Revolution Pro have announced that IWGP Intercontinental Champion ‘Unbreakable’ Michael Elgin will be performing at the two Global Wars events taking place on November 10th/11th, he joins the already announced Jushin Thunder Liger, Tomoaki Honma, Tetsuya Naito, WIll Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr.
Here are the results for Day 15 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Katsuhiko Nakajima b. David Finlay – Nakajima pinned Finlay after hitting the Brainbuster
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Satoshi Kojima & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Captain New Japan to secure the win for his team
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Gedo – BUSHI took the win after hitting the MX on Gedo
Katsuyori Shibata, Michael Elgin, KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi & Juice Robinson b. Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV – KUSHIDA made Tiger Mask tap out with the Hoverboard Lock
Here are the results for Day 13 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan – Tiger Mask takes the win for his team with a reverse double armbar on Captain New Japan
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Satoshi Kojima, KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson – EVIL took the win after pinning Juice Robinson
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Yuji Nagata & Manabu Nakanishi – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Nakanishi for the win
Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Gedo & Katsuhiko Nakajima b. Michael Elgin, Katsuyori Shibata, Tomoaki Honma & David Finlay – Nakajima hit the Penalty Kick on Finlay to take the pinfall victory for his team
Tama Tonga b. SANADA – Tonga hits the Gun Stun on SANADA to take his scorecard up to 3-4, SANADA is now at 2-5
Bad Luck Fale b. Togi Makabe – Fale hits the Grenade on Makabe to take his 4th win of the tournament
Hirooki Goto b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan – Goto officially ends Tenzan’s last ever G1 tournament, this was a fantastic back and forth match that you need to go out of your way and see
Kazuchika Okada b. Tomohiro Ishii – Ishii hits the Brainbuster to take the win in what could be the Match of the Tournament, if not the MOTY
Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Naomichi Marufuji – Tanahashi hits the High Fly Flow to take his scorecard up to 4-3, Marufuji is now also on 4-3
Here are the results from Day 14 of the G1 Climax Tournament:
KUSHIDA, Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay vs. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Captain New Japan – Liger beats Finlay to take the win for his team
Tomohiro Ishii & Hirooki Goto b. SANADA & BUSHI – Goto hits the GTR on BUSHI to take the win
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Juice Robinson b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi – Makabe hits the King Kong Knee Drop on Nakanishi to take the pinfall victory
Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Kazuchika Okada, Gedo & Naomichi Marufuji – Takanishi hits the Pimp Juice on Gedo for the win
Here are the results for Day 12 of the G1 Climax Tournament:
Ryusuke Taguchi, Juice Robinson & David Finlay b. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Captain New Japan – Juice hits the Pulp Fiction on Captain New Japan to take the win for his team
Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Togi Makabe, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi – Tonga hits the Gun Stun on Nakanishi to secure the win
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & KUSHIDA b. Hirooki Goto, Gedo & Naomichi Marufuji – KUSHIDA submits Gedo with the Hoverboard Lock
Toru Yano b. Yuji Nagata – Yano takes the win via count-out to take his scorecard to 3-3, Nagata is now also on 3-3
Michael Elgin b. YOSHI-HASHI – Elgin took the win with an Elgin Bomb to move his stats to 4-2, YOSHI-HASHI is now on 3-3
EVIL b. Tomoaki Honma – EVIL secures his second win of this year’s G1 via pinfall (2-4), Honma is now on 2-4
Katsuyori Shibata b. Kenny Omega – Shibata hits the Penalty Kick to redeem his embarrassing loss to Yano and to move his scorecard on to 3-3, Omega is now also on 3-3
Tetsuya Naito b. Katsuhiko Nakajima – Naito takes his 4th win of the tournament and is looking increasingly likely to take Block B
Here are the results from Day 11 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay – JTL took the win with a Ground Cobra Twist on Finlay
Yuji Nagata, Michael Elgin, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi b. Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Gedo & Katsuhiko Nakajima – Kojima hit a Lariat on Gedo to take the win for his team
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Katsuyori Shibata & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Captain New Japan for the win
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Tomoaki Honma, KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson – Naito took the submission win with a knee bar on Juice Robinson
Bad Luck Fale b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan – Fale took the win with the Grenade, he is now 3-3 in the tournament. Tenzan is now 2-4 in his final G1
Hirooki Goto b. Tama Tonga – Goto hit the GTR to secure the win and move his scorecard to 3-3, Tonga is now at 2-4
Naomichi Marufuji b. SANADA – Marufuji continues to impress in this year’s G1 and is now 4-2, SANADA is now trailing behind at 2-4
Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Tomohiro Ishii – Tanahashi continues his comeback in the G1 by hitting the High Fly Flow for the win, he is now 3-3 and Ishii is 2-4
Kazuchika Okada b. Togi Makabe – IWGP World Champion Okada continues to storm ahead with his 5th win of the tournament, early frontrunner Makabe is now 4-2
Here are the results for Day 10 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Ryusuke Taguchi, Juice Robinson & David Finlay b. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Captain New Japan – Robinson hits the Pulp Fiction on Captain New Japan to secure the win for his team
Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi – Tonga hits the Gun Stun on Nakanishi for the win
Hirooki Goto & Naomichi Marufuji b. SANADA & BUSHI – Goto takes the win for his team after hitting the GTR on BUSHI
