NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his title once again as part of tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.
Sabre Jr. will defend against Metalik in their second-ever meeting. The first was in the 2016 WWE Cruiserweight Classic semifinals where Metalik got the win.
The ROH Six-Man titles will be on the line as The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will defend against Lee Johnson, Darius Martin & Action Andretti.
Ahead of their involvement in an ROH Tag Team title eliminator battle royal on Rampage Friday, The Outrunners will take on Angelico & Serpentico.
Former ROH Pure Champion Josh Woods will take on John Walters while Marina Shafir will be in action against Angelica Risk.
The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) will team up with Lee Moriarty in a trios bout.
Emi Sakura and Cole Karter will also be in singles matches against opponents to be named.
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NJPW World Television Title Match – Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Metalik to retain the title
This was Sabre’s 12th defence of the title.
If this matchup looks familiar, it’s because these two wrestled in the semifinals of WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016. Sabre hunted for submissions early, but Metalik was able to slip away and standoff with Sabre. Sabre offered a handshake before turning it into a wristlock. Metalik picked up the pace by hooking Sabre’s arm and hitting a step-up hurricanrana.
They jostled for position on a hip toss, but Sabre hooked the arm and cranked the bicep. Sabre focused on the arm, hitting a pair of bicep stomps while mouthing off to the crowd. Metalik used the good arm to hit an overhand chop before hitting two ropewalk dropkicks and a dive to Sabre on the floor. Metalik took Sabre back into the ring and hit a ropewalk crossbody for a nearfall.
Sabre came back with a La Mistica into a Cobra Twist that he took to the ground, but Metalik was able to squirm to the ropes. Sabre went back for the arm, but Metalik came back with a satellite DDT for a nearfall. They got into a pinning predicament before Metalik hit a thrust kick. Metalik went for a ropewalk elbow drop, but Sabre caught him in a Fujiwara armbar. Sabre hooked both of Metalik’s arms, forcing Metalik to submit with his foot.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis-Bennett. Nair asked Karter what he said to Griff Garrison last week. Karter said that Kanellis wanted to give Garrison an opportunity, with Kanellis noting that it would be good for Karter and Garrison to team up. Karter asked Kanellis to accompany him to ringside tonight, and after some reluctance, Kanellis agreed.
Josh Woods defeated John Walters
After both men worked to gain control of the other’s arm, Woods hooked Walters’ leg on a leapfrog and took him down. Walters went for a pair of pinfalls, but Woods caught him with a big running knee. Woods locked on his standing scorpion lock to score the win.
Lee Moriarty & The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) defeated Beef, Invictus Khash & Lord Crewe
Moriarty and the WorkHorsemen got a jump start on their opponents. Khash hit a bodyslam on Moriarty, but Moriarty landed a knee to his back and tagged out to Henry. Crewe tagged in and caught Henry with a rollup, but Drake got a blind tag and hit a DDT. Crewe hit a hurricane kick on Henry before tagging in Beef, who ran wild on Moriarty. Beef caught nothing but canvas on a frog splash, allowing the WorkHorsemen to score the win with a foot stomp from Henry and a moonsault from Drake.
Cole Karter (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett) defeated Dustin Jackson
Jackson sent Karter into the corner with a dropkick, but Karter caught him with two dropkicks of his own. Karter soon after hit the Eye of the Beholder DDT variant for the win.
Emi Sakura defeated Alice Crowley
Crowley brought the fight to Sakura, taking her down with a lucha arm drag. Sakura took Crowley down with a chop to the throat. Crowley moved out of the way of a Vader Bomb and fought back, but Sakura forced her into the corner with chops. Crowley fought out with a Perfect Plex for a nearfall. Sakura spun her out with a reverse Cross Rhodes. Sakura hit the Imperial Backbreaker for the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Josh Woods & Smart Mark Sterling. Sterling gave Woods the challenges he wanted before hyping up his accomplishments. He says that Woods will run the Pure Division.
Spanish Announce Project (Angelico & Serpentico) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
Serpentico got the early advantage, keeping Magnum off balance with his offense. Angelico tagged in and hit a big kick to the back for a nearfall. Serpentico came back in and hit a thrust kick, but Magnum rolled out of the way and laid out Serpentico with a lariat.
