ROH: Final Battle 2004: December 26, 2004: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

ROH … FINAL BATTLE 2004 … December 26, 2004 … Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Review by Brad Garoon and Jacob Ziegler

Intro

BG says: Bryan Danielson and his solid beard recaps his history with Low Ki in the early days of ROH. He understands why Ki turned him at the Weekend of Thunder, but wishes he’d done it to his face and not jumped him from behind. He’s not fazed though, because he’s taking Ki out, then Homicide in their gimmicky best of 5 series, and then Julius Smokes and the Havana Pitbulls, one by one by one by one by one.

JZ says: Danielson’s beard really is getting quite huge. He cuts a pretty good promo talking about how he’s going to take out all the Rottweilers. It’s like when the Big Boss Man was going to go through each member of the Heenan Family. Except with a bigger beard.

MATCH #1: Trent Acid vs. Jimmy Jacobs

BG says: Loser is out of ROH. Jacobs tricks Acid third grade style to start things off but Acid takes him down with a headlock. Jacobs pushes out but Acid catches him with an armdrag. He taunts the Huss but Jacobs bites his hand. He forearms Acid out of the ring and catches him with a suicide dive. Acid lifts him onto his shoulder and Oklahoma slams him into the guardrail. Man, Acid really looks like crap, appearance wise. Back in the ring he puts on a sleeper as the crowd gets behind Jacobs. Jacobs powers out but gets crotched on the top rope. Acid hits a neckbreaker on the hanging Jacobs. Jacobs dodges the Yakuza kick and gets a pair of roll ups for 2. Acid trips on the rag in his pocket while trying to bridge and gets pinned for 2. He blocks the Contra Code and hits a superkick. He hits a Blue Thunder Driver for 2. Jacobs comes back with a flying forearm but Acid dodges the boot of fear and hits the Yakuza kick. He makes the heel mistake of lifting Jacobs up at 2, and wouldn’t you know it, Jacobs hits the Contra Code for the win. Acid’s wardrobe malfunction aside, this was there. Acid quits after the match. Glad to see Jacobs get a win and Acid out of ROH.
Rating: *1/4

JZ says: Acid really does look awful, and Bower notes that he must not have gotten any new clothes for Christmas. CM Punk, hero to color men everywhere, wonders how Bower knows Acid isn’t Jewish. “Maybe he didn’t get any new clothes for Hanukah?” Punk and Bower continually rip on Acid and put Jacobs over, which is fine by me. Acid picking Jacobs up is totally the idiot heel thing to do, and Jacobs of course gets the win in 6:00. Acid quits, thank goodness, and hasn’t been seen since.
Rating: **

MATCH #2: Lacey & Deranged vs. Becky & Angel Dust

BG says: The babyfaces are still coming out to silence because of their losing streak. This is the first mixed tag match in ROH since the first Glory by Honor. Deranged and Dust start out and lock up. Lacey rakes Dust’s eyes in the corner. They lock up again and Becky slaps Deranged in her corner. Deranged goes to the eyes to take the advantage but gets shoulder blocked down. Dust hits a forearm in the corner and fights hard for an electric chair slam and a double stomp to the head. That was really cool. Dust dominates with chops but gets hit with a tornado DDT and a knee in the corner. Deranged hits a nasty springboard double stomp to the chest for 2. Lacey tags in and smacks Dust around. She kicks him in the gut and low blows him. Deranged tags in and puts Dust on the top. Dust blocks the hurricanrana and hits a double stomp to the face from the top. Becky makes the surprisingly hot tag, and takes out the recently tagged in Lacey. She hits a back bodydrop and a clothesline. She hits a bulldog for 2 but Deranged saves. Becky slaps him so he levels her with a forearm. Dust saves a little too late and then dives onto the Special K lackeys on the floor. Lacey and Becky are back up forearming one another but Deranged trips Becky. Lacey hits an implant DDT for the win. When the guys were in there this was a pretty fun, fast paced high-flying match. When the girls were in there it was sloppy but stiff. Kind of a mixed bag, but I was expecting a lot worse. Lacey commands a beat-down on Becky but Dunn and Marcos make the save to avenge the beat-down they received from Special K at Weekend of Thunder.
Rating: **

