By Chris Vetter

Ring of Honor returned to New York for "Manhattan Mayhem II" on Aug. 25, 2007. As with the prior ROH events in this venue, it is PACKED, with a crowd numbering perhaps 1,300, and as usual, they are HOT for Ring of Honor action. The shows here just have a great "big promotion" atmosphere and vibe that make them stand out from all other ROH events.

As per usual, the commentary team is Dave Prazak & Lenny Leonard. Lighting is good here, camera work is solid, and editing is good. Leonard said this is the fifth straight sellout in this building.

* The DVD opened with a backstage promo, as Adam Pearce, B.J. Whitmer and Brent Albright were shaving Shane Hagadorn's hair. Whitmer said he wanted to get his hands on Pelle Primeau. (NOTE: Primeau had eliminated Whitmer in the first round of the July "Race to the Top" tournament.)

(1) Erick Stevens & Matt Cross (the Resilience) defeat Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush at 12:25. Good match. Stevens and Quackenbush started, and Stevens overpowered Quack and shoved him to the mat, then he hit a shoulder tackle. Quack hit a legsweep and a double kneedrop to the chest, and he applied an Octopus, which drew a pop. Cross and Jigsaw squared off at 3:00, and they traded armbars. Cross hit a swinging faceplant. Stevens immediately got back in and hit some chops and stomps on Jigsaw. Cross hit a doublestomp on Jigsaw's back, and the Resilience were in charge.

Stevens hit a side slam for a nearfall at 7:00. Cross went for a split-legged moonsault, but Jigsaw got his knees up to block it. Quack got the hot tag, and he hit a headbutt to Stevens' chest, and Mike was fired up! Cross accidentally chopped Stevens. Quack hit his running tumbleweed in the corner. Jigsaw hit a top-rope rana on Stevens. Quackenbush hit a Swanton Bomb on Stevens for a believable nearfall. Jigsaw missed a top-rope guillotine legdrop. Jigsaw couldn't hit his Jig n' Tonic/modified Tombstone Piledriver.

In a cool team spot, Stevens nailed a clothesline on Jigsaw at 10:00, allowing Cross to get a quick sunset flip rollup for a believable nearfall. Good teamwork. Stevens nailed his Choo Choo running splash on Jigsaw. Cross hit a top-rope corkscrew moonsault on Jigsaw for a believable nearfall. Quack entered and hit a double DDT, then a reverse crucifix takedown on Cross for a believable nearfall. Stevens hit a shoulder tackle on Quack. Jigsaw hit an enziguri on Stevens, but he couldn't hit the Superkick. Stevens hit a clothesline, then the Dr. Bomb/gutwrench powerbomb to pin Jigsaw. Good match.

(2) Jimmy Jacobs defeats Mitch Franklin at 5:14. The crowd POPPED when Jacobs' theme song played, and many fans pulled out their cellphones and waved them in the air, as the crowd chanted, "Welcome back!" Franklin is now the "Top of the Class" trophy holder. They traded standing switches, and Franklin hit some armdrags, so Jacobs bailed. Back in the ring, Jacobs hit a bodyslam and a European Uppercut. Franklin hit a basement dropkick on Jacobs (recently injured) knee at 1:30, and the crowd heavily booed Franklin!

Jacobs hit some chops. Mitch went for a move off the top rope, but Jacobs caught him with a clothesline. Jacobs ran along the floor and hit a (Milano) dropkick to Mitch's head as Mitch was lying in the ring. In the ring, Jacobs tied up Franklin's arms and slammed him chest-first repeatedly onto the mat. Franklin hit a headscissors takedown into the corner, and he got a modified Victory Roll rollup for a nearfall at 4:00. Jacobs tied Franklin in the Tree of Woe, and Jacobs hit a running buttbump, then a catapult basement dropkick to Mitch's chest. Jacobs then hit a top-rope senton splash, and he slapped on a Front Guillotine Choke, and Franklin tapped out. Solid, and longer than expected.

* Backstage, Jack Evans talked about his match later against his former Generation Next teammates, Austin Aries and Roderick Strong. Evans said he believes he's the best of the three. He also hinted that he has recruited someone for his "crew." Someone in the background (obviously Julius Smokes) began making bird noises.

