Tag: mistico

Dave Meltzer: CMLL’s 2025 was ‘unprecedented in wrestling history’

Posted on by Ian Carey

CMLL’s historic 2025 was discussed on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzalez addressed the world’s oldest wrestling promotion winning the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Award for Promotion of the Year, saying that what CMLL accomplished over the past year was historic.

“What CMLL did and accomplished this last year is unprecedented in wrestling history,” Meltzer said on the show.

“I didn’t expect them to win by the margins (that they did), but I did think they absolutely were the company that should have won.”

Through 2025, CMLL drew 1.1 million fans to Arena Mexico. It marked the first time any company has topped 1 million fans in a single arena over the course of a year.

CMLL won the voting with 5,042 total points, including 746 first-place votes. AEW finished second with 3,557 total points and 364 first-place votes.

“AEW’s match quality likely played a big factor in the second-place finish. They did have the best PPV year perhaps of any company in history as far as in-ring show quality, and the numbers there stayed strong,” Meltzer wrote in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer and Gonzalez also discussed AEW’s 2025 on Observer Radio, with Meltzer noting that had AEW drawn better throughout the year, they may have finished first.

“A lot of the people who had that negativity about AEW… they kind of had to shut up this year,” Meltzer said.

“If they were out there drawing 10,000 people for TVs, they would have won, but they didn’t, and they weren’t, and they didn’t win.”

The full episode of Wrestling Observer Radio is available for subscribers. The 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards issue is also available. A clip of Meltzer and Gonzalez discussing the awards can be found below:

Mistico responds to being voted WON Wrestler of the Year

Posted on by Ian Carey

Mistico has responded to being named Wrestler of the Year in the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

In addition to Mistico being voted Wrestler of the Year, CMLL won Promotion of the Year, Salvador Lutteroth III was voted Promoter of the Year, and Mascara Dorada won Best Flying Wrestler.

Mistico was asked by Mas Lucha about CMLL winning multiple WON awards this year. He responded (translated):

“My family woke me up with that news. It’s something very big that you don’t expect. I read that after 19 years we reached a good place,” he said, referring to winning the award back in 2006. “Today, after 19 years, I’ve done it again. I believe this is thanks to the fans, my rivals, and the company.”

“Seeing the name of Don Salvador Lutteroth recognized as one of the best promoters, seeing CMLL recognized as the best company, seeing Mascara Dorada, one of the best high-flyers, whom I consider number one, is something that God has truly blessed us with.”

“And as I’ve said, it’s about setting aside egos, setting aside rivalries, and simply demonstrating that Mexican wrestling, in general, is still the best in the world. Because we are all over the world, we are in very big companies, and the only thing for us to do is represent our country and show our culture, our blessed lucha libre, is still the best in the world.”

Dave Meltzer wrote of Mistico winning the Wrestler of the Year Award in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

“Mistico (Luis Urive, 43), has one of the most unique stories. He won this award in 2006 at the age of 24, and repeated 19 years later. That is the longest time frame gap among multiple winners, a group that includes Harley Race, Ric Flair, Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Hiroshi Tanahashi, AJ Styles, Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley.”

The full edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available for subscribers. LuchaBlog posted a clip from the interview here. The full Mas Lucha video is available below:

WOR: 2025 WON Awards, Brody King, AEW Grand Slam Australia preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about the big news from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We dove into part one of our look at the 2025 WON Awards in addition to hitting on some other topics including:

  • Brody King
  • AEW Grand Slam Australia
  • Ratings
  • Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania
  • WrestleMania tickets

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Mistico shares his goals for 2026

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Mistico already has aspirations for the new year.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Mistico said that he hopes to headline CMLL’s 93rd anniversary show this fall. He would also like to return to Japan, where he is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.

“My goals for [2026] is to start with everything with my heightened level. I’m going to be in February at FantasticaMania, so I also want to prove my level in Japan,” he said. “There are some new challenges that I want to take on in the next year. I would like to be in the main event of the 93rd Anniversary show in CMLL.”

As for what kind of matches he would like to have, he singled out apuesta matches between a few familiar rivals.

“I would like to have a rivalry for a Mask vs. Mask Match or a Mask vs. Hair Match,” he said. “I would like to face Mephisto in a Mask vs. Mask Match, or against Averno, Volador Jr. There are some big names that I would like to face in a Lucha de Apuestas Match in the 93rd Anniversary show in CMLL.”

Mistico will also be making appearances for MLW soon, as he’s announced for the Lucha Apocalypto event on February 7.

Mistico would like to have ‘double contract’ with CMLL & US promotion

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Mistico would like to sign a wrestling contract in the United States while remaining a top star for CMLL in Mexico.

Since AEW & CMLL formed their close working relationship, we’ve seen luchadors like Hechicero sign AEW deals while remaining contracted to CMLL. A dual contract is also something that interests Mistico, with him telling WrestleZone that he has ambitions of doing more in the U.S. promotions where he competes (AEW and MLW).

“I’m looking for an opportunity in any promotion in the world. If I receive an opportunity, I will take it. I proved that I love lucha libre,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in Mexico, London, Japan. I think that I’ve shown what I’m made of, and now I think it’s time to look for new things.”

“And if I have an opportunity for a championship in an American company, I’m going to do it in AEW and MLW with all the pleasure of the world,” Mistico added. “Like other teammates who have a wonderful double contract, I would like to have that kind of contract. Or also to have new rivalries with other superstars. So I’m looking for new opportunities and new challenges in my career.”

Mistico was previously signed to a U.S. contract when he competed as Sin Cara for WWE in the early 2010s.

The WrestleZone interview was done through a translator and was to promote MLW’s Slaughterhouse event that’s taking place this Saturday, where Mistico will be facing Ultimo Guerrero in the Opera Cup tournament quarterfinals. Mistico was the 2024 Opera Cup winner and is also a former Middleweight Champion for MLW.

Mistico has been one of 2025’s best wrestlers in the ring and at the box office. At CMLL’s 92nd Aniversario in September, he regained the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship from AEW star MJF.

MJF & Mistico have bloody brawl at CMLL 92nd Anniversario

Posted on by Bryan Rose

In the end, Mistico kept his mask.

The legendary CMLL star faced off against MJF as one of the major matches of Friday’s CMLL 92nd Anniversario in Mexico City. It turned into a bloody battle, with MJF tearing the mask of Mistico and making him bleed heavily early into the match. Jon Cruz, who accompanied MJF to Mexico, also interfered until Templario came down to even things out. 

The finish had Mistico take down Cruz on the apron with a superkick, then connected with la mistica on MJF. The former AEW World Champion attempted to fight out of the move, but eventually submitted to end his reign as champion.

After the match concluded, MJF posted on social media that he’d take his loss out on his All Out opponent Mark Briscoe. The two are to meet in a Tables ‘N’ Thumbtacks match in just a matter of hours in Toronto, Canada.

