Coverage
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/2/23)
Honor is BACK!
It’s a New Era of Honor!
Look who’s back! Ring of Honor returns to weekly wrestling programming, and Claudio Castagnoli defends the ROH World Championship!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari; Briscoe wins.
- The Kingdom w/ Maria Kanellis VS The Infantry; The Kingdom wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Blake Christian; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
- Christopher Daniels VS Rohit Raju w/ Jora Johl; Daniels wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling; Konosuke wins.
- The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Joe Keys, Alex Lawless & Leon St. Giovanni; The Embassy wins.
- Metalik VS Ari Daivari w/ Slim J & Mark Sterling; Daivari wins.
- The Renegades VS Skye Blue & Madison Rayne; Skye & Rayne win.
- Lady Frost VS Willow Nightingale; Willow wins.
- ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS AR Fox; Claudio wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari!
ROH is back, honor is back, and you can’t have those back without the Sussex County Chicken! Will an ROH OG lead the way in this new era of honor?
Because this is ROH, the ref calls for the Code of Honor handshake. Mark offers, Slim accepts, but then kicks it away. Fans boo while the bell rings, and Mark circles with Slim. Fans sing, “Briscoe’s gonna kill~ you!” They tie up, Mark headlocks but Slim powers out. Mark slips under and UPPERCUTS! Slim bails out, Daivari and Sterling check on him, but Mark waits. The fans chant for “BRISCOE! BRISCOE!” but Slim comes back. They circle again, tie up, and Slim waistlocks. Briscoe pries free, wrenches to a wristlock and then he waistlocks. Sterling distracts and Slim mule kicks low! Fans boo as Slim tears his shirt off.
Slim mocks Mark, throws hands, but Mark throws hands back. Slim fires off on Mark, bumps him off buckles, and fans boo. Slim whips, Mark goes up and out, and then he UPPERCUTS again! Fans fire up with mark, he shoulders into Slim and then slips around to run and BOOT Slim outta the ring! Fans fire up as Mark builds speed to WRECK Slim with a dropkick! Mark says, “That’s how we do, baby!” Mark throws a chair in the ring! The ref tells him no, but Mark claps with the chair. Fans rally along, Mark sets the chair up and builds speed, to go up, only to stop as Daivari gets Slim to safety. Fans boo but Daivari says to get the chair outta the ring!
Mark waits, Slim gets in the ring and gets in Mark’s face. They talk trash, Mark dares Slim to hit him, so Slim ROCKS him with a haymaker! But Mark comes back to CHOP! Slim spasms, Mark CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS again! Mark CHOPS and then puts Slim up top. Mark fires up to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up while Slim wobbles. Sterling distracts again, Mark chases him off, and then Mark goes back to Slim. Slim fights off the Iconoclasm to FLYING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Mark has a bloody cut on his forehead but Slim brings him up. But Mark throws body shots! Mark swings but Slim blocks to LARIAT, LARIAT and knuckle lock.
Slim goes up and up and FLYING DDTS! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and fans fire up! Slim drags Mark up, throws him out, and then distracts the ref so Daivari can stomp away! Fans boo but Daivari gets away with it. Daivari puts Mark in, Slim goes after him and digs his boots in. The ref counts, Slim lets off at 4, then digs his boots in again! The ref counts, Slim lets off, but then goes after Mark again! The ref backs Slim off, Mark sputters, but Slim ROCKS him with a right! Fans rally for Mark but Slim mocks them. Slim clamps onto Mark’s arm, Mark endures the armlock, and Mark fights up. Slim body scissors to keep the hold!
Mark endures but he drops to a knee. Fans chant “SLIM J SUCKS!” but Slim slips around to a SLEEPER! Mark throws Slim off but Slim ENZIGURIS! Mark goes to a corner, Slim snapmares to wrap on a chinlock. Fans boo but Daivari and Sterling applaud. Mark endures, fans rally up, and Mark stands, only for Slim to throw him down! Fans still rally and Mark hammers the mat. Mark fights up to his feet, he throws body shots, then elbows! REDNECK KUNG-FU CHOPS! Mark fires off, whips corner to corner, then runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up and Mark brings Slim back up.
Mark turns Slim, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Slim survives the Jay style neckbreaker but Mark drags Slim up. Mark suplexes, but Slim knees free! Slim ROCKS Mark, runs, but into a FOREARM! Mark whips, to CLOBBER Slim again! Fans fire up, Mark reels Slim in, Canadian Rack to the CRUCIFIX BOMB! Cover, TWO!! But Mark fireman’s carries, to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fans fire up and Mark climbs a corner! Mark says this is for Jay, the FROGGY- NO, Slim dodges! But he runs into a BOOT! Mark hoists Slim up, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
Daivari is frustrated but his boy could not beat the spirit of #DemBoys! Mark even shakes Slim’s hand to keep the Code of Honor. Mark is leading the way, will he reach for the sky?
Backstage interview with Tony Deppen.
Lexi Nair is with the former ROH World Television Champion, and next week, on just the second new episode, Deppen gets his shot at that title, against Samoa Joe! Deppen is probably facing the biggest test of his career, but Deppen brings out a written statement. “I, Tony Deppen, hereby proclaim that next week on ROH Television, exclusively on Honor Club, will do the unthinkable. I will defeat Samoa Joe, either by pinfall or by submission.” And he has two submissions he can win with. The STF, which has been heralded as “ten times better than Samoa Joe’s STF,” or the classic Chicken Wing.
After sitting in the front row at last year’s Supercard of Honor, Deppen knows all of Joe’s weak points, and he will take full advantage! Next week, he reclaims the ROH World TV title and cement his legacy in ROH history! Deppen says he will be the CZAR of Honor! Will Deppen dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television? Or will his coup be crushed?
The Kingdom w/ Maria Kanellis VS The Infantry!
Mike Bennett & Matt Taven didn’t last that long in AEW Dynamite’s Casino Tag Team Battle Royal, but they’re home now in ROH. Will they begin the climb towards the ROH Tag Team Championships? Or will Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo begin their own march to the top?
The teams follow the Code of Honor with the handshake and then sort out. We begin with Mike and Carlie, and they circle. Carlie says hi to the lovely First Lady of ROH, but turns around into a BOOT from the husband. Mike CHOPS Carlie, Taven holdsCarlie in for another CHOP! Taven tags, The Kingdom double whip, dropkick and ax handle! Taven says ROH is HIS Kingdom, but then Carlie JAWBREAKERS! Carlie wrenches, tags Dean, and the Infantry mugs Taven. They double whip, double hip toss, and then turn, salute and DOUBLE FIST DROP! Mike runs in but into double shoulders!
