wrestling / Columns
Column of Honor: 03.20.10: A Broken Trust
Welcome to the Column.
=Kevin Steen & El Generico: A Broken Trust=
The story of Kevin Steen and El Generico as a tag team in Ring of Honor is one filled with desperation, friendship forged through mutual need, and ultimately the unforgivable betrayal of trust and loyalty.
Tag Teams depend on each other inside and outside the ring. They travel together, they eat meals together, exercise in the same gym, stay in the same hotel. In that mutual experience there is the forging of a unique and crucial bond. Even if the teams are not blood relative, they do become very close, usually because of the blood and sweat spilled and the pain felt together in that ring. Each knows what the other has felt, because he has felt it too. They share the pain, but they also reap the rewards together. They become more than a team—more like a band of brothers.
When that bond is broken, when the trust is stripped away and when one of the wrestlers places himself before the team, then the consequence is deep and heavy. That is the beginning of the end. So it was the case of the rise and fall of Kevin Steen and El Generico in Ring of Honor—once as close as brothers, now as far apart as Canada is from Mexico.
Kevin Steen & El Generico have become well known “name brand” entities on the independent scene over the last four years. They have wrestled for many different promotions in the United States, Canada and all over the world. However, there was a time when these two men were less well known, when they were struggling to gain that reputation of being legitimate and competent wrestlers and the more frequent bookings that come with such status.
Kevin Steen was a tough, brawny smart-ass individual from Marieville, Quebec, Canada, known for his grouchiness and a tendency to be belligerent and vindictive in the ring, but also for his surprising agility and wrestling acumen. The fans in Canada soon acknowledged such expertise by giving him the nickname “Mr. Wrestling”. El Generico was a plucky Mexican Luchador who took up residence in Canada. He wasn’t blessed with a great physique, but he made up for it with his heart and determination.
Both men began their independent career as frequent adversaries, slotted against each other just so that they could obtain a booking with a promotion. They would be forced to travel together to other promotions, usually wrestling each other or in a pinch, teaming with each other in order to fill a spot on a wrestling show. Kevin Steen would openly acknowledge this situation on several early Pro Wrestling Guerrilla shows, expressing his disgust at being forced to do so with someone like El Generico.
Both had received a chance to wrestle for Ring of Honor in the middle of 2005. Austin Aries defeated El Generico at Fate of An Angel in Woodbridge, Connecticut, while Steen participated in a Four Corner Survival on the same show (a losing effort although he was not pinned). The two were then once again forced to wrestle against each other the next week at The Homecoming in Philadelphia, PA. Generico won that match, the opening contest of the show. Steen’s losing streak continued in August during Dragon Gate Invasion, where he once again lost in a Four Corner Survival.
Obtaining regular bookings with Ring of Honor would be more difficult to achieve than anticipated. There were just too many talented wrestlers in the company and not enough space for these men to break in and find a stable spot. Kevin Steen especially wanted more than anything to get back into Ring of Honor and to make his mark wrestling for the company. He would do anything it took to break back in. He even begged ROH to give him another chance during the inter-promotional feud against Combat Zone Wrestling. Steen wrestled on the CZW shows but openly complained about his treatment there. He frequently request ROH to book him on their shows instead of having to wrestle for CZW.
It wouldn’t be until February 2007 that an opportunity to wrestle in ROH would arise for Steen and Generico. TNA was once again pulling its contracted talent out of a working agreement with Ring of Honor—wrestlers such as Homicide and Christopher Daniels would no longer be allowed to participate on shows. Those departures left some empty spots on the ROH roster and the need to fill them with other independent wrestlers.
Desperation to make it to the next level on the independent scene provoked Kevin Steen to do something he didn’t want to do, something he thought he would never do. He was forced to reign in his ego and his pride and ask the person he loathed the most to join up with him. He asked El Generico, reluctantly, if he wanted to form a tag team and wrestle together in Ring of Honor. Generico, who had always secretly held a respect for Steen and his wrestling ability, had to feel overjoyed and excited at the prospect. Here was a new opportunity to succeed in ROH—and he could team up with his frequent travelling partner while doing so.
Steen did not like that Generico was his partner, but he knew this was the best way back in. They would return to Ring of Honor for Fifth Year Festival: Philadelphia to wrestle against The Briscoes.
Jay & Mark Briscoe had become one of the best tag teams in Ring of Honor and throughout the entire U.S. independent circuit. Ironically, the real-life brothers began on opposite sides in the early days of Ring of Honor. Mark Briscoe was jealous that Jay was allowed to wrestle on the first Ring of Honor shows that took place in Philadelphia. Mark was not allowed to participate due to being underage, so instead he undermined and baited his brother at every opportunity, openly mocking him for beginning his ROH career on a losing streak. Mark Briscoe even briefly joined Christopher Daniels’ Prophecy stable, falling under “The Fallen Angel’s” Svengali influence, filled with empty promises and the lure of success. However, it would be revealed that Daniels didn’t have any serious intentions of keeping Mark in The Prophecy.
