Ring of Honor Wrestling, Episode 387

The ROH World Tag Team Championships are on the line as The Briscoes take on Best Friends! Can Chuckie T and Trent #ManUp and hug it out?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Mayhem: Flip Gordon VS Chris Sabin VS Kenny King VS Rhett Titus VS Shane Taylor VS Luchasaurus; Shane Taylor wins.
• The Bouncers VS Marcus Kross & Griff Garrison; The Bouncers win.
• ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Briscoes VS Best Friends Chuckie T & ???; The Briscoes win and retain the ROH World Tag Team Championships.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Mayhem: Flip Gordon VS Chris Sabin VS Kenny King VS Rhett Titus VS Shane Taylor VS Luchasaurus!

ROH pits half a dozen stars against each other in this every-man-for-himself match to open the night! This match can go a long way towards a title shot, who makes the most of the mayhem?

Per the rules of such a match, Sabin starts against the wrestling kaiju with the bell while the others wait at the corners. Sabin throws big clotheslines but they barely make Luchasaurus budge! Luchasaurus roars but Sabin roars back. Sabin runs, Luchasaurus handsprings and dodges! Sabin waistlocks and wrenches to an Octopus stretch. Luchasaurus powers out and denies the sunset flip, but Sabin dropkicks the legs out. Sabin runs and kicks but Luchasaurus kicks back, swift roundhouse rocks Sabin to a corner! Luchasaurus runs in but Sabin boots him away. Sabin hops up and flies to huricanrana Luchasaurus out! Lucha Rules allows someone to take Luchasaurus’ place, so the K I N G jumps in. Sabin mocks Kenny’s dance, then tags out to the Big Dawg.

Fans know Kenny and Rhett used to be the All-Night Express, but now they must face each other. They tie up and go around, and Kenny gets the arm to a hammerlock. Rhett reverses to his own, but Kenny works out and around. Kenny can’t get away and Rhett arm-drags Kenny down. Kenny headscissors but Rhett pops out, only for Kenny to get a headlock. Rhett powers out and things speed up, and Kenny rolls off Rhett’s back. Kenny avoids the dropkick but Rhett avoids the Eddy Gordo kick. The two stand off and the fans cheer. Kenny and Rhett compliment each other, and Shane Taylor comes in. The trio once known as the Rebellion talk good times, but Shane swings on Kenny and Rhett! Rhett and Kenny get clear and double kick back. They boot, Eddy Gordo and dropkick Shane to the apron!

All Night Express still have their secret handshake, but Luchasaurus runs in. Kenny sends Luchasaurus at Sabin’s corner and start the train. Rhett hits a back elbow, then a forearm, and he feeds Luchasaurus to Kenny’s jumping heel kick! Kenny covers but Rhett won’t let him. Rhett covers but Kenny won’t let him. The friends start shoving and then trash talking. Flip leaps in to dropkick them both out! Rhett bails out and Flip is legal as he CHOPS Kenny! Kenny CHOPS, Flip CHOPS, and now they brawl with forearms. Kenny elbows and forearms, then runs, but Flip follows to springboard spear! Shane runs in to back suplex but Flip slips through. Flip speeds up but Shane bounces him off! Luchasaurus takes Flip’s spot to Tail Whip kick Shane!

Kenny returns but gets a pop up knee and back heel kick! Sabin runs in to enziguri Luchasaurus down! Rhett returns to boot, boot and clothesline Sabin! Rhett boots but gets a kick from Kenny. Kenny swings in Flip but Flip goes Matrix to then Pele Kenny! All six men are down but fans are fired up while we go to break.

ROH returns and Rhett throws forearms on Sabin. Rhett runs but Sabin swings. Rhett dodges to FLY onto Flip and Luchasaurus. Sabin rolls out on the other end, so the first two in are legal. Shane slides in and waits for someone to step to him. Kenny lures Shane in for a hotshot, then springboard blockbusters! Kenny swaggers about while Shane bails out. Rhett drags him the rest of the way and swings on Kenny. Luchasaurus gets in and boots Kenny off the apron. Luchasaurus aims at the All-Night Express but runs into Shane’s right hand! Shane cannonballs on Rhett and King! Fans fire up while Luchasaurus sits up! Luchasaurus kips up then FLIES onto the Rebellion! Those four are down but fans are loving Luchasaurus.

