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RING OF HONOR IN CHICAGO RIDGE, IL LIVE REPORT: AUSTIN ARIES VS. NIGEL MCGUINNESS AND MORE

Ring of Honor – Frontier Fieldhouse - Chicago Ridge, Illinois

Attendance was around 900. Prior to the show, there was a meet and greet with “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

Pre-show:

(A) Tony Kozina and Dirty Ernie Osiris (with Prince Nana) defeated Aaron Scott and Grizzly Redwood.

It might have been 90 degrees outside today, but the jacked-up crowd, right of the bat, made it feel like about 150 in the building. As soon as the bell rang ring announcer Joey Eastman alerted us five minutes have elapsed in the match. For a homeless man, Ernie has some nice shoes (as well as plaid Abercrombie pants and a homemade t-shirt) compared to the non-homeless, barefoot’d man – who’s beard is that of a mighty Redwood.  Some nice back and forth with Scott and Kozina (with his barrel chest, he’d make a great roaring 20’s strongman gimmick). Aaron Scott went for a slam on the bald Kozina, which caused Osiris to note “he's pulling his hair.” Advantage went to Team Nana after he pulled the top rope down so Scott would fall out of the ring. Finally, a hot tag was made to the Griz – who hit some axe-handles on Kozina, and followed with a flapjack on Scott. A short time later, while Scott was arguing with the ref (who had taped fists), Ernie drilled Redwood with his shoe, allowing Kozina to roll him up for the win.  

(B) “Big, Bad” Bobby Dempsey and Sawada defeated Andy “Right Leg” Ridge and Sampson.

Ridge is a heel now, as he looked surly, and kicked the guard rail twice on the way to the ring, just to let everyone know hoe surly he was. Sawada was wearing a gi. Sampson, a large, muscular, African-American fella was worried about the non-Milton Bradley Karate Fighter and a chop battle ensued, until Sampson used a poke to the eyes. Heat on Sawada, as Dempsey tried to get the crowd into the match. Sampson choked him on the ground, and then squatted in an attempt to blow gas, which allowed Dempsey to get the hot tag. The match would end with Dempsey using a Death Valley Driver on Ridge, as Sawada used a judo throw, and a keylock on Sampson for the victory.

(C) Josh Raymond defeated Mickey Nichols.

The pre-show main event, with the pre-show time remaining, saw a good paced wrestling match with plenty of Raymond (who's improved over the last two years since toning down the sleaze – and the mustache) and Mikey trading arm-bars and wrestling holds. Josh was over with his “Yeah!!!” catchphrase. Nichols attempted a rollup, but only got a two. Nichols hit a neck-breaker for two, and a second rope dropkick for another near fall. After a high cross-body by the Aussie for another near fall, Raymond came back with a super kick followed by a 360 corkscrew head kick off the ropes for the win.

There was a ten-bell salute with all the wrestlers around the ring. KENTA stood inside the ring and held a picture of Mitsuharu Misawa along with Cary Silkin wearing a NOAH Hawaiian shirt. It was a very classy thing to do, as they played his theme, and Misawa chants rung out over the building. The main card started at approximately 7:45pm.

1. Six-Man Mayhem:  Delirious defeated Silas Young with Shadows over Hell, in a match that also included “Sugarfoot” Alex Payne, Sami Callahan, Egotistical Fantastico, and “Addicted to Love” Rhett Titus.  

To begin, Payne went straight for Silas, which was good continuity after Silas turned on him the last time ROH was here. Rhett went for a kiss from a girl in the front row, but a dude kissed him instead which got a great pop and lots of chants from the crowd. The foam Sugar-foot held by some dudes in the front row was taken by Rhett, violated by Silas, and actually put on Callahan’s foot.  Payne and Delirious started, with Delirious talking gibberish and, at one point, saying “white meat babyface.” Good comedy with Rhett giving Delirious a show, Deli running after him, both going under the ring, and Titus coming out with his pants semi-down and his thong exposed. Then Rhett came from behind ref Todd Sinclair, who thought Titus was feeling him up and shoved him down. Great moves all over the place during the match, including a Tower of Doom spot with Ego getting double super-plexed by Sami and Silas, as Deli and Payne hit power-bombs on both guys. As five men were down, Rhett made pinfall attempts on all of them one at a time. Titus hit a second rope face-buster on Sugarfoot. As Delirious (who seems to be mentoring Payne) tried a Panic Attack on Sami, he instead ate a five-star lariat. Ego hit the Taco Pizza for a near-fall on Sami. Payne then hit the diamond dust on Silas, was hit by Callahan, which allowed Delirious to hit the Shadows over Hell to steal the win. Just a fucking fantastic opener, that was reminiscent of ROH openers of lore. Everyone – even Silas – looked great here.  

