Coverage

Mitchell’s New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/16/21)

The quarterfinals begin!

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2021

Steven Mitchell

The New Japan Cup is one step closer to the finals!

With just days left, the New Japan Cup quarterfinals are here! Will EVIL be that much closer to repeating as tournament winner?

NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

SANADA & Bushi VS Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb; Ospreay & Cobb win.
2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: EVIL VS Toru Yano; Evil wins and advances.
2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: KENTA VS Shingo Takagi; Takagi wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

SANADA & Bushi VS Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb!

Cold Skull and Commonwealth Kingpin will meet in the NJCUP tomorrow, but they bring the Death Mask and the Hawaiian Hulk to this battle! Will Sanada bring Ospreay to a Skull End a couple days early? Or will the United Empire conquer the ungovernable?

Ospreay asks LIJ be nice to his nose after what happened just the other day against Zack Sabre Jr. The nose is broken, so he gets on his knees and asks they don’t hit him in the nose. Sanada says he’ll be cool, and so Ospreay steps up to start. The bell rings, fans rally and the two circle. Sanada and Ospreay tie up, Ospreay wrenches an arm to a wristlock, and Sanada goes after the nose! Ospreay gets to ropes for defense and the ref has Sanada back off. Ospreay again pleads that Sanada not go after the nose, and Sanada promises not to. Fans rally “SA-NA-DA!” though Ospreay pretends it’s “WILL OS-PREAY!” as he returns.

They circle, tie up, and Ospreay wrenches an arm to then quickly hammerlock, headlock, and wristlock again. Ospreay wrenches and wrenches but Sanada WRINGS him out! Ospreay scrambles away again and steadies himself. Ospreay calls for a test of strength, Sanada accepts and they knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder, Sanada starts to bend Ospreay back but Ospreay pulls Sanada’s hair! Ospreay throws Sanada down, covers, ONE as Sanada bridges! Fans cheer as Sanada stands back up, and he rolls to crank the knuckle locks! Ospreay gets to ropes again, Sanada lets off but Ospreay turns things around!

The ref warns Ospreay, he lets off clean, and again points to his nose. Fans cheer as the two stand off, and Ospreay holds out a hand. Ospreay promises to play nice but he so obviously winks to Cobb. Sanada reaches out for the handshake, but he anticipates and blocks the cheap kick! Cobb gets in to hit Sanada, Ospreay hits Bushi, and the Empire mugs Sanada. The Empire double whips Sanada corner to corner, Ospreay sends Cobb in but Sanada dodges and dropkicks Ospreay’s leg out! Sanada then RANAS Cobb out of the ring! Fans fire up and Sanada tags in Bushi. Bushi kicks Ospreay, Ospreay guards his face so Bushi kicks him low again.

Bushi whips, Ospreay reverses then runs in but Bushi slips out to the apron. Bushi swing kicks but Ospreay turns around so he gets hit in the back! Bushi climbs up, leaps but Ospreay gets under. Ospreay elbows Bushi then makes him straddle the top rope! Ospreay runs to BOOT Bushi down, then he runs to hit Sanada! Cobb drags Bushi up to throw forearms. Ospreay goes after Sanada with haymakers! Ospreay whips Sanada hard into railing! Sanada falls over, Ospreay stands on his neck and messes with Sanada’s nose now! Ospreay says no one cares about Sanada’s nose, his nose is the most important. Cobb puts Bushi in for Ospreay and Ospreay stomps him.

Tag to Cobb, the Empire drags Bushi up to double whip, and Cobb runs Bushi over. Ospreay PENALTY KICKS, Cobb covers, TWO! Fans rally up and Bushi throws body shots. Cobb clubs and whips Bushi to bring him around and throw into the Empire corner! Tag to Ospreay, Ospreay climbs and Cobb sets Bushi up, DRAPING STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Ospreay tags Cobb and digs his knee into Bushi, and Cobb drags Bushi up. Bushi throws body shots again but Cobb clubs him. Cobb runs but Bushi follows to dropkick! Fans fire up as Bushi crawls. Cobb anchors Bushi and Ospreay runs in to DECK Sanada! Ospreay stomps Bushi, the ref reprimands but Ospreay tells him to take it easy.

