Ring of Honor BITW – Briscoe vs. Lethal 2 – June 24, 2016, from the Carbarrus Arena in Concord, NC
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Kamaitachi via submission.
ACH defeated Silas Young with the Morning Star.
Mark Briscoe defeated Roderick Strong in Strong’s farewell match after 2 brainbusters.
Adam Cole & The Young Bucks defeated Moose & War Machine in a Tornado Rules 6-man tag. YB hit the 5-Star Meltzer Driver on Moose and kissed Cole as he covered for the victory.
The Addiction (c) retained the ROH World Tag Team Championships against the Motor City Machine Guns after Kamaitachi came out and attacked Jay White, who was sitting at ringside, causing the distraction.
BJ Whitmer defeated Steve Corino in an Unsanctioned Fight Without Honor. With both men bloody, the lights went out, Kevin Sullivan appeared and delivered the golden spike to Corino’s head. Whitmer hit the exploder and scored the victory.
Bobby Fish (c) retained the ROH World TV Championship over Dalton Castle with a small package.
ANX came out with Caprice Coleman, continuing their campaign to Make Wrestling Great Again. The three of them declared that moving forward, they will now be known as The Cabinet.
Jay Lethal (c) retained the ROH World Championship against Jay Briscoe. The rematch one year in the making saw Briscoe hit a Lethal Injection and Jay Driller, but Lethal followed up with a top-rope cutter and the Lethal Injection for the clean victory.
The show opens with spliced together backstage promos from Prince Nana and Donovan Dijack, as well as Jay Lethal and Taeler Hendrix. Nana says, “The time has come. We put out the man that led you to the ROH World Title.” Lethal says, “To be a great champion, you must remove all your personal affairs. Well, I’m having a damn hard time doing that.” Hendrix says, “What you did, was sick.” Lethal says, “You hurt our friend, Truth Martini.” Hendrix says, “The one man to ever believe in you.” Lethal says, “You broke his neck.” Nana says, “Right now, you have no one to turn to.” Hendrix says, “I’ve got news for you, pal. You are in the sights of the champion.” Nana, “The time for a new Ring of Honor World Champion has finally come.” Lethal, “We believe in revenge.” Hendrix, “It just got personal.” Dijack, “Jay Lethal, your time is up.”
Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness welcome us from Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. KK says, “And tonight the man who broke Truth Martini’s neck will speak, plus we will see the newest member of the Bullet Club, The Hangman Adam Page, against a man who is really looking for revenge, Colt Cabana, making his return to ROH TV after a 5 year absence. All of this, plus The Rainmaker is here.”
Matt Sydal vs. Kazuchika Okada
Co-holder of the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship Reborn Matt Sydal walks to the ring, slides under the bottom rope, and poses in the ring. Okada’s music hits and KK says, “Next, the man who Jushin Thunder Liger called ‘a perfect wrestler’ is on his way to the ring,” he is followed by Gedo. The fans pop loudly for Okada. KK says, “Tens of millions of dollars of talent. The Rainmaker has arrived.” The camera gets a close up of one of the Okada dollars.
Tale of the tape says Sydal 5’10”/195 vs. Okada 6’2”/229 (Bobby Cruise says 236). KK says “Certainly there is a size advantage for Okada, but Sydal has faced The Big Show and Mark Henry. He’s given up size and weight many times before, and never even taken a back step. Nigel, it’s interesting, when your fellow countrymen Will Osprey was tabbed the newest member of Chaos in New Japan, Sydal felt more than a little slighted. That was an interesting conversation we had with Mr. Sydal.”
Collar-and-elbow tie-up, go behind by Okada, go behind by Sydal, wrist lock by Okada, Sydal rolls through, jumps to his feet, armbar, pump handle, snapmare takeover, headlock, armbar, Okada reverses into an armbar headlock of his own. NM says, “He’s called Reborn, because he came back from an injury that many thought was going to sideline him forever.” Sydal throws Okada off the ropes, Okada hits a shoulder block tackle, runs the ropes again, ducks under, jumps over, goes for The Rainmaker, but Sydal hits a hurricanrana, arm wringer by Sydal, back elbows by Okada, Sydal flips him down on the mat, does a backflip, Okada gets out of the way, jumps and stops and they stare each other down.
Okada wrist a wrist lock, arm wringer, shoulder block, whip reversal into the corner, Sydal meets an elbow, and then a spinning back heel kick takes Okada to the mat. Sydal goes to the second rope and tries for a tornado DDT, but Okada reverses and puts him back on the turnbuckle, and then nails a dropkick knocking Sydal to the floor, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Sydal fights out with an elbow and a kick, throws Okada off the ropes, he catches himself on the ropes, and Sydal meets a boot, Okada with a slingshot senton over the top rope, cover, kick out. Sydal is wincing in pain, Okada picks him up, Sydal with an elbow to the gut, chop kick chop kick, Okada returns with clubbing blows to the back. Okada slams Sydal’s head into the turnbuckle, slams his head into the opposite turnbuckle, now back to the first one, 2 elbows to the back of the neck, goes to throw Sydal’s head to another turnbuckle, but he blocks and kicks him in the face.
Sydal delivers 2 kicks to the back of the quad, then a kick to the back of the head, standing moonsault, folds him up like an accordion, cover, kick out. Sydal splashes Okada in the corner, flies off the top rope with a double sitting knee, cover, kick out. Sydal grabs hold of an injured knee, ducks a kick by Okada, and then connects with a back kick of his own, goes for a top rope hurricanrana but Okada slides through, catches Sydal’s head on the turnbuckle and then rolls through backwards and plants him with a jackknife neckbreaker to the knee, pin attempt, kick out.
Okada slams Sydal to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle and nails the big elbow. Okada calls for The Rainmaker as the camera zooms out, he picks up Sydal, spins around, Sydal ducks it with a Matrix-like escape, reverse headscissors by Sydal that drops Okada on his head. Sydal climbs to the top rope, goes for the Shooting Star Press, but Okada blocks with double knees to the gut, Okada goes for a tombstone piledriver, Sydal gets out, Sydal misses a kick and then Okada lands a standing dropkick. Now on his third try, Okada nails The Rainmaker, third time’s a charm, and it’s over, 1-2-3.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada
After the match, Okada and Sydal shake hands.
Adam Cole and the Young Bucks cut a backstage promo, “Hey Bucks, did you guys hear what the Best in the World main event is? Jay Lethal defending his title against Jay Briscoe? Everybody knows that whoever wins that match is just keeping the title warm for ol’ Adam Cole baybay. And Jay Lethal, tonight you’re wrestling Donovan Dijak. Well, I just wanted to make this very apparent to you, the BC, we might, I don’t know, come say hello to the champ,” and we go to commercial.
After the break, Silas Young cuts a backstage promo, “The other day, I came home and my son was sitting on the floor coloring this.” He shows ROH’s ‘The Best Coloring Book on the Planet Today.’ Silas continues, “And I look down, and he was coloring a picture of ACH. I told him ‘Son, that’s fine if you want to color that book, but just know that guy you’re coloring a picture of, the way he acts, that’s not the way men act.’ He looked at me, he closed it up, and he gave it to me and said, ‘Dad, if that’s the case, then I don’t want it anymore’. And it just made me think, my seven-year-old son is more of a man than ACH is. See the problem is ACH, you think I hate you, you think I got some big problem with you, but the fact of the matter is, I’m just trying to teach you some lessons, some lessons obviously you didn’t learn that you needed to learn, some lessons that your father failed to teach you on being a man.”
Adam Page vs. Colt Cabana
Out next, is the newest member of the BC, The Hangman Adam Page. NM notes, “Conspicuous by their absence, the rest of the BC. Normally they’re like packs of wolves, they come out here together.” KK comments, “You never know when they could be on the scene.” Colt Cabana’s video plays, the camera zooms in and out for the Boom Boom. Tale of the tape says 6’1”/240 Cabana vs 6’0”/207 Page (Bobby Cruise and the video department matched up correctly). The fans chant, “Colt Cabana!” The referee asks for the Code of Honor, both men refuse.
Collar-and-elbow tie-up, they push each other to the ropes, the referee calls for the break. The fans chant, “Art of wrestling!” Collar-and-elbow tie-up again, they push each other to the ropes again, the referee calls for the break again. Cabana shoves Page and then Page connects with a big right hand, Page with a chop, punch to the head, Cabana throws him off the ropes, but Page lands a shoulder tackle. Page runs the ropes, Cabana ducks under, leaps over, then runs the ropes himself, and hits a spinning headscissors
NM says, “Cabana has learned so much from going over and wrestling in England, from guys like Johnny Saint, Steve Grey.” Fans chant, “Boom! Boom!” Page goes for a kick, but Cabana catches him with a leg takedown. NM says, “You could make an argument that perhaps he doesn’t feel he feels his spot in BC is really secure yet, so he’s got to earn it. I don’t know.” Cabana goes for the Boston crab, Page fights out, Cabana with a wrist lock, go behind, snapmare takeover, cover, kick out, now Cabana transitions into a crucifix style pin attempt, kick out again.
Cabana and Page push each other, collar-and-elbow tie-up, headlock by Cabana, arm wringer by Cabana, Page with a forearm, Cabana arm wringer again, Page forearm, Cabana throws his hand to the mat. Cabana stands tall with a wrist lock, twisting the fingers, whip reversal, Cabana jumps up the turnbuckle, ducks underneath, Page throws him to the outside, and then Page hits a Shooting Star Press from the apron, and we go to commercial.
When we return, the fans have dueling chants going. Chop by Cabana, chop by Page, slap by Cabana, chop by Page, slap by Cabana, push by Page, forearm by Cabana, Cabana ducks a clothesline and then gets hit with a clothesline on the reversal. Page with the push kick into the corner, cover, kick out. Page with a pectoral stretch, Cabana runs his backside hip into Page’s gut twice, a kick and a punch by Page, whips Cabana in the corner, and then meets a back elbow.
Cabana with another elbow, climbs to the second rope and jumps off, Page goes under, then Cabana with a double-handed chop, two punches to the face, whip reversal off the ropes, Cabana ducks a clothesline, and then 4 punches and then a rolling punch. Cabana runs into the corner with the flying hip attack, Page with a kick to the leg, Cabana with a elbow to the head.
Page goes to the apron, comes back in with a slingshot lariat, cover, kick out. Page picks up Cabana for the Rite of Passage, Cabana holds himself on the ropes, ducks a clothesline and then a moonsault by Cabana, cover, kick out. Elbow by Cabana, elbow by Page, Page comes charging in, push kick by Cabana, leg-on-leg bridge pin attempt, 1-2-3, and Cabana wins.
Winner: Colt Cabana
After the match, the Guerrillas of Destiny come down and attack Cabana, with clubbing blows, stomps to the back, punches, elbows, as Page walks around the ring with the hangman’s noose. GoD hold Cabana, Page goes to put the noose around his neck, and KK says, “We need some help. We need security. Look at what they’re doing. Fans, we can’t show any more of this, we’ve got to go to break, go to commercial break, we need help.” The camera points at the apron and we cut away.
Rhett Titus asks, “Are you tired of little boys with itty bitty biceps?” KK asks, “Are you tired of really old dudes in masks? Hi I’m Kenny King.” RT chimes in, “And I’m Rhett Titus,” and together, “We’re the All Night Express.” KK asks, “See, when you think about Jushin Thunder Liger, what are the things you think of?” RT says, “Honor, respect, legendary.” KK continues, “Legendary, the man has fought names like Malenko, Juventud Guerrero, Chris Jericho,” RT says, “All of the greats.” KK continues, “But now Cheeseburger? See, this is what we’re talking about, now when I think of JTL, I think of Brett Favre, I think of Allen Iverson, aka. I think of old farts that stayed in the game way past their prime, but that changes in Toronto.” RT says, “And Toronto is the first stop on our campaign trail.” KK continues, “We’re listening to you. Even if it kills us,” and they say together, “We will make wrestling great again.”
BJ Whitmer comes down to the ring and grabs a mic, “Finally Nigel, finally you have come to your senses and you have booked the match. Lately Steve, you’ve gone online and you’ve thrown out all these empty threats. You tell me I’ve crossed the line, you tell me I’ve gone too far, but the truth of the matter is, you have no one else to blame for my actions, but yourself. So this all comes to a head on June 24th, Best in the World, live on pay-per-view. We stand across the ring from one another, in the ultimate Fight Without Honor. Now listen real close Steve, because this is not an empty threat. When you leave the house that weekend, you kiss that pretty little wife and that baby son of yours goodbye. Because not only am I going to break your body, I’m going to steal your soul.”
Steve Corino runs through the audience, security holds him back, Whitmer says, “Tough man, tough man. Oh, you want some now? You want some now? You know what? I ain’t gotta wait for Charlotte, let’s do this right now.” Corino gets into the ring, but Whitmer climbs out of the ring, and officials and security keep the two separated. KK says, “You went too far BJ Whitmer, that footage when you stalked his wife, stalked his son, how dare you.”
ACH cuts a backstage promo, “When I was 13 years old, my father actually told me, if you’re handling your business, and you’re taking care of your responsibilities, you do you. As long as you’re not taking food off another man’s plate, you do you. And Silas, I’m obviously not taking food off your plate, and I obviously don’t have a problem with you, you obviously have a problem with me. More importantly, you have a problem with yourself, because these things are called insecurities. You’re jealous of all the things that ACH does. See, its confidence to walk out and express yourself, and tell people that you can be you, no matter what you do. If you want to watch cartoons, watch cartoons, it doesn’t matter how old you are. And how dare you say my father never taught me how to be a man? Don’t worry about me, worry about your son. And the only reason why your son may be more man than I am? It’s because Silas, it’s simple, you’re not man enough to hold down your household.” He takes a PlayStation Vita out of his back pocket and walks away.
Donovan Dijack vs. Jay Lethal (c) (non-title match)
Dijack’s over-autotuned entrance music hits, he walks out slowly, smiling, screams on the ramp, and then continues suave to the ring. KK asks NM, “And why is this a non-title match?” NM says, “He hasn’t earned it yet, but if he were to win here, he would certainly be in line for one.” Next out is your ROH World Champion Jay Lethal, the greatest wrestler in the world, the greatest first generation wrestler. Lethal is all business as he walks to the ring, gives Dijack a long stare, takes off the belt, climbs in the ring, and immediately the two men go at it.
They exchange shots, Lethal with a knee to the gut, takedown, mount position raining blows, roll over, Dijack raining blows, Lethal raining blows. NM says, “Very uncharacteristic for the world champion, likes to usually take things slow. But as you said, the anger, the aggression,” Uppercut by Lethal, right hand by Dijack, throws him to the corner, Dijack fights out with 3 forearms, Dijack with 4 kicks, and then points at his nose and screams. Lethal fights out with 2 forearms, chop, Dijack picks him up and throws him up-and-over to the floor.
Dijack crawls outside after Lethal, pushes him in the back of the neck, clubbing blow to the back. Lethal walks around, then returns with the right hand, chop, forearm, but Dijack with a knee and then a suplexes Lethal on the floor. Dijack rolls back in to break the count, goes for a whip but Lethal reverses and sends Dijack upside down into the steel railing landing on a chair. Lethal picks up Dijack, and whips him upside down into the steel railing again. Lethal stares down Prince Nana, and then chases him around the ring. Nana climbs into the ring and pleads for mercy, Lethal grabs him by the jacket and points a finger in his face, suddenly Nana smiles, and then Dijack attacks from behind.
The two men exchange forearms, Lethal with a knife-edge chop, forearm, Dijack throws him off the ropes, Lethal catches himself, Lethal throws Dijack up-and-over, Dijack catches himself on the apron, and then Lethal with a dropkick sends Dijack to the floor. Lethal runs the ropes and suicide dives toffee onto Dijack once, twice, and looks really mad as he goes for it a third time, but Dijack sidesteps and shoves him into the barricade. Dijack does a standing backflip over the top rope onto the floor onto Lethal, screams at him, and we go to commercial.
When we pick it up, Lethal is on the mat. We see footage from during the commercial, Dijack picks up the belt and shoves it in Lethal’s face, “You see this? I’m taking it. Feast your eyes. I’m taking it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Back to the action, Dijack picks Lethal up, he fights out, go-behind, Lethal with an arm drag, cartwheel, and then a low dropkick, but Lethal may have injured his knee. Lethal sends Dijack’s head into the turnbuckle, 2 knife-edge chops, Lethal with an armbar, whip reversal, Dijack runs in, but meets a boot, Lethal jumps off the second rope, but Dijack catches him with a belly-to-belly suplex, Dijack springboards to his feet and points at his nose, cover, kickout.
Dijack start pushing Lethal in the face and yelling at him, Lethal gets angry and stands up and slaps Diack, they exchange forearms, Dijack goes for a clothesline but misses, Lethal goes for the Lethal Combination but his knee gives out. Lethal with the right hand, Dijack with a kick, belly-to-back German suplex by Lethal. Dijack is to his feet first, goes for a chokeslam, but Lethal flips and lands on his feet, hits a spinning enziguri, but then a boot by Dijack turns Lethal inside out. Both men are down, Hendrix pounds on the mat. Dijack is up first, Nana says, “You’re making too much noise.” Taeler says, “You want some? Come and get it.”
Dijack is up first, Lethal hits the Lethal Combination, cover, kick out. Lethal gets to his feet, highly favoring the knee, positions Dijack, goes to the top rope looking for the Hail to the King elbow, NM says, “Taking way too long in my book, 5-6-7 seconds, at least. Dijack laying prone, but has he got one eye on Lethal?” Lethal jumps off, but Dijack catches him with a hand around the throat, Lethal tries to fight out, Dijack picks him up, and Lethal reverses into a pin attempt, Dijack picks him up wheelbarrow style transitions into Feast Your Eyes, but Lethal lands on his feet, Dijack with a kick to the face. Dijack punches Lethal in the face, picks him up, starts jawing at him, runs the ropes, but Lethal hits a superkick, goes for the Lethal Injection, but Dijack picks him up on his shoulders and nails a powerbomb, weak cover, Lethal kicks out. KK says, “Prince Nana very upset with Todd Sinclair about that count.” NM says, “He should be upset with Dijack for not hooking the legs.”
Dijack goes for the springboard moonsault off the top rope and misses, Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but Nana climbs up on the apron, Hendrix pulls him off, throws his scarf at him, she goes to slap him, but he catches her hand. Dijack tries again for Feast Your Eyes, but he turns around and gets super kicked by Kenny Omega and Matt Jackson. KK says, “The superkick was intended for Lethal, but he got out of the way.” Lethal pushes The Elite out of the ring, nails the Lethal Injection, and this one is over, 1-2-3.
Winner: Jay Lethal
After the match, GoD come down to the ring again and take out Lethal, punches to the face, stomps, punches to the gut, clubbing blows to the back, until the Briscoes run in to make the save. They throw the GoD out of the ring, the fans chant, “Man up!” as Mark runs the ropes and front flips onto the GoD. Jay Briscoe stands alone in the ring with Lethal, Hendrix hands Lethal the title, but Briscoe takes it from him. Lethal has a streamer on his head, stands up, the fans chant, “One more time!” Briscoe extends the belt, Lethal grabs his belt away and they stare at each other. KK calls the Briscoe v. Lethal rematch, one year in the making, “The biggest rematch in ROH history.” and then continues, “Fans next week, one-on-one, Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly, and more, as we countdown to Best in the World. We’ll see you then.”
Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Gedo (Block A) – Taguchi wins Block A and advances to the finals
Bushi defeated Kushida (Block A)
Will Ospreay and Ryusuke Taguchi will face off in the finals of the NJPW BOSJ 2016 tournament, tomorrow June 7 at 5:30 a.m. EST, from Sendai Sunplaza Hall in Miyagi, Japan, which can be seen live on njpwworld.com including English commentary from Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino.
A video recap of the Bullet Club run-in during the main event at Global Wars is shown. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness welcome us to the show (no Mr. Wrestling 3) from Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto, Canada, and talk about tonight’s main event, a six-man tag featuring The Elite against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Yoshitatsu. KK says, “You thought Adam Cole joining BC and taking over Global Wars was a shock? Wait till you see what the BC did in Dearborn, Michigan. Those pictures tonight. But first, we kick it off with singles action.”
Leo Rush vs ACH
Leo Rush’s video plays, he walks to the entrance way, poses on the ramp, and points a finger gun in the air. KK says, “Tons of promise and potential with this young man.” Nigel says, “Sometimes a guy comes through the door and he’s just got superstar written all over him.” ACH is out next, wearing a flowered shirt with streamers and a sombrero, he flips over the ropes, and poses on the turnbuckle.
We cut away to highlights from War of the Worlds on 5/9/16 with ACH in the ring on the mic with Matt Sydal. ACH says, “Matt Sydal, this past year, you taught me way too much. You even had my back when people didn’t want you to have my back. And I feel, at this point in my career right now, I can’t allow you to hold my hand no more. So here today, I start my own path, I become my own man, and more importantly I just let it flow and I become myself, so thank you,” and they shake hands and hug.
The tale of the tape shows Rush at 5’6”/160 (Cruz said 165) vs ACH 5’9”/190 (Cruz and the video graphic matched up here). The competitors shake hands, the bell rings, and we are off. Rush is wearing Kinesio tape on his arm. Silas Young joins on commentary, KK says, “We’re thankful that you’re here, but what’s on your mind?” Silas says, “Just out here to check out the action a little bit. To be honest with you, I’m just sick of, everytime I come to the building, there’s ACH sitting there playing video games”.
Rush and ACH circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie-up, headlock by ACH, Rush reverses into a headlock of his own, ACH throws him off the ropes and nails a shoulder block. ACH laughs until Rush trips him up with a leg sweep. Rush hits the ropes, jumps over, ducks under, and then ACH lands a somersault dropkick to Rush, and ACH shoots a basket. Silas says, “Exactly my point. That’s all these guys are a couple of video game wrestlers. A couple of children.” KK says, “Obviously they’re not children, they’re adults. You know, they pay taxes, they rent cars.”
ACH with a chop, Rush with a whip reversal into the corner, boot by ACH, Rush jumps over, runs the ropes, ducks a clothesline, springboard hurricanrana up the second rope, kick to the gut, kick to the back of the head, and ACH goes to the outside. Rush runs the ropes, frontflips onto ACH on the floor, then Rush shoots a basket himself. Young asks, “What is this Leo Rush, about 17 or 18 years old?” KK explains, “He’s 21, and one of the finest amateur wrestlers in the mid-atlantic region in the US.”
Rush runs the ropes and hits a tornado DDT to ACH, cover, kick out. Rush with a kick to the quad, throws ACH to the corner, but he slides and then hits a bicycle kick from the mat, throws Rush into the other corner, and then runs the ropes and hits a lariat on Rush. ACH flips to his feet, go-behind, tries to pick up Rush, Rush get out and then nails a forearm clothesline, ACH hits the ropes, ACH snap german belly-to-back suplex, bridge cover, kick out.
ACH goes outside to the apron, leaps through the ropes, but Rush moves out of the way, forearm, ACH misses a back elbow, Rush hits a kick, cover, but ACH kicks out. Rush is up first, he sizes up ACH, runs and flips over, and then ACH hits a superkick, and then Powers up Kamehameha-style, nails a spirit bomb, climbs to the top rope, and hits the Midnight Star for the victory.
Winner: ACH
Silas Young comes into the ring, stalking a fallen Rush, jawing at him and slapping him in the head, but ACH confronts Young and backs him off. Young obliges and acts like he’s getting out of the ring, as soon as ACH turns around the check on Rush, Young comes back in and nails ACH from behind. Young with stomps to ACH, throws Rush out of the ring, chop to ACH, picks him up and nails the Misery fireman’s carry cutter, picks back up his ball cap, and walks out of the ring, and we go to commercial.
When we return, we see footage from the ROH Tag Team Title bout at War of the Worlds on 5/9/16. Daniels throws Rowe into Hanson knocking Hanson to floor, then nails Rowe with the belt. Daniels calls for the referee Paul Turner to count, cover, but Rowe kicks out. The referee takes the belt away from Daniels, Rowe nails Daniels with a superman punch, Kazarian comes in, and nails Rowe with the belt, Daniels covers for the 1-2-3, and The Addiction are your NEW ROH Tag Team Champions. Kazarian rolls a knocked out Daniels to the outside, and grabs the belts from the referee.
Back to tonight’s action, The Addiction’s music plays and they make their way down to the ring. KK says, “That’s how they became the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Let’s say this about War Machine, 3 title defenses in 24 hours, 2 matches that were made because WM wanted to be fighting champions and put the belts on the line, and last title defense with Ray Rowe having absorbed The Rainmaker from Okada earlier in the night. But now The Addiction can stand and crow, after WM had just finally conquered the Briscoes, and said their reign can truly begin, but that reign was short as The Addiction snuffed it out.
Back to tonight’s action, Daniels and Kazarian make their way down to the ring, Daniels grabs the mic, “Toronto, Canada, if you woke up this morning and your food tasted better, if your water tasted cleaner, if you walked outside and it seemed like the sun was shining a little bit brighter, it’s because today all is right with the world. Because ROH still has the best wrestling on the planet, Toronto still has the laziest lamest people in the world, and The Addiction are the World Tag Team Champions…” he points to the belt hanging from the crotches, “…of the world. And I can be no prouder than I am right now knowing that we are a better team than the YB, a better team than the MCMG, a better team than the Briscoes. I come before you to tell you, that we are the undisputed, undefeated, that’s right, we’ve never been pinned in a ROH ring.” KK says, “What?” as the camera shows KK shaking his head no (funny bit). Daniels continues, “undefeated World Tag Team Champions of the world.”
MCMG come out to their song ‘All Ghosts to Medicine Counter Four’ by Christian Fitness. Sabin speaks, “Wow wow huh, Motor City in the house. You guys, you guys, I mean you’re nothing more than just a couple of sad middle-aged douchebags, aren’t you? Hey, if memory serves me correctly, the two matches that we’ve had in the ROH ring, we’ve beaten you both of those times, you guys lost, much in the same way, by the looks at things, you’re losing your battle with male pattern baldness. So, if it’s okay with Toronto, Ontario, Canada, how about we take on The Addiction, tonight, for the Ring of Honor titles? Is that okay?”
Roppongi Vice interrupts, Rocky Romero dances at the camera and pulls out a mic from his jacket, “Hold up just a second, there’s no way you think you’re going to have a party in Toronto, without Roppongi Vice?” Beretta takes the mic, “Alright, so I think this is the part where we say something about how we should get title shots too. Maybe, maybe we would call you guys cowards or something, but I mean when you think about it, you guys kind of have reasons to be cowards, because we’re like the young cool new tag team here, and you guys, you’re kind of getting old.”
Daniels cuts him off, “What did you say? What did you say? That’s it, that’s it, I’ve had it with the disrespect from you, and the disrespect from you. I’m not old, I’m not bald, you people shut your mouths, we are the best tag team in this biz-i-ness, and we’ll settle this right now. I’m sick of being called a coward, I’m sick of being called names. Let’s do a match right now, you will respect me, all three teams, and if either one of you teams can beat us, we’ll give you a title shot at Best in the World,” and we go to commercial.
Roppongi Vice vs. MCMG vs The Addiction (c) (Non-Title #1 Contender’s Match)
When we return, Romero (who is wearing Kinesio tape), Sabin, and Kazarian are in the ring, Sabin waves Kazarian out and Romero and Sabin start it off. They circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie-up, go-behind by Romero, wrist lock by Sabin, reversal into an armbar by Romero, Sabin jumps up and out, reverses and then an arm drag takeover by Sabin, armdrag takeover by Romero, and they square off. The fans start to clap, but Kazarian comes in and takes out Romero, Daniels throws Sabin into the corner, KK says, “When The Addiction say they never lost in an ROH ring, they must not even be looking at recent history. Leading up to War of the Worlds, they hadn’t won a match in about 2 months.” Romero gets kicked by Kazarian, whip reversal as Romero throws Kazarian into the corner, and then hits 2 of his running yelling clotheslines, before Kazarian gets out of the way, Daniels comes in, and then he hits a double clothesline on both of them.
Snapmare takeover by Romero, tags in Beretta, Beretta dances around on the apron, jumps over the rope and then rakes a boot to Kazarian’s jaw, as the fans cheer. Beretta with a chop to Kazarian, whip reversal off the ropes, Kazarian ducks down, Beretta kicks him in the face, and then Shelley comes in and takes out Kazarian, ducks a clothesline forearm by Daniels, and then Sabin comes in and they double-team him to the outside, double team whip to Kazarian in the corner, forearm to Sabin, kick 2 Shelley, and then 3 kicks by both men to Kazarian.
Shelley picks up Kazarian, he pokes him in the eye, kicks him in the gut, waves his crotch at him and then cut the string, runs the ropes, Shelley trips him, back elbow to Daniels knocks him off the ropes, Shelley grinds his crotch at him, but Kazarian comes over, ducks a shot to the gut, rolls over, hits the ropes, Daniels hits him and then a neckbreaker by Kazarian. Kazarian sets up in a mount position raining blows, Beretta tries to come in, the referee stops him, and then Daniels comes in without tagging while the ref’s back is turned. Daniels with stomps to the back, he tags back in Kazarian, Kazarian rakes a foot on Shelley’s face, Kazarian grinds his crotch to the crowd, grinds a right forearm to Shelley’s throat. Beretta tries to come again and the referee throws him out, Kazarian runs Shelley’s head into the turnbuckle, tags in Daniels, double whip to the corner, back elbow by Kazarian, inverted atomic drop by Daniels, knee by Kazarian, and then an STO by Daniels, cover, but Sabin comes in to break up the count. Todd Sinclair warns Sabin. Daniels back Shelley into the corner, stomps to the gut, and then presses a foot to the throat until Sinclair calls for the break. Daniels whips Shelley into the corner, knocks Shelley down to the mat, double fisted chinlock by Daniels, Shelley fights to his feet, punches to the gut, elbows to the gut, and we have to take a commercial break.
Video footage is shown of Bobby Fish fighting Tomohiro Ishii for the ROH TV Championship, advertising the Global Wars is now video on demand (cut from the Comet re-broadcast). Fish delivers forearms to the jaw of Ishii, Ishii rolls him over, and then Fish reverses into a sleeper as Ishii passes out. Bobby Fish is the new ROH TV Champion by referee stoppage.
When we return, Daniels has in a headlock, Shelley fights out with elbows, runs the ropes, before Daniels takes him down. Daniels stomps Shelly in the corner, Kazarian tags in, joins in with stomps, and tags Daniels back in. Double whip to the corner, Shelly jumps with a boot to Kazarian, throws Daniels into Kazarian, rolls up Daniels, Daniels throws him off into a spear on Kazarian, and then drop toehold sends Daniels’ head into Kazarian’s crotch. Sabin comes in, ducks a clothesline from Daniels, knocks RPGV off the apron, kick to the gut of Daniels, hits the ropes, baseball slide through under the legs, and then a bicycle kick to the back of the head. Sabin runs into the corner, goes for a jumping knee to both Addiction, but Daniels gets out of the way, and then Sabin monkey flips Kazarian into Daniels. Beretta comes in, RPGV with the double whip off the ropes, they go for a double clubbing blow to the chest, Daniels ducks, and then Sabin knocks both men down. Now Shelly holds the ropes while Sabin suicide dives through his legs onto Addiction.
Sabin rolls Daniels back into the ring, fireman’s carry, Daniels fights out and drops him on his jaw. Beretta tags in, belly-to-back flip suplex on Kazarian turns him inside out, runs into the corner, hits a flying back elbow on Daniels, drapes him across the ropes, and then Romero with a dropkick to the back, Beretta with a kick to the face, cover, but Shelley breaks it up. Romero throws Shelley out of the ring, Daniels comes in, RPGV hit a double jumping knee, Beretta picks up Daniels for the Strong Zero, but Kazarian with a push kick. Romero comes in and misses a kick, but connects with Kazarian on the rebound kick, Daniels throws him to the mat and hits the Best Moonsault Ever. Shelley with an atomic drop on Daniels, Sabin kicks him in the leg while Shelley holds him, and then Sabin kicks him in the face. Sabin and Shelley with a double corner kick on Daniels, Sabin sets up for a fall away neckbreaker, as Shelley comes off the top rope with a crossbody as MCMG nail the Skull and Bones finisher, and Shelley covers Daniels for the pin.
Winners and NEW #1 Contenders for the ROH Tag Team Championships: Motor City Machine Guns
With the victory, MCMG get a title shot on June 24th at Best in the World. KK says, “Coming back, a huge announcement concerning Best in the World. Plus we will show you how the BC got even stronger and perhaps more dangerous than ever.”
