Host Quinn McKay joined us from the ROH studio and ran down the three match card for tonight’s show that includes a Pure Rules match between Brian Johnson and John Walters, a contenders three way bout between Allysin Kay, Mandy Leon and Trish Adora, and a ROH Television Championship match between current champ Dragon Lee and Dalton Castle.
Brian Johnson defeated John Walters in a Pure Rules match (11:30)
This match never really clicked or reached that second level that I was hoping it would reach.
The match started with a Walters takedown before abruptly going to commercial break only a few seconds in.
When the bout returned, Walters had Johnson trying to avoid the onslaught of strikes he was delivering. Walters molded his strategy to take down Johnson to the mat and continue with a heavy emphasis on the arm. Johnson eventually found a way out of the ring and took a moment to recover.
Walters climbed to the top turnbuckle, but was knocked out by the “Mecca”. Johnson saw an opportunity and planted Walters with a draping neckbreaker for a two count. A cobra clutch was applied shortly afterwards by Johnson as the match went into another break.
As the match returned, Johnson used a closed fist and received a warning. This gave Walters an opportunity to will his way back into the match, hitting a series of clotheslines and focusing on the arm of Johnson again. As the match approached the 10 minute mark, Walters applied a few different submissions that would force Johnson to use all three of his allowed rope breaks.
As the match reached the final stages, Johnson was able to sneak in a poke to the eyes of Walters. After that, Walters tripped onto Johnson’s knee and was effectively knocked out. Johnson lifted him up and hit his signature neckbreaker before pinning him afterwards.
Mandy Leon (with Angelina Love) defeated Allysin Kay (with Marti Belle) and Trish Adora in a Contender’s Match (6:58)
Chelsea Green joined commentary for this match.
This was fine, but way too short. The result was also frustrating.
Leon retreated from the ring as soon as the bell rang, leaving Kay and Adora to fight it out. Kay applied a headlock to Adora and worked her to the mat. When Adora began to fight back, Leon came in and tried to take out both women, but failed.
Kay and Adora began working together to take down Leon, but seemed to struggle. There was a cool sequence where Kay cinched in a kimura lock on Leon while Adora worked on the ankle, but the hold broke down quickly after Kay and Adora traded strikes in the submission.
Kay positioned Adora on the top turnbuckle and was looking for a superplex, but Leon came to pick the bones again and turned it into a powerbomb combination. Adora rolled to the outside and looked to be in pain, causing the referee to get distracted and check on her. While this was happening, Love came in and clocked Kay with a forearm strike, allowing Leon to hit her signature pumphandle driver for the win.
Leon will face Willow in the coming weeks to determine Rok-C’s championship challenger at Final Battle.
Dalton Castle defeated Dragon Lee to capture the ROH Television Championship (11:34)
Dak Draper joined commentary for this bout.
This was a great championship main event bout and even seemed to re-ignite the “old” Dalton Castle.
Castle tried to take Lee off his feet but would be met with hard resilience and speed. Castle wrestled back with a speed that he normally doesn’t perform at anymore, controlling the waist of Lee.
When the match returned, Castle planted Lee with a German suplex before following it up with a kick to the face. The bout spilled to the outside and went awry quickly when Lee clotheslined Castle over the barricade but when Lee went to attempt a dive, Castle’s “boys” got in the way and took the dive.
Both competitors made their way back to the ring and Lee looked for the Incinerator knee strike, but Castle turned him inside out with a clothesline. Lee popped up quickly and looked for another knee strike when Kenny King came down to the ring. King almost got involved but was stopped by Shane Taylor Promotions. When the referee was distracted, Draper ran in from commentary and pushed Lee into Castle, who hit the Bang-A-Rang for the cover and the three count.
Next week:
Rok C vs. Gia Scott – ROH Women’s Championship match
Jay Lethal vs. EC3
Final Thoughts: This week’s episode of ROH TV featured some good in-ring action, but also a few questionable finishes. There’s not much benefit to Mandy Leon winning the contender’s match as Adora or Kay deserved that spot much more. Castle winning the TV title is a-ok in my book, but I’m unsure of where Lee and LFI (minus Kenny King) fit in on the Final Battle card.
This week’s episode of ROH TV is: Recommended Viewing
Two new matches have been added to the card for ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view.
It was announced on the latest episode of ROH TV that The Briscoes vs. The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) will take place at Death Before Dishonor. Eli Isom vs. Dalton Castle has also been added to the PPV.
Death Before Dishonor is being held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Sunday, September 12.
While running down the Death Before Dishonor card, ROH listed that Bestia del Ring will be replacing Rush in the Six-Man Tag Team title match at the PPV. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses & Kaun) will defend their ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles against La Faccion Ingobernable (Dragon Lee, Kenny King & Bestia del Ring).
