Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 1:19 PM EST

Before beginning this read, a couple of things need to be said.

First, this is a SPOILER column. If you don't want to know the results and more from the ROH Pay Per View last night, stop reading now.

Second, I started this last night after I got home. I had to stop for sheer exhaustion, so the timeline may be slightly off. If it is, please excuse me.

Third, it's long. I know. I will provide the quick results before going in to the full thing now.

But, to avoid further delay, I'm going to provide my link to my blog and message board now, so that people can discuss this column with me when they can. You can reach my blog by clicking here. The message board is available from the blog page.

In the meantime, here are the quick results from last night.
Daizee Haze defeated Lacey & Sara Del Rey.
Brent Albright defeated Delirious.
El Generico & Kevin Steen defeated Adam Pearce & BJ Whitmer, Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black, & Jack Evans & Ruckus.
Davey Richards defeated Erick Stevens.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Chris Hero.
ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness defeated Austin Aries.
Necro Butcher defeated Jigsaw, Mitch Franklin & Matt Cross in a four way fray elimination rules match.
Bryan Danielson defeated Takeshi Morishima in a relaxed rules match by disqualification.
ROH World Tag Team Champions Mark & Jay Briscoe defeated the NRC of Rocky Romero & Roderick Strong in a 2 out of 3 falls match, 2 falls to 1.
Naomichi Marufuji defeated Claudio Castagnoli.

Here we go, hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Tonight, Ring of Honor came back to New York for the first of two shows, this being the 5th taped PPV special for the company featuring a world title defense for champion Nigel McGuinness against #1 contender Austin Aries. It's also featuring a 2 out of 3 fall tag team title match with the champion Briscoe Brothers defending against No Remorse Corps members Rocky Romero and FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong.

Arriving on scene at the Manhattan Center shortly after 6:30pm, I see Tammy Sytch sitting at a table signing autographs. It is amazing how good she looks from back at Hardcore Homecoming, the first edition, from Shane Douglas back about a year or so ago up to now. She looks stunning, she looks happy, and I am glad to see it. I didn't get the opportunity to go up and meet her myself, for the simple reason of I didn't feel like stammering like an idiot like I've done on numerous occasions meeting fellow wrestling divas. I was here to work, and to see talents kick ass. No offense, Sunny, I was happy you were here, but my personal focus was business.

Speaking of special guests, while waiting for the show to begin, Daniel Puder walked by me, and I have to admit, the boy is large. And not large in a bad way, he looks like he could kick ass. Maybe he can't wrestle, who truly knows for sure, but the boy can probably fight his way out of a trash can full of napalm by the way he carries himself, but that's just an observation from afar. I did get the aura of him not feeling too comfortable around the fans, which I think can come back to bite him. I am curious to know why ROH is bringing him in, but I won't comment on it till it's appropriate. This is not the time.

Bell time starts, and I don't know what the scoop is, but they said sell out, and I had a row of seats nearby where I was, on the right hand corner of the rampway, at the back end, lower level. No, the seats aren't prime, but they get the job done by a landslide, no questions asked. I was kind of stunned when Ring of Honor ring announcer Bobby Cruise tried to plead with the New York City fans to try and keep it "family friendly" when they tape the PPV matches by keeping the language to a minimum. Personally, I thought that was a futile gesture on Cruise and ROH's part, but I guess you gotta try it to say you tried.

First match, a bonus SHIMMER match, a three way dance between SHIMMER champion Sara Del Rey of Sweet & Sour, Inc. vs. Lacey of the Age of the Fall vs. Daizee Haze.

Haze was EXTREMELY colorful in her striped attire tonight, sporting even more colors in her ring gear than I've seen previously. The gimmick is kind of nuts, but she's hot, so hey, it works.

The Age of the Fall's theme song is absolutely creepy. I guess that means ROH has gotten the job done. End of story. Let's move on.

Sara Del Rey coming out to a super heroine's music is kind of effective for what she tries to portray. One thing is for sure, these three will bring some intensity to this match, and it should be a lot of fun to watch. I didn't get much of a chance to see the SHIMMER belt, but from what I've seen on the belt sites, it's a good lookin' piece of bling.

Before the match gets started, AC/DC's "Back In Black" plays, and out comes Tammy Sytch. Like I said before, hot, hot hot. 'Nuff said. Sytch cuts a promo saying she's happy to be back in New York, calls herself an "ROH virgin" for being at her first ROH show, and wants to see some quality women's wrestling. The crowd wants her to take off her top. No comment. Nice reaction though from the crowd for the original WWF Diva. Del Rey looked bored to me, from what I could see.

Daizee and Del Rey keep their rivalry going at the beginning of the match by using Lacey as a human dumbbell with punches to the face, followed by a side slam backbreaker from the SHIMMER champion on Lacey while the Haze waited from the first rope in the corner of the ring. With Lacey out, Haze and Del Rey work on each other, with Del Rey working on the Haze's arms. Haze counters with a quick roll up for a 2 count before the black hair clad Lacey gets back in to the fracas.

Lacey tries a back suplex on Haze and misses, Haze counters and tries a backslide, Lacey kicks out of it, and tries to get Haze up and over for another back suplex. Haze responds by scissoring the Death Rey and taking both women over with a hurrancanrana hip toss combination on both women. Very impressive spot.

Haze tries a double high cross body, misses, and ends up hip tossing Del Rey over for her effort. Lacey begins working on the Haze with forearms and screaming at the top of her lungs, keeping the gimmick going very well. Off an irish whip, Haze hits Lacey with a stiff kick right to the back of the head near the shoulder blades. Ouch.

Del Rey comes back in to the picture, hits Haze in the back, and puts her on the top rope. Del Rey hits a powerful snap mare style move off the top rope on the Haze. Del Rey then drops all her weight on Haze's chest, and gets a 2 count with a leg hook for a near fall. Del Rey then hits a nasty drop kick right to the top of the nose on the Haze for a 2 count which is broken up by Lacey. Del Rey goes for Lacey, and Lacey dives out of the ring, wanting nothing to do with the SHIMMER champion.

Del Rey and Haze continue their chop exchange in the center, and you can feel the intensity rising in this contest. Del Rey whips the Haze in to the corner and tries a tilt o whirl slam which is countered in to a high cross body by Haze for a near fall. Lacey's back in, and is choking anything and anyone that moves. Not much in the way of wrestling, she's just out there to fight.