The Outrunners clubbered on Serpentico before he got to the corner and tagged in Angelico. Angelico ran wild, catching Floyd in an STF that Magnum broke up. Serpentico sent Magnum to the floor, allowing Angelico to lock on a submission and score the win. I think this is the first win of Serpentico’s AEW career, but I’ll be sure to fact-check that one.
Marina Shafir defeated Angelica Risk
Risk went for…something before Shafir slammed her down. Shafir ripped Risk down with a pair of judo throws. Risk tried to throw some strikes, but Shafir booted her down. Shafir locked on a triangle choke for the win, hanging onto it after the bell.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Match – The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Lee Johnson to retain the titles
Andretti, Martin, & Johnson did a great job of building up to their big nearfall, as I thought they had a chance to win the titles here.
The champs got a jump start, with Cage hitting an F-5 on Martin for a quick nearfall. Martin hit a rana to escape a powerbomb attempt, but Cage cut off an attempt at a tag with a lariat. Martin hit a tornado DDT before tagging into Johnson. Johnson rocked Cage with an enzuigiri and a superkick before hitting a big scoop and a slam. Kaun cut off Johnson’s momentum, allowing Cage to hit a neckbreaker out of the corner.
The Embassy clubbered on Johnson until he was able to make a tag out to Andretti. Andretti ran wild, taking out both Kaun and Liona. Andretti hit a Spanish Fly on Kaun for a nearfall. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl, with the challengers isolating Kaun for a nearfall after an Andretti split-leg moonsault.
The challengers had a bigger challenge with Liona, but eventually worked him out of the ring. It was down to Cage, who got hit with a shotgun dropkick into a German suplex. Johnson hit a frog splash for a nearfall. They took out Nana with a triple superkick and Cage with a triple-team cutter, but Kaun cut off the pinfall. Kaun and Liona got back involved and quickly isolated Johnson, who they beat with a pendulum powerbomb.
The fallout from Forbidden Door continues on a NJPW-inspired Ring of Honor on HonorClub tonight.
LIJ’s BUSHI, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi will attempt to take the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles back to Japan as they challenge The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun).
El Desperado will make his ROH debut against Willie Mack while United Empire’s Kyle Fletcher, TJP & Jeff Cobb take on Christopher Daniels, Action Andretti & Darius Martin in trios action.
Sho & Yujiro Takahashi will face Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta).
In two separate Proving Ground matches, ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will face Chuck Taylor while ROH Women’s Champion Athena will take on KC Spinelli.
The rest of the 11-match card is highlighted by an eight-man tag team match featuring ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake and Anthony Henry), Shane Taylor & Gringo Loco.
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Taped in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tony Khan and Stokley Hathaway opened the show backstage and ran down parts of the card, before sending the show to Ian Riccobani and Caprice Coleman on commentary.
Dralistico & Preston Vance (w/ Jose the Assistant) defeated Mark Wheeler & Vikram Prashar (2:14)
Vance and Dralistico jumped their opponents before the bell. Vance hit Wheeler with a spinebuster, Dralistico dove in with a springboard codebreaker on Prashar, and Vance finished off Wheeler with a discus lariat. This was a total squash.
The Righteous Vincent & Dutch (w/ Stu Grayson) defeated Alex Reynolds & John Silver (5:32)
Grayson was a member of the Dark Order but has been swayed to the Righteous.
The Dark Order did not follow through with the Code of Honor and attacked The Righteous before the bell. Silver confronted Stu Grayson on the floor and Vincent rammed Silver into the ring apron. This led to a setup, where Vincent brought a steel chair into the ring, but when the ref turned around he saw Evil Uno holding it, so Uno was ejected from the match. Dutch hit Silver with a black hole slam to take control.
Silver reversed a suplex attempt from the much larger Dutch and made the tag to Reynolds. Reynold ran wild on Dutch and hit a charging knee in the corner. They fought to the floor, and Reynolds sent Vincent into the ring barricade and took Dutch down with a tornado DDT.
Back in the ring, Silver hit Vincent with a deadlift brainbuster. Dutch pulled Silver out of the ring. Behind the ref’s back, Grayson ran in and hit Reynolds with a running knee, and Vincent rolled up Reynolds for the pin. Not a great week for the Dark Order.
