November 14, 2007
ROH on Fight Network episode 2
Segment #1
ROH World Title:
Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles
Both men look to be in bad shape going in. AJ Styles earned the shot at the PPV but had to win two matches to do it including a competitive match vs. Homicide and a “Survival of the Fittest” finals that lasted over an hour. Joe on the other hand is coming off a brutal title defense against Nigel McGuinness.
These two have a grueling 20 minutes plus bout ending when AJ tries to dive at Joe, who is on the ring apron. The big Samoan tries to catch Styles but the momentum is too great causing both men to awkwardly fall thought the timekeeper’s table. Both men appear to be knocked out and the referee has to stop the match. The medics come out as the show goes to break.
When the show returns, both men a being put on stretchers so they can be taken to the hospital. The announcers point out that both Joe and AJ appear to be moving, but still are being taken to be examined. Sweet’n Sour Inc. are supposed to be facing Claudio Castagnoli and Jack Evans in our next bout, but that’ll have to wait until the ringside area gets cleaned up, so were going to get comments from the “King of Old School” Steve Corino.
No Winner
Star Rating: ***1/2
Segment Rating: 77%
Other Notes: RoH World Title has gained in image.
Segment #2
Steve Corino is backstage. He talks about the issues between him and CM Punk, “Now I’ll admit that it wasn’t exactly sportsmanlike for me to interfere in the three-way dance last week after I was eliminated, but that no excuse for what Punk did Sunday during the ‘Survival of the Fittest’ tournament.” Still pictures of the match play as Corino continues to speak.
“There was no reason for Punk to crack me upsides the head with a chair and split my head open so wide that you could see the bone. There was no reason for Punk to try and end my career. But hey, that’s just fine, because Punk got his receipt when Morishima took him out at the end of the match. But you didn’t learn your lesson, did you Punker? You just had to come back and split me open again, take me out of the final match before it even began. But my man Morishima was there to but you and that goof, Colt Cabana, in your place.”
The shot returns to Corino backstage “What you the fan all need to understand is that Steve Corino is a legend in Japan and the smartest man in the sport. And when I agreed to sign on to come back to ROH, I knew I needed an insurance policy. That’s why I went to Pro Wrestling NOAH, and while I’ve never worked for that particular company, I know the right people in the right places to get the best policy possible. And that man is “Japanese Monster” Morishima. I put up the right amount money to buy out his contract with NOAH and now I am Morishima’s business manager. So wherever you see ‘The King of Old School’ you’re going to see Morishima, and anyone who gets in my way will get to see him up close and personal.”
Corino walks off camera, and lead announcer, Dave Prazak, lets us know that Sweet ‘n’ Sour Inc vs. Double C and Jack Evan will happen right after the break.
Segment Rating: 83%
Other Notes: None
Segment #3
Chris Hero and Matt Sydal vs. Claudio Castagnoli and Jack Evans
Larry Sweeney leaves the announce position to join his men at ringside. Dave Prazak quickly recaps the controversy that has taken place between these two teams in the past week. Unlike last week’s two shenanigans filled singles matches, they have a straight up bout. That is, until Double C is set to hit a Ricola Bomb on Hero. The Super Agent wastes no time trying to get in the ring. Claudio releases the hold to take care of the little pest, allowing Hero to roll him up, grab a hand full of tights and walk away with the victory for his team
Winners: Chris Hero and Matt Sydal
Star Rating: ***
Segment Rating: 57%
Other Notes: This match suffered because the crowd were still pumped up from the last one, and so this bout was seen as something of a let-down to them.
Segment #4
ROH World Tag Titles:
The Briscoe Brothers © vs. The New Hart Foundation
The Harts get a chance to debut in a big way, getting a shot at the World Tag Titles. The Announce team speculates about how the new comers managed to get this big of a match out of the gate. “These two are third generation wrestlers, bred from the greatest wrestling family of all time,” Sweeney points out, “Genetically, these two are destined to be World Tag Team Champs. You can’t argue with biology like that.”
The Harts follow the Code of Honor. Both teams push themselves to the limit. The Harts want to prove they belong in ROH, the Briscoes to that they’re still the top dogs in the tag team ranks. In the end, Mark and Harry are going at it on the outside while on the other side the victorious team form the last match, Hero and Sydal enter the ringside area and hit Jay with a Con-Chair-To. The ref didn’t see it, but he sees Hart make the cover! 1... 2... 3!!! There are new tag team champions, and the younger Briscoe isn’t happy about it.