Lacey took Del Rey's arm, and literally tried to pull it out of its socket as the champion hit the mat. The crowd reacted a little squeamishly to how stiff that looked. Lacey continues choking Haze on the ropes, hits a neckbreaker for a 2 count on the Haze, which is broken up by the SHIMMER title holder.

Del Rey goes after Lacey, and Lacey tries to align herself with the champion in a 2 on 1 attack against the Haze. Briefly, it is effective as the duo works over Daizee in the corner. Lacey hits Haze with a boot that looked a tad low, and then, when the crowd reacted poorly, the AotF woman tries for it a second time, and gets floored by the Death Rey boot from the SHIMMER champion.

Haze gets Del Rey in a leglock submission that almost looked like a triangle choke, and in the process, takes Lacey, and pulls her arm back in an armbar submission while holding on to Del Rey. Two submission holds by one talent on two different talents. Extremely impressive by the SHIMMER ladies. Following all of that, Haze broke up the holds, and got a 2 count on Del Rey with a quick roll up.

Del Rey sets up Haze and Lacey with a pair of irish whips in to the corner, both women are sandwiched at the turnbuckle. Del Rey gets Lacey with a boot to the chops, and rolls up the Haze for a 2 count. Another near fall by Haze on Del Rey, and Lacey gets the boot revenge back on Del Rey with one of her own. The hits throughout this match were strong from bell to bell.

Haze rolls up Del Rey for two, and as Del Rey kicked out of the pinning predicament, Haze's momentum took her head right between the legs of Lacey. No lie. It had to hurt, really bad. But, um, nevermind. Let's move on.

Face plant by the Haze on Del Rey, using Del Rey as a vault to get some more air for the face plant. It was nice. Haze hits the top rope and double drop kicks Del Rey and Lacey. Then she walks, literally, on both, and two counts Lacey for a near fall. Chop fest by Lacey and Haze. Haze went for a powerbomb which was countered by Del Rey for a 2 count.

Del Rey gets Haze and Lacey in a dragon sleeper style submission. Lacey breaks it, and uses Del Rey's hair to nail the champion with a backstabber. Haze and Lacey beats each other silly for a while, and when Haze goes for a boot on Lacey, she drops down and Haze hits Del Rey instead. Haze then grabs Lacey, drops her face first on her knee, and gets the 1, 2, 3 count on her heated rival from the Age of the Fall.

Daizee Haze wins the opening bonus match here in New York over Lacey and SHIMMER champion Sara Del Rey.

An intense opening salvo from the SHIMMER talent tonight at the Manhattan Center. Sunny comes back in to the ring to congratulate the women for their work. Haze and Del Rey shake hands as the champion leaves. Lacey wants no part of the code of honor. Sunny puts over the SHIMMER talents. I thought this wasn't going to be anything more than Sunny coming out for a quick pop, but Lacey decides to turn it in to something a little more substansial, I guess. Haze is noticeably hanging around by the ringpost in front of me while Lacey erupts in to a tirade about Sunny's antics in the ring and being a manager back in the days of the WWF. Lacey puts Sunny down, saying she was disgusted by Sunny's actions while she was at the young impressionable age of 13. No comment here.

Lacey did challenge Sunny to find out how many matches she has had in the ring, and that the ones in the hotel rooms with the boys in the back doesn't count was a good line. It's kind of ironic that Lacey hit Sytch with this type of line, consideirng Sytch is fresh off winning the WSU championship in New Jersey just last week. (Cheap pop for my boy the MiC, check out wsuwrestling.com for more on that.)

Back to the show. Lacey claims Sunny made women's wrestling be nothing more than T&A, which may have been the case back in the day, but hey, times change. Lacey then claims Sunny contributed to the decay of society, which has a definite gimmick laden theme to it, which Sunny tries to quelch in her retort to the hot headed female from Project 161.

Sytch claims she gave all the talent her respect, and that doesn't come cheap, which I can understand. She then hits Lacey with the crack that "maybe she couldn't make it as a diva like me." Lacey snaps and tries to attack Sunny, but the Haze stops her, hits the heart punch, and Sunny then bitch slaps Lacey right out of the ring. Haze and Sunny pose as they leave the ring together.

After the segment, ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness peeks out from behind the curtain. He's got tape on his shoulder. Wonder how it's going to hold up.

Dave Prazak announces Bushwhacker Luke is doing the time keeping for the pay per view. Luke looks like he's aged. A lot. But that's just one man's opinion. How Luke is going to time keep is behind me, but the Hangman 3 come in to the ring, Pearce, Whitmer and Albright, wearing a hood. Pearce gets the Repo Man chants, which drive him nuts, and the Hangmen 3 begin attacking Bushwhacker Luke, throwing him out of the ring, and out of his opportunity to be the time keeper for the match.

Pearce does his own Bushwhacker imitation as Luke is carried out of the arena. Prazak claims Respect is Earned was so special because of the atmosphere in New York city, so they came back to NYC to tape another PPV. Prazak tries to pump up the crowd for the forthcoming PPV.

The countdown and the PPV begins with the Hangmen 3 of Albright and Pearce still in the ring, Albright keeping the hood on his head. I believe they're going to name the PPV "Rising Above".

Leonard mentions about the cameras backstage, and Pearce retorts about nobody caring about backstage. He then demands the time of the crowd, and says he wants to address one man, Delirious.

Pearce said on the last PPV, Delirious tried to gnaw Pearce's ear off as a measure of revenge for the actions that the Hangmen 3 have done to the masked man over the past few months. Pearce says Delirious's actions :"signed his own death warrant", and demands the masked man to come out and face the head executioner, Brent Albright in one on one action.

Delirious's music hits, and he doesn't come out. A bit after the music stops, Delirious runs out, clad in black with red trim. The red trim obviously shows a much deeper, darker side of the man from the edge of sanity. When he runs out, the masked man spits what I THINK is water at Pearce, and starts working on Albright. Albright begins the match still wearing the ripped green Delirious mask from the past events. Delirious starts the impact with a very vicious flying clothesline from the top rope on the Gun For Hire of the Hangmen 3.

