BRM Reviews ROH Respect Is Earned

[Big Red Machine]

ROH Respect Is Earned (5/12/2007)- Manhattan, NY
DISC 1: PPV
BJ WHITMER PROMO & ROH WORLD TITLE MATCH: Takeshi Morishima(c) vs. BJ Whitmer- no rating, but a PERFECT SEGMENT. This was a PERFECT introduction to ROH for new fans who might be tuning in to ROH for the first time (which makes sense, as this was ROH’s first PPV). BJ cut a short promo saying “in ROH, we do our talking in the ring… so I am challenging anyone who thinks they are tough enough to face me!” Then Morishima came out and they had a short ROH World Title match. While this match was only four minutes long, it was ALL action, it made Morishima look dominant, and most importantly, was a great introduction to ROH.

MORISHIMA, NIGEL, & DRAGON SEGMENT- Did a good job of setting up the main event and (with great announcing by Dave Prazak and Lenny Leonard), did a great job of bringing new fans up to speed on the ROH World Title picture.

NAOMICHI MARUFUJI vs. ROCKY ROMERO- 7.75/10 GREAT!

SWEET N’ SOUR INC. SEGMENT- Good stuff. Sweeney introduces his newest client: Sara Del Rey. Then we get some goofiness with Tank Toland and Bobby Dempsey to kick off the “Sweet N’ Sour Inc. abuse Bobby Dempsey” angle. This was a good segment; it got the point across well, didn’t take too long, and made Sara look good, too.

DRAGON, NIGEL, MORISHIMA… AND KENTA SEGMENT- Main event build-up part 2

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH: The Briscoe Brothers(c) vs. Matt Sydal & Claudio Castagnoli- 8.5/10. Awesome match. A lot better than I was expecting, considering that Claudio and Sydal were a makeshift team.
AFTERMATH- Steen & Generico come out and Steen wants to know when they are getting a title shot. Then he and Generico charge the ring and brawl with the Briscoes (setting up perfectly for the next PPV).

RODERICK STRONG vs. DELIRIOUS- 8//10, with great aftermath that made Erick Stevens look like a beast.

ADAM PEARCE PROMO- okay.

NIGEL MCGUINNESS & KENTA vs. BRYAN DANIELSON & TAKESHI MORISHIMA- 8.75/10. Awesome match, with great aftermath.

The PPV portion of this show was amazing. It did its job perfectly as an introduction to ROH for new fans, while not bogging things down for old fans.

DISC 2: “dark” bonus matches
BRENT ALBRIGHT vs. TANK TOLAND (w/Larry Sweeney & Bobby Dempsey)- 6/10. Enjoyable

NO REMORSE CORPS SEGMENT- What a bunch of asses! I want to see them get their asses kicked SO BADLY! Great heelwork.

ERICK STEVENS vs. DAVEY RICHARDS- 6.25/10

SARA DEL REY vs. DAIZEE HAZE- 5.75/10

TAG TEAM SCRAMBLE MATCH: Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Irish Airborne vs. Pelle Primeau & Mitch Franklin vs. Jimmy Rave & Adam Pearce (w/Shane Hagadorn)- 6/10

Overall, an excellent show from ROH. Great wrestling, and an amazing introduction to ROH for new fans.