Mike Bennett is getting a Pure Championship shot at ROH’s next pay-per-view.
On this week’s edition of ROH Week By Week, it was announced that Bennett will challenge for the ROH Pure Championship at Best in the World on Sunday, July 11. Jonathan Gresham is the current Pure Champion. He’s defending his title against Fred Yehi on the ROH TV episode that premieres this weekend.
Bennett won a Pure Rules gauntlet match that aired on ROH’s YouTube channel last week. Bennett eliminated PJ Black, Joe Keys, and The World Famous CB (Cheeseburger) during the match. It was the first Pure Rules match that Bennett has ever wrestled in.
Bennett said after the gauntlet match that he’s coming after the Pure Championship. Bennett said he respects Gresham, but Gresham told Bennett that he doesn’t belong in the Pure division.
Gresham became Pure Champion by winning a tournament for the title in 2020. After having been unified with the ROH World Championship in 2006, the Pure title was reintroduced in last year’s tournament.
Best in the World is taking place at Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. It will be the first ROH show with fans in attendance 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 has set the date for Jonathan Gresham’s next Pure Championship defense.
On the latest edition of ROH Week By Week, it was announced that Gresham will defend his Pure Championship against Fred Yehi on the ROH TV episode that premieres the weekend of Saturday, July 3. ROH had announced earlier this month that Yehi would be getting a Pure title shot.
Yehi has won three straight matches in ROH. He won a Pure Rules gauntlet match in March and has since defeated Rocky Romero and The World Famous CB (Cheeseburger) in Pure Rules matches.
Gresham won a tournament last year to become the first ROH Pure Champion since 2006. The title had been unified with the ROH World Championship in 2006 before being brought back last year.
Gresham’s most recent Pure title defense was against his The Foundation stablemate Jay Lethal on the 500th episode of ROH TV this April.
The Big Takeaway: To celebrate ROH TV’s 500th episode, they showcased two phenomenal matches that saw questionable finishes.
Quinn McKay checked in from the ROH Studio and welcomed the audience to the 500th episode of ROH TV. McKay thanked the fans and multiple executives for making it this far and said they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Jonathan Gresham defeated Jay Lethal in a ROH Pure Championship match (16:43)
Gresham and Lethal made their entrance together to celebrate the unity of The Foundation.
Lethal took Gresham to the mat and wrenched his ankle. Gresham escaped fast. He popped up quickly and locked arms with Lethal, and then took him to the mat with a headlock. Lethal tried to escape a few times but couldn’t muster it, so he used a rope break. This took us into a commercial break.
Back from the break and Lethal had Gresham on the mat with his knee on the shoulder of “The Octopus”. Gresham reversed the hold and applied a double hammerlock. Lethal found a way to counter and tried to bodyslam Gresham, but he followed through and applied another arm submission.
Lethal eventually found a backdoor out of that hold and tried to cinch in a figure four leglock. Gresham turned it into a cradle pin for a two count. The match picked up significantly here with Lethal catching a Gresham hurricanrana and turning it into a Boston crab. This caused Gresham to use a rope break.
In the closing sequence of the match, Lethal and Gresham were trading reversals of different holds when Gresham trapped Lethal’s leg and rolled him up for the win. This came off as a very anticlimactic ending.
******
Mark Briscoe defeated Jay Briscoe by countout (15:04)
Jay backed Mark into the corner and referee Todd Sinclair broke it up. Mark no sold a Jay hurricanrana and sent his brother to the mat with a shoulder tackle. Both brothers spilled to the outside as a commercial break ensued.
In firm control of the match, Mark jumped off the apron onto the floor with a diving elbow drop. The two fought outside the ring for a while before Jay tossed Mark back in and went to the top rope. Mark followed him up there and hit a great looking x-plex from the top rope.
Mark followed it up with a urange and rolled Jay to the apron. Jay fell from the apron after being nailed with a right hand from Mark, which was followed up with a blockbuster neckbreaker. Mark set up a chair in the ring and was looking to use it for a springboard, but Jay slid back in and caught a running Mark in a fireman’s carry slam on the chair.
Back from the break and Mark is scaling the top rope. He hit his signature Froggy Bow elbow drop, which Jay kicked out of. Jay retaliated with the Jay Driller, which Mark kicked out of. Jay hit the move a second time, but this time Mark rolled out of the ring. Jay followed and tore apart the timekeepers table. This bought Mark enough time to nail Jay with a few forearms and then set him up on the table. Mark climbed to the top turnbuckle and dove onto the table outside onto Jay with another Froggy Bow. When the referee’s count got to 19, Mark rolled in the ring and he was declared the winner via countout. Another perplexing finish.
