Ring Of Honor
Date: February 12, 2026
Location: eSports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re getting closer to absolutely nothing right now and there are a lot of titles that could use a defense after literal months of no defenses. Hopefully they find a way around that, as the Swirl/Jay Lethal story, which was the best thing going, has already cooled off. Maybe we can switch it up a bit this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Tag Team Titles: La Faccion Ingobernable vs. Top Flight

La Faccion is defending for the first time since winning the titles on December 5, which was their first time teaming together. We get a cheer off to start and Dante speeds around Mortos. A running shoulder sends Dante flying and it’s off to Darius vs. Guevara. Well never mind as Guevara hands it right back to Mortos, which seems like a waste of time.

And it’s already back to Guevara, who is knocked into Mortos this time, but snaps off a headlock takeover. Guevara’s moonsault dropkick puts Darius on the floor so Dante comes in, only to miss a stomp. Dante gets taken into the corner for some clotheslines from Mortos, who is described as a good lawyer. As your bull monsters tend to be.

A shot to the hamstring lets Mortos start in on the leg but Dante manages a quick DDT. Darius and Guevara come in to pick up the pace but Mortos gets in a blind tag. A jumping Downward Spiral drops Guevara and a tornado DDT drops Mortos for two, as the blind tag didn’t make much of a difference. Mortos is right back with a pop up Samoan drop to pin Darius at 8:39.

Rating: C+. It was nice to see the titles actually defended, as if nothing else you might want to see the still mostly unproven team actually, like, team. It’s not like there are many teams in the title picture (whatever that entails) so it makes sense to give the champs some reps. At least more than one every two months at least.

Jay Lethal has Bandido’s mask and promises that Bandido will lose the World Title soon. Tommy Billington pops in to challenge Lethal. He doesn’t actually do anything physical, but he does make the challenge.

Michael Oku/Von Erichs vs. The OXP/Oday/Timur The Great

Kevin Von Erich is here too and gives Oku his cowboy hat on the way in. Oku grabs OXP’s arm to start and hands it off to the Von Erichs for some running clotheslines in the corner. Everything breaks down quickly and Oku hits the running shooting star to the floor. Back in and the double Claw and half crab give us the triple submission at 2:31. At least it was short.

We look back at last week’s main event.

Persephone vs. Julissa Mexa

Mexa takes her down to start fast and does a quick dance. The hips to the face have Persephone in more trouble and a spinning middle rope crossbody gives Mexa two. Persephone is right back up with a knockdown and basement dropkick to put Mexa in trouble. Some knees in the corner have Mexa down again and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Mexa gets in a capture suplex, followed by a standing moonsault for two of her own. Mexa strikes away so Persephone gives her a bridging German suplex. A pumphandle dragon suplex puts Persephone down for two more but she’s right back with a crucifix bomb for the pin at 5:29.

Rating: B-. They made the most of their time here and it was a back and forth match. The good thing is that Persephone, who is apparently a big deal around here, got to look like a star. At the same time, Mexa had a solid debut and I could go for more of her, as the women’s division could certainly use some new names.

Dalton Castle/Outrunners vs. KM/Nathan Cruz/Rosario Grillo

Magnum scares Grillo into the corner to start so it’s quickly off to Cruz for an early change. Everything breaks down fast and the Outrunners clean house. Castle comes in for the suplexes and it’s a triple slam into the Mega Powers elbow to Cruz. The Bang A Rang gets the pin at 2:32. Total squash.

JD Drake doesn’t think much of Adam Priest going after Kazuchika Okada and wants to teach him a lesson. That’s quite the downgrade from Okada.

Lance Archer vs. Will Allday

Allday bounces off of Archer to start but manages to backflip out of a chokeslam attempt. A choke toss sends Allday flying but he avoids a charge in the corner. Archer has had enough and knocks him down, setting up the chokeslam and Blackout for the pin at 2:30. Anyone think maybe they should do something with Archer and his undefeated run? Anything at all?

Swirl/Premiere Athletes vs. Bandido/Mascara Dorada/Komander/Xelhua

Daivari and Xelhua start things off with Xelhua firing off some early dropkicks. Dorada comes in and gets his mask pulled, allowing the big beatdown in the corner. That doesn’t last long as Dorada is back with a spinning kick to Nese’s head. Komander comes in to face Johnson and flips over into a standoff. That works so well that Komander flips over into a standoff before bringing in Bandido to face Christian.

They forearm it out until Johnson and Komander come in as well. The luchadors clear the ring but some evil cheap shots leave Komander in trouble for a change. Nese drops a leg and the Athletes hit a quick double suplex. Bandido avoids a charge in the corner but gets speared down on the apron in a nice sequence. Back in and Johnson hammers away while Christian hits on Stori Denali.

Daivari and Komander crash on stereo crossbodies and Bandido comes back in to clean house. Komander’s very bouncy hurricanrana connects and the luchadors hit a nice quadruple dive. Christian flips out of the 21 Plex though and Denali sneaks in to chokeslam Bandido. Christian’s frog splash gets two with Dorada making a save. We hit the parade of knockdowns, including a pop up cutter to Daivari. More dives connect to the floor and Bandido 21 Plexes Daivari for the win at 14:07.

Rating: B-. This was a fun match with the luchadors getting to go out there and do some impressive things, as they are known to do. That’s always going to work, though at least this did something to keep up the build towards Christian vs. Bandido. I have no idea when that is actually going to happen, but at least they’re doing something to make it happen. Kind of.

Overall Rating: B-. While there was a lot of filler in the middle, it was nice to see a show actually feel important for a change. That’s not something that you often see around here and putting one of the ridiculous amount of titles on the line helped. Throw in some Bandido/Christian build in and I could go for more of this style. I doubt I’ll get it, but I’ll take it for a week.

Results
La Faccion Ingobernable b. Sky Flight – Pop up Samoan drop to Darius
Michael Oku/Von Erichs b. The OXP/Oday/Timur The Great – Triple submissions
Persephone b. Julissa Mexa – Crucifix bomb
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. KM/Nathan Cruz/Rosario Grillo – Bang A Rang to Cruz
Lance Archer b. Will Allday – Blackout
Bandido/Xelhua/Mascara Dorada/Komander b. Swirl/Premiere Athletes – 21 Plex to Daivari

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: February 5, 2026
Location: eSports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s a special show this week as we have another Global Wars. In this case the invading forces are provided by Athena’s Metroplex promotion so we’ll be seeing some special guest stars. If nothing else, I’ll take this over some thrown together show with absolutely nothing going on so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Athena and the Minions against Hyan/Maya World/Deonna Purrazzo, which should be one of the show’s main events.

Demo Diamond/Reiza Clarke/LVJ/Kai Jai Wright vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Bravo takes Wright down to start but gets taken down with a running shoulder. They take turns running the ropes until Bravo hits a heck of a right hand. LVJ comes in and takes over on Dean before it’s off to Clarke vs. Adora. The women don’t stay in long as it’s back to Bravo for a Bronco Buster on Wright. Taylor comes in for the big shots in the corner but Dean’s half crab is broken up. It’s back to the women, with Clarke hitting a running forearm in the corner. A side slam gets two but Adora’s German suplex into a Saito suplex drops Clarke just as fast. Lariat Tubman finishes Clarke at 7:29.

Rating: C. This felt like a showcase for a bunch of the Metro wrestlers, but there is only so much you can get out of four wrestlers in a match that doesn’t even last seven and a half minutes. At the same time, the Promotions mostly ran over them, which didn’t make for a great match. It’s not a bad opener, but I still don’t get the appeal of the Promotions.

Red Velvet vs. Vertvixen

Non-Title Proving Ground match. Feeling out process to start with the teams trading some knockdowns until Vertvixen gets the better of things. A springboard elbow out of the corner gives Velvet two but Vertvixen is back with an armdrag into an armbar. Velvet is right back with an armbar of her own, at least until Vertvixen ties her in the Tree Of Woe for some rapid fire kicks. That’s escaped and Straight Out Your Mama’s Kitchen is blocked and Vertvixen’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two. Velvet is back with a spinning bulldog though and now Straight Out Your Mama’s Kitchen finishes Vertvixen at 7:05.

Rating: C+. Not bad here, though it felt like a match you would see on any given edition of Ring Of Honor. Vertvixen is fine as a good hand who can be brought in to make others look better. The good thing here is that she did so against Velvet, who is rapidly improving around here. She’s getting better month by month and that is nice to see, as it only happens in so many cases.

Christopher Daniels wants Skyflight to step up, say by facing La Faccion Ingobernable for the Tag Team Titles. The challenge is on.

Surf & Turf vs. Big Bill/Bryan Keith

That would be Braddah Kaimi (Surf, your stereotypical Hawaiian surfer) and Phil Shark (Turf, a man in a shark costume). Keith starts with Shark, who does wrestle in the shark hat, which thankfully doesn’t last long. Kaimi comes in off a blind tag and slams Keith into a neckbreaker from Shark.

The team tries what they call the Harpoon, which results in Keith kicking Shark in the head to take over. We settle down to Keith dropping a knee on Kaimi but it’s quickly back to Shark to clean house. Bill chokeslams Kaimi hard onto the apron though and the back big boots drop Shark. The swinging Boss Man Slam finishes for Bill at 5:49.

Rating: C. This wasn’t quite a comedy match but Surf & Turf feel like a comedy team. There’s nothing wrong with that kind of an act going out there, but the match was only so much in doubt. Bill and Keith could wind up being something if they were given the chance, though that isn’t likely the case in Ring Of Honor.

MPX Women’s Title: Abadon vs. Ray Lyn

Abadon is defending and knocks her into the corner to start, meaning it’s a running knee to the head. Lyn is back up with a takedown and some right hands, which is reversed into a fight over leglocks. With that broken up, Lyn’s kick to the head gets two and she grabs something like an Indian deathlock. That’s broken up and Abadon is back with a swinging slam for two. Lyn’s bridging suplex gets the same but a quick Downward Spiral retains the title at 5:48.

Rating: C-. This was another match where they didn’t have much time to really get going. At the same time, it didn’t feel like it had much in the way of a story or anything besides the two of them just doing moves to each other. It certainly wasn’t bad, but nothing that stood out in any way.

Lee Moriarty vs. Exodus Prime

Non-Title Proving Ground match. They go to the mat to start and neither gets anywhere in particular. Moriarty gets an octopus hold and Prime falls into the ropes for the break. Prime comes after him but charges into a Downward Spiral into the middle buckle. Moriarty grabs a cravate and then ties him up with his legs, sending Prime over to the ropes again. Prime enziguris him into the corner though and a full nelson backbreaker gets two. A pop up powerbomb sets up the Boston crab, with Moriarty having to use his first break. Something like a tiger bomb into a Side Effect gives Moriarty the pin at 6:25.

Rating: C. It was the kind of match you know you’re going to get from Moriarty and that means it was only so interesting. They traded some submission stuff and Moriarty eventually caught him for the win. In other words, it was just about the exact same thing that we’ve seen time after time from Moriarty.

Post match respect is shown.

The Premiere Athletes meets up with the Swirl in the back and they decide to team up to get rid of the luchador problem around here.

MPX Title: Delynn Cavens vs. JD Griffey

Griffey is challenging and strikes him down to start. Cavens gets back up to pick up the pace, only for a springboard to be broken up. Griffey drops him onto the apron, where Cavens hits something like a 619. The 450 gives Cavens two but a springboard misses as Cavens makes sure to avoid the referee. A shoulder breaker gives Griffey the pin and the title at 3:57.

Rating: C-. Uh ok. This was another match that didn’t go anywhere and just wrapped up in short order. Neither of them stood out in any way and unless commentary just didn’t tell us about it, there was no story to the title match. If they wanted this to be better, maybe cut out another of the match and give this one its time.

Hyan/Maya World/Deonna Purrazzo vs. Athena/Billie Starkz/Diamante

Athena and World start things off with Athena not looking overly worried. World takes her down a few times, with some headscissors getting Athena out and the two of them to a staredown. Athena’s dropkick works a bit better and an enziguri sends World into the corner for the tag off to Purrazzo.

