Will CMLL’s star make a splash in ROH?

After taking the ROH World Television Championship from Kyle Fletcher, Atlantis Jr. is here, and stepping onto the Proving Grounds!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Triple Threat: Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Robyn Renegade VS Marina Shafir; Taya wins.
• 10 Minute Time Limit ROH World Television Championship: Atlantis Jr. VS Serpentico; Atlantis wins and retains the title.
• Skye Blue VS Laynie Luck; Skye wins.
• ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground: Billie Starkz VS Mackenzie Morgan; Billie wins and denies Morgan a title match.
• Diamante VS Nyxx; Diamante wins.
• Six Man Tag: Lee Johnson & The Infantry VS The Dark Order; Lee & The Infantry win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Triple Threat: Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS Robyn Renegade VS Marina Shafir!

While Queen Aminata and Red Velvet are each facing Athena and Billie Starkz at Death Before Dishonor, title chases never end! Will La Wera Loca prove she’s not just TV Ready but that she’s championship ready? Will the Renegade run wild? Or will they both have a Problem on their hands?

The Code of Honor is sarcastically upheld by Taya and Robyn, but Marina is too scary. The bell rings, Taya steps up but then steps back once she gets Marina’s attention. Robyn scares Taya, too, but then Marina BOOTS Robyn! Marina hits a SAYANAGI, then she drags Robyn up to SAYANAGI again! Marina wraps Robyn up into a modified cobra twist. Taya goes outside and Johnny coaches her up while Robyn fights to her feet. Robyn RAMS Marina into buckles, then RAMS in again. Robyn is free, she runs back in, but Marina dodges. Robyn dodges the boot, bumps Marian off buckles, then reels Marina in for a BACKSTABBER!

Robyn fires up and the fans are with her. Robyn runs, and she SHOTGUNS Marina out of the ring! The fans rally, Robyn builds speed, but Taya trips her up! Taya also spins Robyn to fire KNEE after KNEE! Then Taya BOOTS Robyn down! The fans cheer and Taya says, “I know, right?” Taya drags Robyn up to whip her hard into barriers! Johnny kisses Taya and the fans are torn. Taya then goes to Robyn to CHOP her. Taya puts Robyn in, then she high-tens Johnny. But Marina rolls Robyn up! TWO, and Taya hurries in! Taya gets in Marina’s face and shoves her. Marina shoves back! Taya fires a forearm so Marina hits back!

Robyn goes up and she DOUBLE CROSSBODIES them both! The fans fire up but Taya mule kicks! Marina ROUNDHOUSES! Taya goes to cover Robyn but Marina drags her away. Marina hits Robyn with a BIG back suplex, but Taya covers! Marina drags Taya off and Taya thought they were working together. Taya drags Robyn up, and they DOUBLE CHOP! Then they double whip, but Robyn gets under the double lariat to shove Taya into Marina!  Robyn fires off forearms and CHPOS on them both! Robyn dodges Marina to ENZIGIRI! Taya is in a corner, Robyn storms up but Taya BOOTS her!

Taya whips, Robyn reverses and Taya runs into Marina! Robyn DOUBLE KNEES them both! Robyn whips, Taya breaks free but Robyn BOOTS her down! The fans fire up with Robyn and she runs in again, FOREARM SMASH! Robyn goes corner to corner to BOOT Marina! Robyn brings Marina around and reels her in to throw knee after knee. Robyn then puts Marina through ropes, and KNEES her again! The fans cheer, Robyn runs, and she jumps up to DOUBLE STOMP Marina down! Cover, Taya breaks it! Taya drags Robyn up, ROCKS her with forearm after forearm, then chicken wings! But Robyn fights that off!

Robyn SUPERKICKS Taya! Marina ROUNDHOUSES Robyn! Headlock takeover, into MOTHER’S MILK!! Robyn flails but she’s fading out, only for Taya to KNEE Marina in the head! Taya fireman’s carries but Robyn fights free! Robyn shoves, Taya BOOTS back! Marina runs in, Taya dodges and SPEARS! Robyn swings, misses, and Taya BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Taya hooks the legs, grabs the arms, and plays some SHANIA PAIN!! Cover, Taya wins!

Winner: Taya Valkyrie, by pinfall

“The Main Character” wins again, and she celebrates with hubby Johnny TV. Will Taya be right in line for a title match after Death Before Dishonor?

