Tag: homicide

JNPO: Prince Nana’s incredible story of success, survival & Swerve

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, I welcome royalty for the very first time in the one and only Prince Nana of AEW & Ring of Honor.

The Prince and I talked for an hour about a career that began in 1996 and is still going strong today. Among the many topics we discussed:

  • Wrestling in MSG for WWE
  • Being a part of Ring of Honor over several different eras, what drove him away, and the surprising story of how he got brought back by Tony Khan
  • His emotional response on what his friend Homicide has meant to his career and life
  • His partnership with Swerve Strickland and if there were ever concerns about them getting split up
  • The moment at AEW Revolution where Strickland took a knee and gave him his robe back
  • And, of course, the origin of his famous dance
  • And, of course part two, how he got involved in the coffee game

All that and more awaits. Listen below or on Spotify/Apple Podcasts by searching ‘Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online.’

Click here to listen

WOL: Homicide retirement, Slammy’s, FUN FRIDAY

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including Homicide’s retirement match, the Slammy’s this year and who should win all the categories, Dynamite does well in the ratings, FUN FRIDAY CALLS, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Homicide wins retirement match as wrestling world pays tribute

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Independent wrestling legend Homicide competed in his retirement match Thursday night, winning his final bout, with tributes pouring in from across the wrestling landscape.

Teaming with Bull James against Mike Santana and Afa Jr. at Thursday’s Outlaw Wrestling event in Brooklyn, Homicide was victorious in his final career bout taking place on his 48th birthday. Santana and Homicide were both part of the revived LAX faction in Homicide’s last TNA run.

Fan footage from the event has been posted online, including the locker room emptying for a standing ovation:

The former Ring of Honor World Champion and GCW Indie Wrestling Hall of Famer revealed this week that he was retiring from the ring after being diagnosed with a cyst on his brain. The star says that the cyst has impacted his vision and speech, necessitating retirement.

Friends and colleagues including Santana, Eddie Kingston, Bryce Remsburg, Dustin Rhodes, Will Ospreay, and CM Punk commented on Homicide’s retirement with tribute posts over the last several days. Those posts will be embedded below.

A cornerstone of the promotion in its first decade, Ring of Honor also posted a timeline video on their YouTube channel in honor of their former World and Tag Team Champion featuring more than seven hours of archival footage with fresh commentary from Kingston:

WOL: Chris Bey, Homicide, Dynamite, Sting and Luger

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including whether Sting should be allowed to induct Lex Luger into the Hall of Fame, AEW Dynamite from Wednesday night, Chris Bey and Homicide health updates, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Homicide says cyst on brain led to decision to retire

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A medical issue led to Homicide’s decision to retire from in-ring competition.

The ROH legend will have the final match of his career tonight (March 20), teaming with Bull James against Mike Santana & Afa Jr. at a show for indie promotion Outlaw Wrestling. Before the match, Homicide made a Facebook post explaining that the reason he’s decided to step away from the ring is because doctors have found a cyst on his brain. Traveling so much and taking bumps in the ring was causing the issue to get worse.

“Can’t believe I saying goodbye, not only a job the passion the sport of pro wrestling,” Homicide (Dee Erazo) wrote. “[Reason] I’m leaving cause I went to my Doctor and found cyst my brain. Had it for months getting worst. My vision, speech is bad. Cause the hard hitting getting knock out and hitting a plane to travel.”

Homicide called himself a survivor and said he always wins his battles. He wants tonight to be a party for every fan attending the show in his hometown of Brooklyn.

“Thank you for your support,” he said. “This not a goodbye. This is I see you later.”

One of the most important figures in ROH history, Homicide won the ROH World Championship from Bryan Danielson at Final Battle 2006 and had a two-month reign as champion before losing the belt to Takeshi Morishima. He also starred for TNA during his career as a member of LAX.

CM Punk, who is currently on a European tour for WWE, took a moment last night to reflect on how important Homicide’s career has been. They came up together in ROH and helped form the foundation of the promotion.

“Homicide. One of a kind. Thinking about my friend and his career today,” Punk posted on his Instagram stories. “He will leave his fingerprints all over the wrestling landscape. I’m there in spirit my friend!”

WOR: AEW & NXT recaps, Sting & Luger WWE HOF talk, Cena & Cody

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: NWA

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Lex Luger and Sting and whether Tony Khan should allow Sting to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame, Cody and Cena and The Rock, New Japan Cup, Goldberg returning soon, Homicide is retiring and why, AEW and NXT TV reports, Collision spoilers and tons more.

A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Margie Laszlo passes away
3:44: Lex Luger requests Sting for WWE Hall of Fame, Cody Rhodes and John Cena’s promo didn’t mention The Rock, NJPW Cup notes, Goldberg on Ariel Helwani
14:11: WWE announces European tour for this summer, Homicide retiring on Thursday
19:50: Ratings
33:03: AEW Dynamite recap
48:47: WWE NXT recap
1:00:11: AEW Collision spoilers

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ROH and TNA legend Homicide to have retirement match this month

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Homicide — an independent wrestling legend best known for his time with Ring of Honor and TNA — is wrapping up his in-ring career in just a couple of weeks.