Roderick Strong cuts a backstage promo (this was cut from Comet re-broadcast), “Jay Briscoe, have I offended you? Has something I’ve done offended you? Because when you speak my name, it sounds like I’ve offended you, but in reality Jay, I’m the person who should be offended. I’m the man that has helped saved this company, and carried it on my back for almost 13 years. You talk about since day one, when the company needed you the most Jay, where were you? You and your brother ran home to the chicken farm and licked your wounds. So Jay Briscoe, you walk around claiming that you’re the face of the company, you’re the franchise player, well my friend you’re wrong. What you are Jay Briscoe is a great tag team wrestler, and a very mediocre singles wrestler. Well in Columbus, Ohio, I will remind you of that, that I am the best to ever step in this ring.”
After commercial, YB and Adam Cole cut a backstage promo. Matt speaks, “In Chicago, Illinois, we finally showed the world what it means to have a superkick party. What was that 51 superkicks? Good God almighty, those kids, they have families!” Nick says, “Remember guys, when we did the Indytaker on the floor? Holy crap, what a party. With that being said, welcome to the BC, Adam Cole,” Cole takes the lead, ”and welcome to our world, ROH. The BC is hotter than ever. It’s new, it’s improved, and the chaos is just getting started. You make the rules, and we will break them. There’s not a thing you could do to stop us. Trust me, trust me, the YB and Adam Cole and the rest of BC, ROH is our world, it will always be our world, and the chaos we create is just getting started.”
Matt Taven has joined on commentary. KK says, “Nigel, I know Best in the World is just around the corner, Friday June 24. You have made another match-up, but are you sure we are we really going to do this?” Nigel says, “It’s difficult, bottom line is BJ Whitmer wouldn’t let it go, I had no choice but to make the match. You’ve seen the the footage, based on the footage he posted on YouTube of Steve Corino and his wife and son, I have made the decision that this has to end. I’ve done some questionable things in my career, but when you threaten a man’s wife and child, you step over that line, so I made the decision, at Best in the World June 24, it will be BJ Whitmer taking on Steve Corino in a Fight Without Honor.” Matt Taven applauds. KK says, “But speaking about going too far, if what you think what BC did when Adam Cole joined, when they completely took over Global Wars was something, but fans, what they did and Dearborn, is they grew the ranks even stronger. We’ll take you to some exclusive footage, right here, right now.”
Previously, Adam Page says, “I don’t mind sticking my nose in the BC’s business, if you want a partner I’ll be your man.” Before the match, Cole says, “It looks like Adam Page may or may not have been invited to an early superkick party.” Colt Cabana comes out and joins the faces, the YB superkick the referee, Page runs in with a chair and everyone exits the ring, he low-fives Briscoe and then low-blows him. Cut to later, Page gives Lethal the Rite of Passage through a table on the floor (which doesn’t break). Mark is tied to the ropes, Cabana is tied to the ring post, Sabin has a hangman’s noose around his neck, they all superkick him, and the BC too sweet in the middle of the ring.
KK continues, “We can’t even show you, because of broadcast standards, all that the BC did, all that Adam Page did to Chris Sabin, but it is available video on demand at ROHWrestling.com, you can judge for yourself.”
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, & Yoshitatsu vs. The Elite
The Elite come out to the entrance way, the NEVER Openweight 6 man Champions make their way to the ring, Nick fakes a superkick to the cameraman, Matt sprays the cold spray can, Omega sweeps with the broom. KK says, “Being from the Kingdom, having wrestled the BC many times, while you are rehabilitating your knee injury, I thought it would be pointed for you to describe what this group is all about, how far will they go.“ Taven says, “Nice to see that Kenny Omega sent Adam Cole some used t-shirts and luckily for Cole they fit.”
Yoshitatsu, ‘Unbreakable’ Michael Elgin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi make their way to the ring next. Taven says, “Oh would you look at that, Elgin has little dumbbells on his robe, in case you don’t know he works out, just ask him. And there’s the coolest man to ever walk the earth (Tanahashi).” KK agrees, “He is awesome, the ace of New Japan.” The fans are already chanting, “Young Bucks!” as Tanahashi poses on the turnbuckle and we go to commercial.
When we return, all three members of The Elite give a suck it, swing and miss clotheslines, a donnybrook ensues, the faces get whip reversed off the ropes but they all hold on, give a suck it back, Elite run in, and the faces hold the top rope down sending The Elite to the floor. Yoshitatsu flies with a crossbody over the top rope, Elgin picks up Tanahashi and throws him onto the YB, Elgin claps his hands above his head, and then Elgin runs the ropes for a front flip onto everybody. Fans chant, “Big Mike!”
KK asks Taven, “When will we see this new Kingdom built in your own image?” Taven says, “Don’t you worry your pretty little fat face, KK.” Matt is back in the ring, Elgin hooks him for a vertical brainbuster, but Nick comes in and kicks him in the quad, Elgin lifts Matt back up again, Nick pulls him back down, and then Elgin suplexes both of them. Omega flies off the top rope with a crossbody, Elgin catches him, tosses him up on his shoulders, Omega gets out, Omega with a go-behind, Elgin with a back elbow, and then Omega hits a dragon suplex.
Matt comes in, handstands and holds Yoshitastu’s head with his feet as Nick kicks him. Tanahashi comes in and tries to fight all three men with kicks and forearms. Elite surround Tanahashi, Omega takes control with a kick to the gut and a clubbing blow to the back, Matt rakes his back, Omega and Nick whip him the corner, Tanahashi gets out of the way, Nick and Omega splash into each other, drop toe hold on Matt, dragon screw leg sweep on Omega. Tanahashi grabs Omega by his legs, but gets superkicked by both members of the YB. And then all three members of the Elite pound the ring and nail the Triple Toffee suicide dives. Afterwards, Matt and Nick entertain the fans.
Nick throws Tanahashi back in, Omega runs into the corner with a back elbow, while the YB superkick Tanahashi. Omega with fireman’s carry roll through, jumps up to the second turnbuckle moonsault, cover, kickout. Picks up Tanahashi by hair, rakes his back, sends him into Nick’s boot in the corner. Matt comes in, Nick holds him face-first on the turnbuckle, while Matt runs in with a somersault backflip, then somersault backflips back out, then somersault backflips back in, poses for the crowd, and then rakes Tanahashi’s back. Taven says, “I’ve never seen that in a bar fight before.” Cover, kick out, Matt stands on neck, and the fans chant, “This is awesome!” Matt with a headlock and we go to commercial.
When we return, Tanahashi rakes Matt’s back, rakes Omega’s back, Nick goes for a springboard move, Tanahashi moves out of the way and then rakes his back. The fans chant, “This is awesome!” Elgin gets the tag, runs into the corner with a splash to Matt’s chest, whips him into the other corner, splash to Matt’s back. Elgin with belly-to-back german suplex, holds on and goes to roll into a second one, but Nick comes in and stops it, Nick goes for a clothesline, Elgin ducks and then he belly-to-back suplexes both of them. Taven says, “Is that really impressive though, because the two of them combined weigh, like, 1 average wrestler.” Elgin hits the ropes, Omega is on the apron, and then Elgin uses the ropes to slingshot flip him up and over. Elgin climbs up to the second rope and delivers the Falcon Arrow deadweight stalling superplex on Matt, cover, but Omega comes off the top rope with a dropkick to the back to break up the count.
Yoshitatsu with a clubbing blow to Omega, throws him out of the ring, and then Tanahashi climbs to the second turnbuckle as Elgin puts him on his shoulders. Yoshitatsu goes after Nick, but then Nick yells, “You’re dead!” and hits superkicks Yoshitatsu and Elgin. As Matt holds Tanahashi, they go for the Meltzer Driver, but Elgin comes in, grabs Nick, and throws him to the outside. Matt tries to fight out, until Elgin hits him with the lariat, and tags in Yoshitatsu. Elgin and Tanahashi whip him into the corner, and then send Yoshitatsu in with a back elbow, splash by Tanahashi, forearm by Elgin, knee by Yoshitatsu, and then Omega comes in to break it up.
Elgin and Tanahashi throw Omega and Nick to the outside, Yoshitatsu with a kick to Matt, he reverses out, and then Matt cold sprays Yoshitatsu in the face while Tiger Hattori is distracted, as Nick and Omega pull Elgin and Tanahashi to the outside. The camera gets a close-up of the cold spray can, which has the words ‘The Elite Rule The World’ printed on it. Taven says, “Ridiculous, how many fat dorks, you think, are in their mom’s basement with a BC shirt on, spraying hairspray in the air thinking they’re cool?” Omega tags in, takes off his elbow pad, dances around the ring, yells “Too sweet!”, and then all 3 of them superkick Yoshitatsu, cover, kick out. Finally, Nick jumps over the top rope and takes out Elgin, while Omega hits the One Winged Angel on Yoshitatsu for the victory
Winners: The Elite
Taven says, “You know what it looks like to me? It looks like the BC needs some competition.” KK says, “Well Matt Taven, I know there’s a lot of guys in ROH, including the Briscoes, include Colt Cabana, including Jay Lethal probably, they want to get their hands on the BC,” Taven replies, “A lot of guys might want to get their hands on the BC, but it doesn’t mean they’re Kingdom worthy. You see, I’m looking for better than The Elite. I’m looking for guys that are going to make this group inside the BC, The Elite, look like a bunch of teenage dorks, just like they are.” The Guerrillas of Destiny and The Hangman Adam Page come out to celebrate with The Elite. Taven asks, “What do we got going on here? That’s weird, where is Adam Cole? Adam Cole knows I’m out here, why doesn’t he come out?” KK says, “I think that question has its own answer, and we know the answer to that. But the strength of the BC is on display.” KK continues, “Fans next week, World Champion Jay Lethal against Donovan Dijak, the match that everybody has been waiting for, as we count down to Best in the World.” Taven gets in a “I’m going to put an end to these cartoon characters,” before the show fades out.
Kevin Kelly provides voiceover for a Bullet Club video package, “A faction reeking havoc overseas has found its way into ROH Wrestling. This week we look at Bullet Club, from its founding members to its newest recruits.”
KK introduces the show from backstage, “Red hot, super controversial, and more dominant than ever, for the next 60 minutes, it’s all about BC. What BC did at Global Wars has the entire wrestling world talking, but we will also take you back in time and show you how the club formed, how it has changed through the years, and how it’s now poised to become stronger and more dominant than ever. Since BC was formed in 2013 in New Japan, they have been popular, but have also seen members come and go. But one thing that has remained the same, BC is always trying to put everyone’s buttons to gain every edge they possibly can. They made their presence felt In New York City, at War of the Worlds 2014. At the time, their leader was Machine Gun Karl Anderson. He and Gallows were IWGP tag team champions, but how they would fare against the 8 time ROH Tag Team Champions, Dem Boyz, the Briscoes?”
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson (Bullet Club) vs. The Briscoes (IWGP Tag Team Championship Match from War of the Worlds 5/17/14)
When we pick up the action, uppercut by Anderson on Jay, Jay returns with a fist, Gallows back body drops Mark on the floor, whip from Anderson to Jay, but Jay meets him with a boot, Jay hooks for the Jay Driller, but Gallows comes in and slaps him in the face. Anderson with a running kick to the face, Gallows with a back shoulder block, clothesline by Gallows, sitting senton by Anderson, splash by Gallows, Gallows picks him up into a fireman’s carry, Anderson comes off the ropes and kicks him in the face, cover, kick out.
Gallows and Anderson set up for the Magic Killer, until Mark comes in with a kick to Gallows, 3 Mongolian chops to Gallows, a fury of Kung Fu chops to the shoulder, then a running clubbing blow knocks the big man down. Mark tags in officially, and then goes after Anderson. Mark misses with a chop, hits a bunch of Kung Fu chops to the chest, push kick to the chest, running kick to the chest by Jay, clothesline by Mark, spinning forearm by Jay, and then Mark goes off the top and nails the Froggy Bow, but Anderson kicks out.
The Briscoes call for their springboard Doomsday Device, but Gallows runs off the ropes with a boot to the chest of Jay, Mark comes off the top rope, Anderson catches him mid-air and nails the Ace Crusher, and then a sitting slam by Gallows on Jay, BC pick up Mark, hit the Magic Killer, and this one is over, 1-2-3.
Winner and still IWGP Tag Team Champions: Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson (Bullet Club) (War of the Worlds 5/17/14)
On WotW commentary, KK says, “For the first time tonight, BC is victorious over RPH.” MW3 replies, ”You jinxed it.” KK says, “I might have.” MW3 says, ”You dummy, you blew it for Briscoe!”
After the commercial break, KK says, “If you love throwing them up, or too sweeting your friends, or joining a superkick party, then this is the hour for you, because we’re talking all about BC. The wars between BC and ROH didn’t begin at this year at Global Wars, in fact last year at the big event in Toronto, it was an amazing 10-man tag, BC taking on the ROH All-Stars.”
AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Young Bucks (Bullet Club) vs. Strong, War Machine, The Briscoes (ROH All-Stars) (Global Wars 5/15/15)
When we pick up the action, Hanson sets up for a front flip onto everybody and lands it. MW3 says, “Holy… you know the rest!” Hanson rolls Matt back into the ring, then throws in Anderson. Strong delivers knees to Matt, AJ, and Anderson. Strong hits the running knee to Matt, hooks Matt for the superplex and nails it. Strong with running knee to AJ, hooks AJ for the superplex and nails it again. MW3 says, “Jeez Louise!” Strong hits the running knee on Anderson, hooks Anderson for the superplex, MW3 says, “Cheese and crackers, Roderick Strong is on fire!” and nails it for the third time. Strong hits a running knee on Gallows, set him up for a 4th superplex, MW3 says, “No way!” Nick comes up on the apron and pulls Strong down, Strong fights out with forearms and a kick to Nick, Gallows tumbles to the floor, Strong then sets up Nick for a 4th superplex but in the direction of the floor, MW3 says, “Guys guys, too dangerous, oh for god’s sake!” then launches Nick onto the floor onto everyone and the fans go berserker.
Gallows is up first, he climbs back into the ring with Hanson, spinning back heel kick by Hanson, sit down chokeslam powerbomb by Gallows, hits the ropes but Rowe with a sidewalk slam, Anderson with a cutter and AJ with a suplex. “Did AJ styles just curse? I think he cursed!” AJ hooks Rowe for the Styles Clash, but Strong runs the ropes and delivers a kick to AJ, Anderson gets thrown to the outside, MW3 says, “We need 32 camera angles for this.” Nick gets knocked off the apron, Matt gets superkicked by Jay, flipping backbreaker by Strong, and then Jay hooks for the Jay Driller before Mark comes off the top rope with Froggy Bow to Matt, 1-2-3, and the ROH All Stars win.
Winners: Roderick Strong, War Machine, The Briscoes (ROH All-Stars) (Global Wars 5/15/15)
KK continues backstage, “You can’t talk about the BC and their dominance in New Japan Pro Wrestling without focusing on the fact that they have held every belt in that company, and most recently capturing the newly-minted NEVER Openweight 6-man Championship at Honor Rising.”
Kenny Omega & Young Bucks (Bullet Club Elite) vs. Toru Yano & The Briscoes (c) (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Match from Honor Rising 2/20/16)
Before the bell, Hall comes in with blatant interference and takes out the Briscoes from behind. Yano is alone in the ring with all four men and scared, they stomp him down. The referee throws Hall out of the ring. KK says, “Red Shoes doing all that he can to send the son of the bad guy out, now the bell sounds, now it’s an official contest.”
Nick jumps over turnbuckle and runs the apron with a kick to Yano. Elite pose in the middle of the ring before the Briscoes come in and nail YB from behind. Mark with forearms to Omega, kicks to the gut, whip reversal into the corner, Mark jumps over, rolls through, and then suplexes Omega. Jay throws Matt into the other corner, splash, snapmare takeover, running dropkick to the chest, and then Mark throws him out of the ring. Yano throws Nick back into the ring, Nick turns around slowly, and then gets kicked by the Briscoes. Mark with a punch, Jay with a headbutt, and then they launch him with a front flip up-and-over the top turnbuckle onto the floor as he crashes into on Hall, Omega, and Matt (but mostly Hall), very impressive.
Omega gets back in at 14, he tries to punch Yano, but Yano ducks in the ropes like Yano does, the crowd chants, “Break!” Hall grabs him by the legs, holds him on the ropes and the YB superkick him. Nick crawls out and rolls Yano and his shenanigans back in the ring, Omega throws him out the other side, and then The Elite too sweet each other, before doing synchronized suicide Triple Toffee dives. Nick looks at the camera and says, “The best on planet Earth.” Omega says, “I never knew that one. My God, that was good.” The fans chant, “Young Bucks!“ Matt crotch chops along with the chants, punches to Jay, Nick throws Yano back in the ring, Omega covers, kick out. Omega slams Yano on his head into the turnbuckle, kick to the gut, and then pushes a boot to the jaw, but the referee calls for the break. KK tells us, “Toru Yano is a very interesting athlete, you wouldn’t know it from looking at him. He even ran a marathon, and then wrestled that night. He had a decent time 5-6 hours, but still would take me 5-6 days.” Matt does a You Can’t See Me to Yano while he’s laying in the corner, drags him back to the center of the ring, stomps him in the back and shoulder, drops a forearm, leg drop, cover, kick out, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Omega has an abdominal stretch on Yano, he grabs Hall who is holding Matt’s hand on the outside, while Matt is holding the rail, and all three of them stretch Yano. Cover by Omega, kick out. Omega positions Yano face-first standing against the turnbuckle while Nick and Cody hold him, and then Omega rolls through and rakes his back. Nick does a handstand somersault flips over and rakes Yano’s back. Matt comes in and says, “Come on Yano, what do you got Yano, what do you got Yano, nothing nothing,” and punches him in the face, picks him up off the mat and runs his head into Nick’s foot, pushes him to the turnbuckle, and Nick tags in. YB whip Yano into the corner, Nick runs in, Yano throws them up and over, and then Omega lands a running back shoulder block, while the YB superkick him.
Yano begins to tear off the turnbuckle, Matt holds Briscoe while Nick runs over and kicks him, Yano gets up slowly, YB stomp the mat for the superkick, but he turns around with the turnbuckle, blocks both kicks, baseball swings the turnbuckle and takes both of them out. Omega kicks him in the gut, whip reversal off the ropes, and then he baseball swings Omega with the turnbuckle. Yano crawls over and gets the hot tag to Mark.
Mark with a running corner turnbuckle kick to Nick’s jaw, sets Nick on the turnbuckle, grabs him by the hands and flips him over the top for a suplex, cover, Matt comes in the break it up. Matt fights out with forearms, Jay comes in, they whip him to the corner, and then they kick Matt to the mat. Forearms by Mark to Nick, Mark slides under, give him the Kung Fu pose, goes to kick him, Nick flips him, he grabs Nick’s foot, and then Omega comes in with the superkicks assist. Jay runs in with a boot to Omega, a boot to Nick, closed hand punches to Omega, whip reversal off the ropes, and then Jay connects with a shoulder to the gut, Jay hooks Omega for a neckbreaker, but Matt comes in and superkicks Jay. Omega tags in, Matt with a running turnbuckle bomb into the corner on Mark while Nick kicks him in the back of the head. Omega with a running back elbow, Matt with a cannonball in the corner, then Matt holds Mark on the ropes while Nick swantons onto him, Omega covers, but Mark kicks out. Matt pulls Mark to his feet, snap dragon suplex by Omega, and then all 3 of them superkick Mark, Omega covers, but Jay comes in to break it up. Omega picks up Mark by his hair, knife edge chop, whip off the ropes, flips Mark over his shoulder, he lands on his feet and tags in Yano.
Yano comes in, Omega kicks him in the gut, Matt kicks him in the gut, another kick, and then all three of them setup to whip Yano into the exposed turnbuckle, Yano pleads for mercy, they send him in, but he stops himself, Matt runs into the exposed turnbuckle as Yano gets out of the way, Yano atomic drops Nick with a knee to the crotch, Omega misses a clothesline, Yano ducks a second clothesline, kicks Omega. Omega runs up the exposed turnbuckle, leaps over Yano, Yano gets out of the way, drop toehold sends Omega’s head into the exposed turnbuckle, and then Yano nails a double low blow to the YB, Yano shrugs and looks surprised like “What did I do?”
Hall comes in with a full nelson, Omega uses the spraycan but Yano ducks and Omega spraycans Hall, Yano covers, kick out. Omega with a double clubbing blow to the arm, Yano reverses into a roll-up cover, but Omega spraycans him in the face. Then Matt spraycans both Omega and Nick in the crotch and his own as well.
Jay and Mark comes in with kicks and forearms to Omega and Matt, Jay with 2 headbutts, uppercut to Omega, while Mark nails Matt, and then they hit the ropes, but Elite kick Briscoes, then Omega and Matt set up for dual Indytakers/ Meltzer Drivers as Nick springboards of the top rope and connects. The YB kick the Briscoes out of the ring, Omega with the rolling fireman’s carry slam, handsprings off his head to the ropes, moonsault off the ropes, Nick swantons, Matt hits a 450 splash, and then Omega covers for the victory on Yano.
Winners and NEW NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions: Young Bucks & Kenny Omega (Bullet Club Elite) (Honor Rising 2/20/16)
After we return from commercial, KK says, “BC has certainly had their fair share of transition, members coming and going over time. When one leaves someone else steps up, but what would happen when 2 members would leave at same time? We want to show you from Honor Rising, 2 of the mainstays of BC, the last match for machine gun Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, 8-man tag team action.
Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Tama Tonga, & Bad Luck Fale (Bullet Club) vs Katsuyori Shibata, reDRagon, & Hirooki Goto (Honor Rising 2/20/16)
BC are out first, Fale shoves down the ring announcer before the introductions are made. KK says Anderson and Gallows “definitely want to go out on a winning note here tonight.” The softly-beginning punk music for Shibata, ‘Takeover’ by Low IQ 01 (awesome song), leads the faces to the ring.
Anderson kicks a young boy in the back, knocking him off the apron and then jaws at O’Reilly. BC attacks before the bell, Anderson stomps O’Reilly, whips him into the corner, O’Reilly jumps over, rolls back to his feet, runs the ropes, kicks to the gut, kick to the chest, and a leg sweep puts Machine Gun to the mat. Armbar by O’Reilly, then a pump handle. KK mentions that “BC has seen the likes of the former Prince Devitt and AJ styles come and go.” Goto tags in and we go to commercial.
When we return, Fale slams Goto to the mat, and then sits on him for a cover, but Goto kicks out. Gallows tags in, pushes Goto to the corner, punches to the gut, and then an uppercut to the jaw, snap suplex by Gallows, cover, kick out. Gallows drops 3 elbows to the chest, cover, kick out again. KK says, “Not many men that size can move with that agility.” Gallows runs Goto’s head into the corner, and tags in Anderson. KK reminds us that “Of course, Karl Anderson had a tag team partner, before the formation of BC actually, Giant Benard. Able to plug in Doc Gallows, 3-time champs.” Snapmare takeover, headlock, Goto gets to his feet and fights out with elbows to the gut, runs the ropes, but Anderson with a jumping leg lariat, cover, kick out, cover, kick out, cover, kick out. KK says, “Marty Asami’s arm is getting worn out.”
Anderson tags in Tonga, 3 punches to the gut, runs around, slides around, jumping forearm to the chest, and then jumping dropkick to the chest, cover, but Shibata comes in to break it up with a kick to the back, Shibata then kicks his tag team partner Goto in the back to wake him up and for a little motivation, Goto looks pissed. Tonga with a stomp, punch to the chest, whip reversal, and Godo nails a clothesline, goes over to his team’s corner, Shibata asks for the tag, but Fish tags himself in instead.
Fish hits a kick to Tonga, and then clubbing forearms knocks the rest of the BC off of the apron, go behind by Tonga, but Fish backs him into the corner, and then reDRagon do their running kicks into the corner, Fish flips him up over his knee, and O’Reilly comes off the top rope with a stomp to Tonga, Anderson comes in to break up the pin. O’Reilly throws him to the outside and then does a crossbody over the top rope onto the floor. Back in the ring, Fish with 3 forearms to Tonga and then a kick to the leg, runs in, Tonga picks him up into a fireman’s carry, Fish fights out with a forearm to the jaw, punch to the gut, kick to the leg, whip but Tonga reverses into a fireman’s carry, and then a spinning airplane face slam by Tonga to Fish, Fish gets the tag to Shibata and Gallows tags in as well. Shibata throws Gallows into the corner, connects with a bunch of forearms, drops him to the mat, he runs in, but Gallows gets to his feet, and uncoils right hand to the jaw, throws Shibata off the ropes, but Shibata kicks the legs, knocking the big man to the mat, Shibata goes to lock in a figure four, but Anderson breaks it up. Anderson then lands blows to the head of Shibata (about 10 of them), dares Shibata to hit him, and Shibata returns with one big strike that knocks Anderson down.
Anderson, Fale, and Tonga come in and clear the ring, Tonga with a splash on Shibata, Anderson with a running kick, Fale with a splash, and Gallows with a splash, Gallows and Anderson nail the reverse neckbreaker, KK says, “It’s not the Magic Killer, but is it a win?” Pin attempt, but everybody comes in, it’s a melee, Gallows sets up Fish between his legs, but O’Reilly kicks Gallows, Tonga takes O’Reilly out with a back shoulder elbow, and then Fish lands a fireman’s carry backdrop on Tonga. Fale with a clubbing forearm to Fish, then Goto with a forearm to Fale, knocking him to the outside. Anderson with an uppercut to Goto, Anderson and Gallows hook Shibata for the Magic Killer, but Goto breaks it up. Anderson goes for the Gun Stun, but Goto fights out, runs the ropes, Anderson jumps over then ducks, goes for another Gun Stun, but Goto fights out again, hooks into a fireman, and then Goto nails a neckbreaker to Anderson, Gallows with a boot to Goto.
Gallows and Shibata in now, right hand by Gallows, Shibata runs the ropes into a boot from Gallows, but Shibata won’t go down, Shibata runs the ropes a second time, meets another boot, finally he goes down. Gallows picks him up with a sitting slam, cover, and Shibata kicks out. Gallows picks him up for a vertical suplex, but Shibata transitions into a rear naked choke, and Gallows begins to go to sleep, Shibata drops him to the mat, and then nails the PK Penalty Kick for the victory.
KK says, “Bullet Club has certainly raised a lot of thoughts in the minds of wrestling fans throughout the world. Were they looking to take over and have a good time? Or were they setting a course to take over the entire world professional wrestling? After what expired at Global Wars, I think we might have some insight of what the future of BC is all about.”
When we pick up the action from Colt Cabana vs. Jay Lethal, Cabana has an Boston Crab on Lethal, Hendrix pulls the referee Todd Sinclair to the outside, and then YB superkick ref and superkick Hendrix. MW3 yells, “I’m going to get the shirt!” They roll into the ring, hold up two Bullet Club shirts, offer them to Lethal and Cabana. MW3 says, “But I’ve worked so hard!” Suddenly, the lights go out, and when we return Adam Cole is in the ring wearing a BC T-shirt and chewing gum. “That’s Adam Cole! Adam Cole! He’s got a BC shirt on!” He yells, “Adam Cole baybay!” and then the YB superkick both Lethal and Cabana.
He grabs the mic and say, “My name is Adam Cole baybay! And we are the BC! Breaking news ladies and gentleman, this is our house, bitches!” and then he and the YB stomp a mudhole in Lethal. Three security guards run to the ring and gets superkicked, then Cole does the crotch chop. One of the security stands up and get super kicked again, Lethal gets superkicked. Guerrillas of Destiny come out, they continue to beat up security and ring crew, Nick with a Indytaker on the floor, another superkick.
GoD spraypaint BC on the table, and then powerbomb a security guard through the table. YB connect with a superkick to the back of the head of Kevin Kelly. MW3 stands up and yells, “KK’s down, KK’s down, woohoo!” and then gets superkicked himself. YB put on the headset, Matt imitates Jim Ross, “Oh dear God, dear God, every one of these people have families, for the love of God, for the love of God, for the love of God! Oh my goodness what does he have, he has the title belt!” Cole knocks Cabana off the apron, Tonga zipties Lethal to the ropes. “I can’t believe it King, what do you think of this, look at these guys with the face paint.” Cole with 3 superkicks to Lethal, picks up the belt and runs around the ring.
We cut to later on, the BC look at the cameraman, he asks to put the camera down first, they wait for it, then superkick him. BC crawl down on the mat, and look at the camera. Cole says, “This is our world now, this is our world now, nobody can touch us, nobody can stop us”, as YB kiss him on the cheeks.
Present day, Cole cuts a backstage promo, “This, this has been a long time coming. Because unlike those kids in the Kingdom who are trying to play catch-up, myself and the BC, we have a lot in common. We do what we want, we say what we want, and we take what we want. Speaking of taking Jay Lethal, this one is for you, because you’ve been spilling lies lately, you’ve been saying there are no more challenges left for you, come on Jay. Jay you know, the fans know, everybody in this locker room knows, that I’m the guy here, and it’s only a matter of time before I get my ROH Championship back, so how about you grow a set champ, and give me a shot. Just know, if you do, I will take the championship from you, and why? Because I can,” he smiles and the show ends.
Kevin Kelly provides voiceover for a Jay Lethal video package. “Becoming a champion is achieved by rising above all obstacles. With perseverance, passion, and drive. Being a champion does not require perfection, it requires the insatiable desire to achieve perfection, day in and day out. Not everyone can be a champion, but for those who are, they hold onto it with their whole life. Tonight we take a close look at the ROH World Champion and his rise to greatness.”
KK introduces the show from a backstage locker room. “Welcome to a very special edition of Ring of Honor wrestling where we focus on ROH World Champion Jay Lethal. For over the past 2 years, there has not been a day where Jay Lethal has not had gold around his waist. The dominance began at SuperCard of Honor 8, where Lethal accepted help from Truth Martini and defeated Tommaso Ciampa to become the first 2 time holder of the ROH World TV Title,” and we pickup footage from that match.
Jay Lethal vs Tommaso Ciampa (c) (ROH World TV Championship match from SuperCard of Honor 8 on 4/4/14)
Truth throws in a knee brace to Lethal, Lethal nails Ciampa in the head, Ciampa kicks out. Lethal climbs to the top rope and delivers Hail to the King forearm to the chest, but Ciampa kicks out again. Ciampa to his feet, 2 superkicks by Lethal, Ciampa flips him off, Lethal kicks him in the knee, hits the Lethal Injection, and gets the pin.
Winner and NEW ROH World TV Champion: Jay Lethal
KK continues, “Jay Lethal, now in the House of Truth, began his reign as the greatest World TV Champion in history. Facing fierce competition from the likes of Matt Sydal, the legendary Jushin Thunder Liger, ACH, and many others, including one of his most memorable defenses at ROH 14th Anniversary.”
Alberto El Patron vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World TV Championship match from ROH 14th Anniversary on 3/1/2015)
When we return from break, we pick up footage from the ROH 14th Anniversary event and his title defense against Alberto El Patron (Alberto Del Rio). Patron kicks J. Diesel from the apron to the floor, dropkicks Lethal to the outside, then suicide dives through the middle rope to the floor onto Lethal. Patron whips Lethal into the barricade, Lethal gets back up and counters with a kick, knee, chop to the chest, whip reversal, but Lethal gets sent into the barricade again. Patron rolls Lethal back into the ring, nails him with a double clubbing blow to the chest off the ropes, cover, kick out.
Side headlock, Lethal gets to his feet and delivers 2 knees, before Patron returns with a knee of his own, and whips Lethal into the corner. Patron runs in, but Lethal throws him up in the air, Paton lands on his groin straddling the ropes. KK notes, “Accidental, says referee Paul Turner. Of course, a blatant foul would lead to disqualification.” Lethal with a running dropkick up the turnbuckle, knocks Patron to the mat, Lethal in a mount position raining closed right fists, stands up and chokes Patron with his foot on the bottom rope, then Martini chokes him on the rope while the Paul Turner is distracted. 2 knife-edge chops by Lethal, sets Patron on the turnbuckle, right hand, chop, right hand, chop, and then Alberto grabs a rope-assisted leg scissors wrist lock on Lethal’s arm, the referee calls for the break at 3, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Lethal has a leg scissors on Patron’s arm, Lethal clotheslines him to the outside, then Lethal nails 3 suicide dives, the third of which knocks Patron over the barricade into the first row. MW3 comments on a fan nearby says, “I think I played craps with that guy earlier today. I like that dude.” Lethal has a bloody mouth, climbs back in the ring, as the ref begins the count on Patron. Patron gets back in at 15, Lethal with stomps to the chest, Patron gets to his feet, Lethal sets him on the top turnbuckle, knife-edge chop, Lethal climbs up, punches to the gut, hooks him for a superplex, but Patron fights out with shots in the ribs, Lethal falls down sitting on the ropes, 2 right hands by Patron, Lethal catches himself hanging upside on the ropes, and then a double stomp to the chest by Patron as Lethal’s head bounces off the mat, cover, but Lethal kicks out at 2.