*******
Final Thoughts: This episode of ROH TV saw 30+ minutes of really good wrestling, but just weird finishes. With a match the caliber of Gresham vs Lethal ending in a rollup pin, seems disappointing. To create some future tension within the group, I would have liked to see either man have a win over the other. For the Briscoes match, a countout finish is disappointing given their history with each other, with Mark not winning in about 15 years according to Ian Riccaboni.
Jonathan Gresham defeated Joe Keys in a Pure Championship match, while The Bouncers fell to The OGK in tag team action. After being goaded by Vincent, Beer City Bruiser smashed a beer bottle over Matt Taven’s head in the show-closing angle.
**********
Per usual, Quinn McKay welcomed us to the program and ran down the card. Jonathan Gresham is defending his Pure Championship against Joe Keys and The Bouncers are squaring off with The OGK.
**********
Keys had a pre-match video package. Keys revealed that the ROH Dojo participants didn’t have much faith in the system until Gresham took over and went to bat for them. He got emotional at one point, noting that his original trainer RJ Meyer tragically passed away a few months ago. Keys dedicated the match to him and the rest of the ROH Dojo.
Gresham also had some comments before the match. Gresham touted the success of The Foundation at Final Battle. He shamed Flip Gordon for even trying to become a pure wrestler, saying it takes years and years to master that craft.
Gresham applauded Keys for earning a Pure Championship shot and dared him to come at the throne. Gresham’s promo skills have turned the corner since coming back — he’s showing real confidence and ease with the microphone.
**********
ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham submitted Joe Keys to retain his title (12:42)
Dak Draper joined the commentary team before the match.
The Code of Honor was adhered to.
After a few seconds of back and forth, Gresham locked in a leg head lock on Keys. Keys almost immediately used his first rope break. Gresham stood Keys up and shook his hand, separating themselves and locking up again. Gresham started a shoulder tackle battle that Keys ended up winning.
Gresham and Keys exchanged forearms to the skull before Gresham began targeting the shoulder of Keys. Gresham cinched in a head scissors submission, but Keys escaped quickly and turned it into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Keys took advantage of the situation and turned Gresham’s attempt at a small package into a beautiful deadlift suplex. Keys kept on the attack, lifting Gresham into a deadlift German suplex.
Keys attempted a Boston crab that didn’t look very good, but it forced Gresham to use his second rope break. Keys kept the speed on and went to the top rope, then flew onto Gresham with a flying headbutt. Keys attempted a pin, but Gresham used his third and final rope break. This was only the second time Gresham has used three rope breaks in a Pure match. He gave Keys a lot in this match.
In the final sequence, Keys missed a diving headbutt and Gresham took advantage, twisting the arm of Keys behind his back and making him submit.
**********
Mike Bennett was shown backstage getting his ankle taped up. Matt Taven approached him and told him constantly that he didn’t have to go out there tonight and compete. Bennett waived Taven off and told him he’d be out there.
**********
Danhausen had a promo introducing himself to the ROH fans. Danhausen said he wanted to become a wrestler because it gets him on television and makes him famous in order to take over the world. Danhausen also said he doesn’t swear because it’ll get him taken off TV. He called Brian Johnson an idiot for challenging him again.
Johnson had some words for Danhausen. Johnson said the problem with ROH is that nobody is talking about him. He called the fans clowns for getting Danhausen a contract and said he sacrificed his life for the business. Johnson claimed that Danhausen’s tombstone will read “Mecca vs. Everybody.”
It was announced that the Danhausen vs. Johnson rematch will be a match streamed on HonorClub and YouTube. This doesn’t really make much sense in my eyes, since the hype for it got 10 minutes of TV time.
**********
The Bouncers hyped themselves up before their match with The OGK. Beer City Bruiser said that their quest to the ROH Tag Team titles starts tonight. Brian Milonas said they’re done messing around and they’re serious contenders now.
Taven and Bennett had a pre match promo as well. Taven apologized to Bennett for involving him in the Vincent feud the second he came back. Bennett said it’s always been about The OGK and to not worry about Vincent anymore, as he’s banned from the building for their match.
**********
The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas) (11:56)
Milonas and Bennett started the match off. Bennett tried to test his ankle out a few times to no avail. He then tried to shoulder tackle Milonas again to no avail. Milonas threw Bennett into the ropes, causing Taven to tag in. The OGK then hit a double dropkick on Milonas.
