Athena will defend the ROH Women’s World Championship in a street fight on the June 22 edition of Ring of Honor TV.
As announced during this week’s ROH TV episode by ROH board of directors members Tony Khan and Stokely Hathaway, a Chicago Street Fight for the Women’s World title is set for next week’s episode, with Athena defending her title against Kiera Hogan.
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) June 16, 2023
Following Athena’s win over Trish Adora in a Proving Ground match on this week’s episode, Hogan made the save as Athena continued to attack Adora after the match. Hogan hit Athena with a trash can lid, then Athena speared Hogan through a table. Later in the episode, Khan and Hathaway announced the Chicago Street Fight for next week.
The bout will be the fourth career singles meeting between Athena and Hogan in AEW and ROH, with Athena holding a 3-0 career singles mark against Hogan. They wrestled most recently on the June 1 Ring of Honor TV show, where Athena defeated Hogan to retain the ROH Women’s title.
The two met twice in singles matches in AEW in 2022, once on Dark: Elevation and once on Rampage.
Two title matches are set for the Thursday, June 15 edition of Ring of Honor TV.
As announced during this week’s show, Samoa Joe will defend the ROH World Television Championship against Matt Sydal on next week’s episode.
Tony Khan announced the Joe vs. Sydal title bout in a segment involving the new storyline ROH Board of Directors, Stokely Hathaway & Jerry Lynn.
Sydal and Christopher Daniels lost a tag team match on the May 25 ROH TV show that would have earned them shots at Samoa Joe and Zack Sabre Jr.’s ROH TV and NJPW World TV titles, but Sydal bounced back with a singles victory this week against Zach Clayton and was granted his title shot anyway.
A Six-Man Tag Team Championship match is also set for next week’s show.
Mogul Embassy’s Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, and Brian Cage will defend the ROH Six-Man Tag titles against the trio of AR Fox, Action Andretti, and Darius Martin on next week’s episode.
That title match was suggested by Jerry Lynn in another segment involving Khan and the Board of Directors.
Next week’s lineup:
ROH TV, Thursday, June 15 —
ROH World Television Championship: Samoa Joe defends against Matt Sydal
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona & Brian Cage) defend against AR Fox, Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Ring of Honor has announced a TV taping for next month.
The promotion will return to Universal Studios in Orlando on Sunday, June 4 for a show that will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available at ROHTix.com and start at $20.
🚨 Witness @ringofhonor Honor Club Televised Tapings LIVE at @UniversalORL on Sunday June 4th; doors open at 3:30pm! Be there for a huge ROH Sunday Spectacular!
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) May 22, 2023
Ring of Honor was last inside the venue on May 6-7. ROH TV on Honorclub has featured matches from the May 6 taping the last two weeks. Matches from the May 7 taping have yet to air.
Following Supercard of Honor on March 31, ROH began filming matches before AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights in the same position formerly used for Dark: Elevation. However, following last month’s Universal Studios tapings, AEW has only been taping Dynamite and Rampage on those nights.
ROH TV airs on HonorClub every Thursday night beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time. Announced for this week’s episode is Samoa Joe & Zack Sabre Jr. teaming up to wrestle Matt Sydal & Christopher Daniels in tag team action.
The Ring of Honor and NJPW Television Champions will team up on the May 25 episode of ROH TV.
As announced by Tony Khan on Twitter, ROH Television Champion Samoa Joe and NJPW World Television Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will face Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal on next week’s Ring of Honor TV.
An angle to set up the tag team bout was shot on this week’s ROH TV. After Sabre made a title defense against AR Fox, Samoa Joe came to the ring for a confrontation. Daniels and Sydal then entered, and Sabre suggested a tag team match between the four, with Daniels and Sydal offered title shots should they win. That stipulation was not part of the match announcement, but could still be added.
For their part, Daniels and Sydal were also in action on this week’s ROH TV in tag team action, scoring a victory over Cole Karter and Zack Clayton.
Zack Sabre Jr. will return to Ring of Honor TV on HonorClub Thursday to defend his NJPW TV title once again.
After appearing on the revived debut show, the inaugural NJPW TV Champion will put the gold on the line against AR Fox in pursuit of his seventh title defense.
In a no DQ Fight Without Honor match, The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett and Matt Taven will face Darius Martin and Action Andretti.
Former ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez returns to action off the injured list for the first time since last December when she goes one-on-one with Ashley D’Amboise.
Former ROH Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal will continue their reformed run as they face Cole Karter and Zack Clayton.
In a high-flying affair, Rey Fenix will take on Gringo Loco.
Other action includes Willow Nightingale vs. Madi Wrenkowski, Lady Frost vs. Miranda Alize, and several tag team matches.
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– The show started with Dasha backstage with Willie Mack and Ninja Mack. They showed respect to each other and made the decision to team together.
This week’s Ring of Honor was taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel McGuinness were on the call.
Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Gringo Loco
This was a great opener to the show. Loco was a great pickup by ROH, as his basing allows these high-flyers to really shine.
These two started off quickly, avoiding each other’s offense before Fenix scored the advantage with several kicks. Fenix sent Loco to the floor with an armdrag before following him outside with a springboard dive. Fenix hit a frog splash in the ring for a nearfall. Loco caught Fenix on a rolling move, picking him up in a gorilla press before slamming him down.
After going for the mask, Loco dropped Fenix with a facebuster for a nearfall. Fenix fought Loco off with a pair of thrust kicks before hitting his spinning back kick in the corner. Fenix followed up by running on the top rope to kick Loco in the head before landing another splash for a nearfall. Loco cut Fenix off, but Fenix hit the rewind kick through the ropes.