MJF spent most of the summer feuding with luchadores, mocking and taking masks from various wrestlers, including Kommander. He eventually turned his attention to Mistico, and the two faced off at AEW’s Grand Slam Mexico event. Although Mistico emerged victorious by disqualification, MJF attacked Mistico after and took his mask.

In the weeks following Grand Slam, MJF continued to up the ante by making appearances for CMLL, defeating Averno for the CMLL Light Heavyweight title and retaining the title over Zandokan Jr. The two eventually agreed to a mask vs. title match.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Pure rules showcase

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Pure rules will be showcased in three matches on tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.

Former Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will take on Matt Mako while in two women’s matches, CMLL’s Olympia battles Viva Van and Yuka Sakasaki challenges former MLW Featherweight champion Janai Kai.

Formerly of the Dark Order, Alan Angels makes his return to the Khan companies for his ROH debut against The Beast Mortos.

Ahead of his mask vs. title match with MJF on Friday for CMLL, Mistico will be in action against Mansoor.

In a mixed tag team match, Wheeler Yuta teams with Marina Shafir against Man Like DeReiss and Aleah James.

The show is rounded out by singles matches featuring Satnam Singh and Lance Archer.

**********

It’s Thursday and you know what that means! If it was 30 years ago, Friends would be on! But in the here and now, we’ve got ROH on Honorclub and the man with the best theme song in all of wrestling:

Mistico (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs Mansoor (w/Johnny TV, Mason Madden & Taya Valkyrie)

Tomorrow night, Mistico will meet MJF in a Title vs Mask match at the 92nd Anniversay of CMLL show. Mansoor will probably be doing something tomorrow night too, but I’m afraid to speculate in case they make it into more gross merch. MxMxTV entered with Madden wearing even shorter shorts than Valkyrie, which is hard to do and deserves a mention.

The match kicked off with Mistico actually giving up a few inches in size to Mansoor. Usually it’s the other way aound. Anyway, Mansoor kicked Mistico in the gut and Mistico responded by running circles around him.

Mansoor made the mistake of stopping to pose, and Mistico took advantage with a poke to the ribs and a flip slam. Mistico took control from there, hitting Mansoor with springboards and wristlocks. Mansoor slapped Abrahantes through the ropes, causing a distraction and then raking the eyes.

Mansoor sent Mistico to the outside where Madden, TV and Valkyrie stomped him repeatedly.

Suddenly, Jon Cruz appeared at ringside in a top hat a tuxedo. Ian Riccaboni seemed pretty convinced that it wasn’t Cruz though.

Back in the ring, Mansoor went up top, but Mistico dodged and hit a springboard crossbody followed by a headscissor. Mistico scooped Mansoor up for a, well, scoop slam, and Mansoor tried to make a tag to Madden. Realizing it wasn’t a tag match, he turned and set Mistico up on the ropes to get spraed with (ugh) Seed. The ref stopped it though and Mistico hit a stalling crossbody followed by La Mistica to get the win.

Match Result: Mistico defeated Mansoor

Abraham Cruz then went to ringside and make motions like he was going to remove Mistico’s mask, referring to the match with MJF tomorrow. So that’s what that was about.

Pure Rules Match: Olympia vs Viva Van

Our first Pure Rules match of the night featured CMLL star Olympia, as a warm up for the Tournament to Crown The First Ever Women’s Pure Rules Champion in Ring of Honor, or the TCTFEWPRCROH for short. Olympia will face Billie Starkz in the tournament soon.

Olympia had a clear strength advantage over Van, but Van’s had some really aggressive matches in the last little while. She managed to keep up with Olympia through the first minute of the match, locking a knee stretch that looked really painful.

Olympia responded with a Muta lock, forcing Van to grab the ropes and use her first break at 2:01. Olympia hit a pedulum bronco buster in the corner, but Van was able to respond with a spinning heel kick. Olympia then got her up on her shoulders and did squats for a while before hitting a samoan drop.

Van went up top for a big crossbody next, but only got a two count. Olympia landed a German suplex, but got caught by an elbow when she charged Van in the corner. Van tried another crossbody, but Olympia caught her and hit a spinning slam to pick up the victory.

Match Result: Olympia defeated Viva Van

The Beast Mortos vs Alan Angels

Angels ran with the Dark Order in AEW when the first hit the scene, but this would be his ROH debut. He has the misfortune of facing The Beast Mortos who I heard declined catering just so he had room to eat Angels alive. That may not be true, but it could be.

Angels didn’t even get a lockup before Mortos knocked him across the ring. Angels came back with a high knee, but Mortos hit him in the face with his fist. Angels sent Mortos out of the ring and then nailed him with a baseball slide dive.

Tossing Mortos back in the ring, Angels went up top, but Mortos caught him and tried for a slam. Angels got free and landed a kick. Mortos got Angels up for a backbreaker followed but a lariat and massive samoan drop. That was it for Angels and Mortos picked up the win.

Match Result: The Beast Mortos defeated Alan Angels

-Backstage, Jon Cruz cut a promo about Mistico’s mask. He’s rooting for MJF as you can imagine. Cruz told Mistico that MJF is better than him and then switched to Spanish, so I lost track.

Pure Rules Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs Matt Mako

The second Pure Rules match of the night featured a former Pure Rules champion and NWO World Tour create-a-wrestler, Shibata.

After a feeling out, Shibata won the battle of the waistlocks with a wristlock. Mako rolled around, but Shibata was able to get a scissor lock on. Mako squirmed free and found himself in a headlock, which Shibata transitioned into a chin lock.

Shibata went back to working Mako’s wrist and arm, but Mako was able to use his legs to get out of it. In response, Shibata hit him with the figure four in the center of the ring. Mako managed to turn it over though, with neither man able to reach a rope. Shibata rolled back into control, but Mako got him over again. Finally, Mako made it to the ropes at 3:15 to break the hold and use up one of his rope breaks.

Shibata turned to strikes and chops to try and wear Mako down, hitting him with a missile dropkick in the corner. Shibata hit a suplex and went back to the arm bar. He transitioned into a triangle choke. Mako worked out of it and hit a butterfly slupex, followed by an arm bar.

Mako transitioned to a body scissor with a choke, but Shibata turned it into an ankle lock with kneebar as the clock ticked towards the 10 minute time limit. Mako used his second rope break at 6:25, but Shitbata put that leg lock right back on, forcing him to use his final break at 6:56.

Mako tried to get back into it with a suplex, but Shibata put a sleeper on him, followed by his big kick to get the pin.

Match Result: Katsuyori Shibata defeated Matt Mako

Mixed Tag Team Match: Death Riders (Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta) vs Aleah James & Man Like DeReiss

Yuta and his hair are partnering with Shafir to face two people I’ve never heard of and didn’t get an entrance, so I’m sure it will go fine for them.

Shafir and Yuta jumped James and DeRiess off the top, with Yuta and DeReiss starting things off. DeReiss got some momentum, putting Yuta in the corner and doling out some street justice in the form of multiple stomps.