2. Erick Stevens defeated “HD Ready” Skullkrusher Rasche Brown after a Doctor Bomb.

HD is looking leaner, not so bulky, and continued to capitalize on the great charisma he showed the last time he was in Chicago (against Ego). They wrestled back and forth early, including using the Flair-Steamboat bridge-to-a-backslide pin attempt. Erick then ran the ropes to bring the big man down. No luck. HD hit a shoulder-tackle and then an awesome football clothesline, followed by a palm chop. Erick rallied with a flying shoulder-tackle to the outside, but Brown came back with a slam and a chop which caused Stevens to say “Ouch!” HD hit a vertical spinning suplex. Stevens attempted a side slam but just fell over. Brown used a camel clutch, and then a Rick Rude-like pelvic thrust swivel (which was the sixth pelvic thrust of the night – Razor Ramon HG would be proud). Stevens tried a Samoan drop, but struggled to lift him up. Stevens then used a shoulder tackle off the second rope, but HD came back spear for a two. Elbow war. Stevens hit a cho-cho (running elbow into the corner), and went for a lariat, but Brown used a choke-slam for a near fall. HD went for his own cho-cho, but ate a lariat and a doctor bomb for the win. Decent big man war and better than expected. Stevens could make a great heel in ROH if given a good storyline. Rasche got a huge chant leaving the ring.

Ric Flair promo telling the crowd that Chicago was THE GREATEST sports town in the world, the greatest town to wrestle in, and put over the (U.I.C.) Pavilion. He said that “I respect these guys,” and then said the word “workrate” which was surprising, saying the guys in ROH “bust their ass.” He put over Rush Street, and Gibson’s steakhouse – where he says he’s spent over $500,000. That’s only half of the money he claims he’s spent on Rush Street, and that there’s a 22-year old girl that he’d like to “kiss on the mouth” later tonight. Great promo.

3. Kenny King defeated “Maple Leaf Muscle” Petey Williams with a torture rack DDT. 

To start, some fans chanted “Tough Enough” to Kenny, who responded by saying “come on that was eight years ago.” King looked good as he went toe-to-toe with the former X-Division champion. As they exchanged holds, I noticed Petey’s tights said “wwad.” (Semp’s note: I hope it stands for What Would Al Davis do, because the answer would be make some poor personnel decisions, and follow it up by pooping in your Depends, and settling in for a nap.) Kenny did a Michael Jackson impression, but as he was doing the splits, Petey hit him with a dropkick, and a Jackson-esqe “Heee-heee.” A top rope headscissors over the top put King on the outside, which was followed by Williams jumping over the top and hitting a beautiful rana. King came back with a beautiful Hot Shot and lariat for a two count. King said “make believe mustard, my ass” which may make a great catchphrase and look snazzy on a shirt. He then hit a spinebuster for a two. Petey attempted the Canadian Destroyer, which got a huge pop, only to have King throw him into the corner. King tried a springboard clothesline but got hit with a dropkick. Petey hit a backbreaker and a dropkick to the back of King’s head. Russian leg-sweep by Williams, and he called for the Destroyer but King evaded. Spinning backbreaker for two on Williams, and then King hit a DVD into a side-slam for two. Lots of great nearfalls in this match. King was tapping in the sharpshooter as the ref was being distracted by King’s partner Rhett Titus. After many Canadian Destroyer attempts, King hit a torture rack DDT for the win. Afterwards, Titus and King beat on Williams – who fought back and hit the destroyer for a HYOOOGE pop. Lots of “please come back” chants. Petey, with a bloody mouth, cut a promo and called the guys in ROH “bad ass mofos.” He talked about ROH being where stars are born, and reborn, which caused a “fuck TNA” and “fire Russo” chant. Petey showed more charisma here than he did in however many years he was in TNA, and called himself “the wizard of the washboard” abdominals. Very good match.  

