Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (1/7/19)
Raw kicks of its 2019 in epic fashion! A talk show premiere, a Tag Title Lumberjack Match, and the returns of John Cena, Brock Lesnar AND Hulk Hogan!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Finn Balor, Seth Rollins & John Cena VS Dean Ambrose, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush; Cena, Balor & Rollins win.
- Raw Tag Team Championships Lumberjack Match: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Revival; Roode & Gable win and retain the Raw Tag Team Championships.
- Elias VS Baron Corbin; Corbin wins.
- Mixed Tag: Mahalicia w/ The Singh Brothers VS Apollo Crews & Ember Moon; Crews & Moon win.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Nia Jax w/ Tamina; Banks wins and will face Ronda Rousey for the title at the Royal Rumble.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose VS Seth Rollins; Ambrose wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE mourns the loss of “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
A fight breaks out backstage!
Bobby Lashley attacks Seth Rollins for the beating The Architect gave him on last week’s Raw! Security and superstars pull the two apart but it doesn’t stop the fighting! Rollins and Lashley fight up gorilla and towards the stage, for it to spill out onto the stage! Rollins and Lashley brawl more, and even OFF the stage! Lashley staggers to his feet but throws security aside, only for Rollins to FLY onto him! Rollins hammers away but referees join the superstars in pulling them apart. Lashley tosses Rollins back onto the stage, but Rollins is quickly pulled away. Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but Lio Rush talks sense into Lashley.
John Cena is Raw!
The Cenation is back, and is fired up as he makes his way down the ramp. Cena hits the ring and picks up a mic as fans both cheer and jeer. “For those watching around the world, welcome to Orlando, Florida! Welcome to Monday Night Raw! And welcome to the Road to Wrestlemania!” That fight was all about Wrestlemania. Rollins knows it, Cena knows it, fans know it. You either step up or get left out. Cena isn’t going to be left out of the plans this year, which means he’ll step up right now. Everyone knows that on the Road to Wrestlemania, there is one match anyone can go after the main event! And that is THE Royal Rumble match. “In life, nothing is handed to you.” Cena plans on earning his ticket, because he officially enters the Rumble!
However, Drew McIntyre appears! The Scottish Terminator stares Cena down from the stage and tells Cena “I have waited for this moment for years. Years!” Unlike everyone else, McIntyre doesn’t care who Cena shares his bed with, or doesn’t. McIntyre doesn’t care about that stupid haircut or what Cena does in Hollywood. What McIntyre cares about is those 16 world championship reigns. That Cena has main-evented multiple Wrestlemanias, and that Vince Mcmahon says Cena is the Greatest of All Time. And why is that? Because McIntyre actually agrees. Cena is the GOAT! What’s his point?
If Cena has been watching, McIntyre has a reputation for taking out some greats. Cena can check with The Shield on that. No, wait, McIntyre broke them. Check with Ziggler- No, McIntyre destroyed Ziggler. Then call Kurt Angle, and he will tell McIntyre what he’s capable of. McIntyre humiliated and tapped Angle out to his own ankle lock! McIntyre tells Cena to look at him. He is the most dangerous man in the WWE, and now he targets Cena. Cena feels good after how Raw started. And now this makes Cena sad. Because McIntyre’s just saying the same thing everyone else does. Cena had to leave, to force everyone to come up with different promos. What makes McIntyre different than them? McIntyre says they were all talk, “I’m gonna bloody show you!” McIntyre is ready to fight, Cena is ready to fight, but Lio Rush says there’s a situation?
Rollins has gone CRAZY! Rollins attacked him and Lashley “viciously”, and claims Rollins attacked Lashley. It’s not their fault Rollins can’t get a rematch with Dean Ambrose. Lio threatens legal action! “This show is officially cancelled until somebody does something about Seth Rollins!” Speaking of, Rollins attacks Lashely!! The brawl is back on, on the ramp! And Ambrose appears to join the fight! Cena helps Rollins, but McIntyre goes after Cena for himself! Ambrose and Lashley beat up Rollins then hit Cena. McIntyre helps Ambrose with Cena, but here comes Finn Balor! Finn goes right at McIntyre with a slingblade! Then he clotheslines McIntyre out, and FLIES onto everyone!! Chaos returns, but we go to break!
Six Man Tag: Finn Balor, Seth Rollins & John Cena VS Dean Ambrose, Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush!
Holla holla! Raw returns as Cena puts Lashley in a headlock. Lashley powers out but Cena grabs the ropes. Lashley runs in but misses, and then things speed up. Cena runs Lashley over with a lariat and tags in Finn! Finn climbs while Cena wrenches the arm. Finn drops ax handles and then wrenches Lashley. Lashley knees low, and drags Finn up for a fast scoop slam! Lashley stares Cena and Rollins down, then tags in Ambrose. Fans chant “Lashely Sucks!” as he and Ambrose mug Finn. Ambrose grinds Finn into the ropes, but backs off at 4. Ambrose runs but into arm-drags! Finn has Ambrose down, but Ambrose gets up and fights out.
