Have no fear, The Infantry is here!

Matt Taven & Mike Bennett are giving Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo one last shot at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! Will The Kingdom still be undisputed after tonight? Or are they headed to Boot Camp?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS The Dark Order; Dustin & Sammy win.
• Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS HYAN; Taya wins.
• ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Kingdom VS The Infantry; The Kingdom wins and retains the titles.
• Rachael Ellering VS Brooke Havok; Rachael wins.
• The Outrunners w/ Erica Leigh VS Stephen Wolf & Barrett Brown; The Outrunners win.
• Robbie Eagles VS Darian Bengston; Robbie wins.
• Tomohiro Ishii VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes; Ishii wins.
• Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Fuego Del Sol; Johnny wins.
• Athena & Billie Starkz VS Queen Aminata & Red Velvet; Athena & Billie win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS The Dark Order!

The Natural was simply sending the fans home happy last week, and that upset Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver. However, a returning son of Texas made the save, and now Sammy rides with Dustin & The Von Erichs! Will Dustin & Sammy wrangle Silver & Reynolds like a couple cowboys? Or will we see The Dark Order is good enough?

The fans cheer Sammy and say “Welcome Back!” The teams sort out and Sammy starts against Silver. Sammy wants the Code of Honor but Silver flips him off instead. The bell rings, the two circle, and Silver kicks low. Silver headlocks, Sammy powers out, hurdles then backflips over to DROPKICK! Sammy kips up smooth and the fans fire up! Sammy brings Silver over, tags Dustin, and Team Texas double whips to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Reynolds runs in, but he gets a SUPERKICK, and Dustin LARIATS Reynolds up and out! The fans fire up, Dark Order regroups, and Sammy builds speed!

But then Sammy fakes Silver & Reynolds out to strut, spin, and pose! Dustin pats Sammy on the shoulder, but then Dark Order runs up! Dustin BLASTS them off the apron! Dustin says he’s gonna go for it! The fans fire up, Dustin builds speed, but then he fakes them out to say, “Not today, baby!” Then Dustin SPINAROONIS~! The fans fire up as Dustin poses and the Dark Order gets pissed! Silver storms in, he and Dustin circle. They feel things out, and Silver kicks low! Tag to Reynolds, and The Dark Order mugs Dustin. The fans rally for Dustin as Reynolds stomps away. Reynolds talks smack, but Dustin SMACKS him!

Dustin fires hands, but Reynolds headlocks. Dustin powers out, follows, then BULLDOGS! The fans fire up but Dustin’s leg bothers him. Dustin crawls while the ref checks on him. Dustin leans on ropes, Sammy and the fans cheer him on, and Dustin stands. Reynolds runs up, but Dustin DUMPS him out! Dustin hobbles out after Reynolds, and UPPERCUTS! Silver storms over, but Dustin UPPERCUTS him! Dustin manages to whip Reynolds into railing! The fans cheer and Dustin drags Reynolds back up. Dustin CHOPS Reynolds against railing, then pushes him into the ring. Dustin climbs up to the apron, but Reynolds distracts the ref.

Dustin steps in, Uno SMACKS him with a chair! The fans boo and Sammy protests, but Uno hides the evidence! Sammy still chases Uno off! But Reynolds covers Dustin, TWO! Reynolds tags Silver and keeps Dustin down. Silver stomps Dustin around, drags him around, then stomps the leg! Sammy hurries back but Silver DDTS the leg! The fans rally for Dustin but Silver stays on him at the ropes. Silver CHOKES Dustin, lets off at the count, and Dustin hobbles to a corner. Silver ROCKS Dustin, puts the leg in the ropes, and he pulls! The ref counts, Silver lets off, and then Silver ROCKS Dustin with a haymaker.

Silver brings Dustin over, DECKS him, then tags Reynolds. Reynolds puts Dustin’s bad leg on ropes, to ELBOW DROP on it! Dustin reaches out for Sammy but Reynolds taunts him, before he SUCKER PUNCHES Sammy! The fans boo but Dustin rises, and he rolls Reynolds up! TWO! Reynolds trips Dustin, drags him around and stomps the leg. Reynolds YANKS the leg, then rains down fists on Dustin’s face! Tag to Silver and he paces around. Silver KICKS Dustin’s leg, KICKS it more, but the fans continue to rally. Dustin scrambles to a corner, Silver taunts Sammy, but Dustin kicks back! Dustin ROCKS Silver, but Silver grabs the leg!

Dustin hops around, but Silver DRAGON SCREWS! And then HALF CRAB! Dustin endures but the fans rally up. Dustin powers up, turns over, and he kicks Silver away! Silver staggers, Reynolds tags in, and Reynolds drags Dustin back. Reynolds drops an elbow on the leg! Reynolds kicks Dustin around, taunts him, but the fans rally up. Reynolds drags Dustin up to fire hands. Dustin hits Silver and Reynolds in return! Dustin BOOTS Reynolds, hobbles, but Reynolds keeps him from Sammy! Dustin still tries, but Reynolds RAMS Dustin into the Dark Order corner! Dustin ROCKS Reynolds, ROCKS Silver, but Reynolds runs up!

