Column of Honor: 03.05.11: Finally, Final Battle 2010
Posted by Ari Berenstein on 03.05.2011
A belated but complete recap and detailed thoughts about Ring of Honor Final Battle 2010 from both a live perspective and on DVD—El Generico versus Kevin Steen in Mask versus Career and Roderick Strong defends the ROH World Title against Davey Richards!
Welcome to the Column. If I'm going to go out, I'm going to do it in style with a double-issue (see Column of Honor: The Honorable Thing to Do for more). In this column, complete and detailed recap and thoughts about Final Battle 2010, which is available for purchase through ROHWrestling.com.
Final Battle 2010 iPPV DVD Thoughts
This of course, was Ring of Honor's final show and final internet Pay Per View of 2010. It took place on December 18th from the Grand Ballroom in New York City.
I'll try to do a more comprehensive review of this show now as I never really gave my thoughts about it live as they happened (aside from my participation in Slimmer's Instant Access column, which were shorter texts).
The DVD begins with a one-minute clip from the excellent five-minute promo piece that aired on HDNet that concentrated on the top three matches of the evening. Personally I love the New York City building sketch from that video, but I guess that's to be expected since it's my hometown and I love the city.
The show begins with All-Night Express versus Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole, who had both been wrestling around the circuit and building up a buzz about their ring work, but had yet to wrestle in front of the New York crowd, one of the more critical and tough group of fans out there. Cole and O'Reilly took a crowd that didn't know much about them (though Cole had a decent amount of support with some people chanting for him at the beginning of the match, which surprised me) and immediately got over by getting right to the action and busting out undeniably impressive double team combinations. All-Night could have just used the accompaniment of their girls as easy heat, but they came to work in this one as well. King and Titus were totally focused and were on-point in timing and execution of their double teams.
Favorite moments: O'Reilly's multiple-strike sequence (an early point where the fans saw that he had something special) followed by O'Reilly diving and ANX catching them, only for Cole to dive on top of the entire pack; Titus and King borrowing Austin Aries' moves (as an homage to their former manager); Kenny King's jumping spin-kick (which in previous matches haven't always been true in form and accuracy, but this one looked picture-perfect); O'Reilly's double dragon-screw leg-whip (silly, but popped the crowd huge); Cole's jumping DDT on the apron (with King going "exclamation-point" with his body), following that up with the jumping enziguiri on Titus to the apron, O'Reilly's butterfly Suplex series and his running dropkick to the outside (the fans were just going nuts at this point and both teams were cooking); Hot-Shot on the turnbuckles (Cole took an awesome head-snap on that one) to the shotgun double knees and roll-up for a close call; King's leg cradle Suplex with bridge and O'Reilly's double stomp to stop the count, springboarding King with an awesome DDT only to have King launch with a double knees off the top to O'Reilly's gut and then Cole superkicking Titus (and at this point EVERYONE was sold on this one, getting off their feet and chanting the not-always-ubiquitous "This is Awesome" and more "Adam Cole" chants); Cole's flying missile dropkick to double dropkick on Titus; CO'Reilly's superkick-to-roaring closeline combo; ANX winning with the blockbuster powerbomb.
You couldn't have asked for a better opener—non-stop action the way it was meant to be and very much appreciated by the New York crowd. The key to this one getting over so well and so fast is that both teams built upon their previous encounter, using the sequences that got great pops from the crowd (which hadn't been seen by those in NYC) and then having extra-speed and precision that made these moves even better than the first go-round. The end result was that this opening match stole the entire first half of the show and put O'Reilly and Cole on the map in New York, even despite the loss. They looked like a legit team, acted like a legit team and got over as a legit team.
Colt Cabana and TJ Perkins engaged in a "Scientific Showdown", which is pretty much exactly what it was—a technical match based around chain-wrestling and pinfall clutches. This is a type of match that is sometimes hit-or-miss, even with a "smart" crowd like ROH fans in New York. Some like this style, others don't. It was hard to have to compete with the opening bout so Cabana and Perkins went the other direction and provided something different. It was mostly welcomed by the fans, especially with Cabana's charm and comic timing working for the fans on this night. Perkins also gained some support when he would float into some very impressive holds or either one would negotiate out of pinning predicaments.
Perkins' "Puma"-rope catch and Cabana not knowing how to react to it was a nice bit of business and the fans cheered for the sequence that came out of it. Cabana kicking out repeatedly at one and Bryce Remsburg's frustration at having to count so often was also a cute bit. However, whoever was doing the timing for the show was smart enough to keep this match short and sweet so that it didn't overstay its welcome, because the crowd could have easily turned on it for getting too cute.
Cabana rolls through Perkins roll-up attempts and gets the Billy Goat's Curse, but Perkins grabs the ropes. Soon after he elbows Cabana pretty hard in the mush and then in an amazing athletic display backflips off Cabana and rolls back into a kangaroo kick. Cabana responds with a harsh chop (0.61 Roderick Strong) and the Boom Jab sequences. Flying A**hole is met with Marufuji-style planting boots that press Cabana down to the mat. Perkins negotiates another school boy when Cabana tries for the Billy Goat again. However, Cabana gets a sunset flip and holds Perkins hands down for the impromptu three.
Sometimes these type of grappling / hybrid style matches have a tendency to end out of nowhere without using any real psychology or momentum based on what happened in the previous minutes of action (my mind goes back to Mike Quackenbush and Johnny Saint in the ring in CHIKARA). Unfortunately that was the case here and I felt it could have been better built. Perkins and Cabana honor the Code of Honor.
Clip to a promo package from HDNet with Haze explaining the Women of Honor concept. Nice fade-out to the ring after the video-PRODUCTION QUALITY AHOY!
