Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/13/23)

Only the worthy reign!

Published

1 year ago

April 13, 2023

Steven Mitchell

Will the King of the Ropes become the champion of honor?

Claudio Castagnoli only defends the ROH World Championship against those who are worthy! Will Metalik prove his worth against the Swiss Superman?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Mark Briscoe VS Ari Daivari w/ The Varsity Athletes; Briscoe wins.
Skye Blue VS Kelly Madan; Skye wins.
Mike Bennett w/ The Kingdom VS Darius Martin; Darius wins, by disqualification.
Wheeler Yuta VS Tracy Williams; Yuta wins.
Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin VS The Workhorsemen; Shibata & Coughlin win.
Willow Nightingale VS Little Mean Kathleen; Willow wins.
Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling; Stu wins.
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Ashley D’Amboise; Athena wins and denies Ashley a title opportunity.
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Metalik; Claudio wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe VS Ari Daivari w/ The Varsity Athletes!

The Sussex County Chicken has been working to clear out Mark Sterling’s stable, and so far, that’s going his way. But will the streak continue as Mark continues to chase destiny? Or will Daivari Dinero be the one going for the gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally for Mark. The two circle, Daivari tells fans to shut up, and he ties up with Mark. Mark headlocks, Daivari powers out but Mark runs him over! Fans fire up, Mark runs in, Daivari drops and things keep moving. Mark drop toeholds and facelocks! Daivari powers Mark to a corner, then RAMS into him! Daivari whips corner to corner, Mark goes up and over and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Daivari goes to a corner, Mark CHOPS him! Mark bumps Daivari off buckles, CHOPS again, and fans fire up more. Mark drags Daivari up to suplex high and hard!

Daivari scrambles away, Josh Woods goes to check on him, but Mark builds speed. But Tony Nese trips Mark and drags him out! Nese sends mark into railing, then back into the ring. Nese plays innocent while Daivari stomps a mudhole into Mark! Fans boo but Daivari whips Mark to ropes. Daivari ELBOWS Mark down then covers, TWO! Daivari wraps on body scissors and a chinlock. Fans duel, “ARI!” “SUCKS!” Mark fights up, throws body shots, and he ROCKS Daivari! Mark runs, Daivari follows and RUNNING NECKBREAKERS! Daivari hurries to wrench, hammerlock and DDT! Cover, TWO!

Mark is hanging tough and Daivari is annoyed. Daivari drags Mark up, throws him out, and distracts the ref. Nese and Woods mug Mark! Fans boo but they put Mark in the ring. Daivari stalks Mark to a corner, stomps him, then hoists him up. Daivari CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Mark reverses, Daivari goes up and out and ROUNDHOUSES back! Daivari climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Daivari grows frustrated, but he drags Mark up to scoop and SLAM! Fans rally up, Daivari goes up the corner, but now fans boo. Daivari FLYING SPLASHES but FLOPS as Mark moves!

Fans fire up with Mark, he CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mark fires off Redneck Kung-Fu palm strikes! Daivari goes to a corner, Mark clotheslines! Mark clinches, for the URENAGE! And then turns Daivari, for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Mark calls his shot. Mark fireman’s carries but Daivari fights free. Daivari swings, but into a kick! Mark underhooks the arms but Sterling distracts! Nese & Woods drag Mark out to mug him! And send him into steel steps! But the ref sees that last part! The ref EJECTS the Varsity Athletes! Fans are all fired up! Nese & Woods get up, Mark DECKS each of them!

Daivari rolls Mark up! TWO! Mark kicks low, underhooks, and JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall

But then the Varsity Athletes attack! Fans boo as Nese, Woods and even Sterling stomp away! They mug Mark, RAM him into a corner, and throw body shots. Sterling even gets some stomps in! But wait! Here comes FTR! Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood fight off Nese and Woods and even Daivari! They KICK Daivari out, CLOBBER Woods, and Sterling is all alone! Sterling wants them all to hold on, and then his team get him outta there! Mark and his friends stand tall, will they tear down the Varsity Athletes together?

