Will the King of the Ropes become the champion of honor?

Claudio Castagnoli only defends the ROH World Championship against those who are worthy! Will Metalik prove his worth against the Swiss Superman?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Mark Briscoe VS Ari Daivari w/ The Varsity Athletes; Briscoe wins.
• Skye Blue VS Kelly Madan; Skye wins.
• Mike Bennett w/ The Kingdom VS Darius Martin; Darius wins, by disqualification.
• Wheeler Yuta VS Tracy Williams; Yuta wins.
• Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin VS The Workhorsemen; Shibata & Coughlin win.
• Willow Nightingale VS Little Mean Kathleen; Willow wins.
• Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling; Stu wins.
• ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Ashley D’Amboise; Athena wins and denies Ashley a title opportunity.
• ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Metalik; Claudio wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mark Briscoe VS Ari Daivari w/ The Varsity Athletes!

The Sussex County Chicken has been working to clear out Mark Sterling’s stable, and so far, that’s going his way. But will the streak continue as Mark continues to chase destiny? Or will Daivari Dinero be the one going for the gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally for Mark. The two circle, Daivari tells fans to shut up, and he ties up with Mark. Mark headlocks, Daivari powers out but Mark runs him over! Fans fire up, Mark runs in, Daivari drops and things keep moving. Mark drop toeholds and facelocks! Daivari powers Mark to a corner, then RAMS into him! Daivari whips corner to corner, Mark goes up and over and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Daivari goes to a corner, Mark CHOPS him! Mark bumps Daivari off buckles, CHOPS again, and fans fire up more. Mark drags Daivari up to suplex high and hard!

Daivari scrambles away, Josh Woods goes to check on him, but Mark builds speed. But Tony Nese trips Mark and drags him out! Nese sends mark into railing, then back into the ring. Nese plays innocent while Daivari stomps a mudhole into Mark! Fans boo but Daivari whips Mark to ropes. Daivari ELBOWS Mark down then covers, TWO! Daivari wraps on body scissors and a chinlock. Fans duel, “ARI!” “SUCKS!” Mark fights up, throws body shots, and he ROCKS Daivari! Mark runs, Daivari follows and RUNNING NECKBREAKERS! Daivari hurries to wrench, hammerlock and DDT! Cover, TWO!

Mark is hanging tough and Daivari is annoyed. Daivari drags Mark up, throws him out, and distracts the ref. Nese and Woods mug Mark! Fans boo but they put Mark in the ring. Daivari stalks Mark to a corner, stomps him, then hoists him up. Daivari CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Mark reverses, Daivari goes up and out and ROUNDHOUSES back! Daivari climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Daivari grows frustrated, but he drags Mark up to scoop and SLAM! Fans rally up, Daivari goes up the corner, but now fans boo. Daivari FLYING SPLASHES but FLOPS as Mark moves!

Fans fire up with Mark, he CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Mark fires off Redneck Kung-Fu palm strikes! Daivari goes to a corner, Mark clotheslines! Mark clinches, for the URENAGE! And then turns Daivari, for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Mark calls his shot. Mark fireman’s carries but Daivari fights free. Daivari swings, but into a kick! Mark underhooks the arms but Sterling distracts! Nese & Woods drag Mark out to mug him! And send him into steel steps! But the ref sees that last part! The ref EJECTS the Varsity Athletes! Fans are all fired up! Nese & Woods get up, Mark DECKS each of them!

Daivari rolls Mark up! TWO! Mark kicks low, underhooks, and JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall

But then the Varsity Athletes attack! Fans boo as Nese, Woods and even Sterling stomp away! They mug Mark, RAM him into a corner, and throw body shots. Sterling even gets some stomps in! But wait! Here comes FTR! Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood fight off Nese and Woods and even Daivari! They KICK Daivari out, CLOBBER Woods, and Sterling is all alone! Sterling wants them all to hold on, and then his team get him outta there! Mark and his friends stand tall, will they tear down the Varsity Athletes together?

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“I’ma make this short and sweet. I’ve been dealing with a hernia injury. Well, I found out it was a hernia. I’ve been dealing with an injury since September. I make no excuses. I went into that match at Supercard of Honor with Claudio thinking I could bully that man around like I have in the past. I was wrong. My game plan was, I didn’t stick to it originally. I grabbed the head, I was gonna work the neck. I grabbed a leg, I was gonna hit those skinny legs. And then, y’know… It went back to what I know, which is just to fight.” Eddie felt like Arturo Gatti. Gatti would try to box, then get hit and go back to brawling.