Indie promotion Outlaw Wrestling announced today that Homicide will wrestle his final match on Thursday, March 20. The show is titled “End of an Era” and is taking place in Brooklyn at Arlo Williamsburg. Outlaw Wrestling said they will honor Homicide’s legacy that night in addition to presenting his final match.

An opponent for him has not been named yet.

Homicide was one of the faces of ROH in the early years of the promotion, winning the ROH World Championship from Bryan Danielson at Final Battle 2006. He held the title for 56 days before dropping it to Takeshi Morishima.

In TNA, Homicide was part of the Latin American Exchange and held tag team gold with Hernandez.

The 47-year-old Homicide told Counted Out last month that he would be retiring from the ring soon. Looking back on his career, he said he accomplished more than he ever dreamed was possible.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be wrestling for so long — I traveled all over the world — until Eddie Kingston told me, ‘Do you know you’ve been wrestling for 30 years? Do you know you did this? You teamed up with Kenta Kobashi. You wrestled Minoru Suzuki. You [faced] Jun Akiyama’ — because I’m a big Japanese mark, whatever you call it.” Homicide said. “But I also wrestled Jerry Lynn. I wrestled The Dudley Boyz. I wrestled Kurt Angle. Like, I did things that people wish they were in my shoes. I never thought about it. Then I realized — I was like ‘Oh my God.’ But I realized that in the end. Then I was like, ‘Listen, I think I’m kind of done.'”

GCW and Orange Crush Magazine inducted Homicide into their Indie Wrestling Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 2022. He made an appearance for AEW at Grand Slam 2021 and showed up back in ROH in December 2024.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Women’s Television title defense

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will put her title on the line as part of tonight’s show on HonorClub.

Velvet will defend against HANAKO of Stardom fame after she debuted on the Final Battle pre-show in a win over Harley Cameron. The champion is looking for her fourth title defense.

ROH men’s TV Champion Komander will take on QT Marshall in a Proving Ground match where if Marshall defeats or goes to a draw with the champion, he earns a future title shot.

After making a surprise appearance last Thursday as Rocky Romero’s partner, former ROH World Champion Homicide will once again team with Romero against Action Andretti & Lio Rush. The latter will challenge AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party on Saturday’s Collision.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Taylor, Lee Moriarty & The Infantry) will face Dark Order (Evil Uno and Alex Reynolds) & the Iron Savages.

The aforementioned Harley Cameron will take on Ashley Vox to round out the card.

**********

It’s the 97th episode of ROH on Honorclub and the first of a brand new year! With talk of a TV deal for ROH being on Tony Khan’s 2025 wishlist, it’s time for ROH to shine! Starting with:

ROH Women’s World Television Title Match: Red Velvet (c) defeated HANAKO

Velvet retained her title in a brutal affair against Leyla Hirsch at Final Battle 2024 that involved a wrench. On the Final Battle Pre-Show we saw Stardom star HANAKO defeat Harley Cameron. Both of these women have some momentum as they meet up in ROH’s first title match of 2025, and Velvet’s fourth title defence overall.  

Velvet was the smaller of the two women in the ring, but what she lacked in height she made up for in swagger, getting right in HANAKO’s face off the top. Velvet used the ropes to get some momentum but bounced off HANAKO who easily picked her up for a slam.

Velvet slipped out of the ring, drawing HANAKO into a race? They ran in a circle around the ring until Velver hopped back in and lured HANAKO into the corner. The two traded blows until Velvet was distracted by the crowd (asking them politely to “shut up.”) and HANAKO burst out. Velvet got the upper hand again though, wrapping HANAKO’s knee around the ringpost.

All was not lost for HANAKO though as she planted Velvet with a huge stalling suplex and some big back elbows that sent Velvet careening across the ring. She hit a big splash on Velvet for a two count but Velvet battled back with some double knees to the back of HANAKO’s head.

Velvet managed to get HANAKO off her feet with some chop blocks and kicks to the leg. She hit a Mama’s Kitchen and pinned the challenger to retain her title.

-A Shane Taylor vingette aired next. Taylor told us about greed, and how you need to be ruthless to be successful. Taylor says real warriors are gone, but Shane Taylor Promotions aren’t afraid to go to war to prove they are the baddest.

Action Andretti & Lio Rush defeated Homicide & Rocky Romero

Andretti and Rush have been teaming together through most of December and it begs the question how did no one think of this sooner? They are natural partners and would elevate any tag division, largely because of their very, very excellent jackets. Longtime friends and canine-enthusiasts Homicide & Romero picked up a win over Aaron Solo and QT Marshall on Boxing Day, so they have some momentum headed into this match. No cool jackets though.

Rush and Romero kicked things off, and the name of the game was speed. They flew around the ring so fast, no one even saw a tag in for Andretti. He was just suddenly there. Rush and Andretti bailed to the outside to talk strategy while Homicide played to the crowd. Rush eventually got back in and ran literal circles around Homicide.

Romero dodged a double team from Rush and Andretti, but they kept bouncing around, frustrating the veterans. Homicide went to the outside to throw a chair all angry-like. Rush and Romero remained legal, Rush setting a pace with a dropkick. Andretti tagged in and worked Romero’s arm, isolating him from Homicide.

