Ring Of Honor
Date: August 6, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re closing in on Death Before Dishonor with just over two weeks to go before the show. Last week, a few matches were confirmed for the event, including the rather random Bandido vs. Nick Wayne World Title match. There is every chance that we won’t get anything new added this week, as you never can tell what to expect around here. Let’s get to it.

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

Athena is now the longest reigning champion of the modern era but isn’t getting any kind of respect. She beat the Women’s Champion and the TBS Champion but hasn’t received any flowers. Tonight, she’s beating up Janai Kai to blow off some steam.

Athena vs. Janai Kai

Non-title Proving Ground match. Athena isn’t having any of the wristlocking but she has to run from the threat of some rapid fire kicks. Back in and Kai scores with the running kick in the corner but another kick gets caught in the ropes. That lets Athena kick at the leg and then knock her out to the floor.

The knee gets cranked back and Athena talks trash, as she tends to do. A half crab and ankle lock send Kai over to the rope and she kicks Athena down for a breather. Kai pump kicks her down for two but has to go after Billie Starkz, allowing Athena to get in the curb stomp for two more. They trade rollups for two each until Starkz gets in a belt shot from the floor. The O Face finishes for Athena at 7:42.

Rating: C+. Kai got in some offense here but it never felt like Athena was in any serious danger, as she shouldn’t have been. Instead, Athena got to use her minion to get by Kai and she’ll brag about her latest win. Hazuki is still waiting for her, which should be good, though it would be nice to have something from Hazuki to make it more interesting.

Last night, Brodido and Hangman Page talked about their abilities to speak Spanish. They also weren’t sure about the Good, the Bad and the Ugly thing, with Bandido lifting his mask to prove that he isn’t the ugly one.

Queen Aminata vs. Rachel Ley

Aminata takes her down for the kick to the back and the hips to the head. Back up and they trade some forearms in the corner, where Ley hits a pendulum Meteora. That earns her a headbutt and the fisherman’s neckbreaker, setting up the running knee in the ropes for the pin at at 3:54.

Rating: C. Ley is a former gymnast and got to show off her athleticism here, though that only makes her stand out so much. Aminata gets to run through another name on her way to…well pretty much nothing right now but the match didn’t take up much time. Commentary was certainly putting Aminata over though and that helps a good bit.

We look at the recent actions of Beef and the Premiere Athletes.

Beef vs. Matt Menard

Mark Sterling is here with Beef, who appears to be a full on Athlete now. After a less than trusting handshake, Menard backs him into the corner for a clean break. Beef clotheslines him down and jumps over him for a spank, followed by a bit of a dance. Menard is right back with a spank of his own so Beef gets knocked out to the floor.

Back in and Beef chops away out of the corner before running Menard over for two. Sterling gets in a choke but stops to talk to Beef, allowing Menard to fight up. A running forearm grounds Beef so here are the Premiere Athletes for a cheap shot. The top rope splash finishes for Beef at 7:58.

Rating: C-. That’s kind of a long time for what was at least somewhat a comedy match featuring Beef and the Premiere Athletes. I know they get a bunch of time on these shows and I still don’t quite get why. The story is hardly some top idea, but here it is again after a quick week off.

Post match Beef beats on Menard even more.

Janai Kai wants revenge on Billie Starkz.

RPG Vice vs. Eddie Kingston/Ortiz

Ortiz shoves Beretta away to start and they slug it out, with Ortiz grabbing a flapjack. Romero comes in to hammer Kingston down in the corner but he’s right back up for an STO/Russian legsweep combination. Ortiz comes back in and is quickly taken into the wrong corner. That doesn’t last long as it’s back to Kingston, who stretch plumbs Romero, with Beretta making the save.

Everything breaks down and Beretta’s tornado DDT gets two on Ortiz but he’s fine enough to block the Forever Lariats. Kingston comes back in for a neckbreaker but he gets draped onto the top rope for a kick to the head. Kingston fights up again and hits a double clothesline so Ortiz can drop a top rope splash for two. Back up and Ortiz makes a quick save, allowing Kingston to grab the exploder suplex. A rollup pins Romero at 13:28.

Rating: C+. The match got better near the end and that’s nice to see, though it went on a good bit longer than it needed to go. Kingston and Ortiz continue to be popular, though I’m not sure I get their appeal. They’re just kind of there and it doesn’t help that Ortiz just feels like ROH trying to copy Mike Santana’s success.

Post match RPG Vice jumps them again and lays the winners out. So this keeps going.

Earlier today, Caprice Coleman sat down with the newly Computerized Kingdom. They realized they needed something fresh to get them out of their rut so here they are with artificial intelligence. They completely trust it and hang on as AI says they need to switch which leg is crossed. That’s in addition to the great shirt designs they’re being offered! One more leg switch wraps up the interview. This gave you pretty much the whole explanation for the story thus far and I kind of like it.

Tehuti Miles vs. Dante Casanova

Before the match, Miles brags about his amazingness. Miles jumps him before the bell and knocks Casanova out to the floor, where Miles gets crotched on the barricade. Back in and a crossbody gives Casanova two but Miles gets in a knockdown of his own. A slap to the face wakes Casanova up but Miles knocks him right back into the ropes. The chinlock goes on for a bit until Casanova powers out, only to get dropped with a nice dropkick. Casanova’s comeback doesn’t work again as Miles superkicks him for the pin at 6:39.

Rating: C+. Casanova got in some offense here and looked ok in the process, but this was more about showcasing Miles. That went well enough, with Miles getting to show off his athleticism. I’m not sure what’s next for him, but putting him in another stable like Shane Taylor Promotions is only going to get so far.

Post match Miles officially joins Shane Taylor Promotions. Well that was quick.

Action Andretti vs. LJ Cleary

Andretti flips over Cleary to start and knocks him into the corner for some early stomping. A handspring elbow gives Andretti two but he misses a charge, allowing Cleary to stomp him in the back. Andretti’s Falcon Arrow gets two more and he plants Cleary with a super Spanish Fly. The cutter choke finishes for Andretti at 4:29.

Rating: C. This was a squash for Andretti and it means we’re likely on the way to Andretti vs. Lio Rush at Death Before Dishonor. That’s not the most thrilling match as Cru wasn’t exactly a top level team but it’s better than nothing. The match wasn’t exactly the point, as it was mainly about Andretti using Rush’s choke for the win, which makes perfect sense.

Mance Warner wants to give RPG Vice the violence, with Eddie Kingston and Ortiz being in as well. Kingston isn’t happy with being dropped on his head so find a third man.

Brandon Cutler/Teri Yaki/Jay Lucas vs. The Colons/Serpentico

Serpentico and Cutler start things off with Serpentico picking up the pace but getting taken to the mat. Cutler kicks him away so it’s off to Eddie to give Cutler a suplex. Yaki comes in to take over on Orlando, including jumping over Cutler for an elbow. The chinlock keeps Orlando in trouble and it’s back to Cutler for the same thing. Orlando gets up and sends Cutler outside, allowing the tag back to Eddie as everything breaks down. The bad guys are cleared out and it’s a Backstabber to pin Yaki at 6:49.

Rating: C. I still have no idea why the Colons are a thing around here. They feel like relics of the past and it’s not like they’re doing anything impressive in the ring. They’re perfectly fine as a filler team, but that isn’t the best thing to see on a show like this, which is already so full of filler. Just find someone else for this spot or let the show be a bit shorter.

Mark Sterling has his own action figure but Dalton Castle and the Outrunners want to beat him up. Both the figure and the real Sterling.

Nick Comoroto/Aaron Solo vs. MxM Collection

Mansoor headlocks Solo to start before it’s off to Madden to throw Solo down. Comoroto comes in and lines up the football pose, only for Mansoor to come back in instead. Madden breaks up Comoroto’s skinning the cat before hitting Comoroto in the face with the hips. The assisted abdominal stretch goes on, with Solo coming over for the save.

Solo gets the tag to clean house until we get the Comoroto vs. Madden three point standoff. Comoroto skins the cat and slams Madden before strutting into an elbow for two. A suplex into Solo’s top rope double stomp gives Solo two but it’s a Centerfold to put Solo away at 9:34.

Rating: B-. They actually got rocking there near the end and it wound up being an exciting match. Comoroto got a nice showcase here and it was cool to see him doing something other than losing in short order. At the same time, this was another match that went on for a good while on a show with a lot of that taking place. They might have stood out more if they had the chance but that wasn’t happening here.

Post match the Collection mocks Jacksonville and want the ultimate accessory.

Action Andretti wants the TV Title from Lio Rush. The lights go out and Rush’s laugh is heard, with Andretti not being scared.

Women’s TV Title: Isla Dawn vs. Red Velvet

Dawn is challenging and jumps her from behind to start fast. Some slams put Velvet down but she kicks her way to freedom and stomps away in the corner. Dawn is back with some right hands and a suplex before getting in her own corner choke. The reverse chinlock is broken up with a jawbreaker but Dawn is right back to stomp her in the corner again. Dawn knocks her outside for a change, including throwing Velvet into various hard objects.

Velvet is able to send her into the steps right back though, with a stomp making it worse for Dawn. Back in and a standing moonsault gives Velvet two but Dawn’s wheelbarrow suplex gets the same. Dawn goes up and gets Iconoclasmed back down so she snaps off a Saito suplex. The Shining Wizard gives Dawn two and she picks her up for a powerslam, only to be rolled up for the pin to retain Velvet’s title at 12:26.

Rating: B-. This went pretty well, with the two of them trading one big move after another in the end. Dawn continues to be one of the more underrated stars around here and I’m glad to see her getting a chance to do something like this. Velvet’s title reign has kind of stalled as she’s a champion but not really doing anything, as is so often the case around here.

Griff Garrison/Lethal Twist vs. Dalton Castle/Outrunners/Adam Priest

The brawl starts before the bell and Lethal gets punched down for a quick near fall. Magnum saves Castle from getting whipped into the corner but the bad guys take out the other three to take over. Garrison drops a knee for two on Castle and Johnson comes in to stomp away in the corner. Castle clotheslines his way over to the corner so Priest can get the tag to clean house. Garrison is right back with a torture rack powerbomb for two as everything breaks down again. Preston Vance clotheslines Garrison by mistake though and Priest gets a rollup for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C+. And, again, it’s fine. Just like almost everything else on the show, the match is nothing memorable whatsoever and doesn’t really change much, but somehow, this is the main event. Nothing about this match makes it feel more important than the rest of the card and that’s been a problem around here for a very long time now.

Post match Garrison lays out Vance and apparently he’s out of the team. The Dark Order runs in for the save. We get the big reunion and Vance seems to be back on the team to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. That’s your weekly two hour plus edition of Ring Of Honor, giving us a third straight day of AEW stars going that long in a row. As usual around here, there was a bit of storyline progression and A LOT of filler that felt like it was just there to get people in the ring. It’s a bad sign when you could cut out about half of the show and not miss much and that’s the situation they were in here. In other words, it’s Ring Of Honor.

Results
Athena b. Janai Kai – O Face
Queen Aminata b. Rachel Ley – Running knee in the ropes
Beef b. Matt Menard – Top rope splash
Eddie Kingston/Ortiz b. RPG Vice – Rollup to Romero
Tehuti Miles b. Dante Casanova – Superkick
The Colons/Serpentico b. Brandon Cutler/Teri Yaki/Jay Lucas – Backstabber to Yaki
MxM Collection b. Nick Comoroto/Aaron Solo – Centerfold to Solo
Red Velvet b. Isla Dawn – Rollup
Dalton Castle/Outrunners/Adam Priest b. Griff Garrison/Lethal Twist – Rollup to Garrison

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: July 31, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s time for the regular show after Tuesday’s bonus show. In this case that means we have three weeks to go before Death Before Dishonor and it’s time to start getting the card ready. Hopefully that is covered this week, though we already have the Pure Title match as Lee Moriarty is defending against Angelico. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at Moriarty vs. Angelico, with the focus still being on their first match nearly two years ago. I’m really not sure how big of a deal that actually is.

Pure Rules Title: Lee Moriarty vs. Angelico

Moriarty is defending. They fight over wrist control to start and Angelico spins out of a wristlock. Angelico’s full nelson is countered into a cravate, which allows Moriarty to go after the arm again. Angelico slips out of that as well and does his dance before pulling him into a leglock, which has Moriarty burning his first rope break.

Back up and Moriarty spins around into the Border City Stretch, which has Angelico using his own first rope break. Moriarty works on the arm and fingers so Angelico goes to the ropes for the second time. With that not working, Moriarty loads up a Scorpion Deathlock but reaches down and grabs Angelico’s head before leaning back and stretching…well pretty much everything.

That’s the third rope break from Angelico, which thankfully means that I don’t have to try to describe that nutty hold again. Angelico grabs something like Konnan’s old Tequila Sunrise to send Moriarty to the rope again, leaving him with one. A triangle choke doesn’t get Moriarty very far and Angelico pulls him into…we’ll say it’s the Rings Of Saturn but with Angelico using his legs. Moriarty burns his last rope break and they trade some rollups for two each. Moriarty’s Border City Stretch goes on again and Angelico gives up at 12:31.

