Tag: samoa joe

AEW Collision live results: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe

Posted on by Suit Williams

For the first time since March 2005, CM Punk and Samoa Joe will go one-on-one in a singles match on AEW Collision for the right to move onto the men’s finals of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament.

Punk and Joe’s storied rivalry mainly took place in Ring of Honor as well as PWG and the UK’s FWA where they had their final match. In six singles matches, the two wrestled six times with Joe going 4-0-2 with two one-hour draws.

In the other Owen Hart men’s semifinal, Ricky Starks will face Powerhouse Hobbs in a meeting of past rivals.

The first Owen Hart tournament women’s semifinal is scheduled as former NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale faces ROH Women’s Champion Athena.

AEW Tag Team Champions FTR will take on Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson in a tag team title eliminator match. If White & Robinson win, they earn a future title shot.

**********

The Collision cold open featured the Owen Hart Tournament semi-finalists hyping their matches, with CM Punk saying that he’s going to talk about their history right now.

This week’s Collision comes to us from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada inside the Brandt Centre. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness are on the call.

CM Punk Speaks

As Elton John welcomes us to Collision, CM Punk made his way to ringside. He got a positive reaction this week. Punk says that his history with Joe makes their match feel like the final, but he can’t overlook Hobbs or Starks. Punk says that he’s got scars and chipped teeth because of Samoa Joe, but history would be made tonight in the name of Owen Hart. He says that if it wasn’t for Owen Hart, most of the locker room wouldn’t be here today. He says that even though he’s a hockey guy, he’s not superstitious. He touches the trophy, saying that he will earn it. Punk can’t promise a victory, but he promises to give everything he has for the fans and for Owen.

– Kevin Kelly threw to a video package detailing Samoa Joe and CM Punk’s history, with footage from their trilogy in ROH. Joe says that there’s never been a day in Punk’s life where he was better than Joe. Punk says that he will beat Joe for the first time.

Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Men’s Tournament Semi Final Match: Ricky Starks defeated Powerhouse Hobbs (w/ QT Marshall, Aaron Solo & Harley Cameron)

A solid opener that was more about the finish than the match itself. With Johnny TV coming into the group, Hobbs leaving QTV is a foregone conclusion.

Hobbs overpowered Starks to start, but Starks was able to outmaneuver Hobbs and send him to the floor with a clothesline. Hobbs came back in the ring and laid Starks out with a lariat. Marshall got himself involved, choking Starks while Hobbs had the referee’s attention. Starks fought out of the corner but ran right into a back elbow from Hobbs. Hobbs eventually dropped Starks with a delayed vertical suplex. He sent Starks into the corner with a hard Irish Whip as we went to picture-in-picture break.

Hobbs held Starks in a bearhug as we came back from the commercial. Starks elbowed his way free and fired up, dropping Hobbs with a running clothesline. Hobbs cut off a Rochambeau set-up by driving Starks into the corner and clubbering him with lariats. Hobbs took Starks to his shoulders and went to the top rope, but Starks slid down and took Hobbs down with a powerbomb for a nearfall.

Hobbs ducked a springboard and fought off a tornado DDT, but Starks took him down with the DDT anyway. Starks set up the spear, but Marshall clipped his leg. Hobbs hit the spinebuster, but the referee was dealing with Marshall on the apron. Hobbs told Marshall to get down, but Starks bumped them together before hitting the spear to score the win and punch his ticket to the finals next week in Calgary.

– After the match, Marshall pleaded his case to Hobbs, who shoved him down in response. Aaron Solo got in the ring to try and diffuse the situation, but Hobbs hit him with a spinebuster. Harley Cameron jumped in the way, so Hobbs left the ring and stomped to the back.

– Miro said that he was ready to fight anyone. He said that no one would force him off his path. He said that there was a battle coming, one we’d all been waiting for.

– Backstage, Willow Nightingale noted that due to an injury in her matches in Japan, she wasn’t medically cleared. Athena entered the frame, accusing Nightingale of faking her injury to avoid another loss, noting that Nightingale lost her Strong Title in Japan. Nightingale said that she wanted the match on Rampage and said that she wanted an ROH Women’s Title shot once she wins. Athena said that if Nightingale made it to Rampage and beat her, she’ll think about giving her a title match.

– We got a video package hyping the Blood and Guts match on the July 19th Dynamite. This Wednesday, we will take a closer look at Blood and Guts.

Julia Hart (w/ Brody King) defeated Bambi Hall

Hall used her size advantage to take Hart down, but Hart tripped Hall on a dropdown and clubbered on her. It was here where commentary noted that next week’s Collision will be followed by a live Battle of the Belts. Hart hit a chop block before locking in a Rings of Saturn-style submission for the win.

– Malachi Black said that Andrade didn’t become who he was until he lost his mask. Black says that Andrade holds onto his mask like a child holding onto a teddy bear. He wants Andrade to show the world how great he truly is.

– Lexy Nair was backstage with Andrade El Idolo, asking him what his mask means to him. Andrade says that he’s not a coward like Black. He says that his mask represents himself, his family, his culture, and his people. When his mask is on, it’s time for business. When he takes it off, it’s time to fight.

AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Match: Jay White & Juice Robinson defeated FTR

A stellar tag team match here. This was an FTR special, building slowly to a high crescendo and a surprising finish, with the Bullet Club Gold team earning a future title shot. If that match is as great as this one, sign me up.

White started with Harwood, with Harwood forcing White to the ropes. Robinson and Wheeler tagged in, with Wheeler vaulting Robinson to the floor and forcing him to tag out. Wheeler avoided a double-team, with Harwood coming in the ring to drop both White and Robinson with German suplexes as we went to picture-in-picture break.

White sent Harwood into the buckles as we came back from break. Robinson tagged in and sent Harwood into the buckles chest first before hitting a snap suplex for a nearfall. Harwood dropped Robinson with a back elbow before tagging out and assisting Wheeler with a leg drop for a nearfall. A Wheeler dropkick scored a nearfall. Robinson and Wheeler traded chops before Robinson bit Wheeler’s forehead. Robinson went to the top, but Wheeler took him down with a Manhattan Drop. Wheeler hit the ten punches in the corner, but Robinson sent him to the floor with a Stun Gun.

White dropped Wheeler stomach-first on the apron to firmly take control. The Bullet Club team worked over Wheeler’s midsection. White spat at Harwood before locking on a Muta Lock, but Harwood chopped White to break it up. White sent Harwood into the barricades, allowing Wheeler to fight back. Wheeler caught White in a small package, but Robinson had the referee’s attention. White then suplexed Wheeler into the corner to re-take the advantage. Wheeler fought free to make a tag, but Harwood was fighting off Robinson so no tag was made. Harwood got knocked off the apron, forcing Wheeler to fight two-on-one. White low-bridged Wheeler to the floor as we went to another commercial.

Back from the break, Wheeler dodged a corner charge before finally getting the tag out to Harwood, who ran wild on Bullet Club Gold. Harwood caught White in a small package before dropping him with a brainbuster for a nearfall. The crowd chanted This Is Awesome as Harwood brought White to the top rope. Robinson headbutted Harwood down, but Wheeler dropped Robinson with a side suplex in the ring.

Harwood got back to the top rope, hitting a Powerplex alongside Wheeler for a close nearfall. FTR set up the spike piledriver, but White sent Harwood to the floor. Robinson hit Wheeler with the Left Hand of God, setting up the Blade Runner. FTR blocked it, but Robinson broke up the Shatter Machine. FTR hit the Spike Piledriver for a nearfall that Robinson broke up. Robinson tagged in, but White got a blind tag in. Juice Box into the Blade Buster scored another nearfall.

The crowd kindly plugged the video game with Fight Forever chants. A Pier Four brawl broke out, ending with Harwood hitting a rebound powerbomb on White for a nearfall. Harwood hit a sliding uppercut for another nearfall. Wheeler took out Robinson, but White dropped Wheeler with a Blade Runner. Harwood and White exchanged chops and forearms before Robinson tagged in blind. Harwood rolled up White, not realizing Robinson tagged in. That allowed Robinson to hit his facebuster for the win and the future title match.

– We got a Shawn Spears video package, highlighting his time as the Chairman. Christian noted that Spears would get his title match at Battle of the Belts next Saturday following Collision.

– After a commercial break, Tony Schiovane was in the back with FTR, although they were quickly interrupted by Bullet Club Gold. Jay White noted that they had beaten FTR twice in two weeks, and that they wanted to beat them twice in one night. They challenged FTR to a Two Out of Three Falls match next week, which FTR accepted.

Scorpio Sky defeated Action Andretti

It’s odd that this was supposed to be a Scorpio Sky showcase, but Andretti looked far better than him.

Fun fact, both of these men have pinned Chris Jericho. Although with Jericho’s recent output, that list is growing monthly. Andretti kept up with Sky on the mat until he ducked down for a back body drop when Sky jumped up and hit a double stomp on Andretti’s back.

We came back from commercial with Andretti fighting out of a chin lock and firing up on Sky. Andretti hit a dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Sky avoided a springboard 450 but ran into a Spanish Fly for a nearfall for Andretti. Andretti hit a shotgun dropkick but hit Sky’s knees on a split-legged moonsault. Andretti caught Sky with a rollup out of the TKO, but Sky kicked out and hit the TKO for the win. After the match, Sky shook Andretti’s hand.

– We got a rundown of next week’s Dynamite, featuring the semi-finals of the Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament – Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin vs. Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara, MJF & Adam Cole vs. Big Bill & Brian Cage – Komander vs. Chris Jericho, Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue in the Women’s Hart Memorial Tournament, and Nick Wayne debuting against Swerve Strickland.

– Next week’s Collision will feature both the Women’s and Men’s Hart Memorial Tournament Finals, as well as the FTR vs. Bullet Club Gold Best of Three Falls match for the AEW Tag Team Titles.

Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Men’s Tournament Semi Final Match: CM Punk defeated Samoa Joe

A surprising finish, as I thought they would go further with the story of Punk never beating Joe. I do like the idea of Joe not being able to accept that things have changed after so long. This was a good main event, although I think these guys have better in them. I’m very interested in Punk vs. Starks next week, both from a quality perspective and in terms of who wins the tournament.

