Will the Black Heart continue to shine?

Lio Rush continues to be a fighting champion as he now defends the ROH World Television Championship against “Main Man” Oro Mensah!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH World Television Championship: Lio Rush VS “Main Man” Oro Mensah; Lio wins and retains the title.
• Alan Angels VS Bryan Keith; Keith wins.
• Billie Starkz VS B3CCA; Billie wins.
• The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling VS Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds; The Premier Athletes win.
• Roppongi Vice VS Alex Zayne & Mance Warner; RPG Vice wins.
• Satnam Singh VS Jacked Jameson; Singh wins.
• Hyan VS Lacey Lane; Hyan wins.
• Adam Brooks VS Nathan Cruz; Brooks wins.
• Komander VS Tommy Billington; Komander wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions VS SkyFlight; SkyFlight wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH World Television Championship: Lio Rush VS “Main Man” Oro Mensah!

The Problem Child is certainly a fighting champion, having defeated Lee Johnson last week and putting the title up again this week. But will the reign still cut deep? Or will Oro’s hot streak help him hit the jackpot?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if it’s fine, it’s fine!

Oro is wary, but The Code of Honor is upheld. The bell rings, but Lio doesn’t let go! Oro gets upset, he breaks free, and he asks what Lio is doing! Oro shoves Lio, warns him, but then Lio CHOKES Oro! Oro ROCKS Lio, kicks low, then whips, but Lio blocks! Lio BITES Oro’s hand! The ref reprimands, but Lio runs, redirects, and slips around. Oro switches, shoves, but Lio BOOTS from the corner! And LARIATS! Lio reels Oro in, but Oro slips free and bails out. Oro says Lio is crazy! Oro wants Lio to stay back so he can get in. The ref has Lio stay back, but then Oro snatches the belt! Oro taunts Lio with it, then slides the belt into the ring.

Lio hurries in to fetch the belt, and Oro BOOTS Lio down! The fans boo but Oro goes up, out, and springboards to RIDER KICK! Cover, TWO! Oro is annoyed but he drags Lio up. Lio whips Oro to the corner, blocks a boot, and shouts, “CUTS!” before he CHOPS! Lio whips, but Oro reverses to CHOP! Oro whips, Lio redirects again, but Oro blocks a boot! STEP PUNCH! Oro puts Lio up top, UPPERCUTS, then climbs up. Oro CLUBS Lio, brings him up, but Lio fights the suplex! Lio BITES Oro’s forehead! The ref reprimands but Oro falls back. Oro runs up, WALL WALK PELE! Down goes Lio and the fans rally up.

Lio crawls, “No, no, no, no, no.” The ring count is 6 of 20, Lio reaches in, and Oro STOMPS the hand! Oro then drags Lio into the ring, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, ONE!! Lio toughs it out, but Oro KICKS him on the back! Oro says he’s cold-blooded, then he whips Lio corner to corner hard! Lio falls, Oro covers, but they’re in the ropes. Oro stomps Lio, mocks Lio, “It’s fine~!” Oro CHOPS Lio, but Lio laughs it off! Oro hoists Lio up, reverse crucifix, but Lio slips free! Lio CHOPS Oro! Oro CHOPS Lio! Lio CHOPS Oro! Oro CHOPS Lio! The fans rally, Lio is stinging, and he says,
“No no no no,” but then he CHOPS Oro down! SPLASH! Cover, ONE!

Lio bobs ‘n’ weaves, fire fast hands, then ROCKS Oro! Lio whips but Oro blocks, and Oro HEEL KICKS! Oro stalks Lio but Lio hits the STUNNER! Oro wobbles, rebounds, ROLLING LIGER KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! A standing count starts, and Lio goes to the corner. Lio drags himself up, the fans cheer him on, and Lio dodges a shot. Lio waistlocks, Oro switches, and Oro shoves Lio. Lio clings to the ropes, then jumps aside as Oro runs up! Lio hooks the arms but Oro powers out, only for Lio to RUSH HOUR! Cover, TWO! Oro survives and Lio says, “No no no no no no no!” Lio waits on Oro, and says time to go up!

