Winners: American Wolves
I hate to sound like a broken record, but this was an awesome, awesome match. Back and forth, didn't know who was going to win until the final three count, and could have gone either way. These guys all worked their asses off, and this was trademark ROH tag team wrestling at its best. Romero and Koslov are clearly disappointed, but follow the Code of Honor and Romero and Richards share a hug, then all four men raise their arms to the crowd together. This is the kind of match you show to people so they can see what ROH is all about.
INTERMISSION
Quick note before we come back with the second half: the quality of the iPPV stream tonight has been FLAWLESS. The video is higher quality than anything they've ever produced before, there have been no hiccups or lockups, and it's come across like I've been watching TV on my computer, which is exactly what it should be.
2 Out Of 3 Falls: Michael Elgin vs Roderick Strong
Feeling out process to start, Strong takes Elgin down with a wristlock, but Elgin CARTWHEELS out of the hold and backs Strong to the ropes to force a break. Shoving match ensues, Strong hits a leaping knee to Elgin's chin and fires forearms at Elgin, Elgin drills Strong with a spinning backfist, powerbombs Strong into the corner, and hits the sitout powerbomb to dust Strong for the first fall.
Elgin 1, Strong 0
Strong rolls out to the floor to create some distance before the second fall starts, but Elgin goes right after him and they brawl on the floor. Elgin no-sells Strong's chops and rams him into the barricade. Elgin rolls Strong into the ring and gets on the apron, Strong tries to sunset flip him to the floor, Elgin tries to drop down with a vertical splash, Strong moves out of the way and back suplexes Elgin to the floor. They head back inside and Strong covers for 2, Elgin tries to shrug off Strong's chops, but he's tired now and Strong drills him with a dropkick for 2. Strong with a leg lariat that knocks Elgin backward into the corner, but Strong charges in and takes what was once known around here as the STJoe. Elgin goes up for a moonsault, Strong cuts him off and tries a back suplex, Elgin fights him off and hits a Patriot missile. Strong with a series of elbowstrikes, but Elgin hits a Black Hole Slam for 2 and then transitions right into the Crippler Crossface. Strong rolls Elgin to his back for 2, then hits a boot to the face and a leaping enziguiri, boot to the face from Elgin, and Elgin hits Shock Treatment. Hey, maybe Joseph Park should be looking for his brother in ROH? Nah. Elgin goes for the powerbomb again, Strong escapes and hits a leaping enziguiri to the face, a leaping kneestrike, and a charging forearm. Strong hits a pump handle suplex for 2, Elgin blocks a fireman's carry attempt with elbows, but Strong hits another knee, he tries a powerbomb, Elgin backdrops Strong, Strong superkicks Elgin in the face and gets 2. Strong charges into Elgin's boot in the corner, Elgin goes to the second rope and tries to pick Strong up for a powerbomb, but Strong fights his way out, side suplexes Elgin onto the top rope, and hits the vertical suplex into a backbreaker to win the second fall.
Elgin 1, Strong 1
Strong jumps Elgin during the 20 second break and repeatedly rams kneelifts to Elgin's face and hits a gutbuster, Elgin is out at 2. Strong with a crucifix but Elgin rolls through and hits a running DVD in the corner. Strong tries to back suplex Elgin off the top rope again, but Elgin fights him off and this time he hits the twisting senton for 2. Elgin with a deadlift German suplex for 2, another for 2, Strong rolls out to the apron but Elgin goes to the corner and suplexes Strong all the way up, Strong slips out the back and powerbombs Elgin off the top rope for 2. Elgin reverses a sunset flip and hits the sitout powerbomb, but Strong is out at 2 so Elgin goes back to the Crippler Crossface and Strong taps out.
Winner: Michael Elgin
Very hard fought win for Elgin and both guys came out looking like a million bucks. I'm not a fan of people winning the first fall in under a minute because it's been done to death and doesn't mean anything anymore, but otherwise the match was great.
Matt Hardy comes out before the next match and says that Nigel McGuinness has thrown every obstacle he could in his way, but he's still here and wants a shot at the TV Title. Hardy takes a seat at the broadcast table and joins the commentary team for our next match.
TV Title Match: Adam Cole vs Matt Taven
I love Taven and Martini's new "hoopla" entrance music, but Martini is wearing...well, I guess he's wearing the type of thing he wears when he's preparing for another of his infamous conquests. Feeling out process starts us off as they exchange wristlocks and stuff, then go to the mat for some chain wrestling. Cole finally gets some momentum as he counters a leapfrog to an inverted atomic drop, Taven backdrops Cole to the ring apron and Truth distracts Cole so Taven can dropkick him to the floor. Taven tries a dive and Cole counters with a leaping enziguiri, Cole tries a springboard move back into the ring and Truth pulls Cole's ankle and allows Taven to nail Cole and send him tumbling out to the floor. Cole reverses a whip and sends Taven into the barricade, then gets distracted by Truth again and chases him around ringside until Taven sneaks in and spinkicks Cole in the face.... (Continues on next page)
Reporter's Link:
100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): The Undertaker & Michelle McCool Together! **BRAND NEW - THE UNDERTAKER'S NEW LOOK WITH A BEARD**!!!