Definite intensity from the word go here. No comedy in this match. Delirious rips off the green mask off Albright, and we finally see the face behind the gun for hire. Delirious starts choking out the former Gunner Scott of the WWE. The masked man hits a million dollar dream sleeper hold on Albright. Delirious kicks Albright in the face, bounces off the ropes, and Albright catches the masked man in red with a hell of a powerslam that Delirious no sells, and jumps right back up behind Albright.

Albright's takes a lot of punishment from Delrious at the outset of the match. Albright manages to get the control back with two consecutive backbreakers and a nasty dragon suplex to the back of Delirious's skull. Albright begins the assault with the ground and pound to the front of Delirious's head. Albright hits a stalling suplex on Delirious, showing off his strength, and then poses for the crowd.

I don't see Pearce at ringside at this time. Delirious gets bealed out of the corner from Albright, and then a chop that sounds like a gun goes off from the Gun for Hire. A fast exchange of chops and impact ends with Albright throwing Delirious over his head, and Delirious hits the turnbuckles feet first and drops on his head.

Delirious counters out of a back suplex only to take a black hole slam from Albright for a two count. Pearce is back at ringside, or I see him now, as he dabs at his eyes from whatever it was that Delirious spat at him.

Someone near me in the crowd is screaming bring back the girls. Man, sometimes I truly do wonder.

Albright tried to go up top, but Delirious managed to roll out of the way of the attack from the top rope. Delirious gets Albright and hits a sick knee to the face. Delirioius from the top rope hits a double sledge hammer on Albright's back of his neck when Albright wasn't even up to his feet all the way, he was like on his knees. It looked pretty damn painful from where I sat.

Delirious puts on what appeared to be an anaconda vice that Albirght counters in to the crowbar. Delirious rolls up Albright to a 2 count. Some more sick impact on both counts. Albright slams Delirious in what appeared to be a brainbuster style slam and gets the 3 count for the win.

Brent Albright defeated Delirious.

The Hangmen 3 then begin pounding on the masked man after the match. Steen and Generico hit the ring to help Delirious out from the beating at the hands of Albright, Whitmer, Pearce and Hagadorn. A war ensues and it gets worse by the arrival of Jacobs, Black, Necro and Lacey. Jacobs starts saying how the revolution is alive in New York City. Meanwhile there's action all over the place, and its way too insane to try and call.

Jacobs tries to recruit some new members in to Project 161, and nobody from the crowd wants any part of it. The Vulture Squad comes out of Evans, Ruckus and Jigsaw with the J-Train out looking like a 10 million dollar pimp. I see water being thrown all over the place on the other side of the ring, I can't tell you what happened with that. J-Train has the mike.

Smokes intros the Squad and himself. He then suggests a four way tag team scramble match. The action is going on everywhere, and its impossible to try and call. It's Steen & Generico vs. Pearce & Whitmer vs. Evans & Ruckus vs. Jacobs & Black. J-Train and Lacey are at ringside for their respective groups. The Generic luchador is going at it with Whitmer, who sports black hair now, I guess he was tired of being called a Ken Kennedy clone.

Generico hits a head scissors on Whitmer, and gets paid back with a boot to the face. Generico hits a high cross body on Whitmer. Steen is back on the apron and Pearce heads for his corner. Mr. Wrestling is working on Pearce with chops. Pearce repays him with biting him square on the nose in the corner. No sign at the moment of the Squad or the Age of the Fall. Steen hits a running enziguri on Pearce while Pearce was on the apron. Pearce hits the floor pretty hard.

Jacobs and Black re-emerge. The Age of the Fall throttle Mr. Wrestling and put him in the tree of woe, and proceed to kick the high holy crap out of Kevin Steen. Black whips Jacobs in to Steen, and then the Fall hits a double drop kick on Mr. Wrestling. Evans re-emerges and starts working on Tyler Black.

Evans and Ruckus working on the Age of the Fall, which is impossible to try and call because they're too damn quick. The Squad hit a nice double hip toss on Black. Two what I believed to be standing moonsaults by the Squad on Black, very impressive moves. A cartwheel elbow by Evans on Jacobs and Generico, and Steen replies by picking up BOTH Jack Evans and El Generico and double samoan drops both combatants. Never seen that before in my life. Tree-mendous.

Steen hits Ruckus with the cradle pile driver but the Hangmen 3 return to the match to cause more havoc. Whitmer and Pearce hit Steen with a very sick spiked DDT. The 3 then hit Generico with an AMW style death sentence move. Ruckus clotheslines Pearce out of the ring, Whitmer clotheslines Ruckus out, and Black clotheslines Whitmer out. Sounds like a pattern, doesn't it?

Mr. Wrestling hits a devastating superkick on Tyler Black. Evans does more of his twists and turns and some impact on Steen. Evans calls out "tiger" and gets tigered with a boot to the face by the Generic Luchador. Jacobs hits a mega head scissors on Generico. Pearce grabs Jacobs and hits a very impressive jumping piledriver.

The action is all over the place for this match. This was incredible to watch, but impossible for a rookie to try and call.

Pearce hits a chokeslam on Generico. Frog splash by Whitmer on Generico for a 2, broken up by the chocolate vulture. Stomach breaker by Pearce in to a german suplex by Whitmer for a 2 count which is broken up by the Squad founder, Jack Evans.

Whitmer gets booted in the face by Evans, who calls out for the 630. Steen grabs Evans and tries a cradle pile driver, but as he does, Jacobs spears Evans which is just sick to even see for yourself. Generico gets Jacobs with a nasty boot. Jacobs and Black begin to try and work on Generico, but things go south, literally, and quickly.

Jacobs on the ropes, Generico runs up the ropes, pushes Jacobs off, head scissors Black down to the canvas, Black gets up and gets cradle piledriven for his efforts by Steen which walks right in to the brain buster by El Generico for the 3 count and the win in an absolutely terrific four corner scramble match between 8 of the stars of Ring of Honor.

El Generico and Kevin Steen defeated Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black, Jack Evans & Ruckus, and Adam Pearce & BJ Whitmer when Generico pinned Black.

This match alone will be worth the price of the DVD and/or the PPV.

New York is very pro Mr. Wrestling Kevin Steen.

Steen & Generico pose in the ring as the others take off. Generico took a nasty fall on the ramp as he left the arena. The crowd got a good laugh, but I am sure it was kind of embarassing, especially after something as good as that match.