Ambrose whips but Finn reverses. Ambrose sunset flips but Finn rolls through to dropkick! Cover, TWO! Finn grabs Ambrose but Ambrose powers him to the corner. Tag to McIntyre and McIntyre throws hands and CHOPS Finn! McIntyre stalks Finn and drags him up in a deadlift suplex! Cover, TWO! McIntyre eggs Finn on, but Finn counter punches! They brawl and McINtyre knocks Finn down. McIntyre stomps Finn, then taunts Cena. McIntyre tags in Lashley and they mug Finn in the corner. Lashley drives elbows into Finn then wraps on a chinlock. Fans rally for Finn and Finn feeds off the energy. Lashley elbows Finn down, then tells the fans to hush. Fans boo instead.
Lashley scoops Finn but Finn slips out. Finn reaches for his corner but Lashley keeps him away. Finn throws forearms but Lashley whips Finn into the corner. lashley runs into boots, and FInn fights his way out. Fnn runs but into a tackle to the open corner! Lashley rams his shoulder n over an dover, then tags Ambrose in. Ambrose stomps Finn in the corner, but backs off at 4. Ambrose whips Finn corner to corner, and hits a forearm smash. The Lunatic says his team is the “dream team”, and he whips Finn corner to corner again. Finn boots Ambrose but runs into another forearm, only to PELE! Fans fire up as both men head for their corners. Hot tag to Cena!
Cena rallies with those famous shoulder tackles! Then the spin-out powerbomb, and Five Knuckle Shuffle! Cena lifts but Ambrose tags to McIntyre. The AA hits but so does the Glasgow Kiss! McIntyre staggers from the impact, too, but covers. TWO, and we go to break!
Raw returns and Ambrose grinds his forearm into Cena’s face. Ambrose backs off, and Cena counters the sucker punch from Lashley! Cena dropkicks Ambrose down, and fans fire up again. Ambrose and Cena head for their corners, hot tag to McIntyre! McIntyre clobbers Cena then throws hands and chops. Cena hits back with heavy hands, but runs into a spinebuster! Jackknife cover, TWO! McIntyre puts Cena in their corner and tags in Lashley. Lashley stomps Cena then drags Cena up for a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO! Cena survives but Lashley flexes. Fans boo as Lashley sucker punches Rollins! But Cena gives Lashley an AA! Lashley and Cena crawl, tag to Ambrose! Ambrose puts Cena in a sleeper! Cena flails and Ambrose drags him away.
Ambrose wrangles Cena down with body scissors. Cena endures as fans rally up. Cena rolls around and gets free of the scissors. He reaches for his corner, but first pries his way out of the hold. Cena knees low, then headbutts and throws hands. Cena runs but into Ambrose’s knee. Ambrose drops an elbow on Cena and Cena rolls out of the ring. Ambrose goes out to drag Cena up and throw him into steel steps! Cena is down as the count rises, and we go to another break.
Raw returns again and Ambrose snapmares Cena to stomp him out. Cover, TWO, but Ambrose puts a chinlock on. Cena endures as fans slowly build to a rally. Cena gets up and Ambrose becomes a backpack, but Cena still takes steps towards his corner. Rollins and Finn reach out but Ambrose rakes Cena’s eyes! Ambrose boots Rollins, but turns into a clothesline from Cena! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Cena crawls for his corner, and tags in Finn! Finn boots and rallies on Ambrose, then hits McIntyre! Finn hits Ambrose with forearms, then the elbow drop DDT! Lashley runs in but gets a Slingblade! Ambrose wants Dirty Deeds but Finn counters to double stomps! Finn blasts Ambrose to a corner with the dropkick! He heads up top! COUP DE GRACE!
But CLAYMORE from McIntyre! The referee reprimands McIntyre but he just grins because he saved the match for his team. McIntyre reaches out to Ambrose as Ambrose crawls. But Rollins returns to his corner! Ambrose hurries, but so does Finn! Hot tags to McIntyre and Rollins! Now The Architect rallies! Rollins jumps over McIntyre to then enziguri! Rollins runs corner to corner but is put on the apron. He springboards onto Ambrose and Lashley! Rollins keeps moving, springboards over McIntyre. McIntyre kicks low and reels ROllins in, but ROllins slips through to Falcon Arrow! Cover, TWO!! Rollins keeps his focus as he fires up with Orlando. Orlando already chants it, so Rollins stomps along, “Burn It Down!”
Rollins aims, mule kick but McIntyre back elbow.s McIntyre as Rollins but Cena gets McIntyre with an AA! Lashley SPEARS Cena! SUPERKICK to Lashley from Rollins! And then Rollins drags McIntyre back into the ring. Rollins hurries to SUPERKICK McIntyre down! Rollins heads up top, for the Frog Splash! But it flops as McIntyre rolls away! Ambrose tags in to go after his hated enemy. Ambrose underhooks but Rollins rolls up to CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins and team win!!
Winners: John Cena, Finn Balor & Seth Rollins, Rollins pinning
The Architect wins it for his dream team, and all three men roll on towards the Royal Rumble match! Will Rollins earn himself an Intercontinental Championship match along the way?
