Background: The former “Alberto Del Rio” made his ROH in-ring debut taking on a company founding father in Christopher Daniels.
ROH TV Episode 175
Nashville, TN
January 3, 2015
Alberto El Patron vs. Christopher Daniels
Both opponents had a good amount of fans on their sides as they followed the Code of Honor. “This is awesome!” rang out from the crowd before they locked up for the first time. When the two tied up, Del Rio found himself having to outwrestle the “Ring General”. Working his way off the mat, Alberto plowed through Daniels with the shoulder block before getting some breathing room to regroup himself. The strategy actually helped his opponent. Rather than wrestle, Alberto kicked his way to an advantage before hitting the ropes. Big dropkick from Daniels pushed “The Boss” toward the ropes. When “The Fallen Angel” went after his opponent, Alberto back dropped him to the floor. Daniels sidestepped El Patron’s baseball slide attempt, whipping him back first against the steel barricades. The fans were split down the middle as Daniels unleashed his asai moonsault. Rolling El Patron into the ring first cost “The Fallen Angel” as Alberto recovered and exploded off the mat with that enzuguri.
Following the collapsing Daniels to the floor, A.E.P. slung one-half of The Addiction against the steel guardrails not once, but twice. The fans were digging the action as Jay Lethal stepped out to watch what was going on. Daniels recovered, avoiding the incoming El Patron so he slipped through the ropes and landed at ringside. When Daniels dove over the top rope for a plancha, “The Boss” not only moved out of the way, but also clotheslined the shocked “Fallen Angel” when he turned around. As the fans chanted in favor of El Patron, Kevin Kelly informed the viewing audience that they had to go to a commercial break.
Christopher Daniels was doing everything in his power to turn the tides when he put himself in position for the Cross Arm Bar while perched on the bottom rope. El Patron took too much time trying to balance himself on the top rope, allowing Daniels to not only crotch “The Boss” on the top turnbuckle, but also superplex the former World champion to a big ovation. But the damage that had been done allowed El Patron to recover before his opponent. Yet, Alberto’s momentum was halted by Daniels’ fiery comeback featuring elbows, forearms and the blue thunder driver. El Patron caught the incoming Daniels with the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near fall of his own. The fans were waiting for the Cross Arm Bar, but Daniels was having none of the submission hold. Instead, Daniels used the STO to sweep El Patron into his Koji clutch. Alberto seemed to be on the verge of tapping out when his left leg felt the bottom rope.
“The Fallen Angel” had to catch his breath before looking to pick up El Patron. Alberto caught him coming in with the arm breaker over his knees prior to landing a beautiful super kick … for a near fall!
Motioning for the Cross Arm Bar cost El Patron, giving Daniels the chance to scale the ropes. “The Boss” caught him climbing, reverse superplexing Christopher Daniels … for another two count!
The fans were really into this match as Alberto set up another super kick. El Patron telegraphed the kick, feeling Daniels’ uranage. Christopher Daniels was looking for his Best Moonsault Ever when El Patron moved at the last second. Daniels stuck the landing, only to feel another arm breaker. Before Daniels could recover, Alberto swept “The Fallen Angel” into his Cross Arm Bar. Daniels had nowhere to go and was forced to tap out to a loud ovation!
Winner: Alberto El Patron (13:07)
Is It A Classic: El Patron, as expected, came in with his working boots on and delivered an incredible match against on of the best in ROH history. “The Boss” and “The Fallen Angel” had great chemistry and delivered a match worth seeing.
