Last Week: Darius Martin & Action Andretti ended their feud with The Kingdom in victorious fashion in a Fight Without Honor.
ROH on HonorClub Episode 13
Orlando, FL
May 25, 2023
JD Drake w/ Anthony Henry vs. Mark Briscoe
Confronting JD Drake, Mark Briscoe demanded that Drake chop him. When JD did what was ordered, Mark responded in kind. Cutting off the exchange with a knee to his opponent’s stomach, Drake quickly found himself being out-brawled. Drake turned an Irish whip into a splash-hip toss combo. Mark recovered quickly, using a dropkick to send Drake out of the ring. Coming off the top rope, Briscoe landed on both Workhorsemen as the crowd went wild. Redneck Kung Fu Theater was cut off by a clothesline.
Drake started unleashing senton splash that left Mark prone to more abuse in the corner. The fans rallied behind Briscoe, giving him the energy to throw some chops until he ran into a big spine buster. Using an Irish whip into the corner to his advantage, Mark landed a big chop that only ended with him running into the Boss Man Slam. Kicking out of Drake’s lateral press off the modified Vader Bomb, Mark found himself stuck on the middle rope. Firing off right hands to the abdomen was Mark until Briscoe knocked JD in position for a flying missile dropkick. Drake blocked the iconoclasm, but not a uranage. Taking JD to the floor for that patented blockbuster off the apron didn’t help Briscoe as Drake avoided it and Mark was slung into the ropes, almost getting knocked out by a clothesline. Rolling Briscoe in, Drake connected with an impressive moonsault … to earn a near fall!
JD hooked Mark for the Jay Driller as the fans rightfully booed, only for Mark to chop his way out of it. Briscoe hoisted the big man up for that rolling Death Valley Driver to set up the Froggy Bow for the pin fall.
After the match, Mark looked at the camera to tell ROH World Television champion Samoa Joe, “I’m beatin’ up all these burly boys. It makes sense you’re in line.”
Winner: Mark Briscoe
Match Review: As per the norm with Mark Briscoe matches, a very good opener and easily the best showing of JD Drake in ROH thus far. Mark is on his road back to another TV title shot in fine fashion.
– Though a unit, Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal were ready to prove they are ready for singles Television gold by overcoming ROH World TV champ Samoa Joe and New Japan’s Television titleholder Zack Sabre Jr. Reminding everyone that if they win tonight, each will get a shot at whatever TV title they want and, according to Sydal, the feeling is they are closer than ever to getting a TV title belt around their respective waists
Proving Ground Match: ROH World champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. Serpentico
Insulting display when following the Code of Honor from the champ as he barely touched his opposition’s hand. A fired-up Serpentico got shoved across the ring easily. When the masked man went for a test of strength, Castagnoli almost broke his opponent’s wrists before pretending he was about to be taken down. Feigning another test of strength to kick Claudio angered the champion enough he left himself open for a victory roll.
A nice head scissors into the cradle resulted in Claudio rolling to the floor for a somersault plancha. When Serpentico attempted to follow up, Claudio dumped his opponent over the top rope before swinging him against the steel ring steps. A series of short-arm clotheslines actually gave Serpentico the gall to flip the champ the bird. Clothesline after clothesline until Claudio felt the eleventh one was enough to pin another would-be challenger.
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
Match Review: Though game, Serpentico got obliterated by the champ in the end; and rightfully so.
Vertvixen vs. Kiera Hogan
The Women’s champion Athena watched from the top of the ramp as Vertvixen showed her grappling acumen before plowing through her opponent with a shoulder block-dropkick combination. Using a drop toe hold to sling her opposition into the ropes while avoiding an attack, Hogan exploded with the hip attack topped by a step-up leg drop to the back of Vertvixen’s head. Vertvixen recovered quickly by using a leg sweep to put Hogan in a modified Koji clutch. Hogan was close enough to the ropes to save herself from the submission, but had to kick out of Vertvixen’s follow-up pin off a springboard kick.
