Ring Of Honor
Date: July 10, 2025
Location: ShoWare Center, Kent, Washington
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s the last show before Supercard Of Honor and that means the card is…well it could be anywhere from a bit done to most of the way done. You never really can tell what’s going on with a big Ring Of Honor show but at least the main event is set. There is a good chance we’ll get some more of the card set up here so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Spanish Announce Project vs. Atlantis/Atlantis Jr.

Atlantis locks up with Angelico to start with Atlantis grabbing an armdrag and sweeping the leg for two. Serpentico comes in for a quick splash but gets sent into the corner so Jr. can come in. A running kick to the head in the corner knocks Serpentico down but Angelico breaks up a top rope splash. Angelico comes in for an enziguri so Serpentico can hit a running Downward Spiral. Back up and a Sling Blade makes Angelico DDT Serpentico and everything breaks down. Atlantis spinebusters Serpentico into Jr.’s frog splash for the pin at 6:07.

Rating: C+. Hey remember last week when the Project won a match and commentary said they might be getting back into the title picture? Well that lasted about a week, as they lost to a father/son team here, with one of the members in his mid 60s. In other words, it’s a very typical result for Ring Of Honor.

Post match a brawl is teased but respect is shown.

Bandido is ready for Konosuke Takeshita.

Aaron Solo vs. Adam Priest

Priest takes him down with a headlock takeover to start and grinds away. Back up and Solo fires off some forearms, setting up a dropkick. That doesn’t last long as Priest knocks him down again and drops some elbows. A snap suplex gives Priest two and the reverse chinlock goes on for a bit. Solo pops back up and hits some clotheslines, followed by a kick to the face for two more. They fight to the apron where Solo hits a belly to back suplex, only to miss a top rope stomp. Priest takes the knee out and puts on a half crab for the win at 5:30.

Rating: B-. If this was a way for Priest to possibly get a job around here, he might have done just that. Priest has been around a few times and it has worked most of the time. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him both in and out of AEW and I could go for seeing more of him around here. Maybe he’s just here because we’re in his area, but this was a nice showing.

We look back at the Dark Order tricking the Frat House paying for the bar tab last week.

Dark Order vs. Frat House

Actually no as the Frat House is hung over so they won’t be wrestling. They have replacements though.

Dark Order vs. Pledges

The triple flipping slap gives Uno the pin at 49 seconds.

The six man is officially on for Supercard Of Honor.

Quick video on Lee Moriarty vs. Blue Panther for Supercard Of Honor.

The Infantry is ready for the Sons Of Texas, who interrupt. Apparently Dustin Rhodes is old, but Sammy Guevara asks what happens if the Infantry loses. Rhodes says the Infantry used to be heroes but now they’re nothing. Tomorrow, the grandpa is giving them a beating.

Rachael Ellering vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Pure Rules. Purrazzo spins out of a wristlock to start and poses a bit. Ellering trips her down and hits some shots in the corner, followed by a gutwrench suplex for two. Purrazzo goes evil by pulling the bandanna over the eyes, which has Ellering in the ropes for the first time. The armbar has Ellering in trouble but she’s back up with a running clothesline. The backsplash gives Purrazzo two and something like a fisherman’s buster gets the same. Purrazzo is right back with the Fujiwara armbar for the tap at 6:08.

Rating: C. This was another example of a match where the Pure Rules added absolutely nothing. There was one rope break in the middle which changed nothing whatsoever. Ellering was fighting back but didn’t get very far before Purrazzo took her out. As usual, I have absolutely no idea why this kind of match needs a championship.

Athena doesn’t like Thunder Rosa thinking that coming after her is the easy way to becoming a champion again. Supercard Of Honor is going to be in her hometown, both in Texas and in Ring Of Honor, and she’ll prove why she is the Forever Champion.

Supercard Of Honor rundown.

Grizzled Young Veterans/Premiere Athletes vs. Sons Of Texas/Von Erichs

Mark Sterling is here with the villains and complains about getting kicked low. Guevara and Nese start things off with Guevara mocking Nese’s pose. They go to the mat for some grappling before Nese flips over him and poses again. Back up and Guevara flips over him a few times, allowing Marshall to come in. A running clothesline in the corner drops Gibson and sets up the running Cannonball. Ross kicks Gibson down and Marshall hits a standing moonsault for two.

Back up and Ross is knocked to the floor for some triple teaming, followed by Drake grabbing a sleeper back inside. That’s broken up and the tag brings in Rhodes to clean house, but Nese saves Sterling from Shattered Dreams. Nese kicks Guevara down but gets tossed into a spinebuster. Sterling gets out of the corner…and Rhodes puts him right back in for Shattered Dreams. The Von Erichs Claw the Veterans before Guevara takes them out with a running flip dive. The Final Reckoning finishes Daivari at 8:39.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine match here, though it continued the issue of showing how the Von Erichs could be completely erased with little being lost. They’re not bad, but they’re so middle of the road and perfectly mediocre that it is hard to get into anything they do. The fact that we are coming up on a year of them holding the Six Man Tag Team Titles and they have defended the titles once since January (and aren’t currently on the line at the pay per view) should tell you just about everything you need to know.

Overall Rating: C+. This was slightly above the norm around here as they did at least hype up Supercard Of Honor, though it’s still hardly an interesting show. There were matches which just didn’t get a ton of attention or hype, which is not a good sign going into their first pay per view of the year. As usual, the pay per view does not feel important and that has been a major issue for a long time now.

Results
Atlantis/Atlantis Jr. b. Spanish Announce Project – Frog splash to Serpentico
Adam Priest b. Aaron Solo – Half crab
Dark Order b. Pledges – Triple flipping slam
Deonna Purrazzo b. Rachael Ellering – Fujiwara armbar
Sons Of Texas/Von Erichs b. Grizzled Young Veterans/Premiere Athletes – Final Reckoning to Daivari

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Ring Of Honor
Date: July 3, 2025
Location: ShoWare Center, Kent, Washington
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We are eight days away from Supercard Of Honor and last week, Ring Of Honor seemed to remember that the show was taking place. We now have a few matches set for the show and there is a good chance that we’ll get some more tonight. Or they’ll announce it at the very last second. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Alex Zayne vs. Wheeler Yuta

Yuta wrestles him to the mat to start but drops down, allowing Zayne to hit some springboard knees to the back. An armdrag sends Yuta to the floor but he breaks up another springboard. A top rope forearm drops Zayne again and Yuta elbows him in the face, though he makes sure to let the referee know that HE HAS UNTIL FIVE.

Back up and Zayne strikes away, setting up a running flipping ax kick. Yuta goes to the eyes though and grabs something like an Angle Slam. Cattle Mutilation doesn’t work so Yuta elbows him again and bites his head in the corner. Zayne is right back with a running hurricanrana out of the corner and a facebuster gets two. Something off the top misses for Zayne though and Yuta hits a running knee for the pin at 6:44.

Rating: C+. Are we really setting up Yuta vs. Bryan Danielson in the future? Unless that match winds up being about three seconds long, I have no idea what I would want to see from it. Zayne is someone who can do the flips but doesn’t really stand out, but at least he’s getting a chance to show what he can do.

Video on Athena vs. Thunder Rosa.

The Infantry and Trish Adora wish us a happy 4th of July.

Spanish Announce Project vs. Midnight Heat

Angelico and Pearl start things off but Gibson comes in, earning an armdrag down. It’s off to Serpentico for a hurricanrana out of the corner but a slingshot backbreaker puts Serpentico down. A whip into the corner sets up a sleeper from Pearl and it’s already back to Gibson. Serpentico gets caught in a Russian legsweep/backbreaker combination for two but he grabs a jumping Downward Spiral. That’s enough for the tag back to Serpentico so house can be cleaned. La majistral gets two on Pearl so Angelico ties him up in a leglock for the tap at 5:14.

Rating: C. You know what you’re going to be getting with the Project (which is a name that doesn’t make a ton of sense as they haven’t been announcers in years) and that’s exactly what happened here. They didn’t have anything out of the ordinary here, though Midnight Heat continues to be a nice team who are fine when they get in the ring. Do a bit more with them if you can.

The Frat House recruits recruits but the Dark Order came in and beat them in a game of Flip Cup. The Frat House accuses them of cheating but the Order agrees to pay the tab anyway. Reynolds: “Put it under Griff Garrison.” Bartender: “Who the heck is Griff Garrison?” Ok that was good for a smile.

Serena Deeb vs. B3cca

Pure Rules. Deeb takes her down without much trouble to start and B3cca uses her first rope break rather quickly. A surfboard has B3cca in more trouble before she switches to a camel clutch. We’ll make that a sleeper (as switching submissions is Deeb’s thing) and B3cca uses a second rope break. Deeb neckbreakers her over the ropes and a double arm trap faceplant into a Serenity Lock makes B3cca tap at 4:38.

