[Vuchato]

ROH Stars of Honor

Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk ****1/4
Homicide vs. Antonio Banks **1/2
James Gibson vs. Roderick Strong ***3/4
Bryan Danielson vs. Spanky ****1/4
Matt Hardy vs. Homicide ****
Matt Hardy vs. Roderick Strong ***3/4
Christian Cage vs. Christopher Daniels **1/2
Low Ki & Homicide vs. Samoa Joe & Jay Lethal ***1/2, **** including post-match brawl

Overall a good DVD, with a couple of very good matches. Definitely worth the price. I'm not sure how good of an introduction to ROH for new fans it is, its good to understand it match wise, but only Dragon and Roderick are still in ROH.

[steverockamaniac]

DVD Review : Guest Booker with Jerry Jarrett : Rebooking WCW 2000
Reviewed by : Steven Wilson of MainEventRadio.com

If there is one question that seemingly never gets old and has a million different logical answers, it’s what or who could of saved WCW in its dying days. In their latest DVD release, Kayfabe Commentaries once again looks at the end of WCW, this time with Jerry Jarrett at the helm of the Guest Booker series. Flashback to April 2000, WCW brings back Vince Russo, gives him the book, they clear the slate with a total reset and we all remember what enused, and although it’s been documented in the past that WCW was dead in the water at that point due to the corporate changes going on within the parent company AOL-Time Warner, notably documented in KC’s previous WCW themed DVD with Kevin Sullivan. However in the guest booker format, WCW gives Jerry Jarret the power instead of Russo and he attempts to revive the company in this DVD.

The opening third of the 90 minute feature focuses on establishing Jarrett’s booking policies and philosophies, such as looking at the balance of in ring action against promo’s or backstage skits. Jarrett also shares stories on how he was part of a group who attempted to purchase WCW at the time, and how WCW consistently used to contact him through the years to use him in various roles.

Moving into the actual booking part of the feature, Jarrett’s first move is to fire the entire roster advising them to chase their dream at a job in the WWE. An Unorthadox move to say the least, but he would footnote it with giving the opportunity to those who want to work within a new structure and possibly help rebuild a company to the point where they would make more money in the future. Jarrett also throws out all but the big 3 titles (World,Tag, US) He also allows those who were champion at the time (Sid, Harris Twins, Jeff Jarrett) to retain their belts instead of vacating them citing viewer loyalty. Jarrett then puts in motion long term feuds between Hogan/Sid, Harris’s/Harlem Heat, and Jeff Jarrett/Curt Hennig. Jarrett keeps it rather simple in terms of build and execution, which many may consider a thing of the past, while others have called for its return to return credibility to wrestling titles in this day and age.

The somewhat unique thing about this edition of the guest booker series is the guest doesn’t spend the majority of the time with explaining every little week to week thing, which had at times been a complaint from some viewers who found the features slow paced. In between the main chapters the behind the scene inserts provide for some of the most interesting moments of the DVD, specifically when the topic of TNA and Jerry’s relationship with his son Jeff and how it nearly brought him to his grave and why their relationship may never be the same.

You may have heard this topic addressed countless times in the past 7 years, but ultimately Jerry Jarrett is able to provide yet another intriguing answer to most debated upon question this decade. Even if you’ve found yourself somewhat burned out on the topic, this DVD is able to provide much more than just the hypothetical answer, thus a recommendation to just about every wrestling fan out there.

[McQueen]

Um, everyones favorite puro site has just uploaded a match that its probably nothing special but I just don't know if its possible to pass up.

Jumbo vs Cactus Jack

Edit: Watched it and unless you want to see Foley take a backdrop on the floor your not missing much aside from the sheer WTF-ness of those two in a match.

[Andy3000]

"The greatest thing the devil ever did was make people believe he didn't exist..."

Watched Punk/Aries from Death Before Dishonor III today and, in addition to that fantastic promo and angle afterwards, the match still holds up as being really awesome.