JZ says: Special K finally explodes! Punk notes that Becky looks confused. Deranged and Angel Dust do some really cool back and forth stuff, because if there’s anything these two can do, it’s stuff. Bower says something about how Special K was a hot act in 2003, and Punk gets perhaps the line of the night when Lacey tags in and he says “speaking of really hot! I just spilled coffee all over myself!” Punk continues to rip on Becky as she makes a hot tag and goes right into Raven’s comeback sequence. Lacey gets the pin on Becky with an implant DDT at 7:39. You know, for match that had train wreck written all over it, that was pretty fun. Dunn & Marcos prove that you can’t mess with them and get away with it.
Rating: **1/2

MATCH #3: Josh Daniels vs. Homicide

BG says: Daniels finally escapes the curse of the four-way match. They start with a knucklelock which Daniels gets out of with a northern lights suplex and a wristlock. Homicide slugs out of it and tells the fans to shut up when they ‘woo’ at his chops. Daniels nails a back elbow and a bodyslam followed by a kneedrop into a chinlock. Homicide chops out and dumps Daniels. He turns his back and gets rolled up for 2. Daniels takes him down with a headlock to slow things down. Homicide strikes out but Daniels catches him with a northern lights suplex for 2. Homicide comes back and targets the arm. He goes for a Jujigatame but Daniels blocks it and gets to the ropes. Homicide grabs an armbar but Daniels makes it to the ropes. They trade chops but Homicide goes to the eyes because he’s obviously out chopped. Daniels comes back with a back suplex but his arm is hurt. Homicide capitalizes by coming off the top with a butt drop to the arm. He gets 2. He hits a shoulder breaker and goes to the top. He misses the headbutt and Daniels comes back with a big clothesline. He hits a back bodydrop and a snap suplex. He goes for the headbutt but Homicide moves and Daniels arm is done. Homicide calls for the lariat but Daniels catches him with a German suplex for 2. Homicide blocks a northern lights suplex and hits the Ace crusher for 2. He shoulder blocks the arm and hits a low blow. Daniels hits a nasty dragon suplex but his arm gives out at 2. He goes for another German suplex but Homicide reverses to a key lock submission for the win. This was a really fun match with, and it’s good to see a limb injury actually pay off in a Homicide match.
Rating: ***1/4

JZ says: For a while earlier in 2004 it seemed liked Daniels was going to be a breakout star, but his momentum kind of stalled. Putting in a good showing against Homicide is a good way to raise your stock once again. Homicide goes to work on the arm, which is helpfully explained by Punk that since Homicide knows Daniels is stronger, working on the arm would be to his benefit. See, the difference between Punk and Nulty is that Punk explains what’s going on, and Nulty is so concerned with comparing this to something he say 20 years ago because he’s a “wrestling historian.” Homicide getting the win with an arm submission at 10:19 is a great nod to the psychology of the match. Here’s another match that didn’t look like much on paper, but it was quite good.
Rating: ***

MATCH #4: ROH Pure Title Match – Jimmy Rave vs. John Walters

BG says: Jimmy Rave’s entrance is phenomenal, and I’m sure will only get cooler. Nana used his assets to make sure that The Embassy could be at ringside for this rematch. They lock up to start. Rave decks Walters with a closed fist and gets a warning. Walters comes back with chops and a headlock as Nana rules the world on the outside. Rave pulls the hair to get out but Walters puts it back on after a great sequence. Punk and Bower speculate over whom the Weapon of Mask Destruction was at All Star Extravaganza II, and I can tell you right now that it was Slash Venom. Walters puts on a vertical STF by the ropes, successfully tempting Rave to use his first rope break. Rave blocks a suplex and hits Ghanarea. He chops Walters down and puts him in the corner. Bower starts really selling AJ Styles being mad about Rave’s use of the Styles Clash… interesting. Rave dumps Walters out of the ring and they fight on the floor. He hits a running knee off the apron in an attempt to get Walters counted out but Walters makes it back at 19. Rave pins him for 2, when Walters uses his first rope break. Walters catches Rave with a roll up for 2. He hits a back bodydrop and a dropkick. He hits a crazy clothesline as I finish my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He pins him and Rave uses his 2nd rope break to break the count. Rave gets a backslide but Walters reverses to the Hurricane DDT for 2. Walters goes to the top but Rave cuts him off and attempts the Rave clash. Walters blocks but Rave manages to put on a head and arm submission. Walters uses his second rope break to escape. Rave puts on the crossface and Walters uses his last rope break to escape. Rave tries to put it back on but Walters reverses to the Sharpshooter and Rave uses his last rope break to escape. Rave gets a roll up with the ropes but it only gets 2. He hits a superkick and climbs the ropes. Walters hangs Rave up and puts on a submission that sees him on the floor. Sinclair starts counting Walters out but Rave taps when the count is at 19. Well, the body of the match was better than their match from the last show, but the finish makes no sense on two levels. For one, Rave just looks like a total vagina for not being able to hold on one second more. Also, Walters didn’t show any indication at 19 that he was about to run back into the ring, and was willing to lose his title, which I don’t buy in this feud. Nana offers Walters a spot in the Embassy after the match. Walters says no, so Nana offers him a big wad of cash. Rave seems upset, but Nana promises that he will still be the crown jewel of the Embassy. Walters accepts in a move which actually goes over really well with the fans that had been itching for Walters to turn for a while.
Rating: ***

