Pro Wrestling Ponderings

As many of you who listen to the podcast know, I’ve become fairly frustrated with the direction of Ring of Honor. I did feel that their final Pay-Per-View deserved some sort of coverage since most of them have been of excellent quality. And really, the trailer showcasing the highlights of the main event are what convinced me that this show was worth watching. So all that being said, let’s get to the show.

Taped from Houston, Texas

Hosted by Lenny Leonard and Dave Prazak (Nigel McGuinness pops in for the first two matches)

Colt Cabana vs. Ace Steel

Analysis: For those who don’t read my Smackdown recaps, I don’t do play-by-play or star ratings. I was shocked by the amount of time this match got relative to what everything else was getting. The match contained a long stall session and some alleged comedy which I did not laugh at. I did not like this match for a lot of reasons. This isn’t a great way to open the Pay-Per-View. I’d have rather seen this cut and maybe seen some sort of Cabana promo. Colt wins eventually by submission after the Billy Goat’s curse.

Time/Winner: 9:27/Cabana

Jimmy Jacobs cuts a rather uninspired promo about his upcoming match with Necro Butcher. Amazing to think two years ago, he cut two of the greatest promos back-to-back during Wrestlemania weekend. So sad.

Kevin Steen & El Generico & Jay Briscoe & Magno vs. Chris Hero & Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards & Incognito

Analysis: Incognito and Magno are two wrestlers from the AAA wrestling promotion. I have no earthly idea what they were doing in the match since their ring time was minimal. The action itself wasn’t inherently bad, but too short to tell a good story. You’ve got eight guys, and there wasn’t enough time to get everyone proper time. They showed a video package of The American Wolves/Steeneric, but it was barely addressed. For some reason, there was even a ref bump. LAME. Eventually Briscoe sets Edwards up for a Jay Driller and Magno plays Mark for the Super Jay Driller and victory for the babyfaces. That ending made the least possible sense. Instead of a good old-fashioned heel beatdown to further any issues, we get a quick cut-a-way. A theme of the night that led to battle fatigue by the end of the night.

Time/Winner: No time due to the bell ringing and my starting the stopwatch earlier due to a brawl/Steen & Generico & Briscoe & Magno

Jimmy Jacobs vs Necro Butcher (Fight Without Honor)

Analysis: Considering the heat between these two guys, this should have been one of the main events. If you look at the history of Fights Without Honor, they’re all either at or near the main event. I literally almost forgot about this match about the end. This was a slow, plodding brawl that went into the crowd. Unprotected chairshots were also featured and I wondered if anyone would ever learn. I did the teasing of the table spot where Jacobs eventually tossed Necro onto the non-table side. Both guys gigged (in the third match????) The ending was Necro using the Tiger Bomb on a pile of chairs for the victory. Okay brawl but these two are capable of so much more. They really needed more time and a better angle surrounding it.

Time/Winner: 14:39/Necro Butcher

Bryan Danielson cuts a promo in front of a window. Now I only took two years of television production, but even I could tell you that shooting someone with windows in the back during daylight is a dumb idea. This makes ROH look so bush league, and this is the low point for the night.

Video package showcasing the rivalry between Claudio Castagnoli and Brent Albright. This of course leads to…

Brent Albright vs. Castagnoli vs. Blue Demon Jr.

Analysis: Yeah, adding NWA champion (Hmmm… and which ROH booker is closely associated with the NWA?) Blue Demon Jr. makes sense. He doesn’t add anything of consequence to a feud that’s basically pretty lame to start with. For some inexplicable reason, tags are now necessary in three way matches. Huh? Did we take a time machine back to Starrcade ’95? Least WCW could use the excuse that these types of matches were pretty rare. This is inexcusable. Despite the fact that we have a feud here, it only goes about five minutes. Much of the match is also between Claudio and Demon. Scratch what I said earlier. This was the lowlight of the show for sure. We even get some interference from Nigel McGuinness, since he was laying at ringside after being attacked by Claudio while cutting a promo.

