411’s ROH Respect is Earned II Report 8.01.08

Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.02.2008

Another great PPV effort from ROH, with The Age of the Fall vs. Bryan Danielson and Austin Aries being well worth the price of admission!

Remember to send your thoughts on the show: a score from 1-10, match of the night and trash of the night!


~ROH RESPECT IS EARNED II~

-Sorry for the delay, my schedule is hell right now.

-The PPV begins with a video package, showcasing year one of ROH on PPV.

-We then get breaking news on the tag title situation. They explain that the Briscoe's won the titles back, but that they had to vacate them due to Mark's injury. The Age of the Fall won the titles, and will now make their first defense in tonight's main event.

The Vulture Squad (Ruckus and Jigsaw) vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico

Commentary outs over that a win here will get the winning team back into title contention. Generico and Jigsaw to begin, they work some counters, arm drags and lucha stuff. Jigsaw they gets an octopus hold, but Generico rolls through for a roll up and count of 2. Steen tags in, lock up and a side headlock by Jigsaw. Off the ropes, shoulder block does nothing. He tries again and fails. Back elbow by Steen, Ruckus in, quick kicks, chops by Steen. Off the ropes and an arm drag by Ruckus. Steen tags out, spinning heel kick by Ruckus. Off the ropes, springboard into the leg lariat and a cover for 2. Jigsaw tag sin, double stomp to Generico as Ruckus held Generico. Gory Special by Jigsaw, into the Gory bomb and a cover for 2. Tag back to Ruckus and he elbows Steen, trades forearms with Generico. He shoots off the ropes and Steen trips him, pull s him to the floor and slams him to the barrier. Tosses him back in, Generico tags Steen and he lays the boots to Ruckus, follows with a clothesline and elbow drop for 2. Tag back to Generico, a slam by Steen and then they do a double team back splash; Generico covers for 2. Leg lariat by Generico and another cover for 2. Steen tells Generico, "DO SOMETHING FLIPPY!" Generico then applies a chinlock, awesome. Generico slams Ruckus down, but he kips up and levels Generico with a kick. Generico stops the tag, sets Ruckus up top and gets tossed off. Ruckus flips in, levels Steen and tags Jigsaw! Dross body to Generico. Irish whip and a charging knee attack. Dropkick to Generico after Steen tossed him in the air. BIG DIVE by Ruckus to Steen! Torture rack into a sit out powerbomb on Generico by Jigsaw gets 2! Steen pulls Ruckus to the floor, Steen then gets a Gory Special into a side back breaker. POWERBOMBS Ruckus onto Jigsaw! Generico then gets a sweet tornado DDT. Pump handle neck breaker by Steen gets 2! Ruckus tossed to the floor, YAKUZA to Jigsaw. HUGE DIVE to Ruckus! Superkick by Steen. SENTON to Jigsaw! Top rope splash by Generico and that is all.

Winners: Kevin Steen and El Generico @ 8:05 via pin
- Very good choice for the opener. Not a great or overly memorable match, but the kind of thing that opens the show very well as it hooked the crowd. It started a bit slow, but the last 3-minutes or so were golden.
Rating: ***


-We get a video package on the Briscoe Brothers.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Davey Richards

