DVD Reviews
Worth Your Money? ROH Injustice: Nigel McGuinness vs. Kevin Steen for the ROH title, The Briscoes vs. No Remorse Corps with the Tag title on the line, Kota Ibushi vs. Claudio Castagnoli, and More
By James Bullock
Jul 26, 2008 - 11:05 AM

The slew of Ring Of Honor DVDs arriving at my doorstep brought me to a goldmine of reviews that I’ll bestow upon you. We’ll be looking at one of the more recent releases in the form of Injustice, which saw a double title double main event. Nigel McGuinness had the task of taking on Kevin Steen for the World title; while The Briscoes go for a record five time ROH Tag title reign against Rocky Romero & Davey Richards of the No Remorse Corps. Will the champions be just that when the show ends, or will we have new (old) faces atop the ROH hill? But more importantly, will Injustice do justice for your mind, and your wallet, when you find out if it’s Worth Your Money.

Injustice

Edison, NJ

4/12/08

El Generico vs. Jack Evans

This is Evans’ first match back since Human Tornado kicked his face in during a match in Japan. Evans felt that a proper dance off was in order. Generico, very stiffly, showed his moves. Where’s that Latin smoothness, Mr. Ole? Evans, of course, pulled out his moves, showing that he’s better than ever. But this match doesn’t end with a dance off. Evans used that flexibly that helped him win the dance off to work his way out of several holds Generico had in mind. Jack also used his flexibility to keep Generico grounded. Generico was able to keep the pace with Evans, using his speed to drop Evans with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Evans broke free of Generico’s grip, using a slew of kicks to knock the masked man against the ropes. Jack rushed him, taking both men to the floor. Jack followed up with an impressive asai corkscrew moonsault into a hurricarana before pitching Generico back in. Jack tried to kick Generico’s head off after an unsuccessful pin attempt, but drilled Generico instead with the reverse hurricarana for a near fall. Jack was looking for the handspring back elbow, but got caught with two yakuza kicks to the face. Generico used the Brain Buster onto the top turnbuckle to pin Jack. And you thought the Brain Buster was dangerous enough already.

Before Generico could leave the ring, ROH World champion Nigel McGuinness strutted to the ring. And I mean strutted. McGuinness was here to send a message to his opponent for the evening, and El Generico’s partner, Kevin Steen. That message was a Lariat. Steen ran out before McGuinness could do anymore damage. Steen grabbed the microphone before telling Nigel why the people liked him compared to what and why McGuinness thinks the fans have backed Steen. Steen, admitting to having a gut and zits, says he’s one of the best butt kickers in wrestling today. Steen promised to become the most unlikely champion in ROH history tonight. Really, I don’t think anyone will take that award from Xavier.

The Briscoes…did a promo, I think. I just know they want the Tag title back, and the Age of the Fall needs to man up!

Mitch Franklin vs. Jigsaw w/Julius Smokes

Midget Mitch would’ve been a perfect candidate for the Junior Division WWE wanted to set up a while back. Franklin vs. Porky could’ve headlined many a pay-per-view. On the other side of the ring is Jigsaw, who, since unmasking, has become so bland. The mask made him look more than just another lanky Indy guy. Pretty indy-riffic match, with both men doing a whole bunch of high spot sequences and moves that have no other meaning but to show that both men can flip and arm drag each other. Jigsaw is the star of this match, with it just being a too even squash to show what Jigsaw can do. Of course you know Jigsaw wins after the Jig & Tonic.

Sweet & Sour Inc. is here in full mass. And by mass I mean Bobby Dempsey’s ass. Chris Hero, a man who is comedy gold, is sick of being comic relief. The main reason Hero’s looked at as a joke because he couldn’t win the ROH World title on two occasions. Hero blamed Dempsey for those loses by allowing Dempsey to stay in S & S Inc. Hero was ready to kick Dempsey out of the group. Hero humiliated Dempsey by making him take his tops off to show how much Dempsey wanted to stay with his teammates. Chris, what did we ever do to you to have our eyes punished like this? Hero kicks and claws Dempsey’s body before Larry Sweeney informed Dempsey that Eddie Edwards would be replacing the now horizontal Bobby.

