Lest We Forget: ROH Glory By Honor IV

Glory By Honor IV
Lake Grove, NY
September 17, 2005

The show opens up with Gary Michael Cappetta backstage, welcoming us to the show and bringing up the first Glory By Honor, where Samoa Joe took on Low Ki. GMC uses this set-up to introduce Lacey, who has suspended Lacey’s Angels. She says she will be scouting new talent tonight.

We cut to the ring, where Jay Lethal has stormed out and grabbed the microphone. He tells Low Ki to get his ass out here! Julius Smokes shows up instead and talks some smack on Lethal, pointing out that Low Ki has beaten him down many times. Smokes asks Lethal what’s in this match for Low Ki. Smokes says if Low Ki wrestles him tonight, Low Ki has to be reinstated in ROH. Lethal is on board, and he shakes hands with Smokes. Low Ki then runs out of the crowd and jumps Jay Lethal!

Match One, Fight Without Honor: Low Ki w/ Julius Smokes vs. Jay Lethal

Despite being jumped at the bell, Lethal regains control pretty quickly and starts to dominate the early goings. Lethal drapes Low Ki out of the ring across the bottom rope, and then leg drops him, sending him face-first into the mat. The commentators (Dave Prazak and Jimmy Bauer) put over previous Fight Without Honor matches in ROH history to add to the stipulation. Both men jockey for position on the apron. The two exchange chops before Low Ki takes Lethal to the floor and scoop slams him! Low Ki moves around some of the padding on the floor, and scoop slams Lethal on the outside again! Ki looks under the ring, and it seems as if we are about to see some weaponry. Instead, Ki beats Lethal down and leaves him sprawled out on the announcer’s table. He goes for a stomp, but Lethal evades. Ki lands on the apron, and then pounces on Lethal anyway. Low Ki and Lethal tease there finishers on the floor, but neither man can connect. Low Ki dropkicks Lethal in the back and sends him into a slanted table which doesn’t break. That was a let-down. Lethal gets busted open when Low Ki throws him through the table. Ki uses the table to stab Lethal’s bloody forehead. Ki brings some chairs into the ring. Ki wrenches on a camel clutch, and then covers for two. Ki puts Lethal in the tree of woe and goes up top. Ki tries for a double stomp in that position, but Lethal evades. This allows for Lethal to string some offense together, culminating with a diving headbutt. Lethal covers but only gets two. Lethal can’t get the Dragon Suplex, so he instead opts to bring Julius Smokes into the ring. Low Ki tries to swing a chair at Lethal, but Lethal ducks and grabs a full nelson. Lethal gets the chair away from Low Ki, but Ki hits a running dropkick that sends the chair into Lethal’s chest! Ki covers for two! Low Ki goes up top- DOUBLE STOMP! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Ki takes the chair and destroys Lethal’s midsection with it! Ki goes up top again- CHAIR ASSISTED DOUBLE STOMP! ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winner: Low Ki
This is tough to rate, as the final few minutes were really cool, but there were a number of issues. First off, this was supposed to be the blow-off to the feud (more on that later in the show), and the rising babyface lost to the established heel. Secondly, for a Fight Without Honor, this was pretty tame. I’m not saying guys should kill themselves for my enjoyment or anything, but they shouldn’t have put that kind of stipulation on the match if they weren’t going to try to live up to it. Thirdly, while he could do the same stuff in the ring he does now, Jay Lethal was not nearly the same performer at this point. He barely emoted throughout the entire match, and as a result, the crowd didn’t buy into him as an underdog and didn’t rally behind him. If you’re going to watch this, just skip to the last few minutes and try the best that you can to ignore the context. 0 for 1.

After the match, Low Ki extends his hand to Jay Lethal before flipping him off. For some reason, a hype video for the feud airs AFTER THE MATCH! WUT.

