By Sean Radican, Torch columnist

RADICAN’S ROH TV REPORT
AIRED APRIL 28, 2012
BALTIMORE, MD

Highlights aired from the Briscoes retaining the ROH World Tag Team Titles against Haas & Benjamin at “Showdown in the Sun: Day 2.” The highlights focused on WGTT’s post-match attack on Jay Briscoe.

Kevin Kelly ran down the lineup for the show on commentary. Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander made their way down to the ring for a Proving Ground match. McGuinness called them a team on the rise. The Briscoes came down to the ring next to a big pop. Kelly ran down the Tale of the Tape prior to the opening bell. The Briscoes elected not to follow the Code of Honor.

1 - - ROH World Tag Team Champions JAY & MARK BRISCOE vs. CAPRICE COLEMAN & CEDRICK ALEXANDER – Proving Ground match

Kelly discussed the Briscoes upcoming ROH World Tag Team title defense against WGTT in a Fight Without Honor at the upcoming “Border Wars” at iPPV. The Briscoes worked over Alexander, but he managed to tag in Coleman, who ran wild on the Briscoes. Jay ducked a kick and hit a chokeslam on Coleman. That move looks so odd when it’s not a big man doing it. Mark tagged in and walked the ropes before dropping an elbow on Coleman, which drew a pop from the crowd. Coleman escaped the Briscoes moments later and tagged in Alexander, who ran wild. The announcers touched on the excellent Elgin vs. Richards match during WrestleMania weekend and hinted at possible dissension in the House of Truth between Strong and Elgin. The Briscoes turned the tide and hit a tandem neckbreaker on Alexander with Coleman down on the outside.

Coleman shoved Jay off the top to the outside. WGTT then ran out and nailed Jay with a low blow that the ref didn’t see it. Coleman hit a running hurricanrana on Mark and Alexander followed up with a big splash off the top for the win.

Winners: Cedrick Alexander & Caprice Coleman – This was a good, short television match. The announcers got a chance to highlight the ongoing war between the Briscoes and WGTT while touching on several highlights from the WrestleMania weekend shows. The way Alexander & Coleman won the match doesn’t exactly establish them as credible threats to the ROH World Tag Team titles, although they are certainly deserving of being booked in that position.

Veda Scott interviewed Prince Nana, R.D. Evans, and Truth Martini backstage. Evans said a talent contract had been transferred from House of Truth to Embassy Limited. Martini said he had purchased Rhino’s contract. Rhino said his opponent doesn’t matter tonight. Rhino said Edwards would die at the “Border Wars” iPPV in Toronto. Rhino promised to rip Edwards in half with a gore. That was a bit over the top.

Vinny Marseglia was out to make his ROH debut to face Rhino. He was billed as being from Warwick, Rhode Island, which drew a pop from me. Rhino came out with Martini to a good pop. Martini got on the mic and bragged about the HOT’s success. The crowd popped for Rhino when Martini brought up his name. Martini promised Rhino would plow through the competition. Martini told Vinny he hoped his mom and dad kissed him goodbye because they will never see him again after Rhino hits the gore. Kelly and McGuinness ran down the tale of the tape. Rhino refused to follow the Code of Honor.

2 - - RHINO (w/Truth Martini) vs. VINNY MARSEGLIA

Rhino went to town on Marseglia and hit the gore for the pin.

Winner: Rhino – That was a good and effective squash.

Kelly said Martini had made the deal of the century in acquiring Rhino.

(Commercial break)

Kevin Kelly introduced Jim Cornette in the ring before bringing out Kevin Steen. Steen made his way down to the ring with a Canadian flag draped over his shoulders with Jimmy Jacobs at his side. Cornette berated Steen on the mic. Steen told Cornette he had brought his flag to make him feel more comfortable. He made fun of the “Border Wars” iPPV name and asked Cornette if it was 1997 again. Steen kept cutting Cornette off. He asked Cornette if Richards was stuck up Cornette’s rear end. Steen howled at Cornette’s rear end in an attempt to lure Richards out. Richards’s music played and he came down to the ring with an American flag draped over his shoulders.