Rating: C. Pretty much a squash here and I’m still not sure why I should be interested in a women’s pure rules division. The men’s division is barely ever used and now we’re not only getting a women’s division but also a title? Maybe you should give us a reason for it happening before a title is set up? Also, if you just have to do the tournament, maybe actually set it up?

Post match Trish Adora comes out to take notes.

We recap Konosuke Takeshita challenging Bandido for Supercard Of Honor. By this I mean they just air it again.

Supercard Of Honor rundown.

Infantry vs. Top Flight

For the Tag Team Title shot at Supercard and the rest of Shane Taylor Promotions/Leila Grey are here too. Riccaboni: “The stakes could not be higher!” Wouldn’t the title match itself have higher stakes? Dean works on Darius’ arm to start but Darius is back up with a snappy headlock takeover. It’s off to Dante for a running clothesline in the corner to Bravo but Shane Taylor offers a distraction. That lets Bravo get in a cheap shot on the floor and a double backbreaker connects back inside.

Darius gets tied in the Tree of Woe for a double dropkick and a double clothesline gets two. Darius fights out of the corner with a double knockdown and it’s back to Dante to clean house. Some suicide dives connect to the Infantry and a high crossbody gets two on Dean. Darius comes back in with a springboard Downward Spiral and Leila Grey and Trish Adora get in a brawl on the floor. Lee Moriarty uses the distraction to clock Darius with the Pure Title to give Dean the pin at 9:27.

Rating: C+. So we get the Infantry getting another chance at the titles. It’s not like they’re better or worse than any team but for some reason they’re getting the nod this time. While I could still go for Top Flight getting a chance to do something important, it’s not like the Sons Of Texas are going to lose their titles in Texas (not when they’re this close to a year with the belts) so go with the Infantry to give them a win here.

Overall Rating: C. Yeah it was fine. Above all else it was short, clocking in at around 42 minutes, which really does do these things a world of good. They didn’t have much to say this week (which is a bad sign when they have one more show before their first pay per view of the year) and thankfully they didn’t stick around very long. They kept this to the point and the matches were fine enough, so we’ll call it a completely acceptable show.

Results
Wheeler Yuta b. Alex Zayne – Running knee
Spanish Announce Project b. Midnight Heat – Leglock to Pearl
Serena Deeb b. B3cca – Serenity Lock
The Infantry b. Top Flight – Belt shot to Darius

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Ring Of Honor
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We are about a month away from Supercard Of Honor and thus far, it seems that we have one match likely for the show. In theory that should mean something gets put together here, but stranger things have happened in Ring Of Honor. If nothing else, it would be nice to see someone coming after the World Title so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Shane Taylor Promotions is tired of waiting. I’m tired of waiting for Shane Taylor Promotions to be interesting.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Atlantis Jr./Templario vs. Magnus/Volador Jr.

Volador isn’t interested in shaking hands before taking Templario down to start. Back up and Templario trips him down before it’s off to Magnus and Atlantis. Some double teaming has Atlantis in trouble but he pops back up to clear the rudos out. Templario comes back in and flips over both of them, followed by an armdrag to Magnus.

Back in and Volador hits a powerslam, only to get dropkicked by Templario. Everything breaks down until Atlantis is sent outside, leaving Templario to get kicked in the ribs for two. Atlantis comes back in and is immediately elbowed down, leaving Magnus to go for his mask. Magnus ties Atlantis in the Tree Of Woe for the stomping but Atlantis is right back with the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. The powerslam plants Magnus though and the frog splash finishes for Atlantis at 7:54.

Rating: B-. Usual entertaining stuff from the CMLL guys, even if it feels like they’re just doing random matches over and over. I still don’t get the appeal of Atlantis Jr., but Templario has one of the best looking masks I’ve ever seen and Magnus does well almost any time he is in the ring.

Preston Vance vs. Evil Uno

The rest of the Frat House and Alex Reynolds are here too. Vance jumps him to start but gets sent outside. Back up and Uno hammers away, only for the Frat House to get in some cheap shots to take over. Vance mocks the Dark Order pose and flips Reynolds off, which seems to wake Uno up.

Uno Stunners his way out of trouble but misses a charge, allowing Vance to grab the full nelson. That’s only good for two arm drops and Uno fights back with the right hands in the corner. A DDT plants Vance for two but Uno can’t hit a piledriver. Vance’s Samoan driver gets two but Uno is back with a discus lariat. The Frat House offers a distraction though, allowing Vance to get in a shot with the paddle for the pin at 6:42.

Rating: C-. This is what I mean when I talk about a match that feels like it is just there. These various groups have been having matches for months and it feels like nothing has changed at all. That’s not good storytelling but it keeps going no matter what, which makes for some very tedious action. It doesn’t help that neither of these guys are anything noteworthy in the ring, making this even less interesting.

Post match John Silver returns to chase off the Frat House and hits a helicopter slam to one of the prospects.

Red Velvet is on her way to Mexico for three matches.

Red Velvet vs. Harleen Lopez

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Lopes wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Lopez powers her down to start but Velvet is back up with a dropkick. A butterfly suplex sends Velvet into the corner but she’s fine enough to grab a snapmare. Velvet wins the strike off and the flipping faceplant finishes at 2:42.

We look at Nick Wayne in the New Japan Best Of The Super Juniors tournament.

The Dark Order wants to face the Frat House in a six man tag.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Vaughn Vertigo/Martian Webb/Riley Reinhart/Joe Demaro

Dean powers Webb into the corner to start and it’s Bravo coming in for the stomps in the Tree Of Woe. Demaro comes in and gets tied in the ropes for some rapid fire clotheslines, followed by Taylor’s big chop in the corner. Taylor throws him over for the tag to Vertigo, who is quickly knocked down by Moriarty. Reinhart comes in and for some reason slugs away at Taylor, earning him a splash for two, with Webb making a save. Taylor’s “you are DUMB” look is great and everything breaks down. Moriarty kicks Reinhart in the chest and grabs the Border City Stretch for the win at 5:02.

Rating: C. Speaking of things that seem like they are going nowhere, I present you with Shane Taylor Promotions, who have been talking about being ready to break through and be taken seriously or whatever for months now. It’s the same stuff over and over and that stopped being interesting or believable a long time ago. They do this kind of squash well enough, but spare me on trying to make them a thing.

Bandido vs. Mansoor

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Mansoor wins or lasts ten minutes, he gets a future title shot. Mason Madden, Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie are here with Bandido. Mansoor ducks behind him and strikes a pose to start before jumping over Bandido and posing again.

Bandido knocks him down and does the gun pose but Madden breaks up a 21 Plex attempt. A cheap shot puts Bandido in trouble and Mansoor gets in a hard whip to the steps. Back in and a backbreaker gives Mansoor two and we hit the double arm crank. That’s broken up and Bandido comes off the top with a twisting crossbody.

The one armed gorilla press sets up the frog splash but Madden breaks up the 21 Plex. The double underhook spinning slam gives Mansoor two and the other villains choke, only to get caught and ejected. A Backstabber sets up Mansoor’s missed moonsault so it’s the X Knee into the 21 Plex to give Bandido the pin at 7:17.

Rating: C+. It’s nice to have the World Champion in action on the show, even if this hardly feels like anything important. The problem at the moment is the same that it has always been: there really aren’t things like contenders or challengers for titles around here, so the champion will have random matches (or even ones with small feuds like Bandido has been in recently) but it doesn’t feel worthy of a World Title match in the slightest.

Post match Lee Johnson comes out for a distraction and Blake Christian jumps Bandido from behind. Christian holds up the title but Mascara Dorada comes out to cut off that insanity. Dorada holds up the title and implies that he wants a title match to end the show. Well, it’s better than nothing.

Overall Rating: C. And so much for the tiny bit of interest they were teasing last week for Supercard Of Honor. Athena and Thunder Rosa are not even mentioned this week and it looks like we’re heading towards Bandido vs. Dorada for the title. That’s not exactly a must see match, but I’m sure it will make CMLL happy and apparently that’s about half of the reason Ring Of Honor exists.

Results
Atlantis Jr./Templario b. Magnus/Volador Jr. – Frog splash to Magnus
Preston Vance b. Evil Uno – Paddle to the face
Red Velvet b. Harleen Lopez – Flipping faceplant
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Riley Reinhart/Martian Webb/Vaughn Vertigo/Joe Demaro – Border City Stretch to Reinhart
Bandido b. Mansoor – 21 Plex

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Ring Of Honor
Date: May 15, 2025
Location: Adrian Phillips Theater At Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re on the way to Supercard Of Honor with less than two months to go before the show. Therefore, Ring Of Honor will likely spend about a month and a half spinning its wheels before we actually find out most of the card. Other than that, we are likely going to get the start of the Women’s Pure Title tournament, because that’s a thing as well. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Wheeler Yuta vs. Matt Mako

Yuta takes him down by the arm to start but Mako manages to reverse into something like a cross armbreaker. That’s broken up with a kick to the face and Yuta drops an elbow, allowing him to pose a bit. Yuta ties up the leg for a bit and then slowly kicks Mako in the head. A German suplex sends Mako into the corner for a running elbow to the face.

