SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
ROH TV REPORT
DECEMBER 8, 2019
AIRED ON ROHWRESTLING.COM
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Host: Ian Riccaboni
Opening theme.
-We opened with another video package recapping PCO defeating Marty Scurll in the finals of the world title #1 contender tournament for the right to challenge for the title in the main event of Final Battle. They still included the clips of Flip Gordon and Brody King betraying PCO and Scurll hitting him with an umbrella and six-man title belt followed by PCO celebrating with them post-match like a doormat.
-Riccaboni checked in alone without Quinn McKay and talked about a few of the pay-per-view matches.
-Video package summarizing the brief Matt Taven stalker angle including the reveal that it was all a ruse from Vincent Marseglia. Marseglia then sliced Taven’s head open with his hatchet. [C]
-Video package summarizing the singular interaction between Bully Ray, Mark Haskins, and his wife Vicky Haskins at Death Before Dishonor on September 27. Promos from Ray and Haskins were mixed in. Haskins said generic things about defending his wife’s honor. Ray spouted a bunch of misogynistic crap like usual.
-In first-run footage we cut to an arena in a city at some point in time. Haskins paced in the ring next to a table. He told his enemies to come at him face to face instead of jumping him from behind. He called out Ray.
Ray eventually walked out onto the stage and eventually went to the ring. He teased entering but didn’t. Flip Gordon attacked Haskins from behind with his black kendo stick. Ray gave him a wad of bills. Gordon left. Ray powerbombed Haskins through the table. [C]
(Pageot’s Perspective: This feud is so weak and exactly the same as every other Bully Ray feud of the past two years. Even if Haskins wins the street fight at Final Battle he won’t gain anything from it, just like Tracy Williams didn’t when he beat him back in June and Gordon didn’t when he beat him in a mirror image of this storyline last year at Final Battle. Gordon apparently attacking people for money now is an even lowergrade cheapening of his character too. Shane Taylor already had that gimmick a year and a half ago before growing out of it. There’s no reason for this match to be happening at this pay-per-view while people like Williams and The Bouncers are left off the card.)
-Dalton Castle walked into a backstage room and found Joe Hendry sitting on a loveseat. He joined him. Castle wondered if they would work as a tag team. Hendry tried to pitch them as superstars but Castle thought he meant they’d have superpowers.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Castle & Hendry face Silas Young & Josh Woods at Final Battle. Either they’ve given up on his heel turn and Castle’s turning face again or this is just the set-up for another betrayal leading to Castle vs. Hendry at the 18th Anniversary Show in March.)
-In first-run footage it was the first match for Bateman since signing with ROH. Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on commentary.
(1) “DAREWOLF” PJ BLACK vs. BATEMAN
Basic back and forth action to start. [C]
Bateman was in control out of the break with some basic strikes. Black with a springboard back kick and springboard moonsault. After a suplex from Bateman the crowd mustered a “Let’s go PJ” chant. Kicks from Black. Top rope hurricanrana. Moonsault. Bateman rolled away to avoid a top rope move. Black went up top again but Bateman shook the ropes and crotched him. Tombstone.
WINNER: Bateman in 9:29.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Bateman debuted at Death Before Dishonor: Fallout on September 28 with a victory over Jake Atlas. Later in the show he attacked Tracy Williams, then did so again on November 2 at The Experience. He’s apparently dropped his first name of Tyler, which is probably for the best considering how beloved NXT UK wrestler Tyler Bate is. With his height and goofy contact lenses he’s probably going to fill the vaguely-goth big man niche left by Damian Priest.)
-Josh Woods and Silas Young were in a stairwell somewhere. Woods said he’d miss him over the holidays. Young asked why he says weird stuff like that. Joe Koff showed up. He was cordial with Young but was upset about Woods’ requests, which included adjoining rooms and to be flown in a day early so he and Young could have dinner. Koff said he wasn’t going to talk about it. [C]
(Pageot’s Perspective: Woods also asked for a posted concussion policy available for all talent. Just kidding. Was this included just so ROH could say “See, Koff does attend live events!”?)
-An ad aired for Shane Taylor Promotions.
-Taylor was escorted to the ring by his entourage, which now includes “The Reverend” Ron Hunt and the tag team Soldiers Of Savagery. This was apparently recorded in Ohio as Taylor (Cleveland’s own) spoke to the local crowd about what it meants to be from Ohio. He talked up the length of his TV title reign and said this would be his twelfth defense. His opponent was popular Montréal indie wrestler Danhausen who even got a picture-in-picture promo. He carried his signature jar of teeth with him.
(2) SHANE TAYLOR (w/ Ron Hunt, Moses, & Kaun) vs. DANHAUSEN – ROH WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Taylor offered to let him leave and avoid having his ass beat. Danhausen tried to chop and chokeslam Taylor to no effect. Taylor charged and was low-bridged to the floor. Danhausen ran the apron and hit some kicks but took an apron bomb. [C]
Dak Draper (the 2019 Top Prospect tournament winner who is owed a TV was watching from the stage as Taylor roughed up Danhausen at ringside. Taylor remained in control but spent too long looking at Draper. Danhausen with a tornado DDT. The fans chanted for teeth. Danhausen poured his jar of teeth into Taylor’s mouth and hit a boot that sent a mouthful of teeth flying. High knee from Taylor. Package piledriver. Welcome To The Land.
WINNER: Shane Taylor in 6:10 to retain the TV title.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Danhausen was instantly more entertaining than anything we’ve seen on ROH television in the past month. Fingers crossed this was a one-off. Anyone who signs with ROH gets all the momentum sucked out of them. I remain very high on Taylor and he would probably be my MVP of ROH this year. With everyone else flailing and sputtering he’s been one of the few able to steadily climb the ranks and improve his worth with every appearance.)
-Taylor and Hunt were caught backstage post-match. He had no idea who he’d be facing at Final Battle but he would hang onto the championship by any means necessary.
(Pageot’s Perspective: Last week he knew he was defending against Dragon Lee when he cut a promo on Lee from the roof of a building at night…)
-Video package on Jay Lethal turning heel and he and Jonathan Gresham attacking The Briscoes with a steel chair. [C]
-Riccaboni ran through seven of the ten pay-per-view matches.
-Another video package on PCO and Rush to close the show.
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