Sticking to the States to finish off the week. I've dipped in and out of Ring of Honor over the years, but the main era I remember is 2004-2007 before TNA started pulling all their talent from shows. I've seen Adam Cole's name around a lot on the internet, and I've always enjoyed what I'v seen of Jay Lethal's work, but I've heard stories of this timeframe in Ring of Honor not being great.
Before the match, there's a video package showing an earlier interview with Adam Cole and The Bullet Club. Cole says he gets asked how he feels being “granted” this shot. He earned it. We see a clip of Lethal taking a triple superkick from Cole and The Young Bucks and them shaving Lethal bald. Lethal also got mic time saying that Bullet Club embarrassed him, but he made a career from embarrassing people, but doing it properly in the ring. They brawled at the contract signing, and Lethal got the best quote during this build-up I've heard in a promo for a long time ”Jay Lethal is the best wrestler in the world, bald or not!” So yeah, the match is about revenge for Jay Lethal and the title for Cole. As Adam Cole enters the match Nigel McGuinness says on commentary that he didn't want to make this match but Adam Cole and The Bullet Club forced his hand by cutting Lethal's hair. His partner on commentary is Kevin Kelly. Kelly mentions that Adam Cole only joined Bullet Club back at Global Wars in May, and he caused a no contest for the championship between Jay Lethal and Colt Cabana. As Lethal makes his way to the top of the entrance Nigel McGuinness is concerned if Lethal's emotions will help or hinder him tonight. Lethal's held the belt for over 420 days, becoming #4 in total days holding the championship. Only Nigel himself, Samoa Joe and Bryan Danielson are higher on the list. We get championship ring announcements from Bobby Cruise and the crowd chants “Bay-Bay” along with Adam Cole. Jay Lethal calls himself “The greatest first generation wrestler ever” I like it.
JAY LETHAL © VS. ADAM COLE
(ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP)
ROH Death Before Dishonor 14 (19th August 2016)
©Ring of Honor
Big support for Jay Lethal as the match starts, although Cole got one hell of a reaction on his entrance. Adam Cole is apparently like marmite, when I hear people talk about him they either love him or hate him. They decide not to bother with the Code of Honor before the match so Paul Turner rings the bell. They face off in the middle of the ring talking, building the tension in the arena as Cole starts getting some loud support now. Adam Cole pulls Jay Lethal's hair out of his trunks and here we go! Right hands are quickly exchanged. Lethal mixes it up with a chop to Cole's chest and gets a combination going but a knee to the gut cuts him off. Adam Cole runs into a hip toss, Leth cartwheels and slaps Cole across the face. There will be no ECW stand-offs with respect here, folks. Lethal snapmares Cole down and gets in some mounted rights, then sends Cole into the turnbuckle. Lethal chops Cole corner to corner, until Cole turns it around booting Lethal in the midsection before celebrating early with an “Adam Cole, Bay-bay!” along with the crowd.
Jay Lethal turns it around as Kevin Kelly mentions that ROH quadruples their security staff for events when The Bullet Club is in town in order to keep matches between the combatants. Lethal chops Cole against the ropes but Cole reverses an irish whip. Jay Lethal holds onto the rope and low-bridges Cole sending him outside. Jay Lethal looks to dive through the ropes so Adam Cole takes a walk. He set off too early as Lethal notices and uses the momentum to slide out to the floor. A slap to the jaw and right hand take Cole around ringside. Jay Lethal leans Cole against the barrier and hits a chop. Cole's decided he fucking hates chops and knees Lethal in the gut. Lethal defended his championship the previous Sunday or so against NJPW star Satoshi Kojima, a real fighting champion. Adam Cole breaks up the referee's 10-count before going back to Lethal. Jay Lethal gets things back in his favour snapmaring Cole over and hitting a dropkick to his back before looking under the ring. He repeats it the other side of the ring but still can't find what he's looking for.
