By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Ring of Honor TV Report
May 2, 2009 - Week 7 on HDNet
Taped 4/9 in Philadelphia, Pa.

After the opening video package, they went to the ring for a wide-shot of the arena. Different feel to this new "set" of ROH TV tapings. Ring announcer Bobby Cruise was in the ring with ROH president Cary Silken. Cruise then introduced Ric Flair for his ROH TV debut.

Flair's music hit (apparently they got the rights to Flair's classic theme) and he slowly walked out to the ring. Flair adjusted his tie after playing to the fans along the aisleway, then he took the mic from Cruise. Silken exited to the timekeeper's table as Flair took the ring for himself.

Flair said it's Ring of Honor, HDNet, and the Nature Boy in the same building. "Whoo!" Flair said he's just not going to retire and leave pro wrestling. Flair said that when ROH called him, he didn't blink or think. Flair + ROH = works for him. He put over management and talent in the back. There might even be a Nature Boy back there. There might be a Shawn Michaels. Triple H (boos). Flair said the wrestlers work as hard as anyone he's ever been associated with. He then brought out ROH champion Jerry Lynn, who he called a good friend of his.

Flair and Lynn shook hands mid-ring, then Flair complemented him as being World champion caliber. He said Lynn is The Man right now. He handed the mic to Flair and he thanked Cary Silken for the opportunity to come to ROH to show that he still has what it takes. Lynn took Flair back to 1995 for the first time they stepped foot in the ring. Lynn said Flair was in a car wreck before the show, but Flair still showed up, gutted through the pain, and put on a performance for the fans. He said he learned about honor, pride, and passion.

Lynn said he beat The Man in ROH to become champion and now it's difficult just to stay The Man in the company. He thanked Flair for his support, then they shook hands. Suddenly, Austin Aries's music interrupted. Aries was dressed in some 1970s club-scene wear. Sharp. Aries said he has respect for both of them, but he was The Man long before either one of them showed up on the scene.

Aries said he walked the aisle every night defending that ROH Title belt. You want to talk about champions? Aries said he feels he should be out here to chat. Aries said A-Double is still the top and he's coming after that title. Aries said after he destroys Roderick Strong tonight, there won't be any question on who the man is.

Flair paused and simply said he likes Aries's attitude. Simple and to the point. Flair said if Aries is in the main event, then he must be a pretty good hand. Aries sarcastically thanked "Ric" for the kind words, and he said he can back up everything he says with his mouth in the ring. Awkward silence. Aries backed away, then Flair's music hit to close the opening segment.

Segment Analysis: Simple, to the point. Aries stood out for being the over-the-top heel character in the segment. Flair was a reserved, respectful Flair without having to be a caricature of himself like he's presented in WWE. Lynn was just, well, Lynn, which is fine. Good exchange to set up the ROH Title chase.

In-ring: Chris Hero and Co. came out to the ring for the opening match. No inset promos on this set of TVs apparently. Kenny Omega then came out as the opposition.

1 -- CHRIS HERO (w/Shane Hagadorn and Sara Del Rey) vs. KENNY OMEGA

Hero was back in long trunks (with a Camo design) after experimenting with traditional black trunks. After a brief feeling-out process, Omega took Hero to the floor and nailed a dive to the outside. Back in the ring, Omega nailed a top rope cross-body splash for a two count. Hero then took the advantage and used a distraction from Sara Del Rey to smash Omega with the loaded elbow pad for the pin and the win.

WINNER: Hero in 5:00. Just a match to establish two characters since there wasn't an issue on the line. Focus was on Hero's heel tactics using the loaded elbow pad. Okay match, but not memorable since there wasn't an issue and they were only given five minutes. (*1/4)

Backstage: Kyle Durden brought in Roderick Strong for a promo for the TV main event tonight. Strong said he did look up to Austin Aries for a second when they were together as a team, but he figured out that Aries has respect for no one. He says he's going to make Aries respect him tonight.

Inset promo: Brodie Lee promised not a single wrestling move tonight when he faces Necro Butcher. Necro said he's bringing the fight to Lee tonight. And no wrestling holds. Well, that's reassuring.