Joe and Punk started slow, with Punk avoiding chops and landing a few of his own. Joe locked on a knuckle lock, winning it before Punk kicked free and chopped him again. Punk locked on a headlock, calling back to their ROH trilogy as I’ve been told. Punk kept avoiding chops, but Joe walked out of the way of a crossbody before finally landing a chop to Punk’s back and his chest. Joe hit another chop and kicked Punk down before dropping Punk with punches in the corner. Joe dropped Punk with a back elbow. Joe went for the face wash in the corner, but Punk avoided it. Punk went to the second rope, but Joe chopped him over the top to the floor as we went to a picture-in-picture commercial break.

Joe knocked Punk down as we came back from break. Joe locked Punk in a chin lock but missed a knee drop as Punk tried to fire up. Punk hit a leg lariat and a rising knee, and when Joe caught him in the Coquina Clutch, Punk dropped him with a back suplex. Punk hit another trio of rising knees. Punk went to the top for the elbow drop and hit it for a nearfall. Punk called for the Go To Sleep, but Joe took him down into a crossface. Punk got to the ropes to break it, but Joe caught him with a snap powerslam for a nearfall.

The crowd chanted for Owen Hart as Punk caught Joe with a high kick for a nearfall. Punk went to the top again, but Joe cut him off and went for the Muscle Buster. Punk fought out and dropped Joe with a neckbreaker. Go To Sleep attempt got avoided again, but Punk slipped out of the Coquina Clutch and rolled Joe up for the win and the berth in the tournament finals. It’s official for next week’s Collision: CM Punk vs. Ricky Starks in the Owen Hart Tournament Finals.

After the match, Joe and Punk stared each other down. The crowd chanted for Owen Hart as Joe offered a handshake. Punk looked wary but accepted it. He shouldn’t have done that, as Joe snatched Punk into the Coquina Clutch while shouting that Punk was never better than him. Joe grabbed a chair, but FTR jogged down to stop Joe. Ricky Starks looked on from the stage as Punk recovered in the ring.

Fight Game: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe 19 years later

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

We got right into our Top Five of the week where we discussed the following:

  • NXT Underground featuring Damon Kemp, Eddy Thorpe and Gable Steveson
  • Adam Cole and MJF as the new odd couple in AEW
  • AEW Collision going up against a UFC pay-per-view this Saturday
  • Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk 19 years later and how to book Saturday’s Collision match to set up a bigger match
  • Nick Wayne’s impending AEW debut and whether or not Swerve Strickland should be his opponent
  • Roman Reigns’ feud with Jey Uso and overall WWE Money in the Bank thoughts

We also brought back our Break It Down segment and discussed the Pete Dunne & Ilja Dragunov vs. WALTER & Alexander Wolfe match from the October 15, 2020 episode of NXT UK. 

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: Money in the Bank fallout, SummerSlam line-up, Bryan books Punk vs. Joe

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including fallout from Money in the Bank Sunday, the line-up for SummerSlam, the Owen Hart Cup and Bryan’s booking of CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe set for next AEW Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

A rivalry born near decades ago in Ring of Honor will be revived in full on next Saturday’s AEW Collision when CM Punk takes on Samoa Joe.

The match will be a semifinal in the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament after Joe defeated Roderick Strong on Saturday’s Collision. Punk advanced with a win over Satoshi Kojima at last Sunday’s Forbidden Door.

The other men’s semifinal will also take place as Ricky Starks will face Powerhouse Hobbs in another renewed rivalry from the breakup of Team Taz. Starks defeated Juice Robinson while Hobbs dispatched Dustin Rhodes Saturday.

The first women’s semifinal in the Owen Hart tournament will happen as Willow Nightingale takes on Athena.

Also set for next week, AEW Tag Team Champions FTR will face Bullet Club Gold in a Tag Team title eliminator. If Jay White and Juice Robinson can defeat Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, they will earn a future title shot.

The match is happening thanks to the events of Saturday’s Collision where FTR and Punk ran out to aid Starks after he was being beat down by White, Robinson and The Gunns. The two teams have feuded in recent weeks, notably in an eight-man match on the first-ever Collision.

Here’s the current lineup from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada:

  • Owen Hart tournament men’s semifinal: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
  • Owen Hart tournament men’s semifinal: Ricky Starks vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Owen Hart tournament women’s semifinal: Willow Nightingale vs. Athena
  • AEW Tag Team title eliminator: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Bullet Club Gold (Juice Robinson & Jay White)

AEW Collision live results: Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong, MJF in action

Posted on by Joseph Collins

The quarterfinal round of the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament will conclude on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

In the main event, Samoa Joe will resume his Ring of Honor rivalry with Roderick Strong for the opportunity to move on and face CM Punk in the semifinals. Punk will be on commentary for the match.

On the other side of the bracket, Ricky Starks will take on Juice Robinson and Dustin Rhodes will face Powerhouse Hobbs with the winners clashing in the semifinals.

For the first time, AEW World Champion MJF will make his Collision in-ring debut against an opponent to be named.

After returning on the debut episode of Collision, Miro will be in action once again against an opponent to be named. 

TBS Champion Kris Statlander will look to continue her early run as titleholder as she defends against Lady Frost.

Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

Taped in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

I hear Saturday nights are alright for fighting.

Backstage promos from Powerhouse Hobbs, Roderick Strong, and Samoa Joe were the cold open for the show.

Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were ringside for commentary.  

AEW World Champion MJF defeated Kip Morris in a non-title match (0:28)

MJF jumped Ontario native Kip Morris before the bell, hit the Heat Seeker, and then tapped him out with a crossface. MJF was dressed in red, white, and blue to agitate the Canadian crowd. 

After the match, MJF got the mic and started running down everyone from Canada, and offered to defend the title against anyone from Hamilton. A rather large journeyman performer slowly made his way to the ring, but was outpaced by Hamilton native Ethan Page. Page slapped the mic out of MJF’s hand and ran down his family’s history in Hamilton. Page cut a great babyface promo and accepted the challenge from Friedman, a “bare minimum b*tch.”

MJF defeated Ethan Page to retain the AEW World Championship (10:58) 

Page went for the crucifix powerbomb early, but MJF escaped and clipped Page’s knee. Friedman worked over Page’s knee and ankle. Page fought his way out of a leg lace and shocked Page with a jawbreaker. MJF caught Page coming out of the corner with an Alabama Slam, then slapped on a half-crab to continue to work over Page’s bad wheel. Page tried several different means of escape, but MJF was able to counter them and keep the hold on until Page finally made the bottom rope. On breaking the hold, MJF sold his own exhaustion for the effort it took to keep Page in the hold which was a great little touch. 

Back from a split screen break, Page caught MJF with a cutter. MJF tried to kick Page’s knee to cut off his comeback, but Page fought through the pain and hit a series of clotheslines and a rana to maintain control. Page hit an Iconoclasm into a vertical powerslam to get a near fall. Page went for the Ego’s Edge, but MJF escaped and walked right into a Twist of Fate.

Page went to the top, but Page was unsteady, and MJF crotched him. MJF set up a superplex, but Page fought out and powerslammed MJF from the middle rope for another near fall. Page went for the Ego’s Edge a third time, but Page’s legs gave out under the weight of MJF. MJF caught Page with a dragon screw leg whip in the ropes, then dropped Page with the Heat Seeker to get the pinfall. Tremendous psychology throughout this one, and I hope this was a permanent face-turn for Ethan Page. 

Powerhouse Hobbs (w/ QT Marshall and Harley Cameron) defeated Dustin Rhodes in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (10:06 aired)

Sadly, Marshall and Cameron were still hanging around with Hobbs for this match. 

Rhodes escaped a press-slam attempt from Hobbs, but Marshall tripped up Rhodes. This distraction allowed Hobbs to send Rhodes to the floor with a body block. On the floor, Marshall ran Rhodes headfirst into the ringpost while Hobbs distracted referee Aubrey Edwards. As a result, Rhodes was busted open, and Hobbs worked on the cut into a split-screen break. 

Back from the break, Hobbs got a near fall. Rhodes started to fight back with right hands and a pair of lariats. Hobbs blocked a spinning powerslam from Rhodes, but Rhodes blocked whatever Hobbs was going for and turned it into a Cross Rhodes! Rhodes followed up with a piledriver for a near fall.

Rhodes hit a sloppy Code Red for another near fall (he couldn’t get his legs under Hobbs shoulders). Marshall tried to interfere and got waylaid with an uppercut, but it was still enough of a distraction for Hobbs to hit an avalanche and a spinebuster… for a one count. Rhodes hit the spinning powerslam for a near fall. Rhodes went for a figure-four, but Hobbs kicked out of it and sent Rhodes into a right hand from Marshall. Hobbs then hit the spinebuster and got the pinfall to advance to the semi-final. His opponent for the next round will be determined later in the show. This was a very good match. 

Miro defeated Anthony Henry (3:09)

Miro has taken another step up the jobber ladder with the Workhorsmen’s Anthony Henry, who isn’t quite a no-name, although he’s more of a tag team competitor with JD Drake. 

Henry actually caught Miro charging with a boot and came off the top with a stomp. Henry hit an enziguri and a series of forearms.  Miro body blocked Henry against the ropes, then slammed him to the mat with an enziguri. A big machka kick and the Game Over got the submission victory for Miro. 

– Tony Schiavone interviewed The Bullet Club Gold members, which now include the Gunn Club. For a crowd that didn’t seem to react to much on Wednesday, Jay White and the Bullet Club got a good amount of heat. The Gunns joined up with the Bullet Club because White and Robinson have experience all over the world. The Gunns started running down all the people they’ve beaten recently, including CM Punk, which actually got a bit of a “CM Punk!” chant from the crowd. Schiavone then announced that all the other members of the Bullet Club would be barred from the ring during Robinson’s tournament match later. White took the mic and barred Schinvone from talking for the rest of the interview, and called out Punk for bringing his red bag out a few weeks ago. He didn’t seem too interested in Punk’s bag, but White did challenge FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles (with Juice Robinson as his partner).

This led to a promo from Punk’s crew in the back. Punk called MJF’s belt a replica from ShopAEW.com, and FTR accepted Jay White’s challenge. This whole segment ran a little long, but Jay White was great. A feud with Punk should establish Jay White as a top-tier player. 

Ricky Starks defeated Juice Robinson in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (15:19)

Dueling chants for Starks and Robinson to start, while they exchanged arm-ringers, headlocks, and hip-tosses. Robinson tripped up Starks on a drop-down, and Starks flopped awkwardly face-first on the middle rope. Robinson worked over Starks’s leg and slammedStarks into the ropes legs-first.