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & KUSHIDA b. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo – KUSHIDA hits a Moonsault on Gedo to take the win
YOSHI-HASHI b. Katsuhiko Nakajima – YOSHI-HASHI hits the Karma to take his scorecard up to 3-2, Nakajima is also now at 3-2 with his 2nd loss of the tournament
Michael Elgin b. Yuji Nagata – Elgin is now 3-2 after hitting the Elgin Bomb for the win, Nagata is also 3-2
Toru Yano b. Katsuyori Shibata – In the biggest upset (possibly in G1 tournament history) Yano rolls up Shibata for the pin in just over a minute. Both Yano and Shibata are now at 2-3
Kenny Omega b. EVIL – Omega takes his scorecard up to 3-2 after hitting the One Winged Angel, EVIL is now at 1-4
Tetsuya Naito b. Tomoaki Honma – Naito hit the Destino to take his tally up to 3-2, Honma is now at 2-3
Here are the results from Day 8 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Ryusuke Taguchi b. David Finlay – Taguchi took the win with the Dodon
Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Captain New Japan to secure the win for his team
SANADA & BUSHI b. KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson – SANADA pinned Juice Robinson for the win
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Gedo & Naomichi Marufuji – Tiger Mask took the win with a Reverse Double Armbar on Gedo
Toru Yano b. Tomaoki Honma – Yano won with a backslide to take his first win of the tournament, he is now 1-3 while Honma is 2-2
YOSHI-HASHI b. EVIL – YOSHI-HASHI hit the Karma to take his scorecard up to 2-2, EVIL is now 1-3 for the tournament
Katsuhiko Nakajima b. Yuji Nagata – Nakajima hit the Vertical Spike to take his 3rd win of the tournament, he is now 3-1. This is Nagata’s first loss of the tournament and he too is currently on 3-1
Michael Elgin b. Kenny Omega – Elgin took the pinfall win with the Elgin Bomb to take his 2nd win of the tournament, he is now 2-2. Omega records his second loss of this year’s G1 and is also on 2-2
Katsuyori Shibata b. Tetsuya Naito – After a brutal back and forth encounter Shibata took the win with a Sleeper, both he and Naito are now on 2-2 for the tournament
Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask IV b. Michael Elgin & David Finlay – Tiger Mask took the win with an Avalanche Double Arm Suplex on Finlay
Katsuyori Shibata, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Thunder Liger b. Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Gedo & Katsuhiko Nakajima – Kojima hit the Lariat on Gedo for the win
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Ryusuke Taguchi & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hit the Pimp Juice on Captain New Japan to take the win for his team
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Tomoaki Honma, KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson – EVIL took the win via pinfall on Juice Robinson
Tama Tonga b. Tomohiro Ishii – Tonga recorded his second win of the tournament to make his scorecard 2-3, this is now Ishii’s 3rd loss and he too is 2-3
Bad Luck Fale b. SANADA – Fale hit the Back Luck Fall to secure his 2nd win of the tournament, he and SANADA are now both 2-3
Naomichi Marufuji b. Togi Makabe – Marufuji took his scorecard up to 3-2 with the Shiranui, Makabe records his 1st loss of the tournament and is now 4-1
Kazuchika Okada b. Hiroyoshi Tänzen – Okada hits the Rainmaker to take his total up to 4-1, Tenzan is now at 2-3
Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Hirooki Goto – Tanahashi hits the High Fly Flow to bring him up to 2-3, Goto is also at 2-3
Here are the results for Day 7 of the G1 Climax Tournament:
Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. Ryusuke Taguchi & David Finlay – Tiger takes the win with a Double Arm Suplex on Finlay
Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoaki Honma vs. Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI, Gedo & Katsuhiko Nakajima – Kojima hits the Lariat on Gedo to secure the win for his team
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Michael Elgin & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hits the Pimp Juice on Captain New Japan to take the win
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Katsuyori Shibata, KUSHIDA & Juice Robinson – EVIL takes the win with a pinfall on Juice Robinson
Togi Makabe b. Hirotoshi Tenzan – Makabe hits the King Kong Knee Drop to take his 4th straight win of the tournament, Tenzan is now 2-2
SANADA b. Hirooki Goto – SANADA takes his 2nd win of the tournament with a Rounding Body Press, Goto is now 2-2 in this year’s G1
Tomohiro Ishii b. Naomichi Marufuji – Ishii hits the Brainbuster for the win, he and Marufuji are both 2-2 for the tournament so far
Kazuchika Okada b. Tama Tonga – Okada hits the Rainmaker to secure the win, he is now 3-1 in the tournament, Tama Tonga is 1-3 after his shock win against Tanahashi
Hiroshi Tanahashi b. Bad Luck Fale – Tanahashi finally takes his 1st win of the tournament with a backslide to get the pinfall, Bad Luck Fale is now 1-3
Here are the results for Day 6 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Manabu Nakanishi b. Togi Makabe, Juice Robinson & David Finlay – Kojima took the win for his team following a Lariat on Finlay
Hirooki Goto & Naomichi Marufuji b. SANADA & BUSHI – Marufuji took the win with a Shiranui on BUSHI
Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA & Ryusuke Taguchi b. Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask IV & Captain New Japan – KUSHIDA secured the win for his team with a Hoverboard Lock on Captain New Japan Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii & Gedo – Yujiro hit a modified DDT on Gedo for the win
Yuji Nagata b. YOSHI-HASHI – Nagata wins with the Backdrop Hold to make it 3 wins in 3 for the tournament, YOSHI-HASHI has now lost 2 matches and has 1 win so far in the G1 this year
Katsuhiko Nakajima b. EVIL – Nakajima hits the Vertical Spike to take the win, he is now 2-1 for the tournament and EVIL is 1-2
Tetsuya Naito b. Toru Yano – Naito hit the Destino to secure his second win of the tournament, Yano has not yet won a match in this G1
Kenny Omega b. Tomoaki Honma – Omega hit the One Winged Angel to secure his second win the tournament, this is Honma’s first loss and he is now 2-1 in the tournament
Michael Elgin b. Katsuyori Shibata – IWGP Intercontinental Champion Michael Elgin defeats NEVER Openweight Champion Shibata to take his first win of the tournament, Shibata now stands at 1-2.
