The Franchise VS The Most Wanted!

Bandido finally took the ROH World Championship from Chris Jericho, and now he’s stepping onto the Proving Ground with perhaps one of the best in Jay Lethal!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Johnny TV & MXM Collection VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels; Johnny & MXM win.
• Marina Shafir VS Nixi XS; Marina wins.
• Preston Vance w/ The Frat House VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
• Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang; Dustin & The Von Erichs win.
• ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal; Bandido wins and denies Lethal a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Johnny TV & MXM Collection w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels!

The obsession with tag team gold has shifted from the ROH World Tag Team Championships to the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships, as evident by how Mansoor & Mason Madden are bringing the belt they stole from Dustin Rhodes! But will #MXMTV earn their shot at a proper title shot? Or will their obsession cloud their judgment?

The trios sort out and Johnny starts against Jordan. They keep the Code of Honor and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, and then Johnny dodges to roll, do some breakdancing and a “Johnny-rooni,” to then pose. That’s not just taunting Jordan, that’s sending a shot at Sammy Guevara! Johnny even kips up! Jordan and Johnny circle, tie up, but then Jordan mocks Mason with the twerking! The fans cheer, MXM is upset, but Johnny grabs Jordan for a MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Johnny KICKS Jordan in the side, then SHINING WIZARDS! The fans boo but Johnny drags Jordan onto the ropes. Johnny CHOKES Jordan, the ref counts, but Johnny lets off at 4.

Johnny argues with the ref, Mason asks what the five fingers said to the face. Taya SLAPS Jordan! Get it? Johnny dodges Drake, and he hits the FLYING CHUCK! Johnny then RAMS Jordan into the corner, tags Mansoor, and Mansoor fakes the chop to say look up. Then he CHOPS, CHOPS! Tag to Mason, Mansoor BLASTS Ryan, then Mason sends Mansoor in for a LARIAT! Mason adds an ELBOW, then feed to the atomic drop! Mansoor runs, he bumps Drake aside to then dropkick Jordan’s legs out! Mason pulls up for the HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer as MXM pose, but then Mr. & Mrs. TV kiss right in front of the camera.

Ryan tags in, he CLUBS Mason, but Mason doesn’t budge! Ryan apologizes, and claims it was Drake. Mason HEADBUTTS Ryan to the corner! Mason then fires body shots, H O T T O~ G O~! And then the GRIZZLY MAGNUM! The fans fire up as Mason puts Ryan in the corner, then tags Mansoor. Mansoor feeds Ryan to Mason’s scoop, SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Fans fire up for the Catwalk Combo, then MXM points to Johnny. Johnny & Taya kiss again, and MXM cheer. Ryan flounders, Mansoor keeps him from his corner and ROCKS him with a forearm. Mansoor scoops, Ryan slips free, tag to Drake!

Drake fires hands on Mansoor, then whips, but Mansoor reverses. Drake ducks ‘n’ dodges but Mason tags in! Mansoor picks Drake up and Mason runs, LEG LARIAT SPINEBUSTER COMBO! The fans rally, Mansoor rolls through to haul Drake up. Johnny tags in and goes up, DOUBLE STOMP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER COMBO! MXM TV is all fired up and the fans cheer. Jordan runs in, but Mason picks him up! Ryan runs in but gets a BOOT! Then Mason CHOKE SLAMS Jordan! Johnny drags Drake to center, and MXM TV stands over him, to POSE! Then they get Drake up, for a TRIPLE CENTER FOLD! Cover, MXM TV wins!

Winners: Johnny TV & MXM Collection, by pinfall

When you look good, you feel good, and MXM TV certainly feels good after that win. They hold up their stolen title, and then they drag the ref into POSING with them! But will The Sons of Texas bring these fashionable thieves to justice soon enough?

The Von Erichs talk with Dustin Rhodes backstage.

Marshall wants The Natural to understand, they saw what MXM did. Dustin & Sammy can handle their business, they’re Texans! The Von Erichs know all about that. But the moment MXM even touched those titles, it frankly pissed Marshall off. The Von Erichs just got here, barely proved themselves, and what kind of tone does that set? Ross has his brother calm down, and says that where they come from, you don’t touch what you didn’t earn. They saw what happened, and now it is time to give ROH a reminder of what respect looks like. Dustin nods, and he tells MXM TV to listen closely.

“You wanted to get our attention? Well, now you’ve got it. You stealing my title was very juvenile, and stupid. And yes, I’m calling you all stupid. At no time in my 37 year career have I ever backed down from a challenge, and I’m not about to start. So that’s why I brought in the heavy hitters. Texas’ favorite sons, The Von Erichs, and The Natural, Dustin Rhodes! So how about you, MXM, and you, Johnny TV, show up next week, if ya got the balls, so we can rearrange your pretty faces and get back what’s mine?” The Sons of Texas have thrown down the gauntlet, will MXM TV accept? Will they regret ever stealing from the living legend?