The Kingdom speaks.

Matt Taven says, “My first match in ROH was in 2009. Yeah, you (Mike Bennett) beat me to ROH, so you were actually there before me. But in 2009 was the very first time I stepped foot in an ROH ring. So needless to say, I’ve been at plenty of Death Before Dishonors, alright? For years, I was proud to say He is I, and I am Him, and I’M Matt Taven, and I choose Death Before Dishonor.” So needless to say, The Kingdom has built equity in this new ROH. They haven’t missed an episode on eight MONTHS! Every show, they are here! Dynamite, Rampage, Collision, ROH, The Kingdom is HERE.

So they just want one thing. At DBD, give them the day off! They earned it! Tony Khan is the best boss they’ve ever had, so please, let them go somewhere nice. That’s Roderick Strong’s birthday! They have a nice seafood dinner lined up, they can put Honor Club on the phone, watch DBD, and figure out if the Melvins can decide if there is anyone worthy of challenging for the ROH World Tag Team Championships! Bennett says he doesn’t think there is such a team. But DBD, they don’t have the best track record. No, yeah, Taven lost the world title there, he lost the Six Man titles there. The Kingdom is NOT going to DBD. Not that they’d lose, but still.

Bennett says he’ll even make an exception this year. Here’s the deal: TK can throw them a celebration, maybe give them some of that Mercedes Mone money, and there can be balloons, dancers, confetti! Bennett will say this in person right now! Bennett heads out and Taven says yeah, if TK can give them all that, they’ll show up for DBD. Because they are The Kingdom, they are undisputed, and… Wait up already, Bennett! Taven heads after Bennett, but will they get their party? Or will they have the party pooped?

10 Minute Time Limit ROH World Television Championship: Atlantis Jr. VS Serpentico!

Kyle Fletcher went to Arena Mexico to face the second generation luchador in his backyard, and unfortunately for Fletcher, he lost! But now Atlantis is repaying the favor by coming here to ROH! Will Atlantis prove he’s ready for a rematch with the Protostar? Or will #SNAKEMAN snatch this title first?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is material de campeonato!

The Code of Honor is upheld, then Serpentico gets a headlock! Atlantis powers out, Serpentico RAMS him, but Atlantis rebounds to run Serpentico over! Atlantis keeps moving, Serpentico throws Atlantis out but Atlantis lands on the apron. Atlantis RAMS into Serpentico, slingshots, but Serpentico avoids the senton. Serpentico keeps moving to RANA! The fans fire up while Atlantis staggers up. Things speed up again, Serpentico rolls over the dropdown but Atlantis DROPKICKS him out! The fans fire up, Atlantis builds speed, and Atlantis slides, but Serpentico ducks! Serpentico then runs up, Atlantis pops him up, but Serpentico RANAS again!

Serpentico hurries to get Atlantis up and into the ring. Serpentico climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Atlantis stays in this, but Serpentico fires hands. Serpentico whips, Atlantis reverses but Serpentico goes up, only for Atlantis to KICK him out of the air! Then somersault and CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Serpentico survives and Atlantis grows frustrated. The fans rally, Atlantis drags Serpentico up and fireman’s carries. Serpentico fights free, rolls Atlantis then SUPERKICKS him! Serpentico then leaps to FLATLINER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Atlantis is still in this and Serpentico grows frustrated.

The fans rally, Serpentico climbs, and the fans fire up! Serpentico leaps, but he rolls through as Atlantis moves! Serpentico hurries back after Atlantis, goes up and up but Atlantis puts him on the corner, to ENZIGIRI! Serpentico ends up in a Tree of Woe, Atlantis runs side to side to DROPKICK! Serpentico falls, Atlantis covers, TWO! Atlantis stays on Serpentico, brings him up, but Serpentico ROCKS him! Atlantis ROCKS him back! They go forearm for forearm, then Atlantis gets the edge. Atlantis whips corner to corner, runs in, but Serpentico BOOTS him! Serpentico then goes up to RANA Atlantis away!

Atlantis comes back, Serpentico sidesteps to ENZIGIRI! Schoolboy with bridge, TWO! Atlantis escapes and the fans rally again. Serpentico runs corner to corner, but Atlantis goes up and over! Then SNAP POWERSLAM! Atlantis goes up and up, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, Atlantis wins!

