Time to bust some brackets!

The ROH Women’s World Television Championship tournament is finally here! And the opening round is red hot as Kiera Hogan takes on Diamante!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Queen Aminata VS J-Rod; Aminata wins and advances.
• The Infantry VS Midnight Heat; The Infantry wins.
• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Leyla Hirsch VS Rachael Ellering; Leyla wins and advances.
• The Outrunners VS Jeaux Braxton & Ice Williams; The Outrunners win.
• Bryan Keith VS Slice Boogie; Keith wins.
• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Trish Adora VS Mercedes Martinez; Martinez wins and advances.
• Six Man Tag: Lance Archer & The Righteous VS Jon Cruz, JC Valentine & James Blackheart; Archer & The Righteous win.
• Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Kenny King; Castle wins.
• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Kiera Hogan VS Diamante; Diamante wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Queen Aminata VS J-Rod!

To be an inaugural champion is to be immortalized in history, and the first match in such a tournament sets the tone for the entire thing! Will the Queen of Guinea make her way towards the throne? Or will J-Rod prove she is The Ultimate Athlete?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the fans already really behind Aminata. Aminata and J-Rod circle, stare down, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, and then break. Fans applaud as the two circle again. They step up, and then J-Rod SLAPS Aminata! Fans fire up and J-Rod swings again, but Aminata ducks to CHOP! And CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! J-Rod falls over but Aminata brings her up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Aminata paces around, brings J-Rod up, but J-Rod hits a JAWBREAKER! Then J-Rod scoops Aminata to hit SNAKE EYES! J-Rod runs to BOOT Aminata down! J-Rod then rains down forearms!

J-Rod taunts Aminata, but lets off to let Aminata up. Aminata throws body shots but J-Rod knees low. J-Rod bumps Aminata off buckles, then CHOPS! J-Rod pushes Aminata to a corner then stomps her down. The ref counts, J-Rod lets off, but then she stomps Aminata again. J-Rod CHOPS, Aminata ROCKS her back! Aminata CHOPS, but J-Rod avoids the boot to CHOP again! J-Rod whips corner to corner hard and Aminata bounces off the buckles! J-Rod shows off by running in place, then she digs her knees into Aminata. The ref counts, J-Rod lets Aminata up and throws knees. J-Rod then snap suplexes hard! Cover, TWO!

J-Rod smirks as she pushes Aminata down then drops an elbow! Cover, ONE!! Aminata is showing her toughness but J-Rod scoops her for a SLAM! J-Rod goes up the corner while fans rally for Aminata, and J-Rod FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Aminata moves! Aminata then BASEMENT UPPERCUTS! Fans fire up as Aminata rallies on J-Rod with LARIAT after LARIAT! Aminata spins J-Rod, snapmares and KICKS her in the back! Aminata runs to PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up with Aminata, and she runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK! Aminata roars, runs side to side, and BOOT WASHES!

The fans fire up as Aminata says she is one of one. Aminata drags J-Rod up but J-Rod grabs ropes. Aminata gets her free to whip corner to corner, then runs in again, but J-Rod drop toeholds her into buckles! J-Rod CHOPS and CHOPS and ROCKS and ROCKS Aminata! J-Rod roars, runs, but Aminata dodges! J-Rod POSTS herself, then staggers back into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Aminata wants J-Rod to rise up, and she does, into a HEADBUTT! Cover, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

And with that, Queen Aminata is the first of the “Elite Eight!” Will she make it all the way to the end to hold up that title? Or will another take the throne from her?

ROH shows the tournament bracket!

We already have half the matches slated for tonight with Mercedes Martinez VS Trish Adora, Leyla Hirsch VS Rachael Ellering and Kiera Hogan VS Diamante, but the other half includes: Red Velvet VS Sandra Moone; Abadon VS Viva Van; Taya Valkyrie VS Sussy Love; and Billie Starkz VS Robyn Renegade!

ROH Media catches up with Queen Aminata.

They congratulate her on the win, and ask that besides winning the tournament, what else does she have to prove here in ROH? Aminata says she just won, literally, so she’ll tell us something. “Queen Aminata did not move all the way from West Africa to be average in this country. ROH, I know that belt is silver, but I’m sure even though I look good in gold, that silver will look extra juicy on my skin. So just so you guys know, this is not just for the ROH Women’s TV Championship. I am representing a whole continent. A whole juicy continent. So if you guys I am here to play, honey, think about it again. Because Queen Aminata is the one and only African woman wrestler.”

