ROH Supercard of Honor results: Powell’s live review of Reach For The Sky ladder match for the vacant ROH Tag Titles, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston for the ROH Championship, Athena vs. Yuka Sakazaki for the ROH Women’s Championship, El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander for the AAA Mega Championship, Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH TV Title

IF YOU STARTED PWBOOM PODCAST AUDIO, CLICK SPEAKER ICON (on the right half of the purple podcast box above) TO MUTE BEFORE LEAVING BROWSER WINDOW

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

Ring of Honor “Supercard of Honor”
Aired live March 31, 2023 on pay-per-view
Los Angeles, California at Galen Center

ROH Supercard of Honor Zero Hour Pre-Show

Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman checked in on commentary. Bobby Cruise was the ring announcer… Entrances for the opening match took place…

1. Jeff Cobb vs. Tracy Williams. The wrestlers shook hands to adhere to the Code of Honor. Cobb was dominant to start with his power moves. Williams blocked his standing moonsault attempt. Cobb broke free and went for the move, but Williams rolled out of the way and went for a submission hold that Cobb powered out of.

Cobb performed a Saito suplex. Cobb followed up a short time later with a DDT for a two count. Cobb stuffed a piledriver and powered up Williams, who hooked him in a pin for another two count. Cobb put Williams down with a suplex and then clotheslined him once he stood up. Cobb hit the Tour of the Islands and scored the pin. The wrestlers shook hands afterward…

Jeff Cobb defeated Tracy Williams in 5:20.

Powell’s POV: A good match that could have used more time, but it’s a pre-show match and it will be a long night, so I understand the idea of keeping it brief. By the way, Riccaboni noted moments before the finish that the El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Kommander match would open the main card.

The broadcast team spoke at ringside and said they would not be alone. They promised more details later. Nigel McGuinness?…

A video package aired on Wheeler Yuta vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the ROH Pure Championship…

Bobby Cruise introduced Nigel McGuinness, who took a lap around the ring and did indeed join the broadcast team…

Powell’s POV: I love it. I have no idea why WWE let McGuinness go, but he’s a welcome addition to this show. Riccaboni and Coleman are a great team and they don’t really need help. But even as someone who typically prefers a two-man team, this is really cool.

2. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Willie Mack. The Code of Honor was adhered to. Mack ended up at ringside. Takeshita went for a dive, but he landed on his feet when Mack rolled out of the way. Mack drilled Takeshita with a stiff clothesline. They returned to the ring for a moment and then Takeshita sent Mack back to the floor and hit him with a flip dive.

Takeshita threw Mack back inside the ring and then played to the crowd. Mack returned the favor with a big flip dive, which drew some “holy shit” chants. Mack held his lower back and McGuinness noted that he’d landed hard on the ringside mat.

Back inside the ring, Mack put Takeshita down with a Samoan Drop. Both men stayed down. Mack eventually got up and clutched his back before executing a standing moonsault for a two count. Takeshita rallied with strikes, but Mack cut him off with a dropkick. Takeshita came right back with a lariat for a two count.

A short time later, Mack performed the Pounce and then hit a Stunner. Takeshita no-sold it and put Mack down with a Stunner of his own. Mack remained on his feet and put Takeshita down with a knee to the head.

Late in the match, Takeshita avoided a top rope frog splash. Takeshita slammed Mack to the mat and then drilled him with a knee to the head and pinned him.

Konosuke Takeshita defeated Willie Mack in 9:35.

Takeshita checked on Mack and pulled him to his feet, hugged him, and raised his arm afterward. Mack returned the favor by raising Takeshita’s arm. Takeshita bowed to the crowd…

Powell’s POV: A good back and forth match. Takeshita is special, and here’s hoping we see more of Mack in ROH/AEW.

The broadcast team spoke about some of the main card matches. A video package featured the ROH Women’s Championship match…

3. Willow Nightingale vs. Miranda Alize. Willow received a good reaction and the crowd and broadcast team danced to her music (well, Nigel kinda bobbed his head a little). Alize slapped Willow’s hand away to blow off the Code of Honor.

Alize performed an early huracanrana that drove Willow’s face into the mat and resulted in a two count. Alize remained in offensive control and dropkicked Willow, who was seated in the corner.

