Will Grand Slam have to change its plans?

So what if he’s defending the ROH World Championship on Dynamite? Claudio Castagnoli defends this title here against Rocky Romero!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Rocky Romero; Claudio wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: Willie Mack & The Infantry VS Kevin Ku & The Outrunners; Mack & The Infantry win.
• Mercedes Martinez VS Zoey Lynn; Mercedes wins.
• The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Cole Radrick & Matt Brannigan; The Gates win.
• Christopher Daniels VS Darius Martin w/ Action Andretti; Darius wins.
• Shane Taylor VS Lee Johnson; Shane wins.
• Willow Nightingale VS Lady Frost; Willow wins.
• National Championship Open Challenge: Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling VS Dominic Garrini; Woods wins.
• Ethan Page VS Griff Garrison; Ethan wins.
• “The Boys,” Brandon & Brent Tate VS The Workhorsemen; The Workhorsemen win.
• Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS AR Fox; Fox wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli VS Rocky Romero!

There’s no waiting on this main event level match! The Swiss Superman has to be ready for Collision on Saturday, but will he be able to focus on the opponent in front of him? Or is Azucar going to spoil the plans for Dynamite: Grand Slam?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the better man!

The Code of Honor is upheld, the two circle and fans rally. They feel things out, Rocky goes for a leg but Claudio blocks the takedown. They go around and around, end up on ropes, and the ref counts. Claudio lets off, Rocky gets away and the two reset. They tie up, Rocky wrenches and wristlocks but Claudio uses a leg to trip Rocky. Claudio waistlocks, armlocks, and he even chinbars. Rocky fights up, but Claudio hammerlocks the arm now. Rocky works on an escape, reaches back, and he jumps up to flying-mare! Fans rally as Rocky dodges to KICK and KICK! But Clau8di shoves back, only for Rocky to duck ‘n’ dodge and RANA!

Fans fire up as Claudio bails out, and Rocky DIVES! Direct hit and Rocky gets back in, to DIVE again! Another direct hit! Rocky keeps going, fans fire up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS the tope down! Rocky flounders away while Claudio shakes his arm out. Claudio storms in after Rocky, brings Rocky up and ROCKS him with a right! Claudio stands Rocky up, CHOPS him, then scoops him to trophy lift! Fans fire up as Claudio hits a SUPER SNAKE EYES, and then a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Rocky is toughing it out, he’s a champion in his own right. But Claudio stalks him, and CLUBS him on the back! Claudio then clamps on with a seated abdominal stretch.

Rocky endures as Claudio leans on him for the twist. Rocky fights free, fans rally up, but Claudio keeps on the armlock and chinbar. Claudio pulls Rocky back, but Rocky endures being twisted! Fans rally, Rocky powers up and he moves around, to KICK! And KICK! And KICK, but Claudio blocks to trip! Fans fire up for the SWISS SWING! Claudio goes around and around, and fans count along all the way to ELEVEN! Claudio fires up and fans are with him as he goes over to Rocky. Claudio has a cocky cover, ONE! Claudio eggs Rocky on, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Rocky CHOPS back!

Claudio frowns, but Rocky eggs him on. Claudio DECKS Rocky with a right, then digs his boot in at the corner! The ref counts, Claudio lets off, and he hauls Rocky up to suplex. Claudio holds Rocky up and fans cheer as the stall goes to TEN, but Rocky slips free! Rocky body shots, runs, but Claudio pops him up! Rocky RANAS free! Claudio bails out, Rocky DIVES and finally hits the hattrick! Claudio goes tumbling over the desk! Rocky hurries after Claudio, brings him up and CHOPS him against railing! Fans rally as Rocky brings Claudio over but Claudio shoves him into the ring! Claudio steps in, into a KICK!

Rocky goes up the corner to DOUBLE STOMP Claudio down! Claudio flounders to a corner, fans rally with Rocky now as he tunes up the band. Rocky runs in to clotheslines! Then another! Then another, but Claudio dodges! Rocky UPPERCUTS, leaps, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Claudio is still in this and Rocky grows frustrated. Rocky kicks, Claudio blocks, Claudio ducks the enziguri but not the REWIND HEEL! Claudio’s on ropes, Rocky runs in, 619!! Rocky keeps moving, SHIRANUI!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and Rocky is beside himself! Rocky drags Claudio up, throws forearms and a SOBAT, then he goes up a corner!

Fans fire up with Rocky, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! And then Claudio fires forearms! Claudio climbs up after Rocky but Rocky hits back with forearms! They brawl up top, Claudio has the edge and he brings Rocky up. Rocky throws body shots, then knocks Claudio down! Rocky adjusts, leaps, but into Claudio’s arms! BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rocky is hanging tough but Claudio is keeping cool. Claudio runs in at the corner to UPPERCUT! And then he fires point-blank lariats again and again! Then more uppercuts! The ref backs Claudio down but Claudio goes back for more shots! Claudio then reels Rocky in, short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Claudio can’t believe it but Rocky survives! So Claudio clamps on for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club favorite! Claudio whips, pops Rocky up, but Rocky RANAS! Cover, TWO!! Backslide, TWO!! JUMP KNEE!! Rocky ENZIGURIS, Claudio wobbles! Fans fire up as Rocky cravats, SLICED- NO, Claudio stops that to swing Rocky around! And he blocks the tornado DDT counter! POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Claudio says this is it! UPPERCUT!! Cover, Claudio wins!

