ROH From the Beginning.
@roharchive.bsky.social
Thoughts, musings, and short form reviews of Ring of Honor matches and shows starting from the very beginning.
Operated by https://bsky.app/profile/sottle.bsky.social
Operated by https://bsky.app/profile/sottle.bsky.social
Dustin is an incredible veteran babyface this much is known.
But holy shit Kyle is winning me over, I hated his head drop laden bombfests for the longest time but he's putting it together quickly now.
A touch fanwanky to say this was his Orton vs Foley moment, but its in that neighbourhood. #AEW
But holy shit Kyle is winning me over, I hated his head drop laden bombfests for the longest time but he's putting it together quickly now.
A touch fanwanky to say this was his Orton vs Foley moment, but its in that neighbourhood. #AEW
August 1, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Dustin is an incredible veteran babyface this much is known.
But holy shit Kyle is winning me over, I hated his head drop laden bombfests for the longest time but he's putting it together quickly now.
A touch fanwanky to say this was his Orton vs Foley moment, but its in that neighbourhood. #AEW
But holy shit Kyle is winning me over, I hated his head drop laden bombfests for the longest time but he's putting it together quickly now.
A touch fanwanky to say this was his Orton vs Foley moment, but its in that neighbourhood. #AEW
Hangman Page vs Kyle Fletcher - AEW Dynamite 30/04/25 🤼
If not the best match Kyle Fletcher has ever been involved in, certainly the best Kyle Fletcher performance in a match. One singular head drop placed in desperation, and given space to breathe with excellent heel wrestling throughout. - ****
If not the best match Kyle Fletcher has ever been involved in, certainly the best Kyle Fletcher performance in a match. One singular head drop placed in desperation, and given space to breathe with excellent heel wrestling throughout. - ****
May 1, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Hangman Page vs Kyle Fletcher - AEW Dynamite 30/04/25 🤼
If not the best match Kyle Fletcher has ever been involved in, certainly the best Kyle Fletcher performance in a match. One singular head drop placed in desperation, and given space to breathe with excellent heel wrestling throughout. - ****
If not the best match Kyle Fletcher has ever been involved in, certainly the best Kyle Fletcher performance in a match. One singular head drop placed in desperation, and given space to breathe with excellent heel wrestling throughout. - ****
Hello. I am not dead.
Sadly got a little busy and watching a 4 hour show every day become unsustainable and then when I couldn't keep up the pace, the whole endeavour felt overwhelming and pointless.
But, i'm going to put out a more sensible schedule starting soon(TM).
It's Summer of Punk time. 🤼
Sadly got a little busy and watching a 4 hour show every day become unsustainable and then when I couldn't keep up the pace, the whole endeavour felt overwhelming and pointless.
But, i'm going to put out a more sensible schedule starting soon(TM).
It's Summer of Punk time. 🤼
May 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Hello. I am not dead.
Sadly got a little busy and watching a 4 hour show every day become unsustainable and then when I couldn't keep up the pace, the whole endeavour felt overwhelming and pointless.
But, i'm going to put out a more sensible schedule starting soon(TM).
It's Summer of Punk time. 🤼
Sadly got a little busy and watching a 4 hour show every day become unsustainable and then when I couldn't keep up the pace, the whole endeavour felt overwhelming and pointless.
But, i'm going to put out a more sensible schedule starting soon(TM).
It's Summer of Punk time. 🤼
Overall - 7/10 🤼
Solid enough but enough filler to keep it out of the 8's. As mentioned in the intro there's a slight sense of wheel spinning setting up for Punk vs Aries down the line.
This is a pivotal character moment for the evolution of Danielson though, a piece of him stays with Homicide.
Solid enough but enough filler to keep it out of the 8's. As mentioned in the intro there's a slight sense of wheel spinning setting up for Punk vs Aries down the line.
This is a pivotal character moment for the evolution of Danielson though, a piece of him stays with Homicide.
