411’s ROH Caged Collision PPV Report 4.17.09

ROH CAGED COLLISION 2009: 04.17.09

–As is the new norm for these shows, I will do brief recaps for the under card, and then full recaps for the main events.

-Prazak welcomes us to the show.

– Kyle Durden is back stage with Aries and Jacobs. They both want to win the tag title match later in the evening, because the winner gets the title shot. They also agree that Tyler Black needs to lose. Aries then knocks Durden the FUCK out, just because he can.

Alex Payne vs. Kenny King vs. Silas Young

Alex Payne vs. Kenny King vs. Silas Young was the opening bout, and overall it was rather disappointing. It wasn’t so much bad as it was just a collection of spots. I always talk about the importance of the opener, and unless I am forgetting something, this match was the “worst” opener as far as ROH PPV goes. They seemed to be working hard, I won’t say they weren’t, but it was a disappointing match that when it was over, I didn’t think anyone was more over than when it began. Other than Dave Prazak, as the match felt like a vehicle to get over his hate of Payne. Hey I don’t like him either, but maybe we should work on getting the guys in the ring over. I will say that easily out of the three Kenny King is the only one that comes off with any star power.

Winner: Alex Payne @ 7:30 via pin
Rating: *½

-We get a video package hyping the hate between Claudio Castagnoli and Kevin Steen.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kevin Steen

I really like the work of both Claudio Castagnoli and Kevin Steen, so I was looking forward to the match. It was a good paced and hard-hitting bout, with both men looking good overall. The one thing that I keep feeling is that Claudio isn’t getting over as much as they want him to as a heel. They tried hard to counter act that with the finish, which saw Sweeney distract the ref and Claudio LOW BLOW Steen, allowing the Ricolla Bomb to finish things off. The work of the match and finish didn’t hurt anyone, and hopefully stuff like this helps Claudio’s heel turn, because I still feel as if they want to cheer him all the time. Overall this was a good singles match, one that the crowd really seemed to enjoy. But it felt more like the “TV main events” that we’ve been seeing lately, well a bit below really, as it was “good” but never quite kicked into the next gear that both guys are capable of. This was a good mid-card singles bout here.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli @ 10:00 via pin
Rating: **¾

-We get a video package on Delirious and The Age of the Fall.

-Kyle Durden interviews Alex Payne about winning, and Nigel comes in to knock Sugar Tits the fuck out. He then runs down his “supposed” contenders like Geritol Lynn, Clam Digger Danielson and Tylenol Black. He then promises to kill Generico. Nigel is great.

The Necro Butcher & Jerry Lynn vs. The Age of the Fall (Brodie Lee & Delirious w/Jimmy Jacobs)

A fun tag team match here, which allowed for good in ring action, the brawling for Lee and Butcher, good wrestling from Lynn and Delirious and of course some extra curricular activities on the floor. It was laid out well and had good flow, no complaints from me. Much like the Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kevin Steen, this was a good match that the crowd liked and were into. While this one also didn’t quite kick into the high gear, the build to the finish was really good as they saved the table spot for the end, which allowed Lynn to get the pin on Delirious. This was a good mid-card tag team bout here. will discuss this a bit at the end, and of course in the R’s, but this match is a perfect example of the problem with the current model of business, as far as continuity goes.

Also, Jerry Lynn is the AoTF killer as he has owned Delirious and Lee. GO JERRY GO!

Winner: The Necro Butcher & Jerry Lynn @ 13:00 via pin
Rating: ***

-After the match Jacobs is NOT happy with Delirious. He kicks Delirious down and says he has been disappointed for the last time. He does what he does because he cares and pull out a chain. Daizee Haze then runs out to make the save and gets shoved down. She pulls out a SPIKE, Jacobs calls her on and he tosses her down. She charges him and Delirious begs off. She accidentally spikes Delirious! She freaks out as Jacobs grabs the spike and then tells her to leave. Jacobs blames her as he checks on Delirious with a demonic smile.

-We get a video package involving the four men in the next tag match.