The Infantry get the legs, and they SPLIT THE WISHBONE! Mike bails out and Maria checks him. Dean tags Carlie, Carlie whips Taven but Taven goes up and over. Things speed up, Taven hurdles and DROPKICKS! Because “IIII’M! Matt Taven!” Taven stands Carlie up, tags Mike, and The Kingdom double wrench, only for Carlie to fight free! Carlie fires elbows and forearms, runs, but Taven hurdles, Mike ROCKS, and Taven PURPLE THUNDER BOMBS! Jackknife bridge from Mike, TWO! Mike drags Carlie up, reels him in and suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mike keeps on Carlie and tags Taven in.
Mike trips Carlie, CATAPULT into Taven’s GAMANGIRI! Then Carlie is along the knees, ELBOW DROP BACKBREAKER! Cover, Dean breaks it! Taven shouts to get Dean back and Dean goes to his corner. Taven stands Carlie up, Carlie swings but misses, and Taven KICKS, JABS, KICKS but Carlie wrenches out, slips around and hits a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans fire up. Carlie and Taven crawl, hot tags to Mike and Dean! Dean rallies on Mike with big clotheslines! Dean whips, Mike reverses, but Dean floats around. Taven runs in, Dean kicks and reels him in, DOUBLE DDTS!
Fans fire up and Dean covers Mike, ROPEBREAK! Mike survives but Dean pounds the mat. Fans rally, Dean runs in to ELBOW! Dean whips Mike corner to corner, runs in and back elbows again! Tag to Carlie, Carlie RAMS into Mike, then Dean tags back in. Carlie jukes Mike to ROCK him, then feeds Dean’s FLAPJACK! Fans fire up and Dean tags Carlie back in. The Infantry coordinate, but Taven trips Dean! Mike blocks Carlie’s kick, spins him, but Carlie dodges to SUPERKICK after all! Carlie hurries up top, but Taven ENZIGURIS! Mike gets Carlie in a backpack, Taven coordinates, PROTON PACK!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!
Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall
Whoever says you can’t go home again had it wrong! The Kingdom is home, and they’re back on track! Will they soon reign over ROH once again?
Blake Christian speaks.
“All Heart Blake Christian, what does ‘All Heart’ stand for? Not only in the name, it stands for heart, but it’s about seizing opportunity and making moments. They call me last minute, ‘Come wrestle Colt Cabana in the very first show in the comeback of ROH,’ and I did that. Not only did I did that, I made moments. And tonight, I wrestle Zack Sabre Jr. for the NJPW TV title. And I’m gonna make another moment. Not only that, I’m gonna seize opportunity when I beat Zack Sabre Jr. when I become THE NJPW World TV Champion.”
Zack Sabre Jr. responds.
“ROH Wrestling isn’t the only thing back, is it? Zack Sabre Jr. is back in the United States of America. Rejoice, cretins, rejoice. Because not only have I changed since the last time that I was here, TMDK’s got themselves a new front man. And Zed-S-J has got his first NJPW gold, the brand new, shiny NJPW World TV title. And Blake Christian, darling, you’ve got the opportunity of a lifetime, haven’t you? But don’t you forget, this title comes with a 15 minute time limit. Use those 15 minutes wisely, darling, because you’re about to step in the ring with the best technical wrestler in the world. As you were, morons.”
NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Blake Christian!
The Front Man of The Mighty, the first and only man to hold this title, has had quite the first season. Will that season continue into the Spring? Or will All Heart take over as the star of the show?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and Blake’s 15 minutes of fame start now!
The two circle, feel things out, and ZSJ avoids Blake’s shoot in. They go again, ZSJ knuckle locks, rolls and wrangles Blake, but Blake fights up and hits a fireman’s carry takeover to a ghost pin! ONE, and fans fire up as Blake shows he can keep up. ZSJ and Blake circle again, feel things out, knuckle lock and ZSJ drags Blake down to then stand on the hands. ZSJ pulls on one arm while standing on the other! Blake moves around but ZSJ has the arms for a motorcycle stretch. Blake turns things around but ZSJ turns them right back! ZSJ wrenches the arms, but Blake flips, kips and arm-drags free! Fans applaud but ZSJ keeps cool.
The two reset and circle. They tie up, ZSJ gets the arm and wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ wrenches again, top wristlocks and he wrangles Blake to isolate the arm and STOMP it! Fans rally for “ALL HEART!” but ZSJ pulls on the ear. The ref reprimands, ZSJ lets off and he knuckle locks to wrench. ZSJ WRINGS Blake’s arm, then GROUND WRENCHES it! Fans freak out as ZSJ bends those fingers! ZSJ twists the wrist, cranks the elbow, hammers the hammerlock, then STOMPS the arm again! ZSJ swaggers and Blake shakes the arm out. ZSJ grabs the arm, wrenches, and knuckle locks for a straight arm lever!
ZSJ whips, Blake springboards and arm-drags! Blake shakes the arm out but ZSJ headbutts low! ZSJ headlocks, Blake powers out and follows to run ZSJ over! Blake has the arm, cartwheels and knees, but ZSJ blocks it! But Blake uses that to victory roll, TWO!! Blake dodges, hurdles, rolls, and DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Blake kips up, fans fire up and ZSJ bails out! Fans rally and Blake builds speed to FLY! But into a cravat!! ZSJ throws Blake onto the apron, for a NECK TWIST! Blake writhes and ZSJ says, “How ’bout that, morons?!” ZSJ wants Bryan Danielson to be watching! ZSJ is THE best technical wrestler in the world!
ZSJ drags Blake up, UPPERCUTS him back down, and paces. Fans echo the “Oi oi.” ZSJ kicks Blake, Blake snarls and he throws a forearm! ZSJ grins, Blake forearms again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! We hear the five minute mark and fans rally up for “ALL HEART! ALL HEART!” ZSJ cravats Blake, hooks a leg to keep him in one place, but fans rally. Blake fights up, throws body shots, but ZSJ cranks the neck wrench. ZSJ snapmares but Blake handsprings through! Blake then drop toeholds ZSJ into the ropes! ZSJ is stuck, 619!! Blake springboards to CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Blake bounces off the mat!
Blake aims from a corner, ZSJ stands, and Blake runs in, only for ZSJ to block the boot! ZSJ wrenches the foot but Blake BOOTS him away! Blake kips up, runs in again, but only gets buckles. ZSJ runs in, Blake goes up and over then Alabama Lifts, for the ALABAMA SLAM! And then CATAPULT into buckles! And then an ENZIGURI! Blake brings ZSJ around, SAIDO! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes and Blake grows frustrated. Fans argue the count for Blake but the ref defends it was a fair count. Blake drags ZSJ up and ripcords, but ZSJ GUILLOTINES! ZSJ cranks, but Blake powers up! Only for ZSJ to HALF HATCH SNAP SUPLEX!