Willow rallied and put Alize down with a spinebuster for a two count. Willow hoisted up Alize, who elbowed her way free and used a neckbreaker to get a two count. Alize showed frustration over not getting the pin.

Alize applied an armbar, but Willow rolled her into a pin to break the hold. Willow through a rough looking superkick and then performed a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Willow went for a somersault splash, but Alize avoided it. Alize performed a cutter. Willow avoided a Drive By. Willow performed a Pounce and then lowered her straps. Willow finished off Alize with a sit-out powerbomb…

Willow Nightingale beat Miranda Alize in 7:00.

Powell’s POV: A decent match. Willow going over was never in doubt in my mind, but it was good to see Alize get as much offense as she did.

Video packages aired on the ROH TV Title match, and the ROH Championship match…

4. Stu Grayson (w/Evil Uno) vs. Slim J (w/Ari Daivari, Mark Sterling). Slim J shook Grayson’s hand, but then kicked it away. Grayson took offensive control and had J on the ropes, but Sterling climbed onto the apron and distracted the referee, which distracted Grayson in the process. J performed a spin kick to take offensive control.

Grayson came back and executed a pop-up powerslam for a near fall. Grayson hoisted up J for a move, but J threw elbows and eventually broke free. J performed a big cutter for a near fall. J went for a top rope moonsault that Grayson avoided.

Grayson hoisted up J, but Sterling climbed onto the apron again, which distracted the ref while J raked Grayson’s eyes. Evil Uno took out both foes on the floor with a double clothesline. Grayson hit a running knee and then performed a Nightfall backbreaker on J before pinning him…

Stu Grayson defeated Slim J in 7:00.

After the match, Vincent and Dutch made their entrance while Grayson and Uno were celebrating inside the ring. Vincent and Dutch stood on the stage dressed in white and smiled at Grayson and Uno, who didn’t look happy to see them…

Powell’s POV: They saved the least interesting match for last as far as the pre-show is concerned. It was well worked and all, but I don’t know that we really needed a Dark Order vs. Trustbusters encounter. That said, the broadcast team delivered good hype for the main card, and the video packages were effective.

The broadcast team ran through the pay-per-view lineup and gave a finish push to the pay-per-view…

ROH Supercard of Honor Main Card

The broadcast team checked in and they went straight to Bobby Cruise for the introductions for the opening match…

1. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander for the AAA Mega Championship. The wrestlers shook hands and a big “lucha” chant broke out. There was an early spot with Vikingo applying a hold while on his back that drew a two count from the referee, who stopped his count even though Vikingo didn’t appear to lift his shoulder. The crowd didn’t care.

Vikingo sent Komander to ringside and performed a corkscrew flip dive and landed on his feet. Back in the ring, Komander sent Vikingo to ringside with a springboard dropkick. Komander performed a flip dive. Komander pulled a table out from underneath the ring and set it up next to the ring.

Komander performed a flip dive off the stage that had a gentle landing. Back in the ring, Vikingo came back with a kick and then went up top and performed a shooting star into a huracanrana. Damn. Vikingo put Komander down with another kick and then blasted him with double knees, which sent both men to the floor.

Vikingo went for a shooting star press from the apron, but Komander put his knees up. Komander rolled Vikingo back inside the ring. Komander walked the ropes and went for a dive, but Vikingo put his feet up. Vikingo performed a Frankensteiner for a two count while Coleman recalled that the same move put away Blake Christian on the ROH on HonorClub show.

Vikingo stood on the ring post and then leapt to the ropes and dove at Komander, who powerbombed him on the way down for a near fall. Komander went up top, but Vikingo pushed him to the floor. Vikingo stood on the ring post and dropped to the middle rope and then bounced into an inverted flip and landed on Komander on the floor, which drew gasps and holy shit chants.

Back in the ring, Viking stood on the middle rope facing the crowd and then performed an inside out corkscrew 450 splash for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. The wrestlers fought on the apron. Komander went for a huracanrana, but Vikingo stuffed it. Komander countered into a Poson Rana.

Komander ran the ropes and then springboarded from another rope onto Vikingo at ringside. Komander got Vikingo back inside the ring and hit him with a springboard shooting star press for a near fall.

