There can only be ONE #1 contender!

Samoa Joe is ready to go All In, but he still must defend his ROH World Television Championship. Who wins the tournament to be his next challenger?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Dalton Castle w/ “The Baby Chicks” VS Slim J; Castle wins.
• The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson VS Lucky Ali & Brady Pierce; The Iron Savages win.
• The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Zicky Dice & Movie Myk; The Infantry wins.
• Lee Moriarty VS Andrew Everett; Moriarty wins.
• Tony Nese w/ The Varsity Athletes VS Pat Buck; Nese wins.
• ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena VS Rachael Ellering; Athena wins and denies Rachael a title match.
• High Stakes Tag: The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS The Workhorsemen; The Gates of Agony win and deny The Workhorsemen an ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championship opportunity.
• Leyla Hirsch VS Angelica Risk; Leyla wins.
• Cole Karter VS Rhett Titus; Karter wins.
• Robyn Renegade w/ Charlette Renegade VS Billie Starkz; Billie wins.
• ROH World Television Championship Eliminator Tournament Finals: Gravity VS Shane Taylor; Shane wins and will challenge Samoa Joe for the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dalton Castle w/ “The Baby Chicks” VS Slim J!

The Peacock is without his Boys, Brandon & Brent Tate, because one, they got pulverized by The Gates of Agony last week, and two, they need to be at their best for their match with Samoa Joe next week. But that’s alright, Castle brings FOUR boys with him now to make up for it! Will Castle still keep up the momentum as the true star of ROH Television?

There’s a bit of trash talk, but the Code of Honor is still upheld, though Slim is reluctant. The bell rings, the two tie up and Castle smothers Slim to then waistlock and SLAM! Fans rally and Castle waistlocks again, and he SLAMS Slim again! Castle waistlocks, and he gator rolls Slim around. Slim scrambles to the ropes, then ELBOWS Castle away! Castle runs in but Slim kicks low and RANAS him away! Castle flounders, Slim DROPKICKS him down! Fans boo but Slim soaks it up. Slim drags Castle up, but Castle scoops Slim! Slim claws Castle’s eyes! Fans boo but Slim grins, then he CLUBS Castle on the back!

Slim throws hands, but Castle ROCKS him in return! Castle ROCKS Slim again, then JABS! Castle puts Slim in a corner to UPPERCUT! Castle whips corner to corner, Castle runs in, but Slim dodges! Slim dodges again, goes up, and goes around to FLYING SCREW KICK! Fans fire up for the show of agility, and Slim rips his shirt! Slim goes after Castle and he rains down fists! Slim wants to use his ripped up shirt on Castle but the ref confiscates that. Slim CHOKES Castle with his bare hands! Castle shoves Slim away but Slim dropkicks the legs out! Slim “rides the pony” and then hits a STANDING MOONSAULT! No cover, Slim goes to the chinlock!

Fans rally as Castle fights up, but Slim wrangles Castle down! Slim keeps on the chinlock, then shifts to an armlock. Slim talks trash, throws hands, but Castle CHOPS! They fire shots back and forth, Slim springboards, but into BANGA- NO, Slim grabs ropes in time! Slim escapes to the apron, RAMS into Castle, then goes up the corner. But Castle kicks the legs out! Slim is stuck, Castle goes out to the apron and runs in, to KNEE Slim to the floor! Fans fire up and Castle fetches Slim into the ring. Castle picks Slim up, and gives him an EXPLODER! Fans fire up and Castle stalks Slim to ropes. And then picks him up, for another EXPLODER!

Fans fire up for Castle as he storms up on Slim again, to shove, clinch, and pop up to an Alabama Lift! BANGAAAAAARANG!! Cover, Castle wins!

Winner: Dalton Castle, by pinfall

The Peacock put some extra rotations on that one to make a point! While someone else gets their shot at Samoa Joe first, will Castle build momentum and be unstoppable going towards the TV title?

Backstage interview with Tony Nese & Mark Sterling.

Lexi Nair is with The Premier Athlete & Smart Mark and brings up that later tonight, Tony Nese takes on Pat Buck here on ROH. Mark has bad news: they are NOT having the match. Nese says that isn’t so bad, though. For the people of South Carolina, this is good news. The second Nese stepped off the plan, he thought he was at a Jabba the Hutt convention! He asked a local where the nearest health food store was, and the guy led Nese to a damn Waffle House! This place doesn’t need wrestling, it needs an intervention! Mark says this place has an obesity epidemic. And Nese is not going to sit on his butt and let that happen. Instead of a match, it will be GROUP TRAINING!

And Lexi, you should join in. You could use it. Wow, okay. Nese & Mark head out, will Pat Buck have something to say about this supposed change of plans?

The Iron Savages w/ Jacked Jameson VS Lucky Ali & Brady Pierce!

The beefy ‘n’ bulky, jacked ‘n’ juice Bronson & Boulder have come close to winning the Six Man Tag AND the World Tag Team Championships, but those defeats aren’t slowing them down! Will everyone soon be sippin’ the Savage Sauce?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but Bronson’s grip is rough! Ali gets away, the bell rings, and Bronson ties up with Ali. Bronson shoves Ali down, flexes, and Ali scrambles to the corner. Pierce coaches Ali up and he storms up to Bronson. They tie up, Ali headlocks, but Bronson powers out. Ali hurdles, but Bronson scoops! Ali slips free, throat chops, then gets around to REVERSE JAWBREAKER! Well, guess that makes it a neckbreaker? Well, Ali turns Bronson around, but Bronson powers out of the normal neckbreaker to POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Bronson has a sip of the sauce! Bronson shouts “I’M GONNA BUST!”