Fenix brought Loco to the corner and went for a rolling cutter, but Loco caught Fenix with a cutter of his own for a nearfall. Fenix scored with a rolling Frankensteiner for a nearfall before drilling Loco with a superkick. Fenix brought Loco to the top rope before hitting a double jump rana for a nearfall. Fenix brought Loco back to the top rope, but Loco knocked him down before hitting a step-up twisting Destroyer for a nearfall.
Loco brought Fenix up on his shoulders, but Fenix pulled him down with a poisonrana. Fenix hit the rolling cutter to win.
– Dasha was backstage with The Wingmen, Peter Avalon and Ryan Nemeth. They mock the Iron Savages and want to prove that ROH is Wingmen Country. Good luck with that.
Nightingale was in firm control to start, landing a senton. Wrenkowski got a boot in on Nightingale before choking her over the ropes. She brought Nightingale to the apron and covered her up with the apron itself, landing heavy strikes.
Back in the ring, Nightingale fired up, hitting a splash in the corner before hitting the spinebuster. Wrenkowski fought out of the Babe With The Powerbomb, forcing Nightingale into the corner. Nightingale caught Wrenkowski in powerbomb position, but Wrenkowski took her down by the head Billy Kidman-style for a nearfall. Nightingale moved out of the way of a boot and hit the Pounce. Nightingale followed that with the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.
Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) (w/Jacked Jameson) defeated The Wingmen (Peter Avalon & Ryan Nemeth)
Jameson led the Savages out with an energetic introduction, hyping up the crowd for the Savages. Riccaboni noted that Nemeth will be playing Gino Hernandez in the new Von Erich movie that MJF also plays a part in. Currently, Nemeth was getting pounded on by the Savages. Nemeth desperately tagged out to Avalon, who got the advantage after Nemeth chop-blocked Bronson.
Nemeth took some time to swivel his hips, which was met with a spinebuster from Bronson. Boulder tagged in and ran wild on the Wingmen, landing a double flapjack. Boulder went for a moonsault, but Avalon moved and hit a splash of his own for a nearfall. Boulder repeatedly pressed Avalon to kick out before dropping both Wingmen with a crossbody. Bronson tagged in and scored the win after getting electric chair dropped onto both Wingmen.
Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal defeated Cole Karter & Zack Clayton
Daniels and Sydal got the advantage first, scoring an offensive combination on Karter. Clayton tagged in but met the same fate and took an offensive combo for a nearfall. Karter cut Sydal off on the ropes, allowing Clayton to hit a lariat on Sydal. Karter and Clayton worked over Sydal for a while, with Karter sending Sydal off the top rope into a powerslam from Clayton. Karter hit a splash for a nearfall that Daniels broke up.
Daniels tagged in and ran wild, landing a bulldog/clothesline combo. Karter cut off an Angel’s Wings attempt, bringing Sydal in to send Karter out. Daniels hit the STO as Sydal landed a dive on Karter on the floor. Daniels got the win with the Best Moonsault Ever.
Lady Frost defeated Miranda Alize
Both of these women maximized their minutes here. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them in this women’s division.
A quick start to this one, as Alize drilled Frost with a rana before booting her in the gut. Alize hit a strong face wash boot in the corner, but only scored a one-count. Alize talked trash, but Frost hit a jumping knee and a cartwheel cannonball in the corner for a nearfall. Alize came back with a release suplex for a nearfall. Alize hit a Tiger Driver for a nearfall.
Alize set up a neckbreaker, but Frost fought out and cartwheeled into an Air Raid Crash. Frost went to the top rope and hit a corkscrew moonsault for the win.
Cheeseburger and Serpentico got started, with Cheeseburger getting the better of Serpentico with technical maneuvers. Angelico broke up Cheeseburger’s momentum before tagging in and showing off his llave submissions. SAP worked over Cheeseburger until he got a tag out to Isom. Isom ran wild, hitting a dive on Serpentico on the floor.
Luther booted Isom on the floor while the referee was focused in the ring. Angelico caught Cheeseburger in a leg vine submission for the quick submission win.
NJPW World Television Title Match: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated AR Fox to retain
All NJPW World TV Title matches have a 15-minute time limit, with the title remaining with the champion in the case of a draw. It was announced that the winner would defend the title against Jeff Cobb at NJPW Dominion on June 4th.
After an opening exchange, Fox caught Sabre with the double dropkick combo in the corner for an early nearfall. Fox sent Sabre to the floor and hit the superman dive to the floor. Fox hit a springboard dropkick for a nearfall. Sabre got a hold of Fox’s arm and slammed him down.
Sabre started the work on the arm, manipulating his wrist while in an armbar. Fox tried fighting back, but lost Sabre on an Irish Whip attempt due to the bad arm. Sabre did more work on the arm, twisting Fox into an armbar that Fox fought off. Fox caught Sabre with a jumping clothesline. Fox booted Sabre twice before hitting a swinging suplex for a nearfall.
Sabre went back to the arm, dropping Fox to all fours and stomping on his elbow. Sabre hit the Penalty Kick for a nearfall. Sabre toyed with Fox, allowing Fox to fight back and send Sabre to the floor. Sabre cut off a dive, but Fox superkicked him in the ropes. Fox hit a pendulum DDT for a nearfall. Fox brought Sabre to the top rope, but Sabre caught him in the Cobra Twist on the top rope. Fox popped back up, hitting the Lo Mein Pain for a nearfall.
