Last Week: Athena ended Leyla Hirsch’s undefeated streak to retain her ROH Women’s World Championship.
ROH on HonorClub Episode 33
Salt Lake City, UT
October 12, 2023
– Earlier in the day, Dasha caught up with Serpentico about his upcoming Proving Ground Match with ROH World champion Eddie Kingston. According to Serpentico, he plans to last for ten minutes to earn a future World title shot to continue his quest to carry ROH on his back.
Proving Ground Match: ROH World champion Eddie Kingston vs. Serpentico w/ Angelico
The champ came in with a kink in his neck while the would-be challenger wanted the fans to rally behind him. Code of Honor set the stage for Eddie Kingston to get a handshake from Angelico before taking a knife-edge chop from the masked man that had little effect on the champ until he got him cornered. Reversing an Irish whip, Kingston ran into a hurricarana topped by the flatliner … for a near fall!
Serpentico climbed to the top, coming off with a cross body attempt. Kingston caught Serpentico flying for an overhead suplex topped by the Saito Suplex. Eddie quickly put his opposition in the Stretch Plum for a rather fast submission victory.
When Angelico got between Eddie and Serpentico to stop the Code of Honor, Kingston took the microphone to confront Angelico about his actions. Eddie thought Angelico was gunning for a shot at the title. Kingston had no qualms defending his title against Angelico after the latter said he wasn’t scared of any man when it comes to catch-as-catch-can wrestling.
Winner: Eddie Kingston
Match Review: Though Serpentico had a game plan, his plans fell apart rather quickly since he didn’t pace himself. The outcome was as expected and we actually got a match set up for the future between Kingston and Angelico for the gold.
The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana vs. Fresco & Watson
It was Toa Liona facing off with Fresco. When Fresco made a taunt, he got his hands bitten before Kaun joined his partner to double team hip toss Fresco to a tag. Watson ran into a double team spine buster. Another double team failed for the former Six-Man Tag champs, but not Kaun’s clothesline to Fresco and a big shoulder tackle by Liona on Watson. The seconds at ringside for Fresco & Watson were pulled into the ring and double slammed before the same thing happened to Watson. Kaun made a kneeling pin to win another match for The GoA on their road to a ROH World Tag Team title shot.
Winners: The Gates of Agony
Match Review: Just like the opening contest, the outcome wasn’t in question; but it’s always fun watching The GoA destroy. At least it appears they have a goal now that it seems Brian Cage is either not coming back to ROH in the near future and/or they don’t want to regain the Six-Man title.
– Dasha was in the interview zone with Daga to formally introduce him to the honorable realm. Daga’s ROH debut will see him face QT Marshall and he’s excited to win the title for his people.
Proving Ground Match: ROH Women’s World champion Athena w/ Billie Starkz vs. Mazzerati
The would-be challenger almost pinned the champ off a crucifix from the Code of Honor. Sadly for Mazzerati, she tried to show off a little bit and got clobbered. Picking up Mazzerati, Athena performed a gourd buster to drive the wind out of her opponent. Athena took too much time setting up something from the apron, getting knocked down to ringside. “The Fallen Goddess” caught Mazzerati flying off the apron, power bombing her on the floor!
Athena wasn’t done, slamming her against the steel barricade. Like an animal toying with her prey, Athena was kicking and kneeing Mazzerati in position for a seated arm wishbone. Getting herself free from the hold, Mazzerati failed to execute a head scissors that ended with her taking a big forearm … for a near fall!
“The Fallen Goddess” was kicking the life out of Mazzerati’s back, only for her opponent to avoid a running attack in the corner for a series of forearms. With five minutes gone in the ten minute time limit, Mazzerati jumped into a pump kick that left her prone for a figure-four headlock choke and the submission victory for Athena.
Athena wanted to do more damage after turning the choke into a crossface. Billie pulled Mazzerati out of the ring and pushed her underneath it as the referee got Athena’s attention.
Winner: Athena
Match Review: Obliterating Athena is a scary Athena. While Mazzerati was game and got in more offense than most, she also took some sickening punishment. The post-match saving by Billie was interesting as she was so pro-Athena when the champ was watching, but when she had the chance to be honorable, she took it and may draw the ire of Athena come next week.
