Will The Swirl pay for Jay Lethal’s betrayal?

Jay Lethal has joined Blake Christian & Lee Johnson AGAINST Bandido, but will Adam Priest & Tommy Billington make them regret it?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Ace Austin VS Aaron Solo; Ace wins.
• CRU w/ Lacey Lane VS Will Allday & Jay Alexander; CRU wins.
• Mixed Tag: Zayda Steel & Darius Martin w/ Christopher Daniels VS Trish Adora & Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor Promotions; Trish & Lee win.
• Billie Starkz & Diamante w/ Athena VS Shay Karmichael & Reiza Clarke; Billie & Diamante win.
• Mixed Six Tag: The Premier Athletes VS Rachael Ellering, Demo Diamond & Delynn Cavens; Premier Athletes win.
• Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS The Frat House; Castle & The Outrunners win.
• MXM Collection w/ Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie VS The Von Erichs; The Von Erichs win.
• Sammy Guevara VS Kiran Grey; Sammy wins.
• Blake Christian & Lee Johnson VS Adam Priest & Tommy Billington; Blake & Lee win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ace Austin VS Aaron Solo!

The Inevitable fell short of the AEW National Championship at Final Battle, but he was able to rebound after World’s End against Rocky Romero. Will Ace still be high in Texas? Or will The Extra Talented get a Texas sized win to get his 2026 on track?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Ace and Solo circle, feel things out, and Ace shoots around to waistlock. Solo spins around to facelock, but Ace wrenches out to wristlock. Solo slips through, headlocks, and the fans applaud. Solo hits a headlock takeover but Ace headscissors. Solo powers free, the two reset, and the fans rally. The two feel out a knuckle lock, then tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Ace wrenches and hammerlocks but Solo reaches back to headlock. Ace powers up but Solo holds tight, only for Ace to roll to a cover. ONE, and Solo holds onto the headlock. Ace fights up as the fans rally, and he powers up and out this time.

Ace drops down, drop toeholds, then ENZIGIRIS! Then Ace steps over to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, but Ace DROPKICKS Solo down! The fans cheer and Ace runs the ropes, but Solo puts him on the apron! Ace stands but Solo DROPKICKS him down! Solo then PLANCHAS, down goes Ace! The fans are torn but Solo says he’s a big deal! Solo hurries to get Ace in the ring, and he throws Ace’s card away. Solo drags Ace into a facelock and grinds him down. The fans rally as Ace endures, and Ace fights up to fire body shots. Ace shoves free, but swings into a clinch! EXPLODER! Cover, ONE!! Ace survives and Solo grows frustrated.

The fans rally while Solo stalks Ace. Solo KNEES Ace in the back, pushes him to a corner and stomps him down. Solo cheers himself on but the fans are still torn. Ace fires body shots, but Solo KNEES low! Solo reels Ace in, but Ace fights the suplex! Ace tries but Solo fights the suplex. They go back and forth, Ace suplexes but Solo slips free to then DROPKICK Ace down! Cover, ONE!! Another strong kickout but Solo stays cool. The fans rally, Solo stands Ace up, and Solo fires a forearm. Solo CLUBS Ace, Ace hits back, and hits again! Ace CHOPS, Solo slips under to back suplex! Ace lands out, O’Conner and DOUBLE STOMP!

The fans fire up behind Ace while he rises back up. Ace storms up on Solo, KNEES low, then KICKS and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! “Click Click!” BOOM goes the LEG DROP! Ace aims from a corner, runs in, but Solo dodges! Ace ELBOWS Solo away, whips, but Solo reverses. Ace grabs ropes, Solo DUMPS him out, but Ace avoids the leg sweep! Ace handsprings and handstands over the lariat, then PENALTY KICKS! The fans fire up and Ace gets Solo into the ring. Ace gut wrenches for a DOCTOR BOMB! Cover, TWO! Solo survives and surprises Ace, but the fans rally up again. Ace aims from the corner, runs in, but Solo victory rolls him! TWO!

