ROH Final Battle 2021 Review

 

ROH Mass Hysteria 2019

ROH Mass Hysteria
July 21st 2019



From the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. Our hosts are Colt Cabana, Ian Riccaboni, and Caprice Coleman. I frequently attending live events at this venue, but was unavailable for this one, so I kind of hope this is good, but not “too good” if you know what I mean.

ROH World Tag Team Championship:
Jay and Mark Briscoe ©  vs. The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas)
New Hampshire’s Brian Milonas gets a “hometown” title shot. The Bouncers, despite their huge size advantage, are massive underdogs here, and initiate the brawl. Bruiser nearly kills a Briscoe with a somersault senton off the apron, but the Briscoes come back with a combination and dive and flying attacks. Mark summons his inner Sabu by leaping off a chair for a springboard dive. Mark hits the froggy elbow but Milonas catches him in a dive and smashes him around ringside. Milonas appears exhausted after hitting his patented slam and smashes his sizable rear into Jay’s face. The fans get behind the Briscoes as Mark gets a hot tag. The match breaks down and they all go down (crowd is quiet after some sloppy spots and miscues). The Briscoes prevent the Last Call and Jay powerbombs Milonas off the turnbuckles to set up Mark’s froggy elbow for the win at 9:08. Rough opener here that well missed the mark, *½.
Winners and still ROH Tag Team Champions: Jay and Mark Briscoe

ROH Manhattan Mayhem 2019

ROH Manhattan Mayhem
July 20th 2019



From the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, New York. Our hosts are Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Caprice Coleman. It looks like they have a packed house.

Dragon Lee vs. Jonathan Gresham
Gresham tries to pull Lee into the Octopus during the handshake, sparking a quick exchange leading to the typical stalemate and round of applause. They slug it out and Lee shows off after hitting a drop-kick. Tempers flare as they trade chops. Gresham notices the ref looking away and slaps the groin, so perhaps his strategy at Best in the World against Silas Young wasn’t so random. The low blow allows Gresham to take control with his collection of painful looking, clever submission holds. Lee rallies, hitting a backbreaker onto his knee. They exchange open hand slaps and Gresham kips up into an enziguri and swinging DDT. Gresham’s German suplex gets 2! Gresham attempts a top rope move but keeps slipping, so they trade blows instead, until Lee places him in a Tree of Woe for a double stomp! Lee’s running knee to the head gets 2! A second running knee by Lee ends it at 10:09! Great opener and a nice example of not letting a botch ruin the mood, ***¼.
Winner: Dragon Lee

ROH Best in the World 2019

ROH Best in the World
June 28th 2019



From the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Our hosts are Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Colt Cabana.

This was advertised to start at 8:00, but as of 8:15, I’m still sitting here like a doofus waiting for the stream to begin. Can always count on ROH to botch live streaming events, and we’re way into the “shame on me” phase of this ongoing tenuous relationship.

The stream started at 8:33. Fingers crossed that it holds up.

Flip Gordon vs. Rush
Rush kicks away a handshake and he continues to disrespect Flip during the feeling out process. Rush no-sells some chops so Flip slaps him in the face. Rush aggressively tosses Flip to the floor and repeatedly thrashes him in the guard rail and over the timekeeper’s table. Flip, um, flips his way into a comeback with 4 minutes gone, hitting a missile drop-kick, but Rush counters with a uranage out of the turnbuckles. Rush teases the Bulls Horns, but hits a mocking kick and rests in a pose. Flip unleashes a flurry of strikes to put Rush in a daze for a Falcon Arrow for 2. Rush survives a cutter and they trade stiff shots. Flip gets some nearfalls out of a powerbomb counter and Rush slips up catching him in a dive but still slams him into the rail. Rush dumps a trash can full of streamers on Flip, is not disqualified, but can’t get a pinfall out of it. Rush finally hits a proper Bulls Horns and picks up the victory at 10:17. This was a fine opener that succeeded at establishing Rush as a clear heel, **½.
Winner: Rush

ROH Honor Reigns Supreme 2019 Review

ROH Honor Reigns Supreme
January 13th 2019


From the Cabarrus Arena in Concord, North Carolina. Our hosts are Colt Cabana, Ian Riccaboni, and Caprice Coleman. Before the commentators can run down the card, they’re interrupted by an in-ring promo by John Skyler, Corey Hollis, and Josey Quinn. Skylar is the mouthpiece and runs the fans down for being hillbillies before issuing an open six man challenge.

Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, and Ryan Nova vs. John Skyler, Corey Hollis, and Josey Quinn
The heels cheap shot before the bell, but the good guys reverse Irish whips at ringside to get right back into it. Isom pops the crowd with a dive to the floor. Hollis distracts the referee long enough for his team to cheap shot Nova to isolate him. Cheeseburger gets a hot tag but quickly gets Isom for a straight jacket German suplex on Quinn. Hollis makes a save, but Cheeseburger knocks him down before walking into Skyler’s shotgun spear. Isom saves with a release Northern Lights, and he and Nova lift up Quinn for a top rope double stomp by Cheeseburger and it’s over at 5:40. Subpar spotfest by the job squad, *½.
Winners: Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, and Ryan Nova

Ring of Honor Final Battle 2018

ROH Final Battle 
December 14, 2018

From the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.  Our hosts are Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana.

Kenny King vs. Eli Isom 
I am not familiar with Isom, who is in his second year as a pro. King cuts a cheesy promo and clocks Isom with the microphone before the opening bell. King hits a spinning dive in short order. Isom comes back with the type of flippy moves that drive some people crazy. King stomps the foot and sweeps the leg to set up a cocky pin. King delivers an elaborate modified stunner for 2. Isom comes back with punching and throws an overhead belly to belly suplex. Isom can’t quite lift King in a deadlift powerbomb and awkwardly drops him from a low height. King uses the ropes to his advantage and hits a springboard blockbuster, but lifts Isom out of the cover. Isom nearly steals it with an inside cradle and delivers the Gory Special for 2. King gets serious and plants Isom with the Michinoku Driver for the victory at 9:00. Isom looks like a fine prospect but he didn’t do much to stand out here, **.
Winner: Kenny King

Retro Rowe: ROH on HDNet

Ring of Honor on HDNet- April 18, 2009
by SamoaRowe

-Our hosts are Mike Hogewood and Dave Prazak. They hype tonight’s main event which will be Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli.

-Smack talk with Jimmy Jacobs! He calls Necro Butcher a dumb animal who was too stupid to know what the Age of the Fall were fighting for. Necro Butcher responds in a separate video, threatening to use a staple gun on his former running mate.

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Necro Butcher
A graphic declares that Jacobs is “violent and evil.” Necro Butcher’s graphic reminds us that he had a big role in The Wrestler (now available on DVD). The referee has to pry the staple gun from Butcher’s hands, allowing Jacobs to jump him on the opening bell. Jacobs targets the head. Irish whip and backdrop by Butcher. Jacobs hides behind the referee for a breather. Jacobs offers a handshake, which Necro Butcher accepts as a means to cheap shot. Jacobs is stomped into the corner and gets driven into the turnbuckles. Butcher tosses Jacobs to ringside. Necro Butcher drives the ring bell into the gut, which surprisingly doesn’t draw a DQ. Necro Butcher chokes with a shirt and uses it to toss Jacobs across the floor. Necro Butcher tries a power bomb through a table, but Jacobs blocks and drops him to the floor. Jacobs pulls a plastic bag from his pants and tries to suffocate Necro Butcher! Jacobs seats Necro in a chair and dives onto him over the ropes! That spot never gets old. Back to the ring, Jacobs targets the head. Second rope elbow drop by Jacobs (who mocks Randy the Ram’s mannerisms). Necro Butcher counters a spear with a closed fist to the head. Chokeslam by Butcher and a Tiger Driver, but no cover attempt. Necro Butcher grabs the staple gun, but Brodie Lee runs in for the save. The match is thrown out at 5:49. Fun garbage match, more violent than what we usually see on televised wrestling in 2009, **.
Winner by DQ: Necro Butcher

Retro Rowe: ROH Rising Above 2008 Review

Ring of Honor: Rising Above 2, November 22, 2008
by SamoaRowe

-This was taped in Chicago, Illinois. Dave Prazak introduces the show.

