Prepare for the Women’s Pure Championship Tournament!

While the field still needs to be filled, Queen Aminata is staying sharp for the ROH Women’s Pure Championship Tournament with her first Pure Rules match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Marina Shafir VS Laynie Luck; Marina wins.
• Blake Christian w/ Lee Johnson VS El Gringo Loco; Blake wins.
• Women’s Pure Rules Match: Queen Aminata VS Allysin Kay; Aminata wins.
• Six Man Tag: Atlantis Jr, Neon & Fuego VS Volador Jr, Hechicero & Barbaro Cavernario; Atlantis, Neon & Fuego win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Athena speaks.

“Minions. It’s the time in my show where I call a Minion Empowerment Meeting, I cut a couple of jokes, I call Billie an idiot and I move on with my day. But I’m not feeling happy, I’m actually quite mad, but I still have a piece of vital information to give to you. Billie Starkz will be entering the Pure Championship Tournament. Hell, she’s won one tournament, why can’t she do it again? And the reason why Billie isn’t here right now is because she is sitting at home, doing what I tell her to do.

“She is studying the greats, she is looking at her Catch As Catch Can, she is looking at World Class Championship Wrestling, she is studying the greats of ROH like Nigel McGuinness, Bryan Danielson, and countless others. Because Billie is not going to ride my coattails to win this tournament. I can’t interfere! None of my Minions can. Because if we do, we will be fired. So for once in your life, Billie, get it together. Because you have to do this solo. And I expect gold around your waist.” The Minion Overlord has spoken, will the inaugural Women’s Television Champion soon become the inaugural Women’s Pure Champion?

Blake Christian w/ Lee Johnson VS El Gringo Loco!

The Vanilla Babyface is a spotless 7-0 here in ROH, and that means he could be sniffing title opportunities. But will he stay undefeated this close to Double or Nothing? Or will he have a meltdown against the Crazy White Boy?

The fans tell Blake, “You Suck!” but Blake DECKS Gringo for it! The ref reprimands but the bell rings as Blake stomps away. The fans boo, Blake throws his robe off, and he asks, “Who sucks?!” “YOU SUCK!” Blake stomps away on Gringo, lets off at 4, and then soaks up the heat. Blake goes to Gringo, drags him up and the fans rally. Blake CHOPS Gringo, whips, but Gringo handsprings, rolls under, and then pops Blake up, only for Blake to RANA! Blake kips up and struts, but the fans boo more. Blake runs up, Gringo throws him back, then scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer Gringo as he brings Blake up.

Gringo scoops and SLAMS, then Gringo goes up. The fans rally, Gringo aims and drops into the SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Blake stays in this but Gringo stands him up. Gringo CHOPS Blake, the fans “WOO~!” and Blake goes to a corner. Fans want that “One More Time!” so Gringo obliges. CHOP! The fans fire up and Gringo wrenches to whip corner to corner. Gringo runs in, Blake puts him on the apron, but Gringo ROCKS Blake! Gringo climbs, Blake UPPERCUTS and then climbs up. Blake has the facelock but Gringo fires body shots! Blake still DDTS Gringo against the top buckle! Gringo falls to the floor and Blake aims.

Blake runs along the apron to DAREDEVIL DDT! Big Shotty high-fives Blake while the fans are torn. The ring count climbs, Blake stands Gringo up to RAM him into railing, and Lee cheers Blake on. The count is 10 of 20 but Blake puts Gringo in. The fans still rally for Gringo Loco but Blake stomps him. Blake struts, stomps, then soaks up the heat. Blake bumps Gringo off buckles, digs his boot in, but stops as the ref counts. Blake whips but Gringo reverses, only for Blake to dodge and GAMANGIRI! Then URENAGE! IMPLODER SENTON! Blake then “takes a taste” and goes up for a SUPER LEG DROP!

The fans boo but Blake mockingly applauds. Blake drags Gringo up to slap him around. The fans boo more but Blake scuffs and kicks Gringo. Blake winds up, but Gringo ducks the pump handle and lift! Then F5!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Gringo and Blake stir as the standing count starts. Both men rise at 4 of 10, then Gringo fires hands! And counter punches! The fans rally as Gringo whips, but Blake reverses, only for Gringo to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up and Gringo runs up. Blake dodges to triangle jump DROPKICK! Blake puts Gringo up, climbs up after him, and Blake hits the SUPER- NO, Gringo blocks!