Here’s the updated card for Death Before Dishonor:
ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Brody King, EC3, and Demonic Flamita in a four-way elimination match
The finals of ROH’s Women’s World Championship tournament
ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham defends against Josh Woods
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses & Kaun) defend against La Faccion Ingobernable (Dragon Lee, Kenny King & Bestia del Ring)
Two “top free agents” who were recently released from another promotion will face off against each other
Violence Unlimited (Homicide, Chris Dickinson & Tony Deppen) vs. three Pure wrestlers in a six-man tag team match
The Briscoes vs. The OGK
Eli Isom vs. Dalton Castle
Homicide, Dickinson & Deppen’s opponents will be revealed on ROH Week By Week this Tuesday. ROH noted that one of the Pure wrestlers is from the past, one is from the present, and one is considered part of the future.
ROH has added a new match to the lineup for Glory By Honor.
It was announced today that Dalton Castle vs. Danhausen will take place at Glory By Honor night two. This year’s Glory By Honor is a two-night event that’s taking place at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21.
ROH is billing Castle vs. Danhausen as a first-time matchup between “two of pro wrestling’s most entertaining and eccentric performers.”
Both nights of Glory By Honor will air live on HonorClub. Here are the updated cards for both shows:
Glory By Honor night one (Friday, August 20) —
ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Flip Gordon
ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham (w/ Jay Lethal) defends against Rhett Titus (w/ Tracy Williams)
Violence Unlimited (Brody King, Tony Deppen, Homicide & Chris Dickinson) vs. La Faccion Ingobernable (Rush, Dragon Lee, Kenny King & Bestia del Ring)
EC3 vs. Brian Johnson
Glory By Honor night two (Saturday, August 21) —
Steel cage match: Matt Taven vs. Vincent Marseglia (Taven’s future ROH World title shot is on the line)
Bandido & Rey Horus vs. Rush & Dragon Lee
Violence Unlimited (Brody King, Tony Deppen, Homicide & Chris Dickinson) vs. The Foundation (Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus)
Quinn McKay joined us from the ROH studio to start the show. McKay revealed that beginning next week on ROH TV, the Women’s World Championship tournament will officially begin. Miranda Alize vs. Alex Gracia, Nicole Savoy vs. Mazzerati, and Sumie Sakai vs. Rok-C are all scheduled for the episode.
McKay then ran down the card for tonight’s show. After falling in defeat to Shane Taylor Promotions at the Best in the World PPV, Dalton Castle, Eli Isom and Dak Draper will face each other in a triple threat bout. PCO vs. Sledge and Flip Gordon vs. The World Famous CB are our other matches.
**********
Flip Gordon defeated The World Famous CB (8:46)
Gordon and CB started off the bout by exchanging various wristlocks and holds. CB got an early advantage and was able to start working Gordon down into the commercial break.
Coming back from the break, CB had full control of the wrist of Gordon. Gordon eventually got frustrated with the style CB was working, which led to him showing a more aggressive side. Gordon took the match to the outside and hit an impressive axe handle from the top of a barricade before rolling CB back in the ring.
Gordon took a breather for a moment before charging at CB, who dodged out of harm’s way and sent Gordon shoulder-first into the turnbuckle. CB wasted no time and capitalized on Gordon’s arm injury by performing a running bulldog to the arm.
CB’s success wouldn’t last long, though. Gordon popped up rather quickly and caught CB on the top rope with a superkick. Gordon followed it up with his version of the STF for the win.
**********
PCO vs. Sledge ended in a no contest (9:43)
Danhausen joined commentary for this match.
PCO and Sledge wasted no time getting right into the match, with both men exchanging stiff strikes early. Sledge held his own well with the former ROH World Champion, and the two ended up having a very physical bout.
It was pretty even throughout until PCO dove onto Sledge on the outside. PCO followed that up with a brutal-looking senton onto Sledge, who was laying on the apron. PCO looked to be in full control before he “malfunctioned,” to which Sledge took advantage of by kicking him in the head.
Referee Joe Mandak went to check on PCO, but he was greeted with a shove. Sledge also shoved Mandak, therefore prompting him to throw the match out.
**********
Triple threat match: Dak Draper defeated Eli Isom and Dalton Castle (6:21)
This bout got out of hand rather quickly and spilled to the outside within the first few seconds. Most of the action was between Isom and Draper, with Castle attempting to pick the leftovers. Draper got so frustrated with Castle at one point that he just heaved him over the barricade at full speed.
Isom and Draper have fantastic chemistry and they had a great exchange while Castle was recovering at ringside, including an incredible second rope moonsault from Isom to the outside onto Draper.
While Isom was celebrating, Castle re-emerged and launched a chair into Isom’s face. Castle then encouraged Draper to get in the ring and take advantage of Isom, which he did. Draper hit the Magnum KO for the win shortly after.
**********
Final Thoughts —
Eli Isom is quickly becoming one of my favorite wrestlers in the company. Isom’s past ventures in ROH have been very underwhelming, but since making his return this year he’s been great. Dak Draper is quite enjoyable as well. Otherwise, this was a bit of a throwaway show with nothing of great importance happening.