January 27, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Overall - 7/10 🤼
Solid enough but enough filler to keep it out of the 8's. As mentioned in the intro there's a slight sense of wheel spinning setting up for Punk vs Aries down the line.
This is a pivotal character moment for the evolution of Danielson though, a piece of him stays with Homicide.
Solid enough but enough filler to keep it out of the 8's. As mentioned in the intro there's a slight sense of wheel spinning setting up for Punk vs Aries down the line.
This is a pivotal character moment for the evolution of Danielson though, a piece of him stays with Homicide.
They save this mediocre series right at the end. This and the lumberjack match really shine a luminous glare on the fact that these two have worked best together in the matches that have forced them to remain in a ring together and wrestle 🤼
Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4
Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4
January 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
They save this mediocre series right at the end. This and the lumberjack match really shine a luminous glare on the fact that these two have worked best together in the matches that have forced them to remain in a ring together and wrestle 🤼
Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4
Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4
Homicide vs Danielson - Bo5 - Cage (2-2) 🤼
Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️
Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️
January 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Homicide vs Danielson - Bo5 - Cage (2-2) 🤼
Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️
Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️
But then, the negative. I feel safe now calling out that Gibson is not a great seller. Previously he's been inconsistent, here he is consistent but not intense. Arm work is a huge focus of this match, and a spot like this divorce court I would want to hear a piercing scream ring out. 🤼
***3/4
***3/4
January 27, 2025 at 8:42 PM
But then, the negative. I feel safe now calling out that Gibson is not a great seller. Previously he's been inconsistent, here he is consistent but not intense. Arm work is a huge focus of this match, and a spot like this divorce court I would want to hear a piercing scream ring out. 🤼
***3/4
***3/4
Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼
First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️
First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️
January 27, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼
First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️
First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️
Jack Evans vs Delirious vs Ebetaro vs Samoa Joe 🤼
A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***
A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***
January 27, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Jack Evans vs Delirious vs Ebetaro vs Samoa Joe 🤼
A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***
A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***
Alex Shelley vs Roderick Strong 🤼 #ROH
This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4
This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4
January 27, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Alex Shelley vs Roderick Strong 🤼 #ROH
This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4
This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4
The Final Showdown - 13.05.2005 🤼 #ROH
We are well and truly on the road to The Summer of Punk now, and these next few shows feel like they are slotting final pieces into place for what is truly one of Gabe's crowning moments of storytelling.
Small matter of the Bo5 series to wrap up too.
We are well and truly on the road to The Summer of Punk now, and these next few shows feel like they are slotting final pieces into place for what is truly one of Gabe's crowning moments of storytelling.
Small matter of the Bo5 series to wrap up too.
January 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Final Showdown - 13.05.2005 🤼 #ROH
We are well and truly on the road to The Summer of Punk now, and these next few shows feel like they are slotting final pieces into place for what is truly one of Gabe's crowning moments of storytelling.
Small matter of the Bo5 series to wrap up too.
We are well and truly on the road to The Summer of Punk now, and these next few shows feel like they are slotting final pieces into place for what is truly one of Gabe's crowning moments of storytelling.
Small matter of the Bo5 series to wrap up too.
Taking a short break until next monday as i'm away all weekend and need to build up my backlog of shows watched again.
Some of you know what's right around the corner, i'm sure you can wait a few extra days. 🤼 #ROH
Some of you know what's right around the corner, i'm sure you can wait a few extra days. 🤼 #ROH
January 21, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Taking a short break until next monday as i'm away all weekend and need to build up my backlog of shows watched again.
Some of you know what's right around the corner, i'm sure you can wait a few extra days. 🤼 #ROH
Some of you know what's right around the corner, i'm sure you can wait a few extra days. 🤼 #ROH
Overall - 9/10 🤼
Well, i'd love to be contrarian, but this show fucks.
7 matches could have made this thread on intrigue, quality or both, and there are 3 matches above ***3/4 that are all extremely different from each other. That is a recipe for an incredibly good time at the wrestling. Do watch.
