TigerSamurai's Ring of Honor Wrestling

[Sam Fain]

Thanks guys!I try to get in character for the promos, but sometimes I get a little lazy, but it's nice to hear the most recent ones are clicking.

Happy with the way the Briscoes/Wolves feud is developing, especially since it happened organically as a result of that DQ at BitW.

Episode #2 will probably drop tonight or tomorrow!

[Sam Fain]

Ring of Honor Wrestling Episode #2 (airdate 7/11/09)
[Taped 6/26/09 @ The Arena, Philadelphia, PA]


- Non-Wrestling Segment -
EDWARDS: Briscoes. We’ve always known you were sore losers. And this is just another example of the classlessness everyone should expect from two low-life thugs like yourselves.

RICHARDS: The American Wolves are wrestlers. Not semi-reformed criminals looking for another shot at something they don’t deserve and haven’t earned.

EDWARDS: That being said… If you two want to step into the ring with us, we always give as good as we get… And there are plenty of chairs to go around…

RICHARDS: And we will use any means necessary to make sure that you never hold these belts again!

The Vulture Squad vs. Kings of Wrestling
Ruckus defeated Chris Hero with THE HATE CRIME at 14:09
Match Rating: 4.25
Match Notes: Jigsaw and Ruckus haven't been seen in ROH for about 8 months and the last time we saw Jigsaw he was sans mask, but he's wearing it again as they make their way to the ring.

The Kings of Wrestling could certainly use the win here after losing in the finals of the tag tournament to the American Wolves.

Claudio and Jigsaw would start things off and these two teams went fast and furious for nearly the entirety of the time limit!

Chris Hero would end up taking quite a bit of punishment and suffer a couple of nearfalls, but the Kings would come back big and score a couple nearfalls of their own.

The finish came after each man had the chance to show what they're made of. Castagnoli and Hero hit the KRS ONE on Jigsaw, but somehow the masked one kicked out!

He landed a huge superkick right on Chris Hero and made the desperation tag to Ruckus! Ruckus dropped him with the Ruckus Spike and then hit the HATE CRIME to score a hard fought win!

The Vulture Squad comes back to ROH in a big way as the Kings of Wrestling suffer their second straight loss. I have a feeling they're going to want this one back... Will we see a rematch in the near future?

Delirious vs. Brodie Lee
for the ROH World Television Championship
Brodie Lee defeated Delirious with a BIG BOOT at 9:10
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: The first ever ROH World Television Champions, Brodie Lee makes his first defense against Delirious!

And Brodie came out on fire. He tossed Delirious around like a rag doll until the challenger rolled out...

Brodie went for a suicide dive, but Delirious moved and Lee crashed into the guardrail!

Delirious took the opening and came away with a near fall, but Brodie Lee came back and they jockeyed for position.

There were a couple more nearfalls before the finish came...

Lee hit Delirious with a half nelson suplex and a package piledriver that led to the BIG BOOT and a strong defense from the TV champ!

Jimmy Jacobs hit the ringside area...

JACOBS: Brodie Lee, I made you an offer... I extended you the hand of friendship. Willing to take you into the fold and you walked away. Without an answer. Can't you see that the promise of a family the promise of a voice means more than that belt. I can set you free...

Brodie just stares at Jacobs... Jacobs shakes his head...

JACOBS: You know... you're right... You're right. I can't even keep those closest to me around... Even the ones I love leave me. Why should you come with me... Why should you believe in a broken dream... All that's left is vengeance... All that's left is hate... All I can see is red...

And with that Delirious sprays Brodie Lee with red mist!!!!!

The TV champ is down!

Here's Tyler Black! "What are you doing?" he shouts to Jacobs. They're nose to nose in the ring!

Here comes Butcher! He pulls Black away and the tension could be cut with a knife as Brodie Lee rolls around the mat in obvious pain.

Butcher, Jacobs, and Delirious all leave the area as Black checks on the TV champ...

- ROH World Heavyweight Championship Title Shot -
Adam Pearce vs. Roderick Strong
Roderick Strong defeated Adam Pearce with a STRONGHOLD at 18:55
Match Rating: 4.00
Match Notes: What a great match! These two matched up really well together and even tho, Strong dominated Pearce for a long stretch, the former NWA Champion wouldn't stay down for long.

Strong worked the backbreaker, of course and scored with multiple variations including a powerbomb backbreaker early and then a side backbreaker, Blue Thunder backbreaker, and a torture rack backbreaker!

Pearce was clearly in a lot of pain, but he somehow went on to escape the STRONGHOLD by getting to the ropes. These two would brawl outside the ring some, but eventually take it back inside as we crossed the 15 minute mark...

After about two and half minutes more of back and forth action, Strong landed another backbreaker! 1... 2... NO!

Pearce gets tossed out of the ring again by a frustrated Roderick... He crawls back in, clearly in pain... Strong is on him right away and locks in the STRONGHOLD! Pearce was in agony and had no choice but to tap out!

Roderick Strong gets a shot at Bryan Danielson and the ROH World Heavyweight Championship!

