Coverage

Mitchell’s Lucha Underground Report! (6/27/18)

Published

6 years ago

June 27, 2018

Lucha Underground, Season 4, Episode 3: “Rest In Pieces”

Pentagon is STILL Lucha Underground Champion, even after facing The Monster, Matanza Cueto. Who will step up to the throne of the Collector of Bones? Meanwhile, it will be a first time ever, Three Way to the Grave Casket Match! Jeremiah Crane wants to bury both Mil Muertes and Fenix alive, for the love of Catrina!

Gifs to come courtesy of http://frentique.tumblr.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Put Up or Shut-Up Challenge: Jack Evans VS ???; XO Lishus wins.
Three Way to the Grave: Fenix VS Mil Muertes w/ Catrina VS Jeremiah Crane; Muertes wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Worldwide Underground meets in the locker room.

Ricky Mundo explains his trip to the Island of the Dolls. Dario Cueto told him about it, and it’s real! It’s amazing! It seems more creepier than anything to Jack Evans and PJ Black. But Ricky shrugs it off as he introduces “Rosa”. Rosa’s shy around new people. He pulls her string and she says “hola.” She’s a lot friendly than she looks.

Johnny Mundo and Taya walk in and thank the others for coming to the meeting. Rosa creeps them out as much as she does PJ and Jack. But Rosa aside, Johnny says the Reptile Tribe has declared war on the WWU. And Johnny is happy to give them a war. The WWU struck back last week, and tonight, Jack gets to give the second. Call out a snake and take them to Slam Town! Jack hates snakes… But he’s the Dragonslayer. But Dragons aren’t snakes, they’re fire-breathing monsters and honorable. Snakes are just gross. The WWU argues but Jack dismisses himself. Jake’s fear of snakes aside, has anyone seen Angelico? Johnny owes him a beating. The others leave Ricky and Rosa alone. She says not to worry, his secret is safe with her.

Put Up or Shut-Up Challenge: Jack Evans VS ???

The Dragonslayer and big mouth of the WWU puts out an open challenge like Johnny Mundo wanted, but no Reptile Tribe member answers. Jack’s fine with that, and he instead gets the flamboyantly confident new LU talent, “XO Lishus”! Fans are strongly behind XO, which is amplified by how they hate Jack. Especially after Jack snags the mic to introduce himself as “The Man, The Myth, the Legend”, Evans from the Heavens! The bell rings and we begin.

They circle, speed up and XO handsprings over to then slide under. XO hops up, rolls back and headscissors Jack. Jack runs back but XO dodges to then headscissor Jack again! XO wheelbarrows and arm-drags while doing the splits. XO runs in at Jack with a handspring SLAP! Jack doesn’t like that, but XO goes Matrix to dodge the clothesline. Jack runs over to standing moonsault XO down! XO kicks back from the floor, then gets to ropes. Jack runs over but is dumped out. XO runs, and FLIES! A powerful crossbody, and XO celebrates with twerking. XO puts Jack back in, then does a twerking standing moonsault. Jack rolls out of the way but XO handsprings back to come in. Jack trips XO into the ropes, to then rake his fingers into XO’s face!

Fans boo and jeer but Jack tells them all to shut up. Jack drags XO over and into the Rings of Saturn. XO endures while fans rally. Jack wrenches the arm, and wonders what fans are clapping for. Fans rally anyway, and Jack whips XO corner to corner. Jack runs in with his own handspring, to eye rake! He backs off at 4, but fans boo and jeer. Jack grinds his boot into XO, then brings XO up over for muay thai knees. Fans cheer XO on and XO revesres the whip. Jack cartwheels and arm-wrings XO into a modified triangle! XO endures, and Jack shouts for him to “put up or shut up”. Fans rally again, and XO stomps on Jack. Jack shoves XO away, then runs in at XO in the corner.

XO hops up to boot and roll off the back. XO dropkicks then back elbows, then adds a jawbreaker! He then uses Jack as a step stool for a leg drop! Cover, TWO, and XO’s inexperience shows with forgetting to hook legs. Fans rally for the young star, and he whips Jack corner to corner. Jack goes up and over to then wheel kick XO down! Jack hits a standing corkscrew moonsault, cover, TWO! XO now shows his heart! Jack grows annoyed, but he doesn’t lose his confidence. He climbs up, but XO handsprings to headscissor Jack down! XO climbs now, and hits a splitting leg drop! Cover, TWO! XO grows a bit flustered, another sign of inexperience. Fans rally for him though as he climbs back up. Jack intercepts with a boot! Jack climbs up, but XO fights back, SUPER facebuster! Cover, XO wins!

Winner: XO Lishus, by pinfall

XO may be new, but he put up and shut up Jack! Given some time, will this fabulous new star find his way to the top of the Temple?

Pentagon Dark is here!

The Lucha Underground Champion reviews that in Aztec Warfare, against 19 other great luchadors who all wanted his title, all failed to take it. Cueto’s Monster even tried, but he failed! And anyone else who wants this title, be prepared to fail, too. Because all his challengers will be broken, because Pentagon has #CeroMiedo!

But wait, the Machine Called Cage attacks with a discus lariat! Cage throws furious right hands, and then lifts up the belt. Cage, who lost his Gauntlet of the Gods to Mil Muertes, and who wasn’t even one of the 19 challengers in Aztec Warfare, makes it clear he wants his shot, by using the belt to SMACK Pentagon in the head. He leaves Pentagon down in the ring, but then thinks of something more: a table! The Terminator drums sound as he sets the table up at ringside. Cage drags Pentagon onto the apron, and into bomb position, to BOMB him through the table!

“Meet the luchador you can’t break. Because I’m not a man, I’m a Machine! And your next Lucha Underground Champion!” The Swolverine wants to break the Breaker of Bones, but will he regret challenging him with such aggression?

Fenix prepares for the main event.

Melissa Santos is with him backstage just moments from this life-or-death match. She can’t lose him. But he vows she won’t. He won the last Grave Consequences match he was in, remember? But last time, it was just one opponent. Tonight he has two, and they’re deadly. But don’t worry, he’s the Man of 1000 Lives. And they all belong to Melissa. She gives him a kiss for luck. Will it be the last kiss between her and the Bird of War?

Three Way to the Grave: Fenix VS Mil Muertes w/ Catrina VS Jeremiah Crane!

The Man of 1000 Lives, the Man of 1000 Deaths, and the Lucha Death Machine who loves pain. All three men battle for survival, but also for the destruction of the other two! Who will survive to grab glory, and power, in their hands?

As Catrina leads Mil Muertes down, she surely knows that both victory and the return of her own mortality are so close, she can taste it. Will she taste life again? Or will she just taste more defeat? Likewise, the twisted Crane does this for love, as he wants Catrina back. Will he be made whole through the demise of his opponents? Or will his body be broken along with his heart?

Lucha Underground returns from break and this first-ever match begins. Fenix, Crane and Muertes all stare down. Crane gives a thumbs down, but he gets SPEARED down by the Reaper’s Trident! Fenix kicks Muertes while Crane rolls away. Fenix throws a forearm, then runs, but Muertes whips him to a corner. Muertes runs in as Fenix slips out to the apron. Fenix kicks Muertes away, then hops up to springboard back. Muertes gets clear but runs into a SUPERKICK. Fenix comes back for a leaping DDT! Crane stands up and Fenix handsprings, but into a half-nelson DDT! Crane sits up and rallies the fans. He runs in at Muertes for the shining wizard, then goes side-to-side for the boot wash. Fenix runs in for a running boot!