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

Azucar pushed the Swiss Superman, but he could not knock him off the throne! Will Claudio soon have another belt in his collection? Or will the Mad King soon reign in two realms?

Six Man Tag: Willie Mack & The Infantry VS Kevin Ku & The Outrunners!

One new trio takes on another new trio! Will Mack, Carlie Bravo & Captain Shawn Dean keep on marching towards the ROH World Six Man titles? Or will Kevin, Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum change things up?

The trios sort out and Mack starts against Kevin, and they uphold the Code of Honor. They circle as the bell rings and fans rally up. They tie up, Mack and Kevin are in a deadlock, but Kevin gets around to a waistlock. Mack trips Kevin, Kevin kicks him away, and things speed up. Mack turns hip toss into arm-drag! Fans fire up but Kevin CHOPS back! Kevin eggs Mack on, then sidesteps, but Mack RANAS! Fans fire up with Mack and he ducks ‘n’ dodges and LEG LARIATS! Direct hit and fans fire up! Mack drags Kevin up, tags Dean, and they double whip Kevin to FLAPJACK BULLDOG COMBO! Not the cleanest, but Dean still covers, TWO!

Kevin hurries away, and he tags in Turbo. Turbo flexes but Dean CLOBBERS him! Truth runs in, Carlie backs Cap up, but Truth resists the double hip toss! So The Infantry double body shot! Turbo runs in but The Infantry use Truth to back drop him away! Then they DOUBLE HIP TOSS Truth! Dean DECKS Kevin, and the Infantry poke fun at the Outrunners’ spin and pose. They then salute and Dean goes back for Turbo. Turbo wants mercy, Dean says no and runs, but into a cheap shot from Truth! Turbo rolls Dean up, TWO and Turbo is sent into Truth! Kevin helps them both up, but Dean FLIES onto them all!

Fans fire up with The Captain and he puts Turbo in. Turbo again wants mercy, but Truth anchors Dean’s foot! Dean kicks Truth away but Turbo HOTSHOTS Dean down! Turbo flexes but fans are torn. Turbo covers, ONE! Tag to Truth, and the Outrunners mug Dean. Truth flexes now, then he keeps Dean from Carlie. Truth ROCKS Dean, tags in Kevin, and they mug Dean. Kevin CHOPS while the Outrunners flex, and then Kevin snapmares Dean down, into a dragon sleeper! Dean endures, fights around, ROPEBREAK! Kevin lets off, but then stomps Dean down! Fans rally for Dean while Kevin taunts Carlie.

Tag to Turbo and he swaggers around before he ROCKS Dean! Tag to Truth, Truth flexes, and he ROCKS Dean! Dean elbows back! Dean fights out of enemy territory, but Truth drop toeholds! Turbo tags in to then drop an AX HANDLE! Turbo stomps Dean around more, and he really shows off the biceps. Fans boo but Turbo brings Dean up, to ROCK him with a haymaker! Turbo TOSSES Dean out hard, distracts with a dance, and Truth gets some shots in! Truth SMACKS Dean off the apron, then helps Turbo drag Dean up! Tag to Kevin, they put Dean on the rope and Kevin FLYING KNEES Dean down! Now Kevin flexes! He’s getting into it!

Kevin tags Truth and Turbo joins in on a TRIPLE FLEX! But Dena sneaks a tag to Carlie! Carlie TOSSES Kevin, then joins in on the flexing! The Outrunners say that’s good stuff. Wait, that’s Carlie! They swing, Carlie dodges and he fires off JABS on everybody! Pop, lock and DECK! Then a ROLLING ELBOW! Fans are fired up for Tattoos and Attitude, Carlie jukes Turbo to DECK him! Then a spin and clinch, SIDEWINDER for Truth!! Cover, but Turbo runs up, only for Carlie to move! The ax handle gets Truth! The Infantry TOSS Turbo, then SPLASH Truth! Carlie gets Truth for a SCISSOR KICK! Dean hits a FLYING ELBOW! Cover, Turbo breaks it!

Kevin BLASTS Carlie and Mack off the apron! The Outrunners get Carlie up to ROCK him! They fire up, reel Carlie in, scoop and a run, but Carlie sends Truth into Turbo! Hot tag to Mack! Mack leads the way, the Infantry DOUBLE DIVE onto the Outrunners while Mack ROCKS Kevin! Kevin ROCKS Mack! Mack eggs Kevin on, Kevin throws shots but Mack gives them back! Mack pumps up, but Kevin swats his shot to HOOK KICK! Kevin fires up, runs, but into a POP-UP FOREARM!! Then a STUNNER into BOOT CAMP!! Cover, Mack & Infantry win!

Winners: Willie Mack & The Infantry, by pinfall

Big teamwork on all sides, but it is Mack, Carlie & Dean that take the victory! Will the Mogul Embassy finally have challengers they have to worry about?

Backstage interview with Ethan Page.

