Honorable Mention
ROH TV 2/7/15
Written by Mark Adam Haggerty
Ring of Honor TV is back and in a big way featuring four memorable matches and a "LIVE!" Fish Tank starring reDragon featuring The Young Bucks. ROH is usually the most consistent sixty-minutes of wrestling action each week, and this installment was an excellent demonstration of strong booking and near-flawless execution. The entire broadcast was paced in a fast, yet economical way that darted from point A-to-B and then to C without sacrificing the story in between. This is also the first episode of 2015 to be held outside the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville, instead emanating from another legendary facility—the 2300 Arena AKA the "ECW Arena" in Philadelphia. Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino are both on hand, joined by Caprice Coleman as all three broadcasters get set for the semi-final round of the Top Prospect Tournament.
The first of two semi-final matches features the rookie powerhouse Donovan Dijak against the winner of the final match of the first round, Ashley Sixx. Dijak might only be a few short years into his career but everything about this young criminal justice graduate suggests he could be on the brink of a very bright future. It was strange the way Dijak was paired with the inspiration Ashley Sixx, but I suppose everyone who isn't going to win needs to be eliminated at some point. Sixx, for those who might not know, recently came out victorious in his battle against cancer and returned to the ring with a can-do approach and a never-say-die attitude. Ashley's years on the independent scene keep him two steps ahead of Dijak who appears almost lumbering compared to his first round appearance last month. Ashley Sixx hits a round of signature moves including the profanely titled "Skid Mark" to the outside. It was this high-risk offense however, that would leave the opening required by Dijak to even the odds. By the mid-point Donovan was in control, nearly a foot taller than Sixx, the former Basketball player proved that he was more than just an internet sensation with a prolific finisher. He took to the air from the apron to the outside, flying with the same aerial precision as superstars half his size on Lucha Underground. Dijak earned his victory with the "Feast Your Eyes" torture-rack neck-breaker, securing his place in the finals at the Thirteenth Anniversary Show in Las Vegas.
The Top Prospect Tournament rolls along with the second match of the semi-finals, pitting the near-400 pound Beer City Bruiser against the undersized under dog Will Ferrara. The Beer City Bruiser is such an interesting character who gets a "Husky Harris" chant from the audience in Philadelphia. Will Ferrara is so boring, and I struggle to find anything about him that I like. I think his music is reprehensible and he is already falling into gimmicked choreography better suited for individuals farther up the card. I just don't buy him as a future force to be reckoned with, nor do I find him all that talented inside the ring. Without reading the spoilers I had a fair idea who was going to walk away with the win. As talented as the �Bruiser might be, he's a far cry from what ROH tends to look for in its recruits so I had a feeling Will Ferrara would be going to the finals to face Donovan Dijak. This match was what it was and failed to hit the bar set by the earlier bout. The �Bruiser's exceptional ring-psychology made for a ton of clever "David and Goliath" spots where Ferrara made every attempt possible to lift the gargantuan "Man Who Put Milwaukee on the Map." Just as they did two weeks ago, Caprice Coleman and the regular announcers harp on the aroma emitted from the Beer City Bruiser, which seems like an outdated trope unworthy of mentioning once, let alone twice on TV. The end came for the �Bruiser when Ferrara finally slammed the behemoth, capitalizing with his "Eyes Wide Shut" code-breaker to the downed Beer City Bruiser. That means that two weeks from Sunday night we will see Donovan Dijak go one-on-one with Will Ferrara to decide a winner in the 2015 Top Prospect Tournament. Dijak's signature offense is called "Feast Your Eyes," while Ferrara's finisher is "Eyes Wide Shut." It would seem that the Top Prospect debate is finally at an end—and the EYES have it.
