Three AEW vs. CMLL matches announced for new December event

The newly-created CMLL Dream Matches event was announced on Wednesday’s CMLL Informa with three AEW stars confirmed for the show.

The event, set for Friday, December 19 in Arena Mexico, will see new CMLL Heavyweight Champion Claudio Castagnoli defend against Ultimo Guerrero in a first time ever match.

Castagnoli defeated Gran Guerrero last week to win the title. The 58-year-old Ultimo Guerrero is looking for his third run with the gold and his first since 2021.

In a match featuring two competitors in the Continental Classic tournament, CMLL Historic Welterweight Champion Mascara Dorada will defend against “Speedball” Mike Bailey in another first time ever match. Dorada has held the title for more than 700 days with just three title defenses in that time.

In a rematch from July’s Fantastica Mania, Neon will take on Kevin Knight after defeating him in that match.

Those two matches come out of last month’s Viernes Espectacular where Neon and Dorada defeated Knight and Bailey.

AEW & ROH vs. CMLL Arena Mexico live results: Bandido vs. Mascara Dorada

A big week in Arena Mexico kicks off with tonight’s AEW & ROH vs. CMLL event from the famed Arena Mexico — an appetizer before AEW’s official debut with Wednesday’s Grand Slam Mexico.

In the main event, ROH World Champion Bandido will defend against CMLL’s Mascara Dorada in their first ever meeting. It will be Bandido’s second defense of the title he won at April’s Dynasty.

In eight-man action, The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Rocky Romero & Hechicero) will take on CMLL’s Averno, Euforia, Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero.

The CMLL Tag Team titles will be on the line as Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja defend against CRU (Lio Rush & Action Andretti).

In what should be a spectacle, the undefeated Hologram faces CMLL’s Neon.

In a singles match, Josh Alexander will face CMLL’s Atlantis Jr., while ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet takes on CMLL’s Persephone in a non-title match.

Our live coverage will begin shortly.

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Persephone vs. ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet in a non-title match

(This wasn’t the smoothest opener, but the crowd got behind Persephone as she scored a win over the ROH Women’s TV Champion. This could be setting up a rematch for Supercard of Honor in Texas, but I couldn’t be sure about anything with ROH these days.)

It’s a Tuesday, but it feels like a Thursday as the Ring of Honor Women’s Television Champion Red Velvet kicks off the show against CMLL’s Persephone. Velvet is giving up a good bit of size to Persephone, but Persephone chose to start the match with mat work and hair pulling that got the referee’s attention. Velvet came back with a big headscissors, but Persephone got her by the waist and tossed her down. Velvet came back with a leg lariat and set Persephone up for the ten punches, but Persephone slipped under and shoved Velvet’s legs out from under her to send her crumbling to the mat. Persephone held control until Velvet hit a drop toe hold that sent Persephone into the ropes. Persephone bailed to the outside, but Velvet followed her to the floor with a big dive.

Velvet hit a wheelbarrow facebuster for a nearfall. Persephone came back with a big powerslam for a nearfall. Velvet kicked Persephone’s knee out and hit a spin kick for a nearfall. Velvet choked Persephone out in the corner before taunting the fans, so I believe she’s the heel. I know she’s a heel on ROH TV, but I’d bet about 95% of Arena Mexico wouldn’t know. Persephone hit a shotgun dropkick, then locked Velvet up in a spider flash pin for a nearfall. Persephone went for a Splash Mountain, but Velvet rolled through for a nearfall. Velvet went for another headscissors, but Persephone caught her with a powerbomb to get the win.

Match Result: Persephone defeated Red Velvet

CMLL Tag Team Champions Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) defend against CRU (Action Andretti & Lio Rush)

(This was a fun tag match, with Cru accounting for themselves well here in a fine match for its spot on the card.)

If CMLL were by a carny capitalist like me, they would have tricked people into thinking Rush (of La Faccion Ingobernable) would be on this show instead of Lio Rush. It’s not a lie; a man named Rush is on the show! Niebla Roja of the championship team came out with A LARGE SWORD. I would make an NXT joke, but it feels sacrilegious to bring up NXT star Karmen Petrovic during an Arena Mexico show. The titles are on the line here, as Los Hermanos Chaves have been champions since January 23rd, 2022. This is their 22nd defense of the titles.

