Independent wrestling in 2006 had a lot of momentum with many top promotions either early in their existence (AAW,AIW) or steadily going strong with consistently good to great shows (IWA-MS, ROH, JAPW). With there being a handful or so top independent promotions, there are many, many lesser known promotions that hold shows and utilize talent from the top indie companies and use students of their area or bring in a well-known wrestler to boost the crowd.
In this instance, it’s an example of using the top champion from Ring Of Honor and recognizable
name from the WWF Golden Era that hadn’t been on TV in a regular role in over a decade. It’s a unique approach, and as of April 2026, the YouTube video that has been posted into this article has over 126k views.
It’s September 30th, 2006 in Bridgeport, Connecticut where Liberty States Wrestling held a show and it featured a singles match between ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson and former WWF superstar Kamala. As someone who has been going back and watching 1984 WWF, but also grew up with the 1992 era Kamala, I have an even greater appreciation for this match. Before watching the 1984 content (and earlier), I would have entered this match with the comedic Kamala from 1993 in my head and not the monster that he was presented as being ten years earlier. Danielson at this point was regularly having incredible matches with wrestlers all over the globe, and it’s intriguing to see what he’s capable of doing with a wrestler over a decade past being relevant on TV. I don’t know if I ever would have guessed that Kamala technically had an advertised ROH World Championship opportunity.
Also, current AEW manager/personality Prince Nana is the special referee for the bout. It is reported on Cagematch that there are 75 fans in attendance. I’m not sure how accurate that is, but I can tell the place does not have a ton of people there to watch it.
This is the first time I’ve ever watched this match.
ROH WORLD CHAMPION BRYAN DANIELSON VS. KAMALA — ROH WORLD TITLE MATCH — LIBERTY STATES WRESTLING — SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2006
Prince Nana comes out to cut a promo before the match and insults the crowd. Nana announces that he is the special referee, and makes it clear that he’s good friends with Kamala. Kamala comes out and has Kimchee with him, as well. It looks like the odds are heavily against Danielson for this match.
Kamala teases an overhand chop to startle Danielson back at the start of the bout. Kamala shows his size advantage by shoving Danielson out of the corner and the crowd pops for Kamala. The crowd seems to be supporting the idea of Kamala winning the title. Kamala again shoves Danielson out of the corner. Kamala controls Danielson with a test of strength. Danielson breaks free as the fans want him to tap. Danielson stomped on Kamala’s foot and is ready for strikes, but Kamala backed off. Kamala works over Danielson with a kick and headbutt. Kamala overhand strikes Danielson, but misses a chop. Danielson responds with forearm strikes. Danielson drops Kamala with a middle rope missile dropkick to send Kamala to the floor. Kamala strikes Danielson on the floor and sends Danielson into the railing. Kamala sends Danielson into the ring post to keep control. Kamala headbutts Danielson before they return to the ring.
Danielson avoids Kamala in the corner and delivers a few strikes off the ropes to finally knock Kamala to the mat. Danielson heads to the top rope hitting a diving headbutt, but Nana refuses to count the fall. Nana eventually begins a slow count allowing Kamala to kick out. Kamala rams Danielson into the corner to continue work over Danielson before sending Danielson to the floor. Kamala rams Danielson into the railing ribs first. Danielson fights back with strikes, but is stopped by Kamala quickly. Kamala brings Danielson into the crowd and sends Danielson into the wall. Kamala hits Danielson over the head with an object before sending Danielson into the wall. They head backstage, but there’s no camera that can follow them.
They quickly return and Danielson is beating up Kamala with the entrance skirt. Danielson fights off Kimchee sending him into the wall, and tosses Nana into the wall, as well! Kamala blocks a chair shot and knocks Danielson to the floor. Kamala hits Danielson over the back with a chair shot and the bell has sounded. Nana has disqualified Danielson for throwing him into the wall. They brawl backstage again. Danielson comes back to the ring with a microphone and says that’s not how an ROH World Championship match takes place. Danielson calls out Kamala, but Prince Nana returns to the ring. Nana promotes a show on October 22nd in New Jersey where Kamala will be returning. As far as I can tell, that does not happen.
Bob’s Take: It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that Danielson didn’t do much of his ROH style whatsoever. The match is heavy on strike focused attacks and they filled the time by popping the crowd with brawling in the crowd a bit. While the idea of these two squaring off is unique and interesting in theory, the quality of the action is not good due to their differences in style. I think this is easily the worst ROH World Championship match to ever take place.
Match Rating: *
Have you watched this match? What are your thoughts on Kamala challenging for the ROH World Championship in 2006?
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