Tag: Alex Gracia

ROH TV results: Women’s title tournament begins

Posted on by Skylar Russell

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

**********

The Big Takeaway —

The ROH Women’s World Championship tournament kicked off with three competitive and diverse matches.

**********

Quinn McKay welcomed us to the broadcast and seemed more ecstatic than usual, which was due to the fact that this week’s episode of TV marks the start of the Women’s World Championship tournament. 

McKay then previewed the three first round matches that we’ll see tonight. They are: Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy, and Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C.

**********

Miranda Alize defeated Alex Gracia (8:43)

Chelsea Green joined commentary for this bout.

Alize and Gracia exchanged a few different holds and attempts at moves but eventually came to a stalemate. The lucha-based styles of both women led to a few fun air-based maneuvers, but the two couldn’t seem to connect chemistry wise. 

After a short commercial break, Alize and Gracia exchanged some stiff strikes and even a few headbutts. Gracia laid in a few really good chops in this match. Alize started growing frustrated with Gracia’s constant comebacks and eventually hit her signature Drive By knee strike for the win. 

**********

Nicole Savoy defeated Mazzerati (8:45)

Mazzerati tried to talk big, but Savoy straight up outwrestled her in the first portion of the match. Savoy used her usual wrestling tactics that are submission based, leading to commentary comparing her to Jonathan Gresham.

These two seemed to have much better chemistry than Alize/Gracia. Savoy would attempt her signature half nelson suplex multiple times, but Mazzerati had a counter for it every time.

That didn’t stop the “Queen Of Suplexes” from hitting some, well, suplexes. Savoy hit a beautiful butterfly suplex, which led Mazzerati to counter with a Northern Lights suplex.

Mazzerati got some more great offense in during the home stretch, nailing Savoy with a stiff superkick. Savoy was able to recover and duck a few kicks from Mazzerati before eventually trapping her in a half-nelson suplex for the win.

**********

Rok-C defeated Sumie Sakai (9:36)

Sakai overwhelmed Rok-C with a flurry of offense early on, but Rok-C regained her confidence rather quickly and was able to reverse the momentum back in her favor.

Rok-C’s offense is so smooth and rhythmic that it reminds me of Sasha Banks. Her offensive style is very similar to Banks as well. She continued her momentum and nailed Sakai with a pair of double knees in the corner into a commercial break.

When the broadcast returned, Sakai was in full control. She targeted the lower back of the self proclaimed “Prodigy” and even showboated a little bit. Sakai went to the top rope to try and capitalize on her momentum, but Rok-C nailed her with two kicks to the head. Rok-C would follow it up with a top rope flip into a close near fall on Sakai.

Lots of near falls ensued in the following minutes, including a couple of phenomenal roll-up near falls. Rok-C would eventually get the better of Sakai and successfully complete a roll-up for a three count.

**********

Final Thoughts —

I thought this was a fun and exciting three-match lineup to kick off the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament. Rok-C and Sumie Sakai delivered a home run, while the other two bouts delivered an RBI. I’m very happy that ROH is focusing on younger stars like Rok-C and giving them big and meaningful wins over veterans like Sakai.

In recent weeks I’ve introduced a scale in order to let you know if the current week of ROH TV is worth your while. The scale is as follows:

  • Must-Watch TV
  • Go Out Of Your Way
  • Recommended Viewing
  • Watch YouTube Clips
  • Avoid At All Costs

This week’s episode of ROH TV is: Go Out Of Your Way

First three Women’s title tournament matches set for ROH TV

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: ROH

ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament will be kicking off with three matches airing on ROH television later this month.

ROH announced today that Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy, and Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C will air on the ROH TV episode that premieres the weekend of Saturday, July 31.

The tournament features 15 participants, with Angelina Love getting a first-round bye. One of the spots in the tournament is still open.

Quinn McKay has been involved in an angle where Angelina Love and Mandy Leon have twice prevented her from qualifying for the tournament. If McKay defeated Leon on this past weekend’s ROH TV episode, McKay would have gotten the final spot. But McKay lost when Love gave Leon brass knuckles to use behind the referee’s back.

