Last Week: Athena prevented another would-be challenger in Lady Frost from besting her in a Proving Ground Match before Lee Moriarty stole a victory from Rocky Romero thanks to the help of Big Bill.
ROH on HonorClub Episode 10
Sunrise, FL
May 4, 2023
Pure Rules Match: Rocky Romero vs. Lee Moriarty w/ Big Bill
No judges or match graphics to state how many rope breaks each wrestler had or time limit remaining, unfortunately.
Going for the arm bar early, Rocky Romero actually forced Lee Moriarty to use his first rope break!
Showing his agility early was Rocky as well as he used an arm drag to send Lee out of the ring for a tope that infuriated Big Bill. Lee refused to be denied as he stopped a pin attempt off the head scissors in the ring prior to turning a hammerlock into one against Rocky by exiting the ring. The referee stated that Lee using the ropes to reverse the hold was considered a rope break usage.
Moriarty was slightly upset, but him using the ropes to snap Rocky back after the announcement was enough for him to forget about it as he had Romero grounded for the first time for some sick elbows to his face. The legal act in ROH allowed him to nearly blind Rocky so he could set up submission holds rooted in the hammerlock. Romero worked his way off the mat, hitting the ropes. Lee distracted the referee so he didn’t see Bill trip Rocky. When Lee pulled a stunned Romero around, Rocky used a closed fist to punch Moriarty. The ref issued Rocky a warning that left him upset and prone to being yanked into the turnbuckles with the downward spiral.
“Taiga Style” mounted a cornered Rocky, raining down open strikes until the referee warned him about being in the ropes. The argument between Lee and the ref allowed Rocky to slip from underneath Lee to trip him. Rocky was on fire when he got up; landing an enzuguri topped by the rope-assisted tornado DDT. Lee tried to fight his way back to an advantage when he was yanked into the Diablo Arm Bar. Using his last rope break, Lee exited the ring so Bill could protect him.
Bill stood between an apron-standing Rocky and a rising Lee. Moriarty went for the 619 leg sweep, but Rocky jumped and caused Lee to hit Bill. Both competitors reentered the ring after Lee tried to apologize to his second. Shiranui connected for Romero … to earn a near fall!
Lee got up chopping, leading to a palm strike exchange that ended with Lee’s Tiger Driver ’18 … to gain a two count of his own!
Lee was ready to finish off Rocky with the Harlem Side Kick, but Romero ducked and kneed him on the jaw. Putting Lee on the top, Romero yanked Moriarty into the Diablo Arm Bar. Lee kicked his way to the ropes, but had none left Lee was left no choice but to tap out.
Winner: Rocky Romero
Match Review: Their match last week was solid. This was absolutely excellent. Considering their styles and, thankfully, a strong face-heel dynamic, they played into the match’s rules well with Rocky overcoming the numbers disadvantage and putting their budding rivalry at 1-1.
Proving Ground Match: ROH Women’s World champion Athena vs. Angelica Risk
Quick forearm off the Code of Honor from the champ was top by a big boot that allowed Athena to moonwalk in celebration. Risk fired back, pulling off a head scissors that put Athena in position for the 619. Athena caught the incoming legs, using a wheelbarrow face buster. Risk continued using forearms to fight her way off the mat, but would get easily dropped by something like a shotgun dropkick.
Athena trying to bully the referee cost her as Risk used the chance to recover and fire off some strikes. Ducking a haymaker, Risk knocked Athena in position for the 619. “The Fallen Goddess” got up, catching Risk during a cross body block. Athena started performing fireman carry rolls into the crossface after using a Gory bomb to knee Risk in the face. The would-be challenger had no choice but to tap out.
As per the norm, Athena attacked her defeated opponent after the bell. Calling out Skye Blue, Athena actually used Skye Fall on Risk on the title belt.
Winners: Athena
Match Review: Another week, another Athena victory over a game, wannabe title challenger. Athena’s ego is getting more profound as the weeks progress and leading to moments of near defeat, but her sheer strength and brutality saves her every time. How many times before her luck runs out has now become the story of her reign.