A miscommunication led to Andretti accidentally hitting Rush on the outside. Homicide took advantage of the confusion and tagged in to take on both Rush and Andretti. Homicide hit a set of rolling suplexes and a cutter on Andretti but could only get a two-count.

Homicide produced a fork, but missed with it, embedding it in the turnbuckle. While the ref was trying to get the fork unstuck, Andretti hit Homicide with a low blow and rolled him up for the win. It was forking great.

-A promo from the Sons of Texas, Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara, from just after their Double Bull Rope match at Final Battle aired. Rhodes thanked Guevara for being there and then recapped the feud with the Righteous for some reason while lauding praise on Guevara. Bottom line, they hugged and are buds. They then gave a shot at the ROH Tag Titles to the House of Torture at Wrestle Dynasty.

Harley Cameron defeated Ashley Vox

I’m just going to come right out and say it: Harley Cameron is very, very good. She’s dynamite in promos and a really good worker in the ring. I think Cameron is going to be a big deal in ROH and AEW this year. Vox is making her return to ROH, with her last match being back in 2021. And I know what you’re thinking: Yes, 2021 was four years ago. 

Cameron had the upper hand off the top, catching Vox in a quick headlock and trading dropkicks. Cameron’s aggressive streak came out right away and she laid some big kicks into Vox’ face. Cameron dodged a cannonball in the corner followed by a suplex.

Cameron chopped Vox on the ropes, playing to the crowd as she drove elbows into Vox’ collarbone. She locked in a straightjacket submission but Vox was able to wiggle out and unload some elbows into Cameron’s throat. Vox tried to fishhook Cameron, but Cameron got free and booted her in the stomach.

Cameron hit a big suplex and then a shining wizard to put Vox out and pick up the victory.

-Next, Lexy Nair interviewed Red Velvet in the back. She asked Velvet why she had resorted to using a wrench to win at Final Battle. Velvet was shocked that people were questioning her tactics. Leyla Hirsch showed up and wanted answers. Why did Velvet have to cheat? Velvet said that if HIrsch wanted another shot at the title, she could have it. But it would be on Velvet’s time. Then she left.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Carlie Bravo, Lee Moriarty, Shane Taylor & Shawn Dean) (w/Trish Adora) defeated Iron Savages (Beefcake Boulder & Bulk Bronson) & The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno) (w/Jacked Jameson & John Silver)

STP are THE faction in ROH and it shouldn’t be far into 2025 that we see them challenging for and winning some serious gold. For now though, they count the ROH Pure champion Moriarty in their company along with a more aggressive and scary Infantry. The Savages and Dark Order are beef-filled opponents, but each team has been kind of in limbo recently. Whoever wins this should find themselves pretty high on the list for tag team title shots. 

STP had the advantage in that they were a single unit taking on two teams who haven’t teamed together. As teams. Anyway, Reynolds and Moriarty kicked things off and they were perfect for each other. A series of fast and technical moves followed, until Moriarty stopped to pose. Boulder and Bravo tagged in next and it was the opposite: Power and more power. Boulder brought in Bronson and the two took Bravo to Titty City (look it it up. No, wait actually, don’t).

Adora got up on the apron to distract the Ref and Bravo delivered a kneed to Bronson’s head on the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring). Taylor tagged in and the big men rumbled, with he and Bronson trading shots in the corner. Uno jumped in to save Bronson from getting pinned to a great ovation.

Uno and Moriarty squared off in the ring in a high speed exchange that reminded everyone that Uno is very good at wrestling. He ended with a huge Brainbuster, but it only got a two count. Boulder tagged in and hit a double DDT on Dean and Bravo who were in the ring for some reason. That brought in Taylor to face off against Boulder.

They hit each other very hard for a few seconds before Boulder lifted Taylor and powerslammed him! He then used his partner as a weapon and slammed him on Taylor, but it only got a two count. Reynolds and Moriarty became legal again and Moriarty lured him to the outside for a Border City Stretch. In the ring, Uno got caught by Adora and left at the mercy of Dean, Bravo and Taylor. They beat on Uno and Moriarty appeared to put him in a Border City Stretch, forcing Uno to tap out.

ROH Classic Match: ROH Women’s World Title Match: Athena (c) vs Willow Nightingale (Death Before Dishonor 2023, July 21, 2023)

A replay of Lexy Nair’s expulsion from MIT by ROH Women’s World Champion Athena was shown next. This led into the showing of the Women’s World Title match from Death Before Dishonor 2023. Athena had alread been a long-term champion by this time and Nightingale had just come off winning the Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Women’s Tournament in AEW. Both were fired up and it’s a great match!

ROH World Television Title Proving Ground Match: Komander (c) vs. QT Marshall – Time Limit Draw (10:00)

In this first Proving Ground Match of the new year, Marshall must pin or submit Komander or last the 10 minute time limit. If he can do one of those things, Marshall will get a shot at Komander’s ROH World TV Title, acquired at Final Battle in a six-man Survival of The Fittest Match. Marshall had a match against Jay Lethal that I’m still unable to find a reason for. Anyway, this one looked to be a good one!

