The ROH World Championship is on the line!

While Mark Briscoe accepted Chris Jericho’s challenge for WrestleDream, he has to make it through The Kingdom’s Matt Taven first! Will The Sussex County Chicken still be headed to Tacoma, Washington?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH World Six Man Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS The Premier Athletes; Dustin & The Von Erichs win and deny The Premier Athletes a title opportunity.
• Nyla Rose VS Katie Arquette; Nyla wins.
• Anthony Henry & BEEF VS Anthony Catena & Wes Barkley; Henry & Beef win.
• The Outrunners VS The Infantry; The Outrunners win.
• ROH Rewind: Samoa Joe VS Kenta Kobashi; Kobashi wins.
• ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe VS Matt Taven w/ Mike Bennett; Mark wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH World Six Man Championships Proving Ground: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS The Premier Athletes!

The Sons of Texas ride again, and onto The Proving Grounds! But while they’re facing The Premier Athletes, it isn’t the combo you’re thinking. “Smart” Mark Sterling again cuts off the introductions to give his own. “In order to get a Proving Grounds match tonight, the powers that be made ME be in this match! But that’s okay, because the Athletes have promised that NO ONE will lay a finger on me!” And since Sterling is a team player, he wants the fans to play along. When he says “Athletes,” you say, “Rules,” and nothing else! “ATHLETES!” “SUCK!!” Got ’em again! But will Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari earn the team a title shot when it’s all on them?

The teams sort out and Marshall Von Erich starts against Ariya Daivari. They shake hands for the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Daivari headlocks. Daivari grinds the hold but Marshall fires body shots. Marshall powers out, and he RAMS Daivari! The fans cheer but Daivari talks trash to try that again. Marshall runs, and he RUNS Daivari over! The fans cheer again while Marshall looms over Daivari. Marshall runs again, blocks Daivari’s hip toss and gives Daivari a hip toss! The fans fire up with Marshall as he drags Daivari up. Tag to Ross, the Von Erichs whip to drop and DROPKICK! Ross covers, ONE!

Ross keeps on Daivari with a wrench, but Daivari wrenches and knees low! Daivari CLUBS away on Ross, and Mark wants in? Daivari tags Mark, and Mark scoops to SLAM Ross! But Ross gets right up, so Mark tags Nese. Nese runs up, Ross DECKS him, and he glares at Sterling. Sterling hops off the apron, Ross goes back for Nese and wrenches. Tag to Marshall and the Von Erichs whip to DOUBLE DROPKICK! Marshall covers, TWO! Marshall wrenches Nese’s arm, tags Ross back in, and Ross takes the handoff. But Nese pulls hair! The ref counts, Nese lets off to throw Ross down, then he clamps on with a facelock.

Nese whips, Ross stops himself, but Nese DROPKICKS him down! Nese bumps Ross off buckles, tag Daivari, and The Athletes mug Ross! The ref reprimands but Dustin & Marshall storm up. The ref stops them from getting involved, but that lets Mark CHOKE Ross! The fans boo but Mark gets away with it. Daivari tags Nese in and The Athletes mug Ross more. The ref reprimands as Nese fires haymakers, but Nese lets off. Nese stalks Ross to the corner, the fans rally up, and Nese brings Ross over to CHOP! Tag to Mark and Mark is all fired up as he stomps a mudhole in! The ref reprimands but Mark taunts Dustin.

Mark tags back to Nese, and he says, “That’s how you kick someone!” Nese taunts Marshall by holding out Ross’ hand, then he KNEES Ross down, and sucker punches Marshall! Nese taunts Dustin now, then shouts, “ATHLETES!” The fans reply, “SUCK!” Ross hits Nese but Nese CLUBS him! Nese whips Ross to the corner, runs up, but into a BOOT! Ross DECKS Daivari, but Mark holds onto Ross’ arm to hold him back. Nese runs in, Ross slips free, Nese BLASTS Mark! Ross hurries, but so does Nese! Nese grabs a leg, Ross hops up and ENZIGIRIS! Hot tag to Dustin, and Mark?! Mark freaks out but Dustin runs up!