Nigel joins commentary for the match. Richards works some knees, but Castagnoli back with a slam and elbow drop for 2. Richards back with kicks, stops a suplex with more knees and eats an uppercut. Castagnoli tries a springboard, tossed to the floor and Richards with a big dive that gets Castagnoli as well as 4-6 fans. Damn. Richards slams Castagnoli to the apron, back in and a missile dropkick to Castagnoli. That caught the elbow as Richards already works the arm for the possible kimura. Chops by Richards and into an arm scissors. Knee drops to the arm, and a cover for 2. Top wristlock by Richards as Nigel calls him "Daizee Haze." Tremendous. Northern lights suplex by Richards into the kimura, but Castagnoli gets the ropes. Kick to the head by Richards, a head butt and then chokes him out in the corner. Richards works an Anderson style arm bar on Castagnoli, Castagnoli stands with him and slams him to the corner. Leap frog by Richards, eats uppercuts and then a dropkick by Castagnoli. Kicks by Richards, but Castagnoli with a slam and cover for 2 as he favors the arm. Ricola bomb try, Richards stops that and gets a leaping Enziguri. RANA off the top by Richards, charging elbow but Castagnoli gets the springboard uppercut for a close 2. German by Castagnoli gets 2, but Richards gets the kimura again. Castagnoli gets the ropes. Richards up top, uppercuts by Castagnoli. Rights follow, up top with him and tossed off. Uppercuts again by Castagnoli. Back up with Richards, head butts by Richards and gets a single arm DDT off the ropes and into the kimura. Castagnoli powers to his feet and Richards gets a sunset flip for 2. Castagnoli gets the BIG SWING. HEEEEEEEEEY! Toss into the uppercut by Castagnoli and that is all.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli @ 9:15 via pin
- A fine under card bout here, nothing wrong with it, but rather disappointing considering what I have seen from both men in the past.
Rating: **½


-Sweet and Sour Inc. prepares in the back as they tell Albright that he made a huge mistake by not joining Sweet and Sour Inc. Sweeney makes fin of Dempsey as Pearce tells Albright that he will pay for his mistakes.

-Albright then cuts a promo and says Pearce was like a brother to him, family. But Pearce turned his back on him and sold out to Sweeney. Sweeney found out that he does things his way, he calls the shots.

-We get video footage of Albright refusing to beat down Dempsey and fighting off Sweet and Sour Inc.

-Back to Albright who says he has his own army, Pelle is the first. Sure he isn't big and strong, but he has heart. Albright respects Pelle, and tonight he shows why he makes ROH proud. The next man is insane, Delirious! Delirious speak! Albright says you need insanity, and no one has that more than Delirious. What about Del Ray? Tonight he has a remedy for her, Daizee Haze. IT IS TIME FOR WAR!

Brent Albright, Delirious, and Pelle Primeau vs. Chris Hero, Adam Pearce, and Eddie Edwards

Albright's army charges the ring and we're underway! They clear the ring and stand tall as Sweeney's group regroups. Sweeney huddle on the floor, minus Dempsey of course. Pelle and Edwards to begin, RANA by Pelle and tags in Delirious. Dropkick by Pelle and Delirious covers for 1. To the corner they go and chops by Delirious. Edwards back with chops of his own, side headlock by Delirious, slam and a back senton connect for 2. Ta back to Pelle, an Irish whip, counter by Edwards and Hero is in. Head scissors by Pelle, but Pearce is in and kills Pelle with a clothesline and covers for 2. Hero back in and he looks like a giant next to Pelle. Tag back to Edwards and they beat down Pelle in the corner. Big kick by Edwards to Albright. Small package by Pelle, ref distracted and only gets 2. Off the ropes and a DDT by Pelle and he tags in Delirious. He cleans house and gets a head butt to Pearce. One for Edwards. Panic attack for Edwards. Del Ray trips up Delirious, allowing Pearce to get a torture rack driver. Hero tags in and elbows to Delirious. A slam and back splash by Hero gets 2. Hero takes out Albright, Edwards tags in and he lays the boots to Delirious. He then tags in Pearce, elbow drops to Delirious. Front facelock on Delirious, tag made but the ref did NOT see it. Hero in and he beats down Delirious. Albright grabs at Hero, but the ref stops that and S&S triple team Delirious. Edwards holds Delirious, top rope fist to Delirious by Pearce. Hero back in, they just beat down Delirious with clubbing shots and a triple team corner attack to Delirious. Edwards with a kick and a cover for 2 as Albright breaks that up. Hero tags in, chops to Delirious and then rights. S&S keeps control as Edwards is in, Delirious counters a back suplex and the tag is stopped. Pearce in with a top rope elbow drop on Delirious. He poses, chops to Delirious, Edwards in and he kicks at Delirious. Jawbreaker by Delirious, crawls and the dives, sunset flip by Edwards, countered and a tag to Albright! Albright in with tosses and a SICK German to Hero! Backdrop to Pearce, knee strike and Sweeney is up and takes his shirt off, he is ready for battle! Del Ray in, but Haze stops her and to the floor they go. Sweeney escapes Albright, Pearce and Hero try a double team and Pelle with a Thez press and double stomp to Hero! To the floor they go, Delirious and Pearce to the floor and Albright and Edwards are left. Superkick by Edwards, but Albright gets a powerslam as Edwards charges him, drops the kneepad and then gets an Air Raid Crash! KNEE STRIKES TO THE HEAD and the ref stops the match

