ROH PPV Review: Glory By Honor XI

So all this hype you've been hearing about this Michael Elgin guy.....yeah, it's pretty much well deserved....

 

 

Here are my thoughts on Ring Of Honor's eleventh Glory By Honor event: 

The commentary team of Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness will be calling the action for tonight's show and they continue to be IMO, the best commentary tandem in wrestling right now.  McGuinness in particular, who gives such credibility and insight and best of all, pure emotion when the time calls for it.  This is the type of work that turns great matches into epic battles you will never forget.

Onto the show...

Match 1: The Bravado Brothers vs. Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander

This was a solid match with a lot of cool spots and it made for a great warm up, but the last chunk of it showcased a bit too much choreography.  I'm not sure if they had the last half pre-planned move for move, I'm just saying that's how it came off to me.  I know the Bravado Brothers have their own cult following, but I just can't get into them.  I think Alexander & Coleman outperformed them here, though both teams are talented and turned in a decent opener with the type of innovation and excitement you want when you come to a ROH show.

Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander def. The Bravado Brothers after 10:00 via. pinfall following Overtime

 

Match Rating: ***

Both teams showed their mutual respect post match

 

Match 2: Mike Mondo vs. Mike Bennett w/Maria Kanellis

Okay, so this match is the blowoff of a feud that really makes absolutely no sense, but it was still one hell of a fight.  The basic setup is Bennett looking to kick Mondo's ass for stealing a kiss and attempting to cop a feel of Maria Kanellis.  Fine and dandy, but the problem is the fact that Bennett is a heel.  I mean if this angle was meant to turn him babyface, I still think it's stupid because every guy in that arena would want a kiss from Maria.  Maybe not in such a creepy and forceful way, but they would nonetheless.  She's smoking hot and no one is going to blame Mondo for thinking so.  Thus the catcalls whenever she arrives.  I mean this is ROH people!!!  I dunno, I just think the whole thing made no sense.  That's my only beef with this match though.  Stupid storyline aside, Mondo and Bennett both turned in one of the best matches of their careers and really went out there and did their best to sell the story as shitty as it may be.  Maria even played her part very well providing quite the distraction for Mondo whenever her man needed it

Hell, she provides quite the distraction for everybody

This was everything you'd expect it to be and a bit more.  Mondo is slowly becoming one of the hidden gems in the wrestling world being able to turn in believable character work all while maintaining a willingness to do just about anything.  He even was crazy enough to dive off of the entryway because damn it, he was going to get this thing to work one way or another!

FYI, that kiss from Maria.....totally worth it

I really enjoyed this match once it got going.  And don't get me wrong, Bennett has become a solid wrestler in his time in ROH and I do see him making the trip up to Stamford in the near future because he's a perfect fit for mainstream television, but the MVP performance goes to Mondo.  The guy is the entertainer of the night.  Too bad it appears he legit broke his ankle in this match.  It would suck if he had to sit the next few shows out.

Mike Bennett def. Mike Mondo after 11:00 via. pinfall following the TKO

 

Match Rating: ***1/4

Match 3: Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team vs. BJ Whitmer & Rhett Titus

This match was anchored by the strong presence of WGTT.  Whitmer is OK in my book, but pretty much every one of Titus' flaws began to show in the absence of Kenny King these past months.  King was always the crown jewel of ANX for me and without him, I just find Titus near impossible to watch.  Not his fault really, he just doesn't have "it" in my opinion.  Maybe a gimmick change is in order.  I don't know what it is but both teams did their usual here.  Kind of a go through the motions match for me and in ROH, that's never good.

WGTT def. Whitmer & Titus after 11:00 via. pinfall following a Double Powerbomb

 

Match Rating: **

The veteran duo carried their opponents in more ways than one

 

Match 4: Jay Lethal vs. Davey Richards

Jay Lethal's new "killer instinct" persona has made him twice the performer he was before.  I kid you not, this is his best work.  Ever.  Prior to the match, he arrived and cut one of the best promos of the year and if you haven't been following ROH, it doesn't matter, because he immediately lets you know where his head is and I really believe this to be a breakout night for him to become a true cornerstone for the company.