Dustin TOSSES Mark into the ring! Mark begs for mercy, but Daivari runs in! Dustin dodges to CLOBBER Daivari! And CLOBBER him again! Dustin whips, Daivari reverses but Dustin sees the backdrop coming and says, “Not today!” RHODES UPPERCUT! Nese runs up, into the SNAP POWERSLAM! Daivari tries, SNAP POWERSLAM! Nese CHOPS then whips, but Dustin comes back with a DESTROYER!! The fans fire up and Dustin catches Daivari to the dragon sleeper! But Mark runs in to CLUB Dustin! Dustin doesn’t fall and Mark is frustrated. Mark says he could pay them. The Von Erichs step in, and put Mark in a corner!

The Von Erichs open Mark up, Dustin thinks about it, but the Athletes get in! The Von Erichs fire hands on them, and put on DOUBLE IRON CLAWS! The ref reprimands the Von Erichs, so Dustin gives Mark SHATTERED DREAMS! Dustin says who wants it? FINAL RECKONING! Cover, The Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall (denies The Premier Athletes a title match)

The promise to Smart Mark wasn’t fulfilled, he and the Premier Athletes will just have to try better next time. But with Dustin, Marshall & Ross rolling on, will anyone be able to stop The Sons of Texas?

BREAKING NEWS for AEW WrestleDream!

Atlantis Jr. is still the ROH World Television Champion, but he’s also the target of The Machine! Brian Cage wants redemption from last year’s Survival of the Fittest Six Way match, can he finally win “the big one?” Or will we finally have an answer to “Who betta?” We’ll find out in Tacoma, Washington, on October 12th, in the WrestleDream Zero Hour!

Backstage interview with Athena & Billie Starkz.

Lexy Nair is with her besties, and says this is a very special Minion Empowerment Meeting, as MIT is planning a celebration for their Minion Overlord! Athena is now THE longest reigning champion in ROH history, man, woman or tag team! Lexy is thinking of inviting Ja Rule, or even Pitbull, and then they get balloons, confetti and- Athena says they’ll require EVERYONE in ROH to attend! She’ll talk with the Board of Directors, but they’ll get the entire Women’s Division. They’ll have cupcakes, whiskey, punch, and kittens. Lexy says yes, yes, of course. But then Athena notices Billie’s pout face and asks what is her problem.

Billie replies, “What’s my problem?” No, no, Billie, it’s just, Athena is getting tired of this. Sure, fine, Billie had to deal with Abadon. But Athena wouldn’t put her in a situation she couldn’t handle. This is Athena’s day, girl! It is about her and everything she has done, so it is about time she gets her flowers. And the last thing we need here is for Billie to have a problem. But Athena gets it, Billie is jealous. Billie is jealous of Lexy, jealous of Athena, upset that she lost Athena’s Women’s Television Championship, but it is okay. If Billie needs to talk, they are here for her. And the first step in getting over a problem is admitting you have one.

Billie shouts that SHE doesn’t have a problem, ATHENA has one! What does Athena not understand about this?! Athena left Billie alone out there! Billie always has Athena’s back! Oh, really? Did she have Athena’s back the first time Abadon showed up? Or at the PPV when Lexy had to step in? NO, she didn’t. Athena won’t do this today. Either Billie can be there to celebrate Athena’s day, after all the hard work Athena and Lexy put into MIT, and into the title reign, or Billie can just stay home. Billie says okay. Billie leaves, but which way did she mean that? Athena asks Lexy to go handle that, and then asks why is there always drama.

BUT ABADON SNEAKS IN BEHIND HER! Abadon reaches out, but Athena storms off before being touched on the shoulder. Abadon grins, and follows Athena. Is Halloween about to come early to ROH?

The Outrunners VS The Infantry!

While Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd have a truce with Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo, there can only be one team that stands as #1 contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championships! Will the Youngest Men Alive take over the rankings? Or will Captain Dean lead Bad News & Tattoos back to the title scene?

The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Truth starts with Bravo and the fans rally up as they circle. The two tie up, go back and forth, but Truth puts Bravo in a corner. Truth lets off, does a spin and a flex, and the fans cheer. Bravo slips around to waistlock but Truth switches and hits a hip toss! Truth flexes again, but Bravo tags Dean. Truth tags Turbo and the fans cheer. Turbo and Dean circle as the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Turbo headlocks, Dean slips out to headlock back. Turbo powers up and out, thing hurdles. But Dean stops himself to arm-drag! And arm-drag! The two stand back and the fans cheer more.