Both men are down and fans rally up. ZSJ stands, he brings Blake up, and ZSJ UPPERCUTS Blake down! ZSJ brings Blake around, UPPERCUTS again and Blake falls over! ZSJ flexes, fans fire up, and Blake stands. ZSJ full nelsons, spins, and UPPERCUTS! Blake wobbles but he leans on ropes. ZSJ runs in, Blake dumps him to the apron! ZSJ lands on his feet, swings but Blake dodges to then go up and out and SPEAR on the apron! Fans fire up as ZSJ flops to the floor. Blake builds speed again and he FLIES! Direct hit with the Fosbury Flop! Fans fire up more as Blake puts ZSJ back in, and Blake aims again!
Blake springboards, FLYING KNEE! ZSJ is down but Blake wants to add on! Blake drags ZSJ up and fans rally behind him. Ripcord, but ZSJ slips around to COBRA TWIST! Blake endures but ZSJ pulls way back on it! Blake pries at the hold, ZSJ shifts to a DRAGON SLEEPER! Blake reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go in frustration but time is still on his side. Fans rally for Blake again, but ZSJ smirks. ZSJ gives toying kicks, then KICKS him sharply! We hit ten minutes, ZSJ pie faces Blake around, but Blake CHOPS! ZSJ wobbles and fans fire up! Blake CHOPS again, then CHOPS again!
ZSJ eggs Blake on, so Blake winds up, but ZSJ blocks! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm, UPPERCUTS Blake, runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives and Blake is beside himself! Fans continue to rally and Blake brings ZSJ back up. Blake fireman’s carries, but the back gives up! ZSJ has the KIMURA, and he even headbutts the elbow! But Blake powers up to ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! SUPERKICK! And then suplex, to the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives again and Blake grits his teeth. Blake pounds the mat, fans rally behind him, and Blake goes to the apron. Blake springboards again, but ZSJ gets under! But Blake handsprings to NEURALIZER!
Blake goes back to the apron, we’re under three minutes, SPRINGBOARD 450, into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Blake fights it, ZSJ lifts Blake with his legs to flip him into a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Blake flails, but ZSJ shifts to an INVERTED TRIANGLE!! ZSJ pulls way back and Blake taps, ZSJ wins!
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World Television Champion)
With a couple minutes to spare, the Front Man breaks All Heart’s heart to hold onto the gold! The Code of Honor is upheld here, but who will be next for the ZSJ Show?
Backstage interview with Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Sterling and Ari Daivari.
Lexi Nair notes that Konosuke is to face Josh Woods later tonight, but Sterling is here with an offer to make. It’s more like a command, but here’s the deal. The match is not happening for three reasons. One: Sterling is MJF’s lawyer, Konosuke hit MJF from behind, that’s a conflict of interest. Two: Sterling just doesn’t like Konosuke. And three: Woods really wanted his first match back in ROH to be against someone of a “higher caliber.” So here’s what we do. Cancel the match, split the winner’s purse 50-50. Well, okay, it’ll be more like 55-45 as Sterling has his legal fees Konosuke must cover.
Sterling hands over the contract for Konosuke to look at. All Konosuke has to do is sign it and we’re all good. Daivari says he’ll even throw in another $10,000 for Konosuke. Konosuke nods, and RIPS UP THE CONTRACT! Sterling says this is a mistake, Woods is a national champion! Konosuke clearly doesn’t care, will he earn 100% of the winner’s purse here tonight?
Christopher Daniels speaks.
“21 years ago, a new promotion emerged, and reinvigorated professional wrestling for a fanbase that was starved for it. That promotion was ROH. Well now, 2023, a new era, new owners, with all the things that have changed, two things remain the same. The competition is still the toughest in the land, and Christopher Daniels is still in the thick of it. So let me give a warning to each and every member of the ROH roster. For all the things that I’ve already done, there’s a lot more that I wanna do. So if you stand in my way, say your prayers.” The Fallen Angel returns to action in ROH, will he help lead the way in this new era?
Christopher Daniels VS Rohit Raju w/ Jora Johl!
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, fans rally up, and the two tie up. Raju pushes Daniels to a corner, stomps away, but the ref counts. Raju lets off to soak up the heat, then he runs back in to forearm smash! Snapmare and running ax handle drop! Cover, ONE! Raju stalks Daniels to ropes, CLUBS him, then CHOKES him! The fans boo and the ref counts but Raju lets off. Raju high-fives with Johl, then Raju whips. Daniels ducks ‘n’ dodges and arm-drags! Mule kick and JAB, JAB, and whip! Daniels swings, Raju ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Daniels hits a CALF KICK! Daniels brings Raju up to CHOP to a corner!
Raju shoves Daniels but Daniels kicks low. Daniels suplexes high and hard, then he covers, ONE! Fans rally for Daniels as he stands Raju up and CLUBS away on him. Daniels runs, but Johl trips him up! Fans boo but Raju CLOBBERS Daniels from behind! Raju again distracts the ref so Johl can CLOBBER Daniels! Fans boo more but Johl puts Daniels in. Raju covers, TWO! Daniels is an ROH Grand Slam Champion, these tactics aren’t enough. Raju stomps Daniels, eggs him on, but Daniels throws body shots. Daniels wings but into a strike fest! Daniels ducks a roundhouse but Raju sweeps the legs, and then DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally while Raju grows frustrated. Raju stomps Daniels more, and then he rains down forearms! Fans boo, the ref sees there are closed fists in there, so Raju lets off. Raju headlocks, Daniels powers out, but Raju runs him over! Raju headlocks again, Daniels powers out again, but Raju runs him over again. Raju headlocks a third time, but Daniels hits a SAIDO! Fans fire up as both men slowly rise. Daniels runs in to CLOBBER Raju, CHOP him, and then whips him to ropes. Raju reverses but Daniels LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up and Daniels clinches, EXPLODER! Daniels roars, fans fire up, and Daniels calls his shot!
Daniels underhooks Raju but Raju RAMS Daniels into a corner! JUMP KNEE! Daniels is down, Raju goes up top! DEIS DRAGON- NO, Daniels dodges the stomps, but he runs into a BOOT! Raju ROLLING- NO, URENAGE! Daniels goes to the corner, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Daniels wins!
Winner: Christopher Daniels, by pinfall
The Fallen Angel defeats the Desi Hitman! Then, now and forever, Daniels is ROH! Will he be back on top in this new era soon enough?
Backstage interview with Rhett Titus & Tracy Williams.
Lexi is with the former ROH Tag Team Champions, “The Professional” and “Hot Sauce,” and asks about their paths here in the new era. Titus says the path is the same. That path Titus started 17 years ago, ROH his entire career, and that path leads right back to the mountaintop. And Hot Sauce has worked for his entire career to be IN ROH! ROH represents the kind of pro-wrestling that Williams loves! This is what pro-wrestling should be. He and Titus became a team, they worked hard to achieve a goal, and they did it. They’ve both been ROH World TV Champion, they were ROH Tag Team Champions together, but those were snatched away!