After a split-screen break, Robinson hit a cannonball in the corner for a near fall. Robinson has been so dominant through the break that McGuinness started channeling Bobby Heenan on commentary and insisted Robinson just be given the victory. And almost on cue, Starks mounted a comeback. Starks hit a DDT, but couldn’t quite land a kip up. Starks with the Snake Eyes and a tornado DDT for another near fall. Robinson countered a hanging DDT with a hot shot, then hit a leg lariat for a near fall.

Robinson locked on the Texas Cloverleaf. Starks got out of the hold with a rope break. Robinson almost got the pin with a rollup and a handful of tights. Starks hit a high-angle back suplex for a near fall. After not reacting for much of the match, the crowd started a weak chant for Starks.

Robinson went for a hurricanrana off the top, but Starks blocked it by holding onto the ropes. Starks missed a dive off the top and Robinson hit a spear for a near fall. Robinson went for his inverted DDT finish, but Starks countered and hit a spear. Starks tried for the roshambeaux, and while Robinson escaped, Starks rolled him up with a jackknife cover for the pin. This match felt about five minutes too long. 

After the match, the rest of the Bulle Club surrounded the ring to attack Starks, but CM Punk and FTR ran in (to jeers for Punk, as noted by McGuinness) to chase them off.

– Lexi Nair’s interview with Christian Cage is interrupted by Shawn Spears, who wants a shot at the TNT Champion, Luchasaurus. 

Kris Statlander defeated Lady Frost to retain the AEW TBS Championship (6:40 aired)

Lady Frost’s grandfather was a tag team partner of Bruno Sammartino. Frost did a lot of pointless flipping around throughout the match. She flipped into a forearm from Statlander and got suplexed out of a casadora attempt.

After a break, Frost ducked a kick from Statlander and got a German suplex. She countered a tombstone attempt with a spinning DDT for a near fall. Frost tried some more flippy stuff, which almost immediately backfired and Statlander floored her with a clothesline. Statlander finished off Frost with the Saturday Night Fever and got the pinfall. This wasn’t a great match.

– Lexi Nair interviewed Andrade El Idolo. Last week, The House of Black stole Andrade’s mask and he wants it back. The House of Black appeared on the monitor backstage and Malakai Black promised to give the mast back all in good time. El Idolo didn’t react like he was planning on being very patient. 

For Collision next week: FTR will face Juice Robinson & Jay White in a title eliminator. Athena and  Willow Nightingale square off in the Owen Hart Women’s Tournament semi-final  match. Both of the men’s semi-final matches will also take place next week, Ricky Starks versus Powerhouse Hobbs and CM Punk versus the winner of the next match. 

Samoa Joe defeated Roderick Strong via ref stoppage in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (13:27)

CM Punk came out to a fairly mixed reaction to join the commentary team. This reaction became more favorable as the match went on. 

Roddy gave Joe four of five shots, but it only took one forearm from Joe to put Strong down. Strong leveraged Joe out to the floor and hit him with a dropkick. On the floor, it was more of the same where Joe took three or four shots from Strong, then leveled him with one hard forearm.

Back in the ring, Strong got Joe down and worked a chinlock. Joe escaped the chilock and dropped Strong with a back elbow. Strong charged at Joe in the corner, but got caught with a uranage for a near fall.

Joe dominated for most of the split-screen break, but Strong hit a high knee for a near fall coming out of the commercial. Strong went for a side backbreaker, but Joe forearmed his way out of that. Joe hit a reverse atomic drop, running boot and a senton for a near fall. On commentary, Punk called the fans of Collision “Colliders,” and apparently the Colliders want to see Punk fight Samoa Joe.

Joe wore down Strong with a neck vice, but missed a second senton. Strong started to make a comeback while the crowd chanted for CM Punk. Strong hit three flying clotheslines that didn’t take Joe off his feet. Finally, a dropkick knocked Joe down. Strong caught Joe running and gave him a side backbreaker, then hit a running boot for a near fall.

Strong came off the middle ropes with a dropkick for a near fall, then followed up with an Olympic Slam for a near fall. Strong caught Joe with a jumping knee. Strong went for a suplex, but Joe countered into the Coquina Clutch and choked Strong out. Joe won via ref stoppage. 

This sets up CM Punk v. Samoa Joe in the other semi-final for the Owen Hart tournament. On commentary, McGuinness pointed out that Punk has never beat Joe in a one-on-one match. 

After the match, Punk and Joe exchanged dirty looks. Joe grabbed a chair , and a gaggle of referees and security were out to keep Punk and Joe separated. Joe slid back in the ring and dropped Strong on the chair. Adam Cole ran out to check on Strong, and the medical team put a cervical collar on Strong and loaded him onto a backboard. The medical staff helped Strong onto a stretcher and took him to the back as the show ended. 

Final Thoughts: 

Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were fantastic on commentary. The crowd seemed more enthusiastic for parts of this show than Dynamite on Wednesday, even though it was essentially the same crowd. Punk/Joe and Starks/Hobbs should both be very good matches next week. It seems at least on this show some of the heat on Punk died down a little bit. 

Overall, this was a pretty fun show. 

AEW Collision & ROH spoilers: MJF in action, Owen Hart Tournament matches

Posted on by F4W Staff

The following are spoilers for Saturday’s AEW Collision and future episodes of Ring of Honor — all of which was filmed Thursday at the FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 

These come courtesy of PWInsider and Wrestling Headlines.

AEW Collision:

  • AEW World Champion MJF defeated Kip Morris in a short non-title match. MJF then cut a promo on the fans which brought out hometown favorite Ethan Page. After a babyface promo, that led to an immediate title match.
  • AEW World Champion MJF defeated Ethan Page to retain the title
  • In a men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal, Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Dustin Rhodes to advance
  • Miro defeated Anthony Henry
  • During an in-ring promo with Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White, Juice Robinson and The Gunns, Tony Schiavone revealed they would all be banned from ringside for the Robinson vs. Ricky Starks Owen Hart Foundation tournament match. After ripping CM Punk and FTR, Punk, Starks and FTR appeared on the videoboard and said they would fight them at any time.
  • In a men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal, Ricky Starks defeated Juice Robinson to advance. Afterward, the previously banned heels surrounded the ring until Punk and FTR ran out for the save. Starks will face Hobbs next in the tournament.
  • AEW TBS Champion Kris Statlander defeated Lady Frost to retain
  • Announced for next week’s Collision: AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Juice Robinson & Jay White in a title eliminator match
  • In a men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal, Samoa Joe defeated Roderick Strong to advance. Punk was on commentary, and he and Joe had a stare down afterward. Those two will face off next in the tournament.

ROH:

  • Komander defeated Gringo Loco
  • Daniel Garcia defeated Christopher Daniels
  • The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona &Kaun) defeated Action Andretti & Darius Martin
  • Stu Grayson, Dutch & Vincent defeated Rip Impact, Macrae Martin & Zak Patterson
  • Athena defeated Seleziya Sparx
  • Big Bill & Lee Moriarty defeated The Boys
  • Mark Briscoe defeated Tony Nese & JD Drake in a three-way
  • Diamante defeated Vanessa Kraven
  • Brian Cage defeated Willie Mack, Trent Seven, Josh Woods, Dalton Castle & Shane Taylor in a six-way
  • Matt Taven, Mike Bennett & Maria Kanellis vs. Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo & Trish Adora was announced. Kanellis announced that she was not cleared to compete, and introduced the returning Leyla Hirsch as her substitute
  • Matt Taven, Mike Bennett & Leyla Hirsch defeated Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo & Trish Adora

https://twitter.com/FUNGUY416/status/1674618723167092736

MJF in action, Owen Hart tournament matches set for next AEW Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

MJF will make his AEW Collision in-ring debut on next Saturday’s show from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Whether or not he will still be the AEW World Champion will be decided at Sunday’s Forbidden Door as he defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi.

His opponent, or whether it would be a title match if he retains, was not announced.

His addition joins the previously announced slate of three quarterfinal matches in the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament.

Coming off his debut show win Saturday over Jeremy Prophet, Powerhouse Hobbs will take on Dustin Rhodes in one quarterfinal.

The winner will take on the winner of rivals Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson. Starks defeated Robinson in their first-ever match last month.

In another quarterfinal, former TNT Champion Samoa Joe will take on Roderick Strong in their first singles match since 2006’s ROH Glory by Honor V. The winner will face the winner of the CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima match on Sunday.

This Saturday’s show is being taped on Thursday.

Here’s the current lineup with more likely to be announced at Forbidden Door and Dynamite:

  • MJF in action
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Dustin Rhodes
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson

Samoa Joe discusses renewing CM Punk rivalry on AEW Collision

Posted on by Ian Carey

Samoa Joe is ready to show CM Punk what he’s picked up since they last met in the ring. 

Joe and Punk will be on opposing sides of a six-man tag match on Saturday to headline the debut edition of AEW Collision. It will be the first time they’ve wrestled each other since 2005 in Ring of Honor. 

Joe spoke to Sports Illustrated recently about renewing his rivalry with Punk. 

“We’ve always competed to have the best match of the night, and that’s what we’re still competing to do,” says Joe. “It was our ambition that brought us together. We were two young gentlemen who believed we were the best in the world and that we could take it to anybody. That was evident in the young versions of both of us, and it’s manifested to where we are today.”

Joe continued to say that he’s familiar with Punk’s ability to draw controversy and is “unphased” by it all. 

“I understand the nature of the beast,” says Joe. “It’s not a beast that’s easily tamed, so color me unsurprised. I don’t lie to myself and think that everybody acts the same way. People have their own interpretations of things. So color me unphased.”

“The guy’s my friend. He’s been my friend for years, and I have a lot of respect for him. But I understand the nature of the beast. I know what to expect,” Joe continued. 

Joe was also asked about the controversy involving Punk and The Elite, as well as if he feels the situation stems from a generational gap. 

“This isn’t a divide, it’s an argument between men,” Joe responded. “All those dudes don’t represent the entire genre of their generation. They have their own issues and their own problems. I don’t think it’s that deep. They’re grown-ass men. They have disagreements, they can figure it out or not. That’s between them.”

The Joe vs. Punk rivalry took place primarily in Ring of Honor in 2004 and 2005. Their 60-minute time-limit draw at ROH Joe vs. Punk II was awarded a five-star rating by our own Dave Meltzer. Joe would defeat Punk two months later at ROH All Star Extravaganza II in a match Meltzer would rate four and one-quarter stars. 

The last time Punk and Joe wrestled each other was on August 12, 2005, at ROH Redemption. James Gibson won the ROH Championship in a four-way match that night against Punk, Joe, and Christopher Daniels. 

