Retrospective of the Common Fan Retro DVD Review
Ring of Honor's Manhattan Mayhem 2005
May 7, 2005
New York City
Review by Jimmy Eaton, Retrospective of the Common Fan specialist

This was a fantastic retro ROH DVD. Trying to catch-up on the older ROH product, I was treated to a great total package including simple storytelling and superb in-ring action. While nothing may have been an instant classic, it was still a great showing and unfortunately ROH just really doesn't have that feel today. While the wrestling is almost always solid, this show felt more gritty with some deeper storylines and more meaningful back-stories supporting each match. (Listen to Episode #65 of PotCF for more thoughts on the current ROH TV product!)

- The show was set to open with a triple threat tag team match until Dunn & Marcos were knocked out after their entrance by the Carnage Crew. Oh, those heels. That changed the match to just a normal tag match.

1 - Izzy & Deranged (w/Cheech & Cloudy and Lacey) vs. Dixie & Azrieal

I'm not familiar with many of these guys, but the match was a lot of fun with some amazing high-flying spots and chain wrestling. Across the board, the wrestling was solid and let's just say now if I saw these guys on a card, I'd be interested. The main story of the match was that the losing team must break-up. Unfortunately, by the match's finish, Dixie and Azrieal had to break up. A great way to start the show and to get the crowd a bit loud towards the end. The finish was an insane huracanrana piledriver for the pinfall courtesy of Deranged.

WINNERS: Izzy & Deranged via pinfall at around 15 minutes (**3/4)

2 - Colt Cabana vs. Nigel McGuinness

This was a wrestling clinic. What an awesome display of technical wrestling that involved old-school mat grappling and chain wrestling that just showed why these two were two of the best (and in Cabana's case, still is, if not better now) at that time. Nigel took the win with a lo- blow before getting the win. Cabana didn't look happy (come on, who would if you just had your twig and berries hammered?) and Nigel left looking triumphant.

WINNER: Nigel McGuinness via pinfall at about 12 minutes (***)

Alex Shelley then cut a great promo on his history with Generation Next and regretting some of his actions. He expressed himself in a way that made me think back to this time in TNA where could have gotten more of an opportunity to be a major player. Excellent job here and it made me instantly care more about his match later in the show.

3 - Black Tiger vs. James Gibson

James Gibson is Jamie Noble. Nice. Anyways, this match was a blast. I love a good technical wrestling match and this was the definition. It had multiple chain sequences with both guys going out of their way to sell for the other and make them look like a million bucks. I have to give the commentary team credit as well because they talked up Gibson's near-victory over ROH World champion Mr. Austin Aries that instantly gave him more credibility in this match. Then, in turn, they made Black Tiger look good for hanging with him. Fun stuff all around. Submissions were a-plenty as well, and that ended up being the path to victory for James Gibson.

WINNER: James Gibson via submission at about 15 minutes (***1/2)

4 - ROH tag champions B.J. Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs vs. Roderick Strong & Jack Evans

What a match. Man, this was good. Jack Evans was beloved by the fans and showed some of his incredible athleticism. It went so fast for me to really keep track of it, but the big spots and double-team moves were on full display here and, like many matches on this show, if it would have had a little more time, it really could have been something special. Still amazing, though, with everyone giving a great effort to entertain the paying fans. People who are familiar with Jack Evans knows the type of performer he is in the ring, so this should go without saying.

WINNERS: B.J. Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs via pinfall at about 18 minutes (***1/4)

5 - ROH Pure champion Jay Lethal vs. Samoa Joe

Another superb match that had an easy-to-follow back-story. Both guys showed aggression and a desire for the title, with Lethal having something to prove with a chip on his shoulder. One thing I didn't like about this was the Pure rules. I'm not very familiar with the title, but to me it stopped the action more often than not and really made the match lesser than it could have been. It just ended up a distraction, in my opinion, and I'm glad it's been replaced with a TV Title in today's ROH product. Still, as I said, this was a great match and both men showed chemistry working together.

WINNER: Samoa Joe via pinfall at about 17 minutes (***)

At the Intermission, there was a fun interview with Nigel McGuinness explaining his low-blow to Colt Cabana earlier in the night. Then, ROH showed some highlights of past feuds leading up to some of the matches later - Jimmy Rave-C.M. Punk in a dog collar match and the ROH World Title match between Austin Aries and Alex Shelley.

