Ring Of Honor
Date: September 18, 2025
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s another week of the show and we’re back to a regular edition after last year’s Action Dean edition. That means we should be back to the same style that we tend to get around here and hopefully the action is there to back it up. At the same time, it would be nice to see some bigger storyline developments. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Mistico vs. Mansoor

The rest of MxM TV is here with Mansoor, who kicks him down to start, followed by a running shoulder. Mistico is right back with a running hurricanrana to take over. Hold on though as Mansoor claims a cheap shot from Alex Abrahantes, allowing him to jump Mistico and take over again. Mansoor misses a moonsault though and Mistico powerslams him down for two. Taya Valkyrie gets caught interfering and Mistico fights back with a kick to the face. A springboard high crossbody into La Mistica finishes Mansoor at 5:22.

Rating: C+. Mistico is set for a big title match against MJF in CMLL this week and this is his last boost up before the show. At the same time, I’m not sure how much that really matters as this match was barely (if at all) advertised in advance and it’s not like Mansoor means much. I’m still not sure why you would waste Mistico like this, but it’s what they keep doing.

We recap the Women’s Pure Rules Title tournament.

Olympia vs. Viva Van

Pure Rules. Olympia hits a clothesline to start and adds a basement dropkick but Van knocks her into the corner. That’s broken up and Van is back with a slingshot Bronco Buster for two. Van gets in another running shot but Olympia is back with a fireman’s carry and does some squats. That’s escaped as well and Van hits a springboard crossbody. Olympia is right back up with a German suplex into a swinging Side Effect for the pin at 4:49.

Rating: C-. Olympia was impressive here, but there was zero reason for this to be a Pure Rules match other than getting to say it was a special match. There wasn’t even a rope break here, which is often the big focal point of the Pure Rules. We’re getting a lot more of these things and it still feels like they’re just trying to validate having another title that doesn’t need to be around.

Alan Angels vs. The Beast Mortos

Angels actually drops him with a quick dropkick and kicks Mortos out to the floor. A suicide dive connects as well but Mortos is back in with a backbreaker. The Samoan drop finishes for Mortos at 1:52.

MJF’s Abraham Lincoln looking associate threatens MJF in English and Spanish.

Matt Mako vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Pure Rules. Shibata works on the wrist to start and pulls him down into an armbar. The cross armbreaker is switched into a Figure Four, which Mako turns over, but Shibata turns it right back over. The first rope break gets Mako out of trouble so it’s back to the armbar, with Mako’s attempt at a counter getting pulled into a triangle choke. That’s escaped as well and Mako kicks him into a suplex for two. Mako’s choke is countered into a legbar, with Mako going to the second rope. Another legbar makes Mako use his final rope break so Shibata sleepers him into the PK for the win at 7:27.

Rating: C. At least they seemed to understand what kind of match they were having. At the same time, this was another match that felt like it was tacked onto the card for the sake of putting people on the show. Shibata has nothing going on in Ring Of Honor but here he is anyway, doing just about the same thing he always does.

Respect is shown post match.

We look at the Premiere Athletes’ contingency plan, who will join them in the ring next week.

Death Riders vs. Aleah James/Man Like Dereiss

James is sent outside, leaving Yuta to take over on Dereiss. That’s broken up and Dereiss gets to stomp away in the corner. It’s off to the women, with Shafir kicking James down without much trouble. James snaps off a headscissors but Shafir ties up all of her limbs in quite the painful visual.

James gets thrown down again so it’s off to Dereiss for a 619 to Yuta, who kicks Dereiss in the head. Dereiss ducks a clothesline though and comes back with a jumping cutter. A high crossbody gives James two on Shafir, who judo throws her down into Mother’s Milk to make James tap at 5:22.

Rating: C. The Death Riders showing up to wreck people on here isn’t exactly interesting but at least they’re important on another show. At the same time, it would be nice to see Dereiss used for something better than a way to make Yuta look good. He’s a talented star but he didn’t get to show much of that here for the sake of the Death Riders.

Lance Archer beats up various people backstage, including Beef.

The Frat House do frat things.

Satnam Singh vs. CPA

Yes he’s a wrestling accountant. For some reason CPA goes for the leg and loses his tie as a result. Singh finishes with a chokeslam at 1:07.

We go to QTV, where the cast is a bit confused about QT Marshall’s match with Paul Walter Hauser. He’s also not sure what is up with the Costco Guys.

Yuka Sakazaki vs. Janai Kai

Pure Rules. Again. The grappling doesn’t go anywhere to start and they trade armdrags. Sakazaki sends her outside for a dive but Kai nails a big kick to the head back inside. Kai grabs a dragon sleeper and Sakazaki has to use her first rope break. A running hurricanrana and dropkick put Kai down and Sakazaki’s spinning hammerlock slam finishes at 4:42.

Rating: C. Yeah it’s another one, as we have Sakazaki in the tournament so she needs to beat someone who isn’t around very often in a Pure Rules match. It’s still not a particularly good match as they barely had time to do anything and the Pure Rules didn’t change anything. Why should that matter though when we have another tournament for a new title? That’s what matters most right?

Shane Taylor Promotions wants competition.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: Kingdom/AR Fox vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Fox and the Kingdom are challenging and they’ve at least won a match as a trio before. The champs clear the ring to start until Bennett gets caught in the corner for some running forearms from the Infantry. The chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s off to Taylor for a loud chop in the corner.

Bennett fights out of trouble and shrugs off a knee, setting up a bit clothesline to put Taylor down. Taven comes in to clean house but misses the Lionsault. Fox is in with a spinning suplex, followed by Taven and Fox hitting big dives to the floor. Back in and Rockstar Supernova into a 450 gets two on Bravo with Dean making the save. Taylor knees Fox into the double stomp to give Bravo the pin to retain at 6:38.

Rating: C+. That’s one of the best parts of the show, as if nothing else it had something of a story to build upon and that helped. Fox and the Kingdom worked well together, though it still only means so much when they’ve barely teamed up before. At least it wasn’t more Pure Rules for a change.

Overall Rating: D+. This was the latest edition of Ring Of Honor where they threw a bunch of matches out there and tried to act like there was some reason to have them out there. Instead, it was a bunch of people having matches which mean very little, with a big focus on the Pure Rules stuff. As in the tournament that took months to be set up, started, and is now getting what feel like preview matches because we have to stretch this out longer and longer. Just more matches to fill in time that doesn’t need to be done and that’s going to be the case most of the time.

Results
Mistico b. Mansoor – La Mistica
Olympia b. Viva Van – Swinging Side Effect
The Beast Mortos b. Alan Angels – Samoan drop
Katsuyori Shibata b. Matt Mako – PK
Death Riders b. Aleah James/Man Like Dereiss – Mother’s Milk to James
Satnam Singh b. CPA – Chokeslam
Yuka Sakazaki b. Janai Kai – Spinning hammerlock slam
Shane Taylor Promotions b. AR Fox/Kingdom – Double stomp to Bravo

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: September 5, 2025
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s a special bonus show, because we didn’t get enough matches on this week’s regular show. The advertised card features eleven matches, making it a good deal longer than yesterday’s episode. I’m not sure how well that is going to go, but hopefully it’s more interesting than what we usually get. Let’s get to it.

Here are this week’s edition if you need a recap.

We open with a Death Before Dishonor recap.

Opening sequence.

Frat House vs. AR Fox/Kingdom

The Frat House pose on the floor and get taken down by some dives because Taven and Fox don’t like toasts. We start with Taven dropkicking Vance but Jakked Jameson offers a distraction, allowing Garrison to get in a cheap shot. Fox’s dive is pulled out of the air and he gets sent into the barricade, leaving Taven to get caught in a delayed suplex.

Taven manages an enziguri and brings Fox in to pick up the pace. The skin the cat dropkick sets up a cutter to Vance, followed by a flipping stomp and flipping dive. Bennett comes in and gets dropped with a discus lariat as everything breaks down. Karter misses a 450 though and Rockstar Supernova into the 450 gives Fox the pin at 7:51.

Rating: B-. Hot match to start here with a bunch of people flying around and doing their thing to get the show going. I’m not sure I can imagine Fox and the Kingdom going after the Six Man Tag Team Titles, but at least there’s a chance of something happening. Just get something happening with the titles already.

At Death Before Dishonor, Shane Taylor Promotions are happy with winning the Six Man Tag Team Titles. This might mean more if they didn’t lose so frequently in AEW/ROH but it’s still better than the Sons Of Texas. I think.

Premiere Athletes vs. Spanish Announce Project

In case you needed to know the most Ring Of Honor match possible. Before the match, Mark Sterling says he’s injured but has a contingency plan. Nese takes over on Angelico to start but they roll around a bit until Angelico snaps off a dropkick. Serpentico comes in and gets hiptossed onto Nese, followed by a falling splash for two. It’s off to Daivari, who chokes Serpentico on the ropes, which allows Nese to…well do the exact same thing actually.

