Some saw at is as a “Dream Tag Team Match.” Others saw it as a battle of the top two Heavyweight champions in professional wrestling. When all was said and done between Bryan Danielson and Christian Cage, fans realized that it was much more than some fantasy melee, it was a showcase of excellence and match of respect.
For weeks, ROH had been hyping the arrival of the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, “Captain Charisma” Christian Cage. Rohwrestling.com was the first to break the news that Cage’s opponent would be ROH World Heavyweight Champion, “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson with each man being partnered with a wrestler of their choosing.
Earlier in the night, Cage choose ROH mainstay, “Classic” Colt Cabana, while Danielson selected arch rival, “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels, as long as Daniels would receive an ROH World Heavyweight title shot if he and Danielson won. After a battle of wits, both sides retreated to the locker room to prepare for the main event.
With fans split 50/50, all four men put on a wrestling clinic, opting to steer clear of ariel offensive, sticking mainly to their technical game. Cabana started it off with Daniels in a back and forth exchange, that included a few forward rolls by Daniels and Cabana, poking fun at Cage by stating that that was how they rolled. Danielson received the tag next and took control of the match from there.
After being taken to the mat, Cabana made the tag to Cage and things got interesting. The dueling champs exchanged right hands, chops and a few less than flattering remarks with one another. Tags in and out kept the match going at a good pace and retaining the fans interest.
In the end, it broke down into an all out brawl, with Danielson and Daniels applying a variety of submission maneuvers, including Danielson’s Cattle Mutilation on Cage and Cabana. Both men were able to fight out and get back in the fight. A missed attempt at the Angel’s Wings led to an Unprettier, giving Cage and Cabana the win as Danielson walked off in disgust.
Back in the ring, Daniels grabbed the microphone and asked the fans to give it up for two of the greatest performers on the wrestling scene, Cabana and Cage. He went on to say that this match was not about ROH and TNA, but it was about pro wrestling and respect, and if anything, these men earned that respect.
ROH 5/12/06 Show Results – Lake Grove, LI, NY
PRE SHOW MATCHES: Match One – Bobby Dempsey and Alex Payne vs. Ernie Osiris and Rhett Titus
Dempsey has been a Pre-Show favorite since ROH’s first show on Long Island. He continues to show improvement, as the new crop of talent ROH is bringing in appears to be working their way up the ranks as well. Dempsey was able to wrap this one up with a Death Valley Driver on Osiris.
Winners Via Pinfall – Bobby Dempsey and Alex Payne
Match Two – #1 Kikitaruship Four Corner Match – Pelle Primeau vs. Shane Hagadorn vs. Mitch Franklin vs. Derek Dempsey
This match was supposed to determine the man who would be competing against Kikitaru (formerly Ebessan) later on in the show. This was a match between four of ROH’s top students, with Primeau picking up the victory and securing himself a spot on the Main Show, or so he thought.
Winner Via Pinfall – Pelle Primeau
MAIN SHOW MATCHES:
Match One – Matt Sydal vs. Jimmy Yang
Yang is finishing up his Indy bookings before heading back to WWE, and it’s easy to see why they have interest in him again, as he put on a great show here. Lot of high flying involved, with Sydal getting in a majority of the moves, including an amazing spinning headscissors take down and moonsault to the floor. Sydal was able to land an excellent Shooting Star Press to pick up the win in this one.
Winner Via Pinfall – Matt Sydal
Post Match: Jimmy Yang grabbed a mic and reminded fans to check him out on wwe.com’s Velocity. Funny stuff there, nothing like a shameless plug.
The Four Corners Survival Match was on tap next, but as Delirious, Christopher Daniels and Colt Cabana entered the ring they were interrupted by Christian Cage. Cage came to the ring looking for a tag team partner. After entering a funny exchange with Colt Cabana, Cabana accepted the position. This prompted Bryan Danielson to come out and make an offer of his own, offering a shot at the ROH World Heavyweight Championship to Daniels, as long as he teamed with him and won the match. Daniels accepted and left the ring, leaving Delirious all by himself.