“QT Sucks” chants broke out from the crowd and he stepped outside to really soak them in. When Marshall got back in the ring, Komander ran at him and Marshall slide out of the ring. At this point, it became clear that Marshall’s strategy was to slow everything down and waste as much time as possible to reach the 10-minute time limit, which I have to admit, is pretty smart.

Komander goaded Marshall into some wrestling and the two traded moves back and forth. Every time Komander would pick up the pace, Marshall would respond with something that slowed it right back down. That allowed Marshall to utilize his size advantage on the smaller Komander.

Marshall methodically kept Komander off his feet, milking the clock with submission holds, power moves and even working the crowd. Komander managed to turn a suplex attempt into a sleeper hold, but Marshall backed him into the corner. Komander hit a facebuster off the ropes and the match sped up significantly.

Komander went to the top rope for a running shooting star press, but Marshall caught him with an uppercut and suplex powerbomb for a two count. That ground things back to a halt as the time ticked away. Marshall set up Komander for a super diamond cutter, but Komander reversed it and sent Marshall to the outside. Komander hit a springboard mexican destroyer and then went to the top rope.

Komander set up and executed his signature running shooting star press, but Marshall rolled to the outside… just as the 10 minute time limit elapsed! I cannot stress how rare it is for a Proving Ground Match to go to time and a challenger win. Fantastic work by Marshall and Komander and a great way to end the first show of the year!

Ring of Honor Boxing Day Brawl live results: Men’s TV title defense, Toni Storm debuts

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV will be a special Boxing Day Brawl edition featuring a men’s TV title defense and the promotional debut of former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm.

After winning the gold for the first time in last Friday’s Survival of the Fittest six-way, Komander will put the men’s TV title on the line against Johnny TV.

Storm will be in action against Rebecca Scott in Storm’s first-ever match for the black and red brand.

Rocky Romero will team up with a mystery partner with some ROH history against QT Marshall & Aaron Solo.

Former ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will team with Tommy Billington against Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese of the Premier Athletes.

Lee Johnson will return to singles action as he faces Serpentico while former GCW Champion Blake Christian goes one-on-one with AR Fox.

The show is rounded out by MxM Collection (Mansoor & Madden) against Northeast standouts Miracle Generation (Dustin Waller & Kylon King).

**********

Blake Christian defeated AR Fox

Christian and Fox looked to continue where they left off from the Survival of the Fittest match from ROH Final Battle. Christian refused the Code of Honor, shoving Fox. Fox hit a leg lariat as Christian hit the ropes. Fox hit a springboard stunner and a running shooting star press off the apron. Christian dodged a corner charge and hit a Mafia kick in the corner before hitting a missile dropkick. Christian hit a 180 tope suicida to the floor on Fox, which looked incredible.

Fox had a brief comeback with an enziguri, but Christian cut him off again before going for a running boot on the floor. Fox, however, rushed into the ring and hit a suicide dive to the floor on Christian before hitting a Senton Bomb for a two count. Christian raked the eyes to avoid a backpack cutter, and hit a standing Spanish Fly for the two count. Christian argued with the referee over a chair being introduced to the match, and Fox hit a huge dive to the floor and a 450 Splash. Fox grabbed the chair after Christian kicked out, and the referee took it away from him, but Christian hit Fox with a low blow and hit a curb stomp on Fox for the win. Really good match to open the show.

Lee Johnson (w/ EJ Nduka) defeated Serpentico

Johnson was not taking Serpentico seriously at the start of the match, hitting a drop toe hold and slapping Serpentico’s head. Serpentico did hit an armdrag, but Johnson hit a dropkick soon thereafter. Johnson got the heat for the next few minutes, but occasionally fell victim to a roll up which he kicked out of quickly. Serpentico rolled through a roll up, hit a superkick, and then a running cutter for a two count. Serpentico was soon cut off by a chokeslam from Nduka from behind the back, allowing Johnson getting the win.

A hype video aired for Shane Taylor Promotions, with Taylor cutting a promo against the people that have dismissed them, saying that they were coming for everything in ROH, and that there was nothing anyone could do about it. This was good.

Tommy Billington & Katsuyori Shibata defeated The Premier Atheltes (Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese) (w/ Smart Mark Sterling & Josh Woods)

Billington and Shibata are now teaming after their one on one match at ROH Final Battle. Billington took it to Nese right away, sending him bouncing all over the ring, ending when he hit a missile dropkick and tagged out to Shibata. Nese’s selling made both guys look dangerous until it was time for him to get the heat on Billington after a distraction from Daivari.

Woods and Sterling attacked Billington on the floor behind the back of the referee. Nese tried to hit a move off the middle rope, but Billington hit a dropkick and tagged out to Shibata, who hit a German suplex on Daivari before tagging out to Billington. Nese ran in and superkicked Shibata, and Billington almost got the submission on Billington but Sterling distracted the referee while Woods yanked Billington off Daivari. Nese hit a 450 splash on Billington, but knocked Billington backwards into his own corner, letting Shibata tag in.

Shibata proceeded to nail Daivari with a Mafia kick in the corner. Billington flew off the ropes with a diving DDT, and Shibata hit a PK for the win.

A hype video aired for The Outrunners, as they promoted their Fanny Pack merch, including how it could hold a second fanny pack, among other things. This was great.