Richards said he had brought out the most important flag. Richards told Steen it would be no joke when he kicked Steen’s fat head all the way back to America, which is the best country in the world. Steen said this isn’t about flags. Steen said it was about the ROH World title and the issue between him and Richards. Steen said they used to be close. Steen said he remembered after he was kicked out of ROH, he picked Richards up at the airport. Steen said he told Richards about how ROH was his life and Richards looked at him and promised to help him. Steen said Richards didn’t do s—t. Steen said Richards didn’t want him around because he knows that Kevin Steen steals the show every time.

Richards said Steen takes no responsibility for his actions. Richards said Steen is his own biggest problems. Steen asked Richards if he saw a hypocrite when he looks in the mirror. Steen asked Richards how many times he told Cornette he would go back to Japan if he didn’t get his way. Richards said Steen sells tickets. Richards said if Steen gets in the ring with him, he will end him. Richards said they could do this right now. Cornette told them not to go at it. Several officials came out as Cornette said Richards wanted to fight him since day one. Cornette called Steen an attention whore and a pig. Cornette said they both had what they wanted now. Cornette said he wanted one thing from both men. He took out a waiver and asked both men to sign it if anything happened to them so they wouldn’t sue the company. Cornette said if they sign the document, they can kill each other in Toronto. Steen asked what he would get if he sued Cornette and speculated it might be a pile of Smokey Mountain tapes. Both men signed and Cornette reminded them it was Steen’s only shot at the ROH World Title. Steen got on the mic and taunted Cornette for bailing from the ring. He then told Richards that all he needs is one shot to take the title. Richards told Steen he’s got no shot come Toronto.

Radican’s thoughts: A very good segment. It got off to a bit of a dangerous start with the Canada vs. America aspect, but then quickly turned around and focused on the necessary things to get this match over as a huge deal.

(Commercial break)

Kelly previewed the Inside ROH segment focusing on “Border Wars” iPPV that has no iPPV provider yet. Kelly ran down the lineup for “Border Wars.” He focused on the Briscoes vs. WGTT and promised this was the last time we would see these two teams matched up for the ROH World Tag Team Titles (I don’t believe him). Kelly then focused on the Storm-Bennett rematch. A video aired on Lance Storm. Storm narrated the video and said Bennett has great potential, but there’s also great danger in him as well if he continues on this path. Storm said he would make Bennett answer for laying him out after their match during WrestleMania weekend. Storm said he wasn’t going out on his back. Storm said Bennett should have left well enough alone. (Radican note: wow, good promo from Storm)

Kelly then previewed Lethal vs. Ciampa at “Border Wars.” Lethal cut a promo backstage. He talked about Ciampa costing him his TV title during WrestleMania weekend. Lethal said he was going to cost Ciampa his undefeated streak. Lethal said he would be the new dominant male in Toronto. Ciampa was then shown backstage with Embassy Limited. He said he never planned on giving Lethal his title back during WrestleMania weekend. Ciampa says since day one he’s said he’s going to beat everyone and he’s done just that. His voice went soft and Ciampa said Lethal would find out what project Ciampa is all about.

Edwards then cut a promo on Rhino for their match at “Border Wars.” He said Rhino has never had the die hard experience. Edwards said Rhino better hope the gore kills him if he hits it because he will just get back up and keep going. Kelly previewed Finlay-Strong and Cole-Elgin for the “Border Wars” iPPV. Kelly said fans could see this live if they have internet access. He also mentioned ROH wrestlers would be making radio appearances on Live Audio Wrestling.

(Commercial break)

Highlights aired from the Strong-Lethal match during WrestleMania weekend with Ciampa promising to return the TV title to Lethal if he beat Strong. They showed footage of Ciampa interfering on the outside before Strong won the TV title.

