A Cut Above
Dayton, OH
4/29/09
Roderick Strong was standing near the ROH ring truck to tell us about his failures at becoming the ROH World champion. 0-10 he is in ROH World title shots, but tonight that changes, and it’s coming at the expense of Jerry Lynn.

A disheveled looking Bryan Danielson talked about the success The American Wolves have had in the Tag Team division. But tonight Eddie Edwards will have to be successful in a singles contest against the man who has never held the ROH World Tag Team championship, Bryan Danielson.

Bryan Danielson vs. ROH World Tag Team champion Eddie Edwards w/Shane Hagadorn
Stalemate on the tie up to kick off this contest. Same for the test of strength. Eddie tried to get a cheap shot upon tumbling into the ropes, but Danielson was ready. Danielson avoided another cheap shot, forearming Eddie off his feet. Eddie tried to free himself from an arm bar, but ended up getting yanked to the mat by a wristlock. Eddie was able to make it to the ropes, head locking Danielson after they locked up again. Eddie tried to hit the ropes for some momentum, but ended up getting into a chase that ended with both men throwing, and missing, dropkicks. Eddie got his leg kicked from under him, but the champion was ready, ducking the kick to the chest. Eddie shoulder tackled Danielson off his feet when he got up. Danielson rose, throwing a kick that got caught. Eddie was happy about the predicament Danielson was in until Bryan jumped up, kneeing him in the face before kicking Edwards’ sternum. Danielson started unleashing kicks to the chest, leveling Eddie in the corner. Edwards slapped Bryan after reminding him that Danielson isn’t a champion like himself. Danielson took the slaps before going knee and kicking crazy. With Eddie stunned in the corner, Danielson retaliated with a…ahem, female dog slap. Edwards recovered, elbowing Danielson so he could kick him in the back. Danielson flipped off the mat, body scissoring Eddie into the single leg Boston crab. Eddie quickly clawed to the ropes. Eddie stopped the test of strength, kicking Danielson in the face over and over again. Danielson used the momentum of hitting the turnbuckles to spring off the ropes, forearming Eddie again.
Big chops from Danielson had him reeling. Danielson ducked a little too early for the back body drop, but not the dropkick. Running forearm in the corner by Danielson helped Bryan punch Eddie until he was seated in the corner for a dropkick. Eddie was ready for Danielson’s back flip out of the corner. Danielson was also ready for Eddie to move, using a running leg lariat to set up for Cattle Mutilation. Eddie was close enough to the ropes to save himself. Eddie rolled onto the apron, shoulder blocking Danielson. When he went for it again, Danielson sidestepped him. Eddie avoided the kick, catching Bryan’s leg before using a middle rope assisted dragon screw leg whip. Danielson tried to make his way up the ropes, but got caught in the backpack chin breaker for a near fall. Eddie floated over into the half Boston crab. Like Eddie, Bryan was able to save himself via the bottom rope. Danielson turned a shin breaker attempt into a sunset flip, leading to a series of pinning combinations by both men. Danielson turned Edwards small package against him, pinning one half of the World Tag Team champions.
Instead of shaking Danielson’s hand in a show of honor, Eddie spit in Bryan’s face.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Rasche Brown vs. Silas Young vs. Matt Cross
Every time I see Matt, he has a new look. This time he has a Mohawk that would make Jimmy Jacobs horribly jealous. Claudio didn’t take kindly to Silas leading a “Hey” chant. Brown jumped Young as Claudio did the same to Cross. The biggest men in the match bumped into each other before being jumped by their respective attackers. Young and Cross feigned dives after sending Brown and Claudio to the floor. Claudio pulled Young out to ringside, whipping him into the guardrails. Brown used this opportunity to clobber Cross from behind, dropping a big knee for a two count. Cross was fighting off both big men with some success until Claudio leveled him. Young tried to follow Cross’ suit, but ended up getting tossed across the ring. Claudio was a little hesitant of getting on Brown’s bad side. Brown and Claudio played the one up game by trading slams on Young. Delayed vertical suplex by Brown left Young open for Claudio’s pin attempt. Some miscommunication by Claudio and Brown ended with Claudio missing Cross before clobbering Rasche. Cross sent Claudio flying to the floor before kicking Brown in the back of his head. Claudio ran back in, only to get tornado DDT’ed. Brown speared the posing Cross. Claudio stumbled into a press slam by Brown. Young jumped off Castagnoli’s back, clotheslining him to the floor. Silas had Claudio on his shoulders for something when Cross jumped off the top rope. Cross used Claudio’s back as a springboard as Silas held him, but didn’t get enough height, hanging himself on the top rope before falling on top of Brown. This actually freed Claudio, allowing him to Swiss Sleeper Holding Young into tapping. Young slapped Cross instead of shaking his hand afterwards.