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“I’ma make this short and sweet. I’ve been dealing with a hernia injury. Well, I found out it was a hernia. I’ve been dealing with an injury since September. I make no excuses. I went into that match at Supercard of Honor with Claudio thinking I could bully that man around like I have in the past. I was wrong. My game plan was, I didn’t stick to it originally. I grabbed the head, I was gonna work the neck. I grabbed a leg, I was gonna hit those skinny legs. And then, y’know… It went back to what I know, which is just to fight.” Eddie felt like Arturo Gatti. Gatti would try to box, then get hit and go back to brawling.

Eddie says he’s not gonna front. Claudio was the better man that night. Claudio put a whooping on Eddie. Eddie is gonna need surgery for the hernia now because Claudio beat him that bad that he couldn’t sleep. Eddie felt like there was fingers pushing in on his balls and up into his gut. All because Claudio was tougher and more violent. Fans used to call Claudio “not aggressive enough,” and Eddie believed it like a mark. He should’ve known better. But Eddie sat there in his hotel room, alone, in pain, discomfort. And he thought about it. He’s still under AEW contract even though he’s in ROH. That’s inside baseball stuff.

But Eddie admits, Claudio was right. Eddie was ready to flip out, blame everyone else and quit. But Eddie remembers giving his heart to AEW. After he beat Cody Rhodes, he learned to win or learn. He forgot and went back to his old self, winning and losing. The only time you lose is when you don’t learn, but Eddie learned. Will he fail? Sure, he’s human. But like Sister Catherine told him, even when he was going through hell, his parents told him, keep going forward, keep fighting. That is the only way to progress. The Mad King is going to go forward. Not for anyone or even himself, but because he has no choice.

Skye Blue VS Kelly Madan!

In AEW, Chicago Skye has a fight on her hands against The Outcasts. But in ROH, she’s just moving up the rankings step by step. Will Skye take that next step and be headed for gold? Or will Skye fall and have to pick herself back up?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Madan wrenches and wristlocks, but Skye spins and wrenches back. Skye hammerlocks, Kelly spins but Skye spins to keep the hold on her. Kelly keeps trying to escape but Skye keeps with her. Kelly reaches back, flying-mares free, and shakes out the arm. But she narrowly avoids a superkick! Skye mule kicks, Kelly blocks the superkick and spins, then Kelly ducks the buzzsaw! Roll-up, TWO! Kelly kicks Skye low, then hip drops her down! Kelly swivels her hips, brings Skye up and ROCKS her! Kelly CLAWS Skye’s back, whips her to a corner, then kicks and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!

Kelly grows annoyed but she stalks Skye. Kelly runs in but into an UPPERCUT! Skye BOOTS Kelly, runs in, and she hits a BIG clothesline! Kelly goes to ropes, Skye SHINING WIZARDS! Kelly blocks the superkick again, but this time the spin kick hits! Skye full nelsons, SKYE FALL! Cover, Skye wins!

Winner: Skye Blue, by pinfall

Skye snatches the victory and keeps building that streak! Will Skye be next to meet the Fallen Goddess for the title?

Mike Bennett w/ The Kingdom VS Darius Martin!

The Kingdom can’t really settle things with Top Flight after Dante Martin went down with that ankle injury, but Boston Strong Style doesn’t mind beating up on the Air Wolf! Will Darius be able to stand alone? Or will Thy Kingdom Come?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but Darius sees the cheap shot coming! Darius spins Mike, ENZIGURIS and follows him to the corner. Darius CHOPS and CHOPS, but Mike turns things around to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Darius turns things back around for more CHOPS! Mike returns the favor with more CHOPS! Darius has it turn around again! But then Mike headlocks and he grinds Darius down! Darius fights up, powers out, but Mike RAMS him! Darius rebounds to run Mike over! Things speed up, Darius DROPKICKS Mike out of the ring! Darius builds speed, slides, but Mike gets under!

Mike kicks low, whips, but Darius reverses! Mike hits railing, Darius runs in but Mike sends him out. Darius GAMANGIRIS back, goes up the railing, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up and Darius puts Mike in the ring. Darius climbs a corner, but Taven distracts! Mike YANKS Darius right down! The Kingdom applauds, and then Mike puts Darius on the apron. Mike drags Darius up, reels him in, but Darius fights back. Mike ROCKS Darius, eggs him on, so Darius CHOPS! Mike CHOPS then talks trash! “FIGHT ME!” Mike CHOPS, Darius CHOPS! Mike SUPERKICKS! Mike fireman’s carries, APRON DEATH VALLEY!