Patron lines up for the kick as the fans chant “Si!”, Lethal catches him, they exchange right hands, Patron gets the better of it, hits the ropes, but Lethal nails the Lethal Combination, cover, but Patron kicks out. Martini can be heard yelling from the outside, “Stay on him!” Lethal points to the turnbuckle, takes off his elbow pad, climbs up to the top rope, but Patron is up to his feet and hits a running enziguri up the ropes. Martini runs in with the Book of Truth, but Patron kicks him and syncs in a wrist lock, Martini taps but as KK recognizes, “It doesn’t affect the outcome.” Lethal jumps off the top rope for the Hail to the King elbow, but Patron catches him in a wrist lock with a leg scissors around the head, Lethal picks up the Book of Truth and slams Patron in the skull, cover, 1-2, kickout by Patron. MW3 asks, “What is in that book?” KK says, “Far from light reading.” J. Deisel and Martini are walking around the outside. Patron gets to his feet and hits a dropping armbar, goes for kick, then gets bicycle kicked by Lethal. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but his arm is too weak and he collapses. Patron with a rollup, Lethal pushes him off, Martini hits him with the Book of Truth, and this time Lethal hits the Lethal Injection for the win.
Winner and still ROH World TV Champion: Jay Lethal
KK says, “We live in a result-driven industry, and while the result will say Lethal is still the champ, I have a problem with the way I got done.” Mr. Wrestling 3 responds, “Of course you have a problem, you’re a nice guy.” and KK replies, “Yeah, I’m a square.” MW3 explains, “But in the world of professional wrestling, a win is a win is a win.” KK says Patron had to fight 3-on-1 odds, plus KRD on the outside of the ring, and somehow he still almost became the champion. But Lethal gets another win and another title defense.”
KK from the locker room, “Shortly after that victory, Jay Lethal began to proclaim himself as the ROH Champion, going so far as to have a new belt minted that simply said ‘ROH Champion.’ You knew that was going to get the attention of then World Champion Jay Briscoe. Eventually these 2 champions would meet but it was anyone’s guess as to how it would turn out,” and we go to commercial.
KK welcomes us back, “By now, Lethal had held the TV title for over a year, but at the same time, Jay Briscoe had not been pinned in over 2 years. And you knew that these 2 men would collide and they would indeed, at Best in the World 2015, in a winner take all showdown, it was the battle of the belts, and it was one of the greatest matches in Ring of Honor history.”
Jay Lethal (c) vs Jay Briscoe (c) (Champion vs. Champion match, winner take all, from Best in the World on 6/9/2015)
When we pick it up, Lethal is on the mat, Briscoe picks him up, Briscoe with a forearm, goes for a whip, Lethal reverses, kick, back forearm, goes for the Lethal Injection, but Briscoe hits a double underhook slam, cover, and Lethal kicks out. Briscoe with the headlock choke, but Lethal crawls to the ropes. Briscoe with a knee to the gut, goes for the Jay Driller, but Lethal gets out, kick to the gut, goes for the Jay Driller again, but Lethal fights out and hits the Lethal Combination on Briscoe, cover, but Briscoe kicks out.
KK comments on the unique setting of Terminal 7, “Fans are basically hanging over the ring from the balconies above, and they are dead-even split, dueling chants for each great champion,” as the fans yell, “Let’s go Lethal! Let’s go Briscoe!” Lethal with a power slam, slowly climbs up to the top turnbuckle, Nigel McGuinness says, “It would look like Lethal has it, but he’s taking his sweet time getting up there, in my mind, way too long. Is Briscoe playing possum? Looks like it.” Briscoe to his feet, catches him, Lethal perched on the turnbuckle, Briscoe hooks him for the superplex, but Lethal is dead weight and blocks twice, 3 punches to the gut by Lethal knocks Briscoe to the mat, but Briscoe lands on his feet, comes back and nails a running dropkick to Lethal. Briscoe climbs back up again, MW3 comments, “You can see the sweat pouring off both of these warriors.” Briscoe hooks for another superplex, but Lethal counters again with shots to the ribs. Briscoe climbs back down as Lethal lands clubbing punches underneath the pec muscle, and then a big right hand to the head knocks Briscoe to the mat. Lethal nails the Hail to the King top rope elbow, cover, kickout, and then right away Lethal locks in the Koji Clutch, until Briscoe finds the ropes.
Now both men are on the apron, KK comments that, “Both the timekeeper & Bobby Cruz have moved.” Lethal hooks, Briscoe fights out, Briscoe pushes Lethal away, hooks him for the Jay driller, but Truth Martini distracts Todd Sinclair on the other side of the apron, and Lethal lands a low blow. Nigel McGuinness crawls up onto the apron next to Truth and says, “What are you doing?” and throws Martini out of the building, Martini stomps around and throws a chair on his way out. Both men to their feet, kick by Briscoe, then Briscoe nails the Jay Driller on Lethal through the table, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but Briscoe nails a running forearm to the head, cover, kick out. Lethal gets to his feet, and Briscoe nails a huge clothesline, cover, kick out again. Both men are down, Lethal is flipping around on the mat like a fish out of water. The cameraman shows both Lethal’s parents and Briscoe’s parents. They get up, but Briscoe meets a boot from Lethal, back forearm by Lethal, springboard cutter off the second rope, nails the Lethal Injection, but somehow Briscoe kicks out.
Lethal can’t believe it, laying in the corner asking what happened, shaking his head in his hands. The fans chant, “This is awesome!” Briscoe is laid out flat, Lethal gets to his feet, picks up Briscoe, hooks for Briscoe’s own move the Jay Driller, but Briscoe blocks twice dropping to a knee and running his shoulder into the gut, sunset flip by Briscoe, goes for the Jay Driller, reversal by Lethal into a Jay Driller on Briscoe, then Lethal hits a second Lethal Injection, cover, 1-2-3, and Lethal becomes double champion.
Winner and still ROH World TV Champion and NEW ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
MW3 calls the victory, “He has done it! A dream that started 14 years ago, tonight Jay Lethal is the World Champion.” Lethal pounds the mat in celebration as Truth Martini comes in the ring and congratulates him. Lethal is in shock, they hand Lethal both belts, he lifts them high in the air and lets out a victory yell in the middle of the ring. Commercial.
Back in the lockerroom, KK says, “Amazing to think Lethal has held the ROH World Championship for close to one full year. However, not only did the competition gets stronger when Lethal became a double champion, but so did the workload. At All Star Extravaganza VII, Jay Lethal made history by successfully defending both belts in different matches on the same night. One of the greatest wrestlers ever in ROH, Roderick Strong pushed Lethal to the limit at Death Before Dishonor in an epic 60-minute draw that had the whole wrestling world talking. And in the much anticipated rematch, Lethal was able to defeat Strong with a huge assist from Truth Martini. Strong wanted for one more chance, and was named #1 contender for ROH TV Championship.” We pick up footage of that match.
Roderick Strong vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World TV Championship match at Glory By Honor XIV on 10/23/15 and as seen ROH TV on Episode 218)
Lethal with 3 covers, but Strong kicks out each time, they exchanged blows, 2 superkicks by Lethal and then a jumping knee by Strong that hooks Lethal around the back of the head, fireman’s carry into a double knee gutbuster, and then a running sick kick that turns Lethal inside-out. Strong picks up Lethal and delivers a double knee spine buster, and then locks in the Strong Hold and Lethal taps out. (In the video, you can see KK pointing and marking out at ringside as Lethal taps, very cool.)
Winner and NEW ROH World TV Champion: Roderick Strong
KK tells us, “Strong picked up the victory, ending Lethal’s 18 month reign. With close to 30 defenses over that span of time, Lethal holds all records associated with the ROH TV Championship, and it will be a long time before anyone comes close to breaking it.” Commercial.
After the break, KK continues, “After losing the ROH TV Championship, Jay Lethal was still the number one wrestler in the world because after all, he was still the ROH World Champion. And he has still has not been beaten. But Lethal was stung over losing to Strong, and set out to prove that he was indeed the number one wrestler in all the world of professional wrestling, and he challenged anyone and everyone to try to take that title away from, including a match against The Phenomenal AJ Styles at Final Battle 2015.”
AJ Styles vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World Championship match at Final Battle 2015 on 12/18/15)
When we pick up the action, Lethal with a suicide dive knocks Styles into the front row. As the fans gather around Styles, Lethal yells, “You might want to move back,” and then taps a fan on the shoulder who is not paying attention and says “Get off of him.” After the fans clear way, Lethal climbs back into the ring, watches and waits until AJ gets to his feet, goes for another suicide dive, but Styles counters with leaping Phenomenal Forearm off the barricade. Taeler Hendrix and Truth Martini, dressed all in white, kneel nearby in shock. Styles and Lethal get up and roll back into the ring at the same time.
They get to their feet, exchange forearms, AJ gets the better of it, before Lethal drops him to the mat and locks in the Koji clutch, roll through, Styles reverses into the calf cutter submission, but Lethal crawls to the ropes and breaks the hold. AJ to his feet, Lethal connects with a boot to the face, gets to his feet and then a bicycle kick to the back of the head by Styles. Styles climbs to the top rope, but Lethal with a right hand to the face, climbs up with AJ, goes for the superplex, but AJ slides under, back elbows by Lethal, and then a second rope springboard cutter takes out AJ. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but AJ gets to his feet, and Lethal rolls over his back, Pele kick by AJ, Bloody Sunday, Styles points at Lethal and yells to the fans, goes for the Styles Clash, but Lethal picks him up and throws AJ over the top to the outside through the table. The fans chant, “This is awesome!” KK says, “The table turned to literal sawdust, just to our left.”
Styles climbs back in at 19, Lethal waits until he gets to his feet, goes for the Lethal Injection and nails it, cover, 1-2, but Styles kicks out. NM says, “I do not believe it and nor does anyone else in Philadelphia tonight. Mandy Leon was ready to ring the bell. Somehow AJ Styles dug deep inside, found that faith in himself.” Lethal grabs him by the hair and yells, “Let me tell you something AJ, this is my time! You hear me? Screw you!” before AJ fights out with forearms, chops, kicks, goes for the Pele kick and misses it, goes for the Styles clash, but Lethal reverses into a cradle piledriver (Jerry Lynn’s move, who is on commentary) and then hits the Lethal Injection for the second time and AJ is out cold, cover, 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
After the commercial, KK welcomes us back, “A very special look at Jay Lethal. Think about the greatness of Lethal, all the records he set as the longest ROH TV Champion in history, now holding the ROH World Title for almost 1 year. Lethal has taken the title all around the world, to England, as well Japan, where he wrestled Michael Elgin in front of 40,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 10. He then returned to Japan earlier this year to face off against Tomoaki Honma at the famous Korakuen Hall at Honor Rising.
Tomoaki Honma vs Jay Lethal (c) (ROH World Championship match at Honor Rising 2/20/2016)
Lethal goes for a kick, Honma catches him, throws him up in the air, but Lethal lands on his feet, pushes him off the ropes and then nails the Lethal Combination, cover, kickout. KK tells us, “Todd Sinclair was brought over exclusively to referee championship matches here at Honor Rising. That’s the importance of these events, MW3.” Lethal climbs to the top turnbuckle and nails the Hail to the King elbow drop from the top rope, cover, but Honma kicks out. Lethal tells Honma to get up, slaps him in the head, goes for the Lethal Injection, but Kokeshi by Honma to the back of Lethal and he tumbles out to the apron. They exchange forearms at the apron, and then a headbutt knocks Lethal into the railing, Honma delivers a powerslam on the floor, climbs the ropes as the fans begin to cheer, and then Honma lands the Kokeshi from the top turnbuckle on Lethal on the floor (KK and MW3 say he lands it, but he totally missed) and both men are down.
Honma is up and he looks dazed, Honma hears the referee count, stands up and rolls Lethal back into the ring, cover, but Lethal kicks out at 2-and-a-half. Honma picks Lethal up by his hair, but Lethal is slow to rise, so Honma pulls on his hair really hard, hits the ropes, but Lethal nails a superkick, and then Honma hits a lariat that turns Lethal inside out, cover, kick out by Lethal. Honma hits a brainbuster, cover, Lethal kicks out again. MW3, “Can Honma do it? Can he become the 2nd Japanese wrestler to win the ROH World Title.” KK says, “Takeshi Morishima was first. Honma looks to add his name.” Honma goes for the tombstone piledriver, but Lethal gets out, and hits an enziguri to the back of Honma’s head.
Truth Martini yells, “You’re the ROH World Champion! Show everybody here what you’re made of!” as the crowd at Korakuen Hall chants, “Honma!” Lethal runs into the corner, but meets a boot, and Honma hits a second rope diving headbutt, running fall away headbutt, power slam, goes to the top rope for the Kokeshi and leaps off, but Lethal moves out of the way. Honma is out flat, with spit coming from his mouth. Both men get to their feet, Honma runs in, but nails Todd Sinclair by accident as Lethal gets out of the way. Suddenly, Los Ingobernables run in with clubbing blows to the back and stomps to Honma, they hold him as Truth Martini nails The Book of Truth on Honma’s head, but you can’t hurt Honma in the head, he’s like a Samoan. Honma stands up and takes out all three men, Naito comes in tosses him up in the air, nails a low blow kick, and then Lethal hits the Lethal Injection as Todd Sinclair wakes up and counts the 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal
KK closes out the show, “Thank you for joining us for this special look at Jay Lethal. Next week here on ROH Wrestling, we took a very special look at Bullet Club. Don’t you dare miss it.” End of show.
Ring of Honor & New Japan Pro Westling present War of the Worlds: Night 1 of 3, May 9, 2016 from the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan
Kamaitachi defeated Will Ferrara in a dark match
Matt Sydal and ACH defeated Beer City Bruiser and Silas Young
Roderick Strong defeated Lio Rush
War Machine (Hanson and Ray Rowe) defeated Chaos (Kazuchika Okada and Gedo)
Kushida defeated Dalton Castle (w/ The Boys). After the match, Rhino, who is running for Michigan’s House of Representatives, made an appearance and delivered a few gores.
Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated The All Night Express (Kenny King and Rhett Titus)
The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian) are your NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions after defeating War Machine (Hanson and Ray Rowe)
reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly) defeated ROH World Champion Jay Lethal (with Taeler Hendrix) and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito in a tag-team match.
Bullet Club (Adam Cole, Nick Jackson, Matt Jackson, Tama Tonga and Tanga Roa) defeated Adam Page, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe (10-man tag team match). Adam Page was absent to start the match, Bucks said he met a superkick party in the back. Later on, Page came down with a chair and nailed Jay Briscoe, becoming the newest member of the Bullet Club.
Bobby Fish is the NEW ROH World Television Champion after defeating Tomohiro Ishii via submission
Bullet Club Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson)/Guerrilas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa) defeated Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Matt Sydal, & Kushida
ROH World Heavyweight Champion Jay Lethal retained against Colt Cabana as the match ended in a no contest when The Young Bucks superkicked Taeler Hendrix, offered Lethal and Cabana Bullet Club t-shirts, before the arena went dark. When the lights came back on, Adam Cole was in the ring wearing a Bullet Club t-shirt. All 3 of them superkicked Lethal and Cole, more members of the Bullet Club ran-in, and then everyone at ringside got a superkick (51 superkicks total) including Kevin Kelly, Mr. Wrestling 3, and the Young Bucks’ dad.
Kevin Kelly and Mandy Leon introduce the show. KK says, “Over the next 60 minutes, we will count you down and get you set for Global Wars, Sunday May 8th. Tonight’s ROH TV is a special Global Wars preview edition.”
Bobby Fish vs Tomohiro Ishii (c) (ROH World Television Championship)
We cut to footage of a match between Bobby Fish against Roderick Strong. Strong taps out, Fish thinks he won and celebrates. Fish climbs back down off the turnbuckle, asks Todd Sinclair what happened, and then Strong hits the running knee, cover, and scores the victory.
Next, footage from Ishii vs. Strong, Ishii hits the ropes and nails are running lariat, and Strong kicks out. Choshu-style lariat, goes for the sliding lariat misses, Roderick lands 2 jumping knees, forearm, headbutt, back elbow, and then a headbutt by Ishii knocks Strong to the mat. Ishii hits the sliding lariat, stacks up Strong for the pin, but Strong kicks out. Ishii nails a stalling vertical brainbuster on Strong, cover, and becomes the new ROH World Television Champion.
Next KK says, “All three competitors would head to Vegas for the ROH 14 Anniversary show, to compete in a 3-way match for the ROH World Television Title,” and we see footage from the match. Ishii hits a sliding Lariat, but Strong kicks out and then Ishii hits a vertical drop brainbuster, gets the pinfall, and records his second win in the row. After the match, Fish gets in the ring, which has led us up to Texas, where Fish and Ishii faced off in a 2-out-of-3 falls match.
Fish throws Strong back into the ring, Strong pushes ref out of the way, and run hits a jumping knee, and then nails flipping backbreaker The End Of Heartache and scores the 1st fall. Later in the match, Fish gets the 2nd fall on a quick roll up in the corner. We pick up action, moments later, with the match tied at 2, Strong with a knife edge chop, Fish with a kick, then they exchange forearms, Fish gets 2 kicks, then Strong fights with forearms, back elbow, Fish goes for a kick, Strong catches him, and then Fish gets a heel hook and strong taps out.
This feud continues at Global Wars, Fish vs. Ishii, and we go to commercial.
Kyle O’Reilly vs IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito (Non-Title)
When we return, Mandy Leon tells us, “O’Reilly has kind of had a tough the last couple of months.” KK explains, “When Adam Cole derailed O’Reilly’s title shot, it all came to a head at SuperCard of Honor in Dallas, Texas,” and we cut to footage from that match.
Both men are on the top turnbuckle, O’Reilly with punches to Cole’s head, and then O’Reilly suplexes Cole through the table in the middle of the ring. The referee counts to 6 as both men are incapacitated, O’Reilly crawls over, puts his arm across Cole, but Cole kicks out. Later in the match, 2 chairs are set up in the ring, O’Reilly with a kick to the chest, Cole gives him the double bird, O’Reilly with kicks to the head and then Cole sits down on the chair. Cole stands up and fights out with elbows and O’Reilly sits on the other chair. They exchange forearms, until both men sit down in the chairs. They grab each other by the head and both land close-handed shots, Cole with a kick the leg, goes for a kick to the gut, but O’Reilly catches him and lands a vertical brainbuster. O’Reilly gets mad and throws the chair out of the ring, grabs the steel chain that is hooked to the rope, ties Cole up with the chain, and then locks in a cross armbreaker. The harder O’Reilly pulls on the arm, the more he strangling Adam Cole with the chain, Cole starts to make it back to his feet, tries to pick up O’Reilly, but Cole passes out, O’Reilly wins.
KK informs us, “Since the loss in Dallas, no one has seen or heard from Adam Cole. O’Reilly is really in a dangerous state of mind right now,” and we go to commercial.
Michael Elgin & Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kazuchika Okada & Moose W/ Gedo & Stokely Hathaway
KK tells us, “Stokely Hathaway was the one who announced this matchup in Dallas.” and we cut to Stokely’s in-ring promo from Supercard of Honor X. KK reminds us, “While Moose and Okada might seem like a very unlikely pairing, Vegas is where Moose earned the respect of The Rainmaker, and we cut to footage for the ROH 14th Anniversary Show.
Okada with 3 forearms, Moose with a big right hand, Okada with 2 forearms and then an uppercut, Moose with an open-handed shot, Moose punch, and then an uppercut. Moose hits the ropes, Okada ducks, picks him up, reverse piledriver on the knee, cover, kickout. Okada climbs to the top rope and connect with an elbow, calls for The Rainmaker as the camera pans out. Okada goes for The Rainmaker, but Moose ducks, runs up to the turnbuckle ropes, and hits a flying crossbody. Okada is slow to get up, Moose sets up for the spear, Okada jumps over, ducks a clothesline, misses The Rainmaker again, Moose spins around, and then a jumping dropkick sends Moose off the ropes, Okada nails a second drop, kick, picks Moose up and finally nails The Rainmaker for the win.
KK says, “Okada and Moose will face Elgin and Tanahashi who have been solidifying their tag team partnership in New Japan”, and we go to commercial.
Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin/Matt Sydal/Kushida vs Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson)/Guerrilas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa)
KK says, “To get an idea of the insanity you’ll see in the 8-man tag team match at Global Wars, we go back to the ROH 14th Anniversary, where the 6-man tag-team match stole the show.”
Omega runs into the corner, Matt runs into the corner, Matt drapes Sydal across the second rope, and Nick hits a swanton. Omega hits a double underhook suplex, Sydal stands up slowly and gets SUPERKICKED by all 3 members of The Elite. Omega stacks him up for the pin, but ACH comes in to break it up. Elite throw a ACH out of the ring, Omega points, Mr. Wrestling 3 says, “They name this move after Tiger Hattori, and he’s not very happy about it.” Fireman’s carry roll over, but Sydal gets out, Nick misses and then a top rope suplex by Sydal on Matt. Then Kushida and ACH with double moonsault, 1 off the top rope, 1 standing. Nick comes into break up the pin attempt, Omega gets thrown to the outside, Kushida leaps over but Omega catches him, sets him up for the piledriver. Sydal is conflicted about what to do, but can only watch as Kushida gets nailed with a piledriver on the floor. Nick kicks Sydal off the ropes, spikes him on his head, and Nick runs over and kicks ACH. All 3 members of The Elite have Sydal alone in the ring, 5-star Meltzer Driver turns Sydal inside out, and then Omega hits the One Winged Angel, and covers for the victory.
Mandy Leon says, “Wild, Kevin. That was only 6 men, imagine adding in 2 more guys at Global Wars,” and we go to commercial.
Mark & Jay Briscoe vs War Machine (Raymond Rowe & Hanson) (c) ROH World Tag Team Championship
KK tells us, “War Machine is coming off recent successful tag team defenses against Roppongi Vice and the All Night Express, but attitudes have been boiling over with the Briscoes.” Footage is shown from Episode 236 of the Briscoes picking up War Machine’s belts. Mandy Leon tells us, “This feud dates back many years, but was on temporary hiatus when Raymond Rowe suffered a life-threatening motorcycle accident.” KK reminds us, “War Machine have never been able to beat the Briscoes, and Hanson and Rowe have said themselves, they will never consider themselves to be the number one team until they beat the Briscoes.”
Footage from Conquest Tour is shown, Jay with punch, uppercut, kick but Rowe takes control and goes for the Fallout. MW3 reminds us, “Jay Briscoe hasn’t been pinned in over two-and-a-half years.” Jay gets out, back elbows, picks Rowe up into a fireman’s carry, Rowe fights out with back elbows, Jay turns around with a forearm, picks him up in the execution chair for the Doomsday Device, but Hanson knocks Mark off the apron. WM throw Jay up with a double chokeslam, cover, but Jay kicks out. Rowe with forearms on the outside to Mark, Mark picks up Rowe, and sends him into the steel barricade. Hanson nails a sit down splash in the corner, Mark comes off the top rope, but gets power slammed, and then Hanson picks up his partner Rowe and drops him on Mark. WM goes for Fallout, but Jay gets out, and runs Rowe into Hanson, clubbing blow to the back, picks him up on his shoulders, and then Mark comes off the top rope for Doomsday Device. Mark with a running neck breaker off the apron on Rowe, Jay is left alone in the ring with Hanson. Hanson with the Mongolian shop, goes for the deadlift brainbuster, but Jay wiggles out and nails the Jay Driller on Hanson, cover, but Hanson kicks out. Jay gets back up and hits to 3 running boots to Hanson, nails him with a second Jay Driller, cover, and the Briscoes win.
KK tells us, “Cabana has a luxurious career in ROH, he was ROH Tag Team Champion with CM Punk, held victories over Kevin Steen, and now has the opportunity to make a name for himself with newer ROH fans. Let’s take you back to 2005, Cabana faced his best friend CM Punk at Final Chapter.
They hit the ropes, Punk with an arm drag, headscissors by Cabana, Punk flips to his feet from his backside, Cabana drops into the mat, jump over, Punk goes for a monkey flip, but Cabana stomps him in the face. Punk gets back up, slaps him in the chest, and yells at him. We are reminded that Cabana is always funny, CM Punk is always serious. Cabana with a headlock, both of them run the ropes, Cabanas stops and says, “Look up. There there’s a bear up there.” Punk says no. Cabana says, “If you won’t look up, then look down,” and stomps on his foot. Later in the match, Cabana is on the turnbuckle, knife edge chop by Punk, hurricanrana, roll thru, Boston crab by Cabana. Referee is checking on Punk’s condition, Punk finds the ropes. The match is a 2-out-of-3 falls, tied at 1 fall a piece. Cabana with 2 uppercuts, Punk with 2 forearms, whip reversal off the ropes, and then CM Punk with a reverse hurricanrana spiking Cabana on his head, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Cabana is on the map, Punk first to his feet, slaps him in the face, back elbow kick, goes off the ropes, shining wizard from a standing position, cover, kick out. Punk climbs to the top turnbuckle, Cabana catches him, and then an inverted DDT off the top rope. But Cabana is worn down not, able to follow up. (Todd Sinclair was still calling the action way back then!) Whip reversal, Punk grabs the arm for the Anaconda Device on Cabana, but Cabana gets his foot on the ropes. Punk calls for the Pepsi Plunge, slams Cabanas head into the turnbuckle, climbs the ropes, hooks the arms butterfly-style but Cabana fights out, fireman’s carry by Cabana and then a Samoan drop off the top rope. CM Punk with a quick roll-up, crucifix pin attempt, but only gets 2 on Cabana. Both men get back to a standing position, exchange close handed strikes. Punk yells, “Come on Cabana!” and they keep exchanging close handed strikes, Punk hits 3 kicks to the back of the knee, a kick to the chest, runs the ropes, and connect with a kick to the head, cover, but Cabana grabs the ropes. Punk goes for a vertical suplex, Cabana reverses pin attempt, roll through pin attempt, another reversal, 1-2-3 and Cabana beats CM Punk.
KK tells us, “That was Chicago 11 years ago. 11 years later, Colt Cabana will challenge Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship May 8th on Global Wars,” and the show ends.
Dario is shown searching for something above a removed ceiling tile when Catrina walks in. Dario says, “Good, we need to talk.” Catrina replies, “Mil Muertes almost destroyed your brother.” He interrupts, “Actually I think you have it backwards, my brother almost destroyed Mil Muertes.” She says, “Your brother was lucky to escape with his title.” He retorts, “That’s the key phrase, isn’t it, his title. And no one is going to take it from him.” She stops him, “You fear Mil, as you should, but if you deny him this rematch, I promise you it will take a lot more than fear to protect you.” He laughs, “Deny his rematch? No Catrina, you don’t understand. Me is scared, yes, but my brother fears nothing. Whatever power you possess in that rock of yours is nothing compared to the power this key unlocks. Mil is getting his rematch for the title next week. And to prove how little fear I have, let’s make it Mil’s signature match, Grave Consequences.” Catrina likes the idea, “You are much braver than I thought, we accept.” Dario explains, “You know, Mil Muertes vs. The Monster Matanza Cueto in Grave Consequences, that’s good, but why don’t we raise the stakes? Why have 1 coffin, when we can have 4? Next week, will be Graver Consequences.” Catrina replies, “I like the way you think,” and she starts to exit, “Oh and after next week, there will be no question of who destroyed who.” He says, “I’m counting on it,” and looks at the ceiling.
The band Bang Data opens the show. Vampiro welcomes us to the temple, and Matt Striker says every match tonight is for 1 of the 7 ancient Aztec medallions.
Marty “The Moth” Martinez vs. The Mack
Already in the ring is Martinez. Striker says, “He’s been called many things, creepy, annoying, and those are the compliments.” Melissa Santos introduces his opponent, from South Central, Los Angeles, The Mack. Striker says, “You know, in this day and age of sports, sometimes you can just look at a guy and realize that he’s a tough son of a b**** and that man right there embodies every single ounce of the word, fighter, talking about The Mack.”
As Mack approaches the ring, Martinez crawls out to the apron, Mack slide thru and knocks Martinez to the floor, Mack runs the ropes and front flips onto Martinez while still wearing his ring jacket. Mack throws Martinez back into the ring, kick by Mack, deadlift German suplex, belly-to-belly suplex, cover, kick out. Mack with a belly-to-back Northern Lights suplex, and Martinez rolls around the ring laughing. Mack picks him up, slaps him in the face, whip reversal off the ropes, Mack ducks a clothesline, and then Martinez hits a standing drop kick. Martinez raining down punches on the Mack, then Martinez takes off his Aztec Pride t-shirt, wiggles his hips, and licks his fingers. Martinez throws his t-shirt at Melissa Santos as Vampiro says, “She better get a tetanus shot, a rabies shot, and take a bath.”
Martinez rolls Mack to the corner and stomps on him, plays to the crowd, whip double reversal sends Mack into the turnbuckle, Martinez hits the Exploder into the second turnbuckle, cover, but Mack kicks out at 2. Martinez covers again, kickout, and he yells at the referee. Side headlock by Martinez, the Mack gets to his feet, shot to the gut, throws Martinez off the ropes, and nails him with a clothesline. Martinez gets up and then meets a spinning heel kick by Mack, pick up powerslam, Mack runs the ropes, and nails the leg drop, brother. Kick and a stunner by Mack, the fans chant, “One more time!” and then a helicopter stunner, cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: The Mack
The Mack gets a yellow medallion bag to match his yellow trunks and yellow knee pads. Mack starts chewing on the medallion and then realizes it isn’t chocolate.
Catrina is in the locker room with King Cuerno, “Next week, Mil Muertes will regain his Lucha Underground Championship, but this time it will not be you entrusted with the Gift of the Gods, it will be my disciple Sinestro de la Muerte.” Cuerno replies, “No, you see, tonight your disciple is my prey, because he stands between me and my Aztec medallion. And if Mil does get the Lucha Underground Championship back, well, I won’t make the same mistake I made last time. I will take the title off of him, and Mil’s rotting carcass will be the most prized possession in my trophy room, because the hunt is on.” He smells her, walks away, she runs her fingernails down the lockers, and then the whole place shakes with thunder as her eyes glow red.
There is a knock on the door of Dario’s office, “Come in. Oh Sexy, please have a seat. I know you and I have not always gotten along, but I want you to know, I respect you. And I know something happened to you, something very bad, because I have seen the change in your eyes. It’s not the first time I’ve seen that look. I saw it many years ago reflected in the mirror, my mother, she was, how do I put this, an evil bitch. She did cruel thing to my brother and I, we were captives to her cruel and sick desires. Sound familiar? The only way to stop my mother from torturing us, was when we stood up and said no more. Whatever Mariposa did to you, tonight you will say no more, because I’m giving you the chance, to not only win an Aztec medallion but to make Mariposa pay, and pay dearly. So senorita, do you like that?” She replies, “Yes.” Dario continues, “Excellent, because the pain Mariposa inflicted on you, you will now get to inflict the same pain on to her until she screams ‘No mas!’ It will be a ‘No Mas’ match, the only way to win, is when one of you shouts, ‘No mas!’ But here’s a secret, once you make her cry out ‘No mas!’, once the match is over, don’t stop. Because if you ever want that look in your eyes to go away, you have to put the same look of pure terror in her eyes. Trust me it works. Do you understand?” She stands up and says, “Yes I understand,” and walks away.
Sinestro de la Muerte vs. King Cuerno
In the ring, accompanied by Catrina is Sinestro de la Muerte. Making his way to the ring next is King Cuerno. Striker says, “He wears an 11 point buck on his head as a message to his opponents that he collects trophies in the form of souls.” Cuerno blesses the ring and gets ready for work.
Running dropkick to the chest by Cuerno, 6 stomps, whip by Cuerno, duck under and then drop kick to Sinestro. Kick to the back of the leg by Cuerno, Irish whip into the corner, running double knee, swinging cutter, backs Sinestro into the ropes, and then a loud open-handed slap to the chest, whip reversal, Cuerno ducks a clothesline and then a hits running hurricanrana. Cuerno reaches back and poses with his bow, goes to run the ropes, but Catrina climbs up on the apron and smacks him in the face with a rock. Sinestro springboards off the ropes with a guillotine leg drop to the back of the head, cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: Sinestro de la Muerte
Sinestro receives a purple medallion sack to match his purple mask and purple ring gear. After the match, Catrina crawls into the ring, seductively straddles Cuerno, lifts up his head to give him the Kiss of Death blessing with her tongue, but then punches him in the side of the head.
