Column of Honor Presents: The Top 100 ROH Matches of 2010: #50-21

Welcome back to the Column of Honor’s special look at the best of the year that was in the ring from Ring of Honor wrestling. The ROH countdown continues in just a moment, but first:

One more time, here’s how I came to decide on this list:

Notes:

-Placement is based on a number of factors including in-ring match quality, match psychology, the finish to the match, overall importance (i.e. a title vs. non-title match, a match that has an important effect or sea change in ROH history), crowd reaction & atmosphere, as well as personal taste.

–Based on 29 DVD shows (including 4 internet Pay Per Views) and 17 HDNet Tapings with shows that ran as Episodes 37 through 84 (48 episodes total) from 2009-2010. This is as compared to 38 DVD shows and 12 HDNet Tapings (36 episodes total) in 2008-2009.

–Includes matches from Survival of the Fittest 2009 (10/10/09) through Richards vs. Daniels (10/16/10) and is thus a true year of wrestling action. The list includes all HDNet shows running through airdates from December 1st, 2009 through on November 30th, 2010.

–Excludes the following DVD shows: Survival of the Fittest 2010 (11/12/10), Fate of an Angel II (11/13/10), as well as Plymouth, MA (12/17/10) and Final Battle 2010 (12/18/10). This also excludes the HDNet Tapings that took place on 12/09/10 & 12/10/10. All of the matches for these shows will be eligible for next year’s list.

Previously:
100. Six-Man Tag Match: The Briscoes & Rocky Romero vs. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) & Alex Koslov
—Eye of the Storm 2 (Manassas, VA 12/18/09)
99. ROH World Tag Team Titles Match: The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) (c) vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe)
—Final Battle 2009 (New York, NY 12/19/09)
98. Roderick Strong vs. Davey Richards
—ROH on HDNet Episode 70 (Taped 07/16/10, Aired 08/16/10)
97. Roderick Strong vs. Delirious
—Boiling Point (Edison, NJ 11/07/09)
96. Tyler Black, Colt Cabana & Grizzly Redwood vs. ROH World Champion “A-Double” Austin Aries, “Pretty Boy Pitbull” Kenny King & “Addicted to Love” Rhett Titus
—Boiling Point (Edison, NJ 11/07/09)
95. Semi-Finals, ROH on HDNet Television Title Tournament: Davey Richards vs. Kenny King
—ROH on HDNet Episode 54 (Taped 03/05/10, Aired 04/19/10)
94. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kevin Steen (1)
—Reverse the Curse (Chicago Ridge, IL 12/05/09)
93. Pick 6 Match: Chris Hero vs. Roderick Strong (1)
—Aries vs. Richards (Novi, MI 11/13/09)
92. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Tyler Black (4) vs. Kenny King
—Reverse the Curse (Chicago Ridge, IL 12/05/09)
91. Eight-Man Tag: ROH World Champion Tyler Black, Jay Briscoe, Skullkrusher Rashe Brown & Tyson Dux vs. Austin Aries, Kenny King, Rhett Titus & Adam Pearce
—Epic Encounter III (Mississauga, ONT, Canada, 03/20/10)
90. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Chris Hero vs. Kenny Omega
—ROH on HDNet Episode 42 (Taped 11/06/09, Aired 01/11/10)
89. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. ROH World Champion Austin Aries & Kenny King
—Eye of the Storm 2 (Manassas, VA 12/18/09)
88. Six-Man Tag: ROH World Champion Tyler Black & ROH World Tag Team Champions The Briscoes vs. Chris Hero & The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards)
—Gold Rush (Dearborn, MI 03/19/10)
87. Non-Title: ROH Television Champion Eddie Edwards vs. Colt Cabana
—Tag Wars 2010 (Charlotte, NC 08/28/10)
86. Kevin Steen vs. Jerry Lynn
—ROH on HDNet Episode 71 (Taped 07/17/10, Aired 08/23/10)
85. Kevin Steen vs. Kenny Omega
—From the Ashes (Phoenix, AZ 03/26/10)
84. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe
—ROH on HDNet Episode 38 (Taped 11/05/09, Aired 12/14/09)
83. Non-Title Match: ROH World Champion Tyler Black vs. El Generico
—ROH on HDNet Episode 63 (Taped 05/22/10, Aired 06/28/10)
82. ROH World Title Match: “A-Double” Austin Aries (c) vs. Tyler Black
—Final Battle 2009 (New York, NY 12/19/09)
81. Grudge Match: Kenny King vs. Jerry Lynn
—So Cal Showdown (Los Angeles, CA 01/29/10)
80. Personal Gauntlet Challenge Series, Non-Title: Roderick Strong vs. ROH World Champion Tyler Black
—From the Ashes (Phoenix, AZ 03/26/10)
79. Three-Way ROH World Title Match: Tyler Black (c) vs. Roderick Strong vs. Austin Aries
—Phoenix Rising (Phoenix, AZ 03/27/10)
78. Pick 6 Contenders Series: Kevin Steen vs. Chris Hero (1)
—The Omega Effect (Mississauga, ONT, CN 11/14/09)
77. Hardcore Match: Jerry Lynn vs. Steve Corino
—Phoenix Rising (Phoenix, AZ 03/27/10)
76. Pick 6 Contenders Series: Tyler Black (2) vs. Claudio Castagnoli (6)
—Aries vs. Richards (Novi, MI 11/13/09)
75. Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. El Generico
—The Omega Effect (Mississauga, ONT, CN 11/14/09)
74. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Roderick Strong (3) vs. Kenny Omega (5)
—Reverse the Curse (Chicago Ridge, IL 12/05/09)
73. Kenny Omega vs. Austin Aries
—Buffalo Stampede II (Hamburg, NY 06/17/10)
72. Roderick Strong vs. Brian Kendrick
—8th Anniversary Show (New York, NY 02/13/10)
71. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. El Generico & Colt Cabana
—ROH on HDNet Episode 72 (Taped 07/17/10 Aired 08/30/10)
70. Personal Gauntlet Challenge Series, Non-Title: ROH World Champion Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries
—From the Ashes (Phoenix, AZ 03/26/10)
69. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Roderick Strong
—ROH on HDNet Episode 62 (Taped 05/21/10, Aired 07/05/10)
68. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) (c) vs. Colt Cabana & El Generico
—Fade to Black (Plymouth, MA 09/10/10)
67. Pick 6 Contender’s Match: Chris Hero (3) vs. El Generico
—Epic Encounter III (Mississauga, ONT, CN 03/20/10)
66. Roderick Strong vs. Kevin Steen (w/ Steve Corino)
—Tag Wars 2010 (Charlotte, NC 08/28/10)
65. Pick 6 Contender’s Series: Kevin Steen (2) vs. Human Tornado
—So Cal Showdown (Los Angeles, CA 01/29/10)
64. Roderick Strong vs. Tyler Black
—Eye of the Storm 2 (Manassas, VA 12/18/09)
63. Non-Title: ROH World Tag Team Champions The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) (c) with Shane Hagadorn & Sara Del Rey vs. Generation Me (Jeremy & Max Buck a.k.a. The Young Bucks)
—Salvation (Chicago Ridge, IL 07/24/10)
62, Kevin Steen vs. Player Dos
—Epic Encounter III (Mississauga, ONT, Canada, 03/20/10)
61. Non-Title: ROH World Champion Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries
—ROH on HDNet Episode 60 (Taped 03/06/10, Aired 06/07/10)
60. ROH Television Title Tournament Opening Round: Davey Richards (4) vs. Delirious (5)
—ROH on HDNet Episode 51 (Taped 02/05/10, Aired 03/15/10)
59. Street Fight Rematch: Kevin Steen & Steve Corino vs. El Generico & Colt Cabana
ROH on HDNet Episode 64 (Taped 05/22/10, Aired 07/05/10)
58. Tag Wars 2010 Finals, Ultimate Endurance, ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli w/ Shane Hagadorn) (c) vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. All-Night Express (Kenny King & Rhett Titus) vs. Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis & Kory Chavis)
—Tag Wars 2010 (Charlotte, NC 08/28/10)
57. American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Dark City Fight Club (Kory Chavis & Jon Davis)
—Pick Your Poison (Dayton, OH 04/23/10)
56. Steel Cage Match: Steve Corino & Kevin Steen vs. El Generico & Colt Cabana
—ROH on HDNet Episode 80 (Taped 08/21/10, Aired 11/01/10)
55. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli w/ Shane Hagadorn & Sara Del Rey) (c) vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe
—ROH on HDNet Episode 79 (Taped 08/21/10, Aired 10/25/10)
54. American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Super Smash Brothers (Player Uno & Player Dos)
—ROH on HDNet Episode 73 (Taped 07/17/10 Aired 09/13/10)
53. Non-Title ROH World Champion Tyler Black vs. Claudio Castagnoli
—Bluegrass Brawl (Louisville, KY 07/22/10)
52. Special Challenge Match: Davey Richards vs. Kevin Steen
—Champions’ Challenge (Richmond, VA 08/27/10)
51. No Disqualification, ROH World Title Match: Roderick Strong vs. Tyler Black (c)
—Glory By Honor IX (New York, NY 09/11/10)

