Time to take this one to the streets!

To settle their score, Red Velvet and Diamante fight over the ROH Women’s Television Championship in a STREET FIGHT! Who survives to hold the gold?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Fatal 4 Way Tag: Grizzled Young Veterans VS The Gates of Agony VS The Kingdom VS The Dark Order; The Kingdom wins.
• Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Love Doug & TJ Crawford; Dustin & Sammy win.
• Griff Garrison & Preston Vance VS Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan; Garrison & Vance win.
• Katsuyori Shibata VS Aaron Solo; Shibata wins.
• Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling; Komander wins.
• Abadon VS Viva Van; Abadon wins.
• ROH Rewind – ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Hyan; Athena wins and denies Hyan a title opportunity.
• The Righteous VS Sammy Diaz & Matt Raymond; The Righteous win.
• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Street Fight: Red Velvet VS Diamante; Velvet wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fatal 4 Way Tag: Grizzled Young Veterans VS The Gates of Agony VS The Kingdom VS The Dark Order!

After NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed last Friday, Zack Gibson & James Drake are now the NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions! But does that mean they have to watch themselves against these three hungry teams? Or can they make it through like the grizzled veterans they are?

This Fatal 4 has only two teams legal at once, so Matt Taven steps up to Bishop Kaun. The fans rally, the two circle, and then Kaun trips up Taven! Kaun rains down fists but Taven guards. Kaun lets off, goes after Taven in the corner and CHOPS! Kaun whips, Taven goes up and over, then runs to slide under. Taven DROPKICKS Kaun down, then says, “IIIIII’M Matt Taven!” The fans cheer while Taven drags Kaun to his feet. Tag to Bennett, and the fans rally as Taven hits a SIT-OUT GOURD BUSTER! BOSTON BAYONET from Bennett! Cover, TWO! Kaun is tough but Bennett brings him up. Kaun CHOPS back!

Kaun tags Toa Liona, The Gates double whip but Bennett KICKS Liona away! Liona SUPERKICKS in return and Bennett staggers back into Kaun’s GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans are torn but Liona covers. Drake stomps Liona to break the cover, but it also makes Liona mad! Liona chases Drake, Drake slides out, and Gibson tags in! Liona seethes as GYV trick him. Liona reluctantly leaves while Gibson goes after Bennett. Bennett fights the suplex, then RAMS Gibson into the corner! Reynolds tags off Bennett, then he tags in Silver. The Dark Order double whip Gibson to then double drop toehold!

Gibson’s down, Dark Order rolls to BASEMENT DROPKICK SANDWICH! The fans fire up and Silver says, “I’m freakin’ jacked, baby!” The fans cheer as Silver whips Gibson to a corner. Gibson BOOTS in return, ELBOWS Reynolds, but then Silver dodges to KICK, KICK and KICK! Gibson headlocks, Drake tags in as Silver powers out. GYV drop, then trip Silver up to basement dropkick! And MAYHEM IN MOTION sends Reynolds flying! The fans are torn but Gibson goes out to scoop Reynolds. Drake adds the PLANCHA into the BACKBREAKER! Drake taunts Evil Uno but Uno tells him to just focus on the match.

Drake slides into the ring, fires hands on Silver, and he reels Silver in. Silver suplexes first! The fans fire up while Silver and Drake crawl. Tag to Gibson but Silver hot tags Taven! Taven rallies on GYV! SPLASH for Drake, HEEL KICK for Gibson, GAMANGIRI for Drake! Taven dodges Gibson, then reels him in, MOONLIGHT DRIVE! The fans fire up with Taven and he tags in Bennett. Taven whips Bennett to ROCK Gibson! Taven adds a SPLASH, then feeds Gibson to the DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! JUST THE TIP o’ the knee! Cover, The Gates break it! The Kingdom is mad with The Gates, and the brawl is on!

The fans fire up, but the Gates get the edge! The Kingdom dodges the lariats to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! But the Gates stay standing! They take another swing, and DOUBLE LARIATS connect! The fans fire up and the Gates pop Bennett up, OPEN THE GATES! The fans rally as Bennett ends up in a corner. Taven and Drake drag the Gates out to THROW them into steel steps! Gibson rolls Bennett! TWO! Silver tags in and he DUMPS Gibson out of the ring! Taven runs to a corner, triangle jump, but Silver ROCKS him first! Silver CANNONBALLS onto Gibson, UPPERCUTS Kaun, BOOTS Liona, then dodges Drake!

Reynolds BOOTS Drake down and the fans fire up! Silver climbs a corner, leaps at Taven, but Taven dodges! Bennett is there to reel Silver in! Taven goes up, HAIL MARY PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Kingdom wins!!

Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall

It was fast ‘n’ furious, but it was also undisputed! Taven & Bennett get this big win, but the chase for tag team gold is never ending. Taven & Bennett do show respect to The Gates with a Code of Honor handshake, will these two teams be fighting for that number one spot?

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS Love Doug & TJ Crawford!

The Natural & The Spanish God are still itching for that fight with The Righteous, but for now, they’re tuning up and sharpening their edge. Will the Sons of Texas be ready for ol’ Dutch & Vincent? Or will they be shot through the heart by The Real-Life Cupid & Windy City Kid?

The teams sort out and Dustin starts against Doug. They uphold the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally for Dustin as he and Doug tie up. Dustin headlocks, Doug powers out but Dustin runs Doug over. Cover, ONE, but Dustin clamps onto Doug’s arm. Dustin wrenches, but Doug fires hands! Doug puts Dustin in the corner, fires off hands, then stomps! Tag to TJ, he throws hands, then whips. Dustin CLOBBERS TJ! The fans fire up, Dustin whips TJ to the corner, and he adds a SPLASH! Tag to Sammy and Sammy CROSSBODIES! Cover, ONE! Sammy feeds TJP to Dustin’s kick! “Not today, baby!” UPPERCUT! Sammy adds an ENZIGIRI!