Solo runs up again, but Ace catches the kick! CATAPULT! Solo lands safe on the ropes to then IMPLODER STOMP! Cover, TWO! Ace survives and Solo is surprised! The fans rally again as Solo goes up the corner. Solo aims, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Ace avoids the stomps! Solo runs up, but Ace slips through the ropes! Solo hits buckles, Ace steps in, FLYING CHUCK! The fans fire up as Ace calls his shot! THE FOLD! Cover, Ace wins!

Winner: Ace Austin, by pinfall

Another great win for Ace, surely raising his stock in ROH! But will Ace becoming a champion be inevitable?

Athena speaks.

“2025: A year filled with lots of surprises for your Minion Overlord. Here I am, trying to prove to the world what I already know, that I am the best female wrestler in the world. But yet time and time again, I was met with disappointment, frustration, loss, and despair. And I could sit here and tell you that 2026 is gonna be the Year of Athena, the year that we get back on track, but I don’t even know if I believe that right now. The one thing I can say is that I am the Forever ROH Champion, and because of 2025, I have painted a massive target on my back.

“And yet, here I am, trying to rebuild, trying to rethink everything, because I know in my heart of hearts, that I am the best int he world. But time and time again 2025, I failed to prove it. So 2026, it’s not about the same old thing. It’s about being something new, something different, someone that is passionate about… Violence? I sit here a broken woman. A broken Forever ROH Champion, because who am I if I can’t reclaim gold and bring home anything for my Minions? Tag titles, the AEW Women’s World Championship, constant disappointment, constant loss! And I’m sitting here, trying to wrap my head around why did I get into this position.

“So let’s rethink, let’s go back to the strategy board, because it seems the only person I can rely on is me.” Is The Fallen Goddess perhaps focused on the wrong things? Or will she not be satisfied until she owns the world?

Backstage interview with Christopher Daniels.

Lexy Nair is with the Fallen Angel and notes he has a big announcement. Daniels says ever since SkyFlight started, Leila Grey has proven she is a warrior through and through. She proved that the night she stepped to Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship. Unfortunately, Leila also suffered an injury that night that will keep her out of action for an extended period of time. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Before that match, they met another warrior, another like-minded wrestler, and Daniels felt that while Leila was out resting, this could be the opportunity for that warrior to come and show what she is all about.

Please welcome to Team SkyFlight, Zayda Steel! The Real Deal steps in and says Daniels is a legend. When a legend calls and asks for a favor, it’d be real dumb to not show up and show out. And that is just what The Real Deal, Zayda Steel, is gonna do. Daniels welcomes her to the team, just how high will Zayda fly now that she has this support behind her?

Mixed Tag: Zayda Steel & Darius Martin w/ Christopher Daniels VS Trish Adora & Lee Moriarty w/ Shane Taylor Promotions!

The teams sort out and the gentlemen step up first. They uphold the Code of Honor and the bell rings. The fans rally as Air Wolf and #TAIGASTYLE tie up. Darius wrenches, wristlocks, but Lee slips through and waistlocks to spin Darius and cravat. Darius breaks the hold to waistlock, but Lee squats, spins, and facelocks. Darius lifts Lee, wrenches free, but Lee spins to slip through and wrench again. Lee spins Darius to wrangle him, step over, and LA MAGISTROL! TWO, and Lee pats Darius on the head before he does his dance. The fans boo but the two reset. Darius and Lee knuckle lock, then Darius wrenches and wristlocks.

Lee spins Darius, slips through, and cravats for a snapmare. Darius rolls land wristlocks back! The fans applaud, but Lee hops, rolls, handsprings, and snapmares to headlock, but Darius slips right out to wristlock again. Zayda and the fans cheer as Darius keeps up with the holds. Lee fights up, but Darius puts on the pressure. Darius WRINGS Lee, STOMPS the arm, then runs. Lee stay slow, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Lee flounders, Adora can’t believe it, but Shane coaches Lee up. Adora tags in so Zayda joins her. Zayda ducks a lariat, waistlocks, but Adora bucks the O’Conner. Then she blocks the arm-drag!