-Aries is out and says he doesn’t want to hear people chant his name. He knows that they don’t mean it because they are fickle. He and Jacobs tore each other apart and they cheered because they didn’t care about them, they just wanted satisfied. When his manifesto sees the day of light, maybe they will understand. A STAR is here, and the star can begin.

-Danielson grabs the mic and says that no one trusts each other, and since the ROH Title is the most important thing to him, that they should make the match a 4-way. All agree, and we’re off.

#1 Contender Four Corner Survival Match: Tyler Black vs. Bryan Danielson vs. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Austin Aries

Nigel joins us for commentary, which ensures greatness. Other good news is that this match is starting one on one, so it won’t be a total cluster. Danielson and Jacobs begin things, Danielson works the arm and gets an arm bar for a short time, but Jacobs escapes. Danielson maintains control, but Jacobs bails to the floor. He’ll tag Aries in, who does shake with Danielson, and Aries is willing to play nice at the beginning, clean breaks and such. Some good mat wrestling, and Danielson works for the surfboard, but Aries is able to fight that off. Aries wants to tag out, but Jacobs is a pussy and refuses the tag. Aries slaps the bitch out of Black, that’s a tag good buddy, and we have Black and Danielson. Some sexy counters from both men, Jacobs with the blind tag, which allows him to sneak in and attack Black. That fails as Black kicks his ass, and Jacobs runs to tag in Aries. Aries works the side headlock, some good counters and Black pulls the Aries head scissors escape and dropkick. Danielson in now with Aries, Nigel on commentary compliments Generico for being a great swimmer, because that’s how all Mexicans get into the country. SRLY. ANYWAY, Danielson tosses Aries to the floor, goes up top and Jacobs tosses him to the floor. Aries works Danielson over, back in and tags Jacobs in and he lays the boots to Danielson. Double stomps to the gut by Jacobs, followed by an elbow drop and tag to Aries. Aries gets the Guerrero like slingshot senton onto Danielson, and then works some uppercuts. Black blind tags in, flies in with the clothesline on Aries. Black cleans house on Jacobs and Aries, corner clotheslines to both men, but he then eats a missile dropkick from Danielson! Danielson now runs wild on everyone, charging knee strikes and then the cattle mutilation on Black! Black escapes, PEROXIZM connects for 2. Danielson sets Black up top, SUPER BELLY TO BACK SUPERPLEX! Jacobs sneaks on and gets a cover on Black for 2.Black counters the Contra Code by tossing Jacobs to the floor, Aries in and gets the corner dropkick to Black. HEATSEAKING MISSILE to Jacobs! Black with a TOPÉ onto both men! Danielson is in the ring, up top and WIPES them out with a top rope dive! But this is bad news for Danielson as BISON FN SMITH lays him out with a powerbomb on the floor! Danielson is dead. Aries and Black duke it out in the ring, but Aries gets the stun gun. Black back with the enziguri, but Jacobs runs in off the back of Aries and gets END TIMES on Black! Black manages to escape and Aires breaks up a pinning combo. Jacobs spears Black as Aries went for a sunset flip, cool spot, and that gets 2. Officials check on Danielson, Black is in the tree of woe, and Aries whips Jacobs into him and then the double hi-lo dropkicks in the corner. Back fights back, powerbomb to Aries into the corner! Black sidesteps and Jacobs spears the hell out of Aries, roll up by Black and that’s all!

Easily the best match on the card thus far, but considering all of the competitors, slightly disappointing. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but they have been involved in some really awesome matches, and I was hoping for another one here. Very good match and I dug the Bison Smith run in.

Winner: Tyler Black @ 21:00 via pin
Rating: ***¾

-We get a video history of Nigel vs. Generico.

