ROH in Toronto, Ont.
Report by Marc Ragusa

1. Chris Hero (w/Larry Sweeney) defeated Ruckus. A very fun match. Hero was lukewarm but Ruckus was really cool to watch. Sweeney was on all night and this would certainly not be the last we'd see of him.

2. Delirious defeated Kenny Omega. A fun match despite how bland Omega was. Omega did, however get the spot of the match when he told Delerious to stop, then nailed him with a Pele kick. He tried again, but Delirious smacked him good and soon after got the tap out with a crossface...which I'm still not sure was a good idea.

3. Sara del Ray defeated Jennifer Blake. The SHIMMER match was disappointing. I was expecting more from the girls. Blake was saved by Daise Haze.

4. Go Shiozaki (w/Sweet and Sour Inc.) fought Eric Stevens to a 15 minute draw (which really ticked the crowd off all night, those time limits). The crowd wanted five more minutes, then Sweeney started insulting us which led to a Lance Storm save, defending his country. A beatdown ensues, followed by comeback via superkick from Storm, who was also putting over the ROH locker room as you'd expect.

5. Bryan Danielson defeated Claudio Castagnoli in a great match. Bryan then cut a promo thanking the fans and respecting Claudio for his efforts.

INTERMISSION

Some male stripper named Titus came out and cuts a promo about his big thighs, which to be fair were big, and drove the twenty girls there went bonkers. Daize came out to lecture him about his promiscuous ways, then Sweeney and Jennifer come out and attacked her. Sweeney taunted her while Jennifer pummeled her, Sweeney told Titus to leave and he did. Delerious made the save, but didn't want to hit Jennifer. She eventually was scared off, and Daize thanks Delirious and then the two walked out together. This isn't ROH's strong suit.

6. Naomichi Marofuji defeated Roderick Strong. A great bout that was billed as a "special attraction" match. Lots of heel heat on Naomichi, and lots of "break his back" chants for Roderick. Then it turned to mixed cheers, both guys getting chants, with Naomich respecting Strong afterwards.

7. NIgel McGuiness deafeated 'Mr. Canada' (one night only) Kevin Steen to retain the ROH Title. Nigel hit a lariat from the third rope for the win. It was a Nigel beatdown on Steen for most of it, and the crowd booed Steen out of the building at the end of it.

8. The Briscoe Brothers and Austin Aries defeated Age of the Fall. A lame angle by Jimmy Jacobs, who tried to get Necro Butcher to take out Austin's eye with a peice of wood. Nothing all too compelling.

Final notes: Great show, glad to be there. My brother and I went, it was hot, and there was a great crowd, but my section was dead quiet. We then traded seats with some other guys and it was hot up front, that's where all the smart marks were. Lance Storm was signing autographs with a Bushwacker, pretty cool stuff. 10 bucks a pic, not bad either. The place was hot as hell but it didn't matter; what was stupid was their policy on outside food and cameras, which one guy got busted for. Whatever. Overall a great night, though a little long at four hours.

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