TJ bails out, the fans fire up, and Doug runs in. Sammy dodges, hurdles, then backflips over to DROPKICK Doug! Sammy kips up so smooth and the fans fire up again. Doug & TJ regroup, Sammy builds speed, and Sammy FLIES! Down goes Doug & TJ and Sammy blows a kiss to his wife and daughter. The fans fire up and Sammy brings TJ back into the ring. Sammy step sin but TJ ROCKS him! TJ stomps a mudhole, then he whips corner to corner. Sammy stops himself, ELBOWS TJ back, then goes up to FLYING CUTTER! TJ sputters, Dustin adds a SHINING WIZARD! Sammy fires the fans up for the STANDING MOONSAULT!

The fans fire up but here comes Doug! Dustin gets Doug for a SNAP POWERSLAM! Dustin brings Doug up, Sammy has TJ, and in stereo, we GO TO HOSPITAL and FINAL RECKONING! Cover, the Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall

The fans cheer, but THE RIGHTEOUS attack! Dutch beats down Dustin while Vincent is after Sammy! The fans boo but Sammy gives hands back. Dutch CLOBBERS Sammy! The fans boo more, but Vinnie fireman’s carries Sammy. Dutch fireman’s carries Vinnie for the DOUBLE DUTCH DEATH VALLEY! The fans are booing as hard as they can but Dutch whips Dustin to bring him into the BLACKHOLE SLAM! The Righteous still aren’t done, as Dutch brings out the cowbell! An American Dream signature is now going to be Dustin’s demise! COWBELL TO THE HEAD!! The Righteous stand tall over the ROH World Tag Team Champions, will this be how it is when the gold is on the line?

AEW shares last night’s interview with The Learning Tree.

Renee Paquette was with Chris Jericho, Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey as she brings up Tomohiro Ishii officially challenging Jericho for the ROH World Championship. It will be in two weeks, Dynamite in Chicago, will Jericho accept? Bill says, “Challenge? As the Learning Tree always says, a person’s true self is not seen in moments of glory, but in moments of hardship and challenge.” Jericho says, “Well said, Redwood. And thanks, Renee. Ishii, I’ve got a soft spot for you because we’ve known each other for almost 30 years, ever since we were both working for Genshiro Tenryu in WAR in Japan.

“Albeit, I was a huge main event star, and you were nothing more than a rookie, a Young Boy. You used to get me coffee, carry my bags, and even wash my back in the shower. Hahaha! But Ishii, you’ve gone on to become one of the toughest and best pro-wrestlers in the world. I should know, because it was only two years ago that we had a classic match, one of my favorite in AEW, and one of the toughest I’ve ever had, also in Chicago. So it’s only apropos that in two weeks on Dynamite, we’re gonna face each other. I do accept your challenge, Ishii, for the ROH World Championship, Jericho VS Ishii.

“But I’ve gone on to bigger and better things, as well. Because now, I’ve become the Nueve.” Jericho, Keith & Bill all hold up nine fingers. Jericho reminds us he is a NINE-TIME world champion, and a TWO-TIME ROH World Champion. So now, Jericho will invoke the glory and courage of great ROH champions of the past, like Jay Briscoe. And he’ll do that while teaching Ishii a lesson that he won’t forget, ever again. Keith says in the Windy City, Jericho blows Ishii’s dumb ass away! Jericho says truer words have never been spoken. Thanks, guys! But will Jericho have very little to be thankful after the Stone Pitbull takes a bite out of him?

Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair says this is another Emergency Minion Empowerment Meeting, aka MEM. They need to see if one Billie Starkz is ready to apologizes to their Minion Overlord, the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena. Lexy cues Billie, and Billie says just wants to tell Athena… Oh, look at that, Athena steps in, ready to hear this. Athena looks Billie up and down, and can’t believe that is what Billie wore to a MEM. It looks like grandma’s nursing home crafts project. Billie rolls her eyes and Athena says to not worry about Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths, if that is who Billie decides to be. What about London? China? India?

Lexy tries to explain but in steps Leila Grey. She brushes Billie aside to say she heard Athena is looking for the most top tier talent from around the world. Well look no further, because there is no one above Top Flight. Athena and Lexy l augh right at Leila. Wow, Top Flight’s flight attendant? Oh, Bestie, this is actually perfect. They can showcase Athena before her world tour begins. So uh, what was her name again? Lei… Leilani? Leila says Athena knows her name. Oh, yes, of course, Miss Baddie.

But hey, next week, Athena challenges Leila on the Proving Grounds, where Athena will prove she is the best ROH champion, as well as the most violent and most dominant champion in ALL of pro-wrestling! And she’ll make an example out of Leila. What’s she say to that? Leila says you’re on. Athena says good~! Let’s go, Bestie. Athena & Lexy go one way, Billie scoffs and goes the other. Will Leila last the ten minute time limit to earn her golden ticket? Or is this “Athena World Tour” taking off without her?

ROH Rewind – ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Hyan!

The Fallen Goddess is now the longest reigning champion in ALL of ROH history, but let us look back in time to the Forever Champion’s first Proving Ground match!

The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe mockingly. The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Hyan and Athena step up, and then Athena DECKS Hyan! Athena celebrates, then she fires off on Hyan in the corner! Fans boo but Athena lets off as the ref counts. Athena snapmares and KICKS Hyan, then asks if the fans want one more. Fans do, but Athena just covers. TWO, but Athena drags Hyan up. Athena hooks Hyan up and clamps on a neck wrench. Hyan endures, fans rally, and Hyan throws elbows. Hyan rolls Athena up, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Hyan UPPERCUTS Athena down and fans fire up!

