The Wrestling Thread

[DomDom]

Fairly easy to find a download of Smackdown at this point in a day !

[KilliePie]

Fairly easy to find a download of Smackdown at this point in a day !

Really? I thought it was shown first on friday nights now?

[DomDom]

I think it's an Australian download meaning it's available quite early.

[djchapsticks]

Sycho Sid was really charismatic. I mean really fucking charismatic. Not the best of wrestlers by any stretch but when you have the tools that he had, it really wasn't an issue. He looked like an absolute killer whenever he walked through the curtain and it's amazing that I'm such a fan of such a shit wrestler to this day.

Vince McMahon

In ring and on TV....Probably the greatest heel character of all time IMO. No-one has drawn so much heat for such a period of time as Vince and as the owner of the WWF, to propel himself right into the spot he did in 98 rather than bring in an outside talent to play the 'evil boss' character was a massive risk as it could have easily all gone wrong.

Out of the ring. Say what you want good or bad about the guy but the fact is that for better or worse, he's revolutionised the world of Wrestling.

Rick Rude.

[DomDom]

Out of the ring. Say what you want good or bad about the guy but the fact is that for better or worse, he's revolutionised the world of Wrestling.

Indeed. I don't think there's many of us that would be fans of wrestling if it weren't for Vince McMahon.

[KilliePie]

I think it's an Australian download meaning it's available quite early.

Ah of course. Wasnt thinking about time differences.

[DomDom]

WWE Bragging Rights 2009

This was the RAW vs. Smackdown PPV and to be fair, this is one of the gimmicked PPVs that I actually agree with. I think it's a cracking idea for a PPV actually. The card for this one was kinda destroyed by having a one hour match on it though.

The Miz vs. John Morrison ( **3/4 )

Smackdown Divas vs. RAW Divas ( ** )

The Undertaker © vs. CM Punk vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio - World Heavyweight Championship ( ***1/2 )

Team Smackdown vs. Team RAW ( *** )

Randy Orton © vs. John Cena, No Holds Barred Iron Man Match - WWE Championship ( **3/4 )

The Miz vs. John Morrison

US vs. IC Champs in this match. Obviously no titles on the line. Lockup and Morrison with the takedown and then he does some schooling and Miz finds his way into the bottom rope. Lockup and Morrison with the takedown and Miz tries to get away. Arm Bar from Morrison and he's in the ropes. Fireman's Carry gets a one count and then he gets a Headlock. Shoulder Block from Morrison and that gets another one count. Headlock again. Into the corner and Miz pushes Morrison and heads to the floor for a bit of a breather. Headlock Takedown and a Side Headlock from Miz when he goes to the ring again. Miz into the ropes and he runs into the Flapjack. STANDING SHOOTING STAR PRESS !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Into the corner they go and Miz with a beatdown in the corner. Morrison then gets sent to the floor. Morrison blocks a Suplex and slides under Miz and gets a two count. Miz goes for the Backslide, but he turns and misses a Knee Lift. Moonlight Drive misses and then Miz gets sent to the floor. Dropkick through the ropes hits the mark for Morrison and then back into the ring. Two count comes from that. Miz tosses Morrison to the floor and he took a hard landing there. Back into the ring they go. Knee to the back from Miz and then he lands a Back Drop Suplex for a two count. Modified Surfboard from Miz. Mule Kick to get away from that from Morrison. He then comes back into the match with forearms. Miz lands his Clothesline in the corner and then drapes the head of Morrison over the apron and lands a Knee Lift gets a two count. Chinlock from Morrison follows that. Morrison comes back with right hands and then gets a School Boy and that gets a two count. O'Connor Roll gets another two count. Kicks to the side from both men. Nice sweep from Morrison to end that and then a pair of Clotheslines. Miz into the ropes and a Leg Lariat and that gets a two count. Running Knee misses and Miz gets a School Boy for a two count. Morrison spears Miz down and lands some right hands. Morrison misses a charge. FLYING CHUCK FROM MORRISON !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Morrison looks for Starship Pain and Miz rolls to the floor. MORRISON WITH THE CORKSCREW PESCADO ONTO MIZ !!! Back into the ring they go. Miz fights his way away and then lands the Double Axe Handle on Morrison. SKULL CRUSHING FINALE ... misses. Russian Legsweep from Morrison. STARSHIP PAIN ... stopped. ONE ! TWO ! THREE ?!?!

That's a terrible finish for a PPV match. It's like something from a midcard match on RAW. The match was going along fine up untill that point as well. There wasn't much of a story to it, but the match had a nice flow and it never stuttered. A lack of a big finishing stretch took away from it for me, but not much. **3/4

Smackdown Divas vs. RAW Divas

Smackdown represented by Beth, McCool and Natalya. RAW represented by Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim and Melina. Beth and Kim get this one started. Springboard Cross Body and Kim rolls through for a Sunset Flip and a two count. Right hand from Beth and McCool tags herself in and lands some knees. Kim with a nice Rana on Cool and she wants to tag out and in comes Natalya. Natalya pushes down Kim and then gets covered for two. Knees and forearms from Nat and then a Body Slam. Nat misses a running shot in the corner. Cross Body and then Kim drops her weight on the neck of Nat for a two count. Kelly into the ring and she gets a cheer. Choke with the boot and then some forearms. Kelly into the ropes and she gets the Satellite Head Scissors. Wheelbarrow Hot Shot from Nat gets a two count. Kelly gets charged into the corner and then some knees. Team Smackdown then with some work in the corner. Cool comes into the ring and stomps on Kelly. Knee Drop on Kelly. Knee Drop to the head from Cool. Beth comes into the ring. Snapmare gets a two count for Beth and then she goes to a Neck Crank. Kelly looks for the tag but Beth just carries her into the corner and in comes Cool and she gets a Sleeper Hold. Kelly looks like getting out so Cool just throws her to the canvas. Knee Lift from Cool and then into the corner and Beth tags herself into the match. Rana gets a two count for Kelly out of nowhere and then she gets a Jawbreaker and she tags out and in comes Melina. Right hands on Beth. Dropkick from Melina and then a Drop Toe Hold. Running Knees to the back of the head. Spinning X-Factor from Melina. Slingshot Suplex ... COUNTERED TO A SMALL PACKAGE !!! AWESOME !!! Cool comes in and breaks it up though. Tilt-a-Whirl Bulldog from Melina and the Smackdown lot come in to break. Melina and Beth left in there. Melina gets over Beth. GLAM SLAM !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!!

Passable action here. Why is Kelly Kelly so over ? She was the only one who had the audience right into this when she was in there. Disappointed in the lack of Beth Phoenix domination as she was tearing it up around this time. **

The Undertaker © vs. CM Punk vs. Batista vs. Rey Mysterio - World Heavyweight Championship

Punk goes straight at Rey and draws the ire of Batista and that causes Taker to hit a Clothesline on Batista from the chase. Punk goes to work on Taker in the corner with kicks. Taker grabs Punk by the throat and sends him over the top rope. SEATED SENTON OUT OF NOWHERE OFF THE APRON ON PUNK !!! Taker hits his Flying Clothesline on Batista and in comes Rey to work on Taker. Springboard Dropkick sends Taker to the floor, but he gets in and lands a Big Boot on Rey. Head first into the top buckle goes Batista and then Taker has the arm of Batista. Taker now looks for Old School and lands it. He goes for the same thing on Rey, but Punk attacks from behind and then he and Rey go to battle. Rey sent to the floor and now Punk goes to Taker. Headbutts from Taker send Punk back into the canvas, but Punk comes right back. SUPERPLEX FROM PUNK TO TAKER !!! SPRINGBOARD SPLASH FROM REY !!! Punk attacks Rey and then Batista attacks Punk and lands a Clothesline. A Clothesline in the corner and then the Running Powerslam. Big Boot from Taker to Batista. Rey to the top rope and he goes for the Seated Senton but Taker catches him. LAST RIDE ... BATISTA WITH THE SPEAR TO STOP THAT !!! Batista and Rey now want a pin, but Taker stops the arguement. 619 !!! SPINEBUSTER FROM BATISTA TO TAKER !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... PUNK SAVES !!! Punk with stomps to Taker. Rey on the apron. GO 2 SLEEP FROM PUNK TO REY !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... BATISTA SAVES !!! HELL'S GATE ON BATISTA FROM TAKER !!! Punk manages to break that one. Punk then with rights and lefts on Taker. High Knee in the corner from Punk. TAKER WITH THE LAST RIDE ON PUNK !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... BATISTA SAVES !!! Right hands from Batista and Taker. Batista gets the better of that exchange. CHOKESLAM FROM TAKER !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... PUNK SAVES !!! Punk with right hands on Taker. CHOKESLAM ON PUNK ... stopped. Punk into the ropes and he gets tossed over the top rope. TOMBSTONE ... stopped. BATISTA BOMB FROM BATISTA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... REY SAVES !!! Batista is not a happy chappy after that. Batista shoves Rey to the floor. CHOKESLAM ON BATISTA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Batista fights back and then both men collide in the middle of the ring. Punk tries to steal pins. Batista throws Rey onto Punk. TOMBSTONE FROM TAKER TO BATISTA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!!

The lightning quick pace of this match was brilliant for the most part, but when they headed into the final stretch they didn't have a clue what they were doing. Batista and Taker in particular seemed to be confused and eventually started audibly calling spots between each other and the thing went downhill. This could have been scored higher but this is still a fun match. ***1/2

Batista turns on Rey at the end of the match in hilarious fashion, launching him into the barrier.