Cru played coy to start before Rush got in to start against Roja. We quickly got a standoff before their partners tagged in, with Andretti getting sent flying with a headscissors. Oro went for a dive, but got cut off by Rush, who himself got cut off by Roja. Roja went for a dive, but CRU dodged him and laid him out with a double suplex into the apron, which didn’t look fun. Cru used their speed to double team Oro. Roja got beaten down 2-on-1 but eventually made the tag out to Oro. The champs fired up and hit a pair of dives to the floor for a big pop. Rojo shot up Andretti into a boot from Oro. The champs took Rush up-and-over with a tag team Burning Hammer-style move for a nearfall that Andretti broke up.

Andretti and Rush sent the champs to the apron and knocked them down with handsprings before hitting dives of their own. Rush hit Rush Hour on Oro, and then helped Andretti hit a big neckbreaker for a nearfall that Roja broke up. Oro sent Andretti up with a catapult, then locked both Cru members in tandem submissions. Oro sent Rush into Andretti before hitting a dropkick that caused Andretti to DDT Rush for a big double nearfall. All four men ended up on opposite posts, and Hermanos Chavez hit two big moves off the top rope for the win and a successful defense of the titles.

Match Result: Los Hermanos Chavez defeated CRU to retain the CMLL Tag Team titles

Hologram (w/ Alex Abrahantes) vs. Neon

(This was another stellar singles match for Hologram, with an eternally hot Arena Mexico fired up for both men. Neon is a pretty spectacular flyer in his own right. Awesome stuff here.)

The two tested each other’s speed to start, coming to a quick stalemate. Neon baited Hologram in with a handshake before kicking off another sequence, with Hologram pulling off his evasion in the corner before Neon caught him with a headscissors and followed him to the floor with a big tope con hilo. Hologram came back with a kick on the apron before hitting a high cross. Hologram sidestepped Neon before hitting his missile dive to the floor. Back in the ring, neither man could keep each other down for a pin attempt, leading Neon to drop Hologram with a sliding boot for a nearfall.

Both men had the same idea, sliding into each other before Hologram hit a wacky facebuster for a nearfall. Neon went up-and-over Hologram, eventually getting him in a crucifix for a nearfall. Hologram went up the ropes before Neon dropkicked him down. Neon went for his spectacular double jump moonsault from the ramp to the floor, but Hologram slid in the ring and caught him with a powerbomb for a nearfall. Neon came back, dropping Hologram and hitting a vaulting stomp over the ropes for a nearfall. Hologram ducked a corner charge and baited Neon to the floor, where he hit a Spanish Fly. Hologram hit a 450 splash, but Neon grabbed the ropes. Hologram set up the Portal Bomb, but Neon fought out and hit a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor.

Neon hit the aforementioned spectacular double jump moonsault from the ramp to the floor, then hit a moonsault in the ring for a big nearfall. Neon set Hologram onto the ropes, and after a jostle for positioning, Hologram hit a reverse Spanish Fly for a nearfall. The two traded chops and kicks until they both went down. Neon got up first and set up a step-up moonsault, but Hologram got up and booted Neon in the head on the way down. Hologram hit the Portal Bomb to get the AEW/ROH contingent their first win. The two men shook hands to end things on a positive note.

Match Result: Hologram defeated Neon

Atlantis Jr. vs. Josh Alexander

(This was a solid TV-level match, with the interesting part being Arena Mexico booing their CMLL guy. It wasn’t due to performance, as Atlantis didn’t screw anything up badly. I can’t say for sure as I’m not a regular CMLL viewer, but maybe the Mexican smart crowd aren’t big fans of the guy.)

Atlantis caught Alexander with a quick headscissors to start before vaulting him up into a knee strike. Atlantis sent Alexander to the floor and set up a dive before Alexander cut him off. Alexander took Atlantis down with an arm takeover for a nearfall as he took in the crows. He kept going after Atlantis’ mask and toe tapping him, getting Atlantis to fire up with chops before cutting him down with a kitchen sink knee. Atlantis took Alexander down with a Slingblade and a headscissors to the floor. Atlantis followed Alexander to the floor with a dive. Alexander ducked a top-rope attack and caught a headscissors before dropping Atlantis over his knee.

