The show opened with Jay Lethal announcing that tonight would be the annual Christmas Surprise 10-man tag team match. He and Matt Taven will each open gifts throughout the show and each gift will contain the name of a wrestler to join their team.
Lethal was thrilled to be opening gifts, and Taven was rather displeased that he could end up with “melvins” on his team.
Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Caprice Coleman called the action from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This episode was taped on November 3.
The Twisted Sisterz (Holidead & Thunder Rosa) defeated Dr. Britt Baker & Madison Rayne
This one started off hot as Baker nailed a superkick and Rayne followed it up with a dive onto both of their opponents on the outside.
Back inside, Holidead planted Rayne with a sit-down facebuster slam and tagged in Rosa. They teamed up for an assisted senton drop on Rayne, which earned Rosa a two count. The Sisterz kept up the assault throughout the commercial break. Finally, Rayne hit a jawbreaker to make the tag. Baker came in and delivered slingblades to both Holidead and Rosa.
The Sisterz hit Celebrity Rehab on Baker and nearly ended the match, but Rayne broke it up. She landed a split-leg dropkick, but Rosa cut her off with a cradle driver. The Sisterz hit another driver and followed up with a double stomp off the top onto Baker for the win.
Lethal and Taven were shown opening gifts. Lethal was happy with his partners and Taven was not. After the break, Lethal was bummed about not drawing Cheeseburger, but then Coleman showed up and gave him a secret gift. Inside, it was the name “Cheeseburger.” Lethal was elated.
Christmas Surprise 10-man tag team match: Jay Lethal, Cheeseburger, Rhett Titus, Vinny Marseglia & Jeff Cobb defeated Matt Taven, Brian Milonas, Jonathan Gresham, Beer City Bruiser & Marty Scurll
There was a lot of dissension among both teams before the match began, primarily based on who was wearing the sillier Christmas outfit. Lethal and Gresham, who have recently been partners, started it off with some fancy chain wrestling.
Gresham tagged to Bruiser. Lethal lit him up with chops. Cheeseburger was then tagged in by Lethal. Bruiser tagged in Taven, who immediately tagged out to Milonas. This left the smallest man in the ring paired with the largest.
Cheeseburger snatched a side headlock and Milonas lifted him up with one arm. Cheeseburger then used his speed to make Milonas chase him until he ran out of gas and collapsed. Titus jumped in the ring and didn’t even bother to tag Cheeseburger. The two of them decided to have a go at suplexing the big man, but that failed.
After a five-man suplex, Marseglia got in with an ax and Scurll squared up with a candy cane, then switched to a real cane. Scurll tagged Taven so the two Kingdom members would have to face each other. Marseglia went to tag out as instructed by Taven, but as he went to make a tag, his team jumped off the apron. Taven’s team followed suit.
Taven and Marseglia did a criss-cross spot until they slid out and started a brawl with everyone on the outside. It was chaos. Nine of the ten men gathered to brawl, which allowed Bruiser to hit a dive off the top turnbuckle onto everyone.
After the commercial, Lethal launched everyone out of the corner one at a time to connect with big splashes on Taven. All of Lethal’s team members hit a big move and all went for the cover on Taven, but Gresham broke it up. A parade of finishers were exchanged by each team, leading to Cobb tagging himself in leaving him alone with Milonas, even though Bruiser was the legal man.
Incredibly, Cobb managed to heave Milonas up for a pumphandle suplex and tossed him overhead. He gave Bruiser an impressive Tour of the Islands, earning Lethal’s team the win.
The show opened with a recap of last week’s announcement by Christopher Daniels that Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky had new contracts, but that he did not. His last match on his current contract will be at Final Battle against Marty Scurll, and should he lose, he will be out of the company. Scurll’s future ROH World Championship shot will be on the line.
Before a match between them, Flip Gordon challenged Silas Young to man up and make it an I Quit match. Young booted Gordon and started the pummeling immediately, then grabbed the microphone and declared that he accepts.
Flip Gordon and Silas Young went to a no contest in an I Quit match
It was an intense game of cat and mouse as Young chased Gordon, but Gordon had the speed edge and out-maneuvered him. Gordon landed a moonsault to the floor on Young to gain control.
After the break, Gordon pulled a table out and set it up in the corner. As he went to get his opponent, Young tossed a chair at him and gained the advantage.
Young continued to beat Gordon with a chair inside the ring. Young landed the Anarchist suplex and applied a full-nelson stretch, but Gordon fought out and landed a superkick. Gordon then missed with a dive. That gave Young the opportunity to grab a Singapore cane.
Seeing the cane fired up Gordon. He cut off Young with a chair, laid waste to Young, and picked up the cane himself. This brought Bully Ray down. Bully choked Gordon with a chain. Young speared the helpless Gordon through a table. The match was thrown out by the referee due to interference.
A preview for ROH Television Champion Jeff Cobb vs. Hangman Page at Final Battle aired. Page called Cobb’s run in ROH so far a disappointment.
ROH Tag Team Champions Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky, representing SoCal Uncensored, came to the ring. Sky got the microphone and — just as he was about to say Pittsburgh was the worst town he’s ever been in — they were jumped from behind by The Briscoes.
The Young Bucks came down to cut off The Briscoes and save SCU. They exchanged a respectful handshake, but as the Bucks turned away, The Briscoes shoved SCU into them. The Bucks returned the favor with superkicks on both teams. They then pulled a ladder out from under the ring, but before they could set it up, Kazarian dropkicked it into the Bucks and Sky landed a flip dive on The Briscoes. SCU stood tall on the ladder holding their belts to end the segment.
Daniels discussed his last opportunity to claim a contract with ROH. He must defeat Scurll at Final Battle, and should he be successful, he will not only win a title shot down the line, but he will also gain a new lease on life with a new ROH contract.
ROH World Champion Jay Lethal, Cody Rhodes & Dalton Castle defeated The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan)
Castle is returning from his “concussion-like symptoms” after he received a three-man con-chair-to by The Kingdom a few weeks ago.