Lexi Nair is with All Ego and says he will take on Griff Garrison. But first, welcome back to ROH! Yeah, it has been awhile, hasn’t it? And to be honest, ROH is the perfect place for Ethan right now. He feels he’s let his ego take control of his career. He hasn’t been wrestling that often, only signing on for big marquee matches, title matches, and chasing the money. He needs to get back to the root of competition, and ROH has always been about that. Ethan doesn’t know who he is anymore, but the thing is, he knows what he’s capable of. He’s here in ROH to prove to the fans, but also to himself. That starts tonight.

Then the Egoless Ethan makes his ROH return tonight, will he get a big win over the Ivy League MVP?

Mercedes Martinez VS Zoey Lynn!

The OG Badass went chasing the AEW TBS Championship but got sidetracked, so she’s resetting and trying again in ROH. Will this be the time she gets back the ROH Women’s World Championship?

The Code of Honor is not upheld as Mercedes leaves Zoey hanging. The bell rings, they circle, and Mercedes doesn’t take Zoey seriously. But Zoey waistlocks, headlocks, and holds on as Mercedes powers up. Zoey wrenches, wristlocks, then waistlocks again. Mercedes pries free, but Zoey goes for that arm to wristlock again. The fans rally up for their hometown hero as she dodges the lariat, but Mercedes avoids the arm-drag! Mercedes then BOOTS Zoey down! Mercedes talks trash on Cleveland and brings Zoey up to stomp into a corner! The ref counts, Mercedes lets off at 4, then keeps Zoey in the ring.

Mercedes CHOKES Zoey on the ropes, the ref counts, but Mercedes lets off at 4. Zoey sputters and flounders to a corner, Mercedes stomps her down, then Mercedes snap suplexes! Una amiga! Then dos amigas! Mercedes hauls Zoey up, to suplex again, stall for a count of TEN, then FIFTEEN, and then THREE AMIGAS! Mercedes blows kisses to the fans, then cocky covers, TWO! Zoey survives, but Mercedes stalks her. Mercedes drags Zoey up to CHOP! Zoey falls over, Mercedes stalks her, and ROCKS her again! And then CHOPS her again! Zoey falls over, Mercedes stalks her but Zoey shoves her away.

Mercedes runs in, but Zoey dodges! Roll up, ONE!! LARIAT! Mercedes dusts herself off, then looms over Zoey. “You think this is a game?!” Mercedes rains down fists! The ref counts, Mercedes lets off, and she says Zoey is not on her level! Mercedes hauls Zoey up, whips her to a corner, btu Zoey goes up and- NO, Mercedes catches her! But then Zoey slips free to shove, slide, and she trips Mercedes up! And then step-in dropkick! Fans fire up as Zoey runs in to UPPERCUT in the corner! But Mercedes blocks the snapmare! Mercedes shoves Zoey away, Zoey dodges to mule kick and PELE! Fans rally and Zoey feeds off the energy!

Zoey runs, but Mercedes hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, but Mercedes lets off!? Mercedes is playing with her food, and she pulls Zoey into crossface forearms! Mercedes then runs, to BAYONET!! Mercedes hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and pulls Zoey into the BRASS CITY SLEEPER! Zoey taps, Mercedes wins!

Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by submission

The ref reprimands but Mercedes lets go when she’s ready! Mercedes pats the hometown hero on her head, but she’s heading up the ranks. Will the Fallen Goddess have to watch out for this OG Badass?

The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Cole Radrick & Matt Brannigan!

Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona have been dominant both in trios and tag team action, only losing once this year to Darby Allin & Nick Wayne. But will they give ROH a grim reminder that no one can stop the Mogul Embassy?

The Code of Honor is NOT upheld as Kaun CLOBBERS Brannigan, then TOSSES him overhead! Kaun scares Radrick off the apron, but goes out after him! Radrick wants him to take it easy, this is a match. But then Liona POUNCES Radrick into the railing!! Radrick’s last words were “AAAH!” Kaun runs in at Brannigan in the corner, but into a knee! Brannigan fires forearms, but Kaun knees low! Kaun scoops, Brannigan slips free but Liona tags in. Brannigan fires off but Kaun ROCKS him! BACKSTABBER into SAMOAN DROP! Nana wants this to end, so Kaun & Liona OPEN THE GATES!! Wait! Radrick lives!!

Radrick fires off fast hands and elbows on the Gates! But uh, they don’t do anything… So he stomps feet! And tries a meeting of the minds! But instead, the Gates DOUBLE SLAM him onto Brannigan! Cover, the Gates win!

Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall

Radrick was better off playing dead outside the ring… But Liona & Kaun are indeed dominant in ROH, but will a team ever come along that can take those World Six Man titles?

Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.

Athena’s “minion” asks Lexi what this is about. Lexi says that Athena is using her to “officially” issue Billie her Minion To Do list, which needs to be completed within the next two weeks. But this is ridiculous! “Say ‘Irish wristlock’ five times fast? Get a single banana? Punch and kick a tree? Don’t cheer for a whole day?” Billie can’t do this! Lexi wants Billie to look her int he eye: if Billie doesn’t do this, the two of them… Well, it won’t be good. Oh, well, Billie has a banana so that’s a start. And also, Athena also gave Lexi this to give to Billie: a new custom shirt! MIT: Minion In Training. And so, yeah, gotta wear it…

Billie hopes Athena’s happy watching at home. Billie goes off to do the To Do List, but what other crazy things are there for her to do?