Hyan runs to PENALTY KICK! And PENALTY KICK! Hyan fires up, HAT TRICK!! Athena is down and fans fire up, Hyan covers, ONE!! Athena toughs it out, but Hyan CLUBS away. Hyan runs, but into a BLACK HOLE SLAM! Athena then dribbles Hyan off the mat! Athena CHOKES Hyan, but she lets off as the ref counts. Athena and the ref argue, but Athena calms down. Hyan sits up, Athena drags her up, but Hyan shoves her away. Athena BOOTS Hyan down! Fans rally and duel, Athena clamps on a chinlock. Athena claws at the eyes, but the ref reprimands. Athena shifts to a chinbar, but Hyan arm-drags free!

Athena is furious, she runs in, but into a BOOT! Hyan runs to CROSSBODY! Hyan fires up, rallies with clotheslines, then she fireman’s carries. WASTELAND! Fans fire up with Hyan, and she drops a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Athena is still in this but Hyan hurries to a corner. Hyan climbs, but Athena ROCKS her! Athena bumps Hyan off buckles, goes out to the apron, and then SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS her to the floor!! Fans are shocked but Athena grins. The ref wants Athena to get this back in the ring, so Athena drags Hyan up, to RAM her into steel steps! Athena puts Hyan back in the ring, covers, TWO!?!

Hyan is still in this, but Athena clamps on the CROSSFACE! Hyan taps, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by submission (denies Hyan a title match)

But Athena just makes Hyan suffer more! The ref counts, Athena lets off, and she gets in the ref’s face. The Fallen Goddess shows no mercy, and she sets the belt down. She drags Hyan up, fans boo, but Athena SMASHES Hyan off the belt!! Athena laughs at Hyan but fans chant, “YOU SUCK!” Athena just gets more upset! She shoves Hyan out of the ring and shouts at the fans that she’s the champ! It’s been historic every since, will anyone ever stop Athena’s reign of terror?

The Righteous VS Sammy Diaz & Matt Raymond!

We saw earlier tonight how ol’ Dutch & Vincent ruined the good times for Dustin & Sammy, but now they’re the ones in the ring. Will they simply add momentum to what they did earlier? Or can Sammy & Matt take advantage of being overlooked?

The teams sort out and Vinnie starts against Matt. Matt waits on the Code of Honor, but Vinnie kicks low! The fans boo but Vinnie whips Matt, only for Matt to KICK then fire hands! Matt ROCKS Vinnie, whips him, but Vinnie reverses. Vinnie then sidesteps Matt to ELBOW him down! The fans are torn, and Vinnie shouts, “Dig what I’m sayin’?!” Vinnie grabs legs but Matt kicks him away. Vinnie runs up, Matt puts him in the corner, and then Matt runs up. Vinnie ELBOWS Matt, goes up and HEEL KICKS! Vinnie runs, tilt-o-whirl, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Vinnie snaps his fingers to the rhythm in his head, then stands Matt up.

Vinnie bumps Matt off buckles, tags in Dutch, and Dutch runs up to SPLASH! Matt staggers into Vinnie’s SIDE EFFECT! Then SENTON LEG DROP COMBO! The fans are torn but Dutch grins. Dutch brings Matt up, reels him in, short arm LARIAT! Dutch paces around Matt, drags him back up, and short arm- NO, Matt boots back! But Dutch catches Matt for an EXPLODER! Sammy tags in, LARIATS, but Dutch doesn’t budge! Sammy tries again, and again, but then dodges a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Dutch wobbles, Sammy shouts “TOP FIVE!” But he runs into a BLACKHOLE SLAM! Tag to Vinnie and The Righteous targets Matt.

Matt grabs at Vinnie, but Vinnie cravats! AUTUMN SUNHINE! And then Sammy gets the DOUBLE DUTCH DEATH VALLEY!! Cover, The Righteous win!

Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall

It wasn’t the Sammy they want but it was the Sammy they had that suffers. Then Vinnie grabs a mic to say, “Something I’ve noticed around here… is you really gotta force the hand in this place to get what you want. So that’s exactly what we’re gonna do! And when I move on something, it gets done! And if it doesn’t get done, ol’ Dutch moves on it, and that’s the last thing you want to happen. We should’ve been the ROH World Tag Team Champions a long time ago, and everybody here knows it. Sammy, Dustin, if you stab the body, it’s a wound that can heal. But if you injure the heart, that is a wound that’ll last a lifetime.

“You’re looking at the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Dig what I’m sayin’?” Vinnie hands the mic to Dutch, and Dutch holds up the cowbell. “Dustin~! HAHAHAHA! I know that you know what this is. And I know how much this means to you. And I know that every day, during your childhood, you looked up at this, hoping and praying that one day, it would be handed down to you. HAHAHAHAHA! But lemme tell you something that you don’t know, Dustin. 14 years ago, I spent a lot of time with your father.” The fans start to boo but Dutch says Dusty saw a lot of potential in him and took him under his wing.

Dusty treated Dutch like family, because he saw in Dutch what he NEVER saw in Dustin! And because of that, this cowbell was handed down to Dutch because Dusty treated him like his own son. “And now, Dustin, we all know that you are the weakest link in our family!” The fans boo but The Righteous are willing to warp reality to change the future. Will they take more than just the gold away from Dustin & Sammy?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Street Fight: Red Velvet VS Diamante!

The last time these two went around, The Chef was burned by the fire inside this Cuban Diamond. But that fire also burned Diamante, which is why Diamante isn’t champion, yet. Will taking off the limitations allow Diamante to finally shine with gold? Or will Velvet serve up a proper L this time?

