match, Adam Pearce attacks Albright and reveals the item in the bag that he has been carrying to be the NWA World Heavyweight Title (as he is the NWA World Heavyweight Champion). Sweeney declares the belt to be the true World Title.

4.) Fight Without Honor - Roderick Strong vs. Erick Stevens: ****1/4

This was the conclusion of the long rivalry between Strong & Stevens that has spanned both promotions (ROH & FIP). It was an awesome match with a lot of hard hitting action. Definitely one of the better Fight Without Honor's. The last spot is the defining image of the entire show.

While this next part was not on the DVD (or officially on the PPV) I feel it is important to state it here. Larry Sweeney comes out & applauds Strong for the match. He once again offers to buy the NRC, but Strong refuses. Davey Richards comes out & asks his stablemate to reconsider, but Strong still says no. Richards then takes off his NRC Shirt & reveals a Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. shirt, attacking Davey Richards & officially joins Sweeney.

 5.) ROH World Title - Nigel McGuinness vs. Go Shiozaki: ***1/2

It was not one of Nigel's best title defenses, but it was still pretty good. I think people knew Go wasn't winning here, but he a good job of making you believe he could.

6.) ROH World Tag Team Titles - Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black) vs. Bryan Danielson & Austin Aries: ****

Jacobs & Black just recaptured the titles the night before in a tournament after the titles were vacated due to Mark Briscoe's Injury. The match starts off an interesting way as the match ends in a quick Double DQ as Aries & Jacobs attack each other with chairs. Cooler heads prevail & the match is restarted. It turned out to be pretty good. All four of these guys mesh very well together as any combination of the 4 will have great results.

Bonus

1.) Jigsaw vs. Eddie Kingston: **3/4

This goes back to Take No Prisoners in March as Kingston is asking where the loyalties of Ruckus lie...with BLK OUT or The Vulture Squad. It was a good match. About as good as the Claudio/Richards match.

2.) Philadelphia Street Fight - Necro Butcher vs. Jay Briscoe: ***1/2

This match was very entertaining. They ended up brawling all over the building and did some sick spots. Definitely a step up from the No DQ match they had at Undeniable.

Overall: 9.0/10

Once again, we get an ROH PPV that does not have a single bad match on it. This does include the two bonus matches, which were good in their own right. Very entertaining show overall.