We continue:

50. Non-Title Special Attraction: ROH World Champion Austin Aries vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger
—So Cal Showdown (Los Angeles, CA 01/29/10)

A true Japanese legend versus “A-Double”, who in this persona believes he is a legend as well. This was Liger’s first match in nearly six years for ROH but he was every bit the capable wrestler here that he was back then against Danielson and this match lived up to the “special attraction” billing. There is a lot of fun interplay between these two as far as their characters…and Liger’s subtle teasing while on the attack are entertaining, but the most fun comes early on when after Aries spends an eternity on the mic mocking him and the Japanese culture; Liger responds by saying “You. A**hole”. Aries of course, cheats his heart out but that just brings some great face-heel situations where Liger can use his special moves like the surfboard and the crowd loves it. Aries wipes out on a heat-seeking missile to the floor which is insane. Liger’s excellent and DANGEROUSSSSSS brainbuster on the floor early on busted the champion open and later manages to block a brainbuster with a brainbuster, then the Liger Bomb for a close-call. However, Aries wins with a low blow and a brainbuster of his own, which is significant because the move is just as much an Aries trademark as it was one for Liger.

49. Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Davey Richards & Chris Hero
—Boiling Point (Edison, NJ 11/07/09)

One of the last tag team matches with Steen and Generico not just working together but (in storyline) clicking on all cylinders. This was sort of the “epilogue” to the Wolves versus Steenerico issue, with Hero taking the place of the injured Eddie Edwards. However, foremost this match was the Kevin Steen show, with his mocking of Richards and Hero as well as his display of in-ring athleticism and timing (the frog splash save, for instance). The latter half of the match was each wrestler bringing their best moves and ultimately that kind of effort took what would have been a mid-card match on any other show into a bonafide main-event. Steen and Generico win this one as a moral victory and runner-up prize for not taking the tag titles during the Ladder War title bout. This remains one of the surprise hidden gems on the back end of the 2009 season, which in some ways became swallowed up by the hype behind Final Battle.

48. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) w/ Shane Hagadorn & Sara Del Rey (c) vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Davey Richards
—Allied Forces (Dayton, OH 10/15/10)

The match has a bit of a stalled start, but once these four get to it, there is that really good interaction one would expect out of them. Daniels chain wrestling with Hero is enjoyable and I especially love him sucking out Hero on some technical exchanges. Richards is a whirling-dervish throughout, but The Kings meet him head-on with their size and strength. Daniels and Richards tag well without many problems and in fact there is a clever do-si-do spot and some unique tandem offense early on. Richards kneeing his way from out of Castagnoli’s vertical suplex was super impressive and his movement and speed in his pass-throughs, spin-outs and reversals during his hot tag were even more so. The extra layer to this match is that it wasn’t immediately about any tension between Richards and Daniels (set to face each other the next night) and that they were able to coexist for most of the match and even Claudio spinning Richards’ feet into him during the UFO airplane spin didn’t provoke any attack or communication breakdown. I liked Daniels subbing in for some trademark Wolves’ doubles at the end like the superkick-to-German Suplex. The Kings do retain by taking advantage of the slightest of ill-communication between Daniels and Richards when they are knocked into each other and they pounce on the opportunity. They knock Richards off the apron and nail Daniels with the KRS-1 for the pinfall.

47. ROH World Title Match: Tyler Black (c) vs. Roderick Strong
—Supercard of Honor V (New York, NY, 05/08/10)

The beginning of this next chapter in the Black vs. Strong saga was swallowed up by the aftermath of the Machine Guns vs. Kings of Wrestling title match that took place right before it. The beginning of the match was also more methodical than previous encounters. However, Black and Strong soon drew the audience into their tit-for-tat battle of high impact moves, adding another successful title match to their 2010 resume. The New York City crowd favored Strong heavily despite Black winning the title at the previous New York event. The partisan reaction led to an atmosphere where they wanted to see another title change, which Strong and Black were able to feed into and use to their advantage on several close-falls. Of course, what many will remember about this iteration of the series will be the lead-in to the finish, with the three-referee bumps (the crowd popped for each, but especially for the first one when Strong sidestepped Black and an errant kick demolished Todd Sinclair).Three referee bumps in a row is unusual for ROH and as a result, it’s not so easy to recall that Tyler Black won the match cleanly.

46. Double Chain Match: El Generico & Colt Cabana vs. Kevin Steen & Steve Corino
—Glory By Honor IX (New York, NY 09/11/10)

Tense and intense from even before the bell rang, this was a stipulation bout that made good on its stipulation. The coin flip and Generico choosing to be tied up with Steen was genius. I wasn’t a huge fan of the chain tug-of-war at the beginning, but it’s hard to deny the effort and the execution the rest of the way through. Six minutes in and everyone was bleeding, whipping each other with the chains and brawling all around ringside. There was awesome use of leverage to swing Generico up and over the top turnbuckle through the table on the floor. There was awesome timing with Generico (while still attached to the chain) being able to fly with a double jump moonsault to the outside while Cabana followed up with a flying a**hole attack with a chair onto Corino in the tree of woe position. There was even an awesome story with Colby Corino becoming involved again, freeing Steen and Corino of the chains and using them to latch Cabana onto the ropes. It was almost “The Passion of The Colt”, but Generico’s repeated efforts to save him helped defray some of the attack. Generico would go on to blast Corino several times with the half-nelson suplex on the chair…and then Cabana would powerbomb Corino onto it and transitioning into the Billy Goat’s Curse for the submission. A hell of a match and a great post-match angle with Steen stealing victory from the jaws of defeat in stealing Generico’s mask.

45. Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards)
—Bluegrass Brawl (Louisville, KY 07/22/10)

The last of four major Wolves versus Briscoes matches from December 2009 – 2010; the second best of the bunch. Both teams gave the fans their money’s worth. They were put in the main event position of the Louisville debut and came through with a hotly-contested, intense match that didn’t have an obvious winner. Both were essentially babyface teams but The Wolves played up their mean streak (Edwards spitting on The Briscoes was a clear indication of that) and took the heat by isolating Jay and working his leg to set up the cloverleaf and Achilles Lock submissions from Richards and Edwards. Mark Briscoe was extra motivated both early in the match (with a beauty of a Busaiku knee) and with his comeback (well received redneck-fu attack and a snapping Dragon Suplex that looked killer). The Briscoes win the match with a Spike Jay Driller on Edwards.

44. Pick Your Poison: Roderick Strong vs. El Generico
—Pick Your Poison (Dayton, OH 04/23/10)

A must-see battle if you are a fan of El Generico, as he proves once again that he is a master of underdog psychology. Strong tears it up here as well, as his job is to beat the crap out of Generico and he does it well. From the July 3rd, 2010 Column of Honor: “If you want to see extra-hard chops, painful backbreakers and mind-blowing transitions into gutbusters, then El Generico versus Roderick Strong is the match for you. … Strong has an incredibly painful looking backbreaker on the guardrail outside, leaving a huge discoloration and pockmark on Generico’s back for the rest of the match. That very real physical effect actually helped add to the psychology of Strong working the back through his impact moves as well as looking for the submission with the Stronghold. … Generico roars back with the expected boots and spinning DDTs. Generico’s flip dropkick looks especially damaging since Strong sits up on it and the boots smack him higher up than it would usually hit for that move. Strong manages to drop my jaw and pop the crowd like crazy with a wicked, never-before-seen (at least for me) suplex release variation of into the double knee gutbuster. Seriously amazing. Strong wins it with a deadly combination of press gutbuster, Gibson Driver and Sick Kick (TM Brad Garoon).”