6 - Jimmy Rave (w/The Embassy) vs. C.M. Punk – Dog Collar Match

Punk was great here, and that's not to say anything negative about Rave, but, man, did Punk show early signs of why he's a big star today in WWE. In this match, the Embassy interfered and cost Punk the match via multiple chair shots to the head, which definitely knocked my score down a bit. Unfortunately, back in 2005, it seems like not as much was known about the damage those can cause. No excuses, though. But, this was a crazy brawl that really had Punk overcoming many odds only to fall short in the end. Brutal match showcasing the hate both men had for each other with a strong crowd to boot.

WINNER Jimmy Rave via pinfall in just under 15 minutes (***1/2)

Oh snap. After the match, Homicide and Low Ki returned and the Rottweilers ran wild, leveling Punk after his loss. They cut a promo on basically wanting to terrorize ROH. I believe them.

7 - ROH World champion Austin Aries vs. Alex Shelley

As you can see with this card, each match really got better and better. Both talents brought their A-Game here and really put on a show with emotion involving their prior stint as teammates in Generation Next. The match was a wrestling clinic with fantastic false finishes. An argument could be made that it didn't take much to put Shelley away after he gave around three of his finishers to Aries, but I think it just showed how much more the champion could take, hence making it more credible. Overall, their chemistry was undeniable and I remembered why I liked these guys so much in their early TNA days as Austin Starr and, well, Alex Shelley. Great back-and-forth wrestling and the crowd was really behind this match, which made it feel all the more special. Aries won with a combo Brainbuster/450 splash to retain the title.

WINNER: Austin Aries via pinfall in just under 20 minutes (****)

(Bonus Match) 8 - Low Ki & Homicide vs. Samoa Joe & Jay Lethal

This was a surprise for me, although I'm not sure if it was DVD-only at the time or not. (It wasn't announced beforehand and sold like a bonus.) What a blast this match was. Joe and Lethal attacked the Rottweilers from behind, which started the match. And, while it was not overly long, the crowd ate it up. The action went from first to third gear instantly and everyone really displayed aggressive styles. The finish was practically out of nowhere, though. One thing that makes me laugh about Low Ki - and it shows more now than when I first saw Low Ki with Homicide - is that Ki does not look like a thug. Maybe it's just when he talks a bit or maybe just because of how his character is now, but it just makes no sense whatsoever in retrospect. But, hey, I give him credit for trying. Fun match, overall, and a great way to end the evening. Oh, and did I mention the SICK combo move of the "Warrior's Way" and Cop Killa for the finish? Yeah, that happened.

WINNERS: Low Ki and Homicide via pinfall at about 15 minutes (***1/4)

Post bonus-match, Prince Nana and Jimmy Rave cut a promo about wanting to end Punk's life and put him in his grave at the next show. Then, they hyped a Danielson-Homicide Best-of-Five series match in a cage. Nice way to keep fans hooked for future shows. Then, James Gibson (Jamie Noble) cut a promo related to his next match and wanting to still prove himself after beating Black Tiger earlier in the show. He was set to face Austin Aries on the next show in Dayton, Ohio for the title. Well done here, as well. Lastly, Colt Cabana was interviewed. He made fun of Nigel McGuinness for being British and still being mad that he got kicked in the twig and berries. McGuinness overheard Cabana and said, "It was an accident, sunshine." Priceless.

Overall, this show really kicked into high-gear right around the end of the first match and didn't let up whatsoever. Each match got better and better and longer and longer, and, for me, that's how a card is properly built. It also helps to execute angles that matter and promote wrestlers people can actually care about. While the show only had one match that hit four stars for me, I definitely give some bonus points for how most stories got me instantly interested either after a well-done promo, or an effective video package. Great effort all-around and it makes me really long for these days again. Not to put down ROH's current product, but it just feels like there's one major story now (Steen and Cornette), instead of two-or-three major stories like there were in this retrospective throwback.

The Common Fan is back, folks, stealing catch-phrases and taking names while carefully resting behind the comfort of a computer and nice office chair. Yes, Yes, Yes. You know it peeps. #RWCandPOTCF (8.5 overall score)

Agree? Disagree? Want me to look at a show from years back? Tweet me suggestions and keep the debates rolling @TheCommonFan.

[Torch photo credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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