Turbo and Dean circle, tie up, and Turbo wrenches to a wristlock. Dean rolls, kips up, and wrenches to wristlock back. Turbo slips through to wrench, hammerlock, and he puts Dean in a corner. The ref counts, Turbo lets off, but then he whips corner to corner. Dean reverses, Turbo reverses, but Dean goes up and over! Turbo hits buckles, Dean arm-drags him, but Turbo drags Dean right down to an armlock! The fans cheer, but Dean rolls back and stands up. Dean whips Turbo away, drops down, then hurdles. Turbo blocks hip toss to hit a hip toss! The fans fire up, Turbo covers, ONE! Turbo drags Dean over, and tags Truth.

Dean gets away, tags in Bravo, and Bravo runs up, but into an arm-drag! Truth has the armlock now, but Bravo fights around. Bravo grits his teeth, powers Truth to a corner, but he also pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Bravo lets off, but Truth dodges the cheap shot to CHOP! Truth whips Bravo, but Bravo blocks the hip toss! But Truth blocks the hip toss to backslide! TWO, and Truth gets around to O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Truth says it was that close. Bravo says no it wasn’t! Bravo ROCKS Truth, the fans boo that sucker punch, but Bravo tells fans to shut up. Bravo whips but Truth sunset flips! TWO, and Bravo is frustrated!

Bravo runs up but Truth wrenches him! Bravo ROCKS Truth, RAMS him into a corner, then tags Dean. The Infantry double whips, then DOUBLE HIP TOSS! They DOUBLE FIST DROP, and Dean covers, TWO! Truth staggers into the Infantry’s corner, and Dean tags Bravo back. The fans rally as Bravo stomps a mudhole into Truth. Bravo CHOPS Truth, puts him in the open corner, and CHOPS! The fans fire up, and Bravo drags Truth up. Bravo snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Tag to Dean, the Infantry mugs Truth, and the ref reprimands. Dean ROCKS Truth, ROCKS him again, but Truth fires hands! Truth DECKS Bravo, but Dean scoops and SLAMS!

Dean says “OORAH~!” The fans are torn but Dean runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Truth stays in this but Dean stays on him with a chinlock. Dean grinds Truth but the fans rally up for the Outrunners. Truth fires body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Bravo storms in, but Truth avoids the scissor kick! The fans fire up and Turbo is chompin’ at the bit! Dean runs in at Truth but Truth dodges, the splash hits buckles! Truth is in Infantry territory! The Infantry run up, but Truth ducks the double clothesline! Hot tag to Turbo! The fans fire up as Turbo rallies with haymakers! Turbo DECKS Dean, DECKS Bravo, repeat!

Turbo scoop SLAMS Bravo! Then he scoop SLAMS Dean! Then he scoop SLAMS Bravo again! And then he scoop SLAMS Dean again! The fans are all fired up as Turbo flexes! But Bravo kicks low! Dean runs to BOOT Turbo into Bravo’s DDT! The ref reprimands the double teaming but Infantry says night night! Bravo runs but Truth trips him up! Truth runs in while Turbo scoops Dean! TOTAL RECALL! Cover, Outrunners win!

Winners: The Outrunners, by pinfall

The throwback continues to gain momentum! Truth & Turbo hug it out, and then look to The Infantry. The Outrunners offer the Code of Honor, what does The Infantry say? Dean & Bravo accept! But then that’s it as they push past The Outrunners. Even so, Turbo & Truth wind up, to MEGA POWER HANDSHAKE! Will The Outrunner’s win streak continue until they’ve got the gold?

Beef is backstage.

He has the cameraman follow him as he talks with Anthony Henry. Henry asks how Beef got all wet again, but Beef says it’s time to record a tag team promo. Y’know, like how teams are all, UGH GRR, YOU HEAR WHAT I’M SAYIN? Like that. Henry says no, because they’re not a tag team. What? But they’re 3-0 in ROH. No, no. Listen: Henry is in a tag team with JD Drake, they are the Workhorsemen. Henry & Beef are not a tag team at all. Beef says now that Henry mentions him, how is JD? No, let’s not do that. Aw c’mon! When is Beef gonna get to meet JD. Just give Beef his number. Henry keeps saying no, then shouts STOP!