After two hard fought battles against each other, Jay & Mark reconciled their differences at the One Year Anniversary Show in early 2003 and decided to put that all behind them in order to become the best tag team in ROH history. They have accomplished just that in the past eight years, winning the belts a record setting six times.
Jay & Mark Briscoe define the Ring of Honor tag team division, although at times they have been pitted against each other in the ring as well. They fought once in 2007 in England (which ended in a double count-down draw) and again most recently as a part of the inaugural Pick 6 Contenders tournament for ROH on HDNet. The Briscoes never wrestle against each other with any animosity—they consider these matches more as an exercise in toughening each other for the future. They don’t take the wins and losses personally. In fact, whoever wins the match gets to buy the beers after the show.
Kevin Steen and El Generico never quite achieved that point in their tag team partnership, although they grew closer than even they expected. It began back during that match against The Briscoes—fighting toe-to-toe against the long-time standard-bearers of the ROH tag division. Steen and Generico would not win the match that night, but they fought so hard and with such conviction that they managed to win over the fans and steal the show. They made the most of their big break, and ROH recognized their efforts by agreeing to book them on a regular basis.
At first the relationship between the two was the same as it had always been—Steen was the aggressive, controlling member of the team. He called the shots and he didn’t care what his partner or what the fans thought of his actions, especially when it came to getting his licks in on The Briscoes. Generico was the subordinate, the junior member of the team who listened to Steen’s orders. He also reluctantly followed them—even if it meant he had to do things he knew in his heart weren’t right or ethical, such as attack The Briscoes or other teams from behind or use weapons in these attacks. These actions must have given him pause, making him question as to whether or not he was doing the right thing. However, the reactions of the fans to the plucky underdog must have given him the courage to endure and to continue on. They seemed to like him, to really, really like him.
Along the way, the bruises, the bumps, the miles and the matches forged the bond between the two men. Steen & Generico challenged The Briscoes several times throughout 2007 for the ROH World Tag Team Championships, each time coming close but ultimately falling short. As they shared the ups and downs of this journey, Steen came to grudgingly accept Generico’s place by his side. Though you wouldn’t catch him admitting it out loud, he even seemed to like the guy…just a little bit.
While they shared in the tough times together, they also shared in the joyous times. Each hosted the other man in their house. They met and had good times with each other’s families. Steen even made sure that Generico would call his mom and talk to her after the shows. Generico had been dependent on Steen for so long, that it was no wonder he never saw this turn coming.
The celebration was glorious after winning the ROH World Tag Team Titles from The Age of the Fall during Driven 2008. All of the work to get to that point, all of the pain and suffering both in the ring and on an everyday consideration must have felt all worth it for that moment of triumph. Steen & Generico jumped into the sea of fans during that celebration in Boston. For Steen and Generico, it was as if they were The Red Sox and they had just won the World Series for the first time after the eighty-six year drought. They were now the best in the world in the tag team division.
The two wrestlers were never closer than during their tag team championship title run, but then the easy part is when everything is going your way. After a seven month title run, another tag team had begun to catch up to them. Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards were on a relentless pursuit of those belts. Even when Steen and Generico had combined their efforts to withstand the challenge, The Wolves at the door would not back down. They found every method of causing havoc for the champions—whether through interference, post-match beatdowns or even through injuring them. Steen & Generico were forced to continue to fight The Wolves until they couldn’t repel their challenge anymore. The American Wolves would unseat Kevin Steen & El Generico to win the ROH World Tag Team Titles.
Kevin Steen continued to harbor resentment against The Wolves, not only for costing him and El Generico the ROH World Tag Team Titles, but also for hurting his tag partner. It could be said that Steen was fighting for El Generico because his tag team partner could not fight for himself. Steen wanted vengeance for the backstage attack on Generico perpetrated by Richards and Edwards. He would team up with different wrestlers to fight The American Wolves while El Generico recuperated from his injuries. There were varying degrees of successes and setbacks during these matches, but the one constant remained. The American Wolves were the champions and Kevin Steen was not. That, more than even El Generico’s injury, must have made Kevin Steen very, very angry.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Steen was beginning to form the thought—what was happening was not his fault. He was out there on the frontlines of this war against Richards and Edwards, doing his best and receiving chair shots to his knee, which for years had given him trouble. He was dealing with other wrestlers who were not his regular tag team partner and trying to start from zero in building some chemistry with them. He was hurt constantly, taking the blows and punishment from The Wolves, who were on a tear through the tag division, and receiving nothing but pain and misery in return. This was not his fault…it was someone else’s. Maybe…El Generico was to blame.
After all, it was Generico who was weak enough to be caught by surprise from that backstage attack by The Wolves. It was Generico who was not able to pull his own weight (literally) thanks to the knee injuries that took him out of action. It was El Generico’s absence that created the void that Steen had to fill by teaming up with the likes of Bryan Danielson and even The Briscoes.