Team Smackdown vs. Team RAW

RAW is represented by DX, The Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry and Kofi Kingston. Smackdown is represented by Kane, Chris Jericho, Matt Hardy, Finlay, R-Truth and The Hart Dynasty. This match simply can't be boring. It can't be. That much decent talent in one match ? Truth and Rhodes are going to get this one started. Both men exchange blows to get this one going and Rhodes takes advantage. Truth gets over Rhodes and lands his Leg Lariat and that gets a two count. Truth runs into an elbow and then Rhodes lands some right hands and this turns into a brawl. Rhodes puts on the breaks and then in comes Show. Truth tags in Kane. Kane with rights and then kicks. Kane into the corner and Show misses a charge. Clothesline from Kane, but then he runs right into a Shoulder Charge and then Show lands the Leg Drop and that gets a two count. Swagger into the ring and he works on Kane. Swagger into the ropes and he runs into a hard right hand and then a Clothesline. Into the corner and in comes Hardy. Hardy into the ropes and he lands a Clothesline for a two count. He pulls Swagger's shirt over his head. Swagger runs into a boot and then Hardy lands his Leg Drop and that gets a two count. To the floor they go and Hardy lands a Clothesline. Rhodes then gets involved and everyone heads to the floor and the audience want to see a mass brawl. Instead, we go back to Hardy and Swagger in the ring. Single Arm DDT and that gets a two count for Swagger and in comes Henry. Henry then pulls at the arm of Hardy and sends him down. Elbow Drop from Henry and that one misses. Hardy then gets LAUNCHED into the corner and then HBK gets tagged in to the delight of the audience. HBK then with some chopping in the corner. He continues the work on the arm, sending it into the buckles. Hardy into the ropes and he gets a kick. SIDE EFFECT FROM HARDY !!! Finlay is tagged in and he lands a Body Slam and then an Elbow Drop. HBK comes back with rights and lefts. HBK is sent hard into the corner and then Finlay with some more stomping. Short Arm Clothesline and a European Uppercut from Finlay. Finlay into the corner and the two men collide. SWEET CHIN MUSIC FROM HBK !!! HART DYNASTY COME IN WITH THE SPRINGBOARD HART ATTACK !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! There must have been a tag then. Body Slam and then in comes Jericho. Jericho wipes his arm pits with the Smackdown colours and then locks in the Half Nelson. HBK comes back and gets a School Boy and that gets a two count. Clothesline gets a two count for Jericho. Kane then tags into the match. Snapmare on HBK and then the Dropkick and that gets a two count. Kane clubs down HBK and then chokes HBK with a boot. Smith comes into the ring and locks in a Chinlock. HBK then comes back with right hands but that doesn't last long and a nice Back Drop Suplex gets a two count. Body Slam from Smith and then Kidd misses the Springboard Flying Elbow Drop and into the corner they go and in comes HHH. High Knee on Kidd and then right hands on Smith. Knee 2 Face from HHH. Clothesline from HHH and then Finlay takes a Spinebuster on Smith. CHOKESLAM FROM KANE TO HHH !!! He leaves the ring again and there's chaos in the ring. Kidd nearly gets a three count from that but not quite. Bulldog from Jericho. LIONSAULT FROM JERICHO ... MISSES !!! Kofi now tagged into the match. Dropkick right to the face of Jericho and then a Clothesline. BOOM DROP ON JERICHO ... COUNTERED TO THE WALLS OF JERICHO ... COUNTERED TO A SMALL PACKAGE !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! TROUBLE IN PARADISE FROM KINGSTON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... SMACKDOWN SAVES !!! HARDY WITH A PLANCHA TO TAKE DOWN HENRY !!! ROLLING SAMOAN ON RHODES !!! DOCTOR BOMB ON FINLAY !!! BIG BOOT ON SWAGGER !!! SPEAR ON KANE !!! Jericho into the ring with The Big Show. CHOKESLAM ON KINGSTON !!! BIG RIGHT HAND KNOCKS OUT HHH !!! JERICHO WITH THE COVER !!!

I LOVED that final exchange of moves, but this was about as dull and plodding as a 14 man tag can be, but it was structured well enough and the fact that 14 men were in it meant that it never got too dull meaning it could be pretty enjoyable at times but this should have been a belter of a match. ***

Randy Orton © vs. John Cena, No Holds Barred Iron Man Match - WWE Championship

Takes a good match to keep the attention for the full hour and a couple of matches in the fued were enough to make you believe that maybe they weren't the men for this particular job. Lockup and both men battle for position. Cena goes to the Arm Ringer and then a Headlock Takedown and a Side Headlock. Forearm to the gut and then a right hand from Orton. Headlock again and then he gets the Headlock Takedown and a Side Headlock. Orton into the ropes and and a Hiptoss from Cena and then a hard Irish Whip puts a stop to any momentum that Cena can try and build. European Uppercut from Orton and then kicks the stomach. Cena tries for his Bulldog and he misses it. Orton heads to the floor which he can do of course. He goes back in though and stomps on Cena. More right hands from Orton. More right hands from Orton. Right hand knocks down Cena. CENA GOES FOR THE STF !!! ORTON TAPS !!! 1-0 Cena

Orton's early tap means that he can concentrate on what's coming without too much pain. Cena isn't happy with that. Rights and lefts from Cena and he gets sent into the ropes and a Powerslam from Orton and then a Knee Drop. Kick to the chest from Orton and then he chokes Cena and the referee can't do anything about this. Kick to the stomach from Orton and then a stomp to the chest. Suplex brings Cena back into the ring and that gets a two count. Orton then locks on his Chinlock and adds some strikes to that. Cena uses his power to escape from the Chinlock and then he lands his Flipping Facebuster. Leaping Fameasser from Cena and then he jumps to his feet. Does he not know the objective is to pin the opponent. FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE ... RIGHT INTO THE RKO !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 1-1

When the 30 seconds is up, Cena is on the apron and Orton charges him to the floor and then sets the announce table. MONITOR TO THE HEAD OF CENA !!! That should set Cena nicely for the table spot. Orton looks for a pinfall instead. Fair enough. Back into the ring and Orton gets a microphone. MICROPHONE TO THE HEAD FROM ORTON !!! Cena is now busted open by the looks of things. The clock is stopped, but Cena refuses attention and he unloads on Orton. Orton is sent over the top rope and it's as if the blood trickling has set Cena mental. Cena gets sent into the steps though. That gets a two count for Orton. Orton stomps the head of Cena into the steps and that gets a two count. Back into the ring they go. Orton stalks Cena around the ring and lands a big right hand. Orton now appears to be looking for the RKO. RKO ... blocked. Cena comes back with Shoulder Blocks. PROTOBOMB FROM CENA !!! FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE !!! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT FROM CENA ... COUNTERED TO THE RKO !!! BOTH MEN COVER !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 2-2

The interval is up and Cena avoids Orton making the charge. Cena then sets Orton on the top rope. THE SUPER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT FROM CENA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 3-2 Cena

Legacy come into the ring and go on the attack during the interval as Orton is recovering. DREAM STREET FROM DIBIASE TO CENA !!! Rhodes now tries to get Orton into this and they carry him onto Cena. ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 3-3

Kofi Kingston hits the ring with a chair and chases off Rhodes and Dibiase. Both men collide with a Clothesline in the middle of the ring and Orton heads for the apron. Back into the ring and Cena unloads with right hands and Orton tries to get away. The brawl then heads up the aisle. They head to the side of the ramp and Cena gets sent face first into the railing and they are quite close to the electrical equipment. Stomp to the head and that gets a two count for Orton. Head first into a tech. box goes Cena and they brawl near the electrical area. Orton rams the head of Cena into the pyro buttons and a bunch of fireworks goes off on the ramp. That gets the wheels turning in the head of Orton. HE SENDS CENA THROUGH THE LIGHTING AT THE SIDE OF THE RAMP !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 4-3 Orton

Orton still has his eyes on the ramp. Orton is over at the pyro buttons and the guy there asks Orton not to touch anything. He does so anyway, causing an explosion. He's decided on his next course of action. He grabs a steel chair and smacks the back of Cena. He then pulls Cena over to where the pyro was going off and the audience is losing it. ORTON SETS THE PYRO OFF ... CENA GETS OUT OF THE WAY !!! The referee is going batshit at Orton. Orton is pretty annoyed himself that Cena got out of the way. Right hands from Orton as he continues his work. The brawl heads back down the ramp. Mounted punches from Orton. Cena gets sent into the steps again. Orton gets the steps ready. ORTON THROWS THE STEPS AT THE HEAD OF CENA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Orton lands more stomping to the chest of Cena. Brutal chair shot to the back from Orton and that gets another two count. Back into the ring they go and Orton has his eyes on Cena. SMALL PACKAGE FROM CENA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 4-4

Orton is PISSED and attacks Cena during the interval. He eventually heads for the floor and the interval is over and he is now composed. HANGING DDT ON THE FLOOR FROM ORTON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 5-4 Orton

Orton looks for another cover when the interval is over. "That's desperation.". No, it just a wee plan that Orton thought up Lawler. Orton then does his usual stomping. Knee Drop and that gets a two count for Orton. Big right hands from Orton. That gets a two count. Cena ducks a third right hand and Orton gets the hell out of there and does a runner. Cena heads up the ramp to go and deal with Orton. Cena comes back with a big right hand and Orton heads down the ramp and back into the ring. Cena into the ring to follow and he lands a series of right hands and then a stomp. Cena onto the apron and Orton wants to pull him back in. HANGING DDT FROM ORTON ... CENA INTO THE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT ... Orton escapes and heads into the crowd. Cena follows. Trashcan to the shoulder from Cena. More right hands up there. They head back down the stairs. More right hands from Cena when they get to the bottom and then head first into a wall. Back to the ringside area and Cena gets a two count. Orton then gets sent into the steps and that gets another two count. Orton then gets sent into the barrier. Hiptoss into the barrier from Cena. CENA SENDS ORTON THROUGH THE BARRIER !!! Cena then sets steps next to the table and he has some bad intentions for Orton. CENA LAMPS ORTON WITH THE STEPS !!! He then has the full set of steps next to the table. This isn't going to end well for Orton. ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT OFF OF THE STEPS THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!! 5-5

Cena waits for the interval to end and goes for another cover. ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Cena then brings a table out from under the ring. He takes Orton back into the ring and the score is at 5-5. Cena sets Orton on the table. CENA CRASHES THROUGH THE TABLE AS ORTON MOVES !!! Both men now battle to the knees and then we have right hands from both men. They get to the feet and the slugfest continues. Shoulder Tackles from Cena, but the second one hits the ref and with such a short time to go. ORTON WITH THE RKO ON CENA !!! ANOTHER REF HITS THE RING !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! The referee floors that referee. That was such a brilliant idea there Einstein. THE PUNT ... STF FROM CENA !!! ORTON IS HANGING ON FOR DEAR LIFE !!! ORTON TAPS OUT WITH FIVE SECONDS TO GO !!! IT'S OVER !!!

