Background: Several months prior, Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team of Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin ended the ROH World Tag Team title reign of Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli (WWE’s Cesaro). On the first episode of Ring of Honor TV under the Sinclair Broadcast Group banner, The Kings of Wrestling got their rematch.
Ring of Honor TV Episode 1
August 13, 2011
Chicago Ridge, IL
Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team vs. The Kings of Wrestling
Following the in-ring introductions and a commercial break, the Tale of the Tape displayed a distinct advantage in the champions’ favor. The early feeling out process showed off Charlie Haas’ amateur skills against Claudio Castagnoli. The fans were actually behind Claudio as he ran through Haas with a shoulder block, but Claudio’s advantage didn’t last too long following a flying clothesline by Shelton after the blind tag. Commentator and former World champion Nigel McGuinness noted that Benjamin wasn’t getting a two count on Claudio this early in the match following a failed pin off an arm drag. Chris Hero tagged in when Claudio kneed Benjamin, but ran into an arm drag as well. Benjamin had Hero frustrated enough to throw a right hand when “The Young Knockout Kid’s” grappling couldn’t match Shelton’s. Benjamin blocked the strike, decking Hero with a punch of his own. Hero jumped to his feet, firing of some knife-edge chops. Benjamin fired back, rocking Hero.
Benjamin got ahead of himself, looking for that dragon whip kick. Hero ducked the attack, allowing Claudio to knee Benjamin in the back when Hero shoved Shelton backwards. With Shelton stumbling, Hero connected with that Cyclone Kill kick. Rather than go for the cover, Hero pitched Shelton to the floor. As Haas argued with the referee, Claudio held Shelton so Hero could execute a sliding dropkick through the ropes before we headed to a commercial break.
When we returned from the break, we found Shelton being power slammed by Castagnoli. During the commercial, Shelton Benjamin almost took himself out by missing the Stinger Splash on the floor, hitting the steel ring post instead of Hero. McGuinness felt Benjamin’s final chance to tag out was near if he didn’t do something. Benjamin must’ve heard Nigel because he dragon whip kicked Claudio. Before Shelton could tag out, Hero yanked Haas off the apron. Furious, Haas decked Hero, throwing him into the ring to finish what he started. The referee forced Haas onto the apron as The KOW unleashed the Royal Deathblow on Shelton. Somehow, some way, Benjamin kicked out of Claudio’s follow up pin attempt!
Benjamin found himself being picked apart near the challengers’ corner, with The Kings using Shelton’s groin to make a wish. Following The Kings’ groin mutilation attempts, Hero and Claudio went for a double team suplex. Shelton flipped out of the attack, dropping both Kings with neck breakers. Haas was begging for the tag, and got it. Haas was on fire, downing both Kings with clotheslines. Head scissors by Haas tossed Claudio before Castagnoli felt the power of Haas’ t-bone suplex. Showing his highflying ability, Haas used a hurricarana to set up the running big boot … for a two count! Shoving Haas away, Claudio tagged out so Hero could hit the KTFO (the Heihachi combo) on Charlie … for another near fall!
Frustrated by Haas kicking out, Hero rushed Charlie for a Rolling Elbow that connected. Tagging in Claudio allowed Castagnoli and Hero to complete the Helicopter Crash. Right before the three count for Claudio, Benjamin dragged Castagnoli off of Haas. The Kings called for the end with the KRS-One. At the last second, Shelton speared Claudio; giving Haas the chance to roll up Hero … for a close two count!
When Hero jumped to his feet in preparation for another elbow strike, Benjamin super kicked him. Broken Arrow by the champions on Claudio disposed of Castagnoli so WGTT could hit Wrestling’s Greatest Finisher (the Hart Attack) on Hero to successfully defend the gold.
Winner: Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team (18:24)
Is It A Classic: In not surprising fashion considering the matches they had in the past, this was another highly entertaining affair featuring WGTT finally cementing their spot as the top team in the company while producing alongside The Kings a must-see encounter to kick off ROH’s then-new era.
