*** ROH DVD Reviews by Brad Dykens ***
August 25, 2007 – New York City, New York
GLORY BY HONOR VI (NIGHT 2)
SINGLES MATCH
El Generico vs. Chris Hero w/Sweet & Sour Inc.: The live action portion of this DVD started with the familiar sounds of El Generico’s energy-fueled entrance music – Ole! Ole-ole-ole!! The mood quickly changed with the appearance of the hated faction known as Sweet & Sour Inc., led by the devious Larry Sweeney. Bobby Dempsey & Sara Del Rey were out in force to support the captain of Sweet & Sour, the man everybody loves to hate (but actually loves) – the Survival of the Fittest champion – Chris Hero! For some reason the crowd wasn’t as ‘into’ Chris Hero’s stalling tactics during this match. After Chris Hero won the match, the Hangman 3 (B.J. Whitmer, Brent Albright & Shane Hagadorn) attacked El Generico. They said that this was Hangmen business and told Larry Sweeney to take his group and leave. Brent Albright proceeded to Awesome-bomb poor El Generico over the top rope through a table set up at ringside! Finally, Kevin Steen ran down to help his tag team partner, but it was too late. Delirious also ran down to join the fight and the referee called for the bell and started an impromptu tag team match.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Kevin Steen & Delirious vs. HANGMEN 3 (B.J. Whitmer & Brent Albright): It looks like Delirious has FINALLY found some allies for his war with the Hangmen 3. The man-servant Shane Hagadorn assisted with the victory for the Hangmen 3, despite attempts by El Generico to prevent his unlawful interference. After the match, Shane Hagadorn dismissed Whitmer & Albright, saying that he would take it from here.
SQUASH MATCH
Austin Aries vs. Shane Hagadorn: Shane Hagadorn said the Hangmen 3 were on a roll and it was his responsibility to keep it going. Hagadorn issued an open challenge to anyone in the back, in honor of the “IMMORTAL” Adam Pearce. Austin Aries answered the challenge and made short work of the jabroni known as Shane Hagadorn.
IN THE RING
Austin Aries + ROH Champion Nigel McGuinness: Austin Aries said that Erick Stevens & Matt Cross are talented wrestlers with great futures, but he had to announce that he was disbanding the Resilience because he doesn’t have time to get caught up in faction warfare. Aries said from now on his focus is on himself and becoming the first 2-time ROH World champion. Nigel McGuinness came out wearing the ROH World title around his waist and professed his respect for Austin Aries. McGuinness said he would love to put the belt on the line against Aries tonight, but he tore the bicep right off his arm. The crowd started to turn on McGuinness a little bit. Nigel said he loves being a Ring of Honor wrestler, because they have the best fans in the world. Nigel got heckled by someone in the crowd and Nigel said it only takes one “wanker” to ruin everything. Nigel cut a promo on the wanker, who is lucky he didn’t get attacked by the NYC fans. Nigel said he was going to rehab his injury and come back to wrestle Austin Aries at Final Battle 2008.
ROH VS. NOAH MATCH
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Naomichi Morufuji: Claudio Castagnoli is one of a handful of wrestlers being groomed for future shots at the ROH World title, and a victory over Japanese star Naomichi Marufuji would cement his position as a credible challenger. Marufuji used the dreaded Dragon Screw Legwhip, a realistic move that cannot be “faked,” to begin his assault on Castagnoli’s knee – in order to take away Claudio’s height advantage. Claudio later used the Giant Swing (holding opponents ankles and spinning around and around) on Marufuji, which is one of the simplest, yet entertaining, moves in wrestling. I always wish somebody in ROH would adopt the old Swinging Full Nelson like Ken Patera used to do. Late in the match, Claudio survived Naomichi’s finishing move (the Shiranui) and reversed a second attempt into a pinfall to score one of the biggest victories of his career! The announcers pointed out that Marufuji rarely loses – only one other time ROH, and hardly ever in NOAH. Marufuji was a good sport, and shook hands with Castagnoli after the match. Suddenly, Sweet & Sour Inc. attacked Claudio Castagnoli and Larry Sweeney shouted, “that’s right Claudio, any time you have something to be proud of, Sweet & Sour Inc. will be right there to rain on your parade!” Not sure why Naomichi Marufuji didn’t help poor Claudio Castagnoli.
TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH
The Briscoe Brothers vs. The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Necro Butcher w/Lacey): The match broke down immediately and the referee lost complete control so he threw out the match and disqualified both teams! Jimmy Jacobs & Necro Butcher packed their bags and retreated, living to fight another day. The Briscoes stayed in the ring and were showered by angry chants of “F***ing Bullsh*t!” from the rowdy NYC fans. I’m sorry but by ROH standards, that IS F***ing Bullsh*t. I thought the Briscoes would turn the match into a No-DQ without a referee or take it to the parking lot or something. It’s rare for ROH to pull the plug on a high profile match that the fans paid to see. Oh well. [Edit: Well I take everything back, they redeemed themselves later on the card!]