“When you look at the breadth of our careers, there was a large span of time when we didn’t touch,” says Joe. “Now we’re back together, doing what we do best. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s picked up, I’m down to show him what I’ve picked up, and we’ll see how it all hashes out in the ring.”

Ring of Honor live results: Samoa Joe, The Embassy title defenses

Posted on by Suit Williams

Two title defenses highlight this week’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.

ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will defend against Matt Sydal after he called out the champion last week.

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will defend against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti as their reign continues.

In a Proving Ground match, ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Trish Adora. If Adora can win or go to a draw, she earns a future title shot.

Former ROH Pure Champion Daniel Garcia will look to continue his winning ways and get a rematch for the title as he takes on NJPW’s The DKC.

Fresh off her failure to defeat AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm Wednesday, Skye Blue will look to get back on the winning track against Viva Van.

Other matches include The Righteous & Stu Grayson vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys, Mark Briscoe vs. Anthony Henry, and more.

**********

– We have a cold open, as Dasha was backstage with Matt Sydal. He says that every break he’s gotten in wrestling is because he’s unafraid to grab the mic and make a challenge. He’s been on Samoa Joe’s heels, and tonight he will become TV Champion.

– We then cut to Dasha with Samoa Joe, who says that tonight, Sydal will find out what happens when ambition goes further than common sense.

We cut to Universal Studios Orlando, with Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel McGuinness on the call.

ROH World Television Title Match: Samoa Joe defeated Matt Sydal to retain

This wasn’t what it would have been in 2005, but both guys worked smart and hard here to make this a solid opener.

Joe pulls Sydal into the corner and clubbers him with forearms. Sydal throws a series of kicks, then sends Joe out of the ring with a spin kick to the face. Sydal followed Joe to the floor with a Meteora. Back in the ring, Joe cut Sydal off with a back elbow. Joe sent Sydal up and over with a suplex for a nearfall.

Sydal fought out of a headlock but ran right into a snap powerslam for a nearfall. Joe did some more clubbering, talking trash to Sydal as he laid into him. Sydal fought back with chops, getting a nearfall on a roll-up. Sydal hit a jumping knee. Sydal went for a spin kick and just collided with Joe as both men went down. Sydal reversed a pop-up powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Sydal hit a high kick for a nearfall.

Sydal hit the Meteora in the ring, but unlike last week, it couldn’t score the win. Sydal hit a point-blank knee to Joe’s face, but Joe cut him off on his way to the top rope. Joe snatched Sydal into a Muscle Buster for the win. This was his 12th successful defense of the title.

Nick Comoroto defeated Deimos (w/Teal Piper)

After some shenanigans with Comoroto’s sucker, Deimos took the fight to Comoroto. Deimos hit a big bodyslam on Comoroto before sending him to the floor with a shoulder block. Comoroto cut Deimos off with a chop to the throat before sending him into the stairs. Comoroto hit a powerslam for a nearfall.

Comoroto hit a reverse Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Deimos fought out of another Fireman’s Carry and fired up with clotheslines. Deimos hit a big spinebuster and followed with a big boot for a nearfall. Comoroto rolled to the apron and snapped Deimos over the ropes. Comoroto hit the Alabama Slam and got the win – with his feet on the ropes.

– Dasha was backstage with the Varsity Athletes. Smart Mark Sterling says he secured time for Tony Nese to get something off of his chest in the ring. I mean, he had time here. Is Dasha not good enough to hear Tony Nese’s thoughts?

Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) (w/Jacked Jameson) defeated Rhett Titus & Tracy Williams

Williams and Bronson start off with forearms before Bronson takes control. Boulder tags in, but Williams avoided a corner charge, catching Boulder with an uppercut and an armbar. Titus tagged in, but the Savages caught both men in Gorilla Press slams. Titus caught Boulder with a move and went for a pin, but Boulder repeatedly pressed him to kick out.

Williams got knocked off the apron before Titus went for a tag, so Titus hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Bronson for a nearfall. Boulder tagged in and hit both his opponents with big slams. Titus and Williams avoided the double chokeslam and hit a double slam of their own, but Bronson broke up the fall. Bronson fought off both men, but Titus and Williams hit a Hart Attack for a nearfall.

Titus drilled Bronson with a corner boot before an offensive combo. Boulder cut off a Williams piledriver, leading to Bronson hitting a Rikishi Driver to Titus on top of Williams. The Iron Savages hit their tag team senton for the win.

– Dasha is backstage with the Workhorsemen. They’re upset that FTR got involved in their business a few weeks back. FTR isn’t here, but their friend Mark Briscoe is, so Henry calls him out for a match tonight.

Diamante defeated Teal Piper (w/Deimos)

Diamante caught Piper in the ropes and hit a neckbreaker, then dropkicked Piper off the apron. Diamante hit a hesitation dropkick in the corner. Diamante hit a suplex for a nearfall.

Diamante hit crossface forearms to Piper as the crowd booed. Piper fought back, hitting a penalty kick and a snap sidewalk suplex. Diamante caught Piper and hit a Cross Rhodes before locking in straitjacket submission to score the win.

– The Varsity Athletes come out. As promised earlier, Nese takes the microphone and has something to say. He says that the Varsity Athletes have worked hard to earn the respect of the fans. Nese surmises that the fans don’t respect them because the fans can’t relate to them. The Varsity Athletes will never be fat pigs like the people in attendance, so they decide to lead some group exercises. After a few stretches, Serpentico makes his way out for their scheduled bout.

Tony Nese (w/Ari Daivari & Smart Mark Sterling) defeated Serpentico

After some Nese clubbering in the corner, Serpentico caught Nese with a hurricanrana. Nese fired up and hit a back elbow. Nese rolled out of a sunset flip and hit a spinning back kick for a nearfall. The crowd chanted We Eat Hot Dogs to get under the skin of Nese.

Nese pummeled on Serpentico as he held onto a body scissors. Nese snapped Serpentico neck-first over the ropes, but Serpentico avoided the triangle moonsault. Serpentico fired up, hitting a jumping facebuster and a gamengiri. Nese hooked Serpentico’s tights and hit a German suplex into the corner. Nese hit the Running Knees for the win.

– Earning her pay tonight, Dasha was set to interview Kiera Hogan. Instead, Athena came in and did a mocking interview with a blue wig on. The real Kiera Hogan came in and laid her out with a forearm. I’m seeing double here. Four Hogans!

Miranda Alize defeated Notorious Mimi

Alize cut Mimi off on an up-and-over, sending her into the corner and hitting a face wash boot. A hesitation dropkick and a butterfly suplex scored Alize a nearfall. Alize hit a basement hurricanrana for a nearfall. Mimi came back with a bicycle kick and a reverse TKO. Alize caught a Mimi forearm and hit a cutter. She followed it with the Drive-By knee for the win.

Stu Grayson & The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent)

Boy Brent started with Vincent, and Vincent quickly cut him off with a back elbow. Brent was able to outmaneuver Vincent and hit a dropkick, forcing a bemused Vincent to tag out to Grayson. Brandon tagged in and caught Grayson with a crossbody, but Grayson launched him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. On the floor, Castle and Vincent got into it, allowing Grayson to send Castle into the ringpost. In the ring, Dutch dropped Brandon to give the Righteous control.

Grayson and Vincent hit an offensive flurry to Brandon for a nearfall. Brandon fought for a tag to Brent, but Grayson immediately cut him off with a lariat. After some clubbering on Brandon, Castle tagged in and ran wild on all three Righteous members, sending them flying with suplexes and clearing the ring. He tagged in Brandon, but Dutch took out Castle by throwing him into the stairs. The Righteous took Brandon out with a triple-team slam.

– Dasha was backstage with the Dark Order. They were tired of sitting down and letting people bail on them. They question the Righteous’ loyalty to Stu Grayson, wondering if they were willing to bleed for him. They say we’ll find out soon enough.

ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match: Athena defeated Trish Adora

If Adora lasts 10 minutes or wins, she’ll earn a title match in the future. McGuinness says on commentary that with Athena’s recent work, Adora would be smart to run away for those 10 minutes. Adora controlled the pace early, wringing Athena’s arm into the turnbuckle and forcing her to the floor. Adora followed her, but Athena came back in the ring and hit a dragon screw to the leg. Athena followed Adora to the floor and dropkicked her into the stairs.

Back in the ring, Athena went to work on Adora’s knee, tying her up with submissions until Adora got to the ropes. Adora hit a German suplex from her knees before hitting a big boot to send Athena into the corner. Adora hit a powerslam for a nearfall. Athena locked Adora’s legs in the ropes and landed a kick to the knee. Athena hit a superkick before going to the top and hitting the O-Face for the win.

After the match, Athena feigned the Code of Honor before landing a forearm on Adora. Kiera Hogan made her way to the ring with a trash can lid before things could escalate with Adora. Hogan then escalated things herself by getting in a brawl with Athena. Athena fought off security before Hogan hit her with a trash can lid. Hogan grabbed a table and set it up, but Athena speared her through it.

Mark Briscoe defeated Anthony Henry (w/JD Drake)

This match quickly spilled to the floor where the two brawled around the ring. Back in the ring, Henry avoided the Froggy Bow and hit a single-leg dropkick for a nearfall. Henry hit a DDT on Briscoe on the apron before catching Briscoe in an armbar. Briscoe got the ropes, but Henry laid in some big strikes and got a nearfall out of them. The crowd fired up for Briscoe as Henry had a submission in, but Henry dropped Briscoe with a backstabber.

Briscoe caught Henry with a chop to the throat and a shotgun dropkick. Briscoe fired up with chops and a single-leg dropkick. Briscoe hit a fisherman buster for a nearfall. Briscoe called for the Jay Driller, but Henry transitioned it into a neck crank and a Dragon Sleeper. Briscoe reached the ropes and avoided an ensuing double stomp. A strike battle started, with Briscoe winning with a lariat. Briscoe hit the Jay Driller for the win.

– Backstage, Tony Khan noted that this match would be coming from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He re-introduces his Board of Directors members Stokely Hathaway and Jerry Lynn, noting that Lynn would be a judge for the upcoming Pure Rules match. He hyped the Pure Rules match between Daniel Garcia and The DKC, as well as noting that the Six Man Titles would be on the line tonight. The Embassy will defend against Action Andretti, AR Fox, and Darius Martin. Hathaway had the idea of booking Athena vs. Kiera Hogan in a Chicago Street Fight next week. Khan liked the idea and made the title match official.

