411’s ROH Rising Above 2009 Report 01.16.09

Posted by Larry Csonka on 01.17.2009

ROH returns to deliver their first PPV of 2009, but did they pick up where they left off, or did the show disappoint? Check out 411’s complete ROH Rising Above 2009 Report for all the details!



ROH RISING ABOVE 2009: 01.16.09

-Prazak welcomes us to ROH and the PPV. After a brief intro video, it's time to MAN UP ROH STYLE as the Briscoes hit the ring to kick off the PPV. They want their tag titles back, and they are calling out Kevin Steen and El Generico! Steen and Generico make their way out, and they say that Mark and Jay don't have anything to prove, especially with Mark all banged up and can barely walk. Steen and Generico won't gain anything by beating a 50% Briscoe team. If they want the title shot, they will give it to them. Steen discusses ladder war, and the Briscoes jump them!

-I am pressed for time, so I will do brief recaps for the under card, and then full recaps for the main events. Sorry to say, but that's the only way I will be getting the recap done in a short amount of time.

ROH Tag Team Title Match: Kevin Steen and El Generico © vs. The Briscoes

This was a short sprint to kick off the show. With the injury to Mark, they had to keep it short, which also worked to keep Steen and Generico strong. The story of the bout was the knee injury to Mark, which they played up well the entire match. The end saw a near fall off of a frog splash by Steen to Mark after a big dive by Generico to Jay. In the ring mark's knee went out, and he looked to beg off for a moment to Steen. Steen then kicked him in the knee and gave him the package piledriver for the win. Jay was pissed about this of course, and they brawled and the locker room emptied. They were smart to make mention that Steen and Generico ended the PPV winning streak of the Briscoes, which was important to mention. In a way it is a shame that it had to end this way, but with the injury, you have to put your champions over strongly, since they are healthy.

Winner: Kevin Steen and El Generico @ 6:40 via pin [**½]


-Claudio gave an interview, reminding us that he is indeed European.

-Sweeney cut a prerecorded interview and bragged about his ability to sign this SHIMMER title match for PPV.

SHIMMER Title Match: MsChif © vs. Sara Del Rey

These two ladies got a good amount of time, and they had a fine match. Del Ray played the power game, and was able to about bend MsChif in half on two different occasions. One of which was a very inventive bridging Boston crab spot as well as a wheelbarrow counter into a dragon sleeper. McChif is BENDY, I appreciate that in a woman.. The finish was MsChif hitting the desecrator on Del Rey to retain the title. A fine match, but quite honestly a bit disappointing considering the matches I have seen from both in the past. Perhaps I expected too much, but these are two ladies that always seem to deliver, and while it wasn't bad at all, something just didn't click in this match, which is a shame. On the bright side, it was great to see the SHIMMER Title get the time on national PPV.

Winner: MsChif @ 9:15 via pin [**]


-Jimmy Jacobs ad his homeless beard gave an interview on the feud between he and Aries, saying that they are the same. He says it is all designed to be here, because that was HIS plan, and that he was willing to do anything to make his plan come to life. He and Black have a plan, and there is no way he will say I quit.

-We get a video package on Necro leaving the Age of the Fall. HE DON'T NEED NO FRIENDS!

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Silas Young vs. Alex Payne vs. Sami Calihan

The next was a four-way match, with the whole idea to get Claudio Castagnoli over as a heel as well as a monster. The booking of the bout was very good, because Castagnoli did indeed look like a beast. The other three men were smaller, which allowed Castagnoli to bully them around and that also made his offense look all the more impressive. Young, Payne and Callihan did well for themselves. I haven't seen much of these three, but they looked as if they belonged in there, especially in their roles. Castagnoli got the win, and continues to go on in his heel role. The crowd was hot for him, perhaps in a bad way because it didn't feel like heat on him, rather support. This was a fine match, if a little disjointed at times, but the booking was good. Nigel's commentary was awesome during the entire match, especially his constant call of Alex "Sugar Foot" Payne, SUGAR NUTS. Tremendous.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli @ 8:50 via [**¼]


-We get a video package on the history of S&S taking over and their issues with Brent Albright and Roderick Strong.

