[2012-03-31-ROH-Showdown in the Sun] Davey Richards vs Michael Elgin

[Loss]

Talk about it here.

[ShittyLittleBoots]

First time watching this since 2013 (I think?), and it's still so bad. One of my least favorite matches of all-time. It felt like it was 2 guys who had watched some 90's All Japan & now think that they both are Kenta Kobashi. Holy hell the fighting spirit spots were cringeworthy & the Kawada Kick trading spot is one of my least favorite spots ever in any match ever. I just hate this match, to put it simply. DUD

[G. Badger]

Just finished watching this. Somebody slung this up on the 'tube a couple weeks ago. I'm sure the ROH cops will catch it soon enough.

 

Calling this match a dud is a pretty big exaggeration. It is a 5 star match? No but, then again Mr. Meltzer has clearly lost his marbles in the rating department IMO.

 

If you know Davey then, you're not going to find anything too surprising here. Its two tough guy meat heads beating the crap outta each other. Personally, I enjoy Davey's schtick. I'm not sure he's going for goofy aggro but, that's how I read it. Like guys psyching each other up to pull stunts at a party...if he's going for Kobashi then he's really overshot it I like it nonetheless.

 

Elgin really lacks personality at all. I think that's what hurts most of his matches. He's basically the Hulk. "Elgin Smash!" Hit him a bunch, he gets mad and fights back, feats of strength, hit him harder, he gets madder etc.

 

If anything a guy like Davey is going to produce a good match with Big Mike for this reason. Its like Hulk vs Wolverine.

 

On the downside, that's all the match really is...but, if its done right, it can be very enjoyable.

 

I think that was the case here. I felt they escalated the violence well, transitioned and fought for the turnbuckle moves in a believable manner, and stayed away from directionless strike trading. It was probably a few minutes longer than it needed but, that's alright. Kelly and Nigel commentating was grating at start but, they were fanning out so, it added to it.

 

One thing I will say that helped elevate the seriousness of the bout was the stiffness. I never felt they phoned it in with the elbows or kicks. And they sold very well too...surprised since Davey especially can break a match here.

 

They just have good chemistry...again if your looking for Wolverine vs Hulk then this is a damn good match for it. I think their match from PWG BOLA 2012 night 1 might be as good. I can't recall.

 

I could see not liking this match as there are some goofy moments but, if you can dig those (or endure them) there's a pretty good match here. No way its a dud.

 

Edit: I'm going to rewatch this but, I think ***3/4 is fair. I could see people rating this higher or lower. Maybe the rewatch will reveal more.

 

Update: watched it again today and it's pretty damn enjoyable. There are a couple goofy moments but, those are outweighed by the good ones. Nigel provides really good insight on what's going on in the wrestlers heads so, it actually gives depth/psychology to the bout without Elgin or Davey conveying that. I think that also elevates the match to his (Nigel's) credit.

 

So, like *** 3/4 - ****1/4 range feels right. It was better on the rewatch oddly enough.

[Makai Club #1]

Loved this match but I do think it's overrated. They had some great stuff in there and I could clearly see what they wanted from the match and they accomplished that. It was entertaining for sure. The selling or lack thereof was a problem though, typical Davey match. ****. 

[Tetsujin]

This match sucked, but it didn't suck as much as I expected to. Richard's acting is very bad, his mannerism, his facial expressions, everything, it's like a prelude to current Kenny Omega. All the 90s AJPW cosplay was terribly done. Too many nearfalls, to the point where nothing mattered anymore. The crowd wasn't even invested, even if they wanted to, and that was... Sad.

I'm surprised Elgin was the best performer of the match (well, obviously despite McGuinness at commentary lmfao), he actually sold himself to the fans that at the beggining didn't care about him at all. At least some of his moves and strikes were good. But fuck Davey Richards really sucked here.

Before giving it stars or whatever, I need to know: was this the first match of this... "style"? You know, all this "let's put all the puro's big matches clichés together to create the ultimate epic match" tendency so often seeing today. Because if it was, I'm going to give it even less snowflakes.