Reversing an attack by squashing Vertvixen in the corner. Preventing a pin fall, Vertvixen was ready to level up after catching Hogan with a forearm. Stuck, Hogan couldn’t stop the blue thunder bomb after taking the helluva kick. Showing great fortitude was Hogan as she stopped what should’ve been a sure pin, reversing a suplex to execute a snap Backdrop Driver. Hogan made the cover, picking up her first ROH victory.
Athena stepped onto the apron, confronting the victor. Insultingly, Athena pie-faced Hogan into a rising Vertvixen that sent Kiera head-over-heels before the champ left the scene.
Winner: Kiera Hogan
Match Review: Somewhat surprising result from a solid encountering considering how much Vertvixen got in terms of offense, but the inevitable title bout between Hogan and the champ already has heat thanks to their post-match confrontation.
AR Fox vs. Kyle Fletcher w/ Mark Davis
The early going was fairly even in their grappling skills with Kyle Fletcher being the first to really make a statement with his intentions by turning an intended arm wrench counter into a slam. AR Fox responded with kicks until Kyle was stuck in the corner and prone to a dropkick. Kyle ended up on the apron. When Fox tried to drill him to the floor, Fletcher countered by using an apron-assisted belly-to-back suplex topped by a swinging slam on the floor similar to Norman Smiley. Snap body slam in the ring by Kyle as his target was his opponent’s torso. Reversing a vertical suplex, Fox pulled off a corkscrew version of the same move that allowed him to turn this match around.
Clotheslines and kicks, Fox had Kyle in a bad way after yanking him into an ace crusher. Just when it seemed Fox had everything going his way, AR got dropped with the brain buster. Fletcher found himself surprised when AR kicked out of his subsequent pin attempt. Kyle hooked Fox from behind, only to get kicked backward then through the ropes for a somersault plancha off the top rope. Rolling Kyle back in, Fox hit the 450 splash … to gain a near fall!
The fans were still behind the Aussie as Fox put Kyle on the top rope for a super piledriver. Kyle blocked it, hitting a super Michinoku driver … for a near fall!
Fletcher wasn’t deterred, landing a big kick to the back of Fox’s head before spiking AR with the spinning tombstone piledriver. Making the cover, Fletcher picked up another win.
Winner: Kyle Fletcher
Match Review: While the lack of Fox selling his back after all the abuse was definitely a turn-off, it can’t be denied how fun this match was. Fletcher is growing into one of the breakout stars of 2023 as a singles star after Aussie Open became a top-tier tag team over the last couple of years. Fox is that guy who can’t help but get the fans behind him and, hopefully, gets a few wins in the near future to establish him as a title contender.
Willow Nightingale vs. Hyan
Shockingly, neither found a strength advantage during the initial collar & elbow tie-up. Hyan didn’t take kindly to Willow Nightingale giving her a thumbs up when Willow rolled over her instead of being tripped. Using a cartwheel to avoid the hair mare, Willow forearmed her opponent and gave Hyan a taste of her own medicine by whipping Hyan across the ring by her hair. Avoiding a hip attack in the corner, Hyan caught Willow with a kick to the face while mocking her opponent’s happy nature. Fighting her way out of a submission attempt, Willow executed a hip attack to set up the enzuguri-missile dropkick combo. Collapsing in the corner after an Irish whip, Hyan almost got knocked through the ropes courtesy of a cannonball splash. Removing her straps, Nightingale was ready to unleash the Babe With the Power Bomb and did just that to pin Hyan.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
Match Review: Another week, another entertaining Willow showcase. Hyan must get credit for turning it up as a villain in this short match after being frustrated. Would love to see a rematch between them with more time to really work.
