Now this is a LEGIT grudge match!

While ROH prepares for Death Before Dishonor, Leyla Hirsch and Diamante throw the rules out the window in a LIGHTS OUT match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS Lance Archer & The Righteous; Archer & The Righteous win.
• Red Velvet VS Maya World; Velvet wins.
• Evil Uno VS Katsuyori Shibata; Shibata wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Cage of Agony VS Austin Mulitalo, Carson Hutcheson & Cappuccino Jones; The Cage of Agony wins.
• Queen Aminata VS Mackenzie Morgan; Aminata wins.
• Lights Out: Leyla Hirsch VS Diamante; Diamante wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Athena is here!

The Fallen Goddess makes her way out on crutches, Billie Starkz and the MIT Security in tow. Billie has the mic while the fans cheer Athena on. Billie holds the mic up for Athena so she can say, “Hello, Minions.” The fans cheer, but not good enough. Billie shouts, “She said, ‘HELLO, MINIONS!'” The fans cheer louder and that’s better. Athena says she knows what they’re all thinking. Why are they in this cesspool of a town? The fans boo but Athena says they all live here, they know how bad Little Rock is. But MIT is here for some uninterrupted talk time.

Athena knows what everyone is thinking: Death Before Dishonor is right around the corner, and they saw she walked without her crutches so she must be 100%. That’s not true, though! She was simply happy that Minion 400,237 & three-quarters, Billie Starkz, won her match and beat a porcelain hussy into the ground. Athena chalks that all up to adrenaline. Billie says yeah, it was just an adrenaline rush. Meanwhile, these bullies, these LIARS, Red Velvet & Queen Aminata, keep spreading rumors that Athena’s faking. Can’t you see this woman? She is NOT 100%! The fans boo, not quite buying the act.

Billie then tells Velvet that she’s been on Billie’s mind a lot lately. And Billie knows they have their match at DBD. Let’s just say Velvet’s made Billie see red the past couple weeks. Velvet has proven herself time and time again, and has the numbers game. But guess what? Billie won the ROH Women’s World Television Tournament, and that means she outsmarted Velvet and all the others to become “your first and last ROH Women’s World TV Champion.” The fans boo again but Athena tells Aminata that she may think she has Athena backed into a corner because she’s not 100%.

And Athena doesn’t care if Tony Khan and the Board of Directors force her to do this match and defend her title at DBD, she is still better than Aminata and every hussy in the back on one foot! Remember, friends, this is HER show. And she wants everyone to enjoy tonight. Athena & Billie will not touch Aminata & Velvet, they will not bother them. They are just going to kick their feet up and watch the night. Billie says Athena needs this rest time. Athena says next week, they’ll have Lexy Nair ask the hard questions as Aminata & Velvet have their five minutes of talk time. Athena hopes they’re not at a loss for words.

The champions head out, their security following. But between the “broken leg” and that cryptic warning, is the Fallen Goddess planning on something truly wicked before Death Before Dishonor?

Backstage interview with Dalton Castle.

Lexy Nair is with The Peacock and brings up that he is scheduled for a match against Lance Archer & The Righteous, but has no partners of his own to speak of. Has he had any luck finding some? Castle shrugs, flabbergasted, and says, “No, I haven’t!” Castle has looked all over, but why would he be put in such a situation anyway? This wasn’t his idea! They keep throwing obstacles in his path! Is this what the people wanna see? But then in step The Outrunners! Truth & Turbo ask “Mr. Castle” for a moment. They have formal introductions, though they have met before. When? Last week, they were his Boys.

Castle hushes Turbo and asks Truth what’s wrong with him. Truth says Turbo gets nervous. Castle can’t see Turbo’s eyes, he doesn’t trust that. Turbo takes his sunglasses off and puts them away. What do they want? The Outrunners were just wondering, if they could… Well, they’d love to be his tag partners! Castle looks them over, and asks what they’ve got. The Outrunners flex! Castle sees the biceps and the vascularity. He’ll see ’em out there. Truth & Turbo are super excited now, will they go from boys to men alongside The Peacock? Or will Vincent & Dutch help The Murderhawk Monster remind us all that #EverybodyDies?

Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS Lance Archer & The Righteous!

