Ring of Honor Wrestling Television, Episode 373

The REAL ROH World Champion looks to shut up the would-be king, Matt Taven, in Six-Man action! Jay Lethal has The Octopus on his side, but who’s his third?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Shane Taylor VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
• The Bouncers VS Eli Isom & Cheeseburger w/ Ryan Nova; The Bouncers wins.
• Six-Man Tag: The Kingdom VS Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham & ???; Lethal, Gresham & Dalton Castle win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shane Taylor VS Jeff Cobb!

The Notorious Hitman has been on a path of dominance and destruction, but so has the newly arrived and newly minted ROH World Television Champion! Jeff Cobb became Mr. Top Prospect 2018 by busting up every match in the bracket, and then he dominated Punishment Martinez like no man has! Can Taylor get a win over the champ with his One Hitter Quitter? Or will he take a quick Tour of the Islands instead?

Fans are fired up already for Cobb, but Taylor isn’t impressed. Taylor spits on Cobb’s hand, there’s no Code of Honor here. The bell rings and Cobb ducks Taylor’s punch to collide shoulders. Taylor comes back to ram shoulders, but then so does Cobb. They’re like rams butting heads as they keep ramming shoulders. Neither man backsk down, and fans fire up! Taylor throws a big punch, but Cobb stays standing. Taylor whips but Cobb reverses and reels Taylor in for the swinging saido suplex! Fans applaud the impressive strength, but Taylor’s up talking trash. Cobb swings but ends up in Taylor’s Exploder! But Cobb is up even faster! Cobb lets his hair down, and says “I’m the Suplexer!”

Now they brawl with forearms back and forth, with fans on Cobb’s side. The two men pick up speed but Cobb gets an edge. Cobb ducks one but gets hit by the other hand! Taylor talks trash on Cobb while we go to break.

ROH returns as Taylor looms over Cobb. Taylor wants to see why “The Chosen” was chosen. He whips Cobb at a corner but Cobb comes right back with a running European Uppercut! Taylor is rocked to a corner, Cobb leaps in with another EuroUpper! Cobb walks into Taylor’s boot, Taylor hops up, but Cobb dropkicks Taylor! Cobb then brings Taylor off the top rope, for a standing suplex! And holds him for 5 before dropping him down! Cover, ONE! Moonsault from Cobb!! TWO! Fans fire up for Cobb more as Cobb waits for Taylor. Taylor stands, Cobb ducks his punch to throw palm strikes. Cobb’s next punch is blocked, as is his kick, and Taylor gives back a knee. Cobb is dazed, and Taylor gives him another knee!

Taylor looms over Cobb, but Cobb grits his teeth to get up. Taylor runs, and hits a DESTROYER!? Both men are defying the laws of nature! Taylor runs and clobbers Cobb with a clothesline! Cover, TWO!? Cobb survives and shocks Taylor! Fans know “This is Awesome!” as Cobb and Taylor stand again. Taylor brings Cobb up and says it’s time, but Cobb slips out of the 216. Cobb gets Taylor up for a German Suplex! Both men stand again, and Cobb clobbers Taylor this time! Cobb whips, and brings Taylor in for the Tour of the Islands! Cover, Cobb wins!

Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall

Taylor tested the TV Champion, but Cobb conquers the Hitman! Cobb continues to find ways to impress, but here comes another impressive star: Hangman Page! Bullet Club’s Problem Solver is taller, but Cobb is bigger. Security comes in to keep a fight from breaking out, but they just end up part of that fight! SUPERKICK from Hangman, and the stare down is back on. Cobb pushes Page aside to hold up his ROH WTV title. Is Hangman gunning for his first gold at Cobb’s expense? Also one security guard managed to stay in the ring, and fans want a “SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK!” Hangman leaves the security guard and Cobb alone, but Cobb SUPERKICKS the guard! And brings him on a Tour of the Island! Will #Cobbzilla be the one problem Hangman can’t solve?

Jay Lethal speaks.

