January 14th, 2011 in Richmond, Virginia.
Current Champions
ROH World Champion: Roderick Strong (since 9/11/10)
ROH World Tag Team Champions: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) (since 4/3/10)
ROH World Television Champion: Christopher Daniels (since 12/10/10)
Christopher Daniels cuts a promo backstage. He says that he’s in a predicament tonight because he doesn’t care for anyone on his team. However, in the spirit of competition, he’s going to show everyone what it means to be in Ring of Honor.
Roderick Strong makes his way to the ring. He congratulates himself for defeating Davey Richards at Final Battle. He calls Christopher Daniels the “weak link” of his team tonight. Speaking of the devil, Daniels interrupts and tells Strong that no one wants to listen to his rambling. Strong proposes a match but Daniels rather talk about things in the back. After some more trash talk, Strong attacks Daniels, leading to…
Opening Match: Roderick Strong vs. Christopher Daniels
They trade punches and Daniels connects with a leg lariat. Strong lays in a few chops and this is a brawl early on. Daniels knees Strong to the floor and follows out with a plancha. Strong answers with a knee strike of his own and takes control in the ring. Daniels reverses a Stronghold attempt into a rollup for a nearfall. He armdrags out of a backbreaker attempt and comes back with a flurry of offense. They both go for crossbodies and fall to the canvas. Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli run into the ring and try to separate their teammates. Amidst the confusion, Daniels rolls up Strong for the win at 8:39. Aside from giving Daniels a claim to a future ROH World Title shot, I’m not sure what this accomplished. The match itself wasn’t anything special and almost made Strong look like a goof. I think something like a fifteen-minute draw with solid action down the stretch would have been more effective. *½
Match #2: Grizzly Redwood and Andy Ridge vs. Harlem and Lance Bravado
Commentary speculates as to whether or not the trial series was successful for Ridge. Considering that he’s teaming with Grizzly here, I think the answer is pretty obvious. Grizzly lands a springboard crossbody on Harlem but runs into an atomic drop. Lance catches Grizzly with a leg lariat. Ridge peppers Lance with a few kicks but eventually falls victim to some double teaming. The Bravado Brothers isolate Ridge until he takes down Harlem with a kick and makes the tag. Grizzly connects with an enzuigiri on Harlem and hurricanranas him into the middle turnbuckle. He snaps off a headscissors on Lance as well. The Bravado Brothers hit an enzuigiri-german suplex combination on Grizzly. Ridge connects with a running knee on Harlem and Grizzly adds a seated senton. Harlem answers with a powerbomb on Grizzly. Ridge superkicks Harlem for the victory at 8:46. Ring of Honor needs to decide how seriously they want their fans to take the Bravado Brothers. Everyone worked hard but Ridge was definitely the standout. **
Match #3: Adam Cole vs. Mike Bennett
Apparently Brutal Bob is not in attendance because he’s training some greenhorns back at camp. Fair enough. Bennett doesn’t take Cole seriously early on and gets slapped. Cole blocks a charge and comes off the middle rope with a leg lariat. He sends Bennett to the floor with a dropkick. Bennett knocks Cole off the apron and into the barricade. He sends Cole into the barricade again with a knee strike. In the ring, Bennett takes over until Cole connects with a superkick out of nowhere. Cole follows with a neckbreaker and a tornado DDT. He elevates Bennett to the floor and takes him out with a dive. Back in, Cole connects with a gamenguiri and lands a flying crossbody. Bennett powers out of a sleeper hold and hits a spinebuster. Bennett reverses a hurricanrana attempt into a bucklebomb and hits a sit-out side slam for the win at 11:27. This was a frustrating match to watch at times because I honestly think that Ring of Honor is pushing the wrong wrestler out of these two. Cole proved to be much better at connecting with the audience and showed great fluidity in his offense. Bennett was serviceable but clearly has a lot of room for improvement. **¼
The Kings of Wrestling make their way to the ring. Chris Hero says that their partners are going to enter the main event tonight at less than 100%. He has made an executive decision and demands that Davey Richards and El Generico wrestle each other. Richards and Generico enter the ring. Richards says that his team doesn’t have ego problems and refuses to fight Generico. Hero connects with a roaring elbow on Richards and Claudio german suplexes Generico. The Kings attempt a KRS-1 on Richards but the Briscoes make the save.