Lio reels Oro in, the fans join in with saying, “Up! Up!” Oro wrenches free, Lio ducks the lariat, and Lio rolls Oro for the SPIN KICK! Oro goes to the apron, Lio runs up, but Oro GAMANGIRIS! Oro springboards, Lio dodges! Lio runs up, tilt-o-whirl, but Oro stops Lio! FALLING PELE! Cover, TWO!! Oro is beside himself as Lio survives! Oro drags Lio up, the fans rally, and Lio fights the hook. They end up on the ropes, and Lio BITES Oro’s hand! The ref reprimands, Lio stops, and then STUNNER! Oro flops to the apron, Lio HANDSPRING KICKS him down! The fans fire up, and Lio gremlin runs to DIVE! Down goes Oro and the fans fire up again!

Lio brings Oro up and puts him in the ring. Lio says “Up!” BLACK THUNDER BOMB! Cover, Lio wins!

Winner: Lio Rush, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)

The “shadow” stays with Lio, and the reign continues. And BREAKING NEWS for Collision AND Redemption! There’s going to be a Six Pack Ladder War at Redemption, and one of the qualifiers is going to be Lio Rush VS EL CLØN! Who will cast their shadow on Montreal?

WAIT, Action Andretti attacks Lio!! The fans boo as the Sight to See blindsides Lio, then rains down fists! Action throws off his jacket before going back to Lio. Action picks up the belt, and he GRINDS Lio’s face into the belt! Action says nothing is fine! NOTHING IS FINE! And he SMACKS Lio of the belt! But Lio sits up?! Action scowls as he drags Lio around to SMASH off the belt again! And then Action steals the DEEP CUT SLEEPER!! Lio flails, foams at the mouth, but somehow smiles before he fades! The refs rush out here, Action lets Lio go, and Action smiles at what he’s done. But when it comes to the ROH World TV title, who will have the last laugh?

Adam Brooks speaks.

“What’s goin’ on, fellas? My name is Adam Brooks, and six years ago, I signed my first pro-wrestling contract with ROH. And unfortunately, we all know how that turned out. The Pandemic took that all away from me. After YEARS of busting my ass all over the world, my dream was taken from me! And recently, I was very fortunate enough to compete on Collision against Will Ospreay. And yeah, look, I came up short, but I think on Collision, I showed the world that I belong in that ring! I think I showed the world that I am one of the very best professional wrestlers in the world. And I am back here in ROH, and I intend to stay here in ROH!

“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Adam Brooks, and ROH is about to get loose.”

Nathan Cruz speaks.

“Adam Brooks. I heard everything that you had to say, so why don’t you take a moment to gaze into these baby blues, and listen to The Professional, Nathan Cruz. You cry and complain that you should’ve been here six years ago. Well, while you’re crying and complaining, why don’t you cry me a river? Because for the past two DECADES, I have been applying my trade all over this world. Eight different countries, three different continents, over 1,900 matches, and only now am I getting my opportunity in ROH. You think that you’re gonna be some sort of sensation like Will Ospreay and go on to main event Wembley Stadium? No, no, no, no.

“Allow me to be the first to welcome you to ROH, and you’re going to find out that I’m exactly what I say I am. From head to toe, I’m a pro.” The challenge has been set, but is he going to find himself falling off that Loose Ledge?

Caprice Coleman Chops It Up with Deonna Purrazzo.

Coleman welcomes us and says he’s gonna chop it up with the ROH Women’s Pure Champion, The Virtuosa, Deonna Purrazzo! Deonna says thanks for having her, Coleman almost says the same but he corrects himself, and thanks her for coming. Coleman knows their schedules don’t always line up, but she’s here now and that’s exciting. He’s also proud of her, for many reasons. She’s the inaugural Women’s Pure Champion, but she’s also one of ROH’s earliest Women’s World Champions. What is the difference between being world champion and being Pure Champion? Were there any changes into how she trained?

