Welcome to another edition of The ROHbot Report – the only article you need for all the Ring of Honor news you have to know. ROH is getting ready for its first free event in history that has a card looking to be just as historic & memorable. Lets find out some of the big matches announced for ROH’s return to Baltimore and more.
Jeff Cobb and Dan Maff have set their sights on the ROH World Tag Team Championship, and they’ll have an opportunity to earn a title shot when they face champions Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham in a Proving Ground Match at Free Enterprise in Baltimore on Feb. 9.
Since returning to ROH, former ROH World Tag Team champion Dan Maff has found success as a part of a unit just like he did as a member of The Prophecy alongside BJ Whitmer and even during ROH’s inaugural year as one-half of Da Hit Squad. But instead of having a long-time friend or someone with deceiving toughness by his side, Maff discovered a bond with the rather level-headed, former Olympian with a penchant for suplexing his opponents with ease. Jeff Cobb knows his opponents well both as opponents and as partners during his time as ROH World Television champion. This match isn’t necessarily about dominance or even victory, but survival.
If the would-be challengers can last the fifteen minute time limit against a team that takes pride in pushing a slower pace, Maff & Cobb will get a future ROH World Tag Team Championship opportunity without pinning, submitting or forcing a disqualification/count-out. But few hopeful top contenders want to just last the time limit, they want to send a message by defeating the champions in non-title scenarios to ensure that person or people know what they’re in for come time when it’s for all the marbles. Sometimes that want to win before the big one doesn’t pan out for the hopeful challengers, but considering who Cobb and Maff are it’s hard to believe they will fall into that same category following a great match that hands the champions their first defeat since winning the gold at “Final Battle ’19”.
“The Business” Slex will be looking to hit the ground running when he faces Gordon at the free show in Baltimore on Feb. 9.
One of ROH’s most recent signings will finally make his ROH debut at an event free to those who ordered a ticket. Spending more than half his life between the squared circle’s ropes, Slex has built himself as the present and the future of the business with incredible performances, title victories and refusing to let his mouth stop moving. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Flip Gordon. Never a man of many words, “The Mercenary” of Villain Enterprises has become a silent assassin looking to lay waste to anyone in his path be it with his natural ability or with that dreaded kendo stick. Gordon has the chance to spoil Slex’s ROH debut in grand fashion, but it’s hard to believe Slex won’t be ready for everything Gordon has to offer. Add that to the fact Villain Enterprises’ problems with La Faccion Ingobernable could put Gordon in a position where Slex isn’t the only person he’ll have to worry about defeating.
Two of the best all-around competitors in pro wrestling will face each other for the first time in a singles match when “Overkill” Mark Haskins meets Alex Shelley at Free Enterprise in Baltimore on Feb. 9.
Alex Shelley will undoubtedly go down as one of the most influential wrestlers of his generation. From innovative tag team offense to modifications of submission holds known the world over & used by international stars, Shelley’s fingerprints are all over modern day pro wrestling. Looking to make history & a legacy all his own is Mark Haskins. The first & only ROH International Cup winner has proven his abilities as those housed by someone poised to become a future World champion – something still shockingly connected to Shelley’s career having never won the big one in the various promotions he’s worked for including ROH. Haskins showcased his abilities to go hold for hold with the likes of Jay Lethal, Matt Taven and Dalton Castle before displaying a high level of tenacity & fortitude when overcoming Bully Ray at “Final Battle ’19”. But Haskins will need every technical trick in the book to defeat a master like Shelley; though on the outset it seems “Overkill” is the favorite to win what should be a match unlike any other on the card in the best way possible.
It was announced recently that Session Moth Martina will make her ROH debut at Free Enterprise in Baltimore on Feb. 9, and now we know the charismatic international star’s opponent will be former Women of Honor World Champion Sumie Sakai.
When the news that Session Moth Martina had signed with ROH it sounded like the perfect boost the Women of Honor division has needed. Martina has improved so much over the last couple of years; traveling internationally and becoming a fixture in STARDOM – a promotion built on high work rate and remarkable characters. Her opponent will be someone known for success in the division Martina will find herself a rookie yet again – the first Women of Honor titleholder Sumie Sakai. Sakai hasn’t been the same since losing the gold over a year ago; snapping after another loss by attacking Nicole Savoy. Sakai’s change in attitude produced a much-needed victory in Concord, but it’s hard to believe that will be the beginning of a win streak considering her opponent is making her debut here. This will be a great test in the type of quality Martina can produce win, lose or draw.
Another match signed for the loaded Free Enterprise card pits Alex Zayne against Andrew Everett.
Making the most out of a first opportunity has rarely been seen as profoundly in ROH in many years than what happened at “Honor Reigns Supreme” when Alex Zayne defeated one-third of the new ROH World Six-Man Tag Team champions Bandido in a great match – Zayne’s first ROH match. Andrew Everett returned to ROH after a year hiatus with the hope of becoming the new Television champion. Though Everett came up short in his title aspirations, the highflying “heavyweight” impressed like he has done in every promotion he’s been a part of including ROH during his formative years. Considering the talent Zayne defeated on his first night in this could prove a major chance for Everett to catapult his way back into title contention with a victory. For Zayne, this could be the beginning of a win streak that too leads him to ROH title contender status. No matter the outcome it’s hard to believe this one won’t produce a match of show stealing quality.
A seven-time former world champion takes on the former and longest-reigning Shimmer champion for the first time in a singles match when Angelina Love faces Nicole Savoy at Bound By Honor in Nashville, TN on Feb. 28.