The trios sort out and the fans chant “Everybody Dies!” for Archer. But we get Vinnie against Castle and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, no Code of Honor and the two knuckle lock. Castle goes for a leg but Vinnie stays back. Castle headlocks, Vinnie powers up and out and Castle takes a tumble! But Castle fires right up! The fans fire up with him as he goes around the ring for a full lap! Castle keeps going, he makes a second lap, then slides in! Castle and Vinnie tie up, Castle puts Vinnie in a corner, but the ref counts. Castle lets off, Vinnie slips away, and the two reset. Castle stays fired up and the fans rally behind him.

Castle and Vinnie tie up, Castle waistlocks, but Vinnie hits an arm-drag. Vinnie has the armlock but Castle slips around to have the waistlock again. Vinnie fights up, throws an elbow, and Castle goes to a corner. Vinnie backs off and Castle gets annoyed. Vinnie smiles as he reaches out, and ol’ Dutch tags in. Dutch grins but Turbo starts to rev up! The fans rally as Dutch steps in, and Turbo says he wants it! Castle thinks about it, but he tags Turbo in! The fans cheer as Turbo flexes. Turbo spins, but Dutch kicks low! Castle says that is not okay! But then Turbo kicks low! Turbo headlocks, Dutch powers  up and out.

Turbo RAMS Dutch but Dutch does not budge! Turbo runs again, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then he baits Dutch into a BOOT! Tag to Truth, Turbo wrenches and Truth goes up. Truth flexes before the AX HANDLE! Dutch wobbles, so Truth tags Turbo. Truth gives Turbo the boost so he can run Dutch over! The fans cheer again, the Outrunners shake hands, and they DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! It even shocks Castle! The fans cheer but Archer gets in to CLOBBER Turbo and DECK Truth! Archer says this is HIS ring! Dutch stomps Turbo, punches him, then CHOKES Turbo on ropes. The ref counts, Dutch flicks that tongue, and Dutch lets off at 4.

Dutch stands Turbo up to scoop him, but Turbo slips free! Turbo dodges but Dutch grabs the leg. Turbo BOOTS Dutch away, hot tag to Truth! Truth runs, dodges Dutch but misses Vinnie. Dutch BODY CHECKS Truth! Truth sputters, Dutch hauls him up, and Dutch short arm LARIATS! Dutch drags Truth up to short arm LARIAT again! Castle coaches Truth but there’s little that can be done as Dutch clutches for an EXPLODER! Truth flounders to ropes, the fans rally up, but Dutch drags Truth up. Dutch HEADBUTTS Truth, tags Vinnie, and The Righteous THROW Truth into the corner! And then they do it again!

Vinnie hauls Truth up, SIDE EFFECT! Dutch drops the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Truth survives but Vinnie tags in Archer. The fans fire up as Archer bumps Truth off buckles! Archer stands Truth up to CHOP him! Archer goes corner to corner and ELBOWS Truth down! Tag to Vinnie, he snaps his fingers and walks around. Vinnie drags Truth up, but Truth CHOPS! Castle fires up, the fans rally, but Vinnie kicks Truth’s leg out! Then he runs for a SLIDING BOOT, then a SLIDING FLATLINER! Vinnie clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Truth down. Truth endures, the fans rally, and Truth fights up to his feet.

The fans fire up as Truth throws body shots! Truth RAMS Vinnie into a corner, then powers up to a BIG back suplex! Both men are down, the fans rally up again, and Truth crawls for the corner. Vinnie drags Truth back, DECKS Turbo, but then Truth dodges Vinnie! Hot tag to Castle! The fans fire up as The Peacock rallies on Vinnie with CHOPS and forearms! Castle then DECKS Dutch, swings on Archer, but Archer blocks the shot. Vinnie runs up, Castle blocks a shot to ELBOW him, then he BOOTS Archer! Castle runs, Vinnie dodges, but then Castle dodges! Vinnie ELBOWS Castle, goes up and up, and leaps, but into a waistlock!

Vinnie flails but Castle holds him up, for a HIGH ANGLE GERMAN! Castle rolls to a cover, TWO! Vinnie stays in this but Castle shouts, “Caaaa’mon~! I dropped him on his head!” Vinnie gets up, swings, but into the Alabama Lift! BANGA- NO, Archer tags in first! Archer choke grips, but Castle breaks free. Castle dodges, hot tag to Truth! Archer runs up, Castle dodges so Archer BLASTS Truth! Castle waistlocks Archer, but Archer elbows free. Archer ELBOWS Castle in a corner, then hoists him up! Archer inverted crucifix lifts, but the ref signals Castle isn’t the legal man! Archer doesn’t care, but then Turbo saves Castle!