Winner: Brent Albright, Delirious, and Pelle Primeau @ 11:21 via referee stoppage
- A really fun 6-man that with a good build to the Albright hot tag. It also set up well for the after match angle.
Rating: **¾

-After the match Pearce lays out Albright with the briefcase. Sweeney and the whole crew are in the ring, standing over Albright. As Pearce unzips the case, Sweeney starts saying that in the history of wrestling, only one title has truly meant anything. Pearce pulls out the NWA World Title, and Sweeney says that now HE has the ONLY champion that matters, and that gives him the power.

-They then cut right away to a video package for Strong vs. Stevens.

FIGHT WITHOUT HONOR: Erick Stevens vs. Roderick Strong

Strong is the FIP Champion, but this is non-title as they have a GRUDGE TO SETTLE! The fight begins as the video ends as they brawl by the entranceway. Strong beats down Stevens down with his leather vest, but Stevens tosses Strong to the barricade. NO RULES here, anything goes and we must have a pin or submission. Strong with chops as they brawl around the ringside area. They trade chops, LOUD chops and then forearm strikes. Slaps by Strong, but Stevens back with a head butt. They are just throwing everything at each other. Suplex by Strong on the floor, and that slows down Stevens. Strong grabs a ladder and sets it up between the ring and the barricade. Slaps by Strong again, forearms and Stevens whips Strong into the ladder. Stevens tosses chairs from the crowd into the ring and then tosses Strong in. Stevens with a chair, nails Strong two times and then wedges a chair in the corner. He slams Strong into the chair headfirst and then Stevens takes a chair and chokes out Strong with it. They trade chops, kick to the face by Strong and then places the chair and grinds it on Stevens' face. He KICKS it into his face! Strong with more chair shots to the gut, stalks him and works the legs with chair shots. Strong is trying to destroy the left knee of Stevens and then drags in the ladder. That's a Jeff Hardy approved ladder right there. He places it in the corner and chops away at Stevens. Shit, you can see the sweat fly. Strong whips Stevens, counter and Strong eats the ladder! Strong is busted open from taking the ladder to the face and Stevens tries to open him up even more. He even bites at him! Chops by Stevens as he is beating Strong down. More rights to the face and then steps on his face! Stevens chokes out Strong, then clubbing shots and the blood flies off of his face. To the floor they go, Strong tries to find safety in the ring as Stevens sets up a chair. Strong avoids the TKO, HALF NELSON BACK BREAKER ONTO THE CHAIR, which explodes into pieces. Strong covers for 2. Chops by Strong as they go to the floor again. Kicks by Strong as Stevens was against the barricade. Strong whipped to the barricade, CHOO CHOO by Stevens is stopped as Strong gets a drop toehold into the barricade. Chops by Strong and he rolls Stevens back into the ring. Strong slides a chair into the ring, which hits Stevens in the face. That had to suck. Strong lays a pile of chairs in the ring but Stevens gets a release German on Strong into the pile of chairs! Chair shot and then a pump handle sit out into the pile of chairs for 2! Stevens grabs the ladder, sets it back up between the ring and barricade and goes back after Strong. Half nelson back breaker by Strong gets 2. To the apron they go, they battle and Stevens gets a TKO ONTO THE LADDER! Stevens now gets TABLES out, which could be bad news for someone. He slides them in and now he and Strong return to the ring. They trade chops again and then forearms. Lariat by Stevens and both men are down again. They get to their feet, Strong gets a chair and levels Stevens and covers for 2. Strong sets up tables near the corner and then the ladder. Stevens back up and they brawl up the HUGE ladder…SUPERPLEX OFF OF THE SUPER LADDER THROUGH TWO TABLES! Both men appear to be dead, but Strong manages a cover for the win.

