Last week: Shane Taylor overcame Kenny King to potentially earn a shot at the ROH World Championship in the near future.
ROH TV Episode 479
November 21, 2020
Baltimore, MD
Jay Briscoe vs. EC3
Jay Briscoe shockingly didn’t follow the Code of Honor before the collar & elbow tie up. Backing Jay into the corner for a clean break up, EC3 offered the handshake again. Briscoe responded by shoving his opponent before taking EC3 down with the waist lock. EC3 got to his feet, having to back elbow his way out of a submission predicament. Once again it was EC3 looking for the Code of Honor. Briscoe unleashed a right hand topped by a series of stomps in the corner after downing EC3. The referee counted Briscoe down, disqualifying Jay for not breaking after the five count. Briscoe was infuriated; leaving himself open for a double leg takedown after EC3 was declared the winner. They were brawling around the ring until a slew of security broke them up. EC3 demanded that Jay hit him when it seemed like they were done. Jay immediately went for the Jay Driller, but security stopped them. EC3 declared, “There is no honor!”
Quinn McKay caught up with Jay Briscoe backstage to ask why the former ROH World champion didn’t follow the Code of Honor or didn’t listen to the referee. Jay simply stated, “Because f*** him.”
ROH World Tag Team champion Jay Lethal vs. LSG
Jay Lethal declared, “Show me what you got!” before the first lock up. LSG was right there with the ROH World Tag Team champion; going hold for hold with Lethal before snatching him in a backslide for an early near fall. Lethal kicked out and went for that cartwheel into the dropkick, but LSG was ready & avoided it with ease. Lethal slowed things down by taking things to the mat. When LSG got to his feet, Lethal had to sweep him for a figure four leg lock attempt. LSG saved himself via a rope break. Lethal tried to mock LSG for using the rope break & leaving the ring to regroup, only to get popped in the mouth from a legal forearm. Lethal responded in kind before utilizing a backbreaker. Lethal’s focus on LSG’s lower back had the referee asking the downed non-champion if he was ready to give up. With ten minutes left in the time limit, LSG was uppercutting his way to his feet. Shoving Lethal off the ropes, LSG came sailing through the ropes as Lethal rose from the floor with a dropkick. The Tag champ was clutching his abdomen when he rolled back in; getting stomped in the process. Flying forearm connected for LSG before the commercial break.
Landing a dropkick to a seated Lethal allowed for LSG to lock in the cravat. Elbowing his way out of the hold, Lethal executed a side Russian leg sweep. The cartwheel-dropkick combo by Lethal connected, as did his springboard dropkick to send LSG to the floor for Jay’s patented tope. Lethal climbed the ropes after rolling his opponent back in, setting up for Hail to the King. LSG got up before Lethal could jump, forcing the Tag Team champion to get up and grab him for a reverse DDT. LSG kicked out of Lethal’s pin attempt, kicking Jay away before springing out of the corner with a clothesline to gain a two count of his own. Countering LSG’s next maneuver with an enzuguri, Lethal had his Injection in mind. LSG caught Lethal in midair to drop him with Rocket Bye Baby.
LSG didn’t go for the pin, converting his high impact maneuver into a crossface. When Lethal freed himself from the head & neck submission, LSG maneuvered his way to locking in the sharpshooter he soon converted into the Muta Lock. Lethal was on the verge of tapping out when he found the bottom rope to use his first rope break. The bell suddenly rang to single the fifteen minute time limit had expired. It was now down to the judge’s decision as to who won this one. Lethal was given the nod via split decision. LSG wanted his opponent to know that if he had a little extra time he would’ve won.
A promo for former Pure champion John Walters aired to declare his ROH return is imminent.
Matt Taven vs. Bateman
Deys a clubberin’ in Baltimore until Matt Taven inadvertently threw himself into a right hand. Bateman was in complete control before running into a kick to the back of his head. Taven unleashed a series of strikes before slamming, whipping & punching Bateman. The referee had to get Taven off of his grounded opponent after reaching a five count, only for Bateman to use the opportunity to grab the former ROH World champion with a spinning neck breaker heading into the commercial break.
Trendsetter crossface worked for Taven after catching the incoming Bateman with a slam. Kicking Bateman to the floor after he couldn’t make him submit, Taven kicked his opponent to the floor for Flight of the Conqueror. Unfortunately for Taven he hit his knees on the floor. Taven rolled Bateman back in for the frog splash when Bateman moved. Bateman grabbed the stunned Taven, only to be rolled up for a surprise pin fall.
Bateman immediately attacked the victor, executing This is a Kill as Vincent came out to narrate the action. Vincent mocked Taven for being a glory hog desperate for attention even when no one is in the building. Vincent slapped Matt around while informing him that he’ll never get the attention he wants. With a dart in hand, Vincent promised to bring pure violence to Taven. Suddenly, Mike Bennett’s music hit to bring back the former ROH World Tag Team champion. Bennett beat both members of The Righteous until the bailed out of the ring. An exuberant Taven was happy to see his old partner back home.
Overall: For the first time since ROH TV’s return to what has become normalcy we were gifted three full matches, though the opener wasn’t necessarily full and the last came across somewhat rushed. Though it was a little disappointing we didn’t get the expected clash of Briscoe-EC3, it’s obvious the story isn’t over and should be a fantastic brawl when it does occur. It also must be noted how wonderful it was to see the referees having authority & power since the restart of ROH TV as Briscoe was disqualified for something that’s always teased, but never followed through by the referee (the five count in the ropes). Matt Taven and Bateman had a solid encounter with the latter failing to be a stumbling block for Taven as expected. They definitely would’ve benefited with more time (maybe even have them open the episode or be saved for next week’s show).
Mike Bennett’s return was a true surprise that makes so much sense considering the history of Taven & Bennett in ROH and how they were a part of the original Kingdom. It can’t be denied that LSG had a star-making performance on this episode. LSG went toe-to-toe with Jay Lethal and looked great doing so. Lethal-LSG was very reminiscent to Lethal-Gresham from two years ago that eventually led to Gresham’s breakout moments & matches in ROH; hopefully the same can be stated for LSG in the near future. Not a must-see episode, but definitely check out Lethal-LSG and Bennett’s return.