Deonna says yes, maybe. When she won the ROH Women’s World Championship, that was 2022, the second-ever. We’d seen what the first champion (Rok-C) had made the division, and Deonna was just flowing with that. It was an interesting time as ROH was closing before AEW acquired it. Deonna was so proud to carry the title through that tough period. But when it comes to the Women’s Pure Championship, this is a brand new division, she’s the first-ever champion, she gets to determine what it looks like. Coleman says with that, Deonna is a real standard bearer. We’ve seen a lot of women already trying to mimic Deonna, looking to her on what to do.

But who does Deonna look after? Who does she seek? Is she studying Nigel McGuinness, Lee Moriarty? Who does she watch to prepare? Deonna says she watches a lot of Jay Lethal matches. She’s known Lethal since she was 18, starting in ROH, so 14 years of friendship and trust. So whenever she has a question or is brainstorming something and needs advice from someone she can trust, she goes to Jay Lethal. Coleman says yeah, Lethal’s a good guy. Doesn’t always like Coleman, but he’s The Franchise for a reason. Lethal has been around a long time, and in ROH, and he was a great Pure Champion. You can almost see his life in pro-wrestling.

Speaking of, Deonna has as life outside of pro-wrestling. Sometimes with wrestling, life can intertwine the two. We see opinions on social media, what they think about this and that. Is there anything Deonna would like to say? Fans can be rude, right? Deonna says yes, she’s been on such a personal journey since 2020 on creating a good life outside of pro-wrestling. Ever since she was 18, her entire identity was being a pro-wrestler. It’s what she’s wanted to do since she was nine years old. Deonna went back to school, got her Bachelor’s Degree, she’s almost finished with her Master’s, then she and her husband (Steve Maclin) are part of organizations helping veterans and first responders.

Deonna has built such a life outside of the ring that she is proud of. So when it comes to the internet, it doesn’t matter as much, because she’s happy and fulfilled, with family and friends who are wrestlers, and many who aren’t. She has the balance, so the chatter doesn’t matter. Coleman says it is crazy that those who have the dream of being a pro-wrestler, once they have the dream, they see the impact they have. They can choose to have people look at you, or you can reach out to the people. Deonna is certainly picking people up with the career she’s had and the work she does. Coleman is proud and grateful for Deonna to have that attitude.

Deonna’s a great wrestler, a great champion, a great pillar of the community, and Coleman is very glad she came here. Now, last question. What would she say is the future of the ROH Women’s Pure Division? What does she want this division to look like? Deonna says that is deep. She wants the world to see Women’s Pure, aka women’s technical wrestling, on par with the rest of Women’s Wrestling. Women have main-evented Dynamite, Collision, ROH, PPVs, and Deonna wants to do that with this title. She wants to main event a show and solidify the space for women’s technical wrestling.

Deonna says we’ve seen the evolution of Women’s Wrestling the last 15 or so years, and it has grown so much. But Pure Wrestling doesn’t always get the same space, and it’s time for that respect to be shown. Coleman agrees that the master, The Virtuosa, can show the world that Women’s Pure Wrestling can main event. Coleman thanks Deonna again for showing up, and he thanks the fans for watching. CH’YEAH!

Adam Brooks VS Nathan Cruz!

We heard from both men earlier tonight, but now it is time to put up or shut up! Will The Loose Ledge stand firm in ROH? Or will he learn what it is to be a Professional?

The Code of Honor is barely upheld on Nathan’s part, but the bell rings. They circle, Nathan wrenches and wristlocks, but Brooks rolls, spins, and he wrenches Nathan to a wristlock. Nathan spins, rolls back, then headscissors to bring Brooks down. Brooks fights around, powers free, then floats to the headlock. Nathan slips right through to hammerlock! Brooks rolls, rises, wrenches, but Nathan wrenches, wrenches, and wristlocks. Brooks spins through, UPPERCUTS the arms, then slips under Nathan to waistlock! They go to ropes, Nathan bucks the O’Conner, but runs into a trip! Brooks floats but Nathan avoids the headlock! Nathan floats, Brooks avoids the headlock!