Something like an Angle Slam drops Mako and Yuta grabs a cravate on the mat. Mako fights up and grabs a butterfly suplex before grabbing a quickly broken cross armbreaker. The running knee sets up the elbows to the face and the Cattle Mutilation finishes for Yuta at 6:06.

Rating: C+. I’ve seen Mako before and he had a good look and the intensity that can make for a promising prospect. Hopefully he gets a chance to do something else because he took a loss to a bigger name here. That being said, Yuta is still what he has been for a long time now: perfectly fine in the ring and not interesting in the slightest.

Video on Josh Woods vs. Tom Lawlor, which will be taking place at a show AEW is co-promoting with Action Wrestling.

Trish Adora vs. Rachael Ellering

The Infantry is here with Adora. They grapple around to start and Adora grabs a headlock. That’s broken up so they do a crisscross until Ellering elbows her in the face. A basement kick to the face gives Ellering two but Adora is back up with an armbar. Adora’s fisherman’s suplex gets two and the Lariat Tubman finishes Adora at 3:54.

Rating: C. The match didn’t have much time and it only got so far. At the end of the day though, it’s hard to get interested here as neither of these two have been treated as anything important in a long time. It doesn’t help that neither are seemingly in contention for any of the titles around here, which is impressive given how many titles there are.

Red Velvet is tired of hearing about the Women’s Pure Wrestling Title and wants some more respect.

Video on the Frat House vs. the Dark Order, because that deserves extra attention.

Frat House vs. Dark Order

The rest of the Frat House is here with Griff Garrison/Cole Karter. Reynolds and Karter start things off with Karter working on the arm. Back up and Reynolds hits a heck of a clothesline but Uno has to save him from a double suplex. A double neckbreaker drops the villains and Uno comes in to hammer on Garrison in the corner. Preston Vance grabs Uno’s leg though and Uno gets pulled outside for a clothesline from Karter.

Garrison’s elbow to the face gets two on Uno and some more shots to the face draw Reynolds in. That doesn’t go well either but Uno fights out of trouble and dives over for the tag to Reynolds. A big suicide dive hits Karter as Uno has to take out the Frat House pledges. The Gory Bomb/Codebreaker combination hits Garrison but Jameson gets on the apron. Uno intercepts the paddle but the distraction lets Vance hit a discus lariat to give Garrison the pin at 8:43.

Rating: C+. This is another of those stories that keeps going around here and it doesn’t feel like it’s anything more than a way to fill in time. The Frat House accurately pointed out that the Order hasn’t meant anything in forever and the Frat House has never meant anything. That doesn’t make for a thrilling TV match but these guys are on the show over and over again no matter what.

MxM Collection/Premiere Athletes vs. Sons Of Texas/Von Erichs

Marshall and Daivari start things off with Marshall quickly getting taken down to the mat for some rapid fire stomping. Mansoor comes in to chop away in the corner but a single shot allows the tag off to Ross. House is quickly cleaned and it’s off to Guevara to take Mansoor down and strike a pose. Ross comes back in but Mark Sterling offers a distraction, allowing Mansoor to get in backsplash and take over.

Back in and Daivari grabs a chinlock but a…well it would usually be a splash but Daivari turned like a high crossbody. Either way the crash allows the tag off to Rhodes, with Cross Rhodes getting two on Nese. Everything breaks down and a powerbomb/neckbreaker combination takes Guevara down. A double clothesline leaves everyone but Rhodes down so he gives Sterling Shattered Dreams. A Canadian Destroyer drops Mansoor and Ross Claws Nese for the win at 7:17.

Rating: C+. What else is there to say about the Rhodes stuff? Rhodes is the undisputed top star around here and has been treated as the most important person in Ring Of Honor for several months. I’m not sure what kind of all time legendary status he’s supposed to have but that’s what we’ve been getting. I keep hoping that it ends at All In, but odds are that’s his whole big heroic moment and I have no idea where it goes next. The match itself was nothing as usual, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Post match Cru comes out to stare at the Sons Of Texas to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. It isn’t a good sign when the best thing you can say about a show is that it was fairly short but that’s all we have here. Ring Of Honor continues to be little more than filler content that is there because it has to be. It should get a bit better when we’re ready for Supercard Of Honor but until then, we’re stuck with dull shows like this one.

Results
Wheeler Yuta b. Matt Mako – Cattle Mutilation
Trish Adora b. Rachael Ellering – Lariat Tubman
Frat House b. Dark Order – Discus lariat to Uno
Sons Of Texas/Von Erichs b. MxM Collection/Premiere Athletes – Claw to Nese

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Collision
Date: May 8, 2025
Location: Masonic Temple Theater, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re live on Thursday for the sake of this weekend’s WWE Backlash event and that’s a nice thing to see. Thursday is a far better night to air the show, just for the sake of not having it on the weekend for a change. Hopefully AEW has a big lineup to take advantage of the opportunity that they have. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Here is Toni Storm, in a box seat and naturally with a spotlight on her. Storm: “So many men have taken a shot at me in here, I feel like Abraham Lincoln.” She talks about her first time being messy but it was something she wanted to do more often. Eventually it resulted in objects being added and filthy perverts watching. Of course she’s talking about fighting for her Women’s Title so get her someone ready for next week, because she isn’t waiting for a Hayter or a CEO. That makes sense as All In is a long way off before Storm can have another big title shot.

Paragon is disappointed with their loss to FTR last week but they’re still a great team. Adam Cole is glad they know they’re still great but the Grizzled Young Veterans interrupt. The Veterans think the Paragon has gone soft so they’re ready to fight anytime. The Veterans still work here?

Ricochet vs. Angelico

Serpentico is here with Angelico. Ricochet takes him down for an early rollup but Angelico is back up to crank on the arm. Angelico even rubs the bald head and grabs something like an abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and Ricochet sends sends him to the floor for a rather nice dive.

We take a break and come back with Ricochet missing a charge into the corner. A spinning lifting Downward Spiral gives Angelico a breather and the comeback is on. Another modified abdominal stretch lets Angelico slap him in the back of the head, followed by a half crab. Ricochet makes the rope and is right back up with a springboard clothesline, followed by the Spirit Gun for the win at 9:23.

Rating: C+. Angelico is someone who can work an entertaining style and make anyone look good, which was the case with Ricochet here. That’s something Ricochet can use and it made for a nice opener here. It’s not like this was ever in any serious doubt, but it could have been far worse.

Post match Ricochet mocks the fans, who should be cheering for him. He’s only been here for less than a year and has already beaten most of the AEW favorites. Ricochet sees Zack Gowen in the crowd and remembers being a big fan growing up. We get some one legged jokes and then beats up security, offering commentary at the same time. Ricochet whips out the scissors and cuts one of the guards’ hair, which brings Gowen into the ring. Gowen takes the scissors but gets dropped as well, with Ricochet ripping off the prosthetic leg. Ricochet mock limping using the leg is quite the heel move.

Don Callis Family/RPG Vice vs. Outrunners/AR Fox/Bandido

Bandido and Fletcher start things off with Fletcher shrugging off some chops and running him over. A headscissors and dropkick work a bit better for Bandido but Beretta comes in to take Bandido down. Romero comes in and gets taken down by Fox, who gets to clean house. The Outrunners get in their double teamings as well but Archer plants both of them with a double chokeslam as we take a break.

Back with Floyd fighting out of trouble and grabbing a small package for two. Bandido comes in and gets taken down by RPG Vice as everything breaks down. Fox comes back in and steps onto Magnum’s shoulders for a big flip dive to the floor. Back in and the Mega Powers Elbow hits Fletcher, with Bandido’s frog splash getting two as Archer makes the save.

Fletcher plants Bandido for the double down and it’s back to Fox to pick up the pace again. A hanging DDT drops Archer and a skinning the cat into a slingshot dropkick hits Beretta in the corner (that was sweet). RPG Vice is back up with a double jumping knee to Bandido and Archer chokeslams Bandido off the top. A Jackyl Driver (something like a double piledriver) from RPG Vice finishes Fox at 10:42.

Rating: B-. This was quite the lineup for a match and at least Bandido didn’t lose. I could absolutely see Bandido defending against one of the members of the Family at Supercard Of Honor and there are far worse ideas. Maybe this is just a one off match, but at least we got to see that rather cool finish from RPG Vice. It’s not like they have much else going for them so maybe it’s a new way for them to go.

Video on Samoa Joe vs. Jon Moxley next week on Dynamite.

Moxley is ready to fight inside the cage. There is no one on the planet better at taking a beating than him. How long will it last? Moxley can take it and he’s coming out as the champion because he isn’t like the rest of the world.

