Hey readers (Andy). Sorry I haven't updated the blog in a couple months. Just not had the time to watch all the wrestling I've wanted to. But rest assured, I'm back and I'm black. Anyway, I couldn't wait to review this PPV. ROH has been pretty exciting recently, and it's all because of one man in particular - Kevin Steen. This storyline with Eddie Kingston has been built up so well. Kevin Steen is arguably the greatest heel on Earth right now. Maybe even the whole universe (I hear Martian wrestling has some bad as fuck rudos though). Not only was there the Steen match exciting me, but Finlay and Lance Storm were also on board. I was excited. Hell, I even love a bit of Rhino. Here's the match by match review.
Match 1 - Rhino vs Eddie Edwards
A nice opening bout to get the show underway. Rhino dominated much of the match by focusing on Edwards ribs. There was a pretty sweet slam to the floor as well. Edwards takes a lot of punishment to the ribs, and contrary to opinion, he sells it pretty well. He spends much of the match surviving, before delivering a not so pretty German suplex and building some momentum. The pace speeds up and we get a pretty exciting match with Edwards taking it to the ''Man Beast,'' and puts his own body at risk in the process. Edwards manages to sneak the win after a distraction from the outside by Truth Martini. Overall, a good opening match.
Random Thought: Edwards looks like a WWE type of wrestler. I wonder how long it will be before they come sniffing. I can definitely see him there one day.
Match 2 - 6 Man War - All Night Express & TJ Perkins vs Young Bucks & Mike Mondo
''Spirit Squad!!! Spirit Squad!!!''
I love indie wrestling fans. They don't forget anything and they look back on it with a huge cheeser on their faces. This was the case in this match, with the chants directed at the ex-cheerleader, Mikey, now going by the bad ass alias, Mike Mondo. Another thing with indie wrestling fans is they'll tell you when ''you've fucked up, you've fucked up.'' But part of the love for the sport is the botches. In some cases, botches make a match so much better.
This is one of those matches where they just go out and try to steal the show. These wrestlers are young, hungry and trying to prove themselves. They did that. Sure, lots of it was a ''spotfest'' but there's nothing better than that early on in a card to get the adrenalin pumping. This was exciting from start to finish. It's maybe not for everyone, but it sure as hell satisfied me and the crowd were loving every moment.
Match 3 - Grudge Match - Tomasso Ciampa vs Jay Lethal
Jay Lethal is pissed off for losing his Television title and he wants to take away Ciampa's undefeated streak. Classic storyline in pro wrestling and also potential for a damn good match. And it was.
Ciampa looks like a convict Santa Claus with that beard. It made it all the more fitting for a grudge match. The code of honor did not apply in this match and a brawl ensured right from the get go. These 2 beat the shit out of each other before the bell even rang. It was dirty and it was awesome. A slingshot into a Section C sign should happen in more wrestling matches.
The match itself was physical and rather brutal. These guys basically just beat seven shades of manure out of each other. There was nothing flashy or pretty in store here and I wouldn't be surprised if it appears in many 'Match of the Year' lists at the end of the year. This ended with a 10 time Lethal Combination. It was brutal. It was beautiful. Check this out right now.
Match 4 - The Rematch - Mike Bennett vs Lance Storm
At Showdown In The Sun these 2 squared off and had a good match. After the match Bennett gave Lance a post match beat down. Lance was far some pleased and demanded a rematch because he refused to go out like that/ Nice heat going in. It was also nice seeing Lance enter to Fozzy music, just as nice as it was to see him wearing tights again rather than that singlet. Lance Storm looks weird in a singlet. Never forget that.
This match starts off as a brawl. It's not surprising considering the beef they have but I expected it to be a straight wrestling match. Bennett gets some amazing heat from the crowd.. He beats their hero down for long spells and he flips them off. What a legend. This is a good back and forth match though. Not a spectacular match but solid nonetheless. Lance Storm always delivers a well worked match in my opinion.... well when he's given time to work anyway.