Here are the results for Day 4 of the G1 Climax tournament:
Juice Robinson vs. David Finlay – Juice takes the win with the Pulp Fiction
Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. SANADA & BUSHI – Makabe wins after hitting the King Kong Knee Drop on BUSHI
Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga & Yujiro Takahashi b. Hiroshi Tanahashi, KUSHIDA & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hits a modified DDT on Captain New Japan for the win
Kazuchika Okada, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto, Gedo & Naomichi Marufuji b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV – Goto hits the GTR on Tiger Mask for the win
G1 Climax Tournament B Block Results
Tomoaki Honma vs. YOSHI-HASHI – Honma hits the Kokeshi for the win and his 2nd win of the tournament
Yuji Nagata vs. EVIL – Nagata wins with the Backdrop hold to take his 2nd win of the tournament and hand EVIL his first loss
Kenny Omega b. Toru Yano – Omega takes his first win of the tournament and hands Yano his second straight loss
Katsuyori Shibata b. Katsuhiko Nakajima – Shibata hits the Penalty Kick to take his first win of the tournament and hand Nakajima his first loss
Tetsuya Naito b. Michael Elgin – Naito hits the Destino to take his 1st win of the tournament and hand Elgin his second straight loss
Here are the results for Day 5 of the G1 Climax Tournament:
YOSHI-HASHI b. David Finlay – YOSHI-HASHI wins with the Butterfly Lock
Katsuyori Shibata, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Michael Elgin, KUSHIDA, Juice Robinson, Ryusuke Taguchi & Tiger Mask IV – Kojima hits a Lariat on Robinson for the win
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Tomoaki Honma & Captain New Japan – Yujiro hits a modified DDT on Captain New Japan for the win Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Toru Yano, Gedo & Katsuhiko Nakajima – BUSHI hits the MX on Gedo for the win
G1 Climax Tournament A Block Results
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Bad Luck Fale – Ishii hits a Vertical Fall Brainbuster on Fale to take his first win of the tournament and hand Fale his first loss
Togi Makabe vs. SANADA – Makabe takes his 3rd win of this year’s G1 after hitting the King Kong Knee Drop
Naomi chi Marufuji b. Hiroyoshi Tenzan – Tenzan’s undefeated run finally comes to an end following a Shiranui from Marufuji
Tama Tonga b. Hiroshi Tanahashi – Tonga takes the shock win with a Stun Gun, Tanahashi has not yet won a match in this year’s G1 after winning the 2015 tournament Kazuchika Okada vs. Hirooki Goto – Okada wins with the Rainmaker to go 2-1 in the tournament
Here are the results from Day 3 of the G1 Climax Tournament:
Satoshi Kojima, Manabu Nakanishi, Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask IV b. KUSHIDA, Juice Robinson, David Finlay & Captain New Japan – Nakanishi defeated Finlay following a Lariat Katsuhiko Nakajima & YOSHI-HASHI b. Katsuyori Shibata & Tomoaki Honma – YOSHI-HASHI pinned Honma with a front roll cradle
Kenny Omega & Yujiro Takahashi b. Toru Yano & Gedo – Yujiro pinned Gedo with a modified DDT
Tetsuya Naito, EVIL & BUSHI b. Michael Elgin, Yuji Nagata & Ryusuke Taguchi – EVIL pinned Taguchi to take the win
Hiroyoshi Tenzan b. Tama Tonga – Tenzan took the win following a Moonsault, he is currently 2-0 in what will be his last G1 tournament
Hirooki Goto b. Tomohiro Ishii – Goto took the win following a GTR
Bad Luck Fale b. Naomichi Marufuji – Fale hit the Grenade to secure the win, gaining his first win of the tournament and giving Marufuji his first loss
Kazuchika Okada b. SANADA – Okada won with the Rainmaker to claim his first win of the tournament
Togi Makabe b. Hiroshi Tanahashi – After hitting a top rope German Suplex Makabe hit a King Kong Knee Drop to secure the win, Tanahashi has not yet won a match in this year’s G1
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.
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.