Eddie says he’s not gonna front. Claudio was the better man that night. Claudio put a whooping on Eddie. Eddie is gonna need surgery for the hernia now because Claudio beat him that bad that he couldn’t sleep. Eddie felt like there was fingers pushing in on his balls and up into his gut. All because Claudio was tougher and more violent. Fans used to call Claudio “not aggressive enough,” and Eddie believed it like a mark. He should’ve known better. But Eddie sat there in his hotel room, alone, in pain, discomfort. And he thought about it. He’s still under AEW contract even though he’s in ROH. That’s inside baseball stuff.

But Eddie admits, Claudio was right. Eddie was ready to flip out, blame everyone else and quit. But Eddie remembers giving his heart to AEW. After he beat Cody Rhodes, he learned to win or learn. He forgot and went back to his old self, winning and losing. The only time you lose is when you don’t learn, but Eddie learned. Will he fail? Sure, he’s human. But like Sister Catherine told him, even when he was going through hell, his parents told him, keep going forward, keep fighting. That is the only way to progress. The Mad King is going to go forward. Not for anyone or even himself, but because he has no choice.

Skye Blue VS Kelly Madan!

In AEW, Chicago Skye has a fight on her hands against The Outcasts. But in ROH, she’s just moving up the rankings step by step. Will Skye take that next step and be headed for gold? Or will Skye fall and have to pick herself back up?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two tie up. They go around, Madan wrenches and wristlocks, but Skye spins and wrenches back. Skye hammerlocks, Kelly spins but Skye spins to keep the hold on her. Kelly keeps trying to escape but Skye keeps with her. Kelly reaches back, flying-mares free, and shakes out the arm. But she narrowly avoids a superkick! Skye mule kicks, Kelly blocks the superkick and spins, then Kelly ducks the buzzsaw! Roll-up, TWO! Kelly kicks Skye low, then hip drops her down! Kelly swivels her hips, brings Skye up and ROCKS her! Kelly CLAWS Skye’s back, whips her to a corner, then kicks and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO!

Kelly grows annoyed but she stalks Skye. Kelly runs in but into an UPPERCUT! Skye BOOTS Kelly, runs in, and she hits a BIG clothesline! Kelly goes to ropes, Skye SHINING WIZARDS! Kelly blocks the superkick again, but this time the spin kick hits! Skye full nelsons, SKYE FALL! Cover, Skye wins!

Winner: Skye Blue, by pinfall

Skye snatches the victory and keeps building that streak! Will Skye be next to meet the Fallen Goddess for the title?

Mike Bennett w/ The Kingdom VS Darius Martin!

The Kingdom can’t really settle things with Top Flight after Dante Martin went down with that ankle injury, but Boston Strong Style doesn’t mind beating up on the Air Wolf! Will Darius be able to stand alone? Or will Thy Kingdom Come?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but Darius sees the cheap shot coming! Darius spins Mike, ENZIGURIS and follows him to the corner. Darius CHOPS and CHOPS, but Mike turns things around to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Darius turns things back around for more CHOPS! Mike returns the favor with more CHOPS! Darius has it turn around again! But then Mike headlocks and he grinds Darius down! Darius fights up, powers out, but Mike RAMS him! Darius rebounds to run Mike over! Things speed up, Darius DROPKICKS Mike out of the ring! Darius builds speed, slides, but Mike gets under!

Mike kicks low, whips, but Darius reverses! Mike hits railing, Darius runs in but Mike sends him out. Darius GAMANGIRIS back, goes up the railing, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up and Darius puts Mike in the ring. Darius climbs a corner, but Taven distracts! Mike YANKS Darius right down! The Kingdom applauds, and then Mike puts Darius on the apron. Mike drags Darius up, reels him in, but Darius fights back. Mike ROCKS Darius, eggs him on, so Darius CHOPS! Mike CHOPS then talks trash! “FIGHT ME!” Mike CHOPS, Darius CHOPS! Mike SUPERKICKS! Mike fireman’s carries, APRON DEATH VALLEY!