That means Athena is quickly knocked down, as is Starkz, with a double suplex giving Hyan two. A double bulldog gets two more on Starkz but Athena offers a trip from the floor to take over. That leaves Diamante to come in with a Code Red and the villains start rotating in on World in the corner. A backbreaker gets World out of trouble and Purrazzo takes out Starkz on the floor, allowing the tag to bring her in. Purrazzo gets to clean house but Starkz saves Diamante from a powerbomb.

Everything breaks down and Athena deadlifts World. Diamante’s rolling Chaos Theory gets two on Purrazzo but she kicks free and tags…well actually Hyan and World at the same time. Athena has to make a save of her own and a double middle rope Codebreaker hits Hyan and Purrazzo. World dropkicks Diamante into the cover for the save and Starkz’s Swanton hits raised knees. A bridging cradle gives World the pin on Starkz at 11:42.

Rating: B-. Best match of the show by far here, which shouldn’t be a surprise as it had the most star power and actual story. Unfortunately this seems like it’s leading towards Starkz and Athena splitting, which has already happened (at least once) and now we might get to see it again. There is really no one else to go after the thing? Like someone who hasn’t headlined Final Battle against Athena twice?

Post match Athena yells at Starkz and Diamante to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. Well, on one hand it was nice to see something fresh but at the same time it was another dull show. The ROH stars completely dominated the show and there was little in the way of storyline advancement. That being said, there are often all kinds of matches that don’t lead anywhere around here so it was the norm with some slightly different names. Hopefully the Skyflight thing leads somewhere, as a few title matches around here could do some good.

Results
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Demo Diamond/Reiza Clarke/LVJ/Kai Jai Wright – Lariat Tubman to Clarke
Red Velvet b. Vertvixen – Straight Out Your Mama’s Kitchen
Big Bill/Bryan Keith b. Surf & Turf – Swinging Boss Man Slam to Shark
Abadon b. Ray Lynn – Downward Spiral
Lee Moriarty b. Exodus Prime – Butterfly Side Effect
JD Griffey b. Delynn Cavens – Shoulder breaker
Hyan/Maya World/Deonna Purrazzo b. Athena/Billie Starkz/Diamante – Bridging cradle to Starkz

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: January 22, 2026
Location: eSports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re in Arlington for a change and as usual it’s hard to guess what we’re going to be seeing here. The rise of the Swirl is the big story at the moment, though I’m not sure where that’s going to go. Other than that, we get to see how long multiple titles can go without being defended since last month’s Final Battle. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Premiere Athletes vs. Adam Priest/Tommy Billington

We get a quick insert promo from the Swirl and Jay Lethal, who aren’t happy with Priest and Billington. Priest and Daivari fight over arm control to start and it’s Billington being taken into the corner. Nese comes in and gets elbowed by Billington but comes back with a headlock takeover. Some running shoulders do a bit better for Billington but Nese cuts him off with a chop block.

The arm is rammed into the apron as well and Billington can’t manage a spinning Tombstone. Nese wraps the arm around the rope, followed by the running neck snap over a different rope. A double clothesline gets Billington out of trouble though and the tag brings in Priest to start the comeback. Priest gives Nese a tornado DDT for two before grabbing a half crab on Daivari.

Mark Sterling offers a distraction but the Athletes collide. Billington gets low bridged out to the floor, leaving an assisted DDT to plant Priest for two. Priest manages to send them into each other though and the half crab goes on but Stori Denali is in with a chokeslam. The cover is broken up by Billington’s Swan Dive (nice job on the save) and Denali is stunned. Billington hits a dive onto Daivari, leaving Nese to load up the pumphandle driver. That’s reversed into a rollup though and Priest gets the pin at 9:24.

Rating: B. Those guys just had probably the best match of their careers as they went out there and tore the house down when they were given the chance. It’s the best match that I’ve seen on the weekly series in a long time and I have a great time with the whole thing. Heck of a match here with really good action and more than one hot sequence. Nice job.

Post match Lethal and the Swirl run in for the big beatdown, with the Athletes joining in.

Satnam Singh vs. Josiah Jean/Dante Leon

Singh takes turns throwing them into the corner for some loud chops but they escape a double chokeslam. A double chop block just annoys Singh and it’s a double chokeslam into a double pin at 2:25. This was every Singh match but with two opponents. I do appreciate that they’re just throwing him out there as a monster, though it’s not like he’s doing anything important and I can’t imagine that changing.

Video on Cru.

Alec Price/Jordan Oliver vs. Cru

The video hypes up Lacey Lane joining Cru so of course she isn’t here. Andretti and Oliver go to the mat to start before it’s off to Price to work on the arm. A dropkick puts Price down and we hit the armbar as commentary says that due to upcoming weather issues, the announced Global Wars with Athena’s promotion is postponed. Nothing wrong with that as it’s not something they can control.

Anyway Andretti gets elbowed down for a splash/legdrop combination but he fights his way out of the corner. Rush comes in for the alternating strikes to Price as everything breaks down. Cru is sent outside for a double suicide dive but Price is up to dive onto the two of them. Back in and an assisted top rope faceplant gets two on Rush but Price knocks Oliver off the apron by mistake. Andretti hits a running clothesline and the double Falcon Arrow finishes for Rush at 6:08.

Rating: C+. There was some nice action here, though my goodness can Price and Oliver actually win a match? It’s like the company is going out of their way to have them lose as often as possible. At the same time, I’m not sure what Price and Oliver are supposed to do around here. There are so many teams who can do the exact same style (including Cru, and the Rascalz, who haven’t even started wrestling yet) so….what are they going to be? Another high flying team of losers?

Post match, respect is shown, as I’m kind of surprised that Cru are good guys.

Dalton Castle/Outrunners vs. Auzzy/Hitt/Gino Medina

Auzzy and Magnum start things off with Auzzy not being the most respectful. That doesn’t last long as it’s off to Media, who is chopped into a tag to Floyd. The rather large Hitt comes in to hammer on Floyd in the corner, which doesn’t last long as it’s Castle coming in. Suplexes and slams abound, setting up and Mega Powers elbow. The Bang A Rang finishes Medina at 3:25.

Rating: C. It’s another win for the good guys, though it would be nice if they could get a title shot already. I mean, it’s not like there are Six Man Tag Team Titles out there which haven’t been defended since early December or anything. Castle and the Outrunners are pretty clearly the best challengers (read as the only realistic ones at the moment), which is why it will likely be SkyFlight.

Deonna Purrazzo says she has to defend her legacy even after Madison Rayne left. The open challenge is on. You mean she’s going DEFEND THE TITLE? What a concept!

Matt Menard vs. Lee Moriarty

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Menard wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, he gets a future title shot. Moriarty wrestles him down without much effort to start so the rather loud Menard is back with a headlock. That’s reversed into a short armscissors so Menard uses his first rope break. This seems to confuse him, as no one but Moriarty seems to get how the rules work.

An abdominal stretch has Menard using his second rope break and a right hand earns him an official warning. Moriarty knocks him outside and Menard burns off some time in getting back inside. Menard gets in a knockdown but Moriarty forearms him down a few times. Some chops have Moriarty in the corner for some elbows to the head and the Boston crab goes on. Moriarty has to use his own rope but he reverses a piledriver attempt into the Border City Stretch for the tap at 8:18.

Rating: C+. In a shocking development, Moriarty wins another Pure Rules match. It’s been going on for a rather long time now and since he keeps beating every opponent, I have no idea why it’s supposed to be interesting anymore. The matches are fine, but they’re just there time after time. Give him a story, or at least a challenger/division already.

Post match Moriarty stays on him until SkyFlight makes the save. The rest of Shane Taylor Promotions run in for the save. I WAS KIDDING ABOUT SKYFLIGHT GETTING A SHOT!

London Dior/Rachael Ellering vs. Diamante/Billie Starkz

Athena is here with Diamante/Starkz. Ellering and Diamante start things off with Ellering running her over. Diamante fights back and fires off the forearms to the face but Ellering is back up with some chops. A double clothesline allows the tag off to Dior but Starkz cuts her off in a hurry with a kick out of the corner. Diamante hits a spinebuster into Starkz’s Swanton, setting up an ankle twist to make Dior tap at 4:47.

Rating: C. This was like a match from Superstars with Koko B. Ware and Barry Horowitz against a regular team. It might work for a bit when Ware was in there but then it went south the second after the tag. There was nothing else to this one, as Ellering is still the same as she has been for years now.

Post match we get a quick plug for the previously postponed Global Wars show, with what sounds like “next week” edited out. I’ve heard worse ways of getting around something like that.

Big Bill/Bryan Keith vs. KM/Will Allday

Keith throws his gear at Allday and jumps him to start (fine with the referee), with the stomps having Allday in early trouble. Back up and Allday sends him outside for a quick dive, meaning the much bigger KM can come in. Bill is right there for the staredown, with Bill missing a charge into the corner. He’s right back with a splash though and it’s a running knee into a big boot. Bill’s swinging Boss Man Slam finishes Allday at 2:57.

Ace Austin vs. Johnny TV

Taya Valkyrie is here with TV. Austin starts fast and knocks him outside, where Valkyrie offers a distraction so TV can get in a shot. Valkyrie even gets in a cheap shot of her own, allowing TV to grab a choke back inside. That’s broken up and Austin fires off some corner clothesline, followed by a doctor bomb. Valkyrie offers another distraction but TV can’t hit Starship Pain. They strike it out with Austin getting the better of things until Valkyrie offers another distraction. A running anklescissors brings TV off the top though and the Fold gives Austin the pin at 7:03.

Rating: C+. It’s nice to see Austin winning, especially when he gets a victory despite Valkyrie getting involved. Austin is someone who feels like he could become an important player around here and while it isn’t much, headlining this show is better than nothing. Just get him somewhere more important already.

Overall Rating: C+. The opener was rather good and it was nice to see some titles actually addressed. There were still a bunch of people who feel like they’re just coming and going without doing anything important, but I’ll take the little advancements where I can. This show was at least a bit more focused this week, though I’ll need to see it last before I get a bit more invested.

Results
Tommy Billington/Adam Priest b. Premiere Athletes – Rollup to Nese
Satnam Singh b. Josiah Jean/Dante Leon – Double pin
Cru b. Jordan Oliver/Alec Price – Double Falcon Arrow to Price
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. Auzzy/Hitt/Gino Medina
Lee Moriarty b. Matt Menard – Border City Stretch
Diamante/Billie Starkz b. London Dior/Rachael Ellering – Ankle twist
Big Bill/Bryan Keith b. KM/Will Allday – Swinging Boss Man Slam to Allday

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: January 8, 2026
Location: eSports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s time for a regular show this week after three in one week. That’s quite the lineup, but last week did feature a heck of a swerve in the featured tag match. Hopefully they can follow up on that, as it’s certainly an interesting story. As usual, there are pieces in ROH that can work, but they need the right presentation. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Jay Lethal’s turn last week.

Opening sequence.

Aaron Solo vs. Ace Austin

They go with the grappling to start with Austin taking him down into a headscissors. Solo reverses into a headlock but Austin breaks it up and kicks him in the back. That earns Austin a trip to the floor though and Solo hits a slingshot dive. Back in and we hit the front facelock, followed by a running dropkick for two.

They head out to the apron, where Solo is sent outside for a kick to the chest. The Fold is blocked so Solo is catapulted into the corner, where he bounces right back out with a double stomp for two. Solo’s charge in the corner misses though and Austin hits a nice springboard spinning kick to the face. The Fold finishes Solo at 7:35.

Rating: C+. I like Austin a good bit, but dang it shouldn’t be taking him seven and a half minutes to get rid of Solo. I’ll take that over a loss though, as at least he’s getting some ring time and starting to establish himself. Just maybe let him be a bit more dominant next time around?

Athena knows she is the best in the world but she keeps having to deal with problems. She has a massive target on her back and she kept failing to prove her greatness in 2025. Who is she if she can’t bring home any gold for her minions? How did she get in this position? The only person she can depend on is herself.

Cru vs. Will Allday/Jay Alexander

Lacey Lane is now with Cru and Andretti starts with Allday. Hold on though as Allday springboard kicks Rush off the apron and hands it off to Alexander. Everything breaks down and Cru hits stereo dives to the floor. Back in and Cru goes with the misdirection to take Alexander down. Allday’s missile dropkick hits Alexander by mistake and a double Falcon Arrow finishes Allday at 2:19. This has been your reminder that Cru is in fact still around.