Time/Winner: 5:45/Brent Albright

You might notice that this review has something of a breakneck pace. This is to convey just how freaking chaotic the show was. I was almost begging for a commercial break of some sort to get a breather. This show was like a bad whiplash.

Jerry Lynn cuts roughly the same uninspired mediocre promo he’s cut for the last 15 years. Yes, we know you’ll work hard. We know you deserve the world title. Now how about sounding more inspired or showing just a twinge of emotion.

Strong vs. Alex Koslov (International Challenge)

Analysis: After crossing the desert of crap that was the show so far, this was like a big pond of water. Sadly, it was still too short, but the action was excellent. Roderick is an awesome babyface and Koslov is a great heel. That was basically this match in a nutshell. Fairly simple concepts that had been blown pretty badly up to this point. Nice finishing sequence as Roderick hits a yakuza kick. Then he applies the stronghold leading to the tap-out win. Alex Koslov is world’s better than Vladimir. Only real complaint was Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard talking about CMLL and AAA. Stick to ROH guys. I assure you a good portion of the audience could give two craps what faction Koslov is in AAA, even if he’s associated with former No Remorse Corps. member Rocky Romero.

Time/Winner: 7:40/Roderick Strong

Jerry Lynn vs. Bryan Danielson vs. Erick Stevens vs. D-Lo Brown (ROH World Championship)

Analysis: What a throwaway. Here you’ve got the ROH world title being defended. Plus, it’s Jerry Lynn’s first title defense. I think this should be a huge deal, but instead it’s four corner survival. Also, despite the fact that D-Lo is a much better babyface, he gets to play heel. There wasn’t anything all that bad, but Lynn winning a nine minute match isn’t a good way for his title reign to begin. Not a whole lot of organization as it became a clusterfrick early and pretty much remained that way for the duration

Time/Winner: 8:42/Jerry Lynn

Tyler Black cuts a promo that was slightly better than the one from last week’s videowire. Seriously, this is the one guy in the company who needs someone to help with promos. Isn’t that the booker’s job? That’s one of Pearce’s greatest strengths as a performer. Shouldn’t there be some improvement in the promo department? I sure as heck ain’t seen it.

KENTA & Tyler Black vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Austin Aries

Analysis: I know some people have given this four stars, but I just don’t see it. Believe me. This was easily the best match on the show, but I can’t give it anything higher than about three-and-a-half stars. Austin Aries has turned into one of the best characters in the company, but his act didn’t really make sense in the context of what this match should have been. Nakajima and KENTA had some really awesome sequences throughout this match. I especially liked the kickfest that took place at the beginning. Nakajima and Aries didn’t even make sense as partners since Aries wrestled as a heel while Nakajima wrestled… like a guy who likes to kick. Last five minutes of this match need to be seen to be believed with all the wacky moves they did. Finish is Black hitting God’s Last Gift on Aries for the victory. Not a whole lot of story in this match either but I enjoyed a great deal for the most part.

Time/Winner: 22:14/Tyler Black & KENTA

Final Thoughts: I was hoping ROH would take this last opportunity on Pay-Per-View to go out with a bang. Instead, I believe they went out with a bust. Not only was this the weakest of the Pay-Per-Views but the breakneck pace made me completely disinterested in the second hour. I did enjoy the main event for the most part, but I don’t think this is worth 15 bucks.

The sad part is what I’ve seen from ROH recently has impressed me. Their two most recent television main events are probably the best you could possibly get from free television, and KENTA/Nigel is one of the best matches in 2009. The live reports have been encouraging and attendance still appears to be good for the most part. I think ROH is starting to stabilize, but they need to step back and get away from Pay-Per-View right now. It’s obviously not a great source of revenue and because of the lag, storylines might be wrapped up by the time the Pay-Per-View airs. Hopefully, ROH comes back to Pay-Per-View in 2010 with a game plan… and maybe a live presentation?

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