Ring Of Honor
Date: March 5, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

And then everything changed. Apparently from now on, the show is going to be taped from this studio, with multiple weeks already in the can. That could make for some better focus around here, but there is also the chance that this is going to result in the shows being even longer with more mostly tossed out there matches. We can hope for the best though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening video.

Video on Persephone.

Persephone vs. Sara Leon

Persephone grabs a headlock to start and elbows Leon in the face to put her down. Back up and Leon’s chops don’t do much good, with Persephone taking over on the arm instead. A fall away slam sets up a hammerlock but Leon manages a headscissors into the ropes. Leon German suplexes her for two but Persephone is back with a missile dropkick for the same. A Razor’s Edge doesn’t work for Persephone so she hits a spear, followed by the Razor’s Edge for the pin at 5:37.

Rating: C. Commentary kept hyping up Persephone’s shot at the CMLL Women’s Title on Friday so this was a glorified warmup match. Leon got in some offense here and did well enough, but this was all about Persephone getting ready for Mercedes Mone. Not a bad match, but pretty much the same kind of thing that you would see on any of the older shows. That’s hardly the best way to start off a new era, if if the match was ok.

Komander vs. Sidney Akeem

They take turns spinning out of wristlocks to start and we get a handshake, with Akeem pulling him into a waistlock. Akeem flips out of a sunset flip and hits a running Meteora to put Komander down. A running shooting star press gives Akeem two but Komander is back up with a spinning high crossbody for the same. Komander superkicks him to the apron, where Akeem pops up and over a baseball slide for a dive to the floor (geez). Back in and Akeem flips away from some shots but gets sent outside for a suicide dive. Cielito Lindo finishes for Komander at 5:55.

Rating: B-. The match was all over the place as Akeem continues to look like a human video game character. The kinds of things he can do in the ring are absolutely insane and while he’s hardly a top star, there is pretty much no one else who can keep up with him. It’s worth a look, especially with Komander being one of the few people close to what he can do.

Video on Bustah And The Brain (Jordan Oliver/Alec Price). They’re described as “on the rise”. Their career record in ROH/AEW: 0-5.

Top Flight vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Their respective friends are here too. Darius takes Gibson down by the arm to start and they’re quickly on the mat for a technical off. Back up and Darius hits a dropkick, meaning it’s already time for a double tag. Dante comes in for a hurricanrana to Drake, who goes to the hair to pull Dante down. It’s back to Gibson, who is taken into the wrong corner so Top Flight can pick up the pace.

Darius is back in and gets cut off on the apron, allowing Drake to elbow him in the face for two. A suplex gets Darius out of trouble and it’s back to Dante to start flipping and kicking. The springboard high crossbody gets two on Drake with Gibson making the save. Everything breaks down and Isla Dawn jumps Zayda Steel on the floor. Darius is dropped as well as Steel fights back to go after Dawn. Back in and the double underhook double DDT finishes Gibson at 9:25.

Rating: B-. Another fun match, though forgive me for not believing that these teams are on the way up the ladder. Top Flight has been around for the better part of ever and never accomplished anything of note, which is rather frustrating. The Veterans aren’t much better, but you can probably pencil in a six person tag out of this thing.

Post match Top Flight goes to leave but walk past Big Bill and Bryan Keith, apparently now known as Paid In Full.

Paid In Full vs. Darian Bengston/Kiran Grey

Keith throws his gear at Bengston to start and shoulders him down for two. Bengston’s comeback is cut out with a spinning forearm to the face and it’s off to Bill. A running splash in the corner hits Grey and Bill does it a second time for extra oomph. Back to back big boots finish Grey at 2:47. Total squash.

Video on Athena vs. Maya World, with a Proving Ground match being set for next week.

Josh Woods vs. Nathan Cruz

Pure Rules. An early cross armbreaker sends Cruz straight over to the ropes for his first break before Woods works on a hammerlock. Back up and Cruz is sent crashing out to the floor, with a suplex bringing him back inside. The armbar goes on again but this time Cruz takes him into the ropes, with Woods being pulled into them for a break. Not a Rope Break but a break. A neckbreaker puts Woods down for two and a belly to back suplex gets two. Cruz’s sleeper is countered into an armbar with Woods using his legs to make Cruz tap at 4:23.

Rating: C+. As usual, Woods looks good in these things and can do some rather impressive technical stuff, but it only gets him so far when he’s barely ever around. If nothing else, it would be nice to see him go after the Pure Rules Title, just so it can be defended in a way that isn’t “the challenger doesn’t know the rules”. That finisher certainly looked good as I can go for someone using a unique way to torture their opponent.

Tommy Billington and Adam Priest are going to get to the Swirl and Jay Lethal, but they have something else to do this week.

Tommy Billington/Adam Priest vs. Workhorsemen

Priest uppercuts Henry down to start and it’s already off to Billington. Drake breaks up a double suplex though and Billington is taken outside for a piledriver on the floor. Back in and Priest gets caught in the wrong corner. Drake gives him a suplex and it’s back to Henry for some ripping at the face. Priest escapes but Billington is still down on the floor (that’s nice to see for a change) and Drake hits Priest in the face again.

