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| Image courtesy ROHWrestling.com |
DARK SEGMENTS
The taping began with Jim Cornette coming to the ring and thanking everyone for reminding him of something that he had forgotten – that Chicago kicks some ass. Cornette said that he wanted to tell them why he picked Chicago for their first TV Taping. He said that Chicago has been a Ring of Honor town for years and has supported the company through thick and thin. He said that he wanted to show everyone what Chicago has known all along – that ROH is the best live wrestling experience in the world.Cornette said that he wanted to clarify something he said the last time he was here. He said that everyone will be able to watch the TV show online for free on the revamped ROH Wrestling website. The place popped huge for that. That was the first planned surprise.
Cornette asked everyone not to become a mob. He said that they have to help him out – he wanted the entire world to see that not only ROH is about the wrestlers and the matches, but it’s about the people. He said that they’ve mic’d the entire building and cameras will be shooting them and interviewing fans. He said that they love the signs and cheers and boos and asked them to do it like they always did it for ROH. He then pointed out that they are going to be on broadcast TV and asked the fans to keep the chants TV friendly. He got booed for that. He thanked everyone and wished them a good time. Everyone chanted for Cornette.
Kevin Kelly was introduced.
Tony Kozina vs. Grizzy Redwood
This is a dark match so the production crew has test everything. They locked up and Kozina forced Redwood into the corner. He worked over Redwood who leapfrogged him and nailed an enziguiri. Redwood unloaded with chops in the corner. Kozina cut him off and draped Redwood over the ropes, nailing him across the back with a running dropkick.
Kozina continued the beating until being caught with a bulldog for a two count. Redwood nailed him with a clothesline for another two count. Kozina cut him off and worked Redwood over in the ropes until missing a charge, sailing through the ropes to the floor.
Redwood unloaded with punches and backdrops before raining down with punches in the corner. Kozina avoided a charge in the corner but was caught with a rana into the buckles. Redwood nailed a dropkick in the corner for a two count.
Redwood pulled down his straps and went to the top but was caught with a slap to the face as he played to the audience. Kozina nailed a top rope rana but Redwood rolled through and scored the pin.
Your winner, Grizzly Redwood!
EPISODE ONE
Kevin Kelly entered the ring and they counted down for the first TV opening.Kelly welcomed everyone to the first episode and announced the ROH Tag Team titles would be on the line in the main event, but before that, he wanted to introduce everyone to his broadcast partner. Kelly’s mic died, so the crowd began chanting, “This is awkward.” That’s pretty funny. There was a chant for CM Punk and then a much louder chant for Colt Cabana. They resolved the house mic issues. Kelly said that he hoped everyone enjoyed that as much as he did, because they are going to do it again. So, they shot it again and the crowd was even louder this time.
Kelly welcomed everyone to the first episode and announced the ROH Tag Team titles would be on the line in the main event, but before that, he wanted to introduce everyone to his broadcast partner. Out came former ROH champion Nigel McGuinness. The place went ballistic for Nigel’s return. When he hit the ring, a ton of streamers were tossed. The crowd chanted, “Welcome back.” Kelly said it was great to see Nigel back in ROH. McGuinness said that being back was “bloody awesome.” He said there would be no Nigel without Ring of Honor and when he heard ROH was going on broadcast TV, he knew he had to be a part of it. He said he’s not here to be the focus of the show because that should be the wrestlers who kill themselves for the fans every night in Ring of Honor.
Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly vs. The Bravado Brothers
Cole and O’Reilly opened up hot with some nice double team action. The Bravados tried to work them over but was tricked into tying each other up into moves. O’Reilly drilled one of the Bravados with forearms in the corner, then Cole lit him up with hard chops. The Bravado cut him off and ran Cole into the Bravados’ corner.
The Bravados worked him over. The fans began chanting “Justin Bieber.” Cole fired out of a cravate but was nailed and covered for a two count. The Bravados cut off the ring and went back and forth with tags, working over Cole and gaining several near falls. Cole mounted a comeback but O’Reilly was knocked off the apron.
Cole was nearly pinned with a back suplex but O’Reilly broke up the pinfall. Cole finally fired back with forearms and punches, breaking free and dove to make the hot tag. O’Reilly drilled them with kicks and legsweeps. He nailed an enziguiri, then drilled both with a double Dragon Screw Legwhip. He nailed one of the Bravados with a kick for a two count. Cole tagged back in. One of the Bravados kicked off his charge. They nailed a double back suplex on O’Reilly. Cole came back with several superplexes.