– Lexy Nair wanted to know what next for Lee Johnson after having some hard-fought losses as of late. Before Lee could state anything, he was interrupted by Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty. Why? They want him to join Shane Taylor Promotions to help him stop losing especially when he has so much potential to do more. Lee didn’t have an answer just yet.
AAA Latin American Heavyweight Championship: QT Marshall (c) vs. Daga
Grabbing the microphone, the champion formally introduced himself before stating that Daga doesn’t mean “champion” or “greatest luchador of all time.” Daga informed QT Marshall that he’s been called a derogatory word by the fans in Mexico before punching his opponent in the mouth.
Big clothesline from the challenger didn’t help him end this one early. QT punched his way out of a situation where Daga took to the sky. The action spilled to the floor where QT used chops to keep the challenger reeling. Shades of Eddie Guerrero by Marshall by using the slingshot senton to reenter the ring & crush a prone Daga. A great dropkick stunned Daga and gave the champ a chance to pose. Reminding Daga who the champ is, Marshall inadvertently fired up the challenger for a series of clotheslines and the dragon suplex. Running dropkicks in the corner by Daga set up the brain buster … for a near fall!
Marshall felt the rope-assisted backstabber, but it didn’t end this bout in Daga’s favor. Stopping a suplex to the floor, Marshall executed a tornado DDT for a two count with his feet on the ropes at the same time. Calling for the end, Marshall almost got rolled up and pinned. Thrust kick by Daga left Marshall prone to a dead-lift Doctor Bomb … that gave Daga a near fall!
Calling for something big, Daga climbed to the top rope. Daga jumped off, leaping into the Diamond Cutter. As if that wasn’t enough, Marshall used the Dirt Sheet Bomb into La Casita for the pin fall for a successful defense.
Winner: QT Marshall
Match Review: Strong debut by Daga and fun return for QT. Hopefully this isn’t the last of Daga in ROH, but you can’t help but feel this was one of those one-off matches that won’t mean much in the grand scheme of ROH like other inter-promotional title matches we’ve seen over the last few months (we’ll never get Samoa Joe versus Zack Sabre Jr. for the battle as the king of TV, will we?)
– A hype video for Dalton Castle was initially shown before an exasperated Castle questioned what he has to do to make everyone see something they can sink their teeth into.
The Infantry vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty)
Lee Moriarty locked up with Carlie Bravo, going hold for hold with each other until Bravo found himself pressed against the ropes and prone to a dishonorable elbow. Bravo made Lee pay by punching Lee in position for a double team inverted atomic drop-hip toss-fist drop combination. Shawn Dean became the legal man, helping his partner avoid and double dropkick Taylor out of the ring. Catching Dean in the mouth, Lee had the chance to tag out to a fired-up Shane Taylor. After using some big right hands, a clothesline and body splash, Taylor set up quick tags for something bigger. That bigger was the running splash off a head-butt.
Moriarty tried to maintain his partner’s momentum, but the strength & agility of Shawn allowed him to break free of Lee’s grip and tag out so Carlie could hit that slingshot flatliner after a series of attacks. Calling for Boot Camp, Bravo got yanked out of the ring. As Taylor assaulted Bravo, Lee got drilled on his head. Taylor had to save his partner from a sure pin and used STJoe to stop Bravo’s momentum. Bravo staggered to his feet, feeling a lariat. WMD from Taylor ended Bravo’s night and gave STP another win.
Winners: Shane Taylor Promotions
Match Review: A really good match between two teams in dire need of a win. Sadly for The Infantry, they are back to losing again when they were once in the very near past challenging for the Six-Man title alongside Willie Mack. STP are a formidable unit and could be title challengers (even if no one really knows when Adam Cole is coming back and MJF would appear on ROH programming).
– Billie Starkz confronted Lexy Nair about saying last week how much Billie sucks as a Minion. Mercedes Martinez & Diamante arrived to run down both Athena & Billie while reminding the latter that, yes, Lexy doesn’t think kindly of Starkz as a Minion. Billie looked to stand up for herself and Athena when she realized the numbers were too profound. Martinez & Diamante left with a warning that they are coming for Athena.
Angelico vs. Marty Casaus
Dancing alongside Angelico, Marty Casaus found himself getting punched in the face and his groin atomic dropped. Shaking it off, Marty took a big forearm. Stopping short off an Irish whip, Marty pulled off a stomp. Angelico recovered, Marty felt his face slammed against the turnbuckles. Casaus loved the pain, giving Angelico an example of what to do before using a flying head-butt to almost pin his opponent. Full-nelson slam by Casaus almost gave him a two count with the fans solidly behind him.
