Match 1: World Heavyweight Championship - Last Man Standing - Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. The Big Show
The
third Last Man Standing match in Royal Rumble opens up the night! Del
Rio beat Show in this match on a SmackDown to capture the title and
defends it here in the very same match. Cool choice to open the night
since these matches tend to drag and a hot crowd is much needed in order
to enhance the match to its fullest. The two did a great job of keeping
things interesting and took the fight up upon the stage where Show
landed a nasty Chokeslam through a table. Very awesome spot and Del Rio
barely got up in time where they took the fight back to the ring. Del
Rio scored the victory when Ricardo Rodriguez used duct tape to tape
Show's legs on the bottom rope. Personally, I'm not a fan of the finish
but it works since Del Rio is still in the early phases as a face and is
trying to get over with everyone. A better match than expected and
likely not the end of the feud.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Rating: ***1/4
Match 2: WWE World Tag Team Championships - Team Hell No (c) vs. Team Rhodes Scholars
Team
Hell No looks to continue their hot streak against Cody Rhodes along
with Damien Sandow by his side. Simple match just placed to kill time
and get us to lick our lips from the two main events that are next. Team
Hell No is such a goofy time and such a great team at the same time, so
good at what they do. They pick up the easy win after Daniel Bryan
locks in the No Lock!
Winners: Team Hell No
Rating: *1/2
Match 3: 2013 Royal Rumble
Kicking
things off with the return of Chris Jericho was awesome! Him starting
against Dolph Ziggler was such a great choice. The crowd is insanely hot
for this one and Jericho has never looked so pumped. As I always say,
this match isn't the easiest to review but I will do my best to give you
my thoughts! I love the surprises we get from this match and seeing
Goldust enter with a huge pop was awesome! Him going against his
brother, even better! Let us not forget about Kofi. The man who always
does something crazy and this time around, he jumps onto the back of
Brodus Clay who was eliminated earlier. Then he jumps onto JBL's chair
and bounces back into the ring before being eliminated by Rhodes seconds
later. Kofi always does something cool and it's a shame he doesn't hang
around longer. Guess who always made an appearance. The Godfather! He
entered the ring and got kicked out by Ziggler quickly. His entrance
alone was worthwhile and reminds us why this match is so awesome. The
funniest part was when Daniel Bryan eliminated Kane before Bryan was
pushed out and landed into the arms or Kane. They argued until Kane
simply dropped him onto the floor. Hilarious. Just another missed
opportunity by having Bryan eliminated so early. Ryback is quickly
losing popularity within the audience and him entering at #30 killed
much of the momentum. The crowd barely gave him a reaction and they
popped huge when Jericho hit him with a Codebreaker. Jericho continued
to get huge reactions and Ziggler kicked him out in a fantastic sequence
that got the crowd even louder. The final four was between Cena,
Ryback, Sheamus, and Ziggler. Sheamus quickly took care of Ziggler with
an awesome Brogue Kick to eliminate Ziggler out of the Rumble. This is
where the match kicks it up a notch. Sheamus looks exhausted but pumped
to the max. Crowd is still hot and Sheamus tries to hit a Kick on Ryback
but gets tossed out! Ryback vs. Cena! A few exchanges but Cena
overcomes the odds and eliminates Ryback and becomes the winner of the
Royal Rumble for the second time. A bit of a disappointing match in my
eyes, the ending was pretty anticlimactic and predictable. Jericho,
Ziggler, Sheamus, and Kofi all stood out but it's hard to predict how
they will be looked at heading into WrestleMania.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ***1/2
Match 4: WWE Championship - CM Punk (c) vs. The Rock
Finally...
Ten years off his last WWE Championship run, The Rock looks to regain
the gold against CM Punk. This crowd remains hot and both men look
pumped and ready to go. Punk is amazing as a heel, his mannerisms with
the crowd look so simple but are so awesome at the same time. And Paul
Heyman in his corner only helps him miles more. Great storytelling early
on in the match as a battle-tested champion in CM Punk looks to be in
complete control against a rusty Rock. Punk does everything in his power
to injure the rib area of Rock and Punk looks like a ruthless heel.
Rock finally looks to reverse the tide as they tale the fight outside to
the announce table. Rock goes for a Rock Bottom but the table
prematurely breaks which leads to Rock hitting it on the floor outside.
Really sucked that the table broke before Rock was able to hit it, the
match needed a cool moment like that. Even still, the action continues
back in the ring. Rock goes for the People's Elbow but the lights hit!
The Shield send Rock through the other table! Lights were all off when
this happened so Punk won't get disqualified and lose his belt. Punk
rolls Rock into the ring and covers for the win. Mr. McMahon then comes
out and The Rock cuts off McMahon and wants the match to be restarted
immediately. Rock hits the Elbow with no lights shutting off the
captures the WWE Championship, ending CM Punk's long reign. A bit of an
odd match, nothing too special but felt like a big attraction which
seems like The Rock's style of wrestling these days. The Shield's
interference was cool but took a little too much away from the match.
Hopefully, the rematch is better than this. Cena vs. Rock II coming up.
Winner: The Rock
Rating: ***
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Just
like the Rumble match itself, this was an overall disappointing show
for me. The opening contest was great and set the pace nicely but that
was pretty much it. The Rumble match didn't really live up to its
potential and seemed like a recycled version from years past. The main
event, however, is what will ultimately be the reason why I'll remember
this event. Good match and that's as far as it will go for me.
Definitely one of the weaker Royal Rumbles in a long time.
Rating: 5.5/10
Monday, December 29, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
WWE TLC 2012 Review
Match 1: Tables - Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. Team Rhodes Scholars
Kicking off the show in Brooklyn is a #1 contenders match for the WWE World Tag Team Championships. Tables matches are always fun and putting into perspective the guys in the match, this one should be a dandy. Good pacing in this match and they all played their roles nicely to get the crowd going and set the table for what should be a fun night of action. They used the tables nicely and did not let them dominate the better part of the match until the last few minutes when it looked like Mysterio had the match in the bag until Sandow & Rhodes reverse the tides by putting Mysterio out of the equation and shoving Sin Cara through a table after he tried launching himself onto Team Rhodes Scholars. Awesome ending to the match, Sin Cara took a really cool bump to cap off a nice start to the show. Good win for Team Rhodes Scholars.
Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars
Rating: **¾
Match 2: United States Championship - Antonio Cesaro © vs. R-Truth
Cesaro has been on a role lately, especially after capturing the belt from Santino Marella at Summerslam. WWE gets to feed him R-Truth once more and on PPV for him to display his abilities. Little back and fourth match with the crowd actually really being behind Truth. However, Cesaro lands a sweet Neutralizer to retain his United States Championship in an easy filler of a match.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
Rating: *¼
Match 3: Intercontinental Championship - Kofi Kingston © vs. Wade Barrett
Is it me or are these PPV matches getting recycled over and over again? Barrett has been on a big role as of late and looks to capture the Intercontinental Championship with the momentum. Decent affair that basically resembles anything you could watch Monday nights on Raw. Another filler match to kill time which gets frustrating. Both are great wrestlers but watching the same thing over and over gets repetitive. Kingston retains in a short match which begs the question, where does Barrett go from here?
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Rating: *¼
Match 4: TLC - Team Hell No & Ryback vs. The Shield
For the first time ever, it is a three vs. three TLC match with the only way to win is via pin or submission. This is going to a ton of fun. It is also hard to believe that this is the first match for The Shield on WWE television/PPV, not bad. I was not expecting anything that we used to see in TLC matches from years past, but things did get pretty damn close to it. They exceeding the expectations of the viewers while making the match retain the 2012 type of WWE style. This is just one of those matches that I have no idea where to begin. A beautifully constructed match with huge spots perfectly positioned throughout the match and everyone came out looking better when all was said and done. Off the bat, everyone went after each other to set the tone of the match. Lots of trash talking and much more fighting, the type of action that needs to be established early to let the viewers know just what exactly is going on here. Many big spots to mention including The Shield throwing Ryback through the Spanish announcers table again, Kane jumping off a table set up on the top rope, Kane hitting a Chokeslam through a steel chair, Ryback coming back from the dead to look like a beast, Kane getting buried in all sorts of equipment after a Spear from Roman Reigns through a barricade, and Seth Rollins getting thrown off one of the ladders on the stage by Ryback to which Rollins landed through four tables. The latter being the nastiest spill of them all, maybe even one of the nastiest spills I have ever seen in pro wrestling. However, after that happened, the other two members of The Shield put Daniel Bryan through a table with a bomb off the top rope. Awesome match with an awesome finish, just sucks that Bryan had to be the one to eat the pin. The fallout should be interesting as Ryback’s beef with The Shield will definitely continue.
Winners: The Shield
Rating: ****¼
Match 5: Divas Championship - Eve © vs. Naomi
Naomi won the pre-show battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the Divas Championship and thus, here we are. This is the right match to have to cool down the audience and the viewers at home after the big TLC match before we head on over to other big business. Credit needs to be given where it is due, the two did put on a surprisingly good match and really let their athleticism and charisma shine here. I know that many will disagree with this statement but I really feel like the Divas division looks much better after this. Eve retains and continues to be the top Diva for the WWE. Unfortunately, the match was way too short for me to give this a higher rating.
Winner: Eve
Rating: ¾*
Match 6: World Heavyweight Championship - Chairs - The Big Show © vs. Sheamus
This is their third PPV encounter and looks to be the final chapter in a Chairs match. Taking in the fact that we have two heavyweights going at each other and after the Survivor Series conclusion, this is an easy gimmick choice. As I stated in their previous match, the two have really good chemistry and it managed to carry over onto this match. It is unusual for The Big Show to have one of the best matches on the card but this is the case here versus Sheamus. Let’s face it, this gimmick of a match can be very dull but these two managed to utilize the chairs to enhance the action into another gear. The story behind all the shots with the chairs is very prominent and the announcers did a great job of letting the audience understand it. The action went from one side to another and every pin in the last stretch of the match were big and every time Sheamus or The Big Show got up seemed believable. Show lands the big KO Punch to Sheamus who kicks out, Show brings out a giant steel chair and hammers Sheamus with it to get the win. Fun match that will unfortunately, likely be forgotten by the end of the night. Credit to both men for the storytelling, a live crowd and fun action.
Winner: The Big Show
Rating: ***¾
Match 7: 3MB vs. Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, & The Brooklyn Brawler
Earlier in the night, The Miz hosted Miz TV with 3MB who attacked the Spanish announcers. Ricardo Rodriguez game to their aid until 3MB threatened him which led to Del Rio coming out to team with The Miz to take out 3MB. This led to this match being made in which Del Rio & Miz gained a third partner in New York’s own, Brooklyn Brawler. Another quick match to fill the gap between matches with Brawler putting Jinder Mahal away via submission after Miz hit a Skull-Crushing Finale for the win. Simple squash match, nothing to see here.
Winners: Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, & The Brooklyn Brawler
Rating: ½*
Match 8: World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Contract - Ladder - Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena
The big scandal going around the WWE focuses upon John Cena’s relationship with AJ Lee. With Vickie Guerrero exposing everything, a match between Cena and Ziggler is formed. The Ladder match has become something in the WWE that is a lock for a good match but at the same time, is a tough effort for the parties involved to create something different. I am going to start off with giving credit to both guys for resiliently doing their best to add a spark to the main event by pulling out some innovative moves we have never seen in this type of match. Ziggler hitting his patented sleeper submission to Cena on top of the ladder which led to them crashing through a table and Cena putting Ziggler and a ladder on top of his shoulders for an Attitude Adjustment were moments to mention. Also, to credit Brooklyn, they have been fantastic tonight and they added another layer to this match. Ziggler looks ready to take on a bigger role in the company and a match against Cena in the main event of the final PPV can only do good. And guess what, Ziggler pulls out the big win. Of course, Cena looked like he was going to win until AJ pushed Cena off the ladder after beating up Guerrero seconds earlier. The ending was predictable but it made for a cool moment and only draws attention to the younger audience for future episodes of Raw. The match was very good, nothing to necessarily write home about but definitely something to watch again down the line.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Rating: ***½
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Pretty average way to cap off the 2012 year. The Shield and Dolph Ziggler end up looking like stars which may ultimately become the reason we remember this show. The big matches delivered but everything else looked a bit out of place. Let’s see how WWE carries this momentum into the new year, especially with Punk vs. Rock.
Rating: 7/10
Kicking off the show in Brooklyn is a #1 contenders match for the WWE World Tag Team Championships. Tables matches are always fun and putting into perspective the guys in the match, this one should be a dandy. Good pacing in this match and they all played their roles nicely to get the crowd going and set the table for what should be a fun night of action. They used the tables nicely and did not let them dominate the better part of the match until the last few minutes when it looked like Mysterio had the match in the bag until Sandow & Rhodes reverse the tides by putting Mysterio out of the equation and shoving Sin Cara through a table after he tried launching himself onto Team Rhodes Scholars. Awesome ending to the match, Sin Cara took a really cool bump to cap off a nice start to the show. Good win for Team Rhodes Scholars.
Winners: Team Rhodes Scholars
Rating: **¾
Match 2: United States Championship - Antonio Cesaro © vs. R-Truth
Cesaro has been on a role lately, especially after capturing the belt from Santino Marella at Summerslam. WWE gets to feed him R-Truth once more and on PPV for him to display his abilities. Little back and fourth match with the crowd actually really being behind Truth. However, Cesaro lands a sweet Neutralizer to retain his United States Championship in an easy filler of a match.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro
Rating: *¼
Match 3: Intercontinental Championship - Kofi Kingston © vs. Wade Barrett
Is it me or are these PPV matches getting recycled over and over again? Barrett has been on a big role as of late and looks to capture the Intercontinental Championship with the momentum. Decent affair that basically resembles anything you could watch Monday nights on Raw. Another filler match to kill time which gets frustrating. Both are great wrestlers but watching the same thing over and over gets repetitive. Kingston retains in a short match which begs the question, where does Barrett go from here?
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Rating: *¼
Match 4: TLC - Team Hell No & Ryback vs. The Shield
For the first time ever, it is a three vs. three TLC match with the only way to win is via pin or submission. This is going to a ton of fun. It is also hard to believe that this is the first match for The Shield on WWE television/PPV, not bad. I was not expecting anything that we used to see in TLC matches from years past, but things did get pretty damn close to it. They exceeding the expectations of the viewers while making the match retain the 2012 type of WWE style. This is just one of those matches that I have no idea where to begin. A beautifully constructed match with huge spots perfectly positioned throughout the match and everyone came out looking better when all was said and done. Off the bat, everyone went after each other to set the tone of the match. Lots of trash talking and much more fighting, the type of action that needs to be established early to let the viewers know just what exactly is going on here. Many big spots to mention including The Shield throwing Ryback through the Spanish announcers table again, Kane jumping off a table set up on the top rope, Kane hitting a Chokeslam through a steel chair, Ryback coming back from the dead to look like a beast, Kane getting buried in all sorts of equipment after a Spear from Roman Reigns through a barricade, and Seth Rollins getting thrown off one of the ladders on the stage by Ryback to which Rollins landed through four tables. The latter being the nastiest spill of them all, maybe even one of the nastiest spills I have ever seen in pro wrestling. However, after that happened, the other two members of The Shield put Daniel Bryan through a table with a bomb off the top rope. Awesome match with an awesome finish, just sucks that Bryan had to be the one to eat the pin. The fallout should be interesting as Ryback’s beef with The Shield will definitely continue.
Winners: The Shield
Rating: ****¼
Match 5: Divas Championship - Eve © vs. Naomi
Naomi won the pre-show battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the Divas Championship and thus, here we are. This is the right match to have to cool down the audience and the viewers at home after the big TLC match before we head on over to other big business. Credit needs to be given where it is due, the two did put on a surprisingly good match and really let their athleticism and charisma shine here. I know that many will disagree with this statement but I really feel like the Divas division looks much better after this. Eve retains and continues to be the top Diva for the WWE. Unfortunately, the match was way too short for me to give this a higher rating.
Winner: Eve
Rating: ¾*
Match 6: World Heavyweight Championship - Chairs - The Big Show © vs. Sheamus
This is their third PPV encounter and looks to be the final chapter in a Chairs match. Taking in the fact that we have two heavyweights going at each other and after the Survivor Series conclusion, this is an easy gimmick choice. As I stated in their previous match, the two have really good chemistry and it managed to carry over onto this match. It is unusual for The Big Show to have one of the best matches on the card but this is the case here versus Sheamus. Let’s face it, this gimmick of a match can be very dull but these two managed to utilize the chairs to enhance the action into another gear. The story behind all the shots with the chairs is very prominent and the announcers did a great job of letting the audience understand it. The action went from one side to another and every pin in the last stretch of the match were big and every time Sheamus or The Big Show got up seemed believable. Show lands the big KO Punch to Sheamus who kicks out, Show brings out a giant steel chair and hammers Sheamus with it to get the win. Fun match that will unfortunately, likely be forgotten by the end of the night. Credit to both men for the storytelling, a live crowd and fun action.
Winner: The Big Show
Rating: ***¾
Match 7: 3MB vs. Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, & The Brooklyn Brawler
Earlier in the night, The Miz hosted Miz TV with 3MB who attacked the Spanish announcers. Ricardo Rodriguez game to their aid until 3MB threatened him which led to Del Rio coming out to team with The Miz to take out 3MB. This led to this match being made in which Del Rio & Miz gained a third partner in New York’s own, Brooklyn Brawler. Another quick match to fill the gap between matches with Brawler putting Jinder Mahal away via submission after Miz hit a Skull-Crushing Finale for the win. Simple squash match, nothing to see here.