Mike soaks up the heat while Maria mocks Darius’ pain. Mike drags Darius up and puts him in to cover, TWO! Fans rally for Darius but Mike stomps him down. Mike drags Darius up, throws him back out, and then soaks up more heat. Mike goes out but Darius hits back. Mike CLUBS Darius, whips, but Darius reverses. Mike rebounds off ropes, Darius dodges to get in the ring! Darius builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Darius puts Mike in the ring, but Mike ROLLING ELBOWS! Mike runs, but Darius follows and LARIATS! And forearms! And ENZIGURIS! Mikes taggers to a corner!

Darius runs in but Mike dodges. Mike returns, into an ELBOW! Darius goes up and over, keeps moving, whips and STANDING SPANISH FLIES! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives but Darius drags him up again. Darius reels Mike in, but Taven just CLOBBERS Darius!

Winner: Darius Martin, by disqualification

Fans boo as Taven rains down fists on Darius! The Kingdom wasn’t gonna let Top Flight beat them again, even at just 1v1! But wait! Here comes ACTION ANDRETTI! Action runs off The Kingdom and fans fire up! Action helps Darius stand, and we might see this end in tag team action after all! Will the Kingdom fall to this new high-flying force?

Wheeler Yuta VS Tracy Williams!

Blackpool Combat Club has been beating up everyone from AEW to ROH, and the Decoder wants to show he’s worthy of getting back to gold. Will Yuta bust Tracy open like BCC did The Elite? Or will the Hot Sauce be too hot to handle?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally, Yuta and Tracy tie up, and Yuta wrenches to a wristlock. Yuta wrangles Tracy, Tracy gets up, Yuta hammerlocks but Tracy headlocks then turns it around to an armlock. Tracy wrangles Yuta with a top wristlock but Yuta claws at the eyes! Tracy gets a leg to STOMP the foot! Tracy has a toehold but Yuta kicks him away. Yuta leaps but Tracy rolls him up! TWO, Tracy wants the head but Yuta slips free. Yuta gets a leg, Tracy kicks him away, but Yuta springboards. Tracy turns arm-drag into ARMBAR! Yuta clasps hands, but Tracy CLUBS the grip apart! ARMBAR!

Yuta stacks Tracy, and stands on Tracy’s face! Yuta then STOMPS Tracy in return! Yuta snarls, drags Tracy up, but Tracy ROCKS Yuta! Yuta rewinds in the ropes to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta rains down HAMMER FISTS! Fans fire up with Yuta, and Yuta drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tracy goes to a corner, but Yuta storms up. Yuta CHOPS and then gets a leg. Yuta trips Tracy, steps through, and ties up the legs. Yuta taunts Tracy and Tracy CHOSP! Yuta nods and SLAPS Tracy. Tracy ROCKS Yuta, Yuta ROCKS Tracy! Tracy CHOPS Yuta, Yuta ROCKS Tracy! They brawl, then Yuta drops back for the BRIDGING DEATHLOCK!

Tracy endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Yuta lets go and soaks up the cheers and jeers. Yuta CHOPS Tracy against ropes, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tracy snarls, shoves, but Yuta ducks the chop to knee low. Yuta whips but Tracy reverses to CHOP! And then leg capture SAIDO! Fans fire up, Tracy runs in to clothesline Yuta in the corner! Tracy CHOPS, then facelocks. But Yuta RAMS Tracy into the corner! Yuta ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat, but then Tracy ELBOWS him! Tracy goes up, but Yuta GAMANGIRIS! Yuta climbs up, but Tracy gets his head! TOP BUCKLE DDT! And a LARIAT! And a suplex, to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!

Tracy has the CROSSFACE!! Yuta endures, reaches out, moves around, rolls Tracy up, TWO! Tracy lets go, and Yuta ROCKS him! Tracy ROCKS Yuta! Yuta ROCKS Tracy! They go back and forth and fans fire up! Tracy gets the edge, but Yuta BITES Tracy’s forehead! Tracy blocks the kick, Yuta ducks the discus to SAIDO! Tracy staggers up, into the OLYMPIC SLAM! And then the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Yuta traps the arms, for the DRAGON SLEEPER! Tracy is caught, he verbally quits! Yuta wins!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission

Yuta has a wild look in his eyes as he holds on a little longer! Yuta lets go, and he is all fired up. Will this new level of intensity be what Yuta needs to get back in title contention?