After the match, the Righteous beat down Silver and Reynolds. Evil Uno ran in with a chair to break it up, but Stu Grayson got in Uno’s face. Uno wouldn’t hit his former partner with the chair. This is quite the little angle between former partners and the crowd was into the Reynolds/Uno conflict. But, Alex Reynolds wasn’t happy with Evil Uno’s lack of action.
Diamante defeated Leila Grey (w/ “Smart” Mark Sterling) (6:00)
Sterling distracted Diamante on the floor, and Grey got the advantage. She hit a suplex and controlled Diamte with a surfboard, then transitioned to a chinlock when Diamante was about to escape. Diamante escaped with a jawbreaker and floored Grey with a series of clotheslines and a German suplex. Grey came back with a sit-out uranage for a near fall. Diamante hit a shotgun dropkick, but Sterling broke up the pin attempt by putting Grey’s foot on the bottom ropes. That didn’t stop Diamante, who hit Grey with the Cross Rhodes and got the pinfall.
Diamante looked good here.
Lucha Brothers, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander (w/ Alex Abrantes) defeated The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake and Anthony Henry), Shane Taylor & Gringo Loco (8:58)
This was taped in Chicago.
Gringo Loco was something of a hometown favorite here. Loco press slammed Rey Fenix, and Taylor followed up with a big splash for a near fall. Fenix caught Taylor with a superkick. Kommander got the tag and was mowed down by a lariat from Taylor. Kommader was triple-teamed by the heels, and Loco hit a twisting springboard moonsault on Kommander for a near fall.
Kommander caught Drake with an enziguri and made the tag to Vikingo. Viking hit an amazing headscissors while standing on Loco’s shoulders. The Lucha Bros double-teamed Drake. Penta went for the stuff piledriver on Drake, but Drake escaped and both guys were down following a double clothesline.
Fenix and Anthony Henry got the tags for their teams. Henry dropped Fenix with a brainbuster for a near fall. Vikingo and Kommander hit a pair of dives on the floor, while in the ring Fenix and Penta double-teamed Henry. The Lucha Bros hit a double superkick on Henry, then finished him off with the Fear Factor to get the win. Great match.
– ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe’s promo was interrupted by Stokely Hathaway. Hathaway may run ROH, but Samoa Joe runs Hathaway.
Big Bill & Lee Moriarty defeated Karou & Tarik (3:18)
Big Bill looked awesome, taking down Karou with a big boot and Tarik with a black hole slam. Moriarty caught Tarik in the Border City Stretch and got the submission.
The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun) defeated LIJ (BUSHI, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi) to retain the ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship (7:37)
Takahashi did a fantastic job overselling all of Cage’s power moves. Liona dropped Takahashi back-first on the turnbuckles, and Khan hit him with a senton on the ring apron. Takahashi countered a slam attempt with a spinning DDT. Takagi got the tag and hit Bishop Khan with a lariat. Takagi hit a flatliner/DDT combo on Khan and Cage, then got a near fall on Khan after a DDT. Khan came back with a lungblower, but BUSHI got the tag and flew in with a top rope dropkick.
Kaun got triple-teamed by the LIJ team. BUSHI hit a twist and shout neckbreaker for a near fall, but Kaun came back with a clothesline. Cage floored Takahashi and Shingo with a double clothesline. Cage took out Shingo with a powerslam and Takahashi with a powerbomb at the same time. BUSHI sprayed black mist in Cage’s face, but back in the ring, the Gates of Agony gave BUSHI a double-team face first slam and got the pinfall.
El Desperado defeated Willie Mack (9:03)
The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” before the bell even rang. Mack wowed the crowd with a leapfrog and flying leg lariat. Mack caught Desperado with a fallaway slam, then kipped up and hit a standing moonsault for a near fall. Desperado caught Mack with a low dropkick and started working over Mack’s leg. Desperado tied up Mack with an Indian Death Lock, which Mack escaped by grabbing the ropes.
Mack tried to come back, but Desperado cut him off by attacking the leg again. Mack finally caught Desperado with a pop-up forearm. Mack hit a huge cannonball in the corner for a near fall. Mack went to the top for a splash, but Desperado got out of the way. He went for a stretch muffler, but Mack countered into a cradle for a near fall. Mack called for the brainbuster, but Desperado escaped and dropkicked Mack’s leg again. Mack went for a powerbomb, but Desperado escaped. Desperado pulled Mack into a backslide to disorient him, then caught him with the Pinche Loco (a double underhook facebuster) to get the pinfall. Very good match, and they must find something more for Willie Mack to do.