Backstage interview with Bandido.

AEW shares footage from after Dynasty and the ROH World Championship match. Alicia Atout congratulates Bandido and his familia, as he defeated Chris Jericho to once again be ROH World Champion. What does this moment mean to him? Bandido takes a moment, and says this means everything. When he was just a child starting in this sport, he just dreamt of this moment. Now it is come true! He is grateful to God to be here with his family and this championship. He isn’t the real champion, his mama is! She’s always taking care of him, his brother, his sister, the whole family. The familia celebrates together, will they all have even more to celebrate as Bandido is back on top of ROH?

Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang!

We heard from The Sons of Texas, and now we’ll see them hit the ring together again! Will they be doubling down on that message to MXM TV with a huge return win? Or will they learn that #ViolenceIsForever?

The trios sort out and Dustin starts against Kevin. The fans rally for Dustin, but Kevin kicks the hand away! No Code of Honor here, but the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dustin headlocks, but Kevin powers up and out. Dustin runs Kevin over, keeps moving, and hops over the dropdown. Kevin sets up but Dustin says, “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! Dustin then arm-drags Kevin into an armlock. The fans rally, “You Still Got It!” but Kevin fires a body shot. Kevin whips, Davey gets a cheap shot in, but Dustin DECKS him! Kevin takes a swing, Dustin dodges, and Kevin is sent into Dominic! Kevin then staggers into a SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up as Dustin drags Kevin over, and tag to Ross. They whip, Dustin drops down and Ross DROPKICKS! Kevin staggers, tags Dominic, and Dominic knees Ross! Dominic CHOPS, whips, but Ross reverses. Ross hits a HIP TOSS, then he arm-drags! The fans rally as Ross arm-drags again, then JUMP RANAS! Cover, TWO! Dominic stays in this but Ross stays focused. Ross headlocks, Dominic powers up and RAMS him into the corner! Dominic keeps Ross trapped, Marshall protests, and the ref holds Marshall back. This just lets Team Violence Is Forever mug Ross behind the ref’s back! The fans boo but VIF gets away with it all!

Dominic tags in Davey and Davey stomps Ross. Davey drags Ross up but the fans rally. Davey UPPERCUTS Ross’s arm, sends him to a corner, and ELBOWS him! Davey GRINDS Ross’s face off the ropes, then tags Dominic. Dominic ROCKS Ross, tags Kevin, and Kevin CHOPS Ross. VIF double whips, but Ross crisscrosses them into each other! Ross reaches for his corner but Kevin waistlocks to keep him back. Feed to Dominic, ROUNDHOUSE SAIDO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ross survives but Dominic drags Ross over. Tag to Kevin, then they stand Ross up. Suplex and- NO, Ross slips free! He shoves Dominic into Kevin!

Ross hurries, hot tag to Marshall! The fans fire up, Davey tags in, but Marshall dodges him and Kevin to BOOT Dominic! DOUBLE LARIATS for Kevin & Davey! Then forearm after forearm, Marshall DECKS man after man! ROLLING ELBOW for Davey! ROLLING ELBOW for Kevin! Marshall fires up and LARIATS Davey in a corner! Then he runs to LARIAT Kevin in a corner! Marshall calls his shot, the fans fire up, and Marshall CANNONBALLS Davey! Cover, Kevin & Dominic break it! But Ross goes up, and he CROSSBODIES VIF down! Dustin storms in, he and Ross LARIAT VIF up and out of the ring!

Davey climbs up, leaps at Marshall, but he gets caught into the IRON CLAW!! Davey is fading, Marshall tops it off with a scoop and SWINGING SLAM!! Cover, Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall

A big return indeed, and a big win for the REAL ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions! But will they get that stolen belt back from MXM TV? Or will Johnny, Mansoor & Mason keep playing games?

Taya Valkyrie speaks.

“I have been in ROH now for two years. Clawing, fighting, waiting patiently- I mean, well, not so patiently sometimes, for an opportunity at a championship. And now, I finally have it. The opportunity to go after Red Velvet and the Women’s TV Championship. But there’s one person in my way, and that’s La Catalina, La Diva de la CMLL. Now, Catalina, I understand what kind of crazy it takes to leave your country, follow your dream, and find your place within this artform and sport, cuz I did it. I wrote the book, I am the blueprint, you basically copied me. And if you think La Diva is gonna get in the way of La Wera Loca, then you don’t know me.

“So on that night, in mi casa, may the best woman win. And we all know who that is.” Taya has made the challenge, Catalina will return to ROH to accept it, but then who moves on to face The Chef in her kitchen?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal!

