Ring of Honor on HDNet TV Report
April 4, 2011
Taped in Philadelphia, Pa.
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

The final episode of ROH TV on HDNet opened with a video package highlighting Eddie Edwards's ROH Title victory in New York City two weekends ago. They included a simultaneous split-screen of the crowd reaction and Edwards's celebration. Next was a clip of Davey Richards congratulating Edwards on the title victory.

In-studio: Mike Hogewood and Dave Prazak talked on-camera about the final episode of ROH TV. They talked about men like Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black, Roderick Strong, and the Kings of Wrestling dominating the show over the past two years. Also, Austin Aries and Jerry Lynn. Hogewood said they've also seen future stars on the show. Hogewood fed to a video package highlighting the past two years on HDNet.



Main Event to come: Briscoes & Davey Richards vs. Roderick Strong & Kings of Wrestling.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: Back from break, the Kings of Wrestling's music hit to bring out the then-ROH tag champions. Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli were greeted with streamers as Prazak called them the very best tag team on HDNet. Cue up a video package highlighting Hero & Claudio throughout their ROH history dating back to the ROH vs. CZW feud era. And when Claudio was sporting a full head of hair. The video transitioned into highlighting Hero & Claudio wreaking havoc in ROH as the tag champs over the past year.

Next out was then-ROH World champion Roderick Strong. He didn't have the ROH World Title belt with him, which was an interesting nod to an expected title change in-between this taping in February and the episode airing after WrestleMania Weekend in April. They cued up a video package on Strong's ROH career and more recent ascension to ROH World champion.

Still to come tonight: Briscoes & Davey vs. Strong & KOW.

[Commercial Break]

In-ring: The Briscoes came out for the main event next. Hogewood fed to a video package on the Briscoes's best ROH TV moments on HDNet, including their feud against the Kings of the Wrestling. After the video aired, Davey Richards's music hit to bring out Richards as the sixth man in the match. Hogewood noted Richards has had great moments in ROH, but he hasn't won the ROH Title. They went to a video package highlighting Richards's top moments on HDNet, including matches against Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black, and Daniels. "It's time for me to take my place on top of the mountain," Richards said in a voice-over.

[Commercial Break]

1 -- DAVEY RICHARDS & THE BRISCOES vs. RODERICK STRONG (w/Truth Martini) & KINGS OF WRESTLING (CHRIS HERO & CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI w/Sara Del Rey and Shane Hagadorn)

Nice back and forth to start with setting a deliberate, layered pace to the match. The babyface trio of the Briscoes & Davey got some early shine taking turns getting in offense before the heel trio got some offense in to antagonize the crowd. The action broke down a bit at 10:00 and the babyfaces executed a double suplex into top rope headbutt by Davey on Claudio for a two count. Claudio was in jeopardy of tapping out to a follow-up submission by Davey, but the heels broke it up.

A great sequence followed where Davey went for a handspring elbow strike, but Claudio caught Davey on his shoulders in mid-air to deliver a spinning UFO for a two count. Davey was isolated by the heels for the next few minutes, then Davey found himself on the floor taking abuse from the wrestling and non-wrestling heels. Once order was restored, Claudio tried to score a quick pin on Davey, but Davey escaped just in time.

Davey eventually escaped Strong with a handspring enziguiri and tagged out to the Briscoes, prompting a mini-tag battle between the Briscoes and KOW center-ring. The action broke down after the mini-battle and Del Rey found herself in the ring where she accidentally took a boot to the face from Claudio. The Briscoes then took out the KOW on the floor with a big double dive that popped the crowd.

Back in the ring, Richards and Davey traded control before Hagadorn inserted himself into the match. Martini tried to run interference from behind, but Davey ducked and Hagadorn ate the Book of Truth. After the confusion, Richards applied the anklelock on Strong. The crowd pounded the barricade looking for a tap-out, Richards grapevined the ankle, and Strong was forced to tap out, giving Richards and the Briscoes the win.

Post-match: the Briscoes and Davey celebrated the HDNet-conclusive victory as Truth cried ringside about the state of his book. The heels then left up the entrance ramp selling frustration and anger after taking the loss. The Briscoes did a victory lap, followed by Davey. Hogewood signed off as the babyfaces stood tall on the entrance ramp to conclude ROH's run on HDNet.

WINNERS: Team Davey & Briscoes at 26:15. Excellent, well-layered six-man tag match methodically building to a crescendo that delivered a payoff for ROH viewers who have followed the product on HDNet. Just a very good finish to ROH's run on HDNet. (***1/2)

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