Ring of Honor has made it a tradition, as most indies do, to celebrate another year in business. ROH always goes above and beyond in giving everyone a show, not only honor the occasion, but also to give us another moment that will be synonymous with ROH, and wrestling history. By putting every recognized title on the line, while giving us a main event with two of the fiercest competitors in wrestling today, ROH hopes to make this show one that you’ll remember for a long time; and more importantly, a show that is Worth Your Money.

6^th Anniversary Show

New York, NY

2/23/08

Becky Bayless was outside of the Vulture Squad locker room. Bird noises could be heard coming from inside. Bayless walked in to find Julius Smokes doing the sounds. As most of you know, Smokes has a tendency to say a whole bunch without saying much while dropping buzz urban words to make him sound gangsta. Here’s a recap (with normal translation): Ruckus & Jigsaw need to win the Tag title tonight. They can’t let down the Squad. They can’t let down Mercedes “Vulture Booty” (is that a good thing? I know she has a phat booty for sure) Martinez. Bark. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Snarl.

Delirious vs. Human Tornado

I’m a huge Tornado fan. The man is hilarious. Instead of wanting to wrestle the crazed masked man, Tornado wants to dance. Tornado outshines Delirious with his smooth moves until Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black hit the ring, followed by the rest of Age of the Fall. Daizee Haze runs out, taking down Lacey. Tornado teams up with Delirious to dispose of AOTF, causing a new match to be started.

Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black vs. Delirious & Human Tornado

The previous opponents get the early jump on their attackers, keeping Black reeling. But it was Black’s strength that won out on Delirious, pitching the masked man to the floor. The AOTF members stayed on top of Delirious, with Jacobs using a grapevine chin lock to keep Delirious on the mat. Delirious fought back, using an enzuguri to force Jimmy to tag out. Black stopped Delirious from making the tag, going for a cross body block. Delirious head-butted Black out of the sky, making it over to Tornado. Tornado sped through his opposition; head scissoring Black to the floor before taking both men down with a somersault plancha in the aisle. Delirious reentered, Panic Attacking Jacobs so Tornado could use the fancy footwork into the Tornado split on Black. Delirious wanted to use Shadows Over Hell on Black, but got dropkicked off the top, to the floor. Black grabbed Tornado, power bombing him into the turnbuckles before pushing Tornado into Jacobs’ End Times to pick up the win.

Just as Delirious and Tornado were getting ready to leave, Nigel McGuinness entered the area. The ROH World champion was here to talk about not defending the title due to the concussion he suffered at the hands of Austin Aries last time they were in NYC. The fans began to boo, thinking they were getting cheated out of the main event title match between McGuinness and Bryan Danielson. During his promo, the fans tell Nigel he’s “going to get you f*****’ head kicked in!” Nigel, with that heavy accent, responded by telling them, “I am not getting my f’ing head kicked in.” Nigel felt it was best he just laid the belt down right now. Danielson, full of anger and cussing fury, proclaimed that Nigel was a disgrace of a champion to put the belt down like this after everything the people of the past six years have done to make this company, and the ROH World title important. McGuinness told his challenger that the only way he would defend the belt is if Danielson promises to not focus on the champ’s concussed head. Danielson agreed.

Brent Albright w/Shane Hagadorn vs. El Generico

Albright tried to out power Generico, but it was the masked man’s speed that helped him toss Albright to the floor. When Generico went to fly, Albright tripped him up, swinging Generico into the guardrails like a baseball bat. Generico somehow fought back after several forearms to the back. Generico drilled Albright with the tornado DDT before diving on top of Albright after sending him to the floor. Generico stayed on top of the bigger Albright, getting a two count after the split legged moonsault. Generico hit the ropes for some momentum, but got caught, and tossed with the wheelbarrow suplex. Furious over the catcalls by the fans, Albright pitched Generico to the floor before suplexing him on the unprotected carpeted concrete. It’s thin carpet. You fall on a carpeted ballroom floor, and see how it feels. Albright was determined to break Generico in half, but the “Generic Luchador” was fighting it. Once again, Generico was able to send Albright to the floor, using this position to hit a springboard moonsault. Albright tried to elbow Generico off of his feet when the action returned to the ring, but Generico had the fans behind him. Generico power bombed Albright before going for the Brain Buster. Albright powered out of it, German suplexing Generico into the corner. When Albright ran across the ring for some momentum, Generico followed, catching him with the Yakuza kick. Once again, Albright blocked the Brain Buster, dropping Generico on his head with a half nelson suplex. Albright followed up with those knees to the face, KO’ing “The Generic Luchador.”