But then Zayda uses the ropes for a slingshot arm-drag! Adora blocks another arm-drag and she THROWS Zayda by her hair! The fans boo but Adora just THROWS Zayda again! Adora cravats to thrash Zayda around, then snapmare and KICK! The fans rally while Zayda writhes. Adora clamps onto the arms for a motorcycle stretch, and she steps over to sit on Zayda! Adora makes Zayda get this twerk, then she rows the boat. Cradle, TWO! Adora whips Zayda, Zayda sunset flips, but Lee distracts the ref! The fans boo as Zayda would’ve won this twice over already! The ref finally sees but Adora is already free.

Daniels coaches Zayda to stay focused herself, but Adora hits the URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Adora keeps Zayda down but Zayda fires body shots. Zdya breaks free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but so does Adora! DOUBLE BOOTS take them both down! The fans fire up while Adora and Zayda crawl, hot tags to Lee and Darius! Darius CLOBBERS Lee, then fires off haymakers! Darius whips, Lee reverses, but Darius turns hurdle into atomic drop and UPPERCUT! Lee ducks the roundhouse, but not the SMACK! Then Darius package lifts for the FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Darius hurries after Lee.

Darius CHOPS Lee, whips him, but Lee slips through the tilt-o-whirl scoop! Lee ELBOWS and ROCKS Darius, then blocks a kick to SWEEP the leg! The fans rally, Lee winds up, and Lee runs, but into that scoop BLUE THUNDER! Cover, Adora breaks it! Adora taunts Zayda, only for Zayda to THESZ PRESS! Zayda rains down fists, but Lee drags her off! Zayda ELBOWS Lee! And reels him in for a REAL DEAL DESTROYER!! The fans fire up as she and Darius then DOUBLE DIVE onto Lee & Adora! The fans fire up as Zayda puts Adora in. Zayda tags in so she can bring Adora in, TORNADO DDT! Zayda waits on Adora to get up, but Shane Taylor gets on the apron!

The fans boo as Shane shouts at Zayda, but Darius YANKS Shane down! But Adora is up to LARIAT TUBMAN!! Cover, STP wins!

Winners: Trish Adora & Lee Moriarty, by pinfall

It took STP to win this, but they don’t care as long as they get that money. They’ve got four belts from 2025, will they get even more in 2026?

Billie Starkz & Diamante w/ Athena VS Shay Karmichael & Reiza Clarke!

The Fallen Goddess is giving Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths some final game play tips as they make their entrance, but The Cuban Diamond is locked in. Will they finally make Athena proud? Or should MIT consider recruiting America’s Sweetheart & Despicable Rei?

The Code of Honor is not upheld as Billie & Diamante both kick the handshakes away. Shay keeps Reiza calm and steps up for the team against Billie. The bell rings, the fans rally, and Billie is not all that concerned with Shay. The fans in Arlington chant, “Let’s Go, Shay! Let’s Go, Shay!” as the two circle. They tie up, Billie uses her height to push Shay to a corner. Billie smothers and grinds Shay with the forearms, then she cheers herself on. Shay shoves Billie, Billie headlocks in return. Billie says, “Who do you think you are?!” Shay powers up and out, but Billie slips around to waistlock. Shay throws elbows, but Billie shoves Shay at the ref!

Shay stops short and apologizes to the ref, but Billie THROWS Shay by her hair! The fans boo but Billie grins. Billie whips Shay to the corner, talks with the ref about her fingers, but that lets Diamante CHOKE Shay! Reiza protests but Diamante gets away with that. Billie CHOKES Shay, the ref counts, and Billie stops. Billie says she knows the count, get outta her face! Tag to Diamante and the Minions double wrench Shay to lift, and they rock her like a baby, before the DOUBLE TOSS! The fans are torn while Diamante flexes. Diamante crossface forearms Shay again and again, then covers, TWO! Diamante stomps away on Shay for staying in the match.

