Ring of Honor Wrestling on Sinclair
January 17, 2015
Nashville, Tennessee (Tennessee State Fairgrounds)
Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Steve Corino
Recap by: Jason Namako of Wrestleview.com
We open with a promo from Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Briscoe.
Jay: “Tonight, Nigel McGuinness done confirmed it, the World Title’s on the line. Everything’s confirmed on my end, but its still a lot of unanswered questions over there in the Kingdom. Who’s it gonna be? Mike Bennett? Matt Taven? And the more important question is, are y’all gonna be a man and put my property on the line? That lil’ pink Title of Love y’all carrying around. I’m putting my strap up, y’all put your strap up, too.”
We see the usual intro, then we go to the opening match.
Cedric Alexander vs. Kazarian w/”The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
Daniels joins commentary for this match and mentions that he doesn’t have his usual Appletini with him because of a law Jerry Jarrett issued in the city of Nashville back in the ’70s. Code of Honor as the bell sounds. Chain wrestling early until we have a stalemate. Exchange of armdrags, then Cedric avoids one from Kazarian and hits a spinning back kick to the ribs. Kazarian goes up & over Cedric and hits a leg lariat. Clothesline by Kazarian in the corner, followed by a delayed seated dropkick as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial as Cedric, on the apron, blocks a suplex from Kazarian back into the ring and suplexes him over the ropes and to the outside, with Kazarian landing kidneys-first on the apron! Cedric with a series of big chops to Kazarian against the barricade. Back in, Kazarian avoids a shoulder to the ribs from the apron by Cedric and hits a leg drop to the back of his head. Commentary talks about Daniels facing Alberto El Patron in Alberto’s ROH debut next week on ROH TV. Kazarian with an elbow to the back of Cedric’s head, then locks him in a cravate, crowd wills on Cedric. Cedric fights back with gut shots, but Kazarian with knees to the ribs, then hits a cravate flipping neckbreaker for 2. Kazarian with a right hand to Cedric in the corner, followed by a Russian Leg Sweep for another 2. Cedric fights back with an uppercut, then Kazarian runs into a boot by Cedric in the corner. Cedric kicks Kazarian away, then hits a suplex. Cedric holds on and hits a second suplex. Cedric still holds onto Kazarian, but Kazarian slips out of a third suplex. Cedric blocks an O’Connor Roll by Kazarian, then catches a kick and hits a springboard Tornado DDT for 2. Crowd chants for Cedric as he charges, but Kazarian avoids him in the corner, goes onto the apron and hits Cedric with an enziguri. Kazarian goes for the Slingshot DDT, but Cedric counters it with a Michinoku Driver for a close 2. Cedric charges in, but Kazarian catches him with an Overhead Belly-to-Belly that sends Cedric into the turnbuckles for 2. Cedric slips out of Ride the Lightning by Kazarian, but Kazarian avoids Kick 2 Kill: Part 2 and locks Cedric in a unique submission hold, with Cedric’s leg grapevined and Kazarian using his free leg to lock Cedric in almost a Triangle Choke of sorts. Cedric quickly gets to the ropes. Cedric backdrops Kazarian onto the apron, but Kazarian with a shoulder to the ribs, followed by this time hitting the Slingshot DDT, spiking Cedric on his head, for a close 2. Kazarian is getting frustrated. Kazarian places Cedric up top, facing the crowd and heads up top with him. Kazarian goes for a Super Back Suplex, but Cedric knocks him off with elbows to the head. Kazarian then springs back up and hits a Sunset Bomb, with Cedric bouncing up to his feet and then comes back with a Windmill Kick on Kazarian! Cedric is sent onto the apron by Kazarian, but hits him with an enziguri to the back of the head. Cedric springboards in, but Kazarian catches him in mid-air with a Cutter!
Ride the Lightning (Killswitch) by Kazarian gets the win.
Winner: Kazarian by pinfall (Ride the Lightning)
Kazarian celebrates his win afterward as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial, we go to a promo from Matt Taven.
Taven: “Hey Jay Briscoe, I’m sure you came right in front of this camera and screamed and hollered and yelled and I just wanna tell you, ‘Thank You Jay’, thank you for going to Nigel and making his a ROH World Title match and I thought you were the smart one of the Briscoe clan. But it looks like after tonight, Matt Taven’s gonna be your new ROH Champion.”
Caprice Coleman joins commentary for our next match, the second First Round Match in the 2015 Top Prospect Tournament.
We see video from when Will Ferrara defeated J. Diesel in the first First Round match last week, with Diesel laying out Ferrara afterward.
