Who will stand atop Evolve as THE champion?

Jackson Drake, Keanu Carver, Edris Enofe or Sean Legacy. After tonight, only one will be known as the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright; Jin wins.
• WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake; Drake wins and is the inaugural WWE Evolve Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kali Armstrong is here!

The fans cheer the INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Women’s Champion as she goes to the ring, mic in her hand and belt on her shoulder. The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” and Kali says, “Oh yeeeeeah! I told y’all! The first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, Kali Armstrong. Hey, I like the way that sounds. How ’bout y’all? You like the way that sounds?” The fans cheer, and Kali says she did what she said she was gonna do. She has been here for a year and a half, and this is what she’s on. They say it gets harder from here, but that’s fine. She ain’t ducking any of these chicks!

Kali is ready to go at it with each and every one of them, so that when she gets to NXT, they’ll know who the Difference Maker is. She is at the top of the Evolve Women’s Division, so she wants to know: Who is her first challenger? And out walks Zayda Steel. She tells Kali that seriously, she wants to be the first to congratulate the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion! Give it up for Kali, everybody! The fans do cheer, and Zayda says that Fatal 4 Way was a classic. But she realized something: They have a lot in common! They are both history makers! Kali is the first champion, and everyone already knows this, but Zayda is the first WWE ID prospect.

So from one difference maker to another, Zayda just wants to say… Kali is luck. Huh? But wait! Zayda is interrupted by Nikkita Lyons! Lyons tells Kali, “Hey, girl! Congratulations, new champ! I’m Big Kat Kita, but you already knew that. But it’s so good to meet you, for real. Like, I’m really honored to meet you. But I already talked with Stevie Turner, and I told her that once they crown a new champ to call me. So here I am.” Lyons stops Zayda before she says anything to say Zayda is cute, and she does like her. But when it comes to gold, Lyons is not afraid to pounce.

Kali tells them they’re both doing a lot of big talking, but they’re doing nothing to prove they want this title. Lyons says, “Bet.” And then Lyons & Zayda jump Kali! The fans boo as they mug her 2v1! Kali shoves Lyons, kicks Zayda, then fires hands! But Lyons THROAT CHAKRA KICKS Kali down! Zayda rains down fists, but wait! Here comes Natalya! The fans fire up as the Queen of Harts rushes out here! She dodges Lyons, TACKLES Zayda, and she has the legs! Lyons drags Zayda to safety and Natty stares them down. The fans cheer Natty and she makes sure Kali is alright. Kali is a bit salty even here as she snatches the belt back, but will The BOAT help her sink Lyons & Zayda?

Carlee Bright has been attacked!

That makes three women in about as many weeks! And this is right before her match tonight! A ref calls in medical, and all Carlee knows is someone shoved her into the chair rack. Just who is it stalking Evolve stars and taking them out?

Evolve returns and…

Stevie Turner is with Carlee and a WWE medical trainer. Stevie apologizes that this has happened, this shouldn’t be happening here in Evolve. Carlee doesn’t blame Stevie, and insists she can go. Stevie asks who did it but Carlee says they were in a black hoodie, and it was a drive-by attack. The doc says there are no serious injuries, so it is up to Carlee. Carlee says she will compete. Stevie says, “If you’re sure, girl.”

Keanu Carver speaks.

“Tonight means something to me, man. Those other three? They just want the glory, the prestige, the fame. Nah, that ain’t me. For me, that title is my ticket out. And I’ll be damned if I go back to the streets of DC. Y’all don’t get what I had to do to get here. So when I step into that ring with them three, I’ma beat the brakes off them boys! From the streets of DC to the Evolve Championship, I’ma show y’all what I’m about! Then y’all gonna remember the name, Keanu Carver.”

Sean Legacy speaks.

With Timothy Thatcher by his side, Super Sean says, “This is it, this is it. My moment. Eight long years for this. Eight long years.” Sean says Timothy taught him everything. Timothy says Sean is ready. Sean says damn right he’s ready! It’s time for Sean to create his legacy!

Jin Tala VS Carlee Bright!