Winner: Roderick Strong @ 20:54 via pin
- This was awesome. Of course it all depends on if you dig this kind of match or not, but this was a great match that played well into the brutal feud that these guys had been having. Stiff, brutal and a great build to the huge ending spot.
Rating: ****

-Both guys get extended thank you chants after the match, and rightfully so.


ROH WORLD TITLE MATCH: Nigel McGuinness © vs. Go Shiozaki

Nigel's hair is spectacular. But how much product does that man use? Oh right, the match. Lock up and a headlock by Shiozaki, off the ropes and a shoulder block. Elbows by Nigel, to the 2nd rope and Shiozaki dropkick shim to the floor. Nigel walks away before Shiozaki can dive onto him. Shiozaki to the floor, chops to Nigel and then slams him to the apron. Shiozaki drops him throat first onto the barrier, back in the ring and Shiozaki covers for 2. More chops by Shiozaki, he wears Nigel down and covers for 1. Nigel's chest is bleeding a bit from those chops, to the chinlock but Nigel is to his feet. Forearms by Shiozaki, but a boot by Nigel and Shiozaki back with forearms and chops. To the corner, headstand and kick by Nigel. Nigel mocks Danielson, they trade chops and forearms now and Shiozaki is down. Shiozaki gets a belly to back suplex and Nigel rolls to the floor again. Shiozaki goes for a suicide dive, but Nigel catches him and gets the TOWER OF LONDON on the floor! Nigel now works the arm, slamming it into the ring post a few times. Nigel looks to weaken the arm for the London Dungeon. Slaps by Nigel, rolls Shiozaki into the ring and Nigel clubs away at Shiozaki. Double thrust to the throat and back to the arm goes Nigel, and then mocks Danielson's, "I GOT TILL FIVE" deal. Shiozaki then misses a charge and eats the post. Arm bar by Nigel and Shiozaki manages the ropes. Nigel wraps the arm around the ropes and continues his attack, and then adds some more slaps in for good measure. Shiozaki back with chops, but Nigel goes back to the arm and shoulder to take him back down. Nigel with a weird version of the Rings of Saturn, best description I have, and looks to rip an arm off and take it home. Shiozaki works for the ropes and finally gets them. Forearms by Nigel, Shiozaki back with some chops and still shows life. Nigel gets a single leg takedown and as he goes for the arm Shiozaki gets the ropes. Hammerlock by Nigel and then gets an STO out of that. He lays the boots to the arm and shoulder of Shiozaki, Shiozaki tries to battle back with chops but Nigel drops him with a forearm. Shiozaki fires up, but another uppercut take shim back down. They trade shots now, EYE POKE by Nigel! HEEL! LARIAT by Nigel and that gets a close 2. Nigel with the running uppercut and another lariat gets 2. To the corner, sets Shiozaki on the top, Tower of London try, Shiozaki battle shim away and Nigel now goes up with him. Shiozaki chops him off but Nigel back up and gets the superplex! Shiozaki is up! SUPERKICK by Nigel! ONE BY Shiozaki! German to the corner by Shiozaki! BOTH men are down. Shiozaki charges, chops to Nigel, a whip and another chop. German blocked, uppercuts by Nigel and up top he goes, Shiozaki is up with him and gets a superplex! Shiozaki goes up top now…MOONSAULT misses! Jaw Breaker blocked, GERMAN by Shiozaki and then a lariat gets a CLOSE 2! Chops by Shiozaki and a cover for 2! Shiozaki back up top and GETS the moonsault for another close 2! Nigel blocks a suplex, slams the arm down and gets the London Dungeon, but Shiozaki rolls out and into a roll up for 2! SUPERKICK ! GO FLASHER! 1…2…NO! Both men are down again, they get to their feet and a chin breaker by Nigel. Nigel up top and gets across body, Shiozaki rolls through and gets the Crush! 1…2…NO! They trade forearms, slaps and FIGHTING SPIRIT~! Nigel eats a superkick but rebounds with the jawbreaker lariat! London Dungeon and Shiozaki taps!