Adam Cole came out for the television main event. Roderick Strong was out next with Truth Martini. Kelly said Strong was making his first title defense against Adam Cole. Bobby Cruise did the formal ring introductions. Kelly said Strong had asked him to plug his new t shirt. They showed the Tale of the Tape with Strong holding an edge in experience. Strong followed the Code of Honor prior to the bell.

3 - - ROH TV Champion RODERICK STRONG (w/Truth Martini) vs. ADAM COLE

Cole caught Strong with a neckbreaker during the early going for a 2 count. Strong fired back with some chops a short time later. Cole caught Strong with a boot in the corner and hit an elbow off the second rope for another 2 count. Kelly said Strong and lucked into a title opportunity during WrestleMania weekend with Ciampa goading Lethal into putting his title on the line against Strong. Strong got the upper hand and put the boots to Cole in the corner. Kelly put over Elgin on commentary and said his match against Richards at “Showdown in the Sun: Day 2” was a must-have for your DVD collection. Strong continued to work over Cole, focusing on his back. Kelly said Steen would face O’Reilly next week on television. Kelly pitched to a commercial break.

(Commercial break)

They came back from commercial with Cole trying to mount a comeback. Strong cut him off and hit a big backbreaker for a nearfall. Cole tried to fire back against with punches. He finally ducked a charge from Strong in the corner and took him down with a flurry of offense. Cole then got a nearfall with a dropkick. McGuinness wondered if he would be able to finish off Strong with his German suplex. Elgin came down to ringside. Cole hit a flying knee on Strong for another 2 count. Strong caught Cole by surprise with a rollup for a 2 count. Strong avoided a charge in the corner and hit a gut buster for a 2 count. Cole countered a suplex and dropped Strong head-first onto his knee for a nearfall. Cole went for a slingshot, but Strong shoved him into Elgin on the outside. Cole rolled up Strong and when Strong kicked out he hit a dive through the ropes on Elgin. Cole hit the cross body that pinned Richards on Strong, but Strong kicked out at the last second. Martini nailed Cole with the Book of Truth with the ref trying to hold back Elgin. Strong then hit a huge backbreaker on Cole for the win.

Kelly quickly mentioned Ciampa-Taven and Steen-O’Reilly as being scheduled for next week on ROH television before the show ended.

Winner: Roderick Strong to retain the ROH TV title – A very good main event that played into the ongoing tension being teased between Strong and Elgin. They also protected Cole nicely by having Martini’s interference cost him the win.

Overall thoughts: (7.5) – This was a very good episode of ROH television. They hit all the points they needed to in order to hype the upcoming “Border Wars” iPPV on May 12. The show seems to0 packed at times with Kelly and McGuinness furiously pumping out storyline information, but they did a heck of a job with only an hour of TV time. The only downside is the main event wasn’t hyped very well, but perhaps I missed something during the last couple of weeks when they were airing footage from the iPPVs during WrestleMania weekend.

The segment with Richards, Steen, and Cornette was really well-done. It got off to a bad start with the American vs. Canadian flag element being brought in, but all three men delivered on the mic and made Richards defending the ROH World Title against Strong seem like a huge deal.

The Inside ROH segment was really good this week and hit on a number of matches at the “Border Wars” iPPV. Kelly does a really good job of hosting these magazine style segments and with only an hour of television, the segments do a nice job of letting fans see highlights and hear from the feuding wrestlers. The highlight package narrated by Lance Storm was particularly effective to build his match against Bennett.

Kelly and McGuinness also did a really good job of putting over Elgin on commentary. It’s nice to see ROH following up on Elgin’s performance against Richards at “Showdown in the Sun: Night 2,” but I’m hoping Elgin gets to show what he can do in the ring more often. As for Cole, he seems to have lost steam since beating Richards at the “10th Ann. Show” iPPV, but at least the way he lost to Strong here protected him going forward.

The big issue is the lack of announcement for where fans can watch the ROH “Border Wars” iPPV. The show takes place in eleven days and there’s still nowhere people can go to order it.

***

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