Match of the Day - Let's go Briscoe!

Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe - ROH One Year Anniversary Show (2003)

Apparently it's siblings day, so here's some real sibling fighting.

This match at ROH's first anniversary show is only one of countless times the Briscoes have fought each other in the squared circle, just last summer they were facing each other for the ROH World Heavyweight title, but this match is significant in that it is a tribute to Mark's late friend, Brock who had been killed in a car accident earlier that year. The two brothers shake hands and announce that this will be the last time the two will ever fight each other again and will soon be joining the tag team division, a division they would go on to dominate for some time.

Obviously, that whole "last time we ever fight each other" thing didn't last, but this is still an important Briscoe Brothers' match.

Spoiler alert: Briscoe wins.

Match of the Day - the CM Punk ROH dog collar match #2

CM Punk vs. Jimmy Rave - Dog Collar match - ROH Manhattan Mayhem (2005)

Miss CM Punk? Well, here's a CM Punk match.

Not too long before signing with WWE and going to Ohio Valley Wrestling, CM Punk was in Ring Of Honor's second ever dog collar match. Punk was also in the first which I've covered here before with Raven. This time Punk was facing off against Jimmy Rave who - while a prominent star of the indies at this time - will always be remembered as one half of the Rock N Rave Infection of TNA with Lance Rock (now wrestling as Lance Archer in NJPW) to me. These two put on a very physical match that is definitely a must-see if you are a punk fan, or a Jimmy Rave fan. There's Rave fans out there... somewhere... maybe.

The only thing that rubs me the wrong way during this match is the interference by Fast Eddie towards the end. I'm not ragging on him for having a run-in spot, I'm just bothered that the guy had to do a moonsault from the top rope to break up a pinfall. I get that Punk moves out of the way just before the landing and therefore Rave gets all of the moonsault, but come on, just get in there and break up the pin. Save the "I got to get my shit in" indy wrestling mentality for a match you will actually be in, but that's just me. Other than that though, this match is very good.

PS: The sounds cuts out about two thirds the way into the video above. It's not that big of a deal, I just don't want anyone thinking they lost his or her sound or something.

Match of the Day - A triple threat ROH title match in Japan

KENTA vs. Nigel McGuinness vs. BJ Whitmer - Triple Threat ROH World title match - Pro Wrestling Noah Northern Navigation Day 1 (2008)

Nigel McGuinness goes to Japan to defend his ROH world title against BJ Whitmer and Noah's own, KENTA. Despite KENTA's obvious home field advantage, Whitmer and McGuinness ganged up on the Japanese sensation and created an odd-man out situation that is very common in triple threat matches. Eventually the playing field was evened when Whitmer, aware that he wasn't going to win the title he continued to side with McGuinness, began to fight back against fellow ROH'er in hopes to win his first World Championship. 

Not to give anything away, but this match almost ends with the same exact move that yesterday's match did. Hint hint. 

Match of the Day - Eddie Guerrero takes on Super Crazy at the first ROH show

Eddie Guerrero vs. Super Crazy - ROH The Era of Honor Begins (2002)

The late great Eddie Guerrero wrestled the "Insane Luchadore" Super Crazy at ROH's inaugural show, The Era of Honor Begins. This match was the finals for the Puerta Rican promotion, IWA's Intercontinental Championship tournament to crown the first-ever champ - as well as the first time these two crafty individuals had wrestled each other in the US.

It's a match of firsts.

Match of the Day - The Raven vs CM Punk dog collar match!

Raven vs. CM Punk - Dog Collar match - ROH Death Before Dishonor (2003)

One of CM Punk's greatest rivalries in Ring of Honor. Features an early use of Punk's straight edge lifestyle versus a man who is struggling with his personal demons - a gimmick that was later used in Punk's rivalry with Jeff Hardy which some say really put Punk over in WWE. Parts of this rivalry were also used again in the Punk/Jericho Best in the World '12 feud.

Raven and CM Punk fought in many hardcore matches together around this time... some for ROH and some for TNA when Punk was in Raven's "Gathering"; TNA's version of The Flock.