Mike soaks up the heat while Maria mocks Darius’ pain. Mike drags Darius up and puts him in to cover, TWO! Fans rally for Darius but Mike stomps him down. Mike drags Darius up, throws him back out, and then soaks up more heat. Mike goes out but Darius hits back. Mike CLUBS Darius, whips, but Darius reverses. Mike rebounds off ropes, Darius dodges to get in the ring! Darius builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Darius puts Mike in the ring, but Mike ROLLING ELBOWS! Mike runs, but Darius follows and LARIATS! And forearms! And ENZIGURIS! Mikes taggers to a corner!

Darius runs in but Mike dodges. Mike returns, into an ELBOW! Darius goes up and over, keeps moving, whips and STANDING SPANISH FLIES! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives but Darius drags him up again. Darius reels Mike in, but Taven just CLOBBERS Darius!

Winner: Darius Martin, by disqualification

Fans boo as Taven rains down fists on Darius! The Kingdom wasn’t gonna let Top Flight beat them again, even at just 1v1! But wait! Here comes ACTION ANDRETTI! Action runs off The Kingdom and fans fire up! Action helps Darius stand, and we might see this end in tag team action after all! Will the Kingdom fall to this new high-flying force?

Wheeler Yuta VS Tracy Williams!

Blackpool Combat Club has been beating up everyone from AEW to ROH, and the Decoder wants to show he’s worthy of getting back to gold. Will Yuta bust Tracy open like BCC did The Elite? Or will the Hot Sauce be too hot to handle?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally, Yuta and Tracy tie up, and Yuta wrenches to a wristlock. Yuta wrangles Tracy, Tracy gets up, Yuta hammerlocks but Tracy headlocks then turns it around to an armlock. Tracy wrangles Yuta with a top wristlock but Yuta claws at the eyes! Tracy gets a leg to STOMP the foot! Tracy has a toehold but Yuta kicks him away. Yuta leaps but Tracy rolls him up! TWO, Tracy wants the head but Yuta slips free. Yuta gets a leg, Tracy kicks him away, but Yuta springboards. Tracy turns arm-drag into ARMBAR! Yuta clasps hands, but Tracy CLUBS the grip apart! ARMBAR!

Yuta stacks Tracy, and stands on Tracy’s face! Yuta then STOMPS Tracy in return! Yuta snarls, drags Tracy up, but Tracy ROCKS Yuta! Yuta rewinds in the ropes to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta rains down HAMMER FISTS! Fans fire up with Yuta, and Yuta drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tracy goes to a corner, but Yuta storms up. Yuta CHOPS and then gets a leg. Yuta trips Tracy, steps through, and ties up the legs. Yuta taunts Tracy and Tracy CHOSP! Yuta nods and SLAPS Tracy. Tracy ROCKS Yuta, Yuta ROCKS Tracy! Tracy CHOPS Yuta, Yuta ROCKS Tracy! They brawl, then Yuta drops back for the BRIDGING DEATHLOCK!

Tracy endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Yuta lets go and soaks up the cheers and jeers. Yuta CHOPS Tracy against ropes, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tracy snarls, shoves, but Yuta ducks the chop to knee low. Yuta whips but Tracy reverses to CHOP! And then leg capture SAIDO! Fans fire up, Tracy runs in to clothesline Yuta in the corner! Tracy CHOPS, then facelocks. But Yuta RAMS Tracy into the corner! Yuta ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat, but then Tracy ELBOWS him! Tracy goes up, but Yuta GAMANGIRIS! Yuta climbs up, but Tracy gets his head! TOP BUCKLE DDT! And a LARIAT! And a suplex, to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!

Tracy has the CROSSFACE!! Yuta endures, reaches out, moves around, rolls Tracy up, TWO! Tracy lets go, and Yuta ROCKS him! Tracy ROCKS Yuta! Yuta ROCKS Tracy! They go back and forth and fans fire up! Tracy gets the edge, but Yuta BITES Tracy’s forehead! Tracy blocks the kick, Yuta ducks the discus to SAIDO! Tracy staggers up, into the OLYMPIC SLAM! And then the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Yuta traps the arms, for the DRAGON SLEEPER! Tracy is caught, he verbally quits! Yuta wins!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission

Yuta has a wild look in his eyes as he holds on a little longer! Yuta lets go, and he is all fired up. Will this new level of intensity be what Yuta needs to get back in title contention?

Darius Martin & Action Andretti speak.

Darius says “The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. And I’m not crazy.” How many times did The Kingdom think Darius would let things repeat? Darius is a man with a plan and that plan is in Action. Action says the Kingdom thought they could pull a fast one without Dante around. To hell with that! Action has been in that situation, he knows how bad it sucks. So he had to have Darius’ back! And now, they’re challenging The Kingdom! Watch your throne, boys, because there are some new kings in town!

Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin VS The Workhorsemen!

The Wrestler brings along one of his LA Dojo graduates in The Android to show NJPW is strong in the US! Will they be too strong for JD Drake & Anthony Henry?

The Code of Honor is upheld though with some tension. The teams sort out and Shibata starts against Henry. They circle, fans rally for “SHI-BA-TA!” as he and Henry feel this out. Henry drops, but Shibata shifts around him. Henry switches but Shibata switches back, they clinch on the mat, and Shibata stays on top. Shibata gets a leg but Henry goes for one, too. Shibata slips free, now Henry chases. They roll, Henry gets a chinlock but Shibata gets to ropes. Henry doesn’t let go, Shibata slips free and they stand. They feel out the grapple, Shibata waistlocks but Henry wrenches. Shibata rolls and the two stand off!

Fans applaud the exchange as the two reset. Shibata knees low, snapmares and kicks, but Henry ducks it! Henry SOBATS, snapmares, but Shibata blocks the kick! Shibata trips Henry and ties him up in a FIGURE FOUR! Henry endures, JD storms in, KOKESHI! Shoutout to Honma and Henry gets away. Henry tags JD, Shibata tags Coughlin. Fans fire up as the two RAM! JD CHOPS, Coughlin CHOPS, repeat! Then they go to forearms! JD headlocks, Coughlin powers out but JD wrenches and ROCKS Coughlin! JD wrenches, Coughlin rolls and handsprings to SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as JD stands!

JD swings, misses, and Coughlin SAIDOS! Henry returns, but into a clinch! Henry BELL CLAPS, but Coughlin ROCKS him! Coughlin runs but JD is there to RAM him! Henry hooks Coughlin up, BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! And then KOKESHI! Cover, ONE!! JD drags Coughlin up, ROCKS him, and has him in the corner. JD CHOPS Couglin and tags Henryt. Henry runs in to ROCK and CHOP Coughlin, but Coughlin just gets in Henry’s face. Coughlin CHOPS, but Henry SOBATS! Henry gets a leg to DRAGON SCREW! Henry keeps Coughlin from reaching Shibata, and he tags JD in.

Henry snap suplexes, JD slingshot SENTONS! The Workhorsemen copy Shibata with the cross-leg stance! JD kicks Coughlin around, but Coughlin CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! JD shoves and SPLASHES Coughlin, to then BELLY2BELLY! And then VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! JD KICKS Coughlin in the back! Tag to Henry, and the Workhorsemen mug Coughlin. Henry snapmares, KICKS him in the back, and taunts Shibata. Henry KICKS and KICKS, and we see Shane Taylor watching. Coughlin CHOPS and CHOPS, but Henry shoves him back. JD gets a cheap shot in, but Coughlin DECKS JD!

Henry shoves Coughlin out of the ring, sucker punches Shibata, and JD pops Coughlin off ropes to DECK him! JD puts Coughlin in and Henry climbs up! Henry DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin survives, but Henry steps through for a toehold! Then a butterfly deathlock! Henry mocks Shibata with the bridge! Fans rally for Coughlin as he endures! Coughlin reaches out, but Shibata gets in to STOMP Henry! And then he stomps Coughlin?! Shibata is showing his student tough love, or at least stern motivation. Henry swings on Shibata, but ends up in a SLEEPER! Feed to Coughlin for the suplex!

Henry slips free, but Coughlin switches,. Henry throws elbows, Coughlin lifts Henry, but Henry hits a flying mare! Henry has the headlock but Coughlin headscissors. Henry moves around, pops free, and he’s right on the legs again! Henry throws forearms but Coughlin SLAPS! And basement suplexes! Coughlin stands to bring this up! Fans are thunderous for the one-legged SLAM! Hot tag to Shibata! Shibata BOOTS JD! He whips Henry to a corner and BOOTS! Then Shibata rains down forearms! Shibata goes corner to corner and back again, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shane is still watching, looking intrigued.

Shibata snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Shibata clamps onto Henry with a chinlock! JD storms in to CHOP Shibata’s back! Shibata lets Henry go, to DECK JD! But Henry trips Shibata into the SLEEPER! Shibata rolls back, to get the SLEEPER! JD is back, Shibata runs in, but gets a BOOT URENAGE COMBO! Cover, Coughlin breaks it! Fans fire up, but JD CHOPS! JD throws Coughlin out, goes to the apron, but Coughlin sweeps the legs! Coughlin gut wrenches to SLAM JD!! Henry is stunned and the fans are thunderous! Henry sees Shibata and swings forearms! Shibata just leans into the shots! Shibata ROKCS Henry, and has the SLEEPER!

Shibata sits Henry down, runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, Shibata & Coughlin win!!

Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin, by pinfall

The #WrestlingAndroids took out the Workhorsemen, and Shibata shows them how to sit cross legged. And then Coughlin shakes hands with his sensei, and says he wants a shot at the Pure Championship! Shibata says challenge accepted! Will Big Bad Shaney T be waiting on the other side of that fight?

Willow Nightingale VS Little Mean Kathleen!

Positivity clashes with negativity in a battle of strong forces in the ROH Women’s Division. Will Willow fight her way back up? Or will we all see Kathleen is more than a little mean?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two cirlce. They tie up, Willow waistlocks but LMK fights it. Willow headlocks, LMK stomps a foot and BITES Willow’s fingers! the ref rerpiamnds but Willow scoops to SLAM! Willow can’t even, and she stalks LMK to ropes. Willow whips, LMK reverses but Willow cartwheels. LMK ducks, runs, but into a scoop! LMK slips free, and she CLOBBERS Willow in the corner! LMK fires fast hands, then goes corner to corner. Fans fire up for the FURIOUS STOMPS! LMK has Rhode Island on her side, and she SPLASHES, but onto knees!

LMK goes to the far side, Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow BOOTS LMK, and brings down the straps! Fans fire up, Willow scoops LMK, for the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale

The Code of Honor is still upheld, and Willow is on a roll! Will this momentum help her finally get a title?

Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling!

The Dark Order’s Player Number 2 is ready to play! But will this be another victory for the man born and bred for combat? Or will the Premier Athlete take him to the limit?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Stu chases Nese around the ring but Nese gets in ropes for defense. Nese then sucker punches Stu! Nese whips, Stu reverses, Nese KICKS but Stu RANAS! Stu catches Nese, clinches and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans fire up, Stu runs in, but he blocks Nese’s boot! Stu sweeps the leg! No mercy in this dojo! Slingshot SENTON to the apron! Stu warns Sterling then goes back to Nese. Nese runs in, Stu dodges and clotheslines Nese up and out! Stu then FLIES! Direct hit and he even lands on his feet! Fans are thunderous but Sterling can’t even!

Stu drags Nese up, puts him in the ring, and Stu climbs up a corner. Stu leaps to avoid Nese hitting the ropes! Stu ROCKS Nese, jumps up, but Nese BLASTS him away! Stu falls and hits the railing! Uno checks on Stu but Nese goes out and pushes Uno aside! Fans boo, Nese drags Stu up, and Nese RAMS Stu into railing! Nese talks trash on the fans, puts Stu back in the ring, and paces around. Nese clamps on a chinlock and he gives crossface forearms! Nese then wraps on the body scissors! Stu endures the squeeze, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Nese lets go to haul Stu up and ROCK him!

Nese whips corner to corner hard, but runs into an ELBOW! Stu goes up, but Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese then adjusts, climbs up, only for Stu to SUPER GOURD BUSTER! Stu FLYING SUNSETS, but Nese rolls through to HEADSHOT SOBAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally for “STU! STU! STU!” but Nese mocks Stu. Nese pie faces him, but Stu CHOPS! Nese BOOTS Stu down! Stu CHOPS! Fans chant “TONY SUCKS!” but Nese BOOTS Stu again. Nese soaks up the heat, but Stu CHOPS again! Nese ROCKS Stu! Stu glares at Nese…! Nese throws more forearms, but Stu just backs him down.