Bryan Danielson talks about quitting Ring of Honor earlier this year. He says he had been beaten down mentally and physically. He says he knew he could’ve beaten Austin Aries for the belt, but he didn’t. Danielson talks about going to Europe in his time off. Danielson says he feels stronger, faster, and crisper than ever. He says he’s main-evented a lot of shows and beaten just about everybody in ROH, but that he’s never been ROH World Champion. Danielson talks about how the belt is the only thing that has eluded him, and says that if he doesn’t win the title tonight, he will most likely leave ROH.

Match Two: Austin Aries vs. Azrieal

Gabe was really high on Azrieal for a little bit and built him up as a quality up-and-comer, but then seemed to sour on him. Azrieal doesn’t get much offense in off the bat. Azrieal then gets a springboard cross body and pieces together some offense. That gets the crowd behind Azrieal. Azrieal fights up from a chinlock but then gets destroyed by a lariat. Lacey is out at ringside scouting. Aries applies a torture rack, which I don’t think I’ve seen him do any other time. He follows up with a modified rolling fireman’s carry and a frogsplash elbow for two. Azrieal gets back into it and nails a running boot to the face for two. Azrieal keeps the momentum rolling with a springboard clothesline. Azrieal covers but only gets two. Aries goes for a super brainbuster, but Azrieal slips out and scores with an electric chair into a facebuster! He follows up with a double stomp to the back of the head! One, two, NO! Aries scores with a side Russian legsweep into the turnbuckles and immediately tacks on a running dropkick in the corner! He covers for two. Aries tries for the brainbuster, but Azrieal knees his way out and drops Aries with a DDT. Azrieal goes up top but misses with a stomp. Aries hits his signature combination (kick to the head, brainbuster, 450 Splash)! ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winner: Austin Aries
This was a nice little match. Azrieal looked good by hanging with Aries, and Aries didn’t take too much, so he still looked like he was a step above Azrieal. In doing so, this match boosted Azrieal and kept Aries on the same level. It won’t blow you away, but it was solid. 1 for 2.

Backstage, James Gibson (Jamie Noble) discusses coming to ROH to be World Champion. He says fate and want have led him to the title, and that keeping the belt means more to him than merely winning it. Gibson seems kind of heelish, calling Colt Cabana a clown. He tells Danielson that he had the chance to win this belt, but he didn’t, because he doesn’t have as much heart as Gibson. Gibson says Danielson won’t take the belt over his dead body.

Match Three, ROH Pure Title: Nigel McGuinness (c) vs. Roderick Strong

Roderick was on a tear at this point, having great matches in almost all of his outings. Nigel grabs the microphone during the announcement of the rules, and he draws some massive heat. Basic mat work to start. Nigel applies a headlock, but Strong lifts him up and hits a backbreaker! Roderick tries to keep his momentum going, but Nigel nails him with a turnbuckle headstand dropkick. Roderick gets duped into using a rope break. Roderick uses his second rope break, but manages to make up for it by scoring with a backpack lungblower. Strong scores with a series of chops and a big dropkick for two. Roderick hits the Sick Kick, but NIGEL SCORES WITH THE REBOUND LARIAT! ONE, TWO, NO! Nigel nails a running uppercut in the corner and follows up with an uppercut to the back for two. Nigel places Roderick on the turnbuckles and kicks him in the back a few times. Nigel goes for another handstand in the corner, but RODERICK NAILS HIM WITH THE SICK KICK! Strong hits a uranage backbreaker, and HE GOES FOR THE STRONGHOLD! Nigel makes the ropes, and that’s his first rope break. Strong hits a superplex for two. Strong follows up with a double knee gut buster. Nigel goes to the eyes of Strong, and then hits the TOWER OF LONDON! ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winner: Nigel McGuinness
I really enjoyed this match. Nigel’s shtick got the crowd on him, and Strong’s offense at the time was perfect for this type of match. Everything made sense psychologically for Strong since all of his moves focused on the back, and his fire helped the crowd get behind him against a smug character like Nigel McGuinness. 2 for 3.