Knocking an incoming Marty away, Angelico landed several clotheslines much to the chagrin of the fans. Slipping through a rising Marty’s legs, Angelico pulled off that Indian ankle lock. Marty had no choice but to tap out.
Winner: Angelico
Match Review: The former “Moth”, like Daga, had a fine showcase of a ROH debut by being a character unlike anything seen on ROH programming thus far. Angelico found himself turned villain by the end thanks to Casaus’ performance.
Mercedes Martinez w/ Diamante vs. Lady Frost
Using the collar & elbow tie-up to trip Lady Frost, the former ROH World champ landed a big stomp that set the stage for several big forearms and chops. Flipping out of a suplex, Frost almost cradled Mercedes Martinez for a three count. Frost got a little too cute with her offense, getting kicked out of a handstand. Using some clubbing forearms to Lady’s chest, Martinez had this one in her favor for several moments with some help from Diamante as Mercedes distracted the referee.
Looking for a running forearm in the corner, Martinez ran into a pair of knees after Frost used Martinez’s back as a base for a cartwheel. But Martinez halted the momentum almost immediately by sidestepping and sending Lady face-first against the turnbuckles. Frost flipped out of another suplex attempt when the referee took too much time counting down Martinez’s cover. Frost landed a roundhouse kick topped by several running shoulder rams in the corner. Frost signaled for the end after pulling Mercedes to the mat. Frost executed a twisting splash … to gain a near fall thanks to Martinez getting her right foot on the ropes!
Before Frost could execute that moonsault, Diamante jumped onto the apron for a distraction. Martinez used her ally’s intervening as a way to pull Frost off her perch for a splash mountain face buster that knocked Lady out for the three count.
Winner: Mercedes Martinez
Match Review: A spirited affair with the fans really not giving them much even though they were working hard. Frost continues to lose and Mercedes get another victory on her road to a title match that she feels deserved due to never having her rematch with Athena after last year’s “Final Battle”.
– Mark Sterling stood in the interview zone with Josh Woods to explain that he’s found a coach for the former Pure champion: Pat Buck. Woods was in shock that someone like him could teach Woods. Insulted, Buck offered to be Josh’s opponent instead of his coach next week in a Pure Rules encounter.
Willow Nightingale vs. Leyla Hirsch
No Code of Honor from Leyla Hirsch or a drop toe hold that was successful. After taking a slam, Hirsch countered a suplex by almost cinching in a sleeper. Willow backed her opponent into the corner, climbing the same ropes that collided with Leyla’s back. Willow got yanked off Bret’s rope to cause a whiplash effect on Nightingale’s arms & neck. Leyla quickly went after Willow’s left arm. Reversing a uranage attempt, Leyla went for the kimura. Though Willow muscled her way off the mat, she was still stuck in the submission until Hirsch let go for a suplex attempt that Nightingale turned into a suplex of her own.
Kicking and swinging with that right arm, Willow turned the tides and set up a spine buster that almost ended this one. Mounting & head-butting Leyla, Willow got her O’Connor roll up countered into a German suplex-clothesline combo. Hirsch came off the ropes for something when she ran into the uranage for a two count. Cannonball in the corner failed for Willow, only for Nightingale to kick Leyla away when Hirsch went for that pendulum dropkick. Pounce from Willow … period! Nightingale quickly grabbed Leyla to put her down with the Babe with the Power Bomb after a series of mounted head-butts. Willow held Leyla down for the three count.
Leyla immediately attacked her victorious opposition. Skye Blue hit the ring, only to get taken down immediately by Hirsch. Blue turned the position, super kicking Hirsch out of the ring.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
Match Review: A strong back and forth encounter with Leyla’s downward spiral continuing. Willow was more vicious than usual – no posing, not big smiles during the opening sequence, and even some head-butts to her grounded opponent. It also must be noted Willow didn’t do her usual spirited entrance (though Caprice Coleman & Ian Riccaboni gave her the rap of a lifetime). Wouldn’t mind a rematch and one can assume Blue will face Hirsch in the very near future.
