Coverage

Mitchell’s Ring of Honor Report! (8/18/18)

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2018

ROH pits former World Television Champions against each other in the main event. Will The Villain, Marty Scurll, or Kenny K I N G climb up the standings?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Scorpio Sky VS Chris Sabin w/ Alex Shelley; Sabin wins.
Karen Q VS Jenny Rose; Karen wins.
2018 Top Prospect Tournament, Opening Round: FR Josie VS Eli Isom; no contest.
Marty Scurll VS Kenny King; King wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Scorpio Sky VS Chris Sabin w/ Alex Shelley!

While the Addiction hunts The Briscoes, SCU’s high-flying Closer tests himself against the current #1 Contender to the ROH World Television Championship. Will Scorpio prove himself just as deserving of a shot? Or will one half of the Motor City Machine Guns roll on towards his match with Punishment Martinez?

The fans are divided between MCMG and SCU, but there is respect here as the two uphold the Code of Honor. They circle and tie up while fans duel. Scorpio gets the wristlock but Sabin reverses with a roll and a spin. He gets a hammerlock, but Scorpio spins around. Sabin headlocks then arm-drags, and fans applaud. “SCU?” Sabin asks. “More like Detroit City!” Fans like the sound of that. Sabin and Scorpio circle, but Scorpio verbally counters with “Detroit was the worst town I’ve ever been in!” Scorpio and Sabin tie up. Scorpio gets the double wrist takedown to cover, TWO. Sabin covers, TWO, and Sabin runs into a headscissors! He cartwheels through to trip Scorpio.

Things speed up and Sabin hurdles Scorpio, but then Scorpio double stomps the back drop down! Sabin bails out of the ring, Scorpio slingshots to take him out! Fans fire up as Scorpio puts Sabin back in. Scorpio gets on the apron, frames the picture and hits an apron leg drop! Cover, TWO! Scorpio puts Sabin in a chinlock, then a keylock. Fans rally up and Sabin fights out. Sabin runs, but into a kick. Scorpio runs, but into a knee. Sabin throws Scorpio with a wristlock takedown, but they both get each other with double clotheslines! They stand up quick, Sabin enziguris Scorpio down! Fans applaud while both men are down.

Fans rally back up as the two stand. Sabin gives Scorpio an atomic drop, then wrenches Scorpio’s arm into a fireman’s carry. Scorpio sunset flips but Sabin rolls through to Penalty Kick! Then Sabin kicks Scorpio again from the apron! Sabin has control while we go to break.

ROH returns as Sabin hits Scorpio with a missile dropkick! Sabin lifts Scorpio for the AK-DDT! Cover, TWO! Scorpio crawls to a corner while Sabin keeps his cool. Sabin runs in for a boot, then hoists Scorpio up top. Sabin climbs up and Super Steiners! He then hops up, but Scorpio comes back for his own Super Steiner! Fans applaud this great back and forth. Both men are down and a 10 count begins. Sabin stands first as fans rally up. Sabin puts Scorpio on the apron but Scorpio kicks him back. Scorpio slingshots to headscissor Sabin. Scorpio slingshots out then back in for a cutter! Cover, TWO! Shelley is relieved while Scorpio grows frustrated.

Fans rally once again, but Scorpio looms over Sabin. Scorpio drags Sabin up, goes for a T-Bone but Sabin reverses to a cradle! TWO, but Scorpio gets the takedown, roll, but Sabin arm-drags through. Sabin goes around and around to a ghost pin, TWO! Scorpio rocks Sabin with a knee. He runs but into Sabin’s enziguri! Sabin keeps going, fireman’s carry and he crosses Scorpio’s legs, Cradle Shock! Cover, Sabin wins!

Winner: Chris Sabin, by pinfall

The #1 contender rolls on towards his eventual match with the ROH World TV Champion while Shelley grabs a mic. “We started a team 12 years ago, and by my count, my career is ready to start driving at 16 years.” Meanwhile, Sabin’s career is ready to vote at 18. Fans applaud these two long-time veterans. Shelley knows MCMG’s goal was to be at the top. They went after the ROH World Tag titles, and they did it. But Shelley isn’t so sure he has a lot left to offer the world of pro wrestling. More importantly, the MCMG are as needed anymore.

Shelley realized this when he was in a dentist’s chair. After spitting teeth out across the ring and going back in to smell the “enamel being cooked off your jaw line and have your gum line cauterized”, a man starts to think real hard about his life. Shelley isn’t retiring, because who really retires in pro-wrestling? There’re no benefits, no 401K, no health benefits, none of that. Shelley might just be saying “see you later”, but he wants Sabin to promise him something. “Just validate all of it.” Prove to the world that MCMG was the best tag team for even a short period of time. Fans applaud and chant “Thank You! Thank You!”

Shelley holds back the tears as he says he should thank the fans. The fans are why they perform. And the reason why MCMG was the greatest tag team for a time was because of Sabin’s individual talents. Sabin reminded the world of that in the Best of the Super Juniors this year, so Shelley just wants Sabin to fulfill his potential however he sees fit. But especially by winning gold in ROH. And from the bottom of Shelley’s heart, make it all worth it. The best pals hug it out, but here comes Martinez! He ruins the moment as he knocks both men down! Martinez drags Sabin over to the chair, for a curb stomp! Then he goes after Shelley, but Scorpio comes back to run Martinez off! Scorpio saves MCMG, but will Sabin get his own revenge when he challenges for the TV title?

Kenny King speaks.

“I find myself at a crossroads” in his identity, stuck between “the man that I am right now, and the world champion I want to be.” Kenny tries to get to the next level so he has conversations with the Devil to tell him nothing can stop Kenny because he has the pedal to the metal. Kenny can only go forwards to go through the Villain. He knows he can learn a lot from Scurll, because Scurll does whatever it takes. Kenny vows to take a page from that book and make a Villain #BendTheKnee. The K I N G spits hot fire, will he get Scurll to call him sire?

Karen Q VS Jenny Rose!

Both the Queen of Queens and the American Joshi want to challenge for the Women of Honor Championship. The Queen Bee, Madison Rayne, earned a shot in last week’s Fatal 4 Way, but that doesn’t mean the list of contenders has to stop with her. Who will move into position to perhaps challenge the winner of that eventual championship match?

The Pretty Badass, Kelly Klein, joins commentary because she, too, wants to get herself a shot at Sumie Sakai’s title. Not to mention, Karen was the first woman to give Kelly a loss of any kind, while Jenny chipped Kelly’s tooth. What will she learn from watching Karen and Jenny from ringside?

Fans duel but Karen barely upholds the Code of Honor. The two circle and tie up, then go around and around. Jenny gets a waistlock but Karen gets a standing switch. They trade switches, then Jenny rolls Karen. TWO, but she gets around Karen again. They roll back, TWO. Karen kicks low then suplexes, but Jenny small packages, TWO! Jenny gets a headlock but Karen pulls hair. Karen powers out but they collide. Neither woman backs down, but Karen declares she’s the stronger. She runs and they collide again but neither woman falls. Jenny dares Karen to go again so she does, but Jenny uses that to follow through and clothesline Karen down! Cover, TWO, and Kelly isn’t impressed but she is amused by both women.

Jenny bumps Karen then goes corner to corner with her. Jenny runs corner to corner but misses the splash. Karen throws Jenny down by her hair! Karen rains rights then pulls hair to put Jenny in a corner. She stands up on the ropes to grind her boot into Jenny’s face! She backs off at the ref’s count of 4, then she brings Jenny out for a neckbreaker! Karen shouts her own name, to a mix of cheers and jeers. Cover, ONE, and Karen is annoyed. She still has control of Jenny while we go to break.

