By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Supercard
Aired live on pay-per-view, FITE TV, HonorClub, and New Japan World
New York, New York at Madison Square Garden
A video package opened the show and featured the sit-down interviews with Jay Lethal, Marty Scurll, Matt Taven, and the Briscoes that aired in a package on ROH TV. Plus, there was footage from NJPW talent speaking about the event… The “Going to the Garden” song played briefly and then some pyro shot off on the stage… The broadcast team of Ian Riccaboni, Kevin Kelly, and Colt Cabana checked in from their desk, which is turned away from the ring…
Powell’s POV: The Honor Rumble match was won by Kenny King. Check out my full breakdown of that match in a separate post on the main page. Hazuki, Jenny Rose, and Kagetsu won a dark match over Sumie Sakai, Hana Kimura, and Stella Grey…
1. Never Openweight Champion Will Ospreay vs. ROH TV Champion Jeff Cobb for both championships. There was a tale of the tape graphic shown. There were dueling chants for the wrestlers. Referee Paul Turner held up both title belts. The wrestlers shook hands and the match was underway. Cobb had his left shoulder heavily taped. Ospreay performed a big handspring into a dive over the top rope. It looked like Cobb was supposed to catch him, but he stumbled a bit.
Ospreay went for a huracanrana, but Cobb caught him and powered him into a bearhug. Ospreay came back with a handspring into the ropes and a big kick that knocked Cobb down just before 5:00. Cobb bounced back and performed a standing moonsault for a two count.
Powell’s POV: As noted in my pre-show coverage, there are ROH turnbuckle pads in two corners and the bigger NJPW pads in the other two corners. The ringside barricade has ROH, NJPW, and G1 Supercard logos. The stage looks impressive. The crowd sound could be mc’d a bit better, but I’ve heard worse. The overall look and lighting is top notch.
Ospreay removed his elbow pad. Cobb cut him off, but Ospreay ended up performing a Code Red for a near fall at 9:30. Cobb blasted Ospreay with a great clothesline and went up top for a frogsplash, but Ospreay rolled out of the way. Ospreay went for his OsCutter finisher, but Cobb caught him and tossed him into the corner. Ospreay landed on his feet and leapt back into an OsCutter for a great near fall at 11:10.
The wrestlers fought for position on the ropes. Cobb got the better of it and performed a super Tour of the Islands from the ropes. Cobb picked up Ospreay and performed a Tour of the Islands in the middle of the ring and pinned him clean…
Jeff Cobb defeated Will Ospreay in 15:55 to win the Never Openweight Championship and retain the ROH TV Title.
Powell’s POV: A good opening match. I’d love to see what these two could do with five more minutes, but I’m not going to complain about the opening match of a long show not going 20 minutes.
Kelly noted that Cobb is the first American citizen to hold the Never Openweight Championship. He added that Cobb had Taichi waiting for him in Japan… World Armwrestling League Champion Michael Todd was shown in the crowd. Cabana suggested he turn the hat backwards and he’d win every time. Funny…
2. Dalton Castle (w/The Boys) vs. Rush. Castle had extra Boys during his entrance. He pumped his arm, the Boys fell down and so did confetti. They formed a human staircase for him to enter the ring. Rush wore his mask and suit for his entrance and quickly removed both on the stage. Castle offered a handshake, but Rush kicked his hand away and barked at him in Spanish. The bell rang to start the match. Rush immediately dropkicked Castle. Moments later, Rush performed his Bull Horns dropkick in the corner finisher and scored the pin…
Rush defeated Dalton Castle in roughly 0:20.
Cabana explained that Castle was distracted by telling one of the Boys to get a feather out of the ring when the bell rang. Castle was dejected afterward and unhappy with The Boys. They formed a human chair for Castle, but he picked one up and suplexed him, then stomped him. The second Boy covered the first one. Castle picked up the second Boy and gave him his Bangarang finisher. Castle left the ring to boos…
Powell’s POV: They paid off the Castle losing streak storyline with him snapping on the Boys. I like the brief match because it made sense for Castle to reach his breaking point when he lost so quickly on the big stage of MSG, and it’s a strong and decisive win for Rush.
