9 Live Observations From ROH Supercard Of Honor XV
9. Swerve Strickland Vs. Alex Zayne
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As Isiah "Swerve" Scott in NXT, Shane/Swerve Strickland was one of the most dynamic performers on a show that constantly felt like it was slipping into wet cement.
Bone dry, paced poorly with no light at the end of the physical and mental tunnel, the once-proud black-and-gold band needed the likes of Swerve to make it feel as young and relevant as it professed to be.
Perhaps the new ROH will offer him a bit of that as well? That certainly seemed to be the case here, particularly after a poisoned 'rana from the apron to the floor by Zayne that took both guys out. After beating the count, the final act took delicious shape.
Zayne levelled Swerve with double knees off the shooting star, but only found two. As did Swerve off a top rope one of his own, leading to a series of reversals and kickouts that culminated in Swerve hitting his finisher for the win. Everybody went apesh*t for almost all of this - the omens were good for the night ahead.