The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) w/ Maria Kanellis-Bennett vs. Mack Attack (Willie Mack & Ninja Mack)
It was Matt Taven and Willie Mack starting off for their respective teams as the fans chanted in approval of the Macks. The pace quickened almost immediately with Taven feeling a trio of arm drags and a dropkick. Mike Bennett running some illegal activity allowed Taven to both recover and knock down his opponent. Mack stopped a double team by dropkicking his way to of a belly-to-back suplex. Ninja Mack found himself getting the tag as a rolling Willie headed his way. Showing ridiculous agility, Ninja avoided a big fall to the floor before super kicking Taven. Ninja’s want to back flip his way into a strike ended with Mike Bennett catching and suplexing the masked man. Another suplex from Bennett set up Taven’s frog splash to Ninja. Ninja recovered quickly, tagging out after preventing the Proton Pack.
Running through a double team clothesline, Willie used a double clothesline of his own before Samoan dropping Taven in position for the standing moonsault press. Taven somehow kicked out of the subsequent pin. Knocking Taven to the floor with his partner, Willie set up Ninja’s quadruple back flip into the moonsault. Pulling Willie out of the ring and pulling off that slingshot forearm, Bennett jumped onto the apron as Taven cracked Ninja with a roundhouse prior to placing him on the middle rope. Ninja was stuck and prone to the Proton Pack. Making the cover, Taven got The Kingdom back in the win column with a pin.
Winners: The Kingdom
Match Review: While a fine match as expected considering the talent involved (can only think this would’ve been even better with five or so more minutes), it’s odd they decided that in Mack Attack’s debut as a unit they’d be put in a losing position.
Mercedes Martinez vs. Dream Girl Ellie
The former World champion had the crowd behind her before going for a big forearm. Dream Girl Ellie unwisely pie-faced her opponent, resulting in a clothesline. Ellie had to kick her way off the canvas, dropkicking Mercedes Martinez before letting out a primal scream. The scream proved to be a precursor to Ellie taking a big boot instead of landing any type of offense. Martinez was mauling her adversary in the corner with chops & punches between insults. Saito suplex from Martinez had Ellie asking for a time out. Martinez decided that more abuse was necessary, kicking and forearming the kneeling Ellie until she submitted her with that Brass City Stretch dragon sleeper.
Winner: Mercedes Martinez
Match Review: It can’t be denied that Ellie made this an entertaining squash as she went from over-confident to pleading for a reprieve that Martinez gave her in brutal fashion. Martinez could prove a perfect veteran gatekeeper to get the more inexperienced women some credibility before going after Athena like Skye Blue.
– Dasha brought in Mack Attack to ask about the loss, Ninja Mack understood the risks of taking on top talent, but isn’t ready to give up on his partnership. Willie agreed and promised The Mack Attack is here to stay.
Danielle Kamela vs. Ashley D’Amboise
Ashley D’Amboise showed some impressive agility to complement her grappling acumen by controlling her opponent’s wrist. Frustrated, Danielle Kamela knocked Ashley into the corner to stomp a mudhole into her. The referee had to constantly reprimand Kamela as she choked D’Amboise in the ropes. Using those same ropes to hang Ashley upside-down, Danielle unleashed some debilitating kicks to her opponent’s back. D’Amboise forearmed her way off the mat before landing some big clotheslines. Float-over neck breaker connected for Ashley as did the power slam that followed. Reversing another slam, Kamela pulled off the Rose Plant topped by a swinging neck breaker … to earn a near fall!
Kamela couldn’t believe Ashley was still fighting; hoisting her up for something across her shoulders. D’Amboise countered with the Burning Hammer to pick up a near fall as well. Uranage from Ashley put Kamela down for those precious three seconds.
Winner: Ashley D’Amboise
Match Review: They tried to pack a lot in a three-minute match, but it got the job done in showing how tough both women are. The burning hammer should’ve ended this one as the fans reacted to the uranage as if Kamela was going to kick out with ease.
Rocky Romero vs. Titus Alexander
Titus Alexander immediately went to the ropes to stop a waist lock before back elbowing an honorable Rocky Romero. “Azucar” didn’t take kindly to the disrespectful act, but couldn’t stop the quickness of his opponent as he took a dropkick. Rocky’s comeback offense was cut off by a near-decapitating dropkick. Just when it seemed Titus was on a roll by mixing slams with submission attempts, Rocky came off the ropes with a DDT.