Dustin DUMPS Reynolds out, and the fans fire up again! Dustin crawls, but Reynolds hurries back in! Dustin hits him for a SNAP POWERSLAM! Both men are down and the fans fire up even more! Dustin and Reynolds crawl, hot tags to Silver and Sammy! Sammy climbs up to leap and CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Johnny Hungy! Sammy runs to LARIAT Silver up and out! Then Sammy DIVES! Direct hit but Sammy keeps going! Sammy FOSBURY FLOPS onto Reynolds! And another smooth kip up! Sammy runs in, Silver is there, but Sammy hits a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Silver survives but Sammy just fires back up!

Sammy paces around, Silver is in the drop zone. Sammy goes up top, and he SHOOTING- NO, he has to bail out as Silver moves! Silver SUPERKICKS, then he and Reynolds DOUBLE DROPKICK at the ropes! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sammy survives but Silver tags Reynolds. The fans rally, but Reynolds says Sammy should’ve stayed home. But Sammy snatches Reynolds to a cradle! TWO, and Reynolds KNEES low! Reynolds whips Sammy to the corner but Sammy uses that to BLAST Silver! Reynolds runs up, into an ELBOW! Sammy SUPERKICKS Reynolds, then V-TRIGGERS!

Reynolds staggers, Sammy runs, but Reynolds POP-UP KNEES Sammy in return! Tag to Silver, and Silver climbs up! Reynolds puts Sammy on ropes, DOUBLE STOMP DDT COMBO!! Cover, Dustin breaks it!! The fans fire up as Dustin makes it in time! But then Reynolds rains down fists on Dustin! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Silver & Reynolds each have a man. They both step through, but Dustin and Sammy both BOOT them away! Reynolds and Silver collide! Dustin hops on to DESTROYER on Reynolds! Silver PUNTS Dustin! Sammy JUMP KNEES Silver! Torture rack, but Silver slips free! So Sammy feeds Silver to the RHODES UPPERCUT!

Silver staggers and Sammy torture racks again, for GO TO HOSPITAL! Cover, Team Texas wins!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall

The Natural and The Best Ever tough it out and they win out against The Dark Order! Will they and The Von Erichs now move on from The Dark Order? What will their next goal in ROH be?

Athena talks with Billie Starkz backstage.

The Fallen Goddess tells her Minion that she’s called this private meeting because, well, they gotta address the elephant in the room. Billie says fine, just let her have it then. Athena says no, she is tired of being angry. She is getting used to disappointment, and that is more frustrating than anything else. Athena sits atop the ROH mountain, with Lexy Nair beside her, and Athena wants Billie to be up there with them. Billie says she wants that, too! Athena says if that were true, then Billie wouldn’t have lost Athena’s ROH Women’s World Television Championship. Billie messed up. They’re supposed to be doing this together!

So it pains Athena to have to do this, but… They are revoking Billie’s MIT Diploma. She is back to just being Minion 400,237 & three-quarters. It hurts Athena far more than it hurts Billie. Billie is back to being a Minion In Training. But Boss- NO! Do not raise your voice to Athena. Athena is The Forever Champion, and Billie is supposed to be holding the Women’s TV title with her. But she’s not! This is Athena’s show, these are her rules. But then Red Velvet & Queen Aminata step in to say that actually, this is their show. How’d they get in? The door was closed. Well, at Death Before Dishonor, Velvet won fair and square.

So what they’re not gonna do is gloss over how Athena won her match. She used her minion and even Lexy to cheat Aminata out of the title. And that is not happening anymore. That is why THE Queen has spoken to the Board of Directors. Athena & Billie are no longer dodging and ducking them. Tonight, Billie & Athena will be in the ring with them for a match! Seriously?! Velvet sarcastically wishes them luck, and Athena says if Billie hadn’t lost her match, this wouldn’t be happening. Billie is taking abuse from all sides, but will this match help her vent some of that frustration?

Taya Valkyrie w/ Johnny TV VS HYAN!

The first of this Mr. & Mrs. TV Double Feature is here, and La Wera Loca leads off! Will Taya use this to prove she IS The Main Character? Or will she be upstaged by “The Renaissance Woman” of Texas?

The Code of Honor is upheld reluctantly, and the bell rings. Taya doesn’t take Hyan seriously, because this is “embarrassing” that this is the best Texas has. But Hyan ROCKS Taya with a forearm! Taya goes to ropes for defense, the ref has Hyan stay back, and Johnny coaches Taya. Hyan runs up, Taya BOOTS her, then trips her! Hyan goes to a corner, Taya ELBOWS and LARIATS in the corner! Taya sits Hyan down, goes corner to corner, METEORA! The fans are torn as Taya stomps a mudhole in. Taya lets off to then storm up on Hyan to fire off forearms. Taya CHOPS Hyan and the fans ‘WOO~!”