Darius Martin & Action Andretti speak.

Darius says “The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. And I’m not crazy.” How many times did The Kingdom think Darius would let things repeat? Darius is a man with a plan and that plan is in Action. Action says the Kingdom thought they could pull a fast one without Dante around. To hell with that! Action has been in that situation, he knows how bad it sucks. So he had to have Darius’ back! And now, they’re challenging The Kingdom! Watch your throne, boys, because there are some new kings in town!

Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin VS The Workhorsemen!

The Wrestler brings along one of his LA Dojo graduates in The Android to show NJPW is strong in the US! Will they be too strong for JD Drake & Anthony Henry?

The Code of Honor is upheld though with some tension. The teams sort out and Shibata starts against Henry. They circle, fans rally for “SHI-BA-TA!” as he and Henry feel this out. Henry drops, but Shibata shifts around him. Henry switches but Shibata switches back, they clinch on the mat, and Shibata stays on top. Shibata gets a leg but Henry goes for one, too. Shibata slips free, now Henry chases. They roll, Henry gets a chinlock but Shibata gets to ropes. Henry doesn’t let go, Shibata slips free and they stand. They feel out the grapple, Shibata waistlocks but Henry wrenches. Shibata rolls and the two stand off!

Fans applaud the exchange as the two reset. Shibata knees low, snapmares and kicks, but Henry ducks it! Henry SOBATS, snapmares, but Shibata blocks the kick! Shibata trips Henry and ties him up in a FIGURE FOUR! Henry endures, JD storms in, KOKESHI! Shoutout to Honma and Henry gets away. Henry tags JD, Shibata tags Coughlin. Fans fire up as the two RAM! JD CHOPS, Coughlin CHOPS, repeat! Then they go to forearms! JD headlocks, Coughlin powers out but JD wrenches and ROCKS Coughlin! JD wrenches, Coughlin rolls and handsprings to SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up as JD stands!

JD swings, misses, and Coughlin SAIDOS! Henry returns, but into a clinch! Henry BELL CLAPS, but Coughlin ROCKS him! Coughlin runs but JD is there to RAM him! Henry hooks Coughlin up, BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! And then KOKESHI! Cover, ONE!! JD drags Coughlin up, ROCKS him, and has him in the corner. JD CHOPS Couglin and tags Henryt. Henry runs in to ROCK and CHOP Coughlin, but Coughlin just gets in Henry’s face. Coughlin CHOPS, but Henry SOBATS! Henry gets a leg to DRAGON SCREW! Henry keeps Coughlin from reaching Shibata, and he tags JD in.

Henry snap suplexes, JD slingshot SENTONS! The Workhorsemen copy Shibata with the cross-leg stance! JD kicks Coughlin around, but Coughlin CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! JD shoves and SPLASHES Coughlin, to then BELLY2BELLY! And then VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! JD KICKS Coughlin in the back! Tag to Henry, and the Workhorsemen mug Coughlin. Henry snapmares, KICKS him in the back, and taunts Shibata. Henry KICKS and KICKS, and we see Shane Taylor watching. Coughlin CHOPS and CHOPS, but Henry shoves him back. JD gets a cheap shot in, but Coughlin DECKS JD!

Henry shoves Coughlin out of the ring, sucker punches Shibata, and JD pops Coughlin off ropes to DECK him! JD puts Coughlin in and Henry climbs up! Henry DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Coughlin survives, but Henry steps through for a toehold! Then a butterfly deathlock! Henry mocks Shibata with the bridge! Fans rally for Coughlin as he endures! Coughlin reaches out, but Shibata gets in to STOMP Henry! And then he stomps Coughlin?! Shibata is showing his student tough love, or at least stern motivation. Henry swings on Shibata, but ends up in a SLEEPER! Feed to Coughlin for the suplex!

