Ring Of Honor – September 4, 2025: Ho And May I Add Hum

Ring Of Honor
Date: September 4, 2025
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re done with Death Before Dishonor and the big story is we have a pair of new champions, with Sammy Guevara and Rush as the new Tag Team Champions and Shane Taylor Promotions winning the Six Man Tag Team Titles. Bandido and Athena retained their titles and we have a little over three months before Final Battle. Let’s get to it.

Here is Death Before Dishonor if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We run down this week’s card.

Athena vs. Dayami

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Dayami wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Neither gets an entrance for some reason. Dayami jumps her to start and knocks her into the corner, only for Athena to fight right back. They go outside with Athena sending her into the barricade. Back in and a Koji Clutch finishes for Athena at 2:09.

Long recap on Death Before Dishonor.

Bandido says his win is for everyone who has been down, because it proves they can come back as champions.

Swirl vs. Thomas Heim/Joe Alonzo

Johnson takes Alonzo down without much trouble to start but Alonzo is back up with a running dropkick in the corner. Everything breaks down for a bit though and a running dropkick into a belly to back suplex gets two on Alonzo. Christian misses a charge in the corner though and it’s off to Heim, who gets caught in the wrong corner as well. The double stomp/Death Valley Driver finishes Heim at 2:35.

Wheeler Yuta vs. John Silver

Yuta takes him down without much trouble to start but Silver cuts him off with a powerbomb. Back up and Yuta sends him outside for a suicide dive, with Marina Shafir getting in a slam on the floor. Cue Evil Uno to glare at Shafir and then slap the mat as Yuta grabs a chinlock.

Silver fights up with a hard clothesline and forearms but cue Jon Moxley to back Yuta. A half crab has Silver in trouble but he reverses into something like a crossface. Shafir offers a distraction but gets pulled down, leaving Uno to go after Moxley. That means Moxley goes after Uno’s mask so Silver makes the save, only to walk into the running knee to give Yuta the pin at 8:17.

Rating: C. I guess Moxley is just bored and popping up on these shows, which does at least make them feel more important. That being said, there is a firm limit to how much I can bring myself to care about Yuta and Silver having a match. While Silver has charisma, he’s only able to do so much in these spots, especially with someone as dull as Yuta in there with him.

Trish Adora accuses Deonna Purrazzo of overlooking her, with Purrazzo saying she’s overlooking everyone because she’s better than everyone. Sweet goodness this tournament could not feel less important.

Lance Archer vs. Marcus/Adam

Blackout and double pin at 1:05 in the same thing Archer has done for years now.

We look at Sammy Guevara dropping the Von Erichs and teaming up with Rush instead.

The Von Erichs can’t accept what Guevara did and he is officially in their crosshairs. Oh goodness no, anything but that. Get these guys off the show, please. They’re as boring as a sidewalk on a summer day and OH NO! SAMMY GUEVARA DOESN’T RESPECT TEXAS! Get out of here and go do anything else because you’re the least interesting wrestlers I’ve ever seen. And I just watched a Wheeler Yuta match.

Spanish Announce Project vs. Philly Collins/Marino Tenaglia

Angelico and Collins start things off with an exchange of wristlocks. It’s off to Serpentico to stomp on the arm and a splash gets two. Tenaglia comes in for a running knee in the corner and a side slam/slingshot elbow gets two. Serpentico fights out of a chinlock and grabs a double running Downward Spiral for two, allowing the tag off to Angelico. Some strikes have Collins in trouble and La Majistral gets two. Angelico pulls him into a kind of reverse Figure Four with an ankle lock for the tap at 6:36.

Rating: C. Hey did you know that the Spanish Announce Project can have a decent tag match if they’re given about six minutes? That’s what they did here and, again, it was perfectly fine. It’s the same match they’ve had for years around here and as usual, there is pretty much nothing else to say about it because it never changes.

Jordan Oliver vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Shibata easily wins a wrestling exchange to start and takes him down by the arm. A hammerlock keeps the arm in trouble but Oliver is back with a running clothesline into the corner. The bulldog back out of the corner has Shibata down but he pulls Oliver into an ankle lock to cut that off. Shibata kicks him in the corner and gets two off a suplex, followed by the PK for the win at 4:49.

Rating: C+. Shibata was fine here and it was a good showcase for him, even if that’s about all you ever get from him. It’s easy to forget that he’s part of the AEW Trios Champions as he does his own thing over here and it’s so disconnected from everything else. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s a weird way to go. Oliver is a nice addition around here as he has some size and experience, though right now he’s just kind of floating around. That’s fine for now, but if (and it’s a big if) he’s sticking around, he’ll need to be used a bit better.

Hologram/Tomohiro Ishii vs. Premiere Athletes

Nese takes Hologram over with a headlock to start and then chops away in the corner. Ishii comes in to shoulder Daivari down and hammer on Nese, allowing the tag back to Hologram. Nese takes Hologram down for the chinlock, only for Hologram to fight out and bring Ishii back in.

Everything breaks down and Ishii hits a double clothesline but Sterling offers a distraction, leaving Hologram to get crotched on top. The Flying Carpet splash gets two but Nese is back up to knock Daivari down. Sterling gets knocked off the apron and it’s a 450 to give Hologram the pin at 8:32.

Rating: C. It’s hard to get excited about a Hologram match as there is a grand total of no chance he’s losing his undefeated streak to the Premiere Athletes on Ring Of Honor. This in no way felt like a main event and while Hologram can be exciting in the ring, it’s just another match that took place. Like so many other things on here.

In case you didn’t get enough here, tomorrow there is a bonus episode of the show, featuring eleven matches.

The Premiere Athletes are mad that Mark Sterling has a torn bicep and can’t pick up his daughter. The team needs a contingency plan.

Overall Rating: C-. A colleague of mine recently pointed out something about the Ring Of Honor show and he’s absolute right: for the most part, it’s just matches. You’ll get singles matches, Proving Ground matches, Pure Rules matches and the occasional tag match, but for the most part, that’s it.

The shows don’t build towards anything, there is very little in the way of variety, and a lot of it is the same stuff week after week. How many times has Lance Archer squashed someone? Or the Athletes or the Project or Athena had a similar match? It isn’t that what we’re getting is terrible, but rather it’s the same dry stuff far too often. Last week’s PPV had 13 matches, this week’s show had 7 and tomorrow’s special will have 11.

That’s a heck of a lot in eight days and for the most part, it doesn’t stand out as different in any way. This week’s show was really hard to sit through because it was just so uninteresting, with even more of it to come tomorrow. I know nothing is going to change, but it would be nice if we got something else. Oh and far less Von Erichs because this “aw shucks, we’re just two good old boys from Texas but we’re perturbed” is horrible.

Results
Athena b. Dayami – Koji Clutch
Swirl b. Thomas Heim/Joe Alonzo – Double stomp/Death Valley Driver to Heim
Wheeler Yuta b. John Silver – Running knee
Lance Archer b. Marcus/Adam – Double pin
Spanish Announce Project b. Philly Collins/Marino Tenaglia – Ankle lock to Collins
Katsuyori Shibata b. Jordan Oliver – PK
Hologram/Tomohiro Ishii b. Premiere Athletes – 450 to Daivari

 

 

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Ring Of Honor – July 10, 2025: They Kind Of Tried

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

 

 

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Ring Of Honor – June 19, 2025: The Numbers Do Lie

Ring Of Honor
Date: June 19, 2025
Location: Adrian Phillips Theater At Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We have four shows left before Supercard Of Honor but you probably wouldn’t know it from watching around here. There has not been anything officially announced for the show yet, though a thing or two has been teased. Hopefully that means we get something added here, as the rapid fire builds don’t make for great viewing. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Anthony Gangone/Sal Mistretta

During the entrances, an errant camera shot shows a disturbing amount of empty seats. Moriarty knees Gangone down to start and works on the arm before bringing in Taylor. Mistretta comes in and gets crushed, setting up a release Rock Bottom. Moriarty grabs a Border City Stretch on Gangone and the big right hand finishes Mistretta at 2:09. And the latest push is on.

We look back at Thunder Rosa chasing off Athena two weeks ago. They’ll meet in a tag match at Global Wars.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Marti Belle

Pure Rules. They fight over wrist control to start until Purrazzo takes her down with a headlock. Belle is sent outside by the arm and Purrazzo stomps away on the way back in. A small package gives Belle two but Purrazzo snaps the arm. The Venus de Milo makes Belle give up at 4:24.