Winners: Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, & The Brooklyn Brawler
Rating: ½*
Match 8: World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Contract - Ladder - Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena
The big scandal going around the WWE focuses upon John Cena’s relationship with AJ Lee. With Vickie Guerrero exposing everything, a match between Cena and Ziggler is formed. The Ladder match has become something in the WWE that is a lock for a good match but at the same time, is a tough effort for the parties involved to create something different. I am going to start off with giving credit to both guys for resiliently doing their best to add a spark to the main event by pulling out some innovative moves we have never seen in this type of match. Ziggler hitting his patented sleeper submission to Cena on top of the ladder which led to them crashing through a table and Cena putting Ziggler and a ladder on top of his shoulders for an Attitude Adjustment were moments to mention. Also, to credit Brooklyn, they have been fantastic tonight and they added another layer to this match. Ziggler looks ready to take on a bigger role in the company and a match against Cena in the main event of the final PPV can only do good. And guess what, Ziggler pulls out the big win. Of course, Cena looked like he was going to win until AJ pushed Cena off the ladder after beating up Guerrero seconds earlier. The ending was predictable but it made for a cool moment and only draws attention to the younger audience for future episodes of Raw. The match was very good, nothing to necessarily write home about but definitely something to watch again down the line.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Rating: ***½
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Pretty average way to cap off the 2012 year. The Shield and Dolph Ziggler end up looking like stars which may ultimately become the reason we remember this show. The big matches delivered but everything else looked a bit out of place. Let’s see how WWE carries this momentum into the new year, especially with Punk vs. Rock.
Rating: 7/10
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
This Week in Wrestling: Never Before, Never Again
From November 20, 2011.
Today is Sunday, November 20, 2011. Later tonight marks the 25th anniversary of the Survivor Series event and will be taking place in New York inside the legendary Madison Square Garden in front of thousands of screaming fans. Tonight, we will see CM Punk challenge Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship, two giants colliding once again for the World Heavyweight Championship, and a classic Survivor Series match that pits Randy Orton's team going up against Wade Barrett's team. However, something bigger is happening tonight. Tonight also marks the return to the ring of The Rock. This will be his first time competing inside a wrestling ring since 2004 when he teamed with Mick Foley against Evolution at Madison Square Garden. Tonight, The Rock will be teaming up against John Cena to take on The Miz & R-Truth! We will find out if The Rock has any ring rust and we'll also find out if he can work alongside John Cena without any problems. The Rock & John Cena team up tonight in a match that is being billed as never before, never again. Together, can they take down The Miz & R-Truth who have been running rampant in the WWE?
What most people have neglected to see is that this past Friday & Saturday, there were two huge independent wrestling events to give us an appetite for tonight's Survivor Series. Those shows were called Survival of the Fittest 2011 & Glory by Honor X. Both events are from the Ring of Honor company and both shows delivered big time! The Survival of the Fittest event was a tournament to see who was the best man to challenge Davey Richards for the ROH World Championship. The tournament featured the very best of Ring of Honor's roster and it was Michael Elgin who came out on top and now has a shot at challenging Davey Richards for his championship belt. The next night was Glory by Honor X, a loaded event that took place in Chicago. Kevin Steen caused mayhem, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team retained their titles, Eddie Edwards beat Kyle O'Reilly in a stiff contest, Davey Richards retained against El Generico, and Kevin Steen caused more mayhem at the conclusion of the show as things get heated for December's Final Batle.
Tonight is the conclusion to one hell of a week in the world of professional wrestling. The WrestleMania weekends always seem to be the best weekends professional wrestling can offer but it's this weekend in late November that things fall in place and the fans are treated to something special. Never before and never again never meant so much. Do yourselves a favor and check out all of these shows.
Today is Sunday, November 20, 2011. Later tonight marks the 25th anniversary of the Survivor Series event and will be taking place in New York inside the legendary Madison Square Garden in front of thousands of screaming fans. Tonight, we will see CM Punk challenge Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship, two giants colliding once again for the World Heavyweight Championship, and a classic Survivor Series match that pits Randy Orton's team going up against Wade Barrett's team. However, something bigger is happening tonight. Tonight also marks the return to the ring of The Rock. This will be his first time competing inside a wrestling ring since 2004 when he teamed with Mick Foley against Evolution at Madison Square Garden. Tonight, The Rock will be teaming up against John Cena to take on The Miz & R-Truth! We will find out if The Rock has any ring rust and we'll also find out if he can work alongside John Cena without any problems. The Rock & John Cena team up tonight in a match that is being billed as never before, never again. Together, can they take down The Miz & R-Truth who have been running rampant in the WWE?
What most people have neglected to see is that this past Friday & Saturday, there were two huge independent wrestling events to give us an appetite for tonight's Survivor Series. Those shows were called Survival of the Fittest 2011 & Glory by Honor X. Both events are from the Ring of Honor company and both shows delivered big time! The Survival of the Fittest event was a tournament to see who was the best man to challenge Davey Richards for the ROH World Championship. The tournament featured the very best of Ring of Honor's roster and it was Michael Elgin who came out on top and now has a shot at challenging Davey Richards for his championship belt. The next night was Glory by Honor X, a loaded event that took place in Chicago. Kevin Steen caused mayhem, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team retained their titles, Eddie Edwards beat Kyle O'Reilly in a stiff contest, Davey Richards retained against El Generico, and Kevin Steen caused more mayhem at the conclusion of the show as things get heated for December's Final Batle.
Tonight is the conclusion to one hell of a week in the world of professional wrestling. The WrestleMania weekends always seem to be the best weekends professional wrestling can offer but it's this weekend in late November that things fall in place and the fans are treated to something special. Never before and never again never meant so much. Do yourselves a favor and check out all of these shows.
Christopher Daniels vs. Davey Richards - One Year Later
From October 16, 2011.
One year ago, Davey Richards defeated Christopher Daniels in Chicago, IL. The build, the match, the execution was all there. However, it was the impact we saw through the next 365 days that made things much more interesting. The winds of change swooped in and took Ring of Honor by storm.
The match itself was able to gain notoriety and the event the match took place on was even given it's special title, Richards vs. Daniels. I was personally inspired by the athleticism the two were able to display and the courage they took to give us, the fans, emotional speeches at the end. However, everything changes. That match was one year ago and within that amount of time, we have all gone through some sort of change.
Some of us got married, some of us had kids, some of us graduated school, and some of us grew an inch or two. Small or big, change takes it's course and the best way to take it is to embrace it. Ring of Honor had change forced down their throat, almost as much as me forcing down the word "change" into yours, and they definitely embraced it. Whether or not it was by choice, Ring of Honor went through phases within the past year that both benefited them and hit them hard.
Christopher Daniels has now left the company, Kevin Steen is somewhat gone, there no longer is an HDNet show, and The Kings of Wrestling have moved on to bigger things. However, with negatives come positives and the hardest working wrestling promotion in the world was able to make 2011 one of the most successful years in the company's history. The American Wolves both captured World Championship gold, Best in the World 2011 became the highest purchased iPPV in company history, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team signed with the company and dethroned The Kings, and Ring of Honor was picked up by the Sinclair Broadcast Station and now airs on syndicated television.
Ring of Honor in the last year was a beacon of hope for those who were lost. Through so many negative changes, they were able to embrace them and make the best out of everything. Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels was most definitely an amazing match, but the events that transpired afterwards was much more amazing. As Davey stated in his promo before his match against Daniels, "You will not break me. I will get up every single time you knock me down." Maybe he was foreshadowing something... Here's to the next 365 days.
One year ago, Davey Richards defeated Christopher Daniels in Chicago, IL. The build, the match, the execution was all there. However, it was the impact we saw through the next 365 days that made things much more interesting. The winds of change swooped in and took Ring of Honor by storm.
The match itself was able to gain notoriety and the event the match took place on was even given it's special title, Richards vs. Daniels. I was personally inspired by the athleticism the two were able to display and the courage they took to give us, the fans, emotional speeches at the end. However, everything changes. That match was one year ago and within that amount of time, we have all gone through some sort of change.
Some of us got married, some of us had kids, some of us graduated school, and some of us grew an inch or two. Small or big, change takes it's course and the best way to take it is to embrace it. Ring of Honor had change forced down their throat, almost as much as me forcing down the word "change" into yours, and they definitely embraced it. Whether or not it was by choice, Ring of Honor went through phases within the past year that both benefited them and hit them hard.
Christopher Daniels has now left the company, Kevin Steen is somewhat gone, there no longer is an HDNet show, and The Kings of Wrestling have moved on to bigger things. However, with negatives come positives and the hardest working wrestling promotion in the world was able to make 2011 one of the most successful years in the company's history. The American Wolves both captured World Championship gold, Best in the World 2011 became the highest purchased iPPV in company history, Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team signed with the company and dethroned The Kings, and Ring of Honor was picked up by the Sinclair Broadcast Station and now airs on syndicated television.
Ring of Honor in the last year was a beacon of hope for those who were lost. Through so many negative changes, they were able to embrace them and make the best out of everything. Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels was most definitely an amazing match, but the events that transpired afterwards was much more amazing. As Davey stated in his promo before his match against Daniels, "You will not break me. I will get up every single time you knock me down." Maybe he was foreshadowing something... Here's to the next 365 days.
Shawn Michaels - Running Up That Hill
From November 20, 2010.
"Sometimes, it's Hell trying to get to Heaven." Over a decade ago, a professional wrestler by the name of Michael Hickenbottom, or better known by his ring name of Shawn Michaels, was forced to leave the art that he so very loved due to nagging injuries and personal problems like his addiction to drugs, alcohol, and partying. Very rarely in the sport of professional wrestling does a man like Shawn Michaels come by. You see, the mix of charisma, athleticism, and passion for the game made him both a household name and a box office draw and that type of combination is something that very few men possess in this sport.
Shawn's biggest foe went by the name of Mark Calaway, or much better known as simply The Undertaker. The two men waged wars in high profile matches and due to his size and strength, The Undertaker easily beat down the smaller and more careless Shawn Michaels. However, Shawn Michaels had made a living out of proving people wrong and being the underdog and this allowed him to pull off outstanding victories. While Shawn won all of these matches, he ultimately paid the price of being legitimately injured and damn near paralyzed. No athlete or wrestler wants to be injured and for Shawn, it happened at the worst possible time because he was at the top of his game as he put on amazing match after amazing match while making vast amounts of money at the same time. Shawn did his best to forego the injuries and continue wrestling across the globe but sadly, his nagging injuries and personal problems made him hang up the boots at the age of 32.
The scoreboard gave Shawn the wins but only at the expense of a shortened career and a possibly shortened life, is that really a win?
Following the tragic end to his wrestling career, Shawn was sent home where he would enjoy the fruits of his labor. However, Shawn would fall in a deep depression and fell into a deep spiral where he would then continue to rely on both drugs and alcohol to wipe away the pain. Throughout his wrestling career, Shawn was a heavy drug user but after his career ended, his use of drugs increased immensely. During this time, Shawn got married and had a son and because of this, Shawn told himself that he needed to free himself of the demons that were manifested inside of him. Shawn later discovered the beauties of religion and then became a born again Christian where he realized that for every good story, there is a downfall and for every storm, there is a sunrise. Shawn's new lifestyle made him correct himself as he surrendered his love for drugs and gained his new found love for people and life.
Shawn's "break" from the sport that he loved so much had become the single greatest thing that could ever happen to a person, he had finally found himself.
Maybe his matches against The Undertaker were more than just wins.
"Sometimes, it's Hell trying to get to Heaven." Over a decade ago, a professional wrestler by the name of Michael Hickenbottom, or better known by his ring name of Shawn Michaels, was forced to leave the art that he so very loved due to nagging injuries and personal problems like his addiction to drugs, alcohol, and partying. Very rarely in the sport of professional wrestling does a man like Shawn Michaels come by. You see, the mix of charisma, athleticism, and passion for the game made him both a household name and a box office draw and that type of combination is something that very few men possess in this sport.
Shawn's biggest foe went by the name of Mark Calaway, or much better known as simply The Undertaker. The two men waged wars in high profile matches and due to his size and strength, The Undertaker easily beat down the smaller and more careless Shawn Michaels. However, Shawn Michaels had made a living out of proving people wrong and being the underdog and this allowed him to pull off outstanding victories. While Shawn won all of these matches, he ultimately paid the price of being legitimately injured and damn near paralyzed. No athlete or wrestler wants to be injured and for Shawn, it happened at the worst possible time because he was at the top of his game as he put on amazing match after amazing match while making vast amounts of money at the same time. Shawn did his best to forego the injuries and continue wrestling across the globe but sadly, his nagging injuries and personal problems made him hang up the boots at the age of 32.
The scoreboard gave Shawn the wins but only at the expense of a shortened career and a possibly shortened life, is that really a win?
Following the tragic end to his wrestling career, Shawn was sent home where he would enjoy the fruits of his labor. However, Shawn would fall in a deep depression and fell into a deep spiral where he would then continue to rely on both drugs and alcohol to wipe away the pain. Throughout his wrestling career, Shawn was a heavy drug user but after his career ended, his use of drugs increased immensely. During this time, Shawn got married and had a son and because of this, Shawn told himself that he needed to free himself of the demons that were manifested inside of him. Shawn later discovered the beauties of religion and then became a born again Christian where he realized that for every good story, there is a downfall and for every storm, there is a sunrise. Shawn's new lifestyle made him correct himself as he surrendered his love for drugs and gained his new found love for people and life.
Shawn's "break" from the sport that he loved so much had become the single greatest thing that could ever happen to a person, he had finally found himself.
Maybe his matches against The Undertaker were more than just wins.
Christopher Daniels vs. Davey Richards - This Has to Deliver
From October 14, 2010.
After returning in April by confronting Davey Richards after a hard fought battle with Kenny King, Christopher Daniels made it known to both the wrestling world and Davey Richards that he is back in Ring of Honor to claim the title of "best in the world." With this huge interruption, it seemed evident that a match between the two would arise in either Chicago a few weeks later or in New York the next month. However, Davey went on to challenge Roderick in Chicago and went out of the country thus missing the New York show which was named Supercard of Honor V. There, Daniels challenged Davey's partner in Eddie Edwards and went on to beat him at that very show. The next chance in which these two would meet eye to eye was in Canada at Death Before Dishonor VIII. However, Davey challenged the then world champion Tyler Black for the belt in a losing effort. At that event, Daniels wrestled against Kenny Omega in a winning effort but only after getting injured which would cause him to miss the ROH July 2010 Triple Shot as well as two other shows in August. Daniels made his return to Ring of Honor in September for both the Plymouth show and Glory by Honor IX. Again, Davey was away from the country and had to miss both shows and had to watch Daniels wrestle against Tyler Black and Austin Aries. I should also note that Daniels did, however, appear at the HDNet tapings in Philadelphia where he would occasionally confront Davey but nothing important of to clarify upon. Now it is October, over six months after Daniels' return and a huge match between the two has finally been booked as Chicago's main event. With both Roderick Strong & Eddie Edwards missing this show and with this show being another A show, this match must be a special one. This is like the situation ROH was in last year when both Danielson & McGuinness left the company which caused them to pull the trigger on a heavily hyped Austin Aries vs. Davey Richards match. The company needed a match that featured two ROH stars who would put on an amazing match that would have fans forget about the two that jumped ships. Fast forward a year later and here we are, Tyler Black is gone from ROH and now that the roster is as slim as ever, two men need to step up and hit one out of the ballpark to get the name of ROH out in the open and make those letters mean something. This, indeed, is that match that has the best chance to do so. It's just quite simple, this has to deliver.
After returning in April by confronting Davey Richards after a hard fought battle with Kenny King, Christopher Daniels made it known to both the wrestling world and Davey Richards that he is back in Ring of Honor to claim the title of "best in the world." With this huge interruption, it seemed evident that a match between the two would arise in either Chicago a few weeks later or in New York the next month. However, Davey went on to challenge Roderick in Chicago and went out of the country thus missing the New York show which was named Supercard of Honor V. There, Daniels challenged Davey's partner in Eddie Edwards and went on to beat him at that very show. The next chance in which these two would meet eye to eye was in Canada at Death Before Dishonor VIII. However, Davey challenged the then world champion Tyler Black for the belt in a losing effort. At that event, Daniels wrestled against Kenny Omega in a winning effort but only after getting injured which would cause him to miss the ROH July 2010 Triple Shot as well as two other shows in August. Daniels made his return to Ring of Honor in September for both the Plymouth show and Glory by Honor IX. Again, Davey was away from the country and had to miss both shows and had to watch Daniels wrestle against Tyler Black and Austin Aries. I should also note that Daniels did, however, appear at the HDNet tapings in Philadelphia where he would occasionally confront Davey but nothing important of to clarify upon. Now it is October, over six months after Daniels' return and a huge match between the two has finally been booked as Chicago's main event. With both Roderick Strong & Eddie Edwards missing this show and with this show being another A show, this match must be a special one. This is like the situation ROH was in last year when both Danielson & McGuinness left the company which caused them to pull the trigger on a heavily hyped Austin Aries vs. Davey Richards match. The company needed a match that featured two ROH stars who would put on an amazing match that would have fans forget about the two that jumped ships. Fast forward a year later and here we are, Tyler Black is gone from ROH and now that the roster is as slim as ever, two men need to step up and hit one out of the ballpark to get the name of ROH out in the open and make those letters mean something. This, indeed, is that match that has the best chance to do so. It's just quite simple, this has to deliver.
Davey Richards - Best in the World
From June 24, 2010.
When I began watching Ring of Honor Wrestling, or ROH for short, in mid 2009, little did I know what kind of impact it would have upon my life. I had always heard of this organization but I never really tried it out because well, I honestly don't even know. Thankfully, ROH got a television deal early that year with HDNet and when I heard of the legendary Ric Flair cutting a promo on the show, I decided to check it out. He came out to a standing ovation where he put over the company and introduced the then ROH World Champion, Jerry Lynn. I can't remember the entire segment from memory but I do know that that segment was a huge factor in making me an ROH fan. Ever since that time, I have become a huge ROH fan to the point where I purchase their DVDs, buy and wear their merchandise, discuss the product in their forums, and just last January, I went to a live show where I saw incredible wrestling matches live and in person. While I was there, I got the privilege to see Mr. Davey Richards in action and let me tell you something, never in my life have I seen anyone with as much intensity as him. He pumped up the crowd, he cussed people out, he punched and kicked the living daylights out of his opponents, and most importantly, he impressed the audience. I've been watching this sport for as long as I can remember but never have I seen anyone with the type of intensity that he brings. The way he talks, the way he walks, and the way he displays his dominance are all factors in making him the most intense wrestler in the world.
