ROH CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI: THE SWISS SENSATION (FSM 89; Jan 13)

Information: - DVD Region: All Regions - Distributor: Ring of Honor - Price: $19.99 - Other info: 381 mins - Release: Out Now - Weblink: www.ROHWrestling.com

Following on from Ring of Honor's superb DVD set that focused on The Kings of Wrestling, one half of that team comes under the spotlight in Claudio Castagnoli's own collection, The Swiss Sensation.

Castagnoli's ROH debut fittingly kicks things off, although it's only a short contest against Nigel McGuinness. The second is from October 2005, and sees our subject grapple with Colt Cabana in another brief stretch, although this one is a more high-octane encounter. McGuinness is once again across the ring in an unadvertised match from Enter The Dragon 2005, but it's down to Alex Shelley to provide real competition in the first lengthy contest, and after a slightly disjointed beginning, it ends up an enjoyable affair. The ROH Pure title is on the line in the next two bouts, as Claudio does battle once again with McGuinness. The first match is shown in highlight form, and includes a couple of ref bumps; the second, from Best In The World 2006, is a real war that the vociferous crowd thoroughly get behind.

The opening contest from ROH's 100th show sees Christopher Daniels as Castagnoli's next challenge, in what is another good bout. The angle where Castagnoli joins forces with CZW in the inter-promotional war against ROH makes for spectacular viewing, after which a wild eight-man bout between the two sides is as riveting as it is intense. After brief highlights of The Kings of Wrestling's ROH Tag Team title victory over Roderick Strong and Austin Aries, The Briscoes are their next opponents. As with the majority of their encounters, this is a fine effort.

LIVING ON MY OWN
Following a brief clip of The Kings' split, Claudio goes back to singles action. An excellent Four Corners Survival match where his opponents are Hero, McGuinness and Mike Quackenbush is an excellent, all-action fight. Matt Sydal, too, provides a tougher challenge than first anticipated. The 2007 Race To The Top tournament provides the next four matches, as Castagnoli takes on Hallowicked, Quackenbush, Jack Evans and El Generico. The first three bouts are merely average, but the encounter with Generico is a superb 20 minutes that is entirely worthy of its inclusion.

Two ROH World Title encounters against Takeshi Morishima continue the compendium in blistering fashion. A singles match from Night One of Death Before Dishonor V is a highly competitive, tense battle, while the second is a Triple Threat elimination fight, with Brent Albright joining the action. A great crowd and some big moves combine to form a great World title showdown. The brilliant Naomichi Marufuji makes for an interesting opponent, as he brings forth a different ring style, with the bout all the better for it.

Austin Aries forms one half of a technical masterclass that took place in January 2008, which is followed by another choice confrontation with El Generico. Kota Ibushi provides more international competition, in a match that starts slowly but builds to a fine finishing sequence. Bryan Danielson then makes his first appearance, with two epic encounters, as their battles from Vendetta II and Northern Navigation include comedy, submissions, and hefty strikes.

The final collision fittingly pits Claudio against Nigel McGuinness for the ROH World title. It's clear to see how both men had improved since their earlier tussles, and this is, in fact, a breathtaking ending to an incredible collection.

Claudio Castagnoli is currently having a successful stint in WWE as Antonio Cesaro, and this anthology of 22 matches highlights his undeniable talent. With his slow character build in WWE, this tremendous compilation hints at just how big a star he could conceivably become.