After the way that McKay vs. Leon ended, Maria Kanellis-Bennett will be making two announcements regarding the tournament early next week.

The ROH Women’s World Championship is a new title that’s replacing the former Women of Honor World Championship. The finals will take place at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view this September.

Here’s the bracket for the tournament:

Left side of the bracket —

  • Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C
  • Mandy Leon vs. to be determined
  • Max The Impaler vs. Holidead
  • Angelina Love getting a first-round bye

Right side of the bracket —

  • Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia
  • Mazzerati vs. Nicole Savoy
  • Allysin Kay vs. Willow Nightingale
  • Marti Belle vs. Trish Adora

ROH Women’s Division Wednesday results: Alex Gracia vs. Gia Scott

Posted on by Skylar Russell

This week’s show featured Alex Gracia returning to WDW to face a debuting Gia Scott while Maria Kanellis Bennett gave out another Ticket To Gold. 

Alex Gracia defeated Gia Scott (8:55)

Scott had a good promo before the match talking about her upbringing and how she overcame everything life has thrown at her.

The commentary team introduced referee Becky Phillips. She’s been in the ring a few times, but had never been introduced. I’m glad to see the female referee trend make its way to ROH. They also put over the sheer height difference between Gracia and Scott early as Scott had an eight-inch height advantage.

Scott played mind games with Gracia and overpowered her in the early going, but Gracia was eventually able to take Scott to the ground with an armdrag. Gracia had a good series of offensive moves that had Scott begging for mercy in the corner, which was a trap obviously. 

Scott took the opportunity and took control once again, raining down constant shots all over Gracia. Gracia tried to fire up and regain momentum multiple times, but failed until she was able to hit a series of stiff clotheslines that sent Scott to the mat. 

Gracia went to the top rope and hit her Pink Hypnosis senton onto a standing Scott, but it wasn’t enough for a three count. Gracia then hit her Beautiful Nightmare neckbreaker to get the pin and win.

Ticket To Gold: Alex Gracia

Maria Kanellis Bennett welcomed Gracia to the call and noted that she was super impressed with her match. Bennett then offered her a Ticket To Gold which she accepted. Gracia revealed that she was scheduled to compete in the original ROH women’s tournament before the pandemic. 

Final Thoughts:

Gracia and Scott had a fun match. I have never seen Scott before and she was quite impressive. I could definitely see her being a mainstay in the division since she’s signed to the Dojo.

Gracia is someone I have seen on AEW Dark a handful of times and she’s quite good as well. Getting to see her on a stage where she isn’t just being jobbed out to main talent is eye-opening as well. She can go when given a proper amount of time.

Alex Gracia announced for ROH Women’s title tournament

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After picking up a win on Women’s Division Wednesday, Alex Gracia has been confirmed for ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament.

Gracia defeated Gia Scott on this week’s Women’s Division Wednesday. Gracia was presented with a Ticket to Gold by Maria Kanellis-Bennett at the end of the show, granting her a spot in the tournament. The tournament is taking place this summer.

This was the second match that Gracia has had for ROH. She lost to Willow Nightingale on Women’s Division Wednesday earlier this month.

Gracia previously regularly appeared on AEW Dark and has also wrestled for the NWA and Stardom.

Gracia had also been announced for the ROH Women’s World Championship tournament when it was originally supposed to take place last year. The tournament was delayed following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleven entrants have now been confirmed for the Women’s World Championship tournament. Vita VonStarr had previously been set to take part in it, but she was removed after getting involved in her The Righteous stablemate Dutch’s match against Matt Taven on the latest episode of ROH TV. In storyline, VonStarr’s place in the tournament was contingent on her not getting involved in any men’s matches before the tournament starts.

The winner of the tournament will become the first-ever ROH Women’s World Champion. The title is replacing the former Women of Honor World Championship. Here’s the updated list of entrants:

  • Rok-C
  • Angelina Love (getting a first-round bye)
  • Miranda Alize
  • Trish Adora
  • Allysin Kay
  • Mazzerati
  • Willow Nightingale
  • Nicole Savoy
  • Mandy Leon
  • Max The Impaler
  • Alex Gracia

ROH Women’s Division Wednesday results: Willow vs. Alex Gracia

Posted on by Skylar Russell

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

The Big Takeaway —

Two new competitors were introduced to ROH fans — and they did not disappoint. Also, another Ticket to Gold was given out.