Well, i'd love to be contrarian, but this show fucks.
7 matches could have made this thread on intrigue, quality or both, and there are 3 matches above ***3/4 that are all extremely different from each other. That is a recipe for an incredibly good time at the wrestling. Do watch.
January 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Overall - 9/10 🤼
Well, i'd love to be contrarian, but this show fucks.
7 matches could have made this thread on intrigue, quality or both, and there are 3 matches above ***3/4 that are all extremely different from each other. That is a recipe for an incredibly good time at the wrestling. Do watch.
Well, i'd love to be contrarian, but this show fucks.
7 matches could have made this thread on intrigue, quality or both, and there are 3 matches above ***3/4 that are all extremely different from each other. That is a recipe for an incredibly good time at the wrestling. Do watch.
Aries (c) vs Shelley 🤼
Aries looks phenomenal in this match from an executional point of view. Not having to wrestle as an underdog accentuates how cool he is on offence. Probably his most "The Guy" showing so far. Shelley always fun too.
Momentum swings in the third act are very abrupt. - ***1/2
Aries looks phenomenal in this match from an executional point of view. Not having to wrestle as an underdog accentuates how cool he is on offence. Probably his most "The Guy" showing so far. Shelley always fun too.
Momentum swings in the third act are very abrupt. - ***1/2
January 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Aries (c) vs Shelley 🤼
Aries looks phenomenal in this match from an executional point of view. Not having to wrestle as an underdog accentuates how cool he is on offence. Probably his most "The Guy" showing so far. Shelley always fun too.
Momentum swings in the third act are very abrupt. - ***1/2
Aries looks phenomenal in this match from an executional point of view. Not having to wrestle as an underdog accentuates how cool he is on offence. Probably his most "The Guy" showing so far. Shelley always fun too.
Momentum swings in the third act are very abrupt. - ***1/2
Punk vs Rave - Dog Collar 🤼
A Punk masterclass. I was extremely critical of his first year in the company, but this match, the feuds he's had in 2004, the promo he cuts after this, wow. He's on his own level on this roster right now. Mania main eventer on the indies.
An all time blade job - ***3/4
A Punk masterclass. I was extremely critical of his first year in the company, but this match, the feuds he's had in 2004, the promo he cuts after this, wow. He's on his own level on this roster right now. Mania main eventer on the indies.
An all time blade job - ***3/4
January 20, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Punk vs Rave - Dog Collar 🤼
A Punk masterclass. I was extremely critical of his first year in the company, but this match, the feuds he's had in 2004, the promo he cuts after this, wow. He's on his own level on this roster right now. Mania main eventer on the indies.
An all time blade job - ***3/4
A Punk masterclass. I was extremely critical of his first year in the company, but this match, the feuds he's had in 2004, the promo he cuts after this, wow. He's on his own level on this roster right now. Mania main eventer on the indies.