It’s time for the Larry Sweeney Show Starring Larry Sweeney. Even though Bobby Dempsey was with him, Mr. Dempsey wasn’t his guest for the evening. Sweeney’s guest was ROH original, Allison Danger. Sweeney talked about the greatness of Danger…on her knees! Sweeney proclaimed her a slut, whore, and everything except a child of God. Danger was furious, storming off after giving Sweeney a rebuttal to defend her lady-like honor. Before Danger could leave, Sweeney cracked her in the back of the head with his microphone. The fans began to buzz as Sweeney looked at Dempsey. Sweeney told Dempsey it was time for him to become a man by having sex with the unconscious Allison. Dempsey refused, so Sweeney knocked him out, causing Dempsey to fall on top of her. Dempsey tried to get up, but Sweeney held him down on top of Danger, trying to force him to become a man. It was like a silver whale trying to roll into the water. Sweeney, holding Dempsey down, proclaimed that tonight was the beginning of his takeover of ROH by getting any, and every, contract he wants from any member of the roster.

Joey Matthews vs. Kevin Steen

Joey Matthews is the former Joey Mercury in WWE. Steen cuts a little promo on the way to the ring, making him stand out that much more. Steen immediately goes for the sharpshooter, but Matthews was ready, kicking Steen away. Steen ran to the top, but got pushed to the floor after Matthews used the referee as a shield. Matthews took advantage of Steen’s fall, just smacking Steen around. This fired “Mr. Wrestling” up. Steen had Matthews reeling until he ran into a Matthews’ boot. Matthews used Steen’s weight against him, lying on top of Steen with a sleeper to force Steen to carry Matthews if he wanted to free himself. Steen was able to free himself, power bombing Matthews on the back of his neck to get some juices flowing. Steen bounced Matthews around before hitting that cradle neck breaker for a near fall. Matthews blocked the Package Piledriver, only to get caught in the sharpshooter. Matthews recovered it, sending Steen to the mat. Steen got up, catching Matthews’ incoming leg, wearing it out for the sharpshooter. Before going for the move, Steen went for the Swanton. Matthews got his knees up before planting Steen with the double arm DDT. Steen powered off the mat, avoiding the pin. Steen played possum, knocking Matthews down before locking in the sharpshooter. Matthews tried to get free, but Steen dropped down on the back of Matthews, forcing him to tap out.

Daizee Haze puts over Shimmer and the Shimmer title, which she is getting a shot at tonight against Sara Del Rey.

