Ring Of Honor Coverage
Matt’s Recap & Review: Ring of Honor TV (10/14/2019)
Matt Davis is back with his look at Ring of Honor on FITE TV Episode 421 featuring Jay Lethal vs. PJ Black!
Matt Davis is back with his look at Ring of Honor on FITE TV Episode 421 featuring Jay Lethal vs. PJ Black!
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to Ring of Honor television! We open up with the ending of Death Before Dishonor a few weeks ago showing the moment Rush defeated Matt Taven for the ROH World Championship. Ian Riccaboni welcomes us to the episode, recapping that the company crowned two new world champions that night, also showing us that Angelina Love defeated Kelly Klein for the Women Of Honor Championship.
They tell us that tonight we will see PJ Black against Jay Lethal, who was originally scheduled to face Bandido but Bandido was injured at Death Before Dishonor, in our main event. Riccaboni adds that we are going to look at Rush’s brother, Dragon Lee, who says he will make Ring of Honor his new home. The former IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion was featured in the ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship match at Death Before Dishonor and that’s where we begin
1) The Briscoe Brothers & Dragon Lee vs Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll, PCO, & Brody King)
ROH SIX MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
“Death Before Dishonor”
We start off in the middle of the action with a Jay Briscoe ripcord neckbreaker followed by Dragon Lee jumping off the top rope onto Brody King with a stomp to the heart, followed by a Mark Briscor Froggy Bow, Jay with a quick cover and Brody King kicks out! Cut to Scurll who tries a superkick to Jay Briscoe but he ducks and Scurll nails King in the jaw! Mark jumps off the apron with a blockbuster to Scurll! Cut to Scurll launching PCO over the top rope to his opponents with a cannonball crushing everyone in sight! Cut to PCO with a cannonball off the top rope across the head and neck of Mark Briscoe extended across the apron! Dragon Lee with a hurricanrana off the apron to PCO, Scurll superkicks Lee off the apron! Scurll looking for the crossface chickenwing which gets a great reaction from the live crowd, but no, Mark Briscoe with an inside cradle..one..two..no! LARIAT BY SCURLL! Double underhook suplex which he calls the Black Plague, he hooks the leg and gets the win for Villain Enterprises!
Winners: Villain Enterprises
Grade: N/A
Thoughts: So… they use this match to tell us about Dragon Lee, who did all of two moves in this brief clipped match. What was the point in that to showcase your newest talent? His team didn’t even win. Whoever runs the production team didn’t think this one through at all. I’m speechless at the logic of that one.
Jay Lethal is backstage talking about how he didnt prepare for PJ Black, he spent time preparing for Bandido for his first round match (don’t forget, in episode #420, they told us that Jay Lethal won this match and will wrestle at Glory by Honor in the semi-finals). He calls PJ Black lucky because he has everything to gain here, being added in at the last second. Jay Lethal says he would love to become ROH World Champion a third time, and he thinks it might just happen.
After a quick ad break, we are back with images of Angelina Love spraying cosmetic product in the face of the champion and getting the pin. Kelly Klein tells us that she’s not done with Love and she is coming for her and she knows where she is! Ian Riccaboni tells us that Kelly Klein will challenge Angelina Love at Glory by Honor. He also tells us that there is a 15 man #1 contender’s battle royal and the winner will face ROH World Champion Rush later that night. He runs down the card some more and tells us we will see Dalton Castle against PCO in the #1 Contender at Final Battle Tournament match, with the winner facing the winner of Scurll vs (Lethal/Black) and reminds us the latter match is our main event as if they didn’t say that less than 4 minutes ago.
We are welcomed to a brief recap of Death Before Dishonor given to us by “Wrestling With Wregret”‘s Brian Zane who is backstage and says he was reeling from DBD and he had the best seat in the house. He says his Top 5 favorite things from Death Before Dishonor were PCO absorbing the cattle prod, Beer City Bruiser being a human dartboard during a Bar Room Brawl with Vinny Marseglia throwing darts into the Bruiser’s back, Lifeblood’s Mark Haskins and Bandido challenging the The Briscoes, and Jay Briscoe ended the match with two Jay Drillers to retain, Jonathan Gresham submitting former two ROH World Champion Jay Lethal, Zane calling Gresham The Octopus of ROH, and his number one favorite moment was Matt Tave agaist Rush. He said Rush led a one man stampede against the leader of The Kingdom, and in the end Taven got the horns. Does anyone really believe him when he says that it was one of the best matches he’s ever seen though? Come on. Come on.
PJ Black is shown backstage, removing his shirt, and says he is very excited for tonight, and that due to injuries, he was able to replace Bandido in the tournament. He says his opponent is one of the best ever, one of ROH’s legends, saying he came to ROH to test himself against guys like Jay Lethal and didn’t think this opportunity could come this early. He says Always Bet On Black when in Vegas, he says all he needs to do is beat Jay Lethal, and then two more men to become ROH World Champion.
We are shown a victory by Coast 2 Coast at an unnamed event, but it happened in Las Vegas in the Sam’s Town Live, when Shaheem Ali pinned Cheeseburger with an inverted uranagi slam. A promo by Coast to Coast follows with LSG telling us that Coast 2 Coast are no longer young boys, and the company will soon recognize that. Ali says if someone has the tag belts, it doesn’t matter who it is, they’re coming to get them, LSG adds that there is a target on the champions back! Ali ends by saying Coast 2 Coast does the most, and they don’t play games.
Backstage at Death Before Dishonor, Quinn McKay stands with “Hotsauce” Tracy Williams as they prepare for his No Disqualification match against Flip Gordon. Williams says that Flip finally gave him what he wanted after months of cheap shots. He says Flip must feel he needs weapons but it won’t matter because he’s going to end this feud tonight, he will not hestitate to end this, and tells Flip Gordon to come prepared, and that he’s going to send Flip Gordon to the shelf for good.
2) Silas Young & Josh Woods vs Coast 2 Coast
This is an exclusive ROH Television match, featuring two teams that are chasing The Briscoe Brothers and a victory here could earn either team a champioship opportunity! Coast 2 Coast makes their entrance first. We are told Silas Young and Josh Woods went undefeated during the Global Wars Tour! We are told Silas Young doesn’t like how “nice” Josh Woods is, but decided to take him under his wings after winning the 2017 Top Prospect Tournament.
Young and LSG start us off, Young with some chain wrestling early on, LSG flips him inside out. Silas Young shows great athleticism with some kip ups trying to escape a wristlock. Multiple cradles for near falls by both men! Tag to Josh Woods with a snapmare, allowing LSG to tag in Ali. The big men square off, as the fans chant “Power Ranger” at Shaheem Ali. We are told wrestling Josh Woods on the mat is a mistake due to his MMA background, as Ali escapes a mount with a rope break as we fade to commercial.