In the back, Mascarita Sagrada is doing arm curls. Famous B enters, “I hope you are ready, because I just set up the biggest match of the century for you. And when you beat this man, you’re going to be Famous. And get this, he already has an Aztec medallion and has agreed to put it on the line, tonight, against you. So come on, your match is next, stop stalling, start balling. Famous B puts a cape on Sagrada and they exit.
Dario’s office door opens. Dario asks, “What is it I’m missing?” Chavo Guerrero Jr. responds, “I’ll tell you what is, how come I don’t have a match for one of the medallions.” Dario explains, “Because I don’t think you deserve one.” Chavo is in disbelief, “Excuse me?” Dario continues, “I don’t think you deserve one. When I give you the match of your life for the Lucha Underground Championship, what do you do? You got hurt. You’ve been in Aztec Warfare and lost twice, let’s face it Chavo, you don’t exactly step up to these opportunities so, I’m done giving them to you.” Chavo replies, “You want me to seize the opportunity, huh? No problem,” and walks out and slams the door.
Mascarita Sagrada vs. Cage
Melissa Santos starts to introduce the first competitor before she is interrupted by Famous B, “Hold up, hold up, hold up. My name is Famous B. And people all around the world have been making my hotline bling. By calling me at 423-GET-FAME. That’s 423-GET-FAME.” Famous B hands a nearby female fan a business card, “Here you go, give me a call, give me a call, that’s right. So without further ado, I am proud to present to all of you, my new client, now hailing from Little Hollywood, California, accompanied by the beautiful Brenda, make some noise for Mascarita Sagrada.” Sagrada, Famous B, and Brenda all make their way to the ring. Melissa introduces his opponent in her sexiest voice, “From the 559, Cage.” Matt Striker asks, “What?” Sagrada blesses himself repeatedly in the ring.
Sagrada goes for the leg, but Cage kicks him away. Cage goes for the running boot, but Sagrada gets out of the way, and then kicks Cage in the back of the leg. Sagrada runs the ropes, spins around his shoulders, front facelock, before Cage flips him to the mat. Cage runs into the corner, drop toe hold by Sagrada, Sagrada runs into the corner, Cage flips him over-the-top to the apron, Sagrada climbs to the top turnbuckle and goes for a crossbody, but Cage catches him, lifts him on his shoulders, then a Metallingus fireman’s carry facebuster, 1-2-3.
Winner: Cage
After the match, Cage, Brenda, and Famous B all come in to check on Sagrada. Suddenly, someone runs into the ring, and steals Cage’s medallion. Famous B looks at Cage and says, “You got robbed.” Cage looks to the top of the stairs, and it’s Chavo holding the medallion, and Cage takes off after him. Famous B tells Sagrada, “It’s okay, no no no, we’ll get him next time.”
Mariposa vs. Sexy Star (No Mas match)
Mariposa comes out in her big leather wings and her Cheerleader Melissa pigtails, Marty Martinez does not accompany her. And her opponent, from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Sexy Star. Sexy makes a heart symbol with her hands at the top of the steps, heads to the ring, and we go to commercial
Striker tells us, “This the first ever ‘No Mas’ match here in Lucha Underground. No pinfalls, no submissions, the only way to win, force your opponent to utter those words that strip the pride from them.” The bell rings and off we go. Sexy and Mariposa exchange go-behinds, Sexy throws Mariposa to the ropes, and Mariposa nails a shoulder tackle. Mariposa powerslams Sexy to the mat right on the ancient Aztec seal, hits the ropes for a running back elbow, mount position and then rains blows upon her head, rear headlock grinding Sexy’s face into the mat, picks her up, runs her head into the turnbuckle, knife-edge chop, punches to the gut, picks her up and runs her head into the other turnbuckle, pushes a boot into the jaw. The referee comes over the with the microphone and asks, “What do you say? What do you say?” but Sexy does not submit.
Mariposa runs in and misses an elbow, Sexy returns with slap to the face and then a kick to the gut, Mariposa runs over drop toehold by Sexy runs her head into the corner, Sexy climbs up onto the apron and then 2 swinging rope-assisted sit-down splashes to the chest, drags her back to the center of the ring, kicks her in the ribs, nails 3 rolling suplexes, then a single leg Boston crab, and the referee holds the microphone to Mariposa as she screams.
Mariposa gets out and lands blows to the face, modified Indian deathlock by Mariposa, kicks to the back, Sexy crawls to the ropes, but as Striker tells us, “There is no rope break, remember the rules of the match.” Sexy Star is wearing skin-colored underwear tonight. Kick to the shoulder by Mariposa, Mariposa runs, Sexy holds the ropes and Mariposa flips over to the outside, Sexy runs off the apron with a sit-down splash. Punches to the head, 2 slaps to the chest, whip reversal send Sexy into the wall, kick to the gut, 2 knees to the gut. Mariposa picks up a chair, chokes Sexy, the referee holds the microphone to her throat as she coughs. Mariposa grabs another chair and throws it at Sexy, then does it again with two more chairs, the ref asks, Sexy shakes her head no. Mariposa picks her up, but whip reversal sends Mariposa into the steel railing. Now Sexy picks up a chair, puts it in Mariposa’s crotch, Vampiro asks, “What the hell is going on? I don’t even know how to call that. It’s not a nut shot,” and then swings one chair into the other as Striker yells, “Steely Dan!”
Sexy with a kick, rear naked choke, punch to the chest, kick to the groin, Mariposa fights out with shots to the ribs of Sexy, throws her head into the railing, drags her up the stairs by her hair, her back grated on the concrete, they reach the top, Mariposa chokes her with a headscissors, tears away at her mask, and then shakes her head violently. They walk across the balcony, Mariposa shoves a bunch of fans out of the way, climb to the rail, but Sexy pushes her off onto the top of Dario’s office, Sexy kicks her in the head, and then climbs even higher as the fans chant, “Holy s***!”
Mariposa follows her up the ladder, Sexy is kicking Mariposa in the head, and they’re up in the rafters now. Sexy walks across the catwalk, Vampiro says, “I’m shaking, I don’t like it, I feel uncomfortable, this is not good.” Kick by Sexy, punch by Mariposa, Mariposa sends Sexy’s head off the railing, Sexy begins to dangle off the side of the rail. Striker says, “Vampiro has gone off of headset, showing concern, and that is a man who has seen everything.” Sexy is gushing blood down her face, as blood drains from the sky onto the fans, Mariposa grinds away at her face. Sexy gets up, kicks Mariposa in the gut a few times, and begins to climb down. Vampiro is back on commentary now.
Sexy makes it to the top of Dario’s office, but now Marty Martinez climbs up the other side, creeping, stalking her, kicks her in the gut, grinds her head against the steel railing, swings the gate onto her face, and then The Mack shows up. They begin to brawl, Mack with clubbing blows to Martinez, runs him back the balcony into the wall, sends him through a door. Sexy pulls Mariposa off the office onto a set of stairs, and then stands on her face as Sexy holds the railing. Mariposa fights out with kicks, they begin to walk down the stairs, Sexy grabs a purse and starts beating Mariposa with it, Mariposa slam Sexy’s head into the side of the wall, Mariposa with a snapmare off the last step onto the floor.
Sexy Star is covered in blood, Mariposa picks her up by the legs, slams her shoulder into the announce table 3 times, Striker yells, “That’s a human being, that’s someone’s daughter.” Sexy fights out with kicks from her backside, and then push kicks Mariposa off her feet, Sexy picks up a trash can and nails Mariposa in the back of the head. The fans chant, “Holy s***!” Sexy puts the trash can on Mariposa’s head and then kicks it, stomps on the trash can, grabs her by the pigtails, hairmare takeover. Mariposa fights out with 3 punches to the gut, hits her in the back with the trash can lid, and throw Sexy back into the ring. The fans chant, “This is awesome!”
Mariposa grabs Sexy by the hair, sets her up for the butterfly effect, but Sexy slides out, 3 kicks to the gut, runs the ropes and then Mariposa meets her with a clothesline. Striker says, “That wasn’t as much of a clothesline, as it was a punch to the throat.” Mariposa locks in a leg lock submission, Sexy bridges, the referee asks Sexy if she wants to give and she yells loudly into the microphone “F*** you! F*** you Mariposa, f*** you!” as the fans go insane.
Mariposa with slaps to the back of the head, Sexy with a kick to the groin, climbs onto her shoulders and locks in a rear naked choke body scissors. Mariposa is fading, walking around the ring, trying to slam Sexy into the turnbuckle, and then all the sudden Martinez comes out with a clubbing blow to Sexy’s back. Martinez picks up Sexy, wipes the blood from her face and rubs it on his face, goes for a punch, but Sexy ducks under, Mack runs in with a kick to the gut on Martinez, and nails a stunner. Sexy locks in a cross armbar and Mariposa yells, “No mas!”.
Winner: Sexy Star
Striker calls the victory, “Never once did we question gender, never once did we question heart, never once did we question spirit. With every ounce of venom and vinegar in her heart, Sexy Star is victorious and has claimed an ancient Aztec medallion, and she’s not done yet.” After the match, Sexy won’t let go of the hold, the referee tries to get a break, but Sexy stands up and knocks out the referee, and locks in the cross armbar again. Sexy finally picks Mariposa up by the hair and throws her out of the ring. Sexy drapes herself across the second rope, completely exhausted, covered in blood, staring at the camera, smiles, and then passes out. The Mack comes in the ring to congratulate her, points at her as the fans cheer. Mack offers her a hand, gives her the Aztec medallion, she asks, “This is mine?” and then kisses it with her blood and the Mack raises her hand, she hugs Mack and wraps her legs around him, and the fans chant, “You deserve it!” as the credits roll.
Welcome to another edition of Ring of Honor, Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce us to the Honor Rising events taped back in February from Korakuen Hall. KK tells us that Korakuen Hall was built in 1962 and has housed every great pro wrestler throughout the years.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Moose and Tomoaki Honma vs. Bad Luck Fale, Cody Hall, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) (8 man tag team match)
Moose comes down to the ring, making his New Japan debut. Next out is Big Mike, KK says, “Moose wants to be where unbreakable Michael Elgin is, a former ROH World Champion, a great pro wrestler all around the globe.” MW3 says, “Seems like Elgin has found a new home here in NJPW.” Honma is third out, KK describes him as “the true underdog, what an overachiever he has been.” Finally, Tanahashi, MW3 describes him as, “the number 1 star of the last 10 years in NJPW,” KK asks, “Is he still the ace?” MW3 replies, “Absolutely.” KK informs us Tanahashi is nursing a shoulder injury caused by The Elite. MW3 says, “His shoulder is all taped up, but he can still play an air guitar. Now, all 4 members of Bullet Club, the more Japan-based members, walk down the aisle making their ROH TV debuts. MW3 reminds us, “2 second generation superstars in Tonga and Hall, Takahashi has basically renounced his Japanese citizenship, and Fale is a former rugby star. He is really the equivalent of Moose.”
Moose and Fale start it off. Both men hit the ropes, double shoulder block, and they stare at each other. Moose hits the ropes, another double shoulder block, and they stare at each other again. Fale hits the ropes, a third double shoulder block, and third stare down. Punch to the gut by Fale, forearm to the face, clubbing elbow to the back, hits the ropes, and then a standing dropkick by Moose. MW3 says Moose, “gave a little shimmy. That’s how babies are made.” Fale lands a knee to the midsection and tags in Tonga, Moose tags in Honma, Tonga hits a dropkick on Honma, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Tonga has Honma on the mat, Tonga goes for a jumping back elbow but misses, and Honma tags in Tanahashi. Double whip by Honma and Tanahashi off the ropes, double shoulder block on Tonga. Now everyone comes in, the faces clear the ring, and all 4 flex like Hulk Hogan. Tonga crawls back in, Tanahashi hits back elbow, 2 forearms, whip reversal, Takahashi kicks Tanahashi in the back. Now everybody brawls, the fight spills to the outside, Takahashi runs Tanahashi into the steel rail and then nails him with a chair, Hall knocks Honma down, Takahashi chokes Tanahashi with the chair, then crawls back in the ring, the ref starts the count, and Tanahashi gets back in at 16.
Fale tags in, stands on Tanahashi, picks him up by his neck, throws him into the corner, and tags in Hall. Hall enters by jump stomping over from the second rope as he does, back elbow, short arm shoulder tackle, short arm elbow, puts Tanahashi’s arm on the ropes, and then kicks him in the elbow, clubbing blows to the chest, pin attempt, but Tanahashi gets his foot on the ropes. MW3 tells us, “One of Hall’s best moves is the iron claw, very Kerry Von Erich-like.”
Hall tags in Tonga, 2 forearms to the jaw, whip reversal off the ropes, Tonga slides and skirts around on the mat, and then delivers a standing dropkick, steps on his face, tags in Takahashi. Tanahashi fights out with 3 elbows, Takahashi rakes the eyes, tries for a running boot, but Takahashi catches him and then a dragon screw leg sweep takes him to the mat.
Tanahashi gets the hot tag to Elgin, his tag team partner here in New Japan, and Elgin gets a lot of cheers from the crowd. He climbs to the top turnbuckle, flying shoulder on Takahashi, runs into the corner with an elbow, Irish whip reversal into the corner, German suplex, rolls through for a second one, but Tonga comes in and pulls Taka to safety. Elgin picks Tonga up in the air with a one handed overhead press, and we go to commercial.
After the break, Elgin picks up Takahashi into a stalling vertical brainbuster, Hall comes in and kicks Elgin in the gut, but Elgin does not break the hold, Hall pulls down Taka, clubs Elgin in the back, Bullet Club go for a double suplex, but Elgin reverses into a double suplex of his own. Elgin hits a deadlift German suplex on Takahashi, bridge cover, kick out. Takahashi with a kick to the gut, Elgin screams, standing switch, goes for suplex, Takahashi grabs the referee Tiger Hattori, and looks like Elgin’s going to suplex both of them, but the ref wiggles out, while Takahashi hits a low blow.
Moose and Hall in, Moose ducks a clothesline, hits his Moose punches, and then Hall with a fall away slam, stands up turns around and meets a lariat, cover, but Hall kicks out. Moose lines up for the spear, but Hall connects with a knee to the head, picks up Moose, tries for the Razor’s Edge, but Moose slides out, and then Hall hits a spinning lariat. Bullet Club comes in and takes out the faces, gut punches by Tonga, running boot by Takahashi, splash by Fale, a splash by Tonga, Hall nails a chokeslam, cover, kick out. Hall goes for the Razors Edge again, but Honma comes in and nails Hall with the Kokeshi, Takahashi with a fisherman’s buster, Elgin with a double suplex on Tonga and Takahashi, Tanahashi comes in with a running dropkick knocking Fale off the apron, and then Elgin throws his partner Tanahashi onto all three members of the Bullet Club. Moose is left alone in the ring with with Hall, Moose runs in with a splash, whip reversal, Moose runs to the top turnbuckle and lands a cross body slam. Moose nails Hall with the spear, and this one is over, 1-2-3.
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Moose and Tomoaki Honma
KK asks, “Can we say a star is born here at Korakuen?” MW3 responds, “I think he was a star already in Ring of Honor, but now he’s a star in the Land of the Rising Sun.” and it’s time for our sponsors.
After the break, we are shown a video package of Jay Lethal and Truth Martini walking around outside, Lethal says, “Tokyo, Japan. I can’t wait, I can’t wait to get one of those massages we talked about, right?” Martini replies, “Yeah yeah, and especially if we’re going to get one of those endings that are kind of happy.” Lethal pulls out some change, “I brought some money, I got some yen here, do you think this is enough to get a nice massage?” Martini says, “Champ, that’s not enough for the kind of ending I’m talking about.” And they laugh, Truth says, “Let’s go. I got it.”
KK talks about Leo Rush winning the Top Prospect Tournament by defeating Brian Fury and getting a shot at the ROH contract and a guaranteed shot at the ROH TV Championship. He tells us that match was scheduled to take place at SuperCard of Honor X in Dallas, Texas, but because ROH TV Champion Tomohiro Ishii had other commitments in Japan, Nigel McGuinness instead gave Rush the rare opportunity for a world title match in his first official ROH match, and we see the closing moments of that match.
Lethal is out cold, draped across the top turnbuckle, slap to the chest by Rush, Rush climbs up for a one-man Spanish fly that he calls Rush Hour, forearm, Lethal has his eyes closed, but out of nowhere, Lethal reverses and delivers a top rope cutter, then Lethal Injection, cover, and pin.
After the match, KK says ROH fans saw “the long-awaited, some say long-overdue return of a ROH pioneer.” Lethal is on the mic, “Someone go tell Nigel McGuinness, KK go tell him NM, JL said there’s nobody left. Do you hear me? There’s nobody left. This is ridiculous.” And Colt Cabana’s music hits. Cabana walks down the aisle, climbs in the ring, “You say that there’s nobody left JL, you say it now, you say it on TV, and it makes me think about myself, about my legacy, what I want to be remembered as. Sometimes you have to look yourself in the mirror, and know exactly what you want to be. I don’t, I don’t want to be known as somebody’s friend. I love what I’m doing, I love that I’m an independent wrestler, I love that I’m DIY, nobody owns me, nobody’s tells me what to do, JL. Everybody still wants to see me, Jay. I’m still booked, I’m still doing what I do, and you know who can’t fire, and you know who can’t reject me? These people. And I should have done it a long time, I should have been kicked out, I should have been gone, but the reality is I’m not, because they’re still chanting my name.” And the fans chant “Colt Cabana!”
Jay gets on the mic, “Woah woah woah woah, let me stop you right there, because the fact of the matter is, these people here can’t make you the greatest wrestler in the world. This does.” He holds up the title, “This does Colt, and I have it. In fact, you haven’t been here in 5 years. For 5 years, you’ve been avoiding this place, because you know I’m the greatest. For 5 years, you’ve traveled the world on small local indie shows in India, in Germany, all over the world, but you avoided this place for 5 years, because you know why, because I’m the greatest. But there’s another reason, and it’s because me and that entire locker room, and whether they believe it or not, they don’t want you here and neither do I.”
Cabana responds, “I like what I’m doing, I like going to India, I like going to Japan, I like going to Germany. I travel all over, and these people are from all over the world, and I don’t make them come to me. I have literally been to every single place, where everybody single person has been, so I can wrestle as an independent wrestler, Jay. It’s not cuz of the money and it’s not cuz of the TV, because when I look back on my career a long long time, and I won’t be able to live with myself unless I’m able to wear that around my waist.” He points at the ROH World Title.
KK tells us, “The world champion was furious. The following day, Lethal claimed that because of Cabana’s 5 year absence, he didn’t deserve a title shot. He went on to claim Cheeseburger as a more worthy challenger, and gave him a world title match on the spot. After the match, Cabana comes down to the ring, “You’re dressed and ready to go, I’m dressed and ready to go, the idea is, we do it right now. Truth might have said no, but the reality is you’re seg now, because you can’t call your own shots. Do you think you can beat me, because I don’t think you can beat me.” Lethal replies, “You want, you want a match right now damn it, you got it,” and Lethal punches him, they exchanged blows, fast forward to later in the match, kick by Lethal, small package roll up, and Cabana wins. KK informs us, “As a result of that impromptu match, live on Global Wars in his hometown of Chicago, IL, Colt Cabana returns to challenge for the one title that has eluded him his entire career. Cabana vs. Lethal for the ROH World Championship.” Commercial.
Martini and Lethal are outside the massage parlor door, “Champ, it’s time to get what you deserve.” Lethal replies, “I’m a little nervous there’s no pictures around. Seems a little shady,” “No, it’s alright, this is a special kind of place.” Lethal says, “I got the end you were talking about, I’m tired of talking,” and then Delirious comes out of the massage parlor. Martini says, “He looked pretty happy to me,” and they laugh. Back outside, Lethal says, “This is it, we came all this way? This is a great NJPW door? Look at that stupid picture by the awning. Where’s my picture? They have Okada up there? If you want a picture of the greatest wrestler in the world, where’s the picture of the ROH World Champion?” Martini says, “Think of it this way, we are overseas and if everybody doesn’t recognize you as the best, they are overseeing that you are the #1 wrestler in the world. That means we’re over, see?” Lethal says, “You know what, I’m just going to go break all of Okada’s stuff right now.” Martini replies, “Champ, hold on, give me one second, I gotta grab this real quick,” and then he bumps a vending machine and an item falls out. “It works every time,” Video of Jay Briscoe and Dalton Castle exploring Tokyo Dome City. Martini and Lethal are in a mask shop, Lethal says, “This is a pretty cool store, look it’s dedicated to everybody I beat. Look at this, I beat him twice, i definitely beat him, oh I remember beating him pretty badly.” And then we see Delirious’s head among the masks on the rack. Moose taking pictures. Lethal recaps, “Champ and Truth Martini, we got one of those happy massages, we destroyed some stuff in the New Japan store, and that’s what they get for not having my pictures in there. Look at this sign you can’t smoke here,” Martini replies, “Champ, I can’t read Japanese.” Roderick Strong and Mark eating. Martini looks at the no smoking sign with a line through it, says “They ruined a perfect picture of a cigarette.” Dalton Castle playing with cats.
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson (Bullet Club) vs The Briscoes
MW3 says, “You have the Multi time IWGP Tag Team Champions, Machine Guns, against the greatest tag team in ROH history, The Briscoes. They got their work cut out for them here tonight. But Gallows and Anderson know Japan, they’ve been here a long time.” Anderson says, “Look, this is my hot Asian wife, here in the front row.” MW3, “Of course, that is Karl Anderson’s hot Asian wife, as he says.” Gallows has on a mask and face paint and a singlet that says #bizcliz. The camera shakes as Anderson shoot his gun. Out next are Dem Boys, KK tells us, “At the time of these events, The Briscoes were two-thirds of the NEVER Openweight 6-man Champions.” MW3 says, “With Yano. Ya know, they’re looking to regain those titles.”
Before the bell, as Briscoes pose on the apron, Machine Guns attack, Anderson and Jay to the outside, Gallows with 2 punches to Mark, running knee by Mark, Jay comes back into the ring and clotheslines Gallows over the top rope to the outside, Mark hits the ropes and baseball slides through the middle rope on Anderson, and then hits a swinging neckbreaker blockbuster off of the apron onto the floor, and commercial.
Gallows with a punch to the jaw, runs Jay into the barricade, Mark throws Anderson back into the ring, Jay kicks Gallows, Mark with a stomp to Anderson, forearm, knife-edge chop, kick to the face, Irish whip reversal, Mark jumps over, rolls back to his feet, redneck kung fu, Anderson goes for cutter but flips him, and then standing kick by Mark, cover, but Anderson kicks out. Mark hits a Mongolian chop, kicks Anderson, another kick to the gut, tags in Jay. Jay with a headbutt, suplex, cover, kick out.
Tags in Mark, Mark with a punch to the ribs, Russian leg sweep, cover, kick out. 3 forearms, runs the ropes, Gallows trips him, kick to the head by Gallows, and then a leg drop on the apron by Anderson. MW3 says, “Size 24 boot by Gallows.” KK protests, “24?” MW3 replies, “I’m guessing, is that wrong?” KK says, “I’m not going to argue with either you or him, certainly do not want to take a measurement.” Jay comes over, Anderson takes him out, Gallows throws Mark through the barricade, opening up the gates, throws a chair to his back as they fight in the crowd. Jay comes over, kick and a punch by Gallows, MW3 says “Oooh, scary face Gallows,” the referee begins to count, but Mark gets back in.
Anderson sets him up on the ropes, rakes the eyes and neck, tags in Gallows. Kick by Mark, and then close handed strikes by Gallows, the referee tells him to stop it, he runs over knocks Jay off the apron. MW3 notes, “It’s an interesting tradition that the announcer always says the numbers English. It’s not just because it’s a ROH event, it’s a tradition in Japan to count in English. As you said earlier, Korakuen Hall opened in 1962, started to house boxing in 1964 for the Summer Olympics, every major wrestling from Hulk Hogan and beyond has been in Korakuen Hall.” Kick by Gallows, shoulder block by Mark, headbutt by Gallows, runs the ropes, drops an elbow, cover, Mark kicks out. Headlock by Gallows, and we go to commercial.
Gallows throws Mark in to corner, Mark fights out, knocks Anderson off the ropes, enziguri to Gallows, knocks Anderson off the ropes again, flips over Gallows and rolls through tags and Jay. Jay nails Anderson off the ropes, forearms to Gallows, runs the ropes, forearm to Gallows, but can’t knock him down, ducks a clothesline and then a boot finally knocks the big man off his feet. Fireman’s carry by Jay, Death Valley driver, red shoes in position, kick out. Headbutt by Jay, whip reversal off the ropes, kick by Gallows to the face, tags in Anderson. Anderson with a running back elbow knocks Mark off the apron, jumping kick by Anderson on Jay, splash by Gallows, and then a back drop neck suplex by both men, Mark comes in to break up the pin. Gallows throws Mark out, fireman’s carry by Gallows on Jay into a front face plant, cover, kick out.
Machine Guns go for the Magic Killer, Mark breaks it up, right hand by Gallows, runs in but Mark holds the ropes sending the big man to the outside. Gallows goes for a Gun Stun, Jay pushes him away, Gallows goes for a second Gun Stun, Jay blocks, Jay goes for Jay Driller, but Gallows breaks it off, and then Mark with a one-legged dropkick off the top rope. Anderson misses a clothesline, Jay goes for the double-arm hook, but Anderson gets out and then gets lariat by Jay. Neckbreaker by Jay, Froggy Bow by Mark, Mark makes sure that Gallows doesn’t come in the ring, and Jay gets the pin on Anderson.
Winners: The Briscoes
Young boy attendees come in with the ice packs for Gallows and Anderson. KK says, “It is clear that the fans here in Japan love the stars of Ring of Honor, but the stars of Ring of Honor also love the fans in Japan.” Another video package is shown of fans getting their picture taken, buying merchandise, and getting autographs from the ROH stars. Lethal says, “Every time I step into the ring, I prove that I’m the greatest wrestler in the world.” More shots of fans cheering and meeting ROH stars, and that’s the show folks.
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce us to the show, “Re-living all the great action from the Honor Rising events, taped back in February from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. As we ramp up towards Global Wars, Sunday May 8, live on pay-per-view.”
Jay Lethal (with Truth Martini) and Tetsuya Naito (with Bushi and Evil) vs Chaos (Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi) (with Gedo)
Tetsuya Naito is out first, taking his time on his way to the ring with Evil and Bushi, Naito messes with Red Shoes. Out next is the ROH World Champion Jay Lethal, Truth Martini follows behind holding the Book of Truth. KK, says, “After Naito came back from CMLL in Mexico, he brought back a bizarre attitude, seeming like he doesn’t want to work with anybody.” MW3 tells us, “In this match, we have the two most important world champions in professional wrestling.” Next out is Yoshi-Hashi and Okada with his manager Geto. MW3 says, “Okada is one of the most popular athletes in Japan right now and maybe the entire world.”
Lethal and Naito argue about who will start the match, Lethal wins the argument. The two world champions start it off, they circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie up, wrist lock by Lethal, armringer by Okada, Lethal rolls through back flips and locks in the wrist lock again, Okada rolls through and locks in an armringer again. Lethal with a snapmare takeover, goes for the rear chinlock, Okada counters into the hammerlock, Lethal to his feet, transitions into a side headlock, Okada with two shots to the gut, throws Lethal off the ropes, shoulder tackle by Lethal, Lethal runs the ropes, Okada ducks under leapfrog, but catches a boot to the gut. Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection, but Okada pushes out, Okada goes for Rainmaker, but Lethal ducks out, and the fans cheer. Okada with 2 forearms, Lethal with an armdrag, cartwheel dropkick, cover, but Okada kicks out at 2. Lethal goes for the tag, but Naito does not want to tag in, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Naito tags in, delivers stomps to Yoshi-Hashi, but as Lethal exits the ring, Naito slaps him on the back, tagging Lethal right back in. Lethal with a suplex on Yoshi-Hashi, but Yoshi-hashi kicks out. Lethal tags in Naito, Naito shoos him away, Lethal gets out of the ring, Naito whips Yoshi-Hashi into the corner, running push kick to the chest by Naito, jumps over the top ropes for a basement dropkick, cover, Yoshi-Hashi kicks out. MW3 asks of Evil, “He looks familiar. Do we know him?” KK, “That’s Takaaki Watanabi, he used to wrestle for ROH.” MW3 says, “Oh, I wasn’t in the company back then.” KK replies, “I would have hoped Corino would have given you some notes.” MW3 says, “He did, he said he likes Subway, kind of a jerk.” Yoshi-Hashi to his feet, 3 forearms by Yoshi-Hashi, 1 forearm smash by Naito, Yoshi-Hashi goes for a kick, get caught, hits him with the second kick, and then nails a codebreaker, and both men are down.
Yoshi-Hashi gets the tag to Okada, running forearm to Naito, Okada takes out Lethal, kick to Naito, Lethal with a shot to the back, and then Okada hits a running DDT on Lethal. Okada hits a running back shoulder into the corner on Naito, kick to the gut, DDT spikes him, Okada springboards back to his feet, Okada with a running uppercut, pin attempt, but Naito kicks out. Okada picks up Naito, bodyslam to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle for the elbow, but Naito to his feet, Okada jumps over him, meet a double boot from Naito, back elbow by Okada, inverted Atomic drop by Naito, tornado DDT by Naito, and both men are down.
Naito tags in Lethal, Lethal with a bodyslam to Okada, climbs to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and catches Okada’s foot, and then rocks him with a roaring elbow, runs in, meets a boot from Okada, and then a Lethal Combination by the champion, cover, but Okada gets his shoulders up. MW3 says, “Both of these men would love to score a fall on each other, because both believe they are best in the world, bost believe their title is the most important title in professional wrestling right now. Naito whips Lethal to the ropes, Okada comes out gets caught in a full nelson, Lethal goes for a kick, but kicks his partner. Okada with a clubbing blow to the back of Lethal, throws him off the ropes, and then hits a dropkick that staggers Lethal, and he crumbles to the mat.
Okada tags in Yoshi-Hashi, Yoshi-Hashi with forearms, knife edge chop, whip reversal off the ropes, Lethal misses a back elbow, and then a swinging neckbreaker from Yoshi-Hashi. Yoshi-Hashi sets him up for the brainbuster, Lethal lands on his feet, and then Yoshi-Hashi reverses into back neckbreaker, Yoshi-Hashi covers, Lethal kicks out. Okada tags in, whips Lethal to the corner, whips Yoshi-Hashi into Lethal and then runs in with a back elbow of his own, Yoshi-Hashi comes off the top rope with a reverse neckbreaker, Naito breaks up the pin attempt, Okada sends him to the outside and runs him into the steel rail.
Back in the ring, Yoshi-Hashi goes for a suplex, but gets backdropped by Lethal, Martini throws in The Book of Truth to Lethal, he swings and misses, and then a running lariat from Yoshi-Hashi, quick slams Lethal to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle, Martini holds onto his leg, but Yoshi-Hashi kicks him out of the way. Evil climbs up onto the apron while Bushi is distracting the referee, and Lethal dumps Yoshi-Hashi to the mat, Naito hits Okada with the Book of Truth, Lethal nails the Lethal Injection on Yoshi-Hashi, and this one is over.
Winners: Jay Lethal and Tetsuya Naito
After the match, Naito reads the Book of Truth, MW3 says, “Well it is in Japanese.” Naito climbs into the ring and beats down Yoshi-Hashi with the Book of Truth as the bell rings. The referee raises the hands of Naito and Lethal, they stare at each other, Lethal points at Naito, Naito puts on his hat, Lethal offers a handshake, Naito fakes a punch, and then shakes his hand. They pose and fist bump in the middle of the ring. Naito puts his hat on Lethal, Lethal hands Naito the Book of Truth, they pose, and it’s time for our sponsors.
Kushida vs Frankie Kazarian
Out first is the “Heavy Metal Rebel” Frankie Kazarian, one half of The Addiction. KK says, “No stranger to New Japan, and no stranger to getting fined by the front office I understand.” MW3, “A foul mouth on this guy.” Kushida’s music hits, and KK says, “There is no language barrier when understanding the motivation, the popularity of Kushida.” He comes out to the ring in his purple life preserver. MW3 tells us, “Kushida is a lifelong fan of NJPW, it was like a dream to finally be a contracted wrestler with NJPW, trained with Tajiri, spent alot of time in the Hustle promotion, met his wife there, she was an office employee, living the true professional wrestling dream.” The referee is Tiger Hattori, who KK tells us has 40 years in professional wrestling.