Fenix climbs up, springboards but Crane dodges. Crane throws Fenix to the apron, mule kicks him, then drags him back in with a hip toss. Fans rally while Fenix gets out. Crane runs, and DIVES! The low-pe almost doesn’t hit, but it gets Fenix right in the waist. Crane fires up and drags Fenix up to throw him. Fenix hops up and mule kicks back, to then SUPER moonsault! Both men land roughly, but fans rally. Muertes climbs up?! And he falls onto them both! The Believers are fired up while all three men are down. Muertes gets up and uses the flower arrangement to hit Crane in the face. He then drags Crane up and around to bump him off a casket lid over and over and over. Fenix flounders while Muertes BOMBS Crane against the coffin.

Muertes drags Crane up while fans chant “Otra! Otra!” So he goes to bomb Crane at the announce desk. Crane resists and hits back, then boots Muertes into a seat. Catrina grows concerned as Crane gets a full lap around the ring. Crane makes the final turn, but Muertes SPEARS him again! The Trident almost splits Crane in half! Fans are shocked, but are still loving this, too. Muertes goes under the ring to pull out a table. He sets it up at a corner, and fans move aside. Muertes drags Crane up but Fenix climbs to walk the rails. Fans give him space, to fly and huricanrana Muertes down! Fenix turns around, and Crane SMACKS him with an entire bouquet of roses! Crane drags Muertes up, but Muertes powers him back in a choke, to then CHOKE SLAM Crane on the casket!

Muertes goes back to his table, and to Fenix. Fans chant “Animo! Animo!” for Fenix, but Muertes brings him around. Crane hits Muertes, but it barely affects him. Muertes grabs Crane and brings him in, but both Crane and Fenix fight off the Flatliner. So Muertes just grabs them both around the throat. They break free again, SUPERKICK and boot combo. Fenix SUPERKICKS Crane, then huricanranas Muertes near the table. Crane uses Fenix as a step stool to knock Muertes into the table. It doesn’t break, so Crane BOMBS Muertes through that table! Fans lose their minds again, but Fenix goes right after Crane. Fans know “This is Awesome” as they brawl and go up the stairs. Crane and Fenix reach the top, and go around behind the fans. Crane prepares something, and gives Fenix a piledriver on the concrete! But the doors open, and Muertes appears behind him!

Muertes drags Crane in and rams the doors into him from both sides. Muertes rocks Crane down with a right, then drags him back up. Fans are on Muertes’ side, but Fenix is climbing up again. Meurtes has Crane in a fireman’s carry, but Crane fights for dear life as Muertes tries to toss him down to the ground! Crane gets down and rakes Muertes’ eyes, but Fenix FLIES IN!! He wipes them out with that insane crossbody! The Believers are riled up but Catrina is worried. Fenix stands first, and brings Muertes up. Muertes hits him first, then hits him more. They go back to the stairs, and Fenix tumbles down every step. Crane is sent down after Fenix, and Muertes takes his time lumbering down to join them.

Muertes has the Believers on his side as he drags a new table out. He places it off to the side, and fans rally up. Muertes puts another table up in the ring, but Fenix revives. Muertes goes for Crane first and goes into the ring. He drags Crane up and over to a corner. Muertes hoists Crane up, and adjusts the table. He climbs up but Fenix joins in for a kinder surprise kick! Muertes is hung up, and Fenix pushes him down. Fenix goes after Crane with rights and chops, then climbs up to join him. Muertes rests by the other table he prepared, and Fenix hops up, but Crane denies the steiner with a shove, and Fenix crashes down on Muertes through that table!

Fenix gets back up quick, and sees Crane resting on this other table. Crane trips Fenix up hard, and positions the table again. Crane climbs up, rakes the eyes, and then hits a PILEDRIVER through the table! Fans lose their minds all over again, but Crane gives a thumbs up to Catrina. Crane opens a casket, and rolls the limp Fenix around. This much Catrina likes, because she hates Fenix with a burning desire. Melissa panics because she loves Fenix with a burning desire. Fenix is in the casket, but that’s just part one. Crane goes to close it, but running in with hair fire red with rage, it’s IVELISSE! And with poetic justice, she uses a ball peen hammer on Crane’s leg!! That’s in return for what Crane did to her last season!

Crane shouts and screams in pain, but Ivelisse shouts she wasn’t going to forget what he did. Crane grabs at her, so she smacks that arm, too! She smacks him a third time, and with such force that the hammer head comes off! So she just uses the handle to hold him still for knee strikes. Crane is draped over the ropes, but Ivelisse wants him to get back up. He does, and he flips her the bird. Bad move, because she takes that finger and breaks it! The Baddest Bitch is back in the Temple, and she’s busted Crane open! And with no mercy, she hits him again! Now Crane is in the casket, and she closes it on him! Crane is ELIMINATED! The pallbearers come and take him away, leaving it at Muertes and Fenix. The fans go nuts for Ivelisse while we go to break.

Lucha Underground returns once more, and Muertes moves the wreckage of wood tables out of his way. Fenix also returns to the ring, leaning against a corner. Muertes runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Fenix side steps then back kicks Muertes, then rolls Muertes out, only to run into a stiff spinning powerslam! Muertes rains rights down, and rakes at the mask! This is a common thing for Muertes to do against Fenix, because if you hate someone, you definitely don’t respect them. Melissa protests, but there’s nothing the rules can do against that. Muertes then goes to untie a buckle pad. Fenix revives, and waistlocks Muertes. Meurtes elbows out, but runs into a boot. Both men stagger, and Melissa gets the fans going again.

Fenix runs at Muertes but is alley-oop’d overhead. Fenix stops himself from hitting that exposed buckle, but is ran right over! A close call, but Muertes is going to ensure Fenix hits that exposed hook, with a catapult swing! Fenix’s face goes right into steel, and he bleeds profusely. Muertes makes it worse by raking his fingers in, and even biting at the wound! Fenix is limp on the apron but Muertes just punches away even more. Melissa shouts for Fenix to get up, but Muertes works to undo more of that turnbuckle’s axle. Melissa finds herself surrounded by the Man and First Lady of Death, but Fenix revives. Fenix and Muertes brawl, then shift to a chop fight. Shot after shot but Muertes gets an edge with that killer right. Muertes stares into the eyes of Catrina, they both know what comes next.

Muertes drags a casket around while Melissa and the ref check on Fenix. That casket is put into the ring, another familiar sight of any Grave Consequences match. Fans chant “Animo!” and “Let’s Go Fenix!” Muertes has the casket up in a corner. He opens it up, and whips Fenix corner to corner at it. Fenix stops himself just inches away, Muertes runs in, but Fenix dodges him. Muertes stops himself short, but Fenix kicks him into it! But not all the way, that lid won’t close like that. Fenix stands Muertes up, to dropkick him back in! Now Muertes is all the way inside, and that’s part one! Fenix goes to close but Muertes holds it open! Melissa and Catrina shout for their men, but it’s Muertes who pushes Fenix away!