Henry slips free, but Coughlin switches,. Henry throws elbows, Coughlin lifts Henry, but Henry hits a flying mare! Henry has the headlock but Coughlin headscissors. Henry moves around, pops free, and he’s right on the legs again! Henry throws forearms but Coughlin SLAPS! And basement suplexes! Coughlin stands to bring this up! Fans are thunderous for the one-legged SLAM! Hot tag to Shibata! Shibata BOOTS JD! He whips Henry to a corner and BOOTS! Then Shibata rains down forearms! Shibata goes corner to corner and back again, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shane is still watching, looking intrigued.

Shibata snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Shibata clamps onto Henry with a chinlock! JD storms in to CHOP Shibata’s back! Shibata lets Henry go, to DECK JD! But Henry trips Shibata into the SLEEPER! Shibata rolls back, to get the SLEEPER! JD is back, Shibata runs in, but gets a BOOT URENAGE COMBO! Cover, Coughlin breaks it! Fans fire up, but JD CHOPS! JD throws Coughlin out, goes to the apron, but Coughlin sweeps the legs! Coughlin gut wrenches to SLAM JD!! Henry is stunned and the fans are thunderous! Henry sees Shibata and swings forearms! Shibata just leans into the shots! Shibata ROKCS Henry, and has the SLEEPER!

Shibata sits Henry down, runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, Shibata & Coughlin win!!

Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin, by pinfall

The #WrestlingAndroids took out the Workhorsemen, and Shibata shows them how to sit cross legged. And then Coughlin shakes hands with his sensei, and says he wants a shot at the Pure Championship! Shibata says challenge accepted! Will Big Bad Shaney T be waiting on the other side of that fight?

Willow Nightingale VS Little Mean Kathleen!

Positivity clashes with negativity in a battle of strong forces in the ROH Women’s Division. Will Willow fight her way back up? Or will we all see Kathleen is more than a little mean?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two cirlce. They tie up, Willow waistlocks but LMK fights it. Willow headlocks, LMK stomps a foot and BITES Willow’s fingers! the ref rerpiamnds but Willow scoops to SLAM! Willow can’t even, and she stalks LMK to ropes. Willow whips, LMK reverses but Willow cartwheels. LMK ducks, runs, but into a scoop! LMK slips free, and she CLOBBERS Willow in the corner! LMK fires fast hands, then goes corner to corner. Fans fire up for the FURIOUS STOMPS! LMK has Rhode Island on her side, and she SPLASHES, but onto knees!

LMK goes to the far side, Willow runs in to back body block, then clothesline! Willow BOOTS LMK, and brings down the straps! Fans fire up, Willow scoops LMK, for the OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale

The Code of Honor is still upheld, and Willow is on a roll! Will this momentum help her finally get a title?

Stu Grayson w/ Evil Uno VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling!

The Dark Order’s Player Number 2 is ready to play! But will this be another victory for the man born and bred for combat? Or will the Premier Athlete take him to the limit?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Stu chases Nese around the ring but Nese gets in ropes for defense. Nese then sucker punches Stu! Nese whips, Stu reverses, Nese KICKS but Stu RANAS! Stu catches Nese, clinches and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Fans fire up, Stu runs in, but he blocks Nese’s boot! Stu sweeps the leg! No mercy in this dojo! Slingshot SENTON to the apron! Stu warns Sterling then goes back to Nese. Nese runs in, Stu dodges and clotheslines Nese up and out! Stu then FLIES! Direct hit and he even lands on his feet! Fans are thunderous but Sterling can’t even!

Stu drags Nese up, puts him in the ring, and Stu climbs up a corner. Stu leaps to avoid Nese hitting the ropes! Stu ROCKS Nese, jumps up, but Nese BLASTS him away! Stu falls and hits the railing! Uno checks on Stu but Nese goes out and pushes Uno aside! Fans boo, Nese drags Stu up, and Nese RAMS Stu into railing! Nese talks trash on the fans, puts Stu back in the ring, and paces around. Nese clamps on a chinlock and he gives crossface forearms! Nese then wraps on the body scissors! Stu endures the squeeze, and he CHOPS! And CHOPS! Nese lets go to haul Stu up and ROCK him!

Nese whips corner to corner hard, but runs into an ELBOW! Stu goes up, but Nese SHORYUKENS! Nese then adjusts, climbs up, only for Stu to SUPER GOURD BUSTER! Stu FLYING SUNSETS, but Nese rolls through to HEADSHOT SOBAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally for “STU! STU! STU!” but Nese mocks Stu. Nese pie faces him, but Stu CHOPS! Nese BOOTS Stu down! Stu CHOPS! Fans chant “TONY SUCKS!” but Nese BOOTS Stu again. Nese soaks up the heat, but Stu CHOPS again! Nese ROCKS Stu! Stu glares at Nese…! Nese throws more forearms, but Stu just backs him down.