Sho and Takahashi (members of the House of Torture) did not adhere to the Code of Honor to start. Romero hit a place kick on Takahashi and Beretta followed up with a standing moonsault for a near fall. The heels got the advantage when Sho caught Beretta with a clothesline on the floor. Sho hit a deadlift suplex for a near fall. Beretta came back with a tornado DDT on Takahashi. Romero got the tag and chopped away at Sho. Romero hit a step-up rana on Sho. Romero hit charging clotheslines on both Sho and Takahashi in the corners. Beretta hit a sliding knee on Sho for a near fall.
Takahashi pushed Romeo off the top when he went for Strong Zero. Sho gave Beretta a powerbomb into a lung blower for a near fall. Takahashi hit a top rope fisherman’s buster on Beretta for a near fall. Romeo and Sho broke up the pin attempt. Romeo took Sho out with a dive, and Beretta and Romero combined for Strong Zero on Takahashi to get the pinfall. This felt unnecessarily long.
The House of Torture attacked Romero and Beretta after the match until Orange Cassidy walked in to make the save. After the match, a group hug from the almost Best Friends delighted the crowd.
Christopher Daniels, Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated United Empire (Kyle Fletcher, TJP & Jeff Cobb) (8:11)
Cobb got a near fall on Daniels after a standing moonsault. He picked up Daniels for a suplex, then made the tag to Fletcher and handed Daniels to Fletcher so he could finish the suplex. Daniels caught TJP with an exploder and made the tag to Darius Martin. Martin hit Fetchers with a spinning DDT, then took down Cobb with a flatliner. TJP caught Martin with a back suplex. Andretti hit TJP with an enziguri and a handspring back elbow. Andretti hit a falcon arrow for a near fall. TJP came back with a spinning DDT. TJP hit a splash off the top for a near fall. Daniels caught TJP with a forearm in the corner, and Andretti and Martin gave TJP a double-team slam and got the upset pinfall.
– Lexi Nair interviewed The Kingdom and Jerry Lynn. The Kingdom trashed ECW, and tried to stir up trouble between Jerry Lynn and Stokely Hathaway. Lynn then made a match between The Kingdom and Maria Kanellis against The Infantry and Trish Adora, presumably for next week.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena defeated KC Spinelli in a Proving Ground match (2:37)
A Proving Ground match is a non-title match, where if Spinelli wins or goes the time limit with Athena, she will get a title match.
This match was so enthralling the commentators spent most of it talking about Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas. Athena won with a forearm. This was Athena’s 28th win in a row according to Ian Riccobani.
Athena attacked Spinelli with a dropkick on the floor after the match.
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defeated Chuck Taylor in a Proving Ground match (5:28)
This evolved from a backstage interview earlier in the show, where Taylor asked for a title shot from Castignoli. Even though this is a Proving Ground match, Claudio added the stipulation that Taylor has to win to get the title shot. Taylor can’t the title shot by lasting the time limit. Taylor has a winning record against Castignoli.
Taylor sent Castignoli to the floor with a Soul Food. On the floor, Claudio got the advantage and sent Taylor over the barricade with a forearm. Taylor tried to get back in the ring, but a big boot from Castignoli sent Taylor back to the floor.
Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta came to ringside to encourage Taylor. Taylor came back with a flatliner and locked in a Koji Clutch. Castignoli broke the hold by making the ropes. Taylor caught Castignoli with a knee and a stuff piledriver for a near fall. Castignoli hit a popup uppercut for a near fall. Taylor escaped a Neutralizer attmpt, but Castignoli came back with a clothesline. Castignolia followed up with the Ricola Bomb to get the pinfall.
Two hours and 11 matches just feel like far too much for these shows.
Two title defenses highlight this week’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe will defend against Matt Sydal after he called out the champion last week.
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will defend against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti as their reign continues.
In a Proving Ground match, ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Trish Adora. If Adora can win or go to a draw, she earns a future title shot.
Former ROH Pure Champion Daniel Garcia will look to continue his winning ways and get a rematch for the title as he takes on NJPW’s The DKC.
Fresh off her failure to defeat AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm Wednesday, Skye Blue will look to get back on the winning track against Viva Van.