Muertes stalks Fenix but Fenix runs and doges. Fenix kicks back, then runs back, but is thrown overhead onto the casket! Fans lose their minds one more time, but then duel between the two. Muertes positions the casket on the mat, and then lifts Fenix. Fenix resists as Muertes tries to pick him up. Fenix fights back, but Muertes grabs him around the throat. But Fenix gets free to then chop and chop away! Fenix runs, handsprings, but Muertes slam dunks Fenix down! Muertes drags Fenix back up even as fans chant “Animo!” Muertes runs, but Fenix rolls, for Fenix Injection!! Both men are down, but stirring. Melissa and Catrina are both worried, but fans know “This is Awesome!”

Fenix fires off forearms and a heel kick! He gets to a corner, hops up, and flies, but into a CHOKE SLAM on the casket! The lid is dented, that casket might not even open. Muertes doesn’t care, he lifts Fenix up again, only for Fenix to headscissor him out of the ring! Fenix gets up, hops up, and as Muertes returns, missile dropkick! Fans fire up and it gives Fenix life. Fenix climbs again, jumps, but into a FLATLINER! Melissa can barely watch as Muertes looms over Fenix. He drags Fenix up again, then drags him out. The third casket is still viable, and Muertes opens it. He drags Fenix over like a sack of potatoes, and plops him down inside. Muertes closes the lid, and wins!

Winner: Mil Muertes

The pallbearers return, and Melissa reluctantly makes the announcement. The Man of 1000 Deaths is victorious, and Catrina is almost euphoric over this defeat of the Immortal Firebird. Has Muertes earned himself his own Lucha Underground Championship opportunity? Has Catrina gotten the life force she needs?

In an undisclosed location…

The Monster, Matanza, is chained up again. “My boy”, Antonio says from above, “I know it’s not much, but it’s better than the cell you’ve been locked in.” Matanza must be upset over failing his father, but Antonio admits he failed Matanza. When Antonio offered up Matanza as the vessel to the Aztec Gods, he asked they let Matanza retain a little of his humanity. The gods granted that wish, which is why he has the key. The key holds his mortal soul. Dario took both key and Matanza from Antonio, planning to exploit the Monster. Dario kept the key close because he cared for his brother, just as Antonio cared for his son.

But that’s what got Dario killed and what weakened Matanza. Antonio does not tolerate weakness. He knows what he must do. Matanza will always be his son, but he was meant to be so much more. He tosses the key to Matanza?! Because he wants Matanza to kill what’s left of his own humanity by breaking that key! Become a true God! Do it! Matanza does, and the chains no longer hold him. “Good-bye, my boy.” What has Antonio done?! What will Matanza do to the world!?

My Thoughts:

A really solid episode for only two matches on the card. Clearly there’s something bigger and much more sinister planned for Ricky Mandel Mundo and “Rosa”. And for saying they’re going to call out the Reptiles and keep this fight going, I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t get a hint at it in the backstage area. But good for Jack to be fodder to a debuting wrestler, his ego calls for him to be the kind of guy to do that. Lucha Underground has always been a touch more progressive, and XO Lishus looks to pick up the mantle for Pimpinela, assuming Pimpi doesn’t return. Pentagon Dark has a good promo, but that attack from Cage was really good. Cage hasn’t had many chances at the top title for being a long-standing staple of the show, this will be a great feud.

The Three Way to the Grave, for being the first, is already the best of its kind, and just the best of all the Grave Consequences matches LU has put on. It also did an amazing job of integrating multiple stories, as Ivelisse makes a shocking return at the best possible moment. She screws Crane over for revenge, but surely he’ll come back somehow to get back at her. Lucha Underground is also progressive in this regard of co-ed matches, so expect at least one of those to be their blow-off. And Muertes goes over for many logical reasons: he’s already lost his fair share of Grave Consequences, it’s time for him to win one; Muertes needs wins overall to keep himself a credible threat to everyone; and it pushes Catrina’s story forward. I’m not really sure what she’ll do once she’s mortal again, but that’ll be for next week.

My Score: 8.7/10

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.25.2024

We just got done with Rebellion, and Under Siege is two weeks away! Gotta see how these dots connect!

Published

7 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Andrew Balaz

Rebellion had quite a few returns, Mike Santana, Sami Callihan and Broken Matt Hardy. All three of these guys could easily be main event players, and its nice to mix up and expand what felt like a rather small pool of potential challengers.

Under Siege is only like 2 weeks out, so we’ll see how the dots connect in such a short period of time.

.@AJFrancis410, Rich Swann, and rap legend @BunBTrillOG are IN THE HOUSE Meanwhile, @joehendry announces he will deliver an apology to Fir$t Cla$$ NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/4GNe2xWfyU

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Ratings:

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz: Santana wins via Spin the Block – ** 1/2
#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander: Josh wins via Grapevine Ankle Lock – ***
ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside: Xia wins via School Girl Roll-Up – ** 3/4
Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands: Sami Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – SQUASH
Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

Did @NicTNemeth say BROKEN? @MATTHARDYBRAND has arrived in the iMPACT Zone! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/HbkUangt6e

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

A weird opening that is just framed to put Nemeth and Hardy together against The System. Feels a little awkward, but who knows how it will play out.

.@JordynneGrace vs @miyu_tjp NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT will now be for the Knockouts World Championship! pic.twitter.com/YnKZjb9yjx

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Mike Santana vs Myron Reed w/Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Ahh I didn’t really pay attention to Santana’s theme at Rebellion, but its pretty damn cool. Good stuff.

Rascalz blindside Santana early, but the heel advantage doesn’t last more than a few moves. Santana whips Myron from corner to corner, hits a few Hip Attacks before Myron finally dodges one and starts using his unique offense and agility to his advantage. Matrix dodge, into an Leaping Outside Back in Slingshot Codebreaker. Some more offense and Santana powders to the ramp, Myron jumps over the rope and tries a Flying Cutter, but Santana blocks it, turns things around, gets pushed forward and hits the Rolling Cutter. Santana takes out the Rascalz, heads back into the ring, Myron tries to catch him unawares but eats the Spin the Block off the rope run! Santana wins fairly quickly.

Maclin’s music hits, he tries to employ the help of The Rascalz to attack Santana, but as soon as Maclin positions himself to get in, The Rascalz bail and flip off Maclin. Maclin makes it out of the confrontation relatively unscathed, but at least we know where he’s going for Under Siege probably.

OH FUCK ME WITH RUSTY KNIVES. Because Cardona is hurt Kon is paired with SDL, and she just challenges Jordynne and PCO to a tag match. WHY!? STOP IT. This is hot garbage.

Josh Alexander comes out…I wonder who’s Super Finisher he’s gonna conveniently kick out this time? Brian Myers? Frankie Kazarian? Rich Swann? Because yes, I’m still annoyed that Hammerstone has been in TNA for half a sandwich, he already connects with a Super version of his finish on tacks, and that’s not a finish. Oh Kaz’s music hits. Okay, so time for Josh to kick out of Fade to Black or Flux Capacitor. Kaz talks smack, says he won his match too so he should have a say in who’s number one contender. Josh challenges him, Kaz says not right now, but a referee runs out and says the match is official.

