Csonka’s ROH TV Review 8.10.16

Csonka’s ROH TV Review 8.10.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Jay White defeated Will Ferrara @ 8:15 via pin [**¾]
– ROH World Title Match: Champion Jay Lethal defeated Colt Cabana @ 14:52 via pin [****]

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– Apologies for the delay, between the G1 and some DVR issues, this got pushed back.

– We get some footage form last week’s show as well as some video of Jay Lethal losing his shit in the locker room because he is now bald

Will Ferrara vs. Jay White: White is a New Japan young lion, working ROH on his US learning excursion. He’s only been a pro for three years but is already very good. Nice pacing early, working some basic back and forth but keeping the action moving well. Ferrara was a step ahead, early but White turned momentum his way and worked the heat. White worked the arm and hand, doing some Finlay-like joint manipulation. Ferrara fired up, made a good comeback and sent White to the floor and connected with a dive. They worked through the break, and when we came back Ferrara got a near fall off of a tornado DDT. White then lit up Ferrara with uppercuts hit a brainbuster and then a missile dropkick for a near fall. It broke down into the center ring striking exchange, leading to Ferrara hitting a flatliner for a near fall. Ferrara ran into a dropkick and then ate a uranage for the near fall. Kiwi Crusher by White finished things off. Pretty good match overall, the beginning and end was good, but it felt flat and if it was missing something in the middle of the match.

– The hype Shibata vs. Young and Briscoe vs. Fish at Death Before Dishonor.

The Fish Tank Becomes The Chicken Shack: Mark Briscoe hit the ring and said that he has discovered that the Fish Tank is nothing but communist propaganda and divisive rhetoric. Listening to Mark Briscoe discuss this was actually quite amazing. So he has cancelled the Fish Tank for tonight and welcomed us to the Chicken Shack. Bobby Fish is cosplaying Conor McGregor. Fish talked about how good he looked, and then said Briscoe looked like an unmade bed. Lots of jokes including Briscoe asking Fish if he married an Ethiopian midget the last time he was in Vegas. They then got serious as Briscoe said he’d beat Fish for the TV title. While Fish said that Briscoe would be nothing but Jay’s little brother and make the title secondary once again. Fish claimed he took the title to a new level and said he was better than everyone in the locker room, including Jay’s little brother. Briscoe had to be held back and Fish gloated that he was in fact the world TV champion. I thought this would be all comedy, but they turned it around well and the tone got to where it needed to be; I loved Fish needling Mark by talking down to him and constantly playing the “Jay’s little brother” card.

– The Addiction cut a shot promo, noting that they are the smartest men in the room and will remain the world tag team champions of the world.

Extra security is around the ring to stop any possible interference form Bullet Club. Nigel has stated that if they get involved, they will be suspended for six-months without pay. Lethal wore a hoodie to the ring and then revealed his cleanly shaven head.

Champion Jay Lethal vs. Colt Cabana: The crowd was into this right away, which is a good sign. Both men played it straight early, as the evolution of Lethal becoming a face continues. Both men had advantages at different times, and even held the ropes for the other to comeback into the ring; they are such sporting gentlemen. The opening five minutes or so was very even back and forth, Lethal finally pulled Cabana to the floor and then followed with a suicide dive. A second connected and then a third as the crowd is very into this. After a commercial break, Cabana had taken control and turned Lethal inside out with a lariat. This led to them trading strikes center ring and then Cabana hitting the jabs and elbow. Lethal went for a roll up but Cabana rolled through and hit a splash for a near fall. Lethal battled back with the lethal combination and went up top and hit the elbow but Cabana turned it into a cradle for a near fall. Lethal then hit the lethal injection for a great near fall. Lethal went for it again but Cabana stumbled to the corner. Lethal set him up top, Cabana fought and countered with the Chicago skyline for a near fall. After the second commercial break, Lethal was working over Cabana, who fought back with strikes and the hip attack for a near fall. Lethal hit a series of kicks, lethal injection countered, but Lethal got the cutter an then the lethal injection for the win. That was a great TV main event with a hot crowd and some great near falls. Lethal continues to deliver.

– Cabana looked devastated after the loss, but shook hands with Lethal.

Lethal Demands Revenge: Lethal took the mic and asked Nigel to get into the ring. He has something he needs to say to him face to face, and he can’t do it in the back. Normally he’d say there is no one left, but there is someone left. He wants Adam Cole. He says Cole embarrassed him and he needs revenge. Bullet Club is turning ROH into a dumpster, and he can’t let that happen. Lift the ban and make the match for Death Before Dishonor. Nigel says if he gives him the title shot he is a hypocrite. Adam Cole arrived and said that he can’t believe this crap. Lethal is pretending to want the match, but this is about keeping him away from the title. Lethal has been hand picking challengers, but unless he faces him the reign is a joke. Cole says Lethal is a little bitch. Lethal says they all know he’s the best in the world, and he tells Nigel that the only way to set him straight is to beat him live on PPV. Lethal then begged and told Nigel to listen to the fans, who were chanting “make the match.” Nigel was inclined to acquiesce to his request and made the match.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia.”

8.0

The final score: review Very Good

The 411

This was a very good show this week, with a great main event and the focus largely being on building to the Death Before Dishonor PPV.