4. NOAH World Junior Heavyweight champion KENTA defeated Tyler Black after the Go to Sleep.

With the fans using dueling chants to get behind both guys, KENTA killed Black early. 2009 has been a tremendous year so far for the NOAH junior heavyweight champion. (Semp’s note: Literally, he kicked the shit out of Tyler after they exchanged some harsh chops. Some slaps exchanged and KENTA hit a Euro uppercut. Tyler came back with a suplex for two. KENTA responded by putting Tyler on the top rope and hit Black’s back with his knees. He continued with knee splashes, and the backwards kick to the head after jumping over the top rope, which got a small Misawa chant. KENTA then put Tyler’s head between his legs and squeezed it like a sleeperhold. After eating some kicks to the chest, Tyler came back with a running clothesline, an enziguri, and a springboard clothesline. A nice Lionsault attempt got a two count. More KENTA kicks soon followed. They are so incredibly painful, yet beautiful, to watch. STF by KENTA. WTF~?  Tyler got to the ropes. An attempted a fisherman buster was turned into a neck-breaker by Black. Black went up top, but received a boot and a superkick for his efforts. The dueling chants from the crowd continued.  

A springboard drop kick, followed by two huge boots into the corner, and a dropkick were used by KENTA (who was super-over, as usual). An awesome double-foot stomp spot. KENTA then hits a kick, runs off the ropes, and gets caught with a Tyler superkick. Uh-oh, a FIGHTING SPIRIT POSE. Another Black superkick is followed by a huge KENTA boot. Another STF attempt. Tiger suplex attempt by KENTA was blocked, but he hit an awesome Ace Crusher for a two. He went up top, but Tyler caught him and hit a rana. He then tossed KENTA out of the ring, and hit a corkscrew dive to the outside. Black then, well, TYLER’D UP and hit two elbows into the corner, and a DDT from a DVD position for a near fall. Crowd was not happy, as they began to gravitate more towards the Japanese star. Black tried the Phoenix splash, but landed on his feet. He used his Execution kick to the head, and a Slop Drop. He then went for a powerbomb into the corner, but he ate a hurancanrana, instead. 

A KENTA Tiger suplex got a 2.5 count. A Go To Sleep attempt was blocked, Black tried a God’s Last Gift, but took a GTS for 2.9999999 (I could keep going). Tyler recovered and hit a powerbomb into the corner, and went for another Execution kick. KENTA caught his leg, and hit another GTS to take the win at 18:13, in what was an outstanding match. Fans chanted “That was awesome,” and there were hearty handshakes, and an exchange of pro wres love.  

Age of the Fall then came down to the ring, all 13 or so of them, in masks and bandanas. Zach Gowen was one of them, turning down a lucrative apartment wrestling gig tonight to be at the show. Misty Blue Simms would be very unhappy. Jimmy Jacobs had his white, blood stained jacket from the group’s beginning, and a chain came down on the hook they use to hold up the title belts during ladder matches. They attempted to hang former member Black upside down, Jay Briscoe-style, but El Generico and Kevin Steen came down to help wreck shop. Black got back up and hit the GLG on Jacobs, and hung him upside down by the hook. Delirious was working the controls and raised Jacobs up. Black got on the mic and said “The Age of the Fall is dead.” The faces left, and Jacobs was lowered down. He began to berate his members, who all walked out on him. He then exited through the crowd, quite dejected, and left out the front door, throwing down garbage cans in the process.

Intermission: September 19 will be the next Chicago show, with Bret Hart coming in – which, not surprisingly, got a super huge pop. I went outside as Jimmy Jacobs was on his knees crying in the rain. Outstanding. Crowd has been good, and very mixed as Flair brought in the casual/mainstream crowd (which might have been the reason Petey Williams was so over), as well as more kids attending. Joey Eastman announced the after-party, and how people can buy Adam Pearce beer, because Pearce loves beer. Larry Sweeney was in the house, backstage at the show.  

