IMG Credit: Ring of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: August 12, 2020

We’re going with a big guy this time in Shane Taylor. After breaking up with his tag team with Keith Lee, Taylor stuck around ROH and became TV Champion, but he was rumored to be leaving the promotion earlier this year. He hasn’t actually appeared since December, so his current status isn’t the most clear. Let’s get to it.

Video on Shane Taylor, who has his own promotion company (read as his name for the lackeys).

Shane talks about how he elevates everyone and makes the company mean more just by being there. All that matters is Shane Taylor is money in this sport.

Ron Hunt, Taylor’s promoter, talks about how Taylor has proven himself time after time. That has been the case for the last four years and he’ll keep doing it in the future. We’ll start our look at his dominance at Best in the World 2019.

TV Title: Bandido vs. Shane Taylor

Taylor is defending and Bandido slaps him in the face to start. That ticks Taylor off so Bandido can start ducking and dodging in a fast manner. They head outside and this time Taylor catches him with a powerbomb onto the apron to take over. Back in and the chinlock goes on but Bandido kicks him in the head for the break. Another kick to the head sets up a corkscrew crossbody to send Taylor outside.

You don’t do that against a luchador and it’s a running dive to take Taylor down again. Back in and another middle rope moonsault keeps Taylor in trouble but he catches a charge in the corner with something like a chokeslam. The middle rope splash gives Taylor two but Greetings From 216 is broken up. A superkick rocks Taylor but the 21 Plex is blocked with a grab of the rope. The powerbomb and a knee to the head set up a package piledriver for two on Bandido.

That means frustration sets in so Shane goes up….AND BANDIDO CATCHES HIM IN MID AIR??? That’s the kind of thing that impressed people when Diesel did it to Bret Hart so good freaking grief man. Bandido powerslams him for two and a shooting star gets the same. Another 21 Plex attempt is countered into the Greetings From 216 to retain the title at 12:35.

Rating: B. It takes a lot to truly shock me with a spot but Bandido, who is far from a big guy, pulling Taylor out of the air, actually stunned me. I don’t remember the last time that happened but my goodness it was awesome. Bandido is a lot more than just a high flier but he’s awesome at that too, making this one a very nice surprise.

Hunt talks about wanting to prove that the title reign wasn’t a fluke, so it was time to defend it again, this time against a hungry competitor. From Mass Hysteria.

TV Title: Eli Isom vs. Shane Taylor

Taylor is defending and spits on his hand during the handshake offer. Isom gets powered up against the ropes to start but comes back with a forearm. That has absolutely no effect and Taylor misses some rights and lefts in the corner. The uppercuts work well enough for Isom and he starts running the ropes, only to get knocked out of the air with a shoulder. A running dropkick puts Taylor on the floor but he easily catches the slingshot dive.

Isom manages a posting though and the baseball slide works a bit better. The suicide dive sends Taylor into the barricade but he pulls Isom down and hits a hanging DDT to the floor. A hard whip sends Isom into the barricade and a running knee to the head makes it even worse. Back from a break with Shane hitting another running knee in the corner for two. Isom bails to the floor so Shane tries the package piledriver on the apron. That’s broken up to prevent a bad case of death, only to have Taylor hiptoss him out to the floor.

Taylor’s middle rope splash misses back inside and Isom slugs away with right hands to limited avail. An enziguri works better and sends Taylor to the floor, followed by the middle rope moonsault. Back in and Isom’s frog splash gets two and a tornado DDT is good for the same. A Samoan drop gets a heck of a two but Taylor drops him with a right hand. Taylor powerbombs him into the package piledriver for two and the place goes nuts on the kickout. Not that it matters as the Greetings From 216 finish Isom at 14:08.

Rating: B-. This was a lot better than I would have bet on and that’s because they made the story work. I don’t think they were ever going to convince fans that the title change was coming but some of those near falls gave you a reason to believe. Nice job here, as Isom continues to look good almost every time he’s in the ring.

Hunt says you should bet on Taylor, like you can do in Las Vegas. Like at Death Before Dishonor 2019.

TV Title: Shane Taylor vs. Flip Gordon vs. Tracy Williams vs. Dragon Lee

Taylor is defending, it’s one fall to a finish and PJ Black is on commentary. Lee is a surprise bonus challenger. Gordon and Williams slug it out to start and head to the floor, leaving Lee to bounce off of Shane. A hurricanrana sends Taylor outside so it’s Gordon taking his place, only to get dropkicked back down. Now it’s Williams coming in and getting dropkicked down as well, leaving Lee to hit the Tranquilo pose.

That’s broken up and it’s Gordon vs. Williams all over again. Williams gets the better of it and grabs a dragon sleeper with Shane making a fast save. Lee sends Shane into the corner for a slingshot kick to the face, only to miss a dropkick to Williams’ head. We haven’t had a dive in a bit so Lee takes out Williams and Gordon at the same time with a big crash.

Taylor cannonballs off the apron to take everyone out at once for the big knockdown. Back in and Gordon hits a tornado DDT on Taylor but Williams DDTs Gordon onto the top turnbuckle. Lee comes back in and starts throwing some suplexes but Taylor isn’t about to get taken down with a hurricanrana. Gordon and Williams get in a fight over a chair, allowing Gordon to knock him down. That’s about it though as Gordon walks into Greetings From 216 to retain Shane’s title at 8:26.

Rating: C. They did well enough here, though it wasn’t anything great. The problem here is Shane has been so dominant and there isn’t a feud for him anywhere. It’s just one match after another and while he is kind of awesome, there is only so much that he can do without a reason to watch him. Gordon vs. Williams has been good, but it’s been done to death at this point, which is often a problem around here.