43. No Disqualification Match: Jerry Lynn vs. Kenny King
—From the Ashes (Phoenix, AZ 03/26/10)

Lynn running out with a chair and making a beeline straight for King set the tone for an impact-heavy match and made it clear that these two hated each other. Both men put their bodies on the line repeatedly, including both crashing through ladders multiple times (King’s back and Lynn actually hitting his butt off a missed springboard), King dropkicking Lynn through a table and even landing a brutal DDT on a chair. Lynn bled and bumped big, putting over King but making it that much sweeter when he gave it back. There was a great little improvisational moment when King backflipped off a ladder and it fell down, allowing Lynn to send him flying into it with a facebuster. In addition, both men showed athleticism by sliding under or hopping over the chair. Even when the tables didn’t cooperate off a sunset flip bomb, it actually worked to put over the moment. Lynn then drops King down with the cradle piledriver on the table for the win. In the June 16th, 2010 Column of Honor, I wrote that this match was “the surprise revelation of the night” and I hold to that statement. King was actually very hot during the months of March and April with good-to-great matches against Lynn, Richards and Black. Lynn’s win provided a fitting grudge finale, receiving retribution for King putting him out in mid-2009.

42. American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. Generation Me (Max & Jeremy Buck)
—Hate: Chapter II (Collinsville, IL 07/23/10)

A rematch of two earlier bouts between the teams, but this time the face-heel lines are reversed with Gen Me mocking the crowd and playing up their newfound home in TNA. The result is a match you’ll really want to see, with The Wolves beating up the bratty speedsters and The Bucks, err, excuse me, Gen Me, throwing all of their high-risk double teams at The Wolves in order to shake them up. As I wrote in my original write-up, what impressed me the most about that offense was the use of spacing, with Matt and Nick (or Max and Jeremy) blasting superkicks through openings like headscissor attempts or in the turnbuckle corner. The Wolves eventually win with their double team lungblower to Achilles Lock, with Edwards adding that extra touch of booting Jeremy in the head while in the hold. If you love the extra little touches such as that, this is the match for you, as Richards and Edwards provide plenty of them.

41. Number One Contender’s Match: The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico
—ROH on HDNet Episode 37 (Taped 11/05/09, Aired 12/07/09)

The winners of this match would fight the American Wolves at Final Battle 2009 and with those stakes on the line both teams fought a match that was just as great as some of their finest grudge bouts from back in 2008. The focus for both teams was isolation and taking advantage of double teams and two-on-one situations. It was surprisingly technical at the beginning for two teams who have done great in bringing exciting brawling matches to the fore. Jay and Mark double on Generico while Steen and Generico concentrate on attacking Mark Briscoes’ leg (which, like with Steen, it was well aware that it was a chronic problem for him). The Generico standing moonsault to mark’s leg in particular showed some innovation. Jay Briscoe worked the hot tag well and then a back-and-forth exchange of momentum between the teams made for an unpredictable and compelling finale, especially when The Briscoes hit their usual finisher in the Doomsday Device on Generico and Steen immediately hit Mark with the superkick. An Ace Crusher / Jay Driller one-two combination instead picked up the win for The Briscoes. Well-executed in-ring moves with a finish still in doubt right until then end goes a long way in making this one of the more memorable HDNet matches of the past year.

40. Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
—Aries vs. Richards (Novi, MI 11/13/09)

The second of three matches in this series, meant to put over both teams and especially get over the talent and abilities of the Young Bucks. However, Kevin Steen is the darling for his verbal comedy and interplay with the fans here (taking their requests and ribbing The Bucks at the same time) but also with his physical efforts (like his Ode to Steve Austin and his sharpshooter). Fast tag team combinations take up the backstretch, as one would expect, and The Bucks do vary up their trademark combinations in this one. As it is, they were relatively underexposed in ROH, so they get over fabulously with the fans in Novi. There is the beginning of some subtle foreshadowing of Steen and Generico’s team breaking apart (when Generico crashes his boot into Steen), but not enough for it to deny them the victory (Steen sharpshooter on Matt and simultaneous turnbuckle brainbuster from Generico on Nick).

39. Pick 6 Match: Kenny Omega (3) vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima
—Aries vs. Richards (Novi, MI 11/13/09)

An unrelenting assault from Nakajima both inside and outside the ring impressed the fans and Omega again showed that he has star potential by electrifying the crowd with his offense and rallying them around his win against one of Japan’s sensational young prodigies. However, his wishy-washy sell of the leg psychology and both men using fighting spirit comebacks was a risky trade-off that only somewhat paid dividends. The no-sell for big moves was dramatic and intense, but while it will work for some, others will find it annoying. Omega was obviously blown up by the end of the match, but it’s somewhat understandable given the amount of energy expended in huge combination and reversal sequences for the Dragon Suplex and Croyt’s Wrath. It’s clear these two combined for some flash and sizzle, but maybe a little lean on substance. The post-match fracas was weird in that Nakajima started to attack Omega and then backed off, giving him respect. It left the idea that there would be a rematch, but nothing else came of it for 2010.

