Ring of Honor Review - December 14, 2016

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Deonna Purrazzo def. Candice LeRae

Purrazzo has had a handful of appearances in NXT over the past year or so, and I've always taken a liking to her. She's a highly skilled wrestler, and LeRae (who is married to NXT Tag Team Champion Johnny Gargano) is considered one of the best women's wrestlers on the independent scene today as well. Thus, it came as no surprise that this was a very good match and both women had excellent showings. Purrazzo would be a wise pickup by WWE for NXT, though it would be a big blow to ROH's growing women's division.


Veda Scott and Kennadi Brink def. Faye Jackson and Sumie Sakai

This was not nearly as sound or as solid as the opening match. Sakai has been around for some time, Scott is an established on-air talent, Jackson is just starting out, and I don't know much about Brink at all. I believe Jackson had her first televised match against ODB earlier this year, and although she has improved a bit, she is still extremely green and that was painfully apparent in this match. For those curious, Scott has since departed ROH.

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Mandy Leon def. Jessicka Havok

Leon looks like the type of wrestler that might be all style and no substance, yet she's actually pretty passable. Havok, on the other, I never understood her appeal. Initially, I was excited for her arrival in TNA two and a half years ago, but it quickly became obvious to me that she just wasn't as good as she had been hyped up to be. Sadly, nothing has changed. This match was all right, but Leon is being groomed for the first-ever Women of Honor No Disqualification match against Taeler Hendrix, so it was logical for her to win here even if it was via a roll-up.


Kelly Klein def. ODB

I liked how it was noted coming into the match that both of these women had been undefeated over the past year. That definitely added more meaning to it, though the match itself wasn't anything too special. They weren't given nearly as much time as I thought they would, but it was a decent outing, nevertheless. Klein was the right woman to win here as she fits the dominant heel role very well.


Overall Show

ROH did one of these Women of Honor specials a few months ago and I thoroguhly enjoyed it, so I was glad they brought the concept back. It could be a post-pay-per-view deal going forward if need original content to air after their events. It's better than airing video packages all the time, which they seem to be doing next week. I recently read a rumor ROH might be instituting a title for the women soon, which would be great so they could have something to fight for. But as far as this episode goes, it was an effective use of time and it was a nice showcase for the up-and-coming women's athletes.