The team of Amazing Kong & Daizee Haze was set to wrestle against Sara Del Rey and a mystery partner, who turned out to be Sereena Deeb. She had just been released by WWE in part apparently for not living the gimmick of being a part of CM Punk's Straight Edge Society. The reaction the fans gave her was more of a shout-out to Punk than an appreciation of her abilities, which is a shame since she had a very good run in SHIMMER and is a good wrestler (just never really had the chance to show it in WWE).
Unfortunately, the New York crowd has always been schizophrenic about women's wrestling—sometimes they're in the mood for it and sometimes they could care less. Even though they chanted "F**k the Divas" as an insult to WWE women's wrestling, it was clear early on that despite the effort all four women were bringing to this match that what they really wanted to see was Amazing Kong and only Amazing Kong. Kong's reaction can be attributed to her being hailed with a hero's welcome during the Supercard of Honor V match (her first appearance in ROH after the whole Bubba the Love Sponge incident in TNA) in May of 2010. The crowd went crazy for her beating up on everyone else but not much else aside from the final few minutes and the finish (which I guess is the most important part, after all).
I did like Haze matching Kong's warrior costume and hairstyle. It seemed appropriate. Unfortunately, Haze was booed at times by the fans and for no real good reason as she was on-point with her moves. Deeb was a face in SHIMMER but quickly established herself as a heel character by blocking Haze from tagging to Kong, thus making the crowd wait for her first in-ring action of the match. Haze brings out the Daizee Cutter Tornado Ace Crusher (which has always been a favorite of mine) and that allows for the hot tag. The NYC fans explode as Kong enters and CRUSHES Del Rey repeatedly. The great thing about Kong's size is that any huge move is immediately bought as a potential finish. "Kong's Gonna Kill You" chants warmed my heart—been a while since Samoa Joe was in ROH getting hailed with that one. Impact Buster gets a two-count. Kong tags Haze (which the crowd boos) and Le Bombes De Quebecers double team work s.
Deeb stops the count but she is quickly and viciously dealt with by both Kong and Haze. That leaves Haze and Del Rey and we get a Manami Roll (to a good pop, as even the NYC crowd has to admit that Haze did something cool) for a close nearfall. Haze jumps onto Del Rey, but it's quickly maneuvered into the Royal Butterfly and slam, which is usually a finisher, but is kicked out. Del Rey with the jumping piledriver, but Kong rushes in to stop the count. Deeb gets an awesome spear and Del Rey wins it for her team with a second massive jumping piledriver on Haze. I didn't necessarily agree with who won since Del Rey is always booked so strongly and this was an opportunity for a nice babyface win. Kong piggy-backs Haze out of the ring. ROH cuts it, but Kong did receive quite the farewell ovation at this point.
Eddie Edwards fought Sonjay Dutt in a "Special Challenge Match". This was supposed to be Edwards versus Kenny Omega (before Omega was injured or pulled out or whatever the hell happened), resulting in a bit of a trade down for this one. I liked Dutt's match in Massachusetts but at the time this show took place I had no real desire to watch him wrestle. So I actually went down to concessions and loaded up on beverages. I came back about halfway through and the thought the rest was solid enough. My initial live impression was that the booking of Edwards on this show was a disappointment because it was the second New York City show in a row where he wasn't in much of a featured role (after a great performance against Christopher Daniels at Supercard of Honor V).
So now this is my chance to watch the match in full. Like in Plymouth, Dutt doesn't get much of a reaction coming out to the ring. Edwards is given a fantastic reception. He should be given some new tights, because it's clear the lettering off the back of his is breaking apart. Edwards locks in the Achilles Lock early but Dutt reaches the ropes. Dutt comes back with some acrobatics but Edwards is on top of it and counters. Good sequence. Dutt slaps Edwards to anger him and then ducks out of the ring…and crawls under it! Smart heel move there. He pops out of the other side and slides back in the ring. HEEL. He puts his finger to his mouth to tell the crowd not to react and crawls up to Edwards but he is seen and is chopped for his efforts. 0.5 Roderick.
Edwards launches Dutt up and then he runs at him with a knee strike for two. Dutt with a quebrada onto the back and some heel posturing. Dutt takes it to the outside and hurls him at the barricades. He does a weak-looking springboard leg drop that barely touches Edwards. Back in for some neck cranking to slow the match down. Edwards comes back with a forearm and Dutt runs right into a Doi Fives. Dutt is crotched and almost goes head over heels but this is the spot where Edwards goes for the crazy hurricanrana, so Edwards rights Dutt's position and gets that move, which pops the crowd but truth be told didn't look all that great this time.
Dutt springboards in but Edwards catches him and into the powerbomb position (and yeah, that IS impressive display of strength) and back to a sunset flip (urge to kill, rising). Waistlock counter to a roll up and camel clutch is quickly dislodged and rolled through into the Achilles Lock and rolled back into a small package for two. That was super fast but smoothly executed. Dutt to the top but gets a jumping enziguiri and backpack chinbreaker for his troubles. Edwards usually holds on for the Achilles Lock at that point but didn't this time around. Dutt gets his corner combination that ends with the springboard leg drop over the turnbuckle and then a splash for a two-count. Dutt smiles and mocks Edwards. Dutt springboards in and Edwards counters but Dutt counters the counter into a DDT, plus the standing shooting star for two!
Asai Sliced Bread is thrown off and while Dutt tries to roll through he gets a kick to the chest WHILE UPSIDE DOWN. Edwards with the jumping Codebreaker but its no-sold (rrr…) followed by superkick exchanges and Edwards catches him with a running closeline for two. Edwards moves slowly up top, but it's stopped with a palm strike. Dutt thrusts his hips into Edwards to taunt the crowd, but he's dumped and Edwards flies down with the DOUBLE STOMP. POWERBOMB, 2K1 BOMB! That's three.