Match Two – Triple Threat Match – Delirious vs. Nigel McGuiness vs. Kikitaru (formerly Ebessan)
Funniest match on the entire show, as Kikitaru is a great entertainer. Kikitaru and Delirious went through a routine before McGuiness broke it up. Some wrestling was involved in this match, but this was mostly used as a gimmick type match and it certainly served its purpose, as the crowd was up for the whole match. After sending McGuiness to the floor, Delirious was able to force a submission out of Kikitaru.
Winner Via Submission – Delirious
Match Three – Number One Contenders Match for a shot at the ROH Tag Team Championships – The Rottweilers (“The Notorious 187” Homicide and Ricky Reyes) w/ Julius Smokes vs. The Embassy (Jimmy Rave and Alex Shelley) w/ Prince Nana and Daizee Haze
The Embassy played chicken at the beginning of the match, threatening on several occasions to walk away from the fight. Smokes and Nana did battle on the outside and even attempted to bring it into the ring, which got a rise out of the crowd. Nana got involved, helping Rave out of a submission Reyes had him locked in, but when Rave locked in a submission on Reyes, Smokes got involved and caught, causing the DQ and allowing the Embassy to steal a victory.
Winners Via DQ and NEW Number One Contenders to the ROH Tag Team Championships – The Embassy (Jimmy Rave and Alex Shelley)
Post Match: Homicide got on the microphone and ran down Jim Cornette and ROH.
Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli and Bryce Remsburg hit the ring through the crowd and cut an anti-ROH promo that started an impromptu tag team match-up…
Match Four – The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) vs. “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce and BJ Whitmer
Todd Sinclair and Bryce Remsburg co-ref’ed this interpromotional match, which saw both sides going back and forth, including many near falls. In the midst of an all out brawl, Necro Butcher hit the ring through the crowd and helped Hero put the finishing touches on Pearce, giving CZW the win.
Winners Via Pinfall – The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli)
Post Match: Samoa Joe hit the ring and chased of the CZW guys. He proceeded to challenge them for ROH’s next show in New Jersey, as CZW exited the building through the crowd.
Match Five – “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe vs. Apocalypse
Stampede Wrestling’s Apocalypse was impressive, getting in a lot more offense than anyone expected on “The Samoan Submission Machine.” Joe got in the face wash, his trademark kicks and of course a Muscle Buster, leading himself to victory. This match was taped for rohvideos.com.
Winner Via Pinfall – “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe
Match Six – Mark Briscoe vs. Roderick Strong
The match started technical, but broke loose as Briscoe hit a tope con hilo to the floor on Strong, busting his nose. Strong delivered some extremely vicious chops, causing Briscoe’s chest to turn all sorts of colors. Briscoe was somehow able to escape the offensive onslaught and hit a variation Burning Hammer for the win.
Winner Via Pinfall – Mark Briscoe
Match Seven – Jay Briscoe vs. Austin Aries
Another match similar to the one before it, as the other half of the tag teams did battle. Aries hit his trademark springboard elbows, but Briscoe’s attack on Aries’ arm proved to be beneficial to him, as he was able to wear down the former ROH World Heavyweight Champion and lock him in a Cobra Clutch for the submission victory.
Winner Via Submission – Jay Briscoe
Match Eight – Dream Tag Team Match – “Captain Charisma” Christian Cage and “Classic” Colt Cabana vs. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
Winners Via Pinfall – “Captain Charisma” Christian Cage and “Classic” Colt Cabana
ROH Returns to Lake Grove, LI, NY on Fri. Aug 4 with “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles and Kenta.
Chris Sokol is from Long Island, NY and had an easy ride to Sports Plus considering his residence is not far away from the venue.
RELATED LINKS