You can't ignore the sleep inducing boredom at times here. Here's a suggestion. If you book an iron man match between two guys who can't fill the hour, it's gonna have some horrible dead spots. The first half of the match was really good and there wasn't too much in the way of stalling and what was there was definately withstandable. But when it heads into that second half the match is a chore to go through. There's some smart stalling and stuff, but when that follows the shit that happens, it can't be forgiven. **3/4

This isn't the fun PPV that I can remember it being.

[Marshmallo]

Just reading that Skip Sheffield has a broken ankle. Massive blow to the Nexus angle as he just seems to get better every week.

[The Naitch]

Just reading that Skip Sheffield has a broken ankle. Massive blow to the Nexus angle as he just seems to get better every week.

Hopefully he's not out for too long.

[KilliePie]

WWE Bragging Rights 2009

This isn't the fun PPV that I can remember it being.

I can remember the Ironman match being really good. Your rating makes me wanna watch it again to see if I still think that, but cause it's an hour long I cant be arsed.

I agree about Batitsta's heel turn though, that was awesome. Led to the best bit of Batista's career in my opinion. Even if he did dress like a gimp.

[forehead7]

The youtube channel I watch my wrestling on, MrTycoonCashFlow or something, has his SD up already.

[Parscelona]

The feud with the Undertaker was the start of CM Punk going downhill, now he's just a mid-card in the Smackdown scene while the Straight Edge Society has gone past it's sell date.

I loved the idea of Punk having his own faction however if you look at it now, it's basically Punk with a couple of jobbers and a bald woman. Gallows is going nowhere, Mercury has had very little in ring action while Serena drinking some beers was the most interesting thing she's contributed.

I would much prefer it if they let Punk be his own man now.

[KilliePie]

I would much prefer it if they let Punk be his own man now.

Completely agree. He was immense by himself as a heel before the S.E.S stuff. I hated him as a good guy but now think he is class as a heel. Some of his promo work is brilliant. Loved it at Royal Rumble where he kept getting the mic everytime he eliminated anyone

[DomDom]

I can remember the Ironman match being really good. Your rating makes me wanna watch it again to see if I still think that, but cause it's an hour long I cant be arsed.

I liked it the first time around as well. I've knocked a full **1/2 off of the score that I gave it that time which really isn't a good sign.

As for CM Punk on his own, that Undertaker fued showed he was pretty much fucked as far as being a main eventer goes. Thankfully they kept him relevent.

[KilliePie]

I liked it the first time around as well. I've knocked a full **1/2 off of the score that I gave it that time which really isn't a good sign.

I just looked back through the pages to see what folks opinions of the ironman match were at the time.

Interesting to read your review of the PPV today and the your review of it then. Your ending quote was...

"Lowest rating is **3/4. Three matches at *** or over. The main event is ****+. If you miss this show, get the DVD. It's the most consistant PPV for quality since Canadian Stampede back in the summer of 1997. Might not have the blowaway matches that PPV had, but you'll never be unhappy watching this bad boy."

Doesnt appear to have aged well.

[Kris Boyd]

Loved impact, bound for glory will be great.

[DomDom]

Assorted ROH Stuff

Once again, there are matches which are seen as classics in the ROH cannon here, so I can't wait to give them a right good going over. One of the matches I fully expect to get through a PBP. The others ... we'll see.

Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi - ROH Joe vs. Kobashi ( ***** )

Jimmy Jacobs vs. BJ Whitmer, Steel Cage Match - ROH Supercard of Honor 2 ( ****1/2 )

The Briscoes © vs. Motor City Machine Guns - ROH World Tag Team Championships - ROH Good Times Great Memories ( ****1/4 )

The Young Bucks vs. El Generico and Kevin Steen - ROH Final Battle 2009 ( ****1/2 )

Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson, Fight Without Honor - ROH Final Battle 2008 ( ****1/2 )

Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black vs. Motor City Machine Guns - ROH Tag Wars 2008 ( ****1/2 )

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Bryan Danielson - ROH Unscripted III ( ****1/4 )

Generation Next vs. Blood Generation - ROH Dragon Gate Challenge ( ****1/2 )

Nigel McGuinness © vs. Bryan Danielson - ROH World Heavyweight Championship - ROH Rising Above 2009 ( ****3/4 )

Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi - ROH Joe vs. Kobashi

Oh man. This was pretty much a dream match and the heat in the building was insane. When Kobashi came through the curtain, it was rabid. Watching it again, it feels amazing. The referee gets pretty heavily booed. Both men go with the code of honor and then the bell is rung and the audience is HYPED for this. Joe with a kick to the leg to open the match. Joe tries that one again and Kobashi seems to be getting increasingly annoyed. Lockup and against the ropes they go. They break. Joe slaps Kobashi and NOW he's pissed. Kobashi looks around as if to say "did he just do that ?". Kobashi manages to keep his anger intact. Into the corner they go and a break. HUUUGE chop from Kobashi and they then go face to face and this is NUCLEAR stuff. They lock hands. "This Is Awesome" chant can be justified here purely because of the crazy excitement. Shoulder Charge takes Kobashi to the floor. Baseball Slide from Joe. ELBOW SUICIDA FROM JOE !!! Back into the ring they go. That gets a two count for the ROH mainstay. Body Slam from Joe and then an Elbow Drop. That gets a two count. Chinlock with an added arm from Joe. Dragon Sleeper is added to that by Joe. Kobashi gets to the bottom rope. Into the corner where Joe lands some chops. Kobashi seems to be a little unamused by this. Kobashi comes back with chops. FUCKING MASSIVE CHOPS !!! JOE WITH KICKS !!! KICK TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM JOE !!! YAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!! :D Give me strength. KAWADA KICKS FROM JOE !!! KOBASHI COMES BACK WITH CHOPS !!! KAWADA KICKS !!! CHOPS !!! FUCKING BRING IT !!! Knees from Joe and down goes Kobashi. Joe hits his combo of kick, chop, Knee Drop and Kobashi then heads for the floor. Joe goes out to meet him. Joe sits Kobashi on a chair. THE OLE KICK ON KOBASHI !!! Joe then puts Kobashi on another chair. OLE KICK ... INTO THE CHOP TO THE FACE !!! HOLY SHIT !!! KOBASHI CHOPS JOE INTO THE FRONT ROW !!! Back to the ringside area. DDT ON THE FLOOR FROM KOBASHI !!! Back into the ring they go and Kobashi picks up Joe. More chopping from Kobashi as if Joe wasn't in enough pain. Kobashi now has a look saying "yeah, this shit is mine". Joe into the ropes and Kobashi lands his running knees. The falling chop and then the Karate Chop and then another one. Leaping Karate Chop gets a two count for Kobashi. Kobashi brings Joe to his feet. Both men fight for a Suplex now. Joe lands the Suplex from that. Kicks vs. chops from these guys again. CHOP EXCHANGE AND THE CROWD GOES BANANAS !!! JOE WITH LOADS !!! KOBASHI COMES BACK !!! CHOPS TO THE FACE !!! A FINAL ONE SENDS JOE DOWN !!! Abdominal Stretch then follows from Kobashi. Joe gets into the ropes to break the move. Falling Chop from Kobashi and that gets a two count. Kobashi with a Camel Clutch. He then opts to go with the Chinlock and drops an elbow on the nose of Joe. Chops to the neck from Kobashi and then a Spinning Chop ... RIGHT INTO THE S-T-JOE !!! SENTON SPLASH !!! Jabs and chops in the corner from Joe. Powerbomb is blocked by Kobashi. KAWADA KICKS FROM JOE !!! BUCKLE BOMB FROM JOE !!! BOOTSCRAPES ... FACEWASH FROM JOE !!! MUSCLE BUSTER FROM JOE !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Kobashi was never gonna job to the Muscle Buster, so I'm not giving it major nearfall status. Kobashi rolls out of the Choke. POWERBOMB FROM JOE !!! RIGHT INTO THE STF !!! KOBASHI REACHES THE ROPES ... NO !!! JOE TAKES THE ARM AND GETS A CRIPPLER CROSSFACE !!! KOBASHI REACHES ... NO JOE GRABS THE OTHER ARM AND GETS A RINGS OF SATURN !!! KOBASHI GETS THE ROPES WITH HIS FOOT !!! Kobashi battles to the feet. HE RUNS INTO A CHOP TO THE FACE !!! HALF NELSON SUPLEX LANDS JOE RIGHT ON HIS MOTHERFUCKING HEAD !!! Both men battle to the feet. Spinning Chop from Kobashi. MACHINE GUN CHOPS IN THE CORNER !!! HE GOES AGAIN !!! THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING !!! Double Chops from Kobashi. Joe's chest is a mess and you don't see that often. FALLING CHOP !!! HALF NELSON SUPLEX FROM KOBASHI !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOOOOOOUUUUUUTTTTTTTTT !!!! WHOOOOAAAAA !!! SAMOA JOE IS THE FUCKING TERMINATOR !!! He's not QUITE surreal enough. YES HE IS !!! A FIGHT BACK !!! Kobashi catches him in a Sleeper Hold. SLEEPER PLEX FROM KOBASHI !!! THAT IS JUST FUCKING OUT OF THIS WORLD !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOOOOOOOUUUUUTTTTTTTTT !!! What a special, special match this is. JOE COMES BACK WITH A FLURRY !!! KOBASHI WITH CHOPS TO THE FACE !!! BIG LARIATOOOOOOOOOOOO !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!