Post match Lee stares Taylor down to set up the next match.

Taylor himself says stand for something and bow to no one. Change the game.

Overall Rating: B. This was another good show, but it’s rather nice to hear that we are coming back to regular shows in the near future. You can only get so much out of these things and ROH is rapidly running out of interesting names to put out there. Good show here though, as Taylor is a little better than your run of the mill big man and the Shane Taylor Productions deal is a nice enough idea.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

Ring of Honor
Date: October 23, 2019
Commentators: Caprice Coleman, Ian Riccaboni
Hosts: Ian Riccaboni, Quinn McKay

We’re still in the post Death Before Dishonor era with matches from the official Fallout event. I’m not sure what to expect this week and that has been the case since the show changed formats. They could be worth watching if the matches are good but if they aren’t up to par, these can be terrible hours of TV. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We open with a video on Flip Gordon attacking Tracy Williams over and over during the summer.

We recap Shane Taylor not being happy with Ring of Honor and having his contract bought out. He is still TV Champion though and wants to use it as leverage in negotiations. After being locked out of the negotiating room (literally), Shane held a quick press conference saying he wants new competition. Management came up and said they would figure something out.

House show ads.

We look at Dalton Castle bragging about his mimosa but Joe Hendry isn’t impressed. Hendry debuted a new song about how he was the leader of their team and various peacock jokes. Then he beat up the new Boys just because.

Joe Hendry vs. Dom Kubrick

Hendry signs some autographs around ringside, which isn’t something you see too often. Kubrick gets taken down with ease to start but the threat of an ankle lock sends him bailing to the ropes. Back up and Hendry gets two off a jumping knee to the face but he heads outside for a breather.

Kubrick tries a dive, only to hit mat as Hendry steps to the side for another autographed (ripped up by a rather rude fan). Back in and Kubrick grabs a spinning butterfly suplex for two, followed by a guillotine choke on the mat. That doesn’t last long so it’s a double underhook facebuster into a clothesline. The fall away slam sets up the Hendry (ankle) lock to make Kubrick tap at 5:32.

Rating: D+. Hendry is one of those cases where he has a certain talent but his in-ring work just can’t back it up. He would be a good choice for a tag team because the music stuff is rather awesome but he can’t do anything in the ring to make it work. The Dalton Castle idea has something, though as usual around here, they’re taking so much time to get anywhere that it doesn’t matter.

Jenny Rose wants the Women of Honor Title from Angelina Love. The word HONOR or some variation is thrown around a lot.

Video on Kenny King vs. Rhett Titus. After Titus lost again, King came in and asked where the fire was. Titus said at least he didn’t get knocked out by a cameraman (which happened when King ran into a camera recently). They’re still trying with Titus and it’s just not there.

Jeff Cobb is excited to get his World Title shot in the UK.

Matt Taven, with the Kingdom, talked about wanting to come here because the innovators are here. Then he won everything there is to win and now….he’s staying. I’m sure this has nothing to do with the lack of interest elsewhere. This was treated as a face promo, which I hope doesn’t stick. Well in theory as it’s not like he could be a less interesting heel.

Mandy Leon and Angelina Love brag about Love winning the title.

The Kingdom has been attacked.

Tracy Williams vs. Flip Gordon

No DQ and Gordon jumps him on the stage with a black kendo stick. A chair gets kicked into Flip’s face though and Williams suplexes him on the floor. They get inside with Williams hitting a suplex and corner clothesline. A 619 into a slingshot hilo puts Gordon outside again for an elbow to the back of the neck. Gordon posts him though and hits a springboard tornado DDT off of the barricade to take us to a break.

Back with Gordon hitting a swinging neckbreaker onto a chair for two. Gordon stomps on the arm so Williams chairs him in the ribs. The chair gets thrown at Gordon’s head but he’s fine enough to crotch Williams on top. A springboard kick to the head connects but Williams is right back with a top rope DDT onto the open chair. Since wrestling is ridiculous these days, THAT GETS TWO.

Can we pause for a second on that one? The DDT used to be one of the most devastating moves in wrestling. When Jake Roberts hit one, you were done, totally and completely. He DDTed Ricky Steamboat on the concrete and Steamboat sold it like death. Now we’re to the point where someone can be on the middle rope and jump down to send their opponent’s head onto an open chair with the same move and it’s just a regular move. And they wonder why the reactions are getting smaller and smaller when they do more and more.

So anyway, Williams goes to a Crossface but Gordon rolls outside (because he’s awake after a jumping DDT onto a chair). Williams unloads with the kendo stick and it turns into a stick duel. Gordon goes low and hits something like the Eye of the Hurricane onto the ramp. Back from a break with the table being set up in the ring but Williams sends Gordon outside to block a superplex attempt. Williams pulls him back in and hits a super piledriver through the table for the pin at 16:42.

Rating: B-. As much as that DDT spot got on my nerves, this felt like a big time match between two people who wanted to hurt each other. That’s a big plus and something that is hard to pull off. The feud between the two teams has been the best thing about Ring of Honor for months and it was nice to see another good match between them. Just learn better DDT appreciation.

Rush is ready for Jeff Cobb.