ROH returns and Karen has Jenny in a headlock. Jenny fights out, then runs, but into Karen’s clothesline. Karen brings Jenny up on the ropes to choke her. She backs off at 4, then puts Jenny in a corner. Karen whips Jenny corner to corner, then runs in for a big forearm smash. She goes sideways for the back elbow, then the other side for the boot! Kelly wonders about Jenny’s teeth. Karen throws Jenny with an overhead urenage, covers, TWO! She tries again, TWO. Karen argues with the ref in Mandarin, but fans rally up for Jenny. Jenny hits back with forearms, then blocks and counters Karen’s. Jenny ducks to chop and chop and chop. She whips and hits Karen with a sidewalk slam. Jenny keeps going, Perfect Plex! TWO, and now Jenny grows frustrated.

Jenny puts Karen in a corner for forearms, then rolls to run back in for another forearm. She rolls again, but runs into a thrust kick. Karen runs, but into a Spear! Cover, TWO!! Jenny was so close, and now Kelly distracts on the apron. Kelly tosses her mouth guard as a reminder of that tooth-chipping encounter, but Jenny doesn’t get what’s up with her. Karen capitalizes with a full nelson slam! Cover, Karen wins!

Winner: Karen Q, by pinfall

Give the Gatekeeper the assist, because Kelly goes after Jenny to add insult to injury! Or perhaps just injury. Karen doesn’t get it, and claims she didn’t need Kelly’s help to win. Karen leaves while Kelly keeps stomping Jenny while she’s down. Kelly gives Jenny the receipt for her dental. Fans boo and jeer but she just soaks it in. Will a chipped tooth be the least of things when these two fight face to face?

ROH takes a look at the ROH World Championship Ironman Match, Jay Lethal VS Jonathan Gresham!

Three weeks from now, episode 364, the 7 year anniversary of ROH TV, and we will have The Octopus and The Franchise go 1v1 for no less than 30 minutes. Gresham worked 13 long years to reach his “utopia.” Lethal has been the biggest obstacle in Gresham’s ROH career. February 9th, 2018, Honor Reigns Supreme, Lethal beat Gresham by submission. Lethal admits that that was his favorite match in ROH because it represented everything the company was built upon. Two wrestlers going hold for hold, skill for skill, to see who is better.

Gresham needs that one win that proves to everyone he is the best pure wrestler in the world. Lethal will be the first to admit he underestimated Gresham in that first encounter. Gresham has been a fan of Lethal’s for a long time, and knows him like the back of his hand. Lethal knows Gresham won’t forget that loss, because Lethal hasn’t forgotten either. Who will go the distance and pick up the most falls to then earn himself the title?

Alex Shelley is down backstage!

Chris Sabin calls for help, because Shelley got hit in the mouth. Backstage staff find them, and Sabin tells the camera man to cut away already. Was it Punishment Martinez who did this to Shelley? Is this only adding fuel to the fire for Martinez VS Sabin?

2018 Top Prospect Tournament, Opening Round: FR Josie VS Eli Isom!

St. John’s “Resident Body Guy” faces his Dojo Brother in this “Eli Isom Memorial” tournament. In other words, Josie figures once he’s won, Eli Isom will be no more in ROH. Will Eli surprise his buddy the same way he did everyone in that ROH Six-Man Tag Gauntlet?

The friends uphold the Code of Honor, the bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, and Isom gets a waistlock. Josie standing switches but Eli does it back. Josie bucks Eli off but Eli leaps right up to arm-drag Josie. They both go for arm-drags and cancel out. Josie swings but misses, and Eli swings Josie out to reel him in for an overhead suplex! Eli kips up and fans fire up. Eli runs in at Josie, but is put on the apron. He hits Josie back, then springboards. Josie gets under and boots Eli’s punches away. Josie boots Eli’s face, then runs in but is caught! Eli puts Josie on the top rope, but Josie kicks him away. Josie jumps but into a backbreaker from Eli! Cover, TWO! Eli slams the mat but here comes Jeff Cobb!? Jeff clobbers Eli and throws the match out!

No Contest

Jeff throws Eli with a belly2belly suplex! Then he rocks Josie with a right. He puts both men together, for double pumphandle suplexes!! Jeff Cobb is a REAL powerhouse, and “This is Awesome” that he’s in ROH! Will he be the most obvious Top Prospect of all time?

The Kingdom speaks.

They “congratulate” Cody & The Young Bucks on being back on the same page and getting an ROH World Six Man Tag title match. Oh whoop dee doo, this on-again off-again relationship is so annoying to Matt Taven. ROH can’t wait to roll onto their backs and let the Bullet Club scratch their bellies. Go ahead and get on whatever page that works, because The Kingdom will tear it out of the book and burn it to ash. “Because I’M Matt Taven, and this is The Kingdom!”

Marty Scurll VS Kenny King!

Two former World TV Champions want to be THE ROH World Champion, but it seems their paths have crossed. Who will overcome the other to climb the ladder up towards the top of the company?

ROH comes back from a break to the ring of the bell. Fans “Woop Woop!” for Scurll as he and Kenny circle. The two tie up and Scurll gets a waistlock. Kenny switches, but Scurll does to slam Kenny down. Scurll keeps on Kenny as he rolls, then Scurll floats all over Kenny before standing up and flapping his wings. Scurll takes a bow while fans applaud, then circles with Kenny again. They tie up, Scurll rolls back and gets a wristlock takeover. Scurll wrenches the arm, but Kenny fights out to get a headlock. Kenny gets the takedown, but Scurll hooks the nose. Scurll lets go at 4, then stands up. Scurll pries his way out and goes around and around Kenny for a wristlock.

Kenny reverses but Scurll rolls and spins back to the headlock and takeover. Kenny headscissors but Scurll pops out. Roles reverse as Kenny gets the takeover but Scurll the headscissors. Kenny pops out and kips up, and fans applaud. Scurll “applauds” but Kenny still bows. They tie up and Scurll gets Kenny in a corner. Kenny turns it around, and gives Scurll a chop! Kenny whips Scurll, but Scurll goes under. Scurll catches the hands to get a hammerlock, tucks Kenny to then hop and slide and spin and roll Kenny, TWO! Drop toehold, and fans applaud as Scurll has leg control.

Scurll has the surfboard and flaps his wings, before hooking Kenny’s face. Scurll stomps Kenny’s knees, then soaks in the applause. Kenny gets to ropes while “Woop Woop!” echoes out. Scurll gives Kenny another chop! He wrenches the arm and gets a hammerlock. Scurll hooks the nose again, but then Kenny spins and Japanese arm-drags! Kenny sweeps the legs! Kenny puts on a headlock but Scurll powers out, only to get run over. The K I N G does his dance but things speed up. Kenny again sweeps the legs!

Scurll bails out, he needs a time-out. Kenny pursues but Scurll chops him. Scurll chops again, then whips Kenny at the apron. Kenny spins and gives Scurll a forearm! Kenny puts Scurll back in, but Scurll has the umbrella! A kick stops that, but Kenny grabs the umbrella for his own. The referee stops that, but Scurll takes advantage with an arm wringer. Kenny rolls out, so Scurll runs to the apron for the SUPERKICK! The Villain has control while we take one last break.