Christopher Daniels VS Darius Martin w/ Action Andretti!

The Fallen Angel may not have won the NJPW World Television Championship, but he is still fighting towards a new reign. But the Air Wolf is still trying to hunt down his first piece of gold! Will Darius use the ROH legend as a launchpad towards a title? Or will the Fallen Angel rise again?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. They circle, tie up, and Daniels wrenches to a wristlock. Darius rolls, handsprings and wrenches to have a hammerlock! Daniels reaches back to headlock and he grinds Darius around. Darius powers up and out, but Daniels runs him over! Daniels dusts himself off, things speed up, and Daniels turns hip toss into arm-drag! And then a takedown, but Darius kicks free! Darius arm-drags but Daniels headscissors. Darius kips free and sidesteps to DROPKICK Daniels down! Fans fire up and Darius pushes Daniels to a cover, TWO!

Darius keeps on Daniels at the ropes with a CHOP, then he follows Daniels to a corner. Darius UPPERCUTS, follows Daniels and bumps him off buckles. Fans still rally for the Fallen Angel as he reverses a whip and ROCKS Darius into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Then a body scissor for a sunset flip, TWO! But they roll and roll and Daniels has it again! TWO, more rolling, TWO! Daniels hurries to SAIDO! Darius flops but Action rallies the fans. Daniels CLUBS Darius, CLUBS him again, then whips him corner to corner hard! Daniels runs in to forearm smash! Daniels brings Darius around, turns him, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Darius is hanging tough and he rolls out to the apron. Daniels storms up, drags him up, and Daniels suplexes, but Darius blocks! Darius throws body shots, then suplexes, but Daniels blocks! They fight for control, teetering on the apron! Darius ROCKS Daniels, springboards, but Daniels shoves him down! Darius is stuck up top, and Daniels goes up, GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Daniels drags Darius up, turns him, and hits another NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO, but Daniels clamps on a half nelson chinbar! Fans rally as Darius endures and Darius fights to his feet. Darius throws body shots and runs, but into a LARIAT!

Fans fire up again and Daniels feeds off it. Daniels calls his shot, then clinches Darius, UREN- NO, arm-drag! Darius then BOOTS Daniels, ROCKS him again and again, then whips. Daniels reverses but Darius CLOBBERS Daniels! Darius hits an atomic drip, then a CHOP! Darius runs to HOTSHOT BULLDOG! GAMANGIRI! Daniels flounders away, Darius goes up top, and Darius CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Daniels hangs tough, he’s an ROH Grand Slam Champion for a reason. Darius brings Daniels up, CHOPS him, then whips. Daniels holds ropes, dodges Darius, but Darius BOOTS back! Darius steps in, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! KOJI CLUTCH!!

Fans fire up as Darius endures! Daniels pulls tight, but Darius rolls to a cover! TWO, and Daniels lets go! Daniels ducks a kick to give a kick, underhook, but Darius back drops free! Fans fire up and Darius rolls Daniels up, TWO! Daniels sits on the cover, TWO! Darius rolls Daniels, AND WINS!!

Winner: Darius Martin, by pinfall

Daniels is stunned but he got caught fair and square! Will the Fallen Angel have to admit time is catching up to him? They still shake hands for the Code of Honor, will Darius uses this momentum to be the Future of Honor?

Shane Taylor VS Lee Johnson!

Big Bad Shaney T. took his shot at Samoa Joe but could not bring him down. Big Shotty stepped onto the Proving Ground but could not survive Claudio Castagnoli. Will this showdown between young and hungry stars bring one man back around to another shot?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. They tie up, and Shane throws Lee down! Shane says, “Welcome to the land, homie!” Fans cheer as Shane and Lee reset. They circle, approach, and Lee dodges to throw a haymaker! Shane shrugs that off, but Lee dodges again to throw another shot! Shane storms up on Lee, corners him, but Lee dodges to fire off shot after shot! But Shane grabs Lee by the neck! Shane scoops, Lee slips free and he ROCKS Shane! Lee runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, jumps over, then fakes Shane out to sunset flip! Shane stays up, shakes his head, and he drags Lee right up!

Shane fires up but Lee ROCKS him again! Shane JABS Lee and knocks him down! Fans fire up as Shane JABS away on Lee in the corner! JAB, JAB, JAB but the ref counts and Shane lets off. Shane storms back up to stand Lee up, to then TOSS him across the way! Fans fire up as Shane runs in to clothesline Lee in the corner! Shane then TOSSES Lee again! Fans fire up while Lee flounders back to the other corner. Shane runs in to clothesline again! Lee leans against ropes and Shane fires up. Fans rally, and Lee CHOPS! Shane shakes his head, so Lee CHOPS again! Shane KNEES low, then TOSSES Lee out!

Shane goes outside, brings Lee up, and whips him hard into railing! Lee writhes in pain and fans fire up for Shane. Shane puts Lee in at 6 of 10, then has him on the apron. Shane runs in to GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Fans fire up and Shane grins. Shane then pushes Lee to a cover, ONE!! Lee is still in this somehow but Shane talks trash. Fans rally, Lee throws body shots, but Shane shakes his head. Lee CHOPS, but Shane frowns. Lee CHOPS again, then fires haymakers! Lee runs, but Shane swings! Lee ducks, but the SOUTHPAW hits!! Cover, TWO!?! Shane is frustrated with Lee and he storms around.