(3) B.J. Whitmer & Brent Albright & Adam Pearce (w/Shane Hagadorn) defeat Nigel McGuinness & Pelle Primeau & Delirious at 11:32. Solid tag match. Fans chanted, "Repo Man!" at Pearce. Pearce got on the mic and ripped the crowd. Pearce said that Whitmer has seen "the truth" and that B.J. is a "mercilous killer." Delirious charged the ring and attacked Pearce, and the bell rang to start the match. Nigel and Pelle ran in and helped clear the ring. Delirious hit some clotheslines and his BAM leaping lariat on Pearce, and Delirious was fired up. Prazak talked about Primeau's unlikely victory over Whitmer.

Nigel beat up Pearce on the floor. Pelle hit a missile dropkick off the apron to the floor on Pearce; Nigel rolled Adam in the ring and got a nearfall at 2:00. Pelle hit a Tornado DDT on Pearce for a nearfall. Delirious entered and hit his rapid-fire elbow shots on Pearce. Pearce nailed a chokeslam on Delirious. Whitmer entered and hit some stomps, then he punched Delirious, and he hit a snap suplex for a nearfall. Albright entered and hit some punches and a snap suplex. Whitmer hit a headbutt at 5:00, and the heels were in charge. Albright hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Pearce applied a nerve hold, and fans again chanted, "Repo Man!" at him. The heels made some illegal switches as they worked over Delirious.

Delirious hit a top-rope headscissors takedown. Nigel got the hot tag, and he hit a short-arm clothesline on Whitmer at 9:00, then a suplex on Pearce to clear the ring. Nigel hit a running European Uppercut on Whitmer, then Nigel hit his kick to the back & inverted DDT combo on Albright. Pelle hit a spear into the corner. Nigel nailed the Tower of London/hangman's stunner on Whitmer, as Pelle hit a doublestomp on Whitmer! Nice team spot!

Albright hit a half-nelson suplex on Nigel. Delirious hit a Panic Attack on Albright. Pearce hit a spinning slam on Delirious. Pelle hit a springboard Thesz Press and a doublestomp on Pearce. However, Whitmer nailed a sitdown piledriver to pin Pelle. Solid.

* After the match, Whitmer sat on Pelle's chest and pummeled him with punches and forearms! Whitmer then nailed a hard powerbomb! Pearce hit a powerbomb! Albright nailed a half-nelson suplex, and the heels left together. Pelle had a bloody forehead, and he was helped from the ring.

* Ryo Nakata and Cary Silkin walked to the ring. The fans chanted, "NOAH!" for Nakata. It was announced that Glory By Honor on Nov. 2 & 3 would feature KENTA, Marufuji, Morishima and Misawa. The crowd went nuts for the Misawa announcement.

* Delirious cut a backstage promo, and he was upset at Albright, Pearce and Whitmer, saying they stabbed him. Delirious was acting even more crazy than usual.

(4) Davey Richards defeats PAC at 12:38. Solid match. This got terrible reviews live, and I think some people have said this match was clipped a bit to make it better. Richards wore red pants and a black leather vest, and he definitely looked like WCW-Chris Benoit. PAC offered a handshake, but Richards spit on him. Prazak noted that PAC was winless in his prior ROH matches against Roderick Strong, Matt Sydal and Bryan Danielson. Richards immediately worked the left arm, and they traded solid mat reversals; the crowd was definitely quieter. Richards hit some crossface blows to the head, and that drew some boos. They traded more mat counters, and Richards bailed at 2:30.

Richards grounded PAC with a headlock. Pelle hit a Londonsault dropkick, and Richards bailed again. Richards hit some chops in the ring, so PAC came back with his own chops and a backbody drop. PAC hit a running forearm and a running basement dropkick in the corner for a nearfall at 5:30. PAC hit a back suplex, sending Richards to the floor. PAC hit a top-rope corkscrew press to the floor, drawing a HUGE pop, as fans chanted, "Holy sh!t!" In the ring, PAC hit a standing moonsault kneedrop for a nearfall. Richards fired back with a stiff spin kick to the chest, some chops and forearms, and a hard clothesline at 8:00.

Richards hit a German suplex with a bridge for a nearfall. Richards then nailed a cross-armed German Suplex. Richards had a bloody forehead -- probably a hardway cut. PAC hit a Shooting Star Press onto the back and a German Suplex for a nearfall. Richards applied the Kimera Lock, but PAC reversed it and got a nearfall. Richards hit a gutwrench suplex. PAC hit an enziguri and a reverse rana for a nearfall at 10:30. The crowd was now hot. PAC hit a hurricanrana for a nearfall, and they were both down. They fought on the ropes in the corner. Richards hit a top-rope German Suplex, but PAC rotated and landed on his feet. Richards slammed PAC into the corner. Richards again slapped on the Kimera Lock, and PAC tapped out. Nothing great, but not as bad as some reports indicated.