Vikingo stood on the top rope and then Komander ran the ropes toward him. Vikingo took him down with a huracanrana. Vikingo placed Komander on the table at ringside and then executed an insane springboard from the middle rope into a 450 splash. The table didn’t break and no one cared because the move was so impressive.

Vikingo sent Komander back in the ring and then climbed to the top rope. Vikingo went for a 630 splash that Komander avoided. Komander went to the opposite corner and hit his crazy finisher, but Vikingo reached up and grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold.

Vikingo got Komander on the top rope and performed a uranage slam. Vikingo clutched his back afterward and then pounded the mat and got the fans to clap. Vikingo hit double knees in the corner and then went up top and hit the 630 splash and got the pin.

El Hijo del Vikingo defeated Komander in 16:00 to retain the AAA Mega Championship.

The wrestlers adhered to the Code of Honor and hugged afterward…

Powell’s POV: An awesome display. This match easily could have closed the show. Wow.

Riccaboni said that the ROH Six-Man Tag Title match could steal the show. Those guys are good, but good luck with that after that opener…

2. Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona (w/Prince Nana) vs. Blake Christian, Metalik, and AR Fox for the ROH Six-Man Tag Titles. The wrestlers shook hands, but then traded punches to start the match. The champions isolated Metalik early on. He performed a handspring into a light elbow on Cage and then tagged out.

Fox checked in and performed flip dives onto Kaun and then Cage. Fox rolled Cage inside the ring and performed a Swanton that led to a two count. Fox dove from the ropes at Cage, who caught him and ended up hitting an F5 before both men tagged out.

Christian and Toa entered the match. Christian picked up the pace and performed a Fosbury Flip dive to the floor. Christian threw Toa back inside the ring. Metalik tagged in and performed a move from the ropes, but Toa kicked out at one. The champions ended up isolating Christian and took turns working him over in their corner.

Cage set up for a move from the ropes, but Fox ran over and powerbombed him. Cage performed a springboard dive and then Metalik followed up with another dive, but Cage kicked out at two. Metalik went for another move from the ropes, but Cage stuffed it.

There was a sequence with the various wrestlers performing rapid fire spots until all six men were down. Cage set up Metalik for a move and then stood there and waited for Christian to run over the backs of his partners into a move on Cage. A short time later, Cage dropped Metalik with a clothesline. Cage followed up with the Drill Claw and scored the pin. Nana shook the hand of the fallen Metalik…

Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona defeated Blake Christian, Metalik, and AR Fox in roughly 8:00 to retain the ROH Six-Man Tag Titles.

Powell’s POV: The wrestlers worked hard, but this suffered from poor match placement. The wrestlers worked hard and the babyfaces had some impressive dives that mostly fell flat with the live crowd after what they saw in the opener.

A brief video package set up the ROH Women’s Championship match…

3. Athena vs. Yuka Sakazaki for the ROH Women’s Championship. Athena stomped on a doll that was set up on the stage as part of her entrance. The wrestlers shook hands, but Athena shoved Sakazaki’s arm toward her. Sakazaki performed a cool cannonball dive from the middle rope onto Athena, which drew some gasps.

Later, Sakazaki was on an offensive roll until Athena stuffed her head-scissors takedown attempt. Athena powered up Sakazaki and powerbombed her, then powered her up and powerbomed her again. Athena powered up Sakazaki one more time and executed a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Athena followed up with another move that didn’t quite connect for a two count.

Athena remained in offensive control until Sakazaki avoided a kick at ringside. Sakazaki powered up Athena and slammed her onto the floor, then picked her up and ran her into the ring steps. Sakazaki went to the stage and then performed a running dive onto Athena. Sakazaki rolled Athena inside the ring and then performed a springboard splash for a near fall.

Both women jockeyed for position a short time later. Athena dropped Sakazaki with a nice forearm strike and then fell onto her for the pin, but Sakazaki grabbed the bottom rope. Athena went up top, but Sakazaki cut her off and superplexed her. Sakazaki powered up Athena and performed an airplane spin into a slam that resulted in another two count.

Sakazaki climbed to the middle of the top rope. Athena held the referee in front of her and then went to the ropes and performed an O Face and scored the pin. Athena shook the hand of the fallen Sakazaki and then put her foot on her and posed…

Athena defeated Yuka Sakazaki in 11:40 to retain the ROH Women’s Championship.

