The Fallen Goddess, the Minion Overlord, the ROH Gatekeeper…!

ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena, is in action tonight but the PPV is tomorrow! Will the Fallen Goddess be more than ready for Death Before Dishonor?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Gia Scott; Athena wins and denies Gia a title opportunity.
• Preston Vance VS Danny Grandview; Vance wins.
• Hook & Action Andretti VS Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds; Hook & Action win.
• Daniel Garcia VS Alec Price; Garcia wins.
• ROH World Television Championship Proving Ground: Lio Rush VS Joe Keys; Lio wins and denies Keys a title opportunity.
• Mina Shirakawa & Queen Aminata VS Erica Leigh & Brittany Blake; Mina & Aminata win.
• Nick Wayne VS Jordan Oliver; Nick wins.
• Pure Rules: Katsuyori Shibata VS Wheeler Yuta; Shibata wins.
• Tornado Tag: Red Velvet & Zayda Steel VS Marina Shafir & Skye Blue; Marina & Skye win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Dark Order speaks.

Evil Uno says, “If you look into the ROH and AEW history books, you will see Dark Order’s name across every page. But our history is one of loss, our history is one of heartbreak. Cuz if you know anything about us, it ahs been a long road, it has been a hard road. Well, it is time to look forward. It is time to bury the past. And it begins today, because once again, Vance, you are sporting the colors, and I would like the say I forgive you.” But then John Silver storms in and says, “You forgive him?! Well, I don’t forgive you!” Silver asks if they remember what Vance did to them, and to Lil’ Brody! Alex Reynolds tries to reason with Silver but he says no, Vance doesn’t deserve these colors.

Silver doesn’t like Vance, he doesn’t trust Vance. He’s outta here. Silver storms off, but Uno tells Vance it’s alright, Silver will come around. But will the Meat Man understand that Vance is genuine about his redemption?

AEW Women’s World Championship Proving Ground: Athena VS Gia Scott!

The Fallen Goddess knows she has Hazuki to worry about at Death Before Dishonor, but it seems she doesn’t actually worry about Hazuki! But will she make light work of her opponent tonight? Or is she underestimating “The Greatest Damn Woman in Wrestling?”

The Code of Honor is upheld as Gia even kisses Athena’s hand. The bell rings, the fans cheer, and Athena wipes her hand off. The fans rally behind Athena as she and Gia circle. Gia mocks Athena’s height by holding her hand way up high as she asks for the Test of Strength. Athena just DECKS Gia! Athena HAMMERS away on Gia, then stalks her to a corner. Athena KNEES low, whips corner to corner, then runs up to BACK BODY BLOCK! Athena keeps going, FOREARM SMASH! Athena whips Gia to then fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Athena kips up, the fans cheer, and Athena has Gia in the ropes.

“Who’s the baddest?” Athena CLUBS Gia! “Who’s the best in the entire world?” Athena CLUBS Gia again, then BOOTS her down! The fans cheer Athena and she smiles. Athena goes after Gia again, then whips, but Gia blocks! Gia then whips, but Athena reverses. Gia breaks free, but Athena floats through. Gia stops the DDT, snapmares, but Athena cartwheels, only for Gia to YAKUZA KICK! Then Gia clinches, URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Athena survives, but Gia drags her up. Gia fireman’s carries, but Athena fires elbows. Athena slips free, backslides, roll through, but Athena KNEES Gia down! Then basement FLATLINER!

Then Athena hooks up the legs and grabs the arms for a surfboard STOMP!! Athena flips Gia over for the cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (denies Gia a title opportunity)

That wasn’t even five minutes, but Athena isn’t done! She SENTONS onto Gia, then HAMMERS away! Athena is upset it even took this much to stop Gia, and she digs her boot into Gia in the corner! Athena shouts that Hazuki was too much of a coward to show up tonight! Athena’s gonna set a real example! She SLAMS Gia down, then places the belt by her face. Athena ties up the legs and SURFBOARD STOMP ON THE BELT!! Athena taunts Hazuki, “Come out to play~!” Will nothing stop the American Joshi from reigning forever?

BREAKING NEWS for Death Before Dishonor!

