Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/23/23)

Round 9, part 1, FIGHT!

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2023

Steven Mitchell

A Block gets the top of the ninth!

Best of the Super Juniors enters the ninth, and A Block gets today all to themselves! Who will be A Block’s top two going through to the semifinals?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

TJP & Great-O-Khan VS Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima; TJP & Khan win.
El Desperado & Ryohei Oiwa VS Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita; Desperado & Oiwa win.
Francesco Akira & Dan Moloney VS Clark Connors & Gedo; Akira & Moloney win.
Six Man Tag: Kevin Knight, Master Wato & YOH VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; Knight, Wato & Yoh win.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ryusuke Taguchi; Taguchi wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS SHO; Sho wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Mike Bailey; Bailey wins.
Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Titán; Titan wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings.

Mike Bailey: 6-2, 12 points
Lio Rush: 6-2, 12 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-2, 12 points
Titán: 5-3, 10 points
Taiji Ishimori: 5-3, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 4-4, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-6, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-8, 0 points [ELIMINATED]

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: KUSHIDA VS Ryusuke Taguchi!

This match may not matter to the standings and who heads for the semifinals, but dammit, the Timesplitter and Funky Weapon have pride on the line! Will Taguchi finally score at the last possible moment? Or will he be the very bottom of the block?

Kushida offers a handshake and fans cheer as Taguchi takes it. The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Kushida powers Taguchi to ropes but Taguchi turns it around. The ref counts the break, Taguchi lets off and fans cheer. Kushida hurries after a leg, trips Taguchi and floats to a cover but Taguchi keeps a shoulder up. Kushida floats to a headlock, Taguchi rolls it to a cover, ONE! Kushida holds on, goes after an arm, but Taguchi goes to headscissors. Kushida fights those off to float and wrench the arm. Taguchi gets a leg, Kushida hops around, and Kushida slips free. Fans applaud as the two reset.

Taguchi and Kushida feel things out, knuckle lock, and then Kushida spins and wrenches to trip Taguchi again. Taguchi fights off the cover but Kushida shifts to go after an arm. Taguchi moves around, he ties up the legs, and Taguchi pulls back on the deathlock. Kushida reaches back, floats to a headlock and takeover, but Taguchi headscissors. Kushida kips free, Taguchi turns things around with a headlock takeover of his own. Kushida headscissors but Taguchi kips free, and the fans cheer the new standoff. Kushida and Taguchi reset again as fans rally up. They tie up, and Taguchi headlocks.

Kushida powers out but Taguchi RAMS him. They stay up, so Taguchi goes again. Kushida goes the other way, they crisscross as they run the ropes, and then Kushida drops. Taguchi hops over and comes back, they RAM shoulders. They both run, both drop, and then both dropkick! Fans fire up as both men stand. Taguchi and Kushida reset again and circle. They feel things out, Kushida drop toeholds then wrenches an arm. Kushida grinds the elbow, Taguchi rolls but Kushida CLUBS the arm! Kushida CHOPS then whips, but Taguchi holds ropes. Kushida runs in but Taguchi puts him on the apron.

Taguchi rams Kushida, then triangle jump DROPKICKS! Fans fire up and Taguchi builds speed! But Kushida avoids the sliding dropkick. Taguchi pursues as Kushida goes around the way. They both jog around, fans rally up as they keep going, and then Kushida slides in. Taguchi follows, avoids the Penalty Kick, and then drags Kushida out for OH MY GAH ANKLE! The ref reprimands, Kushida holds ropes and kicks at Taguchi. Kushida then stands, and Taguchi stops in frustration. Fans rally, Taguchi gets up and shoulders in, but into a HOVERBOARD! The ref counts, Kushida lets off at 4, and then PENALTY KICKS the arm!

Taguchi writhes out to the apron but Kushida drags him back in. Kushida wrenches the arm, for an ELBOW BREAKER! Kushida drags Taguchi around, ties up the arms and traps them in that crisscross, to then SNAP LOCK them! Taguchi endures, Kushida gets his legs, HOG TIE CRADLE! TWO!! Kushida SNAP LOCKS the arms again! Taguchi writhes, Kushida paces, and then Kushida brings Taguchi up. Kushida snapmares to scrape his soles off Taguchi’s face! Kushida cartwheels to basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Kushida covers, TWO! Kushida brings Taguchi up and has the straitjacket stretch!

Taguchi endures and fans rally up with chants of “TA-GU-CHI!” Taguchi fights up, turns the jacket onto Kushida, but Kushida turns it right back onto Taguchi! Fans continue to rally, Taguchi fights up, and Taguchi swivels and wiggles the jacket down! Taguchi steps over to put it on Kushida! But Kushida arm-drags free! Kushida runs in but into a BOOT! Taguchi runs, but into a knee! Kushida runs, but into the SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up as Kushida flops to ropes. Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK Kushida against ropes, then goes side to side for another HIP ATTACK! And then a basement dropkick!

Kushida falls out of the ring, Taguchi triangle jump PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Kushida! Fans fire up while both men are down. The ref checks, Kushida stirs and Taguchi shakes out his arms. Taguchi brings Kushida up and into the ring, and then aims from the apron. Kushida stands, Taguchi springboards, MISSILE- ARMBAR!! Kushida catches Taguchi into the armbar!! Fans fire up, Taguchi fights the hold, rolls and turns Kushida over, to LA MA- NO, Kushida rolls Taguchi up! TWO, Kushida steps through, LA MA- NO, Taguchi blocks to a cover, TWO!! Taguchi and Kushida get right up to DOUBLE LARIATS!

Fans fire up, both men get up again, and DOUBLE LARIAT again! And they’re up again! Another DOUBLE LARIAT! They want a fourth, but they both fall down first! Fans fire up again and Kushida rises. Taguchi shakes his arms, both men sit up, and they crawl for each other. Taguchi throws a forearm, but Kushida gives it back. Taguchi throws a flurry but Kushida KICKS the arm! Kushida whips, Taguchi reverses, Kushida handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Fans fire up and Kushida says it’s time! Taguchi rises, Kushida runs in, HOVERBOARD!! Taguchi stays on his feet but Kushida’s got the body scissors!

Taguchi steps, reaches, but Kushida switches sides! Taguchi tries the other way, Kushida double underhooks! But Taguchi fights out and ROCKS Kushida with a forearm! But Kushida DROPKICKS the arm! Fans fire up, Kushida runs, but into a mule kick! But Kushida PELES! Taguchi ENZIGURIS Kushida! But Kushida winds up, only for Taguchi to “homer” the fastball! And then he BODY BLOWS back! Taguchi reels Kushida in, chicken wings, DODON BUSTER!! No throne?! Fans fire up and Taguchi crawls to the cover, TWO!! Kushida survives, but OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Taguchi has the ankle!

Kushida endures, fans are thunderous, and Taguchi’s butt is partially exposed!? When did that happen!? Kushida crawls, rolls, but Taguchi holds on! Then drops an elbow on the leg! The rope censors the shot but Taguchi goes booty up to lean as much as he can onto the hold! KUSHIDA TAPS!! TAGUCHI WINS!!!

Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by submission (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)

Incredible! At the last possible moment, Taguchi finally gets a win in this year’s BOSJ! Though, was that only because he returned to his Strange Style? As for Kushida, he has an uncharacteristically 2-7 finish! Will he be able to keep up in the Junior Heavyweight singles division like this?