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Leyla Hirsch VS Rachael Ellering!

The LEGIT Friends of Strong Smile were joking about facing off in the first round, but it ended up becoming a reality! Will their friendship still be intact after having it out this early in the tournament?

The fans cheer and the bell rings. The Code of Honor is upheld, and the friends even hug before they circle. They tie up, Leyla wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rachael slips her way through to headlock. Leyla powers her way out and brings Rachael down to a knee. Leyla then lets off with pats on the shoulders, and the fans rally back up. Rachael and Leyla reset, tie up again, and Rachael headlocks for the takeover. Leyla headscissors, Rachael kips free, then roles reverse as Leyla hits a takeover but Rachael headscissors. Leyla kips free, runs up, but Rachael sweeps to cover. ONE, Leyla sweeps to cover, ONE, and fans cheer the standoff.

Leyla and Rachael resets and go again. Rachael waistlocks, shoves, then follows, but Leyla catches her to a backslide! Rachael slips free, but she blocks the knee! Rachael sets that down, but both show haymaker! The fans cheer the standoff, and then Leyla runs. Rachael runs her over! Rachael runs, but she stops the takedown and drags Leyla up with a gut wrench! Rachael carries Leyla around to then SUPLEX! Rachael hauls Leyla up to scoop and SLAM! Then the SENTON! Cover, TWO! Rachael keeps cool as she brings Leyla up. Rachael fireman’s carries but Leyla slips free and shoves Rachael to a corner.

Leyla runs up, blocks a boot and RAMS into Rachael! And again, and again, and again! Leyla then reels Rachael in for a gut wrench, but Rachael blocks the lift! Leyla powers through and she GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Leyla keeps cool and she brings Rachael up. Leyla whips, Rachael reverses but Leyla goes up and over to get on Rachael’s back! Leyla has the SLEEPER, then shifts to get an arm, IRON OCTOPUS! The fans fire up, Rachael RAMS Leyla into buckles. Leyla lets Rachael go, but then trips her up! Step over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Leyla keeps on Rachael with a waistlock.

Rachael fights with elbows and is free. She waistlocks, but Leyla fights it with elbows of her own! The two cool off, reset, then start throwing forearms! Technical showdown turns into brawl, but then the two fist bump, so they can just fire off! Fans fire up, Rachael gets the edge but Leyla knees low! Leyla runs, but Rachael CLOBBERS her at the ropes! Rachael runs but Leyla reels her in, to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Rachael’s right back up! FALLING FOREARM! Rachael pushes Leyla to a cover, TWO! Rachael grows frustrated but she cools off. Rachael drags Leyla up, and CHOPS her to a corner!

Leyla is stinging from that, and Rachael storms up to CHOP again! Fans want that “One More Time!” but Leyla ELBOWS back! Leyla runs up, into an STO! Rachael goes up and IMPLODER LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO! Rachael hurries to RUNNING UPPERCUT Leyla down! Rachael shakes out her left arm, hurries to cover, TWO! Rachael’s concern for her arm is slowing her down, but she brings Leyla up. Leyla’s right after that arm! Rachael shouts and screams and scrambles to the ropes! The ref counts, Leyla lets off, and there’s concern about the arm. The ref calls to a medic and has Leyla back off.

Doc Sampson talks with Rachael and she says it’s the elbow. He checks it but it is clearly sensitive. Replay shows it might’ve happened when Rachael fell on that left arm after hitting the uppercut. Doc has Rachael hold on, and then he POPS the elbow back into place! Fans rally up for Rachael and she seems to feel better now. Rachael grits her teeth and steps back in. Leyla isn’t sure but Rachael tells her c’mon, it’s still a match. Leyla hesitates, Rachael gets frustrated and she pie face Leyla! Fans fire up so Leyla says alright! Leyla fires forearms, Rachael shoves her but Leyla SHOTGUNS Rachael into a corner! SWINGING DROPKICK on top of it!