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)
After the intro video package, the fans pop from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas, NV. Mr. Wrestling 3 and Kevin Kelly are here, and we kick off the hour with a World TV Title match.
BJ Whitmer is out first. We are reminded that Whitmer picked up the controversial victory at the ROH 14th Anniversary show over Adam Page. The “Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii makes his way next. Bobby Cruise goes to make the announcement, but is interrupted by Veda Scott. Veda on the mic, “I’m just here to introduce myself to the new ROH TV champion. I’m Veda Scott and it is my job to ensure that my client Cedric Alexander gets every opportunity he deserves, one way or another. So BJ Whitmer, let’s talk. I just want to propose a slight change of plans. In this envelope, I have a certified check and it’s all for you on the express condition that you surrender your TV Title opportunity to Cedric Alexander right now. Let me speak! This is Vegas, you could cash this check you could have the best day, the best week of your life, and have a whole lot left over. You’re a wise man BJ and I know you’re going to make a wise decision.” BJ responds, “You mean to tell me that you think BJ Whitmer is the type of man who can be bought off?” The fans chant “Yes! Yes!” while Whitmer looks at the check. “Well, you would be absolutely correct in that assumption.” They shake on it, Whitmer takes the deal and gives up the TV Title opportunity. Kelly wonders, “How much money are we talking about?” And we go to commercial.
Cedric Alexander vs ROH TV Champion Tomohiro Ishii
Back from the break, they lock up collar-and-elbow, Cedric Alexander backs Ishii to the ropes. Forearm from CA, Ishii is unfazed. CA delivers another 3 forearms, Ishii still unfazed. Ishii throws CA off the ropes and they run into each other. Ishii challenges him to go at it again, CA bounces, Ishii bounces, and CA falls to the mat. 3 forearms from CA, then a chop by Ishii to the throat and CA is down again. Ishii picks him up and delivers a series of chops, headbutt, then throws him off the ropes but CA reverses and Veda Scott pulls the foot of Ishii before CA hits a dropkick. CA delivering stomps to Ishii, forearm to the back to the head, chops, snapmare takeover, dropkick to the side of the head. Pin attempt, 1-2, Ishii kicks out, another cover Ishii kicks out again. CA stomps on Ishii’s head, headlock, Ishii tries to fight out but gets an elbow to the head. The fans chant Ishii, CA walking around the ring hitting and kicking Ishii in the head. Ishii gets angry and stands up. Shrugs off 7 or 8 forearms and even starts leaning into them. He finally returns with a forearm of his own, then a splash in the corner, chop forearm chop forearm chop forearm. Irish whip, reversal, Ishii explodes out of the corner and turns CA inside out with a shoulder block. Vertical drop brainbuster, cover, 1-2, CA kicks out. Ishii goes for powerbomb, but CA blocks and flips Ishii. Ishii getting to his feet, CA sizing him up, Ishii gets out of the way, but CA turns with a kick off top rope. Michinoku driver, cover, but Ishii kicks out, CA is shocked. CA gets up, hooks Ishii by the tights, but Ishii syncs in a headlock and delivers some elbows, CA gets in kick, kick, spinning kick until Ishii returns a hard (and loud) headbutt. Slinging lariat, CA caught him, backslide pin attempt, Ishii kicks out. Ishii with a lariat, but CA kicks out. Ishii growls to the crowd, picks up CA and nails a second vertical drop brainbuster, 1-2-3, and that’s it.
Winner and still ROH TV Champion: Tomohiro Ishii
Ishii stands over top of CA yelling and holding the title in his face. Mr. Wrestling 3 wonders if Veda Scott will ask for a refund. Ishii stops by the announce table and continues yelling. Kelly says “You’re the man. You’re the champion.” Mr. Wrestling 3 translates what Ishii said, “He said nobody can beat him.” And we’re off to commercial.
When we return, the Addiction’s music hits. Kelly tells us Addiction has a bone to pick because recently the ROH 14th Anniversary show turned into an unlikely reunion for Motor City Machine Guns.
Kazarian on the mic, “Big news! The MCMG are back together again. And while it may give all of you a warm fuzzy feeling, it makes us, the men who were betrayed, sick to our damn stomachs. Chris Sabin..” The fans chant “Motor city!” “Chris Sabin… you silly stupid little turd. Out of the goodness of our hearts we rescued you from the bowels of obscurity and made you relevant once again. Without us, you’d be as bad as Detroit’s economy. What do you do? You betray us and run to Shelley, into the safety of your MCMG buddy, pointing at your stupid hands. And it’s only fitting it happened here in Las Vegas, Nevada. It can be said this is world capital for bad decision making. Go ahead chanting, because lions don’t lose sleep over opinions of sheep. So Sabin, I’ll chalk this up to bad decision making, but what you owe us is an a apology.” Daniels interrupts on the mic shouting, “No no Frankie, that’s not the way a friend treats you. I expect that from Ring Of Honor cuz they’re jealous and trying to hold us back. I expect that from these simple-minded fans because they’re them and not us. Yeah, I’d hate to be you (fans), trust me. It’s not a big deal, it’s a blip on the radar, cuz everything about tag team in ROH begins and ends with the Addiction. Machine Guns, I don’t care if you consider yourselves the younger generation, the new generation, or the next generation, cuz we are generation killers and we are going to end this reunion before it even starts.” Shelley’s music and entrance graphic hits, and out come Sabin and Shelley. The fans chant “Motor City!” Sabin speaks up, “So anyway, from the looks of things, you 2 seem to be a little confused. Its simple, I’ll explain to you, in this moment I’ve come to realization that you 2 are nothing more than bitter douchebags. That’s the only reason I’m standing with my best friend Alex Shelley and not you guys anymore. So from the sounds of it, seems like 2 you are trying to pick a fight. So if you want to do this, we could do it right here, right now, what do you think?” MCMG take off for the ring, but Addiction hightails it out of Dodge. Daniels says “So wait, what you’re telling me is, what you’re telling me is, you want to fight us right here, right now? You simple-minded sheep want so to see MCMG against the Addiction right now? I’m sorry, that’s not how it works. Children don’t tell adults what to do, adults tell children what to do. So you young kids understand, the vets will decide when this match goes down, and it’s up to us. You can stand here and point your hands and these douchebags can cheer all you want. You don’t deserve our attention one bit.” Commercial.