Prazak asks his announce partner why his men ran in, but Sweeney is already long gone and on his way to the ring. Meanwhile, Jay regains his bearings enough to roll out of the ring. He motions for Mark to help him, but Mark just turns and walks away as the show fades to commercial.
Winners: The New Hart Foundation
Star Rating: ***
Segment Rating: 61%
Other Notes: Harry Smith debuted his new gimmick. Teddy Hart debuted his new gimmick, it got a positive response. (Both ‘Family Guy’)
Segment #5
Back from break. Sweet ‘n’ Sour Inc is still in the ring celebrating, except for Chris Hero who is just standing in a corner not looking too thrilled about what just happened. “I am a man who understands how to make the biggest impact possible,” Sweeney claims, “And that’s why, even though that the addition of The New Hart Foundation to Sweet ‘n’ Sour Inc would be a major event, having them win the World Tag Team titles in their debut match would change the face of Ring of Honor. That’s why I put up a large sum of my own money to make this match happen, and Harry and Teddy, you made sure it was money well spent. Welcome to Sweet ’n’ Sour Inc!” Sweeney extends a hand to each mans and raises them in victory.
Prazak say, “This is disgusting, I know we just got back form commercial, but let’s take another break. We’ll be back with Paul Heyman’s announcement.”
Segment Rating: 65%
Other Notes: Harry Smith gained overness from this segment. Teddy Hart gained overness from this segment. Larry Sweeney gained overness from this segment.
Segment #6
We return from break to see ROH GM, Paul Heyman’s, in the center of the ring between two cloth-covered pedestals. “I was hired for this job to guide this company on its way to becoming the number one promotion in the world. That why I want to shake up ROH and I’m going to start by making the singles division more competitive,” He walks over to the pedestal to his left and removes the cloth to reveal a new title belt. “As great as the ROH World title is, it’s not nearly enough to cover the entire roster, especial one as talented as ROH’s. That’s why that next week a huge 32 man tournament for the new ROH World Television Championship will begin! Nearly the entire roster will compete in this, the largest tournament in ROH history. However there is one man who won’t be in it, and that’s the ‘American Dragon’ Bryan Danielson. Now I’m sure he’s going to want an explanation as to why not, so if he’ll come out here, I’ll tell him to his face.”
Dragon obliges and enters the ring. Heyman produces a piece of paper and begins to read, “‘Paul Heyman is everything ROH isn’t. His first duty as the new general manager will be to handle my resignation.’ This is from an article on ROHWrestling.com,” Heyman informs the fans, “Now, Mr. Danielson, why did I have to hear this though the website, and why haven’t I received this letter of resignation,” American Dragon apologizes for the comment, he was just in shock about the announcement. Heyman cuts him off, “You don’t need to apologize I was expecting a negative response from the locker room due to my reputation. But let me point out that while I’m known as the ‘Evil Genius of Hardcore,’ he was also responsible for guys like Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio coming to the United States. Those are athletes that were innovators in the technical and high-flying styles that this federation was built on.”
Heyman then walks over to the other pedestal. “Dragon, the reason you won’t be in the TV Title tournament is because you don’t need to be in it,” He removes the covering to reveal a more familiar looking belt to long time ROH fans, The Pure Title belt. “There have been many different World titles in wrestling and there have been many different Television Titles in wrestling, but there has only been one Pure title, and the last man to have it was you, Bryan Danielson,” Heyman picks up the belt and offers it to Danielson but he turns it down.
AmDrag tells the boss “ROH is a place where titles are earned, not handed out, so I can’t accept this belt.” He goes to leave, but the always quick on his feet Heyman stops him.
“I like that mentality, so here what I’m going to do: Next week the last Pure Champion will take on the man who is arguably the greatest Pure Champion in that title’s short history. It will be “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in the first match of a best of seven series. The man who wins the series wins the belt.” Not one to turn down a match, especially against someone as talented as McGuinness, Dragon agrees. Paul E offers a handshake, but Dragon doesn’t accept.
The still-flying-solo Dave Prazak shills the Four Corner Survival match after the break.
Segment Rating: 77%
Other Notes: None
Segment #7
Homicide vs. Adam Pearce vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Mike Quackenbush
Dave Prazak welcome his partner back to the announce booth for some Four Corner Survival action. He then points out that none of these athletes have a very impressive win/loss record since ROH went prime time and winning this match would be a good way for them to get back on track. Sweeney then gloats that his men are all on such a roll that these guys might as well just go home.