Winner: Nigel McGuinness @ 17:00 via Submission
- A very good match overall. GO showed a lot and looked as if he belonged in the spot, and Nigel as the absolute DICK champion is great stuff.
Rating: ***¾

-Bryan Danielson is out and says Nigel is ducking him. He wants his title shot and he wants it on PPV. Consider this a challenge.


-We see a video package for the Age of the Fall and Austin Aries.

ROH TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: The Age of the Fall (Jacobs and Black) © vs. Bryan Danielson and Austin Aries

They begin before the bell as Aries and Jacobs pair off. Leg lariat by Black as Danielson still has his robe on. PLANCHA by Black to Danielson. Jacobs tosses a chair into the ring, but the ref tries to toss it, but Aries and Jacobs trade chair shots, and we get a DQ? Danielson begs off Aries and tells him that the best way to get revenge is to win the titles. Black tells Jacobs to calm down so that he can get his revenge. The ref says he will restart the match. They announce the restart.

Actual match begins now with the restart. Black and Danielson to begin, lock up and they trade rights and chops in the corner. Black beats down Danielson, but Danielson is back with kicks and a choke. Spinkick by Danielson, uppercuts and then goes for the surfboard. Black fights and Jacobs helps lack escape. Danielson tags in Aries, top rope elbow to the arm of Black. More elbows to the arm and shoulder, tags back in Danielson and he lays the kick to the ribs. Arm bar and takes Black down, kicks at the arm and then gets a kimura. He goes back to a wristlock and stomps the elbow. Uppercuts land, a tag to Aries and he gets a Finlay roll, misses a shot at Jacobs and then gets a knee drop to Black. Catapult and Danielson up top and gets a knee drop to the prone Black for the cover of 2. Frequent tags by Danielson and Aries as they work over the arm of Black. Uppercuts by Danielson, but Black gets a big boot and tags in Jacobs. Jacobs nails Aries, and then Danielson gets a German right away for 2. Danielson MISSES the top rope head butt, Jacobs levels Aries and Danielson and Jacobs go up top…Black stops that and he is in the tree of woe, stereo dropkicks to Danielson. Jacobs up top now, and gets a back splash for 2. Tag to Black, they set Danielson up top and Jacobs nails Aries. They try the double team contra code, but Aries stops that. Double flapjack on Black, stereo kick to Black and a cover for 2. Vicious stomps by Danielson, Aries up top and tosses Aries all the way to the floor! Black rolls up Danielson for 2. Airplane spin stopped by Black, SPEAR by Jacobs! Aries is still on the floor as Black covers Danielson for 2. Black now goes for and gets the surfboard on Danielson! Aries is in to stop that, Jacobs in and pulls Danielson to the corner and kicks his head against the ring post! Jacobs covers for 2. They double team Danielson in the corner, Black tags in and they lays the boots to Danielson. Double choke on Danielson now, Black then chokes him out in the ropes. Black stand on his back as well, and has control.