Truth Martini and Jay Lethal cut a prerecorded promo on Hirooki Goto. Truth says, “Goto you’re going 1-on-1 against the greatest ROH heavyweight champion that ever lived. If life don’t check you, I will.” Lethal jumps in, “Goto, when we meet, you will ‘go to’ the hospital. See what i did there? I’m going to send you back to the Land of the Rising Sun with a notebook and that notebook will read one thing, Jay Lethal is the greatest.” Commercial.
The Briscoes vs. Reno Scum
We’re back. Tag team action, Reno Scum is out first in their leather jackets, weighing a combined total of 462 pounds. Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend make their way to the ring. The Briscoes music hits and the fans go nuts. Out come Dem Boys to a raucous ovation. The bell rings, MW3 wonders if Reno Scum the same S.C.U.M. from a few years ago. Kelly tells him no, that was a brief time in ROH history. Bell rings, lock up, whip to the corner. Mark leapfrogs, snapmare takeover, dropkick, tags Jay in, and they tag team a multiple headbutt combo. Thornstowe gets a clothesline from Mark, clotheslines from Jay takes him to the outside. Mark hits a baseball slide diving through middle rope. Thornstowe is thrown back in ring, Jay sends him off the ropes, hits a dropkick, goes for the pin, 1-2, kickout. Jay tags Mark in, Mark delivers shots to ribs, Thornstowe fights back, knocks Jay off the apron rope, but Mark catches him. Mark hits Thornstowe, sends him to corner, reversal, then a spear on Mark in corner, elbow, and Thornstowe tags in Luster. Together Renco Scum split Mark’s legs, drag him to corner, elbow, cover, pin, kick out. They drag Mark over to the corner again, both men slam him into turnbuckle, then deliver blows to the back and yell to the crowd. Mark tries punch out, more punches, Thornstowe sends Mark to turnbuckles and tag in Luster. Thornstowe stands on the apron pointing his fingers like a gun when Luster slaps Mark loud like a gunshot. Snapmare takeover, headlock, and the fans chant “Man up.” Mark tries to fight out, but whip corner, still throwing punches, Mark hits a jumping enziguri, but then Luster catches him and runs him into corner, puts him on his shoulders, but Jay into break it up. Luster tags in Thornstowe and they cut off the ring. They hold Mark’s arms over the ropes and hit a chest splash, Thornstowe tags in, whip to corner, Luster goes for spear but misses. Thornstowe takes out Jay, then catches Mark on the ropes but Mark lands on his feet after a flip and makes the hot tag to Jay. Jay comes in like a storm hits 3 huge clotheslines, then the redneck uppercut, headbutt off the ropes kicks and forearms but Death Valley Driver, neckbreaker, cover, 2 but Luster kicks out. Chops from Mark, runs into a boot, but Mark counters with a Mongolian chop. Suplex on Luster, then Mark uses his head to push and roll him out of the ring. Thornstowe in by himself, splashes in the corner, Mark picks him up, Jay hits a running neck breaker, pin attempt, but Thornstowe kickout at 2. Mark gives the “finish him” sign and Jay sets him up for Jay driller but Luster comes back in and pushes Mark into Jay, forcing a collision. Luster hits a german suplex and double stomp to the heart on Mark, goes for the pin, but Jay breaks it up. Jay and Luster exchange blows, goes for Jay Driller, can’t hook it and then a thunderous clothesline. Thornstone catches Mark, but Mark bounces upside down on his head, lands on his feet, and climbs to the top rope. Mark hits the Froggy Bow, Luster tries to break the count, but Jay stops him 1-2-3.
Winner: The Briscoes
Jay yells at camera, fans chant “Man up.” Both teams are shown in the ring shaking hands and showing respect.
Dalton castle cuts a pre-taped promo, “Silas Young, isn’t this exciting? It’s kind of like getting the band back together. One last rendezvous, one last sadie hawkins dance. Why are the boys not here? Will the boys be there when I face you? I don’t want them there. I don’t want them exposed to what i’m going to do to you. They’re sensitive, they have sensitive ears, sensitive eyes. They can’t handle a fight without honor.”