As Diamante makes her way to the ring, she’s wearing a chain and dragging a trash can full of goodies. Velvet simply has the belt, but it looks like she’s fixing to use it! Velvet rushes down to the ring, no time for proper introductions! She avoids Diamante’s kendo stick attack, then trips Diamante up! The bell rings as Velvet drags Diamante out of the ring! The fans fire up while the hands fire off, but then Velvet RAMS Diamante into the apron! And RAMS her in again! The fans fire up and Velvet CLUBS Diamante before putting her in the ring. The headband comes off as Velvet storms in, but Diamante has the kendo stick!

Velvet blocks the shot! Velvet stares Diamante down, then takes the kendo stick to swing on Diamante! Diamante ducks then waistlocks Velvet for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Velvet flounders while the fans rally up. Diamante has the kendo stick back, and she SMACKS Velvet on the back! And SMACKS her again! Diamante talks smack, puts Velvet on ropes, and CHOKES her! Velvet suffers, but then Diamante stops to pick up the belt. Diamante taunts Velvet with it, “Is this yours? Not for long.” Velvet throws hands but Diamante stomps her down! Diamante stomps away at the ropes, then sits Velvet up.

Diamante straps the belt to the ropes to place it right in Velvet’s face. Diamante tells the fans to shut up, then she runs side to side. But Velvet drop toeholds Diamante into the belt! The fans cheer and Velvet grabs Diamante’s trash can. Velvet raises the can, but Diamante DROPKICKS it into her! The fans fire up while Diamante goes after Velvet. Diamante hoists Velvet up top, CLUBS her on the back, then pulls her into the Tree of Woe. Velvet tries to sit up, but Diamante pushes her into the trash can! Velvet is caught and Diamante runs, DROPKICK into the can! Velvet is rattled, and Diamante dumps her out of the Tree. Cover, TWO!

Velvet stays in this but Diamante keeps planning. Diamante wedges the trash can into a corner. The fans duel as Velvet crawls and grabs a chair! Diamante sees that, and she stands on the chair. Diamante SMACKS Velvet off the steel! Diamante dribbles Velvet off it now, then soaks up the cheers and jeers from Providence. Diamante fetches her chain, and she brings it over. Velvet crawls but Diamante wraps the chain around her neck! Velvet flails and claws at the chain but Diamante is squeezing the life out of her! The fans rally and duel while Velvet sputters and coughs! Diamante says just go to sleep, but Velvet fights up! STUNNER!

Diamante staggers and Velvet breathes again. Diamante is after Velvet, whips her at the trash can, but Velvet stops herself! Velvet BOOTS Diamante back! Velvet then headlocks to BULLDOG Diamante onto a chair! The fans fire up while Diamante writhes. Velvet stalks Diamante, drags her up, and whips her into the trash can! Diamante falls in a heap and the fans fire up again! Velvet goes out and is enjoying this now. The fans chant for tables, but Velvet does us one better with a ladder! Velvet puts that ladder into the ring, then storms up on Diamante to stomp away! Velvet beats Diamante down, then she stands the ladder up.

The fans rally as the ladder is set against ropes like a ramp. Velvet storms over to Diamante, brings her up, but Diamante PALM STRIKES! Velvet grins, and she knees Diamante low! Velvet whips Diamante, to then hip toss her onto the ladder! Diamante writhes as she slides down the rungs! Velvet puts Diamante on the ladder, CHOPS her, then climbs up the corner! The fans fire up and Velvet leaps, but Diamante moves! Leg drop hits ladder and Velvet writhes, clutching her thigh and hip! Diamante storms up on Velvet, ducks a haymaker, and then BACK SUPLEXES Velvet onto the ladder! Diamante CLUBS Velvet and SMACKS her off the rungs.

Diamante puts Velvet on the ladder, CHOPS her, and she goes up the corner now. Diamante PLANKING SPLASHES! The ladder cracks from the impact! Cover, TWO! Diamante grits her teeth, pounds the mat in frustration, and she goes outside now. Diamante gives the fans what they want, because here’s a TABLE! This Street Fight has now become a TLC as Diamante completes the trifecta. Diamante puts the table in the ring while the fans duel, and Diamante sets that table up near a corner. She makes sure it’s just right before fetching Velvet. Velvet JAMS Diamante with a chair! But Diamante avoids the swing!

Velvet stalks Diamante, even as Diamante crawls under the ladder. Velvet uses chair to SMACK ladder and it jams Diamante up! Velvet SMACKS the ladder again! The fans fire up while Velvet throws the chair away. Velvet moves the ladder aside, puts Diamante on the table, and CLUBS her down. The fans fire up as Velvet makes her way to the corner and climbs up. But Diamante rises up! Diamante trips Velvet and Velvet lands on her bakery. Diamante goes up to bring Velvet up, for a SUPERPLEX down through the table!! The fans go nuts for that crash landing, but Diamante’s the one stuck in the wood wreckage!

Diamante crawls free, finds Velvet to cover, TWO!! Velvet survives, if only on instinct. Diamante is further frustrated but she hurries to grab the belt. Diamante flashbacks to when she struck Velvet down before, she wants to do it again! But Velvet dodges the belt shot! Velvet mule kicks Diamante down, then brings the belt around. Velvet dragon sleepers, into MAMA’S KITCHEN on the belt!! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (still ROH Women’s World Television Champion)

These two turned up the heat and really cooked up a winner! But the winner is Red Velvet, and she moves on to bigger and better. Who will be served up as The Chef’s next meal?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH, especially with it only coming in at about an hour and 20. Well, even less when you consider they’re keeping up the ROH Rewind. Lucky for me, it was a match I already covered. And being Athena based was smart, given she’s kinda the top story here. Very good promo in the Emergency MEM, and while Athena VS Leila will be good, the best Leila can do is last the ten minutes. Again, Billie is definitely going to be Athena’s opponent for Final Battle, and we’re just waiting for the moment she snaps on Athena.