JZ says: I really liked their match at All Star Extravaganza II, let’s see if this one can live up. The elevation of Jimmy Rave has been truly remarkable. He’s gone from non-descript babyface to nearly top heel in about six months time. I love that Punk continues to correct Jimmy Bower about Rave’s “shining wizard” actually being a running knee. Walters almost gets counted out off that, and Rave goes for the cover right away when he gets back in the ring and Walters has to use a rope break. That was a very nice sequence there. Walters hits a hurricane DDT; I’ve always liked that move. The finish that Brad described comes at 11:32, about five minutes shorter than their last match. I liked the body of this match a lot, but the finish is really lame for the reasons Brad already stated. Walters joining the Embassy is a good move, since the fans wanted to boo him anyway.
Rating: ***1/4

MATCH #5: Fight Without Honor – Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer vs. Carnage Crew

BG says: The Ring of Hardcore feud comes to a close here. Brawling to start, no surprise there. Whitmer and Maff launch the Carnage Crew into the guardrails as Danger stalks around the entranceway. Loc rings Whitmer’s bell and suplexes him onto the ramp. Maff beats DeVito with a chair and sets up a ladder on the guardrails. He puts Loc on the ladder, and then kicks it into his face when he tries to slink away. Whitmer puts the ladder around DeVito like a necklace and slams it into the post. Back in the ring Loc nails Maff with a chair in all four corners. DeVito lies on the floor completely busted open. Loc smacks Maff with the chair again and he blades on camera. Loc hits Whitmer with a neckbreaker. DeVito tosses some trash cans into the ring and Whitmer gets con-trash-toe’d with them for 2. Maff tosses DeVito and pounds Loc down. Loc gets smacked with the ladder. Maff elbow drops the ladder on Loc. DeVito smacks Maff with a chair and dumps him from the ring. Loc sets up a table at Whitmer’s throat, referencing his match against the Saints, but Maff stops the attack from happening. DeVito does manage to moonsault Whitmer while he’s on the ladder for 2. Loc low blows Maff and he gets hit with a spike piledriver. Whitmer attacks with a kendo stick but gets hit with a side suplex and Maff gets pinned for 2. Whitmer hits an exploder on most of Loc through a table for 2. DeVito brings in another ladder. He and Whitmer civilly set up the two ladders side by side. All four men climb the ladders in an insanely contrived looking spot. Maff and Loc get crotched on the top rope and DeVito gets a chokeslam off the ladders on Whitmer. Mick Foley makes his way to ringside, and even gets his name plastered on the screen for his walk in. He gets on the mic and into the ring. This match becomes a total joke as Foley takes out the thumbtacks and all four men in the supposedly super violent fight just let him take over. He pours the tacks into the ring. Maff and DeVito rip each others shirt off and fight for a tack attack. They duel with kendo sticks and DeVito nails an Ace Crusher near the tacks for 2. Some old guy walks around ringside and carries a trash can. So random. Whitmer nails a double arm DDT on Loc but Danger distracts the ref long enough for Loc to kick out. Whitmer rips Loc’s shirt off and Maff tosses him. Loc manages to hit a neckbreaker on Maff through a table on the outside. In the ring Whitmer hits the wrist clutch exploder on the tacks on DeVito for the win. The last 2 minutes were really energetic and fun and I have to give points to the old man being weird at ringside. Most of the match however was a boring mess, making it the worst FWH, but not the worst match in this feud. Foley wishes the fans happy holidays and calls all four men hardcore. He asks them to shake hands, so they do because, even though they are so hardcore, they’ll do whatever Foley says.
Rating: *3/4