Okay, I quite dug this one on second viewing and have to give Dutt a lot of credit for working hard on both nights of this weekend. He was actually working really well as a heel here in service of putting over Edwards.
Glory By Honor IX recap package concentrating mostly on Kings of Wrestling versus World's Greatest Tag Team, leading to the announcement by Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin that they'll be sticking around in ROH for 2011.
Newly-crowned ROH Television Champion Christopher Daniels matches up against Homicide, ostensibly for the right to be called number one contender. Problem was, the HDNet tapings that set up the 9th Anniversary Show iPPV had already taken place. Those who read the spoilers knew Homicide was on an undefeated streak and was going to be given the title shot on that show, so even a blind person could tell he was going to win this one. PLUS, it was Homicide's first official match in his hometown since returning to ROH, so for sure Daniels had a snowball's chance in hell of winning. And other such clichés.
The match itself was well-received by most of the fans in attendance (lots of crowd participation, clapping and shouting), because they bought into Daniels and Homicide's charisma and chemistry. However, it was slow in pace and it was clear both men were out there to do a safe match and not go for the show stealer. After the match there were reports that Homicide had been hurt (not during the match) and was trying to do his best to work through the show. Still for me this match was a disappointment, especially when judged as in comparison to the others that came before and after it.
It was fun to see "J-Train" Julius Smokes back in ROH and playing off of the crowd in his rallying around of Homicide. It was not fun to see Mike Bennett in the role of spoiler on this night, sitting right at ringside. He was given a "who are you?" chant since most in NYC probably actually didn't know who he was—with most of his HDNet work having not aired to that point. In a funny bit there is a kid right behind Bennett who waved and plays to the camera. I wanted to see more of him and less of Bennett.
The crowd chanted "F*ck TNA", as to be expected, but Daniels is all "please everyone stop that misbehaving as I will have to sign with them in two months". He waved them off and they chant "ROH" like good little sheeple (TM Austin Aries). After some early grappling the match breaks down with ‘Cide being frustrated and therefore he makes it more of a brawl. Some trademark Homicide and Daniels sequences follow (an Arabian press here, an Eddie Guerrero Suplex series there) and ‘Cide gets a full-on flip senton to the outside, being met with a "Holy Sh*t" chant.
Bridging Suplex by Homicide for two and he goes up top, but the splash hits knees and Daniels fires back with jabs and a sloppy leg line. Then the headlock smash to the buckles and the top turnbuckle holding hands double stomp (both of those moves desperately need names) to bring down Homicide. However ‘Cide easily come back with a butterfly Suplex. Daniels catches a monkey flip and puts ‘Cide up top. ‘Cide pushes off and gets knees to the head for two-count. Rolling submission is flipped out and Daniels puts on the crossface but is too close to the ropes.
Of note, Dave Prazak and Kevin Kelly drop down in volume here. Won't be the last time on this show.
Both men pick up the pace for the finish, maneuvering out of Cop Killer and BME attempts. ‘Cide blocks the Angels Wings by running into the turnbuckle, crushing Paul Turner. He takes his shirt and throws it at Daniels and in theory that was supposed to blind him or distract him, but it doesn't quite cover Daniels' head. ‘Cide gets the Ace Crusher anyway and that's enough for three. Bennett grabs the mic and sarcastically praises Daniels for the good win, tossing the TV belt at him. It gets him some heel heat as he and Bob Evans walk to the back. Some light "Don't Come Back" chants in his general direction as well. As far as I'm concerned, the jury was still out on this heel push for Bennett at this point.
Vignette recapping The Briscoes vs. The Kings of Wrestling feud and setting up the six-man involving Papa Briscoe & Shane Hagadorn on each side. I'll tell you, Ring of Honor did a great job of building up to this moment through the HDNet program. They didn't overplay their hand with Papa Briscoe, using him sparingly but with effective angles. The bigger problematic was that the six-man tag was built up for New York City, half of whose audience that did not buy into Papa Briscoe participating in such a match, at least at first.
On one hand, The Briscoes received a huge "Man Up" chant upon their entrance, but then the other half began to boo Papa thoroughly…and at times Jay and Mark as well. There were quite a few reasons for that which all combined together and resulted in the mixed reaction for the babyfaces. First of all, though other cities such as Plymouth and Charlotte have shown dislike for The Kings of Wrestling, New York City has traditionally been a split-crowd with a very solid support system for them, even though they are heels. This split-support where there is a very vocal cheering section for KOW has stretched back all the way to their winning the ROH World Tag Team Titles for the first time in 2006. Even back in February of 2010, New York City was almost universally rooting for KOW when they demolished The Bravado Brothers. They even had the split against perennial favorites Motor City Machine Guns. So KOW was likely going to have a good amount of support for their appearance on this show right off the bat. Heck, my bro Chris and I always bring the Swiss flag and hoist it up in the balcony to show our support of The Kings.
As for The Briscoes, well I'm sure some fans still held the interference that resulted in the disqualification for the Machine Guns vs. Kings of Wrestling match at Supercard of Honor V this past May. That match was a surefire candidate for match of the year before the hackneyed, tacked-on DQ finish. Never mind that the finish was a result of backstage politics between ROH and TNA, but some of the fans still carry resentment for The Briscoes being the ones to actually do the run-in. The crowd will harbor that resentment of what they see "front stage", much like Tyler Black had to carry the burden of his stalled push and multiple failed attempted at winning the ROH World Title, even though it wasn't really his call to make.