* Jack Evans walked to the ring, and he told the cameraman he had a big surprise. He got on the mic and again talked about forming his own "crew." He brought out... Julius Smokes! Fans popped and chanted, "Welcome back!" Smokes got on the mic and dubbed the group as "The Vulture Squad." Clips aired of Generation Next fighting as a team at the "Generation Next" show in May 2004 and at the "Trios Tournament" in March 2005.

(5) Austin Aries defeats Roderick Strong and Jack Evans at 14:38. Strong dumped Aries to the floor and he chopped Evans. Aries hit a catapult senton and a Lionsault on Strong. Evans and Aries worked together as they hit punches on Strong. Prazak said this was NOT elimination rules. Evans hit a basement dropkick. Aries hit his Power Drive Elbow on Strong. Evans hit a spin kick, and Aries hit some forearms, and Strong bailed. Evans then turned and hit a kick on Aries' head at 2:00! Aries hit a (Jarrett) stroke. Evans went for a dive to the floor, but Strong caught him and hit a powerbomb on the floor! OUCH!

Strong set up a table between the ring apron and the guardrail. Strong tried to hit a Gibson Driver on Aries onto the table, but Aries avoided it. Aries hit a stiff kick to the chest for a nearfall, but he couldn't hit a Brainbuster. Strong hit a flapjack for a nearfall, but Evans made the save. Evans hit a bicycle kick on Strong at 5:00. Evans hit a springboard dropkick on both opponents. Evans hit a standing corkscrew press on both for a nearfall. Aries hit a Death Valley Driver on Evans, dropping him onto Strong, for a nearfall. Cool spot. Prazak wondered who would be Smokes' next recruit for the Vulture Squad.

Strong hit a back suplex on Aries. The fans started the taunting "Rod-A-rick" chant. Aries hit a decapitating clothesline on Evans for a nearfall. Strong chopped Evans. Strong couldn't powerbomb Evans onto a table, as Aries made the save at 8:00. Strong hit his Gorilla Press Gutbuster over his knees on Aries, and he applied the Stronghold. However. Evans hit a reverse rana on Strong for a nearfall. Aries accidentally hit a clothesline on the referee! Evans hit a spin heel kick on Aries, and they were all down! Evans made a visual pinfall, but there was no ref. Aries hit a second-rope brainbuster on Evans, but he couldn't hit the 450 Splash. Strong shoved Aries off the top rope and through a table, and fans chanted, "Holy sh!t!"

Richards hopped in the ring and hit some stomps on Evans. Suddenly, RUCKUS hopped in the ring at 10:30, and he hit a handspring-back-elbow on both Richards & Strong. Ruckus then hit a flip dive to the floor on both. Evans hit a Springboard 450 on both. "Julius Smokes has brought Ruckus to Ring of Honor!" Prazak shouted. Evans & Ruckus attacked Aries! Erick Stevens & Cross made the save. Stevens hit a Bulldog Powerslam on Evans. "We have full-fledged faction warfare," Prazak said.

Cross hit a cartwheel flip dive onto several wrestlers on the floor at 13:00. Strong and Aries were suddenly alone in the ring, and they traded stiff forearms. Strong hit a low blow uppercut and a chairshot to the back. Strong nailed a running boot. Stevens hit a chair to Strong's back. Aries nailed a brainbuster on Strong, then the 450 Splash, for the pin.

* It's intermission time with Rebecca Bayless. She interviewed Jimmy Jacobs. "Today was a good day," Jacobs said. He said he has battled depression in his time off. However, he has a "new purpose" and we'll find out soon what that is.

* Aries & Strong & Cross talked back stage. "All bets are off," Aries said. "The rules of the game have changed."

(6) Ruckus (w/Jack Evans & Julius Smokes) defeats Eddie Edwards at 6:09. Very good match for the time given, as they worked in a lot of spots. Ruckus weighs a "street value of $31 million." The crowd was HOT and totally enthused about Ruckus being in ROH. Edwards opened with some kicks and chops. Ruckus hit a headscissors takedown, and Edwards bailed. Ruckus flipped to the floor, and he hit a Mafia Kick on the floor. Ruckus nailed his running Shooting Star Press off the apron to the floor. Prazak talked about Ruckus' career in CZW. In the ring, Ruckus missed a handspring-back elbow. Edwards hit a backpack stunner for a nearfall at 1:30. (YES, a lot of action early!)