This one started quickly as The Kingdom triple teamed Castle and Cody and Lethal bickered. Castle fought off The Kingdom while wearing his amazing “ugly” purple sweatshirt. He tagged in Cody, and Cody took over on O’Ryan.
Taven had seen enough and got involved. He took over and led the charge on Cody. He tagged in O’Ryan — who tossed Cody down by the hair. Cody swung the momentum with a powerslam and tagged in Castle. Castle came in with a fury. The Kingdom cut him off and put a hurting on him on the outside as the referee was distracted.
Marseglia got in with Castle and kept The Kingdom in control. He tagged in Taven — who antagonized Lethal. Castle finally fought back and tagged in Lethal.
Lethal ran wild until the numbers game caught up with him. Taven got a chair involved and looked to connect with a con-chair-to, but Castle came in and went after Taven. Both spilled into the crowd as Castle chased Taven. That left Lethal and Cody in against Marseglia and O’Ryan.
Lethal and Cody couldn’t work together and it looked like Cody was about to fall victim to The Kingdom, but Lethal made the save and that allowed Cody to land the Cross Rhodes on O’Ryan for the win.
The oldest lucha libre promotion still in existence celebrates 85 years with their anniversary show in Arena Mexico. A hair vs. hair tag team match headlines what is traditionally the grandest CMLL show of the year at the “Cathedral of Lucha Libre” in Mexico City.
Rush teams with Barbaro Cavernario against Volador Jr. and Matt Taven in a match where each team puts their hair on the line in the main event. The apuesta match is the finale on a six-match card with CMLL regulars and a supporting cast of outsiders.
Independent luchador LA Park appears on another major lucha show as teams alongside his son — Hijo de LA Park — and Caristico tonight. They face a team comprised of CMLL’s Diamante Azul and the indie darling Lucha Brothers. Penta El Zero M and Fenix (billed as “King Phoenix”) continue a trend of them appearing on some of the highest profile shows of the year not run by a public traded company.
Los Guerreros Laguneros defend their CMLL Trios Championship against a challenge by outsiders from Klan Kaoz. In the title match, Ultimo Guerrero leads Euforia and Gran Guerrero against Ciber the Main Man (Cibernetico), The Chris (El Zorro) & Scharly Rock Star (Charly Manson).
Elsewhere on the card, the legendary Atlantis teams with Mistico and Soberano Jr. to face La Nueva Generacion Dinamita. Also, two more trios matches round out CMLL’s 85th anniversary show.
The card will stream live on ROH’s HonorClub. Likewise, the show is available as an iPPV for $10 US via internetv.tv.
Follow along with our live coverage beginning approximately at 9:30 PM Eastern.
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The show began with a canned intro that included a video package and new graphics. A women’s trios match opened the card.
Jarochita, Marcela & captain Princesa Sugehit defeated Reyna Isis, Metalica & captain Dalys
The tecnicas won the first and third falls to take the match. The captains decided the first fall when the tecnicas started off strong. Dalys looked to fire up after reversing a double suplex — only Sugehit caught her in an octopus hold to submit the ruda captain.
The rudas went on to even the score in the second fall. Metallica jumped off the top rope into a senton bomb to eliminate Marcela via pinfall. A moment later, Reyna springboarded into a Vader Bomb to pin Jarochita.
A tecnicas made a comeback in the third fall. Marcela off the top with a double foot stomp set up her applying La Tapatia on Reyna for a submission. Meanwhile, Jarochita submitted Metalica with a Muta Lock.
Audaz, Niebla Roja & captain Angel de Oro defeated Felino, Mephisto & captain Negro Casas (w/ El Perico Zacarias)
In the first fall, an Audaz springboard splash to the outside led into the tecnicos scoring dual submissions. The brothers — Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja — submitted Casas & Felino with campana holds.
La Peste Negra (“The Black Plague”) plotted their revenge during the second fall. Felino eliminated Audaz via pinfall after an avalanche powerbomb off the ropes. Mephisto then suplexed Neibla Roja off the ropes onto his own brother. Mephisto then covered both brothers in pinning Neibla Roja for the rudos to take the second fall.
The tecnicos made a comeback that led to a trifecta of dives. Felino was eliminated with a Bubba bomb and a submission hold. Audaz then submitted Mephisto with a cross-armbreaker for a tecnico win.
La Nueva Generacion Dinamita cosplayed as bullriders for their entrance. The New Dinamitas later spurred their way to victory. They took an early advantage in the first fall. Forastero eliminated Soberano via submission using an armbar. Sanson held Atlantis in a backbreaker for a springboard elbow drop from Cuatrero similar to the old Demoition finisher. Cuatrero pinned Atlantis for the Dinamtas to win the first fall.
The rudo onslaught continued until a tecnico comeback led to a parade of dives. The tecnicos would go on to win the second fall to tie the score.
Atlantis got to shine before more wild dives. Soberano executed his tornillo splash on Cuatrero. Forastero springboarded into a dive on Soberano. The captains then squared off. Sanason had Mistico in a Torture Rack that he turned into a sit-out super powerbomb to pin the tecnico captain.
Scharly Rockstar (Charly Manson), The Chris (El Zorro) & captain Ciber the Main Man (Cibernetico) defeated CMLL Trios Champions Gran Guerrero, Euforia & captain Ultimo Guerrero to win the titles
The outisders won the CMLL trios titles in an upset with a screwjob foot on the ropes finish. Although Los Guerreros Laguneros are normally rudos, they were the defacto babyfaces in this feud against the outsider faction. Klan Kaoz triple-teamed Ultimo Guerrero to win the first fall. Ciber pinned Ultimo Guerrero for the invaders to gain the lead.
A Laguneros rally led to a flurry of offense by the home team. Euforia then submitted The Chris — while Gran Guerrero also submitted Rockstar with a stretch muffler. The defending champs tied the score at one fall apiece.
The Guerreros faction ran wild in the third fall. After a series of highspots, the dust settled and the captains faced off. Ciber tackled Ultimo Guerrero and went for a cover. Ciber cheated to win by putting his foot on the ropes for leverage. The referee counted to three and awared the titles to Klan Kaoz. The crowd seemed somewhat stunned. So was I. Guerreros protested with the ref and officials at ringside — but to no avail. The decision was final. The titles had changed hands. The invaders raided a championship.