Nese SOBATS again! Fans boo, Nese runs, but Stu CLOBBERS him! And CLOBBERS him again! And URENAGES! Fans fire up and Stu runs to LION-SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nese survives, but Stu stalks him. Nese holds ropes to stop the lift, but Stu CLUBS him! Stu torture racks, Nese slips off and slides under! Pump handle and scoop, but Stu slips free to fireman’s carry. SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives and surprises Stu, but Stu takes aim. Stu runs in, but Nese bails out! Fans boo but Stu drags Nese up the ropes by his beard! Sterling complains, Stu suplexes and he holds Nese up!

Nese slips free to throat chop! Nese runs with Stu, HOTSHOT BULLDOG! And then PREMIER TRIANGLE but Stu gets clear! Nese keeps moving, but Stu dodges to waistlock! Nese grabs ropes again and he RAMS Stu into buckles! O’Conner Roll, with tights! TWO!! Stu escapes and both men hurry up. Stu goes Matrix to dodge! PELE! Nese staggers and fans fire up! Stu roars, builds speed, and he RUNNING KNEES! Stu slashes his throat, time to finish him! Torture rack, for the NIGHTFALL! Cover, Stu wins!

Winner: Stu Grayson, by pinfall

Nese may have an eight pack, but now he has a bad back! Wait, the Righteous are here again! They did this exact thing at Supercard of Honor, and now they’re ruining the Dark Order’s celebration. They are looking right at Stu, and are applauding. Do Dutch & Vincent expect Player 2 to be their third man?

The Righteous speak.

“Turn away~, turn away~!” POWER! The Dark Order has power, they’ve been here since the beginning. But it seems like they’ve become a shell of their former selves. Vincent says when Stu left, the Dark Order carried on with a smile on their face. And when Stu wanted to come back, the Dark Order smiled and opened the pearly gates to welcome him back in., But one who is born and bred for combat is just trapped in a cage. Maybe, just maybe, The Righteous have the keys. Dutch knows what Stu is thinking, but he’s wrong. The Righteous doesn’t wanna hurt Stu. They wanna keep Stu! Get what they’re saying?

ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Ashley D’Amboise!

The Fallen Goddess finds ways to break her opponents and hold onto this title, so that means she needs more challengers! Will the #JackedBarbie be harder to break than the names Athena’s already crossed off the list? Or will the only thing being proven here is that Athena’s mean streak goes on forever?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The clock is ticking as the two tie up. Athena waistlocks, Ashley wrenches free, but Athena handsprings and wrenches back. Athena wristlocks, Ashley rolls and handsprings and cartwheels to arm-drag! And another arm-drag! And a DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Ashley, but Athena SHOTGUNS her down! Athena SHOTGUNS again, and again! And again! Athena runs to SHOTGUN a fifth time! Athena drags Ashley up but Ashley hits back with body shots. Athena CLUBS Ashley down, KICKS her to the corner, then digs her boot in.

The ref counts, Athena lets off, then brings Ashley onto ropes. Athena CHOKES Ashley, waves to the fans, and fans are torn. The ref counts, Athena lets off at 4 to argue with the ref. Athena drags Ashley up but Ashley fires forearms! Athena SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Athena drags Ashley up, wrenches and traps an arm, and then has a neck wrench. Athena fishhooks Ashley’s mouth! The ref counts, Athena stops that, and Ashley throws elbows into Athena’s legs! Roll-up, TWO! Athena staggers up and she’s mad now. Athena storms up on Ashely, UPPERCUTS, then whips corner to corner.

Athena runs in but Ashley goes up and over! Ashley rolls, staggers, and Athena is on her. Athena wrenches but Ashley kicks! Athena ducks but Ashley hits a LEG LARIAT! And a regular LARIAT! And another! Fans fire up with Ashley, she wrenches and fireman’s carries, for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Ashley climbs, but Athena goes after her! They brawl, and Athena TOSSES Ashley to the apron! Athena then runs to WRECK Ashley with a dropkick! Fans fire up, Athena builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit! Ashley staggers up, Athena DECKS her! Athena RAMS Ashley into railing!