Brooks floats but Nathan dodges again, only for Nathan to float and Brooks to dodge again. Brooks finally gets the headlock, but Nathan has the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud this technical exchange while the ref counts. Brooks slaps Nathan around, and Nathan gets mad. Nathan shoves Brooks, Brooks shoves back. Nathan takes a swing but Brooks catches that to then headlock. Nathan powers up and out, but Brooks RUNS him over! The fans cheer, and things speed up. Nathan drops, hurdles, but Brooks DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while Nathan tumbles to a corner. Brooks CHOPS and ROCKS Nathan, then cravats for knee after knee!

The fans rally as Brooks whips but Nathan reverses to JUMP KNEE! Nathan drags Brooks back up, bumps him off buckles, then UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! Brooks is stinging but Nathan talks trash. Nathan whips corner to corner, Brooks slides to a stop! EDDY GORDO KICK! Nathan staggers, the fans cheer, but Nathan comes back! Brooks DUMPS Nathan out, ducks the shots in return, then SOBATS! But Nathan THROWS Brooks down by his hair! Brooks gets up in a huff to BOOT Nathan down! The fans cheer, and Brooks builds speed! Brooks DIVES into a GAMANGIRI! Nathan hurries to SLINGSHOT BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Nathan pushes Brooks down, rains down fists, and he turns Brooks over for a KNEE DROP! Brooks flounders away to ropes but Nathan stalks him. Nathan puts Brooks in a corner, snapmares, then NECK SNAPPERS! Cover, TWO! Brooks toughs it out but Nathan clamps onto him with a chinlock. The fans rally as Brooks endures and fights around. Brooks rises, fires body shots, then ROCKS Nathan! Brooks runs, but Nathan ROCKS him in return! Nathan runs, but Brooks DROPKICKS in return! The fans cheer as Brooks hooks a leg. Nathan wrenches free, UPPERCUTS, then SLINGSHOT BACK- NO, Brooks lands out! BACKSTABBER

Nathan bails out, the fans rally up, and Brooks DIVES! Down goes Nathan at the ramp! The fans fire up as Brooks puts Nathan back in. Brooks then runs corner to corner, GAMANGIRI! Then Brooks goes side to side and BOOTS! Then he brings Nathan around, reels him in, and lift shim up! SIT-OUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! Nathan survives and Brooks is surprised. Brooks clamps onto an arm, wants the other, but Nathan fights it! Nathan rolls Brooks up, TWO! Brooks slips around, rolls and BOOTS! The fans fire up as Brooks runs, but into a fireman’s carry! Brooks fights free, shoves Nathan away, then runs up. Nathan THROWS Brooks back!

Nathan runs up, LARIAT! Then he hurries to fireman’s carry, and SAMOAN DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Brooks survives and the fans fire up! The fans rally as Brooks stirs, but Nathan goes to the corner. Nathan climbs up, but Brooks GAMANGIRIS! Brooks climbs up after Nathan, goes to the very top, but Nathan fights the lift! Nathan fires body shots, then he SHOVES Brooks! Brooks backflips through, then comes right back! SUPER DUPER PLEX! And a roll through for the BLUE SHADOW! Brooks isn’t done, he goes back up! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, Brooks wins!

Winner: Adam Brooks, by pinfall

It doesn’t matter how long you wait, or how fast you make it, what matters is what you do when you get there! Brooks proved he deserves to be here with this win, but will he prove he’s championship material now that he is here?

Roppongi Vice speaks.