Tracy & Titus don’t take this lightly, and their path is singular. They will once and for all achieve that goal, work harder than ever, and restore the honor in ROH! They turn to go, but then Aussie Open walks in? Fletcher & Davis being here is a surprise, but they just want to ask something. They couldn’t help but overhear those lists of accomplishments, and they are so happy for Tracy & Titus. So happy that they found success in the past. But this is 2023, and in 2023, there is no better tag team in the WORLD then Aussie Open.
So ROH TV next week, if they wanna have a pro-wrestling tag match, Aussie Open will adhere to the Code of Honor, so long as Tracy & Titus will be men enough to adhere to it after they lose. Tracy & Titus accept, and they shake hands now. Will the Professional and the Hot Sauce get back on track towards the ROH Tag titles? Or will the United Empire start to conquer ROH?
Konosuke Takeshita VS Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling!
Since the deal fell through and The Future said no to a settlement, he and the Technical Beast will battle it out! Will Konosuke regret refusing Sterling’s offer? Or will Smart Mark look like a dummy for riling up the Japanese phenomenon?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally for Konosuke, he and Woods tie up, and are in a deadlock. They go around, Woods puts Konosuke in a corner but Konosuke pushes him back. Konosuke has Woods in a corner now, but he lets off cleanly. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and Woods even grins. They go again, tie up, and Woods shoots in to get a leg. Woods throws Konosuke up and over, then waistlocks to roll Konosuke around. Woods now has a full nelson, but Konosuke pushes back, rolls out of it, and shifts to a facelock. Woods wrenches out, Konosuke waistlocks, but Woods switches.
Woods has a hammerlock, but Konosuke reaches back to headlock. Woods powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS shoulders with him. Neither man falls, Konosuke dares Woods to try, so Woods runs. They RAM shoulders again, and fans cheer as neither man falls. Woods dares Konosuke, Konosuke runs, and they RAM shoulders again! Konosuke fires up and dares Woods to run and fans fire up with him! Woods runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Woods reverses and they RAM shoulders again! Woods rebounds, RAMS, but Konosuke rebounds to run Woods over! Fans fire up but Sterling is furious!
Konosuke has Woods in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then storms up to rain down fists! Fans rally and count, Konosuke gets nine, then winds up for TEN! Konosuke whips, Woods reverses but Konosuke goes up. Woods catches Konosuke, hangs him out to dry, and then gut wrenches him off the ropes for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Sterling and many Woods fans argue that was slow, but Woods just RAMS into Konosuke at the corner. Woods drags Konosuke up, whips him to ropes, and KNEES him against the ropes! Konosuke falls, fans duel, but Woods steps on Konosuke. Woods pushes Konosuke to a cover, TWO!
Konosuke stands, Woods puts him through ropes, and then stands him up. Fans duel, Woods CHOPS Konosuke, and throws knees! The ref counts, Woods lets off, and then Woods fisherman’s a leg through ropes to pull! Fans boo, the ref counts, and Woods lets off. Konosuke flops to the apron and Woods drags him in to cover, TWO! Sterling coaches Woods to lay into Konosuke, and Woods stands Konosuke up to whip. Woods kitchen sink knees, but Konosuke turns it into a roll-up! TWO!! Woods blocks the V-Trigger, HEADBUTTS low, then whips! Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges, TAKESHITA LINE!
Fans fire up while both men are down! Woods drags himself to a corner and fans rally up. Konosuke runs in corner to corner, and he BOOTS! That was a hell of a kick, and Konosuke pushes Woods down. Konosuke goes to the corner, goes right up, but Woods trips him up! Konosuke hits ropes and falls to the apron, but Woods is after him immediately. Woods throws forearms, then reels Konosuke in. Konosuke throws body shots, kicks back, APRON DDT! Woods is stuck in the ropes and fans are thunderous! Konosuke shoves Woods into the ring, Sterling tries to shout down his fans, but Konosuke goes up!
Konosuke leaps, Woods ducks under, but Woods swings into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Woods survives and Sterling coaches him up but fans rally behind Konosuke. Konosuke runs corner to corner, but Woods avoids the kick! And then another, to FLYING CHUCK! Konosuke staggers around, Woods brings him in, gut wrench for the DOCTOR BOMB! And then flip-over, KNEE THRUST! Cover, TWO!!! Konosuke survives and Woods can’t believe it! Fans fire up again, but Woods goes to a corner? Woods climbs up, but Konosuke stands to BOOT him first! Konosuke then climbs up, but Woods resists the superplex!
Woods throws body shots, ROCKS Konosuke, and then SUPER TWISTING SUPLEX! Sterling shouts for the pin, Woods crawls to cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives again and fans fire up! Fans rally again, Woods snarls and he stands back up. Woods drags Konosuke up, but Konosuke swings on him! Woods catches him for a JAWBREAKER to an EXPLODER! But Konosuke’s right up! GERMAN SUPLEX! Sterling panics and fans fire up again! Konosuke powers up, but DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS collide!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Sterling shouts for Woods to stand, but fans say “This is Awesome!”
Woods and Konosuke flounder, and Woods brings Konosuke up. Woods fireman’s carries, but Konosuke fights free to full nelson! Woods breaks it, switches, but they run to a corner. O’Conner, CHAOS- NO, VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Woods swings, misses, ROLLING ELBOW from Konosuke, to a KICK, and then a O’Conner, CHAOS- NO, Woods victory rolls! TWO, WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! Bridging cover, KONOSUKE WINS!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall
Fans give a standing ovation to this battle! The Code of Honor is upheld, and both men even bow to show more respect. Will these two both be the future of wrestling now that ROH is back?
Backstage interview with Claudio Castagnoli.
Lexi is with the Swiss Superman ahead of his ROH World Championship defense, and that is a lot of firsts. The first episode of ROH Wrestling back on Honor Club, Claudio’s first title defense on ROH Wrestling TV, and Claudio’s first 1v1 match with AR Fox. How is he feeling tonight? “Pressure makes diamond. I am born for situations like this. I look forward to situations like this every single day. That’s why we wake up, that’s why we step in the ring, that’s why the Blackpool Combat Club exists. Tonight, my first title defense against AR Fox.
“AR Fox, you and your little group, Top Flight, may’ve cost me some money on AEW television, but there’s absolutely nothing that will spoil my title defense tonight on ROH on Honor Club.” Claudio warns Fox in German that he is up against the absolute best in ROH and in wrestling! Will Fox show Swiss Superman what flying is really like?
The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS Joe Keys, Alex Lawless & Leon St. Giovanni!
Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona are the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions, and they’re hungry for competition! Will they have their fill tonight? Or will even The Machine & Gates of Agony falter?
