Posts Tagged ‘Matt Taven’

AEW Stars Compete Before Jacksonville Jaguars Home Opener

All Elite Wrestling is home to several Hispanic wrestlers who wow fans each week with their skills in the ring. This past weekend, AEW kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month in style by presenting a special Lucha Libre match before the Jacksonville Jaguars’ home opener.

In an electrifying tag team contest, Sammy Guevara and Hologram defeated the team of The Beast Mortos and Matt Taven in a two-out-of-three falls match. This win makes Hologram 10-0 in AEW after debuting for the promotion earlier this year.

AEW President Tony Khan addressed the crowd beforehand, expressing AEW’s dedication to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the Jaguars’ success.

This match wasn’t the only way Jaguars fans got to see the stars of AEW as Wardlow, Harley Cameron, and reigning Women’s World Champion Mariah May were in attendance at the game. This marked a rare appearance for Wardlow, who hasn’t competed for AEW since the Big Business: Dynamite in March of this year.

Despite the influx of AEW talent at the game, the Jaguars lost to the Cleveland Browns 18-13. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from the world of AEW as the company continues on the road to its Grand Slam: Dynamite special.

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara Win ROH World Tag Team Titles On 8/17 Collision

The ROH World Tag Team Championships found new owners this week as Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara now hold the gold. The pair captured the title from The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) during the latest episode of AEW Collision with Guevara delivering a Swanton Bomb on Bennett, allowing Rhodes to secure the pinfall.

The match saw plenty of action in and out of the ring. Roderick Strong, The Beast Mortos, Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, Marshall Von Erich, Ross Von Erich, Tomohiro Ishii, Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona all ran in, sparking a brawl on the outside. Of this group, only Strong directly influenced the match by hitting Rhodes with a running kick.

This victory marks the first ROH Tag Team Championship reign for both Guevara and Rhodes and makes the latter a double champion. Rhodes is also currently one-third of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions alongside The Von Erichs.

The Undisputed Kingdom’s reign as champions lasted 234 days and began at Dynamite: New Year’s Smash in December 2023. The pair won the titles as The Devil’s Masked Men and their identities were revealed at AEW Worlds End days later. As champions, Taven and Bennet had five successful title defenses. Their final successful defense came during the July 28 taping of ROH on Honor Club and saw them retain against Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean.

This is a huge win for Rhodes and Guevara, the latter of whom only recently returned following months of inaction. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on the new ROH World Tag Team Champions.

The Kingdom Signed to Full-Time Contracts with AEW

The Kingdom has become the newest team to be All Elite, after signing full-time deals with AEW.

The group currently consists of Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis-Bennett and debuted for AEW during the October 14, episode of Rampage.

The group has previously worked in Ring of Honor and recently finished up with Impact Wrestling.

All-Elite

Despite debuting close to two weeks ago, The Kingdom were not signed to AEW at that time.

Fightful Select reports that Taven and Bennett lost the Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Championships during the Bound for Glory tapings, but the match hasn’t aired yet.

This means that given delay, the group were in canon, still Impact’s top team when they appeared on Rampage.

The report adds that all three members of The Kingdom have signed multi-year deals with AEW.

WWE

Before appearing on the October 14, Rampage, it was reported that WWE had been interested in signing Matt Taven.

In their report, Fightful notes that both Mike and Maria had conversations with WWE, but clearly did not reach an agreement.

It is not currently known if a firm offer was made by Head of Talent Relations Triple H.

All three signings had been part of Impact’s Honor No More stable, alongside Vincent, who was backstage at a recent Monday Night Raw.

Friends

The Kingdom debuted by challenging FTR for the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championships, but the two groups aren’t enemies.

In fact, Fightful’s report noted that it was FTR who were pushing backstage for Taven and the Bennetts to be hired.

While Maria has openly discussed helping Tony Khan with the ROH Women’s division, she is contracted solely as an on-screen performer.

WWE Interested in Star Who Recently Left Impact Wrestling

Matt Taven may be the next wrestler to ink a contract with WWE, at least if the promotion gets its way.

Taven joined Impact Wrestling earlier this year, appearing at January’s ‘Hard to Kill’ event as part of Honor No More.

Last weekend, it was reported that Taven, alongside Maria Bennett, Maria Kanellis-Bennett, and Vincent have left the promotion.

WWE’s Interest

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that WWE has a great deal of interest in Taven.

“I know WWE has [an] interest in Taven.”

Dave Meltzer.

Meltzer added that while WWE is interested in Matt Taven, Stephanie McMahon’s company isn’t his only option.

