Three good matches lead to one good show.
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Ring of Honor; 2/1/19
rohwrestling.com
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ROH Thoughts (Recorded as Viewed on 2/7/19)
- Tracy Williams starts off this edition of ROH as he takes on David Finlay. Williams and Finlay have a good back and forth match. Williams does some nice work on the arm of Finlay during the match. (It's weird to see Finlay get this type of match on TV. I'm used to seeing him do tags 90% of the time in New Japan.) Finlay fights back against Williams as we go to commercial break.
We return to see these two fighting back and forth. Williams catches Finlay on the corner and nails a falling DDT on the top turnbuckle. Finlay refuses to stay down. (He's a Finlay. They love to fight.) Now, they trade forearms in the middle of the ring. Sambo Backbreaker. 1-2-Referee holds his hand up slowly enough for Williams to kick out. (He wouldn't have gotten the shoulder up without it.) Great exchange of counters between the two. Spicoli Driver by Williams. 1-2-kickout! Piledriver! 1-2-3! Williams wins! After the match, Williams offers his hand, and Finlay accepts it.
(Good opening match here. Good to see Finlay work a singles match on American TV. Hope this isn't the last time he's on ROH. As for Williams, a very good showing here. Wrestlers like Williams (and perhaps even Finlay if his sticks around) can help the undercard of ROH tremendously.)
- We get a promo from The Kingdom as they cut down Villain Enterprises.
- The next match is the debuting Bandido to take on Mark Haskins. Haskins and Bandido both show off some of their different styles of offense early on. Haskins tries to counter Bandido's speed and agility by pressing the attack throughout the match. He gets some good moves in including a dive through the ropes before the break. We return to see Bandido hit a beautiful Fosberry Flop on Haskins on the floor. Back in the ring, he nails a Pop-Up Cutter for a 2. Fireman's Carry into a Falcon Arrow by Haskins. 1-2-Kickout. (Or more like the second time the referee deliberately kept himself from ending the match.) Double boots by both men send both competitors to the mat. Both men get up trading blows. Bandido nails a version of the Go to Sleep. 1-2-Kickout. Sharpshooter by Haskins. Bandido quickly gets to the ropes. Flying Double Stomp by Haskins. Armbar by Haskins now. Bandido almost gets to the ropes, but Haskins transitions to the next move attempt. German Suplex by Bandido gets the pin finally.
(Very good match between Haskins and Bandido here. These guys were going back and forth with move after move. They had me believing for a moment that Bandido might lose this match, and that is quite an achievement given that it was his first match in the company.)
- Nick Aldis cuts a promo about defending the 10 Pounds of Gold against PJ Black on ROH TV.
- Eli Isom takes on Silas Young for the #1 Contendership for the ROH World TV Championship. Isom gives Young a fight early on, but Silas is able to get the advantage with a springboard clothesline as we go to our first break. We return to see Silas continuing to attack and torture Isom in the ring. Isom tries to fight back and hits a fireman's carry into a White Noise for a 2 count. Silas reasserts control through the commercial break. We return from the second break to see Silas and Isom going back and forth again. Fireman's Carry by Silas into The Plunge. 2 count only. Young gets Isom on the top rope and NAILS A SUPERPLEX! 1 count only! Isom is getting worked up. Young and Silas are going at it back and forth. Backslide by Isom ALMOST gets the win. Misery! 1-2-3!
(Silas dominated a good bit of the match, but it was still a well done match. Isom should not be getting victories over Young quite yet in his career. But Silas did enough to help put Isom over in the long run.)
Silas gets on the mic and discusses Jeff Cobb. He talks about how Cobb is a disappointment to his family and everyone in his life. He turns around, and Jeff Cobb is coming to the ring. Shane Taylor comes in and distracts Cobb. Cobb decides to take both men on. He goes to slam Taylor, and Silas gives Cobb a low blow. Greetings from 216 from Taylor.
We get the "A New Beginning from an Old Foundation" spot again to close the show.
Overall, this wasn't the most mind-blowing edition of ROH ever. But it really didn't need to be, especially when you are trying to get some momentum going for yourself. This had some really solid work from talent that ROH is going to have to depend on to carry the ball. Isom, Finlay, Williams, Bandido, Haskins, and Silas (along with Juice who was on commentary most of the show) are guys that ROH can turn to stay strong going into the G1 Supercard and through the rest of 2019. This show did a good bit in helping to develop some of those talents.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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