The Embassy flank Keys, Lawless & LSG in the ring. Lawless rushes Kaun but Kaun dumps him out! Kaun then CLOBBERS Lawless with an elbow! Liona TOSSES Keys, then CLOBBERS him at the ramp with a shoulder! Fans fire up and Cage actually upholds the Code of Honor with LSG. The bell rings, Cage kicks LSG and whips him, to then swing. LSG ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboards, but into Cage’s arms! Cage RAMS LSG into the corner, RAMS him more, then CHOPS him! Cage ROCKS LSG, CLUBS him, then whips him corner to corner. LSG goes up and over, rolls and handsprings and DROPKICKS!
LSG runs, but into a trophy lift, and a TOSS into buckles! Tag to Kaun, he drags LSG up and CHOPS him! LSG ends up in the Embassy’s corner, Kaun puts him up top and Liona tags in. Kaun climbs up to hoist LSG up, TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! And then Liona tags Cage before he hits an APRON SENTON! LSG just got crushed, but the suffering isn’t over! Cage deadlift SUPERPLEXES LSG! The Embassy poses together as fans cheer and jeer, then they BLAST Keys and Lawless off the apron! The Gates set LSG up, DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH, and then a rock-a-bye POWERBOMB! Cover, The Embassy wins!
Winners: The Embassy, by pinfall
Dominant and destructive barely even cover it! If these three are the ROH World Six Man Champions, who will ever take those titles from them?
Metalik VS Ari Daivari w/ Slim J & Mark Sterling!
Also known as Mascara Dorada, The King of the Ropes checks off competing in ROH after also being in the WWE, NJPW and AEW. But after his boy, Slim J, failed to win big, will the money behind the Trustbusters cash in? Or will he bust against a real golden star?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though reluctantly, and the bell rings. They circle, Daivari talks trash to the fans given how they were against Slim J just earlier, and then he ties up with Metalik. Daivari wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Metalik rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back. Daivari rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, but Metalik reaches back to hit a headlock takeover. Daivari scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Metalik lets off cleanly but Daivari and Sterling still protest. Metalik and Daivari reset, circle, and tie up again. Metalik headlocks, Daivari powers out, but Metalik runs him over. Things keep moving, and Metalik handsprings!
Daivari dodges, but Metalik keeps moving! Handspring arm-drag! Daivari dodges in the corner but runs into boots! SLING-DOG! Fans fire up and Metalik goes up the ropes, spins in the corner, and MISSILE DROPKICKS Daivari down! Fans fire up again while Daivari bails out. Slim and Sterling check Daivari, but Metalik builds speed! Metalik sides, Daivari ducks in, and Slim gets in Metalik’s face. The ref tells Slim to back off, but Daivari whips Metalik into the POST! Fans boo, Slim is loving it and Daivari soaks up the heat. Fans boo harder, Daivari drags Metalik up and puts him in the ring.
Daivari drags Metalik up to put him on the ropes, and CHOKE him! The ref counts, the fans boo, and Daivari lets off. Daivari argues with the ref, and Slim CHOKES Metalik! Fans chant “SLIM J SUCKS!” but Daivari whips Metalik to the corner hard! Metalik bounces off buckles and hits the mat, and Sterling soaks up the heat. Daivari drops a knee on Metalik’s head, then another, then another! Daivari covers, TWO! Daivari sits Metalik up into a chinlock and grinds Metalik down. Fans rally, Metalik fights up, and he throws body shots. Metalik CHOPS, runs, but into an ELBOW! Daivari hurries to cover, TWO!
Sterling coaches Daivari and Daivari talks trash to the fans. Daivari drags Metalik up to CHOP! Daivari CHOPS again, then he hoists Metalik up top. Daivari CHOPS again, then climbs up top. Fans boo but Daivari stands Metalik up. Metalik throws body shots and then bumps Daivari off buckles. Metalik CHOPS Daivari and Daivari falls! Metalik stands, walks the tightrope, CROSSBODY! Fans fire up, things speed up, Metalik scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Metalik whips, Daivari reverses, but Metalik handsprings to back elbow! Daivari bails out again and fans rally as Metalik pounds the mat.
Metalik builds speed again, he goes up and up, ESCALARA SWANTON! Direct hit at the ramp and fans are fired up for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Metalik brings Daivari up while Slim and Sterling coach Daivari. Fans fire up with Metalik, he aims and springboards, FLYING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Daivari survives but Metalik keeps his focus. Metalik drags Daivari up, fireman’s carries, but Daivari fights free. Daivari waistlocks, Metalik elbows free, Metalik springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Slim and Sterling say Daivari has Metalik now, and Daivari hurries to the corner. Daivari climbs, aims, LION SPLASH- NO! Metalik moves! Metalik sunset flips, TWO!!
SUPERKICK! Daivari sits down but Sterling distracts the ref! Slim slips in to chicken wing Metalik, fans boo but Daivari runs in, only to CLOBBER Slim! Metalik rolls Daivari up but the ref is still distracted! Metalik would’ve won by now! The ref finally sees what’s going on, counts, TWO!! Metalik is furious, but Daivari hammerlocks! LION’S LARIAT!! Cover, Daivari wins!
Winner: Ari Daivari, by pinfall
The numbers game won this one for the boss, #InBustWeTrust! But will the Trustbusters get to the top by any means necessary?
Backstage interview with AR Fox.
Lexi is now with the challenger, The Whole Fox’n Show, so how is he feeling going into the first main event of ROH TV 2023? Fox says that about ten years ago, he tried out for ROH. They never invited him back. Guess they didn’t think he was good enough. Maybe he wasn’t. So from that point on, Fox busted his ass to be the best he could be, and now look at him! He’s main-eventing the first episode of the new era! So Claudio, Fox is coming for that title. Will Fox have the biggest win of his career when it’s for the ROH World Championship?
The Renegades VS Skye Blue & Madison Rayne!
Charlette & Robyn have fought their way up on AEW Dark and Elevation, and even held the NWA Women’s Tag Team Championships, but now they might be reaching a new level in the ROH Women’s Division. But will the student-teacher combo be the ones starting strong in the new era?
The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Skye and Robyn start, circle, and tie up. Robyn pushes Skye back but Skye puts Robyn in the corner. Skye lets off, they tie up again, and now Robyn puts Skye in the corner. The ref counts, Robyn grinds forearms in then shoves Skye. Fans boo but Skye shoves back. Skye dodges, Robyn blocks the arm-drag but Skye arm-drags from the other side! Things speed up, Skye wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Fans rally, Skye ROCKS Robyn, then she bumps Robyn off buckles. Skye runs in, Robyn dodges, but Robyn runs into a roll-up and bridge, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO!
Skye facelocks Robyn, tags Rayne, and they double whip. Skye SHINING WIZARDS at the ropes, then snapmares to feed Rayne’s SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rayne drags Robyn up but Robyn pulls hair! Robyn puts Rayne in the corner, tag to Charlette, and the Renegades mug Rayne! They stomp away, let off as the ref counts, and then Charlette bumps Rayne off buckles. Charlette RAMS into Rayne, lets off at the ref’s count, but Rayne slips away to shoulder in, slide under, and she sunset flips! TWO, Rayne facelocks and whips. Charlette reverses, runs in but Rayne trips her, rolls her and runs to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!