Leyla hauls Rachael up for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Leyla is frustrated now, and says Rachael wanted to keep going so c’mon. Leyla goes for a corner but Rachael anchors a foot. Leyla stomps Rachael but Rachael holds on! Leyla stomps and stomps, maybe even hitting the bad arm! Leyla goes up the corner to the very top, LEGIT MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO?!? Rachael survives and Leyla can’t believe it! Leyla tries to reason with Rachael about the arm, but Rachael isn’t giving up. Leyla goes after the arm, Rachael fights free, so Leyla hits another SAIDO! Cover, ONE?!?! Rachael is showing heart and tells Leyla to do it. She has to!

Leyla runs up, LEGIT KNEE!! Cover, TWO?! And into a ghost pin! TWO!!! Leyla escapes, runs up, LEGIT KNEE again!! Cover, Leyla wins!

Winner: Leyla Hirsch, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

Leyla wins out but she shows concern for her friend. Will Rachael be alright to still support her friend the rest of the way?

Nyla Rose speaks.

The Native Beast asks “Athen-a, where are ya, girl? I showed up early, I got on my best fit, I’m calling these emergency Minion meetings, but you don’t seem to be anywhere in sight.” That’s because Athena’s sneaking up from behind! She SMACKS Nyla with a piece of table! Athena rains down fists, security tries to stop her but Athena DECKS them, too! Nyla RAMS Athena into the wall! And into another wall! And another! Security tries again but Nyla CLOBBERS them! Nyla CHOKES Athena as she lifts her up with both hands! Security tries one more time, but Nyla sends them into the wall!

Nyla SMACKS Athena with that piece of table! The Fallen Goddess is down, will ROH no longer belong to her?

Backstage interview with The Infantry.

Lexi Nair is with Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo, they had a huge win tonight against Midnight Heat. But what will they do to continue the momentum? Captain Dean says he and #BadNews&Tattoos are back in the win column, where they belong. That’s where they’re staying, isn’t that right? Bravo says Cap Don’t Cap, the boys and Trish Adora are gonna keep on winning. But then in steps Lee Moriarty. He doesn’t want problems, he just wants to congratulate them. And if they don’t know, seems The Outrunners are stealing the Infantry’s flow. What now? Well that move they call “Boot Camp,” word for word, bar for bar, Outrunners just did it.

Now, Moriarty wouldn’t do that, but they can do what they want with that information. Dean & Bravo head out to verify, will they get after Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd for that one?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Trish Adora VS Mercedes Martinez!

The Infantry said they were all gonna keep rolling, so the AfroPunk looks to do her part! Will she move on into the Elite Eight? Or will the OG Badass be heading for another title in her career?

The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe reluctantly by Martinez, and the bell rings. The two circle and Martinez says that title is gonna be hers. The two tie up, go around, and Martinez waistlocks to trip and then slap Adora around. Martinez kicks Adora, mocks the salute, then flexes. Adora gets up, she and Martinez circle, and they tie up. Martinez waistlocks, headlocks, then grinds. Adora powers up and throws body shots. Adora headlocks back, but Martinez wrenches free and stomps a foot. Martinez wrenches to a wristlock but Adora spins and wrenches and wristlocks. Adora slaps Martinez’s arm around and wristlocks deeper.

Martinez fights up but Adora double wristlocks, hammerlocks, and rolls her up! TWO, and Adora shoves Martinez. Martinez shoves back, Adora eggs her on. They tie up again, Adora waistlocks and wrangles Martinez. Adora then Oklahoma Rolls, ONE! Martinez facelocks, Adora wrenches out to a top wristlock and she wrangles Martinez again. Martinez fights up, wrenches through and grinds the shoulder. Adora fights up but Martinez snapmares and KNEES her in the back! Martinez clamps on with the motorcycle stretch but Adora fights up. The fans rally, Adora kicks free and wrenches to another double wristlock!

Adora gets a leg up on Martinez, literally, and shifts this into a modified Octopus! Martinez rolls through to get free, but Adora taunts her with push-ups! Martinez runs up but into an arm-drag! Adora runs Martinez over, gives her a salute, and Martinez gets up in a huff. Martinez kicks, UPPERCUTS, then headlocks. Adora throws body shots, headlocks back, but Martinez throws body shots back. Martinez powers out, drops down, and then bypasses to TOSS Adora out! Martinez CLUBS Adora, then RAMS her into the apron! Martinez pushes Adora into the ring, drops an elbow on the back, then drops a knee!