Pure Rules Match: Daniel Garcia defeated The DKC

Excalibur and Garcia’s stablemate Matt Menard were on the call for this one. Jerry Lynn, Dean Malenko, and Christopher Daniels were the judges for this one. Garcia was rattled by the Colorado crowd chanting You’re A Wrestler at him, allowing DKC to hit some chops. DKC ran some offense before Garcia shoved DKC off the top rope to the floor.

Garcia rolled through a sunset flip attempt and caught DKC in an STF. DKC crawled to the ropes and used his first rope break. Garcia set up the Shibata-style hesitation dropkick but decided to hit his dance instead. DKC came back and cannonballed into a standing Garcia. DKC hit a side kick before trapping Garcia and hitting multiple chops for a nearfall. DKC locked on the Rings of Saturn, forcing Garcia to use a rope break.

Garcia hooked DKC’s hair and locked on the Walls of Jericho. DKC reversed it into a roll-up, but Garcia hit a lifting Codebreaker. Garcia picked the DKC up on the cover, opting to lock in the Dragon Tamer for the submission win. He sat in Shibata’s pose after the match.

– Dasha is backstage with the Mogul Embassy. They bragged about their dominance as champions, noting that the Mogul Embassy lives forever.

Skye Blue defeated Viva Van

We’re back in Universal Studios for this one, with our original announce team. Blue had control early on, but Van cut her off with a big running heel kick. Blue fought out of a surfboard stretch and hit a hurricanrana off the ropes.

Blue hit a rising knee and a single-leg dropkick for a nearfall. Van shrugged off the Code Blue and hit a bridging German suplex for a nearfall. Van hit a grounded Meteora for a nearfall. Van pulled Blue up in Electric Chair position, but Blue rolled through into a rana. Blue hit the Skyfall for the win.

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Match: The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Action Andretti, AR Fox & Darius Martin to retain

This was The Embassy’s most competitive match on ROH to date, as the challengers got more out of them than anyone else.

Cage and AR Fox started, with Cage using his power advantage to his advantage. Fox hit a splash, but Cage held onto him and hit a big slam. Martin tagged in, hitting a rana and sending Cage into the corner for a tag to Kaun. Kaun blew through a shoulder block and dropped Martin with a running chop. Martin tagged in Andretti after fighting out of the corner, but Liona sent him off the top rope in their corner. Kaun drove Andretti into the apron before flinging him into the post.

Liona knocked Fox and Martin off the ropes before hitting a senton on Andretti for a nearfall. Cage tagged in and clubbered on Andretti, but Andretti came off the ropes and hit Cage with a Canadian Destroyer. AR Fox tagged in and ran wild, taking on all three Embassy members on his own. The challengers hit dives on everyone before Fox hit a senton on Cage for a nearfall. The challenger team isolated Cage and hit a flurry of offense, finishing with a triple-team cutter for a nearfall broken up by Liona. Liona sent Martin inside out with a shoulder block, then took the other two down with a crossbody.

Martin took down Liona with a facebuster, kicking off a finisher flurry that ended with two 450 Splashes from Fox and Andretti for a nearfall that Cage broke up. A Pier Six brawl broke out, ending with Andretti and Cage in the ring. Cage caught Andretti in powerbomb position before transitioning into Weapon X for the pin and the win. This was the Embassy’s 3rd successful defense of the titles.

Ring of Honor announces 11-match TV lineup for Thursday

Posted on by Josh Nason

Two title matches will headline this Thursday’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.

In one, ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Matt Sydal after Sydal called out Joe on last week’s show. Joe has been champion for more than 400 days and is looking for his 11th title defense.

In the other, ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will defend against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti in hopes of getting their third defense.

In a Proving Ground match, ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Trish Adora and look to continue her long winning streak that dates back to late last year.

Stu Grayson will continue his run with The Righteous’ Dutch and Vincent as they face former Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dalton Castle and The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate).

Here’s the full lineup taped recently in Orlando, Florida:

  • ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Matt Sydal
  • ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) defends against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Trish Adora in a non-title match
  • The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) and Stu Grayson vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate)
  • Iron Savages (Bronson & Bear) vs. Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus
  • Daniel Garcia vs. The DKC
  • Diamante vs. Teal Piper
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Anthony Henry
  • Tony Nese vs. Serpentico
  • Nick Comoroto vs. Deimos
  • Miranda Alize vs. Notorious Mimi

Wrestling Weekly: How much further can Roman Reigns go in the WWE record books?

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Now that Roman Reigns has surpassed 1000 days as WWE Universal Champion, how much further can he go? 

On today’s new edition of Wrestling Weekly, we discuss that as well as the week’s TV offerings from both WWE and AEW.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here To Listen

Ring of Honor TV live results: Samoa Joe & Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal

Posted on by Suit Williams

The respective TV Champions from Ring of Honor and NJPW will team up on this week’s ROH on HonorClub TV.

ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe and NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will face Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal where if Daniels and Sydal win, they earn TV title shots of their own.

Thursday will feature two Proving Ground matches as ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will face Serpentico while ROH Women’s Champion Athena takes on Promise Braxton. If either challenger wins or survives the time limit, they will earn a future title shot.

Ahead of his special referee gig at Sunday’s Double or Nothing, Mark Briscoe will face JD Drake while new NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale will take on Hyan.

The 19-match lineup will also feature former ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez against Dream Girl Ellie, and ROH Tag Team Champion Penta El Zero Miedo going one-on-one with Slim J.

**********

Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel McGuinness are on the call for this supersized edition of ROH on Honor Club, coming from the set at Universal Studios.

Mark Briscoe defeated JD Drake (w/Anthony Henry)

The WorkHorsemen continue to impress in singles matches. They have made themselves highlights of these Honor Club shows. This was a great singles match to start off this week’s show.

Briscoe started the match by opening himself up for a chop, which started a chop battle that Briscoe won before booting Drake into the corner. The announcers talk about Briscoe’s role as guest referee for the AEW Tag Team Title match at Double or Nothing as Drake threw Briscoe across the ring. Briscoe came back and sent Drake to the floor. Briscoe booted Drake off the apron before hitting a corkscrew senton to both Workhorsemen on the floor to a big reaction.

Back in the ring, both men traded slaps. A technical error shortly killed my feed here, but it came back quickly to Drake clubbering on Briscoe in the corner while talking trash to the crowd. Drake hit a Bossman Slam for a nearfall, following it with a bottom rope Vader Bomb for another nearfall. Drake brought Briscoe to the top rope, but Briscoe fought him down with chops before hitting a missile dropkick.

Briscoe chopped Drake into the corner before bringing him to the top rope. Drake blocked the Iconoclasm but ran into the Uranage from Briscoe for a nearfall. Briscoe called for the Jay Driller, but Henry interrupted him from the apron. Briscoe took Henry down with a baseball slide, but Drake took Briscoe down with a rebound forearm. Drake hit a moonsault in the ring, but Briscoe kicked out at two.

Drake went for the Jay Driller, but Briscoe fought out and hit a rolling DVD. Briscoe followed it with the Froggy Bow for the win. After shaking hands with Drake, Briscoe made sure to call out Samoa Joe to the camera.

– Backstage, Dasha was with Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal. Daniels says that while Samoa Joe and Zack Sabre Jr. think they’ve thrown a curveball, they’ve put themselves on the back foot against former World Tag Team Champions. Sydal said that he felt the titles pulling him closer, and he would get to one of them before long.

ROH World Title Proving Ground Match: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Serpentico

Castagnoli toyed with Serpentico in a test of strength, but Serpentico scored with a pair of headscissors. Castagnoli rolled to the floor, where Serpentico followed him with a dive. Serpentico hit a high crossbody in the ring for a nearfall. Castagnoli dumped Serpentico to the floor, where he sent Serpentico hard into the steps.

After gutwrenching Serpentico back into the ring, Castagnoli hammered Serpentico with short-arm clotheslines. Serpentico gave him the middle finger, so Castagnoli continued with the clotheslines before hitting a measured final clothesline for the win.

Kiera Hogan defeated Vertvixen

Vertvixen looked solid here. She’s got a good look, good offense, and the crowd took to her. Hope to see more of her. Hogan as Athena’s next victim is fine enough.

ROH Women’s Champion Athena made her way to the stage to watch this one. Vertvixen took Hogan down with a dropkick, but Hogan dropped her into the ropes and hit a hip attack. Hogan hit a step-up legdrop for a nearfall before noticing Athena on the ramp. Vertvixen hit a flatliner and transitioned into a Koji Clutch, with Hogan quickly reaching the ropes.

Vertvixen hit a springboard kick for a nearfall. Hogan came back with a running forearm and a sliding kick in the corner for a nearfall. Vertvixen sent Hogan into the corner and hit a Yakuza kick before hitting the Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Hogan fought out of a hold and hit a Saito suplex for the win. She made sure to stare down Athena during the cover.

Athena and Hogan shared words before Athena piefaced Hogan over the fallen Vertvixen and exited stage left.

Kyle Fletcher (w/ Mark Davis) defeated AR Fox

Kyle Fletcher is going to be a big deal, and after the news of Aussie Open signing with AEW, his time may be imminent. This was a great match.

Fletcher and Davis came out with the IWGP Tag Team Titles that they had vacated this past Sunday. Ian Riccaboni explained that New Japan officials allowed Aussie Open to come out with the titles one last time before the new champions are crowned at Dominion.

Fox got the upper hand with an offensive flurry, ending with a clothesline in the corner and a skin-the-cat dropkick. Fletcher booted Fox from the apron before pulling him to the apron as well. Fletcher hit a side suplex on the apron, then followed it up with a bodyslam on the floor. Fletcher continued with the bodyslams in the ring, but Fox caught him with a spinning suplex.

Fox fired up, hitting the rolling cutter for a nearfall. Fox went to the top rope, but Fletcher moved out of the way and countered another cutter with a half-and-half suplex. Fletcher hit a Mafia Kick and a brainbuster for a nearfall. As the crowd chanted This Is Awesome, Fox caught Fletcher with an enzuigiri before booting him to the floor. Fox went to the top rope and hit a senton to Fletcher on the floor.

Back in the ring, Fox went to the top rope and hit the 450 for a nearfall. Fox brought Fletcher to the top rope, but Fletcher brought Fox down with a top rope bodyslam for a nearfall. Fletcher hit a running kick in the ropes before hitting a spinning Tombstone for the win.

Willow Nightingale defeated Hyan

The announcers put over Nightingale’s NJPW Strong Women’s Title win, noting that she beat Mercedes Mone to do it. Ian Riccaboni noted that Nightingale didn’t have the title with her as New Japan was getting the nameplate set on the title. I appreciate Riccaboni’s attempts to cover these continuity errors.