An ad aired for the G1 Climax 29 tournament kicking off in Dallas, Texas…
Mandy Leon joined the broadcast team. Riccaboni said he just received word that there had been an attack backstage. Footage aired of Juice Robinson laid out in a locker room…
3. Mayu Iwatani (w/Sumie Sakai) vs. Kelly Klein for the Women of Honor Championship. Klein was accompanied to ringside by four Camp Klein members. Aja Perera was one of the Camp Klein members and she a substance on Klein’s face just as they do for boxers or MMA fighters. Klein dismissed her camp members, indicated that she wanted to do this on her own. Klein also shook hands with an apprehensive Iwatani and then referee Todd Sinclair called for the bell to start the match.
Klein kicked the knee of Iwatani early. Iwatani came back with a rear naked choke. Cabana pointed out how quickly the previous match ended and said you never know quickly the matches will end. Klein powered to her feet and broke the hold. Iwatani cleared Klein to ringside at 4:20 and played to the crowd, who responded nicely. Iwatani went up top and dove onto Klein on the floor with a nice cross body block. Cabana raved about the move.
Back inside the ring, Klein delivered a big punch at 6:20 that knocked Iwatani down. Iwtani stood up and threw some punches, but Klein knocked her down with another punch. A short time later, Klein performed a wicked German suplex. Iwatani popped right up, but Klein knocked her right back down with a clothesline. Iwatani fired back with kicks to the head and then performed a dragon suplex into a bridge, but Klein’s leg landed on the top rope. Iwatani motioned to the crowd for her finisher. Iwatani went for a moonsault and Klein rolled out of the way. Klein performed a lariat that turned Iwatani inside out and then covered her for a two count. In the end, Klein performed a pair of K-Power finishers and scored the clean pin…
Kelly Klein defeated Mayu Iwatani in 10:45 to win the WOH Championship.
After the match, Cary Silkin entered the ring to present Klein with the title belt. Riccaboni noted that Klein is the first woman to hold the title twice. Klein and Iwatani hugged and then Iwatani left the ring. Velvet Sky and Angelina Love walked to the ring without entrance music. “They must know somebody,” Cabana said.
They did their Beautiful People shake as they entered the ring and jawed at Klein. Leon walked to the ring and then stood next to Klein. Leon hit Klein with her high heel shoe. Jenny Rose ran out to help, but she ate a superkick. Stella Grey ran in and was sprayed in the eyes by Sky, then Leon performed a DDT. Leon took a selfie while Love drew on the forehead of Klein with lipstick. “We don’t need this in Ring of Honor,” Riccaboni said. He called them mean girls. Kelly said it wasn’t looking good for Juice Robinson because the state athletic commission wasn’t going let him wrestle. The trio of women walked to the stage and a graphic for “The Allure” appeared on the big screen. The broadcast team wondered who they know…
Powell’s POV: The booker and Bully Ray? The women’s match was fine. The crowd was receptive when Iwatani played to them, but fairly quiet otherwise. So Klein is a babyface and the Beautiful People are now The Allure. It’s interesting that Madison Rayne left the company over creative differences and they ended up going with this. I’m cool with The Allure if it means the WOH women will be featured on television more frequently.
A New Japan World commercial aired… Caprice Coleman joined the broadcast team…
Mega Ran came out to perform his “Going to the Garden” song (again). Bully Ray walked out at the end. Ran tried to talk him down and noted that he’s from Philadelphia. The fans chanted for tables. Bully took a mic and noted that over 20,000 fans wanted to see him kick Ran’s ass. Bully said he’d give him to three to leave the ring, then shoved him down. Ran stood right up and got in Bully’s face only to be shoved down again. Bully noted that Robinson was out and that means his open challenge is still open. Flip Gordon made his entrance.
Powell’s POV: Yep, they swerved everyone about Flip doing further damage to his knee. Good for them for pulling off the swerve.