Jay Lethal eventually gets a table from under the ring, in his defence, it was hidden by streamers though. He sets it up at ringside as Kelly and McGuinness mention the table coming into play at the eventful contract signing. Adam Cole kicks Lethal in the gut but takes a forearm. Lethal tries to escape back into the ring but Cole drags him back out by his ankle. They trade forearms at ringside, Lethal starts getting the advantage so Cole shoves him away, Lethal blocks a clothesline and hits a cutter on the outside! That sorta shit makes ringside seats worth the extra money. Jay Lethal sets Adam Cole up on the table and climbs to the top turnbuckle. Adam Cole moves at the last second and Lethal crashes through the table! Adam Cole looks happy with that development, as he gets to his feet and brings it back into the ring. Jay Lethal's head has been cut open by the table. Now the referee is apparently Todd Sinclair. Seriously, Kevin Kelly, what the fuck? Lethal is back at ringside before Cole's even in the ring so Cole says he's running away. Adam Cole follows and sends Lethal headfirst into the ring post.
Lethal is able to get back on the apron, Cole helps him into the ring as we see Lethal's head collide with the ring post again. Adam Cole hits a pair of stomps and snapmares Lethal over, Nigel McGuinness says Cole's taking his time. BECAUSE YOU SHOWED THE TV FANS A REPLAY! Adam Cole runs into a chinlock on the mat. That's one of my favourite heel things to do. Nigel McGuinness says Cole should be picking up steam now whilst Lethal's weakened, not wearing him down slowly. Lethal proves him right as he fights to his feet and escapes with elbows. Adam Cole is two years removed from his last ROH World Title reign as the current champion goes back to chops. Jay Lethal gets a run-up, but is knocked down by a back elbow. He uses the corner to get to his feet as duelling chants start. Adam Cole sends Lethal across the ring but runs into his boot. Jay Lethal hits a leg lariat from the top rope, knocking Cole down. This time Cole has to use the corner to stand, but he eats a clothesline for his troubles. Jay Lethal brings Cole out of the corner with a running Death Valley Driver for the first nearfall.
Adam Cole slides out to the apron but Lethal is quick with a springboard dropkick, knocking him to the floor. Jay Lethal hits a tope through the ropes. The fans ask for it again and he obliges. Nigel mentions on commentary that Lethal likes to hit three of these in a row. Lethal gets the hat-trick, but he's not done. He's pissed and he wants to show it. He hits a fourth with more velocity, adding even more for the fifth. He's looking for a double-triple here! This has driven Jay Lethal insane. Adam Cole is able to send Lethal into the barrier on his sixth attempt. We see it again in slow motion so they can confirm Adam Cole did counter at the last second. Adam Cole sends Lethal back into the ring at the count of five. Cole toys with Lethal, constantly shoving him down. Lethal keeps getting back up to his knees and uses the ropes to get to his feet as Kevin Kelly feels the need to explain the symbolism like wrestling fans are children. They trade forearms mid-ring and for the first time I've hears the “yay/boo” are mixed each time. Jay Lethal starts going down to one knee, both from Cole's forearms and the forearms he's throwing back. Cole puts Lethal on his arse but he stands again, firing himself up with a slap to the face. He hits Adam Cole with weak forearms but runs into a Shining Wizard! Adam Cole hooks the leg but only gets a 2 count!
Adam Cole sets up for the superkick but Lethal slaps it away, knocking Cole down with a standing lariat. Cole grabs the tights to stop a Lethal Injection but Lethal elbows him. Cole shoves the referee away and hits a low blow to avoid the second attempt. Cole hits the Last Shot (suplex into neckbreaker on the knee) 1, 2, no! Lethal got his foot on the bottom rope, Adam Cole lets him get to his feet which turns out to be a mistake as Lethal hits him with forearms. Adam Cole feints a superkick then hits one to Lethal's knee. Adam Cole sets up for a Figure Four but Lethal gets an inside cradle for a nearfall. Jay Lethal takes Adam Cole down with a single-leg and attempts one of his own but Cole kicks him away. Adam Cole locks in a guillotine, wrapping himself around Lethal, wait his legs aren't hooked! Lethal begins to fade but he comes back to us and he's able to counter with a Lethal Combination Jay Lethal drapes an arm over Cole but it's not enough to keep him down.
