ROH 2/16/18 TV Review: Bullet Club vs. So Cal Uncensored
1/20/18
Municipal Auditorium
Nashville, Tennessee
This week was the first episode from the set of tapings from Nashville,TN. The show opened with a dueling promos from So Cal Uncensored and The Bullet Club about their match for the 6-man titles on the show. Frankie Kazarian was oddly absent from the So Cal portion of the segment. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: Flip Gordon vs. Jay Lethal
Quick pace to start the match, with Gordon using a handstand to reverse a cutter attempt by Lethal right before the commercial break. Gordon was still in control as we returned from break, while commentary spoke to the promise the young star has. Gordon connected with two corner dropkicks before Lethal stymied another attempt and took control of the match, chopping Gordon before going for pinfall attempts to tire his opponent out. The action spilled to the outside, with both men exhausted. The two traded chops before Lethal attempted a Lethal Injection. Gordon countered with a springboard sling blade, followed by a Samoan pop. Gordon then went for a kinder surprise, but Lethal was able to recover and drop Gordon on the Matt before locking in a figure four. Gordon broke the hold by grabbing the ropes. Gordon went for a star-spangled cutter but got caught up in the ropes, allowing Lethal to hit a full Nelson suplex before hitting a Lethal Injection for the pinfall victory. Post match, Cabana stopped Lethal on the walkway and shared the news that Lethal will challenge Dalton Castle for the title at the 16th Anniversary show. Marty Scurll ran out and argued that it isn’t fair that he isn’t getting a shot himself. Scurll switched gears and then asked to be Lethal’s first defense if he should win. Good match between Gordon and Lethal, only slightly marred by what seemed to be Gordon botching the Star-Spangled Stunner attempt at the end. Gordon continues to improve and vary his offense. The segment following the match continued Scurll’s march toward a title shot and built well off the previous issues between Lethal Scurll.(***1/2)
Winner: Jay Lethal
Second Match: WOH Championship Tournament Match
First Round: Karen Q vs. Brandi Rhodes
A video package aired before the match, splicing the two competitors thoughts on their upcoming match. Brandi came across as being grateful to be in the tournament, honestly admitting that she is new to professional wrestling. Q on the other hand, presented herself as brash and confident, which translated to the match. Q attacked Rhodes before the bell, but Rhodes was able to weather the storm for a bit. Q then took full control of the match, sans a sling blade from Rhodes that she punctuated an Dusty-like elbow.Q simply couldn’t put Rhodes away and grew frustrated. She Irish whipped Rhodes into the corner, but as Rhodes leapt over Q, she came up lame, grabbing her ankle. Q was livid as referee Mike Posey checked on Rhodes and shoved him out of the way. Rhodes rolled Q up in a small package, picking up the upset victory and was clearly not injured as she rolled out of the ring. This match told the story of Q’s overconfidence and Rhodes taking advantage of that to eek out the victory. This was not a barn burner, but it was well done for the story being told.(**3/4)
Winner: Brandi Rhodes
Dalton Castle was cutting a promo backstage that was interrupted by Marty Scurll, who asked the same of Castle as he did of Lethal-grant him a title shot should he retain. Castle told Scurll that the Villain was essential;lay biting off more than he could chew and seemed to ponder the possibility as the segment ended. Scurll’s continued politicking to get the world title shot he so desperately wants is a smart way to bring him into the upper level of ROH talent.
Main Event: ROH 6-Man Championship Match
So Cal Uncensored vs. The Hung Bucks (C)
Page started off against Kazarian for their respective teams here, brawling to start as commentary smartly referenced the issues the two have had in the past. Sky and Daniels stormed the ring as Page gained an advantage, knocking the Bucks to the floor as they laced the boots to Page. The Bucks came back in and quickly turned the tide, hitting some double team maneuvers before Page dropped Sky with a fireman’s carry and hit a dropsault using Daniels as a launching pad. So Cal uncensored regrouped outside as the Bullet Club celebrated. Nick leapt over the top and took So Cal down before he Matt and Page connected with the Rise of the Terminators suicide dives. So Cal took control with the numbers game on the outside near their side of the ring, methodically working Page over in their corner. Page and Kaz took each other out with a double clothesline, allowing Page to tag out and give way to the Bucks who cleared house with their greatest hits. Kaz thwarted a 5 Star Meltzer attempt, sending everyone to the arena floor for Sky to connect with a senton before Page then hit a moonsault on the crowd. Matt had cease locked on, but Kaz pulled Todd Sinclair to the outside as Daniels tapped. Sky cracked Matt with the title across the face and So Cal picked up the victory via pinfall to become the new champions……..but wait, there’s more.
Bully Ray came out and basically said that he is the Enforcer of the Code of Honor as per Joe Koff. He then asked his partners, the crowd, whether or not they wanted to have the match restarted. The crowd predictably said yes and very shortly after the restart and a 5 Star Meltzer Driver later saw the Bucks and Page retain. The book at the end makes sense here, as So Cal as been targeted as being thorn in Koff’s paw, so switching the authority role to Rays, even if he claimed to not want that role,works here as long as it is not overdone. (*** )
Winners: The Hung Bucks
Final Reaction: B
This week’s show was solid top to bottom. The Women of Honor match told an interesting story that helped explain how Rhodes could defeat a more accomplished Karen Q. The opening match was a good showcase for Gordon against one of the most constant stars ROH has, Jay Lethal. Lethal makes everyone on the roster look good, but Gordon rose to the occasion here, despite the flub at the end of the match. Ray being inserted as the Enforcer works here, but it is odd considering most of his matches in the company essentially eschewed the Code of Honor, constantly wrestling in no disqualification matches.
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