Chris Hero, Davey Richards and Go Shiozaki vs. Brent Albright, Roderick Strong and Ace Steele

Roderick Strong has noticeably dropped weight, as he has reportedly been trying to get more serious about his career. This, for the most part, was a lot of fun and better than anything on the card thus far. I like Strong and Go Shiozaki a lot, as well as Albright and Hero, so I was really looking forward to this match. Very good action through out, although Hero's style doesn't exactly melt with everyone involved, but they made it work, and that difference actually helped the match. A good 6-man tag to add to the Albright vs. S&S feud, and while it made complete sense, it is very weird seeing the chair shot finish in an ROH match. But as I said, it fit the booking as Strong got screwed by Hero, especially since Brent Albright defeated S&S in tag action on the last PPV, and this was their revenge.

Winner: Chris Hero, Davey Richards and Go Shiozaki @ 14:50 via pin [***¼]


-ROHWrestling.com video time.

-And now we get a video package for Jacobs vs. Aries, including all of the Lacey drama.

-Aries has the mic and says he isn't surprised that Black is out here with Jacobs, because he always has backup. But it doesn't always work so well. So who will he has watching his back? Well after consideration, he doesn't want anyone and doesn't need anyone. He doesn't want anyone to stop this match, and Jacobs will have to kill him to win. And Black better stay out of his business.

I QUIT Match: Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs w/Tyler Black

They charge in and…LOCK UP. GRUDGE MATCH! God I hate that. They roll to the floor, separate and Aries is back in the ring. Jacobs converses with Black, they surround Aries and then Jacobs in and Aries attacks. They roll around, to the floor and trade punches. Jacobs with a dropkick, and then tosses Aries into a barricade. Jacobs gets a table from under the ring, but Aries attacks and stops that. Jacobs tosses Aries into the barricade again, and back to setting up the table goes Jacobs. A knee by Aries, chops follow and then he tosses Jacobs to the barricade. Charging knee by Aries, rakes the face of Jacobs across the apron, lays him on the table and goes up top. Black pulls Jacobs off of the table, and Aries drops a double as smash on Jacobs and delivers rights. Rights by Aries to Jacobs, who is on the apron, stun gun by Aries and then he charges and EATS A CHAIN SHOT as he tries the heat-seeking missile. Jacobs tosses the chain inside the ring, then Aries and delivers rights. Jacobs has the chain, and nails Aries, who is now busted open. Jacobs grinds the chain into the open cut, but Aries won't quit. Jacobs whips Aries with the chain across the back, and now chokes out Aries with it! Aries won't quit and escapes. Aries tries to fight back, but gets slammed back to the mat. Jacobs gets a chair, to the floor they go and Jacobs sets Aries in the chair. Jacobs in the ring, Aries grabs him and delivers lefts. Jacobs bites Aries, and then SPEARS Aries to the floor! Jacobs places Aries in the chair, back in and then DIVES through the ropes and wipes out Aries!

Aries still refuses to quit, tossed back in the ring and Jacobs gets another chair. Back in the ring, sets it up and chokes out Aries with the chain and ties him down to the chair. Jacobs has him ties down and then rakes at the open cut of Aries. FISH HOOK by Jacobs, but that isn't enough for Aries to quit. Head butts and another bite by Jacobs, which gets a YOU SICK FUCK chant. Aries says he will NEVER quit! Jacobs calls for a chair and Black hands it to him. Jacobs has the chair and…LACEY IS BACK! Jacobs can't believe it! She has a towel and Jacobs tells her to toss it in to save Aries. Aries begs her not too, and now Jacobs has the SPIKE! He demands that Aries quits and holds it to his throat, but Lacey won't toss in the towel. Lacey slaps Jacobs and Aries starts to make a comeback now. He is free from the chair, HEAT-SEEKING MISSILE! Aries is staggering around, tosses Jacobs back in the ring and has a chair! BRAINBUSTA ON THE CHAIR~! Aries now has the chain, wraps it around his fist and the crowd chants for blood and Aries BLASTS HIM! Jacobs is busted open as Aries delivers lefts to the bloody head of Jacobs. Aries now ties Jacobs in the corner with the chain, lefts by Aries and stops the ref from asking if Jacobs wants to quit! Mounted lefts by Aries and he stops the ref again. Elbows by Aries, and he then takes the mic and says NO. Charging dropkick to Jacobs! Aries now asks Jacobs if he quits, he says no and then unties Jacobs. To the floor they go, and Aries places Jacobs on the table. He has a chair and lays it on Jacobs. Aries up top now, but Jacobs tosses the chair into Aries face! Jacobs climbs now, they battle up top…AND THEY CRASH THROUGH THE TABLE! The ref asks if they quit, and they both say no! Jacobs is a crimson mask now s they crawl back into the ring. They trade punches from the knees and now to the feet. Jabs by Aries, LOW BLOW by Jacobs. END TIME! Aries fights, refusing to quit! Knees to the head by Jacobs, but Aries sweeps out and gets the Last Chancellery! Jacobs escapes, and gets a spike from Black. Misses, backslide and now Aries with the knee strikes! Jacobs doesn't quit and Aries kicks him in the head and Last Chancellery AGAIN! Crossface by Aries now! Lacey stops Black from throwing in the towel, Aries has the spike and PUMMELS JACOBS! HE QUITS! Jacobs is laying in a puddle of his own blood.

