Danielson/Joe/KENTA rewatch

Pretty flawed match. Transition issues, back and forth, and KENTA getting knocked loopy was part of the issues. Joe had to carry this match and did a damn fine job. This is every bit as stiff as I remember it, but still not what I had hoped it would be (granted I had high expectations). This was still memorable enough to be listable, but it won’t turn anti-3-way people to the other side.

Jacobs/Whitmer IYF rewatch

This is every bit as good as there first match except for two things. One, it was a bit restholdy at points. And two, I don’t feel it was structured right. Yes, the brawl in the beginning made sense in the feud, but then why bring it up the match in order to bring it back down a couple minutes later. I mean if you want to a shorter version of your first match structurally, then just do that. Still this is Whitmer/Jacobs and it is every bit as sweet as last time… but just not as good. Keep.

Briscoes vs Aries/Strong Destiny rewatch

On rewatch, it is better then there first. But like last time, I’m not seeing a listable match here. It has its moments for a storyless match and your mileage may vary when it comes to how exciting the match is, but it’s just that it was not exciting enough to put it on my list. No.

Danielson/Homicide Destiny rewatch

This held up pretty well. Danielson brought his usual great arm work and Homicide sold most of it well until the end. On rewatch, the match was back and forth at points with the big offenders being the first table spot and the title shot. It also happened in the finishing stretch which seems to be par for the course in ROH. This at least didn’t overstay its welcome like Danielson’s matches against Hero and Rave. List.

Rave/Richards rewatch

Tough call on this one. It was really well structured for a match with no story in it and it had good crowd heat. It’s not a stand out match in that I feel some of Davey’s offense and timing could be better. Still, I think it holds up and is on the list.

Necro/Homicide rewatch

I feel this match without the pre-match angle is a good, but flawed brawl. With the pre-match angle, it is great stuff. The match itself has some no selling from both parties, but it also has some insane bumps from both. Something like this works better then BJ/Necro because this match is not trying to fill 20+ minutes with sick spots. This wouldn’t have worked if it went that long. Not high or anything, but it’s a keeper.

Briscoes vs Aries/Strong Ring of Homicide rewatch

This…did not hold up. It is not that it’s bad match; it is just that it is the first in a series of matches and they held back from bringing the excitement. It’s ok to do that sometimes, but I would have liked to have seen some story like Aries arm from last night. There better storyless matches later on in the year that I can let this one go. No.

Aries/Jay Briscoe rewatch

Held up better this time. I loved Jay being an angry little prick and Aries selling the arm like a million bucks. It did take a bit for Jay to work the arm (with a pep talk from Aries), but once it happened, it was all fun. Not high end, but I enjoy these simple types of matches that are executed well. Keep.

Strong/Aries vs Rave/Shelley rewatch

If anything, this match is a reminder of how awesome the Embassy was and that this was there final match-up together in ROH. My only wish was that Nana was there instead of Haze. The match, it filled the bare minimum of being very good. There was nothing wrong with the match; it just felt a little hollow for a title match. I was expecting it to be bigger then what I got. Still, the Embassy’s bullshit made this match work. However, it just makes it barely listable.

Nigel/Danielson WOC night 2 rewatch

Not as great as I thought it could have been. It is still very good and high end, but I thought it would have held up better. The back and forth stood out more in this match, but this at least had structure with the arm work and selling. If I could be nitpicky, I would also say that the big submissions on Nigel went a bit too long. Still at the moment, this is top 5.

Sydal/Daniels rewatch

Held up better then I thought it would. It is still kind of a strange match. Execution issues stay the same, but with the exception of Sydal no selling the BME, then wasn’t any back and forth. It most cases this would be listable, but it just doesn’t work for me. It’s a unique match with both wrestlers playing roles different then they are usually known for, but it just came off as dry to me. No section of the match was bad, but there was nothing to really put it over the top. I recommend to those who want to see a different side to Sydal, but I just can’t do it. Slight no.

Claudio/SD/Necro/Webb vs. Pearce/Steel/Colt/Whitmer rewatch

Shorter version of the last match, but just as good. However, this does have flaws. I feel Webb and Pearce should not been in the match. Both of them being gone after the pile driver on the stage was strange. Steel suplexing Necro, fine, but here it didn’t make sense. The bigger issue was BJ’s neck selling. Don’t come out in a neck brace if you are not going to sell it. Still, this is listable.

Joe/Whitmer/Pearce vs. Hero/Necro/SD rewatch

I dug this just a little more this time. This match is more unique then any other match you will see during this decade. This is an inter-promotional monster brawl that would not have been out of place in Memphis in the 80’s. Not the very best so far, but very fun. Keep.

Cabana/Homicide Chicago Street Fight rewatch

This went way too long. It’s OK to do a match involving plunder, but 27 minutes is ridiculous. Plus, a lot of stuff in that match was no sold more then the first time I watched it. Yes, it was the big blowoff, but the ghetto street fight had way more hate without resorting to gimmicks unless it was necessary and was way tighter. No.

Danielson/Storm rewatch

It was good, but not great. Storm did well and all, but not selling the back was a deal breaker for me. It really was as good as it could get involving two wrestlers who don’t really match up that well. No.

Aries/Strong vs CIMA/Doi rewatch

The best match involving Dragongate that weekend. BG goes after Aries bloody nose which gave this match a good little story. There were points where they weren’t paying attention to Aries, but they gave him a nice ass-whooping. The home stretch did have some execution issues, but it didn’t have any no selling down the stretch. Keep.

Do Fixer vs Blood Generation rewatch

I just don’t know with this. It is very similar to the last 6 man right down to the annoying home stretch. I counted about 7 instances of no selling which makes this match just a bit more aggravating. The first 2 thirds were still fun, although I thought it was better last match. This match will be my cut off point for 06. So it is listable, barely.