But wait, everyone can see Triple H talking with the Boss & Hug Connection. HHH seems to be talking with Sasha Banks & Bayley about their WWE Women’s Tag Title aspirations, but Rollins goes in search. Will Rollins want a straight answer out of HHH about his title predicament?
Rollins finds HHH, and slaps him!? “I want Dean Ambrose, I want the Intercontinental Title, and I want it tonight.” HHH gives Rollins the match, and yes, it’ll be tonight. And it’ll be Falls Count Anywhere. “Welcome back.” The Architect gets the match he wanted, but will he get the revenge he wants on The Lunatic?
WWE and Raw honor the life of “Mean” Gene Okerlund with a 10 Bell Salute.
Hulk Hogan is Raw!
The Immortal One was one of Gene Okerlund’s closest friends, and their interviews together were some of the most memorable from wrestling history. The Hulkster is here now to honor Mean Gene in person. Orlando gives Hulk a great ovation as he says “Now let me tell you something, brother!” But Hogan gets serious, letting us know that making an in-character entrance because that’s how Gene would’ve wanted it. Gene loved to entertain, especially the WWE Universe. So now, let’s have a look at some of his greatest moments! Hogan cues up the tribute video for Gene, which includes some of the greatest wrestling icons of all time.
“Hulkamania would never have gotten as big as it did without Gene Okerlund.” Hogan, Savage, Warrior, Flair, you name them, he’s talked to them. “If one day I’m called up to the big house, I want you to bury me face down. And then all of my critics can kiss my ass!” Mean Gene will forever be missed. Hogan says Gene was one of a kind, and speaks on behalf of everyone who has even anything to do with WWE, “we love you, my brother.” Gene may not be in the ring, but he’s in our hearts. Orlando claps, “Thank you, Mean Gene!” Hogan wants them to keep going, then asks them what to do? They want that. “Well let me tell you something, Mean Gene!”
Hogan knows Gene is with the angels on them big white clouds, putting the greatest matches together, like Randy Savage & Ultimate Warrior VS Roddy Piper & Mr. Perfect! And Andre the Giant is the guest referee! Gene’s probably breaking up fights between Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan, too! Those weights are clanging and banging, but Gene doesn’t have to get so swole. He’s got Moolah and Mae Young! Mean Gene, there’s one last question to ask all the Maniacs: “What you gonna do when Mean-Gene-o-mania runs wild on you, brother?!”
Raw Tag Team Championships Lumberjack Match: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Revival!
The rest of the Raw Tag Division surrounds the ring as the GLORIOUS Duo takes on Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder in this escalated rematch! Why are the #TopGuys getting another? Because there was some controversy as to who was the legal man for The Revival. Now with the Lumberjacks ringside to be witnesses, will Dash & Dawson get a fair finish to this title fight?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we begin with Roode and Dash. Dash and Roode tie up, and Dash gets a headlock. Roode powers out but Dash runs him over. Cover, ONE, but Dash gets Roode with a headlock takeover. Roode headscissors but Dash pops out, and then Roode gets a headlock. Dash powers out but things speed up, and Roode wants the DDT! Dash gets away, but rolls out to where Heath Slater & Rhyno are waiting! They scare Dash back in, and Roode rolls Dash up! TWO, but Roode wrenches the arm. Dash pushes Roode to the Revival’s corner, tag to Dawson. Dawson runs into Roode’s arm-drag, and then Roode tags Gable. Gable takes the hand-off to wrench Dawson. Dawson reels Gable into a lariat!
Dawson puts Gable on the top rope with a rebound suplex but Gable slips out. Gable waistlocks and rolls for a cover, TWO! Gable springboards for a crossbody cover, TWO! Things speed up and Gable arm-drags Dawson. Dash tags in but Gable headscissors Dawson. Then he headscissors Dash! Tag to Roode, and the Glorious Duo double whip the Revival into double back drops! The Revival bail out but the Lucha House Party force them back in. Gable & Roode clothesline them back out, so the Lucha House Party go to bring The Revival back up. The Ascension back The Revival up and back the Lucha House Party off. Slater & Rhyno back LHP up, but Roode helps Gable FLY onto The Revival! LHP help put Dash in, Roode covers, TWO!
Roode keeps on Dash with an arm wrench and he tags in Gable. Gable climbs to ax handle the arm. Gable hits Dawson for good measure, but Dash pulls Gable’s hair. Tag to Dawson, things speed up but Dash kicks Gable and Dawson hangs Gable out to dry! Gable tumbles out, Rhyno and The B-Team help him back in. Dawson covers, TWO! The title continues after the break.
Raw returns as Dash pulls Gable’s hair to keep him from Roode. Dash whips but Gable arm-drags! Gable reaches but Dash again keep shim back. Gable breaks free, hot tag to Roode! Roode rallies, but Dawson tags in. Roode still gets Dawson with an exploder! Then he gives one to Dash! Roode fires up and so does Orlando. Roode tackles Dawson in a corner then knocks Dash off the corner. He clotheslines Dawson out and the lumberjacks put him back in. Roode gives Dawson a spinebuster! Cover, TWO! Gable returns and Roode tags him in. The Glorious Duo coordinate but Dawson hits Roode away. But Gable leaps over and waistlocks Dawson, for Roode to add a blockbuster to the German Suplex! Bridging cover, but Dash makes it in time!