Rating: C-. The Pure Rules deal here meant absolutely nothing to the match and it would have been the exact same match without them. That sums up the tournament (which is absolutely going to start sometime soon) as I still have n o idea why this needs to be a thing. We’re still getting these one off matches with nothing but promises that the tournament is coming, and I certainly hope they aren’t going to do the whole thing at Supercard Of Honor.

We look at the Frat house cheating to beat the Dark Order last week. Then John Silver returned for the save.

The Frat House discuss packages and want to beat up Silver.

Aaron Solo vs. Lance Archer

Solo strikes away to start and even avoids a charge in the corner. A chokeslam attempt is countered with a dropkick and Solo scores with a spinning kick. Archer charges into a boot in the corner, but it just seems to annoy him. The Blackout finishes for Archer at 1:38.

We look at Athena beating Miyu Yamashita in a hard hitting match back in April 2023.

Miyu Yamashita vs. Brooke Havok

Havok works on the arm and they roll over each other until Havok hits a dropkick. Yamashita strikes her down but Havok hits some elbows for two. A springboard rewind kick drops Havok and another kick to the face does it again. Yamashita blasts her with a spinning kick to the head for the pin at 3:33.

Rating: C+. Havok got in a lot here before the big strikes took her out. That spinning kick to the head at the end looked great and felt like the kind of knockout blow that should be ending a match. If Yamashita is going to be around she could be a thing, but it isn’t going to matter if her next noteworthy match isn’t for another two years.

Mark Sterling has gotten some of the Premier Athletes’ losses expunged from their records and now they want the Tag Team Titles. Sweet goodness. So even if you count all of their matches (which included a bunch of multi-team matches) as wins, they’re 8-0 this year. Why should they get a title shot over Shane Taylor Promotions, who are 10-0 this year? Why do I expect that to actually be answered?

Grizzled Young Veterans/Infantry vs. Top Flight/The Kingdom

The villains jump them from behind to start fast and everything breaks down into a big brawl. We settle down to Top Flight (looking odd in purple) double teaming Drake and Taven comes in for a dropkick. Taven gets taken outside though and Gibson drops him onto the barricade. Back in and Taven gets taken into the corner for some running charges in the corner.

A double belly to back suplex drops Taven for two but he gets in a spinning kick to drop Bravo. The big tag brings in Darius to clean house and everything breaks down again. Bennett comes in for the rapid fire chops in the corner but Dean hits a weird Pedigree variant on Taven. Back up and Hail To The King is broken up but Bravo is thrown over the top onto the pile. Dante’s top rope splash is good for the pin on Dean at 8:56.

Rating: C+. This was a bunch of teams with very little going on getting thrown out there for a bit for the sake of a main event. That’s a fine way to go, but it would be nice to see something a bit more important taking place with Supercard Of Honor coming up so soon. These matches are perfectly fine, but I could go for something that feels like it matters around here.

Overall Rating: C-. Normally I would be surprised by how they’ve done a grand total of nothing so close to Supercard Of Honor (as in nothing has been announced, save for the Pure Tournament finals, which hasn’t even started yet) but that’s how Ring Of Honor works. I’m sure we’ll get some matches added in the next week or so, but a lot of it will probably be done at the last minute, which again makes watching this show feel completely unimportant.

Results
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Anthony Gangone/Sal Mistretta – Right hand to Mistretta
Deonna Purrazzo b. Marti Belle – Venus de Milo
Lance Archer b. Aaron Solo – Blackout
Miyu Yamashita b. Brooke Havok – Spinning kick to the head
Top Flight/The Kingdom b. Grizzled Young Veterans/The Infantry – Top rope splash to Dean

 

 

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Ring Of Honor – May 9, 2025 (Friday Show): At Its Worst

Ring Of Honor
Date: May 9, 2025
Location: Adrian Phillips Theater At Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We are closing in on Supercard Of Honor, which means that Ring Of Honor will likely not bring the show up for about another month. That doesn’t make for the most thrilling show, but at least this one is on Friday so maybe they’ll try something different. You never know around here though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Jay Lethal vs. Atlantis Jr.

They trade armdrags to start and Lethal is sent to the floor, where he gets taken down by a fast dive. Lethal is right back up for a dive of his own, only for Atlantis to move before the second. Atlantis’ dive connects for two but Lethal knocks him down again. It’s too early for Hail To The King though as Atlantis rolls outside. Back in and Atlantis catches him on top for a superplex but Lethal starts going after the leg. A dragon screw legwhip sets up the Figure Four, which is broken up rather quickly. The cutter drops Atlantis, who is right back with a powerslam. The frog splash gives Atlantis the pin at 7:46.

Rating: C+. I’ve said it before and it’s still true: Atlantic Jr. is not very interesting. Technically he’s perfectly competent and his matches aren’t bad, but he’s a more generic luchador than El Generico could ever dream of being. That was on display here, as it was a completely fine match which did very little to pique my interest in either of them.

Leila Grey vs. Marina Shafir

Shafir starts fast by kicking her down and then choking in the corner. A throw takes Grey down again for some near falls before Shafir ties up various limbs on the mat. Grey fights up with a dropkick but gets kicked down again. Shafir grabs Mother’s Milk for the win at 4:59.

Rating: C. So Shafir is the big mighty guardian of the World Title belt (which she didn’t have here) and gets to smash through someone like Grey to prove that. It seemed like Grey was starting to become something around here, but instead here she is, mostly getting squashed by Shafir. As usual, the Death Riders take over just about everything else and dominate whatever they touch, because we’re just lucky that way.

Lee Johnson/Blake Christian vs. Spanish Announce Project

Angelico works on Christian’s arm to start but Christian slips out and dances a bit. Serpentico comes in and gets hiptossed onto Christian, followed by some running shots in the corner. The villains send Serpentico into the corner for some running shots to the head before Christian twists away at the neck.

That’s broken up and a hurricanrana out of the corner gets Serpentico over to Angelico. House is quickly cleaned and la majistral gets two on Johnson. A Downward Spiral into a Swanton gives Serpentico two with Christian making the save. Johnson cuts Serpentico off and holds him up for a super Canadian Destroyer. The brainbuster onto the knee finishes Serpentico at 8:55.

Rating: C+. As usual, the tag division around here is nothing short of soul crushing. The matches are fine enough, but it’s really hard to believe that any of these matches matter. Johnson and Christian are the latest team being added to the mix of teams who aren’t going anywhere and are having the same matches week after week. Meanwhile, Rhodes and Guevara now have the longest title reign in about ten years. Again, lucky us.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Ashley Vox

Pure Rules, a first for women in ROH. Purrazzo spins out of a wristlock to start but can’t get a triangle choke. Vox gets pulled into an armbar and has to use her first rope break. Back up and a springboard Downward Spiral gives Vox two but she walks into a backbreaker. Purrazzo grabs a half crab, sending Vox over to the ropes for her second break. Purrazzo’s hanging DDT on the arm gets two and a clothesline gets the same. A powerbomb into the Venus de Milo finishes Vox at 5:56.

Rating: C. Yeah as has been the case since the whole tournament was announced, I absolutely cannot fathom why this title needs to exist. We’re literally going from women’s Pure Rules matches not existing to a champion being crowned in a few months. The Women’s Title hasn’t been defended since February, but we’re getting a third title. That doesn’t seem like the best idea, but tournaments a go-go baby!

Queen Aminata is preparing for the Women’s Pure Title tournament.

Red Velvet vs. Laynie Luck

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Luck wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Lucy starts fast with a suplex but a wheelbarrow suplex is countered into a Downward Spiral. Velvet ties her up in the ring skirt and chops away, followed by some rapid fire stomps in the corner. Luck pops up with a quick Death Valley Driver for two but Velvet’s spinning kick tot he head gets the same. The flipping faceplant finishes Luck at 5:11.

Rating: C. Maybe I’m just missing it, but Velvet is only doing so much for me at the moment. She’s fine enough as a heel and getting better in the ring, but it’s only so much. Again, it doesn’t help that it feels like she’s a champion because Athena isn’t defending her title very often, but there’s only so much you can get out of doing just that.

Nick Wayne is ready to win the Best Of The Super Juniors in New Japan.

Satnam Singh vs. Lord Crewe

Singh unveils a Detroit Pistons jersey because this show is taped in multiple locations. Crewe can’t slam him to start and gets hiptossed down in a hurry. The loud chops in the corner connect and Singh tosses him around some more. The nerve hold goes on for a bit, followed by the chokeslam to finish for Singh at 3:39.

