The Fallen Goddess steps back onto the Proving Ground!

Tonight, VertVixen tests herself against the Fallen Goddess, Minion Overlord, American Joshi, the Forever ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS VertVixen; Athena wins and denies Vert a title match.
• Adam Priest VS Anthony Henry; Priest wins.
• Tommy Billington VS Aaron Solow; Billington wins.
• Katsuyori Shibata VS JD Drake; Shibata wins.
• Maya World & Hyan VS Viva Van & Lady Bird Monroe; Maya & Hyan win.
• Mascara Dorada VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling; Dorada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

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

The weather may have delayed ROH & MPX: Global Wars, but the Fallen Goddess is still itching for a fight. Will Athena continue to carry this brand on her back? Or will Player One get a win over ROH’s final boss?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. Vert and Athena tie up, but Athena waistlocks. Vert fights the lift, wrenches free, and wristlocks. Athena handsprings through, then wrenches to arm-drag. Athena kips up and the fans cheer while she waits on Vert. Vert and Athena reset, the fans rally up, and they tie up again. Athena hits a headlock takeover, but Vert fights up and powers Athena to ropes, only for Athena to slingshot takeover! Vert staggers to her feet, Athena taunts her, then dodges. But Vert RUNS Athena over, and returns the neener neener! Things speed up, and Vert rolls over Athena’s dropdown.

Vert comes back, trips Athena, then ELBOW DROPS! Athena staggers to her feet, Vert clinches for an EXPLODER! The fans cheer as Vert runs corner to corner, and BOOTS Athena! Vert whips but Athena tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Vert gets back up but Athena hits a CODE BREAKER! The fans cheer again and Athena goes back for Vert. Athena KICKS Vert in the back, then drags her up. Athena CLUBS Vert back down, then paces around her. Athena lines up a shot to BOOT Vert! Athena clamps onto Vert, but she also fishhooks her to make her smile. The ref reprimands but Athena counts along to let go at 4.

The fans rally while Athena pie faces Vert. Athena plugs Vert’s nose, then CLUBS it! The fans are torn but Athena shows off the blood on her hands. Athena SLAPS Vert, but Vert BODY BLOWS! Vert fires hands, then SAYANAGIS! Vert rolls through and Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Athena has the cradle, TWO! Athena avoids the leg sweep but so does Vert! Vert swings, but Athena wrenches to SAIDO! Vert flounders, bloody nose and all, as Athena BOOTS and DECKS her! Cover, TWO! Vert survives and the fans fire up! The fans chant “Let’s Go, Vert!” but Athena fires knees! Athena has the cravat and neck wrench but Vert endures.

The fans rally up again and Vert rises. Vert arm-drags Athena away, then both women hurry to their feet. Athena runs in, but Vert dodges! Athena hits buckles hard and falls back! The fans rally as Vert staggers over, then she whips corner to corner. Athena reverses, Vert slides to a stop so she can EDDY GORDO KICK! Vert fires up, and she RUNS Athena over! Then scoop and SLAM! Vert powers up again and the fans cheer her on! Vert headbutts buckles to get going, and she runs, springboards, FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up again as Athena stumbles. Athena throat chops! Then she wheelbarrows, but Vert makes it a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Vert has Athena reeling! Vert storms up to Athena in the corner, CHOPS her, then runs in again. Athena puts Vert on the apron and Vert falls to the floor! Athena huffs ‘n’ puffs and builds speed, to DIVE into a GAMANGIRI! Vert intercepts Athena and the fans fire up! Arlington is a bit torn but Vert hurries up on Athena. But Athena gets under to BARRIER BOMB! Then she THROWS Vert into the steps! And then into the other steps! Athena puts Vert in, HAMMERS away, but the ref reprimands about those closed fists. Athena tells Aubrey that she doesn’t tell her what to do!

