Ring of Honor kicks off a busy weekend in pro wrestling with tonight’s Supercard of Honor from the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
In the headliner, ROH World Champion Bandido defends against former AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita. The two have shared the ring frequently this, but this will be their first singles match since June 2023.
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will look to keep her 944-day reign going as she defends against former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa.
ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty will defend against the legendary Blue Panther of CMLL fame.
ROH Tag Team Champions The Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) will defend against The Infantry’s Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo).
ROH Men’s TV Champion Nick Wayne will defend against CMLL’s Titan while an interim Women’s TV Champion will be crowned with two yet-to be-named competitors.
Rounding out the show is Dark Order vs. The Frat House in a trios bout.
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Here we go folks! The event Ring of Honor has spent hours building towards is finally upon us! Supercard of Honor kicks off with a Zero Hour, featuring a couple of fun matches, lots of video recaps and who knows what else!
Zero Hour: Blake Christian vs Jay Lethal
See what I mean? No one knew that Christian and Lethal were going to kick things off! Chaos Theory!
And kick they did, with Christian getting the drop on Lethal off the top and doing a little strutting. Lethal went for a dive at Christian, but he dodged it and Lethal few out of the ring, colliding with Lee Johnson who had followed Christian to ringside.
Christian’s swagger was on full display as every time Lethal tried to pull something out of his bag of tricks, Christian was there and ready to counter. Christian also has a tight new haircut, which deserved to be noted.
Christian was the clear standout of the match, at one point doing a strut along the top rope, hitting a running Spanish Fly and even attempting a Lethal Injection on Lethal. For his part, Lethal worked Christian’s knee and brought his strength, looking like he has everything planned, even when it went awry.
In the end, Christian locked in a Vanilla Choke Zero out of a moonwalk, forcing Lethal to tap out.
Match Result: Blake Christian defeated Jay Lethal
I’ll say this: these guys had the loudest superkicks I’ve ever heard. They both showed off what makes them great though, so fun match to start off the night!
Zero Hour: The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Evil Uno) vs. The Frat House (Griff Garrison, Preston Vance, Cole Karter) w/Jakked Jameson and The Pledges
So the Frat House and the Dark Order hate each other. Be it because of Preston Vance’s time in both groups, or the eternal struggle between geeks and jocks, these groups are destined to fight forever. A couple of weeks ago, the Dark Order stiffed the Frat House on a bar bill and on last week’s ROH on Honorclub, the Dark Order dispatched a few unnamed pledges before announcing that this match was on for Supercard. Or Zero Hour, as it were.
Blake Christian’s haircut stopped being the story of the night as soon as a SHIRTLESS Evil Uno appeared on the ramp. Immediately, a brawl broke out with the Frat House sending their pledges up to get the Order. The Order quickly dispatched the pledges and turned their fury to the Frat House Proper.
The crowed chanted “Frat House Sucks!” as the match formally got underway with Karter isolating Reynolds in the Frat Corner. He and Garrison tagged in and out, double teaming him. The thing about these matches is that the Frat House cheats so much, its hard to tell what’s going on as there’s always someone grabbing an ankle or getting a cheap shot in.
Reynolds tried for a hot tag about a dozen times, but Garrison and Karter blocked him. When he finally got one to Uno, he exploded into the ring, taking out Karter and Garrison with huge chops in the corner and a double DDT to boot. Vance got involved then and triple teamed Uno with Garrison and Karter. It got a two count.
Uno battled back caught Garrison’s foot in a kick attempt. He passed the foot to the ref and then delivered a neckbreaker to Garrison. Silver tagged in and showed zero ring rust in his first match in months. He single handedly took out all of the Frat House, leaving Garrison prone for a triple team and would have been a three-count, but Jameson pulled the ref out.
While Jameson was arguing with the Ref, Vance brought in the pledge paddle and knocked out all of the order. Suddenly, Dark Order music played and who should arrive? Negative Uno! Vance was distracted and the Dark Order spammed finishers on him, ending with a huge clothesline from Uno (the Evil one). That got the pin and the win for the Dark Order.
Match Result: The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Evil Uno) defeated The Frat House (Griff Garrison, Preston Vance, Cole Karter)
A lot of fun with a great callback bringing in Negative Uno. The Dark Order should be in line for a Trios title shot sometime soon.