#1 Contender: Frankie Kazarian vs Josh Alexander

Kaz throws his jacket on Josh’s head, and attacks him with some strikes before Josh fights back and throws Kaz out. Commercial break, we see Kaz misses his Apron Guillotine, Josh goes for the Low Crossbody but Kaz dodges and Josh goes flying. Kaz starts throwing some chops and claws at the cauliflowered ears of Josh. Russian Leg Sweep from Kaz for a near fall. Josh swings wildly and Kaz ducks the strike and levels Josh with a Lariat.

Josh blocks a Vertical Suplex attempt, but Frankie pulls off a Fisherman’s Suplex after a few overhead strikes for a near fall. Josh stands up and connects with a straight right, rocks Kaz, Back Body Drop, into a Charging Forearm, Rolling Senton, 2 count! C4 Spike attempt countered into a Back Stabber and then Chicken Wing, but Josh fights it off, rolls through and into an Ankle Lock, Kaz kicks off and into a Head and Arm Cradle for a near fall and then the Guillotine Leg Drop into Slingshot DDT spot from Kaz for another 2 count!

Fade to Black, but its fought off, Big Boot but then Kaz counters the next move with a Power Slam into the Springboard Guillotine Leg Drop, but Josh grabs the Ankle Lock! Locomotion German Suplex time from Josh, Halfhatch Suplex after the Germans, floats over for a 2 count! C4 Spike attempt again, but Kaz fights it off, dumps him over the top rope, slingshots him in and into the Cutter for a near fall for Kaz! After the 2 Kaz grabs a chair and chain, the referee stops the chair of course, so he tries the chain, EY runs down and grabs the chain so Kaz pulls the Eddie Guerrero and the referee admonishes EY, but doesn’t DQ Josh. So as Kaz is busy laughing at EY, Josh picks the ankle, Ankle Lock with the Grapevine, Kaz taps.

Tensions are sky-high between @alexhammerstone and @JakeSomething_! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/LLCUJOCy7H

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

ASH by Elegance vs Xia Brookside

Both are jawing at each other and then throw hands before Xia gets the upper hand with a Headscissors from the Top Turnbuckle, Charging Knees, a Flurry of Kicks, but when the ref forces some space in the corner, ASH is finally able to dodge and work over Xia with her Twisting Body Splash, a few choking moves, a corner Stomp into a Snap Suplex for 2. ASH is in charge elegantly, but the referee keeps forcing space on both of them when they go for corner attacks. Xia manages to take advantage a little, but ASH regains control, kicks Xia up the ramp and then lands her Cartwheel Back Elbow up the ramp. It actually looks pretty cool executed like that.

Headlocks and Hair Pulling to keep Xia down and using energy to kick out. ASH is getting frustrated but Xia is remaining persistent. ASH goes back to the Headlock, but Xia fights up, Jawbreaker, Back Elbow, Kick to the gut and Drop Toe Hold sends ASH face first into the middle buckle. Xia rips off 4 Double Knee Smashes to the back of ASH’s head into her Flying Crossbody for a close 2! Xia pulls her up, but ASH spins out, then Xia slips it, but ASH kicks her in the chest and deposits her to the outside and demands a count from the referee. Iceman puts Jeweled Knuckles/Rings on ASH’s hand, the referee catches her, removes the stuff from her fingers and Xia hits the School Girl Roll-Up for the flash win.

Fraud has thrown the Ballot Box Battle into chaos, but also paved the way for an explosive showdown between @TheTreyMiguel and @The_Ace_Austin NEXT WEEK to determine the #1 Contender for the X Division Championship! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/lYHrtgNrc3

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Sami Callihan vs The Good Hands

So the Good Hand Jobs are about to do their job to Sami. I’m just gonna assume Sami beats the hell out of both and wins with a Cactus Driver ’97. If anything interesting happens I might actually cover it, but come on now.

.@SteveMaclin has a proposition for @FrankieKazarian #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/XY6lMdmSWo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 26, 2024

Kaz makes a Metallica reference with the “Wash Your Back So You Won’t Stab Mine”…and Sweet Amber is the only good song on St. Anger. So…I ain’t mad.

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards & Brian Myers vs Nic Nemeth

A little early ground wrestling and headlocks for control from both men. Nothing super flashy to start until we get to the rope run and Nemeth goes for the Flying Body Press to drop Eddie. Before Nemeth can follow up, Lish grabs his foot. Nic does have his brother Ryan in the crowd, trying to get chants going and do the old school ‘power up the babyface’ thing, but Eddie has been in control since Lish got involved. Simple offense, chokes, strikes, Snap Suplexes, Knee Drops, simple yet effective. But then Eddie ducks his head too early, Nemeth kicks him in the face, bounces his head off the buckles a few times, Dropkick sends Eddie reeling to the corner, Nemeth starts the 10 Count Punches but Myers hits the apron to distract and Eddie manages to slip the situation and push Nemeth to the floor.

Commercial break happens, Nemeth is trying to fight back with Chops, but a Kitchen Sink from Eddie puts Nemeth on the floor again! Clubbing blow from Eddie, but Eddie then misses the Hip Attack in the corner and Nemeth counters with the Rude Awakening into the 10 Count Rain of Elbows. Fame Ass-er miss, Eddie tries something but Nemeth turns it into that hesitation DDT for 2! Tuning up the band starts to build and Eddie powders to avoid it. Nemeth throws Eddie back in, goes to the top, but Eddie crotches him, rises up and hits the Superplex into Tiger Driver for 2! Eddie starts mocking with Tuning Up the band but Nemeth hits his own Superkick into an Olympic Slam for 2!

Both men just trade strikes Fighting Spirit style, Eddie says “Always Trust the System” and Nemeth shuts him up with a Headbutt. Danger Zone is blocked, Boston Knee Party gets ducked, they level each other with Lariats! Myers and Ryan Nemeth start fighting to distract the referee, Moose hits the ring and hits Nemeth with the belt. Eddie lands Boston Knee Party and The System wins again!

Overall Score: 6/10

A lame opening segment, a squash match, ASH by Elegance getting her first loss, and a weird way of just pulling the number one contender out of mid air makes for an awkward show. Also Kon still be involved in, literally anything, is negative. However, I can say there was a ton of stuff thrown at the wall this episode, so there’s a chance that some things landed better with other people than myself. The ballot segments were amusing, they overused the “I need to talk to you Santino” gimmick a bit much and personally I feel like having Jake versus Hammerstone is booking yourself into a weird corner.

But hey, the main event was fun, Nemeth getting laid out to the point that there could be a story reason to take him out of the Under Siege match. Kaz with the Metallica reference was pop worthy and I guess its a lot of ‘let’s see where it goes’ kind of angle creation. So it wasn’t complete trash, but its definitely a wait and see episode.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/25/24)

Champions need challengers!

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Steven Mitchell

The Queen is coming for her crown!