Bea Priestly keeps the ref distracted, and the Empire whips Bushi corner to corner. Ospreay whips Cobb in but Bushi dodges! Bushi boots Ospreay, not caring about his nose, and then hits a BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! Ospreay bails out to check his nose and jaw, Bushi fires forearms on Cobb. Cobb blocks the whip to whip Bushi, but Bushi dodges to DIVE onto Ospreay! Ospreay hits railing, Sanada dropkicks Cobb’s legs out! LIJ brings Cobb up to whip corner to corner, and Sanada runs in to back elbow! Bushi back elbows then feeds Cobb to Sanada’s dropkick! BACKSTABBER! Cover, but Ospreay breaks it!

Sanada throws Ospreay out and follows but Ospreay throws Sanada into railing! Bushi brings Cobb up but Cobb powers out of the fisherman screw! Ospreay gives Bushi PIP PIP CHEERIO! Sanada gets in to fireman’s carry Ospreay for a flip into the dragon sleeper! Ospreay powers out to SLAP Sanada, but Sanada blocks the boot, to get Ospreay’s nose!! Sanada CLUBS Ospreay’s nose, but Cobb CLOBBERS Sanada! Bushi comes around to cradle but Cobb blocks and dead lifts to a suplex! Cobb drags Bushi up, whips, but Bushi holds ropes and boots Cobb away! Bushi runs, Cobb blocks the Code Breaker, but Bushi turns the counter into a sunset flip!

Cobb stays up, grabs at Bushi but Bushi shifts to a school boy! TWO, and Cobb CLOBBERS Bushi! Cobb drags Bushi up, reels him in, TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, the Empire wins!

Winners: Will Ospreay & Jeff Cobb, by pinfall

Cobb picks Bushi’s arm up and lets it drop, showing that Bushi is out from that impact. Ospreay finally scolds Sanada for lying about not messing with his nose. “You’re a liar! You’re a liar! Look at my nose! This is a broken nose!” Ospreay promises to mess Sanada up, but Sanada just flips Ospreay off. Ospreay loses his cool over Sanada’s defiant attitude, but will he end up losing their NJCUP match?

2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: EVIL VS Toru Yano!

The 2020 NJCUP winner wants to repeat history in 2021, but he now faces the repeat Mr. KOPW! Will Darkness Fall on the Producer? Or will Yano make sure everything is NOT evil?

After Yano’s very long introduction, and after Bullet Club Low Sweets, Yano tells the ref to be wary of Dick. Fans cheer, we all know how sneaky Dick can be. The bell rings and Dick is on the apron but Yano rallies with fans in their clap that basically translates to “Throw Him Out!” Dick doesn’t go away so Yano bails out. Yano doesn’t want any part of this if Dick is still here. Dick goes out to the railing and so does Yano. Yano says Dick isn’t far away enough but a ring count starts. Yano still complains but the count is 10 of 20 and climbing. Yano tells the ref to wait. Yano keeps moving around, the count is 18! Yano gets in at 19.5!

Evil is the one getting annoyed now as Yano goes after a buckle pad! But Dick is there so Yano is wary. Evil attacks from behind! Evil throws Yano out, and then distracts the ref so Dick can BOOT Yano down and stomp him! Dick puts Yano in and Evil stomps Yano’s legs then arms! Evil drags Yano up, fans rally, but Evil throws Yano back out. Evil follows to RAM Evil into the timekeeper! Abe-san gets put into the front row! Evil stands on Yano while the ref and Young Lions help Abe. Evil drags Yano up by an ear while fans rally. The ref reprimands, Evil puts Yano in and stomps Yano more. Evil drags Yano up, wrenches an arm, and brings him around into a cobra twist!

Dick and Evil link up for leverage, but they get away with it before the ref sees. Yano gets the ropes, the ref sees Dick and tells him to let go! Dick backs off, Evil lets Yano go and covers, TWO! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Evil gets frustrated and he drags Yano up to whip him to a bare corner! Dick took the pad again! Evil taunts Yano, drags him up, and wrenches and wrenches and wrenches! Evil whips, Yano reverses but Evil stops himself from hitting buckles. Yano runs in, but Evil dodges and Yano gets buckles! Evil whips Yano corner to corner then runs in to clothesline! Yano drops down, Evil stands on him and claps. Fans rally, the ref backs Evil off, but Evil drags Yano up.

Evil whips Yano, Yano reverses to throw Evil by his hair! Fans cheer and Yano brings Evil back up to whip him into the bare buckles! And then Yano gets the buckle pad off the other corner, throws it at Dick, and then dodges Evil to shove him into Dick! BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while Yano and Evil are down! Evil and Yano rise, Evil kicks first then runs but into an atomic drop! Yano catapults Evil into bare buckles! School boy roll-up, TWO! Yano brings Evil up, Evil kicks but Yano blocks, and hands the kick over to the ref so he can BOP Evil in the head! Evil runs back in but Yano dumps him out! Yano pursues but Dick storms over. Yano kicks Dick and whips him into railing!