Chris Hero & Eddie Edwards w/Sweet & Sour Inc. vs. Erick Stevens & Pelle Primeau

Stevens is now sporting a buzz cut after the No Remorse Corps shaved his head. Pelle is only in this match because Hero has been knocking him out with a right hook at the previous shows. Edwards pushed Pelle around the ring before asking for Stevens. Edwards tried to kick Stevens off of his feet, but got dropped himself after a shoulder tackle, followed by a Samoan drop. Stevens decided to use the small frame of Pelle to power bomb into Edwards. Hero was able to make it in, allowing Pelle to get a measure of revenge. This didn’t last long as Hero forearmed Pelle in the face after avoiding a springboard maneuver. Edwards and Hero abused the poor kid with several combinations. After several minutes of taking a beating, Pelle was able to DDT Edwards, giving himself the chance to tag out to Stevens. Erick picked Pelle off the mat, using him to head scissors Hero into the choo-choo rush in the corner. Edwards ran in after being hurricarana’ed on the floor by Pelle, into the Oklahoma Stampede. Stevens and Pelle tried to work together to down Hero, but Edwards pulled Stevens out of the ring, leaving Pelle open for Hero’s Rolling Elbow to knock Pelle out for the three count.

Brent Albright vs. Delirious

A quick mat exchange between the two open up this match, with Delirious actually getting the early advantage. Albright, who couldn’t get away from the side headlock, powered his way off of the mat before pitching Delirious over the top, to the floor, freeing himself in the process. Delirious tried to fight back after several heavy forearms and uppercuts, but couldn’t match power for power with Albright. Albright tried to make Delirious tap. When he couldn’t, Albright dropped Delirious into the turnbuckles with a northern lights suplex. Albright was getting forearm crazy, hitting the corner instead of Delirious. Delirious connected with the Panic Attack to lead into a kick combo that sent Albright to the floor. Delirious was so hot with momentum he took someone’s drink. Delirious tried to apply the Cobra Clutch when they reentered the ring, only for Albright to break free. Delirious was able to pull Albright to the mat, locking in the Cobra Stretch. By leaning up just a little, Albright turned his predicament into the Crowbar. Delirious rolled free, but got caught in the 61Knee. Delirious tried to fight back, using the ropes to speed the match up, but got dropped with the air raid crash. Delirious somehow kicked out, sunset bombing Albright for a near fall after Delirious was forced on the top rope. Delirious ran back to the top rope, looking for Shadows Over Hell. Albright sidestepped the move, pulling Delirious to the mat with the Crowbar. Delirious freed himself again, but got locked in another arm bar. Delirious made to the ropes, freeing himself again. Delirious used the ropes to roll into the Cobra Stretch. Albright made it to the ropes as well, tying Delirious up again. Albright used the submission to roll into the Crowbar to finally make Delirious tap out. Larry Sweeney ran out to make Brent break Delirious’ arm. Before Albright could, Daizee Haze ran out to protect Delirious. Sweeney wanted Albright’s target to switch to Haze. Albright refused, leaving the ring. Delirious thanked Daizee before realizing he didn’t want to let her hand go.

No Disqualification: Necro Butcher vs. Roderick Strong

Necro jumps the FIP champion immediately, sending the fight into the crowd. A chop fest ensued near the lighting rig, with Strong going to the eyes after reddening his chest. Strong followed by reddening Necro’s face by busting his forehead open with several hard right hands. Necro tried to fight back, but was slammed into the hockey team holding area. Necro took it all, nearly knocking Strong out with a heavy right hand to the jaw. Butcher started dropping chair bombs on Strong as he laid prone on the floor. Strong powered off the floor, slamming Necro on the bleachers. Strong followed up by slamming several chairs into Necro’s back before the fight made it back to the ringside area. Strong sent Necro flying back into the crowd with a running boot to the jaw. Strong got a few chairs from the audience, setting them up so they faced each other. A total of thirteen chairs sat in the aisle, ready for someone to crash into. Necro avoided going through the chairs, but couldn’t stop the side Russian leg sweep that sent both men into the chairs! Strong struggled to his feet. When Roddy got up, he began tossing the remaining chairs into the ring. Strong was able to take all of Necro’s heavy rights to the stomach, kicking Necro in the back of his head. Strong wanted to Tiger Drive Necro, but Butcher blocked it, bulldogging Strong into the mat after chop/punch to the jaw combination. Necro set up a couple of chairs, but got gut busted into the top of one them for a shocking near fall. Strong set Necro on the top rope, but couldn’t pull Necro off. Necro turned his predicament into a near fall with the help of a victory roll. Necro followed up with the Tiger Driver into the chair for a two count. Necro had something in mind as he threw a few chairs into the middle of the ring. Necro nailed Strong on the top of his head with a chair before climbing up with Strong. Strong fought him, dumping Necro off the top, to the floor in a disturbing sight. Strong picked Butcher up before half nelson backbreaking Necro on the guardrail. Strong followed up with a kick and a punch that leveled Necro. Strong lifted the padding off the floor to slam Necro back first into the hard concrete. Necro was holding his head as Strong set up a table in the ring. Before Strong could pull Necro in, Erick Stevens ran out, Doctor Bombing Strong through the table. Necro stumbled to his feet, going for the cover. Necro got the anti-climatic victory, grabbing the FIP title belt. Necro proclaimed himself the champion even though this wasn’t a title match. Necro was a tad upset after finding this out.