The two wrestlers size each other up, finger lock. MW3 says, “Kazarian looks like he missed a spot when he shaved this morning,” Kazarian and Kushida exchange leverage in the test of strength, Kushida bridges down, Kazarian puts his knees on Kushida’s midsection pressing down with the weight, Kushida goes for the hoverboard lock, but Kazarian meets the ropes. Kushida with a go behind, Kazarian reverses into a pickup suplex, Kushida with a headlock, Kazarian tries to get out, but Kushida keeps holding on and rolling through, Kushida spins around his back several times, and then slaps him in the back of the head, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Kazarian is on the outside, climbs to the apron, duck a shot by Kushida, pokes him in the eye, snaps his neck on the ropes, jumps over the rope and nails a DDT on Kushida. Kushida holds his neck and shoulder in pain. Kazarian kicks him in the shoulder, picks him up by the hair, whips him into the corner, Russian leg sweep, and Kazarian grinds his crotch to the fans. MW3 “I don’t know what that was, but it’s better than usual stuff that Kazarian says.” Kazarian chokes Kushida on the ropes with his foot, picks him up, runs him into the corner, sets him on the middle of the rope, and then a double knee backbreaker, cover, but Kushida kicks out.
Kazarian smacks Kushida in the head, Kushida fights out, knee to the gut, goes off the ropes, sunset flip, but Kazarian drives a knee to the neck. Kazarian whips Kushida into the corner, runs in but meets a boot, runs in again meets another boot, Kushida flips over the rope to the apron, and then a kick to the head, springboard missile dropkick, knocking Kazarian out of the ring. Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, hits a front-flip on Kazarian to the floor, then Kushida stands on the apron and grinds to the fans like Kazarian. MW3 says, “Riding the pony, feeling the flow.”
Kushida picks up Kazarian, throws him back into the ring, runs into the corner, but Kazarian gets out of the way, kick to the gut by Kazarian, goes over the top rope for a DDT, but Kushida catches him in a cross-armbreaker, syncs in the triangle choke, Kazarian tries for the deadlift twice, but Kushida rakes the eyes. The two men exchange forearms, Kazarian doubles up, Kushida hits four or five kicks, then a right hand knocking Kazarian to the mat, whip reversal, handstand, execution chair drop, Kazarian pin, bridges, but Kushida kicks out. MW3 asks KK, “Who is your favorite Japanese baseball player?” KK answers, “I’m not well-versed in Japanese baseball, I’m an American baseball fan.” MW3 replies, ”If Corino were here, we could talk Japanese baseball.” KK says, ”Corino is a New Japan announcer now, he got a well-deserved opportunity.”
Both men climb to the top turnbuckle, Kazarian goes for the suplex, Kushida with shots to the ribs, goes for the flux capacitor, hits a flying Divorce Court off top rope, Kushida with a kick to the face, hits the ropes, tilt-a-whirls around his shoulder, rolls through, syncs in the hoverboard lock, Kazarian tries to fight out, but Kushida rolls him back to the center of the ring, adds pressure and extra leverage, there is no escape for Kazarian, and he taps out.
Winner: Kushida
KK says “Great effort by Kazarian.” MW3 says next, “It’s going to be a SUPERKICK PARTY (with Kenny Omega).” and we go to commercial.
Mark Briscoe is walking around the streets of Japan. “We’re so close to finding him, I can smell him, he must be around here somewhere. Oh this way, excuse me sir, question, have you seen him, no you have not seen him, Godzilla? Have you seen him, Godzilla, have you seen him? No, the search continues, I don’t know where he could be, I thought that guy would know. Time to eat in Japan, what do I want? The noodle, the noodle, the noodle, the noodle, the rice, the rice, the noodle, noodle, noodle, the rice, the rice, the noodle? I think I’ll go with the rice.” Mark continues to ask people on the street, “Thank you. No they don’t know, they’re scared of Godzilla. Little known fact, the historic legendary Mount Fuji was actually named after the historic legendary professional wrestling manager Mr. Fuji. Japan is great, Japan is fun, Japan is okay, but sometime Japan can be dangerous, sometimes there are earthquakes that hit Japan, but everybody here knows, what do you do in case of earthquakes?” And he hides under the bus stop terminal. “Maybe this fellow would know, arigato excuse me you know dojo, redneck kung fu?” A pedestrian points to the New Japan sign and we get a tour of inside the New Japan facilities. Back outside, “Oh my Lord.” Mark looks at a sign showing chickens. “How do you say home in Japanese?”
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs Katsuyori Shibata and reDRagon (Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly)
When we return, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks make their way to the ring to Omega’s spooky horror music. They give the fans headbands and too sweet gestures. The ring announcer announces YB, and MW3 says, “Oh, The Jacksonsons.” KK says, “That’s not Bobby Cruise is it?” MW3 says, “Thank goodness, no. He still waiting for his flight.” Out next is the NEVER Openweight Champion Shibata to entrance music that has a somewhat punk rock sound, he stands in the ring and Omega shows him the IWGP Intercontinental belt. Out next is reDRagon, the three-time ROH World Tag Team Champions, and multi-time IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions. MW3 says, “You love that Bobby Fish don’t you?” KK, “He’s great on commentary, he’s a great wrestler.” MW3 says, “This is why Corino used to get upset.” Kushida joins on Japanese commentary. MW3 continues, “You would probably enjoy him joining our commentary, sitting with you too. You’re that type of guy.“ KK says, “I invited Kushida to join us for commentary.” MW3 explains, “This is a two man team.” KK suggests, “Maybe we’ll have Kushida for Global Wars.” MW3 says, “He’s busy.”
All 6 men go at it, Shibata takes Omega to the outside, double kick by the YB on reDRagon, Omega runs Shibata into the dressing barricade, reDRragon syncs in double cross arm breakers on YB. Omega comes in, kicks to O’Reilly, kicks to Fish, but Shibata gets a cross armbreaker on Omega. Matt picks up O’Reilly and throws him on Fish, then Omega throw Shibata on O’Reilly, Nick with a baseball slide kick to O’Reilly, Matt with a baseball slide kick to Fish, Omega goes for baseball slide but Shibata ducks out of the way and then takes out Omega. Shibata climbs back up to the apron, YB take him out with a handstand by Matt kick by Nick, then YB do a dual suicide dive on the outside to reDRagon. Omega is in the ring, the YB pat the mat, 12-345, Omega runs the ropes and frontflips with some crash-and-burn onto reDRagon. Omega takes off his shirt, grinds his hips and two sweets the camera, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Omega has Fish in the ring, Nick wraps a t-shirt around his head, Nick does a Road Dogg dance along the apron, Omega tags in Matt. Omega hits Fish with a backbreaker drop onto the knee, Nick holds Fish, Matt hits a swinging neckbreaker, Nick with a pin attempt on Fish, but Fish kicks out. Nick rakes the back, kicks Fish in the gut twice, suck it, stomp, suck it, stomp, suck it suck it suck it to the crowd, and then does a bunch of suck its to the ref. Nick tags in Matt, YB whip Fish to the corner, he catches himself, swings with one kick that misses, then kicks Matt in the gut, kicks Nick in the gut, and then toss suplexes Matt into Nick. Fish gets the hot tag to O’Reilly, O’Reilly runs in with the clubbing forearm, Fish with the clubbing forearm, O’Reilly with the running knee, backbreaker on Matt, O’Reilly with a stomp to the chest off the top rope, pin attempt, but Matt kicks out, O’Reilly goes for Chasing the Dragon, but Nick trips Fish and pulls him to the outside, and both men are down.
Shibata and Omega come in, Shibata with 10 elbows to Omega, and then Omega with a flying back elbow, and 8 forearms to Shibata, Shibata stands up and asks for more. Omega rakes the eyes, boot pushes Shibata to the corner, Shibata comes out with a flying boot to Omega, and then pushes a boot into Omega’s face, switches feet and another boot into the face. Shibata runs the corner and nails a running dropkick to Omega, picks him up, snapmare suplex, MW3 says, “I like to call that the Andre the Giant suplex,” pin attempt, but Omega kicks out. Shibata with a rear-naked choke on Omega, YB come in and club him in the back, but he won’t break the hold. YB look at each other like WTF, and then Shibata stands up and then nails them both with a bunch of forearms, runs the ropes, sets up for the Penalty Kick, and gets superkicked. Omega up and now Shibata gets superkicked by all three men, Omega stacks him for the pin, but Fish in to break it up. YB send Fish to the outside, Nick with a tornado DDT from the apron but bumps his own elbow on the railing, Omega sets up to the One Winged Angel, but Shibata with a go behind, Omega with 3 back elbows, runs the ropes, Shibata with a standing dropkick, and O’Reilly pounds the turnbuckle wanting the tag.
Hot tag to O’Reilly, forearms to YB, Matt goes for a kick, leg whip into Nick, and then a double dragon screw leg whip and both YB are down, running forearm into the corner on Omega, running kick to Omega, goes for the rope assisted DDT, but Omega drops him on his head. YB with a superkick to Fish off the apron, Nick goes to superkick O’Reilly, he gets out of the way, and Omega gets superkicked instead. Kicks by O’Reilly, Nick backflips, O’Reilly catches his kick and swings it into Matt. O’Reilly with kicks to the back, superkick by Matt, and then a double lariat by O’Reilly, but Omega hits a running knee. Omega puts O’Reilly up on his shoulder for the One Winged Angel, but O’Reilly gets a guillotine headscissors, Matt comes in with shots to O’Reilly’s head, he won’t break the hold, rear naked choke on Matt by Shibata, superkick by Matt to Shibata. Nick throws the spraycan to Matt, he sprays O’Reilly in the face, YB nail the Metzler Driver, now Omega with a deadlift pick up, O’Reilly tries to fight out, but can’t, Omega nails the One Winged Angel, cover and O’Reilly is finished.
Winners: The Elite
KK talks about upcoming episodes, “Next week more Bullet Club action, as Honor Rising continues, you’ll see Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, the Machine Guns, back on ROH TV, they will tangle with The Briscoes. Plus we’ll also see a huge 8 man tag team match, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Michael Elgin, Moose and Tomoaki Honma vs. Bad Luck Fale, Cody Hall, Tama Tonga and Yujiro Takahashi. Coverage from Honor Rising continues next week,” and the end graphic rolls.
ROH TV Recap – Episode 238 for the week of April 10, 2016
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce the show from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kelly tells us, “What an unbelievable 60 minutes we have for you. World Tag Title defense by War Machine, the return of ‘The Cleaner’ Kenny Omega taking on ACH.” MW3 joins in, “And for the first time in Ring of Honor television history, we are going to see a Fight Without Honor, between Silas Young and Dalton Castle.”
Roppongi Vice vs. War Machine
Beretta and Rocky Romero come first, Romero has on a black tiger mask with an eye patch. MW3 asks Kelly, “Do you have the Roppongi Vice theme music on your iPod? My boy Steve Corino is going to do a remix version of this.” Kelly retorts, “He’s going to lay down some beats? He’s not going to tell Roppongi stories is he?” WM make their way to the ring, while WM pose on the apron, RPGV jump them from behind before the bell, knocking them to the floor. RPGV do a synchronized swan dive to the outside. Romero throws Rowe back in the ring, delivers clubs to the back of the head, Rowe tries to fight out, but Romero tags in Beretta. Beretta with shots to the face, tags back in Romero, they continue with kicks, standing moonsault by Beretta, cover by Romero, Rowe kicks out and throws Romero half way across the ring.
Rowe throws Romero into the corner, Hanson throws Beretta into the other corner, and WM put RPGV on their shoulders. RPGV both slide out, try to run WM into each other, they stop short, but RPGV continue with strikes on WM. Hanson throws Romero off the ropes, he catches himself in the ropes like a tarantula and laughs, before Hanson kicks him to the outside. Rowe picks up Beretta for a power press above his head, but Beretta grabs onto his beard. Rowe misses with the clothesline, Beretta hits 2 knife edge chops and a forearm, hits the ropes, but Rowe catches him tilt-a-whirling, hits a high knee, and we go to commercial.
When we return, Rowe whips Hanson into Beretta, Rowe runs in with shotgun knees, but Beretta gets out of the way, and Hanson gets caught instead. Romero tags in, Rowe catches a kick, Romero misses a swinging kick, but connects a swinging kick with the other leg, running knee off the turnbuckle, slam, cover, 1-2. Romero hits 3 running-yelling clotheslines, then Rowe comes out of the corner and decks him. Rowe tags in Hanson, they lift Romero in the air, but Beretta comes off the top rope and takes them both out with a split legged dropkick. Beretta with an elbow in the corner on Rowe, and then a tornado DDT using the ropes.
RPGV throws Hanson off the ropes, he cartwheels through meets a double knee, stays on his feet, runs in again, again meets a double knee in stereo, this time falling to the mat. RPGV pick up Hanson and drape him across the top rope, Romero connects with a springboard double stomp to the back of the head, Beretta with a standing dropkick off the ropes, pin attempt by Romero, but Hanson kicks out
Beretta sets up for Strong Zero, Hanson fights out, Rowe is in, they both pick up RPGV in powerbomb positions and throw them at each other. WM is now in with Beretta, fireman’s carry by Hanson, Rowe tags back in, Hanson drops Beretta for a backbreaker across Rowe’s knee, into the Path of Resistance, kickout. WM setup Beretta on the ropes, he fights out, lands a hurricanrana off the second rope, before Romero hits a top rope hurricanrana on Hanson. Beretta runs the ropes, jumps to the outside for a suicide flip dive, Rowe catches him, and delivers a nasty apron bomb. Romero in, sunset flip with a near fall on WM, but Hanson takes him out with the Kick of Doom, Rowe holds him for the double team, while Hanson hits the Fall Out top rope leg drop, cover on Romero, 1-2-3.
Winners: War Machine
Rowe stands on the apron and yells at the camera, “Briscoes, you see this? ROH World Tag Team Champions, War Machine. We’re ready, are you?”
When we return, Donovan Dijak walks out in street clothes to his heavily-over-autotuned song ‘Action’ by Rich Porter and Taho Papi, led to the ring by Prince Nana. Highlights are shown up the Dijack taking out the HoT. Prince Nana starts on the mic, “You idiots have been asking, what is in those envelopes that Prince Nana has been giving out, what has been in those envelopes? That is for us to know and for you to find out. Secondly, everybody keeps wondering about the enlightened ones, the enlightened ones? And another question they keep asking me, Prince Nana, who do you think is going to be the next Ring of Honor Champion, moving forward with the future of Ring of Honor?” A fan yells “Jimmy Ray!” before Nana finishes, “and his name is none other than Donovan Dijak.” Dijack takes the mic, “For one year, I’ve only had one real purpose in Ring of Honor,” He shows off his Jay Lethal t-shirt “and that was to protect Jay Lethal and the House of Truth.” He takes off the Lethal t-shirt, and tosses it aside. “But this man, Prince Nana, this man showed me that one year ago, when I won the top prospect tournament. And Truth Martini? He looked me square in the eye and said ‘Donovan Dijack, if you wrestled Jay Lethal for the TV title…’” Suddenly Jay Lethal comes running down the ramp, the two men go toe-to-toe, Lethal takes Dijack to the mat, pounds away on his head, Dijack returns the punches, the bell rings repeatedly, about 10 ROH officials come down to separate them, Nana and Veda Scott are amongst the melee, and we go to commercial.
Dalton Castle cuts a pre-recorded promo, “Silas Young, tonight we are in a Fight Without Honor. And you probably are walking to the ring with a whole lot of self-confidence, because maybe you’ve got a few wins over me. Let me remind you, every time we fought, my goal has been different. I’ve fought to show you that I was a man, I fought for my boys, and tonight I’m fighting to hurt you.”
Omega vs. ACH
Out first is ACH out of Austin, TX at 190 pounds, he flips over the top rope as he enters the ring. Kenny Omega’s horror music hits with the Bullet Club graphic, Kelly calls Omega, “one of the top stars in the entire world of professional wrestling.” Omega is introduced from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at 203 pounds, and is accompanied by the Young Bucks. They are all wearing camouflage Young Bucks gear. Kenny grabs a headset from the announce table and sings his music into the microphone. Impressed by his own singing, he says “Wow wow wow.”
Omega hands the broom to Matt and crawls into the ring. The fans litter the ring with streamers. Tale of the tape says 190 ACH vs 203 Omega (hey, it’s correct this week!). Fans chant “Omega!” then “YB!” and the YB bang the mat in the beat of 12-3-45. Omega waves off the Code of Honor, Tiger Hattori calls for the bell. MW3 tells us “Both of these guys are huge video game fans and the anime. Is it the anime or just anime?” Kelly replies, “I think it’s just anime, but that’s not for our generation.” MW3 says, “I like Tom and Jerry.”
Omega with a go behind, ACH with an elbow lock, then a headlock, Omega throws ACH off the ropes, ACH hits a shoulder block. The fans chant, “Omega!” ACH hits the ropes, and then goes for a handstand cartwheel kick, but misses, and Omega takes control. Omega with chops to the shoulders, ACH fights back with chops to the chest, throws Omega off the ropes, reversal, reversal, ACH misses a clothesline, and then hits a Lou Thez press. ACH hits a Texas-style elbow, Omega back to his feet, ACH goes for the stunner, but Omega gets him in a full nelson, ACH with an arm drag, and then a drop kick ACH, and ACH shoots a fake basketball into the crowd. ACH leaps over the top rope, Omega crawls underneath, Omega receives a shot to the gut, ACH backflips to the outside, Nick SUPERKICKS! him in the head, and then pulls out a banana peel. The ref asks what happened and the YB point at the banana peel. Omega grabs his broom, sweeps the banana peel under the ring, and we go to commercial.
Adam Cole cuts a pre-recorded promo (note: this was excluded from the Comet broadcast), “Kick me out? You? Kick me out of the Kingdom? That medication they gave you post surgery, must have made you crazy. I created The Kingdom, this was always because of me. When I had an injury of my own, and you and my friend were in charge? You were a joke, you were a laughing stock, you were a Bullet Club ripoff, nobody took you seriously. Everybody took me seriously. Why? Because I was the ROH Heavyweight Champion and the ROH Television Champion. And the fact that you have the gall to remove me from this group? Well, that’s okay with me, because Matt Taven, you, you’re holding me down anyway.”
When we returned the fans chant “Headlock City!” ACH with a shot to the ribs, a forearm to the face, ACH jawbreaker on Omega, ACH runs the ropes and Omega hits a knee to the gut. Omega with a chop chop, fireman’s carry, drops him to the mat, rolls through, flips off the top rope, ACH moves out of the way. ACH with 3 chops, Omega whip reversal, throws ACH into the corner, ACH baseball slides, stops himself, turns around, kicks Omega in the head. Omega comes charging in again, ACH throws him to the apron, Omega catches him and runs his head into the top turnbuckle. Omega climbs the other turnbuckle, but ACH kicks him in the head, knocking him to the outside. Matt gets on the apron, ACH takes him out, Nick gets on the apron, ACH runs after him, Omega hits the ropes and charges in, but ACH throws him to the outside, now ACH with a second rope soaring springboard front flip over the top rope onto the Elite. Fans chant “Go go ACH!”
ACH tosses Omega into the ring, climbs to the top turnbuckle, Omega turns around and slaps him across the face. Omega hooks ACH for a superplex, but ACH fights out, pushes Omega off the ropes, Omega climbs back up again, but ACH again knocks him to the mat and then delivers a double stomp to the back of the shoulder, cover, 1-2, but Omega kicks out. ACH yells “Kamehameha!” sets Omega up for a Brain Buster, but Omega gets out, syncs a full nelson, ACH wrestles out, but then Omega with two strikes to the back, then a dragon suplex. Omega goes for One Winged Angel, ACH counters and drops Omega on his head with a vertical brainbuster, cover, 1-2 but Omega kicks out.
ACH goes to the top rope for a Midnight Star, but YB stand nearby, ACH climbs slowly, Omega gets out of the way. Both trade go behinds, ACH with elbows, Omega with knees, then they exchange open handed shots. Omega catches ACH by the foot, flips him over the top rope onto the apron, but ACH lands awkwardly on the ropes. Omega up first, stomping on the mat, tuning up band, ACH to his feet, Omega kicks, but ACH catches him, goes for a stunner, but gets pushed off the ropes, Omega fights out with elbows, and then ACH hits a stunner, cover, 1-2, Omega kicks out.
ACH goes to the top rope, but misses the Midnight Star, as Omega rolls out of the way. Omega takes the knee pad down, runs the ropes and hits a running knee to the side of ACH’s head, Omega hits The One Winged Angel, cover, 1-2-3.
Winner: Kenny Omega
Kenny’s horror music plays, Matt brings in the broom, they sweep ACH to the outside, and we go to commercial.
When we return Bobby Cruise introduces us to the television main event, a Fight Without Honor, which he tells us “simply means, there are no rules.”
Dalton Castle vs. Silas Young (Fight Without Honor)
“The Last Real Man” Silas Young from Milwaukee, WI, is out first to the song “Unified Divider” by Voodoo Johnson. Silas, carrying a trash can lid, looks in the camera, and says, “You want to fight without honor, Dalton? Now you’re going to find out what it means to fight the way men fight.” The Peacock’s music hits and the fans go wild. Castle stands on the ramp with The Boys. He does not have on his usual robe, just t-shirt and trunks, The Boys tears off his T-shirt, he points to the back, and sends them on their way.
Castle runs to the ring, ducks the trash can lid from Silas, connects several strikes, and the fans litter the ring with streamers. Both men go to the outside, the ring is covered in streamers, and when they get back in, both men are also covered in streamers. Silas with shots to the head, then Castle clotheslines Silas over the top rope to the outside. Kelly says, “We need to get this cleaned up.” Castle runs the ropes struts and spreads his wings. Castle hits the ropes, and then a suicide dive between the bottom and second rope onto Silas. MW3 says, “He’s a peacock and he’s got to fly!” The fans chant “Fan up!”
Deadlift belly-to-back pick up by Castle, slams him to the mat, Silas lands shots to the back of Castle’s head, Castle pushes him away, spear attempt misses, Silas climbs the top turnbuckle, but Castle kicks him off, then jumps over the rope to the outside apron, goes for a running knee, Silas gets out of the way, and shoves him to the floor. Silas flips over the ropes, propelling himself onto Castle. Silas reaches under the ring, digs through the streamers, grabs a chair, and delivers a shot to Castle’s spine with the edge of the chair. Silas with a stomp, then forearm shot to Castle’s face, goes under the ring, digs through more streamers, but can’t find his next weapon. Silas returns to Castle, Castle kicks him in the gut, chop, goes for another chop, but Silas gets out of the way, and Castle hits the ringpost. Silas then grabs his hand, and slams it off the ring apron, Silas looks under the ring again, now finds a second chair, sets the two chairs up side-by-side, positions Castle for the suplex, Castle blocks, Silas delivers 2 shots to the ribs, but can’t get Castle up. Castle flips Silas over his back and then runs backwards, sending his spine into the ring post, goes for another one, but Castle gets out of the way, and then Silas rakes the arms across his back. They walk around the outside of the ring, Silas sidesteps the announce table, Castle walks the apron, delivers a running knee to Silas, and we go to commercial.
Kelly tells us, “During the break, we had a few more elements brought into play. A ladder is laying in the ring, and Silas is setting a table.” Castle to his feet, 3 forearms, chop, punch, forearm, Silas goes to throw Castle into the ring apron, he slides back through, but Silas catches him again, and then drops him onto the two chairs. WM3 yells “Two chairs!” (like 2 chainz!)
Silas throws Castle back in the ring, squeezing him between the bottom rope and the ladder, jumps over the top rope, delivers a forearm, pin attempt, but Castle kicks out. Silas grabs the ladder, moves it to the other corner of the ring, picks up Castle by the hair, fireman’s carry, but Castle gets out, go behind, reversal, go behind, reversal, Silas rolls through with a victory roll, 1-2, kickout, locks in the STF, Castle is screaming in pain. Castle reaches the ladder, Silas breaks the hold and nails forearms, kicks, stomps, goes to the top turnbuckle, springboards off side rope, but smashes his knee into the ladder while Castle gets out of the way. Both men are laying on the mat.
The ref throws the ladder out of the ring, Kelly says, “Todd Sinclair has had enough of this ladder.” Both men to their knees, exchange strikes, both men to their feet, exchange forearms, the fans exchange “Boo! Yay! Boo! Yay!” chants, until one guy yells, “Booya!” Silas with the clothesline, rakes the back of Castle, the Peacock is up, but Silas with a knee to the face, diamond cutter, cover 1-2, Castle kicks out. The fans chant, “Fan up!” Silas with a fireman’s carry, spins him around, and hits Misery the face plant slam. Silas crawls to the outside, grabs the trash can lid, throws it into the ring, grabs the mic, and yells, “Come on, come on Dalton, you wanted to fight without honor?” and smashes him in the head with the microphone, “I just wish The Boys were here, to see how pathetic you really are.” And then all of the sudden The Boys run down from the back. Silas says, “Just in time boys, now you get to see me finish him.”
One of The Boys runs into the ring, jumps on Silas’s back, he throws him off. Boy #2 comes in with punches to Silas’s face, but Silas sends him to the outside, now Castle is on his feet delivering forearms. Kelly says, “You just don’t mess with a man’s boys.” Castle hits two running knees on Silas in the corner, misses the third, and flips over the turnbuckle to the outside. Now Silas with a suicide dive through the rope on to The Boys. MW3 says, “Did you see The Boys pushed Castled out of the way and sacrificed themselves in the process?”
Silas slides through the middle rope, Castle with a hurricanrana, climbs back in, Castle connects with a suicide dive to the outside. Silas gets thrown back into the ring by Castle, Castle grabs him from behind, picks him up, showing his strength, deadlift German suplex, bridge, pin attempt, but Silas kicks out. The fans chant, “Dalton Castle!” Castle goes for the Bangarang, but Silas grabs the ropes, and then Castle throws him backwards flip flat on to the table. The fans chant, “You just killed him!”
Castle rolls Silas back into the ring, covers him, 1-2, kick out. Kelly says, “He was thrown over the top rope through a table, and somehow, someway, he kicked out!” The fans chant, “This is awesome!” Castle grabs Silas by the head, one of The Boys throws a chair in the ring, but Silas hits a low blow on Castle. The fans chant, “Bangarang!” as Silas yells, “Get your ass up, boy! Get up! Get up!” and then spits on him. Castle connects with the Bangarang face first on the steel chair and covers him provocatively, staring in his face, 1-2-3, Castle wins.
Winner: Dalton Castle
Kelly says, “What an unbelievable physical fight encounter we just saw!” MW3 agrees, “It’s hard to put into words. Both men are going to need medical attention.” Ticker tape falls from ceiling, the ring is covered in streamers, and Kelly says “What a scene here in Las Vegas!” The Boys crawl in, and Castle stands tall. Kelly tells us, “Next week, we will see highlights of Honor Rising in Japan, goodnight everybody.”
Kevin Kelley introduces us to the Ryogoku Sumo Arena and informs us that tonight, there are 6 titles on the line. Steve Corino says to everyone in New Japan, “Thank you for having me.”
Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) vs. Juice Robinson and Ryusuke Taguchi
The Bullet Club is out first, followed by Juice Robinson (CJ Parker from NXT) and the “Funky Weapon” Ryusuke Taguchi. As Taguchi bends backwards to pose for the crowd, Takahachi kicks him before the bell. Takahashi with a boot to Taguchi, both men hit the ropes, Taguchi hits 3 flying hip blocks, but Takahashi gets up and catches Taguchi with a DDT. Taguchi gets up, nails an enziguri, and tags in Robinson.
Robinson run into Fale twice with shoulder blocks, but cannot knock the big man off his feet, a boot off the ropes finally staggers Fale to the corner. Robinson with strikes to Takahashi, the fans chant, “Juice!” Fale throws both Robinson and Taguchi to the outside, then throws the referee into the ropes. Takahashi throws Robinson back in the ring, Fale grabs him by the throat, tosses him in the air, and punches him in the chest, knocking Robinson to the mat, pin attempt, but Taguchi breaks it up.
3 stomps by Taguchi, 2 running hip blocks, goes for a 3rd, but Takahashi trips him and pulls him to the outside. Fale gets Robinson in a fireman’s carry, Robinson wiggles out, hits a back elbow, but Fale spears him dead in the middle of the ring. Fale picks him up for the Bad Luck Fall, as Takahashi holds back Taguchi, Fale covers Robinson for the 1-2-3.
Winners: Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi (Bullet Club) (3:43)
Kelly says, “It’s good to have you back Corino, from the longest suspension in pro wrestling history, 6 months.” Corino says, “Yeah, but now that we’re here in New Japan, I can do what I like, and that’s sitting next to you, here on commentary.”
Kazushi Sakuraba, Toru Yano and Yoshi-Hashi (Chaos) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata (Six-man tag team match)
Corino tells us the faces have 81 years of combined experience, Liger himself is 51 years old. Liger and Yano start it off, Liger goes after Yano, but Yano ducks into the ropes and yells, comes back in, ducks back out again, and yells again to pump up the crowd. Liger off the ropes, but Yano hits an atomic drop, Liger off the ropes again, connects with the clothesline, and this thing has broken down, as all 6 men brawl on the outside.
Yano takes off the turnbuckle, Irish whips Liger into the exposed turnbuckle, clubbing forearms to the back, tags in Sakuraba, submission attempt, but Kojima in to break it up. Yano tags in Yoshi-Hashi, knife edge chop, picks him up, drapes him across the ropes while Yano holds on, Yoshi-Hashi hits the ropes, and delivers a dropkick to the back of Liger. Yoshi-Hashi climbs to the top turnbuckle, Liger throws him off, punch to the gut, Liger goes for the tag, but Yano comes in to stop it. Finally, Liger takes them all out and gets the hot tag to Kojima. Sakuraba goes for a kick, gets caught, enziguri by Kojima. Kojima delivers about 25 chops to Sakuraba, throws him to the corner, Sakuraba puts on the brakes, but Nagata hits him with the running elbow, the crowd is behind Kojima.
Front facelock, Yoshi-Hashi tags in Nagata, they exchange forearms, Nagata hits a Texas neckbreaker, 3 kicks to the chest of Yoshi-Hashi, sends him into the corner, boot to the face, Yano comes in and hits him in the back, but gets met with an enziguri. Sakuraba comes in and then Nagata leaps over the ropes and takes out all the 3 men. Nagata comes off the ropes, misses into a clothesline, Yano gets out of the way and points to his head “smart move”, but receives an enziguri by Nagata to the back of the head.
Yoshi-Hashi with a reversal, Nagata in the corner, Yoshi-shots to Nagata, and then a swinging neckbreaker, pin attempt, kickout. Nagata hits a backdrop suplex on Yoshi-Hashi, 1-2-3, and this one is over.
Winners: Jushin Thunder Liger, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata (7:06)
The faces celebrate and make their way to the back.
Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii (Chaos) vs. Bushi and Evil (Los Ingobernables de Japón)
Los Ingobernables are out first, then Chaos. Goto and Bushi circle to start, but Evil comes in and smashes Goto from behind, Bushi and Evil tag team Ishii until Goto comes in to assist. Goto and Evil exchange blows, now Ishii in the ring, whips him in, dropkick to the back of the head, Ishii gets up, forearms, trying to fight out but can’t, Evil tags in Bushi. Bushi exchanges chops with Ishii, Ishii knocks Bushi down, Goto connects with a senton, Evil misses with a senton, Ishii crawls for the tag, but Evil cuts off the ring. MW3 says, “I’m surprised to see the crowd is behind Evil.”
Evil send him into the corner, back elbow, but Ishii hits a Saito suplex, and tags in Goto. Goto delivers about 10 forearms to Evil, kick, throws him through the middle rope to the outside, and follows him to the floor. Goto whips Evil into a steel railing, then another steel railing, Bushi comes over with blows to the back, but Goto knocks him out with the forearm, and throws Evil back into the ring. Goto kicks Evil in the upper back, hits a Saito suplex, cover, but Evil kicks out at 2. Evil catches him in a fisherman’s suplex brainbuster. Evil picks him up on the shoulders, and delivers a powerbomb to Goto, Evil with about 10 kicks to the head, but Goto gets up and welcomes them. They trade lariats, then a double clothesline, but Evil got the worst of it.