Toni Storm defeated Rebecca Scott

Storm got a superstar pop coming out, and it seems this weird amnesia gimmick has hurt her star power with the audience. Storm hit a basement dropkick after changing directions while running the ropes, but missed the corner hip attack. Scott hit a flying knee in the corner on Storm. Storm reversed an Irish whip, and Scott jumped onto the middle rope before jumping backwards into the arms of Storm. Storm hit a backbreaker, the corner hip attack, and a Storm Zero for the pinfall.

Retro ROH: Nigel McGuinness defeated Colt Cabana in a Soccer Riot Match at ROH Night of Grudges II (August 20, 2005)

Cabana set the rules, which largely meant there were no rules, as that would be an advantage to him. They actually shared the whole match, which included a funny spot when McGuinness tried to kick the soccer ball at Colt, who was seated in the corner. McGuinness missed and sent it into the crowd, causing the fans to yell “Throw it back!” Cabana grabbed the ball and threw it at the face of McGuiness. Nigel sent Cabana crashing through a ringside table after hitting him with an iron. Cabana pulled his own iron out from under the ring and hit McGuiness with it before hitting a lariat for the win. They actually aired the full match, which is not a bad thing to do sometimes for fans watching. I am not sure if this is a frequent feature, but if it is, I think it’s smart to do every now and then.

The Rottweilers (Rocky Romero & Homicide) defeated QT Marshall & Aaron Solo

Homicide’s return to ROH got a huge pop from the New York audience. The Rottweilers are back together for at least one night, speaking of an ROH flashback. Homicide started the match with QT Marshall, and Marshall was hilariously looking at Homicide very unsure about his own safety before they locked up. Marshall’s suspicions were right, as Homicide bit his ear.

Romero tagged in, and Marshall exited the ring very quickly, tagging out to Solo. Romero low bridged Solo and Romero went for a dive, but Marshall tripped Romero, and Solo hit a flying kick on Romero to begin getting the heat. Romero hit a Shiranaui and tagged out to Homicide, and Homicide hit the three amigos suplexes on Solo. Homicide hit a belly to belly on Solo, but Marshall broke up the pinfall and hit a combo back suplex/neckbreaker on Homicide for a 2-count.

Homicide went for the Cop Killa on Solo, but Marshall broke it up. Romero threw Marshall to the floor and hit a suicide dive that sent Marshall crashing into the front row. Homicide then hit a big lariat on Solo for the win. This was fun. I love seeing Homicide back in ROH. He isn’t what he was, but he is still great. Homicide kissed the canvas, indicating he was home.

A recap of Atlantis Jr. beating Mansoor from ROH Final Battle aired. Mason Madden cut a promo on Danhausen about how he ruined their match. Mansoor called Atlantis a nepo baby, claiming (correctly) that his father Atlantis and (incorrectly) mother Atlantis Morissette were why he had success in the business. They then declared war on all masked wrestlers.

MxM Connection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) defeated Dustin Waller & Kylon King

Mansoor and Madden beat on Waller throughout the early part of the match, with Madden not removing his sunglasses. King broke up the pinfall attempt of Mansoor on Waller after a spinebuster, and Mansoor chased King around the ring, letting Waller and King get some very brief offense against Mansoor. Mansoor tagged out and the huge Madden ran wild hitting a big flying knee on Waller, and slammed King to the mat. Madden had an idea, saying “Let’s kill him!” as they hit a combo where Mansoor elevated Waller into a double arm DDT by Madden for the win.

Chris Jericho’s New York Minute re-aired from AEW Dynamite.

A recap of the ROH Final Battle match between Matt Cardona & Chris Jericho, and Athena’s defeat of Billie Starks.

At the post show media scrum Athena promised to kick out someone out of the Minions In Training.

Lexy Nair introduced Billie Starks as the loser of the main event for the Minion Expulsion. Athena said that Starks caused nothing but problems for her, and that she sucked because she wouldn’t listen to Athena’s guidance. Athena put over how Nair has lived up to all her expectations. Athena then expelled Nair from the MIT for failing to wear a Penguin costume to match Athena’s Two-Face costume, claimed her intro of Athena was mediocre, and how she almost cost Athena the match.

Athena claimed that Nair was the stepping stone for Billie, and that it was those two forever, because Athena cared about Billie Starks and her success. Athena hugged Starks, and Starks looked very conflicted and unhappy about how all of this went down.

Komander was shown arriving backstage after his title victory at ROH Final Battle, crying as he hugged Tony Khan and celebrated in the biggest win of his career in ROH. A nice moment of real emotion.

ROH Television Champion Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Johnny TV (w/ MxM Collection) to retain

MxM Collection made their way into one of the balconies, holding a sign that said “If Johnny TV loses, we’ll be really sad” and tried to lead the crowd in chants for Johnny TV. Johnny TV spending years working lucha has paid off here, with him being able to provide a good base for Komander. TV knocked Komander off balance as he ran up the ropes, and hit a backflip Samoan drop and a running shooting star press for a two count.