Dash throws Roode to a post, then puts Gable on the top rope. Gable brings Dash out with bodyscissors! Gable climbs up top, and leaps at Dawson! But Dawson rolls through, TWO!! Dawson runs but into a waistlock. Dash tags in, Chaos Theory hits, but Dash frog splashes onto the bridging Gable! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and all four competitors are down. The lumberjacks watch anxiously as Dash and Gable slowly stand up. Dash has Gable in the Electric chair, and tags in Dawson. Gable throws Dash with headscissors, but Dawson leaps for a sunset flip! TWO, and Gable trips Dawson up for a jackknife. TWO as Dawson lifts up. Dawson wants a backslide but Gable goes for his own. The two duel and roll to some kinda cover, TWO!
Gable goes for another backslide but has to dump Dash to the apron. Dash saves Dawson but Roode trips Dash! Dawson cradles but Roode rolls it to favor Gable! But Dawson’s leg is on the ropes! The Glorious Duo win!?
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable, Gable pinning; still Raw Tag Team Champions
But the lumberjacks do serve as witnesses, they all saw that! Is this some kind of conspiracy? Or is it just bad officiating? Will the Revival get a third chance at the titles over this controversy?
Raw takes another look at the coming new faces.
Lars Sullivan is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before! Who will be the first to suffer a Freak Accident?
Lacey Evans vows to use her Woman’s Right to clear out and clean up the Women’s Division, while maintaining her manners.
They’re COMIIIN’! Heavy Machinery will use the power of #SteaksAndWeights to bring the good times and the big fights to the Tag Team Division.
“You wanna play? Play with Nikki!” The Loony Lass has no fear, there’s only chaos. Nikki Cross is on her way, who wants to play?
And of course, last but certainly not least is the #TopOnePercent. The Best Here, the Best There, the Best Everywhere is prepared to rack up #VictoryAfterVictory no matter where he ends up.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter comes to Orlando, plays his guitar, and reflects over his 2018. Elias weeps over the level of stardom he’s reached and the speed at which he reached it. He dropped an album, sold out Madison Square Garden, and has been all over the world. And now it brings him here to Orlando. There is a universal truth that follows him everywhere, and that is that WWE truly stands for “Walk With Elias!” Orlando knows it and it fires Elias up. Now if you thought 2018 was great, it will be nothing compared to 2019. Because on January 27th, he will walk into Chase Field, be in front of 40 thousand, and he will win the Royal Rumble match!
But as much as Elias enjoys his successes, he enjoys the failures of one Baron Corbin. Corbin was GM, running Raw into the ground and cancelling all Elias’ performance. Corbin’s a joke. Elias hasn’t forgotten any of Corbin’s wrongs, and has a song about it. But Corbin interrupts! Fans boo but Corbin claims he’s here to help because he tells Elias to stop. No one can endure another mind-numbing performance. Just like the WWE Universe, Elias has no idea what it’s like to be in such a respected and high-stress position as GM. After everything Corbin did for Elias, Elias should respect him. Everyone should respect and admire Corbin!
But that’s the problem: no one understands, so they disrespect him. They’d probably like it if he disappeared, huh? “Yes!” Well that’s not happening! Corbin’s entering the Rumble, and will actually win to main event Wrestlemania! Elias put his stool and guitar away, how about they– Elias tells Corbin to stop talking and shut his mouth! Their match is now, who will gain some major momentum towards the Royal Rumble?
Elias VS Baron Corbin!
The bell rings and Corbin circles with Elias. They tie up and Elias gets a waistlock. Corbin backs Elias down but Elias dodges to chop and chop and chop! Corbin knees low then whips Elias to a corner, but Elias goes up and over. Elias mule kicks Corbin then clotheslines him out of the ring! Elias builds speed to wreck Corbin with a dropkick! Fans fire up as Elias climbs up top. Elias falls right onto Corbin! “Who Wants to Walk With Elias?!” Orlando does, but we’re going to break.
Raw returns and Corbin has Elias in a half nelson. Elias fights out but Corbin knees low. Corbin runs but Elias sends him out, only for Corbin to come back and throw Elias over the ropes. Corbin blasts Elias off the apron, then mockingly applauds as fans rain down boos. The referee counts but Corbin goes out to fetch Elias. Corbin rams Elias into barriers, then puts him back in the ring. Corbin continues to mockingly applaud, but Elias hits back! Elias chops and whips but Corbin slides out. Corbin slides back in and clobbers Elias with a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious and tells the ref “You Suck!” Fans tell Corbin he sucks, but Corbin drags Elias up for a rain of right hands. Fans troll Corbin with chants of “You Got Fired!” as Corbin climbs. Corbin leaps, into Elias’ leaping knee!