-Suddenly, MxMxTV arrived at the top of the ramp. Taya Valkyrie grabbed a mic and said that they had a “life changing” announcement. That turned out to be a new scent from MxMxTV called, inappropriately enough, “SEED.” So, that happened.
Zero Hour: Diamante vs. Lady Frost
Hey! Look! It’s Diamante and Lady Frost! I like them when they wrestle, so let’s watch them wrestle.
Lady Frost came our in fire-themed gear, which was a little confusing. Diamante made her way to the ring in terrifying fashion, eyes narrow and jaw clenched. Code of Honor was adhered to and then the punching began. Two very hard hitters, hitting very hard.
Diamante took the lead, slamming Frost into the corner and stomping her. She didn’t let up from there, throwing Frost from post to post, not letting her get to her feet. Frost tried to turn the tables with a sneaky dropkick, but Diamante saw it coming and avoided it.
Frost managed to get a twisting crossbody in and that slowed the pace down a bit. She tried to hoist Diamante up, but her core (?) gave out and Frost sank to her knees, giving Diamante the opening to regain control.
Diamante hit a twisting DDT on Frost from the top rope and that was in. 1-2-3, Diamante gets the win.
Match Result: Diamante defeated Lady Frost
Nice to see Diamante back in the ring. She and Frost put on a great, if one-sided affair.
Zero Hour: The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross) vs The Premier Athletes (Aira Daivari and Tony Nese) w/Mark Sterling
The final (I assume) match of the Zero Hour pre-show featured the OTHER sons of Texas, the Von Erichs taking on The Premier Athletes. Guess who the crowd was cheering for?
Marshall and Nese kicked things off with Marshall getting the better of the smaller Nese. A quick tag to Ross and the brothers double teamed Nese until the Ref broke it up. Daivari came in and Ross locked him up in a headlock, until Nese returned on a blind tag.
The two teams fought back and forth, neither one getting the upper hand for long. The Von Erichs were able to match the Athletes step for step and even Sterling’s interference didn’t really change the momentum much.
Daivari tried to hit a Carpet Ride from the top rope, but Ross dodged it and got a hot tag to Marshall who cleaned house. The Athletes fought back and Daivari grabbed an actual carpet to nail Marshall with a second Carpet Ride.
In the end, Marshall hit Nese with a pop up spinebuster followed by a moonsault. Sterling tried to get involved, but Ross cut him off and Marshall pinned Nese to get the victory.
Match Result: The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross) defeated The Premier Athletes (Aira Daivari and Tony Nese)
After the match, The Infantry and STP trash talked us into the beginning of Supercard of Honor 2025!
Hechicero vs. Michael Oku
Kicking things off was a match that was announced just hours before showtime. Former CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Hechicero takes on current RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion Oku in a match that I guess Tony Khan really wanted to see. I mean, I do too, but there’s no story here. Just good ol’ fashioned wrasslin’.
Hechicero seemed to have the strength advantage, but Oku’s speed and agility offset any upper hand. Oku managed to overpower Hechicero at times, but it was Oku’s spaghetti limbs that were the real issue. Every time Hechicero put Oku down, Oku would wrap him up in a submission.
Hechicero at one point threw Oku into the air and then caught him in a chinlock, flipping him over into a shoulder-breaker. Oku looked hurt but Hechicero would not let up, hitting a spinning backbreaker. Oku kept his head above water with some high dropkicks and maneuvers that seemed to hurt his back more than they did Hechicero.
Oku finally got some momentum on his side, laying out Hechicero with some brutal forearms. Oku dropkicked Hechicero to the outside and backflipped over the top rope onto him. He threw Hechicero back into the ring and hit a big splash, but it only got a two count.
Oku tried a springboard from the top rope, but Hechicero got his knees up and locked in an armbar. Oku reversed it and put Hechicero into Boston Crab, forcing him to grab the ropes. The two rolled around on the mat until Hechicero got an ankle lock on Oku. He followed that up with a flying headscissor and that was it, Hechicero gets the pin.
Match Result: Hechicero defeated Michael Oku
Great opener! Fast and exciting. Ring of Honor rarely lacks in the in-ring action portion of wrestling and this was a picture perfect example of skill level on their roster.