Well. I'm not sure entirely how this could be seen as anything other than extraordinary. The way these two guys built the match was absolutely epic. Their big spots were timed to perfection, which led the fans to go absolutely insane. The drama was off the charts. We all knew that Samoa Joe was the underdog and he always looked it, but he never gave up and even when it looked like he was dead in the water, he kept coming back and surprising everyone. It's a match which has to be seen to be believed. Especially by the indy naysayers. *****

Jimmy Jacobs vs. BJ Whitmer, Steel Cage Match - ROH Supercard of Honor 2

This match was the blowoff for an absolutely wild fued between these two guys. Jacobs has Lacey. Whitmer has Daizee Haze. JACOBS WITH A SUICIDE DIVE THROUGH THE DOOR OF THE CAGE !!! WHITMER GETS SENT THROUGH A RAILING !!! Jacobs now has a chair and he springs off of it with an Elbow Drop. Into the ring they go. Jacobs lands some right hands and chops. Rake to the eyes from Jacobs and both men block shots into the cage. Both men then land some chops. Jacobs gets charged back first into the cage. Another chop. Head first into the top buckle goes Jacobs and then clubbing blows. Jacobs gets sent flying into the cage and then a second time. Some fans want him to get thrown into their side of the cage. Whitmer does what is asked from him and Haze goes and gets something from backstage. It's a steel chair. Jacobs blocks chair shots and both men then land forearms. "Huss !" chant from the audience. Whitmer puts the chair into the face of Jacobs and then lands a Dropkick into it. Big Boot sends the chair into the face of Whitmer with a kick. Whitmer gets his head slammed into the chair, but then Jacobs misses an Elbow Drop. Spinebuster into the chair from Whitmer ! CHAIR TO THE HEAD OF JACOBS !!! Whitmer then has the chair in the seated position. Whitmer then pulls at the face of Jacobs. Jacobs avoids a Brainbuster and lands a Drop Toe Hold into the chair. Lacey is off to get something. Lacey then gives Jacobs a spike but Whitmer has one in his boot. BOTH MEN SPIKE EACH OTHER AND BOTH MEN GO DOWN !!! BOTH MEN SPIKE EACH OTHER AGAIN !!! Both men are busted open. BOTH MEN SPIKE EACH OTHER REPEATEDLY AND THE AUDIENCE GOES BATSHIT MENTAL !!! Whitmer and Jacobs land right hands on each other. BUCKLE BOMB FROM WHITMER !!! RUNNING SUPERKICK FROM WHITMER !!! This match has escalated in a big way. Barbed wire baseball bat for Whitmer. He misses the shot though and both men exchange right hands and Whitmer sweeps down Jacobs. Running Forearm from Whitmer. HE RUNS RIGHT INTO THE BASEBALL BAT TO THE HEAD FROM JACOBS !!! BARBED WIRE TO THE ARM FROM JACOBS AND THEN HE BITES INTO THE BARBED WIRE !!! HE RAKES THE ARM OF WHITMER WITH BARBED WIRE !!! Jacobs licks the blood off of the face of Whitmer and then spits it back in his face. SPIKES TO THE HEAD AND THE ARM FROM JACOBS !!! DOUBLE SPIKES TO THE HEAD FROM JACOBS !!! Jacobs puts the head of Whitmer on the barbed wire. CHAIR SHOT SENDS THE FOREHEAD OF WHITMER INTO THE BARBED WIRE FROM JACOBS !!! Jacobs wedges the chair between the top and middle buckles. Jacobs goes back to work on the arm. BJ Whitmer is an absolute mess at this point. Headbutt from Jacobs. Forearm combo from Jacobs. SPEAR FROM JACOBS ... HITS NOTHING BUT CHAIR !!! EXPLODER SUPLEX FROM WHITMER !!! Leaping Rana from Jacobs gets blocked. CAGE BOMB FROM WHITMER !!! BARBED WIRE TO THE GUT AND BACK OF JACOBS !!! Chair in the seated position now. Whitmer rakes the forehead of Jacobs. BRAINBUSTER SENDS JACOBS THROUGH THE CHAIR !!! WHOA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Whitmer wants something and goes to the cage door. CAGE DOOR SLAMMED INTO THE HEAD OF WHITMER FROM LACEY !!! BARBED WIRE TO THE HEAD !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! SENTON SPLASH OFF THE TOP FROM JACOBS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Jacobs sets Whitmer on the top. SUPER POWERBOMB DROPS JACOBS FACE FIRST ON THE TOP BUCKLE !!! GERMAN SUPLEX !!! DRAGON SUPLEX !!! POWERBOMB WITH THE JACKNIFE PIN FROM WHITMER !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! A table has now been brought to the ring. Whitmer is going to the top rope. SUPER BOMB ... COUNTERED TO A SUPER RANA !!! ADRENALINE SPIKE FROM WHITMER !!! Lacey gets into the cage and Whitmer catches her. ADRENALINE SPIKE ON LACEY !!! Whitmer now heads for the top of the cage. FROG SPLASH OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE !!! CONTRACODE FROM JACOBS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Jacobs now sets a table. Jacobs wants Whitmer on the table and he does battle with Whitmer for a bit. Jacobs to the top of the cage. SENTON SPLASH OFF THE TOP OF THE CAGE THROUGH THE TABLE FROM JACOBS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!!

This was a cracking brawl with an absolute LOAD of blood. There were so many great moments here, like the awesome railroad spike spot in the middle of the match which seen both men lose a ton of blood. Jimmy Jacobs' decent into madness as the match went on and of course, the escalation to the massive spots at the end. I also liked the desperation from both men looking for finishers near the end too, only for Lacey to come in and ruin it. All good. A hate fuelled monster of a war. ****1/2

The Briscoes © vs. Motor City Machine Guns - ROH World Tag Team Championships - ROH Good Times Great Memories