Nese misses a triangle moonsault though and Serpentico rolls away, allowing the needed tag to Angelico. A kick to the head gets two on Daivari and a Downward Spiral into the Swanton gets two. Sliced Bread gets two more on Daivari but Sterling gets on the apron. Cue a rather tall woman to chokeslam Serpentico so Daivari can get the pin at 7:40.

Rating: C+. This is one of those matches where it’s hard to imagine that this is going to mean much. I like the idea of the Athletes having their version of Chyna, as it’s something that could suit them well. At the same time, this match couldn’t feel much less important given what these teams have meant over the years.

Post match Sterling announces the woman (who is a good 3-4 inches taller than the Athletes) is the contingency plan.

Rachael Ellering vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Pure Rules, but NOT a tournament match, because we need preview matches. Ellering has to burn a rope break about thirty seconds in but she’s right back with a running mare. A backsplash gets two but Ellering has to get out of a Fujiwara armbar. Another Fujiwara armbar makes Ellering use another rope break. Some forearms and a suplex get Ellering out of the armbar and Purrazzo accidentally uses a rope break to get out of an O’Connor roll. The Boss Woman Slam connects but Purrazzo is right back with the Venus de Milo for the tap at 5:13.

Rating: C. Yes, the woman in the Pure Rules tournament, who is known for her technical abilities, beat someone who…well isn’t either of those things. Why this match needed to be on this show rather than another part of the tournament is beyond me, but at least Purrazzo won in fairly convincing fashion. Now just do the tournament already so the title can almost never be defended.

Post match Trish Adora comes out to stare down Purrazzo (who she’s facing in the tournament).

Trish Adora vs. Ashley Vox

Pure Rules and Adora uses a rope break less than thirty seconds in. Adora works on the arm and powers Vox up, making Vox use her first rope break. A backpack Stunner sets up a double hammerlock to make Vox tap at 2:46.

Post match Adora kicks Vox outside.

The MxM Collection and Johnny TV are happy with the Seed fragrance and say you’ll be facing it when you face them.

Alex Zayne vs. Johnny TV

The MxM Collection and Taya Valkyrie are here with TV. Zayne starts fast but has a superplex attempt broken up. TV has to bail out of a springboard but settles for a running knee for two instead. Zayne is sent outside for a cheap shot from the Collection and TV powerbombs Valkyrie onto him against the apron. Back in and we hit the chinlock, followed by the Flying Chuck.

TV stops to kiss Valkyrie, which is enough of a distraction for Zayne to knock TV into the corner. The flipping faceplant gives Zayne two, with the Collection pulling TV outside. Zayne dives onto everyone but TV, who drops him with a superkick. Back in and a cutthroat driver connects for Zayne, only for Valkyrie to distract the referee. Mansoor sprays seed in Zayne’s eyes to give TV the win at 5:17.

Rating: B-. I was having a good time with this one and it’s nice to see the Collection getting to do something that ties into what they’re doing. Zayne is someone who can have an exciting match and do a bunch of cool stuff so he’s a fun addition to the show. Not exactly a lengthy classic, but it was at least a bit different.

The Premiere Athletes’ contingency plan is Story Denali and yes she’s an official member of the team.

Jordan Oliver vs. The Beast Mortos

Mortos uses the ropes to flip into a wristlock before Pouncing Oliver into the ropes. Oliver tries to strike away but Mortos flips over him and hits a headbutt for two. A dropkick to the knee gets Oliver out of trouble and he hits a springboard hurricanrana. Oliver dragon screw leg whips him out of the corner but Mortos is fine enough to hit a pop up Samoan drop. Oliver goes to the knee again and hits a slingshot stunner. Mortos is right back with a backbreaker into the spinning piledriver for the pin at 5:31.

Rating: C+. Oliver continues to be someone who could turn into a thing if he’s given the chance around here, though it depends on if he’s sticking around after the residency ends. On the other hand you have Mortos, who did his thing of running through everyone in front of him. That’s a style that works well for him, even if he’s not around very often.

The Outrunners say they’re down but not out.

LSG/Beef vs. Don Callis Family

Archer kicks Beef down to start and fires off the crossfaces in the ropes. Beef’s jabs are cut off with a crossbody and it’s off to Hechicero, with the fans approving. LSG comes in to jab away and is taken down just as fast. Hechicero’s running knee in the corner sets up a flapjack, with Beef making a failed save attempt. Hechicero powerbombs LSG for the pin at 3:27.

Rating: C. You know what I saw on Dynamite this week? A Lance Archer match. Last night on Ring Of Honor? Lance Archer having a match. Tonight? That would be Lance Archer in action. Archer isn’t someone who is going to mix it up very much in the first place and yet here we are, seeing him three times in three days. This is a prime example of how it feels like this show is just stretching to make the shows longer for the sake of more time.

We get a long video on Athena’s 1000 day reign as Women’s Champion. She deserves the praise, along with a full time spot in AEW but why do that when you can just keep doing the same stuff?

Josh Woods vs. Matt Mako

Pure Rules (again). They go to the grappling to start until Woods ties up the legs, sending Mako to the ropes. Ring announcer: “He has used his first rope break.” They go back to the mat but Mako uses a closed fist to take over. Woods slams the knee into the mat a few times and grabs the ankle lock, setting up a German suplex. Back up and Mako misses a spinwheel kick in the corner before they trade boots to the face for a double down. Woods is back up with the spinning suplex into the corner for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C+. Mako has had one match here since 2021 and this was Woods’ first match here since November. These are the people who are in the third Pure Rules match of the night. This show isn’t even trying to hide that it’s content for the sake of content against this week’s Smackdown. I get why Tony Khan would want to do that, but MAYBE PUT SOME EFFORT INTO IT FOR ONCE???

Hologram vs. Aaron Solo

They trade armdrags to start until Hologram stacks up a rollup for two. A running headscissors sends Solo outside but he’s ready before the dive. Instead they trade places and Solo hits his own dive, followed by a snap suplex back inside. An elbow to the face gives Solo two more and he’s getting rather cocky. Naturally it’s time to go for the mask, which doesn’t work, and Hologram sends him outside for the big flip dive. Back in and a hammerlock faceplant gets two but Solo drops him right back. Hologram knocks him out of the air though and the torture rack bomb finishes Solo at 7:25.

Rating: C+. Well, I’m not sure what to think of the match. It might have been as good as the match Hologram had at Death Before Dishonor but not as good as the one the next night on Collision. I’m thinking it was better than the one he had last night on Ring Of Honor, but maybe I’m getting the four matches he’s had in eight days confused. Eh either way it’s not that it matters as he wins all the time and never moves up the ladder, while people like Shane Taylor Promotions never actually win and get a title shot. Such is Ring Of Honor.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

Lee Johnson vs. Bandido

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Johnson (with Blake Christian) wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, he gets a future World Title shot. Johnson backs him into the corner to start and they head outside, with Bandido being dropped onto the apron. Back in and Johnson chops him down for a sliding forearm and two. Johnson gets two more off a belly to back suplex but Bandido is back up with a spinning high crossbody.

The X Knee is countered so Bandido runs him over. Christian blocks the 21 Plex though and Johnson gets in a kick to the face. The brainbuster gives Johnson two and they trade kicks to the face. Johnson hits the ropes but Bandido presses strong grapple and flicks the joystick to hit a pop up cutter. The X Knee finishes for Bandido at 5:28.

Rating: C+. You kind of had an idea of how this was going when the bell rang with only a few minutes left in the show. It’s nice to see Bandido get in the ring, but again it makes me wonder why Johnson is getting pinned, even by Bandido, when Swirl is supposed to be climbing the ranks. It’s not quite the same thing, but maybe protect your team a bit better?

Post match Christian runs in and hits a Lethal Injection to drop Bandido to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. It wasn’t as dull as last night’s show, but the problem here is how bleh the whole thing was. While I liked some of the action, we had three Pure Rules matches, plus people like Archer and Hologram making their third and fourth appearances in about a week. Throw in the Premiere Athletes and the Spanish Announce Project etc. and it’s just so repetitive every single time. Oh and we’ve had two shows since Death Before Dishonor in the same venue. Any sign of the new Six Man or Tag Team Champions? Of course not.

