Everyone currently involved in the world title picture comes out to say their piece.  Its all very by the books until Kevin Steen comes out as the marks favorite wrestler.  He HAS to be champion this year.  The build is so strong, the work is so good, and the fans are so passionate.

Coleman and Alexander vs. WGTT.

Good promos by both teams before  the match.  But we’re near 20 minutes into the show before this first match.  Part of Ring of Honor’s appeal is that they have some of the greatest wrestling on the planet.  I’m all for the promos, and I’m all for switching up the pace of the show.  But this didn’t feel like a ratings grab of an opening half to the show.

Shelton calls their opponents the C and C Wrestling Factory.  Its hilarious, and its not a bad name for the team, but it is an extremely dated reference.  Its a good match.  Some nice wrestling is on display but there is something missing.

And that’s when Ring of Honor finally hooks me as a long term fan.  We need stories in wrestling, feuds need to be built up.  Right when I need it most, Dem Boys come out.  The Briscoe Brothers come out and crack Haas with a chair, giving C and C the biggest victory of their career.

This is awesome wrestling booking.  Dem Boys get revenge, the inevitable grudge match has some very personal feelings, C and C need to prove they’re not a fluke.  Months of matches with three teams come out of one chair shot.  I know that chair shots and concussions are bad words in wrestling today.  This shot shows how it can be done safely, and more importantly with meaning.

Michael Elgin vs. Adam Cole.

Elgin is a beast, but Cole is definitely in the middle of a long well planned build up.  They don’t seem to match up too well though.  Cole is becoming a fantastic wrestler but he doesn’t work well against a powerhouse.  Hell, I’m not sure that Elgin works as a powerhouse.  Sure he’s big and strong but he’s also very short.  Its like watching very early Rhino matches.  He’s not at the level of Rhino.  Maybe he will be one day.  Ring of Honor is a great place for a young wrestler to learn and become a great wrestler.  Something felt amiss throughout the match.

Truth Martini distracts the referee.  Roderick Strong comes out and wants to attack Cole, but hits Elgin with a kick instead.  Cole takes advantage and gets the pin.  Big brawl, and Eddie Edwards comes out to even it up.  Its an alright angle, but a flat ending to the show.  Also there were only two matches on the show, and both ended due to outside interference.

Next week’s matches look amazing though.  Really looking forward to it being a part of a weekend of great wrestling.