Great opening tag team Fatal 4, and great win for The Kingdom to stay strong in the tag rankings. Good stuff in the ROH World Tag Team title story, with Dustin & Sammy having a good match with Shot Through The Heart, but then Righteous attacking them. Again, makes The Righteous having their own match and promo redundant, but this is probably all to accelerate the story so we can have the match in time for Final Battle. I had a feeling the Von Erichs wouldn’t be around for a Six Man title story but maybe they focus on that as we move into 2025 and All In Texas. Not to be mean to the Von Erichs, but it feels like they’re getting a long title reign just on name value because, well, why aren’t they traveling more?

Good stuff in the other matches. As I skimmed, it was clear Solo got a good showing against Shibata, and Waves & Curls got a great showing against this new team of Griff Garrison & Preston Vance. They didn’t have Vance strike out on his own for very long, though. I was hoping he could explore who it is to be Preston Vance on his own, but maybe he can do that while creating a bond with Griff and making that a successful team. And then a great main event from Velvet and Diamante, especially for a Street Fight. A little surprised Velvet won, but not by much. As I said before, that custom red strap is going to be the thing for a good stretch, Velvet probably makes it into 2025 as champ.

My Score: 8.7/10

EMERGENCY MINION EMPOWERMENT MEETING!

Athena is STILL ROH Women’s World Champion, but now her concern is Billie Starkz’s defiance. Will the Fallen Goddess punish Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions VS Tom Mitchell & Trace Parker; The Infantry wins.
• Spanish Announce Project VS Shawn Donavan & Leon St. Giovanni; SAP wins.
• Sammy Guevara w/ Dustin Rhodes VS Preston Vance; Sammy wins.
• EJ Nduka & Lee Johnson VS Philly Collins & Marino Tenaglia; #LEE-J wins.
• Rachael Ellering VS Diamante; Diamante wins.
• Leyla Hirsch VS Tina San Antonio; Leyla wins.
• Tomohiro Ishii VS Aaron Solo; Ishii wins.
• The Righteous VS ???; No Contest.
• Nick Wayne w/ Shayna Wayne & Kip Sabian VS Ryan Clancy; Nick wins.
• ROH Rewind – ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Mexisquad VS Shane Taylor Promotions; STP wins and become the new ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• AR Fox VS Josh Woods w/ The Premier Athletes; Fox wins.
• Katsuyori Shibata VS The Butcher; Shibata wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Infantry w/ Shane Taylor Promotions VS Tom Mitchell & Trace Parker!

Now that they’re following Big Bad Shaney T. Boy, Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo are about to be #BadNewsAndTattoos for every other team in ROH! Will they show they can rumble, bad man, rumble? Or will this match be Nice & Smooth for Tom & Trace?

The teams sort out, Carlie starts against Parker and they shake hands for the Code of Honor. Carlie then throws his shirt in Parker’s face! The fans boo but Carlie grins as the two circle. Carlie soaks up that heat, then ties up with Parker. They go around, Carlie pulls hair, and he puts Parker in the corner. The ref counts, Carlie lets off, and he stomps Parker! Then CHOPS! Then CHOPS again! Carlie fires up as he fires off haymakers, then ROLLING ELBOWS! The ref reprimands, Carlie “apologizes,” but Dean CHOKES Parker! The fans boo but Dean gets away with that. Carlie runs up to BOOT Parker!

Shane says that is what he’s talking about! Carlie RAMS Parker, tag to Dean, and Dean runs in to JUMPING ELBOW! Parker staggers but Dean shoves Parker back into the corner. Dean taunts Mitchell but then Parker fires hands! Dean ROCKS Parker in return! Dean tags Carlie, and Dean runs Parker side to side to bump him off buckles! Carlie follows to forearm SMASH! Carlie runs Parker side to side while Dean BLASTS Mitchell! Dean then runs corner to corner to LARIAT Parker! Dean feeds Parker to Bravo’s SIDEWINDER! Mitchell returns, Dean catches him, and Carlie runs up, BOOT CAMP! Parker sits up and Infantry DOUBLE CURB STOMP! Cover, Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

#Two2theHead and that’s the 1-2-3. With The Infantry following Shane’s lead, will ROH soon belong to STP?

Lee Moriarty speaks.

“When I won this championship, I said that I was gonna push the Pure Division into a Renaissance. I said I was gonna make things interesting again, and now you’ve got one of the most decorated men in ROH’s history in Matt Taven entering the Pure Division to challenge me. So you’re welcome. But Matt, don’t get it twisted. There are levels to Pure Wrestling, and you are not on mine. So when we step in that ring, I’m going to show you that I am one of the best technical wrestlers in the world, because my name is Lee Moriarty, and this is Taiga Style.” Taven has been called out, will he and Lee tear it up in a historic title match?

Sammy Guevara w/ Dustin Rhodes VS Preston Vance!

The Sons of Texas may have Dutch & Vincent hunting them down, but they’re not hard to find. Sammy’s already back in this ring, ready to fight! Will the Spanish God show The Righteous they’re in over their heads? Or will Perro Peligroso take a bite out of an ROH World Tag Team Champion?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. But Vance holds on! He whips Sammy to a corner, Sammy goes up and over, and he manages to torture rack! Vance slips free, but Sammy ducks the discus! Roll-up, TWO! Sammy whips, Vance reverses, and Vance CLOBBERS Sammy! Things keep moving, Sammy drops down, hurdles, then backflips over to DROPKICK! Vance bails out while Sammy kips up so smooth! The fans fire up and Sammy fakes the slingshot to backflip and spin! Sammy poses, Vance runs in, but Sammy BOOTS the lariat! JUMP KNEE, and the fans fire up! Sammy wheelbarrows, but Vance HOTSHOT GERMANS!

