When determining the best matches of 2012 to feature on their special 12/22/12 holiday broadcast, Ring of Honor featured this hot battle between Roderick Strong and Adam Cole.
Why do I consider this the Match of the Year for 2012? Let me count the reasons:
1. Great ring psychology — Roddy relentlessly trying to break Adam’s back
2. Superb suffering — Adam in pure agony, totally punished and owned, groaning out loud
3. Vulnerable Invincibility — Adam seems so fragile and helpless, yet he proves he can absorb every deadly, devastating, spine-snapping move that Roderick unleashes on him and keep fighting back. Adam Cole shows us that he has balls of steel. The best matches in my book are when the Baby-Face reveals how tough he is by suffering through a relentless torture session.
4. Excellent wrestling — Clever, innovative, devastating moves. Some of the unusual offensive attacks can be seen in my previous article describing the beginning of this match. Check out Roderick applying his patented Strong Hold (courtesy of the I-Love-Wrestling-GIFs blog) trying to snap Adam Cole in two pieces, and tell me this isn’t the Match of the Year…
5. Compelling Contrasts — Great differences between the wrestlers make for great stories in the ring. Roderick is portraying the over-confident veteran — brash, frighteningly effective, and well-polished. Adam is the eager rookie, passionate but vulnerable. The story tells itself!
(By the way, Adam Cole plays a cocky, arrogant Heel whom everybody loves to hate in some Indy federations. Yet he is also convincing as the lovable young Blue-Eyed Rookie in ROH, which demonstrates his versatility and talent.)
6. Eye-Catching Gear — Roddy in his trademark blue and white speedo with “Strong” written proudly on the ass, and Adam Cole in stretchy black briefs and boots
7. Adult Themes — Sadistic Roderick repeatedly yanks the trunks, exposing Adam and implying a rape scenario
8. Epic Quality — Like many Ring of Honor battles, the wrestlers make this fight seem critical and world-changing, life or death for their careers. They go all out and the crowd blows the lid off the arena to show their appreciation. I guess you have to see an ROH Main Event to get what I’m saying — it’s always dramatic and action packed, full of sound and fury and signifying everything.
9. Surprise Ending…
Young Adam Cole shocks the world by wrapping up the veteran in his “Florida Key” maneuver, bridging Roderick into a pinning position, and winning the match! Adam Cole has stripped the great Roddy Strong of his title belt!
My favorite wrestler has been vanquished! Long live my favorite wrestler!
“Adam Cole’s ass” would be ENOUGH to make this the match of the year! But everything else you mentioned is noteworthy, too.
gotta say am liking Cole these days. Btw, I work out at the same gym as Roddy and some other wrestlers from FCW etc….Roddy not as big as you think in real life though a “stocky plug”. Am hoping for a new champ at ROH this year though! Tired of seeing that fat, powder puff Sheen [or whatever his name is] at the helm — bring in a STUD!!!
Rodney Strong is the best toughest coolest sexiest wrestler in ROH
YESSSSSSS I REALLY WANT TO HURT HIM AND HIS GROIN I WOULD PAY TO DO IT