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: DOUKI VS SHO!

Another match that won’t affect the standings, but will establish a personal best! Will Japones Del Mal get to eight points? Or will the House of Torture stack the deck again?

Sho rushes back up the ramp as Doukie makes his entrance? Sho goes after him behind the curtain! And he drags… Wait, that’s not Douki, that’s Ryohei Oiwa with a Douki mask! Sho used a very Douki-pipe looking pipe to choke Oiwa, but then Sho makes the formal introductions and rings the bell himself! Sho stomps Oiwa, the ref wants him to stop because this isn’t Douki! SNAKE BITE!! Sho chokes Oiwa out, but here comes the REAL Douki! He is covered in tape just like Hiromu was a few days ago! Douki stomps away on Sho and tells Sho this is what he gets for messing around! Douki then drags Sho up as the bell officially rings!

Douki CHOKES Sho against ropes, lets off as the ref counts, and whips. Sho reverses but Douki RANAS back! Fans fire up, Douki runs in to clothesline in the corner! Douki keeps moving and he FLYING HEADBUTTS! Fans fire up with Douki while Sho bails out. Douki builds speed but Sho uses Kosei Fujita as a shield! Douki slides out, Sho slides in, and Sho comes back, but into a shoulder! Douki aims but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Douki stops the slingshot, and Sho dropkicks the legs out! Sho goes out after Douki, CHOKES him, but the ref reprimands. Sho drags Douki up, brings him around the way, and to the back part of the arena.

Sho throws Douki into the wall! And then Sho brings Douki along the backside of the bleachers, and all the way to the other corner, to CLUB Douki, and bring him into a backstage area! Douki fights back, Sho claws his eyes! Sho throws Douki in a trash bin! The ref reprimands but Sho leaves Douki in the dumpster to go back to ringside. The ref and a Young Lion help Douki out of the trash. Sho grins as he slides in the ring, and he says Douki really is trash! Fans boo and the ref reprimands, but the ring count still starts. Douki’s so far away, though! Douki crawls at 5 of 20, stands at 10, and Sho starts celebrating already.

Douki is back down the aisle at 14, reaches ringside at 16 and slides in at 17! Fans cheer but Sho stands on Douki’s hand! Sho bends the fingers! The ref reprimands and count, and Sho stops at 4. Sho then stomps Douki down, stands on his face, and makes it a cover. TWO as Douki still has fight in him! Sho taunts Douki, and Douki throws forearms! Sho rakes the eyes! The ref reprimands, but Sho wrenches an arm, brings Douki down, and kicks, KICKS and SUPER- NO, Douki blocks! But Sho rakes eyes! The ref counts, Sho whips Douki to a corner. Sho runs in but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes up and FLYING HEADBUTTS!

Fans fire up and Sho crawls to a corner. Fans rally, Douki runs in, and he clotheslines! Douki keeps running, springboards and back elbows! Fans fire up more and Douki runs, DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Douki keeps cool and he drags Sho back up. Douki hooks the arms, Gory Especial, but Sho fights that off and bends fingers! Then Sho spins Douki, but Douki fights the lift. Douki runs, Sho brings him in, but Douki breaks free to ENZIGURI! Fans fire up again and Douki runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield again! Douki pushes the ref aside but Sho blocks the kick! And rakes the eyes!

Sho then pretends Douki gave him a low blow! Douki defends his innocence, but Sho KNEES Douki into the ref! Fans boo as Douki and the ref are down, and Sho gets his ‘”torture tool!” Sho aims at Douki, but Douki has his pipe!! Fans fire up and cheer on Douki as he winds up! Sho says fine, swings, but Douki dodges! Douki swings, Sho dodges, but then Douki blocks the wrench attack! Sho’s hands hurt and he drops the wrench, then Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe! Fans fire up, Douki puts Sho in a drop zone and he climbs up top. Fans rally, Douki DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! But into the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!

Fans fire up as Douki pulls on Sho’s arms! Sho fights over, reaches out, but Douki drags him away, ITALIAN STRETCH!! Fans fire up as Sho starts fading! But EVIL is here! Evil claims he wants to throw in the towel, but the ref doesn’t trust that. Douki lets Sho go to shout at Evil. Evil says okay, okay, he’ll leave. But Sho is untying a buckle pad! A remix on the Bullet Club Special, and Douki runs in to hit bare buckles! Sho clotheslines Douki in, then tucks the arms! STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives and fans fire up! Sho is furious but then he aims his bow. Sho drags Douki up and reels him in.

Sho tucks the arms and brings Douki up again, but Douki slips free to trip and jackknife stack! TWO!! Sho escapes, runs, but Douki BOOTS him! Douki goes to the apron, HELL STABS, and even mule kicks Evil! DAYBREAK!! Fans are thunderous for Douki and he powers up! Douki wheelbarrows Sho in for SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!! Bridging cover, but YUJIRO TAKAHASHI drags the ref out! Evil fakes the count, and he makes Douki think he’s won! Douki turns arounds to see Evil! Fans boo and tell Evil & Yujiro to go home. Douki rushes in but into EVERYTHING- NO, Douki slips around to waistlock!

But Yujiro CLUBS Douki! Douki ROCKS Yujiro! And ROCKS Evil! But Yujiro LOW BLOWS Douki! EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Fans boo as Evil drags Sho over to the cover. The Tokyo Pimp fetches the ref, he counts, Sho wins!

Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Douki earns 0)

Sho wins but he needed even more members of the House to do it! Is this how Evil & Yujiro are going to get the IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships?

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Lio Rush VS Mike Bailey!

The Bad Child and Speedball both stand at 6-2 and 12 points. No matter what, the winner here moves on to the semifinals! Will Lio make this Mike’s Final Hour? Or is there no stopping Mike’s momentum?

The bell rings and fans rally up. Lio and Mike circle, then approach. Mike offers a handshake, Lio takes it, and fans cheer the sportsmanship. Mike and Lio talk a bit, perhaps about respect but each still being the one to win. The two take fighting stances, then things speed up! Mike follows Lio to drop but Lio hops over. Lio avoids the boot, redirects before the chop and then again before another boot! Mike keeps pursuing, triangle jumps but Lio avoids the kick! Mike dodges Lio now, handsprings over, and then hurdles! Lio leaps over and Mike kips up to arm-drag! Lio bails out, Mike goes up and out, and the two stand off on the apron!

Fans fire up and the ref wants this in the ring. Mike and Lio strike stances again! Mike blocks, Lio blocks, Lio ducks the kicks, then shoves Mike back. Lio runs to swing around the post?! Mike pursues as best he can, they get in the ring, but then Lio slides out! Mike follows, they go around the outside, Lio makes Mike think he’s going back in, then goes back up as Mike hops down! Lio mule kicks Mike and then ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and fans fire up for “LIO! LIO!” Lio has them get louder, then he drags Mike into the ring. Mike scrambles to the far side, Lio runs in, and he blocks a kick to SLAP Mike!