O’Reilly nailed several butterfly suplexes and Cole hit a wheelbarrow suplex. The Bravados went to the floor. Cole nailed a great suicide dive on them. O’Reilly followed up with a diving knee off the apron to the floor. The crowd chanted “ROH.”
Back in the ring, the teams traded near falls. Cole and O’Reilly finally scored the win.
Your winners, Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly!
Cole and O’Reilly are now being billed under the team name “Futureshock.” Lots of hot action here.
They are having some technical issues. Nigel McGuinness interviewed a fan asking who would win the main event tonight. They said World’s Greatest Tag Team, so they re-shot the interview again using the “Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team” name.
ROH Tag Team champions Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin vs. The Kings of Wrestling
Haas and Benjamin have new music. Haas and Claudio started and there was some jockeying for position. They went back and forth. Claudio shoulderblocked him down. He went for a hiptoss but Haas reversed it, nailed a hiptoss and locked in an armbar.
Claudio worked over Haas, who made the tag to Benjamin. Benjamin hit a flying clothesline from the top and worked over Claudio on the mat. He was muscled backwards into the KOW corner. Hero tagged in but was caught with a hiptoss and cinched in an armbar. Hero used a leg trip to escape and scored a near fall. Hero and Benjamin faced off. Benjamin popped him and Hero backed off.
Hero chopped away at Benjamin. Benjamin fired back with chops of his own. He locked in a cravate but Hero broke free and drilled him with several big shots. Hero tossed Benjamin to the floor. Hero nailed a dropkick through the ropes to the floor. Hero went to grab Benjamin but was pulled to the floor. Hero battled him on the floor and sent Shelton into the barricade.
Hero tossed Benjamin into the ring and covered him for a two count. Benjamin fired back and nearly made the tag to Haas but Claudio drilled him with an European uppercut. Claudio cinched in a side chinlock. Claudio caught him with a powerslam for a two count. Claudio whipped him into the buckles but was kicked off as he charged. The crowd rallied for a hot tag. Hero tried to cut Benjamin off but he ducked down and Hero went sailing over the top. Claudio grabbed Benjamin but was kicked off.
Benjamin mad the tag but the referee was distracted by Hero. As Haas protested, The Kings worked over Benjamin, scoring several two count. The Kings tagged in and out, beating down Benjamin and scoring several two counts. Benjamin nailed an uppercut but Hero nailed him with a forearm. The Kings went for a double suplex but Benjamin nailed a double DDT. He made the hot tag to Haas. Haas cleaned house with clotheslines and a flying headscissors on Claudio.
Haas nailed several German suplexes on Hero for a two count. Haas came off the top with a rana on Claudio. Claudio nailed a flapjack on him and battled with Benjamin. Hero drilled Haas a with a roaring elbow for a near fall. Claudio nailed the big swing on Haas, setting up a Hero dropkick into Haas. Benjamin broke up the near fall at two. There was a small “Haas” chant.
The Kings went for their finisher but Benjamin tackled Claudio to prevent it. Hero drilled Benjamin with a superkick. Haas nailed Claudio with the Stun Gun to set up a double team on the ropes. Haas held up Benjamin for a leaping clothesline on Hero for the win. Your winners and still ROH Tag Team champions, Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin!
Solid match but It couldn’t touch their Atlanta iPPV match for atmosphere or drama.
There have been some delays with the taping, partially because they are editing and doing everything live to tape, including commentary. There seems to have been some sounds issues as well.
EPISODE 2
The second episode opened with Jim Cornette in the ring, bringing out ROH Tag Team champions Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. Cornette said that they have proved their excellence with their win last week over the Kings of Wrestling but one team that wants to face them are the Briscoes. The crowd popped for the Briscoes. Shelton Benjamin said that they beat all the top teams in ROH in NYC, including the Briscoes but those mad dogs attacked them and laid them out in NYC. Benjamin said that it makes him mad that they haven’t been given a chance to get to the Briscoes. Cornette said they were fined $5,000. Benjamin said, “So what?” Haas said that his own father had never beaten him as bad as the Briscoes did in NYC. Cornette said they won’t wrestle the champs unless the titles are on the line. The champs said that they would put them on the line. Cornette said he and ROH aren’t going to reward the Briscoes for what they did. The champs said they are going to get their hands on the Briscoes, or else.Jimmy Jacobs (with Steve Corino) vs. Mike Bennett (with Bob Evans)
Fans threw toilet paper in the ring at Evans. They were all over Bennett with a “You can’t wrestle” chant. He controlled Jacobs early but Jacobs cut him off and stomped the hell out of him in the corner. Bennett came back to drill him with a big forearm and smashed Jacobs into the buckles.