Alexander went for the C4 Spike, but Atlantis flipped it into a sunset flip for a nearfall. Alexander vaulted Atlantis to the ramp, where Atlantis booted Alexander in the face and hit a running high cross over the ropes for a nearfall. Alexander cut off Atlantis on the top rope and locked on an Ankle Lock on the top rope. Alexander followed with a big German suplex. Alexander had Atlantis in Tombstone position, but Atlantis reversed it into the Bastard Driver for a nearfall. The two men traded forearms, with the crowd interestingly behind Alexander even though he was playing full heel here. Alexander stomped on Atlantis’ ankle in the corner before locking on the Ankle Lock and dragging Atlantis to the center of the ring. Atlantis fought out and hit a powerslam to a mixed reaction.

Both men ended up on the top rope before Atlantis kicked Alexander down and hit a frog splash. Alexander kicked out and immediately locked on the Ankle Lock, but Atlantis bridged back and pinned Alexander for the win as the boo birds were out.

Match Result: Atlantis Jr. defeated Josh Alexander

Averno, Euforia, Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero vs. The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Hechicero & Rocky Romero)

(I can’t put it into words how fun this match was. This was a big party match, with the tecnicos standing tall over the hated heels as the crowd lost their minds at the action. This wasn’t a Match of the Year contender or anything, but every pro wrestling show on Earth could use a match like this one, especially if it gets the crowd as rowdy as this match did.)

The Callis Family came out separately, with Romero getting the last entrance as he’s one of CMLL’s biggest heels at the moment. Hechicero was meant to team with Averno & Guerrero, but he turned on them to team with his real family. Euforia and Hechicero got into it as the bell rang before the teams had cleared out. The Infantry were in the crowd, raising the roof for Ultimo Guerrero. Chris Hero was beside them, enjoying the show from his seat.

Fletcher & Ultimo kicked things off, with Ultimo almost catching Fletcher in La Tapatilla. Fletcher caught Ultimo with some chops and mocked Ultimo’s raising of the roof, but you can’t mock Ultimo Guerrero in Arena Mexico and get away with it. Ultimo spun Fletcher around and chopped him before raising the roof and tagging in Averno. Romero tagged in for the rudos and got Averno in the Callis corner for his partners to stomp out as the referee was concerned with the tecnicos. Averno flipped the script and got Romero in his corner to get booted as this referee has gotten spun six ways to Sunday. The Callis Family dragged Averno to the floor as the match broke down.

Hechicero and Ultimo were in the ring as brawling happened on the floor. The crowd chanted for Hechicero, trying to get him to see the light. And because Hechicero’s awesome. The heels quadruple-teamed Ultimo before posing to boos. Averno got dragged in, with Hechicero hitting the first hair-mare I’ve seen since like, 2010. Boots in the corner led to a double stomp assisted Bastard Driver for a nearfall that Euforia broke up. He too got his ass kicked, with Romero hitting his Forever clotheslines. Gran Guerrero had enough and went after Hechicero’s mask, but the rudos took him down and teased his mask. Gran tried swinging at all four rudos, but they quickly took him down before Romero dropkicked him to the floor. They went for the same combination on Ultimo, but Averno & Euforia dragged Romero to the floor.

The tecnicos got some offense going and sent all four rudos to the floor as the crowd went crazy for Ultimo. Averno & Euforia double-teamed Romero, then Gran Guerrero launched his massive body onto Fletcher for a nearfall. Gran & Takeshita traded shots before Takeshita hit his home run forearm to take him down. Ultimo took down Takeshita, dropping him with a top rope facebuster. We got to the fireworks factory as we got everyone hitting a big move. Hechicero locked Averno up in a wild spinning pinfall before the tecnicos took him down, leading to Euforia hitting a big splash off the ropes for a nearfall. They did the big “everyone joins the suplex” spot, with the Callis Family winning and hitting big dives afterward. Romero and Gran Guerrero were left in the ring, and Romero took too long to showboat, allowing Gran to hit a big Attitude Adjustment off the top rope for the win.