Lio eggs Mike on, so Mike comes back. Mike blocks a kick, flips Lio, and Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves to avoid strikes! Lio whips, Mike reverses, Lio reverses back but so does Mike! Lio goes up the ropes to springboard and arm-drags Mike away! Mike comes back and KICKS Lio down! Fans fire up and Mike goes to a corner. Lio rises, Mike storms up on him and wrenches an arm. Mike UPPERCUTS the arm, CLUBS the arm, wrenches the arm, and KICKS Lio back down! Fans fire up again and Mike covers, TWO! DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Fans continue to fire up, Lio goes to a corner, and Mike CHOPS him!

Mike whips corner to corner, Lio slides to a stop, but Mike blocks his boot to CHOP him again! Fans stay fired up and Mike whips corner to corner. Lio reverses, Mike stops himself, but Lio goes Matrix to duck a kick! Lio comes back into a SOBAT! AX KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Fans are still fired up, and Mike SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Lio is still in this and fans continue to rally. Mike keeps his focus as Lio goes to ropes. Lio stands, Mike KICKS his leg out! Mike stalks Lio, KICKS his leg again, then waits on Lio to sit up. Lio ducks the buzzsaw, and the other buzzsaw, but the lightning kicks and ENZIGURI hit!

Fans fire up and Lio sits back up. Mike aims, but Lio blocks the buzzsaw to fisherman, SPINNING BUSTER! Mike bails out, Lio builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and the Young Lions keep fans safe! Lio gets going again, to DIVE again! Another direct hit! Fans fire up and Lio goes back in. Lio builds speed but Mike gets up, so Lio HANDSPRING KICKS him! Lio keeps moving, builds more speed, and DIVES!! Direct hit for a hat trick! Lio drags Mike up, puts him in, and fans rally up. Lio climbs a corner, but Mike rises up! Mike climbs but Lio throws hands! Mike staggers away, but he comes back!

Lio gets away to another corner! Mike rushes over, but Lio goes back to the first corner. Mike rushes over again but Lio hops down to yank Mike down! Lio then jumps in, but Mike avoids the lariat! Mike goes to the apron, ROUNDHOUSES Lio down, and Lio flops to the floor! Fans rally up, Mike goes up the corner, DOUBLE JUMP TORNILLO! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Fans rally for “BAILEY! BAILEY!” now and a ring count starts. Mike rises at 5 of 20, drags Lio up at 10 and puts him in at 11. Fans cheer, Mike stalks Lio, and Mike brings Lio up. Mike suplexes, puts Lio on the ropes, and KICKS him!

Fans fire up as Mike KICKS Lio more! Mike then goes to the corner, climbs, and GUILLOTINE KNEE DROPS!! Fans are thunderous while Lio crashes down! Mike brings Lio up, puts him on the top rope, and tucks him in! FLAMINGO- NO, Lio sunset flips it! TWO!! Mike pushes Lio through, steps over, ARMBAR!! Lio endures, clasps hands, but Mike clubs away! Lio fights around, stacks Mike, TWO! Mike stands to MOONSAULT KNEE DROP!! And back to the ARMBAR!! Lio flails, reaches out, and scrambles over to the ROPEBREAK! Mike lets go quickly but Lio clutches his shoulder.

Fans rally, Mike waits on Lio to rise, and he KICKS Lio right back down! Fans continue to rally and Mike waits on Lio. Lio stands, staggers around, and Mike KICKS him back down! Fans fire up more as Mike waits on Lio again. Lio rises, Mike KICKS him down again! But Lio roars as he sits up! But Mike KICKS him, and MOONSAULT KNEE- NO, Lio dodges! Mike clutches his knees and fans rally up. Lio throws forearms on Mike, but Mike hits back! Lio throws another, and they go forehead to forehead. Mike throws forearm after forearm, and fans rally up. Lio jumps up! But Mike ducks the heel kick!

Mike SOBATS! AX KICKS! But Lio LARIATS!! Fans are thunderous again as Lio goes to a corner. Lio tunes up a la Yoh, but Mike blocks the kick with a kick! Mike BOOTS, HEEL KICKS, but Lio HEEL KICKS back! Both men are down and the fans stay fired up! Lio goes back to a corner, waits on Mike to rise, and Mike goes to the far corner. Lio runs in, but into a BOOT! THRUST KICK! Lio staggers, Mike takes aim now, TATSUMAKI- SPEAR!! Lio shouts out The All Mighty but it was double-edged given his bad shoulder. Mike bails out, fans rally, and Lio goes out, too. They stare down from across the ring, and go around the side.

Fans fire up as the two run in! Lio ducks the Rider Kick! Mike comes back, but into a SPANISH FLY to the floor! Lio puts Mike in, hurries up the corner, and he drags Mike up to join him. Lio positions himself to have Mike up, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Mike survives and fans are thunderous again! Lio and Mike stir, and Lio kips up! Lio goes to a corner, tunes up fast, and Mike rises into the SUPERKICK!! Lio hurries back to the corner, goes up top again, for the FINAL HOUR into a boot! Mike drags Lio into a cradle, TWO!! Lio escapes but Mike goes to a corner! Lio runs in, blocks a boot but not the ENZIGURI!

Mike goes up, ULTIMA- NO, Lio moves! More damage to knees! Lio steps over but Mike rolls him up! TWO!! BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Lio runs, springboards, RUSH HOUR!! Lio hurries up top while Mike is down! Fans are thunderous for the FINAL HOUR, but he FLOPS as Mike moves!! Mike goes forehead to forehead with Lio, they stand up, and they both fire up! Lio avoids one spin but the TATSUMAKI SENPUKKU still hits!! Mike then puts Lio up, tucks and lifts! Lio fights with fists, but Mike still hits the FLAMINGO DRIVER!!! Cover, Mike wins!!

Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Lio earns 0)

The Speedball makes it through, this is NOT his Final Hour! Who joins him in representing the A Block? We find out in the main event!

Best of the Super Juniors 30, A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Titán!

For just a moment in this tournament, it looked as if the Ticking Timebomb wasn’t going to make the cut. But just as expected from the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, he’s fought his way back up! But just as with Lio VS Mike, the winner will be the one moving on! Will Hiromu keep his four-peat dream alive? Or will El Inmortal never say die?

Because this is an LIJ VS LIJ match, Tetsuya Naito appears! He lets Red Shoes check him before he joins commentary. Hiromu’s picture diary entry for Titan is something about being the new kid in LIJ. Hiromu is surprised to see Naito, though. As such, he presents Naito the diary! And then Naito drops it! Hiromu asks what the heck. Naito picks it up and apologizes. Titan looks at the entry now, is he surprised by it? Titan offers the LIJ fist bump, Hiromu accepts it, and fans applaud. The bell rings and fans rally up for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” as they circle. The two tie up, break, then tie up again.

Hiromu waistlocks, Titan spins through to facelock, but Hiromu wrenches out. Titan spins, headlocks, but Hiromu powers him down to a headlock on the mat. Titan rolls, slips free, wristlocks, and then brings Hiromu up to wrench. Hiromu spins through, loops and kicks low. Hiromu whips, Titan reverses, but Hiromu denies the tornado DDT! Hiromu rushes in but Titan sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE! Hiromu sweeps, covers, ONE! Titan kips up and fans fire up! Hiromu and Titan reset and fans rally. The two circle, Hiromu offers a handshake, so Titan takes it. Then Hiromu CHOPS! Titan CHOPS back!

