Ring of Honor Wrestling Television, Episode 363

The Last Real Man disappointed the resident Bully of ROH, but tonight is a chance for redemption in the Hall of Famer’s eyes. Will Silas Young come through?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WOH Championship: Sumie Sakai VS Madison Rayne; Sakai wins and retains the WOH Championship.
• Shane Taylor VS Josh Woods; Taylor wins.
• 2018 Top Prospect Tournament, Opening Round: Charles Zanders VS Marcus Kross; no contest.
• Bully Ray & Silas Young VS Best Friends; Best Friends win.

PLAY BY PLAY

We have NEW ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions!

The Bullet Club’s American Nightmare and Young Bucks took on The Kingdom, took them to the limit, and succeeded in dethroning them! However, there is a point of controversy, as they pinned Vinnie Marseglia while Matt Taven was the legal man. Taven and TK O’Ryan shouted up and down that this was wrong, but the referee’s decision was considered final. Is the conspiracy a reality!?

WOH Championship: Sumie Sakai VS Madison Rayne!

The Queen Bee earned this title shot through a Fatal 4 Way match with Tenille Dashwood, Karen Q and Kelly Klein, where she proved to be more opportunistic than even the crafty Queen of Queens. However, the inaugural champion has been undefeated since winning the WOH Championship Tournament. Will the Ray of Sunshine have to take a Rayne Check in tonight’s forecast?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings and these two circle, with Mandy Leon on commentary. The Exotic Goddess respects both these women and their accomplishments, and knows this is a great match-up. Sumie and Madison tie up but break. Madison applauds, as do the fans. The two circle again, then tie up again. Sumie gets a waistlock but Madison the standing switch. Sumie bucks her off but Madison dodges to arm-drag into a cover. TWO, but Sumie backslides. ONE, and Madison rolls for a leg cradle. TWO, and Sumie kicks low. Sumie goes to suplex but Madison small packages. They roll around and around and around, and stop on Sumie’s shoulders. TWO, and the two back off. Fans applaud, they love this evenly matched exchange already.

Madison and Sumie tie up again, and Madison backs Sumie to a corner. She lets Sumie out cleanly, but then swings on her. Sumie counters with those Mongolian Chops! Sumie chops once, twice, then several times in a row. Fans fire up but Madison runs Sumie over with an ambush forearm! Madison drags Sumie up and bumps Sumie’s head off her knee a couple times before hitting the modified DDT. Cover, TWO, and Madison grows frustrated already. Another cover, TWO! Madison drags Sumie back up but Sumie fights back. Sumie runs, but Madison pursues to stop her with forearms. Madison runs but Sumie follows to forearm her. They both run and hit each other with clotheslines! Both women are down while we go to break.

ROH returns and both women brawl with forearms! Madison throws a forearm, Sumie throws one back, and repeat. Sumie gets an edge and whips but Madison reverses. Sumie comes back with a dropkick, then rallies with more forearms. She brings Madison up and hits TJ Neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Madison survives that but Sumie is not deterred. Sumie climbs up while Madison stands, and she hits the missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Sumie grows frustrated now, but she keeps on Madison. The fans rally behind the champ as she walks over Madison and climbs up top. Moonsault misses! Madison gets up and boots Sumie away. She hops up and grabs Sumie, for a tornado DDT! Madison crawls to a cover, TWO!

Madison is frustrated again but she won’t stop, either. She drags Sumie up again, but Sumie slips out to fire forearms. Sumie tries the fisherman again, for the Fisherman Buster! Cover, TWO!! Sumie can’t believe it, but she has more to give. She drags Sumie up but Madison spins and rolls her up, TWO! Sumie runs in, to the Rayne Check! Cover, TWO!! Madison is now the one who can’t believe it! Madison grits her teeth and takes aim at Sumie. Sumie slowly stands and Madison runs, but into Smash Mouth! Cover, Sumie wins!

Winner: Sumie Sakai, by pinfall; still WOH Champion

The first champion is still the champion, even after facing the five-time Knockouts Champion! But both women still respect each other so deeply, and keep the Code of Honor with a hug in celebration. How far will Sumie’s historic inaugural run go? What will it take for someone to dethrone her?

ROH looks back at the grudge between Shane Taylor and Josh Woods.

The Notorious Hitman wants to prove he’s the baddest man in the business, and believes he had The Goods “dead to rights” in Palm Beach back in April. It was only because of King Mo, Muhammed Lawal, that Woods survived Taylor. But when it was rematch time, Taylor used the referee as an advantage to hit that notorious One Hitter Quitter. Both Woods and Taylor have been fighting their entire lives, but Taylor hits harder than anyone Woods has ever met. Woods wanted round three in NYC, but “Big Money Shane don’t fight for free.” What’s the Hitman’s price to make this tiebreaker happen?