Enter Steve Corino. Here was a man who had his share of controversial appearances for Ring of Honor. There were the wars against Homicide and the blood lust and animosity it caused for years. He was the man who formed The Group, whose aim was to be even more antagonistic than the stable they were fighting against (The Prophecy). Now “The King of Old School” had returned once more, looking to find a new way to gain attention. He wanted impact and notoriety. He wanted to make a lasting impression-to have people pay attention to him, but even moreso to fear and to respect him. Steve Corino found what he was looking for in Kevin Steen.
Corino orchestrated Steen’s move to break free from the “chains” of his partnership with El Generico. He must have seen what was happening in the tag team division, noting how it was Steen who was bearing the cross of his tag team partner, even at the very end when Steen & Generico lost the Ladder War match at Glory By Honor VIII. Corino knew that he could take advantage of the situation. It wouldn’t be imprudent to assume that around this time Corino engaged Steen in many conversations. He must have harped on the constant failures of Steen & Generico in their attempt to regain the tag titles. Corino knew he could make the right argument and convince Steen of what was already probably lingering in his subconscious all along. Steen didn’t need El Generico, but El Generico needed Kevin Steen. Steen would be much better on his own, without the weak link, without the anchor he always had tied around his neck.
Corino gave form to the thought and action to the word. He presented Steen with the master plan to finally rid himself of El Generico, so that once and for all Kevin Steen could finally be all that he could be and without anyone else weighing him down. The rest was history waiting to happen. At Final Battle 2009, Steen severed the relationship with El Generico in the most brutal, cold and disloyal manner possible. Steen pretended that he was about to retire due to the build-up of knee problems and a sense of self-awareness and noble pride about knowing when his time was up. He put in “one last effort” against The Young Bucks, just for himself and the simple pleasure of seeing if he could manipulate his “buddy” and the fans into cheering for him to win. All the while Steen was making the moment all about himself, saying his farewells and thank yous to the fans, the boys in the back, his wife, even The Briscoes. Oh Steen laid it on thick–he made the subterfuge look so good he could have convinced Mother Theresa he was more of a saint than her. When it finally seemed like Steen was going to acknowledge Generico as a true friend and partner, he dropped the bomb instead.
He kicked Generico with a low blow and then violently smashed his former tag partner over the head with a chair. Those reprehensible actions laid asunder one of the most popular tag teams in ROH history, but more importantly forever and irrevocably changed the course of ROH history.
It was the end of the innocence for Generico. He was completely blindsided by someone he believed was looking out for his best interests. Now he knew that this was not the case. Steen had always and would always look out for himself. Steen destroyed that bond forged from being brother-in-arms and champions. He broke the trust that tag team partners rely on everyday and in every way.
At first, it was difficult for Generico to accept the events of that frosty December night. Initially he refused to comment on the situation. He fell into a depression in the weeks after the attack, which affected how he wrestled—distracting him enough for him to lose to Rhett Titus on an episode of ROH on HDNet.
Now however, Generico is taking the small steps needed to break out of this funk, in part thanks to his friend Colt Cabana. Cabana, who is no stranger to tag teams (having won the ROH championship with CM Punk as a part of the Second City Saints in 2004), was caught in the wake of the destruction. He was friends with both Steen and Generico (although according to Steen, he was always more of a friend to Generico than anything). He wanted answers from Kevin Steen, the man he thought was his friend, but he was pushed away. Cabana pushed and prodded, while Steen told him to back off and Corino warned him not to become involved in the issue. When Steen and Cabana finally had it out in a backstage argument, the explanation was still not enough for Cabana to understand what was going through Steen’s mind. Cabana believed that what Steen did was sick and twisted–and for Steen, that was all the proof he needed to determine that Cabana was not with him, but rather against him.
Cabana is helping Generico to learn how to cope and to repair himself after that broken trust. There is a great amount of sympathy for Generico—he has continued his friendship with the masked man and is doing everything in his power to restore some semblance of confidence in Generico. He wants to remind him of why he is in ROH in the first place—his great talent and his ability to inspire the fans in the audience. It is no easy task. Steen was Generico’s best friend for three years and in that time Generico had learned to depend on him. He took Steen’s advice and did what he was told. Now, he must do the same, but with someone else telling him to what to do. El Generico must learn that just because one person sold him out doesn’t mean that everyone will do the same.
Meanwhile, Steen refuses to even recognize the very idea of El Generico. He won’t say El Generico’s name, using “him” and other third person pronouns to refer to his former tag partner during video promos and in quotes used in ROH newswires. It is as if Steen is writing Generico out of his history. If you don’t say his name, he is not there. This is the perversion of cogito ergo sum: EGO operor non reputo , proinde sit non. I do not think, therefore he is not.
Regardless, Steen’s problem isn’t going away. Colt Cabana is making sure of that. He is forcing the issue on Steve Corino and Kevin Steen. Generico manned up and had his face-to-face confrontation with Steen at the 8th Anniversary Show, although he was ultimately unable to use any physical actions to pay back his former tag partner. Steen struck again and beat him down. Cabana would not have any of it after the match, fired Generico up and told him he had to fight Steen. One day very soon, there will indeed be a reckoning between the two former partners, but will Cabana have gotten through to Generico by then? Will it be enough?