$50k four-way: Atlantis Jr. vs. Lee Johnson vs. Adam Priest vs. AR Fox
How come I was never offered $50k to recap matches against three other writers? I think that would be high-level entertainment. Any ways, in this “someone gets a bonus” match Atlantis Jr, fresh off teaming with his Dad on ROH on Honorclub takes on another victor from last night’s episode in Priest (he beat Aaron Solo). Rounding out the field are Johnson and Fox. Fox has been looking good in recent weeks and when we last saw Johnson, he was casually strolling to the ring to distract Bandido so Blake Christian could attack him. Christian also accompanied Johnson to the ring here, mainly to show off the previously mentioned haircut.
The bell rang and Priest took it to everyone. Fox fought back and he and Priest toussled on the outside while Atlantis and Johnson went at it in the ring. Fox could have a five star match with a bucket of water, so putting him in the ring with someone as good as Atlantis is a sure-fire road to an excellent match.
All four men ended up on the outside and Fox ran UP the ring post to flip onto Priest. They battled inside the ring until Atlantis joined them, followed by Johnson (though, Coleman kept calling him Lee Moriarty). Atlantis then hit a slingblade DDT on Priest with an assist from Johnson.
Priest poked the eyes of Johnson, but then Atlantis took him out with a big dive. Fox popped back up in time to get thrown to the outside by Johnson who dragged him back into the ring. Fox kicked him in the head for his trouble and all four brawled in the ring.
No one had time to recover from anything in this match. As soon as they got a big move in on one competitor, another was right there with a big move of their own. There also were virtually no alliances or team ups as you sometimes see in these matches. Each man was in it for themselves.
Johnson got the first near fall and Priest nearly stole the match, attempting to pin Fox after splashes from Atlantis and Johnson in succession.
To wrap it up, Fox hit an around the world slam on Priest and managed to sit on him to get the pin and the $50k!
Match Result: AR Fox defeated Atlantis Jr, Lee Johnson and Adam Priest
Really fast-paced match that had absolutely no breathing room for the audience! Everyone got a chance to shine and I’m really liking Adam Priest these days. It was great to see AR Fox get the win though. He’s such a workhorse and I really hope the $50K wasn’t just a gimmick. He deserves a raise!
ROH Pure Title Match: Lee Moriarty (c) vs. Blue Panther
Another match from the fallout of ROH Global Wars Mexico. Moriarty fanboyed out at taking on Blue Panther, but a post-match schmozz with the rest of Shane Taylor Promotions led to a Brian Danielson cameo and the re-match here. I feel the need to once again point out that Panther’s career started in 1978 (we think), which is two years before I was even born.
So to sum up the Pure Rules: three rope breaks, no closed fists (one warning), no outside interference, the title can change hands on a countout. It was also mentioned that this is Moriarty’s 350th day as champ, tying Nigel McGuinness with the longest Pure Title reign.
The two locked up off the top and immediately went to wrist and ankle holds. Panther tried to get Moriarty up in a Surfboard, but Moriarty wiggled free. Panther was on him before he could lock in a hold though.
Panther whipped Moriarty into the corner, but he bounced back. Panther hit him with a Palanka hold, forcing Moriarty to use his first rope break at 2:32. Moriarty responded with a series of ankle twists, but Panther didn’t bit and manged to get Moriarty up on his shoulders for an attempted Gory Special. Moriarty fought out of it though and put Panther in an abdominal stretch.
Moriarty then turned up the speed and wrapped up Panther, forcing him to use his first rope break at 5:02. They reset here and Moriarty put a headlock on Panther. He then punched him in the face, getting a warning for a closed fist.
Panther used the moment to lock in a figure four, but at 6:26, Moriarty used his second rope break to break the hold. From here the chops flew, with both men exchanging hard blows, Panther getting the upper hand with a big lariat.
Moriarty hit a springboard forearm and then wrapped Panther in a wrenching top wristlock. At 8:18, Panther made it to the ropes and used his second rope break. Panther stepped outside for a breather and Moriarty dove on him through the ropes, twice.
Panther got back into the ring and Moriarty put an Octopus hold on him in the middle of the ring, followed by a Border City Stretch. Panther would not tap out thoughand writhed his way to the ropes to use his final rope break at 10:25.
Panther got his second wind and delivered a string of clotheslines to Moriarty. Panther then dove onto him on the outside. Tossing Moriarty back in the ring, Panther bonked Moriarty’s head off the turnbuckle, but took too long to climb the post. Moriarty superplexed Panther into the middle of the ring, but only a two count.