TV hit a knee to the face of Komander for a two count. TV locked on a dragon sleeper, but Komander got into the ropes to escape. Komander avoided a suicide dive, but TV adjusted and followed Komander as he dodged and hit a dive through the ropes on the other side of the ring. That was cool. Komander blocked a corner charge, hitting a superkick and running across the ropes, bouncing off them and landing on the apron before running back up the ropes and hitting a flying dragonrana on TV for a two count.

Komander hit a Canadian Destroyer on Johnny TV for another near fall. TV hit two rolling neckbreakers on Komander for a two count of his own. MxM Collection exited the balcony by ducking down in an elevator pose as soon as Johnny started looking in trouble, and Komander hit a poisonrana. Komander hit a senton, and went for his rope walk into a shooting star press, but MxM Collection pulled TV from the ring. Komander adjusted and hit a moonsault onto everyone on the floor, but Johnny TV managed to cut him off and go for Starship Pain. Komander dodged and hit his shooting star press for the win. Fun match and main event to a very easy to watch episode of ROH Wrestling.

Mike Santana vs. Homicide announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time, TNA’s Mike Santana will step into the unique ring of Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport as he takes on Homicide for the 11th edition of the unique series.

The show is set for Sunday, July 28th in Brooklyn, New York, and the match is the first announced for the show.

While it will be Santana’s Bloodsport debut, it will be the second go-round for Homicide who lost to Tom Lawlor at the third-such show in 2020.

Along with TNA, Santana has been plying his trade in various indies as of late which includes a heavyweight title run in House of Glory and appearances in PROGRESS, Wrestling Open and others.

The two men have been both partners in LAX years ago in TNA and opponents dating back as far as 2015. The two hooked it up as recently as March which was their first time sharing a ring in five years.

Barnett is preparing for this month’s Bloodsport Bushido in Tokyo, Japan, headlined by himself vs. Jon Moxley.

El Desperado asks Jun Kasai to be NJPW Strong Independence Day partner vs. Jon Moxley & Homicide

Posted on by Ethan Renner

El Desperado has asked hardcore wrestling icon Jun Kasai to be his tag team partner at NJPW Strong Independence Day against Jon Moxley & Homicide. 

In a video posted to the NJPW World YouTube page and NJPW’s social media accounts, Desperado asked Kasai to team with him against Moxley & Homicide on night one of Independence Day on July 4 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. 

NJPW has yet to make the match official, still listing Desperado’s partner as “X.”

Kasai, 48, has a history of death match wrestling both in Japan and on the American independent scene. He wrestled in death matches three times for GCW in 2022, and won the 2014 CZW Tournament of Death in his most high profile American matches over the past decade. Light tubes and razor blade board death matches have been staples of Kasai’s 25-year career. 

Moxley and Desperado squared off in a singles match last July at NJPW Music City Mayhem. Desperado proposed a rematch for Independence Day, and Moxley responded by challenging Desperado to find a partner, while announcing that he was bringing Homicide to Japan with him next month. 

The current announced lineups for NJPW Strong Independence Day: 

NJPW Strong Independence Day night one, Tuesday, July 4 —

  • Jon Moxley & Homicide vs. El Desperado & X
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Clark Connors & Dan Moloney defend against TJP & Francesco Akira

NJPW Strong Independence Day night two, Wednesday, July 5 —

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: KENTA defends against Eddie Kingston

Jon Moxley to team with Homicide at NJPW Strong Independence Day

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jon Moxley will be in Korakuen Hall for NJPW Strong Independence Day and he is not coming alone. 

El Desperado issued a challenge to Moxley following his performance in GCW’s Tournament of Survival this weekend. The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion said wrestling in GCW reminded him of facing Moxley on an NJPW Strong show last July and expressed interest in facing him once again. 

On Wednesday, NJPW posted a video of Moxley responding to Desperado’s challenge. Moxley accepted but said he would be enlisting the help of Homicide for the match and wants Desperado to find a partner as well. 

NJPW then made the match official on Thursday. 

Moxley said: 

El Desperado you sick son of a b*tch. Still talking trash all over the world about Jon Moxley. After the last time we crossed paths, we both had to get a tetanus shots after that match, that’s how bad it was and you want some more of that, huh? You’re going to be in Korakuen Hall on July 4 & 5, well guess what? I’ve got a brand spanking new, shiny, goddamn Japanese resident card so I can come back whenever the f**k I want. You got a partner? I got plenty of partners. I’ve got wrestling partners, I’ve got training partners. I’ve got a rap sheet in this business and for this, I’m going deep, deep, deep into the history books and it’s going to be me and the notorious 187, Homicide against El Desperado and whoever you can drag to the table with you. 

Moxley defeated Desperado via referee’s decision at NJPW Music City Mayhem on July 30, 2022 from the Nashville Fairgrounds. 

Homicide and Moxley were on the same team in a 12-person tag match at NJPW Night Before The Rumble on 44th Street last October. Along with Eddie Kingston, Kazuchika Okada, YOH, and Amazing Red they defeated a team comprised of members from Bullet Club and Team Filthy. 

Moxley leads the head-to-head series against Homicide 3-1, including matches in GCW, CZW, ICW, and EVOLVE. 

Two matches are confirmed for NJPW Independence Day thus far. 