Go Shiozaki vs. Austin Aries

During the opening moments of the match, we find out that ROH will be making a return to NYC in May in the Hammerstein Ballroom, the same place WWE and ECW (old and new) have done shows. Aries spent a significant amount of time avoiding Go’s chops, which are very much like his trainer Kenta Kobashi. Aries tried to pick up the pace, only to run into one of those deadly chops that had Aries slung across the ring. Aries tried to show how his chops were, but Go’s were much stronger. Aries was able to duck one, dumping Go on the floor. Aries ran up the ropes, dropping a big elbow before rushing Go into the rails. Aries put Go in the seat beside the barricades, double kneeing Go’s chest. Aries followed up with a side Russian leg sweep into the steel ring post. Aries tried to work the head, neck, back, and abdomen of Go. After taking several minutes of punishment, Go saw his chance, drop toe holding Aries into the ropes. Go followed up with several chops before turning Aries’ world upside down with a shoulder tackle off the top. Go locked in a sleeper, nearly winning the contest. With Aries groggy, Go just ripped Aries’ chest apart with chops. Aries was stuck in the corner, with Go coming at him. Aries got a leg free, springing off the ropes with the stunner. Go recovered, knocking Aries out, onto the apron. Go wanted to do something, but Aries blocked it, belly to back suplexing Go off the apron, to the floor. Aries used this time to recover before using the heat-seeking tope to down the rising Shiozaki. Aries showed his highflying skills, missile dropkicking Go across the ring. Go was able to lead Aries into a slugfest, German suplexing Aries. Go moved to a super kick/spinning back fist/clothesline combination that nearly got him the pin. Aries fought back, knocking Go into the corner before dropkicking him in the face four times. Go was out on his butt, allowing Aries to put Go on the top. Shiozaki turned the tables, spinning sidewalk slamming Aries off the middle rope. Aries was close enough to the ropes to save himself, locking in the Last Chancery. When Go wouldn’t tap, Aries ran to the top for the 450 Splash. Instead, Aries jumped off the top, chopping the top of Go’s head due to Shiozaki getting to his feet. Shiozaki shook off the pain, dropping Aries with the Orange Crush. Aries somehow kicked out to a loud ovation. Shiozaki showed fighting spirit, only to fall prey to the Brain Buster. Go kicked out of the follow up pin, so Aries went back to the Last Chancery. Aries used this to pull Go to his feet for the Brain Buster. Shiozaki blocked it, hoisting Aries up for the fisherman’s buster. Aries kicked out in time to save himself, bringing the fans to their feet. Go steadied his hand, chopping Aries twice. Aries avoided the clothesline, wrapping Go in the crucifix bomb. Aries kicked the top of Go’s head before Brain Busting him. Aries ran to the top, hitting the 450 Splash to win this incredible match. Just as Aries’ night seemed to be over, the lights went out to signal the arrival of Jimmy Jacobs. Jacobs stood in the balcony, using his platform to look down on Aries to ask him to join the Age Of The Fall. Tyler Black and Lacey, on opposite sides of the building, asked for Aries to do the same. Before Aries could answer, Tammy “Sunny” Sytch strutted out. Sytch, looking very hot, wanted to offer her “services” to Aries. Aries didn’t know what to do, asking for some time to think about it. Lacey didn’t take too kindly to this, calling Tammy a filthy whore. Tammy responded that the only way the people would want to watch Lacey is when Tammy’s in the ring with her.

Becky Bayless was with Roderick Strong and Rocky Romero. Instead of talking about retaining the FIP title, Roddy wanted to know what Rocky did last night with those chicks Rocky was with by the end of the evening. You know the ones. Davey Richards ran up on them, tired after looking for a belt cleaner. Richards got them shined up, giving Roderick’s belt to him, but forgot his Tag title belt at the hotel. Romero was excited to defeat the Vulture Squad so Jigsaw would have to unmask, per the pre-match stipulation.

Shimmer title: Sara Del Rey (c) vs. Daizee Haze

The Haze was able to use Del Rey’s strength against her, working the headlock like she’s Ricky Steamboat’s daughter. Haze saw that the champ was getting frustrated, so Daizee started using her speed to head scissor the champ around the ring. Haze tried to monkey flip Rey, but the champion just powered her over with a flip of her own. Del Rey, showing she anger, kicked Haze’s back. Del Rey dropped Haze several times with kicks before locking in a figure four headlock. If you’ve ever seen Del Rey, you know she has some big legs, and those legs were turning Haze’s face purple. Daze got free with the help of the ropes, but the champ was in control. Del Rey forced Haze into the corner before running for some momentum. Haze was able to avoid the boot, dumping Del Rey on the floor. Haze dove on top of Del Rey. Haze pushed Del Rey back in, avoiding Sara’s wild haymakers. Haze connected with a missile dropkick, knocking the wind out of both women. For some reason, Haze tried to German suplex the much larger Del Rey. But the challenger was able to turn that into the face buster. Daizee rolled her up, with the champ kicking out. Haze hit her Heart Punch/Yakuza Kick combo, following up with an impressive German suplex for a near fall. Daizee was looking the Mind Trip, but turned it into a backslide. Del Rey kicked out, axe kicking the back of Haze’s head before she could get off of her knees. Del Rey picked her off the mat, hitting the Royal Butterfly slam to retain the gold.     