Christopher Daniels talks about how Leila Grey is out of action for a long time with an injury. Now though, Zayda Steel is taking her place. I’m not sure how well that is going to fit but it’s something.

Darius Martin/Zayda Steel vs. Lee Moriarty/Trish Adora

Mixed tag and the rest of their teams are here. Moriarty works on a cravate to start before taking Martin down by the arm. With that going to a standoff, Adora comes in to take over on Steel, including a mocking arm crank. Steel is back with a sunset flip but the referee is distracted, meaning no count. They trade kicks to the face and it’s back to the men. Everything breaks down and Steel jumps onto Adora to hammer away, followed by a Canadian Destroyer to Moriarty. Shane Taylor offers a distraction though and Steel gets dropped with the Lariat Tubman for the pin at 6:15.

Rating: C+. So Steel joins the team and loses ten minutes later. Great to see that kind of a start, as they made sure she gets no momentum for the debuting team. But at least Adora, who is pretty much exactly where she was years ago, gets a pin. I’m sure that will put her in titl….oh you get the idea already.

We look back at Madison Rayne’s retirement match last week.

Billie Starkz/Diamante vs. Reiza Clarke/Shay Karmichael

Athena is here with Starkz and Diamante. Karmichael and Starkz lock up to start with the former yelling a lot. Starkz takes Karmichael into the corner and it’s a double toss to send her crashing down for two. Clarke comes in and gets caught with a quick Stunner, leaving Diamante to hit a rolling cutter to pin Karmichael at 3:48.

Rating: C. Pretty much a total squash here with Starkz and Diamante getting to dominate the jobbers to please Athena. That’s all this needed to be and now we get to see what is next for them. In theory it’s a run towards the Women’s Tag Team Titles and I’m not quite sure I see that actually happening.

Cru says they’re back with new member Lacey Lane.

Rachael Ellering/Demo Diamond/Delynn Cavens vs. Premiere Athletes

Daivari and Cavens start things off with Cavens being taken into the corner for the double beatdown. Nese’s bridging northern lights suplex gets two, with the rather tall Diamond making the save. Denali comes in to stare at him and it’s off to Ellering, with Denali not being impressed. Some running shoulders don’t do much to Denali, who drops her with a big boot. Everything breaks down and a chop block puts Diamond down, leaving Nese to pumphandle driver Cavens for the pin at 4:30.

Rating: C. And now I’m sure the Premiere Athletes will be launched into the stratosphere, just like I’m sure they will be after every single win they have. They’ve been around since the beginning of Ring Of Honor and do just about the same things they did at the start. Yet they’re still trotted out there, thankfully with Denali there to at least change the act just a tiny bit. Either drop them, change them up in a big way or do something with them already.

Frat House vs. Dalton Castle/Outrunners

Magnum and Garrison start things off with Magnum grabbing a hiptoss. It’s off to Floyd for a running knee and a double hiptoss. Garrison drives him into the corner and a grab of the leg from the floor lets Karter hit a clothesline. Floyd gets sent into the corner for the beating, including a collection of choking. Vance and Floyd collide, followed by the tag off to Castle for the house cleaning. A triple slam drops the villains and the Mega Powers Elbow into the Bang A Rang finishes Karter at 6:01.

Rating: C+. At least Castle and the Outrunners are fun and seem to be having a good time out there. It makes for some more entertaining matches, though the Frat House lost its charm a long time ago. It’s also not a great sign that a match this short was one of the best on the show, though maybe it moves them closer to a title shot.

Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie aren’t happy with Red Velvet, as Valkyrie wants a title shot. Velvet just happens to be there to offer Valkyrie a Proving Ground match.

MxM Collection vs. Von Erichs

Oh joy the Von Erichs are back. I had forgotten how pathetic these losers were. Mansoor gets shouldered down to start and a double dropkick does it again. The Collection takes over on the floor, with Ross’ hand being crushed underneath the steps. Ross’ cowboy hat is stolen as the Collection keeps working on the hand, which is put in the turnbuckle for a kick from Mansoor.

A big boot gets Ross out of trouble and the tag brings in Marshall to clean house. Marshall’s running clothesline in the corner sets up a pop up powerslam but Madden is back in for the save. A leg lariat Hart Attack connects but the Centerfold is broken up. Ross’ hand is fine enough to claw slam Mansoor for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C. This has been the latest example of the Von Erichs living off their family name because they aren’t good enough or interesting enough to do anything on their own. The idea of having the Von Erichs continue their legacy in Texas is fine, but the team couldn’t be less interesting if they tried. The “aw shucks, we’re just two good old boys from TEXAS” stuff is terrible and we’re probably going to be stuck with them while this whole residency goes on.

We look at LFI winning the Tag Team Titles at Final Battle. Probably not a good sign that we need a reminder about a month later.

Kiran Grey vs. Sammy Guevara

Guevara flips him off to start, marking the first and only time anyone has ever done that in wrestling. Grey sweeps the leg to start and they fight outside with Grey sending him hard into the barricade. Back in and a clothesline turns Guevara inside out but he knocks Grey out of the air. The GTH ends Grey at 2:38. This was the “get Guevara some momentum back, even though he really didn’t have any in the first place, after he lost to Bandido on Dynamite because there was no one but Guevara to take that loss” special.

Swirl vs. Tommy Billington/Adam Priest

Jay Lethal is here with the Swirl. Johnson and Billington start things off with Johnson cutting off a charge in the corner. Priest comes in to chop Christian hard in the corner, causing Christian to fake a knee injury. That lets Johnson get in a cheap shot from behind to take over, with Lethal adding a strut. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Priest gets up to hit a clothesline, allowing the tag off to Billington.

Everything breaks down and Johnson gets spiked for two. The half crab has Christian in trouble and Johnson gets crossfaced at the same time. Johnson powers up and Death Valley Drivers Billington onto the other two for the save. Christian hits a 450 for two on Billington, earning Billington a toss to the floor. A suicide headbutt drops Priest on the floor, leaving Billington to Tombstone Johnson. Christian is back in to drop Billington though and the Vanilla Choke Zero gets the tap at 10:12.

Rating: B-. Above all else, it was nice to have a story that actually felt important. This is by far the biggest story in Ring Of Honor and it was a fine way to go to move things forward. Christian winning the World Title doesn’t sound like the worst idea, though it might take some time before we finally get there.

Post match the big beatdown is on to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. I cannot get my head around how they manage to make this show so uninteresting week to week. There are some watchable enough matches, such as the main event, but so much of the problem is Ring Of Honor/AEW has gone out of its way to show just how unimportant a lot of these people really are. That was on full display here, as it feels like you could have seen some of these matches at any point in the last year plus. That makes for a very tedious show and it took me more than a few sittings to watch this one. Please either shorten the thing or put in more effort on the stories, because this was drek.

Results
Ace Austin b. Aaron Solo – The Fold
Cru b. Will Allday/Jay Alexander – Double Falcon Arrow to Allday
Trish Adora/Lee Moriarty b. Darius Martin/Zayda Steel – Lariat Tubman to Steel
Diamante/Billie Starkz b. Shay Karmichael/Reiza Clarke – Rolling cutter to Karmichael
Premiere Athletes b. Rachael Ellering/Demo Diamond/Delynn Cavens – Pumphandle driver to Cavens
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. Frat House – Bang A Rang to Karter
Von Erichs b. MxM Collection – Claw slam to Mansoor
Sammy Guevara b. Kiran Grey – GTH
Swirl b. Tommy Billington/Adam Priest – Vanilla Choke Zero to Billington

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: December 11, 2025
Location: Greater Columbus, Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re done with Final Battle and the big story is that Bandido retained the World Title. That means he should be a few weeks (at least) away from his next meaningful title defense so we’ll have to see what else is going on. We do at least FINALLY have a Women’s Pure Rules champion and it’s the person who was the favorite to win the whole thing the entire time. Now we begin the months long build towards the next pay per view, whenever that is. Let’s get to it.

Here is Final Battle if you need a recap.

Final Battle recap.

Opening sequence.

Here are Athena, Diamante and Billie Starkz to celebrate Athena’s three year reign as Women’s Champion. Athena brags about her success and the various women she has defeated. It’s a reason to celebrate, but Starkz didn’t win the Pure Rules Title, so the plan didn’t come out perfectly. She can make up for it in a tag match with Diamante though. I can’t believe they are still teasing Starkz taking the title. How can they drag it out this long?

Spanish Announce Project vs. LSG/Josh Crane

Angelico and Crane start things off with an exchange of wristlocks. Serpentico comes in with a top rope double stomp to the arm and a rollup gets two. It’s off to LSG to stomp Serpentico down in the corner but he rolls away for the tag off to Angelico. The rapid fire strikes have LSG in trouble and the lifting Downward Spiral gives Angelico two. Everything breaks down and the Project grabs stereo submissions for the double tap at 5:08.

Rating: C. The Project is perfectly fine in the ring, but my goodness it’s hard to care about what they’re doing. It’s the same stuff we’ve seen for months now and they never move up the totem pole at all. They pretty much have no stories and they’re just out there to fill in some time about every other week. If that’s all they’re going to do, find somewhere else for them to go, as it’s just filler.

Frat House vs. Dark Order

Silver runs Garrison over with a shoulder to start and it’s off to Uno to crush him in the corner. Vance comes in and gets stomped down in the corner as well, only for Uno to be sent outside for some rapid fire stomping. Back in and Uno tells Vance to kick him more, one such kick is sent at the referee, allowing Uno to kick Vance in the head. Everything breaks down and Garrison rolls through Reynolds’ high crossbody for two. The Order’s striking sequence into a rollup gets two on Garrison but Vance clotheslines Karter by mistake. The Order’s triple flipping slam finishes Karter at 7:18.

Rating: C+. This was another six man with one of the multiple trios who aren’t doing anything around here beating another. It isn’t like either of them are going to get a title shot soon but they certainly had time to have a run of the mill match. Perfectly watchable match but not much more than that, as is almost always the case for these teams.

Deonna Purrazzo is emotional after winning the Women’s Pure Rules Title.

Zayda Steel vs. Rachael Ellering

They fight over wrist control to start with Ellering taking her down into an armbar. Steel’s headlock doesn’t last long and she uses the ropes to flip out of a wristlock. Ellering chops her down a few times, setting up a gutwrench suplex into a backsplash for two. Steel comes back with a neckbreaker and they fight over a suplex. Ellering manages to muscle her over, followed by the Boss Woman Slam for two. Back up and Steel grabs a spinning DDT for the pin out of nowhere at 6:07.

Rating: C. This was about what you would have expected, as Ellering never wins anything and Steel needed a win after the loss in her debut. It wasn’t a bad match, but there’s only so much to get out of something like this. At least Steel won her second match and is getting off to a decent start. The division needs some fresh blood so why not see what she can do?

Post match respect is shown.

The Swirl isn’t happy about their losses at Final Battle but Blake Christian still wants the World Title.

Jay Lethal vs. Nathan Cruz

Cruz jumps him during the handshake and hammers away to start fast. Lethal is right back with a strut but it’s too early for the Figure Four. Instead, Cruz’s neckbreaker gets two and a Hennig necksnap gets the same. Lethal fights out of a chinlock and then does it again, only to get caught with a slingshot belly to back suplex for two. A missed charge in the corner lets Lethal get some rollups for two each and he dragon screw legwhips Cruz down. The Figure Four sends Cruz straight to the ropes so it’s the Lethal Injection to give Lethal the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C+. Cruz was making his debut here and he got to have a nice showcase here, as he had a good look and was fine enough to hang in there with Lethal. I could go for seeing some more from Cruz, which is a good sign his future. Lethal is still at his best when he gets the chance to give someone a rub, which was the case here.

We look back at the opening segment.

Billie Starkz/Diamante vs. Deonna Purrazzo/???

The partner is….Madison Rayne, the hometown girl. Purrazzo gets knocked out to the floor to start but Rayne takes over on Starkz in the corner. Everything breaks down in a hurry and Purrazzo is taken into the wrong corner. A basement dropkick connects on Purrazzo and Starkz is back in for a chinlock. That’s broken up and they clothesline each other down for a double breather. Rayne comes back in with a quick cutter and then a double cutter for a bonus. It’s back to Purrazzo, who Fujiwara armbars Starkz for the tap at 4:49.