Athena hauls Vert up, ATAXIA into the KOJI KLUTCH!! Vert TAPS, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by submission (denies VertVixen a title opportunity)

Athena does NOT let go, until she is satisfied! The Gamer Girl was game, but she still fell short of clearing the level. Athena still gives her the Code of Honor handshake, but then DIAMANTE & BILLIE ATTACK! The fans boo as Athena’s top minions beat up Vert! But wait! HYAN & MAYA WORLD rush out here! Dressed in their Lonestar best, they run Athena, Diamante & Billie off! Will the Renaissance Woman & #ThatGirl look to humble Athena and her minions soon enough?

The Infantry talks backstage.

Carlie Bravo tells Shawn Dean & Trish Adora, “My dear family, I’ve brought you guys here cuz I think we need a little bit of a clarification.” Captain Shawn says no, it’s fine, they got the win and that’s what matters. But the AfroPunk does ask if Carlie is just gonna walk around the ring and hit on anyone he sees? Well, first off, he could. But no, he won’t. Now, allow him to introduce THE woman, and in steps the tall and leggy lady he met a few weeks ago. Carlie tells them eyes way up here. Now, remember how he was telling them about that runway model he met in Paris? Yes, maybe. Well, this is her! Yeah!

D1 Athlete/Runway Model/uh… What was that she’s studying again? Forensic psychology. Right! And all around tall glass o’ water! And let’s just say, Bravo is hydrated! Allow him to formally introduce the bombshell, his bae, his boo thang, his all around and everythang, Christyan XO! And Christyan, this is Dean & Adora! His family! And he was just thinking, that since she’s here and ain’t going nowhere, she can be STP! Then they can all be a thing! Wait, whoa, hold on. Dean and Adora talk, and after Dean smooths things over with Adora, they accept. Bravo knew they’d come around! Thank you! And yes, Kristian has sisters.

Um, ok, so which way are they going with that? Let’s answer that later. For now, Bravo and Christyan are gonna get more acquainted while Dean and Adora talk it out. Bravo leads Christyan away, and Adora wants to barf. This is not an adoption. Yeah, but- This is on Dean. Get your boy. Dean accepts that. But will XO make the STP that much stronger? Or will there be bad news for Bad News & Tattoos in the near future?

Adam Priest finds Rocky Romero backstage.

#AllGenresAdam asks Azucar what he needed to see him about, even offering a handshake as greetings. Rocky doesn’t shake Adam’s hand while he says he saw the match tonight. Great win against Anthony Henry, but that’s not why he wanted to talk with him. Rocky has heard Adam talking bad on the Don Callis Family. The boys are talking about some rumor that Adam actually thinks he can beat the Don Callis Family! Adam asks if that’s what Rocky’s heard, and Rocky says yes. Well, okay. But in case Adam hasn’t gotten the memo, the DCF is a family of champions. True champions!

Adam says he’ll stop Rocky there. They are also racking up a lot of losses, and even losing some of that gold. Well, except for one guy. But while Rocky’s been losing, Adam’s been winning, in both the singles and tag division. He’s feeling a little froggy now, and he wants some gold. Rocky says no, Adam can’t be serious. Adam’s talking about getting wins and wanting after Okada? Is Adam about to say what he thinks? Is he crazy? Kazuchika Okada, the man who sold out the Tokyo Dome, 50 THOUSAND seats, beating Hiroshi Tanahashi. THE AEW International Champion! You wanna put your name in the same sentence as him?!

Adam says yeah, sounds good to him. How about Rocky? Rocky thinks Adam is dumber than he looks. But if Adam wants to find out and test himself, show up for Collision, and they can make it Okada VS Priest for the International Championship. Priest tells Rocky to tell Okada he’ll see him there. Priest heads out, but will he regret barking up this tree?

Maya World & Hyan VS Viva Van & Lady Bird Monroe!

We saw #ThatGirl & The Renaissance Woman chase off Athena and her minions, and now it’s time for them to get to work. Will they finally get going in the Women’s Tag Division? Or will the Hellbent Vixen and the TRIPLE ROW Women’s, ROW Women’s Tag AND AAPW Women’s Champion snatch the spotlight?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the teams sort out. Maya starts against Viva and the fans fire up already. Maya and Viva tie up, and Viva wrenches to wristlock. Maya wrenches and wristlocks back, but Viva uses the ropes to flip. Viva arm-drags, but Maya handsprings! The fans cheer, but then Viva dodegs the lariat to rise up. Only for Maya to run up! Viva ducks to roll Maya up, TWO! Things speed up as Maya drops down, hurdles, then Viva leaps over! The fans cheer that exchange and the two even shake hands again. They back up, tag to Hyan and Monroe. They tie up, Hyan blocks the arm-drag, then she trips Monroe!