38. ROH World Title Match, Steel Cage: Austin Aries (c) vs. Colt Cabana
—Reverse the Curse (Chicago Ridge, IL 12/05/09)

Put Aries and Cabana in a cage and some very good things are bound to happen…well, for the fans anyway. As far as the participants, this was a physical endurance trial, with bloodshed from both the champion and challenger. They did their best to stop escape attempts and the psychology of “so-close-but-so-far” worked, ala Bret Hart versus Owen Hart at Summerslam 1995. Aries pulled the ultimate fast one by escaping through already weak cage netting due to the force of Cabana hitting him with the Flying Butt-Butt attack. Some viewed this as a cheap finish, but I thought it was unique, logical and that the previous twenty-minutes of awesome warfare did not suffer for the finish. As I wrote in my 03.20.10 column, “ Even if it wasn’t a clean end to a title bout, this was something so different and unexpected (and executed well) that its one-of-a-kind nature justifies the booking—think Big Show vs. Brock Lesnar when the ring fell apart, but with perhaps not as much mass destruction. ” As a result of this loss, Colt Cabana was no longer allowed to challenge for the ROH World Title in his hometown of Chicago, a stipulation which has endured even a year later.

37. Six-Man War: The Briscoes & Amazing Kong vs. ROH World Tag Team Champions The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) & Sara Del Rey
—Hate: Chapter II (Collinsville, IL 07/23/10)

If anything, these are two fearsome and intimidating trios teams. I’d want either threesome on my side in a battle, that’s for sure. The interesting part of this battle were the interactions between the different sexes, with ROH coming the closest its ever had to having the men fighting women and vice versa (common place and accepted in CHIKARA, but rare here). Del Rey beats up The Briscoes pretty well, while Kong getting doubled by Hero and Castagnoli was believable given their size and added heat to the middle portion of the match, but she gave as well as she took here, demolishing The Kings at one point like she was The Juggernaut. There are some cool “nick of time” saves on each side, but ultimately The Briscoes pull out the win with a roll up mid-KRS-1. Real good stuff.

36. Fight Without Honor: Eddie Kingston vs. Chris Hero
—Final Battle 2009 (New York, NY 12/19/09)

Most will remember this match just for one moment and that was the hell of a risk Eddie Kingston took with the powerbomb from the top rope to the guardrail. And yes, that was a hell of a moment, in fact the turning point that took a split crowd and shifted it near-one-hundred percent in favor of Eddie Kingston. However, this match was actually much more and far greater than that one death-defying moment. This was the second-and-final match between Chris Hero and Eddie Kingston in ROH, who had been “mortal enemies” and waged war all over the independent scene for going on four years.

This was a blood feud and thus the entire match was every bit the expected intense and stiffly-fought brawl. The intensity was there with every punch and every boot from either man. Kingston took plenty of punishment with a chain and gave back in return, blocking a move with an unlikely hurricanrana and blasting Hero onto the chain with the uranage suplex. Later, after the guardrail shots and the weapons shots, attempted interference from Sara Del Rey and a “kiss of death” elbow shot, King roared back to life and blasted Hero with two spinning back fists…but it wasn’t enough. So he managed to grab Hero’s “Golden” (loaded) elbow pad and gave Hero his (slightly anti-climactic, but fitting) just desserts. This Fight Without Honor was everything fans had expected a Hero vs. Kingston match to be that didn’t happen during their bout at Glory By Honor VIII: The Final Countdown but did come to pass here. This was Kingston’s redemption in New York and as such, the emphasis on physical war, the emotions of someone winning in their hometown against a bitter rival all combined and made this one of the more memorable grudge contests of the year. It’s a shame more wasn’t done with Kingston after this one.

35. Non-Title: Christopher Daniels vs. ROH Television Champion Eddie Edwards
—Supercard of Honor V (New York, NY, 05/08/10)

A few years back Christopher Daniels wrestled against Alex Shelley in a mid-card match here in New York City. It was one of my favorite undercard bouts to watch because both were so seamless in their movements and so seemingly effortless. They were able to build up the match minute after minute and wrap the crowd up in the action (not to mention Shelley was red-hot as a character at the time). I was reminded of that match a lot when watching Daniels against Edwards. Like that match, both wrestlers here were graceful in their movements and on-point with their wrestling. The rhythm and pace of the Irish whip passes, landing moves, reversing position and planting into other moves—it all fit together. The one weakness of the match was Daniels not selling the leg injury that Edwards constantly went after throughout the match. Still, Daniels’ effort in what was only his second match back was commendable—hitting a springboard Arabian press and other trademarks. He listened to the fans gave them what they wanted—the “BME”. It was good enough for the win against Edwards, a message to Davey Richards that if he could best one American Wolf, he could best the other as well.

34. ROH World Title Match: Austin Aries (c) vs. Kenny Omega
—The Omega Effect (Mississauga, ONT, CN 11/14/09)

Omega had quite a few opportunities to be in the main-event spotlight in Toronto and he generally performed well in them. Here he challenged Austin Aries in the culmination of a several-month long mini-feud that played out both on house shows and in several matches on HDNet. A few early bobbles by Omega are somewhat mitigated when he settles down and connects well on the rest of his offense, though the missteps do hold this match back from making it further on this year’s list. Still, Omega impresses when it counts, with his speed-based offense (running circles around Aries) and use of the ringside area to fly into Aries and later dump him over the guardrail. My favorite moment of the match was when Omega blocks a running missile dropkick attempt into a full and flush HADOUKEN attack. When Omega lands it well (and in some cases, like the match against Daniels, too well), it adds an extra element to his matches, because the crowd goes crazy for the move. The finish begins with Omega looking for Croyt’s Wrath and finally hitting it after several attempts, for a very close two. However, the match doesn’t slip into the expected finisher trade sequence and instead Omega gets some real close roll-up attempts. Aries punt-to-brainbuster sequence only gets two and Aries has to pour it into overdrive with a second and Last Chancery plus knees for the win. That the match gave us a different variation in the finish and that Aries had to give extra effort to win the match put over Omega’s toughness and separated this title match from most of the rest of the pack.