Add to that those who might have felt that the use of "non-wrestlers" such as Papa Briscoe and Shane Hagadorn (who actually is a wrestler, but is used as a manager for KOW) was unwarranted and unwelcome. Add to that the unconscious but subtly present Yankee-bias against "redneck southerners" that sometimes pushes its way into group think in NYC. It all added up to a mixed crowd that didn't react to the angle and the match like one would have thought given the simple babyface-heel situations used for this feud.
So yes, Papa Briscoe was booed and cat-called at first (a good deal of them cheered when Hero pushed him off the apron early on) but eventually even New York couldn't resist Papa's charms—and neither could Sara Del Rey for that matter. Oh sure, she gagged when Papa ran out and gave her a "kiss that didn't miss", but I'm sure that was more out of shock than displeasure… ahem. Sara Del Rey gets ejected…for being the victim of a kiss? I'm not sure how that works out. Anyway, the more Papa involved himself in the match, the more he proved himself to the crowd. His antics were also damned entertainment, from the aforementioned smooch to layin' a choppin' on Hagadorn, the satellite headscissors (look at Jay and Mark hopping up and down on the apron—they were marking out for it too) and later on blasting Claudio with the freaking Stone Cold Stunner. It can't be denied that Papa was used the right way during this match—sparsely but at the right moments.
One of those "Little Things" to note that makes paying attention to detail so worth it—The KOW have entrance robes now, but if you look in the middle of Hero's robe is his "star" logo, while Castagnoli sports the Swiss crest. Hagadorn looked like a complete slime-ball with his tights, the purple KOW ski-cap and a douchebag smile. Papa Briscoe sports a Cowboy Hat on the way to ring, looking to go all John Wayne on Hagadorn and company.
Woven in-between all of the "Papa gaga" and The Briscoes collectively beating the crap out of Hagadorn was the usual Briscoes versus Kings of Wrestling goodness. The double teams like the double chops, biels and shoulderblocks from The Briscoes and the Suplex to elbow from The Kings had been done before in previous meetings, but they looked great and were effective in telling the story of the in-ring battle between both sides throughout the feud. These sequences and combinations worked in previous matches and they worked here.
Meanwhile, Shane Hagadorn's timing and cohesion with his clients left something to be desired, whether it was accidentally chopping Hero in the chest or his ineffectiveness in the ring against Jay or Mark. Hagadorn was the clear weak link, and that's why it was an obviously correct choice to isolate on him for the finish—a babyface win in the end that didn't take any luster off of The Kings' reign as tag champions. Papa Briscoe came down with the Doomsday Device closeline on Hagadorn and Jay Briscoe covered for the three-count while Mark blocked both Hero and Castagnoli from entering the ring.
Vignette promoting the Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards ROH World Title Match. Of note at the time was that Richards had shiny silver tights and a different hairstyle for this match. Wrestling logic usually dictates that new and shiny tights = title change, but alas…
Meanwhile, on commentary, Kevin Kelly is essentially not audible for this match. Prazak's at a "3", the New York is at an "11" and Kelly is about a "1". Might as well watch this one with the commentary turned off.
Crowd chants "Next World Champ" and Richards responds by lowering down to one knee and pumping his fists in anticipation. I thought his being super-psyched and ready to win the match was very charismatic.
I'm not quite sure what came over me during this match but I was going crazy with a sort of violent bloodlust live and in person at the show, wanting Richards to destroy Strong and take the title. Every chop or kick or dive from Richards and I was screaming, I was cursing and I was shaking the banister atop the first row balcony in a sort-of excited energy and intensity. I wanted Richards to win the title-badly. I live and died with the many of the near-falls …and so did the rest of the audience, peaking with the incredible shooting star press that 99.9% of the audience believed was the finish. So I guess you could say I marked-out for the match and with good reason—the battle lived up to previous matches in their series in terms of physical exertion, violence, technical wrestling excellence and of course the "big title bout" feel that helps the very best ROH championship bouts come to life.
The match began with some basic chain wrestling and grapple positions, with Richards dominating most of them. He had the most "riding time", so to speak. Strong elbowed his way out a Muta Lock, which was kind of cool and maybe the first time I've seen that done. Richards was right back to it, with Strong threatening the Stronghold but Richards breaking lose into an anklelock. Quickly Strong makes the ropes.
Strong unleashes his first chop of the match, but Richards skins the cat on an Irish whip and comes up with an awesome jump into a cross-armbreaker. Strong hits the ropes but Richards is still on the advantage, with an old school combo he doesn't always use these days, the chops to the chest followed by a wrap-around kick. Then the arm-in cloverleaf, but Strong is again near the ropes, which is seemingly the pattern developing for this match. No worries as Richards continues to the attack with more strikes to bring Strong to the mat and then right to submission holds, such as the Kimura. A beautiful Northern Lights Suplex with bridge gets a nearfall and then back to the Kimura. Truth places the toe of Strong's boot on the ropes and when it doesn't stay on he has to hold it there. Sinclair can plainly see he had a hold of it but has to pretend he doesn't.
To the outside and Richards gets a huge kick to the face and confidently claims to the camera "Next World Champ". Well, hate to break it to ya... running kick on the other side as well. Strong scrambles across the ring and lures Richards out where he hits a jumping enziguiri to the head and then another boot. This is where one could pinpoint the beginning of the attacks to the head that will build up against Richards throughout the match (thus adding to the finish). The NYC fans, ever appreciative of the excellent wrestling in the match thus far, start chanting for the guy dressed up as Reptar in the front row ("We've got Reptar" / F*ck you Reptar")—way to be New York City, way to be. Strong smartly slows the match down until NYC behaves itself.