“I would think that also Taven, Bennett, and Maria could go to New Japan [Pro Wrestling] because they have history there. I don’t know about AEW. If there’s something going on at Ring of Honor they could go there, because they were Ring of Honor people.”

Matt Taven

While Taven recently left Impact Wrestling, the majority of his success has come in Ring of Honor.

A former World Champion, Tag Champion and Television, Taven is the promotion’s fifth Triple Crown winner.

Also being a former six-man Tag Team Champion, Taven is the company’s second-ever ROH Grand Slam winner, behind Christopher Daniels.

Taven has also competed in CMLL, and New Japan, and he is the second person to hold gold in both those companies as well as Ring of Honor (behind Rocky Romero.)

Since 2016, he and Bennett have operated a wrestling school located in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Current Champions & Others to Depart Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling’s roster has shrunk after the most recent tapings, as four stars have reportedly finished with the company.

Impact held its eighteenth annual Bound for Glory this week, and has confirmed the date and location for their next pay-per-view Hard to Kill 2023.

Departures

PW Insider reports that Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Vincent, and Matt Taven are believed to have finished with the company.

Bennett, like his wife, returned to Impact this past January at the Hard to Kill pay per view, after being released from WWE in 2020.

Bennett’s departure, as well as Taven’s, is unusual as the pair are in their first reigns as Impact World Tag Team Champions.

Vincent also joined Impact Wrestling at Hard to Kill 2022, alongside Bennett, Kanellis and Taven.

Honor No More

The four departing wrestlers all debuted at the same time, and as part of a group, later dubbed by Kanellis-Bennett as ‘Honor no More’ in January 2022

The group, which included PCO, came about during Ring of Honor’s hiatus (which ended in April 2022,) and consisted of prominent former ROH talent.

Later that month, Kenny King, a former ROH and Impact Wrestling star, returned to the latter promotion and joined Honor No More.

The following month, Eddie Edwards would be revealed as the group’s leader.

The recent Bound for Glory event saw a mixed result for Honor No More, as Bennett and Taven retained their tag titles on the show against the Motor City Machine Guns.

On the other side of things, PCO would fail to win the Call Your Shot Gauntlet and Edwards would be unsuccessful against Impact World Champion Josh Alexander.

Matt Taven Shares When He Found Out About ROH Hiatus

Former Ring of Honor talent Matt Taven reflects on his final days with Ring of Honor before his release.

The news of ROH going on hiatus surprised wrestling fans last year. ROH shared their announcement on Oct. 27, 2021, that they wanted to reconceptualize the brand. All Elite Wrestling President Tony Khan would purchase ROH on March 2.

While the news took fans by surprise, it also shocked their talent.

In an interview with Steve Fall, Taven shared that he found out about the ROH hiatus not too long after it became public to fans. Although, he also shared that he did see that business wasn’t looking ideal.

“…None of us really knew exactly what was going on, and even after that announcement, no one really knew what was going on. There was definitely guys like myself and Jay Lethal who were, you know. We’re filming in front of no one. I can see how much every time we do these TV tapings, the amount of testing, the single rooms, the amount of people coming in, all the flights. I’m looking around, and I’m adding everything. I’m just thinking to myself. This isn’t good, said Taven.

He continued, “…We were reassured a lot of a lot of different things, and maybe I have no idea because I’m only on one side of it, so I don’t know what was on the other side, but we really found out shortly before the internet found out. I mean, we had a zoom meeting just like this, and we were told the news, and before you really had a chance to process it, your phone’s already going off because it seemed like everyone else knew as well.”

Matt Taven at Impact Wrestling

Matt Taven on ROH Allowing him to Wrestle for Impact Wrestling

Once ROH announced they were going on hiatus, it was revealed that they would let go of all their contracted wrestlers. Some wrestlers whose deals expired were let go immediately, while others had their contract end by April 1.

Taven shared he had two years left on his original deal. Despite still being under contract with ROH, the company allowed Taven to compete in Impact Wrestling.

During the interview, he expressed gratitude to the company for allowing him to work for Impact Wrestling and still respecting his contract.

“… They were going to let all of the contracts that were expired just expire and not renew them, and the ones that continue to go on had a new end date per se in Mar. or the end of Mar., so I was one of those guys, but thankfully Ring of Honor allowed me to do Impact Wrestling during that time period after Final Battle and before my contract would actually expire,” said Taven.

ROH letting Taven work with Impact Wrestling helped secure his current working relationship with the company.

Matt Taven

Would He Consider Working with Tony Khan’s ROH?