Archer gets mad and he runs up, but Turbo takes the BOOT! Archer glares as Castle is on the outside, but then Vinnie RAMS Castle into steel steps! Vinnie then waves Archer on, and Archer choke grips Turbo. CHOKE- NO, Turbo CLUBS free! Truth holds Turbo in the corner, The Outrunners mug the monster! The fans fire up, Turbo runs, but into a BOSS MAN SLAM from Dutch! Archer RAMS Truth into buckles, runs, but into a BOOT! Truth goes up but Archer UPPERCUTS! Archer lifts Truth, for the BLACKOUT BOMB! Cover, Archer & The Righteous win!

Winners: Lance Archer & The Righteous, by pinfall

The Outrunners tried to make Castle proud, but not even they could stay alive long. Vinnie says that he and Dutch are coming for those ROH World Tag Team Championships, just like they did in the past. They’ve had dirt kicked in their faces, they taste it in their teeth, but soon everything will change. Will Vincent & Dutch tear down The Kingdom to reestablish their legacy?

MXM Collection speaks.

Mason Madden says, “Charisma. Uniqueness. Nerve. Talent. These were the ingredients needed to create these perfect little boys.” Mansoor says, “We here at the MXM Collection represent what we like to call, The Three F’s. Fashion, fitness, filanthropy.” Because they believe it is as important to be beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. So ROH, let them inside you. Welcome to the MXM Collection. When and where will these models of the mat maximize the ROH Tag Division with their debut?

Red Velvet VS Maya World!

Billie Starkz called out The Chef, so now it’s time to cook! Will Velvet #StirItUp and serve a fresh L? Or will the It Girl prove this is Maya’s world?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Velvet and Maya tie up, Velvet arm-drags and wags her finger. The fans chant “Stir It Up!” and the two reset. Velvet gets around Maya, waistlocks then cravats, then she snapmares Maya to a cover. ONE, but Velvet headlocks. Maya endures the grind, wrenches out and top wristlocks. Maya then hammerlocks, headlocks, and grinds the hold. Velvet powers up and out but Maya runs her over! Maya flexes but Velvet kips up! The fans cheer, Velvet eggs Maya on. Maya runs, Velvet drops down then DROPKICKS! The fans cheer and Velvet takes a taste.

Maya goes to the corner, Velvet storms up but Maya turns things aroudn! Maya fires body shots and CHOPS, then she ROCKS Velvet! Velvet turns things around to fire body shots back! Velvet stomps a mudhole, then shouts at the ref to shut up! The fans fire up with Velvet, but then Maya CLAWS Velvet’s eyes! Maya runs, but into a JAPANESE ARM_DRAG! Velvet has Maya on ropes and runs to DOUBLE KNEE! Velvet YANKS Maya back, STANDING MOONSAULTS, cover, ONE! Velvet stays focused and she brings Maya up. Velvet scoops, Maya slips fere to shove, but Velvet KICKS Maya! Maya runs in, but into a FLAPJACK!

Velvet kips up, not quite as smooth, but she dusts herself off. Velvet stalks behind Maya, drags her up, and dragon sleepers, for the ROLLING SLICE! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall

Velvet makes quick work of Athena’s former student and is just heating up. Will Velvet take down Athena’s Minion when it comes time for their ROH Women’s World Television Championship match?

Evil Uno is here!

The Dark Order’s front man makes his way to the ring, dressed in a nice tie and business casual, and grabs himself a mic. “Would you allow me a couple minutes of your time, Little Rock? You see, Evil Uno has been doing this for 20 YEARS. He’s worked hard! But the work does not end here. I’ve done it all! From Gatineau to Oberhausen! From Philadelphia to right here in Arkansas! And the easiest way to be considered one of the greats is to battle some of the greatest wrestlers in the world! So I have a little challenge. Be it ROH, AEW, CMLL, NJPW, hell, if you’re from Stardom and you’ve got the guts, Evil Uno wants to fight!

“Bring on your baddest! Bring on your biggest!” Uno is going to wait, willing fight in this suit it seems. Wait, is that… SHIBATA!? Katsuyori Shibata is back from the damage to his arm done by Chris Jericho, and he’s also back in ROH! The Wrestler is going to give Evil Uno that fight, but will it be game over for Player One?

Evil Uno VS Katsuyori Shibata!