Rating: B. Yeah there were some cool spots in there (some of those submissions were absolutely insane) but it’s the same kind of thing that we’ve seen from Moriarty literally for years now. It would be a bit better if Angelico was built up for the title shot but it was basically just “they had a match about two years ago”. Do you know how many pure matches Angelico has had since then? One, which he lost. It’s really not that hard to set up a title match, but instead we get “Hey remember what we did almost two years ago? We’re doing it again.” Try harder than that.

Bandido is asked about his World Title defense at Death Before Dishonor against…Nick Wayne. This brings in Wayne, who promises to win the title, though Bandido says Wayne has no honor. Bandido promises to show why he’s the most wanted. I’m not sure what that means but it’s not like logic matters around this title anyway.

The World Title match for one of the few PPVs that ROH does every year was announced in a random backstage segment between two people who have no history together. Not one of the three or four people who have beaten Bandido on an AEW PPV lately, because everyone in the company wants to be “insert name here” Two Belts, unless it’s a Ring Of Honor title because who could possibly want one of those? Oh and Wayne was last seen losing on Dynamite, because that’s how you build up a World Title challenger. Good grief this place is ridiculous sometimes.

Viva Van vs. Emi Sakura

Sakura knocks her into the corner to start but Van is back up with a running hurricanrana. Sakura goes outside…and appears to be crying, but it’s just a ruse so Sakura can send her into the steps. Back in and Sakura hits a running crossbody in the corner but Van kicks her away. A missile dropkick gives Van two but she can’t get the Ocean Cyclone suplex. Van is back up with an ax kick and they both block and counter quite a few things. Finally Sakura grabs the Queen’s Gambit for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: B-. This is a good example of where you need a better explanation of things around here. Sakura hasn’t wrestled in AEW since 2025 and hasn’t wrestled in ROH since 2023 (this is her fifth ever match here). It came off like we’re just supposed to remember her like she’s a regular and that isn’t the case. She comes in, she works a few matches, and she leaves. It isn’t a case of her talent, but rather she’s gone for long stretches of time and that doesn’t really work in wrestling. Tell us, or better yet, show us, a bit more about her.

The Kingdom uses AI to pick their partners for tonight: the Grizzled Young Veterans! This gives them an 87% chance of winning the match, but the Veterans aren’t sure about this AI stuff. Neither am I, but it’s certainly topical at the moment so points for something new.

Diamante vs. Allie Katch

Diamante grabs a headlock to start but gets pulled down into a quickly broken headlock. Back up and Diamante pulls her out of the corner and fires off some crossface shots to the jaw. A hard whip into the corner lets Diamante pose a bit but Katch is back up with a seated senton. The cannonball gives Katch two but Diamante is right back with a Stunner. Katch’s enziguri gets two more but Diamante gives her a hot shot into One In The Chamber to give Diamante the pin at 4:52.

Rating: C+. I still like Katch and could go for having her around to do some more stuff around here. At the same time, Diamante is still good enough in the ring most of the time but she only gets so many chances to show what she can do as the third person in Athena’s group. The match was a pretty good back and forth showcase too so I’ll take this.

Post match Diamante stays on her but Queen Aminata runs in for the save.

Caprice Coleman sits down with Shane Taylor, who doesn’t like Coleman’s previous suggestions that Shane Taylor Promotions do gangster things. Coleman apologizes and asks Taylor about his matches with Jon Moxley. Taylor brags about laying out Moxley multiple times, which no one else has done. He likes finding the diamonds in the rough and he and his team trust each other. That’s how they’ll accomplish their goals but he wants to remain the person he was raised as being. As usual, Taylor is quite the talker when things are toned down a bit and I could see him having a future as a commentator.

AR Fox vs. Soleil

They go with the grappling to start and Soleil rolls backwards, all the way out to the floor. Back in and Fox uses a handstand to block a cutter (it was cool when I saw him do it live at the WrestleCon Supershow and it’s still cool here). They nip up into a standoff and Soleil flips away and hits a Meteora, landing on his feet before he hits the ground.

Back up and Fox rolls through into a neckbreaker before elbowing away in the corner. The elbows continue against the barricade and we’re off to the chinlock back inside. That’s broken up and they hit stereo crossbodies to leave both of them down. Soleil is up with a high crossbody for two but Fox is right back with a rolling cutter. A fisherman’s buster gives Fox two more but he misses the 450. They go up top until Soleil is shoved away, allowing Fox to give him a jumping Stunner. Lo Mein Pain into the 450 finishes Soleil at 11:00.

Rating: B. Fox has grown on me like few others around here as he wrestles a very different style but does it so well. That makes him stand out, along with being so smooth in the ring. This was good stuff as Soleil is as unique as it gets around here and the whole thing meshed together rather well. Good stuff here.

Athena is sick of people trying to come after her, including Hazuki. They can have their title match at Death Before Dishonor. In case you’re wondering, Hazuki hasn’t wrestled in ROH since before AEW existed and has wrestled four times in AEW. At least she had a brawl with Athena in her match this week on Collision. Athena defending against the woman who beat her in the Owen Hart Cup? You should know better than that.

Steph de Lander vs. Rachael Ellering

Pure Rules and de Lander uses her first rope break in less than twenty seconds. Ellering takes her down without much trouble and hits a basement dropkick to the head. The second rope break is quickly used, as is de Lander’s punch to the face for the warning. Back up and de Lander kicks her in the face but Ellering is right back with a spinning elbow. Something like the dragon sleeper makes de Lander use her last rope break. Ellering tries a charge so de Lander hides behind the referee, with Ellering throwing him down. That lets de Lander get in another right hand and it’s a sitout F5 for the pin on Ellering at 4:49.

Rating: C. I can absolutely go for someone who cheats in this division as that’s not something you often see. De Lander cheating every chance she could makes a lot of sense and I could go for seeing what she can do in the division. It’s not like there is anything else interesting going on in the division.

Juice Robinson has glistening nipples and is coming to ROH.

Trish Adora vs. Angelica Risk

Adora sends her into the corner for a running splash to start before pulling Risk out of the air. A bridging northern lights suplex gets two and it’s time to go after Risk’s arm. The sit on the back double arm crank, followed by the rapid fire hips to the face in the corner. Risk is back up with a hurricanrana faceplant into a 619 and they trade some rollups for two each. Back up and Adora kicks her in the face, setting up the Lariat Tubman to finish Risk at 5:55.

Rating: C+. Adora got to do her usual stuff here and as a result it was entertaining while it lasted. It’s also just the kind of stuff that we’ve seen from her for a long time now and that kind of puts a limit on what she can do. That’s not likely to change and unfortunately that’s going to keep her in the same spot for however long she’s around.

Steph de Lander is coming for the Women’s Pure Rules Title. She’s already gotten a better build than Angelico so why not.

Vertvixen vs. Julissa Mexa

Mexa grabs the leg and rolls around a lot, allowing her to dance. Vertvixen grabs the leg though and slaps on a half crab, followed by a running boot in the corner. Back up and they trade some forearms until Mexa gets up top for a missile dropkick. Mexa strikes away but charges into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. They go up top at the same time and strike it out, where Mexa grabs a super Samoan Driver for the pin at 5:29.

Rating: C+. Mexa has been around here a few times before and she’s done well enough in those limited appearances. She has some good charisma and that finish was quite the crash landing. Vertvixen continues to be someone who feels like she could be something if given the chance but that has yet to happen.

Nigel McGuinness wants the Pure Rules Title and is willing to put his ROH career on the line.

Von Erichs/Bustah And The Brain vs. Kingdom/Grizzled Young Veterans

Hold on though as AI says that Drake should start against Price, who takes him down with an early wristlock. Gibson saves Drake from a suplex and it’s off to Taven for a clothesline and dropkick to Oliver. The Von Erichs come in for a bunch of slams so the villains bail out to the floor. Back in and Gibson takes over on Ross, with a cravate sending him face first into the mat. Bennett comes in for a front facelock but Ross gets out and dropkicks his way to freedom.

Everything breaks down and Gibson gives Oliver a Death Valley Driver. Price hits a pop up dropkick to Bennett and spins over into a crossbody to Taven (that was awesome). The Von Erichs hit stereo cannonballs on the Veterans and the Claws go on. That’s broken up though and the distracted referee misses the low blow to Marshall, with Drake getting a rollup for the pin at 10:05.

Rating: B-. As much as my eyes rolled at seeing the Von Erichs back, the match wound up being good and I could go with the AI Kingdom as a thing. It’s been thirty five years since the York Foundation (oh dear) so why not? Go with something to see if it works, as it’s not like the Kingdom has been lighting things up since they returned. At least the numbers backed them up this time.

Zayda Steel vs. Sara Leon

Steel takes her down by the arm to start and Leon is surprised. For some reason Leon is surprised again when she gets pulled into an armbar and Steel wrestles her down again without much trouble. Steel misses something off the top and gets snapmared down into a running kick to the head. Leon’s kick from the apron is blocked though and Steel starts in on the leg, followed by a scorpion kick. A hanging Codebreaker gets two but Leon rolls into a German suplex to drop Steel hard. Steel is able to block a second attempt though and a leglock finishes Leon at 5:55.

Rating: C+. Steel worked on the leg, countered a move and then put on a leg hold for the win. It’s not much of a steel but it’s certainly better than what you get a lot of the time. That’s all you need here and at least Steel got a win, even if it’s against someone who might not be so well known around here. It’s better than nothing and it might lead to…oh give me a break.

Deonna Purrazzo is down to face Steph de Lander at Death Before Dishonor.

Juice Robinson vs. Anthony Henry

Henry wrestles him down to start and works on the arm but Robinson grabs a waistlock to cut that off. It’s enough for Henry to need a breather on the floor before coming back in for a dragon screw legwhip. Robinson has to bail to the ropes to escape a leglock but a backsplash hits raised knees.

Henry goes right back to the knee so Robinson snaps off a spinebuster. Now the backsplash connects for two but Henry knocks him down again, setting up the Figure Four. They slap it out until the hold is broken and Robinson is up to snap off the jabs. The forward DDT pins Henry at 7:54.

Rating: C+. Yeah fine. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to think about this as it’s basically just a guest star from AEW showing up here for what is likely a one off match. As usual that’s hardly exciting but Robinson is so quirky and odd that he winds up keeping me interested. Not bad for a match, but as usual, a completely random choice for a main event.

Overall Rating: C+. As usual, the show was far too long and did little more than showcase how random this place is. McGuinness and de Lander technically earn title shots while Nick Wayne is just handed one while Hazuki at least interacted with the champion to get hers. It feels like every story has its own rules and that’s not exactly a great way to run a show. At least things should have something close to a focus for the next three weeks, but as usual there was a bunch of stuff that felt like it was here because Tony Khan has to film everything and air it as we approach three and a half hours of ROH this week. How lucky.

Results
Lee Moriarty b. Angelico – Border City Stretch
Emi Sakura b. Viva Van – Queen’s Gambit
Diamante b. Allie Katch – One In The Chamber
AR Fox b. Soleil – 450
Steph de Lander b. Rachael Ellering – Sitout F5
Trish Adora b. Angelica Risk – Lariat Tubman
Julissa Mexa b. Vertvixen – Super Samoan Driver
Kingdom/Grizzled Young Veterans b. Bustah And The Brain/Von Erichs – Rollup to Marshall
Zayda Steel b. Sara Leon – Leglock
Juice Robinson b. Anthony Henry – Forward DDT

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

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

Ring Of Honor
Date: July 28, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

Just in case you hadn’t had enough Ring Of Honor lately, we have a bonus show before Friday’s regular show! Wait wait, don’t tell me. The Premiere Athletes will be in action here! Plus something about teams trying to get in position for a shot at the Tag Team Titles. That’s the kind of cutting edge stuff that has put Ring Of Honor in the place it is in today. Let’s get to it.

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

We look at Maya World winning the TBS Title at Redemption.

Maya World vs. Janai Kai

Non-title. There are no entrances for obvious reasons but commentary says that this was signed before World won the title. So they’re really still trying to avoid saying that it’s taped in advance? The show for the most hardcore fans of the promotion designed for the smart fans? Anyway, Kai grabs a waistlock to start but gets sunset flipped for two.

World sweeps the leg out and hits a slingshot hilo, earning herself some leg trips. Back up and the tabletop suplex gives World two (so Kai is tougher than Hikaru Shida) but Kai catches her going up top. That earns her a powerbomb out of the corner and a Shining Wizard finishes Kai at 6:00.

Rating: C. This wasn’t a squash but it was a basic, easy enough win for World. She’s certainly on the rise in both promotions and that’s great to see, as she has come a long way in pretty much every area. Nice opener here, with the star who got a big win on Sunday getting a showcase here.

We look at Mike Bailey winning the ladder match to become #1 contender to the International Title.

Alan Angels vs. Nick Wayne

Angels takes him down by the arm to start but Wayne is back up with a shove and some spitting. That earns Wayne a running chop in the corner so he knocks Angels right back down. Back up and Angels superkicks him out of the air, only to have him come back with an Alabama Slam. They trade rollups for two each until Wayne’s handspring elbow is countered into a dragon suplex. Angels’ springboard moonsault gets superkicked out of the air, followed by a kick to the head to pin Angels at 8:03.

Rating: B-. This was a back and forth match with the two of them getting to trade comebacks until Wayne knocked him silly. At the same time, this was a match that got some time despite neither of them having much of anything going on. It’s a good example of a match that feels like it’s there to have people in the ring without any particular reason.