In recent weeks I’ve introduced a scale in order to let you know if the current week of TV is worth your while. The scale is as follows:
Must-Watch TV
Go Out Of Your Way
Recommend Viewing
Watch YouTube Clips
Avoid At All Costs
This week’s episode of ROH TV is: Watch YouTube Clips (specifically of Eli Isom)
A new title match has been announced for ROH Best in the World.
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses & Kaun) will put their titles on the line against Dalton Castle, Eli Isom & Dak Draper at Best in the World. The pay-per-view is taking place at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, July 11.
In storyline, the Six-Man Tag Team title match was made without Castle telling Isom and Draper about it first. Castle said Isom and Draper may not see it, but they know that the three of them have something powerful here.
Isom and Draper went to a 15-minute time limit draw against each other on ROH TV this April. They each wanted five more minutes added to the match, but Castle made his way out before it could be restarted. Castle said he was blown away by their match and wasn’t there to fight them. Castle said he’s been watching Isom and Draper since they came to ROH and has seen the growth that they’ve shown.
Castle told Isom and Draper that things have gotten a little dull around here. Castle said he wants to spice things up — and Isom and Draper can help him with that. Castle looked at Draper and said he sees so much inside of him that he likes. Castle then looked at Isom and said he sees so much that he doesn’t like. Castle kicked Isom in the groin but then did the same thing to Draper.
Isom and Draper then faced off in the first round of ROH’s Survival of the Fittest tournament last month. Castle came out to ringside during the match and watched on. Castle leaving near the end of the match distracted Draper and caused him to lose.
Shane Taylor Promotions have held the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles since winning them from Bandido, Flamita & Rey Horus this February.
Best in the World will feature ROH’s first live crowd since February 2020. Here’s the updated card for the PPV:
ROH World Champion Rush defends against Bandido
ROH Television Champion Tony Deppen defends against Dragon Lee
ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham defends against Mike Bennett
Brody King vs. Jay Lethal
EC3 vs. Flip Gordon
Last Man Standing match: Josh Woods vs. Silas Young
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions defend against Dalton Castle, Eli Isom & Dak Draper
Former Ring of Honor World Champion Dalton Castle is staying with the company.
It was announced today that Castle has signed a new contract with ROH. After defeating Josh Woods at last week’s ROH 19th Anniversary pay-per-view, Castle did a backstage interview where he declared that he’s staying in ROH. Castle had stated in storyline that it could’ve been his last match in ROH if he lost.
Castle defeated Woods at the 19th Anniversary PPV after Silas Young turned against Woods by hitting him with a chair. Castle then rolled up Woods to get the win.
After they had previously traded wins against each other in two matches, Castle vs. Woods at the 19th Anniversary PPV was billed as the rubber match between them. Castle lost to Woods in their first match but then won the rematch after feigning a back injury and rolling Woods up.
Castle held the ROH World Championship from December 2017 to June 2018, winning the title from Cody Rhodes and then losing it to Jay Lethal. Castle is also a former ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champion.
Former Ring of Honor World Champion Dalton Castle is a free agent.
98.5 The Sports Hub’s James Stewart first reported the news with Wrestling Inc. adding the 34-year-old has a “good” offer from ROH but is exploring all of his options.
Castle was part of the company’s recent Pure Title tournament, losing in the first round to Jay Lethal. Since then, he defeated Brian Johnson but lost to Brody King and Rey Horus. His last appearance was on the losing end of a ten-man tag on their Christmas show.
Castle (Brett Giehl) has primarily worked for ROH since 2013. He defeated Cody Rhodes for the World title at 2017’s Final Battle before eventually losing it to Jay Lethal in June 2018. He also held the company’s six-man tag titles with The Boys in June 2017 before losing them to the Young Bucks and Adam Cole.
An accomplished amateur wrestler, the Rochester, NY, native has been a pro since 2009.
The Big Takeaway: Dalton Castle pinned Brian Johnson in a well-fought contest, and Rhett Titus pinned Delirious in a Pure Rules match.
Quinn McKay joined us in the studio to start the show. She runs down the card for tonight’s episode, including former ROH Tag Team C\champion Rhett Titus taking on Delirious in Pure Rules action and “The Mecca” Brian Johnson taking on Dalton Castle.
A package aired for Dalton Castle prior to his match. Castle states he has an issue with Brian Johnson simply because he’s rude. Castle says he has a lot of rage inside of him, and Johnson is just the right shape to break.
Johnson, in response, said he’s sick of ROH living in the past and focusing on yesteryear. Johnson said he’s gonna send Castle on a losing spree and that’s it’s always going to be Mecca vs Everybody. Johnson is a really good talker.
Dalton Castle pinned Brian Johnson (10:30)
Castle immediately caught a running Johnson in a Bang-A-Rang attempt, but Johnson escaped and rolled out of the ring. Johnson slid back in the ring and Castle regained command, beating down on Johnson’s back. Johnson dumped Castle to the outside and goaded him into running face-first into the turnbuckle post. Johnson tossed Castle back in the ring and carried on with his beatdown with a series of stiff clotheslines.
