With the emergence of Adam Pearce as NWA champion, ROH was faced with a decision to recognize that Pearce was a champion outside of Ring of Honor. They did just that, forging a relationship with NWA, as well as a main event that would see both the ROH World title, and the NWA title on the line in one match. On one night, ROH and NWA collided in the ring when ROH champion Nigel McGuinness took on NWA champion Adam Pearce in the main event. Will a new champion be crowned on this historic event, or will it be one of those screwy interpromotional title match endings that see no winner. But more importantly, will Battle For Supremacy be Worth Your Money?

Battle For Supremacy

Dayton, OH

6/27/08

Bryan Danielson’s tired mug greets us. The reason he’s so tired: Danielson’s been wrestling all over the world for the past month. Why? Because Danielson felt this was the only way to prove to Nigel McGuinness that he deserved a shot at the ROH World title. Tonight, Danielson hopes to redeem himself by defeating Erick Stevens for the first time while proving his point that he deserves a World title shot more than anyone.

Mitch Franklin & Silas Young vs. Shane Hagadorn & Tank Toland w/Sweet & Sour Inc.

Originally, Bobby Dempsey was supposed to wrestle, but since Tank decided to make his genetically gifted return tonight, he replaced the man who pours himself into his singlet every night. Before the match, Larry Sweeney felt tonight would be the greatest night for S & S Inc. when Adam Pearce wins the ROH World title while retaining the NWA World title tonight in the main event.   My favorite midget (sorry Hornswaggle) Mitch Franklin, in all of his flippy glory, had to use his speed to counteract the power of Tank, who isn’t much bigger than Mitch. Shane didn’t have much chance to show his abilities as he was worked around the ring until Tank used the triceps stick to the face of Silas. Team Sweet & Sour stayed on top Silas. But like Mitch, Silas had that speed to get around Tank’s mini Scott Stiener-esque body. Franklin was flying around, using a nice swinging suplex from the middle rope on Toland. Tank took it, gorilla press slamming Franklin with one arm to pin him. Just as the celebration was about to commence, Brent Albright sent them running. Albright promised to get his hands on Sweeney before the end of the night.

Tyler Black w/Allison Wonderland vs. Delirious

Black wasn’t too fond of Delirious going crazy at the opening bell. Just seconds into the match, Nigel McGuinness entered the announce booth. Nigel talked about how he prepared for his match with Pearce tonight by beating up little kids, old ladies, “and anyone else I can find at Wal-Mart.” He-lar-rious! Oh yeah, the match. Some back and forth match action was the focus of the match until Black got the running Delirious over-confident, causing the masked man to run into the boots of Black via a dropkick. Delirious used a great head-butt to the ribs of Black when Tyler tried to use the corner to leap over the incoming Delirious. Delirious followed up with a senton splash. When Delirious tried to go for Shadows Over Hell, Allison grabbed his boots. This brought out Daizee Haze, who ran Allison around the ring until she felt it was good to just stay at ringside. Black had pitched Delirious off the top rope as this little cat and mouse chase was going on. Black used a front suplex to drop Delirious over the top rope, knocking the wind out of him. When it appeared Delirious was getting some momentum, Black hoisted him up, tossing Delirious over the top rope, to the floor. Black tried to use the yakuza kick on the rising Delirious on the floor, but hit a ring attendant instead. The attendant’s night wasn’t over as Delirious suplexed Black on top of the poor man. Delirious reentered the ring by a flying clothesline. Delirious was able to drive Black on his head with Chemical Imbalance 2, but couldn’t hold him down for the three count. Black was able to recover, neck breaking Delirious before going for the Small Package Driver. Delirious blocked it, putting Black on the top, super hurricarana’ing Black in position for Shadows Over Hell. Black avoided the flying splash, gut busting the falling Delirious. Somehow Delirious quickly recovered, grabbing Black from behind. Black grabbed the ref to keep his balance. Actually it was to mule kick Delirious in the ground. On the floor, Allison clocked Daizee in the face with her loaded purse. Rhett Titus ran to ringside, helping the unconscious Daizee to the back. Black took advantage of this commotion, using the Small Package Driver to pin Delirious. After the match, Delirious began calling for Daizee in a wild primal yelp.