We get a short break from the excitement so that Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly may host a special in-ring edition of "The Fish Tank." The Ring of Honor tag team champions strut to the ring in all their finery, carrying the ROH tag belts, as well as the IWGP junior heavyweight title gold. While Kyle O'Reilly is rocking a spiffy suit, surely dressed-to-impress—Bobby Fish is " VEST -to-impress," wearing a very stylish three-piece suit sans the jacket. The duel champions are hosting a special edition of their very popular variety show, "The Fish Tank" where their guests are none other than the former tag team champions, Nick and Matt Jackson—the Young Bucks. O'Reilly leads the segment by intentionally alienating the fans in Philly: "Hello Philadelphia! I love the �Windy City!'" The entire segment was hilarious, especially the undeniable chemistry between the tag team champions outside the ring. Kyle introduces their guests as a team who "never has trouble stealing the show," and the Jackson's make their much-anticipated entrance down the ramp to the ring. The arena lets loose a deafening "Superkick" chant as the duo dressed in jeans stood toe-to-toe with the prim and proper tag team title holders. Bobby Fish is initially repulsed by the chosen attire of the �Bucks, leading his "life partner" Kyle O'Reilly to come to their defense: "Robert Anthony, these are our guests!" "I'm sorry Kyle," he said, "But I call it like I see it!" The siblings Nick and Matt have been compared to a modern day Rockers with a little bit of the Hardy Boyz as well. Standing across the squared-circle from reDragon I couldn't help but consider what could be the 2015 version of the Hardyz versus Edge and Christian. The established report between Fish and O'Reilly is not dissimilar to that between Jason Reso and Adam Copeland. They're also perhaps the funniest tag team since the days of E&C's oversized glasses, foam cowboy hats, and "Five Second Poses." The climate turns cold when reDragon steps over the line, referencing the �Buck's unsuccessful attempt at attaining the IWGP titles in January: "How did it feel," O'Reilly asked, "Flying out your little girls, wives, all the way across the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo, Japan? Wrestle Kingdom 9! Only for your pathetic family to watch you lose!" The Jacksons had enough and attacked reDragon, evacuating the tag team champions from inside the ring and spring-boarding to the outside as an exclamation point. Fans of the Bullet Club and the Young Bucks will be happy to know that between the Saturday airing of this episode and the day on which I'm writing this review, the Young Bucks were able to regain the IWGP junior heavyweight tag titles from reDragon. Will Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly be able to keep their remaining straps come the Anniversary Show on March 1st?
Roderick Strong has been ascending the ranks of ROH in recent weeks and tonight must try his luck against the inanely arrogant "God's Gift" QT Marshall. Marshall—pronounced phonetically like "shall" rather than "shull," is a little known independent worker who has had his share of matches in Ring of Honor since the company's inception thirteen years ago. Tonight the man known as "God's Gift" is up against a ruthless Roddy Strong who has been on a mission to distance himself from the Decade and make the most of 2015. Before the bout can begin, Marshall requests the microphone and tells the Philadelphia fans that they might as well save their streamers, because no amount of support will cause him to appreciate it. He starts to sound-off on his own wrestling prowess, but is soon silenced by the sound of Roderick Strong's entrance music. Both men adhere to the "code of honor," although QT uses the moment as an excuse for further jaw-jacking. Roderick Strong makes quick work of the �Gift, defeating him in less than 30 seconds with a high knee, shades of Triple H, and a stiff boot to the face. After the 1-2-3, Strong was joined by Jimmy Jacobs, Adam Page, and the man who Roderick will meet in Las Vegas, BJ Whitmer. I've always loved Whitmer and this is one grudge match that I'm especially excited for. Roddy laughed as BJ beckoned whether or not Strong was attempting to play "mind games." He answered with a challenge for an impromptu match, an offer that the Decade declined by walking away.