2015 Top Prospect Tournament First Round Match: Donovan Dijak vs. Jake Dirden
Commentary mentions that Dirden is the first and only man to be dismissed from a ROH Tryout Camp for injuring too many people. Both men stand above 6’6, the two biggest men to compete in the Top Prospect Tournament. Code of Honor as the bell sounds as both men get in each other’s faces. Dirden goes for the Asiatic Spike early as he has his thumb taped up, but Dijak blocks it and hits a series of forearms. Dijak sidesteps a backdrop attempt, but it has no effect on Dirden as he goozles Dijak. Dijak breaks free and hits a superkick that rocks Dirden into the corner. Dijak with a running back elbow in the corner, but then Dirden comes back with a running boot in the corner. Dirden pulls at Dijak’s face in the corner as we see the Decade head out to ringside the observe the match. Dirden misses a right hand and Dijak with a forearm, a chop and a right hand. Dirden comes back with a back elbow, but then Dijak nails him with a Cyclone Boot. Dijak clotheslines Dirden to the outside, then gets a head of steam and wipes out Dirden with a flip dive! Back in, Dijak goes for a Discus Clothesline, but Dirden catches him with a Chokeslam for a close 2. Dirden can’t believe it! Dirden with a Backdrop Driver, then stops going for a pin and looks to finish off Dijak with the Asiatic Spike. Dirden goes for it, but Dijak lifts him up in Torture Rack position.
Burning Hammer into a Go 2 Sleep by Dijak gets him the win.
Winner and advancing to the Semi-Finals: Donovan Dijak by pinfall (Burning Hammer into a Go 2 Sleep)
Dijak celebrates his win afterward as we see that the Decade seem impressed by what they just saw as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial, we see video hyping up CHIKARA’s January 25th show at the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia prior to the Royal Rumble PPV.
We then go to video of a shadowy figure talking in a distorted voice while watching clips of ROH on a screen.
“We have been watching you. We are coming. We’re coming and we’re bringing change with us.”
Back to the ring, Kevin Kelly introduces the debuting Alberto El Patron. Alberto’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Crowd chants for Alberto as he stage dives into the front row to embrace the ROH faithful. Kelly asks Alberto his plans now being in ROH.
Alberto: “First of all, I’m finally in Ring of Honor. Four months ago, somebody said that I was not gonna be able to wrestle in the United States for one year. But, guess what? I’m suddenly here in front of all of you in Nashville, Tennessee, working for the company where the best wrestlers on the planet are, in Ring of Honor. And yes, I said wrestlers, because that’s what we are. I’m not a f**king sports-entertainer, I’m a WRESTLER!! And to be the best, you have to defeat the best and that’s why I came here. Its gonna be a honor to share this ring with Christopher Daniels and we’re gonna give the best night of your life. (“Si” chants for Alberto.) But because you guys are so amazing, I’m gonna give you the real reason why I came here. I want a shot, I want an opportunity for the most amazing title wrestling can offer, the Ring of Honor World Title. So amigo, my friend, Briscoe, I know you are the man around here, please join me here and let’s give them what they want!”
All of a sudden, the music of the House of Truth hits as Ring of Honor Television Champion Jay Lethal and Truth Martini make their way to the ring.
Martini: “I’m gonna be honest with you, Alberto, I have never cared about anything you have done in your professional wrestling career until 20 seconds ago, because when you mentioned that you wanted the best, you failed to mention this man’s name.”
Lethal: “First of all, do your homework before you come to class, because the #1 man around here is NOT Jay Briscoe. Now Alberto, I know why you said it, so let me set the record straight. First of all, I am the #1 man here in Ring of Honor and that championship belt that Jay Briscoe holds, that is NOT the #1 belt here in Ring of Honor, THIS IS!! This is the Ring of Honor Television Championship, not only is it the greatest championship in Ring of Honor, but it is the greatest championship in the whole world and its great because I have it and if you don’t believe that, then you wouldn’t be stepping in a Ring of Honor ring right now! Now, I will not stand here and be disrespected, so I think you owe me and Truth and the whole House of Truth a big apology. So, I want you to apologize right now before your 1st day in Ring of Honor becomes your last!”
Alberto applauds Lethal.
Alberto: “Yeah amigo, you’re right, I’m sorry, man. I mean, I’m sorry, no disrespect, but in any company around the world, the main man, the main wrestler is always the World Champion.”
Lethal: “Not here!”
Alberto: “All my friends here believe it. (“Si” chants for Alberto.) So, if you are so desperate to get of El Patron and you have the cajones, perro, like we say from where I come from, let’s dance, pepita!”
Alberto removes his t-shirt and is ready to fight Lethal. Lethal removes his suit jacket and tie and is ready to fight, but Martini gets in Lethal’s ear and persuades him otherwise.
Martini: “Ha! HA! I know exactly what you are trying to do. You’re trying to shoot yourself right up to the top in Ring of Honor. My friend, that’s not the way it works, you’re gonna have to climb your way to the top, just like everyone else, then and only then, will you have the pleasure to step into the ring with YOUR Ring of Honor Television Champion, the greatest first-generation wrestler, Jay Lethal!”
Lethal & Martini leave the ring as the crowd chants for Alberto as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial, we see video from last week on ROH TV with the Triple Threat #1 Contenders Match going to a No Contest with no new #1 Contender being named.