At the 10-minute call, AR Fox went to the top rope, but Sabre rolled to the floor. Fox followed him with a big dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Sabre avoided a 450 and caught Fox in a European Clutch for a nearfall. Sabre started ripping at Fox’s legs, catching Fox in the Orienteering With Napalm Death submission for the win and his 7th successful defense of the title.
– In the ring, Dasha interviewed Sabre after his win. He said that he saw a chance to make history as the first NJPW World TV Champion, and he took it. He declared himself the best champion in wrestling, and the most active TV Champion in wrestling. ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe came out taking offense to this. Joe offered a fight against Sabre right now, but Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels made their way to the stage. Daniels stated that he, Joe, and Sabre have all held TV Titles, but Sydal was overdue for a title shot of his own. Sabre offered up a tag team match, with a TV Title shot on the line for Sydal and Daniels if they won. Everyone seemed to agree, with Sabre saying that afterward, they’ll figure out which champion is better. I’m excited about all of these potential matches.
The Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Dalton Castle & Boy Brandon
This stems from the mystery attack on Boy Brent last week. Boy Brandon started off with Kaun and got the better of him in a grappling exchange. Kaun then tagged in Liona, who tackled Brandon and threw him with abandon. The Gates threw Brandon around for a while until Brandon caught Kaun with a low flatliner. Kaun cut him off and sent him into the ropes where Liona booted him.
The Gates clubbered on Brandon more until Brandon crotched Liona on a splash attempt. Castle got the hot tag and ran wild with offense. Liona took a half dozen splashes from Castle and Brandon, but Liona kicked out at one. Brandon got caught on a dive, with Kaun taking out Castle with a gutbuster. Liona and Kaun landed a double facebuster on Brandon for the win.
Shane Taylor & The Workhorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) defeated Midnight Heat (Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson) & Schaff
Henry caught Pearl with a heavy kick to the midsection for the first advantage in the match. Drake tagged in and flattened Pearl with a senton and a Vader Bomb. Schaff tagged in and used his size to run wild, but Taylor dropped him with a lariat. As the Workhorsemen took out Pearl and Gibson, Taylor hit the Package Piledriver for the quick win.
– Dasha was backstage with Vincent & Dutch. Quickly, Stu Grayson entered the frame to wonder why they’d been watching him lately. Dutch and Vincent said that while the Dark Order brought him back, they were also holding him back. The Dark Order came in to drive them away, but Grayson decided to give Vincent and Dutch one chance to impress him.
Mercedes Martinez defeated Ashley D’Amboise
Martinez couldn’t keep a hold on D’Amboise early on until she caught D’Amboise with a rolling forearm. Martinez hit the Three Amigos for a nearfall. Martinez clubbered on D’Amboise until D’Amboise avoided a corner charge. D’Amboise fought back until she walked into a spinebuster for a nearfall.
D’Amboise countered a Fisherman’s Suplex into a rollup for a nearfall. D’Amboise threw a bunch of strikes at Martinez. D’Amboise caught Martinez with a forearm in the ropes, then followed it up with a Burning Hammer for a nearfall. Martinez caught D’Amboise with a curb stomp, then scored the submission win with the Dragon Sleeper.
Fight Without Honor: Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett)
This was one hell of a battle in this main event. Everybody took a beating in this one, and they did some sick spots here too. This is one to seek out for sure.
The Kingdom menaced Andretti on the ramp, but Martin jumped them from behind to kickstart this match. The plunder came out quickly, with Bennett catching a double dropkick with a chair in the face. Taven took a drop-toe hold into the chair, with Martin launching off of Taven’s back for a dropkick to Bennett. Andretti and Martin clubbered on Taven with weapons as he was trapped in a garbage can, but Maria involved herself, allowing Taven to dropkick a ladder into their faces. Martin got on the apron, but Maria hit a low blow, allowing Bennett to drill Martin with a chair.
Bennett got lacerated but didn’t let that stop him from hitting a spinebuster to Andretti on top of a trash can. Taven hit Just The Tip on Martin with a ladder in his face, but the Kingdom brought out a table to do more damage. They went for the big Doomsday Device to the floor, but Martin moved, leading to Taven taking out Bennett. Andretti hit an Arabian Press to both Kingdom members on the floor.
Back in the ring, we got a train of offense that left Dante Martin standing. Taven took down Martin with a chair to the back. The Kingdom hit a Hail Mary to Martin on top of chairs. Andretti fought out of the Proton Pack, hitting a bulldog on Taven. Andretti put Taven on a table, hitting a springboard 450 throu…onto the table. Andretti finished the job, suplexing Taven through the table for a nearfall that Bennett broke up.
Bennett and Andretti traded strikes, leading to Bennett hitting a spear and a DVD through the table. Martin fought his way up, but Taven dropped him with the Purple Thunder for a nearfall. Andretti and Martin got sent to the floor. Maria hit Martin with a pipe and held him up for chops from Bennett. Bennett went for the rebound forearm, but Martin moved, and Maria took the shot instead.
Martin and Andretti fired up, dropping Taven on a chair. They hit Bennett with a Doomsday Device off of the ladder to win. After the match, The Kingdom offered a handshake, which was accepted.
The NJPW TV title will be on the line this Thursday on Ring of Honor TV as Zack Sabre Jr. will defend against AR Fox.
Sabre Jr. was part of the first ROH TV show on HonorClub in a successful title defense against Blake Christian. The inaugural TV Champion will be looking for the seventh defense of his title.
Former ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez will make her return to action after dealing with an injury as she faces Ashley D’Amboise. This will be her first match since losing the title to Athena at last December’s Final Battle.