Diamante Azul, King Phoenix (Fenix) & captain Penta El Zero M defeated Caristico, El Hijo de LA Park & captain LA Park
LA Park wore a Predator mask and costume during his entrance — which is fitting with the new movie debuting in theaters. The Lucha Brothers were once kids that revered Arena Mexico, and now their journey brings them back again to the same hallowed building. This time they are on the winning side in a featured match in the venue they so revered. What a storybook moment of dreams turning to reality.
In the first fall, the father and son duo scored a pinfall for their trios team. Before that, Penta was sent into the front row by a tope from Caristico. Hijo de LA Park went on to pin Phoenix after a wicked-looking double underhook driver. LA Park speared Azul for the other pinfall.
A wild brawl erupted in the second fall. They fought around ringside and up the aisles. Park was whipping people with his belt. The Lucha Brother launched into a double team comeback. They screwed up one spot, and the crowd let them know about it. They still popped when they were successful on a second try. Fenix gave his brother — Penta — a super Frankensteiner off the top to the floor on awaiting bodies. In the ring, Azul submitted the opposing captain when he applied a camel clutch on Park.
The third fall saw all kinds of highspots. Father and son got nearfalls. LA Park did a tope suicida — which is crazy for his age and size. Hijo de LA Park did a flying crossbody into the front row on Phoenix. A false finish led into the actual finish. A parade of dives gave way to a Lucha Brothers tandem attack. Phoenix jumped off the top rope with a double foot stomp to spike Carstico into a package piledriver from Penta. As Penta pinned Caristico, Pheonix delivered a Fenix Driver on Hijo de Park for the deciding pinfall.
Rush & Barbaro Cavernario defeated Volador Jr. & Matt Taven in a double hair match
Rush & Cavernario had by far the coolest entrance of the night with dancers and elaborate costumes. They went on to win the first and third falls to take the hair of Volador & Taven. Rush & Cavernario were seemingly the crowd favorites on this night to a vocal majority of those in attendance. Volador got booed by proxy because he was teaming with Taven. The crowd seemed to loath any thoughts of Taven possibly winning. Volador was somewhat protected despite losing. Taven cost Volador the match, and then turned on him in an angle afterwards.
The long mane of the caveman remains intact. Likewise, arguably the most coveted hair in lucha libre also remains alive with Rush. The first two falls went quickier than the lenghtly third fall — which was filled with dives, highspots, and false finishes. During the actual finish, Taven caught his own partner — Volador — with a kick to set up the deciding pinfall. Taven then turned on Volador after the match. Both still left with their head shaved.
The first fall began with a brawl in typical Rush fashion. Cavernario went on to pin Taven. Rush hit a basement dropkick on Volador to pin him. Rush & Cavernario continued their dominance into the second fall. They taunted with a tranquilo pose and push-ups. Taven & Volador fired up. Volador springboarded into a super Frankensteiner on Cavernario. Taven then jumped off the top rope with a frog splash to pin Cavernario. Volador superkicked Rush — setting him up for a backstabber from Taven to score a pin. That evened the falls.
The third fall was a highlight reel of action. The trading of near falls began with Rush giving Taven an exploder suplex into a corner. Taven countered moments later with a bulldog DDT. Cavernario joined in the exchange of near falls after giving Volador a crucifix buckle bomb. Cavernario followed that with a fisherman’s suplex for a two count on Volador. Volador reversed another crucifix attempt to cradle Cavernario. Rush made the save with a shotgun dropkick to break up the count.
The trading of near falls continued. Rush and Cavernario cleared the ring. Rush then flew into a tope con hilo on Volador. Cavernario followed with tope through the turnbuckles on Taven. The momentum would soon shift when Taven and Volador made a comeback. Taven moonsaulted off the top to the floor — and Volador did an Asai moonsault. A frog splash by Taven led into a double near fall.
Cavernario & Rush soon cut off their opponents as much of the crowd cheered. Cavernario did his crazy splash off the top to the floor on Taven. Volador and Rush squared off — but Rush powdered. The crowd showered Rush with boos for practically the first time during the match. The audience would soon pop for a flying crossbody from Volador as he dived off the top into the front row. The madness kept going as Taven did a flip dive over the ropes to the outside.
Going into the finishing sequences, Cavernario submitted Taven with La Cavernaria. Volador got his feet up to block a Cavernario splash. He then executed a Canadian Destroyer on Cavernario for a pinfall. That set up sudden death where a pinfall on either Rush or Volador would decide the match.
Taven went for a disaster kick — only to hit his own tag partner instead. That left Volador defenseless as Rush hooked him and delivered a Jay Driller for the final pinfall.
Taven turned on Volador immediately after the conclusion of the post-match pyro. Confetti fell around them while Taven soon realized he too would be losing his hair alongside Volador. Taven tried to flee, but Volador dragged him back into the ring for the head shaving. After Taven had his head shaved, Volador too let the barber cut his locks and shave his head.
Closing thoughts —
While the card lost a lot of anticipation in the buildup, the show itself delivered on action. The atmoshpere was that of a supercard, but not the biggest show of the year. The tone and vibe was never on par with some previous CMLL anniversary shows. The drama was never high enough to deliver that emotional crescendo seen in classic apuesta matches. Nevertheless, this as an easily enjoyable card with some great matches.
Episode #357 of Ring of Honor television was taped in Fairfax, Virginia and picked up where last month’s Best in the World pay-per-view left off.
The show opened with a video package highlighting the PPV.
Jay Lethal started off in the ring issuing a challenge for Dalton Castle’s ROH World Championship. Matt Taven then chimed in and said he deserved a title match as well. This brought out Cody Rhodes, who said the same thing. Then, ROH World Champion Dalton Castle showed up and granted them a four-way title match for tonight.