Rayne facelocks Charlette, she tags Skye in, and they double whip to trip and basement dropkick! Skye covers, TWO! Skye brings Charlette up but Charlette throws body shots. Charlette knees low, mocks the fans, then ROCKS Skye! Skye swings back, Charlette gets around to waistlock, but Skye switches. Charlette runs to ropes and Robyn GAMANGIRIS Skye! Fans boo but Charlette BOOTS Skye down! Charlette then DECKS Rayne for good measure. Charlette mocks the fans rallying for Skye, then she bumps Skye off buckles. Tag to Robyn, Robyn CHOPS Skye then snapmares. Robyn runs to BASEMENT SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO!
Fans fire up but Robyn drags Skye up. Tag to Charlette, the Renegades double suplex and they hold Skye up! But Skye shifts to DOUBLE CRADLE! TWO!! Robyn kicks low, she reels Skye in, back suplex, but Skye lands on her feet! Robyn still CLOBBERS Skye! Robyn rains down fists, brings Skye up, but Skye ENZIGURIS! Both women are down and fans rally up! Skye and Robyn crawl, hot tag to Rayne! Rayne fires off forearms and CHOPS then DECKS Robyn! Charlette runs in but she gets an ENZIGURI! Rayne dodges Robyn, ripcord, CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Rayne drags Robyn up, dragon sleepers, but Robyn pulls hair!
Robyn dodges the haymakers, clinches, FACEBUSTER! Tag to Charlette and she hurries to fireman’s carry. MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, Skye breaks it! Fans fire up, Skye has Charlette but Charlette dodges the lariat, only for the SUPERKICK to hit! Robyn runs in, ROLLING ELBOW for Skye! Rayne clinches Robyn, COMPLETE SHOT! All four women are down and fans fire up again! Rayne and Charlette stir, the fans rally, and Rayne tags Skye! Skye goes up top to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Robyn stomps Skye, but Rayne SPEARS Robyn! Rayne & Skye double whip, to SOBAT, BOOT and SKYFALL FACEBUSTER! Cover, Skye & Rayne win!
Winners: Skye Blue & Madison Rayne, by pinfall
A big win for the rookie and the veteran, will they soon become a top team in the Women’s Tag Division?
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
“A new era of ROH begins here tonight in Orlando, Florida, and with that, it is my pleasure to introduce my guest at this time, the ROH Pure Champion, Wheeler Yuta!” Fans cheer as the Decoder makes his way out to the ring. Yuta shakes Ian’s hand and Ian says tonight has “all the makings of a historic evening. As the junior member of the Blackpool Combat Club,” Yuta’s tag partner in Claudio Castagnoli defends his ROH World Championship against AR Fox in the main event! Yuta says that he’ll get to that in a moment as he’s also excited for that match. But Ian called him the “junior” member of the BCC.
Yuta wants to get one thing straight. He is no junior member, he is no rookie, he is no upstart, he is a champion! And he did not become the ROH Pure Champion by accident. He didn’t become a champion by doing someone else’s laundry or making someone’s dinner. No, he surrounded himself “with three of the best wrestlers of all time.” Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and the ROH World Champion, Claudio Castagnoli. They beat him down, made him nothing, and then forged him in combat so that he is the champion he is today. And he’s feeling a little left out with all these title defenses going on. Yuta’s free next week, too.
So if anyone wants to take a shot at the champ, if anyone wants to get in the ring and wrestle with him, Yuta says to make themselves known right now. We wait, and out comes TIMOTHY THATCHER! The Professor of Pain walks out on stage, and he has a mic. “HEY! I am Timothy Thatcher, and you know that, Yuta. I’m not a big fan of talking, but I’m a big fan of fighting. So if you’re offering a challenge for the ROH Pure Championship, I accept.” Fans like the sound of that! Yuta holds up his belt now, but will he be holding onto it for much longer?
Lady Frost VS Willow Nightingale!
A frozen heart meets a bubbly positivity, this is going to be like immovable object and irresistible force! Will Frost put Willow on ice? Or will Willow be too hot to handle?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two tie up. Fans rally, Frost powers Willow back but Willow powers Frost all the way to a corner! Willow lets off and flexes. Fans cheer, Frost and Willow reset and tie up again. Frost gets around to waistlock but Willow wiggles and bumps free. Willow shows off the twerk, and Frost is a bit taken aback. Willow wants Frost to get in the groove and fans want to see it, too! Frost just runs, and things speed up. Frost ducks ‘n’ dodges, leaps over, but Willow runs her over! Fans cheer, Willow waits on Frost, then runs her over again. Willow runs, and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!
Willow keeps on Frost, short arm LARIATS, then short arm LARIATS again! Willow keeps going, but Frost elbows back. Willow doesn’t budge, she just scoops and SLAMS! Willow and the fans fire up again, and Willow winds it up. Willow CHOPS Frost in the corner! Willow whips corner to corner, Frost goes up and over and handsprings to mule kick. Frost keeps moving, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up more, Frost brings Willow up but willow shoves her away. Frost handsprings, headscissors, and Willow staggers. Frost comes back, tilt-o-whirls to sunset flip, TWO! Frost kicks, Willow ducks, DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES take both women down!
Fans fire up while both women stir. A standing count starts, fans rally, and both women go to corners. Willow and Frost stand, Willow runs corner to corner to back body block! And clothesline! Snapmare and BOOT! Fans fire up with Willow more, and she whips Frost to then SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Frost is tough but fans rally behind Willow. Willow runs corner to corner, but into an elbow! Willow comes back, Frost dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Willow falls, Frost climbs up! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and flounders to the corner! Frost keeps focus, she runs back in, to RAM into Willow!
Frost rolls back, runs in again, but Willow catches her! Gut wrench for the DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
A big win on the big return to ROH, and Willow shows respect with the Code of Honor. Fans are ready to party with Willow, and Ian returns to the ring to do a little shimmy. He also interviews Willow, saying that she’s Mrs. Riccaboni’s favorite wrestler, but this isn’t about that. He has one question for her after another big win: what’s next? Well, first she has to wipe the dumb smile off her face. Willow gets serious now, and says that before thinking about the future, let’s look at the past. Willow knows Ian’s been around ROH a minute, just like her. They are from the old regime. The past two ROH PPVs, Death Before Dishonor and Final Battle, ya girl got two big wins!
And tonight in the NEW ROH, the NEW lifeblood, another win! Fans cheer that, so Willow says she’s kind of on a roll. The only next logical step would be… Willow challenging Athena for the ROH Women’s World Championship! But speaking of, here comes the Fallen Goddess! Athena has the belt around her waist and a mic in her hand. Athena says, “Willow. Congrats on your win, girlfriend. But… I know that you’re just so happy to be here. But if I was happy to be here, I wouldn’t be ROH champion. So, I’ma do you a favor, girl, cuz I am a fighting champion, I am a generous champion! I will accept your mediocre offer of challenging me for my title.