Bronson fires off haymakers and body shots in the corner, then UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up with Bronson and he drags Ali to bump him off buckles. Tag to Boulder, he whips Bronson in to SPLASH! Then feed to a back drop! Ali writhes and Boulder flexes. Pierce tags in and storms up to Boulder. Pierce dodges a haymaker, headlocks, but Boulder powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Pierce staggers back. Boulder flexes, but Pierce pie faces him! Boulder wags his finger, swings, but Pierce dodges to ROCK- Er, maybe not! Boulder takes that haymaker and then trophy lifts Pierce! But Pierce fights free!

Pierce kicks a leg out, runs, Ali tags in, Boulder scoops Pierce but Ali runs in! But Boulder catches him, too! SIDEWALK SCRAPBUSTER SLAM COMBO! Fans fire up and the straps come down! Bronson runs and Boulder gives him a boost to DIVE! Direct hit into Pierce at the ramp! Fans fire up again and Bronson hurries back up. Tag to Bronson, he goes up the corner, and Boulder has Ali in the drop zone! Fans fire up as Boulder stomps his way over, puts Bronson on his shoulders, SAVAGE SPLASH!! Cover, The Savages win!

Winners: The Iron Savages, by pinfall

Jameson celebrates with his guys, these hosses are back on the winning track! Will they get another shot at tag titles soon enough?

The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS Zicky Dice & Movie Myk!

Speaking of teams chasing the titles, Captain Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo are marching up the ranks one win at a time! Will tattoos and attitude see them through? Or will rolling The Dice and watching The Movie spoil things for them?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Dean starts against Myk. The fans rally up and the two circle. Myk tunes out the cheers for The Infantry, then he ties up with Dean. Myk wrenches, wristlocks, and CLUBS the arm. Dean rolls, kips up, and wrenches back! Dean has the wristlock, CLUBS the arm, and then hammerlocks to a headlock. Myk powers up and out, but Dean runs him over! Fans cheer as Dean salutes. Things speed up, Myk hurdles and says “End scene!” But he turns around and the “next” scene is an arm-drag from Dean! And then a dropkick! Myk staggers up, into another arm-drag!

Dean grinds Myk down, Myk fights up but Dean puts him in the corner. Tag to Bravo and he JABS! JABS! And ELBOWS! Bravo asks the ref to hold on, and then he ROCKS Myk! Bravo swaggers and runs back in, to juke, fake Myk out, and DECK him! Cover, TWO! Bravo brings Myk up but Myk RAMS him into the corner! And again! And again! Myk JABS, then tags to Dice. Dice CHOKES Bravo, then ROCKS him! Dice brings Bravo around, talks trash to Dean, and whips him. Bravo reverses but Dice goes up and over, tag to Myk and Dice RANAS Bravo into buckles! Myk KICKS Bravo out of the corner, and Dice brings him around.

Myk and Dice double back suplex, but Bravo lands out of it! Myk whips Dice in but Bravo goes up and over and around Myk, hot tag to Dean! The Captain rallies on Dice & Myk! Dice dodges, swings, misses, and Dean JABS! JABS! JABS! Salute and haymaker, but Dice dodges, only for the SOUTHPAW to send Dice out! Fans fire up as Dean watches Myk. Myk swings but Dean dodges and float-over DDTs! Fans fire up as Dean kips up! Time for #BootCamp! Tag to Bravo, Dean clinches and Bravo runs, BOOT RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, The Infantry wins!

Winners: The Infantry, by pinfall

Myk could not make it through Boot Camp, and now Dean & Bravo are one step closer! But with Aussie Open defending the tag titles at All In against MJF & Adam Cole, just who will The Infantry be aiming for?

Backstage interview with Leyla Hirsch.

Lexi is with LEGIT Leyla and says that ever since coming to ROH, Leyla has just dominated. What is her plan on continuing this momentum? Good question, glad you asked. Since coming to ROH, Leyla has LEGIT beaten every single person that has stepped to her. So what’s next? Well, that’s obvious. She wants her shot at the ROH Women’s World Championship! Athena has been very dominant, but- In steps Maria Kanellis-Bennett. The First Lady of Wrestling tells Leyla that she has been legit. And Maria has been very impressed. But Maria thinks Leyla still needs to build confidence. And she means that in a good way.

But right now, the more wins Leyla gets, the more confident and legit she will get. So she has her match tonight and Maria will be watching. Leyla is legit confused by Maria’s observation, will Maria see that confidence in action tonight?

Lee Moriarty VS Andrew Everett!

