Last week: Title contenders Flip Gordon and Mark Briscoe & PCO overcame Josh Woods and The Bouncers respectively to ensure their championship opportunities at “Final Battle”.
ROH TV Episode 483
December 19, 2020
Baltimore, MD
Several weeks ago Brian Johnson insulted Dalton Castle by throwing a drink in his face. Castle, rightly disgusted with Johnson’s actions. Ready to unleash the power of “The Peacock”, Castle warned Johnson about the rage he was ready to showcase.
Brian Johnson cut an impassioned promo where he stated how ROH is too obsessed with its past to see what someone like “The Mecca” can bring to the table. Not getting the respect he deserves including from a person like Dalton who, according to Johnson, cracked under the pressure of being a World champion, Brian is ready to prove why it’s, “’Mecca’ versus everybody!”
Dalton Castle vs. Brian Johnson
Going for the Bang-A-Rang early didn’t help Dalton Castle as Brian Johnson freed himself and exited the ring. Castle gave chase, catching Johnson in the ring with a big belly to back suplex. Some gator rolling off the waist lock allowed Castle to strike “The Mecca’s” back. Getting underneath Castle, Johnson dropped his opponent across the top rope. Castle fell to the floor; leaving himself open for a tope. An infuriated Castle rushed Johnson, only for Brian to duck and send him into the steel ring post face first. Johnson was in complete control as he worked over Castle’s left arm before the show entered a commercial break.
Castle was stuck on the canvas even when he tried to fight back. Using a slingshot splash, Johnson attempted to win by putting his feet on the bottom rope to which the referee saw. Nerve hold by Johnson actually brought Castle to his knees. “The Peacock” held on long enough to stop the submission, only to get yanked to the canvas by his arm again. Castle rallied back and landing a knee strike that almost ended the match if not for Johnson getting his foot on the bottom rope. Using the ropes to arm whip Castle, Johnson climbed the nearby corner. Castle stopped Johnson’s ascent; knee striking him so that “The Mecca” landed on the top rope groin first. Grabbing a hold of Castle’s incoming arm, Johnson executed an arm breaker topped by the Tower of London … to gain a near fall!
Castle couldn’t get up without Johnson’s help. Taking a kick to the arm, Castle spun around Johnson for a German suplex into the Bang-A-Rang to end this one in Dalton’s favor via pin fall.
Quinn McKay was in the backstage area with winner Dalton Castle – a man so happy about shutting up Johnson. Castle was amazed he was finally able to focus and win after weeks of frustration & failed game plans. Now it’s time for drinks for Castle & Quinn.
LSG was so happy to have finally earned the respect of those who came before him including Jay Lethal. Now LSG’s target is set on Kenny King – a man who LSG believes will underestimate him. LSG promised that the rules wouldn’t cause him to fall when he faces King.
Kenny King admitted that the last time he was in the ring he fell to a better man in Shane Taylor. Still faithful in regards to being La Faccion Ingobernable, King is looking to recoup against someone hoping to prove himself like LSG. King wasn’t impressed with LSG going the distance with Lethal due to King having bested the former World champion twice. This match – King vs. LSG – happens on Christmas Eve via Youtube & HonorClub.
The Foundation’s Rhett Titus stated that for fifteen years he’s been nothing more than a ROH loyalist. Recounting not only his history alongside Kenny King and continued body improvement, but also how Delirious was the first man to bloody him in a match. Titus also reminded everyone how he’s been submitted in the past by Delirious. Through The Foundation, Titus has found his confidence again. Titus saw another match with Delirious as a way to close this chapter in their rivalry once & for all and the way he plans on doing it is with he patented dropkick.
Delirious did a subtitled promo, also covering the history between himself and Titus while giving Rhett credit for being a wrestling & workout machine. Noting Titus finds motivation in fighting for his family, Delirious doesn’t want people to know his plans; letting his dangerous nature speak for itself.
Pure Rules Match: Rhett Titus vs. Delirious
As per the norm, Delirious went crazy at the sound of the bell. Rhett Titus was ready, looking to front face lock him instead of letting him run. The bootless Delirious countered quickly. Titus showed his power advantage early by using a fireman’s carry to set up more grappling that the masked man just as easily reversed. The pace quickened with Delirious failing to follow through an attack and getting caught in both submission attempts and unsuccessful pinning combinations. Delirious avoided the big dropkick, sweeping Titus for a two count before the commercial break.
Titus was still working for that front face lock as Delirious countered with a headlock of his own. Gutwrench suplex worked for Titus, only for Delirious to recover and catch him with a clothesline. Looking for the Cobra Clutch, Delirious seemingly inadvertently put Rhett near the ropes for a rope break. Letting Titus get up, Delirious went for the Cobra Clutch on his standing opponent. Titus had to grab the top rope to save himself; but end up with only one rope break to his name. Tying Titus by his arms, Delirious almost made The Foundation member submit. Titus recovered, going for that dropkick again. Delirious avoided the strike, looking for the Clutch again. Titus rushed toward the ropes so both men tumbled to the floor for Titus’ last rope break as well. Titus tried to pick up the pace when both reentered the ring, only to get caught in a side Russian leg sweep off a failed Cobra Clutch set up. Belly to belly suplex from Titus allowed him to showcase his striking ability as a follow-up. Delirious countered Titus’ delayed vertical suplex with a Cobra Suplex. Titus stumbled out of the corner, stopping another Cobra Clutch to execute that dropkick for the three count.
Overall: As per the norm with episodes airing during the weekend of a pay-per-view, this one didn’t have any major stories tied to it or even highly-anticipated matches. Instead viewers were gifted two solid bouts that allowed Dalton Castle to pick up a much-needed win over someone who isn’t necessarily looked upon as someone who could make it to main event status, but sure has the gift of gab of a main eventer. Seriously, no recap could do Johnson’s promo justice and was one of the most memorable things about the episode. Another memorable moment is Titus not only living up to his word of relying on the dropkick, but actually winning with the move in 2020. The first half of Titus-Delirious was okay, but the action post-commercial was fantastic and hopefully the beginning of some great things for Rhett. Once again another solid, though not must-see episode.