Tag on both sides, Ishii with a power slam, whips Bushi in the corner, Ishii with a shoulder block, vertical suplex, and near fall. Ishii picks him up for a powerbomb, Bushi fights out of it, Bushi with a kick to the back of the head, a kick to the chest, Irish whip, reversal, Ishii goes in strong, but Bushi flips around the ropes, kick, missile dropkick from the top rope, and does a spin-a-rooni. Bushi with a kick to the leg, a kick to the chest, 1-2, kick out. Whip into the corner, Evil smashes him, then Bushi drops him, whips him into the boot, 1-2, cover, but Ishii kicks out.
Bushi goes for the suplex, Ishii blocks, hits a clothesline, and growls. Ishii hits a powerbomb, stacks him up, but Bushi kicks out at 2. Goto and Evil fight on the outside, Ishii picks him up for a suplex, Bushi gets out, but Ishii hits a clothesline, then Goto comes in and hits a headbutt to Bushi. Evil goes to pick up Bushi into a fireman’s carry, Bushi fights out with a kick, misses, but connects with a kick on the rebound, clothesline, fireman’s carry, back body drop, running lariat by Ishii, stacks him for the pin, 1-2-3.
Winners: Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto (10:36)
After the bell, Evil and Goto get into a slugfest on the floor, and have to be separated by NJPW officials. Ishii and Goto get in the ring to celebrate, but Evil comes back in and goes after both of them, and officials have to separate them again. MW3 points out that David Finley and Jay White are amongst the crowd that is in there to break it up.
Matt Sydal and Ricochet (c) vs. Roppongi Vice (IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match)
Baretta and Rocky Romero are out first, then Sydal and Ricochet. Code of Honor is exchanged and they all shake hands. Ricochet and Baretta start it off, collar-and-elbow tie up, Baretta backs him into the corner, does not make the clean break, grabs him into a headlock. They hit the ropes, Baretta with a shoulder block, but Ricochet springs back to his feet, and then meet a forearm from Baretta. Baretta backs him to the corner again, Irish whip, reversal, Baretta goes upside down into the turnbuckle, and then gets an elbow from Ricochet. Ricochet hits the ropes, rolls over the back, and then hits him with the headscissors, dropkick, runs the ropes, back handspring, back flip and poses like Prince Puma and smiles. Baretta up, Sydal knocks him to the outside, goes for a baseball slide, but misses, Baretta and Sydal exchange pin attempts and kickouts.
Tag to Romero, punch, elbow to the gut takes him down, tries to hook a Boston crab but Sydal reaches the ropes. Tags in Baretta, RPGV throws him off the ropes, but Sydal hits a double underhook combo slam on both of them. Sydal tags in Ricochet, full nelson by Baretta, kick to Romero, hooks Baretta, picks up Romero plant him on his face back shoulder block, catches him, flips them, and drops him on his knee. Ricochet hits the ropes with a suicide dive onto Romero, Romero kicks out. Baretta in, gets taken down, Baretta kicks out. Ricochet tags in Sydal, standing moonsaults on Baretta, Sydal with the clubbing forearm to the back, Romero comes in, strike to Sydal, takes out Ricochet, Romero gets kicked by both, runs the ropes, ducks under, double dropkick to both, but they catch Sydal with a running knee, Romero runs to the top, jumps over the rope, and then a running knee to Ricochet, then Baretta turns him inside out, drapes him across the top rope, and Romero comes off the ropes for the double foot to the back of the head. Romero with a baseball slide kick to the head, pin attempt, but Sydal kicks out.
Ricochet tags in, Romero runs into the corner, and then running arm blows to both men in opposite corners, and then Sydal and Ricochet with kicks to Romero, Sydal sunset flip, hooks him, but Romero kicks out. Sydal sets him up, Romero counters, backslide, pin attempt, and Baretta tags in. Ricochet with a suplex, modified vertical drop backbreaker, and then Romero with the DDT on Ricochet. Sydal in, kicks Baretta hard, takes out Romero, Ricochet drives him down for the End of Times, but Baretta kicks out. Romero comes in, Sydal sends him to the ropes, Romero catches himself, then nails the dude buster, but Romero kicks out. Ricochet comes in, trading elbows, European uppercut by Ricochet, kick to the face of Romero, another kick, picks him up in the fireman’s carry, but Romero gets out, and then hit a clothesline that turns Ricochet inside out.
Romero puts Ricochet on the top turnbuckle, delivers open hand palm strikes to the face, goes for the hurricanrana, but Ricochet catches him, pulls him up, Romero connects with the hurricanrana this time, but Ricochet lands on the feet and superkicks him. Baretta comes in, double knee by RPGV, suicide dive by Romero to the outside, almost into the crowd. Roppongi Vice sets him up and connect the Strong Zero on Ricochet, cover, 1-2-3, Romero pins Ricochet.
Winners and 46th NEW IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions: Roppongi Vice (15:48)
Roppongi Vice celebrate in the ring with the belts.
Kushida (c) vs. Will Ospreay for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship
Kushida is sporting a mohawk tonight. The bell rings and we’re off. Kushida runs the ropes, they exchanges mat maneuvers, kick, 2 elbows to the back of the head, whips Kushida into the ropes, atomic drop on Ospreay, down low for the drop kick, but Ospreay springboards to his feet and kicks Kushida in the face. Kelly says, “The pressure must be tough when the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Okada personally endorse as you, brings you into the company, and says oh yeah, by the way, I got you a title match.” European uppercut by Ospreay, throws Kushida, but he holds onto the ropes, Ospreay with the forearm, taking his time.
Ospreay handstands off the ropes, but Kushida kicks the left wrist, Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, and then a front flip dive onto Ospreay on the floor. Kushida throws Ospreay back into the ring, goes to work on Ospreay’s left arm, puts his hand to the mat, stands on his elbow, and then steps hard on it, picks up Ospreay, twists the wrist, slams him to the mat, and then locks in an arm lock submission. Ospreay tries to flip out but can’t, Kushida still has the arm lock in, Ospreay tries to kick out again, but Kushida keeps the arm lock synched in. Ospreay almost gets out, connects with the head scissors, but Kushida goes right back into the arm lock, hooks both arms, but Ospreay reaches the ropes.
Ospreay fights out with shots to the ribs, drops Kushida on his chin, handstands off the ropes, but his left-arm collapses and he winces in pain. Kushida goes back to work on the left arm, but Ospreay connects with an enziguri, Ospreay gets kicked in the arm, then flies to the outside, knocking down Kushida. Ospreay with knees to the midsection, standing corkscrew splash, cover, but Kushida kicks out. Ospreay catches the leg, jumping knee, goes to the second rope, corkscrew spinning splash, hooks the leg, but Kushida kicks out.
Ospreay climbs to the top rope, but Kushida catches him with a handstand back kick, climbs the ropes, hooks him for a suplex, and then catches him with a cross armbreaker, into an armbar off the top rope. Kushida has the armbar locked in solid, but Ospreay gets his leg under the bottom rope. Kushida with a running dropkick to Ospreay’s left wrist, Kushida goes for pump handle, but Ospreay gets out, hits the ropes gets a kick, Kushida with the forearm, Ospreay with a kick, Kushida with a 3 forearms, Kushida with an open right hand, Kushida with 5 kicks to Ospreay’s head, Ospreay starts to Hulk up, the two men exchange forearms, and Kelly says “It’s a hockey fight.” Kushida goes for a punch to the head, Ospreay moves out of the way but collapses anyway in a fake-looking spot, the fans boo. Ospreay connects with Kushida, cover, kick out.
Ospreay climbs to the top rope, perched on top, Kelly says, “22-years old and he could win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in his New Japan Pro Wrestling debut”, but Kushida catches him, climbs up top, Ospreay gets out, Kushida is hung on the second rope, and Ospreay kicks him in the head, Ospreay now climbs to the top, and goes for a 450 Corkscrew, because Kushida gets the knees up, pin attempt, kick out. Kushida again with kicks on the left arm, goes for a tilt-a-whirl, up and over, Ospreay kick, spinning kick, climbs to the second rope, but Kushida catches him in mid-air for the armbar. Ospreay picks him up while Kushida holds the arm bar, fireman’s carry, Kushida fights out, transitions into the hoverboard lock, Ospreay goes for the ropes, Kushida rolls back through to the hoverboard lock again, and Ospreay taps out.
Winner and STILL IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: Kushida (15:07)
Kushida spit shines the belt with his elbow pad, poses on the turnbuckle, Jushin Thunder Liger comes out, and ask for the microphone. He congratulates the champion, offers a handshake. Liger challenges Kushida and says he wants to be a 12 time Junior Heavyweight Champion. Kushida says he has a lot of respect for Liger and accepts the challenge.
Kushida comes over to commentary, Kelly offers a headset and Kushida says he wants to challenge for the ROH World Heavyweight Championship. Corino says, “We will take that message back to Jay Lethal.”
Recap of Lucha Underground – Season 2 Episode 11 – Bird of War – April 6
In a basement locker room, Vampiro stands above a sink holding his anti-psychotic medication. Dario enters, “Ian Hodgkinson, oh I’m sorry, you don’t use that name anymore. Now you are just Vampiro, Pentagon’s master. And I imagine there’s some part of you that wants to do something stupid, like bash my brains in and then go looking for my brother.” Vampiro grits his teeth and says, “It’s not just part of me, it’s all of me.” Dario replies, “My brother went too far, but truthfully, we are lucky that Pentagon is still alive. Lay a hand on me or, worse, my brother, and I don’t think you will be so lucky. You are very valuable to me, you’re practically the voice of Lucha Underground. Tonight, I have a huge main event, and I need you out there doing commentary. Ian, Vampiro, the master, whoever you are, please don’t make the same mistake as Pentagon.” Vampiro downs the anti-psych meds, and the camera cuts away.
Joey Ryan and Mr. Cisco are back at the police station. The detective tells the undercover cops, “So, Dario Cueto’s back, nice work Officer Meehan (Joseph Meehan).” Joey replies, “Just doing my job.” Castro breaks in, “You didn’t have anything to do with it.” The detective replies, “And who did, Reyes, you?” Castro (Ricky Reyes) responds, “No, he just came back. And get this captain, he’s let his brother out of that cell, he’s loose.” Joey says “You sound scared, doesn’t he sound scared Captain?” Reyes cuts in, “I’m not scared.” She says, “Shut up. I need some real evidence, something that will help me build a case against Dario, now that he’s back. I want you both on him, tag team if you have to, get the job done.” Joey replies, “It’s funny you should use the phrase tag team, see I actually made sure to introduce myself to Dario and I can tell that he liked me. So much so, that he entered me in the Trios Tournament which starts tonight. And guess who he paired me up with, yup, Reyes and his boy Cisco.” Cortez annoyed replies, “That’s Mr. Cisco.” She says, “If that gets you close to El Jefe, then you win those Trios Titles. You understand me? Good, now run along, you don’t want to be late.” They exit, she hangs a picture of Dario on the bulletin board, and says, “Gotcha.”
A band in luchador masks, El Conjunto Nueva Ola, opens the show. Matt Striker and Vampiro introduce us to the temple. Vampiro says “I can’t front. What that sick bastard did last week to Pentagon, for any amount of money, I wouldn’t want to be Fenix’s show, bro.” Striker says, “All right, with that said, let’s Lucha!”
Ivelisse vs. Kobra Moon
The first match tonight is a women’s match. Both competitors are already in the ring, Melissa Santos introduces Ivelisse, Striker tells us Ivelisse is “about to have a one-on-one encounter with an undefeated newcomer here in LU.” Santos introduces Kobra Moon, Striker says, KM “is definitely slithering her way into the LU temple, in the right way.” Vampiro notes that Ivelisse is sporting a fresh new look tonight. The bell rings and we’re off. Hammerlock, standing side headlock by KM, armbar, then a kick by Ivelisse, arm drag, and then tries to hyperextend the arm of KM. KM gets out, swings-and-misses, Ivelisse catches her, rolls her in a hammerlock, KM tries to reverse, Ivelisse hooks a legs submission, and then KM gets a headscissors on Ivelisse, KM bridges, the women exchange sunset flip rollovers, pin attempts, and kickouts.
KM hits a reverse dragon sleeper, Ivelisse works her way out, 2 armdrag takeovers by Ivelisse, throws her into the corner, Ivelisse hits a running back elbow, then KM locks in a rope-assisted headscissors choke, and breaks the hold at 4. KM with a knee to the head, before she crawls back under the bottom rope, slithers into an exotic cover, but Ivelisse kicks out. Ivelisse fights out with strikes to the liver, catches an Irish whip to the corner, and KM spears her in the gut. KM runs into the corner again, but Ivelisse gets out of the way, KM hooks her legs around Ivelisse’s torso and locks a modified tarantula submission over the top rope, and she breaks the hold at 4. Striker tells us, “It’s a submission hold, but because it’s on the ropes, it is illegal, but damage may be done. A lot of KM’s moves, here, involve the ropes and pressure on the head and neck.”
KM chokes Ivelisse on the second rope, double underhook suplex, into a S-grip (or Gable grip) submission. Ivelisse gets to her feet, Ivelisse hits a Northern Lights counter, pin attempt, kickout. Ivelisse locks in a Front Chancery, KM finds the ropes and breaks the hold, Ivelisse sent to the ropes and goes for a Tilt-A-Whirl headscissors, but Ivelisse lands on her feet, and KM hits a side Russian leg sweep instead. KM and Ivelisse exchange forearms, chops, then Ivelisse lands 2 forearms, 2 kicks, then hits a T-bone Exploder-like suplex on KM, cover, kickout. KM with a chin drop, hooks the arms back-to-back and then plants her on her face, KM covers, but doesn’t hook the leg, and Ivelisse kicks out. KM reverses, arm lock, they exchange kicks, then the Code Red sunset flip powerbomb out of nowhere by Ivelisse, pin 1-2-3, and KM receives her first loss.
Winner: Ivelisse
We are shown a pre-recorded backstory segment from Kill Shot. “Who is Kill Shot? That’s an interesting story. I enlisted the day I turned eighteen, we shipped overseas, I was good with a gun. They said I had a killer’s instinct and they made me a sniper. Kill Shot quickly became my nickname. 37 confirmed kills, all bad guys, or so they told me.” “I was good with my bare hands too, so they put me on an Elite Squad, going into hostile territories, getting the job done. We were the best, but sometimes, even the best isn’t good enough. My team was captured, I was the enemy’s prisoner for 13 months, before I was finally able to escape and find my way back home.” Video is shown of Kill Shot shooting his captors and escaping from an enemy encampment. “I don’t know if my brothers made it out alive. According to the US government, we never existed. I fight a different kind of war now. In Lucha Underground, I fight to forget. I fight, because I can’t (forget). Who is Kill Shot? I am a man with no identity, no face. All I have left is that killer instinct, and hope that my brothers will find their way back too.”
Famous B enters the locker room, seeking his first client, and meets midget wrestler Mascarita Sagrada working out on the weight bench. “Well well well, if it isn’t el pequeño Tigre Blanco. Relax, I’m here to give you my business card. I think you are a real talent Mascarita Sagrada and you could be a huge star, so call me. There’s my number is 423-GET-FAME, hit me up, and I’ll make you famous.” Famous B exits and walks past Sexy Star and The Mack. The Mack says, “Hey Sexy, that’s damn rat Dario put me on a Trios team with Mariposa and the Moth. I want you to come out the and show me some moral support.” She nods her head no. He continues, “After what those two bugs did to me last week, I’m going to need your help.” She says, “I’m sorry,” and shakes her head no. “Sooner or later, those two are going to have to pay for what they did to you, I just hope you’re there to collect.” Sexy Star increases the intensity of her arm curls while visions of The Moth and Mariposa dance in her head.
The Crew and Joey Ryan vs Marty “The Moth” Martinez, Mariposa, and The Mack
The Trios Tournament begins with a first round match. Melissa Santos introduces Cortez Castro, Mr. Cisco, and Joey Ryan. Joey pours oil down his trunks and then Melissa Santos introduces Marty Martinez, Mariposa, and The Mack. The Moth flaps its wings and Mack looks on in confusion. The fans chant, “Joey!” as he sucks on his lollipop. The Mack and Joey are in the ring to start it off, but as soon as the bell rings, Joey tags in Cisco.
Mack and Cisco slap hands and exchange fist-bumps, showing mutual respect. Cisco hits the ropes, leapfrog, then Mack hits a shoulder block, pin, kickout. Mack with an Irish whip to the corner, Cisco hits a back elbow, and then a top rope armdrag. Cisco sends Mack to the corner, Mack stands on his head on the top turnbuckle, and then an armdrag on Cisco. Mack runs into the corner and meets a boot, Cisco off the top rope with a hurricanrana, misses a clothesline, Mack hits the ropes, armdrag, leg sweep, pin and kickout combinations, then Mack flips up from the ground to a standing position, and the fans cheer.
They fist bump again and Joey Ryan tags himself in, to the surprise of Cisco. Joey says he wants Mariposa (Cheerleader Melissa) and she tags herself into the surprise of Mack. Joey is licking his lollipop, smearing it all over his body, she slaps Joey, and he pushes her to the mat with a facepalm. Mariposa with an arm wrench, walks the ropes ala. Undertaker, and then an arm drag, hurricanrana, hooks the legs, but Joey kicks out. Mariposa hits the ropes, lands a low dropkick to the knee on Joey, and then a kick to the back. Mariposa walks over Joey, tags in Marty, Joey hits a dropkick on Martinez, and then he tags in Castro. Marty with a knee to the gut, Marty misses, kick from Castro, then Cisco with a baseball kick through the middle rope to the outside while Marty lays in the corner. Cisco drags him to the center of the ring, covers Marty, kick out. Cisco hits forearms to Marty, goes to springboard off the ropes, but Mariposa kicks him in the head. Marty climbs on top and rains punches on Cisco, arm rake, tags in Mariposa, slam, she hits the ropes, Marty grabs her by the waist to pick her up, and slams her down on top of Cisco, pin, but Cisco kicks out. Forearm by Mariposa, they run the ropes, sunset flip, Cisco goes for a dropkick and misses, but Mariposa connects with a dropkick of her own. She tags Marty, and the Mack is frustrated that he’s not getting any action.
Whip reversal, then Marty suplexes Cisco into the turnbuckle, drags him back to the center of the ring, cover, but Cisco kicks out. Vampiro says Marty is like “one of those weirdos who’s going to dig a hole in their basement and put little kids in it.” Striker says, “As long as he doesn’t dress up like a clown, I think we’re good.” Back neckbreaker from Cisco, crawls to the corner, and gets the hot tag to Castro. Marty ducks the kick, Castro gets out of the way, Marty throws a punch but Cisco gets out of the way and Marty punches the turnbuckle, shoulder to the gut, DDT, pin attempt, but Mariposa breaks it up. Cortez goes to tag Cisco, but Joey jumps in front and gets himself tagged in. Next Mack tags himself in, and Marty is angry.
Joey turns Mack around, Mack hits a open hand chop, clothesline, European uppercut, power slam, runs the ropes, leg drop, Mack covers, Joey gets out. Mack runs into the corner, Joey connects with a boot, but Mack gets a fireman’s carry, into a Samoan drop, standing moonsault flip, pin attempt, but the Crew come in take out everybody. A fight starts on the outside, Mack hits the ropes, but Mariposa is standing on the apron twirling her cheerleader pigtails, Mack pushes her off the apron with his boot, and now finally Mack runs and hits a front flip suicide dive over the top rope. The fans chant, “Mack!”, he throws Joey in the ring, sets up, hits the ropes, but Marty tag himself in, and tells Mack to get out of the ring. They exchange chest slaps and yell “my tag”, then chops and yell “I’m in”, then a stunner by Mack and Marty is wobbling. The Crew is in, hits a double team finisher, but Joey slides in at the last minute, and covers Marty, 1-2-3.
Winners: The Crew and Joey Ryan
The referee goes to raise the arms of The Crew, but Joey pushes their arms away, and says “I won!” and the referee raises Joey’s arm. Mariposa rolls her brother out of the ring, Joey celebrates, as The Crew look on, dumbfounded. Mariposa comes in and attacks Mack, until Sexy Star comes out to make the save. Mariposa starts yelling at Sexy Star, at first Sexy Star seems intimidated, but she screams and delivers 3 knife edge chops, 3 grab the hair takeovers, snapmare takeover, kick to the back, kick kick, stomp stomp, stands on her stomach and neck, grabs her by the hair, drag her back to the center of the ring, punch to the gut, kick to the back of the head, and now finally Marty rescues Mariposa.
Outside, Rey Mysterio joins Dragon Azteca Jr, who is sitting on a rooftop. “I know what you’re thinking.” Aztec responds, “The monster killed our teacher.” Mysterio says, “And now you’re going to kill him. Sorry for a hard dose of reality, but he kicked your ass at Aztec Warfare. You now fight for the pride of our tribe, but you’ve still got a lot to learn.” Azteca agrees. “You wear his mask, so fight for honor, not revenge, that will come in time. Now, for the good news, I got us in at trios tournament and we have a match next week.” Azteca asks “Who’s our partner?” then Prince Puma appears and says “Me.” Fist bump, fist bump, Mysterio continues, “You know something? I discovered Puma fighting on the streets, just like El Dragon Azteca found you.” Azteca says, “Well, next week, we fight together.” Puma replies, “Damn right we do.”
Fenix vs Matanza Cueto (c) (Lucha Underground Championship match)
Melissa Santos introduces us to the LU Championship match. Out first is Fenix, he stands at the top of the steps, does his spit spray, and high-fives the fans as he walks down the steps. He enters the ring by springboarding off one rope, handspring off the other rope, then rolling through. The fans chant, “Let’s go Fenix!” Next out accompanied by Dario, is the champion “The Monster” Matanza Cueto, and we cut to commercial.
Senior official Marty Elias shows the belts to the crowd. Fenix runs in, Mantaza throws him back, Fenix gets a go-behind waist lock on the Monster, Matanza twists the arm, Fenix ducks a clothesline, and then a kick to the gut, Matanza catches him, send him to the ropes, Fenix hits a kick to the head (that hurts his foot because of the mask), rolls out of a clothesline, and then Matanza pushes him away to the mat. Matanza climbs on top and slams his head repeatedly into the mat. Matanza working slowly, methodically on Fenix’s neck in the corner. Fenix jumps over, kick to the leg, kick to the gut, kick to the head, and it has no effect on the Monster. Matanza grabs him and suplexes him into the turnbuckle. Matt Striker says below that turnbuckle is a “steel nut”. Matanza drags him by the lip of his mask, and Dario yells “Sangre! Sangre! (Blood! Blood!).” Fenix thrown to the ropes, Fenix catches himself, gets a kick kick, and then a drop toe hold into the ropes, kicks Matanza in the head, the Monster struggles back to his feet, Fenix with a springboard, Matanza catches him, hits the The Rack sidewalk slam, Fenix kicks out. Fenix with a handspring off the ropes, but Matanza catches him again, and hits a tilting German suplex.
Matt Striker calls Matanza “The Eater of Worlds” (They really should copyright that.) Matanza shoves Fenix into the corner, Fenix meet him with a superkick, Matanza still on his feet, dropkick off the top rope, Matanza stumbles but does not go down. Dario says “recuerda la mamá (remember Mother).” Matanza backdrops Fenix on the apron, strike by Fenix, but he hurts his hand by punching the mask. Then a big right hand by Matanza knocks Fenix off the apron.
Matanza follows him to the outside, Fenix runs at him, Matanza throws him up and over, Fenix lands on his feet on the ropes, and delivers a kick to Matanza, then a second kick, jumps into the ring, hits the ropes, and then suicide dives to the outside, but Matanza catches him, and now hits The Rack on the floor. The fans chant, “Holy s***!” Matanza climbs on top, punches to the face, throws him back into the ring, picks him up, carries him around the ring, and nails The Wrath of the Gods on Fenix, 1-2-3, and wins easily.
Winner: Matanza Cueto
After the bell, Matanza crawls on top and pummels Fenix with more shots to the head, stretches his face by the nose, when suddenly Katrina comes out and and yells, “Stop!” She stands at the top of the steps holding the rock, Matanza turns to look at her, but Mil Muertes runs in from behind and attacks Matanza, knocking him to the outside of the ring. Muertes turns and finds a fallen Fenix laying in the corner of the ring. Striker wonders, “Either Mil inadvertently saved Fenix. Is Mil Muertes showing mercy? A human side? Or is there a burning desire to regain the title?” Muertes looks at Fenix, and walks away. The credits roll with Katrina standing tall on the steps, as Striker says, “Goodnight everybody.”
Highlights from last week are shown when Donovan Dijak made his surprise return to confront Jay Lethal and the House of Truth. Lethal cuts a backstage promo, “Tempers are high and emotions are out of control, and I’m going to try to keep it together, because my best friend is in the hospital right now. Donovan Dijak congratulations, I don’t know what your goal was, but.you were successful in getting my attention. The World Heavyweight Champion is speaking to you. Was this your sad, pathetic attempt to get a shot? Well, it didn’t work, because you don’t deserve it. Last year, when you won the top prospect tournament, it was Truth’s idea to bring you in, shape you, groom you. We tried his way, now we’re going to try mine. You don’t deserve to be here in Ring of Honor, you don’t deserve the friendship that was shown to you by the House of Truth. Be sure to tell Prince Nana that Jay Lethal is coming and, I’ll tell you what, you ain’t going to survive this one.”
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 welcome us to Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, Nevada.
reDRagon vs Kazuchika Okada and Gedo
reDRagon is out first to their entrance music, “Dance Away” by the Damn Valentines (who sound a lot like The Misfits). The Rainmaker is out next to much fanfare, followed behind by his partner Gedo. The fans throw gold Okada dollar bills at the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. (Interestingly enough, total combined weights of Okada & Gedo are announced at 406 vs reDragon at 421, but the tale-of-the-tape graphic has them listed at 426 vs. 427.) Okada and Gedo refuse the code of honor, legendary referee Tiger Hattori signals the match to start, the bell rings, and we’re off.
Gedo and Bobby Fish start it off, each men take pause to groom their facial hair. Gedo rakes the arm, takes Fish to the mat with a headlock, Fish tries to roll out, throws Gedo off the ropes, leapfrog, armdrag attempt, blocked, kick to the head, Gedo gets caught with knee lock, but Gedo reaches the ropes, and we get a clean break. Kelly comments on the good sportsmanship shown by Fish. Fish asks Gedo if he wants to tag in Okada, Gedo looks confused. Fish lays flat on his back, then beefcake poses, and welcomes in Okada. When Okada comes in, Fish tags in O’Reilly.
Collar-and-elbow lock up between O’Reilly and Okada. Kelly and MW3 talk about the recent flare up to O’Reilly’s cauliflowered right ear. He’s had it drained several times since Adam Cole irritated it at the ROH 14th Anniversary show. Okada backs O’Reilly into the ropes, the referee calls for the break, Okada fakes a cheap shot, then pats him on the chest. O’Reilly rolls his eyes. Another lock up, Okada hits the ropes, shoulder block to O’Reilly, O’Reilly ducks, leapfrogs, ducks, leapfrogs, then catches himself on the ropes. O’Reilly knocks Okada to the mat, runs up his back, throws him off the ropes, sunset flip, but O’Reilly gets in a cross armbreaker. Gedo comes in and punches O’Reilly in his ear. Okada tags in and continues to work on O’Reilly’s ear. Okada kicks him in the gut, picks him up, slams him down, goes to the outside, and flips over the top rope for a senton. Okada covers but O’Reilly kicks out at 2, and we go to commercial.
After the break, O’Reilly and Gedo exchange blows until Gedo grabs O’Reilly’s cauliflower ear again. Okada comes in and knocks Fish off the apron, O’Reilly ducks a double clothesline, kick to the gut, kick punch punch kick punch kick, and finishes with a leg sweep to Okada knocking him to the mat. O’Reilly gets the hot tag to Fish, Fish comes in with a sliding forearm, crossbody splash into Okada in the corner, back elbow drop, goes for a kick, misses, then picks Gedo up and suplexes him onto Okada, pin attempt, but Okada kicks out.
Okada delivers a knee, Fish delivers a knee, Okada goes for a jackknife powerbomb, Fish rolls through, and Okada drops Fish on his head. Okada picks up Fish, plants him to the mat, climbs to the top turnbuckle, and hits a top rope elbow drop. Okada picks up Fish again, spins him around, goes for The Rainmaker, Fish ducks it, picks him up in his shoulders, and Samoan drops Okada to the mat. Both men are down. Gedo tags in, knocks O’Reilly off the apron, picks up Fish, delivers a neckbreaker, superkick, pin attempt, but Fish gets out at 2. Gedo sets up for the Exploder, but Fish now fighting back with elbows to Gedo until Okada hits a standing dropkick, Gedo with an inverted pin attempt, but Fish gets out. Fish to his feet, backs Okada into the corner, Okada knocked to the outside, Fish sends Okada into the ringpost, then Fish and O’Reilly attack Gedo in the corner with fast smashing double-team offense. Fish covers Gedo, but Okada makes the save. Okada now trading forearms with reDRagon until O’Reilly hits the Ax and Smash. reDRagon picks up Gedo and hit Chasing the Dragon for the win.
Winner: reDRagon
reDRagon congratulate each other and we go to commercial.
When we return, we see highlights from last week between War Machine and the Briscoes. The Briscoes cut a pre-recorded promo, “The current reigning and defending ROH Tag Team Champions, Hanson and Rowe, War Machine, listen up. Fellas, we got a message for ya and it ain’t nothing abstract, it ain’t going to blow your mind. Boys, you ain’t never beat us. Four times we’ve been in the ring together, and you ain’t never beat us. And you know damn well, you’re the champions, congratulations, but you can’t call yourself the best when you ain’t beat Dem Boys. But don’t get it twisted, y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove. It’s been too long, it’s been 3 years since Dem Boys held those titles. It’s been too long, man. Y’all ain’t the only ones with something to prove.”
Adam Cole vs Kushida (Non-Title Match)
Adam Cole weighing 207 pounds, makes his way to the ring. Out next, wearing his purple Back to the Future vest, from Tokyo, Japan weighing 192 pounds IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Kushida. The fans pop big and litter the ring with streamers. MW3 tells us Kushida has a both an MMA background and a baseball background. The two men to exchange the code of honor, the bell rings, and we begin.
They circle each other, collar-and-elbow tie up, Kushida gets backed into the corner, the referee calls for the break, Cole backs up and yells, “Adam Cole, bay bay!” Kushida looks confused, draws air quotes, and the fans laugh. Kushida goes to fight from his backside (as per his Jiu-Jitsu training) and tries to swat Cole away. MW3 tells us Kushida is a student of Tajiri. Kushida takes Cole to the mat, spins around his back, slaps him on the back of the head, and yells, “Kushida, bay bay!” Cole with a boot, headlock by Cole, reversal headlock by Kushida, Cole throws Kushida off the ropes, misses with the clothesline, fujita armbar, and then Kushida delivers a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida throws Cole off the ropes, reversal, Kushida catches himself in the ropes, flips to the outside, but meets an enziguri to the back of the head. Cole tells the fans to scurry at ringside so he can throw Kushida into the crowd, but instead Cole turns around, gives them an up yours gesture, and we go to commercial
When we return, Cole has Kushida in a headlock, Kushida fights out, hits the ropes, but Cole hits a back elbow and bows for the crowd. Kushida rakes Cole’s arm on the apron, Kushida flips back in and knocks Cole to the mat. Kick kick by Kushida, he gets caught by Cole, Cole punches him in the leg, then an atomic drop by Kushida, low dropkick, cartwheel and a dropkick to the side of the Cole’s head. Kushida working on Cole’s left arm, Kushida goes for a kick that misses, Cole connects with a kick, Kushida misses a clothesline, Cole connects again with a kick, Cole runs the ropes, but Kushida follows him with a cannonball that knocks Cole to be outside. Kushida climbs to the top turnbuckle, and then a crash-and-burn swanton onto the floor. The fans chant “Kushida!”
Cole gets back in at 10, but gets met by a standing drop kick from Kushida, then a top rope moonsault press, but Cole gets the knees up. Cole then hits a running Shining Wizard, pin attempt, but Kushida kicks out at 2. Kushida syncs a tarantula Hoverboard lock, Cole grabs the referee for leverage to break the hold, before the referee yells, “You keep your hands off me!” Cole picks up Kushida, small package, Kushida catches Cole in the hoverboard lock, rolling pins by both men, kickouts. They run the ropes, smash each other with forearms, bicycle kick by Cole, jumping enziguri to Kushida, and then Kushida delivers a Kuroda strike knockout blow to Cole. Kushida hits the ropes, rolls through, Hoverboard Lock, Cole nearly gets to the ropes, Kushida brings him back to the center of the ring. Cole picks Kushida up on his shoulder, Kushida slides down, Hoverboard Lock again, Cole reverses, pin attempt, stacks him, Kushida kick out. Both men to their feet, Cole catches Kushida, but Kushida hits a superkick. Off the ropes, reversal, Kushida goes for the flying back hip block, but Cole kicks him in the head, then inverted neckbreaker onto the knee and Cole covers, 1-2-3.