Powell’s POV: A well worked match, but the live crowd just didn’t seem to be invested in Sakazaki’s pursuit of the championship. On the bright side, Athena is really clicking as a heel I haven’t enjoyed her act this much since her early NXT run. She seems more confident and appears to be having a lot of fun in this role.

A video package set up the ROH TV Title match…

4. Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH TV Title. There was a quick handshake. A “Dem Boys” chant broke out. Joe rolled out of the ring to stall. Once Joe was back in the ring, there was a back and forth chop exchange. Mark hit a Redneck Kung Fu chop. Mark powered up Joe and his legs wobbled, but he was able to perform a Death Valley Driver.

Joe rolled back to ringside. Mark followed to the floor and charged Joe, who suplexed him on the floor. Joe ran Mark’s head into the ring post and then tossed him back inside the ring. Joe worked over Mark with punches until he was seated in the corner. Joe played to the booing crowd. Mark got up and fired away with strikes and then ran the ropes, but Joe put him down with an elbow.

A short time later, Joe sent Briscoe to ringside and then hit him with a suicide dive forearm to the head. Joe threw Mark and a chair inside the ring and played to the crowd. Mark hit Joe with a kick through the ropes. Mark set up the chair and then launched himself off it into a dive onto Joe. Mark stopped and kissed one of his daughters on the head.

Mark pulled out a table and tried to set it up on the floor, but Joe hit him. Joe looked at the table and smiled. Meanwhile, Mark went to the apron and then performed a Blockbuster that broke the table. Back inside the ring, Mark fired various chops at Joe, who then blocked one and fired back. They traded chops and eventually Joe hit Mark with two elbows and a headbutt. Mark came right back by leaping from the middle rope and hit Joe with a forearm.

Mark ducked a punch and then slammed Joe to the mat and covered him for a two count. Mark charged Joe, who powerslammed him for a two count of his own. Joe followed up with a powerbomb for a two count, then countered into the STF. Joe was bleeding from his nose. Mark reached the ropes to break the hold. Joe wiped blood from his nose and then licked it off his hand.

Mark hit Joe with a series of chops. Joe dropped Mark with a wicked suplex. Mark fired up, but Joe turned him inside out with a clothesline. Joe placed Mark on the top rope for his finisher, but Mark fought free and caught Joe with a boot to the head. Mark went up top and pointed to the sky before hitting his Froggy Bow elbow drop for a great near fall.

Mark called for a Jay Driller, but Joe stuffed the move. Mark tried to power up Joe for a move. Joe slipped out of it and then put Mark in a rear naked choke. Mark started to show signs of life, but Joe suplexed him and then reapplied the choke hold. Referee Paul Turner checked on Mark and called for the bell.

Samoa Joe defeated Mark Briscoe in 14:30 to retain the ROH TV Title.

Afterward, the cameras quickly cut to Mark’s daughters looking disappointed. In the ring, Joe grabbed Mark by the throat and shoved him into the corner. Joe shook Mark’s hand in a sign of respect before leaving the ring. Mark got his ROH Tag Title belt and looked dejected over losing the match. The crowd gave Mark a standing ovation. Mark went to ringside and hugged his mother, who was emotional. Mark also hugged his sister, his children, and his father. Mark went to the stage and pointed to the sky, which drew another round of applause…

Powell’s POV: Awesome match and a wonderful post match scene. I really thought they would put the belt on Mark, but I like the call to hold off on that. I would love to see Mark win the ROH Championship somewhere down the road.

The broadcast team hyped the remaining matches and then entrances for the next match took place…

5. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Daniel Garcia. The referee called for the Code of Honor, but neither man left his corner. Tanahashi performed an early crossbody block from the middle rope and then played air guitar. Garcia rolled to the floor. Tanahashi followed him and roughed him up on the floor. Tanahashi charged Garcia, who performed a drop toe hold that sent Tanahashi into the ring steps.

Garcia targeted the right knee of Tanahashi and then went to the ring steps and played air guitar. He followed up with a dance and then put the boots to the bad knee of Tanahashi. The crowd chanted “You’re a wrestler” at Garcia, who acted annoyed before going back to work on the bad knee.