Sammy tumbles out of the ring and Vance pursues. Vance drags Sammy up, whips, but Sammy reverses! Vance hits railing! The fans fire up and Sammy builds speed! Sammy FLIES and down goes Vance! The fans fire up, Sammy blows fans kisses, then he brings Vance up to CLUB him. Sammy CHOPS Vance against railing, then stalks him around the way. Sammy CHOPS and the fans fire up! Sammy then gets some space, runs back in, but Vance dumps him over railing! Sammy ROCKS Vance back, then leaps off the railing, but Vance catches him! Vance suplexes Sammy to the floor! Vance refreshes the count, tow hip Sammy into railing!

Vance keeps going and he sends Sammy into more railing! And more railing! Vance still uses that LFI style tactic and he puts Sammy back in the ring. Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Sammy but Vance clamps on with a chinlock. Vance grinds Sammy down, the fans rally more, and Sammy fights up. Sammy throws body shots but Vance CLUBS him down! Vance whips Sammy, ducks a lariat, and hits a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! But Sammy’s right up to SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Dustin coaches Sammy, the fans rally up again, and Sammy rises. Vance storms up to ROCK Sammy! Sammy ROCKS Vance!

The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally! Sammy gets the edge, then backs Vance down to ropes! Sammy fires even more forearms, then whips. Vance reverses, Sammy ducks ‘n’ dodges, FLYING FOREARM! Sammy kips up again, then RAMS into Vance at a corner! GAMANGIRI, slingshot, and CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Vance stays in this and Sammy is a bit surprised. The fans rally again and Sammy slashes his throat. Sammy drags Vance up, torture racks, but Vance fights free again. DISCUS- NO, Sammy ducks it! Sammy wrenches, Vance ROCKS Sammy! And DISCUS LARIAT! Both men are down, and Sammy flounders to the apron!

Vance drags Sammy up, suplexes him back in, but Sammy slips free. Torture rack! Sammy spins around to then GO TO HOSPITAL! Cover, Sammy wins!

Winner: Sammy Guevara, by pinfall

The dangerous dog could not be the alpha dog, and Dustin stands side by side with Sammy. But then the lights change, and we hear the snapping of fingers. Dutch & Vincent are lurking, “Dig what I’m saying?” Dustin dares Vince & Dutch to show themselves! The Righteous have a match scheduled for later tonight, will The Sons of Texas have to find them then?

Backstage interview with Athena.

Lexy Nair, as she cradles the ROH Women’s World Championship belt, says that Athena has called this Emergency Minion Empowerment Meeting, aka MEM. Athena says, “That’s right, minions~!” Last week, she was in the main event Ring of Horrors match for Halloween, and she killed The Living Dead Girl! “Isn’t that right, Pwecious?” Athena baby talks to the title in Lexy’s arms, then spins the picture on the other belt as she says she is the FOREVER ROH Women’s Champion, the Minion Overlord, the Fallen Goddess, but it is time to take this even more worldwide!

A couple weeks ago, Athena beat some porcelain hussy in Canada. Now it’s time to beat hussies in The UK. Lexy says, “Ello!” France! “Bonjour!” India! “Namaste!” China! Uh… Nihao! Oh, Japan. Konnichiwa! Every porcelain hussy around the world is gonna shake in her boots, because “Watashi wa-” Oh, Billie Starkz steps in. And Athena says Bestie can handle this. Athena leaves, Lexy asks Billie if she’s here to apologize. Billie says Lexy told her Athena would forgive her first! Lexy said Athena probably would. Oh, yeah, that’s what Lexy said. Lexy says Billie needs to think this over in Minion Timeout.

Lexy leaves and Billie is seething. What is there for the follower to apologize for when the leader’s been the one going off the rails?

Rachael Ellering VS Diamante!

The Queen of Strong Smile wants to prove herself worthy of a championship, and the Cuban Diamond wants to redeem herself from losing her cool. Will Diamante keep her emotions in check? Or will she self-destruct like she did against Red Velvet?

The Code of Honor is upheld just barely, and the two circle with the bell. They tie up, Diamante waistlocks, then headlocks. Rachael powers up, slips an arm through, and wrenches to headlock Diamante. Rachael hits a headlock takeover, and shrugs the headscissors off. Diamante fights up to her feet, powers up, but Rachael holds on tight. Diamante fires body shots, then slips free to whip. Rachael reverses, Diamante grabs ropes and ELBOWS back! But Rachael runs Diamante over! The fans duel and Rachael smiles. Rachael runs, but steps over the dropdown! Rachael deadlifts Diamante, but Diamante escapes the gut wrench!

Diamante waistlocks, Rachael switches and shoves, to then gut wrench! The fans cheer as Rachel THROWS Diamante away! The fans cheer and Rachael says, “SQUISH~!” Rachael runs up to SENTON, onto knees! Rachael called her shot and that allowed Diamante to counter! Diamante runs up to stomp away in the corner! The ref counts, Diamante keeps going, but she stops at 4.5. Diamante drags Rachael onto ropes, to SCRAPE Rachael’s face off them! Diamante stomps and CHOPS Rachael in the corner, then fires forearms. The fans rally, the ref counts, and Diamante lets off with an UPPERCUT!

Diamante storms around, then runs in to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Rachael stays in this but Diamante talks trash. Diamante CLUBS away on Rachael, covers, TWO! Rachael survives and crawls away but Diamante follows. Diamante digs her boots in at the ropes! The ref reprimands, Diamante lets off, and Diamante fires knees. Diamante whips Rachael to the corner, runs up, but Rachael BOOTS her back! Rachael runs up to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, and now Rachael gets to SQUISH Diamante! Cover, TWO! Diamante survives but Rachael stays cool. Rachael brings Diamante up to fireman’s carry.