Overall Rating: C-. Good main event aside, you can feel the death around this place. There’s just nothing that would make me want to keep watching and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Lifeblood vs. Villain Enterprises is an interesting feud but it has been going for months now. I can’t imagine Final Battle is going to make things any better and this whole thing has been feeling weaker and weaker by the show. It’s a sad situation, but ROH has done almost nothing to make itself better and this is the result.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: July 10, 2019
Location: ShoWare Center, Kent, Washington
Commentator: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana

Another week and another show that is likely going to be little more than a filler as we wait for the fallout from Best in the World. The best thing I can say about that is we don’t need to see as much of the bad storytelling that takes place around here when they get away from what they do best. Hopefully the good wrestling can carry the week around here so let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Kingdom vs. Bouncers

TK O’Ryan and Vinny Marseglia for the Kingdom here and Brian Milonas is now Brawler Milonas. O’Ryan runs away from Brawler to start and gets sent into the buckle over and over for his efforts. A missed charge lets O’Ryan hit a running dropkick in the corner but Brawler falls on him for a clever spot. Bruiser comes in and punches at Marseglia, followed by doing the same to O’Ryan, with the fans being rather pleased. A little fish hooking gets Marseglia out of trouble but Bruiser bites his way to freedom. Well kind of as he has no teeth you see.

Everything breaks down and Bruiser hits a running flip dive to take them both down. The Kingdom gets smart and sends him into the barricade though and we take a break. Back with Bruiser getting the rope kicked into his face as the fans chant for beer. Amazingly enough, Bruiser isn’t going up for a double flapjack so he grabs a double side slam instead. That’s enough for the tag to Milonas but Closing Time is countered with a grab of Milonas’ leg, allowing O’Ryan to fall on top for the pin at 10:32.

Rating: C. See, this is how you use the Bouncers. They’ve been built up for a few months now and then lose to a bigger team. The fans like them because they’ve been established as a fun team and their gimmick is going to keep them around forever. It’s not a great match or anything, but it was the result of a few months of perfectly acceptable booking.

Post match the Bouncers bring in some beer (with Bruiser holding one to his injured mouth) and the Kingdom puts them over. They’re a good team, but they’re also fat and worthless like everyone here. The beer is poured out in an act of disrespect.

Matt Taven says beware of the quiet man, who he’s facing tonight in Tracy Williams. At the same time, Williams needs to worry about the World Champion. That’s true, as he might have to watch Taven.

Williams (I didn’t even recognize him, which says a lot about ROH at the moment) says this is the biggest match of his career and Taven better have enjoyed his time as champion.

Brian Johnson vs. Josh Woods

Johnson says Woods hasn’t done anything since winning the Top Prospect Tournament and Woods doesn’t like being called out like that. Woods drives him into the corner with no trouble and grabs a waistlock to mess with Johnson some more. An overhead belly to belly (Johnson: “NO! NO! NO!” Cabana: “I think the answer is yes.”) sends Johnson flying but he avoids a charge to send Woods into the post.

Back from a break with Woods fighting out of a chinlock but getting taken down by his banged up arm. The armbar is broken up with some right hands and a knee to the ribs starts the comeback. Johnson kicks the knee out though and Woods falls face first onto Johnson’s knee for a nice little spot, which they managed to make look natural. Not that it matters as Woods hits a knee to the face and the Seismic Toss for the pin at 8:18.

Rating: C+. I liked this more than I was expecting to and that’s always a nice feeling. Johnson is a good little heel and Woods is the kind of guy you can push as the resident shooter. I could see him going towards a midcard title shot and with some more seasoning and tweaking, even further than that. Nice match here and that’s quite the surprise.

We look back at Williams becoming the #1 contender.

Ring of Honor World Title: Matt Taven vs. Tracy Williams

Taven is defending, Jay Lethal is on commentary and the Kingdom is barred from ringside. Lethal is rather frustrated at Taven’s jabs at him for losing the title as Williams takes Taven down by the arm. Taven wrestles his way up and we take an early break. Back with Williams working on the leg and grabbing an ankle lock to send Taven over to the rope. Something like an Angle Slam plants Williams and Taven charges into a boot in the corner.

They head to the floor with Taven whipping him hard into the steps as the brawling goes badly for Williams in a logical move. Hang on though as Taven grabs the title and goes to leave. You don’t do that to a guy named Hot Sauce (seriously, don’t try it) as Williams goes after him and sends the champ into various things. Williams hits a running ax handle off the apron and it’s back into the ring.

Taven catches him on top and hits kind of a super Russian legsweep onto the apron (FREAKING OW MAN!) for a major crash. Back from another break with Williams missing a top rope double stomp but grabbing a sleeper instead. That’s broken up and an enziguri rocks Williams again but he shoves Taven off the top. A top rope DDT (always like that) gives Williams two and they’re both down. It’s Taven up first with a hard knee to the face for another double knockdown.

One heck of a clothesline from Williams sets up the Crossface and that looked like a tap. Of course it’s not though so Williams switches to an ankle lock. The rope is grabbed and Taven hits another knee. The Climax connects for two in a rather good false finish and Williams’ piledriver, with one arm, gets the same. With nothing else working, Taven sends Williams into the referee and drives the bad arm into a turnbuckle he exposed during the break. Now the Climax can retain at 16:44.

Rating: B. The wrestling was better here but there is only so much you’re going to get out of Taven given how uninteresting he can be. Williams feels like a bit of a low rent Chris Benoit and that’s the kind of wrestler who is always going to have a place on a show like this (or any other for that matter). Just find a slightly more interesting way to cut a promo and they could be somewhere.