Results
AR Fox/Kingdom b. Frat House – 450 to Karter
Premiere Athletes b. Spanish Announce Project – Chokeslam to Serpentico
Deonna Purrazzo b. Rachael Ellering – Venus de Milo
Trish Adora b. Ashley Vox – Double hammerlock
Johnny TV b. Alex Zayne – Rollup
The Beast Mortos b. Jordan Oliver – Spinning piledriver
Don Callis Family b. Beef/LSG – Sitout powerbomb to LSG
Josh Woods b. Matt Mako – Spinning suplex into the corner
Hologram b. Aaron Solo – Torture rack bomb
Bandido b. Lee Johnson – X Knee

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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Death Before Dishonor 2025
Date: August 29, 2025
Location: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re back on pay per view around here and since this is Ring Of Honor, nine matches have been added to the card in the last day and a half. This includes the Tag Team and Six Man Tag Team Titles being decided as both were recently vacated. That’s in addition to the double main event of Hechicero challenging Bandido for the World Title and Athena defending the Women’s Title against Mina Shirakawa. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Jordan Oliver vs. Jay Lethal

Feeling out process to start, with Lethal rolling away and getting in a strut. Oliver takes him into the corner for some chops, followed by something like a crossbody to counter a leapfrog (that was cool). They trade some escapes in a nice sequence until Lethal gets in a suplex. Oliver sends him into the corner for a flip out to the apron, and there’s the strut. Back in and Lethal hits a superkick but the Lethal Injection is cut off. Lethal blocks a superplex but Hail To The King is countered into a crucifix for two. Back up and the Figure Four goes on in a hurry and Oliver taps at 6:57.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine warm up match for the fans, who will recognize Oliver from his time in smaller promotions while Lethal is the established veteran trying to prove he still has it. Oliver scouting a bunch of Lethal’s moves made sense but ultimately Lethal was just too much for him. Nice stuff here, with the match lasting just about the exact amount of time.

Respect is shown post match.

Zero Hour: MxM Collection vs. Dark Order vs. Frat House

Everyone has at least one second with them. Reynolds takes over on Garrison’s arm to start and it’s quickly off to Silver, with the Order getting to pose. That doesn’t work for the House, who break it up as everything breaks down into a fight on the floor. We settle down to Silver staring up at Madden but everyone jumps Silver to start the beating. Garrison comes in for two off a snap suplex as the Frat House and Collection get into it over the House’s paddle on the floor (multiple spankings ensue).

Reynolds comes in to clean house, including a running boot to put Madden on the floor. Back in and Madden grabs a kind of spinning AA for two on Reynolds. Silver is back in with a double standing Sliced Bread on the House, followed by the Spin Doctor to Madden. The Order hits their pinfall sequence on Mansoor but Johnny TV sprays his cologne into Silver’s eyes, allowing Mansoor to get the pin at 7:42.

Rating: C+. They had a lot going on here, including a bunch of comedy on the floor, but the Collection winning makes the most sense. The Order is going to be popular no matter what they do and the House are the resident morons. That leaves the Connection to be the only slightly serious group so thankfully they split the difference here and won.

Zero Hour: Ashley Vox vs. Billie Starkz

Pure Rules. Starkz wants a test of strength to start but gets pulled into a headlock for her efforts. A leglock is broken up as Vox kicks her away but Starkz is right back to sit on Vox’s back. Something like an Octopus sends Starkz over to the ropes for her first break, leaving her able to hit a nasty running Alabama Slam into the corner. Starkz hammers away in the corner but the Swanton misses, allowing Vox to grab an anklescissors. An armbar makes Starkz use another break and she hits Vox in the face for the official warning. Back up and Starkz grabs the brainbuster onto the knee for the pin at 6:24.

Rating: C. As tends to be the case, the Pure Rules aspect meant very little here, as the match could have been done pretty much exactly the same without them. I still have no idea why this thing needs a title of its own, but this wasn’t even a tournament match as we apparently needed a preview before the real thing. On top of that, Vox isn’t even a star around here so this was somehow the best they could do, which says a lot.

Zero Hour: Dralistico vs. Adam Priest vs. AR Fox vs. Angelico

For $50,000. Priest and Dralistico bail out to the floor to start, earning themselves dropkicks through the ropes. Back in and Angelico works on Angelico works on Fox’s arm before tying up Priest’s leg in a Figure Four. That’s broken up so Priest and Dralistico get in a fight of their own, only for Fox to break it up. Fox cutters both of them for a bonus and it’s time for the rather popular dives to the floor.

That’s not enough as Fox gets a running start on the barricade and jumps for a legdrop to Angelico on the apron. Back in and Priest sunset bombs Dralistico for two but Dralistico is right back with a Swanton. Priest and Dralistico chop it out until Dralistico hits a springboard Destroyer for two on Fox. Dralistico goes up and hits a super Codebreaker to Angelico for the pin at 8:27.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of thing that will almost always work as you have a bunch of talented people out there going nuts and flying around for a nice stretch. That’s all you need in a situation like this and Dralistico is certainly a surprise winner. Good match here and main event of this kind of a show, even one as packed as this one.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video talks about war and focuses on Hechicero vs. Bandido, with Mina Shirakawa vs. Athena getting a bit of time as well.

Hologram/Tomohiro Ishii vs. Premiere Athletes

Before the match, the Hologram load screen doesn’t work for some reason. Mark Sterling handles the Athletes’ entrance and wants to pay tribute to the Extreme originals, with Nese as the Human Six Pack Machine, Daivari as the Innovator Of Finance and Sterling as the King Of Law School. Eh funnier than anything else he usually says. Ishii and Daivari start things off and neither goes anywhere off an exchange of shoulders.

For some reason Daivari pokes his finger in Ishii’s face and gets it twisted, with Nese telling Daivari that he has this. A single forearm puts Daivari down and it’s off to Hologram for the standing moonsault. Nese is back up to flip away, setting up a running headscissors. Hologram dives over him and hits a Spanish Fly for two but Sterling offers a distraction. That’s enough for Hologram to get put in the wrong corner for some double teaming, with Sterling getting in a bit of choking.

Nese ties him in the ropes for a step up legdrop but Hologram flips out and hands it back to Ishii. A Saito suplex gets two on Nese and everything breaks down, with stereo German suplexes dropping the Athletes. Hologram goes up for a high crossbody to go with Ishii’s brainbuster but Nese is right back with a pumphandle piledriver. Sterling gets up but Daivari collides into him, leaving Nese to get caught with a brainbuster/spinwheel kick combination for the pin at 12:33.

Rating: C+. As usual, good enough stuff from Hologram and Ishii, but it’s just another match that could have been on any given ROH show with a bit more time than usual. That doesn’t make it interesting as there’s no story to the match and it’s just added to the show to make it longer. Either find something for Hologram to do already or stop acting like he’s some kind of phenom, because we’ve kind of covered the idea already.

We recap the Six Man Tag Team Title match, with the focus on Dustin Rhodes’ injury resulting in the titles being vacated. The Sons Of Texas are getting their shot, with Shane Taylor Promotions getting the other spot because wins and losses don’t mean much around here. Sidenote: the video makes it sound like Rhodes died saving a basket of puppies on its way to an orphanage on Christmas morning. In other words, very Ring Of Honor of them.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Sammy Guevara/Von Erichs

For the vacant titles. Guevara charges into the wrong corner to start and the beating is on but he pops up with a leg lariat. A snap suplex gives Guevara one and Ross comes in for a running boot in the corner. The Von Erichs hit some double dropkicks and Marshall powerslams Bravo for two. Dean pulls Ross to the floor though and some triple teaming has him down, meaning the Promotions get to pose together.

Dean comes in for a Bronco Buster (which Caprice dubs the BBC) before Taylor hits a hard knee to the face. The fans start with a “F*** THE COWBOYS” chant as Bravo hits a middle rope knee. Ross finally kicks Bravo away and brings Marshall in to clean house. A moonsault gives Marshall two and everything breaks down, with Guevara (wearing a cowboy hat to lean into the heat) coming back in for the brawl.

Marshall and Dean trade shots to the face but Guevara hits a high crossbody to the Infantry. A springboard clothesline hits Bravo, though the fans tell Guevara that “YOU STILL SUCK”. Guevara gets caught with a big right hand from Taylor and a double stomp from the Infantry is good for the pin and the titles at 13:04.

Rating: C+. Ok. The Promotions have never actually won a match together as a three man team coming into this and lost as recently as the special episode from two weeks ago (all three members of the team that beat them are on the show tonight), but now they’re champions. Ok, sure. They’re holding titles that would go months without being defended and Dustin Rhodes (praise be his name) couldn’t possibly have stood on the apron while his teammates lost the titles because he’s just too important for that but they are in fact champions. Ok, sure then.

Women’s Pure Wrestling Title Tournament First Round: Taya Valkyrie vs. Queen Aminata

Because this is a thing after months of nothing being said about it. Valkyrie uses a rope break about 40 seconds in to get out of an early hammerlock and then does it again a few seconds later. Aminata pulls her into the hips to the face but Valkyrie kicks her in the head. The sliding German suplex pulls her out of the ropes and Aminata’s leg is wrapped around the post.

A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Valkyrie one and she sends Aminata face first into the steps for two. The STF sends Aminata to the ropes for the first break and she’s back with some double chops. Aminata grabs a full nelson with her legs, which has Valkyrie using her last rope break. A hammerlock has Valkyrie trying the ropes to escape but instead she sends Aminata throat first into them for a more violent way out. Aminata shrugs that off, hits the headbutt and advances at 8:15.