Yuta did what he does and bit him, giving Yuta the chance to tag in Shafir. DeReiss tagged in James who immediately ate the foot of Shafir. James got a headscissor on, but that just made Shafir mad and she kicked her across the ring.

Shafir laid out James with a flurry of judo throws then stepped on her mouth. Shafir put a knot hold on James and flipped off DeReiss at the same time, showcasing her multitasking skills. James got a kick in and then tagged DeReiss in.

Yuta found himself flipped by DeRiess and then taking a shotgun dropkick and a 619. DeReiss allowed Shafir to distract him and Yuta hit an atomic drop followed by a German suplex. DeReiss wouldn’t go down though and hit a big cutter, sending Yuta out of the ring.

James tagged in and hit a crossbody on the charging Shafir. She tried to strike Shafir, but a strike war is not something you want to have with Shafir. She threw James and locked in Mother’s Milk, forcing James to give up.

Match Result: Death Riders defeated Aleah James & Man Like DeReiss

-Next, this week’s edition of Lance Archer Kills The ROH Universe took place in the parking lot. Archer beat up a bunch of extras, but then here came the BEEF! BEEF got a couple of shots in before Archer sent him into a barricade. Rocky Romero flashed some cash and they both left.

Satnam Singh vs CPA

Speaking of massive squashes, Singh was up next and took on CPA aka Carl Patrick Alabaster aka Corner Pocket Abbott aka the long lost son of VK Wallstreet.

CPA tried to pick up Singh off the top, which was pretty dumb. Singh picked him up with one arm and threw him to the mat. Then Singh ripped off CPA’s tie and he took off his shirt to reveal a SECOND TIE!

Singh found this amusing, as did the rest of us, but also, picked up CPA and threw him to the mat to get the pin and presumably 20% off his tax return.

“Match” Result: Satnam Singh “defeated” CPA

-Next QTV aired it’s latest episode. Aaron Solo compared QT Marshall to a bunch of celebrities and Harley Cameron made a Fisting joke. As always, she was the best part of this segment. They discussed Don Callis and some other stuff that happened in AEW and then Cameron left so the segment ended.

Pure Rules Match: Yuka Sakazaki vs Janai Kai

She’s the wrestler that’s fun to say, YUKA SAKAZAKI!

Kai started the match with a tie-up, but Sakazaki mat wrestled her way out of it. The two traded arm drags next, with Sakazaki getting a dropkick through the ropes, sending Kai to the outside. She followed that up with a springboard press to the outside and tossed Kai back into the ring.

Kai caught Sakazaki with a kick to the face and then started stomping her shoulder. She sent Sakazaki to the corner and landed some really stiff kicks. Kai tried a reverse chinlock, but Sakazaki was able to get to the ropes and use her first beark at 2:37.

Kai kept up with her “kick her in the face” plan and got a near fall, but Sakazaki lured her into the corner and a tarantula. The ref counted that as a rope break and Kai was docked one at 3:22. Sakazaki tried a hammerlock, but Kai went back to the kicks for another near fall.

Sakazaki dodged the next flurry of kicks and hit a reverse bulldog. Sakazaki got the hammerlock into a spinning slam and picked up the pin, 1-2-3.

Match Result: Yuka Sakazaki defeated Janai Kai

ROH Six-Man Champions Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean) /w Trish Adora and Anthony Agogo vs AR Fox and The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven)

Last week at ACTION DEAN Taylor beat the heck out of Fox because, well, he could. So I guess that sets up this match for the Six Man titles.

STP jumped their opponents off the bell and everyone brawled. Bravo and Bennett ended up legal and Bravo sent Bennett into the STPO corner, Isolating him and setting him up for a three on one beat down.

Dean, now legal, put on a chinlock, but Bennett’s beard provided enough cushion to let him puch his way out of hit. That brought in Taylor though who’s punches could be stopped by no facial hair. Taylor jawed at Taven and then made the mistake of taking trash about Maria, Bennett’s wife.

Bennett owered back and hit Taylor with a shockingly stiff elbow and then a clothesline. That gave him the chance to tag in Taven, who met Bravo in the ring. Dean tried to get involved, but Taven sent him out and hit a neckbreaker on Bravo. Taven went for a spingboard moonsault, but Bravo dodged and tagged in Taylor.

That brought in Fox who cleaned house, taking out the Infantry and Taylor with a series of cutters and cannonballs. Taven joined him and they hit stereo dives over the top rope. Bennett hit a spiccoli driver, Taven just the tip, and then a swanton from Fox all on Bravo, but it only got a two count.

Bravo tried to steal one by using the ropes in a pin, but the ref saw it. The Kingdom hit rockstar supernova and Fox came off the top, but again just a two count. Dean then planted Taven with a DDT and after a quick tag, Bravo tried a rollup on fox.

Taylor came back in and hit Fox with a knockout punch, giving Bravo the chance to get the pin and retain the titles.

Match Result: Shane Taylor Promotions defeated AR Fox and The Kingdom

CMLL crowns 2025 Men’s International Grand Prix winner

Posted on by Ian Carey

For the second time in his career, Mistico has won CMLL’s Men’s International Grand Prix.

Team Mexico defeated Team International in a 20-person torneo cibernetico match on Friday at CMLL’s Viernes Espectacular in Mexico City’s Arena Mexico. Mistico was the last wrestler standing, securing the win by eliminating Mike Bailey. He also eliminated TJP, Taiji Ishimori, and Action Andretti during the bout.

Representing Team Mexico were Mistico, Volador Jr., Titan, Atlantis Jr., Mascara Dorada, Angel de Oro, Neon, Templario, Zandokan Jr., and Difunto. Team International featured Rocky Romero, Donovan Dijak, Robbie X, Michael Oku, The Beast Mortos, Lio Rush, Mike Bailey, TJP, Taiji Ishimori, and Action Andretti.

Having previously won the Grand Prix in 2016, Mistico now joins Rayo de Jalisco Jr. and Ultimo Guerrero as two-time winners. Volador Jr. remains the only wrestler to have won it three times. The tournament originally ran under single-elimination rules from 1994 to 1998 before switching to the torneo cibernetico format in 2002.

After the match, Mistico cut a promo directed at CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion MJF, who refers to the title as the CMLL World Championship.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Death Before Dishonor go-home show

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub is the final stop before Friday’s Death Before Dishonor streaming special.

The Workhorsemen & Adam Priest attempt to continue their run in the trios division with a challenge of CMLL’s Mistico, Neon & Mascara Dorada.

Okumura takes on the debuting Stigma of CMLL while Lance Archer battles BEEF.

Spanish Announce Project will be in action while MxM Collection and Johnny TV will hold an open challenge.

Taya Valkyrie will go one-on-one with Allysin Kay.