Gringo brings Blake up, but Blake RANAS through! Blake crawls all the way to the other corner, climbs up, and 450 DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Gringo survives and the fans fire up! Lee is stunned and Blake is frustrated, but Blake goes back for Gringo at the corner. They’re both on the apron, and Blake drags Gringo up. Blake rains down fists, turns him around, but Gringo fires body shots! Gringo climbs up, HEADBUTTS Blake, then SUPER SPANISH FLIES! Cover, TWO!!! Blake survives and Gringo is shocked! The fans continue to rally and Gringo rises up. Gringo brings Blake around, wrenches and pump handles, for the scoop and gut wrench!

But Blake RANAS free! Gringo is on the ropes, Blake 619s! That was a speed dial, but Blake goes up, only for Gringo to shove him down! Blake comes back, springboard, handspring, POISON-RANA!! Blake vows to end this, and he clamps on the VANILLA CHOKE ZERO!! Gringo TAPS, Blake wins!

Winner: Blake Christian, by submission

And that makes him 8-0! Will nothing stop Blake Christian from having his shot at gold? And who will he be targeting?

Women’s Pure Rules Match: Queen Aminata VS Allysin Kay!

Learning that Billie Starkz is now in the tournament, that is six of the eight spots taken. And even then, the One True African Queen knows The Professor of Pro-Wrestling awaits in the opening round. Will Aminata prove she is more than ready for that test? Or will AK earn herself a spot in that bracket?

The Code of Honor is upheld with a pinkie swear, and the bell rings. The fans duel as the clock starts ticking. Aminata and Allysin tie up, go around, and Allysin wrenches. Aminata rolls, trips Allysin, and then wraps on body scissors. Allysin pushes back to a cover, TWO, and Aminata pulls the arms into a LEG HOOK NELSON! Allysin reaches out with a foot to ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Aminata lets go, that is Allysin’s first of three. Allysin realizes that’s how this works and is upset, but she and Aminata reset. The fans duel again, “A K!” “QUEEN!” The two tie up, Allysin headlocks but Aminata waistlocks.

Allysin fights the lift so Aminata headlocks. Allysin powers out to hit a takeover, and ARMBAR! Aminata clasps hands together, Allysin pushes on the grip, but Aminata stacks! TWO, and Aminata grabs the arm for a takedown! CROSSFACE, but Allysin scrambles around! Aminata goes for that arm to then have a RINGS OF SATURN! Allysin still fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, and Aminata knows that’s the second! Allysin is frustrated, and she DECKS Aminata! But that’s the warning over her closed fist! Allysin says that’s fine, and she KICKS Aminata to a corner. Allysin fires body shots, then CHOPS!

The fans “WOO~” and Aminata sputters. Allysin whips corner to corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Allysin then brings Aminata up for a scoop and “Bye Bye!” FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up and we pass three minutes, the time limit being ten. Aminata tumbles out of the ring and Allysin taunts her. Allysin goes out after Aminata and CHOPS! Aminata sputters, asks fans for help, but Allysin says one more! Aminata says please no! Allysin says okay, and she BITES Aminata’s hand! Allysin bumps Aminata off the apron! But Aminata SLAPS back! And then DOUBLE CHOPS! The fans fire up and Aminata puts Allysin in.

Aminata storms in while shaking out her hand, but Allysin BOOTS her in the ropes! Allysin has the underhooks, and she hits the BUTTERFLY SLAM! Cover, TWO! Aminata stays in this but Allysin stays on her. Allysin drags Aminata up, fireman’s carries, but Aminata slips free to CHOP! Allysin CHOPS back! Aminata nods and ROCKS Allysin with a forearm! Allysin ROCKS Aminata! Aminata fires a string of forearms, then ROCKS Allysin again! Aminata runs but Allysin BOOTS, ROUNDHOUSES, and covers, ONE!! Aminata survives and we pass five minutes. Allysin clamps onto Aminata, rolls her, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!!

Aminata endures, bridges around, and has the legs! Jackknife bridge, TWO! HEADBUTT!! Allysin sits back and Aminata reels her in for the CHOCOLATE KISSES! The fans fire up and Aminata smiles. Aminata BOOTS Allysin, ties up the legs, figure four knot with the headscissors, A LONG WAY FROM HOME! Allysin TAPS, Aminata wins!

