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ROH DVD REPORT - Manhattan Mayhem II
August 25, 2007
Manhattan, N.Y.
Report by James Caldwell, Torch columnist

ROH has sold out the Manhattan Center for the fifth consecutive time. Off we go...

They opened with the show with a backstage segment of B.J. Whitmer shaving Hagadorn's head while Adam Pearce and Brent Albright had a good laugh. Pearce cut a promo on Delirious while Hagadorn sat there like a goof.

1 -- JIGSAW & MIKE QUACKENBUSH vs. ERICK STEVENS & MATT CROSS

Quack and Stevens started things off, then Jigsaw and Cross took their turn. Jigsaw might be more accurately described as Stickfigure, but his crisp offense caught my eye early on. Stevens and Cross then took control with some double-team work on Jigsaw. Cross went for a split-legged moonsault, but Jigsaw got his knees up and Quack took a tag. The action broke down and Cross accidentally chopped Stevens twice. Quack and Jigsaw cleared Cross to the outside, then Jigsaw dropped Stevens with a top rope huracanrana. Quack nailed a leaping dive onto Stevens, and had a cover, but Cross broke up the pin. Nice spot. The action broke down again at 10:00, then Quack cleared the opponents with a double DDT. He then slapped on a cross arm breaker on Cross in center ring, but Stevens broke up the hold. Stevens then went off everyone and dropped Jigsaw with a Doctor bomb for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Stevens & Cross in 13:00. Good opening match showcase. Stevens looked like a dominant tough guy with three smaller wrestlers in the ring. (**1/2)

2 -- MITCH FRANKLIN vs. JIMMY JACOBS

Franklin is the new holder of the Top of the Class trophy. This is Jimmy's second match from injury, well before the Age of the Fall storyline. Always interesting hearing the comments from fans ringside when a guy makes a return. "Hey, Jimmy! ... Welcome back, Jimmy! ... Jim-mmmmm-y!" Jimmy straight dominated the youngster early on. He went up top at 4:00 and hit a gainer splash right on the chest. Jimmy waited for Franklin to get u, then he slapped on a guillotine chokehold for a tap out.

WINNER: Jacobs via submission in 4:00. Just a warm-up match for Jacobs. Fine. (*1/4)

Backstage, Jack Evans cut a promo about facing the original members of Generation Next. He said he brought some back up. Someone off camera started making bird noises.

Adam Pearce led out B.J. Whitmer, Brent Albright, and Shane Hagadorn for a big six-man tag mastch. Pearce took the mic and the fans chanted for him to shut up. Pearce said he doesn't care about what anyone thinks. Shane, with his intentionally terrible bowl haircut fit for the San Diego Padre mascot, stood in the corner laughing. Pearce addressed Whitmer and said he's glad he opened his eyes and saw the truth. Pearce talked about Delirious and them stapling the clown mask to Delirious's face permanently the previous night. Delirious's music hit and he stormed to the ring with his team to start a brawl.

3 -- B.J. WHITMER & ADAM PEARCE & BRENT ALBRIGHT (w/Shane Hagadorn) vs. NIGEL MCGUINNESS vs. DELIRIOUS vs. PELLE PRIMEAU

Men were knocked to the outside after the brawl started, leaving Delirious with Pearce in the ring. Delirious got the upper hand first when he charged over Peace with a series of clotheslines before tagging out to Nigel. Once the action settled down in the ring, Pearce's group started working over Delirious in their corner. I lost interest for a while, as they continued to work over Delirious until the 9:00 mark. Nigel eventually took a hot tag and Shane tried to sneak into the ring, but Nigel gave a lariat to rearrange his haircut. Nigel then dropped Albright with a lariat, followed by Whitmer. The action broke down, then Delirious took Peace to the floor. Nigel and Pelle pulled off a sweet combo with a Tower of London and double foot stomp to the back on Whitmer. Big spots ensued from the involved parties before Whitmer finished off Pelle with a sit down Tombstone piledriver for the win.

WINNERS: Pearce & Albright & Whitmer in 13:00. One long stretch of uninteresting action, then a flurry of big spots. Very unbalanced, but a nice finish. (*3/4)

After the match, Pearce's group took Pelle apart in the ring while Delirious and Nigel were out on the floor. Albright then gave Pelle a German suplex to finish him off before Nigel cleared the heels from ringside. Pelle was out cold in the ring with blood covering his face as they did an injury angle.