Moriarty put Panther in an ankle lock. Panther grabbed the ropes, but his breaks were exhausted. Moriarty transitioned into a Border City Stretch and that was it. Panther tapped out and Moriarty becomes the longest-reigning Pure Champion of all time.
Match Result: Lee Moriarty (c) defeated Blue Panther
I love the Pure division and this match was why. Both competitors fought hard and the outcome wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Panther kept up with the MUCH younger Moriarty and it was a great match from bell to bell.
ROH World Tag Team Title Match: The Sons Of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) (c) vs. The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)
In spite of a myriad of deserving teams in ROH, a couple weeks ago on Ring of Honor on Honorclub, The Infantry beat Top Flight to become the #1 contender to the tag team titles. Rhodes and Guevara, the Sons of Texas, have held the titles for almost a full year, so it will be interesting to see if they survive the Infantry, or if this is the beginning of Shane Taylor Promotions collecting all the gold in ROH.
In a turn, Rhodes and Guevara jumped the Infantry off the bell. Rhodes and Guevara set up Dean and Bravo in the corners for some Shattered Dreams, but Trish Adora got in the middle allowing Bravo to get the drop on Rhodes. Guevara sent Dean and Bravo to the outside where he and Rhodes did a double dive on them then danced in the ring. Like you do.
Guevara and Bravo battled in the ring as the match settled down. Bravo distracted the Ref, allowing Dean to smash Guevara onto the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring!). Bravo followed it up with a high knee and the Infantry double teamed Guevara on the outside, driving him face-first into the post.
That was enough for Rhodes who stalked around the corner but was stopped by the ref for some reason. Bravo sent Guevara back into the ring and he and Dean tagged in and out, beating on an isolated Guevara.
Guevara finally got the hottest of tags to Rhodes who leapt in, but the ref didn’t see it. Guevara was returned to the ring to continue receiving a beating from the Infantry. Eventually, Bravo telegraphed a move and Guevara knocked him down, getting a real tag to Rhodes.
Rhodes cleaned house, playing all his greatest hits for the crowd. Grabbing Dean, he hit a CrossRhodes, but Bravo broke up the pin. Guevara took Bravo to the outside while Rhodes set up Dean in the corner for some Shattered Dreams.
Suddenly, Shane Taylor appeared and hit Rhodes with a title belt behind the refs back, knocking him cold. Guevara took out Taylor, but Dean rolled over Rhodes for a cover. 1-2-and Guevara broke it up!
Dean sent Rhodes to the ropes, but Rhodes came back with a Texas Destroyer. Bravo and Guevara got tags and Guevara hit a springboard cutter on Bravo. Dean caught a superkick and Rhodes hit him with a suplex. Guevara hit a moonsault from the top rope and got the pin to retain the titles for the Sons of Texas!
Match Result: The Sons Of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara) (c) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)
After the match, Shane Taylor jumped in and he and the Infantry beat down Rhodes and Guevara. Moriarty joined them and so did Anthony Agogo! Agogo was winding up to punch Rhodes’ lights out, when the Von Erichs arrived with chairs to clear the ring.
Rhodes grabbed a mic and challenged STP to a “shootout” at All In tomorrow. No idea what that means, but Tony Khan made it official within seconds: Guevara, Rhodes and the Von Erichs vs Shane Taylor Promotions at All In.
Fantastic match from 4 guys at the top of their game. My plans for an STP take over were derailed, but I loved the match. I wish they were doing the bigger match on ROH tv, but it’ll be great none the less.
ROH World Television Title Match: Nick Wayne (c) vs. Titan
At ROH Global Wars Mexico a couple of weeks ago, Titan managed to last to a ten-minute draw in a Proving Ground match against Wayne. Though it kinda didn’t seem like either one of them knew the rules. Titan holds a win over Wayne in Japan so we’ll see if he can take a belt from him in this, their third meeting.
Titan offered his hand for a Code of Honor, but Wayne flipped him off instead. That brought Titan out swinging with a big dropkick off the bell. Wayne returned the favour though with some hard strikes. He then wrenched Titan’s knee through the ropes, sending him to the outside.
Wayne whipped Titan into the barricades then posed. Titan got to his feet, but limped back into the ring. Wayne went to work on Titan’s knee, hitting it with stomps and elbows. Titan grabbed a rope to escape and lay on the mat clutching his knee.