Nightingale was in firm control early on. Hyan ducked a body block in the corner before hitting elbows in the corner. Nightingale fought back, hitting an enzuigiri and the body block she intended earlier. Nightingale followed with a shotgun dropkick and a cannonball. Nightingale dropped the straps and hit the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.

The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett) defeated Mack Attack (Ninja Mack & Willie Mack)

Mack Attack is the kind of experimental team I want to see on ROH. Two guys not doing much on their own coming together to make a fun little team. They made a good pair here against the veterans in the Kingdom.

Willie started out with Taven, hitting several armdrags to start. Bennett and Taven took control with quick tags and fast offense. Willie fought out of a double team and powered his way to a tag. Ninja ran wild with offense on both Kingdom members. Ninja went for a Sasuke Special, but Bennett caught him and hit a German suplex.

The Kingdom blitzed Ninja with tandem offense, but Willie made sure to break up the pin after a Taven frog splash. Ninja fought his way free and made a tag to Willie, who took both Kingdom members down with a double clothesline. Willie hit corner clotheslines and a cannonball to Bennett before dropping Taven with a Samoan Drop and standing moonsault. Ninja tagged in and hit a double handspring moonsault over the ropes to both Bennett and Taven.

Ninja and Willie hit a 3D but had some miscommunication on the legal man. The Kingdom was able to take advantage, as Bennett hit a rebound forearm to Willie on the floor. The Kingdom hit the Proton Pack to Ninja to score the win.

Mercedes Martinez defeated Dream Girl Ellie

Martinez took down Ellie with a boot after some trash talk. She stomped on Ellie before hitting a side suplex. Martinez hit Ellie with short-range knees before putting her away with the Brass City Stretch.

– Dasha was backstage with Mack Attack. They hyped themselves up, saying that despite the loss, they were here to stay.

Ashley D’Amboise defeated Danielle Kamela

Kamela took control, dumping D’Amboise into the corner and hitting boots to the gut. She hit a squisher before tying D’Amboise in the ropes and kicking her repeatedly. D’Amboise traded forearms with Kamela before hitting a neckbreaker. D’Amboise hit a powerslam for a nearfall.

Kamela slipped out of D’Amboise’s grasp and hit a facebuster for a nearfall. Kamela hit another neckbreaker for a nearfall. D’Amboise fought off Kamela and hit a Burning Hammer for a nearfall. Not exactly as effective as Kenta Kobashi. D’Amboise followed up with a Uranage for the win.

Rocky Romero defeated Titus Alexander

Titus Alexander has gotten a lot of buzz on the west coast independent scene, so I made sure to watch him closely. His offense was impressive, and his selling was very good as well. He’s one to keep an eye on.

Alexander mocked Romero after a basement dropkick, then cut off the Forever clotheslines with a standing dropkick. Romero got the upper hand with a tornado DDT off the ropes. Romero landed kicks to the arm, then baited Alexander to the floor before hitting a dive. Romero hit the running Sliced Bread for a nearfall.

Alexander avoided a corner charge and hit a set of evasive kicks before landing a brainbuster for a nearfall. Alexander avoided another corner charge, but Romero caught Alexander with an enzuigiri. Romero pulled Alexander off the top rope and locked on the Diablo Armbar for the win.

Stu Grayson & The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated LSG, Marcus Kross & Vary Morales

A bit of a surprising turn here as Grayson worked well with the Righteous. This is a neat little undercard feud here with the Dark Order.

Grayson started quickly with Morales, hitting an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Morales made a quick tag to Kross, but Grayson got control of him. Dutch and Grayson hit a successful tag team combination to Grayson’s surprise. Vincent and Grayson hit another combo to Vincent’s delight.

LSG tagged in and got some offense in, but Grayson took down both LSG and Kross. Dark Order made their way to the stage as Dutch hit a Bossman Slam on Morales. Dutch and Vincent hit Autumn Sunshine on Kross before Vincent tagged in Grayson to finish the job. Grayson hit Nightfall for the win.

– Dasha was backstage with Zack Sabre Jr. & Samoa Joe. They were tense toward each other, with Sabre noting that he came to ROH to make his NJPW World TV Title the premier TV Title in wrestling. Samoa Joe said that like all of his other partners, he would have Sabre’s back tonight. I think that was sarcasm.

Shane Taylor (w/Anthony Henry & JD Drake) defeated Tracy Williams (w/Rhett Titus)

Williams and Taylor traded blows, with Taylor winning the exchange. Williams caught Taylor in an armbar over the ropes, but Taylor responded with a barge attack in the ring before dropping him with a forearm. Williams tried to catch Taylor with an armbar in the ring, but Taylor hit a side suplex out of it. Williams hit a set of strikes before dropping Taylor with a jumping DDT off the ropes for a nearfall.

Williams went to the top rope, and after fighting off an intervening Taylor, hit a frog splash for a nearfall. Williams almost had Taylor up for a piledriver, but Taylor hit a back body drop. Taylor hit a headbutt and a uranage before hitting a standing splash for a nearfall. Taylor dropped Williams with a heavy forearm before hitting the Package Piledriver for the win.

ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match: Athena defeated Promise Braxton

Braxton kept up with Athena early on, but after a stalemate, Athena caught Braxton with a high kick. Athena hit a big forearm. Braxton caught Athena in an octopus hold, but Athena got out. Athena hit a gourdbuster and a superkick for a nearfall that came after some bragging.

Braxton ducked a corner charge and fired up, hitting double knees to the back of Athena for a nearfall. Athena caught Braxton with a rana into the turnbuckles, then hit a corkscrew splash over the ropes for a nearfall. Braxton hit a pair of forearms, but Athena caught her with a big shot that knocked Braxton silly. Athena locked on a Cobra Clutch for the submission win.

After the match, Athena went to do more damage to Braxton before Kiera Hogan made the save. She dropped Athena face-first on the title as was Athena’s trademark before standing tall with the title.

Dralistico (w/Jose The Assistant) defeated Tony Deppen

I’ve been hard on Dralistico ever since he came into the AEW system, but this was his best performance to date.

Deppen literally kick-started this match, booting Dralistico to the floor and hitting a dive. Dralistico sent Deppen into the post before taking Deppen around ringside and doing damage with the barricade and the steps. Dralistico hit a springboard senton but pulled Deppen up on the cover. Dralistico booted Deppen in the corner before hitting a running superkick.

Dralistico went for a powerbomb, but Deppen slid out and hit a pump kick. Deppen avoided Dralistico on a charge and hit a twisting springboard gainer to the floor. Deppen hit a double stomp back in the ring for a nearfall. They traded chops before transitioning to palm strikes and forearms. Dralistico caught Deppen with a hurricane kick, but Deppen came back with a pair of German suplexes. Dralistico hit a German of his own before hitting a superkick and a poisonrana.

Deppen got some offense in, but Dralistico tied him up on the ropes and hit a hurricanrana. Dralistico hit La Mistica and got the submission win.

– Dasha was backstage with Nick Comoroto. He didn’t understand the hype around Blake Christian, calling him All Generic. He said that no one looked like him, and that would be the difference tonight in their match. He told ROH fans not to “simp for these wimps.”

Skye Blue defeated Miranda Alize

After a ringside chase, Alize cut off Blue with a low dropkick and a DDT for a nearfall. Alize hit a facewash and a corner dropkick before hitting a butterfly suplex for a nearfall. Blue cut off Alize with an elbow before scoring a nearfall with a kick to the head. Alize hit a throwing suplex for a nearfall. Alize locked on the Miranda Rights crossface, but Blue turned it into a pinfall to get out of it. Blue avoided a corner charge and rolled Alize up for the win.

– Lexy Nair was backstage with Athena, asking her how it felt to get a taste of her own medicine. Athena said that Kiera Hogan would get her title match next week before freaking out on some nearby barricades.

Darius Martin & Action Andretti defeated Cole Karter & Zack Clayton

Clayton and Andretti started off, with Andretti using his speed to take Clayton down. He hit a corkscrew splash for a nearfall before tagging Martin. Clayton cut off Martin with a clothesline before tagging in Karter. Martin got back in control with a dropkick. Martin and Andretti pinballed Karter before Andretti hit a tornado splash for a nearfall.

Andretti lost his footing on a springboard, allowing Karter to shove him to the floor. Clayton brought him back in with an outside-in suplex. Andretti dropped Clayton with a superkick before tagging in Martin who ran wild on both men. Martin hit a facebuster for a nearfall before running into a Clayton powerslam. Karter hit a frog splash for a nearfall that Andretti cut off. Martin helped Andretti hit a tornado DDT on Clayton. Martin and Andretti then hit a pendulum slam on Karter for the win.

Blake Christian defeated Nick Comoroto

While I’m not a huge fan of Comoroto’s new character, he looked good here as the big foil to Christian’s speed offense.

Comoroto flung his sucker at Christian to start, baiting Christian into a charge. Christian avoided a corner charge by backflipping to the floor. Christian led a chase on the floor that led to Comoroto running into the stairs. Christian hit a dive to the floor and followed it with a senton in the ring. Christian went for another dive, but Comoroto caught him and threw him into the post.

Comoroto flung Christian across the ring with a suplex for a nearfall. Comoroto controlled Christian, chopping Christian down as he tried to fight back. Christian hit an enzuigiri before ducking a corner charge to get things level. Christian low-bridged Comoroto to the floor before following him with a dive. Christian hit a double stomp to Comoroto’s back before hitting a frog splash for a nearfall.

Comoroto hit Christian with a spinebuster, but Christian caught Comoroto in an inside cradle for a nearfall. Comoroto hit Christian with a reverse Attitude Adjustment for a nearfall. Christian pulled a steel chair out from under the ring. Comoroto grabbed him, but Christian threw the chair into the ring. Comoroto went for the chair, but Christian caught him with a flash pin for the win.

Diamante defeated Trish Adora

Adora caught Diamante trying to cheap-shot her on a rope break and tied her up in a submission. Diamante fought out and sent her to the apron before hitting a neckbreaker in the ropes. Diamante hit a dropkick to Adora sending her to the floor. The women traded chops before Diamante hit an overhead throw, sending Adora to the corner. She hit a basement dropkick for a nearfall.

More forearm trading before Adora threw Diamante to the mat with an arm wringer. Adora hit a spinning fisherman’s suplex for a nearfall. Adora went for the Lariat Tubman, but Diamante hit a neckbreaker. Diamante locked Adora in a Cobra Clutch style submission for the win.

