Ring of Honor TV Report
January 25, 2010
Taped Jan. 8 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Episode #44 - First episode of Series 8
Report by Mike DeRosenroll, Torch ROH specialist

- The show opened with highlights of the sixty minute draw at “Final Battle 2009” between Austin Aries and Tyler Black, highlighting the fact that Aries spent much of the time running from Black to run down the clock.

- In the ring, Jim Cornette called Aries and Black to the ring to address the fans. Black said he proved that Aries cannot beat him and that he just needs one more chance to take the ROH World Title from Aries. Aries said that his New Year’s resolution is not to have to be in the ring with Tyler Black anymore and refused to give Black a re-match. Aries said, “No soup for you!”

Cornette said that the Final Battle match was supposed to be a wrestling match, not a track meet, and called Aries a “gutless coward.” He added that he does not like it when the ROH fans “feel like they got screwed out of seeing a classic ball-buster match.” Thus, Cornette announced that Aries will defend the ROH World Title against Black in the main event when ROH returns to New York City on February 13. Cornette added that if the match ends in any way but a pin or a submission, three judges at ringside will decide who wins the World Title. He said that Aries and Black can each choose a judge, and instructed them to bring out their judges at the end of the show. Cornette said that he would choose the third judge.

[Opening Theme]

- Mike Hogewood announced that Kenny King would face El Generico in a Pick 6 Contenders match later in the show.

1 – ROH tag champion THE BRISCOES (JAY BRISCOE & MARK BRISCOE) vs. UP IN SMOKE (CHEECH & CLOUDY) -- non-title match

The Briscoes dominated Cheech in the early going. At 1:00, the arena lights suddenly went out for a few second. When they came back on, Cheech used the momentary distraction to tag in Cloudy, who hit a spinning DDT on Mark. Cloudy’s advantage was very brief. Mark quickly grounded him in the corner and tagged out to Jay. The Briscoes worked over Cloudy for a while, deploying some of their trademark double team moves. At 3:30, Cloudy rolled out of the way of a second rope senton attempt by Mark and got to Cheech for a hot tag. Cheech got a spell of high-flying offence, then tagged Cloudy back in and they got a near fall on Mark after a slingshot-DDT combination at 4:30. Mark made a comeback and tagged in Jay. The Briscoes tried for a Doomsday Device, but Cloudy avoided the move by rolling up Jay for a near fall. However, Jay quickly recovered and landed a Death Valley Driver on Cloudy for the pin fall.

WINNERS: The Briscoes in 6:00. Entertaining short match. Up In Smoke got enough offense against the tag champs to look credible, although not quite in the Briscoes’s league.

- Kyle Durden came to the ring to interview the Briscoes on winning their sixth ROH World Tag Team Championship at “Final Battle 2009.” Jay said, “New year, same story. Briscoe Brothers, best damn tag team in the world.” They began to talk about the Kings of Wrestling interrupting their celebration during the pay-per-view when the American Wolves interrupted and demanded a re-match with the Briscoes. The Dark City Fight Club interrupted and rushed the ring, leading to a scuffle between all three teams. The locker room emptied to break up the fight.

[Commercial Break]

- A video package recapped Jim Cornette’s announcement earlier in the show that Austin Aries will defend the ROH World Title against Tyler Black on February 13 in New York City, and that three judges will decide who wins the title if the match ends in anything but a pin or submission. Hogewood reminded viewers that Aries and Black’s choices for judges would be announced later in the show.

- A clip aired of Kevin Steen’s heel turn on El Generico at “Final Battle 2009.”

- Backstage, Durden interviewed El Generico. Generico was too despondent to answer Durden’s questions about Steen’s actions.

2 – “SKULLKRUSHER” RASCHE BROWN vs. BOBBY SHIELDS

Brown no sold a couple of early strikes from Shields, then put him away with an Irish whip, spear, torture rack and burning hammer. Prince Nana and Ernesto Osiris were shown observing the match from the entrance ramp.

WINNER: Brown in 0:30. Another quick squash victory for Brown. Shields sold Brown’s offense well.

- In the studio, Hogewood and Dave Prazak reiterated that Cornette has guaranteed a winner when Aries face Black in New York City. They also plugged the ROH iPhone app and announced that the American Wolves will face the Young Bucks in two weeks.

3 – EL GENERICO vs. KENNY KING - Pick 6 Contenders Match

The story of the match was Generico being distracted because of his issue with Kevin Steen. Generico continually made mental errors, allowing King to control the match heel style. Generico pulled himself together enough to tease a few babyface comebacks, and got in some nice high-flying moves during these comebacks, but each time he lost his focus and King regained control. King did a nice job of projecting his cocky heel persona during his lengthy spells of offence.

At 9:30, Generico attempted a cross body off the top rope but King showed phenomenal strength in catching Generico on his should and countering with a Royal Flush for a near fall. King tried to set up Generico for a superplex, but Generico pushed King off the top rope and landed a Yakuza kick-roll up combination for a near fall of his own. Generico then tried for a swinging DDT, but King countered with a suplex that sent Generico awkwardly into the turnbuckles. King began dancing for the crowd, which gave Generico a chance to try for another Yakuza kick, but King saw Generico’s kick coming at the last moment and dodged it, then landed his Coronation finisher for the pin fall.

WINNER: King in 12:30 to earn a spot in the Pick 6. This was a very good character-driven match that also featured state-of-the-art athleticism.

- Another video package recapped the “Final Battle 2009” ROH World Title match between Aries and Black.

- After the highlight package, the camera cut to Aries, Black, and Cornette in the ring. Aries announced Kenny King as his choice for the judging panel. Black chose “The Messiah of the Backbreaker” Roderick Strong. Cornette asked Strong why he agreed to be a judge, and Strong said that Black has agreed to give Strong the first title shot if he wins the title. Cornette then announced that he would be the third judge. He admonished Aries and Black to be “in it to win it” and give the fans a classic match because anything can happen if the match has to be decided by the judges.

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