ROH Tag Team title: Rocky Romero & Davey Richards (c) vs. Ruckus & Jigsaw w/Vulture Squad

No feeling out process in this one as Richards tried to get the jump on Jigsaw. Jigsaw was able to roll out after getting kicked repeatedly. Ruckus replaced him, using his speed to send Davey scurrying to the floor. In came Romero, who got head scissored into the ropes. Jigsaw followed up, knocking Romero out of the ring with a dropkick, bringing in Richards, who was only a distraction for Romero to dropkick Jigsaw in the back of the head. Jigsaw went sailing to the floor, allowing Richards to whip the masked man into the guardrails before he and Rocky began kicking him in the chest. Jigsaw had to fight more to save his mask than his body as Rocky tried to unmask him. Richards didn’t care, kicking the jigsaw pieces out of the Vulture Squad member. Romero got his Azucar dance on after dropping a big knee across Jigsaw’s chest. Jigsaw was able to use Richards shoulder rams in the corner against him by flipping out when Richards took that step back. After dropkicking Rocky off the apron, and dumping Davey on the floor, Jigsaw tagged out. Ruckus immediately hit the ropes, landing on the champions with a somersault plancha. Ruckus followed up with the missile dropkick/razzle dazzle/axe rocker dropper combo for a two count on Richards. After a Jigsaw assisted fisherman’s buster into a power bomb, Ruckus hit a standing shooting star press for another two count. Richards was able to use an Irish whip to get the tag to Rocky, who turned the tides in the favor of the champs with a running knee strike. But Jigsaw wasn’t having it, super hurricarana’ing Rocky. Richards ran in, pitching Jigsaw to the floor before helping Rocky hit that elevated DDT. Jigsaw made the save, but got beat down for his trouble. Jigsaw was able to avoid the double knee by Rocky, causing Romero to get hung in the tree of woe. This left Romero open for the coast-to-coast dropkick by Ruckus for a shocking near fall. Ruckus was too tired to pin Rocky after the hang time neck breaker, tagging in Jigsaw as Rocky did the same on the other side. Richards came in like a beast, but ran into a super kick. Jigsaw ended his flurry with double stomp off the top for another near fall. Richards was stuck, getting dropped on his head for a pin. Rocky ran in, turning Jigsaw’s pin into a sunset flip for Davey. Ruckus tried to help his partner, but got pushed off the top rope, into the barricades. Jigsaw caught Romero with another boot, but ran into Richards. Jigsaw valiantly fought, but Richards was just going crazy with kicks, finishing Jigsaw off with the Liger Bomb to retain the gold.

Julius had a fit afterwards.   Before the No Remorse Corps members could leave, Kevin Steen & El Generico stepped out from the crowd to challenge the Tag champs to a brawl tonight. Richards accepted the challenge, but the champs bailed when Steenerico hit the ring. Steenerico followed them to the back, to find them gone like the wind.

FIP title No DQ match: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Necro Butcher w/Lacey vs. Erick Stevens