In a Fight Without Honor (no DQ) match, The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) will take on Darius Martin & Action Andretti in a feud that began while Dante Martin was still healthy before his recent ankle/foot injury.
The 11-match lineup will also feature ROH Tag Team Champion Rey Fenix against Gringo Loco in their third-ever singles match.
Here’s the full lineup:
The WorkHorsemen & Shane Taylor vs. Schaff, Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl
The Kingdom vs. Darius Martin & Action Andretti in a Fight Without Honor
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defends against AR Fox
Lady Frost vs. Miranda Alize
Gates of Agony vs. The Boy & Dalton Castle
Angelico & Serpentico vs. Eli Isom & Cheeseburger
Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal vs. Cole Karter & Zack Clayton
A tag team Fight Without Honor has been announced for next week’s Ring of Honor TV episode.
As revealed during this week’s show, The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett & Matt Taven will square off with Darius Martin & Action Andretti in a tag team Fight Without Honor on next week’s show.
The Kingdom have been feuding with Martin since the relaunch of Ring of Honor TV in March, though initially it was a tag team feud with Bennet & Taven facing Darius & Dante Martin of Top Flight. Dante was injured in the Reach for the Sky ladder match at Supercard of Honor on March 31 and has been out of action ever since. In his absence, Andretti has been slotted into the feud, twice teaming with Darius.
The Kingdom defeated Darius & Andretti in tag team action on the April 20 edition of Ring of Honor TV.
The next several episodes of ROH TV were taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida last weekend.
11 matches are set for Thursday’s edition of ROH TV.
Samoa Joe will defend his TV title against Blake Christian on the show. Christian is coming off a victory over Gringo Loco on the 4/27 episode. Joe will be looking to defend his belt for the 11th time since winning it on the April 13, 2023 edition of AEW Dynamite.
As was announced on last week’s show, Athena will also defend her ROH Women’s World Championship against Skye Blue on Thursday.
Other matches scheduled to air include The Infantry vs. The Righteous, Mark Briscoe vs. Shane Taylor, Ninja Mack vs Willie Mack, and Kyle Fletcher vs. Tony Deppen.
The Embassy, Dark Order, Trustbusters, AR Fox, and Anthony Henry are scheduled for the show as well.
This week’s edition of ROH TV was taped on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Results from the tapings can be found here.
ROH TV 5/11 lineup:
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Blake Christian
ROH Women’s Champion Athena defends against Skye Blue
The Trustbusters (Sonny Kiss, Slim J, Jeeves Kay & Josh Woods) vs. The Dark Order (John Silver, Evil Uno, Stu Grayson & Alex Reynolds)
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/ Prince Nana) vs. Adam Priest, Lucky Ali & Victor Benjamin
The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
Kyle Fletcher (w/ Mark Davis) vs. Tony Deppen
VertVixen vs. Robyn Renegade (w/ Charlette Renegade)
A Women’s World Championship match is set for the May 11 episode of Ring of Honor TV.
As announced during this week’s show, Athena will defend the Women’s World title against Skye Blue on next week’s episode.
Athena defeated Angelica Risk in a Proving Ground match on this week’s show, then called out Skye Blue. Later in the episode, Blue answered the callout in a backstage promo segment, challenging Athena to a title bout for next week. Athena then responded to the challenge in a separate backstage promo later, accepting the match and noting that it will take place next week.
Blue has won four consecutive singles matches in ROH, and remains undefeated overall in ROH with a 5-0 total record. Blue also defeated Adena Steele in a dark match at this week’s AEW Dynamite taping.
Athena is 11-0 in ROH, and has held the Women’s World title since defeating Mercedes Martinez for the gold at Final Battle last December.
Ring of Honor is heading back to Universal Studios for a weekend of television tapings this May.
It was announced today that ROH will hold TV tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7. The Saturday tapings will take place from 6-10 p.m. Eastern time. The Sunday show is set to begin at 4 p.m. Eastern and end at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Tickets for the tapings are on sale now. They’re priced at $20 per night or $30 for a two-day combo ticket.
When ROH relaunched its weekly TV series earlier this year, the first four episodes were taped at Universal Studios. The episodes that have taken place since then were taped at AEW events.
There have yet to be any talent or match announcements made for the May Universal Studios tapings.
ROH TV premieres on HonorClub every Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV lineup will feature three champions, two of them in non-title matches.
Ahead of his title defense on Friday’s AEW Rampage against Dralistico, AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo will face Gringo Loco in non-title action.
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will defend against Colt Cabana while ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Heather Reckless in a Proving Ground match.
Fresh off his save of The Elite on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Konosuke Takeshita will face Lee Moriarty.
Penta El Zero Miedo, one half of the ROH Tag Team Champions, will be in singles action against Nick Comoroto while Brian Cage, one third of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions, will take on Joey Jett.
After an alliance was formed last week, Action Andretti & Darius Martin will face The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett & Matt Taven.
Other action includes Willow Nightingale, Lance Archer, The Iron Savages and Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds & John Silver.
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Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on the call for this week’s edition of ROH, taped on April 12th in Milwaukee, WI as part of the live AEW Rampage taping.
The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett) defeated Action Andretti & Darius Martin
The Kingdom isolated Martin to start, taking him down with a series of strikes in the corner. Martin fought out of the corner and leapt for a tag, but Bennett caught him in a spinebuster. Andretti got a blind tag in, and after a series of dives, Andretti hit a springboard moonsault onto the Kingdom to take control. Andretti hit a springboard clothesline to Taven before following it with a bulldog for a nearfall.