The villains take turns beating on Priest in the corner again but Billington is back in for the save. Everything breaks down and back to back dives take the Workhorsemen down on the floor. Back in and Billington manages a rollup to pin Henry (that didn’t look great as Billington seemed to let go early) at 7:45.

Rating: C+. At least Priest and Billington are getting a push and are in an actual feud. That’s a heck of a lot better than what you would get otherwise, as there is something to be said about having two wrestlers actually doing something rather than running on the treadmill that is the tag division. The Workhorsemen are good in their spots, but they’re firmly locked into those spots and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

Mina Shirakawa vs. Zayda Steel

Christopher Daniels is here with Steel. Shirakawa slides into the dance to start so Steel goes around her for a quick spank and dance of her own. Back up and Shirakawa pulls her into something of a Texas Cloverleaf and drops her into a backbreaker. The block of the Figure Four is blocked and Shirakawa gets it on, with Steel making the rope rather quickly.

A neckbreaker gives Steel two and a running knee in the corner rocks Shirakawa again. They trade the big forearms until Steel hits a running elbow against the ropes, only for Shirakawa to do the same. A missile dropkick and the top rope Sling Blade give Shirakawa two but Steel is back with a dropkick. Shirakawa just decks her with a spinning backfist though and the Figure Four finishes Steel at 7:47.

Rating: C. Hey look: Steel loses again. That’s almost all she does around here (and in AEW) and it’s getting more and more difficult to care about her. I’m not sure how many more matches she’s going to lose but odds are it’s going to be several, all while she’s “climbing the ladder” or whatever the latest term is around here.

Post match respect is shown.

Billie Starkz seems to have attacked Deonna Purrazzo and Athena says this is a message/warning to Maya World. Ignore that Purrazzo seems to be smiling her head off.

Bang Bang Gang vs. MxM Collection

Robinson sticks his finger in his nose for Mansoor’s tip to tip touch, earning himself a hair pull. An armbar puts Mansoor down and into the ropes, meaning Robinson is back up with an atomic drop. Gunn comes in and gets his eyes raked, only to hit Mansoor low. It’s off to Madden to hammer on Gunn in the corner so Robinson makes a blind tag. The Gang starts taking turns to stagger Madden, who suplexes both of them at once.

Mansoor comes in to stomp away, with Madden adding the running hips to the face. A belly to back suplex puts Gunn down and a side slam/running legdrop combination gets two. Madden misses a middle rope elbow though and it’s back to Robinson, who runs into a boot in the corner. Mansoor gets crotched on the top rope for some bouncing, with Madden hitting a double spear for the save. A double suplex drops Madden though and Mansoor gets thrown onto him. Robinson’s forward DDT finishes Mansoor at 12:01.

Rating: C+. So I guess the Gang is another team who is being added to the rotating roster around here because that’s what this place needs. Robinson is still a ball of charisma but as usual, there’s only so much that can be done with Robinson and one half of the Gunns. The team just feels like some scraps thrown together and that isn’t likely to go very far.

La Faccion Ingobernable brags about being undefeated as a tag team but they have to defend the belts. Therefore, it’s open challenge time for any former Tag Team Champions to come after the belts. And there’s the kind of thing that makes this weekly show feel useless. Commentary spends the entire show talking about how someone can win to move up in the title standings and all that, but instead it’s “anyone can come get a shot”. In other words, all of the previous matches mean nothing, because “eh screw it, open challenge time”.

Lacey Lane vs. Robyn Renegade

Renegade takes over with the power game to start so Lane does a rather springboardy wristdrag. Lane hits some running kicks in the corner but Renegade is back with a springboard stomp of all things. A sitout gordbuster gives Renegade two but Lane is back up with some running shots to the face. What looks like a Nightmare On Helm Street (which looked like it had a camera edit) gets two on Renegade, followed by something like an AA into a legdrop to finish for Lane at 5:17.

Rating: C. This was another match on a show with a lot of them. I’m really not sure what else there is to say here, as neither of these two have anything going on and it’s hard to believe that they’re going to have anything going on. Maybe Lane gets a TV Title shot or something, but it’s not like there’s any story there. That’s the problem with so many matches around here, as they’re just things that happen rather than matches that go anywhere.

Matt Menard vs. Shane Taylor vs. Lee Johnson vs. AR Fox

The winner gets an immediate title shot at a mystery championship and this is under elimination rules. Menard and Taylor start things off, with Taylor powering him into the corner. That has Menard bailing away a few times but getting dropped with a running shoulder. It’s off to Johnson vs. Fox for an exchange of quick escapes and counters until Taylor comes back in. A Tower Of London to the floor plants Johnson hard but Menard is back in to slug away on Taylor. Everything breaks down and Taylor punches Menard in the jaw for the elimination at 6:09.

Taylor takes Fox into the corner but gets low bridged down to the floor. Fox dives over the top onto both of them but Taylor is back in for running splashes in the corner. That doesn’t last long either though as Fox rolls Taylor up for the pin and elimination at 8:47. Johnson immediately rolls Fox up for some near falls, followed by Fox’s tiger bomb for two more.