Back to both men still in the ring, Ali trying to wrestle Woods again, Woods reverses a charge attack into a leg cradle for two. Caprice Coleman says that if he were wrestling someone with an amateur background, he’d kick him straight in the mouth. Woods and Young dominating Ali in their corner. Corner to corner splash by Young and tag to Woods, who knocks the wind out of Ali with a knee to the gut for a two count! Ali backs Woods up to the Coast 2 Coast corner as they double team Woods with cheap shots. Woods shoulder first ito the corner, double team slam into LSG’s knees. More double teaming behind the referees back. Woods tries to fight back, but gets driven to his opponents corner again. LSG taunts Young before charging into Woods in the corner. Woods with elbows to both of his opponents, blocks a clothesline into a t-bone suplex to LSG! Woods can’t make the tag as both men down. Both men make tags and Young sends Ali to the outside, clothlining LSG, Ali back in, catches knees to the face by Youg and a top rope assisted suplex for two! LSG with a springboard clothesline. LSG takes down Woods with a lucha tilt-a-whirl bulldog, Ali in and gets a gut wrench powerbomb on Josh Woods! They crush Silas Young in the corner. Woods with a Jumping Knee to Ali! Young blocks LSG off the ropes, backbreaker across the knee into the lariat combination! CHAOS THEORY BY JOSH WOODS! No pin! Young gets thrown outside by Shaheem Ali, Woods and Ali scrap, Woods with a powerslam, no Young catches Ali with a cutter from the elevated position with a double team and gets the win in just over 9 minutes of action.
Winners: Silas Young & Josh Woods
Grade: **
Thoughts: Josh Woods has now been in Ring of Honor several years, and he looks like he just started yesterday. He is crisp when it comes to grappling and takedowns, as that is his amateur background, but overall he is still a very raw product. Coast 2 Coast looked like a great team in the wrong place at the wrong time. They got some nice moves in, but there was no way they were beating Young and Woods tonight.
Backstage at Death Before Dishonor, Matt Taven is shown after the main event walking through the backstage area looking frustrated, tearing his tape off, wondering what’s next for him. We are then shown the end of Colt Cabana against Marty Scurll in the first round of the #1 Contender at Final Battle Tournament, with Scurll winning with the Black Plague. We are shown highlights of PCO defeating Kenny King to advance past the first round after sustaining a cattle prod to the throat, chokeslamming King anyway. Dalton Castle defeated Mark Haskins as well, as the former ROH World Champion won with the a Spinning Clutch Bulldog. We are told you can watch all that match on Youtube! Using a television to plug a Youtube Channel? Well, that’s new.
3) PJ Black vs Jay Lethal
First Round- #1 Contender at Final Battle Tournament
Lethal gets introduced as The Franchise, and he is trying to earn his way back to the championship he lost at Madison Square Garden in April. He is escorted by Jonathan Gresham. Streamers fly over the greatest champion in Ring of Honor history. Both men shake hands to start, giving us the code of honor. Nice.
Black with a standing switch go behind, meanwhile we are told that Gresham does have his manager’s license, because the Nevada State Athletic Commission is strict about that, Lethal and Black tie up into a wristlock, into a Lethal hammerlock. Black picks the lock ad reverses into a cradle for a quick kickout. We are told that Lethal wrestled almost 20 minutes the night before, and that Black is fresh after not competing at Death Before Dishonor. Toehold into a front facelock by PJ Black. Great wrestling here by the South African. Driven to the ropes, Black gives a clean break.
Hard tie up in the ring and Black gets a headlock, multiple leadfrogs by both men, and Black with a leg sweep into a lateral press, Lethal gives his own, arm drags, and a legsweep, Lethal dodges a double stomp and Lethal stares up at PJ Black who says it was that close. They square away again, Vintage Lethal after Lethal tosses Black with a hiptoss into a dropkick combo! Hard chop by Lethal but Lethal on the hunt as he abuses his opponent in the corner with kicks and chops. Lethal blocks a front face lock springboard tornado DDT ad dropkicks the knee of Black, he locks in a Figure Four! Black trying to reach for the ropes! Black has surgically repaired legs after a terrible car accident last year, being repaired with pins and metal rods. Black gets to the ropes, asai moonsault into a reverse DDT and holds on and transitions into a mounted dragon sleeper! Wow!
Snap suplex into a face lock into an stretch plum by Black trying to target the arm that Gresham ripped apart last night. Lethal gets a break and Black with kicks to the spine, cover and gets two, trying to gas Lethal on kickouts. Headscissors takedown into a step through inverted boston crab into a surfboard which he calls the South African Love Bucket as we fade to a break.
Black on top, gets dropkicked in the back by Lethal as he splits himself on the turnbuckle! Both men on top, back elbow by Black, Black threatens a 450 Splash but Lethal blocks with slaps and chops. Lethal now with a superplex but Black blocks. Both men still on top. Lethal with a superplex! Both men down as the referee starts to count. Both men to their feet as they exchange blows. Lethal with a knife edge chop! Black with a chop! Lethal with a chop! Black with a kick, Lethal with a slap, Black with forearms, and a spinning forearm stumbles Lethal. Off the ropes, Black to the apron, springboard dropkick sends Black outside, suicide dive through the ropes connects! Lethal rolls Black inside, Hail to the King OHH YEAHHH, Black blocks! Lethal Combination! Lethal back up top. Elbow smash connects! Hooks the leg and Black kicks out, so close! Both men reaching deep as they’re in the corner, Lethal with rights, Black reverses a whip, SPANISH FLY OFF THE TOP BY PJ BLACK! Two and a half! Springboard Moonsault Press connects– LETHAL KICKS OUT! Black tries the 450, and Lethal out of desperation knocks Black down. Both men up top. Black blocks a superplex with a headbutt. Double axe handle to the neck by Black. Both men fight and both men crash to the mat! PJ Black misses the Placebo Effect, Black blocks the Lethal Injection! Lethal misses the Lethal Injection, Black blocks a third attempt, SUPER KICK BY Lethal! Cutter! Fourth try connects! Lethal hooks the leg and wins in 15 minutes.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Grade: ***
Thoughts: PJ Black was made to look like he could really compete against the best here, as Lethal couldn’t get much without it being countered or blocked on the first attempt. Black has some unique combinations and transitions. Put the TV Title on this guy and let him wrestle every week, wow! I really liked this match, but the result was never in question. It was a proving ground for PJ Black, who proved his worth. Not to mention we were told Lethal won last week when they previewed the Tournament’s semi-finals at Glory by Honor.
Overall Show Grade: 4/10
There’s just so much I can say, with so much going on in wrestling right now, ROH looks to just be in a bad spot. The crowds are pathetic and silent. There’s more crowd noise at joshi events. You can hear one or two fans clapping and cheering, there’s less than a couple hundred people in attendance. This show was all over the place, three weeks after Death Before Dishonor aired acting like it happened the night before (claiming so several times), failing to showcase Dragon Lee in a segment that was supposed to, having their main event match spoiled the week before, and telling us that if we watched ROH on FITE TV, we can go watch more matches on Youtube is ridiculous. The main event saved this show from being a total bomb, but the lack of crowd killed what could have been a special match between great athletes. They tried, but the crowd just didn’t care. You just can’t air these types of shows and expect anyone to care about your product and take it seriously. Last week was much better. I hope there’s better days ahead. I hope.
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It’s a big time return or whatever!
Right before the AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament begins, Best Friends’ Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta return to ROH!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament: Billie Starkz VS Diamante; Billie wins and advances.
- Lee Johnson VS Aaron Solo; Johnson wins.
- Four Corner Survival: Kiera Hogan VS Lady Frost VS Leyla Hirsch VS Robyn Renegade; Kiera wins.
- ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Aisha; Athena wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS The Iron Savages; Top Flight wins.
- The Workhorsemen VS Nick Comoroto & Jacoby Watts; The Workhorsemen win.
- Lance Archer w/ Jake “The Snake” Roberts VS Darian Bengston; Archer wins.
