ROH Caged Rage Review

Two Steel Cage Matches highlight the action in Hartford!!

*This is another one I just got recently so that's why this one is out of order*

ROH Caged Rage

Hartford, Connecticut 8/24/07

Bonus

1.) Top of the Class Trophy - Pelle Primeau vs. Mitch Franklin: *1/4

Nothing really terrible, just your average, quick, Top of the Class Trophy Mtach. It actually changes hands here as Franklin wins the Trophy

Main Card

1.) Chris Hero (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.) vs. Hallowicked: **1/4

This was ok. Nothing really much to it. Decent...for an opener.

2.) Jimmy Jacobs vs. Rhett Titus: *1/2

Rhett Titus appears as the "Sexiest Man Alive" (which is a prelude to his "Addicted to Love" Gimmick). This was just kinda there. I still don't know why they had Jacobs wrestle here (still using his "Ballad of Lacey" Music & wrestling as a face) when he was going to debut with a whole new faction the next month. Doesn't make sense.

3.) Four-Corner Survival – Delirious vs. Nigel McGuinness vs. BJ Whitmer vs. Adam Pearce: ***1/4

This was an interesting Four-Corner Survival. I actually enjoyed this. It had a little bit of everything.

After the match, Adam Pearce, Shane Hagadorn & eventually Brent Albright attack Delirious post-match. Pearce says Delirious is done humiliating him, and that since he wears a mask, he's going to make it a permanent part of him, by stapling it to his head!! BJ Whitmer's up now (laying out Shane Hagadorn) but Pearce mentions what he's been talking to him about over the past few months, causing him to turn on Delirious, laying him out with the Adrenaline Spike. They then stapled the mask to his face.

4.) Six-Man Tag – The Resilience vs. Davey Richards, Jason Blade & Eddie Edwards: ***1/4

So the stipulation here (set by Austin Aries) is that if Cross or Stevens get pinned, whoever pins them takes their place in The Resilience, but if Austin Aries gets pinned, then he will disband The Resilience. Pelle Primeau was originally supposed to be in this match, but he was attacked by Davey Richards, saying if anyone was going to disband The Resilience, it's going to be him. Now that's a good way to insert Richards in here. While the match itself wasn't blow-away, it was still a pretty good contest. The Resilience wins so nothing changes there.

5.) Pac vs. Bryan Danielson: ***

Eh...this was decent, but there was noting really stand out to this one. Pac obviously would go on to become more polished than he was here as seen by his work in Dragon Gate USA. This was more of a warm up for his title match the next night.

6.) ROH World Title – 3-Way Elimination Match – Takeshi Morishima vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright: ****

While the two singles Title Matches featuring the two challenges during Death Before Dishonor Weekend were probably a little better, this was still pretty good. Morishima was forced to go outside of his normal arsenal to pick up the win.

7.) Steel Cage Grudge Match – Roderick Strong vs. Jack Evans: ***1/2

Now we get the first of two Steel Cage Matches on this show. This was a good cage match (considering the guys involved it can't not be good) but it wasn't a great cage match. Entertaining, but nothing that's must see.

8.) ROH World Tag Team Titles – The Briscoe Brothers vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico: ***3/4

It wasn't the best match these teams have had, but they definitely brought the violence that made for a pretty good cage match. The only complaint I have about this whole feud is that the Briscoes seemed to win WAAAY too much (at least that's what it seems like to me). I think it would have been interesting if Steen & Generico actually won the belts here, then had The Briscoes win the belts back the next night at Manhattan Mayhem II. It still would have worked as far as the eventual payoff is concerned and it would have added more excitement to the story.

Overall: 7.5/10

This show is really lifted up by the World Title Match and the two Steel Cage Matches. Everything else in ok to average to good, making for an overall enjoyable card.

ROH Wrestling at the Gateway Review

Ring of Honor makes its debut in the St. Louis Area!!

ROH Wrestling at the Gateway

Collinsville, Illinois 12/5/08

1.) Kenny King vs. Kenny Omega: **3/4

This goes back to The French Connection when King left Omega high & dry in a Tag Team Match against The Briscoes. A fine opener here.

2.) Rhett Titus & Sal Rinauro vs. Grizzly Redwood & Bushwhacker Luke: *1/2

The heels start off with an attack from behind. Nothing much to this one. Just a fun little match.