Daizee Haze was in the back to talk about the missing Lacey. Haze wanted to finish her deal with Lacey as soon as possible. Before The Haze could leave, Delirious approached her to tell her something. Haze stopped him, telling Delirious that what goes around comes around, and she was happy to help him. Delirious was just happy to be patted on the chest by Haze.

Kota Ibushi vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Announcer Dave Prazak gives mention early on about Kota’s kicks. Instead of going for those powerful kicks right away, Ibushi tried to outwrestle Castagnoli. Claudio, well versed on the mat, was able to hang with Kota on the canvas, causing Kota to get a little angered. Kota began using those lethal feet, knocking the wind out of Claudio. Claudio had to use his size advantage to regain the advantage, catching Ibushi in mid leapfrog, executing a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Claudio tried to use his European uppercuts to weaken the neck of Ibushi before dropping some heavy elbows and legs to Kota’s chest. Kota was able to avoid the running Claudio, leg sweeping him through the ropes, to the floor. Kota followed up by springing over the top, crashing on top of Castagnoli with a moonsault. Ibushi wasn’t done as he used a corkscrew 450 splash. Ibushi’s offense didn’t last long as Claudio caught him with a European uppercut when they reentered the ring. Claudio followed up with the big swing, then the Waterslide, resulting in two near falls. When Claudio went for a super version of the Waterslide, Claudio ended up hitting the mat instead. Kota, on the top rope, jumped off with a moonsault, only for Claudio to move. Kota was ready, landing on his feet before connecting with a standing moonsault on the rolling floored Claudio. Claudio was able to get to his feet, hitting the ropes in hopes of taking Ibushi’s head off with a bicycle kick. Kota matrixed his way out of the attack, German suplexing Claudio. Kota ran up the ropes for the moonsault, but got pulled off, into the bicycle kick. Claudio pulled Kota off the mat, hitting the Ricola Bomb to pin the DDT organization star.    

“Back In Black” runs through the building, and you know what could only mean. Tammy Lynn Sytch came to the ring to figure out what to do next since Austin Aries chose Lacey over Tammy. Before Tammy could finish, Larry Sweeney and Sara Del Rey (in jeans!) came to the ring to interrupt her. Tammy praised Sara’s skills, which gave Sweeney an open chance to ask the former Sunny for help in making Del Rey into a WWE Diva. Sweeney wanted Tammy to help Sara gain the Diva qualities/regimen: blond extensions, double d implants, and a little bit weight loss. Sara doesn’t take too kindly to this, telling Sweeney she’s not a Barbie doll, but a wrestler before leaving. Tammy doesn’t leave; thinking that Sweeney’s idea of Diva-izing the women of ROH might be a worthwhile investment.