JZ says: The new intro to Maff’s theme music, “psst…it’s hammer time,” is RIDICULOUS, and not in a good way. This is chapter, um, actually I lost count, mostly because I just don’t care. Maff & Whitmer are a tired act, and I think everyone knows I don’t like the Carnage Crew. It’s crazy I know, but there’s no accounting for taste, right? Yeah, so leave me alone. This match is filled with a lot of sloppy brawling with no real rhyme or reason. Whitmer & Maff had arguably the best street-fight type match in ROH history with CM Punk & Ace Steel at “Death Before Dishonor II Pt. 2” in July, but this is just sad. This is the first Fight Without Honor since “Final Battle 2003,” so it’s been exactly a year. If they do one of these every year at “Final Battle” I think that’d be neat. I do give these guys credit for taking all the punishment that they do in these matches; it just takes a lot to do it well. Bower says that there weren’t many Christmas presents under the tree for their children because they couldn’t afford them. Well, on old tapes I’ve heard Loc & DeVito talk about their jobs, and they always list four or five things, most of which pay pretty well (plumber, etc.). Foley, who used to be my favorite wrestler, makes another gratuitous appearance in the middle of the match just to add thumbtacks. The madness ends at 14:58 when Whitmer gives DeVito the exploder onto a pile of tacks.
Rating: *1/2

Ricky Steamboat / Mick Foley Final Confrontation

BG says: This is a perfect segue into the final Foley/Ricky Steamboat confrontation. Steamboat walks out for his last ROH appearance, being signed as an agent for the WWE shortly before this. Oddly enough, he already has a new WWE-style stooge haircut. Foley talks about what is hardcore, and talks about Ricky not being soft-core after all, citing his bloody matches against Don Muraco and Rick Rude. He’ll admit that ROH is built on a foundation of pure wrestling on the condition that Steamboat admits that there is a place in ROH for hardcore wrestling. Always the babyface, Steamboat agrees that hardcore and pure wrestling can co-exist. Foley actually goes so far as to admit that he disrespected Ric Flair and got punched in the face for it. He’d forgotten his place in the food chain and got put back in it. But now Samoa Joe has forgotten his place in the food chain by disrespecting Mick Foley, and he wants to see him out in the ring. Joe comes out and gets right in Foley’s face. Foley wants Joe to realize that he’s making the same mistake and shake his hand. Joe shakes the hand and apologizes and asks for a hug. Joe still hasn’t learned his lesson however and he clocks Foley. They get all fired up but Steamboat plays peacemaker. Joe rules the world by saying he’s not interested until Foley is ready to wrestle. So we’ve gone from a pointless feud between two non-wrestlers to a potentially awesome feud that could absolutely make Samoa Joe.

JZ says: I’m glad that Steamboat hasn’t embarrassed himself in ROH the way Foley has. Some fans have the nerve to chant “Ric Flair sucks” and “Fuck Ric Flair.” You know, Ric Flair is the best wrestler of all-time, period. Chanting that he sucks only makes you look like an idiot. The crowd boos when Foley mentions WWE. I guess they all forgot that most of them wouldn’t be wrestling fans without WWE, and Foley will still go back there and collect a check anytime. That is such hypocrisy, it makes me soooooo angry. Foley also shits on his fellow workers, like Heidenreich, Gene Snitsky, and Luther Reigns. He does say that they will improve with Steamboat’s guidance, somewhat redeeming himself. Then the fans chant “Fuck Triple H,” perhaps forgetting that Foley had probably the best matches of his career with that man. Foley then says he deserved to get punched in the face by Flair, further redeeming himself. Then he equates his situation with Flair to his situation with Samoa Joe, making me wonder how sincere he is. Though I do admit the possibility of a Samoa Joe versus Mick Foley match makes me really excited. Steamboat gets a jab on Foley and says goodbye, leaving an ROH ring for presumably the last time.

Intermission

BG says: The Scoopster is backstage with the Embassy. Everyone is happy except the Outkast Killaz. They’re 2-0 and are mad that they aren’t booked on the show. Nana sends them to get the new Weapon of Mask Destruction to face Jay Lethal because he isn’t as strong as the first one. See Nana had to trade down because he needed more money to buy John Walters. It’s just more awesome stuff from the Embassy.

SSP catches up with Trent Acid to ask him why he quit. Acid says we haven’t been seeing the right Trent Acid, but he’ll be back. Let’s hope not.

JZ says: Nana explaining that he had to sell parts from the WMD to afford John Walters is BRILLIANT. Nana is amazing and underappreciated.

My pal SSP has the unfortunate duty of talking to Trent Acid, who says he will be back. Not if I have anything to say about it.