Wayne then tried to take off Titan’s mask, which infuriated the crowd. Wayne mugged for them, while Titan struggled to recover. Wayne locked in a figure four but Titan found a rope to break the hold. Wayne returned to Titan’s knee, hyper extending it.
Titan found some energy though and fought Wayne to the outside. He dove through the ropes, knocking Wayne over, but wrenching his knee even more. Wayne made his way back into the ring and the two fought on the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring!) until Titan fed Wayne a superkick.
Titan hit a double stomp from the top rope onto Wayne, but hurting his knee even more in the process. He yelled in pain and hopped around on one foot, trying to recover.
Back in the ring, Wayne locked in a figure four in the center of the ring as Titan howled in pain. Wayne wrenched harder and harder, but Titan found a rope to break the hold.
The two started trading chops in the center of the ring and managed to knock each other down with simultaneous kicks. Titan exploded out of the corner though and delivered a springboard DDT to daze Wayne. Titan tried a third double stomp from the top rope, but during the pin Mother Wayne put her son’s foot on the ropes. The ref ejected her from ringside as a result.
Titan grabbed Wayne a locked in a bridged grapevine and straightjacket. Wayne fought towards the ropes, finally grabbing one, forcing Titan to release him. Titan went up to the top turnbuckle, but Wayne knocked him down. The two traded forearms at the ringpost until Titan gave Wayne a headbutt sending him into the ring. Titan stood up and suddenly Kip Sabian arrived and pulled Titan down.
Wayne popped up and hit a Waynes World, but Titan kicked out! Wayne followed up with a brain buster and that was too much. Titan was out and Wayne got the pin to retain the ROH Television Title.
Match Result: Nick Wayne (c) defeated Titan
After the match, who should come down to the ring? Proud Papa Christian! He gave his son a big hug in the ring and the Patriarchy celebrated.
Hot damn! Either Titan blew out his knee, or he did a masterful job selling Wayne’s offense. Wayne for his part wrestled a perfect match, using his opponent’s weakness against him. Hell of a match.
-Backstage, ROH Women’s Television Champion Red Velvet was interviewed. She expressed her frustration at being injured and said that she would be coming for the “interim” Champion when she was cleared. Also that she would be watching the 4-way match from ringside.
Worldwide Wild Card four-way for interim ROH Women’s TV Championship: Persephone vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. Miyu Yamashita vs. Yuka Sakazaki
Just shy of a year into her reign as ROH Women’s TV Champion, Red Velvet has apparently suffered an injury that prevents her from competing at Supercard. Instead of stripping her of the belt, the Powers That Be have decided to crown an interim Champion until Velvet can return. The four women in this match are each a viable contender, but Persephone and Shirakawa are the definite standouts.
Off the top, the Joshi girls all exchanged Codes of Honor, but Persephone was having none of it. Persephone stepped out of the ring as the bell rang, happy to let her opponents wear themselves down. Persephone was giving off a new, more heelish vibe.
Sakazake sent Yamashita out of the ring, which brought Persephone back into it. She took out Sakazake and Shirakawa and Persephone went at it with a series of rolls and holds. Persephone used her size advantage to send Shirakawa into the corner as Sakazaki returned. Yamashita followed suit and Shirakawa was tossed to the outside.
As the four battled on the outside, Persephone took down Shirakawa and Yamashita. That allowed Sakazaki to hit her with a headscissors and then drag Yamashita into the ring for a pin attempt. Sakazake and Yamashita battled in the ring, trading kicks and holds until they were both knocked to the mat.
Shirakawa climbed back in to try and steal a pin, but it was nothing but two counts all around. Sakazaki and Yamashita then double teamed her until Shirakawa delivered a kneebreaker and a DDT at the same time!
As they rolled out, Persephone rejoined the fray, slamming Shirakawa and going for a cocky cover. Persephone began overpowering Shirakawa who managed to stop her in her tracks with a slingblade. Shirakawa climbed up top and hit another slingblade from the top rope. Only a two count though.
Persephone began punching Shirakawa, leaving herself open for Yamashita to kick her in the face. Yamashita and Persephone fought, bringing some strong style to the match. Yamashita peppered her with kicks and strikes before slamming her, but Shirakawa broke up the cover.
Sakazaki hit a hammerlock slam on Yamashita and Shirakawa locked a figure four on Yamashita. Sakazaki hit a Magic Girl Splash on Yamashita, breaking up the hold. Then she got caught by Persephone on the ring apron (the joshiest part of the ring!).