El Sky Team’s Mascara Dorada y Mistico defend the ROH World Tag Team Championships against not just one team, but THREE! The former champions, Sammy Guevara & The Beast Mortos, but also former former champions, The Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, and even the young and hungry team of Darius & Dante Martin, are all getting their chance in Philadelphia! Who defies the odds in this Fatal 4 Way to be the one and only ROH World Tag Team Champions?

Jordan Oliver speaks.

“Nick Wayne. You and I used to be one of the best tag teams on the planet. I remember a time when we used to drive in the same cars, when we used to fly in the same planes. I remember when we shared the same goals. That is, until you went and broke that, and you left me on the indies, and you thought I’d stay there. And you never thought that I’d catch up. But here I am, through determination, through grit, and through brain power! And now look at you. You still think you’re goals are more important than mine. Nick, this isn’t just a pit stop on your way to committing your dreams of being the world champion. No, Nick, this is the biggest test of your career.

“You’re getting in there with the Smartest Wrestler on the Planet. And you’re not thinking about what happens when I win, you’re not thinking about it! But I am.” Will The Brain prove he’s even better than The Prodigy? Or will this still be Wayne’s World and Oliver’s just living in it?

ROH World Television Championship Proving Ground: Lio Rush VS Joe Keys!

Much like The Fallen Goddess, The Problem Child is preparing for a title match just tomorrow night at Death Before Dishonor, and it’ll be a Fight Without Honor against Action Andretti! Is Lio risking a lot giving out this golden opportunity? Or will it be fine? It’s fine!

The fans are already fired up for Lio, but the ref calls for the Code of Honor. Lio is still too preoccupied with the voices in his head, so the bell rings. The fans chant, “It’s Fine! It’s Fine!” Keys still offers the handshake, but Lio uses that to reel him in, roll him up, and basement ENZIGIRI! Lio TOSSES Keys, then runs up to HANDSPRING KICK! Keys falls to the floor, and Lio gremlin runs into the DIVE! Down goes Keys at the ramp! Lio smiles as he says, “He’s here!” Lio puts Keys in the ring, fires fast hands and ROCKS Keys! Lio whips, Keys reverses, but Lio redirects Keys to LARIAT him down! The fans rally up as Lio waits.

Lio runs to CUTTER! Keys staggers, into a STUNNER! And then the CHANCERY! Keys TAPS, Lio wins!

Winner: Lio Rush, by submission (denies Keys a title opportunity)

The Black Heart gets it done in a flash, but he’s not letting go! The ref reprimands, but then Action attacks! The fans boo as Action stomps Lio! Action rains down fists on Lio, then throws off his shirt! Action grabs the belt, brings it into the ring, and he CLOBBERS Keys just because! Then he winds up, but Lio dodges! Lio comes back to SPEAR! Lio CHOKES Action, Action kicks free, but Lio hurries to go under the ring. Lio brings out a BARBED WIRE CHAIR! The fans fire up as Lio shouts, “CUTS! CUTS!” Lio brings the chair inside, but Action runs for it! The fans boo, but there will be no running from the Fight Without Honor! Will it be anything but fine tomorrow night?

Backstage interview with Dalton Castle & The Outrunners.

Lexy Nair is with the ROH World Six Man Champions, and says it is official for Death Before Dishonor! Castle & Outrunners VS The Lethal Twist for the titles! Truth Magnum says witness the fitness of your ROH World Six Man Champs, and they’ve been on one hell of a ride! But the whole time, they’ve had a thorn in their side, and they finally get their hands on it! Tell ’em, Turb! Turbo Floyd tells Truth that he’s real fired up! He’s feelin’ ornery! Lethal Twist wants to feel the steel? This is the Outrunners’ chance to get their hands on those guys, 3v3 at the PPV, DBD! Dalton Castle, what the hell are you thinking on?

Castle says the Lethal Twist have them rather irate. He is excited, he is heated, he boils with rage! And Lethal Twist, the three of you are gonna melt when you get in the ring with them! Get it? Their thing is ice cream. But seriously, Castle is pissed. He’s gonna hurt those guys. Check the peaks. Two scoops!

Lethal Twist responds.

