By James Caldwell, PWTorch.com assistant editor

Ring of Honor TV Report
April 18, 2009 - Week 5 on HDNet
Taped 3/1 in Philadelphia , Pa.

After the opening video package, they went back to "previously" from last week's show for a look at Delirious, Aries, and Jerry Lynn victorious in singles action. Tonight, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright.

In-studio: Mike Hogewood let us know about some exciting matches tonight. Yay. Dave Prazak raised his eyebrows several times before plugging tonight's main event of Claudio vs. Albright.

Inset promo: Jimmy Jacobs cut a promo ahead of our opener. He ripped Necro Butcher, then came to the ring. Necro had a pre-match promo in the inset threatening to use a staple gun. Butcher came out to face Jacobs as Prazak complained about Necro trying to use the weapon in a regular ROH match.

1 -- NECRO BUTCHER vs. JIMMY JACOBS

Necro shook off a pre-match attack from Jacobs, then Jacobs tried to make right with a handshake. Necro shook, then punched him to the face. Necro grabbed Jacobs by the belt, Mike Hogewood flipped out on commentary, and Necro chucked him to the floor to use various weapons on Jacobs. Necro tried a table spot, but Jacobs blocked and gave Necro a suplex on the floor. Back in the ring, Necro came back with a Tiger Driver, but he did not want to take the pin just yet. Necro grabbed a staple gun, but Brodie Lee jumped Necro from behind for a DQ. Jacobs tried to staple Necro post-match, but Necro fought him off and he ran away with Lee.

WINNER: Necro via DQ in 6:00. Just fine as an opening match, but it seems like this program has been going on for a while without any sense of resolution. (*1/2)

Backstage: Kyle Durden brought in Brent Albright to discuss his "personal" feud against Claudio Castagnoli. He said they're going to show the world how much they hate each other. Albright said that everyone is going to see how much hate he has for Claudio tonight.

Inset promo: Sami Callihan cut a "yell and scream" promo prior to his match against Eddie Kingston. After Sami came out, Eddie Kingston cut a brief gangster promo in the inset. Crowd responded pretty well for Eddie.

2 -- EDDIE KINGSTON vs. SAMI CALLIHAN

Very physical early on, as Kingston landed head butts and forearm blows. Crowd heavily behind Kingston, who maintained the intensity of the match until Sami cut him off. Crowd all over Sami, who tried to cut down the larger Kingston, but he came up bleeding from the bridge of his nose. Kingston then came back with a back-drop driver and spinning back fist for the pin.

WINNER: Kingston in 6:00. Really good TV match. Intense and physical to make the match stand-out on the card. Kingston with a great TV debut. (**1/2)

Backstage: Claudio towered over Durden, who talked about rage and anger being at the centerpiece of the feud between Claudio and Albright. Claudio called Durden's tie very American trash, whereas his scarf is...very European. So great. Claudio said Albright represents everything that is wrong with this country.

[Commercial Break]

In-studio: Hogewood and Prazak brought in Jerry Lynn via satellite to discuss his recent ROH Tile victory. Lynn said he's going to defend the title against any and everyone. Yay. Hogewood asked Prazak for his thoughts on Lynn winning the title. Prazak said a lot of people are going to be coming after Lynn, including Claudio as a real threat to the title.

Inset promo: Bobby Dempsey said he's going to prove he's not a fat whipping boy anymore. He's going to drive our heads right through the mat. Wonderful. Already in the ring was the pathetic-looking Orange Cassidy?

3 -- BOBBY DEMPSEY vs. DUDE IN GREEN TRUNKS

Dempsey with a chest-bump and Death Valley Driver for the quick win over Cassidy.

WINNER: Dempsey in 0:20. Quick and painless. (n/a)

Buzz words: Erick Stevens gave us some words about himself while a video package showed him in action. Powerful, Aggressive, Intense, Unstoppable, and a Runaway Train.

Inset promo: Cheech and Cloudy cut a cliche-filled promo, then came to the ring for a tag match. Kenny King and Rhett Titus let us know what time it is on the pre-match promo before entering the ring.

4 -- RHETT TITUS & KENNY KING vs. CHEECH & CLOUDY

Titus and King dominated early on with the obvious size advantage over the smaller C&C. King lost control, then C&C made a comeback with some solid tag team maneuvers. C&C followed with a double 619 on Titus, but King shoved Cloudy off the top rope into the guardrail. Ouch. King and Titus then hit a double team powerbomb and Blockbuster on Cheech for the pin and the win.

WINNERS: Titus & King in 6:00. Solid tag team victory for Titus and King, who is a star on the rise. C&C look like the stereotype of independent wrestlers and not ready for prime time, but they performed well in the loss. (*3/4)

In-ring: Claudio Castagnoli came out first for the main event of the show. He was still sporting the very European scarf that the fans hated. Brent Albright then came out as the opposition. Before Albright could enter the ring, Claudio attacked Albright from behind on the floor.

4 -- BRENT ALBRIGHT vs. CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI

Match moved into the ring for the official start and Albright was able to remove his ring jacket. Match moved back to the floor where Claudio scooped up Albright and ran all the way across the floor before smashing him into the guardrail. Nice spot to gain the advantage. Back in the ring, Claudio went to work on Albright. They went back and forth before Claudio landed a springboard European uppercut for a two count. Claudio followed with the awesome Big Swing, then Albright blocked a Eurocutt, but Claudio came back with a bicycle kick.

Claudio argued a two count, so Albright slapped on a crowbar submission in center ring. Claudio reached the ropes, though. Albright wanted to follow with a half-nelson suplex, but Claudio blocked. This led to a fast-paced exchange in center ring until Claudio scored a pin with a victory roll as he grabbed the ropes for the last-second advantage. Hogewood and Prazak argued the decision, but Prazak said the ref didn't see it and Claudio deserved the win.

WINNER: Claudio in 13:00. Good TV main event. Definitely above expectations and they put together a memorable match with action on the floor and in the ring. Neither man is in position to draw money for the company, but ROH featured them in a nice match on this week's TV show to build recognition with newer ROH fans. (***)

Next week: Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black.

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