Winner: Adam Cole
Dalton Castle cuts a backstage promo, “Every time I meet someone, I’ve thought about how to fight them. Silas, I’ve met you a lot. It’s not about how I’m going to fight you, but what I’m going to fight you with. Maybe I’ll use a colander, maybe I’ll fill your pants up with flesh-eating piranhas. I don’t know how many years I got left on this planet and I’m going to get weird.” (Note: this promo was cut from the Comet broadcast.)
When we return, we are shown footage from the 14th Anniversary Show of MCMG reuniting.
The Addiction vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Tag Team Grudge Match)
“The Almighty” Christopher Daniels and “The Heavy Metal Rebel” Frankie Kazarian are out first. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin make their way to the ring to Alex Shelley’s music and entrance graphic. Nigel McGuinness has joined on commentary. Daniels and Sabin start it off. “The Ring General” walks around the ring with his hands folded behind his back. They tie up, Kazarian and Shelley come in, and this thing has broken down already. All four men are in the ring, shot to Sabin, Irish whip to Shelley, Addiction throws both MGMG to the center of the ring, MCMG does the dosey doe, splash Addiction in the corner, throw Addiction into each other, and toss them out of the ring. The fans applaud and we go to commercial.
When we come back, Kazarian is on the outside, sunset flip over Sabin, reversal, pin attempt, kick out. Sabin holds Kazarian’s arm while Shelley comes off the top rope. Now Shelley holds Kazarian’s arm while Sabin leapfrogs over Shelley’s back, then they take turns jumping off each others back with running forearms on the Addiction. They throw Kazarian off the ropes, atomic drop, low dropkick, rolling neckbreaker, and then a kick to the face. Shelley climbs up on the second rope, opens up the five-hole, and Sabin connects with a suicide dive to the outside. Sabin throws Kazarian back in the ring, Shelley goes to the top rope, Kazarian is staggered, cross body block, pin attempt, but Kazarian kicks out at 2.
Kazarian gets to his feet, Shelley sizes him up Paparazzi Productions style, climbs to the top rope, gets 5 shots to the head before Daniels comes over distract. Shelley takes out Daniels and then Kazarian. Shelley rushes in with a forearm, Daniels pull Shelley’s legs off the second turnbuckle, and then Kazarian with a backbreaker to Shelley. Sabin tries to come in, but the ref stops him, and Addiction double-team Shelley in the corner. Kazarian picks Shelley up, club to the back of the head, throws him off the ropes, punch to the gut, knee to the face, swinging neckbreaker by Kazarian, Daniels covers for the pin, 1-2, kickout. Daniels holds Shelley in the corner, stomp stomp, Kazarian tags in. Addiction keep tagging each other in and stomping on Shelley. Kazarian poses in the ring while Daniels stands on Shelley’s hand.
Shelley now trying to fight out against both men, hits the ropes, ducks under Kazarian, but meets a clothesline, Daniels flips Kazarian onto Shelley, and then Daniels hits a second rope moonsault. Daniels stands with a boot on Shelley’s chest, the referee counts, but Sabin comes in to break up, and we go to commercial
When we return, Addiction have Shelley isolated in the corner. Daniels tags in Kazarian, Irish whip to the corner, spear, then Kazarian leaps over the top rope with a DDT to Shelley, pin attempt, but Sabin runs in and breaks it up. McGuinness tells us, “Shelley is taking a lot of damage.” Kazarian tries to hook him for a suplex, but Shelley fights out, Daniels comes in, and then Shelley nails a stunner/DDT combo on both of them at the same time. Shelley goes for the tag, but Daniels pulls Sabin off of the apron. Kazarian with a snapmare takeover, kicks to the back, and Addiction have Shelley in their corner again.
Addiction throws Shelley off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline, turns around, gets caught by Daniels, kicks Kazarian and drops him to the mat, then Shelley delivers a drop toe hold to Daniels that slams Daniels head first into Kazarian’s groin. MW3 says, “Right in the ding ding!” Sabin with a crossbody block onto both members of Addiction, 3 elbows to Daniels, wrenches the arm, kick to the stomach, goes to throw Daniels off the ropes, reversal, Sabin ducks a clothesline, and hits a clothesline of his own. Sabin runs to the corner with a back elbow, climbs to the top rope, kicks Kazarian in the chest for good measure before leaping at Daniels, they run the ropes again, Sabin tries to leapfrog, Daniels catches him, Sabin gets out, and then meets a springboard DDT onto Daniels, Sabin hooks him, 1-2, but Daniels kicks out.
Addiction catch Sabin in a basket catch, double team offense, pin, but Shelley is in to break it up. Daniels up on the top turnbuckle, Kazarian positions Sabin to lock fingers with Daniels, but Daniels rolls through and then Daniels jumps to the outside. Kazarian catches Sabin and delivers a diamond-cutter over the top rope, but Sabin kicks out. Addiction go for Celebrity Rehab, but Sabin counters, Shelley in now, Daniels hits an STO, Sabin with an enziguri, MCMG catch Kazarian on their shoulders, and then spin him to the mat. MCMG double-team kicks to Daniels, Sabin with a neckbreaker, then holds Daniels while Shelley comes off the top for a diving crossbody for the Skull and Bones finisher. Sabin scores the victory.
Winner: Motor City Machine Guns
After the bell, Addiction take out MCMG until Matt Sydal and Kushida run down to make the save. While they are checking on MCMG, The Young Bucks come in and deliver a superkick to Kushida. Shelley takes out Matt, then Nick and Sabin go at it. Addiction, Sydal, and Kushida are in now as well. The bell is ringing while all four teams brawl. It’s a donnybrook, as the credits roll, the faces (MCMG, Sydal, Kushida) gain control of the ring, hug each other, and the show ends.
Teruaki Kanemitsu and Hirai Kawato competed to a time-limit draw (10:00)
Jay White defeated David Finlay via submission (8:20)
Tiger Mask, Jushin Thunder Liger, KUSHIDA defeated Gedo, Beretta, and Rocky Romero via submission (8:41)
YOSHI-HASHI and Toru Yano defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata (7:53)
Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Ryusuke Taguchi and Katsuyori Shibata (11:25)
Juice Robinson, Michael Elgin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe defeated Tanga Roa, Tama Tonga, Yujiro Takahashi, Bad Luck Fale, Kenny Omega (10 Man Elimination Tag Team Match) – Hiroshi Tanahashi was the final survivor (23:47)
April 2, 2016 from the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Texas
Jay Lethal defeated Cheeseburger
Colt Cabana defeated Jay Lethal
Matt Sydal and ACH defeated The All Night Express
Donovan Dijak defeated Will Ferrara
Bobby Fish defeated Roderick Strong (Two out of three falls)
War Machine defeated Silas Young and Beer City Bruiser
Dalton Castle defeated BJ Whitmer
The Briscoes defeated The Addiction, The Motor City Machine Guns, and The Young Bucks to become #1 contenders for the ROH World Tag Team Championship (Four Corner Survival tag team match)
Kyle O’Reilly defeated Adam Cole (No Holds Barred)
Recap of Lucha Underground Season 2 Episode 10 – March 30, 2016
The band Chingon kicks off the show. Dario Cueto makes his way to the ring and says “It feels good to be back in my temple. Aztec Warfare was a spectacular event, but this is only the beginning for what I have planned for all of you. First, I am happy to announce that beginning next week, I will start an all-new trios tournament. But that’s not all. What about an all new number one contender for my brother’s championship? Well, for that I have a brilliant idea…” but then Pentagon Jr. appears on the scene and interrupts.
Pentagon speaks, “Wait one minute, Dario. Wait one minute, bastard. Do you want to know why your brother won the championship? Because I wasn’t involved!” Dario replies,.”Well, with all due respect, maybe you didn’t compete in Aztec Warfare because you’re not championship material.” Pentagon grabs Dario by the throad and says says ,“Tonight. I want your brother here, so you can see the real champion. Will you bring him to me?” Pentagon throw Cueto face-first to the mat and threatens to break his arm. Cueto yells “No no no, okay, you can have your championship match with him tonight.” Pentagon says, “You, your brother, the world, and my master will see who is Pentagon Jr. Because I am Pentagon Jr. Zero fear!”
Matt Striker and Vampiro introduce the show and Melissa Santos says tonight’s first match will be a tag team bout.
Taya and Johnny Mundo vs Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro
Taya and Johnny Mundo are already in the ring. Out next, hailing “from the streets”, Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro. Vampiro says “These two kids went to preschool together. They’ve been stealing nipples and baby milk since they were in kindergarten.” The bell sounds and we’re off.
Taya flips Cortez’s legs to the mat, runs the ropes, shoulder block, runs the ropes again, but Taya gets met with a kick, Cortez with a pin attempt, Taya kicks out. Cortez picks her up, she slips out, gets thrown off the ropes, and Taya hits a clothesline. Cisco tags in, double kick to the gut, face-first slam to the mat, pin attempt, kickout. Taya hits a hurricanrana and tags in Mundo. Vampiro says, “Am I the only one who notices Johnny Mundo doesn’t want in this match?” Johnny Zero delivers forearm shivers to the face, cover, kickout. Mundo with a shoulder carry into a powerslam, another cover, another kickout. Mundo connects with the Moonlight Drive on Cisco, pin, kickout. Mundo goes for End of the World, but Cisco gets out of harm’s way, quick roll-up, Mundo kicks out. Cisco slaps Mundo to the face, connects with a swinging neckbreaker, and Cisco gets the hot tag to Castro.
Castro with 2 knife-edge chops forearm, throws Mundo off the ropes, but Mundo rolls over his back and tags in Taya. Vampiro says, “Chicken Sheit!” Taya hits a dropkick to the face, throws Cortez off the ropes, Cortez hits 2 flying back elbows, then DDTs her head to the mat. Cortez goes for the pin, but Mundo comes in, hits the ropes and knee strike to the face. Cisco in now fighting off Mundo, Mundo reverses off the ropes, and then gets tossed to the floor. Cage’s music hits and he walks slowly down the steps. Cisco goes for the baseball slide, but misses and Mundo hits a clothesline. Striker reminds us Mundo smashed a cinder block across Cage’s head last week at Aztec Warfare. Mundo climbs through the ring all the way to the outside, while Cage stands on the opposite side. Meanwhile, Taya is left alone and gets caught in the Psycho Realm, Cisco pins 1-2-3.
Winner: Mr. Cisco and Cortez Castro
A dark room is shown, framed moths hang on the wall. Sitting in a polo shirt with a cardigan tied around his neck is Marty Martinez. “A long time ago, the Moth tribe ruled the Aztec empire. We were known for two things, our Aztec Pride, and our wealth. The moths were drawn to Aztec gold like our namesakes to a flame. As you can see, that wealth is still important to my tribe today. When you possess what others want, they get jealous, they want to take it from you. The Moth tribe knew the envy of the other tribes would bring war, but we had a secret weapon, Mariposa, the greatest warrior Aztecs have ever seen. Mariposa destroyed anyone who tried to take our tribe’s gold and her viciousness became legendary. The Mariposa mask was passed down over generations and now the deadliest Mariposa of them all wears it. Beware my sister, the Mariposa, for she will lead the Moth tribe to rule again.”
Backstage we see a woman standing guard outside Dario’s office, the lights flicker, and Catrina is suddenly inside with Dario. He calmly says, “Catrina, I didn’t see you come in, but that’s kind of your thing, isn’t it? You come in and out of places like a ghost. I want to thank you for keeping my temple going in my absence, but as I said tonight, this is my temple. I’m the rightful owner of it.” She says, “Maybe so, but your brother is not the rightful owner of that championship, and sooner or later, death will come for it.” Dario says, “My brother does not fear death.” She says, “But you do.” Dario replies, “Listen, I have no beef with you, I even gave the Disciples of Death a rematch for the titles tonight. You and I? We have common enemies. Working together, we could be unstoppable.” She says, “When the time is right, your brother will face death and this temple and be mine again.” The lights flicker out, she disappears, and he takes a good swift drink.
Chingon plays a riff from Suicidal Tendencies “Institutionalized” and Melissa Santos tells us this is an elimination match for the Trios championship.
Ivelisse, Angelico, and Son of Havoc (c) vs The Disciples of Death (w/Catrina) (Elimination Match) for the Lucha Underground Trios Championship
The champs are in the ring, Disciples of Death come out. Striker explains that all three members on one team have to be eliminated for the match to be over. Instead of 1 fall, you need 3 falls. The bell rings, Angelico and Barrio Negro start it off, collar and elbow tie-up, they flip around, then Angelico hits an arm drag, Japanese armdrag, into an armlock. SoH tags, goes off the top rope and drops a stomp to the arm, connects with Barrio off the ropes, reversal, reversal, slash, pin, kickout. Ivelisse tags in, arm drag, elbow lock, 4 kicks. Fans chant “Ivelisse!” Goes to tag, but Barrio picks her up on his shoulder, El Siniestro de la Muerte tags in.
Sinestro and Barrio try to double team Ivelisse, but she ducks out of the way and Sinestro kicks Barrio in the back. Ivelisse drives Sinestro into the corner, hits a northern lights suplex, pin, Sinestro kicks out. Sinestro misses a clothesline, Ivelisse bridges into a suplex, pin, kickout, Catrina grabs Ivelisse and holds her against the ropes while Barrio kicks her in the face, Sinestro pins her, and Ivelisse is out.
It’s now 3-on-2, DoD against SoH and Angelico. Vampiro says, “With Catrina, that’s like 4 against 3 right off the bat. Now 4-on-2.” Fans chant “Son of Havoc!”. Trece tags in, throws SoH into the corner, flips him to the mat, into the corner again, SoH hits a boot. SoH climbs to the top rope, almost gets caught, but somersaults over and gets the hot tag to Angelico. Angelico hits 2 clotheslines, then a forearm to Barrio knocking him off the ropes. Angelico goes for another clothesline, blocked, full nelson, but Angelico kicks Trece, backs Sinestro to the ropes. Striker says “Trec-e gets another knee to the face-e.”, then Sinestro gets a kick to the back of the head, and Barrio gets a loud kick to the head. Trece dropkicks Angelico to the mat, they jockey for lock position, and then Fall of the Angels into the corner turnbuckle and Trece is done.
Barrio comes in and kicks Angelico, Sinestro joins in, they tag team, throw him off the ropes, but Angelico catches himself, throws Sinestro over his shoulder, but gets caught in a full nelson, and kick to the Barrio. SoH bicycle kicks Sinestro in the face, then they hold down the ropes sending Barrio to the floor. Angelico and SoH hit synchronized leaps to the outside and the fans cheer. Vampiro says “Pretty impressive stuff. This looks like the X Games!” Angelico throws Sanesco into the ring, hits a springboard knee off the middle rope, calls for the Fall of the Angels, but Sinestro fights out, delivers forearm to Angelico’s head, then plants his knees in his back, and plants Angelico to the mat. Angelico is eliminated.
SoH comes in now, it’s 2-on-1, he tries to fight off both men but the numbers game is too much. They throw him off the ropes SoH dives headfirst into the top rope, bounces backwards and hits a back elbow drop on both men, pins Suerte, but Barrio breaks it up. Sinestro clobbers SoH, Barrio tags in, they throw SoH off the ropes, he ducks a double clothesline, leapfrogs, bounces off the middle rope into a crossbody block, then springboards off the top rope, double stomp stepping on each man’s back, then hits a backflip on Barrio for the pin.
All of the sudden Sinestro comes in and crushes SoH in the skull. Irish whip to the corner, SoH jumps over top and then meet the clothesline. Sinestro climbs to the top rope, goes for a moonsault, but misses. SoH now climbs to the top rope, Striker calls him, “The badass biker from the open road.” Catrina knocks him off the rope, he falls and hits his head. Ivelisse returns from the back and kicks Catrina in the head. Striker says, “The bitch is back.” Vampiro says, “And the other bitch is down, hell yeah.” SoH with two suicide dives to the outside, throws him back in the ring, climbs to the top rope, shooting star press, pin, SoH wins.
Winner and STILL Lucha Underground Champions: Ivelisse, Angelico, and Son of Havoc
Back in Dario’s office, he turns around in his chair and says, “I still can’t believe that you’re here. I’ll be honest, I’m a little starstruck.” Mysterio replies, “I’m here because of El Dragon Azteca.” Dario replies, “Well, it was good to see him back in action during Aztec Warfare.” Mysterio sits up, “No no no, hell no, that is Dragon Azteca Jr. I am talking about his mentor, my mentor, the man who came into this temple and never came out.” Dario says, “I know nothing about that.” Mysterio replies, “Well he’s dead, and I’m pretty sure your brother is responsible.” Dario protests, “I swear to you and to the gods, that my brother had nothing to do with whatever happened to him. Your mentor and my father, whatever their beef was, it has nothing to do with us. I respect the old ways, but I am a man of the new world. And all I want is to make this Temple the best in the fighting arena that’s ever existed. I was very impressed with you during Aztec Warfare, and of course, I recognize that you are the most famous luchador in the world. So it would be my honor, if you and Dragon Azteca Jr. competed here, as long as we both agreed to leave the past in the past.” Dario hands Mysterio a shot and they drink to the memory of El Dragon Azteca.
Sexy Star vs Mariposa
Already in the ring accompanied by The Mack is Sexy Star. Matt tells us that this young lady spearheaded a revolution and inspired a generation. Next out is Mariposa (Cheerleader Melissa) in a tall headdress and giant canvas moth-like wings, making her debut in singles action. Star looks pretty scared, the bell rings, Star ducks a clothesline, somersaults away, then slides out of the ring. Star backs into Marty Martinez, screams in fear, and he throws her back in the ring. Mariposa kick kick, throws Star into the turnbuckle, punches to the stomach, pushes a boot into the face. Mariposa climbs to the top rope, goes for a moonsault, but misses. Star ducks to the apron, jumps back in, runs the ropes, goes for a tilt-a-whirl headscissors submission, but Mariposa is way too strong and slams her to the mat. Mariposa nails the Butterfly Effect vertebreaker and pins Star easily, 1-2-3..
Winner: Mariposa
Mariposa twirls her Cheerleader pigtails, The Mack enters the ring to check on Sexy Star, but Martinez stomps The Mack in the back. Mariposa delivers a kick to the face, then Martinez picks Mariposa up by the legs, spins her around by the waist, and slams her down onto The Mack.
Growls of beasts are heard coming from behind a closed door. Dario enters and walks over to the cage, “You’ve done well, my brother. Better than I could have hoped for, but our work is far from over. Pentagon Jr. has made a name for himself breaking arms, I want you to break his back, so he never returns to my temple again.” Dario unlock the cage and out walks The Monster.
Chingon plays their final song, the fans cheer, and Melissa Santos welcomes us to the main event.
Pentagon Jr. vs Matanza Cueto (c) for the Lucha Underground Championship
Out first is Pentagon Jr., as the fans chant “Cero Miedo!” Out next, “owner and promoter of Lucha Underground” Dario Cueto leads the Lucha Underground Champion “The Monster” Mantaza Cueto to the ring by the key. Matanza stares at the key until Dario puts it back around his neck. Matanza breathes heavily, Pentagon welcomes him to the fight. Matanza climbs into the squared circle for his first title defense, drops the belt in the center of the ring, the referee picks it up hesitantly, shows it to the crowd, the bell rings, and we’re off.
They circle each other, Matanza makes 2 attempts to grab Pentagon, but Pentagon slips away each time. Finally Matanza throws Pentagon off the ropes, Pentagon connects with a kick to the back of the head that has no effect on Matanza. 2 kicks to the leg by Pentagon, Matanza pushes him off the ropes, misses a clothesline and then catches a superkick from Pentagon which again has no effect on Matanza. Pentagon delivers a kick to the leg, 3 forearms to the head, backs Matanza into the corner, Irish whip, reversal, Pentagon jumps over top of him, and delivers the low blow that has no effect on Matanza. Pentagon looks at the crowd in disbelief.
Matanza throws Pentagon to the floor and delivers stomps to the lower back. Matanza yells at the fans in the floor seats to move and they don’t oblige very quickly. Finally, they clear out of the way and Matanza throws Pentagon into the wooden chairs. Vampiro says “Pentagon is hurt. I don’t care, I’m sorry. He’s beating him to death, his lower back, he’s hurt.” Matanza throw Pentagon into the railing. Striker reminds us Matanza ripped off that same steel beam when Joey Ryan was attached to it just last week. Matanza begins to tear apart the mask of Pentagon and rolls him back into the ring. Striker says “You can almost hear the fear in the chants of the believers.” German suplex by Matanza, Vampiro says “Pentagon is telling the referee he’s hurt. That’s what he’s saying. I can see it and hear it in Spanish, right now.” Matanza doesn’t care, picks him up, hits the Wrath of the Gods, and this one is over.
Winner and STILL Lucha Underground Champion: Matanza Cueto
Vampiro gets up from commentary and climbs into the ring. Matanza and Vampiro stare at each other, Matanza nods and backs away. Vampiro bends down to check on Pentagon, until Matanza runs and kicks Vampiro in the head. Matanza picks up Pentagon, throws him to the floor. Matt Striker says, “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know if we’re still on the air…” and then Matanza powerbombs Pentagon through the announce table. The paramedics come out with a stretcher and Striker says, “That Zero Fear may very well be the end of Pentagon. If the will of a group could ever raise anyone spirits, this crowd is getting behind Pentagon.” They load Pentagon into an ambulance, Vampiro looks out the back window, and the show ends with the fans chanting “Cero Miedo!”
Kushida welcomes us to the finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII held June 7th at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Yoyogi Park, Japan. Tonight we will see Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly in the tournament finals.
Kushida speaks in backstage interview. “Before the tournament started, it reached my ears that I was the favorite to win. If I’m the most probable winner, I had to bring up the energy and be the number one from the start. You know, in terms of content and outcome, I felt responsible for that. As far as O’Reilly, I know he’s popular in Ring of Honor. He first came to New Japan just last year. It was for the G1 IWGP Junior Tag Team matches held at the Tokyo Dome. I faced him a couple of times, so I knew how close he was from those fights. But in Japan, he’s mostly known as a tag specialist. He’s unpredictable as a singles player. As his opponent, a part of me was a bit scared. But I really felt that the crowd got to know them as Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly of reDRagon. They got to grasp what they’re about. Through my match it became more evident. In that sense, the fight was a very worthwhile match. There was an Ring of Honor tour right before in May. I fought in a three-way match against Kyle O’Reilly and Chris Sabin. And from that match, I gained confidence and I was also amazed. If I face them in a singles match, I felt that I could show a new side of me. A new and improved version of Kushida. I felt very excited.”
Kushida vs Kyle O’Reilly – Finals of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII
Jim Ross and Josh Barnett introduce us to commentary. Kyle O’Reilly is out first. JR tells us that O’Reilly is a student of the game, a former rugby player, trained in MMA. Kishida is out next trained at the Takata Dojo in Tokyo, Japan when he was a junior in high school and has wanted to be a wrestler all of his life. While training in Canada, Kushida had to borrow money from his mother to get wrestling training. So far, O’Reilly and Kushina have only lost one match each in the tournament. The announcements are made, the silver winged trophy is shown. And we go to commercial.
After the commercial, O’Reilly extends a handshake to Kushida. The two men size each other up, jockeying for position, they push each other to the ropes. O’Reilly grabs the leg, Kushida on the mat fighting from his back, they exchange mat wrestling maneuvers, now O’Reilly fighting from his back and locks in an armbar. The two men break the hold and are back up. Kushida goes right back to mat, fighting from his backside again, still jockeying for position, Kushida grabs the leg of O’Reilly, forearms, elbows, back-and-forth. O’Reilly pushes Kushida’s shoulders to the mat, count, break, count, break, Kushida counters with a bridge. O’Reilly tries to break the bridge by slamming his legs into Kushida hips. Kushida hooks in a body scissors, O’Reilly reverses, tries for the STF, headlock, Kushida spins out. Kushida does some cartwheels, then spins around O’Reilly back, goes for a kick that misses, the men separate, and the fans applaud.
They lock up again, O’Reilly gets a headlock, really wrenches it in. Kushida fights out, throws O’Reilly off the ropes, shoulder block by O’Reilly. Off the ropes again, O’Reilly grabs ahold of the ropes, then runs up and over Kushida’s back, hooks a backslide, but Kushida kicks out. Inverted atomic drop slows O’Reilly down, Kushida hits a cartwheel off the ropes, and a stomp to the back of the head. Kushida catches O’Reilly in an armbar, O’Reilly trying to reverse by rolling and flipping out, O’Reilly gets a foot on the bottom rope, and the ref breaks the hold. Rolling short-armed scissor, Kushida lands knife-edge chops to O’Reilly, Irish whip into the corner, but Kushida meets a boot. O’Reilly somersaults out, kick kick, drop leg sweep, and Kushida is down. O’Reilly lateral press pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 1. O’Reilly picks up Kushida, delivers a backbreaker, pin attempt, Kushida kicks out at 2. O’Reilly picks him up, they exchanged forearms, O’Reilly syncs in an arm ringer, then hammer lock takedown on Kushida and Kushida screams in pain at his left arm. O’Reilly continues the attack on the left arm. Arm ringer, hammerlock, Kushida to the mat. O’Reilly delivering elbows, kicks, then a sliding knee to Kushida’s left arm, O’Reilly grabs him by the nose and stretches his face and then syncs in a wrist lock on the other arm. How far can Kushida’s wrist rotate?! O’Reilly hits a cartwheel facebuster DDT and we go to commercial.
As we return, Kushida is on the mat, O’Reilly picks him up by the trunks, goes for a vertical brainbuster, Kushida wiggles out, a series and kicks from Kushida and then an arm rake over the top rope. Kushida spring boards off the top rope with a chop to the head, kick kick kick, off the ropes, reversal and Kushida lands a springboard back elbow. Kushida goes to throw O’Reilly for an Irish whip, but his arm is still in pain. O’Reilly crawls between Kushida’s legs on his hands and knees, Kushida does the same to O’Reilly, then a double wrist lock attempt, transition into a cross armbreaker, another double wrist lock attempt, but O’Reilly counters into the cross armbreaker of his own. Kushida is back up, thunderous swing by O’Reilly, and then catches him with a naked choke and hooks the legs into a full octopus. Kushida has the double wrist lock synced in, they tumble through each other, til they hit the ropes. Kushida is rabid and will not let go of the arm wrench. O’Reilly tries to fight off, but Kushida with a kick to the ribs, Kushida goes to the top rope, looking for the double wrist lock again, but O’Reilly is up with shots to the rib, and then a flying wristlock counter by O’Reilly, knocking Kushida’s head violently to the mat. O’Reilly syncs in an armbar submission, Kushida looks dazed and completely out of it. They spin out, brainbuster attempt, Kushida wiggles out, and then a German suplex by Kushida, but O’Reilly lands on his feet. O’Reilly goes to the turnbuckle rope for a clothesline, but Kushida catches him into a German suplex of his own, and then a double wrist lock DDT from the top rope.
Kushida lands an over-the-shoulder arm ringer, O’Reilly tries to fight back, but gets knocked to the outside. Kushida climbs to the top rope and delivers a shooting star press onto O’Reilly on the floor. Kushida back in the ring and the ref starts the count on O’Reilly. O’Reilly back in and lands a triangle choke, Kushia gets his foot underneath the bottom rope, and the referee calls for the break. O’Reilly sets Kushida up on the top rope, Kushida attacks the arm and knocks O’Reilly off. Kushida tries to get himself off the turnbuckle, O’Reilly pops back up, and follows him up again. Kushida is looking dead on his feet. O’Reilly picks him up and then a belly-to-back suplex off the top rope. Kushida’s eyes are closed. O’Reilly pin attempt, 1-2, kickout, and commercial.
When we return both men are on the canvas. O’Reilly kick to the solar plexus, Kushida tries to fight back, O’Reilly catches him in a suplex, and Kushida kicked out. O’Reilly to his feet first, kick to the back, forearm, Kushida goes down to one knee, stands up and knocks O’Reilly the f*** out. Ref goes lift O’Reilly’s arm and check on him, but O’Reilly screams in pain as his arm is still hurt. Kushida gets caught in an arm wringer, but then delivers a Pele kick. O’Reilly with a running lariat, Kushida off the ropes, O’Reilly with another lariat, clothesline, lateral press Kushida kicks out. Fast offense O’Reilly suplex, armbar, cross armbreaker, chain wrestling maneuvers. Kushida’s arm still hurting, O’Reilly’s arm is still hurting. O’Reilly goes to transition into the omoplata, but Kushida grab the ropes. Fans chant Kushida. Bobby Fish yelling from the outside. O’Reilly nails a kick to the sternum, goes after the left arm again, but Kushida fights out. O’Reilly syncs in a front choke while they’re standing on the apron. Kushida gets out and lands a brainbuster on O’Reilly on the apron. Both men are laid out, the ref (wearing red shoes) counts to 19 before both roll into the ring, and we hit our last commercial break.
When we return, both men are on their knees exchanging forearms. Both men are exhausted, can barely move their arms, Kushida spitting, O’Reilly’s sweating. They make their way to their feet, O’Reilly forearm, Kushida is disoriented and having a hard time staying on his feet. Kushida shakes it off and then delivered a bunch of forearms to O’Reilly, now O’Reilly is staggering, stumbling. They both grab each other by the hair, exchange shots, both men throwing haymakers, punch punch punch, forearm forearm forearm, advantage O’Reilly. Barnett says this has broken down to a hockey fight! O’Reilly connects with a running knee, both men are fighting one-armed. Kushida hits a neck breaker, pin attempt, but O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida climbs to the top rope, corkscrew moonsault, but did not get 100% of it, hooks the legs, 1-2, O’Reilly kicks out. Kushida connects, then spins around, floats over, double wrist Hoverboard lock. O’Reilly reaching for the ropes, but Kushida pulls him back to the middle of the ring, O’Reilly has nowhere to go, and finally taps.
Winner of the Best of the Super Junior Tournament XXII: Kushida (30:45)
Kushida’s teammates from New Japan (including Tiger Mask) join him in the ring to help him celebrate. The ref raises his arm, they give him an ice pack, and Kushida climbs the turnbuckle to pose for the crowd. Bobby Fish is in the ring helping O’Reilly, he’s got the ice pack as well. Both competitors look at each other, Kushida drops to his knees, O’Reilly drops to his knees. They bow to each other, placing their foreheads to the mat. O’Reilly raises his arm, Kushida hugs O’Reilly, and we go to commercial
O’Reilly cuts a promo in the back, “I don’t know what else to say right now, but they say a man admits defeat when a man is defeated. And tonight Kushida was the better man, he beat me at my own game, he tapped me out. But rest assured, I’ve been one of the top Junior Heavyweights in the world the last 3 weeks, and tonight, Kyle O’Reilly is not the best tonight, but give me 365 g*ddamn days, and next year at this exact moment, at this exact place, I will have my hand raised. I will be holding the trophy, and once again Kyle O’Reilly will prove to the entire world, that I am the best of the Super Juniors.”
Kushida stands in the ring holding the trophy, the referee hands him the mic. “Thank you for cheering me on in the Super Junior. For the Super Junior to continue on, for the next centuries to come, please support us again next year. It’s not important where you’re from, it’s important where you’re heading, it’s not about what you’ve done, it’s about what you’re going to do. I will bring a brighter future to New Japan’s Junior. With all of my heart, thank you.”
Streamers fall from the ceiling as Kushida climbs the turnbuckle, hugging the trophy, and holding a check for 5 million yen. Fellow New Japan competitors pose behind Kushida. JR mentions that while there was not a lot of high-risk maneuvers, this was a good wrestling match. Video is shown of Kushida as a child and young man. Kushida walks over with the trophy and shakes the hand of Jushin Thunder Liger. Cut to backstage promo.
Kushida says, “As for myself, I always admired New Japan Junior, now I’m part of it. I wanted to win against O’Reilly. I thought we were the same person. I wanted to move up in New Japan become a regular and become famous. The fight wouldn’t have been so fierce if it wasn’t against O’Reilly. But if it was against Rocky Romero, Bobby Fish, or the Young Bucks, I felt after the match that would be brothers in arms, a type of friendship was formed. I’ve been wanting to bring Super Junior to a much bigger stadium, it’s been my ultimate wish. After the match against Kyle O’Reilly, I feel that the tide is running in our favor. There are more opportunities now to move up. I want to get better, I want to be more specific, I want to fight in a main event match. I want the Junior category to get more attention. It means that the rivalry between O’Reilly and I will continue. There’s also a Ricochet and Matt Sydal and let’s not forget my brother Shelley will return. I can’t wait until next year’s Super Junior.” Jim Ross congratulates Kushida and says so long everybody.