Martinez digs that knee in, bends Adora back, then drops another elbow! Fans rally but Martinez SPLASHES down on Adora! Martinez clamps on a chinlock and stretches Adora. Martinez says this is easy, but the fans rally for Adora. Dora endures, reaches out, but Martinez shifts to throw crossface forearms. Martinez hauls Adora up but Adora wrenches to PELE the arm! Adora CLUBS Martinez, but Martinez ROCKS her with a right! Adora drops to a knee, Martinez KICKS her in the back! Martinez brings Adora up for a snap suplex! Una Amiga, then Dos Amigas! Fans rally and Martinez brings Adora up, but no tres!

Adora rolls Martinez up, TWO! Adora runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Martinez kicks Adora around, bumps her off buckles, then throws forearms and shoulders into the back! Martinez RAMS Adora, lets off as the ref counts, and Martinez pie faces Adora. Adora hits back, but Martinez ROCKS Adora! Adora hits again, Martinez ROCKS her again! Adora fires a flurry, the fans fire up with her, and she whips Martinez to ropes. Adora then gets around Martinez to waistlock, but Martinez fights the lift! Martinez throws elbows, then palm strikes! Adora forearms, Martinez palm strikes, repeat!

Adora gets the edge, whips Martinez to ropes again, and POLISH HAMMERS! And then POLISH HAMMERS again! Martinez staggers up, dodges, but Adora hits a THESZ PRESS! Adora rains down fists and the fans rally up again. Adora aims, runs corner to corner, and SPLASHES! Then she BOOTS Martinez down and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Adora grows frustrated but she drags Martinez back up. Adora fireman’s carries, but Martinez fights free! Martinez CLUBS Adora on the back! Adora staggers, turns around, into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Adora is still in this and the fans rally back up!

Martinez is frustrated, she snarls as she stalks Adora. Martinez drags Adora around but Adora slips behind! Adora trips, steps over, LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and both women stand up! Adora dodges, BASEMENT GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! Martinez survives but Adora fires back up! Adora torture racks, but Martinez gets free! Martinez CLUBS the back, then DECKS Adora from behind! And then she clamps on, BRASS CITY STRETCH! Adora taps, Martinez wins!

Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by submission (advances to the second round)

Adora put up a fight, but it just wasn’t enough! The OG Badass stands tall, barely keeps the Code of Honor, but will she have new gold around her waist soon enough?

Rachael Ellering speaks.

She’s backstage, arm in a sling, and says, “This is, um… This is tough. I’ve been thinking about this tournament, obviously, for awhile now, and you go to bed dreaming to be able to be a part of these things, and so for it to…” Leyla walks in, Rachael says hey, and continues to say that to face her friend in the first round and for it to go like this is tough. Leyla apologizes for the way it went down, that’s not how Leyla wanted to win. Leyla promises she never meant to hurt Rachael. Rachael knows that. They both knew only one was moving on so it’s okay. Leyla is proud of Rachael, though. They went out there, did the thing, and…

Rachael says she’s proud of Leyla, too. Rachael has Leyla’s back the next round, the round after that, whenever and wherever, always. Leyla says after what happened, that means a lot to her. They hug it out, and Leyla heads out first. Will the Queen of Strong Smile be able to keep her smile, even when it’s her friend going for the gold instead of her?

The Infantry finds The Outrunners backstage.

Dean & Bravo are heated and ask Truth & Turbo what is their problem. Turbo asks back what’s their problem? Word is, Truth & Turbo are out there using Boot Camp! Boot Camp? They’ve been doing “Miami Overdrive” since Sportatorium! What?! Bravo says he’s watched these guys wrestle for 37 years, they never used the Russian Leg Sweep Boot Combo before. Dean doesn’t know what planet these two are on, but on this planet, only The Infantry does that move, okay? If the Infantry ever catches the Outrunners doing that move again, it’s curtains for both of them! Boot Camp for real! Knock the Tab outta both of you, send you back to the 70s.