Anthony Bowens vs. Lee Johnson

Billy Gunn and Blake Christian are here too. Johnson doesn’t seem to think much of Bowens to start, earning himself a bunch of chops in the corner. They go outside where Johnson backs into Gunn for some fear. Bowens strikes away again and a top rope Fameasser connects back inside. A Christian distraction lets Johnson get in a running flip dive though and a superkick back inside takes Bowens down again. Bowens fights back but gets distracted by Christian, allowing Johnson to get two off a rollup. That doesn’t seem to matter though as Bowens hits the discus forearm for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C. Not much to see here, but Bowens stacking up wins is a good way to go. I’m not sure if he’s going to be a star, but he’s certainly at least worth seeing what’s there. He has a good look and is solid enough in the ring so maybe there’s something around. Just give him a slightly better caliber of opponent.

Post match Christian goes in to go after Bowens and gets tossed by Gunn. Bowens talks about his five tools and we get an old school scissoring.

Here are the Gates Of Agony for a chat. They waste no time in calling out Big Bill and Bryan Keith for the fight, which is on in a hurry. Liona misses a charge and goes over the barricade but Kaun crucifix bombs Keith off the ramp and through some tables. Security comes out but Kaun spears Bill off the ramp through some more tables to wrap it up.

Video on Megan Bayne vs. Anna Jay, with Harley Cameron and Penelope Ford there too.

Video on Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale. They were friends, then they were fighting, now it’s kind of in the middle.

Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale powers out of a headlock to start and throws Statlander down without much trouble. Statlander takes out the leg and hits a basement crossbody before it’s time to trade big chops. A pinfall reversal sequence gets two each until Statlander knocks her down for two. Nightingale sends her outside and hits a Cannonball off the apron to send us to a break.

Back with a double clothesline putting both of them down for a double breather. The fans think it’s awesome as Nightingale spinebusters her down for two, followed by the rapid fire clotheslines in the corner. Statlander’s ax kick gets two and Nightingale’s Death Valley Driver gets the same. Statlander grabs a top rope superplex and they’re both down again. One heck of a clothesline takes Statlander down and she gets knocked outside. Cue Marina Shafir to choke Nightingale with a chain (Statlander didn’t see it) so Staturday Night Fever can finish Nightingale at 12:21.

Rating: B. Dang this was starting to get good when one of the Death Riders managed to screw it up. That’s the story of AEW over the last few months and Shafir did it again here. Hopefully one of these two (or both) gets to move up the ladder, because they’re far too talented to be stuck in the middle of the pack for so long.

Skye Blue is back next week.

We look at Hangman Page and Will Ospreay’s face to face meeting last night on Dynamite.

Don Callis Family vs. Dark Order

The Family jumps them before the bell and the destruction is on fast. Even Callis himself gets in some choking on the floor, leaving Reynolds to get dropped face first onto the apron. Alexander’s running crossbody to the back sends Reynolds to the floor. Back in and the Blue Thunder Bomb is broken up and Reynolds dives over to Uno for the tag. That earns him an electric chair toss into a flying knee from Takeshita and the C4 Spike finishes for Alexander at 2:30. Total destruction.

Video on MJF trying to join the Hurt Syndicate.

Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico

Dralistico slaps away in the corner to start before Bailey jumps around a lot and kicks him in the chest. Bailey knocks him to the floor for an Asai moonsault but Dralistico grabs a running hurricanrana into the steps. We take a break and come back with Dralistico choking him on the ropes. Bailey strikes away in the corner but Dralistico is right back with his own forearms.

The bouncing kicks rock Dralistico and a superkick puts him down, with Bailey needing a breather. The running shooting star press gives Bailey two but Dralistico kicks the leg out and gets two off la majistral. A crucifix bomb puts Bailey down but he pulls himself up and hits a quick Canadian Destroyer. Dralistico sends him to the apron, where Bailey is right back with the moonsault knees to the ribs. Back in and the tornado kick finishes for Bailey at 9:00.

Rating: B-. This was the video game match of the show, with both of them getting to do their rather ridiculous spots. Dralistico is someone who can be put out there without losing his status so it works well for Bailey. Odds are Bailey is going to be getting a bigger spot in the near future, which makes sense as he’s perfect for AEW, even if his style can be a bit tough to buy at times.

Post match Rush comes out to stare Bailey down.

Daniel Garcia vs. Dax Harwood

Cash Wheeler and Stokely Hathaway are here with Harwood. Garcia drives him into the corner to start for a mostly clean break before Harwood does the same to him. This time it’s a right hand to drop Garcia, who tackles him down and hammers away. A running neckbreaker cuts Garcia off again but the piledriver is blocked. Another attempt on the floor gets the same result, but this time Garcia catapults him into the post.

Harwood is busted open and Garcia hammers away, setting up the running shots against the barricade. Wheeler offers a distraction though and Harwood is back up with a clothesline for a breather. Back in and Garcia grabs a quick Dragontamer but Hathaway offers a distraction, allowing Wheeler to hit a quick DDT on the floor. Cue Matt Menard to chase Wheeler to the back and we take a break.

Back with Garcia firing off a bunch of chops against the ropes and hitting a running clothesline. Some right hands in the corner rock Harwood but the turnbuckle pad gets pulled off. Another Dragontamer attempt is cut off and Garcia is kicked into the corner, setting up the slingshot powerbomb to give Harwood two. For some reason Harwood goes up top so Garcia superplexes him from the top, then rolls his hips and takes Harwood up for two more top rope superplexes for two, with Harwood getting his foot on the rope.

A fired up Garcia kicks him out to the floor and they fight out into the crowd. Harwood goes over to the commentary desk and slaps Nigel McGuinness’ headset off. Nigel gets up and teases fighting but backs down, saying he isn’t a wrestler anymore. Harwood shoves him into his chair and leaves, which is enough for Nigel to get in the ring. Wheeler is back and the big brawl is enough for the match to be thrown out at 17:39.

Rating: B-. Much like the women’s match earlier, they were having a good match but then it kind of fell apart at the end. What matters the most is that the ending keeps things going and the story has a few ways to go. It might not be the most thrilling story in the world, but Nigel being involved does make things more interesting.

Nigel, Garcia and Menard clear the ring to end the show, giving us one of the weirdest trios I’ve seen in a good while.

Overall Rating: B-. I’m not sure what to make of this show. The action was good and a bunch of stories were advanced, but there was pretty much nothing on this show that felt important. You had matches involving Angelico, RPG Vice/AR Fox, Lee Johnson, the Dark Order and one half of FTR. That’s not exactly a top level lineup and I’m not sure why you would keep things that low level when you have such a better time slot than usual. It’s not a bad show, but I was expecting a lot more given the opportunity that they had.

Results
Ricochet b. Angelico – Spirit Gun
Don Callis Family/RPG Vice b. Outrunners/AR Fox/Bandido – Jackyl Driver to Fox
Anthony Bowens b. Lee Johnson – Discus forearm
Kris Statlander b. Willow Nightingale – Staturday Night Fever
Don Callis Family b. Dark Order – C4 Spike to Reynolds
Mike Bailey b. Dralistico – Tornado Kick
Dax Harwood vs. Daniel Garcia went to a no contest

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Ring Of Honor
Date: April 18, 2025
Location: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s time for the second Ring Of Honor show of the week as we are coming off a bonus episode yesterday afternoon. In theory, that should mean that we are in for some better than usual stuff here, with the weaker, less important stuff burned off yesterday. We are only a few weeks away from Supercard Of Honor as well so let’s get to it.

Here are yesterday’s results if you need a recap.

Bandido/Komander vs. Infantry

No entrances here, likely to hide that Komander had the TV Title when this was taped. It’s a brawl to start with Bandido slugging away at Bravo but getting taken out for a whip into the barricade. Back in and they be clubberin at Bandido in the corner before a leglock keeps him down.

A Demolition Decapitator gets two on Bandido but he gets over for the tag without much trouble. Everything breaks down and Dean is sent outside, drawing Shane Taylor up to the apron. That’s fine with Bandido, who sunset bombs Taylor onto the rest of the Promotions. Komander moonsaults onto them, leaving Bandido to hit the 21 Plex for the pin at 5:56.

Rating: C+. Bandido is the featured star of the promotion these days so of course he’s opening the show against a midcard tag team. At least he got the win, but this feels like a match that was put together before they knew Bandido was going to be the champion. If that’s the case, it makes me wonder why it still happened, but at least the right person won.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: Dustin Rhodes/Von Erichs vs. MxM Collection/Johnny TV

Rhodes and the Von Erichs are defending for the first time since July but get jumped from behind during their entrance. We get inside where TV beats on the banged up Ross and the bell officially rings. Marshall fights up and slugs away at Mansoor, setting up a Cannonball for two. Ross comes in for a rather aggressive headlock but Madden tags himself in for a Harlem Heat Heat Seeker.