Yano gets the spoiler choker and uses it on Evil!! The ref is busy arguing with Dick, but a ring count starts. Yano stops at 4 to then shove Evil under the ring!! Yano gets in and feels he’s already won. The count is 10 of 20 and climbing! Evil might be lost under the ring! The count is 15, then 18, but the lights go out!? Yano asks what the heck happened, and when the lights come on, EVIL is there! Yano turns around into EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!

Winner: Evil, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And Dick walking back over is definitely a sign that he turned off the lights to give Evil time! Darkness did fall thanks to tricky Dick, but will the bag of tricks run out before the finals?

2021 New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: KENTA VS Shingo Takagi!

Fang Revived struck down the Meanest Man in the World and the Dragon slayed the Fierce Warrior. These two are certainly battle hardened, but only one can face Evil in the next round! Who will break and who will breakthrough into the semifinals?

The bell rings, Takagi rushes Kenta but Kenta bails right out. Fans rally as Takagi dares Kenta to get in but Kenta tells him to wait. Kenta returns slowly and Red Shoes has Takagi stay patient. But then Kenta hops back down and Takagi gets annoyed. Fans rally with “TA-KA-GI!” while Kenta paces around. Kenta gets back on the apron, Takagi stays in a corner, and Kenta gets in the ring. Takagi and Kenta circle as fans rally again, and the two tie up. Takagi gets a headlock and grinds Kenta down. Kenta fights up, Takagi grinds his head more, but Kenta pulls hair to get a headlock. Kenta grinds Takagi but Takagi powers out, but Kenta pulls hair to keep Takagi in the headlock!

Takagi tries again but again Kenta pulls hair. Takagi throws a forearm, Kenta gives it back and the two go back and forth. Fans rally as they go faster, Takagi gets the edge, runs, but into a boot! Kenta snapmares and KICKS Takagi, but Takagi just gets up and eggs him on. Kenta KICKS and KICKS but Takagi blocks to scoop and SLAM! Fans fire up, Kenta bails out, but Takagi drags Kenta up the apron. Takagi puts Kenta in the corner, JABS, CHOPS, repeat! Takagi fires off jab after jab then headbutt after headbutt! Red Shoes counts and Takagi lets off. Takagi drags Kenta up, whips him to ropes and knees him low! Takagi runs but Kenta bails out!

Takagi pursues, clubs Kenta, and whips him to railing! Kenta walks around the way, Takagi follows and clubs him down! Takagi brings Kenta up to bump off the apron, and again. Kenta hurries away but Takagi follows to put him in the ring. Fans cheer as Takagi follows, but Kenta bails out again. Takagi is annoyed, but Kenta grabs the ring bell! This is the trick he used on Juice! Red Shoes wants Takagi to wait but he doesn’t, and Kenta SMACKS him with the bell! Kenta brings Takagi out to whip into railing! Kenta whips Takagi into more railing, then mocks the clapping. Red Shoes checks on Takagi, but he’s alright. Kenta drags Takagi up to POST him, then puts him in the ring.

Kenta brings Takagi up just to throw him out! Kenta goes back out, and RAMS Takagi into more railing! Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” but Kenta is on him and brings him around, to DDT to the floor!! Kenta made sure it was Korakuen’s bare tile! Red Shoes checks on Takagi, he’s somehow okay, and Kenta gets in the ring to mock Takagi’s meditation pose! The ring count climbs, and is 15 of 20 before Takagi gets back to the railing! Takagi fumbles in at 17 but Kenta stomps him! Kenta paces, drags Takagi up, and whips him to ropes to elbow him down! Cover, TWO! Kenta keeps on Takagi with a chinlock and he grinds Takagi down.

Fans rally as Takagi endures and fights his way up. Kenta knees low and throws Takagi down by his hair! Kenta clamps on with a neck wrench but Takagi endures again. Kenta shifts sides to twist Takagi the other way, then lets off to KICK him! Takagi gets mad, Kenta kicks at him but fans keep rallying. Kenta kicks Takagi more, Takagi blocks to CHOP! Kenta eggs Takagi on, Takagi CHOPS, Kenta DECKS him! Kenta brushes off the red mark on his chest, then snapmares Takagi to wrap on a headscissor hold. Takagi endures, fans rally up, and Takagi moves around. Kenta grabs Takagi’s arm to bring him back and he squeezes tighter, but Takagi still gets a ropebreak with a leg.