Under the ownership of Khan, ROH is looking to rebuild the brand. The company recently had its pay-per-view event, ROH Death Before Dishonor, on July 23.

Although he’s working with Impact Wrestling, Taven shared he doesn’t rule out the possibility of working for ROH again. However, he is focused on working with Impact Wrestling and knows he’ll be with them for a little longer.

Despite not being with the company, Taven wishes Khan the best in rebuilding ROH.

Matt Taven On Dealing With Critics, Appreciating His Supporters

Former Ring of Honor (ROH) World Champion Matt Taven held the promotion’s top title for 174 days. He initially won the championship back in April during the ROH/New Japan Pro-Wrestling co-production G1 Supercard.

In an interview with Wrestlezone, Taven spoke about dealing with people who have been critical of his championship reign and ROH accomplishments.

“For so long I was scratching to get some sort of sniff at the World Title, and I was doing anything possible, and really letting anyone know that was stepping in my way, you know, ‘Screw you, Melvin, I’m Matt Taven, I’m meant to be in this position.’”

He continued, “[…] then once that happens, instead of hearing the negativity, you start to hear the people that support you a lot louder than you have in the past. And there’s been a big appreciation for the work that I’ve done.”

Reflecting on the support he’s received, Taven highlighted his own loyalty to those who have had his back over the years:

“In reality, I’ve always been loyal to the people that support me and the people that have backed me,” Taven said. “And now that that support has been growing – and I think the appreciation has grown with the loss of the Ring Of Honor World Title, it might seem that I have had a change of attitude, but I’ve always been with the people that support me and I will continue to be that way.”

When it comes to those who are critical of him, his character or his performance, Taven explained that, for him, it’s no longer about proving people wrong. Instead, he wants to have a better appreciation for those who have supported him throughout his career.

ROH Announces Matches For Honor United & Glory By Honor

Ring of Honor will present 4 shows in the month of October. The promotion will head to New Orleans for Glory by Honor on October 12th and will then head to the UK for the Honor United tour.

ROH has announced several matches for the shows:

Glory by Honor – New Orleans – October 12th, 2019

  • ROH World Championship
    Rush (c) vs Winner of Battle Royal
  • 15-Person Battle Royal
  • WOH World Championship
    Angelina Love (c) vs Kelly Klein
  • ROH World Tag Team Championships
  • The Briscoe (c) vs Luke & PJ Hawx
  • #1 Contender Tournament (Semi-Finals)
    PCO vs Dalton Castle
  • #1 Contender Tournament (Semi-Finals)
    Marty Scurll vs Jay Lethal
  • Flip Gordon & Brody King vs Mark Haskins & Tracy Williams
  • Alex Shelley vs Jonathan Gresham

Honor United London – October 25th, 2019

  • Aussie Open vs PCO & Brody King
  • Jay Briscoe vs Jonathan Gresham
  • Jay Lethal vs Mark Briscoe
  • Rush & Jeff Cobb vs Flip Gordon & Marty Scurll

Honor United Newport – October 26th, 2019

  • Tracy Williams & Bandido vs Flip Gordon & Marty Scurll
  • Aussie Open vs the Briscoes
  • Joe Hendry vs Matt Taven
  • Rush & Jeff Cobb vs PCO & Brody King

Honor United Bolton – October 27th, 2019

  • Aussie Open vs Flip Gordon & Marty Scurll
  • Bandido vs Mike Bailey
  • ROH World Championship
    Rush (c) (provided he is still champion) vs Jeff Cobb

Matt Taven Signs New Deal With ROH

It appears as though former Ring of Honor (ROH) World Champion Matt Taven isn’t going anywhere.

Amidst rumors of interest from WWE, Taven announced that he had no intention of leaving ROH during Saturday night’s TV tapings in Las Vegas. He cut the promo alongside his Kingdom teammates, Vinny Marseglia and TK O’Ryan. Taven lost the ROH World Championship the night prior to RUSH. His contract was reportedly set to expire at the end of the month.

It was noted by Dave Meltzer via Wrestling Observer Radio that Taven’s new deal starts out as double the money a top NXT Superstar would receive. It can then escalate to triple that amount by the end of it. Meltzer added that, despite WWE’s interest, the difference between the two offers was “ridiculous.”

Taven had high praise for ROH during his announcement on Saturday and explained that his story as one of their top talents is far from over. With this new contract in place, it probably won’t take long for Taven to pursue a rematch against the new champion, RUSH.

Matt Taven won the ROH World Championship back in April during the ROH/New Japan Pro-Wrestling co-promoted show, G1 Supercard. He defeated then-champion Jay Lethal and Marty Scurll in a triple-threat ladder match at Madison Square Garden.