“Kenny King, when you attacked me, you proved one thing: The ROH World Championship has put a target on my back.” But he’s not upset, he doesn’t blame King, he’ll just get even at Global Wars! Lethal will prove to King and the world that he’s the greatest.

As for tonight, Lethal has as score to settle with “Matt Taven and his cronies.” Lethal has Jonathan Gresham, “and a man you’ll be shocked to see.” These three vow to end The Kingdom, but who is that third man?

The Bouncers speak.

Brian Milonas says that big or small, they’ll fight anybody “who wants to belly up to the bar.” But Cheeseburger & Eli Isom, they’re gonna get punched right in the mouth. Tell ’em, Bruiser. Beer City Bruiser corrects Milonas, Eli’s last name should be “Is-om”, not “I-som”. Milonas corrects Bruiser and says he needs to get his head in the game. They need to win, and they will, to get back on track. Will the literally biggest team in ROH move closer to a World Tag Team Championship match?

But wait, where did Beer City Bruiser go?

Milonas can’t find him anywhere! Their match is coming up, what’s BCB doing? Will the One-Man Kegger turn up in time?

Marty Scurll speaks.

“For the past few months now, I’ve been stuck in this story of superhero versus supervillain.” Scurll and Shane Hurricane Helms have gone back and forth, and somehow Hurricane got that “fluke” of a win and now they’re all tied up. The tiebreaker is coming, Hero VS Villain #3. There will be no glory for Hurricane. This tiebreaker ended up no contest at Glory By Honor, so now, in their fourth go, there MUST be a winner, in a No Disqualifications match! Will this fourth time be the finale of this epic saga?

Milonas finds The Bruiser!

Of course it’s at the arena bar! Bruiser, it’s go-time! Because Bruiser is depressed over Silas Young ditching them. Silas keeps changing flights, he won’t return messages! Get over Silas, it’s time for The Bouncers to shine. And right now! Bruiser agrees, time to punch someone in the mouth! Bruiser grabs his keg, and they head out!

The Bouncers VS Eli Isom & Cheeseburger w/ Ryan Nova!

This match is like David VS Goliath in tag team form! Mastadon Milonas and BCB come in from the crowd, having just been at the bar, and they’re looking to take their frustrations out on their much smaller opponents. Can the Future of Honor and the Flame Grilled Cowboy take advantage of the Bruiser’s troubled mind? Or does size still matter more than heart?

It’s of note that Burger, Isom and Nova have now joined forces under the name “Shinobi Shadow Squad”, aka 3S, in tribute to the classic Three Ninjas. Right now it’s just two ninjas, with Nova supporting from ringside. Bruiser thinks it’s a joke as he starts against “Is-om”. Fans rally up as Bruiser and Isom circle. They tie up, and Bruiser shoves Isom back, but Isom rebounds to collide shoulders. And Isom doesn’t fall! That alone is impressive to Bruiser, so he dares Isom to try again. Isom runs and they collide, and Isom still stays up. Bruiser has Isom go again, and fans want to see it. Isom stomps Bruiser’s foot then rams shoulders. Bruiser only wobbles, so Isom kicks low and goes for a suplex. But Bruiser’s just too big.

Bruiser hits him back, and whips Isom to a corner. Isom dodges and dropkicks Bruiser! Forearm smash, tag to Burger! Burger runs in, for a big CHOP! Burger leaps on for a headlock, but Bruiser powers out. Bruiser runs Burger over! Bruiser drags Burger over and tags in Milonas. The Kingpin drags Burger up and tosses him to a corner. Milonas runs in but into boots! Burger hops up, and hits ax handles. Milonas stays up, so Burger runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Milonas blocks it! Burger slips to a sleeper hold! Milonas tags to Bruiser, and then brings Burger around, dropkick sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Bruiser brings Burger into the chinlock, then bites Burger with his few teeth! Bruiser then runs in to uppercut Burger. Tag to Milonas, and Milonas gives Burger a taste of his buns! Tag to Bruiser, and the Bouncers drag Burger up.