The Swanton hits raised knees though and they trade some rapid fire kicks. Johnson hits a brainbuster and they’re both down (with their heads on the other’s arms, which should probably be a double pin. Johnson suplexes him hard and a frog splash gets two but Fox is back with a quick slam. The 450 gives Fox the pin at 13:34.

Rating: B-. This was another match that felt rather long and is designed to set up another match on this show, which feels rather crammed on at the end. Fox winning is a nice way to go as there is something to be said about having him fight like this and then win a title as a way to end the show. The other three were fine as well here and it was nice to see Menard getting hit in the face.

And now, a title match, with Fox pulling the announcement out of a box.

AEW International Title: Kazuchika Okada vs. AR Fox

Fox is challenging and we are again reminded that Okada is the greatest tournament wrestler of all time. I still have no idea what that has to do with a non-tournament match but that’s what we need to be told over and over. Okada dropkicks him into the corner to start as commentary tries to say Okada is wrestling on short rest as well after winning the Trios Titles last night (despite him not having that belt or being announced as such due to the taping schedule).

Fox gets choked on the rope and a DDT plants him on the floor. Back in and another DDT gives Okada two but he misses a charge and gets sent to the apron. That means a running DDT from Fox, followed by a kick to the face. An Air Raid Crash onto the knee sets up the top rope elbow to give Okada two. Back up and Fox kicks him in the face, followed by a 450 for two more. Okada misses a few Rainmakers but his the dropkick, setting up the Rainmaker to retain at 5:44.

Rating: C+. Well that happened. The bigger star came in, beat up the tired challenger, kicked out of his finisher, and retained the title. It was deflating to have Fox lose like that after his big win as it was little more than a quick loss. Maybe like, let the match be built up for a bit and get some time on another show?

Overall Rating: D+. Nope. I’m not sure what this was supposed to be, but it was more of the same mess that has gotten Ring Of Honor in its current place. This was supposed to be some new era of the promotion and NOT ONE OF THE EIGHT TITLES THIS SHOW HAS TO OFFER is on the line?

No no, instead your big moment is an AEW star coming in (unannounced of course) because Heaven forbid the Women’s Title, World Title or even the Six Man Titles are defended (I mean, none of them have been defended since Final Battle, three months ago). Instead, it’s the usual bunch of matches, most of which are just wrestling for the sake of wrestling. The show ran two hours because every single thing (even down to Josh Woods vs. Nathan Cruz and Lacey Lane vs. Robyn Renegade) absolutely had to be here.

Ring Of Honor isn’t a wrestling promotion. It’s Tony Khan getting to pretend that he owns two promotions because he thinks it’s impressive while putting on the least important weekly show he can imagine. As usual, this absolutely isn’t a problem from the wrestlers, but rather spending two hours with almost nothing involving Ring Of Honor taking place. I’m sure TV is coming though. Any…what is it, year now?

Results
Persephone b. Sara Leon – Razor’s Edge
Komander b. Sydney Akeem – Cielito Lindo
Top Flight b. Grizzled Young Veterans – Double underhook double DDT to Gibson
Paid In Full b. Darian Bengston/Kiran Grey – Big boot to Grey
Josh Woods b. Nathan Cruz – Leg armbar
Tommy Billington/Adam Priest b. Workhorsemen – Rollup to Henry
Mina Shirakawa b. Zayda Steel – Figure Four
Lacey Lane b. Robyn Renegade – Fireman’s carry slam into a legdrop
AR Fox b. Shane Taylor, Lee Johnson and Matt Menard last eliminating Johnson
Kazuchika Okada b. AR Fox – Rainmaker

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

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Collision
Date: December 20, 2025
Location: Co-op Live, Manchester, England
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness, Excalibur

So due to a mixture of the holidays and probably the weird travel schedule, here we have the second half of this week’s Collision. As usual, it’s going to have some more from the Continental Classic, which should be enough to carry the show. That’s been a great thing for the last few weeks so let’s get to it.

Here is the previous show if you need a recap.

Continental Classic Gold League: Jack Perry (0 points) vs. Mike Bailey (6 points)

Bailey flips over him to start and they trade some near falls into a standoff. A rollup gives Bailey two but Perry seems to be favoring his ankle. Perry sends him outside but misses a baseball slide, allowing Bailey to catch him with the top rope Asai moonsault. Bailey gets dropped onto the steps though and we take a break.

We come back with Bailey striking away and hitting a running shooting star press. The standing moonsault doesn’t work though and Perry hits the running Canadian Destroyer on the apron. Back in and the top rope double stomp misses for Perry and the ankle is banged up again. Perry charge into a superkick but reverses the Flamingo Driver into a rollup for two. The Snare Trap goes on but Bailey rolls him up for two and the escape. The Ultimate Weapon misses so Bailey tries a superkick, only for Perry to bite his toes. A teardrop suplex of all things finishes Bailey at 10:35.

