Background: At Ring of Honor’s “11th Anniversary Event”, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly – collectively known as “reDRagon” gained a chance to face the most prestigious team in ROH history – The Briscoes. On that night, reDRagon shocked the ROH world by ending The Briscoes’ eighth ROH World Tag Team title reign to begin their first. Since then, reDRagon bested their rivals The American Wolves on iPPV and showcased their talents in both singles and tag team competition. Two months following their shocking conquering of The Briscoes, Dem Boys get another crack at reDRagon.
Dragon’s Reign
Belle Vernon, PA
May 11, 2013
reDRagon vs. The Briscoes
Mark Briscoe and Kyle O’Reilly kicked this one off for their respective teams. Mark impressed BJ Whitmer – who replaced Steve Corino at the announce table – with his ability to go hold for hold with O’Reilly. Jay Briscoe and Bobby Fish entered after tagging in. Fish immediately took the ROH World champion to the mat, only to be overpowered when it came to top wristlocks. Realizing this, Fish tried to turn this wrestling match into a brawl. This strategy also didn’t work well for Fish as those Delaware jabs left him wobbly long enough for The Briscoes to run through him with that patented double team shoulder block. Fish and O’Reilly took some redneck kung fu until Fish clipped Mark’s left leg. Whitmer noted the multiple knee injuries Mark has suffered in his career. Seemingly the knee attack was only a set up for several double team maneuvers from the champions that ended with the decapitation near drop. Mark valiantly fought and rolled his way to Jay for the tag.
Big rolling elbow from Jay put Fish and O’Reilly in the corner. Dem Boys were on fire, with Fish taking the brunt of the challenger’s punishment. Like his brother, Jay was caught off guard by one member of reDRagon attacking a limb that’s given the eldest Briscoe trouble – his left arm and shoulder. Using the referee to his partner’s advantage, O’Reilly kept the ref’s eyes off a flying Fish so he could illegally headbutt Jay’s shoulder. After slamming all of Jay’s weight on his appendage, the champions switched from holds to strikes. Mark was there to save his brother every time it seemed he was on the verge of either being pinned or submitting. When the referee stopped Mark from entering during O’Reilly’s triangle choke, Jay had to power his way out of the hold. Spine buster by Jay on the entering Fish allowed the World champion to finally tag out.
Mark’s redneck kung fu was in full display as he peppered O’Reilly’s head with chops. Fish tagged in, running into the rolling Death Valley Driver. Before Mark could use the Froggy Bow, Fish kicked him in the head. Jay reentered, only to be caught in a flying cross arm bar. Jay was struggling to not submit when Mark saved him with the Froggy Bow. O’Reilly kicked Mark’s head before taking Jay to the floor for that running dropkick off the apron. Grabbing the ROH World Tag Team title belts, O’Reilly pitched the belt into the ring to distract the ref from Kyle hitting Mark in the back with the other belt. Mark was out on his feet until Fish buzzsaw kicked Mark into unconsciousness. Fish went for the pin, ending The Briscoes chance at becoming nine-time ROH World Tag Team champions.
Winner: reDragon (20:12)
Is It A Classic: This surpassed their first encounter in every way even though the ending was less than honorable; featuring the showcase of the champions’ ingenuity in the heat of battle.