Tanahashi battled back and knocked Garcia down with a flying forearm. Tanahashi slammed Garcia to the mat and then did a cannonball from the middle rope and got a two count. Garcia kicked the bad knee and picked up another two count. A “Go Ace” chant broke out.

The wrestlers traded strikes in the middle of the ring. They took turns kicking knees and then Garcia swept Tanahashi’s legs out from under him. Garcia set up for a Sharpshooter, but Tanahashi stuffed it. Garcia kicked the bad knee several times. Tanahashi rolled him into a pin for a two count.

Tanahashi performed a dragon screw leg whip. Tanahashi applied a high angle cloverleaf, which Riccaboni said was similar to Chris Jericho’s Liontamer. Garcia reached the ropes to break the hold.

Garcia regained offensive control and went for a piledriver, but Tanahashi stuffed it. Tanahashi put Garcia down with a neckbreaker. Tanahashi followed up with a sling blade clothesline. Tanahashi went up top and hit the High Fly Flow and scored the pin.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Daniel Garcia in 12:00.

After the match, Tanahashi seemed to be interested in a handshake, but Garcia rolled out of the ring and headed to the back…

Powell’s POV: A good match. Tanahashi closed the Impact/NJPW United Multiverse show with a good match against Mike Bailey that featured a similar finishing sequence. For a guy with as much milage as Tanahashi has on his body, it’s impressive that he came through with quality matches on back to back nights. I’m sure it was a thrill for Bailey and Garcia to work with the legend.

The broadcast team spoke about the ROH Pure Championship match. McGuinness, who previously held the belt, said he would be paying close attention…

A video package set up the Reach For The Sky ladder match…

6. “The Kingdom” Matt Taven and Mike Bennett (w/Maria Kanellis) vs. “Aussie Open” Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher vs. “LFI” Dralistico and Rush (w/Jose) vs. “Lucha Bros” Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. “Top Flight” Dante Martin and Darius Martin in a Reach For The Sky ladder match for the vacant ROH Tag Team Titles.

Top Flight and the Lucha Bros bumped fists before the match. The Kingdom and LFI quickly cleared the ring and seemed to be on the same page, but it lasted less than a minute, as Taven hit Rush from behind.

Later, Bennett put Darius Martin on his shoulders on the floor. Taven ran the ropes and dove over the top rope onto Darius, who took a Doomsday Device style bump on the floor. Wow. The Kingdom duo fought with Aussie Open on the stage and ended up taking double piledrivers from Davis and Fletcher.

Davis and Fletcher brought a big ladder into the ring and set it up underneath the new tag team title belts. Fletcher made the first real play for the belts, but he was cut off by Penta and Fenix. The Lucha Bros went for the belts, but Rush and Dralistico returned and stopped them. Rush and Dralistico cleared the ring and went for the belts, but Taven and a bloody Bennett returned.

Bennett and Rush climbed opposite sides of a ladder, then agreed to step down. Rush took some of the blood from Bennett’s forehead and wiped it on his chest, and then they had a spirited chop fest. Rush dropped Bennett with a strike and then Taven took out Rush with a springboard kick. Dralistico suplexed Taven onto a ladder that was lying in the corner.

Dralistico went for the belts, but Top Flight returned and stopped him. Rush threw a chair at Darius, who threw it back to Rush, and then Dante dropkicked the chair into Rush’s face. Top Flight went for the belts, but Aussie Open returned and stopped them. The Lucha Bros and Aussie Open fought. Ausie Open tossed Penta onto a ladder in the corner.

Aussie Open made a ladder bridge. Fletcher went for the belts, but Dante stopped him with a springboard move. Darius performed a Spanish Fly on Taven off the bridge and onto the mat. Bennett went for the belts, but Dante met him at the top of the ladder and performed a sunset bomb into the ring. Dante went for the belts. Aussie Open pulled him down and hit him with their finisher. Darius took out both Aussie Open members with kicks.

Fletcher and Darius fought on the apron and there was a ladder that was set up behind them over the ring and barricade. Davis and Fletcher slammed Darius onto the ladder. Dralistico performed a wild DDT on Davis and then performed a huracanrana that sent Fletcher to the floor. Bennett slammed Dralistico on the ladder over the apron and barricade. Taven, who had blood on his cheek, splashed Dralistico through the ladder. Rush suplexed Davis onto a ladder in a wicked spot.