Trent Beretta explains the situation: They come to ROH to get an easy win, they were supposed to face no name guys! And who do they get? Guys they know! That’s not what they signed up for! They had a competitive match! Don Callis Family isn’t about that, Callis himself will be upset. And so yeah, they had to beat Mance and Zayne up after. No problem! What’s the big deal? But then Eddie Kingston & Ortiz think they’re involved? What’re they doing? They embarrassed RPG Vice! Rocky Romero adds that “Easy matches only” is in the contract from Don Callis! Eddie & Ortiz had to go and embarrass them, so they’ll embarrass Eddie & Ortiz.

Eddie & Ortiz can bring their asses next week and fight them man and man to man and man! Azucar & #JustTrent want easy wins yet think they can handle the Mad King & Monkey? Will that really happen? Or will Eddie & Ortiz be the ones climbing up the tag team ranks without breaking a sweat?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

Not only will ROH be on a special Friday night, but there will be a top tier title match for the ROH Men’s Pure Championship! Lee Moriarty managed to survive Angelico the last time they battled, and now they’re gonna run it back! Will ROH still belong to #TAIGASTYLE? Or can the South African Stud finally have himself some gold?

8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions VS SkyFlight!

Shane Taylor tried to recruit Darius & Dante Martin to the team on Tuesday, saying Christopher Daniels, Scorpio Sky & Matt Sydal can’t help them fulfill their potential. However, Top Flight disagrees. Who proves they know what they’re doing in tonight’s massive main event?

The teams sort out and Dante starts against Carlie Bravo. The Code of Honor is not upheld as Bravo SLAPS Dante! The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. Bravo mocks the fans cheering Dante, then the two tie up. Dante headlocks, Bravo powers out, and Bravo RUNS Dante over. Things speed up, Dante drops but Bravo rolls. Dante sidesteps to RUN Bravo over! Cover, ONE, and Bravo hurries to arm-drag! Dante slips around, arm-drags in return, then dodges! Dante swings to arm-drag again! Then he DROPKICKS Bravo! Bravo flounders, Dante keeps him from STP, and tag to Scorpio. Scorpio takes the handoff, but Bravo breaks free!

Bravo ROCKS Scorpio, then hurries to tag Dean! Dean runs up, but into an ELBOW! Scorpio drags Dean up, wrenches, but Dean brings him around! Dean RAMS Scorpio into the corner, STP mugs him, but the ref counts. Dean backs off, the rest of the team keeps going, but then the ref reprimands. Dean brings Scorpio around, CLUBS him to the open corner, then whips corner to corner. Dean runs up, but Scorpio slips outside! Scorpio RAMS into Dean, then slingshots to sunset flip, TWO! Scorpio headlocks, he brings Dean over, tag to Sydal. Dean powers up and out but Scorpio ducks to wrench and whip him into Sydal’s ROUNDHOUSE!

Scorpio runs to KNEE DROP! Sydal sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Dean toughs it out and hurries for his corner. Tags to Bravo and Darius, and Darius rallies on Bravo with shoulders and uppercuts! Darius whips corner to corner, Bravo reverses, but Darius goes up and out. Bravo runs up but Darius ROCKS him! Ogogo rushes over but Darius SUPERKICKS! But Bravo ROCKS Darius, and whips him into the POST! Then STP mugs Darius on the outside! The fans boo, the ref tries to maintain order, but Anthony Ogogo puts Darius in. Bravo drags Darius up, tags Ogogo, and Ogogo boots low!

Ogogo whips Darius to the open corner, stomps a mudhole in, then stops as the ref counts. Ogogo whips corner to corner, then runs up and UPPERCUTS! Ogogo keeps going, LARIAT! The fans boo but Ogogo tells them to shut up! Ogogo drags Darius up, bumps him off buckles, then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Bravo, he runs side to side to ROCK Darius! Darius flops down, Darius talks with the ref, and Christyan XO BOOTS Darius! The fans boo, SkyFlight protests, so the ref is distracted from the pin! The ref finally sees the cover and counts, TWO! Bravo claims that would’ve been like nine! Bravo drags Darius up to bump off the corner.