Milonas drove Taven into his corner and tagged in Beer City Bruiser. The Bouncers were showing more heel tendencies here, which was nice to see. Bennett tagged himself in and tried to start chopping Bruiser, but Milonas tagged himself in.
After a while of tagging in and out, Bennett superkicked Milonas with his bad ankle. Taven came in to check on him, but Bruiser delivered a strong right hand to him and stomped on the ankle of Bennett. Bruiser continued to destroy Bennett’s ankle while Milonas looked on in confusion. Bennett eventually baited Milonas and Bruiser to run at him. Bennett dodged both men and sent them over the top rope and onto the floor. Bennett finally tagged in Taven, who kicked Bruiser and dove onto Milonas at ringside.
Milonas eventually regained control of the match, slamming Taven to the mat and almost getting the pinfall victory, but Bennett broke it up. Taven jumped on Milonas’ back and tried to apply a sleeper hold. Bennett then superkicked Milonas, sending him on his back and crushing Taven.
Bruiser tagged himself in and tried to bulldoze Taven, but Bennett came in and speared Bruiser. That prompted Taven to lock in “The Trendsetter” for the win.
The Bouncers tried to toast with Taven and Bennett after the match, but Vincent and The Righteous interrupted. Vincent insulted Beer City Bruiser, calling him a lost cause in ROH. He also went after Milonas, calling his 18-year career a waste.
Vincent said that Taven’s stock is at a high right now while Bruiser and Milonas are collecting lint in their pockets. Bruiser had heard enough and smashed a bottle across Taven’s head and walked off. Milonas sat there in shock as the show went off the air.
**********
Final Thoughts —
Another good show for ROH, but it definitely had its flaws. Gresham gave Keys a lot in their Pure Championship contest, but Keys unfortunately messed up a few key moments in the match.
Despite using about seven minutes of TV time to promote a Danhausen vs. Brian Johnson rematch (which I bought into), ROH is deciding to put the match on HonorClub and YouTube. I personally think the match belongs on TV, especially for a guy like Johnson who is trying to build his stock.
The main event was a good match on paper, but it really didn’t deliver. All involved just seemed off in their timing.
The final angle of the show was very good though. Vincent getting so far in the head of Beer City Bruiser to make him turn heel was a good way to complete the turn, as Bruiser was already showing heel tendencies. I don’t really know where Milonas goes from here though.
Though Rush will be back in an eight-man tag match next week, he’s getting to Brock Lesnar territory in terms of his championship run. He hasn’t appeared on ROH TV once since they came back from the pandemic break, only appearing at Final Battle. He should be on TV more, even if it’s just a phone promo.
Gresham and Lethal are stablemates with Tracy Williams and Rhett Titus as part of The Foundation in ROH.
In addition to wrestling for ROH, Gresham is also the head trainer of the ROH Dojo.
Gresham retained his Pure Championship against Joe Keys on the episode of ROH television that premiered over the weekend. Keys is an ROH Dojo student who won a four-man gauntlet match against fellow Dojo students Dante Caballero, Ken Dixon, and Eric Martin to get the Pure title shot.
Here’s ROH’s full announcement regarding Gresham’s new contract:
Ring of Honor is pleased to announce that Jonathan Gresham has re-signed with the company.
‘The Octopus,’ who is arguably the premier technical wrestler in the sport and has wrestled all over the world, is coming off the best year of his 15-year career.
Gresham has accomplished the rare feat of holding two ROH titles simultaneously, as he currently is the Pure Champion as well as a co-holder of the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
He was instrumental in ROH resurrecting the Pure Title last year. Gresham won a 16-man tournament to become the first Pure Champion since the title was retired in 2006.
As part of his mission to ‘restore honor’ to ROH by bringing the pure style to the forefront, Gresham formed The Foundation with Jay Lethal, Tracy Williams and Rhett Titus a few months ago.
Gresham, who made his ROH debut in the 2011 Top Prospect Tournament, also is the head trainer at the ROH Dojo.
It was also revealed in January that Mark Haskins, Bandido, Amy Rose, Bateman, Brian Johnson, Sumie Sakai, Tracy Williams, and The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas) have re-signed with ROH.
Looking Ahead: For the first time in 14 years, we will crown a new Ring Of Honor Pure Champion. Also on tab, Shane Taylor Promotions takes on the trio of EC3 & The Briscoes.
Quinn McKay welcomed us to the show. We get a promo package hyping up Tracy Williams vs. Jonathan Gresham. McKay notes that this is Gresham’s match to lose. She also reviewed last week’s encounter between Matt Taven and Vincent. She revealed that ROH will not tolerate another incident like this, and both men would be punished if it happens again.