Rating: C. Well that was quick, though it’s nice to have a match which feels like it might actually tie into one of the bigger stories around here. At the same time, this again feels like Starkz finally having enough of Athena and coming after the title. I would say I can’t imagine that happening, but in Ring Of Honor, it would absolutely not surprise me as we’re only three years into the story.

Red Velvet is happy with her win over Mercedes Mone and the kitchen is officially open.

Josh Woods vs. Hechicero

They go to the mat to start and neither of them can get very far. Hechicero takes over on the leg but Woods is right back with some quick rollups for two each. A front facelock doesn’t work either and we’re off to an early standoff. Hechicero grabs a DDT and starts in on the arm before twisting on the legs instead. Some shots in the corner stagger Woods, who is right back with some running forearms. Woods’ big knee to the head gets two but Hechicero gets something close to a la majistral into a Black Widow on the mat for the submission at 7:11.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of technical showcase where you knew how good it was going to be due to the people involved. They both got to showcase their skills, though it would have been nicer to have the match go a bit longer. Or for Woods to have been given a chance to be built up before he’s put into this spot. Either way, it was different in a good way here and I’ll take that.

Outrunners/Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Dalton Castle vs. MxM TV/Premiere Athletes

The villains jump them from behind to start on the floor but the Outrunners take over on TV inside. The Mega Powers Elbow is broken up and Magnum gets taken down. Magnum avoids the frog splash though and a bunch of elbows miss too, allowing Castle to come in and snap off the suplexes. Castle is sent into Billington though and it’s back to the Outrunners for a double slam on Madden as everything breaks down. The extra villains are ejected and it’s a German suplex/clothesline combination to pin Nese at 4:30.

Rating: C. Well that was…messy. I’m not sure why they needed to have everyone involved here other than “they’re here for Final Battle so we’ll put them on this show too”. That seems to be a recurring theme this week and it’s giving us matches like this. The speedy offense was fun, but I could barely tell who was in the match most of the time, which isn’t a good sign.

Shane Taylor Promotions heard the fans cheering for them but they only care about titles and checks. Their biggest accomplishment though: making SkyFlight interesting. Now if only you could make yourselves interesting.

Red Velvet vs. Lacey Lane

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning that if Lane wins or survives the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot. Velvet takes her down by the arm to start but Lane is back with a front facelock. A backslide gives Velvet two and she knocks Lane outside for an early breather.

Back in and Lane ties her in the corner for a running dropkick, followed by a springboard legdrop for two. Velvet is back up with some running knees in the ropes but Lane grabs a Death Valley Driver into a standing legdrop (that was cool….I think). That doesn’t get her very far though as Velvet is back with a superkick into the flipping faceplant for the pin at 5:20.

Rating: C+. It makes sense to give Velvet a win after her big upset on Friday so this was a good use for her here. She needs to be reestablished after so much time away and hopefully it works, as her final Battle match was pretty awesome. Lane is another good hand who I could go for having around a bit more often, though she’ll need to get something going around here.

Death Riders vs. Willie Mack/Aaron Solo

Oh come on can we just wrap this show up already? Mack is knocked outside to start fast and Yuta drops a middle rope elbow for two on Solo. Everything breaks down and Marina Shafir offers a distraction, meaning Solo can get tied in the ring skirt for some double teaming. Mack comes back in for some hard spinebusters but Solo gets sent into the corner for the running clotheslines. The top rope splash into the Dragontamer finishes Solo at 4:48.

Rating: D+. Sweet goodness I hate this show. This was a squash from the Death Riders, who feel like they’re on every show every week and here they are again, winning a match that won’t get them anywhere closer to a title match or anything serious. But hey, at least they go to make this long show even longer in a match over two established losers. Thank goodness for that.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Komander/SkyFlight

Moriarty and Komander start things off and trade escapes for a standoff. Dante and Bravo come in, with Dante taking him into the corner by the arm. It’s off to Darius for a dropkick into an armbar before Dante flips over a charge to send Bravo outside. Taylor comes in to headbutt Dante and knock him outside, followed by the beating in the corner back inside.

Bravo’s knee drop gets two and we hit the chinlock. Dante manages to jump over Moriarty and brings Komander in to clean house. The very springboardy hurricanrana gives Komander two on Moriarty as everything breaks down. Dante drops Bravo and it’s Cielito Lindo to give Komander the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C+. The idea here was to push Komander vs. Moriarty for their title match on December 26, though there were no rope breaks here so I have no idea what it has to do with a Pure Rules match. Other than that, the Promotions have already beaten SkyFlight so there’s not much of a need for them to fight again. Then again it isn’t like the six man division is in any way of a division, so odds are it keeps going anyway.

Overall Rating: D+. This show actually got on my nerves more than once and that’s not a good sign. After a five hour show on Friday (plus the regular show on Thursday and a bonus show on Tuesday), here’s one of the longest editions of the weekly show in probably a year or two. It was a bunch of the same people who were around at Final Battle in less interesting matches that are done week after week.

While there were a few stories being moved forward, it’s not like they’re interesting in the slightest. The wrestling was decent enough, but my goodness I am absolutely sick of seeing these same people trotted out there week after week so they can do the same stuff. If this is the best booking they can have, at least cut the shows down to an hour or so at most because MY GOODNESS this felt like it went on for days.

Results
Spanish Announce Project b. LSG/Josh Crane – Double submission
Dark Order b. Frat House – Triple flipping slam to Karter
Zayda Steel b. Rachael Ellering – Spinning DDT
Jay Lethal b. Nathan Cruz – Lethal Injection
Deonna Purrazzo/Madison Rayne b. Billie Starkz/Diamante – Fujiwara armbar to Starkz
Hechicero b. Josh Woods – Black Widow
Outrunners/Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Dalton Castle b. MxM TV/Premiere Athletes – German suplex/clothesline combination to Nese
Red Velvet b. Lacey Lane – Flipping faceplant
Death Riders b. Aaron Solo/Willie Mack – Dragontamer to Solo
Komander/SkyFlight b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Cielito Lindo to Bravo

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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Final Battle 2025
Date: December 5, 2025
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, Jon Moxley

It’s the biggest show of the year and most of the card was actually set up in advance. The main event is a six way Survival Of The Fittest, which should be fun and quite the spectacle. Other than that, the vacant Tag Team Titles are to be decided and various other titles are on the line. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Premiere Athletes vs. Outrunners

Mark Sterling and Stori Denali are here with the Athletes and Sterling says the Outrunners are the long term effects of unfiltered cigarettes. Magnum and Nese start things off with Nese backing him into the corner to little effect. Instead Nese moonsaults over a charging Magnum, who grabs a running headscissors to take Nese down. The other two come in and it’s a double suplex to drop the Athletes again.

Back in and Sterling’s distraction has Magnum in trouble for a change, allowing Sterling to choke away on the rope. Magnum avoids a charge and the needed tag brings in Floyd to clean house. Everything breaks down and Total Recall gets two, with Nese making the save. Nese is back in with a superkick, allowing Daivari to hit one of his own. Magnum drops Daivari but gets distracted by Sterling, allowing Denali to take Magnum down. The Magic Carpet Ride gets two and the Outrunners get fired up, allowing Total Recall to finish Daivari at 9:15.

Rating: C. This could have been on any given edition of the weekly show and that makes for quite the uninteresting addition here. This match wasn’t announced in advance and feels like it was just there to boost up the already high match count. I have no reason to believe the Outrunners are going to be near the Tag Team Titles anytime soon, but at least they got to use this ten minutes instead.

Zero Hour: Zayda Steel vs. Leila Grey

Steel is recently departed from the WWE ID Program and Evolve. Steel tries a quick rollup to start and they trade running elbows against the ropes. Grey avoids a running knee in the corner but comes back with a sling blade for two. A hard clothesline drops Steel as commentary ignores the match to talk about Survival Of The Fittest.

Angel’s Wings is countered into a half crab to put Grey in trouble (on YouTube, the feed went out here and the rest of the match wasn’t aired) but she manages to power out. A bulldog out of the corner drops Steel but she sends Grey outside for a nice dive. Back in and Steel hits a tornado DDT, only for Grey to roll through into the Angel’s Wings to finish at 6:33.

Rating: C. I had to watch this in two parts due to the transmission issues and it didn’t really make things much better. Grey has all kinds of charisma and could be something if she’s given a chance (and some more polishing in the ring). Steel is someone who will get a chance given her look and background, which are more than enough in the Ring Of Honor women’s division.

Zero Hour: Ace Austin vs. Lee Johnson

Feeling out process to start with Austin using the speed to take over. A bridging rollup gets two, with Johnson having to go to the eyes to escape. Austin suplexes him out to the floor but gets sent into the steps for his efforts. Back in and Johnson hammers away at the banged up face before taking him back outside. The moonsault from the barricade into the reverse DDT plants Austin on the floor but he’s fine enough to avoid a clothesline back inside.

A guillotine legdrop hits Johnson and a doctor bomb gets two more. Austin misses the Fold and gets caught with a Blue Thunder Bomb for another near fall. Johnson’s half and half suplex drops Austin again but he escapes a powerbomb. The pop up version of the powerbomb drops Austin for two but he kicks Johnson in the face. The Fold finishes for Austin at 9:26.

Rating: B-. The crowd wasn’t overly interested but this was a case of two talented stars getting to showcase themselves. Austin feels like he could be a star if he’s given the chance and while this is about as low on the totem pole as you can be, at least he won. Now just do something with him and see what he can do.

Zero Hour: Death Riders vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Jon Moxley is on commentary as Yuta takes Drake down by the hair to start. Garcia comes in and goes with some grappling, only to be sent outside by Drake. The fans approve as he gets back in and is knocked down just as fast. Garcia finally manages to knock him down and goes after the arm before Yuta’s German suplex gets two. Drake fights out of trouble and brings in Gibson, who snaps off a suplex into the corner.

The Riders shrug that off and it’s a middle rope forearm Hart Attack to Gibson. Yuta takes Drake out and it’s a splash to Gibson to set up the Dragontamer. The rope is eventually reached and Gibson knocks both of them down, allowing the tag back to Drake. A nearly Coast To Coast missile dropkick gets two on Yuta as Moxley is getting fired up. Drake gets sent outside and a chop block cuts Gibson down. Yuta’s running knee finishes at 10:03.

Rating: C+. And the Riders are around again, despite doing nothing out of their ordinary here. It’s another match that felt like it was there for the sake of tacking on another episode of the weekly show before we get to the biggest show of the year. Just more filler content and hardly anything noteworthy.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video talks about how many things have changed in the last year. I’m really not sure how much I’d focus on the pace of changes in Ring Of Honor.

We recap the Women’s Pure Title tournament. Almost eight months after it was announced, we’re finally at the finals, with the woman who was favored to win the thing from the beginning included.

Women’s Pure Title: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Billie Starkz

For the inaugural title and Purrazzo takes her down into the Fujiwara armbar at the bell. Starkz burns off her first rope break less than twenty seconds in so Purrazzo grabs a headlock. An armbar keeps Starkz in trouble but the Fujiwara armbar is reversed into a rollup for two. They fight outside with Starkz sending her into the steps a few times, as this is stretching the “pure” moniker.

Back in and Starkz works on the arm before grabbing what looks like a Tazmission. That’s broken up and Starkz is sent outside for a baseball slide. Starkz shrugs that off and forearms away but clotheslines the post by mistake. A Russian legsweep sends Starkz back first into the announcers’ table and they go back inside. They trade kicks to the face until Purrazzo hits a discus lariat to leave both of them down.

Back up and they forearm it out with Purrazzo knee lifting her into the Fujiwara armbar. Another rope break gets Starkz out as Moxley sounds like he’s finally understanding Pure Rules (which isn’t a good sign that he didn’t seem to get them for the first ten minutes). They fight to the apron, where Starkz hits an Alabama Slam into a running Swanton to the back.

The Swanton gives Starkz two and a choke sends Purrazzo over for her first rope break. Purrazzo is back up with a German suplex into the Gotch style piledriver for two. The threat of the Venus de Milo has Starkz using her third rope break so Purrazzo cranks on both arms in the ropes. Starkz breaks out and hits a spinning Downward Spiral. The Swanton is loaded up but Purrazzo reverses into the Venus de Milo in the middle of the ring for the tap at 13:52.