Back from the break and Johnson is still in control. A few moments later, Johnson was barking at the ref and Castle rolled him up for a two count. Johnson quickly regained command, working on the left arm of Castle. Despite working heavily on the arm, Johnson never attempted to do a big move involving it.
Castle had a moment of hope when he distributed a knee to Johnson’s skull, but Johnson rolled out of the ring. Castle and Johnson found their way to the top rope when Johnson hit the kill shot, but it wasn’t enough to put Castle away. Castle finally found some incentive and delivered a series of knees and suplexes, following them up with the Bang-A-Rang for the win.
Castle joined McKay backstage for post-match comments. Castle said Johnson got what he deserved, and he feels like he’s on the right track again. Castle invited McKay to get a drink with him.
*****
LSG talked about making a name for himself. He says if he has to do it at Kenny King’s expense then that’s okay. LSG called King washed up and said that King doesn’t have the speed and agility he used to.
King said he sees a lot of himself in LSG. King says that LSG hung with Jay Lethal in their match, that doesn’t cut it anymore in wrestling.
*****
Rhett Titus had some pre-match thoughts. Titus said he can’t remember life before ROH. Titus said he was on the brink of giving it all up until The Foundation reached out to him. Titus said that it’s his turn to rewrite his own history, starting with Delirious.
Delirious also had a pre-match promo. Delirious said that Titus is a major part of his career, but he has won all of their singles matches. Delirious called Titus a machine and under-appreciated. Delirious said that he didn’t want anybody to understand him, so he lays low.
Rhett Titus pinned Delirious in a Pure Rules contest (12:24)
Code Of Honor adhered to.
Titus and Delirious wrestled on the mat early, exchanging various leg and headlocks. This turned into both men exchanging various pinning combinations, all resulting in two counts.
Back from the break and Titus had a firm headlock applied to Delirious. It was quickly reversed and turned into a side headlock by Delirious. Titus thought he finally gained sway in the contest after delivering a side slam, but Delirious quickly climbed the ropes and shot off the top with a dropkick to the back of Titus. Delirious tried to apply a cobra clutch after the move, but Titus used his first rope break.
Delirious let go on the move then immediately clamped it back on, causing Titus to use his second rope break. Delirious was getting way too much control in this match for my liking. Delirious then applied a standing headlock on Titus, but Titus ran toward the ropes, dumping Delirious on the outside. This questionably cost Titus his third and final rope break.
Delirious and Titus made their way back in the ring, but Delirious went back to the standing cobra clutch once again. Titus escaped and hit a beautiful northern lights suplex. Titus got off-track again fast when Delirious hit a cobra clutch overhead suplex. Moments later, Titus hit his standing dropkick for the win.
*****
Final Thoughts:
Coming off a strong Final Battle PPV, this week’s episode of ROH TV was rather uneventful. This is usually expected in some companies, so i expect ROH to be back on track next week. Brian Johnson is really good on the microphone, and not a half-bad wrestler either. Delirious main eventing ROH TV in 2020 is certainly a questionable choice, but his match with Rhett Titus was above-average.
The returning Brody King defeated Dalton Castle while Dak Draper beat Brian Johnson in a Pure rules match.
Show Recap:
Quinn McKay congratulated Jonathan Gresham on his win over Tracy Williams in the Pure Championship Tournament finals. There was a post match promo from Gresham degrading both the ROH World title and the champion, Rush.
Gresham was joined by his new faction “The Foundation” which includes Jay Lethal, Tracy Williams, and an individual in a red octopus mask. He claimed that the Pure Championship now means more than the World championship.
Dak Draper pinned Brian Johnson in a Pure rules match (10:48)
Johnson immediately used his first and only closed first. He stayed on the attack and sent Draper to the outside, following it up with a suicide dive. Draper made his way back in the ring and used his only closed fist. Draper dumped Johnson out of the ring for a 17 count. Johnson returned to the ring, and Draper began to work on Johnson’s left arm leading into a commercial.
During the break, Draper suplexed Johnson off the top rope. Draper had Johnson on the turnbuckle and powe rbombed him off the middle rope. Johnson used his second rope break to break up the pin. Both men exchanged a series of pinning combinations, all resulting in two counts. Johnson dove through the middle rope and tried to pin Draper with his feet on the rope, costing him his own third and final rope break. Draper recovered and hit the Magnum K.O. for the win.
— Brody King said he has been violent all of his life, but has avoided drugs and alcohol. He has decided to be on his own and stand up as his own man as a singles competitor with his eyes on Rush.
— Dalton Castle claimed he’s more dangerous than given credit for. He said that King’s size does scare him, but he has a game plan. Castle said he needs to focus his rage into his wrestling abilities, rather than other things.