Matt Taven Addresses His ROH Contract Status

ROH World Heavyweight Champion Matt Taven has opened up his status with the promotion. 

He did so while speaking with Jay Reddick of the Orlando Sentinel to promote the upcoming Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. 

During the interview, he was asked about his contract expiring this month. This is where he noted that fans don’t get to have too many surprises in this business, so he’s keeping this one close to the vest. 

“This is a life-changing decision and a million different things go into it, so I have to weigh my options. No matter what, I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given so far in my career and I don’t forget where I came from. I’m just going into this with an open mind and let the chips fall where they may.”

As of this writing, there have been no reports on if he plans to stay with the Baltimore-based promotion or tests out the free-agent market. Taven is in a good spot either way. 

The reason for that is due to several promotions such as WWE, AEW, NJPW, and ROH paying big money in order to keep or sign wrestlers.  

Ring of Honor is slated to hold their latest pay-per-view event of the year in Las Vegas, Nevada at Sam’s Town Live this Friday.

Taven will headline the show by defending his title against Rush.

Matt Taven Talks About Alex Shelley Influencing Him And His Career

A few weeks ago, Ring Of Honor (ROH) wrestler Matt Taven successfully defended his ROH World Championship against a returning Alex Shelley.

In an interview with Wrestling Inc. prior to their matchup at ROH Summer Supercard, Taven spoke about Shelley and what it means to him to be wrestling the former Motor City Machine Gun.

“Alex Shelley is one of those guys that, when I was getting into wrestling, I was watching Alex Shelley all the time. He’s one of those guys that I modeled my career after because I thought that was the way to do things—going to Mexico and Japan and learning all of these different styles. To me, I don’t think he gets enough credit. People kind of sleep on his legacy,” Taven said.

He praised Shelley’s contributions to pro wrestling, adding that their match was a huge opportunity to prove himself against a competitor he has “nothing but respect for.”

However, since winning the ROH World Championship back in April during the G1 Supercard, Taven has claimed he has been so busy defending the belt, he hasn’t been able to enjoy the fact he is champion.

He admitted that “[…] this is what I’ve wanted, and this is the position I’ve wanted. As much as I jokingly say this is stressful, this is where I’ve always pictured myself. Now I’m about to defend it in Toronto against a guy I used to watch. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Final Cards For This Weekend’s ROH Events

ROH (Ring of Honor) is back this weekend with two events – one TV tapings and one house show.

Ring of Honor will hold the Manhattan Mayhem event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Saturday, July 20th. This event will serve as television tapings for ROH’s weekly TV series on Sinclair Broadcast Group affiliates. ROH Champion Matt Taven vs. Jay Lethal is expected to headline this show. 

The following night, the Baltimore-based promotion holds their Mass Hysteria event in Lowell. Rush vs. Dalton Castle is likely to serve as the main event. 

Here are the cards: 

TV Tapings 

  • ROH Champion Matt Taven vs. Jay Lethal.
  • ROH Tag Team Champions The Guerrillas of Destiny vs. The Briscoes
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Dragon Lee.
  • Villain Enterprises’ Marty Scurll &  PCO & Brody King & Flip Gordon vs. LifeBlood’s Mark Haskins &  Bandido & Tracy Williams & PJ Black.
  • TK O’Ryan vs. Rush

Mass Hysteria

  • ROH World TV Champion Shane Taylor vs. Eli Isom 
  • Rush vs. Dalton Castle
  • ROH World 6-Man Tag Team Champions Lifeblood vs. Villain Enterprises 
  • PJ Black vs. Silas Young
  • The Kingdom vs. Alex Shelly, Jonathan Gresham & Jay Lethal
  • Kenny King vs. Dragon Lee

Jeff Cobb vs Matt Taven ROH Title Match Set For Best in the World (6/28)

When ROH presents Best in the World on June 28th, Jeff Cobb will challenge for the ROH World Championship. Ring of Honor recently announced Cobb will challenge Matt Taven on the promotion’s next PPV from Baltimore.

“I want the man that’s bragging about being the best world champion in Ring of Honor history,” Cobb said on ROH TV recently.  “I want Matt Taven. More importantly, I want what Matt Taven has, and that’s the Ring of Honor World Championship.”

Cobb recently lost the ROH TV title to Shane Taylor in a 4-way match. In lieu of receiving a one-on-one match with Taylor, Cobb said he wants to challenge for the World Championship instead.