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Abadon VS Mercedes Martinez; Martinez wins and advances.
- Four Corner Survival: AR Fox VS Jack Cartwheel VS Komander VS Slim J; Komander wins.
- Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta w/ Chuck Taylor VS Griff Garrisson & Cole Karter w/ Maria Kanellis; Cassidy & Trent win.
PLAY BY PLAY
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Billie Starkz VS Diamante!
Minion 400,237 and three-quarters said herself that no one is better than Athena, and she’s better than everyone else in the field! Will she continue to be one step behind the Fallen Goddess and one step ahead of the rest? Or will she be crushed by the Cuban Diamond?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and then Billie takes a swing! Diamante ducks, waistlocks and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Things speed up, Diamante ducks ‘n’ dodges then rolls, but Billie leaps over! Billie sunset flips on the return, ONE! Diamante sits on it, ONE! Billie sunset flips again, ONE and Diamante rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Billie pushes Diamante away, and then she runs up, but into an OVERHEAD- OH, well, it ends up more like a flapjack than Belly2Belly throw but that hurts either way. Diamante runs corner to corner to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up as Billie stays in this, and she bails out to the apron. Diamante pursues and RAMS Billie into the LED barrier! The fans boo but Diamante flexes as she soaks up the heat. Diamante storms back up on Billie, and whips her hard into railing! Billie clutches her side and Diamante tells Billie to be humble. Diamante CHOPS Billie, Billie sputters, and then Diamante headlocks. Diamante brings Billie along, headlock punches her, then whips her at steel steps! Billie goes up and up to FLYING RANA! Not the cleanest but the fans fire up with Billie all the same! Billie stands, storms after Diamante, and puts her in the ring.
The fans rally behind Billie and she hurries to the apron. But Diamante ROCKS her! Diamante puts Billie in the ropes for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Diamante dumps Billie into a cover, TWO! Diamante is annoyed but she stomps Billie around. Diamante eggs Billie on, has her in a corner and RAMS into her! Then RAMS her again! Billie CLUBS Diamante but Diamante RAMS in again! The ref counts, Diamante lets off and CHOPS! Diamante then digs her boot in! The ref counts, Diamante lets off at 4, but Billie grits her teeth. The fans rally as Diamante stands Billie up and Billie fires body shots!
Diamante throws Billie down by her hair! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Diamante soaks it up. Diamante sits Billie up, steps over an arm and has the neck wrench! Diamante adds a cording hold to stretch Billie out. The fans rally as Billie endures, but Diamante CLUBS away on Billie’s chest! Diamante goes back to the neck wrench and even grinds her forearms into Billie’s face. Billie fights up, throws body shots, and then ROCKS Diamante with a forearm! Billie runs, Diamante follows and tilt-o-whirls, into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans do cheer that ability, and Diamante runs to PLANKING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Diamante argues the count but the ref defends it. Diamante eggs Billie on again, then CLUBS her down. Billie grabs at Diamante but Diamante scuffs her. Billie still rises up, and she ROCKS Diamante with a forearm! Diamante snarls and UPPERCUTS Billie down! Diamante pushes Billie to a cover, TWO! Diamante clamps onto Billie with a facelock, then stands her up. Diamante whips Billie to a corner, runs up, but Billie ELBOWS her away! Then BOOTS her away! Diamante tries again, blocks the boot, but not the REBOUND KICK! Billie hurries to dump Diamante out and builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp!
The fans fire up and Billie keeps moving! Billie builds speed again to DIVE again! Another hit, but Billie wants the hattrick! Billie builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit again and the fans fire up! Billie points to the title belt, then drags Diamante up and puts her in the ring. Billie reels Diamante in, suplexes, GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO?!? Diamante survives but Billie is fuming! The fans rally behind Billie as she goes up a corner. Diamante rise sup first to UPPERCUT! Diamante then drags Billie off the top, but Billie ELBOWS her, sweeps the legs, and mule kicks! Billie goes right back up, but Diamante springs to her feet!
Billie leaps over Diamante, goes to the far corner, and Diamante runs in! Wheelbarrow, but Billie makes it a FACEBUSTER! Billie half nelsons to haul Diamante up, but Diamante throws elbows with the free arm! Billie holds on but Diamante snapmares! Billie BOOTS her for it! Billie then brings Diamante in, suplexes, but Diamante cradle counters! TWO!! Billie stands into an UPPERCUT! Diamante reels Billie in, O’Conner Roll and CHAOS THEORY!! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and shocks Diamante! The fans are thunderous while Diamante thinks on what to do now. Diamante sits Billie up and ROCKS her with a forearm!
Diamante says this is over! She throws more forearms, then some SLAPS and CHOPS! Diamante then stands Billie up, but Billie powers out of the cravat to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Billie flounders to ropes. Billie crawls back to Diamante as the fans rally. Billie fires a forearm, but Diamante gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder! The fans rally behind Billie with every shot, but Diamante ROCKS Billie! Billie ROCKS Diamante! The forearms keep going, they pick up speed, and Billie gets the edge! The fans fire up, but Diamante shoves Billie! Billie rebounds to ROCK Diamante again!
Billie runs, ROCKS Diamante against ropes, then keeps going! But Diamante follows to ROCK Billie! Diamante runs, but Billie ROCKS her! Billie runs, Diamante blows past her and wheelbarrows, for the STUNNER! Then a cravat for SHIRANUI!! Cover, TWO?!?! Billie survives again and Diamante pulls at her hair! The fans are thunderous as Diamante drags Billie back up. Diamante whips, runs up, but Billie BOOTS her! And SPIN HEEL KICKS! The fans fire up as Billie goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Diamante survives but Billie just drags her into the HALF NELSON CROSSFACE!! Diamante taps, Billie wins!!
Winner: Billie Starkz, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
Atlanta fires up as Billie is through to the next round! Will nothing stop her from grabbing the gold and standing beside Athena as her equal?
Cole Karter & Griff Garrison speak.
The Diamond in the Rough tells the Ivy League MVP, “This is it. This is the biggest match of our career. Maria set this up for us, and we’re gonna make her proud.” Griff says that’s right. The “Baby Boys” have Maria behind them, so Trent & Orange, this is the biggest match of their careers, so they’re gonna do their best. Maria walks in and says, “Your best? Your best? 23 years old (Cole), 26 years old (Griff). You guys are babies. My Baby Boys! I remember thinking that everyone else owned my career when I was your age. That ROH or the person I was in the ring with, they owned my career.
“But the truth is, you own your careers. Y’know, [Griff] had that match with Adam Copeland, and it was great! It was on Collision and everybody was talking about it, and I was so proud. Until you lost. And because you lost, we haven’t seen the inside of a Collision ring since.” Griff feels bad, but Maria says actions have consequences and they need to understand that. These types of opportunities don’t happen every day. Orange, Trent, they’re jealous of Griff & Karter and what they can accomplish! They are on the path to do great things, and the stolen mask of Serpentico is just the beginning. Maria wants to be proud of her baby boys.
They aren’t gonna disappoint her, right? No, of course not! They’re gonna make her proud, right? Right, absolutely! Then let’s go. Maria leads the way, but will her boys’ best be enough against the Best Friends?
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Aisha!