McKay then replayed last week’s promos from EC3 and Shane Taylor to set up the six-man tag match.
Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses Maddox, & Jasper Kaun) defeated EC3 and The Briscoes after Taylor pinned Mark Briscoe (9:16)
EC3 started the match with Kaun. After an early lock up, EC3 immediately took Kaun down. Kaun rolled out, but baited EC3 right back in the ring. EC3 continued to dominate Kaun before tagging in Mark Briscoe. After some back and forth, Kaun sent Briscoe into the corner and hit a running splash, followed by Moses tagging himself in. After both men ran the ropes, Jay Briscoe tagged himself in and hit a double team maneuver on Moses.
We came back from break and all hell had broken loose. Kaun ran and ate a clothesline from EC3. Moses took advantage and smushed EC3 in the corner. Moses then ate a springboard dropkick from Mark Briscoe. Taylor and Jay made their way back in the ring, to which Taylor hit a V-Trigger type knee strike which only got a two count.
Taylor tagged out to Moses, who repeatedly stomped Briscoe in the corner, causing EC3 to enter the ring. The referee backed EC3 out of the ring while Moses tagged back in Taylor. Taylor knocked EC3 off the apron. Jay made the hot tag to Mark Briscoe, to which Briscoe double drop kicked Moses and Kaun off the apron. Briscoe went to the top and attempted a frog splash, but nobody was home. Taylor followed up the missed maneuver with his piledriver finisher for the win.
******
We shift our focus to the main event. We first heard from Tracy Williams, who admitted his time in ROH so far has been flawed by failures. He also admitted he has failed to restore honor. Williams said he called Gresham before the tournament began and told him he’d meet him in the finals. Williams called his shot and says he’d be the one holding the Pure Championship over his head by the end of the night.
Gresham talked about this phone call as well. He says this tournament is more than just the championship, but it’s based on the principle of The Foundation. Gresham said it’s his job to bring attention to the men and women who view the sport the way he does. Gresham also said that ROH had lost honor and identity. Gresham said that no matter who wins, The Foundation has achieved their goal in restoring Honor.
Jonathan Gresham submitted Tracy Williams to win the Ring Of Honor Pure Championship (14:36)
Williams wore a cast on his left shoulder, selling the injuries from last week’s match with Jay Lethal. Both men adhered to the Code Of Honor. Gresham and Williams exchanged holds and twists early, which resulted in both men rolling out of the ring. Gresham hit an arm drag on Williams on the hard ringside floor. Williams recovered rather quickly and gawked down Gresham. Gresham and Williams mutually agreed to get back in the ring. As Gresham worked on Williams’ ankle, we went to break.
Back from break. Gresham sprung off the rope and kicked Williams bare arm. Gresham got Williams on the ropes, which cost Williams his first rope break. Williams takes advantage and begins to work on the neck of Gresham. Williams worked Gresham down to the mat for a series of near falls. Gresham used his first rope break. Gresham and Williams made their way back to their feet, where Williams began to work on the neck of Gresham again. Williams applied a front face lock to Gresham, but Gresham countered with a brainbuster.
Williams popped back up very fast and chopped Gresham in the chest, which dropped him to the mat. Gresham made his way back to his feet quickly, and pounced on Williams, nailing his shoulder with an Engurazi. He followed it up with a bridging German suplex, which warranted him a two count. Both men got up fast, to which Williams stiffly clotheslined Gresham for a two count.
Back from break and Williams and Gresham are laying on the ringside floor from a body scissors maneuver that took both men out of the ring. Williams was the first one back in. Gresham tried to spring through the middle rope, but Williams caught him and planted him with a brainbuster. Williams immediately followed it up with a crossface. After being in the submission for 25 seconds, Gresham used his second rope break.
Gresham sprung up as quickly as possible and hit a series of running forearms onto a grounded Williams. Williams fought through the pain and spiked Gresham with his signature piledriver, which got him a two count after Gresham used his third and final rope break. Williams, clearly frustrated, brought Gresham to his feet. Gresham blocked a chop from Williams, spun him around, and locked in The Octopus for the win.
Jonathan Gresham is the new ROH Pure Champion!
Jay Lethal makes his way to the ring to celebrate with Gresham after the match. Williams shook hands with Gresham and exited the ring. Lethal straps the title on Gresham and exits the ring as well.
Final Thoughts:
ROH rolls on with another great show. The six-man tag match was excellent. Shane Taylor has improved SO much over his tenure in Ring Of Honor, He’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. It was refreshing to see The Briscoes back in action as well. Also impressed by Kaun and Moses, they have the potential to be a great tag team.