Other matches include The Righteous & Stu Grayson vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys, Mark Briscoe vs. Anthony Henry, and more.
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– We have a cold open, as Dasha was backstage with Matt Sydal. He says that every break he’s gotten in wrestling is because he’s unafraid to grab the mic and make a challenge. He’s been on Samoa Joe’s heels, and tonight he will become TV Champion.
– We then cut to Dasha with Samoa Joe, who says that tonight, Sydal will find out what happens when ambition goes further than common sense.
We cut to Universal Studios Orlando, with Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel McGuinness on the call.
ROH World Television Title Match: Samoa Joe defeated Matt Sydal to retain
This wasn’t what it would have been in 2005, but both guys worked smart and hard here to make this a solid opener.
Joe pulls Sydal into the corner and clubbers him with forearms. Sydal throws a series of kicks, then sends Joe out of the ring with a spin kick to the face. Sydal followed Joe to the floor with a Meteora. Back in the ring, Joe cut Sydal off with a back elbow. Joe sent Sydal up and over with a suplex for a nearfall.
Sydal fought out of a headlock but ran right into a snap powerslam for a nearfall. Joe did some more clubbering, talking trash to Sydal as he laid into him. Sydal fought back with chops, getting a nearfall on a roll-up. Sydal hit a jumping knee. Sydal went for a spin kick and just collided with Joe as both men went down. Sydal reversed a pop-up powerbomb with a hurricanrana. Sydal hit a high kick for a nearfall.
Sydal hit the Meteora in the ring, but unlike last week, it couldn’t score the win. Sydal hit a point-blank knee to Joe’s face, but Joe cut him off on his way to the top rope. Joe snatched Sydal into a Muscle Buster for the win. This was his 12th successful defense of the title.
Nick Comoroto defeated Deimos (w/Teal Piper)
After some shenanigans with Comoroto’s sucker, Deimos took the fight to Comoroto. Deimos hit a big bodyslam on Comoroto before sending him to the floor with a shoulder block. Comoroto cut Deimos off with a chop to the throat before sending him into the stairs. Comoroto hit a powerslam for a nearfall.
Comoroto hit a reverse Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Deimos fought out of another Fireman’s Carry and fired up with clotheslines. Deimos hit a big spinebuster and followed with a big boot for a nearfall. Comoroto rolled to the apron and snapped Deimos over the ropes. Comoroto hit the Alabama Slam and got the win – with his feet on the ropes.
– Dasha was backstage with the Varsity Athletes. Smart Mark Sterling says he secured time for Tony Nese to get something off of his chest in the ring. I mean, he had time here. Is Dasha not good enough to hear Tony Nese’s thoughts?
Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) (w/Jacked Jameson) defeated Rhett Titus & Tracy Williams
Williams and Bronson start off with forearms before Bronson takes control. Boulder tags in, but Williams avoided a corner charge, catching Boulder with an uppercut and an armbar. Titus tagged in, but the Savages caught both men in Gorilla Press slams. Titus caught Boulder with a move and went for a pin, but Boulder repeatedly pressed him to kick out.
Williams got knocked off the apron before Titus went for a tag, so Titus hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Bronson for a nearfall. Boulder tagged in and hit both his opponents with big slams. Titus and Williams avoided the double chokeslam and hit a double slam of their own, but Bronson broke up the fall. Bronson fought off both men, but Titus and Williams hit a Hart Attack for a nearfall.
Titus drilled Bronson with a corner boot before an offensive combo. Boulder cut off a Williams piledriver, leading to Bronson hitting a Rikishi Driver to Titus on top of Williams. The Iron Savages hit their tag team senton for the win.
– Dasha is backstage with the Workhorsemen. They’re upset that FTR got involved in their business a few weeks back. FTR isn’t here, but their friend Mark Briscoe is, so Henry calls him out for a match tonight.
Diamante defeated Teal Piper (w/Deimos)
Diamante caught Piper in the ropes and hit a neckbreaker, then dropkicked Piper off the apron. Diamante hit a hesitation dropkick in the corner. Diamante hit a suplex for a nearfall.
Diamante hit crossface forearms to Piper as the crowd booed. Piper fought back, hitting a penalty kick and a snap sidewalk suplex. Diamante caught Piper and hit a Cross Rhodes before locking in straitjacket submission to score the win.