The Infantry heads out, and the Outrunners chuckle. But that’s how winning’s done! Will The Outrunners have to watch themselves now that the Infantry is watching them?

Dalton Castle w/ The Boys VS Kenny King!

The Peacock is desperately wanting a match with Johnny TV, but for now, he’ll focus on his win-loss record. Will Castle get back on track towards championship gold? Or will the Return of the King truly be an epic story?

The bell rings, the Code of Honor is upheld for “old times sake.” Castle then rather sluggishly feels out the grapple. King backs up to a corner, the ref has Castle back away, but then Castle rushes back in! King dodges, he and Castle reset, and Castle waistlocks to a headlock. Castle shouts and thrashes around and the fans rally up. King powers up and out, but Castle runs him over! Fans cheer and Castle seethes. Castle rushes in, King drops, hurdles and drop toeholds to then float to the headlock. Castle fights around but King stays clamped on. The fans rally and duel, Castle fights up and lifts, but King cranks the headlock.

Castle wrenches the hold open, then hammerlocks. King reaches around, spins and reels Castle in, JAPANESE ARM-DRAG! Castle bails out, The Boys fan him off, but the fans fire up for King. Castle storms up the steps, down the steps, and the fans fire up for Castle now. Castle feels that energy, King tells him to get in here, but Castle says mind your business! He’s doing his thing! Castle goes up the steps but King reaches out to pie face him! Castle storms back in and runs up, but King dumps him out! Castle hits ropes a bit roughly and he storms up the ramp in frustration. King waits and the ring count starts, The Boys fan hard.

Castle runs down the ramp, leaps up to the apron, but King ducks the haymaker to sweep the legs! Castle tumbles down, King TORNILLO PLANCHAS! The fans fire up and Kenny says, “That’s why I’m the K I N G, KING~!” King puts Castle in, brings him up and fireman’s carries, but Castle slips free. Fans duel, Castle blocks a lariat to ELBOW! Then Castle LARIATS! King rises, Castle seethes and calls his shot! Alabama Lift, the spin starts up, but King slips free! King then wrenches and runs with Castle, HOTSHOT BULLDOG! Castle sputters, King goes up a corner, but Castle avoids the cannonball!

King staggers up, Castle waistlocks, but King RAMS Castle into a corner! King ELBOWS Castle, runs up, but into a BOOT! Castle fires up, runs, but into the EDDY GORDO KICK! Castle falls into the corner, King runs up, but Castle pops him up! Alabama Lift and spin, BANGARANG! Cover, Castle wins!

Winner: Dalton Castle, by pinfall

King looked sharp as ever, but he was still trumped by The Peacock! Castle gets himself a mic and he huffs and puffs. “I… am exhausted! But I cannot sleep knowing that there is a face out there that needs a smashing!” Fans cheer that, and Castle says he will wait no longer! “John TV, get out here with my answer right now!” The Mayor of Slam Town’s music hits, but is he even here tonight? He is! As is Taya Valkyrie! Mr. & Mrs. TV stand on stage, mic in hands. Johnny says look, it’s that guy who’s not TV Ready. That’s right, “Cheese Man.” Have you been on any TV shows lately? NO! Because you are not TV Ready!

Castle just wanders around backstage, eating cheese, talking about smashing Johnny’s face, “The most TV Ready guy in the history of ROH.” So Jerry Lynn told Castle he can’t have the match or smash Johnny’s face unless Johnny agreed, because that’d be like smashing money. Castle laughs that off, but then Taya laughs off him laughing. They have a quick laugh battle, and then Taya says Castle should really see what he looks like right now. Now, they’ve had time to think about what they want from Castle, and Castle did say they could have anything. Yes, anything! What’s it gonna be? Castle just wants to smash Johnny’s face!

Taya asks Johnny if they should tell Castle. Taya also asks the fans if they wanna know. “Yes!” Oh, really? “YES!” She doesn’t believe them. Castle asks what they want! They wanna know, right? “YES!” Johnny says they want… THE BOYS! Oh no! Brandon faints and Brent fans him. Castle is stunned, Taya laughs at the “loser.” If Castle wants to finally get even with Johnny TV, he has to give up the Tate Twins? Can he really do the impossible?

Athena sulks backstage.