Clips air from an FIP match between Roderick Strong and James Gibson. It is noted that Gibson is on limited time in ROH.

Match Four: Homicide w/ Julius Smokes vs. Colt Cabana

This match resulted from a “Good Times, Great Memories” segment where Homicide was offended by Cabana, who made light of Homicide’s lifestyle. Homicide went on to jump Cabana later that night. Cabana mocks Homicide and Smokes on his way out to the ring. Homicide snubs Cabana on a handshake. Homicide starts off hot, but Cabana weathers the storm by out-wrestling him. Cabana looks to press his advantage, but Homicide grabs him by his gear and pulls him out to the floor, where Smokes attacks him. The dynamic here is creative, as Homicide sees this as personal, and Cabana wants to have a fun wrestling match. Homicide sends Cabana to the floor again and then wipes him out with a dive. Back inside, Homicide hits a Tornado DDT for two, and Cabana seems to be getting more serious. Cabana hits a spinning suplex, but is unable to follow up, as he has sustained a lot more damage than Homicide thus far. Cabana goes for an elbow drop off the second rope but he misses. Homicide hits an exploder suplex for two. Cabana scores with a boot, but Homicide takes back over. Cabana feeds off the fans and takes control. Cabana hits a lariat but doesn’t cover. Homicide calls timeout and begs for mercy, but Cabana continues his attack. Homicide avoids a second lariat and scores with an ace crusher! Homicide goes to the floor and brings a chair in the ring. Cabana avoids a shot with the chair and hits a Cradle DDT! One, two, NO! Colt goes for the Colt 45, but Smokes goes up top. Cabana throws Smokes off the top, but HOMICIDE THROWS THE CHAIR INTO CABANA’S FACE!

Winner by DQ: Colt Cabana
Obviously this match isn’t on the level of the ones they would have later on in the feud, but I really liked the dynamic here. Cabana started off with his usual light-hearted antics, but for Homicide, this was personal. I didn’t mind the non-finish because it made sense in the context of the story. 3 for 4.

After the match, Smokes and Homicide beat down Cabana. Cabana takes out both men with a clothesline. He sends Homicide into the buckles, and sets up Smokes for the Colt 45, but Grim Reefer runs in and takes him out with a missile dropkick. Ricky Reyes comes out as well. Cabana fights off Reyes and lariats Reefer! Cabana grabs the chair and stares down Homicide. Low Ki runs out and jumps Cabana. The whole stable beat him down, but Samoa Joe comes out! Joe fends off The Rottweilers. Joe and Cabana dispose of everyone except for Low Ki, who has the microphone. Low Ki tells Joe that he is back in ROH. He says that Samoa Joe and ROH wouldn’t exist without him. Jay Lethal comes out from the back. Lethal says he wants some more. Low Ki says he’ll beat the piss out of him right now, and the two go at it.

Match Five, Fight Without Honor: Low Ki vs. Jay Lethal w/ Samoa Joe

The two go at it intensely to start. Low Ki definitely seems cockier this time around. Low Ki slaps the taste out of Lethal’s mouth. Ki snapmares him and kicks him in the back, but Lethal gets back up. The two exchange huge chops, and Lethal gets the best of it. Lethal nails a superkick for two. Lethal goes for a diving headbutt to follow up but Low Ki rolls out of the way. Low Ki hits a running dropkick that sends Lethal flying into the corner. Low Ki gets two, and then locks in the DRAGON SLEEPER! Ki tries for a Ki Krusher, but Low Ki slips out. He tries for the Dragon Suplex, but Low Ki blocks it. Julius Smokes runs out, and Lethal tries to go after him, but Smokes jumps down to the floor. Joe jumps Smokes on the floor. Low Ki puts Lethal in the tree of woe. This time around, LOW KI CONNECTS WITH THE TREE OF WOE DOUBLE STOMP! The Rottweilers attack Joe on the floor, but he fights them off while Low Ki covers for two. Maybe the crowd would have bit on the near fall if there wasn’t a shit-show taking place on the outside. Low Ki tries for a springboard kick, but Lethal evades it and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Cabana is out to join the brawl on the floor. Lethal gets Ki up for another, but Ki blocks. Low Ki spins around and dumps Lethal out to the floor. Low Ki goes up top to dive out to the floor, but he LOSES HIS BALANCE AND CROTCHES HIMSELF. That took a lot of the seriousness out of this situation. Lethal goes up top- SUPER DRAGON SUPLEX! ONE, TWO, THREE!