Winner: Atlantis Jr, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)

Atlantis ends this with time to spare, and now he is surely going to Death Before Dishonor with this title. But bigger than that, he shows Serpentico respect by helping up to his feet. The fans cheer, but will Atlantis get to make an even bigger splash from here on?

The MXM Collection speaks.

“This is Mansoor.” “This is Mason.” And soon, ROH will stand for more than just “Ring of Honor.” It will be “Radiant, Ozempic Hotness.” Some might think MXM in ROH is a “reach,” and well, get ready for the biggest reach around in your life! Welcome to the MXM Collection!

ROH Women’s World Television Championship Proving Ground: Billie Starkz w/ Athena VS Mackenzie Morgan!

As stated, Red Velvet awaits the Minion at Death Before Dishonor. Will Billie show she can serve up L’s like The Chef? Or will she be caught by The Element of Surprise?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The fans rally, the two circle, and they tie up. Billie waistlocks, Morgan reaches back to headlock then hammerlock. Morgan goes back to the headlock but Billie brings her down to a knee. Billie pops out the back then grinds Morgan’s arm down. Athena applauds but Morgan fights around. Morgan rolls, wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, then she wristlocks. Billie spins, slips through to wristlock, but Morgan drop toeholds. Billie stays up, and she grabs Morgan with a facelock. Billie shifts to a headlock, but Morgan powers out. Billie runs Morgan over!

The fans cheer, Billie flexes, then Billie runs. Morgan stays low so Billie rolls over her, and then taunts her. Billie soaks up the cheers and jeers, but Morgan runs up to arm-drag! The fans rally as Morgan grinds Billie’s arm. Billie endures, even as Morgan thrashes the arm. Billie fights up but Morgan arm-drags her back down! Athena is upset and coaches Billie, and Billie fights her way back up. Billie pulls hair to throw Morgan down! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Billie claims Morgan pulled hair first. Billie hauls Morgan up, snap suplexes and covers, TWO! Athena coaches Billie to hook a leg.

Billie clamps onto Morgan with a chinlock but the fans rally for Morgan. Morgan fights up but Billie throws her down! Billie taunts the ref reprimanding her, then tells the fans to shut up. But Morgan fires body shots! Morgan whips, but Billie avoids the dropkick! Morgan flounders while Billie laughs at her. Then Billie DOUBLE STOMPS Morgan! Morgan smiles and Athena loves it! Cover, TWO! Billie says she hooked the leg! Billie drags Morgan up, whips her to a corner hard, then runs in to LARIAT! Billie scowls as she looms over Morgan, and she brings her up. Billie puts Morgan in the ropes, then stands on her!

The ref backs Billie off, Athena has her new Minion Security lift her up so she can sucker punch Morgan! The fans boo but Athena gets away with it. Morgan flops to the apron, Billie drags her back in, and cover, TWO! Morgan survives and now Billie is mad! Billie drags Morgan up while the fans rally.  Morgan fires body shots and she backs Billie down to ropes! The ref counts, Morgan whips Billie but Billie reverses. Morgan ducks ‘n’ dodges, slides and trips Billie, to then pop, lock ‘n’ DROPKICK! Billie staggers to a corner, Morgan runs in to forearm SMASH! Morgan fires off forearms, then fireman’s carries.

The fans fire up as Morgan T K- NO! Billie slips free to THROW Morgan down! SOBAT to the neck! Billie then clamps on, CHICKEN WING ‘N’ CHINBAR! Morgan TAPS, Billie wins!

Winner: Billie Starkz, by submission (denies Morgan a title opportunity)

And Athena is all fired up! Wait, is she jumping around on that bad foot?! Billie says ignore that, it’s adrenaline! Cameras cut away, but is The Fallen Goddess in better shape than she claims to be?

Athena and the Minions regroup.

The Fallen Goddess is still fired up as she says, “That’s what I’m talking about, Minions! This is what we do! We win, we dominate, we’re MIT! That is what we do! This is our show! And all of these hussies are gonna learn…” Athena turns around to see the camera, and she immediately falls to the floor and clutches her leg! The Minion Security tells the cameraman to go away, but clearly this is suspicious! Will Queen Aminata get the answers when she looks to end the reign of terror?

BREAKING NEWS for AEW Collision!