ROH returns once more, to Scurll whipping but Kenny reversing. Kenny runs into Scurll’s back elbow, and Scurll adds a slap and a forearm! Kenny goes to a corner and Scurll runs in, but into Kenny’s back elbow. Scurll staggers but stops Kenny on the top rope with an uppercut. Scurll climbs up to join Kenny, for SUPERPLEX! Both men are down but fans fire up. Scurll crawls to a cover, TWO! Fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” as Scurll gets up. Scurll drags Kenny up but Kenny resists the German Suplex. Kenny runs but is rolled back, Chicken Wing! Kenny resists, keeping Scurll’s hands apart. They turn around, Kenny whips but Scurll reverses. Kenny goes up and over to sunset Scurll but Scurll sits on it! TWO!

Scurll argues while Kenny gets up, and walks into the rolling roundhouse! Both men are down and a 10 count begins. Kenny sits up as fans slowly rally up. Scurll follows and the two head for each other. Kenny jabs and jabs, then throws haymakers. Kenny gives Scurll a backbreaker to big lariat! Scurll springs back up but Kenny runs in. Scurll boots him away, but runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kenny stands and brings Scurll up. Fireman’s carry but Scurll rakes the eyes! Roll up, TWO, SUPERKICK! Scurll whips but Kenny goes up an dover again. Kenny sunset flips again but Scurll rolls through. Scurll kicks but Kenny sweeps the legs again to LAST CHANCERY! Kenny sends a message to Austin Aries while Scurll endures.

Scurll reaches for the ropes, and gets the ropebreak! Kenny lets go but he still has more. Fans rally up again, and Kenny prepares his Eddy Gordo stance. He gives the kick but Scurll blocks to rock him with a roaring elbow! Scurll runs, Kenny follows, but Scurll clotheslines him down! Scurll brings Kenny up, suplex but Kenny slips out. Kenny goes to sweep but Scurll sees it coming this time. Scurll jumps over it to mule kick Kenny! Then, GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!? Kenny survives and it shocks Scurll! Fans rally up again as Scurll and Kenny sit up.

They then stand, and Scurll gives a European Uppercut. Kenny answers with a forearm, so Scurll gives it back. They trade shots, but Kenny gets an edge. Kenny runs into a EuroUpper, but answers with Eddy Gordo! Scurll gets him with 52 Fake Out, and a stomp on the hand! And then Scurll grabs the fingers, but Kenny lifts Scurll! Kenny swings but Scurll gets a DDT counter!! Cover, TWO!! Scurll calls for it, but then gets his umbrella. The referee stops him, so Kenny rolls Scurll. With ropes assisting!? Kenny wins!!

Winner: Kenny King, by pinfall

The K I N G out-Villains the Villain!? Why!? Did he really have to? Well no point arguing about it now, because Kenny did what he did and takes pride in it. Will this win-at-all-costs attitude help Kenny finally reach the world title scene?

My Thoughts:

A pretty solid episode of ROH here. Scorpio VS Sabin was pretty good, both guys have similar styles. Sabin wins to stay strong going towards his World TV Championship match, but the stronger part of this segment was Shelley’s heartfelt retirement/not-retirement speech. Shelley has a point, pro-wrestlers never quite retire from the business. And I’m happy Shelley is letting Sabin do this without being upset or anything, the MCMG needs to be one of those teams that would never break up, just disband. But then Martinez earns major Heel heat for ruining the moment. I wonder if this will help escalate things to a No DQ for Martinez VS Sabin already, because while Martinez is the kind of Heel who might use Champion’s Advantage, it’d help Sabin get an equalizer to bring the monster down to his size.

The WOH Division action was good tonight, too, Jenny and Karen are getting a bit better. The story with Kelly Klein is also pretty good, and I’m pretty sure already Kelly comes out on top over Jenny. Whether Sumie retains or Madison wins the WOH Championship, Kelly is the Heel to step up to the Face that comes out the winner. There was some confusion with the Top Prospect Tournament being so late in the year, and FR Josie is the epitome of what a jobber is. He calls himself a body guy when he looks like skinny Jack Black and then is both somehow clever and stupid, because he “had to check his hand” to finish his promo. But hey, we get JEFF FRIGGIN COBB NOW! He should just be Mr. Top Prospect 2018 already, with him decimating half the bracket next week at the same time.

That 30-Minute Ironman Match is going to be great. I would be so surprised and happy for Gresham if he won the belt this way. I used to want him to revive the ROH Pure Championship, but him showing that a more pure wrestling style can still get it done today would be amazing. At the very least, Lethal VS Gresham needs to be close as can be, but with very few falls, to really give us something to get into. Then tonight’s main event, I’m curious as to where Kenny King goes with this new willingness to cheat to win. He was hitting his stride as a Face to me, but perhaps a Tweener edge is what he needs to make that last leap to the world title scene.

My Score: 8/10

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

Related Topics:Ring of Honor Wrestling ROH

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 4.18.2024

Motor City Machine Guns either go out on their backs, or head to Rebellion as champs! Lets see how they finish their current run in TNA!

Published

4 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

No burying the lead here! The Main Event is The System versus Motor City Machine Guns, and it’s the Go Home episode before Rebellion! So we’re guaranteed a damn good tag match, and we should get either new wrinkles, or ways to keep the storylines cooking going into the Pay-per-View.

With all the rumors and innuendo about the Guns being on their way out, I think we all assume that MCMG is losing, but my inner fanboy is still excited.

Part Three: Acceptance @TheJonGresham #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/NE9FPzCCz2

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone: Hammerstone wins via Torture Rack – SQUASH
LSG vs Joe Hendry: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – SQUASH
Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno: Ali wins via 450 Splash – ** 3/4
Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Rosemary wins via Spear – ***
Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards: System wins via Roster Cut + Knee Party – *** 1/4

Results:

So we kick off the match with Josh coming out to commentary again to watch Hammerstone’s match. They really need a new way to try and keep heat without reusing the same tired gimmick of “ring side seat” to a Squash match.

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

Guido tries to shoot the half, but Hammerstone shrugs him off, lifts him like a child and runs him into a corner, few short shots and then just tosses him across the ring. Hammer gets a little distracted talking smack to Josh and eats a foot, but then tosses Guido with the ole Sack of Shit move and keeps working over Guido.

Hammer shoves Clayton, and provokes him to push him back right in front of the referee. She ejects them, Guido tries to take advantage but when he goes for the pinfall Hammer kicks out immediately and presses Guido out of thing through the ropes. Continues to dog walk Guido, puts the head gear on the ECW Original and then Torture Racks him while staring directly at Josh, and of course picks up the submission victory.

.@XiaBrookside and @Ashamae_Sebera face off NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! pic.twitter.com/Q0S3wSRpeu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

Hendry cuts a little promo, mentioning the Fat Uncle Phil joke…something about shopping at the TOP Dollar Store. Solid mic work.

LSG is a damn good local talent, he’s been seen in ROH and AEW in the past (perhaps others, but that’s what comes to mind immediately for me), but we all know this is an enhancement match. A few nice chain wrestling spots early, but Hendry uses his power to stop the smaller wrestler, Sack of Shit into Standing Ovation and the match is over quickly.

Mustafa Ali & GYV vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhyno

Well okay, having Deaner ask the crowd if they wanted a 3v2 or their third member…RHYNO…is pretty much a no brainer in Philly. But at least the gimmick isn’t quite as cringe as I expected.