Jeff Cobb vs Matt Taven – Best in the World PPV

“Taven will defend the title against Cobb at the Best in the World pay-per-view (streaming live for HonorClub) on June 28 at Baltimore’s UMBC Event Center. As with all of Taven’s title defenses going forward, his fellow Kingdom members TK O’Ryan and Vinny Marseglia are banned from ringside,” an ROH press release reads.

The only other match officially confirmed for the event thus far will be for the TV title. Shane Taylor will look to defend against Bandido. ROH will hold a TV taping on June 1st in Kent, Washington. They will then hold “State of the Art” in Portland the following night.

Matt Taven Reflects On Winning ROH World Championship

At the New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and Ring Of Honor (ROH) co-promoted event, G1 Supercard, Matt Taven delivered on his promise to all the ‘melvins’ out there by becoming the new ROH World Champion.

He would uncrown Jay Lethal in a triple threat ladder match that also featured “The Villain” Marty Scurll.

Speaking with the WINCLY podcast, Taven has reflected on the title win that ended Lethal’s 280-day reign. He admits that he enjoys that people are upset he is the current champion, and reflects on winning the big one in New York’s historic Madison Square Garden.

“Making people upset seems to put a really bizarre smile on my face, and I seem to make a lot of people upset being the ROH World Heavyweight Champion,” Taven confessed.

“It’s probably the greatest moment of my life. I’m not gonna lie—it was unbelievable,” he said. “All my life I’ve wanted to wrestle in MSG, and here I am not only looking up at that historic feeling, but winning the ROH World Championship. Having ‘FU Taven’ echo through the halls of MSG—I really couldn’t ask for a better moment in my mind to hold onto forever.”

Matt Taven will soon be defending his newly one ROH championship against Villain Enterprises’ PCO. Their matchup will be taking place during ROH’s War Of The Worlds tour, with the two competing in Toronto on May 9th.

Matt Taven Wins ROH World Championship At G1 Supercard

Matt Taven is the new ROH World Champion. He defeated both the former champion Jay Lethal and Marty Scurll in a ladder match tonight inside Madison Square Garden as part of ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard.

Taven becomes an ROH Grand Slam champion, having won the ROH World, TV title, tag team, and 6-man titles.

In the match’s final moment, Taven climbed a custom purple ladder. He then hit Jay Lethal with the title belt, causing him to crash through another ladder positioned below.

Taven’s teammates in the Kingdom joined him in the ring to celebrate after the match.

G1 Supercard From Madison Square Garden Results

  1. Kenny King won an Honor Rumble Match (eliminated Jushin Liger and the Great Muta to win)
  2. Jeff Cobb defeated Will Ospreay (title vs title) – Cobb wins NEVER Openweight Championship, retains ROH TV title
  3. Rush defeated Dalton Castle
  4. Kelly Kelin defeated Mayu Iwatani (c) – new WOH World Champion
  5. Flip Gordon, Juice Robinson & Mark Haskins defeated Bully Ray, Shane Taylor & Silas Young – Streetfight rules
  6. Dragon Lee defeated Bandido vs Taiji Ishimori (c) – new IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion
  7. Guerillas of Destiny (c) defeated EVIL & Sanada, the Briscoes, and PCO & Brody King – retain IWGP Heavyweight tag team championships, win ROH tag team championships
  8. Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi – retains British Heavyweight Championship
  9. Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito (c) – new IWGP Intercontinental champion
  10. Matt Taven defeated Jay Lethal and Marty Scurll – ladder match – new ROH World Champion
  11. Jay White (c) vs Kazuchika Okada – IWGP Heavyweight Championship

Jay Lethal Vs Matt Taven Scheduled For ROH 17th Anniversary Show

Jay Lethal will look to defend his ROH World Championship on March 15th from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas against Matt Taven. The show takes place just 3 weeks before Ring of Honor and NJPW present the G1 Supercard From Madison Square Garden on April 6th.

Matt Taven had been claiming himself to be the real ROH Champion for some time with Lethal recently reacting to the insult on ROH TV. The match will air on FITE and Honor Club for subscribers.

Also scheduled for the upcoming PPV will be PCO & Brody King challenging the Briscoes for the ROH tag team titles. The Villain Enterprises team earned the title match by winning Tag Wars 2019 on a recent ROH 3-night tour of Texas.

Jay Lethal ROH World Championship Record

Lethal recently passed Samoa Joe’s previous record of 645 days spent as ROH World Champion. Joe’s days spent as champion occurred throughout one long title run from 2003-04.