Hiromu CHOPS, Titan CHOPS, and they go back and forth! Titan SOBATS! Titan wrenches and whips, Hiromu reverses but Titan goes up and over and rolls back! Titan blocks a chop, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up the ropes, tightrope walks, jumps and FLYING RANAS! Fans fire up, Titan gets moving, but Hiromu puts him on the apron. Titan GAMANGIRIS, but Hiromu shoulders in! Hiromu runs, but Titan catches him with a body scissors! Fans fire up as Titan brings Hiromu out to the floor! Titan then goes up, but Hiromu gets under! Titan holds on, but Hiromu brings him off the apron!

Titan goes to rana, but Hiromu blocks! Hiromu brings Titan up, to APRON POWERBOMB! Not the sunset flip but it may’ve done just as much damage! Fans rally and Hiromu gets up. Hiromu fetches Titan, puts him in the ring at 9 of 20, then covers. ONE!! Titan still has a lot of fight in him, but Hiromu drags Titan up. Hiromu CHOPS Titan to a corner, CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Hiromu runs in to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Hiromu brings Titan around and wraps on the headscissors squeeze! Titan kicks around, reaches out, and fans rally as he scoots forward, to the ROPEBREAK!

Hiromu lets go quickly, brings Titan up and whips, but Titan reverses. Hiromu holds ropes, BOOTS Titan back, then BOOTS again! Hiromu brings Titan around to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Hiromu eggs Titan on. Titan stands to throw a forearm but Hiromu keeps egging him on. Titan throws more forearms, but Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu whips, Titan holds ropes, and Titan BOOTS Hiromu! Titan runs but into an elbow! Hiromu whips, Titan reveres, Hiromu swings but Titan goes Matrix! And then CALF KICKS! Fans fire up again and both men rise. Titan roars, runs, but Hiromu puts him on the apron.

Hiromu swings, Titan counter punches and then springboards to CROSSBODY! Titan DROPKICKS Hiromu out! Titan runs to DIVE! Direct hit and the Young Lions protect fans! Both Hiromu and Titan are down but the fans rally up. Titan rises and he stands over Hiromu. Titan brings Hiromu up and into the ring, then drags him around by a leg. Titan stomps the leg, hooks it, and rolls into the TRAILER HITCH! Fans rally as Hiromu endures! Hiromu crawls, reaches out, claws his way over, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Titan lets off quickly. Titan storms up on Hiromu, but Hiromu throws a forearm!

Titan brings Hiromu up, Hiromu throws another forearm! Titan tries again but Hiromu throws another forearm! The forearms go back and forth, Titan hitting a bit harder than Hiromu. Hiromu still throws another forearm, but Titan fires off fast palm strikes, kicks and a SOBAT! Titan runs, but Hiromu follows to ELBOW him! Hiromu runs, but then fakes Titan to ELBOW again! Hiromu whips, but Titan reverses, only for Hiromu to block the DDT! FALCON ARROW! But Hiromu’s too tired to make the cover! Fans rally up, Hiromu hobbles over, and he brings Titan up. Fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY!

Fans fire up with Hiromu and he brings Titan up again. But Titan fireman’s carries! Titan throws Hiromu to the apron! Hiromu stands, ducks the haymaker and throws Titan by his mask! Titan kips up to PELE! Hiromu falls to the floor and fans fire up as Titan builds speed! Titan FLIES! Direct hit and the Young Lions get wiped out, too! Fans fire up more while Red Shoes checks them both. Hiromu and Titan stir so the ring count starts. Titan rises at 6 of 20, brings Hiromu up at 13 and puts him in at 15. Fans rally, Titan powers up, and Titan springboards! Hiromu moves, Titan rolls out of the stomps, but runs into a fireman’s carry! DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!

Titan sputters and Hiromu is frustrated, but Hiromu brings Titan up to a fireman’s carry. Titan fights it, throws some elbows, but Hiromu throws him to a dragon sleeper! Titan spins around but Hiromu suplexes! Titan throws knees, gets free, but Hiromu kicks low. Hiromu runs but into the TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up, Titan gets the legs and hooks Hiromu up, JAVE INMORTAL!! Hiromu flails, fights the chinlock, but Titan keeps fighting for it! Titan has to bridge back up, and he pulls at hair! Hiromu keeps fighting Titan’s grip, fans rally up, and Titan knuckle locks an arm to chinbar! Hiromu breaks that to get the ROPEBREAK!

Titan undoes the hold and the fans fire up. Titan pounds the mat and the fans rally up behind him. Titan goes to the apron, springboards, but Hiromu catches him to a fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu fires up and he demands Titan to get up. Titan rises, Hiromu runs, HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! And then dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, but Titan victory rolls it! TWO, and Titan steps through! Hiromu cradles, TWO!! Fans fire up as both men get to opposite corners. Hiromu runs in, into a SUPERKICK!! Fans are thunderous as Titan pounds the mat and goes to the corner.

Hiromu is in another corner, Titan roars and runs in, LOCO LARIAT! Hiromu staggers, Titan goes up a corner! Titan leaps to DIVING NDOUBLE STOMPS!! Hiromu sputters, flounders and writhes as he clutches his chest! Titan roars again and he gets the legs! JAVE INMORTAL!!! Hiromu is caught!! Fans are thunderous, Hiromu reaches but Titan keeps pulling him backward! Titan thrashes, Hiromu claws at the mat, but HIROMU TAPS! TITAN WINS!!!

Winner: Titán, by submission (gains 2 points; Hiromu earns 0)

El Inmortal just defeated the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion!! Everyone is shocked as Hiromu WON’T make the semifinals, meaning he WON’T have a chance at a four-peat! Hiromu’s larger dream of having a decade of BOSJ trophies dies already! But he shows Titan respect for the win here with a fist bump.

As for Titan, he gets the mic, and in Espanol, he says, “Firstly, all thanks to the Almighty God.” Naito tries to trick Japanese commentary into thinking Titan thanked him, but they known well enough that wasn’t the case. Titan then says, “Buenos noches, fans of NJPW! Beunos noches. To those who supported me tonight and all league long, good evening to all the fans of Los Ingobernables de Japon!” Fans cheer that, but Naito keeps trying to take credit for all this. Titan says he’s been working hard in both Japan and Mexico, “But I’m ready for what’s next, thanks to God’s grace. And also thanks to the support from all of you.

“This victory and league aren’t just for me. It’s for the Lord and for all of you!” Fans cheer that, and Naito stays quiet to let Titan have his moment here. Titan then says in Japanese, “Thank you very much!” Fans cheer that best of all, and Titan takes a bow. Will Titan soon have the spotlight all to himself in the semifinals and then become THE Best of the Super Juniors?

Here are the FINAL A Block standings!

Mike Bailey: 7-2, 14 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Titán: 6-3, 12 points [SEMIFINALIST]
Hiromu Takahashi: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Lio Rush: 6-3, 12 points [ELIMINATED]
Taiji Ishimori: 5-4, 10 points [INJURED]
TJP: 5-4, 10 points [ELIMINATED]
SHO: 4-5, 8 points [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 3-6, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
KUSHIDA: 2-7, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 1-8, 2 points [ELIMINATED]

My Thoughts:

A great ninth round for A Block here, with a handful of matches from B Block just to fill time. I of course skipped those, but I’m sure they were all really good. On paper, I could’ve skipped the first two A Block matches because all those guys were out, but it was still great fun seeing those matches. I should’ve figured Taguchi finally gets a win, and he ends up using a hybrid fighting style because while his serious style kept up with Kushida, it was butt-cheek-showing Taguchi that finished it. Douki VS Sho was also pretty good for more of the clever House of Torture cheating. I was wondering where Yujiro was, and here he is! This cheat helps Sho win but also gives a touch of momentum to Evil & Yujiro going into Dominion and the vacated double tag title match.

