Welcome back loyal readers to this week’s episode of ROH on HDNet. The second semi-final match in the ROH World Television Title Tournament is tonight. And once again I am in attendance with my trusty sidekick Vincent by my side. Let’s get to the action.
Last week on ROH on HDNet…
This week’s Ring of Honor episode starts off with a recap of last week’s episode. Usually I would be upset about this since I don’t like filler segments. But I am actually okay with this recap. It provides continuity between episodes and keeps the storylines fresh in viewer’s minds. Too often, ROH episodes seem random and don’t flow from one to the next. I definitely would like to see them string together their programming a little better.
Ricky Reyes vs. Colt Cabana
[adinserter block=”1″]WOW, Ricky Reyes is on the show tonight. For those of you who don’t know, Reyes was once a member of The Rottweilers with Ricky Romero and they held the ROH Tag Team titles. At the time, they were the longest reigning champions in ROH history, after defeating The Second City Saints (CM Punk & Colt Cabana). And that, boys and girls, is your ROH history lesson for today. Reyes is definitely not the fan favorite here. He generates heat from the fans anyway he can. Cabana tends to goof around in his matches but tonight he’d better be all business because Reyes is bringing it. This is a very competitive match, which is nice since I am tired of seeing squash matches. Cabana is showing more effort than I have seen in awhile. Cabana hits the “Colt 45” butterfly backbreaker to get the win. Nice opening match with a little bit of history for the old school fans.
My kind of town, Chicago is…
Next we see a preview for the next live ROH show in Chicago. One of the featured bouts is Colt Cabana & El Generico vs. Steve Corino & Kevin Steen in a street fight. Both teams cut good solid promos on each other. I do have one bit of advice for all you prospective young wrestlers out there that might be reading this. After seeing Steve Corino’s forehead in High Definition… GO EASY ON THE BLADING!!!
Backstage with Tyler Black
Kyle Durden interviews ROH World Champion Tyler Black. Black comments on how it’s harder to keep the title then to win it. Welcome to the big time, kid.
Backstage with Kenny King
Kyle Durden interviews Kenny King about his upcoming TV title match. Davey Richards comes out to interrupt. Davey doesn’t scream or yell or go over the top here. He is very quiet and reserved in his speech. Hmmm, what is it the always say about serial killers, “He was such a quiet young man”. Good luck tonight Kenny.
Briscoe Brothers vs. Josh Raymond & Christian Able
Oh-oh this looks like a squash match to me. One team is wearing eyeliner, looks like they decorated their tights with the streamers that ROH fans through into the ring, and has one member wearing torn fishnets. And the other team is the six time ROH tag team champs. Well guess what, I was totally wrong. This match is very competitive. Raymond & Able display lots of good offense. Able uses the smaller Raymond as a weapon by power bombing him onto a prone Mark Briscoe. Later on, Able sets up Jay for what looks like the Demolition Decapitation, with Raymond doing a spring board moonsault onto him instead of the elbow drop. Not to be outdone, the Briscoes counter with a bulldog off the top rope and finally win it with the Doomsday Device. This was a really good match and was a nice surprise. Plus I got to see the finishers from both Demolition and The Road Warriors. It’s like its 1990 all over again.
Austin Aries Promo
Austin Aries talks about his career in wrestling and what motivates him. He also expresses his disdain for Jim Cornette, who he blames for costing him the ROH World Tile. However, he doesn’t go so far as to talk about murdering him. See Corny, that’s how you shoot on someone without involving legal.
ROH World Television Title Semi Finals – Kenny King (2) vs. Davey Richards (4)
[adinserter block=”2″]This is the main event of the evening. I am half way to my American Wolves dream matchup in the finals and the only thing standing in the way is Kenny King. Guess who I’m rooting for here. And apparently so are a lot of others because I’m not the only one chanting “Davey Richards”. The first part of this match is both men trading submission holds. Lots of unique looking leg locks and arm bars. Richards is definitely trying to ground things and make this a submission match. The middle part is all power. King uses his size to lay some hard hitting shots on Richards, like suplexing him into the ring post. But Richards gets in his share of stiff kicks as well. Just like last week’s match these two are telling a great story in the ring. The final chapter is nothing but near falls and submissions. King goes for a superplex and Richards blocks it and turns it into a leaping kimura off the top rope. OUCH. Davey is locked in on the arm and he is not going to let up. He executes a nice bridge into an arm bar but King manages to gain the ropes. Just when you think King is finished he catches a second wind and executes a perfect springboard neck breaker off the top rope for only two. King goes for a super “Royal Flush” off the top rope but Davey blocks it and they really land awkwardly. Richards gets up and hits King with one of the loudest and stiffest clotheslines I’ve ever seen. Davey has that look in his eyes. Richards locks in a juji-gatame (cross arm lock) but King won’t give it up. Kenny actually fights through the pain and rolls up Richards for two. But Davey still won’t let it go. Finally Kenny King can take no more and he taps out. A 15 minute masterpiece by two top athletes. Kenny King earned my respect with this match but Davey Richards earned a trip to the finals.
This was a top notch episode all the way. The prelims were well balanced, all the promos were well delivered, and of course the main event was awesome. Next week the American Wolves showdown finally happens as Eddie Edwards takes on Davey Richards for the ROH World Television Title. Since I was in attendance for this match I already know the outcome, as does anyone else with access to the internet and a desire for spoilers. What you might not know is just how good this match is. If I could sum up ROH in one match it would be this one. It is one of the best matchups I have ever seen. Tune in next week to see my pick for match of the year.
How to Lose Stubborn Belly Fat, Get Flat Abs the Right Way.
Vince DeHoratus lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two kids. He has been a life long wrestling fan and he has passed that love onto his son. Though not quite yet “middle aged and crazy”, he is fast approaching it.
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