An all time blade job - ***3/4
Joe loses rope breaks to closed fists - his unfamiliarity with the rules creating a believable route for Jay to win, lovely booking. In the end though, Joe is Joe and Jay is just Jay and there's still a pecking order. The Champ is Here (again)
A vintage Joe humper. - ****1/4 🤼
A vintage Joe humper. - ****1/4 🤼
January 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Joe loses rope breaks to closed fists - his unfamiliarity with the rules creating a believable route for Jay to win, lovely booking. In the end though, Joe is Joe and Jay is just Jay and there's still a pecking order. The Champ is Here (again)
A vintage Joe humper. - ****1/4 🤼
A vintage Joe humper. - ****1/4 🤼
Jay Lethal (c) vs Samoa Joe 🤼
Jay is excellent here, playing the part of student not taking any shit from the master to perfection. Joe for his part is just so incredibly giving to Jay, while still managing to maintain his invincible aura. Dives on his neck for a couple of suplexes like a champ. ⬇️
Jay is excellent here, playing the part of student not taking any shit from the master to perfection. Joe for his part is just so incredibly giving to Jay, while still managing to maintain his invincible aura. Dives on his neck for a couple of suplexes like a champ. ⬇️
January 20, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Jay Lethal (c) vs Samoa Joe 🤼
Jay is excellent here, playing the part of student not taking any shit from the master to perfection. Joe for his part is just so incredibly giving to Jay, while still managing to maintain his invincible aura. Dives on his neck for a couple of suplexes like a champ. ⬇️
Jay is excellent here, playing the part of student not taking any shit from the master to perfection. Joe for his part is just so incredibly giving to Jay, while still managing to maintain his invincible aura. Dives on his neck for a couple of suplexes like a champ. ⬇️
Whitmer & Jacobs (c) vs Roddy & Evans 🤼
Just when I was about to say Roddy & Evans had got a little formulaic, they come to the table with a pile of new double teams for this one. Frenetic pace, crazy spots, rabid crowd. The best tag title match since The Briscoes were still here. - ***3/4
Just when I was about to say Roddy & Evans had got a little formulaic, they come to the table with a pile of new double teams for this one. Frenetic pace, crazy spots, rabid crowd. The best tag title match since The Briscoes were still here. - ***3/4
January 20, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Whitmer & Jacobs (c) vs Roddy & Evans 🤼
Just when I was about to say Roddy & Evans had got a little formulaic, they come to the table with a pile of new double teams for this one. Frenetic pace, crazy spots, rabid crowd. The best tag title match since The Briscoes were still here. - ***3/4
Just when I was about to say Roddy & Evans had got a little formulaic, they come to the table with a pile of new double teams for this one. Frenetic pace, crazy spots, rabid crowd. The best tag title match since The Briscoes were still here. - ***3/4
James Gibson vs Black Tiger (Romero) 🤼
Crowd are really into this, trying to play their part in proving that ROH had nothing to do with BOSJ disaster. Romero is good under the mask, both a little more dynamic, and a little more vicious. Two great technicians again (lot of those recently) - ***1/4
Crowd are really into this, trying to play their part in proving that ROH had nothing to do with BOSJ disaster. Romero is good under the mask, both a little more dynamic, and a little more vicious. Two great technicians again (lot of those recently) - ***1/4
January 20, 2025 at 8:50 PM
James Gibson vs Black Tiger (Romero) 🤼
Crowd are really into this, trying to play their part in proving that ROH had nothing to do with BOSJ disaster. Romero is good under the mask, both a little more dynamic, and a little more vicious. Two great technicians again (lot of those recently) - ***1/4
Crowd are really into this, trying to play their part in proving that ROH had nothing to do with BOSJ disaster. Romero is good under the mask, both a little more dynamic, and a little more vicious. Two great technicians again (lot of those recently) - ***1/4
Manhattan Mayhem - 07.05.2005 🤼 #ROH
Fun fact, according to Cagematch ratings, this is the best show i've reviewed to date. I'm a special flower though whose opinions have not always lined up with the Cagematch ratings, so we'll see about that.
The card at least, looks fantastically promising.
Fun fact, according to Cagematch ratings, this is the best show i've reviewed to date. I'm a special flower though whose opinions have not always lined up with the Cagematch ratings, so we'll see about that.
The card at least, looks fantastically promising.
January 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Manhattan Mayhem - 07.05.2005 🤼 #ROH
Fun fact, according to Cagematch ratings, this is the best show i've reviewed to date. I'm a special flower though whose opinions have not always lined up with the Cagematch ratings, so we'll see about that.
The card at least, looks fantastically promising.
Fun fact, according to Cagematch ratings, this is the best show i've reviewed to date. I'm a special flower though whose opinions have not always lined up with the Cagematch ratings, so we'll see about that.
The card at least, looks fantastically promising.
Homicide vs Bryan Danielson - Bo5 - Lumberjack (2-1) 🤼
Comfortably their best match in this series.