Andretti went for a running attack on Taven, but Bennett cut him off and set up a double team on Andretti. The Kingdom went for the Hail Mary, but Martin tossed Taven off the ropes to cut it off. Andretti hit a corkscrew crossbody on Bennett before following up with the split-legged moonsault for a nearfall. Andretti and Martin hit a double team move before setting up stereo dives, but Maria cut off Andretti. Taven sent Andretti off the buckle to the floor, leading to the Kingdom hitting the Proton Pack on Martin for the win.
– In the back, Athena threatened all the “porcelain hussies” around the world to step up and answer her open challenge.
Nightingale was in firm control early on, sending Renegade to the floor. Renegade cut off a Nightingale kick and dropped her on the apron. Renegade laid in the shots to Nightingale in the corner before slapping her in the face. The slap fired Nightingale up as she went on the offensive, laying out Renegade with a spinebuster for a nearfall. Nightingale hit the Pounce, sending Renegade into the ropes.
As Renegade laid in the ropes, her sister Charlette Renegade tried the Killer Bees switch out spot. It only served as a distraction as Robyn Renegade went for a roll-up, but Nightingale reversed the cover to score the win. After the match, Robyn adhered to the Code of Honor, but it was only a trap as Charlette chop blocked Nightingale. The Renegades laid out Nightingale with a Hart Attack and stood tall to end the segment.
– Dasha Fuentes was backstage with Colt Cabana, who will challenge Samoa Joe for the ROH TV Title later tonight. Cabana called this the triad, as he had previously challenged Joe for both the World and Pure Titles in ROH. He didn’t know what the future held for him, but he would capitalize on tonight’s opportunity.
Lance Archer defeated Jah-C
Archer got a jump start, dragging Jah-C out to the ring with him during his entrance. Jah-C got a total of two shots in before Archer crushed him in the corner with running elbows. Archer let Jah-C try to fire up, but Archer dropped him with a reverse DDT. A short-range lariat mercifully ended this one as Archer got the win. Archer dragged Jah-C to the back to continue the beatdown.
Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) defeated Joey Jett
Jett got some chants as the bell rang, but Cage quickly took control with suplexes. Cage hit a boot in the corner as the crowd chanted for Jett. Jett caught Cage with some strikes on the apron, but Cage cut off an outside-in cutter with a lariat. Jett got more offense in, dropping Cage with a flatliner and a running boot. Cage cut him off and quickly put Jett away with an F-5.
ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match: Athena defeated Heather Reckless
Reckless came out firing with strikes, getting a one count from a standing Sliced Bread. Reckless went for a crossbody off the apron, but Athena caught her and flung her into the barricade. Athena threw Reckless into the barricade twice more before dumping her back in the ring. Reckless caught Athena in a small package for a nearfall, but Athena came back with a series of powerbombs. Athena locked on the Crossface for the quick tapout victory. After the match, Athena drove Reckless’ head into the title belt for good measure.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) defeated Cole Karter & Lee Johnson
Silver out-paced Johnson to start, leading to a Dark Order double-team. Karter tagged in but met a similar fate as Reynolds booted him in the corner. Johnson took Reynolds’ attention, which allowed Karter to send Reynolds into the barricade outside. Karter & Johnson worked over Reynolds before Reynolds fought his way to the corner for a tag.
Silver sent Johnson into Karter with a gorilla press slam. Silver powerbombed Johnson into Reynolds’ knees before the Dark Order hit their finishing double-team sequence for the win.
Penta El Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Nick Comoroto
After some shenanigans, Comoroto overpowered Penta to take control. Penta hit a Slingblade for a nearfall before clubbering on Comoroto in the corner. Comoroto burst out of the corner with a spear for a nearfall. Penta slipped out of Comoroto’s grip and hit a backstabber before following with a double stomp for a nearfall.
Penta snapped Comoroto’s arm back with the Sacrifice armbreaker, but Comoroto fought out of the Package Piledriver and hit an ushigoroshi. Comoroto lost Penta on a gorilla press due to the damage to the arm, leading Penta to hit the Sacrifice on the other arm to score the win.
Konosuke Takeshita defeated Lee Moriarty
This was a standout match between these two, as Takeshita sold Moriarty’s arm work well in the body of this match. I always appreciate when limb work pays off in the closing stretch of a match, and Takeshita and Moriarty made sure to link all the arm work together by the end of the match.
Takeshita and Moriarty traded arm drags before Takeshita laid out Moriarty with leg lariats. Moriarty hit some chops before Takeshita dropped him with a forearm. Moriarty fought out of a Blue Thunder Bomb attempt and hit an arm breaker to send Takeshita to the floor. Moriarty sent Takeshita into the barricades with a double knee rush.
Moriarty targeted Takeshita’s arm with strikes and holds. Moriarty sent Takeshita into the turnbuckles shoulder-first, but Takeshita cut off a third attempt and started fighting back. Takeshita hit the big head-of-steam clothesline before following it up with a brainbuster. Takeshita drilled Moriarty with forearms before hitting a second rope senton for a nearfall. Takeshita went to the top rope, but Moriarty cut him off and hit a superplex.
They had a strike exchange, leading to a Takeshita German suplex and Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Moriarty caught Takeshita with a capture suplex before locking on the Border City Stretch. Takeshita rolled Takeshita up to get out of the hold and got a backslide for a nearfall. Moriarty tried to counter another German with a roll-up, but Takeshita dropped him with a Bastard Driver for a nearfall. Takeshita tried the Chaos Theory, but the arm gave out. Moriarty dropped Takeshita with a lariat, but Takeshita caught him with a German. Takeshita hit a ripcord forearm and the running knee to score the win.