Back to the ring, Ring of Honor matchmaker Nigel McGuinness makes his way to ringside and has a mic.
Nigel: “Ladies and gentlemen, as everyone who watched the main event last week’s TV saw, there was no clear or decisive winner, therefore no decisive answer as to who will be the #1 Contender for Jay Briscoe’s World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 13th Anniversary show. So, I’m not gonna take too much more of your time, I’m gonna make an announcement now for everybody here. In fact, let’s get Jay Briscoe out here so I can tell him to his face.”
The music of Jay Briscoe hits as he makes his way to ringside, but with a mic as well.
Jay: “So Nigel, I hear you are having some difficulty coming up with the #1 Contender to the Ring of Honor World Championship. Last week, that was a helluva match between Tommaso Ciampa, Michael Elgin and Hanson, they beat the hell outta each other and the next pay-per-view, we are in Las Vegas, Nevada, its a gambling city and you know I’m a gambling man, so the hell with just making one of them the #1 Contender, why don’t you just make all three of them the #1 Contender and in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the pay-per-view, we have a High Stakes Four Corner Survival for the World Championship? I’ll give you some time to think about it, but while you thinking, sound guy, hit the Kingdom’s music, bring Matt Taven out here, so I can whoop that sumb***h’s ass!”
Main Event for the Ring of Honor World Title: Jay Briscoe (c) vs. Matt Taven w/Michael Bennett & “The First Lady of Ring of Honor” Maria Kanellis
Kingdom circle the ring to distract Jay before the bell. Taven tries to attack Jay from behind as the bell sounds, but Jay sees him coming and hits a series of right hands. Taven misses a chop and Jay peppers him with a series of jabs, followed by a headbutt. Jay stomps away at Taven in the corner, then chokes him with his boot. Taven fights back with right hands, then sends Jay off the turnbuckles. Taven with a chop, then goes to the apron and hits an enziguri. Taven goes to springboard, but Jay knocks him down, then hits a running boot, sending Taven to the outside. Jay goes out after Taven and hits a series of headbutts. Taven sent into the barricade by Jay, followed by a running boot to the head. Jay breaks the ref’s 20 count, then hits more right hands on Taven. Jay throws Taven back in, then gives chase to Maria, but the distraction allows Taven to wipe out Jay with a No-Hands Plancha!
Taven chokes Jay with his t-shirt as Maria taunts Jay. Taven distracts the ref, allowing Bennett to nail Jay with a big right hand, then sends him into the barricade. Back in, Taven with a right hand, then sends Jay back outside. Taven again distracts the ref, allowing Bennett to nail Jay with a superkick and throw him back in. Taven heads up top and goes for Air Taven, but Jay gets his knees up!
“Man Up” chants by the crowd for Jay. Jay with more jabs, but Taven with a spinning back kick to the ribs. Jay with a big boot, but Maria grabs at Jay’s leg, allowing Taven to hit Jay with a springboard head kick for a close 2 as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial as Taven with a flipping neckbreaker to Jay, then kips up. Jay avoids a springboard by Taven, but Taven nails him with a superkick for another close 2. Commentary mentions that no one has heard from Adam Cole since Final Battle. Taven goes for the Climax, but Jay lifts him up. Taven slips out, then drives Jay into the corner. Taven charges in, but Jay catches him and hits a Flatliner into the middle turnbuckle, both men down. Bennett tries to will on Taven as the crowd wills on Jay with more “Man Up” chants.
Jay avoids right hands by Taven and hits forearms, followed by a series of uppercuts and headbutts. Jay with a back body drop, followed by a superkick of his own and the Hangman’s Neckbreaker for a close 2. Jay with a running stomp to Taven in the corner, then does the 10 punches, but Taven slips out and superkicks the back of Jay’s leg, sending Jay crashing down to the mat. Taven places Jay up top and goes up with him. Taven goes for a Super Rana, saying this is for ‘Adam Cole BAYBAY!’, but Jay shoos Taven off in mid-move, sending Taven crashing down to the mat!
JAY DRILLER!! 1-2-3!
Winner and STILL Ring of Honor World Champion: Jay Briscoe by pinfall (Jay Driller)
Afterwards, Bennett runs in with the Title of Love and nails Jay with it. Bennett stomps away at Jay as Maria gets into the ring with a mic.
Maria: “You want this? You want your property? Well, I own it. It was given to me. Its my Title of Love. So, what are you gonna do? You gonna fight a girl? Don’t make me laugh, and see ing you down there, you don’t have the balls to fight me.”
All of a sudden, Mark Briscoe runs out and clears the ring of the Kingdom with a chair.
Mark: “HEY! This has gone on long enough. Taven, Bennett, Maria, the Kingdom, this has gone long enough. Next week, TV, when we start the damn show, Jay & Mark vs. Taven & Bennett, Kingdom vs. Briscoes, tag-team match, we coming for the gold, boy!”
Kingdom & Briscoes stare each other down, while Maria holds up the Title of Love with a smile on her face, as the show closes.