But Flip reappears from high in the bleachers! Fans fire up, Flip FLIES onto them all!! Flip drags Shane up and in then climbs the corner. Flip 450! Cover, but Kenny drags him off! Flip CHOPS Kenny down then hurries back in. Springboard, but into a chair shot! The K I N G shoots Flip out of the air, but he pays for it as the referee specifically ELIMINATES Kenny! Kenny is furious, as are his fans, but it’s the only way to keep this match going fair and square.

Speaking of, Luchasaurus goes after Shane and puts him in the ring. Shane punches Luchasaurus, but he doesn’t budge! Luchasaurus jumping heel kicks and Shane goes down! Rhett runs back in but into a choke grip. He pops out of the slam and roundhouses Luchasaurus back. Rhett runs and hits a big knee lift, to a Rocker Dropper leg lariat! The self-proclaimed Fittest flexes but Shane comes back. Rhett fireman’s carry and Samoan Drops! Fans fire up behind Rhett as he aims at Shane. Rhett runs to boot but it’s caught! Shane shoves and knees Rhett down! Shane drags Rhett up, Greetings from the 216! Cover, Shane wins!

Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall

The Notorious Hitman survives the mayhem and scores a huge victory! Will it be the ROH World Television Champion who next gets Greetings from the 216? Or will Jeff Cobb take Shane on another Tour of the Islands instead?

The Bouncers VS Marcus Kross & Griff Garrison!

Literally the biggest team in ROH are finally past their issues with Silas Young and are ready to go for tag team gold. Will they be satisfied with these Top Prospect appetizers?

The Code of Honor is upheld and The Mastadon Milonas starts against the “real-life Super Saiyan.” They tie up and Milonas easily shoves Kross back to his corner! Kross tags out to Garrison, and now Milonas ties up with the Machine. Milonas easily shoves Garrison back, so Kross and Garrison try together. Milonas shoves them both back, one hand each! Kross and Garrison come back for double kicks but then get run over with double clotheslines! Milonas drags Garrison over and tags in Bruiser. The Bouncers double punch Garrison, then Bruiser scoop slams Garrison down. Bruiser drops the elbow but misses as Garrison rolls away. Bruiser misses again, and Garrison boots him down! Tag to Kross and Kross hops up top. Garrison acts as an extra step and Kross hits his own elbow drop! Cover, ONE!

Kross kicks away on Bruiser but springboards into a fireman’s carry. Bruiser holds on to Kross as he tags Milonas in. Samoan Drop, and then the falling senton! Milonas says they’ll need a spatula for the Saiyan. Fans want more and Milonas tags in Bruiser. Bruiser drags Kross up but Kross fights back. Kross fires a Kamehameha at Bruiser’s beer belly! Direct hit! Hot tag to Garrison! Garrison throws clotheslines but Bruiser stays standing. Garrison keeps hitting, then boots Bruiser down! Milonas hurries in but Garrison is on him with forearms. Garrison hits a corner clothesline on Bruiser, but misses Milonas. Bruiser squashes Garrison in the corner! And feeds him to Milonas’ scrapbuster! Cover, but Kross breaks it!

Kross throws forearms on both Bouncers but both Bouncers throw him to a corner. Back drop to buckle bomb on Garrison! Milonas hoists Garrison up while Bruiser climbs. Last Call combination: SUPERPLEX to SPLASH! Cover, the Bouncers win!

Winners: The Bouncers, Beer City Bruiser pinning

The Master and Machine ended up more like mashed potatoes after this match. Will Bruiser and Milonas make their way to those tag team titles in the near future?

ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Briscoes VS Best Friends Chuckie T & ???

#DemBoyz Jay & Mark were set to face the Kentucky Gentleman and ol’ Trent, but family emergencies call Trent away. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Barreta family, but the show must go on. Therefore, Chuckie T calls upon the help of a really good friend: COLT CABANA! Colt surprises everyone by being dressed to compete this whole time! And the Really Good Friends rush the ring to brawl with the Briscoes!

Colt throws Jay out and pursues while Chuckie throws Mark out the other side. Jay throws a chair but Colt dodges it to boot him back. Colt clubs Jay down while Chuckie bumps Mark off the apron. The brawls meet around the corner and they end up trading opponents. Colt clubs Mark while Chuckie kicks Jay. Chuckie puts Jay in the ring while Colt whips Mark into a post! Colt gets in the ring and Chuckie whips him at Jay for double knees! Chuckie adds a corner clothesline, and fans fire up as these Really Good Friends… shake hands.