Another prospect from LFG is ready to Evolve! Will “The Detonator” have an explosive debut? Or will Evolve’s future still be Bright?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, Jin goes for the bad arm but Carlee pushes Jin away. They go again, and Jin goes after the bad arm. Jin double wristlocks, pushes on it, and pushes on it again! Carlee endures, but Jin hits a double wristlock takedown! Cover, ONE, but Jin stays on the arm. Carlee fights up, Jin wrenches, but Carlee slips through to wrench back. Carlee trips Jin, steps over, and LA MAGISTROL! ONE, but Carlee arm-drags! Carlee keeps on Jin’s arm but Jin fights up. The fans rally, Jin moves around, but Carlee wrenches and hammerlocks. Jin reaches back and switches the hammerlock!

Carlee switches, sunset flips, TWO! Carlee DROPKICKS Jin! The fans rally, Carlee whips but Jin blocks! Jin reverses, Carlee goes up and up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Carlee hurries to facelock Jin, Jin scoops, but Carlee fights to keep the arm. Jin wrenches and WRINGS Carlee’s arm! Jin KNEES and UPPERCUTS the bad arm, then gives it a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Carlee toughs it out but Jin stays on that arm. The fans rally as Jin traps both arms in a modified butterfly! Carlee endures, fights up, but Jin powers those arms back again! Carlee refuses to give up and she stands again! Jin shifts to a ghost pin, TWO!

Carlee has a leg, Jin kicks her away, and Jin runs up. Carlee dodges, ELBOWS, and then ELBOWS again! The fans rally, Carlee ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, but Jin dumps her out! Carlee still headlocks for a BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Jin stays in this and Carlee shakes out her bad arm. The fans rally as Carlee facelocks, but Jin powers out! Carlee blocks a kick, spins Jin, and CODE BREAKER! Carlee sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT, but Jin dodges! Jin steps over onto the arm for a STANDING ARMBAR!! The “Bakunawa Bind!” Carlee TAPS, Jin wins!

Winner: Jin Tala, by submission

Carlee tried to fight at less than 100% and it cost her! Will Jin Tala’s technical skill be just the thing to make her a star?

Evolve shares footage from last week.

It was after the Women’s Championship Elimination Match that Kylie Rae returned backstage, only to be attacked by Wendy Choo! They brawled and Wendy would get the advantage by throwing Kylie into the garage door, and then throwing a garbage can onto Kylie! Refs broke that up, but will nothing stop wicked Wendy from having her revenge?

Chuey Martinez talks with Kylie Rae.

He says Wendy is still haunting her, and Kylie says ever since coming to Evolve, Wendy keeps sticking her nose in Kylie’s business. Sure, Wendy won those two singles matches, but Kylie eliminating Wendy should’ve ended it. And Kylie hates to admit this, but Wendy is the only person here that makes Kylie not so smiley. And after last week, Kylie is so ready to- Chantel Monroe says Kylie should call it quits. Kylie gets on Chantel’s nerves no matter if she’s smiley or angry. Chantel storms off, but both Masyn Holiday & Layla Diggs say pay that no mind. Chantel’s mirror is the only thing that shows the real her.

The Vanity Project hypes up Jackson Drake.

Ricky Smokes says Jackson has nothing to worry about! Who even knows if that was the real Lince Dorado anyway? Who trusts someone that wears a mask? Smokes gives Bryce Donovan a pat on the chest and Bryce smacks him back. Brad Baylor tells Jackson that he is the Wild Card, Heartbreak Drake! Do they all think he’s gonna be the first Evolve Champion? Hundos fo’ sho’, bro! Jackson is the future! Zayda adds that The Vanity Project is the future. Jackson says that’s right, and he’s known that since he was 13 years old when he first stepped into a wrestling ring and never looked back.

Jackson tells they all know he’s the Wild Card and Heartbreak Drake, but after tonight, the world is going to know him as the first-ever WWE Evolve Champion! The Vanity Project is ready, but will the Carolina Reaper take the title home? Or will the odds be against him?

Edris Enofe speaks.

“Man, been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. I came back from a gruesome shoulder injury, and it hurt. It hurt for real. But what hurt me even worse was the fact that I couldn’t compete in front of each and every one of y’all. But now things change. Things will be different now. Because tonight, I change the entire WWE Universe’s mind. Tonight, I go from Edris Enofe the tag team wrestler to Edris Enofe the singles superstar! Tonight, Edris Enofe, the Epitome of Excellence, the EOE becomes the first-ever WWE Men’s Evolve Champion!”