Standing at 46-0, the Fallen Goddess continues to raise the bar on what it is to be the most dominant champion, male or female, in ROH history! Will she keep on going even towards Supercard of Honor? Or is she going to get caught slipping one of these nights?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally for Athena. Athena waves to her minions then circles with Aisha. They step up, then Athena DECKS Aisha! Athena HAMMERS away on Aisha, argues with the ref, and then reels Athena in. Athena suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Aisha sits up while Athena cheers herself on. Athena runs up, but Aisha gets around to Gory Especial! Aisha spins and spins, then HIP BUMPS Athena away! Aisha runs corner to corner, and BOOTS Athena down! Aisha then drags Athena up to whip corner to corner, and then HIP ATTACKS her down!
The fans are torn, but Aisha goes up the corner. But Athena SHOVES her down! Athena then runs side to side to baseball slide DROPKICK! Aisha falls right to the floor, but Athena goes out after her. Athena CLUBS away on Aisha, then clinches for a scoop and SWING into the railing! Aisha writhes, Athena drags her up and RAMS her into the LED barrier! The fans rally as Athena stalks Aisha, brings her around, and shoves her into the ring. Athena stalks Aisha, CLUBS her and snapmares, to then KICK her in the back! Athena shouts, “This is MY show!” as she SLAPS Aisha again and again! Aisha crawls but Athena storms up on her.
Athena whips Aisha to a corner, but Aisha stops herself! HIP ATTACK! And then a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, ONE!! Athena shocks Aisha, but Aisha fires herself back up. Aisha hauls Athena up, whips her to a corner, but Athena goes up and up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Athena runs in at the corner to back body block! She goes side to side and ROCKS Aisha with a forearm! Athena then slips out to the apron, brings Aisha into the ropes, and Athena stands on Aisha’s head! The ref reprimands but Athena STOMPS and STOMPS and STOMPS! Aisha flops down while Athena snarls. Aisha crawls but Athena stalks her.
Aisha stands, Athena runs up and BOOTS her down! Athena isn’t done, she ties Aisha’s legs up in a figure four, then adds a STRETCH PLUM! Aisha endures, taps, Athena wins!
Winner: Athena, by submission (denies Aisha a title opportunity)
The Fallen Goddess adds something new to the arsenal, but then she still follows her usual bad habits. She goes out, sits Aisha against steel steps, and then lines up a shot. Athena runs in to KNEE Aisha into the steel! The ref reprimands but some fans want that “One More Time!” Athena paces, gets more space, and runs in again, for another KNEE!! Athena stands tall with her title but she also gets a mic. “That. That is what you have to offer, Atlanta? This hot garbage is what you have to offer me!?” The fans chant for “A T L! A T L!” and Athena frowns. “ATL isn’t even good enough to wipe my ass.”
Fans boo but Athena says since they forgot who she is, she is the FOREVER ROH Women’s Champion, the Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the ROH Gatekeeper, the American Joshi, the person that is the inspiration to every women’s division, and the main event of ROH! “Match after match, I come to this ring, I put my heart and soul and defend my championship! I give Suzy from down the street an opportunity, I give Rebecca from down the block opportunities! And what do I get in return!? Nothing. And quite frankly, I am bored! I need more! I deserve more! SHUT UP, I’M TALKING!”
Fans boo but Athena says she needs more than “these porcelain princesses, this hot trash!” SHE is the one who has put ROH on the map, put it on her back, and carried it to new levels! And the funny thing is, Supercard is only weeks away! But no one is lining up to face the Forever Champion. Hell, the entire locker room is so afraid of facing Athena, that they lined up for a second-place title tournament! And even then, Nyla Rose, a former AEW Women’s World Champion, after Athena threw her through tables, she could’ve stepped back up. But no, she stepped right out of ROH, tucked tail and ran.
The fans are torn between boos and another “ATL!” chant, but Athena says here we are. She is dying for competition! She needs it to solidify the most epic reign in all of pro-wrestling! Who is it gonna be? Hell, it isn’t anyone in ROH! So she will open every door around the world, anyone is welcome to step inside, because she NEEDS someone to take her to her limit! Athena NEEDS real competition! So who is it gonna be to take her the limit? Wait, that music… HIKARU SHIDA!! The Full Metal Warrior, the former THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion, on top of other titles back home in Japan, is now in ROH!
Shida steps right into the ring with the fans cheering her on. Shida points her kendo stick at Athena and the title, so the challenge is clearly made. Athena holds up the belt, and Tony Khan already sends word that this is happening! Supercard of Honor, April 5th, Philadelphia! Will the Fallen Goddess soon learn that nothing lasts forever?
Backstage interview with Lee Johnson.
Lexi Nair congratulates Big Shotty over his big win over Aaron Solo, adding to his 2024 win streak. What is the secret to this success? Johnson says he has said it before and he’ll proudly say it again, he is not just here to take part. He is here to take over! 2024 has been looking really, really good, and he does not plan on slowing down any time soon. So welcome to the Shotty Show! Johnson is ready to stand at the very top of ROH, but what title will he take aim at first?
Backstage interview with Taya Valkyrie.
Lexi is with La Wera Loca and says it’s been a couple weeks since they’ve talked. But Lexi does have to ask, what’s it like being a “Boy Mom in Slam Town?” Oh, they’re just so cute! She wants to but the Tate Twins matching outfits and dress them up, they’re so adorable! But then Dalton Castle shouts as he clings to a wall. Taya says he is embarrassing himself, he should leave. Castle asks where Taya’s keeping The Boys but she says she’s not telling them, they’re hers! Castle knows they’re here, he can smell them! Castle goes looking through some sort of hamper…? Taya asks Castle if he really knows The Boys. What’s their favorite animal? What’s they’re favorite color?
SPOILERS! It’s sharks, and blue! Taya keeps quizzing Castle with “Who’re their best friend?” Mommy Taya, that’s who! And what do they like for brunch? SCONES! He knows that! NO, it’s tater tots! And lots of ’em! They even like sashimi, they get it when she gets a California Roll. Castle isn’t even fit to have Boys! Castle laughs as he asks what. He’s not fit. Not fit? No, he is not fit to have Boys! “Look at me, you filth! Tell me where they are!” Taya calls security as Castle gets in her face! Security storms in, they carry Castle away and Taya says she will tell Castle where The Boys are! They’re with Daddy TV, on top of a mountain, learning how to be MEN! And how to be TV READY!
Lexi is almost in tears watching this drama unfold. Taya composes herself and asks if there are other questions. No, we’re good… Will The Peacock ever have his life back in order? Or will Mr. & Mrs. Taya continue to rub his Boys in his face?
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament Quarterfinals: Abadon VS Mercedes Martinez!
The round of eight is almost over, and soon we will be left with the Final Four! The Living Dead Girl collides with the OG Badass, but who moves on to face Billie Starkz in the semifinals?
Martinez spits on her hand and the Code of Honor is upheld, then the bell rings. Abadon HEADBUTTS Martinez, then fires off forearms! Abadon whips Martinez to a corner, SPLASHES then fires off clotheslines! Abadon sits Martinez down tot hen STOMP her down! Abadon runs corner to corner to METEORA! Martinez flops out of the ring, Abadon CANNONBALLS her to the floor! The fans fire up and Abadon stalks Martinez. Abadon CLUBS Martinez, stalks her around the way, and then CLUBS her again! The fans rally behind Abadon, but Martinez BOOTS Abadon down! Martinez says the fans are sure quiet now!