Next match on the card is Davey Richards of the NRC. He comes out alone, which is suprising. I know the other members of NRC have a tag team title match, but still. Richards' opponent is Erick Stevens, the former member of the Resilience. This is the first time I've seen Stevens back in ROH in some time. I believe Stevens is still the FIP Florida Heritage Champion.

Richards tries an attack from behind and Stevens jumps out of the way, and we have some chops back and forth, and chain wrestling on the mat by both competitors. The intensity of the shots between both men is tangible. Richards with a nasty headbutt, and Stevens with a gun sounding like chop. It was definitely the quintessential example of "hard hitting" action that ROH is trying to portray.

Stevens hits a nice powerslam, and continues the onslaught on the member of the NRC. Crowd is split pretty down the middle. Back and forth action continue by both men. Stevens hits a nasty forearm to the face. Stevens then hits a nicely done back suplex for a 2 count. Another near fall following a knee to the face by the FIP stalwart.

I got distracted by someone in the crowd, and from there, Richards gets control of the match back, and puts Stevens in the tree of woe. Richards charges, and then pie faces Stevens out of the tree of woe, and hits nasty cross faces on Stevens.

The high impact shots continue, this time by the member of the NRC on the former Resilience member. A series of arm ringers by both men with a boot to the chest by Richards in to a head scissors. Richards continues the onslaughts with boots and headbutts. Richards tries a kick, Stevens catches it, and drops Richards on the back of his head. Stevens then htis a backbreaker on Richards for two. Richards is showing a lot of qualities of Chris Benoit THE WRESTLER in this match.

Stevens goes for a neck vice on Richards, also barring the arm for a very nice looking damaging hold. The crowd is not responding to this match whatsoever. Stevens gets up and is pissed off at something in the crowd, I can't see the area where Stevens is looking at.

It's possible that the distraction in the crowd is special guest Daniel Puder. Stevens loses control briefly but regains it right back. Richards hits a chin breaker, and then Stevens gets Richards in a belly to belly throw. Stevens choo choos, and hits a stinger splash in the corner on Davey. A follow up ensues with a sledge hammer shot and a pump handle slam by the returning Erick Stevens on NRC member Davey Richards. 2 3/4 count by the ref on Richards by Stevens.

Stevens puts Davey on the top turnbuckle, but with shots and headbutts by Richards, he counters it in to a powerbomb for a 2 count. An arm submission and leg grapevine combo by Richards, but Stevens picks up the noticeably smaller Richards. Richards rolls up Stevnes for a 2. Richards hits a running enziguri following a clothesline attempt for 2. Stevens catches Richards for a powerslam for a 2. The crowd is behind Richards now, and is getting more in to the match. Stevens continues to jawjack with the crowd. Drop kick to the back of Stevens head hit by Richards.

Richards rolls up Stevens in to an arm bar submission and Stevens taps out.

No Remorse Corps member Davey Richards defeated Erick Stevens via submission.

As soon as Stevens recovers, he grabs a mike. The fans are showing their disrespect for Puder. I can't see him. Richards splits. So much for the ROH request for the PPV to be family friendly. Stevens challenges Puder wondering why he made a spectacle of himself during Stevens' match. Stevens puts Puder's resume over, but says this is ROH, and you need to prove yourself here. Stevens challenges Puder to a fight. The crowd starts chanting "you're not tough enough." Larry Sweeney comes out for some negotiations with Puder. I can't see the action going on. Sweeney puts Puder over as a world class athlete and one of the most dangerous men in the world.

Stevens waits in the ring for Puder to come out, but Sweeney offers Puder a chance to watch the matches from the back with the company of SHIMMER champion Sara Del Rey. Sweeney takes one last shot at the fans of New York, and the segment ends with Stevens leaving and Sweeney, Del Rey and Puder leaving as well. Sweeney then promotes the upcoming Hero/Castagnoli match, which he says when Hero wins, Sweeney will have Claudio's contract. Sweeney then says when he gets Claudio's contract, he's gonna "sell him up north to Vince" as quickly as he did with Matt Sydal.

Claudio runs out to challenge Sweeney. Sweeney backs up and hits the ring, with Claudio cold cocked to fire on the super agent. Tank Toland and Bobby Dempsey come out to beat on Claudio, but the tables get turned pretty quickly on the members of S&S, Inc.

Claudio side steps an irish whip, and Toland slams in to Dempsey. Claudio then picks up the much larger Bobby Dempsey and slams him on to Tank Toland. Ouch. Sweeney goes for a shot, and Claudio grabs him. Hero comes out, and the match is on, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Hero for Claudio's contract in ROH.

Hero begins the momentum with shots on the Swiss native. Hero then begins his gymnastics all over the ring, hits an over the top rope leg drop on Claudio, and then continues his acrobatics. The acrobatics cost Hero, as he runs in to a back body drop and a nasty european uppercut. Some more euro uppercuts by Claudio. Boot to the face by Hero. Neck breaker by Hero while Claudio's legs were on the ropes. 2 count by Hero.

Hero continues with the momentum. The crowd calls Hero overrated. S&S Inc continues to show their presence, dropping Claudio off his feet when Claudio bounces off the ropes. Hero continues the onslaught. Hero misses, and Claudio hits a euro uppercut. Hero slides to the apron, and sits on Dempsey's shoulders. Claudio then jumps on Hero while Hero is still on Dempsey's shoulders. Poor guy gets so abused. :)

Claudio continues with the momentum with an elbow off the top rope for a 2 count on Chris Hero. Spinning face plant by Claudio on Hero after some more basic impact in the match. This match isn't 5 star right now, but its got my interest.

Hero gets the mo back with two forearms to Claudio's face in the buckle after irish whips. A LOT of irish whips throughout this match. Didn't see a ton of creativity here with these two men. A lot of impact, but not much in the way of high flying acrobatics.

A suplex by Hero for a 2 count. The crowd claims a screw up, but I didn't see it. Missed boot by Hero in to a handspring elbow and a german in to a bridge for a two count by Claudio.

Hero gets the boot in on Claudio after some back and forth exchanges. Claudio seems to be wanting to hit the giant swing, but can't at the moment. Some more back and forth action, Claudio puts Hero on the top, hits a euro uppercut, and then a hurracanrana off the top rope, and my previous comment about acrobatics now is completely contradicted, so I'll shut up and get back to recapping the matches.

Claudio gets the giant swing in on Hero now, and a boot to the mush for 2 3/4 on the S&S stalwart.