Big Bill has been hanging out with The Mogul Embassy, so #TAIGASTYLE is looking to sharpen his fangs in single competition. Will there be no denying Moriarty his shot at a title? Or will “The Apex of Agility” quickly rise up the ranks in his own right?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Lee headlocks. Lee grinds the hold, throws some quick shots, but Andrew powers up and out. Lee runs him over! Lee Heismans on him, things speed up, and Andrew hurdles, but Lee trips him to stomp a leg and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Lee CHOPS Andrew to a corner. Lee whips Andrew, Andrew goes up and out and shoulders into Lee! Andrew springboards, Lee gets under, but Andrew handsprings and comes back. Andrew sweeps the legs, handsprings, and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Andrew goes to a corner.

Andrew climbs, but Lee rolls away. Andrew hops down, dodges Lee and DROPKICKS! Lee goes to ropes, Andrew whips but Lee reverses, wrenches, and STOMPS the arm! Andrew goes to ropes but Lee clamps onto him! Lee wraps the arm around ropes and CLUBS away on Andrew! The ref counts, then backs Lee off. The ref and Lee argue and Lee apologizes. Lee brings Andrew around to HALF HATCH and BRIDGE! TWO! But Lee holds the bridge and shakes his head. Fans fire up and Lee storms up on Andrew again. Lee wrenches to snapmare and stand on the arm, to STOMP it! Andrew writhes to ropes but Lee stalks him.

Lee grabs the arm, brings Andrew up and wrenches again. Andrew ROCKS Lee with a forearm, but Lee wrenches again! Andrew throws another forearm, and another, and another! Lee holds onto the wrist to reel Andrew into a KNEE! Lee runs, but Andrew follows, springboards, QUEBRADA! Fans fire up and Andrew then dodges a clothesline to PELE! Fans fire up and Andrew suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Lee survives but Andrew brings him to a drop zone. Andrew goes up the corner, fans rally up, and Andrew SHOOTING STAR FLOPS as Lee moves! Lee runs in to LARIAT! Lee fires up and fans are torn!

Lee drags Andrew up, wrenches, Bow ‘n’ Arrow lift, SPIN OUT FACEBUSTER! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Andrew taps, Lee wins!

Winner: Lee Moriarty, by submission

Lee holds on to make Andrew suffer! And then he fakes Andrew out on the Code of Honor so he can take a victory lap. Everett wasn’t a mountain of a man but Lee still brought him crumbling down! Will Lee finally reach the summit and grab some gold?

Tony Nese w/ The Varsity Athletes VS Pat Buck!

“Smart” Mark has a mic to tell everyone to hold on. Because he knows everyone in the South has a hard time understanding the “eloquent” speech of those from New York, Sterling has advised his client to speak… very… slowly…! Nese has the mic to say “South Carolina, the least important of the Carolinas… I mean, it’s pretty sad when the healthiest choice in this town is a Waffle House!” Fans cheer for Waffle House and he says of course they would, you gluttons! Nese says this is the most energy they’ve all used over an entire month! Obesity is an epidemic, and Nese has found ground zero!

BUT, Nese will do them all a favor. Seeing as he is a personal trainer himself, he is going to get them all in the best shape of their lives, they’ll be the fittest persons walking the trailer park! So he decided to cancel his match and the rest of the show, so we can all do GROUP TRAINING! Stand up! Get off your lazy asses! Reach up and stretch as far as you can! Stretch those scrawny arms attached to those potato bodies! Now, let’s do some jumping jacks! Let’s see what you can do! Yes, good, now they’re moving. What is this? These are the sloppiest jumping jacks ever! But wait, here comes Pat Buck! Will the Premier Athlete fail to break the Man of Iron?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally for Pat and Waffle House, and one of those ties up with Nese. Nese waistlocks and SLAMS Pat down, then does push-ups. Fans boo but Pat just shakes his head. Pat and Nese circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Pat kicks, wrenches, trips Nese, and YANKS the leg! Fans fire up as Pat does push-ups! Nese is flustered and he decides to do more push-ups. Fans boo, but Pat decides to bring down the straps and do push-ups, too! But he avoids Nese’s cheap shot to trip him again! And then hip toss! Nese goes to a corner, Pat gets him for a MONKEY FLIP!

Nese flounders to a corner, Pat headlocks for a takeover! Fans fire up but Nese fights up. Fans chant “WE WANT WAFFLES!” but Nese powers out. Pat sees Mark there and stops himself, and he kicks at Mark. Mark backs off, but Pat turns around into a throat chop! Nese then hits a BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Pat sputters, Nese runs in to LARIAT! Cover, ONE!! Fans fire up but Nese tells the fatties to just go get their waffles. Nese drags Pat up and tosses him out, and then argues with the ref so Mark can stomp Pat! Fans boo that poor excuse for a lawyer and manager, but Nese stomps Pat at the ropes.

Pat goes to a corner, Nese reels him in and puts him up top. Nese has Pat in a Tree of Woe, and goes corner to corner, just to slide and do AB CRUNCH KICKS! Pat flops out of the corner, Nese dusts himself off, but Pat throws body shots! Pat UPPERCUTS, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Nese shoves Pat and ROCKS him with a forearm! Nese fireman’s carries, but Pat slips off! Nese holds ropes, breaks the grip and KICKS Pat in the face! Fans boo but Nese flexes. Nese PREMIER MOONSAULTS and still hits Pat as he moves! Nese grins as he predicted for the evasion. Cover, TWO!