This is 1-1 between these 2. A third would be sweet. The speech after the match could be interpreted as a farewell though, yet again, it could also be interpreted as having a little bit of gas left in the tank. I say if Flair can do then Lance can too.
Match 5 - War of the Breakout Stars - Michael Elgin vs Adam Cole
WHAT A FUCKING MATCH. These 2 will main event an ROH show for the World Title within a couple years - that's if they haven't joined another company anyway. I really hope they don't. This match had a bit of everything - brutal strikes, devastating slams and some of the flat out amazing. Michael Elgin is a damn machine. He showed some great strength in this match and Cole did a great job selling everything. This was just a good good good match. I suspect it won't be the last either.
Match 6 - ROH World TV Championship - Roderick Strong (c) vs Fit Finlay
This match was one I was excited about because I got to watch a wrestler I'm a fan of in Roderick Strong defend his title against one of my all time favorite human beings in Fit Finlay. The only thing that took away my excitement is that the outcome was decided from the start - Finlay isn't going to be around a lot in ROH so they're not going to give him the belt. However, another positive that can be gained from this is that it gives Roderick Strong and his title reign even more credibility. Not that Strong hasn't earned credibility - but beating Finlay? That's a lot more respect right there and any wrestler would want that on their record.
The match starts off with some classic, old school wrestling, where Finlay is 9 times out of 10 going to come out on top. Finlay looks just as good as ever. I think Finlay is like a fine wine... one that gets better as it gets older and is so effective that the smallest taste hurts your head the next day - or leaves you legless. In this match, we start off with some great mat wrestling but it doesn't take long for Finlay to start dirtying up Roddy a little, but Roddy gives back just as hard as he gets. Roderick is on top for the most of the contest, but Finlay does enough to leave his mark and remind strong he's figthting Fit fucking Finlay. This was another good match and Finlay reversed the Boston Crab like only he would. I wish this match went a little longer, but it was a solid match nonetheless.
Match 7 - ROH World Tag Team Championship - Fight Without Honor - The Briscoes (c) vs WGTT
Mark Briscoe got stuck at the border? Don't fret though because Canadian border authority is so dumb that all he had to do was disguise himself as a hockey player. This match was unsanctioned, meaning they could do whatever they hell they wanted to each other. A clothesline with a hockey stick a couple minutes in was a good way to start such a match. Mark Briscoe's rope dive was pretty nuts as well. This match was the equivalent of a train wreck. That's a good thing. It was so much fun. Kinda reminiscent of ECW but when ROH gets hardcore it's hardcore awesomeness in its own right. New tag champs as well.
Match 8 - ROH World Championship - Kevin Steen vs Davey Richards (c)
Before I start, let's talk about Kevin Steen. Kevin Steen, in my opinion, is the most interesting character in wrestling right now and easily my favorite heel of 2012, if not the past couple years. But this feud has kinda got Steen over a little, and I think if anyone is the bad guy it's Cornette (legend btw). However, there's no doubting that Steen is a total psycho. He's such a great wrestler though - one of the best brawlers in the world, a great high flyer and an all round great wrestler. Everything about him screams ''not a wrestler'' and that's what makes him so damn amazing. Jimmy Jacobs plays a great evil bastard too.
Davey Richards was the heel in this match though. The Canadian crowd was behind their man Steen and appluading all the nasty shit he done. This match had some nasty bumps. My favorite was the powerbomb to Richards on the apron.... twice. Steen is amazing. Biting, sentoning, moonsaulting, wearing his opponents mouth piece... Sick, demented and utterly captivating This was a fast paced, fun match. A very nice way to end a show and a well deserved and emotional title win for Kevin Steen.
Overall Thoughts: This was a great show. There wasn't a single match on this card that was below par on paper or in practice. If I had to give it a rating I'd give it a 4/5. Check this one out.
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