Ricola Bomb attempt by Claudio, which is countered in to a "hero-con-rana", a brainbuster scissors type move by Hero. Two attempts at a Hero's Welcome, no dice. Claudio counters both with impact, then hits a reverse rack in to a backbreaker.

Claudio gets caught in to a submision move. While in the submission move, which looked like a triangle choke, Claudio picks up the smaller Hero, literally, powerbombs him, and gets the 3 count for the win, staying in Ring of Honor, and guaranteeing him a match at Final Battle 2007 vs. Sweet & Sour's Larry Sweeney.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Chris Hero

A bit of a surprise of the finish here, but kind of predictable, as I doubted ROH was going to let Claudio walk away from his contract, even from a storyline perspective. He's a good talent, and there's work to be done there.

The crowd gets on Sweeney for the upcoming execution on Sunday, "Claudio's gonna kill you." Claudio chases Sweeney to the back. Dempsey and Toland work on Hero. Hero gives Dempsey a hug, realizes who it is, and slaps Dempsey in the face, leaving the ring. The remaining members of Sweet & Sour, Inc. follow suit and leave the arena.

ROH Ring Announcer Bobby Cruise promotes Final Battle on Sunday, as well as future shows in Edison, New Jersey in January and Long Island on Friday, 2/22. Note that they didn't mention the venue on Long Island. I think they're going to find a new venue, because the place they ran in July does not cut it.

Austin Aries' music hits, new music for the #1 contender for the ROH world title, and suprisingly, its time for the ROH World Championship match. I don't understand that move, but so be it. Aries is out dressed for battle, and out comes the ROH World champion, Nigel McGuinness, also with new music. I expected at the time of this match that the main would be Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima. What exactly turns up to be the last match on the card is kind of shocking, but we'll get to that later.

Nigel with tape on his left arm and shoulder, so he's still not 100%. I am surprised he's still hurting. I expect a title change due to Nigel's condition, and his eventual travel to NOAH for first navigation 2008. Cruise hits the introductions with both men in the ring.

One small note, Cruise didn't use the line, "YOUR Ring of Honor World Champion." Wonder why? It was kind of cool when he did it back in the day. Oh well, small potatoes in a much bigger pot.

Crowd split for Aries and Nigel at the start of the match. Aries talking through the code of honor, but they do shake hands. They lock up, and Aries gets pushed back to the corner by the champion. The champ seems pissed off by the crowd. Chain wrestling by Aries, going for the arm of Nigel. Nigel looks to be struggling with his arm right off the bat.

Nigel gets a single leg, and wrenches on Aries' foot. Aries goes for the corner, ref gets a clean break. Nigel continues to mouth off with the crowd. Aries looks very focused. Aries goes back for the arm of Nigel, wrenching it with the champion on his back. Nigel grabs the ropes, forcing the break, and he doesn't look too good right at this moment, as the arm looks to be hurting pretty significantly from some basic moves.

Nigel's jawjacking with the fans costs him here. He holds the ropes open for someone from the crowd, Aries turns him around, Nigel slaps Aries, and Aries slaps the champion back knocking him off the apron. Nigel is on the floor, Aries hits a suicide dive, which knocks the champion in to the barrier, face first. It looked like Nigel got hit pretty hard, I'd be shocked if he's not bleeding.

Nigel's up on the other side of the ring, but he's very unsteady on his feet. Nigel and Aries back in the ring, kicking the holy crap out of each other, and I'm having trouble seeing the full substance of the match from where I'm sitting. The crowd is reacting stupidly. in my personal opinion. Nigel is bleeding from the eye from the shot against the barrier, and it is looking not good at all.

Some chain wrestling on the mat by both men, and Nigel pulls Aries to the mat by the arm, and is trying to get some time to recover. Nigel hits Aries in to the post, shoulder first, back trips Aries to the mat, and is noticeably pissed off.

An arm submission by Nigel which is countered by Aries. A back and forth exchange, followed by a headscissors by Nigel, Aries pops out for a drop kick, Nigel pushes it away, flips Aries the bird, gets drop kicked in the face for a 2 count, and Aries begins pummeling the champion on the mat with repeated shots.

Aries continues working on the arm of the ROH World title holder. Nigel's eye continues to gush pretty significantly. Nigel hits an armbreaker on Aries in to an armbar of his own on the #1 contender. Nigel still doesn't look like he has all his faculties back with him at all.

Nigel with a spine kick on Aries, and an F-U signal for one of the fans, which brings out a USA chant. Lariat hit by Nigel with his good arm. The crowd is unthrilled. Nigel hits a european uppercut. Aries slumps in the corner. Nigel irish whips Aries, and follows it up with a euro uppercut in to more work by the champion on the #1 contender's arm.

The crowd is split now, Aries and Nigel, almost 50%.

Nigel gets in to an armbar submission of his own from Aries, and Aries compounds it by using the back of his heel to kick Nigel in the eye. Nigel hits the ropes to break the hold, but the damage is still very apparent to the champion's arm and eye.

Chicken wing backbreaker by Aries for a 2, and then back to the arm on the champion by the challenger.

Nigel gets to the ropes, and following up with shoulder thrusts, an irish whip in to the corner on the champ. An elbow by Aries on Nigel. Nigel then goes in to a headstand on the turnbuckle, and Aries responds by drop kicking Nigel right in the face, knocking Nigel to the floor.

Aries with a suicide dive attempt that I don't know for certain happened, but Nigel I think caught him, and reversed the suicide dive in to damage for the champion. Nigel is walking around, soaking in the "ROH" chants. Aries brought back in for a 2 count by the world champion.

Uppervcut chop combos by Nigel on Austin Aries in the corner. A running euro uppercut by Nigel on Aries in to a lariat that hurts Nigel's arm. Aries kicks out at 2 3/4.

Nigel attempts the tower of london, and Aries counters with crossfaces. Shots to the shoulder by Aries, and a missile drop kick from the top rope by the Wisconsin native. Drop kick to the face by Aries while Nigel was in the corner turnbuckle area. Nigel manages to get the mo back and hit the tower of london for a 2 count.

Hammerlock applied by McGuinness, which is countered by a chinbreaker. Nigel goes for the jawbreaker lariat and Aries hit an elbow. While Nigel was in the ropes, with his body half in the air, Aries goes over the top, and cross body blocks Nigel.