She’s still in one piece after Nyla Rose thwarted her sneak attack. “The question is, what do I do? What am I going to do next? Someone has come to my show, tried to usurp everything that I have spent building up in 2023. And every time I’ve tried to stand up to the Native Beast, Nyla Rose, I’ve been knocked flat on my ass and I’m tired of it. This is my show, my family, my championship, and I’m sitting here thinking to myself for the first time, I don’t know what’s going to happen when I do what I’m about to do and I’m just TIRED of all of it right now. But Nyla… I’m not one to back down from a fight.

“I am the Fallen Goddess, I am the Alpha, I am the Minion Overlord, I am the ROH Gatekeeper, I am the one that protects this show, this division, and I am the Forever ROH World Champion. And next week… Next week, Nyla, I am challenging you to a Tables Match, for my championship. And I’m gonna give it all I’ve got to put you in the ground. Because this is what I do as a dominant champion. I don’t need flowers, I don’t need whiskey, I don’t need tequila, this is what I do! For my show, my brand, and my championship.” Athena is sore but she’s not gonna take it anymore, will she slay the Native Beast and defend everything she has?

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Kiera Hogan VS Diamante!

We’re hitting the halfway point of the opening round and it’s gonna make for a red hot end to the night! Will the Hottest Flame blaze a trail all the way to top? Or will she fail to crush the Cuban Diamond?

The Code of Honor is upheld, and Diamante says this is gonna hurt her more than it will Kiera. Kiera says okay. The bell rings, Diamante takes swings, but Kiera bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK Diamante! Kiera headlocks, Diamante powers up but can’t power out as Kiera holds on tight. Diamante fights up, goes to back suplex but Kiera uses that for a flying takeover! Kiera grinds Diamante down, taunts her a little, but Diamante fights up. Diamante powers Kiera to a corner, the ref counts, and Diamante lets off. Diamante ROCKS Kiera, backs off, and says she already said she didn’t wanna do this. Diamante runs in, but Kiera goes up and over!

Kiera keeps moving, she ducks ‘n’ dodges to then SPANK Diamante! Diamante is upset but Kiera drop toeholds her onto ropes! Kiera runs up to HIP ATTACK, then YANKS Diamante off the ropes. Diamante sits up, ducks the buzzsaw but not the HEEL KICK! Diamante flounders to a corner, fans fire up with Kiera and she runs in to clothesline! Then she KICKS Diamante, snapmares her, and goes up a corner. Diamante stands, and she hurries to YANK Kiera off the corner! Diamante repeats that she didn’t wanna do this, and she stomps Kiera down. Diamante throws hands, then brings Kiera up.

Diamante puts Kiera on the ropes to CHOKE her, the ref counts, and Diamante says she has ’til 5. Diamante stalks Kiera to a corner, stands her up, and CHOPS! Diamante whips Kiera to ropes, then ELBOWS her down! Diamante pushes Kiera to a cover, TWO! Kiera stays in this but Diamante stays on her with a chinlock. The fans rally as Kiera endures and fights up. Kiera throws body shots, but Diamante knees low. Diamante reels Kiera in, but Kiera suplexes first! The fans rally up while both women are down. Kiera and Diamante go to opposite ends, stand up, and the fans rally. Diamante runs in but Kiera elbows her away!

Kiera goes to a corner, Diamante runs in but into a BOOT! Kiera goes up and leaps, MISSILE DROPKICK! Diamante ends up in a corner and the fans fire up. Kiera runs corner to corner but Diamante dodges! Dragon sleeper, but Kiera turns that around! EYE OF THE STORM! Fans fire up with Kiera as she says kiss this! Keira goes corner to corner and HIP ATTACKS! Kiera keeps going, side to side for the BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kiera is annoyed but she says the belt is coming home with her! Kiera gets Diamante up, but Diamante rolls her up! TWO, and Diamante ROCKS Kiera! Diamante reels Kiera in, but Kiera powers out of the cravat!