Brody King pinned Dalton Castle (13:43)
King immediately backed Castle in the corner and kicked him in the gut. Castle rolled out of the corner and took King down from the lower ankle. Castle dropped multiple knees into King’s back. Castle then got backed into the corner and was crushed by a running splash.
King worked over Castle’s neck. He dragged Castle to his feet, but Castle hooked his waist. King backed Castle into the corner, but Castle sprung back and hit a match shifting DDT. As King made his way back to his feet, Castle jumped on his back and tried to lock in a sleeper hold. King shook him off, but Castle retaliated and hit a running knee. King came back to his feet and spiked Castle with his signature piledriver that got a two count.
We returned from break and King launched Castle over the barricade. They got back in the ring at 12 and Castle hit a running knee, only picking up a two count. King hit a nasty running clothesline and followed it up with another spike piledriver, this time getting the three count.
Next week:
Shane Taylor vs. Kenny King and Soldiers of Savagery (SOS) vs. The Briscoes.
Final Thoughts:
While this week’s episode didn’t have the big fight feel that accompanied the Pure Championship tournament, it was still a solid episode. Dak Draper is someone to keep your eye on. It’s also nice to see Brody King venture away from Villian Enterprises and try his own thing. At the same time, I wonder where that leaves Flip Gordon and PCO.
Taylor also wrestled in two matches on NJPW’s Lion’s Break Collision series.
The Pure title tournament will feature 16 participants in total. Jay Lethal, Jonathan Gresham, Matt Sydal, David Finlay, Tracy Williams, Josh Woods, Wheeler Yuta, Rocky Romero, PJ Black, Tony Deppen, King, Castle, and Taylor are the wrestlers who have been confirmed for it thus far.
It was announced earlier this month that ROH was returning to television production and that the Pure title tournament would be a focus of the new episodes. On ROH Week By Week, it was said that the tournament will begin airing in a few weeks.
Last week, ROH revealed the rules for Pure matches:
Every match begins and ends with the Code of Honor handshake.
Each wrestler has three rope breaks to stop submission holds and pinfalls. After a wrestler exhausts his rope breaks, submission and pin attempts on or under the ropes by his opponent are legal.
Closed-fist punches to the face are not permitted; only open-handed slaps or chops to the face are allowed. Punches to other parts of the body are permitted, excluding low blows. The first use of a closed fist will get a warning; the second will be a disqualification.
As in standard ROH matches, there will be a 20-count when a wrestler is on the floor.
Outside interference will result in automatic termination from the roster for the wrestler that interferes.
There will be two blocks, single-elimination format.
Round 1 matches have a 15-minute time limit.
Block semifinals have a 20-minute time limit.
Block finals have a 30-minute time limit.
The tournament final has a one-hour time limit.
There will be three judges for each match, and time-limit draws will go to a judges’ decision.
The Pure title tournament was originally supposed to begin in April but was put on hold when ROH halted events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to international travel restrictions, originally announced entrants Yuji Nagata, Doug Williams, Mark Haskins, Slex, Joe Hendry, and Ren Narita will no longer be in the tournament.
The Pure title is returning after being out of use since it was unified with the ROH World Championship in 2006.
Sakai turned heel against Savoy at Saturday Night at Center Stage last month. Savoy had made her ROH debut by defeating Sakai in December, then they teamed up and lost to Angelina Love & Mandy Leon at Saturday Night at Center Stage. Sakai also defeated Savoy at Honor Reigns Supreme the next night.
Sakai, who was ROH’s first Women of Honor Champion, has been announced as the first entrant in ROH’s Women’s Championship tournament. It will begin at Quest for Gold on April 24.
Here are the updated cards for the 18th Anniversary PPV and Past vs. Present:
18th Anniversary PPV —
ROH Television Champion Dragon Lee defending against Bandido
ROH Tag Team Champions Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham defending against Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon)
The Briscoes vs. Dalton Castle & Joe Hendry
Adam Brooks vs. Slex
The ROH World Championship match for 18th Anniversary will be decided at Gateway to Honor on February 29. PCO is defending his ROH World Championship against Rush and Mark Haskins in a triple threat match at that show, and the wrestler who doesn’t lose the fall will challenge for the World title at the Anniversary PPV.
Past vs. Present —
Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe
Xavier vs. Jay Lethal
Generation Next (Alex Shelley & Matt Sydal) vs. Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon)
Homicide vs. Brody King
The Havana Pitbulls (Rocky Romero & Ricky Reyes) vs. Bandido & Flamita
Doug Williams vs. Jonathan Gresham
Delirious & Grizzly Redwood vs. Dalton Castle & Joe Hendry
ROH’s Glory By Honor event streamed live on Honor Club this Saturday night. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman and Colt Cabana were tonight’s main announce team. There looked to be a few hundred people in attendance for tonight’s show but there were a lot of empty seats in the bleachers and scattered around ringside.
