Damn was this show great. I don't think I've ever had this much fan at a event. The live ROH crowd really makes going to these events worth it. Very respectful surprisingly, giving any decent spots performed right a round of a applause, and chants every two minutes or so.
Sonjay Dutt Vs. Roderick Strong. I'm still deciding if this was the match of the night or not for me. While obviously the main event was fuckin fantastic due to the shock, i felt this match held its own against it in terms of match quality. Now I wasn't much of Strong fan before tonight. I felt he was bland, talks like a girl, and looks generic. I actually still feel that way, but damn is he fantastic in the ring. He countered into some of the sickest back breakers i have ever seen. Now i know they call him "The Messiah of the Backbreaker" for a reason, but damn in person you actually think hes breaking some bones. Anyway, the highlight for this match for me at least has to be the finish. It was absolutely sick. Now I'm not exactly sure how it went exactly, since it was pretty fuckin quick and i was busy MTFO, but it was along the lines of Strong performing three different backbreaker variations on Sonjay then ending it with a Gibson Driver. Though again it was quick, so it might have been less backbreakers. Either way amazing finish.
Jimmy Jacobs vs. Tyler Black, First blood. Very disappointed by this match. Jacobs was one of the main reasons i even decided to get the tickets in the first place. Possibly my favorite ROH wrestler. Toss up between him and Aries. Anyway, yea this match was ultra short. Possibly lasted five minutes? Maybe shorter. Basically Tyler was beating Jimmy outside the ring for a few mins, they both somehow end up on top of the turnbuckle, Jimmy pokes him in the head with a screw driver while they're on the turnbuckle. Tyler Bleeds, match ends. Marquis is unhappy. Tyler is unhappy he barely got to wrestle, decides to cash in his title shot to make the main event a 3 way elimination match. Crowds happy, Marquis is still unhappy.
Bryan Danielson vs. Colt Cabana vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. D-Lo Brown. Another fine match in this card of great matches. This was my first time at a live ROH event(but after today/yesterday will not be my last), and wow does Danielson get quite the fuckin pop. I know hes the companies biggest star, but still i was a bit starstruck. Anyway, like i said another fine match. A part of it was wasted in antics between Danielson and Colt, but it was worth it. Match pretty much started out as tornado tag match. I'm sure you can guess who was teaming with who, but as it progressed it started becoming more of a 4 way match as expected. Colt picked up the surprising( to me at least) win here via submission.
P.S, It's fuckin lame none of Bryan's submission attempts went to the ropes. I always wanted to say " He has till five!" in person. Lame.
The American Wolves Vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico, Submission match. Not a fan of Steenerico at all. Clearly i was one of the few who felt this way. Since i was one of the few shouting for the Wolves while the rest of the crowd chanted ole. Anyway, very damn good match. Which is rare since usually i fall asleep during Steenerico matches. Close to the finish is when it started getting especially good. With so many submissions being locked in, and for long periods as well. Everyone was at the edge of their seats thinking someone was gonna tap. I think Steen must have locked in the sharpshooter at least 3-4 times. Two of the times which I'm sure was for long durations. In the end, I'm not exactly sure what one of the wolves did. I think it was Stevens, anyway. Shane distracted the ref while Stevens was unlacing something on El Generico's leg, then preceded to lock a single leg boston crab if i remember correctly. It was some sort of leglock nonetheless. Wolves win, yay.
Jerry Lynn defends vs. Austin Aries Vs. Tyler Black. Man was i fuckin pumped for this. Things kicked off with Ric Flair's theme music starting, but instead of Flair coming out, Aries comes. MTFO moment. He says for some reason Flair can't be the guest enforcer. Didn't really care much, forgot how the crowd felt. Anyway Nigel comes out, cuts a mighty fine introduction promo announcing hes now the enforcer for the match. Yay. Tyler comes into the ring, and obviously Jerry last. As i said earlier, this or Strong Vs. Dutt has to be match of the night. For me at least. A bit spotty at first, but fantastic nonetheless. I could probably go into more detail, but the match was alright for the first half. The 2nd half is when things got fuckin exciting. Tyler eliminates Jerry with gods last gift, leaving him and Aries. Everyone i could see from my view instantly stood up and started marking out. We were about to witness either history if Aries wins, or a brand new champion if Tyler wins. Anyway, during the 2nd half with just Tyler and Aries, both started going at it hard. Spot after spot, everyone at the edge of their seats thinking it would be the end after a couple of close pins, and a figure 4 attempt by Aries. Although I'm not exactly sure how it happened, since i was too busy shouting my fuckin ass off for Aries. Aries kicks Tyler in the head and ends it with a brainbuster. Since i was already out of my seat, i instead just jumped like a little girl. Aries goes for the cover, the whole crowd counts the with ref, 1....2....3, Aries first ever two time champion! The place exploded. And so did i, i stood there for a good minute shouting greatest man to ever live(look it was my first time). It's pretty fuckin sweet i got to witness the crowning of the first ever two time ROH champion in person.
Some notes
- Sonjay did the Batista Bomb taunt, and Flair walk or Jarett's. Wasn't sure.
- Colt has a great entrance theme
- Bryan's final countdown didn't play sadly.
- Bret Hart will be at the September 26 show here in New York
- Aries has a great stache
Ok...Yeah KK is really talented. Well rounded out sure, more charismatic and better on the mic then Shelton? Yup. But a better Wrestler? MORE Well Rounded? Uh...No! KK has about 2 years to go before he's on or past that level, unless he's quickly pushed into the ROH Main Event with numerous encounters with Black,Richards,Generico,Aries and ect. To each their own, I just disagree.
Even though ROH are dicks about opening their forums and IMO managment is a bit arrogant as are their board members I watch it for when I wanna see some real damn Wrestling! Thank You Bryan & Nigel! Thank You so VERY VERY much!