Ring of Honor Internet PPV Report
April 2, 2011
Atlanta, Ga.
Report by James Caldwell & Sean Radican, PWTorch Staff

Torch columnist Sean Radican is live-Tweeting on this afternoon's ROH Internet PPV at Twitter.com/SeanRadican. Torch assistant editor James Caldwell will be covering play-by-play on top matches and offering his analysis of the PPV throughout the card.

The show interestingly started with the former ROH tag champions Kings of Wrestling coming to the ring fresh off their Tag Title loss last night. They're in the opening match against Kyle O'Reilly & Adam Cole. Before the opposition came out, the crowd offered a loud "Kings of Wrestling" chant.

Radican: This should be a good match. O'Reilly & Cole have been really impressive as of late.

1 -- KINGS OF WRESTLING (CHRIS HERO & CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI w/Shane Hagadorn) vs. KYLE O'REILLY & ADAM COLE

Hero & Claudio jumped the underdog team before the opening bell, taking out some frustration from Friday. Hagadorn then joined ROH announcers Dave Prazak and Kevin Kelly on-commentary to discuss the Tag Title loss and try to put to rest the rumors of trouble among the KOW. Hero and Claudio absolutely dominated the early portion of the match, working over Cole. Castagnoli landed a big clothesline on O'Reilly for a nearfall.

Cole finally got a tag at 6:00 and cleaned house. Helter skelter action ensued with bodies flying in and out of the ring. They did a spot to get over O'Reilly where he clutched Claudio in a triangle choke and no-sold two Hero boots to the face trying to break it up. Claudio sold tapping, but threw O'Reilly into the air for a pop-up European uppercut. Great sequence. Hero and Claudio then recovered and nailed a combo kick on O'Reilly for the win.

WINNERS: Hero & Claudio at 9:17. Radican: This was really good. (***) Caldwell: One of the best sequences you'll see this weekend with the submission/no-sell/Euro uppercut sequence that really spotlighted O'Reilly. Both teams benefited in this match and ROH hinting at potential "singles ambitions" for Hero & Claudio could give new ROH champ Eddie Edwards some future opponents to work with. (**3/4)

Next out was The Embassy, led by Prince Nana along with Princess Mia and Barrister R.D. Evans. Nana told a "fat idiot" in the crowd to shut up. He then brought out his new Embassy member, "Squire" Dave Taylor.

2 -- COLT CABANA vs. DAVE TAYLOR (w/The Embassy)

Prazak noted Cabana trained under The Squire early in his career. The bell sounded and Cabana teased going after The Embassy before locking up with the technically-proficient Taylor. Cabana went for his signature elbows, but Taylor cut him off with a European uppercut. Taylor continued to slow the pace, then Cabana suddenly rolled up Taylor with a small package and scored a three count for the win. Cabana smiled and left the ring, leaving The Embassy to argue among themselves.

WINNER: Cabana at 6:31. Caldwell: A fine change-of-pace technical match before the finish came out of nowhere. Taylor looked good. Radican: These two could have had a good match. (*)

The Barrister said things weren't so bad because Tomasso Ciampa was still wrestling. Radican: This wasn't as great as his promo in Mass. a couple of weeks ago.

3 -- HOMICIDE vs. TOMMASO CIAMPA (w/The Embassy)

Homicide took the match to the floor early on to inflict damage on Ciampa. After the entire Embassy blocked Homicide from hitting a dive, Ciampa nailed Homicide from behind, allowing him to score a believable nearfall at 3:00. They had a shoving match at 5:30 with Homicide no-selling bombs from Ciampa. On the floor, Homicide scared off Cary Silkin, then climbed onto the Center Stage...stage to nail a flip dive. Back in the ring, Ciampa wanted to finish Homicide, who countered with an Ace Crusher. Homicide wanted the Cop Killer, but Mia ran interference on the apron. Ciampa nailed a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge pin for the upset win.

Post-match: Homicide brought a chair into the ring and threw it in Barrister's face. Mia was left alone in the ring and Nana pulled her to safety.

WINNER: Ciampa at 9:47. Radican: Wow. (*1/2) Caldwell: Way over-booked for an ROH undercard match. It sounded like Kelly was reading poetry at times trying to over-state an epic struggle for greatness and glory.

Radican: I'm not feeling this undercard so far. Lackluster... Next up is Daniels vs. Michael Elgin. No heat on Elgin for his intro. A collective groan could be heard anticipating another potential managerial-interference-filled match. Daniels was out next to a strong babyface reaction.

4 -- ROH TV champion CHRISTOPHER DANIELS vs. MICHAEL ELGIN (w/Truth Martini) -- non-title match

The first portion of the match got over Elgin's power offense, as Daniels bumped around like a machine for Elgin's offense. Lots of comparisons to "Dr. Death" Steve Williams by the announcers. Daniels mounted a comeback and nailed Elgin with a Northern lariat. Daniels followed with an STO and both men fell to the mat. Alas, Martini did not provide the dirty tactics, but Daniels, who low-blowed Elgin behind the ref's back and hit a top rope BME for the win. Daniels smirked and held up his ROH TV Title on the way out.

