‘Ring of Honor’ Wrestling Review (Dec 19th 2020)
Welcome to this week’s Ring Of Honor review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have two from ROH this week that will whet your appetite for more ROH action in 2021…or else. Rhett Titus gets to face Delirious again in an attempt to move-up the Pure Division rankings, while Dalton Castle looks to get revenge on Brian Johnson for singing too loudly on Thunderstruck. Hey, it’s a good day to watch the wrestling. Right, Brad Britch? Brad Britch: WRESTLING! Nathan: Thanks Brad. Okay, let’s get to the matches.
Match #1: Dalton Castle def. Brian Johnson
The following is courtesy of rohwrestling.com:
This match was made as a result of Johnson throwing a cup of water in Castle’s face backstage last month. Castle went right after Johnson at the opening bell. Johnson halted Castle’s momentum by knocking him out of the ring and following up with a dive through the ropes onto him. Castle attempted a running clothesline outside the ring, but Johnson moved out of the way and Castle’s left arm hit the ring post. Johnson immediately went to work on Castle’s arm and shoulder and began to dominate the match. Johnson set up for a move off the top rope, but Castle connected with a running knee to the face from the apron. The impact of the blow knocked Johnson off his perch and he landed crotch-first on the top rope. Shortly thereafter, Johnson regained the advantage. With Castle draped on the top rope, Johnson hit a cutter for a near fall. Castle rallied with a running knee in the corner and followed with Bang-a-Rang to earn a hard-fought victory.
My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5
Match #2: (Main Event) Rhett Titus def. Delirious – Pure Rules Match
The following is courtesy of rohwrestling.com:
Titus and Delirious were fierce rivals a decade ago, but the rivalry was lopsided, as Delirious won all four of their meetings. That’s why Titus, who is on a mission to rewrite the chapters of his career, asked for this match. Titus outwrestled Delirious in the early minutes of the match, but Delirious gained the advantage after connecting on a dropkick off the middle rope to the back, a running clothesline and neckbreaker. Delirious locked on the Cobra Clutch, but Titus used the first of his three allotted rope breaks. Delirious got the Cobra Clutch on him again, and Titus had to use his second rope break. Delirious targeted Titus’ left arm and shoulder. He attempted another Cobra Clutch, but Titus charged through the ropes, sending Delirious crashing to the floor. The referee ruled that Titus used his third rope break executing the move. Delirious came up clutching his knee. Titus hit two running boots to the face in the corner. Delirious answered with a Cobra Clutch/Russian leg sweep. As Delirious maintained the Cobra Clutch, Titus — out of rope breaks — pushed off the bottom rope with his feet to catapult himself on top for Delirious for a near fall. Titus sent Delirious flying across the ring with a belly to belly suplex. Delirious responded with a Cobra Clutch overhead suplex. Delirious went for Panic Attack but Titus moved out of the way. Delirious tried to lock on the Cobra Clutch again but Titus flipped him. Titus nailed Delirious flush with a dropkick for the win.
My Opinion: 3.9 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.9/5
Two matches that did well made for an easy show that was easy to follow. Rhett and Delirious was the highlight, but not just because the match was excellent. Rhett has grown into a fine personality as well, if only in an earnest sense. Rhett will never be confused for Hulk Hogan, but I don’t think any of us want that for him either. Delirious continued his new serious streak that really makes him finally feel like he belongs in main events, perhaps not as the champion, but as a reliable name for sure. Castle won and should have in one of the easiest boking decisions of the year. Brian did well here and has a lot of potential to become an evil version of Bryan Danielson (we’re not saying Daniel Bryan here…f— that). Bumpasses! For a simple show, this was one of simple pleasures and oh how they were just that.