Burger fights back with palm strikes and chops, but gets a double gut punch! Bruiser whips Milonas in, but Burger dodges! Milonas hits post, and Burger crawls under Bruiser, then rolls, hot tag to Isom! Isom fires foraerms, ducks a punch to give a leaping knee! He runs in at Bruiser, but Bruiser tosses him to the apron. Isom hits Bruiser away, then climbs up as fans fire up. Isom leaps for a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Milonas returns and grabs Isom, but Isom throws more forearms and punches. Isom rolls and leaps, but into Milonas’ arms, for an overhead suplex! Isom rolls out but Burger comes to chop and chop and chop! Burger bobs ‘n’ weaves as he chops, but Bruiser has him. Burger fights out and chops away! Mule kick, but Burger runs into a boot and an uppercut.

Bruiser brings Burger up, but Isom stops Milonas on the top rope with a dropkick! Burger DDT’s Bruiser! Isom gets Bruiser up!? Suplex and double cover, TWO!! The ninjas coordinate, and Isom goes after Bruiser while Burger slingshots out. But Milonas catches Burger, to throw him into a post! Milonas helps Bruiser but gets an enziguri. Isom hops up, kicks Milonas away, but Bruiser uses Milonas as a weapon to trip Isom up. The Bouncers coordinate, Milonas climbing up to join Isom while Bruiser climbs another corner. Milonas gives Isom a SUPERPLEX! And Last Call frog splash from Bruiser! Cover, The Bouncers win!

Winners: The Bouncers, Beer City Bruiser pinning

BCB clears his head, and he crushes the shinobi shrimp! The ROH World Tag Team Championships are defended next week in a triple threat, will the winners of that match have to #BellyUptotheBar in the near future?

ROH returns to SoCal Uncensored in the ring.

Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky are in Philly, “the worst town I’ve ever been in!” But that aside, this is THE 2300 Arena, the ECW Arena, and this is “sacred ground.” Kaz sees banners for Terry Funk, Jerry Lynn, The Pitbulls, to name a few. It is Kaz’s honor to be here, so Philly, say these three letters with him. Not ECW, but “S C U!” Daniels says that was fun, but to borrow a page from Lance’s book, let’s be serious.

January 2018, Joe Coff told SCU their time was up. Final Battle is the end of SCU in ROH. Fans may dislike it now but that was the right move back then, because SCU gave ROH hell. However, things change, and now The Addiction realizes they were wrong. Now they are working to give ROH every reason to keep them around! And to Daniels, the best way to do that was to end “the reign of terror of The Briscoes.” The Addiction tried at Death Before Dishonor, but Mark Briscoe busted Kaz open and Jay tried to break Daniels’ neck. The reign of terror continues, and time is running out.

But good news, there’s a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. Next week, episode 374, The Briscoes defend the titles against The Addiction, and the Young Bucks! Now, does Philly know what that means? That two of the greatest tag teams in ROH are between SCU and their future. But God as Daniels’ witness, he promises The Addiction will win! They will change Coff’s mind, and 2019, “The Best Damn Thing about ROH will be SCU!” The Fallen Angel and Heavy Metal Rebel call their shots, can they cash in on this golden opportunity?

But as SCU makes their way out, The Briscoes attack! Mark SMACKS Kaz with a chair, then both he and Jay go after Daniels and Scorpio! Jay keeps Daniels at the stage as Mark throws Scorpio at a post. Then the Briscoes mug Daniels, before Jay brings Daniels up, for a Jay Driller on the stage!! “That’s it! You’re done!” Kaz gets that chair Mark used and runs #DemBoyz off, but the damage is done. Is there any chance now for SoCal Uncensored to come away with the titles? Or will the tag team reign of terror end SCU’s time in ROH?

Six-Man Tag: The Kingdom VS Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham & ???