Elias and Corbin get to opposite corners, and Elias grits his teeth as he drags himself up. Elias runs and hits Corbin with an elbow, then rams in a right hand. He drags Corbin up to whip but Corbin reverses. Elias runs out to clothesline Corbin down! Elias stomps and punches away on Corbin in the corner! The ref backs Elias off as Elias roars. Elias hits Corbin in the corner again, then hauls him up in an Electric Chair! Corbin slips out but Elias runs, to reel Corbin in for a swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Elias keeps his cool as he heads up top. Elias leaps for the Macho Elbow, but rolls through as Corbin evades. Corbin throws Elias at the ref, then rocks him with a right! Corbin throws Elias into the post! Then End of Days! Cover, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
The Lone Wolf mockingly applauds again as he rubs his victory in the fans’ faces. Corbin wins this match, but can he win the Royal Rumble on his road to redemption?
Dean Ambrose speaks.
“What is this world coming to?!” HE tries to keep his promise to the ungrateful fans. Ambrose never liked Six Man Tags, anyway. Ambrose is the only man he trusts. He is the Moral compass and the last line of defense against “that mad man”, Seth Rollins. Do the fans not think it hurts Ambrose to fight Rollins? Ambrose lost everything to “bring balance back to WWE.” If Rollins wins, it’s game over for everyone! But Ambrose won’t let that happen. If Ambrose has to do it in the ring, on stage, or getting in line for hot dogs, Ambrose vows to end this tonight. Ambrose vows to burn Rollins down, but will he be the one burned?
BRAUN is Raw!
The Monster Among Men returns from elbow surgery and is ready for his WWE Universal Championship match at The Royal Rumble! And knowing that The Beast is in the building, Strowman wants to be here to meet him. Strowman picks up a mic as fans chant “Get These Hands!”, but then decides this isn’t time to talk. He dares Brlock Lesnar to appear! But of course, Paul Heyman makes his introductions, from backstage. The Advocate for the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar”, says he knows that The Monster in the ring is looking for a face-to-face confrontation.
But Heyman gives Strowman some education. Heyman knows how much hype has gone behind this encounter, but the lesson is “card subject to change.” That change is this confrontation, and for Strowman’s benefit. Because if Lesnar came down to #GetTheseHands, he wouldn’t have an opponent left at the Rumble, just another victim. Let this be a lesson learned. Strowman doesn’t need to thank Heyman, but Heyman will still say “you’re welcome.” And Lesnar smirks as he takes his leave. But Strowman tells the “Beastie Boy” that he’s waiting in this ring, for Lesnar. Lesnar considers his options. Is that all? Well unless Lesnar wants to hide with Heyman… Fans chant “Get These Hands!” and Strowman says he’s in Lesnar’s ring. Why doesn’t Lesnar get in Strowman’s face like Heyman said would happen?
Is that all Strowman’s got? Lesnar doesn’t have to do anything, because he’s the champion. Strowman asks Brock if Heyman’s ass is every jealous of all the crap that comes out of Heyman’s mouth. Lesnar chuckles at that one. Strowman hears “Blah blah blah, Lesnar is afraid of Strowman. Blah blah blah, Lesnar doesn’t want to be face to face with the Monster Among Men.” Strowman’s right here while Lesnar hides on a screen like a coward. Lesnar should thank Paul because otherwise, Lesnar wouldn’t be making it to The Rumble. “Because everybody in here knows what happens when you Get These Hands!” Lesnar decides to test Strowman, even to Heyman’s surprise! Lesnar goes to gorilla, then out on stage!
Beast and Monster stare down as Lesnar heads down the ramp. Lesnar circles the ring, but doesn’t enter. He goes back up the ramp, even as fans boo. Strowman tells Lesnar to turn around, but Heyman laughs as Lesnar takes back his belt. Strowman promises that the Rumble will see him crowned new Universal Champion! The Beast and Advocate are confident now, but who will have the last laugh when this rematch finally happens?
#Mahalicia is in the ring!
Jinder Mahal says that before he obliterates Apollo Crews, please join him in finding tranquility. “Captain” Alicia Fox leads the way with Shanti. Wait, wait, that’s not quite right. Mahal calls out all the fans who do not chant along. Where is this? Right, Orlando. Yuck! Fans boo as Mahal says they do not deserve his tranquility! But before he can continue to rant, out come their opponents!
Mixed Tag: Mahalicia w/ The Singh Brothers VS Apollo Crews & Ember Moon!
The Shenom and the rising star join forces as each of them are on great rolls as of late. Mahal, Fox, Ember and Apollo are all in their respective Rumble matches, who will win big to gain momentum on the Road to Wrestlemania?
The bell rings and the men start. Mahal and Apollo tie up and Mahal powers Apollo to a corner. Mahal throws his shoulder in but then says Shanti. He whips Apollo corner to corner but Apollo goes up and over to handspring and also use Shanti. Things speed up and Mahal throws Apollo to ropes, only for Apollo to crossbody on the rebound! Cover, TWO! Apollo tilt-o-whirls to try a crucifix pin, TWO! Mahal runs into a dropkick! Apollo drags Mahal up but things speed up again. Apollo hits a leaping back elbow, then kips up to raise the roof. Because he now raises Mahal! Mahal slips away to tag in Foxy. Apollo clotheslines Mahal out to then slingshot out onto him and the Singhs!