Nese pushes Pat down to try again, but this time Pat gets away and the moonsault FLOPS! Fans fire up, Pat counter punches Nese again and again, then throws palm strike after palm strike! Pat whips, Nese reverses, but Pat SLAMS Nese down! SKY HIGH BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives and Pat snarls. Pat drags Nese up, reels him in, but Nese fights the lift! Nese wrenches, waistlocks, goes to a corner’, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Nese hits buckles! Pat runs in, but Nese blocks the flip to put Pat up top! Pat throws hands and sits back up. Pat ROCKS Nese, but Mark distracts again! Nese runs in, Pat goes up and over to roll Nese up!

Nese rolls through, to SOBAT! Pat ends up in the corner, Nese goes side to side! PREMIER KNEE!! Cover, Nese wins!

Winner: Tony Nese, by pinfall

No group training like Nese wanted, but no victory for Pat or the fans. Nese still shows respect with the Code of Honor, but will he flex his strength all the way to the top?

Backstage interview with The Workhorsemen.

Lexi is with JD Drake & Anthony Henry and since they’ve been in ROH, they’ve had great showings, just coming up short. Henry says it was “a little” short. No, okay, a lot of short. The Workhorsemen are entertaining, huh? So happy to be on your screens! But JD says the thing is, not only are the Workhorsemen a good team, they’re world class. Maybe even championship material! But Prince Nana comes in laughing. He wants the Workhorsemen to know he likes them, he just teases them. Kaun says the thing is, they’re just not worthy. Oh, not worthy? Well you’re worthy of catching these chops if you keep running your mouths.

Nana has them calm down. The Embassy just messes with you guys. So tonight, they can face Kaun & Liona. If they win, then they get a shot at the ROH World Six Man titles, with a partner of their choice! But listen, you have to win! Nana laughs his way out and Liona growls at them. JD says he’s gonna clobber that head off those shoulders if you think they’re scared. But fear has nothing to do with it. Can The Workhorsemen manage a huge victory here tonight?

ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground Match: Athena VS Rachael Ellering!

The Fallen Goddess is 34-0 in ROH, and seemingly unstoppable! But will that streak continue? Or will the Queen of Strong Smile have the last laugh?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally for Rachael. Athena is annoyed by that, fans do chant for her, and the two tie up. Rachael wrenches and wristlocks but Athena flips through, arm-drags, but Rachael drags her down! Athena moves around, stands up, wrenches and back drops, but Rachael sunset flips! Athena rolls through, leaps but Rachael ducks, only for Athena to roll through. Fans cheer and Athena pie faces Rachael and cheers herself. Fans are torn but Rachael storms up, blocks a lariat and LARIATS back! Then scoop SLAMS! Rachael runs to SENTON! Athena flounders to a corner but Rachael runs in to clothesline!

Rachael whips corner to corner, runs in again, for another clothesline! Athena blocks the whip by holding ropes, then she WRINGS Rachael into the ropes! Rachael checks her face but Athena bends her against ropes! Athena pulls hair, the ref counts, and Athena tells him to stop telling her what to do! Athena pulls Rachael through ropes, CLUBS away on her again and again, then KNEES her down! Athena waves then says neener-neener to the fans, and she stalks Rachael. Athena pie faces Rachael but the fans rally up. Athena talks trash, SLAPS Rachael, and then sets up, but Rachael rolls her up! TWO! Athena BOOTS Rachael down!

Athena sets up again, shimmies and shakes then STANDING MOONSAULTS but flops! Rachael ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat! Fans fire up, Rachael runs but Athena ROCKS her! Athena runs, Rachael runs in but Athena dumps her out! Athena builds speed and WRECKS Rachael with a dropkick! Athena goes out, drags Rachael up, and asks where HER rap is! A reference to Ian Riccaboni having fun with Willow Nightingale’s theme? Willow SMACKS Rachael off the desk! Athena drags Rachael back up, then RAMS her into railing! Rachael goes down in a heap and Athena shouts, “This is MY show!”

Athena storms up on Rachael but the fans rally up. Athena puts Rachael in, drags her up and cravats for a neck wrench. Fans rally, Rachael endures and fights her way up, but Athena wrangles her back down. Rachael throws elbows but Athena thrashes the hold! Rachael still fights up, but Athena shouts “I’M YOUR CHAMPION!!” But Rachael fights up to throw body shots! Rachael is free and she DECKS Athena! Rachael runs, SLIDING BOOT! Fans fire up as Rachael goes to the corner. Athena rises, runs in, but into a BOOT! Rachael runs to UPPERCUT! And then SLINGBLADE! Rachael whips and SCRAPBUSTERS!! Cover, TWO!!

Athena survives and Rachael can’t believe it! Fans fire up as Rachael resets and goes back to a corner. Rachael goes up as Athena rises. But Athena grabs the ref! Athena blocks Rachael’s boot and YANKS her down, then ENZIGURIS! Athena howls, goes up top, O-FACE!!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Rachael a title opportunity)

Athena beats Rachael with minutes to spare, and that is another one crossed off the list! Will anyone ever stop The Fallen Goddess? Will anyone survive these Proving Grounds?

High Stakes Tag: The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS The Workhorsemen!