**********

Willow defeated Alex Gracia (8:45)

A quick background on both of these competitors: Alex Gracia has been nearly everywhere in the business. She’s wrestled for AEW, NWA, ROW, CMLL, Shine, Stardom, Evolve, Shimmer, and Rise. Willow Nightingale has also been around the block. She’s wrestled for AEW, GCW, Beyond, Shimmer, WoW, and Rise.

When the bell rang, Willow had Gracia on the mat pretty fast in a headlock. Gracia fought out of it and the two exchanged a series of arm drags back and forth. Willow had a great series of offensive attacks before hitting a beautiful suplex.

Willow kept on with constant offense, eventually locking in a unique standing Figure Four and then also applying a Camel Clutch. Gracia was able to escape and attempted to find her footing in the contest.

While Willow was setting up for something big in the corner, Gracia was able to sneak in and hit a great looking lungblower, followed by a running knee in the corner. Gracia was only able to muster a two count out of her series of momentum.

Gracia had sent Willow reeling to the outside after the pinfall attempt, which allowed her to hit a great springboard crossbody to Willow on the outside. Gracia had all the momentum at this point and rolled Willow back in the ring.

Gracia went to the top rope and hit a cannonball onto Willow. Gracia then tried a springboard maneuver, but she was caught in mid-air by Willow. Willow body slammed Gracia and tried to put her away, but she kicked out at two.

In the final sequence of the match, Willow tried to hit a moonsault but nobody was home. The two women then had a standoff that involved trading forearms, which resulted in Willow being able to hit her Dangerous Babe gutwrench powerbomb for the win. What a phenomenal match.

**********

Ticket to Gold: Willow

Brian Zane was joined backstage by Willow after the match. Zane congratulated Willow on her win and asked if she thought her performance earned her a Ticket to Gold.

Willow said she thought she did great and hoped it was enough to earn a Ticket to Gold. Maria Kanellis-Bennett surprised Willow and praised her performance in the match. Kanellis-Bennett officially gave Willow a Ticket to Gold then and there, officially putting her in this summer’s ROH Women’s Championship Tournament.

**********

Final Thoughts —

I’m still in awe over that match. It was the best women’s match we’ve seen from ROH since the women’s division returned, bar none. Willow and Gracia are very good performers and their styles meshed together perfectly. Willow especially stood out to me — she had a lot of power and grit behind all of her moves.

While Willow got a Ticket to Gold, I would say Gracia deserves one as well. She showed out in the match, has done great work on AEW Dark, and has a good fanbase behind her on the internet.

Cezar Bononi & Alex Gracia’s AEW debuts part of nine-match Dark

Posted on by Josh Nason

After a five year run in NXT, Cezar Bononi will make his AEW debut this Tuesday on Dark.

The 34-year-old will team with Dark regular Shawn Dean against Billy and Austin Gunn. He spent five years in developmental with limited TV time before being released in April.

In another debut, STARDOM, SHIMMER and CMLL veteran Alex Gracia will make her AEW debut against Penelope Ford (w/Kip Sabian).

The show will also feature the return of both the former AEW Tag Team Champions and the former Women’s Champion.

  • Scorpio Sky will return to the SCU tag team ranks when he teams with Frankie Kazarian against Ray Rosas and Ryzin.
  • Former women’s champ Nyla Rose (w/Vickie Guerrero) will face Rache Chanel.
  • The Dark Order will be part of two different matches as John “4” Silver will team with Colt Cabana to face the Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall) with Brandi Rhodes going solo by their side. In another tag match, Jurassic Express (w/Marko Stunt) will take on 5 (Alan Angels) & 10 (Preston Vance).
  • Tay Conti returns to face Red Velvet, still looking for her first AEW win.
  • Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison will take on Chaos Project (Luther and Serpentico).
  • Best Friends will face M’Badu and Bshp King.