Jay Briscoe vs. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright

Triple Threat rules in this one. Nigel is still on commentary for this match. We get the double headlock by all three men, followed by the quick pins on everyone by everyone. Nothing successful. Claudio got the early advantage with his European uppercuts, causing Albright and Jay to team up. This team didn’t last long, giving Claudio the chance to hit that swinging face plant on Jay for a near fall. Albright and Castagnoli were going uppercut to forearm in the middle of the ring as Jay began to climb to the top. They caught Jay, but got so concerned with each other, allowed Jay to knock both down before catching them with a cross body block. Jay had the fans behind him as he peppered both men with rights. Jay hit the ropes, only to get dropkicked by Claudio. Brent backbroke Claudio, but still got caught in the big swing when he tried to lock in the front face lock for those knee strikes. As Claudio swung Albright, Jay leapt over Albright. It was like something on a videogame side quest. Albright recovered, powering both men around the right with suplexes and slams. Albright was able to hit the Air Raid Crash on Claudio, but Jay broke up the follow up pin. Jay put Albright across his shoulders, using Albright’s legs to knock Claudio down before driving Brent on top of his head. Claudio broke up the follow up pin by Jay, causing Jay to knock him down. Briscoe tried to Jay Drill Albright, but got bicycle kicked by Claudio. Castagnoli set up Albright for the Ricola Bomb, only for Jay to catch him with a boot of his own. Claudio recovered, pitching Albright to the floor before knocking Jay out with the running European uppercut to get the victory.

Just as Albright was getting up, Shane Hagadorn jumped him. Albright easily suplexed Hagadorn out.

Erick Stevens vs. Bryan Danielson

Stevens was able to use his power to outwrestle Danielson in the early goings of the match. Even with the power disadvantage, Danielson bridged his way off the mat, putting Erick in an arm bar that Stevens had to use the ropes to break. When the action resumed, Stevens plowed Danielson down with a shoulder block. Stevens had Danielson stuck against the turnbuckles, going for the choo-choo rush. Danielson exploded out of the corner, dropkicking the left leg of Stevens. Danielson kept Stevens grounded, using an Indian deathlock to nearly force Stevens into submission. When Stevens got the ropes, Danielson acted as if he was stuck in the hold as well, holding onto it way pass the five count. Danielson followed up by putting Stevens in a single leg Boston crab before floating over into the surfboard. Instead of using the arms, Danielson grabbed the nose of Stevens. While standing on Stevens’ legs, Danielson stomped down, sending a lot of pain through those legs. Danielson put Stevens in the figure four leg lock. Erick used that upper body strength to put the pressure on Danielson for a short time. Danielson began to use his own legs to wear out Stevens’ further, ending with a dropkick as Stevens hung in the ropes. Stevens was able to avoid the second dropkick, turning this wrestling match into a brawl. Even with one leg, Stevens was able to ground Danielson with a shoulder tackle off the middle rope. Stevens used a power slam on the rebound of a running Danielson as Bryan tried to get some momentum for an attack. Stevens tried to Samoan drop Danielson, but his leg gave way, giving Danielson the opportunity to take him down, locking in Cattle Mutilation. Stevens tried to work his way out of it, but rolled into the elbows to the jaw. Danielson rolled through the strikes, putting Stevens in a heel hook. Stevens was somehow able to make his way to his feet, German suplexing Danielson across the ring. Stevens exploded off the mat, clotheslining Danielson inside out. Erick tried to execute the Doctor Bomb. Danielson slipped free, locking in the single leg Boston crab. Stevens made it to the ropes in a great show of fortitude. Danielson put the big man on the top, hitting the belly to back superplex before going for the spinning toehold. Stevens avoided it, using that flapjack into the power slam to turn the tides once again. Danielson made it to his feet first, going strike for strike with the much stronger Stevens. Stevens took it all, hitting the fly and sway forearm before clotheslining Danielson on his head. Stevens picked up the woozy Danielson, Doctor Bombing him in the middle of the ring to get the pin to keep his unbeaten record against Bryan Danielson.

In the back, Dempsey was being forced to do Hindu squats because he can’t seem to lose any weight. I blame the gas prices.

