Jay Briscoe vs. The Amazind Red 02/23/02

Where: Philadelphia, PA

Backstory: This is Ring of Honor's first ever show, and they get the talented, but greener, Jay Briscoe to go against the super high flyer, The Amazing Red. Red has his name because he has red hair. Briscoe normally teams with his brother Mark, but Pennsylvania state law prevents Mark from working because he's only 17. This match has no real storyline heading in, but ROH is about action much more than angles.

In Ring Analysis:

Handshakes to start which was ROH's gimmick back then. They feel eac other up before locking up. Neither man can get the advantage to start. Jay hits a running shoulderblock for the first offensive move of the match. They run the ropes and Jay out maneuvers Red and throws him over the top rope. I didn't think this was a great move since Red is undersized, so you have to focus on how much quicker he is than everyone. Also, throwing someone to the outside should have more impact, hence doing it in the beginning of the match lessens the effect.

Jay tries to hit a tope to the outside, but Red dodges and Jay hits the mat. Once again, I think this is too early to be trying these big moves. Both men head back inside with Red hitting right hands to the prone Briscoe. He sets him up for an Irish whip, but Briscoe hits a leg lariat. Jay uses the Irish whip this time, but Red counters and hits a one legged drop kick that had nice execution. Psychology aside, Red's moves look crisp and are exciting.

Both men are standing off, and Jay offers a handshake for the nice exchange. Red falls for the oldest trick in the book as Jay sucker punches him. This sets Briscoe up as the heel in the match as neither man is considered "evil" by the fans. Red reverses another Irish whip, and hits a kick to the gut followed by a flying roundhouse kick to the back of the head. Red goes for a top rope tornado DDT but Briscoe sets Red up top and hits a vicious fisherman's buster.

Jay goes to the top rope, but Red catches him with a kick to the gut and hits a brainbuster. Red tries for another Irish whip but resorts to roundhouse kicks as Jay will not let Red overpower him. After several kicks Red is taken down by a big boot from Briscoe.

He then goes for his Jay-Driller, but Red revesres for a nearfall. Jay goes for another and this time hits it after Red cannot fight out of it. Jay goes for the academic pinfall, but Red gets his foot on the ropes. Briscoe goes to the top rope, and for some reason Red goes to the opposite top rope to set up Jay hitting a flying clothesline in mid air. I don't know what the idea was that they were going for, but it seemed like a blown spot or just a horrible idea as it looked way choreographed.
Jay then hits a big German suplex, but doesn't go for a pinfall. Jay goes back up top, and misses a big cannonball senton. Red comes back with a top rope move called Red Alert, then hits his other finisher called the Red Storm press for the three count.

Winner by pinfall in 8:31: The Amazing Red **


I wasn't really feeling the match. The storyline was that Red was the superior high flyer, so Briscoe was foolish for trying to beat Red at his own game. Briscoe has become a much better worker as part of a team with his brother Mark, so at least he focused on becoming more well rounded. Unfortunately Red suffered severe knee injuries over the next few years, and cannot utilize his great offense anymore. It's too bad as he made up for his small frame with a great ring name, and great moves. Still, if he develops better in ring psychology and find a way to bulk up he can combine that with his charisma to be a good wrestler.