NJPW Strong Independence Day lineup:

July 4:

  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Catch 22 (TJP & Francesco Akira) defend against Bullet Club’s Clark Connors & Dan Moloney

July 5:

  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion KENTA defends against Eddie Kingston

Two title matches, Alex Riley debut announced for NWA Nuff Said

Posted on by Ian Carey

Several new matches have been announced for NWA Nuff Said. 

The promotion revealed on Saturday that Kamille will defend her NWA World Women’s Championship against Angelina Love on the pay-per-view. Kerry Morton will defend his NWA Junior Heavyweight belt against Alex Taylor and EC3 will take on a debuting Alex Riley, who will wrestle under his real name of Kevin Kiley. 

The 41-year-old Kiley returned to the ring in December for the first time since his release from WWE in 2016. He teamed with Tyrus on a Create a Pro event in Lynbrook, New York on December 8, 2022. He would later appear on Tyrus’ podcast and spoke about wanting to get back in the ring again soon.

On Sunday, the NWA also announced that Chris Adonis will face former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Trevor Murdoch, Cyon will defend the National title against Homicide and Thom Latimer will face Fodder in a Singapore cane match. 

NWA Nuff Said takes place Saturday, February 11, 2023, from the Egypt Shrine Center in Tampa, Florida. The lineup for the show is below.

  • NWA World Heavyweight Champion Tyrus defends against Matt Cardona
  • NWA World Women’s Champion Kamille defends against Angelina Love
  • NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Kerry Morton w/ Ricky Morton defends against Alex Taylor w/ Danny Dealz
  • NWA National Heavyweight Champion Cyon w/ Austin Idol defends against Homicide
  • Chris Adonis vs. Trevor Murdoch
  • EC3 vs. Kevin Kiley
  • Thom Latimer vs. Fodder in a Singapore cane match

NJPW Strong results: Juice Robinson vs. Blake Christian

Posted on by Justin Knipper

Tonight saw the first round of tapings from NJPW’s recent Detonation tapings in Hollywood, California.

Lucha Libre Rules Match: Rocky Romero & Adrian Quest defeated Atlantis Jr. & Virus

The “Lucha Libre Rules” stipulation meant wrestlers would not be required to tag as long as each team kept with the “one in, one out” rule.

CMLL’s Atlantis Jr. & Virus made their NJPW Strong debuts here. Romero and Virus were in together first. On commentary, Ian Riccaboni talked up Romero and Virus’ past singles bouts. They had a great mat exchange at the top of the match. The crowd was excited to see both Virus and Atlantis Jr., and chanted for both throughout the first few minutes.

After a few minutes of trading holds, Romero stuck his hand out at Virus in a show of respect, but Virus wasn’t interested, waving Romero off and tagging out to Atlantis Jr. The crowd “ooh’d” at that.

Adrian Quest and Atlantis Jr. were in together next. Quest landed a springboard corkscrew press before Atlantis Jr. took him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

Later, Atlantis Jr. took out Romero & Quest with a tope suicida. Virus and Atlantis double-teamed both Quest and then Romero in the ring for a while. The five-minute call sounded when Romero made a comeback and tried laying in his Forever Clotheslines on Virus, who cut him off after just two clotheslines.

Quest made the save for Romero and earned a two after landing a standing shooting star press. Virus answered with hard chops and a short jab to lay Quest out. Romero hit Sliced Bread for two. Atlantis Jr. and Quest got into it next. Atlantis Jr. landed a nice dropkick before Quest answered back with a spinning back suplex. Atlantis rolled to the floor and Quest followed him out with a somersault senton, crashing onto Atlantis.

Virus scored a close two with a snap powerslam. Romero responded with a rewind kick. The two went back and forth teasing finishes before Romero cradled Virus for a sudden three-count. Romero & Quest score the win in just over ten minutes. Virus was very good, and Atlantis Jr. showed tons of charisma and maturity despite being just 24 years old. The in-house crowd enjoyed this one.

Homicide defeated Danny Limelight

This was sold as a grudge match because Team Filthy’s Danny Limelight used to be a member of LAX with Homicide before turning his back on the group.

Just before the match got underway, Limelight got into Homicide’s face and called him a hater. When Homicide beat “Filthy” Tom Lawlor on Strong a few weeks ago, Limelight helped Lawlor out and in a promo after the match, Limelight said Homicide is just jealous.

Homicide went right after Limelight, repeatedly shoulderbutting him in the corner and hitting him with a cutter before taking Limelight onto the floor for a ringside beating. Homicide threw Limelight over the guardrail into the first row. He rolled back into the ring to break the ref’s ring-out count, but when he came back out, Limelight caught him off guard with a blockbuster from off the guardrail.

Back in the ring, Limelight shared words with fans before landing a nice diving crossbody press. Homicide answered with a front suplex. Limelight landed a short double-stomp to the back of Homicide’s head.

The crowd enjoyed giving Limelight a hard time. They booed when he went for the Eddy Guerrero-style three vertical suplexes in a row. When Limelight went to the top rope for another attack, the “Radioactive Papi ” paused to showboat for the crowd, which allowed Homicide to recover, follow Limelight to the top, and superplex him off the ropes.