This would be the debut of the MCMG in ROH teaming with each other. Alex Shelley used to be a mainstay, while Chris Sabin made appearances from time to time. Mark is gonna get the match started with Sabin. Lockup and Mark goes to work on the arm. Headlock Takedown and a Side Headlock from Sabin. Head Scissors from Mark to get away from that. Sabin then escapes nicely and he has the legs of Mark. Mark manages to slap his way out of that one. Lockup and Sabin goes to the arm. Mark takes down Sabin and gets a Side Headlock of his own. Sabin with an escape and he gets the Arm Ringer. Mark grabs the top rope to force the break from that. Lockup and Mark goes to the Arm Ringer. Sabin to the feet and he does a bunch of flipping about before poking the eye. Mark into the ropes and he comes out with a Spinning Heel Kick and then a Rana. Body Slam from Mark. Sabin into the ropes and he kicks Mark. Back Body Drop from Mark and Sabin runs into his corner where Shelley strokes the hair. Shelley is then tagged into the ring and the audience like that. Jay is in there with him and he does a nice escape from an Arm Ringer, but that doesn't last long as Shelley uses his superior technical wrestling. Elevated Arm Bar from Shelley. Jay forces them into the corner. Shelley then rakes his forearm into the face of Jay. Lockup and into the corner they go again and Jay repays that favour. Shelley draws the line. Jay crosses and Shelley gets onto his knees and kisses the feet of Jay. Shelley spits water in the face of Jay and then into the corner they go. Kicks and right hands from Jay. Forearms from Jay. Headlock from Jay and he takes Shelley down to one knee. Shelley gets a Headlock and gets sent into the ropes. They collide and neither man moves. Tilt-a-Whirl Head Scissors from Shelley and then a Dropkick from Jay sends Shelley to the floor and Sabin goes out to see how he is. Sabin is now tagged into the match. They lock hands and Sabin gets an Overhead Wristlock, and then Jay gets a Drop Toe Hold and a Camel Clutch and Sabin is forced to reach the ropes. Into the corner and in comes Mark. Mark with right hands and chops and then into the corner where Mark lands a chop. Body Slam and a Fist Drop from Mark gets a two count. Clothesline in the corner from Sabin and then Mark into the ropes and a Back Elbow from Sabin. Shelley then chokes with the boot when he gets into the ring. Into the corner and in comes Jay. Shelley attempts a fight back here. Shelley hits the ropes. Bulldog/Downward Spiral combo from the Briscoes and that gets a two count. Jay with a big chop in the corner and the audience liked that. Into the corner and a Clothesline. Running Dropkick from Jay gets a two count. Body Slam from Jay and then the Slingshot Double Stomp from Mark. That gets a two count. Sabin then hits from behind and that distracts Mark for a second, but doesn't for long enough. Head Scissors from Mark. Shelley escapes and back in comes Jay. Shelley runs right into a Back Elbow. Choke with the boot from Mark. Snap Suplex from Jay and then Mark comes in and that gets a two count. Russian Legsweep from Shelley gives him a chance and then he lands an Enziguri and tags out. Sabin runs into a forearm, but Sabin with a nice Ace Crusher for a two count. Into the corner they go and Sabin rubs his saliva into the face of Mark. Both men slap each other and Sabin gets a Jawbreaker. Into the corner they go and Shelley comes in and a Double Hiptoss, Double Fist Drop and then Double Kick from the MCMG gets a two count. Spinebuster from Shelley. LIONSAULT FROM SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Shelley taunts Mark to take the tag before ripping at the face of Mark. Shelley throws the face of Mark into the boot. Double Suplex from the Guns. Both men then land Snap Leg Drops and that gets a one count for the Guns. Abdominal Stretch from Sabin and Jay breaks that. Into the corner and Mark gets away. Springboard Forearm and in comes Jay with chops. Sabin into the ropes and a Dropkick from Jay. Stunner from Jay. YAKUZA KICK FROM JAY !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Shelley comes in and hits his own partner. Forearms on both men. HUGE DOUBLE FLAPJACK FROM THE BRISCOES TO SHELLEY !!! CRUCIFIX NECKBREAKER ... stopped. YAKUZA KICK FROM SABIN !!! Sabin then sets Mark on top. HANGING NECKBREAKER !!! THE BULLET POINT DROPKICKS FROM THE GUNS !!! Jay then gets sent to the floor with Mark. STEREO SUICIDE DIVES FROM THE GUNS !!! Into the corner. Running Forearms from both Guns. SHELLEY MISSES A PESCADO !!! Double Tackle from The Briscoes but that goes nowhere. CLOVERLEAF ON JAY AND SHELLEY WITH THE BORDER CITY STRETCH ON MARK !!! Sabin and Jay now in the ring. Drop Toe Hold sends Sabin down. SPRINGBOARD SPINNING SPLASH FROM MARK !!! ONE ! TWO ! SHELLEY SAVES !!! Snapmare and then a Stretch Plum from Jay. Shelley comes in and breaks that. Shelley into the ropes and Double Arm Drags from both men. Springboard Swanton from Mark gets a two count. Half Crab from Mark and Sabin reaches the bottom rope. Double Tackle from the Briscoes. Into the corner. BIG BIEL OUT OF THE CORNER FROM THE BRISCOES !!! Knee Drop from Mark and then the La Magistral Cradle gets a two count. SWINGING DDT/ENZIGURI COMBO FROM SABIN !!! Cross Body from Shelley and Jay rolls through and gets a two count. Forearms from Jay. Kick to the head from Shelley. Spin Kick from Shelley. Shelley with a Downward Spiral sending Mark into the middle buckle. He heads for the top rope where he gets stopped. Super Manhattan Drop from Shelley. GERMAN SUPLEX FROM SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! DREAM SEQUENCE FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! MARK SAVES !!! Backbreaker from Sabin and then a Springboard Elbow Drop and that gets a two count. Head Scissors from Sabin. The referee tells Mark to stay on the apron. In comes Shelley. Jay forces Sabin to Dropkick his partner and then to head him in the balls and in comes Mark. Springboard Kick from Mark and then we see some Kung Fu Mark. Leg Lariat to the back of the head from Mark. Mark with a Springboard Moonsault press gets a two count. Shelley avoids the Exploder Suplex. Arm Drag and in comes Sabin. EXPLODER SUPLEX FROM MARK TO SABIN !!! CRUCIFIX NECKBREAKER FROM THE BRISCOES !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! DOOMSDAY DEVICE ... stopped. REVERSE RANA DROPS JAY RIGHT ON HIS HEAD !!! ASCS SERIES !!! ASSISTED SLICED BREAD #2 FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! STEREO LEG DROP/SPLASH COMBO FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... JAY MAKES THE SAVE !!! AIR RAID CRASH ... stopped. Hot Shot on Shelley and a Cactus Clothesline. MARK WITH A PLANCHA OVER THE TOP ROPE ONTO SABIN !!! JAY DRILLER ... blocked with a kick. GORILLA PRESS INTO THE DEATH VALLEY DRIVER FROM JAY !!! MARK WITH A SHOOTING STAR PRESS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... SABIN MAKES THE SAVE !!! Jay comes in and lands some forearms on Sabin. Forearms from both men now. Roundhouse Kick from Sabin. Sabin to the top rope. Mark stops him up there. DOOMSDAY DROPKICK FROM THE GUNS TO MARK !!! SUPERKICK FROM SHELLEY !!! AIR RAID CRASH !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! SHELLSHOCK FROM SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... JAY MAKES THE SAVE !!! Sabin drags Jay out. CUT THROAT DRIVER ON SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! CUT THROAT LEG DROP FROM THE BRISCOES !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREEEEEEEEE !!!

The first half of this match is much more tedious than I can remember it being, with the main highlights being the Machine Guns doing their little shenanigans through it. The second half of the match is madness though as everything just flows into everything else. Some quality tag team wrestling from both men even if both teams had done it all many times before this. ****1/4

The Young Bucks vs. El Generico and Kevin Steen - ROH Final Battle 2009

The fans try to get Steen going, who is looking a little out of it at the moment. Generico starts the match with Nick. I don't expect this to be better than other stuff I've got to watch, but I'm right in the mood for some tag team wrestling at the moment. Lockup and Generico goes behind. Nick the same. Hammerlock from Generico and a nice escape from Nick. Generico gets out and gets an Arm Ringer. Nick onto the apron and he flips over Generico and then lands a flipping Arm Drag and then a Dropkick and he gets in the face of Generico. Headlock from Steen and then into the ropes and down goes Matt and then again. Dropkick from Matt. Steen holds the knee and then he slaps Matt. Matt spits in the face of Steen and Steen picks it up and spits it at Nick. Matt and Steen with forearms and this has gotten heated. Drop Toe Hold/Somersault Leg Drop from Steen and Generico. Generico back into the match and he kicks Matt. Right hands from Generico. Dropkick from Generico and that gets a two count. Steen then comes in with chops of his own. Back Body Drop from Steen and then he covers Matt for a two count. Chinlock from Steen and then he bites the forehead and in comes Generico. Chop from Generico and then he gets a "HEY !". STANDING SLICED BREAD #2 FROM MATT !!! In comes Nick and he goes right to work. Spinning Elbow. SPRINGBOARD SWINGING DDT FROM NICK TO GENERICO !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Nick locks in a Modified Seated Abdominal Stretch on Generico and he reaches the bottom rope. Into the corner and in comes Matt with a double stomp to the arm. No fucking around to reach that point from the Bucks. Generico goes for the tag and doesn't get it. Hard Irish Whip sends Generico into the corner and that gets a two count. Steen gets the audience behind Generico, but the Bucks keep him in the corner. Generico into the ropes and a Double Hiptoss and then the N'Sync. That gets a two count for the Bucks. Nick misses a Back Drop Suplex and Generico tags out of the match and in comes Steen. The Bucks have Steen. Double Hiptoss and then the N'Sync. Steen with a Double Clothesline. Cannonball on Nick in the corner and then he's on the apron. HANGING DDT FROM STEEN TO NICK !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Steen into the ropes and he gets sweeped. GENERICO COMES OFF THE BACK WITH A SOMERSAULT PLANCHA !!! CRADLE BREAKER FROM STEEN TO NICK !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! HURRICANE KICK FROM NICK !!! Steen into the corner. Double Knees from Nick. REVERSE DDT/DOUBLE STOMP COMBO FROM THE BUCKS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! CODEBREAKER FROM STEEN TO MATT !!! Generico comes off the top with a Cross Body for a two count as he's tagged in. HALF AND HALF SUPLEX ... blocked. High knee from Nick. Nick onto the apron. SLINGSHOT X-FACTOR FROM NICK !!! POWERBOMB ONTO THE APRON FROM STEEN TO NICK !!! EXPLODER INTO THE BUCKLES FROM GENERICO TO MATT !!! OLE KICK IN THE CORNER FROM GENERICO ... stopped. WORST CASE SCENARIO FROM MATT TO GENERICO !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! DROPKICK/CORKSCREW PLANCHA COMBO FROM THE BUCKS !!! SPRINGBOARD SPLASH/MOONSAULT COMBO FROM THE BUCKS ON EL GENERICO !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! NICK JUMPS INTO THE SHARPSHOOTER ... stopped. Matt gets dropped over the top rope. OLE KICK ON NICK !!! HALF AND HALF SUPLEX !!! FROG SPLASH !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! In comes Steen. Nick avoids a Package. POWERBOMB FROM STEEN INTO THE SHARPSHOOTER !!! Matt comes in and kicks. GENERICO SENDS MATT BACK OVER THE TOP ROPE AND STEEN STILL HAS THE MOVE IN !!! Steen can't hold the move as the knee buckles. PACKAGE PILEDRIVER ... Matt stops it. SUPERKICK FROM MATT !!! MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK ON STEEN !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOOOOOUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!! SUPERKICKS FROM THE BUCKS !!! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!!

This didn't quite have the drama of their truly classic match in PWG, but make no mistake, this was yet another example of why The Young Bucks are better than just your average spot monkey tag team. ****1/2

Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson, Fight Without Honor - ROH Final Battle 2008