MATCH #6: Jay Lethal vs. Weapon of Mask Destruction #2

BG says: The WOMD, who is much smaller because of lack of Embassy funds, takes it to Lethal in the early going. Lethal comes back with a back bodydrop WOMD returns fire with chops in the corner but Lethal hits him with a leg lariat, sending him out of the ring. WOMD hits a back elbow for 1. He hits a seated dropkick for 2. He hits a vertical suplex for 2. Bower calls the WOMD very generic looking, and of course it is in actuality El Generico. WOMD hits an alley-oop into the turnbuckle for 2. Lethal attempts a springboard maneuv but WOMD hits a powerbomb for 2. He misses a moonsault and Lethal unloads with chops. He hits a seated leg lariat and tweaks out. WOMD blocks a dragon suplex but gets hit with a big clothesline for 2. Lethal jumps to the second rope and hits a DDT for 2. He tries the dragon suplex again but WOMD blocks again. He hits a Golden Gate slam for 2. Lethal fights for and hits the dragon suplex for the win. That was another cute match in the ongoing Lethal/Embassy feud. Lethal tells Nana that he’s passed all his tests and he wants Jimmy Rave right now. Rave doesn’t answer the challenge.
Rating: *3/4

JZ says: I’m a big fan of this feud and this is perfect match placement, as it’s not exactly a squash match but it’s not as high profile as some but it still serves a purpose and is part of a feud. El Generico, er, Weapon of Mask Destruction #2, looks pretty good in this match, and I’m very interested to see what he can do under his own gimmick. Punk takes off part way through the match to get ready for his upcoming encounter with Steve Corino against Alex Shelley and Roderick Strong. At least Ray Murrow isn’t there to replace Punk. Lethal gets the win at 6:22 with the Dragon Suplex.
Rating: **

Backstage Promo

BG says: Backstage J-Train tries to get Homicide interested in Steve Corino again, but Homicide only wants to fight Bryan Danielson. He doesn’t care about what Danielson has done around the world, and he’s going to take him out in their best of 5 series. The first match will be a tap-out match.

JZ says: Homicide accepts Bryan Danielson’s challenge for a best-of-five series. The first match will be a tap-out match. I really think Homicide would be just fine without Julius Smokes always hanging around.

MATCH #7: Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong vs. CM Punk & Steve Corino

BG says: After a three show absence we get the return of Alex Shelley. Corino’s entrance is ridiculously long and elaborate, which is probably the intention. His ring announcer goes through all the December holidays, you know, not to offend. He goes through wrestlers who call Philadelphia their home. This goes on a long time, so here are a few points of interest: I recognize about 1/4 of the names, and laugh my ass off when he names Sandman and says he’s just been released from prison. Bobby Cruz gets all mad that this announcer has stolen his gimmick. The Green Lantern guy gets named by the announcer, and Punk shakes his head. I also shake my head because this guy’s going to think he’s part of the show now. Anyhow, to the match!

Strong and Corino start. They lock up but get into the ropes. Shoulder block and nobody goes down. Another goes the same way. Corino manages to slap Strong. They trade forearms and Strong takes him down with a headlock. Shelley tags in and Punk tags in. Punk gets a wristlock and tags Corino back in. Shelley gets the snot blow but Corino comes back with an armbar. Punk tags in and does the same shtick as before. Corino hits another Steamboat armdrag and wristlock and tags Punk back in. Punk tries to tag Corino again, but he ducks and Punk ends up in the Generation Next corner. Strong tags in and gets hit with a Steamboat armdrag. Punk works the wristlock and tags Corino in. Punk tells Corino to go up but he refuses, so Punk picks him up and uses the added weight to drop a knee on strong. Shelley tags in and grabs a wristlock but Corino goes to the eyes and tags in Punk. Shelley knocks them into each other and they argue long enough for him to miss a dropkick. Punk dropkicks the head but Shelley goes to the eyes and tags in Strong. Punk catches him and they trade chops. Shelley tags in and hits a dropkick. Strong tags in and hits a big dropkick for 1. Shelley tags in and chokes Punk in the ropes allowing Strong to beat on him from the apron. Things sort of slow down here as Shelley hits a side Russian legsweep into a Joejigatame. Strong deliciously kicks at the back, adding pain. Corino distracts the ref and kicks Shelley in the back. Strong and Corino each get their licks in again and Shelley breaks the hold. Strong tags in and they double team Punk for 2. Punk hits the Pepsi Twist and both men are down. Punk makes the tag to Corino who comes in and cleans house. He hits a DDT/stunner combo on Generation Next and nails the STO on Shelley and a clothesline on Strong. Shelley takes an enziguiri but Strong blocks further damage with a backbreaker for 2. Shelley tags in and puts on an Octopus stretch but Punk saves, while simultaneously kicking Corino on his bad ear. Strong tags in and they double team Corino. Shelley stays in even though Strong is legal. Corino dodges the frog splash and tags Punk. He hits a German suplex on Shelley but gets dropkicked by Strong. Corino leg lariats Strong but Shelley superkicks him. Punk hits the Shining Wizard on Shelley and everyone is down. Punk hits Welcome to Chicago for 2 on Shelley, who isn’t legal. He hits the mule kick and enziguiri and puts on the Anaconda Vice but Strong saves. Corino and Strong go to the floor and Shelley hits the Shellshock on Punk for 2 when Corino saves. Strong dumps Corino and hits a backbreaker on Punk for 2. Strong is still legal but Shelley is taking all the pins… annoying. The babyfaces nail a Hart Attack and Punk puts the Anaconda Vice on Shelley for the win. Legal man issues aside, things stayed pretty consistent and there was some solid action mixed in with all the comedy. After the match, Austin Aries questions Shelley’s loyalty, citing his 2-month absence from Generation Next. He wants Shelley’s spot as the leader of Generation Next. Shelley won’t step down so he and Strong turn on him.
Rating: ***