ROH president Cary Silkin and NOAH representative Ryo Nakata came to the ring. They announced KENTA, Marufuji, ROH champion Morishima, and Misawa for the November shows in Philadelphia and NYC.

Backstage, Delirious toweled off while talking gibberish. He repeated "staple, staple, staple" over and over. He threw in Albright and B.J. Whitmer. Veins popped out everywhere as he continued to speak incoherently before finally wrapping it up. I have no idea what he said, but he got the message across.

4 -- PAC vs. DAVEY RICHARDS

The PWG invitational started with Davey spitting on PAC's hand. The bell sounded and Davey instantly went after PAC with aggressive forearm blows. PAC came back with a back flip dropkick clearing Davey to the floor. Davey slowly re-entered the ring, then PAC smashed Davey in the corner with a double-foot smash to the chest for a nearfall. PAC cleared Davey to the floor, then he came off the top with a twisting corkscrew splash taking out Davey. Nice. Back in the ring, PAC hit a standing moonsault into a double knee smash on the landing for a nearfall. Davey came back at 8:00 with a German suplex with a bridge pin for a nearfall, then he dropped PAC with a straightjacket-grip German suplex for another nearfall. Davey, with a busted nose, surveyed the crowd before taking PAC up top. PAC fought off, though, and landed a back flip double foot smash to the back of Davey's head. PAC executed a German suplex of his own, but Davey instantly countered into an arm submission hold that PAC converted into a cradle pin for a nearfall.

At 10:00, Davey went for a suplex, but PAC countered with an enziguiri kick and reverse huracanrana for a nearfall. They went into a series of great counters and reversals before Davey dropped PAC with a Tombstone piledriver into an arm stretch submission. PAC tapped out after a momentary struggle.

WINNER: Davey Richards in 13:00. Terrific singles match. PAC's athleticism is unmatched, and Davey is a dependable wrestler, so it was a good match-up. Best match so far. (***1/4)

Jack Evans came out for a match, then took the mic. He said that back in February, he was talking about starting his own crew. He said the only problem is that he doesn't have a great work ethic, making it harder than he expected. The fans laughed at Jack's assertion. Evans said he needed to bring in someone who has hyped up people in the past. He asked for the first of what's to come, then Julius Smokes came out to a "Welcome back" chant. Julius took the mic and did Homicide's machine gun. He called Jack's group the Vulture Squad. He said it's time to make this money. They went to a video package from 2004 showcasing GenNext in action. Roderick Strong then came out as the second wrestler in the match. Austin Aries came out next.

5 -- JACK EVANS (w/Julius Smokes) vs. RODERICK STRONG vs. AUSTIN ARIES

The action started quick with Evans and Aries each wanting to go after Strong. The action moved to the floor where Strong blocked a huracanrana by Evans and powerbombed him hard on the floor padding. Thud. Strong then turned over the timekeeper's table and placed the table across the apron and guardrail. Strong and Aries teased a table spot, but nothing came of the table for the moment. Evans recovered and nailed a springboard double clothesline before landing a standing moonsault on both men for a nearfall. More spots ensued until Aries cut off Evans with a hard lariat as Evans readied for a dive onto Strong on the floor. They went back to teasing a table spot before returning to an exchange of power offense in the ring. A ref bump at 9:00 drew boos.

Aries got them back with a top rope brainbuster on Evans before going up top for a 450 splash. He readied himself, but Strong shoved Aries off the top rope through the table down below. Ouch. With the ref still down, Davey Richards then showed up and started beating down Evans. Julius Smokes took the mic and asked for the rest of the Vulture Squad. Ruckus showed up and smashed folks with some springboard action. He cleared Strong and Davey to the floor before landing a flip dive. Evans landed a springboard splash onto the floor before Julius, Evans, and Ruckus celebrated in the ring. Aries came to his feet and asked Evans why he's rolling with them. Julius said, "Don't live in the past, kick his ass!" Evans and Ruckus beat down Aries until Stevens and Cross made the save for Aries. Stevens smashed Evans with a throw-up powerslam, clearing the ring.

A brawl broke out ringside. Cross then cleared everyone with a flip dive on the floor. Strong entered the ring with a chair, but Aries kicked it away. Aries pounded on Strong, who came back with a low blow and chair shot to the back. Strong kicked Aries in the gut with a running boot, then Stevens slowly entered the ring with a chair and smashed Strong in the back. Aries then dropped Strong with a brainbuster and went up top for a 450 splash. The ref magically came awake and counted a three count for Aries on Strong.