This is already a historic Proving Ground match as the two-time and NEW ROH World Champion is going to put the longest reigning (combined days) ROH World Champion to the test! Can Bandido beat The Franchise in ten minutes or less? Or will Lethal earn himself his golden ticket back to the title scene?

The fans duel already as the two men step up. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. Bandido and Lethal circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Lethal waistlocks, Bandido switches, Lethal switches, repeat. They go around and around, Bandido ends up on the apron and he HOTSHOTS Lethal! Lethal runs back up but Bandido jumps over the slide! Bandido then ASAI MOONSAULTS, but Lethal moves! Bandido lands on his feet, both men go to the apron, and Bandido blocks a kick! Bandido CHOPS, then LARAITS Lethal into the ring, but Lethal lands on his feet! Lethal DROPKICKS Bandido down!

Lethal builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Bandido tumbles to the ramp! The fans fire up as Lethal shows some Black Machismo, then he CHOPS Bandido. Lethal puts Bandido in, climbs up, and aims for the MACHO- NO, Lethal blocks Bandido’s boots! The fans “WOO~!” with Lethal and he steps through, but Bandido makes it a cradle! TWO, and Lethal CHOPS again! Bandido goes to ropes while Lethal shakes out his hand. Bandido comes back and CHOPS! Bandido eggs Lethal on, and Lethal nods. Lethal CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS! The fans rally up and the CHOPS just start flying fast ‘n’ furious!

Bandido CHPOS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then whips, but Lethal reverses to CHOP! Lethal runs, but Bandido POP-UP CUTTERS! The fans fire up as Lethal staggers, and Bandido runs in at the corner. Lethal BOOTS Bandido, runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Lethal runs back in, but into another BACKBREAKER! Another scoop, then the torture rack! Lethal fights the arm hook, Bandido still finds it, X KNE- NO!! Lethal blocks that knee, CLUBS that leg, and DISCUS LARIATS Bandido inside-out! The fans fire up, Lethal has the legs, “WOO~!” FIGURE FOUR- NO, Bandido kicks! Lethal blocks that kick, steps in on that leg, but Bandido cradles again! TWO!!

Bandido kicks, Lethal blocks, DRAGON SCREW! Lethal steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Lethal has the iconic hold on and Bandido endures! Bandido flails, reaches out, but his shoulders are down! The ref counts the cover, TWO as Bandido sits back up! The fans duel, Bandido reaches out, but Lethal puts on the pressure! Bandido still fights towards the ropes, but Lethal drags him back to center! The fans rally, Bandido fights his way around to the side, ROPEBREAK! Lethal lets go, then he brings Bandido around to SMASH the knee off the mat! Lethal drags Bandido up, stomps that bad leg, then KICKS the leg!

Bandido hobbles, Lethal KICKS the leg again, then he KICKS the leg out! Bandido is on his knees and fans chant, “One More Time!” Lethal obliges and KICKS that leg! Lethal then calls his shot, but Bandido reels him in! Lethal ELBOWS free, ROCKS Bandido again, then whips. Bandido reverses, Lethal handsprings, but into the torture rack! X KNEE!! Bandido hobbles but he takes aim! Lethal’s on the ropes, Bandido runs in! BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido wins!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall (denies Jay Lethal a title match)

This match was fast ‘n’ furious, but Bandido wins with time to spare! More importantly than that, he shows Lethal respect by shaking his hand and even hugging it out. The champ surely has a long line of contenders forming at this very moment, but who will get their shot at The Most Wanted?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH here, clocking in at just under 47 minutes. Very good stuff in this ROH World Six Man Tag title story, as MXM TV get a good win in their match, but we also get a good promo from Dustin & The Von Erichs to call them out. Good match with Violence is Forever plus Davey Bang, and I feel Ross might still need to iron some things out. His escape from that suplex could’ve been cleaner. And while Ross & Marshall are good guys, I feel like this really should be where their reign as Six Man Tag champs ends. They’ve held those since last summer, haven’t done anything in a long time, we need to move on and put those belts on wrestlers who travel with AEW & ROH.

Very good promo from Taya to call out Catalina, and they’ll have a very good match. If Red Velvet is still going to be a Heel, I feel like Catalina wins to challenge her, and then Velvet gets another win as the champ. Marina of course won her match, she really dominated Nixi. Ishii VS Vance was rather competitive, but I figured Ishii would win anyway. And while we got a great 8 minute (give or take) match from Bandido VS Lethal, I suppose Bandido was going to win. Even if it was just a Proving Ground match, Bandido wasn’t going to turn around from winning this title on Sunday to lose here. Supercard of Honor is May 2nd, they have three episodes to build someone into a contender and I have no idea who that will be.

My Score: 8.7/10