Martinez refreshes the ring count, CLUBS Abadon, then pushes Abadon in the ring. Martinez talks trash then KICKS Abadon in the side. Martinez gets Abadon up, BUTTERFUL SUPLEX and a roll through, for another BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Martinez drags Abadon up again, and then lifts her up for a BUTTERFLY STRETCH! Abadon endures, so Martinez SLAMS Abadon down! Cover, TWO! Martinez paces around Abadon, talks trash and slaps her around, and the fans rally. Martinez UPPERCUTS Abadon, whips her to ropes, but Abadon holds ropes while laughing!
Abadon ELBOWS Martinez, runs and tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Martinez gets up, wrenches, but Abadon ducks a lariat, but Martinez turns around to LARIAT after all! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Abadon stays in this. Martinez drags Abadon up, steps over, and has a seated cobra twist! Abadon endures and the fans rally again. Abadon fights around, throws some elbows and shots from below, and then stands up. But Martinez UPPERCUTS her down! Martinez drags Abadon up, fireman’s carries, but Abadon fights free! Abadon BOOTS Martinez, runs up, but Martinez DECKS her! Martinez then lines up a shot, but is creeped out by Abadon laughing and singing as she sits up!
Martinez runs in, Abadon blocks a boot and trips her! Abadon runs to BASEMENT CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Martinez is still in this but Abadon snarls. Abadon stalks Martinez to ropes, KNEES her low, then KNEES her again and again! The ref counts, Abadon lets off and whips, but Martinez reverses. Martinez gets around to SAIDO! The fans rally, Martinez takes aim, and runs in at the corner, to FOREARM SMASH! Martinez sits Abadon down, goes side to side, and BOOT WASHES! The fans fire up and Martinez YANKS Abadon for a SLAM, then high stacks! TWO, but Martinez gets a leg! Martinez sits on a HALF CRAB!
Abadon endures, crawls, reaches out, and the fans rally up again. Abadon drags Martinez back to get the ROPEBREAK! Martinez lets go in frustration and she runs corner to corner again. Abadon dodges, Martinez runs into buckles, and Abadon throws Martinez back. Abadon goes up to then reel Martinez in for a RANA! And a CUTTER! But Martinez flounders to the apron! Abadon crawls after Martinez, grabs at her, and then goes out to the apron with her. Abadon CLUBS away on Martinez, reels her in, APRON- NO, Martinez holds ropes to deny the DDT! Abadon sits up in a daze, and Martinez KNEES her right back down!
Martinez huffs and puffs, drags Abadon out along the apron, and KICKS, KICKS and KICKS Abadon in the back! Martinez then drapes Abadon out for the SWINGING NECKBREAKER to the floor! The fans fire up and the ring count starts. Abadon stirs at 5 of 10, claws at the floor mat, but Martinez is up first. Martinez puts Abadon in at 8 of 20, covers, TWO! Abadon survives and Martinez is frustrated. Martinez hears the fans rallying for Abadon but says she’s the one moving on! Martinez hauls Abadon up, but Abadon is deadweight! Martinez kicks Abadon around, drags Abadon back up, but Abadon SHRIEKS!
Abadon BITES Martinez’s arm! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and Abadon lets off at 4. Abadon “apologizes” then gets around Martinez, SWING-OUT DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Abadon can’t believe it and shrieks into the night! The fans fire up as Martinez crawls to a corner. Abadon rises, runs in at the corner, but Martinez dodges! Abadon ELBOWS back, hobbles along ropes, but wait is that Diamante!? Diamante CLUBS Abadon on the back, Martinez reels Abadon in, FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, Martinez wins?!?
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by pinfall
The fans boo because Abadon just got cheated! Martinez will face Billie in the next round, but will Diamante be her insurance policy even then? Is Abadon gonna haunt them until the end of time for this?
Eddie Kingston speaks.
“ROH has Supercard coming up. In the birthplace of ROH, in Philly. And there was someone almost about a year ago, very close to a year ago, who was supposed to have a title shot at Claudio but got injured, and never got his title shot. And that’s you, Mark. That’s you, Chicken, Mark Briscoe baby.” Eddie tells Mark that, as Mark knows, Mark wasn’t even allowed on the first ROH show because he was only 17! But he was there with his brother, Jay Briscoe, for Jay Briscoe VS Amazing Red. So why not now? It’s beautiful. It’s only two, three hours from home? Bring all your people, Mark. Not in a “I’m gonna beat you up” way, not like how Edde is going to scar Kazuchika Okada.
No, Eddie and Mark are going to show what the beautiful art of professional wrestling is. They won’t play around, they won’t dance. They will fight. They will fight for THE ROH World Championship, in Philadelphia, where this all started. Because Eddie respects Mark. And who cares who doesn’t like what Eddie’s about to say, they can talk to him about that. But Mark has been earning this shot for years, he deserves this shot, and Eddie wants to be the man who gives Mark that shot. It is happening, but will The Mad King make it through the Rainmaker with all the gold on his shoulders?
Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta w/ Chuck Taylor VS Griff Garrisson & Cole Karter w/ Maria Kanellis!
The Freshly Squeezed combination for Best Friends is getting in the AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament, and they already won against the Superbad Squad. Will they keep things going against Maria’s Baby Boys? Or will the First Lady of Professional Wrestling be the proudest she’s ever been after tonight?
The Code of Honor is upheld by all four men, and Trent even shakes Maria’s hand. The fans chant for “Freshly Squeezed!” as the teams sort out, and Cassidy starts against Karter. Cassidy and Karter circle, the fans even chant for “Chuckie T! Chuckie T!” then for “Trent! Trent! Trent!” Cassidy raises his hands, but Karter rushes in! Cassidy gets around to headlock, but Karter powers up and out. Karter drops, hurdles, then arm-drags! But Cassidy arm-drags back! Then Cassidy avoids Karter’s arm-drag, and he has his hands up! Maria freaks out, Karter runs up, but Cassidy hurdles then MONKEY FLIPS Karter!
Cassidy kips up, keeps Karter from Griff, then bumps him off buckles. Tag to Trent and Trent whips Cassidy so Cassidy can whip Trent, and Trent ROCKS Karter! Trent feeds Karter to Cassidy, just so Cassidy can hold Karter up. Trent runs to CLOBBER Karter, then Cassidy SPLASHES down! Trent moves Cassidy aside so he can cover Karter, TWO! Karter scrambles away as Maria coaches him, and Karter tags Griff. Griff runs up but into a hip toss! Trent KICKS Griff in the back, kicks low then CHOPS him! Tag to Cassidy, he and Trent double whip Griff to double shoulder tackle! They shake hands, then sit Griff up to reel him in!
Trent & Cassidy double suplex high and hard! Maria protests, Cassidy covers, TWO! Griff stays in this and Cassidy discusses the count as opposed to arguing. The count was fair so Cassidy goes to Griff in a corner. Griff turns things around to then throw body shots and an UPPERCUT! Griff whips Cassidy corner to corner, but Cassidy tumbles up and out. Cassidy ducks the haymaker to dribble Griff off buckles! The fans count along and Cassidy goes all the way to TEN! Maria is upset and she gets up on the apron! Trent protests, the ref is busy with them all, and Griff BOOTS Cassidy down! Karter shoves Cassidy back in, Griff SPLASHES in a corner!