Nese SOBATS again! Fans boo, Nese runs, but Stu CLOBBERS him! And CLOBBERS him again! And URENAGES! Fans fire up and Stu runs to LION-SENTON! Cover, TWO! Nese survives, but Stu stalks him. Nese holds ropes to stop the lift, but Stu CLUBS him! Stu torture racks, Nese slips off and slides under! Pump handle and scoop, but Stu slips free to fireman’s carry. SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives and surprises Stu, but Stu takes aim. Stu runs in, but Nese bails out! Fans boo but Stu drags Nese up the ropes by his beard! Sterling complains, Stu suplexes and he holds Nese up!

Nese slips free to throat chop! Nese runs with Stu, HOTSHOT BULLDOG! And then PREMIER TRIANGLE but Stu gets clear! Nese keeps moving, but Stu dodges to waistlock! Nese grabs ropes again and he RAMS Stu into buckles! O’Conner Roll, with tights! TWO!! Stu escapes and both men hurry up. Stu goes Matrix to dodge! PELE! Nese staggers and fans fire up! Stu roars, builds speed, and he RUNNING KNEES! Stu slashes his throat, time to finish him! Torture rack, for the NIGHTFALL! Cover, Stu wins!

Winner: Stu Grayson, by pinfall

Nese may have an eight pack, but now he has a bad back! Wait, the Righteous are here again! They did this exact thing at Supercard of Honor, and now they’re ruining the Dark Order’s celebration. They are looking right at Stu, and are applauding. Do Dutch & Vincent expect Player 2 to be their third man?

The Righteous speak.

“Turn away~, turn away~!” POWER! The Dark Order has power, they’ve been here since the beginning. But it seems like they’ve become a shell of their former selves. Vincent says when Stu left, the Dark Order carried on with a smile on their face. And when Stu wanted to come back, the Dark Order smiled and opened the pearly gates to welcome him back in., But one who is born and bred for combat is just trapped in a cage. Maybe, just maybe, The Righteous have the keys. Dutch knows what Stu is thinking, but he’s wrong. The Righteous doesn’t wanna hurt Stu. They wanna keep Stu! Get what they’re saying?

ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds Match: Athena VS Ashley D’Amboise!

The Fallen Goddess finds ways to break her opponents and hold onto this title, so that means she needs more challengers! Will the #JackedBarbie be harder to break than the names Athena’s already crossed off the list? Or will the only thing being proven here is that Athena’s mean streak goes on forever?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The clock is ticking as the two tie up. Athena waistlocks, Ashley wrenches free, but Athena handsprings and wrenches back. Athena wristlocks, Ashley rolls and handsprings and cartwheels to arm-drag! And another arm-drag! And a DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Ashley, but Athena SHOTGUNS her down! Athena SHOTGUNS again, and again! And again! Athena runs to SHOTGUN a fifth time! Athena drags Ashley up but Ashley hits back with body shots. Athena CLUBS Ashley down, KICKS her to the corner, then digs her boot in.

The ref counts, Athena lets off, then brings Ashley onto ropes. Athena CHOKES Ashley, waves to the fans, and fans are torn. The ref counts, Athena lets off at 4 to argue with the ref. Athena drags Ashley up but Ashley fires forearms! Athena SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Athena drags Ashley up, wrenches and traps an arm, and then has a neck wrench. Athena fishhooks Ashley’s mouth! The ref counts, Athena stops that, and Ashley throws elbows into Athena’s legs! Roll-up, TWO! Athena staggers up and she’s mad now. Athena storms up on Ashely, UPPERCUTS, then whips corner to corner.

Athena runs in but Ashley goes up and over! Ashley rolls, staggers, and Athena is on her. Athena wrenches but Ashley kicks! Athena ducks but Ashley hits a LEG LARIAT! And a regular LARIAT! And another! Fans fire up with Ashley, she wrenches and fireman’s carries, for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Ashley climbs, but Athena goes after her! They brawl, and Athena TOSSES Ashley to the apron! Athena then runs to WRECK Ashley with a dropkick! Fans fire up, Athena builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit! Ashley staggers up, Athena DECKS her! Athena RAMS Ashley into railing!