Generico uses speed and agility to win his matches, but Steen overpowers and dominates his opponents. His brute strength is impressive enough, but added to that is his submission skills, using the sharpshooter to tap his opponents out. Now, all the restraints and reins are severed and there is a downright sociopathic level of malevolence and remorselessness in his mind. Imagine if Kevin Steen unleashed all of that hatred onto his former tag partner. Future matches between Steen and Generico likely won’t be very pretty and won’t be very pleasant to watch as Steen hunts his prey down and viciously lays into him. Steen will be unrelenting and unrepentant. Generico will need to be ready to fight back against his former partner. If not, he won’t have a chance of making it out of any confrontation with his health intact.
One day soon, Generico will get his hands on his former friend and former tag team partner. Then the only thing that will be broken will be bones—but will it be those belonging to Kevin Steen or El Generico?
Counting down my personal favorite wrestlers and moments of the past week in wrestling:
1. El Generico vs. Chuck Taylor—Reseda Street Fight: Speaking of our friendly neighborhood masked luchador, this week I went back and watched this match from PWG Speed of Sound. Let me tell you, it was CRAAAAAAZAY! These two had developed bad blood throughout 2009 with Taylor picking on Generico and threatening him, telling him to stay out of Reseda. Generico wouldn’t back down, so they had this fight to settle it, with the added stipulation that whoever won earned a future PWG Tag Team Title shot for their team (Generico with Human Tornado and Taylor with Kenny Omega). These guys had one hell of a street fight, taking it all over the building, including in the men’s bathroom and even on the stage where Excalibur was doing commentary. There was bar-hopping into flying DDT’s, swirly-giving, stage diving and even wall hopping. Some sick –ish in this one. The whole show was a very good watch, including The Young Bucks defending the tag belts against Joey Ryan and Karl Anderson, which was a fast and wild bout with some new tricks out of The Bucks, Bryan Danielson vs. Brian Kendrick in a very enjoyable, wrestling based reprise of their rivalry of days ago on the indie scene and so much more.
2. Bret Hart and The Cast on the Table: That, by the way, would be an excellent name for an episode of Bones. Anyway, the contract signing between Bret Hart and Mr. McMahon was so simple and yet such a great angle. Yes, it was “predictable” for Hart to reveal that he faked the leg injury in order to lull McMahon into guaranteeing the Wrestlemania XXVI match, but as I’ve written before, “predictable” doesn’t equal bad. Rather, fans could follow along and understand the storyline and therefore enjoy the exact moment when Hart lowered the boom on Mr. McMahon. I know I did.
3. WWE Commentators: I don’t know who is spiking the coffee during the shows, but Josh Matthews and Michael Cole make for one hell of a commentary team on WWE NXT. These two sparring against each other debating the “Pro” versus “Rookie” perspective of making it in professional wrestling is working wonders towards making Cole not only interesting but a worthwhile listen on the stick. I also have to throw out some props for Matt Striker, who on this week’s Smackdown referenced Mike Rotundo AND Tully Blanchard, plus used the Joker’s “Have You Ever Dance with the Devil” quotable as a bonus.
4. Tiffany: Yeah, um… duh:
5. Daniel Bryan vs. Great Khali: Yes, I know that sounds hard to believe, but its true—I actually enjoyed watching a Great Khali match. It was obvious Bryan was going to lose this match on NXT (set up by his mentor The Miz), but that Bryan was able to make it fun to watch is like some sort of early Passover / Easter miracle. I will be complimentary towards Khali though—his theme music is an incredibly addictive listen.
As of 03/20/10
ROH World Champion: Tyler Black (champion since 02/13/10, NEW CHAMPION)
–defeated Austin Aries on February 13th, 2010 in New York, NY to win the championship.
Next Defense: vs. Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong (Charlotte, NC on 04/03/10)
ROH World Tag Team Champions: The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) (champions since 12/19/09, 2 successful defenses)
defeated The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) on December 19th, 2009 in New York, NY to win the championship.
Next Defense: vs. American Wolves (Phoenix, AZ on 03/26/10)
–Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated The Young Bucks in Philadelphia, PA on 1/9/10
–Jay & Mark Briscoe defeated The Dark City Fight Club in New York, NY on 2/13/10
Pick 6 Series
Rankings as of: 03/07/10
1. Roderick Strong
2. Kevin Steen
3. Chris Hero
4. Delirious
5. Kenny King
6. Austin Aries
Movements: Claudio Castagnoli was stripped of his Pick 6 position due to inactivity. Roderick Strong won number one position by defeating Kevin Steen at the March HDNet Tapings. Austin Aries won sixth position in a battle royal for the slot at the March HDNet Tapings.