ROH World Television Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Christopher Daniels
After being muscled into the corner, Christopher Daniels recouped with his game plan; thinking fighting fire with fire would actually work. It didn’t as Samoa Joe ran through his challenger with a back elbow. Using those patented jabs in the corner, Joe had “The Fallen Angel” looking for anything to help him gain an advantage. Joe didn’t give Daniels any breathing room, using that corner enzuguri to eventually put the challenger in the trapezius claw. Joe was in combo mode – chopping, kicking, and elbow dropping Daniels with ease. Once again, Daniels thought fighting fire with fire could help him as he started retaliating with chops to space himself and the champ. Instead, Daniels ran into a power slam for a two count in the champ’s favor.
Daniels felt the Coquina Clutch coming, countering with a roll up. Daniels went pinning combination crazy in hopes of catching Joe courtesy of a flash pin. When that didn’t work for the challenger, Daniels came off the ropes with a complete shot. Daniels had Angel’s Wings in mind, but Joe easily back dropped his way out of it. Daniels kept his composure, catching the champ coming in with the uranage set up. Joe broke free of Daniels’ grip, suplexing him into the corner for the Muscle Buster. Joe made the cover for the elementary three count.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Match Review: An abridged version of their classics from many years ago in ROH and TNA. Really wish they could’ve gotten more time or a main event spot of this episode to really showcase themselves as two of the best to ever step foot in ROH.
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli (c) vs. Robbie Eagles
Code of Honor followed before Claudio Castagnoli grabbed and slammed his latest challenger without a second thought. When they locked up again, Robbie Eagles grabbed the ropes to flip out of a wrist lock. Using the ropes and Claudio’s gripping of his hands against him, Robbie pulled off a head scissors that infuriated the champ. Claudio rushed Eagles, slapping him. Robbie responded in kind, only to get shoved into the corner and pitched overhead. Gorilla press slam resulted in Eagles landing left arm first. The champ immediately went after the arm, pulling on it while keeping Robbie seated in the abdominal stretch and a standing arm bar.
“The Sniper” rallied the fans behind him as he elbowed his way off the mat. Slipping free and landing behind Claudio after another press slam set up, Eagles clipped Claudio’s left knee. Castagnoli exited the ring, getting tackled and thrown back in so Robbie could pinpoint the champ’s left leg. Claudio took everything Robbie had including an explosive cannonball in the corner. Tripping Robbie for the Big Swing failed as Claudio got snatched into the Eagle Lock leg submission. Getting to the bottom rope saved Claudio, but Eagles’ focus on the legs with kicks rocked the champ long enough for Robbie to pull of a Sliced Bread … for a near fall!
Claudio caught Robbie coming in after Castagnoli avoided a 450 splash with the Michinoku driver followed by a lackadaisical cover. Eagles took advantage of Claudio “playing with his meal”, almost pinning the champ out of nowhere with the hurricarana pinning combination. Eagles went for Sliced Bread again when Claudio caught him and swung him in position for several kicks to the challenger’s back. Castagnoli hoisted “The Sniper” high, executing a Ricola Bomb for the three count.
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
Match Review: While it was never explained how Robbie Eagles earned a title shot (the only reason would be it seems every ROH champ has an open challenge policy), it can’t be denied that the challenger showed why he was a worthy challenger. Eagles was crisp, precise and actually gave reason to believe the upset was about to happen as he continued working over the horse-strong legs of Claudio. Castagnoli’s freakish strength won out in the end, but here’s hoping we get Robbie this side of the world again in the near future.
– Dasha was in the back to interview Skye Blue. Blue wanted Athena to know she was sick of Athena bullying everyone in the women’s division. Blue stated she was ready to shut up “The Fallen Goddess”, but only of the World title is on the line.
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Beretta), Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Stu Grayson w/ Dark Order vs. The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) & The Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari) w/ Mark Sterling & Maria Kanellis-Bennett
Matt Taven started off this one for his team with Action Andretti. Following the Code of Honor, Taven got surprised with a chop that he retaliated by dropkicking him. Flipping out of Taven’s grip, Andretti pulled off a dropkick of his own that didn’t get the fans to cheer. Bennett ran in to knock down Darius Martin after Darius helped Action double team Taven. Things broke down almost immediately after Bennett’s interference, leading to Taven being isolated and quadruple teamed by Action, Best Friends & Darius. Stu came off the middle rope with a caperana before Beretta became the legal man. Tony Nese ran across the apron, clotheslining Beretta.