JZ says: Punk and Corino do some neat comedy stuff at the beginning, with Punk tagging out to Corino immediately every time he gets tagged in. It’s great to see Alex Shelley back too; he’s always a highlight of ROH home releases. It’s also great to see Tracy Brooks back, because she’s hot, duh. This match is actually pretty heatless, a surprise given the four competitors. I think the problem is that the Second City Saints versus Generation Next feud never seemed to mean anything, and existed more for the purpose of filling out cards rather than settling an issue. Shelley ends up tapping to Punk at 17:32, finally getting some kind of reaction from the crowd. The match was a solid affair, but just felt really flat. Austin Aries and Roderick Strong turn on Alex Shelley after very little buildup, especially given that Shelley hasn’t even been on the last three shows. Aries coins his “Personal Jesus” catchphrase, which he will be using as his music from now on. This reminds me of when Ronald Reagan tried to adopt Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” for his campaign based on the song’s title, though the lyrics in both cases are very unfitting. By the way, Johnny Cash’s version of “Personal Jesus” is the best.
Rating: ***1/4

MATCH #8: Low Ki vs. Bryan Danielson

BG says: This match is a rematch from the main event of Round Robin Challenge, the second ever ROH show. That match saw Ken Shamrock as special referee and was about honor. This match is just about hatred. No running gag though, I promise. They both look for a takedown right away, but back off when they can’t find it. Ki gets the first takedown but Danielson stays on the move. Danielson grabs a wristlock and takes Ki to the mat. He gets a double arm submission but Ki reverses out. Danielson blocks a wristlock with a dropkick. He puts Ki down with a knucklelock and gets a pair of 2 counts. Ki reverses a wristlock with the headstand kick. They try to knot up each other’s thighs with kicks. Ki has enough and takes Danielson to the corner. Danielson breaks away with a European uppercut. He takes Ki down to the mat and puts on an STF but Ki bites his thumb to escape. He hits his spaz elbow for 2 and puts on a nerve hold, Yokozuna style. Ki works the arm, which was injured by the Rottweilers on the show prior. He stretches the arm in the corner but the ref calls for the break. Ki hits a bodyslam and puts on an armbar. He works over a hammerlock in vicious fashion. Danielson’s arm gets locked and he tries to use the other arm to pop it back. That’s great selling. But he gives himself away and Ki stays on it. Danielson comes back with kicks and has the ref pop his arm back. Ki sees this and dropkicks it immediately. He hits a hammerlock suplex. Danielson goes for a sunset flip, but it’s hard with one arm so Ki hits a double stomp. Ki kicks Danielson across the face in the corner and he looks to be knocked out, but a few counts later and he asks for more abuse. His adrenaline starts flowing and he keeps asking for more. Ki goes for a kick to the arm but Danielson catches it, kicks the leg and then screws it around. He sets up the foot at a 90-degree angle and stomps it. He puts on a surfboard stretch and shoves Ki’s face into his crotch. He lets him go but then immediately puts on a Mexican surfboard, pulling Ki into a dragon sleeper, but has to let go when he’s pinned for 2. He forearms Ki with the good arm. He goes for a blind charge and Ki gets the boot up for 2. He goes to the top but Danielson cuts him off with a superplex for 2. Danielson goes for the airplane spin but Ki puts on the dragon clutch. Danielson spins anyway and they tumble out to the floor. They fight into the crowd right up to the big security guard. That guy is always really cool at the live shows. Danielson puts on the airplane spin and takes it to the other side of the building. They brawl towards the back of the building where Homicide and J-Train attack Danielson. They hold him down and Homicide destroys his arm with a chair. The locker room empties to break up the beat-down. The bell rings, ending the match. The Rottweilers go back to the ring and get in the ref’s face. Ki tells the ref that Danielson couldn’t continue so he should be the winner, and then he knocks him out and chokes him out with a belt. The match would later be declared a disqualification in Danielson’s favor. The match was really, really good and showcased some amazing psychology from Danielson. With a finish would have been great.
Rating: ***3/4