-Jay and Mark Briscoe are in the ring, talking on the microphone. They tear apart Kevin Steen and El Generico, reminding them that they dominated them in their feud last year. Steen and Generico come out and Steen runs them down on the mic. Steen brings up Mark’s injury and says that beating the Briscoes at 50% won’t prove anything. Steen offers the Briscoes the chance to walk away, but the Briscoes take offense and jump the champs.

ROH World Tag Team Championship:
Kevin Steen and El Generico © vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe
Jay and Steen collapse to ringside, leaving Mark to pummel Generico in the ring. Generico fights back but hesitates, allowing Mark to attack the head and tag Jay. Generico counters with a knee lift and big kick for 2. Steen tags and slugs it out with Jay. Mark cheap shots, allowing Jay to nail a big boot. Mark tags and nails a suplex for 2. Jay tags, with Steen having to fight off both Briscoes. Scoop slam by Jay and a leg drop. Jay knocks Generico off the apron and tags Mark for a double shoulder block. Cover by Mark gets 2. The Briscoes keep the tags coming, isolating Steen. Steen drops Mark with a super kick and Jay’s attempt to block a tag fails. El Generico cleans house on the Briscoes. Generico tries to run the ropes, but Jay blocks with a clothesline. Exploder suplex by Mark gets 2. Steen makes the save, allowing Generico to hit a Yakuza kick. Generico takes out Jay at ringside, while Steen gets a frog splash on Mark for 2.9! Mark blocks a package piledriver and attempts a cutthroat driver. Steen blocks and nails the package piledriver to retain at 6:41. Hard hitting and entertaining for the time allowed, **½.
Winners and still ROH World Tag Team Champions: Kevin Steen and El Generico

Retro Rowe: ROH Supercard of Honor II Review

ROH: Supercard of Honor II

March 31, 2007

-Not really sure when I wrote this one either, but I'd guess sometime in 2007 when I'd just moved into my first apartment and was using my girlfriend's hilariously old computer.

-This was night two of a double shot weekend in Detroit, Michigan during Wrestlemania 23 weekend. Our hosts for the evening are Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard.

- The DVD opens with Jimmy Jacobs talking about his hatred of BJ Whitmer. He accuses Whitmer of walking out on him, and worrying about his career and legacy more than anything else. Jacobs says that tonight, in their steel cage match, he will be fighting for the greatest cause of all: love. Camera pans to the lovely Lacey, whom Jimmy has been obsessed with. Jacobs wants his innocence and purity back, and he will accomplish that by taking out Whitmer. "In my mind, you've already lost, big brother" claims Jacobs, which sends a chill running down my spine. Jacobs has developed into one of the best characters in all of wrestling, highlighted with this excellent promo.

-We are treated to highlights from last year's Supercard of Honor Dragon Gate match. Many considered that match to be the Match of the Year for 2006, so the stars of Dragon Gate are looking to repeat tonight.

-Jay Briscoe comes down to the ring to a monster pop. Last night in this same venue, Jay single handedly won back the ROH Tag Team Championship after his brother, Mark, botched a shooting star press to the floor and landed on his head. Jay says that Mark is recovering in the hospital and is looking forward to returning and having a great reign as tag champions. Jay is joined by former tag champs Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal. Daniels is heeling it up. The fans are chanting "Fallen Angel" to which Daniels cuts them off with "I know I'm here, shut the hell up and listen!" Daniels wants Jay to forfeit the tag titles to him and Sydal right now. Instead, Jay brings out his surprise partner, Delirious. If Sydal and Daniels can beat them, they can have a future shot at the titles.

Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal vs. Jay Briscoe and Delirious
Daniels set the tone for the match by hitting a cheap shot on Delirious as the bell rang. Jay ends up dumping Daniels to the floor, causing the Fallen Angel to consider leaving the match. For the record, Daniels is wearing that same face paint that can be seen every Thursday night on Impact. Daniels reconsiders and tags in Sydal, who demands Delirious. Those two have had one of the higher profile indy feuds as of late, which is always good to see, especially during a time when the wrestling world has been going through so much hard time. The match continues in a spotty, yet intense fashion, with a highlight being Jay Briscoe drop kicking Delirious into Sydal and Daniels, who were holding him at ringside. From there, Delirious becomes the face in peril for several minutes. Briscoe eventually cleans house, but Daniels hits a Death Valley Driver and goes for the Best Moonsault Ever, which is dodged. Delirious gets involved again, hitting the Panic Attack and Shadows Over Hell on Daniels, which still wasn't enough to put him away. After some chaos, Sydal is tagged in and misses the shooting star press. Delirious hits the chemical imbalance and pins Sydal at 18:08. Daniels and Sydal seem to be in a rut in their quest to reclaim tag team gold. Good opening match that probably didn't need to go as long as it did, but was enjoyable nonetheless, ***1/4.
Winners: Jay Briscoe and Delirious