Athena & Billie Starkz are the top champions in the ROH Women’s Division, but Queen Aminata’s coming after them! Who will she target first?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes; Zay wins.
Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order; Top Flight wins.
Anna Jay VS Allysin Kay; Anna wins.
Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Will Austin; Johnny wins.
Six Man Tag: The Mogul Embassy VS MANDERS & BEEFTANK; The Embassy wins.
Yuka Sakazaki VS Leila Grey; Yuka wins.
ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners; The Kingdom wins and denies The Outrunners a title match.
Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Laynie Luck; Taya wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, GPA & Ren Jones; Archer & The Righteous win.
Abadon VS Nova; Abadon wins.
Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos; Mortos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Isiah Kassidy VS Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes!

Brother Zay and the Commander of the Skies are coming down from the high of competing against Rob Van Dam on April 20th, but they’re both ready to get back up. Will Kassidy earn his shot (shot shot) at a championship? Or will the AAA Cruiserweight Champion be aiming for ROH gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but Zay has his fingers crossed! Zay trips Komander at the bell, says he’s too smart, then he steps on Komander’s dropdown to say “SHOTS! SHOTS! SHOTS!” and “SUCK IT!” Komander keeps cool, he and Zay tie up, and Komander headlocks. Zay pulls on the mask, powers up and out to hurdle, but then Komander steps on him! Komander mocks “SHOTS! SHOTS!” Zay runs up, Komander avoids the boot to then wrench, wrench and mule kick a leg! Kmoander steps over, rolls through, then rolls again, to a HALF CRAB! Zay endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Komander lets go and Zay stands back up.

The fans rally, Komander runs in but is put on the apron. Zay runs in but into a slingshot BOOT! Zay comes back but Komander goes up and headscissors Zay into buckles. Komander comes back to springboard, wheelbarrow, but Zay HOTSHOTS Komander and then throws him down! The fans boo but Zay says they don’t teach that at school. Just follow Zay and he’ll get your right. Zay then smothers Komander with his towel! The ref reprimands, Zay lets off and Komander sputters to a corner. Zay bumps Komander off buckles, CHOPS him, then stomps Komander down. Zay says “SHOTS! SHOTS!” as he gives stomp after stomp.

The ref counts, Zay lets off at 4 and dusts his shoes off. Zay goes back to scuff Komander, taunt him, but the fans rally up for Komander. Zay scuffs Komander more, eggs him on, but Komander fights up to fire hands! Zay ducks a roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! Zay leans on ropes, Komander runs in but Zay puts him on the apron. Komander gets up but Zay triangle jump STUNNERS! Komander flops to the floor, Zay scowls and goes out after him. The fans rally, Zay backs Abrahantes off, and the fans boo. Zay goes back for Komander, SMACKS him off barriers, then grabs the chair.

The fans boo, Zay says watch this, it’s about to be an 8K. Zay runs and uses the chair to LAUNCH, into barriers! Komander avoids disaster, puts Zay in the ring, and he hurries to a corner. The fans fire up as Komander springboards, but Zay moves! Komander rolls through, ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up while Zay bails out. Komander builds speed and WRECKS Zay with a dropkick! Then ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Zay! The fans fire up, Komander drags Zay up and in, then he springboards again, for a SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Zay stays in this as fans chant “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay goes to the apron, Komander storms up and stands him up. Zay shoves Komander away, goes up the corner, but Komander runs up! Zay anticipates and GAMANGIRIS! Zay goes up to SUPSER SUSNET FLIP, but Komander flips through!! The fans fire up and Zay is shocked! Zay still BOOTS Komander, fires forearms, but Komander bobs ‘n’ weaves to SLAP, UPPERCUT and power up! Zay turns Komander around but gets a SHOTEI! Komander then jumps up top POISON-RANA! The fans fire up again and Komander runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Or as the fans remind us, “DOS! DOS! DOS!”

Zay says Komander’s done wasting his time. Zay whips, Komander reverses but Zay reverses back to scoop, only for Komander to tilt-o-whirl sunset flip! TWO, but Komander tries a side roll sunset, TWO! Zay escapes, Komander dodges his haymaker and waistlocks. Zay switches, Komander switches back, but Zay grabs the ref! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Zay gets away with that one! Abrahantes protests but the ref can’t call what he didn’t see! Zay blows a kiss, before the INVERTED TWIST OF FATE! Cover, Zay wins!

Winner: Isiah Kassidy, by pinfall

Brother Zay didn’t break rules but he did find a loophole to DELETE Komander’s momentum. Will Zay soon have a WONDERFUL ascension to the top of ROH?

ROH hears from Bullet Club Gold.

It was backstage at AEW Dynasty this past Sunday that the Bang Bang Gang unified the AEW and ROH World Trios Championships! Jay White says, “Today, our destiny, fulfilling our destiny by building our Dynasty! Y’see, I’m full! I’m full of that feeling when I get to say, I told you so! When I came to AEW, joined forces with The Gunns, I said the Gunns were money! Brought them in along with Juice Robinson, to Bullet Club GOLD. I said I would bring you gold, and boys, we’re running out of space. Because we’ve got gold a plenty, haven’t we, boys? Cuz I’m the mother effin’ Catalyst of Professional Wrestling! I told you so!”

Austin says their backpacks are heavier on the ride home, but that extra weight just reminds him that the Bang Bang Gang runs this Trios ish! Colten says they like to have fun before and after, but during? They don’t take no ish! There’s this saying around here, “Restore the Feeling.” That’s something for the young guys to get on TV, but guess who are never mentioned? The Gunns! Is it because they’ve been in too many main events? Is it because they’ve been tag team world champions? And now they’re AEW & ROH Trios Champions! The Gunns are the best damn team in the world! White is the best singles man in the world!

And tonight, they are the BEST trio in the world!! And if you’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya: GUNS UP!! The Bang Bang Gang is firing on all cylinders, but will they be able to shoot down those who take aim at them?

Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Dark Order!

Speaking of the trios championships, Action Andretti, and the brothers Martin get their shot at the Bang Bang Gang this Saturday! Will Top Flight pick up speed going into that Collision? Or will Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds prove they are worthy contenders?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the trios sort out, and Darius Martin starts against Johnny Hungy. The bell rings, the fans rally and the two circle. The fans rally for “JOHNNY HUNGY!” as the two tie up. Darius wrenches, wristlocks, but Silver spins and fireman’s carries for the takeover. Silver has the cording hold but Darius fights up. Silver wrenches but Darius spins, slips around, waistlocks, spins Silver and cravats for the neck wrench. Silver endures, powers up and out, but Darius rolls over the dropdown. Darius sweeps a leg to cover, ONE! Darius turns Silver’s sweep into a cradle, TWO!

Silver gets up but Darius arm-drags him back down. The fans cheer, Darius wrenches Silver and tags Action. Action runs to LEAP FROG ATTACK the arm! Action wrenches Silver, tags Dante, and Dante goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Dante clamps onto the arm, digs a knuckle into Silver’s ribs, or was it a tickle attack? Tag to Darius and Dante snapmares Silver. Darius runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!! Silver stays in this but Darius stays on him. Tag to Dante, Top Flight reel Silver in but the rest of Dark Order save him from the double suplex! So Action jumps in and Top Flight TRIPLE SUPERKICKS!