Maya tags in as Hyan runs the ropes. Hyan gator rolls the dropdown, GOURD BUSTER and BULLDOG! Then Hyan SHOTGUNS! Maya covers, TWO! Monroe is tough but Maya keeps on her. Maya brings Monroe over, tags Hyan, and they double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW Monroe down! Hyan then lines up the leg shot, brother! Cover, TWO! Viva coaches Monroe but Hyan brings Monroe up first. The fans rally as Hyan suplexes, but Monroe slips free to waistlock. Hyan swings, misses, and Monroe shoves her into the corner! Hyan stops herself short, wary of Viva, but Monroe UPPERCUTS! Tag to Viva while the fans rally.

Monroe feeds Maya to Viva’s shoulder ram, then Viva slingshots, runs, and WHEEL KICKS! Tag back to Monroe and Viva gives her the boost in the STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hyan toughs it out but Monroe keeps on her. The fans rally as Monroe stands Hyan up. Monroe whips, runs up, but Hyan BOOTS her! Hyan ELBOWS Viva, LARIATS Monroe, then whips. Monroe is in the corner, Hyan STINGER SPLASHES! Tag to Maya and Hyan sets Monroe up! BLCOKBUSTER RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP COMBO! Cover, Viva breaks it! Hyan TOSSES viva out, then builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Viva at the ramp!

The fans fire up with Hyan & Maya while Monroe goes to a corner. Maya runs in, but Monroe goes up, over, and handsprings away, only for Maya to SHOTGUN her down! Maya handsprings up and the fans fire up! Maya tags Hyan, and they hook Monroe up for a wheelbarrow lift, and then FLATLINER STUN GUN COMBO!! Cover, Hyan & Maya win!

Winners: Maya World & Hyan, by pinfall

The Cowgirls of Honor score big in Texas, but then DIAMANTE & BILLIE ATTACK THEM! It’s like a replay of earlier tonight! The fans boo as Athena also joins in so it is a 3v2 mugging! The ref reprimands but Athena tells him to back off. Diamante CHOKES Hyan, Billie SMACKS Maya off the mat, and Athena grabs the mic. “Did you all forget whose show this is?” The fans boo, and even chant, “We Don’t Care!” Athena says since they forgot, this is a reminder! Get ’em up! Athena wants Hyan & Maya to pay attention. Before you two were #AllElite, you were part of Metro Plex Wrestling. Or did they forget that, too? HUH!?

Athena says she brought them into this world, and it is her responsibility to take them both out! So next week, Maya, Hyan, you find whatever broke ass porcelain hussy in the back so that next week, ROH MPX: Global Wars, it will be them and whatever scaredy cat ho VS Athena and the TRUE MINIONS of ROH! The fans are torn but the battlelines have been drawn! Who will step up to take on the Fallen Goddess in her domain?

Mascara Dorada VS Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling!

The King of the Ropes has been building momentum between CMLL, AEW, and ROH, so he could be on the verge of something truly great. But standing in his way is the OG Premier Athlete. And as always, “Smart” Mark Sterling interrupts Bobby Cruise to give his own introductions. “Everybody knows we are the Premier Athletes, and this is Tony Nese!” The fans boo, but Sterling says they’re here in Austin, or as he calls it, the RC Cola of Texas. Now, you might be wondering why they’re just a couple athletes short. Well, if they were in San Antonio, they would’ve brought Ariya Daivari & Stori Denali. If they were in Dallas, they would’ve brought Daivari & Denali.

