Monday, August 5, 2019

ROH Wrestling Episode #411 Recap/Review: 8/5/19


In this week's episode, Ring Of Honor highlights their return to New York City for Manhattan and gears up for Summer Supercard. Some of ROH's biggest stars are featured tonight, including Jay Lethal, RUSH, Dalton Castle and of course World Champion Matt Taven, among others. It should be a jam-packed show, so let's not waste any more time and get on with it.

Matt Taven opener

Well into almost four months in his reign as ROH World Champion, Matt Taven enters Hammerstein Ballroom clad in a Red Sox jersey and addresses his reign, highlighting his victory at Supercard as well as the multiple successful defenses he's had so far. Taven vows to put an end to his near 7-year rivalry with Lethal tonight, only for Kenny King to come out and demand a title shot, as per the stipulation of his Honor Rumble victory. Taven agrees, only to be met with an upset Lethal and the two trade blows before security breaks them up.

A decently executed segment, and definitely a match I'm looking forward to later in the evening. Lethal's a future wrestling god, Taven is fantastic and King is super underrated. With enough time provided, they should definitely be able to put on a great showing.

Briscoes/Guerrillas Of Destiny Video Package

This segment highlights the current rivalry between The Briscoes and G.O.D over the ROH World Tag titles. G.O.D defended their titles against the brothers at War Of The Worlds, only for the Briscoes to reclaim the titles later in Manhattan. G.O.D attacked the Briscoes post-match following a successful title defense against The Bouncers at Mass Hysteria. The challenge was laid out by G.O.D, and the two teams will face off in a Ladder War for the Tag Titles at Summer Supercard.

I'm just sort of "eh" on this. It's probably going to be a good match and I'm definitely hype for it, but I'm not really sold on the rivalry. The Briscoes are at their best when they're working straight heel, and this isn't the case here. Coupled with the fact G.O.D really don't like ROH, I'm honestly kind of baffled they're still actively working with them. That aside, I'm definitely looking forward to Summer Supercard.

RUSH/Dalton Castle Package

Following Briscoes/G.O.D, we get a video package unfurling the RUSH/Dalton Castle rivalry. After RUSH embarrassed him in mere seconds at G1 Supercard, Castle grew bitter and vowed revenge. He took it out on RUSH's younger brother Dragon Lee at Best In The World, then attacked RUSH post-match at Manhattan Mayhem. The two had a match at Mass Hysteria, only for Castle to garner a disqualification via a low blow, they'll square off at Summer Supercard.

Both guys are excellent workers and this should prove to be a great match. This is really the first time RUSH has shown any semblance of vulnerability in his ROH tenure, and it's honestly surprising it's at the hands of Castle. But this is a good thing, because having a superman schtick for too long can get boring, so it's interesting to see some vulnerability in RUSH. Why it's against Castle is anyone's guess, but regardless, this should be a damn good showing and I'm just twiddling my thumbs until it happens.

Tracy Williams/Shane Taylor Package

From the highlights provided, Williams won the proving ground match at Manhattan Mayhem and earned a shot at Taylor's World TV title. Following his victory, Williams cuts a promo how he's going to win the TV Title from Taylor in front of his friends and family in Toronto. Conversely, Taylor cuts a promo how he seeks to destroy Williams and completely embarrass him in front of his friends and family come Summer Supercard.

So, am I pissed Bandido didn't win it at Best In The World? Yes. Am I a fan of Shane Taylor and his reign as TV Champion? Yes. Would it be satisfying to see Williams leave Summer Supercard with the World TV title? Yes. Confusing questions aside, I'm definitely hype for this match, as it's clash of styles to the fullest (Williams' technical acumen vs. Taylor size/power game). Looking forward to this one and really hoping it's more than just a squash.

Jay Lethal vs. Kenny King vs. Matt Taven (c), ROH World Championship match

As soon as the bell rings, Taven sits on the outside and lets his two opponents go at it. King and Lethal taunt each other's signature moves before Taven grabs Lethal off the ring apron; the two trade punches before King lands a corkscrew plancha onto both of them. Back in the ring, King lands a series of kicks on Taven, sending him to the outside. Afterwards, King plants Lethal with a backbreaker/lariat combo.

Watching on the outside, Taven finally makes his move in the ring as he dropkicks King, then hits Lethal with a rope-assisted enzuguiri, culminating in a discus clothesline to King. Taven tosses King aside for a bit as he tussles with Lethal, hitting a swinging neckbreaker/springboard moonsault combo in the process. King tries to stop the momentum, only for Taven to answer back with a DDT. The three trade punches for a brief spell before Taven dodges a enzugiri attempt from Letal and redirects it to King before superkicking him.

Taven and Lethal try to go through the motions before King takes both of them out with a double lariat. King and Lethal duke it out on the apron for a brief spell before Taven connects with a springboard enzguiri to King, then lays out his competition with a suicide dive. Taven tries for an over the top rope tope suicida, connecting on King but Lethal and responding with one of his own. Lethal then hits King one of his signature dives and hits one more, finalizing his trio of dives.

Lethal tries to apply the Figure Four to King, only for Taven to break it up with a frog splash. Taven goes for one of his own on King; Lethal tries to respond, only for King to reverse the pressure and get Taven out of harm's way. Lethal then locks in the crossface, but King breaks it up; he then hits Lethal with a Chin Checker, only for Taven to plant King with his Kick Of The King. Taven and Lethal throw hands before King plants them both with a double blockbuster.

Taven and King trade pin attempts before Taven drills King with a knee; Lethal connects with a Lethal Injection to Taven, who kicks out. King hits Lethal with a Lethal Injection of his own, then a Royal Flush. Taven drills King with a Climax and then pins Lethal to retain.

This was a fantastic match and a great way to end the show. The spots were well-executed by each performer, who fulfilled their role to an absolute tee. The overall MVP of the match is Taven, as he blended his opportunistic heel character work with (insert spot monkey reference here). While he isn't booked the smartest, Taven is one hell of a worker, and matches like this one prove it. I'm beyond hype for his match with Alex Shelley at Summer Supercard, because I know those two can tear the house down if given the opportunity.

While essentially a recap show with one match, I will say it was put together well, and definitely got me hype for Summer Supercard. If you're looking for a real wrasslin' experience, skip to the last 20 minutes or so of the episode. Regardless, a fun and engaging watch.