But is that all? Is that the only thing that makes him the best wrestler in the world? Hell no. His wrestling ability is comparable to absolutely no one else on this planet. He is able to blend in his relentless martial arts abilities and mix them with his incredible wrestling abilities to create a crafty combination that I swear I have never seen. He can keep a match on the ground, he can keep it in the air, and he can keep it everywhere and he can pull off an astounding match because he is just that damn good. His matches with Kevin Steen, El Generico, Eddie Edwards, and The Young Bucks are some of the most incredible matches that I have ever witnessed. He has established himself as a ring general and because of that, my eyes are always glued to one of his matches. Whether he is wrestling solo or teaming up with Eddie Edwards as The American Wolves, he just has that rare ability to put on an amazing match at any given time. Let's just cut to the point, he is an amazingly gifted professional wrestler.
So he is a tremendous in ring wrestler, what's the point in that if you don't have any charisma? Guess what, no one in this business has as much charisma as Davey Richards. Because of the intensity that he brings to the squared circle, he is able to light up a crowd and bring everyone on their feet. But if Davey doesn't want to light up a crowd with his physicality, then he can do it with his slick mic skills. Everything he says is so convincing and is said with purpose that it's hard to not pay attention to him. If he is not intriguing with his in ring talent, then chances are he is with his charisma and mic skills.
While these factors are important in making a successful wrestler, their role outside of the ring plays a crucial part as well. For Davey Richards, he is an amazing professional wrestler and an even better human being. Instead of being handed everything on a plate, he would rather earn it. Whether that being a big paycheck or a championship, he wants to earn it. All of his accomplishments and labels are things that he has earned and worked hard for. No one has ever handed anything to him because like I said earlier, he would rather earn it.
In a recent interview, Davey Richards stated that while he is only 27 years old, he will be walking away from the sport of professional wrestler at the end of the year. While there is a chance he will continue to wrestle across the globe beyond 2010, the chances are he will be retiring at the end of the year. For me, learning of this news was heartbreaking because I admire this man so much but I understand why he is walking away. Let's just clear the air first, it's his life and he can be able to do whatever he damn well pleases. While I'm disappointed that he will be walking away from this art at the end of this year while at such a young age, I understand that he would like to complete other goals in his life which include becoming a firefighter, an occupation that both allows him to help out other people and his family.
He isn't in it for the money, he isn't in it for the fame, he's in it because he has honor for the name of professional wrestling and for himself. If that isn't something you can't respect, then I don't know what is. I'm sad that Davey might be retiring at the end of the year but again, I completely understand why he is doing it. He is called the best wrestler in the world because he has earned that connotation and for that, I respect him immensely. He is the one man on this planet that I look up to because of what he stands for, everything.
When I began watching Ring of Honor Wrestling, or ROH for short, in mid 2009, little did I know what kind of impact it would have upon my life. I had always heard of this organization but I never really tried it out because well, I honestly don't even know. Thankfully, ROH got a television deal early that year with HDNet and when I heard of the legendary Ric Flair cutting a promo on the show, I decided to check it out. He came out to a standing ovation where he put over the company and introduced the then ROH World Champion, Jerry Lynn. I can't remember the entire segment from memory but I do know that that segment was a huge factor in making me an ROH fan. Ever since that time, I have become a huge ROH fan to the point where I purchase their DVDs, buy and wear their merchandise, discuss the product in their forums, and just last January, I went to a live show where I saw incredible wrestling matches live and in person. While I was there, I got the privilege to see Mr. Davey Richards in action and let me tell you something, never in my life have I seen anyone with as much intensity as him. He pumped up the crowd, he cussed people out, he punched and kicked the living daylights out of his opponents, and most importantly, he impressed the audience. I've been watching this sport for as long as I can remember but never have I seen anyone with the type of intensity that he brings. The way he talks, the way he walks, and the way he displays his dominance are all factors in making him the most intense wrestler in the world.
But is that all? Is that the only thing that makes him the best wrestler in the world? Hell no. His wrestling ability is comparable to absolutely no one else on this planet. He is able to blend in his relentless martial arts abilities and mix them with his incredible wrestling abilities to create a crafty combination that I swear I have never seen. He can keep a match on the ground, he can keep it in the air, and he can keep it everywhere and he can pull off an astounding match because he is just that damn good. His matches with Kevin Steen, El Generico, Eddie Edwards, and The Young Bucks are some of the most incredible matches that I have ever witnessed. He has established himself as a ring general and because of that, my eyes are always glued to one of his matches. Whether he is wrestling solo or teaming up with Eddie Edwards as The American Wolves, he just has that rare ability to put on an amazing match at any given time. Let's just cut to the point, he is an amazingly gifted professional wrestler.
So he is a tremendous in ring wrestler, what's the point in that if you don't have any charisma? Guess what, no one in this business has as much charisma as Davey Richards. Because of the intensity that he brings to the squared circle, he is able to light up a crowd and bring everyone on their feet. But if Davey doesn't want to light up a crowd with his physicality, then he can do it with his slick mic skills. Everything he says is so convincing and is said with purpose that it's hard to not pay attention to him. If he is not intriguing with his in ring talent, then chances are he is with his charisma and mic skills.
While these factors are important in making a successful wrestler, their role outside of the ring plays a crucial part as well. For Davey Richards, he is an amazing professional wrestler and an even better human being. Instead of being handed everything on a plate, he would rather earn it. Whether that being a big paycheck or a championship, he wants to earn it. All of his accomplishments and labels are things that he has earned and worked hard for. No one has ever handed anything to him because like I said earlier, he would rather earn it.
In a recent interview, Davey Richards stated that while he is only 27 years old, he will be walking away from the sport of professional wrestler at the end of the year. While there is a chance he will continue to wrestle across the globe beyond 2010, the chances are he will be retiring at the end of the year. For me, learning of this news was heartbreaking because I admire this man so much but I understand why he is walking away. Let's just clear the air first, it's his life and he can be able to do whatever he damn well pleases. While I'm disappointed that he will be walking away from this art at the end of this year while at such a young age, I understand that he would like to complete other goals in his life which include becoming a firefighter, an occupation that both allows him to help out other people and his family.
He isn't in it for the money, he isn't in it for the fame, he's in it because he has honor for the name of professional wrestling and for himself. If that isn't something you can't respect, then I don't know what is. I'm sad that Davey might be retiring at the end of the year but again, I completely understand why he is doing it. He is called the best wrestler in the world because he has earned that connotation and for that, I respect him immensely. He is the one man on this planet that I look up to because of what he stands for, everything.
Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels Shaking Hands Represents Everything About Professional Wrestling
From January 13, 2010.
At Survivor Series 1997, Shawn Michaels challenged Bret Hart for his WWE Championship in the main event to end their long running feud in Bret Hart's hometown of Montreal, Canada. However, Bret Hart decided that he would be leaving the WWE for the WCW and even though he would be leaving the WWE for the WCW, Bret Hart didn't want to drop the title in Canada. With this, Vince McMahon was legitamately worried that Bret Hart would appear on WCW television with the WWE Championship around his waist.
The event took place as scheduled and the main event between Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart lasted over ten mintutes when it came to an abrupt end after Michaels locked Hart in Hart's finishing move, the Sharpshooter. As soon as Michaels locked in the submission, referee Earl Hebner immediately called for the bell to ring even though Hart didn't tap out. Frustrated and confused, Bret Hart stood up and spit right into the face of Vince McMahon as the show went off the air with the newly crowned WWE Champion Shawn Michaels holding the title high above his head. Just days after the incident took place, the wrestling world referred to it as the "Montreal Screwjob."
Fast forward twelve years later and Bret Hart makes his first appearance in a WWE ring since the Montreal Screwjob as a special guest host in the opening segment of Monday Night Raw. After receiving a massively positive response from the live crowd, Hart called out the man who he faced at Survivor Series 1997, Shawn Michaels. Dressed in DX gear, Shawn Michaels marched down to the ring and stared right into the face of Bret Hart. Hart then asked for a truce as he wanted to bury the hachet with Shawn Michaels. Only after telling Hart that he deserved everything from the Montreal Screwjob, Shawn Michaels shook Bret Hart's hand and hugged him to end the long running grudge.
Although this segment lasted around twelve minutes, there is a lot of meaning behind it. The segment represented everything the sport of professional wrestling is all about, respect. In the wrestling world, the one thing that means more than friendships, titles, and legacies is respect. When Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels stood in the middle of the ring and shook hands, they didn't do it to become friends, they did it because they respect each other and they just didn't want to let one thing that happened over twelve years ago get in the thick of things. To both men, respect means everything in the world and it's the primary reason why they are professional wrestlers. Bret Hart respects the fact that Shawn Michaels is an absolute superstar as he has headlined many WrestleManias and also because he is a professional wrestler. Shawn Michaels respects Bret Hart because Michaels knows that Bret Hart has been through years and years of pain thoughout his career and also because Bret Hart is a professional wrestler. Long story short, Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels shaking hands represents everything that the professional wrestling business is all about, respect.
At Survivor Series 1997, Shawn Michaels challenged Bret Hart for his WWE Championship in the main event to end their long running feud in Bret Hart's hometown of Montreal, Canada. However, Bret Hart decided that he would be leaving the WWE for the WCW and even though he would be leaving the WWE for the WCW, Bret Hart didn't want to drop the title in Canada. With this, Vince McMahon was legitamately worried that Bret Hart would appear on WCW television with the WWE Championship around his waist.
The event took place as scheduled and the main event between Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart lasted over ten mintutes when it came to an abrupt end after Michaels locked Hart in Hart's finishing move, the Sharpshooter. As soon as Michaels locked in the submission, referee Earl Hebner immediately called for the bell to ring even though Hart didn't tap out. Frustrated and confused, Bret Hart stood up and spit right into the face of Vince McMahon as the show went off the air with the newly crowned WWE Champion Shawn Michaels holding the title high above his head. Just days after the incident took place, the wrestling world referred to it as the "Montreal Screwjob."
Fast forward twelve years later and Bret Hart makes his first appearance in a WWE ring since the Montreal Screwjob as a special guest host in the opening segment of Monday Night Raw. After receiving a massively positive response from the live crowd, Hart called out the man who he faced at Survivor Series 1997, Shawn Michaels. Dressed in DX gear, Shawn Michaels marched down to the ring and stared right into the face of Bret Hart. Hart then asked for a truce as he wanted to bury the hachet with Shawn Michaels. Only after telling Hart that he deserved everything from the Montreal Screwjob, Shawn Michaels shook Bret Hart's hand and hugged him to end the long running grudge.
Although this segment lasted around twelve minutes, there is a lot of meaning behind it. The segment represented everything the sport of professional wrestling is all about, respect. In the wrestling world, the one thing that means more than friendships, titles, and legacies is respect. When Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels stood in the middle of the ring and shook hands, they didn't do it to become friends, they did it because they respect each other and they just didn't want to let one thing that happened over twelve years ago get in the thick of things. To both men, respect means everything in the world and it's the primary reason why they are professional wrestlers. Bret Hart respects the fact that Shawn Michaels is an absolute superstar as he has headlined many WrestleManias and also because he is a professional wrestler. Shawn Michaels respects Bret Hart because Michaels knows that Bret Hart has been through years and years of pain thoughout his career and also because Bret Hart is a professional wrestler. Long story short, Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels shaking hands represents everything that the professional wrestling business is all about, respect.
Top Five WWE Feuds of the Decade
From January 7, 2010.
The past decade (2000 - 2009) was a stage for some amazing feuds between rivals and enemies. With these amazing feuds, we were privileged to see some amazing wrestling matches.
Honorable Mention: Batista vs. Triple H (2005)
The honorable mention definitely has to go to 2005's feud of the year between two Evolution partners in Batista and Triple H. I chose this feud over the Triple H vs. Randy Orton feud because this feud was built up a lot better .For months, Batista turning on Triple H was constantly being teased but the actuality of Batista tearing apart Triple H was only a dream. However, Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble and there, he challenged Triple H for his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21 by delivering a devastating Batista Bomb on Triple H through a table. Batista went on to win Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21 and defeated Triple H two more times at both Backlash and Vengeance.
5. John Cena vs. Randy Orton (2007)
The John Cena vs. Randy Orton feud is occasionally described as the modern day Austin vs. Rock feud and for good reason, their 2007 was amazingly enthralling. After Orton was declared as the #1 contender for John Cena's WWE Championship at Summerslam, the feud quickly became personal. Randy Orton did everything in the book to get in John Cena's mind before Summerslam as he landed a huge RKO on Cena through a steel chair and even worse, punted Cena's father in the skull. With the odds being stacked against John Cena at Summerslam, Cena prevailed as he defeated Randy Orton in a main event that was nothing short of spectacular. Angry, Randy Orton immediately got his rematch at Unforgiven to which he won via disqualification when John Cena refused to stop beating down Orton in a corner. After, a Last Man Standing match was made between two at No Mercy. Sadly, the world never got the oppurtunity to see this match as Cena became injured just days before No Mercy.
4. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (2009)
It's a rare thing when the WWE incorporates drugs, alchohal, and tobacco in their shows but in 2009, CM Punk and Jeff Hardy engaged in a very personal feud. Their feud featured so many emotional and amazing promos about CM Punk's Straightedge lifestyle and Jeff Hardy's living in the moment lifestyle. After Jeff Hardy won the World Heavyweight Championship off of Edge in a Ladder match at Extreme Rules, CM Punk rushed the ring where he took the World Heavyweight Championship off of Hardy's waist as he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. This instantly lit a spark between both CM Punk and Jeff Hardy as the two competed against each other at The Bash and Night of Champions where Hardy regained his World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, CM Punk congratulated Jeff Hardy on his title win and shook his hand. On the following Friday Night SmackDown, CM Punk attacked Jeff Hardy and announced that at Summerslam, the two would compete against each other in a TLC match. There, CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy to capture his third World Heavyweight Championship. After their amazing TLC match, the two fought once more in a Loser Leaves WWE Steel Cage match where CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy to both retain his World Heavyweight Championship and send Hardy out of the WWE.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (2002)
When the news of Shawn Michaels returning to the WWE for one more match hit the wrestling world, the people erupted in joy and excitement. Triple H greeted Shawn Michaels back to the WWE by ramming Michaels' head through a car window. After finding out that Triple H was the man behind the brutal attack, Shawn Michaels challenged Triple H to an Unsanctioned match at Summerslam where Michaels pulled through with a shocking victory after taking a pounding from Triple H. Following their hellacious match at Summerslam, the Elimination Chamber concept came to life at Survivor Series where Shawn Michaels captured the World Heavyweight Championship after kicking off Triple H's head with a surprise Sweet Chin Music. Shawn Michaels' emotional title run didn't last long as Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship at Armageddon in a 3 Stages of Hell match.
2. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Rock (2003)
Although these two men were involved in feuds against each other several times, their 2003 feud was a for sure classic. From The Rock debuting his Rock Concert to Steve Austin beating the living hell out of Rock, this feud had WrestleMania written all over it. The build up to their WrestleMania 19 match was easily one of the greatest build ups of all time as every segment and promo both men produced were instant phenomenons. At WrestleMania 19, both Steve Austin and The Rock put on a show that will be remembered until the end of time as the back and fourth action and near falls put everyone on the edge of their seats. Although The Rock won the match, both men left WrestleMania 19 as a winner.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (2008)
In a feud stemming from Shawn Michaels retiring Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24, Chris Jericho did everything in his power to reveal to the fans that Michaels was nothing more than a fraud. A feud between both men came to light at Backlash when Shawn Michaels faced off against Batista with Chris Jericho as the special guest referee. In that match, Shawn Michaels faked a knee injury to land a Sweet Chin Music against Batista and win the match. Offended that Shawn Michaels lied to everyone by faking an injury, Chris Jericho called out Michaels several times but every time ended with the same result, a Sweet Chin Music to the jaw of Chris Jericho. This made Chris Jericho so furious that the two engaged in a PPV battle at Judgment Day in which once again, Shawn Michaels got the better of the two by landing a devasting Sweet Chin Music to Jericho's jaw to win the match. Chris Jericho refused to back down from Shawn Michaels as he called out Michaels on a Highlight Reel where he rammed Michaels' head through the Jeritron. Chris Jericho constantly told the fans that Shawn Michaels is a fraud and that Michaels' ego wouldnt let himself retire. With this, the two had another battle at The Great American Bash where Chris Jericho defeated Shawn Michaels by brutally attacking Michaels' eye in a bloody match. Shawn Michaels then told the fans that he needed to heed the doctor's advice to leave the sport of professional wrestling. However, Chris Jericho drilled Shawn Michaels' wife with a punch to her face which led to an Unsanctioned match at Unforgiven where Michaels defeated Jericho when the referee called for an abrupt ending. On that very same PPV, Chris Jericho inserted himself into the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match to which he went on to win the title itself after pinning an injured opponent. With this, Shawn Michaels challenged Chris Jericho to a Ladder match at No Mercy where Jericho retained his World Heavyweight Championship in a 5 star main event match to end their legendary feud.
The past decade (2000 - 2009) was a stage for some amazing feuds between rivals and enemies. With these amazing feuds, we were privileged to see some amazing wrestling matches.
Honorable Mention: Batista vs. Triple H (2005)
The honorable mention definitely has to go to 2005's feud of the year between two Evolution partners in Batista and Triple H. I chose this feud over the Triple H vs. Randy Orton feud because this feud was built up a lot better .For months, Batista turning on Triple H was constantly being teased but the actuality of Batista tearing apart Triple H was only a dream. However, Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble and there, he challenged Triple H for his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21 by delivering a devastating Batista Bomb on Triple H through a table. Batista went on to win Triple H's World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 21 and defeated Triple H two more times at both Backlash and Vengeance.