Turns out the stip being that the two good wrestlers are forced to stay in ring and wrestle makes for good wrestling. Fun wrinkle with the lumberjacks being scared to touch either guy. - ***1/4
Comfortably their best match in this series.
Turns out the stip being that the two good wrestlers are forced to stay in ring and wrestle makes for good wrestling. Fun wrinkle with the lumberjacks being scared to touch either guy. - ***1/4
January 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Homicide vs Bryan Danielson - Bo5 - Lumberjack (2-1) 🤼
Comfortably their best match in this series.
Turns out the stip being that the two good wrestlers are forced to stay in ring and wrestle makes for good wrestling. Fun wrinkle with the lumberjacks being scared to touch either guy. - ***1/4
Comfortably their best match in this series.
Turns out the stip being that the two good wrestlers are forced to stay in ring and wrestle makes for good wrestling. Fun wrinkle with the lumberjacks being scared to touch either guy. - ***1/4
Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼
From a mechanical standpoint this match is breath-taking to watch in places, two guys with impeccable execution.
A reign making defence from Aries. I'm a little unhappy with some of Gibson's selling in the back half, not my first time pointing it out. - ***3/4
From a mechanical standpoint this match is breath-taking to watch in places, two guys with impeccable execution.
A reign making defence from Aries. I'm a little unhappy with some of Gibson's selling in the back half, not my first time pointing it out. - ***3/4
January 19, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼
From a mechanical standpoint this match is breath-taking to watch in places, two guys with impeccable execution.
A reign making defence from Aries. I'm a little unhappy with some of Gibson's selling in the back half, not my first time pointing it out. - ***3/4
From a mechanical standpoint this match is breath-taking to watch in places, two guys with impeccable execution.
A reign making defence from Aries. I'm a little unhappy with some of Gibson's selling in the back half, not my first time pointing it out. - ***3/4
Cabana vs Nigel vs Shelley vs Joe 🤼
Colt and Nigel elevate their rivalry from fun competition, to heated and irritated. Joe has a wonderful moment fucking with Nigel's headstand, the only person on the roster truly above it so far. Overcomplicated stip in a multi-man issue again - ***1/4
Colt and Nigel elevate their rivalry from fun competition, to heated and irritated. Joe has a wonderful moment fucking with Nigel's headstand, the only person on the roster truly above it so far. Overcomplicated stip in a multi-man issue again - ***1/4
January 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Cabana vs Nigel vs Shelley vs Joe 🤼
Colt and Nigel elevate their rivalry from fun competition, to heated and irritated. Joe has a wonderful moment fucking with Nigel's headstand, the only person on the roster truly above it so far. Overcomplicated stip in a multi-man issue again - ***1/4
Colt and Nigel elevate their rivalry from fun competition, to heated and irritated. Joe has a wonderful moment fucking with Nigel's headstand, the only person on the roster truly above it so far. Overcomplicated stip in a multi-man issue again - ***1/4
Jay Lethal (c) vs Spanky 🤼 #ROH
Two nicely intersecting stories here compound in Lethal getting the win, firstly the classic Champion knows the rules better than the challenger angle, and secondly a really solid working over of Spanky's back. Lethal's fundies are on show yet again - ***1/2
Two nicely intersecting stories here compound in Lethal getting the win, firstly the classic Champion knows the rules better than the challenger angle, and secondly a really solid working over of Spanky's back. Lethal's fundies are on show yet again - ***1/2
January 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Jay Lethal (c) vs Spanky 🤼 #ROH
Two nicely intersecting stories here compound in Lethal getting the win, firstly the classic Champion knows the rules better than the challenger angle, and secondly a really solid working over of Spanky's back. Lethal's fundies are on show yet again - ***1/2
Two nicely intersecting stories here compound in Lethal getting the win, firstly the classic Champion knows the rules better than the challenger angle, and secondly a really solid working over of Spanky's back. Lethal's fundies are on show yet again - ***1/2