"Kevin Steen, you spit in my parents face on purpose, so you can kiss my ass.....ROH told Jay Lethal that he was too nice....ROH, you can also kiss my ass......And I'd say the same for my opponent tonight, but I have a lot of respect for Davey Richards....but I have a lot of anger built up inside so tonight Davey, you're gonna be just the wrong person at the wrong time."

Holy shit.  I think a single tear just came out my eye.  And it doesn't stop there.  The ensuing match was by far, one of the best of the year.  Lethal and Richards tore down the house and as far as ring work goes, I don't think there are many that are going to give these two a run for their money come year's end.  This match had all the intensity that is usually present in a Richards match, but with the intrigue that comes with the "new" Jay Lethal.  The promo set things up perfectly and I was left on the edge of my seat the entire time.  You really felt as if this one could go either way.  Some great sequences of strikes and even better use of submissions.

I mean seriously...LOOK at that! 

Amazing.  Just a great back and forth match that if it had more buildup and had been for the title, I might even say it was the Match of the Year.  It was that good.  This is the kind of match that people come to ROH for and the kind that we rarely see nowadays.  Just a great breakthrough for Lethal and Richards is by far one of the best wrestlers today.  Do yourself a favor and check this one out.  I won't spoil the winner for you because this one delivers all the way through the finish.

Match Rating: ****1/2

Tadarius Thomas comes out for a supposed match with Roderick Strong, but Strong comes out in street clothes.  Roddy gets the mic and insults Thomas, and then he quits the House of Truth.  He says he’ll sit front row during the main event.  He leaves, out comes Rhino and we have....this:

Match 5: Rhino vs. Tadarius Thomas

The match was just passable, but the real story comes in the seeds being planted for one of the more over stables in ROH destroying itself from within.  Very interested in seeing where this is going.

Tadarius Thomas def. Rhino after 8:00 via. pinfall following unintentional distraction from Truth Martini

 

Match Rating: **

Oh...and how did Martini pay for that unintentional distraction you ask?

With his life.  War Machines don't take IOUs

 

Match 6:: ROH Television Championship match: Adam Cole(c) vs. Eddie Edwards

This was one of the better matches of the night from a pure mat wrestling perspective so it has to come with a disclaimer.  If technical wrestling isn't your cup of tea, you should skip this one.  I actually enjoy some catch as catch can grappling and I felt that it added some variety to the card given the spotty nature of the rest of the show.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but sometimes you just want to watch two guys wrestle without all the extra flash.  That being said, it wasn't one of either man's best matches as Eddie Edwards didn't die as hard as he usually does, but it was still a very good showing for Adam Cole.  He's continuing to grow on me and I'm glad to see he can actually "go" when the time comes.

 

Adam Cole def. Eddie Edwards after 19:00 via. pinfall following the Florida Key

 

Match Rating: ***1/2

One of Cole's most credible performances to date

Match 7:: ROH Tag Team Championship match: S.C.U.M.(c) vs. The Briscoe Brothers

One thing that has to be commended is the flow of the card for this show.  It flows just right with each match placed in the perfect position so that you don't ever really feel bored or exhausted at any point.  We were treated to an opening spotfest, some over-the-top "sports entertaining", a true MOTY candidate, a bit of technical brilliance and now, we get this

Showmanship at it's finest

This match had the crowd on the edge of their seats as is expected when the Briscoes are involved.  And as usual "Dem Boys" don't disappoint.  We get the usual tag formula but with the added "Briscoe Bumps" that make the ROH legends so popular amongst it's fanbase.  Nothing too special, but out of all the tag matches we've seen here, I think this is easily, the best of the three. 