[Crimson Cross]

Another solid show and I really like that pairing of Jigsaw & Ruckus, plus that team name The Vulture Squad is killer cool...

[Pariah]

Wow! Impressive debut for The Vulture Squad... But, I don't see the Kings allowing that loss to stand... Rematch!

Love the aftermath to the TV title match... Looks like a fracture in Age of the Fall...

Epic confrontation in the main event... Can Strong make good on his chance to take the big prize from Danielson?

Really enjoy how you summarize the action in each match, including what takes place after the bell... Excellent work!

[Sam Fain]

Thanks for the comments as usual!

I certainly can't claim the Vulture Squad, if you were unaware, that was the legit team name for Ruckus and Jigsaw in '08 when they were a part of Jack Evan's faction of the same name in ROH. Technically they're past their "expiration" date in '09, but hey I'm the promoter

As for after the bell action, I'm a big fan of angles and promos happening in the ring. Sure, there's a place for backstage segments, but ultimately I'd rather advance big angles in front of a "live" audience, so to speak.

Strong/Danielson is something I'm looking forward to. The dice have a lot riding on them as this match could easily determine a lot of the stuff I'm planning on running over the next few months of game time.

I'm also strongly considering pushing the time limit to 20 minutes instead of 15... What do you guys think?

Stay tuned for episode 3!

[Sam Fain]

-ROH NEWSWIRE-

Huge matches announced for our second night in Philly! The New Dawn tour rolls on and the cameras will be rolling for episodes 3 & 4 for TV.

ROH New Dawn Tour (TV Taping 3&4)
06.27.2009 from The Arena, Philadelphia, PA

Brodie Lee vs. Jimmy Jacobs
for the ROH World Television Championship

  -Jacobs has been playing mind games with multiple folks over the past few months and Brodie Lee wasn't to repay him for directing Delirious' attack after their bout.

Jigsaw vs. Chris Hero

  -Hero is looking for some revenge after being put down by the Vulture Squad in tag action.

All Night Express vs. Young Bucks

  -The ANX are feeling a little left out after not being included in the tag tournament, tho they both had spots in the TV title mayhem matches.  Will they score a win and make a statement for the tag scene against the Bucks?

Christopher Daniels vs. Austin Aries

  -Little needs to be said about how Daniels is feeling after the American Dragon put him down hard in tag action on the last card.  He's hoping to regain some momentum against Aries.  Meanwhile, Austin may be forming a friendly alliance with Danielson for now, but it's only a matter of time before he wants a shot at the title.

Kevin Steen vs. Tyler Black

  -Steen is own his own for now.  Will he continue to cut down the Age of the Fall after they injured Generico?  And where does Tyler Black stand with his Age of the Fall partners?  Regardless, this match has a chance to blow the roof off.

The Briscoe Brothers vs. American Wolves
for the ROH World Tag Team Championship

  -The tag champs have decided to waste no time.  The Briscoes make their challenge as this feud reached a boiling point in record time.  Will the Wolves make a successful defense or will the Briscoes spoil their hopes for a long title run?

Roderick Strong vs. Bryan Danielson
for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship

  -Strong won the right to take on the American Dragon for the strap.  Can he take down the only two time champ in ROH history?  And what will AJ Styles have to say about it if he does?  One thing is for sure, Bryan Danielson wants one thing and one thing only: To continue to prove is he the best wrestler in the world!
  

[Pariah]

Superb stuff booked for the New Dawn Tour...

I don't know what Jimmy Jacobs had planned next, but it can only be trouble for Brodie Lee... However, I don't think it's going to be what he needs to claim the TV title...

Daniels vs. Austin should be a dynamic match with lots of great spots... Possibly my favorite matchup...

Steen is going to stay making people pay... And first up is Tyler Black... With the problems inside AotF, Black could be in for a rough time...

I'm expecting The Briscoes to end the short title reign of the Wolves... Just something about the team of Richards and Edwards - Don't think they can keep the gold from Dem Boys...

As for the American Dragon... I don't see that World Championship going anywhere soon... Unless The Phenomenal One is on the other side of the ring!

[Sam Fain]

Ring of Honor Wrestling Episode #3 (airdate 7/18/09)
[Taped 6/27/09 @ The Arena, Philadelphia, PA]

- Non-Wrestling Segment -
BECKY: Kevin, you’ve been very candid about your frustrations and recent setbacks. You rallied back to beat Necro Butcher in a Fight Without Honor, tho. Where do you stand right now?

STEEN: Where do I stand? Becky, I don’t know exactly how to answer that question. I mean, right now… I stand alone. My partner is on the shelf and because of that I’m no longer a champion. Not only that, but the gifted folks at Ring of Honor didn’t even see fit to put me in any of the tournaments to have the opportunity to be a champion… Opportunity. That’s a good word. I’m not asking for anything to be handed to me. But to not even be given the opportunity… I guess that just reinforces what I’ve always known… If you want something bad enough… You have to take it.

BECKY: Any word on when El Generico will be back?

STEEN: When he’s ready.

BECKY: Where does that leave your partnership?

