[2009-04-25-ROH-ROH on HDNET #6] Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black

[TonyPulis'Cap]

Danielson just feels like the man here - so sure and confident in himself, both in a kayfabe and non-kayfabe way. He felt like the man in the promotion even though he is a few years removed now from being the champion.

Match has a simple story early on - Dragon dominates on the mat, while Black is looking to up the pace and stick and move. There's a really good struggle to what they are trying to do, not just loosely exchanging holds lazily. Bryan is so good at making everything, every little movement mean something. He is also really vicious in all his stomps, kicks and matwork, which is effective in getting sympathy for Black and getting the crowd on his side despite their instincts to want to cheer for Dragon. This allows Black to be good at what he does well, which is to be a sympathetic seller and firing up for bursts of dynamic offence.

Danielson works the leg for a couple of extended periods which does show one of Black's weaknesses which he continues to show in some matches in the WWE now whereby he is spotty on the limb selling, but that's nitpicking and there are some great nearfalls for both guys as they get into the closing stretch. This is face vs. face going in, but as mentioned Dragon's viciousness helps to get sympathy and the crowd rallying behind Black which just shows the masterful way Bryan is able to work the crowd. 

The match ends in a 20 min time limit draw, which leads to the predictable "5 more mins" chant, but the result is a hard fought draw with the storyline aim of showing Black as the future of the company that can hang with the Ace. (*** 3/4)