Sending Titus to the floor after that tricky style defensive maneuvers, Romero’s tope wiped out his opposition at ringside. Titus survived the shiranui, pulling off a brain buster to give himself a two count. Alexander’s left arm was growing useless after some kicks aimed at his appendage, giving Rocky the chance to counter whatever he had in mind off the middle rope by yanking him to the canvas with that Diablo Arm Bar. Alexander had no choice but to tap out.
Winners: Rocky Romero
Match Review: Another solid, though forgettable encounter. Titus looked good, but obviously inexperienced. Romero is Romero – guy doesn’t have a bad night or performance. Sadly, the commentators put over the fact Rocky isn’t aiming for a ROH title, but wanting to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title as himself and not his old Black Tiger persona – so why is this match happening in ROH, then?
The Righteous & Stu Grayson vs. LSG, Vary Morales & Marcus Kross
Stu Grayson just ran through Vary Morales at the bell’s first sound. Morales got tossed overhead and tagged out to Marcus Kross. Poor Kross didn’t fair much better as he got slung into his opponents’ corner so Dutch could avalanche splash Marcus. Big leg drop from Dutch off Stu’s clothesline that left Grayson confused as to how he was doing so well with The Righteous. The same thing happened when Vincent tagged in as Stu was able to double team Kross alongside the group’s leader.
Kross used the moment of communication between Vincent and Stu to recover and tag out to LSG. “The Ace of Space” was on fire, knocking down Vincent with the flying forearm before tagging out to Kross for a double team attempt on Grayson. Stu flipped out of the double back drop attempt, using a pele kick with both legs to down his opposition. The Dark Order arrived as Dutch Boss Man Slammed Vary. Autumn Sunshine on Kross by the legal Vincent. Instead of pinning the prone Marcus, Vincent gave Stu the honors to finish off Kross with Nightfall. Grayson made the cover, pinning Kross.
The Dark Oder watched in confusion and disgust from the ramp, arguing with Vincent & Dutch that they had his one match with Stu and it was time to leave him alone. When Stu made his way up the ramp, Grayson didn’t stick around and went behind The Righteous.
Winners: The Righteous & Stu Grayson
Match Review: One of the few actual stories going on in ROH that doesn’t involve a title and it took a very interesting turn as Stu not only won with The Righteous, they were a dominant trio as well. Will Stu actually leave The Dark Order, or will Evil Uno & crew be able to bring their friend back into the fold? We’ll have to wait and see.
– Dasha had the TV champs in the interview zone. Zack Sabre Jr. explained that he’s looking to make the New Japan TV title the top Television Championship in wrestling. Samoa Joe didn’t take kindly to that statement, but is looking forward to see what ZSJ can do.
Shane Taylor w/ The Workhorsemen vs. Tracy Williams w/ Rhett Titus
Grabbing his opponent by the left arm didn’t end well for Tracy Williams as Shane Taylor broke free and caught him with a stiff jab. Firing himself up, Williams got clobbered until he was pressed against the turnbuckles. Avoiding another strike, Williams dropped back with the rope-assisted arm bar. “Hot Sauce’s” momentum got cut off quickly by a body block. Sidewalk slam by Taylor prevented an arm bar attempt. Using a back elbow to stop the charging Taylor, Williams yanked Shane into a DDT. Basement clothesline connected for Williams; giving Tracy the chance to climb the ropes. Taylor pulled off a big frog splash, but couldn’t get the pin. Blocking a piledriver, Taylor back dropped, kneed, and splashed Williams … for a near fall!
Tracy had one last salvo in him, throwing right forearms until Taylor exploded with another forearm. Williams flew into the ropes, bouncing into the Package Piledriver. The pin fall that followed was elementary for Taylor.
Winner: Shane Taylor
Match Review: The battle of two former ROH TV champs was a good one that, once again, could’ve benefited from more time. The intensity was, possibly, more than anything on the show thus far and a fine example of what both men bring to the table.