Jay Lethal is the first to his feet but Cole gets him up in a fireman's carry. Lethal slips out the back and hits a belly to back suplex. He keeps a waistlock on, lifting Cole for another. Three in a row, as Kelly says he did the same against Kojima, and Nigel calls it defensive also because you stop your opponent getting control. Jay Lethal connects with a Hail to the King elbow drop from the top rope, 1, 2, no! Kelly called it that when Lethal crashed and burned outside but I just thought he was saying "Hail the King" because Lethal's champ. My bad. Jay Lethal can't capitalise so Adam Cole makes it to his feet in the corner. McGuinness telegraphs Cole playing possum again, completely ruining it. Lethal ran into a back elbow and eats a bicycle kick but he's still on his feet. He hits an exhausted right hand, taking a jumping enziguri. Lethal hits a bicycle kick and jumping enziguri of his own, but Cole quickly answers with a superkick to knock the champion down! Adam Cole collapses from exhaustion and the referee has to check on them both.
They both want to continue and Cole makes his way over to Lethal on the mat. Kelly thinks Cole should go for the pin, but they've been down a while, I don't blame Cole for wanting to hit something else. He wants the Panama Destroyer, a flip piledriver from the middle rope, but Lethal reverses it sending Cole overhead. Cole's still on his feet but that's where Lethal wants him hitting a back elbow from the middle rope! Lethal handsprings into and back for the Lethal Injection but gets superkicked in the back of the head! Panama Destroyer connects! Another Last Shot! 1, 2 Lethal's shoulder goes up!! The fans chant holy shit and McGuinness is on his feet at the commentary table. Adam Cole gets to his feet and takes time to disrespect Lethal. Lethal's on his knees as Nigel (and I) wonder why the fuck Cole is wasting time now. Jay Lethal avoids a superkick and hits the Lethal Injection! 1, 2, 2.6-7-8-9, no! Adam Cole flips the bird at Lethal as they both get to their knees. Lethal is the first in a standing position. Superkick, Cole leans back and rolls Lethal up but can't quite keep him down! Adam Cole is able to avoid a charging Lethal. He hits a combination of Last Shot-Shining Wizard-Last Shot to finally end the match.
WINNER: ADAM COLE (NEW RING OF HONOR WORLD CHAMPION)
This match was fine for.... 15 minutes. It ended up going an extra 10. Jay Lethal has certainly evolved from his last TNA run, becoming Ring of Honor's franchise player at this point from what I remember. and I can see why Adam Cole is so hit & miss with fans. The style of match clearly isn't my thing either, as the crowd loved it but it just seemed like you do this, then I'll do this and nothing they did ended up mattering. The only real stories in the match were Jay Lethal not hitting the Lethal Injection, he gets pissed off and messes up, then Adam Cole working on the head and neck after the table accidentally busted Lethal open. Besides that, they were just hitting each other with shit and the fans loved it. Nothing particularly wrong with the match but they just killed some spots. WORKRATE: 3/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 0.5/5 OVERALL 3.5/10
With my Road to 250 coming along nicely I've decided to structure it more, but only slightly. I shall now work on women and tag teams until I have 25 of each. I'm currently on 16 women out of the 25. So next week I should easily hit that target. I'm also going to lift the rule of "only unique competitors until the list was done". It works as a temporary thing, but it's not good for longer than say a week or so at a time. Suitably the first match next week will be the first No Mercy WWF Women's championship match (not counting the UK exclusive show they had that year) as Ivory defends against The Fabulous Moolah. Oh yay... Until then!
With my Road to 250 coming along nicely I've decided to structure it more, but only slightly. I shall now work on women and tag teams until I have 25 of each. I'm currently on 16 women out of the 25. So next week I should easily hit that target. I'm also going to lift the rule of "only unique competitors until the list was done". It works as a temporary thing, but it's not good for longer than say a week or so at a time. Suitably the first match next week will be the first No Mercy WWF Women's championship match (not counting the UK exclusive show they had that year) as Ivory defends against The Fabulous Moolah. Oh yay... Until then!
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