Shane Taylor VS Josh Woods!

ROH must have met the price Taylor needs, because here is round three! The Hitman wants everything in ROH, from titles to glory to money, but will his desire be enough to overcome Mr. Top Prospect 2017 once and for all?

ROH returns from a break as the bell rings and Woods runs at Taylor with a flying knee! Woods throws haymakers from both sides, high and low. Taylor shoves him away but Woods comes back. Woods gets a waistlock but Taylor is too much to lift. Taylor switches and shoves Woods away. Taylor backs off to a corner, and Woods accuses Taylor of hiding something inside his new gloves! The Hitman says that’s just an excuse for getting knocked out. Woods and Taylor circle and Woods avoids a punch to go for a leg. Taylor elbows Woods off then clubs him on the back. He whips but Woods dodges to sunset flip. Taylor stays up but Woods switches around to catch his arm! Woods has Taylor in a triangle hold, then takedown to a kneebar! Taylor shouts as Woods gets a full ankle lock!

Woods holds on as Taylor drags himself towards ropes. Woods keeps that leg trapped and waistlocks Taylor for a deadlift! But Taylor fights out before the German Suplex is complete. He rocks Woods with an elbow, but Woods pump kicks and knees. Woods runs back in but Taylor puts him on the apron. Taylor sends Woods down with a swift right forearm! Taylor catches his breath before going out to fetch Woods. He stalks Woods around the corner, to then snake eyes him on the railing! The referee starts a count to get this match back in the ring. Taylor puts Woods in, but then on the apron to club away. Taylor climbs up onto the apron, for the guillotine leg drop! Woods rolls away while Taylor grins and even gives a fan a fist bump.

Woods is in a corner, but Taylor has him with body shots. Taylor rocks Woods with another forearm, but Woods gets back up. Taylor scoops and slams, then splashes! Cover, ONE! Taylor is definitely surprised but also amused. He looms over Woods as Woods gets to ropes. Taylor drags Woods up but Woods fires forearms of his own. Woods runs but Taylor ducks, and dodges the springboard super punch. Taylor scoops but Woods slips out to roundhouse! Taylor drops to the mat but Woods is also down. Both men slowly stand as fans rally up. Woods throws body shots and forearms and knees, then a back elbow. He runs corner to corner, for a big shining wizard! He throws Taylor with an exploder! Woods crawls to the cover, TWO! Taylor is reeling while we go to break.

ROH returns to see Woods throwing hands on Taylor at the ropes! The referee backs him off but Woods is still fired up. But Taylor blocks his boot to give him a knee! Woods rolls away as Taylor fires himself up. Fans rally up, too, and Taylor swings. Woods judo arm-drags into an armbar! Taylor resists, but Woods pries the hands apart! And he pulls off the glove! Woods lets Taylor go, to reveal there was an extra weight in the glove! Woods’ accusations are justified! The referee sees the illegal item, and says he has to throw this match out. Woods insists to keep it going, sot hat there is a true winner! Woods grabs Taylor, goes for the arm, but Taylor clubs him with the other arm. Taylor scoops, for Greetings from the 216! Cover, Taylor wins!

Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall

Oh the irony! Woods could’ve won by disqualification, but his pride as a fighter wanted more, and now he loses! Taylor gets away with it all, but will he take everything in ROH for his own?

SoCal Uncensored speaks.

Christopher Daniels fired a warning shot at Best in the World, but The Briscoes have gotten back at them twice. Two separate attacks with chairs, yet The Addiction is still coming for those ROH World Tag Team titles! #DemBoys come from Sandy Fork, but Sandy Fork is in fact THE worst town they’ve ever been in. Frankie Kazarian promises to even the score against “Mr. Bawk Bawk” Mark Briscoe, SCU style! Will the Heavy Metal Rebel make fried chicken out of the Sussex County Chicken next week?

We are one week away from the ROH World Championship Ironman Match, Jay Lethal VS Jonathan Gresham!

The Franchise’s first match with The Octopus was one of his favorite matches ever, and Gresham worked hard for 13 years to reach this point. Lethal knows Gresham will never forget the losses, because Lethal won’t. Gresham pushed him to his limits, so it’s not just Gresham who wants this rematch. Lethal wants this rematch and the fans want this rematch, the fans deserve this rematch. Gresham needs that one win to truly establish himself as the best pure wrestler in the world today. He’s wanted something like this his entire career. Gresham is 0-2 but he’s still getting the chance of his life time.

Gresham promises to bring his best and wants Lethal’s best. There is no better place for Gresham to win that title than in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. No less than 30 minutes, but it will be more than enough for Lethal to prove to everyone, including himself, that he’s the best. Just seven days and this guaranteed wrestling clinic begins. Who will prove that they are the best wrestler in ROH?