Lee Johnson says, “Boys! What a big match we have tomorrow.” Blake Christian says he sees what Big Shotty’s doing. But that’s right, Lethal Twist are gonna become ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions! Lethal has a question for the dummies: A picture is worth 1000 words, so what’s this picturing saying? Rhetorical question, idiots! This picture screams excellence! It screams undefeated streak in ROH! It demands the destiny that is rightfully theirs! The ROH World Six Man titles! Those will be theirs, and next time that camera is in their faces, they will be standing here as the NEW ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions!

The Twist is ready, #Castlerunners are ready, but who will survive in the 2300 Arena?

Deonna Purrazzo speaks.

“Steph (De Lander), you’re what my family would call a ‘yakkity yawn.’ That means you talk too much. And lately, you’ve been talking about how good you are at Pure Rules, how I should count my days as champion. And I get it, look! You won a match! Congratulations! But in that match, you managed to disrespect every single rule that we have. Women like Trish Adora, Billie Starkz, Giselle Shaw, Viva Van, Olympia, Janai Kai, Isla Dawn, they have all stepped up and become students of Pure Rules. And they all fell to the same lesson: That there’s a difference between competing in Pure Rules, and mastering it.

“So Steph, don’t worrya bout counting my days, you have plenty to keep track of. Count your ropebreaks, and count your punches, because at Death Before Dishonor, when they run out, there is nowhere left to run or hide, and you can’t talk yourself out of a broken arm. You’re forced to do this the Purrazzo way.” The Virtuosa is ready to teach De Lander a lesson, but will it get through her head? Or will ROH belong to SDL?

Nick Wayne VS Jordan Oliver!

The Prodigy is going to have a shootout with The Most Wanted, Bandido, for the ROH World Champion, but he’s getting a blast from the past. Jordan Oliver said that he’s going to prove he’s not just caught up to Nick but surpassed him! Will The Brain have a plan for everything Nick does? Or will this still be Wayne’s World?

The fans taunt Nick with, “Where’s Your Mama?” The Code of Honor is reluctantly upheld by Nick, then the bell rings. The two tie up, Oliver powers Nick to a corner, but the ref counts. Oliver backs away slowly, and Nick nods. They reset, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Nick pulls Oliver’s hair to put him in a corner, but he backs off slowly, to then SLAP Oliver! The fans boo but Nick dodges Oliver to headlock. Oliver powers up and powers out, but Nick RAMS him! Oliver rebounds to RUN Nick over! The fans cheer, things speed up, and Oliver steps on the dropdown! The fans cheer, but Nick runs up, only for Oliver to bypass and drop down, tripping Nick!

The fans cheer again as Nick staggers to his feet, and Oliver CHOPS Nick down! Oliver looms over Nick, stalks him to a corner, then CHOPS! The fans fire up as Nick sputters and flounders to a corner. Nick kicks back, bumps Oliver off buckles, then stomps away! The ref counts, Nick backs off, and Nick catches his breath. Nick huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes back to Oliver to DECK him! Nick stalks Oliver, stands him up, and CHOPS! Nick whips then UPPERCUTS Oliver down, then kips up. The fans boo but Nick stalks Oliver. Nick drags Oliver up, snapmares, then leg drop! Cover, ONE, but Nick clamps onto Oliver with a seated COBRA TWIST!

The fans rally for Oliver as he endures, but Nick puts on the pressure. Oliver slips his arms free, stands up, and he fires body shots. Nick shifts to a facelock but Oliver wrenches out to fire haymakers! The ref reprimands about closed fists but Oliver HAMMERS away until 4! Oliver fires up, whips, but Nick reverses. Nick drops down, hurdles, but into a SIDE SLAM! The fans fire up as Oliver outthinks Nick, and the two stir. Oliver goes to ropes, he runs corner to corner, but Nick ELBOWS him away! Oliver blocks Nick’s boot, but Nick reels him in for a BUCKLE PLEX! Oliver writhes, the fans rally up, but Nick rises first.