Griff snapmares to a cover, TWO! Griff stays on Cassidy with a facelock and grinds him down. Griff drags Cassidy over, tags Karter, and they mug Cassidy. Maria cheers as Karter rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands about closed fists, so Karter lets off. Karter snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Cassidy is frustrated but Karter knees him in the back! And again! Karter drags Cassidy up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Griff. Karter bumps Cassidy off buckles, Griff ROCKS Cassidy in the back! Griff brings Cassidy around, CLUBS him down, but the fans rally up. Griff brings Cassidy back for Karter to tag in.
Griff sends Karter in but Cassidy BOOTS! Maria freaks out as Cassidy dodges Griff’s splash! Karter grabs a leg but Cassidy BOOTS him away! Griff gets a leg, Cassidy BOOTS Griff away! Griff AND Karter get legs! They drag Cassidy back but he BOOTS them both away! Hot tag to Trent! Trent rallies on Griff & Karter with LARIAT after LARIAT! Trent drops down to then STANDING METEORA Karter! Griff swings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Trent holds on to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Trent drags Griff up again, but Karter runs in. Trent shoves Griff away, gets around Karter, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Karter!
The fans fire up and Trent aims at Griff on the outside. PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Griff! The fans fire up but Maria gets between Trent and Chuck! She denies the people what they want, and Karter CLOBBERS Trent! Fans boo but Karter gives Trent an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Karter soaks up the heat, pushes Trent into the ring, and Griff joins in. Karter fireman’s carries, Griff runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Karter hurries to cover, TWO!! Trent survives but Karter rains down fists! The ref reprimands again but Karter drags Trent up. Karter bumps Trent off buckles then tags in Griff. Griff rains down forearms!
Griff huffs ‘n’ puffs as he lets off, but the fans rally up for Trent. Griff drags Trent up, tags Karter, and Karter runs to CLOBBER Cassidy! Griff feeds Trent to Karter’s KNEE, then hits an atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, Cassidy breaks it! Tag to Karter and he TOSSES Cassidy! Griff hauls Trent up, Karter climbs. Griff scoop SLAMS Trent, Karter 450 FLOPS as Trent moves!! The fans fire up as Trent crawls, but Griff hurries in to anchor him! Trent slips around to SAIDO Griff away! The fans fire up again as Trent staggers up and around, hot tag to Cassidy! Cassidy “storms” up to Griff & Karter, and “unleashes” those kicks!
Cassidy then stomps and stomps and stomps and stomps! The fans fire up, Cassidy runs, and he DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Cassidy kips up, the fans fire up, and Cassidy powers up his arm! Cassidy runs in but Griff puts him on the apron! Cassidy ROCKS Griff, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Cassidy keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges Karter to tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Cover, TWO!! Karter survives and Cassidy grits his teeth. Chuckie T and the fans rally up, and off comes the elbow pad! Cassidy aims, but Maria trips him up! The fans boo, Griff runs in, ROLLING ELBOW! Trent is back and he SUPERKICKS Griff!
Karter CALF KICKS Trent! Karter dodges the Orange Punch to DROPKICK! Karter soaks up the heat as he drags Cassidy back up. Maria applauds as Karter suplexes, but into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE, that sends him into a HALF ‘N’ HALF from Trent! Cassidy DIVES onto Griff! Trent aims at Karter, but Maria distracts! She wants a hug?! The fans boo but Trent figures why not. Trent hugs Chuck! You GOT to give the people what they want! Trent reels Karter in for the PILEDRIVER!! Then feed to the ORANGE PUNCH!! Cassidy covers, Best Friends win!
Winners: Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta, by pinfall
The biggest match of the Baby Boys’ career, and they fell hard! Best Friends will have to turn things right around because they’re going on a Rampage, will they keep the momentum going towards AEW’s own March Madness?
Wait! Spanish Annoucne Project sneaks in! They fire off hands on Griff & Karter! Maria panics, but she taunts Serpentico with the mask! She throws it down, he thinks about it, and so he grabs the mask! But Griff rises up! Griff turns Serpentico around, only to get punches from the mask hand! But Maria LOW BLOWS Serpentico! Karter LOW BLOWS Angelico! Maria shouts the mask is HERS, but then Best Friends return! They chase Maria off but she still has Serpentico’s property! When and where will #SNAKEMAN have his revenge? But for now, Best Friends stand with SAP, and they all HUG~! You definitely GOT to give the people what they want!
My Thoughts:
Another week of ROH needing to figure out its runtimes. The stream said 49 minutes, there were apparently technical difficulties and delays, and even then it ended up being a two hour episode instead. In many ways, this is just ROH reverting into AEW Dark. We still got good stuff, and as I skimmed through things, it seems there are some stories developing. Jacoby Watts has already been a parody of Christian evangelists that become self-important, and I do appreciate Caprice Coleman on commentary not being a fan of that given his own “man of the cloth” character. Jacoby is trying to lead Nick Comoroto to success but obviously in a misguided way, that might end up a good story to help Comoroto finally get something going again.
I did like in the Six Man Tag of Top Flight VS Iron Savages that they started with a “chug off,” and of course Action Andretti took that with his impressive speed chug technique. Archer of course dominated Bengston but fans had fun seeing Jake The Snake get a shot in first, and both Four Corner Survival matches were fast and fun. Great wins for Kiera Hogan and Komander through those, but Keira’s gonna be waiting on the Women’s TV title tournament to wrap up before she gets a title match, and Komander probably isn’t ever adding another title while he’s still AAA Cruiserweight Champion.
Really good match from Johnson and Solo because, as commentary made sure to note, they came up together through the Nightmare Factory and they know each other very well. Johnson’s win makes him 7-1 but that’s seven straight and really does deserve some kind of title match. It just doesn’t seem like that’ll happen until the other side of Supercard. Eddie had a great promo to officially establish an ROH World title match with Mark Briscoe, and Ethan Page is still waiting on Tony Khan to get Kyle Fletcher over here for an ROH World TV Championship match. Wheeler Yuta may still be recovering from minor injury, but it would be nice if the Pure Championship was back in action.
Athena of course won the Proving Ground match, but great promo from her to throw out an Open Challenge. And great choice for it to be Hikaru Shida, that will be an awesome match for Supercard. Now, as great as Athena beating Shida would be, part of her promo made me think that her time as champion has to be closer to the end. Athena can give the belt to Shida, making Shida a history-maker but then Athena can move on to AEW to get in on a title scene there. Even with Mercedes Mone now joining AEW, Shida in ROH and Athena in AEW freshens everything up to help both divisions move forward in to Spring and Summer.
Great stuff in the ROH Women’s TV Championship tournament. Billie of course won her match, she’s one of the main focuses in this tournament’s story. But then quite the surprise in Diamante helping Martinez screw Abadon over. At the same time, we weren’t getting Abadon VS Billie anyway, two fan favorites clashing and one has to win, that would be too hard of a call for anyone. Billie will surely beat Martinez, maybe with Abadon helping as revenge on Martinez, and then Billie is a finalist going to Supercard of Honor.
That promo segment from Taya and Cassidy was hilarious. It was a rather well-done take on a dramatic family situation, and I’m sure the next promo will be the debut of The TV Boys, where Brandon & Brent are “TV Ready.” And good stuff going into the main event. Good promo from Griff, Karter & Maria, really good match with Best Friends, but of course Best Friends won. I’m almost a little disappointed SAP didn’t get Serpentico’s mask back, but that again is a better moment to happen in like a “Mask on a Pole” match or a ladder match where the mask is hanging above the ring. That’s not a Supercard of Honor level match, but it can be a solid main event on the go-home episode in a few weeks.