2018 Top Prospect Tournament, Opening Round: Charles Zanders VS Marcus Kross!

This year’s TPT had a rough start, as both Eli Isom and FR Josie were bulldozed by THE Jeff Cobb! There has yet to be a decision on how that match factors into the brackets, and for that matter, we have yet to see official brackets. Will Alabama’s Prodigal Son and The Kick Master Kross be able to have their match?

The Code of Honor is upheld by these two Future of Honor prospects, and fans chant “Goku! Goku!” and “Super Saiyan!” for the wrestling DBZ cosplayer. Kross and Zanders circle, tie up, and Zanders gets a headlock. Kross slips out to get his own headlock, and he shouts “Over 9000!” The fans applaud for his power level, but Zanders pries his way out back to his own headlock. Zanders holds on but Kross powers out. He sweeps and covers, TWO. Zanders whips, sweeps and covers, ONE. Kross whips but Zanders sees the sweep coming. Zanders dropkicks Kross down, then gets the wristlock. Kross spins and arm-drags then whips. Zanders somersaults over, but so does Kross. Kross runs and slides off Zander’s back. Kross unleashes the kicks! Zanders is out on his feet and fans fire up, but not for the action. They’re on fire for JEFF COBB!!

Yes, Jeff Cobb is back again, and though the referee reprimands him, he CLOBBERS Kross! Then he headbutts Zanders!

No Contest

Two weeks in a row, Cobb shows these Top Prospects that they don’t stack up to his standards. He throws Kross with a pumphandle Fall Away Slam, then reels Zanders in for a cradling saido suplex! But wait, Eli Isom appears! Isom is furious over having his match thrown out and now throws forearms on Cobb. But they do nothing! Cobb just smirks as fans chant “This is Awesome!” Isom gets scooped, for a Tour of the Islands!! Cobb proves he’s greater than three “Top Prospects” at once. Is Cobb just going to be named Mr. Top Prospect 2018 without a single match?

Bully Ray & Silas Young VS Best Friends!

The Hall of Fame legend of hardcore has made it his personal mission to show Millennial wrestlers they don’t belong, and his favorite targets have been Cheeseburger and Flip Gordon. So when Flip Gordon got the better of the Last Real Man, Bully was sorely disappointed. Now Bully and Silas team up to pick on Trent and Chuckie T. Will Silas redeem himself in the eyes of the ECW original? Or will even Bully be beat by the younger generation?

As Bully makes his way to the ring, he gets a rise out of Colt Cabana. Caprice Coleman wants Cabana to keep his cool, but then Bully just mouths off on him and Ian Riccaboni. Bully wants the camera to stay on him, because HE is the money draw, HE is the (WWE) Hall of Famer. Cabana miraculously keeps his cool, but he’s also ready to go if things get any more heated.

ROH returns from break as the bell rings. Trent starts against Bully and they circle. But Bully tags right out to Silas! Silas takes off his shirt while Trent flexes the pecs. Silas throws the shirt at Trent, Trent catches it, and tosses it aside. They tie up and Trent gets a waistlock. Silas pries out to a wristlock, but Trent rolls and reverses to then get a takedown. Silas gets a headscissor but Trent pops out. Roles reverse as Silas gets a headlock takedown but Trent headscissors. Silas pops out and Trent chops him down! Trent dares Silas to come back, but Bully is again disappointed. Bully practically demands Silas tag him back in, so Silas tags him in. Bully then eggs Trent on, mocking his return by daring him to “do something!” Fans want Trent to do something, even Ian wants him to do something.

Trent and Bully tie up, and Bully scoop slams Trent hard. Bully says that’s how you do a body slam. He brings Trent up and wrenches the bad arm, trash talking the entire way. Bully even slaps the shoulder to add insult to injury. Bully looms over Trent, then wrenches and yanks the bad arm. He brings Trent up and whips, but Trent ducks and dodges to huricanrana! Fans fire up as Trent runs in at Bully for the big back elbow. Trent keeps going and hits a leaping lariat! Trent brings Bully over and tags in Chuckie T! The Kentucky Gentleman fires off on Bully, then dropkicks him to a corner. Chuckie runs in, but into a Thesz Press! Cover, TWO! Bully drags Chuckie over and tags in Silas. Silas stomps Chuckie in a corner, grinds in his boot, and backs off at 4.