Winner: Austin Aries @ 22:00 [****¼]

Outside of the IDIOTIC start to the match, this was an excellent I QUIT match. While there were other feuds on the show, and much like the TNA PPV with Angle and Jarrett, these guys had a completely different level of intensity to their match, which made it special. This WAS a blood feud, and the blood was perfectly fitting because it told the story and came at just the right time in the match. I haven't always been high on Jimmy Jacobs, he just hasn't clicked with me a lot, but he delivered here, and Aries picked up where he left off in 2008. Also, this was a good start to the official break up of the AOTF, and Black's face turn. He had the towel so that he could save Jacobs from tapping, but with Lacey taking it away, that set Jacobs off, because he had to quit, like a bitch. This was a great match.

-Lacey leaves after the match a Black checks on Jacobs. Jacobs to his feet, and he and Black argue. They see Aries, but Jacobs is too pisses and shoves Black. Black bails…


-We get a video package for the ROH Title match.

ROH World Title Match: Nigel McGuinness © vs. Bryan Danielson

And here we go with the main event of the evening, and they have a lot to follow. They reluctantly shake hands, and we're off. Danielson works leg kicks to begin. Knuckle lock, arm bar by Nigel and Danielson escapes for a moment, but Nigel gets the hold back. Hair pull by Nigel, Danielson now escapes and takes Nigel down and works the arm. Danielson stomps on the elbow, and gets a cover for 2. Nigel rolls to the floor, regroups and comes back in. Lock up, to the ropes and a kick to the leg by Nigel, working the right knee, which was injured the night before by Claudio. Hammerlock by Danielson, takes Nigel to the mat and then works the other arm. Danielson pulls at the arm, works the count, because he has till 5. Lock up, off the ropes and a tackle by Nigel. Headlock takedown on Danielson, they work to the feet, off the ropes, another tackle by Nigel but now Danielson works for a surfboard. Double stomp on the knees, and now uppercuts by Danielson. Back to the arm goes Danielson, hammerlock takedown and then drops back with the legs locked on the arm. Danielson now pulls at the other arm at a bad angle, and then gets a cover for 2. Off the ropes and a yakuza by Danielson, and Nigel rolls to the floor. Nigel works the 20-count, Danielson to the apron and gets a SWEET charging knee off of the apron. Back into the ring they go, and Danielson kicks Nigel's fucking head in. They should make a chant for that. To the corner, Danielson misses a charge, kicks by Nigel and traps the knee in the ropes and clotheslines Danielson down, trapping the knee in the tree of woe. Nigel grinds the boot into the face and then mocks the I have till 5 deal. Snap mare into the ropes by Nigel, and then works for the surfboard. He then opts for the double stomp on the knees, and then kicks away at the knee of Danielson. Single leg crab by Nigel as he has focused in on the leg. He breaks and then applies a standing figure four. Drops down and really cranks on the leg, and gets a cover for 2. Spinning toehold by Nigel, and then into the figure four-leg lock! Danielson fights and tries to turn the hold, but can't. Danielson tries to keep his shoulder off of the mat, works to turn the hold once again and does. Nigel rolls it back, but Danielson gets the ropes for the break.