Lethal is also one title defense away from breaking the record of 38. He’ll get that chance at Honor Rising night 2 in Korakuen Hall against TK O’Ryan from the Kingdom.

Honor Rising Lineups:

Here are the lineups for ROH’s upcoming shows in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

February 22 Event

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kazuchika Okada & Jay Lethal vs. The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan)
  • ROH Television Champion Jeff Cobb defending against Hirooki Goto
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Will Ospreay defending against Dalton Castle
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Togi Makabe, Toru Yano & Ryusuke Taguchi defending against Cheeseburger, Delirious & Colt Cabana
  • Juice Robinson, David Finlay, Tomoaki Honma & Toa Henare vs. Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe, Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa
  • Jushin Thunder Liger & Jonathan Gresham vs. Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Shota Umino
  • Marty Scurll vs. Ren Narita

February 23 Event

  • ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes defending against Juice Robinson & David Finlay
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions EVIL & SANADA defending against Guerrillas of Destiny
  • ROH World Champion Jay Lethal defending against TK O’Ryan
  • Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi vs. The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Vinny Marseglia)
  • Hirooki Goto & Will Ospreay vs. Jeff Cobb & Dalton Castle
  • Marty Scurll vs. Robbie Eagles
  • Jonathan Gresham & Toa Henare vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taka Michinoku
  • Shota Umino, Ren Narita & Yota Tsuji vs. Cheeseburger, Delirious & Colt Cabana

ROH Death Before Dishonor Results 9/28

Death Before Dishonor
September 28th
Orleans Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada

1. Kenny King defeated Jushin Liger

Liger appeared to suffer a back injury and it looked as though he wouldn’t be able to continue. As the ref was checking on Liger, King started to lead the crowd in chants for Liger. He then reached out to shake Liger’s hand but then gave him a spinebuster instead. King then covered him and got the pin.

As King was leaving he thanked Austin Aries and said he now “gets it.” Basically, he learned he should cheat from his rivalry with Austin Aries.

2. ROH World Tag Team Championships
The Briscoes (c) defeated SCU (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) w/Scorpio Sky

The Briscoes improved to 4-0 against Daniels and Kazarian when Jay pinned Daniels after multiple Jay Drillers.

The commentary team talked about how with the Addiction’s expiring contracts, they’ll need to win titles or Joe Koff won’t re-sign them.

3. WOH Championship
Sumie Sakai (c) defeated Tenille Dashwood

Dashwood came into the match with her shoulder heavily bandaged. She started favoring it after hitting Sakai with a punch midway through the match. Dashwood kicked out of Smash Mouth but ultimately tapped to an armbar from the champion.

Later in the show, Dashwood was shown beat up in the back and favoring her arm even further.

4. ROH TV Title
Punishment Martinez (c) defeated Chris Sabin

Sabin got a few near falls but ultimately Martinez retained the title with a South of Heaven Choke-Slam.

After the match, Martinez kept up the attack on Sabin. This led to Jeff Cobb making the save. Martinez looked like he was going to leave without incident but then attacked Cobb with a chair. Cobb then gave him a suplex and stood tall in the ring to end the segment.

https://twitter.com/totaldivaseps/status/1045861598705963008

5. Tables Match (Elimination Rules)
Bully Ray and Silas Young defeated Flip Gordon and Colt Cabana

Cabana was eliminated via powerbomb through the announce table for the first elimination.  Bully then eliminated himself when he missed an attack on Flip Gordon. There was a ref bump and then Flip came off the top rope and put Silas through a table. Since the ref didn’t see it though, Bully made it look like it was Flip who went through the table and the ref called for the bell when he came to. Bully then continued to whip Flip with a chain after the match was over.

6. Cody, Marty Scurll, Adam Page, and the Young Bucks (Bullet Club) defeated Kazuchika Okada, Chuck T, Beretta, Rocky Romero, and Tomohiro Ishii (CHAOS)

Nick Aldis provided guest commentary for the match. While doing so he announced that his NWA title rematch with Cody will be contested under best 2 out of 3 rules.

This was a crazy 10-man but eventually, Marty Scurll was able to make Rocky Romero tap to the Chickenwing for the victory.

After the match, Cody joined the commentary team and said he accepts the best 2 out of 3 falls stipulation.

7. ROH World Championship
Jay Lethal (c) defeated Will Ospreay

Ospreay came into this match after gaining 20lbs. Riccaboni said Ospreay said the weight gain has made him a better wrestler. The commentary team mentioned how serious he looked in comparison to his usual fun-loving demeanor.