Nick winds up, but Oliver ducks the roundhouse! Oliver waistlocks but Nick elbows free. Nick fires forearms, but Oliver CHOPS! Oliver runs, but Nick ELBOWS him! Nick whips, then dodges, but Oliver dodges back! Oliver LARIATS Nick! The fans fire up while both men are down again. Nick rolls towards ropes but Oliver rises. They meet at center, Nick mockingly pats Oliver on the face. Oliver pushes Nick’s hands away but Nick laughs at him. They start firing slaps, then forearms! The fans rally up as the two stand, and the forearms keep going! Nick eggs Oliver on, Oliver hits back! Nick fires shots, but Oliver ducks the haymaker!

Oliver waistlocks, Nick fights the lift, and Nick pries at the hold. Nick opens the waistlock, but Oliver powers up to get the waistlock again. Nick slips under, Oliver CHOPS! Oliver waistlocks again but Nick runs to ropes, and he HOTSHOTS Oliver! But Oliver CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! But Nick BOOTS! Nick reels Oliver in, but Oliver suplexes for the GOURD BUSTER! Oliver runs, and he BOOTS Nick down! The fans fire up and Oliver waistlocks, but Nick victory rolls it! TWO! Nick SUPERKICKS! Then he hops up, POISON-RANA! Not the cleanest but Nick gets moving, handspring and- GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!

The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the standing count begins. Both men stir at 3 of 10, but they don’t sit up until 5 of 10. Nick flops in a corner as Oliver stands. Oliver staggers back but he steadies himself. The fans cheer Oliver on as he storms his way over to Nick. Oliver drags Nick up, and SUPERKICKS him back down! The fans fire up as Oliver stands Nick up, puts him on the top rope, and calls his shot! But Nick flails to rain down elbows! Nick CLUBS Oliver, shoves him, MISSILE- ANTI-AIR DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Oliver puts Nick back up, ACID- NO, Nick arm-drags through!

Oliver comes back, Nick drop toeholds him into buckles! PROD- NO, Oliver cradle counters! TWO!! ROUNDHOUSE from Nick! Nick tries again, PRODIGY PLEX!! Cover, Nick wins!

Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall

Oliver falls short against his former friend, but there’s no doubt both men are the future of wrestling! But will Nick’s future be one match away? Or will he fail to bring down The Outlaw for the ROH World Championship?

Wait a minute, Nick goes and stomps away on Oliver! The fans boo as Nick is a sore loser, beating up on Oliver! Nick then gets an idea, and he goes outside to grab a chair! Nick then fetches a second chair! Nick’s copying Christian Cage as he puts one chair under Oliver and grabs the other! But wait! BANDIDO is here! The fans cheer as the ROH World Champion runs Nick off! Will The Prodigy have to answer for his crimes tomorrow night? Or will he steal this title away from The Most Wanted?

ROH hears from Nigel McGuinness.

“You never know how life’s gonna turn out. I felt it was my destiny to go to Death Before Dishonor and take the title from Lee Moriarty, or never wrestle again. But fate had a different journey for me. Because I’m in the Continental Cup, I haven’t been cleared to compete at Death Before Dishonor, and therefore, I won’t be challenging for the ROH Pure title. I’m a bit gutted, but my goal, my focus, has gotta be Wembley Stadium and the dream of a young boy to get there.” A shame for fans hoping to see Nigel VS Moriarty one more time, but there is a silver lining: named as Lee’s new challenger is KATSUYORI SHIBATA! Will The Wrestler be the one to dethrone #TAIGASTYLE?

Nick Wayne speaks.

“Lemme tell you a little story about an old friend of mine. Jordan Oliver used to be my best friend. We traveled all around the world together on the independents as the tag team, ‘East West Express.’ I traveled over half the United States with you, I went to Japan with you, Europe, Canada, Mexico. I went around the world with you! Everybody thought you and I were gonna be something special. But just like the better half in every tag team does, I surpassed you. But tonight wasn’t a message for Jordan Oliver, it wasn’t a message to the people, it was a message to Bandido. Bandido, if you saw what I would do to an old friend of mine, imagine what I’m gonna do to you!

“Tomorrow, Death Before Dishonor, you are looking into the eyes of the NEW ROH World Champion, The Prodigy, Nick Wayne!” Nick is confident as ever, but will he have what he wants? Or will he just get what he deserves?