Diamante CLAWS Rachael’s face! Diamante then BLINDSIDE LARIATS Rachael down! Rachael crawls, Diamante drags her up, CUBAN TWIST! Cover, Diamante wins!

Winner: Diamante, by pinfall

The emotions were in check, and that was checkmate for Rachael. Diamante calls out Red Velvet, so here comes Red Velvet from the crowd! Diamante turns around, Velvet TACKLES her! Velvet fires hands, then whips Diamante to CALF KICK! The fans fire up and Velvet holds up her red strap belt. But Diamante gets away before she gets hit! The Chef wants her own redemption, will she be the one to cook Diamante? Or will the Cuban Diamond hold it together the next time she’s under pressure?

Matt Taven speaks.

“Everyone’s gonna come in front of this camera and give you their opinion. Every wrestler that you’ve ever seen is going to state their opinion, and you know what they say about opinions. Everyone’s got one and they all stink. The reason why I’m so different is because I spit nothing but facts to you. Lee, I think you’re a fantastic wrestler and I’ll take nothing away from you. But you don’t realize who I am. You don’t realize there’s one man that can give you the facts and can say he’s a Grand Slam Champion, that can say he’s one away from completing the whole set. And he is I, and I am him, and I’m Matt Taven.

“And I hold nothing against you, Lee, like I said, but I’m looking at a puzzle that’s missing one piece. And a man with OCD like myself cannot stand looking at this puzzle that is missing one piece! And you have it! SO that Pure title, the one that has gotten away from me… All I need is to bring that home to my Kingdom. My Undisputed Kingdom.” Taven knows what makes Taiga Style dangerous, but will nothing stop Taven from becoming the first and ONLY ROH Five Star Champion?

The Righteous VS ???

Good ol’ Dutch & Vincent attacked Dustin & Sammy last week, and then gave a warning earlier tonight. But now- DUSTIN & SAMMY ATTACK! The Sons of Texas return the favor with their own ambush! Sammy rains down fists on Vinnie, Dutch and Dustin brawl! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands them, but Vinnie whips Sammy at the steps. Sammy stops himself, ELBOWS back, then goes up to FLYING CUTTER to the floor! Dustin and Dutch keep throwing hands but then security rushes out. They do their best to separate the teams, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Dustin breaks free, and fight is what we get!

The fans fire up as Dustin HAMMERS Dutch against railing! Sammy almost gets at Vinnie again, and Dutch is busted open! The ROH World Tag Team Champions control the ring now, but The Righteous love it! This is exactly what they wanted?! Are Dutch & Vinnie trying to drag Dustin & Sammy down into the darkness with them? Who rises up out of that abyss with the gold?

The Infantry talk backstage.

Carlie says, “This is a brilliant idea,” and Dean has the cameraman follow. The Infantry joins Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty in the locker room, and they get everyone else to stand at attention. Guys, you all know them, this is Captain Dean and “Bad News & Tattoos” Bravo here. But what you might not know is, they don’t really like violence, not really their style. What? Carlie wants these guys to know that they are around some very violent men. Open your ears as Shane asks a question, and please be honest. Shane asks the group, “Who here has seen Dustin Rhodes?” The others aren’t sure, even though we just saw Dustin & Sammy at ringside…

Lee gets impatient and he BOOTS a guy right down! Carlie says he warned them. It would behoove them to answer. One guy says Dustin was at catering. Oh, is that so? The Infantry then beat up that guy and everyone else! And then TWO 2 THE HEAD! Shane then looks to the camera to tell “Mr. Rhodes” that he doesn’t like thieves. And Dustin is currently in possession of stolen property. This doesn’t stop until they get those items back. Rumble, bad man, rumble. Carlie hopes the guys have a good night. Will Dustin have to call on The Von Erichs for this one?

ROH Rewind – ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Mexisquad VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

We flashback to February 19th, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland for a big time ROH Wrestling TV main event! Shane had Bishop Kaun & Moses Maddox by his side that night as they took on Bandido, Flamita & Rey Horus! Will this match serve as a history lesson to Dustin & The Von Erichs here in 2024?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who made it out of “Bodymore” in one piece!

The Code of Honor is upheld, so there is still respect here. The trios then sort out, and Shane starts against Horus. But then STP rushes Mexisquad at the bell, so much for respect! The ref reprimands but STP TOSSES Mexisquad out in all directions! Moses sends Bandido into barriers, Kaun does the same to Flamita on the other end, and Shane keeps on Horus. Shane picks Horus up and TOSSES him to barriers! Bandido fires back on Moses, BOOTS him, but then Shane ROCKS Bandido! Kaun ROCKS Flamita, CHOPS him, but Flamita knees low! The ref reprimands everyone, but Mexisquad mugs Kaun and put him in.

Kaun RAMS Flamita and HOTSHOTS him! Kaun bumps Flamita off buckles, runs side to side, but Flamita dodges! Roll up, roll through, 619 to the back! Flamita SOBATS, KICKS, but Kaun blocks a kick. Kaun FLIPS Flamita, Flamita lands out and ENZIGIRIS! Flamita runs, but into a kick! Kaun runs, into a RANA! Flamita DROPKICKS Kaun and Kaun flounders away. Tag to Moses and things reset. Moses talks trash, but Flamita backs off to tag Bandido. Bandido slingshots in. then stares Moses down. Bandido fires forearms, but Moses knees low! Moses runs, but Bandido drops, hurdles, and DROPKICKS!

