ROH 7/07/18 TV Review: Cody vs Titan
06/02/18
Hammerstein Ballroom
NYC, NY
This week was the second episode from the set of tapings from NYC, NY. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: Gabby Ortiz & Riley Sheppard vs Sumie Sakai & Stella Grey
Sheppard vs Grey started off for their respective teams, with Grey gaining control with a wristlock, as Riccaboni shared that Sheppard is the Gladiator of the Geeks. Cabana made a fantastic Beat the Geeks reference before Sheppard tagged out to Ortiz, who came in blazing with a series of kicks to Grey. Sheppard and Ortiz doubled teamed Grey, keeping the champion on the apron while they executed a double Russian leg sweep, showing some continuity. Sakai eventually made her way in and things broke down a bit as she took care of both Sheppard and Ortiz by beating them into opposite corners and connecting with a series of running attacks. The crowd started really coming alive for this one mid-match and was audibly behind Sakai as she hit her finisher,Smashmouth, on Sheppard for the win. There were a couple of moments during which it felt the match was moving along in slow motion, but Sheppard and Ortiz worked well together here and Sakai got her time to shine. Grey sold well here and gave both Ortiz and Sheppard a chance to show off their offense. Ultimately, this felt like a showcase for Sakai, who needs a pure heel to work against soon.
Winners: Sakai & Grey
Second Match: No DQ, No Countout
Cheeseburger vs Bully Ray
Ray attacked Burger during the entrance, low blowing him while Burger posed on the ropes. Ray beat Burger around the floor, pushing Cary Silkin before throwing a cheesegrater and kendo stick into the ring. Ray then put Burger in the tree of woe and then stepped on Burger’s pickle. Ray methodically beat him some more until Burger grabbed the kendo stick and went to town on Ray. Ray escaped by grabbing the grater and then launched Burger with a powerbomb. Ray then whipped Burger with a chain and even shoved Sinclair down, whipping him. That was the last straw for Colt Cabana, who ran down and speared Ray. Cabana gave Burger the cheese grater, holding Ray for the wassup move. He called for Burger to grab the tables, but Ray recovered. Cabana then oddly didn’t come back in Burger was able to avoid being a smash burger, but didn’t get the pinfall because the referee came down late. BJ Whitmer then ordered Cabana to the back, while Ray hit a big boot for the win. Post-match Ray tried to choke Burger with his chain, prompting Cabana to came back and save the day. Ray had nuclear heat here and the slow build to Bully against Cabana through the use of commentary and Ray’s reprehensible actions has been well done as the crowd desperately wants to see Bully get what is coming to him.
Winner: Bully Ray
A Coleman’s Pulpit aired next with the Kingdom as guests. After some unpleasantries with wine being offered to Coleman from one of Marseglia’s balloons, he congratulated them on winning the 6-Man titles again. They mentioned the 6-Man tag gauntlet and Taven commented that it was unfair because of the conspiracy against them. Coleman’s told a story about a wasteful son who wrecked a luxury car and ended up with a suped-up midsize sedan. Taven became irate that he was equated with a sedan and then he and Coleman called either jive-turkeys, which was quite offensive and I’m surprised this was on television. Marseglia popped a balloon to end the hostilities.
SoCal Uncensored cut a promo afterward, claiming that they would be winning the gauntlet to earn a shot to reclaim their titles.
The Dawgs then were caught attacking Ryan Nova, stealing the man’s paltry six dollars in an effort to gather funds to pay Shane Taylor to join their team next week.
Main Event: Cody vs Titan
Caprice Coleman replaced Cabana on commentary here and in a nice piece of continuity, Riccaboni and Coleman spoke about the previous segment. Cody offered a code of honor and a kiss of the ring, but Titan only shook hands. Cody then began some calisthenics, to which Titan responded with some nifty nip-ups. Just as Titan gained control, Burnard and then Brandi grabbed him as he ran the ropes. Cody capitalized and dominated, but Titan managed to break free, only for Burnard to interfere and grab the leg again. Titan confronted him and Cody hit the bear accidentally, allowing Titan to hit a moonsault to the outside. Back inside Cody eventually just ripped Titan’s mask, distracting him enough to win via small package. This felt a bit short here and was centered around Cody disrespecting his opponent by messing with the mask, as well as the antics of Burnard and Brandi on the outside. Cody’s win was pure heel work here and done well, but a few more minutes would have given Titan a chance to shine just as Guerrero did the week before.
Winner: Cody
Final Reaction: C+
This episode stands out as truly enjoyable because of the Bully Ray/Cheeseburger match. Seeing new talent in the WOH is a positive sign, especially on television. Cody/Titan felt a bit short in person there was a great heat segment before the match started, with Cody teasing All In 2 would be in New York, before insulting the fans at large. Without that, the match did not come off the same on television as it did in person. As such, it felt a bit short and Titan did not get to perform in the same way that he has on CMLL programming. Bully Ray had serious heat here, which in turn made Cheeseburger’s offense and Cabana’s inclusion push the crowd to a fever pitch. If that had been the main this show would have felt a bit better paced.
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