El Hijo del Vikingo defeated Gringo Loco
Vikingo is absolutely incredible. I’m awed every time I see him. He brings that megastar energy as well, as the crowd was red hot for this one. Go out of your way to see this one.
These two started off quick, with Vikingo taking Loco down with a Tijeras off of Loco’s shoulders. Loco handsprung out of another Tijeras, but Vikingo sent him to the floor with a hurricane kick. Vikingo went for a dive to the floor but crashed and burned as Loco moved. Loco hit a dive of his own as the crowd chanted This Is Awesome.
Loco sent Vikingo up and over with a facebuster for a nearfall. Loco went to the top rope but missed a spinning splash. Vikingo sent Loco into the corner and went to the top, but Loco cut him off. Loco went to the top rope and brought VIkingo down with a step-over Spanish Fly. Loco followed with another facebuster for a nearfall. Loco slapped Vikingo in the face, but Vikingo answered with a superkick.
Vikingo hit a spinning back kick and another superkick before hitting a handspring to the ropes. Vikingo hit an misdirection into a springboard Tijeras that sent Loco to the floor. Vikingo hit a step-up dragonrana to Loco on the floor, before hitting an outside-in Phoenix Splash for a nearfall. Loco cut off Vikingo, but Vikingo caught him on a crossbody and hit a spinning uranage. Vikingo sent Loco to the floor and hit a ropewalk tornillo splash to the floor.
Loco caught Vikingo and hit an Alley Oop into the turnbuckle. Loco brought Vikingo to the top rope and hit a gorilla press slam all the way down for an eventual nearfall. Vikingo avoided a charge from Loco and hit a springboard tornado poisonrana before following with the double knees into the corner. Vikingo hit the 630 splash to win.
Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) (w/ Jameson Ryan) defeated Logan Lynch & Ren Jones
Boulder sent Jones into Lynch with a gorilla press, before Bronson dropped Jones into Lynch with a piledriver. Boulder hit a double bodyslam on both opponents before electric chair dropping his own partner into his opponents for the quick victory.
– Gringo Loco talked about how he’s zig-zagged across the world trying to get Tony Khan’s attention. Loco said after the match, Khan raised his hand and invited him back to ROH anytime. Loco may not have won the match, but earning his way into ROH was just as big of a victory.
ROH World Television Title Match: Samoa Joe (c) defeated Colt Cabana
This was Samoa Joe’s ninth title defense.
Cabana used his technique to stay out of Joe’s hands, but Joe caught Cabana with a back elbow to cut him off. Joe hit the body splash and enzuigiri combination for a nearfall. Joe worked on Cabana’s neck and shoulders, hitting a big kick and an elbow drop for a nearfall. Joe drove Cabana into the corner with strikes before setting up the Muscle Buster, but Cabana fought him off and caught Joe with a roll up for two.
Cabana dropped Joe with a big elbow before hitting the Flying Apple. A big splash from Cabana got a nearfall. Cabana went for a moonsault, but Joe got the knees up and quickly locked on the Coquina Clutch for the win.
The lineup for ROH TV this week has been announced.
The show will feature Samoa Joe defending his ROH TV Championship against Colt Cabana.
Other matches set to air on Thursday include El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. Gringo Loco in a non-title match, Athena vs. Heather Reckless in a proving ground match, and The Kingdom vs. Darius Martin & Action Andretti.
The show was filmed on April 12, 2023, from the UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
ROH TV lineup for April 20, 2023:
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Colt Cabana
AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo vs Gringo Loco in a non-title match
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena vs. Heather Reckless in a Proving Ground match
The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Robyn Renegade w/ Charlette Renegade vs. Willow Nightingale
The Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) vs. Ren Jones & Logan Lynch
Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes vs. Nick Comoroto
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Lee Moriarty
Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs. Lee Johnson & Cole Karter
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will look to keep things rolling after Supercard of Honor as he defends against Metalik.
Castagnoli defended his title against Eddie Kingston at the pay-per-view, but things didn’t appear to be resolved between those two in addition to Wheeler Yuta and ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata.
Speaking of Shibata, he and the returning Alex Coughlin will face The WorkHorsemen. Yuta, conversely, will battle ROH veteran Tracy Williams.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena will take on Ashley D’Amboise in a non-title Proving Ground match.
Mark Briscoe will look to rebound from his loss to Samoa Joe when he faces Ari Daivari.
Dark Order’s Stu Grayson will face Tony Nese while The Kingdom’s Mike Bennett takes on Darius Martin who continues to embark on his singles career due to Dante Martin’s injury.
Willow Nightingale vs. Little Mean Kathleen and Skye Blue vs. Kelly Madan rounds out the card.
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This week’s edition of Ring of Honor TV was taped before and after last week’s Rampage taping on Friday in Rhode Island. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on the call.
Mark Briscoe defeated Ari Daivari (w/cJosh Woods, Mark Sterling & Tony Nese)
Briscoe controlled Daivari early on, forcing Daivari to roll to the floor after an offensive flurry. Briscoe went to follow Daivari with a dive before Nese cut him off and sent him into the barricade. Daivari took control, dropping Briscoe with a Hammerlock DDT for a nearfall. Daivari sent Briscoe to the floor, allowing Woods and Nese to lay the shots into Briscoe while the referee was distracted.