Rating: C-. The key to a giant like Singh is to get him in and out of there quickly and pushing four minutes is going longer than it needs to. You’re only going to get so much out of having him there doing his thing for a slightly extended match. I do like Singh being more of a crowd friendly guy, but keep him out there as an attraction rather than a wrestler and it’ll be a lot better.

Gringo Loco vs. Bandido

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Loco wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, he gets a future title shot. They run the ropes to start but then stop for a dance off. A running hurricanrana sends Loco to the floor and Bandido takes him down out there as well. Back in and a springboard spinning crossbody is dropkicked out of the air, setting up a springboard split legged moonsault for two.

A spinning sitout powerbomb gives Loco two but Bandido is back up with a spinning DDT. Bandido’s frog splash gets two but the 21 Plex is blocked. They both go up top and Loco hits a super moonsault Angle Slam (or whatever you would call….that) for two. Bandido is right back up with a super hurricanrana into a Shining Wizard for the win at 6:16 (with Justin Roberts saying he’s the TV Champion).

Rating: B-. This was good stuff, as you probably expected based on who was in there. It’s nice to have Bandido being a fairly regular presence on the show, but it would be nicer to have him do something that feels like a feud. Loco was his usual entertaining self, even if there was no reason to believe he was going to win here.

Overall Rating: C-. This was the bad kind of Ring Of Honor, as it felt like a show that was just there because it had to be. Nothing on here felt like it was building to anything in the future, there are still FAR too many titles running around and it doesn’t feel like anything is going to change based on what we saw here. It’s just a dull show and that seems to be the case by design, which astounds me to no end.

Results
Atlantis Jr. b. Jay Lethal – Frog splash
Marina Shafir b. Leila Grey – Mother’s Milk
Lee Johnson/Blake Christian b. Spanish Announce Project – Brainbuster onto the knee to Serpentico
Deonna Purrazzo b. Ashley Vox – Venus de Milo
Red Velvet b. Laynie Luck – Flipping faceplant
Satnam Singh b. Lord Crewe – Chokeslam
Bandido b. Gringo Loco – Shining Wizard

 

 

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Ring Of Honor – April 24, 2025: Wake Me When It’s Over

Ring Of Honor
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: MGM Music Hall At Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re in another weird period as Supercard Of Honor has been moved to the summer, meaning we have a few weeks where very little is going to matter. Maybe it has something to do with nothing being announced for a show which would have been held next week. Either way, we could use some fresh challengers for various titles so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Premiere Athletes/The Righteous vs. Spanish Announce Project/Kingdom

The Athletes take Angelico into the corner for the early beating but it’s quickly off to Serpentico for a knockdown. Serpentico is hiptossed onto Nese for two and it’s Taven coming in for a dropkick. Bennett’s clothesline gets two and Nese bails out to the floor, with the chase resulting in Bennett taking a beating.

Back in and the Righteous takes turns beating on Bennett, with Dutch’s clothesline getting two. The chinlock goes on and Nese comes in for one of his own. Bennett fights out and the big tag brings in Taven to clean house. A superkick into the Lionsault gets two on Daivari and Serpentico comes in off a blind tag. Everything breaks down and the Boss Man Slam into Orange Sunshine finishes Serpentico at 8:13.

Rating: C. This was the latest match involving all of the tag teams around here and there is only so much you can get out of these teams who are not going anywhere anytime soon. That is the problem with the tag division basically being Rhodes and Guevara and one other team at a time, because….oh you know the rest by now. It’s the same problem it’s been for months and it isn’t changing.

Crowbar vs. Lance Archer

Yes the one from WCW and he’s in good shape. Crowbar drops to his back a few times and gets forearmed in the face before the bell. Archer grabs a suplex and Crowbar is sent outside, where he gets in a shot of his own. Back in and Archer knocks him down again, only to miss a charge in the corner. Crowbar drops some legs between the legs for two but Crowbar takes too long going for the crowbar, meaning it’s a chokeslam. The Blackout finishes for Archer at 4:51.

Rating: C. There is something amazing about seeing someone like Crowbar, who hasn’t been around on the big stage in decades, showing up here for a perfectly fine match. He’s in good shape for someone at his age and he didn’t get entirely destroyed here. Not a great match or anything, but a nice little surprise.

We look at Nick Wayne winning the TV Title last week. On Collision of course.

Red Velvet vs. Ashley Vox

Non-title Proving Ground match meaning if Vox wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, she gets a future Women’s TV Title shot. Vox’s rather firm handshake is pulled into a clothesline and Velvet starts fast. Velvet knocks her down again and we hit the chinlock with a knee in Vox’s back. Vox fights up but gets hammered in the corner. Another comeback works a bit better as Vox hits a running knee into a spinning clothesline for two. Back up and Velvet knocks her cold with the big left hand for the win at 4:28.

Rating: C-. They didn’t have much time to do much here and Vox is a decent enough independent star but you can only get so much out of a women’s midcard title when it doesn’t need to be there in the first place. The division barely exists as Athena has destroyed everyone so it’s a collection of losers. That doesn’t make for an interesting title picture and it’s only going to get worse with a third title being brought into the division.

Post match La Catalina comes out for a staredown.

Leila Grey, Taya Valkyrie and Deonna Purrazzo are in the Women’s Pure Rules Title. For those not keeping track: the men’s version has only been defended twice this year.

Mark Briscoe/AR Fox/Top Flight vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Briscoe and Taylor slug it out to start until Briscoe’s crossbody is pulled out of the air. Fox and Moriarty come in with Fox taking over, including knocking Bravo down as well. Back in and Bravo tosses Fox into a suplex from Dean and the villains take over. Bravo’s gutbuster gets two and the chinlock goes on.

Fox fights up with a spinning suplex for the break and it’s off to Darius to pick up the pace. House is cleaned, at least until Taylor gets in a big forearm. The splash gets two and Taylor’s chop seems to destroy part of Darius’ soul. Darius manages a running C4 to Dean and it’s off to Dante to clean house. A springboard Swanton gets two on a standing Moriarty as everything breaks down. Fox dives onto Taylor on the floor and the Jay Driller finishes Dean at 8:27.

Rating: C+. At least some of the people involved here feel somewhat important, as that has not exactly been the case for most of this show. Briscoe is always worth a look and the Promotions are more or less the designated punching bags. Not exactly a great main event, but it’s the best thing on the show this week.

Overall Rating: C-. On one hand, this show gets big points for only being about forty five minutes long, but on the other hand, my goodness did it feel like the most nothing show imaginable. None of the four matches on here felt important in the slightest and the only thing we got was a staredown about the….we’ll say second most important women’s title of the three. It certainly wasn’t a terrible show, but I don’t think they could have made it feel less important.

Results
Righteous/Premiere Athletes b. Spanish Announce Project/Kingdom – Orange Sunshine to Serpentico
Lance Archer b. Crowbar – Blackout
Red Velvet b. Ashley Vox – Left hand
Mark Briscoe/AR Fox/Top Flight b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Jay Driller to Dean

 

 

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Dynamite – February 26, 2025: They’re Underselling Him

Dynamite
Date: February 26, 2025
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re about a week and a half away from Revolution and the card is starting to come together. The big story is Cope taking the Death Riders out one by one, including dropping Pac last week. There is a good chance that he will try to do that again this week, which could mean some violence. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

An ambulance arrives in the back of the arena and Cope is in the back, saying it’s time to take out another Death Rider.

The announcers run down the card.

Earlier today, MJF talks about how the fans have chanted “COWBOY S***” at a fake like Hangman Page. MJF is getting the AEW tattoo removed from his leg because it is time to bet on himself.

Page arrives in his truck and comes to the ring in his street clothes.

Hangman Page vs. Aaron Solo

Page kicks him in the face, hits a clothesline, and finishes with the Buckshot Lariat at 48 seconds.

Post match Page grabs a chair and says the three things he hates in this world are running out of biscuits, English ivy and a spray tanned b**** spitting in his face. Therefore, he is going to sit in this ring until MJF is sent out here for the beating he deserves. Cue MJF, with a bloody towel, calling Page an animal.

He’s not going to have this fight right now because he’ll wait for Revolution in Los Angeles. For now though, we’ll find out who MJF has attacked. We see a rather bloody Christopher Daniels in the back as MJF leaves. Page grabs the chair and heads to the back, where he finds Daniels down. The medics check on Daniels as Page goes hunting.

Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher are in a sky box.

Earlier tonight, Chris Jericho talked to Don Callis, who seems interested in having Bryan Keith take out Will Ospreay.

Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Keith

They go with the grappling to start and it’s an early standoff. Ospreay knocks him into the corner and chops Keith down, setting up a standing corkscrew moonsault for two. A springboard misses though and Ospreay is sent outside, where he comes up holding his knee off the landing.

We take a break and come back with Keith working on the back. Ospreay kicks his way to freedom and hits a Phenomenal Forearm for two of his own. An enziguri staggers Ospreay again but he’s back with a Stundog Millionaire for another near fall. Keith hits a tiger driver for two as the fans think this is awesome. Ospreay slips out of another tiger driver and hits a Styles Clash, setting up the Hidden Blade for the pin at 10:52.

Rating: B-. Good showing from Keith here as he got a good deal in on a bigger star with Ospreay. This is the kind of match that gives Ospreay a sweat before he gets the win on the way to the big showdown with Fletcher. Just please don’t move this on to an Ospreay vs. Jericho feud because….oh just no.

Post match Ospreay goes into the crowd for the brawl with Fletcher.

We look at Mariah May attacking Toni Storm on Collision. This week on Collision: an update on Storm.

Video on Momo Watanabe, who will be challenging Mercedes Mone for the TBS Title at Revolution.

Mone isn’t worried about Watanabe and yells at ROH’s Billie Starkz for getting in her way. Watanabe shows up with a baseball bat to scare Mone off. One thing here: Watanabe last wrestled in AEW on the 2024 Forbidden Door Zero Hour show. Starkz last wrestled on AEW TV on the 2023 WrestleDream Zero Hour show. If you watch Stardom and Ring Of Honor, you know who these two are, but otherwise, these two are relatively strangers, one of whom is going to get a title shot because she won a match at Wrestle Dynasty, which was barely talked about on AEW TV. You might want to work on that.

Outrunners vs. Murder Machines

For a future Tag Team Title shot. The Machines jump Floyd to start but Magnum fights up, with the Machines being knocked outside. The Outrunners are pulled outside and we take an early break. Back with Archer hitting some running charges to Magnum in the corner and it’s off to Cage.

Magnum jawbreaks his way to freedom and Floyd comes in to clean house with a rollup getting two on Cage. Everything breaks down and a splash gives Cage two on Floyd. The powerbomb/chokeslam combination is broken up so Archer chokeslams Floyd for two. The Blackout is loaded up but cue the Hurt Syndicate for a distraction, allowing Floyd to roll Archer up for the pin at 8:22.

Rating: C+. Points to AEW for this one as I was expecting the Machines to beat the popular team and that is absolutely not what they did. It’s quite the relief as the Outrunners are still a hot enough act and it would have been annoying to see them lose to the Murder Machines to set up the title shot. It’s nice to see a bit of a curve here and I’m glad I was wrong on what I thought was going to happen.

Video on Cope vs. Jon Moxley, including Cope taking out Pac on Collision. Claudio Castagnoli is wanting to get his hands on Cope to even the score.

Video on Ricochet taking Prince Nana’s robe.

Here is Swerve Strickland, with Nana, for a chat. Strickland talks about how he has done some good things around here and you could see him headlining All In last year. He is still the man around here and he wants some gold around his waist, but first he has to deal with Ricochet.

Cue Ricochet, wearing the robe, to say that he is going to get some gold but he doesn’t want to deal Swerve anymore. Nana has an announcement though: the two of them can face off at Revolution in a #1 contenders match. Works for Ricochet, who leaves, but Nana has to talk to Swerve. Nana wants Swerve to go back to being the mod dangerous man in AEW. Nana has survived a bunch of bullets for Swerve and now he needs Swerve to get the robe back and leaves Swerve alone in the ring.

Hangman Page is leaving and threatens to run MJF down.

Undisputed Kingdom vs. Daniel Garcia/FTR

O’Reilly and Wheeler start things off with the latter working on the arm. That’s reversed into a heel hook and Wheeler bails straight over to the ropes. Cole comes in and trades missed kicks with Garcia, who takes him into the corner. Everything breaks down and a series of strikes on the floor leaves everyone down as we take a break.

Back with Strong and Harwood slugging it out until the Kingdom clears the ring. Harwood pulls O’Reilly into the Sharpshooter until a rope is grabbed. Everyone gets back in and the Kingdom get stereo small packages for two and a triple clothesline leaves everyone down again. This time it’s Strong getting caught in the Sharpshooter, leaving Cole to roll Garcia up for the pin at 11:00.

Rating: B-. Good back and forth match here but this is one of those stories that feels like it’s just kind of there. It’s not bad, but it’s not exactly lighting things on fire. In theory this will get Cole a TNT Title shot and it’s only so interesting. It was a nice six man though, with entertaining back and forth action throughout.

Post match they almost fight again and the TNT Title match is on for Collision.

Cope jumps Claudio Castagnoli in the back but Wheeler Yuta jumps him from behind. The villains load up a Conchairto but Jay White makes the save. Marina Shafir runs in to choke Cope but gets kneed by Yuta by mistake, which White finds hilarious. Castagnoli gets Conchairtoed as Jon Moxley is panicking in the crowd. Another one is loaded up for Shafir so here is Willow Nightingale to actually crack her head with the chair. So that leaves Yuta as the lone Death Rider to defend Moxley and…that feels a bit of a weak finale.

Harley Cameron vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Cameron goes for the leg to start and is quickly shoved away. Back up and a running headscissors takes Purrazzo down for two but she catches Cameron on top. We take a break and come back with Purrazzo shrugging off a jawbreaker. A Russian legsweep gives Purrazzo two and she ties Cameron in the Tree of Woe. Cameron slips out of that and hits an enziguri, setting up a Shining Wizard for two. Purrazzo kicks her in the face but the cross armbreaker is countered into a rollup to give Cameron two more. Back up and Cameron grabs a rolling cutter for the pin at 8:02.

Rating: C+. This is how the match should have gone as Cameron is starting to turn her confidence into some wins. It would have been too much for her to beat Mone in Australia, but a win like this is a perfectly fine way to go. Purrazzo can make anyone look better in the ring and it was a nice match here, with Cameron getting back on her feet after the big loss.

Video on Orange Cassidy vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the International Title.

Marina Shafir and Claudio Castagnoli are taken away in an ambulance, with Cope, Willow Nightingale and Jay White waving.

International Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Orange Cassidy

Takeshita, with Don Callis (on commentary) and Mark Davis, is defending. Takeshita breaks the sunglasses to start so Cassidy whips out another pair. Those are taken away and given to Callis but Cassidy misses the Orange Punch. The lazy forearms just annoy Takeshita, who kicks Cassidy down. Back up and Cassidy stomps away in the corner, setting up a slingshot DDT to drop Takeshita. That doesn’t last long as Takeshita is back up with a heck of a shot of his own and we take a break.

Back with Cassidy fighting out of a Blue Thunder Bomb attempt but the Stundog Millionaire is countered into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two (That was GREAT!). The Beach Break is countered so Cassidy hurricanranas him to the floor instead. Cassidy sits on the announcers’ table and tells him to bring it, eventually hitting the Beach Break onto the table.

They both dive in to beat the count, where Cassidy hits the Orange Punch to send Takeshita back outside. Cassidy hits the diving DDT and takes his sunglasses back but Takeshita knocks him out of the air (Schiavone: “He knocked his a** right out!). The Stundog Millionaire staggers Takeshita but he’s right back with a kneeling piledriver. The Raging Fire retains the title at 12:30.

Rating: A-. I wasn’t overly interested coming into this one but DANG they were on a roll near the end. Like any other promotion, AEW hypes its wrestlers up to an insane level but they might somehow be underselling Takeshita. The guy is just that good and some of the things that he does in the ring leave my eyes bugging out on a regular basis. The fans were into this and the match pulled me in as well. Great stuff here and an excellent main event.

Overall Rating: B. The main event is by far the best thing on the show, but nothing on here is really anywhere near bad. They advanced some stories and it goes to show you how much it helps to have the Death Riders facing some adversity. I’m not sure I can see Cope winning the title at Revolution, but egads it’s nice to see something other than the group dominating so often. Good show here, with Takeshita going off in the main event.