I honestly expected the finals of the Pure Championship tournament to be a longer match, considering the time limit being 60 minutes. The story was excellent though, and the odds on favorite of the whole tournament, Jonathan Gresham, won. He deserves it, he’s worked his ass off to become one of the best in the world.
Two members of Villain Enterprises are getting a Tag Team title shot at ROH’s 18th Anniversary pay-per-view.
It was announced this morning that ROH Tag Team Champions Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham will defend their titles against Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon at the 18th Anniversary PPV. It’s taking place at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas on Friday, March 13.
Lethal & Gresham have been the ROH Tag Team Champions since defeating The Briscoes for the titles at Final Battle in December.
This is the second match that’s been confirmed for the 18th Anniversary PPV. Dragon Lee will also defend his ROH Television title against Bandido at the show.
The main event of the 18th Anniversary PPV 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 Gateway to Honor, and the wrestler who doesn’t lose the fall in that match will challenge for the World title at 18th Anniversary.
Lethal & Gresham will defend their titles against Silas Young & Josh Woods at Bound By Honor on February 28. ROH wrote that Scurll & Gordon will be in the title match at 18th Anniversary regardless of which team wins at Bound By Honor.
ROH Past vs. Present is also being held at Sam’s Town Live on March 14.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla has announced the full card for Kobe, an event named after the late NBA star and L.A. fixture Kobe Bryant.
Scheduled for Sunday, March 29th at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, this will be PWG’s first event of the year:
PWG Champion Bandido vs. Jonathan Gresham
Blake Christian/Tony Deppen/Alex Zayne vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel/Zachary Wentz/Dezmond Xavier)
Dragon Lee vs. Flamita
JD Drake vs. Brody King vs. Black Taurus vs. Caveman Ugg
Orange Cassidy vs. Mick Moretti
Jeff Cobb vs. David Starr
The VeloCities (Jude London & Paris De Silva) vs. Aramis & Rey Horus
This will be Bandido’s first defense of the title he won from Cobb at December’s The Makings of a Varsity Athlete event. The 2019 BOLA winner defeated Gresham and David Starr in the finals. Gresham is coming off a win over Starr at the December show.
A matchup of technicians has been added to Ring of Honor’s Past vs. Present event.
ROH announced today that Doug Williams vs. Jonathan Gresham will take place at Past vs. Present. The show is being held at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, March 14.
Williams was the second-ever Pure Champion in ROH history, holding the title for 42 days in 2004.
Williams tweeted about his in-ring status yesterday: “Thought I should put this out there since I’ve had a few enquiries. I intend to honour my retirement in the UK and so won’t be accepting wrestling bookings here. The only exception is if any foreign company I am contracted to or work run a tour here, then I might… if forced. I am still however open to making non-wrestling appearances, training seminars, backstage roles etc. and other foreign wrestling bookings.”
Gresham & Jay Lethal are the current ROH Tag Team Champions.
Generation Next (Alex Shelley & Matt Sydal) vs. Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll & Flip Gordon) has also been confirmed for Past vs. Present, along with Homicide vs. Brody King. ROH posted a video last week where Lethal challenged former ROH World Champion Xavier to a match at the show.
Past vs. Present is part of ROH’s 18th Anniversary weekend. Their 18th Anniversary pay-per-view is taking place at Sam’s Town Live on Friday, March 13.
ROH has also announced that Silas Young & Vinny Marseglia will face The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brawler Milonas) in a Bar Room Brawl at Death Before Dishonor. The updated card is:
ROH World Champion Matt Taven defending against Rush
ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes defending against LifeBlood (Bandido & Mark Haskins)
ROH Television Champion Shane Taylor defending against Flip Gordon and Tracy Williams in a triple threat match
Women of Honor World Champion Kelly Klein defending against Angelina Love
PCO vs. Kenny King in a Final Battle number one contender’s tournament first round match
Marty Scurll vs. Colt Cabana in a Final Battle number one contender’s tournament first round match
Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham
Silas Young & Vinny Marseglia vs. The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brawler Milonas) in a Bar Room Brawl
Original —
ROH has confirmed two more additions to the card for Death Before Dishonor.
Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham will face off at the pay-per-view. The Women of Honor World Championship match for the event has also been announced, with Kelly Klein set to defend her title against Angelina Love.
Lethal & Gresham lost to Silas Young & Josh Woods on the final night of ROH’s Global Wars Espectacular tour on Sunday. Young went to use a steel chair but was caught by referee Todd Sinclair. As Sinclair was distracted, Gresham tried to get Lethal to use a chair against Woods. Lethal refused to use the chair, and Young soon pinned him after hitting Misery.