The Pick 6 Series matches currently scheduled for March 19, 2010 in Dearborn, MI are as follows:
March 18:
(1) Roderick Strong versus Kenny Omega
(5) Kenny King versus Tyson Dux
-According to ROH, over 3.600 votes were cast to decide the main event stipulation for tonight in Mississauga with Austin Aries and Kenny King against Tyler Black and Roderick Strong. 59% voted for Two-out-of-Three falls match, which is a stipulation which hasn’t been done in ROH since Kevin Steen & Jay Briscoe fought (and ultimately lost to) The American Wolves for the ROH World Tag Team Titles at The Homecoming II last April in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. That stipulation should allow for the match to have more of an epic feel to it, maybe even a longer match. It should also open up some interesting booking possibilities given the animosity that has been successfully built up in storylines between Aries, Black and Strong. Something will likely break on either side—whether its Black and Strong being unable to coexist, Aries laying out both men, King scoring a win over the champion or top contender. Lots of possibilities and all of them are intriguing enhancements to the company’s top program.
-Necro Butcher vs. Bison Smith has been added to the Friday March 26th card in Phoenix in your “Slobberknocker” match of the night.
-ROH is also teasing some negotiations with an “a tremendous talent looking to make a return to action when Ring of Honor invades Phoenix.” Current speculation seems to think this would be referencing Charlie Haas, who has positive things to say about the possibility of coming into ROH during a recent interview.
-“Metal Master” will make his ROH debut in Dayton, OH and Chicago, IL on April 23rd and 24th. Who exactly is Metal Master? Well, it’s apparently Chad Collyer in a mask and luchador get-up. It is definitely not “Mano Metallico”, who according to Kevin Ford had a match in CHIKARA and was not the greatest (he put that thought in harsher words). I’d actually prefer if Collyer returns that he does it without the gimmick—just bring back the wacky “Hand the belt Over!” personality. Petey Williams and House of Truth will also be on those shows.
-ROH on HDNet will be pre-empted for the next two weeks (March 22nd and 29th) for a college basketball tournament (don’t ask me which one). The shift explains why there were two opening round matches for the TV Title tournament during the past two weeks worth of episodes, as opposed to one per week. ROH resumes normal broadcast on April 5th.
-For those skipping the ROH content, here’s a WWE tidbit: Dolph Ziggler climbed up the ladder and unlatched the Money in the Bank briefcase on this past Friday’s episode of Smackdown. So now we can definitely rule him out of winning vis-a-vie the “he who touches what he is trying to win will not win it” rule of Professional Wrestling’s code of conduct.
Okay, go back to pressing “Page Down” again.
– You can read some highlights from a Davey Richards interview through this link. He discusses how his goal with The American Wolves was to put the spotlight on Eddie Edwards and help to elevate him. It’s undeniable that the goal was achieved, but now it’s going to be up to Eddie to go the rest of the distance with his time in spotlight on HDNet.
-Highlights of an interview with Kevin Kelly, who will be commentating on the ROH “Big Bang” Pay Per View are available through this link. Kelly revealed that Dave Prazak will also be doing the commentary for the show. Hopefully this time we’ll be able to hear them without any problems. Kelly also mentioned that he’s been spending his time studying up on ROH and knows he has a lot to prove to the fans and is willing to work hard to do so. That’s what I like to hear.
-Oh wait, wait, wait, stop scrolling, here’s some more WWE commentary. I hereby dub Drew McIntyre the new “Mr. Cardboard”, which is a label I affixed previously to Eddie Edwards before he found some measure of personality in his run with The Wolves in ROH. McIntyre is an absolute vanilla stick of ice cream, the walking answer to insomnia and worse than watching paint dry. No inflection in his voice, body movement at the speed of a mannequin and unbelievably is being pushed as the “chosen one”. I don’t know what Vince McMahon sees in this guy, but it can’t be dollar bills.
Okay go ahead, resume your skipping.
–Reverse the Curse DVD Thoughts
I like that both Colt Cabana and Jim Cornette tipped their hat to previous ROH history in Chicago (where this show is being taped) during the opening promos on the DVD. One of ROH’s greatest qualities as a wrestling company has been it never short changes, forgets or attempts to alter its past. They acknowledge what happened in years gone by and how it might affect the present or the future of the company (and this time it’s especially relevant since Cabana and Aries have previously fought in a cage match). Conversely, WWE acknowledges events only when it is most benefitting to them and sometimes excludes long-term storyline history (often to their detriment in telling a more in-depth and detailed feud). Then you have TNA where sometimes they don’t even acknowledge (or remember) the events that occurred just the previous week on their television show. There can be a lot of criticism about ROH, but not as it regards to maintaining the past.
The opening four-way match contains gratuitous and gross tongue licking with hand—honestly do wrestlers plan those kinds of spots backstage? I’d like to know if that’s spontaneous or if these guys really do have such sick and twisted minds. Shane Hollister made his main show debut here and was looking to impress, while Sami Callahan was looking to get back on a regular booking basis so he worked hard as well. Hollister likes to say “Come on, damnit!” a lot…don’t quite know what to make of it. Brown no-sells a boot to the foot and then pie-faces Callahan over the rope and flat-out intimidates Ryan back out of the ring. Rasche’s dive is also pretty damned impressive during this match. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m really digging what Brown brings to the show. He has big man moves but a whole truckload of personality and the ability to surprise the crowd as well.