S.C.U.M. def. The Briscoe Brothers after 14:00 via. pinfall following a Low Blow

 

Match Rating: ***1/4

Kevin Steen's music hits, the people are going nuts for a man that is truly, the baddest sum'bitch in wrestling today

Including this guy, who gets my vote for the year's most awesome sign

 

A sign that amazing can only mean that it is now time for our

 

MAIN EVENT

 

Match 8:: ROH World Championship match: Kevin Steen(c) vs. Michael Elgin

Steen announces that Jay Lethal's parents are now banned from ROH.  He also tells Lethal that he will never face him again and that there will be a new ROH title belt (YES!).  Oh and that banned move....y'know that Package Piledriver thing?  That's legal again!  Fuck, this is going to be awesome.

Where Steen and Lethal go from here doesn't even matter once Elgin comes out.  Make no mistake about it, this is wrestling's breakout star of the year.  Save for Ryback.  Don't believe me?  You think it's all hype?  This match will convince you.

This match is every bit as amazing as anything else I've seen this year.  Sure, there were better "wrestling" matches, hell even Lethal/Richards was better, but no match this year showcases a more impressive and star making performance than this one does with Elgin.  This guy is the truth.  I bullshit you not.  He can do it all.  And his two main events this year with Steen and Richards are easily two of the three best main events of the year (to go with Punk/Cena at NOC).  By far.  Elgin is a credible wrestler, but his strength is the likes of which I've never seen before.  Want an example?  Read these next three words very carefully.

 

Deadlift.  German.  Suplex.

Yes.  That happened.  Along with many other amazing feats of strength.  To include Elgin carrying Steen on his back and driving both men through a table and multiple powerbomb variations.

Did I mention all these maneuvers were done on Kevin Steen!!!!???

This is how you make a star.  Forget hype videos and squash matches.  Have him go out there with the best in the world an tear it up.  Plain and simple.  If you only watch one match this month, make it this one.  You won't be disappointed.

Kevin Steen def. Michael Elgin after 31:00 via. pinfall following a Super Package Piledriver

You read that right.  Super Package Piledriver.  Do I really need to remind you to watch this match?

 

Match Rating: ****3/4

Post match, Roderick Strong comes out and lays Elgin down with a kick.  Nigel McGuinness gets in the ring and told Steen that in the event of him retaining the title, he was told to deliver a package to him.  Steen begins to open the package and--

!!!!!

What a great ending to one of the best shows of the year.  ROH's stock is rising as we now know that El Generico is obviously fit for a return and business is about to pick up for fans who've been following ROH and have been looking for a story they can get behind.  Great, great finish.  I won't say that ROH is the best wrestling company in the world again, but this is DEFINITELY the direction they need to be going right now.

Final Thoughts

ROH's streak of shitty production values and even shittier shows has come to an end.  That comes at the hands of some of the best workers in the world today and the supremely awesome commentary by Nigel McGuinness (which is always a welcome addition to any show).  I have not been a huge fan of ROH for a while now (just occasionally checking in for big matchups) due to the fact that I felt as if the Golden Age had come and gone and every noteworthy talent had been scooped up by either TNA or WWE.  This show changed all of that for me.  More importantly Michael Elgin changed all of that for me.  Throw his unbelievable classic with Davey Richards up there with his performance here and I'm really sold on this guy being one of the next big stars in one of the "big two" in the near future.  He's something special and if he wasn't on Vince or Dixie's radar before, he is now.  Trust me.  Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards are still two of the best wrestlers today as well.  Mike Mondo, Jay Lethal and Mike Bennett have all grown leaps and bounds as performers since I last saw them and ROH's future looks promising again.  Oh, and that Kevin Steen guy ain't half bad either.  Great wrestling, great commentary, great booking and a classic show.

Overall PPV Score: 10/10

PPV Awards

Match of the Night: Kevin Steen vs. Michael Elgin
Performer of the Night: Michael Elgin
Moment of the Night: Elgin's Deadlift German Suplex
Segment of the Night: Jay Lethal's pre-match promo
Surprise of the Night: Kevin Steen reveals Generico's mask