Meanwhile, Moon and Foxy enter, and Ember blasts Foxy with a dropkick! Then springboards for a crossbody! Ember roars and runs in to handspring forearm smash! She has Alicia in the target zone, climbs up, and hits the Eclipse! Cover, Moon & Crews win!
Winners: Apollo Crews & Ember Moon, Moon pinning
The War Goddess brings victory to her team, and now both she and Apollo roll on towards The Rumble! Will 2019 be their year to main event Mania?
It’s the premiere of A Moment of Bliss!
The Goddess, Alexa Bliss, walks out on stage to her “set”. She appreciates the ovation from Orlando. They don’t have much going on as a city, but that changes tonight. Orlando goes down in history as the site of her show’s premiere. She demands coffee. Her assistant comes out and serves Alexa in her special cup. She dismisses the assistant rather dismissively, then cues up the highlight reel of Ronda Rousey’s 2018. From Ronda’s debut at Royal Rumble to her first match at Wrestlemania to all the media appearances in between, Ronda has been a big hit with everyone. Alexa gives the Baddest Woman on the Planet her introduction, and out comes the Rowdy Raw Women’s Champion! Orlando is excited to see Ronda, but Ronda isn’t as excited to see Alexa.
Alexa and Ronda take their seats, and Alexa asks Ronda about her 2018, and what’s next for her in 2019. Ronda hears out the fans cheering for her, and Ronda admits 2018 was extraordinary. As champion, Ronda looks forward. Ronda wants to be someone everyone can be proud of, and that means chasing her limits down with a vengeance. There is one woman that pushes everyone she faces to their limits. This woman has more athletic ability in her pinkie finger than Charlotte Flair does in her entire body. A woman who has more great stories than Becky Lynch. A woman that makes Ronda’s admiration for this business look like nothing. That is the unsung hero of Raw, Sasha Banks! Alexa is rather surprised to hear that name come up. Wasn’t she talking about Alexa?
Nia comes out, making gag noises. Cue the romcom music, right? Should they let Ronda and Sasha have a date? Girl crush, anyone? Or is Ronda forgetting about someone? She and Ronda have unfinished business. Nia is all about “new year, new me.” Rollins gets a rematch, what about Nia? When and where? But here comes The Boss! Sasha smiles as she’s honored to be named by Ronda. It is better to look forward and not back. Sasha is looking forward to a title match with Ronda. Because it will be Sasha’s pleasure to teach Ronda how to lose with class and dignity. Nia refuses to accept Sasha ignoring her. Nia won’t just rip Sasha’s face off, she’ll break her face. Get to the back of the line.
“B*tch, what line?!” Sasha sees a ring, so why don’t they have a #1 contender’s match? Sasha doesn’t hear Nia’s answer, she heads to he ring. Nia refuses to do this on Sasha’s time, but will management make it time? Find out after the break!
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Nia Jax w/ Tamina!
Management did make this match, and now the Irresistible Force must put up or shut up against The Boss! Who is going to the Rumble as Ronda’s next challenger?
Raw returns with the bell, and we can see that each superstar has their allies ringside. Sasha and Nia circle and tie up. Nia shoves Sasha but Sasha comes back with forearms. Nia knees low then grabs Sasha by the chin. Sasha SLAPS Nia, then leads her on a game of cat ‘n’ mouse. Sasha goes under the ring to come out the other side. Tamina warns Nia and Nia catches Sasha’s crossbody. Sasha slips out but Nia whips her at he ring. Sasha swings around to kick Nia, then runs to wreck her with a dropkick. Nia stays standing so Sasha knees her on the way back in. Sasha dropkicks Nia down then covers, TWO! Sasha runs and rolls to get a guillotine on Nia! Nia stays standing, and powers out to a suplex! Both women are down and Bayley grows concerned.
Nia stands first and drags Sasha to her feet. She whips Sasha to a corner, then squashes her with a splash. Nia soaks up the heat as she says she’s front of the line. Nia drags Sasha up to put her in a corner. She runs in but Sasha dodges. Sasha runs back in but Nia puts her on the apron. Sasha knees Nia back, but Nia runs Sasha over and out of the ring! Tamina goes after Sasha but Bayley goes after Tamina! Tamina throws Bayley into barriers! Sasha goes after Tamina, but Nia comes out to grab Sasha. Nia fireman’s carries and then trophy lifts Sasha around. She throws Sasha onto the spare trunk! Nia and Tamina laugh as Nia returns to the ring. The ring count climbs past 5 as Sasha crawls back towards the ring. Sasha gets up and runs, to beta the count at 9.5!
Nia drags Sasha around in the ring, then picks her up for a sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Sasha survives and the Samoan Dynasty is frustrated, but we go to break.
