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EVENT:
RING OF HONOR HOUSE SHOW
EVENT REVIEW BY:
Andrew Schumann
EVENT DATE:
Saturday, September 15th, 2007
LOCATION:
Chicago Ridge Frontier Fieldhouse,
Chicago Ridge, Illinois |
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"ROH
are making great strides in becoming a great promotion." |
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| Matches 1-4 were taped
for their next pay per view. |
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MATCH 1:
Naomichi Marufuji vs. Nigel
McGuiness vs. Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castagnoli
This match is one of their usual matches of being a 4-corner
survival match. One pin fall match and tags are required.
The beginning match had all four men in and out of the ring
trading basic moves and holds. Claudio wanted Chris Hero
very badly in the match every time Hero was in the match he
wanted in. Claudio and Nigel exchanged a great display of
near falls. Every time they got a 2 count they moved into
another position for a near fall. The first high spot of the
match Marufuji hits a swan dive onto Hero and Claudio on the
outside. Nigel than came off the top rope with a cross body
block onto the other competitors. Marufuji and Nigel were
the first ones back into the ring. Marufuji hits a nice
combination on Nigel. Marufuji hits a lariat, dropkick,
clothesline, super kick and then the Sliced Bread number 2.
Hero then came in and hit his finisher a swinging neck
cravat. Claudio broke up the pin and hits Hero with a
reverse Death Valley driver and picks up a close pin. Nigel
than unloads a huge lariat on Claudio Castagnoli. Claudio
hits a giant swing during the match. Nigel hits his top rope
neck breaker on Marufuji and picked up a close fall. Nigel
winds picking up the pin with hitting Claudio with his
rebound jaw breaker lariat.
Star Rating: 3 ½ Stars. The match is one of their standard
matches. All four of the men gave everything they had. I can
definitely see that they’re pushing Claudio very hard right
now and his popularity has increased immensely the last 2
months. |
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MATCH 2:
No Remorse Corps vs. The Resilience
Challenge
PART A: Rocky Romero vs. Matt Cross
This match was short for them but very athletic. Romero was
using his kicks to his full advantage and early control of
the match. Matt Cross regained the offensive on the outside.
He used the ring post to deliver a cross body block onto
Romero. Once back in the ring Matt delivered a flipping
senton leg drop onto Romero. Cross then delivered a double
foot stomp and combo it with a moonsault. Romero picked up
the victory with a running knee, German suplex and kick
right to the head.
No Remorse Corps 1 The Resilience 0
PART B: Davey Richards vs. Austin Aries
The match was a mixture of athleticism and power. The first
half of the match had them exchanging shots. Richards
survived and gained control of the match. Richards delivered
the first shot with a under hook impaler DDT. Austin regains
the control and forces Richards to the outside. Aries
quickly followed up with a suicide dive onto Richards.
Richards was then able to regain control and the fight went
to the top rope. Richards was able to hit a release German
suplex off the top rope. Aries picks the victory with his
brain buster and 450-splash combination.
No Remorse Corps 1 The Resilience 1
PART C: Roderick Strong vs Erick Stevens
This match was all about physicality and strength. They were
lighting each other up with their respective chops. Stevens
delivered the first blow by hitting a running power slam
onto Strong. Strong rebounded with his own combo of a gut
buster and right into a power slam. Then they had a struggle
to gain control of the match. Strong was then able to hit a
superplex from the top rope. After a few minutes Stevens
regained control of the match by hitting a power slam from
the top rope. Stevens was able to pick up a near fall.
Strong delivered a back suplex onto Stevens off the ring
apron. Strong was able to pick up the pin after delivering
an outsider’s edge off the top rope into the Gibson driver.
No Remorse Corps 2 The Resilience 1, No Remorse Corps wins
the challenge.