Colt goes to the corner while Chuckie whips Jay to ropes. Jay dodges and kicks back to throw Chuckie out. Jay blasts Colt off the apron then baits him in. Mark wrecks Colt with a dropkick! Jay holds Colt for Mark to stomp down, and then they go again, Cactus Jack elbow off the apron! Jay sends Chuckie into barriers while Mark CHOPS and punches Colt around. Mark stomps Colt while Jay puts Chuckie in the ring. Chuckie hits back but Jay rocks him with a European Uppercut. Fans boo as Mark tags in and the Briscoes mug Chuckie. We go to break while #DemBoyz isolate the Kentucky Gentleman.

ROH returns and Mark throws Chuckie into a post! Fans jeer as Mark feeds Chuckie to Jay’s boot! Colt protests but the referee keeps him back. Mark puts Chuckie in and stomps him out. Cover, TWO, but The Briscoes keep their focus. Mark drags Chuckie up while fans rally up. Chuckie throws hands and Mark eggs him on. Mark knees low then CHOPS Chuckie to the corner. Jay tags in and Mark grinds Chuckie with his foot. Jay baits Colt into rushing him, but the ref keeps Colt back. This allows the Briscoes to mug Chuckie in the corner! Fans boo and jeer but the Briscoes get away with it. Jay stalks Chuckie to a corner and throws big forearms. Jay whips corner to corner but Chuckie boots him abck! Chuckie hits a missile dropkick! Both men are down but crawling for their corners.

Hot tags to Mark and Colt! Colt springboards and double quebradas! Fans are thunderous as Colt starts throwing big jabs! Colt winds it up, double bionic elbows rock the Briscoes! The Briscoes stagger into the same corner, Colt runs in, but only Jay gets the Flying Apple! Mark runs into a hip attack! Cover, TWO!! Colt grins as he aims, CHOPS and elbows for Mark! Fans cheer Colt on as he throws more hands. But Mark rakes the eyes! Mark runs into another bionic elbow! Colt runs in but into a boot. Mark hits a flying bulldog! Tag to Jay and Jay stomps away on Colt. Jay throws haymakers and whips Colt to the corner. Colt goes up, under and to his corner. Colt boots Jay, Chuckie tags in!

Chuckie throws forearms and elbows, then whips. Jay reverses but Chuckie reverses to feed Jay some Sole Food! And some standing Sliced Bread! Cover, TWO!! Chuckie keeps his focus while Jay bails out. Chuckie pursues but Mark clobbers him from around the corner. The Briscoes regroup but Colt hits them back! Colt rocks Mark then kicks Jay. Mark kicks back but Colt sends him into railing. Jay puts Chuckie in the ring while Mark and Colt still brawl. Chuckie slingshots out but misses, Jay kicks and snap suplexes Chuckie to the floor! Colt picks up a chair but the Briscoes regroup. Jay sits Colt on the chair, Mark hits an apron blockbuster! The Briscoes again have control while we take one more break.

ROH returns once more and Jay boots Chuckie down. Jay drags Chuckie up and double underhooks, but Chuckie slips out and dodges. Chuckie knees back from the corner! Chuckie hops up but Mark anchors a foot! Jay gets Chuckie in the Electric Chair while Mark climbs, but Chuckie slips out. Chuckie shoves Jay at Mark but Mark leaps over them both. Chuckie runs at Mark to dodge a clothesline. Colt drags Mark out while Chuckie rolls Jay up, TWO!! SUPERKICK from Chuckie, then he runs, but into a BIG clothesline! Jay drags Chuckie up, double underhook, JAY DRILLER! Cover, The Briscoes win!

Winners: The Briscoes, Jay Briscoe pinning; still ROH World Tag Team Champions

The Really Good Friends put up a really good fight, but it wasn’t enough. Blood is ticker than water, and these brothers still hold the gold. Will a team ever rise up to take the titles from them?

But to add insult to injury, The Briscoes stomp out Chuckie T and Colt Cabana! Jay and Mark show no mercy as they bring out a table! Mark sets the table up as Jay drags Chuckie over. Jay puts Chuckie on the table while Mark climbs up high. Froggy Bow through the table!! #DemBoyz destroy the Kentucky Gentleman, “that’s what we do!” The Briscoes say nobody’s safe, is there any reason not to believe them?

Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.

It is his honor to welcome the ROH World Champion, Jay Lethal, out to the ring! The Franchise Player, with a new take on his theme song, walks out with the REAL ROH World Championship belt. Lethal says that “There is a lot on my mind, and this might take me awhile, so if you don’t mind, I’ll take it from here.” Ian lets Lethal have the mic and returns to commentary. Lethal sets the belt down and isn’t sure where to begin. “There is so much pressure put on me, other than being the ROH World Champion.” Fans chant “Thank You! Thank You!” while Lethal talks on watching the company he loves and put his heart and soul into “deteriorate” in front of his eyes. Seeing guys like Bully Ray and the Briscoes doing “whatever the Hell they want”, “it’s crap!” Lethal won’t stand for it anymore.

