Blog Archives
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 10/19/16: A Vow For Control
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 10/19/16)
A Vow For Control
– The opening video logically showed highlights of Ring Of Honor’s biggest occurrence in the year’s second half – Ladder War VI from All Star Extravaganza, as The Young Bucks overcame The Addiction and The Motor City Machine Guns to become the new ROH World Tag Team Champions.
ROH All Star Extravaganza VIII Reaction
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
As the days wind down to Ring Of Honor’s biggest show of the year, Final Battle, at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Dec. 2, we could see pieces begin to take shape.
ROH World Champion Adam Cole was on a tear.
While he had foes like Jay Lethal and Kyle O’Reilly on his tail, he seemed destined to go to war with the two of them eventually.
On a show remembered best for some great headline matches, the first thought that’ll come about is the Ladder VI main event that was for the ROH World Tag Team Championships between Champions The Addiction, The Young Bucks and The Motor City Machine Guns.
Lowell, Massachussets was in for a treat.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 9/21/16: Prepped For Ladder War
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 9/21/16)
Prepped For Ladder War
– This episode was best known for Steve Corino’s “return” to color commentary on Ring Of Honor television after a one-year suspension. Yes, the catchphrases are back and they won’t have to sub in “Mr. Wrestling III” anymore. Of course, we have our fears of BJ Whitmer back in the picture, but let’s stay optimistic.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 9/7/16: Some Lethal Backup
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 9/7/16)
Some Lethal Backup
– The opening video sent us back to Ring Of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor XIV Pay-Per-View when ROH World Champion Adam Cole shocked the world and defeated Jay Lethal to win the belt before he was soundly laid out by an angry Kyle O’Reilly.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 3/30/16: Hit By The Truth
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 3/30/16)
Hit By The Truth
– The Four Corner Survival match between Roderick Strong, Moose (w/Stokely Hathaway), Adam Page and Matt Sydal gave us a decent ensemble of clashing personalities. Page was angry, Roddy was cocky, Moose was fancy and Sydal liked to fly. It just worked. Good near-falls down the stretch. Page drew close to a win, but a BJ Whitmer distraction allowed Strong to hit him with a knee strike and win.
ROH 14th Anniversary Show Reaction
Photo courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Despite the adage, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas, since Ring Of Honor held its 14th Anniversary Show live on Pay-Per-View and stars from New Japan Pro-Wrestling were also here for the party at Sam’s Town.
An underwhelming undercard was made up for by a better second half, fronted by the triple-threat for the ROH World Championship between Champion Jay Lethal, Kyle O’Reilly and Adam Cole and an insane six-man tag.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 2/24/16: Patience Wears Thin
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 2/24/16)
Patience Wears Thin
– Another week, another match where ROH World Television Champion Roderick Strong takes on “the world.” This time, it was Jonathan Gresham. We had a brief promo before the bell from Veda Scott, who tried to buy Cedric Alexander that TV Title shot, tying back to when Gresham upset Alexander, as Gresham valiantly turned down a check offer. Good explanation from commentary in questioning the legitimacy of Scott’s promise, saying that she couldn’t have had that much money from the lawsuit settlement and having a possible clause that’d get her out of dishing out that cash. As for the match, it had the makings of a Strong squash, as he boasted beaming confidence en route to his match against Bobby Fish that’d take place at ROH’s 14th Anniversary. Gresham put on an impressive showing, perhaps his best to date, moving around with ease, switching from submission to submission, even scoring a close near-fall on Roddy before a knee strike did him in. The post-match interaction with Fish and Strong fit their feud, as Fish attacked Strong coming out of the crowd and taunted him to fight, only for the heel Strong to raise his belt and back away.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 1/13/16: The Boys Are Back In Town
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 1/13/16)
The Boys Are Back In Town
– Ever since returning to Ring Of Honor unannounced, it has been expected that fans would buy back All-Night Express as an unstoppable force, with no explanation of their whereabouts the last three years. We only know they’re doing well and want the World Tag Team Titles, like any team should. The lack of explanation and character development for ANX has alienated fans from embracing them and that led to the story told in the opening match between ANX and Roppongi Vice, which was a keen way to kick of the hour with good action. It appears ANX – already the #1 Contender’s – are showing more heel tendencies and reacting to the crowd’s lack of enthusiasm for their moves and maneuvers. As the match progressed, their actions became more ruthless and calculated. The finish served to make ANX look clever by way of ring awareness, as King blindly tagged in right before Rhett Titus was seemingly finished off, as King snuck in the winning pinfall. Rocky Romero stood out in the match for his enthusiasm and Trent Barretta also shined in his aerial moves. Wish we knew more about Roppongi Vice from an ROH perspective, because they rock a swagger all their own. Creatively, this was a better way to tell the story with ANX going forward and with War Machine as Champs, it makes it possible.
Notes In Observance – ROH Wrestling 12/23/15: A Christmas Surprise
Image provided courtesy of Ring Of Honor.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 12/23/15)
A Christmas Surprise
– The Will Ferrara-Caprice Coleman match had developments from prior bouts with their relations to Prince Nana, who also happened to be the color commentator. Coleman’s pre-match promo proclaimed he was the first envelope and “thicker.” Nana explained he wanted his people to implement what was inside of the envelopes. They went into a slugfest going with Coleman’s recent heel tendencies, even Ferrara to an extent. It’s a smart use of both guys given they were stale white-meat babyfaces prior. Liked the dynamic with both guys using heel moves. Tough landing on the first Trinity suplex for Ferrara. The match was thrown out for both guys using steel chairs at each other at the same time. Logical within the storyline, but did the officials really need to come out to sell it?
ROH Final Battle 2015 Reaction
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
Following the ways of now-defunct World Championship Wrestling, Ring Of Honor prides itself on concluding the year with its biggest show – a little year-end bash called “Final Battle.”
2015 ROH boasts competitive matches plenty, a fierce Tag Team division, logical storylines and above all else, ROH World Champion Jay Lethal arguably in the prime of his career.
This edition of Final Battle delivered on the hype, even if it was more about being predictable to set up storylines for the new year than creating true moments to drop our jaws.
In this case, it doesn’t hurt to be predictable.
Pro Wrestling Opinion 