Penta El Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Slim J (w/Ari Daivari, Jeeves Kay & Sonny Kiss)

These jokers think they’re slick, saving the Trustbusters for the semi-main event of this extra-long show just for me. Jokes aside, Slim J is a quality wrestler, and he had a solid match with Penta here.

Penta cut off Slim J on a transition, booting him while he was upside down. Penta went for a dive, but Slim J cut him off with a forearm. Slim J dumped Penta to the floor, allowing the rest of the Trustbusters to lay the boots in while he took the referee. Slim J hit the springboard reverse DDT for a nearfall.

Penta hit a pair of superkicks and a pair of Slingblades for a nearfall. Slim J fought out of the Fear Factor and hit the running Dudley Dog for a nearfall. Slim J went for punches in the corner, but Penta kicked his leg out and hit a double stomp to the chest for a nearfall. Slim J took advantage of a slight Trustbuster distraction to hit a wheelbarrow flatliner and a leaping reverse DDT for a nearfall. Penta cut off another Slim J springboard and hit the Fear Factor for the win.

Samoa Joe & Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal

This wasn’t much until the hot tag, after which this became a very fun flurry of a main event. It’s a shame that Daniels and Sydal lost because this match made me desperately want to see Sydal vs. Sabre.

Sabre started off with Sydal, who was able to match Sabre’s technical ability and hit a leg lariat. Daniels and Joe tagged in, with Joe’s tagging coming to his partner’s surprise. Daniels caught Joe with a flash pin for a nearfall, leading to Daniels and Sydal hitting a tag team combo. Joe quickly tagged back out to Sabre, but Daniels and Sydal hit him with a combination to keep control.

Sabre caught Daniels with a pair of boots before Joe booted Daniels in the ropes. Joe hammered Daniels with punches before hitting the corner enzuigiri. Sabre tagged in and stretched Daniels for a minute before tagging Joe back in. The two television champs showed off to each other, beating on Daniels in different ways. Daniels dumped Sabre into Joe and got a flash pin, but Sabre kicked out and tagged Joe in calmly. Joe hit a powerslam for a nearfall.

More quick tags, and more beating on Daniels. Daniels finally fought out, hitting an STO on Joe before tagging Sydal. Sydal ran wild with kicks on Joe, hitting a meteora for a nearfall that Sabre broke up with a neck crank. Sabre tagged in and went to work with uppercuts. Sydal turned a running uppercut into a backslide for a nearfall, then got another flash pin for a nearfall. Sydal hit La Mistica on Sabre, with Daniels catching Joe in a Koji Clutch, but Sabre got to the ropes.

Sabre met Sydal on the top rope and put him in a double wristlock. Daniels pulled Sabre out and they hit a Doomsday-style Meteora for a nearfall. Sabre countered a Daniels move and tagged out to Joe, who laid out Daniels with a lariat. Sydal took Joe out with a jumping knee, but Sabre caught Sydal and neck cranked him. Daniels hit Angel’s Wings on Sabre, but Joe hit the uranage in the corner and locked on the Coquina Clutch for the win. After the match, everyone shook hands, including the TV champions.

19-match lineup announced for Ring of Honor TV

Posted on by Josh Nason

This story was updated on Thursday afternoon.

The respective Ring of Honor and NJPW TV Champions will be in tag team action as part of Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub — a show that started with 12 matches earlier in the week and grew to 19 matches Thursday afternoon.

Following last week’s show, ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will team with NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. against former ROH Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal. 

The match was made after Joe confronted Sabre Jr. after his title defense against AR Fox followed by Daniels and Sydal coming out and issuing a challenge: if they can beat the champs in a tag match, they each earn a TV title shot.

Thursday will also feature two Proving Ground matches which give challengers the opportunity to earn future title matches if they can defeat or last the time limit with the champion. ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will face Serpentico while ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Promise Braxton.

Ahead of his special guest referee duties at AEW Double or Nothing Sunday, Mark Briscoe will face JD Drake while Penta El Zero Miedo takes on Titus Alexander. Penta & Rey Fenix will defend the ROH Tag Team titles on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

The seven new additions Thursday afternoon included Trish Adora vs. Diamante, Kyle Fletcher vs. AR Fox, and Dr

Here’s the full 19-match lineup:

  • ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe & NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal with future TV title shots at stake
  • The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Ninja Mack & Willie Mack
  • ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. Serpentico in a Proving Ground match
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Promise Braxton in a Proving Ground match
  • Mercedes Martinez vs. Dream Girl Ellie
  • The Righteous & Stu Grayson vs. Marcus Kross, Vary Morales & LSG
  • Mark Briscoe vs. JD Drake
  • Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Slim J
  • Rocky Romero vs. Titus Alexander
  • Skye Blue vs. Miranda Alize
  • VertVixen vs. Kiera Hogan
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Hyan
  • Ashley D’Amboise vs. Danielle Kamela
  • Diamante vs. Trish Adora
  • Blake Christian vs. Nick Comoroto
  • Cole Karter & Zack Clayton vs. Darius Martin & Action Andretti
  • Dralistico vs. Tony Deppen
  • Kyle Fletcher vs. AR Fox
  • Shane Taylor vs. Tracy Williams

Ring of Honor live results: Samoa Joe & Athena title defenses

Posted on by Suit Williams

Two title defenses will be featured on tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.

In one, ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will defend against Blake Christian while in the other, ROH Women’s Champion Athena defends against Skye Blue.

Ahead of what could be a future ROH Tag Team title challenge, ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta will face Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus.

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Kaun, Toa Liona) will face Adam Priest, Lucky Ali & Victor Benjamin.

Ahead of his challenge of AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy Wednesday, Kyle Fletcher of Aussie Open will face former ROH TV Champion Tony Deppen.

Mark Briscoe, who was laid out by an accidental Dax Harwood piledriver Wednesday on Dynamite, will take on Shane Taylor.

The show will also feature Ninja Mack vs. Willie Mack, The Righteous in tag team action, Dark Order vs. The Trustbusters, and more.

**********

Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, & Nigel McGuinness were on the call for this week’s ROH television. This week saw Ring of Honor return to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL.

Mark Briscoe defeated Shane Taylor

Taylor threatened to beat on Briscoe like he used to do to Mark’s brother, which fired Briscoe up. Taylor cut him off before hooking Briscoe on the ropes and hitting a hanging stunner. Briscoe sent Taylor to the floor and hit a running blockbuster. Briscoe went for the chair-assisted dive, but Taylor slid into the ring and cut him off with a comebacker lariat.

Taylor kept control, using his heavy elbows to cut off Briscoe’s comeback attempts. Briscoe finally got a useful offensive combination in, laying Taylor out with a running boot. Briscoe clubbered on Taylor in the corner before hitting a Pele kick that sent Taylor to the floor. Briscoe got the chair-assisted dive the second time around.

Briscoe hit a missile dropkick off the middle rope in the ring. Taylor cut off Briscoe and went to the second rope, but Briscoe picked him up and hit a Spicolli Driver. Briscoe followed it up with a Froggy Bow attempt, but Taylor moved out of the way and hit Welcome To The Land for a close nearfall. Taylor went to the second rope, but Briscoe moved out of the way of a splash. Briscoe came back with big strikes before landing a big uranage for a nearfall.

Taylor answered with a uranage of his own for a nearfall. Briscoe escaped a package piledriver before starting a strike battle, ending with a Briscoe lariat that took Taylor down. Briscoe muscled Taylor up for the Jay Driller to get the win.

Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defeated Rhett Titus & Tracy Williams

The announcers made it clear that due to winning the Double Jeopardy match against Rey Fenix on Dynamite, Castagnoli could challenge for the titles with any partner of his choosing. The way they talked about it made it seem possible that Castagnoli could choose someone outside of the Blackpool Combat Club.

Williams and Yuta started off, with Williams catching Yuta in a Shoelace Roll submission that Castagnoli broke up. Castagnoli tagged in and took Williams down, but Williams caught Castagnoli in a quick rollup before tagging in Titus. Castagnoli stuffed an armdrag attempt and tagged out to Yuta, but Titus and Williams got a tag team combination in to isolate Yuta. Williams got Yuta in another submission. He cut Castagnoli off when he tried to break up the submission, but Yuta chop blocked his knee to take control.

The BCC worked over Williams, with Castagnoli scoring a nearfall with an uppercut and a leg drop. Williams dodged a charging Castagnoli, but Yuta tagged in and cut off an attempted tag. Yuta brought Williams to the ropes, but Williams hit the DDT onto the top turnbuckle before tagging out to Titus. Titus ran wild on Yuta, hitting the Belly-to-Belly suplex for a nearfall. Castagnoli came in to run interference, but Titus hit the big dropkick to send him out of the ring. Titus and Williams hit a dropkick/lariat combination for a nearfall.

Castagnoli sent Titus to the floor and ran through him with a running Uppercut. Back in the ring, Yuta sent Williams into the referee before poking him in the eyes. Castagnoli dropped Williams with a running European Uppercut before sending Yuta off the top rope with a Rocket Launcher to score the win.

ROH World Television Title Match: Samoa Joe defeated Blake Christian to retain

A competitive, smartly-wrestled squash match. Christian had a plan, Joe fought it off, and at the first sign of real danger, Joe shut Christian down with the Muscle Buster. I enjoyed this for what it was.

Christian evaded Joe early, catching him with a handspring kick. Christian tied up Joe’s leg and hit a 619 to the knee to take Joe down. Christian hit a Knee-DT before locking on a Figure Four that Joe quickly reached the ropes to break. Joe avoided a low dropkick before hitting a senton to cut Christian off. Joe stomped on Christian before hitting a big elbow for a nearfall.

Christian escaped a powerbomb and dropkicked Joe’s knee, but he ran right into the powerslam for a nearfall. Joe tried to lock on the Coquina Clutch, but Christian dropped down into a stunner. Christian rolled through a corner uranage attempt, but Joe cut Christian off on the top rope and hit a Muscle Buster to score the win. This was Joe’s 11th successful defense of the title, and Riccaboni said that this defense would almost assuredly put him over the 400-day mark as ROH TV Champion.

– Dasha was backstage with the Varsity Athletes and the Trustbusters. Yes, those are two different groups, with Ari Daivari as the connective member. Mark Sterling said that the in-fighting of the Dark Order was disruptive to his group, with Ari Daivari adding that the Dark Order could fight them instead of each other.

