Bryan Danielson Of The Day

King Steventon · 08-25-2009, 01:28 PM

I hope I do not sound like a soppy mark when I say Bryan Danielson has been my favourite wrestler for the last three years, and with him on his last voyage of the independant scene on his way to the big leagues, I figured it might be cool/insane to try and review a match of his every day. Most will be from memory, some will be as I watch stuff, some will be written in detail, some will be a few lines, but hopefully people enjoy reading them and are encouraged to check out some of the stuff I go over. I don't know wether this will be gather many responses, but I will try to keep this a daily thing and hopefully those who bother to read enjoy it!

Bryan Danielson vs Homicide (Best Of 5 Series, Steel Cage Match) – ROH “The Final Showdown”

The match is the last match in the series between the two, with all to play for, with a #1 contenders spot on the line. The match can be summed up in three words: Simple but effective.

The do not do anything flashy, nor do they go overboard with highspots or holy shit moments, but what they do works great.

The match starts with Homicide jumping Danielson on the outside and beating him down. Take note all you 12 year old WWE marks who complain “Danielson is only a boring technical wrestler” as he gets his face ripped open by Homicide’s fork. They finally get into the cage and Homicide continues the onslaught with the fork and steel chairs. I enjoy the visual contrast between Danielson, who looks like a traditional pro wrestler with his plain black trunks and kickpads, and Homicide, whose gangsta attire is made of shorts, a vest and a bandana. Danielson makes a comeback and manages to use Homicide’s fork against him. Stabbing someone in the face isn’t what you’d associate with a “boring technical wrestler”. Most of the match consists of both men attacking each other’s wounds and throwing each other into the cage, with every shot with the weapons and the cage looking brutal. There are only three big spots in the match: a top rope ace crusher, Danielson’s belly-to-back superplex and a diving headbutt off the top of the cage from Danielson.

But the best part of the match is the finish. Throughout the series between them and throughout the year, Danielson had built up the aeroplane spin of all moves as a credible match finisher. He had used it against Homicide before, and he uses it here with a RIDICULOUS number of rotations that gets the crowd on their feet. It’s a great move as it essentially pays off the entire series and makes the effort put into getting it over worth it.
In the end, the match is by no means a MOTYC level performance, nor is it even the best match between the two, it is however a very tight, scrappy match and a great way to end the series.

KenTheKiller · 08-25-2009, 01:32 PM

Good review. I've not seen it but I'm sure it's at least good, as all Dragon matches tend to be.

Good Mourning · 08-25-2009, 01:36 PM

This sounds like a match I would enjoy. As a fan of both (casual, not hardcore fan) I would have to watch this.

King Steventon · 08-25-2009, 01:41 PM

I can upload it and PM you the link if you want?

Good Mourning · 08-25-2009, 01:50 PM

Im not a big downloader, any way you can just find a video?

King Steventon · 08-25-2009, 01:52 PM

Doubtful, ROH banned all video sites from hosting their stuff a long, long time ago.

Good Mourning · 08-25-2009, 02:04 PM

Ok. then upload it. I'll just DL it later. thanks.

Crest Fall · 08-25-2009, 02:08 PM

Yeah, that's a great match, probably the proper way to do a Cage Match in my book. I can really only remember a few spots like you said, but one thing that comes to mind when I think of the match was the level of intensity throughout.