Match #4: Homicide vs. Rhett Titus
I don’t see these two meshing well but hopefully they’ll prove me wrong. Homicide monkey flips Titus and connects with corner punches. Titus retreats to the floor to avoid a facewash kick. Homicide finds success with a double axe handle from the apron and throws Titus into the barricade. Todd Sinclair stops Homicide from using the ring bell, allowing Titus to attack from behind. Titus panders to the crowd and Homicide takes him out with a dive. In the ring, Titus counters a tornado DDT into a gutbuster and takes control. Homicide stops Titus from mimicking the three amigos and hits a superplex. He finds knees on a frog splash attempt and Titus hits a gutbuster. Homicide answers with a belly to belly suplex. Titus avoids the Cop Killa and hits the Thrust Buster. Homicide responds with an ace crusher and a lariat for a nearfall. Titus gourdbusters Homicide off the middle rope and connects with double knees for a two count. They exchange slaps and strikes. Titus gets busted open after a headbutt. Homicide hits a brainbuster for the victory at 12:05. The action was too back and forth for my liking and the match was plagued by various awkward moments. Homicide should have controlled the majority of the match with Titus showing resiliency and not backing down. While they eventually carried out that idea down the stretch, the action was pretty mundane up to that point. **
A bloodied Titus cuts a promo backstage saying that Homicide has unleashed a killer instinct in him. He is coming after Homicide.
Match #5: Steve Corino vs. Kaleb Conley
Corino addresses the crowd before the match. He admits that he was wrong in using Kevin Steen throughout 2010. Steen didn’t leave ROH because of El Generico, he left because of Steve Corino. When it comes to professional wrestling, Corino admits that there is something wrong with him. What happened with Steen will never happen again. He will try to rectify his wrongdoings and tonight starts his “rehab.” Corino turns his attention toward Conley, saying that he thinks Conley is too cocky for his own good. He wants to help Conley and start his personal road to recovery. They shake hands and the match begins. Corino offers a clean break. He offers another handshake but Conley slaps him. Corino snaps off a few armdrags but runs into a back elbow. Conley applies a bow and arrow to maintain the advantage. Corino stops himself from going through with a cheap shot at one point. He comes back with an STO and a flatliner. Conley avoids the Eternal Dream and hits a tornado DDT. Corino connects with a lariat and the Eternal Dream for a nearfall. Conley sneaks in a low blow but finds himself in an abdominal stretch. Corino debates using his thumb but instead decides to turn the hold into a rollup for the win at 6:33. Corino did a great job of winning the crowd over before the match and effectively showcased his new attitude during the match. I’m curious to see where this leads. *½
Match #6: Colt Cabana vs. Caprice Coleman
Fun fact: these two wrestled at “Do or Die III” back in 2004. Cabana runs through some of his comedic offense to start. Coleman sends him to the floor, where he gets some advice from a second grader. Back in, Coleman wins an amateur wrestling contest and Cabana takes time to regroup. Cabana tries more of his wacky offense but Coleman always seems to have an answer. Coleman hits a slingshot senton along with a high elevation leg drop. He adds a few kicks but walks into an air raid crash neckbreaker. Cabana connects with a northern lariat. Coleman hurricanranas him off the middle rope but finds knees on a frog splash. Cabana sneaks in a quick rollup for the victory at 10:19. You’ve probably seen this match out of Cabana a few times before. However, Coleman showed promise and I’m curious to see his match on the next show. **¼
Match #7: Kenny King vs. Kyle O’Reilly
They dodge each other’s kicks and wrestle to a stalemate. O’Reilly lays in a few kicks and King retreats to the floor. Back in, O’Reilly attempts a cross armbreaker but King immediately grabs the bottom rope. King hits a spinebuster and takes control. O’Reilly avoids a slingshot leg drop and connects with a series of strikes. He boots King to the floor and comes off the apron with a dropkick. In the ring, O’Reilly double stomps King’s left arm and hits a tornado DDT. O’Reilly synchs in a cross armbreaker but King reaches the bottom rope yet again. King connects with a spin kick and adds shotgun knees. He tries to use the ropes during a pin attempt but Todd Sinclair stops him. O’Reilly comes back with a discus clothesline and both men are down. They trade forearms and O’Reilly hits an overhead suplex. King quickly pops up and answers with an overhead suplex of his own. He applies a boston crab but O’Reilly makes the ropes. O’Reilly hurricanranas out of the Coronation and synchs in a triangle choke. King powers out and hits the Royal Flush for the win at 12:18. I feel as though these two have a better match in them. The action never settled down, making the numerous strike exchanges and fighting spirit spot feel rushed. It’s no secret that this card hasn’t been stellar and I think they tried too hard to force a great match. Still, these two delivered the best action on the show so far and hopefully they receive an opportunity to improve upon this contest. **¾
Steve Corino finds O’Reilly in the bathroom after his match. He says that he’s excited for O’Reilly’s future and compliments him on a great match. Claudio Castagnoli walks in and Corino just shakes his head.