Star Rating: 3 stars. The first match was short compared to
the other 2. The hottest feud within these groups is Aries
and Strong. They definitely found a way for this feud to
keep going with Strong seemingly keeps ducking Aries. A
unique idea that I would love to see again too fully like it
or hate it. |
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MATCH 3:
Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan
“American Dragon” Danielson for the ROH title
This match was a difference in styles Morishima relies on
his strength and Danielson uses his extraordinary mat
skills. This was a rematch from a couple of weeks ago when
Morishima defeated Danielson. Danielson suffered an eye
injury during that match and was just cleared for the match.
Morishima used his size advantage and just kept knocking
down Danielson. Danielson was finally able to knock down
Morishima and just kept locking in submission maneuvers. He
locked in a triangle choke after that locked in his cattle
mutilation. He then turned the hold into a series of elbows
to the side of Morishima’s head. Morishima regained control
of the match by using brute force. Morishima started to
attack Danielson eye with a series of hard punches.
Morishima hit his Back Drop Driver onto Danielson. Morishima
gained control and just rained down punches and the ref
finally stopped the match when it appeared that Danielson
couldn’t defend himself.
Star Rating 2 ½ stars. The finish was truly unique but not
new. Danielson won that way several times during his reign
as champion. Morishima is being booked as a physical beast.
I’m just hoping that they decide to stretch out Morishima to
see what else they could do with him. Danielson gave an
excellent effort with his eye injury. |
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MATCH 4:
The Briscoes vs. Steen & El
Generico for the Tag Titles
The last time in Chicago after The Briscoes picked up the
win. Steen after the match attacked them with a ladder
setting up the match. This wasn’t a match more like a war
that took place within the ring. Within the first 5 minutes
of the match they were on opposite sides of the building. By
the time the get into the ring both Briscoes were bleeding.
Steen and El Generico were in control of the match for the
early part of the match. The first ladder spot had the
Briscoes double team El Generico in the corner and then
preceded to hip toss him into a ladder. Briscoes then
focused on Steen to slow him down. Mark then made the first
effort to retrieve the belts and was interrupted when Steen
tipped the ladder backwards. Mark fell back first onto the
ladder that Generico was hip tossed onto earlier. Steen and
Generico regained control of the match. Steen was trying to
set up Mark on top of a ladder. The ladder just completely
broke underneath his weight. Jay was then put underneath a
ladder and El Generico hit a top rope elbow drop. Steen than
power bombed Mark outside and through a table. Jay was able
to regain control and stopped El Generico for a few minutes.
Mark preceded to hit a shooting star press onto the ladder
and El Generico. Mark than made another effort to get the
belts but the ladder was to beat up to support his weight.
They were able to find and bring in a taller ladder. While
this was happening Steen attacked Jay and put him out of
commission for a few minutes. Mark picked up El Generico on
his shoulders and Jay springboard into the ring hitting the
doomsday device. What made this move awesome is that he hit
it while flying through the open side of the ladder without
touching the ladder. Mark had an opportunity to retrieve the
belts and Steen hooked a ladder into the big one and the
corner. Steen then preceded up and stunned Mark and brought
him down to the side ladder. Steen than piledrived Mark
through the ladder and stunning himself. El Generico took
the opportunity and scurried up the ladder to make an
attempt to retrieve the belts. Jay than grabbed a ladder and
used it to stun El Generico. Jay then set up the ladder same
way that Steen did. Jay preceded to hit his jay driller
through the ladder. Steen and Jay preceded to ascend both
sides of the ladder to claim the belts. Jay and Steen were
exchanging blows at the top of the ladder. Jay finally
knocks Steen all the way down to the mat. Jay was able to
unstrap the belts. Before he could remove them Steen made
his way back up but was quickly sent back down by Jay. Jay
was then able to retrieve the belts for the victory.
Star Rating: A full 4 stars. WWE’s ladder matches worked
since the people involved could plan and work it out before
events. An independent ladder match is something special
because they don’t really have time to plan the match. The
Briscoes are gradually showing that they can carry Ring of
Honor main event status. Every match they pull something out
totally unbelievable. Both teams gave everything that they
had and pulled everything including the kitchen sink. |
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| The next few
matches are for regular DVD taping |
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MATCH 5:
Mitch Franklin vs Alex “Sugarfoot”
Payne
This match featured two students of their wrestling school.