Taya Valkyrie gets in some stomps on the floor and a Sidewinder gives Mansoor two. Rhodes, still banged up from the attack before the bell, is knocked down again but Marshall low bridges Madden to the floor. A clothesline gives Ross a breather but Madden pulls Marshall to the floor. The tag brings in Rhodes instead and everything breaks down, with a bulldog getting two on TV. Everything breaks down and the Collection gets a double Shattered Dreams. The Claw puts Mansoor in trouble and the Final Reckoning to TV retains the titles at 11:12.

Rating: C+. That’s what we’ve waited about eight months to see and it’s the same problem as always: Rhodes and the Von Erichs aren’t that interesting. This match was built around Rhodes getting the hot tag so he could clean house. Rhodes isn’t exactly a big enough star to make this interesting and having him hold two titles for so many months isn’t making it that much better. I’ll take this over the titles not being defended, but not by much.

Lee Johnson vs. Sammy Guevara

Blake Christian is here with Johnson. Guevara grabs a headlock to start but can’t get anywhere and they both nip up for a standoff. Back up and Guevara hits a dropkick but Christian pulls him face first onto the apron. Johnson fires off some shoulders to the ribs but Guevara fights up to knock him down. A cutter gives Guevara two and he pulls Johnson into a rollup for the pin at 5:50.

Rating: C. Guevara feels like he’s the partner you had to pick in Wrestlemania 2000’s Road To Wrestlemania mode but he actually has to have matches. That doesn’t make for the most thrilling stuff, as every bit of Guevara’s star power has gone sailing away. That’s a shame as he’s that talented, but being Dustin Rhodes’ (the main character in the game) sidekick isn’t the way to go.

Post match Christian jumps Guevara but Dustin Rhodes makes the save. Johnny TV and the MxM Collection run in for the save, as do the Von Erichs. The villains beat them down and Guevara covers Rhodes from the beating.

Video on CMLL working with Ring Of Honor, setting up Grand Slam Mexico in June.

Jon Cruz/Rosario Grillo vs. Dark Order

It’s a brawl to start with the Order cleaning house, setting up Reynolds’ running elbow in the corner to Cruz. That’s broken up and it’s off to Uno, who hits the Gory Bomb/Codebreaker combination for the pin at 3:30.

Rating: C. This really is the best they have for their Wrestlemania Week show. The Dark Order haven’t felt important in the better part of ever and putting them out there against Cruz and his partner of the week isn’t going to make that any better. The match barely had time to do anything and that might be the best way to go.

Post match the Frat House comes out, complete with recruits, who the Frat House beat up. And now, a match.

Frat House vs. Charles Mason/Love Doug/TJ Crawford

The Dark Order is watching from the aisle. The recruits are beaten down but Doug chops away for some reason, earning himself a discus lariat for the pin at 59 seconds.

Post match the beatdown continues until the Dark Order make the save. This passes for a personal feud around here.

Serena Deeb and Queen Aminata are in the first round of the Women’s Pure Title tournament. Trash talk is exchanged. There is pretty much no reason for that title to exist but here it is anyway.

Atlantis Jr./Esfinge/Fuego vs. Barbaro Cavernario/Euforia/Zandokan Jr.

We start fast with an exchange of kicks to the face and a triple sunset flip for two each. Cavernario hits a running Vader Bomb for two on Fuego. Esfinge comes in and gets beaten out to the floor rather quickly. Fuego is back in for a double dropkick and it’s Esfinge coming in to clean house.

An Alabama Slam out of the corner into a sitout powerbomb gives Zandokan two. Atlantis is there with a kick in the corner but he gets caught with a triple powerbomb. Euforia goes for Atlantis’ mask to no avail and a double dropkick puts Atlantis down again. Fuego and Esfinge hit some dives before Atlantis’ frog splash pins Euforia at 7:48.

Rating: B-. You know the same things I say about all of these CMLL six man tags? Update it to include this match. It’s an entertaining match but there is pretty much nothing that makes it stand out in any way. You have a few new names included but I lost interest in these being anything more than fun filler a long time ago. Mainly because these things have been going on that long.

Overall Rating: C. Remember that this isn’t just the best they have, but also the show after they got rid of a bunch of the filler yesterday. At the end of the day, this show feels so much like filler and there is no way around that. Instead of doing something interesting, it’s the same people doing the same stuff with Dustin Rhodes being treated as the biggest star around. There is something that could be done with this show, but this absolutely wasn’t it.

Results
Bandido/Komander b. Infantry – 21 Plex to Bravo
Dustin Rhodes/Von Erichs b. MxM Collection/Johnny TV – Final Reckoning to TV
Sammy Guevara b. Lee Johnson – Rollup
Dark Order b. Jon Cruz/Rosario Grillo – Gory Bomb/Codebreaker combination to Cruz
Frat House b. Charles Mason/Love Doug/TJ Crawford – Discus lariat to Doug
Atlantis Jr./Esfinge/Fuego b. Barbaro Cavernario/Euforia/Zandokan Jr. – Frog splash to Euforia

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Ring Of Honor
Date: April 3, 2025
Location: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

After not having much to build towards for months, we now have two big events coming up. May will bring Supercard Of Honor while July will have Death Before Dishonor. That’s in addition to the World Title match this Sunday at Dynasty. It’s weird to have this much going on in such relatively short order so there is a lot to cover here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Sons Of Texas vs. Frat House

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if the Frat House (with Jakked Jameson and Preston Vance) wins or survives the ten minute time limit, they get a future Tag Team Title shot. Before the match, the Sons break up the Beer Pong game and throw the balls into the crowd. That doesn’t work for the Frat House, who jump them from behind, only to get sent outside.

The Sons do their double pose and then take the Frat House down again back inside. Guevara’s standing moonsault hits Karter for two and Rhodes works on the arm. A cheap shot from the floor takes Guevara down though and it’s time for the double teaming in the corner. Guevara gets tied in the Tree of Woe for some stomping but he slips out of a slam and it’s a double clothesline for a double down.

Preston Vance drops Rhodes on the floor though and a jumping knee gets two on Guevara. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and it’s a diving tag off to Rhodes to clean house. The powerslam gets two on Garrison with Karter making the save. Everything breaks down and Guevara cutters Karter, setting up Shattered Dreams. Cue the Dark Order as Guevara hits a Swanton to pin Garrison at 7:49.

Rating: C. So you remember how Karter and Garrison were a totally mediocre heel team when they were managed by Maria? Well now they’re the same mediocre heel team when they’re managed by Jakked Jameson. The match was basic formula stuff and fine, but I have no idea why the Sons are supposed to be this interesting. I’m sure they’ll be presented as some kind of big deal at All In (likely on the pre-show), but we really had to wait this long for that? I have no idea what the Dark Order was doing out there.

We look at Mercedes Mone insulting Athena, who interrupted her on Collision and instantly looked like a huge star.

Gates Of Agony vs. Deonn Rusman/Cal Bloom

Bloom is better known as Von Wagner from NXT. Bloom splashes Kaun in the corner but misses a second attempt. Kaun gets a boot up to stop a charge, setting up a dropkick to knock Bloom into a tag. Rusman misses a charge of his own and it’s off to Liona so the Gates can take turns chopping away.

A missed shot allows the tag back to Bloom, who hammers Kaun down again. Rusman’s diving headbutt gets two and Bloom adds a suplex. Kaun manages his own suplex though and it’s Liona coming back in to clean house. A series of clotheslines hit Rusman in the corner and Kaun hits a dive off the apron to wipe Bloom out. Liona Pounces Rusman for the pin at 5:57.

Rating: C-. Bloom got in some nice offense here but this was the latest Gates match, with the fans not being overly thrilled. That isn’t the biggest surprise either, as the Gates have been around for years now and haven’t done much of anything in months. You know what you’re getting with them and that was the case again here. Why should anyone get into one of their matches?

We look at the Frat House and the Premiere Athletes joining forces last week.

Premiere Athletes vs. Outrunners

Floyd and Daivari trade running shoulders to start and that goes nowhere. Instead it’s off to Magnum, who gets dragged into the wrong corner so the double teaming can ensue. That’s broken up with a double clothesline and a clothesline/bulldog combination takes the Athletes down again. Hold on though as Mark Sterling grabs the mic and says dropkicks are illegal in Milwaukee. The distraction lets the Athletes take over on Floyd in the corner and Daivari’s neckbreaker gets two.

Back in and the beating continues but Nese misses a legdrop. Floyd gets pulled off the apron though and the tag doesn’t go through. The tag goes through a few seconds later (as it tends to do) and some slams put the Athletes down. Everything breaks down again and the Outrunners hit stereo back elbows to drop the Athletes again. The Mega Powers elbow sets up Total Recall but Nese breaks it up just in time. Nese hits a dive to take Magnum out on the floor but Daivari gets dropped with a clothesline. Sterling comes in and is quickly dropped, leaving Total Recall to finish Daivari at 8:22.