This was one violent and brutal fued which required the marquee No DQ match of ROH. The Fight Without Honor. Danielson takes an age to come out to the ring but he comes through the crowd and sends Morishima to the floor and then into the crowd. SPRINGBOARD PLANCHA INTO THE AUDIENCE !!! Danielson's theme is still playing ... IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN !!! Back to the ringside area they go and this match is on. Danielson grabs the ringbell and hammer, but Morishima blocks at him. Morishima sent onto a chair and then kicks to the chest from Danielson. Running Dropkick to the face from Danielson and the audience is HOT for this match. Danielson then shoves the point of the chair into the throat. Into the ring they go. European Uppercut from Danielson and then more of the same. Headbutts. Headbutt knocks down Morishima. Mexican Surfboard from Danielson, but he can't lift the weight so he stomps the knees. Two count from that. They go onto the apron. Morishima clubs Danielson down to the floor. Danielson goes for a Powerbomb, but Morishima drops his weight on Danielson. Morishima then sends Danielson into the railing. Danielson is now busted open. Morishima with a HARD shot sends Danielson back off of the apron and then he has a chair. Chair across the back from Morishima. Danielson is sat on a chair and then Morishima with the Running Butt Bump against the railing and then a series of right hands. Head first into the ringpost goes Danielson. Morishima then chokes Danielson over the middle rope, ripping at his face at the same time. That's just brutal. Mocking kicks to the face from Morishima and then one of those clubbing blows. Kick to the back and Danielson gets the hell out of there. Forearm sends Danielson back down when he gets onto the apron. Morishima seems to be looking under the ring for some toys. Danielson gets into the ring. Morishima now has a chain. Morishima now chokes Danielson with the chain and this could mean trouble for Danielson. Morishima then lets go of the move. Umm ... why ? Into the corner goes Danielson and Morishima with a HARD Lariat. Morishima heads to the top rope. TOP ROPE DROPKICK FROM MORISHIMA ... MISSES !!! Forearms from Danielson, but Morishima lands one and that ends the momentum. Danielson backflips over Morishima and knocks him to the floor. SUICIDE DIVE FROM DANIELSON AND HE ENDS UP IN THE FRONT ROW !!! Back into the ring they go and Danielson heads for the top rope. Top Rope Dropkick to the knee and then kicks to the chest from Danielson. Running kick to the chest knocks the big man down and that gets a two count. Danielson then slaps Morishima when standing over him. Danielson looks for a Tiger Suplex but takes a kick to the face. SAMOAN WRECKING BALL FROM MORISHIMA !!! STO gets a two count for Morishima. BRUTAL LARIAT FROM MORISHIMA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! BACK DROP DRIVER ... blocked. SMALL PACKAGE FROM DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! GERMAN SUPLEX FROM DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! CATTLE MUTILATION FROM DANIELSON !!! He has the arms. THE ELBOWS FROM DANIELSON !!! MORISHIMA BATTLES TO HIS FEET !!! He knocks Danielson down with forearms. Danielson won't back down. ROARING ELBOW ... DANIELSON RUNS RIGHT INTO THE LARIAT !!! Morishima then chokes Danielson with the chain again. CHAIN CROSSFACE FROM MORISHIMA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Danielson is set on the top rope and Morishima is up there with him. Danielson gets under Morishima and goes up behind him. TOP ROPE BACK DROP SUPLEX FROM DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Danielson has the chain wrapped around Morishima. MMA KICKS WITH THE CHAIN !!! TRIANGLE CHOKE FROM DANIELSON !!! MORISHIMA BATTLES BACK !!! POWERBOMB FROM MORISHIMA !!! Danielson jumps into a Northern Lights. LARIAT FROM MORISHIMA !!! BACK DROP DRIVER FROM MORISHIMA !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... FOOT ON THE BOTTOM ROPE !!! CHAIN LARIAT ... COUNTERED INTO THE MODIFIED FUJIWARA ARMBAR FROM DANIELSON !!! Danielson then decides to tie Morishima's hands behind his back. Forearms from Danielson but he runs right into a Big Boot. Kicks to the head from Morishima, but then a low blow from Danielson and another. REPEATED STOMPS TO THE BALLS FROM DANIELSON !!! CHAIN ASSISTED ELBOWS FROM DANIELSON !!! CATTLE MUTILATION FROM DANIELSON !!! MORISHIMA IS OUT AND THE REF CALLS IT !!!

This is an absolute war of a match. These two guys absolutely stiffed the shit out of each other for 20 minutes. Morishima was just brutal here, as he added an edge, mocking Danielson in the most vicious ways possible, but Danielson is not the kind of guy you can expect to keep down in such a way and he just kept coming back over and over again. Superb brawl. ****1/2

Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black vs. Motor City Machine Guns - ROH Tag Wars 2008

There's a huge rivalry running under this between Jacobs and Shelley. Sabin and Black get the match going naturally. They have a shoving match and then a chopping match. Knees from Black and then the Headlock Takedown. Head Scissors from Sabin. Black escapes and slaps Sabin and then gets a Headlock. Sabin with an escape and a slap of his own. Headlock from both men and Sabin gets the advantage. Sabin with some flipping about and then an Arm Ringer and then in comes Shelley. Shelley goes to the eyes. Kicks to the stomach from Shelley and then he stands on Black and Sabin adds a boot. Snapmare and then Shelley stands on the hair and pulls Black up. Elbow to the back of the head from Shelley and then a right hand. Black into the ropes and he comes out with a Stunner and then tags in Jacobs. They go face to face and have some words. They shove each other and then we have right hands between them. Headlock from Jacobs and then he rakes the eyes. Shelley with some chops. Jacobs goes to the eyes again and then runs into a kick. Spin Kick to the head from Shelley and the fans like that. Jacobs tags out to Black. Shelley isn't happy with that outcome. They lock hands and Black with kicks to the stomach. Shelley rolls through and then stomps on the hands and taunts Jacobs. Sabin now tags into the match and then lands a big chop on Black. Snapmare and then a Dropkick to the back of the head and that gets a two count. Choke in the corner with the boot from Sabin and then a kick to the stomach. Shelley tagged back in and he comes down with a Double Axe Handle to the side of Black. Right hands from Shelley. Spinebuster and then a snot blow. LIONSAULT FROM SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Jacobs is raging with this. Nice takedown and then a Knee Drop from Shelley. In comes Sabin and we get the Wishbone Legsplit. Abdominal Stretch from Sabin. Jacobs comes into the ring and distracts Sabin. Sabin locks a nice submission in and Shelley comes in and has a wee slap. Jacobs comes in and breaks it, so Jacobs comes in and slaps Black again. Black with a fight back. Sleeper Hold from Sabin, but Black blocks with a Jawbreaker. Shelley tagged in and he walks into a Pele Kick. Jacobs tagged into the ring. Head Scissor Faceslams from Shelley to Jacobs and the fans like that shit right there. Shelley into the ropes but Black sends him to the floor and sits him on a chair. JACOBS WITH A PLANCHA OVER THE TOP ROPE ONTO SHELLEY ON THE CHAIR !!! Black sets Sabin and stomps on him. MOONSAULT OFF OF THE RAILING FROM BLACK TO SABIN !!! Jacobs and Shelley are brawling elsewhere I believe. Black to the apron. BLACK MISSES A DIVE OFF OF THE APRON AND GOES THROUGH THE RAILING !!! Jacobs goes over and brings Sabin into the ring and heads for the top rope. Top Rope Dropkick misses. CATAPULT/SUPERKICK FROM THE GUNS !!! SWANTON OVER THE KNEES OF SABIN FROM SHELLEY !!! DOUBLE SUPERKICK !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! ASCS SERIES ... SUPERKICKS ALL AROUND !!! PEROXYSM FROM BLACK !!! JACOBS MAKES THE COVER !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Jacobs has Shelley trapped and in comes Black and he stomps on Shelley and believe it or not, we came down to the legal man after all of that. Chinlock from Black. Shelley into the ropes but he runs into a Back Elbow. Jacobs then stomps on Shelley. Jacobs then with repeated Double Stomps ending with the Senton Splash. Right hand from Jacobs and then he rips at the face and tags in Black. Shelley into the ropes and a Double Choke from the Fall and Sabin comes in and breaks. They get a two count from that. Black with a chop and he knocks down Shelley. Shelley almost gets under Black to make the tag, but Jacobs knocks Sabin off of the apron. Now the Fall have Shelley in the tree of woe. DOUBLE DROPKICKS TO THE FACE FROM THERE FROM AOTF !!! Shelley comes back with chops so Jacobs starts biting and then lands some right hands. In comes Black. Jacobs hits his own partner. DDT/NOVACAINE COMBO FROM SHELLEY TO AOTF !!! Shelley is now looking for the tag and he makes it. Sabin comes in with a Missile Dropkick. Dropkick to the knee. Spin Kick and Enziguri on Black. Cactus Clothesline and he skins the cat. CRADLE SHOCK ... missed. Both men look for Suplexes. ENZIGURI-GERMAN SUPLEX-TIGER SUPLEX IN A SERIES FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Sabin into the ropes. Octopus Stretch from Sabin. Black runs Sabin into the corner to break and then he sets Sabin on the top rope. Shelley comes and saves his partner. TREE OF WOE BULLET POINT ON BOTH MEN !!! We're left with Shelley and Black in there. Super Rana ... blocked. Black with a Springboard Clothesline ... RIGHT INTO THE BORDER CITY STRETCH !!! JACOBS HITS HIS OWN MAN !!! TOP ROPE LEG DROP TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD FROM SABIN TO BLACK !!! CONTRA CODE FROM JACOBS ... COUNTERED TO THE SNAKE EYES !!! Shelley runs into a boot. LEAPING END TIME FROM JACOBS !!! COUNTERED TO THE BORDER CITY STRETCH !!! JACOBS ROLLS THROUGH TO THE END TIME !!! SPIN KICK KNOCKS DOWN JACOBS FROM SABIN !!! Jacobs into the corner and a Yakuza Kick. Jacobs rakes the eyes. High Cross Body and Sabin rolls through. BACKBREAKER/KNEE DROP COMBO !!! SHELLSHOCK DROPS JACOBS ON HIS HEAD !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Black with right hands to both of the Guns. Black into the ropes and he runs into a Clothesline. Shelley lands a shot on Sabin. Springboard Clothesline takes down the Guns. DOOMSDAY RANA FROM THE AGE OF THE FALL !!! THE BUCKLE BOMB FROM BLACK !!! YAKUZA KICK !!! THE FROG SPLASH !!! SENTON SPLASH !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Black now heads for the top rope. PHOENIX SPLASH FROM BLACK ... MISSED !!! BIG LARIAT FROM SHELLEY TO BLACK !!! Forearms from Jacobs and Shelley. ASCS SERIES ... MISSES !!! CONTRACODE INTO A SATELLITE HEAD SCISSORS ON BOTH MEN !!! TORTURE RACK/BACK SENTON COMBO FROM THE FALL !!! SWINGING DDT FROM SHELLEY TO BLACK !!! SUPERKICK ON BLACK !!! CONTRACODE FROM JACOBS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Jacobs is heading for the top rope again. SENTON ... HITS THE KNEES !!! Shelley heads for the top rope. Black gets sent to the floor when he tries to stop, but Jacobs gets up there too. Sabin has him. Rana from Jacobs to Sabin. LARIAT FROM SABIN TO JACOBS !!! Leaping European Uppercut from Shelley. SPEAR FROM JACOBS TO SHELLEY !!! DOMINATOR/DDT COMBO FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! CROSS LEGGED BRAINBUSTER FROM SHELLEY !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... BLACK SAVES !!! CRADLE SHOCK ON BLACK FROM SABIN !!! ASCS SERIES FROM THE GUNS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOOOUUUTTTT !!! SABIN WITH A PESCADO ONTO BLACK ... MISSES !!! AIR RAID CRASH ... JACOBS CATCHES SHELLEY IN THE END TIME !!! SHELLEY TAPS !!!!

