Garth 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Card for the weekend is thus: Night One ROH World Tag Team Title Match Jay & Mark Briscoe defend vs. Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness FIP Heavyweight Title Four Way Fray Roderick Strong vs. Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave vs. Gran Akuma "Race To The Top" Tournament- First Round Matches: Bracket A BJ Whitmer vs. Pelle Primeau Davey Richards vs. Jigsaw Bracket B Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero with Larry Sweeney, Tank Toland & Bobby Dempsey Delirious vs. El Generico Bracket C Claudio Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked Matt Sydal vs. Mike Quackenbush Bracket D: -Jack Evans vs. Kevin Steen -Brent Albright vs. Matt Cross Night Two $10,000 Tag Team Challenge Two captains will be chosen and announced on ROHwrestling.com on the morning of 7/28 (after the events of 7/27 unfold). At the show in Edison, each captain will choose the three members of his team for an eight man tag team bout. The members can be anyone not still in the "Race To The Top" tournament. The winning team will get to divide $10,000. "Race To The Top Tournament" Tournament Quarter Finals Bracket A: BJ Whitmer vs. Pelle Primeau winner vs. Davey Richards vs. Jigsaw winner Bracket B: Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero winner vs. Delirous vs. El Generico winner Bracket A Winner vs. Bracket B Winner to determine who goes to the finals!!! "Race To The Top Tournament" Tournament Quarter Finals Bracket C: Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked winner vs. Matt Sydal vs. Mike Quackenbush winner Bracket D: Matt Cross vs. Brent Albright winner vs. Jack Evans vs. Kevin Steen winner Bracket C Winner vs. Bracket D Winner to determine who goes to the finals!!! Also scheduled to appear: Austin Aries; ROH World Tag Team Champions Jay & Mark Briscoe; Bryan Danielson; Nigel McGuinness; Roderick Strong of the No Remorse Corps; Jimmy Rave; plus more. It's been a while since ROH have done a big tournament like this. Should be two nights of good solid action. No Morishima title defences, yet the cards are still very stong. I like the sound of $10,000 challenge. Gives those chosen a real reason to fight, rather than just being thrown out there. I'm guessing either Danielson & McGuinness or Strong & Aries as the two team captains. I'd really like to see maybe a Hero/Claudio final to really cement the two of them as main players in ROH. Both have had a lot of face time in ROH, but neither is really seen as real threat to the title at this point. Could winning this tournament change that? Also, have these two really done much since the KOW split? It doesn't seem like Claudio has come even close to getting back at Hero since. Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jingus 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 I like the sound of $10,000 challenge. Gives those chosen a real reason to fight, rather than just being thrown out there. I dunno, every time a large amount of money is mentioned in a wrestling storyline it completely kills my sense of disbelief. Like, every fan in the audience knows that none of those guys are actually gonna be paid ten grand. It's a false and arbitrary way to drum up excitement for a match, since it's based on something you'll never actually see the results of. Someone who wins this match isn't gonna get a title shot down the road, or get beaten down by the heels, or whatever; they're just gonna go apeshit over getting handed a big briefcase full of "money" and it'll never be mentioned in storylines again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Garth 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 Whilst certainly not the best reason in wrestling for people to be fighting one another, I do feel it is somewhat better than no reason at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Flamboyance 0 Report post Posted July 23, 2007 I'll be at the Saturday show. Can't wait. I just look at the $10,000 match as some sort of homage to DragonGate. I hope that Aries will be a captain. Havent seen him in a ring since 5YF NYC. Been a looooong time. Also, I wouldnt mind Hero vs Claudio at the finals. While Hero can already be considered a top guy in the company, Claudio hasnt been doing anything of note after the KOW split up at Final Battle 06. Everybody assumed the feud between Hero and Double C would start during and after Battle Of The Icons, when they were involved in that 3 way with Daniels. Nothing really came of it. This can be his shot to go up in the ranks. At the same time, newer mainstays like Albright, Cross, or Stevens can benefit too and maybe even better than Castagnoli. I would love it if Quack won but that's not going to happen. Whatever happens, it's going to be good. I don't doubt that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smartly Pretty 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Hey, someone who's been following more closely than I, has Gabe booked Sterling James Keenan as of late? I never understood why he was never a consistent name in ROH. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 The $10,000 match now is like the "Contract" matches in the early days "If they win this contract they'll be paid more and flown into shows" yeah yeah, whatever. And it seems like everyone eventually gets a title shot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Hey, someone who's been following more closely than I, has Gabe booked Sterling James Keenan as of late? I never understood why he was never a consistent name in ROH. No and it's because he was horrible every time he was given a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Flamboyance 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Yeah I think Keenan's last match was in February during the Fifth Year Festival tour against Jimmy Rave. I really don't remember anything from the match besides the end. Rave won obviously. I remember thinking he had a cool look. It's the only SJK match I've seen and I can't really judge him from it since Rave matches are pretty hit or miss. Everyone else seems to bash anything he has done in ROH though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smartly Pretty 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 He's excellent. People are too negative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 He's fine in other smaller promotions but the facts are facts, he hasn't performed well enough to get a spot over better talent or people that suit ROH's needs more effectively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smartly Pretty 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Kevin Steen sucks dick. We could take his spot away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 ^ Wrong. SJK: Keenan got over great in 1PW, which had a more loaded line-up than most ROH shows. Once he moved away from being CM Punk lite. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted July 24, 2007 Kevin Steen sucks dick. We could take his spot away. Ever since he came back teaming with Generico, Steen's gotten way over, and the feud with the Briscoes is doing wonders for him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Garth 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2007 Pre-Show Match: Shane Hagadorn and Alex "Sugarfoot" Payne vs. Mitch Franklin and Ernie Osiris Hagadorn pins Franklin after a roll-up with a handful of tights. Pre-Show SHIMMER Exhibition: Daizee Haze and Ariel vs. Sara Del Rey and Portia Perez with "Sweet and Sour" Larry Sweeney Sara Del Ray wins with the Royal Butterfly on Ariel End of Pre-show Main Show Results Race To the Top First Round Match: BJ Whitmer vs. Pelle Primeau Pelle gets an early advantage due to his speed, but it does not last. BJ is working heel, but succumbs to a small package PELE WINS!!!! He crowd surfs to celebrate and Whitmer attacks Mitch Franklin then goes after a crowd surfing Pelle. He powerbombs him in the corner, follows with a lariat, hits a brainbuster and is met with a "BJ Blew it" chant from the fans. Winner: Pelle Primeau via small package Race To the Top First Round Match: Davey Richards vs. Jigsaw Davey puts the hurt on Jig to start. But Jigsaw kicks out of the DR driver. Jigsaw's luck could not hold out for long, as he soon after tapped to the Key Lock. Winner: Davey Richards via submission with the keylock. Race To the Top First Round Match: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked Claudio was a step ahead of Hallowicked through this mostly back and forth affair. Claudio hit the Alpamare Waterslide, but 'Wicked kicked out a two. The Ricola bomb was enough to finish it though. Winner: Claudio Castagnoli Race To the Top First Round Match: "Lightning Mike Quackenbush vs. Matt Sydal Larry Sweeney starts of talking trash to Quack. Sweeney sends all of Sweet and Sour Inc. to the back claiming that Sydal has an easy night.The match starts with a mix of speed and mat wrestling from both competitors. Quack takes control early, only to be met with a spinning heel kick from Sydal. Matt locks in a crossface. Quack scores with a backpack stunner for two. They go back and forth with Sydal showing more speed, and Quack showing more mat prowess. Sydal hits the "Here it is" Driver for a close two count. Quack comes back with a faceplant and a rollup for the victory. Mike Quackenbush advances. Winner: "Lightning" Mike Quackenbush Race to the Top First Round Match: Chris Hero vs. Erick Stevens Chris Hero starts by doing push-ups.Stevens hits a Michinoku Driver but is unable to score the three because Sweeney interrupts the count. Hero is able to catch Stevens with the Hero's Welcome for the victory and a berth in the second round. Winner: Chris Hero Four Way Fray for the FIP World Title: Roderick Strong © vs. Gran Akuma vs. Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave Aries is met with a standing ovation and a "Welcome Back!" chant. It is all for naught though, as he is the first eliminated, pinned by all three men. Akuma is the next to go after a heel hook from Jimmy Rave, who got a big face reaction from the Long Island crowd. Rave is working as the babyface against the heel Roderick Strong, but it is not enough as he taps out to the stronghold. Winner: Roderick Strong ~Intermission~ Race to the Top First Round Match: El Generico vs Delirious The match starts with a back and forth between the two masked grapplers. Generico has the crowd firmly behind him with his aerial arsenal. El Generico scores with two yakuza kicks and a brainbuster for the win over the man from the edge of sanity. Winner: El Generico Race to the Top First Round Match: Matt Cross vs. Brent Albright Matt Cross is not receiving a favorable reaction from the Long Island fans.Cross is off to an early advantage using speed to his advantage. Cross hits a Sasuke