But AUSTIN?! Tony Nese can take this whole city of weirdos by himself. That said, they’ll still give everyone the opportunity to join in. When they say, “Athletes,” you say, “Rule!” NOTHING ELSE! Ohh… ATHLETES! “SUCK!!” Almost immediate. Sterling and the Premier Athletes never learn, but will Dorada teach them a thing or two about humility?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans cheer for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” But Nese says better than lucha, look at these pythons! Nese flexes, the fans boo, but Nese and Dorada circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Nese powers Dorada to the ropes. The ref counts, Nese lets off, but then he headlocks. The ref reprimands and fans boo, but Dorada powers up and out. Nese RUNS Dorada over, “Athletes!” The fans shout, “SUCK!” Nese runs, Dorada gets up to hurdle, but Nese kicks low. Nese whips, Dorada reverses, but Nese ELBOWS Dorada away! Nese goes up and over to backflip, then does jumping jacks!

The fans boo, but Dorada dodges Nese. Things keep moving as Nese drops down and Dorada handsprings! Nese avoids the spiral attack! Dorada blocks a shot to knuckle lock, CHOP, and he goes up, up, leans back, then pinballs for the ARABIAN PRESS ARM-DRAG! Nese staggers up, then backs off as Dorada shows punch! Dorada does jumping jacks now and that just pisses Nese off! Nese complains to the ref, the ref has Dorada stay back, but Nese bails out. The fans boo but Sterling coaches Nese. They talk strategy, but Dorada rushes out! Dorada ROCKS Nese, brings him around, and whips him into the POST!

The fans fire up and Dorada keeps after Nese. Nese tries to escape into the crowd, but Dorada drags him back! Dorada CHOPS! Dorada asks if uno mas, and the fans say si! Dorada runs up, but Sterling stands in the way! The fans boo, but Dorada shoves him aside. Nese throat chops Dorada! Nese says this is for these fans! Nese whips Dorada hard into railing, and Dorada tumbles up and over! Nese demands the ring count start, and Sterling says that’s what Dorada gets! The fans boo while the count does start, and Dorada is still down at 6 of 20. Dorada drags himself up and over to get back to ringside, and he staggers over at 9 of 20.

Nese kicks Dorada back out, distracts the ref, and Sterling pushes Dorada down! Sterling takes his arm brace off to CHOKE Dorada with it! Sterling’s arm IS 100%, he doesn’t need that thing anymore! And right in front of Wrestling Jesus of all things! The fans boo this injustice, but Sterling slithers away and puts the brace back on. Nese goes out to stand Dorada up, and he CHOPS Dorada! Dorada stumbles and falls but Nese puts him back in the ring. Nese soaks up the heat, then he stands Dorada up to ROCK him. Nese stomps Dorada in the corner, then shouts, “ATHLETES!” The fans again shout, “SUCK!”

Dorada fires back, but Nese shoves him back! Nese puts Dorada up and UPPERCUTS! Nese climbs, Dorada shoves him down, but Nese hurries back in! TORNADO- NO, Nese stops the DDT to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Dorada survives and Nese grows frustrated. The fans chant “ATHLETES SUCK! ATHLETES SUCK!” Nese stands Dorada up but Dorada CHOPS and kicks! Nese BODY BLOWS, then whips, but Dorada sunset flips! Nese rolls through to SOBAT! Cover, TWO! Dorada survives and Nese is furious! Nese wraps on the body scissors and squeezes tight! The fans rally as Dorada endures and grabs at Nese.

Nese CLUBS Dorada, but Dorada CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Dorada is free, but not for long as Nese wraps on a rear bearhug! Nese squeezes again, then he drags Dorada up. Dorada fires elbows, but Nese shoves him to the corner. Nese RAMS Dorada, then whips corner to corner. Nese runs up and LARIATS, then he soaks up more heat. Nese whips corner to corner again, but Dorada reverses! Dorada runs up, Nese puts him on the apron, but the GAMANGIRI hits! Dorada handsprings to the top rope, then dodges Nese to TORNILLO FLYING ARM-DRAG! Nese gets up, Dorada ducks ‘n’ dodges to flip and RANA!