Rating: C. So, again, the idea is that someone burns through their rope breaks because they don’t know the rules very well (yet she’s in a tournament for the title built around these rules) and then they do their regular match. I still have no idea why this needs to be a title yet here we are with a tournament four months after it was announced. And again: this is the third active women’s title in Ring Of Honor, because that’s something this place can support.

Post match Deonna Purrazzo comes out for the staredown with Aminata.

We don’t know who Sammy Guevara’s partner is going to be.

Kingdom vs. Swirl

Swirl is Blake Christian/Lee Johnson and they’re described as being “red hot”. Naturally, this is code for “they’ve lost two of their last three matches”. Swirl jumps them to start and are clotheslined out to the floor, with Taven hitting a big dive to take them out. Bennett comes in and fires off a bunch of chops in the corner but gets sent outside. Johnson drops him onto the barricade for a splash from Christian as Jay Lethal is watching backstage.

Back in and a step up enziguri connects in the corner but Bennett gets over for the tag to Taven. The Lionsault connects for two and we get a double Proton Pack to leave everyone down. Christian hits a 450 for two and Taven’s rollup with tights gets the same. The Vanilla Choke Zero has Taven in trouble until Bennett AA’s Johnson onto them for the save.

Just The Tip connects to send Christian outside but the Doomsday Device is broken up, with Bennett being dropped on the floor. Taven fights up and hits some kicks to the face, only for Christian to hit him low. The Death Valley Driver/top rope double stomp finishes Taven at 11:25.

Rating: B-. Another good match with no backstory, though the stuff about Swirl being “red hot” made me roll my eyes given their recent losses. One might wonder why a team that was “red hot” wasn’t in the match for the vacant Tag Team Titles, but I’m probably thinking about it too hard. They’re certainly pushing the Swirl as something, but I’ll believe they’re getting somewhere when I actually see it.

We recap Xelhua challenging Lee Moriarty for the TV Title. Xelhua survived the ten minute time limit in a Proving Ground match to get the shot. That’s it.

Pure Wrestling Title: Lee Moriarty vs. Xelhua

Xelhua is challenging. They lock up and go into the ropes but the referee calls it unintentional (fair) so that’s not a break. Instead Moriarty gets caught in a leglock, meaning it’s time for the first break. Moriarty’s open hand chops are blocked and Xelhua grabs an anklescissors to spin Moriarty around. Back up and they fight over a top wristlock with Moriarty getting in trouble and not knowing what to do here.

Xelhua hits him in the face for the official warning, leaving Moriarty to leapfrog the referee to hit a dropkick and take over. Moriarty starts in on the hands and Xelhua has to use his first rope break. They go outside and trade chops until Moriarty goes back to the arm. Said arm is slammed into the mat over and over until a small package gives Xelhua two. Back up and Xelhua is sent outside for a series of suicide dives, only for the third to be countered into a cross armbreaker.

That’s broken up and Moriarty snaps the arm across the top rope, followed by the Border City Stretch. Riccaboni: “This has won Moriarty dozens of matches as the Pure Champion!” No, it hasn’t. Anyway, Xelhua comes back with a suplex and a high crossbody for two, setting up a rather nasty looking headscissor armbar.

Moriarty has to use his second break but goes right back to the arm. A flapjack gives Moriarty two, with Xelhua using his final rope break. The Border City Stretch is broken up again and a hammerlock drop gives Xelhua two more. Moriarty goes to the arm again with an Octopus, followed by a Border City Stretch in the ropes (legal) to retain at 16:16.

Rating: B. This was getting into a heck of a technical exchange and that’s what can make these matches fun. When you have two people who can do this stuff, it turns into something of an art form and they were making it work here. Moriarty has been champion for over a year now and while the title could easily be dropped without losing much, he’s gotten pretty snazzy at this style.

Post match respect is shown.

We recap Paul Walter Hauser (an actor who wrestles) vs. QT Marshall. They’ve been arguing over Marshall throwing alcohol in Hauser’s (a recovering alcoholic) face and telling Hauser to stick to acting. Hauser has shown up to go after Marshall and it’s time to have a Fight Without Honor.

Paul Walter Hauser vs. QT Marshall

Fight Without Honor (basically anything goes). They stare at each other to start until Marshall grabs a front facelock. That’s reversed into a hammerlock slam as Hauser gets to show some wrestling abilities, followed by an atomic drop into a Russian legsweep. Hauser sends him outside for a flip dive, meaning it’s time to set up a table. Marshall tries to slide a chair at Hauser, who manages to duck, and suplex Marshall on the floor.

Naturally it’s time for a ladder, which is knocked back into Hauser’s face. Back in and Hauser hits a quick Flip Flop and Fly, only to get sent hard into the ladder. A catapult sends Hauser into the ladder (albeit not very hard), busting him open in the process. Marshall whips out a box full of barbed wire toys, including a baseball bat, which he rakes over Hauser’s head. The chair takes too long though and Hauser fights back, only for Aaron Solo to run in with a cheap shot for the save. The barbed wire chair to the back keeps Hauser down but he manages to backdrop Marshall to the floor.

Solo whips out some handcuffs but cue Hook to send Solo through a table. Hook chokes/drags Solo out and Hauser Regal Rolls Marshall off the apron through a ringside table. Back in and Hauser gives him a sitdown piledriver onto an open chair (that’s a new one) for two and it’s a Golden Globe to the face to drop Marshall again. The box of broken glass (because that’s a thing) is pulled out and Marshall’s Diamond Cutter attempt is countered with a toss into said glass.

An AA sends Marshall into the glass again for two and Hauser can’t believe it. Some tacks are brought in and Marshall hits a superkick, followed by a powerbomb to send him into the tacks for two more. Marshall uses a dustpan to pour glass onto another table and then grabs….a mic. Naturally the insults take too long, allowing Hauser to hit him low. Hauser goes up but gets hit low, allowing Marshall to super Diamond Cutter him through the glass covered table for the pin at 20:34.

Rating: C+. Hauser is one of the better celebrity wrestlers and he was certainly trying here, but this was more of the same stuff that has been done far too often. There’s nothing about it that stands out as the tacks, glass and barbed wire have all been done. Marshall winning is certainly odd as well, as he might be a wrestler…but he’s QT Marshall, so why would he need a win?

Post match Hauser gets the hero’s sendoff.

Tag Team Titles: Sammy Guevara/??? vs. Outrunners

For the vacant titles and Guevara’s partner is….Rush. Huh. Ok then, so I guess Guevara is a heel again. Magnum takes Guevara into the corner to start and snaps off a hiptoss so it’s off to Rush to change things up. Floyd comes in as well and we get a rather aggressive lockup, followed by an exchange of shoulders. It’s back to Magnum for a running knee lift into a belly to back suplex for two on Rush, which doesn’t sit well with him.

Guevara comes in for some double teaming of his own, allowing him to crank on Magnum’s neck in the ropes. Magnum is sent outside for a ram into the steps before Rush adds a chop so hard that makes Guevara cringe. Rush and Guevara do the Tranquilo pose and it’s Guevara coming in….as we get a WE WANT RUSH chant. Instead Guevara grabs a chinlock but Magnum suplexes his way to freedom.

Floyd gets to come in for a bunch of slams but Guevara breaks up the Mega Powers elbow. Everything breaks down and the Outrunners send them into each other, setting up the Mega Powers elbow to Rush. Total Recall hits Guevara and everyone is down again. The fans are all over Guevara again and he shoves Magnum off the top. That leaves Floyd to get caught with the Bull’s Horns into the Swanton to give Guevara the pin and the titles at 12:58.

Rating: B-. The match was ok, but it was still hard to buy the idea that the Outrunners were going to win in the first place. Even with Rush and Guevara being thrown together, they still felt like the favorites and then won the belts. At the same time, thank goodness Guevara is just a villain again, as he’s not someone who has done much in the way of good guy stuff before. Just let him be a natural jerk and go from there, which is what we’re seeing here. Oh and ACTUALLY DEFEND THE TITLES rather than just having them sit on the sidelines for such ridiculous stretches.

Post match Dralistico comes in to celebrate but the Von Erichs come in to wonder what is going on. Uh, not everyone is obsessed with Texas? The Von Erichs are quickly destroyed.

The Outrunners are depressed about their loss but Shane Taylor Promotions come in to laugh at them.

We recap Hechicero challenging Bandido for the World Title. Hechicero got the shot and has tried to unmask Bandido. And something about them fighting outside of a saloon in the old west.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Hechicero vs. Bandido

Bandido is defending and here is Don Callis for his terrible Spanish introduction (which is fairly funny). Bandido’s entrance gear is something like a half suit of armor, which is probably going far over my head. They start slowly with Bandido scoring off a quick kick to the knee. Hechicero takes him into the corner and starts in on the arm, followed by a headscissors to pull Bandido down.

Bandido is back with his own headscissors and they grapple on the mat as this is rather clean thus far. An exchange of rollups gets two each, followed by Hechicero pulling him down into a rollup. Bandido gets his own rollup for two and Hechicero bails out to the floor. Back in and Bandido flips away, only to snap off a hurricanrana. Hechicero flips out of that as well but gets sent outside, with Bandido hitting a running flipping hurricanrana.