Shane drags Lee up, and Lee is still dazed. Shane clamps on for a neck wrench! Lee endures, fans rally, and Shane talks some trash. Lee fights up, throws body shots again, then CHOPS! Shane CHOPS back! Lee sputters and drops to his knee. Shane says he runs this, and he looms over Lee. Shane eggs Lee on, “What’s my name?” Lee SLAPS Shane! Lee shakes his head again, but Lee throws body shots! And haymakers! Lee ROCKS Shane, ROCKS him again, but Shane bobs ‘n’ weaves to HEADBUTT!! Then the URENAGE! Shane runs for a SPLASH! Cover, TWO?!?! Lee survives and Shane argues with the ref.

Shane says not in his city. He whips Lee, but Lee sunset flips! Shane HIP DROPS but misses as Lee moves! Lee staggers up, Shane sits up, and Lee basement dropkicks! Lee ROCKS Shane with shot after shot, fires off body shots, then runs, to LARIAT! Shane stays up, so Lee runs again, to LARIAT! Shane still stays up! Lee runs again, ducks ‘n’ dodges, POP-UP DROPKICK! And a kip up! Big Shotty loads up and fans rally behind him, SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Shane survives but Lee is firing up! Lee hurries up the corner, but Lee Moriarty shows up? Shane trips Johnson up in the distraction!

Shane gets Johnson up, MARCUS GARVEY DRIVER!! Cover, Shane wins!

Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall

Moriarty shrugs, he just cost Big Shotty! Then he shakes hands with Shane! Is #TAIGASTYLE going to join up with Shane Taylor Promotions?

Willow Nightingale VS Lady Frost!

The Babe with the Power is too sweet to be sour, but is she going to be left out in the cold? Or can she melt Lady Frost and head back up the rankings?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Frost gets around and she fires off forearms! Willow shoves back then runs Frost over! Willow flexes and fans fire up. Things speed up, Willow rolls over the dropdown and BOOTS Frost! Willow then scoops to SLAM Frost, and runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Willow keeps her cool as Frost goes to a corner, and Willow runs in to back body block! Willow whips corner to corner, another back body block! Then she whips a third time, but Frost reverses. Willow handsprings, but Frost ducks the enziguri! Frost handsprings to basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!!

Frost keeps on Willow in a corner, and she CHOPS! Frost says she’s ice cold, and she fires more forearms. Frost stomps a mudhole in, then runs back in to JUMP KICK! Willow staggers away, Frost smiles and storms up. But Willow throws back elbows and some forearms! Frost knees low! Frost fakes a chop, to pie face instead! Frost stomps away on Willow, lets off as the ref counts, and she runs in to RAM into Willow! Frost rolls back, to RAM in again! Frost brings Willow out, throws more knees, but Willow ducks the roundhouse! The HEEL KICK hits! Cover, TWO! Frost wraps on a chinlock and thrashes Willow around!

The fans rally and Willow fights up. Frost hops on as a backpack but Willow RAMS her into buckles! Frost throws Willow into the corner to fire off forearms! Frost lets off, runs side to side, but Willow hits the POOOUNCE! PERIOD! Frost goes to a corner while fans fire up, and Willow back body blocks, to a clothesline! Then a short arm LARIAT! Willow drags Frost up, another short arm LARIAT! Then an ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO! Frost hangs tough but Willow drags Frost up. Willow reels Frost in to a fireman’s carry but Frost slips free to roll Willow up, TWO! Frost spins to ROUNDHOUSE!

Willow falls, Frost drags her into a drop zone! Frost goes up, then WINTER IS COMING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!! Willow survives and fans fire up! Frost fisherman’s a leg but Willow powers out! Willow scoops, Frost slips out, HEADBUTT to the back! Frost runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! And then Willow gets Frost up, BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

Frost brought quite the cold front, but Willow weathered the storm! Will the 2023 Queen of Harts get herself some new gold before the Fall?

Backstage interview with Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty.

Lexi is with Shaney T. and TAIGASTYLE, and congratulates him on the win against Johnson. But what is this about Moriarty showing up near the end there? Shane says all Moriarty did was “watch the captain take his rightful place at the front of the line.” Shane Taylor Promotions has been carrying ROH these last three years, and Shane is sick and tired of having to watch everyone say pay dues. SCREW THAT! Shane’s been carrying this company on his back, everyone around him knows it, so Shane is done chasing history. Time to make history! Introducing the newest member of STP, “the best damn technical wrestler in the world,” Lee Moriarty!

Moriarty is all smiles, will he and Shane take over ROH?

National Championship Open Challenge: Josh Woods w/ Mark Sterling VS ???

The Technical Beast and his manager put forth the challenge to anyone willing to take on a former National Champion, so who answered the call? Ohio’s own Dominic Garrini is well-versed in mixed martial arts, will he be able to chop down Woods?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two feel things out. They go around, Woods puts on the pressure but Garrini avoids a takedown. Woods waistlocks to SLAM Garrini, but Garrini fights up. Woods SLAMS him down, mounts him and mocks him, then gets an arm! Garrini moves fast to go for an arm but Woods switches it! Garrini switches it back, but so does Woods! They go back and forth, Woods uses Garrini’s legs to swing him around to go for the arm but Garrini slips free to go for Woods’ arm! Woods is caught, but he powers up to a stack, TWO! Garrini lets go and fans cheer the technical exchange.