Rating: B-. The action was good, but there was pretty much nothing here that mattered with the Pure Rules. It was basically Purrazzo trying to get her big hold and then finally managing to get it on. You could have dropped the Pure Rules from the whole thing and it wouldn’t have particularly mattered. It doesn’t help that the tournament turned into a running joke in Ring Of Honor and there was almost no way to make it live up to the hype. Certainly not a bad match, but at usual, just nothing that felt like you needed to see the thing.

Post match Queen Aminata comes out for the staredown.

We recap Nigel McGuinness vs. Lee Moriarty. They had a Pure Rules Title match last year with Moriarty winning but then McGuinness beat him in a four way match. Somehow this counts as making them 1-1 against each other so now it’s a 30 minute Iron Man match. Non-title of course.

Nigel McGuinness vs. Lee Moriarty

Non-title thirty minute Iron Man match and Shane Taylor is here with Moriarty. McGuinness wears the old Pure Rules Title because….I guess it looks nice? They go technical to start with neither being able to get very far. The threat of a rebound lariat has Moriarty stepping away and it’s an early standoff. Moxley talks about the Heartland Wrestling Association as McGuinness escapes a cravate. McGuinness misses another rebound lariat but grabs some rollups for two each. The Border City Stretch makes McGuinness tap at 3:45 for the first fall.

Moriarty – 1
McGuinness – 0

McGuinness takes over with a wristlock so Moriarty rolls around and picks the ankle, only to get caught in a cravate. An uppercut knocks Moriarty into the corner and McGuinness is getting frustrated. They fight over an abdominal stretch until Moriarty has to go to the ropes. The Tower Of London is broken up and Moriarty goes outside, where McGuinness chops him down with twenty minutes to go. Back in and Moriarty grabs a small package for the pin at 10:56.

Moriarty – 2
McGuinness – 0

McGuinness manages to grab a quick hammerlock DDT before twisting the arm around as a bonus. Moriarty reverses into an ankle twist as the fans start chanting for McGuinness. The London Dungeon is broken up so McGuinness twists him down by the arm. A double arm crank is broken up, leaving McGuinness to use his feet to snap the arm instead.

Moriarty knocks him off the top and hits a high crossbody. McGuinness is right back with the London Dungeon, sending Moriarty right back to the rope. They trade chops in the corner until McGuinness pokes him in the eye (and shrugs in a nice moment). McGuinness goes back to the arm and grabs the London Dungeon to finally make Moriarty tap at 19:08.

Moriarty – 2
McGuinness – 1

You can see McGuinness’ confidence kick in as he knows he can beat Moriarty. McGuinness goes after the arm again but Moriarty rolls him up for the fall at 19:48.

Moriarty – 3
McGuinness – 1

McGuinness goes after the arm again and ties it up using his legs. Moriarty manages to slip out and it’s time to trade uppercuts. Moriarty’s missed charge in the corner lets McGuinness grab a neckbreaker out of said corner for two. A London Dungeon with a backbreaker is broken up so McGuinness switches into a triangle choke.

McGuiness’ LeBell Lock sends Moriarty to the ropes with five minutes to go. Another hammerlock DDT is countered into a rollup for two so McGuinness hits the rebound lariat for tow more. They go outside with Moriarty choking him out for a near countout as McGuinness manages to beat the count. The Border City Stretch goes on but McGuinness reverses into a rollup for the pin at 28:10.

Moriarty – 3
McGuinness – 2

Back up and they collide for a double down as we have a minute left. McGuinness pulls him into another rollup for the pin at 29:30.

Moriarty – 3
McGuinness – 3

McGuinness grabs a rollup for another fall at 29:48.

McGuinness – 4
Moriarty – 3

Taylor punches McGuinness out and Moriarty gets the pin at 29:59.

Moriarty – 4
McGuinness – 4

And then time expires. Hold on though as McGuinness goes to leave but Moriarty wants sudden death. McGuinness is back in and rolls Moriarty up with trunks for two. A sunset flip gets the same and they trade rollups for two each. It works so well that they do it again, with Moriarty grabbing a European clutch for the pin at 34:08.

Moriarty – 5
McGuinness – 4

Rating: B+. I loved that last bit of regulation time as I wasn’t expecting two straight falls in such a short span of time. It made for some nice extra drama and that’s what I wanted to see out of something like this. Moriarty winning is the right move as this needs to wrap everything up. McGuinness has lost to him twice now and that should be it for their rivalry, which is what it should have been. Rather good match though, with a heck of a story involved.

Post match McGuinness gives Moriarty the old title as major respect is shown.

Jon Moxley grabs the mic and talks about the Don Callis Family. Those guys thinking they’re owed something but he was raised and fortified by Ohio tap water. If Konosuke Takeshita wants to make any ground in the tournament, he’s going to have to take it from him.

We recap Mercedes Mone defending the Women’s TV Title against Red Velvet. This is one of Mone’s titles and now Velvet, who was out of action for months of her reign, is getting her rematch.

Women’s TV Title: Red Velvet vs. Mercedes Mone

Mone is defending and gets jumped during the Big Match Intros. They fight over small packages for some near falls each until Velvet misses a standing moonsault. Mone slams her down for two more and it’s off to a double arm crank. Three Amigos have Velvet in more trouble but a frog splash hits raised knees. Velvet slugs away and hits some running knees to the back.

Some stomping and choking, include Velvet doing the splits, have Mone in more trouble but she manages to send Velvet outside. The Meteora off the steps connect with Velvet, followed by the running knees against the ropes back inside. Mone takes her up top and it’s a super victory roll to give Velvet two. A Backstabber and gutbuster give Mone two and it’s time to get frustrated.

What looks like a super Tombstone is countered into a flipping faceplant into the Final Slice gives Velvet two. That means a stunned face off the kickout but the Mone Maker is countered into a faceplant for two more. Velvet kicks her in the head for another near fall but Mone gets the Statement Maker. That’s broken up with a kick off the ropes…and Velvet cradles her for the pin and the title at 13:45.

Rating: B+. Well that was awesome. I’m not sure what to think as I’ve never seen Velvet come anywhere close to what she did here and it was a heck of a match. What matters the most is that Mone put her over clean, which is what has been a rare situation for her in AEW/ROH. Awesome stuff here, and if Velvet can do this going forward, I can more than live with it.

Post match Velvet is thrilled and Mone is devastated.

We recap the Tag Team Title match. La Faccion Ingobernable had to vacate the titles due to Rush being injured so the titles have been held up. Former champion Sammy Guevara is teaming with the Beast Mortos against….a team who has never had a regular tag match before. Because Ring Of Honor.

Tag Team Titles: La Faccion Ingobernable vs. Adam Priest/Tommy Billington

For the vacant titles. Guevara and Billington start things off with Billington working on the arm to keep Guevara down. That’s broken up and Guevara knocks him away, meaning it’s time to yell at the fans. Billington goes to the leg and Guevara is quickly over to the ropes for some safety. Priest comes in to hammer on Mortos in the corner, earning a choke shove. Guevara jumps in on commentary to brag about the team’s success as Billington dropkicks Mortos.

A double backdrop puts Mortos down for two but he’s right back with a neck twist to Priest. Guevara comes in (the fans cannot stand him) for a basement superkick and it’s already back to Mortos (the fans can stand him a bit more). The right hands in the corner have Priest staggered and the villains get to take turns beating on him. Priest is able to come back with a middle rope tornado DDT and the much needed tag brings Billington back in.

The missile dropkick gets two on Mortos, who is right back with a Samoan drop for two more. Something like a Doomsday Device is broken up and Mortos misses a charge into the corner. A running clothesline/German suplex combination drops Mortos for another near fall and priest snaps off a super hurricanrana. Cue Hechicero to shove Priest off the top though and Mortos’ corkscrew moonsault pins Billington for the titles at 13:11.

Rating: B-. There wasn’t much to this one, as the action was fine but there was no reason for Billington and Priest to get the title shot. You have all kinds of teams on the ROH roster and yet here’s a team just being thrown out there for the vacant titles. It’s like they do all of the work and then just do something else at the last minute. I don’t get it, but it’s a good example of the problems with the weekly show. Either way, nice enough match here, but absolutely nothing memorable.

We recap Eddie Kingston vs. Josh Woods. They have no story here, as this is just a way to build Kingston up for his AEW World Title shot next week. That’s it.

Eddie Kingston vs. Josh Woods

Woods goes for the legs to start but Kingston pulls him down into a quick neckbreaker. Back up and a springboard kick to the head drops Kingston, allowing Woods to go after the arm. That’s broken up as well and Kingston starts hammering him down but Woods is back with shots of his own. They trade the strikes until it’s a double down for a fairly early breather.

Woods gets the better of things but walks into a German suplex. Kingston fires off chops in the corner but gets caught in an armbar. That’s broken up as well and Kingston fires off some headbutts in the corner. Even Kingston is a bit staggered but he’s able to superplex Woods down for two. The Rolling Chaos Theory gives Woods two more, with Kingston grabbing the rope. Back up and Kingston grabs a German suplex to drop Woods, allowing Kingston to shout about Samoa Joe. The DDT finishes Woods off at 9:45.

Rating: B-. They beat each other up here but there was only so much to be gotten out of two people who don’t have any issues. This was all about warming Kingston up for the World Title match next week, which means this didn’t need to be on the pay per view. Put this on Collision instead and let the show breathe a bit.

Post match, respect is shown.

We recap the Six Man Tag Team Titles. Shane Taylor Promotions have been champions for a bit and SkyFlight wanted a shot. End of build.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: SkyFlight vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

The Promotions are defending and jump them from behind to start fast. SkyFlight fights back and a jumping back elbow puts Dean down. It’s time to alternate shots on Dean’s arm until Dean gets Dante into the corner for a cheap shot. Taylor comes in to hammer Darius down in the corner before the Infantry gets to slug him against the ropes. Darius fights back but gets sent into the corner again, meaning Taylor can come in to be imposing.

The big splash gives Taylor two and it’s back to Dean, who knocks Dante outside. The running shot in the corner hits Darius and the big running flip dive takes Dante down again. Back up and Dante manages to be on the apron for the tag. House is quickly cleaned but Trish Adora trips Dante from the floor. Leila Grey takes her shoes off for the big brawl and here is Christopher Daniels to Angel’s Wings Anthony Ogogo. Everything breaks down and Taylor knocks Darius silly with the right hand, giving Dean the retaining pin at 11:30.

Rating: C+. Much like the Tag Team Title match, this didn’t have much in the way of a story to the whole thing. It was just a match between two teams, with the Promotions getting a successful title defense. It’s certainly not bad, but there’s only so much you can get out of a match with so little build put in.

We recap Ricochet defending the National Title against Dalton Castle. Ricochet won the inaugural title last month and is making the first defense of an AEW title in ROH. Castle has messed with Ricochet and has had two matches this week to get ready. Granted they were trios matches but you can’t expect it to be that much better.

AEW National Title: Dalton Castle vs. Ricochet

Ricochet is defending. They take their time to start until Ricochet grabs an early rollup for two. Castle takes him down as well and we get a lap around the ring, including the Boys. Back in and Castle takes him down again, setting up the falling splash and a spinning elbow to the face. Ricochet bails out to the floor and hits one of the Boys, meaning Castle needs to check on him.

That’s fine with Ricochet, who is right back with a running flip dive, followed by a Steve Austin middle rope elbow for two. Castle is sent into the corner for a legsweep into a slingshot dropkick. Ricochet goes up so Castle rolls away in a smart move. Ricochet’s handspring is countered into a German suplex and there’s a suplex to drop Ricochet again. The reverse Sling Blade gives Castle two so Ricochet is back up with an enziguri. A Lionsault gives Ricochet two but the Spirit Gun misses.

Ricochet escapes the Bang A Rang and grabs a standing Sliced Bread #2 for two. Some kind of big flip off the top misses for Ricochet and they fight over suplexes onto and back off of the apron. Castle manages to drop him onto the apron and it’s the Bang A Rang back inside for the near fall. Ricochet is sent outside again and this time he throws one of the Boys at Castle. That’s enough of a distraction for the Spirit Gun to retain the title at 14:57.