What? No? Yeah, no. Okay. But then one more question. What are the chances of a guy like Henry would give a guy like Beef… JD’s number? What’re the chances!? Not very good! What? Like, 1 in 100? How about more like, 1 in a MILLION. Henry storms off, and Beef is a bit troubled. But then he says, “So you’re saying there’s a chance? YEAH!” Beef takes that 1 in a million to mean… BEEF! Beef follows Cousin Anthony, but will he ever be accepted?

ROH Rewind: Samoa Joe VS Kenta Kobashi!

We travel back in time to October 1st, 2005, the early days of Ring of Honor Wrestling! Two greats did battle in New York City, though the Samoan Submission Machine had yet to reach the heights he has today. How did Samoa Joe fare against The Absolute Champion, Mr. Pro-Wrestling? Let’s take a look back and see.

The introductions are made, the streamers fly for “KO-BA-SHI! KO-BA-SHI!” and the Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings and the fans are already thunderous as these two circle. They feel things out, Joe KICKS! Kobashi doesn’t even flinch! The two circle again, feel things out, and Joe KICKS again! Kobashi nods, and they go again. They clinch, Joe powers Kobashi to ropes, but the ref counts. Joe lets off, to then SLAP Kobashi! The fans fire up and Joe eggs on Kobashi. Kobashi glares at Joe, the two circle again, and they tie up. Kobashi puts Joe in a corner, lets off slowly, but then he CHOPS! Joe feels that one and the fans are thunderous!

Joe comes back to push Kobashi, and they knuckle lock. They have a Test of Strength, “This is Awesome!” Joe gets under Kobashi to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Kobashi gets right up, but Joe RUNS him right over! Kobashi bails out, and Joe WRECKS him with a dropkick! Joe keeps moving, and he DIVES! Direct hit into railing and the fans are electric inside the ballroom! Joe is fired up, too, and he drags Kobashi up. Joe puts Kobashi in, covers, TWO! Joe drags Kobashi up, scoops and SLAMS him! Joe runs to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Joe clamps onto Kobashi with a chinlock, trapping one arm back.

The fans rally up for “KO-BA-SHI!” as he endures. Kobashi fights around, but Joe steps through to hook a leg, STRETCH PLUM! Kobashi endures, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Joe lets off, and the fans cheer. Joe paces, kicks Kobashi, drags him up, and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Kobashi just gets angrier! The fans are loving it as Kobashi steps to Joe. Joe CHOPS, but Kobashi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Joe staggers, but he KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS! Then ENZIGIRI! Kobashi falls and the fans are thunderous again! Joe is ice cold despite how fired up everyone around him is.

Kobashi sits up, but  Joe is on him for Kawada Kicks! The fans fire up, but Kobashi just gets fired up! Kobashi CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Joe fires more Kawada Kicks! Kobashi CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Joe fires KNEE after KNEE, and he KNEES Kobashi down! Joe rests against ropes and the fans are thunderous again! The fans cheer on “R O H! R O H!” while Kobashi pounds the mat. Kobashi sits up, Joe KICKS and CHOPS, then runs to KNEE DROP! Kobashi goes to the apron while fans are torn. Joe goes out after Kobashi, and brings him around to make him take a seat. Joe KICKS, then gets space.

Joe runs back in to BOOT WASH Kobashi! Kobashi falls off the chair, sputters against barriers, and the fans lose their minds! They say “OVER HERE! OVER HERE!” Joe drags Kobashi up and over, and yes, he makes Kobashi take a seat over there. Joe runs side to side again, but into a RIDGE HAND! Kobashi CHOPS Joe into taking a seat! Kobashi fire sup to then RUNNING CHOP! Joe falls over the railing! The fans are electric all over again for “KO-BA-SHI!” Kobashi storms over, drags Joe back up, and he DDTS Joe to the floor! The fans are rabid as Kobashi looms over Joe. Kobashi drags Joe into the ring and the fans cheer again.

Kobashi drags Joe up with a facelock, squeezes tight, but Joe endures. Joe fights up, has the ROPEBREAK, and Kobashi lets off. But then he CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! The fans are thunderous as Joe falls over! Kobashi drags Joe up, whips, and KNEES low! And then whips again to KNEE low! Kobashi turns Joe to RIDGE CHOP! And then FALLING CHOP! The fans are electric for another FALLING CHOP!! Kobashi runs to JUMP CHOP!! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives but Kobashi drags him right into the facelock! Joe endures the squeeze, the fans rally behind Kobashi, “This is Awesome!”