Rating: B-. That’s quite the surprise but I do like seeing Perry win a match. Yes he’s a substitute in the tournament, but he’s also someone who has had success in AEW. It’s far from a stretch to see him win a match like this and it slows Bailey down a bit. That’s a nice opener and the match wasn’t bad at all, as it was nice to have it be a bit shorter for a change.

Gold League Standings

Kazuchika Okada – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Pac – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Mike Bailey – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Kyle Fletcher – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Kevin Knight – 3 points (2 matches remaining)
Jack Perry – 3 points (2 matches remaining)

Post match Luchaclaus comes out with a present for Bailey and everything is ok.

Eddie Kingston vs. Nathan Cruz

The Grizzled Young Veterans jump Kingston before the match, allowing Cruz to grab a slingshot belly to back suplex. Kingston is back with the rapid fire chops and a neckbreaker, followed by the DDT for the fast pin at 1:40.

We look at this week’s Continental Classic matches.

Rev Pro Women’s Title: Mercedes Mone vs. ???

Mone is defending against…Alex Windsor, who has Mone worried. Windsor fires off some clotheslines to start and a Sharpshooter sends Mone straight over to the ropes. That’s fine with Windsor, who grabs the hold again on the apron. Mone escapes and tries a hurricanrana to the floor, which is broken up as well. A kick to the head works a bit better for Mone and we take a break.

We come back with Mone sending her into the corner but Windsor seems to headbutt her out of the air for a double down. Another Sharpshooter attempt is broken up and Mone gets the crossface. Windsor tries to get up and gets crucifixed bombed for two instead. They go up top, where Windsor manages a super Blue Thunder Bomb for two. The Statement Maker is countered so Mone tries the Mone Maker, which is reversed into a cradle to give Windsor the title at 10:45.

Rating: B-. That’s a good choice for the title change as Mone’s decline continues. Windsor is someone who has been established around here and the UK fans seem rather pleased with the title change. I’m glad we’re finally moving on from Mone being the biggest thing in the world as it was losing the limited charm it had. Now she’s putting a bunch of people over and that’s helping quite a bit, especially in the case of Windsor, who feels like she has a lot of potential.

Post match Mone is devastated and Windsor’s son comes in for a hug in a nice moment.

Continental Classic Gold League: Kevin Knight (6 points) vs. Kazuchika Okada (6 points)

Don Callis is here too. Okada starts in on the arm before they trade armdrags and miss dropkicks for a standoff. Back up and Okada takes him up against the ropes for the chest pat before being sent outside. They trade forearms on the floor, then go inside to do the same thing there. The forearms send both of them to the apron, where they agree to stereo springboards. Okada headfakes him and laughs, only to get dropkicked out to the floor. A springboard clothesline hits Okada and we take a break.

We come back with Knight fighting out of a chinlock and hitting a middle rope crossbody. The spinning splash gives Knight two more but Okada breaks up a springboard attempt. The Air Raid Crash onto the knee gives Okada two of his own but he walks into a Sky High. Knight tries the UFO Splash, which lands on raised knees. Now Okada can hit his dropkick but the Rainmaker is cut off. Instead it’s a jumping DDT into a springboard clothesline to give Knight two but Okada dropkicks him out of the air. Another Rainmaker attempt is reversed into a small package to give Knight the huge upset pin at 13:55.

Rating: B. Knight is getting a heck of a rub out of this tournament and that is part of the point. I don’t know if that’s going to last once the tournament is over, but he pinned Okada clean in the middle of the ring and that’s a good thing. AEW needs to push some fresh talent and if that’s Knight, it’s certainly something that could work.

Gold League Standings

Pac – 6 points (2 matches remaining)
Kazuchika Okada – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Mike Bailey – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Kyle Fletcher – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Kevin Knight – 6 points (1 match remaining)
Jack Perry – 3 points (2 matches remaining)

Don Callis and Okada are stunned to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. It was just an hour long, but they had some nice stuff on this show. That’s good to see and it’s a break to have them in and out so quickly. The tournament continues to go quite well and now we get to see what happens with some of the stories they’ve set up. I’m not sure how many people are going to see the next steps as they’re on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but those shows are only going to mean so much with World’s End in a week. Solid show here.

Results
Jack Perry b. Mike Bailey – Teardrop suplex
Eddie Kingston b. Nathan Cruz – DDT
Alex Windsor b. Mercedes Mone – Cradle
Kevin Knight b. Kazuchika Okada – Small package

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

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Dark
Date: December 16, 2025
Location: Utilita Arena, Cardiff, Wales
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz

So AEW was in Wales last week and since we’re getting an hour less of Collision this week and since AEW has to film EVERYTHING rather than having actual dark matches, Dark is back for one week. It’s a short form show as opposed to the former two hour marathons this series would have, which does sound appealing. Let’s get to it.

Isla Dawn vs. Marina Shafir

Shafir backs her into the corner to start and grabs a double knuckle lock to take Dawn down with ease. A cartwheel sets up a kick to the back has Dawn in trouble but she fights back with some forearms. This leads to the always good sign of Shafir telling Dawn to kick her in the head, with Shafir beating her down rather quickly. A hurricanrana driver sends Dawn into the apron as the dominance is on. Back in and a short arm clothesline sets up Mother’s Milk to finish Dawn at 5:51.