Jacobs came back with a spinning head scissors, sending Bennett to the floor. Jacobs went for a pescado but Bennett got out of the way. He went for a dive of his own but stopped and stepped out of the ring, then went to the floor. He worked over Jacobs and tossed him back into the ring. Bennett nailed an over the knee backbreaker for a two count. Bennett beat Jacobs down with a series of rights. Jacobs began psyching himself up.
Bennett caught Jacobs with a knee but Jacobs came back with a flurry of offense, including a hangman’s neckbreaker for a two count. Jacobs nailed a tornado DDT for a two count. Bennett cut off Jacobs, who quickly came back with a bodypress off the ropes for another near fall. Jacobs went to the top rope and went for a flying elbow but Bennett pulled his knees up. Bennett nailed a leaping sideslam for the pin.Your winner, Mike Bennett!
Decent back and forth match. Bennett shook Jacobs’ hand after, mocking Steve Corino in the process. Corino wanted to fight but Bob Evans backed Bennett off and pulled him out of the ring.
Nigel McGuiness interviewed a ringside fan for his prediction on the winner of El Generico vs. Jay Lethal for the ROH TV championship. Nigel then introduced a video package.
ROH TV champion El Generico vs. Jay Lethal
Lots of streamers for both men. They shook hands before the bell. They locked up and did some nice back and forth wrestling to open up. Lethal went for a hiptopss but Generico leapt up and nailed a rana into the corner. Lethal shook his head in surprise. They locked up again and this time Lethal used the ropes and drilll Generico with headscissors. There was a “Let’s go Lethal” chant.
They circled each other. Lethal grabbed a waistlock, took down Generico and drilled him with a leaping dropkick. He drilled Generico with a big uppercut in the corner. Generico was whipped into the ropes and nailed with the Lethal Combination. Fans began singing to rally Generico. Lethal covered him for a two count.
Lethal worked over Generico on the mat, then drilled him with a forearm. Lethal locked on a front facelock. Generico fought his way back to his feet. Generico and Lethal went back and forth with shots. Lethal nailed a nice standing dropkick for a two count. Generico and Lethal went back and forth. Generico leapfrogged Lethal. They exchanged hiptosses. Lethal ended up on the outside, where Generico nailed a big dive over the ropes to the floor. They battled on the floor. There was a spot but I couldn’t see it due to fans standing. It must have been cool since the chanted, “This is wrestling.”
Back in the ring, Lethal evaded Generico several times and nailed several big punches. Lethal went to come off the ropes and began selling his knee. While Lethal was dealing with the knee issue, Generico nailed a kick to the head for a two count. Lethal went to the apron. where he nailed Generico with a shoulderblock and a sunset flip into the ring for a two count.
Generico went to grab Lethal, who fired back with a series of shots to the mid-section. Lethal nailed a springboard elbow for a two count. They fired back and forth. Generico backdropped Lethal onto the apron but was punched. Lethal came off the top with a missile dropkick for a two count. They continued to go back and forth. The ring announcer called that there were two minutes left in the time limit.
Generico caught Lethal with a springboard tornado DDT for a two count. They continued to go back and forth with near falls. The bell rang and the time limit expired as Generico went for a suplex.
Time limit draw.
The fans booed and chanted for five more minutes. Jim Cornette came rushing out and told everyone that they had three minutes left in the show and if they want it, they got it. They agreed and began throwing punches back and forth as the crowd went nuts.
Generico caught Lethal in the corner with a big boot for a two count. The crowd chanted “ROH.” Generico tried to set up for a superplex but Lethal escaped and reversed it. Lethal came off the top but was nailed by Generico. Lethal avoided the superplex and nailed the flying elbow for a two count.