4. Bully Ray vs. Flip Gordon in a street fight. Gordon leapt off the top rope into a cutter. Bully went to ringside and struggled to find a table. “This is why D-Von always got the tables,” Cabana quipped. Bully found a table and rolled it and a kendo stick into the ring. Silas Young and Shane Taylor ran out and put the boots to Gordon. Juice Robinson and Mark Haskins came out with a bin filled with weapons. Robinson said it wasn’t going down like that. They roughed up Young and Taylor at ringside, then Haskins saved Gordon from being powerbombed through a table.
The heels all ended up with kendo sticks and had Gordon alone in the ring. “F—in’ hit me,” Gordon told Young, who obliged. Rinse and repeat with Taylor. And one more time with Bully, who broke the stick over his back. There were nasty welts on Gordon’s back. Robinson and Haskins returned to the ring with kendo sticks and handed one to Gordon. Taylor and Young were quickly cleared from the ring. The three babyfaces had Ray alone in the ring. Bully tried to leave, but Robinson caught him and brought him back to the ring. Bully apologized, then low blowed Robinson while Taylor and Young went after the babyfaces.
Ray powerbomed Gordon through a table. Haskins and Robinson pulled Ray from ringside and crotched him on the ring post. The carnage continued. Haskins performed the Wassup spot onto Bully. Gordon covered Bully while Robinson and Haskins stood over him for the three count. All three babyfaces were announced as the winners…
Flip Gordon defeated Bully Ray in a street fight in 14:40.
Powell’s POV: ROH creative seems to be in love with their Bully and Gordon feud. And it was a really good one, but they already paid it off, so this feels like a bit of a step back for Gordon. In fairness, though, Flip has been sidelined so facing another opponent would have felt a bit random. Here’s hoping they move on, as I enjoy watching Gordon work his acrobatic style more than the hardcore style.
5. Taiji Ishimori vs. Dragon Lee vs. Bandido in a Triple Threat for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship. The broadcast team said Lee was wearing a mask or gear in tribute to Hiromu Takahashi, who suffered a neck injury when they met for this title. Lee performed a crazy move early, the Ishimori performed a moonsault from the ropes onto Lee at ringside. Rather than show the big Lee move, they replayed the fairly ordinary moonsault. Ugh. Bandido performed an insane double fallaway slam into a moonsault combo from the top rope onto both men (they replayed that one!). Wow. A few moments later, Lee performed a sit-out powerbomb style move on Bandido and pinned him clean…
Dragon Lee defeated Bandido and Taiji Ishimori in a Triple Threat in 9:00 to win the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship.
Powell’s POV: Nine minutes?!? It was really good while it lasted, but those guys should have been given at least twice as much time. Hopefully the idea is to get the title onto Lee to set up the return of Takahashi from his neck injury. By the way, readers who watched the WWE Hall of Fame tell me that Bret Hart was legitimately attacked by a fan. Dot Net Member Brad Mitchell notes that the feed went black and then they cut to a crowd shot, and there were chants of “f— him up” and “asshole” as the man was led off. I just saw fan footage and the man pulled Hart down from behind and was quickly tackled by Natalya and then a slew of other wrestlers and security. Crazy.
6. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa vs. PCO and Brody King vs. Evil and Sanada vs. Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe for the IWGP Tag Titles and the ROH Tag Titles. PCO had an electric chair entrance and his trainer Destro was there with a car battery to zap him. Music played along with a voice saying “It’s alive!” before PCO walked to the ring. During the match, PCO performed his summersault dive off the top rope and actually landed on Mark Briscoe (PCO usually crashes and burns). A short time later, GOD tossed PCO from the ring powerbomb style and he crashed onto the pads at ringside. PCO sat up seconds later. Insanity. GOD hit a super powerbomb on King and pinned him to win the match.
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Champions Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa defeaed PCO & Brody King and Evil & Sanada and Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe to win the ROH Tag Titles in 9:55.