We just heard how Nana made a deal with JD & Henry, but will Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona win their own gamble? Or will they end up owing a title shot to Scrap Metal and the Saint of Augusta?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Kaun starts with Henry. They circle, feel things out, and Kaun avoids the leg pick. They go again, Henry gets a leg but Kaun scoops and SLAMS! Henry avoids a stomp but Kaun still runs him over. Things speed up, Henry hurdles but Kaun blocks a kick! Henry fights the underhooks, back drops but Kaun sunset flips! Henry stays up to NECK TWIST! Fans fire up and Henry rolls Kaun up, TWO! Kaun swings, Henry dodges and DROPKICKS! Kaun stays up and Nana says to try again. Kaun tags Liona, and fans chant for “JD! JD!” JD tags in and fans fire up!

Liona and JD stare down and approach. Fans fire up as JD CHOPS! Liona doesn’t flinch!? Liona HEADBUTTS and JD staggers. JD comes back to HEADBUTT, but that hurts him more than it does Liona! Liona UPPERCUTS, but JD CHOPS! Liona roars, JD stomps toes and CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Liona powers JD back but Henry tags in. JD powers back to CHOP, then whips, but Liona blocks! Liona whips JD at Henry but JD helps Henry go to the top rope! Henry MISSILE DROPKICKS Liona but he stays standing! Henry kips up, Liona CLOBBERS him! Liona snarls, dares JD to step in, but has to settle for Henry.

Tag to Kaun and Liona CHOPS Henry! Henry pie faces Kaun but Kaun CLUBS him! Kaun CHOPS Henry, CHOPS again, but Henry SOBATS! Kaun ROCKS Henry again and again but Henry SOBATS again! Henry whips, Kaun blocks and CLUBS! Kaun and Henry clinch, Henry throws knees but again Kaun blocks a whip. henry CHOSP and CHOPS, then whips. Kaun reverses and Liona dumps Henry out! Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Liona drags Henry up to bring him around. JD storms up to stop Liona, and dodges, but Kaun CLOBBERS him! Kaun CHOPS Henry, then Liona HIP ATTACKS against the railings!

Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Nana says the Workhorsemen are playing with the wrong ones! A ring count starts, fans rally for JD, and both Workhorsemen stir at 4 of 20. Kaun wants it to go faster but we’re only at 8 of 20 as Henry crawls. Henry flounders up and in at 9! Kaun KICKS Henry, brings him around, and scoops to SLAM! Kaun stomps Henry, then tags Liona. Liona and Kaun trap Henry so they can RAM and CLUB him over and over! The ref counts, Liona lets off but distracts the ref so Kaun can CHOKE Henry! Kaun lets off, tags back in, and he brings Henry around to suplex, but Henry cradles! TWO!!

Kaun hurries to intercept Henry, but Henry LARIATS! Kaun stays up, to IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Or maybe Cameroon Curse? Cover, TWO! Kaun CLUBS Henry, tags in Liona, and Liona CHOPS! Henry staggers, throws hands, but Liona pushes him down and stomps him down! Liona drags Henry up to scoop and SLAM! Tag back to Kaun, Kaun drags Henry up to scoop and SLAM! Kaun runs, Liona tags in, Kaun SENTONS and Liona FLOPS as Henry moves! Fans fire up as Henry crawls, but Kaun BOOTS JD first! Liona scoops Henry to SLAM him, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO!!

Henry is still in this but Liona keeps Henry from JD. Liona whips Henry into the corner but Henry ELBOWS Kaun down! And then dodges the splash! Liona gets stuck, Henry crawls, but Kaun tags in to intercept! But Henry slips under! Kaun has a leg, ducks the enziguri but not the REWIND HEEL! Hot tag to JD! JD rallies on Kaun with LARIAT after LARIAT! And then an atomic drop, scoop and SLAM! FALLING HEADBUTT! Fans fire up with JD and he runs in at the corner to CHOP! Liona runs in but is sent into Kaun! JD dodges Liona, clotheslines Kaun, then sends Kaun into Liona to NECKBREAKER DDT COMBO!

JD SENTONS Liona, fires up and the fans fire up with him! Kaun runs in, JD dodges and scoops, SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kaun survives but JD drags him up! Tag to Henry and Nana panics! JD suplexes, Kaun slips out, Henry leaps over but into Kaun’s arms! Henry switches, shoves, Kaun returns but into a BOOT! JD runs in to clothesline Kaun up and out! Henry then goes outside to PENALTY KICK! But Liona grabs at Henry! Henry DOUBLE STOMPS him! And then holds the ropes open for JD to DIVE!! Direct hit and down go the Gates! JD puts Kaun in and fans lose their minds!

Henry is up top, he FROG SPLASHES! Cover, LIONA BREAKS IT! JD storms back in but Liona whips him away. JD holds ropes, then dumps Liona out! Kaun staggers up, Henry runs in but is put in the corner. Henry BOOTS Kaun into JD’s SPINEBUSTER! CATAPULT SUPERKICK, and Kaun is on JD’s knees! Kaun goes up, Nana panics, DIVING DOUBLE STOMP BACKBREAKER COMBO!! Cover, Nana helps Kaun with the ROPEBREAK! Henry is furious, but he tags JD back in. JD storms up on Kaun and drags him away. But Liona CLOBBERS Henry! JD goes up, MOONSAULT FLOPS!