And of course, awesome stuff from the top four guys to get into the semifinals. I am grateful to modern technology for allowing us to pause videos and go back, because Lio VS Mike were just so, so fast. And the main event, Hiromu VS Titan, was equally awesome, and what a great shocker that Titan wins out! This is an awesome moment for both Mike and Titan, and Titan had a great closing promo, especially as I think this was his first time closing out the show. I believe this is also the first time a Mexican wrestler advances in the Best of the Super Juniors since Dr. Wagner Jr. in 1998, another great detail about this choice. I really hope Titan gets in to the finals, but we’ll have to wait and see who is coming in from B Block to know his chances.

My Score: 8.9/10

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!

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/23/23)

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25

The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!

Published

17 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Andrew Balaz

So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).

Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.

After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Ratings:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***

Results:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater

British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.

A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!

Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.

Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.

The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.

.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.

Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)

KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.

Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.

After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.

Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.

Laredo Kid vs Jake Something

Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.

Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.

The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)

Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.

Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.

Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!

Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.

Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.

OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.

The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.

Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.

About Chairshot Radio Network

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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

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All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)

Stir it up!

Published

21 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Will the hot streak continue?

On the verge of a milestone, Red Velvet is back on the Proving Ground! Who will look to Stir It Up with The Chef? Will they be served an L fresh outta your mama’s kitchen?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

8 Man Tag: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners VS Rosario Grillo, Colby Carter & The Stew Crew; Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners win.
The Beast Mortos VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes; Mortos wins.
Blake Christian VS Parker Li; Blake wins.
ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground match: Red Velvet VS Angelica Risk; Velvet wins and denies Risk a title match.
ROH Rewind – ROH TV Episode 1: Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling; Briscoe wins.
8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J VS The Dark Order, Serpentico & Beefcake Boulder; STP & LEE-J win.

PLAY BY PLAY

QT Marshall speaks.

“Next week is the 100th episode of ROH Television. Impressive, huh? And that big shot, Paul Wight, from the Board of Directors, he said, ‘QT, I need you to do me a big favor. This show has to be huge! And the way to make that happen is to have you challenging for the ROH Television title.'” QT tells Paul that we all know he owes QT an apology. And the “old QT” would’ve been pretty petty and held that against Paul. But now that QT is a viral sensation who literally has strangers from all over falling in love with him, QT said, “Y’know what, Paul? I’m gonna do it.”

So that’s right, ROH fans! Next week, episode 100, QT Marshall VS Komander, and QT walks out the NEW ROH World Television Champion! And Paul, after that, you will look QT in the eyes and apologize. QT is all smiles now, but will he be the one feeling the DOOM~ after facing the Commander of the Skies?

8 Man Tag: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners VS Rosario Grillo, Colby Carter & The Stew Crew!

The Wrestler is back in action, and he’s teaming up with the ROH World TV Champion and the Youngest Men Alive! Will they all be rolling into episode 100 and beyond?

The teams sort out and Shibata starts against Grillo. The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Shibata and Grillo circle, the fans rally for Shibata, and the two tie up. They go around, Grillo wrenches, and he talks some smack. But Shibata wrenches back! Shibata puts Grillo on ropes, the ref counts the break, but Shibata CHOPS! And CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Shibata says one more time, and he CHOPS! Tag to Komander, he and Shibata double whip. Shibata drops down, Komander DROPKICKS Grillo! Grillo scrambles to tag in “Twisted Steel,” Dylan Stewart. Dylan is the shorter of the Stewart Brothers, only because Zach is 6’5″.

Dylan and Komander circle, then Dylan takes a swing. Komander dodges, scoops, but Dylan slips free to shove Komander. Komander springboards to CROSSBODY, but Dylan catches him! Dylan throws Komander but Komander lands on his feet. Komander knuckle locks, CHOPS, then goes up, up, jumps around and around, and the fans fire up for the FLYING RANA! Komander keeps going, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll and FACEBUSTER! Then a basement DROPKICK! Komander wrenches Dylan, winds up, and he tags in Turbo Floyd! The fans fire up as Turbo wrenches and headlocks Dylan.

Dylan pulls Turbo’s hair, puts him in a corner, but the ref reprimands. Dylan lets off, but he throws a body shot! Dylan takes another shot but Turbo dodges! Turbo winds up, and flexes! The fans cheer, Dylan swings, but into a BIG atomic drop! Tag to Truth, the Outrunners whip and DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Dylan staggers while The Outrunners flex! Colby runs in, but into a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! The Outrunners have Colby and Dylan in opposite corners, and they storm up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and The Outrunners go to nine, wind up, and TEN! The fans fire up as The Outrunners headlock Dylan and Colby.

The Outrunners run to each other, MEETING OF THE MINDS! The fans cheer while The Outrunners spin! Truth drags Dylan up, but Dylan powers him to the corner! “Silverback” Zach tags in, and Dylan sends him in for a SPLASH! Zach roars, then he CHOKES Truth in the ropes! The ref counts, Zach backs off, then he tags in Grillo. They stomp away on Truth, the fans rally up, but Grillo tags Dylan. Dylan stomps Truth, throws some hands, then tags Colby. Dylan and Colby mug Truth, then let off as the ref reprimands. The fans boo Colby while he taunts Truth’s team. But Truth fights against the others!

Colby kicks low, headlocks Truth, then shifts to a SLEEPER! Colby leans on the hold but Truth endures. The fans rally up, Truth fights to his feet, and Truth fires body shots! Truth reaches out, but Colby keeps him from Turbo! Colby then short arm LARIATS! The fans boo but Colby soaks up the heat. Colby runs, but Truth avoids the knee drop! Colby flounders, tag to Grillo! Grillo runs but Truth dodges! Zach runs in, Truth DUMPS him out! Dylan whips but Truth reverses to TOSS him! Grillo DECKS Truth! Grillo then winds up, but Turbo blocks the sucker punch! Turbo ROCKS Grillo, and Truth BACKDROPS him!

The fans fire up as Truth crawls, hot tag to Turbo! The fans fire up more as Turbo rallies on Grillo with haymaker after haymaker! Then a scoop SLAM! Grillo staggers back up, into another scoop SLAM! Turbo looks around, Colby runs up, but into a scoop and SLAM! Dylan storms in, but into a scoop SLAM! Zach is in, he’s a big guy! Treuth helps for the SLAM! The fans fire up as Truth then feeds Grillo to Turbo’s ELBOW! Then the Outrunners wind up… “Turbo Floyd! You sonovabi*ch!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP on Grillo! Then tag to Shibata! The fans fire up again as Shibata whips and BOOTS Grillo in the corner!

Shibata fires a flurry of forearms, he sits Grillo down, then he runs corner to corner and back again. HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! SNAP HALF HATCH! Cover, Colby breaks it! So Truth swings! Colby dodges, Turbo scoops! TOTAL RECALL for Colby! SAIDO for Grillo! Komander goes up, and he gives Grillo CIELITO LINDO! Shibata keeps The Stew Crew out, then PENALTY KICKS Grillo! Cover, Shibata’s team wins!