After the match, there was an incident involving fans and one of the Briscoes at ringside. Bully Ray ran out to help and Cabana said they should take the cameras off it. Toru Yano came out and revealed that he’d stolen the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Titles…
Powell’s POV: Hold the phone. That incident wasn’t with fans, it was with Enzo Amore and Big Cass. Reports from the building are that they jumped the guardrail. The broadcast team spoke for a while and you could see some of the commotion behind them since their desk faces away from the ring. Security was slow to get involved according to Dot Net Member Don Murphy, and thus there are suspicions that this was a worked shoot. Between this and the incident at the WWE Hall of Fame, this is one bizarre night. Anyway, the match was the insanity one would expect from those teams. PCO is crazy to be taking those bumps, especially at age 51. One thing that stood out during the match was that it was slotted too close to the Bully and Flip brawl on the card.
7. Zack Sabre Jr. (w/Taka Michinoku) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the British Heavyweight Championship. Taka did some mic work and introduced Sabre. There was a series of really good near falls once they got past the 10:00 mark. Tanahashi performed a slingblade for a nearfall. Sabre applied his tarantula hold and then transitioned into an arm and leg submission octopus hold and got the submission win. Rev Pro owner Andy Quildan entered the ring afterward to congratulate Sabre…
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the British Heavyweight Championship in 15:15.
Powell’s POV: A very good match. My apologies for going light on describing the match, but things have gone haywire with the Bret attack earlier and now the Enzo and Cass situation. It was surprising to see Tanahashi submit in the middle of the ring at MSG. I didn’t see that one coming. The show is moving at a much quicker pace than anticipated, so they have plenty of time for the big three matches.
A video package aired on the IWGP Intercontinental Championship match…
8. Tetsuya Naito vs. Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. The bell rang and a “holy shit” chant broke out. Ibushi performed a standing moonsault for a two count at 7:35. Naito came back with a running kick to the face. Naito caught Ibushi in the ropes, spun him around, and pulled him neck first into his knee. He repeated the move in the middle of the ring for another two count. Naito sat Ibushi on the ropes. Naito went up and Ibushi snuck under him and performed a kick to knock Naito off the top rope just before the 10:00 mark.
The wrestlers fought on the apron. Ibushi leapt into the air and performed a huracanrana to the floor. Ibushi rolled Naito back inside the ring and performed a springboard double stomp for a two count. At 15:00, Ibushi stood on the second rope and pulled Naito from the apron into a suplex that dropped Naito on his head. Ibushi covered him for a near fall. Ouch. Ibushi performed a straight jacket German suplex for another two count.
Naito and Ibushi traded strikes going into the 18:00 mark. Naito appeared to get the better of it, then Ibushi turned and stared ahead before burning back and throwing strikes. Naito came back and hit a Destino for a great near fall. Naito set up for another, but Ibushi avoided it and blasted him with a kick to the head. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Ibushi performed a running knee to the back of Naito’s head, then performed another to his face and covered him for another great near fall at 20:15. Ibushi powerbombed Naito for a two count. Ibushi blasted Naito with a Kamigoye knee strike and pinned him clean…
Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito in 20:55 for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship.
Powell’s POV: The best match of the night so far. This was a terrific match with some excellent near falls for both men down the stretch. This match is in contention for match of the weekend, but let’s see if one or both of the last two matches top it.
A video package set up the ROH Title match…
9. Jay Lethal vs. Matt Taven vs. Marty Scurll in a Triple Threat ladder match for the ROH Championship. Nick Aldis joined Riccaboni and Cabana on commentary while his manager Kamille stood behind him holding the NWA Championship. Scurll had a great reaction during his entrance and received the streamer treatment. A pianist played The Kingdom theme and one streamer was thrown as Taven stood on the apron, which he swatted away. Aldis noted during Lethal’s entrance that it was the defining moment of his life to walk into MSG as the champion. Bobby Cruise delivered in-ring introductions for the title match.
There were ladders set up around the ringside area. Lethal and Scurll fought to ringside and fought over a ladder. Taven dove over the top rope and his opponents held up a ladder that he crashed into. Aldis said he was surprised by the strategy of going for a high risk spot that early in the match (good sports-like call). Lethal through ladders at both opponents and then wedged another in a corner between the bottom and second rope. Lethal went for a drop toehold on Scurll, but he blocked it and slammed Lethal’s faceinto the ladder. Scurll set Lethal upside down with his head in between the ladder rungs. Scurll grabbed a chair and slammed the ladder with it a few times.