Tag to Shane, and he winds up to CHOP! The fans are torn, Infantry mocks the pain, but Darius fires forearms! Shane DECKS Darius! Shane talks trash, but Darius is back up to throw more shots! Shane DECKS Darius again! Darius just gets back up! Darius fires more shots, Shane shoves him, but Darius ROCKS Shane! And CHOPS Shane! Shane blocks a kick to KNEE Darius down! Shane snarls, grabs an arm RIPCORD URENAGE! LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Darius survives but Shane keeps on him. Shane puts Darius in the STP corner, Shane tags Bravo, then Bravo tags Dean. The Infantry sends Shane in for a LARIAT!

Dean BLASTS SkyFlight, Bravo runs up on Darius, CARLIE CROSSOVER! Dean kicks Scorpio down for good measure, then asks, “Is this camera on me? B! B! C!” BRONCO BUSTIN’ CAPTAIN! Bravo says welcome to STP Airlines, where you get a free bag o’ nuts and the inflight meal is the BBC! Dean says to expect turbulence! Dean stalks Darius, steps on his hand, them stands him up. Dean trolls SkyFlight before he whips Darius at STP. But Darius BLASTS STP! Darius then dodges Dean, hot tag to Sydal! Ogogo tags in but he gets KICK after KICK after OSBAT! Sydal DROPKICKS Shane, but The Infantry is on him!

The Infantry double whips but Sydal BOOTS the lariats! Then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! ENZIGIRI for Bravo, SWITCH KICK for Dean! The fans fire up for Sydal, but Ogogo kicks low! But Sydal JUMP KNEES in return! Sydal runs up, dodges Ogogo, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! But Ogogo catches him! Ogogo pops Sydal up to a fireman’s carry, then swings for the SIDE SLAM! Bravo BLASTS Top Flight, then he brings Sydal up. STP coordinates, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Shane SPLASHES down! Ogogo covers, but ALL of SkyFlight breaks it! The fans fire up, and SkyFlight TOSSES The Infantry!

Top Flight DROPKICKS Shane out, then they DIVE onto The Infantry! Ogogo BOOTS Sydal, hoists him up top, then HEADBUTTS! But Scorpio ROCKS Ogogo again and again! Scorpio whips, Ogogo reverses, but Scorpio reverses back! Wrench and fireman’s carry! Ogogo slips free, but Scorpio hits the FLATLINER! Then Scorpio sets Ogogo up for Sydal’s METEORA! Cover, SkyFlight wins!

Winners: SkyFlight, by pinfall

STP lost out, but Shane is not deterred. He says we’ll see how much fight SkyFlight’s got. Will Sydal be just the thing this team needed to reach the highest of heights? Or will it all come crashing down to earth soon enough?

My Thoughts:

A very good ROH, but not sure it needed to be two hours and change after also doing a YouTube special on Tuesday and then the two-hours-and-40 last week. Great opening with Lio VS Oro, and of course Lio was going to win. Action going after Lio was also a good touch, they’re still building towards a title match there. Not sure they can stretch this story all the way to Death Before Dishonor, but maybe we get a title match for the go-home adjacent episode for All In or something. I skimmed Premier Athletes VS Dark Order, and it seems Beef might be going Heel, or at least doing what he must to ingratiate himself to The Premier Athletes.

Very good promos from Brooks and Cruz, and very good match from them, too. Good win for Brooks, hopefully he will be #AllElite soon. Very good promo from RPG Vice after their open challenge almost backfires with Mance Warner & Alex Zayne stepping up. Eddie & Ortiz have been saving the day all over the place, not sure what happened to them being the focal point of the ROH Tag Division story. And great 8 Man Tag main event, and SkyFlight winning is great for them. After all, Sydal is back, he needs his wins. But it does feel like there could come a point where only one duo gets their shot at the tag titles, and SkyFlight has to choose between the former tag champ veterans or the young and hungry Martin brothers.

My Score: 8.6/10