A Tornado (Tag) hits Jacksonville!

Tonight, Jay Lethal’s current proteges battle Jay Lethal’s former proteges as Blake Christian & Lee Johnson take on Adam Priest & Tommy Billington!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Mixed Six Tag: The Premier Athletes VS Angelica Risk, Brandon Cutler & Terry Kid; The Premier Athletes win.
• Mark Davis VS BEEF; Davis wins.
• Six Man Tag: MXM TV VS Oro Mensah, Keagan Garland & Angel Fashion; MXM TV wins.
• Pure Rules Diamante VS Rachael Ellering; Diamante wins.
• 8 Man Tag: The Colons y Spanish Announce Project VS The Frat House; The Colons y SAP win.
• Billie Starkz VS Hyan; Billie wins.
• Tornado Tag: Blake Christian & Lee Johnson VS Adam Priest & Tommy Billington; Blake & Lee win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mixed Six Tag: The Premier Athletes VS Angelica Risk, Brandon Cutler & Terry Kid!

The only reason “Smart” Mark Sterling doesn’t immediately start this episode off interrupting Bobby Cruise is because Angelica, Brandon & Terry got to make their entrance to the ring. And of course, he tells Bobby to “hit the bricks,” everybody knows they are The Premier Athletes: Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese & Stori Denali! “Folks, it’s been 189 days since I’ve last been attacked by one of our opponents, and it’s been a glorious 189 days, except made a little less glorious when we’re back in Jacksonville.” The fans boo but Mark says he is surprised to see Brandon Cutler here, wrestling?! Guess The Young Bucks didn’t need their gear washed today.

The fans boo more, and Cutler gets up in Sterling’s face, but then Stori steps up. Mark eggs Cutler on while Stori pats Cutler on the head. Sterling wants us to join in, when he says, “Athletes,” the fans all say, “Rule!” Nothing else! Hands in, team. Ohhh…! ATHLETES! “SUCK!” Gottee! Sterling is upset, but will Cutler’s team get the upset? Or will The Premier Athletes keep that 189 day safe streak going?

The trios sort out, and it is ladies first as Angelica starts against Stori. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, but then Stori doesn’t let go! She reels Angelica in and THROWS her down! Angelica goes to a corner, but Stori runs up to LEG LARIAT! Stori then digs her boot into Angelica’s neck, while Angelica is still standing! The fans boo and the ref counts but Stori takes full advantage of her height before backing off at 4. “Athletes!” “SUCK!” Wait, a few people (men, sounds like) actually do say, “Rule!” Stori drags Angelica up, smothers her, then ROCKS her with a forearm! Stori whips corner to corner and Angelica hits buckles hard!

Stori storms up on Angelica, KNEES her low again and again, then digs her boot in again! The ref counts, Stori stops, btu she pushes Angelica around. Stori scoops, but Angelica fights free! Hot tag to Cutler! Daivari runs up but into haymakers! Cutler whips, Daivari reverses, but Cutler springboards to CROSSBODY! Nese runs up to kick low! Nese whips, Cutler reverses, and Cutler runs up, only to be put on the top rope! Cutler straddles the ropes, and Tony talks trash while he climbs. But then Cutler fires haymakers on Tony! The fans cheer as Cutler JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up as Cutler fireman’s carries Daivari!

Sterling gets on the apron and tells Cutler to put Daivari down. Cutler drops Daivari to chase after Sterling! Sterling begs for mercy, but Stori CLOBBERS Cutler! Terry protests, but Nese PLANCHAS him down! Daivari hot tags Stori, Angelica runs in! Angelica ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into the BLACK HOLE SLAM! Stori then guzels and deadlifts Angelica into the SIX STORI CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Premier Athletes win!

Winners: The Premier Athletes, by pinfall

Whether they rule or they suck, the Athletes are undefeated in Mixed Six Action! Will they pioneer an ROH Mixed Tag Division? Or will another trio rise up to match them?

Caprice Coleman #ChopsItUp with Lee Moriarty.