JZ says: I know their original match from March of 2002 is held in very high regard, but honestly it doesn’t do a whole lot for me. I know I know – I’m an idiot, whatever. This match actually has some emotion in it, which usually helps make it more interesting, and some great psychology and awesome selling by Danielson. It also has a lack of Julius Smokes, whom Ki sent to the back before the match, meaning no distractions at ringside. Despite Low Ki’s undeniable status as a heel the crowd finds it cool to cheer him. Come on, just cheer Bryan Danielson will ya?! They fight to the outside where Homicide and Smokes attack Danielson and the locker room empties to try and break it up. The match is thrown out around 21 minutes, though it would later be changed to a Danielson disqualification victory. The Rottweilers beat the crap out of Sean Hansen. It could have been better with a finish.
Rating: ***1/2

AJ Styles Update

BG says: A clip of AJ Styles versus Paul London from Night of Grudges plays under the announcement that Styles will be returning to ROH to fight Jimmy Rave with the blessing of NWA-TNA. The graphic says the match will happen at night two of the Third Anniversary Celebration.

JZ says: That AJ versus London match is probably the second or third best match in ROH history. And it’s nice to see AJ coming back anyway.

MATCH #9: ROH World Title Match – Austin Aries vs. Samoa Joe

BG says: Aries got this title shot because he was more willing to fight after his draw with Low Ki. Not the best hype in the world for a contender, but better than some. Like in the title match at the last show, both wrestlers are seconded by another; Lethal for Joe and Strong for Aries. Aries doesn’t shake the hand but attacks Joe right of the bat. Joe comes back by tossing Aries to the mat. Having Punk on commentary for this match is great, as he compares Aries’ actions to his own attempt at the title. Joe puts on a leg scissor submission but Aries slips out and wrenches the knee. Joe grabs a headlock and takes Aries to the mat. Aries goes for a headlock but Joe blocks it, knowing it well from the Punk series. He reverses to a back suplex. Joe can’t finish the Big Joe Combo but withstands Aries’ shoulder block attempts and slaps him down. He hits a shoulderblock of his own and they criss-cross. Aries gets the better of it with a dropkick to the knee. He gets a dragonscrew and stays on the leg. He hits explosive elbow #2 on the leg and puts on an STF. Joe powers out but Aries takes out his leg. He hits a shinbreaker but Joe blocks a second with an enziguiri. Joe drapes Aries over the top turnbuckle and slaps and kicks away. Joe nails the face wash. He starts taking Aries lightly, just striking on him at will. Aries comes back with strikes of his own and goes for the brainbuster but Joe is too heavy. Joe knocks Aries out of the ring. Aries dodges the suicide dive but gets kicked in the face when he attempts one of his own. Joe pulls him out of the ring and launches him into the guardrail. He chops Aries into a chair and nails a pair of ole kicks. He goes for a third but Aries dodges it. He knocks Joe into a chair and hits a crazy ole dropkick. He hits explosive elbow #1 but Joe grabs the choke. Aries rolls out but Joe nails a powerslam for 2. Joe goes for a powerbomb but Aries nails a hurricanrana for 2. He hits three dropkicks in the corner but on the fourth Joe catches him with the Island Driver for 2. Joe goes for the muscle buster but Aries fights him off. He nails the 450 splash but it only gets 2. Aries goes for the brainbuster again but Joe once again blocks it. Joe knocks Aries out of the ring again but Aries reverses the suicide dive into a sunset flip. It gets 2 but Aries puts on a Boston crab on the kickout. Joe powers out but Aries takes him down with the fishhook. The ref calls for the break. Aries again can’t hit the brainbuster, and Joe puts him on the top. He slaps and kicks him and goes for the muscle buster. Aries reverses to the crucifix bomb, and nails a huge forearm and an avalanche. Joe misses a clothesline so Aries kicks the knee, hits a SICK kick to the face, nails the brainbuster and then pins Joe with the 450 splash to win the title. Slow middle portion aside, this was an amazing match that not only could stand on its own because of the great action, but also played off of the matches both men had coming into this match. Joe tells Aries to treat the belt with respect and honor and then straps the belt around his waist. The crowd reaction to all of this, especially chanting “thank you Joe” really made this feel like a fitting end to Samoa Joe’s amazing title reign.
Rating: ****1/4