Lethal and Gresham argued after the match and got into a pull-apart brawl. ROH then posted video of a backstage interview with Lethal. He said that Gresham is on the wrong path and the only thing he can think of that would help is settling things in the ring at Death Before Dishonor.
Love pinned Klein during a tag match at June’s Best in the World PPV after Mandy Leon hit Klein with a shoe. Klein teamed with Stacy Shadows against Love & Leon at Sunday’s Global Wars Espectacular show. Klein got the win by pinning Love, but Leon sprayed hair spray in Klein’s eyes after the match. Love then laid Klein out with a DDT.
Death Before Dishonor is taking place at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, September 27.
NJPW’s Rocky Romero, NJPW Los Angeles dojo Young Lion Clark Connors, ROH’s Jonathan Gresham, and CMLL’s Soberano Jr. will be taking part in the Super J-Cup. There are three entrants left to be announced for the tournament.
TJP, Dragon Lee, SHO, Caristico, Ryusuke Taguchi, Taiji Ishimori, YOH, BUSHI, and Amazing Red are the other entrants that have been confirmed for the tournament thus far.
Jushin Thunder Liger is the producer of the Super J-Cup and will be wrestling in non-tournament action on all three nights.
The Super J-Cup will begin at the Temple Theater in Tacoma, Washington on Thursday, August 22. The second night is taking place at the San Francisco State University Student Life Event Center in San Francisco, California on Saturday, August 24. The tournament will then conclude at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California on Sunday, August 25.
Two matches have been added to the lineup for ROH’s Manhattan Mayhem television tapings.
In an ROH video update, it was announced that Jonathan Gresham will face Dragon Lee at Manhattan Mayhem. An eight-man tag match between Villain Enterprises (Marty Scurll, PCO, Brody King & Flip Gordon) and LifeBlood (Mark Haskins, Bandido & Tracy Williams) & PJ Black was also confirmed for the show.
Gresham and Lee were both in the A Block of NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors this year, with Lee defeating Gresham in their tournament match. Lee also defeated Gresham in All Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Revolution’s King of Indies tournament this past Friday.
Scurll, PCO & King retained their ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles against Haskins, Williams & Black at Best in the World 2019. It was teased that Gordon was joining LifeBlood, but he was instead revealed as the newest member of Villain Enterprises after that match.
Manhattan Mayhem is taking place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, July 20. Jay Lethal will challenge for Matt Taven’s ROH World Championship at the tapings. In a match that will air live on HonorClub, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa will defend the ROH Tag Team titles against The Briscoes in an NYC street fight.
Alex Shelley, who returned at ROH’s most recent set of TV tapings, is set for Manhattan Mayhem and ROH’s Mass Hysteria HonorClub show in Lowell, Massachusetts on July 21. In the video update, it was hyped that Shelley wants to challenge the ROH World Champion at Summer Supercard in Toronto on August 9.
The ending of Super ShowDown brought a scary end to what was an embarrassing night for WWE.
Goldberg vs. The Undertaker reinforced the amount of risk that exists when you put two 50-year-old wrestlers against each other. The match was laid out exactly as it should have been and was on its way to being good, but things fell apart when Goldberg got knocked out.
Goldberg (who already had a mark on his forehead going into the match) got busted open when he went for a spear into the corner and rammed his head into the post less than three minutes in. From there, things only got worse.
A look at Undertaker vs. Goldberg, Naito vs. Ibushi and why referees and doctors need to be stopping matches when talent is legitimately hurt is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. Look at how small independents are ahead of the game when it comes to precautionary measures involving talent this past week.
Read complete coverage of New Japan Dominion, WWE Super Showdown and UFC 238, with business notes, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings for the pro wrestling shows.
Look at the injury situation and risks, look back at the Undertaker vs. Mick Foley Hell in a Cell match and what resulted from that, and the heyday of All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Look at what happened with the attempt to put on a women’s match in Saudi Arabia, the silliness of TV coverage in the past and not allowing women to wrestle there, and more behind the scenes at the show.
Also look at the upcoming G-1 Climax tournament and who to expect to be in it, TV coverage in the U.S. expanding, the newcomers to G-1, who is out from last year, the new Super J Cup tournament, a history of the Super J Cup, G-1 announcement plans and New Japan going to Australia.
Look at a wrestling television show being voted on for a nomination for a major award, John Cena’s future, FS 1 talk show on wrestling, HHH working in Japan and latest cards, and a Sasha Banks update.