Rating: B. Once you saw Castle messing with the Demand, you knew the match was going to be good due to the talent involved. That was exactly what happened here and it made for a solid match. While calling Ring Of Honor an outside promotion, at least it’s a first step in the title actually feeling different.

We recap the World Title match. Rush is injured so Bandido is defending against five people in an elimination match. End of build.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Bandido vs. Blake Christian vs. Sammy Guevara vs. The Beast Mortos vs. Hechicero vs. Komander

Bandido is defending in Survival Of The Fittest (elimination rules). There are no tags so we have Guevara and Mortos getting boos/cheers for a bit before everyone fights to the floor. Christian is fine enough to stand back and watch as Komander is sent into the corner by Guevara and Mortos. Hechicero and Mortos want Christian inside so Christian goes after Mortos to limited success.

Back in and Christian takes Guevara down but walks into a gutbuster. Mortos spears Hechicero down to end their brief alliance but Hechicero fights out of the corner. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker drops Guevara, only for Christian to send Hechicero outside for a heck of a dive.

Back in and Christian gets beaten up by Komander and Bandido, with Bandido’s corkscrew high crossbody hitting Christian and Guevara. Bandido isn’t done as he kind of powerbombs Komander onto the villains on the floor. Christian is brought back in and flipped into a backbreaker for two but Guevara breaks up Bandido vs. Komander. Guevara gets X Kneed into the Cielito Lindo for the first elimination at 11:25.

Mortos is back in to clean house but Komander cuts him off with a springboard poisonrana (dang). Bandido grabs a German suplex on Mortos and Hechicero’s hurricanrana driver finishes Mortos at 13:01. Hechicero isn’t done as he cross armbreakers Bandido but Komander makes a kind of questionable save. Bandido and Komander go up top, where Christian’s springboard hurricanrana brings them down, with Komander giving Bandido a super Spanish Fly. Well that was a mess, albeit an awesome one. Christian cutters Komander for the elimination at 15:28 and we’re down to Christian vs. Bandido vs. Hechicero.

Bandido’s leg gets tied up in the ropes with Hechicero cranking away before everyone gets two off a rollup. Christian superkicks Hechicero by mistake, allowing Bandido to hit a running hurricanrana to the floor. Back in and a frog splash gives Bandido two on Christian, whose Lethal Injection gets the same on Bandido. An X Knee staggers Christian and Hechicero is back in with the spinning hammerlock backbreaker for a rather near fall. Hechicero chokes Bandido, who jumps up and sunset flips Christian for the elimination at 20:36.

That leaves us with Bandido vs. Hechicero for the title (again) so Christian jumps Bandido and reinjures his shoulder. We pause for the medics to check on him before Hechicero sends the shoulder into the corner. A backdrop sends Bandido onto the apron and he lands on the steps, with Hechicero’s slingshot dive only hitting said steps. Bandido’s running suicide dive takes Hechicero out again but he’s back up with a rather spinning rollup for two. Hechicero’s electric chair is countered into a poisonrana and a small package retains Bandido’s title at 27:55.

Rating: B+. They did a very nice job here with the fast paced action, which is quite impressive given how thrown together the whole thing felt. I’m not sure on Bandido retaining here, but they’re doing a good job of making him feel like THE star. Hechicero continues to look good and Christian is still someone who could make for a great annoying champion. Solid stuff here, though I’m not sure how great of a choice it was for the World Title match on the biggest show of the year.

A rather psychotic looking Mercedes Mone is upset but Leila Grey comes in to say she might be the next TBS Champion. Mone freaks out and the match is set for Collision this week.

Here’s what’s coming on Dynamite.

We recap Athena defending the Women’s Title against Persephone. Athena has been champion for years and Persephone has indeed wrestled in Ring Of Honor before.

Women’s Title: Athena vs. Persephone

Athena, with Diamante, is defending and does not seem impressed to start. The tease of a test of strength lets Athena dance a bit so Persephone slaps her in the face. Another shot knocks Athena outside for a meeting with Diamante. Athena tells the fans that this is her show before heading back inside, where Persephone hits her in the face. This time Athena heads outside again, where Persephone gets hit in the face for a change.

A Codebreaker off the steps drops Persephone again but Athena seems to hurt her back. They get back inside, where Athena manages a belly to back suplex for two, though her back is giving her trouble. Diamante gets in a quick cheap shot and Athena hits a faceplant onto the apron. Persephone manages a swinging Irish Curse for two as she has quite the target. A rollup gives Athena two but Persephone is right back to the injured back. They head outside again, where Athena gets slammed HARD onto the announcers’ table, sending her bailing to the ropes.

Stereo clotheslines leave them both down before a big boot drops Athena for two more. Athena manages to catch her in a handstand, with a dropkick sending Persephone outside. Persephone is fine enough to counter a suicide dive into a fall away slam on the floor. Diamante tries to interfere and gets kicked in the face for her efforts. A missile dropkick gives Persephone two and it’s off to something like a modified Sharpshooter.

That’s enough to send Athena to the ropes and she’s back up with a springboard moonsault for two. Athena can’t get an Alabama Slam but she can get a Koji Clutch. Persephone gets out so Athena grabs it again, with Persephone getting a foot on the rope. Athena yells at her a lot, earning herself a northern lights suplex. The Razor’s Edge gives Persephone two the shock is real. Persephone takes too long loading up a moonsault and gets German superplexed back down. The O Face retains the title at 27:09.

Rating: B+. These two beat the living daylights out of each other and Athena’s insane reign continues. I’m not sure who is going to take the title from her (please no on the Billie Starkz stuff, as we’ve been there TWICE) but it’s going to be quite the moment. Persephone felt like a star as well, and it would have been even better if she had done anything of note in ROH just yet.

Athena celebrates with Diamante and Billie Starkz to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. It’s a really good show with some outstanding action, but sweet goodness it’s the third Ring Of Honor show of the week and the whole thing breaks five hours. While I was enjoying the matches, I was sick of hearing the same commentary and seeing the same logos after so much of them this week.

As is so often the case with something from Tony Khan, the wrestling is enough to make the show work, but the illogical (or in ROH, the almost non-existing) booking holds it back. Figure those things out and make the weekly show worth anything and this stuff could be great, because the wrestling is more than good enough to be worth a look.

Results
Outrunners b. Premiere Athletes – Total Recall to Daivari
Leila Grey b. Zayda Steel – Angel’s Wings
Ace Austin b. Lee Johnson – The Fold
Death Riders b. Grizzled Young Veterans – Running knee to Gibson
Deonna Purrazzo b. Billie Starkz – Venus de Milo
Lee Moriarty b. Nigel McGuinness 5-4
Red Velvet b. Mercedes Mone – Cradle
La Faccion Ingobernable b. Adam Priest/Tommy Billington – Corkscrew moonsault to Billington
Eddie Kingston b. Josh Woods – DDT
Shane Taylor Promotions b. SkyFlight – Right hand to Darius
Ricochet b. Dalton Castle – Spirit Gun
Bandido won Survival Of The Fittest last eliminating Hechicero
Athena b. Persephone – O Face

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: December 4, 2025
Location: The Pinnacle, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

it’s the night before Final Battle and we’re on the second of three Ring Of Honor shows this week. The big draw this time is that the Women’s TV Champion is actually going to be here as Mercedes Mone is going to be doing something. The pay per view can use some extra buildup so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the top of the Final Battle card.

The Beast Mortos vs. Komander

Komander does the bull pass Ole’s to start so Mortos hits him in the face. An anklescissors and headscissors take Mortos down but he cuts off the bouncy springboard hurricanrana. Mortos’ fireman’s carry backbreaker has Komander in more trouble and it’s time to choke on the rope. A neck twist keeps Komander in trouble but he gets in a quick hurricanrana for two more.

Mortos is sent outside for the big dive, though he’s fine enough to grab a pop up Samoan drop for another near fall. Komander’s crucifix bomb gets two so he goes up, where Mortos counters a hurricanrana into a powerbomb backbreaker. A poisonrana drops Mortos again and Komander goes up, only for Sammy Guevara to shove him down for the DQ at 9:40.

Rating: C. This was starting to pick up before the not so great ending. I get the idea of not wanting one of them to be pushed harder before Final Battle, but if that’s the case, why bother putting it together in the first place? Either way, at least Komander got to do his high flying stuff, which does work well most of the time.

Post match Komander gets his mask ripped off but Bandido comes out for the save. Cue Don Callis to ask about his white pants and to introduce Hechicero. The good guys are beaten down and the other three argue over the title.

Premiere Athletes vs. Philly Collins/Marino Tenaglia/Zoey Lynn

Daivari unloads on Tenaglia in the corner to start and it’s off to Denali for more of the same. Denali chokes on Lynn before it’s off to Collins, who catches Nese’s boot. Daivari breaks it up with a hammerlock lariat to Collins and Denali chokeslams Lynn for the pin at 2:53. Total destruction.

Rosario Grillo vs. Sidney Akeem

Grillo works on the arm to start as commentary talks about the World Title match. Akeem nips up and hits a running shoulder but gets taken into the corner for some elbows to the head. Akeem’s springboard is broken up with a forearm to the face but he’s back with a spinning crossbody. The backflip cutter is broken up so Akeem connects with the second attempt for the win at 4:31.

Rating: C. The flips and acrobatics were nice, but why in the world is this on the last show before Final Battle? It would be a stretch in a regular week and yet here it is, even in a week where they had another show as a bonus. It’s not like there is any required amount of content to fill and this felt like nothing more than filler for the sake of making the show longer.

Dalton Castle/The Outrunners vs. Jake Omen/Ashton Adonis/Josh Crane

Magnum poses at Omen to start and hands it off to Floyd for a running knee lift. Castle’s falling splash gets two but it’s Magnum getting caught in the wrong corner. That’s broken up in a hurry though and it’s Floyd coming back in to help clean house. It’s off to Castle for the suplexes and the Mega Powers Elbow into the Bang A Rang finishes Adonis at 4:40.

Rating: C. Dalton Castle has a match for the National Title at the biggest show of the year so he wrestles two six man tags this week. Of course he does. Even though there is a grand total of no chance that Castle wins the title at Final Battle, it shouldn’t be asking too much to have him win some squash matches while the Outrunners pose at ringside.

Post match here is Ricochet for a distraction, allowing the Gates Of Agony to jump the Outrunners. Ricochet comes in for a belt shot, plus the Spirit Gun.

Death Riders vs. Damien Reel/Damon Reel

Yuta and Damien start things off with Yuta easily taking over. It’s off to Garcia to send him into the corner for some glaring. Yuta comes back in to tie up the leg, with Garcia adding some right hands to the head. Damien fights up and brings in Damon to make a comeback, which doesn’t last long. Instead it’s a flying forearm Hart Attack into the Dragontamer for the tap at 3:53.

Rating: C. This is another match involving people who have nothing to do with Final Battle. That’s the theme of way too much of this show, as again it’s not like Yuta and Garcia are strangers. They’re people who have been well established on AEW and yet here they are again, doing the same thing they always do. Why did this need to be here?

Queen Aminata tells Deonna Purrazzo that she is injured and out of the tournament, meaning Purrazzo is in the finals. Purrazzo is understanding, as well as ready for whomever she faces tomorrow night.

Mercedes Mone vs. Little Miss Larkin

Non-title. Larkin is very excited to be here and gets pulled down by the hair to start. Statement Maker finishes at 34 seconds.

Women’s Pure Rules Title Tournament Semifinals: Billie Starkz vs. Yuka Sakazaki

They start a bit slowly until Starkz drives her into the ropes for Sakazaki’s first break. Sakazaki grabs a bodyscissors and rolls her around the ring for two and they head outside. Starkz slugs away to take over and stomps away back inside. A DDT gives Starkz two but Sakazaki fights back, forcing Starkz to use the rope. Starkz comes out with a right hand into a DDT to stay on the neck. Sakazaki uses the second rope break to get out of a chinlock and she Snowplows Starkz for two.

An ankle lock makes Starkz use her second rope break and she slams Sakazaki off the top. The Swanton misses though and Sakazaki’s top rope splash misses. Starkz grabs a kneebar but Sakazaki does the same thing, meaning they need to trade forearms for the double escape…and they both use their final rope break. They strike it out again until Starkz trips her into a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 10:43.