Jimmy Rave w/The Embassy vs. Grizzly Redwood
Rave quickly mounted Redwood to beat on his face. Okay, that doesn’t sound right. Thankfully Redwood recovered and started chopping Jimmy down with some axe edge chops to the thigh. Redwood pulled the straps down after a cross body block. Osiris gave Grizzly his wood back. Again, not sounding right. Jimmy catches the stunned Grizzly, using Gonorrhea to pin him. Good Lord does this match just not sound right. I don’t know what sounds worse, the way I described this match, or Osiris proclaiming he had Grizzly’s wood before whacking him in the back of the head with it? Ernie stole Redwood’s boots as Nana told the referee’s to stay away from the ring.

Austin Aries & Rhett Titus vs. The Phoenix Twins
Aries berated the fans before doing the same toward his opponents. Aries compared these Twins to the infamous Motleys. Man, that was a deep searched reference. Aries started it off for his team as Tweak did the same. Lenny Leonard didn’t know which twin was which, and nor do it. I’ll just go with the announcers as Titus tagged in to the chant of, “You’re a virgin!” Titus shoulder tackled Tweak off his feet, but ended up running into a series of high impact moves before tagging out. Double team shoulder block/fist drop combo by the twins got them a near fall. A series of rolls and counters by the Twins ended with Titus getting kicked in the face, leaving him on the mat for two seconds. Titus wanted the test of strength, only to slap, I think, Dash. Dash quickly caught Aries coming in, atomic dropping him into Titus before clotheslining Titus to the floor. Aries dove across the mat, knocking Dash off his feet. Aries and Titus had cut the ring off, making quick tags in-between stiff kicks and quick submission holds. Dash tried to fight his way to his corner after Aries tagged in, only to get STO’ed. Aries was a little angry when he couldn’t get the pin off the power drive elbow, tagging in Titus for Titus’ sexy suplex. When the sexy elbow drop failed, Titus allowed Dash to tag out. Tweak was a house of fire, punching Aries to the floor. Power slam on Titus got Tweak a near fall. A couple of clotheslines from both Twins almost got them the pin on Titus, but Aries broke it up in time. Sidewalk slam by Aries on…Tweak possibly. Tweak flipped out of the double belly to back suplex, tagging out. Dash sprung off the top rope, missing the somersault dive on Aries. Aries was stunned by the somewhat connected blow, allowing Dash to push him and Titus out of the ring so he could dive on them at the same time. Double team stomp in the corner on Aries got Dash a near fall. Titus stopped the double superplex, knocking Tweak to the floor before using the Muff Driver on Dash. Aries caught the stumbling Dash with a dropkick in the corner, then the Brain Buster. I say this one is over.