By the way, all Michael Jackson music during intermission causing Dr. Keith to reflect back to his own past experiences with a “Dirty Diana.”

5. Chicago Street Fight: “Classic” Colt Cabana and Brent Albright defeated Joey Ryan and the “Very European” Claudio Castagnoli, when Cabana put Ryan through a table. 

Sadly, Claudio and Ryan were not in their street gear. Dueling boom-elbows from the babyfaces. Albright shaved, and as a result looks much younger. Cabana and Albright brought a table into the ring and sandwiched it on top of Ryan and Claudio. The fight went to the outside with Albright and Ryan tangled on one end, as Cabana and Claudio were on the other. For the third straight show, whenever Claudio did anything people said “Heeeeeeeey!” which is always entertaining. Cabana got on the guardrail and did a back dive onto the heels. Somewhere during the melee, an old man got accidentally hit but ROH was quick to aid him (and his tucked in Colt 45 shirt) with some ice. Both babyfaces did their submissions (Albright’s Crowbar on Claudio, and the Billy Goat’s Curse on Ryan). Prince Nana and Dirty Ernie came in, as Cabana and Albright gave chase. Back in the ring, Ryan hit his Super 70’s superkick on Colt, and Claudio used a bicycle kick on Albright. Later, Cabana hit a big backdrop on Ryan to the outside and Albright hit a dive on Claudio.  

Albright and Cabana then did the old Dudley’s “Get the tables” line. They laid Ryan on the table, Ernie made the save. Albright was going to hit a suplex on Ryan through the table, but Claudio flipped the table over. Claudio set up a table into the corner and attempted to Ricola bomb Cabana into it, but Albright made the save. Chairs then entered the equation. Ryan used the Mustache Ride on Cabana. A good-guy’s double pin attempt was broken up by Nana. Bicycle kick by Claudio, as Albright had the chair up. Claudio accidentally hit Ryan with the bicycle kick and slipped on a chair. Albright then did a dive to the outside onto Claudio, who was in the third row. Nana came into the ring, busting up a Colt 45 on Ryan. Cabana then used the Flying Asshole on Nana, followed by one on Ryan who went through a table for the win. A really good brawl. 

6. D’Lo Brown defeated Roderick Strong with a roll-up. 

Brown, who was looking huge (NOD days, but with more muscle), got huge “Welcome home” chants. Strong went to work with trademark chops, with D’Lo rallying with chops of his own. Brown missed on one, looked at his hand and said, “I fucked up.” Brown ended up chopping Strong’s chest open. Strong went to pick D’Lo up, as he yelled “are you kidding me?” Totally great old school heel. He used the Sliding D for a near fall, and a vertical suplex for another. Strong kicked him in the gut, and D’Lo spit into the third row, possibly near his family. Brown hit a powerful clothesline, and a side slam attempt, but Roddy blocked it with a crucifix for a near fall. Strong went to work with some vicious chops. D’Lo went up top, and some fan yelled “Come on Roddy, win it for Droz.” Ugh. Brown shot him a look, and then was met up top by Strong who superplexed him down to the mat. Gibson driver, but Brown held on for another near fall. Story of the match was D’Lo being too big, but Strong hit a backbreaker and a yakuza kick for a two count, but Brown got his foot to the ropes. D’Lo then tied up Strong, and with his hand on the bottom rope, pinned him for the victory. Very good performance by Brown playing the old-time, cheat to win, better than you, heel. 

7. Kevin Steen and El Generico defeated the ROH World tag team champions, the American Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards) in a non-title match. 

The stipulation here is that if the Wolves win, Steenerico doesn’t get anymore title matches. If the good guys prevail, they get to pick what the stipulations for the next match between the teams will be. Shane Haggadorn, wearing a sparkling jacket and an arm sling, was announced as the Wolves “manager.” 