Rating: C. Dawn was there for the sake of having a wrestler from the UK involved and that’s not exactly a surprise. She’s a bit of a name from her time in WWE but it isn’t like she has been anything but a person in AEW. Shafir pretty much dismantled her here and that’s about all it needed to be.

Mark Andrews/Kid Lykos I/Kid Lykos II vs. Orange Cassidy/Mascara Dorada/Roderick Strong

Dorada flips away from Andrews to start and armdrags both Lykoses down. Cassidy comes in and gets enziguried, setting off some triple teaming. Andrews and II hit Lionsaults onto the floor but Dorada is back with a Code Red. Cassidy gets the tag and puts his hands in his pockets for some dropkicks. The Stundog Millionaire hits I and a less than enthusiastic Strong comes in. Everything breaks down and End Of Heartache ends II at 4:16.

Rating: C+. They got in some fast paced offense here and the fans seemed to approve. I’m not sure how wise it is to have a popular Welsh wrestler lose in a match like this, especially to a popular team from AEW, but in theory the chance to see Cassidy and Dorada in person makes it better. It was fun while it lasted and I’ll take that.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

Death Riders vs. Grizzled Young Veterans/Nathan Cruz

The Riders jump them to start fast but Drake is back up with a spinwheel kick to Yuta. Cruz comes in to faceplant Pac and the Veterans hit a pair of suicide dives to the floor. Back in and Pac takes over on Cruz in the corner, including some casual choking. Moxley drapes him over the top for a double stomp from Yuta, who grabs a front facelock.

Cruz enziguris his way to freedom and brings in Gibson to make the comeback. A dropkick/Michinoku driver combination gets two on Yuta but Pac slips out of a Doomsday Device. Moxley is back in with a cutter but walks into a middle rope Codebreaker. Everything breaks down and Moxley kicks out of Cruz’s Samoan driver before Cruz gets sent into the corner. The rapid fire clotheslines set up the Brutalizer for the tap at 8:34.

Rating: C+. For a match where there was no reason to believe the Riders were in any danger, this could have been worse. Cruz has done well in his few appearances and the Veterans are a nice pair of hands who never win anything. Moxley is a main event star, Pac is a UK star and Yuta is apparently contractually obligated to be on every Tony Khan produced show ever, so the pieces made logical sense.

Overall Rating: C+. While I’m not clear on why actual dark matches were out of the question, this could have been a lot worse. That being said, the show is less than thirty two minutes long and that makes it pretty hard to be annoyed about. The wrestling was fine and no one was out there too long so this could have been a lot worse. Just don’t make it a regular thing, because Tony Khan really does need another plate to spin.

Results
Marina Shafir b. Isla Dawn – Mother’s Milk
Orange Cassidy/Mascara Dorada/Roderick Strong b. Mark Andrews/Kid Lykos I/Kid Lykos II – End Of Heartache to II
Death Riders b. Grizzled Young Veterans/Nathan Cruz – Brutalizer to Cruz

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

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IMG Credit: World of Sport

World of Sport
Date: September 8, 2018
Location: Epic Studios, Norwich, England
Commentators: So Cal Val, Stu Bennett, Alex Shane

We’re coming into the home stretch for the series as we have four shows left counting this one. The big story coming out of last week is the crowning of new Tag Team Champions as Adam Maxted and Nathan Cruz lost the tournament final last week and then imploded. The only solution? A loser leaves town ladder match. On a week’s notice. Anyone watching this series isn’t surprised by this development. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap/preview.

The announcers talk about the ladder match.

Here’s Cruz, now with his own music, to open things up. He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation but he did what he did last week because Maxted has listened to the people. Cruz doesn’t want Maxted has but doesn’t want Maxted to have it either. He throws out the challenge for the ladder match, which Bennett agrees to. They do know it was already announced last week right?

Adam Maxted vs. Nathan Cruz

Ladder match. A slugout goes to Maxted to start and a belly to belly takes Maxed down. The fans want the ladder so Maxted goes for it, only to have Cruz cut him off. They fight back to the ring until Cruz knocks him down at ringside and picks up the ladder for a shot to the face. Back in and Maxted hits a slingshot belly to back suplex but Cruz avoids being thrown into the ladder in the corner.

Maxted sends him into the ladder, though we don’t see the contact due to a quick camera cut. Cruz gets in a crotching and sends Maxted outside but a springboard dropkick takes Cruz right back down. That works so well that they do it again, though this time it’s a springboard spear to take Cruz off the ladder this time. Maxted goes up and gets the contract at 7:20.

Rating: D+. What the heck am I supposed to get out of a sub eight minute ladder match? This didn’t have time to go anywhere, which tends to be the case with almost everything around here. They set this match up and then blew it off the next week to get rid of a character on a show that is wrapping up in three weeks. That’s pretty excessive.

Post break Cruz promises to be back.

Earlier today, Bennett gave Sysum a match with Rampage. It’s a tag match.