Chris Hero w/Shane Hagadorn vs. Colt Cabana
Cabana decided to grab the microphone to challenge Hero to at wrestling match. You know, no striking, just pure wrestling. In the commentary booth was Nigel McGuinness to talk about how good both men are. Hero was quickly wrist locked off his feet. Hero recovered, turning the tides for a short time before being pulled to his feet and threatened to have his stomach stomped. The referee stopped Cabana, accidentally holding Hero’s boot long enough for Cabana to make a wish with Chris’ groin. Hero didn’t take too kindly to this, putting Cabana in the same position he was just in. Cabana countered by crushing Hero’s hands with his boots. Test of strength saw Cabana use his agility to get Hero’s shoulders on the mat for a couple of seconds. Cabana swung around, trapping Hero’s hands underneath Cabana’s knees. Hero made it to back to his feet, but Cabana still had a hold of his arms, pressing Hero into the air so he could body scissor Chris. Hero got free, but so did Cabana. Under and over by Cabana frustrated Hero, allowing Cabana to roll him up a couple of times. Cabana had Hero spinning after the hammerlock. Hero used the momentum to get free of Cabana’s grip, Rolling Elbowing Cabana for a near fall. Flash kick followed after a series of punches and kicks from Hero. Cabana tried to get to his feet after the senton splash, but wasn’t successful. Cabana turned the back body drop into a sunset flip. When Hero kicked out, he clawed Colt in the face until he fell to the floor. Hero laid a piece of the floor mat across Cabana’s prone body to execute another senton splash. Colt valiantly kicked out of Hero’s follow up pin, firing off elbows and punches when he got to his feet. Hero couldn’t stop the bionic elbow even after a rake of Cabana’s face. Flying @$$hole/clothesline combo got Cabana a near fall. Cabana bounced off the ropes, getting elbowed in the face again. Hero went for the Rolling Elbow again, but Cabana turned it into a backslide. Hero kicked out, hitting the ropes as Cabana did the same. Cabana didn’t see the flash kick coming, knocking Colt into the corner. Flying elbow/blockbuster combination on Cabana couldn’t hold him down for three seconds. Colt took the series of elbows, catching Hero before spinning him into the Billy Goat’s Curse for the submission victory.

Jimmy Jacobs vs. Egotistico Fantastico
Egotistico (“Ego” for short) is from, get this, “Mexico City, IL.” Tell that’s not awesome. You know what’s not awesome? A patch wearing Jimmy Jacobs after having his eye stabbed by Delirious. Guy looks like a one eyed, pirate rooster. Any way, these two lock up to an epic ovation. Okay, epic might not be the word, but Ego doesn’t care as he used a couple of leaps to set up for a dropkick and the surfboard. I have a feeling Danielson doesn’t agree with that. Jimmy rolled to the floor, giving Ego the chance to dive. Jimmy was ready, slamming Ego mask first across the side of the ring. Jimmy wanted to pitch Ego into the crowd, but ended up being the one going three rows deep. Ego grabbed his cape before running around ringside for some momentum. Ego dove over the guardrail, knocking Jacobs through a chair. Ego took too much time celebrating with the fans after putting Jacobs back in. Jacobs caught Ego coming in with a series of double stomps, ending it by dropping a big elbow. Jacobs thought his nose might be broken after choking the life out of Ego. Jimmy beat the horn off the front of Ego’s mask, putting it in his mouth to set up for the flying choke. Jimmy body scissored Ego so he could attempt to pull the rest of the mask apart. Ego fought off his knees, whipping Jimmy across the ring for a super hurricarana. Jimmy stopped the spinning back kick, but not the second. Jimmy kicked out of the raindrop, surprising Ego. Jacobs was stuck on the top rope, or so we thought. Jacobs clawed Ego off the ropes, coming off with the senton for a close two count. Ego sunset flipped his way out of the spear, hitting the diamond suplex right after. Ego ran to the top for a moonsault, but Jimmy got his knees up, using it to lock in the End Time to make Fantastico tap out.