3.) Tag Team Gauntlet - Irish Airborne vs. Brent Albright & Erick Stevens vs. Davey Richards & Bobby Dempsey (with Larry Sweeney) vs. The Briscoes: ***

This was a Gauntlet Match, where the winning team would face Kensuke Sasaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima at Final Battle 2008. This had some fun stuff in it. Why Bobby Dempsey was teaming with Davey Richards I'm not sure, but the match as a whole wasn't bad.

4.) The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Delirious) vs. Necro Butcher & Ace Steel: **3/4

Here we got a fun match with some interesting characters, with Jacobs probably being the most sane of the four. It was a fun tag team match. A good brawl.

5.) Austin Aries vs. Tyler Black: ****

The was a really great match. With all the hatred between Aries & the Age of the Fall, these guys are able to go out there and just have a great wrestling. What happened post match foreshadow Austin's coming heel turn.

6.) Nigel McGuinness & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson & Jerry Lynn: ***3/4

While not quite as good as the match before it, this was good nonetheless. Anytime you get these four in a match you know it's going to be good. Just a great wrestling match.

Bonus 

1.) Daizee Haze vs. Sarah Stock: **1/2

I believe this was from some SHIMMER Taping. Stock is better known as Sarita from TNA. This was a good match. Both these girls are great in-ring competitors and they showed that here.

Overall: 7.5/10

Whenever ROH debuts in a new city, it's always been my view that they don't necessarily need to have a great show, just a good one to generate buzz and will help built up future (potentially bigger) shows down the line. While most of the undercard was average, the two main events definitely delivered and the bonus match provides a good taste of women's action.

ROH The Chicago Spectacular: Night 2 Review

A huge Elimination Tag Team Match highlights the second night of The Chicago Spectacular!

PS: Just got this show so that's why I'm reviewing it now.

ROH The Chicago Spectacular: Night Two

Chicago Ridge, Illinois 12/9/06

The show was originally scheduled to start out with Shingo vs. Colt Cabana but Colt comes out, explaining his problems with Jimmy Jacobs & Lacey and wants to fight Jacobs now. He does and they go out it until Lacey gets involved, with brings out Daizee Haze, BJ Whitmer, Jimmy Rave, Shingo, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness & Delirious. Cabana wants Jacobs in the worst way so he suggests Shingo join up with Danielson's team, thus making the main event an 8-Man Elimination Match.

1.) Ace Steel vs. Tank Toland: *3/4

Eh....this was just kind of there. Nothing really interesting. At least it was relatively short.

2.) Six-Man Mayhem – Kikutaro vs. Jake Crist vs. Dave Crist vs. CJ Otis vs. Pelle Primeau vs. Trik Davis: **1/4

It was a fun little match. It was only interesting when Kikutaro was in the ring.

Shane Hagadorn comes out & berates Pelle. He says he'll give him his Top of the Class Trophy Match only if he wrestles him now. but Pearce comes out with a leather strap and blindsides Primeau. They beat him down until Homicide comes out, and apparently we're getting Homicide vs. Shane Hagadorn.

3.) Homicide vs. Shane Hagadorn: DUD

Nothing but a squash for Homicide, which is all Hagadorn is good for, to be honest. Pearce attacks Homicide afterwords but Homicide gets the better of him. He then changes the match from a Strap Match to a Cage Match. Not sure why they would change a match they've been promoting at the last minute, but whatever.

4.) Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe: ***

This match was decent, but it was more of a elongated squash for Samoa Joe as he was sending a message to Pro Wrestling NOAH.

5.) Austin Aries & Roderick Strong vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Cross: ***3/4

Sydal got injured (I guess the night before) so Matt Cross is getting an opportunity by subbing in for Sydal in this match, which is now a Non-Title Match. It actually turned out to be pretty great. Cross definitely took advantage of the opportunity, looking good in the loss.

6.) Steel Cage – Homicide vs. Adam Pearce: ***1/2

This wasn't the greatest Cage Match in ROH, but it was a good match to watch, and actually turned out a little better than the previous night's Cage Match. Blood was spilt, as expected, with Homicide getting the win.

7.) Davey Richards vs. Jay Briscoe: ***1/2

Here we get another good match. I've always believed that Jay Briscoe is under-rated as a singles wrestler, as he can have (at least) a good match with pretty much anyone. He & Davey Richards but on a good show here.