WINNER: Daniels at 10:18. Caldwell: This was fine continuing to build up Elgin and giving Daniels a come-back win after Friday's loss. It sounds like Kelly watched some "Wide World of Sports" tapes overnight with another dramatic call of an undercard match. Radican: This just fell flat to me. (*3/4)

[Intermission. Radican: The second half needs to pick up steam.]

After a 25-minute intermission, complete with Cary Silkin playing air guitar, ROH executive producer Jim Cornette came out to address the crowd. Cornette said he doesn't want to take up too much time, "as you may have heard that ROH main events go longer than a minute, 28." The crowd responded with an anti-TNA chant. Cornette hyped the crowd, then got to the point by bringing out "the American Wolf" Davey Richards.

Richards, in street clothes, joined Cornette in the ring for his thoughts on the Dream Tag Match of the American Wolves vs. Haas & Benjamin. After talking up the match, Richards talked up "his brother in the hunt" new ROH champ Eddie Edwards. He shot down the whispers of "jealousy" before Cornette plugged Davey's undefeated streak since Final Battle.

Cornette noted Davey's next title shot will be his last one. He "went there" talking about selling tickets, PPVs, and "the business" before asking Davey to carefully consider an offer to challenge Edwards for the ROH Title. Davey said this is Eddie's time and he won't be the person to destroy his brother's dream. "No way," he said.

Cue up Eddie Edwards's music to bring out the ROH champion. Cornette said he didn't mean to start anything here, but he wanted Eddie's opinion. Eddie said they feel the same way being partners, wolves, brothers, and family. "But, Davey, you said you don't want to be the one to crush my dreams," Eddie said. He asked Davey if he's saying it's a foregone conclusion he would beat him. Davey shrugged that's not what he meant. "I know that's probably not how you meant it; that's just how it came across," Eddie said nicely.

Cornette kept trying to stir the pot and Davey told him to stop trying to make some money. Davey said if there's a time for them to fight, the time will come, but tonight is about tag team wrestling. Eddie had the final word telling Haas & Benjamin that the hunt is on. They played to the crowd together before leaving the ring.

5 -- Shimmer tag champions Daizee Haze & Tomoka Nakagawa vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Ayumi Kurihara -- Shimmer Tag Title match

Strong action coming back from intermission with Prazak excited to call action he's invested in. Nakagawa spit water in Ayumi's eyes and slammed her off the top to the mat. Matsumoto ran wild holding two women on her shoulders before dropping her knees down on Nakagawa. Hiroyo had the pin, but Haze grabbed the ref. Haze then pinned Hiroyo with a Tiger Suplex. The crowd groaned (in a good way), wanting to see the fan favorites, Hiroyo & Ayumi, take the match after a strong showing. After a curtain call, the crowd chanted, "Please come back," at the fan favorites.

WINNERS: Haze & Tomoka at 7:40. Radican: This was good. (**3/4)

6 -- THE BRISCOES (JAY & MARK) vs. ALL NIGHT EXPRESS (RHETT TITUS & KENNY KING)

Briscoes jumped ANX from behind in the ring to start the brawl/fight that quickly moved to the floor. The action could not be contained, so referees hit the ring trying to establish law & order. Meanwhile, a man holding a beverage walked across the far-away hard camera shot. Once order was restored, the Briscoes unrestored it and busted open Titus after a double whip into the ringpost on the outside.

King finally took a hot tag at 11:00 and cleaned house. Moments later, ANX put Jay through a ringside table that popped the crowd. Jay returned to the ring covered in blood. "The ring is saturated with the crimson that has flowed," Kelly noted in his overly-poetic manner on this show. A blood-soaked Jay and Titus then came face-to-face for a huge mid-ring showdown that got the crowd on their feet.

Big nearfall spot where ANX hit the Briscoes's own Doomsday Device on Jay, but Mark broke up the pin. Jay then finished off Kenny with a Jaydriller out of nowhere for the pin. Jay celebrated by spewing red blood into the air. He then took the mic and mocked Titus before saying this is the new Briscoes. "If you don't give a s--- about us, we don't really care because we ain't give a s--- about you." He added they weren't going to lose anymore in ROH.

WINNERS: Briscoes at 16:03. Radican: Very good match. Good promo from Jay. (***1/2) Caldwell: That was nuts. Another intense Briscoe match/segment/brawl/scrap to enhance their characters sliding into Kevin Steen's "vicious heel" role.

Radican: Time for a blood intermission before Strong vs. Generico. I'm looking forward to this match. They were great in Mass. a couple weeks back at "Defy or Deny."