Bully shouts for Silas to stay on him, so Silas whips Chuckie corner to corner. Chuckie goes up and over to then scoop slam Silas. Tag to Trent, for the World’s Most Dangerous Move… the slingshot face scuff! That’s one dog, but Chuckie swings in for the second, Two Dog Night! And then the Best Friends DON’T get to hug as Silas gets in the way! Silas throws Chuckie out then keeps on Trent in a corner. Silas bumps Trent off buckles, then whips him to his corner. Bully trash talks but gets a back elbow! Trent elbows Silas away, but Silas distracts the ref while Bully trips Trent and rams the post right up the middle! Trent’s bad bicep was one thing but this is uncalled for. Bully just soaks up the heat while we go to break.

ROH returns once again, and Bully tags Silas back in while Trent is down. Bully holds Trent down for Silas to stomp. Silas drops knees on the bad bicep, then covers. TWO, but Silas keeps on Trent with an armlock. Fans rally up and Trent feeds off the energy. Trent fires forearms and chops, but Silas rocks him with a haymaker. Silas ducks the enziguri, then drags Trent up in the full nelson, but Trent slips out to victory roll! TWO, but Trent flounders up. Bully grabs hair and yanks Trent down! Silas and Bully grind their boots into Trent while Chuckie protests. Bully tags in and mocks Trent as he crawls for a tag. Fans rally up but Bully stays between Trent and Chuckie. Bully throws jabs, winds it up, but Trent kicks out the legs! Trent gets to a corner while Bully has a bloody nose.

Trent runs out but into a back drop! Bully tags Silas back in and tells him to cover. Silas covers, TWO. Chuckie and the fans rally up again, but Silas has Trent in a corner. Silas whips him corner to corner hard, then hits a corner clothesline. Trent sits down and Silas dares him to stand back up. Silas runs but misses, Trent tornado DDT’s! And he flips Bully off! Hot tag to Chuckie! Chuckie clotheslines Silas, then hops up for a missile dropkick. He whips but Silas reverses, only for Chuckie to reverse back into Sole Food! Falcon Arrow on top, cover, TWO! But Chuckie keeps his eye on Bully as he positions Silas. Chuckie climbs up, MOONSAULT! He lands on his feet and scoops Silas into a Samoan Driver! Cover, TWO!

Bully shouts that Silas is embarrassing himself. Chuckie brings Silas up for chops, then runs, but Bully gets a cheap shot. Silas scoops Chuckie but Trent tags in. Silas fights Chuckie off but gets an enziguri. Then the long dart cutter! And yes, the Best Friends hug! Bully runs in and clotheslines them both down! Bully shouts at Silas to get this tag. Silas drags himself over, but Bully abandons him?! Bully is the most selfish man in the business, and he says Silas is going to “learn a lesson”. According to Bully, Silas isn’t the man he used to be. Trent scoops Silas, and Best Friends hit Dude Buster! Cover, Best Friends win!

Winners: Best Friends, Trent pinning

Bully blames Silas for everything, but that’s because his ego is too big to allow anything else. Will someone finally put Bully in his place? But while Bully gives up on this match, The Best Friends gain some ground back towards the top. Can Trent & Chuckie make it back to a match for those ROH World Tag Team Championships?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good episode here, given this is All In weekend. Sakai VS Rayne was good, but it just made sense with Madison still in Impact as well as competing in WWE’s Mae Young Classic, she wasn’t going to be taking the ROH women’s title anywhere just yet. Sumie still has many more contenders waiting to challenge her, but it will surely be at a PPV that she finally loses. Woods VS Taylor was also pretty good, and I liked the story element of Woods exposing Taylor as a cheater. At the same time, Taylor still wins, so I bet there will be an even better rematch down the line. Taylor wants it all, so I wonder if he’s going to find himself challenging for a title before the year is out.

I nailed it. I knew Jeff Cobb would continue to interject himself into the Top Prospect Tournament. He actually let this week’s match pick up some speed before destroying it, though, so that was nice of him. Isom going after him for payback was great, too, mostly because it allowed Cobb to escalate by wrecking three guys instead of two. I really hope my idea of Cobb VS half the tournament entries happens, with Isom and Kross being two of them. In fact, just have the four he decimated all face him together for him to still steamroll through to then earn the title of Mr. Top Prospect 2018. If Martinez is still ROH World TV Champion by then, then I want Martinez VS Cobb to be a title match.

The main event was pretty great. There was so much story and character work just from Bully Ray himself. He only stopped talking at the end when the match was finally over. I almost thought Silas was going to stand up to him and be the one to leave, but Bully’s not going to take the pin just yet. Bully VS Silas should happen to freshen things up from Bully always picking on Flip or Cheeseburger, and from Bully and Cabana always fighting. Silas doesn’t have to turn Face, he just has to stand up to a bully, to show that a real man isn’t a bully, and a bully isn’t a real man. Silas doesn’t even have to win, him standing up to Bully will be enough for the fans to like him.

My Score: 8/10