Aries and Nigel are on the floor fighting, Nigel gets a barrier shot, and they go back in to the ring. Elbows by Aries again while Nigel is in the corner, and Aries emphasizes by taking off his elbow and continues to hit Nigel with naked elbows on the side of his head.

Nigel gets out of the brainbuster attempt, and straddles Aries on the ropes. Nigel hits the lariat while Aries was straddled on the top rope. Aries does a 360 somersault to the floor. I think Aries is hurt bad.

This terrific a match, and the crowd is screaming something else to someone else. Aries and Nigel continue fighting on the floor, out of my line of sight. Aries throws Nigel back in for a 2 count.

Aries pounds on Nigel in the corner like a man possessed, coming near disqualification. Brainbuster suplex is hit on the champion by Aries. 450 splash attempted but missed. Nigel is not out of this match yet.

Nigel puts Aries in a submission move on the arm, and Aries counters in to a 2 7/8 count with a roll up. Aries hits another brainbuster. Aries gets Nigel in the "horns of aries" I believe, which is a version of cattle mutilation, but Nigel did not tap. The shots continue from both men, and Aries hits a lariat for a 2 7/8 count. Terrific false ending for the contest, and a hell of a match.

Chain wrestling with multiple standing switches, and a lariat to the back of Aries' head. Nigel gets the arm submission again. A kick to the head, and Nigel backs up, hits the ropes, and nails the jawbreaker lariat for the 3 count.

ROH World Heavyweight Champion Nigel McGuinness defeated Austin Aries.

Nigel's condition makes him very suspectible to the match at Final Battle vs. Danielson, Morishima, and Hero.

Nigel is noticeably wounded after this match, and Aries is noticeably angry. No code of honor shake, as Aries basically stays motionless in the middle of the ring until the champion leaves.

The crowd gives Aries some props, but it doesn't seem to help out very much. Aries looks very angry with himself.

The crowd gets mad at Aries not going for the code of honor. I think that's sad, because Aries has to be disappointed, and if he's emotional, he's entitled to be mad.

ROH is back in New York on Saturday, February 23rd, the day after Long Island, following sunday's Final Battle 2007 card.

Unsolicited, Bobby Cruise just said hello to me, saying he read my review of Glory By Honor VI, Night 2. How cool is that? A hello and a thank you to the ROH Ring Announcer, for being a gentleman, and respecting the fans of the product, even a schlub like me. Thank you, for putting a smile on my face for a brief gesture that barely took 30 seconds of your time.

The 2nd half of the show begins with a four way fray, elimination rules, everyone in the ring at once. First out is Mitch Franklin, who is 150 pounds soaking wet, and I swear to God, he's fodder for someone. You will understand why in a minute.

Next out is Jigsaw with Julius Smokes, the million dollar pimp. He is terrific. Absolutely terrific. Nice theme, Rock the Casbah, modern version. I gotta find out who does that version. It's cool.

Here's the beast I spoke about. Necro Butcher is out. Things just got hardcore, big time. Franklin and Jigsaw run for cover, and I can't blame them one little bit.

Last out is Matt Cross, using a sound byte from the Karate Kid. How insane is that. Cross is back in ROH after a brief absence. So, the final set up in this four way is Necro Butcher vs. Mitch Franklin vs. Jigsaw vs. Matt Cross. 3 guys for Necro to tear apart.

Butcher is absolutely looking like he's going to rip someone's head off. Code of honor done by 3 out of the 4 men. Necro's ready to rumble, but all three men go after Necro. Franklin is thrown down, Jigsaw stomps on Necro's foot, and then Cross & Jigsaw hit a double dop kick on Necro. Cross & Necro continue fighting outside the ring, while Jigsaw and Franklin are in the ring. Jigsaw turns Franklin almost inside out in a backbreaker submission move. Painful as hell.

Head scissors by Franklin on Jigsaw. Cross is still going at it with Necro on the floor. Jigsaw is on the buckle at the moment. Butcher picks up the protective mat, and throws it on to Matt Cross, and begins pounding the mat like its nobody's business. Ugliness ensues at ROH's 5th PPV. I don't know if this is taped for the PPV, but if it's not, its definitely worthwhile to see the insanity of the Necro Butcher.

Franklin poses in the ring, Necro comes up from behind, punches Franklin in the face, and 3 seconds later, we're down to three, as Franklin is eliminated by the Necro Butcher. All 3 are back in the ring. Cross continues to try and take on Necro with clotheslines and various other impact. Necro gets Jigsaw on the top rope and tries to pole vault Jigsaw out to the floor, and then does so, with Jigsaw saving himself by catching the ropes. The intensity goes up 100 fold. Smokes is screaming transform. Necro gets taken out to the floor by both men, and Cross and Jigsaw continue the war inside the ring. Cross hits a reverse suplex on Jigsaw. Moonsault by Cross countered by a boot by Jigsaw. Spinning DDT by Jigsaw for 2.

Massive head scissors by Jigsaw on Cross. Necro back in. Death Valley driver by Cross on Necro. Double stomp on Necro by Cross, but in the process, Jigsaw rolls up Cross for a 3 count and the win. Jigsaw vs. The Necro Butcher is the final two for this four way fray match.

J-Train calling for reinforcements as Necro works on Jigsaw. Body slam and a leg drop by Necro for a 2 count. A boot to the face by Necro on Jigsaw. Necro sets up for a pedigree of all things, but Jigsaw counters, chops ensue, and Necro gets pissed when Jigsaw chops him in the face. A spinning boot to the face by Jigsaw has not much effect. The impact continues with the spinning enziguri by Jigsaw. Necro hits a punch to the face, and a pedigree position in to a powerbomb for a 3 count on the Squad member, ending the match.

The Necro Butcher defeated Mitch Franklin, Matt Cross & Jigsaw in a Four Way Fray Elimination Rules Match.

The crowd is heavy on Necro Butcher as he and Jigsaw leave. Not much in the way of activity after that match.

The next match is a relaxed rules match for the PPV. American Dragon, Bryan Danielson vs. Takeshi Morishima.

Morishima looks PISSED. No pop for the Final Countdown now for the Dragon, as Dragon is due for some impact right off the bat.