In the ring, Shirakawa hit a dragon screw on Yamashita and then a bridged figure four. Yamashita had no choice but to tap, giving the victory and the Interim ROH Women’s TV Title to Shirakawa!
Match Result: Mina Shirakawa defeated Persephone, Miyu Yamashita and Yuka Sakazaki
Well, that was a delight! I knew of Persephone’s ability, but the real standout in the match for me was Sakazaki. Super fun if not a little hard to follow at times.
ROH Women’s World Title Match: Athena (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
Athena has been ROH Women’s World Champion for 944 days as of Supercard of Honor. She has blown through (or cheated her way through) every opponent that’s come her way in ROH, Japan, AEW and beyond. Tonight, it’s Thunder Rosa’s turn and even though Rosa is a former AEW Women’s Champion, I think she’ll be hard pressed to walk away with a title tonight.
Athena came to the ring with perpetual Minion-In-Training Billie Starkz. Rosa came to the ring in a big coat.
The match kicked off with a staredown. The crowd was hot, cheering for both as they locked up, sending each other into the corners before breaking it off. They locked up again and this time Rosa tried a shoulder tackle, but Athena didn’t move. They locked up a third time and Rosa got a wristlock on.
Athena reversed it though, looking for an ankle lock, but settling for a head lock. The two rolled around the ring, trading holds until Rosa pulled Athena up and wracked her arm on the ropes. Rosa worked Athena’s shoulder until she was able to reach the ropes.
Athena clutched her arm as Rosa charged, sending her into the ringpost. Anthena then delivered a back body slam onto the ring apron (the ringest part of the apron!) and dropped Rosa on the barricades, before tossing her back into the ring.
Athena began to bring the pain, slamming knee after knee into Rosa’s back. Athena hauled Rosa up and hit a front slam, getting only a two count to her surprise. Athena began targeting Rosa’s back, hanging her up on the ropes and delivering kick after kick.
Athena rained down UFC style punches and hit a senton, trying to put Rosa down for good. Rosa fought back, targeting the shoulder of Athena. The two staggered to their feet and traded kicks until Athena landed on one Rosa’s face. Rosa responded by sending Athena face-first into the second turnbuckle.
Rosa got Athena down in the corner and hit her with a huge dropkick, targeting the shoulder. Rosa tried to lift Athena, but her back gave out allowing Athena to reverse it into a backbreaker. Athena climbed the ringpost, but Rosa met her there. They traded punches on the post until Rosa hit a superrana, sending Athena rolling out of the ring. Rosa followed her with a baseball slide, and then a top rope dive.
Rosa sent Athena into the steel steps before tossing her back into the ring. Rosa climbed to the top rope and hit a double stomp on Athena’s shoulder. Athena’s arm was almost useless as she rolled out of the ring. She made her way up the ramp, about to leave. Rosa came out of the ring and Starkz got involved while the Ref checked on Athena.
Rosa went up the ramp and Athena grabbed her and chokeslammed her off the ramp through a table! Athena then made her way back to the ring, hoping to get the countout on Rosa. Rosa waved off medical staff and staggered back to the ring as well, ending the count.
Athena hit her with a backbreaker immediately, but Rosa kicked out at two. Athena tried a knockout blow, but again, two. Athena went to the top rope for an O Face, but Rosa caught her there and they battled on the ring post until Rosa locked in a triangle choke. The ref broke it up, but the damage to Athena’s arm was done, but not done enough that she couldn’t powerbomb Rosa off the top!
Athena locked in a side surfboard, putting all the pressure on Rosa’s back. Rosa tried to get out of it but was forced to tap out, giving Athena the victory.
Match Result: Athena (c) defeated Thunder Rosa
Wow. Athena matches are a pure clinic in professional wrestling. She and Rosa told a great story in the ring, each working a body part and selling it until it looked like they were practically crippled. Excellent match and I’m very pleased the Forever Champion’s reign continues.
ROH World Title Match: Bandido (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita
After a match of the year contender against Mascara Dorada at Global Wars Mexico, ROH World Champion Bandido was issued a challenge by… (checks notes) Konosuke Takeshita. OK. Sure. Anyway, Takeshita blames Bandido for costing him the #1 spot in the All In Casino Gauntlet, so they will have a fight about it.