Caprice thanks #TAIGASTYLE for sitting down with him, Caprice has so many questions because Lee is a very intriguing person. From wrestling to art, one thing Caprice wants to talk about is how Lee’s style mixes with STP. The reason he asks is because Caprice and Shane Taylor are good friends, like brothers. Caprice sees the dichotomy between STP and Lee, where sometimes Lee is a great young man, a true wrestler, and sometimes Lee is joining in, stomping someone out like a gangster. Is Lee torn between himself? Or is that just who he is? Is there any way to explain it?

Lee says when Lee joined Shane, there was a part of him figuring out who Lee Moriarty was, but over the past two years, he has realized who he is. Lee IS the best pure wrestler and that is what the title says. Lee is someone solely focused on the sport and artform of wrestling. He never wants to lose that side of himself. Lee does understand why Shane and the others do what they do, but for Lee, it is about what happens in the ring. Everything outside is not always something he condones, but he understands. Caprice feels Shane understands, too, as Shane is the one who pulled Lee aside, showed him who he is, and that is how Lee became Pure Champion.

Caprice is sure Shane feels that now Lee is champion, maybe Lee doesn’t need Shane as much. Caprice isn’t so sure, but how does Lee feel? Is he in his own lane? What is the relationship with Shane Taylor Promotions. Lee says the relationship is good, and thinks that it isn’t Lee was trying to be accepted, he was just young and trying things. He dyed his hair green just to see if he liked it. It wasn’t so much that Shane told Lee who Lee was, it was Shane just telling Lee to be himself. That is why Lee found success, being himself, the wrestler, the student and artist of this sport. Their relationship is good.

There will be disagreements as a team. Shane is the promoter, the coach, not always ringside for Pure matches, but Shane is someone Lee can run things by. That’s what their team is. Someone in a boxing match, the cornerman coaches the boxer, but just like that, Lee is his own man. Shane may not be ringside for Pure, Lee wins those on his own, but he still values everything the team has to say. Caprice says that’s a great way to put it. Many people see tension and think the team’s about to break up, but it’s just a dynamic of the relationship. The Pure style is different than the rest, but Lee still respects the mentorship as a man.

That is what Caprice likes about STP. Shane has found a way to put his arm around people, allowing them to be themselves, but also evolving them. Speaking of, Lee is one of the most interesting people Caprice knows because Lee is not only a wrestler, but a legit artist. When did this start for Lee? Lee started drawing as a kid, before even he knew what wrestling was. He was copying art on VHS covers, trading cards, comic books. Not tracing, either, just looking at the art and recreating it, figuring it out. A big popular thing as a kid was to do a “Learn how to draw” book. Lee couldn’t always get those books, so he’d copy trading cards.

Going from there, once Lee signed with AEW, he had time at home and picked up his paint brush. That was a little over four years ago. Whoa, wait, he only started painting four years ago? Now, this is just what Caprice has heard, but some of Lee’s works have sold for thousands of dollars. Is that true? Yes, Lee gets paid well. It is Lee being very fortunate to live both his childhood dreams, wrestling and art, and being paid well for both. Caprice says Lee is an artist in both forms, the wrestling canvas and art canvas. He has fused those things together, which is why he’s Pure Champion. Lee says he would agree.

Lee learning to flow but also to have this sense of vision to where he wants to go, that works in Pure wrestling. Wrestling is an emotional sport, a business of emotion, and emotions benefit us, but we also have to learn to control those emotions. Lee and Caprice are both Bruce Lee fans, so the philosophy is to not fight angry, fight with emotional content. Lee applies that and his art, vice-versa, it’s a balance. Caprice loves that, and he appreciates learning this about Lee. They shake on it and Caprice is hoping to chop it up again. Will #TAIGASTYLE continue to create masterpieces on both canvases here in ROH/AEW?

8 Man Tag: The Colons y Spanish Announce Project VS The Frat House!

Eddie y Orlando Colon surprised LFI with their ROH debut, but fell short of taking those tag titles. They now team with Angelico y Serpentico to see if they can’t get back up. But will it be a fiesta in Jacksonville? Or will Preston Vance, Cole Karter, Griff Garrison & Jacked Jameson booze it up in DUVAL~?