Diamante drags Shay up, whips her into the Minion corner, then tags Billie. Billie taunts Reiza, then runs in at Shay, but Shay BOOTS her! Shay ELBOWS Diamante, then goes up to RANA Billie! The fans fire up as Shay crawls, but Billie drags her back! Shay BOOTS Billie away, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then tilt-o-whrils to RANA! Hot tag to Reiza! The fans fire up as Reiza DECKS Billie! Diamante runs up, dodges a shot and fires off forearms! The fans rally as Reiza guzels Diamante! CHOKE- NO, Diamante wheelbarrows to STUNNER! Shay tags back in, runs up, but Diamante dodges! Billie CRAVAT SMASHES Shay into Diamante’s GERMAN SUPLEX!

Billie DIVES onto Reiza! Diamante has Shay in the dragon sleeper, CUBAN TWIST! Cover, Minions win!

Winners: Billie Starkz & Diamante, by pinfall

Surely, Athena is pleased seeing her team getting a win. Will Billie & Diamante each head for some gold in 2026?

Backstage interview with CRU and Lacey Lane.

Lexy Nair is with Lio Rush, Action Andretti & the Spitfire, nothing Lacey was out there with CRU, and many want to know why. Lio says it has been a long time since you’ve seen CRU in the building, and they are back. Action says they’ve had a lot of things to overcome, but consider it all overcame. And it isn’t just Action & Rush, they have a new CRU member! Lacey says she was part of the best tag team to ever exist, and now she’s here to find the best. And seeing CRU, she likes what she sees. They match her crazy, and she has found her CRU! They’re all feeling good going into the New Year, will they soon take over ROH together?

Six Man Tag: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners VS The Frat House!

The Peacock & The Youngest Men Arrive are coming off that great Christmas themed Fight Without Honor last week, while Preston Vance, Cole Karter, Griff Garrison & Jacked Jameson might be coming off some holiday hangovers. But will the Frat still party hard on a Thursday night? Or will Castle, Truth & Turbo get some Texas-sized momentum on their side?

The trios sort out, Truth steps up to Griff, and the Code of Honor is upheld, if just barely. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Griff headlocks, and he grinds Truth down. Truth powers up, powers out, but Griff hurdles. Truth runs, but he counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Truth tags Turbo, Turbo wrenches Griff, and Turbo YANKS the arm. Tag back to Truth, whip and BODY BLOW! KNEE LIFT! Another whip, and a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! The fans cheer as The Outrunners flex, then Truth covers, ONE! Turbo is frustrated, he knows he was in the way there. Truth drags Griff up, but Griff RAMS him into the Frat corner!
Griff swings but Truth counter punches! Truth fires shots on Karter and Vance, then ROCKS Griff! Karter distracts the ref, argues with Castle, but Truth runs up on Griff. Griff dodges and Jameson trips Truth up! Griff BOOTS Castle down while Vance LARIATS Truth! The fans boo as the Frat gets away with one, and Jameson even drags Truth out to DECK him! Jameson shouts, “Lemme hear ya say FRAAAT~ HOOOUSE~!” The ref tells Jameson to back up, but Griff goes out to fetch Truth into the ring. Griff mocks the spin, but Truth CHOPS him! Griff keeps Truth from the tag to put him in the Frat corner! Tag to Vance!

The fans boo as The Frat mugs Truth. Vance suplexes Truth, holds him up, but the fans boo again. Vance SLAMS Truth at TEN, then covers, TWO! Vance steps on Truth’s hand to deny the tag, then he DECKS him! Vance storms up, he tags Griff, and Griff tags Karter. The Frat sets up, DOUBLE BOOTS and then a DROPKICK! Karter soaks up heat and flexes on Truth, then stomps him down. Karter drags Truth up, bumps him off buckles, and he fires forearms. Tag to Vance, the Frat mugs Truth, but the fans rally for “DALTON! DALTON!” Vance stomps away on Truth, but then pretends his knee bothers him. This lets Jameson CHOKE Truth!