Necro gets the party started early by pounding his own head with a chair in synchronization with the fan’s chant of his name. Stevens jumped Strong on the ramp. When Necro tried to intervene, they double back dropped him on the steel ramp. Necro got up, using a plastic bag to suffocate Stevens before beating on Strong. Necro used a chair to sidewalk slam Stevens on. Strong entered the ring, suplexing Necro on the same chair. Steven rose, sending Strong into the guardrails. Just as Stevens turned to the ring, Necro came flying off the apron with a somersault senton. Necro followed up by pulling off the metal ROH logo on the guardrail, using it to beat Stevens. Strong knocked Necro out with a dropkick, allowing Stevens to tackle Strong. Necro got up, big footing both men. Necro began throwing chairs into the ring before driving the ring bell into Stevens’ face. Stevens powered Necro off the floor, body slamming him. Strong ran over, chopping Stevens’ chest raw. When Strong went for Necro, Butcher used the testicular claw to lay out the FIP champion. Necro began baseball sliding the chairs until Stevens was in the ring. Necro pitched the top of the chair into Stevens’ ribcage before bulldogging Stevens into the other chairs. Strong broke up the pin, getting into it with Necro. Strong was able to get the advantage by grabbing Necro’s beard before stomping his feet. Strong used the chair to back break Necro for a near fall. Necro fought back after Strong knocked down Stevens, decking Strong with a heavy right. Stevens’ stitched up head was shown before Strong leveled Necro with a chair shot. Before Strong could whack Necro again, Stevens German suplexed him, only for Stevens to walk into another heavy right by Butcher. A three-way chop exchange ensued when all three men got up. Stevens gave up on the exchange, but it was Necro who stopped Stevens with the chair-slam. Stevens popped off the mat, causing another chop exchange between himself and Necro. Somehow Stevens survived the heavy right, back dropping Necro on the chair. Stevens took Necro over with the cactus clothesline. Roderick jumped over the top, landing on both men. Strong tried to big boot Stevens as he laid against the rails. Stevens caught him coming in, hitting that pitch and swat attack. Before Stevens could reenter the ring, Necro whacked him in the head with the chair. Necro was able to open the cut on the side of Stevens’ head. Stevens got fired up, using the chair for the choo-choo rush on Necro. Necro was able to recover, Death Valley driving Erick on a chair. Strong slipped in, breaking up the pin before half nelson backbreaking Necro on the chair. Strong pulled Necro out, onto the timekeeper’s table. Strong was looking for the Gibson Driver, but couldn’t get Necro up. It turned into a pedigree, which dropped Necro face first through the table. Strong threw Necro in for the Gibson Driver attempt again. This time he got Necro halfway up, causing Butcher to land on the back of his head and neck to retain the title. Poor Butcher. The fans thank Necro for nearly breaking his neck for our entertainment.

We get a cool 6^th Anniversary video celebrating the past and present ROH stars, champions, and classic matches. From Austin Aries, to The Briscoes, to the AOTF, their trips to Japan, Danielson’s most recent and epic feuds, to the emergence of future stars like Claudio Castagnoli and El Generico, to, of course, a final shot of Larry Sweeney. That’s the kind of video they should’ve shown at the end of the DVD. You should end every release with a shot of Larry Sweeney.