33. ROH World Title Match: Jay & Mark Briscoe (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
—ROH on HDNet Episode 48 (Taped 01/06/10, Aired 02/22/10)

This main-event tag title bout was breakneck-paced and centered on movement, speed and high-spots, as is to be expected with The Bucks. They actually were given quite a lot of offense over the champions for what was their final match as regulars for the promotion. The coolest moment of the match happened in the middle when both teams traded off superkicks. The Briscoes and The Bucks do love their superkicks. The Bucks were able to stop several major double team moves, including Nick preventing the Jay Driller. However, Nick missed a dive and smashed into the barricade, giving the opening necessary for the Doomsday Device on Matt to retain the belts.

32. Pick 6 Match: Roderick Strong (2) vs. Tyler Black (3)
—The Omega Effect (Mississauga, ONT, CN 11/14/09)

The first one-on-one rematch from the final duo meeting between the two from Survival of the Fittest 2009. As I wrote in my February 27th, 2010 Column of Honor: “This was a fantastic appetizer for seeing them wrestle in 2010 with the title on the line. While there was a deliberate pace at the start of the match, they gave the fans a lot of what they can do (including cool reversals and counter strikes) …” It is those innovative reversals, such as a hurricanrana escape out of the double knee gutbuster, as well as using the turnbuckles and apron to switch off control and offense moves, that are a part of the fun of watching these two wrestle each other. Black’s athleticism shines here, with extra air on his springboard closeline and sticking the quebrada paroxysm, even extra flexibility when he boots Strong from the outside through the ropes. Strong’s chops, as has been mentioned at several points on this countdown, are ever-present and blistering on Black. Even Chris Hero on commentary is constantly selling their power with his audible gasps and exasperate shouts. What brings this match into the top thirty though is the frenetic finishing sequence, which like the SOTF ’09 final stretch brings all sorts of intrigue and unpredictability as to who will finally take the match when both men chain their finishers together and weave ducks, reversals and big kicks together. Both are downed after twenty-minutes of action. Despite the draw, this match was not a disappointment nor did it suffer from not having a decisive finish. Tons of physical effort and a real joy to watch these two go to work against each other.

31. No Disqualification, 34th Street Death Match: Kevin Steen vs. Colt Cabana
—Supercard of Honor V (New York, NY, 05/08/10)

Living up to the standards of violence and mayhem set just several weeks earlier during the Chicago Street Fight, Colt Cabana and Kevin Steen continued to incorporate multiple weapons and copious amounts of brawling in the major blood feud of the year. There were some “twisted evil genius” moments in this one, with powerbombs onto ladders, thumbtacks and the finish, a crossface with the added flavor of barbedwire. Cabana fought hard, but he was outnumbered when Steve Corino made his surprise return. No one, especially the fans, expected the twist that Steve would use his son Colby to add the final distraction…and that the heels would sink so low as to use and manipulate a child gave the match a final touch of psychology. Forgetting all of that, Cabana and Steen bashed each other repeatedly and put each other through hell… and that counts for a lot in creating a hardcore match like this one.

30. Number One Contender’s Match: The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards)
—ROH on HDNet Episode 46 (Taped 01/05/10, Aired 02/08/10)

The takeaway from this match is The Bucks impressed so much in the first go round on HDNet and they improved upon that here with their rapid-fire tag team combinations that managed to outpace The Wolves. However, The Wolves had some nice shining moments, such as Richards brutalizing with his multiple kick combinations and Edwards getting a beautiful springboard codebreaker as well as kicking out of More Bang For Your Buck (one of the rare moments that happened anywhere, much less in ROH). Matt and Nick were nearing the end of their run with ROH as they had signed their contract but in what was almost a surprise they won this rematch with a jack-knife cradle and earned a tag title shot against The Briscoes (which would be their final match before leaving TNA).

29. Hate: Chapter II: El Generico vs. Kevin Steen
—Hate: Chapter II (Collinsville, IL 07/23/10)

This was a terrific follow-up for the Generico versus Steen rivalry, even ending in the disqualification finish. It’s very understandable for a hate-filled feud such as this one to spill out of control and both men (especially Generico) put their bodies on the line plenty during this one to get to that point. From the October 2nd, 2010 Column of Honor: ” The show and this match was subtitled “Hate” and that’s a perfect appellation—as the bitter enmity between the two sides continues. This match has more goodness, following a similar progression as their first singles match from Death Before Dishonor VIII with just a shade more outside brawling than the first go around. There’s actually some clever inclusion of the front row here, including a fan wearing an El Generico match.” The fan-interaction between Generico, Steen and that fan indeed proved to be memorable, as was Generico gaining the advantage during the crowd brawling. His spinning DDT onto the metal stage ramp demonstrated the lengths to which he would reach to fight back against Steen, plus it foreshadowed the finish, where Generico went for his always awesome DDT though the ropes but was smashed right in the face with a chair, drawing the DQ. There was also a nice reference to the first bout with the top rope fisherman’s buster, but Generico kicks out of it this time. The post-match fracas involving the student squad was as usual very entertaining melee action. Steen attacking with the chain also led us to the Double Chain tag match at Glory By Honor IX. So again, this was more of a mid-point than an end-point, but worthy grudge wrestling action while it lasted.