The fans boo but Vance pushes Truth down. Vance brings Truth around but Truth fires body shots! Truth runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but so does Vance! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and Turbo is all revved up! But Vance YANKS Truth back to DECK Turbo! Vance puts Truth in the corner, tags Karter, and Karter sends Vance in. Truth dodges Vance, slips free of Karter, hot tag to Castle! The Peacock hits an EXPLODER on Karter! EXPLODER on Vance! EXPLODER on Griff! The fans fire up with Castle! The Outrunners are back, they ELBOW Vance & Karter, then BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO!

The fans fire up with The Outrunners, and they wind it up! But Jameson shouts at them, so Truth BLASTS him! But then Vance & Griff CLOBBER everyone! Karter joins in, they beat Castle & The Outrunners down, but the ref reprimands. The Frat House flexes but the fans boo. The Frat triple whip, but The Peacockrunners reverse! They all scoop for TRIPLE SLAMS! The fans fire up while Vance and Griff tumble out. The Outrunners wind it up, “YOU SON OF A B*TCH!” DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Then Castle Alabama Lifts for the BANGAAARANG~! Cover, Peacockrunners win!

Winners: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners, by pinfall

Another great win for these three, and they are only getting better! Will those ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships soon be in sight?

Backstage interview with Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie.

Lexy Nair says Mr. & Mrs. TV asked for this time, so the floor is theirs. Taya says yes, they did, and she is INSULTED that she even had to ask! Do they know who she is? She is Taya Valkyrie! This is Johnny TV! Together, they are Mr. & Mrs. Television! She is a music extraordinaire superstar! They are the stars of Johnny Loves Taya, they have a schedule down to the minute! And having to ask for screentime is downright insulting! Y’know what else is insulting? A certain someone avoiding her! And that someone is Red Velvet! The ROH Women’s TV Championship! That title literally has Taya’s initials! Where even is she?

Is Red Velvet ducking Taya? More like chicken! Lexy politely interrupts, saying Red’s been over there this entire time. Oh. Red Velvet steps in and says she ducks no one. And quite frankly, Taya’s sense of entitlement sounds like she wants to prov herself. Red is always down for that. She’ll give Taya a Proving Ground match. How does that sound? It sounds… Wonderful. But the thing is, their calendar is very full, so she’ll have her management team reach out to Red Velvet. And this interview time is officially over! Mr. & Mrs. TV leave, Red says this should be fun. Will The Chef cook up a very special L just for Mrs. TV?

MXM Collection w/ Johnny TV & Taya Valkyrie VS The Von Erichs!

After being on the losing side of the Christmas Fight Without Honor, Mansoor & Mason Madden look to redeem themselves in this standard 2v2 match. But this might be the worst time for that, as Marshall & Ross return to ROH! Will there be victorious fingertip touching for MXM? Or will it be Iron Claws for everyone?

MXM want a fingertip touch for the Code of Honor, but the Von Erichs aren’t so sure. Marshall & Ross decide to oblige, only to get middle fingers instead. The teams sort out and Mansoor starts against Marshall. They circle, tie up, and Marshall headlocks. Mansoor powers up and out, but Marshall RUNS him over! Tag to Ross, the Von Erichs double whip to DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans cheer, but Johnny distracts Ross! The fans boo but Mansoor tags Mason. Mason CLOBBERS Ross, CLUBS Marshall, then he DUMPS Marshall & Ross out. Mansoor snatches Marshall’s cowboy hat to wear it himself!