Lethal kicked out of the Oscutter and got the victory with Lethal Injection. The victory is Lethal’s 4th successful title defense since winning the title 91 days ago. It’s his second reign as champion. Lethal is now just over 4 months away from passing Samoa Joe has having spent more combined days as ROH Champion than anyone. He’s at 517 days between his two reigns and is behind Samoa Joe’s 645 days. Joe only held the ROH World Championship once.

Following the victory, the Kingdom’s Red Balloons floated to the roof and they attacked Lethal. Jonathan Gresham attempted to make the save but he too was taken out.

A new freshly mohawked Matt Taven then hit Lethal with a purple-strapped ROH World Title replica belt. The show closed with Taven claiming he was the real ROH World Champion.

CMLL 85th Anniversary Show Lineup 9/14

CMLL will hold their 85th Anniversary show today. The event will air live and for free to Honor Club subscribers.

Of note for this show is that Pentagon and Fenix are actually double-booked for events today. They will have to quickly make it to this show from the Impact tapings also happening today. Both events are taking place in Mexico City, however.

Tonight’s Anniversary show kicks off on Honor Club at 930 PM from Arena Mexico.

CMLL 85th Anniversary Show Lineup 9/14

  1. La Jarochita, Marcela, and Princess Sujey vs Dalys la Caribena, La Maligna, and Reyna Isis
  2. Angel de Oro, Audaz, and Niebla Roja vs La Peste Negra (El Felino and Negro Cass) and Mephisto
  3. Atlantis, Mistico, and El Soberano vs El Cuatero, Forastero, and Sanson
  4. Gran Guerrero, Euforia, and Ultimo Guerrero vs Ciber the Main Man, The Chris, and Sharlie Rockstar
  5. Caristico, El Hijo de L.A Park and L.A Park vs Diamente Azul, King Phoenix (Fenix), and Penta el 0M (Pentagon Jr.)
  6. Hair vs Hair Match
    Matt Taven & Volador Jr. vs Rush and Barbaro Cavernario

The first ever Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre show took place on September 21st, 1933. At 85 years old, many believe the promotion to be the oldest of its kind. Another promotion which is hitting its senior years, the NWA, will hold their 70th Anniversary show later next month.

New ROH World Champion Crowned At TV Tapings

Ring of Honor crowned a new World Champion last night in Fairfax, VA.

Following his ROH World title defense at Best in the World 2018, Dalton Castle would have to defend his title again for the second night in a row. Not only that, Castle would have to defend the belt in a fatal 4-way match against Cody, Jay Lethal, and Matt Taven.

The winner of the match and new ROH World Champion is Jay Lethal. He is now just the 4th person to ever hold the title on multiple occasions.

The show in Fairfax last night was a scheduled TV taping but the world title match streamed live for Honor Club subscribers. Normally, TV tapings don’t air on the streaming service until after they have aired on television.

New ROH World Champion

Jay Lethal’s first run with the ROH World title lasted 427 days. During his reign, Lethal successfully defended his title 28 times. He would eventually drop the title to Adam Cole.

As for the former champion, Dalton Castle, it looks as though he’ll be taking some time off. Castle was walking gingerly on his left leg last night and at Best in the World on Friday. Commentary let fans know that he was also suffering from a herniated disc in his lower back as well.

Castle’s reign as ROH World Champion concludes at 198 days. He defeated Cody for the title at Final Battle 2017. He defended the title 5x during his reign. He defeated Punishment Martinez, Tarkan Aslan, the Beer City Bruiser and Beretta (3-way), Jay Lethal, and Cody and Marty Scurll (3-way).

Only Adam Cole has won the ROH World title more than 2x. Lethal now joins Austin Aries and Jay Briscoe as the only others to hold the title multiple times.

Lethal currently sits at #5 on the all-time list of most combined days spent with the title. The record holder is still Samoa Joe, whose one reign with the belt lasted 645 days.

Hangman Page Denies Bullet Club Falling Apart, Matt Taven Calls NXT ‘ROH Lite’

Hangman Page Says Bullet Club Is Fine

Bullet Club has seen better days. The stable was once ruling New Japan Pro Wrestling under the leadership of Prince Devitt and soon after that, AJ Styles. Kenny Omega took the leadership role in January 2016.

Things were looking good under Omega’s guidance before “The Elite” took the spotlight. Soon, the original members of Bullet Club became an afterthought and all the attention was on Omega, Cody, The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, and Hangman Page. To make matters worse, Cody has been fighting with Omega over who should be the leader of Bullet Club.