Joe stands, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Kobashi lets go, but then drags Joe up and reels him in. But Joe fights the suplex! Joe suplexes Kobashi up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down. Kobashi grits his teeth, but he and Joe rise. Joe steps up, into a CHOP! And another CHOP! Joe KICKS, Kobashi CHOPS, repeat! The fans fire up with every shot! Joe joins Kobashi in going CHOP for CHOP! Kobashi gets the edge but then Joe fires CHOP after CHOP! So Kobashi fires CHOP after CHOP! Kobashi winds up to CHOP Joe off his feet!! The fans are volcanic and Kobashi covers, ROPEBREAK!!

Kobashi looms over Joe, drags him up, and reels him in for the COBRA TWIST! Joe endures as Kobashi twists and stretches him! Joe fights around, ROPEBREAK! Kobashi lets go and pushes Joe over. Kobashi lines up a shot, another FALLING CHOP! Cover, TWO! Joe stays in this, but Kobashi drags Joe back around, into a chinlock. Kobashi steps through to twist Joe around! Joe endures, the fans rally, and Joe fights around. Kobashi digs his knee into Joe’s back, then RIDGE HANDS him in the head! The fans fire up while Joe writhes, and Kobashi stalks Joe to a corner. Kobashi stands Joe up, to RIDGE HAND again and again!

Kobashi fires up, spins, but into an STO! And then Joe SENTONS! The fans fire up while Kobashi sits back up. Joe storms up to JAB, CHOP and repeat! Joe has Kobashi in the corner as he fires those JABS and CHOPS! The fans are thunderous as Joe brings Kobashi around and reels him in. Kobashi fights the lift! Joe fires more Kawada Kicks, then tries again. BUCKLE BOMB!! Kobashi is stuck in the ropes, then flops down, and the fans are thunderously losing their minds! Joe storms up to dig his boot into Kobashi! Joe scrapes Kobashi’s face again and again, then runs side to side, to BOOT WASH! The fans fire up while Joe huffs ‘n’ puffs.

Joe drags Kobashi up, and puts him up top! The fans fire up as they anticipate what’s coming! MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kobashi survives and shocks Joe! Fitting, because the fans are electric! Joe KNEES Kobashi in the side, and KNEES him again! Then COQUINA- NO, Kobashi snapmares free! Joe BOOTS Kobashi, then POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO, but into the STF!! Kobashi fights the crossface, pries at the hands, and the fans rally up! Joe powers through to have the crossface part of the STF! The fans rally more, and Kobashi crawls his way forward, claws his way forward, but Joe shifts to a full CROSSFACE!!

Kobashi still endures, still fights, and the fans still rally behind him! Joe shifts to a RINGS OF SATURN!! Kobashi still endures, still kicks forward, ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous as Joe lets go in frustration! Joe rises, takes aim as Kobashi goes to the corner, and Joe runs in, into a RIDGE HAND! Kobashi waistlocks, then shifts, HALF NELSON SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous after that heavy landing! A standing count begins, and both men are down at 5 of 10. Kobashi and Joe stir, and Kobashi rises first. Kobashi stands at 8! Kobashi hobbles over to Joe, and he SPINNING CHOPS! Joe ends up in a corner!

Kobashi fires up to fire off MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! The fans are thunderous seeing the originator use that move! And Kobashi reloads for more MACHINE GUN CHOPS!! The fans are volcanic as Kobashi goes the extra mile! Kobashi then just reloads again! Kobashi finally lets off with one last CHOP, and the fans are losing their minds! Kobashi DOUBLE CHOPS! Then DOUBLE CHOPS again! Joe sputters, Kobashi DOUBLE CHOPS him again! Joe sits down in the corner, Kobashi runs to DOUBLE CHOP again! Kobashi drags Joe up and reels him in, for the HALF NELSON SUPLEX!! Joe flounders, Kobashi storms over to cover, ROPEBREAK!!!