WINNER: Aries in 15:00. Spotfest to start, followed by a ref bump, group shenanigans, and a pin for Aries when the ref magically woke up. The match advanced the faction feud, but I was expecting a little different match with this caliber of talent in the ring. (**)

Rebecca Bayless was backstage at Intermission to talk to Jimmy Jacobs. I'm not looking at Jimmy with Bayless in the camera shot. Jacobs then talked about his knee injury. He said he battled depression while out of action for five months, but he got through it with Lacy's love. Jacobs said that he has a new purpose here in ROH. Pretty soon, everyone will find out.

Backstage, Aries, Cross, and Stevens talked it up. Aries looked at the camera and said they've had enough of NRC's sneak attacks. Aries said if they want to play dirty, they can play dirty. He said he's tired of playing by the rules, and now the rules have changed now.

6 -- EDDIE EDWARDS vs. RUCKUS (w/Julius Smokes)

Ruckus came out to Jim Jones's "We Fly High" rhyme and paraded around the ring puffing on a cigarette. Ruckus quickly nailed a shooting star press on the floor before taking Eddie back into the ring. Eddie, with a combo Davey Boy Smith and Milli Vanilli haircut, took control momentarily until Ruckus hit a combo of foot stomps and a twisting body press for a nearfall. Up top, Ruckus knocked Eddie off the top before landing a corkscrew press for the pin and the win. Afterward, Ruckus shook hands with Eddie before celebrating with Julius and Jack.

WINNER: Ruckus in 6:00. A fine match. Nothing memorable; just a chance for Ruckus to get some face time in an ROH ring. (*1/4)

7 -- CHRIS HERO (w/Sweet n Sour Inc.) vs. CLAUDIO CASTANGOLI

Before the match started, Claudio cleared SNS, Inc. from ringside trying to get his hands on Hero. They finally met in the ring to start the match and Claudio cleared Hero to the floor. Hero returned the favor, then did his trademark turnbuckle calisthenics and knee dances before turning around to find a European uppercut from Claudio. Hero blocked an early Ricola Bomb attempt and went to the floor for safety. Sara Del Rey get involved in the match ringside, so Daize Haze came to ringside to neutralize Sara and back up Claudio. Hero dominated for a few minutes before Claudio came back with the giant airplane swing at 10:00. He then went for a waterslide slam, but Hero blocked and nailed a neckbreaker off the ropes for a nearfall. Claudio came back with a springboard European uppercut into a waterslide for a close count.

Claudio went for the Ricola Bomb at 14:00, but Hero blocked and they went into an exchange of forearm blows. Claudio landed a big European uppercut, but Hero caught him in the corner with a swinging neckbreaker. Hero went up top and nailed a double foot stomp for a nearfall. Claudio came back with another big European uppercut before nailing the Ricola Bomb for the win.

WINNER: Claudio in 16:00. Really good once they kept the action in the ring, toned down the spots, and just had a singles match. Nice victory for Claudio with the crowd clearly behind him in the blow-off match. (***1/4)

After the match, Dempsey struggled to help Hero to his feet. The fans chanted for Dempsey, in his spacesuit, then Hero gave him a nice hug. He then slapped Dempsey hard across the face to teach him a lesson. On the outside, Larry Sweeney talked up Hero on the way to the back. I can't believe I'm writing this, but Tank Tolland was missed here.

They went backstage where Claudio cut a promo about Hero supposedly being the better man, but he proved that he is the better wrestler. Claudio said it's over after tonight's match.

8 -- ROH champion TAKESHI MORISHIMA vs. BRYAN DANIELSON -- ROH Title match

During ring intros, Danielson got a big pop, while Morishima nodded along with the boos, as if to tell the audience to keep bringing it on. The bell sounded and they locked up in center ring. The crowd exchanged chants pro-Danielson and pro-Morishima while the men went through a feeling out process. Danielson went wild with kick strikes to Morishima's inner thighs that got the crowd fired up. Morishima got fired up, too, and started pounding on Danielson's forehead with right hand strikes. Morishima was brutal with some stiff offense, then Danielson tried a comeback, but Morishima just kicked the man in the face. Morishima nailed Danielson in the face again, this time with a charging boot in the corner. That was the first sign of an eye issue.