Scurll tried to use the umbrella he carries to the ring to pull down the belt when he climbed the ladder, but he was stopped. Taven made a play for the belt and the fans booed. Lethal was seated in the middle of the ring with his head between a ladder. Taven performed a running knee to drive the ladder into his face. Fans booed. Aldis was pro Scurll on commentary due to their friendship and the idea that they could have a title vs. title match at the Crockett Cup event on April 27. Scurll sold a knee injury. At 11:00, Taven powerbombed Lethal onto a ladder that was resting on two chairs in the entrance ramp area. Scurll made a play for the belt and sold knee pain, then gave up his play to fight Taven once he spotted him entering the ring.
Scurll performed a 619 on Taven. Scurll called for the chicken wing and the fans came to life. Taven kicked Scurll and DDT’d him to boos. Riccaboni said he doesn’t think there’s anyone in the building who wants to see Taven walk away with the title. Right on cue, a “f— you, Taven” chant broke out. At 15:00 Scurll superplexed Taven from a ladder. At 17:30, Scurll caught Lethal in a chicken wing at the top of the ladder. Lethal broke it and was knocked off the ladder. Taven crawled up the other side. Taven reached for the belt, but Scurll grabbed his hand and did the finger break spot twice. Scurll was knocked off the apron. Taven was alone on the ladder, but he sold sold finger pain and fell off. A brief “you deserve it” chant broke out.
At 19:30, Lethal performed a Lethal Combination that drove Taven into a ladder. There were two ladders that were put together to form an X. Scurll picked up Taven in suplex position and dropped him chest first onto the ladders. Lethal hit a Lethal Injection on Scurll. Lethal tossed the X ladders to ringside and the top of one of the ladders went over the barricade into the front row. “That’s a lawsuit,” fans chanted. Aldis said they apparently had 20,000 lawyers in attendance. Scary moment, funny chant and comment.
Scurll set up a table on the floor and then fought with Lethal on the apron. Taven speared Scurll through the ropes and drove him through the table. Lethal placed Taven on a table at ringside and then set up a giant ladder next to the table (rather than in the ring where, you know, the belt is hanging above). Lethal dove off the taller ladder and dropped an elbow that put Taven through the table. “This is it, boys, this is the rest of your life right here,” Aldis said. Scurll set up a ladder in the middle of the ring and then sold knee pain as he climbed it and then Lethal climbed the other side.
Taven introduced a giant purple ladder. Aldis asked how he snuck a purple ladder into the building with all the union people. Hilarious. Taven set up the giant ladder next to the ordinary sized ladder. All three wrestlers fought inside the ring. Scurll used the smaller ladder to jab Taven in the corner. Scurll wedged the smaller ladder into the middle of the purple ladder and put the other side over the top rope. Lethal did the same with another ladder on the second rope. Taven knocked them down with a chair. Taven climbed the purple ladder and Lethal climbed up the other side. Lethal and Taven traded punches at the top of the ladder. Taven slammed the title belt onto Lethal’s head, knocking Lethal off the apron. Taven pulled the title belt down to win the match…
Matt Taven defeated Jay Lethal and Marty Scurll in a ladder match in 29:35 to win the ROH Championship.
After the match, Taven made Silkin present him with the title belt as O’Ryan and Marseglia joined him in his celebration…
Powell’s POV: An entertaining ladder match with hard work for all three men. The finish was expected. Taven’s heat rarely strikes me as good heat and so it will be interesting to see how his title reign goes. He had a strong 60-minute draw with Lethal at the 17th Anniversary show and another very good match here, but the question is whether people will pay to see him defend the championship. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, I don’t recall watching a pay-per-view with so little focus on the two main eventers until right before the match.