Backstage Matt Taven and Michael Bennett discuss their upcoming date with ODB and the Briscoe Brothers. Taven has really impressed me since joining "The Kingdom," expanding on his already proven in-ring ability with A+ promo work on a near-weekly basis. Bennett warns ODB, codename "Old Dirty Briscoe" this evening, that if she wants to be treated like a man then he'll have no trouble treating her like one. Back at ringside Steve Corino and Kevin Kelly get ready for the main event, joined by ROH Match-Maker Nigel McGuinness. If you don't like Nigel, then you don't know the sort of guy he is; He's currently spear-heading a new wrestling/one-hour drama concept while working hard behind the scenes at Ring of Honor, all while long-boarding between gigs here in Southern California. He's a comic book fan, a movie buff, and a wrestling nerd who was forced to retire through no fault of his own—I love Nigel McGuinness and I encourage everyone to read up on his crowd-funded wrestling project and how you might be able to help.
The war between the Briscoes and the Kingdom has been waging for some time now, owing its legacy to the initial rivalry between Adam Cole and the Ring of Honor world champion Jay Briscoe. This time the "champion of love" Maria Kanellis is thrust into the �mix'—no pun intended, as the Briscoes employ their extended family to even the odds. ODB is being referred to as "Old Dirty Briscoe," a coincidence Corino sums up by saying, "Everyone in that town is related to each other." The match begins with a series of quick and confident team-work between members of the Briscoe family. Matt Taven was the first competitor out for the Kingdom and was sacrificed as such by the ROH champion and his brother Mark. While Taven and Bennett were being dealt with by the Briscoes, ODB proceeded to chase the "Queen of the Kingdom" around the ring. Steve Corino keeps calling for ROH to instate "over-the-top-rope" disqualifications similar to those employed by "Cowboy" Bill Watts during the territory days and in WCW. As the battle continued to evolve in and around the ring, former ROH world champion Adam Cole entered the 2300 Arena, and made a seat for himself at ringside. He put the headset over his ears but said absolutely nothing, choosing not to respond to Kelly and Corino, instead keeping his focus fixed on the match at hand. The Briscoes and ODB maintained their edge for 99% of the match, double-and-triple-teaming Taven and Bennett, while attempting to get vengeance on Maria Kanellis. The Kingdom would finally get their comeuppance however, as a Jay Driller by the champion was thwarted and transitioned into a Twist of Fate by Michael Bennett. Taven then capitalized with his own homage to the Hardyz, a Swanton Bomb complete with Jeff Hardy gesturing and execution. The Kingdom was in control, which prompted Maria to come out from hiding. Before they could finish the job, Mark and ODB stormed the ring and the champion was back on his feet, much to the chagrin of Bennett and Taven. The Briscoes hoisted the Kingdom up onto their shoulders and along with ODB performed a double-Doomsday Device. ODB went for the cover which was broken up by Maria, leading Jay Briscoe to lift the one-time-Diva over his head as if preparing for a body slam. This is all Adam Cole needed to see to spark a fire inside; he threw his headset down and took to the ring apron with only one good arm. His distraction proved consequential as Briscoe lost his grip on Kanellis and stumbled to the outside. ODB was now all alone inside the ring with the Kingdom who finished the former TNA Knockout with a double Superkick. Maria climbed on top of the conquered "Old Dirty Briscoe," earning the pinfall for the Kingdom. Before the reality could set in and any gloating could take place, Adam Cole mysteriously vacated the broadcast booth, high-tailing it for the back while his team-mates celebrated between the ropes.
When the dust settled, it was the Kingdom who walked away with their hands held high in victory. But what does it say of the current state of the stable when former champion Adam Cole leaves the ringside area before engaging in the celebration with his friends? I predict a shift in Adam Cole not unlike what we're seeing from Roderick Strong in relation to BJ Whitmer and the Decade. Another excellent episode of ROH TV courtesy of Sinclair Broadcasting. One note I hope someone on the inside of ROH picks up, is that we here in sunny SoCal don't currently get Ring of Honor on any broadcast or cable affiliates. When I checked the Ring of Honor website I noticed the list of affiliates completely skips California. Luckily I'm dedicated enough to catch ROH through a subscription to their website, but that's not free and I reckon more economical fans here in the Golden State would be hip to the ROH product if they got to watch it on TV. Until next time, this is Mark Adam Haggerty thanking you for joining me for another exciting installment of "Honorable Mention."