Retro Rowe: ROH Death Before Dishonor V Night 1

ROH: Death Before Dishonor V Night 1
by SamoaRowe

August 10th 2007
Roxbury Crossing, MA

-Not really sure when I wrote this, my best guess is sometime around 2008.

-Ring of Honor's annual Death Before Dishonor spectacle kicks off in the slums of Boston, MA. There is a double main event of Takeshi Morishima defending the ROH World Championship against Claudio Castagnoli and the war between the Briscoes and Kevin Steen and El Generico will reach new heights of violence as they battle in a Boston Street Fight!

-The DVD opens with the Briscoes rambling on about how they are going to kill Steen and Generico. They use some fun medical props to make their point, as they anticipate their foes will resemble a human skeleton by the night's end. The Briscoes are such fun drunks.

Davey Richards vs. Jack Evans
Evans is extremely over with the Boston crowd. Richards is sporting that vest that New York fans seem to think resembles Chris Benoit a tad too much. This turns out to be a fine opener, as it is very spotty, but very sharply executed. Evans hits a lot of his trademark flying moves, including a standing moonsault. Evans attempts a springboard move, but Richards catches him with a powerbomb. Richards applies some submission holds for Evans to fight out from. Evans ends up missing his first 630 splash attempt and gets hit by a nasty German suplex from Richards. Evans attempts the 630 splash a second time, but Roderick Strong and Rocky Romero run in and attack, forcing the disqualification finish at 11:22. This was a fine exhibition match that also managed to advance a feud, **3/4.
Winner by DQ: Jack Evans

Retro Rowe: ROH Black Friday Fallout

Ring of Honor - Black Friday Fallout
November 26, 2006

by SamoaRowe

-From Lake Grove, NY. Our hosts are Dave Prazak and Jimmy Bauer (Gabe Sapolsky).

-Backstage interview with ROH Tag Team Champions Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. They are staging a phony press conference. Since they are the champs, they feel they can say whatever they want, whenever they want. They dismiss the other teams chasing after them. Tonight, they defend their newly won titles in a “No DQ” match against Austin Aries and Roderick Strong.

-Brent Albright introduces himself to the ROH audience. He’s coming off a lackluster run on Smackdown. Albright is here to make money and beat people up. Tonight, he gets the opportunity to beat five people up in the gauntlet match.

Four Corner Survival:
Daizee Haze vs. Nikki Roxx vs. Lacey vs. Allison Danger

That’s right, they’re opening with a women’s match, what are you going to do about it? Hot start with participants tagging themselves in, as everyone hates Lacey. Danger turns up the aggression, attacking Lacey with hard strikes. Roxx assists Danger in a double team against Lacey. Haze tags in and puts Roxx down with a Tornado Daizee Cutter. Allison misses a curb kick and Haze locks on an STF. Danger looks for a tag but Lacey refuses. Roxx tags and works over poor Allison. Lacey tags herself in and blindsides Danger. Allison makes a comeback but Haze sneak attacks with a drop-kick. Roxx and Haze gets tags and Roxx gains the upper hand with a tirt-a-whirl backbreaker. Barbie Crusher on Danger by Roxx! Daizee jumps Nikki and nails a Hart Punch. Lacey shoves off Daizee and puts Roxx down with an Implant DDT. Lacey gains the victory at 8:27. Solid match that really gave Lacey a chance to get over, **½.
Winner: Lacey

Retro Rowe: ROH Honor Reclaims Boston Review

ROH -Honor Reclaims Boston - Nov 3,2006

by SamoaRowe

-I still haven’t gotten my WWE tapes in the mail (damn holiday weekend) so here’s the second live ROH event I ever attended.