The High Ryze is here!

Wes Lee leads the way for Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe and fans boo. Wes has the mic, and he says, “Now, I can bet that none of y’all expected to see me out here on Evolve. Look, that’s understandable, especially with the boys out here dominating completely on their own the past couple of weeks, I haven’t had any reason to. But see, last week, I wanted to come to Evolve and get a better understanding of what it’s all about. They call this the evolution of professional wrestling or something like that. When I walk around and talk to the kids in the locker room, I can see it. They have big dreams, a lot of potential, and they have a lot of hope that one day they are going to become the next big thing.”

Wes laughs, and then apologizes. It isn’t funny, it’s just cute. It is! It’s okay! But see, he was the same way. Once upon a time, he wanted to come into they business and make it the best that he possibly could. He wanted to change the world, and he did! The fans do cheer that. Wes says when he walks around here, what he really sees is that they’re all naive, maybe even delusional, to think that they’re going to steal Wes’s spot one day! He has busted his ass, broken his back, all for this business, and has barely scratched the surface. Look: a Dusty Cup Winner, two-time NXT Tag Team Champion, and the greatest North American Champion ever, and he’s not even done!

So to everyone in Evolve right now, listen very closely. WES is the gatekeeper now! You wanna make it to NXT? You gotta make it through him! Well, hold on, because here come Cappuccino Jones & Jack Cartwheel! The fans cheer for “CAAA-PPUCCINO! CAAA-PPUCCINO!” Jones tells Wes that he sees what Wes is “brewing up.” Tyson & Tyriek are impressive, and Wes’s mentorship is paying off. Wes asks why Jones is out here. Or do the barista and his buddy want a rematch? Wes is sure the boys are fine beating them up one more time. Jones says he and Cartwheel aren’t here for a tag match. Jones wants a match… with Wes!

Wes is calling himself a gatekeeper, and sure, he has been the Human Highlight Reel for years. But whatever Wes has been sipping on is tasting pretty bitter. Bitter!? No! Wes has just been around the block long enough to know better! The fans chant, “Bitter~! Bitter~!” Wes says he isn’t just some happy-to-be-here kid walking around with a cup of coffee. Jones says hate on him all you want. But if you wanna be the measuring stick, Jones wants to see how he measures up. Jones feels he has what it takes, and the best way to back that up is to go 1v1 with one of the staples of NXT! The fans cheer that!

Wes looks Jones up and down, then tells him, “You really should’ve stayed behind that counter, dog. You want the match? Next week, you’ve got it.” Will the Cardiac Kid keep Evolve down? Or will he get the jitters from facing Cappuccino Jones?

Je’Von Evans is backstage!

Evolve Media asks the Young OG why he’s here, and Je’Von says he loves this! He had to come check out Evolve, but he’s here mostly to present the title to the first-ever Evolve Champion. Those boys are locked in! Je’Von notices Jordan Oasis walking by. Je’Von says hey to Oasis and asks why he’s out in the parking lot. Just walking. Je’Von says he is a big fan of Oasis, and keep running, your time is coming. Oasis appreciates that coming from Je’Von. Je’Von says he’s gotta go watch the match, but he’ll see Oasis around. Will this endorsement from NXT’s future help Oasis become Evolve’s future?

Marcus Mathers speaks.

“I’ve been waiting a very long time to introduce myself to the WWE Universe. My name is Marcus Mathers. I’ve been wrestling for about six years now, with way over 650 matches under my belt, proving I’m not just Philly’s Finest, but I’m the finest in WWE ID. And speaking of WWE ID, this was made for men and women to use this to the best of their ability, to the max. And lemme tell you, nobody used WWE ID like I did. And with the support of WWE ID, I’ve been able to travel more, get more matches, and train with the best of the best. And now I bring all that knowledge right here, right now. The WWE ID prepared me for Evolve.” Is Mathers ready to Evolve?

WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: Sean Legacy VS Edris Enofe VS Keanu Carver VS Jackson Drake!

While Evolve started fourteen weeks ago, the journey to this moment was very different for each man in this match. But one thing they all share in common is the hard work, grit and determination they put into their careers. Whose journey culminates in a historic achievement that will be remembered forever?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but only one man survives to put their name on it!