The fans fire up while Uno and Reynolds spill back out. Action and Darius aim, DOUBLE PLANCHA but Uno and Reynolds DECK them outta the air! Dante brings Silver up but Silver fights the half nelson to then whip Dante into the ropes! Silver then runs up, Uno & Reynolds join in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Silver then waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Dante into a bridging cover, TWO! Silver tags Reynolds and he short arm LARIATS Dante! Cover, TWO! Reynolds brings Dante up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Uno. Uno CHOPS Dante, then snapmares him to stomp him down! The fans rally for Uno as he tautns Action.

Uno goes back for Dante but Dante throws body shots. Uno CLUBS Dante, bumps him off buckles, and tags Reynolds. Silver holds Dante in whiel Reynolds whips Uno for the SPLASH! Uno goes again, but Dante dodges, goes up and over Reynolds, hot tag to Action! The Sight to See rallies on the Dark Order! ELBOW for Uno! BOOT for Silver! ELBOW for Reynolds! Uno kicks low, whips, but Action handsprings to DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up as Action kips up, and he runs in at Reynolds in a corner. UPPERCUT! Uno runs in but the SPLASH is sent into Reynolds! Uno staggers away, Action DECKS Reynolds!

Action aims, slingshot and SPLIT LEG but he has to bail out as Reynolds moves! Action just uses that to roll and PELE Uno! SPANISH FLY on Reynolds! Cover, Silver breaks it! Darius tosses Silver out but Silver ROCKS Darius! Darius drops down but Dante runs in and uses Darius as a step, POETRY IN MOTION! Silver falls, Reynolds dodges Darius to RAM Dante! Dante comes back, Darius helps him get up and over, then Dante helps in the TORNADO DDT! Darius sets Reynolds up for the STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, Uno shoves Dante onto it! Uno then CHOPS Darius down and goes to his corner.

Reynolds crawls over, hot tag to Uno! Uno fires forearms on all of Top Flight! Uno winds up, but Dante JUMP KNEES! Darius mule kicks! Action KICKS, Darius BUZZSAWS! But then Silver & Reynolds drag the Martins out! Uno dodges Action, tells him to STOP, then ROCKS him! The rest of Dark Order get in, Reynolds spins Action before the TRIPLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! Action wobbles, Uno reels him in, and Silver gives Reynolds the BOOST to take out the Martins! PILEDRIVER for Action! Cover, TWO!! Action survives and shocks the Dark Order! Uno cools off, tags Silver in, and Silver tags Reynolds.

The Dark Order surrounds Action and the fans rally up. They stand Action up, hoist him up, and Silver builds speed, but the Martins trip Silver! Darius drags Silver out, Action gets away and Dante baits Uno. Uno runs in, Dante goes up and over to JUMP KNEE Reynolds! GAMANGIRI for Uno, then Action SUPERKICKS! Dante DIVES to take out Silver, Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT Uno! Action and Darius have Reynolds for the double pump handle, DOUBLE LIGHTNING SPIRAL! Cover, Top Flight wins!

Winners: Top Flight, by pinfall

Action, Dante & Darius are flying high and heading for Collision, will they take those unified World Trios Championships away from the Bang Bang Gang in the blink of an eye?

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with the ROH Women’s World and Women’s Television Champions, and says “Ladies and gentlemen, we are calling an Emergency MEM, a Minion Empowerment Meeting.” The Fallen Goddess asks the Minions why they’re here, and Minion #400,237.75 knows why. This is because of Red Velvet and Queen Aminata. They decided to stick their noses in Athena’s moment. The main event of Battle of the Belts, live on TNT, the first time the Overlord has been on live TV in over a YEAR. And Aminata put her hands on Athena, put Athena on her head, and proved that she is nothing more than “a hot piece of porcelain hussy garbage.”

Billie says not to forget about Red Velvet. Velvet acted all high ‘n’ mighty, but she just forgot Billie hasn’t beat her yet. Lexy says then it seems there is some unfinished business. The champs bring Lexy in for an uncomfortable double side hug, and Athena says “Bestie” is right. There is unfinished business. And since MIT is a nonprofit, they’ll give a “scholarship to the biggest ass-whooping Queen Aminata and Red Velvet have ever seen. Got it?” Athena tells Queenie and “Blue Velvet” to either step up or step out. Challenge issued to the Queen and the Chef, but are the Overlord and her sidekick about to get cooked?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“Some people get into professional wrestling because they need to. You haven’t needed anything in your entire life. You have an unlimited amount of resources at your fingertips. Money, culture, knowledge. You wanted to excel at this business, so you got the best training, the best workouts, the best diets, the best gear, the best moves. If it’s not the best, it’s simply not you. But the wisest man doesn’t think he’s the best until he’s surrounded by the best. And now, we all are. You are Ariya Daivari. And you are a Premier Athlete. We are the Premier Athletes.”

The Premier Athletes are here in person.

Sterling talks to his stable and tells them the beginning of phase two was a success. They wanted to assert dominance over ROH, and he would say message sent. However, they were not aware that the message would be sent to ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, to Dalton Castle, and half of the ROH men’s locker room. It took SIX men to stand face to face to these three. They’ve got Ariya back and more pissed off than ever. They’ve got National Champion, Josh Woods. And they’ve got Tony Nese in peak, physical performance. Now, they all know The Infantry wasn’t personal. They were just in the line of fire.

The Infantry is just on a long list of people who do not deserve the opportunities. Opportunities that belong to these three physical specimens! Because these are The Premier Athletes. When and where will Sterling’s stable finally break through to that next level?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexy is now with Maria Kanellis’ baby boys and says they haven’t had the best luck as of late. What’s next? Karter isn’t sure. They keep getting opportunities, but they keep failing. Karter recently had a match against Christopher Daniels, and he lost! Griff says Karter thinks that’s bad, but Griff lost his shot at the ROH World Championship. Griff has faced Mark Briscoe twice in his career, and he’s 0-2. Karter’s match wasn’t even for a title! Griff had so much more on the line! Maria then walks in and sees her boys are disappointed. Well, Mama is disappointed, too. They both could’ve done much better in their matches.

But every loss is an opportunity. Griff was in the ring with THIRTEEN TIME ROH World Tag Team Champion, Mark Briscoe! Karter was up against Christopher Daniels, a legend! Maria’s been in the ring with both of those men, and they have so much experience. That is what Griff & Karter gain every time they’re out there. Every single loss is an opportunity. And everyone around here is always jealous of the abs and the looks, and it’s great that they are. But eventually, they’ll be jealous of what these two do in the ring. And eventually, these two will get back her championships, the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

Maria leads the way, but does anyone wanna tell her that that would mean her baby boys going up against her husband, Mike Bennett?

ROH World Tag Team Championships Proving Ground Match: The Undisputed Kingdom VS The Outrunners!

Speaking of Mike Bennett, he and Matt Taven are still champions after the big assist from Wardlow at Supercard of Honor. But will the Kingdom need their War Machine again real soon? Or will they be able to handle Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum in 10 minutes or less?

The fans rally up for the Outrunners already while the Code of Honor is upheld Mega Powers style. The teams then sort out, and though Taven is confused, Bennett steps up and starts against Truth. The fans chant “TAVEN SUCKS!” but Taven just eggs the Melvins on. Truth and Bennett tie up, then Truth wrenches to wristlock. Tag to Turbo, he takes the handoff, and he nods as he wrenches and wristlocks. Bennett knees low, flexes on Turbo, then wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Bennett wristlocks, says this is old school wrestling, but Turbo powers up! The fans fire up as Turbo rolls, handsprings, and kips up! Turbo then BOPS Bennett on the head!