5. John Cena vs. Randy Orton (2007)
The John Cena vs. Randy Orton feud is occasionally described as the modern day Austin vs. Rock feud and for good reason, their 2007 was amazingly enthralling. After Orton was declared as the #1 contender for John Cena's WWE Championship at Summerslam, the feud quickly became personal. Randy Orton did everything in the book to get in John Cena's mind before Summerslam as he landed a huge RKO on Cena through a steel chair and even worse, punted Cena's father in the skull. With the odds being stacked against John Cena at Summerslam, Cena prevailed as he defeated Randy Orton in a main event that was nothing short of spectacular. Angry, Randy Orton immediately got his rematch at Unforgiven to which he won via disqualification when John Cena refused to stop beating down Orton in a corner. After, a Last Man Standing match was made between two at No Mercy. Sadly, the world never got the oppurtunity to see this match as Cena became injured just days before No Mercy.
4. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk (2009)
It's a rare thing when the WWE incorporates drugs, alchohal, and tobacco in their shows but in 2009, CM Punk and Jeff Hardy engaged in a very personal feud. Their feud featured so many emotional and amazing promos about CM Punk's Straightedge lifestyle and Jeff Hardy's living in the moment lifestyle. After Jeff Hardy won the World Heavyweight Championship off of Edge in a Ladder match at Extreme Rules, CM Punk rushed the ring where he took the World Heavyweight Championship off of Hardy's waist as he cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. This instantly lit a spark between both CM Punk and Jeff Hardy as the two competed against each other at The Bash and Night of Champions where Hardy regained his World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, CM Punk congratulated Jeff Hardy on his title win and shook his hand. On the following Friday Night SmackDown, CM Punk attacked Jeff Hardy and announced that at Summerslam, the two would compete against each other in a TLC match. There, CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy to capture his third World Heavyweight Championship. After their amazing TLC match, the two fought once more in a Loser Leaves WWE Steel Cage match where CM Punk defeated Jeff Hardy to both retain his World Heavyweight Championship and send Hardy out of the WWE.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H (2002)
When the news of Shawn Michaels returning to the WWE for one more match hit the wrestling world, the people erupted in joy and excitement. Triple H greeted Shawn Michaels back to the WWE by ramming Michaels' head through a car window. After finding out that Triple H was the man behind the brutal attack, Shawn Michaels challenged Triple H to an Unsanctioned match at Summerslam where Michaels pulled through with a shocking victory after taking a pounding from Triple H. Following their hellacious match at Summerslam, the Elimination Chamber concept came to life at Survivor Series where Shawn Michaels captured the World Heavyweight Championship after kicking off Triple H's head with a surprise Sweet Chin Music. Shawn Michaels' emotional title run didn't last long as Triple H regained the World Heavyweight Championship at Armageddon in a 3 Stages of Hell match.
2. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Rock (2003)
Although these two men were involved in feuds against each other several times, their 2003 feud was a for sure classic. From The Rock debuting his Rock Concert to Steve Austin beating the living hell out of Rock, this feud had WrestleMania written all over it. The build up to their WrestleMania 19 match was easily one of the greatest build ups of all time as every segment and promo both men produced were instant phenomenons. At WrestleMania 19, both Steve Austin and The Rock put on a show that will be remembered until the end of time as the back and fourth action and near falls put everyone on the edge of their seats. Although The Rock won the match, both men left WrestleMania 19 as a winner.
1. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (2008)
In a feud stemming from Shawn Michaels retiring Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24, Chris Jericho did everything in his power to reveal to the fans that Michaels was nothing more than a fraud. A feud between both men came to light at Backlash when Shawn Michaels faced off against Batista with Chris Jericho as the special guest referee. In that match, Shawn Michaels faked a knee injury to land a Sweet Chin Music against Batista and win the match. Offended that Shawn Michaels lied to everyone by faking an injury, Chris Jericho called out Michaels several times but every time ended with the same result, a Sweet Chin Music to the jaw of Chris Jericho. This made Chris Jericho so furious that the two engaged in a PPV battle at Judgment Day in which once again, Shawn Michaels got the better of the two by landing a devasting Sweet Chin Music to Jericho's jaw to win the match. Chris Jericho refused to back down from Shawn Michaels as he called out Michaels on a Highlight Reel where he rammed Michaels' head through the Jeritron. Chris Jericho constantly told the fans that Shawn Michaels is a fraud and that Michaels' ego wouldnt let himself retire. With this, the two had another battle at The Great American Bash where Chris Jericho defeated Shawn Michaels by brutally attacking Michaels' eye in a bloody match. Shawn Michaels then told the fans that he needed to heed the doctor's advice to leave the sport of professional wrestling. However, Chris Jericho drilled Shawn Michaels' wife with a punch to her face which led to an Unsanctioned match at Unforgiven where Michaels defeated Jericho when the referee called for an abrupt ending. On that very same PPV, Chris Jericho inserted himself into the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match to which he went on to win the title itself after pinning an injured opponent. With this, Shawn Michaels challenged Chris Jericho to a Ladder match at No Mercy where Jericho retained his World Heavyweight Championship in a 5 star main event match to end their legendary feud.
Top Ten WWE PPV Matches of 2009
From December 25, 2009.
After some amazing PPV matches in 2008, the WWE put on some amazing PPV matches in 2009 as well. 2009 was dominated by superstars such as John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, and more. Without further a due, here is the top ten WWE PPV matches of 2009.
Honorable Mention: Judgment Day - World Heavyweight Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
I chose this match over the DX vs. Legacy match at Summerslam because I feel as if this one had more to offer. Whether it was the awesome finish, the amazing Spear off the barricades from Edge, or the interference by Matt Hardy, this match greatly delivered in some unsuspected ways.
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****
10. Bragging Rights - Iron Man - WWE Championship - Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
The Iron Man match is a type of match normally used to end feuds that have been running for months and this one is a prime example of that. The Orton/Cena feud stems from their 2007 feud and it finally culminated in October of 2009 in a 60 minute Iron Man match. Although I don't think this is their best match, I still think it was a pretty damn good one considering the two had to fill 60 minutes of wrestling in the main event match of the PPV. Overall, the match delivered with nice spots, good psychology, and a nice finish.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ****
9. Extreme Rules - No Holds Barred - Intercontinental Championship - Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Chris Jericho
While this is not their best match of their feud, it still had me on the edge of my seat on numerous occasions. The two just have some amazing chemistry and this match did not beg to differ. From Jericho ripping Mysterio's mask off, to Mysterio flying out of the ring through the second rope, and top Jericho trying to take off Mysterio's head with a chair, this match definitely earns it's spot as one of the best PPV matches of 2009.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Rating: ****
8. Breaking Point - I Quit - WWE Championship - Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
Of all the matches these two engaged in this year, this one definitely stands out from all the rest. Like Jericho & Mysterio, these two have such brilliant chemistry and just like most of their matches, I was on the edge of my seat. The match told the story of Cena trying to escape the vices of Orton but was unable to do so and as a result, was punished with shots to the gut with a Singapore cane. Orton continued to dominate the match until Cena found a rush of energy and finally made Orton tap out with the STF to capture the WWE Championship.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ****
7. Extreme Rules - Ladder - World Heavyweight Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
When I first heard the news of these two competing in a Ladder match, I jumped out of my chair in joy because I knew that I was in for something special. The match began with the two exchanging back and fourth shots including Hardy suplexing Edge through the middle of a ladder. Both Hardy & Edge eventually climbed a huge ladder on the outside to which their momentum made the ladder tip over in an incredible spot. Hardy then climbed the ladder to grab the World Heavyweight Championship to put an end in an amazing Ladder match.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Rating: ****1/4
6. Backlash - Last Man Standing - World Heavyweight Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Edge
Although these two have fought so many times, they still managed to pull out an amazing Last Man Standing match at Backlash. In what I consider one of the best Last Man Standing matches of all time, the two went back and fourth with some incredible spots like the Attitutude Adjustments off the rop rope and into the crowd, the Chokeslam through the searchlight, and even the Bulldog on some of the equipment. This match was full of intensity and mayhem.
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****1/4
5. Summerslam - TLC - World Heavyweight Championship - Jeff Hardy (c) vs. CM Punk
This was their final PPV match for this particular feud and it was only fitting that they did it in a big time PPV like Summerslam in a big time match like Tables, Ladders, & Chairs. In front of a rabid Los Angeles crowd, Jeff Hardy & CM Punk landed some incredible spots off ladders and through tables. You can tell that these two men wanted to give us something to remember as Summerslam and Ladder matches go hand in hand. This match is one you need to watch as it is full of amazing and emotional moments.
Winner: CM Punk
Rating: ****1/4
4. No Way Out - Elimination Chamber - WWE Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Undertaker vs. The Big Show vs. Triple H
I'll be honest, I'm a huge mark for the Elimination Chamber match and this one was definitely one of the best ones. After Hardy pinned Edge in the opening minutes of the match, a new champion was bound to be crowned and my jaw was on the floor on who would walk out as the new WWE Champion. The match was somewhat stuck in first gear when both Vladimir Kozlov & The Big Show entered but that did not last long as Triple H & The Undertaker both entered to save the match and make it match of the year worthy. After Kozlov, Hardy, & Show were all eliminated, it went down to Triple H & The Undertaker where they battled in an amazing mini match where Triple H finally landed a second Pedigree to win the match and the WWE Championship.
Winner: Triple H
Rating: ****1/2
3. The Bash - Mask vs. Title - Intercontinental Championship - Chris Jericho (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
After having phenomenal matches at the previous PPV's, a challenge was definitely made when these two were set for another PPV match. Thankfully, they put on an amazing match that surpassed both their bouts at Judgment Day & Extreme Rules. Mysterio looked as if he was wrestling as a WCW Cruiserweight as he landed moves that are generally are not used in a WWE ring. However, that's not to say that Jericho did not look good because he looked sensational as well as he tried to relive Extreme Rules by unmasking Mysterio once again. He eventually did so but only to find out that Mysterio had another mask under his main mask which lead Mysterio to hitting the 619 on Jericho to capture the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Rating: ****1/2
2. No Way Out - Elimination Chamber - World Heavyweight Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Mike Knox vs. Kane vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho
Before the match began, Edge attacked Kofi Kingston from behind to take his spot in the match. After, Jericho & Mysterio wrestled until Mike Knox entered and after, Kane. However, both Kane & Knox were quickly eliminated from the match after a Codebreaker from Jericho onto Knox and a huge Seated Senton from Mysterio onto Kane. Edge was then unleashed from his pod and there, the match shifted into top gear. Cena was then unleahed from pod but he didn't last long as Jericho landed a Codebreaker, Mysterio landed a 619, and Edge hit a Spear to eliminate the World Heavyweight Champion. It was down to three men and like the earlier Elimination Chamber, we were bound to crown a new champion. Jericho was then eliminated by Mysterio and it was down to Mysterio & Edge in a No Way Out 2008 rematch. After some going back and fourth for 5 intense minutes, Edge hit the Spear on Mysterio to capture the World Heavyweight Championship!
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****3/4
1. WrestleMania 25 - The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
If there was any doubt, this match is the best PPV match of 2009. When the two first appeared in their elaborate entrances, you knew you were in for something special and indeed we were. Where ever you go, you will hear a lot of praise for this match and for good reason, this match is a sight to behold. There were so many near falls and thus, so many times in which I thought this match would end but I was wrong so many times. This match was filled with so much emotion, drama, & amazing spots including the top rope dive taken by The Undertaker, the moonsault by Michaels, the Last Rides, the Chokeslams, & the Tombstones. Everything in this match delivered and it rightfully deserves the award of the best PPV match of 2009.
Winner: The Undertaker
Rating: *****
After some amazing PPV matches in 2008, the WWE put on some amazing PPV matches in 2009 as well. 2009 was dominated by superstars such as John Cena, Triple H, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, and more. Without further a due, here is the top ten WWE PPV matches of 2009.
Honorable Mention: Judgment Day - World Heavyweight Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
I chose this match over the DX vs. Legacy match at Summerslam because I feel as if this one had more to offer. Whether it was the awesome finish, the amazing Spear off the barricades from Edge, or the interference by Matt Hardy, this match greatly delivered in some unsuspected ways.
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****
10. Bragging Rights - Iron Man - WWE Championship - Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
The Iron Man match is a type of match normally used to end feuds that have been running for months and this one is a prime example of that. The Orton/Cena feud stems from their 2007 feud and it finally culminated in October of 2009 in a 60 minute Iron Man match. Although I don't think this is their best match, I still think it was a pretty damn good one considering the two had to fill 60 minutes of wrestling in the main event match of the PPV. Overall, the match delivered with nice spots, good psychology, and a nice finish.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ****
9. Extreme Rules - No Holds Barred - Intercontinental Championship - Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Chris Jericho
While this is not their best match of their feud, it still had me on the edge of my seat on numerous occasions. The two just have some amazing chemistry and this match did not beg to differ. From Jericho ripping Mysterio's mask off, to Mysterio flying out of the ring through the second rope, and top Jericho trying to take off Mysterio's head with a chair, this match definitely earns it's spot as one of the best PPV matches of 2009.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Rating: ****
8. Breaking Point - I Quit - WWE Championship - Randy Orton (c) vs. John Cena
Of all the matches these two engaged in this year, this one definitely stands out from all the rest. Like Jericho & Mysterio, these two have such brilliant chemistry and just like most of their matches, I was on the edge of my seat. The match told the story of Cena trying to escape the vices of Orton but was unable to do so and as a result, was punished with shots to the gut with a Singapore cane. Orton continued to dominate the match until Cena found a rush of energy and finally made Orton tap out with the STF to capture the WWE Championship.
Winner: John Cena
Rating: ****
7. Extreme Rules - Ladder - World Heavyweight Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
When I first heard the news of these two competing in a Ladder match, I jumped out of my chair in joy because I knew that I was in for something special. The match began with the two exchanging back and fourth shots including Hardy suplexing Edge through the middle of a ladder. Both Hardy & Edge eventually climbed a huge ladder on the outside to which their momentum made the ladder tip over in an incredible spot. Hardy then climbed the ladder to grab the World Heavyweight Championship to put an end in an amazing Ladder match.
Winner: Jeff Hardy
Rating: ****1/4
6. Backlash - Last Man Standing - World Heavyweight Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Edge
Although these two have fought so many times, they still managed to pull out an amazing Last Man Standing match at Backlash. In what I consider one of the best Last Man Standing matches of all time, the two went back and fourth with some incredible spots like the Attitutude Adjustments off the rop rope and into the crowd, the Chokeslam through the searchlight, and even the Bulldog on some of the equipment. This match was full of intensity and mayhem.
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****1/4
5. Summerslam - TLC - World Heavyweight Championship - Jeff Hardy (c) vs. CM Punk
This was their final PPV match for this particular feud and it was only fitting that they did it in a big time PPV like Summerslam in a big time match like Tables, Ladders, & Chairs. In front of a rabid Los Angeles crowd, Jeff Hardy & CM Punk landed some incredible spots off ladders and through tables. You can tell that these two men wanted to give us something to remember as Summerslam and Ladder matches go hand in hand. This match is one you need to watch as it is full of amazing and emotional moments.
Winner: CM Punk
Rating: ****1/4
4. No Way Out - Elimination Chamber - WWE Championship - Edge (c) vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Undertaker vs. The Big Show vs. Triple H
I'll be honest, I'm a huge mark for the Elimination Chamber match and this one was definitely one of the best ones. After Hardy pinned Edge in the opening minutes of the match, a new champion was bound to be crowned and my jaw was on the floor on who would walk out as the new WWE Champion. The match was somewhat stuck in first gear when both Vladimir Kozlov & The Big Show entered but that did not last long as Triple H & The Undertaker both entered to save the match and make it match of the year worthy. After Kozlov, Hardy, & Show were all eliminated, it went down to Triple H & The Undertaker where they battled in an amazing mini match where Triple H finally landed a second Pedigree to win the match and the WWE Championship.
Winner: Triple H
Rating: ****1/2
3. The Bash - Mask vs. Title - Intercontinental Championship - Chris Jericho (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
After having phenomenal matches at the previous PPV's, a challenge was definitely made when these two were set for another PPV match. Thankfully, they put on an amazing match that surpassed both their bouts at Judgment Day & Extreme Rules. Mysterio looked as if he was wrestling as a WCW Cruiserweight as he landed moves that are generally are not used in a WWE ring. However, that's not to say that Jericho did not look good because he looked sensational as well as he tried to relive Extreme Rules by unmasking Mysterio once again. He eventually did so but only to find out that Mysterio had another mask under his main mask which lead Mysterio to hitting the 619 on Jericho to capture the Intercontinental Championship.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
Rating: ****1/2
2. No Way Out - Elimination Chamber - World Heavyweight Championship - John Cena (c) vs. Edge vs. Mike Knox vs. Kane vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho
Before the match began, Edge attacked Kofi Kingston from behind to take his spot in the match. After, Jericho & Mysterio wrestled until Mike Knox entered and after, Kane. However, both Kane & Knox were quickly eliminated from the match after a Codebreaker from Jericho onto Knox and a huge Seated Senton from Mysterio onto Kane. Edge was then unleashed from his pod and there, the match shifted into top gear. Cena was then unleahed from pod but he didn't last long as Jericho landed a Codebreaker, Mysterio landed a 619, and Edge hit a Spear to eliminate the World Heavyweight Champion. It was down to three men and like the earlier Elimination Chamber, we were bound to crown a new champion. Jericho was then eliminated by Mysterio and it was down to Mysterio & Edge in a No Way Out 2008 rematch. After some going back and fourth for 5 intense minutes, Edge hit the Spear on Mysterio to capture the World Heavyweight Championship!
Winner: Edge
Rating: ****3/4
1. WrestleMania 25 - The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
If there was any doubt, this match is the best PPV match of 2009. When the two first appeared in their elaborate entrances, you knew you were in for something special and indeed we were. Where ever you go, you will hear a lot of praise for this match and for good reason, this match is a sight to behold. There were so many near falls and thus, so many times in which I thought this match would end but I was wrong so many times. This match was filled with so much emotion, drama, & amazing spots including the top rope dive taken by The Undertaker, the moonsault by Michaels, the Last Rides, the Chokeslams, & the Tombstones. Everything in this match delivered and it rightfully deserves the award of the best PPV match of 2009.
Winner: The Undertaker
Rating: *****
Runescape: The Pit Review
From October 13, 2011.