Liona returns, and they OPEN THE GATES! Cover, The Gates of Agony win!

Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall

Well, JD & Henry, and whoever they were going to call upon, aren’t getting a title match. One way or another, the Embassy has been undefeated in ROH, will anyone stop them from taking over everything?

Backstage interview with Cole Karter.

Lexi brings up how last week, Maria Kanellis-Bennett was also watching his match. Why does he think that is? Well, Lexi, he feels that after all the success Maria has had in her own career, he thinks she likes him. Keep that between the three of them. Uh, yeah, sure. He has no way of knowing, but Karter is pretty sure Maria has the hots for him. But then Maria walks in. They say hi and she says it’s cute how he thinks she likes him. He’s like a little puppy. But um, she knows he has a match tonight. We’ll see what kind of position he’s in afterwards. Karter nods and grins, he’s probably expecting too much. But will he at least get another win tonight?

Leyla Hirsch VS Angelica Risk!

It’s time to get LEGIT! Leyla called out the ROH Women’s World Champion earlier, will she send an even louder message with yet another win? Or is she taking a risk with lucky number seven?

Risk says Leyla ain’t legit, but the Code of Honor is upheld all the same. And then Leyla wrangles Risk down! Risk gets free and fans rally up. Leyla and Risk go again, and Leyla RAMS Risk into the corner! The ref counts and Risk clubs away on Leyla but Leyla lets off at 4. Leyla then wraps an arm around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Leyla stomps the arm but lets off at 4. Risk staggers up but Leyla TOSSES her across the ring! Risk had a rough landing, Leyla puts her in another corner and CLUBS her! Maria appears on stage as Leyla keeps on Risk, and then Leyla TOSSES Risk across the way again!

Maria applauds while Leyla keeps on Risk. Leyla is distracted, though, and Risk fires off hands! But Leyla DECKS Risk! Leyla drags Risk to ropes, CHOKES her, pulls on the bad arm, but lets off as the ref counts. Leyla storms up to drag Risk around, and she suplexes. Risk cradles! TWO! Risk dodges Leyla, runs in and LARIATS! Risk says Leyla ain’t ish, then goes right up a corner. Risk leaps, but Leyla steps back and she FLOPS! Leyla says now who ain’t ish? RIPCORD SAIDO! And then, LEGIT ARMBAR!! Risk taps, Leyla wins!

Winner: Leyla Hirsch, by submission

Maria applauds again, Leyla may have also won Maria’s seal of approval. Is this the “confidence” Leyla needed to prove herself worthy of that title match?

Backstage interview with Athena.

Lexi commends the Fallen Goddess on her win tonight, and some have noticed she shouted, “This is MY show.” Is Athena petitioning to be the Face of ROH? Why is that a question? Athena is the most dominant champion in ROH history, so as far as she’s concerned, she is the TV Champion, the Tag Team Champions, the Six Man Champion, ALL the champions! And most of all, she is the Alpha, the Gatekeeper, the Joshi Killer! Put some respect on her name! But the way Lexi said that question, it just irritates her so much. Does Lexi not think this is her show? Try again, Lexi. “This is MY show. Don’t you agree?” Yes. Yes, of course.

Good, bestie! Now, here’s what happens on her show. Athena didn’t get to break Rachael cuz she ducked out. So she is gonna find someone else to break. Wanna come? No, Lexi has a thing later- Then cancel it. Let’s go! Athena brings Lexi along with her, just who will suffer The Fallen Goddess’ wrath?

Cole Karter VS Rhett Titus!

While Karter might be overestimating his value to Maria, he is at least more than two dimes. Will he feel like a million bucks after beating The Professional? Or will his stocks plummet after a defeat?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Titus hits a fireman’s carry takeover to an armlock. Karter fights up, wrenches, and hammerlocks, but Titus slips around to fireman’s carry takeover again! Karter fights up, wrenches and KNEES low! Fans boo as Karter whips Titus to a corner. Titus goes up and over and then MONKEY FLIPS Karter away! Fans fire up and Titus pushes Karter to a cover, TWO! Titus keeps on Karter with a facelock, but Karter fights up. Titus wrenches and whips, but Karter avoids the dropkick! Karter grins, whips Titus, and he DROPKICKS!

Fans boo but Karter just soaks it all up. Karter waves to Maria who is back on stage, tells her to call him, and then storms up to stomp away on Titus! The ref counts, Karter lets off, but then chinlocks. Titus endures but Karter pulls back on the hold. Fans rally, Titus fights up, and Titus powers out. Things speed up, Karter blocks hip toss to backslide but Titus rolls through and reels Karter in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Karter staggers up, swings, misses and Titus shoves to CLUB him in the back! Another shove, another shot to the back! And then a third! Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Titus then drags Karter up and whips him to a corner.

Titus runs in, whips corner to corner, and then whips again! Karter reverses, but Titus comes back to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Titus and Titus stalks Karter. Titus runs up, DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!! Karter survives Titus’ KO Dropkick, but Titus CLUBS away on an arm! Karter gets around, JUMP KNEE! Karter grins, Maria rolls her eyes, but Karter gets Titus up, CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, Karter wins!

Winner: Cole Karter, by pinfall

Maria applauds as Karter does get his win. Is Cole on his way to becoming diamonds?