The bell rings and Drake already talks trash on all three opponents. Keanu DECKS him! Drake tumbles out, Keanu eggs the others on, so Legacy & Enofe go after him! But then Keanu shoves them both away! And he DOUBLE LARIATS them! The fans fire up and Keanu ELBOWS Enofe in a corner! Keanu runs corner to corner to ELBOW Legacy! Then he runs back at Enofe, but Enofe dodges and Drake GAMANGIRIS! Enofe runs to SLING-DOG! Drake runs up, Enofe dodges and SLINGBLADES! Legacy back suplexes but Enofe lands out! Enofe kicks low, runs, and jumps onto Legacy to DROPKICK Drake!

Drake tumbles out, Legacy runs in, but Enofe TOSSES him! Enofe KNEES Keanu in the corner for good measure, then he FLIES! Down go Drake and Legacy! The fans fire up and Enofe goes up a corner! Enofe CROSSBODIES Keanu down, covers, TWO!! Keanu survives, Enofe is a bit surprised, and he reels Keanu in. Keanu fights the suplex to suplex, but Enofe knees free! Enofe runs, but into an ELBOW! Keanu scoops Enofe for the CORKSCREW POWERSLAM! Cover, Keanu ELIMINATES Enofe!! As fast as Enofe was moving, Enofe is out of this match! Legacy and Drake see the intimidating power of Keanu as Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns as Keanu SPLASHES both Legacy & Drake in a corner! Keanu then runs to DOUBLE POUNCE!! The fans fire up with Keanu, and he scoops Legacy to SLAM! Then he scoops Drake to FALL AWAY SLAM! Keanu didn’t even need to fall to throw Drake across the ring! Keanu storms up, puts Drake on the top rope, but Drake BOOTS Keanu away! Legacy MISSILE DROPKICKS Keanu down, and Drake adds a MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Keanu shocks everyone, especially Legacy and Drake. He dares them to keep fighting, because that title’s still gonna be his! Legacy runs up but Keanu DECKS him!

Drake BOOTS Keanu, but Keanu scoops him! Legacy SUPERKICKS Keanu, Drake SUPERKICKS Keanu, and then Legacy GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Drake hits the UNALIVING! Legacy adds the 450 SPLASH!! DOUBLE COVER, they ELIMINATE Keanu!! And then there were two! The fans rally up behind “LEGACY! LEGACY!” as he and Drake stare down. They stand up and step to each other. Drake grins and kicks, but Legacy blocks! Drake avoids Legacy’s superkick, but Legacy avoids Drake’s roundhouse! Drake ducks an enzigiri to deadlift, but Legacy elbows free! Legacy runs but into Drake’s ELBOW! DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Both men spring up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And then Legacy roars! Drake dodges the lariat but not the SUPERKICK! Legacy storms up but into a SUPER PUNCH! Legacy rebounds to HEADBUTT! Drake ROUNDHOUSES! Legacy ENZIGIRIS! But Drake waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Legacy roars and rises again! SNAP GERMAN! Drake flounders, Legacy runs in, but Drake BOOTS him away. Drake goes up, but Legacy jumps up to get him! SECOND ROPE SPANISH FLY! And speaking of fly, Legacy goes up, out, and springboards for the 450!! Cover, TWO!! Drake survives and Legacy is stunned!

The fans rally up while Drake flounders away. Legacy huffs ‘n’ puffs and waistlocks Drake. Legacy then drags Drake up into a torture rack, but Drake CLAWS the eyes! The fans boo, but then Legacy TOSSES Drake! Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy, then KNEES him into ropes! Drake reels Legacy in for a suplex, and DROPS him on the ropes! Drake hurries up the corner, takes aim, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Legacy survives again but Drake stays on him! Handspring and LETHAL IN-JACKSON!! Cover, TWO!!! Legacy is still in this! But Drake SUPERKICKS him down! Cover, TWO!?! Legacy survives again and Drake is freaking out!

“This is Awesome!” as Legacy stirs. Drake grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and he waits on Legacy to get up. Drake runs in, but Legacy turns knee into drop toehold! S T F!!! Drake endures, flails, reaches out, and the fans are freaking out! Drake claws at the mat, crawls forward, but Legacy makes it a STRAITJACKET STF!!! Drake has one arm to reach out with, and he makes the ROPEBREAK!! Legacy lets go in frustration but the fans rally up again. Legacy rises, brings Drake up, but Drake still holds the ropes! The ref counts, Drake HOTSHOTS Legacy! Handsprings and LETHAL- Torture rack! SHAM- NO, Drake lands out to JUMP KNEE!