Proving Ground Match: ROH Women’s World champion Athena vs. Promise Braxton
The champ was ready to give her wannabe challenger a free shot when she tripped, ankle twisted, and back elbowed Promise Braxton. Missing a big dropkick, Athena found herself getting knocked down. Using the respectful handshake to big boot her unsuspecting opponent, Athena found herself getting caught moments later in a standing Koji clutch when attempting a sidewalk slam. The champ freed herself, but ended up getting taken over with a suplex.
When Braxton went for a second suplex, Athena countered with the gourd buster-thrust kick combo. Throwing a kick to stop Athena from coming after her, Braxton pulled off Meteora to Athena’s back for a two count. Just when Promise had some momentum, Athena tripped Braxton into turnbuckles face-first. Slingshot corkscrew splash by Athena didn’t end this one, but did give her the chance to pound at the back of Promise’s head until she was prone to the cobra clutch. Getting choked out, Braxton tapped out.
Athena wasn’t done, wearing out Braxton until Kiera Hogan attacked the champ from behind. Big super kick from Hogan allowed her to mount & pound the champ until she was able to slam “The Fallen Goddess” face-first against the title belt.
Winner: Athena
Match Review: Another Proving Ground Match where the challenger worked hard, but was outmatched by the experience and, in the case of Athena, ferocity of the champ. Kudos to Hogan for actually paying back Athena for her attack from earlier instead of not taking advantage of an opportunity to make a physical statement.
Dralistico w/ Jose the Assistant vs. Tony Deppen
Dralistico wasn’t about the Code of Honor, so Tony Deppen dropkicked him to the floor for a somersault plancha topped by some right punches. A follow-up Irish whip worked against Deppen as he was slung into the steel ring post to begin the beat down around ringside. Springboard Swanton from Dralistico when the action returned inside. After landing a running kick in the corner, the masked man posed on the top rope to remind everyone to be tranquilo.
Deppen was anything but calm as he avoided a move while stuck on the apron, diving on his opponent outside the ring and immediately in with the Warrior’s Way. A chop exchange broke out when Dralistico stopped the pin pressed against him. Throwing a big corkscrew kick didn’t help the LFI member, but the super kick into a poison-rana put both men down. Placing Deppen on the top rope midway across the ring, Dralistico pulled off a springboard hurricarana topped by the satellite arm bar. Tony tried to hold on, but eventually tapped out.
Winner: Dralistico
Match Review: Another match where two very talented wrestlers tried to cram too much into a short amount of time. Dralistico is so much like his brothers and Deppen is always game. Hopefully when Tony recovers from his broken arm, we’ll get a rematch with some more time.
– Nick Comoroto stood in the interview zone with Dasha to ask why his opponent for the evening in Blake Christian is so ordinary looking. Being extraordinary, Nick promised to rip the still-beating all heart out of Blake tonight.
Skye Blue vs. Miranda Alize
After a few head scissors put her out of the ring, Miranda Alize recovered and caught Skye Blue with a DDT. Cornered an unable to avoid both the running face wash and dropkick, Blue had to rally her way to a comeback. Getting too mouthy, Alize left herself wide open for a big kick. Alize recovered hastily, turning a suplex against Skye before locking in the Miranda Rights. Blue countered by rolling her up into a pinning predicament. Blue couldn’t hold her down, only for Alize to rush a rising Skye in the corner. Blue slipped behind, then underneath Miranda to rolled her up for the three count.
Winner: Skye Blue
Match Review: Similar to The Kingdom from earlier in the night, Blue got a much-needed win after a big loss a few episodes ago. Alize’s cockiness has cost her time & time again, but will she adapt and evolve, or keep falling into the same issues.