Strong has lands a jumping leg lariat and works the chest with a seated abdominal stretch. A small chop skirmish is stopped as Strong brings Richards down to the mat again with a body lock, working in some elbows…where? To the head, of course. It all starts slowly adding up, but it's not overwhelming Richards just yet. Richards blocks and negotiates out of it, but Strong stops the handspring elbow with a dropkick to the head. OUCH. To the apron and Strong wants a backbreaker but Richards flips out of it, dropkicks Strong off the apron and… ah, eventually, gets the running flip dive. Didn't much like Strong hopping back up on the apron to set up for the spine-kick that happened right before that—looked waaaay too fake (sometimes if you miss the mark, just roll with it). Still, fans pop like crazy for the big dive and chant for Richards. See, doesn't take much to get the NYC fans to chant for you—just almost kill yourself and you'll earn their affection. From this point on, they are all about chanting and supporting Richards.
Wolf howl from Richards (after two years, finally beginning to incorporate that into his act and it does fit him as a face) and flying dropkick knocks Strong down, followed with some great strike exchanges and a Saito Suplex for two converted into the Kimura, but Strong rolls out of it. Richards can't get a Suplex, so he throws a kick to the chest. Strong plasters him with a forearm, but then Richards responds with the Alarm Clock throw and kick, running forearm, running kneelift to the corner and then up top for the diving headbutt for a two-count. Falcon Arrow to cross-armbreaker (which I really dig) but Strong turns over and his foot reaches the ropes.
Strong responds with a big boot to the face, enziguiri (with Richards' eyes rolling into his head) and Falcon Arrow for a close two and Richards is crawling to the corner. Running corner forearm and forearm combos, Side Effect for two (little thing: Strong holds down the far arm with both of his arms). Strong floats into the Stronghold but this time it's Richards who is very close to the ropes and he breaks the hold.
Strong wants the Gibson Driver but Richards holds on and blocks the move. Strong releases his grip, deciding on more forearms, which devolve into slaps from both men. Richards rushes Strong to the turnbuckle, where there is a massive "kick-versus-chop" battle. Richards gets about fifteen in a row (ode to Kobashi). He avoids a dash with an enziguiri to the back and a running punt kick to the chest, followed up with a German Suplex with a bridge for a 2.9 count. Richards pulls Strong up top, but its blocked and Strong chops Richards up to the top rope and hey! That's me up on the top balcony with Chris and Kelly!
Richards wins control in the turnbuckle positioning battle and launches a massive Super backsuplex (crowd absolutely loving it). Strong's body posture looks like one of those Keith Haring paintings. Rotation closeline for a verrry near fall. Richards blasts a strike combo to the head ending with the BUZZSAW KNOCKOUT KICK! Strong barely lifts his shoulder up before the three-count. Richards with the ANKLE LOCK! Strong is in the middle of the ring, nowhere near the ropes. Up comes Truth Martini to distract the ref just as Strong taps and the audience was NOT happy about it.
Richards quickly deals with Truth by running at him with a kick to knock him down. There is the aforementioned SHOOTING STAR PRESS (fans in the nearby vicinity ARE JUMPING OFF THEIR FEET)…ONE…TWO… NOOOOOOOO! "That was three chants" fill the air, but its wishful thinking because there was no question that Strong kicked out (as opposed to some other matches in ROH history where it really is one of those "hair's-breadth", "mind is quicker than the eye" illusions).
Richards is sweating, tired, but "Davey" chants fire him up and he is ready him for more. He pulls Strong up top but Strong blocks it. Richards kicks Strong off, but the jumping enziguiri equals that out and now Strong has the advantage. This is where Strong gets an insane looking half-nelson backbreaker, using the ropes as the point of impact. At the time, this looked to me like it was a botch that almost killed Richards, but from this view, it's clear Richards had control of the fall and came down rather easily actually. Richards kicks out at two.
On the apron, Strong throws Richards down with a Gibson Driver THROUGH A TABLE! Then another one on the floor (coming about three inches away from Davey's head hitting a table leg, but it didn't). He then hurls Richards OVER the barricade into the fans, hoping for the count-out win. Amazingly, the fans at ringside pull up Richards, who is selling near-unconsciousness. They roll him over the barricade and he juuuust makes it back to the ring at nineteen.
Strong presses the advantage with the Double Knee Gutbuster to ANOTHER Gibson Driver, but Richards kicks out and the champ floats to the Stronghold! New York is pleading thoroughly, shouting "Please don't tap", which is a chant that hasn't come out of their collective mouths in quite a while—THAT is how into the match they've become (no more chanting for Reptar tonight, thank you). Richards reverses out into the ankle lock again, but Strong sweeps the leg and has an ankle hold grapevine of his own. Richards STAND UPS out of the hold in an awesome reversal and negotiates into the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF (fans going ballistic now). Strong rolls him up into a small package position, rolling through into a LABELL LOCK! IN YO FACE DANIEL BRYAN DANIELSON. Crowd recognizes the hold and boos (though it doesn't get quite the heat one would think). Richards escapes it into a school boy roll-up for a near fall and "That Was Three" chants certainly were appropriate for that near-fall.
They continue to strike each other with Richards earning the advantage. A Gibson Driver of his own is barely kicked out, right back to the ankle lock. Strong scrambles to the ropes, but is pulled back, but Strong kicks him in the head (building up to it). Richards squeezes and squeezes, but he gives up on the hold, having spent too much energy and at this point selling a possible concussion (although through the magic of DVD and hindsight one can clearly see now it was a work). Strong JAMS Richards in the head with a jumping knee strike… and again! Double Knees, Sick Kick, but Richards KICKS OUT. ORANGE CURSH DOUBLE KNEE BACKBREAKER, SUPERKICK TO THE HEAD, RUNNING KICK TO THE HEAD AND… KICK OUT! Richards is refusing to die! Stronghold with the knee to the back (basically looking like an old school Chris Jericho Liontamer) and Richards is out, forcing the referee to call for the bell!