Overall Rating: B. I know I say this almost every time but the lack of storytelling is the best thing that this company can do. These stand alone shows are that much better and a lot of that is due to them cutting out what they’re bad at and focusing on the good stuff. It’s worked for them for years but for some reason we only get it occasionally here. In other words, do everything backwards from what they seem interested in doing and it gets a lot better.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: June 19, 2019
Location: The Odeum, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana

The Chicago run continues as we move towards Best in the World. That can mean a few different things, but tonight it’s a four corner survival match with no connection to the pay per view. Never let it be said that Ring of Honor spends all of its time before a pay per view getting ready for the show. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Hikuleo vs. Hirooki Goto

Goto gets shoved down to start as this is likely going to be a physical one. They grapple a bit and it’s off to an early break. Back with Goto’s Saito suplex being blocked with elbows to the head and some hard chops. A knee to the head cuts Hikuleo off though and Goto heads up top.

As expected, that’s not a good idea as a superplex brings him right back down. They trade clotheslines until Hikuleo gets the better of it but Goto is right back with a headbutt. The fireman’s carry backbreaker drops Hikuleo again and the GTR (kind of the Eye of the Hurricane onto a knee) gives Goto the pin at 9:36.

Rating: C-. I’ve never cared for either of these guys (though Goto has been fine at times) and this felt like a match whose sole appeal was the inclusion of New Japan talent. That’s not the most interesting thing in the world and this felt like a match that just came and went. Not terrible, but I won’t remember it by the end of the show.

Kenny King showed that he was the better man in their first match and he’ll win the second too. Maybe he’ll just use the Lethal Injection again.

Kelly Klein/Jenny Rose vs. Allure

It’s Mandy Leon/Angelina Love for the non-Beautiful People here. And never mind as Allure jumps them from behind during the break and there’s no match.

The tag match will take place at Best in the World instead. Well at least they didn’t waste time with the bait and switch this time around.

We look back at the Briscoe Brothers going nuts and coming after the NWA, both at the Crockett Cup and last week.

Best in the World rundown, including some clips for some of the matches.

Shinobi Shadow Squad vs. PJ Black/Mark Haskins/Tracy Williams

Williams throws Cheeseburger down without much effort so Cheeseburger spins around into a headlock. That goes nowhere so it’s off to Black vs. Isom with Eli jumping around and hitting a knee to the chest. Back from a break with Haskins kicking Nova into the wrong corner to take over.

Black adds a top rope stomp, followed by Haskins’ guillotine legdrop to the back of the head. A missed charge in the corner allows the tag to Isom so house can be cleaned for a bit. That means a moonsault to the floor to take Black down and Cheeseburger’s Swanton gets two on Haskins. Back up and Haskins hits a sitout Samoan driver on Isom. Black adds the moonsault double stomp for the pin at 9:53.

Rating: C. This is another match match that existed and that’s not the most thrilling thing in the world. The Squad continues to be little more than a bunch of jobbers while Lifeblood and Black could be fine if they got some better opponents. The fans seemed to like it though so it’s hard to complain all that much.

Post match handshakes abound and Haskins calls out Bully Ray for a fight anywhere.

Jeff Cobb vs. Rush vs. PCO vs. Jay Lethal

One fall to a finish with Matt Taven on commentary. Rush won’t shake hands to start because he’d rather forearm PCO in the face. An exchange of shoulders gives us a big staredown, followed by Lethal’s chops having no effect on PCO. A hiptoss into the cartwheel dropkick works just fine but PCO is waiting on the dive. Lethal isn’t sure what to do and neither is Cobb. Rush rolls into a tranquilo pose so Lethal knocks him down and hits a dive.

Lethal’s dive is caught by PCO with a chokeslam onto the apron and a Vader Bomb gets two on Rush. There’s a chokeslam for two on Cobb as Rush makes the save and suplexes Lethal. Rush runs PCO over but walks into a superkick from Cobb. The very delayed vertical suplex slam doesn’t worry Taven but Cobb suplexing PCO does a bit. Cobb pulls Lethal out of the corner into the swinging belly to back suplex as we take a break. Back with Lethal hitting a DDT on Cobb and a Downward Spiral on Rush at the same time.

Both Lethal and PCO head up top so Cobb goes up with them, meaning it’s a Tower of Doom with Rush powerbombing all three down. Rush can’t cover so the bloody PCO sits up. The Lethal Injection is countered with a pop up powerbomb for two with Cobb making the save. Rush’s overhead belly to belly gets two on Cobb but the strikes have little effect on PCO. PCO’s top rope flip dive only hits apron and it’s the Lethal Injection to Rush. Cue Kenny King to yell at Lethal for stealing his moves and Cobb hits the Tour of the Islands to finish Lethal at 13:16.

Rating: B. The ending was a relief as I was worried about having someone other than the #1 contender winning here. At least they didn’t do anything stupid like having someone outside of the main person winning, and King interfering helped things out a lot. It’s a nice main event and easily the best thing on the show so far.

Overall Rating: C+. If this company ever learned how to properly use their television time leading up to a pay per view, I’d be tempted to buy them a sandwich. What was the point in the opener other than to show that New Japan still does business with them? We’re less than two weeks away from a pay per view and how many matches received no build here? This shouldn’t be complicated but it’s been a problem for them since before I can remember. Do promos or a squash match or something, but get us to want to buy the pay per view, not New Japan World.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/05/31/new-paperback-kbs-history-of-in-your-house/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor Wrestling

Ring of Honor
Date: June 12, 2019
Location: The Odeum, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Nick Aldis

It’s a big week this time around as we have hometown boy and NWA National Champion Colt Cabana defending the title against James Storm. I’m not sure how smart it is to have another promotion tying in to ROH but I’m also not sure if the company knows how to survive otherwise. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

NWA National Title: Colt Cabana vs. James Storm

Cabana is defending and that title is still hideous. They lock up to start with Storm missing a right hand in the corner, prompting Colt to tell the referee to admonish him. Cabana grabs a headlock as they’re firmly in half gear so far. A cartwheel over Storm lets Colt go right back to the headlock but Storm is right back with a weak Sling Blade. Last Call misses as Cabana bails to the floor and we take a break.