A pre-taped Kevin Steen references the Sublime song playing in the background—amazing improvisation to bring that into telling his story about having to put on the knee brace again due to his “knee injury” that wasn’t. Cabana comes into camera shot to say hi and Steen calls him “my buddy”. AWESOME foreshadowing and a perfect tone of voice by Steen. You really do get that sense of Cabana’s inclusion in the Steen / Generico issue now that the heel turn is complete and these shows are available to watch in chronological order.
It’s Kevin Steen vs. Claudio Castagnoli for Steen’s Pick 6 spot. Claudio attacks the knee from behind to start the match and spends most of the match attacking it in order to win. It’s a very smart storytelling move that makes this match standout as something different on the show. Steen’s suicide flip dive over the turnbuckle post while injured is a slice of crazy. Then he gets a Tornado DDT from the guardrail to the floor, which is impressive because he had to sell the leg injury and does so convincingly while executing the move. It’s followed by a Swanton bomb, but Steen clutches the knee. Steen knows he is in major trouble because of the knee damage, but he is going for all of these massive Home Run bombs in order to get back to even ground with Claudio and gain tactical positioning to try to win. Unfortunately, a Package Piledriver cannot be completed because Steen’s injury prevents him from lifting up Swiss-O. Claudio roars back with the running bicycle kick in the corner, springing off the ropes, then the Alpamare Waterslide. He pulls up into a half crab, pulled back to center of the ring, a one leg giant swing (!), and a sharpshooter (Steen’s own favorite submission) for the tap!
Again, this impressed by focusing on hitting hard and winning fast—a welcome change of pace for ROH and excellent match psychology given what they were doing with the psychology of Steen’s “leg injury”. Steen’s post-match promo thanking the fans was inspired, almost a farewell and using his son’s second birthday to explain that he put his fans above his family. He would have taken the night off, but he wanted to come to the show to wrestle one more time for the Chicago fans. Again, this is a perfect set-up for the heel turn that would follow.
What is also apparent in hindsight is that Claudio won this number one slot in the Pick six, arguably the most valuable spot in this rankings list and did almost nothing with it. He never once challenged for the title during this time frame, although amazingly enough it was almost always Claudio who was cutting promos explaining the importance of positioning in the Pick 6 through much of the last few months. There is much potential in using the Pick 6 in meaningful ways, but clearly there is a lot of dropping of the ball here.
Christian Able wearing pantyhose is just very unsettling to me. Maybe that’s the point, but still. Truth Martini had a tribute to hyperbole with his massive sell of the superkick, holding onto the ropes before dropping to the mat. The House of Truth upset The Young Bucks by holding onto the tights thanks to Truth’s distraction, proving his value as a manager to the team.
Omega vs. Strong is a very athletic effort. Good times are almost always guaranteed these days with either competitor. On commentary, Chris Hero can’t explain the origins or meaning of Croyt’s Wrath and well, that’s a major disappointment and my world is forever shattered because of it. Clearly.
However, one major detraction throughout much of the match until the finish was the lack of reaction from the fans towards the (really quite good) in-ring action. I know some readers have complained about spoiled NYC fans, but the crowd in Chicago may have been just as guilty of this kind of behavior. They sat on their hands throughout, with Omega and Strong throwing everything in their arsenal at each other to near-silence. I suspect that if this match took place in New York City the fans in attendance there would have carried it the whole way through and made it even better in appearance with their enthusiasm. I would rather have a boisterous and somewhat unruly crowd that actively supports great in-ring action than a crowd that sits on its hands and doesn’t react at all.
That’s not to say that this kind of reaction occurs throughout the DVD, because as the very next match proves, Chicago can react and that there are certain matches that can be isolated incidents of that sort of apathetic behavior. For example, Necro Butcher receives a good and hearty chant before his entry to the ring to fight Erick Stevens.
They both start in the ring entrance way. It is a full circle brawl around ringside. There is even a running powerslam on the metal ramp! The finish is Stevens smashing a chair right onto Necro’s head and the ref does see it and calls for the DQ. Necro just fires up of the chairshot, while the ref takes an excellent bump off of Necro’s punch. Necro uses the fan’s FOOTBALL helmet to s a HUGE POP! I was thinking in my head about how awesome it would be if someone took it from that fan (who is at every show) during a street fight or something. Stevens steals the helmet and then stomps it to death as refs and wrestlers and even Nana and Ernesto pull him to the back. This was an example of a DQ finish being accepted because the post-match fracas was well executed and gave the fans more to be excited about in terms of future fights between the wrestlers. That kind of reaction has been hard to find at times for the ongoing Necro vs. Embassy feud (which is now nearing levels of length not seen since Castagnoli vs. Albright), but they were able to achieve that reaction on that night in Chicago.