The teams sort out and Orlando starts against the Ivy League MVP. They keep the Code of Honor, then circle with the bell. Orlando’s roll throws Griff off, but he resets with Orlando. They tie up, Orlando waistlocks to snapmare, and he ghost pins! ONE, and Griff kicks low! Griff ROCKS Orlando, then headlocks, but Orlando powers out. Eddie sneaks a tag, then Los Colons drop and hurdle, then repeat. Then they DOUBLE FLAPJACK Griff down! Eddie covers, ONE! Eddie SLAPS Griff on the back, then stands him up. Griff KNEES low, tags Cole, and they mug Eddie. Eddie trips Cole, Orlando tags back in, CATAPULT FOREARM!

Cole falls back, Orlando slingshots, PLANCHA BACKBREAKER! cover, TWO! Orlando wrenches, tags Angelico, and Angelico CLUBS Cole’s arm! Tag to #SNAKEMAN and he goes up, DOUBLE STOMPS! SAP double whips Cole to drop down, HIP TOSS, then ZANMAI! Cover, TWO! Cole survives but the fans rally with Serpentico. Serpentico runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Serpentico brings Cole around but Cole knees low! Cole whips Serpentico, but Serpentico reverses. Vance sneaks a tag, Serpentico dodges Cole to SUPERKICK! But Vance back suplexes! Serpentico lands out, runs, wheelbarrows and THROWS Vance!

The fans fire up as Serpentico runs up, GAMANGIRI! Serpentico keeps moving, wheelbarrow, but Vance stops it! STUN GUN GERMAN SUPLEX! Vance taunts Angelico, tags Griff, and Griff tags Cole. Cole tags Jameson, and the Frat House starts up the combo! Jameson ROCKS Serpentico, Vance & Griff DOUBLE BOOT, then feed to Cole for a fireman’s carry! Jameson is there, ASSISTED GUT BUSTER! Jameson covers, TWO! Serpentico survives and the fans rally up. Jameson stalks trash on Serpentico, pie faces him, but Serpentico fires body shots! And an UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, but Jameson kicks low! GOURD BUSTER!

Serpentico flounders, Jameson runs, SPLASH on the ropes! Jameson goes up the corner, BOOZE-TON MISSES! Serpentico avoids disaster, and Jameson lands so hard, his hat flies right off his head! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hot tag to Vance, and he drags Serpentico back! Vance BLASTS The Colons, then slips around to back suplex and SLAM Serpentico! Serpentico flounders, Vance runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Serpentico cravats for PAN REBANADO! The fans rally up while both men are down again! Vance and Serpentico crawl, hot tags to Griff and Angelico! The fans cheer as the South African Stud rallies on the Frat House!

Griff catches Angelico but ANgelico BOOTS Cole! Angelico RAMS Griff into the corner, arm-drags him away, then uses him as a step to AX HANDLE Cole down! Griff swings, Angelico ducks to ROCK, KICK, and SOBAT! The fans fire up with Angelico, he whips Griff to ropes, but Griff reverses. Angelico rolls off Griff’s back, Griff avoids the sweep but not the EDDIE GORDO! Then a BIG back suplex! Step through and LA CASITA! But the whole House breaks it! The Colons y Serpentico get in there, they brawl with The House, but the Frat House throw them all out! And then throw them into railing! The ref reprimands but the damage is done.

Griff whips Angelico to a corner, BOOTS him, then torture racks! TOWER HACKER BOMB! High stack, TWO! Angelico survives and Frat House is furious! Griff tags Jameson, puts Angelico in the corner, then they start up the combo again! But Angelico dodges Jameson, sends Cole into him, then The Colons drag Griff & Vance out! They RAM the frat boys into railing, then they trade as they DOUBLE DIVE! The fans cheer again, SAP whips Cole to a corner, roll-up and CASITA STRETCH! But Jameson has Angelico! Angelico switches, slips under, trips Jameson up, and NAVARRO DEATH ROLL!! Jameson flails, he TAPS! SAP y Colons win!