Prazak praised Ruckus for improving his physique in recent years. (Ruckus has lost at least 30 pounds, maybe more!) Edwards hit a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall, and he grounded Ruckus. Ruckus hit a Pele Kick, and they were both down. They traded forearm shots. Ruckus hit a running doublestomp on Edwards' chest, then a standing corkscrew press for a nearfall at 4:00. Ruckus went for a moonsault legdrop, but Edwards caught him and got a quick rollup for a nearfall. Edwards hit an enziguri and a Falcon Arrow slam for a nearfall. Ruckus hit a rolling fisherman's suplex for a nearfall, then a top-rope corkscrew press for the pin. LOTS of action. Evans said that more would be coming.

(7) Claudio Castagnoli defeats Chris Hero (w/Larry Sweeney & Bobby Dempsey & Sara Del Rey) at 16:00 even. Excellent match. The crowd was split, with half the fans chanting, "F**k you, Hero," and the others chanting, "Let's go Hero!" Hero wore an outfit with a white top; I haven't seen this one before. Claudio hit a shoulder tackle, and Hero bailed. Prazak said this was their first singles match ever in ROH. Claudio pulled Hero back into the ring by his hair. But, Hero knocked Claudio down, and Hero began bouncing and jumping around the ring; he turned around and Claudio nailed him with a hard European Uppercut, and that got a big pop. Claudio nailed a second-rope diving European Uppercut, but he couldn't hit the Ricola Bomb.

Claudio hit some chops on the floor. Hero hit a Mafia Kick on the floor, and Claudio was down at 3:00. Lenny Leonard wondered if Tank Toland is doing a good job as a conditioning coach, as it doesn't appear that Dempsey is shrinking! Sweeney distracted Claudio, and Del Rey hit a spin kick to Claudio's chest. Daizee Haze emerged from the back, and she told the referee about the cheating going on. Hero choked Castagnoli on the floor. In the ring, Hero hit some sentons for a nearfall, some stomps, and he was in charge. The crowd was HOT and split. Hero hit a Mafia Kick for a nearfall at 6:00. The action went back to the floor, where Hero dropped Castagnoli throat-first on the guardrail. Back in the ring, Hero hit a Mafia Kick in the corner for a nearfall.

Castagnoli fired up, and he hit some forearm shots and a dropkick that sent Hero to the floor. Claudio then dove through the ropes, barreling into Hero, at 9:00. In the ring, Claudio hit the Giant Swing and a running European Uppercut for a nearfall. Haze was standing in Claudio's corner, cheering him on. Claudio couldn't hit the Waterslide. Hero hit a Mafia Kick to the side of the head, an overhead flipping neckbreaker, then a cravate neckbreaker, for a nearfall. Castagnoli came back with a second-rope springboard European Uppercut, and he hit the Waterslide for a nearfall at 12:00. Claudio spun Hero around his back into a faceplant, but he couldn't hit the Bicycle Kick.

Hero nailed a German suplex, then a release suplex, for a nearfall. Claudio countered with more European Uppercuts and a step-up snap headscissors takedown. Claudio nailed the Bicycle Kick for a nearfall, and they were both down. theyt raded more forearms, and Claudio hit some more European Uppercuts. Hero hit a second-rope swinging cravate neckbreaker at 15:00. Hero hit a top-rope doublestomp to the chest for a nearfall, but he couldn't hit the Hero's Welcome/spinning faceplant. Claudio nailed a top-rope diving European Uppercut, then he nailed the Ricola Bomb/Pyramid Powerbomb for the clean pin. Excellent, with incredible crowd heat.

* Sweeney was irate after the match. Claudio and Haze celebrated together in the ring, then they left. Hero & crew got in the ring. Hero hugged Dempsey, then he slapped him. Sweeney told Hero that Claudio "cheated the whole time."

* Backstage, Claudio proclaimed that his feud with Hero was over. "Tonight, I proved to everyone I was the better wrestler," Castagnoli said.