Austin Aries vs. Necro Butcher

Aries just dominates Necro in the early moments of the match, sending Necro to the floor in anger. Necro started throwing chairs, moving tables long enough for Aries to hit the heat-seeking tope. The action spilled into the crowd, where Aries continued to beat the crap out of Butcher. Aries was able to dropkick Necro until he was rolling for safety. Necro caught Aries coming in with a stiff right as Butcher stood on the apron. Aries recovered, dropkicking Necro through the timekeeper’s table. Aries decided to grab a microphone, asking Necro why he was fighting for Jimmy Jacobs when Jacobs hasn’t done anything to help Necro. Aries felt the best way to prove that Necro and Aries were alike was by giving up. Wait, what? Yes, Aries stood in the ring, with his hands behind his back as Necro clobbered him with rights to the jaw. Necro had no idea what to think as Aries kept getting up, but wouldn’t fight back. Necro finished Aries off with a sick chair shot to the top of his head. Jacobs ran out to congratulate Necro for doing what was right, “listening to me.” Jacobs promised that Aries would have a good reason to win tomorrow night when Aries and Jacobs finally face off. Aries got up, talking about how he was sacrificing for the greater good.

In the back, Dave Prazak was with Erick Stevens, who felt he broke out of the slump he’s been in tonight. Stevens promised to become the FIP champion or the ROH World champion very soon.

El Generico & Kevin Steen vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Joey Matthews w/Allison Wonderland

The opening minutes of the match saw Generico outbrawling both men of the Age of the Fall. Even Steen got in on the brawl, helping Generico slam Jacobs’ face into Matthews’. Steenerico followed up with another double team that saw Generico drop toe hold Jacobs into Steen’s somersault leg drop. Matthews & Jacobs scurried to the floor, causing Generico to go airborne, dropping them with a springboard somersault plancha, with Steen’s back as the springboard. Just as Generico ran to the top for something big, Matthews crotched him on the top. The AOTF members decided to show their high level of teamwork, keeping Generico grounded. One of those double teams was an inverted atomic drop into a face plant. Generico had to use his speed to outmaneuver both men to…not get the tag as Jacobs pulled Steen to the floor before Generico could tag out. On the second attempt, Generico rolled through a double clothesline to tag out to a fresh Steen, who downed both men in opposite corners. “Mr. Wrestling” followed up with the cannonball in the corner before using Jacobs as a projectile at Matthews. Generico followed up with the superfly splash, but couldn’t get the pin. Steen tried to go for a roll up when Matthews avoided the Package Piledriver. Matthews held on long enough to allow Jacobs to lock in the End Times. Before Steen could submit, Generico pitched Matthews over the top before yakuza kicking Jacobs into Steen’s roll up for the pin.

Being the sore losers that they are, Jacobs & Matthews used a pair of low blows to send Steen and Generico crumbling to the match before pounding their heads with a little chain. To add insult to injury, Steenerico was covered in snot and spit courtesy of the Age of the Fall.

Daizee was about to cut a promo backstage when Delirious came over to check on her. Rhett Titus followed Delirious, making sure The Haze was okay. Rhett, playing a nice guy, told her and Delirious that he would love to train and learn from both Delirious and Daizee in the near future. Daizee took him up on the offer, but Delirious didn’t look too happy. Actually, he looked kind of confused. But that’s how he always looks. Sorry, I have no point.