Action Andretti/The Opps vs. Landon Hale/Robert Allen/Steve Allen

There’s your weird team of the week. Hook knocks Hale down to start and then pounds away in the corner, allowing Andretti to come in with a top rope clothesline. Steve comes in and gets beaten up by Bowens, including a pop up Fameasser. Andretti hits an Asai moonsault and Bowens armbars Robert for the tap at 2:50.

Isla Dawn vs. Erica Leigh

Dawn has won her one match here and Riccaboni says she is hoping to turn it into a winning streak. Why? One win can get you a title shot around here. Dawn kicks away at the leg to start and stomps Leigh down in the corner. Back up and Leigh hits some running clotheslines in the corner but Dawn is back with a suplex. The Meteora gets two and Dawn grabs a dragon sleeper in the ropes. Leigh’s comeback is countered with a Backstabber into the dragon sleeper to make Leigh tap at 3:43.

Rating: C. This was much more in the squash territory and it was nice to see Dawn getting in there and destroying someone. Dawn has something to her and I could go for having her become one of the regulars in the division. If Maya World is on her way to the main roster full time, there is a spot open for someone and Dawn is a good option.

Post match Dawn grabs the sleeper again and Leigh is left laying.

Adam Priest vs. Kiran Grey

Grey isn’t having anything involving running shoulders so Priest goes with the right hands in the corner. Grey fights back and strikes away but gets knocked down with an uppercut. A legsweep takes Priest down and Grey chokes in the corner. Priest is right back with a running neckbreaker before slamming Grey’s knee onto the mat. Another takedown by the leg sets up a half crab to make Grey tap at 6:02.

Rating: C+. Grey is an interesting situation as he has the creepy/brooding persona but he never wins and tapped out in about six minutes. That’s not exactly the best way to go for him and it didn’t do him much good here. Priest continues to be fine in this spot, though I’m not sure I can imagine him going much higher than this level.

Isla Dawn says she’s going to keep winning until she wins gold so she wants a shot at Red Velvet.

Griff Garrison vs. Aaron Solo

Garrison forearms away to start but Solo is up with a running hurricanrana. With Garrison trying to walk off, Solo runs up to cut that off but Garrison hot shots him back inside. Some right hands have Solo in more trouble until he fights up with some running forearms. A torture rack powerbomb gives Garrison two, as does Solo’s top rope double stomp. Back up and Garrison hits a running spinning….we’ll say headbutt for the pin at 5:45.

Rating: C+. Garrison is another person who has nothing going on at the moment and that has been the case for him for a long time now. At least he won a match here so maybe they’ve got something up for him. Solo is still the usual jobber to the stars and that’s about it, but there are far worse options for that spot.

Video on Lee Moriarty vs. Angelico.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Spanish Announce Project

Angelico and Moriarty trade wrist control to start so it’s off to Serpentico. The Promotions send him to the apron though and Taylor gets in the big legdrop. Taylor gets in his usual big shots on the floor but Serpentico kicks him in the head. Angelico comes back in to clean house and hands it right back to Serpentico for two off a Swanton. Moriarty is back up with the butterfly Side Effect to pin Serpentico at 6:39.

Rating: C+. Well, at least it helped boost things up a bit for Angelico vs. Moriarty. That’s better than saying “Angelico almost beat him about two years ago” so I’ll take something over having absolutely nothing to set up the match. It’s still only so interesting, but after years of “and then this person gets a title shot”, it’s an improvement.

Red Velvet is ready for Isla Dawn.

Premiere Athletes/Swirl vs. Outrunners/Dalton Castle/Orange Cassidy

I WAS KIDDING ABOUT THE ATHLETES! And of course they’re headlining the show! The villains jump Magnum to start, with Nese doing some pushups. Floyd comes in off a tag behind Nese’s back and the Outrunners take turns raining down right hands in the corner. Cassidy’s single right hand gets two but Magnum gets caught in the wrong corner for the triple teaming.

Moriarty hammers away but Magnum is right back up for the tag off to Castle. Everything breaks down and the Swirl takes over on Castle and Magnum, only for Castle to suplex them down at the same time. Cassidy’s double hurricanrana takes them out as well and it’s time for the parade of knockdowns. Floyd gets in his string of slams but Mark Sterling breaks up the Orange Punch. Everyone but the Athletes and Cassidy brawl to the back, with Daivari forearming Nese down by mistake. The Orange Punch finishes Nese off at 10:07.

Rating: B-. Cassidy was just there to add in some star power and to avoid the Six Man Champions from having to face another three man team. In theory this was designed to get Castle and the Outrunners their win back after their completely necessary loss on Collision. That only works so well when none of them were around in the end, but this was just your usual eight man tag from ROH anyway.

Cassidy is left alone to end the show. As in the Ring Of Honor show.

Overall Rating: C+. I’m really not sure why this needed to be its own special, but at least it did set some things up, including Moriarty vs. Angelico and Dawn vs. Velvet. At the same time, there was a lot of stuff here that felt like content for the sake of content. As usual, it feels like ROH Dark, which is a fine enough idea, but it’s not something that really works when it’s also used to build things up. But if we try to figure out how things are working around here, we’ll be here far too long. Not a bad show, and it did push some stories forward, which is always appreciated.

Results
Maya World b. Janai Kai – Shining Wizard
Nick Wayne b. Alan Angels – Kick to the head
Action Andretti/The Opps b. Landon Hale/Robert Allen/Steve Allen – Armbar to Robert
Isla Dawn b. Erica Leigh – Dragon sleeper
Adam Priest b. Kiran Grey – Half crab
Griff Garrison b. Aaron Solo – Running spinning headbutt
Shane Taylor Promotions b. Spanish Announce Project – Butterfly Side Effect to Serpentico

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

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

Ring Of Honor
Date: July 23, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re getting closer and closer to Death Before Dishonor and it would be nice to see some of the matches announced for the show. While there are a few matches that can probably be guessed, it’s time to start making some of them official. That wasn’t the case with the hour plus bonus show this week so maybe we’ll get it on this two hour show. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

TV Title: Main Man Oro vs. Lio Rush

Rush is defending and Oro is getting his shot after winning a match last week. Psh. Like that concept has any legs. Oro isn’t pleased with the extended handshake and yells a lot, earning himself a bite to the finger. We pause for Oro to bail to the floor, where he decides to grab the title. Back in and Rush gets the title back, along with a kick to the head. Rush bites the head but gets sent outside, with Oro slowly taking over again.

Back in and a hard whip into the corner has Rush in more trouble but he escapes an Iconoclasm. They knock each other down until Rush nails a spinning kick to the head but Oro gets in his own head kick. Rush bites the hand again and grabs a Stunner, setting up the big suicide dive to the floor. Black Thunder retains the title at 8:39.

Rating: C+. Rush is one of those guys who is so odd and unique that his opponents have to adapt to him. The good thing is that Oro was able to hang with him for a bit, even in a losing effort. Odds are Action Andretti is next for Rush, because despite Cru being next to nothing as a team, they need a months long build to a title match.

Post match Action Andretti jumps Rush, likely setting up their match at Death Before Dishonor. Andretti chokes him out, with the black goo coming out of Rush’s mouth.

Redemption rundown.

Alan Angels vs. Bryan Keith

Keith jumps him to start fast and chops away but an exploder is blocked. A high crossbody gives Angels two but Keith catches him on top. A butterfly backbreaker has Angels down again and Keith is frustrated at the kickout. Back up and Angels fires off some clotheslines, followed by a Rings Of Saturn. That doesn’t last long either as Keith bails outside and gets in a headbutt from the floor. Angels fights back, allowing himself to miss a splash, which sets up Keith’s tiger driver for the pin at 7:31.

Rating: C+. Angels is the latest name added to the seemingly never ending roster around here and he hasn’t exactly done much thus far. It’s nice to see him away from the Dark Order, but there are way too many good hands around here who don’t have much in the way of success. In other words, Angels isn’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon, like so many others around here.

Billie Starkz vs. B3cca

Starkz strikes away to start but misses a charge into the corner. B3cca gets chopped and Downward Spiraled into the buckle though and things slow down. A suplex doesn’t work for Starkz so B3cca kicks her in the face. That just earns B3cca a Last Shot but she’s back with an enziguri for two of her own. They take turns throwing each other off the top until Starkz avoids a 450. The arm trap faceplant finishes B3cca at 6:07.

Rating: C. I’m still not getting the appeal of Starkz, who has been around here for the better part of ever and still feels like she is at about the same level she’s been the entire time. Thankfully the idea of her defeating Athena seems to have been dropped, though I’m not sure what that leaves her to do. Then again, there very well might not be much else for her to do.

Adam Brooks talks about the pandemic taking away his ROH career but now it’s time for ROH to get loose.

Premiere Athletes vs. Dark Order

Uno shoulders Nese to start and everything breaks down, with the Order taking over. Daivari offers a distraction but Reynolds is right back with a clothesline for two on Nese. Cue Beef to watch (though he doesn’t look thrilled) and a cheap shot lets the villains take over on Reynolds. Mark Sterling gets in some choking from the floor but Beef won’t get involved, leaving Reynolds to hit an enziguri.

Uno comes back in for the running corner clothesline, followed by the double DDT. Everything breaks down again and Daivari shoulders Nese by mistake. That’s shrugged off and the Athletes take over on Uno, including a slingshot dive. Sterling goes after Reynolds but gets decked, only for Beef to hit a running crossbody. Back in and Nese’s running knee in the corner finishes Reynolds at 9:00.

Rating: C+. Earlier this week, I made a joke about the Premiere Athletes being on every ROH show and it’s starting to feel completely accurate. They’re around so often and do just about the exact same thing so often. The stuff with Beef is at least a bit different, but it feels like something else that is just going to come and go without meaning much.

Post match Beef reluctantly gets in the ring with the Athletes.

Here is RPG Vice to issue an open challenge for one of those “easy Ring Of Honor wins”. Now play some generic music!

RPG Vice vs. Alex Zayne/Mance Warner

Warner backs Romero into the corner to start and then bites his finger. Zayne comes in to work on the arm before blocking a tornado DDT. Everything breaks down and Vice is sent outside for a double poke to the eye. Back in and Zayne’s springboard moonsault is cut off, setting up a Burning Hammer/top rope double stomp combination for two. Zayne gets back over to Warner anyway and it’s time for some rather quick jabs. A blind tag brings Zayne back in and a quick Nightmare On Helm Street gets two. Romero goes low on Zayne though and Strong Zero finishes him off at 7:15.

Rating: C+. Warner is a breath of fresh air on this show as he had something of a personality. Unfortunately he doesn’t get to win much but at least having him around is a nice boost. Then you have Vice, who I’m guessing is here as something of a troll job on the audience, because I can’t imagine they’re supposed to be seen as worth having around.

Post match Warner goes for the save but gets beaten down. Ortiz and Eddie Kingston run in for the save.

Nathan Cruz doesn’t think much of Adam Brooks and is tired of hearing him whine.

Satnam Singh vs. Jacked Jameson

Jameson escapes an early chokeslam attempt and strikes away but gets chopped in the corner. Singh loads up a slam so Jameson demands he get put down, which is exactly what Singh does. Jameson gets in a neck snap across the top rope so he goes up, only to dive into a cutter for the surprise pin at 2:35.

Deonna Purrazzo sits down with Caprice Coleman and talks about being a former Ring Of Honor Women’s Champion. That was a long time ago though and now she’s proud to get to be the first Women’s Pure Champion. She’s a fan of Jay Lethal and talks about going back to school to build a life outside of wrestling. That means she can avoid the chatter about her on the internet, which doesn’t matter. Finally, she wants to boost the women’s pure division to another level. This was pretty cut and dry but it’s good to have Purrazzo back while she’s injured.

Hyan vs. Lacey Lane

Maya World is here with Hyan. They fight over a lockup to start until Lane rolls her up for a quick near fall. A running dropkick in the corner gives Lane two more but Hyan is back with a rollup for two of her own. That just earns her a chinlock, with Hyan fighting up for a side slam. The Falcon Arrow gives Hyan two, with Lane grabbing a quick cradle for two more. Lane twists the knee around and hits a hanging Pedigree for another near fall. Back up and Hyan knocks her away, setting up the Glam Slam for the pin at 7:24.

Rating: C+. I actually wasn’t sure who was going to win here and that’s always a nice feeling to have. Lane has something to her that makes her stand out and it’s cool to see her getting a chance. Hyan has also shown that she has some notable talent of her own, though she’s still being outshone by World.

Nathan Cruz vs. Adam Brooks

Cruz grabs a headscissors on the mat to start and they get up to fight over a wristlock. Back up and Cruz fires off the chops in the corner, followed by a slingshot belly to back suplex. The Hennig necksnap gets two and Cruz grabs a chinlock. Back up and Brooks hits a running boot against the ropes, setting up the suicide dive. Brooks’ crossface doesn’t last long and Cruz goes up top. Brooks runs the corner to superplex him right back down, followed by a Swanton for the pin at 7:38.

Rating: C+. This is where Ring Of Honor just makes me shake my head. They had two relatively unknowns (Cruz is a recurring jobber at best) but they had some promos to set up a reason to fight. That’s a lot more than you get around here most of the time and it felt different. That’s perfectly fine, but the whole thing began and ended in about an hour. It’s a prime example of a match that could have been saved for next week, just to let it be built up for a little bit. Why rush through everything like this?