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio, covering Raw, G-1 and the latest news. You can send questions to tonight’s show to [email protected].
Impact head of creative Don Callis tweeted earlier today that he was trapped in the basement with terrified people after a shooting at Eaton Centre in Toronto. Hours later, he tweeted “Survived”. The only news reports I’ve seen only talk about two stabbings in the area about four hours ago. The area is filled with a ridiculous amount of people today for the Toronto Raptors NBA championship winning parade.
Regarding Aero Star, in the fall at Verano de Escandalo yesterday in Merida, Mexico, the last word we got is that he’s okay. He was backstage joking about it after with a lump on his head. He went to the hospital and they reported no serious injuries. He was very lucky. Aero Star fell off about a 20+ foot lighting stand and had his fall very slightly broken by Chessman but he flipped over and landed on his head. This looked not as gruesome as the Kota Ibushi bump at Dominion last week, but scarier.
Ibushi was back wrestling on Friday night, so didn’t miss even one scheduled show.
PWInsider reported Jonathan Gresham signing an ROH deal which will include moving to Baltimore and working more heavily with the ROH Dojo.
WWE
Raw is going heavy into the delivery of a great match tonight, and Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins matches are arguably two of the three best wrestlers on the main roster. With basketball over, ratings tonight should give an indication where things stand for a normal summer show. It’s the go-home Raw for Stomping Grounds.
The MTV Movie & TV Awards air tonight on MTV. The show was taped. Dwayne Johnson will be getting the MTV Generations Award on the show, which is their version of a career achievement award. This is the show where Roman Reigns was nominated for Best Real Life Hero and the Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair match was nominated for Best Fight along with a number of movie fights. I’m not sure a live one-take pro wrestling match and movie fight scenes are close to the same thing. But still, if they were going to honor something from Mania, it should have been Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston, but that didn’t have Ronda Rousey in it.
WWE has started heavily advertising Raw and Smackdown on the WWE Network.
Stephanie McMahon is in France for the Women’s World Cup to help promote Smackdown moving to FOX in October.
MISCELLANEOUS
There is still limited information regarding the arrest of Gable Steveson, the University of Minnesota heavyweight who was heavily coveted by just about everyone in MMA and WWE. Steveson, 19, took third in the NCAAs and second last week at the U.S. Open and was considered the greatest high school wrestler ever in the state of Minnesota by many, having won age group world championships. He and teammate Dylan Martinez were arrested on suspicion of sexual conduct. The alleged victim went to the hospital for treatment, and police have not released more details. Both wrestlers were arrested Saturday night after an alleged victim told police she was penetrated with an object. The wrestlers have not been charged. Steveson is expected in court tomorrow. Both were suspended by the team.
Regarding Martinez, who was a state champion at Fresno City College, the local media covered here.
Minoru Suzuki turned 51 today.
Defy Wrestling results from Saturday night in Portland, OR: Artemis Spencer b TJ Perkins to keep the Defy title, Brian Cage b Mike Santiago, Rebel Kel b Reia Von Slasher, Sonico & Leon Negro b Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs, Sloan b Danika Della Rouge, Judas Icarus & Elii Surge b Chris & Patrick Voros, Schaff b Travis Williams.
Defy Wrestling results from last night in Tacoma, WA: Schaff won four-way over Mike Santiago, Travis Williams and Cody Chhun, Danika Della Rouge b Reia Von Slasher, Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs b Chris & Patrick Voros, Jordan Oasis & Liiza Hall b Guillermo Rosas & Cat Power, Rebel Kel b Sloan, Judas Icarus & Eli Surge b Brian & Kevin Cook. The next shows are 6/26 and 6/27 in Seattle at Washington Hall for the Defy 8X Grand Prix tournament. A poster seems to show L.A. Park, Tama Tonga and Joey Janela.
The annual Harley Race Wrestling camp will take place Labor Day weekend. Trainers and scouts will be announced later. Check here for more info.
Empire State Wrestling on 6/29 in North Tonawanda, NY at the St. Johnsburg Fire Hall featuring Josh Alexander vs. Jay Freddie, Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Kevin Bennett, Zachary Wentz vs. Anthony Gaines and more.
A new episode of Ten Pounds of Gold is now avaliable. It’s building Nick Aldis & Colt Cabana vs. The Briscoes at the ROH Best in the World PPV event.
Brett Hull wore a Ric Flair shirt to the St Louis Blues Stanley Cup parade and rally. (thanks to Matt Burrows)
ROH wrote about the stipulation: “the emphasis is on technical wrestling, and any bending of the rules will not be tolerated by the referee.”