Matt Taven, TK O’Ryan & Vinnie Marseglia have fought against a supposed conspiracy for the last year or so over the ROH World Six Man titles. There was some legitimacy to their claim when the Bullet Club’s American Nightmare & Young Bucks won those titles off them after barely getting them back, but now Taven has moved onto something bigger: claiming he is the one true World Heavyweight Champion! Jay Lethal, the real champion, obviously takes offense, but he needs help shutting Taven and his team up. The Franchise and the Octopus were dared to find a third man, and before the match, Lethal notes that he tried to get the mystery man to appear, and that man said now. But then when Gresham asked, that go this man to agree. Please welcome back… DALTON CASTLE!!

The Peacock is back in action! And yes, he’s brought The Boys with him! Castle has had his own history with the Kingdom, will he be the key to victory?

ROH returns as the teams sort out. Taven starts against Gresham and they slowly circle. Fans are fired up for Gresham, but some fans do like Taven. Gresham and Taven tie up, and Taven powers Gresham to the corner. He then backs off and shouts “IIIII’M MATT TAVEN! The REAL ROH World Champion.” That gets on Lethal’s nerves, but the ref holds him back from getting after Taven. Taven goes to The Kingdom’s corner for safety, and Gresham calms Lethal down. Taven tags to TK, and now the Sassy Wild Horse talks trash to the Octopus. TK bumps Gresham, Gresham shoves him back, and TK SPITS on Gresham! TK haymakers and whips, but Gresham comes back to get a takedown. Gresham works up some saliva, but TK narrowly avoids the phlegm bomb!

Gresham just shrugs and runs, but then fakes TK out. TK ends up falling on the spit! Gresham fakes TK out again with a dropkick feint, then kicks his shin, and gets him with a real dropkick! TK crawls to his corner, and tags to the Horror King. And Vinnie calls out the Peacock. Gresham points to his corner and fans want it, too. Castle climbs and tags in. Fans chant “Peacock! Peacock!” as Castle circles with Vinnie. Vinnie swings but misses, and Castle chops away. Castle whips Vinnie corner to corner for a big clothesline, but Vinnie powers out of the bulldog. Vinnie swings but misses again, and Castle strikes the pose! Fans missed that and love to see it again.

Vinnie swings but misses yet again, and gets more chops and haymakers. Vinnie staggers and Castle puts him in a corner for more. Castle keeps on Vinnie at the ropse for a CHOP, but Vinnie hits back. Vinnie whips but Castle reverses. Castle wants to hip toss, Vinnie reverses, but Castle reverses back to a takedown and armlock! Vinnie moves around and gets up but Castle has a waistlock. The Kingdom coach and Vinnie elbows out, but then misses yet another clotheseline, and Castle clotheslines him out! Castle builds speed, but to STRUT! The Kingdom is frustrated and annoyed, but Castle enjoys that. Taven tells Vinnie to pull back, and he tags in.

Taven and Castle renew their history, bringing up memories of the #KingdomConspiracy. They seem to recount these in their trash talk, but this is all a distraction for Vinnie and TK to go after Lethal and Gresham! And when Castle notices, Taven attacks! Things are chaotic on the outside, and Taven sends Castle into barriers! TK sends Gresham into the timekeeper’s table while Taven rains down right hands on Castle. Then Taven takes Castle all the way over and throws him into the front row! Taven says “Welcome back” as fans catch Castle. But then Lethal dispatches of Vinnie and goes after Taven himself! Gresham drop toeholds TK into a chair!

Lethal grabs a chair and sits it down, and then chops Taven to take a seat. Lethal gets some space and runs back in, but the referee says that’s not allowed! But then something drags the ref under the ring?! Taven waves the ref good-bye, and he brawls with Lethal! Lethal gets the edge and throws Taven into barriers, then goes into the ring. Fans fire up, Lethal DIVES and hits TK! Lethal keeps going, but Taven jabs him with the chair! And then SMACKS him on the back! Taven tells TK to get someone to count. The red balloons float up, the ref returns to count Taven’s cover, TWO!! Lethal survives and Taven seethes while we go to break.