“But… When I beat your ass all over this arena, I want you and the world to know, that Willow Nightingale is nothing but porcelain, and is just lucky enough to be in my division. Hey, Willow. I’ll see you next week, porcelain.” The Fallen Goddess is looking to break Willow’s spirit, but will nothing stop that positivity?
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS AR Fox!
The Swiss Superman is ready to make history on this already monumental night. Will he retain his title in the first defense of ROH’s new era? Or will Fox no longer be a “best kept secret,” but THE best wrestler in ROH?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who flies higher as ROH takes flight again!
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, fans rally up, and they tie up. Claudio puts Fox on ropes, the ref calls the break, and Claudio lets off cleanly. Fans applaud the sportsmanship and the two reset. They tie up again, fans duel, and Claudio spins Fox to an armlock. Fox rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Claudio rolls and wrenches back. Fox rolls, kips up, handsprings, and wrenches again. Claudio clinches, facelocks, then hooks an arm and a leg to bring Fox down. Fox fights to stay off the mat but Claudio cravats for the snapmare and cover, TWO! Claudio wrenches and whips, but Fox goes up and over!
Fox keeps moving, Claudio comes back but Fox slips out the side to trip Claudio! Fox then slingshots in for a facelock roll, only for Claudio to block the suplex! Claudio suplexes, Fox slips free and whips. Claudio reverses, Fox ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to a schoolboy, ONE! Claudio UPPERCUTS Fox off his feet! Fans rally and duel, Fox staggers up but Claudio is on him. Claudio scoops and SLAMS, then runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, ONE!! Fox won’t be beat so easily, but Claudio brings Fox up. Claudio bumps Fox off buckles hard, and then he brings him around. Fox fights the lift, wrenches and knuckle locks.
Fox kicks, goes up and up, jumps around and flying wheelbarrows to the BULLDOG! Fans fire up while Claudio flounders, Fox covers, ONE!! Fans rally and duel and Fox goes to the apron. Fox climbs, but Claudio DROPKICKS! Fox is stuck up top, Claudio trophy lifts him but Fox makes it a FLYING HEADSCISSOR! Claudio ends up on ropes, Fox runs to hit the BODY SLIDE ATTACK! Fox then springboards, but Claudio trips him up! Fox crashes down and fans rally. Claudio slides out, drags Fox out, and he SLAMS the leg on the apron edge! Fox clutches the knee, he pushes Claudio away and gets in the ring.
Claudio storms up, gut wrenches and SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Claudio holds onto the leg for a modified leglock! Fox gets the ROPEBREAK, and Claudio lets off, to then stomp away on Fox! Claudio jumps to STOMP Fox down! The ref reprimands, Claudio drags Fox to a cover, ONE!! Fox is fighting but Claudio wraps on a chinlock. Fox endures, fans rally, and the two hand fight over the grapple. Fox fights up but he can’t fireman’s carry because of the bad leg! Claudio hits a GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Fox flounders to a corner, clutches his leg, and Claudio storms up again. Claudio stands Fox up to whip him into a corner, and UPPERCUTS!
Claudio suplex and basically TOSSES Fox! Claudio gets the bad leg, drags Fox over into the HALF CRAB! Claudio sits deep on the hold but Fox still endures! Fans rally, Fox crawls and reaches out, and he gets the ROPEBREAK! Claudio lets go quickly, and he drags Fox to the apron. Claudio SLAMS Fox’s chest on the apron, then UPPERCUTS him! The ref reprimands, Claudio apologizes, and he goes up the steps. Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS Fox on the back! Claudio steps in, saying that was just “on the way” back in. Claudio then ROPE GUILLOTINES! Cover, TWO! Fox is hanging tough but Claudio keeps focus.
Fans rally for “FOX! FOX! FOX!” but Claudio clobbers Fox into a chinlock! Claudio smothers Fox but fans rally and Fox fights back up. Fox throws elbows but Claudio shoves him to CLUB him on the back! Fox drops to his knees but Claudio stands him back up. Claudio shoves and CLUBS Fox in the back again! And then another shove, but Fox elbows back! Claudio ROCKS Fox, but Fox dumps Claudio out! Fox avoids the shoulder to KICK, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Fox comes back, REBOUND DDT!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Fans rally as both men stir, and Fox stands first!
Fox LARIATS, but Claudio roars as he stays standing! Fox LARIATS, but Claudio eggs him on. Fox DISCUS LARIATS! Claudio rebounds, Fox goes Matrix to then PELE! Fox cravats, Claudio powers out, but Fox goes up and mule kicks! Then springboard CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up! Fox gets his bad leg moving, runs corner to corner, and he A-LIST LARIATS! Then Fox skins the cat to SWINGING DROPKICK! Claudio bails out, so Fox builds speed! Fox FLIES to CROSSBODY Claudio down! Fans fire up as Fox then puts Claudio back in. Fox climbs a corner, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally up harder as Fox watches Claudio go to a corner. Fox runs in, back elbows, but Claudio shoves him away. Claudio BOOTS Fox, covers, TWO!! Fox survives and Claudio grits his teeth. Fans rally, Claudio drags Fox up, but Fox breaks free. Claudio blocks a boot, KNEES back but Fox ENZIGURIS! Fox whips, goes Matrix, but Claudio was faking him out! SWISS SWING!! Fox goes around TEN times before Claudio lets him go! But Fox flops out of the ring to safety! Fans rally, Claudio goes out after Fox, and he drags Fox up. Claudio pushes Fox into the ring while fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS!”
Claudio goes to a corner, he goes along the ropes, and he LIMIT BREAKER ELBOWS! Cover, TWO!! But to the SHARPSHOOTER!! Fox endures as Claudio sits deeeeeep! Fox endures, but Claudio shifts to a CROSSFACE!! Claudio rolls Fox away, shifts his grip, but Fox rolls Claudio to a cover, TWO!!! JAWBREAKER! Fireman’s carry, but the leg! Claudio LARIATS!! Cover, TWO?!!? Fox survives and fans are thunderous for “R O H! R O H!” Claudio drags Fox up, puts him up top, and then UPPERCUTS! Claudio climbs up, Fox resists and throws body shots, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Claudio resets, but Fox slips under! GAMANGIRI!
Claudio roars and grabs at Fox, but Fox GAMANGIRIS again! Fox firemen’s carries with help from the corner, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Fox goes right up top, for the 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Claudio survives again and no one can believe it! Fans rally as hard as ever and Fox feels he’s close. Claudio grits his teeth, Fox brings Claudio up, and he reels Claudio in. Claudio fights the suplex so Fox throws a forearm. Claudio throws a forearm back! Fox ROCKS Claudio, Claudio ROCKS Fox, then Claudio fires off a strike fest! UPPERCUT into a backslide! TWO!!! Claudio escapes, he puts Fox on the apron, but Fox ROCKS Claudio!
