ROH 5/11/18 TV Review: Young Bucks vs Briscoes
04/14/18
Stage AE
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This week was the second episode from the set of tapings from Pittsburgh,PA. Ian Riccaboni and BJ Whitmer were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: Kelly Klein vs. Madison Rayne
Before the match began, Riccaboni and Whitmer spoke about Klein’s first official pinfall loss to Sumie Sakai in the Women of Honor Championship tournament finals. As the match began, Klein seemed to be reactive instead of being the aggressor. After a few pinfall attempts by Rayne, Klein finally took control after catching Rayne’s wheelbarrow attempt. After the break, Klein climbed the turnbuckle to lock on a hanging choke, eventually releasing and send Rayne to the outside. Kelin hit a quick suplex on the arena floor and sent Rayne back inside, but in taking her time, she allowed Rayne to kick her to the barricade. Rayne continued the offense, hitting a ripcord cutter, a chance of rain that went for a two count. Klein blocked a schoolgirl roll up, but Rayne was able to hit a Rayne Drop that Klein was able to kick out of. Klein avoided a spear and caught Rayne with a knee strike to the head and picked up the victory via pinfall. This was a pretty average match, but for an opener, it felt a bit flat, as the crowd just did not seem into this one. Storyline wise, Klein’s anger was palpable and the knee strike being used as an alternative was a nice wrinkle.
Winner: Kelly Klein
SoCal uncensored cut a backstage program, proclaiming how they are still the 6-Man Tag team champions (they aren’t anymore) and that they will defeat the Bullet Club next week.
Jay Lethal cut a promo backstage about his match against Punishment Martinez next week. He reminded the big man that despite the size difference, lethal plans on evening the score and avenging the loss he has against the big man.
Second Match: Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Dawgs
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin were in ring for a promo, addressing what the future of the team will be. Sabin said that the two aren’t sure if they will stay together as a unit, but that no matter what happens, the two will be brothers for life. As Shelley went to share his thoughts, he was cut off by The Dawgs, Will Ferrara and Rhett Titus. Titus compared MCMG to Old Yeller and that they would be putting the Guns down. Sabin and Shelley recovered quickly and tossed both Dawgs to the outside before Shelley dove to the outside and took them both out. Back in the ring, Sabin and Shelley doubled teamed Ferrara until Titus hit the ring. Titus quickly almost fell victim to the dream sequence, but Ferrara pulled Sabin to the outside as his partner flew over the top to the outside.
MCMG hit Skull and Bones on Titus for the pinfall victory. Seeing the Dawgs work a less comedic match was a nice change of pace here. Both Titus and Ferrara are accomplished wrestlers and after the initial entertainment their in ring squabbles have offered this was refreshing. Where MCMG go from here is anybody’s guess, but the crowd certainly seemed more behind them in this match.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Young Bucks cut a short promo, saying that when they meet the Briscoes later, they will once again be the tag team champions.
Third Match: Facade w/ Danni vs. Eli Isom
The two started off the contest at a very quick pace, showing off that both are apt to chain wrestling. Isom showed more strength, while Facade showed off some ridiculous aerial ability, specifically a double springboard 450 clothesline to the outside followed by tightrope dropkick went for a two count. Bully Ray came out to interrupt the match, first hitting Facade and then tossing Isom out of the ring. As Danni checked on Facade, Ray menacingly stood over them and tossed Facade to the outside before grabbing a mic. Ray then claimed that as the enforcer, he fired both men and said that they should never show their faces again. Cheeseburger than came out to the ring and grabbed a mic himself. He went on to say that he used to respect Ray, but that he know believes him to be a piece of excrement. Ray responded by choking slamming him. Joe Koff made his way out and admitted that he made a mistake in hiring Bully Ray and fired him as the enforcer. Ray responded by proclaiming that he’s unretired.
Winner: No contest
Marty Scurll, Cody Rhodes and Adam Page then cut a promo, talking about how they plan on defeating SoCal Uncensored and that they will be in line for a title shot. Cody went on to say he would win the ROH World title at Best in the World, which miffed Marty a bit. Page tried to keep the peace as the segment ended.
Main Event: ROH World Tag Team Championship Match
The Young Bucks vs. The Briscoes (c)
Before the match got underway, Mark threw a chair into the ring as Jay tried to attack Matt, only for Nick to throw the chair right in his face and launch himself over the top rope to the outside. The four brawled out, with the Briscoes taking the early advantage as the bell rang. The Bucks slipped into the ring and hit stero tope suicidas followed by stereo apron powerbombs before the break. As the action returned the Briscoes were in control, but Matt was able to fight back and make the tag to Nick who cleared house. Despite the offensive flurry, the Bucks couldn’t keep Mark down. Matt locked Cease on Mark, but Nick was not able to lock Desist on Jay and the Briscoes turned the tables, with Jay applying a sharpshooter and Mark locking on a rear naked choke. Matt was able to resist tapping out, leading to Jay hitting him with a Jay Driller. Jay was furious when Matt kicked out and the Briscoes went for a Doomsday Device, but Matt flipped out and superkicked Jay. Matt hoisted Jay up for the Melzter Driver but Mark grabbed a chair and whacked Nick on the back before tossing the chair at Matt, earning a disqualification. The Briscoes continued to assault the Bucks, hitting a double superplex on Matt onto a pile of chairs. Mark then hid on the stage and waited for Adam Page and Scurll to come down, smacking them with chairs before they could make the save. Cody came out for the save, but fell victim to the numbers game. This was a strong segment that sets up a reason why Cody and Page will be challenging on the Honor United tour. Despite the disqualification ending, this really worked on all levels.
Winners: The Young Bucks, but still champions The Briscoes.
Final Reaction: C+
The opener was a bit flat here and the constant of Bully Ray’s attacks, especially after seeing him do the same thing three times on the War of the Worlds tour was a bit tiresome, but ultimately works in getting him a bit of heat. Also, allowing some new talent on the show is always a good thing. The tag team main event was particularly good, even with a schmozzy ending, it protected the Bucks and provided an opportunity for a future potential title match, while also setting up Cody/Page’s shot on the UK tour. This wasn’t a barn-burner of an episode, but there also was not anything here that did not work or contribute to an ongoing storyline.
Thanks for stopping by again this week and look for more Ring of Honor coverage the same time next week. Until then, please go over to Running Wild Podcast and take a listen to a show that covers oodles of wrestling news and ridiculous conversations. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud