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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Report! (2/13/18)

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All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter.

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Dolph Ziggler VS Baron Corbin; no contest.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Sarah Logan w/ The Riott Squad; Charlotte wins.
  • Baron Corbin VS Kevin Owens; Corbin wins and enters the WWE Championship match to make it a Fatal 4 Way.
  • WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Bobby Roode VS ???; no contest.
  • The New Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable; The New Day wins.
  • Dolph Ziggler VS Sami Zayn; Ziggler wins and enters the WWE Championship match to make it a Fatal 5 Way.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dolph Ziggler VS Baron Corbin!

And after an initial record scratch, The Show-Off’s theme music actually does play. The Show-Off left SmackDown after vacating the United States Championship when he felt the fans weren’t worthy of his presence, but then he returned via the Royal Rumble match. Now he has an opportunity to leap over many other superstars and enter the WWE Championship match here tonight.

As for The Lone Wolf, his music plays from the start, yet he doesn’t come out. That’s because Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn are beating Corbin down to make sure he can’t compete! But Corbin doesn’t go down easy, he rocks both men back with heavy rights, only to be brought down by the 2v1 again. They even throw him into spare bins nearby!

“NOW that’s it!” One down, one to go, #Kami heads for the ring! Ziggler knows full well they’re on their way and gets ready for a fight. The fans boo as #Kami appears at the stage. Kevin sends Sami off to the side, and while Ziggler watches where the Underdog is going, the Prizefighter comes up the ramp. Ziggler intercepts Sami and they brawl in the bleachers! He bounces Saim off trunks but then Kevin comes in and it’s another 2v1 advantage! Sami throws Ziggler into the side of a trash barrel, and then Kevin slams the lid on Ziggler. The best friends clearly don’t want anyone else joining them against AJ Styles at Fastlane. Even so, Ziggler keeps fighting, until he’s pushed into a post. Kevin drags Ziggler up, for Sami’s HELLUVA KICK!

Ziggler goes down in a heap and #Kami stands tall while the fans boo and jeer. The referee backs them off, but the damage is done. However, Corbin returns! He takes them both on, but that’s still not enough with the numbers on #Kami’s side.

Kevin throws Corbin into the side rails, and security comes out to finally get them to stop. The fans boo and jeer harder, what will SmackDown management’s response be to this?

 

Charlotte Flair VS Sarah Logan w/ The Riott Squad!

The Queen of Flair and SmackDown Women’s Champion is on a mission to handle this trouble-making trio herself. She already beat Liv Morgan last week, now she wants #KentuckyStrong tonight. Can Charlotte go 2-0 in this unofficial best of three series? However, to make sure The Squad isn’t a factor, Charlotte has her own back-up in the form of The Lass Kicker and Ms. Glow Time!

The bell rings and both sides cheer on their woman. Sarah backs Charlotte down but Charlotte fires right back out. They tie up, push back and forth, then separate when neither gets anyway. They go again, Sarah with the waistlock and judo throw. Charlotte resists but Sarah maintains the hold. Sarah throws Charlotte down again and keeps back control as Charlotte tries to get free. They stand up, but Sarah brings Charlotte down again. Charlotte keeps working to get out of the hold, but Sarah shirts to a facelock. Sarah backs Charlotte down but Charlotte rolls and reverses into her own facelock. Charlotte throws Sarah now with a hip toss, then boots her down and out of the ring! We go picture in picture as The Squad regroups.

Ruby and Liv coach Sarah back up and into the ring. Charlotte gets Sarah in a waistlock and returns the slam now. Now Sarah works to get free, throwing a back elbow. She puts Charlotte into a headlock, Charlotte powers out and Sarah rolls to run her over. Cover, ONE, then Charlotte runs Sarah over. Charlotte rocks Sarah with a big knee, then styles and profiles like her father. Sarah comes back with forearms but Charlotte gives one of her own. Sarah runs but Charlotte knocks her down again with a back elbow. Charlotte drags Sarah up and to a corner for a buckle bump. She brings Sarah out and tries again but Sarah reverse, bumping Charlotte off the buckles. Sarah whips corner to corner but Charlotte tumbles to the apron. Charlotte shoulders in, slingshot roll-up, TWO. Charlotte rolls Sarah again, ONE, and Sarah hits Charlotte low. Sarah whips and reels Charlotte into another knee, then gives a dropkick that sends Charlotte out of the ring. The Squad troll the Queen but Naomi & Becky back them off. Charlotte climbs back up but Sarah gets her on reentry. Sarah gives forearms and stomps in a corner, only stopping to snapmare and wrap on a straitjacket hold. Sarah thrashes Charlotte around and the Squad likes it. Charlotte gets to her feet but Sarah gets the waistlock. Charlotte works to get out as we go single picture.

Standing switch and a German Suplex puts Charlotte back in control! The Squad panics as Charlotte lifts Sarah, but Sarah sips out to chop Charlotte.

That wasn’t good, because now Charlotte unloads her chops! Charlotte chops Sarah on the ropes, even in the shoulder, then whips to scoop. Sarah slips out and tackles from behind, cover, TWO! Sarah keeps on Charlotte with a rain of rights, then stomps and kicks her around. Charlotte gets up but Sarah throws her with a butterfly suplex. Cover, TWO, the Squad grows frustrated. Sarah puts Charlotte back in the straitjacket stretch while fans rally. The Squad trolls Charlotte again even as the rally builds. Charlotte gets up, Sarah whips her, but Charlotte evades and gives a big knee strike. Sarah staggers but comes back with a shotgun knee! Cover, TWO! Sarah keeps going, kicking and stomping Charlotte again, then rains down forearms. Cover, TWO, but Sarah keeps on Charlotte with an armlock, and even grinds a knee into Charlotte’s shoulder. The fans keep cheering for Charlotte, and Charlotte feeds off that to get up, only for Sarah to lariat her down. Cover, TWO! The Squad can’t believe this. Charlotte kicks and chops back, then goes to boot but Sarah evades! With Charlotte stuck on the rope, Sarah German Suplexes, covers, TWO! Sarah’s frustration reaches an all-time high and she just gives rough shots to Charlotte. Charlotte fires up from it and hits back hard! Charlotte runs in but Sarah sends her face first into buckles! They both stagger up, Charlotte hits a backbreaker and then shot into the buckles, Natural Selection!

Charlotte wins! The Queen goes 2-0 on the Squad, can she beat Ruby to make it a sweep?

 

SmackDown management meets backstage.

Shane McMahon addresses the issue. Kevin & Sami are the guys Daniel Bryan wants to be WWE Champion? “It’s not going down like that.” Shane talked to Corbin and Ziggler before coming in here. Corbin will take on Kevin, Ziggler will take on Sami, and if either of them wins, or even both of them, they’ll each be added. But if Kevin interferes with Sami and Sami interferes with Kevin, they’re thrown out. The Commissioner has spoken, is this going to work in his favor?

 

Baron Corbin VS Kevin Owens!

As Shane McMahon just said, the only way Kevin can keep The Lone Wolf out of Fastlane’s WWE Championship match is to win fair and square in the ring! Can The Prizefighter beat up Corbin without the Underdog helping him?