Winners: The Colons y Spanish Announce Project, by submission

A great win as a quartet, SAP and Los Colons are looking good on the Road to Supercard of Honor! But who will get their shot at LFI in Salisbury, Maryland?

Billie Starkz VS Hyan!

A star that will shine at Supercard is in action tonight in Jacksonville! Minion 400,237 & 3/4ths has qualified for the ROM Women’s World Championship Survival of the Fittest, but The Renaissance Woman did not. Will Hyan help improve the odds for everyone else? Or will Billie be more than ready for that historic title match?

The Code of Honor is mostly upheld, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. The two circle, but Billie teases Hyan with changing hands in the Test of Strength. They knuckle lock then put on the pressure. Hyan has Billie on her knees but Billie fights up. Billie BITES Hyan’s hand! The ref reprimands but Billie lets go to laugh. Billie waistlocks but Hyan switches. Billie switches back, but Hyan switches again, and they sit down into a body scissors and roll! Cover, ONE, but Hyan rolls Billie again! ONE, and roll, roll, roll, roll, but then Billie pushes back to a cover! TWO, Hyan facelocks and cranks on the GUILLOTINE!

Billie endures, the fans rally up, and Billie rises. Billie stomps at Hyan’s feet but Hyan CLUBS away on Billie! Billie RAMS Hyan into a corner, digs her shoulder in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Billie SLAPS Hyan, then shrugs. The fans are torn, but then Hyan hits a THESZ PRESS! Hyan rains down fast hands, but lets up so she can bring Billie around for a suplex. Billie lands out, THROWS Hyan down by her hair, then goes to a corner. The ref reprimands about the hair pulling but she says get out of her face! Billie runs up, but Hyan puts her on the apron! Hyan blocks a shot, DECKS Billie, then builds speed! But Billie catches her in the ropes! APRON DDT!

The fans cheer while Billie whips Hyan hard into the railing! Hyan slumps down while the fans cheer. Billie taunts Hyan, brings her up and SMACKS her off the apron! Billie CHOPS Hyan, mocks the ring count, then puts Hyan in the ring. Billie kicks Hyan around, talks more trash, but Hyan BODY BLOWS! Billie ROCKS Hyan in return! And ROCKS her again! Billie climbs up on Hyan to rain down fists! The ref counts, the fans count along, and Billie gets to TEN before the ref counts 4. Billie lets Hyan crawl away, then CHOPS her against the ropes. Billie whips Hyan to ropes, ELBOWS her down, then flexes while Hyan flounders.

Billie runs up to BOOT Hyan in the corner, then stomps away! The ref counts as Billie digs her boot in, but stops at 4. Billie reels Hyan in, soaks up heat, and Alabama Lifts! RUNNING- NO! Hyan sunset flips it! TWO, but Hyan dodges a shot! Hyan comes back to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Hyan whips, Billie reverses, but Hyan BOOTS her! Hyan runs up to KNEE Billie, then BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Hyan is frustrated but the fans rally up behind her. Hyan tunes up the band, then runs Around the World! But Billie dodges to roll Hyan up! TWO! Hyan kicks, Billie blocks, and KNEES Hyan down! Billie climbs up, but Hyan trips her up!

Hyan SMACKS Billie, CHOPS her, then climbs up after her. Hyan brings Billie up, but Billie resists the lift! Hyan fires body shots, then powers up for the SUPERPLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Billie survives by a literal foot and Hyan is stunned! Hyan storms around, drags Billie up, and has the chicken wings! Billie resists the turn, then ELBOWS free! Hyan DOUBLE CHOPS Billie on the back! Chicken wings for- NO, Billie drops down, UP KICKS, then victory rolls, TWO! Hyan has it, TWO! Billie has it, and deep! TWO!! Hyan BOOTS Billie, Billie HEEL KICKS Hyan! Hyan ROLLING ELBOWS!

Hyan runs, but Billie pops her up into the Alabama Lift! RUNNING WATER WHEEL into the corner! Billie runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Then FLATLINER! Billie goes up, up, and SWANTON BOMB! Cover, but Billie lets off!? Billie wants to add on, KNEE, CRAVAT SMASH, then the tuck! STARK 10!! Cover, Billie wins!

