ROH Aries vs Richards
I was pumped to get this, it's been a year since I last bought an ROH DVD (Final Battle 08). First thing to say, and it's a problem: the commentary is far too loud. You can barely hear the crowd unless Hero and Prazak are silent. The crowd really helps me engage with the match and this harms some of the matches.
Briscoes vs House of Truth: ***
HOT really impressed me here, first time I've seen them. Good opener, full of action. And what is up with the weird fishnet stocking things Able wears?
Tyler Black vs Claudio Castagnoli: ***1/4
For a first time match, I would have expected it higher on the card and longer, but still a good match. Nice contrast of styles, and some very nice spots throughout. The Quakenbush backflip of Claudio's shoulders into the Pele was awesome, and the finish was nice too. The lack of crowd noise on the DVD was a problem here.
Joey Ryan/Erick Stevens vs Super Smash Bros: **3/4
Good little tag match here, SSB are a fun team to watch, and the Embassy gelled with them well. Nothing of major note, just a good undercard tag match.
Kenny Omega vs Katsuhiko Nakajima: ****
Now, we get interesting. Weird start, as they do about one chain sequence, and then start slapping each other, and then a german suplex from Nakajima, one of his biggest moves. Something different to start, a good idea but kinda odd too. Great action the whole way through, no complete thread to hold it together, Omega's leg selling was on/off, but the action throughout the match gets it to 4 stars. Very enjoyable match, hopefully Nakajima keeps coming back. The lack of crowd noise on the DVD hindered this match, and may have made it seem less impressive.
All Night Express vs Colt Cabana & Delirious AKA Cabanalirious: **3/4
Another fun tag, some great comedy early on, with some amusing Prazak commentary. ANX are a tremendous unit, very much in the mold of some 80's teams (obviously) but with a modern flavour. This match is another inoffensive, enjoyable midcard tag match, and it splits up the big matches on top of the card.
Roderick Strong vs Chris Hero: ***1/2
Again, the crowd noise factor is a problem here. A hell of a match, lots of stiff strikes and backbreakers of course, just what we wanted. Not much else to say, really, just a really great collection of strikes and a good pace set throughout. Very good uppercard match between two great wrestlers.
Young Bucks vs Steenerico: ****1/4
Absolutely phenomenal match here. I expected a good match, but not this good. Almost 20 minutes of flawless tag team wrestling, at a fast pace and with innovative and creative sequences. It's close to these two teams' awesome match at BOLA 09 Night 2 (4 and 1/2 stars plus). The final 5 minutes got me really excited, just nonstop action, with an awesome BRAINBUSTAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH~~~!!! to finish.
Austin Aries vs Davey Richards - ROH World Championship: *****
Now here's why we're all here. Aries. Versus. Richards. I won't say much about it, other than if you haven't seen this yet, you must see it ASAP. Incredible, flawless match. I was going to give it 4 and 3/4 stars, but then I felt bad about it, so I thought about it, and it deserves 5, because there's only one other match over 45 minutes long that I can remember that in which I never lost interest for a moment: Joe vs Punk 2, which I gave 5 to as well. This was captivating in every way, and is what wrestling was meant to be. Better than Davey vs Danielson (4 and 1/2), better than Davey vs Kenta (4 and 3/4), this is ROH's 2009 Match of the Year, in my opinion.
OVERALL: Great, balanced show. 4 singles, 4 tags, lots of different styles, and my ROH MOTY for 2009 on top. Get this show.