“Unbreakable” Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi vs The Young Bucks
After comercial Kelly says “Its main event time.” MW3 says, “No, its not. Its PARTY time!” And the Young Bucks come out to big cheers from the fans. Kelly tells us “The YB are the hottest act in pro wrestling today.” The fans litter the ring with streamers, Nigel McGuinness joins us on commentary, and we learn that in 2 weeks, we’ll see Addiction vs MCMG. Next out is Unbreakable Michael Elgin. They tell us Elgin has been saying “Hey, make sure when you talk about tag teams in ROH, don’t leave us out of the conversation either. He means himself and his tag team partner” …and out comes Hiroshi Tanahashi, wrestling out of Ogaki, Japan. The announce team gives us the backstory, “What a great tag team they are (Elgin and Tanahashi). There’s a lot of animosity between the YB and both men, because when Tanahashi faced Kenny Omega for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, it was YB that assisted Omega. Elgin came down and physically removed both the Bucks.”
The tale of the tape shows Elgin and Tanahashi have the weight advantage at 494 lbs vs YB at 382 lbs. Fans chant YB. Kelly, MW3, and McGuinness debate which team has the overall advantage, “This team that came together in 2015 (Elgin and Tanahashi) has ambitious plans in 2016.” Kelley thinks YB have advantage because of experience. McGuinness says “Advantage Big Mike and Tanahashi.” MW3 says “I’ll give advantage to YB, but I think their arrogance might cost them.” YB refuse code of honor. Fans chant “2 sweet”, bell rings, and we’re off.
Elgin calls for the test of strength, Nick asks the fans, then raises his arm, but holds up the Wolfpack sign instead and pokes Elgin in eye. Nick off ropes, shoulder block, Elgin flexes and yells “Come on!” Nick hits Elgin, Nick bounces off Elgin and Elgin gives him chop chop. Nick thrown to the ropes, but he jumps over and flips, Nick spinning kick, goes to throw him, reversal, counter, jockeying for position, Nick slides over his back and tags Matt. Matt throws Nick off him then hooks Tanahashi with an upside down head scissor handstand at the ropes while Nick connects with a kick. Matt baseball slides through the ropes, and while Matt halfway skins-the-cat, Nick leaps over top of him to the outside. The crowd is going nuts for the Spot Monkeys and we go to commercial.
Matt is on the top rope, crossbody but Elgin catches him, lifts him up on his shoulders, Matt gets out and goes for a superkick but gets stopped. Tanahashi tags and they set up Matt in the corner, then Elgin running boot, spins and forearm also takes Nick off the apron. Tanahashi has Matt on the floor, delivers a forearm to back of Matt, European uppercut, then throws him back in ring and tags in Elgin. They both pick him up and hold him upside down in a delayed suplex, then finally back body drop. Nick is on apron and yells “What’s your problem?” Both Elgin and Tanahashi yell “suck it” as the give the crotch chop to Nick, and Tanahashi flicks his hand under his chin in insult for good measure. Kick to Matt, Tanahashi sends him to corner, while from the outside Elgin hooks Matt’s arms on the ropes. Nick tries to get in, but the ref stops him, and Tanahashi knocks him outside. Tanahashi goes to blast Matt in the corner, but stops short and rakes his fingernails down Matt’s back. The announce team tell us “Tanahashi is taking a play out of the YB playbook, rubbing salt in their wounds.” Elgin tags in, delivers a clubbing forearm to the back of Matt’s neck, and picks him up for another delayed suplex. Fans count up to 13, while Big Mike holds Matt in the air, before Nick runs into break it up, but instead Elgin hooks Nick and slams them both. Elgin goes for the cover, 1-2 kick out. Elgin picks Matt up, rams his head into the turnbuckle, tags in Tanahashi and the fans chant “Tanahashi!” Matt counters off the ropes, but Tanahashi traps him in an abdominal stretch. Dueling chants from the fans, “Let’s go Hashi! Let’s go Bucks!” Tanahashi plays some humain air guitar on Matt while stretching him. Matt drives an elbow to the knee, hip toss, goes for tag but Tanahashi gets him by the foot, and syncs in a headlock. Nick is yelling from top rope, Tanahashi yells “suck it” and Nigel says they really need to copyright that. Matt breaks the hold, gets in an elbow to Tanahashi, then to Elgin, back to Tanahashi, delivering right hands, until Elgin drags him out and meets a superkick, Matt slides under the legs and gets the hot tag to Nick. Nick delivers 1 dropkick, 2 dropkicks, 3 dropkicks, Nick is running the ropes, catches Elgin on apron. Running the ropes again, “Hey Tanahashi, suck it” and a face-plant from Nick. Nick is flying all around, over top rope, face first powerbomb, then a tornado DDT on the outside. The fans go nuts, Nick give a “2 sweet” to the camera and we go to commercial.