Raw returns and Nia tortures Sasha in the torture rack. Sasha endures and fights out with elbows. Nia puts Sasha down but Sasha goes after the arm! Nia shoves Sasha off but Sash fires back kicks. Sasha jawbreakers then baits Nia into a corner. Nia misses and Sasha hits her with a big bulldog! Sasha keeps moving, meteora! Cover, TWO! Sasha keeps going, shining wizard! Cover, TWO! Sasha doesn’t give up as she climbs up top. Sasha leaps, SUPER Meteora! Cover, TWO! Nia survives but Sasha puts her in the Bank Statement crossface! Nia powers her way out as she lifts Sasha up. Sasha sunset flips through but Nia stays on her feet. Nia prepares her first and punches, but the Facebreaker hits the mat! Sasha runs, tilt-o-whirls, and gets the guillotine, only for Nia to pop her into the Samoan Drop!
But Sasha rolls away! Nia crawls to a cover, ROPEBREAK! Sasha survives and Tamina is frustrated for Nia. Nia drags Sasha back up by her hair, then tells her to stay down as she tosses her to a corner. Nia runs in for another splash, then soaks up the heat. She scoops Sasha into the fireman’s carry, then climbs up top. Sasha slips out but Nia kicks her away. Nia adjusts, but Sasha is on her with forearms. Sasha climbs up, but Nia gets her in the fireman’s carry again. Samoan Drop to the buckles! Sasha falls out of the ring and Nia grins. But Nia won’t leave her out there as she puts her back in the ring. Nia covers, TWO!! Tamina is furious and Nia is seething, but Sasha still lives.
Nia glares as Bayley rallies the fans behind Sasha. Nia drags Sasha up for a headbutt, then runs, but Sasha avoids the leg drop! Sasha drags herself up with ropes as Nia comes over. Sasha boots Nia away, then dodges her. Nia hits buckles, but Tamina goes after Sasha. Bayley dropkicks Tamna, then throws her into barriers! Bayley stomps Tamina out, and Sasha dumps Nia out. Nia climbs back up and both women are on the apron. Sasha baits Nia into the post! Nia staggers on the apron, and Sasha gets up to huricanrana Nia into the apron! But Sasha crashes and burns on the ground, leaving them both worse for wear. Sasha forces herself up and pushes Nia into the ring. Sasha slingshots and rolls Nia into the crossface! Nia endures, but taps! Sasha wins!
Winner: Sasha Banks, by submission; will face Ronda Rousey at the Royal Rumble
It’s #BossTime for the title in Phoenix! Will Sasha do in 2019 what no one could in 2018 and stop the Baddest Woman on the Planet?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose VS Seth Rollins!
The Lunatic burned a bridge when he betrayed The Architect months ago. And since then, he’s tried to ruin Rollins’ life, all in the name of atonement for past sins. Will Ambrose atone for his own sins at the hands of his former friend? Or will he finish his mission and put Rollins out of the Intercontinental title’s misery?
As Ambrose makes his entrance, Rollins attacks! Rollins doesn’t want to wait for this fight as he brings the fight to Ambrose! They go to the ring but then Rollins throws Ambrose into barriers. Rollins throws hands then puts Ambrose in the ring. The ref can finally ring the bell, but then Ambrose bails back out. Rollins pursues because there are no boundaries to this match! Rollins tackles Ambrose then rains hands! He puts Ambrose back in the ring only to clothesline him right out. And then Rollins DIVES! And rolls Ambrose up! TWO, and Ambrose goes running. Rollins gives chase to clothesline Ambrose into the crowd! Rollins hops the barriers and chases Ambrose up the side. He throws hands and Ambrose staggers about. Rollins bounces Ambrose off an equipment case!
Rollins rains down rights but Ambrose shoves him away. Ambrose retreats around behind commentary and then behind the stage. Rollins follows and the two fight backstage. Cameras do what they can to keep up as these two fight. Rollins throws Ambrose into a ladder! And he has a shovel!? Rollins swings but misses. Ladders fall as Ambrose retreats again. Rollins catches up to throw more haymakers, then bounces Ambrose off trunks. He throws Ambrose into spare rafters, then lines up a shot. Rollins pushes the rig, but Ambrose gets away! Rollins chases Ambrose up onto trunks and the two brawl! Ambrose clubs Rollins but Rollins shoves him into the wall. Rollins glares at Ambrose, as he lifts for a bomb. Ambrose fights out to throw Rollins onto the trunks! Cover, TWO!
Ambrose glares down at Rollins as he asks “Is this what you wanted?” Ambrose throws a ladder at Rollins, then covers. TWO, and this match continues after the break!
Raw returns once again, and the two have now ended up among the fans on the stairs! Ambrose grinds his fingers into Rollins’ face, trying to pry Rollins’ jaw apart! Rollins gets free of the grip and fires of CHOP after CHOP! Rollins haymakers and chops Ambrose step by step back down the stairs. They end up by the railing and Rollins tosses Ambrose over. Rollins then LEAPS and tackles Ambrose down! Cover, TWO! Ambrose survives, but retreats as he asks for a timeout? Rollins won’t give him one, and throws him into the railing. Fans chant “Burn It Down!” for Rollins as he punches Ambrose right in the nose! Rollins brings Ambrose back to ringside, and keeps pursuit around the corner. Rollins haymakers and hammers Ambrose, then whips him into barriers.