Rating: B-. And that’s how we get to the finals of the tournament. This was another case of how gimmicky can they get with the rope breaks, which is basically all the Pure Title stuff is most of the time. Starkz cheating in the end was at least something different, but my goodness I cannot bring myself to care about this tournament.

And that’s it. Seriously, that’s it. Mone, the big advertisement for this show, was out there for a 34 second squash and nothing more. That’s so lame it’s almost funny.

Overall Rating: D+. Maybe it was having the extra show earlier this week (which was completely and totally necessary), but this felt like the biggest waste of time. The wrestling was mediocre at best and a lot of it had little or nothing to do with the pay per view. This show was supposed to sell me on Final Battle and instead it sold me on wanting to go to my local library and find a nice ornamental horticulture book. Totally nothing show here, but at least we had to pay to see it.

Results
Komander b. The Beast Mortos via DQ when Sammy Guevara interfered
Premiere Athletes b. Philly Collins/Marino Tenaglia/Zoey Lynn – Chokeslam to Lynn
Sidney Akeem b. Rosario Grillo – Backflip cutter
Dalton Castle/The Outrunners b. Jake Omen/Ashton Adonis/Josh Crane – Bang A Rang to Crane
Death Riders b. Damien Reel/Damon Reel – Dragontamer to Damon
Mercedes Mone b. Little Miss Larkin – Statement Maker
Billie Starkz b. Yuka Sakazaki – Rollup with feet on the ropes

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: November 28, 2025
Location: Agganis Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re on Friday this week due to the avoidance of Thanksgiving. It’s a week before Final Battle and thanks to AEW TV, we actually have some of the bigger matches set for the show. This includes the World Title match, but more importantly than that, we’re actually finishing the first round of the Women’s Pure Title tournament, a mere three months after it started. Let’s get to it.

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

Sammy Guevara reveals that due to Rush’s injury, the Tag Team Titles have been held up, so he’s teaming with The Beast Mortos to win the titles next week at Final Battle.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Dark Order

Silver takes Moriarty down to start and poses, allowing the rest of the Order to come in for some rapid fire triple teaming. Taylor comes in so Reynolds goes for his leg, only to get dropped with a hard clothesline. It’s off to Ogogo for some knees to the ribs and a slam for two and it’s back to Moriarty for a front facelock. Reynolds gets his feet up in the corner though and cuts off a charging Taylor, allowing Uno to come in for the house cleaning. A double DDT plants Moriarty and Ogogo as everything breaks down. Taylor breaks up the triple flipping slam and Moriarty Border City Stretches Uno for the win at 7:17.

Rating: B-. This was….fun? I liked a Dark Order match? Geez it must be the holiday still impacting me or something as that’s not something that often happens. These guys went out there and had a heck of an entertaining match, with everyone working hard. This was a pretty awesome surprise and I’ll take that every time.

Blake Christian is in the World Title match on a technicality and that’s ok with him. All that matters is he can win the title.

Von Erichs vs. Zack Mason/Warren Johnson

Kevin Von Erich is here too. Ross takes Mason down to start and it’s off to Marshall for a dropkick. Marshall gets taken into the corner so Johnson can come in and whip him around a bit. A backdrop out of the corner gets Marshall out of trouble and it’s back to Ross to clean house. The Claws are good enough to give the Von Erichs the double pin at 3:57.

Rating: C. Nothing to see here as it’s the same Von Erichs stuff you’ve seen time after time. They’re perfectly fine in the ring but just dull in almost every imaginable way. If nothing else, they’re a logical choice to go after the Tag Team Titles, as they have a history with LFI and are at least an established team. Just please find something to make them more interesting. There has to be a way.

Jay Lethal apologizes to Adam Priest for accidentally hitting him with a Lethal Injection. Priest’s neck is still sore but he seems to accept the apology.

Frat House vs. Adam Priest/Jay Lethal/Tommy Billington

It’s a brawl to start fast and Lethal hits Garrison with a basement dropkick. Priest comes in and gets choked in the corner, setting up the triple teaming. Lethal’s save attempt doesn’t do any good as it’s off to Jameson for an elevator slam. Taking a drink takes too long though and Jameson misses his middle rope backsplash. Priest avoids a charge into the post and brings Billington in to clean house. Everything breaks down and it’s the Lethal Injection into the Swan Dive to give Billington the pin at 6:35.

Rating: C. Nothing to this one, with the Frat House being their usual self and the other guys getting to prove that they still have it. That doesn’t really matter if they’re going to keep losing in AEW, but it’s not like wins or losses on this show matter when it comes to the bigger shows anyway. I do like Billington/Lethal/Priest as a team though, as they have some nice chemistry and it gives Lethal something to do.

Post match we’re told that Billington and Priest are in the Tag Team Title match at Final Battle. As usual, enjoy your hearty laugh at commentary so constantly telling you that teams winning title matches gets them into title contention. That’s the case with probably half a dozen teams but who gets the title shot? A team who hasn’t actually wrestled a two on two tag match in Ring Of Honor (and are winless in AEW). Again: nothing that happens around here matters because it’s just stuff being thrown together to make a card, with continuity having no impact.

Women’s Pure Rules Title Tournament First Round: Yuka Sakazaki vs. Serena Deeb

We’re told that the semifinals are taking place next week as Sakazaki starts in on the arm. Some armdrags send Deeb outside for a clothesline, followed by an ankle lock back inside. That means the first rope break from Deeb, who sends her hard into the ropes to take over. Something like a Black Widow on the mat has Sakazaki in trouble, only for her to reverse into an arm crank of her own.

Deeb uses the ropes again and crabs Sakazaki’s arm, making her use the rope for a break as well. Sakazaki hits a slingshot knee to the head and a suplex gets two. An STF makes Deeb use her third rope break so Sakazaki grabs a superplex. Sakazaki gets suckered into a slugout until it’s a Snowplow to drop Deeb. The Magic Girl Splash hits raised knees but it’s a spinning hammerlock faceplant to pin Deeb (whose foot on the rope doesn’t matter) at 10:31.

Rating: B-. Nice enough match here, even if it continues the tradition of this tournament feeling like nothing. It took about four months to complete the first round but it’s ok because we’ll have the last three matches in the span of two days. At least they had a good match on the way to the second round, though sweet goodness I lost any potential interest in the whole thing a long time ago.

Video on Persephone vs. Athena.

Premiere Athletes vs. Carrie King/Gino/Exodus Prime

Denali powers King into the corner to start and brings in Gino, with Nese hitting a quick dropkick. Prime gets the tag and is planted by Denali, setting up the Magic Carpet Splash (complete with carpet) for the pin at 3:03.

Rating: C-. It’s not a good sign when I have to figure out the jobbers’ names by listening to commentary as they didn’t even get a graphic. The match was the usual squash and therefore I have no reason to believe it changes anything for the Athletes. They’re one of the acts that gets on a lot of shows but doesn’t seem to go anywhere, which makes their continued use feel like nothing more than filler.

Main Man Oro/Beef vs. Swirl

So Christian is in a World Title match in a week and he’s in a tag match here. Right. Johnson and Oro start things off with Johnson taking it over. Christian comes in for a whip into the corner and a running dropkick to the back. It’s off to Beef, who is quickly beaten down, only to come back with a double crossbody. Oro gets the tag and is sent outside for a suicide dive, followed by a double superkick to Beef. Back in and the Swirl Stomp finishes Oro at 6:16.

Rating: C+. So again, the Swirl looks dominant here and continues their winning ways, but for some reason they’re nowhere near the Tag Team Title match. As usual, this promotion’s wins/losses have no impact on anything, which makes for quite the tedious show when there are so few storylines. It’s even more annoying when Swirl is getting better and are actually fun to watch most of the time.

We get Ricochet’s victory promo from Collision.

We run down the Final Battle card and….wait. Sammy Guevara and The Beast Mortos are in both the Tag Team and World Title matches? BUT THE REGULAR TEAMS HAVE NOTHING TO DO? If they can do that, why isn’t Swirl in the Tag Team Title match? Or the Von Erichs? Or ANYTHING THAT MAKES MORE SENSE???

Nigel McGuinness wants a thirty minute Iron Man match with Lee Moriarty at Final Battle.

Mansoor vs. Komander

The rest of MxM TV is here with Mansoor, who armdrags him down and poses in the corner. A quick rollup gives Komander two and he kicks Mansoor in the back of the trunks. Mansoor bails to the floor for a bit before his cheap shot is cut off. Instead Mansoor kicks him out to the floor and strikes a pose earning a trip out to the floor.

Valkyrie offers a distraction though and Johnny TV powerbombs her onto Komander. Back in and they slowly trade forearms until Komander grabs a middle rope facebuster. A DDT gives Komander two but TV offers a distraction. Komander uses him as a stepping stone to set up a moonsault to TV, followed by a satellite DDT to Mansoor. Cielito Lindo gives Komander the pin at 9:09.

Rating: B-. I guess this counts as building towards Komander in the World Title match. To their credit, there is something to be said about having him go through multiple people on his way to an elimination match. It’s not quite the same challenge, but you have to take what you can get around here.

Overall Rating: C+. Well it wasn’t boring and things were set up for Final Battle. If you can ignore how head scratch inducing some of those matches are, you can call this something of a success. The show still features WAY too much filler and is dying for something to break up the monotony, but at least the six man and women’s matches were good and they made Final Battle seem important. I’ll take that over the usual around here.

Results
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Dark Order – Border City Stretch to Uno
Von Erichs b. Zack Mason/Warren Johnson – Double pin
Adam Priest/Jay Lethal/Tommy Billington b. Frat House – Swan Dive to Karter
Yuka Sakazaki b. Serena Deeb – Spinning hammerlock faceplant
Premiere Athletes b. Carrie King/Gino/Exodus Prime – Magic Carpet Splash to Prime
Swirl b. Beef/Main Man Oro – Swirl Stomp to Oro
Komander b. Mansoor – Cielito Lindo

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: October 30, 2025
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We are closing in on the beginning of Final Battle season and that means it is time to start thinking about getting ready for some matches. The World Title is set to be on the line soon, albeit on this weekend’s AEW Collision, but it’s better than nothing. Other than that though, we’re closing in on the fourth calendar month of the Women’s Pure Rules Title tournament, so that’s certainly something. Let’s get to it.

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

The Swirl is annoyed at their lack of advancement despite winning all the time.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Dalton Castle/Outrunners vs. The Gifted

Magnum and Tyshaun Perez start things off with an exchange of headlocks. An armdrag takes Perez down and it’s off to Leeroy Shogun, who hits a hard chop. Everything breaks down and Floyd takes down Shogun and Perez at the same time. Castle comes in for some suplexes and it’s the Mega Powers Elbow into the Bang A Rang to give Castle the pin at 3:35.

Rating: C. I’m liking the Castle/Outrunners team as it’s not like they have anything else going on. Take three fun people and put them together to see what they can do. There are far worse ideas and the Six Man Champions certainly need some fresh challengers so maybe this gets them somewhere.

Billie Starkz vs. Aleah James

Fallout from last week where Starkz walked out on James. Starkz gets caught in a wristlock to start and a monkey flip sends her down again. A dropkick knocks Starkz outside but she’s right back in with a faceplant. Starkz’s DDT out of the corner gets two and she forearms James down. The Swanton hits raised knees though and James kicks her in the head. A fisherman’s suplex gives James two but Starkz kicks her in the face right back. The brainbuster onto the knee gives Starkz two so she rolls James up with feet on the ropes for the pin at 6:55.

Rating: C. I’ll take a match with a short form story over nothing and this was about as good as it was going to get. Starkz doesn’t exactly have much to do with Athena teaming with Mercedes Mone in AEW so having her beat some low level stars isn’t a bad idea. James is fine as a rather perky jobber, but that’s about it at the moment.

Don Callis Family vs. Aaron Solo/QT Marshall

Callis insults the fans before the match and gets yelled at by the referee as a result. Marshall and Solo storm the ring and manage to send Archer out to the floor. We settle down to Solo armdragging Romero and handing it off to Marshall, who makes the mistake of going after Archer on the apron. Marshall is sent outside where Callis HAMMERS ON HIM, with even commentary freaking out.