Drake goes to a corner, runs back in, UNALIVING!!! Cover, DRAKE WINS!!

Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall (INAUGURAL WWE Evolve Champion)

And Vanity Project rushes right out here to celebrate with their bro! It was certainly heartbreak for Enofe, Keanu and Legacy, but will the real tears be from all of us having to listen to Drake brag? Je’Von does present the belt to Drake, and Drake takes it from him, to bring Je’Von in for a hug! Old friends and rivals reunite in this moment, and this makes up for a bit of Drake’s bad attitude. But will this be the beginning of the Vanity Project Era? Or can someone save us from it before it begins?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode, and surprisingly only two matches. That said, less matches helped then maximize the main event, and also some story build. Another woman is attacked and we’re back to that gimmick around the Performance Center, but it can’t be Lyons when she and Zayda were beating up on Kali Armstrong. Wendy Choo is too obsessed with Kylie, so it can’t be her. Could they be quietly building up a female superstar who has been hiding in plain sight? They could do a great “It was me, Stevie! It was me all along!” with this. But that aside, a hurt Carlee makes for a protected loss to new girl, Jin Tala, who has a very creative submission finisher.

Speaking of Wendy and Kylie, good promo from Kylie but Chantel picking on her is a little too much like Jaida Parker having beef with Thea Hail over Thea’s positivity. Kylie VS Wendy should be a No Disqualification rematch so settle things once and for all. And I hope this story of Masyn knowing “the real Chantel” turns into something more. She keeps saying it, but she needs to confront Chantel on it a bit more forcefully. And as for the women’s title, Lyons would be an impressive first defense for Kali that Kali would certainly win. Zayda might be trickier, if only because she’s the bigger Heel and would totally cheat to win.

Very good promo from Wes with Cappuccino Jones, and now they’ll have a singles match, just as I expected from last week. The only odd thing is Wes says he is the gatekeeper now. Does that mean Lexis King just decided to be one and done? Is he going to do bigger things in NXT now? Anyway, good promo from Marcus Mathers, he’s finally getting his debut in Evolve and that will be a lot of fun. It does make me wonder who are the WWE ID Champions right now, and if they’ll ever show up with those belts on Evolve.

And great promos from all the Fatal 4 Way contenders tonight. Jackson Drake makes a lot of sense as the first champion. Enofe only just came back, he needs to build up. Keanu is powerful but then that’d mean two powerhouse champions so that’s redundant. Legacy is great, he can surely come around as a challenger, as Faces benefit from the chase. And with Drake holding up the title for Vanity Project, that will work with Zayda wanting the women’s title, and possibly Swipe Right asking about Evolve Tag Team Championships, really building the whole faction at once.

My Score: 8.7/10

Bow down to your Minion Overlord!

The Fallen Goddess, the Forever ROH Women’s World Champion and YOUR Minion Overlord, ATHENA, finally returns to Honor Club!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Thunder Rosa & Persephone VS Leila Grey & Dulce Tormenta; Rosa & Persephone win.
• Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House VS Dale Springs & Braxton Hunter; Karter & Garrison win.
• Wheeler Yuta VS Aaron Solo; Yuta wins.
• ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Rachel Armstrong; Athena wins and denies Rachel a title opportunity.

PLAY BY PLAY

Thunder Rosa & Persephone VS Leila Grey & Dulce Tormenta!

The stars of AEW, ROH and CMLL align over El Paso as La Mera Mera teams with the hometown hero against the Last Baddie Standing and The Sweet Storm! With Grand Slam: Mexico just weeks away, who will shine brightest in the Borderland?

The teams sort out and Perse starts against Leila. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Perse & Rosa. Perse and Leila circle, tie up, and Leila headlocks. Perse pulls hair, fires body shots, and powers out. Leila RUNS Perse over, soaks up cheers and jeers, then runs. Perse drops down, hurdles over, and blocks a kick to get under for a SPINEBUSTER! Perse rains down forearms and the fans fire up! Perse stacks Leila, ONE, and Perse tags Rosa. Perse scoops  and SLAMS Leila, Rosa runs and SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Rosa fires knees, whips Leila to ropes, then she ducks a lariat to roll Leila up! ONE!!