A Pick 6 spot on the line as Tyler Black rematches against Kenny King, first seen during the Survival of the Fittest 2009 qualifiers (a very good bout with a surprisingly aggressive Black) and then followed up with a scheduled match at Boiling Point which was scrubbed via a DQ and then became a solid six man tag. Black and King mesh well together in the ring and they prove it again during this show. There is a brilliant moment as Tyler hops onto the second rope but King sees it. So King pulls Todd Sinclair into the line of fire. Black decides to jump OVER Sinclair, and finds himself caught right into an Arn-Anderson style spinebuster. That’s some great thinking by the heel in the match and its visually pleasing to the viewer’s eye as well.
Later in the match there is a stiff and heated brawl on the outside, with King throwing Black all around and into the ringside barricade while Black kicks King hard in the chest. King goes for the Van Daminator but kicks the post! DAMN that looked painful! Black executes a Tornado DDT on the apron to a big pop. Both men do make it in before the 20-count which is also well received. Another highlight comes as Black uses a fireman’s carry and tosses King OVER THE TOP ROPE! He follows that up with the flip dive!
The finish is King attempting the double knees to the back but it’s smartly caught in MID-AIR and maneuvered into the Buckle Bomb! Black follows it up with the superkick but King kicks out! Black goes for the God’s Last Gift but King reverses into a small package, Black reverses and then pulls King BACK UP into the GLG for the pinfall. I definitely enjoyed that finish.
I have to tell you, even though it’s done on the cheap Dark City Fight Club’s entrance is still quite intimidating. Covered faces and hoodies—yeeikes. The Briscoes were not the champions at this point and this is about future contention rather than any grudge. Jon Davis’s leg line is well-timed, as is Chavis’s spinning belly to side suplex. Jay has a monster ace crusher he’s been bringing out in his moveset as of late. DCFC’s Project Mayhem is broken up at the last possible second, but they return fire when the Doomsday Device is stopped when Davis hooked Mark’s leg off the top turnbuckle. The Briscoes win with a sunset flip roll up from the corner by Mark on Chavis for three-count. Hero notes that this is the second time DCFC lost with that move, which is a nice tip to the hat of the Young Bucks’ upset from HDNet. Dark City continues the fight after the match, demolishing Mark until Jay pops back in with a chair to break it up.
Finally it’s Austin Aries vs. Colt Cabana in a steel cage with the ROH World Title on the line. Needless to say Cabana does not “reverse the curse” in his hometown, but they still treat him very well before, during and after the match. Cabana slaps Sinclair in the ass before things get underway, but don’t worry it’s not all fun and games for the challenger. Although, it’s funny but in a way Colt’s shtick does lend itself well to a cage match. For instance, he has a clever head fake on an attempted moonsault. He deeks Aries so that he can climb up the cage and it almost works! Then, Cabana uses the rolling clutch and the airplane spin to disorient Aries and that goes well for him too. So again, like their first cage match back in 2005, there is a lot more going on than you’re standard cage strategy, although neither match shirked on the blood-letting in the later stages.
The champion is also able to adapt his offense to be more effective in this environment. Aries applies a figure four leg-lock and since there is no DQ in a cage match he can keep it on for as long as he is able. Cabana is forced to hold on and reverse the move in order to cause the separation. Aries also uses the top rope and holds onto the top of the cage to add more pressure to his leg holds. Again, what he is doing is perfectly legal.
Cabana meanwhile is on the cusp of terrifying innovation when he completes a flying “Flying Asshole” from the top rope. I’ve seen it raining Dogs and I’ve seen it raining Cats, but…never mind.
There is a tear in the cage mesh at the top which is very subtly created. No one would have expected what was to come at the finish. Then Aries lands a picture perfect dropkick on Cabana from the top but the momentum sends Cabana right near the door. It forces Aries to makes a huge leap to catch Cabana and jump over him and out the door. Cabana catches him and maneuvers into a gutbuster.
Aries comes back with a vicious series of three IED dropkicks into the cage, which cuts Cabana wide open. The clarin is flowing, indeed.
Cabana responds with a MAMMOTH whirly-bird crucifix bomb and makes an attempt to leave over the top. Aries meets him up there and crucifixes Cabana’s arms and head with his legs. He teases the crucifix bomb, then transitions (while UPSIDE DOWN!) into a sunset flip power bomb for a really close two count. Aries’ killer kick is swept into the Billy Goat’s Curse. Aries kicks him off, but right near the cage door, and again it’s a scramble with both men trying to get out and end the match. Aries SLAMS BOTH HIMSELF and COLT with the door in a huge moment of sacrifice, then he slams the door on Cabana to regain advantage, but Colt psychs himself up! Aries pulls a Ben Stiller in Dodgeball by looking to punch once more and then running away like a coward up the cage. Cabana catches him and then dumps him chest first on the top! WOAH. Cabana tries to walk out but Aries holds onto him and brings him in.