Mitch Franklin is currently the holder of the top of the
class trophy. A great match with two guys who are just
getting their feet wet in the business. A very basic
maneuver wise from two greenhorns. Mitch Franklin picked up
the win when he blocked a roll through attempt.
Star Rating: N/A With 2 guys just getting started in the
business it’s real hard to see a definite advantage for
either guy. |
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MATCH 6:
Daizee Haze &Amazing Kong vs. Sara
Del Ray &Lacey
This match featured probably 4 of the biggest names in women
independent wrestling right now. Sara Del Ray is the
champion of the all women promotion Shimmer. They put on a
quality 15 minute match or so. Amazing Kong has one quality
that not much seen in women’s wrestling and that is power.
She used her power to keep the advantage for her team.
Daizee Haze was on the receiving end of many double teams.
Del Ray locked Haze into the gory special. Del Ray converted
it into a pinning attempt by sliding Haze down. Amazing Kong
power bombed Del Ray and got a near fall. Daizee Haze got
the victory when she hit her snap mare driver on Lacey.
Star Rating: 3 stars. Another great match put on by the
ladies. Every time they are given a chance to shine. They
put on a quality match that was enjoyed by every one. |
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MATCH 7:
Brent Albright & BJ Whitmer vs. The
YRR
The team of Albright and Whitmer just formed within the last
couple of weeks. The team of YRR are from ROH’s sister
promotion of FIP. The team of Albright and Whitmer just
destroyed their opponents and picked up a quick victory.
Star Rating: 1 ½ A typical WWE squash match. They are trying
to get the team of Albright and Whitmer over as big time
heels. |
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MATCH 8:
Matt Sydal vs. Delirious
If you have read the wrestling newsbytes in the last week
you would’ve read that Sydal has signed with WWE. This was
his final match with ROH and taking on his old nemesis
Delirious. At the beginning of the match the fans thanked
Sydal for everything he has done for the company. Sydal
seemed to be taken back from all the cheers. Sydal had the
early advantage on Delirious by using several submission
moves. Delirious regained control of the match by hitting a
flipping senton splash onto Sydal on the outside. Sydal
regained control after hitting his That Its maneuver. The
maneuver is a half nelson and pump handle slam for a near
pin. Delirious regained control by hitting the Bizarro
Driver on Sydal. Sydal came through with the split legged
leg drop right into his standing moonsault. Delirious
responded by hitting cross body block onto the back and
picking up a quick near fall. Delirious was finally able to
pick up the win with his chemical imbalance maneuver a
variation of the power bomb. After the match Matt Sydal
bowed to the crowd and thanked them for everything.
Star Rating: 3 Stars. A solid match from 2 guys who probably
have wrestled each other quite a bit. In the last year
Delirious career with ROH has had a huge upswing of
confidence in him. Matt Sydal concluded a moderately
successful career with ROH. The perfect way to end the
event. |
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SENDOFF:
Overall I would give it about 3 stars. The highlight of the
night was the ladder war that was the main-event of the pay
per view taping. The low light of the night was the couple
of squash matches. On the side after the ladder match Jimmy
Jacobs a regular member of the promotion made his return. He
introduced his group by attacking the Briscoes Brothers. One
of Jacobs’ guys basically busted them both open pretty bad.
They hung Jay by his ankles with the belt holders. Jacobs
then gave a promo while standing underneath Jay’s blood
dripping down all over him. They have announced that this
part won’t be on the pay per view. They build themselves as
a family friendly promotion. I was surprised that this even
happened in the first place. On a positive note they are
making great strides in becoming a great promotion. They
will be back on December 1st. |
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Photo ©
2007 Ring of Honor
Article © 2007 Alternate Reality, Inc. |