RPG Vice want some revenge on Eddie Kingston and Ortiz, asking them to “bring their a**** down to Ring Of Honor.” Bring them down how? You’re all already here.

We get a video on Angelico challenging Lee Moriarty for the Pure Rules Title next week. This is a big rematch from the first time they fought….about two years ago.

Komander vs. Tommy Billington

They fight over a lockup to start as commentary talks about All In. Komander nips up to escape a wristlock and they crash out to the floor. Billington gets in a neck snap across the top and a missile dropkick gets two. A powerslam gives Billington two, followed by a snap suplex for the same as we get a nice British Bulldogs combination. They fight over a double arm crank until Komander superkicks him into a 619.

The rope walk running flip dive hits Billington on the floor as they crash again. Back in and Billington wins a battle over a Tombstone but misses a Swan Dive. They forearm it out with Komander getting the better of things, followed by a German suplex for two. Billington is sat on the rope for a springboard hurricanrana driver and the Cielito Lindo finishes for Komander at 10:11.

Rating: B. They were both working hard here and that’s not much of a surprise as it’s certainly their reputations. At the same time, Komander is pretty firmly in the same spot he’s always been in while Billington has lost the status he gained after teaming with Adam Priest. That being said, I’ll take a match like this after some of the dull stuff we’ve seen on this show thus far.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Skyflight

Eight man tag and their seconds are all here too. Bravo shoves Dante to start and gets shouldered down for his efforts. A dropkick has Bravo in trouble but he hits Dante in the face, meaning it’s off to Dean vs. Sky. They run the ropes as well and it’s already off to Darius, who gets stomped down by Ogogo. Taylor comes in for the big chop, followed by a legdrop for two.

We pause for the Promotions to rant about their airline but Darius fights up and gets the tag to Sydal. House is quickly cleaned by the Infantry cuts him off with a belly to back neckbreaker. Everything breaks down and Sky grabs a cutter, setting up Sydal’s top rope Meteora for the pin on Ogogo at 8:32.

Rating: B-. They had a lot of stuff going on at once here and that’s almost always going to make for a difficult situation. I do like Skyflight getting a win for a change as they tend to be there to do nothing but put others over. The Promotions got in their regular appearance, which tends to be the case almost every single week. Much like the Premiere Athletes, just give us a bit of a breather from them.

Overall Rating: C. These two hour editions of the show are somehow making this show even harder to watch. As has been the case for the better part of ever around here, it isn’t that the wrestling is bad but the fact that there is so much of it. This was another very long show and it feels like almost everyone who was on the show was just doing their usual thing. It’s a case where not everyone needs to be on every show and my goodness it would do some wonders to let things breathe a bit. But that’s not going to happen because Tony Khan things more is better every chance he can. Lucky us.

Results
Lio Rush b. Main Man Oro – Black Thunder
Bryan Keith b. Alan Angels – Tiger driver
Billie Starkz b. B3cca – Arm trap faceplant
Premiere Athletes b. Dark Order – Running knee in the corner to Reynolds,
RPG Vice b. Alex Zayne/Mance Warner – Strong Zero to Zayne
Satnam Singh b. Jacked Jameson – Cutter
Hyan b. Lacey Lane – Glam Slam
Nathan Cruz b. Adam Brooks – Swanton
Komander b. Tommy Billington
Skyflight b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Top rope Meteora to Ogogo

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

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

Ring Of Honor
Date: July 21, 2026
Location: MGM Music Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

Well, since the last two weeks of shows going over two hours each wasn’t enough, it’s time to have the special bonus show. We tend to get one of these on the weeks of AEW PPVs because…somehow this is supposed to get more people watching. Maybe do something other than having the same stuff Ring Of Honor always does? Let’s get to it.

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

Matt Sydal is officially in Skyflight but Shane Taylor comes in to say the team’s potential has a shelf life. Maybe Top Flight could join Shane Taylor Promotions. The two of them laugh him off.

Opening sequence.

Death Riders vs. Dark Order

Yuta and Reynolds start things off with the latter taking him down. Uno comes in to help slug away and Reynolds sends Yuta outside. That lets Yuta get in a choke from the apron, which has commentary surprised and Reynolds in trouble. A bridging German suplex gets two, with Uno having to make the save.

Uno comes in to clean house but stops to pose, allowing Reynolds to come back in rather quickly (or as “rather quickly” as you can get about six minutes into a match). Reynolds is sent outside though and the Riders fire off corner clotheslines. An STO/running knee combination finishes Uno at 7:04.

Rating: C+. The Riders being on the show almost feels like a given these days but it is nice to have them as a regular team. It’s fine to have them beat up a team like the Dark Order won are hardly important and it does make the show feel a bit more important. This was perfectly fine as a way to get the show going.

Redemption rundown.

Alan Angels vs. Komander

Angels grabs a double underhook to start but Komander slips out of…whatever it was going to be. Komander sends him outside but the rope run misses as Angels runs back inside. Angels hammers away to take over, with a half nelson suplex getting two. Back up and Komander flips away to dropkick Angels to the floor, where a big flip dive connects. Angels slips away again though and powerbombs him out of the corner for two. That doesn’t last long as Komander gets in a dropkick on top, setting up a super hurricanrana. Cielito Lindo finishes Angels at 4:04.

Rating: C+. Well, Angels popped back up, picked on AR Fox and lost to him and now he’s lost to Komander. That feels pretty on par for a returning star, as you have to lose a bunch to do pretty much anything else. As usual, Komander is a nice choice if you can’t get the bigger lucha stars and he filled that role well here.

Nick Comoroto vs. Zachary Wentz

Wentz strikes away to start but flips into a jumping Death Valley Driver. A backbreaker has Wentz in more trouble but he comes back with a springboard Codebreaker. Wentz jumps up top for a spinning cutter for the pin at 3:04. Well that was quick.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what the point was in having this match on the card, but that’s the case with a few of them. Wentz is a good high flier, though he tends to do his best stuff as part of the team. On the other hand you have Comoroto, who looks great and has not done a single thing of note since he came to AEW/ROH. That’s not his fault, but you would think someone who looks like that would at least get a chance of some kind.

Swirl/Premiere Athletes vs. Outrunners/Bustah And The Brain

Magnum slugs away to start fast and gets in a headscissors to Johnson. Everything breaks down and the double Styles Clash is broken up though and Price is sent into the wrong corner. The villains get to take turns stomping away but Price avoids a 450. That and a shot to the face are enough for Floyd to come back in for the string of slams.

A belly to back drops Daivari but Christian is up with a 450. The Sky Splitter knocks Christian down though and it’s a double Mega Powers Elbow to Daivari. Everything breaks down and the Outrunners hit their big ax handles from the apron. The double Styles Clash finishes Daivari at 8:04.

Rating: C+. I’m really not sure I get the point in taking the tag team that is 2/3 of the Six Man Champions and putting them in eight man tags without their partner. In theory it’s to give Castle’s back as much rest as possible as he’s more brace than man at this point, but did we really need the Athletes here? Of course not, but THE PREMIERE ATHLETES MUST BE ON EVERY ROH SHOW EVER! WHY? BECAUSE!

Post match Jay Lethal runs in for the belt shot but Dalton Castle makes the save.

Maya World vs. Tiara James

James hits a running shoulder to start but gets headlock takeovered for her efforts. World loads up something out of the corner but James is back up with a neckbreaker. The chinlock doesn’t last long and World knocks her off the ropes. That means a middle rope moonsault can get two, only for James to come back with a sitout spinebuster for the same. World is right back up with the spinning faceplant for the win at 5:25.

Rating: C. World is on her way to a TBS Title shot on Sunday and I would love to see her win the thing. Otherwise, she is getting further and further cemented in that midcard quagmire that so many of the other women are stuck in and that’s not good. She’s talented, the fans are into her and she’s at the highest point of her career. Maybe let her win something?

The Kingdom praises….artificial intelligence? They’re now the computerized Kingdom. Ok then.

The Opps vs. LSG/GKM/Max St. Giovanni

Hook headlock and then spinning drop toeholds GKM to start. Bowens comes in for the forearms to the back of the head and it’s off to LSG. That means the comeback is on for what must have been a good three seconds before Bowens gives him the jumping Fameasser.

Bowens is actually sent into the corner for an enziguri but that’s shrugged off as well. Shibata comes in for a single underhook suplex but GKM gets two off a quick rollup. Bowens isn’t having that and gets a Kimura on GKM, with a triple submission giving the Opps the win at 5:52.

Rating: C. Hokey smoke I am sick of the Opps. The team feels so utterly lost at this point and there is nothing that makes me want to see them. Even with Samoa Joe, they were the lowest of the low stables around here and this new lineup isn’t making it any better. Just get rid of the team already and find something else to fail at making Hook a star.

AEW National Title: Mark Davis vs. Dezmond Xavier

Xavier is challenging and gets shouldered down to start fast. A headscissors sends Davis into the corner though and Xavier is right back with a headlock takeover. That’s broken up and Davis shoves him into the corner, setting up a half crab in the ropes of all things. An Oklahoma Stampede drops Xavier for two more and we’re off to the chinlock. Xavier gets up and strikes away in the corner but misses his 450. Davis’ big running clothesline gets two so he hits another, setting up the piledriver for the pin at 7:41.

Rating: C+. This was a tacked on title defense with Xavier being little more than a slight speed bump on the way to Davis facing Andrade El Idolo at Redemption. At least it felt somewhat more important than the rest of the show and it did get fairly decent during its time. Davis has come a long way and it’s great to see that kind of development.

Overall Rating: C-. This was your big commercial for Ring Of Honor? A collection of cold midcard matches which could have been deleted scenes from the latest “GEEZ WHY DID YOU BUY A RING OF HONOR DVD” DVD? It’s another case of way too much being filmed and this show not being necessary in the slightest, but I’m sure we’ll get a regular two hour show this week, because Ring Of Honor is pure content for the sake of content and nothing more. As usual, the wrestling is perfectly acceptable, but it was the usual no effort from a show structure standpoint, with an AEW title match headlining, because ROH titles mean nothing.

Results
Death Riders b. Dark Order – STO/running knee combination to Uno
Komander b. Alan Angels – Cielito Lindo
Zachary Wentz b. Nick Comoroto – Spinning middle rope cutter
Outrunners/Bustah And The Brain b. Swirl/Premiere Athletes – Double Styles Clash to Daivari
Maya World b. Tiara James – Spinning faceplant
Opps b. LSG/Max St. Giovanni/GKM – Triple submission
Mark Davis b. Dezmond Xavier – Piledriver

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

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

Ring Of Honor
Date: July 16, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re coming up on Death Before Dishonor and that should be a big deal around here. Granted we do have another Bandido loss to get through first, but it’s not like another is going to make a difference after all of his other AEW PPV losses. Other than that, we might be seeing some more with the Tag Team Titles after their rather long hiatus. Let’s get to it.

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

Lio Rush is still weird with his title.

Opening sequence.

Six Man Tag Team Titles: Dalton Castle/Outrunners vs. Beef/Premiere Athletes

Beef and the Athletes are challenging. Magnum and Nese start things off and of course it’s time to pose. Magnum’s headscissors takes Nese down and it’s off to Castle for a double splash. Floyd comes in and Beef’s clotheslines don’t do much to him so Beef grabs the armbar. Nese gets in a cheap shot from the apron and Daivari gets to stomp away, followed by a neckbreaker for two.

We hit the chinlock for a bit, followed by Beef’s side slam for two more. Magnum backdrops his way out of trouble and it’s back to Floyd for a bunch of slams. Beef’s crossbody cuts him off for two and we hit the chinlock, only for Magnum to get up with a clothesline. Castle comes back in to clean house but the triple elbow is broken up. Daivari shoulders Nese by mistake though and it’s the Mega Powers Elbow and fist drop combination to retain the titles at 11:07.

Rating: C+. Even if Beef and the Athletes were just a quick set of challengers, what matters here is they had a title match. Castle and the Outrunners are fine as champions as they are the entertaining act who can win for a good while without being boring. Beef and the Athletes are a quick set of opponents and now the Athletes can yell at Beef a bit more, which works fine as the Athletes apparently have to be on every show.

Post match the champs are glad to have won but a mention of the Lethal Twist upsets Castle’s tummy. Either way, the champs are ready for them.

Angelico vs. Tim Bosby

Angelico wrestles him down by the arm to start but Bosby, who looks to be an amateur star, goes to the rope for the break. A spinning slam drops Angelico and a release belly to belly gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s Angelico back up to strike away, including a kick to the head from the mat. The leglock makes Bosby tap at 3:15.

Rating: C. Much like the Premiere Athletes, Angelico is someone who has to be on almost every show and it gets a bit tedious. He’s completely fine but he doesn’t exactly add much and when the show goes long, this is the kind of match that just feels like it stretched things out. It would help if Angelico had done ANYTHING important in forever but that just hasn’t been the case.

We look at Bandido’s recent wins and tease of him going after the International Title.

Main Man Oro vs. Mark Davidson

Feeling out process to start with Davidson grabbing a flying mare to take Oro down early. Back up and Oro scores with a rolling kick to the head before taking the leg out. A t-bone suplex puts Davidson down for two more but he’s back up with a rolling cutter for two of his own. Oro gives him the running kick in the corner though and a leg trap suplex finishes Davidson at 5:01.