Winners: Katsuyori Shibata, Komander & The Outrunners, by pinfall

An eclectic combination, but a victorious one as well! Shibata and team show respect to each other with handshakes and bows, will all these men be part of the revolution in the New Year?

Shane Taylor speaks.

“Whoever, wherever, whenever. That is the motto of Shane Taylor Promotions. Where I’m from, winning a fight had to be definitive. There was no time limit, there were no disqualifications, there was no bell, and there damn sure wasn’t a referee to come save you. A fight wasn’t over until somebody didn’t wanna fight anymore. A fight wasn’t over until somebody couldn’t fight anymore. A fight wasn’t over until somebody was either knocked out, choked out, or chalked out. It’s a new era in the professional wrestling industry: my era. It is the Era of Shane Taylor Promotions. Win a match if you can. But you damn sure won’t win the fight. Rumble, bad man, rumble.”

The Beast Mortos VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes!

La Faccion Ingobernable as been conspicuous by their absence, but the menacing minotaur is continuing on no matter what. But then “Smart” Mark Sterling cuts Bobby Cruise off and tells him to “hit the bricks.” Sterling handles the introductions as everyone knows this is Tony Nese and they are The Premier Athletes. “And folks, we’ve been sick and tired of every town messing up our mojo by doing the incorrect pregame cheer. So I told the guys we’re not even gonna give the people of Athens the opportunity! But Josh said, ‘Surely they can read what’s on our shirts.’ So we’re gonna give you one chance. When I say, ‘Athletes,’ you say, ‘Rule.’ NOTHING ELSE!

“Hands in, boys. Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” The fans get the better of Mark again, but will Mortos take everything Nese has and eat it for lunch?

The fans rally for “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” Sterling and the guys try to get an “Athletes! Athletes!” chant going, but the fans boo. The Code of Honor is hesitantly kept, and the bell rings. Mortos and Nese circle, then tie up. Mortos powers Nese to a corner, the ref counts, and Mortos lets off. Then he SMACKS Nese! Nese is mad and says Mortos is an animal! Mortos snarls and the two circle again. Nese and Mortos circle, Nese dodges and throat chops! The ref reprimands but Nese kicks low. Nese tries to pretend the “BEAST! BEAST! BEAST!” chants are really “NESE! NESE! NESE!” chants but the fans boo.

Nese CHOPS Mortos, has Daivari & Woods put their hands in, “Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Nese scowls, then headlocks Mortos. Mortos powers out, Nese RAMS him, but Mortos stays up! Nese runs again, RAMS Mortos again, but Mortos just roars! Nese revs up, but he kicks low! Nese fires haymakers, then whips, but Mortos reverses. Mortos CLOBBERS Nese! Then CLOBBERS him again! And again! The fans fire up for Mortos, and he stomps around. Nese goes to a corner, Sterling panics, but Nese throat chops Mortos again! Nese runs with Mortos for the BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Nese hurries up top, leaps, but Mortos deflects the crossbody!

Mortos scoops Nese, brings him around, but Nese slips free! Nese SOBATS, KNEE LIFTS, then runs. Mortos follows, rolls off Nese’s back,a dn SOBATS< KNEES and ELBOWS Nese! Snapmare and NECK TWIST! Nese staggers up, into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Mortos goes to a corner. Mortos makes sure Nese is in the drop zone, then he climbs up. But The Athletes drag Nese out of the ring! The fans boo but Mortos builds speed! TORNILLO TOPE! Direct hit on all three Premier Athletes! The fans fire up and Mortos roars! Mortos then spots Sterling, and Sterling has a chair!

Sterling backs off while apologizing, and Mortos SMACKS Nese! Mortos brings Nese around, pushes him into the barrier, then CHOPS! Mortos winds up to SMACK Nese! The fans fire up with Mortos again, and he drags Nese up. Mortos whips Nese hard into the steel steps! Sterling protests, but Mortos storms over again. Sterling hides behind Woods so Mortos goes back for Nese. Mortos puts Nese in, but Woods creeps up! Mortos steps to Woods, but he avoids Nese’s plancha! Nese lands safe, cartwheels around Mortos and SUPERKICKS him down! The fans boo but Nese says last chance! “Ohhhh…! ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!”

Woods gets frustrated with the fans, but Nese stomps Mortos. Nese puts Mortos in the ring, then he storms into the ring. The fans chant ‘Athletes Suck!” on their own while Nese CHOPS Mortos to a corner. Nese whips Mortos corner to corner, then runs up, but Mortos dodges! Nese hits buckles, Mortos UPPERCUTS, LARIATS, and GAMANGIRIS! Nese staggers around and the fans fire up with Mortos. Mortos whips Nese, Nese grabs ropes! Mortos runs up but Nese DUMPS Mortos out! Mortos tumbles to the apron then the floor, and Nese argues with the ref so the Premier Athletes can mug Mortos!

The fans boo but Sterling and the boys get away with that one. Nese soaks up the heat, then goes to fetch Mortos. Nese drags Mortos up, scuffs him, but Mortos shoves Nese. Nese kicks low, then says if the fans want tables, here we go! Nese reels Mortos in, only to send him into the ring! Nese tells the fans can shove it, then he covers. TWO! Mortos is still in this, so Nese stays on him with a chinlock. Mortos fights up as the fans rally, and he fires body shots! Then he UPPERCUTS! Mortos fires back up, he runs, but Nese trips him! The fans boo again but Sterling and the boys applaud. Nese goes in, PREMIER FLOP as Mortos moves!

Mortos runs to SLING-DOG! And tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! And then another BACKBREAKER! Nese staggers around, into the torture rack! The fans fire up for the BEAST BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives Mortos’s vicious hattrick, but the fans rally up again. Mortos drags Nese up, but Nese fights the suplex! Nese fires body shots, but Mortos SMACKS him again! Mortos fires forearms, then rears back, but Nese CLAWS the eyes! Nese winds up, but Mortos HEADBUTTS him! Mortos powers up, runs, but Woods & Daivari trip him up! The ref has had enough, he EJECTS The Premier Athletes!

The fans fire up while Woods, Daivari & Sterling throw a fit! Sterling gets on the apron to shout at the ref, but Mortos grabs Sterling! Nese rolls Mortos up, TWO! Mortos blocks a lariat, and he LARIATS Nese inside-out! Cover, TWO?! Nese survives but Mortos roars! Scoop and PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Mortos wins!

Winner: The Beast Mortos, by pinfall

The Minotaur Driver finally puts this one away, and Mortos is back on a winning track! Will he storm up on whoever is champion after ROH Honor Club Episode 100?

MXM Collection speaks.

Well first, they slow clap. Then they POSE! Mansoor congratulates Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara on their successful title defense in the Tokyo Dome. Mason Madden says, “Congratulations is right. But the only dome you boys should be receiving is from us! When we clack your domes together!” Mansoor says that is right! MXM has run through the Runway of Honor so long now, racking up the wins, and they are finally making a claim on those ROH World Tag Team Championships! The Sons of Texas fancy themselves a couple of tough guys, from Texas Death to Texas Bull Ropes.