They quickly cut away from Taven’s celebration to promote the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship video aired on the big screen showing all of the former champions. Brock Lesnar was booed. Funny. AJ Styles was cheered, Kenny Omega was cheered more, and Jay White’s image was booed… A video package set up the main event…
10. Jay White (w/Gedo) vs. Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. Hiroyuki “Red Shoes” Umino was the referee. The fans chanted “red shoes” before the match and he bowed. A loud Okada chant broke out. Okada ran the ropes early on and stopped because he thought Gedo was going to do something. There was an “f— you, Gedo” chant.
The dislike of Gedo was paid off by Okada roughing him up at ringside around 13:00 into the match. The broadcast team questioned what White could go on his own without Gedo coaching him. Okada performed a nice neckbreaker onto his knee at 15:50. A short time later, Okada performed a running dropkick on White in the corner. Okada went up top and performed a great missile dropkick and covered White for a near fall at 17:40.
White came back with a good German suplex. Gedo was back on his feet at ringside. White dumped Okada to ringside at 21:00. The broadcast team questioned if he would take a count-out win, but White rushed to ringside and threw Okada back in the ring. White performed a Kiwi Crusher. Okada kicked out at the very last moment, but the crowd didn’t really react as if they thought it might be the finish. Okada rallied with a tombstone piledriver. White came back, but Okada cut him off with a beautiful dropkick. Gedo climbed onto the apron and Okada knocked him right down. Okada performed another dropkick. Okada set up for a Rainmaker, but White ducked it and performed a wicked suplex.
Okada connected with a Rainmaker clothesline at 25:50. Okada followed up with another and covered White, who kicked out at the last moment. The fans definitely bought into that as a potential finish, and Okada showed disbelief. An “Okada” chant broke out. Okada set up for a Tombstone, but White escaped and performed a Bladerunner. Both men remained down. Kelly said no one has kicked out of the Bladerunner, but it’s one time when it didn’t directly lead to a win.
At 28:00, both wrestlers got to their knees and exchanged forearms. They got to their feet and exchanged blows with White throwing very light (Orange Cassidy style) blows out of exhaustion. Gedo climbed onto the apron and the referee turned to get him down. Meanwhile, White low-blowed Okada. Another “f— you, Gedo” chant broke out. White set up for his Bladerunner, but Okada avoided it and suplexed him. Okada dropkicked White after they had been jockeying for position. Okada let out a war cry. White fought back and kicked as Okada held onto his arm. Okada clotheslined him off his feet. Okada clotheslined him again. Okada went for another Rainmaker, White tried to counter into his finisher, but Okada performed a tombstone and a Rainmaker clothesline and scored the pin…
Kazuchika Okada defeated Jay White in 31:50 to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Red Shoes put the title belt around the waist of Okada. Riccaboni did a quick wrap up to close out the show with his “happy wrestling” line. The show went off the air two minutes before the top of the hour…
Powell’s POV: A very good main event to close out a very good show. The first half of the match was slow, but it set up an excellent and suspenseful second half. Okada is now a five-time champion. I loved the decision to put the title on White and I’m actually disappointed that he was a transitional champion. Here’s hoping they have a plan in place for him to bounce back in a big way. Overall, ROH and NJPW combined for a strong show that was capped off nicely with the final four matches. I will have more to say about this event when Will Pruett and I get together later tonight for a members’ exclusive audio review. Join me for live coverage of WrestleMania 35 on Sunday. Thanks for watching along with me or for just checking in afterward.
Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest John Thorne, who discusses promoting the AIW Slumber Party Massacre from the Thursday of WrestleMania weekend (available via VOD on FITE TV), being a small fish in the big WrestleMania weekend pond, his long history with Johnny Gargano, and much more.
ROH is awful. NJPW execs must be embarrassed by this point. Hope Naito/Ibushi/Okada salvage this.
Workers > Wrestlers.
ROH is finally becoming about work more than spot monkey bullshit.
If Matt Taven was a snack food he’d be unflavored rice cakes. And now he’s ROH Champion. Woof.
Jason Powell got worked by Cass and Enzo? Kayfabe is alive again. Lol
The ROH side of things were the worst part of the show….NJPW needs to cut ties with them TODAY!