**********

Happy Death Before Dishonor’s Eve, everyone! I hope you and your loved ones are having fun decorating the Death Before Dishonor tree, singing Death Before Dishonor carols and putting out milk and cookies for Athena to smash over someone’s head (don’t forget the carrot for Billie Starkz)! Before the big event though, we’ve got tonight’s ROH on Honorclub offerings, starting with:

Lance Archer vs BEEF

The latest in the Lance Archer Kills The ROH Universe multi-issue event, featuring BEEF. BEEF made his shocking and memorable surprise return in a match I think he lost. No word on if he’s still Anthony Henry’s cousin.

BEEF offered his hand for a code of honor, but that’s not how Archer rolls. BEEF tried a fist to the face instead, but Archer caught in in midair and sent him to the corner for some big splashing elbows. Archer followed it up with a big side slam.

BEEF is not a small man, but Archer treated him like Rey Mysterio taking on Kevin Nash. He threw BEEF around thing ring, including a reverse DDT off the ropes that looked really gnarly. BEEF did his best to get some offense in, but Archer chopped him to hell and back every time.

Archer overwhelmed BEEF with quick throws and clubbing blows. Beef got a few jabs in, but barely knocked Archer off his feet. BEEF managed to land a springboard crossbody, but it resulted in just a one-count.

Archer goozled BEEF and landed a big slam, but BEEF, to his credit, kicked out. BEEF went up top, but Archer scaled the ropes and hit a big knee. That allowed Archer to hit a blackout and get the three count.

Match Result: Lance Archer defeated BEEF

I like watching Archer squash guys as much as the next person, but we are approaching Satnam Singh territory where the lack of competition is making him a little less interesting.

-Footage from a RevPro event featuring ROH Women’s Champion Athena was shown. Athena was verbally abusing the crowd, promising to kick Mina Shirakowa’s butt at Death Before Dishonor. Billie Starkz tombstoned Athena’s opponent on the ROH Title belt while the crowd booed. Athea decided that the booing meant that they needed to set a bigger example and she and Starkz set her up to get her arm broken, when Shirakowa arrived with a Kendo stick. She wailed on Starkz while Athena turned tail.

Taya Valkyrie (w/Johnny TV, Mansoor & Mason Madden) vs Allysin Kay

Valkyrie and her entourage entered in coats big enough to make late-90’s Triple H say “Wow, those are big coats.” Tips were touched and poses were struck.

Valkyrie charged Kay off the bell, but Kay dodged it and whipped her into the corner. Kay threw Valkyrie against the ropes and she used them to get out of the ring for a reset. Back in the ring, Valkyrie laid out Kay with a mid-torso lariat.

Valkyrie tossed Kay out of the ring, giving her a chance to make out with TV. She then threw Kay back in the ring and started delivering chops, followed by a big lariat. Kay fought back though with some chops of her own, finishing up with a kick to the back of the head and a German suplex.

Valkyrie turned up the juice though with some quick stomps and then Madden and TV got up on the apron for a distraction. That allowed Valkyrie to hit Shania Pain and that was it.

Match Result: Taya Valkyrie defeated Allysin Kay

After the match, Mansoor grabbed a mic and asked the “mutant” crowd to give it up for Valkyrie. From there, Mansoor said that every wrestler in the back is to scared to answer their open challenge. So MxMxTV will be using the remaining time in the broadcast to pose. All of it.

Suddenly though, the Dark Order appeared, in even better coats. Evil Uno, John Silver and Alexs Reynolds wandered down to the ring and made it known that they would be answering the open challenge.

MxMxTV (Johnny TV, Mansoor & Mason Madden) (w/Taya Valkyrie) vs The Dark Order (Evil Uno, John Silver and Alex Reynolds)

The impromptu match began with Uno vs Mansoor but quickly deteriorated into a 3-on-3 brawl with a lot of posing. The Order hit a double leg sweep on Mansoor, setting him up in the corner for three spashes.

Uno and Silver were pulled out of the ring by TV and Madden and Reynolds tried to dive through the ropes, but was caugh midair by the massive Madden. They beat up Reynolds, with TV using Valkyrie as a weapon and powerbombing her onto Reynolds on the barricade.

Back in the ring, Madden spent some time dragging Reynolds to his feet, then smacking him back down. Valkyrie and TV continued making out.

Mansoor tagged in, but Reynolds finally got some offense in and tried his darnedest to get a hot tag to someone to Uno or Silver. TV tagged in and crushed Reynold’s face with a shining wizard. Silver jumped in to break the count up.

Reynolds hit a springboard clothesline, finally getting the hot tag to Uno. Uno cleared the ring with a series of corner splashes, including stacking up all three members of MxMxTV for a big one. Uno then hit a DDT on Mansoor for a two count.

TV and Mansoor tried some stereo moves on Reynolds and Uno and when Madden interfered, some triple stereo kicks. Silver was the legal man as the Order went to finish off Mansoor. Madden pulled Silver out though and TV took out Uno and Reynolds.

Silver got MAdden off his feet and hit a suplex on the march larger man. Silver got MAdden up in a torture rack, but Mansoor hit a low blow out of view of the ref. MxMxTV then hit a centerfold on Silver and got the pin.

Match Result: MxMxTV defeated The Dark Order

Spanish Announce Project (Angelico & Serpentico) vs Stephen Wolf & Danny Orion

Angelico started off against Wolf who fell victim to Angelico’s smooth and gel-like style. Wolf managed a wristlock, but Angelico dragged him over and swept the leg into an Armbar. He dragged Wolf to the corner and tagged in Serpentico.

Angeilco used Serpentico as a weapon, slamming him onto Wolf. Wolf staggered up and tagged in Orion, who had a fast exchange with Serpentico, that included a big double stomp. Serpentico found himself cut off from Angelico as Wolf tagged back in and hit an Irish Whip into the corner.

Wolf started to gt cocky, posing and working the crowd after an elbow. Orion tagged in and got Serpentico into a torture rack and then thew him onto the top rope. Wolf tagged back in and stomped the smaller Serpentico repeatedly.

Serpentico finally got a diving flatliner on Wolf, allowing him to get the tag to Angelico. Angelico roared in and cleaned house, sending Orion to his knees, then jumping off of him to clothesline Wolf. Angelico hit a back suplex for a pin, but Wolf broke it up.

Orion and Wolf double teamed Angelico, but he was able to wriggle is way around it, sending Wolf to the outside, where Serpentico took him out with a dive. Orion tried and handspring, but Angelico caugh him in a grapevine and that was it. Orion tapped out.

Match Result: Spanish Announce Project defeated Stephen Wolf & Danny Orion

-Next, QTV returned as QT Marshall ran down Paul Walter Hauser while Aaron Solo hung out. Also, Harley Cameron was there and that made it the best segment in the show. Anyway, MArshall and Hauser will have a Fight Without Honor at Death Before Dishonor.

Okumura vs Stigma

Fun Fact: Okomura is 53 years young, debuting on New Years Eve 1994. He debuted in ROH 2016 but has never won a singles match under the Ring of Honor Banner. Stigma is a total lightweight, meaning he is the current CMLL World Lightweight champion.