– Chasing down Athena was Lexi Nair to ask how it felt to get a taste of her own medicine. The champ didn’t care for how Lexi approached her, having a temper tantrum after exclaiming she’ll fix Kiera Hogan next week.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. Cole Karter & Zack Clayton
Action Andretti’s impressive agility was on display early as he used avoidances from the ropes, a big leg lariat and missile dropkick. Tagging out, Andretti let Darius Martin keep the momentum. Karter took advantage of Action losing his footing during a springboard attack set up, shoving Andretti over the top & to the floor. Jawbreaker from Action stunned Zack Clayton and allowed Andretti the chance to tag out, but Martin got laid out and frog splashed. Darius saved his partner from taking a javelin into the turnbuckles, grabbing and double team pendulum slamming Karter for the pin fall.
Winners: Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Match Review: This may come across as repetitive, but this was another solid, though forgettable encounter with two rather inexperienced teams doing well with each other in a rather short match. Similar to AR Fox’s back not giving him problems after being slammed numerous times, Andretti & Martin showing no effects from last week’s Fight Without Honor was disappointing.
Nick Comoroto vs. Blake Christian
“All Heart!” chants in favor of Blake Christian and Blake tried to do his fans proud by hitting & running including a luring & chase sequence into he sent Comoroto into the steel ring steps that left Nick prone to a dive. Christian wanted to dive again when he got caught by the throat. Hoisting Blake overhead, Comoroto slung his opponent against the steel ring post. Slams and elbow drops were the name of Nick’s game. Blake tried to fire off some right hands, dropping down to avoid an incoming Comoroto.
When Nick got up at ringside, Blake flew over the top to lay him out. Rolling Nick onto the apron was the chance for Christian to double stomp and frog splash him for a two count. Christian charged his opposition, taking not one, but two spine busters. Exiting the squared circle’s confines and grabbing a chair from underneath the ring, Blake tossed the object as a distraction. When the referee and Comoroto turned to get the chair, Christian swept him into a victory roll for the three count.
Winner: Blake Christian
Match Review: Very interesting ending with Christian using some borderline dishonorable tactics to stop himself from losing. Is this the beginning of Blake becoming the type of character he is in GCW or just him paying tribute to Eddie Guerrero going forward? Though he looks impressive, Comoroto still hasn’t stood out like one would think in this new era of Honor.
Trish Adora vs. Diamante
Going after the arm early, Trish Adora hoisted her opponent into the air. Diamante countered the hold, slinging Adora into the ropes for a neck breaker-dropkick combo. Trish had to fight fire with fire as she was being forearmed and chopped around the ring. Big overhead suplex by Diamante put Adora in the corner for a big dropkick on her seated opponent. The fans were getting behind Trish as she tried to forearm her way off the mat. Turning a wrist lock against Diamante, Adora got up swinging until Diamante was seated against the ropes for hip attacks. Fisherman’s buster worked for Adora, but didn’t get her the three count. Lariat Tubman was in the mind of Trish when Diamante pulled her into the ace crusher. Slapping on a modified cobra clutch, Diamante made Trish submit.
Winner: Diamante
Match Review: Another rather quick exchange with Diamante getting her first ROH win over someone who seemed poised to breakout a top title contender when the new era of Honor began.
– A vignette aired hyping next week’s Pure Championship match between Alex Coughlin and champ Katsuyori Shibata – student versus teacher.
ROH World Tag Team champion Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes vs. Slim J w/ The Varsity Athletes
Big slap from Penta after exclaiming his lack of fear for his opponent. Sending Slim J to the floor for a dive, Slim knocked him down. With the referee distracted after J pitched Penta out of the ring, Slim’s backup put the boots to the masked man. Penta recovered, using a spinning back kick to set up the slingblade. Penta couldn’t execute the Fear Factor, but did double stomp him out of the tree of woe. Slim came off the rope with something after countering Penta’s offense, flying into a kick to his stomach. Penta quickly grabbed and pulled off the Fear Factor to pin another opponent.
Winner: Penta El Zero Miedo
Match Review: Another sub-five minute back & forth bout with the obvious person winning. It’s been almost two months since The Lucha Bros. won the Tag Team title and have yet to actually defend that title on ROH programming. Hopefully that changes in the very near future.