Agility is most definitely one of the most unpopular skills in Runescape. This is for good reason considering that the skill is held back by boring courses that offer no real variety. The Pit Distraction & Diversion is designed to encourage more players to train their Agility levels by completing courses to catch the eye of a talent scout who now oversees every course. So what exactly does this talent scout have in store for you?
As I said earlier, Agility is not a very popular skill when it comes to the Runescape community. However, this new Distraction was made to make things a little more interesting. After completing one of the many agility courses around Runescape, a talent scout will eventually give you his attention so that he could take you to, you guessed it, The Pit. I should note that it's gonna take you a while to get his attention so sit back and watch your Agility experience go up a little bit. However, if you're wearing an Agility skillcape, you can just go up to the scout and he'll let you right in but your reward will be smaller. Here, you will be greeted by two men and a different type of agility course. This different type of agility course is called an event and there are currently six of them. The events range from guessing numbers to punching sheep. It sounds ridiculous but it's pretty fun and you gain a good amount of experience. If you fail to properly execute an event, the amount of experience you gain will be lower. Fair enough. If you successfully complete an event, you will be given the option to gamble your experience for more or just leave and accept your reward. It's a nice little addition to spice things up. It should also be known that you must wait at least an hour to be called up for another event. It's a good idea since these events have the possibility of getting really repetitive. Who would want to replay the same event over three times within an hour?
PROS:
+ Agility finally gets some love.
+ The events can be really fun.
CONS:
- There are only six events.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
I'm sure people are going to look at The Pit as a glorified random event. However, take into consideration what an unpopular skill Agility is, I'll let it slide. Better yet, I'll just welcome this new little addition with open arms.
Rating: 4/5
Agility is most definitely one of the most unpopular skills in Runescape. This is for good reason considering that the skill is held back by boring courses that offer no real variety. The Pit Distraction & Diversion is designed to encourage more players to train their Agility levels by completing courses to catch the eye of a talent scout who now oversees every course. So what exactly does this talent scout have in store for you?
As I said earlier, Agility is not a very popular skill when it comes to the Runescape community. However, this new Distraction was made to make things a little more interesting. After completing one of the many agility courses around Runescape, a talent scout will eventually give you his attention so that he could take you to, you guessed it, The Pit. I should note that it's gonna take you a while to get his attention so sit back and watch your Agility experience go up a little bit. However, if you're wearing an Agility skillcape, you can just go up to the scout and he'll let you right in but your reward will be smaller. Here, you will be greeted by two men and a different type of agility course. This different type of agility course is called an event and there are currently six of them. The events range from guessing numbers to punching sheep. It sounds ridiculous but it's pretty fun and you gain a good amount of experience. If you fail to properly execute an event, the amount of experience you gain will be lower. Fair enough. If you successfully complete an event, you will be given the option to gamble your experience for more or just leave and accept your reward. It's a nice little addition to spice things up. It should also be known that you must wait at least an hour to be called up for another event. It's a good idea since these events have the possibility of getting really repetitive. Who would want to replay the same event over three times within an hour?
PROS:
+ Agility finally gets some love.
+ The events can be really fun.
CONS:
- There are only six events.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
I'm sure people are going to look at The Pit as a glorified random event. However, take into consideration what an unpopular skill Agility is, I'll let it slide. Better yet, I'll just welcome this new little addition with open arms.
Rating: 4/5
Runescape: Dwarven Army Axe Review
From July 5, 2011.
Before starting this review, let's clear the air. First things first,
my reviews are strictly my own opinion and not those of others. Please
remember that. Also, the Dwarven Army Axe is directed to those who are
lower levels which means that the score I give at the end of the review
will have absolutely nothing to do with the axe's performance. Please
remember that, too.
The Dwarven Army Axe is only available to members and if you are a low level player, then the axe will be sent directly to your inventory or your bank depending on if your inventory is full or not. If you are not a low level player, then you must either pick one up from either Larry the Lumberjack or Moe the Miner who are both located outside of Varrock near the Champion's Guild. Yup, it's just that easy. I guess no one cares about earning anything these days.
As stated earlier, I wasn't going to judge the axe based on it's performance but it should be known that the Dwarven Army Axe is as strong as a steel weapon and is about as good as a steel pickaxe and a regular steel axe. Also, it should be known that there are no requirements whatsoever to wield the axe. I guess that's why it's only available for members. Even with the not so special stats, you do get one cool special attack called the Cyclone. This attack deals 3 damages which will always be 10, 15, and then 20. Oh, and that's only if someone isn't using that damn Protect from Melee prayer. I have to say, it looks pretty damn cool.
The axe has three different styles of attacks which are hacking, gouging, and smashing. Each attack style turns the axe into either the look of a hatchet, pickaxe, or mace. Sexy.
With the Dwarven Army Axe, you are also able to create a brooch by combining a wooden knot which can be obtained by cutting a normal tree and a special gem which can be obtained by mining either a copper or tin rock.
PROS:
+ It looks sexy with it's three different looks.
+ Special attack also looks very sexy.
CONS:
- There's no task needed in order to obtain it.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
The Dwarven Army Axe is a nice little addition for low level players and can also be useful for high level players for that matter as well. It looks cool and it gets the job done. I like it.
Rating: 4.5/5
The Dwarven Army Axe is only available to members and if you are a low level player, then the axe will be sent directly to your inventory or your bank depending on if your inventory is full or not. If you are not a low level player, then you must either pick one up from either Larry the Lumberjack or Moe the Miner who are both located outside of Varrock near the Champion's Guild. Yup, it's just that easy. I guess no one cares about earning anything these days.
As stated earlier, I wasn't going to judge the axe based on it's performance but it should be known that the Dwarven Army Axe is as strong as a steel weapon and is about as good as a steel pickaxe and a regular steel axe. Also, it should be known that there are no requirements whatsoever to wield the axe. I guess that's why it's only available for members. Even with the not so special stats, you do get one cool special attack called the Cyclone. This attack deals 3 damages which will always be 10, 15, and then 20. Oh, and that's only if someone isn't using that damn Protect from Melee prayer. I have to say, it looks pretty damn cool.
The axe has three different styles of attacks which are hacking, gouging, and smashing. Each attack style turns the axe into either the look of a hatchet, pickaxe, or mace. Sexy.
With the Dwarven Army Axe, you are also able to create a brooch by combining a wooden knot which can be obtained by cutting a normal tree and a special gem which can be obtained by mining either a copper or tin rock.
PROS:
+ It looks sexy with it's three different looks.
+ Special attack also looks very sexy.
CONS:
- There's no task needed in order to obtain it.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
The Dwarven Army Axe is a nice little addition for low level players and can also be useful for high level players for that matter as well. It looks cool and it gets the job done. I like it.
Rating: 4.5/5
Runescape: Ornate Katana Review
From June 25, 2011.
Upon redeeming your 90 day Runescape
membership card that you bought from GameStop in the USA and nowhere
else, you will get a notification on your chat box indicating that your
Katana is waiting for you in your bank. If there is no room in your
bank, then you can pick it up from Diango who is located in Draynor
Village. He's also the same man whom you can reclaim it from if you
happen to lose it. Let me clarify this one more time for the idiots who
don't pay attention, you can only get this sword by purchasing a 90 day
card from GameStop in the USA. Did you hear that? Not 30 days! 90 Days!
Not Target! GameStop! And not Bangkok! America!
So you payed over a good bill for this sword which means the sword must be good, right? Think again. The sword has stats that are similar to those of an Iron 2h Sword and has about the same speed as one. I guess it's called a Decorative Katana for a reason. Twenty bucks well spent. That was sarcasm in case you couldn't catch that.
PROS:
+ Most likely will become a collector's item in the future, even if you are unable to trade it.
+ Looks cool... I guess.
CONS:
- This cost over twenty dollars.
- The stats are a joke.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Here's the thing, if you plan on renewing your Runescape membership anytime soon, then I suggest you buy one of these 90 day cards only for the pure fact that this sword will be unavailable after July 10, 2011. To some, that fact alone is worth the price of admission. However, if you don't plan on renewing your membership anytime soon, then I suggest you save those twenty dollars for something better than just a gimmicky virtual sword.
Rating: 1.5/5
So you payed over a good bill for this sword which means the sword must be good, right? Think again. The sword has stats that are similar to those of an Iron 2h Sword and has about the same speed as one. I guess it's called a Decorative Katana for a reason. Twenty bucks well spent. That was sarcasm in case you couldn't catch that.
PROS:
+ Most likely will become a collector's item in the future, even if you are unable to trade it.
+ Looks cool... I guess.
CONS:
- This cost over twenty dollars.
- The stats are a joke.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Here's the thing, if you plan on renewing your Runescape membership anytime soon, then I suggest you buy one of these 90 day cards only for the pure fact that this sword will be unavailable after July 10, 2011. To some, that fact alone is worth the price of admission. However, if you don't plan on renewing your membership anytime soon, then I suggest you save those twenty dollars for something better than just a gimmicky virtual sword.
Rating: 1.5/5
Runescape: Ring of Wealth Updates Review
From March 15, 2011.
Let's be honest, the Ring of Wealth is useless. Yes, it might improve your drops a bit but not at a significant level so why in the world would one replace a ring such as the Ring of Life for one? Thankfully, Jagex saw this loophole and have decided to take the issue head on due to massive complaints about the Ring of Wealth's capabilities.
Now, the Ring of Wealth has been improved to the point where you will now have a better chance to score better drops such as items and clue scrolls. Also, you will now have a favorable chance of scoring better rewards from activities such as Barrows or Pyramid Plunder. Awesome, awesome, awesome! I'm so sick and tired of going to Barrows and spending all my time there only to score some useless runes and some extra coins. Hopefully the Ring of Wealth can put an end to those days.
Lastly, you can now teleport to both the Grand Exchange and depending on if you have completed Throne of Miscellania, you are now able to teleport to Miscellania as well. This is great because getting to that damn city can be a pain sometimes. The ring has two charges and can be recharged the same way a Glory Amulet may be charged.
PROS:
+ Better chance of scoring better items/rewards.
+ Teleports are really helpful, especially to Miscellania!
CONS:
- n/a
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Great and a much needed update to the once useless Ring of Wealth. If you don't have one by now, get one!
Rating: 5/5
Let's be honest, the Ring of Wealth is useless. Yes, it might improve your drops a bit but not at a significant level so why in the world would one replace a ring such as the Ring of Life for one? Thankfully, Jagex saw this loophole and have decided to take the issue head on due to massive complaints about the Ring of Wealth's capabilities.
Now, the Ring of Wealth has been improved to the point where you will now have a better chance to score better drops such as items and clue scrolls. Also, you will now have a favorable chance of scoring better rewards from activities such as Barrows or Pyramid Plunder. Awesome, awesome, awesome! I'm so sick and tired of going to Barrows and spending all my time there only to score some useless runes and some extra coins. Hopefully the Ring of Wealth can put an end to those days.
Lastly, you can now teleport to both the Grand Exchange and depending on if you have completed Throne of Miscellania, you are now able to teleport to Miscellania as well. This is great because getting to that damn city can be a pain sometimes. The ring has two charges and can be recharged the same way a Glory Amulet may be charged.
PROS:
+ Better chance of scoring better items/rewards.
+ Teleports are really helpful, especially to Miscellania!
CONS:
- n/a
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Great and a much needed update to the once useless Ring of Wealth. If you don't have one by now, get one!
Rating: 5/5
Runescape: 2009 Christmas Event Review
This year's Christmas event is called "A Christmas Warble" in which
Ebenezer Scourge ruins a Christmas feast set for Santa Clause, Jack
Frost, & other Christmas related NPC's as well as locking Santa up
in a cage.
To begin this event, head down to either Draynor Village, Falador, or Varrock and once there, you will see a Christmas cupboard set for you to enter.
You will first need to talk to the Queen of Snow who will tell you to find a Snow Imp to help you on your journey. After getting an Imp, you will now have to scare Scourge with a ghost costume made out of bedsheets. After, the Queen of Snow will tell you about their relationship that ended in shambles. The storyline has quickly become such a mess, even for a holiday event.
Now, you will have to go back to Scourge and talk to him, however, he becomes very annoyed and decides to freeze all of the partygoers for the Christmas feast. You must then get buckets of water to unfreeze the partygoers, this sounds much easier than it actually is.
One of the partygoers named Tiny Thom will then tell you how sad he is that Christmas is ruined which then gives the Snow Imp the idea to summon Tiny Thom in front of Scourge to give him some sympathy. You will then scare Scourge with some emotes which finally leads him to unlocking Santa from the cage.
After, talk to Santa who thanks you by leaving you a present under the Christmas Tree. Open it and congratulations, you have completed the 2009 Christmas event. The rewards for completing the event are very nice, the rewards are a Candy Cane, the Ghost Costume, & a new emote!
PROS:
+ The rewards are great!
+ Good length.
CONS:
- The storyline is a bit ridiculous. Even for Runescape.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
I was worried that this year's event was going to be a total flop but I was far from the truth. This year's event was fun and was not too long, and was not too short. The rewards will give you something to talk about as you will be very satisfied with the costume & the new emote.
Rating: 4/5
To begin this event, head down to either Draynor Village, Falador, or Varrock and once there, you will see a Christmas cupboard set for you to enter.
You will first need to talk to the Queen of Snow who will tell you to find a Snow Imp to help you on your journey. After getting an Imp, you will now have to scare Scourge with a ghost costume made out of bedsheets. After, the Queen of Snow will tell you about their relationship that ended in shambles. The storyline has quickly become such a mess, even for a holiday event.
Now, you will have to go back to Scourge and talk to him, however, he becomes very annoyed and decides to freeze all of the partygoers for the Christmas feast. You must then get buckets of water to unfreeze the partygoers, this sounds much easier than it actually is.
One of the partygoers named Tiny Thom will then tell you how sad he is that Christmas is ruined which then gives the Snow Imp the idea to summon Tiny Thom in front of Scourge to give him some sympathy. You will then scare Scourge with some emotes which finally leads him to unlocking Santa from the cage.
After, talk to Santa who thanks you by leaving you a present under the Christmas Tree. Open it and congratulations, you have completed the 2009 Christmas event. The rewards for completing the event are very nice, the rewards are a Candy Cane, the Ghost Costume, & a new emote!
PROS:
+ The rewards are great!
+ Good length.
CONS:
- The storyline is a bit ridiculous. Even for Runescape.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
I was worried that this year's event was going to be a total flop but I was far from the truth. This year's event was fun and was not too long, and was not too short. The rewards will give you something to talk about as you will be very satisfied with the costume & the new emote.
Rating: 4/5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review
From November 23, 2009.
When the first trailer for Modern Warfare 2 surfaced, people went nuts. People immediately went to their local game stores and pre ordered their copies. Finally, on November 10, 2009, Modern Warfare 2 was released and now, I'm going to give you my thoughts on the game.
Graphics:
What do you want to know about this game's graphics? They are absolutely amazing and push the consoles abilities to the limits. However, there are some texture problems but when the game is so massive and so beautiful, there really is no reason to complain. Just like the previous Modern Warfare, this game is a beauty and the graphics really make you feel that you are in war.
Sounds:
Every Call of Duty game features amazing sounds and this one is no exception. The guns sound amazing, the voice acting is great, and everything else just sounds awesome. War games really need to feature great sounds if you want your game to feel like a real war and Modern Warfare 2's sounds are spot on. Another phenomenal job by the guys at Infinity Ward.
Gameplay:
Now we finally get to the meat and potatoes of the game, the actual gameplay itself. Let's start off with the single player campaign first. The game picks off right off the first one and just like that one, the single player will blow you away. Although the campaign lasts about 5-6 hours, it was still a ton of fun with a lot of replay value as you once again have the ability to play the game on different difficulties. You can tell that Infinity Ward put so much devotion into their single player as every level feels like a war movie with some amazing cinematics and firefights. If you don't feel the need to play the single player campaign or if you have already beaten it, there's always the fun multiplayer. A new addition to the multiplayer this year is Special Ops. Special Ops is somewhat like World at War's Nazi Zombies where you and your friends will be faced with enemies. But unlike Nazi Zombies, there are a ton of Special Ops maps and also, you won't be facing wave and wave of enemies, but rather completing tasks such as planting a bomb, reaching a checkpoint, racing in snowmobiles, etc. You can play Special Ops by yourself or with up to 4 players, it's a lot of fun. If Special Ops and the single player campaign isn't you cup of tea, then the traditional multiplayer definitely will be. The guns are back, the perks are back, and everything has been improved for the better. There are tons of maps, tons of perks, tons of guns, and tons of fun to be had in the multiplayer. Writing or telling you about the multiplayer will not do justice for this game, you need to check it out for yourself to experience it.
PROS:
+ Multiplayer is back and better than ever.
+ Special Ops is a phenomenal addition.
+ Sounds and graphics are amazing.
CONS:
- Single player is a bit too short.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Modern Warfare 2 lives up to the hype and exceeds it, this is a game you need to play. From the single player campaign to the multiplayer, this game is amazing. I can sit here and tell you how good this game is but once again, it won't do justice. If you are even remotely interested in this game, buy it. Modern Warfare 2 was a phenomenal experience and I can easily say that after playing the game for over two days, I'm not even close to being finished.
Rating: 10/10
When the first trailer for Modern Warfare 2 surfaced, people went nuts. People immediately went to their local game stores and pre ordered their copies. Finally, on November 10, 2009, Modern Warfare 2 was released and now, I'm going to give you my thoughts on the game.
Graphics:
What do you want to know about this game's graphics? They are absolutely amazing and push the consoles abilities to the limits. However, there are some texture problems but when the game is so massive and so beautiful, there really is no reason to complain. Just like the previous Modern Warfare, this game is a beauty and the graphics really make you feel that you are in war.
Sounds:
Every Call of Duty game features amazing sounds and this one is no exception. The guns sound amazing, the voice acting is great, and everything else just sounds awesome. War games really need to feature great sounds if you want your game to feel like a real war and Modern Warfare 2's sounds are spot on. Another phenomenal job by the guys at Infinity Ward.