Silas Young won a battle royal and advanced to challenge ROH World Champion Rush later in the show
Participants: The Bouncers, Kenny King, Joe Hendry, Rhett Titus, Big Daddy Yum Yum (CMLL), Coast 2 Coast, Cheeseburger, Brian Johnston, Josh Woods, Silas Young
Kenny King hid under the ring from the start, like he did at G1 Supercard. Beer City Bruiser did his “I can’t bite — I ain’t got no teeth spot.” Young eliminated Titus, who decided to pull Kenny King from out under the ring and into the match. He was quickly eliminated by Joe Hendry, who was a focal point of this match early on and was one of the only wrestlers who got a full introduction on the Honor Club stream.
Coast 2 Coast (Shaheem Ali & LSG) eliminated Bruiser, Brawler Milonas later threw out Coast 2 Coast at the same time, which got a loud “BEER” chant going in the crowd. Milonas and Big Daddy Yum Yum had a quick exchange together before Milonas dumped him to the floor, too. I enjoyed hearing the distinguished Ian Riccaboni say “Big Daddy Yum Yum” in these short moments.
The final three in this were Josh Woods, Silas Young and Brawler Milonas. The former two teamed up to eliminate Milonas, and a few seconds later, Young, Woods’ storyline mentor, offered Woods a hug, then eliminated his mentee. Silas Young will now face ROH World Heavyweight champion Rush later on in the evening for a shot at the title.
PCO defeated Dalton Castle in a Final Battle number one contender’s tournament semifinal match
Good brawl. A fan in the front row wore a homemade version of Castle’s ring gear and took a selfie with Castle during his entrance. PCO came out to his new Jim Johnston-composed theme music and in more makeup than usual, extra thick black eyeliner under his eyes his black darkwave jacket again. There was lots of smoke around the ring when the lights came back up, and Castle acted like he was afraid of getting in the ring to wrestle the match with PCO.
Early on, PCO demanded Castle hit him in the back. “If you wanna hit me, hit me!” he said, no-selling some forearm strikes. After this, and once the two really started mixing it up, it turned into a good brawl. The crowd was way into PCO but there was a group in house that was loudly pro-Castle.
They fought on the outside for a bit. Castle belly-to-belly suplex PCO on the floor. He threw PCO around a ton, actually, like he literally dumped PCO out onto the floor from a bodyslam, like he was in the battle royal earlier. He hip-tossed PCO onto concrete, the mats had been pulled up, PCO still in his awesome jacket, and when he finally did get up, Castle gave him a spinebuster onto an unfolded chair.
PCO finally stood up at the count of 16, back in the ring at 19. Castle was there waiting for him with a DDT and a running knee, but PCO was back up, “revived,” and then clotheslined Castle and himself to the floor, and followed that up with a tope con giro through the ropes. He’s 52. After some more back and forth, PCO used a big moonsault to put Castle away. The crowd was crazy for PCO throughout this.
Marty Scurll defeated Jay Lethal in a Final Battle number one contender’s tournament semifinal match
Very good match, all action and good drama in the last few minutes. They shook hands before the bell. Scurll dashed at Lethal, who caught Scurll with a dropkick. They started flying from here, back and forth both in and out of the ring. It was all Lethal for a while until Scurll, after two failed tries, finally landed his superkick off the apron to Lethal who was, standing on the floor.
This heated up when Scurll went for the chickenwing and had the crowd erupt for it. Lethal blocked and put Scurll into the figure-four, but the match was over when Scurll finally locked in the chickenwing and got Lethal to tap. Again, really good. You could tell in shots during this match that this was a small, small affair tonight, but both Lethal and Scurll went out and did what they could to tear it up. They shook hands again afterwards. Scurll is now scheduled to wrestle his Villain Enterprises stablemate, PCO, later tonight.
ROH Television Champion Shane Taylor defeated J. Spade to retain his title
They showed a promo of Taylor talking about himself on the radio or on the phone putting himself over. They’re doing the TMT Promotions spin-off angle with Taylor. Spade and Taylor used to wrestle each other on the indies, according to Riccaboni.
They had referee Todd Sinclair do a spoken introduction to the match, like they’d do for a Mayweather Promotions bout. Taylor asked if Spade was ready to get knocked out but Spade came out with a flurry of moves and a dive to the floor. The crowd was at times quite loud behind Spade in this one. Taylor used a nice spinning Greetings From 216 (Fire-Thunder driver) to put Spade away.
Kelly Klein defeated Angelina Love to win the Women of Honor World Championship
Klein stormed at Love at the bell and went on to beat the crap out of love for about a minute straight. Klein used a Northern Lights suplex for the first near-fall of the match. Love countered with a jawbreaker, and later landed a Thesz Press off the apron to the floor.
Klein powered out of Love’s anaconda clutch midway through this and started ragdolling her around the ring with suplexes and K-Power in her comeback. Love kicked out. These two were really working hard here. Love returned with a Botox Injection kick and plancha from the top rope to the floor. Mandy Leon assured Love that she was still pretty. Klein came in at the count of 19. Love missed another Botox Injection, and when Klein went for another K-Power, she accidentally knocked the referee out. People immediately started to boo, even before Mandy Leon entered the ring and started dancing with a chair.