Athena drags Ashley up to TOSS her to the ramp! Ashley goes to steel steps, Athena runs in to KNEE her against them! Athena puts Ashley in the ring, climbs up the corner, and grins as she takes aim. O-FACE!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Ashley D’Amboise a title match)

Ashley lasted longer than perhaps even Athena thought, but the champ still wins. Athena then TOSSES Ashley out! No Code of Honor in the end, the Fallen Goddess only respects herself. Will anyone ever end her reign of terror?

Backstage interview with Ashley D’Amboise.

Lexi Nair notes Ashley fell short in that Proving Grounds match. Is she at least proud of her efforts? Uh, oui, yes. But Ashley was hoping for more honor. This was more like Ring of Anger. Athena SUCKER PUNCHES Ashley! Lexi calls for help but Athena says this is the level of garbage she gets week after week! Athena is the Goddess, the Alpha and the GATEKEEPER of the ROH Women’s Division! She wants real competition, not these porcelain trash bag hussies! If not, Lexi’s next! Lexi better watch this. Athena brings Ashley over, places the belt on a road case, and SMASHES Ashley’s face on it! Athena laughs, and says, “Welcome to ROH, b*tch.”

Athena may be having fun now, but will someone finally humble her?

ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Metalik!

The Swiss Superman, the King of the Ropes, for the first ever! But with the level of ability and brutality Claudio shows, will Metalik stand a chance? Or will no one else be “worthy” of this world title?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if a champion beats a king!

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and fans rally up. The two tie up, Claudio powers Metalik back, and then pushes Metalik around. Metalik pushes back! Fans fire up as Metalik eggs Claudio on! Claudio and Metalik circle, tie up, and Claudio throws Metalik, but Metalik lands on his feet! Claudio shoves Metalik down, then yanks Metalik up by his legs, but Metalik arm-drags Claudio away! Fans fire up as the two stand off! Claudio and Metalik circle, feel things out, knuckle lock, and Claudio goes for an arm. Claudio also facelocks, brings Metalik down, headlocks, but Metalik fights up. Claudio just holds on tighter!

Metalik powers up and powers out, but Claudoi runs him over! Cover, ONE! Claudio digs a knee into Metalik’s head, brings him around and chinlocks. Metalik endures, fans rally up, and Metalik powers out. Things speed up, Metlaik leaps but into Cluadio’s arms! Metalik slips free, rolls and comes back to wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Metalik runs in, Claudio pops him up but Metalik FLYING RANAS! Fans fire up as Claudio bails out! Metalik runs in, but goes to the apron as Claudio runs away. Fans cheer as Metalik CANNONBALLS, but Claudio catches him! ALLEY-OOP BOMB onto the apron!

Claudio soaks up the cheers and jeers, and he fetches Metalik. Claudio puts Metalik in the ring, takes his time returning, and drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Claudio clamps onto Metalik with a ground stretch. Claudio chinbars but fans rally up. Metalik fights up, throws hands, but Claudio shoves to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Metalik is still in this but Claudio snarls. Metalik goes to a corner, Claudio runs in to UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio keeps close to Metalik, and he has a top wristlock! Fans rally, Metalik endures and Metalik fights up. Metalik throws hands!

Metalik CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Claudio throws hands! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm! Claudio knees low, whips, but Metalik tilt-o-whirls to CRADLE! TWO!! Claudio BOOTS Metalik to the corner! Claudio stomps a mudhole in, but he lets off as the ref counts. Claudio drags Metalik up, suplexes him high and hard, then covers. TWO, and Claudio grows annoyed. Claudio sits Metalik up to KNEE him in the back! And then he drops a knee on the side! Claudio grabs an arm and bends it back. Metalik endures, but Claudio gets a leg to make it a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow. Fans rally up, Metalik fights up!