Match Result: Averno, Euforia, Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero defeated The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Hechicero & Rocky Romero)

ROH World Champion Bandido defends against Mascara Dorada

(Wow. Wow, wow, wow. I implore you to subscribe to CMLL’s YouTube channel to watch this match as soon as you can, because this was a phenomenal main event. I have been bullish on Bandido’s potential as a real top guy in the AEW universe, and this match has fully reinforced those thoughts as he looked every bit of the top guy that I believe he can be. I don’t want to discount Mascara Dorada either as he did some jaw-dropping offense in this match, including standing on Bandido’s shoulders as Bandido was stood on the top rope before dropping into a hurricanrana. He more than held up his end of this unbelievably great match. A beautiful display of lucha, and an excellent start to CMLL’s international week of events.)

This is Bandido’s second defense of his second reign as ROH World Champion.

These two tested each other’s speed, with Dorada winning the exchange. Bandido tried using some power and got Dorada in position for the 21-Plex, but Dorada fought it off before Bandido pointed his finger guns at him to show that he had Dorada in trouble. Dorada was almost in more trouble as Bandido sent him to the floor, but Dorada came back with a shotgun dropkick and a spiral dive to the champion on the floor. Dorada hit a 450 Splash in the ring for a nearfall. A headscissors sent Bandido to the apron, but Bandido slid in and hit a pop-up cutter. Dorada slid to the floor, but Bandido hit a wild Fosbury Flop to the floor before posing with the crowd.

Bandido followed up with a simply preposterous one-armed superplex for a nearfall. You could see Dorada helping him, but the idea was very cool. They traded lariats in the corner before Dorada caught Bandido with a kick. Dorada tried to outsmart Bandido by sliding to the floor, but Bandido simply dove over the post onto Dorada before hitting a Frog Splash in the ring for a nearfall. Dorada came right back, standing on Bandido’s shoulders before dropping down into a headscissors for a nearfall.

The crowd was fired up as champion and challenger traded chops that turned to slaps. They went to the apron to continue their strike battle, eventually booting each other to the floor. They got back in the ring before Dorada sent Bandido to the ramp and hit a wild spinning headscissors. Dorada sent Bandido flying with a suplex on the ramp before going up the Arena Mexico stairs and hitting a dive off of the 7- or 8-foot-tall video board.

Dorada hit a sick Fosbury Flop splash from the ramp to the ring for a nearfall as this crowd was losing their minds. Bandido rolled through a sunset flip to catch Dorada in a pinning predicament. Dorada sat himself up as Bandido kept headbutting him in the chest, but Bandido herked him over his head and dropped him with a Bastard Driver for a nearfall.

Bandido went for the fall away superplex on the ropes, but Dorada got away. He hopped on top of Bandido’s shoulders as Bandido was on the top rope, then dropped down into a hurricanrana. Dorada followed up with a Shooting Star Press for a nearfall as the crowd chanted Esto Es Lucha. Bandido caught a charging Dorada with an X-Plex before hitting the 21-Plex for a huge nearfall that I completely bought as the finish.

Dorada booted a charging Bandido and went to the top rope, but Bandido cut him off. He got to the top rope and took Dorada down with the fallaway superplex, then hit a second 21-Plex to win the match and retain his title in a spectacular main event. After the match, Dorada shook Bandido’s hand and wrapped the ROH World Title around his waist in a show of respect. Dorada and the referee raised Bandido’s hand as streamers shot off over the ring.

Match Result: ROH World Champion Bandido defeated Mascara Dorada to retain

Ring of Honor TV live results: CMLL trios showcase

Ring of Honor returns to Friday night once again for a short episode that is airing both on YouTube and HonorClub.

In a CMLL trios showcase that is becoming a signature of ROH, Volador Jr., Hechicero & Barbaro Cavernario challenge former ROH Men’s TV Champion Atlantis Jr., Fuego & Neon.

In a Pure rules bout, Queen Aminata takes on the returning Allysin Kay.

Ahead of Sunday’s Anarchy in the Arena bout at AEW Double or Nothing, Marina Shafir goes one-on-one with Laynie Luck while the main card is rounded out by Gringo Loco vs. Blake Christian.

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Episode 117 of ROH on Honorclub kicked off with the ROH Women’s Forever Champion, Athena. Athena told us that she has entered Billie Starkz in the upcoming Women’s Pure Championship. Under Pure Rules, she can’t receive any help, so Athena said she was on her own, and that she expects Starkz to win!