Chris Hero w/Larry Sweeney & Sara Del Rey vs. Roderick Strong

Hero and Del Rey decided to wear those gorgeous Intergender World Tag Team title belts to the ring for his non-title contest. I say non-title, not because of the previously mention title, but for Roderick’s FIP title. A solid mat exchange that saw both men focusing on the left arm of their opponent. Hero switched tactics, going after the leg. So Strong did the same, working over the back of Chris Hero. Hero decided it was best to work on that (alleged) empty noggin of Strong. When the wrestlers made it to their feet, Hero was chopped down. Hero was able to get underneath Strong, slamming him to knock the wind out of the FIP champion. Hero continued to focus on the head of Strong, using a slew of chin locks and headlocks. Strong used his heavy hands to chop his way out of the situation before kicking Hero in his face as he sat in the corner. Hero was able to slip out of the slingshot suplex, popping Roderick in the right ear with the roaring elbow. Hero stayed in control, beating Strong on the floor before pitching him back in to continue his attack on the head. Strong, once again, got a rush of adrenaline, beating Hero around the ring with chops. And once again, Hero was about to avoid an attack, knocking Strong down with the roaring elbow to the ear. Strong had to roll to the floor after a crushing senton splash. Strong caught Hero on the floor, trying to whip Hero into the guardrails. Hero leapt up the steel, springing off the barricades with another elbow to the ear of Roderick. Hero slipped into the ring, forgetting there are no count outs in ROH. Hero pulled Strong onto the apron, giving Strong the chance to chop Hero in the chest. Hero was stuck against the ropes, on the apron, as Strong chopped the life out of him. All of a sudden, Roderick picked Hero up, belly to back suplexing him back first on the side of the ring. Strong continued to chop Hero when the action reentered to the ring. Strong followed up with a dropkick that sent Hero flying to the floor before diving on top of Chris. Strong had the fans pumped, but they were still cheering for Chris. Strong tried for the half nelson suplex, but got dumped on his head instead. Hero followed up with a flying forearm in the corner/blockbuster combo that almost got him the three count. Hero tried to powerbomb Strong, but Roderick turned into an enzuguri, followed by the backbreaker. Hero blocked the Gibson Driver, hitting another roaring elbow. Hero nearly got the win with the follow up powerbomb. Strong took it all, catching the leg of Hero before backbreaking him. Strong did a gut buster/running big boot combination to knock Hero out. Before Strong could get the three count, Sweeney put Hero’s foot on the bottom rope. Strong wouldn’t stop, putting Hero in the Stronghold. Sweeney jumped on the apron, causing Strong to break the hold. Hero decked Strong with another roaring elbow after Del Rey grabbed Strong’s boots during this distraction. This left Strong paralyzed long enough for Hero to yakuza kick him in the face before hitting the World’s Strongest Forearm to knock Strong out for the 1, 2, 3. Hero proclaimed himself KOK (Knockout Kid). Sweeney got on the mic, deciding it was time to formally introduce the NWA champion, and one half of the main event, Adam Pearce. The rest of Sweet & Sour Inc. followed the champion to the ring for this huge main event.

NWA vs. ROH title match: Nigel McGuinness (ROH champion) vs. Adam Pearce (NWA champion) w/Sweet & Sour Inc.

For the first time in a long time, Nigel got a babyface reception upon his entrance. Even though this was a huge match, Pearce still refused to shake hands. During the early feeling out process, Pearce got caught between Nigel and the ref, as Pearce didn’t want to break clean on any collar & elbow. Nigel, on the other hand, was being, shall I say, honorable during his breaks when Pearce made it to the ropes. Pearce tried to get the fans behind him by clapping, but the fans weren’t having it, responding with, “We won’t clap.” A slap exchange occurred shortly after, with Nigel getting a little angry, clipping Pearce’s legs before tying him up in a modified STF. During all of this, Pearce had a pink streamer stuck to his right boot, refusing to let the referee remove it. When Nigel got a hold of the streamer, he wrapped it around his eyes, pretending he was Repoman, who Pearce has a striking resemblance to. Pearce didn’t take too kindly to it, knocking Nigel down before doing some Hogan style poses, including the infamous, “This is where the power lies,” line while pointing to the palm of his hand. Nigel, showing he wasn’t shaking in his boots at the bold display, downed Pearce after a series of hard hits to the chest. Pearce got up, going after the left arm of Nigel before jacking McGuinness’ jaw with a stiff right. Nigel paid Pearce back, raking Pearce in the eyes as he relaxed on the ropes. Nigel went after Pearce’s arm, breaking before the five count while giving a shout out to Bryan Danielson. Nigel had the left arm of Adam going in weird positions. Pearce was able to free himself from the arm bar, sending Nigel to the floor, where Hagadorn and Sweeney got in a few cheap shots. When Nigel reentered the ring, Pearce went from the back, to the neck, to the arm of Nigel in hopes of wearing the ROH champion out. Pearce continued the attack, spine busting Nigel in the middle of the ring for a near fall. When Nigel kicked out, Pearce put McGuinness in the camel clutch. McGuinness was able to make it to the ropes, swinging for the fences when he got up. McGuinness had to use some amazing agility to avoid a tilt-a-whirl slam, connecting with the first Lariat of the match. Nigel followed up with that running European uppercut out of the corner, into the Lariat combo for a near fall. Nigel connected with the corner kick and swat combination to keep Pearce down for another two seconds. Nigel was looking for the Tower of London, but Pearce blocked it. Nigel turned it into an attempted superplex, which was stopped by Sweeney. Pearce knocked Nigel to the mat, flying off the top with the superfly splash for a two count. Nigel got up, getting knocked into the ropes. Nigel used the momentum for the Jawbreaker Lariat. Pearce ducked it, but got caught with another Lariat on the rebound for another near fall. Nigel tried to go up high, but got pulled off the top rope with the Tower of London. Pearce slung his feet across the top rope, only for Nigel to kick out of the pin. Nigel got up fighting, but ran into another forearm, followed by a knee to the back that sent the ROH champion to the floor. Pearce tried to throw Nigel back in, but Nigel used the ropes to spring back to the floor, downing the NWA champ with another Lariat. Nigel tried to suplex Pearce back in, but Sweeney tripped McGuinness up. Before the ref’s hand could come down for the three count, he saw Sweeney holding McGuinness’ boots. The referee ordered Sweeney to the back. As Sweeney stomped around the ring, Nigel back dropped Pearce over the top rope. Sweeney argued with the referee, allowing Bobby Dempsey to slip in for some good old interference. Nigel saw him, allowing Pearce to jump in to forearm Nigel into the ropes. Nigel propelled off the ropes, hitting the Jawbreaker Lariat to win the NWA title. Or did he? Larry Sweeney exclaimed that Nigel threw Pearce over the top rope, which means Nigel would be disqualified under NWA rules. The referee confirmed this, proclaiming Adam Pearce the winner by disqualification.

