PWInsiderXTRA - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

DVD REVIEW: RING OF HONOR JOE VS. KOBASHI

After years of reading great review after great review, I finally ordered some Ring of Honor DVDs. This report is a first viewing – live account – of the October 1, 2005 Joe vs. Kobashi show from Manhattan, NY. This will be the second ROH show I have ever seen, the other being the promotion’s first show, which I watched right around the time of its release. ROH is a promotion I always read about and have kept up on. Almost every review gave me a feeling in my stomach like I am missing out on something special, well…now it’s time to see if my instincts and the reviews were right.

For starters, I want to mention that I ordered my DVDs via www.ROHwrestling.com and received my orderly promptly in a nice Priority box. That’s always important. Some of us remember the ECW days back in the mid-90’s when you ordered a video: (1) if it would be the show you actually ordered; (2) if the tape would work; or (3) if the tape would, technically, ever arrive. Also, the graphic art for the DVDs are top-notch with color photos, the sharp logo and a match listing on the back cover.

[ Play ]

The DVD begins with Samoa Joe ROH highlights from 2002-present. This is a great look at Joe’s aggressive style against the likes of Homicide, Low Ki, etc. and how he has been in the ring with stars such as Cactus Jack and Jushin “Thunder” Liger.

We cut to the ring as a small, but rowdy crowd is in anticipation for the show to begin. The closing riffs of “We Will Rock You” by Queen plays in the background. I dig the ROH ring of black and red. That combined with the lighting, black curtains to hide the walls, music and nice graphics package definitely gives a hip look. The lighting is just like being inside a dance club. Not sure if that’s what they are going for but that’s what it would remind a 23-year-old like myself.

Claudio Castagnoli enters the ring to a response you would expect for people excited for the show to begin. He’s wearing a flashy suit with a tie decorated in dollar bills.

As the music changes to “Cobacabana” the crowd responds in kind with everyone clapping to the music. Colt Cabana comes through the curtain to a big response. Oh man, this definitely works. We have Cabana dancing around the ring while the whole crowd is clapping and singing the words. With the small crowd in such an intimate setting, it comes across great on TV. This is reminiscent of an ECW Arena crowd.

Claudio Castagnoli def. Colt Cabana. Throughout the match a storyline developed with members of Homicide’s gang, positioned throughout the crowd, trying to distract Cabana. The announcers explained how Homicide wasn’t there tonight because the ROH offices received threats that something bad would happen to Cabana in New York. It’s good that they explain this so that new viewers can pick-up on ROH at any point. This eventually led to Cabana losing

Aside from the storyline, they also had a match. It was a nice one for an opener and featured good mat wrestling and some stiff action (particularly from Castagnoli in the form of European uppercuts). The crowd was also very involved even counting 14…15…16… when Cabana was up for a vertical suplex. Crowd chanted “Claudio” while other’s booed him.

Next, a Three Way Elimination match. Matt Sydal came out first but only certain fans reacted to his entrance. Azrieal was next and entered to Linkin’ Park music. His reaction was spotty. These reactions were likely because everyone was waiting for the crowd favorite, Christopher Daniels. They were chanting “Fallen’ Angel” before the music even started. The combination of the chants, lights dimmed, fast-paced clapping by the crowd and the “Disposable Teens” by Marilyn Manson music, easily changed the mood and set the tone for the entrance of a star. Those elements are so important in crowd psychology and creating a big match feel. This was a textbook lesson in how important that can be in a wrestling environment.

Christopher Daniels w/ Allison Danger def. Matt Sydal and Azrieal in the Three Way Elimination Match (Azrieal was first eliminated). The crowd was red-hot for this and that makes all the difference in the world in a wrestling match. Everything Daniels did received a big reaction. This was the fast paced, stiff match that lived up to ROH’s reputation and far more of an “adrenaline rush” than what you typically see on TNA and definitely on WWE. These guys are athletes and went from spot-to-spot. At one point, Sydal got knocked right onto his neck and I thought he died. But, he was right back at it moments later to stay in the groove and hit more big moves, which was great for this match but not great if you insist on ring psychology every match.

ROH Tag Team Title Match. Tony Mamaluke and Sal Rinauro def. BJ Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs to win the belts. Mamaluke did well before the match explaining how in the past he won the ECW Tag Team titles around the corner and he returned to ROH tonight to win tag titles again. Whitmer and Jacobs came out to Velvet Revolver’s Slither which the crowd reacted great to. As far as the match, Jacobs was kind of a distraction at the beginning with some comedy spots while everyone else seemed to be in serious mode. Maybe that’s just his gimmick and I didn’t get it since this was my first time seeing him. Mamaluke stood out and had some real nice moves, including some submissions. They had some trouble setting up double team moves near the end but the ovation for the title changed quickly erased that negative.

ROH Pure Title Match. Nigel McGuinness def. Jay Lethal. Nigel has great presence and a solid look. He came off great in the match and in the process I was reminded my Jay Lethal should be allowed to have longer matches in TNA. I left the match definitely interested in seeing more of McGuinness. Match was very stiff with Lethal bleeding from the mouth.

Roderick Strong def. Jimmy Rave w/ Prince Nana who had a girl on a leash (that was unexpected!). Rave was greeted by the fans with the launching of toilet paper, instead of the traditional Japanese streamers. This was another solid, stiff match that built well. The fans were very much into it by the end. Strong’s chops are incredible. Strong won by submission but was attacked afterwards by Nana and Rave. The girl on the leash turned on Nana and Rave, which gave Strong the chance to gain the advantage and clear the ring.

Ricky Reyes def. Pelle Primeau. This was a squash that lasted about a minute.

James Gibson def. Jimmy Yang. This was Gibson’s second-to-last match before going to WWE so the crowd very much favored him. This was one of those matches that was solid throughout but by the time it was over, one realizes it was better than expected and turned out to be a real good match. Noble gave a speech and the crowd chanted “MVP” afterwards.

Homicide def. Jack Evans. Jack Evans entered the ring and did a break dance. That easily added a star to this match rating. Everyone definitely treats Homicide like a superstar and with the combination of his charisma, entrance and ability – it’s deserved. Jack Evans won in an upset after a disruption from Colt Cabana. Homicide hit some great moves including a decapitating clotheslines but Evans won with a Reverse Rana.

Kenta Kobashi def. Samoa Joe. The 2005 Match of the Year, this one was the epitome of why I love professional wrestling. The intensity throughout between Kobashi and Joe, complimented by the explosive crowd, created that indefinable aura that surrounds a classic match. What really surprised me was how Kobashi had that superstar presence about himself and Joe did not look out of place but fit right in.

Streamers, “this is awesome” chants a minute in, chopfests, head bumps, post-match interviews – this one had it all and was incredibly stiff. If you’re a fan of professional wrestling you need to watch it and then you’ll want to re-watch it and even play it for friends.

“No matter what the cost, no matter how many times my neck is going to click for the rest of my life – I know one thing, I gave it all for the sport I love, every single night I was out there. This one is for you Kobashi (drinks from water bottle) and you better believe I’m coming for Round Two.” – Samoa Joe.

The DVD overall was easily worth the price and is highly recommended.

Comments? DavidFJ@aol.com