Joe survives because of Kobashi’s miscalculation, but Kobashi will not let that get him down. Kobashi drags Joe back up, but Joe fires a flurry of forearms! Joe runs, into a SLEEPER!! Kobashi squeezes tight, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Joe fights around! But Kobashi SLEEPER SUPLEXES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Joe survives, and he flails until he gets free of Kobashi! Kobashi is frustrated but the fans are about to send this place into space! Kobashi drags Joe up, but Joe SLAPS, SLAPS, and SLAPS!! Joe runs, Kobashi SWATS a lariat, to URAKEN! And URAKEN! And URAKEN again!! Kobashi roars, runs, and BURNING LARIATS!! Cover, Kobashi wins!!

Winner: Kenta Kobashi, by pinfall

This instant classic reminds the world that both these men are among the best in wrestling ever! Kobashi shows Joe respect, and the fans cheer as Joe shakes his hand. At 22 years and counting, this is what ROH is all about! Will ROH only grow stronger to keep that legacy going?

ROH World Championship: Mark Briscoe VS Matt Taven w/ Mike Bennett!

Speaking of that legacy, The Sussex County Chicken is carrying both the legacy of this company and his family. And while Chris Jericho wants to step all over that (again), it seems The Kingdom wants to have their moment in the spotlight. Will Matt Taven once again be atop the ROH mountain? Or will he fail to dethrone Mark on the road to WrestleDream?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who holds the gold in the Steel City!

Mark offers the Code of Honor handshake, but Taven stalls. The bell rings first, and Mark offers again. Taven accepts it this time, to then spin Mark around and roll him up! With tights! TWO, and the fans boo Taven. Mark is also upset but Taven bails out. Taven is frustrated his trick didn’t work, but Bennett says he gets it, Mark isn’t very smart. Taven storms back into the ring, and Mark says he is better than that. Stop with the scallywagging, let’s just do this! Taven says alright, and the two tie up. Mark headlocks, Taven wrenches out and whips, but Mark reverses. Taven sunset flips, Mark rolls through, and jumps on for a headlock!

Taven powers up and out, ducks and hurdles, but then Mark wrenches and headlocks again! Taven powers things to a headlock, but Mark powers out. Taven goes up and over in the corner, keeps moving, and he slides under a lariat! Mark CHOPS and the fans fire up! Taven says okay, and he resets with Mark. Mark offers a handshake, Taven takes it and means it this time. Until he sucker punches Mark! The fans boo while Taven CLUBS away on Mark in a corner. Taven CHOPS, whips corner to corner, but Mark goes up and out! Mark SWATS a lariat, then REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! The fans fire up and Mark RAMS into Taven.

Mark snapmares Taven out hard, then builds speed to WRECK him with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Mark gets spicy! BANG BANG, but Bennett stands in the way! Mark argues with Mike, and Taven sneaks up to waistlock! Mark breaks that and ELBOWS Taven away! Mike takes a swipe but Mark jumps over! Then Mark BLOCKBUSTERS Taven to the floor! The fans fire up with Mark, and he drags Taven into the ring. Mike and Mark argue again, and Mark goes up a corner. Taven stands, into a MISSILE DROPKICK! Taven flounders and the fans fire up again. Mark runs up but Taven BOOTS him!

Taven runs up, but Mark fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Mark goes up the corner again, to FROGGY- NO, Mark rolls through as Taven moves. Taven springboards, KICK O’ THE KING! Cover, TWO! Mark survives but Taven rains down fists! The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Taven tells Aubrey and the fans to shut up. Taven stalks Mark to ropes, CHOKES him, and fans chant “MAN UP! MAN UP!” The ref counts, Taven lets off at 4 and Mark goes to a corner. Taven storms up, reels Mark in, and suplexes high and hard! Then MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Cover, TWO! Taven is frustrated, but Mark is tougher than that.

Taven drags Mark up by his beard, and the fans boo while Aubrey reprimands. Taven clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Mark down. The fans rally, Mark fights up, and Mark fires body shots! Taven CLUBS Mark right down! Taven and Bennett mock the applause, then Taven whips. Mark reverses, Taven stops, rolls under, and ENZIGIRIS! Mark staggers, Taven reels him in, PURPLE THUNDER! Cover, TWO! Taven is frustrated with Aubrey’s count, but he vows to take this title and show what Jericho will do! LIONSAULT! But onto knees! The fans fire up with Mark as he rises, and he CLOBBERS Taven! And CLOBBERS him again!