8.) Eight-Man Elimination Match – Bryan Danielson, Jimmy Jacobs, Jimmy Rave & Shingo vs. Delirious, BJ Whitmer, Colt Cabana & Nigel McGuinness: ****

This turned out to be a pretty good match. Rave scored all three of his teams eliminations. I understand they were trying to put over Rave (especially Jimmy Bower on commentary) but I just didn't believe he could be built up as a permanent main event guy. Anyways, the match itself was pretty good. Delirious outlasts both Rave & Danielson to get the big win. Entertaining match overall.

Overall: 7.75/10

I'd definitely say this was a step up from Night One. The second half was awesome, but was dragged down by a relatively weak first have. Outside of the opening segment you can honestly skip the first two matches (unless you're a Ace Steel/Kikutaro Fan)

ROH Rising Above 2008 Review

Bryan Danielson gets his last shot at Nigel McGuinness and his ROH World Title.

ROH Rising Above 2008

Chicago Ridge, Illinois 11/22/08

PPV

1.) ROH World Tag Team Title Match - Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe: **3/4

These two have faced off many times before in brutal encounters, but the roles are reversed this time as Kevin Steen & El Generico are the ROH World Tag Team Champions. It was a little shorter than I expected, but it was good for what it was.

2.) SHIMMER Title Match - Mschif vs. Sara Del Rey: ***

Here we get an interesting match up as although Mschif is more of a face (in the fans eyes) in this one, it's a battle of heel factions (The Age of the Fall vs. Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.) Definitely one of the best Women's Matches ROH has ever put on. Pretty good stuff here.

3.) Four Corner Survival - Silas Young vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Sami Callihan vs. Alex Payne: **1/4

I find it funny that this match was on PPV but Delirious vs. Rhett Titus, which was a more meaningful match, was left off as a bonus match. The only thing this accomplished was establishing Claudio as a heel. Nothing more.

4.) Roderick Strong, Brent Albright & Ace Steel vs. Davey Richards, Go Shiozaki & Chris Hero: ***1/4

So if the face team wins, they get Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. in Steel Cage Warfare at Final Battle 2008. This was a fun six man tag. Hero would end up cheating to win for his team, but it would only delay the inevitable Steel Cage Warfare Match.

5.) I Quit Match - Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs: ****1/4

Here we get the big conclusion to the Austin Aries/Jimmy Jacobs Saga. It was a great match, with lots of violence. Lacey eventually comes down and after several minutes, sides with Aries. Just brutal stuff and a great way to end this bitter feud. 

6.) ROH World Title Match - Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson: ****1/2

I'd have to say out of all their encounters, this is in the top three, right up there with their matches at Unified & Glory By Honor VIII. A great match from these two, which is exactly what you would expect. Not much else to say other than it's an awesome match.

Bonus

Delirious vs. Rhett Titus: **1/4

Despite the fact that it was just ok, this match should have been on the PPV given the significance of the story. Again, it was a decent affair.

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

Here we get a special attraction match as Samoa Joe returns for one night only to face a future star in Tyler Black. It was a great match. Joe looked good and so did Black. A very entertaining match. Afterwords, Samoa Joe puts over ROH.

Overall: 8.75/10

You really can't go wrong with this show. Pretty much everything on here is decent to great. The World Title Match, I Quit Match, SHIMMER Title Match, and the Samoa Joe Match are more than enough reasons to buy this DVD.

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.

ROH The French Connection Review

A Four Way Match for the ROH World Title highlights Ring of Honor's Debut in Quebec!!

*Special Note: This is the first show where a 20-Count on the Floor is applied to all ROH Matches*

ROH The French Connection

Montreal, Quebec 11/7/08

1.) Erick Stevens vs. Eddie Edwards (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.): **1/2

A fine way to open the show. Really more of an extended squash for Stevens, but still pretty decent for an opening match.

2.) The Briscoes vs. Kenny Omega & Kenny King: ***

Jay & Mark are facing off against double Kenny's in this one. It was a good tag team match. Rhett Titus comes down during the match and King essentially stays with Titus, leaving Omega to fend for himself.

3.) Necro Butcher vs. Brodie Lee: *1/2

Brodie Lee is essentially Necro Butcher's replacement in the Age of the Fall. This was just a brawl that went to a DQ after the rest of the Age of the Fall interfered and attack Necro.

Afterwords, Nigel McGuinness comes out and basically makes fun of Bret Hart and runs down Necro Butcher (who is challenging him for the World Title the next night) & Montreal.

4.) Jerry Lynn vs. Delirious (with Jimmy Jacobs): ***

This was another good match from Jerry Lynn as he continues his comeback.