Hyan fires back but Taya ROCKS her again and again. Taya snapmares then KICKS Hyan, to then run and SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Hyan is tougher than that but Taya clamps onto her for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Taya clamps onto the arms for a motorcycle stretch! The fans rally, Hyan fights up, and Hyan body blows! And again! Hyan whips, ELBOWS Taya, then snapamres and rolls to then KNEE, KNEE SMASH, and LARIAT! The fans fire up with Hyan, but Taya BOOTS! And mule kicks! And KNEES! Taya runs to SPEAR! Taya hooks up the legs, HAMMERS Hyan more, and then plays some SHANIA PAIN!! Cover, Taya wins!

Winner: Taya Valkyrie, by pinfall

Taya smiles as she celebrates with Johnny, she did her part tonight. Will Johnny make this double feature a blockbuster later on? Or will he get burned by the Fire of the Sun?

Backstage interview with Griff Garrison & Maria Kanellis-Bennett.

While the First Lady of Wrestling still holds onto the stolen Serpentico mask, Melissa Santos mentions the Ivy League MVP’s incredible run with tag partner, Cole Karter. But that begs the question, what happened to Cole? When do we expect a return? But first, in steps Spanish Announce Project! Serpentico speaks with Melissa in Spanish about the problems SAP has been having with Maria’s baby boys, namely that stolen mask! Maria asks for English, so Angelico says they want ONE MORE MATCH, with the mask as the prize!

Maria isn’t so sure, she wanted to make it into a purse or a handbag, match her outfit with it. Griff says that would make a nice accessory. But Maria thinks about it, whispers something to Griff, and he nods. They’ll take the match, on one condition. Since Griff doesn’t have a tag partner, he’ll take Serpentico on 1v1, with Angelico banned from ringside! SAP talks it over, but wait, Maria has one more condition. When Serpentico loses, Serpentico must UNMASK, “for the rest of your sad, sad career.” A modified Mask VS Mask match? Does Serpentico accept? SI!! VAMOS!! #SNAKEMAN is risking it all, but will he get back what was taken from him?

ROH World Tag Team Championships: The Kingdom VS The Infantry!

Matt Taven & Mike Bennett have held onto these belts through quite a few contenders, though not exactly fair and square. And knowing that, Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo say they can get it done and done right! Will The Captain & #BadNewsAndTattoos pull off the uncanny upset? Or will The Kingdom show The Infantry’s chances are just as fictional as The X-Men?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if this last shot is all it’ll take to take these titles!

The Code of Honor is upheld by all four men, and then The Kingdom attacks! So much for that. The bell rings, Taven CHOPS and stomps Bravo while Bennett CHOPS and stomps Dean. The ref reprimands, but The Kingdom trade, only for The Infantry to dodge the stereo splashes! Bravo SUPERKICKS Bennett, Dean ROCKS Taven, and then the Infantry LARIATS The Kingdom up and out! The fans fire up as The Infantry stands their ground. The Kingdom regroups, and they snatch the belts! They wanna take their belts and go home! But The Infantry chases them down to CLUB them at the ramp! The fans cheer as they brawl!

Bravo RAMS Taven into the apron, Dean RAMS Bennett into railing! Bravo has Taven now, wrenches, kicks and tags Dean. The Infantry double whip to DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Then salute and DOUBLE FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Dean as he runs corner to corner to FLYING ELBOW! Dean whips Taven to the corner, but stays back as Taven goes up. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Taven catches Dean to a cradle, TWO! Dean LARIATS Taven down! The fans fire up, Dean covers, TWO! Dean drags Taven up, wrenches, then tags Bravo. Taven gets away to tag Bennett, but The Infantry fires off the Cap & Winter Soldier combo!

Bennett drops to his knees, Dean & Bravo DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOW! Bravo covers, TWO! Bennett stays in this but Bravo stays on him with a chinlock. Bennett endures, fights up, and powers up to power out. Bennett catches Bravo to a SLEEPER, but Bravo JAWBREAKERS free! Taven tags in, but Bravo arm-drags him down! Bravo grinds the arm, the fans rally, and Taven fights up. Bravo wrenches, tags Dean, and Dean goes up. AX HANDLE to the arm! The fans cheer and Dean sits Taven up to throw hands. The fans echo “OORAH!” with The Infantry as Dean whips, but Taven reverses, and Bennett gets a cheap shot in!

The fans boo but Dean DECKS Bennett for that! Taven spins Dean around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Adora & Bravo coach Dean but Bennett tags in to basement DROPKICK! Bennett stomps away on Dean, then he DECKS Bravo just because! The fans boo more but Bennett soaks it up. Bennett puts Dean in a corner to CHOP! And ROCK! And repeat! The ref counts, Bennett says he has ’til five! Bennett mule kicks Dean, brings him around, and tags in Taven. The Kingdom double whip, then POP-UP BAYONET! Cover, TWO! Dean stays in this and the fans rally up. Taven drags Dean up but Dean fires body shots!