ROH’s final event of 2019 was supposed to be a great one for Nicole Savoy as the former SHIMMER champion made her Women of Honor debut against the first titleholder in the division, Sumie Sakai. Instead of being able to celebrate a great victory over the first Women of Honor champion, Savoy was attacked by The Allure alongside the veteran. Savoy’s attempt at revenge fell short in Atlanta at the start of 2020, resulting in Angelina pinning a former fellow champion. For those who don’t know, Savoy became the twelfth woman to hold SHIMMER’s top prize, becoming the longest-reigning titleholder in SHIMMER history. Love’s list of accolades spread across a decade including seven World title victories including the Women of Honor Championship. Though there hasn’t been much said about the title’s status, one has to believe the winner will be pegged to compete for the gold if it’s ever reinstated. This could provide not only the best Angelina Love match in ROH thus far, but also Savoy’s first win in the company.
Alex Shelley has been signed to compete against Rey Horus in Nashville.
Alex Shelley has been nothing short of a busy man over the last few months. After coming up short in attaining World champion status, Shelley found himself company trotting around, landing in various promotions beyond ROH including WWE’s NXT. Shelley’s talents have influenced an entire generation including the likes of Rey Horus. Horus quickly gained champion status in ROH by winning the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team title alongside Bandido & Flamita. But when it comes to Horus’ singles success in ROH thus far it’s pretty sparse regarding wins. Shelley has proven he can pull a win out of figurative air like he did against Jonathan Gresham. If Horus isn’t careful another new Six-Man champ could be a part of a surprising result & loss following an exceptional match.
Just signed for Bound By Honor in Nashville, TN on Feb. 28 is Dalton Castle & Joe Hendry versus Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams versus Vincent & Bateman in a three-way tag match.
After a grand showcase against Jake Atlas during “Death Before Dishonor” weekend, Bateman made his presence known in the life & career of Tracy Williams. Attacking “Hot Sauce” after Williams defeated Flip Gordon in a sick No Disqualification match, Bateman laid waste to the LifeBlood member. Before Williams could gain some retribution Bateman attacked him again during “ROH Unauthorized”. This set the stage for Williams vs. Bateman for the first time at “Final Battle Fallout” – a match that ended with Bateman victorious after executing his This is a Kill tombstone piledriver. LifeBlood’s attempt to gain a measure of revenge in Concord during “Honor Reigns Supreme” didn’t go according to plan as Vincent & Bateman proved they are just fine with hurting their opponents even if it means suffering a loss via disqualification. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the tandem of Dalton Castle & Joe Hendry. Castle & Hendry’s effort to become the most entertaining team in wrestling today has been something of a mixed bag of success. Doing well during ROH’s UK tour prior to “Final Battle”, it wasn’t until “Honor Reigns Supreme” almost three months later before they picked up a win in, ironically enough, a Triple Threat encounter. With their opponents so focused on hurting each other this may be the perfect match for Castle & Hendry to pick up a win out of nowhere just like they did in Concord.
2 Guys 1 Tag (Silas Young and Josh Woods) have already defeated some of the greatest tag teams in ROH in their short time together, but they’ve never faced a team as sinister and bizarre as Vincent and Bateman. That will change at Gateway To Honor in St. Louis on Feb. 29.
The current top contenders to the ROH World Tag Team Championship 2 Guys 1 Tag will potentially enter this one as the new ROH World Tag Team champions depending on what happens the night before in Nashville. No matter if Silas Young & Josh Woods are champions are not, they’ll enter this match with a fantastic record including a victory over The Briscoes that solidified their position as the first in line to challenge Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham for the ROH World Tag Team title. Vincent & Bateman are a fresh tandem in ROH that has proven quickly they can go toe-to-toe with the toughest men ROH has to offer including Matt Taven and Mark Haskins. Though there’s a very slight chance new champions will enter this one, it seems incredibly unlikely anyone but The Briscoes will win in a solid contest.
Three members from the 2019 Faction of the Year take on a new international star and the tag team of the decade in six-man tag action at Gateway To Honor in St. Louis on Feb. 29. It’ll be Villain Enterprises’ Marty Scurll, Brody King and Flip Gordon versus Australian star Slex and the Briscoes in this compelling, first-time ever match-up.
There are few people more different than The Briscoes and Slex. While Jay & Mark are the personification of all things stereotypically “redneck”, Slex is an international star focusing on making the most money possible. On the opposite end of the spectrum will be their opponents. Villain Enterprises of Marty Scurll, Brody King and the ROH World champion PCO reigned supreme in ROH’s Six-Man division throughout 2019 with King & PCO actually overcoming Dem Boys to win their first and thus far only ROH World Tag Team Championship. The Briscoes aren’t foreign to trios action, winning the title in 2017 alongside Bully Ray. Opposites attract both in life and in the ring as seen in the past that may pay off in grand fashion for Jay & Mark with a new ally; though the most likely outcome will be VE getting a much-needed win as a trio since they lost the World Six-Man title to Rey Horus, Bandido & Flamita in Atlanta.
Alex Shelley will face Dan Maff in St. Louis.
For the first time in history, Dan Maff will find himself standing across the ring from Alex Shelley in a singles encounter. When Shelley formally debuted in ROH as a part of Generation Next, Maff’s tenure with the company was starting to wear down and would result in him leaving for almost a decade and a half. Maff returned at ROH’s “The Experience” and has been mostly showcasing his tag team abilities alongside Jeff Cobb – the same abilities that won him two ROH World Tag Team Championships. This will be a true David vs. Goliath style encounter where Shelley will have to figuratively chop Maff down if he wants to potentially roll him up or submit the massive fellow veteran. Considering the talent involved it’s hard not to believe they won’t deliver a fine first-time encounter that may surprise some due to its quality.
And there you have it. Show that love, or like, for The ROHbot Report on its Facebook page. Here’s to a great week for you and yours; and as always, thanks for reading.