Callis is rather nervous so Bandido flips him off, only to charge into a knee back inside. Hechicero starts going after the mask (as is required) and Bandido goes after the rather chatty Callis. That’s enough for Hechicero to get in a shot from behind and Callis is back on commentary (because we’re so lucky). Hechicero starts in on the legs and grabs a surfboard, only for Bandido to reverse into one of his own. That doesn’t last long and Bandido is knocked outside, where Hechicero sends him into the barricade.

Back in and we hit the cross armbreaker for a bit, followed by Hechicero going with straight shots to the head. Bandido pops back up with some shots of his own, followed by the spinning high crossbody. The gorilla press drops Hechicero and he goes outside for the big running dive (as the fans are VERY into this). Back in and a frog splash gives Bandido two and now it’s time to go after Hechicero’s mask.

Bandido sends him outside again but this time Hechicero is back with a ram into the apron. Naturally they climb onto the barricade with Bandido hitting a suplex and they’re both down again. They head to the apron, where Hechicero charges into a monkey flip, allowing Bandido to hit a heck of a dive from the top. Back in and Hechicero hits a top rope clothesline for two of his own so Bandido goes after the arm.

A sunset bomb to the floor is blocked so Hechicero gives him an insane spinning faceplant back to the floor (GEEZ). Back in again and Hechicero rolls him up for two but the spinning backbreaker is countered. An exchange of hard strikes to the face sets up Bandido’s poisonrana to leave both of them down.

They get up and strike it out until Bandido nails the X Knee. The 21 Plex is countered into an inverted Gory stretch, which is reversed rather quickly but Hechicero pulls him into a rocking horse. That’s broken up as well and they both fall down for a breather. The super fall away slam plants Hechicero again and the 21 Plex retains the title at 37:12.

Rating: A-. Well they certainly got some time to make this work. It was two guys beating the heck out of each other and it became a question of who was going to be able to catch the other. They weren’t so much trading near falls, but rather trying to see who was going to last longest. It’s an awesome match and they beat the fire out of each other, which made the rather long match time fly by.

We recap the main event, of Athena defending the Women’s Title. Athena is approaching 1000 days as champion and broke Shirakawa’s hand in a recent match, meaning it’s about the title and revenge.

Women’s Title: Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa

Athena, with Billie Starkz, is defending and backs Mina into the corner to start. They run the ropes until Mina drops down and dances before sending Athena out to the apron. A Russian legsweep drops Athena again and a dancing top rope knee gives Mina the same. They go outside, with Mina winning a chop off but hitting the post by mistake. Athena gets smart by crushing the hand on the steps before going after the hand back inside.

The hand is put in the corner for some rapid fire kicks. They head outside again and Athena misses a charge into the barricade, allowing Mina to come back with a backbreaker inside. Starkz offers a distraction to break up the Figure Four around the post though, only for Athena’s dive to hit Starkz by mistake. Athena is fine enough to swing Mina into the barricade but she’s fine enough to slap on a quick Figure Four back inside.

The rope gets Athena out of trouble so she snaps off a German suplex. They trade running shots for a double down before Mina wins a strike off. A big kick is reversed into a Tombstone to give Athena two, with the kickout leaving her stunned. Mina is back with a spinning DDT for two and the super Sling Blade gets the same. Athena goes to the hand to block the Glamorous Driver and grabs an Old School Expulsion of all things. The Koji Clutch is broken up and Mina grabs a spinning electric chair faceplant.

The Figure Four goes on until Athena flips it over, with Mina flipping her right back. Athena makes the rope so Mina goes up, where Athena catches her with a superplex. The leg gives out again though and Mina hits a discus forearm to the back of the head. Now the Glamorous Driver can connect for two but another attempt is countered into a cross armbreaker, allowing Athena to bite the hand. A powerbomb drops Mina again and it’s the O Face to retain the title at 26:01.

Rating: B. It’s another good match and they beat each other up with the hand vs. the leg stuff, making it a worthwhile main event. It wasn’t going to be able to hang with Bandido vs. Hechicero, but it was a very different kind of match. At the same time, I have no idea who is going to take the title from Athena, but at this point it’s hard to imagine it actually happening. That’s a good way to go, though I’m not sure it needed to go on this long. Either way, another solid match here.

Athena and Starkz are rather pleased to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. In a word, this show was frustrating. The last two matches are an outstanding one two punch and worth seeing, but the rest of the show is every Ring Of Honor problem rolled into one. You had title shots being thrown around to random people, matches being added with no stories whatsoever and a lot of stuff that could have been put on any given Ring Of Honor show.

In other words, it continues to feel like this show was booked on the back of a napkin in about five minutes with whomever happened to be available that weekend. In a week where AEW already had a six hour pay per view, having this thrown out there, with several matches having literally no build, was really tiring and I stopped caring for a good chunk of the show. Either act like Ring Of Honor matters or drop it, because this thrown together styles where wins and losses on the weekly show mean absolutely nothing is beyond annoying. As usual, the good wrestling bails them out, but that’s the extent of the positives.

Results
Jay Lethal b. Jordan Oliver – Figure Four
MxM Collection b. Dark Order and Frat House – Sunset flip to Silver
Billie Starkz b. Ashley Vox – Brainbuster onto the knee
Dralistico b. AR Fox, Angelico and Adam Priest – Top rope Codebreaker to Angelico
Hologram/Tomohiro Ishii b. Premiere Athletes – Brainbuster/spinwheel kick combination to Nese
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Sons Of Texas – Double stomp to Guevara
Queen Aminata b. Taya Valkyrie – Headbutt
Swirl b. The Kingdom – Death Valley Driver/top rope double stomp combination to Taven
Lee Moriarty b. Xelhua – Border City Stretch in the ropes
QT Marshall b. Paul Walter Hauser – Super Diamond Cutter through a glass covered table
Sammy Guevara/Rush b. Outrunners – Swanton to Floyd
Bandido b. Hechicero – 21 Plex
Athena b. Mina Shirakawa – O Face

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: July 17, 2025
Location: Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re done with Supercard Of Honor and Bandido is still World Champion, having retained the title over Konosuke Takeshita in a great match. Other than that, the Sons Of Texas and Athena retained their titles and we are likely back to the run of the mill shows around here for a good while. Let’s get to it.

Here is Supercard Of Honor if you need a recap.

We actually see commentary so you know we’re taped from something special.

We get a quick recap of Supercard Of Honor’s results and preview tonight’s show.

Lee Johnson vs. Atlantis Jr.

Blake Christian is here with Johnson. They fight over arm control to start and then trade standing switches until Atlantis grabs a headscissors. Johnson is sent outside so the big dive takes him out again. Back in and Johnson gets him in the ropes, with Christian running in for a sliding German suplex. The chinlock doesn’t last long but Atlantis misses his frog splash. A Death Valley Driver gives Johnson two but he can’t hit a powerbomb. Atlantis hits a Canadian Destroyer and the frog splash for the pin at 6:35.

Rating: C+. As usual, the in-ring side of things is not the issue for Atlantis, who can do well against anyone. The issue is more that he’s only so interesting, which was the case here. The match was perfectly fine enough, though I’m not sure what is next for Atlantis. He’s in the middle of the clogged up midcard, and it’s hard to imagine that changing anytime soon.

Lee Moriarty is the longest reigning Pure Wrestling Champion ever and wants to become the face of Ring Of Honor.

We look at Mina Shirakawa winning the Interim Women’s TV Title…but then she got injured the next day. No word on what this means, but maybe we can have an Interim Interim Women’s TV Title!

Diamante vs. Maya World

Diamante snaps off a running hurricanrana to start and rakes World’s eyes across the top rope. Some more shots to the face set up a Code Red to finish World at 1:56. Just a squash.

We get an ad for Seed, the MxM Collection perfume.

Athena is ready to be the AEW Women’s World Champion.

We look at Dustin Rhodes becoming a triple champion at Supercard Of Honor, with a look at his quest to win the TNT Title over the years.

Rhodes can’t believe he won and his dad taught him to always keep going. He wants to carry the title for as long as he can. This was a rather humble promo.

Jay Lethal vs. Michael Oku

Amira is here with Oku, whose Rev Pro Title isn’t on the line. Oku wins a wrestle off to start and Lethal isn’t sure about this. Back up and they lock hands for some big forearms. Lethal snaps off a suplex but the Lethal Injection is countered with a hurricanrana. They head to the apron, where Lethal gets backdropped out to the floor. Oku hits a triangle dropkick, which is one of Lethal’s moves, for a nice touch. Back in and Lethal grabs a pair of cutters, setting up the Lethal Injection for the fast pin at 5:47.

Rating: C+. I’m still not sure I get the appeal of Oku, but this seems like the latest attempt to push Lethal a bit around here. He certainly has the pedigree to be in the spot, but he’s also only so interesting. That’s a recurring issue in Ring Of Honor, but there are worse choices than Lethal.