Lethal charged Generico but was caught with a suplex into the corner. Generico set up for the Coast to Coast but Lethal caught him. Lethal nailed the Lethal Combination and scored the pin. Your winner and new ROH TV champion. Jay Lethal!
DARK MATCH:
Ernie Osyris (with Prince Nana & RA Bannister) vs. Mike SydalOsyris nailed Sydal at the bell and worked him over with punches and forearms in the corner. Sydal tossed him into the corner and worked him over with a series of chops. He leapt up and over Osyris when he was whipped into the buckles and nailed several hiptpsses. Osyris pulled Sydal back to the corner by his hair.
Sydal reversed a whip and nailed a clothesline in the corner. He worked over Osyris in the corner with punches but was rammed into the buckles for a near fall. Osyris choked Sydal with his foot for a two count. Osyris nailed a springboard moonsault but Sydal moved. He nailed several dropkicks and kicks to the head but Osyris kicked out at two.
Osyris came back with a leaping knee across the back of Sydal’s neck. Nana began arguing with the referee. Barrister went to nail Sydal with a boot but instead nailed Osyris. Sydal dropkicked Barrister and then hit a splash for the pin. Your winner, Mike Sydal!
EPISODE THREE
Jim Cornette introduced The Briscoes. Cornette said this was the first time they’ve seen each other since the State Athletic Commission in New York City fined them $5000. The Briscoes said that money could have bought a lot of beer and bullets, but money is money and you can’t take it with you. They said the important thing is that they want the belts that they made famous back and they want to know when Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin would stop being cowards. Cornette said that they will not get the title shot because you can’t reward what they did last time. So, Cornette will compromise. The Briscoes will fight the All Night Express and the winners will become the top contenders. Jay Briscoe cut an awesome promo on how they beat the Express in different matches and said they are the Briscoes’ bitch. Cornette told them to watch their language because they are on broadcast TV. The Briscoes warned everyone to man up because they are coming for their belts.Andy Ridge vs. Tomasso Ciampa (with Prince Nana)
Ciampa controlled Ridge early with a lot of suplexes. Ridge refused to cowtow to him and they battled outside on the apron, exchanging stiff kicks and chops. Ciampa sent Ridge down hard to the floor. Back in the ring, Ciampa worked over Ridge. Ridge came back with a cutter, leaping over the ropes to nail it.
Ciampa came back with a series of stomps and a running boot to the face. Ciampa set up Ridge and nailed the running powerbomb over his knees. The crowd popped for that. Your winner, Tomasso Ciampa Ciampa!
ROH champion Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong
They faced off nose to nose before the bell. Big reaction to Richards from the fans. They locked up and ended up in the ropes. Richards broke clean. They locked up again. Strong began working over Richards’ arm. They ended up in the ropes and Strong slapped Richards when they broke. They went back and forth. Strong ducked a kick.
Richards and Strong went back and forth on the mat with some good wrestling early. Richards caught Strong hard with a dropkick and went for an anklelock but was kicked out of the ring. They had a strong back and forth sequence. Richards went for a dive but Strong cut him off. They brawled on the outside.
Strong was whipped into the railing. Richards stalked him on the outside before they returned to the ring. Strong snapped Richards over the ropes and stomped him hard in the corner. Richards fought Strong off and went to the top but Strong leapt up and kneed him in the face. Richards fell backwards into the ring, where he was covered for a two count.
Strong began nailing Richards with chops and forearms. They ended up slugging it out with forearms and chops. Strong nailed a dropkick to the face. Strong peppered Richards with a number of strikes but it only pissed off Richards, who nailed a nasty German suplex on Strong.
Richards worked over Strong, including a running boot to the face while on the apron. Richards drilled Strong with an insane dive to the floor. I thought he was going to sail into the crowd. Richards nailed a beautiful missile dropkick for a two count.
Richards continued to pummel Strong with some awesome striking and wrestling. Strong came back with a running clothesline. Richards caught him with a rolling back pinfall attempt and then a leaping kick. They battled back and forth with sick offense on the apron. Strong nailed a back suplex on the apron. The crowd is loving this one.
They battled back and forth with strikes until Richards clobbered Strong with a clothesline. They went back and forth with disgustingly brutal strikes and kicks. Richards and Strong exchanged kicks and chops in the corner. The crowd was totally in love with it. Strong came back with a gut buster for two count. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.”