(8) Takeshi Morishima defeats Bryan Danielson at 20:16 to retain the ROH World Heavyweight title. Excellent match, and easily in the top five ROH matches of the year. Some fans chanted, "USA!" Leonard said this was Danielson's first title shot since he lost the belt in December. At the bell, Danielson immediately hit some quick kicks to Morishima's left thigh and knee. This was intense! Morishima countered with some right & left blows. Danielson kept kicking away at the thigh & knee! Morishima hit some blows to the back. Morishima trapped Danielson in the corner at 4:00, and he hit a series of big punches to the head. Danielson kept kicking at the thigh while avoiding Morishima.

Howver, Morishima nailed a Mafia Kick in the corner at 6:00, and Danielson immediately clutched his left eye in pain. Leonard pointed out the injury immediately. Morishima hit a rolling buttbump, then some stiff kicks to the thigh as Danielson was lying on the mat. On the floor, Morishima whipped Danielson into the guardrail. Morishima hit an Ole-style buttbump as Danielson was still protecting his eye. Danielson flipped Morishima over the guardrail and into the crowd. Danielson then hit a top-rope dive, over the guardrail, and nailing Morishima in the crowd. Fans chanted, "Holy sh!t!" Danielson hit a European Uppercut on the floor and a chairshot to the left knee at 10:00! Prazak said Danielson's injury must be serious.

In the ring, Danielson hit a missile dropkick, but Morishima wouldn't go down! Morishima couldn't hit the Back Drop Driver. Danielson nailed some open-hand paintbrush slaps. Morishima went for a buttbump, but Danielson hit another kick to the thigh. Danielson applied a cool modified anklelock. Morishima countered with a German release suplex. Morishima hit a swinging uranage for a nearfall, but he missed a missile dropkick at 13:00. Danielson again applied the anklelock, but Morishima reached the ropes. Morishima hit a Thesz Press and some blows on the mat. Danielson applied a half-crab on the sore left leg. Morishima again couldn't hit the Back Drop Driver. Danielson got a small package, then a schoolboy, for a nearfall at 16:00.

Morishima hit his buttdrop on Danielson's chest for a nearfall. Danielson hit a German suplex for a believable nearfall, and he began ramming repeated elbowshots on Takeshi's head, but Morishima got up! Danielson hit some more kicks to the left knee, and Morishima crumbled to the mat, and the crowd POPPED! Danielson held onto Morishima's arms and stomped repeatedly on his chest! Danielson applied the Cattle Mutilation in the center of the ring, and fans chanted for Morishima to tap out. Morishima eventually reached the ropes at 18:30. The crowd was hot and split! Danielson went for a top-rope back suplex, but Morishima rotated and landed on top, and they were both down. Morishima got up and hit a decapitating clothesline for a believable nearfall, then he finally nailed the Back Drop Driver for the pin. WOW.

* The crowd chanted "Best in the World!" at Danielson. Danielson got on the mic, being quite humble, and said that the man with the ROH title deserves that chant. "I'm sorry to let you guys down," he said.

(9) Mark & Jay Briscoe defeat El Generico & Kevin Steen in a best of three falls match at 24:42. Another excellent match! All four men jawed in the ring. Steen attacked from behind and the match started. Mark suplexed Generico on an open chair, and he whipped a chair at his head! Generico countered with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the guardrail. Steen flipped Jay into the guardrail, and he hit a rolling tumbleweed. Mark hit a bodyslam on Generico. Jay stomped on the metal guardrail sheet onto Steen. In the ring, the Briscoes hit a team uranage on Generico at 2:30, and they began to work him over. Mark hit a vertical suplex for a nearfall, then a running kneedrop on the head.

Jay hit a nice dropkick to the head and a back suplex for a nearfall. Jay hit a backbreaker over his knee, but Steen made the save. Steen then got the hot tag at 5:30, and he traded blows with Jay. Generico entered and himt a bodyslam. Steen hit his flipping guillotine legdrop, then a second one, for a nearfall. Steen wiped Jay's blood on himself. Jay hit a Blockbuster necksnap, and he made the hot tag to Mark at 8:30. Mark hit his springboard kick, some karate thrusts, and a corkscrew springboard frogsplash on Steen. The Briscoes hit the Death Sentence/elevated guillotine legdrop, for a nearfall. Steen hit a Spinebuster on Jay, dropping him on Mark! Generico hit a top-rope crossbody block on Jay for a nearfall, then a Tornado DDT for a nearfall.