My Score: 8.6/10
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ROH is ready to Stir It Up!
The ROH Women’s Television Championship Tournament continues as Leyla Hirsch and Red Velvet battle in a LEGIT quarterfinal match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Quarterfinal: Leyla Hirsch VS Red Velvet; Velvet wins and advances.
- Abadon VS Judy Azule; Abadon wins.
- Lee Johnson VS Jon Cruz; Johnson wins.
- Nyla Rose VS Airica Demia; Nyla wins.
- Four Corner Survival Tag: Jack Cartwheel & Gringo Loco VS Spanish Announce Project VS The Workhorsemen VS The Infantry; The Infantry wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Quarterfinal: Leyla Hirsch VS Red Velvet!
The opening round was LEGIT as Leyla battled it out with her good friend, Rachael Ellering, while The Chef served Sandra Moone a nice L. Will Velvet serve up an even tastier L here tonight? Or will Leyla simply be tasting sweet victory?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. They feel things out, and Velvet throws a testing strike that gets Leyla on the arm. Leyla says okay, and they start throwing hands back and forth! The fans rally, Leyla gets Velvet in a corner, but then lets off with pats on the shoulder. The fans cheer and the two reset. Velvet gets around to waistlock then headlock then wrench. Velvet wristlocks but Leyla powers her through to a headlock takeover, then ARMBAR! Velvet clasps hands fast, uses a leg to hook Leyla’s legs, and fans cheer this technical exchange as they end up in the ropes.
Velvet backs off and Leyla cools off. The two reset, tie up, and Leyla waistlocks, but throws Velvet by her hair! Fans boo but Leyla shrugs. Things speed up, Velvet drops then leaps, but into Leyla’s arms! SAIDO! Fans fire up as Velvet goes to a corner, and Leyla storms up. Leyla clotheslines Velvet again and again, then whips corner to corner. Velvet reverses but Leyla goes up and over to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Leyla hurries to waistlock again, but Velvet throws Leyla away. Velvet then BODY SHOTS! Velvet fires hands, talks some trash, but Leyla shoves Velvet, then SLAPS her! Velvet gets in Leyla’s face, then shoves her back.
Leyla turns things around and has Velvet in the corner to fire forearms! Leyla sits Velvet down, digs her boots, and mocks the Stir It Up! The fans are torn but the ref counts. Leyla lets off and drags Velvet up but Velvet puts her in the corner to DOUBLE CHOP and BODY SHOT! Velvet keeps Leyla cornered and RAMS into her again and again! The ref counts, Velvet lets off, then fakes the right! Velvet waits for Leyla to let her guard down, then Velvet SLAPS her in return! Velvet then does the splits to dig her boot in! The fans cheer but the ref counts. Velvet lets off at 4, then “apologizes.” But Leyla gets up to SHOTGUN Velvet down!
Leyla drags Velvet from the ropes to cover, TWO! Leyla stomps Velvet, puts her in the drop zone and says this is it! Leyla goes up but Velvet CLUBS her! Velvet CLUBS Leyla again, goes up, but Leyla CLAWS eyes! Leyla BOOTS Velvet, then reels her in for the HANGING SLEEPER! The ref counts, but Velvet pries at the hold! Velvet bends the fingers, then ICONOCLASM! Cover, TWO! Leyla survives but Velvet stays on her! Velvet isolates an arm to STOMP it! Leyla shouts in pain, but Velvet drops a leg onto the arm! Leyla gets away before the short arm scissor but Velvet drags her back in! Velvet gets the short arm scissor after all!
Leyla endures, the fans rally, and Leyla moves around. Leyla bridges up to alleviate pressure, then she CLUBS Velvet’s legs. Leyla rolls to stack Velvet but they’re in the ropes, so Leyla drags Velvet back, Cover, ONE!! Velvet SUPERKICKS Leyla right down! The fans fire up and Velvet scuffs Leyla. Velvet puts Leyla in the drop zone, stomps her then goes up. The fans fire up as Velvet reaches the top, but Leyla rises to UPPERCUT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Velvet CLUBS Leyla back, Leyla ROCKS Velvet, then climbs to CLUB her! Leyla brings Velvet to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!!
Velvet survives and the fans fire up! Leyla is frustrated and clutching her arm from the hard landing. A standing count starts, the fans rally and duel. The count passes 5 of 10, but both women rise at 7. Velvet gets in Leyla’s face, but Leyla fires a forearm! Velvet throws a haymaker, Leyla forearms back, and the two go back and forth! The fans rally as Leyla stands and CLUBS away on Velvet! Velvet fires off hands in return! Leyla knees low, whips Velvet to ropes, but Velvet ducks ‘n’ dodges to CALF KICK! Velvet brings Leyla up, whips her now, but Leyla gets up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Velvet survives again but Leyla clamps right back on with the waistlock. Leyla drags Velvet up, but Velvet switches to GERMAN SUPLEX in return! Leyla and Velvet both stagger to their feet as the fans fire up. Leyla LARIATS Velvet right down! Cover, TWO! Leyla is frustrated with Velvet, and she reels her back in. Back suplex, but Velvet lands out! Velvet then baits Leyla into a drop toehold onto ropes! Velvet runs to DOUBLE KNEE Leyla in the back! Velvet YANKS Leyla from ropes but Leyla uses that to roll Velvet up! Velvet rolls through but into a LEGIT KNEE! Leyla then drags Velvet around, runs and goes up, up and LEGIT SAULTS!! Cover, ROPEBREAK?!?
The fans are thunderous as Velvet survives by fingertips! Leyla is about to lose her mind, but she KICKS that arm! And SLAMS it on the mat! And then stomps away on the elbow! Leyla snarls, she drags Velvet for a ripcord, but Velvet sunset slips! TWO and Leyla sits on it! TWO and Velvet sunset flips with a deep hook, VELVET WINS!!
Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
That was a legit shocker! Leyla gets caught and she is out! Velvet shows Leyla respect by offering the Code of Honor. Leyla accepts and the fans cheer as the two hug it out. Velvet is now headed on and will face Queen Aminata, will there be another L on the menu?
The Infantry speaks.
They’re admiring their new merchandise, and Carlie Bravo starts by saying, “ROH, have no fear! The Infantry is always here! Yes, yes, fresh to death and back in full effect. With a brand new logo, brand new merch, and guess what? Brand new money, which is why we walking down the aisle looking like puddles when we be drippin’.” But speaking of fresh, Carlie is liking Captain Shawn Dean’s new glasses. Looking fly! Hit a pose! Dean flexes, then hits the Hogan, then spins around. Oh, oh, last one. Do the biceps and tongue out or something. Yeah, good, good. But how do you feel? Like an idiot! A doofus!
Yeah, that’s how you should feel doing things that are unoriginal, unauthentic, and just too uncool for school. But if you wanna be like The Infantry, steal their drip and their swag, where should they go, Trish? To Boot Camp! They told y’all before, have no fear, the Almighty Infantry is here! Copy that. Will Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum get the message?
Spanish Announce Project talks backstage.
They’ve found Maria Kanellis and are confronting her. Hands to yourselves, she is married. Yeah, okay, but they want her to understand that Angelico is back to 100%, so she can go get her little boys so SAP can fight them right here and now! She tells them easy, she’s the only one here. Griff & Karter were given the night off. Oh, of course. And she adds that even if they were here, they don’t face losers. SAP hasn’t won anything in a long time, so maybe if they win tonight, then she’ll consider the challenge. Until then, she still has Serpentico’s other mask! SAP is motivated, will they prove themselves worthy of the rematch?