Jake starts with Zack Gibson and throws him around. Jake goes for the tag and Deaner asks the crowd who Jake should tag, and the crowd picks Rhyno. Rhyno Whips Gibson into a corner, Drake actually softens the impact, allowing Gibson to fire back, tag out, but Rhyno levels both GYV members and then even knocks Ali off the apron. Rhyno tries to call to the crowd to tag in Deaner and that goes over like a fart in church. He tags him in anyway, and the crowd is kinda dead and doing whatever it wants after the obvious ECW chants when Rhyno tagged in.

GYV take a couple lumps but they of course start to work over Deaner and capture some momentum. Solid tandem work from GYV, they cut off Deaner from making a tag and goad Jake a little to cause the ref to block off the babyfaces so the heels can take a few shortcuts. Cody eventually makes the tag to Rhyno, hot tag, he tries to set up the Gore but the GYV manage to stop him in his tracks and hit an Enzuigiri to daze the Man Beast, he falls to his corner and Jake tags himself in. Jake literally runs them all over, tags in Cody and Launches him from the Top Rope into Zack Gibson. Ali makes the save and Jake tries to get his hands on Ali, but the GYV keep throwing themselves at him, literally. The triple team finally gets the best of Jake, they hit 3 Dives and then post Jake, so they gather around Cody like hyenas.

They forgot about Rhyno, he’s set up for a Gore, he Gores Drake, Gibson and Ali take out Rhyno, but then Cody starts to fight back. Ali stops Deaner’s offense with an Avalanche Sunset Bomb, then hits his 450 Splash. Jake barely misses being able to break up the pin.

.@TheEricYoung channels "The Sickness" as he prepares for FULL METAL MAYHEM with @FrankieKazarian at #Rebellion! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tm1TqxZBLo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody tries to start quickly with Shoulder Tackles, Lariats and Scoop Slams, and it does seem somewhat effective. Rosemary is having trouble finding offense against the intensity, but she keeps kicking out. Shotgun Dropkick finally gives Rosemary an opening, she goes into full mount and rains down strikes. Rosemary shoves Jody into a corner and Bites her in the corner. Jody tries to fight out, they go across and Rosemary catches her with the legs and puts her in the Upside Down. Splash in the corner from Rosemary, Exploder Suplex and Jody is eating a lot of offense.

Rosemary looks like she’s caught after she gets tripped up into the ropes and Jody goes for her Rope Knee into the German, but Rosemary dodges. Rosemary hits her own suplex and pulls out a beautiful Last Chancery! I haven’t seen her do that in a long time. Jody manages to fight to the ropes, Rosemary is a little slow to capitalize and eats a Pump Kick. Rosemary goes flying into the ropes, Jody hits the Double Knees into the German this time for 2, and they trade a few haymakers after that. Jody folds Rosemary with a low Lariat, Zombie rise spot a few times, Jody goes for a pinfall and Rosemary kicks out.

Havok jumps up on the apron, Dani meets her and they decide to step down, but the distraction was enough. Jody turns around and eats a Spear. Rosemary wins!

Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alisha Edwards

Eddie and Shelley start off, and its a very simple slow start. Mostly an early stalemate, the typical Japanese style the TNA seem to love to employ. Starters tag out, but then Shelley with the blind tag, Sabin Baseball Slides out, picks Eddie’s ankle and sends his face bouncing off the apron, while Shelley sneaks up being Myers and they hit a tandem move before we cut to commercial. Off of the commercial it looks like Eddie and Myers regained control. But a nice Jawbreaker from Shelley sends Eddie falling back into the MCMG corner. Dragon Screws to both legs from Sabin and Shelley, and we get the Dragon Screw dissection spot for the Guns.

Myers gets sick of things, tries to get involved, but Simultaneous Figure Fours from the MCMG makes The System look silly. Alisha does the classic “push the rope forward” gimmick to assist Eddie in breaking the hold. She keeps chirping at Shelley until she finally grabs his foot. Shelley doesn’t take kindly, tries to grab her by the hair but she gets away, Shelley eats a strike and falls back to the ropes so Lish can just throttle him with the rope, Sabin walks over and acts like he’s going to PK her and the look of disgust on her face is hilarious, like “how dare he threaten to kick her”. Would I be mad is Masha decides to team with Lish and they win the Knockouts Tag titles? No, because the Knockouts Tags are trash. But I still prefer Lish as valet/manager.

Shelley starts fighting back after another commercial break, Eddie tries to cut him off, but Sabin clocks Eddie and Shelley manages to make the tag and Sabin comes in. Lights up both System members, Kick off Tornado DDT, into a Running Gamengiri. Eddie tries to counter but Shelley assists, tandem strikes, Double Baseball Slide into the classic MCMG spot 5 Hole Dive! Keeping up with the classics Shelley stacks the System members on each other and hit the Missile Dropkick/Flatliner spot. As the Guns are rolling, Sabin accidentally catches Sabin with his foot and The System take control! They hit their pieces of the System Overload spot, but Sabin kicks out. Roster Cut attempt from Myers, but Shelley is back. High Speed Dirt, Machine Gun Sandwich, but Lish grabs Shelley’s foot when they’re setting up Skull and Bones. Shelley gets dropped on the turnbuckle and thrown out, Sabin eats the Roster Cut followed up with Boston Knee Party and System retains!

Its a little weird to have had the two commercial cuts and the fact there’s still Nic Nemeth to follow. So it feels a little flat, I hope this wasn’t their swan song match, because it was nice to see some classic spots, but it was entirely too abbreviated.

Nemeth comes out, goes into the crowd and finds a kid with a kendo stick and borrows a beer from someone, so he does a bit of a Sandman tribute. Moose cuts off his promo basically immediately. He throws out the “can’t beat the system” line again, and Nic rolls with the punches well. Moose uses a few cute analogies about Nic having a failure laden past, but Nemeth bites back and its really damn good. He says he can see it in Moose’s eyes that he thinks he’s getting in the ring with Dolph Ziggler, but no, there is no more old Dolph Ziggler, just the new Nic Nemeth. And Moose’s cool seems to be slightly shaken after those words. Good promo.

Overall Score: 6.5/10

So this was okay, if it didn’t end as strongly as it did, I would’ve rated this much lower. Two squash matches in the beginning, reusing the Josh comes out to the announce table to watch trope is boring, hell even Clayton’s shove to Hammerstone was super lame looking. The Deaner match was luke warm at best, but things picked up around the Rosemary match.

Lets also not overlook the segments with ASH & Xia, Jonathan Gresham’s whole deal and EY having to return to the violence/sickness/world class maniac, whatever you want to call it, were all great building blocks. This definitely wasn’t what I would call a strong Go Home, but it didn’t hurt things for Rebellion. The whole injury of Cardona was addressed, which honestly sounded weird since Jordynne basically said she was expecting them to have a backup plan so she has a backup plan. I don’t really like how that video package came across.

But who knows, all I know is, this wasn’t an awful episode, it just wasn’t really strong either. Here’s to hoping Rebellion Saturday is still strong.

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

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/18/24)

Time to Man Up!

Published

8 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the Ivy League MVP earn a title shot?