Limelight would later flip Homicide the bird, and Homicide’s response was to bite Limelight’s finger before spitting out a chunk of something. The announcers thought it was a fingernail. Homicide would then shove Limelight against the ropes and stick a fish hook in his mouth while biting his forehead. The crowd loved it and would later start chanting “Danny P*to!”

When the ten-minute call sounded, Limelight landed a Pelé kick before catching Homicide with a springboard tornado DDT. Limelight would go for another one moments later, but Homicide landed the Cop Killer and picked up the win in just over ten minutes.

Afterwards, Homicide looked like he was ready to enact some punishment on Limelight as he circled the ring looking for weapons. He found a bucket, a suitcase, a plastic bin and other pro wrestling booty under the ring and tossed it all inside. Just as Homicide was about to lay into Limelight, Bobby Fish appeared from out of nowhere and attacked Homicide. He threw a few knees before launching him with an exploder suplex into the ropes. The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion grabbed the mic and said the enemy of his friends (like Tom Lawlor) are his enemy. He said that he and Team Filthy “have some work to do,” and that the NJPW Strong locker room should be worried about that.

*****

Backstage, Emily Mae interviewed the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns about their upcoming title defense against Stray Dog Army. Both Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley explained that they’d been all over the world and spent their time making their names on “the blue mat” (NJPW) and in CMLL, IMPACT and elsewhere. Sabin said the only way Stray Dog Army would take the titles would be when they pried them from MCMG’s cold dead fingers.

“Rock Hard” Juice Robinson defeated Blake Christian

Christian darted at Robinson when the bell rang, but Robinson immediately rolled out of the ring to avoid any contact. Christian would chase Robinson to the other side of the ring and again Robinson scurried away. It was on the third try that Christian was able to catch Robinson with a tope suicida on the floor before throwing him back into the ring.

When Christian went for a moonsault off the apron, Robinson caught him in mid-air, then dropped him throat-first across the guardrail with Snake Eyes. Robinson then charged at Christian, but Christian moved and Robinson crashed shoulder-first into the ring post. Christian would immediately capitalize, targeting Robinson’s shoulder. He used an armbreaker over the guardrail before simply wrenching on Robinson’s shoulder as it was stuck in between the rails. Referee Jeremy Marcus had to step down onto the floor and yell at Christian to force him back into the ring.

Back in the ring, Christian came off the ropes but Robinson caught him with a tilt-a-whirl slam before putting him down with a spinebuster for two. He crushed Christian with a heavy senton next, then stomped away at Christian in the corner before connecting with a running cannonball. Five minutes had passed by this point. The crowd chanted “Let’s go, Juicy!”

Christian came back and took Robinson out with a springboard forearm. The energy in the crowd would die down when Christian would return offense, who slowly became more pro-Juice as this match went on.

Christian landed a Rob Van Dam-style Rolling Thunder splash on the apron before doing a Sabu-style Arabian Press onto the floor. The crowd started chanting “f*ck you, Blake!”

Back in the ring, Christian landed a rolling single-arm DDT before locking in a Fujiwara armbar on Robinson’s injured shoulder. Robinson sold like his arm was about to be ripped out of its socket.

Robinson was able to catch Christian with his Left Hand of God, but when he ran at Christian in the corner for a lariat, Christian deflected and kicked Robinson in the injured arm. The crowd was fully behind Robinson. Christian then went for a victory roll, but Robinson reversed the pinfall and held onto the ropes for extra leverage, which he used for the win. Robinson quickly escaped the ring and ran to the back whilst flipping the double bird to the crowd. The crowd kept chanting “Juice!” as the show finally wrapped.

Final thoughts:

I enjoy the more eclectic episodes of NJPW Strong, like tonight’s episode. The opener was a solid, fast-paced bout with new faces for the show. Hopefully NJPW Strong shows in Los Angeles will become a regular destination for more CMLL stars.

Homicide vs. Danny Limelight was good as well, and the Bobby Fish appearance was a total surprise. He’s someone who’d fit in perfectly with the current crop on Strong.

The main event between Juice Robinson and Blake Christian was good as well, but the most interesting part of the match was how positive the crowd reacted to Robinson, who was doing his best to play heel to Christian’s white-bread babyface role. The Hollywood crowd reacts similarly to Jay White also; no matter how bad or nasty they act in the ring, Bullet Club’s Robinson & White seem to always get the hero treatment. 

‘Filthy’ Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide set for Saturday’s NJPW Strong

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A singles match between a former NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and a former ROH World Champion headlines Saturday’s NJPW Strong episode. 

In the main event, former Strong Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor takes on former ROH World Champion Homicide in singles competition. The bout will be the first ever singles meeting between Homicide and Lawlor.

In another match for Saturday, Mascara Dorada teams with Blake Christian against the Bullet Club squad of El Phantasmo and Chris Bey. Dorada and Christian team again after joining forces on Strong’s Autumn Action episodes. 

In Saturday’s opening contest, Peter Avalon faces Keita Murray. 

Strong’s New Japan Showdown episodes were taped on October 16 at the Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles. 

Saturday’s lineup: 

NJPW Strong: New Japan Showdown, Saturday, November 19, 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • “Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Homicide
  • Mascara Dorada & Blake Christian vs. Bullet Club (El Phantasmo & Chris Bey)
  • Peter Avalon vs. Keita Murray