Two great former ROH World Champions are going to battle it out in a #1 contender’s match! Roderick Strong VS Dalton Castle happens this Saturday on TNT, and the winner will go to Death Before Dishonor to challenge Mark Briscoe! Will it be the Savior of the Backbreaker or The Peacock that meets The Sussex County Chicken in Arlington?

Six Man Tag: Lee Johnson & The Infantry w/ Trish Adora VS The Dark Order!

While the Death Before Dishonor card is becoming more and more stacked, six men are looking to shine in the spotlight! Will Big Shotty help Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo earn some title shots? Or will Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds prove the Dark Order is still good enough?

The trios sort out, Bravo starts against Silver and they uphold the Code of Honor. The bell rings and the two circle as fans rally up. They tie up, go around, and Silver headlocks. Bravo powers up and out, but Silver runs him over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, and Bravo hurdles. Silver handsprings over, and he UPPERCUTS Bravo down! The Meat Man flexes and the fans cheer. Silver whips, Bravo rolls and dodges to UPPERCUT back! The fans cheer, Bravo brings Silver up and he wrenches. Tag to Dean, and the Captain goes up to AX HANDLE! Dean wrenches Silver’s arm, wristlocks, and he tags Bravo.

Bravo goes up and AX HANDLES Silver again! Bravo wrenches, tags Dean again, and Dean goes up, to salute and “OORAH!” AX HANDLE! The fans cheer while Silver clutches the arm. Dean wrenches, but Silver CHOPS! Silver bumps Dean off buckles, tags Reynolds, and they mug Dean. Reynolds UPPERCUTS Dean, UPPERCUTS again, and Dean flounders. Reynolds drags Dean up to whip, but Dean KICKS first! Tag to Johnson and he runs up, but Reynolds dodges. Reynolds slides under, waistlocks, but Lee bucks the O’Conner. Lee ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! And DROPKICKS! Reynolds bails out while fans fire up with Lee!

Lee aims, builds speed, but Uno & Silver get in! Lee ducks then, The Infantry gets in to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Reynolds returns but Lee DECKS him! The fans fire up as The Infantry coordinates to DOUBLE PLANCHA! Lee builds speed to FLY! Down goes The Dark Order and the fans fire up! Dean high-fives with Lee, then Lee high-fives Bravo. Lee puts Reynolds in, runs up, but Reynolds BOOTS! Lee comes back but Reynolds puts him on the apron. Lee counter punches but Uno CLOBBERS Lee to the floor! Silver suplexes and Reynolds DIVES, TOPE BRAINBUSTER COMBO! The fans fire up as Silver flexes!

Reynolds puts Lee in, covers, TWO! Lee survives but Reynolds drags him over. Tag to Uno, and he stomps Lee’s other arm! Uno drags Lee up to CHOP him down! Uno taunts The Infantry, then drags Lee over to bump off buckles. Uno CHOPS, tags Silver, and Silver brings Lee around to ROUNDHOUSE down! Silver huffs ‘n’ puffs and the fans rally up. Lee rises, Silver is on him first. Lee fires body shots, but Silver KICKS him down! Tag to Uno, and Uno tags Reynolds. The Dark Order stands Lee up, Silver builds speed! But he just hops on, so they can all flex! The fans cheer the photo op, then Silver hops down.

Silver runs while Uno & Reynolds hold Lee open, for a BOOT! Reynolds drags Silver to a cover, TWO! The Infantry coach Lee and the fans rally. Reynolds clamps on with a neck wrench but the fans rally up more. Lee rises, but Reynolds KNEES low! And KNEES, and KNEES again! Tag to Uno and he stomps Lee at the ropes. The ref reprimands so Uno drags Lee up. Lee fires body shots and CHOPS! Lee ROCKS Reynolds, ROCKS Silver, and ROCKS Uno! The fans rally, Lee hurries forward, but Uno spins him! Uno blocks a kick, gives it to the ref, but the ref gives it back! Lee ENZIGIRIS Uno!