The NEW ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe, is here to step onto the Proving Ground with one of Maria Kanellis’ baby boys, Griff Garrison! Will Griff make Maria proud? Or will he reach for the sky?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo; Keith wins.
Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, Savion Truitt & Damian Chambers; Archer & The Righteous win.
Lee Johnson VS JD Drake; Lee wins.
Abadon VS Allysin Kay; Abadon wins.
The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson; The Infantry wins.
Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora; Kiera, Leyla & Adora win.
The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto; Mortos wins.
Lady Frost VS Marti Belle; Frost wins.
The Dark Order VS Zak Patterson & Frank Milano; The Dark Order wins.
ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis; Mark wins and denies Griff a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“Now House of Black, I’ve been doing this dance with y’all a little while now, and I’m starting to understand how y’all operate. Starting to understand y’all’s M-O. You try to intimidate me. You try to strike fear into the hearts of men. Well I done told you, I fear no man, I fear no evil. And ancient wisdom says the violent take it by force. Now lemme tell you, Eddie Kingston, Adam Copeland, and Mark Briscoe, we some violent men! And at Dynasty, we bringing the violence, babeh! So heed my advice, House of Black! Be afraid, be very afraid!” The Sussex County Chicken is ready for a fight, will he, the Rated R Superstar and Mad King tear down The House of Black once and for all?

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo!

The Bounty Hunter is still looking for a prize, but he’ll gladly fight to earn his shot. Will Keith be heading for a golden opportunity on the other side of Dynasty? Or will Solo shoot first?

The Code of Honor is upheld with sarcastic enthusiasm by Solo, and Keith shoves him away. The bell rings and Solo SLAPS Keith! Keith TACKLES Solo and rains down fists! The fans fire up, Solo gets away then knees Keith low. Solo ROCKS Keith, whips him to a corner, but Keith comes back to run Solo over! Keith scoops to SLAM Solo, then stands on Solo’s face! The fans fire up for the KNEE DROP! Keith then SLAPS Solo! The fans rally for “BK! BK!” Solo storms up but Keith kicks low. Keith reels Solo in, suplexes, and he holds Solo up! Keith marches around, then SLAMS Solo down! Solo bails out and the fans fire up as Keith aims.

Keith builds speed, slides, but Solo ducks! Solo sends Keith into steel steps! The fans boo as Solo leaves Keith behind. The ring count starts, fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” Solo counts along but wants it to go faster. Keith stands at 8 of 20, slides in, but Solo stomps and HAMMERS away! The fans boo more, but Solo stands Keith up to bump him off buckles. Keith CHOPS in return! Then CHOPS again! The fans “WOO~,” then Keith ROCKS Solo with a forearm. Keith CHOPS in the corner, but then Solo dodges. Solo tries but Keith dodges the chop to CHOP Solo down! The fans fire up while Solo is stinging.

Keith whips Solo, Solo reverses and CLOBBERS Keith! Cover, TWO! Keith grits his teeth but Solo knees him in the back! And again! The fans rally, Solo taunts them, and then ELBOWS Keith in the head. Solo stalks Keith to a corner, digs his boots in, but again the fans chant “SOLO SUCKS!” Solo stomps away on Keith, digs his boots in again, but Keith fights up! The fans fire up as Keith fires forearms! Keith fires forearms again and again and again, winds up, but Solo dodges! Solo comes back, but Keith ROCKS him after all! The fans fire up as Keith runs in to BOOT! Solo sputters, Keith runs, but then Solo SUPERKICKS! Keith just roars!

Solo swings, but into a T-BONE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Keith keeps calm. Keith waits on Solo as fans rally behind him. Solo staggers into a fireman’s carry, but he fights free! Solo shoves, goes to a corner, but then Keith comes back. Solo ELBOWS Keith, whips, but Keith reverses! Solo goes up but gets caught, for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Keith slashes his throat and aims his finger gun! Keith underhooks, but Solo fights the lift! Solo back drops, Keith sunset flips but Solo stays up to DOUBLE STOMP! Solo then runs up, catches Keith and hits a T-BONE! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up but Solo hurries to a corner. Solo climbs fast, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives that coup de grace and Solo isn’t sure what to do. Solo kicks Keith around, drags him up and reels him in to underhook. Keith fight that lift, Solo CLUBS away on him, but Keith Alabama Lifts! Solo grabs ropes so Keith lets him down, and ENZIGIRIS! But Solo SCREW HIGH KICKS! Solo goes up top, but Keith RISING HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up with Keith and he climbs! Keith reels Solo in, for DIAMOND DUST!! Cover, Keith wins!

Winner: Bryan Keith, by pinfall

A big win for BK! And he gives back that sarcastic handshake. Will the Bounty Hunter be hot on the trail of a championship after AEW & ROH pass through the Gateway City?

Mark Sterling speaks.

“If you ask AI to create the perfect professional wrestler, it wouldn’t even come close to you. If wrestling is a body business, then you’re a multinational corporation. Biology defying symmetry, no fat, all muscle, no waste. As functional as you are aesthetic. High-flying? You got it. Ground ‘n’ pound? You got that, too. Striking, brawling, submission, technical, there is not a single style you have not perfected. For the last 20 years, you’ve been one of the most consistent and proficient wrestling specimens for any company that’s been willing to throw money at you and begged you to stay. And now, it’s time for them to beg for mercy.

“You are Tony Nese, and you are a Premier Athlete.”

Now Mark Sterling & The Premier Athletes are here in person.

They stand backstage, Sterling’s guys in matching tracksuits, and he says the last time he looked into the camera, he told everyone he had a plan. The very next day, they enacted that plan. Sterling took them off the road, they entered a professional fight camp. They got the best coaches, best trainers, best doctors, and these three started to do what they do best: go to work. Supercard of Honor, against two former ROH TV Champions, PA got an impressive victory. Fruits of their labor. Ariya Daivari is back better than ever. Josh Woods is bigger and better than he was when he won the National Championship. And Tony Nese is in the best shape of his life, which is saying something.

In fact, what’re we even talking about? These three are the most underappreciated athletes in the company. They walk like stars, they move like stars, they present themselves like stars, and by the end of this year, they will be champions. Supercard was just phase one of this plan. Phase two… starts tonight. Then just what happens when the Premier Athletes start making moves?

Lee Johnson VS JD Drake!

Even though he lost at Supercard, Big Shotty stays positive! He got close to the ROH World Television Championship, will he get back there for another shot? Or will Scrap Metal be another speedbump in Lee’s momentum?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, JD HIP TOSSES, and Lee scrambles to ropes. JD flexes and fans cheer, which surprises JD. Lee gets up, he and JD reset. They tie up, JD arm-drags, but Lee gets up. Lee keeps calm while JD talks some smack. They circle, tie up again, and JD scoops! JD carries Lee around, with one arm! Then SLAM! JD dusts off his hands and the fans fire up more. Lee is a bit frustrated, but he fires himself up. The fans rally with him, he and JD circle to tie up. Lee goes to hip toss, but JD blocks! JD tells Lee he knows that’s not gonna work!

JD goes to hip toss but now Lee blocks! Lee arm-drags, then he goes to feint, but JD blocks with a headlock. Lee shoves JD, tries another arm-drag, but JD blocks that. JD whips Lee, Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges and arm-drags again! The fans fire up as Lee tries to scoop, but JD’s too hefty! JD SLAPS Lee, ROCKS him, then whips him to ropes. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges again, shoves JD and hurdles! Lee drops, then DROPKICKS! JD staggers to a corner, Lee fires up, and the fans fire up with him! Lee runs up on JD in a corner to CHOP! JD barely flinches! JD puts his arms back and dares Lee to try again. Lee CHOPS, but JD puts Lee in the corner!