Liam Slater vs. Robbie X vs. Gabriel Kidd vs. Crater

One fall to a finish. Again, Crater stays on the floor to start but this time he gets in much sooner to clean house. Robbie’s handspring is pulled out of the air and a bunch of dropkicks can’t save him. Crater finally gets knocked to the floor and a bunch of dives actually put him down on one knee. Back in and Slater powerbombs Robbie but Kidd kicks him in the face. Now it’s Robbie back up with a basement dropkick on Slater until Crater comes back in to run them over. A Lethal Injection, with some help, takes Crater down and a top rope splash into a top rope elbow sets up a triple pin on Crater at 5:37.

Rating: D-. Yes that’s how the match ends and yes this is supposed to make sense. I have no idea how it’s supposed to make sense, but in WOS’ minds it does. If there is a logical reason why we’re not just getting handicap matches instead of these multi-man matches when they’re clearly handicap matches isn’t clear but this is getting annoying. Also, what in the world is the point in building someone like Crater as this monster and then being like “oh well these guys beat him”.

Post match Crater wrecks them all again and goes for Robbie’s mask. He doesn’t get it off, but he does go for it.

Martin Kirby vs. Grado

Kirby wants whatever is in Grado’s bag (because he has a bag now) but Grado cuts him off with a clothesline, earning the famed EASY chant. A hiptoss is blocked as well and Grado takes him down with the power of the belly. The power of the belly prevents a German suplex and a fan distraction lets Grado avoid a charge to send Kirby outside. Back in and Kirby takes the knee out and slams him down, followed by the eternally missing elbow.

Grado’s jabs have Kirby in more trouble and there’s the cannonball. A nice enziguri puts Grado down and it’s time to go for the bag. It’s a toothbrush, which Kirby rubs on his armpit. They fight over whose mouth it’s going into before Grado goes with a bionic elbow. Now it goes into Kirby’s mouth but a rollup with feet on the ropes gives Kirby the pin at 7:23.

Rating: D. I really need this series to end very soon. This match was unfunny comedy and the same stuff that Grado has done to annoy me since I first saw him. Kirby was fine for a midcard heel and now he’s a comedy foil for Grado. I get that some fans are going to like it, but it doesn’t do much for me.

Justin Sysum/Joe Hendry vs. Rampage/Sha Samuels

Hendry headlocks Samuels down to start and it’s already down to Sysum vs. Samuels. Justin speeds things up, as you might expect, and hits a dropkick, only to draw in Rampage for a cheap shot. Samuels drives Sysum into the corner as the heel beatdown begins. Sysum gets sent outside for a beating from CJ Banks, followed by Samuels dropping an elbow for two.

A missed charge in the corner allows the hot tag off to Hendry as everything breaks down. Hendry gets himself out of some trouble with a backdrop and it’s already back to Sysum. Dude let the guy breathe. The villains are sent into each other and Sysum dives onto Banks, setting up the 450 for the pin on Samuels at 8:37.

Rating: C-. Totally standard match here and there’s nothing wrong with that. The ending sent the fans home happy as two of the three(ish) top stars of the show get to beat the villains by combining forces. It’s as paint by numbers as you can get and really, that’s as good as it’s going to get around here.

Overall Rating: D. I don’t think it’s any secret to the fact that I’m not the target audience for this show. This show is meant for either a person who never watches wrestling or a kid who doesn’t notice the major flaws in booking and structure. Pretty horrid show here and I can’t imagine a lot of fans are interested in watching something like this, especially with everything else out there to watch.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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

IMG Credit: World of Sport

World of Sport
Date: September 1, 2018
Location: Epic Studios, Norwich, England
Commentators: Alex Shane, So Cal Val, Stu Bennett

It’s time to crown some new champions and for once, the title match is going to include some people we’ve actually heard from more than once this season. Now I’m still not sure if I can tell which member of either team is which, but it’s not like it matters all that much in the first place. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with the opening recap which not only opens, but also recaps.

World of Sport Title: Rampage vs. British Bulldog Jr.

Bulldog is challenging, even though Will Sysum won a #1 contenders match two weeks ago. The champ has his usual goons with him because that’s about all he has to define him. Well that and being champion. Rampage gets dropped by an early shoulder and Bulldog works a headlock. A slam gives Bulldog two but Rampage is right back with a clothesline.

The delayed vertical suplex (impressive given Rampage’s size) takes Rampage down again but a shot to the knee cuts Bulldog down. Some cranking to said knee allows CJ Banks to ram the knee into the apron. Bulldog is fine enough to pull Rampage face first into the post and the powerslam (scoop, not running) gets two. A Sha Samuels distraction doesn’t work and Bulldog loads up the powerslam, only to be raked in the eyes. The implant DDT retains Rampage’s title at 5:50.

Rating: D+. I’ll give them points for building Rampage up as a heel champion but my goodness he’s running through everyone to get there. Having Bulldog, who is probably the biggest star in the promotion (second at worst), lose this close to clean is rather surprising, but it’s going to be a big deal when someone finally takes the title.

Post match the three on one beatdown is teased but Justin Sysum comes down for the save. Bennett says that Sysum has to face Samuels and Banks tonight. If he wins, he MIGHT get another shot at Rampage. You mean like the one he already earned?