The fans boo that, and Mansoor stomps away on Marshall! Mansoor says he’s got a Texas two step for ya! Mason CLUBS Ross, then puts Ross’s hand between the steel steps and post! Mason KICKS the steps to jam up Ross’s hand! Mansoor CLUBS Marshall down while Mason mocks Ross’s pain. The ref reprimands and starts a ring count, but Marshall fires hands on Mansoor! Mansoor hits back, SMACKS Marshall off the apron, and Mason puts Ross in the ring. Mansoor TOSSES Marshall, Mason stomps Ross, and Mason mocks the claw. Tag to Mansoor and MXM isolate Ross’s fingers. They SNAP the fingers!

The fans boo as Mansoor makes hip thrusts at the cowboy hat. Mansoor tosses the hat aside, then drags Ross to his feet. Ross CHOPS, but Mansoor RAMS him into a corner. Mansoor wraps the arms around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Mansoor stops at 4, but then he shoves Ross’ hand into the buckle pad! The fans boo and the ref counts, but Mansoor KICKS the pad! Ross falls back as he clutches that hand, but Mansoor tags Mason. Mansoor isolates the hand, Mason LEG DROPS the hand! Cover, TWO! Mason SLAPS and CLUBS away on Ross’ hand! The fans boo but Mason tags Mansoor back in.

Mansoor stands on the bad hand, blows a kiss to Marshall, then STOMPS the hand! Mansoor whips Ross to a corner and SPLASHES! Then Mansoor HEADBUTTS the hand, HEADBUTTS the other hand, then CLUBS Ross! Mansoor runs corner to corner, but Ross SHOTGUNS Mansoor down! The fans fire up, both men crawl, hot tag to Marshall! Big Brother Marshall BOOTS Mason, BOOTS Mansoor, then DECKS Mansoor! And DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up as Marshall winds up and runs up on Mansoor, LARIAT in the corner! Then he wrenches and whips Mansoor to run corner to corner for another LARIAT!

Marshall whips Mansoor to then POP-UP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Marshall tags Ross back in. Mason hurries in, but Ross goes after him! Mason blocks Ross’s claw, but Marshall IRON CLAWS Mansoor! The fans rally, Mason KNEES Ross down, and he BOOTS Marshall out! Mason feeds Ross to Mansoor, LEG LARIAT HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO!! Ross survives and MXM TV is shocked! Mansoor hurries to the corner, Mason tags him in! They get Ross up, Mason CLUBS Ross, but Marshall DECKS Johnny for the trash talk! Mason goes out to scoop Marshall! That’s impressive in itself!

But then Marshall slips free and he POSTS Mason! Mansoor suplexes Ross but Ross counters! Ross suplexes Mansoor for a CUTTER! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Ross rises, shakes out the bad hand, and he still IRON CLAWS Mansoor! Marshall IRON CLAWS Mason! Then IRON CLAW SLAM!! Ross covers, Von Erichs win!

Winners: The Von Erichs, by pinfall

Ross proved he doesn’t just have an iron claw but an iron will! He and Marshall are back in ROH, they’re back on the winning track, will they fight their way to the ROH World Tag Team Championships and their revenge on Sammy Guevara?

Blake Christian & Lee Johnson w/ Jay Lethal VS Adam Priest & Tommy Billington!

The Swirl insulted Jay Lethal, beat him 1v1, took his signature moves, and yet he chose to join them?! It’s not clear if that was a recent development or the plan all along, but will this team only be stronger with an extra scoop? Or can #AllGenresAdam & The Dynamite Kid make them all pay for their plotting and scheming?

The Code of Honor is not honored as Blake & Lee just flip Adam & Tommy off. The teams sort out, Big Shotty starts against Dynamite Kid and the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and Tommy powers Lee to a corner. The ref counts, Tommy backs off at 4, and the two reset. They tie up again, but Lee pulls hair to put Tommy in the other corner! The ref counts again, Lee lets off slowly, and he CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Lee whips, but Tommy reverses. Lee BOOTS Tommy down, then scoops him to SLAM him! But Tommy UP KICKS! Tommy headlocks, Lee powers up and out, but Tommy RUNS Lee over!