ROH World Tag Team champion Davey Richards w/Shane Hagadorn vs. Tyler Black
Black decided to catch Davey before he could get caught with a slush of spit when Davey missed a wild right hand. Davey showed he was in the match even after that by kicking his way out of a wristlock. Big hip toss into a headlock by Black stopped whatever Davey had in mind. Richards backed Black against the turnbuckles, pounding on Black’s abdomen. After Richards whipped him across the ring, Black started leaping and jumping over the incoming champion. Black knocked him to the mat, stomping Davey across the chest after kicking him in the same region. Davey just kept running into the side headlock. Davey got Black to pick up the pace, spinning heel kicking Black out of the sky when Black tried to leapfrog him. Hagadorn got involved in the action after Davey tossed Tyler to the floor. Davey honed in on Black’s left shoulder, twisting it backwards as much as he could. Black made it to the ropes before Davey could lock in the kimura. Davey pulled him from the ropes, rolling Black into another arm lock. Black tried to punch his way off the mat, but got head-butted down. Davey barred Black’s arm after dropping all of Tyler’s weight on it with a belly to back suplex. Black punched his way to freedom, but didn’t get anything started in terms of momentum. Spinning back kick by Davey sent Black to the apron. After getting Black back in, Davey was knocked against the ropes after Black got out of the arm bar. Black missed the dropkick after whipping Davey into the ropes, bringing a smile to Richards’ face.
Missile dropkick by Davey sent Black across the ring. Davey followed up with a flying forearm/snap suplex combo to set up for the flying head-butt that hit Black in the left shoulder. Black powered off his knees after taking a couple of kicks to the chest, big booting him in position for a slam to the floor. Somersault plancha by Black got the fans on their feet. Davey bounced off the ropes, into an F5. Black missed the caperana, but not the standing shooting star press, nearly giving Tyler the three count. Davey stopped God’s Last Gift. Davey kicked Black in the chest and arm after taking a couple of boots to his face. Davey ran up the ropes, kicking Black’s shoulder from behind. Black flipped out of the German suplex, going for a victory roll. Davey countered Owen Hart style, but couldn’t get the pin. Davey came off the ropes, running into a Pele kick. Black got fired up for the flying forearm. Davey countered, dropping Black on the apron. Black jumped up, kicking Richards in the back of his head. Richards stumbled out of the corner, allowing Tyler to set up for the springboard clothesline. Davey sidestepped it, arm barring Black in a very unique fashion. Black held on long enough for Davey to give up on the submission attempt. Richards had Black propel off the ropes so he could connect with the alarm clock. Davey clotheslined Black on his head before pulling him off the feet and German suplexing Tyler for a shocking near fall. Davey wanted to belly to back superplex Black, but Tyler fought it enough to knock Davey to the mat for the Phoenix Splash. Davey moved at the last second, with Tyler landing on his feet before running into a failed victory roll. Davey and Black were going kick for kick after Black kicked out. Two super kicks left Davey prone for the turnbuckle bomb. Black missed the third super kick, getting cradled in the process. Richards hooked the tights to prevent Black from kicking out.

Dark City Fight Club vs. Jay Briscoe & Kevin Steen
Jay Briscoe and Jon Davis opened this one up for their respective teams. Jay couldn’t shoulder tackle Jon off his feet like so many others. But Davis could. Chavis tagged in, getting dropkicked after Jay flipped out of the suplex. Jay tagged out so Steen could use his somersault leg drop for a near fall. Steen slammed Chavis’ face into Jay’s boot before tagging the Briscoe in for the double shoulder tackle. They followed up with a leg drop, then a senton splash to get a two count. Davis distracted Jay after Jon kicked Jay in the back when he hit the ropes. Kory picked Jay up, slamming him on the back of his head. Davis whipped Chavis into Jay in the corner so Davis could use the sidewalk slam right after. Chavis became the legal man again, slapping Jay across the ring. Jay bounced off the ropes, right into a power slam. The DCFC had Jay caught on their side of the ring, making quick tags after beating him down. Jay big booted his way out of the corner, rushing Davis. Davis caught him in a bear hug. When Jay fought out of the hold, he ran into a spine buster, hushing the crowd in the process. Jay avoided the splash in the corner, using that downward spiral against the middle turnbuckle to give himself a chance to tag out. Steen was a house of fire, beating both of his opponents. Steen was senton splashing and cannonball crushing both men before using the pumphandle neck breaker on Chavis to get a near fall. Jay knocked Davis away before slamming Chavis in position for the guillotine leg drop. Chavis recovered, getting in position to superplex Jay. Chavis was stuck in position for the Doomsday Device, but Chavis got off of Jay’s shoulders, pushing into the corner Steen was climbing. Total Elimination on Jay by the DCFC shockingly got them a two count. Jay stopped the Dark City Street Cutter, hitting the ropes. Jay got caught coming in. Right as they went to toss Jay, Kevin ran in, cradling Chavis as Jay fell on top of Davis, giving this odd couple a shocking win.