Richards is face down and unconscious on the mat. His protégé Kyle O'Reilly is immediately in the ring with an ice pack and water along with Eddie Edwards and several referees to tend to Richards. Strong, in a brilliant heel move, makes the "crybaby" taunt and gives some lip service to fans at ringside. Prazak praises Richards' stamina and the ability to absorb all those huge strikes, which most other wrestlers wouldn't be able to handle. Bobby Cruise sells the moment by asking the fans for their patience as they tend to Richards (who sports a bloody ear) as he might have a "possible concussion".
Richards wakes up and asks "what happened?" which is what most MMA fighters ask when they are knocked out and don't realize it. He looks absolutely disconsolate and awash with emotion. I have to praise him for having brilliant body language in his reaction to the loss. He receives a sustained standing ovation, a "Thank You Davey" chant and a "Best in the World" chant on his way to the back.
The story of the match played out well-enough, though using the "concussion" angle certainly didn't sit well with some. It made sense though, that Richards was blasted with some out-right brutal hits and combinations (especially down the stretch), that compounded the "injury" and resulted in him losing his grasp at the end of the match. He lost his ability to capitalize on a chance to win. Then Strong bombarded Richards with more hits, before locking in the submission. It made total and complete sense and the finish was accepted by the fans, but again perhaps it was not in the best of taste. I give credit to the fans though for their solid and consistent support of Richards during this one. They never quite returned to the highest levels of suspension of disbelief after the Strong kick-out of the Shooting Star, but there were solid reactions of hope until the direction of the finish was clear.
Ultimately, Richards vs. Strong was a wild and emotional ride based on the precepts of technical wrestling and exciting nearfalls that have comprised the best ROH main-event title matches such as Gibson vs. Danielson and Danielson vs. KENTA. I think it ends up just a notch below those matches, but isn't like that's a huge knock or anything.
If the show had ended there, this would have been a great way to wrap up ROH's 2010. However, there was still one more to go; an unsanctioned finale to what had become one of the most engrossing feuds of the year. "The Final Battle at Final Battle" would feature Kevin Steen versus El Generico, one last time, with Generico's mask put up on the line against Steen's ROH career in a Fight Without Honor match.
This finale between the former-partners, now bitter and brutal blood enemies, was everything one could have hoped for in a final showdown through the medium of professional wrestling. Everything was at stake in such a feud-ending bout and with these critical stipulations pertaining to both men's careers on the line. Yes, the match was over-the-top with violence, huge weapon spots and risks to the body that under normal circumstances no one, not even wrestlers should take. However, this match was not "normal circumstances". Both Steen and Generico realized going in that to really put a cap on their amazing feud they needed to go full-tilt, risk everything and have no hesitations and no boundaries in what they were willing to do to each other during this match. It was the biggest risk, but the highest reward possible.
The fans may not have been as loud at times as compared to the finishing stretch of the Richards-Strong bout, but they definitely were engrossed in the match every step of the way. There was just so much "Shock-and-Awe" during this encounter that captivated the attention of the fans. Some of the moves were so sickening and unbelievable that they would receive a huge "OHHHH", a collective gasp from the crowd or a "Holy Sh*t" chant and then a momentary hush that was essentially the fans trying to come to terms with the vicious moves they had just seen play out in front of them.
Before the match ring announcer Bobby Cruise announced that the Steen vs. Generico match had been cancelled by ROH but picked up additional outside funding and would now be unsanctioned. He detailed a warning suggesting there would be violence and blood and ROH would not be held responsible for any pain, suffering damages and, get this, "any applicable taxes in perpetuity." TAXES man, taxes.
Each man received unique entrance music to set the "mood" before their more recognizable themes… Steen had a clip of a theme from the movie Saw. Generico had an elegant piano solo. It was a good attempt to add something extra to the atmosphere (a moment of beauty before the savageness). It felt somewhat cheesy to me at the time, but didn't quite reach the over-the-top levels of when WWE would play music over Kane's promos.
Both Steen and Generico receive streamers, with a deluge for Generico in particular. Steen is wearing the Steenerico tag team T-shirt as psychological warfare. Both men size each other up and the bell rings. Steen offers a mocking handshake to follow the Code of Honor. Generico spits at Steen! Steen fires back! Generico smashes him in the face with an Ole kick! And another! He runs full-tilt with a flip tope to the outside! Those few seconds of hatred and the resultant action set the tone and pace for the entire match.
They begin to tear into each other at ringside, with Generico throwing Steen into the barricade, then taking out a chain from underneath the ring (shades of their double chain match at Glory By Honor IX). He whips Steen in the stomach and back and then pummels him in the face with it. Steen escapes by heading back into the ring but Generico follows and unleashes some more powerful shots with the chain in his fist. He wraps the chain around Steen's forehead and then Yakuza kicks him in the head!
Steen falls outside and is busted wide open when he comes back up. It's just that type of match—where blood happens minutes into the match, but it is super believable—I mean Generico hit him about seven or eight times with the chain to the head. Generico picks up a table and smashes it right into Steen's head! Good lord! Steen sort of wobbles backwards and leans on the guardrail while blood streams down the middle of his face, down his nose and mouth. Prazak warns "if you don't like violence, stop watching right now." Should have said that five minutes ago, man!
Steen slaps Generico but Generico responds right back—he is done taking any guff or insults. He pulls out a ladder from under the ring and javelins Steen right in the head! He throws it into the ring, but that allows Steen the chance to stun him and powerbomb him on the ring frame! Steen rolls back into the ring and postures. Good lord Steen looks ugly as hell with that blood, but he takes it and paints his arm---and licks it! EWWWWWWW!