Athena drags Ashley up to TOSS her to the ramp! Ashley goes to steel steps, Athena runs in to KNEE her against them! Athena puts Ashley in the ring, climbs up the corner, and grins as she takes aim. O-FACE!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Ashley D’Amboise a title match)

Ashley lasted longer than perhaps even Athena thought, but the champ still wins. Athena then TOSSES Ashley out! No Code of Honor in the end, the Fallen Goddess only respects herself. Will anyone ever end her reign of terror?

Backstage interview with Ashley D’Amboise.

Lexi Nair notes Ashley fell short in that Proving Grounds match. Is she at least proud of her efforts? Uh, oui, yes. But Ashley was hoping for more honor. This was more like Ring of Anger. Athena SUCKER PUNCHES Ashley! Lexi calls for help but Athena says this is the level of garbage she gets week after week! Athena is the Goddess, the Alpha and the GATEKEEPER of the ROH Women’s Division! She wants real competition, not these porcelain trash bag hussies! If not, Lexi’s next! Lexi better watch this. Athena brings Ashley over, places the belt on a road case, and SMASHES Ashley’s face on it! Athena laughs, and says, “Welcome to ROH, b*tch.”

Athena may be having fun now, but will someone finally humble her?

ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Metalik!

The Swiss Superman, the King of the Ropes, for the first ever! But with the level of ability and brutality Claudio shows, will Metalik stand a chance? Or will no one else be “worthy” of this world title?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if a champion beats a king!

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and fans rally up. The two tie up, Claudio powers Metalik back, and then pushes Metalik around. Metalik pushes back! Fans fire up as Metalik eggs Claudio on! Claudio and Metalik circle, tie up, and Claudio throws Metalik, but Metalik lands on his feet! Claudio shoves Metalik down, then yanks Metalik up by his legs, but Metalik arm-drags Claudio away! Fans fire up as the two stand off! Claudio and Metalik circle, feel things out, knuckle lock, and Claudio goes for an arm. Claudio also facelocks, brings Metalik down, headlocks, but Metalik fights up. Claudio just holds on tighter!

Metalik powers up and powers out, but Claudoi runs him over! Cover, ONE! Claudio digs a knee into Metalik’s head, brings him around and chinlocks. Metalik endures, fans rally up, and Metalik powers out. Things speed up, Metlaik leaps but into Cluadio’s arms! Metalik slips free, rolls and comes back to wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Metalik runs in, Claudio pops him up but Metalik FLYING RANAS! Fans fire up as Claudio bails out! Metalik runs in, but goes to the apron as Claudio runs away. Fans cheer as Metalik CANNONBALLS, but Claudio catches him! ALLEY-OOP BOMB onto the apron!

Claudio soaks up the cheers and jeers, and he fetches Metalik. Claudio puts Metalik in the ring, takes his time returning, and drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Claudio clamps onto Metalik with a ground stretch. Claudio chinbars but fans rally up. Metalik fights up, throws hands, but Claudio shoves to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Metalik is still in this but Claudio snarls. Metalik goes to a corner, Claudio runs in to UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio keeps close to Metalik, and he has a top wristlock! Fans rally, Metalik endures and Metalik fights up. Metalik throws hands!

Metalik CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Claudio throws hands! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm! Claudio knees low, whips, but Metalik tilt-o-whirls to CRADLE! TWO!! Claudio BOOTS Metalik to the corner! Claudio stomps a mudhole in, but he lets off as the ref counts. Claudio drags Metalik up, suplexes him high and hard, then covers. TWO, and Claudio grows annoyed. Claudio sits Metalik up to KNEE him in the back! And then he drops a knee on the side! Claudio grabs an arm and bends it back. Metalik endures, but Claudio gets a leg to make it a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow. Fans rally up, Metalik fights up!