Gringo Loco vs. Action Andretti
A very lucha inspired opening minutes saw both men trying to control the other by their left arm between using flips & rolls to set up more counters. Using a springboard maneuver against Action, Loco used the cartwheel to stop a head scissors. Gringo found himself having to feign a Code of Honor handshake to set up a pop-up gourd buster.
Eye poking Action allowed Gringo to execute a back flip inverted side effect. Coming off the ropes due to an Irish whip, Action took down Loco with the Spanish fly. Shoving Action backward, Gringo used a springboard ace crusher. Showing incredible agility, Action jumped to the top and pulled off a frankensteiner when Loco attempted a follow-up attack from the top. Gringo stumbled to his feet, feeling the shotgun dropkick that bounce him out of the corner. Action sprung to the top, crushing Loco with a split-leg moonsault for the pin.
Winner: Action Andretti
Match Review: A spirited high-flying affair. Interesting that one of the few new ROH teams that have found success – Action & Darius Martin – have been doing singles matches as of late and winning. What this means for the team is anyone’s guess or may be just a way to get more matches on an episode a week.
– Dasha wanted to get Ethan Page’s thoughts on his match tonight against Christopher Daniels. Putting Daniels over, Page saw tonight as a way to earn a ROH World Championship shot as his victory here would put him at 5-0.
Billie Starkz w/ Athena vs. Rachelle Riveter
Billie Starkz took everyone to the gun show, only to get knocked down. As Athena demanded her Minion stay on her, Billie pulled off a double underhook face buster. Billie turned the pin attempt into a crossface for the submission.
Mercedes Martinez & Diamante attacked Athena & Billie as they headed up the ramp. Both were left lying especially Athena as Diamante spiked her on the head with a DDT.
Winner: Billie Starkz
Match Review: Not much of a match, but some storytelling where Billie didn’t just take the sure pin, but added a figurative exclamation point to her inevitable victory by winning with the crossface. The post-match beat-down obviously sets up a tag match that may or may not produce a future title bout and/or Billie letting down her mentor.
Kip Sabian w/ Penelope vs. Anthony Henry w/ JD Drake
It was a battle of control over the Greco-Roman knuckle-lock as Anthony Henry won the battle as he went for the cross arm bar. Kip Sabian used the ropes to save himself, dumping Henry to the floor for an asai moonsault attempt. JD Drake shoved his partner away so JD took the moonsault. A stunned Sabian got shoved against the barricades by Henry for an around-the-ring ole kick. But Sabian wouldn’t be denied as he avoided Henry’s double stomp off the top, using a shotgun dropkick to set up an inverted cannonball splash in the corner. Sabian was ready to show off his grappling acumen, almost submitting Henry in a modified seated crucifix.
Henry punched & forearmed he way off the mat, landing a flying kick. Kicking Sabian’s arm & knee, Henry put Kip in position for a successful PK. Sabian got dropped with the corkscrew Michinoku driver to earn a two count. Penelope Ford jumped onto the apron for a distraction; leaving Henry prone to Deathly Hallows. Sabian held Henry down for the three count.
Winner: Kip Sabian
Match Review: A very good, though somewhat short encounter with Sabian winning against someone who hasn’t gained many victories, but has proven to be an impressive wrestler no matter the scenario. Hopefully this isn’t a one-off for Kip in ROH as this is a great platform for him similar to Ethan Page right now.
– Dasha wanted to know what’s next for Griff Garrison. When Maria Kanellis-Bennett & Cole Karter arrived on the scene, Maria explained how they need to get on the same page. Cole called Maria not only the “Lebron of managers,” but also the hottest mom ever. Griff interrupted his spiel, agreeing to have Karter’s back going forward.
Ethan Page vs. Christopher Daniels
The former World champion found himself backed against the ropes early, having to work his way out of a side headlock. When Daniels countered the headlock with one of his own, Ethan Page pushed him off the ropes for a big shoulder block topped by a slam halfway across the ring. Ducking a clothesline, Daniels caught Page short by shoulder ramming his abdomen when “All Ego” attempted to come off the ropes. Driving the air out of Page, the focus was on working over Ethan’s abdomen. Elbowing & punching his way off the mat, Page almost regained the momentum when he ran into an abdominal stretch.