Women of Honor Champion Sumie Sakai defeated Hazuki to retain her title
Hazuki threw Sakai all around ringside. Hazuki was firmly in control, trying to get a notch on her belt by upsetting the champion. A TJ Special hit for Sakai, but Hazuki kicked out. Sakai hit a fisherman buster for a close two count. Hazuki landed a double knee to the face of the prone Sakai. However, Sakai battled back and landed her Smashmouth finish.
Backstage. Gregory Helms irritated Marty Scurll. He put a beating on Helms, including doing the finger-break spot.
Jay Lethal defeated Dalton Castle, Cody, and Matt Taven to win the ROH World Championship
Castle took the early lead, strutting until Taven sent him over the ropes. Lethal was ready to dive and did so like a dozen times. Back in the ring, Castle got his mojo back until Cody sunk on the American Death Lock. Taven broke up the lock with a dive on Cody.
Lethal locked the figure four on Castle. Lethal then chopped Taven 22 times. Castle went for the Bang-a-Rang, then Taven rolled up the champion and pinned him for like an eight count — but referee Todd Sinclair was busy checking on Lethal.
Cody hit the Cross Rhodes on Taven and got a near fall. Lethal landed a double Lethal Injection and then another, but Taven pulled the ref out.
Castle and Lethal swung wildly and exchanged blows. Castle hooked him for the Bang-a-Rang, but Lethal rolled through and Castle walked right into the Lethal Injection for the win. The two upheld the code of honor and shook hands as Castle handed the belt over to Lethal.
Prior to Best in the World, episode #354 of Ring of Honor television was taped in New York City on June 2.
Kenny King defeated Jonathan Gresham
This match was full of incredible chain wrestling from both men. It seemed like Gresham had a kip up, a pin, or a reversal for everything King threw at him. There were quite a few arm drags from each man, including a nice Mexican arm drag sequence from King, off of which he used some arm submissions to slow down the speedier Gresham.
It looked like Gresham had the upper hand after a long chain of cradle attempts and a moonsault, but King was able to finally get a hold of him and land the Royal Flush slam for the pin.
Josh Woods defeated Facade
Shane Taylor joined Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana to scout Woods. This was a showcase of Woods’ offense, which consisted of some strong striking and some impressive deadlift-style suplexes.
Facade wasn’t able to get much offense in, but he did do some impressive moves using his superior agility. He walked the top rope out to the middle and landed a dropkick, which he followed up with a running double-jump front flip dive. Woods finally countered Facade into a rolling German suplex, which led to a big slam off his shoulders for the pin.
Woods confronted Taylor and wanted to fight him right then, but Taylor said no because he doesn’t fight for free.
Backstage, The Dawgs were looking for a third man so they can enter the six-man tag team gauntlet next week. They went into Shane Taylor’s dressing room and offered him an I.O.U. as payment to join their team. Taylor said no and that they already owe him money — and if they pay him again in change, there will be trouble.
A video package aired hyping the no disqualification match next week between Bully Ray and Cheeseburger.
Matt Taven defeated Ultimo Guerrero
Taven cut off Guerrero and distracted the referee so TK O’Ryan could choke Guerrero. On the outside, Guerrero took over and tossed Taven into the crowd and also threw O’Ryan around for good measure.
Taven took advantage after Guerrero missed a splash from the top to the floor. Taven did a dive to the floor over the top rope but connected with O’Ryan instead. This allowed Guerrero to sit both men on a chair so he could hit them both with a running splash. Guerrero chopped away at Taven until Taven was able to connect with a running knee and a moonsault. Taven put Guerrero on the top turnbuckle and went for a hurricanrana, but Guerrero turned it into a huge powerbomb.
Taven regained control and went back up top, but Guerrero grabbed him. Guerrero was distracted by The Kingdom, which allowed Vinny Marseglia to pop a balloon in Guerrero’s ear. Taven then hit the Climax spike DDT for the pin.
Taven ended the show with a promo about his greatness, and said he will always be better than Guerrero.
‘I Left My Wallet in Greg Polanco’ returns with a conversation I recently had with Ring of Honor star and leader of The Kingdom, Matt Taven.
If you haven’t heard my show and aren’t a subscriber, this is a free show. If you like what you hear, subscribe now and get access to my entire archive, Wrestling Observer Radio, the Bryan & Vinny Show, newsletters, and more.
Matt is a fellow homegrown New England talent and we start with his time working for New England Patriots prior to getting into wrestling. Matt explains how he got there, why he isn’t a fan of Randy Moss, being around Tom Brady, how it was to interact with many of the players at functions, and a surprising story about the late Aaron Hernandez.
The talk turns to Matt’s true sports love: the Boston Celtics. We discuss the lean years with players like Dino Radja, Eric Montross, Marty Conlon, Dominique Wilkins, and Pervis Ellison. We talk about the ongoing Eastern Conference finals with the Cavaliers before closing up with a little wrestling talk and the lineage of New England wrestling.
My Mom is also back to give her take on the Celtics/Cavs series, Lebron, Gronk and Brady, and, yes, polish weddings.You dont want to miss this.
It’s another fun and FREE episode of ‘Left My Wallet’. Enjoy!
A change in the card led to new champions last night at the first ROH War of the Worlds event in Lowell, Massachusetts.
During the show Castle came out and said that due to accumulating injuries, he would be unable to defend the ROH championship tonight. He reiterated that he was not relinquishing the title, but would instead take time off to heal injuries. It was reported in the newest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Castle has back and hand injuries, including a possible break in the hand.
An angle was set up during the Coast 2 Coast/Marseglia and O’Ryan bout where SoCal Uncensored came out from the back and took the ROH six man tag team titles from The Kingdom, who in storyline had recently stolen them. This set up a new match for later that night, where The Kingdom regained the six man titles from SoCal Uncensored, ending their two month reign with the titles.
The main event of the show had the Young Bucks defeat the Los Ingobernables de Japon team of BUSHI and Hiromu Takahashi.
Bully Ray teamed with Mark & Jay Briscoe to challenge The Kingdom for their six-man tag titles. Hanson and Punishment Martinez battled in a singles match with tag team implications. And a semifinal match set the stage for the conclusion of the Top Prospect Tournament.