JD swings, Lee dodges and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lee whips, JD reverses but Lee ELBOWS back! Lee runs up but into a lift, and FLAPJACK off buckles! Lee falls, the fans rally up, and JD dusts himself off. JD storms back up on Lee, brings him up, and the fans rally. JD ROCKS Lee, stands him up in the corner, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” while Lee sputters. The fans want that “One More Time!” so JD stands Lee up. JD winds up, to JAB! The fans boo JD trolling them, but JD stands Lee up to CHOP him after all! Lee is stinging, but JD brings him up. Lee throws body shots but JD ROCKS Lee!

JD whips, Lee sunset flips! JD stays up, but Lee avoids the hip drop! Ghost pin, TWO! JD gets up, kicks low and whips, to SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lee stays in this and the fans rally up. JD sits Lee up, KICKS him in the back, then paces around. The fans rally for Lee but JD pie faces him around. Lee rises, JD brings him up and Lee CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! JD throat chops! The ref reprimands, JD claims he jabbed to the chest. JD then scoops and SLAMS Lee, to then FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Lee is still in this but JD CHOKES him! The ref counts, JD lets off, claiming he was just checking the pulse.

JD clamps on a chinlock, digging his knee into Lee’s back. Lee endures, the fans rally up, and Lee fights to his feet. Lee throws body shots, but JD knees low! JD suplexes but Lee slips free! Lee ROCKS JD, ROCKS him again, but JD CHOPS! JD runs, but Lee SUPERKICKS! JD flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Lee builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up even more! Lee puts JD in, climbs a corner, and JD stands. JD staggers around, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but then bails back out. Lee thinks on what he has to do and the fans rally up.

Lee runs, to slide, but JD gets under! JD pops Lee up to CLOBBER him! JD puts Lee in, aims from a corner, and Lee goes to the opposite end. JD runs up, but Lee moves, CANNONBALL hits buckles! Lee hurries up while JD is down! The fans cheer as Lee aims, FROG SPLASH, but JD moves! Lee rolls through, runs back at JD but JD puts him on the apron. JD ROCKS Lee, goes up, and he brings Lee around. The fans fire up as JD brings Lee up, but Lee fires body shots! Lee GAMANGIRIS, then climbs! Lee sunset flips for the POWERBOMB! The fans fire up and Lee climbs back up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Lee wins!

Winner: Lee Johnson, by pinfall

Big Shotty’s got range, and he hit the mark! Will Lee take this momentum and turn it into another chance at a championship?

Abadon VS Allysin Kay!

Speaking of second chances, The Living Dead Girl got screwed out of the ROH Women’s World Television Championship when Mercedes Martinez & Diamante conspired against her. And while AK Don’t Play, she knows the OG Badass well. Can Abadon prepare for revenge by taking down Martinez’s greatest rival?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but Abadon holds on, to BITE Allysin’s arm! Abadon then laughs, dodges Allysin to HEADBUTT low, HELL STAB, then mule kick! Abadon runs to SHOTGUN BOOT! Allysin goes to a corner while the fans rally up and Abadon shrieks! But Allysin BOOTS Abadon down! Allysin rains down fists, covers, ONE!! Abadon sits up but Allysin brings her around to fireman’s carry. SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Allysin drags Abadon up to TOSS her to a corner! Allysin fires body shots, then she CHOPS! Allysin whips corner to corner hard and Abadon bounces off buckles!

Allysin takes a bow, puts pinkies up, and SPLASHES in the corner! Allysin CHOPS, whips, and runs up again, but Abadon BOOTS her! Abadon runs to BULLDOG! The fans rally as Abadon slithers out to the apron then climbs up the corner. Allysin crawls, Abadon aims, CROSSBODY! Abadon runs to KNEE Allysin back down! Abadon storms up on Allysin, reels her in, BLACK DAHLIA! Cover, Abadon wins!

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

Abadon smiles, then shrieks into the night! Will Mercedes Martinez make sure to stay far, far away from the frightening Living Dead Girl?

Backstage interview with Taya Valkyrie.

Lexi Nair is with La Wera Loca and brings up her trios match alongside Diamante and Leila Grey. But this is also the first time we’ve seen her since Supercard, where Johnny TV lost to Dalton Castle. The question is: where is Johnny? Uh, recovering from that vicious attack by Dalton Castle and his “special boy,” Paul Walter-Whatever! Taya is gonna call up Fran Dreischer to file a complaint! For someone so TV Ready, Castle and Paul sure don’t look it. So yes, Johnny is rehabbing. Wait he’s in rehab? Ew, no, who do you think they are? Johnny is rehabbing the abs! This is an aesthetics business so he has to look amazing!

So tonight, Taya will carry the weight of the TV Family in trios action. So run along, Lexi, Taya has things to do. Uh, this is Lexi’s interview space. Oh, well, her apologies. Taya bumps Lexi on the way out, but will Taya’s team win some major points in the title chase tonight?

The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson!

Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo may not be the ROH World Tag Team Championships, but they are not deterred. Will they get through the jacked ‘n’ juicy juggernauts to go after The Undisputed Kingdom once again?

The teams sort out, #BadNewsAndTattoos starts against Beefcake Boulder, and they keep the Code of Honor. They tie up, Bravo tries but can’t push Boulder back, but Boulder pushes Bravo back! Bravo resets with Boulder, beefs up, and they tie up. Bravo wrenches to wristlock, but Boulder WRINGS Bravo out! Boulder talks smack on Dean and Bravo, but Bravo pie faces. Boulder scoops Bravo, but Bravo slips free to DROPKICK! Boulder stays up, runs up, but Dean is there to GAMANGIRI! Bravo tags Dean while Boulder throws a fit, but DOUBLE DROPKICKS send him reeling! Bulk Bronson tags but runs into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS!

The fans fire up as the Infantry crisscross and SPLIT the wishbone! Bravo gets fans going with “OORAH!” Dean runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Bronson bails out, Boulder is there to help him, and Dean builds speed, only for Jacked Jameson to stand in the way! He wants Dean to sip the Savage Sauce! Dean says no thanks, but in comes Bronson! EXPLODER! Bravo protests but Bronson drags Dean to a cover. The ref is busy arguing, he finally sees the pin, TWO! Bronson is annoyed, but he mocks Bravo’s air machine gun. Bravo then tags Boulder before he brings Dean up. The fans rally but the Savages still hit a SHOULDER TACKLE SUPLEX COMBO!

Bronson flexes, Boulder taunts Bravo, and then Boulder whips Dean to the corner. Boulder wraps Dean’s arms around ropes to HEADBUTT again and again and again! Tag to Bronson, he brings Dean around, and they visit #TIDDYCITY! But Dean reverses, it’s Bronson who dives in! Boulder panics, runs up, but Dean DUMPS him! Bronson swings, misses, hot tag to Bravo! Bravo rallies on Bronson with big forearms! Bravo whips, Bronson reverses, but the CARLIE CROSSOVER takes Bronson down! Boulder gets up, Bravo fakes him out to SCISSOR KICK! Bravo then kicks Bronson, and manages a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally, Bravo pounds the mat, but now Jameson wants Bravo to sip! Bravo says no, get outta here! Bronson runs up again, Bravo dodges, and Bronson barely avoids hitting Jameson! Bravo aims, Bronson dodges, the SUPERKICK hits Jameson! Jameson spews sauce! Boulder catches Jameson, Dean goes up, and Dean CROSSBODIES to wipe them both out! But Bronson rolls Bravo up! TWO, and Bronson grabs Bravo, only for Bravo to kick low! Bravo reels Bronson in, tags Dean, and TORNADO- NO, Bronson stops the DDT! Dean gets in, Bronson scoops, but Dean slips free! Feed to a SUPERKICK!