MXM knows how to get hardcore! And they know how to get tied up! Time for the sun to set on the Sons of Texas, and it is time for the MXM Collection to upgrade their hardware. They clack belt buckles on the belts they’re wearing, and then Mansoor claims those belts are coming to them. And MXM is deafly serious! They take off their sunglasses to reveal their eyelash extensions… Will The Iron Chic & Mahogany Hunk take a deep breath and take those titles from The Natural & The Spanish God?

ROH catches up with the Athena World Tour.

Though she fell short in the International Women’s Cup Fatal 4 Way, the Fallen Goddess did settle the score with “War B*tch” Thekla in a defense of the ROH Women’s World Championship. The Minion Overlord overcame Thekla and her entire faction of HATE to win in Korakuen Hall. Athena addressed the crowd by saying it was always her dream to compete in Japan, and it was a dream fulfilled. Athena told the fans “Arigatogozaimasu! <Thank you very much!>” Will the Athena World Tour continue to make stop after stop and defeat opponent after opponent?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground match: Red Velvet VS Angelica Risk!

While The Chef is leaving Leyla Hirsch on the waiting list, she’s still stepping onto the Proving Ground against whoever wants it. Will Velvet continue to avoid her LEGIT rival? Or will she regret taking on this Risk instead?

The Code of Honor is upheld with some arrogance on Velvet’s part, but Risk makes her look her in the eye! The bell rings, Velvet pushes Risk back and says not to get attitude like that. The two talk smack, but we’re on the clock. The two feel things out, but then Velvet dodges Risk. Velvet pushes Risk and Risk says okay, Velvet thinks she’s loca. Velvet says Risk didn’t beat her four years ago, she won’t beat her now. Risk says she about to whoop Velvet all over Athens! But then Velvet dodges again and says she’s too smart. Risk says Velvet’s a dumbo, but Velvet pie faces her! Risk SLAPS Velvet and knocks her down!

Risk mockingly asks if she got Velvet in that “ugly mug” of hers, then laughs. The fans boo Risk as she eggs Velvet on. Velvet stands, Risk twerks at her, but Velvet runs up! Risk dodges to hip toss! And arm-drag! Risk runs and CROSSBODIES! Risk rains down fists, then lets off. Risk says Velvet’s about to get that spice! Risk CHOPS Velvet on the back! Velvet is in the ropes, but Risk goes to the apron. Risk headlocks Velvet, and she twerk attacks! Risk HIP ATTACKS, then tells Velvet to kiss this. Risk steps into the ring, builds speed, and she slides, but into the apron skirt! Velvet fires off fists and the fans fire up!

Velvet steps on Risk to go up to the apron! The fans cheer Velvet on as she then CLUBS Risk! Velvet follows Risk around the way, then brings her to barriers, for a DOUBLE CHOP! The fans cheer while Velvet gets a taste. Velvet then CHOPS Risk again! Risk turns things around to DOUBLE CHOP back! And DOUBLE CHOPS again! And then SLAPS Velvet! They scrap, Velvet knees low, but Risk blocks the apron bump! Risk elbows Velvet and gives her the apron bump! Velvet flounders in, Risk storms up on her, but Velvet YANKS her into ropes! Velvet then runs to DOUBLE KNEE Risk in the ropes!

The fans fire up as Velvet yanks Risk back, and she rains down furious fists! Velvet covers, TWO! Risk stays in this but Velvet stays on her. Velvet pulls hair, and she bumps Risk off buckles. Velvet fires a BODY BLOW, then mocks the count. Velvet BODY BLOWS again, soaks up heat from the fans, then digs her boot in! The ref counts, Velvet steps off at 4, and she soaks up more heat. Velvet drags Risk up to snapmare and KICKS! Risk writhes but Velvet pushes her to a cover, TWO! Risk toughs it out but Velvet clamps on a chinlock. Risk endures, pries at the hold, but Velvet holds on tight. The fans rally, Risk stands, and Risk fires body shots.

Risk JAWBREAKERS free, then dodges Velvet to come back and LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Risk then dodges Velvet for a COPE-A-SETIC! The fans fire up with Risk, “505!” Risk runs to hit the TIGER FEINT! Velvet staggers, Risk TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Velvet survives, but Risk gets mad. Risk reels Velvet in for a dragon sleeper, but Velvet CLAWS Risk’s eyes! Velvet winds up, and she DECKS Risk with that left! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (denies Angelica Risk a title match)

Velvet’s left hand was the cherry on top, she gets to taste sweet victory. But will she continue on this hot streak? Or will she run out of challengers and have to have her just desserts with Leyla?

ROH Rewind – ROH TV Episode 1: Mark Briscoe VS Slim J w/ Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling!

Here on Episode 99, we look back to the return of ROH TV here on Honor Club! The opening match was the Sussex County Chicken taking on The Trustbuster’s Real One to kick off the new era of honor!

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

A great look back at the first episode, and it’s been a great two years since! What new heights will episode 100 bring? Will all of ROH #ReachForTheSky?

8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J VS The Dark Order, Serpentico & Beefcake Boulder!

As the man himself said, this new era in ROH is The Shane Taylor Promotion Era! Lee Moriarty has the ROH Pure Championship, will this win bring Shane, Big Shotty & The Judge that much closer to their own golden opportunities? Or can Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds, SNAKEMAN and an Iron Savage be a major roadblock?

Serpentico throws his shirt at The Infantry, they get mad, but then Boulder stands in their way. So Shawn Dean throws Reynolds’ jacket down as payback. The teams sort out and Lee starts against Reynolds. They keep the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally up, the two circle, and they knuckle lock. Lee grabs a leg, Reynolds counters with a facelock, but Lee slips out to facelock back. Reynolds fights up, wrenches out, and he wrangles Lee. Lee rolls, goes for the arm, but Reynolds rolls. They end up on ropes, the ref counts, and then the ref has to get in between them. Lee backs off, but then he whips Reynolds!

Reynolds sunset flips, Lee stays up and steps over to turn Reynolds around, LA CACITA! TWO, Reynolds fakes high, then catches Lee as he goes low! Reynolds spins Lee around to a backslide, TWO! Lee stands, Reynolds whips, but Lee avoids the dropkick! But then Reynolds avoids the Penalty Kick! Reynolds O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Lee has the O’Conner, TWO! Reynolds has a GEDO CLUTCH! TWO! Lee spins, Reynolds ducks! Reynolds spins, Lee ducks! The two back off and the fans cheer! Reynolds says he wants that Pure title! Dean says smack Reynolds for that! Lee instead tags out to Lee. Johnson, that is.

Reynolds tags out to Uno and the fans cheer. Uno circles with Big Shotty while Carlie Bravo says Johnson’s so handsome. Uno offers a handshake, but Lee kicks low! Lee talks trash, headlocks, but Uno powers up and out! Lee comes back and RAMS Uno, but Uno rebounds to CLOBBER Lee! Things keep moving, Uno catches Lee for an atomic drop! Uno calls to the corner, Reynolds and Serpentico get their boots up! Boulder holds those in place, and Uno brings Lee in to bump him off boots! The fans cheer and Uno tags Reynolds. JAWBREAKER, then BACKBREAKER, then feed to a DDT! Cover, ONE!!

