Retro Rewind: Reliving Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards – An ROH Classic

Carlos Astorga
3 days ago
2 min read

Welcome to Indyprowrestling.com’s Retro Rewind—your new Friday feature where we dig into classic matches from across the indie circuit, including TNA, MLW, GCW, NWA, and of course, ROH. Today, we kick things off with a legendary classic: Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards from ROH Death Before Dishonor VIII (June 19, 2010).

The Story Behind the Match

In early 2010, Ring of Honor’s “Pick 6” ranking system had Tyler Black sitting atop the mountain as the ROH World Champion. Davey Richards, ranked #4, earned his shot to challenge Black at Death Before Dishonor VIII, ROH’s third-ever internet pay-per-view, held in Toronto’s Ted Reeve Arena .

The matchup was more than a title bout—it was a collision between two of ROH’s most explosive performers. Black, representing the future, and Richards, a hardened veteran, would deliver one of the most acclaimed matches of the year and a defining moment in both careers .

The Match Highlights & Results

Event: ROH Death Before Dishonor VIII

Date: June 19, 2010

Location: Ted Reeve Arena, Toronto, Canada

Main Event: Tyler Black (c) vs. Davey Richards – ROH World Championship

In a high-octane, roughly 30-minute match noted for its relentless action, both competitors pulled out every stop. Black retained his title after a furious, back-and-forth bombardment that pushed both athletes to their limits .

Critics and fans hailed it as “Match of the Year” territory—some even near five-star level. According to the Ring Crew Reviews, “Tyler Black and Davey Richards shoot for the moon in trying to put on the performance of a lifetime” . TVTropes notes it was so electric it even “turned an intensely anti‑Black crowd back on his side” .

The Aftermath & Impact

For Tyler Black, this match further solidified his place as a top-tier performer. He would make his ROH farewell later that year at Glory By Honor IX, before joining WWE’s main roster as Seth Rollins—going on to become one of the biggest names in modern wrestling .

Davey Richards, despite the loss, remained a prominent force. He later captured the ROH World Championship in June 2011 and continued a decorated career, including stints in TNA, MLW, NJPW, and beyond. Richards is known for being one of the most accomplished indie wrestlers of his generation, a multiple-time tag champion and singles titleholder .

Fun Facts & Trivia

Historic Venue: DBD VIII was ROH’s third online PPV and the first time Death Before Dishonor aired as a live-streamed event .

Fan Reaction: The match turned a hostile crowd’s tide—something rarely seen in ROH’s hard-core Canadian fans .

Critical Acclaim: Often included in “Best ROH matches of the 2010s,” it’s a hallmark of indie match storytelling .

Why It Matters

This showdown encapsulated the very ethos of ROH at that time—pure athleticism, storytelling through psychology and strikes, and boundary-pushing in-ring chemistry. It wasn’t just a championship bout; it was a showcase of where indie wrestling could lead and a preview of future superstardom. For many fans, it remains a defining moment that helped launch Rollins—and highlighted Richards’ elite level.

Watch the Match