– The Varsity Athletes come out. As promised earlier, Nese takes the microphone and has something to say. He says that the Varsity Athletes have worked hard to earn the respect of the fans. Nese surmises that the fans don’t respect them because the fans can’t relate to them. The Varsity Athletes will never be fat pigs like the people in attendance, so they decide to lead some group exercises. After a few stretches, Serpentico makes his way out for their scheduled bout.
Tony Nese (w/Ari Daivari & Smart Mark Sterling) defeated Serpentico
After some Nese clubbering in the corner, Serpentico caught Nese with a hurricanrana. Nese fired up and hit a back elbow. Nese rolled out of a sunset flip and hit a spinning back kick for a nearfall. The crowd chanted We Eat Hot Dogs to get under the skin of Nese.
Nese pummeled on Serpentico as he held onto a body scissors. Nese snapped Serpentico neck-first over the ropes, but Serpentico avoided the triangle moonsault. Serpentico fired up, hitting a jumping facebuster and a gamengiri. Nese hooked Serpentico’s tights and hit a German suplex into the corner. Nese hit the Running Knees for the win.
– Earning her pay tonight, Dasha was set to interview Kiera Hogan. Instead, Athena came in and did a mocking interview with a blue wig on. The real Kiera Hogan came in and laid her out with a forearm. I’m seeing double here. Four Hogans!
Miranda Alize defeated Notorious Mimi
Alize cut Mimi off on an up-and-over, sending her into the corner and hitting a face wash boot. A hesitation dropkick and a butterfly suplex scored Alize a nearfall. Alize hit a basement hurricanrana for a nearfall. Mimi came back with a bicycle kick and a reverse TKO. Alize caught a Mimi forearm and hit a cutter. She followed it with the Drive-By knee for the win.
Stu Grayson & The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
Boy Brent started with Vincent, and Vincent quickly cut him off with a back elbow. Brent was able to outmaneuver Vincent and hit a dropkick, forcing a bemused Vincent to tag out to Grayson. Brandon tagged in and caught Grayson with a crossbody, but Grayson launched him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. On the floor, Castle and Vincent got into it, allowing Grayson to send Castle into the ringpost. In the ring, Dutch dropped Brandon to give the Righteous control.
Grayson and Vincent hit an offensive flurry to Brandon for a nearfall. Brandon fought for a tag to Brent, but Grayson immediately cut him off with a lariat. After some clubbering on Brandon, Castle tagged in and ran wild on all three Righteous members, sending them flying with suplexes and clearing the ring. He tagged in Brandon, but Dutch took out Castle by throwing him into the stairs. The Righteous took Brandon out with a triple-team slam.
– Dasha was backstage with the Dark Order. They were tired of sitting down and letting people bail on them. They question the Righteous’ loyalty to Stu Grayson, wondering if they were willing to bleed for him. They say we’ll find out soon enough.
ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match: Athena defeated Trish Adora
If Adora lasts 10 minutes or wins, she’ll earn a title match in the future. McGuinness says on commentary that with Athena’s recent work, Adora would be smart to run away for those 10 minutes. Adora controlled the pace early, wringing Athena’s arm into the turnbuckle and forcing her to the floor. Adora followed her, but Athena came back in the ring and hit a dragon screw to the leg. Athena followed Adora to the floor and dropkicked her into the stairs.
Back in the ring, Athena went to work on Adora’s knee, tying her up with submissions until Adora got to the ropes. Adora hit a German suplex from her knees before hitting a big boot to send Athena into the corner. Adora hit a powerslam for a nearfall. Athena locked Adora’s legs in the ropes and landed a kick to the knee. Athena hit a superkick before going to the top and hitting the O-Face for the win.
After the match, Athena feigned the Code of Honor before landing a forearm on Adora. Kiera Hogan made her way to the ring with a trash can lid before things could escalate with Adora. Hogan then escalated things herself by getting in a brawl with Athena. Athena fought off security before Hogan hit her with a trash can lid. Hogan grabbed a table and set it up, but Athena speared her through it.
Mark Briscoe defeated Anthony Henry (w/JD Drake)
This match quickly spilled to the floor where the two brawled around the ring. Back in the ring, Henry avoided the Froggy Bow and hit a single-leg dropkick for a nearfall. Henry hit a DDT on Briscoe on the apron before catching Briscoe in an armbar. Briscoe got the ropes, but Henry laid in some big strikes and got a nearfall out of them. The crowd fired up for Briscoe as Henry had a submission in, but Henry dropped Briscoe with a backstabber.