ROH World Television Samoa Joe & New Japan World Television champion Zack Sabre Jr. (c) vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
Matt Sydal found himself in the ring with Zack Sabre Jr. and caught in the straightjacket choke early. They were countering the straightjacket chokes with ones of their own until they ended up in a stalemate. Turning his focus against the left arm of Sydal, ZSJ countered whatever he had in mind with head scissors. Samoa Joe slapped his partner’s back to tag himself in. Christopher Daniels also became the legal man, using a drop toe hold to stop Joe’s offense as Samoa momentarily mocked his own teammate. Sydal came in kicking at Joe and Sabre after ZSJ tagged in. Daniels came down with the splash off Sydal’s release belly to back suplex; stunning the TV title holder. Tripping an incoming Daniels so he was hanging in the ropes, Zack turned around alongside the referee as Joe ran across the apron to kick him. Joe became the legal man, decimating “The Fallen Angel” with his patented strikes including the enzuguri in the corner.
The champions were making quick tags and eitherer striking or trying to submit Daniels. ZSJ was looking to impress Joe with his proficiency with arm wringers. When Joe tagged in, Joe just simply used head-butts to Daniels’ hand. ZSJ didn’t take kindly to his partner’s actions, causing a collision between the two courtesy of Daniels. The champs recovered quickly, taking down Daniels. Stopping Joe’s assault, Daniels tagged out to fired-up Sydal after catching Joe with a STO. Using his Meteora, Sydal almost pinned Joe if not for ZSJ. Daniels reentered, yanking Joe into the Koji clutch while Sydal put ZSJ in a crossface. When the champs refused to submit, Daniels and Sydal executed a doomsday meteora double team … for a near fall!
Joe stopped Angel’s Wings, pulling off the lariat on Daniels. When Joe turned around, Sydal rocked him with a flying knee strike. ZSJ drilled Matt, only for Daniels to knock the New Japan TV champ out with Angel’s Wings after “The Fallen Angel” blocked the cravat. STJoe bounced Daniels off the canvas when he rushed ROH’s TV titleholder in the corner; leaving Daniels prone to the Coquina Clutch. Daniels passed out, forcing the referee to stop this one in the champs’ favor.
Winners: Samoa Joe & Zack Sabre Jr.
Match Review: After a long string of quick matches, the main event, rightfully so, got the time to cook with four superb talents doing their thing. With another pair of potential challengers shut down, will we see a champ versus champ match down the line?
Overall Review: It must be stated beforehand this this was two episodes they decided to put together so next week’s episode wouldn’t be two weeks behind. But that doesn’t change the fact this was one of the best examples of everything that’s going right and wrong with this era of ROH. On the positive side of things were three really good matches: Briscoe-Drake, Fletcher-Fox, and the main event (Taylor-Williams could be added to that list on intensity alone). There was some story progression for the few narratives being told including Mark and Willow working their way to another title shot, The Righteous potentially indoctrinating Stu Grayson, and Athena getting a new challenger who made her physically feel what she’s been doing to everyone else she’s overcome as of late. We also have the potential of Joe vs. ZSJ, Black Christian becoming ROH’s Eddie Guerrero, and New Japan title implications coming to ROH.
On the negative side is the usage of matches that really don’t mean much in the grand scheme other than filling up a card. Wins and losses feel inconsequential as certain wrestlers are stuck in the same position they were when they either first appeared or when the new era of Honor started. Odd decisions like Mack Attack losing their first match as a team, Andretti & Martin not staking their claim at something more profound after getting the biggest win of their ROH careers thus far and having a match that seems like something more appropriate for Mack Attack, bouts that could’ve stolen the episode getting five or less minutes really hurt the potential must-see appeal of an episode.
Is it a bad episode? Not at all. Exhausting in one sitting? Definitely, mostly due to a lot of the bouts not having a build or story connected to them. Hopefully this idea isn’t repeated in the future and they stick to the old adage “quality over quantity.”
