ROH on HDNet

Episode 34
09.11.09

ROH kicked off with the commentators announcing what was announced on their website last week. It was that ROH has struck a deal with In Demand, this allows ROH to air their bigger shows on PPV. The next PPV will be the 19th December for Final Battle.

Brent Albright versus Sami Callihan
Not the most action packed match to ever start of ROH on HDNet but a pretty good match. Living up to his gimmick hailing from the “Last House on the Left” Callihan came out acting more crazy as usual and got a lot of offence against Albright. Callihan kept Albright down for most of the middle segment of the match until Albright got the crowd on his side. After hitting numerous suplexes Albright then locked in the Crowbar on Sami making him submit.
Winner Brent Albright

We then cut to backstage where interviewer Kyle Durden is with “Last of the Dying Breed” Eddie Kingston. Kingston talks in his raspy voice about having to move on after Chris Hero and having to focus on the bigger picture.

Kevin Steen and El Generico versus The House of Truth
Just like Cheech and Cloudy and the Super Smash Bros, the House of Truth are just one of the lower card tag teams in ROH not under contract. The House of Truth didn’t impress as much as the last two teams although Josh Raymond looked better than his partner Christian Able. The former ROH World Tag Team Champions looked strong dominating the inexperienced team and it was only a matter of time before we saw the Package Piledriver into a Brainbuster on Raymond for the 3-count.
Winners Kevin Steen and El Generico

A video plays of last week’s invitation to join the Embassy made by Prince Nana directed towards KENTA. However it didn’t go to plan as KENTA ended up attacking the Embassy.

Kenny Omega versus Joey Ryan
Neither Ernie Osiris nor Prince Nana came out to support Ryan possibly showing Ryan being more independent. Both men put on a good showing and neither man looked bad in this match. Each men hit signature moves which looked to end the match such as the Hadouken and Stop Enziguri from Omega and That 70’s Kick from Ryan. The ending sequence came when Omega went for his Electric Chair Suplex but Ryan fell out of it then rolled up Omega (while holding his tights) for the three.
Winner Joey Ryan

A video played of Danielson’s matches throughout the past few weeks including his epic with Davey Richards. A graphic then popped up and Prazak called it Danielson’s last ROH on HDNet match. A six-man tag rematch pitting Bryan Danielson with Roderick Strong and KENTA against The American Wolves, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards and Chris Hero.

Tyler Black, Jerry Lynn and Colt Cabana versus Austin Aries, Kenny King, Rhett Titus.
As always ROH’s six-man tag matches never seem to disappoint, as usual the beginning started off slow with Lynn (getting some heat from a group in the front row) taking on King. King as always was great from hitting his kicks to his mannerisms in the ring. There were some comedy spots including Cabana, Titus and even Lynn who was messed around more than once the past months. Black didn’t mess around and any chance he had he impressed including when he went mad on the World Champ. After a ending scuffle of finishers and big moves, Aries bailed out of the ring allowing Black to hit the God’s Last Gift on King.
Winners Tyler Black, Jerry Lynn and Colt Cabana

Titus then pulled King to the outside as they crawled to their mentor “A-Double” Austin Aries on the ramp. Black stayed in the ring focused on Aries’ title while Aries looked back at all three men who are viable challengers to his title belt.

COPYRIGHT 2009 RING OF HONOR WRESTLING, INC

Episode 35
16.11.09

Nigel McGuinness versus Bobby Dempsey
ROH on HDNet kicks off with Dempsey already in the ring as Nigel McGuinness storms out in his British flag hoodie and trademark sunglasses. It didn’t take long for the former ROH World Champion to defeat Dempsey. Although Dempsey had the size advantage he was no match for Nigel who knocked him off his feet with a Lariat then locked in the London Dungeon only for Dempsey to tap.
Winner Nigel McGuinness

After the match Kyle Durden tries to have a word with McGuinness in the ring but fails as Nigel just snatches the microphone. Nigel talks about all the hype over Danielson’s last match on HDNet next week, then he says that like Danielson he needs to announce his last match but instead of announcing the match he is going to let the fans decide. Nigel has narrowed it down to two competitors he would like to face in two weeks time they are: Tyler Black and KENTA. Fans can choose who they want to face Nigel by going to the website.

Sonjay Dutt versus Necro Butcher
Much of the commentary early on in this match was just about McGuinness and Danielson leaving and the future of ROH. A complete styles clash as Dutt’s aerial style clashed with the Butcher’s brawling however it turned out to be a decent match. Back in the ring Dutt tried for a cross body but just ended up being punched in mid-air in the face. Necro lifted Sonjay up and hit a Tiger Driver for the win.
Winner Necro Butcher

A graphic hyped up Bryan Danielson who would have his final match next week while tonight he speaks to the fans for the last time. It was followed by the commentators reminding the fans of McGuinness’ last match vote on their website.