Moses stays up! Bandido is a bit surprised, and things speed up. Moses drops, hurdles, and he CLOBBERS Bandido! Moses is all fired up and commentary can’t believe he even got up that high! Moses runs up again, but Bandido goes Matrix, then hits the slow-mo kip up! Bandido dodges Moses, shoves him to ropes, then follows to spin and wrench, spin and CUTTER! Moses scrambles, hot tag to Shane! Bandido backs off to tag in Horus. Horus sees just how big Shane is, but he dodges Shane to SOBAT, KICK, repeat! Then ROLLING ELBOW! Shane stays up, he blocks the whip, and he whips Horus. Horus goes up and up and backflips over!

Horus hurdles Shane, goes up and out to then HOTSHOT Shane! Horus goes up top to then FLYING RAN- NO! Shane stops the rana, swings Horus up and then throws him! Horus lands out, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Shane winds up, but Horus dodges! Horus comes back, but Shane CLOBBERS him! STP stands tall, and this is where ROH TV took its break.

ROH TV returned as Kaun tags Moses. They put Horus in a corner, then whips corner to corner. Horus goes up and over, swings on Kaun, but Kaun shoves him to Moses. Horus wheelbarrows Moses, Moses hands Horus to Kaun, but Horus RANAS Kaun away! Horus then avoids Moses’ SENTON, Moses FLOPS on the mat! Horus BOOTS Moses from a corner, goes up and up, then SPRINGBOARD FLYING DDT! Both men are down and their teams reach out. Horus and Moses crawl, hot tags to Shane and Bandido! Bandido dodges Shane to fire haymaker after haymaker! But Shane ROCKS Bandido back! Bandido BOOTS Shane, UPPERCUTS, then goes up, to TORNILLO!

Shane catches Bandido! Bandido slips free, slides under, BOOTS, ENZIGIRIS, tag to Flamita! Flamita gets a boost to FLYING RANA Shane! Shane tumbles out, Bandido & Flamita DOUBLE DROPKICK Kaun & Moses. Flamita then builds speed, to DIVE! Direct hit but STP stays standing! So Bandido DIVES! And then Horus DIVES! The hattrick sends STP tumbling! Bandido coordinates with Flamita & Horus, Mexisquad unleashes the DOUBLE TOP CONJILO with the ASAI MOONSAULT down the middle! All six men are down, and if only fans were here in person! COVID was truly cruel, but surely fans would say this is awesome!

Flamita has Shane in the ring, then he climbs up. 450 SPLASH! Cover, Moses breaks it! Bandido runs in, hooks Moses and V-TRIGGER! Kaun runs up, Horus kicks low! Mexisquad mugs Kaun, brings him around, and double whip. They drop, bypass, and DOUBLE ELBOW Kaun! Then they stand Kaun up to feed into a TU LO SABE BOMB!! Bandido stands Kaun back up so Flamita can SOBAT, Horus can KICK, and then Bandido runs to tilt-o-whirl with Flamita, SWINGING LEG SWEEP! Kaun is down, Bandido puts him in the drop zone. Flamita runs, FLAPJACK SPLASH! Cover, Moses breaks it again!

Moses runs but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Shane runs up, KNEES Horus low and TOSSES him aside! Bandido ROCKS Shane, Flamita joins in, and they stand Shane up to fire shots. Horus runs, tilt-o-whirls with Bandido, but Shane switches with Flamita so Flamita takes the POP-UP DDT!! Mexisquad freaks out, but Bandido runs up on Shane. Shane blocks a kick and sends it into Horus! Shane gets that leg back, FLIPS Bandido and KNEES him down! Moses runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT Bandido y Horus up and out! Then Moses goes up and out to CANNONBALL them both to the floor! Shane hits Flamita with an URENAGE!

Shane runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!! Flamita survives, but Shane hauls him right up! Scoop and WELCOME TO THE LAND!! Cover, STP WINS!

Winners: Shane Taylor Promotions, by pinfall (NEW ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions)

And this is why in 2024, Shane says these titles are HIS property. Granted, STP would lose these belts nine months later at Final Battle 2021, but that means Shane’s been missing these belts for three years. Will Shane and the new STP look to get these belts back come Final Battle 2024?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode but an hour and 50, partially because of the ROH Rewind, I just couldn’t get the time or energy on this one to really watch it all. A lot of obvious outcomes, really one of those episodes that feels more like AEW Dark is back than ROH. I will say, good integration of stories between AEW and ROH, though. Nick Wayne and AR Fox each won very competitive matches, but then Nick of course goes after Fox after his match to build heat for their match on Collision this week. There’s a chance Hook gets involved so that Fox wins and that pisses Christian Cage off. Plus, with how Christian is already starting to favor Kip Sabian more than Nick, Christian could start belittling Nick like he did Luchasaurus.

Very good match from Rachael VS Diamante, and Diamante won because clearly she and Red Velvet are having a rematch. I would hope they make the rematch into a No Disqualification match after that really confusing finish the last time. Leyla had a solid return win, I feel like she’ll be waiting on the other side of Velvet VS Diamante. I like that “LEE-J” is the official tag team name for Nduka & Johnson, and they got a very good win tonight. Sammy VS Vance was solid stuff, but of course Sammy won. And I for one appreciate that Dustin & Sammy get payback on The Righteous so that it’s one less actual match on the card tonight.

Though, there’s some redundancy in this show that makes me wonder if they just mashed segments from different taping sessions together. Righteous didn’t need to spook Dustin & Sammy if they were having their match later, and really, the attack from Dustin & Sammy should’ve been THE segment between them this week. Then while we got great stuff from Shane Taylor Promotions, there was also some redundancy as they now build towards a Six Man title story with The Sons of Texas. Shane didn’t need to ask about Dustin when we all saw Dustin & Sammy go after The Righteous. In a vacuum, Infantry showing more Heel personality by beating up the randos is good, but we should’ve gotten this instead of opening with Infantry beating jobbers.

My Score: 8.5/10