ROH World Title Match Nigel McGuinness © vs. El Generico

As the ref shows Generico the title, Nigel knees that bitch into his face. Nigel then tosses him to the steel post and watched him ooze out to the floor. Tremendous. Nigel slams the shoulder into the ring post again, knees follow and TOWER OF LONDON on the floor! As the ref counts, Steen hits the ring to cheer Generico on, and he makes it back in the ring at 19. Nigel works the arm, chops by Generico but Nigel take shim back down. Generico tries to fire back, a whip to the corner, blocks the mule kick and gets a springboard drop kick, sending Nigel to the floor. Nigel pulls Generico to the floor, slams him to the barricade, but Generico is able to reverse a whip and sent Nigel into the barricade. Yakuza misses and Nigel kicks him into the barricade. Back in the ring Nigel gets the London Dungeon, but Generico gets the ropes. Nigel continues his assault on the arm, trying to rip the arm out of its socket, Generico escapes, rights to Nigel, off the ropes and a big boot to the shoulder by Nigel stops that. London Dungeon once again by Nigel, but Generico manages to get the ropes once again. Generico blocks the jawbreaker lariat, but Nigel stuffs a tornado DDT try, and then delivers a single arm DDT. Nigel with a knee strike to the shoulder and covers for 2. Generico fires back with chops, back elbow now and then pulls off a springboard RANA! Nigel to the floor, Generico to his feet and gets the springboard moonsualt, almost slipped there, but a great recovery and catch by Nigel. Back in the ring they go, Generico up top and gets the cross body for 2. Boot by Nigel, another and then runs into a Michinoku Driver, and Generico covers for 2. Generico misses the Yakuza, kick to the back and clothesline by Nigel gets 2. Tower of London try connects for Nigel, but only gets 2. Generico set on the top rope, and Nigel EATS A BOOT going for the lariat! Generico MISSES the yakuza again, TOWER OF LONDON ON THE APRON! The ref counts as both men try to get into the ring. Steen leads the cheers for Generico, Nigel on the apron and then slams Generico into the barricade, but he’ll beat the count to survive! Nigel is PISSED, lariat countered…BRAIN BUSTER by Generico! 1…2…NO! Generico finally gets the yakuza! Sets Nigel up top, Generico up with him, Nigel blocks, eye poke and tosses Generico off the top with a lariat and gets 2. London Dungeon by Nigel, dead center in the middle, Generico fights, small package and that gets 2! LARIAT KILLS GENERICO! London Dungeon once again and Generico has to tap.

This was real good, but likely Nigel’s weakest PPV title defense. Unlike other matches where he defended the title, I just never believed that Generico had a chance, I knew the outcome, but you need to make me believe. Although I will say that they told a good story with the pre-match attack, and working towards the submission, and telling the story of Generico fighting for all he’s worth. They have also had better matches, so a slight disappointment here.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness @ 17:00 via submission
Rating: ***¾

-Tyler Black comes out to say that he is the #1 contender and that he can cash in anytime he wants, and says this is a good time, but before he can, Jacobs and Aries beat him down. As Lynn and Necro make the save, Nigel escapes with his title.

-We get a video package to hype the Steel Cage Warfare main event.

-Durden is with Sweeney, and he says he has assembled the most dominant faction of all time, the best wrestlers, and when they are done, the world will see their wrath.

Steel Cage Warfare: Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, Brent Albright, Ace Steel and Jay Briscoe vs. Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Tank Toland, Bobby Dempsey and Adam Pearce

One on one for three minutes, one-minute intervals after that, a pin or submission cannot happen until everyone is in the ring. War Games basically.