Respect is show post match.

The Frat House is upset at losing at Supercard Of Honor but they go to the bar anyway.

We look at Bandido retaining the World Title and Hechicero seeming to step up next after the match.

Hechicero vs. Angelico

Rocky Romero and Serpentico are here too. Hechicero wins a wrestle off to start and blocks a snap off the arm. Angelico takes him down by the leg and does his dance, earning himself a choke in the ropes. Hechicero goes up but gets kicked out of the air for a big crash. Back up and Angelico strikes away and grabs la majistral for two. A lifting Downward Spiral gives Angelico two but Romero’s distraction lets Hechicero hit a DDT. The spinning backbreaker finishes for Hechicero at 6:24.

Rating: C+. Another fine match here but it only had so much time. They wanted to make Hechicero feel like a big deal here and a threat to Bandido, but there is only so much to be gotten out of beating Angelico. Odds are Hechicero gets the title shot at Death Before Dishonor though so he needs the build as fast as it can be done.

Post match the beatdown is on but Hologram makes the save to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Perfectly fine show, which again is made better by the shorter run time. Ring Of Honor had a bad habit of stretching the show out longer and having so much filler, but the 45ish minute run time is pretty much the perfect fit. They have enough action to keep you engaged without realizing how low level a lot of this stuff can be. Nice follow up show here, which is a good thing to see.

Results
Atlantis Jr. b. Lee Johnson – Frog splash
Diamante b. Maya World – Code Red
Jay Lethal b. Michael Oku – Lethal Injection

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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Supercard Of Honor 2025
Date: July 11, 2025
Location: Esports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s time for the first major show of the year and that means we have a few big matches already set. In this case, we have Bandido defending the World Title against Konosuke Takeshita in what should be a heck of a showdown. Other than that, there are some matches being added today so some of this will be a surprise. Let’s get to it.

We run down the card.

Zero Hour: Blake Christian vs. Jay Lethal

Lee Johnson is here with Christian. Lethal goes after him to start but Christian flips to his feet for a strut. After some applauding, Lethal flips away as well and gets in a strut of his own. Lethal can’t get a Figure Four so Johnson offers a distraction, earning himself a suicide dive. Christian hits a suicide dive of his own before starting to work on the arm. Back in and Christian’s strutting Old School is broken up and the Lethal Combination brings him down.

Lethal goes for the leg and grabs a Figure Four, sending Christian straight to the ropes. The Lethal Injection is blocked and Christian is back with a running Spanish Fly. A Swanton misses and banged up the knee again, allowing Lethal to kick the leg out. Something like a reverse powerbomb plants Christian but Johnson offers another distraction. Christian’s bad leg is fine enough to run the ropes for something like a superplex into the Vanilla Choke for the tap at 8:10.

Rating: C. I guess we really are going with Christian as a thing, which isn’t exactly the most thrilling way to go. At the end of the day, Christian is one of a bunch of guys in the midcard on both rosters and that isn’t going to give me much of a reason to believe he’ll pull it off. At least they’re trying and he’s different enough though so it’s worth a try, in theory.

We recap the Dark Order vs. the Frat House, who have been feuding for a few weeks now, with the Order making them pay a big bar tap. It’s a match with an actual story and that’s better than nothing.

Zero Hour: Dark Order vs. Frat House

The Order beats up the pledges on the way to the ring and then jump the Frat House to start fast. The Frat House is knocked outside and Reynolds is backdropped onto the pile. Back in and Garrison starts to take over on Reynolds, followed by some running boots in the corner for two. Stomping in the corner and a slam get two more but Reynolds backflips out of a double belly to back suplex.

A DDT allows the tag off to Uno so house can be cleaned as everything breaks down. Uno gets spinebustered into a 450 for two but he neckbreakers his way out of trouble. The tag brings in Silver for the triple flipping slam, only for Jacked Jameson to break up the pin. Jameson is ejected but Preston Vance gets in a shot with the paddle. Cue Negative One for a distraction though, allowing the Order to fight up. Uno’s discus lariat finishes Vance off at 10:29.

Rating: C+. This is the definition of a goofy, give the fans something fun match and that’s not a bad thing on a Kickoff show. Let the annoying team lose a match, with the glorified mascot costing them the fall. It’s a fine way to go and nothing was overly bad, so call this a perfectly acceptable offering.

Taya Valkyrie, Johnny TV and the MxM Collection are here, with TV wanting the Collection to receive a welcome back from Japan. They even got Ribera jackets! They also have their own fragrance called SEED (“Let it grow inside you!”). And that’s that.

Zero Hour: Lady Frost vs. Diamante

Diamante shakes her hand to start and then hits a forearm to the face to start fast. They forearm it out and Frost flips over her a few times, only to have a cartwheel cut off. The shoulders in the corner have Frost in more trouble and Diamante stomps her down. An elbow drop gives Diamante two but Frost fights back up. A twisting high crossbody gives Frost two and she flips into a slam to plant Diamante again. Diamante is able to catch her going up though and a hanging Cross Rhodes out of the corner finishes Frost at 5:57.

Rating: C. This was another match that didn’t really need to be on the show and was added with no story. That doesn’t make for the best offering but it’s the kind of thing that Ring Of Honor tends to do. Diamante has had flashes of being impressive, but it isn’t going to matter if there is no followup. That is where Ring Of Honor tends to falter, as there is every chance that Diamante won’t be featured anytime soon.

Zero Hour: Von Erichs vs. Premiere Athletes

Nese punches away at Marshall to start, earning himself a slam and elbow drop. Ross comes in to grind away with a headlock on Daivari but Nese sneaks in for a cheap shot from behind. A suplex gets Ross out of trouble but Mark Sterling offers a distraction, meaning the referee doesn’t see the tag. Ross’ rollup gets a VERY delayed two as the referee is trying to gets Marshall back on the apron.

Marshall gets knocked off the apron again to break up another tag attempt but the Magic Carpet Splash misses. Back up and the tag goes through a few seconds later, allowing Marshall to come in and clean house. Nese’s super hurricanrana brings Marshall down so Daivari gets an actual carpet out. The Magic Carpet Splash (with CARPET) gets two, leaving Nese to walk into a pop up spinebuster for two. Ross Claws Sterling and the moonsault gives Marshall the pin on Nese at 8:40.

Rating: C. If there is some appeal to the Von Erichs, I’m not seeing it. They’re as generic of a tag team as you could get, with their only appeal seemingly being their famous relatives. They’re a perfectly mediocre team, so of course they’re approaching a year as two thirds of the Six Man Tag Team Champions. Just find someone more interesting. That shouldn’t be too difficult.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video looks at how this is the wild west, with a focus on the bigger matches.

Hechicero vs. Michael Oku

Rocky Romero and Amira are here too. They shove each other in the face to start until Oku takes him down for a headlock. That’s reversed into Hechicero’s headlock takeover but they wrestle up to another standoff. Oku hits a dropkick but Hechicero pulls him into a choke to slow Oku down again. Hechicero starts cranking on the arm, including a spinning hammerlock slam for two.

Back up and Oku slugs away, setting up a running clothesline and DDT for two. They both miss running dropkicks in the ropes though and they crash down at the same time. Hechicero is sent to the apron but he comes up choking anyway. Oku knocks him out to the floor though, followed by a frog splash high crossbody for two back inside. The half crab sends Hechicero over to the ropes and he pulls Oku into a nasty looking leglock. With that broken up, Hechicero grabs a running headscissor driver for the pin at 11:29.

Rating: B. This was the technical off that is going to be at least somewhat entertaining just about every time. Hechicero can wrestle that style as well as anyone in the world and Oku was more than hanging with him. Good opener here, and it would have been even get more than “these two are both technical wrestlers.

Atlantic Jr. vs. AR Fox vs. Adam Priest vs. Lee Johnson

The winner gets $50,000. Priest is sent outside to start fast, allowing For to give him a big dive. That leaves Fox to send Atlantis to the apron, followed by the big dive to the floor. Fox’s step up moonsault takes Priest out again but Priest cuts off another flip back inside. Johnson is back in with a basement lariat to Atlantis, who makes Johnson DDT Priest.

Back up and Priest pulls Atlantis to the floor to keep up the beating, only for Fox to be back up with a running dive. Priest DDTs Atlantis but Fox grabs a swinging neckbreaker to put Priest down. Everyone gets a breather so a bunch of them go up top. Fox gets dropped onto the turnbuckle, leaving Johnson to hit a frog splash. Priest makes the save but Fox catches him with a slingshot Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 9:15.

Rating: B-. Take four fast paced wrestlers and let them run around as fast as they can until someone gets a pin. The match isn’t likely to have any kind of long term impact but it’s a fun way to get the crowd into things. Fox specializes in this kind of match and that was the case again here, with Priest looking good in defeat.

We recap Blue Panther challenging Lee Moriarty for the Pure Wrestling Title. Panther beat him in a non-title match in Mexico so it’s time for the more important rematch.