ROH World title: Nigel McGuinness (c) vs. Bryan Danielson

Showing he was up for the deal they made earlier, Danielson worked the arms and legs in the early going. Danielson got in an early bow & arrow, only for the champ to slip out. The fans began to boo as Nigel turned the tables on Danielson, going for a Lariat. Danielson avoided it with ease. Nigel didn’t know what to do as Danielson began to tie the champ up like a pretzel. When Nigel went for the headstand in the corner, Danielson dropkicked him in the abdomen, knocking McGuinness to the floor. Danielson followed up with a tope before pitching Nigel back in, dropkicking Nigel across the ring. Danielson picked Nigel off the mat, belly to back suplexing him. Nigel rolled out onto the apron, holding the back of his head. Nigel took his time before forearming the referee. Nigel got himself disqualified. Nigel told the fans that they had just seen their World title match. Before Nigel could leave, an Austin Aries led crew (which included Roderick Strong for some strange reason), forced Nigel back to the ring to restart this match. McGuinness immediately fought Danielson off, working Danielson’s left shoulder by driving it into the ring post. Nigel laid in some stiff European uppercuts directed to the shoulder, using the ropes as a partner. Nigel clawed at “Dragon’s” face before slamming the arm into the ring post again. Nigel just wrenched and twisted on the arm while humiliating Danielson by playing with his face like it was putty. Danielson was able to avoid an uppercut, using his knees to turn Nigel’s stomach. Danielson hit the ropes, kicking the back of the champ, sending him to the floor. Danielson was about to pull Nigel in when Nigel used his two good arms to suplex Danielson to the floor. Nigel felt like a big man, beating Danielson around the ringside area while arguing with the fans. Danielson, somehow, took all of it, sending Nigel into the crowd with a backdrop. Danielson, against better judgment, dove on top of Nigel from the top rope. Danielson tried to missile dropkick the champ in the ring, but Nigel caught him. Nigel freed himself from the triangle choke he got himself caught in, cracking Danielson’s jaw with the Lariat. The fans turned Nigel into John Cena by chanting, “Same old s***!” Nigel went for the Tower of London, but got sent to the floor again. Nigel was able to turn a tope attempt into the Tower of London on the floor. Nigel’s head collided with Danielson’s instead of the floor, causing a flow of blood to run down the side of his head. Danielson was stuck in the middle of the ring when Nigel decided to use Danielson’s own Cattle Mutilation. Danielson reversed his own hold into a near fall pin. Nigel went for the Jawbreaker Lariat when he got up, but Danielson avoided it. Bryan hit the ropes, going for a flying kick, only to get sent to the mat via a Lariat. Nigel followed up with another Tower of London, shockingly, for another near fall. Nigel locked in the London Dungeon on the arm he had been working on. Danielson spun around, putting a foot on the ropes. When Nigel went for it again, Danielson rolled Nigel up for two seconds. Danielson got behind Nigel, using Doug Williams’ Chaos Theory. With exhaustion setting in, Danielson couldn’t go for the pin. Danielson was able to survive a rush of strikes, belly to back superplexing Nigel. Danielson, one arm and all, covered Nigel for a two count. Danielson floated over into Cattle Mutilation, but with his arm so weak, he couldn’t keep the hands locked. Danielson rolled through, in position for the elbows to the head. Danielson thought about the agreement he made to not attack McGuinness’ head, refusing to break his word. Danielson turned the hold into a dragon suplex before using the elbows to the ribs. Danielson rolled over, cranking Nigel’s left arm back. Nigel tried to roll through, but Danielson countered his reversal into the triangle choke. Nigel refused to quit to the fan’s disdain. Nigel struggled to the ropes, breaking the hold. Danielson began using left and right hooks to the body to drop Nigel in hope that Nigel would be counted down. All of a sudden, Nigel head-butted Danielson. Nigel did it two more times, with the last hitting Danielson in the left eye. Instead of showing the same mercy Danielson did for him, Nigel aimed for the eye with the Lariat before using Danielson’s own elbows to the head, with the last one being driven into the eye. Nigel locked in the London Dungeon, but Danielson was already unconscious, allowing McGuinness to retain the title. The crowd began to boo heavily as Nigel jetted out of the building.   

Is It Worth Your Money: ROH has done everything possible to make the Anniversary shows memorable. From the riot at the first one, to the crowning of the first Pure champion at the second, to last year’s trek around the country, and globe, in a Festival. This year’s Anniversary went back to the roots of ROH with just one show. And it paid off in spades. The show started off exciting, but didn’t seem like too much, or raising the bar so early that the last matches had too much to follow. All the title matches delivered one way or another, with the main event stealing the show once again. The story of Nigel’s concussed head put this match in another category compared to their previous matches. A vocal group of ROHbots say this match isn’t anywhere near the caliber of their previous contests. Maybe in the innovation department they’re right. But in the psychology, story telling department, they haven’t had a match better. A must see for sure. One match that doesn’t get enough praise from this show is Aries vs. Shiozaki. The match was crazy fun, and a great way to debut Shiozaki to the states. People need to watch/rewatch this match, and start putting it on a list for MOTYCs. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’ll tell you: ROH 6^th Anniversary Show Is Worth Your Money.