Uno staggers away, Lee crawls, but Reynolds tags in! Reynolds anchors Lee’s feet, drags him back, but Lee pushes up! Lee rolls, Reynolds rolls him back! Lee hops up, but Reynolds ducks the enzigiri! Reynolds says nice try, but then Lee rolls to THROW Reynolds! Reynolds gets up, takes a swing, but Lee dodges! Hot tag to The Captain! Dean rallies on Silver & Reynolds! BIG back drop for Reynolds! Half nelson and ripcord, “SONIC BOOM” LARIAT! Go home and be a family man! Dean fires up and he runs in at Reynolds to BACK ELBOW! Dean tags Bravo, bumps Reynolds off buckles, and then The Infantry each go side to side!

Dean DECKS Uno, Bravo BOOTS Reynolds! Bravo puts Reynolds back in the team corner, and Dean runs in again. LEAPING LARIAT! Feed to the CARLIE CROSSOVER! Then the ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO!! Reynolds survives but Carlie tags Dean. Dean tags Lee, and then the fans fire up! But Uno DUMPS Bravo! Reynolds sends Dean into Lee! Dean turns around, into a POP-UP KNEE! Tag to Uno, he sends Silver into LARIAT and GAMANGIRI! The Wombo Combo gets going, but then Uno adds on! Silver shots “GET OVER HERE!” and Uno BOOTS Lee into the OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY into the corner!

Fans fire up as Lee is folded up! Silver feeds Lee to Uno’s cover, Dean & Bravo break it in time!! All six men rise, and they start throwing forearms back and forth! Lee & The Infantry get the edge but The Dark Order all kick low! The Dark Order all runs, but Bravo ROLLING ELBOWS, Lee BOOTS and Dean HAYMAKERS! Bravo says, “Hey, boys! Knock their heads off!” The Infantry and Lee run, but The Dark Order all shout “STAHP~!” And then SMACK!! The fans fire up as Infantry and Lee end up on ropes. Dark Order coordinates, run in, TRIPLE KICKS! And then Silver GERMAN SUPLEXES Lee!

The fans fire up as The Dark Order regroups. They stand Lee up, Silver runs, but Lee slips up and over him! The Infantry trip Silver up and drag him out! Silver BOOTS Reynolds out, Dean hooks Uno up! Bravo is in, BOOT CAMP! Lee goes up top and he FROG SPLASHES! Cover, Lee & Infantry win!

Winners: Lee Johnson & The Infantry, by pinfall

Big Shotty drops the payload and it is a huge win for the trio! Will Lee, Dean & Bravo all head for some gold in the near future?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH with it coming in under an hour. Skye was trying a new look, from new white gear to letting her hair grow a little longer, but clearly her attitude was still her Heel attitude, and maybe she can get in on a championship story in ROH after Death Before Dishonor. Diamante winning was obviously happening, but she sent a message to Leyla Hirsch by winning with an armbar. She and Leyla should have some kind of bigger match type than just the default rules, but not something with No Disqualifications. Go more Submission match or Iron Woman Match to see who can last longer and score more falls.

Very good Triple Threat as the opener, and while I thought Marina was going to win, it was a good move for Taya to take her out from behind and finish Robyn off. Taya is definitely up next for a Women’s TV Championship match, and it’d be very fitting if Athena & Billie lost to put the titles on Faces in Aminata & Velvet. As such, Billie of course won the Proving Ground but the real point of the story was Athena really is faking the foot injury. I have been saying each time that it felt like the time for Athena to pass on the title, and yet this is the first time Athena has tried to avoid an opponent. This might finally be the time someone dethrones her.

Very good Proving Ground match from Atlantis and Serpentico but it sure confused me how they did things. I thought it was supposed to be a Proving Ground when they said ten minute time limit, but then we got the graphic and the ref raised the belt, so it was just a quick title match. Atlantis gets his first televised defense in, maybe he and Kyle run things back for Death Before Dishonor and Kyle wins the belt back. And in a way, that adds to Kyle’s aim to be the best ROH TV Champion ever. It isn’t about being perfect and always having the belt, it’s about getting it right back after losing.

Good promo from The Kingdom, and I have a feeling that Tony Khan will give them their party, only for a team to crash it and challenge them to a match. And decent promo from Mansoor & Mason, not sure the chances of them crashing said party for The Kingdom, but I’m sure we’ll see them in action soon enough. And very good Six Man Tag for the main event tonight. The Dark Order are still fan favorites but it seems they’re just here to help put others over. Good win for Lee & Infantry, they can all go for different titles, but they could make a solid trio as well.

My Score: 8.4/10