Daivari hit a high crossbody for a nearfall. Briscoe avoided another crossbody, allowing Briscoe to fire up with redneck kung fu. Briscoe went on offense, hitting the machine gun neckbreaker for a nearfall. Sterling cut off a Jay Driller attempt, allowing more interference from Woods and Nese. The referee saw that interference and promptly ejected all seconds from ringside. That allowed Briscoe to hit the Jay Driller to score the win.
After the match, everyone laid the boots to Briscoe before FTR made their way to the ring to even the odds and make the save.
– Eddie Kingston spoke for the first time since Supercard of Honor. He revealed that he had been dealing with a hernia injury since September that may require surgery but did not use it as an excuse for losing. He had a strategy and abandoned it, resorting to his fighting the same way Arturo Gatti would in his fights.
Kingston admitted that Castagnoli was the better man, having beat Kingston so badly that he couldn’t sleep that night. Kingston admitted that he wanted to quit, like Castagnoli said he would before Supercard of Honor. However, Kingston said that he had to learn from his loss and move forward.
Skye Blue defeated Kelly Madan
The announcers hyped Madan, noting that her trainer Damian Adams trained former ROH alumni Deonna Purrazzo. This was a quick bout that saw Blue win in a matter of minutes with the Skyfall.
Darius Martin defeated Mike Bennett (w/ Maria Kanellis-Bennett & Matt Taven) by disqualification
During the entrances, Riccaboni noted that Dante Martin’s recovery should be faster than originally expected. Definitely good to hear that news. Martin caught Bennett on an attempt to jumpstart the match and laid in the shots to Bennett. They traded chops in the corner before Martin sent Bennett to the floor with a dropkick. Bennett ducked a baseball slide, but Martin came off of the barricade with a crossbody. Taven distracted Martin as he went to the top rope, allowing Bennett to cut him off.
On the apron, Bennett won a forearm exchange and hit a Death Valley Driver. Martin avoided the rebound lariat and hit a quick tope before sending Bennett back into the ring. A short back-and-forth led to Martin hitting a Spanish Fly for a nearfall. Martin set up another move, but Taven came into the ring and attacked Martin to cause a disqualification. The Kingdom went after Martin’s ankle before Action Andretti ran them both off.
Wheeler Yuta defeated Tracy Williams
The announcers noted that Williams served as a mentor for Yuta as he came up on the independent scene, and that came through in the action as Williams got the better of Yuta early on. Yuta took control by booting Williams in the face to break a submission. Yuta got Williams with a German suplex before hitting the hammer-and-anvil elbows to boos from the Rhode Island crowd.
Yuta caught Williams in a deathlock and taunted him before bridging back on the hold. Williams grabbed the ropes, with the announcers noting that this wasn’t a Pure Rules match. Williams fired up with strikes, hitting a DDT onto the top turnbuckle before following with a lariat. A brainbuster scored a nearfall, which Williams immediately transitioned into a crossface. Yuta escaped and cut off a forearm exchange by biting Williams in the forehead. Yuta hit the Right Angle Slam and the hammer-and-anvil elbows before scoring the win with a seated Dragon Sleeper.
– Darius Martin and Action Andretti were in the back. Martin noted that he wasn’t going to let the Kingdom keep outnumbering him, so he recruited Andretti to help him out. They challenged the Kingdom to a future tag team match.
ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin defeated The WorkHorsemen
It’s still surreal to see Shibata as a regular member of a pro wrestling roster after such a long injury layoff. Shibata and Anthony Henry started off grappling to a stalemate. Shibata and Henry traded unsuccessful Penalty Kick attempts, leading to Shibata locking on a figure four. JD Drake dropped a headbutt on Shibata to break the hold, leading to tags on both sides. Coughlin and Drake engaged in a chop battle, ending with the WorkHorsemen hitting a double team Russian Leg Sweep for a nearfall.
The WorkHorsemen isolated Coughlin, finding time to hit Shibata’s cross-legged pose out of mockery. Drake laid in heavy kicks to Coughlin, as Shane Taylor watched on from the back. Drake drilled Coughlin with a rebound forearm, leading to a Henry double stomp for a nearfall. Drake locked Coughlin in a deathlock, but Shibata stomped Henry to break it up. Shibata then stomped on Coughlin to fire him up. Henry went for another seated submission, but Coughlin lifted Henry from that seated position into an impressive vertical suplex.
Shibata got the tag and ran wild, hitting the hesitation dropkick to Henry for a nearfall. Drake cut off a sleeper hold on Henry with a chop, but a Shibata forearm knocked him down. The WorkHorsemen hit a tandem facebuster for a nearfall on Shibata. Coughlin took out Drake with a deadlift gutwrench suplex on the floor, and Shibata took Henry down with the Sleeper Hold and a Penalty Kick for the win. After the match, Coughlin made a challenge to Shibata for his Pure Championship.
Willow Nightingale defeated Little Mean Kathleen
Kathleen bit Nightingale on the hand, forcing Nightingale to hit a bodyslam. Kathleen fought out of a powerslam position and hit bicycle kicks, but Nightingale got her knees up on a splash. Nightingale hit a running splash in the corner before following with the Oklahoma Stampede for the quick victory.
Stu Grayson (w/ Evil Uno) defeated Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling)
Grayson was in control early on, finishing an opening flurry with an over-the-ropes senton to Nese on the apron. Grayson hit a tope over the top rope to Nese on the floor. Grayson went for a springboard to Nese, but Nese shoved him off the top rope into the barricades on the floor.