Rating: C+. It’s a shame that the Outrunners have lost their big match as the fans still like them and they’re fine enough in the ring. Unfortunately there isn’t much for them to do at the moment as they’ve lost the AEW Tag Team Title shot and they don’t seem likely to beat the Sons Of Texas. At the same time, you have the Athletes, who are right back to where they were before last week.

Dark Order vs. Infantry

Reynolds and Bravo start things off with Bravo hammering away to take over. Back up and a running clothesline gives Reynolds two and it’s off to Uno for a double slingshot faceplant. Bravo gets kicked off the apron, which lets him trip Reynolds down to take over again. A running elbow in the corner gets two on Reynolds and we hit the chinlock.

Reynolds fights out and rolls over for the tag off to Uno so house can be cleaned. A DDT/Flatliner combination drops the Infantry again and Bravo is sent outside. Dean gets caught with a Gory Bomb/Codebreaker combination but here is the Frat House to cut off the Order. The double Stomp finishes Uno at 7:21.

Rating: C. This felt long and a lot of that is because, AGAIN, there is no reason to believe that these teams are going to do anything but stay stuck in the lower half of the tag division. Now we seem to be coming up on the Order vs. the Frat House. Is that going to be some big deal for either of them? Not likely, as there is no reason to believe that is going to be the case.

Pure Title: AR Fox vs. Lee Moriarty

Fox is challenging and has to fight out of an early wristlock. A running rollup lets Moriarty grab a cross armbreaker, sending Fox straight over to the ropes for the first break. Back up and Fox puts him in the ropes for a springboard Russian legsweep (that was cool). A crossface sends Moriarty to the ropes for the first time so Moriarty knocks him in the corner. The string of strikes to the face and ribs set up a slam so Moriarty can start working on the arm. Another armbar sends Fox over to the ropes for his second rope break.

The bad arm is sent into the corner but Fox is back up to send him to the apron. A running flipping double stomp hits Moriarty and a Swanton gets two. Moriarty is right back on the arm though and the Border City Stretch means Fox uses his last rope break. Back up and Fox ties him in the ropes for a slingshot Canadian Destroyer (it looks better than you might expect) for two but he misses a 450. Lo Mein Pain is blocked though and Moriarty gets a chickenwing in the ropes for the tap to retain at 8:42.

Rating: B-. Easily the best match of the night here as they had more of a straight up match rather than going with the same formula that this title tends to go through. That’s nice to see for a change as the standard formula can get a bit old at times. Fox was his usual flashy self here and Moriarty eventually caught him, which made for a good match. Solid main event here and it worked well.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The main event was the only good thing here and that wasn’t enough to save the show from the rest of the card. As has been the case for a long time here, it feels like these people are running on a treadmill and that isn’t going to be overly interesting. Thankfully the show was shorter than usual, but there is only so much you can get out of this kind of an episode.

Results
Sons Of Texas b. Frat House – Swanton to Garrison
Gates Of Agony b. Deonn Rusman/Cal Bloom – Pounce to Rusman
Outrunners b. Premiere Athletes – Total Recall to Daivari
Infantry b. Dark Order – Double stomp to Uno
Lee Moriarty b. AR Fox – Chickenwing in the ropes

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Ring Of Honor
Date: March 27, 2025
Location: The Theater At Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’ve actually got a major show set as Supercard Of Honor will be taking place in early May. That gives us something to look forward to, but in addition we are likely going to have Chris Jericho defending the World Title against Bandido at Dynasty, title vs. mask. We should get some more build towards that this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Athena tells Diamante that she isn’t sure about Diamante joining the Minions because she doesn’t let just anyone in. Billie Starkz comes up to tap Athena on the shoulder, with Athena suggesting that it’s time for someone new in the Minions.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Okumura vs. Dark Panther

Okumura clotheslines him down to start and they’re quickly on the floor. Panther gets whipped into the barricade for two back inside but he’s right back up with a running dropkick. A slightly modified 619 gives Panther two but Okumura grabs an Iconoclasm and a running cutter for a breather. Panther’s Fujiwara armbar is cut off and they trade kicks to the back. Okumura is sent outside for a suicide dive into the barricade, followed by another dive to do it again. Back in and Panther misses a dropkick but grabs a small package for the fast pin at 6:10.

Rating: C+. This was the signature AEW/ROH win to get someone back on track after their big loss. Panther is at least becoming more of a regular character on the show, but we still only know so much about him. That’s more than can be said about Okumura, who is apparently “a guy who has been here before”, end of biography.

Post match Okumura won’t shake hands.

We see a clip of a video on Komander from AEW’s Youtube page.

We look at the MxM Collection stealing the Tag Team Title which has since been recovered.

Sons Of Texas/Willie Mack vs. MxM Collection/Johnny TV

Mack and TV start things off and we actually get a handshake. TV picks up the pace a bit and slips through Mack’s legs but gets dropped with a hard shot to the face. Guevara comes in and hits a dropkick but TV forearms him down without much trouble. It’s off to Mansoor, who gets taken down as well with a springboard moonsault. Rhodes comes in and gets dropped with a clothesline from the apron to cut him down.

Madden’s hip attack drops Rhodes and an old Sidewinder gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Rhodes fights up and grabs the snap powerslam, allowing the tag off to Guevara. A big dive takes out TV on the floor and another drops Mansoor as Guevara gets to clean house. Everything breaks down and Mack Stuns Mansoor, leaving Rhodes to hit the Canadian Destroyer. Shattered Dreams hits Mansoor and Guevara drops Madden with a middle rope cutter. The GTH to TV gives Guevara the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C+. Another perfectly fine match, even if the Collection vs. the Sons should have been wrapped up a good while ago. Mack is kind of a random person to team with them but I do like getting to see him do something of note after being little more than a jobber for so long. Sidenote: the fact that this was Rhodes in a six man tag and his Six Man Tag Team Champion partners were never named isn’t a good sign.

Post match the villains beat down the winners and steal one of the titles AGAIN.

Lady Frost and Taya Valkyrie didn’t win the CMLL Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Athena/Diamante vs. Mazzerati/Jordan Blu

Diamante and Mazzerati start things off as commentary tries to figure out why Diamante wants to be a Minion. Mazzerati quickly hands it off to Blu, who is quickly beaten down as well. It’s back to Mazzerati, so Diamante gives her a German suplex. Blu gets knocked to the floor and Athena comes in with the forearm to finish Mazzerati at 2:50. Total squash.

We look at Chris Jericho challenging Bandido to a title vs. mask match at Dynasty.

Premiere Athletes vs. Dark Order

The Frat House is watching from the crowd as the Athletes get in a cheap shot to start fast. It’s a brawl to start but the Order clears the villains out to get things going for good. Reynolds gets caught with a running clothesline to the floor and the Athletes hammer away on him in the corner. A hard whip into the corner drops Reynolds again but he’s able to grab a backdrop.

Uno gets pulled off the apron though and Reynolds is pulled back so Daivari can start in on his leg. Reynolds fights out of that without much trouble and it’s Uno coming in for a double DDT. Nese comes back in to clean house but gets taken down by Reynolds. The Frat House throws a drink on Reynolds and Preston Vance comes in to give him a spinebuster. Daivari’s Magic Carpet Splash is good for the pin at 8:02.

Rating: C. This was a fairly dull six man, with the Frat House stuff not exactly making it that much better. The problem is these teams all feel as low on the ladder as you can get and that doesn’t make for the most thrilling matches. Throw in how many times we’ve probably seen them fight and it somehow gets even worse.

Post match the Athletes and the Frat House pose together.

QT Marshall has annoyed actor Paul Walter Hauser by throwing alcohol on him.

Hauser wants revenge.

Marshall says Hauser is a fan and Marshall tried to make him look good in a recent match. Hauser owes him an apology, but if he wants a match, come ask for one like a man.

Viva Van vs. Queen Aminata

Aminata slips out of a wristlock to start as a few people are cheering for Van. An early cross armbreaker sends Aminata over to the ropes and she’s right back with a running kick to the chest for two. Back up and Van hits a nice spinwheel kick for two before ramming Aminata’s head into the mat. They trade some rather loud chops until Aminata knocks her into the ropes for Off With Her Head and the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C. I’m not sure how many times I can say something to the effect of “cool, now do something” about a match like this. Aminata is another person who gets a mini push every so often and then loses again. It’s hard to get any real momentum going, even if she wins a match like this. Van had some good stuff in there, with that spinwheel kick standing out.

The Premiere Athletes are very happy with their win and they want the Tag Team Titles.

Los Titantes del Aire are happy with how things went in CMLL.

Rugido/Volador Jr./Barbaro Cavernario vs. Atlantis Jr./Titan/Fuego

They start fast and it’s Cavernario vs. Fuego to officially get things going. The rapid fire tags/switches are on, with Atlantis getting to clean house. Titan comes in but gets beaten down with some triple teaming. With Titan being pulled off the top for the crash, Cavernario hits a running basement dropkick before it’s time to go after the mask (as is custom).