Morishima charged Danielson with a hip attack to the face, then he kicked Danielson he was down. On the floor, Morishima landed a running boot to the face while Danielson was in a chair, then he nailed a running hip attack to the face again. Morishima missed with a second hip attack attempt and Danielson dumped Morishima to the front row. Danielson then flew over the guardrail with a splash onto Morishima that cleared a section of seats. Danielson kept checking his eye while grimacing every few seconds. Apparently the rules were relaxed for this one, as Danielson smashed Morishima across the leg with a chair on the knee.

Back in the ring at 10:00, Morishima no-sold a top rope dropkick and smashed Danielson with a hard clothesline. Morishima landed a hard forearm blow to the injured eye, but Danielson blocked a running butt splash and slapped on a leg submission hold. Danielson lost concentration on the hold, allowing Morishima to lift Danielson into the air for a fallaway suplex. Morishima went for a top rope dropkick, but Danielson moved and slapped on another leg submission that Morishima broke by grabbing the ropes. Both men recovered on the mat, then Danielson blocked a back drop driver into a small package for a nearfall and gasp! from the crowd.

Danielson picked up Morishima and went for a sunset flip, but Morishima crashed down on his chest for a two count. Danielson finally executed his German suplex with a bridge, but only for a two count. Danielson landed a series of forearm strikes to the neck, but Morishima powered to his feet. Danielson kicked Morishima back to the mat, then he landed kick strikes to the face for another close nearfall. Danielson went right into Cattle Mutilation, but Morishima stayed in the match. Danielson took Morishima up top for a big suplex, but Morishima crashed down on Danielson on the way down. Both men recovered on the mat for a second before going into a slap exchange. At 20:00, Danielson fired up before running into a running lariat from Morishima for a really close nearfall. Morishima then dropped Danielson with the back drop driver and covered him for the win.

WINNER: Morishima in 21:00 to retain the ROH Title. Wow. That's the pro wrestling match I was waiting for on this DVD release. Once they took the action back into the ring, it was just great back-and-forth, state-of-the-art wrestling action. Morishima is one of the top badass wrestlers this era and Danielson is probably the best technical wrestler in this era, so it's always a great match-up when they hook up. This was better than their match at the recent PPV and one of the most competitive ROH matches I've ever seen. (****3/4)

After the match, Morishima took his belt and left. The fans chanted, "Best in the World" at Danielson. The ref checked on Danielson and his eye, then Danielson took the mic and said the best wrestler in the world is the guy who walked out with the ROH Title. He dropped his head in shame, then said he's sorry to have let the fans down. The fans still chanted for him as he left the ring.

Backstage, Larry Sweeney cut a promo that he has Claudio right where he wants him.

El Generico and Kevin Steen came out for the tag title main event match. The Briscoes came out next.

9 -- ROH tag champs JAY & MARK BRISCOE vs. EL GENERICO & KEVIN STEEN -- ROH Tag Title match -- 2 out of 3 falls

Steen quickly jumped the Briscoes to start the action. They went to the floor and Generico took a suplex onto an unfolded chair. Generico came back on Mark with an overhead release suplex into the guardrail. Geez, Mark is already bleeding from the forehead. The Briscoes took Generico into the ring and landed a dual sit down slam. They settled into a traditional tag team match, with Generico getting worked over in a neutral corner. Steen had enough and jumped into the ring to knock around the Briscoes. He took an official tag and went to work on Jay. Steen then demanded Generico provide a boot in the corner, so Steen rammed Jay's head into Generico's boot. Generico, being a great man, sold a foot injury after Jay's head collided with his boot. Steen went back to work on Jay with a hard chop to the chest before smearing Jay's fresh blood across his own chest. Steen then missed a corner splash and Jay tagged out to Mark.

Mark came in hot and worked on Steen. The Briscoes teamed up on Steen, but Steen blocked a double team move and dropped Jay onto Mark with a spinebuster. Generico took a tag at 10:00, and dropped Jay with a swinging DDT. Steen smashed Jay with a neck buster and Generico made a cover for a close nearfall. The Briscoes regained momentum and cleared Steen to the floor. Jay then came off the top with a leaping frog splash on Generico for the pin and the first fall.

Briscoes 1, Steenerico 0 in 12:00.

After a rest period, the match continued with the Briscoes chucking Generico over the top rope onto Steen. Back in the ring, Steen found himself in a two-on-one situation. Steen tried to fight out, but that upset the Briscoes, who pounded on him in the corner. They ran over Steen with a dual shoulder block from a three-point stance, then covered him for a nearfall. The Briscoes took turns working on Steen while Generico slowly crawled back to the ring. Mark lost control when Generico pulled the top rope down and Mark fell to the floor. Steen then got caught on the apron and took a DVD from Jay. Generico went through the corner ringpost and flew onto Jay with a suicide dive into a tornado DDT on the floor. Mark, not to be outdone, took Generico from the apron to the floor with a dangerous huracanrana. That's a great three-spot sequence.