The lights went out and Maria Manic came out and put Leon in a torture rack, then did the same to Love. Klein got back up, delivered K-Power again and pinned Love to regain the Women of Honor championship.
The referee apparently had zero idea that the lights went out, someone’s entrance music blared, then that said someone got into the ring and beat up a bunch of people. Because he was tapped in the head by someone’s foot. This would have been much better without the schmozz finish, but there probably wasn’t another way of introducing Manic unless it was during this match.
ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes (Jay & Mark Briscoe) defeated Luke & PJ Hawx to retain their titles
Pretty good. Luke Hawx was Altar Boy Luke in XPW. His son wrestled with him tonight, Riccaboni said he’s 20 years old. They showed a promo Luke Hawx cut before the match and it was good. The crowd was excited for the Hawx family. Luke Hawx wrestled alongside Jay Briscoe in CMLL in the Gran Prix tournament last month in Mexico. He looked good here tonight. I guess PJ Hawx is actually named Perry Hawx, because they started calling him that halfway through this match.
Jay Briscoe beat the hell out of him for much of this. The announce team explained both Hawx have acting experience, and Perry has a new show that’ll be on Hulu soon. Perry came back late in the match with a high angle German suplex, but the Briscoes used Redneck Boogie to Perry out. Jay pinned Perry after a Jaydriller.
Alex Shelley defeated Jonathan Gresham
Excellent match despite the quiet crowd. They were into it when they were supposed to be, but the venue sounded empty at times. It’s negligible, though, because this was one of the best technical matches I’ve seen this year. If mat wrestling is in your wheelhouse, go out of your way to watch this. I don’t think there were more than ten big bumps in this. Maybe a top-rope inverted atomic drop was the highest of spots. That is saying so much considering how long Shelley was away from wrestling, because he looked like he’d never really stopped, especially here.
Shelley pinned Gresham when Gresham went for an octopus hold; Shelley countered it into a clutch pin for the upset victory. Gresham threw a fit afterwards and shoved a staff member out of his chair ringside, grabbed the steel chair and brought it into the ring with the intent of some sort of revenge on Shelley. Jay Lethal came out and took the chair out of Gresham’s hands. He told him that him and Shelley just had one of the greatest matches he’d seen and things looked to be smoothed over in storyline.
They are still teasing a full-on heel turn for Gresham but aren’t pulling the trigger just yet.
Gordon comes to the ring in a gas mask now and grew a long beard. Everyone in the match is great, but Mark Haskins is unique, maybe someone ROH could bet the house on, that’s how good he is with the right people. Him and Gordon looked especially good together. Haskins and Williams did a cool double dive to the floor, Williams from the corner and Haskins through the ropes.
When Gordon tried using a kendo stick, he accidentally hit his partner, King, and Williams hit a piledriver for the pin on Gordon. Really good match. Bully Ray came out and beat LifeBlood up. Gordon came back into the ring and gave his kendo stick to Bully Ray, despite their differences in the past earlier this year. Ray got tons of heat when he screamed “Do you know who I am?!”
ROH World Champion Rush defeated Silas Young to retain his title
Lanny Poffo joined the commentary team for this match. This wasn’t as special as I think they wanted it to be. It felt like any other Rush match in ROH.
This bout started off fast, and Rush went for the Bull’s Horn running dropkick early on. Young blocked it with a spear and the two were quickly on the floor, Young leading the assault on Rush, smashing him into the ring post.
Young kept control of the match back inside the ring, but Rush returned the attack and again, both were on the floor. Rush roughed Young up for a while and threw him into the barricades. Poffo translated “tranquilo” for us, and it means “tranquil” in English, for those not in the know.
Rush missed a diving senton off the second rope, gave Young an opportunity to hit his finisher, the Plunge moonsault, for two. He used a swinging draping DDT for another nearfall, and Rush began to hulk up. Rush landed a superman punch and the Bull’s Horns for the emphatic victory. Rush kissed the the ROH World title, and Lanny Poffo called Rush vs. Young one of the best matches he’d ever seen in his life. I swear.
After cutting to the announce team, production played a video from Death Before Dishonor: Fallout last month. Someone attacked the Kingdom backstage at the show. Matt Taven and Vinny Marseglia came out and Taven then demanded whomever attacked them to come out and face them. The lights went out and they played footage of Taven and Marseglia before today’s show, doing scandalous activities, like unpacking their gear from an SUV, then unpacking inside the venue. It was an angle to imply that someone is stalking Taven for devious reasons. The Kingdom then stormed off.
PCO defeated Marty Scurll to win the Final Battle number one contender’s tournament
Awesome match, and maybe PCO’s best singles match in ROH to date. Scurll got on the mic and faked offering a truce before the bell, then whacked PCO in the face with an umbrella but only got a two-count. What a villain. Scurll did his version of the Iconoclasm and launched PCO from the top rope with it. Scurll flipped a fan off when he and PCO were brawling on the floor. This match would sometimes peak but would flame out quick because the crowd sounded tired. PCO rallied back with a pop-up power bomb.