We’re back, senton from Nick, cover, hooks the leg, Tanahashi kicks out at 2. Matt up on the apron now, tags in, the fans chant “SUPERKICK!” Matt punches Tanahashi, Irish whip to corner, but runs into elbow, cross body off 2nd rope, and Tanahashi gets the tag to Elgin. Elgin delivers forearms to Matt, theN Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, then Nick. Splash to Nick, then Matt, then Nick, then Matt, suplex but Nick is there to catch Matt. Nick goes for a superkick but Elgin send Nick’s kick into Matt, then Elgin picks them both up, holding them in his arms, and hurls them across ring for a double suplex. Elgin pounds the turnbuckle the fans clap along. Elgin delivers a deadlift superplex Falcon Arrow on Matt, 1-2 but somehow, someway Matt found the strength to kick out. Buckle bomb, but Matt gets out, counter, Nick kick, up to the top rope, flip, Matt catches him, slam Elgin, tag team combo and MW3 asks “What on earth was that?” Then SUPERKICK! Matt says “see you later”, spin flip, Nick spin flip. Throws Tanahashi out. Fans chant “This is awesome!” Matt climbs to top rope, Kelly starts to say More Bang, but realizes he called the wrong move and stops himself, before Matt flips off top rope, Nick flips off top rope. Next Tanahashi tags, but Nick takes out Elgin, dragon screw leg sweep, SUPERKICK!, but Tanahashi runs through it and a clothesline turns Matt inside out. Tanahashi gives two thumbs up, climbs the turnbuckle, gets on Elgin’s shoulders, bends backwards and a whip slam onto Matt. Nick SUPERKICK!, Matt joins in for double SUPERKICK! and then another double SUPERKICK! MW3 sings SUPERKICK! in 3 different octaves, he loves SUPERKICKS! Matt picks up Tanahashi and yells “5 Star”, Nick yells “Meltzer Driver”, Matt goes for it, but Elgin catches him, Matt throw Tanahashi off, Tanahashi runs through slingblade on Matt Elgin picks him up and delivers a powerbomb. Tanahashi to the top rope, hits the High Fly Flow, it’s over folks, 1-2-3.
Winners: Michael Elgin and Hiroshi Tanahashi
Kelly says, a small measure of revenge for Elgin and Tanahashi. While Omega is still the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, at least they got the Bucks. He tells us “This is the best professional wrestling in the world today. Fans next week on ROH, the World Title is on the line, Hirooki Goto challenges Jay Lehal. You can’t miss it see you then.” Tanahashi hugs the fans on his way out.
It looks like New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing to learn from the simultaneous exodus of A.J. Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows, which was made possible by the company having everyone under annual contracts that expire in January. Pro Wrestling Sheet majordomo Ryan Satin is reporting that Michael Elgin has been signed to a two year deal, so they’re clearly making changes by locking up one of the most promising foreign talents in the company.
Elgin had an iffy last few years in Ring of Honor, to the point that a lot of fans were skeptical of NJPW bringing him in for the G1 Climax tournament in August. But something clicked for him there, whether or it was increased confidence or something else, and he fit in great there. He’s become more charismatic than he’s ever been before and has gotten decent push as the tag team partner of long-time top NJPW babyface Hiroshi Tanahashi.
As for Elgin’s contract, Satin says “the deal allows Elgin to continue taking bookings wherever he’d like outside of Japan,” meaning “ROH, PWG and even big companies in other countries.” Presumably, he means that it’s a compliment to a full-time ROH contract, as they limit American bookings to ROH and PWG.
Ring Of Honor star Michael Elgin appeared as a guest on Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast recently and spoke about Kevin Owens’ future in WWE, as well as his goal to make it to NXT.
Regarding Owens’ future with WWE, Elgin claims Owens will eventually be a WrestleMania main event talent. “[Owens] has the passion for it, he has the work ethic, and, you know, I see huge things for him within WWE,” Elgin stated. “Working with him, being on the road with him, he has a knack for it in every aspect – I would be almost shocked if he doesn’t main event a WrestleMania.”
Elgin also apoke about his own goals, noting he hopes to make it to NXT in the future.
“There [are] still a couple of things I want to accomplish and a few things at Ring of Honor that I still have to accomplish, but, no doubt in my mind, [making it to NXT] is definitely a goal of mine,” Elgin said.
“I always thought I was going to make it, but in other people’s eyes, if I was going to make it,” he continued. “I was going to have to venture the world and follow in the footsteps of guys like Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko and Chris Jericho and leave behind a legacy of my work elsewhere to get to WWE, or now NXT, but that’s definitely a route I’m okay with taking and I want to take in the future.”
– The latest edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast, which features an interview with Ring Of Honor star Michael Elgin, is now available. You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– The latest edition of Ric Flair’s “Wooo Nation” podcast, which features an interview with J.J. Dillon, is also available today. You can download that one at Play.it.
– The following matches and segments were taped on June 18th in Winter Park, Florida for tonight’s edition of NXT TV on the WWE Network.
* Eva Marie promo
* NXT Tag Team Champions Blake and Murphy vs. Sawyer Fulton and Angelo Dawkins in a non-title match
* Sami Zayn appears
* Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte for the NXT Women’s Championship
– Hip-hop legend and actor Snoop Dogg commented on his cousin Sasha Banks making her main roster debut on Monday’s WWE Battleground “go-home” edition of WWE RAW in Atlanta, Georgia. The rap star wrote, “The boss has arrived. My cuzn.”