Marina Shafir defeated Laynie Luck

To tap in the 2-ft putt, Laynie’s luck might just have run out as she takes on Marina Shafir. Shafir has made a habit of decimating anyone who gets in the ring with her and has not lost a singles match since 2023. Luck has not actually won a Ring of Honor match since 2021. I admire the tenacity, but I don’t see either of those stats having much of a chance of changing here. 

There was a definite contrast in styles to this match. Luck had flair and color, while Shafir’s style employed more murder than anything else. Shafir locked in an armbar right off of the Code of Honor, twisting Luck in ways that did not seem natural.

Shafir dragged her to the middle of the ring and Luck tried to flip Shafir onto her back, but only got a two count. Luck tried to pull Shafir out of the ring, but got a triangle choke for her trouble. Shafir delivered a snap suplex and sent Luck into the corner for some deep shots.

Shafir will be in Anarchy In The Arena this sunday and that was all the commentators really cared about. In the ring, Shafir locked in an STF. Luck actually managed to power out of it, but her comeback was short lived as Shafir quickly got her into Mother’s Milk and Luck was forced to tap out.

Match Result: Marina Shafir defeated Laynie Luck

Blake Christian (w/ Lee Johnson) defeated Gringo Loco

Christian has been on a red-hot streak in ROH, being undefeated in singles matches since July 2024. In fact, his only loss has been as part of a six-man match for the ROh TV title way back at Final Battle 2024. He’s one of the most successful heels in ROH right now, but now he’s up against someone like Gringo Loco, who almost earned a shot at the ROH World title in a Proving Ground match a couple of weeks ago. Christian and Loco have a lot of history on the indies so this should be a banger!

Christian jumped Loco before the bell, stomping him in the corner. Christian’s strategy was to keep Loco off his feet, but that only lasted so long. Loco could easily match Christian in speed, and the two traded lucha-style moves all around the ring.

Loco went up top for a split-legged moonsault, but Christian kicked out at two. Loco seemed to over power Christian, knocking him down with some huge strikes. Loco went up top again, but Christian joined him and slammed Loco’s face into the turnbuckle, sending him out of the ring.

Back inside, Christian took over with a series of Judo throws and a big leg drop. He began toying with Loco, which came back to bite him when Loco nailed a spin out flatliner. The punches flew and it looked like Loco was going to put this one away when Christian reversed the momentum with a 450 double stomp from the top rope. Only a two count though.

Christian took a trip to the 619 area code and hit a poisonrana. He set up Loco in Vanilla Choke Zero and Loco tapped out in the middle of the ring, preserving Christian’s 2025 undefeated streak.

Match Result: Blake Christian defeated Gringo Loco

Pure Rules Match: Queen Aminata defeated Allysin Kay

There is an impending tournament to crown the first ever Women’s Pure Champion in ROH and Aminata is sure to be a main player in those brackets. She even said as much in a promo last week. Kay is a likely participant as well, but her last ROH appearance was a loss to Aminata back in January. 

For those not in the know, in a Pure Rules match competitors are allowed one closed fist warning and three rope breaks. There is a 10 minute time limit and if there is any outside interference it’s an immediate DQ.

Kay had a size advantage over Aminata, but Aminata has been brushing up on her technical skills, quickly locking in a reverse submission, causing Kay to use up a rope break just :45 seconds in. Kay tried to get an armbar in the middle of the ring, but Aminata reversed it into a face lock. Kay dragged them both to the ring ropes, using her second rope break at 2:05.

Kay followed that up with a straight shot to Aminata’s face, earning her one closed fist warning. Kay tried to over power Aminata with a series of shots and slams. Aminata rolled to the outside to regroup, but Kay followed and worked her over by the barricade.

Aminata fought back though and tossed Kay back into the ring. Kay tried a butterfly slam, but Aminata kicked out. Aminata delivered some big forearms, but Kay rolled through and locked in a head scissors. Aminata powered out though and got her with a headbutt. Aminata tried an inside figure four and at 6:06, Kay tapped out, making us 3-for-3 on submission finishers tonight.

Match Result: Pure Rules Match: Queen Aminata defeated Allysin Kay

-Serena Deeb, Aminata’s first round opponent whenever the Women’s Pure tournament starts, cut a promo from the back. Deeb wondered what she has to show for her five years in AEW/ROH and she is tired of pretending to be happy about it. She isn’t here for anything but proving she’s the best at professional wrestling. She said that the ROH Women’s Pure Championship was made for her and she was made for it.