2 -- BRODIE LEE (w/Jimmy Jacobs) vs. NECRO BUTCHER

Necro brought a chair to the ring. Obviously they went with the "no wrestling holds" pre-match discussion to differentiate the match from ROH's strict adherence to rules for regular matches. Match started on the floor with Necro blasting Brodie with repeat chair shots. Match eventually moved into the ring to officially start the match...with a wrestling hold. What gives?! Jacobs then hopped on the apron to run interference, but Necro bumped Lee into Jacobs on accident. Bell sounded early. Necro then rolled up Lee from behind for the pin and the win. Bell sounded again.

WINNER: Necro in 3:00 official minutes. They raised expectations too high by promising no wrestling holds. Instead, they tried to have a wrestling match. Ugh. (n/a)

Buzz Words: Erick Stevens has a few more buzz words for us. Powerful. Aggressive. Intense. Unstoppable. A Runaway Train. Choo-Choo.

[Commercial Break]

Austin Aries promo: They showed us future clips of Aries in the ring and also some promo clips of him talking to us about, well, himself. Hooray for Aries.

Earlier tonight: Ric Flair debuted on ROH TV. "What a moment!" Mike Hogewood said on commentary as his voice continued to escalate. Dave Prazak then plugged the TV main event of Aries vs. Strong.

In-ring: A man was already in the ring in the dark shadows. Sal Rinauro was the victim for Erick Stevens tonight.

3 -- ERICK STEVENS vs. SAL RINAURO

Prazak said in wrestle-speak that Stevens needs to stop facing jobbers and face tougher competition in ROH to prove himself. Stevens ran over Sal in the corner before he made Hogewood shout for joy with the Doctor Bomb for the win. So, I guess that's Aggressive, Unstoppable, and Runaway Train from the Buzz Words.

WINNER: Stevens in 1:00. Squash to establish Stevens's buzz words. Basic deal, but fine. (n/a)

Video package: Hog and Prazak narrated clips of Tyler Black and Bryan Danielson going to a 20-minute draw on last week's show. They'll face each other next week in a "Top Contender" match for the ROH Title. Also next week, former champion Nigel McGuinness will be on the show.

In-ring: Austin Aries came to the ring dripping with sweat and/or oil. We saw a video recap from the opening segment when A-Double reminded us he's tops. Roderick Strong then came out for the main event. Hog, once again, told us to check out the crowd reaction for the babyface. Too bad we can't hear the crowd to verify Hog's claim. Aries and Strong adhered to the code of honor for a pre-match handshake and Aries sarcastically grinned at Strong as he shook hands. Let's go to work.

4 -- AUSTIN ARIES vs. RODERICK STRONG

Neither man gained an advantage early on as they slowly built an even battle for the match. Aries had the first offensive flurry with a series of armdrags. Strong came back, then Aries offered a handshake truce, but Double-A slapped Strong across the chest when Strong nearly took the bait. Aries began his offensive attack with his heel mannerisms to keep the action interesting until Strong made his comeback with a dropkick for a two count. Strong ripped off a series of trademark chops before nailing a backbreaker for another nearfall. Action moved to the floor and Aries connected with a suicide dive on the floor to cut off Strong's momentum.

At 10:00, Aries went back on the offensive. Strong cut him right off, though, and landed an enziguiri kick in the corner for another close pin attempt. Aries blocked a clothesline attempt, then he slowly built his offensive advantage again. Strong caught Aries out of the corner for a gutbuster, though, and landed a trademark leaping kick before slapping on the Boston Crab. Aries reached the ropes for a break, then Strong slapped the hold on again. Aries broke again, then Strong wanted a butterfly suplex, but Aries countered into a clothesline. Strong tried to block a suplex attempt, but Aries executed his brainbuster suplex for the clean pin and the win to prove himself to Ric Flair.

WINNER: Aries in 15:00. Aries is such a great heel and he truly stands out in ROH for having a character that fans can relate to: either they like him for being a good character or can't stand him because he's a cocky, arrogant heel. The match itself was okay, but didn't move out of first gear. I've seen better Aries matches and I've seen better Strong matches. ROH still hasn't addressed the lack of crowd involvement on their TV broadcasts. The audience is so far removed from the action both vocally and visually inside the darkened arena that the action looks like it's occurring inside a studio box.(**3/4)

Next week: Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black. ... They cut to a video interview with Bryan Danielson, who said he's going to prove he's the top contender for the ROH Title. He said Black is very athletic and strong, but he's still better than Black right here, right now. Cut to Black, who cut a promo sporting his hoodie and baseball cap. Black said he'll establish himself at the top of the pecking order in ROH.

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