Results
Hangman Page b. Aaron Solo – Buckshot Lariat
Will Ospreay b. Bryan Keith – Hidden Blade
Outrunners b. Murder Machines – Rollup to Archer
Undisputed Kingdom b. Daniel Garcia/FTR – Jackknife rollup to Garcia
Harley Cameron b. Deonna Purrazzo – Rolling cutter
Konosuke Takeshita b. Orange Cassidy – Raging Fire

 

 

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Ring Of Honor – January 23, 2025: Congratulations?

Ring Of Honor
Date: January 23, 2025
Location: Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s the 100th episode and that means we should be getting something special around here. The key word there is “should”, as this show certainly doesn’t follow the norm for a wrestling series. We do at least have a TV Title match, as QT Marshall and Komander are this show’s version of a big showdown. Let’s get to it.

Mark Briscoe congratulates ROH on 100 episodes.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

TV Title: QT Marshall vs. Komander

Komander is defending and is quickly powered down to start. Marshall sends him to the corner and then the apron, only to get caught with a quick hurricanrana. They go outside where Marshall chops the post by mistake but is fine enough to hit an elbow back inside. A Lionsault gives Marshall two but Komander knocks him outside.

That means a big dive to take Marshall down again, setting up a high crossbody for two back inside. Marshall gets his boots up to block another moonsault, only to get caught with a Code Red for two. A 450 to the apron misses but Marshall goes after Alex Abrahantes. That’s enough for Komander to grab a springboard Code Red, allowing Cielito Lindo to retain the title at 9:41.

Rating: C+. And that’s the big match on the show, which had a pretty hard cap on it coming in. Komander isn’t so much presented as a big deal as much as he is presented as someone who is around a lot. Beating Marshall doesn’t mean much because Marshall doesn’t mean much, and Komander is regularly just a warm body to get beaten up in E. Having him win here is fine, but the AEW losses need to stop if this title is supposed to mean anything.

Post match Lee Johnson comes out for a staredown with Komander, who is more than game.

Leila Grey vs. Marti Belle

Grey starts fast with a rollup for two and then runs Belle over for a crash. A flipping neckbreaker drops Belle but she catches Grey on top. Belle hits a running shot in the corner and gets in some posing, followed by a running shot to the face. The chinlock is countered with a jawbreaker and Grey makes the comeback. A neckbreaker into a dragon sleeper makes Belle tap at 4:30.

Rating: C. Grey continues to improve and there is a chance that she could be something if she is given the chance and some more time. That’s the kind of thing that we need around here but it might take some time to get there. For now though, I’ll take a nice win over someone with a bit of name value as Grey gets some ring time.

Outrunners vs. Rosario Grillo/Jon Cruz

Magnum works on Cruz’s arm to start and the non Outrunners need a breather on the floor. They use said breather to STOMP ON THE OUTRUNNERS’ SUNGLASSES, meaning it’s time for a Hennig necksnap on Cruz. The Mega Powers Elbow sets up Total Recall to finish Grillo at 3:38.

Rating: C. Pretty much a squash for the Outrunners here and that’s fine, as the fans are going to go nuts for them no matter what they are doing. They are the definition of a fun act and that is what AEW/ROH could use in a big way. Let them come out there and let them pop the crowd a bit.

Athena is proud of 100 episodes and she’ll be back soon.

The Beast Mortos vs. Lord Crewe

Mortos uses the ropes to flip out of a wristlock to start before going after the leg. La majistral gets two on Crewe and they fight up to a standoff. Crewe kicks him down but Mortos is back with a pop up Samoan drop. A running forearm gives Crewe two but Mortos hits the spinning piledriver for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C. I’m not sure why Mortos gives up so much in his matches as he is the definition of someone who can run through all kinds of people but he’s going move for move with someone like Crewe. That’s a nice way to make Crewe look good, but you might want to use someone other than Mortos to do that.

From International Challenge.

Tag Team Titles: Christopher Daniels/Matt Sydal vs. Cima/Shingo

Daniels and Sydal are defending. Shingo and Daniels start things off with Shingo pulling him down by the leg to take over. The bigger Shingo runs him over with a shoulder but Daniels, with a lot of momentum, does the same to take Shingo down. Sydal comes in for a spinwheel kick and it’s off to Cima, with the fans approving.

Cima runs Sydal over and it’s back to Daniels, who gets elbowed in the face for his efforts. Sydal comes back in and snapmares Cima down to crank on the neck before Daniels gets two off a slam. A belly to back suplex/springboard elbow to the face combination gets two on Cima but Shingo comes in to choke Sydal down. Shingo starts working on the leg before sending him into the barricade, setting up Cima’s seated full nelson.

More leg cranking ensues before Sydal is caught in a swinging sleeper toss. A cutter/wheelbarrow faceplant combination gets two but Sydal manages a DDT and dropkick. The tag brings Daniels in to clean house and everything breaks down, with Sydal hitting a moonsault out to the floor. Back in and Sydal gets powerbombed into the corner before it’s back to Daniels, who gets caught in an Indian Deathlock.

Cima ties Daniels’ legs up for a brainbuster and a near fall, with Sydal diving in for a tornado DDT. Shingo nails Sydal with a lariat to leave everyone down as the fans approve. Cima superkicks Shingo by mistake and it’s a release Rock Bottom into the BME into the shooting star press to give Sydal the pin on Shingo at 23:52.

Rating: B. Good stuff here, with the champions feeling like they were fighting from underneath and capitalizing on Cima’s mistake with the superkick. Daniels and Sydal looked good as a team even when they felt like they escaped with a win here. It’s a nice match, though I’m not sure how much of a Daniels show case this really was.

Leila Grey wants the Women’s TV Title.

Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost

Deonna Purrazzo is here with Valkyrie, who powers Frost down to start and hammers away on the mat. Back up and Frost kicks her out to the floor and we pause for a breather. Back in and Valkyrie knocks her down again but gets dropkicked in the back for her efforts. Valkyrie gets in another knockdown and we hit the chinlock to slow things down again. That’s broken up and Frost hits a flipping Cannonball in the corner for two. A Blue Thunder Bomb sets up Shania Pain to finish Frost at 6:00.

Rating: C. This was a back and forth match but it was only so interesting. Frost is someone who is there to make someone else look good and she did it well enough here, but there was only so much that was going to work here. Valkyrie feels like someone who has been around for awhile and not done much, with this match not really doing much to elevate her.

Jacked Jameson pitches a new group to Cole Karter, Griff Garrison and Preston Vance but they aren’t overly interested. Thinking about it is promise.

Gates Of Agony vs. Jay Lucas/Terry Yaki

Lucas strikes away at Kaun to absolutely no effect. A heck of a clothesline into a German suplex drops Lucas and it’s off to Yaki, who is beaten down down as well. That means it’s back to Lucas, who gets planted with a double spinebuster for the pin at 2:15.

Chris Jericho talks about the greatness of Ring Of Honor and lists off some historic names, albeit ARMBAR style with various Jericho names coming up over and over.

Shane Taylor vs. Katsuyori Shibata

The rest of Shane Taylor Promotions are here too. The larger Taylor powers him up against the ropes but Shibata strikes his way out of trouble. Taylor strikes him out to the floor and Shibata gets sent into the barricade for a crash. Some heavy forearms set up the chinlock but Shibata is right back up. A clothesline gives Taylor two but he misses a charge into the corner and gets chopped a lot. They strike it out until the Marcus Garvey Driver gives Taylor two. Welcome To The Land is blocked though and Shibata grabs the sleeper. The PK finishes Taylor at 7:18.

Rating: C. Not a bad match but I’m not sure why I’m supposed to stay interested in Taylor and his Promotions when they lose so often. We’ve been seeing hype videos for Taylor and company for weeks now and here their leader just loses clean. I get the idea of having Shibata look good because he’s a bigger star, but there was little reason for him to go over Taylor completely clean here. Just pick someone else for Shibata to beat.

Post match the Promotions jumps Shibata and beats him down. Daniel Garcia and the Undisputed Kingdom make the save. The Kingdom showing up is a nice touch for the anniversary show.

Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita pop up to challenge Katsuyori Shibata for Collision. I have no idea why this needed to be on Ring Of Honor.

Overall Rating: C. So that’s the big milestone show and I’m not sure what was supposed to be special about this. They did throw in a few cameos with the congratulations and the Undisputed Kingdom at the end was nice, but the wrestling itself was absolutely nothing special. It was a run of the mill show and while nothing was bad, it was another show you didn’t need to see. It also doesn’t help that the classic match, which was good, was longer than the three longest new matches combined. It’s just extending the show and easily could have been trimmed down to about five minutes. Not much to see here, as usual.