The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)

Vincent and Dean started off, with the Infantry hitting an offensive combination on Vincent. Stu Grayson came to the stage, presumably to watch the Righteous. Maybe he has issues with Captain Shawn Dean, though.

Dutch cut off Dean with a clothesline from the apron. Dutch & Vincent worked Dean over until Dean avoided the Autumn Sunshine and tagged out to Bravo. Bravo fired up but got shoved into a Bossman Slam from Dutch. Vincent hit the Autumn Sunshine on the legal man Dean for the win. Dutch and Vincent walked up to Grayson on the stage and told him that he was one of them.

– We got a video package for next week’s The Kingdom vs. Action Andretti & Darius Martin match, which will be a Fight Without Honor.

Robyn Renegade (w/Charlette Renegade) defeated Vertvixen

Vertvixen started off quickly, taking Renegade down with a facebuster for a quick nearfall. Charlette Renegade got involved while the referee was distracted, allowing Robyn Renegade to hit a shotgun dropkick. Vertvixen came back, hitting a rolling stunner and a big boot. Vertvixen hit a flatliner for a nearfall. Renegade fought out of a Fireman’s Carry before locking Vertvixen in a Ground Cobra for the submission win.

– Dasha was backstage with Prince Nana and the Gates of Agony, who have a match with The Boys tonight. Dalton Castle entered frame, accusing them of attacking one of the Boys. Prince Nana claimed innocence until Castle left, then pulled out the mask of the fallen Boy.

Willie Mack defeated Ninja Mack

The crowd chanted “Let’s Go Mack,” making fun of the name clash. Willie used his power to take down Ninja before taking Ninja down with an armdrag. Ninja tried using his speed to his advantage, but Willie took down Ninja with a headscissors before hitting a dive to the floor. Ninja threw some strikes before Willie hit a big palm strike to take Ninja down.

Ninja moved out of the way of a Willie moonsault before hitting some heavy kicks. Ninja avoided a corner charge before hitting a twisting uppercut. Ninja hit a twisting tornado splash for a nearfall. Ninja and Willie traded superkicks before Ninja walked into a Samoan Drop from Willie. Willie kipped up and hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall.

Ninja and Willie got into a pinning predicament, trading multiple flash pin attempts before Willie caught Ninja with a powerbomb for the win. This was a lot harder to review than I thought it would be because of the name thing, but I got through it.

The Embassy (Brian Cage, Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Adam Priest, Lucky Ali & Victor Benjamin

The Embassy ran through each of these guys. Kaun rocked Priest with a lariat. Cage sent Ali flying with a German suplex. Benjamin got a few impressive strikes in on Liona before getting drilled with a lariat. All three Embassy members came in, laying out all three of their opponents. Kaun and Liona finished this one off by sending Priest into Benjamin with a reverse bodyslam, with Kaun getting the pin.

Kyle Fletcher (w/Mark Davis) defeated Tony Deppen

Fletcher is usually a tag team guy, but he stood out on his own here. He’s got a real physical presence, which was highlighted working against the smaller Deppen. Solid match here.

The announcers talked about Fletcher’s heavy recent schedule and his injured ribs. Fletcher overpowered Deppen to start, dropping him with a shoulder block. Deppen came back, eventually getting Fletcher down to a knee. Deppen called for the best suplex ever seen on TV, but Fletcher reversed it into a suplex of his own.

Fletcher hit a half-and-half suplex and a mafia kick for a nearfall. Deppen caught Fletcher with a stunner over the ropes before following with a dive to the floor. Deppen hit the Bayonet elbow for a nearfall. Deppen laid in the elbows before catching Fletcher in a flash pin for a nearfall. Deppen hit a jumping knee and followed it with running knees into the corner. Deppen hit a double stomp off the top rope for a nearfall.

Deppen caught Fletcher with another knee but ran right into a Michinoku Driver for the three count and the win.

AR Fox defeated Anthony Henry (w/JD Drake)

It was a bit comical the amount of damage Fox fought through to win, but Henry looked impressive and aggressive on offense.

Henry took Fox’s back, but Fox sent him to the floor and hit a pair of no-touch planchas. Henry rolled to the other side of the ring to confer with Drake, but Fox hit a dive onto both of them. Fox evaded a clothesline before hitting an Anarchist suplex for a nearfall. Henry sent Fox into the post and hit a piledriver on the apron that sent Fox to the floor.

Fox barely beat the 20 count into the ring, where Henry immediately cranked his neck. Henry hit another piledriver in the ring for a nearfall. Fox got a few weak strikes in, but Henry kicked Fox in the head and hit a brainbuster. Henry hit another brainbuster, but Fox powered Henry up for a brainbuster of his own. Fox hit a corner boot before hitting a springboard stunner for a nearfall. Fox hit a squisher before following it with a senton for a nearfall.

Henry came back with a neckbreaker and a top rope neckbreaker for another nearfall. Fox vaulted over on a Dragon Sleeper attempt and hit a running boot into the corner. Fox brought Henry up for the Lo Mein Pain, but Henry caught him in a choke. Fox fought out and pulled Henry into a cutter. Drake caught a boot from Fox when he tried to interfere. Fox ducked a Henry charge and dived onto Drake on the floor but ran back into a DDT in the ring for a nearfall. Fox caught Henry with a Lo Mein Pain before hitting the 450 Splash for the win.

After the match, the Workhorsemen jumped Fox. Shane Taylor joined the fray, beating up on Fox before FTR made the save. FTR and Fox fought off the Workhorsemen and set Henry up for a Shatter Machine before he bailed. Eddie Kingston came out and ran him back into the ring, leading to FTR hitting the Shatter Machine anyway.

The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno, John Silver & Stu Grayson) defeated Josh Woods & The Trustbusters (Jeeves Kay, Slim J & Sonny Kiss) (w/Ari Daivari & Mark Sterling)

Woods started out with Evil Uno, although Uno quickly tagged out to Reynolds and Grayson. Sterling took the referee, allowing Woods to take down Silver and isolate him. Silver hit a suplex on Jeeves Kay and fought to make a tag to Grayson. Grayson ran wild with suplexes before hitting a dive to Kiss and Woods on the floor. Grayson hit a reverse F-5 on Slim J and a springboard moonsault for a nearfall.

Miscommunication between Uno and Grayson led to a Trustbusters run of offense, but the Dark Order got back involved and ran wild on them. Grayson took a kick meant for Reynolds, leading to the Dark Order hitting their big offense. Grayson and Uno hit the Fatality before Reynolds, the legal man, pushed Grayson out of the way to score the pin. Grayson looked annoyed on the outside.

ROH Women’s World Title Match: Athena defeated Skye Blue to retain

This was the most competitive match of Skye Blue’s TV wrestling career, and probably the best match of her career as well. The crowd didn’t really buy Blue as a challenger despite ROH’s best attempts to heat her up over the past few months.

Athena feigned a lockup before drilling Blue with a forearm. Blue came back with strikes before cartwheeling out of a headscissors. Athena drilled Blue with a boot before sending her into the corner. Athena menaced the referee, leading to Blue scoring a rollup for a nearfall. Athena dropkicked Blue into the corner before chucking her to the floor. Athena set the ring steps up on their side, but Blue reversed Athena’s throw and sent her into the stairs.

Athena yanked Blue off of the apron to the floor before drilling her with a forearm. Athena dragged Blue up the ramp, but Blue caught Athena with an armdrag. They fought near the edge of the stage before Athena hit Blue with a superkick that sent her off the stage. Athena dragged Blue back to the ring and tied her up in a bow and arrow hold. Blue fought out before going for flash pins, leading to a pinning predicament that almost scored the win for Blue.

Blue hit a rising knee and an upkick from the apron. She followed with a high crossbody for a nearfall. Athena vaulted back to her feet and hit a heavy forearm for a nearfall. Athena went to the top rope, but Blue cut her off. Blue hit a flurry of forearms before hitting a hurricanrana off the top rope. Blue hit a superkick and a standing sliced bread for a nearfall. Blue locked Athena up for Skyfall, but Athena pushed her off and got Blue up for the Wasteland slam. Athena hit another Wasteland over the knee.

Athena talked trash to Blue, slapping her in the face before Blue slapped her back. They traded forearms before Athena hit Blue with the Skyfall – Blue’s own move – for a nearfall. Blue caught Athena with a boot before hitting the O-Face for a nearfall. Blue hit the Skyfall, but Athena kicked out. They rolled to the apron before Blue dropped Athena face-first onto the apron. Blue laid Athena on the steps and went to the ropes, but Athena caught her and powerbombed her onto the steps.

Athena hit the facebuster on the knees, but Blue kicked out at one. Blue caught Athena with a small package, but Athena kicked out and locked on the crossface. Blue rolled towards the ropes, but Athena rolled her back to the middle and transitioned into the Camel Clutch for the tapout and the win. Athena succeeded in her 9th defense of the title. After the match, Athena adhered to the Code of Honor before clotheslining Blue down and throwing her face-first into the title belt.

Samoa Joe vs. Blake Christian TV title match set for ROH TV

Posted on by Ian Carey

11 matches are set for Thursday’s edition of ROH TV. 

Samoa Joe will defend his TV title against Blake Christian on the show. Christian is coming off a victory over Gringo Loco on the 4/27 episode. Joe will be looking to defend his belt for the 11th time since winning it on the April 13, 2023 edition of AEW Dynamite. 

As was announced on last week’s show, Athena will also defend her ROH Women’s World Championship against Skye Blue on Thursday. 

Other matches scheduled to air include The Infantry vs. The Righteous, Mark Briscoe vs. Shane Taylor, Ninja Mack vs Willie Mack, and Kyle Fletcher vs. Tony Deppen. 

The Embassy, Dark Order, Trustbusters, AR Fox, and Anthony Henry are scheduled for the show as well.   

This week’s edition of ROH TV was taped on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Results from the tapings can be found here. 

ROH TV 5/11 lineup:

  • ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Blake Christian
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena defends against Skye Blue
  • The Trustbusters (Sonny Kiss, Slim J, Jeeves Kay & Josh Woods) vs. The Dark Order (John Silver, Evil Uno, Stu Grayson & Alex Reynolds)
  • ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus
  • ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/ Prince Nana) vs. Adam Priest, Lucky Ali & Victor Benjamin
  • The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
  • Kyle Fletcher (w/ Mark Davis) vs. Tony Deppen
  • VertVixen vs. Robyn Renegade (w/ Charlette Renegade)
  • AR Fox vs. Anthony Henry (w/ JD Drake)
  • Ninja Mack vs. Willie Mack
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Shane Taylor