Atlantis Jr., Fuego & Neon defeated Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero & Volador Jr.

The so-called (by me) Crisis of Infinite Luchadores that ran through ROH this spring returns in this six-man bout! Former ROH World Television Champion Atlantis Jr teams with CMLL;s Fuego and 1/3rd of the CMLL Trios Champions, Neon. Literal caveman Cavernario heads up his team with Los Infernales member Hechicero and 27-year veteran Volador Jr. 

Volador and Fuego kicked things off, with Fuego tossing Volador out of the ring. Cavernario took his place, and met with a similar face. Even Hechicero found himself right back on the outside when facing Fuego.

Caervnario and Atlantis faced off next, with Volador and Hechicero coming in for a triple team while Fuego and Neon, uh, watched. Atlantis managed to distribute backbreakers to them all though and tagged in Neon. Volador volunteered to face him, but it wasn’t long before Cavernario and Hechicero tried their hands. Neon got a similar triple team treatment until Fuego managed to run off the other team.

Cevernario delivered a missile dropkick in midair as Fuego was thrown backwards by Volador. The timing was perfect. Atlantis jumped in to avenge his teammate but Hechicero and Volador knocked him down with a reverse monkey flip double kick. Yes, that’s what it was.

Atlantis fought back though, hitting Cavernario so hard he did the worm. Atlantis dove through the ropes and hit Cavernario into the barricade as in the ring, Neon and Fuego took out Volodor and Hechicero.

Cavernario dragged Atlantis back into the ring and hit a big DDT, but could only get a two count. He tried a springboard drop but Atlantis blocked it and hit a frog splash from the top rope. Atlantis picked up the win while Neon and Fuego held Hechicero and Volador to the outside. Bueno Lucha!

Match Result: Atlantis Jr., Fuego & Neon defeated Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero & Volador Jr.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Komander vs. Dark Panther TV title match, Mistico in action

Komander will look to extend his Ring of Honor men’s TV title on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub show as he defends against CMLL’s Dark Panther.

The winner will defend against either Kevin Knight or AR Fox who battle for a title shot on the show.

In another CMLL showcase, Mistico will team with Neon and Fuego against Volador Jr., Rugido and Hechicero.

Ahead of their challenge for the AEW Trios titles this weekend, Top Flight will take on QT Marshall & Aaron Solo.

Before they take on Komander & Hologram on Sunday’s Collision special, The Beast Mortos & Dralistico will be in tag team action.

After unsuccessfully challenging ROH Women’s World Champion Athena, CMLL’s La Catalina returns to face Viva Van.

The massive Satnam Singh will also be in action to round out the card.

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Spring has sprung like a springboard DDT and planted us face-first in a brand new episode of ROH on Honorclub. This episode shall be affectionately referred to “Number 108.”

Fuego, Mistico & Neon defeated Hechicero, Rugido & Volador Jr.

Kicking things off, the ROH/CMLL Crisis of Infinite Luchadores continued this week with another six-man match contested under Luchadore rules. which basically means if a wrestler slides out under the bottom rope, it counts as a tag and another member of their team can jump in. This makes it much easier for the participants to escape holds, dodge attacks and grab snacks, if they so choose. While the other five luchadores have been seeing in AEW and ROH in recent weeks, Neon was making his ROH debut and the commentators built him up huge.

Neon and Hechicero started things off and Hechicero was all over Neon from jump. It was a surprisingly technical exchange, lots of holds and locks with Neon getting a couple of rolling near-falls. Hechicero caught Neon in a leapfrog attempt and Neon crashed face-first into the mat.

Neon reversed a hold and Hechicero slid under the bottom rope. Volador jumped in and Neon tagged in Mistico. Mistico tried to show respect by offering a handshake, but Rugido and Hechicero ran in and all three beat up Mistico and Neo, leaving Fuego to face down his opponents three-on-one. Rugido (also in his ROH Debut apparently) hit a big dropkick on Mistico who had come in to help Fuego.

Mistico took out Volador and Rugido with a double back elbow and a brawl ensued, leaving Mistico, Fuego and Neon standing tall. They did a co-ordinated triple-dive out of the ring onto their opponents that was really, really, fun. Fuego and Rugido had a fantastic back and forth until Hechicero jumped in and helped with a double team.