Scurll made a comeback himself, snapping PCO’s fingers, which I suppose against a Frankenstein-type character like sounds like a silly thing to do. Later, Scurll press slammed PCO off the top through a table on the floor. This is his second match for the night. Scurll put PCO in the chickenwing but ref Todd Sinclair was knocked out. PCO landed the French-Canadian Slam but Sinclair was out. Brody King came out and gave PCO a bossman slam, apparently at the orders of Scurll. Scurll pinned him for a two-count.
Gordon came out later and kicked Scurll off the ropes, then Scurll hit PCO with the ROH Six-Man title for another two-count. The crowd exploded here with a “he’s not human” champ. PCO finally stuck the PCOsault but for only two. The crowd was peaking here and it was the loudest reaction of the night. It was about 60% PCO 40% Scurll. PCO missed that insane senton spot he often does onto the apron, looked like he died. Scurll hit a massive lariat for two. PCO used his own lariat for two, then landed another moonsault for three. Crazy match.
Afterwards, Scurll grabbed the mic and said for three years, he’d been trying to become ROH champion, and tonight, PCO took that chance away from him, and then congratulated him. Scurll said no one deserves more of a shot at the world title than PCO, who’ll now face Rush at Final Battle in Baltimore for the ROH World Heavyweight title.
This was a good show although it looked to be poorly attended. Great main event. PCO is a machine and won’t stop taking crazy bumps, but the truth is that I can’t say I have seen one ROH show in 2019 where PCO wasn’t wildly cheered. He’s a real star. Both he and Scurll were not only awesome once tonight, but twice. Jonathan Gresham vs. Alex Shelley was top-tier technical wrestling, on par with this year’s Virus vs. Metalico in CMLL or most of Zack Sabre’s work throughout the year.
Jay Lethal vs. Marty Scurll was also a match worthy of mention tonight. There were definite misfires, though, like the battle royal, which at least served a purpose and was quick, and the Women of Honor match, which wasn’t bad, but the finish left a sour aftertaste. LifeBlood vs. Villain Enterprises would be of note, as well, but the Bully Ray abusing LifeBlood and then leaving has jumped the shark, and it’s the last thing most fans are left thinking about, unfortunately. Action-wise, though, this was one of ROH’s stronger shows of late.
The semifinals of ROH’s number one contender’s tournament are now set.
PCO vs. Dalton Castle and Marty Scurll vs. Jay Lethal are the two semifinal matches for the tournament. The semifinals and finals will both be held at Glory By Honor in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, October 12.
Castle defeated Mark Haskins and Lethal defeated PJ Black in the remaining first-round matches at Saturday’s post-Death Before Dishonor television tapings. Black was replacing Bandido, who ROH announced was unable to wrestle on Saturday due to a knee injury.
Scurll and PCO advanced by winning first-round matches at Death Before Dishonor. Scurll defeated Colt Cabana, while PCO defeated Kenny King in a no disqualification match.
The winner of the tournament will challenge for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 13. Rush is the current champion. He’s scheduled to defend his title against Jeff Cobb at ROH’s Honor United show in Bolton, England on Sunday, October 27.
After the participants were confirmed last week, ROH has now revealed the bracket for their number one contender’s tournament.
The left side of the bracket has PCO vs. Kenny King and Dalton Castle vs. Mark Haskins in the first round. The right side has Colt Cabana vs. Marty Scurll and Bandido vs. Jay Lethal.
The winner of the tournament will challenge for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle this December.
PCO vs. King and Cabana vs. Scurll are set for ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view on Friday, September 27. Castle vs. Haskins and Bandido vs. Lethal will take place at the post-Death Before Dishonor television tapings on Saturday, September 28. Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada is hosting both shows.
ROH World Champion Matt Taven is defending his title against Volador Jr. at ROH & CMLL’s Global Wars Espectacular night two this Saturday. Rush will challenge for the ROH World title at the Death Before Dishonor PPV.
The semifinals and finals of the number one contender’s tournament are taking place at Glory By Honor at the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, October 12.
ROH has confirmed the first four participants for their number one contender’s tournament.
It was announced today that Dalton Castle, Jay Lethal, Kenny King, and Marty Scurll will be participating in the eight-man, single-elimination tournament. The other four wrestlers for it will be announced tomorrow.
ROH wrote that the bracket will be revealed on Monday (September 2).
The winner of the tournament will challenge for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle, which is taking place at the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 13. Matt Taven currently holds the title.
The first round matches for the tournament will be held at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view on Friday, September 27 and their post-Death Before Dishonor television tapings on Saturday, September 28. Both of those shows are taking place at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas.
The semifinals and finals will then be held at Glory By Honor on Saturday, October 12. The UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana is hosting that show.
