Background: In one of the last matches in Ring of Honor, the future “Seth Rollins” and then-Ring of Honor World champion took on one of ROH’s founding fathers in the form of “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels in a non-title match.
Fade to Black
Plymouth, MA
September 10, 2010
Tyler Black vs. Christopher Daniels
The Plymouth faithful were all over future WWE superstar by warning him of his possible jobber status when he moves to the biggest show in the wrestling world. Black took exception to the chants, stalling for a little time in hopes of angering the veteran. Unfortunately for the champion, Daniels kept his cool, leading to a collar & elbow tie up; surrounded by the chants of “You can’t see us” and “Cena sucks”. Man, Cena can’t even get love from fans that don’t have to watch him. Back to the action – Daniels gave up with the wrestling and started throwing Texas jabs before unleashing a leg lariat that forced Black to look for haven. When Black reentered, he feigned a tie up to knee “The Fallen Angel” in the ribs. The champ missed his back flip into the dropkick, almost getting caught in several pinning predicaments that frustrated Black to no end.
The angered champion decided he had something to say. Tyler informed us that he didn’t have to stay here and wrestle tonight simply because he doesn’t feel like it. Black grabbed his title belt, slapping hands with the respectful fans. As Black took his time pandering to his fans, Daniels slipped into the crowd, running behind the curtain. Black turned to the ring to find it holding only referee Todd Sinclair. Daniels burst through the entrance, forearming Tyler from behind. Very unique maneuvering by “The Fallen Angel”.
Daniels had Black reeling by slamming the champ’s face against each top turnbuckle. On the last blow, Black did his best HBK impersonation as if Daniels were Hulk Hogan (WWE Network/Youtube it). Black took an Irish whip against the turnbuckles, but caught Daniels running with a back body drop that sent Daniels careening to the floor. Black rolled a wobbly Daniels back in for a near fall. Daniels fought his way off the mat, but ended up being forearmed to the floor. Tyler whipped Christopher Daniels from one end of ringside to the other before suplexing Daniels on the padded wood floor. Daniels showed the heart of a champion by kicking out right before the twenty count. Black unleashed the chin lock special. “The Fallen Angel” easily fought his way out of the hold. Daniels’ momentary momentum ended when he ran into an uranage.
Blood leaked from Daniels’ nose as Black locked him in the STF following a “You can’t see me” taunt. Christopher Daniels clawed and kicked his way to the ropes to save himself. Daniels scooted onto the apron, with Black in pursuit. Daniels stopped Tyler Black’s punches, slamming him face first against the top turnbuckle. Blue thunder backbreaker by Daniels almost got him the three count. The running STO didn’t help Daniels attain victory either. Black blocked the uranage, hitting an enzuguri. The World champ was in position to fly with that springboard clothesline, but Black unfortunately slipped … bad. Daniels instinctively went for the pin after the screw up for another two count.
Black quickly recovered, looking for that charging forearm in the corner. Daniels avoided the attack, but not Paroxysm. Somehow, Daniels got his shoulders off the mat before the referee’s hand could hit the mat for the third time. Daniels stopped Black’s ascent on the corner, knocking Black to the floor for a perfect Arabian moonsault. “The Fallen Angel” was fired up when the action returned inside until he took a kick to the back of his head, and the F5. Black jumped back on the horse with the flying clothesline attempt. Daniels avoided the attack, catching Black falling in the Koji clutch. Daniels did his best to keep Black from reaching ropes, but Tyler maneuvered his right hand to grab the bottom rope. Daniels slammed Black in position for the Best Moonsault Ever. The champ rolled out of the way in time, unleashing a beautiful enzuguri that had Daniels stuck against the turnbuckles. Daniels stopped the belly to back superplex, but not the Low Ki double stomp off the tree of woe. Instead of letting that double stomp be it, Black followed up by hitting the coast-to-coast dropkick as Daniels still dangled from the turnbuckles upside down. Turnbuckle power bomb/kneeling super kick combination from Tyler connected … for a near fall!
Black scaled the ropes in hopes of ending this one. Daniels avoided the Phoenix Splash, but Black was ready, rolling through to his feet. Tyler Black grabbed Daniels for God’s Last Gift after the super kick, but “The Fallen Angel” turned the attempted attack into Angel’s Wings. The impact of the move knocked Tyler Black close enough to the ropes to save himself from being pinned. Daniels grabbed Black, only to get kicked in the face and head over and over again. Seeing Daniels out on his feet, Black rushed him. Daniels ducked Black’s attack, hitting the Last Rites. Right as Black’s head bounced off the canvas, the bell sounded to inform everyone that the thirty-minute time limit had expired.
Winner: Draw (30:00)
Is It A Classic: Well that match delivered in spades with great, smart action that didn’t see a moment of hesitation or slowing down until the final bell. A true forgotten gem in ROH history.