Results
Komander b. QT Marshall – Cielito Lindo
Leila Grey b. Marti Belle – Dragon sleeper
Outrunners b. Rosario Grillo/Jon Cruz – Total Recall to Grillo
The Beast Mortos b. Lord Crewe – Spinning piledriver
Taya Valkyrie b. Lady Frost – Shania Pain
Gates Of Agony b. Jay Lucas/Terry Yaki – Double spinebuster to Lucas
Katsuyori Shibata b. Shane Taylor – PK

 

 

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Collision – January 25, 2025: Explain This To Me

Collision
Date: January 25, 2025
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross

It’s Homecoming because we can’t go a week without some kin of special show. It is nice to be back in Daily’s Place though as we should be in for a fun show. We are less than a month away from Grand Slam and it should be time to start getting the rest of the card put together so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

The Patriarchy, Toni Storm, Mariah May and Samoa Joe are ready to fight.

Opening sequence.

Jim Ross is back. That’s nice to see.

Samoa Joe vs. Nick Wayne

The rest of the Patriarchy is here so Katsuyori Shibata and Hook come out to even things up. You know, assuming Joe wouldn’t be able to smash the entire team on his own. Wayne strikes away to start but misses a shoulder, allowing Joe to hit a backsplash. The early MuscleBuster is broken up and Joe’s leg is wrapped around the ropes. Wayne hits a dive to the floor and it’s time to say on the leg. Joe isn’t having this though as he knocks Wayne back and hits the MuscleBuster for the pin at 5:24.

Rating: C. That’s what this should have been as Wayne was going to be little more than an annoyance to Joe at best. Joe shrugged off whatever Wayne threw at him and finished him in a hurry. There is no point in making this overly complicated and that is what they made work here. Joe is going to be on his way to something better so smashing the Patriarchy on the way there isn’t a bad idea.

We recap Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay brawling with the Don Callis Family on Dynamite, setting up the tag match at Grand Slam.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Komander

Non-title. Komander starts fast with a knockdown and reverses a suplex into a quickly broken choke. Okada isn’t having this and kicks him in the face before going outside. A DDT plants Komander hard and we take an early break. Back with Komander grabbing an X Factor out of a powerbomb and picking up the pace. Okada’s White Noise onto the knee sets up the top rope elbow but the Rainmaker is blocked. Komander grabs a hurricanrana to the floor and hits a moonsault, only to get Rainmakered for the pin at 8:59.

Rating: B-. Hey look: a Ring Of Honor champion loses AGAIN, but we’re still expected to pay to watch that the show. There was no reason for Komander to be Okada’s latest victim here as the champion vs. champion aspect wasn’t much of a bonus. But why let common sense get in the way of something Tony Khan thinks is cool?

Powerhouse Hobbs and Big Bill get in a fight in the parking lot. They hit each other with metal objects, including a gate that Hobbs rips off a fence. Security breaks it up.

The Costco Guys are back but get interrupted by the Undisputed Kingdom for a Boom off.

Undisputed Kingdom vs. Daniel Garcia/Angelo Parker/Matt Menard

Oh hey Parker still works here. Garcia headlocks Cole over to start but they pop up for a staredown. Strong and Menard come in with the former working on a wristlock before grinding on a headlock. Garcia comes in and is quickly backdropped to the floor, where he gets in an argument with Shane Taylor Promotions. We take a break and come back with Garcia hammering on O’Reilly in the corner. O’Reilly fights out without much trouble and hands it back to Cole for a slugout with Garcia. Everything breaks down and Parker is faceplanted for two. A superkick cuts off Garcia and the high/low finishes Parker at 9:55.

Rating: C. This was little more than a handicap match as there was no reason to believe that Parker and Menard were going to be a real threat to the Kingdom. In theory one of these three could be coming after Garcia’s TNT Title, which would be fine, but it didn’t make for much of a six man tag. Parker and Menard are harmless enough but they’re about as bottom of the barrel as you can get around here.

Respect is shown post match.

Max Caster is happy with the response to the Acclaimed’s split and announces an Open Challenge series.

We get a bunch of computer code as I’m guessing Hologram is coming back.

Top Flight argues over Action Andretti and Lio Rush. Darius Martin wants to fight Rush one on one.

Tony Schiavone brings out Mariah May and Toni Storm for a face to face chat. Storm’s enthusiastic handshake offer is turned down and May says Storm makes her think and feel nothing. Storm is nothing and a joke and the fans laugh at her, just like May knew they would. May will get off by humiliating Storm in her hometown.

Storm says she is May’s biggest fan and wants to be just like her. She hugs May, who responds with a heck of a slap. May whips her with the belt and leaves, but Storm asks why May thinks she has forgotten. Storm takes off her clothes to reveal the Timeless gear and promises to shove May back into the womb. For some reason this is presented as a surprise, despite it being pretty obvious for most of the story.

There is a special interview with the Death Riders debuting next week. Jon Moxley’s vision is a thousand Moxleys. Oh dear.

Hounds Of Hell vs. Gates Of Agony

The Hounds are Buddy Matthews/Brody King with Julia Hart as the House Of Black seems to be completely done. Matthews shoulders Kaun to no effect to start and is shouldered into the corner. King and Toa collide before striking it out until King is taken into the wrong corner to take over. That doesn’t last long as King fights out and brings Matthews back in to clean house.

We take a break and come back with Open The Gates getting two on Matthews. The comeback doesn’t take long and it’s off to King to clean house, including a Death Valley Driver for two on Toa. A Samoan drop gets the same on King, who Kaun can’t powerbomb. Instead King hits a piledriver and a Cannonball/running dropkick combination in the corner finishes Kaun at 10:04.

Rating: B-. The Hounds are already a good team so this was little more than a way to show that Malakai Black is gone and they’ll be fine. The Gates aren’t a great team but they’re a couple of monsters and it looks good for the Hounds to beat them. This was a nice way to show us the new team and I’m interested in seeing what they can do. A hoss fight with the Hurt Syndicate could work just fine.

The Costco Guys bring Harley Cameron, who can’ t get their catchphrase right. The Vendetta comes in to mock Cameron and the Guys do their catchphrase. Again.

Penelope Ford and Thunder Rosa argue and a match seems to be made.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Serena Deeb vs. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Queen Aminata

For a future TBS Title shot. They go for early rollups to start to limited avail, leaving Purrazzo to chill on the ramp with Taya Valkyrie. Deeb ties up Aminata’s leg before neckbreakering her over the top rope. Sakazaki clears the ring and hits a big dive to take everyone out on the floor.

We take a break and come back with Purrazzo Fujiwara armbarring Aminata, who rolls her way out. Everyone but Deeb is down but Sakazaki is back with a high crossbody to take her down. Deeb and Aminata brawl up the ramp so Valkyrie comes in, only for Harley Cameron to come in for the save. Sakazaki rolls Purrazzo up for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: B-. So Sakazaki, who hasn’t gotten a singles win since September (the most recent of these four to win a singles match in AEW is Purrazzo, who won a squash more than a month ago), is suddenly in a four way for a title shot. Sure, why not. The match was the usual collection of four people with nothing going on suddenly getting into the title picture because it’s not like there are people here doing things who could be in these slots instead. But hey, at least Mone gets to wrestle one of her friends from Japan, because that’s what matters the most.

The Hounds are back and bark but Kazuchika Okada comes in to say they sound like b******. Buddy Murphy challenges him for the Continental Title but that’s a no. Murphy: “Then you’re the b****.” Okada: “I’m not a b****.” This has been “how much can we get out of a one word joke”.

Here is Big Bill to call out Powerhouse Hobbs. Cue Hobbs, who has to beat up security, allowing Bill to hit him with a backpack. Said backpack contains a brick, a knee brace, and handcuffs. Hobbs is cuffed and beaten, with his nose busted open. Bill beats him with a chair but Hobbs gets in a low blow, setting up the belly to belly off the stage through a table.

The Don Callis Family has dinner at the….Don Callis Mansion? Callis tells the team to be ready for Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay and teases a new member. This was so over the top that it was funny.

International Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Shibata is challenging and Don Callis is on commentary. They go to the mat to start as Callis confirms that yes, he does think everyone else is stupid. Shibata slips out of a headscissors but can’t get in a kick to the head so they get back up. They head outside with Shibata being sent into the barricade but he cuts off a charge with a hard kick.