JZ says: Austin Aries wouldn’t be my first choice to get the big title shot at Samoa Joe (I would have preferred Alex Shelley, but he wasn’t able to for obvious reasons). The match starts hot, and when Aries goes for the headlock Joe blocks it, playing off the previous Punk matches. Of course, the crowd just WANTS to piss me off by chanting for Aries, even though he is a total heel and Samoa Joe is the ultimate ROH babyface. Also, Austin Aries just WANTS to piss me off by playing to the crowd and getting them to clap for his moves. Dude, be a heel. I know I’ve already been told about this “shades of grey” and “no heels and babyfaces in ROH,” but that’s nonsense. Even though there’s stuff in this match that pisses me off, it really is a great match, with solid psychology (like Aries finally hitting the brainbuster after multiple attempts). The finishing sequence to this match is PHENOMENAL, and Aries gets the pin and becomes champion at 17:29. The crowd absolutely explodes, which I’m going to chalk up to the shock of Joe losing the title and appreciation for his reign. Joe hands the title over to Aries as the crowd chants “Thank You Joe.” The match itself is probably ****1/4, but since it was a very difficult task to take the title off Joe believably and they really pulled it off, I am willing to give it more.
Rating: ****1/2

MVP

BG says: Samoa Joe. Yeah I give it to him a lot, and Aries pulled his own weight plenty in the title match, but Joe lost the title and dammit, he deserves it. Best to go out on top I always say. And as my top 10 will show below, he easily earns my MVP of the year award.

JZ says: I also have to give it to Samoa Joe for an almost two-year title reign that wasn’t running out of steam at all when he lost it. Joe is just amazing, period.

Our Top 10 Matches of 2004

BG says:
10) Austin Aries v. Bryan Danielson (Testing the Limit) ****1/4
9) Samoa Joe v. Homicide (Death Before Dishonor 2 Night 1) ****1/4
8) Austin Aries v. Samoa Joe (Final Battle 2004) ****1/4
7) Samoa Joe v. Jay Briscoe (At Our Best) ****1/2
6) Samoa Joe v. CM Punk (World Title Classic) ****1/2
5) Samoa Joe v. Bryan Danielson (Midnight Express Reunion) ****1/2
4) Low Ki & Bryan Danielson v. Jushin Liger & Samoa Joe (Weekend of Thunder Night 2) ****1/2
3) Samoa Joe v. CM Punk (All Star Extravaganza II) ****1/2
2) Mark Briscoe v. Colt Cabana v. Austin Aries v. Homicide v. Bryan Danielson v. Samoa Joe (Survival of the Fittest) ****3/4
1) Samoa Joe v. CM Punk (Joe vs. Punk II) *****

JZ says:
10) CM Punk & Ace Steel vs. Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer (Death Before Dishonor II Pt. 2) ****
9) Alex Shelley vs. Jimmy Jacobs (Joe vs. Punk II) ****1/4
8) Generation Next vs. John Walters, Jimmy Rave & The Briscoe Brothers (Generation Next) ****1/4
7) Samoa Joe vs. Bryan Danielson (Midnight Express Reunion) ****1/4
6) Samoa Joe vs. Austin Aries (Final Battle 2004) ****1/2
5) Low Ki & Bryan Danielson vs. Jushin Liger & Samoa Joe (Weekend of Thunder Night 2) ****1/2
4) Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk, (World Title Classic) ****1/2
3) Mark Briscoe vs. Colt Cabana vs. Austin Aries vs. Homicide vs. Bryan Danielson vs. Samoa Joe (Survival of the Fittest) ****1/2
2) Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (All Star Extravaganza II) ****3/4
1) Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (Joe vs. Punk II) *****
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E-mail Brad at [email protected]
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See you soon with our review of It All Begins!

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The 411: BG says: While not full of blow away matches, nothing was terrible and the show flowed really well. The title change is not only important and emotional, but it’s a freaking amazing match. If you are any kind of ROH fan then you want this tape. JZ says: This is a fun show that has mostly good stuff on it, including one of the most historically important (and awesome) matches in history. For overall goodness, I highly recommend this.

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]