Page survived the submission, only to run into the STO. Daniels had the Best Moonsault Ever in mind when Page stopped his advancement for a Test-like big boot. Page demanded Daniels to rise and fight. When Daniels did just that, Page lit him up with strikes, slammed his opponent, and almost won a pinning combination exchange. Daniels blocked the springboard ace crusher, only for his own plan to fall apart for Angel’s Wings as Page countered and executed the Ego’s Edge. Making the cover, Page picked up another pin fall victory.
Mark Sterling’s voice rang out to reveal the manager and Tony Nese with a verbal offer: be taken to the next level by Sterling. Page gauged the audience and said it wasn’t worth his time. So Tony Nese took the microphone to say he would be a personal trainer for Page. Ethan thought this was a joke, only for Nese to make fun of the fat people in the audience. Page stated he’d rather sit with the fans than be around the Premier Athletes. But Page did want to fight a Premier Athlete next week in the form of Nese himself. Page stopped his music to follow the Code of Honor with the former World champ before putting him over as one of the all-time greats.
Winner: Ethan Page
Match Review: Similar to so many could-be classics in ROH as of late, Page and Daniels worked hard to deliver what they could with the time given. Page’s victory wasn’t a shock considering his win streak and it was nice to see them set up something for next week even if Nese has become something of a villain of the week.
Scorpio Sky vs. Darius Martin
A quick exchange over the side headlock saw both turn the holds into attacks including deep arm drags and pinning combinations off leaping avoidances. It didn’t take long for the Scorpio Sky to land a big right hand to Darius Martin’s abdomen. Hooks and knees rattled Martin’s ribs before he felt a backbreaker that the fans wanted to see happen again. Going after Martin’s previously injured neck, Sky found himself taking a dropkick after he came off the ropes for something.
Martin got up throwing punches that had Sky looking to jump again. Instead, Sky felt an inverted atomic drop into the slingshot flatliner. Sky kicked out of the pin attempt, feeling a flashback German suplex. Scorpio recovered quickly and caught Martin running with the Sky High for a two count. Sky took an enzuguri. Getting his knees up, Scorpio prevented Martin from connecting with the frog splash. Stunned was Martin and prone to the TKO for a pin fall in Sky’s favor.
Winner: Scorpio Sky
Match Review: Another week and another main event that got the short-end of the figurative stick in regards to allotted time due to the episode already running almost two hours Darius’ winning streak comes to an end while Sky’s continues. Even though it ended quickly, they provided a fine encounter that maybe would’ve been better in an early spot on the card. What’s next for both – an actual rivalry or just more random matches?
Overall Review: Three weeks in a row ROH programming has gone over two hours and the matches suffered for it as bouts like the main event, Page-Daniels, Sabian-Henry, Andretti-Loco, and, arguably, STP-The Infantry didn’t get the time to really produce something some could consider the best match or matches of the week from any promotion. A majority of the bouts were good to great including the aforementioned ones, Willow overcoming Leyla, Mercedes defeating Frost, Marty’s entertaining debut, QT returning to produce a solid title defense against a very game Daga, and Mazzerati giving Athena a bigger fight than expected even if she got woefully abused.
One of the show’s biggest positives was it set up a lot of potential stuff for the next week or the weeks to come. We know Ethan Page versus Tony Nese, and Josh Woods taking on Pat Buck in a Pure Rules match will happen next week. The foundation is set for Eddie Kingston defending the World title against Angelico (and potentially Ethan Page), Athena & Starkz taking on Mercedes & Diamante, and Skye Blue facing Hirsch. There was also a little character work including Billie still trying to save people from Athena’s wrath (not to mention a potential growing wedge between Starkz and Lexy Nair), Lee Johnson getting a proposition to join STP, Griff Garrison & Cole Karter potentially getting on the same page finally, Dalton Castle’s continued downward spiral, and The Gates of Agony becoming top contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Yet, this episode lacked both a must-see encounter like Athena-Hirsch from last week and restraint in regards to length including double and triple booking the likes of Angelico, Mercedes, Billie Starkz, and Athena alongside matches that didn’t do anything to boost the episode’s importance including Andretti-Loco and the AAA title match. There was more focus on the near future coming off this episode than the shows before it, but even with that attention there’s an underwhelming feeling to the overall product beyond the fact there are potential matches and stars the could be emphasizing why ROH is a product worth both someone’s time and, most importantly, their money.