Takeshita had about a six inch height advantage, but that didn’t matter as they locked up and Bandido got him in a headlock. The two began a technical chain as Don Callis joined the announce team.
In the ring, Bandido climbed up Takeshita and landed him in an armbar. Takeshita powered out and put on an arm lock of his own. The speed picked up from there with leg sweeps and quick holds until the tow stood facing off, taking a reset.
Takeshita tried to take control, but Bandido was able to squirm out of everything he threw at him. Bandido rand circles around Takeshita until he was able to hit a double dropkick on him, sending the bigger man to the mat.
Bandido stomped Takeshita in the corner, but allowed him to stand. That gave Takeshita an opening to punch Bandido in the face. Bandido returned the favour and the two locked up in a classic test of strength. Takeshita put Bandido on the mat, but Bandido used his feet to flip the bigger man over in a head scissor.
Takeshita dodged a Bandido charge in the corner and began beating him up, standing on his head and slowing the pace of the match down to match his strength. Takeshita brought Bandido to the mat with an arm lock, twisting and wrenching it.
Bandido battled back and hit a twisting elbow off the top rope. Then he stomped the midsection of Takeshita, wearing him down. Bandido hit a Code Red, but it was only a two count. Takeshita grabbed BAndido and hit a German suples followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb, which got him a two count, as Blue Thunder Bombs tend to do.
Bandido fired back with a high knee. He went for a 21 Plex, but Takeshita grabbed the ropes, stopping him in his tracks. A big right forearm put the champion on his back as Takeshita tried to take off Bandido’s mask. Callis left the booth and returned to ringside.
Takeshita found a chair and tried to hit Bandido, but he dodged it. Bandido then tried a dive to the outside, forgetting that only seconds ago Takeshita had picked up a chair. Takeshita used that chair on Bandido in mid air. He then went back to trying to remove Bandido’s mask. Blood could be seen on Bandido’s face through the eyes.
Takeshita dragged Bandido up the to top of the entrance ramp where he delivered a brainbuster. Takeshita then sauntered back to the ring. The count was at 14 before Bandido got to his feet and staggered back to the ring, just beating the count.
Takeshita sent Bandido to the corner, then bit his head. Bandido could barely see at this point between his loose mask and all the blood. Takeshita went for a simple chinlock, but the look in the champion’s eyes said that he was close to passing out.
Takeshita went back to working Bandido’s arm and shoulder. Bandido struggled but was able to get Takeshita up and over for a suplex. That gave Bandido a second wind and he hit a poisonrana on Takeshita, sending him to the outside and diving after him.
Bandido went up top for a frog splash, but only got a two count. The two men lay in the ring, exhausted, until Takeshita rose and charged. Bandito went for a walkup moonsault, but again, two. Bandido then hit a butterfly facebuster, but could get past the two count. Bandido then tried a double arm submission, but Takeshita wouldn’t quit.
Takeshita and Bandido then ran the ropes culminating in a double clothesline that left both men down. Takeshita got to his feet first and delivered a big kick. Bandido hit a back elbow that dazed Takeshita. Takeshita rose up in perfect position for the 21 Plex, but Takeshita landed on his feet. Bandido sent him to the ropes again and hit a perfect 21 Plex, but Takeshita kicked out a two!
Bandido dragged Takeshita to the top rope and hit a moonsault slam, but again, Takeshita kicked out at two. Bandido was throwing everything he could think of at the big man, but he just wouldnt stay down.
Bandido went up top again and went for a shooting star press. Takeshita got his knees up though and Bandido was sent flying. Bandido pulled down his knee pad and hit an Ex-Knee on Takeshita who crawled up the ropes. Bandido went for a 21 Plex, but Takeshita caught him in a wheelbarrow suplex followed by a knee to the skull, but Bandido kicked out at two.
Takeshita picked up Bandido for a high slam, but Bandido quickly reversed it into a pinning combination and Takeshita couldn’t get out. 1-2-3, Bandido wins the war and retains the title!
Match Result: Bandido (c) defeated Konosuke Takeshita
After the match, Hechicero came down to the ring to pay respects and make it known that he’s Bandido’s next challenger!
What a great night of Wrestling! Bandido is bringing a lot of prestige to the ROH World Title, taking on a ridiculous string of challengers. I know that this was a great match because I’m absolutely exhausted from watching it, but darn it, I’m going to watch it again!