Chuck Taylor had to help his partner from taking a whip into the corner by using his own body to block the impact. Beretta didn’t let his team down, knocking Nese across the ring before tagging out to set off a series of big maneuvers from everyone hitting an opponent. The exchange ended when Grayson got German superplexed by Josh Woods. Knocking Woods out of the ring, Action pulled off a big somersault plancha to wipe out half the competitors in this one. Beretta met Taven on the top rope, using a superplex to down everyone at ringside. Daivari and Grayson were the first back in, landing a Pele kick to set up something for Action. The Righteous’ music hit, bringing out Vincent & Dutch for a distraction. Grayson left the ring as Evil Uno tried to stop his partner from running into whatever The Righteous have in mind for him. In the ring, Action stopped whatever Ari had in mind to execute an inverted TKO to down and pin Daivari.
Winners: Best Friends, Action Andretti, Darius Martin & Stu Grayson
Match Review: Didn’t take long for this to turn into a cluster-muck with bodies flying everywhere. Thankfully there weren’t a bunch of “botches” during those move exchange sequences; though we did have bodies waiting around at ringside to catch falling bodies. The match’s biggest issues were the ending with The Righteous’ appearance meaning nothing as Stu’s team still won even though he lost focus during an important moment, and The Kingdom losing even though they cut a promo last week talking about getting the respect they deserve after losing so much recently (the villains having more adversity than the faces).
– Athena stood in the interview zone with Dasha to respond to Skye Blue’s challenge. Athena was amused by “Lexi” and Blue’s words, sending Dasha her merry may so she could take the microphone to explain that Skye wasn’t worthy of the thrashing she could’ve given her last week. Mocking Skye for using her sex appeal to stay relevant, Athena stated she’ll prove next week that Blue isn’t made for AEW; let alone “my Women’s division.”
Preston Vance w/ Jose Assistant vs. Rich Adonis
Immediate clothesline from Preston Vance sent the newcomer to the floor where Vance used RUSH’s patented barricade-oriented offense. Preston too much time posing after chopping Adonis in the ring. Rich got moving and almost drilled Vance when Preston caught him with the slingshot wheelbarrow suplex. Using the full nelson to left Rich out on his feet, Vance finished off his opponent with the discus lariat and the subsequent pin fall.
Winner: Preston Vance
Match Review: After last week’s showcase in tag action, Vance dominated another opponent similar to what we’ve seen from Brian Cage on a weekly basis on ROH programming. This version of Vance is something special in the making, but needs a rival in the future to really test him and, hopefully, give ROH a new rising star. Also, Preston has a banger of an entrance theme.
– Action Andretti & Darius Martin were enjoying their victory in the back when The Kingdom attacked them. Using a wall phone and a nearby guardrail, The Kingdom left their foes lying.
Skye Blue vs. Robyn Renegade
When the wrist lock didn’t go her way, Robyn Renegade immediately went to punching. Skye Blue was ready, almost pinning her opponent not once, but twice with roll ups. Using the arm drag to send Robyn out of the ring didn’t end well for Blue as her follow-up running kick from the apron was avoided and Renegade yanked her opponent face-first against the floor. Robyn was in complete control, trying to disfigure Skye’s face in the camel clutch after giving Blue some shotgun knees.
Blue got to her feet after being mocked, using two head scissor takedowns to set up a series of failed kick attempts. Robyn avoided the strikes and landed one of her own with the pump kick for a two count. Blocking a uranage, Blue super kicked Robyn in position for Skye Fall. Renegade wasn’t having it, trying to knock Skye out when Blue caught an incoming arm to yank Robyn into the Skye Fall. Blue made the cover, picking up another win.
Winner: Skye Blue
Match Review: Solid outing that gave Skye another win heading into her title match. Blue will definitely benefit working with veterans like Athena to smooth out those rough edges that comes with inexperience.