Neon began clearing house, taking on all three one at a time. After dispatching Hechicero, Neon tagged in Mistico and Hechicero and Volador tried to double team him, but Mistico stayed alive and hit a headscissor from the top rope on Hechicero. He followed that up with a backbreaker and locked in an armbar submission on Rugido, forcing him to tap out and getting the win for his team.

Fantastic match and a great way to kick things off!

La Catalina defeated Viva Van

La Catalina failed to capture the ROH Women’s World Title from the Forever Champ Athena on ROH on Honorclub episode 106. So her runner-up prize is a match against Viva Van, who’s last televised match made my six-year old daughter exclaim “oh no, Vivian Van!” in a very sympathetic tone. 

Similarly matched in size and speed, the two locked up off the top with Catalina taking control. Van fought back but had a hard time finding something that would keep Catalina down. Catalina hit a series of shoulder blocks and a fisherman suplex, but only got a two count as Van kicked out.

Van’s biggest chance came via spinning heel kick as she nailed a stunned Catalina. Van tried to get. her up in a surfboard, but Catalina blocked it. Van turned up the aggression but it left her open to a shining wizard from Catalina.

Catalina set Van up in the corner for some clubbing strikes, but Van wriggled out introduced Catalina’s face to the turnbuckle. Catalina responded with a facebuster, but it couldn’t keep Van down. Catalina caught Van with a bodyscissor choke and Van tapped out, giving the Chilean Catalina the victory.

La Faccion Ingobernable (Dralistico & The Beast Mortos) defeated Eli Theseus & Gabriel Aeros

Hey, you know how The Beast Mortos is the scariest wrestler in ROH, non-Gates of Agony division?  The way to make him even scarier is to team him up with Dralistico, with whom Mortos had a killer triple threat match with against Hologram back in the days of yore, September 2024. Dralistico brings all kinds of speed and agility to La Faccion Ingobernable (aka The Ungovernable Faction, which I would like to join). Their victims, uh I mean, opponents, were Theseus and Aeros, who have been tagging together in the Land Down Under and lost to the Frat House (Griff Garrison and Preston Vance) a few weeks ago. 

Mortos was kind enough to let Dralistico start things off against Aeros who immediately found himself on the receiving end of a whole bunch of stomps, chops and really stiff looking punches. Theseus tagged in and didn’t fare much better, especially after Mortos tagged in and turned him inside out with a running body slam.

Aeros tried to help his partner, but Mortos headbutted him into next week. Dralistico pinned Theseus and that was it for the match.

AR Fox vs. Kevin Knight – Time Limit Draw

Fox vs Knight was such a meeting of similar wrestlers that they felt the need to put a time limit on it because it might be one of those things where their equality would lead to a match lasting forever. Or the  Board of Directors (are they still around?) made them do it. You pick whichever one feels best. The truth is, the winner of this match would become the #1 Contender for the ROH TV Title that Komander would be defending later in the show.

The crowd was clearly behind Fox, chanting his name before the bell. Knight worked Fox’s arm off the top, trying to take away Fox’s long reach. The two ran a series that was a literal mirror image of each other, both hitting the same moves, neither one getting an upper hand.

Fox stomped Knight in the corner, causing Knight to roll out of the ring to catch his breath. Fox dove onto him and they battled on the outside. Knight pulled Fox back into the ring and hit a standing frogh splash to get a two-count. Knight busted his lip open somwhere along the line and it seemed to make him more aggressive, but a little sloppier. Fox took advantage and hit him with a through-the-rope ddt as I quietly chanted “fight forever” to no one in particular, as I was alone in my office.

This was a really awesome match. Both of these guys can go, and they worked it perfectly so that there was no indication as to who might end up the winner. The only issue with it was that they never actually told the TV audience how long the time limit was (it was 10 minutes). So, suddenly out of nowhere it was announced that there was “one minute left in the match.” Hopefully it guarantees they have another one soon as I would very much like to see it.

Satnam Singh defeated Sid Ellington

Singh’s last match in ROH was way, way back on Episode #62 of ROH on Honorclub when he defeated, of all people, Jimmy Jacobs. The 400lbs Singh was looking to extend(?) that streak(?) against the 97lb Ellington, a Nightmare Factory student in his fourth match… ever. 