Nese tumbles out and the fans fire up! Dorada builds speed and TORNILLO PLANCHAS! The fans fire up again while Sterling freaks out! Dorada drags Nese up and into the ring. The fans are all fired up as Dorada aims and springboards, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Nese survives but Dorada stays cool. Dorada pounds the mat, the fans clap along, and Dorada stalks Nese to the corner. Dorada Electric Chair Lifts but Nese rains down fists! Nese slips down, waistlocks, but Dorada bucks the O’Conner! Nese comes back, Dorada slips around to waistlock, and GERMAN- NO, Nese lands out to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Dorada survives, but Nese is frustrated and Sterling is upset. Nese pushes Dorada around while the fans rally for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” Nese CHOPS Dorada, then storms up, but into a BOOT! Then Dorada drop toeholds Nese onto the ropes, springboards to yank him up, and SHOTGUNS him down! Dorada puts Nese in the drop zone, goes up top, but Sterling drags Nese to safety! The fans boo, but Dorada just hops down and builds speed. Nese runs in and LARIATS! Then pump handle, PREMIER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dorada survives and Sterling is beside himself! Sterling argues with fans while Nese and Dorada rise.

Nese crawls over to Dorada, drags him up, and SLAPS him! And CHOPS! Dorada eggs Nese on, then ROCKS him again! And CHOPS! Nese shoves Dorada, runs up, but Dorada dodges to use another rope snap trick! Dorada then SOBATS, BOOTS, and DREAMCAST KICKS! Dorada goes to Electric Chair Lift, but Sterling gets on the apron! The fans boo while the ref reprimands and Dorada stares Sterling down. Nese runs up, but Dorada dodges! Nese knocks Sterling off the apron! The fans fire up while Nese panics, and Dorada Electric Chair Lifts him! Dorada then FLIP SLAMS Nese into the drop zone!

Dorada goes up, takes aim again, and SHOOTING STAR PRESSES! Cover, Dorada wins!

Winner: Mascara Dorada, by pinfall

Sterling tried but failed to tip the scale in Nese’s favor! Dorada is building that momentum, but when will he get some gold here in ROH?

BREAKING NEWS for Global Wars!

Athena dared someone to step up for the Six Woman Tag, and someone has! It’s the ROH Women’s Pure Champion, Deonna Purrazzo! Will the Virtuosa help the Cowgirls of Honor bring down Athena and her minions in Arlington?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode of ROH, especially when you consider this was their adjustment for not getting to put ROH MPX: Global Wars together when they wanted. Obviously, that’s still happening with next week’s episode, as they’ll be filming that this Saturday after Collision, all to wrap up their 2026 residency in Esports Stadium. And even with this being an adjustment, they found a way to do some good story with things. Adam Priest gets a very good win off Anthony Henry, and I really liked his promo with Rocky to set up Okada VS Priest. Okada will of course win that, but it’ll be a great opportunity for Priest to show what he can do.

I will say, they could’ve done better with match order and even the logic of who was facing who. Why not have Priest VS Henry be followed by Billington VS Drake, not Solow. Then that logically builds Priest & Billington VS Workhorsemen, which can even coincide with the feud against #LethalSwirl. They could even Triple Threat Tag to send a team at the ROH World Tag Team Championships. Cuz seriously, where are any stories for the other titles? That aside, good promo from The Infantry to help introduce Christyan XO, and that certainly sets up some Mixed Tag possibilities, or even a tag partner for Adora.

Athena VS Vert was a good Proving Ground match but of course Athena wins. The surprise was the interactions with Athena’s faction and the team of Maya & Hyan. Good match from Maya & Hyan VS Viva & Monroe, very good win for Maya & Hyan, and then of course they get attacked for stepping up to Athena’s team. That Six Woman Tag will be great, as I suspect this is to set up Athena VS Deonna. They could/should still have Deonna clock in a defense against Diamante or Billie first, but we can still get Athena VS Deonna after, with each champion wanting the other’s belt. They can’t really do a double title Winner Takes All thing, though, given Pure Rules are very specific. Actually, it’d be incredibly clever if Athena’s first loss in literal years came from “forgetting” how Pure Rules work.

My Score: 8.7/10