Winner: Queen Aminata, by submission

And at just past six minutes, Aminata gets her first Pure Rules victory! But is this proof that she will be the once and future ROH Women’s Pure Champion?

Serena Deeb speaks.

“Five years, I’ve been here. And I’m just reflecting on everything, and asking myself, ‘Five years. What do you even have to show for it?’ And the answer is absolutely nothing. I have nothing to show for it. And I’m so sick and tired of showing up with a smile on my face, being fake, and pretending to be happy all the time when I’ve watched every single person stroll into this locker room, walk out with their flowers, and move on to greener pastures. And I’m still here, and I’m still waiting for my flowers. And I’m tired of it. I’m not here for the celebrity and the social media. I don’t care about any of it.

“But what I do care about is the same thing I’ve always cared about since I was a child: Professional wrestling. That’s all that matters. And most of the time when I come to work, I think that’s what we do here. But if I’m honest with you, I question that half the time, too. So this Women’s Pure Rules Championship Tournament… When this came upon me, it was like these five years of watching everybody else get celebrated, when I heard about this tournament, it was in my face. This tournament, this championship, is made for me. This championship was made for The Professor. I have never felt more sure about anything in the entire time I’ve been here.

“This championship, it’s the embodiment of everything, of my life’s work, of my career’s work, of the respect and the discipline of professional wrestling. And reminding everybody that the purity of this sport is the most beautiful thing in the world, and finally, I’ve waited long enough. I’m done waiting, I’m done being patient. I will be the very first ROH Women’s Pure Rules Champion, because I am the Professor of Professional Wrestling, and this was made for me.” Deeb has spoken, will there be no mercy in her dojo?

Six Man Tag: Atlantis Jr, Neon & Fuego VS Volador Jr, Hechicero & Barbaro Cavernario!

CMLL shined last night on a special Thursday Night Collision, but now they shine again here on a special Friday edition of ROH! But will the second generation star and his amigos shine bright in Chicago? Or will The Predator, The Alchemist & The Caveman tear them apart this close to Double or Nothing?

The trios sort out and Volador starts against Fuego. Fuego doesn’t trust Volador with the Code of Honor so he headlocks. Volador powers up and out, Fuego turns hip toss into HIP TOSS, and the fans fire up! Fuego runs up, Volador puts him on the apron, but Fuego ROCKS him and steps in to arm-drag! Volador tumbles out, Barbaro rushes in under Lucha Rules, but Fuego goes Matrix to dodge! Fuego stands up to dance, RAM, and then OLE~! OLE~! Fuego runs, wheelbarrows, and arm-drags! Barbaro bails out, Hechi is in but Fuego runs and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Hechi bails out, Fuego rolls to do his dance!

The fans fire up and Fuego tags Atlantis. Atlantis jumps in but here comes Barbaro. They circle, but then Hechi & Volador attack! The rudos mug Atlantis and the fans boo. The ref reprimands and tell them off, but Hechi puts Atlantis in a corner. Hechi CHOPS, then Barbaro ROCKS Atlantis! They double whip Atlantis corner to corner, then send Barbaro in. Atlantis goes up and over, Barbaro POSTS himself and Atlantis RANAS Volador! Atlantis dodges Hechi, SUPERKICKS Barbaro, then GAMANGIRIS Hechi! Atlantis runs up, Barbaro puts him up top, but Atlantis THROWS Barbaro down! And then he FLYING RANAS Hechi!

Atlantis gives Barbaro a MONKEY FLIP, and he gives Volador a scoop BACKBREAKER! Scoop BACKBREAKER for Hechi, then scoop BACKBREAKER for Barbaro! Tag to Neon, he fires up and dodges Volador. He hurdles, RAMS Volador, then goes up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Barbaro runs in, into a HIP TOSS! Neon goes up, up, leaps and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Neon dodges Hechi, Hechi blocks a kick and FLIPS Neon! Neon lands out, Hechi is stunned, and Neon runs up. Neon CLUBS Neon, shoves him, and SLINGBLADES at the ropes! Hechi holds Neon while Volador BLASTS Atlantis y Fuego!