Kenta lets go, brings Takagi up just to trip him, and then stomps him and drops knees on Takagi’s head! Kenta brings his knee pad down, jumps, but scuffs Takagi’s face. Takagi goes to ropes and Kenta mocks his sitting pose again. Kenta drops elbows on Takagi, brings him up and whips to ropes, then catches him for a sleeper! Takagi fades and drops to a knee, but Takagi fights up and throws elbows. Takagi runs but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Kenta gives Takagi more toying kicks but Takagi just gets mad. Takagi gets up and eggs Kenta on. Kenta kicks Takagi, talks some trash, then kicks more. Fans rally, Takagi blocks a boot to fire forearms!

Kenta knees, runs, but into the elbow, JAB and LARIAT! Fans fire up as Takagi brings Kenta up and whips him to KNEE him against ropes! Takagi runs to run Kenta over! Fans fire up again as Takagi drops knees on Kenta now. Takagi mocks Kenta, faking him out with the jump to kick him in the head! Takagi drags Kenta up, reels him in and suplexes, but Kenta slips out. Kenta catches Takagi and spins him for a DDT! Wait, is Takagi holding on somehow? Takagi dead lift suplexes Kenta! Fans fire up and Takagi watches Kenta go to a corner. Takagi runs in, Kenta boots him, and then boots him again. Kenta hops up, reels Takagi in, tornado hotshot!

Takagi is down, Kenta goes back up, and Takagi gets back up. Kenta leaps for a FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Cover, TWO! Kenta clamps onto an arm and gets the omoplata! Takagi fights off the crossface and fans rally up! Kenta pulls hair to pull Takagi in, but Takagi gets a ropebreak with his legs! Kenta lets go, it isn’t Game Over yet. Kenta drags Takagi up, reels him in, but Takagi blocks the lift to back Kenta into a corner. Takagi throws elbows, then forearms, but Kenta turns it around to throw forearms back. Takagi turns it around to throw more forearms! Kenta eggs Takagi on as he tanks the forearms, then he throws forearms on Takagi!

Takagi ROCKS Kenta back, and fans fire up as Kenta ends up in the corner. Takagi runs in, blocks the boot, and powers through to clothesline! Takagi runs but Kenta follows to BOOT! Kenta runs and HESITATION DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Kenta goes back to the corner and climbs. Kenta leaps, but Takagi dodges! Kenta rolls through, boots Takagi again, then runs but Takagi clotheslines him at the ropes! Takagi DDT’s Kenta down! Kenta sits up, Takagi runs but Kenta avoids the sliding lariat! Kenta kicks, Takagi ducks and shoves but Kenta holds ropes. Takagi runs in, Kenta puts him in the ropes and drags him out, DRAPPING DDT! Fans rally up while both men are down!

Kenta sits up first, drags Takagi up, but Takagi swings, into a spin! Kenta fisherman suplexes! Fans rally for “TA-KA-GI!” but Kenta goes to the corner again. Kenta climbs, aims, leaps, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives the coup de grace but Kenta vows to end this! Kenta fireman’s carries but Takagi blocks. Takagi waistlocks, Kenta elbows, but Takagi reels him back in. Kenta switches, Takagi pries free to wrench the arm, Kenta kicks! Takagi ducks it, pump handles, but Kenta fights the lift! Kenta drags Takagi down to GAME OVER! Fans rally as Takagi endures and reaches around. Kenta pulls back but Takagi scoots and gets the ropebreak!

Kenta lets go in frustration and fans fire up more. Kenta goes back to a corner to aim at Takagi and he KICKS the arm! Kenta runs while Takagi is on ropes and Kenta KNEES him against ropes! Kenta double chicken wings to TIGER SUPLEX! Takagi staggers up, Kenta runs but Takagi LARIATS! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Takagi and Kenta head for each other, Takagi throws a forearm but Kenta gives it back. Fans rally up as both men go back and forth, faster and faster. Kenta BOOTS Takagi, Takagi wobbles and Kenta LARIATS! Takagi stays up, Kenta LARIATS again, then DISCUS- NO! Takagi catches that to a pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?!