special #2. Albright goes after the arm and locks in the crowbar, but Cross is able to reach the ropes. Albright hits the half nelson suplex but lifts Cross up before the three. He hits a press slam and a Crowbar and that is all she wrote as Cross taps. Winner: Brent Albright Race to the Top First Round Match: Kevin Steen vs. Jack Evans Kevin Steen goes on offense early kicking Jack during his break dance routine.Evans responds with a sick hands free jumping dropkick to the floor. Steen throws Evans into the guardrail nearly breaking the sidekick of some greasy internet geek sitting front row in the process. Evans attempts to make a comeback but Steen decides things would be better if he dropped Jack on his head. Steen hits a Swanton and the Steensault, but it is not enough to put Evans down. Jack comes back with the tree of woe double knee drop. He hits the 630 and scores the victory. Winner: Jack Evans via pinfall with the 630. (***3/4) Ring of Honor Tag Team Championship Match: Jay and Mark Briscoe© vs. Nigel McGuinness and "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson The Briscoes put the hurt on Nigel to start, so much so in fact that Dragon asks McGuinness if he needs help. After a four way brawl McGuinness and Danielson finally take control. Jay gets his with a Tower of London and a super backdrop, and somewhere along the way was busted open, but he makes the hot tag to Mark. They go for the springboard doomsday device, but it is reversed. Dragon locks in the cattle mutilation but it is broken up by a big splash from Jay Briscoe. Nigel gains control and is more than holding his own against both Briscoes. Nigel hits the top rope mounted lariat! He could not get the pin because it was broken upThe Briscoes regain control, and the sidewalk slam/legdrop combo only nets two. The jawbreaker lariat is reversed into an exploder, but once again only two. Another Briscoe double team, and Nigel just will not stay down. Mark's shooting star press is met with Nigel's knees while Dragon suplexes Jay. All four men are up and brawling, Nigel and Dragon get the upper hand and try for the rebound lariat and roaring elbow, Nigel is hit by Dragon and gets rolled up for three. Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe via pinfall after opponent miscommunication ad a roll-up. (****) -From the ROH Boards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2007 Yes! Quack v. Claudio to steal the show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cuban Linx 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2007 Brackets for the rest of the tournament: Bracket A: Pelle Primeau vs. Davey Richards Bracket B: El Generico vs. Chris Hero Bracket C: Mike Quackenbush vs. Claudio Castagnoli Bracket D: Brent Albright vs. Jack Evans Quack/Castagnoli has been awesome every time it's happened, ideally we end up with either Hero/Castagnoli or Generico/Evans in the finals, worst case scenario we get Richards/Albright. Add in the 8 man tag (something like Nigel/Briscoes/Aries vs Danielson/Sydal/Strong/Rave would be suitably great, though i can see them splitting the Briscoes for this match) and the 6 man mayhem with the left over guys and this is looking like a damn good lineup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jotumare Report post Posted July 28, 2007 thank god we have Quack vs Claudio, that will be the MOTN. Hero/Claudio for the finals!. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk 34 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2007 1. Daizee Haze d. Sara Del Rey, Alicia and Portia Perez when she pinned Portia. 2. Gran Akuma, Mitch Franklin and Ernie Osiris d. Rhett Titus, Alex Payne and Shane Hagadorn. RTTT Second Round Match 3. El Generico d. Chris Hero at 10:48. RTTT Second Round Match 4. Davey Richards d. Pelle Primeau in 4:24. RTTT Second Round Match 5. Jack Evans d. Brent Albright in 9:44. Albright's foot was on the rope but the ref didn't notice. RTTT Second Round Match 6. Claudio Castagnoli d. Mike Quackenbush in 12:27. 7. Danielson and McGuiness draft teams. Team Dragon: AmDrag, Matt Sydal, Austin Aries and Mark Briscoe Team Nigel: Nigel, Roderick Strong, Delirious and Jay Briscoe. October 6th is the return date. RTTT Semi Final 8. El Generico d. Davey Richards with a turnbuckle brainbuster to move on to the finals. RTTT Semi Final 9. Claudio Castagnoli d. Jack Evans in 9:09 to move on to face El Generico in the finals. Intermission 10. Erick Stevens d. Kevin Steen, Jigsaw, Hallowicked, Matt Cross and BJ Whitmer in 10:58 when he pinned Jigsaw. 11. Team Dragon vs Team Nigel for $10,000. It is NOT an elimination match. Team Dragon wins when Aries pins Nigel after a 450 splash in 20:39. It was 3 on 1 for a while as the Briscoes teamed up to beat everyone up then left and teammates Delirious and Strong then brawled to the back leaving Nigel on his own. RTTT Final 12. Claudio Castagnoli d. El Generico in 18:47 to win the Race to the Top Tournament. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jotumare Report post Posted July 29, 2007 from what I've heard, although it was a kinda strange booked show, it was an overall good/great show. Glad Claudio won, but I really thought Hero was going to win it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HollywoodSpikeJenkins 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2007 Claudio/El Generico as the finals? Very strange. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