Robyn Renegade w/ Charlette Renegade VS Billie Starkz!

The singles run for Robyn continues, but it is a long road to the top. Will the Renegades start taking over? Or will the Prodigy of Honor make her own path to a title match?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Robyn top wristlocks and pulls hair! The ref reprimands but Robyn wrenches. Billie spins through but Robyn wrenches again. Robyn taunts Billie, but Billie scowls. Billie rolls but Roby rolls with her, only for Billie to roll back and trip her! Billie taunts Robyn back, but Charlette taunts her. Billie storms up, Charlette gets away, and Robyn runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! Fans fire up and Billie taunts Charlette. Billie drags Robyn up to snap suplex! Billie goes up the corner, fans fire up, but Robyn runs in! Billie BOOTS her away, but Robyn distracts the ref and Charlette SHOVES Billie down!

Fans boo but Charlette gets away with it. Robyn stomps away on Billie, drags her up, and then whips her to a corner. Robyn runs in to DOUBLE KNEE, and then she SHOTGUNS Billie down! Robyn runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans boo but Robyn soaks it up. Robyn swaggers, drags Billie up, and she snapmares Billie to a cover, TWO! Robyn is annoyed but fans rally up for Billie. Robyn CHOKES Billie on the ropes! The ref counts, Robyn lets off, and she drags Billie up. Robyn cravats for a CRAVAT DRIVER! And then CAMEL CLUTCH! Robyn makes Billie smile with the fishhooks but the ref reprimands.

Robyn throws Billie down, then paces while she soaks up the heat. Robyn kicks Billie around in the corner and says she’s nothing. Robyn runs side to side, fakes the wash and SLAPS Billie instead! Fans boo but Billie stands up to kick. Robyn blocks so Billie SLAPS back! And ELBOWS! And BOOTS! Billie goes up, Robyn blocks boots but Billie rebounds to ENZIGURI! Billie runs in, slips around, and cravats for a KNEE SMASH and SOBAT! Then Gory Especial, GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Robyn survives and Billie grows frustrated but the fans fire up. Billie goes up the corner, leaps, but Robyn gets under!

Billie comes back, Robyn dodges, spins Billie, half nelson to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and now Robyn is frustrated! Robyn drags Billie up, fireman’s carries, but Billie fights free! Billie shoves Robyn away and goes to ropes. Robyn runs in but Billie dumps her out! Charlette hurries over, Billie builds speed! Billie DIVES and takes out both Renegades! Fans fire up with Billie and she puts Robyn back in. Billie goes up the corner again, Robyn is in the drop zone, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, BILLIE WINS!!

Winner: Billie Starkz, by pinfall

Even Billie is shocked! But Charlette SPEARS Billie and beats her down! The Renegades are sore losers as they beat Billie up! Fans boo as the Renegades take turns CLUBBING her! Then they throw her down! Wait, is that Athena? The Fallen Goddess said she wanted to break someone, so Robyn rushes out at her. Athena BOOTS her, then DECKS Charlette! But Athena isn’t here to save Billie, she is making her the target! Athena sits Billie up, fans boo, and Billie begs for mercy. Athena is a little conflicted, but she pushes Billie down and leaves. Athena is still a force to be reckoned with, but will Billie rise and meet her for that title one day?

Backstage interview with Josh Woods & Mark Sterling.

Lexi is with The Technical Beast and Smart Mark to bring up how Woods said things need to change. We all saw it, so Lexi just wants to say this is a safe space. Mark, the floor is yours. Mark tells Woods that he did hear that interview last week, and he does agree. Woods hasn’t found the success he has been hoping for since joining the Sterling stable, and Mark just wants Woods to know that right now, it’d be the biggest mistake to walk away from this. Woods says he is done with that “group training” joke. Woods was at his best when he was alone, that is how he even got to the ROH Pure Championship, and that is how he’ll get there again.

Mark says okay, that is what is right for Woods. No more Varsity Athletes and group training. From now on, it is Josh Woods, the Real Deal Fighter. But to get on that road, Woods needs some challengers. Mark knows Woods likes to fight, and Mark will get him a match. Next week, they’ll find him a real man. The last real man, even! Woods VS Silas Young! Good? Good. Then the match is to be made, will Silas prove Woods does NOT have the goods to be singles champion again?

ROH World Television Championship Eliminator Tournament Finals: Gravity VS Shane Taylor!

The Astronaut of Lucha already faced Samoa Joe in non-title competition a few weeks ago, and well, it didn’t go his way. But now he’s up against a former ROH World Television Champion in hopes of getting another shot at the current one. Will Gravity rise and have a shot at gold? Or will not even Gravity hold back Big Bad Shaney T?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Shane swings, Gravity dodges to waistlock. Shane is too big to lift so Gravity shoves him. Shane stops himself with ropes, Gravity runs in but Shane blocks the Monkey Flip! Gravity slips free, dodges a haymaker, then waistlocks again. Gravity rolls but he can’t drag Shane down, either! Gravity avoids the stomp, and the punch, and Shane clutches his hand. Gravity wags his finger but then Shane runs in. Gravity dodges, slides off Shane’s back, and then slow-motion space walks! Shane swings again, Gravity dodges and springboards, but Shane catches him!