Winner: Jay Lethal
There were some cool spots here, but this match was just as flawed as the first. Although Lethal got the big win, it didn’t quite get the necessary shocking, joyous reaction that it needed because the crowd was let down the first time. The brawling on the floor distracted from the story being told in the ring. Low Ki losing his balance and falling on his balls was probably the dumbest possible way they could have set up the finish. Everything about the payoff between these two was horribly frustrating. 3 for 5.

A commercial hypes all of the great products that are available on ROHwrestling.com.

Backstage, GMC puts over Jay Lethal’s win as he stands by with Nigel McGuinness. GMC says Nigel’s win was questionable. Nigel says it wasn’t, and that he’s the best pure wrestler in the world.

Match Six: Davey Andrews vs. Eric Matlock

I wish Davey Andrews had stayed in the business. He was getting pretty good and he carried himself well. Lots of nifty mat work to start. Eric Matlock actually looks solid as well with some fluid technical holds. Davey goes out to the apron but misses a springboard dropkick. Matlock hits a spinning back double sledge and an elbow drop for two. Davey Andrews catches him with a german suplex. Andrews connects with a Final Cut, and then cinches in a Stretch Plum for the win.

Winner: Davey Andrews
For how short this was, and considering that Matlock never turned up again after this to my knowledge, I feel that this should have been more of a squash. They only went about two and a half minutes, and this even-steven match didn’t help either of them. 3 for 6.

Match Seven, Four Corner Survival: Samoa Joe vs. BJ Whitmer vs. Ricky Reyes vs. Adam Pearce

Whitmer makes Todd Sinclair pose with him the way Jimmy Jacobs normally would, which was awesome. The crowd is firmly behind Joe. Reyes and Whitmer put on a sweet mat exchange. Joe and Pearce tag in. Pearce gets a lot of heat on himself. Pearce goes to the eyes of Joe and rips away at his face. The crowd gets on Pearce with “boring” chants. While the match isn’t anything special at this point, I think that’s a bit harsh. Joe finally cuts off a long heat segment by Pearce with a leaping enzuigiri. The two stay in the ring. It’s honestly kind of odd how long these two have been in. Reyes tags in, and he and Pearce double team Joe. As Reyes works over Joe, Lacey comes out to the ringside area to scout. Pearce tags back in. After a scoop slam on Joe, Pearce hits a fist drop off the second for two. Reyes tags in and kicks away at the legs of Joe. Joe fires off, but gets another kick to the leg. Whitmer begins to grow frustrated with the fact that he’s been frozen out of this match. Joe does a cool leg sweep to Pearce and follow up with a back senton to the back. Whitmer and Reyes tag in, and Whitmer cleans house. Whitmer gets a northern lights with a bridge for two. Whitmer throws Joe into a corner but eats an STJoe. Reyes plants Joe with a Tornado DDT, but then takes an Exploder from Whitmer. Pearce grabs Whitmer and hits a PILEDRIVER! Pearce doesn’t cover, and JOE KILLS HIM WITH A LARIAT! Everyone is down. I liked how they did one of those spots without everyone killing their finishers. That’s why I liked the indies more during this time period than I do now. Pearce and Reyes duel it out on the second, and Pearce body slams Reyes off the ropes. For as simple as that was, it looked really good and I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. Pearce goes up top, but he gets crotched, and Reyes clotheslines him out to the floor. Reyes goes to the second, but Joe palm strikes him. MUSCLE BUSTER! Joe doesn’t cover, and instead waits for Whitmer to get up. Joe peppers Whitmer with strikes, but Whitmer ducks a clothesline and tries for the Wrist Clutch Exploder- Joe fights out and knees Whitmer in the head. They exchange, and JOE LOCKS WHITMER IN THE CLUTCH! WHITMER IS OUT COLD! The referee calls for the bell.