Also, “Story time with Adam Cole” turned solemn and the Bullet Club retaliated against Frankie Kazarian.
Where to watch —
Airing this past weekend in syndication, the episode is available this week via the FITE TV app before airing on Wednesday at midnight ET on Comet TV, including on that channel’s free online live stream. The episode is also available on the official ROH website to watch for free on Thursday. Check local listings for availability.
Show recap —
The show opened with Mark and Jay Briscoe reflecting on the debut of Bully Ray in ROH where he joined up with “Dem Boys” to form a team. In the main event of this show, they challenge The Kingdom for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
Damien “Punishment” Martinez defeated Hanson
These two were recently in a short tag team feud that produced some wild brawls. They picked up where they left off here by brawling at the outset of a mean guy match.
Though the match was good enough, annoying noises (and these weren’t just cheers or boos) from a portion of the crowd were so audible it made the first half of the match almost unbearable to watch. The second half of the match after the first commercial break was much more pleasant as the noises stopped.
The brawling gave way to them trading near falls down the stretch. Hanson kept countering Martinez when he attempted a chokeslam. Not necessarily breaking news, but Hanson can fly like a cruiserweight. He did springboards and such. Not to be outdone, Martinez ran and leapt over the ropes into a dive to the outside.
In the closing moments, Hanson climbed the ropes looking to finish off Martinez with a high flying move off the top. Suddenly, Davey Boy Smith Jr. walked onstage to cause a distraction. Hanson turned his attention to Davey Boy, allowing Martinez to capitalize and execute his South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall.
Recapping events from the 15th Anniversary Show, footage of TK O’Ryan smashing his leg into a guardrail showed the injury that led to him being sidelined for some time to come. Thusly, the six-man tag later in the show will include a substitute for The Kingdom to defend the titles.
After the recap of the severe injury to O’Ryan, Silas Young cut a promo hyping a house show. That was ironic as he would go on to replace O’Ryan in the main event of this TV show.
In his promo, Silas promoted the “ROH Unauthorized” show in Milwaukee. As the tagline indicates, the show will be more edgy as all the matches are “unsanctioned” so anything goes. Silas vowed to fight a lot and drink lots of beer.
In an angle, Hangman Page attacked Frankie Kazarian in a parking garage. The Bullet Club were retaliating on Kazarian for swerving them. Page jumped Kazarian as an unknown associate filmed the sneak attack.
Grabbing a rope, Page went to presumably put a noose around Kazarian’s neck when a bystander wandered onto the scene off camera. Bullet Club then fled the scene.
John Skyler defeated Curt Stallion and advanced to the finals of the Top Prospect Tournament
Taped during “Manhattan Mayhem” from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, Brutal Bob Evans provided guest commentary for this semifinal match of the tournament.
Both Stallion and Skyler worked hard trying to have as exciting a match as possible. They were doing just that when Stallion wiped out on a dive through the ropes. Skyler sidestepped and Stallion crashed onto the floor just before a commercial break. The match continued and they kept working hard. God only knows how as Stallion took quite a bump on the outside.
They set a quick pace and continued it throughout most of the match. For the finish, Stallion went for a Frankensteiner as they were perched on the top turnbuckle. Skyler blocked it to deliver his finisher, Southern Salvation. Skyler pinned Stallion to advance towards the finals of the Top Prospect Tournament.
Adam Cole somewhat tried to repair ill will in the Superkliq subfaction of the Bullet Club. In a solemn promo, Cole pleaded with The Young Bucks for them all to reconcile their differences. Ever the heel, Cole never totally admitted his own fault nor did he take any blame for their issues.
The Briscoes & Bully Ray defeated The Kingdom & Silas Young to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
A backstage skit showed Silas Young making his proposal to The Kingdom for himself to sub in exchange for his own team getting a future title shot. Though everyone agreed to him being the replacement, tension clearly existed within the group from the beginning.
That would play into the story of the match. Young even argued with both Matt Taven and Vinny Marseglia in the ring before things got started.
As Young argued with The Kingdom, Bully Ray interrupted them to introduce himself and The Briscoes. Then they jumped the heels before the bell and cleaned house.
Marseglia was getting bullied by Bully Ray when he cut him off. The Briscoes pummeled Marseglia for doing such. Taven and Young interfered to crotch Jay Briscoe on a ring post, turning the tide for The Kingdom.
The heels worked over Jay until a hot tag to brother Mark. As Mark began to run wild, The Kingdom cut him off. Young tried to steal a cover from The Kingdom. Taven and Young begin to argue when a babyface tag brought in Bully Ray to clean house.
Both Briscoes lifted Marseglia for Bully Ray to deliver the 3D. Bully Ray then pinned Marseglia to capture the ROH World Six-Man Championship.
The oldest promotion still in existence honored their tradition and two legends on Friday night at the cathedral of lucha libre in Mexico City.
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre presented Homenaje a Dos Leyendas in Arena Mexico, headlined by a mask match and highlighted by an exciting undercard.
Pierroth lost his mask to Diamante Azul in the main event on a card where fans also threw money at the ring in appreciation of a title match where Matt Taven challenged Ultimo Guerrero.
Homenaje a Dos Leyendas this year honored both Salvador Lutteroth and Villano III. Lutteroth is honored annually as the founder of the promotion that became CMLL. Villano III is a second generation luchador from the famed Mendoza family.
Those moments displayed the history of CMLL and Arena Mexico. Likewise, trios matches throughout the CMLL spectacular showcased the best of what present day lucha libre can offer.
Though the artform is not without very high risks, as evidenced by an ugly moment during the opening match. In a scary scene, luchadora Estrellita lost her footing on a high risk move and landed very badly on the floor. She was carried away from ringside on a stretcher.
Zeuxis wore a mask honoring trainer Negro Navarro. She also targeted Sugehit throughout the match and ripped at her mask at one point, which played into the finish.
The tecnicas took the opening fall. Estrellita pinned Amapola with a bridging cradle and Marcela pinned Tiffany after a double foot stomp off the top rope.
The rudas got their heat back quickly into the second fall. Tiffany pinned Marcela, then also pinned Estrellita after giving each different sit-out bombs.