Woods and Garrini reset, tie up, and Woods waistlocks then spins to fireman’s carry. Garrini slips free, shoves, but Woods gator rolls with a waistlock! GUT WRENCH, but Garrini lands on his feet to GUT WRENCH Woods! Woods lands on his feet to GUT WRENCH back! They go back and forth, gut wrench for gut wrench! Woods wrenches, Garrini wrenches to wristlock, but Woods wrenches! Now they go back and forth with the wrenches and wristlocks! Fans rally as Garrini has the hold, but Woods powers through again. Garrini wrenches but Woods CHOPS! Woods then clinches to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!

Garrini hobbles up, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Woods seethes, he gets Garrini up and fires off forearm after forearm! Garrini wobbles and Woods roars! Woods hauls Garrini up to suplex, TILT-O-WOODS! Cover, Woods wins!

Winner: Josh Woods, by pinfall

The Technical Beast uses both grappling skills and vicious strikes to take “The Bone Collector” down, will Woods have another shot at the ROH Pure Championship in store?

Ethan Page VS Griff Garrison!

All Ego has seemingly humbled himself, and is returning to ROH to refresh his fighting spirit. Will he get back on the winning track? Or will the Ivy League MVP continue to prove Maria Kanellis-Bennett right about his potential?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans rally as the two circle. Ethan and Griff tie up, go around, and Ethan wrenches to a wristlock. Griff rolls, wrenches back, wristlocks, but Ethan pries through the hold to headlock. Griff powers up and out, things speed up and Griff hurdles, then he runs Ethan over! Fans boo but then wait, Griff sees someone on stage. It’s Maria! And Cole Karter, too… Griff shrugs that off to go corner to corner and STINGER SPLASH on Ethan! Griff keeps going, but Ethan CLOBBERS him! Fans rally for Ethan and he feeds off the energy. Ethan drags Griff up, reels him in, and suplexes to hold Griff up!

Ethan keeps Griff up for a count of TEN, then FIFTEEN before the SLAM! Griff writhes and fans fire up as Ethan covers, TWO! Ethan keeps cool and he brings Griff up. Ethan ROCKS Griff with a big forearm! Then Ethan whips Griff to ropes, but Griff fights the scoop! Griff waistlocks, Ethan bucks the O’Conner but Griff ducks the lariat to BOOT Ethan! Griff runs to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Griff clamps onto Ethan with a chinlock and he grinds Ethan down. Ethan endures, fans rally, and Ethan fights to his feet. Ethan throws body shots, Griff holds on, but Ethan wrenches out to ROCK Griff!

Ethan ROCKS Griff again, whips him, but Griff reverses, only for Ethan to LEAPING LARIAT! Fans fire up as Ethan runs in at the corner, but Griff ELBOWS him away! Griff goes up but Ethan CHOPS him first! Ethan drags Griff off the corner to POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Ethan shakes his head and he brings Griff up. Fans fire up, Ethan reels Griff in, crucifix lift, but Griff slips free! Griff shoves, ROLLING ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Ethan survives and Griff is snarling! He wants to impress Maria after all, and he drags Ethan up! Torture rack, but Ethan fights free! Ethan BOOTS, then goes to the apron, to step-in CUTTER! Cover, Ethan wins!

Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall

All Ego, no ego, somewhere in the middle, it doesn’t matter so long as Ethan won! And he still shows Griff respect with the Code of Honor. But does this hurt Griff’s grade point average with Maria? Or did Maria just find a new prospect in a more experienced star?

“The Boys,” Brandon & Brent Tate VS The Workhorsemen!

Dalton Castle’s Boys are back at 100% and ready to fight again! But will they be able to get some traction as a tag team? Or will JD Drake & Anthony Henry send them right back to the bench?

The Code of Honor is upheld, but then the Workhorsemen sucker punch the Boys! The bell rings, Henry has Brandon and JD has Brent, and they double whip them at each other. The Boys stop, then drop down! The Workhorsemen stand them up to CHOP! Henry runs in at Brandon but Brandon dodges, so Henry POSTS himself! JD runs in at Brent but Brent dodges and the splash hits buckles! Brent ENZIGURIS, Brandon brings Henry up and the Boys double whip. They double leap frog, waistlock, but Henry switches with Brent. Brandon gives Brent a hand in escaping and then hits a CUTTER on Henry! Cover, TWO!

Brandon pounds the mat, wrenches Henry’s arm, and keeps him from JD! But Henry fights around to tag out! Henry whips, Brandon holds rpoes and then dumps Henry out! Henry trips Brent, the ref sorts out who is legal, and Brandon chases Henry. But Henry sets Brandon up for JD to pop-up and HAYMAKER! JD puts Brandon in the ring, puts him in the drop zone, and VADER DROPS! Cover, Brent breaks it! Henry protests, the ref reprimands, and JD bumps Brandon off buckles. JD CHOPS Brandon, tags Henry, and the Workhorsemen mug Brandon. Fans rally, Henry snapmares and KICKS!