Metalik throws body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio whips Metalik to a corner, runs in, but Metalik drop toeholds him into buckles! Metalik runs, Claudio puts him on the apron, but Metalik GAMANGIRIS! Metalik springboards in to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up with Metalik! Metalik rallies with LARIATS, but Claudio stays up! Metalik LARAITS, but Claudio roars! But Metalik blocks the punch! Metalik knuckle locks, CHOPS, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Claudio knuckle locks, throws Metalik and hits an STO! But Metalik blocks the cover to go up and SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Both men stir, fans rally up, and Claudio bails out again. Metalik builds speed to ESCALARA!! Fans fire up again and Metalik stands back up. Metalik pushes Claudio into the ring, springboards and SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives but he sputters from that impact. Metalik hurries after Claudio but Claudio fights the fireman’s carry. Claudio bends Metalik’s arm, and HEADBUTTS him! Claudio whips Metalik to a corner, Metalik dodges! Metalik SUPERKICKS! Metalik runs, goes around the corner, and leaps, but Claudio blocks! Claudio brings Metalik up but Metalik sunset flips! TWO!!! Fans fire up as Claudio escapes!

Both men slowly sit up and fans rally. Metalik stomps Claudio to a drop zone and goes up the corner. Metalik MOONSUALTS into boots!! Claudio runs in, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio drags Metalik up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again and again, from all sides! Metalik wobbles into more shots! Claudio hoists Metalik up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Metalik fights back! Claudio still lifts Metalik, but Metalik fights free! Metalik GAMANGIRIS! Claudio wobbles, Metalik goes back up, TIGHTROPE SUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Fans can’t believe it but Claudio survives! The fans rally and Metalik goes to a corner again. Metalik climbs, tightrope walks, for the ELBOW into knees!! Claudio saves himself, and he clamps on a CROSSFACE! Metalik crawls, reaches out, but Claudio rolls him away! But Metalik turns it to a cover! TWO, ghost pin! TWO, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Claudio is furious but the count was fair! Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Metalik is a ragdoll, and Claudio GOTCH NEUTRALIZERS!!! Cover, Claudio wins!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

Claudio still shakes the hand of The King of the Ropes to keep the Code of Honor. The Swiss Superman continues to determine who is worthy, so who will be next?

My Thoughts:

A really good ROH, but I think this was the shortest episode yet, at around 90 minutes. One thing that was a little weird to me, that they did three times, was having backstage promos from people we just saw in the match segments. In the case of The Righteous, just have Dutch & Vincent say all that on stage with mics. In the case of Darius & Action, have them get mics to call out The Kingdom in the ring. In the case of Athena jumping Ashley, swap the women’s matches so that Proving Grounds is second on the card, and Athena jumping Ashley happens after Skye VS Kelly. Though, at least all the matches were good. Good win for Stu, good win for Darius, good win for Skye and Willow, and good showing for Ashley even in losing to Athena.

Really good match from Mark VS Daivari, good win for Mark, and good save by FTR. Though, thinking about it, why not Lucha Brothers? They have history with The Varsity Athletes, after all. Though, I guess they want to keep the Lucha Brothers out of things so they can have an ROH Tag Team Championship story. We’ll definitely get a Six Man Tag now, and I would think Mark & FTR win and leave The Varsity Athletes behind. Just not sure to what end. Another reason Mark should’ve beat Samoa Joe for the TV title. And good match from Yuta VS Tracy, and I figured Yuta would go over. Maybe he fights his way to a rematch with Shibata.

Speaking of which, great tag match from Shibata & Coughlin VS Workhorsemen. Great showing from JD & Henry, but of course Shibata & Coughlin win. Coughlin politely challenging Shibata to a title match is great, but I also like that Shane Taylor is eyeing Shibata. Coughlin will end up being Shibata’s first defense that Shibata will of course win so that he gets one under his belt. Shibata VS Shane could be some great stuff, a real test for Shibata, and who knows who wins that.

Nice to hear from Eddie Kingston, and a shame to hear about the hernia. Let’s all hope all goes well, that he gets well soon and comes back fast. Claudio VS Metalik was a great main event, fans really got behind Metalik, though they still liked Claudio enough. He and the BCC really play up Heel on AEW but fans still appreciate how great Claudio is in the ring. As such, Claudio of course wins to get another defense under his belt. Who knows who steps up to face him next, but there’s a chance Claudio wins then, too.

My Score: 8.6/10

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

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Andrew’s IMPACT Results & Match Ratings: 4.13.2023

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Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/12/23)

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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

16 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

20 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.