Taven knees low, clinches and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Dean is tougher than that but Taven drags Dean back. Taven anchors the leg, tags Bennett, and Bennett drops an elbow on Dean! The fans boo but Bennett mocks the salute to then flip Bravo off. The fans boo more but Bennett drags Dean up. Bennett snapmares, runs and runs and runs, to then poke Dean in the eye! The fans boo but Bennett soaks it up. Tag to Taven, Taven drags Dean up and feeds him to Bennett’s FOREARM! Then Taven hits a PURPLE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Taven is annoyed but the fans rally up harder.

Taven clamps onto Dean with a chinlock and he grinds Dean down. But Dean fights up as the fans rally, only for Taven to throw him by his hair! Taven clamps on the chinlock again, and he grinds Dean right into the mat. Dean still endures as Adora, Bravo and the fans rally up. Dean fights up, throws body shots, but Taven HEEL KICKS! Dean is down, Bennett tags in! Bennett cocky covers, ROPEBREAK! Bennett is upset but he was taking Dean too lightly. Bennett slaps Dean around, mocks the “Oorah,” but Dean fires body shots! Bennett kicks Dean, but Dean DECKS Bennett! The fans fire up again as Dean and Bennett crawl!

Bennett anchors Dean’s foot, but Dean BOOTS him away! Taven tags in and he drags Dean back! Dean BOOTS Taven away! Bennett runs up to BLAST Bravo! Then he ROLLING- NO, Dean dodges and DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up for Dean as he and Bennett crawl again. Hot tag to Taven, he drags Dean back again! Taven suplexes, but Dean slips free! Dean dodges Taven to hot tag Bravo! Bravo rallies with big rights on The Kingdom! BIG back drop for Bennett! Bravo whips Taven, Taven reverses then hurdles, but falls for the CARLIE CROSSOVER! Bennett runs up, Bravo blocks the kick to NECKBREAKER!

The fans fire up with Bravo as he storms around the ring! Bravo runs up at Taven, but Taven puts him on the apron! Bravo ROCKS Taven first, then SLINGSHOT STUNNERS! Cover, TWO!! Taven is tough but Bravo fires up more! The fans are with Bravo, and Bravo ducks the heel kick to kick, run and SCISSOR KICK! Tag to Dean and he goes right up top! SALUTE SPLASH! Cover, Bennett breaks it! The fans boo as Bennett saves this one! Bravo whips, Bennett reverses and TOSSES Bravo! But Bravo drags Bennett out, and ROCKS him! Bravo whips, but Bennett rebounds to BOSTON BAYONET!

Dean runs up on Taven, blocks Taven’s kick to ENZIGIRI! Dean reels Taven in but Taven wrenches out to ROCK him! Taven tags Bennett, then BOOTS Dean! Taven sends Dean to the fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER, and JUST THE TIP of the knee!! Cover, BRAVO BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Taven drags Bravo up to TOSS him! Bennett drags Dean up while Taven climbs! But Dean trips Bennett to CATAPULT him into Taven! Taven is stuck up top, Dean and Bravo get Bennett with the OORAH-NAGE! #ModernWarfare hits hard, and now The Infantry drags Bennett up!

Bravo runs, but Taven trips him up! Taven RAMS Bravo into railing! Dean CLUBS Taven at the apron, but Taven RAMS into him! The ref is busy with Taven, so Bennett NUT PUNCHES Dean!! The fans boo but now Taven goes up! Bennett reels Dean in, HAIL MARY DRIVER!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!!

Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall (still ROH World Tag Team Champions)

By hook or by crook, Taven & Bennett stay undisputed! They don’t care, a win is a win to them! Will The Kingdom when they’ll resort to new low after new low to stay on top?

Shane Taylor Promotions speaks.

Standing alongside the NEW ROH Pure Champion, Lee Moriarty, Shane Taylor himself is smiling ear to ear. But Lee wants to say that this thing between STP and Top Flight, it has been going on a little too long. Lee is sick of seeing their faces, and is sick of playing games. Shane agrees with all of that. Lee suggests they raise the stakes. Next time Lee and Action Andretti step into the ring together, they’ll make it for the ROH Pure Championship! Shane says all caps, no spaces, he likes the sound of that. And he will explain why he doesn’t like Action, Dante nor Darius.

Shane says they belong to a culture, STP belongs to a culture, that Top Flight could never understand. When Action  first got here, he beat Chris Jericho! One of the greatest of all time! And yet, what has Action done since then? NOTHING. Top Flight, one of the greatest tag teams AEW has, and what have they done with that talent? NOTHING! Top Flight plays around while STP does this to survive and to provide for their families. Top Flight should want to be the best! And when you get in the ring with the NEW Pure Champion, Action will have to bring his best. But like Lee says, time to watch your step and protect ya necks. Rumble, Pure Champ, Rumble.

