Ring Of Honor House Show Results (04/18/08) - Detroit, Michigan
Written by Thomas Bobo on Apr 19, 2008 - 8:50:42 PM
The following report was written by Thomas Bobo and is courtesy of the Wrestling Observer website:
Pelle Primeau, Mitch Franklin & Ernie Osiris over Michael Nakazawa, Danny Daniels & Michael Elgin
Made our way inside to see Silas Young hit his neat moonsault finisher and beat Rhett Titus, who was looking a lot like Jimmy Garvin, which was new to me, having not been to a live show in 5 months. Rhett certainly has the look of someone who deserves a low to mid card roster slot.
Jigsaw v. Matthews was next. Good match, with the pace completely controlled by Matthews. Going in I thought this would be match where Jigsaw had a breakout singles effort and while I don't feel it was that, it certainly was a step towards that. Jig was bleeding from the mouth and may have had a split lip from a collision when Matthews came off the top.
Main Event #1 was next...Steen and Generico v. Nigel and Claudio up next. Fun match with the exchanges between Generico and Claudio being a highlight before Claudio killed him with an elevated Euro Uppercut and Ricola Bomb at the end.
One thing that did not sit well with me in this match was the pre-match comedy mic stuff between Steen and Nigel...because, as I remember from watching the most recent Video Wire, I saw Nigel screw Steen out of the match last weekend by using the ropes. Then, Steen was held back by about a dozen or so guys from trying to get back at Nigel. You'd think that would mean the next time they went at it or crossed paths, Steen would be after Nigel with a fury...but that didn't really happen here. At the end as well, Nigel rammed Steen's left arm and shoulder into the ringpost on the outside, so that might be something to look for in the World Title Match in Chicago.
I really liked Delirious-Necro a lot. They took it to the crowd right from the jump and went through the chairs like a tornado! The involvement of the security/timekeeper/students was cool, just because its not what has been done in ROH before. The security/student who took the clothesline, just took the sickest looking bump on the floor. Daizee got involved late to try to off-set Zach Gowan, but Allison Wonderland took her away and allowed Necro to execute a doublechair backbreaker for the win.
Intermission and with a Saturday return date for July, I am excited. The Tigers should likely be the only other thing really going on in the city that night, so I doubt ROH should have a hard time drawing. The crowd tonight was really decent in size, dare I guess more than they drew in September 2007. Also, at least where I sat, there seemed to be far fewer obnoxious fan chants/sayings tonight...people seemed way more into the show versus trying to spit cool one liners at the expense of the match to get themselves over.
Jack Evans and Ruckus v. Hero and Albright was right after intermission. Great to see Jack back and no noticable ring rust at all following his injury. Bobby Dempsey did accompany Sweeney, Hagadorn and the wrestlers to the ring. He had ring gear on, but with straps down to show off his "fat" upperbody, likely as another humiliation tactic...but certainly seems like his being "kicked out" of SnS last week wasn't that.
Hero's aggressive approach in the ring now is a really nice change from the comedy, stalling routine that he did before. He just comes across as wanting to beat his opponent down. At one point, Jack did a great breaking sequence and the crowd was chanting for Hero to dance as well...He gave a look, but then nailed Jack with a forearm. No tease at all, just looked up and then leveled him. Heat was on Jack the whole match and things broke down late with Ruckus coming in to gain a slight edge with the high-flying, quick moves. Hero's mis-timed kick to Albright was the end, as Jack took out Brent on the floor and Ruckus was able to pin Hero. I was shocked by the outcome. Sweeney admonished Albright post-match and shoved him, before Brent grabbed him by the lapels of his sport coat and Sweeney agreed to back down. The building for something...continues.
Main Event #2 - Briscoes over Ibushi and Aries, in what I truly and honestly believe was THE match of the night. Just a great, great, great match. Briscoes worked over Ibushi the majority of the match, but here and there he got in his spots, and with the majority of the crowd having not seen him before, they ate it all up. From the standing moonsault, the kicks, the backflip kick with one of the brothers perched on the turnbuckle, the double moonsault, and so much more, people were really digging him.
Aries finally got the hot tag late, which was really built nicely, as throughout the time Jay and Mark worked Ibushi, they'd run over and hit Aries or knock him off the apron. This happened 3 times and Aries was SUPER frustrated. When he finally got in, he just went to work, KILLING Mark with a dive to the floor, sending him into the guardrail, among other things. All 4 got involved and the action was really just hitting a perfect peak. Jay turned Ibushi inside out with a lariat and they hit a Spiked Jay Driller to get the win. So much more took place that I am not doing justice...this is a must-see match and I am excited to see Ibushi in singles tomorrow.
Dave Prazak tried to interview Aries post-match, but he didn't say a thing. Lacey jumped in the ring and kissed him very seductively and sensually, leaving both with smiles and they left the ring together with a cloud of uncertainty still surrounding what exactly their relationship is.
Main Event #3 - AOTF over MCMG
Super reaction for MCMG...not a great pop when they came through the curtain, but when they hit the ring, the crowd really showed tons of love and support. AOTF came down to boos.
Sabin and Tyler started out, but it quickly became Shelley and Tyler and that was the most common pairing throughout the match. They were a perfect match, going back and forth and just delivering in the ring.
Shelley and Jacobs finally got a chance to hook it up and Shelley just punked him right away and sent him reeling, discouraged as he tagged out.
The match eventually went to the floor and AOTF finally took over. They were so many things done in this match and the story of Shelley and Jacobs was great to watch play out. Towards the end with Shelley in Jacobs' choke finish (End Game?), Shelley reversed it to the Border City Stretch and then it went back to the choke by Jacobs. Also, Sabin and Shelley just dominated with the stereo superkicks and enzuigiris.
To me this match was just a step below the previous tag because I think they just tried to do too much and the crowd, while solidly behind the "home team," just didn't have everything to be with the wrestlers at the end. It is likely one of those times where, on the DVD, the match will come off great, but those in the building (not all) were simply spent.
I loved the finish with Shelley tapping, so Jacobs got his revenge on him. The fans throwing garbage in the ring was a great ending, simply because it had that old-school type feel because the good guys were trumped by evil on this night. I wouldn't normally condone throwing anything in the ring, but if there was ever a "perfect" opportunity, it was this post-match.
Shelley and Sabin got a really nice, heartfelt ovation following the match and when "Please Come Back" was chanted, Alex crossed his fingers...
So, in closing...a really, really good show. Maybe too much with all of the tags, but for the most part the crowd was there with the wrestlers all night...and, again, from where I sat, not the smarky nonsense that you so often hear and read about. People just wanted to go to rasslin' and be entertained. ROH did that on Friday, without a doubt!
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