The fans fire up as Tommy bumps Lee off buckles, tag to Adam. They double whip, Blake sneaks a tag before Lee takes DOUBLE ELBOWS! Vanilla Baby runs up, but into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! The fans rally up as Adam pushes Blake to a cover, ONE! Adam puts Blake in a corner to CHOP, CHOP, and UPPERCUT! Blake flounders, Adam glares at Lethal, then he drags Blake up. Adam snap suplexes, covers, ONE! Blake shows his toughness but Adam SMACKS him off Tommy’s boot. Tommy tags in, Adam puts Blake in a corner, and Tommy runs up, only for Blake to BOOT him! Blake then hops up, but Tommy returns! Blake goes up and over, but Blake’s leg jams!

The fans aren’t sure about this, but the ref has Tommy hold on. Lethal checks Blake, but Lee CLOBBERS Tommy! Blake swaggers around and the fans boo because they knew all along! Blake stomps a mudhole into Tommy, then stands on him! Blake hops off as the ref counts, then he brings Tommy up to bump off buckles. Tag to Lee, The Swirl mugs Tommy, and Lee SMACKS Tommy off buckles. Lee RAMS into Tommy again and again, then brings Tommy out to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Lee drags Tommy up, tags Blake back in, and The Swirl double whip Tommy to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Tommy down, then they coordinate a Fargo Strut!

The fans boo, and Blake BLASTS Adam just because! The ref keeps Adam back, Blake brings Tommy over, and The Swirl mugs Tommy again. Lee tags in, he CLUBS away on Tommy, then he brings Tommy around. Lee scoops and SLAMS, then covers, TWO! The fans rally for Tommy but Lee keeps him down with a chinlock. Tommy endures, fights up, and he fires body shots. Lee CLUBS Tommy, suplexes, but Tommy slips free! Tommy runs, slips around, and he waistlocks, only for Lee to buck the O’Conner! Lee runs up, but Tommy dodges! Tommy comes back, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down!

A standing count starts while both men crawl. The fans rally up, Lethal coaches Lee, but hot tag to Adam first! Adam CLOBBERS Lee, TOSSES Blake, and CLOBBERS Lee again! Adam kicks Blake to snap suplex him onto Lee! Then a BIG suplex for Lee! Tag to Tommy and they get Lee back up. Tommy gut wrenches, but Blake BLASTS Adam off the corner! Lee slips free, feed to a SUPERKICK! Blake goes up, Lee fireman’s carries! But Tommy slips free and shoves Lee into Blake! Blake falls, Tommy gut wrenches Lee, and Adam returns! MIND BREAKER!! Cover, Blake breaks it! The fans rally as the teams regroup, and Lethal coaches The Swirl.

Lee tags Blake, but Adam dodges to waistlock! Tommy runs the ropes, but Blake BOOTS him away! Blake then victory rolls Adam so he can SATELLITE DDT Tommy! Adam comes back, both men dodge, and Adam CHOP BLOCKS a leg! HALF CRAB! The fans fire up as Blake endures! Blake crawls, reaches out, but Adam drags him away! Then Tommy adds a CROSSFACE! But Lee drags Tommy up to TOSS him, then he BOOTS Adam! Adam flips Lee off as he holds onto Blake! Lee BOOTS Adam again, Adam still eggs Lee on! Tommy returns to clinch Lee! Tommy wrangles Lee into a CROSSFACE!!

The fans fire up as The Swirl endures! Lethal coaches them both, but Adam shifts to an STF! Lee stands to fireman’s carry Tommy, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER onto Adam! The fans fire up while all four men are down! A standing count starts for Blake and Adam as they stir. Lethal and the fans rally as all four men go to corners. Adam runs up, but Blake TOSSES him out! Lee runs up to BOOT Tommy! Lee then SNAP GERMANS Tommy, and Blake 450 SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Tommy survives but The Swirl regroup. They bully Tommy with CHOP after CHOP, but Tommy fires CHOPS in return!