Back with Cabana working on the arm, followed by a falling splash. Storm trips him down though and gets in a kick to the head. Some right hands to the same general area keep the champ in trouble, setting up a running knee to the face. That’s good for a delayed two as they’re really not exactly putting in that much energy here. Cabana fights out of a chinlock and blocks the Eye of the Storm.

A headscissors puts Storm down but Colt can’t follow up, after those devastating….what did Storm do that should keep him down? Cabana gets up for his running shoulder in the corner, setting up the double jump splash for two. Back from another break with Storm sending him into the barricade and then sending him into the barricade again.

Storm stops to glare at Aldis on commentary before breaking the count like a veteran. The delay lets Cabana get in a hiptoss onto the concrete and it’s a moonsault for two back inside. Storm hits a pair of Last Calls but puts on the Cloverleaf to mess with Aldis even more. The bell rings without a tap….because the fifteen minute time limit has expired (at 16:34).

Rating: D+. This was more long than anything else with Cabana surviving. I’m sure they’re setting up Storm vs. Aldis, which makes a lot of sense as Storm is still someone who can go in the ring and looks like a star. The NWA doesn’t have the deepest roster in the world at the moment so someone with some credibility like Storm is a good idea.

Post match Cabana says he’ll go five more minutes but here are the Briscoes to beat down Cabana to vent some frustrations with the NWA. The Briscoes say everyone has been screwing them so it’s time for them to do some screwing of their own (I’m sure there’s a Deliverance joke in there somewhere). They call out Aldis (Nick: “Oh we’re going there?”) so the tie comes off and the fight is on. The Briscoes take care of Aldis with no trouble and stand tall over he and Cabana.

Back with a recap of what we just saw as we’re now over halfway through the show.

We run down the Best in the World card.

We get the second half of Jeff Cobb’s biographical video, now focusing on his journey into pro wrestling. He didn’t know it existed in Hawaii but he knew he had to get into it and started training. War Machine got him into Ring of Honor and here he is. Then he won the TV Title in three minutes and he can do the same with the World Title. They’re doing well here.

Here’s Silas Young for a match but first, he talks about how he’s a changed man. He isn’t going to keep taking shortcuts because there isn’t a better pure wrestler in the world than him. Sure he could have a mat classic against anyone in the back right now, but he’s found a guy who has beaten Lou Thesz, Johnny Saint and Billy Robinson. That would be….THE SQUID.

Silas Young vs. The Squid

It’s a guy in trunks and a mask. Squid works on a wristlock to start so Young does a bunch of nipups to escape. That sets up a handshake as Squid keeps waving his hands. They go to the mat with Silas’ half crab sending Squid over to the ropes. Another handshake gets Squid pulled into a headlock, followed by a shoulder. An abdominal stretch makes Squid tap at 2:03.

Post match Young keeps the hold on and lights up a cigarette at the same time. Young has been awesome over the last few weeks.

We recap Bully Ray vs. Lifeblood, which hasn’t been all that interesting because Ray feels like he’s been feuding with the entire company forever now.

Here’s Mark Haskins for a chat. He talks about wanting to be a professional wrestler instead of an entertainer. A few months ago, he and Bandido tore the house down and Juice Robinson was watching. That was enough to set up Lifeblood and the ranks were formed, including Tenille Dashwood. Then Bully Ray powerbombed her through a table, so Ray needs to get out here right now.

Post break here’s Ray, to say he’ll take Haskins up on his challenge. He wants the ring announcer and the referee out of the ring first and the two scamper off. Ray gets in and asks if Haskins is going to bite with the barking. He talks about his retirement last year in this very arena, drawing a RETIRE AGAIN chant. Ray brings up the fans refusing to let him leave last year and the grown men crying in the front row. They cried because they’re suckers just like Haskins.

See, he lied because that’s what he’s been doing for his entire career. No one has been able to stop him so why can Haskins be the one to shut him up? Haskins wants to fight but here’s Shane Taylor to interrupt. Tracy Williams comes out to even things up before anything gets physical. Ray tells the referee to get back in the ring and start the match.

Bully Ray/Shane Taylor vs. Mark Haskins/Tracy Williams

And no match as the Soldiers of Savagery run in to jump Haskins for the DQ at 28 seconds.

Post match the big beatdown is on but PJ Black runs in with a chair. The numbers get the better of Black though and Ray superbombs him through the table to end the show.

Overall Rating: D. So yeah, one real match and that was for an NWA Title. This show was all about the villains dominating in three different stories and while that can work, it’s not the most thrilling stuff in the world this time around. You have the Briscoes as monsters, which has been done several times before. Young is more of a smarmy heel, who will get taken down by Jonathan Gresham in a good match to blow off an entertaining angle.