Great back and forth match, with the heat being put on Steen, who ended up getting a hot tag to Generico, with the knee brace. Edwards hit a jumping codebreaker on Generico for a two count, as Davey used a Texas cloverleaf on Generico’s injured knee. Eddie whipped Generico’s knee into the guardrail. Davey then hit two or three vicious kicks on the masked generic man. Quick, frequent, Wolves tags. Generico finally was able to get a tag to Steen, who dive off the top to the floor on both Wolves, and hit a powerbomb on Edwards to the apron. He threw Davey into the ring and hit the senton for two. In a nice spot, Steen powerbombed Davey onto Eddie, who was on the ground. Tag to Generico who hit a high cross body on Eddie for two. He attempted a brainbuster but Eddie hit him with a knee kick. Generico tried an Ole kick on the bad leg, and was met with a Wolves doubleteam, and a powerbomb with bridge for another nearfall. Wolves hit their powerbomb/double knees combo. Another knee submission attempt on Generico. Davey hit three harsh kicks, and a Generico face slip, and a kick to the back. Miscommunication by the Wolves. Generico hit the suplex on Davey in the corner. Generico hit the coast-to-coast dropkick (Van Terminator) for a two count. Referee Sinclair went down after some ruckus between Generico and Edwards. Belt shot on Steen by Davey for a near-fall. Generico attempted another brainbuster on Richards – and finally hit it – as Steen had Edwards submitting to a sharpshooter for the win. Edwards looked like he messed up his wrist, as it was bloody. The referees, and even ADAM PEARCE, came out quickly with a towel to help.

8. Austin Aries defeated Nigel McGuinness to retain the Ring of Honor World Heavyweight championship.

“Welcome back” chants for the shaved head, and streamlined, Nigel. Aries’ tights have musical notes on them, for some reason. Aries got on the mic and called Chicago the home of the loveable losers, and talked about they used to despise Nigel. He said that Chicago Ridge “identifies” with losers. Nigel said it “takes one to know one,” and called A-Double a “prick.” Aries mocked back with “It takes one to know one,” and “I know you are, but what am I?” Aries then talked about leaving. Nigel cracked “Just because you have hair around your mouth doesn't mean you’re a vagina.” Aries countered with “I am what I eat.” To which Nigel said, “Then you are an ass****.” Having watched Frost/Nixon last week, I was familiar to such a debate. The bell rang, and Austin called for the bell again. He got back on the mic, and said Nigel was broken down and couldn’t do his McLariats. Nigel went for some, but Aries poked fun at him for being unable to.  

Nigel took off after Aries, who hit a baseball slide, and did a plancha over the top rope that missed. Nigel whipped him into the guardrails, and went to work on Aries’ shoulder. McGuinness used his headstand kick, and a nice arm submission on, to further inflict damage. Nigel hit a double thrust like Haku. When Nigel was coming back into the ring, Aries hit him with a beautiful running dropkick to McGuinness’ bad arm. From there, Aries went to work and used a Macho Man-like axe-handle to the outside, and threw Nigel into the guardrail. Aries signaled for his power-elbows, but just did an eye rake. What a heel!  More work on Nigel’s arm. They exchanged elbows and Aries got caught into the corner. Nigel kicked the back, and hit a small clothesline out of the corner. Aries dangled out of the ring, and Nigel attempted a Tower of London. Aries blocked, and got a high back bodydrop for his troubles. Back in the ring, Nigel tried the Tower of London again, but there was a sunset flip by Aries, followed by an arm submission by Nigel. 

Nigel put Aries on top rope, but his lariat attempt was ducked. Aries responded with a lariat of his own, and a neck-breaker for a two count. Nigel used some high-knees for a near fall. Nigel lifted up Aries up for another Tower of London, resulting in a two. Aries rolled through an arm submission, and they teased a jawbreaker, but Aries hit a suplex for a two. Last Chancery submission by Aries was thwarted when Nigel got to the ropes. Aries put Nigel on top rope, and mocked Nigel by looking like he was going to hit the lariat, but hit an axe-handle on the ropes. Aries did his heat -seeking missile tope, but McGuinness used an elbow, and hit the T.O.L. on the outside for another near fall. Crowd was quiet but began getting into it. Nigel raked Aries all over the top rope, and hit a lariat for a two. Aries foot on the ropes. Nigel was selling his lariat arm. He attempted a jawbreaker. Aries ducked a lariat, and got a backslide attempt. Aries hit a kick of death and brainbuster for the win at 21:08. Decent match. Nigel is banged up, but this was fine. The crowd eventually cheered Nigel, but it took a while.