Fuego and Atlantis both come in and are both knocked down without much trouble. Cavernario’s powerslam gets two on Fuego and we hit a seated abdominal stretch to slow things down a bit. With that broken up, it’s time to go after Atlantis’ mask before Volador settles for just choking in the corner. Titan comes back in for a springboard double dropkick and Atlantis is back up to fight back.

Everything breaks down again and an exchange of strikes leaves everyone down. Volador and Titan strike it out until Titan hurricanranas him to the floor for a suicide dive. Atlantis and Cavernario get to strike it out this time, with Atlantis’ big boot…causing Cavernario to do the Worm. Cavernario takes way too long setting up some kind of a splash and lands on a raised boot. A Canadian Destroyer into the frog splash gives Atlantis the pin at 12:04.

Rating: B-. Yeah it was fun, but it was fun watching these seemingly random six man tags for the last month and a half or so. They’re just kind of a feature on the shows now and while they’re good, you could swap them in and out for just about any other show with nothing changing. As usual, find something for these people to do. I’m well aware that it’s part of their international deal with CMLL, but that doesn’t mean it makes for interesting viewing week after week.

Overall Rating: C. This almost felt like a rerun, as so many of the things could have been swapped in from previous weeks. You have the CMLL main event, the Collection stealing one of the title belts, and something with Aminata and the Athletes/Order. There isn’t much that is worth seeing here and it wasn’t overly interesting when I’ve seen such similar things for the last few weeks. Supercard Of Honor could help, but dang I’m worried about how random the card might be.

Results
Dark Panther b. Okumura – Small package
Sons Of Texas/Willie Mack b. MxM Collection/Johnny TV – GTH to TV
Athena/Diamante b. Mazzerati/Jordan Blu – Forearm to Mazzerati
Premiere Athletes b. Dark Order – Magic Carpet Splash to Reynolds
Queen Aminata b. Viva Van – Off With Her Head
Atlantis Jr./Titan/Fuego b. Rugido/Volador Jr./Barbaro Cavernario – Frog splash to Cavernario

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Ring Of Honor
Date: March 13, 2025
Location: Oakland Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re still on the way to nothing announced at the moment as there is no major show set for Wrestlemania Weekend thus far. In theory a major showdown could take place on Collision, but I’m not sure what that is going to be. Right now it seems like Chris Jericho against Bandido, but we’ve already done that recently. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Spanish Announce Project vs. Alpha Zo/CSJ

Zo works on Angelico’s arm to start as commentary makes some jokes about the non-stars’ names. Angelico ties up Zo’s arms with his feet before it’s off to Serpentico to stay on the arm. CSJ comes in and gets double superkicked until Serpentico gets to hammer away on Zo against the ropes. It’s back to CSJ for a running back elbow to the back and we hit the chinlock as we hear about JTG training CSJ (dang I feel old).

Serpentico comes back with a double Downward Spiral and it’s Angelico coming in again to strike away. CSJ gets in a shot though and is smart enough to drag Zo over to the right corner (a move that should be done more often). It’s back to CSJ, who is immediately tied up in a reverse figure four to give Angelico the tap at 6:43.

Rating: C+. Zo and CSJ got in a bit more than you might have expected here and they looked smarter than your run of the mill jobbers. Maybe they can turn into something down the road, but that is likely going to be a long way off. The Project being back is nice, but spare me from buying what commentary was saying about them getting back into the title picture.

We look at Chris Jericho unmasking Gravity and attacking him in front of his family.

We get Jericho’s promo from Dynamite, as he holds Gravity’s mask and mocks Bandido for scaring his family and unmasking his brother.

Blake Christian vs. Titus Alexander

Christian won’t shake hands so Alexander (hometown boy) says ring the bell, earning himself a slap in the face to start. The ensuing chase lets Christian stomp away on the way back in as commentary isn’t sure what to make of him. Alexander gets in a slap to the face and knocks Christian outside, where Christian whips him into the barricade a few times.

Christian kicks away back inside but yells at the referee, allowing Alexander to get a boot up in the corner. A Lethal Injection sends Christian outside and there’s the big flip dive. Back in and Christian avoids a charge into the corner, only to get caught with a running knee for two. Christian slips out of a rolling Chaos Theory though and hits a stomp, setting up Vanilla Choke Zero (that’s a great name) for the tap at 6:50.

Rating: B-. I was expecting nothing here and Alexander worked as hard as he could to get over here. It wouldn’t stun me to see him getting another shot around here, possibly even something a bit more regularly. Christian has become a little something around here too and that is something of a surprise. I’ll take what I can get, but it isn’t going to matter unless Christian gets somewhere.

Leila Grey is ready to step up.

Leila Grey vs. Lady Frost

Frost armdrags her down to start as commentary talks about which woman should get the first action figure from Ring Of Honor. Thankfully Ian realizes it should be Athena as Grey sends her into the corner, only to get chopped for her efforts. More chops set up some running shoulders in the corner but Grey is right back with a dragon sleeper of all things. That’s broken up and they fight over a small package for two each. Frost kicks her down in the corner and hits a handspring cannonball. A spinning kick to the head misses though and Grey grabs a fluke rollup for the pin at 4:31.

Rating: C. Grey is someone who could get a chance somewhere if she is given the chance and while we’re a good way off from that, a clean pin is only going to help things. She has come a long way in a short amount of time and it would be nice to see her do something else. The same is true for Frost, but she seems a lot less likely to get the shot.

Premiere Athletes/Frat House vs. Top Flight/Gates Of Agony

The brawl starts on the floor with the good guys taking over and we settle down to Dante and Daivari inside. Nese comes in and takes Dante into the wrong corner before a legsweep gets two. Dante armdrags Karter into the wrong corner though and a string of slingshot hilos get two. Vance gets in a cheap shot on the floor though and Darius is in trouble for a change.

The villains and their seconds get in some group stomping before Daivari grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up and everything breaks down with Kaun Cactus Clotheslining Karter outside. Toa throws Dante onto the pile before going to the floor to clean house. Even Mark Sterling gets taken down (Ian: “I don’t need my birthday and I don’t need Christmas. That was awesome!”). Back in and Open The Gates finishes Vance at 8:25.

Rating: C+. Apparently Toa is from this area so this was a great homecoming for him as he was looking great out there. At the same time, commentary hyped up the Gates and Top Flight as potential title contenders. Say it with me: THEN DO SOMETHING WITH THEM AND THE CHAMPIONS! That’s one of the biggest issues with ROH: we keep hearing about how people are moving into title contention and then they never actually do it. If you want the Gates or Top Flight to be champions then cool, but actually GO THERE ALREADY.

Last week, Dark Panther wouldn’t shake Komander’s hand before their title match next week.

Aaron Solo vs. Dark Panthers

Komander is in the audience again. They forearm it out to start before heading outside, where Panther drops him face first onto the apron. Solo gets in a shot of his own though and hits a top rope double stomp for two. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gives Panther two of his own before going for the arm, which sends Solo to the ropes. Panther hurricanranas him to the floor and hits a pair of dives. Solo gets sent into the barricade right in front of Panther but Solo uses the distraction to hit a spinning kick to the head. Panther kicks him down though and hits a middle rope basement dropkick for the pin at 5:40.

Rating: C+. This was designed to get Panther built up for the TV Title match next week. That’s been the case for the last few weeks and that has made it work just a bit better. They’re actually putting together a story here and even if Panther winning feels like a long shot, the story has gone pretty well. If feels like they’re actually doing something and that helps so much.

Post match Komander and Panther have a rather aggressive staredown.

Lee Johnson vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Johnson won’t shake hands to start so Shibata starts in on the arm. A stomp to the arm lets Shibata start working on the leg, including a Figure Four. Johnson makes the ropes so Shibata of course breaks it up, allowing Shibata to come back with a headlock. That’s broken up as well and Shibata chops him to the floor, meaning the chase is on.

Shibata changes directions in a smart move but gets kicked in the ribs to slow him down in an even smarter move. Back in and Johnson stomps away before going to the eyes to keep Shibata in trouble. Shibata isn’t having any of Johnson’s chops though and chops right back, followed by a running dropkick in the corner. Johnson brainbusters him down but Shibata grabs an STO into a cross armbreaker, sending Johnson over to the ropes. The PK finishes for Shibata at 8:18.

Rating: B-. Shibata is one of those guys who is going to put in a good performance against anyone and that was the case here too. He’s incredibly smooth in the ring and made Johnson look better. Again though, it would be nice if he actually did something of note rather than just having one off matches like this.

The Frat House doesn’t mind the loss because it’s time to drink. The Dark Order comes in and tells Vance to grow up. Vance points out that they haven’t won anything and leaves. Fair point.

Mistico/Esfinge/Atlantis vs. Rocky Romero/Valiente/Euforia

It’s a series of strikes to start until Mistico gets caught in the corner for some running clotheslines. Esfinge gets beaten up as well with a top rope splash getting two. Atlantis gets beaten down for a bit but makes it over to Mistico, who is triple teamed again. Mistico handspring elbows his way out of trouble and hits a springboard hurricanrana to take out Euforia on the floor.