The two locked up off the top, with Stigma getting the first wristlock. Okumura reversed it and threw him off, leading to a reset. Stigma dug into his bag of luchadore tricks and managed to get Okumura off his feet for a few seconds with a flurry of moves.

Okumura powered back though, exploding from the mat, but Stigma hit a hurricanrana, sending him to the outside. Stigma dove out after him and hit a flying tackle from the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring!).

Stigma threw Okumura back into the ring and went up top. He hit a stomp from the second rope and then went all the way to the top rope for a diving splash. Okumura kicked out at two.

Stigma sent Okumura into the corner, but Okumura turned the tables with a big suplex from the second rope. Okumura hit a falcon arrow for a two count and the chops began. They went back and forth until Stigma switched things up with a running kick.

Okumura then hit a Tower of London and managed to get the pin.

Match Result: Okumura defeated Stigma

-Almost as an after thought, it was announced that the World Six Man Titles and the Tag Titles have been declared vacant! At Death Before Dishonor, the Von Erichs will get a chance to win them back and Sammy Guevara and a mystery partner will battle the Outrunners for the ROH Tag Titles!

El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada, Mistico & Neon) vs Adam Priest & The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)

Priest has really caught fire these last few weeks and teaming him with Drake and Henry is a terrific idea. There’s a lot of trios suddenly forming and arriving in ROH so hopefully those Trios championships will get a workout.

Henry and Mistico locked up first in what was declared a Lucha rules match, meaning they didn’t need to make tags and a new man could enter as another left the ring. Henry got the jump on Mistico and Drake immediately came in for a double team.

Mistico took out both Henry and Drake as Dorada came in and hit a hurricanrana on Drake. Neon came in and took out Henry, leaving Priest for Mistico to land a huge twisting slam from the top rope. Sky Team went for a triple dive, but were cut off by their opponents.

Neon and Henry fought with Henry sending him out of the ring thanks to an assist by Priest. All three of them beat on Neon on the outside before Priest dragged him back into the ring, isolating him in the Workhorsemen’s corner.

Henry held Neon down as Drake jumped over the top rope in a modified senton. The thriple team continued in the corner, until Neon began getting some shots in on Drake. Drake grabbed Neon by the mask and drove him back into the corner though.

Priest and Drake attacked Mistico and Dorada in the corner, knocking them off the apron and leaving Neon even more prone to multi-person attacks. The match slowed a lot here, until Neon got a shotgun dropkick on Henry. Mistico and Dorada entered and tossed Priest and Henry out so Sky Team could hit their triple dive to the outside.

Mistico set Henry up in the ring for a big kick and pin attempt, but he kicked out at to. Mistico hit a snap slam, but Drake broke up the in. Dorada and Neon came in to take Drake and whip him against the ropes. The bigger man’s momentum allowed him to take out the luchadores.

Priest flew in and tried to get a pin on Mistico, but he kicked out at two. The men traded forearms and all six men started brawling in the ring. Everyone paired off, leaving Drake and Neon in the ring. Henry joined them, but he was sent back out and Sky Team took turns kicking Drake to the outside.

Mistico came in, but Priest tried to catch him looking and ended up with a superkick for his trouble. Dorada hit a huge splash fro the top rope, and Mistic locked a spinning armbar on Henry who was forced to tap out.

Match Result: El Sky Team defeated Adam Priest & The WorkHorsemen

After the match, Mistico grabbed a mic and said Viva Mexico before being attacked by a masked Luchadore who turned out to be none other than CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion MJF! MJF said that he owned the USA and Mistico will never get a shot at his title before stomping off to close the show.

Wow, MJF on ROH, who’da thunk it? Lots of Luchadore fun to end the night! See you tomorrow for Death Before Dishonor!

Ring of Honor TV live results: El Sky Team vs. Los Depredadores

Posted on by Jeff Moss

A CMLL rivalry will make its way to Ring of Honor on HonorClub tonight as El Sky Team will take on Los Depredadores.

El Sky Team is made up of Mistico, Neon & Mascara Dorada while Los Depredadores is Volador Jr., Rugido and Magnus.

Other CMLL stars will be on the show as Hechicero takes on former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal while The Beast Mortos battles AR Fox.

Blake Christian takes on Beef while Trish Adora will also be in action.

Two thirds of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles — The Von Erichs — will be in traditional tag team action as they try to navigate the waters with Dustin Rhodes out of action.

A potential new ROH Six-Man title contender may be on the rise as The WorkHorsemen and Adam Priest will join forces.

**********

BEEF! BEEF is back! Where is the BEEF? Here is the BEEF! Who is BEEF?

…

All that and more on this week’s edition of ROH on Honorclub!

CMLL World Trios Title Match: El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada, Mistico & Neon) (c) vs Los Depredadores (Magnus, Rugido & Volador Jr.)

Hook it to my veins! El Sky Team would have to be the favorite here, especially when judging by crowd excitement (and music selection!). Volador and Mistico have allegedly wrestled each other over 600 times. That’s crazy!

Rugido and Neon paired up first with a quick exchange of wrist and other such locks. Dorada and Magnus tagged in with Magnus getting a big spin on Dorada before being sent out of the ring on the rebound. Volador tagged in for a frustrated Magnus.

Mistico sent him to the mat with some high kicks, sending Volador packing. Magnus took out Neon on the outside and then Magnus, Volador and Rugido triple teamed Mistico. Dorada tried to help but ended up taking the place of Mistico in the triple beatdown.

Mistico and Neon came in with stereo springboard headscissors and Dorada added one of his own for good measure. Then a triple dive to get everyone out of the ring.

Once the dust had settled, Mistico and Magnus were legal. Magnus popped up Mistico who reveresed it with some help from Dorada. Dorada then tagged in to take on Volador ending a great chain with a hurricanrana.

Mistico tagged in to take on Magnus, who cheap shotted him with a punch from behind. That brought in Dorada and Neon and a brawl ensued leaving all six men laying. Magnus and Mistico got up first and climbed the turnbuckles for Mistico to land a C4.

Neon caught Rugido and Dorada countered a spin from Magnus. Mistico and Dorada grabbed Rugido and Magnus and put them in a double leg stretch. Neon then hit a triangle moonsault wristlock takedown I(that’s what Riccaboni called it) and Dorada hit a shooting star press. Mistico locked in LA Mistica on Rugido and he tapped out, leaving those belts with the champions!

Match Result: El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada, Mistico & Neon) defeated Los Depredadores (Magnus, Rugido & Volador Jr.)

Good match but there should be a law preventing luchadores on the same team from dressing alike.

Blake Christian (w/Lee Johnson) vs BEEF

If you don’t remember BEEF, he’s the “cousin” of either Anthony Henry, or JD Drake. He filled in for one of them in the Workhorsemen. His thing is that he gets over excited and can’t be stopped. Really. Christian is, as always, one of the grumpiest and best dressed in ROH.