Sapolsky on commentary is just mind-numbingly fucking aweful! I had to rewind it after Aries hit the top rope brainbuster just to hear him sound like a fucking jackass calling the "SUPAH DENGEROUS BRAINBUSAAAAAH" like a koala bear trying to shit a sea urchin, just for the cringe worthy hilarity of it all. He's also got that "we're a smark promotion so I like to call pyschology and stuff" thing going on, despite numerous other commentators being able to say the same things, yet not come off as such... Gabe's monotone shit seems to come off bad all the time. I dislike Gabe as a colour commentator, btw.

Aside from that, the match itself is still my favourite Punk match. The start isn't anything blowaway in terms of mat work, but Punk working a simple headlock around Aries' bad neck is pretty much perfect for something as simple, and the fact they manage to keep it moving and keep it interesting is really great.

Aries' transition into offense was as brutal as something fantastically brutal can be, but me being a mark for a Death Valley Driver may make me slightly biased. Aries killing Punk on the floor was pretty awesome as well, as was him tossing Punk into the buckle several hundred times to all the "boooooooes" of the FUCKERS in the audience. They're fuckers because Austin motherfuckin' Aries should not be booed, dammit! Fuck 'em, Austin. Launch that tatted up weirdo into the post again, maybe this time you'll dislocate his shoulder since the pad's off (note to Gabe: To fuck with pads - STIFFNESS and BLOOD > faggot ass turnbuckle pads, man. Christ...). The fact Aries had the sense to use some straight up old school heel schtick by "exposing the steel" in the corner was another thing I found particularly sweet.

Finishing stretch was super fun too. It ALWAYS gets me crazy into it, and Gabe could be having multiple orgasms at HEADDROPS~ in the background and I'd probably not notice. I don't mind "fighting spirit" that much, but Punk no-selling the Plunge and 450 doesn't sit well with me, especially since he doesn't even do the "delayed selling" thing that lets most get away with it. Still, it sure as Hell doesn't bother me enough that it affects the match in any major way; it's basically a very minor gripe. The Shining Wizard followed by the Plunge is a great finish. Fantastic match. ****1/2

As for the post match... well, words don't really describe how supremely fucking BOSS it all is. Punk's promo is the stuff of motherfucking GAWDS, the crowd shitting all over him because this is a heel that you just CAN'T cheer, Punk calling anyone in the back out only for Chris freakin' Daniels to answer it, and Punk eventually telling him that he'll have to wait another 16 months and that he can kiss his ass is just an immense pro wrestling angle. From the moment Punk steps out from behind the curtain to Daniels leaving to his 'Fallen Angel' music, it's pro wrestling genius. *****

[-Mystery-]

I'm probably in the minority but I'll take Punk's whole heel turn angle over Austin's at WM 17.

[Platt]

Punk was on fire that Summer from the heel turn right through to dropping the title. I could sit and watch the promos from those shows all day.

[INVINCIBLE]

Ladder War
Briscoes vs. Steen|Generico - ****

I've been meaning to watch this for a while. I don't know what to make of this now. Complete spotfest but very entertaining at that. I still don't like the Briscoes all that much but this was quite something else

Originally Posted by -Mystery-

I'm probably in the minority but I'll take Punk's whole heel turn angle over Austin's at WM 17.

Now, that's really saying something. From a quality standpoint, most likely I'll agree but Austin's turn is HISTORIC on so many levels that it's hard to look past that

[-Mystery-]

Yeah, I was referring to a quality standpoint. From a significance standpoint, Austin's is much bigger.

[Andy3000]

Originally Posted by -Mystery-

I'm probably in the minority but I'll take Punk's whole heel turn angle over Austin's at WM 17.

Originally Posted by -Mystery-

Yeah, I was referring to a quality standpoint. From a significance standpoint, Austin's is much bigger.

I'd agree with both of these points.

I see Eva's back, Mystery.

[Recall]

Is it wrong to blame Austin's heel run as the moment WWE went to shit for me, not because of the heel turn but at that moment onwards everything turned to a boring mess of crap.

I wish I was their live to see Punk's turn, as the fact all the fans were routing for him only for him to throw back in there face like that is genius. Punk was so clever for that whole idea.