Martin Kirby vs. Joe Hendry

Submission match. Hendry sings his song live but Kirby’s arm is in a sling. Apparently he’s injured himself combing his hair (Kirby is bald), pulled a hamstring, and has a bad case of the sniffles, all according to a note from his mom. The obvious ruse is obvious and Hendry is ready for him by knocking Kirby to the floor. Back in and Hendry throws him to the mat three times in a row before kicking Kirby outside again. Kirby goes for the leg though but it’s not enough to prevent a backdrop.

With that not working, Kirby goes after the back with a kick and a backbreaker (can’t fault his logic) as the fans think he sucks. We hit a reverse chinlock as Shane recaps the feud. It’s off to a front facelock, which isn’t exactly a back hold. A guillotine choke stays on the neck but is only good for two arm drops. Hendry fights up and hits a good looking suplex for the breather. Kirby slips out of the ankle lock and hits a spinebuster into one of his own, only to have Hendry put on the real ankle lock for the tap at 6:57.

Rating: C. There was a story, there was a logical finish, and hopefully it wraps up the feud. The whole thing is still thrown together and not exactly the most interesting thing in the world, but at least it followed a logical progression. I’m not sure what Hendry can do in the next four weeks but at least he got his big win here.

Tag Team Titles: Kip Sabian/Iestyn Rees vs. Adam Maxted/Nathan Cruz

Tournament final. Maxted dropkicks Sabian down to start and it’s off to Cruz for an enziguri. Rees offers a distraction though and Sabian rakes the eyes to take over. With Maxted down, Sabian springboards in with a missile dropkick for two as I think Maxted and Cruz are the faces here, but I’m having enough trouble remember who is who. Frustration is already setting in so it’s back to Rees for two off a snapmare. Seriously a snapmare?

Sabian comes back in for a snapmare of his own but does add a knee to the back before covering. An atomic drop/shoulder block combination gets two more (it’s no snapmare though) and Rees forearms away in the corner. Maxted finally hits a clothesline and the hot tag brings in Cruz to face Sabian. Everything breaks down and Cruz gets two off the Samoan driver. Rees makes a blind tag but eats a Codebreaker with Sabian diving in with a dropkick for the save. Maxted misses a moonsault though and it’s the powerbomb/top rope neckbreaker combination to give Rees the pin and the titles at 8:07.

Rating: C-. Another run of the mill tag match here and that’s not the most thrilling thing in the world. Like I mentioned, it didn’t help when there’s not much of a gimmick between these teams (you could say the big man/small man gimmick is there for Rees/Sabian but that’s not much) and that hasn’t changed in six weeks. Some promos would help. Just let us know who in the world they are.

Post match the new champs celebrate and leave. Cruz and Maxted hug but Cruz jumps him.

Justin Sysum vs. Sha Samuels/CJ Banks

If Sysum wins he might get a title shot at some point. Banks offers an early distraction and Samuels jumps him from behind. The villains have to tag so Sysum dropkicks Samuels to the floor and it’s time for a heel conference. Back in and Sysum slugs away at Samuels as Banks continue to be rather worthless. Banks comes in, gets punched in the ribs, and hands it back off to Samuels.

The double teaming takes Sysum down again and Banks punches him out to the floor. That doesn’t last long so Samuels throws Sysum down back inside and a lot of glaring ensues. Sysum clotheslines Samuels down and crossbodies them both at the same time. Cue Rampage (with a ridiculous amount of camera cuts) and Sysum goes to meet him on the ramp. He’s smart enough to run back and hit his spear through the ropes on Samuels, followed by the spinning strike to Banks. A 450 puts Samuels away at 8:06.

Rating: D. The ending wasn’t exactly in doubt here but egads Samuels and Banks are two of the most boring lackeys I’ve ever seen. Banks seems to be a bad one by design but Samuels is straight out of Central Casting for thugs. Sysum is easy to like though and him winning the title to end the show should be a good way to go out.

Overall Rating: D+. The two matches in the middle were better but the main event was lame and the title match was too short to mean much. They’ve done a little better in recent weeks, though that might be just due to them not adding in so many characters every week. The show isn’t terrible, but it’s nothing I’m going to remember in a month or so. That’s often worse than being bad, but in this case it’s not even worth getting annoyed over.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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

IMG Credit: World of Sport

World of Sport
Date: August 18, 2018
Location: Epic Studios, Norwich, England
Commentators: Alex Shane, So Cal Val, Stu Bennett

Things kind of wrapped up last week and that means it’s time to start something fresh around here. We’ll likely be seeing another match in the Tag Team Title tournament and that means four more people being thrown together and being called teams. Other than that we’re getting two more title matches and I’ll be stunned if there’s a story to them. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap/preview…uh…opens things up.

Women’s Title: Bea Priestly vs. Kay Lee Ray

Ray is defending. Priestly takes her down in the corner to start and chokes for a bit. Well at least we know who the villain is. The champ catches her up top but gets knocked into the Tree of Woe for the Alberto double stomp. They head outside with Priestly throwing her into the barricade. Kay is fine enough to slide back in for a suicide dive….and here’s Viper for the no contest (because when you attack one wrestler first, it’s still not a DQ even in England) at 3:10.