Metalik throws body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio whips Metalik to a corner, runs in, but Metalik drop toeholds him into buckles! Metalik runs, Claudio puts him on the apron, but Metalik GAMANGIRIS! Metalik springboards in to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up with Metalik! Metalik rallies with LARIATS, but Claudio stays up! Metalik LARAITS, but Claudio roars! But Metalik blocks the punch! Metalik knuckle locks, CHOPS, but Claudio HEADBUTTS! Claudio knuckle locks, throws Metalik and hits an STO! But Metalik blocks the cover to go up and SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up as both men are down!

Both men stir, fans rally up, and Claudio bails out again. Metalik builds speed to ESCALARA!! Fans fire up again and Metalik stands back up. Metalik pushes Claudio into the ring, springboards and SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives but he sputters from that impact. Metalik hurries after Claudio but Claudio fights the fireman’s carry. Claudio bends Metalik’s arm, and HEADBUTTS him! Claudio whips Metalik to a corner, Metalik dodges! Metalik SUPERKICKS! Metalik runs, goes around the corner, and leaps, but Claudio blocks! Claudio brings Metalik up but Metalik sunset flips! TWO!!! Fans fire up as Claudio escapes!

Both men slowly sit up and fans rally. Metalik stomps Claudio to a drop zone and goes up the corner. Metalik MOONSUALTS into boots!! Claudio runs in, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio drags Metalik up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again and again, from all sides! Metalik wobbles into more shots! Claudio hoists Metalik up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Metalik fights back! Claudio still lifts Metalik, but Metalik fights free! Metalik GAMANGIRIS! Claudio wobbles, Metalik goes back up, TIGHTROPE SUPER STEINER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Fans can’t believe it but Claudio survives! The fans rally and Metalik goes to a corner again. Metalik climbs, tightrope walks, for the ELBOW into knees!! Claudio saves himself, and he clamps on a CROSSFACE! Metalik crawls, reaches out, but Claudio rolls him away! But Metalik turns it to a cover! TWO, ghost pin! TWO, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Claudio is furious but the count was fair! Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Metalik is a ragdoll, and Claudio GOTCH NEUTRALIZERS!!! Cover, Claudio wins!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

Claudio still shakes the hand of The King of the Ropes to keep the Code of Honor. The Swiss Superman continues to determine who is worthy, so who will be next?

My Thoughts:

A really good ROH, but I think this was the shortest episode yet, at around 90 minutes. One thing that was a little weird to me, that they did three times, was having backstage promos from people we just saw in the match segments. In the case of The Righteous, just have Dutch & Vincent say all that on stage with mics. In the case of Darius & Action, have them get mics to call out The Kingdom in the ring. In the case of Athena jumping Ashley, swap the women’s matches so that Proving Grounds is second on the card, and Athena jumping Ashley happens after Skye VS Kelly. Though, at least all the matches were good. Good win for Stu, good win for Darius, good win for Skye and Willow, and good showing for Ashley even in losing to Athena.

Really good match from Mark VS Daivari, good win for Mark, and good save by FTR. Though, thinking about it, why not Lucha Brothers? They have history with The Varsity Athletes, after all. Though, I guess they want to keep the Lucha Brothers out of things so they can have an ROH Tag Team Championship story. We’ll definitely get a Six Man Tag now, and I would think Mark & FTR win and leave The Varsity Athletes behind. Just not sure to what end. Another reason Mark should’ve beat Samoa Joe for the TV title. And good match from Yuta VS Tracy, and I figured Yuta would go over. Maybe he fights his way to a rematch with Shibata.

Speaking of which, great tag match from Shibata & Coughlin VS Workhorsemen. Great showing from JD & Henry, but of course Shibata & Coughlin win. Coughlin politely challenging Shibata to a title match is great, but I also like that Shane Taylor is eyeing Shibata. Coughlin will end up being Shibata’s first defense that Shibata will of course win so that he gets one under his belt. Shibata VS Shane could be some great stuff, a real test for Shibata, and who knows who wins that.

Nice to hear from Eddie Kingston, and a shame to hear about the hernia. Let’s all hope all goes well, that he gets well soon and comes back fast. Claudio VS Metalik was a great main event, fans really got behind Metalik, though they still liked Claudio enough. He and the BCC really play up Heel on AEW but fans still appreciate how great Claudio is in the ring. As such, Claudio of course wins to get another defense under his belt. Who knows who steps up to face him next, but there’s a chance Claudio wins then, too.

My Score: 8.6/10