ROH on HDNet 3/21/2009

ROH on HDNet 3/21/2009
By: Karl Clancey


To kick off the inaugural show, we get an opening video package set to a generic rock tune featuring plenty of in-ring action. We then head to our hosts: Mike Hogewood and Dave Prazak. Prazak explains the Code of Honor ( meaning wrestlers are to shake hands prior to every match), and they hype the main event which will feature Tyler Black taking on Jimmy Jacobs.

Prior to the opener, we get a little 10 second promo from both men called “Smack Talk”. This would be a recurring theme throughout the night. We also get three facts about each wrestler as they make their entrance.

1. Delirious vs. Jerry Lynn
The bell rings, causing Delirious to undergo his usual freak out. An opening exchange of headlocks and arm wringers leads to Lynn locking on a bow and arrow submission hold. Delirious escapes, but Lynn locks in a headlock which results in another sequence ending in a Jerry Lynn head scissors and backbreaker for a two count. Delirious regains the advantage and hits a senton splash for a near fall. Lynn counters a clothesline into a backslide for a two count and then hits an inverted Gory special which gets him another two count. Delirious comes back with a drop toe hold into the corner allowing him to hit the Panic Attack (running knee strike). He misses Shadows Over Hell (top rope splash across the back) and both men then exchange two counts. Lynn hits the top rope huracanrana and then the TKO for another near fall. Delirious misses a splash in the corner and, upon turning around, gets hoisted up and nailed with the cradle piledriver which earns Jerry Lynn the three count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn @ 5:40

Kyle Durden (ROH Reporter) is interviewing Tyler Black. Durden explains the storyline with Black and Jacobs. Black says that the revolution of the Age of the Fall wasn’t meant to change people, it was supposed to give the people hope, and that in tonight’s main event he will kick Jimmy Jacobs’ head off.

2. Sami Callihan vs. Kenny King
Before the match, we get “Smack Talk” from both men. Sami claims that where he’s from, it’s Halloween 365 days a year. Kenny King is described as a “ladies man”. The match begins with King reversing an early arm wringer into a Japanese arm drag. Brief exchange leads to a Callihan headlock, but King hits a neck snap on the top rope and a clothesline for a two count. King hits an eye gouge and chokes Callihan over the top rope before hitting a springboard legdrop for 2. King hits a headstand enziguri and a spinebuster for a near fall. Sami regains the advantage with an atomic drop and an exploder suplex as both men are down. Sami hits a combination chinbreaker/sliding clothesline and then locks in the Koji Clutch which King escapes by making it to the ropes. Sami misses a charge into the corner and is met with two knees to the back from King. King hits ‘The Coronation’ (kind of like a belly-up death valley driver) and gets the three count.

Winner: Kenny King @ 5:43

We go back to Kyle Durden who is standing by with Jimmy Jacobs. Jimmy explains that he brought Tyler Black into ROH to fight the masses, but now Tyler is fighting for the masses. Jimmy says he will break Tyler Black in the main event.

We get a video package profiling ROH, and showing all the people who have been in an ROH ring (CM Punk, Samoa Joe, Ric Flair, Mick Foley, etc.)

3. Brent Albright vs. Rhett Titus
During Smack Talk, Rhett Titus claims to have “shoulders like boulders” and that “the thrust is a must”. Brent Albright says you can either “get out or tap out”. During his entrance, Rhett gives his room key to a lucky female fan in the front row. Albright gets the early advantage with chops and a delayed vertical suplex. Rhett sits on the top turnbuckle after some offense and taunts Albright with a hip swivel. Albright pulls him off of the ropes into a backbreaker for a near fall. Albright hits a nice splash mountain for a two count. Albright knocks Rhett out of the ring then hits a plancha to the outside. Rhett then rakes Brent’s eyes, and sends him face first into the turnbuckle. Rhett again gouges the eyes of Albright, allowing him to hit a seated dropkick and then a knee drop which earns him two. Rhett, to add insult to injury, thrusts his crotch right into Albright’s face. Albright soon regains the advantage, however, and hits Rhett with a leg lariat and a dropkick for two. Albright decides to finish off Rhett with a rock bottom followed by a half-nelson suplex and then his “Crowbar” arm submission to gain him the victory.

Winner: Brent Albright @ 6:35

Prior to the main event, a video recap of the Tyler Black/Jimmy Jacobs feud is shown. We see clips of their argument from the Rising Above pay per view, as well as Jimmy Jacobs turning on Tyler Black after Black had lost to Austin Aries at Final Battle.

4. Main Event: Tyler Black vs. Jimmy Jacobs
Black starts off strong with a dropkick and some right hands, causing Jimmy to take a powder. Jimmy grabs two chairs and throws them into the ring which distracts Tyler and allows Jimmy to sneak attack him and gain the unfair advantage. Tyler regains momentum and gets a near fall after a dropkick, springboard crescent kick and a stomp to the face. Tyler reverses a double axe handle attempt into an inverted atomic drop. Jacobs is able to hit a head scissors which sends Black into the turnbuckle. Jimmy hits a forearm from the middle rope for a two count. Tyler comes back with a burst of energy and knocks Jimmy down. He climbs the top rope, but Jacobs shoves him off which causes Black to hit the guardrail. Jacobs hits an elbow drop off the apron and rolls Black into the ring. Jacobs works over Black for the next little while with punches, forearms, and chokes. Jacobs hits four double stomps and an elbow drop. Jacobs taunts Black with playful slaps, causing Black to become enraged and giving him the motivation needed to mount a comeback. Black hits an enziguri into a springboard lariat for two. He then hits a standing shooting star press which also only earns him 2. Jacobs hits a spear off of Black’s missed Phoenix Splash and gets a near fall. Tyler hits a pele kick but Jimmy throws him out of the ring and hits a plancha onto Black onto a chair. Back in the ring, Jimmy counters God’s Last Gift (a small package driver) into the End Time (a guillotine choke). Black pushes Jimmy off and misses a superkick. Jimmy rolls him up into the End Time again, but Black bridges out into a pinfall attempt earning him the 3 count.

Winner: Tyler Black @ 13:51

A promo airs for next week’s show which will feature ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Jay Briscoe.

I thought this show did its job. It attempted to introduce ROH to a new group of fans with profiles of every wrestler and a very basic layout. The matches weren’t spectacular but they showed off the ROH style very well and were all fun to watch in their own way. The production was off the chain compared to most ROH stuff, and really makes them look major league. Dave Prazak was very toned down on this show. It was almost as if he was trying too hard to be “professional”. Mike Hogewood wasn’t all that bad. I’m not sure how much he knew about the product, but he was enthusiastic (and never once said the main event didn’t sound all that interesting). I think he’ll grow into it. Overall, I really enjoyed the show and am looking forward to the weeks to come. Any feedback you have can be sent to my e-mail address: kace.2k4@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can reach me at http://www.entertainment-central.net (username: KCC) as I am checking that site perhaps more than my e-mail. Thanks for reading.