Rating: C+. Oro has popped up a few times around here and he continues to feel like someone else who just occasionally wrestles here. That’s about all there is to say about him as there are so many wrestlers kind of floating around without getting to do much. As usual, do something with these people and it might matter, but until then, they’re simply more names on a long list of filler.

The Kingdom vs. Workhorsemen

Taven and Henry trade wristlocks to start until Henry snaps off a spinwheel kick. Bennett comes in and can’t get the Proton Pack, instead settling with a clothesline for two. It’s off to Drake to chop away before Henry twists Bennett’s neck a bit. Drake’s belly to belly drops Ciampa again but the Vader Bomb misses.

That’s enough for the tag back to Taven to clean house with the kicks to the face. A pop up right hand gets two on Henry but he reverses a suplex into a quick brainbuster. Drake and Bennett chop it out, to the point where Drake has to put the straps back up for extra protection. Taven is sent outside and a Skysplitter of all things gets two on Bennett. Drake and Bennett strike it out again until Taven rolls Drake up with feet on the ropes for the pin at 9:06.

Rating: C+. Another perfectly good match between two teams who don’t feel like they’re doing a thing around here. The Workhorsemen are the designated jobbers of the division and the Kingdom disappeared for several more weeks. I do like having the Kingdom back for a bit as they have the credentials to back it up, but the Workhorsemen are another team I could use a break from seeing for a good while.

AR Fox is upset over his title loss but Alan Angels comes in to mock him. Angels yells at him for never being there for him and a match is made.

AR Fox vs. Alan Angels

They trade rollups for two each to start and Angels hides in the ropes. Fox spins out of a wristlock into one of his own but Angels snaps off a hurricanrana. Back up and Fox strike away to get a breather, setting up a leg lariat to knock Angels back down. A Stunner out of the corner and the anarchist suplex give Fox two more but Angels moonsaults him out of the corner for two of his own.

Angels chops away some more and catches him in the corner for a double stomp to the back on the apron. Fox is able to give him a hanging DDT, setting up the running flipping double stomp. Back in and Fox pulls him into a cutter for two more, followed by a Swanton for another near fall. Fox misses a 450 and gets kicked in the head to give Angels two. Angel’s Wings is broken up though and Fox grabs Lo Mein Pain to the 450 for the pin at 11:11.

Rating: B-. As usual, Fox is capable of doing a bunch of things in the ring and looks so smooth out there while doing a rather unique style. At the same time, I’m not sure how interesting it was to have him facing a student who has been mad at him for what must have been a good thirty five seconds before the entrances started. I guess this was the way to get Fox back on his feet after his title loss and I can go with having him around more often.

We go to Arena Mexico for a CMLL match.

Tag Team Titles: Sky Team vs. Los Hermanos Chavez

Los Hermanos (Angel de Plata/Angel de Oro, whose NJPW Strong Tag Team Titles and CMLL Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line) are challenging and we get a quick ceremony honoring them for being in the ring for twenty years. Mistico and Oro start things off and look so much alike that commentary has to explain the way to tell them apart.

Mistico’s headscissors takes Oro down and Sky Team send them outside for the suicide dives. Back in and Mistico gets kicked out to the floor, with Dorada being sent out next to him. Mistico gets a running start though and is tossed into a hurricanrana to send Plata to the floor. Dorada does the same to Oro and it’s a pair of corkscrew dives to take the challengers down again.

We settle back down to Dorada clearing both of them out, setting up Mistico to get in some hurricanranas for the same. Back in and Mistico’s Code Red gets two on Oro, with Plata breaking it up for two of his own. A Michinoku Driver plants Dorada for two, with Mistico making a save of his own. Everything breaks down again and stereo springboard hurricanranas get two on Los Hermanos. Plata and Mistico strike it out until Dorada snaps off a running hurricanrana to the floor. La Mistica makes Oro tap at 13:55.

Rating: B. It was another entertaining match from Sky Team, though I’m hoping that this is just wrapping up their stuff from the CMLL shows and we get back to ROH for some regular title defenses. I absolutely get the idea of having something like this once in awhile, but we’ve kind of covered it for the time being. Otherwise, Guevara and Mortos could have kept the titles.

We get a sitdown interview with Sammy Guevara, who brags about being in everyone’s head. Guevara is like water because he can adapt to anything but some people don’t like water. He has been a success around the world but some people still won’t show him respect. Guevara is happy with how he has been a role model for his daughter (who he loves) and wants the World Title in another arm to hold alongside her. That’s a nice thought.

Bustah And The Brain vs. MxM Collection

After a hug off, Oliver and Mansoor start things off. Oliver takes him down by Mansoor is up to strike a pose, allowing Mason to come in with a running hip attack to the face. Oliver is back up with something close to a Pounce and Price comes in. That means a double clothesline to put Oliver and Price down, meaning Mansoor gets to drop Oliver with a forearm. Mansoor stomps away and Mason gets in some choking, followed by a tie in the Tree Of Woe.

Oliver slips out without much trouble though and it’s back to Price to pick up the pace. Price whips out a brush covered in hair to tease going after Mansoor, freaking him out in the process. With that blocked, it’s a double running boot in the corner but a double Styles clash is broken up. Price grabs a pop up Stunner to Madden and uses him for a tornado DDT to Mansoor. Back up and Mansoor gets dropkicked out of the air, setting up the double Styles Clash for the pin at 10:12.

Rating: B-. Bustah And The Brain have grown on me a lot since their start around here and it’s good to see them having some success. If the titles are actually around, I’d love to see them getting their chance at them. That might not be happening anytime soon, but at least they’re getting in the ring and not overstaying their welcome.

Dezmond Xavier vs. Brandon Cutler

Cutler works on a headlock to start so Xavier spins out, only to get crushed with a backsplash. Back up and Cutler springboards into an armdrag to put Xavier down again. Xavier is fine enough to dropkick him outside for a suicide dive but a 450 misses back inside. Cutler pops up to the top back inside for a hurricanrana but Xavier knocks him back into the corner. The tornado DDT gives Xavier two, only for Cutler to grab a cutter. The Shining Wizard gives Cutler two more but Xavier catches him with a Cardiac Kick for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C+. Xavier getting a singles push isn’t a bad idea but he’s in the middle of the incredibly crowded midcard. I’m not sure if this was enough to really make him stand out but that’s the case for a lot of people around here. The match was completely fine and did in fact remind me that Cutler is in fact still around.

Shane Taylor Promotions vs. Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Ortiz/Eddie Kingston

Bravo flips Ortiz off to start fast and they run the ropes for a crisscross. Ortiz puts him down and the good guys start taking turns on the arm. It’s off to Taylor, who blocks a double drop toehold but gets taken down with a middle rope bulldog. Priest gets taken down though and the Promotions take over on him, with a quadruple teaming on the floor making it worse.

Back in and the Promotions start taking turns on Priest, with Taylor hitting a heck of a clothesline. Dean adds his Bronco Buster but Priest fights up and brings Kingston in to clean house. Everything breaks down and we get the parade of knockdowns until Priest is the only one close to standing. Bravo gets in a huge dive to the floor and it’s Priest left alone with Dean back inside. Dean goes to pick him up but gets small packaged for the pin at 12:31.

Rating: B-. This had some nice action as the Promotions have some talented stars. As has been the case with far too many people on this show though, they’re around so often that it stops making much of an impact. At the same time, I’m not sure why you would tease having Tehuti Miles join them last week and then have them lose here. Either way, not a bad match at all.

Athena/Billie Starkz vs. Lacey Lane/Viva Van

Diamante is here with Athena and Starkz. Van and Starkz start things off with the former hitting a nice rolling kick to the head. A high crossbody puts Starkz down again but Diamante offers a distraction, allowing Athena to get in a boot of her own. The chinlock with a knee in the back goes on but Van enziguris her way to freedom.

That’s not enough for the tag though as Starkz breaks it up and drops a Swanton. Van fights back again and brings in Lane to start the comeback. A springboard spinning legdrop gives Lane two but Starkz gives her a Backstabber. Van comes back in for a double armdrag and dropkick but Athena knocks her down without much trouble. The curb stomp finishes Van at 7:23.

Rating: C. Athena is right back where she was before, which has literally been the case for years now. Hopefully it doesn’t continue the seemingly never ending tease of Starkz being the one to get the title off of her, but there are some options out there to get the spot instead. For now, though, Van and Lane have another loss but are fine for a low level women’s team.

Post match Athena wrecks Van a bit more.

TV Title: Lee Johnson vs. Lio Rush

Rush is defending but Johnson steals the title before the match, which feels like a rather dumb idea. That earns him a quick takedown, followed by a bunch of chest scratches. What looks like a BFT is escaped and Johnson bails to the floor, allowing him to chop away. Naturally this makes Rush laugh and he strikes away to start his comeback.

A snapmare lets Johnson kick him in the chest, setting up a standing moonsault for two. Back up and Rush hits a quick spear, followed by a Stunner for the 1998 special. Rush knocks him to the floor for the suicide dive, setting up a Jackhammer (ok I was kidding about the 1998 thing) for two more. Back up and Johnson backflips over him out of the corner, setting up a reverse DDT for two of his own.

A half snapdragon just wakes Rush up for the spinning kick to the head, with the springboard Stunner getting two more. Rush loads him up for something…but seems to start hearing voices. He goes outside to look for something and gets caught by Johnson’s big running flip dive. Back in and Johnson misses something off the top, allowing Rush to grab the cutter into the cutter choke to retain at 13:06.

Rating: B-. Rush does indeed deserve credit for everything he has gotten out of this, as there was no reason to believe that it was going to work and then it is coming off pretty well. He’s certainly dedicated to the thing so points for trying this hard. The fans are into him too so this is about as much as you can ask for here.

Overall Rating: C. Oh goodness no. This was every issue that the old Ring Of Honors had, as we had 11 matches and a bunch of people clogging up the show. The wrestling was fine, but it was a horrible presentation because there was too much going on. As usual, Ring Of Honor goes with the idea of quantity over all things and it made for a rather bad show. The wrestling worked and the people are doing what they can, but this could have been three if not four different shows. That’s way too much, as it’s ok to either not put so many people on every show or just not film it all. You know, just for a change.

Results
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. Beef/Premiere Athletes – Mega Powers Elbow/fist drop combination to Beef
Angelico b. Tim Bosby – Leglock
Main Man Oro b. Mark Davidson – Leg trap suplex
The Kingdom b. Workhorsemen – Rollup to Drake with feet on the ropes
AR Fox b. Alan Angels – 450
Sky Team b. Los Hermanos Chavez – La Mistica to Oro
Bustah And The Brain b. MxM Collection – Double Styles Clash to Mansoor
Dezmond Xavier b. Brandon Cutler – Cardiac Kick
Adam Priest/Tommy Billington/Ortiz/Eddie Kingston b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Rollup to Dean
Athena/Billie Starkz b. Lacey Lane/Via Van – Curb stomp to Van
Lio Rush b. Lee Johnson – Cutter choke

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: July 9, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re done with Global Wars and that means it is time for a World Title match. Why you ask? Well there’s no particular reason for it but Bandido is defending the title against Bryan Keith. Why Keith? Well he just happens to be getting the shot. Other than that, we’ll have the usual shenanigans so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Bandido vs. Keith, which doesn’t have much of a story.

Opening sequence.

Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Bang Bang Gang

Drake kicks away Robinson’s offer of a handshake to start and they go to the mat for some exchanges. Robinson threatens to raise his leg, sending Drake bailing over to the corner. We actually hear about Death Before Dishonor in August, which is better than nothing for a show to build towards.

The Veterans escape a suplex and kick Robinson down, only for Gibson to get kicked in the face. A backsplash/legdrop combination gives Austin two and he hits a slingshot ax handle to Gibson on the floor. Back in and Drake gets a blind tag for a double hot shot to take over. Gibson’s suplex sets up the chinlock and Drake gets one of his own. Austin fights out and brings Robinson back in for the snap jabs.

Everything breaks down and Gibson is drop toeholded into a low blow to Drake in the corner. Austin and Gibson slug it out but Drake is back in to help fire off some kicks to the Gang. An exchange of rollups give Austin and Drake two each but Robinson breaks up a Doomsday Device. Robinson’s forward DDT sets up the Fold to pin Drake at 11:17.

Rating: B-. This was fun stuff with all four of them working hard and having quite the fast paced effort. What matters the most though is Austin got a win and the Tag Team Titles are finally around for someone to win. Granted it doesn’t matter if these teams don’t actually get title shots, but at least the option is here again.

Frat House vs. Skyflight

Carter offers Sky a shot to start and then jumps him, with Dante coming in to headscissor Garrison. Dante gets sent into the corner for some rapid fire stomping from various villains and a double spinebuster gets two. With Dante in the Tree Of Woe, Garrison gets to stand on him for something of a low blow. That doesn’t seem to slow Dante down and it’s off to Darius to make the comeback. Everything breaks down and the TKO gives Sky the pin on Jameson at 5:49.

Rating: C+. This was about as good as a Frat House match was going to be as it has been nice to get a bit of a break from them. At the same time, Skyflight gets to do their usual fun match, with Sky’s TKO looking as good as ever. Now just get them closer to the Six Man Tag Team Titles already. Like they should have done a long time ago.

Lio Rush is all creepy with HIS TV Title.