SINGLES MATCH
Takeshi Morishima vs. “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson: There is a lot of history between American Dragon and Takeshi Morishima. When Morishima was ROH World champion, they had a series of title matches, including one where Morishima beat Danielson so badly that he suffered a detached retina (painful eye injury). Mid-way through the match, Bryan Danielson got a burst of energy and did his trademark springboard off the top rope over the guard rail onto his opponent (and a couple fans). That move is always good for a crazy pop. The giant Morishima was seemingly unaffected, and quickly regained a dominant advantage. Before long, Danielson had blood flowing down his face – the proverbial crimson mask. From the moment that Danielson got a taste of his own blood, he suddenly had a new supply of adrenalin. The tank quickly went dry, and Morishima regained control of the match. Danielson turned the tables once more, and began stomping away at Morishima’s crotch. Referee Paul Turner tried to get Danielson to stop but the enraged American Dragon refused and shoved Turner down to the ground – resulting in a disqualification. They didn’t seem to care that this incredible match ended with such a bummer finish. Nigel McGuinness hit the ring to confront American Dragon about taking the easy way out. Dragon hauled off and kicked McGuinness right in the arm! The crowd erupted, and chanted “Best in the World!” – That should have turned Danielson a heel, and made McGuinness a huge babyface, but it had the opposite effect.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Becky Bayless & “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson: American Dragon said that people say “an eye for an eye” but tonight it was “a ball for a ball” as he took Morishima’s testicle in exchange for the eye ball that Morishima took for him before. Dragon said if Nigel McGuinness wants to get in his business, then he will step right in McGuinness’ business too. Dragon said that the ROH World title has always been his, and NOBODY represents Ring of Honor like he does.
SQUASH MATCH
Tyler Black (of the Age of the Fall) vs. Alex “Sugarfoot” Payne: After Tyler Black squashed poor Alex Payne, he was attacked by the Briscoes. The Briscoes challenged Jimmy Jacobs & Necro Butcher to an unsanctioned match for the ROH World Tag Team titles…. TONIGHT! Okay I take back my “F***ing Bullsh*t!” comments from earlier in this review.
SIX MAN WAR
The No Remorse Corps (Roderick Strong & Davey Richards & Rocky Romero) vs. The Vulture Squad (Jack Evans & Ruckus & Jigsaw w/Julius Smokes): Compared to the brawl of insanity that took place the previous night in Philadelphia, this was a pretty tame experience. It got crazy for 10 second at the end of the match when Roderick Strong squashed Jack Evans with a Gibson-driver on the floor and then bent an already unconscious Evans in half with a sick looking Stronghold submission.
SINGLES MATCH
Chris Hero vs. Austin Aries: Larry Sweeney, Chris Hero, Bobby Dempsey, and the devilishly sexy Sara Del Rey came to the ring, and Chris Hero complained about not being the number one contender even after making ROH World champion Nigel McGuinness tap out the night before. Hero took his frustrations out on Bobby Dempsey by stomping him into the ground like a bitch. Hero said that Austin Aries is the current number one contender, but to him he is known as “Mr. 2005” and called Aries the worst Ring of Honor champion ever – even worse than Xavier. Austin Aries walked to the ring to confront Chris Hero’s insults. Aries said he earned and deserved the right to be the number one contender. Aries challenged Hero to a match, so let’s get it on right here right now! Sweeney said Hero is always ready to go, but only if Aries put his title shot on the line. Aries agreed, but said when he beats Hero then Larry Sweeney will have to wrestle Claudio Castagnoli at Final Battle 2008. Both men had already wrestled preliminary matches but this is where they really earned their paycheck. Larry Sweeney managed to keep his nose out of it for most of the match, but near the end he tried to interfere on Chris Hero’s behalf. However, Claudio Castagnoli ran out and chased Sweeney around the ring and they ended up backstage. Aries was about to put Hero away with a series of knee strikes to the head and a submission hold!
GHC (NOAH) HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Mitsuharu Misawa (Champion) vs. KENTA: For the second night in a row, Japanese legend Mitsuharu Misawa made dreams come true for a jam-packed arena full of appreciative American wrestling fans who have only watched Misawa on video tape for over twenty years. For me personally, I became a Misawa fan after seeing a tape which featured several of his epic matches with long-time rival Toshiaki Kawada. Misawa is the founder and president of Pro-Wrestling NOAH, which is Japan’s top wrestling promotion. KENTA is one of the stars of NOAH, basically just starting his journey as a professional wrestling, when compared to the career of the legendary Misawa. Late in the match, KENTA tried to take Misawa’s head off with the Go-To-Sleep – the move C.M. Punk stole from KENTA – but Misawa miraculously kicked out after a two-count. Misawa countered and hit KENTA with the Emerald Frosion, but KENTA showed his spirit and kicked out after a two-count! The crowd became unglued at this point. After a few more minutes of grappling, Misawa connected with a roaring elbow and followed it up with a hard-hitting move – scoring the 1-2-3 to retain his GHC Heavyweight title! Thank you, Pro Wrestling NOAH and Mitsuharu Misawa.
NO-DQ ROH TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
The Briscoe Brothers vs. The Age of the Fall (Jimmy Jacobs & Necro Butcher w/Lacey): The fans did not appreciate that the first attempt to have this match ended in a double disqualification after only a few seconds of out-of-control action. They were smart enough to raise the stakes and push these four crazy bastards into the main event for a match where “out of control action” is completely legal. Lacey was screaming orders from ringside, and one of the Briscoes shouted “shut up, bitch!” Lacey reacted, “what did you call me?” and decided to interject herself into the match. Daizee Haze ran down and started fighting with Lacey until they disappeared behind the curtain. The match was quite tame by Briscoe standards, but did include a couple of bone-crunching spots – like Jimmy Jacobs crashing through a table at ringside. The Briscoes reigned victorious as dominant ROH World Tag Team champions!
If you would like to purchase this or any other ROH DVD, please check out ROHwrestling.com —- if you need some convincing, you can check out streaming video of various ROH matches for free at www.ROHVideos.com