The fans cheer, Turbo tags Truth, and Truth wrenches to wristlock. Truth grinds the arm, whips, but Bennett reverses. Taven trips Truth up while Bennett’s all up in the ref’s face! The fans boo and Turbo protests but Bennett dropkicks Truth down! Bennett mocks the old school posing then takes a bow. Tag to Taven, he CHOPS Truth in the corner. Taven CHOPS again, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Taven lets off to taunt Turbo, and Bennett gets a cheap shot on Truth! Bennett drags Truth up by his hair, the ref sees that and reprimands, but Taven ROCKS Truth. Taven whips, but Turbo trips Truth to actually save him from the crossbody!

Taven tumbles up and out of the ring, Truth gets up to tag Turbo! Truth then runs and Turbo holds ropes up, BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICK! Bennett runs up, is sent out, and The Kingdom regroups. The fans fire up for Turbo as he fires up, then PLANCHAS! Down goes The Kingdom and Turbo is all revved up! Turbo gets in the ring, shakes the ropes, then tags in Truth. The Outrunners coordinate, to spin and pose! The fans fire up but The Kingdom CLOBBER The Outrunners from behind! The fans boo but Bennett flexes. Bennett brings Truth up, CHOPS, and now fans chant “BENNETT SUCKS!”

Bennett CHOPS Truth, puts him in the corner, and tags Taven. Bennett feeds Truth to a BOOT, adds the BOSTON BAYONET, then Taven LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Truth is tougher than that, but Taven argues with the ref. The ref defends his count, so Taven brings Truth over to ropes. Taven CHOKES Truth but the fans boo. The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4, and Taven soaks up the heat. Truth sputters but Taven tags Bennett. The Kingdom mugs Truth, then Bennett keeps Truth from Turbo with a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Bennett stays on him with a chinlock and stretch. The fans rally as Truth endures.

Truth is red in the face but he fights to his feet. But Taven BLASTS Turbo! Bennett throws Truth by his hair! Turbo storms in but the ref has to stop him. Turbo is upset but Bennett stands on Truth’s face! Bennett clamps onto Truth with a chinlock and grinds him down with a knee in the back. The fans fire up, we pass five minutes as Truth fights up, but Taven runs at Turbo again! Turbo ROCKS Taven first this time! Truth then hits a BIG back suplex on Bennett! The fans fire up, Turbo is feeling it, and Truth crawls over! Truth staggers ot his feet, hot tag to Turbo! Turbo rallies on The Kingdom with big haymakers!

The fans fire up as Turbo scoops and SLAMS Taven! Then he scoops and SLAMS Bennett! Scoop and SLAM for Taven! Scoop and SLAM for Bennett! The fans fire up and Turbo drops an elbow! And another elbow! And then he winds up, flexes, and JUPM ELBOW DROPS! Taven runs up but Turbo kicks! Turbo reels Taven in, flexes again, and hits a BIG suplex! Turbo points to Truth, Truth tags in, and Truth goes up! FLYING FOREARM on Bennett! The Outrunners hurry to get Bennett up, but Taven ENZIGIRIS Truth to stop Boot Camp, er Vice City, or whatever they were calling it! Bennett shoves Turbo into Truth then rolls Truth up, with tights! The Kingdom wins!

Winners: The Undisputed Kingdom, by pinfall (denies The Outrunners a title opportunity)

Taven grabs the belts to celebrate and Bennett says that was too easy. But then the ref suspects shenanigans! Did Bennett pull tights? Bennett defends his innocence, as does Taven, and the ref drops the issue. Will The Kingdom do anything and everything they have to in order to stay champions?

Red Velvet & Queen Aminata speak.

The Chef and The Queen are backstage, and Velvet tells Athena, “There you go again. Stirring up the pot. Oh my gosh, we ruined your moment~! I’m done with you. Billie? You wanna hang with the big girls? You wanna get in big girl business? Then bring it on. Yes, I haven’t forgotten I beat you, twice. And I’ll do it again, and this time, I’m a beat you like your mama never did. You know why? Cuz I don’t roll with minions. I roll with royalty.” Aninata says that’s right. And Athena, oh, they feel so sorry for “ruining” the moment. Actually, Aminata would do it again and again and again. And wanna know why? Because Queen Aminata does not respect Athena as a champion!

Athena has ZERO honor! And no one knows better about honor than The Queen. And Velvet says, “Y’know what, Queen? I’m looking for a fight. Are you looking for a fight?” Aminata is definitely ready for a fight. Velvet says it is time to cook, eat, leave no crumbs, and take out the trash! This dynamic duo is ready to tear down the Forever Champion and her little buddy, will they take the gold right off Athena & Billie?

Backstage interview with The Infantry.

Lexy is now with Trish Adora, Carlie Bravo & Captain Shawn Dean, and we’ve seen them get on a roll. How are they continuing the momentum? Carlie is so glad she asked. Have no fear, you know The Infantry is here. Dean says yes, they are here. And there’s been nothing but targets on their backs. They said they’re the most popular team, and people have been after them. Carlie does realize now that they had those OG Ops, then those really big Ops, and last week, there’s Ops they didn’t even know about. But let’s not forget those really old Ops, the- Oh wait, The Outrunners walk in. Turbo & Truth are feeling good. They may not have targets on their backs, but they’ve got some guns!

Wait, wait, wait. Are they wearing brightly colored camo?! Okay, first they take the Infantry’s move, now they’re copying the swag? What’s next? Trying to take Adora and their homes? What the what, son? Dean has Carlie calm down. He’s always got great ideas. He does? Yes, because next week, Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, they take this to where it all began! Finally, Infantry take The Outrunners to where they belong, and that’s Boot Camp! Hold on, The Outrunners have been using camo since The Cow Palace. Dean has to hold Carlie back on that one! Turbo has a better idea! Outrunners VS Infantry, Daily’s Place, where it all began!!

WHAT!? Didn’t they just- Fine, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Oh yeah? The Outrunners will do Infantry one better and THEY will accept! Let’s roll out! Copy that! WHAT!? Stop copying them, Outrunners!! But will Dean & Carlie finally get through the delusional duo and make them find their own schtick?

Backstage interview with Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie.

Lexy is with Mr. & Mrs. TV Ready and notes the season finale of Johnny Loves Taya just dropped. How are they feeling? Amazing~! Everyone loves their show, they worked so hard on it for months. Ten episodes, the grand finale, it couldn’t have gone any better. And think about it: awards season! The acceptance speeches, the red carpets, the fashion moments. But in sneaks Aaron Solo. That sounds fun! Though they would’ve won more awards if they had this face on the show. Maybe next season? Johnny says maybe Aaron would’ve been on the show, if he supported it once. He didn’t tweet about it once! All their real friends did.