Briscoe caught Henry with a chop to the throat and a shotgun dropkick. Briscoe fired up with chops and a single-leg dropkick. Briscoe hit a fisherman buster for a nearfall. Briscoe called for the Jay Driller, but Henry transitioned it into a neck crank and a Dragon Sleeper. Briscoe reached the ropes and avoided an ensuing double stomp. A strike battle started, with Briscoe winning with a lariat. Briscoe hit the Jay Driller for the win.
– Backstage, Tony Khan noted that this match would be coming from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He re-introduces his Board of Directors members Stokely Hathaway and Jerry Lynn, noting that Lynn would be a judge for the upcoming Pure Rules match. He hyped the Pure Rules match between Daniel Garcia and The DKC, as well as noting that the Six Man Titles would be on the line tonight. The Embassy will defend against Action Andretti, AR Fox, and Darius Martin. Hathaway had the idea of booking Athena vs. Kiera Hogan in a Chicago Street Fight next week. Khan liked the idea and made the title match official.
Pure Rules Match: Daniel Garcia defeated The DKC
Excalibur and Garcia’s stablemate Matt Menard were on the call for this one. Jerry Lynn, Dean Malenko, and Christopher Daniels were the judges for this one. Garcia was rattled by the Colorado crowd chanting You’re A Wrestler at him, allowing DKC to hit some chops. DKC ran some offense before Garcia shoved DKC off the top rope to the floor.
Garcia rolled through a sunset flip attempt and caught DKC in an STF. DKC crawled to the ropes and used his first rope break. Garcia set up the Shibata-style hesitation dropkick but decided to hit his dance instead. DKC came back and cannonballed into a standing Garcia. DKC hit a side kick before trapping Garcia and hitting multiple chops for a nearfall. DKC locked on the Rings of Saturn, forcing Garcia to use a rope break.
Garcia hooked DKC’s hair and locked on the Walls of Jericho. DKC reversed it into a roll-up, but Garcia hit a lifting Codebreaker. Garcia picked the DKC up on the cover, opting to lock in the Dragon Tamer for the submission win. He sat in Shibata’s pose after the match.
– Dasha is backstage with the Mogul Embassy. They bragged about their dominance as champions, noting that the Mogul Embassy lives forever.
Skye Blue defeated Viva Van
We’re back in Universal Studios for this one, with our original announce team. Blue had control early on, but Van cut her off with a big running heel kick. Blue fought out of a surfboard stretch and hit a hurricanrana off the ropes.
Blue hit a rising knee and a single-leg dropkick for a nearfall. Van shrugged off the Code Blue and hit a bridging German suplex for a nearfall. Van hit a grounded Meteora for a nearfall. Van pulled Blue up in Electric Chair position, but Blue rolled through into a rana. Blue hit the Skyfall for the win.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Match: The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Action Andretti, AR Fox & Darius Martin to retain
This was The Embassy’s most competitive match on ROH to date, as the challengers got more out of them than anyone else.
Cage and AR Fox started, with Cage using his power advantage to his advantage. Fox hit a splash, but Cage held onto him and hit a big slam. Martin tagged in, hitting a rana and sending Cage into the corner for a tag to Kaun. Kaun blew through a shoulder block and dropped Martin with a running chop. Martin tagged in Andretti after fighting out of the corner, but Liona sent him off the top rope in their corner. Kaun drove Andretti into the apron before flinging him into the post.
Liona knocked Fox and Martin off the ropes before hitting a senton on Andretti for a nearfall. Cage tagged in and clubbered on Andretti, but Andretti came off the ropes and hit Cage with a Canadian Destroyer. AR Fox tagged in and ran wild, taking on all three Embassy members on his own. The challengers hit dives on everyone before Fox hit a senton on Cage for a nearfall. The challenger team isolated Cage and hit a flurry of offense, finishing with a triple-team cutter for a nearfall broken up by Liona. Liona sent Martin inside out with a shoulder block, then took the other two down with a crossbody.
