Pro Wrestling Chronicle

3.28.08 Austin Aires vs Nigel McGuinness (ROH World Title)

A bit of backstory for this one. These two put together a classic earlier in McGuinness’ world title run at ROH’s Final Battle show in NYC in December. Nigel won, but was busted open badly from an Aries missile dive that sent him into the guard rail. Nigel has since gone full-fledged heel. On this Wrestlemania weekend show Aries gets his rematch. Having been at this match live I’m interested to see how I feel about it the second time around. I enjoyed it live, but there were plenty of distractions, so I wouldn’t say I was completely in tune with everything in the moment. This is the first time I’ve watched the DVD.

We start off with some very quick chain wrestling and reversals. Aries goes left right to Nigel’s shoulder, usually a Nigel target considering his London Dungeon submission hold. On Commentary Dave Prasak and Lenny Leonard do a nice job of getting over their signature spots to look for. Nigel has to bail once Aires goes for his Last Chancery submission. Aries tease his missile dive to remind us of what happened at “Rising Above” in December.

More Aries beatings once Nigel gets back in the ring. He gets the Last Chancery, knees to the head, and assorted other damaging moves. Aries offense while in control is quick, but not overkill. It’s effective modern stuff. He switches to working the neck and high back. We get his signature twisting elbow. One of the great things about the ROH main eventers like Nigel, Aires, and Danielson is they have a bunch of signature stuff, including a finisher and submission. Lots to work around and play off of.

Nigel reveres Aires into the turnbuckle shoulder first at about 8 minutes in. He starts working on the shoulder right away. I’m a mark/geek for focused work on a body part at a good pace at first that dovetails into submission and crowd taunting. Nigel’s cocky looks as he settles into his offense sets a good tone for me. Divorce Court single arm DDT. He gets two one count pin attempts. Crowd gets behind Aries, and we get a slight hope spot. Nigel starts getting on the fans, stealing Brian Danielson’s catch phrase. Aries recovers for a quick roll up attempt, but Nigel shuts him down again. Seems Aries is getting hope spot pins. Aries is still selling the shoulder and gets caught again.

Nigel sets up Aries for his Tower of London (a cutter from the top turnbuckle) big move, but Aires fights free. Good tease because you know it’s coming at some point. Aries is strike with the injured arm, and quickly loses control. Nigel gets the Dungeon. To close to the ropes. Aires back with the Last Chancery. Nigel gets free and beats down Aries some more. 14 minutes in.

The Tower of London is set up again, but Aries face rakes him. Another hope spot begins, but ends quickly with Nigel getting his boots up to the face of Aries. They’ve done a good job with the story here. Nigel wears down Aries’ arm/shoulder, but Aries is resilient and keeps coming back. Nigel is for the most part in control, but can’t close the deal.

Third time is the charm as Nigel finally hits the London Dungeon, but only for two. I’m surprised the crowd doesn’t react as much, but then they’re conditioned for longer matches with near falls. Nigel sets him up for a top rope closeline (another signature Nigel moves), but Aries reverses into a submission. Aries looks like a young Macho Man with the double ax handle to the floor. Aries continues with a barrage of vicious drop kicks. He gets a near fall. Brainbuster? Nigel blocks. Nigel’s headstand spot? Aries drop kicks him. Nigel recovers with a HUGE lariat. Double ten counts and the crowd are hot now!

Aries hits a soccer kick, then Brainbuster, and goes for the 450. He misses. Nigel puts him right in the London Dungeon. Fans beg Aries not to tap, as this is the first Dungeon that is really in the center of the ring. They fight back and forth for him to eventually reverse into a roll up near fall. We’re 20 minutes into the match.

They go back and forth on signature moves and reversals. A lariat is blocked and Aries again ends up going for the 450. This feels like the end of the match and a title change, and the crowd reacts accordingly. You can see the great Dr. Keith Lipinski talking into his recorder as the near fall occurs and Nigel rolls outside. What a pro (Nigel and the Doc).

Aries crashes and burns when Nigel moves and Aries hits a missile dive into the guard rail. Nigel lariats him to hell off the guard rail. The near fall when they get back in isn’t as hot as you think, but they get behind Aries right after. Aries plays dead well. A few more near falls, Aries with one big comeback giving him a crucifix bomb, but Nigel rolls through and hits the Jawbreaker Lariat for the pin. 4 ½ stars and 9/10.