We take a break and come back with Shibata striking away, setting up a butterfly suplex for two. An exchange of suplexes sets up an STO to put Takeshita down and we get a double breather. Shibata grabs a choke but Takeshita reverses into a Tombstone into a wheelbarrow suplex.

Shibata pops back up for a running shot and they’re both down again. The abdominal stretch has Takeshita in trouble so Callis heads to the ring. Takeshita chokes him down but Callis grabs the foot to break up the PK. One heck of a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Takeshita one and they strike it out, only for Raging Fire to retain the title at 13:32.

Rating: B+. I got way into this one and it was a heck of a main event. They were beating each other up and while I didn’t think Shibata was going to win the title, he put in an awesome effort in defeat. This is one of those matches where there isn’t much else to say other than it was really good and is worth a look if you get the chance.

Overall Rating: B-. As tends to be the case with a lot of Collisions, there is a really good hour long show in here but instead it was stretched out to two hours and brought down a lot. The issues with random people being thrown into title contention are still going strong and that is likely to be the case forever around here. Other than that, the main event is very good and the Hounds looked great, so there were definitely some big positives on this show.

Results
Samoa Joe b. Nick Wayne – MuscleBuster
Kazuchika Okada b. Komander – Rainmaker
Undisputed Kingdom b. Daniel Garcia/Angelo Parker/Matt Menard – High/Low to Parker
Hounds Of Hell b. Gates Of Agony – Cannonball/running dropkick in the corner combination to Kaun
Yuka Sakazaki b. Serena Deeb, Queen Aminata and Deonna Purrazzo – Rollup to Purrazzo
Konosuke Takeshita b. Katsuyori Shibata – Raging Fire

 

 

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Dynamite – December 25, 2025: Wrapping It Up

Dynamite
Date: December 25, 2024
Location: Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, New York
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

It’s time for the end of the Continental Classic and that means we have a bunch of matches to wrap up the whole thing. In this case we have to get ready for Saturday’s Worlds End pay per view, so the rest of the show is going to need some more time as well. Granted nothing has come close to receiving the focus of the tournament so there is a lot to cover here. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Continental Classic Gold League: Will Ospreay (6 points) vs. Brody King (6 points)

The loser is eliminated. King powers him into the corner to start and easily blocks a hurricanrana attempt. A shoulder drops Ospreay but he gets the knees up to stop a backsplash. The Ganso Bomb is blocked as well and they head outside, with King hammering away to take back over. Back in and we hit the neck crank for a bit before they slug it out. Ospreay goes down again and we take a break.

Back with King grabbing a release fisherman’s suplex but getting knocked to the floor for a corkscrew moonsault. Back in and King backdrops his way out of something before shrugging off some chops. The Cannonball in the corner gets two but Ospreay gets up to chop it out again. Shockingly this goes to King but Ospreay scores with a headbutt. Some Kawada Kicks into a Styles Clash get two on King but he blasts Ospreay with a clothesline for two of his own. Ospreay forearms him into the Hidden Blade for two, followed by Stormbreaker for the win at 15:29.

Rating: B+. These guys beat the heck out of each other and that’s what you need in a match like this one. Ospreay was wrestling more like a superhero again instead of whatever he’s been doing recently and that was great to see. It’s a shame to see King lose again, but dang I’ve missed this Ospreay and hopefully he can make a deep run in the tournament, if not outright win it, to get out of his up and down stretch. Heck of a match here.

Gold League Standings

Claudio Castagnoli – 9 points (1 match remaining)
Ricochet – 9 points (1 match remaining)
Will Ospreay – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Darby Allin – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Brody King – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Komander – 0 points (1 match remaining)

The Hurt Syndicate is banned from the building, as per Christopher Daniels, for Shelton Benjamin’s match. Oddly they agree out of respect for…Renee Paquette?

Continental Classic Gold League: Darby Allin (6 points) vs. Ricochet (9 points)

Allin chills in the corner to start and Ricochet gets annoyed before they grapple around for a bit. Allin’s shoulder puts him down but Ricochet nips up, where Allin grabs a headlock. They go into the corner where Ricochet hits a right hand and we take a break. Back with Ricochet messing with the toilet paper and dropping Allin again.

A springboard clothesline into a Lionsault hits Allin but it’s too early for the 450. Allin rolls him up for two and sends him outside, where it’s time for a table, despite a table having nothing to do with this match. Ricochet’s 630 seconds Allin through the table and the referee is just fine with this happening.

We take another break and come back with Ricochet hitting a springboard double stomp. Allin forearms him on the top and hits a super Code Red, followed by a regular Code Red for two of his own. Ricochet sends the bad ribs into the ropes but misses a springboard 450. Allin grabs a Fujiwara armbar and cranks o the other arm as well but Ricochet makes the rope. A Scorpion Death Drop hits Ricochet and Allin adds the Coffin Drop but time expires at 19:57 (close enough), which is enough for Ricochet to advance to the semifinals.

Rating: B-. So one of the whole points of the tournament is not having interference so there is no way to have the referee distracted for the table spot. Well then maybe don’t do the table spot. Shocking idea I know but anyway, the rest of the match was fine enough, with Allin surviving against the crazy athlete despite the bad ribs. Just cut out the unnecessary table deal, which didn’t really make a significant impact.

Gold League Standing

Ricochet – 10 points (0 matches remaining)
Claudio Castagnoli – 9 points (1 match remaining)
Will Ospreay – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Darby Allin – 7 points (0 matches remaining)
Brody King – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Komander – 0 points (1 match remaining)

Jay White is ready to win the AEW World Title.

Continental Classic Gold League: Komander (0 points) vs. Claudio Castagnoli (9 points)

Komander’s newly won ROH TV Title isn’t on the line. Castagnoli strikes away to start and grabs a delayed suplex. The neck crank goes on as Schiavone rapid fires upcoming shows and on-sale dates. A super gutbuster gives Castagnoli two and a jumping double stomp gets the same. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Komander switches up into an electric chair, where they crash over the top and out to the floor.

Komander stays on his shoulders, at least until Castagnoli sends him face first into the apron. Back up and Komander hits a running flip dive to the floor, followed by a running faceplant back inside. Castagnoli crotches him on top and hits a big boot out to the floor, where Komander finds some brass knuckles. A right hand knocks Castagnoli silly and Cielito Lindo pins him at 7:37.

Rating: C+. What a heroic way to win! As usual, the Death Riders look strong even in defeat, with Komander doing quite the random heinous act of violence to win a match that means very little to him. I do like Komander winning his first match since becoming champion, but he couldn’t win with a rollup here to actually make him look good as opposed to a cheater?

Gold League Standings

Ricochet – 10 points (0 matches remaining)
Claudio Castagnoli – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Will Ospreay – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Darby Allin – 7 points (0 matches remaining)
Brody King – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
Komander – 3 points (0 matches remaining)

Post match the Death Riders run out to wreck Komander but Orange Cassidy and Jay White come in for the save. Then Jon Moxley beats them both down and says neither of them will get close to the World Title. Hangman Page comes in and Moxley is finally beaten down, leaving the other three to argue over the briefcase.

Video on Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander.

Continental Classic: Kazuchika Okada (7 points) vs. Shelton Benjamin (6 points)

They start slowly with Okada taking him up against the ropes for the slaps to the chest. Benjamin is back up and Okada bails out to the floor, where he catches Benjamin with a DDT. Back in and a super hiptoss gives Benjamin two and we take a break. We come back with Benjamin winning an exchange of forearms but getting caught with a DDT.

An ankle lock slows Okada down but he escapes into the cobra clutch. With that broken up, Okada hits the White Noise onto the knee before they exchange rolling German suplexes. The Rainmaker is countered into Paydirt but the exploder is countered into the Rainmaker to give Okada the pin at 12:35.

Rating: B-. Another good match here with Okada getting his win and likely going on to the next round. It’s nice to see Okada having some bigger and better matches, though that is going to have to continue long term. Benjamin continues to be rather excellent in AEW as a much more serious star who can work with anyone. That’s better than he had been used in WWE and it’s hard to fathom how they couldn’t find a better use for him.

Blue League Standings

Kazuchika Okada – 10 points (0 matches remaining)
Kyle Fletcher – 9 points (1 match remaining)
Mark Briscoe – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Daniel Garcia – 7 points (1 match remaining)
Shelton Benjamin – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
The Beast Mortos – 0 points (0 matches remaining)

Post match Okada teases flipping him off but shakes his hand.

