Last week: ROH celebrated its 500th episode with Mark Briscoe defeating his brother Jay via count-out and Jonathan Gresham successfully defending his Pure title against Jay Lethal.
ROH TV Episode 501
April 24, 2021
Baltimore, MD
We got footage from the “19th Anniversary” where VLNCE UNLTD debuted as Brody King, Homicide, Tony Deppen & Chris Dickinson beat up La Faccion Ingobernable. Tonight these two factions do battle.
Dak Draper vs. Eli Isom
In his pre-match promo, Dak Draper explained his enjoyment for finding success in ROH and being recognized for his talents as he rises up the ranks. According to Draper, his opponent in Eli Isom is just satisfied being on a show. So Dak is planning to prove his superiority while knocking Isom down the Television Championship rankings.
Isom, in his counter promo, agreed that he is happy to be in ROH because only the best are in ROH. Isom declared he will humble the arrogant owner of multiple participation ribbons he dishes out to unsuccessful opponents.
At the sound of the bell, Dak Draper immediately shoved his game opposition into the corner with a collar & elbow tie-up. The much larger Draper was muscling Isom around with ease even when he was caught in a side headlock. Big shoulder block from Draper put Isom on his back. The pace quickened as Isom recovered to give Eli the chance to dropkick Draper. Dak caught Eli coming in for the follow-up, using a flapjack to propel Isom almost out of the ring. Fighting his way off the mat, Isom went for an enzuguri that Draper avoided in a set up for the Mile High Muffler. Stopping the submission attempt didn’t help Isom as Draper kept a hold of his opponent. Isom slipped out of a suplex position, coming off the ropes with a cross body attempt. Draper refused to fall, only to be arm dragged across the ring. Dak stumbled to his feet, using the hotshot on an incoming Isom to regain the momentum. Blocking the doctor bomb allowed Isom to swing Dak out of the ring. Dak grabbed Isom as he approached the ropes to ram him back first against the ring’s edge heading into the commercial break.
Draper had the waist lock on point. With Isom in a gut-wrench position, Draper rocked Eli around like heaving a bag. Letting Isom get up cost Dak as he finally felt the enzuguri. Showing some impressive strength was Isom with the hammerlock overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Sending Draper to the floor allowed for Isom to execute a springboard asai moonsault. The cross body block as well as the German suplex didn’t end this one in Isom’s favor. Both men got up thinking forearms until Dak missed a knife-edge chop. Isom attempted to counter the missed strike when he got punched in the mouth and doctor bombed … for a near fall!
Draper had the Mile High Muffler in mind. Isom reversed the submission, but couldn’t stop a springboard back elbow strike. Dak thought he could follow up with the Magnum Drop, but Isom countered with a crucifix. Kicking out, Draper grabbed Isom for the Magnum Drop again. Isom almost small packaged his way to a victory as a counter, leading to an exchange until the bell suddenly sounded. The fifteen-minute time limit had expired with Isom wanting another five minutes. Draper agreed to five more minutes, but the show went to a commercial before the match could restart.
The lights went out before the bell could sound to bring out Dalton Castle with new music, a flock of Boys & a dancing entrance. A confused Draper was informed by Castle that he was greatly impressed by what he saw. Castle entered the ring after stating that Isom & Draper could help him in solving a problem – the problem of ROH lacking drama & electricity. Kicking Eli in the groin, Castle was handed a participation ribbon from Draper in glee. Castle suddenly kicked Draper in the groin as well. Castle stormed off after declaring he’s incredibly busy.
We saw footage from ROH’s “Week By Week” Youtube show that saw Beer City Bruiser defeat Joe Keys. The ROH Dojo guys stopped BCB from breaking a beer bottle over Keys’ head, only for Ken Dixon to take the bottle and attack his fellow Dojo mates. BCB proclaimed, “Welcome to my bar!” after he and Dixon double choke slammed a Dojo student over the ringside barricade.
Quinn McKay gathered BCB & Dixon to ask why. Tired of playing by the rules, Dixon is ready to bring violence alongside someone who doesn’t fit the mold like BCB. Next week it’ll be the OGK of Matt Taven & Mike Bennett taking on BCB & Dixon.
The Righteous arrived without Vincent. According to commentator Ian Riccaboni, Vincent hasn’t been heard from since his battle with Matt Taven at the “19th Anniversary”. With microphone in hand, Bateman stated that Vincent is still guiding them even if he isn’t around. Vita Von Starr read from a postcard apparently from Vincent that declared a righteous rebirth. The Righteous’ good work isn’t done.
La Faccion Ingobernable (RUSH, Kenny King & La Bestia del Ring) vs. VLNCE UNLTD (Brody King, Homicide & Chris Dickinson)
Dey was all a clubberin’, Tony! Brody King and RUSH took the fight to the floor alongside Homicide and Bestia while Kenny King tried to pin Chris Dickinson off the power slam. Dickinson got to his feet, catching King with a dragon screw leg whip. King blocked a figure four leg lock to initiate a kick exchange heading into the commercial break.
During the break, LFI dominated most of the action; though their opponents got some big shots in including Homicide’s tope con hilo on RUSH. It was King trying to ground “Dirty” Dickinson when Chris tagged out to Brody King. The big man was on fire, splashing both King and RUSH in the corner. RUSH felt the cannonball in the corner, but Bestia stopped a sure pin by Brody. Dickinson ran in to suplex RUSH in position for King’s running splash. Kenny dumped Homicide to the floor as Dickinson tried to fight off Bestia & RUSH. Dickinson couldn’t avoid Bestia’s super senton splash, but did kick out of his follow-up pin. Bestia climbed the ropes again when Brody bashed him in the back with a chair.
The referee called for the bell. RUSH responded in kind to Brody by hitting him with a chair. The Foundation ran out to join the fray with the show going into a promo from Tony Deppen. Deppen stated his group believes there is honor through violence. Tracy Williams understood what VLNCE UNLTD is trying to do and next week will put an end to it all when he defends the TV title against Deppen.
Overall: Another solid episode from ROH that felt like it could have provided so much more in regards to the main event. While it’s understandable that ROH kept things short not to give away a longer match too quickly in the feud, the little bit of time the main event got was still disappointing in a bout that had a great amount of intensity while it lasted – here’s to even better in the near future. Draper versus Isom was good as well with the match essentially ending in a draw.
What could have been a big win for either to keep their winning streak alive culminated in Dalton kicking both men low. Why? I guess we’ll find out sooner than later, but I really wish we would’ve seen who was the better competitor between Isom and Draper on this night. In between the action was the revelation that BCB has a new tag partner (where is Milonas in all this) and The Righteous promo that would’ve given Raven a headache during his heyday. Not a must-see show like previous weeks, but one that hopefully sets the stage for something more significant in the future.