28. ROH World Title Match: Tyler Black (c) vs. Chris Hero
—Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 2 (Chicago Ridge, IL 04/24/10)

For all the crap talked about Black by cynical fans earlier in the year, Black sure did have his share of excellent title defenses. Here he shows the fire and heart needed of a World Champion. Chris Hero helped out by being the kind of hated jerk needed to gain sympathy and support for Black. He is violent and intimidating throughout this bout, a constant threat to win and certainly unafraid to trash-talk (“I’m not Bryan Danielson…boy! I’m not Austin Aries…boy!”), which draws the viewer even more into the champions’ precarious predicaments. The KO elbows destroy Black (whose woozy selling is fantastic), but the champion endures. Hero brings back the cravate-based offense as well (always a welcome sight for me) and Black endures. He dodges out of the Deathblow, superkicks Shane Hagadorn on the apron, then Hero and then the God’s Last Gift for three. This defense will stand-out as compelling and a great display of edge and emotion from Black.

27. Pick 6 Contender’s Series: Davey Richards vs. Kenny King (5)
—The Big Bang (Charlotte, NC 04/03/10 on iPPV)

Davey had the Charlotte crowd with him from moment one…and he made you believe in him with his demeanor, body language and effort throughout. Richards was a bad-ass, but that allowed King’s heel work (like slapping him in the face, shoving him in disrespect or stomping him down after Rhett Titus’ interference) to take greater hold. It also made Richards delivering an unholy butt-kicking even more cathartic and appreciated. This was a superbly wrestled match on both sides, except for one small stumble from King off a bottom rope springboard that was covered up well. Richards kept hitting and finding ways to scramble into an advantageous offensive position. His chops reached Roderick Strong levels here…and his kicks were just as on point. King impressed with a shotgun knees that sent Richards flying into the turnbuckle and later, a spinebuster that recalled Arn Anderson at his best. Undeterred, Richards roared back with the best of his offense, such as the flying headbutt, suicide flip dive to the outside, and the release German Suplex from the top that sent King flying. Richards also had one of the best German Suplexes I’ve seen in this match, literally slowing down in mid-bridge and connecting flush. He also was able to work the leg and counter multiple times into a beautiful ankle lock…and repeatedly returning to that hold and transitioning into the cloverleaf gave this a final finishing touch. There was a beautiful ebb-and-flow to this match and the super-hot Charlotte fans ate it all up from beginning to end. Kudos as well to the commentary from Dave Prazak and Kevin Kelly, whose excitement for this match meshed well with the loud crowd pops and amped the atmosphere.

26. Non-Title: Davey Richards vs. ROH World Champion Tyler Black
—Tag Wars 2010 (Charlotte, NC 08/28/10)

Brilliant heel work from Black in his refusal to change this into a title match as well as forcing Eddie Edwards and Jim Cornette to return backstage because their presence wasn’t stipulated in the match contract. The fans wanted Richards to tear apart Black limb-from-limb as a result of these clowning antics. This was a reprise of the Death Before Dishonor VIII match and in fact much of what happened in terms of early wrestling sequences and dives was a direct repeat from that match. However, the atmosphere and context of the match had also changed due to the knowledge that Black was leaving ROH. That made every hold and every strike from Richards extra appreciated from the crowd. That is also why the crowd got behind Richards psyching-himself up later in the bout, using fighting spirit to make a last run at Black. Richards swiping God’s Last Gift is also a great insult-to-injury moment. He tapped out the champion with the cloverleaf and reveled in the adulation of the fans. There was enough in terms of variations and familiarity reversals at the end to differentiate this match from the first and third in the series, but ultimately this match is the least of the three. That’s not a real knock though, given the immense quality of these three matches as a whole.

25. Finals, ROH Television Title Tournament: Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards
—ROH on HDNet Episode 55 (Taped 03/06/10, Aired 04/26/10)

It was a Wolf versus Wolf final, with huge bragging rights on the line as the winner would be crowned the first-ever ROH TV Champion. Neither man took it easy on the other in this technical, catch-as-catch-can endeavor. Each sought to out-wrestle the other and as each knew the other one very well, that led to many reverses, exchanges, blocks and other strategic efforts. When they proved to be a stalemate, each had to take their offense to the next level. Edwards’ super hurricanrana is a thing of beauty and while it has been great when he has pulled it out in other matches since this one, this is likely the best version of it this year. Edwards does eventually make Richards tap out to the Achilles Lock. Richards gives him his respect and his due as the new champion, adding another great layer of storytelling after the bell. Some opinions have varied about this match, with which I disagree (that Edwards and Richards were soft on each other and sloppy in spots), but I’ve written elsewhere and I’ll state again my appreciation for this match. This was the equivalent of Owen Hart versus British Bulldog from the 1996 European Title Tournament for Ring of Honor. That is high praise, but it is well-earned and well-deserved.