Pure Wrestling Title: Lee Moriarty vs. Blue Panther

Panther is challenging under Pure Rules and takes Moriarty to the mat by the leg to start. They trade some arm cranking until Moriarty gets a leglock. That’s reversed into a Fujiwara armbar (how Panther beat him in Mexico), sending Moriarty to the ropes for his first break. Moriarty starts back on the arm until Panther lifts him up into an inverted Gory Stretch. That’s escaped as well and Moriarty grabs an abdominal stretch, which doesn’t last long.

Instead Moriarty pulls him into a reverse cross armbreaker, sending Panther over for his first break. Panther is right back up with a Figure Four, meaning Moriarty uses his second break. A running clothesline gives Panther two but Moriarty is back up with a springboard forearm for the same. Moriarty cranks on the arm and Panther uses his second break as well.

A pair of suicide dives drive Panther into the barricade but Moriarty isn’t interested in trying for a third. Instead he grabs the Border City Stretch, which is enough for the third rope break. Moriarty is rather pleased but Panther knocks him to the floor for a flip dive off the apron. Back in and Moriarty catches him on top for a superplex. Moriarty grabs an ankle lock and then an STF in the ropes to make Panther tap at 13:18.

Rating: B. The big deal here is that Moriarty is now the longest reigning Pure Wrestling Champion of all time, though going so long between title defenses probably made that easier. The match was rather good, especially when you consider that Panther is in his mid 60s, though the title still doesn’t feel overly important. Moriarty needs some more competition for the title, but it isn’t like there is a story to the title matches most of the time.

We recap the Tag Team Title match, with the Infantry challenging the Sons Of Texas. The Infantry earned the shot then insulted the champions so here we are.

Tag Team Titles: Infantry vs. Sons Of Texas

The Sons are defending and Trish Adora is here with the Infantry. Hold on though as we get a vignette of Sammy Guevara flying, but Dustin Rhodes wants him to be serious. Then Guevara gets him to dress like the Green Lantern and Rhodes looks like he wants to die. It’s a brawl at the bell with Rhodes and Bravo heading to the floor. All four get back inside but Adora breaks up a double Shattered Dreams.

Everything breaks down again and the champs hit running dives to the floor, setting up the double pose back inside. Back in and Guevara dropkicks Dean, allowing for some bowing. Bravo trips Guevara to the floor though as one fan in the front row insists on standing up. Guevara is put in a fireman’s carry for a face first ram into the post and it’s time to start taking turns on him in the corner.

The chinlock goes on to keep Guevara down but he’s right back up with some chops in the corner. A slingshot cutter gives Bravo two and Rhodes is knocked off the apron to avoid a quick tag. As tends to be the case, the tag goes through shortly thereafter and Rhodes gets to come in and clean house. Cross Rhodes gets two on Dean as Guevara and Bravo fight out to the floor.

Shattered Dreams hits Dean but Shane Taylor pops up for a belt shot to Rhodes. A very delayed cover gets two and the bloody Rhodes is back up for a Canadian Destroyer. Guevara hits a huge springboard moonsault to the floor to take Taylor out, followed by the Final Reckoning to Bravo. Guevara adds the Swanton to retain the titles at 15:03.

Rating: B-. As usual, the match was fine but it’s not like there is any reason to get interested in the Sons Of Texas. They’re coming up on a year as champions and while I’m sure that’s supposed to be interesting, it continues to be Rhodes getting a rather insane push all things considered. Just give us more of a division and more interesting champions. That shouldn’t be asking too much.

Post match the Infantry jumps the champs, with Anthony Ogogo coming in to…not hit Rhodes, as the Von Erichs run in for the save. Rhodes issues the challenge for an eight man tag tomorrow at All In. Note that the Six Man Champions, who have been champions since last July with three title defenses and have not defended their belts since April, will be in action together, but not in a title match.

We recap Nick Wayne vs. Titan for the TV Title. Titan went to a draw in their Proving Ground match so it’s time for the title to be on the line.

TV Title: Titan vs. Nick Wayne

Nick, with Mother Wayne, is defending. Titan jumps him with a running dropkick in the corner but Wayne is right back with a dragon screw legwhip over the ropes to slow him down. They go to the floor for another dragon screw legwhip and Titan is in early trouble. A leglock sends Titan over to the ropes but he’s able to keep his mask on in the corner. The figure four sends Titan to the ropes again as the fans sound like they’re chanting HAPPY BIRTHDAY (apparently Wayne’s birthday was yesterday, so the fans are nice but a bit tardy).

Titan is able to get back up with a running dropkick to send Wayne outside, where a dive takes him down again. They get back to the apron and chop it out, with Titan knocking him down and hitting a top rope double stomp. The knee is too banged up though and they need a breather on the ramp. Back in and the Figure Four has Titan in trouble again, only for him to make the ropes again. Titan gets up and rapid fire strikes away to leave them both down.

A springboard tornado DDT plants Wayne again and he bails to the floor. The bad knee is enough for Titan to hit a running flip dive, followed by a top rope double stomp back inside. Mother Wayne puts the foot on the rope but gets caught, which is enough for the ejection. Titan grabs something like a Muta Lock, sending Wayne over to the ropes for a change. Wayne catches him on top but gets shoved off. Cue Kip Sabian to crotch Titan on top, setting up Wayne’s World for two. The brainbuster retains the title at 16:12.

Rating: B. This was good enough, with Wayne and Titan having good chemistry together. What matters here is that they set the match up and then delivered it well enough. Wayne already has enough going on and he really doesn’t need to be the champion, but at least his matches are going well. Just find a bit more developed story for him.

Post match Christian Cage comes out to hug Wayne and the Patriarchy poses together.

Red Velvet is frustrated about her injury, but she’ll be back to show that she is the real champion when she beats the interim champion. Note that she hasn’t defended the title since April, which was her first defense since January. But we absolutely need an interim champion.

Interim Women’s TV Title: Mina Shirakawa vs. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Persephone vs. Miyu Yamashita

For the vacant title and Red Velvet is at ringside. Persephone bails to the floor to start, leaving the other three to trade headlocks. Back in and Persephone shoulders Sakazaki but has to kick away from Shirakawa’s leglock attempt. Shirakawa’s dancing is broken up as well, with Yamashita taking her place. Yamashita gets kicked out to the floor though and Shirakawa hits a dive, only for Persephone to dive onto both of them.

Sakazaki is back up with a dive of her own, followed by a missile dropkick to Persephone back inside. The Upside Down has Yamashita in trouble before she trades kicks to the head with Sakazaki. Shirakawa is back in with some kicks of her own, followed by a quick dance. Persephone breaks that up and gives Shirakawa a fall away slam for two. A top rope Sling Blade gives Shirakawa two more but Persephone floats over to hammer on Shirakawa.

Yamashita breaks that up with a kick to the face so Persephone grabs her in a bridging backslide for two more. Yamashita slips out of a Razor’s Edge and grabs a quickly broken choke, followed by some hard kicks to the head. An AA gets two with Shirakawa making the save, only to be knocked outside again. Back in and the figure four has Persephone in more trouble, so it’s Sakazaki breaking it up with the Magical Girl Splash. Sakazaki and Persephone knock each other to the floor, leaving Shirakawa to figure four Yamashita for the tap and the title at 13:45.

Rating: B-. The problem here is the match was thrown together earlier in the day, so there is only so much you can get. At the end of the day, it’s four women with no story thrown together for the sake of setting up basically the #1 contender to Red Velvet at some point in the future. It’s nice to see Shirakawa win a title, though I’m not sure if it could feel more minor.

Post match Red Velvet comes in for the staredown.

Syuri is coming. That’s a big one.

We recap Athena defending the Women’s Title against Thunder Rosa. Athena has been champion for the better part of ever and Rosa wants the title. End of build.

Women’s Title: Athena vs. Thunder Rosa

Athena, with Billie Starkz, is defending. They fight over a lockup to start and get nowhere so it’s time to fight over wrist control instead. Rosa grabs the arm and runs the corner to snap it over the top. A springboard dropkick lets Rosa crank on the arm again, which is reverses with a ram into the post. They go outside where Athena Rock Bottoms her onto the barricade to start in on the back.

A double arm crank with a knee between the shoulders has Rosa in more trouble but Athena can’t believe it when Rosa kicks out. Athena ties her up in the ropes and cranks on the neck, followed by a backsplash for a quick two. Back up and they kick it out until Rosa sends her hard into the corner. Rosa is up with a big boot and the running elbow in the corner, followed by a running basement dropkick.

A northern lights suplex gives Rosa two and they’re both down for a bit. Athena gets in a shot of her own but Rosa hurricanranas her out to the floor. That means a dive to take Athena out again and a top rope double stomp gets two back inside. Athena is ready to walk out so Billie Starkz can get in a cheap shot.