Winner: Samoa Joe
This match went too long. Most of the early goings centered around Pearce, which was good for him to establish his shtick. The final few minutes really picked up, but the finish was a forgone conclusion. You would be fine passing on this one. 3 for 7.

After the match, Joe grabs the microphone. Joe tells the crowd to hold on. He says that Adam Pearce sucks dick, and the crowd follows with a chant directed toward him. Joe says that he is the greatest Ring of Honor World Champion. He says he was a bad ass Pure Champion. Joe then tells BJ Whitmer that he is looking at the next ROH Tag Team Champion. Joe says he is going to be the first Grand Slam Champion, and he is pro wrestling. This was a good promo.

Backstage, Austin Aries talks about how Survival of the Fittest 2004 was his coming out party. He says he proved to everyone that he belonged, but he came up short. He says that this year, he will win Survival of the Fittest, and no one will get in his way.

A vignette airs of Austin Aries talking about the ROH Wrestling School.

ONTO THE SECOND DISC!

Match Eight, ROH World Championship: James Gibson (c) vs. Bryan Danielson

Danielson gets a huge ovation with “Welcome Back!” and “Dragon!” chants. The exchanges are even early on. Jimmy Bauer is on commentary here, and he explains Danielson getting the title shot due to his past accomplishments. At the time, a lot of people were actually upset with him getting this match, as ROH was heavily sport-based, and the fans felt as if he hadn’t “earned” the opportunity in a kayfabe sense. The commentators note that Gibson doesn’t have to be here due to signing with WWE, but that he wants to stay in ROH as long as he is champion. Danielson is the first man to gain an advantage after a dropkick. Danielson starts to stretch Gibson and goes for Cattle Mutilation, but Gibson gets the ropes. A fast exchange sees Danielson catch Gibson with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Gibson takes control on the mat and begins to heel it up a bit, using Danielson’s “I have ’til FIVE, referee!” line. Danielson regains control and scores with a European uppercut. Gibson goes out to the apron, AND HE SUPLEXES DANIELSON OUT TO THE FLOOR! Back inside, Gibson keeps control, and hits a head-cradle neckbreaker onto his knee. Gibson drapes Danielson in the tree of woe, and then applies a headscissors. Gibson breaks the hold, and then uses the apron to inflict further damage. Back inside, Danielson starts to fight back and nails a Trouble in Paradise style kick. Danielson sends Gibson into the buckles and nails a running forearm. Danielson hits a slingshot suplex for two. Danielson applies a surfboard to a round of applause. Danielson scores with an insane airplane spin and goes up top. Danielson goes for a diving headbutt, but Gibson evades. GIBSON GETS A BRIDGING COVER! ONE, TWO, NO! Danielson tries for a hiptoss, but GIBSON COUNTERS INTO A FRONT GUILLOTINE CHOKE! DANIELSON COUNTERS WITH AN OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Danielson goes for the rolling elbow, but Gibson blocks. Gibson goes for a sunset flip, but Danielson sits down on him! Danielson goes up top- DIVING HEADBUTT! COVER- ONE, TWO, NO! The two exchange, and Danielson ends up on Gibson’s shoulders before dumping him out to the floor. Danielson takes out Gibson with a suicide dive! Danielson sends Gibson into the barricades, and into the crowd! Danielson wraps Gibson’s arm around the barricade and works it over. Back inside, Danielson goes up top and nails a missile dropkick! Danielson covers for two. Danielson applies a top wristlock and drags Gibson to the mat for two. Danielson keeps pinning Gibson, and Gibson gets a sunset flip for two. Danielson continues to work the arm. Gibson gets Danielson up out of nowhere and hits a Samoan drop. Danielson hits a Northern Lights suplex, and ROLLS THROUGH INTO AN ARMBAR! Gibson stacks Danielson and counters into a CLOVER LEAF! Danielson gets to the ropes to force the break. The two counter, and Gibson hits a TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER! GIBSON GOES UP TOP- LEG DROP! ONE, TWO THRE-NO! GIBSON IMMEDIATELY APPLIES A GUILLOTINE! DANIELSON GETS TO HIS FEET! DANIELSON DRIVES GIBSON INTO THE BUCKLES, BUT GIBSON HITS A SWINGING DDT! TIGER DRIVER! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! That was a very believable near-fall! The crowd is going nuts at this point. Gibson knees away at the head of Danielson, but DANIELSON GETS FIRED UP! Gibson fires off chops, but he won’t go down. Gibson goes to the eyes, but DANIELSON NAILS A ROLLING ELBOW! Danielson dropkicks Gibson in the back, and hits a DRAGON SUPLEX! ONE, TWO, NO! DANIELSON HOLDS ON- CATTLE MUTILATION! GIBSON ROLLS OUT, BUT DANIELSON HITS A TIGER SUPLEX! ONE, TWO, NO! DANIELSON STILL KEEPS THE ARMS LOCK! GIBSON RUNS UP THE BUCKLES AND GETS A PIN! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! DANIELSON GOES BACK TO THE ARMS, AND SWITCHES TO A CROSSFACE CHICKENWING! GIBSON TAPS OUT! WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!