ROH World title: Nigel McGuinness (c) vs. Kevin Steen

Before the match, Steen sees a fan with a sign for Steen in shape of the Quebec flag proclaiming Mr. Wrestling the next champ. Steen shows off the sign before autographing it with his snot. I kid you not. Steen snots on Nigel’s hand when the champ offers his hand for an honorable shake. Nigel follows up by slapping Steen with the mucus covered hand. Steen’s response: snotting on his own hand to give Nigel a feel of snot slapping face. This leads to the two going strike for strike, with Steen leveling the champion long enough for Steen to go for the Sharpshooter. Nigel was able to escape out of the ring. Nigel walked around the ring, jawing with the fans until Steen gave chase. This was the champ’s plan as he led Steen into a trap. Nigel tried to unleash the Jawbreaker Lariat, but Steen was too fresh, sidestepping the move before pitching Nigel out of the ring. Steen took to the sky, dropping McGuinness with the somersault plancha. Steen was having a good time, using the ropes to mock Nigel’s set up for the Jawbreaker. Nigel was able to use the ropes to do another rebound, propelling to the floor before forearming Steen in the mouth. McGuinness whipped Steen headfirst into the steel guardrails. When the action returned to the ring, Nigel used the referee’s five count to his advantage. Nigel went from choking Steen out illegally to trying to put him to sleep. Steen was able to free himself, putting Nigel on his shoulders. In honor of Davey Boy Smith, Steen proclaimed himself British before using the running power slam. Steen went all old school WWF by DDT’ing Nigel, proclaiming himself “sweet”. McGuinness was able to use Steen’s momentum against him by sidestepping an attack, hitting that kick to the back/forearm to the chest combo in the corner. Nigel’s game plan shifted as he focused on Steen’s arms. Steen tried to fight back, but Nigel was in control, avoiding Steen’s attacks while targeting the left arm and shoulder. Nigel got a few cheap shots in, raking his forearm into Steen’s face as Kevin laid against the steel ring post. Steen had to get some distance from the champion after taking a slew of European uppercuts. Nigel wasn’t having it, staying on top of his challenger. Steen was able to take it all, dropping Nigel with a missile dropkick after catching the champ’s legs in the ropes. Steen used his body to wreck Nigel’s chest. Nigel’s head bounced off the bottom turnbuckle after that cannonball rush in the corner. Steen went for the Sharpshooter again, but Nigel kicked him away. Nigel wanted to go for the Tower of London, but Steen’s weight saved him. Nigel switched it up, driving Steen into the mat with the Lariat. Steen powered off the mat, keeping the match going. Nigel was able to put Steen on the top rope for the Tower of London, but Steen turned it into a cross body block for a two count. Steen tried to follow up, but fell into the London Dungeon. Steen slipped free, causing Nigel to run to the top. Steen caught him on the top, slamming him off. Steen took his spot on the ropes, using it as a distraction to lock the champion in the Sharpshooter. Nigel used his long body to grab the ropes. Steen had to crawl up the ropes, but got caught due to that. Nigel pulled Steen off with the Tower of London for a shocking near fall. Nigel went back to the hurting arms, using a series of elbows before using his body to wrench the arm out of place in a sickening fashion. Steen was able to roll through the hold, going for the Sharpshooter again. Nigel slipped under the bottom rope to save himself. Nigel grabbed the bottom rope, causing it to whiplash into Steen’s face. Nigel grabbed Steen’s head, hitting the Tower of London on the floor. Steen was out…or so we thought. Steen was able to kick out of the pin, causing Nigel to get a frustrated. Nigel was looking for another Tower of London, but Steen fought his way out of it, landing on top of Nigel for a near fall. Steen struggled to his feet, hitting the super kick when Nigel turned around. Steen ran up the ropes, coming off with the Swanton. Steen crawled on top of the champion, but couldn’t hold him down for the three count. Steen had Nigel in the Package Piledriver, but couldn’t use the left arm to hoist him up. Nigel got free, going for the Jawbreaker Lariat, but fell into the Sharpshooter. With his arm so weakened, Steen couldn’t stop Nigel from making it to the ropes. Steen went for the Package Piledriver again, but Nigel tripped him up, putting Steen’s shoulders to the mat. Nigel floated over, grabbing the middle rope to hold Steen for the three count. El Generico ran out in protest. Steen began to argue with the officials as the fans chanted, “Bulls***!”

Controversy equals cash as they say. And cash equals the “Swiss Money Man” Claudio Castagnoli. Castagnoli was here for one reason, and one reason only, to become the ROH World champion. Claudio wanted that shot at the Hammerstein Ballroom debut. In the back, wrestlers and officials alike were trying to calm down Kevin Steen. Back in the ring, Nigel told Claudio that he didn’t deserve a shot because the only memorable thing he’s ever done in ROH is get the fans to chant “Hey!”

Erick Stevens was in the back for a short message directed towards Roderick Strong: tonight little taste it was. Mine the FIP title will be again. Damn that Yoda. Little freak’s got me talking like him.   