Fans are thunderous again as Takagi gets himself to a corner. Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” and fans follow with him! Takagi aims, runs in, LARIAT! Kenta stays up so Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS and DOUBLE CHOPS! Kenta SLAPS Takagi, but Takagi just glares at him. Kenta SLAPS Takagi again, Takagi laughs to fire boxing elbows! Takagi hits about 10 times, then maybe 15, but Kenta CROSS COUNTERS! Kenta fires off slapping strikes but Takagi JABS! Kenta BACK HANDS! Then BACK HANDS! Kenta brings Takagi up to KICK him down! Cover, TWO!! Kenta aims as Takagi slowly rises, PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!!

Takagi survives but Kenta brings knee pads down and slashes the throat! Kenta drags Takagi up to a fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO!! Takagi blocks, Kenta throws forearms and strikes but Takagi HEADBUTTS! Takagi pops Kenta up for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Takagi drags Kenta up, fans are electric as Takagi runs and builds speed to PUMPING BOMBER!! High stack cover, TWO!! Kenta survives but Takagi fires up more! Takagi drags Kenta up, pump handle and fireman’s carries, LAST OF THE DRAGONS!! Cover, Takagi wins!!

Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Dragon was too tough for the Fang Revived and is now moving on to the semifinals! Takagi gets a mic and fans cheer as he says, “OI, KORAKUEN! Can I just talk a little bit? Oi oi oi, it’s messed how tough the New Japan Cup tournament is. Tougher than even the G1!” Fans agree with that. Takagi doesn’t get it, but he gets this: he’s in the Final Four! Fans like that! “And my semifinal opponent is Evil! So this is how we meet. I couldn’t ask for anything more. A lot of thoughts behind this one…” But then Evil returns! “Evil… I might have expected that you’d show up. Applaud the man!” Fans do cheer Evil’s return, and Takagi asks if Evil has something to say. “Or do you want to do this right now, punk?!”

But DICK low blows Takagi! Evil and Dick stomp Takagi over and over, then get Takagi up for MAGIC KILLER!! Evil gets the mic now and mocks Takagi. “Oi, you talk too much, bastard. You’re getting ideas above your station, punk! The back-to-back victory is mine! Remember that.” Mic drop and Evil storms off. Will Darkness Fall on the NJCUP again? Or has this only lit a fire inside the Dragon?

My Thoughts:

A really good event to start the NJCUP quarterfinals. The opening match was all Young Lions VS the old core of Nagata, Kojima and Tenzan so of course the old guys won. Jay White and Bullet Club beat Henare & FinJuice, but Fale won it so the math with White and Finlay is even. I tuned in for LIJ VS Empire because we hadn’t gotten that as much, and with Ospreay VS Sanada coming up, I wanted to see the interactions. It was great stuff, Ospreay worrying about his nose and Sanada going after it was fun stuff. But in similar fashion, Cobb wins it for the team so Ospreay and Sanada are even in the math. As I said yesterday, White is definitely getting through Finlay but Ospreay VS Sanada is an interesting one.

Evil VS Yano was an oddball match but somehow it worked because Yano is that funny. Yano putting Evil under the ring was very creative, you don’t see that happen, but then the lights out moment was quite the twist. Evil wins, as I figured, and could definitely go back to back as a finalist. Takagi VS Kenta was great stuff, a straight up match but I feel like Kenta hitting someone with a ring bell shouldn’t be so easily brushed off. Juice kept going after getting hit, as did Takagi, but perhaps it’s about how Kenta hits them, since he only jabs them in the eyebrow rather than crack them in the forehead. But Takagi toughs it out and wins, only for Evil and Dick to get the drop on him during the promo segment.

Evil standing tall here probably won’t affect math, as going back to back is a strong story to go into the finals with, but it would be a shocker if Takagi denied Evil his historic move.

My Score: 8.9/10

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

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

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

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Andrew Balaz

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

Little Guido w/New FBI vs Hammerstone

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

LSG vs Joe Hendry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 19, 2024

Rosemary w/Havok vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.5/10

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

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

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

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

Coverage

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

Time to Man Up!

Published

22 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will the Ivy League MVP earn a title shot?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe speaks.

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

Bryan Keith VS Aaron Solo!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Bryan Keith, by pinfall

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

Mark Sterling speaks.

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

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

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

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

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

Lee Johnson VS JD Drake!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Lee Johnson, by pinfall

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

Abadon VS Allysin Kay!

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

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

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

Winner: Abadon, by pinfall

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

Backstage interview with Taya Valkyrie.

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

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

The Infantry VS The Iron Savages w/Jacked Jameson!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Beast Mortos VS Nick Comoroto!

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

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

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

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

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

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

Backstage interview with Nick Comoroto.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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