Gameplay:
Now we finally get to the meat and potatoes of the game, the actual gameplay itself. Let's start off with the single player campaign first. The game picks off right off the first one and just like that one, the single player will blow you away. Although the campaign lasts about 5-6 hours, it was still a ton of fun with a lot of replay value as you once again have the ability to play the game on different difficulties. You can tell that Infinity Ward put so much devotion into their single player as every level feels like a war movie with some amazing cinematics and firefights. If you don't feel the need to play the single player campaign or if you have already beaten it, there's always the fun multiplayer. A new addition to the multiplayer this year is Special Ops. Special Ops is somewhat like World at War's Nazi Zombies where you and your friends will be faced with enemies. But unlike Nazi Zombies, there are a ton of Special Ops maps and also, you won't be facing wave and wave of enemies, but rather completing tasks such as planting a bomb, reaching a checkpoint, racing in snowmobiles, etc. You can play Special Ops by yourself or with up to 4 players, it's a lot of fun. If Special Ops and the single player campaign isn't you cup of tea, then the traditional multiplayer definitely will be. The guns are back, the perks are back, and everything has been improved for the better. There are tons of maps, tons of perks, tons of guns, and tons of fun to be had in the multiplayer. Writing or telling you about the multiplayer will not do justice for this game, you need to check it out for yourself to experience it.
PROS:
+ Multiplayer is back and better than ever.
+ Special Ops is a phenomenal addition.
+ Sounds and graphics are amazing.
CONS:
- Single player is a bit too short.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
Modern Warfare 2 lives up to the hype and exceeds it, this is a game you need to play. From the single player campaign to the multiplayer, this game is amazing. I can sit here and tell you how good this game is but once again, it won't do justice. If you are even remotely interested in this game, buy it. Modern Warfare 2 was a phenomenal experience and I can easily say that after playing the game for over two days, I'm not even close to being finished.
Rating: 10/10
Runescape: Surge Spells Review
From November 19, 2009.
Let's get to the point, the Magic skill is old and an update is absolutely needed. You know it, I know it, and at last, Jagex knows it. That's why we've finally gotten an update for it.
Four new spells have been made for high leveled Magic players. I was hoping for more, but I can settle for four. These new spells are called "surges" and you'll need at least 81 Magic to cast them.
There are four types of surges including wind, water, earth, and fire. To cast a Wind Surge, you'll need 1 Blood Rune, 1 Death Rune, and 7 Air Runes. To cast either a Water Surge, an Earth Surge, or a Fire Surge, you'll need those exact runes plus 10 of the corresponding runes for that particular spell. For example, you'll need 1 Blood Rune, 1 Death Rune, 7 Air Runes, and 10 Water Runes to cast a Water Surge.
The biggest question going here is how much damage can these spells do. According to the Runescape Database, the maximum hits range from 22 to 28 without any type of boosts. I'm not normally one to complain but, is that all?!
PROS:
+ We finally get a Magic update!
+ Not many runes are needed to cast these spells.
CONS:
- The maximum hits are low.
- We only get four spells.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
This update is definitely something that we've been needing for quite some time but it's highly disappointing. However, it's still a pretty decent update as Magic is a skill that really needs some changes.
Rating: 3.5/5
Let's get to the point, the Magic skill is old and an update is absolutely needed. You know it, I know it, and at last, Jagex knows it. That's why we've finally gotten an update for it.
Four new spells have been made for high leveled Magic players. I was hoping for more, but I can settle for four. These new spells are called "surges" and you'll need at least 81 Magic to cast them.
There are four types of surges including wind, water, earth, and fire. To cast a Wind Surge, you'll need 1 Blood Rune, 1 Death Rune, and 7 Air Runes. To cast either a Water Surge, an Earth Surge, or a Fire Surge, you'll need those exact runes plus 10 of the corresponding runes for that particular spell. For example, you'll need 1 Blood Rune, 1 Death Rune, 7 Air Runes, and 10 Water Runes to cast a Water Surge.
The biggest question going here is how much damage can these spells do. According to the Runescape Database, the maximum hits range from 22 to 28 without any type of boosts. I'm not normally one to complain but, is that all?!
PROS:
+ We finally get a Magic update!
+ Not many runes are needed to cast these spells.
CONS:
- The maximum hits are low.
- We only get four spells.
Overall Thoughts and Rating:
This update is definitely something that we've been needing for quite some time but it's highly disappointing. However, it's still a pretty decent update as Magic is a skill that really needs some changes.
Rating: 3.5/5
Saturday, July 19, 2014
ROH Honor Takes Center Stage: Chapter Two Review
From April 26, 2012.
Match 1: The Kings of Wrestling vs. Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly
Fantastic opening match that didn't overstay it's welcome. The Kings have a thing for making anyone look good and they did just that here.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***1/2
Match 2: Dave Taylor vs. Colt Cabana
Pretty good match and nice to see Taylor out there!
Winner: Colt Cabana
Rating: **
Match 3: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Homicide
A good match but nothing special. Ciampa should be coming out of his shell soon!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
Rating: *3/4
Match 4: Christopher Daniels vs. Michael Elgin
Definitely the match of the night so far and definitely a shining moment for Elgin's career. Great match, just wish it could have gone on for a bit longer.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Rating: ***3/4
Match 5: Shimmer Tag Team Championships - Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa © vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
Enjoyable while it lasted but I'm just not sure if I agree with having this on the card.
Winners: Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa
Rating: **
Match 6: The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes
Crowd loved the match and for good reason, they put everything they had in that ring. After, Jay cuts an awesome heel promo where he bashes The All Night Express and the crowd. This man is gold.
Winners: The Briscoes
Rating: ***1/2
Match 7: Roderick Strong vs. El Generico
A great contest and a great way to further this storyline.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: ***1/4
Match 8: The American Wolves vs. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
The match was fine, great as a matter of fact but definitely didn't live up to the hype that surrounded it. Even still, this was one hell of a weekend closer. Richards vs. Edwards, it's coming.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***1/2
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Ring of Honor closes out their annual WrestleMania weekend with a much better performance than last year. Not the best show ever and not the best weekend ever but definitely a great one.
Rating: 8/10
Match 1: The Kings of Wrestling vs. Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly
Fantastic opening match that didn't overstay it's welcome. The Kings have a thing for making anyone look good and they did just that here.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***1/2
Match 2: Dave Taylor vs. Colt Cabana
Pretty good match and nice to see Taylor out there!
Winner: Colt Cabana
Rating: **
Match 3: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Homicide
A good match but nothing special. Ciampa should be coming out of his shell soon!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa
Rating: *3/4
Match 4: Christopher Daniels vs. Michael Elgin
Definitely the match of the night so far and definitely a shining moment for Elgin's career. Great match, just wish it could have gone on for a bit longer.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Rating: ***3/4
Match 5: Shimmer Tag Team Championships - Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa © vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
Enjoyable while it lasted but I'm just not sure if I agree with having this on the card.
Winners: Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa
Rating: **
Match 6: The All Night Express vs. The Briscoes
Crowd loved the match and for good reason, they put everything they had in that ring. After, Jay cuts an awesome heel promo where he bashes The All Night Express and the crowd. This man is gold.
Winners: The Briscoes
Rating: ***1/2
Match 7: Roderick Strong vs. El Generico
A great contest and a great way to further this storyline.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: ***1/4
Match 8: The American Wolves vs. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
The match was fine, great as a matter of fact but definitely didn't live up to the hype that surrounded it. Even still, this was one hell of a weekend closer. Richards vs. Edwards, it's coming.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***1/2
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Ring of Honor closes out their annual WrestleMania weekend with a much better performance than last year. Not the best show ever and not the best weekend ever but definitely a great one.
Rating: 8/10
ROH Honor Takes Center Stage: Chapter One Review
From April 9, 2012.
Match 1: El Generico vs. Michael Elgin
These two men start off the weekend with a rematch from the last iPPV. Elgin was able to impress the last time around and this time was no different. Crowd is red hot for this opener which is great considering how dead the crowd was last year. Elgin once again looked strong in his role and tossed around Generico like a little toy. However, Generico remained in the battle throughout and also landed a nasty DDT on the floor after flying through the bottom ropes. Generico looked to turn things around but a masked man causes a distraction as Elgin then finishes him to get the win. The right match to open up the night but the masked man part was just so damn cheesy. Elgin has one hell of a future in ROH.
Winner: Michael Elgin
Rating: **3/4
Match 2: Colt Cabana vs. Homicide vs. Caleb Konley vs. Tommaso Ciampa
I feel like they just stuffed these guys in a match since they didn't really have anything to do but either way, we get a four way match and the crowd is still pretty hot from the opener. Other than Konley, crowd is definitely happy to see these guys in the ring and the men in the ring gave them a solid match. Cabana played his role nicely, Ciampa looked good, and Homicide randomly shined the brightest. Crowd was really hot for him and for good reason, he looked motivated and ready to go! What you see is what you get in this one with some decent action here and there but nothing too good or out of the ordinary. Homicide kills Konley to get the win. Afterwards, Truth Martini gives Konley the thumbs down as Elgin comes out to beat down Konley. That was pretty cool.
Winner: Homicide
Rating: **1/4
Match 3: Sara Del Rey & Serena Deeb vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
It is now time for the Women of Honor to take center stage! I know I have been a bit critical of women's wrestling but this won't be the case here. Both teams wrestled their hearts out and you could definitely see the passion in their work. Loved how the crowd was really into the action and loved how they didn't hold back! Bunch of reversals, great submissions, and a huge dive off the top equates to all having a fun match in my book! Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara pick up the win in a really fun match.
Winners: Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
Rating: **3/4
Match 4: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly vs. The Briscoes
The team of Cole & O'Reilly get their moment in the sun in a match against The Briscoes on day 1. Did you expect a stiff war? Because that's exactly what you're going to get in this one! They beat the living crap out of each other! I'm not too sure if there is any other team that is as stiff as either The Briscoes or Cole & O'Reilly other than maybe The Wolves. Still, both teams brought it in this one. Cole & O'Reilly know it's their golden opportunity to make a statement in Ring of Honor and they did just that against the popular tag team in The Briscoes. Lots of kicks, lots of reversals, lots of stiff action, and lots of fun! Crowd was once again red hot throughout all of the action as The Briscoes hit a Doomsday on Cole to get the win! Afterwards, The All Night Express appear from the crowd and it is on! They come down to the ring and we have mayhem ensuing as The All Night Express and The Briscoes beat the living hell out of each other until they have to be retained! Great match, great showcase for Cole & O'Reilly, and great way to advance the ongoing storyline between The All Night Express and The Briscoes.
Winners: The Briscoes
Rating: ***1/2
Match 5: Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong
It is now time to begin our main event matches as Richards vs. Strong is the first big match of the night! This their return bout from their match last December in New York at Final Battle. I thought the last bout was going to win the award for stiffest match but this one blows it away completely. Crowd is still red hot and especially for this huge contest. The only difference from this match and their last one is that this one is not for the ROH World Championship. That title belongs to Eddie Edwards who will be defending it against Christopher Daniels later on. This match was just what you would expect from these day and that's a good thing! You get your normal kicks, punches, submissions, reversals, drama, cuss words, spitting in the face and over the top moves in this one. Everything delivered with the only problem being that they didn't really have any long term selling or any real psychology but I guess in a match like this, that's what you come to expect and understand. It's two tough men going at it with full force and even though the long term selling wasn't there, it still made sense. Truth Martini tried to get involved later on but Davey kicked the crap out of him before locking Strong back up in the Ankle Lock for like the fifth time and got the submission victory. The chemistry between these two is unreal. No, this match wasn't as intense or dramatic as their Final Battle or Chicago bouts but the action was there and in your face. Credit to both men for a great match. Is it the match of the night? We'll see.
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ****
Match 6: ROH World Tag Team Championships - The Kings of Wrestling (c) vs. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Both teams have faced each other twice, once in New York and the other time in Los Angeles. However, this is the rubber match and it will be for the belts this time around! Crowd is evenly split between the two huge teams and we are set for another big match of the night! We get some quick ground wrestling to start off the match until the flow of things finally get in place as The Kings seem to have a better advantage of the match. The Kings are resilient as they want to claim the title of holding the belts for an entire year. The match is basically a swing as the momentum shifts from one team to another but Haggadorn and Del Rey do their best to prevent WGTT from getting any sort of advantages but Shelton & Charlie won't let it happen, they are on the top of their game. It's great to see such great tag team wrestling since it's somewhat of a lost art these days. Seeing both teams hit their signature tag team moves is just so much fun to watch.
Such a shame that big name companies don't embrace this form of craft on their shows these days. The action in the match was so crisp, so fast and was on a constant roller coaster. As Haas locked in his Haas of Pain of finisher on Claudio, Hero got on the top rope to knock him out. However, Shelton leaps up and suplexes him off! Claudio taps and The Kings are dethroned! Great match but not as great as the first time. The past two matches felt the same but still entertaining.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: ROH World Championship - Eddie Edwards (c) vs. Christopher Daniels
The main event of the night is for the ROH World Championship and is another 9th Anniversary Show rematch! It's between Eddie Edwards and Christopher Daniels, a clash of champions. The chemistry here can be compared to the chemistry between all the guys in the last two matches as they have managed to put on great matches. I've always enjoyed watching these two duke it out and I'm happy they're doing it once more as the main event. Crowd is still really hot as the match gets going. What I enjoy about their matches is that they're all completely different from what we've seen earlier. Instead of no selling and a bunch of random moves, we get a slower paced match with more psychology. These two brought it tonight and Eddie took one hell of a beating from the veteran. Daniels slammed Edwards through two chairs and off the apron onto a table. The world champ won't give up but Daniels' onslaught won't stop. Daniels lands the Best Moonsault Ever onto Edwards who kicks out and this is where the match turns things up. So much action and it all made sense. Daniels tried to land another but Edwards kicked him and locked Daniels up in his patented Achilles Lock and managed to boot him in the head but Daniels wouldn't give up! This is awesome! Eddie then finishes up Daniels by hitting his finisher both off the top rope and another in the middle of the ring to get the win. Edwards goes for a second handshake but Daniels refuses and walks out to end the show. That match was awesome and Edwards looks like a million bucks as champ. Great main event and it's intriguing how Edwards will be booked as champ.
Winner: Eddie Edwards
Rating: ****1/4
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Those last three matches were all terrific and really stood out from the pack. Ring of Honor gets a great start to the weekend as Chapter Two looks to continue the streak!
Rating: 9/10
Match 1: El Generico vs. Michael Elgin
These two men start off the weekend with a rematch from the last iPPV. Elgin was able to impress the last time around and this time was no different. Crowd is red hot for this opener which is great considering how dead the crowd was last year. Elgin once again looked strong in his role and tossed around Generico like a little toy. However, Generico remained in the battle throughout and also landed a nasty DDT on the floor after flying through the bottom ropes. Generico looked to turn things around but a masked man causes a distraction as Elgin then finishes him to get the win. The right match to open up the night but the masked man part was just so damn cheesy. Elgin has one hell of a future in ROH.
Winner: Michael Elgin
Rating: **3/4
Match 2: Colt Cabana vs. Homicide vs. Caleb Konley vs. Tommaso Ciampa
I feel like they just stuffed these guys in a match since they didn't really have anything to do but either way, we get a four way match and the crowd is still pretty hot from the opener. Other than Konley, crowd is definitely happy to see these guys in the ring and the men in the ring gave them a solid match. Cabana played his role nicely, Ciampa looked good, and Homicide randomly shined the brightest. Crowd was really hot for him and for good reason, he looked motivated and ready to go! What you see is what you get in this one with some decent action here and there but nothing too good or out of the ordinary. Homicide kills Konley to get the win. Afterwards, Truth Martini gives Konley the thumbs down as Elgin comes out to beat down Konley. That was pretty cool.
Winner: Homicide
Rating: **1/4
Match 3: Sara Del Rey & Serena Deeb vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
It is now time for the Women of Honor to take center stage! I know I have been a bit critical of women's wrestling but this won't be the case here. Both teams wrestled their hearts out and you could definitely see the passion in their work. Loved how the crowd was really into the action and loved how they didn't hold back! Bunch of reversals, great submissions, and a huge dive off the top equates to all having a fun match in my book! Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara pick up the win in a really fun match.
Winners: Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara
Rating: **3/4
Match 4: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly vs. The Briscoes
The team of Cole & O'Reilly get their moment in the sun in a match against The Briscoes on day 1. Did you expect a stiff war? Because that's exactly what you're going to get in this one! They beat the living crap out of each other! I'm not too sure if there is any other team that is as stiff as either The Briscoes or Cole & O'Reilly other than maybe The Wolves. Still, both teams brought it in this one. Cole & O'Reilly know it's their golden opportunity to make a statement in Ring of Honor and they did just that against the popular tag team in The Briscoes. Lots of kicks, lots of reversals, lots of stiff action, and lots of fun! Crowd was once again red hot throughout all of the action as The Briscoes hit a Doomsday on Cole to get the win! Afterwards, The All Night Express appear from the crowd and it is on! They come down to the ring and we have mayhem ensuing as The All Night Express and The Briscoes beat the living hell out of each other until they have to be retained! Great match, great showcase for Cole & O'Reilly, and great way to advance the ongoing storyline between The All Night Express and The Briscoes.
Winners: The Briscoes
Rating: ***1/2
Match 5: Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong
It is now time to begin our main event matches as Richards vs. Strong is the first big match of the night! This their return bout from their match last December in New York at Final Battle. I thought the last bout was going to win the award for stiffest match but this one blows it away completely. Crowd is still red hot and especially for this huge contest. The only difference from this match and their last one is that this one is not for the ROH World Championship. That title belongs to Eddie Edwards who will be defending it against Christopher Daniels later on. This match was just what you would expect from these day and that's a good thing! You get your normal kicks, punches, submissions, reversals, drama, cuss words, spitting in the face and over the top moves in this one. Everything delivered with the only problem being that they didn't really have any long term selling or any real psychology but I guess in a match like this, that's what you come to expect and understand. It's two tough men going at it with full force and even though the long term selling wasn't there, it still made sense. Truth Martini tried to get involved later on but Davey kicked the crap out of him before locking Strong back up in the Ankle Lock for like the fifth time and got the submission victory. The chemistry between these two is unreal. No, this match wasn't as intense or dramatic as their Final Battle or Chicago bouts but the action was there and in your face. Credit to both men for a great match. Is it the match of the night? We'll see.
