AOTF vs Briscoes Relaxed Rules rewatch

I feel this match is good, but it feels a bit off to me. I dug both halves of the match with the early street fight in the first half and the FIP section in the second half, but I don’t think I liked the bridge between the two halves. Necro or Matthews interfereing, fine, but some random follower we never see again is kind of a jip. I also think Mark got injured on that table bump because he didn’t come back until the end. They did cover it up well if that wasn’t the plan. In the end, the fatigue from the garbage brawls, some spots that didn’t come off well, and an unnecessary kick out of the super contra code cuts this from the list. Slight no.

Strong vs Stevens SOH3 08 rewatch

Not the MOTYC like the three way, but still ungodly stiff. More angle then match, but it had all the makings of a very violent bar fight. The best I’ve seen today. #5.

McGuinness vs Black rewatch

Not as outstanding as last time. I still feel like the crowd and Black made this match. I know Nigel Nigel is supposed to be the heelish ace champion, but his no selling at points was really aggravating. And I’ll also add that the Nigel’s setup for Tyler’s superplex was really embarrassing. I don’t think this is even better then the Street Fight, but because of the significance of elevating Black to a main event player, I will list it barely. #7.

Briscoes vs Matthews/Butcher Philadelphia Street Fight rewatch

Held up pretty well, but not as good as the last 3 way. It was a clinic in good punching and brawling with an awesome atmosphere. The women fighting should have still been dropped and I wasn’t feeling the selling especially after Matthews took the Doomsday Device. It’s in, but it is last right now. #6.

Strong vs Butcher vs Stevens No DQ rewatch

This was crazy and messy enough to be considered a MOTYC. Pretty much all the stiff, brutal, and unorthodox spots that you could ask for. Granted not all the spots were the cleanest and some may not be high on Necro’s no selling at points, but he makes up for it by dying several times at points. You just can’t ignore this. #2.

Jacobs/Black vs. Romero/Richards vs. Aries/Danielson vs. Albright/Whitmer Ultimate Endurance rewatch

This held up way better then I would have thought. This should not have worked with two mediocre teams and AOTF going out early, but the consistent story of the two mediocre teams working over Danielson’s leg and Danielson’s selling of that leg really put this over the top. The structure and lack of bs get this on the list. #3.

Generico vs Claudio rewatch

Held up real well, although not the very best they have done (but with these two it would be an impossible task). Just good simple work on the leg with the beautiful spots coming when it matters. Generico’s selling was outstanding throughout. It feels like a match that is in between MOTYC and high end very good. This will be the match to determine what is a MOTYC and what isn’t. #2.

McGuinness vs Hero Steel Cage rewatch

This felt like a MOTYC although granted there will be more of those in 08 then 07. Hero and Sweet and Sour carried the majority of this with the brilliant comedy, escape attempts, stiffness, smart spots, story, and blood. Nigel’s selling was good, but did kind of had to no sell it a bit at points when he was trying to stop Chris from escaping which I can live with. Legit second best cage match for ROH this decade and a possible top 5 match for ROH this year. #1.