Blake KICKS low, TOSSES Tommy out, but Adam is up! Adam CHOPS Blake, CHOPS Lee, and repeat! Then he adds forearms to the mix! Blake blocks a kick, hands it to Lee, but Adam ENZIGIRIS Blake! Lee staggers from that shot, too, and the fans rally up again. Lee hurries after Adam, whips him to ropes, then ROCKS him! Lee whips again, but Adam reverses to TOSS Lee out! And DIVE! Down goes Le and the fans fire up again! But Blake hits a DIVE of his own! Blake fires up, the fans are torn, but Blake helps Lee up. Blake gets Lee in, but Tommy is there! Tommy dodges a shot to gut wrench and TOMBSTONE!!

Tommy hurries up a corner while Lethal panics! But Blake hurries after Tommy! Tommy SMACKS Blake, Blake gets in the ref’s face, and Lethal SHOVES Tommy down! Lethal plays innocent but VANILLA CHOKE ZERO on Tommy!! Tommy TAPS, The Swirl wins!

Winners: Blake Christian & Lee Johnson, by submission

Lethal not only plays a factor, he now leads the charge in mugging his former mentees! The fans boo, but Lethal puts Tommy in a FIGURE FOUR! Lee stomps away on Tommy at the same time as Blake CHOKES Adam! The fans boo but this lethal combination is poised to take over. Will nothing stop them from taking down Bandido and taking away the ROH World Championship?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for ROH clocking in at under 90 minutes. I probably could’ve skipped the opener, it was obvious Ace was going to win, but Aaron Solo has been getting great showings, even in defeat. CRU’s return was of course a win in a squash match, but good promo to help properly introduce Lacey Lane to the faction. In fact, it actually is a faction now because it’s the three of them. I kinda feel like they could’ve been adding more people to CRU before this, but CRU was taking the backseat to Hurt Syndicate and Top Flight and a lot of other factions, but maybe they can make a big push in ROH.

Speaking of adding people to factions, very good promo from Christopher Daniels to bring Zayda Steel into the group, and factions seem to be her thing lately. Let’s just hope ROH gets her going towards a title better than WWE did. Very good Mixed Tag from Zayda & Darius VS Trish & Moriarty, but with the overbooking tactics, STP naturally won. Very good promo from Athena, and the premise of her focusing far too much on her shortcomings while adding to her historic ROH title reign is great character work. Billie & Diamante of course win their match, and I like that this was also an opportunity for one of Athena’s trainees in Shay.

I skimmed the Mixed Six Tag, and while we got a good showing from Rachael’s team, The Premier Athletes of course won. The interactions from Stori Denali and Rachael Ellering could be a 1v1 feud right there to build Stori towards a singles title. Very good promo from Taya and Johnny with Red Velvet, their Proving Ground will be really good, and I kinda think Taya should get the win via time limit. That’ll give us a very good rematch for the title that can go 15 minutes or so, but I would think Red Velvet still wins out. Then we can get Stori VS Velvet in a female David VS Goliath scenario, building up both Stori and Velvet in the process.

Great Six Man Tag win for Castle & The Outrunners, they really should start calling out STP for those ROH Six Man titles. Very good return match for The Von Erichs and a very good win for it, they definitely need to head for those ROH World Tag titles. Kiran Grey got a good showing against Sammy Guevara but of course Sammy won, keeping him strong while we wait on the tag title story. And then great tag main event, though it got a little clunky before the end. Naturally, Lethal helped The Swirl win there, that’s what Heels do. I still think we get that Six Man Tag of Bandido, Adam & Tommy VS Lethal & Swirl to then bridge us towards Bandido VS Blake for the world title.

My Score: 8.5/10