Back in and Esfinge gets to clean some house but Euforia takes Atlantis down without much trouble. Euforia chops his partners by mistake and Atlantis gets to snap off some tilt-a-whirl backbreakers. We settle down to Mistico vs. Valiente, with the fans being rather behind the former. Mistico ties him in the ropes for a kick to the chest before sending Romero outside. A big dive to the floor takes Euforia out again so Esfinge comes in to avoid some double teaming. Everything breaks down and La Mistica makes Euforia tap at 9:45.

Rating: B-. As usual, the CMLL stars do rather well, but also as usual, it feels like something that is just tacked on because it can be there. I’m not sure why they are on every show and while I’m enjoying the matches, I could go for them mixing it up a bit. Also, as has been the case before, the idea of having Mistico available and using him in this spot, basically unannounced, is slightly insane.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling here was good this week, if not better than usual, but egads this show had so many frustrations piled together. It feels like the same people are getting the same spots but there is almost nothing for them to be fighting about. Other than the Jericho video that we saw earlier in the week, titles and champions weren’t factors on this show. If there’s nothing for these people to be fighting over, why are they fighting? Ring Of Honor might want to figure that out. I mean they won’t, but they might want to.

Results
Spanish Announce Project b. CSJ/Alpha Zo – Reverse figure four to CSJ
Blake Christian b. Titus Alexander – Vanilla Coke Zero
Leila Grey b. Lady Frost – Rollup
Gates Of Agony/Top Flight b. Premiere Athletes/Frat House – Open The Gates to Vance
Dark Panther b. Aaron Solo – Middle rope basement dropkick
Mistico/Esfinge/Atlantis b. Rocky Romero/Valiente/Euforia – La Mistica to Euforia

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Ring Of Honor
Date: February 6, 2025
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We are still fresh into the new year and that means very little around here, as Supercard Of Honor is usually coming up in about two months. That doesn’t seem to be the case this time though and that is going to slow things down a lot. This time around though, Athena is back and that could make things interesting. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We run down the card.

Blake Christian vs. Adam Priest

Christian flips him off so Priest grabs the finger, only to get pulled into a headlock. Back up and Priest grabs his own headlock but Christian pops out. A springboard clothesline drops Priest and Christian throws him outside for some choking on the barricade. Back in and Christian charges out of the corner but gets caught with a quick DDT for two. A snap powerslam gives Christian a breather and a 450 double stomp sets up the Vanilla Choke Zero (like a Last Chancery) for the tap at 6:03.

Rating: C. Well, they are in fact doing something with Christian and it does feel like he is rising up the ranks a bit. I’ll take some kind of storytelling and progress over nothing and this is going better than a lot of other stories around here. Leaning into the idea of Christian being boring is a way to go, but I’ll take it over some of the things around here.

Cole Carter/Preston Vance vs. Eli Theseus/Gabriel Aeros

Griff Garrison is here with Carter and Vance. Garrison takes Eli down to start but actually gets sent into the corner for a running elbow. Eli does something close to Rene Dupree’s French Tickler but here is Jacked Jameson of all people to interrupt. The villains knock Eli outside before Vance grabs a delayed vertical suplex. A slow motion elbow hits Eli and it’s back to Garrison for a front facelock. Eli actually fights up and hands it off to Gabriel to pick up the pace. Vance isn’t having that though and hits a discus lariat for the pin at 6:27.

Rating: C. Remember how I said I would take Christian over some of the things around here? Anything involving Carter and Garrison would fit the description. I have no idea what their appeal is supposed to be but it hasn’t been effective in a rather long time now. The match was fine enough, with Theseus/Aeros, apparently a regular team, looking decent.

Billie Starkz doesn’t quite get Athena’s entrance right so Athena walks her through it, albeit with some anger.

Lee Johnson vs. Jon Davis

EJ Nduka is here with Johnson. Davis (a former tag star in ROH) goes after Johnson to start but gets slapped in the head for his efforts. Johnson sends him outside and Nduka offers the distraction to set up the big dive. Back in and a moonsault gives Johnson two but a chop just annoys Davis. Johnson misses a dropkick and Davis rolls him into a German suplex. Nduka gets in a cheap shot though and Johnson hits the frog splash for the pin at 5:29.

Rating: C. So is this supposed to be a tag team or just Johnson doing the wrestling while Nduka looks like a monster? Either way, it’s only so interesting as Johnson isn’t much of anything special and we haven’t seen enough of Nduka for her to matter. Davis is someone who used to be something, albeit in a tag team, so he was only going to get so far here.

Athena vs. Carolina Cruz

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Cruz wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Athena dropkicks her into the corner to start fast and a Wasteland puts Cruz down. Some yelling at Starkz lets Cruz get in a right hand and full nelson slam but Athena powerbombs her down. The running forearm finishes for Athena at 2:42.

Post match Athena yells at Starkz and beats up Cruz some more.

We look at Bandido returning (again) on Collision.

Sammy Guevara vs. Mansoor

Mason Madden is here with Mansoor while Dustin Rhodes can’t be bothered to be there with his partner. Mansoor grabs a headlock to start and grinds away on the mat, setting up the pose. Back up and Guevara runs him over again and strikes his own pose, which doesn’t go as well.

Guevara sends him outside for a big running flip dive but Mansoor gets smart by going after the leg. A fisherman’s suplex gives Mansoor two and we hit the half crab. The rope is grabbed and Guevara starts the comeback with some dragon screw legwhips. Mason’s interference doesn’t work and Guevara grabs a Figure Four for the tap at 7:27.

Rating: C+. I still have no idea why I’m supposed to care about the Tag Team Titles, which have now not been defended in over a month. The act that this puts them above the AEW Trios Titles (three months) and the ROH Six Man Tag Team Titles (six months) isn’t a great sign, but that’s quite the ROH problem. For now though, we likely have the next challengers for the titles, even if it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Dustin can’t even be bothered to show up again and…can you blame him?

Post match the MxM Collection beats Guevara down and pose with his Tag Team Title. This would mean a lot more if he hadn’t just basically beaten both of them in less than seven and a half minutes.

Women’s TV Title: Robyn Renegade vs. Red Velvet

Velvet is defending and grabs a headlock to start. That’s broken up and Renegade takes her into the corner for a shot to the face. Velvet gets sent outside for a needed breather but she is able to cut off a baseball slide. Back in and Velvet chokes away, setting up some running knees against the ropes.

Renegade manages a knee to the face and a faceplant for two. A double down gives them both a needed breather before Velvet hammers away with some shots to the ribs. Renegade tries a pumphandle slam but gets reversed into the flipping faceplant to retain the title at 8:11.

Rating: C+ Better than I was expecting here, with Renegade putting up a solid fight. Renegade continues to be a bright spot when she is given the chance, but unfortunately that is not overly often. Velvet is finding herself more in the ring, so at least something seems to be working.

Premiere Athletes vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Dark Order vs. Outrunners

One fall to a finish with the Athletes taking Magnum into the corner to start fast. Reynolds tags himself in and hits a high crossbody for two as the fast start continues. A backbreaker into a DDT gives Uno two and the good guys hit four way right hands in the corner. We settle down to the non-involved Athletes stomping away on Reynolds outside. That’s broken up and Uno gets to hammer away, including a DOUBLE NOGGIN KNOCKER!

Magnum tags himself in and hammers away on Daivari for two but Gibson comes in with a belly to back suplex for two. The villains argue over who gets to go after Magnum, which is enough for him to get in a quick shot. The hot tag brings in Floyd to clean house and the Mega Powers Elbow hits Drake. Uno takes out Mark Sterling and an assisted Sliced Bread gives Drake two. Back up and the Total Recall finishes Drake for the pin at 10:04.

Rating: C+. Well I’m a sucker for a good double noggin knocker, even if it comes in another four way match with no reason to believe that the Outrunners are getting anything out of this. That’s the ROH tag division and it isn’t getting any better. Kind of like the Athletes and the Dark Order who just won’t go away.

Overall Rating: C-. The biggest issue around here continues to be that things just aren’t that interesting. Dustin Rhodes is still treated as a huge deal by way of being a double champion but it’s still Rhodes, which means there is only so much interest. Just another weak show, with little to keep me interested, though the lack of an old match was nice for a change.

Results
Blake Christian b. Adam Priest – Vanilla Choke Zero
Cole Carter/Preston Vance b. Eli Theseus/Gabriel Aeros – Discus lariat to Aeros
Lee Johnson b. Jon Davis – Frog splash
Athena b. Carolina Cruz – Running forearm
Sammy Guevara b. Mansoor – Figure Four
Red Velvet b. Robyn Renegade – Flipping faceplant
Outrunners b. Grizzled Young Veterans, Dark Order and Premiere Athletes – Total Recall to Drake

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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