We're 10-minutes in now, and rights by Black connect. Danielson fires back with uppercuts and forearms, but he eats a boot from Black. Jacobs tags in, messes with Aries and then beats down Danielson. Double stomps by Jacobs, an elbow drop and then a cover for 2. Black gets a chair, and sets it on the floor. Jacobs chokes out Danielson, kicks at him and tosses him to the floor. He attacks Aries and Black sits Danielson in the chair and Jacobs gets a dive onto him! Danielson rolled back in, Black springboards in but Danielson gets a dropkick to stop that. Tag to Aries finally and he attacks Jacobs! They brawl, eye poke by Jacobs and tosses him to the apron. Aries back with a knee and up top…HUGE missile dropkick by Aries! Corner dropkick by Aires, rights and lefts to Jacobs now and just beats him down. Black in and tries a powerbomb but Aires escapes and gets knees strikes. Jacobs SPEARS Black by accident! BRAIN BUSTA BY ARIES~! Last Chancellery by Aries! Black makes the save with the dropkick, beats down Aries and off the ropes but eats an elbow. Enziguri by Black drops Aries and all three men are down. Black gets Aries up and Jacobs up top and BACK SENTON into the YAKUZA/TKO COMBO! INCLINE BY JACOBS! Please Don't Tap chant but Danielson is back finally to make the save! They double team Danielson in the corner, a whip and Danielson avoids Black, knees Jacobs and then levels Black. Danielson then gets the proper tag and gets the tiger suplex for 2! MMA ELBOWS TO JACOBS! Jacobs escapes, CONTRA CODE! 1…2.. Danielson kicks out! Black tags in, beats down Danielson, snags him up and Danielson counters the small package driver into the triangle choke! Aries keeps Jacobs out, Last Chancellery on Jacobs! Aries and Jacobs go to the floor, Black fights the triangle but Jacobs up top and gets a SENTON to Danielson! Jacobs and Aries battle, to the floor and the heat-seeking missile by Aries! Jacobs to the barrier and as Aries charges Jacobs gets the SPEAR! Jacobs gets a chair, he and Aries brawl up the isle and out the entrance. Back to the ring and Black gets a neck breaker. Danielson crotches Black as he went up top and Danielson then gets the SUPER BELLY TO BACK SUPLEX! 1…2…NO!

20-minutes in now and Cattle Mutilation try, no MMA ELBOWS AGAIN! Cattle Mutilation by Danielson! Black fights, looks for the ropes and gets them. The crowd is hot for Danielson, small package and he gets 2! Arm bar submission now, Black tries to survive, escapes, kick to the head, SMALL PACKAGE DRIVER and that gets 2! Black goes up top now, Danielson over with him and gets kicked off. SUPERKICK BY BLACK! SMALL PACKAGE DRIVER! PHOENIX SPLASH by Black! 1…2…3!

Winners: The Age of the Fall @ 23:45 via pin
- I have said this before and will say it again, I LOVE tag team wrestling and LOVE when it gets properly showcased. This was an EXCELLENT match right here, everyone worked hard, they played the hatred between Jacobs and Aries very well and again when the show was over, you had the feeling that Tyler Black was indeed a superstar. Absolute greatness here.
Rating: ****½

-Nigel is out and calls Danielson pathetic and that he doesn't deserve a title shot He just lost to Black, someone Nigel beat in short order. Danielson doesn't deserve a title shot until he beats every single person he has beaten. Until then, NO TITLE SHOT FOR YOU!

-Black celebrates alone in the ring as the crowd chants his name.


THE 411: Another great PPV effort from ROH. They delivered a solid under card, as well as the big angle with Sweet and Sour unveiling the NWA Title. The last 80-minutes of the PPV may have been the best of the year, as the Fight Without Honor, the ROH Title Match and ROH Tag Title Main Event were an amazing close to the show. If you're looking for a great wrestling show, your money will not be wasted here. This gets a big recommendation from me.