Rosa hurries to stack, ONE! Rosa Oklahoma Rolls, TWO!! Leila escapes but Rosa is still on her. Leila breaks free to fire a flurry! Leila whips, Rosa reverses, but Leila sunset flips! TWO, and both women stand! Leila tilt-o-whirls to roll Rosa up, TWO! Leila fires forearms and kicks! Leila runs, and SHOTGUNS Rosa down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Rosa stays in this, and Leila brings her up. Rosa CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Rosa whips then arm-drags Leila, then DROPKICKS! Leila hurries to tag Dulce! Dulce runs up but Rosa drop toeholds her! Tag to Perse, she and Rosa run to DOUBLE SHOTGUN SANDWICH!

The fans fire up and Perse runs up, but Dulce rolls her up! TWO, and Dulce runs up again! Perse wrenches, backslides, and bridges for the #ScorpionStack! TWO!! Dulce escapes, runs, and arm-drags Perse! Perse runs and RANAS Dulce! The fans rally and Perse goes Matrix! SUPERKICK! Dulce goes to a corner, Perse HEADBUTTS her, then whips corner to corner. Dulce reverses, Perse goes up and over and SHOTGUNS Dulce down! The fans fire up as Perse climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Dulce moves! Dulce KICKS Perse, Perse staggers to the ropes, and Leila DUMPS Perse out! Then she LARIATS Perse down!

The fans are torn but Leila soaks up the cheers and jeers. Leila puts Perse in, Dulce scoops and SLAMS, then Dulce runs, but Perse ducks a kick! Dulce basement SUPERKICKS from behind! Dulce covers, TWO! Dulce drags Persephone up to bump her off buckles. Tag to Leila and she stomps a mudhole into Perse! Leila bumps Perse off buckles, whips corner to corner, then runs up and SHINING WIZARDS! Then a CUTTER and roll-back into a DRAGON SLEEPER! Rosa stomps Leila, but Dulce TOSSES Rosa! The fans rally, Leila still gets Perse in a chinlock but Perse fights up. Perse fires body shots as the fans duel!

Perse powers up and out, then she SPEARS Leila down! The fans fire up while both women are down! Perse and Leila crawl, hot tags to Dulce and Rosa! Rosa rallies, then drop toeholds Dulce! Dulce ends up on the ropes, Rosa builds speed, and she DROPKICKS Dulce! Rosa hurries to facelock, but Dulce shoves Rosa away! Rosa comes back to wheelbarrow and victory roll! STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Dulce stays in this but Rosa has a straitjacket, into the COBRA CAMEL CLUTCH!! Dulce TAPS, Rosa y Persephone win!

Winners: Thunder Rosa & Persephone, by submission

Rosa invites Dulce and Leila back into the ring, and she shows them respect by raising their hands. The fans cheer the sportsmanship, will all four senoritas be headed for golden opportunities?

The Frat House hang out backstage.

It was earlier tonight that they were enjoying drinks in their red Solo cups, and Jacked Jameson says they had to have drank every bottle in that bar last night. But then they spotted “Riccaboner” and told him to get over here. Ian asked what’s up, and Cole Karter says cheers. Ian does compliment them on their “great effort” against The Opps the other night. Oh, great effort? Jameson says they still do film study, y’know! And all Ian seems to do is run his mouth! They say these guys are sophomoric, drunk, hungover, and Jameson is pretty sure Ian brought up multiple times how Jameson’s parents raised him! Griff says Ian also called them ugly!

Ian says he never any of that! Jameson says look at these abs! Karter says they’re NOT ugly! Ian knows about Jameson’s abs! But what is up next for the Frat House? They should go back to beating up the Dark Order. Those guys are almost bigger losers than Ian. Jameson says hey, bygones be bygones, cheers. They let Ian have a cup, but Vance tells Ian the one rule: Win or lose, the Frat House will BOOOOOZE~! The boys go off to do more of that, will there be even more partying and drinking here in El Paso?

Cole Karter & Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House VS ???