Royce Isaacs vs. Bishop Kaun

They trade running shoulders to start with Isaacs grabbing a kneebar, sending Kaun right over to the ropes. Back up and Kaun chops him down but Isaacs gets in a throw for a breather. A Death Valley Driver gives Isaacs two so Kaun knees him in the face. They strike it out again until Kaun grabs a Wasteland and Pedigree for the pin at 5:22.

Rating: C+. They hit each other rather hard and that was fun to see, but it’s a bit much to get interested in a match featuring half of the Gates Of Agony on a show that is running over two hours. Isaacs is kind of a name from the independent circuit but it’s hardly some top star. It’s not bad, but this was one of those matches that felt like it was there to stretch the show out.

Mina Shirakawa/Queen Aminata vs. Kaci Lennox/Sahara Seven

Seven and Shirakawa lock up to start until Shirakawa avoids a charge in the corner. A kick to the head allows for the tag off to Aminata for the hips to the face, because that has to be in all of her matches. Lennox comes in to suplex Aminata and a Natural Selection gets two. It’s back to Shirakawa to knock Lennox down, followed by a Fujiwawa armbar to Seven. The Figure Four makes Seven tap at 4:58.

Rating: C. This was little more than a squash and it’s not like Shirakawa and Aminata have anything else to do. There isn’t much else for them to do so why not put them in a team? I still have no idea how someone as charismatic as Shirakawa can’t have something to do but here we are, yet again.

Action Andretti sits down with Caprice Coleman but doesn’t want to be here as this show kind of sucks. Granted that might be due to the bad guests so he’s here to save things. Andretti doesn’t like people like Lio Rush who turn on him to become some kind of a Blackheart with no signs. Rush has cut him off and Andretti thinks Lacey Lane probably feels the same. Andretti made call after call and isn’t going to sit on the sideline while Rush becomes this little monster.

Lethal Twist vs. Los Colons/Serpentico

Serpentico runs around to start and gets Lethal to come outside for a chop. A kick to the chest gets two on Lethal back inside but a double kick drops Serpentico as well. Orlando comes in and gets knocked into the corner, with Lethal adding a running dropkick to the back of the head. That means the strut is on before he starts working on Orlando’s leg. The Figure Four is blocked and it’s off to Eddie to fire back. Everything breaks down and it’s time to rip off Serpentico’s mask so Johnson can get the pin at 6:52.

Rating: C. I still have no idea why the Colons are here as there has to be a more interesting team to have in their spot. At the same time, sweet goodness I could go for a break from the “luchador loses his mask for a rollup pin”. It’s certainly logical for a luchador but my goodness it’s been done to death. The Twist need to be on the way to the Six Man Tag Team Titles, as they’re kind of perfect for them right now.

We look back at the Premiere Athletes/Beef wanting a shot at the Six Man Tag Team Titles. See, this is what the titles has been needing. They’re actually building up some teams to come after the champions. That’s how titles work and they’re already feeling more interesting just because teams want them. Now granted they have to actually be defended, but the pieces are being set up.

Mance Warner vs. Matt Menard

Pure Rules so they get in a contest over who can shake the referee’s hand more. Then they go outside to shake hands with the fans and go back inside for a rather aggressive handshake to get things going. An exchange of lockups send them into the corner over and over and all six rope breaks are burned off in 47 seconds.

With that gone, they go to the apron for some chops from Warner and a Rock Bottom from Menard. They go outside where Warner’s chair shot is cut off so Warner brings it inside, sits down in it, and grabs a sleeper. Menard’s arm is up at two drops and he gets two off a cutter. Warner wins a forearm off though and the implant DDT finishes Menard at 5:30.

Rating: B-. This was fun! I had a better time with them messing with things instead of just doing the same basic match that you see time after time. Warner wouldn’t be someone who wants to follow all of the rules and it makes sense that he would turn it into something he would want to do. This was instantly more entertaining than most things on ROH, just because it broke up the show a bit. Nice job.

Kelsey Raegan vs. Isla Dawn

They fight over an armbar to start with Dawn powering her into the corner. A Saito suplex drops Raegan and Dawn knocks her into the corner for a hard kick to the ribs. The running knee gets two and Dawn grabs a cobra stretch. Raegan fights out and sends her into the corner for a running elbow, setting up a DDT for two. Dawn has had it with this and grabs a dragon sleeper for the tap at 5:07.

Rating: C+. This was little more than a squash with Dawn getting to run through Raegan, who only got in a bit of offense. If Raegan is supposed to be something (and she might not be), I’m not sure why you would have her in a match with Dawn as she makes her singles debut. Not much of a match but I’ve been a fan of Dawn for awhile so it’s nice to see her getting a chance.

Post match Dawn takes her time letting go.

We recap Bandido vs. Bryan Keith. They had a match on Collision in February of last year. End of recap.

Satnam Singh vs. Bruss Hamilton

Hamilton jumps him from behind to start and avoids a charge in the corner. That only gets him so far as Singh switches places with him to start firing off the chops. Hamilton can’t get in a slam but Singh certainly can, only for Hamilton to escape a chokeslam. The second attempt gives Singh the pin at 2:55.

Rosario Grillo introduces KJ Impala and Hayden Seal, his partners. They’re rather Italian and called Il Cartello Grillo.

Nathan Cruz/Il Cartello Grillo vs. The Rascalz/Von Erichs

Wentz rolls Cruz up to start and scores with a corkscrew crossbody out of the corner. Impala comes in to slug it out with Marshall and the Von Erichs get two off a double dropkick. Ross misses a running boot in the corner and it’s off to Cruz to strike away in the corner. An atomic drop/running boot combination gets two on Ross but he rolls over for the tag off to Wentz.

That means house can be cleaned, including a quick German suplex. The middle rope Meteora/backbreaker combination gets two on Grillo and everything breaks down. The good guys can hit a bunch of shots in the corner, setting up stereo claws. Hot Fire Flame finishes Seal at 7:25.

Rating: C+. So you introduce the team, put them with a random partner, and then have them lose to a team featuring the freaking Von Erichs. This is where Ring Of Honor manages to completely miss the point as Il Cartello isn’t a bad idea, but they’re bogged down early on with having so many people involved and, you know, losing. But at least those Von Erichs got to make their regular appearance to remind us how lame they can be.

Tehuti Miles vs. LSG

HOW MUCH FILLER DOES ONE SHOW NEED??? Miles dropkicks him at the start and grabs a powerslam for an early two. A big boot gets two more and LSG’s comeback is cut off with a clothesline. Miles grabs a Death Valley Driver to finish at 4:04.

Rating: C. Miles looked impressive here but he’s the what, fifth or so debuting/returning star on the show? In its tenth match? It’s another case of the interesting prospect being lost in the shuffle because there is so much going on. Maybe save this (which came from a big batch of taped matches so it can be put anywhere) for a place that stands out a bit better?

Post match Shane Taylor Promotions comes out to look at Miles, who seems interested.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Bandido vs. Bryan Keith

Bandido is defending and Keith kicks the handshake away before cranking on the arm. Back up and Bandido flips away for the gun pose, earning himself a trip out to the apron. Keith whips him into the barricade a few times before winning a chop off. Back in and Keith kicks away before reversing a 21 Plex attempt into a t-bone suplex. A second and third suplex just fire Bandido up and he gets in a suplex of his own for a double down.

The corkscrew crossbody connects for Bandido and he sends Keith outside for the suicide dive. The springboard high crossbody gets two more back inside but Keith grabs a front facelock. A helicopter bomb gets two and Bandido has to block a fork shot. Bandido’s X Knee gets two but Keith catches him with a t-bone superplex. Keith tries a tiger bomb but gets reversed into a hurricanrana to give Bandido the retaining pin at 13:40.

Rating: B-. This felt like another instance of Bandido being built back up after a loss because he is the designated jobber to the stars in AEW. It’s also another random World Title match for Keith, who barely wrestles in singles matches, while others are undefeated and never get title shots. In other words, it’s a good example of the problem with the title picture around here and that isn’t likely to get better.

Overall Rating: C. And thus we have one of Tony Khan’s favorite ideas in ROH: a card so loaded with people that no one gets to stand out, even when they had good ideas. This show had a whopping 40 wrestlers on it, which is just shy of Wrestlemania II’s 46 and that show included a 20 man battle royal.

As usual, just WAY too much stuff on one show, as apparently someone holds a gun to Khan’s head and makes him not only book these matches but film and air them, because there is no such thing as “nah we don’t need that”. I liked some of what they did with a few debuts and some of the six man stuff, but I’m almost scared to think of how much of this could have been cut out or just moved to another show. Just stop doing so much at these tapings. Why is that so complicated?

Results
Bang Bang Gang b. Grizzled Young Veterans – Fold to Drake
Skyflight b. Frat House – TKO to Jameson
Bishop Kaun b. Royce Isaacs – Pedigree
Mina Shirakawa/Queen Aminata b. Laci Lennox/Sahara Seven – Figure Four to Seven
Lethal Twist b. Serpentico/Los Colons – Rollup to Serpentico
Mance Warner b. Matt Menard – Implant DDT
Isla Dawn b. Kelsey Raegan – Dragon sleeper
Satnam Singh b. Bruss Hamilton – Chokeslam
Von Erichs/Rascalz b. Il Cartello Grillo/Nathan Cruz – Hot Fire Flame to Seal
Tehuti Miles b. LSG – Death Valley Driver
Bandido b. Bryan Keith – Hurricanrana

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: July 3, 2026
Location: WJCT Studios, Jacksonville, Florida
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s a rare Friday night show due to the holiday throwing everything off. I’m not sure what we’re going to be seeing here, but there is a Ring Of Honor World Title match set for an upcoming Collision, because of course. Other than that, we do have a title match from CMLL, because that’s where the Tag Team Titles belong these days. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Hook vs. Nick Comoroto

Comoroto powers him into the corner to start so Hook trips the leg for a takedown. A missed charge leaves Comoroto having to skin the cat so Hook grabs a front facelock. Hook gives him a t-bone suplex and an ax handle gets two but Redrum is blocked. Comoroto gets in a powerslam but misses a backsplash, allowing Redrum to make him tap at 4:27.

Rating: C. He’s still Hook and he’s still pretty much the same thing he’s been for a long time now. The suplexes and chokes are nice and Hook has something of a presence to him. The problem is the Opps stuff, which just feels sad without Samoa Joe. It’s almost like people pretending to be a stable without having anything that makes it work. There is still a reason to try with Hook, but dang he needs a new direction.

We recap Beef being beaten down by the Premier Athletes, which might have been an initiation.

Keagan Garland/LJ Cleary/Aaron Dallas vs. Premier Athletes/Beef

Beef and Garland start things off with Garland flipping around to reverse a wristlock into one of his own. Garland backs him into the ropes so Dallas can get in a shot of his own, with Cleary pounding away as well. Beef fights out of the corner and hands it off to Daivari to hammer away. Nese adds an uppercut and Beef’s top rope splash finishes at 3:03.

Rating: C. So I guess Beef is the new odd man out in the Premier Athletes, which might not be a big move but it is at least SOMETHING. If the Athletes just have to be around here every single week (and apparently they do), at least give them something other than “we insult the crowd and win a nothing six man tag”. It’s something and I’ll take that after all the months of them running on a treadmill.

We look at Mercedes Mone beating Maya World to win the Women’s Owen Hart Cup at Forbidden Door. Athena was really not impressed with World either.

Trish Adora/Robyn Renegade vs. Maya World/Hyan

Hyan and Adora start things off with Hyan elbowing her in the face. A gator roll is countered into a small package but World gets a blind tag to send Adora outside. The stereo suicide dives connect with Adora and Renegade before Hyan comes back in with a hurricanrana to Renegade. A Christyan XO distraction cuts Hyan off though and Adora cranks on both arms.

Hyan breaks out and makes the pretty easy comeback to bring in World for the house cleaning. Renegade reverses a Tombstone into a rollup for two as everything breaks down. A swinging suplex drops Hyan but World is back up to put Adora down. Something like Chasing The Dragon drops Hyan but World shoves Adora onto the pile for two. The running knee gives World the pin on Renegade at 9:28.

Rating: B-. This was a rather fun match that I wasn’t expecting. They were all working hard, with World and Hyan breaking quite the sweat to pull out the win. At the same time, Renegade and Adora worked well together for a random team and I liked this for a nice surprise here.

The Premier Athletes don’t think much of Beef’s contributions to their win. Beef challenges Dalton Castle and the Outrunners for the Six Man Tag Team Titles but Mark Sterling calls it the worst promo he’s ever heard. Daivari says the exact same words and gets praised, just in case you didn’t get the idea.

We look at Lio Rush getting involved in the cage match at Forbidden Door.

Rush touches the TV Title and a bunch of smoke comes up. Rush says it’s his.

Action Andretti vs. Alex Reynolds

Andretti won’t shake hands but he will hit Reynolds in the face to start fast. Reynolds flips out of a belly to back suplex and clotheslines Andretti to the floor. Back in and Reynolds hammers away again, only for Andretti to use to use the referee for a distraction to get in a cheap shot.

A corkscrew Vader Bomb gives Andretti two and the pumphandle Side Effect gets the same. Reynolds sends him outside and kicks him off the apron, with Andretti being whipped into the barricade a few times. Back up and some kicks stagger Reynolds and a Falcon Arrow gets two. A tiger driver gives Reynolds two more, only for Andretti to Stunner him over the top rope. The springboard 450 finishes for Andretti at 8:45.