He peels an entire side of metal ROH guardrail covers and just throws them on top of Generico and then frog splashes from the apron down to the buried Generico! "Holy Sh*t" chants—absolutely apropos of this match, BUT WAIT, THERE's MORE! He pulls off an entire metal barricade and hurls it like a javelin to the other side and Generico barely ducks in time. Not too much room for error there, both in terms of missing Generico and missing the fans. Luckily Steen had good aim.
On the other side, Generico backdrops out of a powerbomb and throws Steen back inside the ring. He hurls the ladder right at Steen's face! That ladder was already broken, but it's doubly broken (if there is such a thing) when Steen backdrops Generico on the ladder. THAT LOOKED SICK! Medium-volume "ROH" chants (but it will be far louder shortly, again, theses are shocking moments here and some fans can't or don't know how to react). Steen grinds Generico's head down with his boot and goes after the mask. He pummels Generico, who tries to fire back weakly. Steen is certainly in control at this point. He takes some time in between boots to the head to preen and posture to the crowd.
That time wasted allows Generico to fire back with stronger punches, but Steen catches him off a rebound and powerbombs him down! Two-count (using the knee to engage the cover). New York tries to galvanize Generico with an "Ole!" chant as he crawls to the ropes, while Steen takes Prazak and Kelly's (plastic) chairs and throws them in the ring. He launches one to the head of Generico and then grinds it in his face. Cannonball with the chair! Chair across the back, breaking the seating!
Steen once again goes after the mask, ripping the eye sockets and pummeling the eyebrow ridge, perhaps in an attempt to bust him open. Steen has the chair again, but Generico blocks it, tries to smash Steen's head in, but Steen grabs hold and turns it into a Codebreaker and the chair smashes right into Generico's jaw! The chair is on Generico and Steen uses the somersault leg drop on Generico's prone head! That busts Generico open and he is visibly losing blood from the exposed part of the mask.
There is more psychological warfare as Steen grabs the original Generico mask and uses it as a hand puppet. He even talks in a high-pitched voice. It's like Garrison and Mr. Hat! He punches Generico with the mask in his hand—oh, I get it, it's like he's beating himself up! It's a variation of the old bully line "why are you hitting yourself?" Dastardly. Steen wipes Generico's blood and licks it…DOUBLE EWWWWWWW! More "You sick Fuck" chants. I can't disagree. He wipes the blood all over his body and his crotch even. TRIPLE EWWWWW. Generico tries to fight back but Steen smashes him with the chain to the eye.
Steen postures over Generico's body near the commentary station. He asks Kevin Kelly to look at the sight and asks "does that turn you on?" Just madman villain speech at this point. Steen slaps Generico in the back and whole mess of blood splatters right onto him. This is becoming a crime scene, but it gets worse. Steen props the ladder on its side (which means the hinges are open and poking out). He kisses Generico! Generico reverses and plants Steen with the Michinoku Driver onto the ladder! Ahem. Ahem. Ahem.
DANGERRRRROUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Huge "Ole!" chants from everyone and Generico is back on the offensive he props the ladder on the turnbuckle and launches Steen with a huge Northern Lights release suplex! The ladder is completely warped at this point, bent and twisted—a metaphor for the feud if you will. Generico places the ladder flat (well as flat as can be) on the mat and tries for a Half-Nelson release suplex…Steen blocks it at first, but then Generico gets the Half Nelson onto the ladder! Steen lands HEAD FIRST onto the frame! DANGERRRRROUSSSSS! Generico covers, one…two…kick out by Steen, who rolls out of the ring!
Generico wants the running DDT through the turnbuckles, but Steen smashes a guardrail into Generico's head (shades of Hate: Chapter II)! Generico is caught wrapped in the turnbuckles. Steen pulls the ladder so that it creates a bridge between the apron and one side of the guardrail. Then he powerbombs Generico into another guardrail!
As Generico tries to recover, Steen goes back to the ladder bridge and adds to the construction with a TABLE in between the steps. Generico comes from the other side and hits the running DDT IN-BETWEEN THE LADDER AND THE TABLE onto Steen! HOLY SH*T! There was maybe a foot of space in between the two objects and in fact Generico did nick the table, but some kind and generous fans grab hold of it so it doesn't land on them. Still, that was one hell of a moment.
Generico (with the help of the fans in the section) resets the table onto the ladder. Fans chant "This is Awesome!" YUP. Both men back in the ring and Generico wants the Ole boot, but Steen meets him with a massive superkick to the head! That quiets the crowd down. Steen props a chair up and looks for the Package Piledriver. Generico rolls over Steen and drives him into the chair with the Half-Nelson. BRAINBUSTER! One, Two, kick out! Generico can't believe it, but eventually he asks the fans for more support and they give it to him.
Steen is back, propped up on the turnbuckle. Generico tries the Ole boot again, but Steen picks him up and over the other side, near the ladder / table construct. Steen punches Generico on the table and then heads to the top turnbuckle. Generico catches him and looks to biel him off but Steen goes for the eyes and momentarily stops it. Generico elbows him in the chest and then THROWS HIM OVERBOARD ONTO THE LADDER / TABLE!
That was a "Holy Sh*t" moment if ever there was one, though as awesome as that moment was live—like jump out of you chairs and go crazy awesome—on second viewing the hit was actually relatively safe. What was very dangerous was the piece of table that landed near Steen and could have caught him badly on the back.
