Background: Ring of Honor attempted to infuse some fresh blood into its roster during the early half of 2009. Instad of focusing on just unproven talent with no mainstream recognition, ROH put out the word that any and everyone was welcomed to try their lot in ROH. Former WWF European champion D’Lo Brown answered the call and, in his first ROH match, had the chance to battle then-World champion Nigel McGuinness in the main event.
Proving Ground 2009: Night Two
Orlando, FL
February 7, 2009
Nigel McGuinness vs. D’Lo Brown
McGuinness had to grab the microphone before the match to thank “Savio Vega” for making it here tonight to replace Brown. Nigel brought up the biracial nature of Barack Obama before thinking about the lack of blackness of D’Lo Brown. Brown got himself a mic, stating the fact that McGuinness is not only not British, but isn’t even a man. D’Lo was here tonight to prove that Nigel is still that little boy who bought tickets to see him wrestle.
The challenger looked to slap the taste out of McGuinness’ mout at the sound of the opening bell. Brown was kicking and forearm smashing Nigel around ringside. When Nigel started begging off as the action returned to the ring, Brown offered his hand in honor; avoiding the kick to his stomach before sending Nigel to the floor again. McGuinness grabbed his belt, telling everyone he was leaving. Brown tried to stop him by diving through the ropes. Nigel threw his belt up in “defense”, causing D’Lo’s head to collide with the championship. Brown was out of it as McGunniess used the middle rope and all of his body weight to choke his latest challenger. Nigel went for the Jawbreaker Lariat, but ended up taking an ace crusher. The champion grabbed D’Lo by the front of his tights, sending him to the floor where McGuinness was able to DDT the former WWE competitor.
McGuinness had Brown pinned against the barricades with the help of the timekeeper’s table before kicking the table against Brown’s neck. The challenger made it in before the twenty count. The champ avoided Brown when he rushed him in the corner, kicking him in the back before forearming him down. D’Lo also avoided an attack, using the running European uppercut to northern lariat Nigel. Big forearm from Brown leveled the champ for a senton splash. Diving clothesline by Brown as Nigel tried to get up. D’Lo ran to the top, but got caught in the Tower of London. Brown kicked out before the three count, angering the champion. Brown elbowed the incoming Nigel, allowing Nigel to go for the Jawbreaker Lariat. Brown turned it into the Sky High Bomb for a near fall. The challenger went for another cjharging attack, but ended up running into a Lariat. Brown stopped the second Tower of London, Sky High Bombing McGuinness off the middle rope … for a near fall!
Nigel smartly rolled onto the apron, luring Brown into a Tower of London attempt on the ring’s edge. Brown blocked it, executing a DDT of on his own to spike the champ’s head on the apron. Brown took too much time rolling Nigel in for the Frog Splash to get the three count after hitting the move. Chop-clothesline combo by Brown had McGuinness in position for a leg lariat. This only helped Nigel who propelled off the ropes after taking the blow, richocheting off with his Jawbreaker Lariat … that gave him a two count!
The fans were starting to rally behind the challenger as both men intiated a forearm exchange Brown shoulder tackled Nigel off of his feet, causing the champion’s left boot to hit Brown in the, ahem, browns. McGuinness used D’Lo prone positioning to Jawbreaker Lariat him again for the three count.
Winner: Nigel McGuinness (13:57)
Is It A Classic: D’Lo Brown is always entertaining to watch, and he and Nigel had a solid, serviceable main event. But it didn’t come off as epic as it should have. This is D’Lo Brown facing off with the hottest champion in wrestling at the time. An element was just missing, and it hurt a match that should’ve been great.