Uh, Aaron is the Retweet King! Especially those first three episodes. Aaron and Johnny argue but Taya has them calm down. Taya runs the socials for the show, and she can confirm, Aaron did retweet. Oh, well, thanks, bro. Yeah, man! Remember QTV? The handshake? They do the handshake, right down the rocket ship taking off. Aaron says see? They’re bros. Before Johnny Loved Taya, Johnny Loved Solo. Uh… No. Aaron is a loser! TV Ready people do not hang with losers. Remember how his name used to be S O L O W? They took the W away cuz he keeps getting L’s! He’s 0 and THIS CENTURY! Get a win already!

Aaron says fine, if that’s what they want, he will win. And he’ll prove to both of you that Aaron is TV Ready! Aaron heads out, and Taya says it’ scute that he’s so confident. Not that it’ll work out. And they got the last word. Aaron then says “Bye” from offscreen, so Johnny says, “Adios.” Aaron has bet on himself, but will he win out?

Triple Threat: Blake Christian VS AR Fox VS The Beast Mortos!

All Heart, The Whole Fox’n Show and the evolved Black Taurus are among the fastest, toughest and hungriest competitors around, and they’re all looking for that golden opportunity. Will Blake be rolling into NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament? Or will another big name prove they’re a big deal?

The Code of Honor is upheld between Fox and Blake, but not Mortos. The bell rings, Mortos stares down Fox and Blake. Fox runs in to RAM Mortos but bounces off! Blake RAMS Mortos but also bounces off! They both run up, but he runs them over! Fox & Blake both kip up, but Mortos choke grips them both. Mortos shoves Blake away, but Fox flips through the choke slam! Blake & Fox DOUBLE SUPERKICK Mortos down! Mortos bails out, Blake and Fox coordinate, and Fox runs. But then Blake sweeps the legs! Fox ends up on ropes, Blake runs to BASEMENT 619! The fans boo but All Heart also has some brains.

Blake aims from the apron, springboards in and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Fox flounders to a corner, Blake runs in, but Fox puts him on the apron. Blake RAMS into Fox, slingshots, but Fox goes out to then slingshot SENTONS! The fans fire up, Fox suplexes for ANARCHY! Blake bails, Mortos LARIATS Fox down! The fans fire up as Mortos roars, and Mortos drags Fox up. Mortos suplexes, Fox slips free to waistlock but Mortos switches. Mortos shoves, follows, then rolls off Fox’s back! Mortos SOBATS, KNEES, ELBOWS and snapmares, to then NECK TWIST! Then SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!

Fox survives that onslaught but Mortos roars again. Mortos drags Fox up, wrenches and grabs a leg, for a SHIN BREAKER! Fox writhes, Mortos gets legs and steps through, and Mortos ties Fox up for a NAVARRO DEATH ROLL! Fox endures the leg lock, but Blake DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Mortos! The fans fire up and Blake smirks as he runs in at Mortos. Mortos BOOTS Blake, SLING-DOGS, then CRUCIFIX DRIVERS! Blake wobbles, Mortos whips to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Blake survives but Mortos snarls. Mortos drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him down, and Blake flounders to a corner.

The fans cheer as Mortos drags Blake back up. Mortos reels Blake in to back suplex, but Blake lands out! Blake dodges in the corner, then whips to ropes. Mortos reverses but Blake handsprings, wheelbarrows, SPLASH 182! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Mortos and Blake stir while Fox returns. The fans rally, Fox and Mortos stand first and Fox throws a haymaker! Blake adds a haymaker, he and Fox pinball Mortos around! They put him in a corner, throw more hands, then Fox goes up to rain down fists! Mortos shoves Fox away so Blake rains down fists. Mortos shoves him away, Fox returns to A-LIST LARIAT!

Mortos slumps down, Blake adds a LOW CROSSBODY! Fox skins the cat to DROPKICK Mortos, and then Fox goes to the apron. The fans fire up as Fox goes up, but Blake ROCKS him first! Blake goes up, brings Fox up, but Mortos adds on! The fans are going nuts already for the SPANISH FLY BOMB!! Cover on Blake, TWO! Cover on Fox, TWO!! Mortos snarls but he drags Fox back up. Mortos trophy lifts Fox, but Fox slips free to BOOT! Mortos tumbles out to the apron, and Blake SPEARS him down! Blake hurries to build speed so he can DIVE! Mortos stays up!? So Fox FLIES! Down goes Mortos and the fans fire up!

Fox puts Mortos in but Blake aims first! Springboard 450 SPLASH! Fox adds the SWANTON BOMB! But then Blake TOSSES Fox to cover Mortos, only for Fox to break it! Fox has had it with Blake being so sneaky, and TOSSES him out! Blake is on the apron, he ROCKS Fox, but Fox stops the slingshot! Fox has Blake in ropes, step-up DRAPING DDT! Roll through, but Mortos reels Fox in! Scoop and MORTOS DRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Blake and Fox couldn’t say on the same page, and that allowed the minotaur of lucha to take the win! Will nothing stop The Beast Mortos from stampeding his way to a championship opportunity?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of ROH here at an hour and 38 minutes, but that made for quite a bit of filler. I did like the Six Meaty Men Slapping Meat Tag match of Mogul Embassy VS 1 Called Manders, BEEF and Calvin Tankman, but of course The Embassy won. Good return matches for Johnny and Taya, but I liked their promo with Aaron Solo better. It was a good use of continuity bringing up the failed QTV to pivot into a new story for Johnny TV now that Dalton Castle is moving on. Good promos from Mark Sterling, but a bit redundant again to have him hype up Ariya Daivari, then for him to talk directly to Ariya and the others.

Another confusing thing was the promo from The Infantry and Outrunners. Well, the promo wasn’t confusing, the timing was. Perhaps it was a victim of poor pacing as we’ve seen all over AEW & ROH. But I do appreciate we’re finally seeing these two teams have it out for ROH at Daily’s Place “next week,” aka prerecorded sometime this week. Outrunners had a good match with The Kingdom but of course The Kingdom won. But we’re getting an interesting detail where Maria wants her new boys, Griff & Karter, to go for those ROH World Tag Team Championships while her old boys, Bennett & Taven, still have them. Some sort of Kingdom Civil War angle in the works here?

Really good stuff with Zay winning by going to new lows, and really good Six Man Tag to give Top Flight momentum going into their title match with Bang Bang Gang. Really good promo from Bang Bang Gang and of course White & The Gunns are going to retain. And at least they did just what I was hoping by having a promo from Bullet Club Gold on ROH so that it counts as them being on this show. Just needs to keep happening, maybe with some in-person appearances. Not even matches, just BCG watching other trios fighting it out because they’re scouting, aka foreshadowing, new opponents.

Great main event Triple Threat but also a fast one, Mortos with the big win over Fox and Blake. While there’s something brewing for the ROH World Championship with Mark Briscoe being around Dalton Castle and The Premier Athletes, maybe Mortos can find himself in the world title scene for the next ROH PPV. And then great promos from Athena & Billie as well as Velvet & Aminata. We’re definitely getting a tag team match that will end up earning Velvet a shot at the Women’s TV title and Aminata a shot at the Women’s World title, and those will be awesome matches.

And if either of the champs is losing, I’m actually thinking it’s more Athena losing to Aminata than Billie losing to Velvet. I’ve said it before, Aminata’s proven herself worthy, and if she wasn’t gonna be inaugural Women’s TV Champ, might as well make her the woman that dethrones the undefeated Athena.