Tornado Tag: Red Velvet & Zayda Steel VS Marina Shafir & Skye Blue!

They just did this match on the Tuesday YouTube special, but now they’re running it back and raising the stakes! With nothing holding them back, will the Secret Ingredient & Real Deal spice things up? Or will Marina & Skye be a violent little problem this close to the PPV?

Velvet & Steel don’t even wait for a bell! They rush the ring, dodge Skye & Marina, then fire off! The bell rings, Skye and Velvet brawl while Zayda and Marina scrap their way out of the ring. Marina fires knee after knee, Velvet tilt-o-whirl RANAS Skye! Skye tumbles to a corner, Velvet runs up, but Skye blocks the boot! Skye shoves Velvet down, ROCKS her, then runs, but into a CALF KICK! Cover, ONE! Skye is tougher than that, but Velvet clamps on, only for Skye to slip through and SUPERKICK! Skye runs, but Zayda gets a shot in! But then Marina YANKS Zayda off the apron! But Velvet DROPKICKS Skye into Marina!

Velvet runs to DOUBLE KNEE Skye in the back! Cover, TWO! Velvet puts Skye in a corner while Zayda sends Marina into railing! Velvet UPPERCUTS Skye, then holds her for Zayda to SHINING WIZARD! Zayda then puts Skye through the ropes for a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Skye dangles, Zayda & Velvet get her back in, and they DOUBLE SUPLEX! The fans fire up, Zayda hurries to cover, and Velvet even helps, but Marina still breaks it up! Marina drags Velvet up to POST her! Then she fires shots on Zayda! Zayda fires back, but Marina ROCKS her! Marina whips Zayda to a corner, then runs up to BOOT her!

Marina digs her boot in, mocks “Coach” Christopher Daniels at ringside, then whips. But Zayda reverses to have a FLYING OCTOPUS! The fans fire up as Marina endures, but Skye SMACKS Zayda with a kendo stick! Marina THROWS Zayda down, Skye SMACKS away on Velvet! Marina goes after Velvet with forearms while Skye bends Zayda with a kendo stick Camel Clutch! Skye lets off so Marina can SLAM Velvet onto Zayda! The fans are torn but Skye soaks it all up. Skye and Marina go outside, and they bring out a TABLE! The fans are torn again, but the table is set up at ringside. The fans rally as Marina & Skye make sure it’s positioned just right.

But then Daniels DUMPS the table over! The fans boo Daniels, but Daniels won’t let his team suffer that fate. But then Skye SUPERKICKS Daniels, and Marina catches him in MOTHER’S MILK! The fans fire up as Daniels flails, then passes out! Skye stands the table back up, but then Zayda & Velvet DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Marina & Skye! The fans fire up as Zayda & Velvet put Marina & Skye back in. Then they DOUBLE THESZ PRESS! They both rain down fast hands, but Marina & Skye get away. Marina & Skye go to corners, but Velvet & Zayda UPPERCUT! Then they trade and UPPERCUT the other way!

Zayda & Velvet high-five, stir it up, but then Skye & Marina run up! Velvet & Zayda get clear, Marina & Skye DOUBLE BOOT each other! Then Zayda & Velvet wheelbarrow, VICTORY FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!! Skye and Marina both survive, but Velvet and Zayda stay cool. Zayda has a kendo stick, and the fans cheer as she SMACKS Marina! Velvet brings a chair into the ring while Zayda SMACKS Skye! But then Skye gets up to BOOT Velvet! And she CLUBS and CHOPS away on Zayda! Marina is up, she fires body shots on Zayda! Marina sends Skye in for a LARIAT! Then Marina adds a KNEE!

Skye and Marina startr up the Cycle of Violence, LARIAT and KNEE! But then Zayda uses a chair as a shield! Skye staggers back, Velvet returns, and she SMACKS Marina with a frying pan! And then one for Skye! Velvet is cooking as she SMACKS Marina and CLOBBERS Skye! Zayda says stir it up! Marina runs up, she BOOTS the frying pain into Velvet’s face! Zayda FLATLINERS Marina! Skye SUPERKICKS Zayda! Velvet SUPERKICKS Skye, Skye SUPERKICKS back! Skye shrieks, then reels Velvet in. Velvet denies the Tornado DDT to SCREW KICK! The fans fire up while all four women are down!