ROH World title: Jerry Lynn (c) vs. Roderick Strong
The fans were solidly behind the challenger as champion and challenger jockeyed for an advantage. Nigel McGuinness joined us in the announce booth once again, posing the question if Roderick is capable of winning a World title match after so many losses. Strong almost stopped Jerry’s heart with one of those famous chops. And that’s not an age joke. Strong was overpowering Jerry every step of the way. Lynn picked up the pace, head scissoring Strong in an arm bar. Lynn tripped Strong into a bow & arrow, but didn’t get the submission. Actually, Lynn almost got pinned off the move. Strong connected with a leg lariat when Jerry got up. Belly to back suplex set up for a chop that sent Jerry to the floor. Strong almost chopped a fan when Lynn moved. Lynn didn’t avoid the rush into the side of the ring, leading to the first backbreaker of the contest. Lynn ducked another chop in the corner, responding with one of his own. They were going chop for chop until Lynn fell to his knees in agony. Lynn countered the slam into a reverse DDT. Strong got to his feet, only to be stomped down in the corner. Gory special by Lynn ended with Strong almost getting dropped on the top of his head. Lynn bounced off the ropes, running into a dropkick that allowed Strong to recover. Lynn turned the slingshot suplex into a waist lock for a roll up. Strong dropped down at the last second, sending Lynn to the floor. Strong dove off the apron after seeing Lynn moving to avoid the plancha. Lynn moved then too, causing Roderick’s head to slam into the top of the barricade.
Strong had a river of blood flowing from his skull after that collision. Strong was out of it until Lynn put him in the Boston crab. Strong made it to the ropes. After rolling onto the apron, Roderick went for a shoulder ram on the incoming champion. Jerry sidestepped it, but Strong also avoided the leg drop through the ropes. Strong pulled Lynn onto the apron with him, ending with the challenger getting pushed off the apron. Lynn tornado DDT’ed Strong’s bloody head on the floor. The fans were getting behind Roderick as Strong stopped the Cradle Piledriver. Lynn countered Strong’s attack, using the air raid crash to hold Strong down for two seconds. Strong caught Lynn on the top rope, superplexing Jerry into the middle of the ring. Strong only got a two count off of it. Strong floated over into the Stronghold, but the loss of blood prevented Roderick from getting the submission. Clothesline and an enzuguri set Lynn up for the uranage backbreaker for a two count. Lynn turned the suplex into a northern lights suplex into the turnbuckles. Both men made it up the ropes on opposite sides of the turnbuckle. Strong turned a tornado DDT attempt into the belly to back suplex on the apron. Both this and the half nelson backbreaker couldn’t finish off the champ. So Strong went back to the Stronghold. Lynn turned it into a roll up, but to no avail. Gut-buster/yakuza kick combo by Strong had the fans on their feet. But Strong just couldn’t get the three count. Lynn turned the half nelson backbreaker into the TKO. Lynn, the fans, and everyone else were in shock when Strong kicked out of Lynn’s pin attempt after the Cradle Piledriver. Another Cradle Piledriver did stop Strong’s quest to World champion status once again.
Jerry grabbed the microphone to tell the fans that it’s people like them that keep the champ going.

Is It Worth Your Money:
Coming into this show, I was expecting a typical first night event. Solid, but nothing too memorable. Thankfully I was wrong. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s Roderick Strong delivering in a World title match. It’s just amazing how he can pull you into every shot, and truly make you believe he’s actually going to win it. I think the cut added to the drama of the contest, and really capped off a contest that was bordering on great before it happened. Just as good as their first encounter was Richards and Black. Once again, they had a jaw dropping athletic contest that shows that there are wrestlers in ROH that are ahead of the curve. These two men are definitely the future of Ring of Honor. You know who also shined? Eddie Edwards. He looked like a real player in his contest with Bryan Danielson, and his association with Davey Richards has really rubbed off on him in regards to his style and pacing. The tag semi-main event was good, and gives me hope that when we see the inevitable matches involving the odd couple’s respective partners, we are finally going to see the classics the ROH tag team division has to offer. The only real disappointment of the show was the four way. It didn’t get much time, and just felt like filler. It used to be a time when, no matter who was involved; these types of matches would at least have some real drama to them. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this show, and have a good feeling for the rest of the spring shows if this is any indication of what Ring of Honor will be offering. ROH A Cut Above Is Worth Your Money.