Lethal says the worst part is there is a pretender to the title. It’s crazy thinking about it. Lethal’s love, heart, soul, life, it’s all crying for ROH. It will change in 2019 and Lethal vows to change that. But someone speaks up as they come out from the back. It’s Juice Robinson, with Lifeblood in tow. It seems they’re all speaking the same language. Lethal feels the way Juice and his friends feel. Lifeblood joins Lethal in the ring, and Lethal has an idea of what’s going on here. Juice, David Finlay, Tracy Williams, Mark Haskins, Tenille Dashwood and Bandido all feel the same way he does? But it doesn’t end with them, there are others who agree and believe that ROH needs to get back on track. Lethal doesn’t want to join a group because-

Don’t get it wrong, Lethal, there wasn’t an invitation. Well… Lethal can respect that. This isn’t about asking for help, which makes Lethal believe in Lifeblood. He can tell Lifeblood wants what’s best, because look at how amazing each of them are! Finlay has wrestling in his blood! “No one here, not even myself, has as much respect for the business as you do.” Finlay’s dad must be proud because David’s already one of the best. Then Tracy “Hot Sauce” Williams is one of the best technical wrestlers ever. He and Jonathon Gresham tore the house down with nothing but pure technical wrestling! Even Lethal learned something watching that.

Tenille Dashwood is back, and everyone knows she’s one of the best. She’s been wrestling since she was about 14, and the only reason she isn’t champion is because she had to take time off. But now that she’s back, it’s only a matter of time before that belt is around her waist. Lethal tells Mark Haskins took him to the limit like no one has ever done. Haskins taught Lethal something about himself. And Bandido, Lethal probably doesn’t even have to say anything. At only 23 years old, Bandido does things Lethal can only dream of as one of the best luchadors in the world.

Last but not least, Juice Robinson. Lethal doesn’t need to say what he’s been through and why he’s good for ROH, but standing here is a two-time IWGP United States Champion! Titles like that aren’t handed out. Lethal knows Lifeblood can set the company back on track. But Lethal’s tried and it’s not easy. He wishes Lifeblood good luck with their mission. But as Lethal goes to leave, Juice wants him to wait. Juice didn’t mean to interrupt Lethal but they all have the mission of restoring the honor to Ring of Honor. There are others in the back that feel the same way? Then let’s stop singing and let’s start bringing! There are five men ready to go. If Lethal can find four others determined to press that reset button, “then let’s do it.” Fans love the sound of that!

Lethal sees Juice wants to lead by example. There’s so much on Lethal’s plate about title defenses and rebuilding the company, but sure, let’s have that match! “In honor of the traditions and foundations of this company, let’s show these people and give them a match they can be proud of!” Next week, Lifeblood VS “the heart and soul of this freakin’ company.” An epic 10-Man Tag has been declared! Who will join Lethal in this fight? Will they be able to reignite ROH?

My Thoughts:

A pretty fun episode to continue ROH’s rebuilding period. I appreciate that they waste little time getting the opening Six Man Mayhem going, and basically saying it’s just because. Luchasaurus did great, and Sabin looked so strange with short hair. Sabin apparently got hurt without anyone making much of it, because he was just out of the match at a certain point. Shane Taylor wins and will surely take on Jeff Cobb again for the ROH World Television Championship. That match will be great but I’m pretty sure Cobb wins. The Bouncers were obviously going to win in their tag team match but I’m surprised the jobbers lasted as long as they did. Bruiser and Milonas might challenge for the tag titles, but I can’t see them winning it, even as big and strong as they are.

That surprise of Colt Cabana was done pretty well. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman really sold Cabana revealing his gear was on underneath his normal clothes. The tag team match itself was great, but they used the time remaining to their advantage. I really thought we were getting a 30 minute PPV level match but instead it was a surprisingly shorter match. The Briscoes retain, as I still expected. Clearly we’re going to get Lifeblood VS Bully Ray, The Briscoes, Silas Young and Shane Taylor at some point. Lethal does great putting Lifeblood over, though the fans clearly knew each member so it was like preaching to the choir. Lifeblood VS Team Lethal is going to be great, and will almost directly set up for Lifeblood VS Bully’s bullies, and could even set up Lethal VS Taven.

My Score: 8.1/10