Rating: B-. This was another acceptable match but Andretti is another person on a long list of people who can do athletic moves and have almost nothing that makes them stand out. I’m not overly interested in seeing his feud with Lio Rush because Cru never mattered in any significant way but tag teams must feud because of reasons. This was completely ok, but the people involved aren’t so interesting.

Post match Andretti kicks him down again and grabs a chair but Jon Silver runs in for the save. Andretti leaves but Lio Rush pops up with an umbrella to scare him on the way out.

Mance Warner doesn’t care what rules he’s wrestling under because he doesn’t know rules. He’s here to punch people in the face and hit the pay window. This sounded like the old Warner from his original MLW days and I like hearing that again.

Kiran Grey vs. Anthony Ogogo

Ogogo shoves away a handshake offer and runs him over with a shoulder to start. A running elbow puts Grey down again and Ogogo gets two off a powerslam. Grey gets in a forearm to the back and some running clotheslines but Ogogo hits a big clothesline of his own. The Right Angle sets up the big right hand to Grey and the referee stops it at 4:32.

Rating: C-. Well, Ogogo can in fact still do pretty much exactly what he’s done since he got here several years ago. He can punch and do a few other moves, which doesn’t exactly make me want to see him. As usual, with so many people on the roster, it feels like a bit of a waste of time to see someone who has been here so long and is basically in the same place. I get that he’s some kind of a project, but how interesting is it that he won a bronze medal fourteen years ago?

Caprice Coleman sits down with the Infantry, who talk about their military backgrounds. In the ring, they’re rather dangerous and bring in an American flag to explain how much they have studied every member of the ROH roster.

Cassie Lee vs. Zayda Steel

Steel knocks her down to start but gets sent into the corner for a rub of the head. A headscissors works a bit better for Steel and la majistral gets two. Some armdrags have Lee down again and they head outside, where Red Velvet has to chase Jessie McKay off. The distraction lets Lee ram her into the apron to take over, with the stomping in the corner keeping Steel in trouble. A hard whip into the corner puts Steel down again and a fisherman’s suplex gives Lee two. We pause for the pose though and that’s enough for Steel to hit the Real Deal for the pin at 6:11.

Rating: C+. I approve of Steel getting a win and having the IInspiration in singles match is at least a bit of a fresh way to use them. Steel still feels like someone who could go somewhere if she is given the chance and while this isn’t that yet, it’s better than another loss. She’s looking more comfortable in there and if that keeps growing, it’s a good thing.

Action Andretti wants the TV Title. He doesn’t like Jon Silver or Lio Rush and promises to beat the latter with Rush’s own umbrella.

We look at Jon Moxley beating Bandido at Forbidden Door. Next week, Bryan Keith gets a World Title shot. Why? Like Ring Of Honor knows.

Tag Team Titles: Sky Team vs. La Faccion Ingobernable

La Faccion (Sammy Guevara/The Beast Mortos) is defending and we’re in Arena Mexico for CMLL. Mistico’s entrance in this place does indeed feel special and that’s quite the sight to behold. Dorada (as in Mascara, Mistico’s partner) armdrags Guevara down to start and it’s Mistico springboarding in with a hurricanrana to Mortos. The stereo dives put the champs down but Mortos runs them over back inside.

Guevara takes over on the floor and yells at a camera before Mortos gives Dorada a pop up Samoan drop back inside. Guevara goes for Mistico’s mask and Mortos holds Mistico in the ropes for a top rope double stomp. Dorada is back in with a pop up hurricanrana and Mistico is back up to…not do anything to Guevara, who is pulled out to the floor. The champs run away from stereo suicide dives and we settle down to Guevara vs. Dorada with the latter grabbing a rather springboardy armdrag.

Mortos is sent outside as well, meaning the Faccion wants a time out. Mistico comes back in to clean house and get the rather spinning headscissors takeover to Mortos. Guevara grabs the GTH for two on Mistico so Dorada gives Guevara a super hurricanrana. Mortos’ super gorilla press drops Dorada so Mistico makes the save and everyone is down. A spear drops Mistico but he and Dorada are back up with big dives. Back in and Mistico la majistrals Guevara for two, earning himself a low blow. Dorada is back up with a springboard crucifix bomb before La Mistica makes Mortos tap the titles away at 19:13.

Rating: B. This lucha style takes some getting used to but you can tell that the four of them know what they’re doing. Mortos was good as the power guy to mix things up a bit, but Sky Team is the classic high flying team that the fans can get behind. While Sky Team is rather talented, the most important thing here is that ANYONE who can actually defend the titles on the regular ROH show won the belts. Having them sit in holding for so long was such an annoying situation and it’s not like La Faccion was some kind of special team. This is a great result to see and it was cool to see it in such a different environment.

Sky Team gets the big title presentation to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event was the best part of the show, as not only was it a good match but it also solved a rather annoying problem. At the same time, the show was a bit shorter than it had been in most of the last few weeks and that takes away a lot of what feels like filler. I’ll also take what seems like an actual story over the TV Title after so many just random matches (like Bandido defending against Bryan Keith next week). This show did a better job of avoiding some of the regular problems and that’s a nice thing to see in any given week.

Results
Hook b. Nick Comoroto – Redrum
Premier Athletes/Beef b. Keagan Garland/LJ Cleary/Aaron Dallas – Top rope splash to Cleary
Maya World/Hyan b. Trish Adora/Robyn Renegade – Running knee to Renegade
Action Andretti b. Alex Reynolds – Springboard 450
Anthony Ogogo b. Kiran Grey via referee stoppage
Zayda Steel b. Cassie Lee – Real Deal
Sky Team b. La Faccion Ingobernable – La Mistico to Mortos

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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Global Wars: Cincinnati Week Two
Date: June 25, 2026
Location: Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re back in Cincinnati for the second of what I’m assuming is two weeks of the show. It’s another case of the international stars showing up, along with AEW stars, who apparently count as guests. These things can be a lot of fun and hopefully it lives up to what we got last week. Let’s get to it.

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

I was in attendance for some of this show, sitting in the ninth row on the floor with the entrance to my right.

Opening sequence.

AEW National Title: Ace Austin vs. Mark Davis

Davis is defending. Austin grabs the arm to start so Davis gives him a heck of a running shoulder. Back up and Austin low bridges him to the floor but Davis is right back in with a hard slam. A backsplash crushes Austin and he realizes he’s in trouble with this kind of power. Davis sends him hard out to the floor and Austin seems to come up favoring his hand, only to come back in with some chops anyway.

Davis’ charge only hits the corner though and Austin Russian legsweeps him into a legdrop. The Death Valley Driver with a squat gives Austin two and he kicks Davis in the head to cut off the running clothesline. They crash out to the floor and Davis hits the post but the Fold is blocked. A bridging cradle gives Austin two more but the big clothesline connects. Davis’ piledriver retains the title at 9:18.

Rating: B-. This was starting to roll at the end and it’s good to see Austin getting a chance. It would be better to see him win something, but at least he’s in a spot like this instead of sitting on the bench. What matters is that he’s getting in the ring and Davis gets to continue a rather nice roll.

Viva Van/Lacey Lane vs. Harley Cameron/Mina Shirakawa

Cameron is rather pleased with fans holding Mini Mones, which were somehow only made available after all these months. Lane and Shirakawa start things off with Lane taking her down into a front facelock. With that broken up, Van holds Shirakawa in the ropes for a running dropkick but Lane misses a charge in the corner. It’s off to Cameron with a high crossbody and a Shining Wizard gets two on Van.

Lane comes back in to catch Cameron in the corner with a running dropkick, setting up an armbar. That’s reversed into a belly to back suplex and it’s back to Shirakawa to clean house. A top rope double dropkick puts Lane and Van down and it’s off to the parade of knockdowns. Van kicks Shirakawa out of the corner and stereo running shots in the corner give Lane two. Shirakawa makes a quick running tag to Cameron though and That’s Her Finisher takes Lane out at 8:26.

Rating: C+. Cameron and Shirakawa are doing well enough as the team of two people whose partners left them and they happened together. It’s not like either of them have anything else going on so this is as good of an idea as they have. Give them a title shot and let them lose so we can move on to something else.

We recap the Women’s Owen Hart finals, with Athena helping Mercedes Mone attacking Maya World.

Billie Starkz vs. Syuri

They fight over a waistlock to start and Syuri hits a running knee in the corner. A running boot in the ropes knocks Starkz silly and her suicide dive is cut off with a forearm. Starkz is back up with a hanging Eye Of The Hurricane and a suplex gets two. A slap in the corner seems to wake Syuri up and it’s already time to trade the forearms. What was supposed to be a wheelbarrow bulldog doesn’t go very smoothly for Syuri but she’s able to grab a cross armbreaker.

With that broken up thanks to the ropes, Starkz plants her on the ramp but misses the Swanton. Back in and they trade rollups for two each but Syuri gets the cross armbreaker again. Starkz makes the ropes so Syuri kicks her in the head. The Electric Chair is broken up and a Last Shot gives Starkz two. The Swanton hits raised knees though and Syuri gets something like a reverse Octopus for the tap at 10:36.

Rating: B-. This was the match designed to give Syuri her win back after last week’s loss to Athena. The problem is it came against Starkz, which only means so much. At the end of the day, Starkz is little more than Athena’s lackey who loses just about every big match she has. Syuri is good, but she needs a bigger opponent.

Lio Rush is still creepy, but he’s now the TV Champion.

We look at the title match.

Action Andretti rants about how Rush shouldn’t have been in the match. Rush needs to enjoy his time with the title because Andretti is coming for it.

Premiere Athletes vs. The Opps

Nese poses at Bowens to start and Bowens is fine with posing right back. Bowens chops away in the corner and gets two off a quick suplex. Hook comes in and gets hit in the throat, allowing Beef to come in for a dropkick. A release northern lights suplex sends Beef flying before Shibata suplexes him on the apron and floor. Back in and Shibata grabs a Figure Four, with Beef grabbing the rope.

Nese comes back in and pulls Bowens outside for the group stomping. Back in and Daivari grabs a chinlock but Bowens is right back up with a running jumping Fameasser. Shibata gets to strike away as everything breaks down. Nese stomps Hook and Beef’s top rope splash gets two on Shibata. Some chops just wake Shibata up so he dropkicks Beef in the corner. The Athletes walk out and it’s the sleeper into the PK to finish Beef at 9:59.

Rating: C. Why was this on Global Wars? That’s been the question with three of the four matches on the show thus far, as Syuri has been the only star from outside AEW/ROH. Unless I’m supposed to believe that AEW is some big outside promotion, this has been quite the useless second week of a special in a long time. It doesn’t help that the Athletes feel like they’ve been in the same place since the start of ROH and the Opps are just sad without Joe.

Sammy Guevara brags about his success in Mexico with the Beast Mortos and he’s heading back to CMLL. Mistico can pick a partner and get a Tag Team Title shot. This will air next Friday on ROH, because apparently there’s an ROH show on Friday.

We look at Zack Sabre Jr.’s time in ROH.

Aaron Solo vs. Mike Nicholls

Like Sabre was going to be on this show. Nicholls starts fast and takes him outside for a drop onto the apron. A basement clothesline cuts off Solo’s comeback but he’s able to get in a suplex. Solo’s top rope double stomp gets two but Nicholls is back with a Deep Six for the pin at 4:25.

Rating: C-. This is a match that took place and I have no idea how this was the best use of someone like Nicholls. He won a squash match over someone who has never done anything important around here. It’s a case where the best thing that can be said is at least it was short, which isn’t a good sign in the slightest.

We recap Dalton Castle/The Outrunners vs. the Lethal Twists.

Dalton Castle and the Outrunners don’t think much of the Twists. Castle: “What the heck?”

Queen Aminata vs. Hanako

Aminata backs her up against the ropes to start and they trade shoulders to no avail. A shot to the leg takes Hanako down for the hips to the face and Hanako isn’t happy. They grasp hands and trade forearms until Hanako knocks her outside for the beating around ringside. Back in and Hanako Falcon Arrows her into the Boston crab, sending Aminata over to the rope. Aminata’s comeback is countered with a swinging suplex for two but Aminata kicks her in the face. The running kick in the ropes finishes for Aminata at 6:55.

Rating: C. Well, at least someone on her way to a title match in AEW didn’t lose this nothing match. I guess this counts as an international star having a big match against an AEW/ROH star as it’s not like there is much to compare it to. Aminata winning is a good thing, though it’s another ice cold match on a show full of them.

The Opps want a Trios Titles shot on Collision. These guys continue to feel pathetic.

Women’s Pure Rules Title: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Olympia

Purrazzo is defending under Pure Rules. They fight over wrist control to start until Olympia nips up and armdrags her down. Purrazzo realizes the power is an issue and goes with the wrestling, meaning it’s the Fujiwara armbar. Olympia makes the rope for the first break and knocks her into the corner for the slingshot Bronco Buster.

A basement dropkick gets two on Purrazzo and Olympia cranks on both arms. Purrazzo fights up and hits some running shoulders, setting up another Fujiwara armbar. That’s broken up as well and Purrazzo catches her up top, only for Olympia to gorilla press her down. A Last Chancery sends Purrazzo to the rope for her first break and the Fujiwara armbar retains the title at 8:52.