SUPERKICK! Kiera reels Diamante in, NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Diamante flounders to the apron, clutches her neck but Kiera grabs at her. Diamante pushes her away, says the neck is bothering her. Kiera still grabs at her, but Diamante CLAWS the eyes! HOTSHOT STUNNER! The ref reprimands but Diamante still hits SHIRANUI! Cover, TWO!! Kiera survives the trickery and the fans fire up! Diamante fumes, she drags Kiera up and waistlocks, but Kiera switches. Diamante switches, Kiera switches, repeat! They keep going, then Diamante pushes things to ropes. Kiera bucks the O’Conner to SUPERKICK!

Kiera reels Diamante in, has the leg, FISHER- NO, Diamante slips free! Diamante wrenches but Kiera fires forearms! Kiera swings big but misses, Diamante brings her into the CROSS RHODES! Cover, Diamante wins!

Winner: Diamante, by pinfall (advances to the second round)

Diamante kept saying she didn’t want to, but she found a way to, and now she’s the one moving on to the Elite Eight! She gives Kiera a kiss on the forehead, will the Cuban Diamond soon be kissing the title?

Nyla Rose speaks, again.

“Athena, y’know, I generously accept. I thought you would never ask. I really appreciate the offer to relinquish you of your ROH Women’s World Championship. Thank you so much. But um, pbbbbt, where I’m gonna have to draw the line is when you tell me what we’re gonna do. See tables are my thing, capiche? Capache. So because I’ve enjoyed putting you through a table soooo much, here’s what we gonna do. We’re gonna do it twice! That’s right, a 2 Outta 3 Falls Tables Match! And Billie Starkz, since you’re a little slow, I’m gonna spell it out for ya. The rules are exactly the same as a 2 Outta 3 Falls match, except instead of pinfalls, ya put ’em through a table. See ya out there.”

The Native Beast saw the Fallen Goddess’ stakes and raised ’em further! Will Athena be able to demolish Nyla twice to defend her title? Or will she get demolished twice and lose it all?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode of ROH here, clocking in at 95 minutes. There was still filler, but I didn’t think they’d build a story of Infantry VS Outrunners out of their separate squash matches. That’ll be a fun feud, probably going in the Infantry’s favor to build them up towards the ROH World Tag titles. An interesting element was Lee Moriarty getting involved. Maybe Shane Taylor Promotions is pitting the competition against each other and then they’ll just pick the bones so they’ll look like contenders. Problem is, when is Undisputed Kingdom ever gonna show up on ROH? Taven & Bennett used to, before getting involved on the story on AEW, so hopefully the return.

Really good match and good win for Keith as his first match since being officially signed to AEW, and good Six Man Tag squash win for Archer & The Righteous. But similar to the Kingdom conundrum, Bullet Club Gold really needs to show up on ROH some time since they’re now ROH World Six Man Tag Champions. And really good match for Kenny King’s return to ROH, but of course Castle won. And I should’ve known that Johnny & Taya are making this about Castle giving up The Boys, it’s very much the same move as the feud Castle had with Silas Young. I’m pretty sure Castle is going to say yes, but then The Boys will sabotage Johnny so Castle can win.

Really good stuff in the ROH Women’s World TV Championship tournament, and I’m surprised they went with 16 to start. We get some new faces that are of course going to lose, though, such as J-Rod did tonight against Aminata. Really good promo from Aminata, she’s definitely one of my top choices in this tournament. Leyla VS Rachael was great, even with an injury angle being how they added drama to this. Leyla wins but there’s a chance Rachael will be jealous and that tears the friendship apart. Martinez VS Adora was good but the fans seemed tired or uninterested in it. Still a good win for Martinez, it makes sense a former world champion would advance.

Great main event out of Diamante and Kiera, with their own take on the friends reluctantly facing each other, given how they’re girlfriends IRL. Good win for Diamante, but she isn’t gonna make it to facing her tag partner, Martinez. The bracket is gonna make it Martinez VS Abadon and Diamante VS Billie, because for one, of course Abadon and Billie are winning. And then Abadon and Billie are the favored to win there, so they’ll likely face off in the semifinals.

And then great stuff from Athena and Nyla Rose with their multiple promos tonight. A 2 Outta 3 Falls Tables match is a genius choice, and it honestly could go either way. Athena has done so much for ROH, she does deserve to still be champion, but she also deserves to move up to the AEW titles at some point, so that match will make for a great main event on episode 52, which is sorta the anniversary show for the new ROH.

My Score: 8.5/10