Winner, and NEW ROH WORLD CHAMPION: Bryan Danielson
This was a fantastic match. The psychology worked here, with Gibson seeming desperate at the end, and the arm work coming into play with the finish. Danielson winning via tapout was especially great since Gibson was portrayed as a “never say die” character. Getting the victory by submission showed how dangerous Bryan Danielson was. There isn’t anything I can think of to criticize. The match built well, and the finishing sequence was excellent, especially since it played off of the early goings. This was one of the best matches of 2005. 4 for 8.

The crowd goes insane for the title change! Danielson celebrates with the belt to a huge ovation! Danielson grabs the microphone and thanks the fans. He puts over James Gibson, and says that he didn’t have to be here. The crowd gives a huge round of applause to Gibson. Danielson thanks him and raises his hand. The crowd chants “Thank you!” to Gibson. Danielson says now it’s his turn. Danielson says the last three champions have had major goals of moving up to bigger promotions. Danielson says that the belt represents wrestling freedom, which is why he aspired to champion. He says he will not go to WWE or TNA, and he will stay here and defend the championship like a man. Danielson puts over the upcoming main-event before heading to the back. This was an awesome promo. Even though he did end up going to WWE later on, Danielson stayed put during his title reign, which was huge for ROH at the time. This was a really classy way to put over what Gibson did for ROH, as well as Danielson as the new champion.

A hype video airs for Survival of the Fittest and announces the first round matches.

A video package documents the events of the AJ Styles/Jimmy Rave feud.

Main-Event, Anything Goes Finishers Match: AJ Styles w/ Mick Foley vs. Jimmy Rave w/ Prince Nana