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans fire up as the two circle. The fans rally for Shibata as he and Uno tie up. They go around in a deadlock, Shibata powers Uno to a corner, but he lets off with pats on the shoulder. Shibata takes Uno’s tie, and tightens it too tight! The ref reprimands, Shibata throws Uno down, but Uno gets the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, Uno bails out and he unties his tie so he can breathe. The fans rally, Uno storms in, and he rolls up his sleeves. The two circle, knuckle lock, and then Shibata slips around to spin, snapmare and chinlock! Uno flails, even as Shibata shifts grip.

Uno fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, but Shibata tries a German Suplex! Uno elbows free, whips Shibata out of the ring, then goes out after him. Uno whips Shibata hard into barriers and Shibata falls in a heap! Uno soaks up cheers and jeers while pacing around. Uno gets Shibata and whips him hard into more barriers! Uno refreshes the ring count, storms over to Shibata and drags him up. Uno puts Shibata in the ring, drags him back up, and CHOPS him! The fans “WOO~!” while Shibata staggers. Shibata stays up so Uno CHOPS again! Shibata just looks annoyed now. Uno CHOPS, Shibata dusts himself off.

Uno winds up to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! Shibata eggs him on more, so Uno CHOPS! Shibata ROCKS Uno with a forearm! Shibata CLUBS Uno, runs, but Uno CHOPS again! Shibata just goes through it! Uno ROCKS Shibata back! Uno CHOPS, runs, but Shibata dodges the boot to come back and BOOT! Uno turns himself around, the fans fire up and Uno shoves Shibata. Uno runs but Shibata BOOTS him down! Shibata drags Uno up, and runs him to a corner to BOOT him! Shibata fires forearms to sit Uno down, then he runs corner to corner. HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Shibata hauls Uno up, for a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO!

Shibata grabs Uno’s arm for an ARMBAR! Uno endures, reaches out, and he kicks his way over. The fans rally, Uno reaches out, and Uno has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Shibata lets off, and he waits on Uno. The fans rally and duel, but the ref has Doc Sampson check Uno. Doc says no and the ref calls it, Shibata wins!

Winner: Katsuyori Shibata, by referee stoppage

Uno wanted a fight but he got much more than he bargained for. Will Uno’s arm be alright so he can still hang out with Chugs on Twitch? As for Shibata, he has his return victory, will he use this to start his journey back to the ROH Pure Championship?

Shane Taylor speaks.

“Just a few days ago, Hurricane Beryl came rumbling through Houston. And as I sat in my home with no power with my wife and two daughters, it occurred to me, as I held my youngest, as she cried, ‘Daddy, I’m afraid of the dark,’ I didn’t get one phone call from AEW or even ROH to even call to see if we were alive. Hmm. But if that was Mark Briscoe’s family, I bet you would’ve called ’em. If that was Wheeler Yuta’s family, I bet you would’ve called ’em. If that was Kyle O’Reilly or Orange Cassidy’s family, I bet you would’ve called ’em! My family’s not valuable, right? Shane Taylor’s not valuable, right? Okay.

“That’s all the motivation that I need. You don’t care. You don’t value my family or what I love. Then I’m gonna take what you value from the people that you love. I don’t care when, I don’t care where. Mark Briscoe, I’m talking to you. At some point, you will stop ducking me, and it will be you versus Shane Taylor for the ROH World Championship. And dawg, you don’t have to worry about finding me to give me an answer, because I’m gonna be looking for you. Rumble, bad man, rumble.”

Queen Aminata VS Mackenzie Morgan!

Just as Billie called out Velvet, Athena called out the One and Only African Queen in ROH ahead of their showdown. Will Aminata’s response be loud and physical tonight? Or will she be taken by The Element of Surprise?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally up as the two circle. Aminata and Morgan tie up, Aminata gets around to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Morgan staggers up, Aminata reels her back in, but Morgan flails. Aminata still hits a GERMAN SUPLEX! Aminata dusts her hands off, then gets Morgan in another waistlock. Morgan fires elbows to get free, then she fires more forearms! Aminata wobbles, Morgan runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then tilt-o-whirls, but Aminata turns that into a third GERMAN SUPLEX! Aminata smiles as she’s having fun and the fans say “This is Awesome!”

Aminata shakes and shimmies, then asks the fans to please calm down. She runs in side to side to BOOT WASH Morgan at the corner! Aminata almost sends herself out of the ring, she hit that hard! The fans fire up as Aminata then hauls Morgan up, Alabama Lifts, and runs for the AIR RAID CRASH!! Cover, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by pinfall

Aminata put some extra sauce on that one! She vows to be the NEW ROH Women’s World Champion, will she make it happen in Arlington?