– Jim Ross’ guest on this week’s “Ross Report” podcast, which drops tonight on PodcastOne.com, is Ring Of Honor star Michael Elgin.
– Stardust recently posted a photo indicating he was still coming for “Arrow” actor Stephen Amell. Amell took to Twitter to respond to Stardust with the following comments:
– Actor Stephen Amell of “Arrow” fame reportedly told fans at the recent Comic Con event in San Diego, California that he still expects to do something with WWE even if he doesn’t end up wrestling a match against Stardust as rumored.
– Enzo Amore and Big Cass debuted a new talk-show segment called “Sawft Talk” at the NXT live event on Friday night in Orlando, Florida.
– Ring Of Honor star Michael Elgin will be the guest on the next Jim Ross “Ross Report” podcast, which will be available on Tuesday at PodcastOne.com. The official preview for the show reads as follows: “ROH Wrestling star Mike Elgin talks about his journey in the business and ROH’s growth and his career goals and challenges. Great show for young wrestlers to hear.”
– While still unofficial at this point, based on Saturday night’s Ring Of Honor television taping, it was strongly suggested that Samoa Joe vs. Jay Briscoe for the ROH World Championship will take place as the main event for the “Supercard of Honor” event in Redwood City, California on March 27th.
For those who missed it, Samoa Joe is also scheduled to wrestle Michael Elgin at the ROH event at The Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, Illinois on March 14th.
– After returning to the promotion at their 13th anniversary pay-per-view event this past weekend, Ring Of Honor has announced that Samoa Joe will face Michael Elgin at their March 14th event at The Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, Illinois.
– WWE has released additional information regarding their latest Royal Rumble pay-per-view. The 2015 edition of the Royal Rumble drew 141,000 buys on pay-per-view, 92,000 from international buys and 49,000 domestic. The 2014 edition of the pay-per-view, which took place prior to the launch of the WWE Network, drew 467,000 buys on pay-per-view.
The Main Event Has Been Set for the 13th Anniversary Pay Per View
With Ring of Honor’s 13th Anniversary on the horizon, the ROH World Championship scene is in chaos. But with a championship so universally respected, it should come as no surprise that so many ROH stars are all in hot pursuit of gold – and it’s up to Head Matchmaker Nigel McGuinness to make the final decisions. It’s an unenviable task, and it’s only getting more difficult. Neither Michael Elgin nor Tommaso Ciampa is known for being calm and collected. Two of the most driven – and volatile – athletes in the history of ROH, both Elgin and Ciampa believe they are the rightful number one contender. And it looks as if they are willing to destroy everything in their path until one of them gets a title shot!
Ciampa’s ROH career could have ended at FINAL BATTLE when he collided with an official and violated the “zero tolerance” policy governing his reinstatement. But as we saw on ROH TV, Nigel McGuinness stepped in and made the call. While he does believe that Ciampa accidentally struck an official he ruled that this is Ciampa’s last chance. The zero tolerance policy remains in effect and Ciampa will be held fully responsible if he violates it.
If it’s about earning opportunities, who has done more to elevate himself in the past year than Hanson? Nigel has already decided to make the night’s scheduled contest of Elgin vs. Hanson a Number One Contender’s match. That battle would have been incredibly heated no matter what, given the growing rivalry between the competitors. But then Nigel added Ciampa to the mix! The resulting three way match recently aired on ROH TV, with many calling it an early match of the year contender! But the hostilities couldn’t be contained, and the match degenerated into a disqualification. We STILL have no number one contender.
We really can’t discuss the top contender without talking about the ROH World Champion, Jay Briscoe. One of only two men to capture the title twice, Briscoe never backs down from a challenge. And with several ROH stars gunning for him, he’s sworn to go “all in”! The champion himself has asked that all three men with a claim to the number one contender status get a shot at him – because he can beat them all!
After taking the time to consider all the options, Nigel McGuinness has finally decided. If Jay Briscoe wants to go “all in,” then what better place than Las Vegas? Now it’s official. Live on pay-per-view on March 1st.
HIGH STAKES FOUR CORNER SURVIVAL FOR THE ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Jay Briscoe (c) vs. Michael Elgin vs. Tommaso Ciampa vs. Hanson
With just one match confirmed, Ring of Honor’s 13th ANNIVERSARY is already a must-see event! If you can’t be there live, you can watch on pay-per-view.
Ring Of Honor wrestler Michael Elgin posted the following email on his official Facebook page, claiming it was sent to him by ROH:
“Hey,
We already have the flight bought (which you should have gotten already). No room to eat the costs. It will all be fine and you can come back and get back to normal. There is really no choice because if you are not in Florida it will get messy and we don’t want that.
We want to finish this out and then we can see what to do next.
In Florida we will do a match and an interview. In the interview you need to apologize and be sure to reference Kalamazoo by name since it is a TV market. Do NOT mention the visa situation. Just say that you have had personal issues that kept you away. Reference the World Title and say you respect Jay Briscoe. It doesn’t need to be long but we need to make sure you talk about your remorse for missing events, etc.
Lets just do this the easy way and get through the tapings starting fresh. You have been great here for the last couple years and it is in all of our best interests to keep it going like it was before. I don’t want to see you make another mistake so it is best to listen to us in this regard.”