Sweet & Sour Inc. were having a great moment when Brent Albright came in, suplexing everyone. Del Rey took an Air Raid Crash before Albright started beating on Pearce. Chris Hero ran out, jumping Albright from behind to attempt to Piledrive Brent on the NWA title belt. Jay Briscoe and Claudio Castagnoli ran in, making the save. Jay was all-alone in the ring when Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs came out of the crowd. Necro Butcher followed after Steenerico ran in to get a piece of the AOTF. Then Mark Briscoe, wrist cast and all, ran down the ramp, going ninja on everyone. Jay dove on top of Steenerico and Jacobs. Black followed with a twisting plancha off the top on the men rising. Necro decided to fly, hitting a somersault plancha off the top on Steenerico. Generico recovered, downing Jacobs and Black with a somersault plancha while Mark did the same on Necro and Matthews. Steenerico and The Briscoes were left standing tall in the middle of the ring, causing the fans to get rowdy. A shoving match started, but Mark exited due to his wrist still hurting. Jay had to pull his brother to the back as he wanted to fight, even with his wrist in great pain. Kevin Steen grabbed a microphone, noticing that the NWA title belt was still in the ring. Steen looked it at, stating that’s not the belt he wanted. Steen wanted ROH gold, and his deadline to win an ROH title by the end of the year wasn’t good enough anymore. Steen felt he needed to be an ROH champion by the time Ring of Honor returns to Dayton on November 21^st.

Austin Aries cut a promo outside before jumping Joey Matthews in his car.

Is It Worth Your Money: A per the first night shows in ROH’s weekend, this show was as solid as you can get without going into great, or excellent category. One thing that has changed over the past year has been the first night shows offering something big, or a great match to make the show memorable. Some have worked, some haven’t. This show is an example of “some haven’t”. The main event, while much more entertaining that the live reports made it out to be, wasn’t something you’ll need to see again after one viewing. The historical importance of the NWA and ROH titles on the line in one match is a great selling point. But with the high possibility (could go as far as guaranteed) screwy ending, the drama of the match is taken away. Even the wild brawl (and Kevin Steen’s excellent mic work) at the end of the show couldn’t help but make you feel disappointed. This certainly wasn’t Backlund/Race in ’82. The rest of the show wasn’t as disappointing, but nothing overly re-watchable either. Black/Delirious was fun, but short. Steenerico/AOTF was solid, but unspectacular before the last three minutes. The Triple Threat was enjoyable, but felt like filler (which is sad with the three men involved). Danielson and Stevens had a very good match. It wasn’t a classic that you need to go out and see, but it was a nice showcase for Stevens, who looked as good as ever with Danielson. My biggest complaint with the show is Chris Hero. I know, I’m going to get some hate mail for this, but Hero hasn’t been the same since becoming serious (super SERIAL!). All Hero did during his match with Strong was roaring elbows and forearms. I know he’s the KOK now, but doing fifteen hard forearms to Strong’s ears isn’t good, especially when the KO elbow looked weaker than most of the ones he threw throughout the match. Bring back the cravat, that’s a serious move. Overall, this show flowed smoothly, and was easy to watch (which is always great), but didn’t have the moments or matches to warrant a purchase. So unless you’re a completist, or you’re a huge Sweet & Sour Inc. fan, then skip this show. Battle For Supremacy Is Not Worth Your Money.