Winner: Billie Starkz, by pinfall

She had it won before the driver, but she wanted to drive home the message that she’s just as big a threat as anyone in that Survival of the Fittest! But the question still remains: Will Billie help Athena keep the Forever Reign going? Or will she finally step into her own spotlight?

Tornado Tag: Blake Christian & Lee Johnson VS Adam Priest & Tommy Billington!

While Vanilla Baby has his match with Bandido set for Supercard of Honor, he and Big Shotty need to settle things with #AllGenres & The New Dynamite Kid. And given the escalating animosity, a match where tags are not needed is a perfect fit! But will Jay Lethal’s new proteges get rid of the old? Or will Adam & Tommy prove they never needed Lethal at all?

Whoa, not only do Adam & Tommy not need tags, they don’t wait for the bell! They rush the ring and attack The Swirl! Adam throw hands on Lee while Tommy TACKLES Blake and HAMMERS away! Adam chases Lee out, Tommy does the same with Blake, and Adam CHOPS! And CHOPS! And UPPERCUTS! Adam drags Lee up while Tommy CLUBS Blake! Adam CHOPS Lee again and the fans cheer! Tommy puts Blake in the ring while Adam scoops and SLAMS Lee on the floor! Tommy bumps Blake off buckles, then Adam joins in so they can double whip! Blake hits buckles, then staggers into a DOUBLE BACK DROP!

Lee runs up, but the Bulldogs dodge to DOUBLE ELBOWS him down! The fans fire up as Adam snap suplexes Blake, then Tommy snap suplexes Lee onto Blake! Blake bails out, Lee goes to the apron, but the Bulldogs DOUBLE HIP TOSS him back in! Lee writhes and goes to a corner, but Adam stomps away! Tommy adds punches, and they keep on Lee back and forth. They high-ten and the fans cheer. Tommy & Adam double whip Lee, Lee reverses, and Blake DUMPS Adam while Lee runs up on Tommy! Tommy slips around to roll Lee up, TWO! Lee LARIATS Tommy down! The fans rally but now The Swirl mugs Adam!

Blake sends Adam in to apron, Lee sends Adam into railing, and repeat! Lee scoops to SNAKE EYES off the steps! Blake uses those steps to BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans boo but The Swirl soaks up the heat. The Swirl then goes to Tommy, and Blake stomps him. Lee joins in with stomps, then they double choke! The ref counts that, The Swirl lets off, but they drag Tommy up for a DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cocky cover, ONE! Tommy is tougher than that but The Swirl just swaggers around him. Blake CLUBS Tommy, puts him up top, and into the Tree of Woe. But Adam intercepts Lee with CHOP after CHOP!

Adam runs up but Blake puts him outside! Blake holds Adam in a headscissor, Lee DROPKICKS Adam down! Then Blake hits a BASEMENT 619, and Lee adds a basement DROPKICK! Blake goes up, out, and QUEBRADAS Adam down! The fans fire up Lee covers Tommy, TWO!! Tommy grabbed the ropes but still had to kick out because of Tornado rules. Blake stands Tommy up for Lee to stomp, then Lee ROCKS Tommy with a haymaker. The Swirl stomps Tommy, then Blake gets an idea. Lee stomps away on Tommy while Blake goes looking under the ring. Lee stands on Tommy and shouts, “This guy is NOTHING~!”

Blake brings in a chair, the ref reprimands, but Blake sits it in a corner. Lee stands Tommy up for Blake to LARIAT! Lee runs up and CHOPS! Blake has the chair, FLYING CHAIR SHOT! Cover, TWO! Tommy survives but The Swirl puts him up top. The Swirl climbs but Tommy fights them off! Tommy adjusts up top, and he DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Tommy runs to LARIAT Lee, scoop SLAM Blake, then he whips. Lee reverses but Tommy tilt-o-whirls through, scoops Lee, but Lee turns that around! Blake goes up, but Adam SHOVES him down! Blake hotshots off ropes while Tommy turns things around on Lee!