In the end, the “Fallen Angel” hits his Angel Wings on Mike Quackenbush for the win.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Star Rating: ***
Segment Rating: 61%
Other Notes: None
Segment #8
“Do you know what it’s like to have everything you stand for disintegrated all around you? Do you know what it’s like to have people laugh at your good intentions? I do. For years I battled to help restore the innocence that this sport once had. Make it safe for children to watch again. I did all that I could to turn my little dream into a reality. I sacrificed my body as well as my pride. Well, no more. I learned that innocence is dead, and even the children that I tried to be a hero for think that I’m a joke. I’m not a joke and I am here to prove it. I am ‘The Shooter’ Nick Dinsmore and I’m coming to ROH to reclaim my pride, reclaim my career, reclaim myself. Be ready, because there’s nothing funny about what I’m planning...” Go to commercial.
Segment Rating: 68%
Other Notes: None
Segment #9
Three Way Tag Team Match:
Motor City Machine Guns vs. Paul London and Brian Kendrick vs. El Generico and Kevin Steen
One fall to the finish match. Prazak asks Sweeney if, now that he manages the tag champions, if he was considering giving one of these teams a shot. Sweeney dodges the question, “Every team on the ROH Roster is good enough to take on my Hart Foundation, but being ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough for me. Only the teams that I think will draw enough money for my team will even be considered.”
The Machine Guns continue their roll by pinning El Generico.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Star Rating: ***1/4
Segment Rating: 68%
Other Notes: Kevin Steen debuted his new gimmick (No Gimmick Needed), it got a positive response.
Segment #10
Following the match, the show cuts to the Second City Saints’ locker room. A concerned Cabana asked Punk if he was sure if he wanted to wrestle tonight and Punk assured him that it was going to be fine. The camera man reminded them they were on T.V. and Punk starts his promo, “You know, I should have known this would happen. Steve Corino, I thought you and I were friends, but I should have known you were nothing but a fat, drunk, back stabbing piece of filth. And I guess I should add coward at the top of that list, because you actually went out spent millions of dollars to buy out Morishima’s contract for NOAH just so you have fat Japanese girl to hide behind. It’s pathetic!” He pauses a moment to calm down, “You know what? From now on, the only guy I trust is Cabana, and we’re going to run you out of ROH one more time. Let’s go Colt.” Punk walks off camera.
“But I didn’t get to say anything...” Colt protests, “Hey Punk! Punk! Punker!” He shrugs and follows Punk to the ring. Tonight’s second main event is next!
Segment Rating: 88%
Other Notes: Colt Cabana gained overness from this segment.
Segment #11
Steve Corino and Morishima vs. The Second City Saints
The Saints are already in the ring when return from break. As the new odd couple of Steve Corino and Morishima walk to the ring, Dave Prazak gives us an update on Super Dragon. “Dragon has been given the next week or two off to recover from a minor neck injury received from a couple Backdrop Drivers onto the ramp at both last week’s edition of ‘ROH on Fight Network’ and at ‘Survival of the Fittest’ on Sunday. He’s slated to return for the Television Title tournament.” The announcers discuss the rampage that Morishima has been on lately and the revelation that Steve Corino practically owns the Japanese Monster.
Cabana and Corino start off with Colt using his usual zany antics to throw his opponent off guard. Corino quicky gets frustrated, and starts to brawl with Cabana. Cabana makes the tag to Punk. Corino tries to back off, but trips and Punk begins to go after his wounded forehead. All hell breaks loose from there! Somewhere in the chaos Punk hits his version of the Go to Sleep on Corino and gets the pin, but the victory is purely statistical, as Morishima takes care of Cabana and goes after Punk. Morishima hit a Backdrop Driver on Punk onto a chair under the direction of new business manager. Despite losing the fall, this new duo stands victorious as the show comes to an end
Winners: The Second City Saints
Star Rating: **3/4
Segment Rating: 65%
Other Notes: None
OVERALL SHOW RATING: 69%
Post-Show News:
We got a 0.56 rating for 'ROH on Fight Network'!
The attendance level was 478 people.
We made $9560 from ticket sales.
Ring of Honor Wrestling have released Ace Steel, Jigsaw, Hallowicked, Necro Butcher, Rocky Romero, and Tyler Black. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.