Morishima goes to the floor and starts beating on Danielson before the introduction even finishes. They brawl on the other side of the ring, and Morishima takes Danielson to the barrier. The broadcast table was picked up, and thrown right in to the face of the American Dragon. We are dealing with one pissed off giant from the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion. It's going to be uber ugly here.

Morishima waits for Dragon in the ring, and Dragon struggles back in. Dragon is bleeding bad. Morishima continues beating on Danielson. Danielson walks in to a missile drop kick from the top rope by the 300 pound former ROH World Champion.

The bell rings when Morishima hit the drop kick, signaling the beginning of the match. Dragon gets choked out on the ropes, bleeding like a stuck pig. Morishima continues to beat on Danielson badly around the eye and face. Dragon gets raked by the eyes across the ropes. Morishima contrinues to work on Danielson's face and throat with chokes and other high impact moves.

The onslaught continues with boots to Dragon's face. Dragon manages to counter the whip to the buckle, and kicks Morishima in the back of the head. Kicks to Morishima's spine and stomach by Danielson and Shima is not budging. Dragon gets Shima in the triangle choke. Shima picks up Danielson while still in the choke hold, and Danielson counters with the roaring elbows. Danielson then eats a vicious lariat from Morishima, and he is crimson from all the blood pouring out of his face.

Morishima takes his time, and hits the back drop driver. A lariat by Morishma, and Danielson kicked out from the combo. Insane. Referee even put the X signal up saying Danielson is hurt, but the match continues.

Sinclair is out to look at Dragon, but the match continues. Shots to the back on Danielson by Morishima. Morishima goes to kick Danielson in the groin, but stops. Danielson manages to get Morishima down and hit the roaring elbows again. Morishima eats the elbows, and continue with the insane high impact moves. Low Blow by Morishima. Danielson is down, and begins to do to Dragon what Dragon did to him last month, stomp him in the groin multiple times. Morishima loses by DQ, and the officials are going nuts trying to stop the onslaught. The refs are getting thrown around like rag dolls, and Morishima hits the back drop driver on a referee. Ouch. Danielson grabs the ring bell mallet, and tries to dig it in to Morishima's skull.

American Dragon Bryan Danielson defeated Takeshi Morishima by disqualification.

Four guys are holding Morishima back, three guys are holding Dragon back. Dragon gets medical help as soon as he hits the back, and Morishima is still seething in the arena.

I am checking behind me to make sure they don't start fighting nearby my location.

ROH announces the 2/23 show in New York is the sixth anniversary show.

Next up is the 2 out of 3 falls match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship between Rocky Romero and FIP Heavyweight Champion Roderick Strong vs.the ROH World Tag Team Champions, Mark and Jay Briscoe.

I can't tell the Briscoes apart. I think I figured it out at the tail end of the match, so I ask you to please bear with me.

Romero is also due to go to NOAH for First Navigation, so I wonder if that will have an effect on the match.

New York is serious Briscoe country. The crowd starts chanting for "2 straight" The Briscoes have a streak going of winning straight falls in these stip matches.

Rocky and one of the Briscoes involve in some chain wrestling in to what looked like an STF by Romero. Some more chain wrestling and we're back to a standing base.

The mat wrestling continues with Azucar Romero and the champs. Headlocks, armbars, arm locks, the works. Major league mat wrestling. Effective, but sometimes, difficult to watch. Romero climbs the ropes with Briscoe's head in his legs, and snap mares him over. Counters of a suplex and drop kick by both men, which after a myriad of counters, Romero hits an enziguri and tags in the FIP Champion.

Strong with an armbar, and maintains the mo for a moment, before the Briscoes regain and tag out. Armbar on Strong, and Roddy reverses it in to a armbar. The chop fest ensues with both men. The impact begins to intensify.

Strong gets a 2 count off a missile drop kick out of the corner. Romero hits a spine kick off a snap mare following a tag in. NRC continues the momentum with some double team moves. NRC hits a nasty looking elbow to the top of the skull. Headache city.

The intensity and damage continues to unfold. I am running a little low on energy so my commentary is difficult to hear. It's also tough to try and call because it's pretty quick, even for the level of intensity by both teams.

Strong hits a belly to belly for a 2 count. The Briscoes get Strong in the corner and proceed to pound him in to the middle of next week. Strong continues to get worked over by both champions for a near fall. The momentum changes in the match a lot. The Briscoes hit a nice combo. Drop toe hold on Strong to the buckle, run over and hit Romero off the apron and in to the barrier, and then run back and boot Strong right in the face. Intense, but a 2 count, none the less.

Romero eats a suplex for a 2 count by the champions. Armbar submission by the champs on Romero. Like I said, I couldn't figure out who is who with the Briscoes till the end of the match.

NRC grabs the ankle of the champs, and Romero is able to grab Briscoe for a jumping spinning DDT. Strong and Romero continue the double team moves with the boots to the face, and gun like chops to the chest.

A near fall by Briscoe on Romero with a shin breaker. Moon sault by the Briscoes on both members of NRC. A running boot to Strong's face. Running drop kick on Romero for a 2 count by the Briscoes. Counters go nuts now with multiple attempted moves by both men. Strong appears to be hurt. Two suicide dives by both Briscoes on NRC on the outside following a nasty combination of moves bringing the NRC to the outside. A press slam on Romero in to a DVD for a 2 count by the Briscoes broken up by Strong.

Strong executes a torture rack backbreaker for a 2 count. The chops resume by both men. Near falls by the champs, and the champs call for the Doomsday, which is missed when Romero trips Briscoe. Near fall on the champs with a boot to the face by NRC. A doomsday device with Romero hitting the knee to Briscoes' face, in to a gibson driver, and the first fall go to the challengers, the No Remorse Corps.

Romero resumes the match with his educated feet to the chest of the champs. I now can tell you that the guy in the ring who took the first fall was Jay Briscoe. NRC double team Jay in the corner. Things have gotten quiet in the Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom. Jay is put in the tree of woe. Romero catapulted by Strong with a leg drop to Jay's chin.

Near fall by NRC for a 2 count. NRC hit a Briscoe patented move with a double shoulder block. The impact resumes with Jay getting the upper hand in to a suplex brainbuster combination on Romero. Mark is in missing a boot on Romero, but manages a kick to the face. Chops and kicks on Romero, and Strong comes in to help his partner.