Reynolds stays on Johnson, tags Serpentico, and Serpentico climbs. The fans fire up for the DOUBLE STOMPS to the arm! Roll-up, roll through, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Serpentico brings Lee up, dodges a lariat, and UPPERCUTS! Serpentico snap suplexes Lee into the drop zone, then he climbs! The fans rally as Serpentico climbs, and he builds up the energy, but Lee moves! Serpentico handsprings through the stomps to UPPERCUT again! Serpentico runs, Lee distracts the ref, and EJ DUMPS Serpentico out! EJ then gives Serpentico SNAKE EYES off the apron, THROWS him into railing, then pushes him into the ring.

Big Shotty storms over, tags in The Judge, and #LEE-J sends Serpentico into the corner. EJ RAMS in, Lee CHOP LARIATS, then he feeds Serpentico to EJ’s SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! EJ drags Serpentico up, bumps him off buckles, then he steps on Serpentico. The ref counts, EJ lets off to taunt Uno, and Shane digs his boot in! The fans boo but EJ storms up to stand Serpentico up. EJ fires a BODY SHOT, then he tags in Shane. Big Bad Shaney T. taunts Serpentico’s team, but Serpentico fires hands and CHOPS! Shane short arm LARIATS! Shane stands Serpentico up, scoops him, and SLAMS him down!

Shane runs up to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Serpentico survives but Shane drags him back up. Shane puts Serpentico in the corner, tags Shotty, and he stomps Serpentico. Lee suplexes, covers, TWO! Lee clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Serpentico down. Serpentico endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Serpentico JAWBREAKERS free, dodges Lee, then FLATLINERS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Serpentico and Shotty crawl, but then The Infantry YANK The Dark Order down! Serpentico still hot tags Boulder! The fans fire up as the Beefcake DOUBLE LARIATS the Lees!

Boulder scoops Johnson to SLAM! Then a scoop for Moriarty, and SLAM! The fans fire up as Boulder then SPLASHES Johnson, SPLASHES Moriarty, and then sends Moriarty into Johnson! Boulder fires up, the fans are with him, and Boulder runs corner to corner for a DOUBLE SPLASH! Boulder isn’t done with the Lees as he fireman’s carries Moriarty. Johnson goes up, leaps, but Boulder catches him! Boulder has both Lees, and he FALL AWAY SLAM SAMOAN DROP COMBOS!! The fans fire up more, but Johnson tags in Shane! The fans fire up as we see the “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” meet again!

Serpentico storms in to back Boulder up! The fans are torn, but Serpentico dares Shane to hit him. Shane CHOPS! Serpentico staggers away, Boulder grabs Shane! Shane breaks free, bobs ‘n’ weaves, then HEADBUTTS! Shane runs, but Boulder SCOOPS Shane!! The fans go nuts for the POWERSLAM! Cover, the Lees break it! Reynolds drags Johnson out, but Moriarty gets away. Moriarty is back at the corner, hot tags to Moriarty and Serpentico! The fans fire up as Serpentico dodges, mule kicks, and forearms! SUPERKICK and a run, but into a BOOT! Reynolds is back and he eggs Lee on! They brawl and the fans fire up!

Lee kicks a leg, then spins, but into a wrench and spin! Reynolds swings, but into a takedown! BORDER CITY STRETCH! Reynolds flips it over into an ANACONDA VICE! EJ drags Reynolds off of Lee, then hoists him up with both hands! Reynolds CLAWS the eyes, then he fires forearms! EJ shoves Reynolds, Reynolds dodges, but EJ FLYING SHOUDLER TACKLES! Uno is in, “STOP!” EJ says no, so Uno DUMPS him out! Uno SHOTGUNS EJ off the apron, but Shane storms in! Uno kicks, Shane blocks it, and Shane KNEES Uno down! Boulder is back, the DOUBLE LARIATS collide! The straps come down and more LARIATS collide!

The fans fire up as both big men run, DOUBLE LARIATS take them down! The fans are thunderous as Serpentico and Johnson each go up a corner! They say bet, and they MIRROR FROG SPLASH! Serpentico and Johnson stand up, and they start firing forearms! The fans fire up, Johnson fires a flurry then whips Serpentico to a corner. Serpentico BOOTS back, goes up, and he RANAS Johnson! Johnson is up to SUPERKICK! Johnson runs, into a SUPERKICK! Serpentico runs, and he hits a CUTTER! But the ref reminds Serpentico, that’s not the legal Lee! Then where’d Moriarty go?

Johnson argues with the ref, he’s still Lee! No, the ref said legal! But EJ grabs Serpentico by the throat! Only for Uno & Reynolds to YANK EJ down! Serpentico TOSSES Johnson out onto everyone!! But Lee Moriarty returns and he CLOBBERS Serpentico! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Serpentico TAPS, STP & LEE-J win!

Winners: Shane Taylor Promotions & LEE-J, by submission

#TAIGASTYLE gets the drop on SNAKEMAN, and perhaps this alliance of STP & LEE-J can be a full partnership. Is this truly the Shane Taylor Promotions Era?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH, especially with it at about an hour and 11 minutes. Again, that’s actually less because of the ROH Rewind. A great choice to go with something from Episode 1 as we’re about to hit Episode 100 of this new “Under Tony Khan” ROH. However, they advertised an update on the “Athena World Tour,” but it wasn’t even anything new, it was just footage courtesy of Stardom. I was hoping she’d have a quick video message meant specifically for the ROH fans, or even a message Billie Starkz would be forced to read in Athena’s place per being Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths. Honestly, I hope we get a proper return from Athena next week on episode 100.

Speaking of, I blanked on how they “planned” on making QT VS Komander for tonight’s episode but good move on them kayfabing the move to episode 100. Good promo from QT to introduce that, and he’ll have a great match with Komander. Speaking of, good adjustment of putting Komander, The Outrunners & Shibata together in a match against I would think the four guys they were going to face anyway. Good showing from Grillo, Colby & “The Stew Crew,” but of course they took the loss. And also good win for Blake Christian, I hope he keeps his win streak going so he can take Komander on for the title.

Mortos VS Nese was great stuff, even The Premier Athletes insisting on the “Athletes Rock!” stuff. Great win for Mortos, but it just occurred to me that once again, Tony Khan has let La Faccion Ingobernable go ice cold. Mortos is the only one of them we see do anything, and he was losing all over the C2. I don’t even know why LFI disappeared again, other than TK is just too focused on Death Riders, Learning Tree, Rated FTR, Don Callis Family, The Hurt Syndicate, and everything else without even properly integrating everything into the “Death Riders want to wake up the AEW roster.” Why not give us some LFI VS Death Riders? Rush VS Moxley could tear it up.

Very good Proving Ground match but of course Velvet won. Risk sure talks a lot of smack, and I almost thought they were going to push this to like the two minute warning. But Velvet is going to be rolling until Leyla Hirsch comes back around and they have their rematch. And a very good 8 Man Tag with STP & LEE-J making a great combination against a rather interesting combination. 11 minutes as a main event match wasn’t much but it was rather hectic, and good win for the Heels. With Lee Johnson resisting the STP recruiting months ago, they could use this to make up for that dropped story. LEE-J joining as a way to also go for the ROH World Six Man titles could be good stuff. They might have to wait until they’re back in Texas, though, since the Von Erichs seem to stay local.