Martin took down Liona with a facebuster, kicking off a finisher flurry that ended with two 450 Splashes from Fox and Andretti for a nearfall that Cage broke up. A Pier Six brawl broke out, ending with Andretti and Cage in the ring. Cage caught Andretti in powerbomb position before transitioning into Weapon X for the pin and the win. This was the Embassy’s 3rd successful defense of the titles.
Two title matches will headline this Thursday’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub.
In one, ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Matt Sydal after Sydal called out Joe on last week’s show. Joe has been champion for more than 400 days and is looking for his 11th title defense.
In the other, ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will defend against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti in hopes of getting their third defense.
In a Proving Ground match, ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Trish Adora and look to continue her long winning streak that dates back to late last year.
Stu Grayson will continue his run with The Righteous’ Dutch and Vincent as they face former Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dalton Castle and The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate).
Here’s the full lineup taped recently in Orlando, Florida:
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Matt Sydal
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) defends against AR Fox, Darius Martin & Action Andretti
ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Trish Adora in a non-title match
The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) and Stu Grayson vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate)
Iron Savages (Bronson & Bear) vs. Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus
The Six-Man Tag Team Championships will be defended at Supercard of Honor.
Tony Khan revealed on Monday that The Embassy will put their titles on the line against AR Fox, Blake Christian, and Metalik on the show.
According to a report earlier this month from Fightful, The Embassy’s Brian Cage is expected to leave the promotion following Supercard of Honor. His contract was said to have expired earlier this year but the two sides reached an agreement for him to work through the pay-per-view.
The Embassy defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys for the belts at Final Battle in December. They then retained the titles in a rematch held at the ROH TV tapings last month.
ROH presents Supercard of Honor on Friday, March 31, 2023, from the Galen Center in Los Angeles.
ROH Supercard of Honor lineup:
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defends against Eddie Kingston
AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo defends against Komander
Reach for the Sky ladder match for the ROH Tag Team titles: Lucha Bros vs. Top Flight vs. The Kingdom vs. Aussie Open vs. Rush & Dralistico
ROH Television Champion Samoa Joe defends against Mark Briscoe
ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta defends against Katsuyori Shibata
ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defend against AR Fox, Blake Christian & Metalik
Three titles changed hands at ROH’s Final Battle event on Saturday.
Athena defeated Mercedes Martinez to capture the ROH Women’s title, Wheeler Yuta regained the ROH Pure Championship from Daniel Garcia, and The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Leona, and Kaun) won the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles, defeating Dalton Castle and The Boys.
Athena defeated Martinez with the eclipse to win the ROH Women’s Championship for the first time. The match was made after Martinez confronted Athena on a recent episode of AEW Rampage, where in recent weeks Athena has shown more of a dangerous streak in the way she handles her opponents.
Wheeler Yuta won his trilogy with Daniel Garcia, capturing the ROH Pure Championship for a second time. Yuta gave Garcia a piledriver, then struck Garcia with a series of elbows to Garcia’s jaw, causing Garcia to pass out and allowing Yuta the victory.
The Embassy won their first championship under this iteration of the group on Saturday, with Cage pinning Brent Tate after Kaun swung Tate into Cage, who delivered a powerbomb to score the pinfall victory.
In addition to these title victories, Claudio Castagnoli regained the ROH World Championship from Chris Jericho, and The Briscoes won the ROH Tag Team titles, defeating FTR.
In a backstage interview during ROH Death Before Dishonor Zero Hour, Prince Nana appeared and told Lexy Nair that he has purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises from Blanchard, which consists of ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham, Brian Cage, and The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona and Kaun). Immediately after, it was revealed that the group would be going under The Embassy name.
Cage and the Gates of Agony proceeded to wrestle on the ROH Zero Hour card, defeating Alex Zayne, Blake Christian, and Tony Deppen. Gresham will compete later in the show, defending the ROH title against Claudio Castagnoli.
The Embassy was a stable in ROH going as far back as 2004, led by Prince Nana. Notable names that were part of the stable at one time include Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley, Abyss, Necro Butcher, Erick Stevens, and Tommaso Ciampa, among others.
Tully Blanchard Enterprises was formed at the ROH Supercard of Honor event in April, with Blanchard managing Gates of Agony and Cage. Two weeks ago on AEW Rampage, Gresham turned on tag team partner Lee Moriarty and joined forces with TBE. Blanchard was seen with the group as recently as this Friday’s Rampage, where they were shown in the crowd during a Castagnoli promo.