Rating: C-. The action was good while it lasted but you’re not about to get anything resembling time on this show. At the same time, Viper coming out as the monster makes sense in theory, until you remember that she took the fall in the title match. Why would I want to see this again when Kay has already shown that she can pin Viper clean?

Post match the fight is on when Ayesha (I had to look it up off the company’s site) comes out to help Viper. Bennett makes a battle royal for the title next week.

Earlier today, Bennett yells at Grado for not being serious. His punishment: a spot in the Tag Team Title tournament if he can find a partner. This company is rather questionable at times.

Will Ospreay vs. Martin Kirby

Ospreay starts fast with the flipping off the ropes with an armdrag and dropkick sending Kirby out to the floor. The teased dive just lets Ospreay hit his pose but Kirby is right back in with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. We hit one of the most quickly broken chinlocks I’ve ever seen until Ospreay sends him into the corner and hits something like a 619. A springboard clothesline gives Ospreay two but Kirby shouts STOP, and then hits an enziguri. Dang who knew Ospreay took instruction so well?

They head outside with Kirby beating him up even more, including a suplex on the ramp. A Michinoku Driver gives Kirby two and the fans are entirely behind Ospreay. Back up and Ospreay is fine enough for an enziguri and a standing C4, which Bennett calls old school. Kirby gets two off a neckbreaker but takes too long walking the ropes. A hurricanrana sets up the shooting star for two, followed by Stormbreaker to finish Kirby at 7:18.

Rating: C. It helps a lot to have the better known and more talented people in the ring, especially with a little extra time. Ospreay is one of the biggest stars in the promotion and has certainly faced a lot more international talent than most. That’s going to make him seem like a bigger deal and his matches have felt more important.

Bennett is in the ring with Grado to ask if he’s found a partner. Grado hasn’t…..except for this guy.

Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: Grado/British Bulldog Jr. vs. Crater/Robbie X

Grado and Robbie start before it’s off to Crater vs. Bulldog without anything happening. Bulldog’s shoulders have no effect so Grado tries his luck, only to bounce off of Crater and sell it like death. Bulldog comes back in with some forearms and it’s already back to Robbie, who is quickly slammed off the top. The arm work begins with the good guys taking turns, as polite Englishmen should.

Bulldog hits his suplex and it’s back to Grado for some dancing, which Bennett describes as the grace of an elephant. Robbie can’t suplex Grado, who snaps off the left hands. A cheap shot from the apron allows Crater to come back in, hit a single shoulder, and hand it back off to Robbie. Grado suplexes his way out of trouble and hands it off to Bulldog to clean house. Robbie gets backdropped onto Crater, who easily catches him….and leaves. The cutter gives Grado the pin at 8:34.

Rating: D+. Pretty standard formula match here with a big man tag and there’s nothing wrong with that. I mean, aside from the match not being very good and all that. Bulldog was the only optional partner for the popular Grado as Bulldog’s name alone makes him a big deal. Not terrible, and the result was the only option.

Post match Crater comes back in and kicks Robbie, only to have Bulldog and Grado stare him off.

Rampage and his cronies don’t care about the triple threat #1 contenders match.

Joe Hendry vs. Justin Sysum vs. Adam Maxted

The winner gets a title shot at some point in the future. Hold on though as Maxted’s partner Nathan Cruz says he should take the shot to protect Maxted’s face. Maxted actually agrees so Cruz gets knocked to the floor to start. Hendry technicals Sysum down and then scores with a shoulder, which doesn’t need a replay. It’s Cruz coming back in and speeding things up, earning himself a dropkick from Sysum. Maxted’s distraction lets Cruz hit a slingshot belly to back suplex but Hendry comes back in with a German suplex on Cruz, aided by a sunset flip from Sysum.

Hendry starts cleaning house with some clotheslines, followed by the ankle lock on Cruz. Sysum dives in to block a tap (always a nice touch, though you do wonder why they don’t tap with the other hand. Cruz hits Sysum with a Samoan driver but walks into the fall away slam from Hendry, with Maxted putting the foot on the ropes. Back up and Cruz sends them both to the floor but Sysum does an awesome jumping spear from the floor through the bottom ropes to take Cruz down. Maxted offers a distraction though, only to have Sysum hit what looked like a running slap to the face for the pin at 6:58.

Rating: C+. Sysum winning is the right call as he’s been one of the most impressive people on the show so far and I could go for some more of him. That spear from the floor was impressive enough, though it should have been the finish. At least Hendry didn’t take another loss, which is at least a step in the right direction for him.

Overall Rating: C. That’s pretty easily the best show of the series so far, as at least they’re getting somewhere with some of this stuff and aren’t adding in a bunch of new people every week. It’s still not a good show and there are a ton of issues, but things are settling down a little bit. That being said, it could just be the fact that we’re almost halfway done with the series and you can see the ending from here.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/07/23/new-book-kbs-complete-2003-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

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