Steen hit a neckbreaker over his knee, and Generico made the cover for a believable nearfall. Jay hit a Death Valley Driver on Generico. Mark hit a moonsault on Generico, then a flip dive to the floor on Steen. This left just Jay vs. Generico in the ring, and Jay hit a frogsplash for the pin at 11:03!

The Briscoes hit a double hiptoss on Generico, sending him over the CORNER POST and onto Steen on the floor! WOW! The Briscoes then began a two-on-one beating on Steen in the ring, hitting a lot of stomps, then their football team shoulder tackle at 13:30, with Jay getting the nearfall. Generico was knocked out on the floor. Mark hit a headbutt, and he traded forearms with Steen. Mark hit his catapult doublestomp for a nearfall. Generico pulled down the top rope to low-bridge Mark to the floor. Steen then hit a flip dive to the floor Mark. Jay hit a Death Valley Driver on Steen on the ring apron! Generico dove around the ring post and hit a Tornado DDT on the floor! Mark hit a hurricanrana on Generico off the apron to the floor, and all four men were down at 17:30.

Steen and Mark traded forearm shots, and Mark hit a leg lariat, and they were both down. Jay and Generico then traded forearms! Jay hit a Gordbuster on Generico. Generico couldn't hit his Turnbuckle Brainbuster. Mark hit a springboard Ace Crusher. Jay hit a top-rope guillotine legdrop for a nearfall on Generico at 20:00. Generico got a Victory Roll for a nearfall, then a Mafia Kick and a Jacknife rollup for a believable nearfall. Steen went for a Swanton Bomb, but Jay got his knees up! Mark got the hot tag. Steen nailed a powerbomb on Mark onto the ring apron. Steen then powerbombed Jay onto the guardrail! Generico hit a frogsplash on Mark. Steen hit another Swanton Bomb, and Generico made the cover, for a believable nearfall on Mark!

Generico hit some Mafia Kicks and a springbaord corkscrew moonsault to the floor on Jay! Steen missed a top-rope moonsault on Mark. Jay hit a superkick on Steen. The Briscoes hit double clotheslines and double supe5rkicks, then a Doomsday Device clothesline for a believable nearfall at 23:30. (The announcers pretended that the move guaranteed victory, which of course, meant that a kickout would occur). Generico hit a coast-to-coast flipping missile dropkick as Mark was tied in the Tree of Woe! Steen hit a package piledriver on Mark. Generico set up for a mid-ring brainbuster, but Jay saved Mark. Jay then nailed the Jay Driller on Steen! Mark immediately hit the Cuthroat Driver to pin Steen! WOW. Another excellent match.

* Dave Prazak thanked the fans for five straight sellouts in Manhattan, and the announcers signed off. Steen was upset and refused to shake. Steen then shook hands, but he hit low blow kicks on each Briscoe! Steen got a ladder from out of the ring, and he hit the Briscoes with it, as Generico reluctantly helped him. Steen celebrated with the title belt, and they left with the titles!


Final thoughts: DVD runs 3 hours 3 minutes.

WOW, this was another excellent, excellent, ROH show.

Best match goes to Danielson-Morishima. While I scored the "Man Up" ladder match higher, and the Nigel-Danielson "Respect is Earned" match higher, I can't think of another match I liked more in 2007 than this one. Danielson kept working methodically on Morishima's kneecap and thigh while avoiding the big blows. The fact that Danielson wrestled most of the match with a SERIOUS eye injury is just amazing. A great, great matchup.

The main event easily earned second-best. The Briscoes have been on an absolute tear in 2007, and Generico & Steen have met them blow for blow. The fans were absolutely shocked a few times when Steen & Generico didn't get a pinfall to knot up the score at one fall apiece. The introduction of the ladder at the end only cemented that one more match was needed before this feud ended.

Third best goes to Claudio vs. Hero. Hero stalled and got the heel heat while hitting a lot of offense. Claudio brings out the best of his opponent, and these two click in the ring, as partners, and now as foes. Sweeney brings so much to the table as Hero's manager. Fourth-best goes to the Aries-Strong-Evans match. The post-match brawl finally cemented that Evans wasn't playing nice with Aries, and it fully separated them into clear, separate factions. That match was just non-stop action!

Ruckus was a smart, smart addition to the roster. ROH fans know his work, and he has worked hard to lose weight and step up his game to this level.

The undercard was solid -- nothing bad -- but very little stood out either.

This DVD is another must-own for ROH fans, and will make many "top 10" lists for best ROH release of the year. Pick this DVD up at www.rohwrestling.com for $20.

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