This goes rather terribly, but the distraction lets Athena powerbomb Rosa off the ramp through a table. We pause to make sure that Rosa can continue, followed by Athena hitting a backbreaker for two. Rosa catches her on top and gets a triangle choke in the corner, only for Athena to come back with a superbomb. A bow and arrow finally makes Rosa tap at 18:52.

Rating: B. That belt is going to be in Athena’s coffin at this point. There is pretty much no one left to give her a real run for her money for the title, hence bringing in people from AEW. It’s a good match, but Athena has gone so far as the champion that there might be too much pressure on whomever beats her for the title. That being said, Rosa was a good choice for the challenger, though it’s still hard to imagine Athena actually losing the thing.

All In rundown.

We recap Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita. Bandido is World Champion, Takeshita wanted a title shot, the show needed a main event.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Bandido is defending and comes out wearing an Aztec headdress, which is very clearly barely hanging on. Bandido’s wristlock doesn’t get him anywhere but the fans are rather pleased either way. They fight over wrist control and an exchange of legsweeps go to a standoff. An exchange of teased dives gives us a double gun pose before Bandido knocks him down. Bandido anklescissors him down, with even Callis having to appreciate it. Takeshita gets rolled down for a double stomp to the ribs but Bandido misses a charge into the post.

Bandido gets posted on the floor as well and Takeshita starts in on the arm. The Fujiwara armbar goes on, sending Bandido straight to the ropes. Back up and Bandido flips over him, setting up a quick dragon screw legwhip. A spinning sunset flip gives Bandido two more but Takeshita hits a Helluva Kick into a Blue Thunder Bomb for the Sami Zayn inspired inspired two. Bandido kicks him in the face but the 21 Plex is blocked, allowing Takeshita to go after the mask.

Callis comes to ringside for a distraction, meaning Bandido’s dive can hit a raised chair. The mask is partially torn and Bandido is bleeding, so Takeshita gives him a brainbuster onto the stage. Even commentary isn’t sure why Takeshita leaves him on the stage, as a countout means no title change. Bandido beats the count so Takeshita bites the cut before slapping on a chinlock. That’s only good for two arm drops though and Bandido muscles him over for a suplex.

A poisonrana sends Takeshita to the floor, meaning Bandido is right there with the running flip dive. Back in and a frog splash gives Bandido two more and they seem to mistime something, though Bandido makes a nifty save with a rollup for two. Angel’s Wings gets two and Bandido grabs Cattle Mutilation. Takeshita gets out and it’s an exchange of clotheslines for a double knockdown.

Back up and Bandido wins a slugout but the 21 Plex is blocked again. Instead it’s the X Knee into the 21 Plex for two and they’re both down for a needed breather. The super fall away slam gives Bandido two more but a shooting star press hits raised knees. Back up and Bandido hits a running superkick before taking the knee pad down. Another X Knee connects but Takeshita is back up with a kneeling tombstone. The running knee gives Takeshita two but Raging Fire is countered into a small package to retain Bandido’s title at 29:23.

Rating: A-. That lived up to the expectations, as this was the “here’s a match that is going to be great no matter what” and then they went out and nailed the whole thing. It was an awesome main event and the time didn’t feel long. Bandido gets a heck of a win under his belt and that is exactly what they were going for here. Great match and one of the best in Ring Of Honor in a long time.

Post match Hechicero comes out and seems to be the next challenger.

Overall Rating: A-. As usual, the Ring Of Honor specials are really good because they know how to do the in-ring stuff. This was built around the idea of focusing on the in-ring stuff and if you ignore the lack of build to some of these matches on the weekly show, it’s awesome stuff. The in-ring side has never been a weak spot for something from Tony Khan and that was the case again here. Awesome show and worth a look, though you can easily skip the Zero Hour as there is nothing worth the extra time on there.

Results
Blake Christian b. Jay Lethal – Vanilla Choke
Dark Order b. Frat House – Discus lariat to Vance
Diamante b. Lady Frost – Hanging Cross Rhodes
Von Erichs b. Premiere Athletes – Moonsault to Nese
Hechicero b. Michael Oku – Headscissor driver
AR Fox b. Adam Priest, Atlantis Jr. and Lee Johnson – Slingshot Canadian Destroyer to Priest
Lee Moriarty b. Blue Panther – STF in the ropes
Sons Of Texas b. Infantry – Swanton to Bravo
Nick Wayne b. Titan – Brainbuster
Mina Shirakawa b. Yuka Sakazaki, Persephone and Miyu Yamashita – Figure four to Yamashita
Athena b. Thunder Rosa – Bow and arrow
Bandido b. Konosuke Takeshita – Small package

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: 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:

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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:

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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

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: 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: June 5, 2025
Location: Masonic Temple Theater, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re getting close to Supercard Of Honor and it would be nice to see the show actually being mentioned. Nothing has been set up yet and in theory Bandido is going to need a new challenger. We might find out a thing or two for the show this week, or at least we should be. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Dulce Tormenta/Leila Grey vs. Thunder Rosa/Persephone

Grey headlocks Persephone to start before getting caught in something like a spinebuster. Rosa comes in for a splash and an Oklahoma roll gets two. Grey kicks her way out of trouble and hits a basement dropkick but Rosa dropkicks her into the corner for the tag to Tormenta. A backslide gives Persephone two and she dropkicks Tormenta into the corner.

Persephone gets low bridged to the floor to put her in trouble though and it’s back to Grey for a running knee to the face. The ensuing chinlock is broken up rather quickly and it’s back to Rosa to pick up the pace. A double stomp to the ribs sets up a seated cobra clutch to make Tormenta tap at 6:39.

Rating: C+. Perfectly fine match here with Rosa adding some star power to the show. She’s going to be a bigger deal than just about any woman not named Athena on the show so having her around is a great addition. Other than that, it was nice to not have Grey get pinned again, as that has been happening far too often as of late.

Post match respect is shown.

Earlier today, the Frat House was ready for their initiation later tonight and called Ian Riccaboni over to complain about him not speaking favorably of him. They can just go back to beating up the Dark Order though.

Here is the Frat House with their two new recruits….who they then jump.

Frat House vs. ???/???

Riccaboni makes a Mr. Hole In One Barry Darsow reference on commentary as Garrison drops one of the recruits with a clothesline. The recruit gets a boot up in the corner though and hammers away, only to get dropped again. Karter comes in but can’t get in a suplex, allowing the other recruit to come in. Everything breaks down and a running boot/flapjack combination finishes for Garrison at 2:56.

Thunder Rosa and Persephone are happy with their win and they’re ready to team up again in CMLL.

Aaron Solo vs. Wheeler Yuta

Yuta strikes away without much trouble to start but walks into a dropkick. Solo’s armbar is broken up and Yuta hits a middle rope elbow before tying up the leg. Back up and Solo bites his head and hits a dropkick, followed by a Trouble In Paradise. Yuta holds the ropes though and grabs a German suplex but Solo hits a suplex of his own. A superkick staggers Yuta again but he shrugs it off and hits the running knee for the pin at 5:31.

Rating: C. Yuta is stuck in that “you know what you’re getting” place and that is not a good sign for his future. At the end of the day, he wrestles a pretty standard style for AEW/ROH and he is only going to get so far as a result. I’m not sure how to fix that, but for now, he is going to be stuck as little more than the technically sound lackey that he has been for a good while.

Video on Bandido.

The MxM Collection is ready for Bandido to face Mansoor. He gives a speech in Spanish, with Taya Valkyrie translating, including asking for the location of the library.

Athena vs. Rachel Armstrong

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Armstrong wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Athena decks her at the bell to start fast, including the forearms in the corner. An armdrag sends Athena down though and Armstrong grabs a quick DDT. They go outside, where Athena reverses a dive to send her into the barricade. Back in and Armstrong reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. A 450 misses though and Athena grabs a sitout straitjacket powerbomb for the pin at 4:54.

Rating: C+. Yeah that’s more like it from Athena, who is at least back to add some additional star power around here. As dominant as she is, she is pretty clearly the biggest full time star on the show but she is dying for some fresh challengers. I’m not sure who that is, but at least she is back to do something for a change.

Post match Athena goes after Armstrong again but Thunder Rosa makes the save. Ok that’s at least a viable challenger.

We go to the desert where a bunch of people are staggering around…and find a peacock feather. Then a spaceship lands (just go with it) and Dalton Castle is back, telling the Boys that it’s time to go break some hearts.

Overall Rating: C+. The last minute and a half of this show made it that much better, as it’s hard to not like Castle and Athena vs. Rosa has some potential. Other than that, this show was about forty minutes long and felt a good bit more to the point than usual. They need to start the focus towards Supercard Of Honor though, and Athena vs. Rosa would do nicely as a main event. Good enough show here, but they need to get to the important stuff sooner than later.

Results
Thunder Rosa/Persephone b. Dulce Tormenta/Leila Grey – Seated cobra clutch to Tormenta
Frat House b. ???/??? – Running boot/flapjack combination
Wheeler Yuta b. Aaron Solo – Running knee
Athena b. Rachel Armstrong – Sitout straitjacket powerbomb

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