24. ROH World Tag Team Title Match: Jay & Mark Briscoe (c) vs. The American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) w/ Shane Hagadorn
—From the Ashes (Phoenix, AZ 03/26/10)

These two teams went to war against each other—and it was a full-tilt, straight ahead tag team wrestling match. The result was the best of the four outings between these teams within the judging period. What I love about The Briscoes is that even though they are known for their toughness and their brawling ability, they always surprise fans and onlookers with their technical wrestling. They love to throw that in there at the beginning of matches and when they are able to one-up a team consisting of Richards and Edwards on that level, it gets noticed. Of course, The Briscoes are also quick to use their fists and boots to pummel down opponents, so this shifts rapidly into a down-and-dirty affair with the Wolves fighting fire with fire. Then when the Wolves find the advantage they also prove capable of going with scientific expertise and submissions or fast-paced running attacks. There are some nice clear-outs, fun miscues and some realistic near-falls (though mostly for The Briscoes getting the win and not so much in convincing you of The Wolves’ chances to win). The Wolves landing the Ode to Orient Express superkick-to-German Suplex (on the outside early on and inside the ring late in the match) was impressive. Both teams turn up the pace and the effort for the final stretch of the match, and even if the fan reaction wasn’t as hot as it should have been, it’s hard to deny the crisp execution and effort from all four men. Eddie Edwards survives a direct hit on the Jay Driller, but The Briscoes retain with the Doomsday Device a moment later.

23. Six Months in the Making: Davey Richards vs. Christopher Daniels
—Richards vs. Daniels (Chicago Ridge, IL 10/16/10)

A beautiful, cleanly-executed wrestling match (Or as Chicago crowds love to call out, “Wrrrrrrestling! Yay!”) that focused on the spirit of competition and finding out who was the best man of the two. Some of my favorite moments are actually the small, subtle gestures and movements from Daniels—trying to knock Richards’ feet out from under him on a bridge, excellent selling of the arm and shoulder after a huge kick from the apron, limping after constant pressure from the anklelock and even a whispered, gasping utterance to the camera about how Richards kicks real hard and fast. The selling is the difference between just doing moves and telling a story with them. Of course, when these two want to go fast and go big, they do that too, with gusto. Daniels’ Arabian Press is still a crowd-pleaser, and Richards goes to the air with his flying headbutt and suicide flip dive into the crowd (this one landing hard on his back). Richards’ attack is technical to start, but it becomes more feral late with headbutts and kicks to the sternum. Richards is at his best in this kind of attack mode, but Daniels is right there with him for the strike exchanges, using rapid fire palm strikes while Richards responds with blistering slaps. The Shooting Star miss to the Koji Clutch is outright brilliance, as is the BME miss into the ankle lock. Actually, the escapes and reversals from both into and out of the anklelock throughout the match are almost as thrilling. Richards finally wins after a salvo of kicks, the knockout kick and DR Driver for two, and then maintaining a grip on the ankle through several reversal attempts until Daniels finally has to tap. It took six months to get there, but it was worth the wait.

22. Pick 6 Contender’s Series: Roderick Strong (1) vs. Davey Richards (4)
—Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 2 (Chicago Ridge, IL 04/24/10)

This is another undeniably awesome, upper-echelon effort delivered by Richards and Strong in a year full of them from both men. These two have picked up from where Aries and Danielson left off as far as providing a continuing series where the focus is on wrestling, in-ring competition and the desire to prove continually who the better man is of the former No Remorse Corps members and now rivals. The chain-sequences, switches and escapes are fun and lively, drawing lots of support from the awesome and enthusiastic crowd who are into this action the entire way through. The late match reversal and chain sequence with positioning and submissions changing is insane and needs to be seen. The hits are hard and delivered with intent, drawing oohs and ahh and chants of support. Richards just beats up Strong and beats him down over and over again with kicks and slaps and chops. Danielson would be proud. Strong ain’t bad either with his sick kicks and jumping enziguiri. From the July 3rd, 2010 Column of Honor: “Strong uses a high-angle DDT on the floor, draping Richards from the ropes and planting him down in a beautifully hideous moment. Richards’ best attack moments come in his slap volleys and his combination of kicks that plaster Strong in his thigh, mid-section and head. Deadly. The turning point comes when Richards attempts his suicide flip dive into the crowd, but Strong evades and Richards not only whiffs, but his back hits the metal edge of the guardrail on the way down. “ It’s that kind of intense effort that is much appreciated and what places it so high up on the list despite the lack of a decisive finish. Richards beats the twenty-count tease and has a final flurry of offense including a knock-out kick that has to be seen to be believed before the ringing of the closing bell. The twenty-minute draw was unfortunate but understandable given this match’s position on the show and that both were sure to wrestle again before the year was out.

21. Non-Title: ROH World Champion Tyler Black vs. “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels
—Fade to Black (Plymouth, MA 09/10/10)

A thirty-minute draw that just flew by with an audience that was hot to see Tyler Black get his after “selling out” to WWE. Black was sure to throw that in their face at every turn—beautifully taking his time in the opening minutes, threatening to leave (until Daniels ran around to the stage and back out again to stop him) and mocking their ROH loyalty by throwing up the “You Can’t See Me” and applying the STF. It’s funny how history can sometimes repeat itself, as Daniels was once again in the position of upholding honor in ROH, much like when CM Punk was on his way out in 2005. The drama in the last half of the match unfolds naturally, with Daniels one step ahead of Black (such as when he countered the springboard closeline into a Koji Clutch, even trapping the arm away from the ropes to prevent the break). There was impeccable timing in the final frenzy, with superkicks from Black and a Last Rites from Daniels just as time expired. Black was just on a tear at the end of his ROH run and matches like this and the ones against Edwards and Richards only hint at the greatness that could have been while ensuring that ROH fans remember vividly the ones that were.

Eighty down and twenty more to go! Join me tomorrow for the conclusion to this countdown feature, hitting the Top 20 of Ring of Honor’s 2010! I’m sure some can make some educated guesses about what made it up there!

BROOKLYN!
–Ari–