Recap of Ring of Honor TV for the week of March 27, 2016
Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3 introduce the show from Sam’s Town Live, Las Vegas Nevada. Tonight we kick things off with a four corner survival match.
Roderick Strong vs. Adam Page vs. Moose vs. Matt Sydal
Out first is former ROH World Television Champion, Roderick Strong, who lost his belt to Tomohiro Ishii at Honor Rising. The lights go out, the Clockwork Purple video entrance plays, and Adam Page poses on the ramp. Next the ‘Moose Nation’ music hits and Moose walks to the ring, led by Stokely Hathaway. Competitor number four is “Reborn” Matt Sydal, wearing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship he won with his partner Ricochet from The Young Bucks at The New Beginning in Osaka. Adam Page refuses the code of honor, and we’re underway.
Sydal and Strong start off, arm rake, reversal, headscissors takeover, headlock, Sydal throws Strong off the rope, Strong knocks Sydal down, ducks under, leapfrog, ducks under, spinning side kick. Sydal gets in a kick, another kick, Irish whip to the corner, but meets an elbow, and then Strong catches Sydal with a backbreaker, cover 1-2, Sydal kicks out. Strong flips Sydal over his shoulder and Page tags himself in, slam to the corner, leapfrog, Page gets in a boot, and then a dropkick. Page pushes Strong to the other corner, and then rakes a forearm across the face and nose. Page looks for a suplex, but Strong reverses, flops Page across the ropes, dumping him to the outside. By the rules of a four corner survival match, Moose is able to declare himself legal with Page now on the outside. Moose is in the ring and wants some action punching and chopping with his orange and white football gloves, and then Moose with a sit-down powerbomb on Strong, pin attempt, but Page in to break it up. Moose dropkicks Page with his orange and white, size 16, boots. Sydal back in the ring hits the ropes, headscissors, spins around Moose, and then an ugly drop thigh hold and Moose. Sydal goes flying to the outside, Moose catches him and delivers a powerbomb on the apron, Strong comes through with a baseball slide taking Moose out, and then Page hits a running shooting star press on Strong. Page throws Strong back into the ring and we go to commercial.
After the break, Page and Strong in the ring, Page delivering chops and then a running dropkick in the corner. Pin attempt 1-2, but Strong kicks out. Page picks up Strong on his shoulders, Strong grabs the rope and makes it to the apron, Moose climbs the apron trying to get back in the ring, but receives a kick and then a side slam across the apron. Back in the ring, Sydal and Page do a roll up, bridge, and kickout. Moose comes in with the “Moose punches” until he gets caught by Strong. Moose comes back with a forearm to Strong, now to Page, then running forearms in each corner that turns Page inside out. Moose sits Page up on the top rope, then sits Sydal on the top rope, and delivers a standing dropkick to both of them, knocking them to the outside. Strong comes back and delivers a kick to Moose, and now sets Moose up on the top rope. Sydal runs in does a springboard off the rope into a hurricanrana, flipping Moose to the mat. Strong picks Moose up on his shoulders, delivers to go-to-sleep, then Page flips over the rope and delivers a running clothesline and DDT on Strong. Sydal in, catches Page by the boot, then gets a boot of his own.
But all of the sudden, running down the ramp is BJ Whitmer, who grabs the leg of Page. Page gets back in the ring and gets a kick from Sydal. Sydal hits an enziguri on Strong, jumping knee to Page, Sydal climbs to the top rope, and hits a shooting star press on Page, Strong breaks up the pin attempt. Strong hits a vertical back breaker that flips Sydal inside out, and then Strong connects with a running knee that knocks Page out, 1-2-3. Strong wins.
Winner: Roderick Strong
After the break, Adam Cole’s “Something for you” music hits, he walks to the ring, stands on the apron, and points at the high hair bun on his head. Cole takes the mic, “Are you ready for story time with Adam Cole, bay bay? I’m assuming that a lot of you expect me to come out here and talk about this downward spiral I was on, losing to Matt Sydal on world television, losing in the main event at ROH’s 14th Anniversary, dropping the ball and not getting the job done. I confidently stand here before you, the best pro wrestler on the planet. The reason being, there’s not a man in that locker room or anybody watching Ring of Honor around the world that can deny I am the undefeated Ring of Honor Champion. A guy like Kyle O’Reilly should not even have been in my rematch. I beat Kyle O’Riley at Final Battle and I will continue to beat Kyle O’Reilly. Sad news everybody, Kyle O’Reilly will never be Ring of Honor Champion. That’s a promise I will keep, another promise I will keep is that I will be the man who dethroned Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship. His days are numbered, it’s done it’s finished, in a one-on-one situation with Adam Cole, bay bay, he don’t stand a chance. Jay Lethal always has the House of Truth watching his back, O’Reilly has Bobby Fish over his shoulder. Me? I have my Kingdom. With or without my Kingdom, I can promise you, one day, very, very soon, this face is your next ROH World Champion.”
The Kingdom’s music hits and it’s the surprising return of Matt Taven. Taven hobbles to the ring on a crutch, microphone in pocket. Cole helps him through the ropes and they hug. Taven speaks, “For the first time in 2016, The Kingdom is back on Ring of Honor television. We are going to pick up right where we left off in 2015, dominating professional wrestling. Not just here in ROH, not just in Japan, but all around the world, exceeding more than we ever have in our careers. Everyone except for you.” Taven turns and looks at Cole.
Kelly and MW3 are in shock, “What? What in the world!” Cole ask, “Matt, what are you talking about?” Taven interrupts, “No no no, you had two chances to win the ROH World Title and what did you do? You blew them both. And to think, I joined the Kingdom because I thought Adam Cole… he’s a big star, Adam Cole…I should attach my name to you, it’ll boost my stock. But what are you doing? You got hurt and I had to keep you relevant. Adam, you’re not better than me. And the only real star of The Kingdom was me.”
Cole on the mic, “You have a lot of nerve to be saying…” Taven interrupts, “I have a lot of nerve? I have a lot of nerve? The last time we were in this room together, you said that I dropped the ball. I blew my knee out a minute into Final Battle and continued wrestling for another 10-12 minutes. It probably cost me another 6 months of my career. But the thing is Adam, the thing is, this is the end. I don’t want to hear it. Adam, what I hear from you, you think things are finished, but they have only just begun. The Kingdom will be rebuilt in my image, and the only thing finished with The Kingdom is you.” Taven drops the mic and walks out of the ring. Kelly wonders “What will Adam Cole do now?” and we go to commercial break.
Backstage promo by Dalton Castle on Silas Young, “Rules. I’ve never been a big fan of the rules. Signs that tell me how fast I can go, restaurants that tell me what to wear. I’m a clothing-optional man! So I can relax, because Silas agreed to a fight without honor, for you will no longer be protected by rules.”
After the break, the announcers continue to talk about the Cole/Taven split.
Cheeseburger vs. Foxx Vinyer
Cheeseburger music hits and he comes out posing with the Shotei palm strike. In the ring already is Foxx Vinyer. Foxx has blue and white face paint, is wearing a black singlet with blue splotches and a blue wolf, he has on leg tassels, his head is half shaven, and a patch of hair is hanging off the side of his head. He offers to shake CHZB hand and then he smashes him over the head. Cheeseburger fights back with chops, then palm strikes to the chest, then a Mongolian chop. MW3 says, “He’s learning!” Then a boot to the midsection, Cheeseburger hits the ropes, but Foxx slams him to the mat, and hooks the leg 1-2, but CHZB kicks out. MW3 says, “Foxx looks like the love child of The Missing Link!” Foxx runs to the corner, Cheeseburger gets out of the way, climbs to the top rope, knee to the head. CHZB sets up for the Shotei palm strike, a move taught to him by Jushin Thunder Liger, and the fan start clapping. However, running down the ramp is the All Night Express. They beat up Foxx, throw him to the outside, pick him up together, and backdrop him into the apron.
Winner: No contest
ANX goes over to the announce table, grabs some microphones, point at Cheeseburger and climb into the ring. Titus is first on the mic, “Whoa whoa whoa, be easy cheesy. Put away the Shotei. We’re not here to do that to you, because we like you Burger. You’re like one of us, you are not like one of them.” King cuts in, “Juicy Burger, even though they cheer for you and chant ‘Cheeseburger!’ for you, they don’t like you. You’re out here risking your life, breaking your back, while they’re sitting in their seats and thinking ‘I could beat up Cheeseburger. That boy better eat a cheeseburger.’ They don’t put their bodies at risk like you do, like we do. They don’t know what it’s like going through a table. At the ROH 14th Anniversary show, my daughter sat in the first row and watched as my spine got bent over a ladder. I could see her tears in her eyes, but I can’t walk over to her, because my damn legs are numb. They don’t care about you Burger. Simple fact is, Cheeseburger, you got more heart in this little, teeny, tiny, minuscule, spaghetti string bicep than the most of you got your whole damn body. When we were the World Tag Team Champions, you loved us, you threw streamers for us, you popped champagne with us. And now we’re back, and damn well know we’re better than everybody. We’re Rhett Titus and Kenny King, the best damn tag team in the world.”
Titus says, “Now we’re going to do a segment called, ‘Wrestlers read mean tweets.” ‘All Night Express came out, and it was a mass exodus to the bathroom.’” Kenny points someone in the crowd, “You were probably the one who said that.” Titus continues, “We also got this one, ‘The All Night Express always remind me of a terrible overrated tag team.’” Titus points at someone in the crowd, “Was that you boy?” King address CHZB, “Cheeseburger, we’re the same dudes, we haven’t changed. I’m still carrying on as the Emperor of the City.” Fans boo. King responds, “How dare you treat me like that?” Titus says “You should have been throwing rose petals at his feet, when he walked into the building, that’s right!”
King continues, “Titus has got, and you might not be able to see this because he’s wearing the All Night Express t-shirt, available only at ROHWrestling.com, but Titus has got abs! Which now you ARE going to see, cuz he’s taking his damn shirt off. He’s got shoulders, he’s got eyes that hypnotize. Titus woah, don’t take your pants off in here! We’re still the same. But no, you’d rather cheer for spot monkeys with tassels on their legs like the Young Bucks. You’d rather cheer for those damn farmer rednecks the Briscoe Boys. You all look like you smell just like those bearded stinky chumps War Machine. Y’all even like Cheeseburger more than us.” Fans chant “Cheeseburger!” King says, “And that kind of means that you’re like us, but you’re also kinda like them. You’re smart dude, you know our catch phrase, read it on the back of the shirt, ‘If you ain’t runnin with us, you better run from us.’ And your ass ain’t running with us.” King turns around and decks CHZB, Titus joins in with stomps.
Kelly says, ‘You ran away from this company when you were the champ! And it’s not the fans fault, you can’t beat War Machine!” They go to leave, but come back in, pick CHZB up again, throws him in the air, and King nails a sidewalk spinning backbreaker. Titus connects off the top rope and Cheeseburger is not moving. War Machine runs to the ring, the Briscoes run to the ring, ANX to the outside. King says “There’s your damn heroes, look at this.” All 4 men stand in the ring yelling at ANX as ANX walks up the ramp. The Briscoes pick up War Machine’s ROH Tag Team belts and stand there looking at them. War Machine slowly turn, grab their belts back, and both teams exchange shots as we cut to commercial.
A rerun of the same promo from last week is shown, in which Jay Lethal and Truth talk about Hirooki Goto.
Hirooki Goto vs Jay Lethal for the ROH World Championship
After the commercial, it is main event time! Goto’s image appears on the screen. Kelly tell us, “Opportunities at the IWGP Championship have slipped through his fingers, leaving Goto to wonder which way he should go, what path he should take with his career.” MW3 says, “I don’t always agree, I don’t like the things he says or does, but when truth Martini does Jay Lethal is the greatest, there is no denying it. He’s the champion for a reason.” Jay Lethal hits the apron, poses with the belt, and streamers litter the ring. We go to Bobby Cruise for the introductions. “This is your main event, scheduled for one fall, for the ROH World Championship. Introducing first, the challenger out of Kuwana, Mei, Japan, Hirooki Goto. Accompanied by Truth Martini & Taeler Hendrix, wrestling out of Elizabeth, New Jersey, weighing 230 pounds, he’s the greatest first generation wrestler, Jay Lethal.” And we go to commercial.
When we return from break, the bell rings, and we’re off. Lethal grabs Goto and sends him to the corner, delivers stomps to the midsection, throws Goto off the ropes, Goto ducks a clothesline and then hits a shoulder block. Goto throws Lethal, reversal, armdrag, reversal, Lethal goes down. Goto kick, chop to the back, and then flips Lethal over, hooks the leg, cover 1, kickout. Kelly tells us, “Goto is attempting to become the second Japanese-born ROH champion (Takeshi Morishima). In the coming weeks, we will see Kenny Omega vs. ACH, plus the YB and reDRagon will be in action.” Goto is in full control, drops a forearm, Irish whip, but then runs into a boot by Lethal, and clothesline. Taeler Hendrix is on the outside, cheering on Lethal in her low-cut dress. Goto sets Lethal up on the turnbuckle, delivers three forearms, climbs to the top rope, but Hendrix climbs up on the apron. As Goto is distracted, Lethal slides underneath, drops Goto’s head to the turnbuckle, and then throws him to the outside. Lethal with a suicide dive through the middle rope, knocks Goto onto the ramp. Truth enters the ring, Hendrix poses on the apron, and Truth does a Truth-a-rooni. Lethal slides back into the ring to break the count, then goes back to the outside to get Goto, and throws him in the ring. Lethal covers Goto with a lax pin attempt without hooking the leg, and Goto kicks out. Lethal sends Goto to the corner and delivers about 10 stomps. Lethal goes back to the middle of the ring and poses for the crowd. Lethal picks up Goto, snapmare takeover, Lethal hooks in a headlock, and we cut to commercial.
We are back, Jay Lethal in control. Lethal delivering forearms to Goto’s head, until Goto stands up and gestures “Hit me again!” Chop chop, Lethal runs the ropes, Goto runs the ropes, and turns Lethal inside out with a clothesline. Goto delivers forearm, forearm, forearm, Irish whip to the corner, and then a spinning heel kick in the corner. Goto goes for the Saito suplex, Lethal fights out, goes for Lethal Injection, Goto fights out and hits a suplex, cover, 1-2, Lethal kicks out. Goto picks Lethal up on the shoulders, Lethal fights out, nails a big forearm, but Goto returns with a headbutt that knocks Lethal out cold. Lethal is dead on his feet. Goto picks him up on his shoulders, delivers an AA-style backbreaker on the knee, but Lethal somehow kicks out again. Hendrix reaches into the ring and grabs for Goto’s leg, but Goto turns around and steps on her hand. Lethal throws Goto into the ropes, Truth goes to smash him with the Book of Truth, but Goto stops him, stands up and turns around, but it met by a dropkick by Lethal, handstand DDT Lethal Injection, 1-2-3.
Winner and still ROH World Champion: Jay Lethal.
As the HoT poses in the ring, a returning Donovan Dijak runs down the ramp. He gets into the ring and exchanges forearms with Lethal, as the bell rings calling for the extracurricular action to stop. Lethal runs the ropes, but Dijack clotheslines him to the outside. Truth climbs in the ring and slams the Book of Truth across Dijack’s back. Dijack smiles, laughs and does the slow turn, as Truth apologizes and begs for his life. As Truth is backing up, he runs into Prince Nana, Truth turns back around around, and catches a big boot to the jaw from Dijack. The fans chant “You just killed him.” Dijack stands tall as the announcers say, “We have to get some help for Truth.”
Recap of Lucha Underground Season 2 Episode 9 – Aztec Warfare II – March 23, 2016
Fenix enters the warrior’s gym and is met by Pentagon Jr. Catrina appears, “Your master may be teaching you about the dark parts, but you know nothing about the darkness. I don’t even know why you’re here. You never received an invitation to compete in Aztec Warfare. You lost your privilege when you put your hands on me.” Pentagon Jr. replies, “You don’t scare me and neither does Mil Muertes. You don’t tell me what to do. I only listen to one person and that person is my master. I am Pentagon Jr. and I have zero fear. Catrina replies, “The only reason you have zero fear is because you don’t know true fear. As for you Fenix, last week you barely survived, tonight you will have to take your last breath and Mil will take his title back.” Catrina disappears, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix stare each other down and walk away.
As we get our first look inside the temple tonight, the fans chant “Aztec Warfare!” A tribal band, in wild, extravagant headgear, feathers, and colorful garb play the drums and dance. Matt Striker and Vampiro tell us tonight, for the first time ever, the Lucha Underground Championship will be defended at Aztec Warfare. 20 men will compete, every 90 seconds another participant will enter, and the only way to be eliminated is pinfall or submission. Matt says “Not to stir the pot, Pentagon Jr. was not invited.” Vampiro says “That is wacked. You know it and I know it. But it is what it is.” Matt says “Let the drums beat and let Aztec Warfare begin.”
Melissa Santos introduces us to Aztec Warfare and the first participant hailing from Mexico City, Mexico is Fenix. Fenix enters, stands at the top of the stairs, and spits sprays. He is high-fiving the fans on the way to the ring, one week into his reign as Lucha Underground champion, the fans are clearly on his side. The second entrant, by random draw, from San Diego, California, Rey Mysterio. The roof might just blow off this place. The King of Lucha Libre, as they call him, enters the temple, and climbs in the ring at Lucha Underground for the first time ever. Fenix motions for Rey to take his due applause on the turnbuckle. The fans pop big. The two men shake hands in the middle of the ring. Fenix takes off his belt, looks at it and hands it to the referee who hoists it to the crowd. The fans chant “Animal!” Vampiro tells us that “Animal” is the cry of the Mexican warrior. The fans chant “Lucha Libre!” The bell rings and we are underway, the fans are excited to get going.
Fenix shakes Rey’s hand again and embraces him in a show of respect. The two men lock up in the middle of the ring. Fenix throws Rey off the ropes, leapfrog, Rey up and over again, Rey circling around the head neck and shoulders of Fenix, then spins off and the crowd applauds. Fenix hits the ropes, looks like Rey might hit a 619, but Fenix is to his feet and hits him with a superkick. Fenix does a handspring off the ropes and hooks Rey Mysterio with an inside arm drag, pin attempt, kickout, both men are up. Kick misses, then kick to the gut, Rey throws Fenix off the ropes, but Fenix catches himself and circles through with his feet, reversal Rey off the ropes, but Rey catches himself and circles through same move, then an armdrag before entrant number 3 comes out.
“The Hunter” King Cuerno makes his way to the ring. He delivers a forearm to Rey, a jumping kick to Fenix, Cuerno goes to the corner, but meets a boot from Rey. Rey comes out and does a somersault flip overtop of Cuerno, but catches the worst of it, and “the Hunter” poses with his imaginary bow and arrow. Cuerno hits the ropes for a suicide dive through the middle rope onto Fenix on the floor. The fans chant “Lucha!” Rey Mysterio gets up, a kick to Cuerno knocks him to the floor. Rey now sets up for a suicide dive and instead dives upwards through the bottom rope in a cool looking spot.
Next out is number 4, Argenis. Argenis hits the apron and meets Fenix with a forearm then a springboard hurricanrana off the rope. Fenix gets in a kick, springboards off the middle rope, but is met by a superkick from Argenis. Argenis kicks Rey in arse, kick again, then pin attempt but Rey kicks out at 2. Off the ropes, reversal action, Rey takes out Argenis, knocks Cuerno to the floor, and then hits the 619 on Argenis, climbs to the top rope, frog splash, the pin and Argenis is eliminated. Fans chant “Eddy!” Cuerno tries to get on the apron, but Fenix takes him out and then goes off the rope for a corkscrew plancha onto the floor (some really great rotation). The next competitor, number 5 is introduced, its Johnny Mundo, and we go to commercial.
Mundo and Rey meet in the ring. Forearms to Rey, uppercut, sends Rey to the turnbuckle, Rey up and over, Fenix in, sends Mundo’s kick into Rey, then Fenix connects with a kick. Mundo slams Fenix to the mat and then Fenix and Mundo trade lateral press pin combinations back-and-forth. The next competitor is introduced and it’s Joey Ryan. Ha! The sleazy Joey Ryan oozes and grinds into the temple with lollipop in mouth. He pulls a pair of handcuffs out of his trunks and handcuffs himself to the railing. Matt Striker says it’s a wise strategy, because he can’t be pinned while he’s handcuffed! Cuerno walks by and delivers a superkick to Joey Ryan. Famous B who is watching nearby from the crowd offers Joey money.
Number 7 is out and it’s Prince Puma. He takes out Mundo, Fenix, then Cuerno. Puma sets up and hits a springboard 450 splash onto all all of them. Fans chant “Holy s***!” Striker reminds us that Prince Puma won Aztec Warfare last year. Puma brings Cuerno back into the ring, hooks him by the neck, and sends him to the outside.
Number 8 is introduced, none other than Jack Evans. While Evans is coming down the ramp Rey Mysterio locks in an armbar submission on Cuerno and Cuerno taps. As everyone beats down Mundo, Evans springboards off the rope into the ring and misses everybody. Mysterio, Puma, and Fenix continue to beat him down. Johnny Mundo wants to join in on the fun and gets in a couple stomps in, before all three men decide to turn around and chop him to the outside. Rey Mysterio on the top turnbuckle, stands on Fenix’s shoulders, as they walk across the ring, Rey hits a diving splash onto Evans, pin attempt, but Mundo pulls Evans out of the ring to safety. Mundo turns to Evans as if to say wait, let’s see who’s coming next and here comes number 9, female wrestler Taya. She gets a huge pop from the fans, as well as Mundo and Evans.
The sides are evened up now, 3 rudos (heels), 3 technicos (faces), plus Joey Ryan who is still handcuffed to the rail. All six competitors brawl, Evans pulls down the top rope, and Puma goes to the outside, holding his knee in pain after he lands. Mundo throws Mysterio into the corner and bounces off the ropes for a kick. Taya and Evans stretch Mysterio out as Mundo stands over him and slaps him in the face. Number 10 comes out and it’s the power house Cage. Mundo gets hip blocked, Taya gets taken out, Evans goes for a dropkick that has no effect and then meets a clothesline from Cage. Cage picks up Evans throws him across the ring and we go to commercial.
After commercial, Cage goes to the outside catches Mundo goes for powerbomb but Taya jumps off, Cage catches her and then slams her to the floor. Mundo hits a superkick on Cage, Mundo jumps up on the ring apron and hits a spinning kick on Cage, then picks him up and throws him through the office window.
Number 11 is midget luchador Mascarita Sagrada. Sagrada comes in with some fast spinning twirling offense on Fenix, suicide dive to the outside, but Mundo catches him, then superkicks him. In the meantime, Cage has returned from the office window, spinning lariat nails Mundo, then delivers Weapon X face first to the floor. Cage throws Mundo back in the ring, Mundo gets caught with a running flip from Prince Puma and pinned, Mundo is eliminated. Jack Evans back in the ring with a corkscrew kick, Cage slams Laya into the ring apron.
Marty “The Moth” Martinez is out next. Marty gets in the ring, clotheslines Fenix, then Evans, then a running boot to Prince Puma. Cage gets up on the apron, but Martinez elbows him off. Sagrada goes after Martinez, slaps, kicks, hits the ropes, but meets a boot. Evans is up now, hits a spinning kick to the back of Martinez head, but Martinez stays on his feet and laughs it off. Evans hits the ropes, gets caught in a body scissors reversal, and Martinez slams him face first to the mat. Martinez grabs Evans by the mouth and stretches his mouth wide open, laughing maniacally. Evans bites his fingers, then throws him to the floor. Number 13 is Drago, the blue and white dragon, and we go to commercial.
Back from break and Drago is running down the steps. Jack Evans meets him with a cartwheel flip over the top rope, misses, lands on his feet, Drago delivers a kick. Drago goes to spray the green mist in Evans face, but Evans ducks and Joey Ryan gets sprayed instead. Drago throws Evans into the crowd. Rey Mysterio is in the ring working over Martinez, Sagrada joins in and Rey hits a diving splash and covers him while Sagrada flips over Rey and holds onto Martinez’s legs for the combined pin, Martinez is eliminated. Back on the outside, Jack Evans gets thrown from the first level of crowd seats onto the floor. Cage and Puma brawl on the outside.
Next number 14 is The Mack. Mack comes down kicks and delivers a stunner to Martinez on the floor. There are bodies everywhere. Mac enters the ring and stands toe-to-toe with Cage, they exchanged blows, Mac hits a flying knee strike on Cage, then stunner. Joey Ryan is still handcuffed. Prince Puma slaps him and then Fenix throws Sagrada into him.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. comes out as number 15. Taya beats down Sagrada, Drago delivers a powerbomb to Evans on the bleachers. Back in the ring, Sagrada goes for a crossbody but Chavo catches him, and slams him repeatedly into the turnbuckle, then tosses him to the mat. Cage delivers a backdrop on Rey. Chavo locks in the Camel Clutch on Sagrada, Vampiro says “That’s not called the Camel Clutch. That’s la de a caballo, invented by Gory Guerrero. Look, let’s not call it a horse or a camel, right now it’s more like a pony clutch!” and Sagrada taps. Cage sets up Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey sends his head to the middle rope. Rey sets up for the 619, but Taya holds the rope and Rey goes to the outside. With Cage still stationed on the ropes, Mundo brings out a cinder block and smashes it over Cage’s head. Taya crawls in the ring and covers him for the pin, Cage is eliminated. Prince Puma comes up behind and delivers a German suplex into a bridge pin and Taya is eliminated.
Out next number 16 is “The Darewolf” PJ Black. PJ delivers a standing suplex to Drago on the bleachers. Evans joins in, Drago fights out, delivers a backdrop to Evans and sends Black into the ring post. Jack Evans’ back is bleeding. Joey Ryan hanging by, still handcuffed to the railing.
Number 17 is Aero Star, who looks a lot like The Flash. The fans chant “Aero Star!” Evans and Drago go at it in the ring, pin attempt, but Black breaks it up. Aero Star on Black, Irish whip reversal, Aero Star gets caught by Jack’s elbow. Drago goes for hurricanrana, spins around Black, Black catches him and delivers a brain buster, while Aero Star drops Evans off the top rope onto his head. Simultaneous pins on Evans and Drago, 1-2-3, both men are eliminated.
Number 18 is out, it’s Dragon Azteca, Jr. Azteca jr. takes out Aero Star, spins Black around, then strike strike kick, enziguri sends Black to the floor. Head scissors dumps Mack to the floor, then swanton over the ring post to the outside on Mac. Azteca is flying everywhere. Texano is out next and we go to commercial.
Texano in the ring, hits the ropes, and flips over the top rope to the outside landing on all four men. Black brings a recovering Texano into the ring, delivers stomps to his back, pin attempt, Texano fights out and delivers a sitting powerbomb to Black, covers him, and Black is eliminated. Rey Mysterio back in the ring with Texano. Texano send Rey to the corner, forearm then walks away and goes outside to attack Chavo (apparently having lost interest in Mysterio).
And finally number 20 is Mil Muertes with Catrina, but coming through the crowd is Pentagon Jr! Pentagon Jr. comes up from behind nails Muertes with a chair to the spine, then chair shots repeatedly to the chest and shoulder. The fans pop huge for Pentagon Jr. Pentagon throws Muertes into the ring, Rey immediately hits a diving splash off the top rope, Puma helps with the pin and Muertes is eliminated.
Catrina is angry, Muertes is angry. Muertes heads off to the back after Pentagon Jr., while Catrina screams at the Vampiro to get up from the announce table. She yells at him to get out of here, slaps him, before Dario Cueto appears on the steps. “My name is Dario Cueto and this is my temple. Which means that I am in charge now. I’m the boss. So now, I announce there is one more entrance in Aztec Warfare, my brother, “The Monster” Matanza Cueto at number 21.” Matanza is massive. Matanza walks slowly, steadily towards the ring, wearing a black workman’s jumpsuit wearing and a black alien-looking mask. All 7 men circle him and try to attack, but he throws them off.
Fenix comes in, gets slammed to the mat, and pinned, 1-2-3. We are now guaranteed to have a new champion. Next Mack is in, gives him the double middle finger and stunner to no effect. The Monster hits a German suplex into a pin, The Mack is eliminated. Aero Star tries his luck, hits the ropes, meets a clubbing forearm to the back of the head, German suplex, pin 1-2-3, Aero Star is eliminated. Texano sneak attack from behind on Matanza, chokes him with the bull rope, but Matanza flips him over his back and Texano runs into an atomic bomb 1-2-3.
Matanza notices Joey Ryan on the outside of the ring (while Chavo hides out of sight). Matanza grabs Joey and rips apart the steel railing, setting Joey free. Matanza throws Joey into the ring, handcuffs still attached to his wrists, 3 rolling suplexes, pin, the ref rolls Joey out of the ring.
There are four men left on the outside, Mysterio, Puma, Chavo, and Azteca. They are all staring at The Monster, until Chavo turns and attacks everybody. Azteca Jr. gets thrown in the ring, ready to try Matanza now, delivers kicks forearms, but Matanza sends him to corner. Matanza goes for splash but misses and gets middle rope drop kicked by Azteca. Azteca comes off the ropes electric chair on the shoulder, tries for Sunset flip but Matanza catch him, can’t knock the big man off his feet. Azteca tries to go off the ropes again, but Matanza is too strong and catches him in chokeslam, 1-2-3. Azteca Jr. is eliminated.
The monster is dominating everyone. Chavo tries to strike a deal with Dario, enters the ring and tries to convince Matanza to team up, but Matanza hits him with a lariat, then a slam, and pins Chavo.
Puma and Mysterio climb into the ring together and they attack Matanza at the same time. They duck a double clothesline, get in some kicks, then forearms, then kicks, then double standing dropkick. Puma with a splash, Rey goes for a splash but gets caught and Matanza sends him to the outside. Puma goes for a kick, he gets caught, and meets a side suplex. The Monster suplexes him again and then German suplex bridge, 1-2-3, Puma is eliminated, and now Rey is the only one left against Matanza.
The fans chant cheer Rey on. Rey climbs into the ring slowly and Striker delivers the call, “We’re down to the last two men, here we go!” Each competitor sizing each other up, Rey runs in, but Matanza throws him back. Rey hits the ropes, Matanza nails a clothesline. Fans sing “Cueto” (similar to Pittsburgh Pirates fans mockingly singing “Cueto” at Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game). Rey hits the ropes, slides underneath, and from his back delivers two kicks to Matanza’s head. The Monster catches his leg, but Rey connects with an enziguri to the back of head. Matanza is draped over the ropes, Rey goes for the 619, Matanza blocks it, picks him up on his shoulders, Rey slips out, drop toe hold onto the ropes, goes for a second 619 and connects as Striker yells “Booyaya booyaya booyaya!” Matanza stumbles to his feet, Rey goes for the driving hurricanrana, gets caught, Matanza throws him up in the air, and then a spinning power slam, 1-2-3. Monster wins.
Winner and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: “The Monster” Matanza Cueto
Dario grabs the belt and the mic and enters the ring. He hands the belt to Matanza and says, “There is the new Lucha underground Champion, my brother, ‘The Monster’ Matanza Cueto!” as the credits roll.
Order of participants:
1. Fenix
2. Rey Mysterio
3. King Cuerno
4. Argenis
5. Johnny Mundo
6. Joey Ryan
7. Prince Puma
8. Jack Evans
9. Taya
10. Cage
11. Mascarita Sagrada
12. Marty “The Moth” Martinez
13. Drago
14. The Mack
15. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
16. PJ Black
17. Aero Star
18. Dragon Azteca Jr.
19. Texano
20. Mil Muertes
21. Matanza Cueto
Order of elimination (eliminated by):
1. Argenis (Mysterio)
2. Cuerno (Mysterio via submission)
3. Mundo (Puma)
4. Martinez (Mysterio and Sagrada)
5. Sagrada (Chavo via submission)
6. Cage (Taya)
7. Taya (Puma)
8. Jack Evans (Aero Star – tie)
8. Drago (PJ Black – tie)
10. PJ Black (Texano)
11. Mil Muertes (Mysterio and Puma)
12. Fenix (Matanza)
13. The Mack (Matanza)
14. Aero Star (Matanza)
15. Texano (Matanza)
16. Joey Ryan (Matanza)
17. Azteca Jr. (Matanza)
18. Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Matanza)
19. Prince Puma (Matanza)
20. Rey Mysterio (Matanza)