Back in the ring, everyone regained their strength as if they were in a video game and exchanged power offense. Generico went for a brainbuster, but Jay blocked and hit a suplex. Jay went up top, but Generico hopped up to his feet and went for the brainbuster at the crowd's sudden urging, but Jay blocked and put Generico in position for Mark to nail a springboard Ace Crusher for a nearfall.

At 20:00, the Briscoes went for the Doomsday Device, but Steen yanked one of the Briscoes down to the floor. Generico suddenly nailed Mark square in the face with a trademark running Yakuza kick in the corner for a close nearfall. Steen took a tag and went for a Swanton bomb, but Jay blocked. Mark took a tag and tried to take Steen out with a huracanrana on the floor, but Steen blocked with a powerbomb. Same for Jay. Generico then took Mark into the ring and hit a top rope splash. Steen followed his Swanton and Generico covered Mark for another nearfall. Generico blasted Mark with a Yakuza kick, then he took out Jay on the floor with a springboard splash. Steen with another lariat on Mark, then he missed with a top rope moonsault. Mark hit a suplex, but Steen popped right up, only to take a double kick from the Briscoes. They set up the Doomsday Device on Steen and connected this time. They only got a two count, and the crowd gasped from Steen kicking out of the Doomsday.

Generico came back into the ring at 24:00 and Steen hung Mark upside down in the corner. Generico then went coast-to-cast with a sick flip kick. Steen nailed a Package Piledriver, then Generico tried to finish off Mark with a brainbuster, but Jay yanked him out to the floor. Jay nailed a spike piledriver on Steen, then Mark hit a cutthroat driver on Steen for the win.

After the match, Generico stood in center ring while the Briscoes held onto their tag titles. Steen tried to pull himself up as Generico negotiated with the Briscoes on a handshake. Steen told Generico not to shake, but Generico accepted a handshake from both men. Steen screamed at Generico, who pushed him against the ropes and told him to shake hands. Steen slowly approached them and shook hands in a good moment. But, Steen being Steen, he kicked them between the legs and went to the floor. Steen yanked out a ladder and smashed the Briscoes with the ladder while Generico stood by not wanting to participate. Steen demanded that Generico grab the ladder, so Generico reluctantly grabbed one of the ladder to set up a battering ram on the Briscoes. Steen picked up the belts and handed one to Generico before they left the ring. Fans ringside told Steen he needed to earn the belts. Fade to black.

WINNERS: Briscoes 2-0 in 26:00 to retain the ROH Tag Titles. A match filled with a ton of dangerous spots and not too much selling, but both teams are so good in the ring that it's difficult to hold that against them. I'm just concerned about the bodily damage both teams have endured during this feud, and the long-term ramifications. That said, the feud is money and has delivered every time I've seen them competing against each other in the ring. Steen is one of the best heels in WWE, TNA, or ROH because he's so convincing in his role as the biggest jerk in ROH. (****)

DVD Summary: It's a two-match DVD with a very good one-two punch featuring Danielson vs. Morishima in the semi-main event and another tag title war between the Briscoes and Steen & Generico. Just outstanding wrestling action in two different forms during the third hour of the DVD. The undercard had a very good Davey Richards vs. PAC singles match and a passionate battle between Claudio and Hero. I have both at ***1/4 for top undercard matches of the night. Everything else on the undercard was fine, but nothing particularly memorable other than the return of Julius Smokes and the stable wars between Aries, Evans, and Strong.

Back to the ROH Title match. I remember the first time I saw Morishima wrestling on a NOAH DVD release, I wasn't that impressed with him. I had heard so much about him, that I started to pick apart his flaws the first time I watched one of his matches. After seeing about six or seven matches this year, I think he's one of the best wrestlers in wrestling right now. He's just so convincing as a badass and his offense looks unbelievably stiff that he exemplifies how a big time main event wrestler should carry himself.

Recommendation: This is one of ROH's top releases on the year since it's from NYC. More importantly, it's a good summary of ROH in 2007 with the two top feuds of the year in the ring, and more battles between the top stables in the company. I recommend it to regular ROH fans for the two outstanding main events, and I recommend it to casual fans to get a feel for the ROH scene this year.

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