The Infantry coordinate, for BOOT CAMP! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

Dean & Bravo redeem themselves from Supercard and are ready to get back on track! But wait, The Premier Athletes make their way out here! Is this what Smart Mark was talking about for phase two? Daivari & Nese rush the ring and start throwing hands with The Infantry! Woods tips the scales as he DECKS Dean, then DECKS Bravo! But wait! Here comes Dalton Castle! The Peacock won’t stand for there to be bullies, and he takes off his sandals to weaponize them! The Premier Athletes dare him to, but wait! Here comes Mark Briscoe, Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson! They run The Premier Athletes off!

Sterling shouts, “Who do you think you are?!” but he’s shouting at THE ROH World Champion and many other big names around here! Will The Peacock, the Chicken and the rest of ROH humble Sterling’s stable once and for all?

Six Woman Tag: Diamante, Leila Grey & Taya Valkyrie VS Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora!

The Cuban Diamond has staked her claim at challenging for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship, but so has The Hottest Flame. But let’s not forget The Last Baddie Standing, La Wera Loca, the LEGIT One and The AfroPunk! Billie Starkz still sees herself above all six of these women, but which trio takes the lead in the title chase with a win tonight?

The teams sort out, Taya starts against Kiera and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Kiera gets around to waistlock. Taya pries the hold, backs Kiera into a corner and throws elbows! Taya stomps away on Kiera, then says who’s the hottest now? Taya snapmares, covers, ONE!! Taya drags Kiera up, whips her to ropes, but Kiera holds ropes to BOOT back! Taya runs up again but Kiera drop toeholds her onto ropes! HIP ATTACK! Taya flounders, Kiera runs to step-up and LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Kiera keeps cool as she brings Taya up, but Taya ROCKS Kiera then throws her by her hair!

Taya tags Diamante, they stomp Kiera, then Diamante sucker punches Leyla! Diamante runs in to DROPKICK Kiera, then drags her to a high stack cover, ONE!! Kiera is tougher than that but Diamante says it’s just a matter of time. Diamante runs, PLANKING SPLASH flops as Kiera moves! Hot tag to Leyla! Leyla gut wrenches Diamante to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Tag to Adora, then Leyla wrenches so she can hand it off to Adora. Adora WRINGS Diamante’s arm, drags her up and wrenches again, but Diamante ROCKS her! Adora swings, Diamante dodges to tilt-o-whirl and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Diamante snarls and pushes Adora down to rain down fists!

Diamante storms around, brings Adora up and CHOPS her on the back! Tag to Grey and she NECK SNAPPERS Adora! Cover, TWO! Adora is tougher than that but Grey rains down fists! Grey drags Adora up, bumps her off buckles, then tags Taya. Taya and Grey dig their boots in, then Taya stomps a mudhole. Taya sits Adora down to METEORA! Tag to Diamante and she stomps a mudhole! The ref reprimands but Diamante tags Taya back in. Taya steps over Adora and mockingly has Adora reach out to her corner. The ref has to keep Hirsch back so Grey gets shots in, then Taya drags Adora up.

Taya again mockingly holds out Adora’s hand but the fans rally up. Adora fights up, but Taya pulls her into the motorcycle stretch! Adora endures the knee in her back, fights up to her feet, and then arm-drags Taya away! Taya gets up, ducks ‘n’ dodges and mule kicks! But Adora ducks the buzzsaw to BASEMENT GERMAN! The fans fire up while both women are down! Adora and Taya crawl, hot tags to Kiera and Diamante! Kiera rallies on Diamante with big forearms, then a SUPERKICK! Turn and NECKBREAKER! Kiera goes up a corner while Diamante flounders around. Diamante stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK!

Diamante flounders, Grey tags in but Kiera dodges to fire off forearms! Grey shoves back, but Kiera returns to SHOTGUN! Grey flounders, Kiera fires up, and says kiss this! HIP ATTACK in the corner! She sits Grey back down to run and BOOT WASH! Kiera drags Grey to a cover, Diamante breaks it! Diamante gets Grey outta there, and Taya tags in. Taya runs up to mule kick, KNEE LIFT and wrench Kiera, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Leyla also gets in, she pushes Taya around. Leyla drags Taya up but Diamante runs in. Leyla gets around to SAIDO! Taya gets Kiera up but Kiera SUPERKICKS!

Kiera brings Taya over, tags Adora, and they feed Taya to the BUBBA BOMB! Body scissor and GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!! Hot tag to Grey, she runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO! Grey is frustrated but she gets Adora up. Underhooks, but Adora breaks that to fireman’s carry! Adora storms over, tags Hirsch, but Grey slips free! Leyla dodges Leila and feeds her to Adora’s BOOT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Grey survives but Hirsch tags Kiera. Kiera runs, but Taya trips her up! Diamante distracts so the ref misses that! But then Leyla DIVES onto Taya! Diamante CANNONBALLS Leyla!

LARIAT TUBMAN from Adora to Diamante! Kiera dodges Grey to ROUNDHOUSE! And then “That’s all, PERIODT!” FACE THE MUSIC!! Bridging cover, Team Kiera wins!

Winners: Kiera Hogan, Leyla Hirsch & Trish Adora, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious in the end there, but the Hottest Flame burns it down! Will she be first up to strike a match with Billie Starkz?

Backstage interview with Maria Kanellis, Griff Garrison & Cole Karter.

Lexi is with the First Lady of Wrestling and her baby boys, the Diamond in the Rough wearing the stolen mask from Serpentico. Lexi congratulates them on their win over Spanish Announce Project at Supercard, but it seems there might be some unfinished business. Are they ever going to give Seprentico his masks back? Karter takes the mask off to say hell no! Griff says Serpentico’s masks mean a lot to him and his lucha libre culture. But uh, they don’t care! It got them the attention that they deserve, and those wins have been a stepping stone in this company.

If Serpentico wants his masks back, he doesn’t need to trick them into a match. They’re happy to beat the crap outta him anytime, anywhere! Maria loves the confidence, and says Griff will need it in his Proving Grounds match against THE ROH World Champion, Mark Briscoe. Griff is all fired up, will the Ivy League MVP pass the test with flying colors? Or will he fail to #ManUp?

The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto!

Black Taurus has evolved into something even more menacing than before, and he is looking to stampede all the way to the top of ROH! But Mr. Freak Beast has changed a lot about himself, too, in hopes of finding success. Whose transformation will prove to be for the better as these behemoths collide?

The Code of Honor is upheld reluctantly, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. The two tie up, go around, and Comoroto shoves Mortos down! Mortos gets up in a huff, gets in Comoroto’s face, but Comoroto pie faces him. So Mortos SLAPS Comoroto! Comoroto runs up, Mortos dodges, and they RAM shoulders! Mortos ducks ‘n’ dodges and jumps to RANA! Comoroto goes to a corner but Mortos runs in to UPPERCUT, CLOTHESLINE, and GAMANGIRI! Mortos wrenches and hits an ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Comoroto staggers, but he blocks the whip! Comoroto shoves Mortos, runs up, but Mortos dodges to then roll off Comoroto’s back!