The two locked up and the much more agile Christian found himself up against a wall of, well, BEEF. Christian tried hard to get the bigger man off his feet, but BEEF was able to take just about anything that was dished out, including interference from Johnson.

Christian tried to meet BEEF’s brawling style in the middle with some punches in the corner. He then climbed the ropes and literally sauntered on them until BEEF pulled him down. BEEF started with the punches, but Christian was able to hit a high lariat and send him down in the middle of the ring.

Christian then kicked BEEF a lot, but kept checking his shoes for stains, so I assume BEEF is quite greasy,

BEEF started punching the gut of Christian, but fell to a drop kick to the knee. Christian then choked BEEF with the ropes. Christian went for a springboard, but BEEF met him with some jabs, a cartwheel and dropkick, in that order.

Johnson caused a distraction allowing Christian to hit a spear on the ring apron (the beefiest part of the ring!) followed by a second, before throwing BEEF back into the ring. Christian hit a 450 stomp and Vanilla Choke Zero, forcing BEEF to tap out.

Match Result: Blake Christian defeated BEEF

After the match, Christian attacked BEEF, nailing a top rope stomp spicolli driver with the help of Johnson.

Fun match, what I like about a lot of ROH matches is that they are timed very well. Each match feels like a natural and appropriate length.

-Backstage, QT Marshall reminded us that he and Paul Walter Hauser will have a Fight Without Honor at Death Before Dishonor. Neat. I guess.

The Beast Mortos (w/Dralistico & Rush) vs AR Fox

Fox won $50k last month. I don’t know about you, but I’d take a few months off, or at least carry it around in a sack with a dollar sign on it. Anyway, Mortos is an unstoppabale monster from the depths of the nether realm.

Mortos charged out of the gate, but Fox matrix-ed it and was able to dodge. That continued for a bit, Mortos would charge, Fox would get out of the way. On the last one, Mortos exited the ring and Fos dove over the top rope onto him.

Back in the ring, Mortos hit a big death valley driver and followed it with a flapjack. Mortos set Fox up in the corner and hita. few back elbows to get a two count. Dralistico made a bunch of noise on the outside while Rush stalked around approvingly.

Mortos pulled Fox to the ring apron for another driver, but Fox got out of it and pulled him back into the ring over the top rope. He then delivered a double stomp to Mortos’ middle followed by a moonsault onto Mortos on the outside.

Fox then hit a swanton from the top rope inside the ring, but Mortos kicked out at two. Fox tried to get Mortos up in ta direman’s carry, but Mortos reversed it and crushed him for a two count. Mortos picked up Fox who flipped over and charged, but Mortos hit him with a big boot.

Fox finally got Mortos up for a fireman’s carry and death valley driver, but Mortos responded with a spiked powerbomb and that was in for AR Fox.

Match Result: The Beast Mortos defeated AR Fox

After the match, Rush and Dralistico joined Mortos in the ring for a beatdown on Fox. Sadly, no one came to help Fox and LFI celebrated in the ring.

-The Workhorsemen then came down to the ring. Drake grabbed a mic saying that they hard a match with the Trios Champions (The Von Erichs and Dustin Rhodes), but they will have to forefit since Dustin Rhodes is out of action. The Von Erichs then came to the ring.

Ross said that they had a new partner (and I guess new champion?) and called down… Sammy Guevara! One half of the ROH Tag Champions, also with Dustin Rhodes.

The Workhorsemen (JD drake, Anthony Henry & Adam Priest) vs ROH Trios Champions The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross) and Sammy Guevara

With not a word about if the titles were on the line or not, the match started with Guevara and Priest. Quickly Marshall was tagged in and took over with a slam to Priest. Ross tagged in to take a turn and Priest sent him to the ropes, where Henry kicked him in the back. That started a brawl of all six men.

When things settled down, Ross and Priest were the legal men and Priest blocked a splash in ther voner and tagged in Henry. He dragged Ross to his team’s corner, isolating him from Marshall and Guevara for a triple team.

Ross battled out of it with a huge dropkick to the head of Priest, which brought in Henry to stomp on Ross. Drake came in and he and Henry had a miscommunication and knocked noggins. Guevara then hit a splash on Henry and Drake, causing another melee.

Priest and Guevara ended up legal and Guevara hit a big cutter for a two count. Henry tagged in and caught Guevara with an elbow, followed by a slam from Drake and a flying elbow from Priest. They dragged Guevara up to the entrance ramp and Guevara hit a double cutter and a drop kick, dispatching the Workhorsemen.

Priest and Guevara headed back to the ring, but Guevara got a hot tag to Marshall who began cleaning house. Marshall caught Priest in a crossbody and hit a Claw slam followed by a Claw Classic on Priest to get the win.

Match Result: The Von Erichs & Sammy Guevara defeated The Workhorsemen and Adam Priest

I was so upset when Rhodes got hurt, but I’m very glad they are working towards doing something with the ROH titles that he held.

Trish Adora vs Janai Kai

Adora and Kai locked up after the usual Shane Taylor Promotions entrance. Kai kept pace with Adora through the opening minutes, but Adora soon wrestled her to the mat. Kai responded with a series of kicks and a pin attempt.

Adora swept the leg of Kai (yeah, that happened), and began stomping her knee, keeping her off her feet. Adora hit a DDT on Kai’s ankle, that was in a brace of some kind.

Adora did the split-legged squash/stretch that has been devastating recently, but Kai remained in the match and came back with a twisting slam on Adora. She left herself open for a backbreaker though and Adora obliged.

Kai hit a big kick to the back followed by a waistlock slam for a two-count. Adora responded with a German suplex and Lariat Tubman to put Kai on the mat for three,

Match Result: Trish Adora defeated Janai Kai

That was fun! Kai may actually be made of spaghetti.

-Backstage the Von Erich’s and Guevara discussed how Guevara should wrestle with them at Death Before Dishonor. Guevara thanked them and said he has a spot to fill too. Marshall said that either one of them would stand in and help him defend the Tag Titles. Then they left. So I guess the three of them are ROH Trios AND Tag Team Champions?

-Next, a promo aired featuring Bandido beating up cowboys a the Silver Dollar Saloon. It had no purpose other than it existed and I’m thankful for it.

Hechicero (w/Don Callis) vs Jay Lethal

Speaking of Bandido, he is facing Hechicero at Death Before Dishonor for the ROH World Title, so Hechicero gerts this warm-up match with former ROH World Champion, Jay Lethal. I love it when everything works together like that.

Hechcero grabbed a waistlock on Lethal to open things up. Lethal reversed it into a wristlock and the two took a second to reset.

Lethal came out swinging with an armdrag and dropkick, sending Hechicero out of the ring. Lethal dragged him back in and got a two count, but Hechicero was far from done. He grabbed Lethal’s ankle in mid air and slammed him to the mat, following that with a healthy dose of kicks and stomps.