Lights Out: Leyla Hirsch VS Diamante!

The LEGIT One and the Cuban Diamond have gone back and forth in the ring and on the mic, and things have escalated to this match with no rules other than “Just win!” They sacrifice this counting towards their records and rankings all for the sake of putting this to rest, but who walks away having turned the other’s lights out?

The bell rings and Diamante already has a kendo stick! Leyla dodges the swing, waistlocks and SLAMS Diamante, then eggs her on. Leyla fires forearms, but Diamante shoves and headlocks. Leyla powers up to SAIDO! Diamante tumbles out of the ring, grabs at a trash can, but Leyla lines up a shot. Leyla DIVES but Diamante uses the can! Diamante says this is her expertise, and she SMACKS Leyla off barriers! Leyla sputters, Diamante grabs the trash can again, and she puts it around Leyla. Diamante grabs the lid, and she SMACKS the side of the can! And again! And again! Leyla staggers around as Diamante keeps hitting her! Diamante then runs to SHOTGUN Leyla down!

The fans fire up while Leyla gets free of the can. Diamante says she ain’t playing, and she drags Leyla up. Diamante CLUBS Leyla while fans rally and duel. Diamante whips Leyla hard into barriers! Diamante then runs in, but Leyla TOSSES her over! Diamante staggers up, and Leyla DECKS her! Leyla grabs a chair, sits it right up against the barriers, and then she gets space. Leyla runs up and uses the chair to go up and up and LEAP onto Diamante! The fans fire up as Leyla stands tall! Leyla then TOSSES Diamante back over the barriers. Leyla pursues but Diamante has the chair for her own! Diamante JAMS Leyla low!

Diamante JAMS Leyla again, then SMACKS her on the back! The fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” and Diamante grins. Diamante nods, to SMACK Leyla again! Diamante then drags Leyla up and RAMS her into the apron. Leyla staggers, so Diamante whips her hard into barriers. Diamante brings the chair, pushes it up against Leyla to sandwich her, then Diamante runs again, to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Leyla writhes from chair hitting her in the face, but Diamante drags her up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Leyla is tough but Diamante says okay. Diamante goes out to search under the ring.

Fans want tables, but Diamante finds a plunger! Fans chant for “Plunger! Plunger!” as Diamante brings it over. Diamante says time to embarrass Leyla! Diamante aims, but Leyla blocks the plunger attack! The fans fire up, Leyla spins and she kicks away at Diamante! Then Leyla wrenches to short arm LARIAT! Leyla sees the plunger, and she thinks why not! The fans cheer as she stands over Diamante, stomps her, then sits on her! Diamante flails but she can’t stop Leyla! Leyla PLUNGERS Diamante’s potty mouth! The fans lose their minds, Leyla lets off and grabs a chair. Diamante coughs and sputters, but then Leyla JAMS her up!

Diamante sits down, Leyla pushes the chair in her face now. Leyla gets the other chair, lines up a shot, and she SKATEBOARD DROPKICKS chair into chair to sandwich Diamante! Cover, TWO! Diamante survives and Leyla is surprised. The fans rally up and Leyla hurries to grab the chairs again. Leyla shoves that chair in and it hits Diamante. Leyla goes looking, and she finds a mysterious black bag! You never know what’s gonna be in that bag, and she pours out… THUMBTACKS! The tried and true item, and Leyla runs up. Diamante drop toeholds Leyla into a chair! Leyla staggers, Diamante reels her in! GERMAN SUPLEX onto thumbtacks! Bridging cover, TWO!!

Leyla escapes, but she just ends up getting more thumbtacks in her body! Diamante stalks Leyla and pushes her to the apron. Diamante sees there’s a table already waiting for them! Diamante reels Leyla in, Leyla fights the lift, so Diamante CLUBS away! But Leyla grabs the kendo stick! Leyla SMACKS Diamante again and again and again! Diamante falls, and Leyla SMACKS her one more time! Leyla drags Diamante onto the table and the fans fire up! Leyla goes up to the corner, lines up a shot, and decides to go even higher! This is rare for her, and she SUPER MOONSAULTS down through the table!!