The bell rings and Kevin goes right at Corbin with body shots and mudhole stomps in a corner. Corbin fires back with heavy rights, but then Kevin slips out of the ring to catch his breath. Corbin shouts for Kevin to get back in the ring, but Kevin doesn’t. So Corbin takes the fight to him on the outside! They brawl back and forth, then Corbin puts Kevin back in the ring. Kevin pounces on reentry, stomping away on Corbin in the ribs he and Sami damaged earlier. He puts Corbin in a corner, whips but Corbin reverses. Corbin runs in but Kevin boots him away, only to get rocked on the ropes with that right hand! Kevin tumbles down and out, but Corbin is a step ahead of him. He comes around the corner to then put Kevin into barriers. Corbin keeps going, rocking Kevin with knees and another barrier bump. The referee orders them to get back in the ring, so Corbin puts Kevin back in. Kevin sips right back out then rams Corbin into the apron, and a post! Kevin brings Corbin up and into the ring now, keeping on those bad ribs. He elbows and stomps Corbin more, then brings him up to put him in a corner. He whips corner to corner, but Corbin slips out then in, into a mule kick to the gut. CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO, and Kevin is upset while we go to break.

SmackDown returns to see Corbin reverse a whip to send Kevin into barriers again!

Kevin staggers away but then evades to send Corbin into steel steps! The referee checks on Corbin while Sami watches backstage. Kevin fetches Corbin to put him back in the ring, then hits the back senton! Cover, TWO! Kevin hurries to put on a chinlock even as he complains, “That was three!” The fans rally for Corbin as he endures the hold. Corbin sits up and then works his way up to his feet. Kevin rams knees into Corbin, then runs, but into a Choke Slam Backbreaker! Both men are down and slowly stirring. Kevin gets himself to the ropes while Corbin stands up and fans rally. Corbin throws forearms, one big forearm knocking Kevin down. He runs in, slides out then in, lariat! Cover, TWO! Corbin is too sore to be frustrated as he gets up. Kevin is in a corner again and begging for mercy, but Corbin instead hoists him up to the top rope. Corbin rocks Kevin with another right before climbing up to join him. Kevin fights back, knocking Corbin off the top with headbutts. Kevin slips down, then evades again to send Corbin into a post! Roll up, TWO! Kevin stomps then climbs up top, but Corbin grabs him by the throat! Kevin fights back then hot shots Corbin, only to run into Deep Six! Corbin can’t cover yet, his ribs hurt too much.

Even so, he drags himself up to his feet and brings Kevin in, SUPERKICK instead! Then Kevin throws Kevin to ropes, Corbin holds ropes, then gets End of Days! Corbin WINS! The Lone Wolf adds himself to the championship match to make it a Fatal 4 Way! Can Sami keep it together to keep it at only four?

 

SmackDown Top Ten List!

As of last week the list was:

  1. AJ Styles
  2. Charlotte Flair
  3. Shinsuke Nakamura
  4. Naomi
  5. Bobby Roode
  6. The New Day
  7. The Usos
  8. Becky Lynch
  9. Randy Orton
  10. Tye Dillinger

Everyone from fans to superstars were both congratulatory and confused to at least one entry or another. Can The Perfect Ten remain in the Top Ten? Will he move up? Or will someone completely off the list jump on to bump him off?

 

WWE United States Championship Open Challenge: Bobby Roode VS ???

The GLORIOUS One is a fighting champion and is open to giving any superstar that wants at him their title opportunity. “From the moment I won this championship, I said I wanted to be the greatest United States Champion.” In order to do that, he had to steal a tradition for a man he wants to surpass, and that man is John Cena. Say what you will but Cena defended the US Championship week in and week out. Now Roode takes great pride in keeping the US Championship Open Challenge alive. Obviously this is for anyone in the back, but Roode hopes a certain someone meets him “face to face, rather than coming out here with an RKO outta nowhere.” We wait for someone to accept, and it IS Randy Orton!

The Viper has never held the United States Championship, and perhaps he will finally become a Grand Slam Champion. However, before the match can begni, the Modern Day Maharaja appears!

Jinder Mahal speaks, “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Viper, Randy Orton!” Mahal knows that at least the WWE Unvierse respects Orton. But it seems the SmackDown roster doesn’t, since they only saw him as 9th out of 10. The 13 time world champion, a first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate, from Legacy to Evolution to the face of the WWE, but only 9th as voted by his peers. Orton and Mahal have had their ups and downs, wins and losses, but Mahal still respects Orton. The fans chant “RKO!” as if to signal they want him to give one to Mahal. Mahal continues, telling Orton that everyone else on SmackDown thinks Orton’s “already peaked.” Orton responds, “Jinder, I don’t give a damn about any top ten list!” He expects Mahal to believe that? Orton’s been here for 16 years, but he’s only 9th. Yet Roode is 5th after only sixth months. Orton’s life has been dedicated to wrestling, yet he’s outdone by a newcomer. The fans chant “RKO!” even louder now.

Mahal repeats that he respects Orton, but Roode thinks himself the future Legend Killer. Roode responds, “Those are some pretty big words from a man who couldn’t even make the top ten.”

And why is that? “Because nobody here respects you!” And in terms of respect, Roode has nothing but for Orton’s career. But if he were to say why Orton’s only 9th, it’s because everyone in the locker room is getting sick and tired of getting attacked “out of nowhere.” Like, when he does this? RKO to Singh! They brawl, Roode wants his DDT but Orton wants an RKO, both are denied and Mahal gets the KALAS!! Roode goes down, then Mahal grabs Orton, for another Kalas! The Modern Day Maharaja stands tall, proclaiming that he doesn’t need respect. The Open Challenge is cancelled for tonight, but will Mahal be first in line the next time?

 

The New Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable!

Awwwwwwwwww… CALIFORNIA~!” The Power of Positivity is here with Booty O’s and pancakes a plenty! They even have a table loaded with even more flapjacks!

“Today is a very special day”, it’s “Fat Tuesday”! Or in this case, Pancake Tuesday, “babyyyyy~!” In order to celebrate, Big E will “destroy the record” of eating 113 pancakes in eight minutes. How does he feel? “Good.” Okay. Who wants to see Big E break the record? The WWE Universe does. Xavier Woods counts it down, and Big E begins! He tries to shove fist fulls of pancakes into his mouth, but has he even gotten one down?

Gable & Benjamin come out to ruin the fun.

“Wow. This is great, guys, really.” When Gable was training for the Olympics, this is exactly what he imagined being part of. Good job, guys, really. Benjamin also says this is great. What The New Day has done for pancakes is “astronomical.” They should go on the road, or open up a restaurant. And when they do, they can leave the SmackDown Tag Team Division in the hands of “serious competitors.” “Honey~,” are you saying Kofi isn’t a serious competitor? That Big E isn’t a serious competitor? That Xavier Woods is not a serious competitor? The New Day remind Gable & Benjamin that they set the record for longest reigning W, W, E, tag, team, CHAMPIONS! And who even wants these two as champs? Who who who? “NOBODY!” “SHUSH!” So they have a serious side? What would happen if Gable were to… throw a pancake on the floor? They didn’t ilk that, did they? Then what if Benjamin, tossed a pancake on the floor? Benjamin flapped a jack. Oh, go for the big one. Big E defends his pancakes.. “Don’t you touch our cakes!” Settle down, Big E. They have news for The New Day: “Nobody likes pancakes.” The fans boo, who would ever not like pancakes? Benjamin & Gable say it’s time for waffles! And the pancakes go flying! The New Day have to hold Big E back, until this match officially begins.

We go picture in picture as both teams go to their corners. Big E is still furious, but passes out pancakes while the table is taken away. The official team for The New Day will be Big E and Kofi, with Woods taking over passing out pancakes like Frisbees. Gable and Big E start with the bell, Big E runs Gable over as payback for the flapjacks. Tag to Kofi, and the running low… twerk! Then the kick. Cover, TWO, and Gable powers Kofi into a slam! Cover, ONE, tag to Benjamin. Kofi fights back but gets clubbed down 2v1. Benjamin puts Kofi in a corner for right hands and stomps while we go back to single picture.

Benjamin whips Kofi corner to corner, but Kofi slips out to kick him away. Kofi climbs up, but Gable distracts. Kofi jumps over Benjamin, but runs into a pop-up knee! Cover, TWO, Benjamin drags Kofi up to whip him into the corner. Tag to Gable, they stomp Kofi again. Gable slams Kofi’s arm on the mat, then wrenches it. Cover, TWO, Gable keeps Kofi grounded with an armlock. The fans rally and Kofi gets to his feet. Kofi reaches for Big E while fighting back against Gable. He arm-drags Gable away but Gable comes back with the rolling kick! TWO, but Gable keeps his focus. He tags Benjamin back in and they focus on that arm. Kofi fights back but ends up in the enemy corner. Gable tags in and they both stomp Kofi out. Tag back to Benjamin, double whip but Kofi kicks back. He throws Gable out but Benjamin gets the waistlock. Kaofi escapes, but Gable trips up Big E! Woods calls him out, protesting to the referee. However, Benjamin turns Woods around to rock him with a right! Benjamin returns to embrace the heat while Kofi gets to a corner. Kofi responds with jumping double stomps! The fans rally, both men crawl for their corners, and hot tags to Gable and Big E! Big E throws Gable overhead! Then again! Then, the side belly2belly slam! Big E fires up and swivels those hips before running, Big Splash! He isn’t done there, he rallies the fans again. Big E scoops but Gable slips out, waistlock to Chaos Theory!

Both men are down and crawling for their corners again. Woods distracts so that the tag to Benjamin doesn’t count! Kofi comes in and dropkicks Benjamin out. Gable throws Kofi out, then argues with the ref, but turns into the scoop! Tag to Kofi, Midnight Hour! The New Day wins! Is that serious enough for Gable & Benjamin?

 

Backstage interview with Dolph Ziggler.

Ever since giving up the US Championship, he was gone. Now he’s back, and he admits to be selectively picking his spots. He finds himself primed for another opportunity. Ziggler lives for this, he loves this! Because it’s about doing what he’s been put on this planet to do, and that’s perform in that ring. Ziggler vows no one will outshine him, and that’s why “those cowards” had to attack him together. It’ll take more than just that attack to stop Ziggler. The reason Ziggler is back, the only reason he’s back in the WWE is for one thing only, the thing that eludes him to this day: the main event of Wrestlemania. “And I’ll be damned if I don’t walk in there as WWE Champion.” Can the Show-Off make the most of this opportunity?

 

The Usos speak.

They’ve been telling us for weeks how they have the SmackDown Tag Team Division #OnLock, and how there isn’t a tag team around that can match them. They try to but it’s lights out! Other teams stand up, but they get sat back down. These two are brothers, true brothers from the Samoan Bloodline, “ride or die.” From the womb to the tomb, they welcome you to the “Uso Penitentiary!” But then The Bludgeon Brothers break the screen! Harper & Rowan have made their case, can they break out of the Penitentiary?

 

Kevin finds Sami Zayn at gorilla.

He apologizes to Sami for messing up. Now it’s a Fatal 4 Way, and could become a Fatal 5! Sami can’t lose, don’t let Kevin down! Oh don’t let Kevin down? There is no “we” in the coming match, it’s every man for himself. The music hits, and Sami heads to the ring.

Dolph Ziggler VS Sami Zayn!

This may be the make-or-break match for the returning Show-Off on this Road to Wrestlemania. Can he steal the show from the Underdog to then try and steal the title from the Phenomenal One at Fastlane? They circle even before the bell, but we have to go to break.

SmackDown returns and the bell rings, Ziggler going right at Sami. Sami gets to a corner for safety, and Ziggler is forced to back off. He dares Sami to come out but Sami waits for him to stay back. Ziggler rushes Saim again but sami gets back between the ropes for safety. Fans boo and jeer while Kevin watches backstage. Sami and Ziggler circle, Ziggler gets the waistlock but Sami gets to the ropes. The ropebreak is tense, and Sami tells teh ref to do his job. Sami and Ziggler circle again, Ziggler gets the leg then the facelock, but Sami still gets to ropes. Ziggler lets go but Sami has a hold on him. Cheap shot headbutt to the ribs from Sami, then Sami backs off to a corner again. Ziggler dares Sami to come out again. They tie up, scuffle up to ropes again, and the break is no longer clean as Ziggler rocks Sami with a right. He keeps going, giving Sami a neckbreaker. Sami gets to a corner again, Ziggler hits the corner splash and another neckbreaker. Cover, TWO, Sami rolls all the way out. He walks around the ring to cool off, but fans boo and jeer. Sami takes his time returning into the ring, and circles with Ziggler again. They tie up, Sami puts Ziggler in a corner and clubs away with forearms to the back of Ziggler’s haed. The referee backs him off, but Sami comes back to boot-wash Ziggler right out to the apron. Sami drags Ziggler up and around, for a rope guillotine. Ziggler clutches his neck as he rolls away, Sami trolls him about the bad neck while he grinds a knee into it.

Sami backs off while Ziggler gets himself to a corner. Sami embraces the heat before rocking Ziggler with rights. He stalks Ziggler but Ziggler fights back with haymakers of his own. Sami powers Ziggler to another corner and keeps up the attack. He drags Ziggler up for a chop, then whips corner to corner. Ziggler reverses and runs in but gets a back elbow. Sami hops up, boots Ziggler away, then flies for a dropkick to knock him out of the air!

He clutches his jaw as he spills out of the ring, we go to break.

SmackDown returns again to find Sami holding Ziggler down in a chinlock. The fans rally and Ziggler fights his way up, but Sami whips him to the ropes to run him over with a clothesline. Cover, TWO, and Sami grows frustrated. He toys with Ziggler, kicking him while he’s down. Sami brings Ziggler up, but Ziggler escapes the suplex. Ziggler gets the waistlock but Sami elbows out, only for Ziggler to come back with the satellite DDT! Both men are down and Kevin worries backstage. The two slowly stir, and Ziggler gets running. Sami dodges, rolls, but Ziggler rolls out to hit the Famouser! TWO! Now Ziggler feels the frustration boiling up. Ziggler heads over to a corner, glances at the Wrestlemania sign then climbs up. Sami springs up to anchor him, Ziggler knocks him away, but Sami returns and trips him up! Sami rains rights on Ziggler before climbing up to join him. He prepares a superplex but Ziggler fights back. Ziggler throws haymakers but Sami hits back, getting Ziggler in position, SUPER EXPLODER!!

The impact is too much for Sami to make a cover, the referee starts a ten count. The count reaches 5 before they start standing up. Sami throws a hand but then Ziggler unloads, only for Sami to rock him back. Sami unloads more forearms then runs, but catches Ziggler’s dropkick to catapult him into buckles and post! Ziggler slumps down whiel Saim goes corner to corner, HElluva misses, ZIG ZAG HITS! TWO!! No one can believe Sami survived, but it also seems like Sami is moving on instinct. The fans declare “This is Awesome!” while both men slowly stir. Ziggler stalks the dazed Sami, swings a kick but Sami counters to throw him into the post! Sami staggers over and drags Ziggler out of the corner, to then throw him in again! Ziggler slumps to the apron but Sami keeps going, dragging Ziggler up onto his feet. Sami tries but Ziggler resists! Ziggler slips down, victory roll, TWO! Exploder into the buckles! Sami walks to the opposite corner, and takes aim at the battered Ziggler. Sami runs in, SUPERKICK outta nowhere! Ziggler wins!! The WWE Championship is now a Fatal FIVE Way! And Kevin is furious. With the odds shrinking to 1-in-5, who will walk out of Fastlane the champion to then face Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestlemania?!

 

My Thoughts:

SmackDown feels good again, at least to me. It looked to open with what I expected to be a main event, but then it takes another swerve and it becomes Kevin & Sami attacking both Corbin & Ziggler. Another swerve was that I thought it was gonna be a Teddy Long moment of “impromptu tag team match”, but with the championship match stipulation. Instead, we get two separate singles matches to fill the card, both with championship implications and both really great matches. But before those matches, there was a lot of other great stuff tonight, and mostly all focused around matches. Charlotte-Sarah was really great, Sarah is a lot more polished than it seemed from her limited time on NXT TV. Charlotte wins because she has to stay strong and it makes for effective story that she’s already the winner of her Riott Squad series. Ruby uses social media to challenge #RoyalGlowFire to a new Six Woman Tag and that match is made for next week, so perhaps they’ll save Charlotte VS Ruby to determine the sweep. Then the Open Challenge turning into a three-way brawl was actually a good segment, too. Mahal stands tall after incorporating the SmackDown Top Ten List results into motivation, so perhaps instead of just Orton VS Roode, it’ll be a triple threat. A triple threat will make a way for Roode to still look strong even if he ends up losing, such as Orton pinning Mahal instead. Personally, from best to worst scenario, it’s: Roode retains; Orton wins to become Grand Slam Champion; Mahal wins to set up a Wrestlemania rematch.

The tag team division also had a great showing with New Day VS Gable-Benjamin, which can be framed as comedy VS seriousness. Comedic entertainment or not, the New Day is still a top tag team in the WWE and win as such to prove their point. They can continue a rivalry with Benjamin & Gable into Fastlane since it will clearly be Usos VS Bludgeon Brothers. The combination promo from those two was brilliant, as Usos show their great abilities on the mic but then Harper & Rowan counter with a proper “no words, just actions” display. Then as I said, both Kevin-Corbin and Sami-Ziggler were great matches, befitting of the motivations behind them. Fans actually cheered for Corbin for once, that alone is something to be impressed by. Then Ziggler had the fans back on his side despite the insistence of his record scratch to open his entrance. Ziggler and Corbin may just be in the match to help keep Kevin & Sami strong in the case where Styles retains, but I’m personally hoping for something else thrown in to really spice things up, given SmackDown has an extra month to build this PPV up.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.22.26

After a great Genesis PLE…do we continue the momentum? Please let us continue the good…

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So TNA must’ve let Kazarian model the last two shows after a Metallica song because holy hell do I have WHIPLASH. The Debut sucked on ice, Genesis was tremendous, I don’t even know what to expect this week. Will it be another pile of cow turd? Will it continue off the momentum of Genesis? Will it be something completely different leaving me bereft of words?

Time to find out.

Ratings:

  • Cedric Alexander vs Moose w/Lish: Cedric wins via Double Legged Cradle – *** 1/2
  • M by Elegance w/Elegance Brand vs Indi Hartwell: Indi wins via Roll-Up – ** 1/2
  • FEAST or FIRED: Eric Young #1, Steve Maclin #2, Eddie Edwards #3, Trey Miguel #4 – ** 1/2
  • Mustafa Ali w/Order 4 vs Jeff Hardy w/Matt Hardy: Jeff wins via Swanton Bomb – *** 1/4

 

Results:

Cedric Alexander vs Moose w/Lish

Collar and Elbow, into the corner, Chops around the world, Moose gets to feelin himself too much, wants 10 Count Punches or something, Cedric Snake Eyes him, Gamengiri…but Moose responds with a Dropkick and Cedric powders to the apron. Moose follows, Forearm Exchange on the apron, Cedric hits an STO on the apron, Moose is selling the back and has been moving stiffly during the start. Moose wants an Apron Bomb, Cedric shakes him, PK, into Dive to break the 10 count.

Cedric tries to feed Moose back into the ring but Moose turns it around and sends Cedric into the steps. Moose breaks the count, wants a Vertical Suplex but sells the back, a few chops and a Pump Kick from Moose as he tries to make his suplex easier, but Cedric plays the Uno Reverse and Suplexes Moose. Cedric climbs to the top, Frog Splash from Cedric for two. A couple of PKs to the back give Cedric another near fall, but Moose fights back, a few big chops, eats a Boot and Swinging Flatliner from Cedric, but Moose tries to fire. Cedric hits Moose and Moose does his Trucker Horn Pull signature taunt to try and get support to fire. Uranage into a Kip Up, Cedric tries to perch and reclaim momentum but Go To Hell, gives Moose a near fall.

Moose goes for a Spear in the corner, but misses and eats buckles, Michinoku Driver from Cedric, but only a two again! Strike Exchange again, both guys have crowd support, Moose goes for the Discus, but eats a straight forearm from Cedric. Cedric bounces off the ropes, eats a Big Boot, Spear from Moose gets countered into a Spanish Fly! Cedric goes up and Moose catches him with a Headbutt. Moose wants Lights Out again, Sunset, Single Leg, Moose stands, goes for the Jacknife, but Cedric pulls off the Body Scissors Double Legged Cradle for the flash victory again!

Mike Santana comes out, comes through the crowd in all his Latino DDP glory and comes out to cut a promo. 

M by Elegance w/Elegance Brand vs Indi Hartwell

M retreats to the safety of Rope Break like she’s Toru Yano. M catches Indi’s foot, wants to step on her toe for the incredulous actions at Genesis, but misses the stomp and Indi steps on M’s foot again. M gets in a few dodges, but no offense as Indi is in control. Chops and repeated Stomps to the foot, Uppercuts and a kick on the apron. M dodges the Big Boot, and they stomp on the other foot. Personal Concierge even takes off his Shoes and they hammer her boots with shoes.

Commercial break will probably end when Indi is starting her comeback. Interesting note through the match, ASH keeps stopping the rampant cheating. She hinted at a face turn during the Genesis desk, so maybe she meant it. As we return, Indi is throwing Elbows to break out of M’s Headlock and then connects on a Spinebuster to stop the heel’s offense. Just like I said…classic 90s wrestling TV logic.

Hip Attack into Bulldog from Indi only gets a two count. M tries to counter the Hurts Dontit, but its a little over rotated. They repeat the spot, done better and it’s a Roll-Up into a reverse Roll-Up, and did Indi grab tights?

Elegance Brand attacks, ASH stops them, M shoves ASH. ASH stands her ground, Double Xias come out for to back up ASH. BUT IT WAS ALL A SCAM! ASH attacks Lei Ying Lee, hits a DDT and all the elegantos stand tall.

FEAST or FIRED

Trey Miguel and Rich Swann square off for the first possible briefcase scramble, AJ Francis cuts off Trey, so Swann and Trey work together to Powerbomb AJ. EY then appears to stop all of the attempts, he poses in the middle, eats 4 Superkicks and then gets wiped out by Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers. They do a cut away to the back, then we see Trey jump into a pile of idiots, Home Town Man does the same. The everyone stand there and get jumped on spot if moronic. Home Town then grabs a briefcase, but EY cuts him off before his feet hit the floor. Unmasks HTM to cause him to drop the briefcase, EY picks it up and officially has Briefcase #1. Great Hands try to work together, Maclin cuts them off, grabs Briefcase #2 and walks out. SDL stops Eddie Edwards, Mance grabs a few chairs and starts lighting up Eddie. Eddie fights back, Blue Thunder Bomb onto the chairs. AJ Francis hits the Down Payment into the apron on Rich Swann. Trey stops AJ, Ryan Nemeth cuts off Trey, then Trey hits a Spider Suplex when Ryan tries to shortcut over him. Trey Miguel grabs briefcase #4 and hits the floor with it. Brian Myers clears out everyone else, Eddie grabs case #3, throws it at AJ since he was missed and then Dropkicks into the Briefcase so AJ drops and flops it.

Elayna Black talks like Xanax feels. She talks like she’s bored even if she’s trying to punctuate things. She’s hot, sure…but she’s about as interesting as licking drywall. 

Mustafa Ali w/Order 4 vs Jeff Hardy w/Matt Hardy

The commercial break starts things, so we’ll actually see most if not all of the match. Go figure?

Jeff gets the best of Ali early, a little mat wrestling toying, and is just straight, out wrestling Ali. Jeff lets Ali gather himself and re-enter the ring, a small rope run, Jeff feigns a punch and Ali retreats and throws himself over the top rope. Tries to come back, Jeff raises the fist, Ali cowers, so Jeff Low Dropkicks the feet and Ali stomps around like a child on the outside.

Ali finally gets back in the ring, puts together a couple moves but eats a Lariat, Ali counters the Jawbreaker and dumps Jeff to the outside. Matt handles Great Hands, Agent Zero lands a Kick while Matt is jawing with Tasha. Oh…another commercial.

During the commercial, Great Hands struggled moving the bottom steps into position so Zero did it himself. They set up a spot, but Jeff counters and Twist of Hate onto the steps. Both men sell the toll the match has taken, count gets to 9 and they both slide in. Jeff hits his combo, Manhattan Drop, Leg Drop, Low Dropkick, near fall. Jeff tries another Twist, gets pushed off, Jeff wants Whisper, but Ali Dropkick says no. Ali charges and Jeff Leap Frog’s Ali into the buckle. Splash by Jeff, into a Twist of Hate but only for two!

Ali trips Jeff into the ropes, heads to the tag belts and wants to use one, Matt pulls the belt away and fights off the Great Hands. Zero attacks but Matt pushes him into the post. Ali tries the Rolling Neckbreaker but gets cause with a Twist! Swanton…missed! Ali positions Jeff, 450! Jeff kicks out! Elijah’s strum hits, and Ali gets distracted, Twist! Swanton is good! Jeff wins.

So the newest member of the Main Event Mafia…I mean…The System will be revealed today since JDC retired at Genesis. Bear Bronson gets introduced as the new member, and the connection is because Brian Myers trained him. Eddie, Bronson and Myers attack Dango and Moose! Cedric comes down to clear the ring but then hits Moose with a chair. The old…Quadruple Turn. Eddie, Cedric, Myers and Bronson are the new heel system. 

Overall Score: 7.25/10

The show breezed by, there were decent matches and we got to see a fair amount of them instead of an avalanche of promos, video packages and ill-timed commercials ruining matches. The System also never felt right as a Face Faction. So leave it to Eddie to put the Japanese flair on the Faction Reboot. I like this new look System, makes more sense how its built. Moose also had the huge hero moment at Genesis, so keeping him babyface and having them kick him out was very correct. Moose is hopefully going to be line for a title run, be it X or World, if he keeps up this babyface momentum, he’s got something in the bag.

ASH pulling the double swerve with faking a face turn just to show she’s cleared for action. At this point, I hope we never know why she was truly out and it’s just a giant scam because she didn’t want the bad optics of losing a title match. Feast or Fired feels like Maclin is getting fired…and that’s gonna suck. TNA has to stop building newer guys who aren’t known from WWE, and then just losing them to bigger dollar signs. Josh Alexander, Ethan Page, Mike Bailey, Ace Austin, The Rascalz…pay these damn people to stick around and build your brand with consistency.

But that’s theory crafting, and we have to wait til next week to see if I rant. This week…was surprisingly really good.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/22/26)

TAIGASTYLE steps on the Proving Ground!

Published

on

Will Daddy Magic earn a golden ticket?

Lee Moriarty is still ROH Pure Champion, but he’s looking for contenders! Will Matt Menard survive the Proving Ground? Or will he lose in ten minutes or less?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Adam Priest & Tommy Billington VS The Premier Athletes; Priest & Billington win.
  • 2v1 Handicap: Satnam Singh VS Josiah Jean & Dante Leon; Singh win.
  • Alec Price & Jordan Oliver VS CRU; CRU wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS Auzzy, Hitt & Gino Medina; Castle & The Outrunners win.
  • ROH Pure Championship Proving Grounds: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Menard; Lee wins and denies Menard a title match.
  • Billie Starkz & Diamante w/ Athena VS Londyn Dior & Rachael Ellering; Billie & Diamante win.
  • “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith VS KM & Will Allday; Bill & Keith win.
  • Ace Austin VS Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie; Ace wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Priest & Tommy Billington VS The Premier Athletes!

After being betrayed by Jay Lethal, then cheated by Lethal & The Swirl, #AllGenresAdam and The Dynamite Kid could use a rebound, but they’re up against Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari, who are of course accompanied by Stori Denali & “Smart” Mark Sterling. And of course the latter has to interrupt Bobby Cruise to do the introductions. “Everybody knows we are The Premier Athletes: Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and folks, 128 days ago, my bicep was ripped from the bone. And I have not been attacked in that time once, thanks to my protector, the Big SD, Stori Denali!

“And you have to think, if the Dallas Cowboys had even one athlete the caliber of my team, maybe, maybe they would’ve made the Playoffs instead of watching from the sidelines like you NARP losers.” The fans boo, but Sterling says it’s okay. Tonight, he will let them all be part of a winning team. So when he says, “Athletes,” you all say, “Rule!” NOTHING ELSE! Hands in, everyone. Ohh… ATHLETES! “SUCK!” GOTTEE! And finally, Billington & Priest make their entrance. Will they humble Nese & Daivari? Or will it be another team of big egos stepping all over them?

The teams sort out, Priest starts with Daivari, and Priest offers the Code of Honor. Daivari doesn’t want to, but Priest pushes him! Sterling protests, Daivari slaps the hand, and that’s good enough. The bell rings as the two circle, and the two tie up. Priest headlocks, wrenches, but Daivari rolls to wrench back. Priest rolls but Daivari wrangles him with a wristlock. Priest stands up but Daivari shifts to a hammerlock. Priest fires elbows, then trips Daivari. Daivari kicks Priest away, things speed up, and Daivari hurdles, only for Priest to RUN him over! Priest wrenches Daivari, but Daivari powers him to the Premier corner.

Nese tags in and the Premier Athletes mug Priest! The ref counts, the fans boo, but the Athletes back off. They shout, “ATHLETES!” The fans shout, “SUCK!” Nese brings Priest around, but Priest fires body shots and CHOPS! Nese headlocks, Priest powers up and Billington tags in as he powers out. Priest drop toeholds Nese, Billington runs and ELBOW DROPS! The fans cheer while Billington wrenches and YANKS the arm. Tag to Priest and he goes up, AX HANDLE on Nese’s arm! The fans cheer while Priest wrenches Nese and tags Billington back in. Billington goes up, he AX HANDLES Nese’s arm, and the fans cheer again.

Billington wrenches, he tags Priest back in, and Priest goes up again, AX HANDLE! Priest taunts Daivari, then he drags Nese up to tag Billington. Billington CLUBS the arm, whips, but Nese reverses. Billingston reverses back to HIP TOSS! Nese UP KICKS, then headlocks for the takeover! Billingston fights up, powers up, and turns things into a roll-up! TWO, Billingston headlocks, but Nese powers up and out. Nese drops down, Billington RUNS Nese over, RUNS him over again, but Nese trips him up! CHOP BLOCK! The fans boo but Nese drags Billingston out to shout, “Athletes!” “SUCK!” Fans are still not going for it.

But Billington RAMS Nese into the barriers! The fans fire up but here comes Daivari! Billington DECKS Daivari, but Nese THROWS him into the apron! Priest storms over that way but Nese points him out. The ref has Priest stay back, but then Nese distracts them all, letting Daivari and even Sterling stomp away on Billington! Daivari puts Billington in for Nese to ROCK him. Nese CLUBS Billington in the corner again and again, but the fans chant, “ATHLETES SUCKS! ATHLETES SUCK!” Billington throws body shots but Nese whips him. Billington slips through the scoop to scoop Nese! But the bad arm bothers him and he has to let Nese down.

Nese storms up on Billington to WRING that arm out! Cover, TWO! Nese is annoyed but he drags Billington up again. “Athletes!” “SUCK!” Nese CLUBS Billington’s arm, wraps it around the ropes, and he pulls on it! The ref counts, Nese steps outside, and he uses the ropes in the BEARHUG! The ref reprimands, Nese stops, and Nese steps back in. HOTSHOT BULLDOG! The fans boo but Nese jumps back in, PREMIER TRIANGLE FLOPS as Billington moves! Nese hurries to hot tag Daivari! ELBOW DROP on Billington’s back! Daivari whips Billington, Billington ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Both men are down and the fans fire up! Billington and Daivari crawl, Daivari tries to anchor Billington but Billington shakes loose. Hot tag to Priest! Priest LARIATS Daivari again and again, then whips corner to corner. Priest runs up to CHOP, then he whips Daivari corner to corner again. Priest blocks a boot to spin Daivari for a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up as Priest goes up, but Nese jumps up to get him! Priest SHOVES Nese down, then TORNADO DDTS! The fans fire up and Priest has Daivari, only for Daivari to cradle! TWO, Daivari dodges a lariat, but not the BODY CHECK! And the HALF CRAB!

Nese is in, but Billington snatches him! CROSSFACE! The fans fire up, but Sterling gets on the apron! Billington chases him off, but Nese THROAT CHOPS Billington! And he STOMPS Priest! The fans boo but the Premier Athletes stand Priest up. Daivari runs, but Priest slips free, the SHOULDER TACKLE hits Nese! The fans fire up again, and Priest fires body shots and haymakers on Daivari! UPPERCUT and Daivari falls! Priest helps Billington to his feet, they get Daivari up, and Billington runs, but Nese DUMPS him out! The fans boo, but Daivari has Priest hooked up! LION’S LARIAT! Tag to Nese!

Nese gets Priest up, he and Daivari work together, ELEVATED DDT! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and the fans fire up! They also rub that in Sterling’s face! Nese fireman’s carries, but Priest slips free and SHOVES him into Daivari! Then Priest snatches Nese’s leg to DRAGON SCREW it! Then he turns Nese over, HALF CRAB! Sterling gets on the apron, but Billington YANKS him down! The ref reprimands, but STORI gets in! SIX STORI CHOKE SLAM!! Nese covers, but Billington DIVING HEADBUTTS! Even Stori is shocked! Daivari fires off on Billington, then whips, but Billington reverses to TOSS him out!

Billington them DIVES to wipe Daivari out at the ramp! Nese hurries to get Priest, but Priest snatches him to a cradle, TWO! Nese is up, Priest kicks and whips, but Nese reverses to slide under! Pump handle, and- NO, Priest slips free, O’Conner Roll! PRIEST & BILLINGTON WIN!

Winners: Adam Priest & Tommy Billington, by pinfall

But then THE LETHAL SWIRL attacks! The fans boo as Lethal, Johnson, Christian, and even the Premier Athletes all mug Priest & Billington 5v2! The fans boo, but Big Shotty and The Franchise put them in FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCKS! The fans boo, but Lethal & Johnson let them go. The Premier Athletes let The Lethal Swirl handle this, and even Vanilla Baby gets to put on a FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Lethal, Johnson & Christian stand tall, and Blake Christian signals he’ll have a belt soon enough. Will Bandido have to finally give Vanilla Baby what he wants? Or will he give Blake Christian what he deserves?

 

Alec Price & Jordan Oliver VS CRU!

“Bustah & The Brain” gave FTR a run for their money in their Dynamite debut, but they’ve got a bright future ahead of them. Meanwhile, The Man of the Hour & The Sight to See want to prove they’re the now, calling out The Rascalz before The Rascalz have even really landed in AEW. Which tag team proves they’re the ones to watch in the New Year?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the teams sort out. Oliver and Andretti start and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, and the two tie up. Oliver waistlocks, Action switches, but Oliver backs him up to the ropes. Oliver drop toeholds, but Action stays up! Action wags his finger, but Oliver rolls the other way! Action rebounds off ropes and Oliver drop toeholds after all! Oliver says he’s smart, and he floats to a headlock. Action fights up, Oliver wrenches, and he tags Price. Price CLUBS the arm, wrenches and ELBOW BREAKERS, then wristlocks. Action spins, bridges, and handsprings to wrench and whip. Price reverses, Action goes up and over and handsprings away.

Price runs up but Action DROPKICKS him down! The fans fire up as both men hurry up. Action arm-drags Price down for the armlock and the fans applaud. Price fights up, but Action wrenches and tags in Lio. Lio wrenches Price to wristlock, but Price uses the ropes to flip through! Price wrenches, whips, arm-drags, but Lio handsprings through! Lio drops down on the dropdown to gator roll Price! Lio drags Price up, but Price wrenches free to wristlock and whip again. Lio reverses, Price tags Oliver, then Price whips Lio! Lio dodges Oliver, avoids Price, tag to Action! Lio runs up on Oliver but Oliver ducks the lariat!

Action dodges Oliver, Price dodges Action, and the teams stand off. The fans cheer that, and both teams agree to a truce. They back away, but Price & Oliver sneak attack! The fans are torn but the ref reprimands. Oliver says use your brain. Oliver stands Action up to CHOP him! Action CHOPS in return, so Oliver CHOPS again! Tag to Price, they double whip and DOUBLE ELBOW! Then high-ten, DOUBLE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Action survives and the fans rally up as Price brings Action up. Price suplexes, Action slips free, and he BOOTS Price! Action ELBOWS Oliver, runs up on Price, but Price gets around, only for Lio to sneak the tag!

Price O’Conner Rolls Action, but Lio is on him for a whip! Price reverses but Lio steps up to whip again. Action mule kicks, knee lifts, and ROLLING ELBOWS Price, and Lio fires off fast hands! Action mule kicks again, Lio joins in, but Oliver saves Price! Oliver blocks a kick, hands it to Price, but Action SUPERKICKS Price! Oliver SUPERKICKS Lio! Action BOOTS Oliver! Price dodges Action, scarecrow and COMEBACKER! Price runs up on Lio, Lio puts him on the apron, but Oliver runs up! Lio puts him on the apron, too, and CRU DOUBLE HANDSPRING KICK! Then they DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Bustah & The Brain and the fans fire up!

CRU gets Price up, puts him in the ring, then they stand Oliver up. But Price FLIES and down goes CRU! The fans fire up as Price puts Lio in and Oliver hurries up. Oliver runs corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Tag to Price and Oliver puts Lio up top! Price jumps up, and we get a CRUCIFIX BULLDOG! Cover, ACTION TACKLES OLIVER ONTO IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! Action rises first, he TOSSES Oliver to the apron, but Oliver traps Action! Price runs up, but Action ducks! Price BLASTS Oliver, Lio rolls Price, and kip to SPIN KICK! The fans fire up with CRU as they have Price isolated.

Price staggers up, Action & Lio run, redirect, and again, but Price dodges Lio! Action LARIATS Price! The fans fire up again as CRU hoist Price up for a DOUBLE FALCON ARROW! Cover, CRU wins!

Winners: CRU, by pinfall

Another strong showing for Price & Oliver, but this was just the win Lio & Action needed to keep climbing. Best of all, they all keep the Code of Honor. Will Oliver & Price have to really buckle up for their Collision with Mark Davis & Doyle this Saturday? Will CRU show The Rascalz how to light it up?

 

BREAKING NEWS!

Given the winter storm hitting Central Texas, not only has this Saturday’s Collision been changed from Arlington to Orlando, ROH must sadly postpone their Global Wars special with MPX, with more details to come.

 

Deonna Purrazzo speaks.

“Tagging alongside Madison Rayne and standing with her in her final match ever has meant more to me than I could ever put into words. But at the end of the night, she was right: I still have work to do. It’s time to wipe the tears, it’s time to start creating my legacy as the first-ever reigning and defending ROH Women’s Pure Champion. So let me officially issue an open challenge to anyone, anywhere, because I am a fighting champion by design. And in ROH, excellence is required. But becoming fluent in Purrazzo, well, that’s inevitable.” Who will put themselves to the test when they step up to The Virtuosa?

 

ROH Pure Championship Proving Grounds: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Menard!

#TAIGASTYLE is also looking for competition, and Daddy Magic has stepped up to the plate! Will Menard earn himself a golden ticket here in Arlington? Or will Moriarty solve the puzzle in ten minutes or less?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. The fans cheer and duel as the two circle. They tie up, Lee waistlocks to SLAM Menard, then floats to a facelock and gator roll. Cover, ONE, but Lee claps at Menard. The fans are torn but Menard shrugs that off. The two reset, circle, and Menard says Lee’s a funny guy. They tie up, Menard waistlocks but Lee wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! Lee clamps on an armlock and he dares Menard to go for ropes. Menard instead powers up to THROW Lee out! Menard then storms out after Lee but Lee slides in. Now Lee dares Menard to get back in.

Menard asks if Lee thinks this is a joke. Menard storms in, but he avoids the leg pick. The two reset, tie up, and Menard headlocks. Lee powers up but he can’t power out as Menard holds on tight. Lee tries again, he powers out this time, but Menard RUNS him over! The fans fire up, things speed up, and Menard hits a headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Lee endures and fights around. Lee rises up as we’re two minutes in already. Lee wrenches out, trips Menard, then floats to a cover, ONE! ARMBAR! Menard clasps hands and fights around! Lee has the top wristlock but Menard has the ROPEBREAK!

Lee lets go, that is Menard’s first of three. Lee kicks Menard and rubs in that he’s already used one. Menard is annoyed, but he storms up on Lee to shove him. Lee smirks, then SOBATS! And BOOTS! Menard staggers but Lee UPPERCUTS him to the ropes! Menard sputters, Lee whips, and he catches Menard to a COBRA TWIST! Menard endures, the fans rally, and Menard powers up to power free. But Lee slips around to have the COBRA TWIST again! Lee even adds an extra wristlock to hold Menard back. Menard endures, fights around, and he pushes Lee around to have the ROPEBREAK! That is the second of three!

Lee shoves Menard around as we approach four minutes in. Menard DECKS Lee, but that is his one warning for a closed fist! Menard forgot about that rule, but Lee BOOTS him outta the ring! The fans rally while Menard sputters. Lee lets the ring count climb while Menard rises up. Menard stands at 7 of 20, he rolls in, but Lee stomps Menard down. And jumps stomps again and again! The ref counts, Lee stops, and we’ve reached the five minute mark! Menard blocks Lee’s suplex, but Lee wrenches to CLUB the arm! Lee whips Menard, Menard reverses, but Lee goes Spider-Man in the ropes! Lee springboards, but Menard dodges!

Menard runs up and he LARIATS Lee down! The fans cheers while the clock is ticking. Menard and Lee stir while the fans duel again. Menard drags himself up, he and Lee bump into each other, and Lee ROCKS Menard again! And again! Menard wobbles but Lee clinches. Lee ROCKS Menard, Menard drops, and we have four minutes left! Lee ROCKS Menard, eggs him on and tells him to earn this opportunity! Menard CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Menard fires forearms, then whips Lee to a corner for an ELBOW! The fans fire up with Menard, he puts Lee in a corner, and Menard climbs up! The ref reminds Menard, he can’t use a closed fist!

Menard understands, and he rains down ELBOWS! The fans count along, Menard goes to TEN, then he RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! We are under three minutes as Menard has Lee’s legs! Lee fights the turnover, pries free, and he TWEAKS Menard’s arm! Lee whips, Menard rolls him up, and roll through to a trip! Menard turns Lee over! BOSTON CRAB! Lee endures and reaches out! The fans rally, Lee grits his teeth, and he powers up to have the ROPEBREAK! That is just Lee’s first, but we’re at the two minute warning! Menard hauls Lee up, reels him in, but Lee fights the lift! Lee rolls Menard, TWO!

Lee floats to the BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Menard TAPS, Lee wins!

Winner: Lee Moriarty, by submission (denies Matthew Menard a title opportunity)

Menard had one ropebreak left and a minute and 42 left on the clock, but it didn’t matter against the longest reigning ROH Pure Champion ever! But just as Lee is showing Menard respect, The Infantry attacks! Shane Taylor joins in, and the fans boo as STP bullies Menard! But wait! SkyFlight rushes in! Scorpio, Darius, Dante, and even Zayda Steel chase STP off! Will STP learn that they don’t run ROH? Or will they show SkyFlight how to rumble, bad man, rumble?

 

Billie Starkz & Diamante w/ Athena VS Londyn Dior & Rachael Ellering!

Minion 400,237 and The Cuban Diamond can take pride in the fact they beat Madison Rayne in her last match ever. But they still want to make the Fallen Goddess proud by earning golden opportunities both here and in AEW. Could those AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships be in their future? Or will Luxurious Londyn & The Queen of Strong Smile send them on quite the detour?

The teams sort out and Diamante starts against Rachael. They keep the Code of Honor, if just barely, and the bell rings. The two tie up, Diamante waistlocks to roll Rachael, TWO! Rachael RUNS Diamante over and the fans fire up. Rachael wrenches and WRINGS Diamante, then basement DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Rachael keeps close on Diamante, fireman’s carries, but Diamante fights around to sunset flip! TWO, Raachael sits on it, ONE! Diamante has it, ONE! They teeter totter, then Diamante has it, TWO! Diamante KNEES low, headlocks, and fires punches! Tag to Billie and they mug Rachael.

