Ring of Honor TV Report
November 22, 2010
Taped in Philadelphia, Pa.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Previously on ROH: Kevin Steen set the challenge for El Generico at Final Battle 2010. If Steen wins, Generico loses his mask. If Generico wins, Steen leaves ROH.

Main event tonight: Davey Richards vs. Shawn Daivari in a singles match.

In-ring: Prince Nana was out to start the show, bringing out Erick Stevens for a #1 contender match for the TV Title. Colt Cabana was out next to set up the opening match tonight.

1 -- COLT CABANA vs. ERICK STEVENS (w/Prince Nana and Ernesto Osiris) -- #1 contender match for TV Title

Mike Hogewood noted Nana's numerous unsuccessful attempts to find someone from the Embassy to win the TV Title. Cue the opening bell. Cabana controlled the action early on, seemingly toying with Stevens at times. The remarkably slimmed down Stevens then caught Cabana with a Samoan Drop off the ropes to take control of the action. Cabana then ducked a clothesline after being shot off the ropes and came back with a flying shoulder tackle. Cabana babyfaced up by reaching out to the crowd for extra strength before firing off a round of thrust chops and signature Boom Boom Boom right hand blows. A Dusty Rhodes elbow to the forehead resulted in a two count, which drew Nana's involvement on the outside. Cabana, distracted, walked into a big clothesline from Stevens, who scored a nearfall.

The crowd stomped and clapped as they picked up the pace nearing the finish. Stevens scored with a suplex, then wanted the Choo-Choo attack, but Cabana blocked with a flying butt bomb. Cabana then slapped on the Billy Goat's Curse. Stevens teased a tap out, but the Embassy became involved. Stevens tried to capitalize with the Dr. Bomb, but Cabana blocked and rolled up Stevens for the pin and the win. Nana's unsuccessful quest for the TV Title continues.

WINNER: Cabana in 10:00. A solid, workman-like effort from both men. ROH has an opportunity to deliver some strong build-up to Cabana vs. Eddie Edwards, when healthy, for the TV Title. (**)

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Jim Cornette was in the ring with the ROH tag champions Kings of Wrestling and Shane Hagadorn. Cornette verified that Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli want to make sure the integrity of the belts are intact by facing only hand-picked opponents with the titles on the line. Cornette also verified they will face anyone in non-title action. Hagadorn agreed. Cornette then introduced their prospective non-title opponents at Final Battle...the Briscoes. Out came the Briscoes in street clothes, accompanied by Papa Briscoe. Briscoes looked extra tough in street clothes here. Very marketable BAs. Hagadorn demanded justice for Papa placing his hands on him. Hagadorn vowed to send Papa to jail with the rest of the Briscoe family.

The crowd chanted, "Man Up!" to interrupt Hagadorn's rant. Cornette tried to settle things down before telling "Mr. Hagadorn" that Chris Hero goaded Papa Briscoe over the guardrail and slapped him across the face. Papa spoke to a "personal injury attorney" that he has a legitimate case for a civil suit against Hero. Cornette said if Hagadorn tries to send Papa to jail, he'll sue Hero for everything he's worth. The champs acted ticked off about these "ridiculous" proceedings, as described by Dave Prazak. Hero then agreed to the match at Final Battle. Jay Briscoe said they just want to get their hands on the tag champs one more time at Final Battle.

Cornette said he has a match contract in hand for everyone to affix their signatures to. The tag champs signed first, then the Briscoes scribbled their names on the document. "I don't think they can even write," Prazak whispered. Hagadorn questioned why Papa was signing. Cornette said it's non-title competition...but it's a six-man tag match at Final Battle. Hero and Claudio stomped around in the ring and kicked the turnbuckles to sell disgust. They slipped out of the ring while Jay noted Papa's strength and physical prowess. Jay told the tag champs they'll see them in New York at Final Battle.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- DAIZEE HAZE vs. SARA DEL REY

Back from break, they went right to the ring for Women of Honor action. Daizee tried to knock Del Rey off her feet and was successful with a flying cross-body block for a two count. Haze knocked Del Rey to the outside, then went up top and missed with a dive before taking a hard knockdown clothesline. Back in the ring, Del Rey dominated the action as Prazak, the promoter of SHIMMER, put over the female wrestlers trying to prove themselves as athletes, not trying to advance their modeling careers.