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ****
Match 6: ROH World Tag Team Championships - The Kings of Wrestling (c) vs. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Both teams have faced each other twice, once in New York and the other time in Los Angeles. However, this is the rubber match and it will be for the belts this time around! Crowd is evenly split between the two huge teams and we are set for another big match of the night! We get some quick ground wrestling to start off the match until the flow of things finally get in place as The Kings seem to have a better advantage of the match. The Kings are resilient as they want to claim the title of holding the belts for an entire year. The match is basically a swing as the momentum shifts from one team to another but Haggadorn and Del Rey do their best to prevent WGTT from getting any sort of advantages but Shelton & Charlie won't let it happen, they are on the top of their game. It's great to see such great tag team wrestling since it's somewhat of a lost art these days. Seeing both teams hit their signature tag team moves is just so much fun to watch.
Such a shame that big name companies don't embrace this form of craft on their shows these days. The action in the match was so crisp, so fast and was on a constant roller coaster. As Haas locked in his Haas of Pain of finisher on Claudio, Hero got on the top rope to knock him out. However, Shelton leaps up and suplexes him off! Claudio taps and The Kings are dethroned! Great match but not as great as the first time. The past two matches felt the same but still entertaining.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: ROH World Championship - Eddie Edwards (c) vs. Christopher Daniels
The main event of the night is for the ROH World Championship and is another 9th Anniversary Show rematch! It's between Eddie Edwards and Christopher Daniels, a clash of champions. The chemistry here can be compared to the chemistry between all the guys in the last two matches as they have managed to put on great matches. I've always enjoyed watching these two duke it out and I'm happy they're doing it once more as the main event. Crowd is still really hot as the match gets going. What I enjoy about their matches is that they're all completely different from what we've seen earlier. Instead of no selling and a bunch of random moves, we get a slower paced match with more psychology. These two brought it tonight and Eddie took one hell of a beating from the veteran. Daniels slammed Edwards through two chairs and off the apron onto a table. The world champ won't give up but Daniels' onslaught won't stop. Daniels lands the Best Moonsault Ever onto Edwards who kicks out and this is where the match turns things up. So much action and it all made sense. Daniels tried to land another but Edwards kicked him and locked Daniels up in his patented Achilles Lock and managed to boot him in the head but Daniels wouldn't give up! This is awesome! Eddie then finishes up Daniels by hitting his finisher both off the top rope and another in the middle of the ring to get the win. Edwards goes for a second handshake but Daniels refuses and walks out to end the show. That match was awesome and Edwards looks like a million bucks as champ. Great main event and it's intriguing how Edwards will be booked as champ.
Winner: Eddie Edwards
Rating: ****1/4
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
Those last three matches were all terrific and really stood out from the pack. Ring of Honor gets a great start to the weekend as Chapter Two looks to continue the streak!
Rating: 9/10
ROH Manhattan Mayhem IV Review
From March 28, 2012.
Match 1: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly vs. Michael Elgin & Mike Mondo
These four men are out to open up the show and I feel like this is Elgin's chance to really show off in ROH in front of their biggest market. Elgin didn't disappoint, neither did Cole & O'Reilly. A very fast and full of action from bell to bell and it was these three guys who looked like they've been stringing the crowd for years in that ring. Mike Mondo didn't really do much for me once again and the New York crowd was all over him. I like his enthusiasm but I just don't see why he should be in the company when he honestly doesn't have much to bring to the table. Only main gripe was the match went on too long and overstayed it's welcome. I love the back and fourth action but it tends to get repetitive and this was the case. Cole & O'Reilly finally finish off the match which leads to Elgin & Truth Martini destroying Mondo afterwards.
Winners: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly
Rating: ***
Match 2: Tomasso Ciampa vs. Grizzly Redwood
The Embassy once again brings their problems to New York against Grizzly Redwood as Tomasso Ciampa looks to toss him around. I honestly don't understand this match, I really don't. We're trying to make this Ciampa guy look like a beast yet he can hardly beat this little dude. Granted, some of the action was pretty entertaining but it went on way too long. Ciampa finishes Redwood by driving his knees into Redwood's back and the match gracefully ends. Embassy beats him down afterwards to which Corino arrives at the scene to make the save which was probably the only reason why this match took place.
Winner: Tomasso Ciampa
Rating: *
Match 3: Steve Corino vs. Mike Bennett
Bennett comes out and has a few words to Corino who is doing his best not to throw blows. Bennett begs him to fight until Corino finally tells the referee to ring the bell and we're off. Corino did a great job in playing his role and trying not to stick his thumb in Bennett's "bum." This is where Bennett shines where his constant teasing with the crowd angers Corino to the point where he finally sticks it in! That sounded wrong but you get the idea! Decent affair with Bennett picking up the win. Afterwards, Bennett & Bob Evans beat down Corino. That seems to be the pattern for every match tonight. Both men were great in their roles and Bennett is really growing on me while Corino's storyline is drawing more interest.
Winner: Mike Bennett
Rating: **
Match 4: The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express
Your eyes are not deceiving you, it's another New York match between these two teams. However, what's different this time is that The Briscoes are actually the heels this time around and it makes things much more interesting. The stiffness between all four men is just unexplainable, they looked like they legit wanted to kill each other! Each team looked great and the crowd was into it step by step. I did somewhat feel like this match suffered the same thing the past matches did in that they went on for just a bit too long. But it didn't drag on too long and the finish was great as Rhett Titus was about to get clobbered before getting the quick roll up pin victory. Afterwards, you get another post match beat down but the only difference is that this one looked badass as The Briscoes and All Night Express looked like they were in a prison fight! You get your awesome tough action with some great storyline progression here. A really good match that didn't drag on too badly like the others. You can sense a big feud in the air coming up.
Winners: The All Night Express
Rating: ***1/4
Match 5: TJ Perkins vs. El Generico
These two in a match could only mean that we are going to be seeing some great technical wrestling. As a matter of fact, they would make a pretty cool tag team. Anyway, to get straight to the point, there was some good wrestling while it lasted and good back and fourth action but nothing here that really stands out. Crowd wasn't too invested into the action and the match lasted shorter than the opening bout, or at least it seemed that way. Finish comes when Generico catches Perkins going through the middle ropes and planting Perkins' skull on the apron with a Brainbuster! Great finish in an underwhelming match. I'm sure my opinions on this match will totally differentiate from everyone else's but I just felt like there should have been so much more.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: **3/4
Match 6: The Kings of Wrestling vs. Homicide & Hernandez
This was being built as a dream match and with the way the crowd sounded, you could certainly feel that big time atmosphere in the air. The crowd was absolutely hot from start to finish and they loved seeing Hernandez in that ROH ring! It was evenly split throughout as both teams managed to look fantastic and play with the crowd. Hernandez is quick to show off his strength and dominance by delaying a suplex upon Claudio Castagnoli for at least ten seconds! Crowd is invested into the action as both teams collide back and fourth as Hernandez even manages to Border Toss Homicide over the ring post and onto The Kings! I like the story of Hernandez seemingly being the only reason why Homicide is still in this fight against The Kings considering the losing streak he has managed to build up. Even with the help of Hernandez, The Kings manage to pick up the victory after Claudio lands a nasty uppercut on Homicide! Great match with a hot crowd with an open door left for another Hernandez return.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: Pure Rules - Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels
It's time for the big rematch between Richards and Daniels as the crowd chants for Davey during Daniels' entrance. You can already feel the surge of electricity in the air. The only difference between this match and the last is the Pure Rules in which each competitor gets a given amount of rope breaks before they are tossed out the window and warnings before being disqualified. Crowd has cooled since the last bout but are still pretty pumped for this one. Really smart action from the start as both men try to eliminate their opponent's rope breaks with lots of submissions early on. Daniels is first to this goal and manages to lock Richards in an array of submissions early on. However, Richards gets right back into the game by kicking Daniels outside and stomping Daniels who was laying on the guardrails off the top rope. The momentum has quickly shifted in Richards' favor who then locks up Daniels into a submission who then gets his last rope break! Crowd is pumped and this match has officially shifted into another gear. Both men quickly go back to their submission arsenal but neither men are able to capitalize. Davey gets on the top rope and goes for a Shooting Star Press who completely miscalculates the situation and lands onto of the turnbuckle! He then gets a pin on Daniels for the win. Extremely disappointing with an extremely disappointing ending. I wasn't expecting anything we saw from last October but this and the odd finish shouldn't take anything away from the match. Richards looked pissed after botching the end finish but mistakes do happen and no one should let that spot judge their entire outlook on the match. The Pure Rules stipulation made things extra interesting as the psychology was definitely there in all the different submissions. A great match but again, I was hoping for a lot more. There needs to be another match between these two sometime down the line…
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ***3/4
Match 8: ROH World Championship - Roderick Strong (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
It is now time for the epic main event as the 2010 Survival of the Fittest winner takes on Roderick Strong for the ROH World Championship. Let's just start off by saying that this crowd is hot! Fans are expecting a hard hitting contest between two of the world's finest and that is exactly what they just got. Getting straight to the point, this was such an evenly fought match with unpredictability which is hard to come by these days. Strong decides to send Truth Martini to the back as he thinks he can topple Edwards easily without anyone's help. Strong looked dominant but Edwards hung toe for toe against him as the two battled it out in nasty wars of chops across the chest. At one point, Strong's chest was bleeding from the impact of Edwards' chops. Crowd is reacting to every single move that they are unleashing upon each other and I mean it. They are waging a war upon each other. However, it looks as if Strong has the slightest advantages as the champ looks to be one step ahead of his competition. Edwards finally gained the momentum late in the match until Martini decided to show up who gets a boot in the face for his troubles. Strong capitalizes on the situation and lands a Sick Kick! Edwards kicks out and Strong goes back on the offensive onslaught and lands nasty backbreakers! Strong thinks he's got this one but Edwards will not back down! Strong looks to make Edwards submit by placing him in the Stronghold but Edwards reverses it into the patented Achilles Lock! Strong won't back down and looks to pin Edwards who puts Strong in a pin of his own and gets the win! Both men and the crowd cannot believe what just happened! The crowd erupts as chills flow down my spine. Edwards is embraced by Cary Silkin who shakes Edwards' hand and gives him a hug. Davey Richards comes out as the crowd silences and the music stops. Richards hugs Edwards and the music resumes as the crowd once again erupts. Words don't do justice for the last half of the match and the celebration at the end. I was simply awed, amazed and inspired. What a match. What a moment. The abrupt ending was surprising and different from any other title victory. I loved it. The crowd was on fire. I loved it. The showing of embrace at the end was real and incredibly emotional. I loved it. I wanted Richards vs. Daniels II to close out the show considering my love for their rivalry but this, this was it. This is professional wrestling in thirty minutes.
Winner: Eddie Edwards
Rating: ****3/4
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
A forgettable first half to say the least followed by a strong second half with a superb main event. Go out of your way to watch Edwards capture the ROH World Championship. It defines this show and Ring of Honor as a whole.
Rating: 8.75/10
Match 1: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly vs. Michael Elgin & Mike Mondo
These four men are out to open up the show and I feel like this is Elgin's chance to really show off in ROH in front of their biggest market. Elgin didn't disappoint, neither did Cole & O'Reilly. A very fast and full of action from bell to bell and it was these three guys who looked like they've been stringing the crowd for years in that ring. Mike Mondo didn't really do much for me once again and the New York crowd was all over him. I like his enthusiasm but I just don't see why he should be in the company when he honestly doesn't have much to bring to the table. Only main gripe was the match went on too long and overstayed it's welcome. I love the back and fourth action but it tends to get repetitive and this was the case. Cole & O'Reilly finally finish off the match which leads to Elgin & Truth Martini destroying Mondo afterwards.
Winners: Adam Cole & Kyle O'Reilly
Rating: ***
Match 2: Tomasso Ciampa vs. Grizzly Redwood
The Embassy once again brings their problems to New York against Grizzly Redwood as Tomasso Ciampa looks to toss him around. I honestly don't understand this match, I really don't. We're trying to make this Ciampa guy look like a beast yet he can hardly beat this little dude. Granted, some of the action was pretty entertaining but it went on way too long. Ciampa finishes Redwood by driving his knees into Redwood's back and the match gracefully ends. Embassy beats him down afterwards to which Corino arrives at the scene to make the save which was probably the only reason why this match took place.
Winner: Tomasso Ciampa
Rating: *
Match 3: Steve Corino vs. Mike Bennett
Bennett comes out and has a few words to Corino who is doing his best not to throw blows. Bennett begs him to fight until Corino finally tells the referee to ring the bell and we're off. Corino did a great job in playing his role and trying not to stick his thumb in Bennett's "bum." This is where Bennett shines where his constant teasing with the crowd angers Corino to the point where he finally sticks it in! That sounded wrong but you get the idea! Decent affair with Bennett picking up the win. Afterwards, Bennett & Bob Evans beat down Corino. That seems to be the pattern for every match tonight. Both men were great in their roles and Bennett is really growing on me while Corino's storyline is drawing more interest.
Winner: Mike Bennett
Rating: **
Match 4: The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express
Your eyes are not deceiving you, it's another New York match between these two teams. However, what's different this time is that The Briscoes are actually the heels this time around and it makes things much more interesting. The stiffness between all four men is just unexplainable, they looked like they legit wanted to kill each other! Each team looked great and the crowd was into it step by step. I did somewhat feel like this match suffered the same thing the past matches did in that they went on for just a bit too long. But it didn't drag on too long and the finish was great as Rhett Titus was about to get clobbered before getting the quick roll up pin victory. Afterwards, you get another post match beat down but the only difference is that this one looked badass as The Briscoes and All Night Express looked like they were in a prison fight! You get your awesome tough action with some great storyline progression here. A really good match that didn't drag on too badly like the others. You can sense a big feud in the air coming up.
Winners: The All Night Express
Rating: ***1/4
Match 5: TJ Perkins vs. El Generico
These two in a match could only mean that we are going to be seeing some great technical wrestling. As a matter of fact, they would make a pretty cool tag team. Anyway, to get straight to the point, there was some good wrestling while it lasted and good back and fourth action but nothing here that really stands out. Crowd wasn't too invested into the action and the match lasted shorter than the opening bout, or at least it seemed that way. Finish comes when Generico catches Perkins going through the middle ropes and planting Perkins' skull on the apron with a Brainbuster! Great finish in an underwhelming match. I'm sure my opinions on this match will totally differentiate from everyone else's but I just felt like there should have been so much more.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: **3/4
Match 6: The Kings of Wrestling vs. Homicide & Hernandez
This was being built as a dream match and with the way the crowd sounded, you could certainly feel that big time atmosphere in the air. The crowd was absolutely hot from start to finish and they loved seeing Hernandez in that ROH ring! It was evenly split throughout as both teams managed to look fantastic and play with the crowd. Hernandez is quick to show off his strength and dominance by delaying a suplex upon Claudio Castagnoli for at least ten seconds! Crowd is invested into the action as both teams collide back and fourth as Hernandez even manages to Border Toss Homicide over the ring post and onto The Kings! I like the story of Hernandez seemingly being the only reason why Homicide is still in this fight against The Kings considering the losing streak he has managed to build up. Even with the help of Hernandez, The Kings manage to pick up the victory after Claudio lands a nasty uppercut on Homicide! Great match with a hot crowd with an open door left for another Hernandez return.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: Pure Rules - Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels
It's time for the big rematch between Richards and Daniels as the crowd chants for Davey during Daniels' entrance. You can already feel the surge of electricity in the air. The only difference between this match and the last is the Pure Rules in which each competitor gets a given amount of rope breaks before they are tossed out the window and warnings before being disqualified. Crowd has cooled since the last bout but are still pretty pumped for this one. Really smart action from the start as both men try to eliminate their opponent's rope breaks with lots of submissions early on. Daniels is first to this goal and manages to lock Richards in an array of submissions early on. However, Richards gets right back into the game by kicking Daniels outside and stomping Daniels who was laying on the guardrails off the top rope. The momentum has quickly shifted in Richards' favor who then locks up Daniels into a submission who then gets his last rope break! Crowd is pumped and this match has officially shifted into another gear. Both men quickly go back to their submission arsenal but neither men are able to capitalize. Davey gets on the top rope and goes for a Shooting Star Press who completely miscalculates the situation and lands onto of the turnbuckle! He then gets a pin on Daniels for the win. Extremely disappointing with an extremely disappointing ending. I wasn't expecting anything we saw from last October but this and the odd finish shouldn't take anything away from the match. Richards looked pissed after botching the end finish but mistakes do happen and no one should let that spot judge their entire outlook on the match. The Pure Rules stipulation made things extra interesting as the psychology was definitely there in all the different submissions. A great match but again, I was hoping for a lot more. There needs to be another match between these two sometime down the line…
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ***3/4
Match 8: ROH World Championship - Roderick Strong (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
It is now time for the epic main event as the 2010 Survival of the Fittest winner takes on Roderick Strong for the ROH World Championship. Let's just start off by saying that this crowd is hot! Fans are expecting a hard hitting contest between two of the world's finest and that is exactly what they just got. Getting straight to the point, this was such an evenly fought match with unpredictability which is hard to come by these days. Strong decides to send Truth Martini to the back as he thinks he can topple Edwards easily without anyone's help. Strong looked dominant but Edwards hung toe for toe against him as the two battled it out in nasty wars of chops across the chest. At one point, Strong's chest was bleeding from the impact of Edwards' chops. Crowd is reacting to every single move that they are unleashing upon each other and I mean it. They are waging a war upon each other. However, it looks as if Strong has the slightest advantages as the champ looks to be one step ahead of his competition. Edwards finally gained the momentum late in the match until Martini decided to show up who gets a boot in the face for his troubles. Strong capitalizes on the situation and lands a Sick Kick! Edwards kicks out and Strong goes back on the offensive onslaught and lands nasty backbreakers! Strong thinks he's got this one but Edwards will not back down! Strong looks to make Edwards submit by placing him in the Stronghold but Edwards reverses it into the patented Achilles Lock! Strong won't back down and looks to pin Edwards who puts Strong in a pin of his own and gets the win! Both men and the crowd cannot believe what just happened! The crowd erupts as chills flow down my spine. Edwards is embraced by Cary Silkin who shakes Edwards' hand and gives him a hug. Davey Richards comes out as the crowd silences and the music stops. Richards hugs Edwards and the music resumes as the crowd once again erupts. Words don't do justice for the last half of the match and the celebration at the end. I was simply awed, amazed and inspired. What a match. What a moment. The abrupt ending was surprising and different from any other title victory. I loved it. The crowd was on fire. I loved it. The showing of embrace at the end was real and incredibly emotional. I loved it. I wanted Richards vs. Daniels II to close out the show considering my love for their rivalry but this, this was it. This is professional wrestling in thirty minutes.