KENTA versus Ernie Osiris
Just like the opener this match was very one sided as KENTA just destroyed “Dirty” Ernie. The fans were very into KENTA chanting his name throughout and telling him to kick harder while the only person behind Ernie was Prince Nana trying to get the fans chanting “Ernest”. Ernie had some offence but was cut short by a Busaiku Knee to the face knocking out Ernie giving KENTA a knockout win.
Winner KENTA

Bryan Danielson made his way out to multiple chants from “Best in the World” to “Please Don’t Go”. Danielson had his Final Countdown tour t-shirt on with jeans. Danielson gave an emotional promo thanking the fans for supporting him and ROH for 7 years. He then talked about his memorable matches on HDNet from his battles with Tyler Black, to his World Title match against Austin Aries but he said he wanted to relive one match and that is the 6-man tag from a few weeks back. Danielson then left and a graphic showed the competitors in the match. Danielson teaming with Strong and KENTA to face Chris Hero and The American Wolves of Richards and Edwards

Erick Stevens versus Mark Briscoe versus Claudio Castagnoli versus D’Lo Brown
A good match but not main event worthy, this show lacked anything special. There was good back and forth action especially from Briscoe who was willing to take most of the big bumps including a huge tower of doom by all four men. The Cut-Throat Driver spelled the end for D’Lo but it was broken up by Claudio who hit the Ricola Bomb for the three count on the 5 times ROH World Tag Team Champion for the win.
Winner Claudio Castagnoli

COPYRIGHT 2009 RING OF HONOR WRESTLING, INC

Episode 37
30.11.09

ROH on HDNET opens up with Nigel McGuinness in his ring gear and a T-shirt. The crowd are giving Nigel are surprisingly pro-Nigel. Nigel talks about this being his last night and that he let the fans choose who his opponent is. Nigel sticks his hand inside a golden envelope but when he pulls out the answer, Nigel just has two fingers stuck up to the crowd. Nigel said he was never going to let the fans decide who he faces and is just going to leave right now! Tyler Black then walks down and talks about Nigel’s career in ROH and how it can’t end like this. Black challenges him to a match tonight and after thinking about it Nigel accepts.

Ernie Osiris versus Eddie Kingston
“Dirty” Ernie from the Embassy had a big challenge here in the form of “The Last of a Dying Breed” Eddie Kingston. As ever the fans were fully behind Kingston and loved seeing him slap and throw Ernie around. Like all the other squash matches with Kingston he finished off the Embassy member with a Spinning Backfist.
Winner Eddie Kingston

After seeing an advert for merchandise sold on ROHWresting.com we return to the Young Bucks backstage with interviewer Kyle Durden they talk about their explosive start in ROH and they current series of matches with the Dark City Fight Club. Matt said now that they’re finished with them their setting their sights on the titles.

Super Smash Bros versus Kevin Steen and El Generico
This was the first look at Player Uno and Player Dos (maskless) on HDNet and it sure didn’t disappoint. There was a small following for the video game duo although most of the crowd were behind the former champions. The end stretch became a mad combination of big moves and a sick senton dive to the outside out of nowhere by Dos. However after a Brainbuster/Package Piledriver combo Dos was pinned for the three.
Winners Kevin Steen and El Generico

Grizzly Redwood was backstage asking ROH staff to sign his petition to get a Beard vs. Beard match against Ernie Osiris until he bumped into Prince Nana. Nana said he was sick of “Grazzly” meddling in the Embassy’s business so he’s scheduled a match against him next week. Grizzly accepted on the terms that if he wins he gets his match with Ernie and if Nana wins he can tear up the petition.

Hayley Rodgers versus Sara Del Ray
Haley Rodgers (also known as Cat Power in Shimmer) didn’t get an entrance so we knew which way the match was going to go. Death Ray hit a few big power moves then just messed around with her opponent. “Death Ray” Soon defeated her opponent after hitting the Royal Butterfly.
Winner Sara Del Ray

Post match Lufisto stood at the entrance and had a stare down with Sara who was in the ring possibly hinting at a match between the two. A graphic then showed next weeks main event as ROH World Champion, Austin Aries put his title on the line against “Boom Boom” Colt Cabana

Nigel McGuinness versus Tyler Black
McGuinness had a lot of steamers for his entrance and a rather loud chant of “Thank you Nigel”. Like most matches since his return Nigel used mostly techniqual wrestling to wear down the less experienced Tyler. Nigel’s unique style of offence gave him the advantage for most of the match but Tyler would never tap out. Black eventually broke free and started to break out, even hitting an asai moonsault to the outside. Nigel pulled out all the stops to get one last win hitting the London Dungeon only for Black to reach the ropes and also hitting the Tower of London but Black still got a arm up. In shades of last time they met, Nigel went for the Rebound Lariat but this time Black couldn’t counter it and instead got flipped over onto his neck and pinned for the 1.2.3.
Winner Nigel McGuinness

Chants of “Thank you Nigel” echoed throughout the arena as Nigel stood to his feet. Tyler Black then joined the crowd in clapping at Nigel then offered a handshake to follow the Code of Honour. It didn’t look like he would but Nigel did then he raised the hand of Black to end another historic episode of ROH on HDNet.

COPYRIGHT 2009 RING OF HONOR WRESTLING, INC