Big Bad Shaney T. Boy and #TAIGASTYLE have put Top Flight, and the rest of the roster, on notice. Will the Sight to See soon see what they mean?

Tomohiro Ishii VS Tony Nese w/ The Premier Athletes!

The Stone Pitbull missed out on Dynamite but he’s back here in Esports Stadium to get back in action. But as The Premier Athletes make their entrance, “Smart” Mark Sterling has the mic to tell Bobby Cruise to pipe down so Sterling can speak. Everybody knows these are THE Premier Athletes, and that this is Tony Nese. recently, in this very building, the fans witnessed a travesty when The Conglomeration cheated the Premier Athletes. But Sterling has three pieces of good news for everyone today.

One: Sterling is working with the Texas Athletic Commission to have that match thrown out, keeping his team undefeated in 2024! Yeah, that’s not happening… Two: Sterling has worked very hard to keep the entire Conglomeration barred from ringside while Nese takes on their “worst offender,” keeping this match 1v1 with no shenanigans! Let’s see how long that lasts. And finally, and most importantly: The fans once again witness what it looks like when a REAL premier athlete goes to work! The fans don’t care, but here comes Ishii! Will Ishii not need any backup to take down Nese?

Ishii ignores the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. Nese gets in Ishii’s face while he flexes, then CHOPS! Ishii isn’t bothered at all! Nese CHOPS again, and Ishii eggs him on! Nese says alright, and he winds up, but Ishii dodges the haymaker! Ishii CHOPS and Nese flounders around! Ishii CHOPS again and Nese goes to a corner. Ishii CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Nese flounders around again, and Ishii kicks him around. Ishii stands Nese up but Nese pie faces Ishii. Nese fires forearms, but Ishii leans into the shots! Ishii corners Nese like that, even as Nese fires more shots! Ishii ROCKS Nese with just one!

The fans fire up, and Nese bails out! Ishii pursues, Daivari distracts him, and Nese kicks low. But Ishii blocks the apron bump to SMACK Nese off the apron! Ishii taunts Daivari, ROCKS Nese, then taunts again. Ishii fires more shots, puts Nese in, but now Sterling distracts the ref. Daivari YANKS Ishii down, and Nese PLANCHAS! Down goes Ishii but only Daivari is cheering. The fans boo, Nese mockingly says cut to commercial, but this is Honor Club. Nese stomps Ishii, then drags him up. Nese puts Ishii back in, covers, TWO! Nese says Ishii must want more. The fans rally, Nese TOSSES Ishii out, then argues with the ref.

Daivari attacks Ishii! The fans boo but even Sterling gets a shot in! Daivari puts Ishii back in, the ref wonders what happened, but Nese covers. TWO, and the fans rally up. Nese scowls, drags Ishii up and gives him taunting kicks. The fans rally for Ishii, Nese taunts Ishii, and Ishii roars! Nese fires a forearm, but Ishii stays up! Nese fires another, but Ishii still stays up! Ishii eggs Nese on! Nese runs, but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii reels Nese in but Nese CLAWS the eyes! Nese kicks the legs out, then SOBATS Ishii down! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives and Nese is frustrated. Nese clamps on with a chinlock but Ishii endures.

The fans rally up and Ishii rises. Ishii fires body shots, gets free, and he fires more forearms! Nese staggers, Ishii runs up, but into a throat chop! Nese brings Ishii around, BULLDOG HOTSHOT! Nese then hurries to the corner, to PREMIER- NO, Ishii avoids the moonsasult! And then he CLOBBERS Nese! And CLOBBERS him again! The fans fire up with Ishii and Ishii storms over to CHOP, ROCK, and repeat! The fans rally, the ref counts, but Ishii whips corner to corner. Nese reverses to kick, SLAP, but Ishii just gets mad! Ishii ROCKS Nese, then hits the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Nese survives but Ishii rises back up.

The fans rally as Ishii drags Nese up and reels him in. But Nese fights the lift! Nese wrenches out, slips around, and waistlocks, only for Ishii to buck the O’Conner! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Nese survives being turned inside out, so Ishii roars! Ishii reels Nese in, but Sterling distracts! Ishii storms up on Sterling, and Sterling apologizes. Ishii TOSSES Sterling into the ring! But Daivari runs in, only for Ishii to dodge! Ishii DECKS Daivari! Nese CLUBS Ishii! But Ishii HEADBUTTS Nese! Ishii reels Nese in, to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Ishii wins!

Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall

None of Sterling’s “good news” turned out to be true! Nese falls, even with the help from his team, and the Stone Pitbull stands tall. Will Ishii and The Conglomeration all rise up in the ranks to go for some gold?

Backstage interview with Rachael Ellering.