Generico throws Steen back in, along with a chair, looking for the brainbuster. Steen blocks. He goes for the Package Piledriver instead….and gets it! One…TWO…Steen rolls the shoulder and kicks out of his own finisher! More "This is Awesome" chants. On the apron, Generico looks for another brainbuster, and gets it on the apron frame! He rolls Steen in… ONE, TWO… BUT STEVE CORINO PULLS SINCLAIR OFF THE COUNT! Kevin Kelly with an awesome impression of Jim Ross, shouting out "YOU SON OF A BIT*H!" That was certainly the win there, but Corino took it away from Generico and the fans.
Corino is now in the ring, Generico ducks his closeline, but Corino gets him the other way and Generico flips on his head! Corino takes off his suit jacket! Sinclair gives him some guff, but Corino punches him out! In certain circles that would make him a hero. Corino grabs a metal chair but before he can use it, Colt Cabana is out to pull him out from the ring and pushes him to the back! Cabana grabs the metal chair, but then thinks twice about removing it…and just LAUNCHES THE CHAIR into Steen's face. Sinclair slowly crawls over for the count…ONE…TWO… kick out!
Cabana chases Corino to the back and its down to just Generico and Steen once again. Fans rally behind Generico, who hits Steen, but Steen just stands there, spits back at him and throws up some double middle fingers. He begs Generico to hit him, so Generico rushes at him, but Steen side steps him and Generico OLE BOOTS SINCLAIR to the floor! NICE!
Steen sneaks up on him, smashes him with a low blow, Package Piledriver! There is no referee, but Bryce Rembsurg runs down to the ring doing his best Charles Robinson at Wrestlemania 24. He slides in, one…two… kick out by Generico! PACKAGE PILEDRIVER TO REMSBURG. Prazak: "Anyone who gets in the ring at this point is putting their body on the line!"
Steen sets another plastic chair, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER ON THE CHAIR! Paul Turner runs down, slides in, ONE, TWO, but Generico rolls his shoulder up again! Steen is incredulous. Prazak urges Turner to get out of there before he gets his ass kicked. HUGE OLE CHANTS as Steen can't believe what he hears. Generico slowly makes his way to his feet. Steen has cracked mentally. He is dragging Generico up top and slaps him in the face. "I'm gonna kill you with your own goddamn move". He sets up the turnbuckle brainbuster, but Generico hops over and down off the top. He pulls Steen down and then OLE BOOT! TURNBUCKLE BRAINBUSTER! But Steen rolls outside to the floor instead of inside. Generico has to go out and throws Steen in before going for the cover. ONE, TWO… KICK OUT! Steen barely rolled his shoulder, like an inch off the ground. Generico is in shock!
Fans chant "one more time", but Generico has a better idea. He grabs the steel chair, the same one that Steen used blood to write "Mr. Wrestling" (Glory By Honor IX) and similar to the one that Steen used to bash him in the head at Final Battle 2009 to begin this whole madness. Steen kneels on the mat. He begs for mercy…holding up Generico's mask, as if offering it to him if he would just stop right now. Generico thinks about it. He takes the mask… holds it in his hands, drops it, AND SMASHES THE CHAIR RIGHT IN STEEN'S FACE! That gets the three-count! The war is over! The feud is over!
Colt Cabana rushes to the ring to help Generico recover. Generico kneels down and puts on the original Generico mask! No more "Dark Generico". Generico celebrates as the music plays and Cabana applauds him. Corino is down to assist Steen. Both Generico and Steen take one last look at each other. Fans chant "Match of the Year" and "Thank You Both". Generico waves bye-bye and the fans pick that up with a "Na-na-na-na, hey, hey, goodbye" chant to Steen, who is just sitting on the mat, disconsolate and breathing heavily. Then some of the fans chant "Thank You Steen" —guess they didn't learn from Tyler Black's departure. Steen gets up at that and looks to respond, but he does so with double middle fingers and a simple but assertive "F**k You All!" Fans pop for that. Steen on the outside gets the Dark Generico mask, pulls it apart and throws it down before heading out of Ring of Honor…forever?
I gave this match five stars at the time it happened live. I absolutely stick with that rating now. It was the perfect way to end this feud (or if it is to continue at some future point, at least this chapter of it). The run of finishers at the end made sense in that each man did not want to be denied and the kick-outs were very dramatic (and progressively closer calls, as by the end Steen and Generico could only roll their shoulder up in the nick of time, not using full-bore kick-outs). I appreciated Cabana and Corino returning at the end, because they were majorly involved throughout the year and deserved a final cameo before the feud concluded. A lot of the weapon shots recall previous moments in the feud (an ROH feud-ending specialty) and just about the only payback that was missing was to Colby Corino for his interference at Supercard of Honor V and Glory By Honor IX. In other words—it really don't get much better than this.
In the back, Strong confronts Truth about his interference, saying now he looks like a fool (remember he denied that Truth had anything to do with helping him win the ROH World Title and that he would give Richards the title if Truth interfered in their title match). Truth tries to calm him down. Strong sees the camera and throws the guy out, but he sneaks back in to hear more of the conversation. Truth seems to be able to manipulate Strong and convince him the belt was his destiny all along.
A bonus feature sees Kenny King freestyle about the ANX and how 2011 is going to be their year. He's pretty damned good at it too. Rhett Titus is surely impressed.
I was left with a feeling of complete satisfaction and even euphoria leaving the Manhattan Center on the cold December day—the same feeling that I had when walking down the very same steps after watching Homicide win the ROH World Title at Final Battle 2006. Many of the fans around me felt the same way and began to chant "Ole!" over and over again. The cheer could be heard walking down the seven flights to the ground floor, in the main lobby of the building and even outside among the throng of departing fans beginning their trek home through Manhattan. The communal chant—the universal support of El Generico's victory and the happiness I saw on many people's faces—that kind of harmonious moment is the very best that professional wrestling has to offer. Everyone else on Thirty-Fourth Street who didn't know what or why we were loudly repeating that word was missing out.