Wowzers. These guys were given almost 35 minutes to work with in this one and they filled the time with an absolutely glorious amount of action. The audience throws garbage into the ring as a result of that. All four of these men have obviously done a lot of work together to be able to go for that long in a match and not even show the slightest hint of an awkward motion. I loved the stuff between Shelley and Sabin. Getting a lot of use out of this rating in this selection. ****1/2

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Bryan Danielson - ROH Unscripted III

Jacobs attacks before the bell and Danielson comes back with European Uppercuts. Cross Armbreaker from Danielson and Jacobs does his best to relieve the pressure on the arm. Danielson mounts Jacobs and lands rights and lefts. THE ELBOWS !!! Jacobs gets the hell out of there. Lacey goes over and tends to her man. Jacobs then gets onto the apron and back into the ring. "Huss !" chant to wind up Jacobs. Jacobs takes down Danielson and gets the Hammerlock. Danielson with a nice roll through and he tries to mount Jacobs. Danielson grabs a leg and then goes for the Half Crab. He eventually turns it into a Mexican Surfboard. Danielson then adds the Dragon Sleeper to that. Danielson decides to let go and Jacobs gets the hell out of there. Jacobs takes his knee brace off. Jacobs appears to have a bad wheel at the moment. Danielson goes after the knee right away. Jacobs with elbow strikes to the side but Danielson picks him up and lands a Samoan Drop and that gets a two count. BRUTAL Arm Bar from Danielson and Jacobs gets into the ropes. Knee strikes to the stomach from Danielson. Headbutt from Jacobs and then a Snapmare. Chinlock from Jacobs as he looks to wear down the best in the world. Headlock from Jacobs and sent into the ropes and Danielson lands a Dropkick and goes for that Half Crab again. Jacobs with a kick to knock out Danielson to escape from that. Knees to the head from Jacobs and then an elbow right to the nose. Jacobs then bites at the nose. Jacobs to the middle buckle and a Fist Drop to the nose. Wow, working on the nose of Danielson. More punches to the nose. Danielson begins to liven up a little. Jacobs whips him into the corner and then runs right into a boot. Leaping European Uppercut off of the middle buckle from Danielson. Clotheslines from Danielson. Danielson backflips over him and then gets a Running Knee. Judo DDT from Danielson and we know what comes next. FLYING HEADBUTT FROM DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! TIGER SUPLEX ... Jacobs charges Danielson into the corner and then gets a Neckbreaker. SENTON SPLASH FROM THE TOP !!! ONE ! TWO ! KICKOUT !!! Danielson then takes down Jacobs. CATTLE MUTILATION FROM DANIELSON !!! JACOBS IS IN TROUBLE !!! Lacey then gets onto the apron. Jacobs has his cane but Danielson catches a shot. JACOBS HAS THE SPIKE AND HE SENDS IT RIGHT TO THE HEAD OF DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Danielson is now busted open thanks to the spike shot. Right hands from Jacobs in the corner and then he bites at the forehead. Jacobs then stands on the face of Danielson and then chokes him. Elbow strike to the back of the head of Danielson and he has him in the Tree of Woe. Running Knee to the stomach and then the Swinging Dropkick to the face. JACOBS DROPKICKS THE HEAD OF DANIELSON INTO THE RINGPOST !!! Right hands from Jacobs. He then presses the head into the railing. Jacobs has a steel chair. Jacobs then sits Danielson on a chair. PESCADO FROM JACOBS SENDS DANIELSON THROUGH THE CHAIRS !!! Jacobs throws the referee out of the way and brings Danielson back into the ring and gets a two count. Right hands from Jacobs. Danielson pulls himself up but falls and Jacobs rips at the face. Jacobs then chokes Danielson over the middle rope. Jacobs with the jumping on the chest and then the Elbow Drop for a two count. Jacobs then slaps away at Danielson and heads for the top rope. Danielson crotches Jacobs up there. TOP ROPE SUPERPLEX FROM DANIELSON !!! Both men to their feet and Danielson comes back with right hands. The fans love that. Running Forearm in the corner and then a Spin Kick sends Jacobs to the floor. SUICIDE DIVE FROM DANIELSON TO JACOBS !!! Top Rope Dropkick back in the ring from Danielson. Danielson then runs into a boot. LEAPING END TIME FROM JACOBS !!! Danielson escapes. DANIELSON LEAPS INTO A SPEAR FROM JACOBS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! CONTRACODE ... misses. GERMAN SUPLEX INTO THE CATTLE MUTILATION FROM DANIELSON !!! DANIELSON TURNS JACOBS INTO THE ELBOWS !!! JACOBS TURNS THAT INTO THE CONTRA CODE !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Jacobs heads for the top rope. THE SENTON SPLASH ... HITS THE KNEES !!! RUNNING HIGH KNEE FROM DANIELSON !!! THE PULLING KICKS FROM DANIELSON AND THEN THE TRIANGLE CHOKE !!! DANIELSON ADDS THE ELBOWS !!! JACOBS FINDS THE BOTTOM ROPE !!! Danielson now sets Jacobs on the top rope. TOP ROPE BACK DROP SUPLEX ... stopped. SUPER DDT INTO THE END TIME FROM JACOBS !!! DANIELSON LIVENS UP !!! HE'S BACK DOWN !!! DANIELSON IS OUT !!! JACOBS WINS !!! THE FANS CAN'T BELIEVE IT !!!

I like how after Danielson took the spike shot to the head he was never the same. He kept coming back into the match but he continually faded out and in and it meant that Jimmy Jacobs' win wasn't completely out of leftfield, because a win over a 100% Danielson just wouldn't wash with anyone. The match was terrific with Jacobs having the weakness that Danielson wanted to exploit, but Jacobs distracted him from it at every turn, and Jacobs just doing everything he could to stay away from the bombs of Danielson. ****1/4

Generation Next vs. Blood Generation - ROH Dragon Gate Challenge

This was the night before the big six man tag that put Dragon Gate on the map. Blood Generation are represnted by Masato Yoshino, CIMA and Naruki Doi. Generation Next by Austin Aries, Roderick Strong and Jack Evans. Strong and CIMA are going to start the match. Lockup and Strong goes to the arm. CIMA with an escape and he takes down Strong. Strong escapes and has the legs of CIMA. Strong then grabs the hair of CIMA and then does some surfing on him. Front Facelock and then CIMA with a nice escape. Headlock from Strong and he's sent into the ropes and he charges CIMA down who kips up and lands a Dropkick. Strong chops down CIMA. More choppage from Strong. CIMA into the ropes and then he lands a Hiptoss and then both men with Arm Drags. Both men look for big trademark moves and then we have a pinfall exchange. That was a superb exchange there. Doi and Evans are now in the ring. Doi sends Evans into the ropes. Hiptosses miss and then a Catapult ends the same way. Forearm knocks down Evans. Double Springboard Arm Drag sends Doi to the floor. SPRINGBOARD SOMERSAULT PLANCHA FROM EVANS TO DOI !!! In come Yoshino and Aries. Aries sends Yoshino into the ropes and he lands a Dropkick and in comes Strong. Yoshino to the top rope and he comes down and hits a Dropkick. Yoshino with a Clothesline to Aries and he attempts the same. LIGER BOMB FROM ARIES !!! In comes Evans. Evans with the Springboard Double Stomp and that gets a two count. Snapmare and then a kick to the back and another. In comes Aries. Strong wants to come in and he unleashes a HUUUGE chop on Yoshino. Body Slam from Strong and in comes Evans. Back Body Drop from Strong to Evans onto Yoshino and then the slow mo Knee Drop from Aries gets a two count. That followed a Standing Moonsault from Strong. Strong is back in the ring now. Strong with more chops to Yoshino. Backbreaker/Slingshot Elbow from Strong and Aries gets a two count. Yoshino comes back with chops and in comes Strong. More big chops from Strong. SLING BLADE FROM YOSHINO !!! He tags in CIMA. Evans is in too. Evans to the apron. EVANS SLINGSHOTS RIGHT INTO THE ACE CRUSHER FROM CIMA !!! DROPKICK TO THE ASS FROM CIMA !!! In comes Doi. He slaps the face of Evans who attempts a fight back. Doi then stomps down Evans. RUNNING CANNONBALL IN THE CORNER FROM DOI !!! Into the corner and in comes Yoshino. Kicks and then a choke with the boot. Suplex from Yoshino and that gets a two count. Evans tries to make the tag but Yoshino stops him. Evans now in the Tree of Woe. Running Dropkick to the face from Yoshino. CIMA back into the ring. Evans into the ropes and a Double Shoulder Tackle. CIMA then with a Modified Sharpshooter. The other members of Blood Generation try and fail to stop the save being made. CIMA kicks the middle rope into the throat of Evans. AWA SPECIAL FROM THE GENERATION !!! ASSISTED AWA SPECIAL !!! CIMA WITH THE DOUBLE STOMP SENDS DOWN EVANS !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... STRONG SAVES !!! Yoshino then stomps on Evans some more. Evans into the ropes and he hits a LOVELY Springboard Backflip Double Elbow and he's near his corner. Aries comes in. Rolling Samoan Drop. Strong with the Elbow Drop. FROG SPLASH FROM ARIES !!! ONE ! TWO ! DOI SAVES !!! Strong sent to the floor. Aries onto the apron. Dragon Screw over the middle rope from CIMA. DOUBLE STOMP ON EVANS INTO THE LUNGBLOWER ON ARIES !!! Strong into the ring. CIMA WITH A FUCKING MENTAL SUICIDE DIVE !!! Doi and Strong now in the ring. DOI 555 .. misses. GIBSON DRIVER FROM STRONG !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER ... blocked. SKY HIGH FROM DOI !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... ARIES !!! BRUTAL BACK DROP DRIVER ON YOSHINO !!! IED !!! Aries to the top rope. DOI SENDS ARIES CRASHING DOWN !!! DOI 555 !!! CIMA and Yoshino up top. FUCKING UNBELIEVABLE DOUBLE TOP ROPE DROPKICK !!! TORBELLINO ON STRONG !!! DOUBLE KNEE GUTBUSTER ON YOSHINO !!! SICK KICK FROM STRONG !!! HALF NELSON BACKBREAKER !!! EVANS INTO A SUPERKICK FROM CIMA !!! SCHWEIN !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREE !!!