Blake Christian vs. Brock Anderson
Early exchange saw Brian Cage doing quite well grappling. Power slam worked for Cage after Brock tried to land a strike. Missing a splash in the corner, Cage left himself open for the DDT. Prince Nana tried to interfere when “The Machine” approached Brock. Anderson got underneath his opposition, slamming the champ. Kicking out of a small package, Cage executed the discus lariat. Hoisting Brock up, the Michinoku driver finished off Anderson via pin fall.
Winner: Brian Cage
Match Review: Another week, another squash for Cage. Anderson looked good, but his dad’s offense was not enough to stop “The Machine”. Also, where are the rest of the Six-Man champs and why haven’t we had a six-man tag on ROH programming since “Supercard of Honor”?.
Willow Nightingale vs. Steph de Lander
Pie face from Steph de Lander didn’t infuriate Willow Nightingale as she figured out early that she had to outsmart Steph; tripping de Lander in position for a senton splash. Steph recovered quickly, taking an enzuguri when she tried to whip Willow across the ring. Catching Nightingale climbing the ropes, de Lander threw a big boot to suplex her opposition. Using the body splash in the corner once gave Steph the idea of doing it again. Willow avoided the second, clotheslining Steph in position for a missile dropkick. Cannonball in the corner worked for Willow, as did the spine buster. Willow stacked de Lander up, picking up another pin fall victory.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
Match Review: Willow found herself being matched with someone who could match her power and overcame in the end. The match was good, but the time constraints and rushed nature resulted in a little bit of sloppiness and something of an abrupt finish. The biggest problem with this match had nothing to do with the action, but why Willow was fighting Steph when the last time Nightingale was seen on ROH TV it was the Renegade sisters leaving her lying. For Robyn and Willow to be on the same episode and not in the same match is an odd oversight.
Angelico w/ Serpentico vs. Komander
Using the Code of Honor to immediately wrist lock the masked man, Angelico found himself getting caught with an arm drag. Angelico recovered, landing a big boot between Komander’s eyes. Angelico grounded his opponent early, using the arm bar to control Komander until his opponent started firing off forearms. Angelico stopped the onslaught early, looking for a running knee. Komander avoided the strike, walking the top rope to moonsault on Angelico on the floor. Rolling Angelico back in, Komander found his opposition immediately leaving the ring. The luchador jumped off the top, catching Angelico with another body block.
Super sunset flip in the ring allowed the luchador to gain a two count. Angelico quickly recovered, using a back suplex to almost pin Komander with the la magistral. A power bomb was in the plan for Angelico when he ran across the ring. Komander countered splash mountain with a hurricarana into the corner topped by the sunset bomb. Komander spiked his opponent with the hurricarana. Komander did his full rope run from the parallel side of the ring to dive on Angelico. Rolling Angelico into the ring, Komander ran the top rope again to hit a shooting star press for the pin.
In a surprising show of dishonor, Angelico used the Code of Honor to lure Komander into a trap as Serpentico attacked Komander from behind. Thankfully for Komander, Orange Cassidy and Bandido were here to save him as the show came to a close.
Winner: Komander
Match Review: Similar to last week’s main event, this proved solid with some impressive spots and the fans enthused specifically by Komander’s athleticism and impressive balance. With that being stated, a show where two title matches and a Proving Ground Match were on the same episode, this was an odd choice for a main event. The only assumption is that the post-match save by Orange & Bandido was the reason for them closing the episode.
Overall Review: Following two rather forgettable episodes, this proved to be the best show taped before AEW programming thus far. But there was a big problem in the end: the match placement during a pre-taped episode. The first half was huge and meant a lot to the landscape of Honor including two title matches, a Proving Ground Match, a wild ten-man tag with history & intrigue in regards to the likes of The Kingdom, Darius Martin & Action Andretti, The Righteous & Stu Grayson, and the first non-title Pure Rules Match since the restart of ROH.
The show’s second half was mostly made up of squashes with Blue-Renegade and the main event breaking up the monotony. Though the show was apparently shown in the order the matches were taped, someone should’ve thought otherwise and edited the match order. Even with the odd match placement, this was an easy watch of an episode with the Pure Rules and World title matches getting high recommendations for suggested viewing.