Haze then came back with a huracanrana and a facebuster for a two count. Prazak stressed "competition" throughout the match as the women went back and forth. Del Rey then trapped Haze on the top rope and locked her in a Gory special submission hold. She flexed Haze on her back as if she were on a Bowflex commercial, then bent Haze in half over her shoulder. Sick submission attempt.

Haze escaped and applied a bow & arrow submission, which turned into a pin attempt for a nearfall. In the corner, Del Rey scored with a cannonball splash before a landing a big powerbomb that looked like the finish, but Haze kicked out. Del Rey wanted a second powerbomb, but the bell sounded. Ten minute time limit draw. Haze said she wanted more time while Del Rey caught her breath. The announcers said they didn't find out who's better tonight.

WINNER: Draw at 10:00. A classic Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong type match-up with Del Rey playing the role of a bully setting up Haza's "fiery babyface comebacks. Overall, it was an very good back-and-forth match that continued the story after a clear draw. (**)

Backstage: Kyle Durden was with Steve Corino, who said he's a control freak and his plan has gone array trying to rid Generico of ROH so Steen could become the new face of ROH. Corino said now it's escalated to where Steen is out of control and he cannot talk any more sense into him. He addressed Generico that he's going to try to talk some sense into him and save his life. "Because Kevin Steen is crazy," he said. The camera panned left to show Steen sitting off in the corner wearing Generico's mask and staring down at the floor. Terrific visual and a great picture painted for Final Battle.

[Commercial Break]

Prodigy vignette. Jim Cornette and Cary Silkin talked up Mike Bennett's raw skills and "having what they're looking for." Silkin said they made an effort to secure him. Cornette said Bennett came from a training camp through an outlaw trainer, which gives him an edge. They gave us a look at Bennett dressed in a suit and accompanied by his cartoon-like manager/trainer with a cartoonish cigar hanging out of his mouth. Suddenly, the edge was gone.

Next week: Homicide vs. Necro Butcher in a Butcher's Rules match. Hogewood also said video of Haze and Del Rey discussing their match backstage is available on ROH's website.

In-ring: Shawn Daivari came to the ring with the Embassy for the main event. Davey Richards was out next to face Daivari.

3 -- DAVEY RICHARDS vs. SHAWN DAIVARI (w/Nana and Osiris)

Prazak name-dropped Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels as men Daivari has gone through during his career. Richards dominated early on, but Daivari showed toughness absorbing multiple kick strikes and knocking Richards to the outside. Nice start selling two tough guys having a fight. Richards then ducked a clothesline and kicked Daivari to the outside. Richards tried a baseball slide kick, but Daivari blocked, only to take a running boot over the guardrail into the front row. Davey high-fived fans to excite the crowd before rolling Daivari back into the ring.

Osiris became involved trying to trip up Richards from the floor, which gave Daivari momentary advantage. Moments later, Richards smashed Osiris with a running kick strike that floored Osiris. Richards then applied an anklelock on Daivari, who escaped. Nana became involved, so Richards punched him to the floor before landing a missile dropkick on Daivari. The kids and women were screaming for Richards, who went up top and landed a diving headbutt. Pin attempt, but Daivari kicked out.

Daivari returned serve with multiple German Suplexes ala Kurt Angle. Richards escaped a fourth momentarily before Daivari hand-clapped Davey's face and executed a release German Suplex for a two count. The crowd loudly chanted, "U-S-A," despite Daivari being American, but that's neither here nor there. Daivari climbed up top for a frog splash, but Davey got his knees up to block.

The competitors came to their feet and traded bombs before Richards landed a step-up enziguiri, only to have Daivari come right back with the backstabber for a close two count. Richards then escaped Daivari's follow-up offense and rolled into an Anklelock submission. Daivari fought the hold, then Davey transitioned into the Texas Cloverleaf. Daivari tapped out, giving Richards the victory. Hogewood signed off with a plug for Richards challenging Roderick Strong for the ROH Title at Final Battle. "Is Richards the next ROH champion?"

WINNER: Richards via submission in 12:00. Another very good, competitive TV match. Daivari was very impressive in a role where he could showcase his in-ring ability. He also set a good tone for the match early on selling his toughness to break away from that cartoonish, comedy heel character he played on national TV. Richards was Richards coming out strong on the way to Final Battle. (***)

Next Week: Who is The Prodigy? He's coming next week. Also, Homicide vs. Necro Anything Goes.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: A solid hour of pro wrestling television. Three good to very good matches, a strong promo from Steve Corino, hype for Final Battle, and focus on wrestlers competing in the ring.

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