Fox springboards, but into the UPPERCUT!! Cover, Claudio wins!!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)
An epic battle of strength, speed and technique, and in the end it was that knockout uppercut that wins it for the champion! The Swiss Superman shows respect by applauding Fox with the fans, as well as the Code of Honor handshake. Will Fox be back for another try soon enough? Who else will want to take that title from Claudio? WAIT! THE MAD KING IS HERE!! Eddie Kingston said on AEW social media that he was DONE with AEW, and fans are thunderous to see him storm into the ROH ring! Eddie has the music cut and he grins at Claudio. “Guess what, buddy, guess what? I’m an independent contract, dog! I’m 1099, so I can be here!
“And y’know how I promised Mox I wouldn’t beat your ass in AEW? This ain’t AEW, bro. I’m coming after that championship. What do you say, huh?” Fans like the sound of it, and Eddie tells Claudio not to be scared. Here, have the mic. Eddie hands it over, but Claudio drops it! Fans boo, but it seems the Swiss Superman does things on his time, not Eddie’s. But will the King of Wrestling have no choice but to protect his throne against the Mad King of New York?
My Thoughts:
A great return to weekly programming for ROH, and I have a feeling they’re going to maintain a two hour format since it’s online and not needing to worry about commercials. Real good stuff in the non-title matches, though in many cases, they went as I expected. The Six Man Tag was a great squash win for The Embassy, and of course the ROH icons like Daniels and Briscoe won. Konosuke VS Woods was a great one for a couple younger wrestlers, and it was pretty amusing for Sterling to think he can help Woods avoid a loss with a settlement. Good win for Willow, real good promo from Willow, and we’re gonna get a great women’s title match between her and Athena.
And also good promo from Yuta and Thatcher to set up an ROH Pure title match, that is going to be some incredible technical wrestling next week. Another great NJPW World TV Championship match, Blake Christian got a great showing even in defeat, but of course ZSJ wins out since this is a NJPW title. I do have to say it’s a bit funny how in an AEW backed ROH, there’re still some NJPW guys helping get this going, such as Aussie Open challenging an ROH team to a match. And I’m thinking Aussie Open wins, because while Titus & Tracy are good, Fletcher & Davis really are a great team. I’m already getting flashbacks to the NJPW ROH partnership before pandemic where it felt like NJPW got the better part of the deal.
And of course, an awesome main event with the ROH World Championship. Good promos from Claudio and Fox before, too, and what an awesome showing for Fox even in defeat. The fans loved the guy by the end of the night, Fox is finally getting the spotlight he deserves, he will have a title soon enough. And what a great surprise to see Eddie Kingston show up in ROH. While his story with Ortiz and the House of Black had potential, AEW let it fizzle out, but at least there’s continuity they’re calling upon in how Eddie and Claudio did not get along during the Blackpool Combat Club VS Jericho Appreciation Society feud. Claudio VS Eddie is going to be a great one, they’ll probably do that for Supercard of Honor in LA during WWE’s WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to defy the odds!
A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: ???
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!
The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?
But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.
Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!
Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!
Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!
All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!
Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!
Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.
“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’
“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?
The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.
Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.
Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!
The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!
The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!
Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.
Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!
Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!
Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!
The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?
Giulia speaks.
“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.
“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
A car pulls up real fast.
And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?
Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!
The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.
Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,
Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!
Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
It’s a truly star-studded Raw!
Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
- AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
- PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Gunther is here!
Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.
We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!
Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!
And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?
Bianca Belair speaks.
“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.
“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?
Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!
Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.
Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!
Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.
Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.
Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!
The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?
Paul Heyman waits backstage.
And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.
“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!
Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?
Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!
Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!
The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!
Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!
The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!
Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?
The War Raiders speak.
Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!
So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!
The New Day is backstage.
They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!
Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?
Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!
The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.
Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!
Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.
Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.
Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?
Paul Heyman is still waiting…
Will he be waiting all night at this rate?
Jey Uso is here!
The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.
“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!
Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?
As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?
PENTA VS Finn Balor!
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!
Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.
Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!
The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!
Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?
Iyo Sky speaks.
“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”
Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!
Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?
Roman goes to the ring!
The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.
“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”
Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”
Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”
Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.
This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.
As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?
Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!
The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?
Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.
Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.
And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
4 Corners Podcast: Houston Still Has a Problem
This week, we discuss the NCAA Final Four, the NHL Playoff chase, the end of the Gr8 Chase and much...
4 Corners Podcast: Chalk & Chase
This week we talk a little MLB, discuss the red-hot Blues, the GR8 Chase, and whether a chalky NCAA Tournament...
4 Corners Podcast: March Madness Bracket Breakdown
This week on 4 Corners Podcast we break down the Men's NCAA tournament bracket. Which of the top seeds will...
4 Corners Podcast- The Fantastic Four Nations Faceoff
The guys discuss Canada's big win in the Four Nations Faceoff and take a look at some early Spring Training...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Bandwagon Nerds #284: Mission Unlikely
The Nerds break down a tremendous Episode 8 of Daredevil: Born Again. Plus, the Sweet 16 of Villain Madness and...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (4/10/25)
It's gonna be May!
Bandwagon Nerds #283: Ice, Ice, Baby
Daredevil vs Muse, Villain Madness, news about Spider-Man 4, Superman, and the Nintendo Switch 2, plus the Nerds pay their...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/25)
Happy Sixth Anniversary!
Bandwagon Nerds #282: Daddy Ganon & A Glass of Wine
A double dose of Daredevil, major Zelda news, a massive Avengers: Doomsday reveal, and Villain Madness Round of 32 matchups...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/15/25)
Who will Stand & Deliver?
The Total Package Series – Raw and Smackdown 2025
The Chairshot and Rey Ca$h bring you The Total Package series for 2025, breaking down the superstars of Raw and...
DeMarco: The Biggest WrestleMania Match WWE Is Afraid To Book
Greg DeMarco breaks down the one match WWE was seemingly afraid to book for WrestleMania, despite setting it up over...
Chairshot Radio presents The State of Black Wrestling
Chairshot Radio and Rey Ca$h bring you a special look at the State of Black Wrestling!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/14/25)
Run-up to Mania starts now!
Badlands: Best and Worst WrestleMania Main Events
Badlands makes it’s return for Ca$h-A-Mania week, discussing WrestleMania’s Best and Worst Main Events! Rey Ca$h and the returning Mags...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (4/12/25)
Why, FTR, why?
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Who Fumbled??
Join DJ, Rob and Jason weekly as they cover the world of professional wrestling!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (4/11/25)
Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown!
Mitchell’s NJPW Windy City Riot Results & Report! (4/11/25)
Ace VS Alpha!