Match #8: Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels, Chris Hero, and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Davey Richards, El Generico, Jay Briscoe, and Mark Briscoe
Apparently the winners will receive a cash bonus. The champions make Daniels start because he’s the “weak link.” He chain wrestles with Richards and they find themselves at a stalemate. There’s a funny spot where the champions keep urging Daniels to go for a cheap shot but he doesn’t listen. Mark connects with a spin kick on Claudio. A rejuvenated Generico and Hero trade armdrags. Generico connects with a leg lariat and teases a dive. Strong and Jay enter the match. They will meet tomorrow night for the ROH World Title. They trade chops and Jay connects with a missile dropkick. Richards tags in and Strong quickly retreats to the floor. Claudio proposes a test of strength, so Richards stands on the referee’s back to neutralize Claudio’s height. Hero hits a back suplex on Jay, who responds with one of his own. The Briscoes hit stereo shoulder tackles on Hero. Dave Prazak blames the loss of HDNet on Papa Briscoe. Hero catches Jay with a mafia kick. Strong and the Kings attack Jay on the floor while Daniels yells at them for their tactics. The champions isolate Jay. Claudio mocks Daniels by delivering the “best elbow ever.” Jay flatlines Daniels into the middle turnbuckle and makes the tag. Generico yakuza kicks Claudio off the apron and lands a flying crossbody on Hero. Claudio dead-lift slams Generico but gets sent to the floor. Daniels hits an STO on Generico and lands a lionsault. Mark blind tags into the match as Generico takes out Claudio with a dive. Mark unleashes his karate offense on Daniels and the Briscoes follow with a flying leg drop-side slam combination. Mark elevates Daniels into a neckbreaker from Jay and the Briscoes add stereo superkicks. Hero nails Jay with a roaring mafia kick but gets caught by a missile dropkick from Mark. Strong and Richards finally come face to face. They exchange kicks and chops, with Richards’ kicks prevailing. Richards hits a saito suplex but Strong answers with a gamenguiri and a superkick. Richards and Strong trade submissions while their partners keep each other from interfering. Hero finally connects with a roaring elbow on Richards. Generico yakuza kicks Hero but walks into a popup european uppercut from Claudio. Daniels sends Mark to the floor and follows out with an arabian moonsault. Claudio blocks a dive from Jay. Generico saves Jay from the KRS-1 and they land stereo dives to the floor. Richards ends the dives with a shooting star press onto his opponents. In the ring, Daniels hits Angel’s Wings on Mark for a nearfall. Mark shoves Daniels off the middle rope and connects with a flying elbow drop for the victory at 32:28. This match was going along nicely, showcasing what the top wrestlers in Ring of Honor could do given plenty of time. Then the finish happened. This show is twenty minutes away from being a three-hour time investment. Additionally, it’s a one-match show. That one match lasts thirty-two minutes and ends with a flying elbow drop. Not only was the finish insignificant, it also made Daniels look like an idiot. His team pegged him as the “weak link” and were ultimately proven right. Daniels’ win over Strong in the opener also became moot. Unless ROH desperately wanted to setup a Daniels/Mark Briscoe match, I can’t see how they thought this finish was a good idea. The action beforehand was great, with the highlights being a tremendous exchange between Strong and Richards, Generico coming back to form, and a strong performance from Daniels. Despite the frustrating finish, this ended up being a worthwhile main event. However, this match is far from being strong enough to save the show. ***½
Daniels shakes his opponents’ hands after the match. Richards gets on the microphone and puts over Daniels and his teammates. He thanks the crowd as the show comes to an end.
***This DVD release also comes with a bonus disc entitled “Best of the American Wolves,” featuring:
1. Wolves attack Steen and Generico at 7th Anniversary Show
2. American Wolves vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico…ROH on HDNet 4/10/09
3. American Wolves vs. Bryan Danielson and Tyler Black…Tag Title Classic 4/18/09
4. American Wolves vs. Bryan Danielson and Kevin Steen…Validation 5/9/09
5. American Wolves vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico…Manhattan Mayhem III 6/13/09
6. American Wolves vs. KENTA and Roderick Strong…Violent Tendencies 6/26/09
7. American Wolves vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe…Final Countdown Tour: Chicago 9/19/09
8. American Wolves vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico (Ladder War II)…Glory By Honor VIII 9/26/09
Overall: Champions Vs. All Stars is a weak way to start the year for Ring of Honor. This is the definition of a one-match show. Unfortunately, the main event isn’t enough to earn this show a recommendation. ROH can’t expect its fans to throw down $25 for a show where only one out of the eight matches are worth seeking out. Obviously, if you don’t own most of the matches on the bonus disc, you might be persuaded to purchase this DVD. However, the fact that there is a bonus disc should tell you something about the quality of the main show. Recommendation to avoid.
I know I make this comment on virtually every review, but seriously, what does ROH managament see in Mike Bennett? Because nobody else sees it, whatever it is.