The tecnicas were making a comeback in the third fall when Estrellita suffered her injury. She went to springboard on the ropes. While her left foot reached the top rope, she missteped with her right leg and lost her footing. She crashed to the floor and immediately needed medical attention.
Zeuxis and Sugehit went straight to the finish in the ring. Sugehit tried to unmask Zeuxis as a receipt for her mask being ripped earlier in the match. Zeuxis suddenly unmasked Sugehit rendering a disqualification, costing the rudas the match and awarding the tecnicas the deciding third fall.
Dragon Lee, Titan & Stuka Jr. defeated Gran Guerrero, Niebla Roja & Euforia
The rudos took the first fall when team captain Euforia powerbombed and pinned tecnico team captain Dragon Lee. The rudos triple-teamed Lee when the next fall was underway.
Tecnicos made a comeback in the second fall with Titan doing a tilt-a-whirl transition into a modified crucifix for a pin on Roja. With Gran Guerrero hooked in the tree-of-woe, Dragon Lee leapt off the ropes into a double foot stomp to also pin Guerrero.
The third fall led to lots of spectacular high flying before ending with the rudo captain being pinned. Stuka hit a torpedo splash on Euforia for the pin to finish an exciting match.
Rush, La Mascara & Kraneo defeated Caristico, Atlantis & Marco Corleone
A brawl erupted at the outset with the rudos on a rampage en route to taking the first fall. Rush dropkicked Caristico, the tecnico team captain, as he lay in a corner and La Mascara pinned him.
Los Ingobernables continued to dominate as the second fall began. Rush tore at Atlantis’ mask. The rudos began to gloat, allowing Atlantis to rally.
The age-defying Atlantis did a tope suicida through the ropes to the floor during his comeback, then did another later on. His legend only grows greater.
Corleone pressed a mini overhead and slammed him on Kraneo after the mini kept interfering. The tecnicos were running wild when Corleone ran down the ramp and cleared the ropes, leaping into a crossbody on Rush.
Rush rolled through on the crossbody and covered Corleone. La Mascara held Corleone’s foot to keep him from kicking out as Rush draped his own feet on the bottom rope to score an underhanded pinfall.
Caristico was also counted out of the ring as Los Ingobernables won in two straight falls.
NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion Ultimo Guerrero defeated Matt Taven to retain his title
Taven was the heel antagonist, so Guerrero became the protagonist despite him typically being a rudo. Guerrero even played babyface-in-peril in the first fall.
Gaining an early advantage, Taven acted arrogant as he worked over the champion until Guerrero suddenly fired up.
Guerrero trapped Taven in a wacky submission hold that included a grapevine, a cobra twist, and lots of practice. Tied in a knot, Taven tapped out and the champion gained the first fall.
Taven started stalling and begging off at the start of the next fall. He then rushed in with a flurry. Taven hit a disaster kick, followed by a lionsault, and pinned Guerrero in a short second fall.
For a near fall as the third fall began, Taven went for another lionsault and Guerrero got his knees up. With Taven reeling, Guerrero did his signature leap over the barricade and raised the roof.
Doing another signature spot, Guerrero did a delayed handspring into a bronco buster. He went for another attempt only for Taven to counter. Taven applied a scorpion deathlock and Guerrero got a rope break.
They traded near falls in the closing moments. Guerrero hoisted Taven for a super gourdbuster and Taven kicked out. Guerrero kicked out after a frog splash from Taven. Guerrero blocked a frankensteiner and powerbombed Taven off the top rope for another two count.
Taven went to climb the ropes. Guerrero cut him off to set up an inverted superplex that led to Guerrero pinning Taven to retain his title.
So pleased with the great performance, fans in the crowd threw money at the ring afterwards. Taven later tweeted about his appreciation for the gesture.
CMLL World Trios Champions Mistico, Volador Jr. & El Valiente defeated Mephisto, Luciferno & Hechicero to retain their titles
The champions, Sky Team, all wore matching camouflage in solidarity.
The rudos quickly dispatched Sky Team in the first fall. Luciferno pinned Volador with a Styles Clash and Mephisto pinned Valiente after a double-underhook gourdbuster.
The rudos continued the onslaught into the second fall, but the champions rallied into a comeback. Team captain Mistico used La Mistica to submit rival captain Mephisto, giving Sky Team the fall.
The third fall opened with a parade of dives. Soon thereafter, the rudos shifted the momentum. Hechicero cleaned house like a boss and became involved in a five-person tower of doom spot.
After more breathtaking spectacle from the flyers, Hechicero took part in a another series of near falls and high spots with Sky Team. Doing a triple submission, Sky Team thought they won. The referee told them no.
The momentary distraction allowed the rudos to capitalize. Mephisto had Volador pinned and Sky Team looked doomed. However, Valiente swooped in to execute a tombstone codebreaker and pin Luciferno for Sky Team to retain their titles.
A ceremony in the ring honored Villano III. Family surrounded him as he received a plaque and gave a short speech. Before leaving, Villano III removed his mask, waved to the crowd, and wiped away tears.
Diamante Azul defeated Pierroth in a mask match
Los Ingobernables walked out with Pierroth. Rush was the second and interfered liberally. The others were lurking, ready to possibly also interfere. On the other side, Maximo was the second for Azul.
Pierroth blindsided Azul at the start, overwhelming him very quickly and using a senton in taking the first fall via pin.
Rush interfered and attacked Azul. Pierroth continued to pummel him before ripping off his opponent’s mask, thus getting disqualified and giving the second fall to Azul.
The final fall opened with a hope spot as Azul fired up and wiped out Rush with a dive through the ropes. Pierroth soon cut short Azul’s comeback, yet Azul still managed to get Pierroth in a pinning predicament.
Rush got on the apron to cause a distraction. Azul and Pierroth fought on. Taking a running start on the ramp, Azul launched into a wild somersault senton. He also dove off the top rope to the floor with a plancha.
The match began to drag. Rush interfered again by tripping Azul. Maximo confronted Rush as Marco Corleone and El Terrible rushed to ringside to help force Los Ingobernables away from the ring.