Ambrose shoves Rollins away, and grabs a chair! Ambrose jabs the chair into Rollins’ ribs, then SMACKS him on the back! Cover, TWO! Ambrose tosses the chair aside and fans say “We Want Tables!” Rollins crawls as Ambrose exposes the bare concrete. It’s just like the night Ambrose started this dark mission. Ambrose rains down rights on Rollins to keep him down, then says “For old time’s sake.” He drags Rollins over to the exposed floor, and underhooks Rollins. Rollins counters with a back drop, onto the concrete! Ambrose writhes and clutches his back while Rollins stands back up. Rollins puts Ambrose in the ring, but Ambrose rolls back out. Ambrose pokes Rollins’ eyes! Ambrose climbs up while Rollins blindly feels around. But Rollins still gets up top, to SUPERPLEX! Roll through to Buckle Bomb! And SUPERKICK!
Rollins fires up with Orlando as he stomps, “Burn It Down!” Rollins runs, CURB STOMP!! But Bobby Lashley appears to attack Rollins! Lashley lifts and tackles Rollins into barriers! And then again! The Rocky Mountain Machine makes Rollins pay for last week with a belly2belly suplex! Fans chant “Lashley Sucks!” but Lashley doesn’t care, he just wants revenge. Lashley puts Rollins in the ring so that he can gut wrench and hit the Dominator! Lashley aims at Rollins as Rollins slowly staggers to his feet. He SPEARS Rollins, and then leaves him prey to Ambrose. Ambrose crawls to a cover, Ambrose wins!
Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Lunatic should give a massive assist to Lashley & Lio for that attack. Rollins no longer has a claim to the title, but now he must suffer more at the hands of Lashley. Lio puts a table in the ring for Lashley, and helps him set it up. Lashley then drags Rollins up, and SPINEBUSTERS Rollins through the table! The Almighty Lashley leaves Rollins down in the wreckage, but will Rollins rise from the ashes to burn Lashley down?
My Thoughts:
Raw 2019 finally begins, and it feels like that “fresh start” is starting to really take effect. I really expected Hogan’s tribute to Mean Gene to open the show, but it really worked to open with something else instead. Hogan’s tribute to Gene itself was really well done. He managed to keep it about Gene, the video itself was incredible (as many WWE video packages are), and that closing in-character bit was actually just right for this. Whether this was just WWE/Vince wanting any reason to bring Hogan back or what, that’s a subject for someone’s opinion article, and everyone’s feelings over Hogan, good or bad, this was still a well-done moment in time.
As for how Raw did start, it was great. Lashley and Rollins fighting, it bleeding into the Cena VS McIntyre tease, and then escalating to bring in Finn and Ambrose for a great Six Man Tag, it was a very good flow to me. If anything, this Six Man Tag should be seen as a framework for how things are going to be for Wrestlemania. Cena VS McIntyre can make a great match for both guys, and would be even bigger if it was at Mania. This really becomes #MondayNightRollins as he does double duty, both the Six Man and a great Falls Count Anywhere with Ambrose. I’m a little disappointed Lashley didn’t wait until after the match to attack, but I suppose this is the only way to put a period on Rollins VS Ambrose.
But that’s good for Finn, as I suspect he’ll get a title program with Ambrose next. Since Finn doesn’t outright look like he’ll get a Universal Championship shot, even with the Royal Rumble match coming, Finn getting another chance at a different title looks good to me. The Universal Championship spot wasn’t quite what it should’ve been. Both in reality and in kayfabe, Lesnar doesn’t get face to face with Strowman, the first disappointment. The second disappointment was that Strowman didn’t give the best lines to egg Lesnar on. The lines directed at Heyman were pretty good, but Strowman could’ve done better insulting Lesnar. But the part that did seem to plan was that Lesnar would keep his distance, to keep his cocky aura while also making it plausible that he is afraid. I just really hope that Strowman wins, it’s the only way this Fresh Start will be real.
The Raw Tag Team Championships story is actually alright now. The lumberjack stipulation worked well this time because now there are eyewitnesses to the controversial finish that helps Roode & Gable win. With three weeks until the Rumble, I’d expect at least one more tag match to settle this, and I would think with The Revival winning. The Revival win and take on any number of teams on the road to Mania, and then Roode and Gable can either try again or go their separate ways for them to try for a title match via the Royal Rumble. Roode and Gable each joining the Intercontinental Championship scene would be great for them and for Raw.
Raw’s new talk show had a decent first episode, but it’s not like the focus was on the talk show. Ronda naming Sasha was quite surprising, but I suppose it’s really only Sasha or Bayley left. Sasha VS Nia was great, even though it was sloppy, and totally teases some Sasha & Bayley VS Nia & Tamina for the Raw half of the WWE Women’s Tag Titles story. Ronda VS Sasha will be good, too, and I would love if Bayley got her turn with Ronda at either Elimination Chamber or Fastlane. That way Ronda VS Becky makes a great finale for Ronda’s (first) series with the NXT Horsewomen at Wrestlemania, and we worry about Horsewomen VS Horsewomen and such going towards Summerslam and hopefully Evolution 2019.
My Score: 8.5/10
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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!
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.
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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.
My Score: 8.5/10
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