Back in and Marshall manages a quick shot, allowing the tag off to Solo for some house cleaning. Archer comes in and gets kicked in the head, leaving Romero to make the save. A pop up forearm into a superkick cuts Romero down but Archer is back in with a chokeslam. Trent Beretta gets in a cheap shot from the floor and it’s a top rope double stomp to give Romero the pin at 7:25.

Rating: C+. The Family being around all the more isn’t the most encouraging thing to see, though I guess when that much of the roster is in one stable, you have to do something with them. The match was a bit better than I was expecting, though the Family needing to cheat to beat Solo and Marshall isn’t a good sign.

Post match the beating continues, with even Don Callis getting in a shot. Big Boom AJ comes in to save QT Marshall and they seem to be ready for Full Gear.

The Outrunners and Dalton Castle are happy with their win…and then they run into a big version the Jacksonville Jaguars mascot and slow down a bit.

Alex Zayne vs. Lee Moriarty

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Zayne wins or survives the ten minute time limit, he gets a future title shot. Zayne takes him down by the leg to start and they trade waistlocks. The Border City Stretch sends Zayne over to the ropes for an early break so Moriarty knocks him down again. The slingshot splash gives Moriarty two and he cranks on both arms.

Moriarty switches into an abdominal stretch, with Zayne having to use his second rope break. Zayne has some more luck with a suplex and the flipping ax kick gets two. Moriarty kicks out of an ankle lock but Zayne is right back with the same thing. This time Moriarty rolls out so Zayne gives him a flipping faceplant for two. A running hurricanrana out of the corner is broken up though as Moriarty rolls into an STF for the win at 7:33.

Rating: C+. As usual, Moriarty gets to show off what he can do in the ring, but he’s been the champion for such a long time now and goes so long between meaningful defenses that it’s hard to care about this stuff. Zayne got to do his usual stuff, though it only got him so far here. Get Moriarty a better challenger and the title could work, though this stuff is hardly getting very far.

Respect is shown post match.

We recap the Premiere Athletes attacking the Grizzled Young Veterans and Isla Dawn.

Premiere Athletes vs. Grizzled Young Veterans/Isla Dawn

Mark Sterling is back and talks about how great it is to have him return on the same night that Stori Denali is making her Jacksonville debut. Nese pauses to pose before headlocking Gibson, who can’t roll out to start. Gibson gets away but misses some clotheslines, instead going with a double poke to the eyes. Drake comes in to take over on Daivari and it’s off to Dawn, who snaps off a suplex.

That means a showdown with Denali, who gets kneed in the corner. A single shot to the face cuts Dawn off so Nese comes back in, only to have his fingers bitten. It’s back to Drake to chase Gibson outside, where Denali gets in Drake’s way. Back in and a quick Flying Carpet splash hits Drake for two and the villains take over.

A belly to back suplex allows the tag off to Gibson to pick up the pace, including stomping the Athletes down in the corner. Nese gets sent to the floor and Daivari gets suplexed. Back in and Nese breaks up a Doomsday Device but gets sent outside for a dive. Denali comes in to knock Drake off the top so Dawn kicks away at her leg. That’s shrugged off and Denali grabs a chokeslam for the win at 8:48.

Rating: C+. This is a nice story they have going on here and it feels like a feud is coming together. Denali continues to look like a monster and someone who could smash through a lot of women on the way to a title match. Then again, neither of the two main Women’s Titles have been defended in more than two months around here so that isn’t likely happening anytime soon.

Swirl vs. Komander/Mascara Dorada

Christian flips Dorada off to start so Dorada flips around a bit. A wristdrag out of the corner drops Christian, who rolls Dorada into the corner for the tag off to Johnson. That means a rather hard clothesline for two on Dorada, who sends the Swirl into each other. Komander comes in but gets sent to the apron, where a superkick puts him on the floor.

Johnson hits a big running flip dive and the villains drape them over the barricade. Christian adds a dive onto their backs before going after Komander’s eye back inside. Komander fights out of trouble and brings in Dorada to make the comeback on Johnson. Everything breaks down and the luchadors snap off running hurricanranas to the floor. Stereo flip dives drop the Swirl again and Dorada small packages Johnson for two back inside.

Back in and a handspring kick to the face/brainbuster combination drops Dorada for two more. A diving tag brings Komander back in as everything breaks down again. Christian’s Lethal Injection gets two on Komander with Dorada making the save. Some kicks to the head into a poisonrana puts Johnson down and the shooting star press gives Dorada the pin at 11:39.

Rating: B. This didn’t have much in the way of a story but the action was rather good, as Dorada and Komander tend to be. At the same time, the Swirl takes another step back after seemingly getting ready to come after the Tag Team Titles a few weeks ago. I’ll take Dorada though, as he’s someone who puts in a good performance every time he’s out there.

Overall Rating: B-. You know what made this show a lot easier to watch? The stories, as minor as they were, to some of the matches. You had James wanting revenge on Starkz, the Veterans/Dawn wanting to get back at the Athletes and the Swirl not liking Komander and Dorada for getting so much attention. It felt like this week was building off of something else and it made the show that much more interesting. Nice show here, even if pretty much none of this involved any important stories around here.

Results
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. The Gifted – Bang A Rang to Perez
Billie Starkz b. Aleah James – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Don Callis Family b. Aaron Solo/QT Marshall – Top rope double stomp to Marshall
Lee Moriarty b. Alex Zayne – STF
Premiere Athletes b. Grizzled Young Veterans/Isla Dawn – Chokeslam to Dawn
Komander/Mascara Dorada b. Swirl – Shooting star press to Johnson

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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Ring Of Honor
Date: October 16, 2025
Location: RP Funding Center, Lakeland, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We continue the slow, deliberate, at its own pace build towards Final Battle, which has pretty much nothing set up yet. You can probably figure out some of the matches from here, but nothing feels ready to announce anytime soon. This week’s show features a name from years past making a bit of a surprise appearance, which could be fun. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Sidney Akeem vs. Alex Zayne

Akeem flips over him to start so Zayne does the same thing for a staredown. They trade stereo dropkicks and stare at each other until Akeem kicks him into the corner. Zayne gets in a forearm and twists the arm, followed by a flipping kick to the back of the head in the ropes. Akeem fights up from a wristlock but gets double kneed in the back, only to catch Zayne with a dive on the floor.

Back in and a high crossbody gives Akeem two, followed by a pumphandle slam for the same. They knock each other down before trading forearms, only for Zayne to catch Akeem up top with a super hurricanrana. Zayne’s Molly Go Round misses though and Akeem backflips into a cutter for the pin at 6:52.

Rating: C+. It was a fun enough way to open the show with the exchange of flips. Akeem getting the win is a bit of a surprise as Zayne has been treated as a bigger deal around here. Odds are neither of them wind up going anywhere anytime soon, but at least they got to show off a bit here.

Isla Dawn is glad to make her debut here but the Premiere Athletes interrupt. Dawn isn’t impressed and the Grizzled Young Veterans come in to have her back.

Grizzled Young Veterans/Isla Dawn vs. Gabriel Aeros/Javi/Carolina Cruz

Drake and Javi (formerly Javier Bernal in NXT) with Drake forearming away before handing it off to Gibson. Drake is sent into a leg lariat and it’s off to Cruz vs. Dawn. A quick suplex drops Cruz but she’s back with a basement clothesline for two. Some clotheslines and a kick to the head stagger Cruz so it’s off to Aeros, who is dropped just as fast. Drake and Dawn get dropped onto Aeros, before a sliding boot to the face knocks him silly. A high/low finishes for Drake at 4:02.

Rating: C. Pretty much total destruction here, as Dawn and the Veterans weren’t messing around. Dawn is someone who could be a nice addition to the women’s division if she is given a chance, though the Veterans aren’t exactly people who will boost them up. They’re a talented team, but they haven’t done anything important in months and it doesn’t bode well for Dawn.

Post match the Premiere Athletes run in to lay out the Veterans and Dawn. Eh I’ll take a story of any kind over absolutely nothing.

Riccaboni: “The Ring Of Honor Women’s Pure Championship tournament has been heating up.” Liar.

We recap the tournament thus far.

Deonna Purrazzo chides Trish Adora over her lack of honor. She’ll prove that to Adora the next time they’re in the ring. Naturally there is no date given, as we are coming up on two months since the first match.

Diamante vs. Aleah James

Diamante sends her face first into the mat to start before grinding away on a headlock. An armbar has James down but she spins up into a monkey flip. Diamante is right back on the armbar and whips her hard into the corner. A German suplex drops James for two and Diamante muscles her up for a bridging German suplex and the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C+. Both of these two could be something if they were given the chance but commentary spent most of the match talking about the Pure Rules tournament. Neither of these two are in the tournament, but it’s what we focused on anyway. Diamante was wrestling a bit more seriously here and that was nice for a change, even if she isn’t around much.

Wheeler Yuta vs. Oro

Yuta shoves him in the corner to start but gets hit in the face. Oro plants him down for two and wins a slugout but gets backdropped out to the floor. Back in and Yuta hits a top rope forearm as there are A LOT of empty seats in the first few rows. Oro chops his way out of trouble and hits a tornado DDT neck snap across the top rope. Yuta shrugs that off and hits some elbows to the head, followed by the chinlock.

Back up and Oro kicks him in the head for two and then does it again…but Yuta shrugs it off and German suplexes him for two. Cattle Mutilation is broken up thanks to the ropes, though Yuta HAS TIL FIVE. Oro pops back up with an alley oop for two but Yuta goes to the eyes. The running knee finishes for Yuta at 8:55.

Rating: B-. So we’re building to Yuta vs. Bryan Danielson, or at least we should be as otherwise this is a rather big waste of time. Yuta is still about as dull as you can get and doing a knockoff/ripoff of Danielson’s stuff is not about to change that. That being said, it was a nice match here and rather competitive, even if that is a bit of an odd way to go with these two.

Shannon Moore vs. Blake Christian

Somehow this is Moore’s first match in ROH. Christian knocks him into the corner to start and hits a running dropkick for a bonus. Moore gets in some armdrags and a spinning middle rope crossbody as Coleman mentions recently facing Moore in an independent match. They go outside, where Lee Johnson’s distraction lets Christian get in a superkick. Christian does a strut on the barricade and then dances into a double knee stomp back inside.

Moore’s knees are fine enough to hit a Whisper In The Wind for two but Christian anklescissors him down. A springboard 450 gets two but Moore knocks him outside again. The big dive connects and a top rope flipping neckbreaker gets two back inside. The Lethal Injection cuts Moore off though and Vanilla Choke Zero finishes Moore at 7:59.

Rating: C+. Well, it was fine, if you’re into having 46 year old Moore around here. He’s not bad at all and did some of his signature stuff, but there is only so much to get out of having him appear. Christian is still one of the better heels around here, though I’m not sure when he’s going to be doing anything important.

QTV mocks the Don Callis Family but Don Callis himself comes in to call QT Marshall a mark. Then the Family comes in and beats the crew down. I really have to put up with the Family on this show too?

We look back at LFI taking out the Von Erichs.

Frat House vs. Von Erichs

Karter and Ross start things off with Karter hitting a running shoulder. Marshall comes in with a dropkick but a cheap shot lets Karter bring Garrison in instead. Jacked Jameson’s distraction doesn’t work but Preston Vance gets in a shot on the floor to Ross to take over. Back in and Garrison hammers away, followed by the chinlock. Vance takes Marshall down on the floor but Ross sends the House together. Marshall comes back in and cleans the House’s house until Karter scores with a jumping knee. Everything breaks down and stereo Claws finish for the Von Erichs at 6:36.

Rating: C. Yeah they’re still the Von Erichs, meaning they’re still as uninteresting as they’ve ever been. There’s just nothing to make them stand out at all and their “aww shucks, we’re just good old nice guys” isn’t exactly thrilling. This was what they used as a main event here and my goodness that’s not a great sign.

Overall Rating: C-. So what was the big development here? The Premiere Athletes attacking the Grizzled Young Veterans and Isla Dawn? That’s about all we got here, and I’m going to need a lot more than that. In other words, it’s the kind of Ring Of Honor show that makes this place feel like such a waste of time. Almost nothing changes and it’s a bunch of the same people doing the same matches. But I’m sure the Pure Title tournament will pick up again anytime. As has been the case for months. Like so much else.

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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