As Los Ingobernables were ejected, Azul gave Pierroth a German suplex. Azul held the bridge for a three count to win the match.
Pierroth unmasked as Arturo Munoz, a luchador for 26 years. He cut a promo, attacked Azul, then unmasked him. Azul grabbed Pierroth’s mask and put it on before he and Pierroth had a pull-apart brawl.
Pierroth left the scene with Los Ingobernables.
Azul switched masks again and held the of mask of Pierroth overhead like a trophy.
A celebration of nostalgia highlighted the Leyendas Mexicanas show on Friday evening in Arena Mexico.
Even with living legends headlining and appearing throughout the card, the most notable name making news on the show was someone not even there.
Though advertised for a match on this card against Cavernario, Mascara Dorada had just wrestled days before in the finals of the Cruiserweight Classic under his new name, Gran Metalik. Soon thereafter, WWE announced Metalik would start on Raw as part of the new cruiserweight division.
Dorada apologized on Twitter, and he is still supposedly booked for a Tuesday night in Guadalajara. Dorada’s likeness is also on an official poster advertising the card for next Friday night in Arena Mexico.
Rush challenged Matt Taven to a match for that same show next Friday, after being beaten at his own game on this show.
The show started earlier than usual at 5:00 pm local time and opened with a women’s trios match.
Marcela, Estrellita & Sanely defeated Amapola, La Jarochita & La Metalica
The tecnicas won the first fall when Estrellita pinned Amapola as she rolled her up with a bridging cradle. The rudas evened up the falls in the second when Jarochita pinned Sanely after a quebrada moonsault off the top rope, and Amapola pinned Estrellita after delivering Devil’s Wings.
In the deciding third fall, Sanely cradled Metalica. Marcela jumped off the top with a double foot stomp on Jarochita and pinned her to score the win for the tecnicas.
Blue Panther, Kahoz & Negro Navarro defeated Solar, Mano Negro & Super Astro
To end the opening fall of the first legends match on the card, Solar submitted Blue Panther with a keylock while Mano Negro pinned Negro Navarro. Kahoz submitted Solar in the short second fall. Then, Navarro used a armlock submission on Solar to win the third fall. Navarro really shined here with his conditioning and speed compared with the others.
The first fall ended with two submissions. Casas submitted Fantasma with the scorpion deathlock and Satanico submitted Sagrada with a half crab. Into the second fall, the technicas ran wild. Well, “ran” might be misleading. Nevertheless, the pace quickened. A triple submission ended the fall.
Submission holds also ended the match. Fantasma submitted Guerrera and Atlantis applied La Atlantida on Casas to win the third fall.
El Valiente defeated Barbaro Cavernario
This was a lightning match, meaning a one fall singles match. Some vocal people in the crowd seemed upset that Mascara Dorada was not there. Valiente subbed for him, which was a tough job given the circumstances. Valiente and Cavernario worked hard in trying to turn the crowd in their favor. Eventually, the audience started to get into the match as they erupted for Valiente doing a tope suicida. Moments later, it just kind of ended.
Valiente executed a jumping piledriver and covered Cavernario for the pinfall.
Ultimo Guerrero, Euforia & Matt Taven defeated Rush, Rey Escorpion & Pierroth
Both teams were rudos so the dynamic in this match was different than the rest. Rush and his teammates from Los Ingobernables became the defacto antagonists in the match. Rush probably had the most heat from the crowd, as they were loudly booing him.
A brawl erupted at the outset. Pierroth and Escorpion held Guerrero for Rush to deliver a missile dropkick. Escorpion then quickly swooped in to pin Guerrero and Los Ingobernables took the first fall.
Much like the first fall, the second one began with a brawl. Los Ingobernables singled out Taven and worked him over. Rush dropkicked a prone Taven in a corner, which would play into the finish later on.
With the help of Guerrero and Euforia, Taven made a comeback and did a flip dive over the ropes to the floor. To win the second fall, Guerrero submitted Escorpion and Euforia pinned Pierroth following a senton.
Rush and Taven squared off several times going into the third fall. Euforia did a flip dive on the outside to dispatch Pierroth. When Ultimo Guerrero leapt over the barricade to take out Escorpion, the crowd got solidly behind him. Guerrero started doing his raise the roof dance and many in the crowd started raising the roof too.
Back in the ring, Rush went to again dropkick Taven in a corner like before, but Taven moved out of the way this time. Taven rolled up Rush and got the pin with a foot on the ropes for added leverage.
The irony is that cheating tactic is similar to the tactics of Los Ingobernables, so Taven beat them at their own game. Rush was very unhappy so he cut a promo afterwards.
Rush called out Taven in Spanish and mocked him for not understanding since Rush wasn’t speaking in English. Rush challenged Taven to a match. Taven accepted and cut a short promo in English, except for calling him a “punto”. That is probably a no-no in Arena Mexico similar to using the American English equivalent on WWE TV being strictly forbidden.
Nevertheless, Rush vs. Taven is set for next week in Arena Mexico.
Rayo De Jalisco Jr., Dos Caras & Canek defeated Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000
The rudos in this match are arguably one of the most legendary trios in lucha libre. All three are brothers once billed as Los Hermanos Dinamita (The Dynamite Brothers). Though all three lost their hoods in mask matches decades ago, they reunited wearing their masks just like old times.
The technicos were equally legendary. Dos Caras is an enduring figure in lucha libre who is known to modern wrestling audiences as the father of Alberto Del Rio. He was a seminal part of the now defunct UWA, which at one time was one of the top promotions in Mexico.
Teaming with him on this show was another major figure and living legend from the UWA heyday, Canek. Rounding out the trio in this match was Ray de Jalisco Jr, who carries on the legend of his father while also having built a legend of his own.
Despite all those accolades, the legends tried their best but this match was far from pretty. Some of it was downright ugly at times. Nostalgia somewhat made up for it with limited success.
Likewise, some in the crowd loved seeing them, while many others loathed and jeered the plodding match.