-From Braintree, MA. Our hosts are Dave Prazak and Jared David.

-Nigel McGuinness comes to the ring and puts over ROH’s return to the Boston area. His mystery opponent is local boy, John Walters.

Nigel McGuinness vs. John Walters

They show off their chain wrestling skills in the early going. Nigel leap frogs and runs into an arm drag. Walters delivers a slingshot arm drag to take control. They trade hip tosses and Walters scores yet another arm drag. They trade uppercuts and Walters scores with a flying cross body. Nigel throws a suplex and goes after the arm. Walters is also favoring arm attacks. Walters powers out of a cobra clutch only to eat a lariat. Walters counters with a big spinebuster. Walters unloads a flurry of offense but can’t get the pinfall. Hammerlock takedown by McGuinness cuts off Walters’ momentum. Walters comes back with a Codebreaker and an arm submission. Neckbreaker by Walters only gets 2. Nigel bounces back with the Tower of London for only 2. Nigel counters into the big lariat for a very close near fall. The crowd goes nuts for that one. McGuinness hits the lariat off the ropes but Walters gets a rope break. A second Tower of London ends it at 13:54. It was getting hard not to root for Walters at the end, ***.
Winner: Nigel McGuinness

Retro Rowe: ROH Survival of the Fittest 2005 Review

ROH Survival of the Fittest - Sep 24, 2005

by SamoaRowe

-I’m waiting for some WWE tapes to arrive in the mail, so I figured I’d review the first ROH event I ever attended. For those of you who are familiar with DWS, I took this event in with Viceroy Virus and GreatWhiteChoate.

-From Dorchester, MA. Our hosts are Lenny Leonard and Dave Prazak.

-Austin Aries and Roderick Strong can hardly believe it’s been a whole year since the first Survival of the Fittest tournament. Aries had a star-making performance last year, but came up short in the finals, so this year will be his redemption. Strong politely disagrees, saying it’s going to be his year.

Survival of the Fittest Qualifier:
Sal Rinauro vs. Jay Lethal

They exchange wristlocks in the early going. Rinauro counters into an armlock, but Lethal reverses into a pinning predicament. Rinauro goes after the arm some more. Lethal rebounds with a spinebuster for 2. Lethal targets the back, but Rinauro surprises with a drop-kick. Belly to back suplex by Rinauro gets a near fall. Hip toss backbreaker by Lethal! Back suplex by Lethal isn’t enough for the win. Sal counters out of a crucifix submission. Rinauro gets caught on the ropes but counters with a flying bulldog. Rinauro nails a springboard DDT. German suplex by Rinauro still isn’t enough. Lethal rebounds with a running suplex. Flying head butt by Lethal gets 2. Sal gets some near falls but misses a springboard kick. Lethal pops up with the Dragon Suplex for the win at 11:35. Perfectly good opener here, they made that look easy **¾.
Winner: Jay Lethal

Ring of Honor I-PPV Posters Part 1

Glory by Honor 2010. I have no idea why this doesn't have the ROH logo or the show's name.

 

Ring of Honor - Death Before Dishonor VIII Hype

Tonight is Ring of Honor's big iPPV - Death Before Dishonor VIII! The show only costs $14.99 and will be airing on GoFightLive.TV. I am very excited about this event. In a time when WWE fires Bryan Danielson for choking with a tie and TNA refuses to elevate Desmond Wolfe when the fans demand it, it is extremely important that we all support products like Ring of Honor and help them reach the next stage. The Tyler Black/Davey Richards main event could be a MOTYC and there is no obvious winner. The El Generico/Kevin Steen match has been building since Final Battle 2009 and could steal the show. Christopher Daniels will be taking on Kenny Omega, a man who many consider to be the next ace. Austin Aries collides with Delirious. The Kings of Wrestling (Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero) defend the ROH Tag Team titles against the Briscoes. There is a lot of bad bood there, as the Briscoes attacked the KOW's valet, Sara Del Rey. The KOW responded by attacking the Briscoes' father. These two teams have had awesome matches in the past, this could be another classic.

On paper, this is the best Ring of Honor show of the last couple of years. If you are sick and tired of being insulted by WWE and TNA, put your money where you mouth is and order this show.