Nese took control in the ring, but Grayson pushed him to the mat on a superplex attempt. Grayson went for a sunset flip, but Nese rolled through and hit a spinning heel kick for a nearfall. Nese hit a spin kick to the breadbasket, but Grayson fired up and dropped Nese with a uranage. Grayson hit a corkscrew senton to Nese for a nearfall. Nese used the ropes to escape a Grayson fireman’s carry, but Grayson hit an F-5 style move for another nearfall.
Grayson pulled Nese over the ropes with a suplex, but Nese escaped and hung Grayson’s neck on the ropes. Grayson avoided the Running Nese, but Nese got a roll-up with the tights for a nearfall. Grayson hit a pele kick and followed it with a running knee. Grayson dropped Nese from a fireman’s carry to a backbreaker to score the win.
After the match, The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) came to the stage and stared down the Dark Order, although the announcers made it clear that their focus was solely on Grayson.
– The Righteous were backstage. They insinuate that the Dark Order left Stu Grayson behind during his hiatus from AEW, and that they want to help him out.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena defeated Ashley D’Amboise in a Proving Ground match
If D’Amboise wins or survives the time limit, she will earn a future title match.
D’Amboise got the better of Athena on an early exchange, but Athena immediately cut her off with a high kick and a flurry of strikes. Athena dropped D’Amboise with a superkick for a nearfall. Athena fish hooked D’Amboise on a submission, but D’Amboise rolled her up for a quick one count. D’Amboise avoided a corner charge and took Athena down with a leg lariat. D’Amboise fired up and hit a Samoan Drop for a nearfall.
D’Amboise went for something off the top rope, but Athena threw her from the top to the apron before dropkicking her to the floor. Athena threw D’Amboise around the ring before hitting the running knees against the steps. Athena went to the top rope and hit the O-Face for the win.
– Lexy Nair was backstage with D’Amboise who was hoping for more honor in ROH before getting attacked by Athena. She welcomed D’Amboise to ROH by throwing her headfirst into the title belt.
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defeated Metalik to retain
This was a fine main event, but it’s far from a must-see affair. This is Castagnoli’s sixth defense of the title.
Metalik played a lot of defense early on, using his lucha proficiency to escape Castagnoli’s attempts at offense. Metalik was able to send Castagnoli to the floor, but Castagnoli caught Metalik on a cannonball attempt and hit an Alley-Oop onto the apron. Back in the ring, Castagnoli dropped an elbow for a nearfall. Castagnoli hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for another nearfall. A running European uppercut scored Castagnoli another nearfall.
Metalik fought out of a top wristlock and caught Castagnoli with a small package for a nearfall, but Castagnoli cut him off with a big boot. Metalik cut off a corner charge before landing an enzuigiri and a springboard hurricanrana. Castagnoli got hold of Metalik’s hands, but Metalik popped up with a sling blade for a nearfall. Castagnoli rolled to the floor, but Metalik followed him outside with a step-up dive to the floor. Metalik hit a springboard splash back inside the ring for a nearfall.
Castagnoli hit a headbutt but missed another corner charge. Metalik went for a ropewalk rana, but Castagnoli caught him. Metalik rolled up and over with a sunset flip for a nearfall. Metalik went for a moonsault, but Castagnoli kicked him in the face and hit a big lariat for a nearfall. Castagnoli put Metalik on the top rope and went for a superplex, but Metalik fought out. Castagnoli was stood on the ropes, and Metalik hit the old Elix Skipper ropewalk rana for a nearfall.
Metalik went for a ropewalk elbow drop, but Castagnoli got his knees up and transitioned into a crossface. Metalik rolled it into a crucifix pin, but Castagnoli kicked out and hit a big European Uppercut for a nearfall. Castagnoli followed it with the hammer-and-anvil elbows and the Neutralizer to win and retain the World title.
A World Championship match is set to air on this week’s episode of Ring of Honor television.
On ROH TV this Thursday night, Claudio Castagnoli will put his ROH World Championship on the line against Metalik (Mascara Dorada). The episode airs on HonorClub starting at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Castagnoli is coming off a successful title defense against Eddie Kingston at Supercard of Honor. He’s held the ROH World title since defeating Chris Jericho at Final Battle last December.
Metalik was part of an ROH Six-Man Tag Team title match at Supercard of Honor. The Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defeated Metalik, AR Fox & Blake Christian to retain the titles.
The matches airing on this Thursday’s ROH TV were taped in Rhode Island at AEW Rampage/Battle of the Belts VI last week.
The full lineup for the episode can be seen below:
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defends against Metalik
Mark Briscoe vs. Ari Daivari
Proving Ground match: ROH Women’s World Champion Athena vs. Ashley D’Amboise
Katsuyori Shibata & Alex Coughlin vs. The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
ROH has announced the lineup for tonight’s show on HonorClub.
The Pure Championship will be on the line when new champion, Katsuyori Shibata, faces Christopher Daniels. Shibata recently defeated Wheeler Yuta for the title at Supercard of Honor.
As previously announced, the ROH Women’s World Championship will also be defended this week. Athena will look to pick up her eighth successful title defense when she wrestles TJPW’s Miyu Yamashita.
Thursday’s episode was filmed last night at AEW’s show from the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York. Spoilers are available here.
ROH TV on HonorClub lineup:
ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata defends against Christopher Daniels
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Miyu Yamashita
Brian Cage vs. Ortiz
Daniel Garcia vs. Tracy Williams
Jay Lethal w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh vs. Darius Martin
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tony Nese w/Mark Sterling & The Varsity Athletes
Mark Briscoe & ROH Tag Champions The Lucha Bros vs. The Workhorsmen & Shane Taylor