“This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup, then they meet at center. Zayda fires a forearm on Skye, Velvet on Marina, but Skye and Marina return fire! Zayda & Velvet throw shots, Marina & Skye hit back! The fans rally as they keep going, and Marina ROCKS Zayda! Velvet ROCKS Marina! Skye UPPERCUTS Velvet! Zayda and Skye DOUBLE BOOT! All four women are down again and the fans fire back up! Velvet fires off on Marina, but Marina says do better! Then she CHOPS Velvet down! But Velvet’s right up and she DECKS Marina with a left hook! Marina goes to the apron, Velvet runs up to CLUB her!

Marina grabs Velvet, drags her onto the ropes, and the fans freak out already as Marina aims for the table! But Velvet fights free, HOTSHOTS Marina, then runs to BOOT Marina! Marina clings to the ropes! The fans fire up as Velvet runs again, and she BOOTS Marina! Marina is still standing, so Velvet runs again! Velvet DIVES but into a GUILLOTINE! Marina drags Velvet out to the apron, Velvet fires body shots, and she breaks free! But Marina slips under to BACK SUPLEX DOWN THROUGH THE TABLE! The fans go nuts while those two are in the wreckage! Skye sees that and even she’s shocked! Zayda rolls Skye! TWO!!

Zayda runs, wrenches, hooks the arms, but Skye flips that to backslide! Zayda rolls through, but Skye KAMI-GOYE!! Skye snarls as she reels Zayda in, HOOK KICK, then the CODE BLUE!! Cover, Skye & Marina win!

Winners: Skye Blue & Marina Shafir, by pinfall

Skye HAMMERS away on Zayda to make her pay for pushing her this far! Marina manages to stand, she flips off the fans, and Marina puts Velvet back in. Skye stomps away on Velvet, rains down shots, and Marina kneels on Zayda’s head! The fans boo as Skye CHOKES Velvet! Marina KICKS Velvet, Skye kicks Zayda, but they both eye the Women’s TV Championship. Skye grabs one end, Marina grabs the other. Well BREAKING NEWS, because now we’re getting a FATAL 4 WAY for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship! These same four women are now going to battle in a match where there are no allegiances! Will Skye or Marina stand tall over Velvet? Or can The Chef get back to serving up L’s?

My Thoughts:

A good go-home episode which they even themed for the occasion. But aside from “last minute” tune-ups and what not, this episode didn’t really add much. Athena got an easy win and then did her same Heel tactics just to call out Hazuki. Lio got an easy win and added onto… Well, not Heel heat because he’s the Face, but Action got to make Lio’s moment his moment ahead of their Fight Without Honor, aka No Disqualifications/Extreme Rules. I did appreciate them having Nick Wayne and Jordan Oliver interact, with good promos from both and a great match. I figured Nick would win, though, but then he also tries his own Heel heat moment only to get run off by Bandido. I can’t be sure how that works with the go-home math, but I still don’t see Bandido losing yet.

Very good promo from Castle & Outrunners and then one from Lethal Twist, their Six Man title match might be harder to call. I could see Lethal Twist cheating these belts away so they can have something to gloat about even on AEW, and that could feed into the story with The Demand. Good promo from Deonna Purrazzo to call out Steph De Lander, and I really feel like Deonna retains that title to humble SDL. Nigel stepping out of the Pure title match with Lee Moriarty is a shame, but I feel like AEW/ROH did not time any of this right. And maybe they are showing their hand, Nigel might be the one winning the Cup now.

But that aside, great opportunity for Shibata. If Shibata does win, I could see this also starting something between Opps and STP, but that also depends on what they’re doing with STP and Hurt Syndicate. And great Tornado Tag main event tonight, though not too wild because clearly they want everyone to be okay for this Fatal 4 Way they’ve put together now. I don’t see Marina or Skye taking the title, even though Marina does deserve something for all the great work she’s done since joining Death Riders. Velvet retaining would be my prediction, she’s been on a great run and deserves to keep going.

My Score: 8.7/10