Davey Richards and Roderick Strong will begin things as they beat the hell out of each other. None of that lock up bullshit here, chops and knees and trying to throw bitches into the cage. Richards gets control with some forearms, misses the corner charge and takes an enziguri. A note here, ROH needs to cut some holes in the cage for the cameras, it would give some better shots. This is like watching 1980’s NWA with the cage here. Richards with leg kicks, off the ropes and a backdrop to Strong. A back breaker by Strong, and the next man in is Tank Toland. The crowd goes mild. Tank with a slam and then double stomps and jumping jacks. Tank grinds the face of Strong on the cage, and now Ace Steel hits the ring to even things up. Ace cleans house and tosses bitches into the cage. Stereo dropkicks by Strong and Steel, and now Eddie Edwards makes his way to the ring. He grabs a chair but doesn’t get into the cage. Richards and Strong up top, chop battle, Steel and Tank up top on the other side, Richards is crotched ass is Strong. Jay Briscoe is out now and Sara Del Rey attacks him, and that allows Edwards to nail him with the chair. He then blasts him in the knee with the chair and then enters the cage with the chair. Jay is out on the floor as Bobby Dempsey makes his way into the cage. Edwards drops Strong on his face with a flapjack. Tank demands that Bobby beat down Steel and he does. Strong is busted open, and now as Erick Stevens enters the ring and he is your cliché house of fire. Richards begs off but gets tossed into the cage. TBONE on Tank. The Wolves double team Stevens, but eat a double clothesline for their trouble. Razor’s Edge into the cage by Stevens on Richards! Adam Pearce is now in for S&S and Stevens attacks right away. They brawl as Brent Albright hits the cage as the last man in. he tosses a bloody Pearce into the cage, and then Steel nails Pearce with the chair. Steel up top and Strong nails Tank with the chair, Edwards as well. They corner Dempsey, but Strong doesn’t hit him. Edwards is tossed through the cage door, as is Tank and Richards. Pearce tries to escape over the top, he and Strong battle and he gets crotched. Steel holds him, Albright all the way up top of the cage, but Pearce is over to stop him. Strong over as well as Steel, and they SUPERBOMB Pearce! TOP rope elbow by Albright! Albright to the floor and suplexes Edwards. They all spill out and brawl now. Dempsey is alone in the cage, we get a lot of chair shots and Pearce is taking an ass beating. Strong and Edwards brawl. Pearce nails Stevens with the chair, and Jay Briscoe is back out limping to the ring. He gets in the ring and nails Dempsey. He slams Dempsey into the cage. Jay Briscoe climbs to the top of the cage and dives onto the pile! Dempsey is busted open and Albright tosses Pearce into the ring. Pearce begs off, Albright and Steel beat him down, and sets him in the corner. Stevens holds a chair in front of Pearce as Steel dropkicks him. CHOO CHO by Stevens. Gut buster by Strong, half nelson by Albright and that is all.

Not a bad match, but I just never got that into it. It also felt rushed with the one-minute intervals. Very disappointing as far as an ROH PPV main event goes. It will be interesting to see how this compares to Lethal Lockdown tomorrow.

Winner: Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, Brent Albright, Ace Steel and Jay Briscoe @ 18:00 via pin
Rating: ***

-Sweeney does NOT approve as he hits the cage after the match. Sweeney berates Dempsey for the loss and then hits him. Again! Sweeney spits in his face, and Dempsey fight back! They all take turns slamming Sweeney into the cage. Dempsey HULKS UP now and the faces cheer him on as he cannon balls Sweeney in the corner! Death Valley Driver by Dempsey on Sweeney! The crowd loved that after 2-years of abuse by Sweeney, Dempsey finally mans up and gets his due.

OVERALL: At the end of the night this was a solid show, but easily the “worst” of the ROH PPV’s thus far. ROH PPV has been built on solid mid-card matches, with the last hour (or 2 matches) being very good to MUST SEE matches, and in all honesty, this PPV failed in delivering that. For the most part, this was 2-hours of good wrestling, but nothing that you have to see, and ROH has to deliver MUST SEE stuff in order to survive. Not a bad show by any means, and for $15 a solid show, but not at the level of other shows. I have to go with a MILD recommendation, with the only standouts being the four-way and title match, which were great.

One other mention, at first the PPV deal was fine because they needed something to get new fans. But in all honesty, you cannot effectively sell PPV without TV. So now they got the TV, and continuity has become a clusterfuck as you have Live Events, DVDs with added stuff, TV and PPV. If you are a new fan and watch the TV show, and then tune into the PPV, you would be confused. People don’t want to think, they want to watch, be entertained and enjoy. They really need to do something about the TV/PPV issue, and soon I would venture. But that’s just one man’s opinion.

SCORE: 7.1