Cabana slams Aries into the cage sides, rams his head back several times and now the champ is busted open. There is “nowhere for Aries to go” says Prazak, but tut-tut, he is forgetting that pried open cage mesh. Cabana makes one more play for the cage but Aries clutches onto Cabana’s leg for dear life. Cabana goes for the standard version of the Flying Asshole and sends Aries THROUGH the cage netting into a set of chairs and to the floor! The crowd pops for the unexpected moment, but it’s the end of the match and Aries retains the title!
The finish truly was awesome and unique and made sense based on some foreshadowing from earlier in the match. Aries racks up another captivating title defense. This one is truly must-see because of how different and innovative it was compared to some of the other defenses. Even if it wasn’t a clean end to a title bout, this was something so different and unexpected (and executed well) that its one-of-a-kind nature justifies the booking—think Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar when the ring fell apart, but with perhaps not as much mass destruction.
Aries heels it up even more in the post match by stating that “champions always find a way to win.” Of course, as Eric Santamaria correctly points out on commentary “he didn’t find a way to win, it was given to him.”
Cabana cuts a passionate promo directed at Jim Cornette as a way to get the crowd behind him (and surprisingly they were pretty accepting of the finish, with only a smattering of “bullshit” chants once they realized the match wouldn’t restart). Cornette matches the effort Colt gives to put a shiny happy touch to this match and promises to give Cabana more chances at the title, even if it’s not in Chicago. He won’t win it in Chicago but he will come back to defend the title here.
Of course, earlier in the promo Cornette said he heard a few people chanting “bullshit” and he didn’t want any ROH main event to end with fans chanting that…hmm… Final Battle 2009? What’s that?
Austin Aries concludes the DVD. The champion is a bloody mess as he states he’s ready to defend the title against Black.
Dos’ partner at the Michigan show should be none other than Twiggy, a Canadian wrestler whom Dos teamed with in NECW on Comcast a few months ago. The thing with Twiggy is that he’s 135 lbs., and Kevin Steen has beaten him up shitloads in the past like he did with Uno. Why not turn this into an extended squash with Twiggy getting some exposure and the power team of Corino and Steen looking strong as hell.
Posted By: Will H. (Guest) on March 13, 2010 at 01:46 AM
I’ve seen Twiggy a few times on CHIKARA shows and he’s okay (but just okay), but I like my idea from this week’s Buy or Sell better. I understand what you’re going for, since the original match with Super Smash Brothers at full strength likely wouldn’t have been much more than a semi-competitive jobber-to-the-stars style loss anyway. Apparently it was a wrestler named Pee Wee (…yeah…) and that Steen not only destroyed him, but both the SSB during that segment. That’s great for Steen, but I still like my idea better.
Pee Wee? Jesus ROH.
The DL service for ROH is awesome because FINALLY we get the chance to see some of the classic (and not so classic) shows that have been out of print. I have been wanting forever to see the 2005 version of Glory By Honor where Danielson wins the title, as well as Colt Cabana’s last show with the company–for about 2 years, both of which are classics. I’ll definitely take advantage of this.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on March 13, 2010 at 07:01 AM
The download service already seems to be paying dividends for ROH as several members of the ROH message board have already used it and are very positive on the service. Of course, the ideal situation would be that ROH doesn’t just collect more money from the same customer base, but would be able to attract their HDNet fans and new fans they pick up from expanding in the South towards the online service. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but although I’m positive on the idea as a whole I doubt it will work out that way.
I’m going to the event next Satuday in Mississauga. Its gonna be off the hook. Row 3 baby!!!
Posted By: Matt Dawson (Guest) on March 14, 2010 at 03:45 PM
I’m still pleased to read comments like this, where fans are still enthusiastic about going to the shows and willing to just sit back and enjoy the show. Hopefully you will.
Head on over to TwitterNation and follow me at: http://twitter.com/AriBerenstein.
It’s been a relatively busy week of activity for me on this website. If you haven’t already, check out my contribution to this year’s 411 Countdown to Wrestlemania with a look back at five years of the Money in the Bank Ladder Match. I am so, so proud of the article and very happy with how it turned out—thanks to all who sent compliments my way.
Then you can find me in this week’s 411 Buy or Sell along with Kevin Ford discussing this weekend’s CHIKARA and ROH shows. This is like Magic vs. Bird, Luke Skywalker vs. Qui Gon Jinn, Kevin Nash vs. Scott Hall…well, maybe not that last one.
I also have a small cameo in this week’s Ask 411 Wrestling with Mathew Sforcina.
Aaron Hubbard’s has this week’s ROH on HDNet with the last two opening round matches of the HDNet Title tournament and Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards looking to make it through to the next bracket.
Jasper Gerretsen discusses the BDK’s women Sara Del Rey and Daizee Haze in this week’s That Was Then, Is This Too?.
I know last week I said I would have it this week, but I’ll be back one day early next week with my preview of ROH’s two Wrestlemania weekend shows in Phoenix, plus a head-to-head comparison with Dragon Gate USA’s efforts. Until then,
BROOKLYN!
–Ari–