The Lucha Bros were setting up to make a play for the belts when Jose threw his jacket at them. Abrahantes took out Jose. A short time later, there were four tables stacked up at ringside and a ladder bridge in the ring. Dante sent Fenix onto the bridge. Penta climbed up the other side of the ladder and fought Dante, who ended up on the bridge. Penta followed and then performed a Destroyer through the tables on the floor. Dante’s foot was turned sideways in a gruesome moment.

Fenix climbed the ladder in the ring, but Taven and Bennett followed him up the ladder. Fenix sent both men crashing onto different ladders and then pulled down the title belts to win the match for his team.

“The Lucha Bros” Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix defeated Aussie Open, LFI, Top Flight, and The Kingdom in a Reach For The Sky ladder match in 20:20 to win the vacant ROH Tag Team Titles.

After the match, Mark Briscoe walked onto the stage and congratulated the Lucha Bros. “FTR” Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler walked out and applauded them as well. The Lucha Bros and Mark posed together while Abrahantes pumped up the crowd. Mark went to ringside and had an emotional hug with Taven and Bennett…

Powell’s POV: Unfortunately, the match is overshadowed by the awful injury suffered by Dante Martin. He overshot the tables and took the bump mostly on his feet. It was awful and I wish him the best in what will likely be a long road to recovery. Putting that aside as much as I can, everyone worked their asses off and took some crazy ladder match style bumps. The production crew missed Bennett’s last ladder bump, but they did a good job of keeping up on the action as best I could tell (with a laptop in front of me).

A video package set up the ROH Pure Championship match…

Katsuyori Shibata made his entrance. Wheeler Yuta made his entrance and was accompanied by Jon Moxley…

7. Wheeler Yuta vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the ROH Pure Championship. The judges for the match were Pat Buck, Madison Rayne, and Christopher Daniels. Cruise delivered in-ring introductions. There was a countdown clock that also charted the rope breaks (yay).

Four minutes into the match, Shibata applied a figure four. The broadcast team did a good job of talking through the strategy of whether Yuta should use one of his rope breaks, which he eventually did.

A little over eight minutes in, Shibata no-sold Yuta’s chops and then blasted him with one. Yuta caught Shibata with a low blow kick that the referee was shielded from. Yuta punched Shibata, which resulted in him receiving his one warning for using a closed fist. A “F— you, Yuta” chant broke out briefly.

Shibata regained offensive control and worked over Yuta with a series of kicks. He turned around and spoke to the referee while continuing to throw back kicks at Yuta, which got a laugh out of the crowd. Shibata picked up a two count and then applied a slapper. Yuta put his arm on the ropes and it was ruled a rope break, leaving Yuta with only one remaining while Shibata still had all three rope breaks.

Yuta spat in the face of Shibata (it actually appeared to sail over his head) and the fans booed. Shibata followed up moments later with a an open hand slap and a sleeper. Shibata followed up with a PK and then covered Yuta for the three count.

Katsuyori Shibata defeated Wheeler Yuta in 13:10 to win the ROH Pure Championship.

Fans threw streamers while Shibata celebrated with the title belt. Shibata offered Yuta a handshake, but Yuta blew him off and headed to the back…

Powell’s POV: I didn’t see that title change coming, but I like it. I guess we’ll see if this is followed by a Claudio Castagnoli loss to move the Blackpool Combat Club exclusively to AEW. Yuta lost the title, but he’s doing really well as a ratty heel. The most encouraging moment of the match for me was when the crowd dropped the F-Bomb chant on him. The fans were pretty quiet before that. The chant told me that the fans were simply watching the match intently and it wasn’t a case of them not being interested in the Pure Rules style, which I really enjoy.

A video package set up the main event… Riccaboni ran through the AEW Dynamite lineup. He also hyped Athena vs. Miyu Yamashita for the ROH Women’s Championship for ROH on HonorClub…

8. Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston for the ROH Championship. Bobby Cruise delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Kingston flipped off Castagnoli and then charged him when the bell rang and hit him with chops. Castagnoli fired back with an uppercut that knocked Kingston out of the ring.