Hechi sends Neon to Barbaro y Volador, they scoop and ROCK-A-BYE DOUBLE POWERBOMB! Hechi steps in and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer Hechi but here comes Fuego! Fuego eyes the rudos, Hechi eggs him on, and they tie up. But then Volador attacks anyway! Volador holds out a leg for Barbaro to KICK! The fans are torn but Volador drags Fuego up. Volador y Hechi double whip, then Volador sends Hechi in. Hechi steps up to KNEE! The fans say “OTRA! OTRA!” and Hechi fires fast hands. Hechi whips Fuego to Volador, POP-UP MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Barbaro takes Fuego outta the sky! Barbaro covers, TWO!

Barbaro SMACKS Fuego back down, he bails out, so Atlantis is back. But Hechi distracts and Barbaro DROPKICKS Atlantis! The fans rally, “Let’s Go, Lucha!” Hechi shoves Atlantis, runs, but Atlantis dodges, only for Hechi to YANK him out of the air! Barbaro KICKS Atlantis, Volador BOOTS him! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Volador drags Atlantis up, and Atlantis wrenches so Barbaro can UPPERCUT! Barbaro y Volador double whip, Hechi drops down, Barbaro hits a SPINEBUSTER! Hechi has the legs, INVERTED MONKEY FLIP into DOUBLE KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Atlantis survives and the fans rally up again.

Barbaro y Volador mug Atlantis, then Volador y Hechicero hold the arms. Barbaro SMACKS Atlantis again and again, then runs, but Atlantis gets free! SUPERKICK for Barbaro! DOUBLE LARIATS for Volador y Hechi! Barbaro whips but Atlantis BOOTS! Barbaro does the worm, but Atlantis ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Barbaro bails out but Atlantis DIVES! Down goes Barbaro, and now Neon y Fuego get in the ring! Fuego gives Neon the boost so he can DOUBLE DROPKICK Volador y Hechicero! Fuego y Neon then DOUBLE DIVE and wipe them out! Atlantis has Barbaro, fires forearms, then runs, but into a waistlock!

Barbaro ripcords, wrenches, hammerlocks, lifts, facelock, ELEVATED DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Atlantis survives but Barbaro stomps him! The fans rally as Barbaro does his caveman dance! Barbaro runs, IMPLODER SPLASH into BOOTS! Atlantis runs to hit a DESTROYER!! And then he goes up, up, and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, Team Atlantis wins!

Winners: Atlantis Jr, Neon y Fuego, by pinfall

The stars of CMLL continue to shine as things only heat up in AEW! Will Atlantis and amigos be more than ready for the stars of AEW when it’s time for Grand Slam: Mexico?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH at just over 46 minutes, and back on a Friday because Collision was on Thursday in anticipation for either NBA Playoffs or because WWE has Saturday Night’s Main Event. Either way, it’s free on YouTube so if Marina Shafir squashing Laynie Luck really matters to you, go watch that. Good to see Athena on ROH TV again, though. Her announcing Billie is in the Women’s Pure Championship tournament was an interesting move, but I suppose that’s very Athena of her, being so controlling of Billie. But I don’t see Billie winning the Pure title, there is still the matter of her and Athena finally separating that needs to be settled.

Deeb had a very good promo, but put another one in the “Tony Khan’s booking forced another worked shoot situation” jar. Deeb really should be the inaugural Women’s Pure Champion, her and Aminata will be quite the opening round match. Aminata VS Allysin was good, and they of course played up the rules by Allysin not knowing/remembering them. There are two spots left in the tournament, why not just tell us that Marina is one of them? And then make the other one a “wild card” and then, I dunno, make it Shayna Baszler or another of the free agents, aka released WWE stars.

Very good match from Blake VS Gringo, and a great win for Blake. Blake is 8-0, he could definitely challenge for the ROH World TV Championship, but we’re waiting on Nick Wayne to come back from Japan and the Best of the Super Juniors. Well, considering Supercard of Honor isn’t until July now, Nick will definitely be back by then. Then Nick can break away from The Patriarchy as a Face and have a great feud with Blake as young stars on the rise. And of course, another really fun lucha trios match, but of course the Faces won again. Maybe after Double or Nothing, we get some Grand Slam: Mexico build where Faces and Heels work together for several crossover dream matches.

My Score: 8.5/10