5.) Davey Richards (with Sweet 'n' Sour Inc.) vs. Roderick Strong: ***3/4

Davey Richards has been gone in Japan ever since he turned on Strong and joined Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. at Respect is Earned II so this is Roderick's first shot at revenge. It was a pretty good contest and a good way to officially start their feud.

After the match Go Shiozaki joins in on a Sweet 'n' Sour beat down until Erick Stevens makes the save. 

6.) Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black) vs. Bryan Danielson & Austin Aries: ****

This is a rematch from the main event of Respect is Earned II. I'd say it was about the same as that match in terms of quality, with the only real exception being that their were no titles on the line. Fans were definitely into it.

7.) ROH World Title - Four-Way Elimination Match - Nigel McGunness vs. Kevin Steen vs. Go Shiozaki vs. El Generico: ****

The thing with this match is that all four of these guys are champions, but of course only Nigel's title is on the line. It essentially goes for awhile as a tag match with the Tag Team Champs working together against Go & Nigel. El Generico is eliminated by Go first then Steen submits Go shortly thereafter. It comes down to Nigel & Steen with McGuinness sneaking out another win. A really fun World Title Match. Something fresh & different.

Afterwords Kevin Steen & El Generico thank the fans for their support.

Overall: 8.0/10

Much like the majority of ROH shows, this had a lot of good stuff on here. The Necro Butcher match is excusable since you know him & Brodie Lee are more set for No DQ matches and this is only their first match. Everything else is good to great, with the last three matches really making this show very enjoyable.

ROH Return of the 187 Review

Homicide makes his big return!

ROH Return of the 187

Danbury, Connecticut 10/24/08

The show starts off with Jimmy Jacobs cutting a promo, but Homicide comes out, basically wondering about how Jacobs went form a love puppy to darkness. This leads to the Age of the Fall beating down Homicide until Ruckus makes the save. Some funny one liners between Homicide & The Age of the Fall. Since Ruckus is already out, we get our opening match...

1.) Ruckus vs. Jason Blade: **

Why is Jason Blade wearing MVP's wrestling gear? Anyway, this was a decent opening match. Nothing much else to it.

2.) Sara Del Ray vs. Ariel: *1/2

Sara is wearing a white whig to the ring.....for some reason. Nothing much to this one either. Ariel got some offense in, but the ending was academic. 

3.) Top of the Class Trophy - Rhett Titus vs. Grizzly Redwood: **1/2

Daizee Haze attacks Titus while he was doing his entrance. Then we get an actual match. I'm gonna be honest...probably the best Top of the Class Trophy match ever. Surprisingly decent.

4.) Brent Albright vs. Jay Briscoe: ***

These two were part of a Three Way back at Battle for Supremacy. It was a good match.

5.) No DQ Three Way - Mark Briscoe vs. Necro Butcher vs. Delirious: ***1/4

Here we have a very interesting match as it's basically an extension of the Steel Cage Warfare Match from the previous show. Very entertaining brawl, pretty much what you'd expect from these three.

6.) Jerry Lynn vs. Claudio Castagnoli: ***

Prince Nana comes out before the match, begging ROH to take him back since the Economic Crash left him broke. He's dragged away by security. The match itself was good but I think it could have been a little better.

7.) FIP World Title - Go Shiozaki (with Larry Sweeney) vs. Austin Aries: ***3/4

These two had a match back at the 6th Anniversary Show during Shiozaki's first weekend with ROH. But thinks are different now as Shiozaki is apart of Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. and a title is up for grabs. Not as good as their first encounter, but it was still a very fine match.

8.) Non-Title 30-Minute Iron Team Match: Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. LAX vs. The Age of the Fall vs. Chris Hero & Davey Richards: ***1/2

This was essentially an elongated tag team showcase, with Steen & Generico's titles not on the line. It was a good match, but I felt the fact that there were four teams involved kind of hurt the match in retrospect. Final Tally is LAX - 2, Age of the Fall - 1, Sweet 'n' Sour Inc. - 1, Steenerico - 0. Surprised the champs didn't get a fall at all, but that's only a minor complaint.

After the match, Homicide thanks the ROH fans and says he's looking forward to the match between LAX & The Briscoes on the next show.

Overall: 7.0/10

Having Homicide here definitely boosted the energy of the show, but you know the quality will not be as good when you have your World Champion (McGuinness) and one of your best wrestlers (Danielson) not present. It was still a decent show overall. Aside from the opening two matches there wasn't really anything terrible on here.