ROH GLORY BY HONOR XII (Issue 104; March 2014)

Usually one of Ring of Honor’s flagship events of the year, 2013’s Glory By Honor took on a different structure, as instead of being presented as a standalone event, the show in Chicago Ridge, Illinois was split into three episodes of ROH’s television programme. While, as a whole, the DVD version is coherent and fun, and works as if it were a normal live event, the commentary is lifted from the TV broadcasts, with talk of “TV main events” and matches on the show happening “next week”. If you are able to get past this, then Glory By Honor XII is a very enjoyable event.

The DVD begins with a grudge match between Mark Briscoe and “Pro Wrestling’s Last Real Man” Silas Young. The action gets heated early, turning into a solid opening contest that showcases Young as a breakout star after years of toiling in smaller promotions, while an incident after the match involving referee Todd Sinclair’s belt sets the stage for further battles between the two. Jimmy Jacobs then competes in the fourth of his five-match “trial series” against Adam Page, but the downfalls of the TV format mean that while Jacobs needs to win the bout, he is ignored while Veda Scott promotes her storyline with Steve Corino. Still, it’s a fine match, and has a satisfying finish.

The first “TV main event” pits Kevin Steen against Michael Bennett in a battle of two masters of the piledriver – a point emphasised after Bennett injured BJ Whitmer with his version at All Star Extravaganza V. A fun highlight sees Steen crotch Bennett into each ringpost, with Bennett putting up a fight before being sent into the fourth. Maria Kanellis is heavily involved in the contest as an irritant to Steen, and also plays a crucial role in the outcome of the match. Later, former WWE and TNA star Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria/Tara) gets involved, prompting a crazy brawl that extends the Steen-Bennett rivalry.

Former TNA competitor Jesse Sorensen makes his ROH debut in his first major match following his broken neck, taking on “The Sicilian Psychopath” Tommaso Ciampa. Sorensen puts on an impressive performance, as he is seemingly allowed to showcase more of his ability than in TNA, and Ciampa is made to fight harder than one might have expected. Outlaw Inc. continue their bizarre antics in an entertaining match with Adrenaline RUSH, as Eddie Kingston and Homicide are effective bases for the high-flying skills of ACH and Tadarius Thomas. The unpredictability of Kingston and Homicide in this guise can be off-putting on occasion, but here they make ACH and Thomas look good, and don’t overshadow the match.

Paul London then makes another return to Ring of Honor, taking on Roderick Strong in one of the company’s best matches of 2013. London and Strong are evenly-matched deep into the battle, and therefore resort to their biggest moves in an attempt to gain the advantage. Later, London calls back to his Border Wars 2013 match with Davey Richards, going for a double foot-stomp on the apron – the same move with which Richards concussed him that night. Strong responds with many vicious backbreakers and his Sick Kick, but can’t keep London down. It takes a major move outside the ring to decide an amazing bout that fans should go out of their way to see. The match also establishes London as back to his best, and Strong as ROH’s key utility player.

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The main event is “Champions versus All Stars”, as World champion Adam Cole, TV champion Matt Taven and Tag Team champions reDRagon square off against their top contenders – Michael Elgin, Jay Lethal and C&C Wrestle Factory (Cedric Alexander and Caprice Coleman) – in an Elimination match. Unlike the television broadcast, the entire 75-minute match is included here. It tells many stories throughout, such as Cole fighting to keep Elgin out of title contention, and Lethal having to fight through injury to return to the match, ensuring very few dull moments, and no cheap eliminations. The final 15 minutes in particular is outstanding, and WWE should take note of how to pace out their similar Survivor Series match, to make it as special as this encounter.

With a couple of bonus matches and exclusive interviews, in addition to the entire main event, Ring of Honor has ensured that the DVD of Glory By Honor XII is a viable package, despite the majority of the show having aired for free on television.

The final two bouts make this an easy recommendation to any pro wrestling fan.