Speaking to the Augusta Free Press, Page responded to talks of the faction’s demise:

“We’re not coming apart at the seams. We’re fine. Bullet Club is fine. Look, we’re a group of the most entertaining, athletic, all-around best wrestlers on the planet. And, you know, you’re just going to have a little bit of a rift sometimes. But, it’s fine, things are fine. We’ll work it out. This one is really just a little disagreement between Cody and Kenny, and they have a match coming up, and once that’s over, we’re fine. OK? Just got to get it out of our system.”

Matt Taven Calls NXT “ROH Lite”

Ring of Honor star Matt Taven is set to do battle with Cody on the ROH 16th Anniversary show. Taven recently appeared on Interactive Wrestling Radio to hype up the event. When the topic of NXT popped up, Taven had the following to say:

“I couldn’t agree more. Our touring schedule and their touring schedule is starting to cross paths to where maybe they hit a market a week before we hit that market. That is on purpose. Taking talent from Ring of Honor? That is all on purpose. I basically look at NXT as ROH Lite. I wish for every wrestling company to be as successful as possible. There is something that ROH is obviously doing right if the top dog is trying to hurt them. That is something that they’ve (WWE) has tried to do a few times. It just lets us know that we (ROH) are doing something right. And, ROH has been resilient. I first started working here in 2009 doing stuff. I started working more consistently in 2012. But, in my 9 years, wow I feel old saying that, in my 9 years, I’ve seen them come and go. And still, ROH continues to get bigger and continues to grow and grow and reach broader audiences. As much as I love my buds, it shows ROH is doing something right if WWE is trying to bite their style so much.”

Matches Set for ROH ‘Honor Reigns Supreme’ Event

Ring of Honor have announced several high profile bouts for their ‘Honor Reigns Supreme’ event that takes place February 4th in Dallas. The announced bouts are:

2/3 FALLS (1st PINFALL, 2nd LUCHA TAG, 3rd NO DQ)
Young Bucks (NICK & MATT JACKSON) vs Mark & Jay Briscoe

Cody & Adam Cole vs The Addiction (Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian)

Hangman Page vs Jay Lethal

Dalton Castle vs Donovan Dijak

Bobby Fish vs Lio Rush

6-MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinnie Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) VS. Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley  & Jay White

ROH TV Recap – Episode 238

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AKP9usMr_o

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.”

ROH TV Recap – Episode 236

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.”

ROH Stars Reportedly Sign With TNA, Rumored To Debut On First Impact Wrestling On POP TV

https://youtu.be/CjOlMG1swP0

Former Ring Of Honor Tag-Team Champion Michael Bennett and his real-life wife, former WWE Diva and ROH performer Maria Kanellis, have both reportedly signed deals with TNA Wrestling, according to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

According to the weekly newsletter, Bennett and Kanellis likely received a big deal, one that is financially guaranteed in nature.

Bennett and Kanellis, along with the third member of their on-air team, Matt Taven, finished up with Ring Of Honor last month when they dropped the ROH Tag-Team Titles to War Machine at the ROH “Final Battle” event. Bennett and Kanellis officially wrapped up business with ROH at the television tapings the day after the Final Battle event, as it was the final date on their contracts.

In related news, TNA has also wanted to “shore up” their roster by making sure their key players are under official contracts and that they acquire whatever talent that they can, as long as it makes financial sense.

TNA handled their last cable television move the same way, as just prior to and immediately following their debut on Destination America, they re-signed those that had deals that were about to expire and pursued outside free-agents in an attempt to freshen the brand.

It’s also worth mentioning that TNA has been airing mysterious vignettes promoting “The Miracle” for their debut episode of Impact Wrestling on POP TV, their new cable home now that the company no longer has a deal with Destination America. There are those who feel this could be the build to the TNA debuts of the former ROH stars, however that is strictly speculation at this point.

The premiere of Impact Wrestling on POP TV is scheduled to air live for two-hours this coming Tuesday, January 5th, beginning at 9pm EST.

Note On WWE’s Interest In Bringing Back Rey Mysterio & Maria Kanellis

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that the fact that the official WWE website recently ran articles on Rey Mysterio and Maria Kanellis is a notable sign of their interest in both talents.

In the case of Mysterio, it’s well known that WWE would like to get him back under contract both because they’re looking for top Hispanic stars and to prevent him from going to Lucha Underground.

As far as Kanellis is concerned, her Ring Of Honor contract, along with the ROH contracts of Michael Bennett and Matt Taven have expired. The Observer notes that it’s an interesting situation with these three, based on the fact that you have to factor in interest from New Japan Pro Wrestling, ROH and WWE, and which of the three talents those promotions would be interested in.