Then you have the big angle though, with Ray leading a four man (so far) heel team to fight Lifeblood. That’s good enough on paper, but as soon as Ray is the focal point of the heel team, it starts to fall apart. I like the idea of Lifeblood but Ray, Taylor and two monsters aren’t exactly interesting villains. It’s an idea, but it feels like something that has been done by better villains before. I can appreciate them trying something here and it was far from terrible. It’s just not very interesting and that’s going to be a problem.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s History Of In Your House (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: April 24, 2019
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, Nick Aldis

I don’t know how either but somehow we’re still waiting to get to the post Supercard shows. I know it wasn’t the best night in the world for the company but egads man get on to something new already. It’s another night of one off matches that aren’t likely to mean much but that’s how things go around here these days. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Kenny King vs. Tracy Williams

King is the hometown boy and Williams is coming in with a bad shoulder. They start slowly as the announcers ignore the match to talk about the Crockett Cup. To be fair, that sounds a lot more interesting. King picks up the pace and rolls over to grab a headlock, which is reversed into one from Williams. A takedown puts King on the mat and we take an early break. Back with a standoff as the even match continues.

Williams takes him down and starts in on the arm as the announcers argue about handshakes in wrestling. King grabs the referee for a distraction and crotches Williams on top. That’s about it for the offense at the moment though as Williams knocks him off the apron. King jumps onto the apron and corkscrews off in a completely unnecessary flip.

Back in and a butterfly suplex gives King two as Aldis continues to break down a match like no one else in a very long time. King takes him up top but gets caught in a DDT onto the top rope (that’s a new one). A Death Valley Driver gives Williams two and we take another break. We come back with Williams not being able to get the Crossface, allowing King to grab a Last Chancery.

With that broken up, King kicks him in the head and then the ribs for two, which Aldis says is making Williams bend the knee. King grabs a rollup and a rope for two and it’s time for the chops to fire Williams up. The Royal Flush is countered into a small package for two and a fisherman’s buster gets the same. Williams tries a high crossbody but gets pulled out of the air, setting up the Royal Flush for the pin at 19:18.

Rating: B. Nice long (very long) match here with King getting a win to continue a roll that hasn’t actually started yet, which is very clear as the announcers didn’t mention his win in New York at all. King is fine for a midcarder and hopefully that’s where he stays, because I can’t imagine an extended main event run from the guy.

We recap Bandido vs. PJ Black II. The original match caused Black to see the error of his ways and is a reason why he joined Lifeblood. Tonight he’s ready to show everyone what the good Black can do.

Video on Nick Aldis vs. Marty Scurll for the NWA World Title at the Crockett Cup.

Bouncers vs. Reno Scum

Scum must work really cheap because I don’t get the appeal. Milonas and Adam Thornstowe start things off with Adam bouncing off the huge shoulder. The bigger Luster the Legend comes in to try his luck and gets slammed down without much effort. Bruiser hits a running crossbody to set up the snap jabs as the beating continues.

Scum goes with some double forearms to the back to take over for the first time. A double slam sets up a falling headbutt to give Luster two and we hit the bearhug. The missed charge sends Luster shoulder first into the post and the tag brings in Milonas to a rather tepid reaction. Thornstowe gets caught in Closing Time for the pin at 4:57.

Rating: D. The Bouncers are a perfectly nice team in this spot and for once ROH seems smart enough to understand that. They would get wrecked by the Briscoes, the Guerrillas or Villain Enterprises so let them hang around the midcard and win squashes or matches like this. The fans like them well enough and they’re a fine little boost in the middle of the show.

Bandido vs. PJ Black

They grapple to the mat to start with Bandido going after the leg. Back up and it’s a standoff with Black shooting an invisible arrow at Bandido. A shoulder just makes Bandido nip up, followed by a handstand nip up to get in Black’s head. Black misses an elbow and Bandido freezes him with the finger gun. A dropkick puts Black on the floor but he’s right back in for a crucifix driver as we take a break.

We come back with Bandido kicking him in the head to block a dive, setting up a heck of a moonsault to the floor. The Cannonball hits the barricade though and it’s time to head back inside for a slugout. Back in and Black gets crotched on top but manages to roll through a super hurricanrana into a Styles Clash for his own near fall.

A pumphandle into a cutter (the Wellness Policy, because we have to take a shot at WWE every few shows) gives Black two but Bandido rolls over and deadlifting Black into a piledriver (Black’s head landed on Bandido’s leg as the whole thing looked messy). Back from another break with Black hitting a moonsault press for two but running into a Spanish Fly for two more.

Bandido charges into raised boots though and a top rope double stomp to a standing Bandido gets two. Black gets caught on top for a super Spanish Fly but the moonsault hits raised boots. A shot to the face rocks Black again though and the handspring bridging German suplex finishes Black at 15:21.

Rating: B-. So you remember when Black was evil and lost to Bandido? Well now he’s good and lost to Bandido again. The match was very back and forth and entertaining, but I’m not sure what the point of this was. Black’s change hasn’t made him any better but I guess he feels better about it? Uh, good for him then I guess.

Post match they shake hands because Lifeblood is good that way.

Tenille Dashwood has been put through a table. Bully Ray pops up to say bad things happen to good people. People have been trying to figure out who attacked Dashwood six months ago and now we know. He’ll tell Lifeblood she says goodbye. I mean, they could have done this for some fresh new heel but why do that when you can have it be Bully instead?

Overall Rating: C+. As I’m writing this, Matt Taven is three weeks into his ROH World Title reign. We haven’t seen or heard from him in that time, not even in an inset promo. How in the world can we go that long in what is supposed to be a new era after that long of a chase? This keeps happening over and over and I have no idea why ROH can’t find SOMETHING that is better than this. At least have him say something. It’s only going to happen again at the next pay per view too, so what’s the point in even getting annoyed at it again? Nice show, but come on already with this scheduling stuff.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2000 Monday Nitro and Thunder Reviews Part 1 (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

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IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: February 6, 2019
Location: Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, Juice Robinson

We’re onto a fresh set of TV tapings here with a big match between Eli Isom and Silas Young for a future TV Title shot. This is actually a tournament final, though I thought it would be slightly bigger than four people. Other than that we have the continued rise of Villain Enterprises, which could go somewhere with the right push. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Tracy Williams vs. David Finlay

This is Finlay’s debut. They trade headlocks to start with Williams taking him down and stomping on the arm. A rollup sets up a failed Crossface attempt so Finlay dropkicks him to the floor. Back in and Williams snaps off a suplex for two, setting up a quickly broken chinlock. Some loud chops just fire Finlay up for a jumping elbow to the face.

