Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness from ROH’s Anniversary Show 2008

 

Recap from TJ Hawke:

This was a HUGE match in Ring of Honor’s history.  Nigel McGuinness had just won the world title recently, but he suffered a major concussion and missed Final Battle 2007. The fans were not pleased about that. Nigel then started to gradually turn heel.  Danielson was coming off a major heel run, but he was gradually turning babyface in his feud with Takeshi Morishima.  Nigel didn’t want to defend the belt on this show. So, Danielson promised to not go after Nigel’s head. In return, Nigel promised not to go after Danielson’s eye, because Danielson got a broken orbital bone in his feud with Morishima.

 

The crowd is very pro-Danielson here. They even give him USA chants.  Danielson was showing a lot of honor early on.  Nigel went for the headstand kick, but Danielson hit an IED dropkick that sent Nigel to the floor. Danielson then hit a tope suicida and a missile dropkick. The referee, Paul Turner, was chewing Nigel out at one point. Nigel then punched Turner out. Danielson won by disqualification.

 

Nigel was leaving the arena, but Austin Aries, Kevin Steen, Delirious, and Roderick Strong blocked the entrance way. Aries said Nigel would have to go back and defend the title or deal with them (Roddy and Aries had a long feud in 2007, so there was some additional significance to that scene).

 

Cary Sikin restarted the match. Nigel promptly started to go after Danielson’s left arm. Nigel was also yelling at the fans.  Nigel was in control for a while until Danielson hit a leg lariat and a pair of kitchen sinks. Nigel came back with a suplex to the floor. Danielson managed to dump Nigel into the crowd. Danielson then hit the springboard dive into the crowd. Back in the ring, Danielson got the triangle choke.  Nigel escaped and hit a monster lariat. Danielson started selling his eye. Danielson avoided a Tower of London and sent Nigel back to the floor. Danielson went for another tope suicida, but Nigel blocked it and hit a Tower of London to the floor.  Nigel’s head was busted open. Back in the ring, Nigel locked in the Cattle Mutilation. Danielson escaped. Danielson then avoided a jawbreaker lariat, but Nigel managed to crotch Danielson on the ropes. Nigel then hit the middle rope lariat. Nigel then hit a Tower of London: 1…2…NO! Nigel then locked in the London Dungeon. Danielson made the ropes. Danielson reversed another Dungeon attempt into a pin for a nearfall. Danielson then hit CHAOS THEORY!  Danielson was back in control, but he still refused to go after Nigel’s head.  Danielson got a nearfall with a super back suplex. Danielson then locked in Cattle Mutilation! Nigel got to his feet, but Danielson hit a Tiger suplex. Danielson then delivered some elbows to the ribs and locked in an armbar. TRIANGLE CHOKE!  Nigel almost passed out, but he was able to make the ropes.  Danielson delivered more body shots, refusing to go after the head.  Nigel then used a headbutt on Danielson’s bad eye. Nigel wasn’t selling any head injuries, but Danielson was selling his eye big time. Nigel then hit a BIG lariat. Nigel then hit Danielson’s MMA Elbow Strikes to the eye. Nigel then locked in the London Dungeon. Danielson passed out and Sinclair called for the bell! Nigel retains!

 

This match is one of my favorite wrestling matches in Ring of Honor history. Everything that I like about professional wrestling came together for this near-perfect thirty minutes of entertainment. Not to mention the fact that this match is historically significant in regards to Ring of Honor. Nigel McGuinness’s world title run was one of the great world title runs in all of wrestling in the 2000’s, and this is the match that really allowed Nigel to reach new levels as a performer and as a champion. Watch this match now.

Match Rating: ****1/2

 

Thoughts from Alex Torres:

Clear roles add so much to a match, and Danielson keeping to his promise of not hitting the head, despite McGuinness’ heel tactics, created a fine dynamic. These two men make magic when they’re in the ring together, and this is no different. Both men are excellent wrestlers. But its the little story things- including McGuinness aggravating an old injury of Danielson’s despite Danielson agreeing to not do the same- that make this special.