Callis looked pleased at ringside as Hechicero put a headlock on Lethal. Lethal roilled out of it and tried a few flash pin strategies,but two-counts all around. Hechicero got tired of this and hit a DDT, showing he was in full control. Callis choked Lethal at ringside, causing the Ref to eject him.

Hechicero, foreced to wrestle without his muse, went to trading jabs with Lethal. Lethal hit him with a crossbody and tried a fireman’s carry but Hechicero wriggled out of it. Lethal went up top for an elbow, but Hechicero got his feet up. Lethal saw it coming and avoided the reversal, hitting a lethal combination instead.

Lethal tried to get a Lethal Injection in, but Hechicero stopped him. Hechicero hit a sunset flip and locked in a grapevine, stretching Lethal until the Ref was forced to call it.

Match Result: Hechicero defeated Jay Lethal

Excellent match, super fun and a great preview of what should be a banger between Hechicero and Bandido at Death Before Dishonor next week!

WOR: UFC 319, MJF vs. Mistico, Triplemania

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I, Garrett Gonzales, are back with our post-UFC 319 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Paul Fontaine joined us to go over the show as well as the news coming out of it.

Here were some of the rest of the topics we covered:

  • MJF & Mistico angle for the anniversary show
  • G1 Climax 35 semi-finals matches
  • Triplemania results
  • WWE SmackDown & AEW Collision notes
  • Saturday wrestling news

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOL: The sameness of SmackDown

Posted on by Jim Valley

Image: WWE

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

This weekend has an international flavor with Friday’s TNA Emergence, Saturday’s TripleMania & the finals of the G1 Climax tournament, AEW Collision, NOAH, and the main event of CMLL’s 91st Anaversario card set.

Meanwhile, Friday’s WWE SmackDown felt like a lot of the same wrestlers doing the same things against the same opponents and the same outcomes. There’s a lot of top quality talent, but I feel like I’ve seen it again and again.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Title vs. mask match set for CMLL 92nd Anniversary Show

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A key match for this year’s CMLL Anniversary show is official.

After MJF retained the CMLL Light Heavyweight title against Zandokan Jr. on Friday, MJF took his mask and dared Mistico to come out. Right as he and Jon Cruz were about to leave, Mistico arrived, sending them out of the ring. It was there that Mistico issued the challenge for the Anniversary show on September 19. MJF rejected the match, but said he would accept if Mistico put his mask on the line. Mistico agreed, making the match official.

MJF then entered the ring, saying where he comes from, they handshake on a deal. Mistico shook MJF’s hand, but as soon as he turned his back MJF laid out Mistico with the CMLL title. He then removed Mistico’s mask and planted him with a tombstone piledriver. He and Cruz draped the United States flag over Mistico as the rest of the Sky Team, Neon and Mascara Dorada, came out for the save, with MJF and Cruz bolting out of the arena to close out the show.

Most of the summer has seen MJF feud with Mistico, with the two meeting at AEW Grand Slam Mexico. Mistico won by DQ after MJF low blowed him, with the two also crossing paths at AEW All In during the Casino Gauntlet match that MJF eventually won. MJF even made a surprise appearance during MLW’s Summer of the Beasts in June, attacking Mistico.

Tony Khan names favorite non-AEW wrestlers

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During his recent appearance on Barstool Sports’ My Mom’s Basement podcast, Tony Khan listed some of his favorite active wrestlers who are not part of the AEW roster.

Khan named four wrestlers from promotions AEW is partnered with, praising NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr., Starlight Kid and AZM of Stardom, and CMLL’s Mistico.

“I just said Zack Sabre Jr,, that would be very high on the list. That’s a good answer. Starlight Kid, very good. AZM, very good,” Khan answered. “Mistico, by far. Mistico is one of my all-time favorite wrestlers.”

Khan said he’s such a big Mistico fan that he’s been booking Mistico on Dynamite since college, back when the show only existed as an e-fed that Khan would write online. He’s now gotten the chance to actually work with Mistico in AEW, booking him in a feud with MJF that’s taken place in both the United States and Mexico.

In addition to naming Sabre among his favorite non-AEW wrestlers, Khan also listed him as one of the best technical wrestlers of all time. Sabre is the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and has a title defense coming up at AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view in London later this month. That defense will be against either Daniel Garcia, Nigel McGuinness, Lee Moriarty, or Hechicero.

Stardom will have a representative at Forbidden Door competing in a four-way match for the TBS Championship. The identity of that representative has not been announced yet.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Bandido vs. Gringo Loco, Mistico in tag team action

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor World Champion Bandido will be in action on tonight’s show on HonorClub.

Bandido will take on Gringo Loco in a Proving Ground match where if the challenger can draw or defeat the champion, he earns a future title shot.

The legendary Mistico will team with Mascara Dorada in a CMLL showcase bout against Blake Christian and Lee Johnson.

In another CMLL showcase, Volador Jr., Magnus and Rugido battle Dark Order (John Silver, Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds).

In tag team action, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will team with Billie Starkz while the undefeated team of Satnam Singh & Jay Lethal will also be in action.

**********

Time for the most honoriffic Ring of Honor the ring has to offer! It’s ROH on Honorclub and it kicks off with a huge Proving Ground Match!

ROH World Title Proving Ground Match: Bandido [c] vs. Gringo Loco

Gringo Loco lost an ROH World Television Title Proving Ground match to Nick Wayne a couple of weeks ago, so by ROH logic that means he gets a chance to earn a chance to wrestle for the World Title. Don’t think about it too much. All you need to know is Bandido is low-key the most entertaining champion in wrestling right now and Loco is a fantastic worker. This should be great and if Loco loses, there’s always the Pure Title!

Loco tried for a lockup off the top, but Bandido responded with punches. He followed that up with a big headscissor and then Loco caught him on a charge and sent him to the outside. Loco dove after Bandido and threw him back in the ring for a two count.

Loco started thumping Bandido with big fists and a sit-out powerbomb. Loco tried a pop-up powerbomb next, but Bandido turned it into a hurricanrana. Bandido put Loco up on the top turnbuckle, but Loco shoved him off, and hit a split legged twisting moonsault that was *mwah, Chefs kiss.

Ian Riccaboni casually mentioned here that Bandido will face Herchicero for the ROH title at Death Before Dishonor. Neato.

Loco and Bandido found themselves on the top turnbuckle again and Loco hit a perfect reverse C4, but it only got a two count. Loco went back to the moonsault well, but Bandido dodged it and hit a crucifix driver, followed by a frog splash. The ref counted to three, dashing the hopes of Gringo Loco.

Match Result: Bandido defeated Gringo Loco

Fun opener!! I love Bandido and Gringo Loco, so seeing them square off was great. However, I think someone needs to start keeping track of when someone gets a Proving Ground shot. It’s a little weird to lose one and then get a better one.

Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh (w/Karen Jarrett) vs GPA & Hunter Holdcraft

As if Singh needed a tag team partner and as if it needed to be someone as high-profile as Lethal. Sing could take on GPA and Holdcraft plus several of their friends a relatives without breaking a sweat. So we’ll see who does the heavy lifting here. Maybe Lethal is a genius and hit is how he gets paid to have a night “off.”

For some reason, Lethal started the match against Holdcraft. Why they wouldn’t send the 7-foot-8 (according to Riccaboni) guy in first is beyond me.

Anyway, Hodlcraft managed to get some offense in on Lethal, grinding his knee into the back of Lethals head along the second rope. GPA tagged in after that and they isolated Lethal in the corner. They beat him up a bit and then much to their chagrin, Singh was tagged in.

GPA and Holdcraft didn’t bother with tags after that and I kinda agree. What’s the point? Singh manhandled them, chopping each man to death before tossing him into the opposite corner. I think Lethal left to get a drink after Singh began chokeslamming Holdcraft at will.

Lethal popped in to hit a Lethal Injection on Hodlcraft. Singh Chokeslammed GPA and for everyone’s sake, GPA stayed down and Sing and Lethal took the match.

Match Result: Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh (w/Karen Jarrett) defeated GPA & Hunter Holdcraft

I have no problem with big, dominant monsters, but honestly, there’s no one that can believably beat Singh, or a tag team he’s in. They need to come up with a creative edge for him, or he’s bound to run out of people to squash.

Missa Kate and Lanie Luck vs. Athena and Billie Starkz

ROH Forever Champion Athena has her eyes set on AEW’s top prize these days, so it’s nice that she’s gracing us with her presence this week. The unknown factor here is Starkz. Starks has spent the last few months loving being a minion, then being sad about being a minion, then being mad about being a minion, then… this. So maybe working together these two can remind themselves why they tag in the first place: Because they have to.

Starkz and Athena jumped their opponents off the Code of Honor, with Starks and Kate fighting in the ring and Athena throwing Luck into the barricades on the outside.

Athena climbed the ring and tagged in, bringing brutal shots to Kate. KAte shoved Athena into the corner, where Starkz got the blind tag. Luck put Starkz to the mat with a big boot and then a driver. Starkz hit a back breaker in retaliation and climbed the top turnbuckle. Luck beat her there though, and tried to hit a suplex, but Athena came in and pulled Luck off the ropes.

Starkz and Athena then put stereo submissions on Kate and Luck who tapped immediately.

Match Result: Athena and Billie Starkz defeated Missa Kate and Lanie Luck

Always nice to see those two, even if it is a squash. Starkz looked a little tired, but I don’t know if that was character work, or jet lag.

Los Depredadores (Magnus, Rugido & Volador Jr.) vs. The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver)

I am so happy to see the Dark Order working against a team that isn’t the Frat House! Nothing against those uber-heels, but they’ve been done to death over the last few months and a fresh matchup is very needed.

Reynolds kicked things off against Rugido while Volador and Magnus casually chatted in the corner. The two locked up and Rugido got Reynolds with an arm drag that set him back a step. Reynolds charged Rugido, but Rugido dodged. Reynolds went up top for a crossbody and a two count.

Magnus tagged in a dropped Reynolds with a hard shoulder. But when he turned around, Uno had tagged in and hit a big headscissors. Rugido and Volador jumped in and the three triple teamed Uno, while Reynolds and Silver were… elsewhere?

They put Uno on the top rope and took turns trying to take his mask off, but settled for stomping him in a tree of woe position instead. Uno reversed a bog boot from Magnus into a neckbreaker and tagged in Silver, who burst into the match with a flurry of kicks and energy.

Silver tried a pin, but Volador and Rugido broke it up and sent him to the outside. Reynolds bought some time and Silver came back, setting Magnus up in the corner for some charges from Uno. Reynolds joined them and they went to finish off Magnus, but Volador pulled Silver out of the ring.

Magnus hit a huge butterfly suplex on Uno, followed by a splash from Rugido and Voloador made the pin to get the win, much to Uno’s dismay.

Match Result: Los Depredadores (Magnus, Rugido & Volador Jr.) defeated The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver)

Love the luchadores and love the Dark Order. More of each please!

-Backstage QT Marshall cut a promo on Paul Walter Hauser regarding the slowest feud in wrestling history. You see, QT threw a drink on Hauser about 6 months ago which was quite offensive as Hauser is famously sober. Then nothing happened for a long, long time. However, Hauser is apparently still mad about it. So, Marshall invited Hauser to Ring of Honor next week to straighten things out.

El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Mistico) vs Blake Christian & Lee Johnson

Christian and Johnson have been moping around ROH for the last few months acting like they are owed something. Thing is, they are both really, really good, but still feel the need to be cheats and all-around jerks. Mascara Dorada and Mistico are killer luchadores so maybe they can be ones to put a smile on the faces of Johnson and Christian?

The crowd gave Mistico a huge ovation as the luchadores made their way to the ring. They didn’t show it, but I’m sure Johnson and Blake were annoyed by it.

Christian started things off against Dorada, feigning a lock up in favor of a punch in the gut. The speed was on then as they both flew around the ring, dodging and wriggling out of each other’s holds. Dorada finally landed a Pele kick and Christian was on the mat.

Mistico tagged in, but Christian wanted none of that and brought in Johnson. Johnson got in Mistico’s face, but Mistico was able to stay out of his hands as he dodged elbows and holds until finally landing a hurricanrana on Johnson. Mistico walked the ropes and nailed a whirlwind armdrag before tagging in Dorada.

Christian joined the fray, but the luchadores sent both Johnson and Christian to the outside. When they climbed back in, they hit stereo back elbows, sending Christian and Johnson back out. Mistico and Dorada dove out after them, nailing both men.

Back in the ring, Johnson hung Dorada up on the ropes. Christian got a blind tag and hit a guillotine legdrop, seinging him to the outside. Christian followed and tossed Dorada into the barricade before sending him back into the ring.

Christian dragged Dorada into the corner where he and Johnson took terms stomping and chopping him. Dorada double backflipped out of trouble, opening up Mistico to enter and hit a springboard elbow on Christian.

Dorada went up top, but missed on the stomp. Christian knocked Mistico out of the ring and then he and Johnson connected to powerbomb Dorada. Johnson tagged Christian back in, climbing the ropes. Dorada climbed up with him and hit a superrana off the top, but Christian landed on his feet!

Dorada seemed stunned and Johnson and Christian beat him down until Mistico arrived and took out both men. All four lay in the ring with only Dorada moving. Dorada got to his feet, but Christian hit a superkick to put him right back down.

Johnson and Christian double teamed Dorada until he sent Christian to the outside and dove over the top rope to take him out. Mistico locked in La Mistica on Johnson in the ring and Johnson had no choice but to tap out.

Match Result: El Sky Team (Mascara Dorada & Mistico) defeat Blake Christian & Lee Johnson

Fun night of wresting and as ROH & AEW head out for a series of international shows, I’m looking forward to seeing who shows up and how crazy the crowds are!