Adam goes up now, and helps Tommy in a MIND BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Lee survives and the fans fire up again! Adam slaps Lee around, hauls him up, and Tommy runs, but Lee BOOTS him away! Lee switches with Adam, Blake handsprings, but Adam ducks! NEURALIZER on Lee! Then Adam waistlocks Blake for Tommy to run up, LARIAT GERMAN COMBO! Cover, Lee breaks it in time! Tommy whips, Lee reverses, and Lee TOSSES Tommy! Adam CHOPS and ROCKS Lee, then winds up, but Lee slips around! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Lee runs to HELLUVA KICK! And then a facelock, but Adam wrenches out to DDT!

The fans fire up as all four men are down around ringside! “This is Awesome!” as Adam goes to the apron and climbs up a corner. But Blake somersaults to SHORYUKEN! Blake goes up, up, but Tommy CLUBS him! Tommy goes up to get Blake, but Lee CLUBS Tommy! Blake and Adam clinch up top, TOWER OF DOOM, SPANISH FLY REMIX!! All four men are down again and the fans fire back up! “Holy Sherbet!” Adam rises, he helps Tommy up, and Adam ROCKS Blake! Then he UPPERCUTS Lee! Blake CHOPS Tommy, Lee CHOPS Adam, and they return fire! The fans rally as the CHOPS go back and forth, again and again!

The Swirl stagger, Tommy & Adam high-five, but Blake SUPERKICKS Adam! Blake blocks Tommy’s chop for Lee to SUPERKICK! KICK, KICK, KNEE, snapmare and LEG DROP, brother! Tommy sputters but now The Swirl has Adam! They double whip, but Adam ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE LARIAT! The fans fire up with Adam and he climbs up a corner. Adam takes aim, DIVING HEADBUTT onto the chair!!! Lee uses the chair as a shield, then he fireman’s carries! Blake goes up, SWIRL VALLEY!! Cover, The Swirl wins!

Winners: The Swirl, by pinfall

Jay Lethal may have betrayed Adam & Tommy, but he clearly taught them all well! However, the bad attitude of Blake & Lee saw them through, and now Blake takes aim at The Outlaw! Will Vanilla Baby take the ROH World Championship from Bandido? Or will he fail to take down The Most Wanted?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for ROH at 75 minutes. Surprisingly, only one promo and it was the “Chop It Up” segment. Great stuff learning about Lee Moriarty, though AEW had already done well in sharing his other career as an artist. I do appreciate they were addressing the kayfabe disagreements Lee and STP were having, because it can be used for both a story where they all stick together, and for a story where the disagreements do lead to something more serious. Very good Mixed Six win for Premier Athletes, but they should consider getting Stori going in the Women’s Division, she’s being wasted as simply the muscle in a mixed trio.

Good stuff in the other matches, though Beef maybe got too good a showing against Davis. This is supposed to be Davis after he just won against Ospreay by “referee stoppage.” Though I suppose a Will Ospreay at less than 100% and a Beef at 100% are equal? And even then, that match was only about seven minutes so that’s still a good win for Davis. Very fun Six Man Tag and win for MXM TV. Fun fact: Keagan Garland is the son of Scotty2Hotty, and he indeed attempted The Worm. Diamante showed she could do technical wrestling by beating Rachael with a heel hook, her and Deonna will have a very good title match at Supercard.

Very fun 8 Man Tag match and win for The Colons & SAP, but they really need to get going on a tag title story. I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a ladder match with three or four teams, including Sammy & Mortos. I’m a little surprised Billie didn’t have a match with one of her Survival of the Fittest opponents, but Hyan still gave her a great match. Perhaps we’ll have more tune-up matches, but it’d make sense if they created a tag or trios match as a go-home match. Athena, Billie and Adora VS Yuka, Maya, and Persephone. And very good Tornado Tag, Adam & Tommy coming out hot was a nice touch. But given Blake needs momentum going into Supercard, he and Big Shotty were of course winning.

My Score: 8.7/10