Melissa is with the Queen of Strong Smile, and says she got a spectacular win in her return. How does it feel to shine again? Rachael says that is so sweet of Melissa to say. But yes, it is so hard to sit at home and watch the thing you love to do and aren’t able to do it. But over that time, you do get to step back, reflect, and get better. She feels she has done both of those things. She got to be “Rachael Rampage” one night, then got to wear some flannel on Collision, and loved it all. And here she is, back in a place that feels like home. But Rachael isn’t here to just survive, she is here to thrive! She is a mom of three cats, but she’s got that dog in her!

Rachael barks, but then in comes Harley Cameron, yipping along. Harley loves barking. And sorry for interrupting. Proper introductions, and Harley double checks, this is ROH, right? Because for a second, she thought was a kid’s birthday party or something. But Rachael’s whole “tomboy” thing, kudos to her, very daring. But if she may just make a suggestion… All of it. Change all of it. You’re welcome. Anyway, lovely meeting you, Rachael. Harley leaves, and Rachael says that was an experience. But will Rachael make sure the Outcast feels “welcomed” here in ROH?

Johnny TV w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Fuego Del Sol!

We saw Mrs. TV have a successful win, doing her part for the “double feature.” But now it is time for Mr. TV to show he is TV Ready! Will Johnny shine in the spotlight? Or will he burn in the Fire of the Sun?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally for Fuego. Fuego and Johnny tie up but Johnny KNEES low and DECKS Fuego! Johnny talks smack, but Fuego storms up on him. Johnny ROCKS Fuego, fires body shots, then STEP PUNCHES! Johnny KNEES low in the corner, whips corner to corner, but Fuego stops himself to mule kick! Fuego goes up and up and FLYING RANAS! Johnny tumbles, Fuego runs up to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Johnny goes to a corner. Fuego runs in to forearm SMASH! Fuego climbs and he rains down fists! The fans count but Johnny slips free at three to trip Fuego up!

Johnny sets up, but Fuego rolls him, stands up, then eggs Johnny on. Johnny runs in, Fuego slips out to the apron and Johnny hits buckles! Fuego bobs ‘n’ weaves to ROCK Johnny, but Johnny distracts the ref. Taya anchors Fuego, then Johnny sweeps the legs! Fuego’s feet hook the bottom rope, he tries to sit up, but Johnny pulls the rope away and Fuego falls the floor! Johnny & Taya laugh at Fuego, then Johnny drags Fuego up. MOONLIGHT DRIVE to the floor! The fans are torn but Taya walks over to give her hubby a lick and a kiss! The fans boo, they don’t want Public Displays of Affection! Johnny drags Fuego up to put him in and cover, TWO!

The fans rally as Fuego stays in this, but Johnny rains down forearms. Cover, TWO! Johnny clamps right onto an arm to fire more shots! Johnny drags Fuego into a chinlock, then squeezes tight. The fans rally and Fuego fights up to his feet. Fuego fires body shots but Johnny kicks low! Cartwweel and gut wrench! Flip and KNEE! Fuego falls and Johnny jackknife bridges, TWO! Johnny clamps on with a COBRA CLUTCH! The fans rally, Fuego endures and fights around again. Taya tells Fuego to just give up, but Fuego refuses! Johnny puts on as much pressure as he can, but Fuego fights to his feet, and JAWBREAKERS free!

Fuego kicks, Johnny blocks, and Johnny FLIPS Fuego! But Fuego lands on his feet! And ENZIGIRIS! Down goes Johnny and the fans fire up! Fuego hurries to the corner, he runs in at Johnny, and he DROPKICKS! Johnny staggers, Fuego keeps moving, DROPKICK! Fuego whips, Johnny reverses, but Fuego QUEBRADAS! Down goes Johnny, Fuego kips up to SUPERKICK him back down! Cover, TWO! Johnny survives and Fuego is surprised, but Taya coaches Johnny while the fans rally for Fuego. Fuego drags Johnny, Johnny kicks low! MOONLIGHT- NO, Fuego powers out. Johnny blocks the kick, rolls Fuego and SEATBELT! TWO!!

Fuego escapes, but Johnny blocks the superkick! Johnny RAMS Fuego to a corner, puts him up top, and GAMANGIRIS! Taya cheers, Johnny climbs up to bring Fuego up. But Fuego fires body shots! Fuego trips Johnny and Johnny crotches on the top rope! Taya is upset, but Fuego DOUBLE STOMPS Johnny down! Cover, TWO!! Johnny survives but Fuego calls his shot! Fuego drags Johnny up, TORNADO- NO, Johnny blocks, fireman’s carries, and ROLLING SAMOAN DROPS! Johnny is in the corner now, and he goes up to STARSHIP PAIN!! Cover, Johnny wins!

Winner: Johnny TV, by pinfall

And the double feature is a success! Mr. & Mrs. TV stand tall, will they both be championship ready soon enough?

Athena & Billie Starkz VS Queen Aminata & Red Velvet!

The saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.” The Fallen Goddess has demoted her sidekick back into a minion, and now they both must face the women they fought at Death Before Dishonor. Could this be Billie’s path to redemption? Or will that honor belong to the One and Only African Queen?

Well, well, well, none other than “Bestie” Lexy Nair is the ring announcer. Will she be a deciding factor like she was at DBD? The teams sort out, Athena starts against Aminata, and Athena is saying this is light work. The Code of Honor is skipped, and then Athena turns around to actually see who it is. Athena says NOPE and tags right out to Billie! Billie sighs and steps in to circle with Aminata. They tie up, Aminata waistlocks, and Aminata SLAMS Billie down. Aminata facelocks, grinds Billie down, but Billie fights up. Billie trips Aminata, has a toehold, but Aminata pries Billie off to ARMBAR! Billie scrambles so Aminata stands.

Aminata steps over the arm to twerk attack! The fans are torn but Athena protests! Aminata wrenches, Billie rolls, then Billie rolls back to trip Aminata. Billie has the leg, but Aminata scrapes Billie off! Aminata drags Billie up to suplex, but Billie cradle counters! TWO, Billie takes a swing, but Aminata catches her for a snap suplex! The fans fire up, Aminata runs, and PENALTY KICKS! Billie flounders, Aminata claps and slap slap. Aminata runs corner to corner but Billie dodges! Aminata hits buckles, hot tag to Athena! Athena cheers herself, the fans cheer her, too, and they chant “FOR-E-VER! FOR-E-VER!”

Athena thanks the Texas minions, then she whips Aminata. Aminata stops herself, BOOTS Athena, and tags Velvet. Aminata dropkicks the legs, Velvet basement dropkicks! PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Velvet stalks Athena to a corner, but Athena sends her into buckles. Athena runs up, but Velvet dodges to fire fast hands! Velvet even fakes Athena out to SLAP her down! Velvet wrenches, tags Aminata, but Athena scurries away! Billie cheers on “Boss” Athena, but Aminata storms over to get her. Aminata grabs at Athena but Athena HOTSHOTS the arm! Aminata falls back, tag to Billie!

Athena & Billie bully Aminata with stomps, then Billie drops an elbow onto Aminata’s arm. Billie grinds the arm, and BITES the hand! The fans are torn, Billie has a wild grin, and then she twists the wrist. Billie steps over to drag Aminata up, and tag to Athena. They double whip Aminata to the corner, then Athena CHOPS! Athena wraps the bad arm around ropes and she digs her boot in! The ref counts, Athena lets off to stomp a mudhole. Billie tags in and now she digs her boot in! The ref counts, Billie lets off while Athena tells the ref to stop telling them what to do! Billie stands on Aminata, tags Athena, and Athena drags Aminata up.

Athena WRINGS the arm, then drops a knee on it! Aminata endures, CLUBS at Athena, but Athena stands up. Aminata avoids the leg drop! The fans rally, Athena wants the arm but Aminata ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Aminata reaches out but Athena keeps her from Velvet! Athena wrenches to ARM CODE BREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Athena drags Aminata from Velvet to tag in Billie. Billie drops knees on the arm! Billie stands over Aminata, taunts her, then DRIBBLES the arm off the mat! The fans rally, Aminata hits back with the good arm! Billie stomps Aminata, then drags her back up.

The fans rally and duel, Athena tags back in. Athena & Billie mug Aminata, pie face her around, but Aminata hits back! Athena fires forearms, but Aminata DECKS Athena! Billie grabs at Aminata but misses out. Aminata snap suplexes Athena! Both women are down and the fans rally up! Aminata and Athena crawl, but Billie just runs in to BLAST Velvet! Velvet gets mad and storms right in! The ref stops those two, but that lets Athena drag Aminata back! Athena & Billie stomp Aminata more, then Athena clamps onto the bad arm. Aminata endures, fights up, but Athena KNEES her low! Athena brings Aminata over and tags Billie.

Athena whips Aminata to a corner, Billie runs in, but Aminata drop toeholds Billie into buckles! Athena sighs and calls to Billie. Billie and Aminata crawl, hot tags to Athena and Velvet! Velvet rallies on Athena, wheelbarrows and swings around to sunset flip! Roll through, HEEL KCIK! Velvet keeps moving, DOUBLE KNEES at the ropes! Velvet runs again, to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Athena scrambles away, hot tag to Billie! Billie and Velvet fire fast hands! Death Before Dishonor revisited, Billie shoves but Velvet SHOTGUNS! Billie flounders, Velvet clamps on! But Billie BITES the arm! No Mama’s Cooking here!