This was an all action spotfest of the most fun order. I'm not sure that they wanted to give everything away because of the second night so I think that the final stretch was even better than expected given the circumstances. ****1/2

Nigel McGuinness © vs. Bryan Danielson - ROH World Heavyweight Championship - ROH Rising Above 2009

Hey look, it's another big Danielson match ! Danielson wants the handshake and he's willing to go along with it. Danielson with a kick to the side to make the first move. Low kick from Danielson. Well, it looked low. They then lock hands and Nigel goes to the Arm Ringer. Danielson with an escape, but he ends up back in the Arm Ringer. Hairpull from McGuinness and Danielson gets back up. Danielson with an escape and he gets a Suplex and then the Wristlock. Danielson then stomps the elbow and the back of Nigel for a two count. Nigel gets to the apron and then the floor. Back into the ring gets Nigel and they lockup. Into the ropes and Nigel gets the same sort of kick that he took from Danielson earlier. Danielson has a taped knee. Nigel with the Hammerlock and then Danielson counters and takes down Nigel. Danielson then grabs a hand and twists. Nigel gets into the ropes and Danielson tells the referee he has 'till five. Lockup and a Headlock from Nigel and then he's sent into the ropes. Headlock Takedown and a Side Headlock from Nigel. Nigel into the ropes and he gets sweeped down. Danielson now goes for the Mexican Surfboard but he opts to just rip at the face and then stomps on the knees. European Uppercut from Danielson and then an Arm Breaker and then a Hammerlock from Danielson. Danielson now has the arm trapped between his feet and he drops back. Same thing again. Danielson then grabs the other arm and uses his foot to press that back and that was some sick shit right there. Danielson into the ropes and he hits a big boot to the face but misses a big kick and Nigel heads for the floor. Danielson heads to the floor and hits a BRUTAL Running Knee sending Nigel into the railing and then back into the ring they go. THE PULLING KICKS FROM DANIELSON !!! Nigel is in the ropes early. Nigel into the corner and Danielson misses a charge. Kick to the knee from Nigel and then he lands a Lariat and Danielson's knee is damaged there. Nigel then stands on the knee. Snapmare from Nigel sends Danielson knee first into the bottom rope. Nice. Mexican Surfboard attempt from Nigel and then he does the stomps on the knees. He mocks Danielson with some kicks and you have to believe this isn't the best of ideas. Half Crab and Danielson gets into the bottom rope early. Nigel has some weird standing Figure Four Leglock and then he sits down with it. Nigel looks for the cover and that gets a two count. Spinning Toe Hold from Nigel. Figure Four Leglock then comes next and Danielson is in trouble. Danielson gets into the bottom rope. Danielson comes back with Europan Uppercuts and Nigel gets some of his own. Kick to the knee from Nigel. Nigel runs into a knee in the stomach. Running kick to the chest from Danielson and that gets him back into the match. Slaps from Danielson and he clearly isn't happy with the champ. Nigel with thrusts. Danielson sends Nigel into the corner. Nigel with a handstand but Danielson sees it coming. Danielson wants an Ankle Lock. GERMAN SUPLEX FROM DANIELSON WITH THE ANKLE GRAB !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! CROSSFACE CHICKENWING FROM DANIELSON !!! Nigel gets out. Pinfall exchange from the two men now. Nigel sweeps down Danielson and then slams the knee into the canvas. European Uppercut from Nigel and then he hits a Running European Uppercut. CROSSFACE CHICKENWING AGAIN FROM DANIELSON !!! Nigel reaches the bottom rope and takes some kicks in the back for his trouble. Chop Block from Nigel takes down the challenger. Danielson gets set on the top rope and Nigel traps the knee on the top rope and then he lands forearms to the knee. LARIAT OFF OF THE TOP ROPE FROM NIGEL !!! ONE ! TWO ! THR ... KICKOUT !!! Nigel goes back to the Spinning Toe Hold and then Danielson kicks Nigel to the floor. Dropkick through the ropes. DANIELSON WITH THE SPRINGBOARD SOMERSAULT PLANCHA ONTO THE AISLE ONTO NIGEL !!! Danielson with a European Uppercut. Nigel then gets a chair and the referee goes out and stops him. CLAUDIO STOMPS A CHAIR INTO THE HEAD OF DANIELSON BEHIND THE BACK OF THE REFEREE !!! ALEX PAYNE IS HERE AND HE TAKES DANIELSON DOWN TO THE RING !!! DANIELSON BEATS THE COUNT !!! The audience are now standing. LARIAT FROM NIGEL !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! THE FANS LOVE THAT !!! HALF CRAB FROM NIGEL !!! Danielson reaches the bottom rope. Forearms and thrusts from Nigel. Nigel then runs into a boot. RUNNING HIGH KNEE FROM DANIELSON !!! European Uppercuts from both men now. JAWBREAKER ... BLOCKED INTO THE CROSS ARMBREAKER FROM DANIELSON !!! HE TURNS THAT INTO THE TRIANGLE CHOKE !!! ELBOW STRIKES ADDED TO THAT !!! NIGEL IS STILL IN THE MATCH !!! HE TURNS THAT INTO THE HALF CRAB ... TURNED INTO THE SMALL PACKAGE FROM DANIELSON !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! Crucifix gets a two count for Danielson. HE TURNS THAT INTO THE ELBOWS !!! He's worn down and he's kinda out of it. HE FIRES BACK UP AND LANDS MORE ELBOWS !!! THE CROWD GOES BATSHIT MENTAL !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! CATTLE MUTILTION FROM DANIELSON !!! THE TIGER SUPLEX !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! CATTLE MUTILATION ... NIGEL ESCAPES AND LANDS THE TOWER OF LONDON !!! Both men up. DANIELSON RUNS RIGHT INTO THE LARIAT FROM NIGEL !!! ONE ! TWO ! THRE ... KICKOUT !!! THE ELBOWS FROM NIGEL !!! DANIELSON FIGHTS BACK !!! DANIELSON WITH A FLURRY !!! ROARING ELBOW !!! JAWBREAKER LARIAT FROM NIGEL !!! ONE ! TWO ! THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!! THE AUDIENCE HATE IT !!!

That is just fucking incredible wrestling. It can't get the top score because of the Claudio run in and the weird selling of the knee. It gets scored mega high because it's just an epic match. The audience is just CRAZY behind Danielson and they hang on every single move. The work with the knee was amazing on the whole. The Claudio run in DID add drama I suppose and from that point onwards the audience was nuked. ****3/4

[Shuggie_Murray7]

Del Rio looks like he is goning to be really good.

That Kane promo is the best thing he has done in years.

In ring and on TV....Probably the greatest heel character of all time IMO. No-one has drawn so much heat for such a period of time as Vince and as the owner of the WWF, to propel himself right into the spot he did in 98 rather than bring in an outside talent to play the 'evil boss' character was a massive risk as it could have easily all gone wrong.

Out of the ring. Say what you want good or bad about the guy but the fact is that for better or worse, he's revolutionised the world of Wrestling.

Rick Rude.

One of the hottest heels of the 80's. He just really knew how to make people hate him from bring the women into the ring for a bit a tache kissing. It's a shame he never got a world title reign during his run in WWF. He carried the Warrior to some of his best matches.....and he had some of the greatest tights I've ever seen.

Dean Malenko

[forehead7]

One of the hottest heels of the 80's. He just really knew how to make people hate him from bring the women into the ring for a bit a tache kissing. It's a shame he never got a world title reign during his run in WWF. He carried the Warrior to some of his best matches.....and he had some of the greatest tights I've ever seen:P.

Dean Malenko

I loved Malenko, with the Radicals. Only really saw him in WWF and from what I remember he was good. Just checked his Wiki page, he's 50! I thought he looked old when Nexus beat him but jesus I though he'd just ages badly

I feel sorry for him though, two of his best friends are dead. And the other is either really fat or in a wheelchair, depending on what myth is true.

Vince Russo

Edited August 21, 2010 by forehead7

[DomDom]

I can't say enough about Dean Malenko really. The guy was the most consistant of the WCW cruisers by some distance. He even had some belting matches with Psychosis of all people. His series of matches with Rey Mysterio really did set the division alight when the nWo were coming into their own and helped to keep the division within the attention of the fans.

The guy never had much in the way of character, which is a shame because if he did, he could have easily gone far as a sort of Bret Hart type. He had that sort of "every move means something" style in the ring which meant that he was almost incapable of a bad match. This might raise some eye brows, but I see Malenko as one of the best wrestlers of all time.

Dustin Rhodes/Goldust