Shane gives Gravity SNAKE EYES, swings, Gravity dodges but the SOUTHPAW hits! Cover, TWO!! Shane frowns and he sits Gravity up. Shane has the neck wrench and he leans on the hold. Gravity endures, fans rally up, and Gravity fights up. Gravity throws body shots, runs, but Shane scoops and SLAMS him! Gravity flops over, Shane talks trash, and Shane drags Gravity back up. Shane scoops, SLAMS, and looms over Gravity. Shane then runs to mock the space walk, and then grins. But Gravity avoids the leg drop! Gravity fires off haymakers, but Shane blocks the whip! Shane whips Gravity to a corner, runs in, but blocks boots!

Gravity elbows back, mule kicks from atop the ropes, then slingshots to RANA! Shane tumbles, fans rally up, and Gravity runs in, but into a knee! Shane whips Gravity to a corner, Gravity goes up and out and ROCKS Shane! Fans fire up with Gravity but Shane is too much to suplex! Shane suplexes Gravity instead, but Gravity swings to cradle! TWO!! Shane swings, Gravity gets around, swings and cradles again! TWO!! Shane escapes, goes to a corner, and Gravity runs in, into an URENAGE! Looked a lot like one Joe uses! Shane shakes out the stars, storms up on Gravity again, and drags him into a drop zone.

Shane goes up the corner, grins and then scowls as he aims, but Gravity SHORYUKENS! Gravity fires off forearms, then climbs up after him. Gravity fires off forearms, but Shane HEADBUTTS! And again! And again! Gravity drops back, but returns to SHORYUKEN again! Gravity climbs back up after Shane, and tries to fireman’s carry!? He manages it! And a SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Fans fire up for Gravity as he rises again! Gravity goes up the corner and SUPER PLANKING SPLASHES onto knees!! Shane hauls Gravity up, tucks him in, MARCUS GARVEY DRIVER!! Cover, Shane wins!

Winner: Shane Tayler, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the ROH World Television Championship)

That’s one bad man for taking down Gravity! This will be a battle that puts the Clash of Titans to shame! Shane warns Joe that he’s gonna knock him out! Will Shane back up those words and dethrone the One True King of Wrestling Television?

My Thoughts:

A pretty good episode for being an hour and 40 minutes, though it somehow still kinda dragged on. Really good opener with Castle beating Slim J though not having The Boys ringside. That works in story, though I wonder what state Brandon & Brent will be in for their tag match with Samoa Joe & Stokely Hathaway next week. Maybe Castle & The Boys can swerve Joe & Stokely into a false sense of security by having The Boys come out all bandaged up, only to reveal they’re just fine and they get the pin off Stokely to make Joe look like a dummy. At the same time, Shane winning the #1 contenders tournament makes a lot of sense to me, and Joe VS Shane is going to be awesome stuff. Stokely might very well have to get Joe outta that one like he did when Castle challenged for the belt.

Good sorta filler matches in the first half of the night, too. Iron Savages, Infantry and Lee Moriarty are all great talents, they definitely deserve some recognition. Good promo from Woods and Sterling to talk out this shift in creative rather than having Woods jumped out of the group or something. Woods VS Silas next week will be a really good one, too. And yeah, Woods really should distance himself from this “GROUP TRAINING~!” nonsense. Nese’s promo backstage was redundant when he says a lot of the same stuff in the ring. Pat Buck looked amazing in terms of his physique, but of course Nese finds a way to win. What would be interesting is if Woods and Nese end up meeting in another of these contenders tournaments and the more serious Woods wins out.

Good promo from the Workhorsemen and Embassy, and great tag match, but of course the Gates win. The Workhorsemen don’t even really have a third man, they just sometimes team with Shane. But Shane is gonna be facing Joe so instead of Gates losing and Workhorsemen bringing in someone new (I dunno, where’s Cezar Bononi right now? He’s an old pal of JD’s from the Wingmen days), the “easy” answer was to just have the Workhorsemen lose so the Gates look even stronger. Seriously, who is supposed to take these titles off them? Why aren’t we seeing more of The Righteous or Dark Order on here?

Good promos from Maria and those she is scouting, and good matches from those prospects. Leyla of course won, I feel she actually shouldn’t accept whatever recruitment offer from Maria. And then Karter obviously will, he has a crush on Maria and is projecting. But he did win in a good match against Titus, maybe Maria will encourage him to go for a title. And then Karter gets crushed because whether it is Shibata and the Pure title, Joe and the TV title or Claudio and the world title, they’re all leagues above Karter. And then really good women’s championship story tonight, with Athena winning a great match against Rachael Ellering, and then pointing out Billie after Billie’s great first win.

Much like Athena kinda marked her target with Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, Kiera Hogan and even Diamante, Billie might have just made the short list of women who ROH considers the new foundation of the division. Billie definitely shows promise, and she’s still just 18 going on 19, she might overtake Skye Blue before long. And that’s no insult on Skye, it’s just that Skye perhaps rose too high too fast because sometimes her ring work just isn’t the sharpest. But of these names, and throw Leyla in for good measure, hard to say who will take the title off Athena. Leyla would seem most likely, given she’s LEGIT, but it really depends on where this story with Maria is going.

My Score: 8.6/10