ROH Tag Team title: Davey Richards & Rocky Romero (c) vs. The Briscoes

Jay Briscoes snot rockets on the way to the ring. Man, it must be something in the air in Edison. No boxing style ring intros. Kind of weird since this is a main event title match. Romero quickly went for the cross arm bar on Jay, causing a wicked smile to stretch across Rocky’s face. Rocky was in control, until his dancing got in the way of his wrestling. Jay tagged out after rocking Rocky’s head with forearms. Mark tagged in, but got caught in the champs’ corner. Mark went slap happy on Davey when Richards entered. Richards recovered, whipping Mark from one end of the ring to the other. Jay was able to block his brother from hitting the turnbuckles, allowing Mark to drop both champions. Jay came in, hitting that double shoulder tackle with Mark for a near fall on Richards. Richards tried to fight his way out of it, but got caught in position for the Jay Driller. Rocky came flying off the top, dropkicking Jay to save his partner. Richards tagged out, allowing Rocky to do what he does best: kick that crap out of you. Jay was able to fight back, dropping Rocky with the leg lariat before tagging out to Mark. Mark came over the top, double stomping Rocky. Mark had the momentum going, flying over the top, landing on Richards. The action spilled to the floor, with Mark and Rocky going into the barricades. Mark was able to recover, pushing Rocky in before going for the springboard chop. Rocky kneed him in the face, sending Mark to the floor again. Rocky dove on top of Mark as Richards dropped Jay on the floor. The champs wanted to cave in Mark’s back and chest with those stereo kicks, but missed. The referee was forced to check on the champions, turning his back to the challengers as they made the tag. The referee didn’t see the tag to Jay, forcing Mark back in to take the lethal kicks of the champions. Davey forced Mark on the top, but got shoved down. Mark leapt off the top, over top Rocky, to tag out to Jay. Jay rushed Romero, dropping him before doing the same to Davey. Jay took Davey off the top with a gordbuster before Jay tagged out to do an Irish whip into Mark’s dropkick. Mark lifted Davey up for the neck breaker bomb, but Rocky pulled Jay to the floor. Mark tried to keep on going, but got hooked in the Texas cloverleaf. On the other side of the ring, Rocky locked Jay in the cross arm bar. The Briscoes were able to hold on. Davey tried to help Romero double knee Mark, but got Rocky hung on the top, in position for the neck breaker bomb. Romero was able to kick out in time to save the belts. Jay Death Valley Drove Romero, but got suplexed into the turnbuckles by Davey. Davey spun around, into a missile dropkick by Mark, only for Mark to kicked in the side of the head by Rocky. All four men were down after that quick exchange. Mark and Davey were the first to get up, flying to the floor. Jay was in the ring, Death Valley Driving Rocky in preparation for the Doomsday Device. Davey stopped Mark from hitting the clothesline portion of the move. Davey hoisted Jay up, allowing Rocky to hit the Doomsday Device Knee. Mark slipped in, breaking up the pin at the last millisecond. Mark pulled Davey out to the floor as Rocky tried to kick Jay’s chest in. Jay turned those attacks into the Jay Driller for a shocking near fall. The Briscoes had Rocky out of it enough for them to hit the Doomsday Device to become five time ROH Tag Team champions. The celebration was on as the beers began to flow. A shot of Mama Briscoe was shown as she proudly smiled for her boys.

In the back, a disappointed No Remorse Corps set. Strong felt it was time for them to stand up and fight like never before. Strong gave Rocky some time off while Davey and Roderick hit Europe to show the world why they’re so good.    

 Is It Worth Your Money: A very solid helping to say the least with this show. One thing you’ll notice about this show is how fast the show goes by. It used to be a time when it felt like every match was near, or over, twenty minutes, making the blandest show seems longer than need be. This is nice as you can easily sit through this show without thinking, “When is this going to make it to the main event?” But with that comes another change: the undercard/ The undercard with this show is made of more up and comers, people that the crowd won’t usually get hot for. But that’s what the undercard is supposed to be, right? You’re supposed to use that part of the card to give the new guys a short time to shine. Then when the upper card comes around, they can really steal the show. And that’s what happened with the last three matches. Kota and Claudio had a nice little big man/little man match that was a breath of fresh air in a company where a lot of the guys are the same size. The World title match was easily the match of the night. But the ending gave a slight sign of how the main event was going to end. The Tag title match, while fun, didn’t have the usual organic feel. Almost like they were on autopilot. But if you can have a match that good on auto, then I don’t blame them. As easy as this show was to watch, I just don’t see me popping this show in a lot. I can’t say it’s worth the full monty, but with all the sells ROH has going on, it’ll be easy to pick up on discount.   ROH Injustice Is A Bargain Bin Purchase.