Brandon writhes, reaches out for his brother, but Henry slaps Brandon around. Henry stomps Brandon, fans rally, but Henry twists Brandon away and into a Cobra Twist! The Workhorsemen hold hands for leverage! Brent tries to point it out but the Workhorsemen get away with it! Henry reaches out again, he and JD again link up for leverage! Now the ref sees it, so he KICKS the arms! Brandon hip tosses free! JD complains, Brandon rolls Henry up, but the ref is too busy with JD! Brandon would’ve won twice over! The ref finally sees, counts, TWO! Brandon crawls but Henry drags him away to WRING him out!

Brandon is in the corner, Henry ROCKS him! Tag to JD, snapmare and NECK TWIST to a SLINGSHOT SENTON! JD tells Brent to kiss this, then he goes back to Brandon. JD stomps Brandon around, drags him up by his hair, but Brandon throws hands! JD knees low, whips, but Brandon sunset flips! JD drags Brandon up, knees low and reels him in. Suplex, but Brandon slips free! Brandon ROCKS Henry, dodges JD and JD hits buckles! But Henry tags in, and he hurries to cut Brandon off from Brent! Henry stomps Brandon’s hands! JD storms in, he and Henry double back suplex but Brandon lands out! Brandon dodges Workhorsemen to hot tag Brent!

Fans fire up as Brent shoves Henry into JD, then LARIATS Henry! And LARIATS again! Wheelbarrow and FACEBUSTER! Cover, JD breaks it! But Brandon DROPKICKS JD! The Boys wrench, tie up and STRAITJACKET NECKBREAKER Henry! JD runs in, busts through the double clothesline to DOUBLE CLOTHESLINE! Brandon ducks under but Brent goes flying! Brandon runs, but JD pops him up! JD calls to Henry, they ALLEY-OOP ROUNDHOUSE! SHINING WIZARD! Brent stands, he runs in but Henry BOOTS! Feed to JD’s SPINEBUSTER! Then CATAPULT SUPERKICK COMBO!

Henry goes up, Brent is along JD’s knees, DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, The Workhorsemen win!

Winners: The Workhorsemen, by pinfall

JD & Henry brought down The Boys, and they rise up the ranks. Will Scrap Metal and the Saint of Augusta get their shot at Adam Cole & MJF?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison.

Lexi is with the Ivy League MVP and says it is great to have him back in action. She says he put up a great fight tonight, and he says it was a lot of fun. But it feels like Griff lost a step being out of action for so long. Maria walks in and says that while she doesn’t wanna say “I told you so,” but… She kinda did. She thinks Griff is really talented, really. But at the same time, it is better to be surrounded by those who are likeminded, who are from the right pedigree. Maybe some friends might help? Karter says he loves Maria’s necklace. Yes, thank you, Karter, it is a pearl necklace. Does Karter know what it means?

Uh… She likes pearls? Oh, you. Go look it up. Oh, okay. Karter and Maria head out, and Lexi tells Griff not to look it up. All that aside, will Maria help Griff accept her invitation into The Kingdom’s Army?

Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS AR Fox!

The Premier Athlete’s manager, Smart Mark, already has everyone quiet down, because everyone already knows who Tony Nese is, so let’s get right down to business! Sterling’s client has something very important to say, so Nese takes the mic. “Cleveland, Ohio. A city so disgusting and out of shape, that LeBron James had to leave. TWICE! HAH! But it’s okay, because me, I can see past all the blubber. And since I am a far more superior athlete, I think that I can be the Premier Athlete this city can stand behind. What do you think?” The fans boo, but Nese says before he wipes the floor with his opponent tonight, he’ll do them a favor. Time for GROUP TRAINING!

C’mon, ya steamers! Stand up! Stretch! Reach up with those scrawny arms! Now, let’s see what kind of squats- Wait, here comes AR Fox! The workout farce is over, will the Whole Fox’n Show shut Nese up once and for all?

The Code of Honor is upheld but Nese says Fox just cost everyone here a life-changing experience. The bell rings, the fans rally behind Fox and he circles with Nese. They tie up, Nese headlocks but Fox powers Nese down to his knees. Fox hammerlocks then headlocks, but Nese powers up and out. Fox rolls over the dropdown, trips Nese to cover, ONE! Nese trips to cover, ONE! Nese jumps the sweep and covers but Fox goes Matrix! Nese still rolls Fox up, with tights! TWO!! Nese says he almost had Fox, then he does jumping jacks. Fans boo and Fox is annoyed. Nese says he’s better than LeBron, but fans boo more.

Nese and Fox circle, tie up, and Nese kicks low! Nese headlocks but Fox throws body shots. Fox powers up and out, Nese holds ropes and he KICKS but Fox ENZIGURIS back! Fox mule kicks, BOOTS, then NECKBREAKERS! Fox kips up and fans fire up! Fox does jumping jacks to prove Nese isn’t the only one in shape. Fans rally for Fox but Nese runs in, into a drop toehold onto ropes! Fox runs, but Sterling trips him up! Fans boo but Nese runs in to LARIAT, but Fox goes Matrix again! PELE! Nese ends up in a corner, Fox hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Fox then skins the cat to SWINGING DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Nese bails out to the apron, Fox goes after him, but Nese CLAWS Fox’s face! Nese then storms in to bring Fox up, BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Then Nese runs back in to LARIAT! Fans boo more but Sterling soaks it up for Nese. Nese covers, TWO! Nese drags Fox up and throws him out hard. Nese talks with the ref about something hurting, and Sterling stomps Fox! Fans boo but Nese goes out to CLUB Fox! Fox CHOPS but Nese kicks low! Nese throws body shots, RAMS Fox into the apron, then brings him up to CHOP! The ring count passes 5 of 10 but Nese puts Fox in at 7. Nese flexes, fans boo, but Nese slides in at 8.