With more Pledges accompanying them, Jacked Jameson tells us that Frat House is the coolest thing to hit ROH since… EVER! So much so that hot chicks are checking out this show for the first time ever! So much so that people are dying to join up! These Pledges are ready to be initiated! Hook ’em up, boys! Time to celebrate! The cups are handed out, the Pledges drink up, and they’re feeling it! But then Vance & Karter mug one guy while Jameson & Griff mug the other! The “initiation” is to get beat up!? The fans boo as Karter CLUBS the one guy down with the paddle! Jameson says the Pledges only get in if they win! Good luck!

Griff puts Dale Springs in the ring, shakes his hand for the Code of Honor, then short arm LARIATS him down with the bell! The fans boo but the Frat House just soaks up that heat. Griff goes corner to corner, but Dale BOOTS him! Dale fires haymakers and UPPERCUTS on repeat! The fans fire up as Dale ROCKS Griff! Dale reaches out but Griff keeps him from his teammate! Griff whips Dale to then BOOT him down! The fans boo more but Griff paces around. Griff drags Dale up, brings him over, tag to Karter. The Frat mugs Dale, then they stomp away in the corner! El Paso rallies but Karter talks trash on Dale’s teammate, Braxton Hunter.

Karter reels Dale in and snap suplexes! Karter soaks up the heat, the fans boo, but Karter stomps Dale. Dale goes to ropes, Karter CHOKES him, but the ref counts. Braxton pushes Karter away, but Karter drags Dale up. Dale fights the suplex, slips free, hot tag to Braxton! Braxton fires forearms on Karter, then ROCKS and KICKS him! Braxton throws away the Frat House shirt, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans boo but Karter soaks up the heat again. Karter scuffs Braxton, sucker punches Dale, then drags Braxton over to the corner. Tag to Griff, Karter fireman’s carries, but Dale hurries in! He gets an IVY LEAGUE ELBOW!

Griff runs, BOOT O’ BOOZE for Braxton! Cover, The Frat House wins!

Winners: Cole Karter & Griff Garrison, by pinfall

No need for new members, the Frat is fine at four. But will anyone ever humble these four egos drunk off themselves?

Thunder Rosa & Persephone speak.

La Mera Mera says, “You already know I make friends everywhere. And today, here in El Paso, I got a new friend in Persephone. Is that right, girl? From CMLL! Let them know who you are! Let them know what we just did in the ring.” Persephone says she is so honored to team with Rosa in ROH. They came, they beat ’em up, they made ’em cry, and they won. But now Perse would love help back in CMLL. Perse came to Rosa’s house, so how about Rosa comes to Perse’s? Is that an invite? Yes it is! Well since they work so well in the ring together, they’ll be part of an ROH X CMLL Global Wars! Ladies and gentlemen, believe that these two are ready for anyone at any time!

Then who will it be that chooses to step to La Mera Mera and the Goddess of Spring?

Johnny TV, Taya Valkyrie & MXM Collection speak.

Mason Madden tells “Ring of Hotties fans, prepare for a real POP corker, because Bandido is gonna have to prove himself on a Proving Grounds Match against Mansoor.” Johnny TV says, “Something that all you fans of hotties with bodies might not know is that Mansoor is a legend in Mexico!” Mansoor single-handedly won the International Grand Prix! He is loved by all the abuelas in Arena Mexico! And he made love to all the abuelas in Arena Mexico! Mansoor tells Taya to translate for him. “Yo soy Mansoor.” “I am Mansoor.” “Yo soy un luchadorrr~!” “I am a wrestler!” “Donde esta la biblioteca?” “Where is the library?”

BANDIDO! Uh, Bandido! Tu voy ara um p- Whoa, hold on. Taya says what Mansoor is getting at is Bandido will be read to filth! And then Mansoor will take the ROH World Championship home to MXM TV! But will the Iron Chic really be able to bring down the Most Wanted? Or will he be just the first to fall?

ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Rachel Armstrong!

Speaking of world champions and the Proving Grounds, the Fallen Goddess returns! Athena may not have won the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, but will she prove she is still the ROH Gatekeeper, the American Joshi, the Minion Overlord, and the FOREVER ROH Women’s Champion?