Rating: C+. Well thank goodness Olympia got the win here. It’s a smart thing to do when she’s on the way to a big title shot on a much bigger stage in three days. She’s been around AEW and ROH with middling results at best so giving her a win over someone like Purrazzo and establishing her as someone who matters and can win in an upset over a dominant champion is a great idea. Imagine how dumb you would have to be to have her lose in a taped show after giving her a title shot on the upcoming AEW card. That would just be plain ridiculous, so it’s great that she absolutely won here.

Overall Rating: D+. This was one of the biggest wastes of time that I have seen in years in wrestling. The matches were mediocre for the most part, the guest stars were barely a factor, the matches were ice cold and the ending result was idiotic. There was zero need to have this be a two week event, as a bunch of the matches here were just regular ROH matches that could have been on any given week. This was absolutely nothing and a big waste of the Global Wars name.

Results
Mark Davis b. Ace Austin – Piledriver
Mina Shirakawa/Harley Cameron b. Lacey Lane/Viva Van – That’s Her Finisher to Lane
Syuri b. Billie Starkz – Reverse Octopus
Opps b. Premiere Athletes/Beef – PK to Beef
Mikey Nicholls b. Aaron Solo – Deep Six
Queen Aminata b. Hanako – Running kick to the face
Deonna Purrazzo b. Olympia – Fujiwara armbar

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

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

Global Wars: Cincinnati
Date: June 18, 2026
Location: Andrew J. Brady Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

This is one of those big shows with a bunch of guest stars as Ring Of Honor basically does its own version of Forbidden Door. The big match is Athena defending the Women’s Title against Syuri and the rest…well it’s hard to say as a lot of these matches aren’t advertised. In other words, how Ring Of Honor of the show. Let’s get to it.

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

I was in attendance for part of this show, sitting in the ninth row on the floor with the entrance on my right.

Opening sequence.

The opening video looks at Lio Rush and Action Andretti challenging AR Fox for the TV Title. Rush and Andretti were partners but then split up, with Rush being all insane.

TV Title: Action Andretti vs. Lio Rush vs. AR Fox

Fox is defending. Andretti is outside to start and Fox isn’t sure what to do with Rush. This means Rush whispering something into Fox’s ear and it’s time for both of them to go after Andretti. Rush starts running the ropes and Andretti gets kicked out to the floor as the fans seem to like Rush over the champion. Andretti is back up but Fox moonsaults onto both of them on the floor.

Fox goes after Andretti on the ramp and avoids a 450 but gets planted with a DDT. Andretti goes after Rush but winds up breaking an umbrella and sending Rush into the barricade instead. Fox is back up to dive onto both of them but gets small packaged to give Andretti two. Andretti’s springboard clothesline hits Rush and a springboard twisting splash gets the same on Fox.

Back up and Fox dropkicks Andretti in the corner, followed by a cutter to Rush. Fox’s tornado DDT and anarchist suplex drop Rush for two but Andretti sends Fox outside. A springboard Stunner gives Rush two on Andretti and Andretti’s falcon arrow gets the same. The pumphandle Side Effect gets two on Fox so Andretti goes up, with the two of them catching him at once.

With everyone back down, a triple knockdown leaves all of them needing a breather. Fox slugs away at both of them to take over but Andretti cuts him off with a low blow. Rush Stunners him though and grabs a choke, with Fox diving in for the save. Fox is sent outside though and Black Thunder gives Rush the pin and the title at 14:53.

Rating: B. I get it. I’m not wild on Rush’s whole deal, but he is clearly popular with the crowd and being presented as a big deal. Giving him something, even as low as the ROH TV Title, is a smart thing to do. My bigger issue is Fox losing the title so soon, as I became a much bigger fan after some of his recent promos. As for Andretti….well Fox is rather awesome.

Lacey Lane/Viva Van vs. Red Velvet/Thunder Rosa

Van runs Velvet over to start and they trade bridging escapes. Lane and Van hit stereo dropkicks but it’s quickly off to Rosa for some chops and armdrags. Back up and Lane takes over on Rosa, allowing Van to come back in for a rolling kick to the head. Rosa neckbreakers her way out of trouble though and Lane is sent into the corner so Velvet can hammer away. Rosa gets caught in a fireman’s carry but Velvet tags herself back in, with Lane taking over again. Everything breaks down and we hit the parade of knockdowns before Van and Velvet trade rollups for two each. Rosa’s package powerbomb finishes Van at 7:40.

Rating: C. This was a weird one as it’s a cold match between a pair of teams who don’t really work together all that often. Maybe this leads to Rosa showing up here to take a run at Velvet (it’s not like either of them have anything else to do). Other than that though, this felt like a match that was just thrown out there to burn up some time.

We look at Syuri beating Athena in February.

Diamante vs. Maika

Diamante wrestles her to the mat in a hurry and gets in the slaps to the back of Maika’s head. Back up and Diamante pulls her down by the hair, meaning it’s time to hammer away on the mat. Some Kawada kicks have Maika in more trouble and Diamante grabs a headlock. Maika fights up and hits a dropkick in the ropes, followed by a delayed suplex for two. A big clothesline connects but Diamante reverses into a German suplex. Diamante misses a clothesline though and the Michinoku driver finishes for Maika at 6:25.

Rating: C+. This is where Global Wars/Forbidden Door runs into a problem. Maika is a talented star from Stardom but she was debuting here. Odds are she’s not staying for any significant amount of time so this was little more than a pit stop. The match was fine and that’s about all, but it’s kind of hard to get interested in people who haven’t been around here before in a match with no story.

We look at LFI winning the Tag Team Titles in December.

And now, to Arena Mexico for LFI’s first title defense in three and a half months.

Tag Team Titles: La Faccion Ingobernable vs. Los Villanos

Los Villains (El Hijo de Villano Tres (“Tres”) and Villano Tres Jr. (“Jr.”) are challenging. Guevara flips over Tres to start and sticks the landing on a hurricanrana. They trade nipups so Mortos comes in to run Tres over. Jr. comes in with a springboard knockdown but the champs are right back up for some posing. Guevara teases something off the top but drops down for a stomp instead.

The champs go after Jr.’s mask to no avail and it’s Tres back up to start the comeback. A spinning springboard dive hits Mortos and it’s a Codebreaker into a double stomp back inside. Guevara gets thrown from the ramp onto Mortos but Mortos clotheslines both of them down without much trouble. Guevara adds a dive of his own, followed by a corkscrew version from Mortos.

Back in and a rolling cutter drops Tres before Mortos wrecks Jr with a backbreaker and discus lariat. Tres is back in with a tornado DDT to Mortos, who is back up with a super gorilla press for two on Jr. A Doomsday Device doesn’t work though and it’s a poisonrana to Mortos. Guevara takes out Jr. on the floor though and a moonsault gives Mortos the pin on Tres at 14:39.

Rating: B-. Remember what I said about how it’s hard to care about people who aren’t around here and don’t do much in a promotion? That’s the case for both of the teams, as LFI haven’t been in a match in three and a half months but their title reign has to continue for whatever reason. It’s an entertaining match, but this might as well have been a bunch of guest stars doing high spots for about fifteen minutes.

We look at Athena beating Hyan.

AEW TV Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Lee Johnson

Takeshita is defending and Blake Christian/Jay Lethal are here with Johnson. I can’t even bother getting annoyed at commentary saying that Johnson is on a roll when his last singles win around here was in December. Johnson’s headlock doesn’t last long so he goes with a dropkick out to the floor. The suicide dive connects and Johnson hammers away back inside.

A hard whip into the corner has Takeshita in more trouble and Johnson grabs the chinlock. Takeshita fights up but his ankle is banged up, meaning he can’t get up top. Instead they knock each other down again, with Takeshita getting up to take over again. A big clothesline gives Takeshita two but the running knee is blocked. Johnson superkicks him down and ducks a clothesline, setting up a cradle for two. Takeshita is right back with the Blue Thunder Bomb into the running knee to retain at 9:30.

Rating: B-. Well at least we know these people. Takeshita is a great star and doesn’t have much to do with Ring Of Honor but I’ll take someone who is around on these shows one way or another. I have no idea why Johnson was the one getting a title shot here, but logic in title shots is not exactly Tony Khan’s strong suit.

The Opps want to fight Beef and the Premiere Athletes. Anthony Bowens wants violence and Hook thinks he’s starting to get it.

Takumi Iroha vs. Hyan

Iroha is Syuri’s partner. We get a hug to start but Iroha wants to get going so they fight over a lockup. Iroha’s big kick to the head misses though and Hyan realizes this isn’t going to be easy. Hyan misses a dropkick and she gets caught with a quick DDT for two. A sliding knee drops Hyan again but she slips out of a Razor’s Edge. That earns her a kick to the chest and Iroha grabs a quickly broken Scorpion Deathlock.

Hyan muscles her up with a suplex and a belly to back version gets two. Iroha is right back with a running knee to the face and they strike it out. Hyan is knocked down but avoids a Swanton, allowing them to go out to the apron. Iroha gets planted down and a spear gives Hyan two back inside. A big kick knocks Iroha silly but Hyan picks her up instead of covering, allowing Iroha to kick right back. The running Razor’s Edge out of the corner finishes Hyan at 9:49.

Rating: B-. Well, for someone who has never been around here before and likely won’t be again, Iroha looked good enough in beating a midcarder. That’s about all there is to this one, as it’s not like either of them are a big deal around here. The match was fine, but much like a lot of this show, it’s just there.

Lethal Twists/RPG Vice vs. Outrunners/Mike Bailey/Mistico

Mistico gets the big singalong entrance and while the fans wave their hands, I’m not sure if they knew the words (Bailey on the other hand sang every word to the thing multiple times, looking like he was having a great time). Vice teases walking off but comes back for the opening bell as Mistico and Romero start things off. A flying mare takes Romero down and a running hurricanrana does it again.

Everything breaks down though and Mistico gets beaten down, followed by the running clotheslines in the corner. The Outrunners and Bailey are back in for the save though and hammer away with ten right hands each in various corners. We settle down to the Outrunners taking over on Romero but Christian spears Magnum on the apron to cut him off. Lethal stomps him down in the corner and the Figure Four goes on. Christian adds a slingshot hilo but Magnum slams his way out of trouble.

Floyd comes in to clean house, including a swinging suplex to Lethal. The Mega Powers Elbow is broken up though and it’s Bailey coming in to clean house. The running shooting star press gets two on Beretta but Romero is back in with a Shining Wizard for two of his own. Mistico dives onto Romero, leaving Bailey to get cuttered. The Outrunners break up the Lethal Twist’s Mega Powers Elbow and the four of them brawl off to the back. That leaves Mistico to La Mistica Romero for the tap at 11:46.

Rating: B-. This was a wild match and that’s what it should have been, with the fans clearly understanding that it’s a big deal to have Mistico around. At the same time, RPG Vice are a good choice for foils as it’s not like they mean anything in AEW/ROH anyway. Throw in the Outrunners (though oddly not Dalton Castle) and this was fun. Granted so was getting a photo with Mistico to end the night but maybe that’s just me.

Ring Of Honor Women’s Title: Athena vs. Syuri

Only Athena is defending. They go with the grappling to start and it’s an early standoff. An exchange of wristlocks gives us an exchange of flipping escapes so Syuri knees her in the ropes. Somehow Athena manages to go from leaning on the ropes to powerslam her onto the apron.

Back in and Athena knees her down so a backsplash can connect for two. Syuri rolls her up for two more and a facebuster sends Athena out to the ramp. The slugout goes to Athena and she hits a Wasteland to drop Syuri again. Back in and Syuri gets sent hard into the corner for two but she grabs a sitout bulldog. A running knee and right hand give Athena two more but Syuri pulls her off the top into a hammerlock.

The double arm crank sends Athena over to the rope and she’s back up with a superkick. The Black Widow has Athena in more trouble so she faceplants her way to freedom. Syuri gets her cross armbreaker and even crashing over the top doesn’t break it up. A tornado DDT off the barricade plants Athena again and they both have to beat the count back in at nine.

Back in and they slug it out until Syuri grabs a German suplex. Athena snaps off one of her own but Syuri is back with a powerslam. A big knee and kick to the head put Athena down again but she pulls Syuri into a pumphandle Tombstone. The O Face retains the title at 16:18.

Rating: B+. This lived up to the hype of a main event and it felt like Athena’s title was in jeopardy more than once. That’s a good sign that the match is going well, as there was no reason to believe that Syuri was going to win here. This felt like a big time match and I got into what I was watching so rather well done.

Athena shows respect to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This is one of the weirder shows that Ring Of Honor has, as there are parts of it that were good to even better than that (the opener, the eight man, and especially the main event), but there is a big chunk in the middle that is just there to stretch out the run time. I’m not at all saying these wrestlers are bad or untalented or anything close, but they’re just names on a list of people wrestling on this show and that is only so interesting. I’m not a fan of this concept but we’re nowhere near done, with seven more matches to go from the tapings.

Results
Lio Rush b. Action Andretti and AR Fox – Black Thunder to Andretti
Red Velvet/Thunder Rosa b. Lacey Lane/Viva Van – Package powerbomb to Van
Maika b. Diamante – Michinoku driver
La Faccion Ingobernable b. Los Villanos – Moonsault to Tres
Takumi Iroha b. Hyan – Running Razor’s Edge
Mike Bailey/Mistico/Outrunners b. Lethal Twist/RPG Vice – La Mistica to Romero
Athena b. Syuri – 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:

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