Nese throws hands bot Fox hits back! Nese RAMS Fox into the corner! Nese puts Fox up top, ROCKS him with a left, then climbs up after Fox. But Fox resists the superplex! Fox fires body shots, then shoves Nese down! Fans fire up and Fox feeds off the energy. But Nese rolls to SHORYUKEN! Fox wobbles, Nese jumps right up to SUPER- NO, Fox stops the Steiner! Nese staggers up, into a SUPER SUNSET FLIP! Nese rolls through to SOBAT! Cover, TWO! Fox is still in this and Nese grows frustrated. Nese wraps on the body scissors for the squeeze! Fox endures, but Nese grinds his forearm into Fox’s head!

The ref reprimands, Nese lets off with the forearms, and Fox pries the legs open! Stack cover, TWO, and back to the squeeze! Fox still endures, he throws hands on Nese, and he gets free! Fans rally, Nese CHOPS, and then Nese whips. Fox holds ropes, then dodges Nese! Nese tumbles out to the floor, hurries back up, but Fox KICKS him in the ropes! Fox then runs to DRAPING DDT! Sterling is freaking out while both men are down, but the fans fire up for Fox. The standing count starts, Fox and Nese rise at 4 of 10. Nese throws hands, but Fox hits back! They go back and forth, haymaker for haymaker and forearm for forearm!

Fox gets the edge, Nese shoves and ROCKS Fox! Then Nese reels Fox in, but Fox hits ANARCHY first! Fans fire up as Fox aims from the corner. Fox runs corner to corner, but Nese dodges! Nese whips, Fox reverses, STUNNER! Nese wobbles into the victory roll, roll through and CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives and Fox is surprised! Sterling is relieved, but Fox tells him to back off. Fox pounds the mat and the fans rally up behind him. Fox stalks Nese to ropes, brings him up, and Fox fireman’s carries. Nese fights free! Nese waistlocks, Fox switches, Nese switches! Fox backs Nese into buckles and is free!

Fox snapmares and rolls, but Nese GERMAN SUPLEXES! Nese has Fox in the corner, sits him down and runs side to side! But Fox dodges the knee! Nese aims to ELBOW! Nese goes up and Fox catches him! ARABIAN PRESS FLY!! Cover, Fox wins!!

Winner: AR Fox, by pinfall

The Premier Athlete talked a big game but he got dunked on! Will Nese learn not to brag before the match? Will Fox use this momentum to fly up and grab a golden ticket?

My Thoughts:

A good episode of ROH, though a bit wonky in match order. Claudio VS Rocky for the ROH World Championship to start the night? I get it, we all know Claudio isn’t losing the belt on ROH weekly programming, and certainly not with the highly anticipated match of Claudio VS Eddie, Winner Takes All. But c’mon, make it dramatic for the sake of kayfabe. And also, while Nese and Fox are great in the ring, is their match really main event material? Well, to be fair, they had a great match tonight, but on paper, I would’ve made it the world title match and I would’ve really powered up that match to be worthy.

A lot of filler matches this time, though. Mack & Infantry get a good Six Man Tag win, Mercedes of course wins, The Gates of Agony of course win, Willow has a good match with Frost and gets a solid win, and The Workhorsemen technically get a surprise win over The Boys in The Boys’ return match. Now, Mack & Infantry can be building themselves up in the Trios Division and probably will challenge The Mogul Embassy for the titles at some point. Woods also has a somewhat filler match against Garrini but it feeds into his story of wanting stronger competition to sharpen his skills before going for another title match.

Daniels VS Darius isn’t really filler, either, as there’s a hint of a new story for Daniels. He got caught by a rather simple maneuver because he’s feeling the years catch up to him, which could be something akin to when he and Frankie Kazarian made it all or nothing for their tag career together. Shane VS Johnson was really good stuff, and I do like that Lee Moriarty has found something to do in joining Shane Taylor Promotions. Feels like we could get some Lee VS Lee matches out of this, and maybe Johnson gets a teammate so they can take on Shane & Moriarty at once. And Shane’s promo was great, I really do agree he carried ROH before and going into Pandemic Era, he really does deserve something (a title) as reward.

Fun little bit from Billie and Lexi with Athena giving her a wacky list of things to do. As I said before, I do hope we get some vignettes of her working on this “training” for some fun character work. The list could get to the point of wacky tasks that it makes Billie stand up to Athena and we get that title match for an ROH PPV. And Ethan VS Griff was a good match for Ethan to get an ROH story started while also feeding into Griff’s story with Maria. Though, I very much cringed at Karter having to randomly point out Maria’s necklace, all so they could reference the lewd uses of a pearl necklace. Seriously, Maria should replace Cole “Simp” Karter with Griff and maybe some others.

My Score: 8.2/10