Danielson fights back with uppercuts, and then some by Nigel. They trade uppercuts now, boot by Nigel, off the ropes and a charging knee by Danielson. Kicks to the back, and then a charging kick to the face by Danielson. Rights to Nigel in the corner, knee by Nigel and then shots to the throat. A whip to the corner, reversal and Danielson counters the headstand and gets the ankle lock! Nigel holds onto the ropes, but Danielson pulls him into a GERMAN and gets 2! CROSS FACE CHICKEN WING by Danielson! Nigel escapes, but Danielson gets it once again! Nigel escapes, pinning counters for near falls now and Danielson finishes with a close 2. Nigel back to the leg, and gets a single leg DDT. Uppercuts by Nigel, and then a charging one. Danielson counters a lariat, chicken wing again! Nigel to a knee, and he makes the ropes. Kicks to the back by Danielson, repeated kicks now and he unloads until the official pulls him off. This allows Nigel to clip the knee, and both men are down. Nigel sets Danielson on the top rope, chops and then traps the leg and hangs Danielson up. Forearms to the knee by Nigel, and as the official frees Danielson, Nigel KILLS him with a lariat! 1…2…NO! Danielson escapes a figure four try and Nigel goes to the floor. Basement dropkick by Danielson, he manages to his feet and gets a SPRINGBOARD SENTON to the floor! They brawl on the floor, Nigel gets a chair and the official take it away. Claudio is out and STOMPS a chair into the head of Danielson as the official was distracted. Danielson now has to crawl his way back to the ring. Alex Payne is now out and helps Danielson to the ring and he JUST beats the count.

Danielson is busted open and Nigel is PISSED! LARIAT by Nigel! 1…2…NO! Back to the single leg crab goes Nigel. Danielson fights for the ropes, but Nigel pulls him back center. Danielson keeps struggling for the ropes and makes it this time! To the corner and Nigel wraps the leg in the ropes and kicks away at the knee of Danielson. Boot by Danielson stops a charge, knee strike by Danielson! BOTH men are down! Uppercuts by Danielson, and he fires back with one of his own as they begin to trade uppercuts once again! Danielson fires up, counters the jawbreaker lariat into the cross arm breaker! TRIANGLE CHOKE by Danielson! MMA ELBOWS FOLLOW! Nigel is fading…but fights out and escapes the hold into the half crab, no small package by Danielson for 2! Nigel with a head butt to the gut, and Danielson gets the crucifix for 2! MMA ELBBOWS to Nigel! He tries to KO Nigel, but is just too tired. Danielson tries more elbows! Cover 1…2…NO!!! Cattle Mutilation by Danielson! Nigel fights… Danielson cranks the hold and Nigel rolls him. TIGER SUPLEX by Danielson! Back to the Cattle Mutilation, escape by Nigel and he gets the tower of London! Nigel gets to his feet, Danielson tries to get to his feet and Nigel KILLS Danielson with the lariat! 1…2…NO!!!!! Nigel now works the MMA elbows! Nigel beats down Danielson, but Danielson is up and he calls on Nigel! Forearms by Nigel, slaps and strikes by Danielson! ROARING ELBOW by Danielson! Nigel rebounds, JAWBREAKER LARIAT decapitates Danielson! 1…2…3!

Winner: Nigel McGuinness @ 28:05 via pin [****½]

This is what this show was all about, the rematch between Nigel and Danielson in a match many expected Danielson to win. This was simply fantastic, and I hate using the term but it is an early match of the year candidate. A beautiful slow start to the match, transitioning into great work of the leg by Nigel (playing off of the night before where Claudio injured the leg) in to a hot dive spot to the floor. Claudio's interference made sense here, although odd to see in ROH, but it was short and made sense. Payne coming out as the little buddy to Danielson to help him to the ring was a great drama moment as well. The finishing portion of the match was just sweet, including Nigel using Danielson ‘s own stuff against him, as he had also done earlier in the match. Nigel decapitated Danielson for the finish and clean victory, and surprising many by doing so. Nigel's title run has, in my opinion, been great as he has not only developed into a tremendous heel, but is also solidifying himself as one of the top workers in the country.


-An absolutely awesome second hour once again from ROH, which is the standard for them on PPV. The first hour is good stuff and sets the stage for the main events perfectly. Remember to come back Tuesday for the full breakdown of the show in the Tuesday edition of the R's!

* End Scene…