The rudos did some stalling as the first fall began. The rudos took the fall by working together to pin Canek and submit Dos Caras. As the second fall began everyone was brawling on the floor. Eventually, they got back in the ring where the tecnicos made a comeback and went on the take the second fall.
In that fall, Rayo de Jalisco and Dos Caras each pinned both Mascara Anos 2000 and Universo 2000 with the brothers on top of each other. They pinned one, with the other brother laying on top of him, then they immediately rolled them other and pinned the other.
They tried some highspots in the last fall and their efforts were admirable given their ages. Notwithstanding that, not much about it was graceful. The match was dragging by this point.
Eventually, Canek submitted Universo 2000 as Dos Caras pinned Mascara Anos 2000 and Rayo de Jalisco pinned Cien Caras.
With a slight hangover from the anniversary show, the atmosphere on Friday night in Arena Mexico seemed subdued compared to last week which isn’t unusual coming off the biggest show of the year.
Matt Taven returned to the ring after being sidelined with an injury over a year ago. He appeared healthy and tested his knee with a few high flying moves.
Another notable aspect of the show concerned Caristico. Heading into Friday night, he was double booked for both Arena Mexico and an Elite show in Naucalpan.
After all the speculation about which booking he would choose, Caristico actually did a double shot and appeared on both shows. He took part in a trios match in Arena Mexico, and reportedly showed up in Naucalpan in time to appear on that show as well.
The show in Arena Mexico opened with a minis match.
In the first fall, Stukita did a lionsault on Pierrothito and pinned him. Astral also applied a leglock submission on Nitro for the tecnicos to win the fall.
For the second fall, the rudos dispatched Astral so they could work over Stukita. Nitro softened up Stukita with a double foot stomp and Pierrothito submitted him with a sharpshooter. Astral then jumped in, only for him to take a codebreaker and get pinned by Nitro for the rudos to win the second fall.
Stukita did a splash from off the top turnbuckle on the ramp. He applied a leglock on Pierrothito while also bridging backwards to cover him for a pinfall. Nitro was outside the ring and counted out so the tecnicos won the deciding third fall.
Blue Panther Jr., Pegasso & Soberano Jr. defeated Tiger, Virus & Okumura
The rudos won the first fall as Okumura applied a STF to submit Pegasso, and Felino pinned Soberano after a backstabber.
To even up the falls, the tecnicos won the second when Panther scored a pin after slingshotting into the ring and dropkicking Okumura in a corner.
This all flowed well to build towards larger highspots in the third fall. Using a hurricanrana, Pegasso then cradled Virus to pin him. Soberano springboarded off the middle turnbuckle and did a quebrada to the outside on Okumura. Tiger then squared off with Panther, and Panther submitted Tiger with the Lagunero knot.
Angel de Oro, Titan & Rey Cometa defeated Ephesto, Hechicero & Vangellys
The rudos captured the first fall. Hechicero hoisted Angel de Oro for a backbreaker and held him for Ephesto. Ephesto jumped off the middle rope with an ugly guillotine legdrop and pinned Angel de Oro.
Rey Cometa did an unbelievable corkscrew plancha to the outside in the second fall. Angel de Oro won the fall for the tecnicos when he cradled Ephesto for the pin.
Angel de Oro was injured in the third fall, bringing the match to a halt. Before that, the match was going along very well until Angel de Oro took a buckle bomb and fell to the mat.
Everyone stayed clear of Angel de Oro. Cometa and Titan did stereo Asai moonsaults to buy some time. The rudos got back in the ring and bumped the referee, shoving him down for a disqualification to end the match.
El Felino defeated El Valiente
Felino brought an actual toilet seat to the ring with him for whatever reason. He held it up, displaying it like it was a title belt. To each his own.
They brawled on the floor briefly before getting back in the ring. Not for long as Valiente did a dive through the ropes. Moments later, Felino jumped off the top turnbuckle with a plancha.
Back in the ring, Felino leapt off the top with a flying elbow drop. He then covered Valiente for the pin in a one fall match.
Mr. Niebla, Matt Taven & Shocker defeated Volador Jr., Maximo Sexy & Mascara Dorada (Gran Metalik)
Playing the cowardly heel, Taven refused to tag in at the outset. He begged off and threatened to leave. He changed his mind though.
Mascara Dorada ran wild with dives and amazing high flying moves. Maximo kissed Taven as they stood on the ropes, causing Taven to fall backwards and Volador pinned him. Maximo then also rolled up Shocker and pinned him for the tecnicos to win the first fall.
(Photo: Mascara Dorada flying over the top rope on Mr. Niebla)
There was some comedy with Niebla and the minis as they got involved. Shocker squared off with a mini. Maximo also did some comedy bits.
The rudos went on to win the second fall. Taven did a springboard into a kick on Dorada. He followed that with a swinging neckbreaker and Taven pinned Dorada. Shocker also submitted Maximo with an abdominal stretch.
They saved the best for last in the final fall with big dives and such. Maximo went through the ropes. Volador went over the ropes. Dorada springboarded into a senton. Taven cleared the ropes on a dive to the outside.
The rudos won the deciding third fall when Mr. Niebla pinned Volador after a flying legdrop off the top.
Mistico, Caristico & Dragon Lee defeated La Mascara, Negro Casas & Euforia
The first fall started with a brawl and the rudos cleared the ring. Mascara ripped at Dragon Lee’s mask. Nailed with an elbow suicida moments later, Mascara briefly fled the scene but returned later.
Tecnicos went on to win the first fall. Mistico applied La Mistica on Euforia for a submission and Caristico used a la magistral cradle on Casas for a pinfall.
In the second fall, Mistico wiped out his own partner, Caristico, on a dive outside the ring. That could possibly lead to something down the road, but this is CMLL so it is anyone’s guess if that happens.
Mascara squared off with Dragon Lee. They exchanged stiff chops and strikes. Apparently feeling vengeful over losing his mask last week, Mascara unmasked Dragon Lee. Mascara was immediately disqualified, giving the fall and the match to the tecnicos.
(Photo: La Mascara with a forearm smash on Dragon Lee)
Next Friday night in Arena Mexico is the legends show.