Swerve Strickland wants to step up in 2025 but Ricochet interrupts, saying he’s going on to Worlds End. Strickland tells him to not screw it up.

We get a New York Minute with Chris Jericho and the Learning Tree, where he accepts Anthony Bowens’ challenge for Rampage.

Toni Storm vs. Taya Valkyrie

Deonna Purrazzo is here with Valkyrie, who strikes away to start as the fans declare Storm a rookie. Valkyrie’s running knees in the corner get two but Storm fights up with a clothesline. That earns her a leg wrap around the ring to put Valkyrie in control again as we take a break. Back with Valkyrie kneeing her way out of the corner and hitting a clothesline. Storm hammers away and scores with a hip attack but Storm Zero is blocked. Valkyrie yells at her a lot but gets small packaged to give Storm the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C. It’s still weird to see Storm as a rookie who can’t remember knowing anyone in her history. I’m not sure where that is going to lead, but there is still the chance that it is little more than a big mind game. That would make more sense, though I could go for more of the traditional Storm for a long time.

Video on MJF vs. Adam Cole.

Christopher Daniels interrupts Hangman Page, who isn’t interested in Daniels’ offers of help. Daniels knows what it’s like to be alone, but if Page needs a friend at Worlds End, he’ll be there.

Continental Classic Blue League: Daniel Garcia (7 points) vs. Kyle Fletcher (9 points)

Non-title, Garcia advances with a win, Fletcher advances with a win or a draw. They fight over a lockup to start with Fletcher powering him into the corner. Garcia slips out of a slam attempt though and hammers away, only to be sent outside. Fletcher follows him out and hammers away before powerbombing Garcia onto the apron.

We take a break and come back with Garcia hitting some clotheslines and sending Fletcher crashing out to the floor. Back in and Garcia hits a hanging swinging neckbreaker but Fletcher hits a running boot in the corner. They go out to the apron where Fletcher hits a DDT, followed by a sitout powerbomb for two. A brainbuster gets two more and Fletcher takes them up top, where Garcia reverses into….something for a double crash. Garcia’s Sharpshooter is broken up and Fletcher takes him into the corner for the brainbuster onto the buckle for the pin at 15:06.

Rating: B-. The mega push of Fletcher continues and this should set him up for a rematch with Will Ospreay at Worlds End. I’m not sure that is going to mean for Fletcher, but he is certainly getting a chance to show what he can do. Other than that, Garcia loses again and hopefully that means he’ll have some title defenses coming up, as he’s lost a few matches as champion in the tournament.

Blue League Standings

Kyle Fletcher – 12 points (0 matches remaining)
Kyle Fletcher – 9 points (1 match remaining)
Mark Briscoe – 9 points (0 matches remaining)
Daniel Garcia – 7 points (0 matches remaining)
Shelton Benjamin – 6 points (0 matches remaining)
The Beast Mortos – 0 points (0 matches remaining)

So the semifinals are Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher and Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada. Therefore, Ospreay comes out for the staredown.

Worlds End rundown.

Jon Moxley is ready to end things at Worlds End and if you are not willing to sacrifice when he will sacrifice you. And he’s a king.

Overall Rating: B. This show is going to depend on what you think of the Continental Classic, because the vast majority of the show was focused on the tournament. Other than the Death Riders/Page and company segment, the first hour and fifteen minutes was almost entirely built around the Continental Classic. It does help that the show was on Christmas night, but dang that is a lot of focus on a tournament for a midcard title while some things on the pay per view were entirely ignored. I’m not sure what AEW is going to have planned for the shows after the tournament is over, but we’ll be finding out rather quickly.

Results
Will Ospreay b. Brody King – Stormbreaker
Darby Allin vs. Ricochet went to a time limit draw
Komander b. Claudio Castagnoli – Cielito Lindo
Kazuchika Okada b. Shelton Benjamin – Rainmaker
Toni Storm b. Taya Valkyrie – Small package

 

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Rampage – December 13, 2024: Not Even One?

Rampage
Date: December 13, 2024
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Excalibur, Matt Menard, Tony Schiavone

We’re just over two weeks away from Worlds End and that means it is time to firm up the card a bit more. Oddly enough we don’t have any Continental Classic matches scheduled for this week, as instead we are getting a Final Battle preview with Matt Cardona facing Bryan Keith. Also, Toni Storm is back, as she is returning to the ring on Rampage for some reason. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Matt Cardona vs. Bryan Keith

Chris Jericho is on commentary. Cardona knocks him to the apron to start and then grabs a headlock to put Keith down. A corner clothesline sends Keith outside with Cardona hitting a dive. Keith manages to send him into the steps for a needed breather, followed by a neck crank back inside.

Cardona fights up and is quickly kicked in the head for his efforts. We take a break and come back with Cardona pulling him off the buckle, setting up a quick faceplant. The running boot in the corner gives Cardona two but Keith is back with a Rock Bottom for two of his own. Back up and a quick Radio Silence finishes for Cardona at 10:56.

Rating: C. Nothing much to see here as this was about giving Cardona a win. You know, because he didn’t have one around here in a long time before he is getting a title shot on pay per view in a week. That’s what you have to do to build up the title match, but it was just a generic Cardona match, which isn’t making me want to see Final Battle.

Toni Storm vs. Harley Cameron

Storm is no longer Timeless. They trade headlocks to start and Storm nails a running big boot to take Cameron down. Some right hands in the corner have Cameron in trouble as Excalibur ignores the match to run down the card for other shows. We take a break and come back with Storm fighting out of a chinlock and hitting some running shoulders. That means it’s time to ignore the match again to talk about upcoming shows but Storm’s chokebomb brings Excalibur back to paying attention. Storm Zero finishes Cameron at 7:28.

Rating: C+. So not only is Storm back in pretty much a nothing match on the least important of the weekly shows, but almost half of the match was spent on a commercial and a good chunk of the commentary was focusing on other things. This wasn’t exactly a big showcase for Storm, which is annoying given how big of a deal her return was on Dynamite. I could go for more of these two, but Cameron is likely going to be kept in comedy bits, which might not be a bad idea.

Previous for Brody King vs. Komander in the Continental Classic next week.

Deonna Purrazzo vs. Shazza McKenzie

McKenzie grabs a rollup to start and hits a knee to the face but takes too time going up. Purrazzo pulls her into the Tree of Woe for a running shoulder to the ribs. A powerbomb into a Fujiwara armbar finishes McKenzie at 1:25.

Kris Statlander is ready to move forward after her match with Mercedes Mone. She’s still coming for the title.

Here is the Don Callis Family, with Callis yelling about how they’re in the getting over and making money business. Callis brags about Kyle Fletcher taking out Will Ospreay and then Kazuchika Okada. And that’s that.

Don Callis Family vs. Powerhouse Hobbs/Mark Davis

Callis is on commentary as Archer and Hobbs slug it out to start. Some running clotheslines in the corner have Archer in trouble before a double shoulder takes him down. Archer gets in a running clothesline though and we take a break. Back with Davis fighting his way out of the corner but Archer cuts off the tag attempt.

Takeshita muscles Davis up for a suplex but he punches his way to freedom. Hobbs comes in to clean house, only to get dropped by the running knee. Everything breaks down and the Tower Of Doom leaves everyone down. Hobbs takes the straps down but gets kicked in the face, setting up a chokeslam to give Archer two. Hobbs drops Archer in a hurry though and hits the spinebuster for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B-. It picked up at the end and it was nice to see Hobbs get a pin after coming back. That’s what he needs to help reestablish himself after being gone for so long. Davis is still just kind of there because he was involved with Fletcher before. I’m not sure I can see that being a good long term story, but there might be a spot for Davis elsewhere on the roster.

Hobbs holds up the International Title to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Pretty nothing show here without even as much as a Continental Classic match. That doesn’t make for the most interesting show and there wasn’t much of importance going on anyway. The opener set up the main event of an ROH show, Storm’s match was pretty much nothing, Purrazzo won a squash, and the main event likely set up a midcard title match. That’s not much of an hour, and while the show wasn’t bad, it isn’t something worth the time to see.

Results
Matt Cardona b. Bryan Keith – Radio Silence
Toni Storm b. Harley Cameron – Storm Zero
Deonna Purrazzo b. Shazza McKenzie – Fujiwara armbar
Powerhouse Hobbs/Mark Davis b. Don Callis Family – Spinebuster to Archer

 

 

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