Taven RKF UPPERCUTS and the fans fire up! Mark whips, Taven reverses, but Mark CLOBBERS him again! Mark fires up, the fans are with him, and he runs in at the corner, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans boo while Mark wobbles, but Taven goes up. Only for Mark to UPPERCUT again! Mark YANKS Taven down, into an EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Taven shows he’s tougher than that, but Mark is not deterred! The fans rally again while Bennett coaches Taven. Mark whips Taven to ropes, but Taven reverses. Mark sunset flips, Taven rolls through, JUST THE TIP of the knee! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and The Kingdom is frustrated!

Taven climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives the “Aurora” and Taven is beside himself! Taven tells Mark he’s done this time! Taven climbs back up, for another AURORA BOR- NO! Mark’s knees hit him again! Mark goes back up, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW, but onto knees! Bennett is fired up for Taven but the fans rally behind Mark. Taven and Mark crawl to each other, lean on each other as they climb, and Mark roars! Mark ROCKS Taven! Taven roars and swings, but Mark wrenches, kicks and fisherman BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Mark won’t stop, he calls his shot! Mark underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (still ROH World Champion)

The Kingdom has fallen, and Mark borrows a fan’s banner to show off the honor of #DemBoys! Mark points to Heaven to shoutout Jay, and then he offers the Code of Honor to Taven. Taven takes it genuinely this time, and hugs it out with Mark. The Kingdom hoists Mark up to celebrate with him, because in the end, they’re still friends. With this, Tacoma and WrestleDream will have the ROH World Championship on the card! Will The Learning Tree #ManUp and fight honorably? Or will Jericho do whatever he has to in order to become #ElNueve?

My Thoughts:

A great ROH here, coming in at an hour and 20, but also airing an hour later than last week. Is that the new thing? Not sure how I feel about that, but it does create uniformity across not just AEW owned programming but across AEW and WWE so that no one has to adjust their schedule that drastically to watch something.

For anyone wondering why we just suddenly got Joe VS Kobashi, it was because ROH needed to make up for some time lost during taping. Sammy Guevara VS Serpentico was supposed to be part of this show, but Sammy got hurt during that, the match was called off, and while Sammy walked away later, he initially needed help to the back via a stretcher. Also, Lady Frost VS Kelly Madan had to be removed because Madan got knocked out and also needed a stretcher. So two matches that ultimately are filler were replaced by a classic ROH match. On behalf of The Chairshot, good to hear Sammy and Madan are alright, and I hope they’ll be fine by their next matches.

Sammy having been scheduled for this week’s show was clearly so we could have all four Sons of Texas, the full faction, all getting good wins tonight. Good stuff from Dustin & The Von Erichs beating The Premier Athletes, because of course they were when Mark Sterling was in the mix. Seems a little silly they bothered with this at all, because why are they protecting The Premier Athletes in a Proving Ground match? Just give us more Proving Ground matches that hit 10 minutes that then set up a future title match. For all we know, we get an ROH World Six Man title match for the WrestleDream Zero Hour, same as we are with Atlantis Jr. VS Brian Cage.

Nyla Rose of course wins her match, and I also figured Henry & Beef would win theirs. Side note: Anthony Catena’s overall look of a Scarface inspired merch shirt and his comic book tights were interesting. But very good promo from Henry & Beef backstage, though it didn’t really add much. I feel like the twist will be that, for all of Henry’s reservations, JD Drake will accept Beef into the fold, and Henry will be completely exasperated. Very good promo from Athena and Billie to further build their dysfunction, and great bit of Abadon almost snatching Athena up. I still feel Athena VS Abadon gets wonked by Billie, setting up Athena VS Billie at Final Battle.

Great match out of Outrunners VS Infantry, but given Tony Khan copy-pasted this story to give us #FTRunners on Collision, he must now change how the story here on ROH is going. Infantry borders on turning Heel over how Outrunners are doing better in the win-loss record and getting popular with the fans. As such, Outrunners win and Infantry storms off, it might take some other point of frustration to make The Infantry turn on The Outrunners. And then great ROH World Championship match just out of nowhere with Mark and Taven. Mark of course won, they weren’t going to make a match of Briscoe VS Jericho for the title to then take that away. But it was still good to have Taven & Bennett celebrate with Mark after, given the history of The Kingdom with The Briscoes.

My Score: 8.8/10