Back from a break with Williams rolling out of a Rock Bottom and hitting a DDT onto the turnbuckle. A discus lariat gets two on Finlay but he’s right back with an Irish Curse for the same. Finlay kicks him in the face for another near fall and slips out of a Crossface as a bonus. Williams gets two of his own off a Death Valley Driver, followed by a jumping piledriver for the pin at 11:10.

Rating: B. This is the kind of match that ROH built itself on: two younger, lesser known guys getting to trade big moves until one person won. It might not be the most classically structured match in the world but that’s not what they were going for here. Sometimes you need to showcase new talent and that’s what they did here, with the popular Robinson pushing how much fun it was in a very good addition.

Video on Bandido.

The Kingdom tells Villain Enterprises to get their umbrellas.

Mark Haskins vs. Bandido

Feeling out process to start with the aggressive Haskins grabbing a headlock but getting shoved up against the ropes. Bandido starts the flipping and it’s an early standoff. More flipping ensues but Haskins kicks him down and avoids a charge to the floor. That means a suicide dive to drop Bandido and we take a break.

Back with Haskins charging into a boot in the corner, setting up Bandido’s corkscrew crossbody. The big running flip dive takes Haskins down again and, amazingly enough, the fans are way into someone who can fly like this. Bandido gets two off a pop up cutter but gets kicked right back down. That just earns Haskins a superkick but they kick each other in the chest for another double knockdown, which the fans seem to appreciate.

They (the wrestlers, not the fans) slug it out until Haskins charges into a torture rack, with Bandido flipping him forward into something like a GTS for two. Haskins is right back up and spins him into a Sharpshooter (a fast one at that too) but Bandido is right next to the rope. A top rope double stomp gives Haskins two so Haskins goes back to the leg. That’s broken up in a hurry so Bandido knocks him against the ropes (619 position but standing instead of kneeling), flips forward and bounces off the ropes (ala the Tajiri handspring) for a snap German suplex and the pin at 12:12.

Rating: B+. Well that was insane. This was all about showcasing both guys and I had a great time watching it. Bandido really impressed me last year at various times and Haskins looked great as well, which is exactly what the point of this was supposed to be. I want to see these two do this more often and I’d buy a ticket to see it. Well done here, with exactly what they were shooting for.

Nick Aldis is ready to defend the NWA World Title against PJ Black next week. I know the NWA World Title has been around ROH before but it’s nice to have it actually mean something (not much of something, but something) this time around.

We look back at Bully Ray, Silas Young and the Briscoes attacking the Elite (not named) a few weeks back.

TV Title #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Eli Isom vs. Silas Young

Silas takes him down with a hammerlock before going with the strikes instead. A quick rollup gets two on Isom and it’s off to a front facelock. Isom gets in a forearm to knock Young back a bit but misses a springboard missile dropkick. We take an early break and come back with Isom still in trouble and getting stomped down in the corner.

A release gordbuster (appropriate in Atlanta) lets Young talk some trash (as he always does) and we hit the chinlock. Isom fights up and gets two off a rollup before just unloading with right hands. White Noise gets two and we take a second break. Back again with Silas holding a full nelson of all things before dropping Isom again.

Silas’ springboard moonsault COMPLETELY misses (John Morrison would think it looked bad) but he covers for two anyway. Young hits a heck of a top rope superplex (drawing the Barry Windham comparisons) for one as Isom is getting fired up. They chop it out with their chests going very red until Misery plants Isom for the abrupt pin at 13:04.

Rating: C. This was nowhere near as good as the two previous matches, mainly due to there being no doubt as to the winner. Young beat the heck out of Isom for most of the match and I couldn’t imagine them setting up Isom as a major challenger to a monster champion. Silas won in a hurry too, as they didn’t exactly building anything up other than a quick comeback until Misery got the pin. Not bad, but just kind of there.

Post match Young talks trash about TV Champion Jeff Cobb, including insulting his family. This brings out Cobb but Shane Taylor runs in as well, putting Cobb in the middle of the villains. The fight is on with Cobb getting the better of it until a low blow cuts him down. Young and Taylor stand tall to end the show.

ROH is still beginning anew.

Overall Rating: B. That’s one of the better episodes they’ve done in a long time and if the main event had been better, it would have been an all timer. The main thing that Ring of Honor needs to do at the moment is build up new stars and they pulled that off very well here. With all the big names leaving, there’s all kind of space at the top of the card to make new names and if they’re built right, the transition could be rather smooth. Very fun show here and a breeze of an hour.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor
Date: January 16, 2019
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, Caprice Coleman

The post Final Battle shows continue and this time around one of the biggest draws is the television debut of Zack Sabre Jr. That’s quite the plus to have as he’s one of the most talented wrestlers in the world and someone who can be a star, especially in a limited quantity around here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Tracy Williams vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

They’re certainly starting fast. Williams is named Hot Sauce, which should tell you everything you need to know about him. I mean it doesn’t, but a nickname is supposed to do that. Sabre goes straight for the heavily taped shoulder but gets taken down into an armbar. That’s quickly broken with a nip up and it’s back to a cravate from Tracy before he stomps on Sabre’s ankles over and over.