The two go at it hot out of the gate, which is nice, because I hate when lazy grappling starts off a grudge match. Rave gets dumped out to the floor twice. The second time, Styles wipes him out with a plancha. Back inside, Styles goes for the Styles Clash, but Rave flees to the floor. Styles follows up with a nasty baseball slide. Styles ragdolls Rave around the ringside area. Back inside, AJ continues to dominate. Nana tries to run in, but he gets destroyed with a discus lariat. The distraction allows Rave to take over. Rave hits a nice reverse suplex. Someone throws a circular object into the ring, and Foley grabs the microphone to remark that Jimmy likes balls, which gets a big pop from the crowd. On the outside, Rave whips AJ into the barricades. The two brawl up the entrance ramp. Rave tries for the Rave Clash on the ramp, but Styles back body drops him instead! Back inside, Rave keeps control and crotches AJ on the top rope. Rave dawdles, and AJ finds an opening to hit a leaping enzuigiri. A nice sequence ends with AJ hitting a kip-up hurricanrana. AJ hits a German suplex and goes for a rack bomb, but Rave low blows him and hits Ghana-rrhea! Rave and Nana bring a table into the ring. AJ fights back momentarily, but Rave hotshots him on the top rope and then nails a running knee strike. Rave hits a snap suplex and goes up top. AJ cuts him off. AJ fights Rave off and gets on the second turnbuckle. AJ slips off and avoids the announcer’s table. AJ looks for a German off the apron as Rave fights him off, and BOTH MEN CRASH THROUGH THE TABLE! Both men end up back inside with Rave reeling a bit more. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but Rave gets a low bridge and follows up with a running knee strike. Rave gets a chair, which he sets up in the center of the ring. AJ counters a suplex, and GIVES RAVE A BRAINBUSTER ONTO THE OPEN CHAIR! Styles picks Rave back up, but hesitates and opts to set up the table instead. Masked Embassy members crash the ring, but Foley fights them off with a chair. Nana attacks Foley, but AJ decks him! Rave recovers and takes AJ out. Rave sets AJ up top in the corner. Rave goes for a superplex, but AJ fights free. AJ lifts Rave up for a superplex, and then drops him down into Styles Clash position. STYLES CLASH THROUGH THE TABLE!

Winner: AJ Styles
This was a good match, and it sent the crowd home happy, but I felt that the previous match would have made for a much better main-event. That said, this match was solid. As great of a pure wrestler as AJ Styles is, he thrives in heated situations. His emotion helped make this match. The heat on Rave was great, and Foley did a nice job of getting the fans into it. 5 for 9.

The crowd chants “Holy shit!” at the finish! Nana tries to disrupt the celebration, but MICK FOLEY GIVES HIM A DOUBLE ARM DDT ONTO THE CHAIR! The crowd cheers on AJ and Foley. Foley takes the microphone and notes that this is his last appearance, but that the fans will see him again. Foley talks about how the people who left ROH continue to rave about it, and he plans to do the same. He says he has had fun, and puts over the locker room as the best group of guys he has ever hung around. Foley puts over his book. Foley thanks the fans, and throws Prince Nana to the floor. ELBOW DROP OFF THE APRON TO PRINCE NANA! Foley and Styles celebrate.

Backstage, we go to Colt Cabana, who talks about Homicide jumping him. Cabana says Homicide played dirty again tonight. Cabana turns his hat sideways and says he’s got friends, too. He says he is going to play Homicide’s way, and he’s not backing down.

We cut to GMC and Lacey. Lacey says she saw some great things tonight, but that she won’t announce who is in Lacey’s Angels until she finalizes the contracts.

Bryan Danielson gets a video package showcasing his best moments in ROH and culminating with his title win. This was a great way to put over his accomplishments, but the somber music at the beginning made it seem like he either died or was leaving.

The DVD also includes a bonus match between Sal Rinauro, Tony Mamaluke, and Jay Fury which is pretty solid.

The 411: The obvious selling point here is the ROH World Championship match between James Gibson and Bryan Danielson. This show marked a major milestone in Bryan Danielson's career that helped launch him to the next level. However, the rest of the show is a bit of a mixed bag. The Lethal/Low Ki matches were disappointing and in a way, disheartening. The main-event and Pure Title match were fun, but the Four Corner Survival was tedious. Your interest in this show should probably depend on how big of a Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan fan you are. All-in-all, I would say this show is worth watching for his match alone.

Final Score:  7.0   [ Good ]