ROH returns again, and Vinnie brings Lethal over. Taven tags in but fans rally up for Lethal as Taven clubs away. Lethal fights back and now they brawl back and forth. Lethal gets an edge, runs and sunset flips over Taven’s back drop. Taven rolls through, for Just the Tip of his knee! Why? “Because IIIII’M MATT TAVEN!” Taven covers, but Gresham breaks it. TK tags in as Taven holds Lethal down. TK drops an elbow, then taunts Lethal. “I thought you were the champ, Jay!” He stomps Lethal over and over, and Taven pours on his own trash talk. Lethal gives TK a cutter! Both men are down as fans rally up. TK goes after Castle while Taven hits Gresham. TK brings Lethal back over but Lethal fights out! Lethal hits each man of The Kingdom, hot tag to Gresham!

Gresham fires off on The Kingdom, but runs into TK’s tackle into the corner. Vinnie tags in but Gresham slips out and bumps TK into Vinnie. Roll up on TK, TWO but Gresham uses that to clothesline Vinnie. Gresham then gets Vinnie and TK in a double bulldog! Fans fire up but Taven tags in. Taven drags Gresham up but Gresham drops down, victory roll, ONE, tag to Castle! Castle rallies on Taven, the bad leg and back not bothering him at all! Castle scoops but Taven slips out. Taven ducks one clothesline but gets the other! Castle runs in corner to corner, big knee to sling-dog! Cover, but Vinnie breaks it! The Boys get the fans rallying and Castle rocks Vinnie with a right. Castle goes to Taven, but Taven puts him in a corner.

TK joins Taven over there but Castle fights back. Castle elbows Taven away, kicks TK down then punches Vinnie away. Castle hops out to the apron to send TK down with a knee strike! Then Castle turns around to leap at Vinnie with another knee! Castle puts Vinnie in for Gresham, missile dropkick! Gresham runs, dodges, and springboards, quebrada! Then DIVE on TK! Gresham keeps moving, climbing back up. He aims, Shooting Star, on knees! Lethal gives Vinnie the Lethal Combination, then gives TK a Lethal Injection! Castle returns, Taven drags Lethal out, Vinnie’s chairshot misses, BANGARANG! Cover, Castle and team win!

Winners: Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham & Dalton Castle, Castle pinning

The former world champion makes a successful return alongside The Octopus and the real champion! Taven is beside himself, he can’t believe his team lost. Castle dares him to do something about it, but Taven decides not to. Taven grabs his would-be championship and Lethal takes his. Castle celebrates with Gresham and Lethal, but at the same time, he gives Lethal a knowing grin. The Peacock wants that title back one day, and seems to put his name on the list here and now. Castle offers a handshake, and Lethal takes it. Should Lethal hold onto that title past Global Wars and Final Battle, will he be giving The Peacock that epic title match?

My Thoughts:

A pretty great episode of ROH, as the go-home to Global Wars Weekend. We opened with an amazing match of big men moving like smaller men. It wasn’t just kayfabe to say these guys defied some natural expectations, especially Taylor’s “Cleveland Destroyer”. Naturally Cobb wins, he’s just gotten here and is incredibly strong, both kayfabe and reality. Cobb VS Hangman for the TV title is going to be incredible. I can’t be sure who wins, but I suppose it still makes more sense for Cobb to retain at this point. I like that Burger has teamed up with two other underdog favorites, but obviously their debut as a team didn’t go so well. Perhaps Bruiser is building towards a story with Silas Young as his enemy to settle things between them.

I’m glad to see SoCal Uncensored make it official that their story as Faces is chasing the titles. The triple threat title match next week will be great, and it’s even better that SCU come in as underdogs. Briscoes are such strong Heels, it makes sense they’d attack the one team ROH is willing to give up. I would be very shocked if SCU won, maybe with Scorpio subbing in for Daniels. That could also add something to the story, such as Kaz having to choose between himself and Daniels. But I still strongly think Final Battle is the night SCU wins titles to avoid being fired. The Six-Man Tag main event was great, what a great way for Dalton Castle to return, and of course Castle helps his team win. Castle VS Lethal sounds like a great idea, can’t wait to see it.

My Score: 8.3/10

What do you think of this edition of Ring Of Honor? Let us know on social media @theCHAIRSHOTcom and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!