Back and forth action continues with a twisting press by Mark for a 2 count on Strong. Counters and more counters of a backslide, and two gibson drivers in to a roll up for a 3 count on Strong by Mark Briscoe. We're tied at 1 fall a piece. A little bit of a weak 2nd fall, in my personal opinion.

The fight continues in the center of the ring. Jay with Strong, and Mark with Romero. Back and forth action continue with counters galore. Mark hits a brainbuster on Romero for a 2 count. Moonsault off the top missed by Mark, a running boot by Romero for a 2 count. A couple more boots by Roddy off of an fireman's carry on Mark for a 2 count.

Mark boots Romero in the back, but Romero drop kicks Mark in the face. Back and forth action continues with Jay and Strong following tag ins. A near fall by NRC after some nasty impact. Drop kick by Strong on Mark.

Some underhanded tactics from NRC while Sinclair wasn't looking. Gutbuster by Strong. Gibson Driver attempt by Strong in to a lariat by Jay Briscoe.

The champs get Strong up and hit the spike jay driller to win the fall and the match, two falls to one.

ROH World Tag Team Champions Mark and Jay Briscoe defeated No Remorse Corps of Roderick Strong and Rocky Romero 2 falls to 1.

Final Battle 2007's official card.
Jigsaw and Ruckus vs. Matt Cross & Bobby Fish
Jack Evans vs. Necro Butcher
El Generico, Delirious & Kevin Steen vs. the Hangmen 3 in a tables are legal match
The FIP Champion Roderick Strong defends vs. Erick Stevens
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Larry Sweeney
Austin Aries & Naomichi Marufuji vs. Rocky Romero & Davey Richards
Jay & Mark Briscoe defend the ROH World Tag Team titles vs. The Age of the Fall of Jimmy Jacobs & Tyler Black
Nigel McGuinness defends the ROH World title in a four way elimination match vs. Chris Hero, Bryan Danielson & Takeshi Morishima.

First thing I thought about after hearing this card, is I haven't seen Marufuji. Sure enough, here comes the NOAH stalwart for the main event. I don't know who he is facing, and when the opponent comes out, I am surprised, in a big way.

The opponent is Claudio Castagnoli in a rematch from Glory By Honor VI, Night 2, where these two talents put on a hell of a show, with Marufuji winning the first salvo last month. I am surprised Claudio is going a 2nd time, and I am stunned this is the main event. The crowd is not pleased with the main event, but I am fine with it. These two can go, as proven last month at Glory By Honor VI.

Collar and elbow and a clean break, showing respect by both men. Back and forth holds by both men, and some acrobatic reversals by Marufuji. Fuji is just lightning fast. Hammerlock by Claudio.

A single leg takedown in to a headlock by Marufuji. Marufuji goes for shoulder blocks off the ropes on nine different occasions, and Claudio says keep going, he's not moving. Claudio is challenged to bounce the ropes, and some massively fast acrobatics involving a leap frog, reverse leap frog, and a drop down by Marufuji in to a drop kick to the back of the head of Claudio. Its insane how fast this guy is. Marufuji gets up and looks at Claudio saying "look what I did to you, AGAIN."

Headlock by Marufuji, Claudio whips him off, and drops down, when Marufuji just drops and headlocks Claudio again. Another leapfrog is turned in to an atomic drop by Marufuji. A giant swing is attempted by Claudio and missed. Fuji counters, but gets caught in a tilt o whirl backbreaker by Marufuji for a two count.

A gut wrench suplex by Castagnoli for a two count. Forearms and chops by both men. Marufuji gets dropped by Claudio for a two count. Surfboard hoard on Marufuji by Claudio. Crowd is leaving en masse, and I am stunned.

Claudio gets dropped on the turnbuckle head first by Marufuji's feet. Ouch.

Marufuji's educated feet did some more damage with an enziguri before the unorthodox shot to Claudio's face, and then a hip shot to Claudio while he was stuck in the buckle recovering.

Marufuji puts Claudio in a piledriver position, Claudio tries the giant swing, but gets rolled up for a 2 count.

A nasty upper cut by Claudio. Claudio picks up Marufuji by the arm pits and powerbombs him for a two count.

A superkick by Marufuji right under the chin. Shiranui attempt by Marufuji missed in to a 2 count by Claudio. Claudio then gets the giant swing after a double leg takedown on the NOAH talent.

Marufuji hit Claudio with a drop kick, when Fuji's foot hit Claudio right in the side of the chin. It was devastating to watch.

Claudio hits a powerbomb from the top rope on Fuji for two.

Euro uppercuts and kicks in to a superkick under the jaw by Fuji. Before that was the kick to the back of Claudio's head, pushing Claudio's head to the mat. Another shiranui attempt missed by Marufuji. Another shiranui attempt missed. German suplex off the top by Claudio for 2 9/10.

Claudio goes for the german suplex off the mat, literally, but Marufuji blocks it with a couple of elbows, and hits the shiranui. Both men are down. Marufuji with a superkick. No sell by Claudio. Ricola bomb by Claudio. Marufuji is on the ropes. Ricola Bomb attempted again, and missed it. Roll up by Marufuji for a 3 count and we're done.

Naomichi Marufuji defeated Claudio Castagnoli.

Sweet & Sour, Inc. comes out to beat on Claudio Castagnoli after the match. Marufuji works on Dempsey and Toland. Claudio gets Hero out with an uppercut, and has Sweeney alone. I went to leave, and didn't realize this was going down. Puder comes out, and begins to take out Claudio with a submission hold. Stevens comes out to challenge Puder, and Richards follows to beat on Stevens with the FIP Champ. Strong grabs the mike, and begins berating Stevens for the title match at Final Battle. Strong says he's the best champion in ROH because he's defended the FIP title all over the world. He then says he's gonna concuss Stevens with the title belt. Before Stevens can get the belt in the face, the Vulture Squad hit the ring to take on NRC. NRC bail after a 630 and a moonsault by Evans and Ruckus on Strong and Richards.

J-Train has the mike. J-Train does his usual schtick on the mike, puts over ROH. It's difficult to understand Smokes, but man, he's fun to listen to on the mike. Smokes & Evans do some blabbering to end the show, I couldn't tell you what they were saying because it's just inaudible, or I just don't speak hip hop. What can I tell you?

It was another fun ROH show. Please feel free to debate this with me on my blog and message board by clicking here.

Thanks for reading.