Strong went for a suplex but Richards kneed him in the air. Richards hit a charging knee in the corner. He pulled up Strong for a superplex and nailed it, then rolled through for a suplex. Strong kicked up. Richards locked on the anklelock. Strong fought to escape. Truth Martini distracted the referee. Richards drilled him with a stiff kick and whipped him hard into the buckle. Martini took the Flair flop.
They went back and forth with lots of awesome wrestling until finally Strong was forced to tap with the ankle lock. Your winner and still ROH champion, Davey Richards!
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME. Easily the best thing on the show. Just incredible athleticism and work from both men.
Bobby Cruise introduced COO Joe Koff. Koff said that he knew he made a good first decision to have the first TV Taping here and he thanked the fans for their energy and patience tonight. He said the fans were part of ROH’s history and was thankful for their help tonight.
EPISODE FOUR
Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness opened the show, previewing the matches on this show before sending it to a video feature on The Briscoes.The Briscoes vs. The All Night Express
Jay Briscoe and Kenny King opened the bout. Mark quickly tagged in and they worked over King. Titus tried to get involved but was held back by the referee. The Briscoes were soon mauling King on the floor outside. Titus dove over the ropes onto the Briscoes to save his partner.
The Express worked over Mark. Jay kneed Titus in the back as he rebounded off the ropes, setting up several double team maneuvers. They knocked King off the apron and he took a sick sounding bump into the guard rail.
The Briscoes worked over Titus in the corner with shouldblocks and chops. Titus fired back but was nailed. Mark held him for Jay to work over. Mark drilled him with a bulldog. Titus was nailed and placed on the ropes. Briscoe followed to set up a rana but Titus slipped underneath and slammed him facefirst into the buckles.
Kenny King tagged in and cleaned house, including nailing a great suplex on Mark. King backdropped Titus over the ropes atop of the Briscoes on the floor. They went back and forth with some really good athletic spots. Mark hit the sickest frog splash ever.
Titus and Mark battled on the apron as the referee tried to break it up. King and Jay were going back and forth. King did a flip and went to charge Jay when he was kicked low. The referee missed it and Jay used it to package him for the win. Your winners and top contenders to the ROH Tag Team titles, The Briscoes!
The Express attacked them and all four brawled. The locker room emptied to separate the two.
Jim Cornette cut a promo announcing that while the referee’s decision, no matter how bad it is, is final, there are no number one contenders for the ROH Tag Team titles.
Eddie Edwards vs. Michael Elgin
They locked up and when Elgin was forced against the ropes, he shoved Edwards. Edwards shoved back. They went back and forth with slaps and strikes. Edwards drilled Elgin with a kick to the face.
Elgin punched Edwards and beat him down with stomps in the corner. Edwards went for a hiptoss but was caught in mid move and lifted up for a powerslam. Edwards slipped out and landed on his feet, shoving Elgin into the buckles.
Edwards unloaded with chops in the corner. Elgin missed a charge. Elgin caught Edwards coming off the ropes and ran him back-first into the corner. Elgin inched in a rear chinlock. Edwards escaped and went for a kick to the head. The match began to be built around Elgin’s power vs. Edwards’ speed and finesse. Elgin took control and dropped a number of elbows. He locked in a surfboard. Edwards came back with several superkicks and a big suplex. Edwards hit a crazy dive to the floor on Elgin, sending them both into the railing. They are almost counted out.
Edwards comes off the top for a double stomp but Elgin avoids it. Edwards cuts him off and drills him with forearms. Elgin mauls Edwards and pulls him out on the apron. He tries to suplex him onto the ringpost but Edwards slips out, lands on his feet, superkicks him and then nails a double stomp.
Edwards nails a double stomp off the top into the ring for a two count. Elgin goes for a powerslam but Edwards rolls through for a near fall. Edwards finally scores the pin.
Your winner, Eddie Edwards!
Another good match.
The House of Truth attempted to attack Edwards after but Nigel McGuinnness hit the ring to a big pop to hold them off. He offered to throw down with them and support Eddie but nothing physical happened. He raised Edwards’ arm to close the show.
POST SHOW NOTES
ROH sent out a number of stars to sign autographs after the show as a thank you to the fans for their support.
The next TV taping will be 10/1 at the Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky. I believe there is a November taping there as well. ROH will return to Chicago Ridge, IL on 11/19.
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