Tonight, the ROH World Title is on the line in our main event as Mark Briscoe defends against TV Champion Kyle Fletcher.
Our cold open this week is an Emergency MEM (Minion Empowerment Meeting).
Athena says that the incident with Red and Aminata “tore my ligament all the way through,” and that she’s now going to be out 8 to 12 months. So they’ve now brought in some private security to help make Athena feel safe at work. Lexy says these hussies (struggling to get it out) need to learn who really runs ROH. Athena says we need to get Lexy a championship as we head to the intro.
Now, Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman run down tonight’s card, where the ROH World Title will be on the line in the main event.
MATCH 1 – Alex Reynolds vs. Lee Johnson
Dark Order continues to exist in this weird nebulous zone as tweeners, I guess. I think they’re supposed to be leaning heel, but they’re not really doing anything overtly heelish, and they’re not winning enough for anyone to care regardless. At least when they were faces, they were lovable losers and underdogs. Now they’re just…there. Regardless, a solid outing for Johnson, who continues to grow, and for Reynolds, who is talented, but with the rest of Dark Order continues to be aimlessly shuffling through the landscape.
Lee Johnson pins Alex Reynolds after a Lawn Dart and Big Shot Drop in 8:48.
MATCH 2 – Marina Shafir vs. Erica Leigh
Another Shafir squash. A little thing that I enjoyed, when Leigh managed to capture an arm out of a clench and roll Shafir over, all she did was whale away with wild roundhouses. Just a great moment of believing that this person is fighting for their life and is doing whatever they can. Shafir delivers a Tiger Feint Kick in the corner!
Marina Shafir wins via referee stoppage with Mother’s Milk (reverse sleeper) in 2:26.
Backstage, Arkady is with Undisputed Kingdom. Taven makes fun of her name “That’s not a real name, your parents didn’t name you, why is everyone wasting my time?!” Bennett says they need more competition. Bennett literally prays to the booker man Tony Khan, for some competition that’s as strong as them, athletic as them, and yes, even as handsome as them. Social media believes this is a nod that Maximum Male Models could be coming in, but I personally find it hard to tell if it’s supposed to be a nod or if it’s just them being them.
Either way, as we head back to the desk, Ian announces that NEXT WEEK we’ll get Undisputed Kingdom vs. Metalik and Komander. In a Proving Ground match, natch.
MATCH 3 – Lance Archer & The Righteous vs. Duke Davis, Ganon Jones, & Victor Benjamin
That last fella seems like quite the Savage Gentleman. Wink. Duke Davis is a very large man, who sizes up favorably with Archer. I happen to look at my stopwatch as this hits 4:00, and it feels like this has lasted longer than I would have anticipated.
Lance Archer and The Righteous def. Duke Davis, Ganon Jones & Victor Benjamin (Vincent pins Ganon Jones) with Autumn Sunshine in 5:43.
Post-match, Archer hits the Blackout on Benjamin. Why not.
An ad for Death Before Dishonor airs. It is literally four weeks from tomorrow and we haven’t announced anything.
MATCH 4 – Taya Valkyrie vs. Trish Adora
Remember when it seemed like Trish had so much forward momentum? Regardless, Trish lost to Harley Cameron two weeks ago, and previously lost to Taya on Rampage in June of last year. As well as losing to Taya in MLW in October 2022 and Garden State PW in July of 2022. Solid power match between these two veterans, and Taya picks up the win following Shania Pain.
Taya Valkyrie pins Trish Adora with Shania Pain in 6:30.
Backstage, Leyla Hirsch is with Arkady. Leyla says she doesn’t blame Diamante for being upset, because “she can’t beat me.” Diamante interrupts, and says she wants a fight. Leyla is on board, and says next time they meet, it’ll be no holds barred. Works for me. They don’t specify if it’s going to be an upcoming episode of ROH or if it might be at Death Before Dishonor.
MATCH 5 – Billie Starkz vs. Angelica Risk
First time meeting here, as Billie immediately goes to a short joke, as she’s about a full head taller than Risk. Risk’s last appearance in ROH was a loss to Marina Shafir on Ep. 27, in August of 2023. She also lost to Athena back on Episode 10 in another Proving Ground match. Ian and Caprice notice a different vibe about Billie, looking slightly less confident without Athena, but that seems to change once the bell rings, as the violence comes out. She dishes out a low dropkick against the barricade on the outside and dedicates it to Athena, blowing kisses. Billie counters a tornado DDT and finishes with her new hammerlock stretch.
Billie Starkz def. Angelica Risk via hammerlock fishhook submission in 4:20.
We have a rundown of Forbidden Door. This Sunday on pay-per-view, don’tcha know. As of now, the only ROH involvement is Mark Briscoe in the ladder match for the vacant TNT Title.
MATCH 6 – Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher – ROH World Title
Only Mark’s title is on the line here. Unless I’m forgetting one, the last time the ROH World TV Champion fought the ROH World Champion, it was TV Champion Jay Lethal defeating World Champion Jay Briscoe at Best in the World 2015 with both titles on the line. Great match here, as expected with these two. Mark dropping the Cactus Elbow will always get a pop from me. A great nearfall as Kyle counters a flying headscissors into a jumping tombstone. And the crowd (and the announcers) buy the nearfall after the Spiccoli Driver/Froggie Bow combination. Wild. Great near fall. After some great counters, Mark manages to hit the Jay Driller to retain. Great TV main event.
Mark Briscoe pins Kyle Fletcher with a Jay Driller in 13:14.
Mark celebrates as Ian wishes us HAPPY WRESTLING.
THE NUMBERS
Total Show Time: 1:07:07
Total Match Time: 0:41:01 (61.1%)
Average Match Time: 6:50
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