Billie headlocks, talks trash, and grinds the hold. Rachael steps on Billie’s foot and elbows free. Rachael wrenches, wristlocks, and puts on the pressure. But Billie stomps Rachael’s foot! Billie whips, Rachael ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Billie blows past her! Billie dosidos with Rachael, Diamante tags in, and Billie SWEEPS the leg! Diamante hops on for crossface forearms, then she holds Rachael up for the basement DROPKICK! Billie soaks up the heat while Diamante scuffs Rachael. Diamante taunts Rachael, but Rachael CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Diamante falls back, but Rachael brings her up, only for Diamante to KNEE low!

Diamante CLUBS Rachael, bumps her off Billie’s boot, then she tags Billie in. The fans rally but Billie sends Diamante in for the UPPERCUT! Billie LARIATS, then she sits Rachael down, for Diamante to basement DROPKICK! The fans are torn while Billie covers, TWO! Billie argues with the ref about the count but the count was fair. Billie then argues with Dior before she stands Rachael up. Rachael fires body shots, but Billie CRAVAT SMASHES! Billie taunts the fans, whips Rachael, but Rachael blocks! Billie tries again but Rachael still blocks. Billie ROCKS Rachael, tags Diamante, and they double whip.

Rachael breaks the double lariats, and then again, to then DOUBLE LARIAT in return! The fans fire up as Rachael crawls, hot tag to Dior! The fans fire up as Dior dodges Billie to fire off boxing elbows, and a BACKHAND! Dior even DECKS Diamante! Then she dodges Billie, runs up, and blocks boot! But not the FLYING CHUCK! Billie goes up, Diamante tags in, but Dior trips Billie up! Diamante KNEES Dior, then SPINEBUSTERS! Diamante tells Billie to go up so Billie obliges. SWANTON BOMB! Then Billie DIVES onto Rachael! Diamante grabs a leg, INSIDE ANKLE LOCK! Dior TAPS, Diamante & Billie win!

Winners: Billie Starkz & Diamante, by submission

The Cuban Diamond just proved she’s a ring general, but is that her way of saying she wants Deonna’s ROH Women’s Pure Championship?

 

Ace Austin VS Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie!

Bang Bang Gang is taking some hits with Juice Robinson back on the shelf, but the newest team member looks to build momentum in his stead. Will an ROH title opportunity be inevitable for Austin? Or will Johnny show him he’s not #TVReady?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the fans are dueling already. The bell rings, and the fans agree to cheer “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” Ace steps up, but Johnny swats the grapple to DECK Ace! And KICK him, too! Johnny brings Ace up, fires body shots, and he brings Ace around to scoop. Ace slips free, waistlocks, but Johnny switches. They go to ropes, Ace bucks the O’Conner and then rolls back to wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Then DROPKICK! Johnny tumbles out, the fans fire up, and Taya checks on Johnny. Ace eggs Johnny on, Taya tells him to wait! Ace goes out but Taya stands in the way.

The fans are torn, Ace pushes past Taya, but Johnny kicks low! MOONLIGHT DRIVE on the floor! The ref counts, Johnny rolls in and distracts him, and that lets Taya stomp away on Ace! The fans boo but Taya sneaks away unseen. Johnny goes back out to kiss his wife, and the fans are torn on the PSA. Johnny drags Ace up, puts him in, and swaggers as he steps back in. The fans rally, Johnny eggs Ace on, but Ace trips Johnny to a jackknife bridge! TWO as they bridge up, and Johnny spins Ace, then trips him into a REAR NAKED CHOKE! The fans rally and duel as Ace endures. Johnny shifts to a COBRA CLUTCH, then a STRAITJACKET STRETCH!

Ace endures, even as Johnny pulls him back. Ace fights up, powers Johnny to a corner, then throws elbows! Johnny lets go, Ace arm-drags him away, but Johnny comes back! Ace dodges and Johnny hits buckles! Ace KNEES low, KNEES high, then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! “Click click!” BOOM DROP! The fans fire up while Johnny goes to a corner. Ace runs up and A-LIST LARIATS! Then he fires off LARIAT again and again! The fans count all the way to TEN! Ace shoves Johnny away, then steps in, FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up, Ace gut wrenches, DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO! Johnny survives and Taya is able to breathe again.

Johnny stirs, Ace aims, but Taya slithers over. Taya trips Ace up, and Johnny CLOBBERS him! Johnny fireman’s carries, SAMOAN POP! Then Johnny goes to the corner, STARSHIP- NO, Ace rolls him up! TWO, and Ace goes to the corner. Johnny runs in, but Ace goes sideways! Johnny hits buckles, Ace FLYING- NO, Johnny ducks it to show Ace the OG FLYING CHUCK! And then the SHINING WIZARD! And now, STARSHIP PAIN FLOPS as Ace moves! The fans fire up, Taya pounds the apron, and the fans rally again. Johnny and Ace rise up, and Ace ROCKS Johnny! Johnny ROCKS Ace! Ace kicks low, but Johnny kicks in return!

Ace BODY BLOWS, then fires forearms! Johnny KICKS again, but Ace blocks a shot to KICK, mule kick, and ROCK Johnny again! Johnny staggers, Ace CHOPS, and Ace whips. Johnny reverses, Ace grabs ropes, but Johnny blocks the boot! Johnny FLIPS Ace to the apron, but Ace RAMS Johnny! Johnny distracts the ref, Taya creeps up, but Ace warns her. Johnny GAMANGIRIS! Johnny drags Ace up the corner and the fans rally. Johnny fireman’s carries, but Ace fights free! The fans cheer as Ace hops down and ENZIGIRIS! Johnny wobbles, Ace gets space, and Ace runs to SLINGSHOT STEINER! The fans fire up but Taya panics! THE FOLD!! Cover, Ace wins!

Winner: Ace Austin, by pinfall

Ace was more than #TVReady, and now Ace is high! But will Bang Bang Gang still be able to hit the jackpot in 2026?


My Thoughts:

A very good ROH clocking in at 72 minutes, and with some good story development here and there. We still had filler squash matches, of course, but it was still great to see Dalton Castle throw a VERY big “Hitt,” and to see the equally gigantic Big Bill and KM squaring off. A little surprised Ace VS Johnny was the main event, it went pretty quick, and it was kinda clear Ace would win out. I would’ve made the Pure Rules Proving Ground the main event. Yes, it was only going to be ten minutes at most, but given the closing moments where STP mugs Menard and SkyFlight making the save, it made for a good story beat to end on. Lee continues to differ from STP in that he wants to show respect but they just wanna beat everyone up, and that could make for quite the story down the line.

Good stuff in Billington & Priest VS Premier Athletes, and clearly they’re not done feuding with #LethalSwirl. As I’ve said, Bandido needs to get in there and join Billington & Priest on a Six Man Tag to finally give us Bandido VS Blake Christian for the world title. I probably didn’t need to keep CRU VS Price & Oliver, but both teams are really good and very innovative, so that was just a good match to watch. Billie & Diamante also got a good match from Rachael & Dior and a good win, and with Deonna putting out the open challenge, it might be Deonna VS Diamante before we get Deonna VS Billie, or even Deonna VS Athena.

My Score: 8.6/10

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