Ellington threw everything he had at Singh and honestly looked pretty good doing it. But as soon as Singh decided he was bored, he literally picked up Ellington and threw him the 20 feet across the ring, bouncing the smaller man off of the turnbuckles. Twice.

Singh continued beating on Ellington like he stole Singh’s lunch until everyone was screaming “stop, stop, he’s already dead!” (OK, that may have been just me screaming that). Singh pinned him and that was it. I’m all for a good squash, but the idea that Ellington had even a snowball’s chance here strained credulity.

Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) w/ Leila Grey defeated Aaron Solo & QT Marshall

In a really, really stacked Tag Division, Top Flight are close to the top of the ROH Tag Title Chase. Last week, they teamed with Gates of Agony  in a win over The Frat House and The Premier Athletes. This week, they faced Aaron Solo and QT Marshall. Solo is a stalwart ROH Workhorse and Marshall has been hanging around ROH for a while now, presumably because they have better catering? I can’t really tell. There hasn’t been much reason in his current ROH run, but maybe this will be the start of a team with Solo that can enter the Tag Team Fray of ROH.  

Solo and Darius began the match, but Dante got involved pretty quickly, with the siblings double teaming Solo. Marshall tagged himself in and the crowd let him know that he sucked. Marshall worked Dante over until the high-flyer took him out with a headscissor.

On the outside, Solo drove Dante into the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring!) before tossing him back into the ring and isolating from his brother. Marshall tried to draw a DQ by punching Darious, but he didn’t go for it as Solo worked over Dante in the corner.

Dante got a hot tag to Darious who disptached Marshall, then turned his attention to Solo. Martin exploded with speed, bringing Solo to his corner and tagging Dante back in. Darious had Solo pinned, but Marshall jumped in to break it up.

Solo and Marshall beat up Darious until Dante could take out Marshall with a hurricanrana to the outside. Darious locked in a submission on Solo and Solo tapped out before Marshall could break it up. Decent match, probably one of the better ones involving Marshall that I’ve seen!

-Next, in a NCAA tie-in, The Outrunners arrived with the Omaha Maverick’s mascot, a bull named Durango. They fired up the Omaha crowd and promoted the Tournament. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the Infantry. They ran down the local sports teams and the Outrunners… left. Durango stayed though and the Outrunners returned with a couple of trash cans. They used the Infantry’s heads to test their durability and sent them packing.

ROH World Television Title Match: Komander (c) (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Dark Panther

Last week, Komander watched from ringside as Panther took on Aaron Solo. Solo looked pretty good against the veteran Cat-man, but Panther got the win and even did a little riling up of the ROH TV Champ in the process. Komander has been vying for the title of Fightingest Champion In ROH, having defended his TV Title seven times (so far) since winning it in December (for context and comparison, another championship, the ROH Tag Titles, were only defended eight times in all of 2024). 

These two were fired up and Komander took control off the top against the larger Panther. Panther switched tactics and started working the leg of Komander, hoping to take away some of his speed and agility.

The best part of these Luchadore matches is the speed. Komander and Panther were moving so fast and hitting so many different moves, the commentary could barely keep up. The fans were loving it too, chanting “Lucha Libre” at any opportunity, while Panther changed things up and worked Komander’s arm.

Komander began stomping on Panther’s feet, trying to get the big man on his back. It didn’t work though and Panther clubbed him to the mat. Komander dodged Panther and Panther ended up on the outside. Komander tried a dive, but Panther caught him and hung him up on the top rope, wrenching his knee.

Panther clearly had Komander scouted and was able to counter just about everything Komander tried. Panther also knew where to work Komander, putting him in surfboards in the center of the rign, stretching his knees.

Panther made a mistake though and gave Komander an opening for some high flying moves. Komander went for a running flip form the top rope, but Panther got his knees up, dazing Komander. Panther followed that with a missile dropkick from the second rope, but Komander got his hand on the ropes during the count.

Komander tossed Panther out of the ring and climbed to the opposite top turnbuckle. He ran along the ropes and dove onto Panther. Throwing him back in the ring, Komander climbed up again and hit a top rope flip to get the pin and retain his ROH TV Title.

After the match, Dark Panther grabbed the title belt and put it on Komander in a sign of respect. A perfect ending to a pretty good show!