During their feud, Young has been mocking Gresham and technical wrestling. On this week’s episode of ROH TV, Young claimed that he’s turned over a new leaf, said the days of taking shortcuts are over, and called himself the best pure wrestler in the business. He then used an abdominal stretch to submit a wrestler he brought out who was named “The Squid.”
Young used a hammer in his last match against Gresham and then won with an abdominal stretch while Gresham was passed out. In their match before that, Young pinned Gresham after giving him a low blow.
The UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, Maryland is hosting Best in the World on Friday, June 28. Here’s the updated card for the show:
ROH World Champion Matt Taven defending against Jeff Cobb
ROH Television Champion Shane Taylor defending against Bandido
The Briscoes vs. Nick Aldis & Colt Cabana
Rush vs. Flip Gordon
Dragon Lee vs. Dalton Castle
Jonathan Gresham vs. Silas Young in a Pure Rules match
This year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view offered WWE the chance to revitalize one of their best match types.
The Money in the Bank briefcases haven’t been all that much of a factor over the past couple of years. Both men’s winners (Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin) failed on their cash-ins. The women’s winners (Alexa Bliss and Carmella) were successful, but Bliss cashed in on the same night that she won the 2018 ladder match. WWE has missed out on being able to use Money in the Bank as a star-making tool or something to kick off notable angles.
A story on Ashley Massaro, the ramifications of her death, mental illness in pro wrestling and the legal fight she was in, the horrible story about Kuwait are all part of an extensive lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Look at her career before wrestling, life after wrestling, rundown the physical toll of pro wrestling, winning Diva Search, comments from those who knew her, her thoughts on a comeback, the concussion lawsuit and all the different questions her career as a swimsuit contest winner being rushed into pro wrestling matches because she got so popular so quickly raise.
Also look at the one debut of a promotion show in history that can compare with AEW’s Double or Nothing, look at the difference between this show and All In, the different fights the promotion has to face, and a detailed rundown of why Pac isn’t on the show, his status with the company, what the company wants out of its PPV shows, where a number of suggested surprise wrestlers are booked on that night, and why putting on the best shows is not the complete or even close to the key factor in a wrestling war.
Also look at the changes in television wrestling in the U.K. in 2020, and what this may mean when it comes to WWE and AEW in that market as far as exposure, and whether that is or isn’t a big issue.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
SmackDown tonight is at the Bok Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kofi Kingston will face Kevin Owens following a beat down last night at the hands of Dolph Ziggler. Owens will also have Dolph Ziggler on The Kevin Owens Show, while Bayley will battle Raw’s Lacey Evans.
Due to Memorial Day, Raw’s ratings have been delayed to later this week.
According to PWInsider, what was originally supposed to be a Fatal Four Way elimination match for Raw last night ended up being a one fall match, with WWE officials going back and forth on which match type to go with.
Today’s birthdays include Seth Rollins (33), Kamala (69), Headbanger Mosh (48) and NXT UK wrestler Joseph Conners (32).
WWE’s YouTube page has a collection of Rollins’ greatest moments.
Pro Wrestling
SoCal Uncensored is reporting that Joey Ryan has turned down an AEW deal. He has been doing a “farewell to the indies” tour recently, and will make an announcement at Bar Wrestling’s Pickle Jar Hero event on 5/30 regarding his future.
Fightful is reporting that Jonathan Gresham is not under ROH contract. His contract expired in late April, but hasn’t signed a new contract with the promotion just yet.
Pro Wrestling EVE is countering WWE Super Showdown by airing an alternative stream that will feature women’s pro wrestling during the event.
Jordynne Grace, Petey Williams and Scott Steiner have been announced as a team for the upcoming CHIKARA King of Trios event this October.
Grace will also receive another Knockouts title shot against Taya Valkyrie at A Night you Can’t MIST on 6/8, an Impact Plus event.
The Hara Arena, which was home to many big events in the last several decades including big shows from WWE, WCW, and ECW was destroyed during last night’s tornadoes in the Dayton, Ohio area. The arena had officially closed down back in 2016.
AEW’s upcoming Fight for the Fallen and Fyter Fest events have been added to B/R Live.
Dave Meltzer reported on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio that Urijah Faber is coming out of retirement, facing Ricky Simon on July 13. He last fought on December 17, 2016 defeating Brad Pickett.
Yoel Romero was awarded $27.45 million in a lawsuit against Gold Star Performance Products, which is the company behind the contaminated substance that led to his drug test suspension back in 2016.