The fans lose their minds while both women flounder in the wreckage! The ref checks both women, Leyla’s mad but she’s back on her feet! “This is Awesome!” as Leyla leaves Diamante behind. Leyla says if one is good, then more must be better, and she finds another table! The fans are thunderous as Leyla pushes that table into the ring. Diamante sputters, has a bloody ear and spits out her gum. Diamante crawls though she’s in agony, and Leyla finishes setting up her table. The fans cheer but we see Diamante grab the kendo stick. Leyla goes back for Diamante, but Diamante SMACKS her down!

Leyla flounders away, Diamante pursues and SMACKS her again! And again! And again! Leyla goes to the table, Diamante CHOKES her with the kendo stick! Diamante puts Leyla in the corner, stomps a mudhole, then hoists her up top. Diamante CHOPS Leyla, ROCKS her, then climbs up after her. Diamante brings Leyla up and the fans are thunderous! Leyla fights the suplex, throws body shots and she CLUBS Diamante! Leyla SMACKS Diamante off the buckle again and again, then rises up! The fans fire up again as Leyla leaps over to SUPER GERM- NO! Diamante clings to the ropes for dear life!

The fans fire up as Leyla CLUBS Diamante, brings the table just a little bit closer, then ROCKS Diamante. Leyla makes sure the table is just right, then goes up to fire forearms. Leyla brings Diamante up, fans fire up, but now Diamante fights the suplex! Diamante fires body shots, and she dribbles Leyla off buckles! Diamante goes up and hooks Leyla, for a SUPER CODE RED through the table!!! Cover, DIAMANTE WINS!

Winner: Diamante, by pinfall

Leyla may have won the last four, but Diamante has the biggest win in this 1v1 series! This match may not go on their official records, but did Diamante just prove she’s the legit contender ROH is looking for?

My Thoughts:

A really good episode of ROH for being 66 minutes, but it feels like ROH has gone into go-home mode already with Death Before Dishonor next Friday. For one, while we get a good promo from Athena & Billie, Aminata & Velvet of course win really easy matches. The more intriguing segment will be next week when Lexy is obviously going to set Aminata & Velvet up for a sneak attack by a totally not hurt Athena. And if Athena & Billie are standing tall after that, that indicates Aminata & Velvet could be dethroning them. I feel like this has to be the time Athena loses, Aminata has been built up to be the best possible challenger, they have no one else as a Face.

Meanwhile, Diamante could be seen as an ROH Women’s World Television Championship contender. She and Leyla had a great Lights Out match, and kudos to Leyla for embracing some hardcore spots. I was really worried about that moonsault of the top but you could tell, so was she. Though, I don’t know why this wasn’t a Fight Without Honor. “Lights Out” means this doesn’t count towards the win-loss record but an FWH still would. Was it just so they could keep Diamante from moving up the ranks towards the world championship, even though that’s all kayfabe as it is? I still feel like Tony Khan needs to iron out such wrinkles.

Castle & The Outrunners had a good promo but they kinda shoehorned it in right before their Trios match. Honestly, why have it at all? I totally accepted that after The Outrunners were his substitute boys then his tag partners in another Trios match before tonight, he knew who they were and would be willing to team with them again. But in the end, they were of course losing to Archer & The Righteous. I do like Vinnie giving that quick promo to establish their goal for the tag titles. If The Kingdom doesn’t lose the titles to The Conglomeration, aka Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy, then The Righteous should be the ones to revisit past feuds of Vinnie and Taven.

The Cage of Agony of course won their match, this is just them kinda spinning their wheels while the Trios Championship story is involving The Patriarchy and Bang Bang Gang. Very entertaining promo from MXM Collection, with a very clever code snuck right in there. Very strong promo from Shane Taylor to work Hurricane Beryl and the power outage crisis into the story. Now obviously AEW & ROH actually do care about Shane because he’s still getting screentime. But Shane continues great continuity to the days of ROH before AEW showed up where he was the one who wanted to put ROH on his back and carry it but was underappreciated. Shane is himself assuming Mark Briscoe wins at Death Before Dishonor, but Mark VS Shane would be some great stuff.

And what was meant to be great stuff has an unfortunate finish. Uno was all fired up, Shibata was making his return, but there was nothing that could be done about a dislocated elbow. Shibata was winning either way but no one wants it like this. Wheeler Yuta and the Pure Championship are still not booked for DBD, but with only one week, even with Rampage, Collision and Dynamite, I doubt they jump right into a Pure Championship match between Yuta and Shibata. But hey, this does hint at Shibata, Hook and/or Samoa Joe going after Jericho this Wednesday after the FTW Championship match.

My Score: 8.6/10