STEEN: Well, I guess until then, Becky… Like I said: I stand alone.

BECK: You stand alone?

STEEN: I stand alone…

Jigsaw vs. Chris Hero
Chris Hero defeated Jigsaw with a cravate at 8:45
Match Rating: 3.25
Match Notes: Hero was feeling a little angsty after suffering a pinfall loss to the Vulture Squad in tag action... Suitably he took it all out on Jigsaw. This was nothing more than a glorified beating and dissection at the hands of Hero.

Using his considerable offense he wore down Jigsaw over the nearly 9 minutes of action.

The big story here was the repeated use of some big back suplexes that just dumped the masked one on his head. Hero would also use the HANGMAN'S CLUTCH and the Hero Stomp to score some nearfalls, but Jigsaw was nothing if not resilient.

The finish finally came after Hero creamed him with a big boot and followed it up with the Hero Stomp. Jigsaw rolled out only to be met with the cravate, that Hero rolled into the rolling elbow for the 1, 2, 3.

All Night Express vs. Young Bucks
This match ended in a draw (Time Limit Draw) at 15:00
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: Well, we can say one thing for the Young Bucks... They don't stay down. Matt Jackson took a huge beating [6 tokens by the end of the match] but would not stay down!

The All Night Express, perhaps sensing they have something to prove after being left out of the ROH Tag Title tournament took the fight to Matt and Nick big time.

It was almost all Rhett and Kenny. They utilized the double team and scored numerous nearfalls. At one point they isolated Matt Jackson and just rained down punishment. The crowd and the ANE thought it was over multiple times, especially after a pair of MUFF DRIVERs, but the Bucks would not stay down.

After an insane amount of punishment to Matt Jackson he finally scored the hot tag, but it was too little too late as Nick came in and built a head of steam even scoring a nearfall, but as Kenny King came in to break up the pin the bell rang and time expired!

I don't think we've seen the last of this matchup.

Christopher Daniels vs. Austin Aries
Austin Aries defeated Christopher Daniels with a LAST CHANCERY at 9:17
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: Nice compact hi impact match here. Both men came out swinging and jockeyed for position early. Daniels scored first with a Death Valley Driver, but Aries would come back and just punish the Fallen Angel after Daniels missed a dive to the outside.

Aries would hit multiple brainbusters and use lots of aerial maneuvers to keep the advantage, but Daniels wouldn't go down easy. Even after absorbing the punishment he did, he made a comeback and it looked like he might work his way up to a pinfall after a sit out powerbomb and another DVD!

Aries reveresed a whip into the corner, tho! Lariat! LAST CHANCERY! Daniels is almost out... He taps!

Austin Aries gets the win!

The Briscoe Brothers vs. American Wolves
for the ROH World Tag Team Championship
Jay Briscoe defeated Davey Richards with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE at 8:55
Match Rating: 3.75
Match Notes: What a hate filled hi impact war!

The Briscoes destroyed Davey Richards early on and nearly finished the match in the opening minutes with a DOOMSDAY DEVICE and then a CUT-THORAT DRIVER from Mark, but Richards fought on.

He eventually made a hot tag to Edwards and it became clear that the crowd was split right down the middle as the Wolves came back big and scored a couple near falls of their own.

Both teams worked the double team and each would make key tags when they needed to, but the finish came when Mark Briscoe made a hot tag and Jay came in on the still hurting Davey Richards.

After some punishing blows and high press slam, he hit a huge spinebuster and then signaled for the end!

DOOMSDAY DEVICE! Mark makes the cover! 1... 2... NO! Edwards makes the save... Superkick on Edwards... Another DOOMSDAY DEVICE!

Cover! 1, 2, 3! They did it! The Briscoes are your new tag team champions! Uncharacteristically, the Wolves are only able to hang on to the belts for a week... Will they be able to recapture the gold? Or have the Briscoes reclaimed their rightful place as tag team champions?

The Briscoe Brothers won the ROH World Tag Team Championship

[Pariah]

HOLY SNAP! You've created a whole new catchphrase! STEEN STANDS ALONE ... Love it!

Hero gained a measure of revenge by methodically knocking the pieces out of Jigsaw (concealed pun, couldn't resist)... But, was it enough to satisfy him?

Great resiliency by the Bucks to take ANX to a draw... I think you should extend your time limit to 20 minutes... This contest could've had a totally soften ending...

Impressive win for Aries... The Fallen Angel has been struggling quite a bit in my OutBreak fed... Something I hope changes soon...

Haha! I knew it! The Briscoes claim the ROH World Tag Team Championship! And now that Dem Boys have the straps, don't expect them to give them up without a fight... Really don't picture the Wolves being the team to take them...

Thoroughly enjoying this fed... You mix very solid action with just the right amount of drama... Thank you for sharing!

[Crimson Cross]

What I liked is Austin Aries winning over Christopher Daniels, plus Chris Hero with a victory is cool stuff. You know that draw between ANX and the Young Bucks was killer and you've gotta love a match like that ends in a draw, so I look forward to their rematch...