7 -- RODERICK STRONG (w/Truth Martini) vs. EL GENERICO

The wrestlers went hold-for-hold early on as Prazak noted this match will be remarkably different than the previous brawl/scrap. If you had under 5:00 for Martini's first interference, you win the pool. After Martini grabbed Generico's foot as he went for a top rope move, Strong took control to wear down Generico. Big comeback for Generico at 10:00 after being humbled by a Camel Clutch. Strong came back with a backbreaker for a nearfall.

The two men traded bombs and the crowd, still worn out from the previous match, joined in with a half-spirited boo/yay exchange. Martini then yanked Generico to the floor and randomly entered the ring. He teased a flying dive, but Strong "inadvertently" pulled the top rope down trying to pull himself back into the ring, so Truth went flying to the floor. Generico then splashed both men on the outside.

At 15:00, they reset in the ring following a close nearfall for Generico. Truth hopped on the apron to run a distraction while Michael Elgin hit the ring. However, Generico thwarted Elgin with a Yakuza kick in the corner and nailed Strong with a Brainbuster suplex for the pin.

Afterward, Elgin and Truth attacked Generico. Cabana then hit the ring and tried to clear the heels, but the numbers game took over. No heat on Elgin beating down Cabana. Christopher Daniels then hit the ring to make the save, but he paused and smashed Generico with the Book of Truth. "I can't believe what I've just seen," Kelly said. It sounded like he had been waiting all weekend to say that. Strong and Daniels came together to form an alliance, then put Generico through a chair. So, it's Daniels, Strong, Elgin, and Truth in the new House of Truth.

WINNER: Generico at 16:12. Radican: HOT is looking good now. (***1/2)

Next is the main event "dream tag match." Haas & Benjamin came out and Kelly tried to start a quote from Walt Disney, but ring announcer Bobby Cruise cut him off to introduce the new tag champs.

8 -- ROH tag champions CHARLIE HAAS & SHELTON BENJAMIN vs. AMERICAN WOLVES (ROH World champion EDDIE EDWARDS & DAVEY RICHARDS) -- non-title match

After a methodically-paced, evenly-matched start that made it clear this was going to be a long match, the Wolves isolated Haas. Benjamin tagged in and worked over Davey. Wolves came back and hit stereo dives to the outside. Shelton and Edwards then exchanged slaps to the chest while in a mat hold, which popped the crowd. Shelton followed with submission holds targeting Eddie's left knee and leg. The tag champs isolated Edwards for a while as they passed the 20-minute mark.

Davey took a tag just short of 22:00 and cleaned house on the tag champs. After a round of headbutts for Haas, Davey executed a superplex for a nearfall. Davey followed with an anklelock that Haas escaped, then scored a close nearfall on Shelton, who tagged in. The action broke down with all four men in the ring and the Wolves hit simultaneous enziguiri kicks on the champs. Shelton then took a double superkick for a two count.

At 26:00, the Wolves went for a double-team move on Shelton, but Haas cut them off and the champs hit stereo German Suplexes, only to have the Wolves switch into rolling Germans of their own. They traded partners and the Wolves executed more stereo Germans in succession. No, wait, the tag champs switched into rolling Germans on their new partners. Suddenly, the Wolves rolled through into a double pin and scored nearfalls. A double knock-down clothesline put all four men on the mat and brought the crowd to their feet applauding the unique sequence.

First up were Davey and Haas. They traded blows, then Shelton blasted Davey out of nowhere with a superkick. Eddie had one for Shelton moments later. Haas then dropped Edwards with a side suplex. Who knows who the legal man is at this point. Davey then ate an atomic drop into a superkick from Shelton for a close nearfall as they passed 30:00.

Next, the tag champs wanted a top-rope move, but Davey flung Haas to the floor. The Wolves then hit a combination lungblower from the top, but Shelton kicked out. Davey then rolled through into an anklelock and Eddie caught Haas in the Achilles lock. The tag champs were in jeopardy of tapping, but Shelton flung Davey off, and Davey crashed into Eddie, who lost his grip on Haas. Shelton then dropped Davey with Paydirt and it was good for the pin. Cue up Kelly's poetic description of an epic tag match.

Post-match: The tag champs celebrated with the belts while the Wolves tried to collect themselves. The champs eventually collapsed to the mat to sell the action while the Wolves tried to collect themselves in an opposite corner. After the music stopped, the two teams shook hands mid-ring.

The champs left, then Davey got in Eddie's face a little to share his thoughts on the loss. Eddie acted calm while Davey acted like a hot-head. Eddie left as Cornette shared some thoughts with Davey out of the range of sound. Davey then stood alone in the ring listening to the crowd before signalling he would be going for the title. Davey left the ring selling determination on his face to close the PPV.

WINNERS: Haas & Benjamin at 32:00. Radican: Awesome match. (****1/4) Caldwell: Nice, steady build, although there was never a threat of a finish early in the match, so the crowd waited to emotionally invest. The final 10-15 minutes were terrific, especially the dueling German suplexes. (****)

Radican's Final Word: The show had a great second half and is well-worth catching on replay.

Read Sean Radican's real-time Tweets at Twitter.com/SeanRadican.

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