Velvet throws Billie away, tags Aminata, and the fans hope these teams “FIGHT FOREVER!” Aminata waistlocks Billie, Velvet runs up, CODE BREAKER into GERMAN SUPLEX!! Billie flounders around, ends up on ropes, and Aminata runs to say OFF WITH HER HEAD!! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and Aminata is stunned! The fans fire up as Aminata drags Billie up. Aminata snap suplexes again! Aminata kicks Billie around, tags Velvet, and they drag Billie up. Suplex and- NO, Billie fights free, and shoves Aminata at Velvet! Tag to Athena! Athena dodges Aminata to BOOT Velvet, SUPERKICK Aminata, and she roars!

Athena body blocks Velvet, then HANDSPRING FOREARMS Aminata! Athena sends Aminata into Velvet, runs up, but they both move! Athena goes up, BOOTS Aminata, and leaps, FLYING CODE BREAKER! The fans fire up again and Athena fireman’s carries Aminata. But Velvet runs up! Athena just adds her to it!? FALL AWAY SAMOAN DROP COMBO!! The fans are thunderous, and Athena tags Billie! Billie climbs up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, AMINATA BREAKS IT! The fans rally, Athena storms back in to aim at Aminata. “This is Awesome!” as Athena DECKS Aminata! Velvet is up, she runs up to kick low!

Velvet runs to tilt-o-whirl and DESTINO! Billie spins, Velvet blocks the kick, but Billie dodges the discus! Velvet bobs ‘n’ weaves as Billie throws hands, then kicks. Billie blocks, spins Velvet, but Velvet DRAGON WHIPS! And then, THE MIX!! Cover, Athena CLOBBERS it apart! And Athena shouts to Lexy! The fans rally for “WOMEN’S WRESTLING!” but The Bestie throws in the mic! Athena grabs it, but so does Aminata! Athena smiles apologetically, but Aminata says not tonight, b*tch! They fight over the mic, but Billie has Lexy hand her the world title! Aminata HEADBUTTS Athena down! BELT SHOT on Velvet!!

The fans boo but Billie hides the evidence! Cover, Billie & Athena win!!

Winners: Athena & Billie Starkz, by pinfall

Controversy aside, Billie pins the ROH Women’s World Television Champion! Athena celebrates with just Lexy, but will Billie get back in The Fallen Goddess’ good graces when she takes the title back from Velvet?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH, and another long episode at an hour and 45 minutes. I still skipped stuff obviously, but Rachael VS Brooke was pretty good for what I thought would be a squash match. And interesting to see Harley Cameron here without Saraya. Not sure if that’s a sign of anything, but it is interesting to have Harley sort of step into the role Maria Kanellis was going to play against Rachael. As I recall, it was Maria saying “women’s wrestling doesn’t draw,” in the context that Rachael wasn’t WWE Diva Era enough to get anyone’s attention. But while Maria is busy managing Griff, Harley is going to be the girly girl getting on Rachael’s case.

Speaking of Maria, I don’t know why they waited until now, with Cole Karter out with injury, to have the blowoff match for the mask. Well, maybe it’s because Cole is hurt and Griff is out of the tag division for now. But they really should’ve done this sooner. I would hope Serpentico wins to get his stolen mask back and stay a masked luchador, I don’t think the world is ready to accept that Serpentico really has been Jon Cruz this entire time. And good promo from Shane Taylor Promotions to call out Top Flight for more stuff. I am very certain Lee beats Action to have his first ROH Pure Championship defense in the books. Not sure where the tag/trios match goes, though.

Great opening tag match, Sammy still got a mixed reaction but there are plenty of fans willing to give Face Sammy a chance. As such, Sammy & Dustin win out, and I could see the faction of Sammy, Dustin & The Von Erichs making a push to be golden, pull that Four Horsemen type deal with matches for the singles titles as well as tag titles. But there is always going to be the potential of Sammy getting selfish and turning Heel again when things don’t work out, even if that is exactly what they’ve done with MJF.

Good “double feature” from Taya & Johnny, though I kinda wish they’d just put them back to back. But whatever, Taya wanted to be out of her gear for Johnny’s match. Mr. & Mrs. TV both win, Fuego’s comeback already has a loss, but maybe Fuego comes back for more. Also, what happened to Aaron Solo wanting to impress Johnny and join the team? Oh well. Great match from Ishii and Nese, with Ishii of course winning out despite the disadvantage. Just not sure Ishii grabs up any ROH title during his tenure. He might put over Atlantis Jr. or something, but Ishii always gives solid matches so it’s fine.

I was rather surprised the ROH Tag Team Championship match wasn’t tonight’s main event, but it was still a great match, and I figured The Kingdom would retain since this is just weekly TV. But they gave us a great tag match from Athena & Billie VS Aminata & Velvet as a surprise, not advertised, very clever booking from them, that’s a lot like what the big leagues (aka WWE and AEW) give us. And with Billie back on Athena’s bad side, I can feel them building towards a rematch of Final Battle 2023. They could schedule this to culminate at Final Battle 2024 to be a one year later full circle deal, and that would be an awesome way for Billie to win the top title and have Athena move on to AEW.

My Score: 8.6/10