Winner: Eddie Edwards
Rating: ****3/4
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
A forgettable first half to say the least followed by a strong second half with a superb main event. Go out of your way to watch Edwards capture the ROH World Championship. It defines this show and Ring of Honor as a whole.
Rating: 8.75/10
ROH 9th Anniversary Show Review
From March 5, 2012.
Match 1: Davey Richards vs. Colt Cabana
After losing to Roderick Strong, Davey looks to earn his shot at the World Championship by defeating the top tier talent. He takes on Chicago's Colt Cabana in a one on one contest here to open the show. Crowd is packed and hot with a pretty split crowd between the two. Some really good ground work between the two with Davey looking to focus on Colt's left arm which frustrated me at times since he was flipping back between working on his arm and doing his regular move set. Then again, this is Davey Richards and him working on one body part through the entire course of the match is kind of unrealistic. You get your usual great stuff from Davey and Colt here with a lot of counters, reversals, submissions, and some big moves including Cabana dropping Davey on the top rope. Davey ends the match by making Colt submit by locking in Colt's left arm. Strong opening contest from the two here but I really would have liked to have seen them get more time to steal the show. Nevertheless, this was a great match and something I'm interested in seeing once more down the line.
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ***1/2
Match 2: Steve Corino vs. Grizzly Redwood vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Mike Bennett
The main thing going into this one is Corino's path of recovery and his little feud going up against Mike Bennett. Four corner survivals normally consist of nonstop action and this one was no different and surprisingly, everyone got in a good amount of offense, even Grizzly. However, I couldn't help but feel as if the entire match was pretty much focused on Mike Bennett which is a shame since we have the up and coming Kyle O'Reilly in there. But I did like continuing of Corino's path of recovery where he was contemplating sticking his thumb up Redwood's posterior but didn't have the chance to do so when Bennett drilled him. Bennett picks up the win through slamming Redwood and pinning him. Good match but again, lot of the focus was on Bennett who is seemingly getting shoved down our throats but through this, Corino's storyline showed some progression as well and that's always good.
Winner: Mike Bennett
Rating: **1/2
Match 3: Michael Elgin vs. El Generico
Generico has been having troubles lately with The House of Truth and he decides to take on Michael Elgin in the third contest of the match. Michael Elgin impresses the hell out of me with his brute strength. His display of power upon Generico in this match is just untouched. They took it on the outside early on and Elgin caught Generico and ran with him on one of his shoulders and slammed him against the guards. The Generic Luchador wouldn't give up and continued to fight back after near fall and near fall as Elgin wouldn't stop beating down the much weaker Generico. There was also a case during the match where Truth Martini came into play but somehow got lifted onto Elgin's shoulders to which Elgin mustered the strength to power bomb Generico with Martini still on his shoulders! Crowd is definitely buying into Elgin! Generico later on rolls up Elgin and gets the quick pin for the victory. Unsatisfied with the result, Elgin destroys Generico afterwards with the help of Roderick Strong. Great match and a great showing for Michael Elgin, he has one bright future.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: ***1/4
Match 4: ROH World Championship - No Disqualification Barrio Street Fight - Roderick Strong (c) vs. Homicide
Strong gets on the mic after the Generico beat down but Homicide appears out of nowhere and attacks Strong which prompts the match to start earlier. Speculations arose weeks before this match that the match was made into a No Disqualification match due to Homicide's huge slump in his regular wrestling matches and if that is true, then I can understand. Since returning at Glory by Honor, Homicide hasn't done too much in the ring so hopefully his match here can change that train of thought. Things get going with a lot of brawling outside the ring and including in the fans area. Homicide seems to be getting the better part of the things but Roderick utilizes the no disqualification rule and we have four chairs set up in each corner of the ring. Homicide is able to nail Roderick's head into the chairs but Roderick gets back at him and sets up a table in one corner. Roderick looks to drive Homicide through it but Homicide reverses it into a nice DDT. Homicide only gets a two and now Truth Martini and Michael Elgin get into the thick of things but Homicide manages to lose them. Roderick capitalizes on the situation and decapitates his back to get the win! Decent brawl but nothing special. I can see why this wasn't the main event.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Rating: **3/4
Match 5: Sara Del Rey vs. MsChif
The women of honor make their appearance for tonight as Del Rey looks to finally beat MsChif. I'm not a fan of watching them wrestle but they do appeal to a broader audience so I guess a quick match won't hurt. Some decent wrestling from the two, better than you would expect from a Divas match with MsChif getting the upper hand until Del Rey picks her up by clutching her wrists and drills her with her finisher to get the win in a quick bout. After, Del Rey spits on MsChif to which sprays the green mist upon Del Rey.
Winner: Sara Del Rey
Rating: *
Match 6: ROH World Tag Team Championships - The Kings of Wrestling (c) vs. The All Night Express
After defeating the team of Colt Cabana & El Generico in Canada, The All Night Express look to dethrone The Kings of Wrestling. Accompanied by Shane Hagadorn, Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli look primed and ready to successfully defend their belts. The All Night Express have now taken on a more serious tone and that nature has been incorporated into their move set as well. No more joking around, these guys took The Kings to their utmost ability. King especially looked good here and definitely with his encounters with Hero who seemingly brought the best out of him with counter after counter. Castagnoli also shined with the crowd being heavily invested in him for basically every move that he did. Titus, however, was the dark horse and did manage to get a good amount of offense in but his limelight was definitely overshadowed by King and his performance. After a grueling toe for toe type of match for both teams, Hero finally hit Titus with his boot above the skull and landed a nasty elbow upon King. Every man is down and Hero gets the loaded elbow pad from Hagadorn which gets intercepted by King. Claudio does his best to take out King but King looks to take out Claudio to which Hero picks up the pad and nails King with it. This led to Claudio falling atop of King to get the win. The Kings retain in a great tag team match.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: ROH World Television Championship - 2/3 Falls - 30 Minute Time Limit - Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
Trying to avenge his two losses, Eddie Edwards looks to regain his World Television Championship against Christopher Daniels with special rules. You can already tell that this match is going to be something special when they meet each other in the center of the ring with eyes locked after the bell tolls. Lots of great technical wrestling and back and forth action from the two with Eddie doing everything in his power to get that first fall including jumping off the top rope and into the fans where he put down Daniels. Eddie was looking dominant but Daniels was relentless in his efforts and managed to score the first shocking fall via a roll up that came out of nowhere. Daniels is now in the lead. There also isn't much time remaining in the match which means that Eddie must score one fall as quickly as he can in order to not lose the match. All Daniels has to do now is stay alive for the short period of time remaining and try not to get himself pinned or placed in a submission. Eddie seems exhausted when Daniels goes up to the top rope and drops his knee on him only for Eddie to grab the knee and put him in a submission! Daniels has no choice but to tap out and the score is now even with less than four minutes to go in the contest! The two go back and forth and Eddie drops Daniels on his head from a top rope Hurricanrana which splits open the head of Christopher Daniels! There is only one minute remaining in the match and Edwards does his best to take out Daniels in the final seconds! Edwards hip tosses Daniels out of the ring but Daniels holds on to Edwards and he goes out of the ring with him as well! The referee begins counting both men out but the bell tolls and the time limit expired! After the match, Daniels looks completely out of it as his head his covered in blood. The fans call for five more minutes but with the condition of Christopher Daniels, there's no way he could go another five minutes with Eddie Edwards. Excellent match that definitely didn't drag. They chose their spots and made every minute count.
Winner: n/a
Rating: ****1/4
Match 8: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team vs. The Briscoes
This is the match that's replacing the World Championship main event and is being billed as a dream bout with the winner earning a #1 contenders spot against The Kings of Wrestling in Atlanta. Both teams acknowledge The Code of Honor and we're off. Shelton & Charlie haven't competed in too many matches in Ring of Honor yet but this match should definitely be a good one. Briscoes go to work on Shelton in the opening minutes but Shelton is right there and uses his experience in amateur wrestling to go toe for toe against them. Crowd chants for Charliee Haas and they get him who exchanges wild chops with Mark Briscoe. This match is looking good from the start as they the feeling each other over process is now done with. Great tag team wrestling from the two teams with awesome exchanges including nasty kicks and chops. The crowd is somewhat wiped out after a fairly long show but both teams continue to impress. They then take the brawling to the outside and into the fans section where Mark jumps out of the ring and onto everyone else. The two teams are displaying some great chemistry but the tough crowd just seemingly can't invest themselves too much into the action. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team get the win after hitting a Neckbreaker Doomsday Device. Afterwards, the two teams shake hands and embrace each other to the crowd. Great match but a little underwhelming considering the hype going into this billed dream bout.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***1/2
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
A great show that's going to be unrecognized unfortunately due to the New York show trumping it the next month. Strong effort from everyone from top to bottom with an extremely impressive Television Championship match.
Rating: 8.75/10
Match 1: Davey Richards vs. Colt Cabana
After losing to Roderick Strong, Davey looks to earn his shot at the World Championship by defeating the top tier talent. He takes on Chicago's Colt Cabana in a one on one contest here to open the show. Crowd is packed and hot with a pretty split crowd between the two. Some really good ground work between the two with Davey looking to focus on Colt's left arm which frustrated me at times since he was flipping back between working on his arm and doing his regular move set. Then again, this is Davey Richards and him working on one body part through the entire course of the match is kind of unrealistic. You get your usual great stuff from Davey and Colt here with a lot of counters, reversals, submissions, and some big moves including Cabana dropping Davey on the top rope. Davey ends the match by making Colt submit by locking in Colt's left arm. Strong opening contest from the two here but I really would have liked to have seen them get more time to steal the show. Nevertheless, this was a great match and something I'm interested in seeing once more down the line.
Winner: Davey Richards
Rating: ***1/2
Match 2: Steve Corino vs. Grizzly Redwood vs. Kyle O'Reilly vs. Mike Bennett
The main thing going into this one is Corino's path of recovery and his little feud going up against Mike Bennett. Four corner survivals normally consist of nonstop action and this one was no different and surprisingly, everyone got in a good amount of offense, even Grizzly. However, I couldn't help but feel as if the entire match was pretty much focused on Mike Bennett which is a shame since we have the up and coming Kyle O'Reilly in there. But I did like continuing of Corino's path of recovery where he was contemplating sticking his thumb up Redwood's posterior but didn't have the chance to do so when Bennett drilled him. Bennett picks up the win through slamming Redwood and pinning him. Good match but again, lot of the focus was on Bennett who is seemingly getting shoved down our throats but through this, Corino's storyline showed some progression as well and that's always good.
Winner: Mike Bennett
Rating: **1/2
Match 3: Michael Elgin vs. El Generico
Generico has been having troubles lately with The House of Truth and he decides to take on Michael Elgin in the third contest of the match. Michael Elgin impresses the hell out of me with his brute strength. His display of power upon Generico in this match is just untouched. They took it on the outside early on and Elgin caught Generico and ran with him on one of his shoulders and slammed him against the guards. The Generic Luchador wouldn't give up and continued to fight back after near fall and near fall as Elgin wouldn't stop beating down the much weaker Generico. There was also a case during the match where Truth Martini came into play but somehow got lifted onto Elgin's shoulders to which Elgin mustered the strength to power bomb Generico with Martini still on his shoulders! Crowd is definitely buying into Elgin! Generico later on rolls up Elgin and gets the quick pin for the victory. Unsatisfied with the result, Elgin destroys Generico afterwards with the help of Roderick Strong. Great match and a great showing for Michael Elgin, he has one bright future.
Winner: El Generico
Rating: ***1/4
Match 4: ROH World Championship - No Disqualification Barrio Street Fight - Roderick Strong (c) vs. Homicide
Strong gets on the mic after the Generico beat down but Homicide appears out of nowhere and attacks Strong which prompts the match to start earlier. Speculations arose weeks before this match that the match was made into a No Disqualification match due to Homicide's huge slump in his regular wrestling matches and if that is true, then I can understand. Since returning at Glory by Honor, Homicide hasn't done too much in the ring so hopefully his match here can change that train of thought. Things get going with a lot of brawling outside the ring and including in the fans area. Homicide seems to be getting the better part of the things but Roderick utilizes the no disqualification rule and we have four chairs set up in each corner of the ring. Homicide is able to nail Roderick's head into the chairs but Roderick gets back at him and sets up a table in one corner. Roderick looks to drive Homicide through it but Homicide reverses it into a nice DDT. Homicide only gets a two and now Truth Martini and Michael Elgin get into the thick of things but Homicide manages to lose them. Roderick capitalizes on the situation and decapitates his back to get the win! Decent brawl but nothing special. I can see why this wasn't the main event.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Rating: **3/4
Match 5: Sara Del Rey vs. MsChif
The women of honor make their appearance for tonight as Del Rey looks to finally beat MsChif. I'm not a fan of watching them wrestle but they do appeal to a broader audience so I guess a quick match won't hurt. Some decent wrestling from the two, better than you would expect from a Divas match with MsChif getting the upper hand until Del Rey picks her up by clutching her wrists and drills her with her finisher to get the win in a quick bout. After, Del Rey spits on MsChif to which sprays the green mist upon Del Rey.
Winner: Sara Del Rey
Rating: *
Match 6: ROH World Tag Team Championships - The Kings of Wrestling (c) vs. The All Night Express
After defeating the team of Colt Cabana & El Generico in Canada, The All Night Express look to dethrone The Kings of Wrestling. Accompanied by Shane Hagadorn, Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli look primed and ready to successfully defend their belts. The All Night Express have now taken on a more serious tone and that nature has been incorporated into their move set as well. No more joking around, these guys took The Kings to their utmost ability. King especially looked good here and definitely with his encounters with Hero who seemingly brought the best out of him with counter after counter. Castagnoli also shined with the crowd being heavily invested in him for basically every move that he did. Titus, however, was the dark horse and did manage to get a good amount of offense in but his limelight was definitely overshadowed by King and his performance. After a grueling toe for toe type of match for both teams, Hero finally hit Titus with his boot above the skull and landed a nasty elbow upon King. Every man is down and Hero gets the loaded elbow pad from Hagadorn which gets intercepted by King. Claudio does his best to take out King but King looks to take out Claudio to which Hero picks up the pad and nails King with it. This led to Claudio falling atop of King to get the win. The Kings retain in a great tag team match.
Winners: The Kings of Wrestling
Rating: ***3/4
Match 7: ROH World Television Championship - 2/3 Falls - 30 Minute Time Limit - Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
Trying to avenge his two losses, Eddie Edwards looks to regain his World Television Championship against Christopher Daniels with special rules. You can already tell that this match is going to be something special when they meet each other in the center of the ring with eyes locked after the bell tolls. Lots of great technical wrestling and back and forth action from the two with Eddie doing everything in his power to get that first fall including jumping off the top rope and into the fans where he put down Daniels. Eddie was looking dominant but Daniels was relentless in his efforts and managed to score the first shocking fall via a roll up that came out of nowhere. Daniels is now in the lead. There also isn't much time remaining in the match which means that Eddie must score one fall as quickly as he can in order to not lose the match. All Daniels has to do now is stay alive for the short period of time remaining and try not to get himself pinned or placed in a submission. Eddie seems exhausted when Daniels goes up to the top rope and drops his knee on him only for Eddie to grab the knee and put him in a submission! Daniels has no choice but to tap out and the score is now even with less than four minutes to go in the contest! The two go back and forth and Eddie drops Daniels on his head from a top rope Hurricanrana which splits open the head of Christopher Daniels! There is only one minute remaining in the match and Edwards does his best to take out Daniels in the final seconds! Edwards hip tosses Daniels out of the ring but Daniels holds on to Edwards and he goes out of the ring with him as well! The referee begins counting both men out but the bell tolls and the time limit expired! After the match, Daniels looks completely out of it as his head his covered in blood. The fans call for five more minutes but with the condition of Christopher Daniels, there's no way he could go another five minutes with Eddie Edwards. Excellent match that definitely didn't drag. They chose their spots and made every minute count.
Winner: n/a
Rating: ****1/4
Match 8: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team vs. The Briscoes
This is the match that's replacing the World Championship main event and is being billed as a dream bout with the winner earning a #1 contenders spot against The Kings of Wrestling in Atlanta. Both teams acknowledge The Code of Honor and we're off. Shelton & Charlie haven't competed in too many matches in Ring of Honor yet but this match should definitely be a good one. Briscoes go to work on Shelton in the opening minutes but Shelton is right there and uses his experience in amateur wrestling to go toe for toe against them. Crowd chants for Charliee Haas and they get him who exchanges wild chops with Mark Briscoe. This match is looking good from the start as they the feeling each other over process is now done with. Great tag team wrestling from the two teams with awesome exchanges including nasty kicks and chops. The crowd is somewhat wiped out after a fairly long show but both teams continue to impress. They then take the brawling to the outside and into the fans section where Mark jumps out of the ring and onto everyone else. The two teams are displaying some great chemistry but the tough crowd just seemingly can't invest themselves too much into the action. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team get the win after hitting a Neckbreaker Doomsday Device. Afterwards, the two teams shake hands and embrace each other to the crowd. Great match but a little underwhelming considering the hype going into this billed dream bout.
Winners: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team
Rating: ***1/2
Overall Show Thoughts and Rating:
A great show that's going to be unrecognized unfortunately due to the New York show trumping it the next month. Strong effort from everyone from top to bottom with an extremely impressive Television Championship match.
Rating: 8.75/10
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