Four Corner Survival Tag: Jack Cartwheel & Gringo Loco VS Spanish Announce Project VS The Workhorsemen VS The Infantry!
The Undisputed Kingdom still holds the ROH World Tag Team Championships, but with Supercard of Honor just a month away, someone’s gonna get their shot at the titles! This is quite the assortment, but who comes out in pole position for this race to Philadelphia?
In this form of Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are legal at a time. Anthony Henry starts against Angelico, and he barely keeps the Code of Honor, then the bell rings. They circle, feel things out, and the fans rally up. They knuckle lock, Henry wrenches and wristlocks, but Angelico slips through to spin free and headlock. Henry powers his way around to a facelock, then wrenches and wrangles Angelico. Angelico rolls back, spins and slips through to cording hold, and he brings Henry over. Tag to Serpentico and he goes up, to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Serpentico wrenches, Henry CLUBS free and UPPERCUTS!
Tag to JD Drake, Serpentico CHOPS! Drake doesn’t budge, and he CHOPS back! Serpentico sputters, and he tags out to Jack Cartwheel. The fans cheer as Jack cartwheels three times in a row! Drake mocks Jack, then takes a swing! Jack dodges to CHOP, but Drake doesn’t budge! Drake swings, Jack ducks ‘n’ dodges and dodges again, to roll back and headscissor, to then hold on so he can SPLASH! But then Drake gets up to CHOP Jack down! Drake suplexes, Jack slips free, tag to Gringo Loco! The fans fire up as Jack BOOTS Drake and Gringo Loco RANAS Drake! Serpentico runs in but Gringo Loco runs him over!
Things speed up, Loco leaps over then handsprings to duck under! Loco shoves Serpentico to a corner, runs up, but Serpentico BOOTS him away! Loco comes back, but Serpentico RANAS him now! And SUPERKICKS! Loco scrambles away and Carlie Bravo tags in! Serpentico dodges Bravo, trips him, and things speed up. Serpentico rolls, sidesteps, but Bravo arm-drags! Bravo rolls, gets a leg, slips around and hits a NECKBREAKER! Bravo wrenches Serpentico, tags in Dean, and they double whip. They trip, basement dropkick, and Dean covers, TWO! Dean drags Serpentico up and whips him to ropes.
Serpentico stops himself, SUPERKICKS, but Bravo SUPERKICKS Serpentico! Angelico BOOTS Bravo but Dean ROLLING ELBOWS Angelico! SAP brawls with The Infantry, so the other teams get involved! The fans fire up for the chaotic brawl, the Workhorsemen and the high-flyers dump SAP and Infantry out. Drake drags Dean over to tag in off him, and then DECKS him! Jack tags in off Serpentico, but Henry DROPKICKS Loco! The Workhorsemen mug Jack, then DDT! Jack is down, Drake covers, TWO! Jack survives but Drake bumps him off buckles. Drake stands Jack up to CHOP, then he tags Henry.
Henry brings Jack around to KICK him down! Henry then drags Jack right back up, tags Drake back in, snap suplex and slingshot SENTON! The Workhorsemen mock Angelico’s Bernie Lean, then Drake says stuff it! The Workhorsemen double whip but Jack rebounds to cartwheel! Henry pops Jack up and Drake catches him, but Jack RANAS Drake into Henry! Jack hot tags Loco but Serpentico BOOTS Jack! Loco kicks and whips Serpentico, trophy lifts him, and then DROPS him! To then STANDING MOONSAULT! The fans fire up with Loco and he brings Serpentico to the drop zone. Loco goes up but Drake ROCKS him first!
Drake climbs up to the very top, for a SUPER SIZED STEINER! Henry DOUBLE STOMPS! Drake covers but Dean FROG SPLASHES it apart! Dean TOSSES Henry, tags Bravo, and Bravo drags Loco up. Perhaps some lucha rules are at play here as they SUPERKICK and SIDEWINDER Loco! Bravo covers, Angelico breaks it! Angelico ELBOWS Dean, TOSSES him, and Serpentico feeds Bravo to the BACKBREAKER! Angelico stands Bravo up and Serpentico runs in, NECKBREAKER BACKBREAKER COMBO! The fans fire up with SAP but Loco & Jack get in! Loco CLUBS Angelico, Jack kicks Serpentico!
Loco whips, Angelico reverses but Loco holds ropes. Angelico runs up but is put on the apron. Jack HANDSPRING KICKS Angelico! Serpentico SUPERKICKS Loco, Jack BOOTS Serpentico! Jack whips Serpentico corner tot corner but Serpentico BOOTS back! DESTROYER but Jack cartwheels through! PENALTY KICK and STANDING MARIPOSA! Jack sets Serpentico up for Loco for the SWITCHFOOT SAULT! But then the Workhorsemen TOSS Loco, and JD THROWS Jack! Henry METEORAS in a corner, JD CANNONBALLS! The Workhorsemen high-five, but The Infantry DOUBLE SUPERKICK them!
The Infantry says “OORAH~!” But SAP trips up The Infantry up! SAP TOSSES them out, then regroup. Serpentico builds speed and Angelico holds ropes open, Serpentico DIVES onto the Workhorsemen! The fans fire up but Bravo BOOTS Angelico onto the rest! Jack DROPKICKS Bravo out, then builds speed. Loco gives him the boost on the SASUKE SPECIAL! Down goes the pile, but Dean LARIATS Loco! Dean goes up and CROSSBODIES! Dean rolls off but keeps moving, and he FLIES out onto everyone else! Bravo SCISSOR KICKS Loco! Dean joins in, they call their shot! They get Loco up and send him to BOOT CAMP!! Cover, Infantry wins!
Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall
Dean & Bravo take down three hot teams because they might just be the hottest team! They still have issues with The Outrunners, but will they also have their shot at the ROH Tag Team Champions soon enough? And hey, Maria walks out on stage just to taunt Serpentico with his mask! Will SAP ever get their revenge on Griff & Karter at this rate?
My Thoughts:
ROH needs to fix their livestream’s runtime indicator. I thought this was gonna be one hour and 47 minutes, but turns out it was just 49 minutes. Granted, I clearly skipped the huge chunk in the middle, but those were all clearly gonna be filler squash matches. Though, it was rather interesting that Abadon would need a squash match win before facing Mercedes Martinez in the next round. Is this to create go-home math that then favors Mercedes in the tournament? Or is Mercedes going to have her own filler match to do the same back?
Speaking of the tournament, great match from Leyla and Velvet, and I really am surprised Velvet won out. I suppose Leyla and Rachael can move on to their own story that leads them to facing each other, which is still good stuff. Good promos from a couple of the teams that were in tonight’s really good main event. Infantry are calling out The Outrunners, and them winning tonight gives them momentum into facing Turbo & Truth down the line. SAP want their match with Griff & Karter but lost so Maria gets to taunt them about it.
I feel like SAP is gonna keep losing until they lose their cool and attack Griff & Karter the moment they’re back on ROH TV. And I would think the match they have is for Serpentico’s mask, maybe a ladder match where the mask is hanging above the ring and they gotta bring the mask down. A No Disqualification style match is very fitting of where this feud has gone, so why not make it so climbing the ladder is the win, not a pin or submission?
My Score: 8.4/10
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