A short time later, Kingston threw kicks at the left knee of Castagnoli, who ended up at ringside. Kingston went for a suicide dive, but Castagnoli caught him with an uppercut. Moments later, Castagnoli stood on the floor and tugged at Kingston’s singlet while throwing strikes at him. Castagnoli pulled Kingston through the ropes and suplexed him onto the floor.

Back inside the ring, Castagnoli performed a standing double stomp. Castagnoli went up top and performed a flying headbutt that led to a two count. Castagnoli limped on his bad knee and then both men traded open hand slaps until Castagnoli took Kingston down and performed a Swing. Castagnoli released Kingston and sold his knee again.

Castagnoli placed Kingston on the top turnbuckle and hit him with several strikes and a dropkick. Castagnoli followed up with a superplex and covered Kingston for a two count. Kingston rallied and clotheslined Castagnoli to the floor and then hit him with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Kingston leapt from the middle rope and bulldogged Castagnoli before covering him for a two count.

A short time later, Kingston caught Castagnoli in a submission hold, but Castagnoli reached the ropes to break the hold. Kingston performed a backdrop driver for a near fall. Castagnoli came back with a German suplex. Both men got to their feet and traded forearms. Castagnoli dropped Kingston with a clothesline and covered him for a near fall.

Castagnoli went for a Ricola Bomb, but Kingston slipped away and hit a spinning back fist for a good near fall. Castagnoli rolled to the apron. Kingston joined him and went for a suplex, but Castagnoli blocked it and threw two knees to the head of Kingston before suplexing him from the apron to the floor. McGuinness called for a replay and got one from the production team.

Castagnoli took part of the ringside barricade and swung it at Kingston, who was dead weight when Castagnoli rolled him back inside the ring. Castagnoli followed and blasted Kingston with an uppercut and then covered him for a good near fall. An “Eddie” chant broke out. Castagnoli told Kingston that he’d never get his respect.

Castagnoli performed a choke swing and then hit the Neutralizer, but Kingston popped up at one. Castagnoli blasted Kingston with another uppercut and got a near fall. Another round of “Eddie” chants broke out. Castagnoli fired away with more strikes and went for a Ricola Bomb, but Kingston countered into a huracanrana for a two count, and then Castagnoli rolled through and got the pin…

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Eddie Kingston in 20:15 to retain the ROH Championship.

Kingston immediately showed disappointment over the way he lost. The broadcast team praised him for controlling his temper and remaining focussed through the match. Wheeler Yuta came out and celebrated with Castagnoli, who spoke to him before he left the ring.

Castagnoli acted like he was going to shake the hand of Kingston for a moment, and then Yuta climbed onto the apron near Kingston. Before the heels could strike, Katsuyori Shibata came out and stood with Kingston. Castagnoli raised his title belt and then Shibata did the same. Shibata raised the arm of Kingston, who returned the favor. Castagnoli raised his belt again and left the ring with Yuta.

Kingston got the mic and asked if they were still on pay-per-view. He cussed and said that HR could fine him because he doesn’t care. Kingston called Shibata a living legend and told the fans to give it up for him. Kingston told the fans to give it up for Tanahashi. Kingston barked at someone at ringside and said he didn’t care if there were only 25 seconds left. Kingston looked into the camera and said he’s not going anywhere and vowed to beat Castagnoli’s ass. The show went off the air…

Powell’s POV: Well, so much for my theory about BCC being exclusive to AEW. They fooled me again, as I thought this would be Kingston’s night. That said, I really like the idea of stretching this out because it will mean so much more if the build to that big moment. The main event was strong and the closing minutes were excellent.

Overall, this looked like a strong show on paper and it delivered in a big way. I will have more to say in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Thanks for watching along with me tonight. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it and voting for the best match below.

ROH Supercard of Honor Poll: Grade the overall show

 
pollcode.com free polls

ROH Supercard of Honor Poll: Vote for the best match

 
pollcode.com free polls

WE VALUE YOUR PRIVACY

Readers Comments (1)

  1. Mark Briscoe loses in front of his wife and kids in a match dedicated to his brother.

    Vince McMahon is booking ROH.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.