The fans cheer on Athena as the Code of Honor is upheld. But then Athena DECKS Rachel at the bell! Athena TOSSES Rachel, stomps away on her and has her in the corner. The ref reprimands, Athena TOSSES Rachel across the way, then drags her up for an UPPERCUT and a flurry of forearms! The ref reprimands and counts but Athena shouts at him to shut up! The fans cheer, Athena runs in, but Rachel dodges. Rachel runs up, but Athena choke grips! Rachel breaks free, fires a forearm, but Athena is just mad! Rachel runs, wheelbarrows, and arm-drags! Then she rolls Athena up, and SUPERKICKS!

Rachel hurries to BASEMENT DDT! Rachel hurries up top, but Athena bails out. Rachel hops down, the fans fire up as she builds speed, and Rachel DIVES! But Athena catches Rachel and THROWS her into barriers! Then Athena hauls Rachel up to SWING her into the barriers! Those LEDs go out and the fans fire up! Athena looms over Rachel, the ring count climbs, and Athena refreshes the count. Athena drags Rachel up, THROWS her into steel steps, and dusts herself off. “This is what you have for me, huh!? This is it?!” Athena puts Rachel in and tells fans to shut up. Athena stalks Rachel while the fans duel.

Athena drags Rachel up, CLUBS her, then wrenches. Rachel fires as forearm, but Athena CLUBS and HAMMERS away! Athena says SHE is best in the world! Short arm- NO, Rachel swings around and sunset flips, but Athena rolls through to stack and deadlift, but Rachel RANAS!! Cover, TWO!! Athena survives but Rachel runs up! Athena slips around to SAIDO!! Rachel sputters and Athena seethes. Athena drags Rachel up, Electric Chair Lifts, and goes up a corner?! The fans fire up, Rachel rains down fists and elbows and Athena drops down! Rachel mule kicks Athena down! 450- FLOP!! Athena avoids Rachel’s best shot, then gut wrenches for the Canadian Rack!

Athena brings Rachel around for the STRAITJACKET BOMB!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Rachel Armstrong a title match)

The Fallen Goddess didn’t even need her best shot in the O-Face to win this! But then the same ol’ Athena shows herself as she grins and drags Rachel over. Athena rains down fists and the fans boo, but Athena scares off the ref! Athena drags Rachel up and over, CLUBS her down, and then lines up the shot! BUT WAIT! Here comes Rosa! La Mera Mera is still here, and she chases Athena off! Athena holds up her title to taunt Rosa with it, but Rosa has the other belt of Athena’s! Will the Forever ROH Women’s World Champion see that there’s no such thing as forever when going up against the best of the best?

The Chickadees are searching for something…?

They’re out in the desert, and they find a fallen peacock feather. But then wait! A UFO flies in!? They call to it excitedly as it lands, and out emerges… YES! It is THE Peacock of Honor, DALTON CASTLE! “BOYS! Let’s go break some hearts!” Castle has returned, will he once again reign over ROH?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH that was only 40 minutes, shockingly. And I like that they just randomly sorta put this Dalton Castle teaser at the end like a post-credits scene in a Marvel movie. I wonder if he goes right for a title, and I’m not sure which one. Good promo from MXM TV to set up Mansoor VS Bandido, but c’mon, Bandido is going to win. It should be Bandido VS Johnny TV and that’d make for a great match. I skipped Yuta VS Solo because it was clear Yuta would win. But at the same time, it was very competitive so good for Solo. And I’m a little disappointed the “initiation” was just a glorified squash match, but clearly the Frat House just want heat, no real story.

Very good tag match of Rosa & Persephone VS Leila & Dulce, and I figured Rosa & Persephone would win. Perse is the hometown girl, so that’s great for her to win in El Paso. And I like that Rosa & Perse let slip in their promo that ROH Global Wars: Mexico is coming, that’ll be a great follow-up (or lead in?) to Grand Slam: Mexico. Rosa also going after Athena after the main event was good stuff. Though, it is a matter of perspective if this is a good or bad move overall. Instead of Athena going “up” to AEW, Rosa moves “down” to ROH to challenge for this title, and maybe not even win?

I still argue Athena should’ve lost to Billie with Final Battle 2024, but losing on the show before the biggest show of the year might be the next best place to do it. And Supercard of Honor now being in Texas, this makes for a great match, and maybe, just maybe, Rosa does win because either way, it is a win for Texas.

My Score: 8.7/10