Mortos tries to hip toss but Comoroto blocks! Comoroto LARIATS Mortos down then rains down fists! Fans are torn as Comoroto huffs ‘n’ puffs and stomps Mortos around. Comoroto digs his boot into Mortos’ face, lets off to soak up heat, then he drags Mortos up. Comoroto scoops to SLAM, then he runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Mortos pounds the mat in frustration. Comoroto slashes his throat, but Mortos throws body shots. Comoroto CLUBS Mortos, Alabama Lifts, but Mortos sunset flips! Comoroto stays up, hauls Mortos up, but Mortos JAWBREKAERS, KNEES and ROCKS Comoroto!

Mortos goes to suplex but Comoroto’s a big guy, too! Comoroto suplexes Mortos, but Mortos knees free! Mortos goes to a corner, Comoroto runs in but Mortos dropkicks the legs out! Comoroto hits buckles, then Mortos runs in, CORNER 619! Comoroto staggers away and Mortos climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Comoroto still has power to spare and he storms up on Mortos. Mortos UPPERCUTS first! Mortos goes to whip but Comoroto blocks again! Comoroto whips Mortos to a corner, runs up, but Mortos slips out to the apron! Comoroto hits buckles, Mortos goes up, and the fans rally! MORTOS TWISTER! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

Comoroto is big and bad but this is a beast of a different breed! Will nothing stop the modern day minotaur from making ROH his domain? Will Jacoby Watts’ teachings ever pay off for Comoroto?

Backstage interview with Nick Comoroto.

Lexi is with Mr. Freakbeast as he returns backstage, and she asks him what his strategy will be moving forward after this tough loss. Jacoby Watts walks in to say, “Turn the page. Start a new chapter. Nothing changes if nothing changes, Nick. It’s a harsh reality. But I am your answer. Your beacon of hope in the darkness. Follow me and I will lead you into the light! For I am Jacoby Watts, the one and only, praise be to he, and he is me.” Watts waxes poetic while making himself the focus, but will Comoroto accept his guidance?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground Match: Mark Briscoe VS Griff Garrison w/ Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis!

The Sussex County Chicken won this title after a war with Eddie Kingston at Supercard, and those two are still going to be friends taking on The House of Black this Sunday! But will Mark be able to focus on tonight with Dynasty on the horizon? Or is this where Maria’s baby boys start building their kingdom?

Mark shows off the belt and its new camouflage patterned leather! The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans cheer on Mark as he circles with Griff. They tie up, Griff headlocks, but Mark powers up and out. Griff sunset flips, but Mark rolls through to drop on the headlock! Griff moves around, fights up, and powers up, but Mark holds tight! Mark hits the takeover, Griff headscissors, but Mark kips free. Roles reverse as Griff headlocks for the takeover, and Mark headscissors. Griff kips free, but Mark shows Redneck Kung-Fu stance and Griff scrambles away! The fans cheer but Maria coaches Griff back up.

Griff cools off, he and Mark reset, and the two circle again. They knuckle lock but Griff kicks low. Griff UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS again, then whips corner to corner. Mark goes up and out, SWATS the haymaker to REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Then Mark gets in to BOOT Griff down! Griff is on ropes, Mark runs in to BOOT WASH him right outta the ring! The fans fire up as Mark builds speed, and he DIVES onto Griff! Not the cleanest landing but Mark borrows a hat to put it on! The fans fire up with Mark, he gives the hat back, then drags Griff up to DECK him! Mark drags Griff up again, to scoop and SLAM!

Griff sputters, Mark goes to the apron, and the fans fire up as Mark takes aim. But then Karter and Maria stand in the way! The fans boo, Mark sighs and steps inside, and Maria coaches Griff up. Griff flounders up, the fans rally behind Mark but then Karter and Maria each get on the apron! The ref is busy arguing with Maria but Karter distracts Mark. Griff sneaks in to CLOBBER Mark! Griff fires forearms while the fans boo, but then Griff stomps a mudhole into Mark. The ref counts as Griff digs his boots in, but Griff lets off at 4. But then that lets Karter CHOKE Mark behind the ref’s back!

The fans boo as Karter gets away with one, and Griff drags Mark up. Griff UPPERCUTS, but Mark CHOPS! Griff sputters, Mark CHOPS again! Griff knees low, whips Mark to a corner, but runs into an ELBOW! Mark runs up, into a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Griff clamps onto Mark with a chinlock and he grinds Mark down. The fans rally as Mark endures and fights up. Mark throws body shots, then fires up to CHOP! CHOP! And CHOP! Mark runs, but into the ROLLING ELBOW! Griff then torture racks for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Mark survives and Griff is frustrated but Maria coaches him up.

The fans continue to rally behind Mark as Griff aims again. Griff goes up but Mark REDNECK UPPERCUTS! Griff gets caught up in ropes, Mark lets him loose so he can fall to the floor. Karter hurries over, but Mark goes up to PLANCHA both baby boys! The fans are thunderous, and Mark cracks open a can of WOOOOO Energy! Mark chugs it, bangs the can against his head, then gets Griff in the ring. The fans fire up as Mark runs corner to corner, but Griff BOOTS him! Mark comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up, Mark reels Griff in, but Griff wrenches out, only for Mark to LARIAT! Mark hauls Griff up again for underhooks!

Mark lifts, for the JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (denies Griff Garrison a title opportunity)

Maria is upset but there’s nothing she can do, her baby boy wasn’t man enough to stop the NEW ROH World Champion! Will Mark continue to carry on his brother’s legacy and become one of the best champions in ROH history?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH for being 92 minutes. I still skipped some very clear filler, but Marti Belle got a good showing in her loss to Frost and The Dark Order got a good match out of Zak & Frank. Cruz, Damian & Savion got an okay showing but c’mon, they were against Archer & The Righteous, those guys have been running through everyone. It hasn’t really led them to anything yet, but maybe after we get undisputed AEW & ROH World Trios Champions after Dynasty, Archer & Righteous challenge the winners. And real good wins for Bryan Keith and Lee Johnson, each guy looking good towards midcard titles at some point.

Really good match from Infantry VS Savages, with the Savages being a bit more Heelish this time. Good win for Infantry, but I didn’t think The Premier Athletes would be going after them first. And I didn’t expect Faces like Keith, Lee and Briscoe to run out to get at them. Maybe the Premier Athletes can also position themselves to go after the trios titles after Dynasty. If The Acclaimed win, they’ll need Heel opponents. Archer & Righteous can play either side, but fans really like Archer so I kinda want him and Righteous to be Faces when facing Bang Bang Gang.

Good match and good win for Abadon over Allysin. Good win for Kiera, Leyla & Adora, though things got a little sloppy in the middle, Leyla’s timing wasn’t quite there. Athena & Billie are both Heels, so while Queen Aminata is in the mix, the champion she doesn’t choose still needs a good Face challenger so you can take your pick of the winners from tonight. Really good match from Mortos and Comoroto, and Mortos winning also helped serve Comoroto’s story with Watts. Watts keeps insisting he’s the answer, but this has to lead to Comoroto breaking free and beating Watts up for his arrogance.

Good promo from Maria, Griff & Karter, and they just kinda copy-pasted Mark Briscoe’s promo from Collision that same Saturday. Really good match for Griff against Mark but of course Mark wins. Mark getting involved with Premier Athletes, maybe Woods or Nese get a shot at Mark only to lose and be Mark’s solid first defense. Not sure who could be a more prolonged feud with Mark, but there are plenty of possibilities, and I’m just happy to see him showing up on ROH TV as the ROH World Champion should.