Sabre can’t get up and Williams pulls on a leglock of his own. A rollup gives Williams two but Sabre gets hold on his head, which isn’t likely to go well. Sabre takes him down by the leg and spins the foot around, much to the fans’ cringing delight. Williams goes for a cross armbreaker but they get up for a standoff as we take a break. Back with Sabre starting in on the arm but Williams crushes his chest to put Sabre down. Sabre’s kicks to the chest set up another armbar, only to have Williams take him down with a suplex.

Williams scores with some forearms until Sabre takes him down into another leglock that probably has an awesome name. That’s reversed into a cross armbreaker on Sabre and then a Texas Cloverleaf. Sabre slips out and gets a small package for two, followed by a heck of a shot to Williams’ face.

at once for the tap at 12:33.

Rating: B-. It was quite the display of technical submission skills and hard strikes, but one of the reasons Sabre’s best matches work so well is having him face someone who wrestles a different style. Williams is very similar to Sabre and it took away some of the interest. What we got was good, but Sabre can do a lot more.

Post match Sabre says anything Jonathan Gresham can do, he can do better.

Beer City Bruiser finds Silas Young and asks what’s up with the lack of communication. Young says they were never friends but Bruiser doesn’t get it. They fight next week. Good for Young, as the Bruiser is still mostly a waste of time.

Twisted Sisterz vs. Britt Baker/Madison Rayne

Rematch from a few weeks back. Holidead says she wants Madison to start and gets exactly what she wants, easily winning a test of strength early on. Madison tries to speed things up and a wheelbarrow victory roll gets two. Thunder Rosa offers a quick distraction and the now legal Baker gets kicked in the face for two more.

Back from a break with Baker still in trouble until a superkick puts Rosa down. It’s back to Madison to clean some house, including a cutter for two. Everything breaks down and Holidead clotheslines the non-sisters at the same time. A Backstabber gets two on Baker but Rosa dropkicks Holidead by mistake. Baker discus forearms Rosa into an enziguri, setting up a pumphandle overhead slam for the pin at 8:38.

Rating: D+. Well thank goodness they had the cool/unique team get beaten in their second match before they got over as a dominant team. We certainly need to push the former TNA champion and Baker, who has potential but is pretty bland in the ring. Another instance of having something more interesting available but going with the safer option, which has been a big problem for this division since it started.

Quick ad for Honor Club, featuring the Elite’s final match and subsequent beatdown.

Tag Team Titles: So Cal Uncensored vs. Briscoes

The Briscoes are defending but before the bell, Kazarian brings a chair inside to chase them off. All four start throwing chairs and we settle down to the Briscoes tagging twice before doing anything else. Jay sends Sky into the corner and grabs a sleeper, allowing Mark to get in a few shots of his own. Since So Cal are good guys now, Kazarian is fine with standing on the apron as Sky fights off both champs at once. A suplex sets up a kick to the face for two but Sky comes back with a jumping knee, which is finally enough to bring Kazarian in.

That means a much faster pace, including a springboard Codebreaker to Mark. Everything breaks down and Sky hits a big flip dive as we take a break. Back with Mark hitting a high collar suplex on Kazarian to send him into the corner and put him in trouble, all at the same time. Kazarian fights back with a neckbreaker for two of his own and it’s already back to Sky. Everything breaks down again with Kazarian nailing a cutter on Mark and a pop up tornado DDT for two on Jay.

Sky saves Kazarian from a chair shot to the head and it’s the Rock Bottom into the Backstabber for a VERY near fall as Mark had to pull the referee out. The referee gets bumped and that’s enough for the chair shot to Sky’s back. Mark gets in another shot but instead of following up, the go after Kazarian for some reason.

That allows Sky to grab a victory roll for a VERY delayed two from the replacement referee, only to get caught with the Jay Driller. A top rope superplex into the Froggy Bow only gets two on Kazarian, who comes up with slaps to both of them. Redneck Boogey cuts off the disrespect and retains the titles at 12:19.

Rating: B. Good main event here as SCU goes out fighting as hard as they can. With the AEW news breaking there was no way we were getting a title change here but they were trying to do something entertaining in their last match. That was certainly a success too, and the match was a good way for them to go out.

Here’s Marty Scurll for a chat. People have been asking what’s next for him and it’s time to set some things straight. He’s been the top guy around here for a long time now so it’s time for him to win the top prize. Scurll is the #1 contender and wants the World Title….so here’s the Kingdom to interrupt. Matt Taven says he’s the real World Champion and right now, Marty has no backup when he’s surrounded. Marty agrees that his friends have left him, but he can still make new ones.

The lights go out and it’s Brody King and PCO making their debuts by standing next to Marty. The fight is on with King hitting a big piledriver and PCO completely topping it with the moonsault to the floor. Marty dubs the trio Villain Enterprises (makes sense as that’s what his shirt says) to end the show. Cool debut here, and Scurll is certainly the kind of guy who needs some muscle like this. Also, very well done for PCO to manage to get to something like this after everything he’s been through.

Overall Rating: B. The wrestling was better here and if you didn’t have such a bad idea with the women’s tag match, it could have been one of the better shows they’ve ever done. What we got here was a really solid wrestling show with a nice angle to wrap it up, which is certainly enough for a positive rating. Fix some of the issues in the middle and it’s great, but for now really good is more than enough.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 1997 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/11/20/new-paperback-complete-1997-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6