Red Hood reacts faster than him at that point, but then physics aren't on Donnie's side when he'd already been yanking on the line. The other comes too fast for him to evade, not when he's in the process of pushing up onto his feet.

But it doesn't mean he's not going to try to defend himself, even when Hood's coming in swinging. The odds are still in Red Hood's favor as Donnie tries to twirl his staff around to catch that fist before it can connect, but it's a little harder when the guy's line is attached to it.