Ring of Honor Border Wars Internet PPV
May 4, 2013
Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Ted Reeve Arena)
Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness
Report by: Jason Namako of Wrestleview.com
(You can order the replay of Border Wars by clicking on the graphic at the top of the page.)
Kevin Kelly & Nigel McGuinness welcome us to the show. We go right to the opening match.
“The Last Hero” ACH & Tadarius Thomas vs. The C & C Wrestlefactory (Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander)
Adherence to the Code of Honor before the bell sounds. Coleman & Thomas will start things off. Series of standing switches until Coleman with a side headlock. Thomas counters a hip-toss into a roll-up for a nearfall. Coleman with a roll-up for a nearfall. Thomas with another roll-up for a nearfall and we have a stalemate. ACH & Alexander get the tags in. Crowd chants for ACH. No one goes down off a shoulder tackle. Alexander with a shoulder tackle, then 2 armdrags, but ACH avoids a 3rd. ACH now with a spinning arm drag for a nearfall. ACH with a chop, then tags in Thomas. ACH with a slam, then Thomas with an elbow drop for a nearfall. Thomas with a suplex for a nearfall. Tag to ACH, who heads up top and hits a double sledge to the back. Tag to Thomas, who hits a shot to the arm. Alexander comes back with forearms, but Thomas comes back with a spinning back elbow, then ACH with a neckbreaker for a nearfall. ACH with a jumping knee drop for another nearfall. Tag to Thomas, who hits a sliding dropkick to the ribs for a nearfall. Alexander comes back with a dropkick and tags in Coleman. Coleman with a head of steam, but ACH stops him with a forearm. ACH backflips to the outside to avoid Alexander, but not to be denied, Alexander catches him with a flip dive on the outside.
Thomas blocks strikes from Coleman, but Coleman catches a Capoeira Kick, allowing Alexander to nail him with a dropkick. Back suplex by Coleman, then a slingshot senton by Alexander. Alexander with a slam, then Coleman with his own slingshot senton for a nearfall. Coleman nails Thomas with a back elbow, then hits a snap suplex. Tag to Alexander, who nails Thomas with a stomp. Alexander with a forearm, but Thomas fights back. Alexander comes back with a snapmare and a dropkick to the back of the head for a nearfall. Tag to Coleman as C & C hit a lift-up/leg lariat combo for another nearfall. Coleman with a slam, followed by a jumping leg drop for a 1 count. Tag to Alexander, but Thomas counters a C & C double team with a Capoeira Kick. Enziguris to both of C & C and Thomas tags in ACH. ACH with chops to Coleman, followed by a dropkick. Alexander nails ACH from behind, but ACH catches Alexander on an up & over and drills him with a superkick. ACH with a head of steam and dropkicks Coleman off the apron as Coleman was trying to stop him. Thomas back in, gets a head of steam and connects with a Space Flying Tiger Drop to Coleman. Then on the other side, ACH with a head of steam and hits Air Jordan onto Alexander.
Crowd chants “ROH” as ACH sends Alexander back in. Alexander fights back against ACH & Thomas the crowd chants “this is awesome”. Thomas comes back with a series of Capoeira Kicks, then ACH hits a half-pumphandle suplex, but Coleman breaks up the pin attempt. Thomas with kicks to Coleman, but Coleman side-steps Thomas and sends him to the outside. ACH is sent onto the apron, then tries for a slingshot Ace Crusher, but Coleman blocks it. Coleman then hits the Trinity (Triple Northern Lights Suplexes) for a close nearfall. Thomas with another Capoeira Kick to Coleman. Thomas goes for another one on Alexander, but Alexander avoids them and hits a jumping roundhouse kick to Thomas. Alexander off the ropes, but ACH catches him with a boot. ACH then hits a Slingshot Osaka Street Cutter for a close nearfall. ACH lifts up Alexander while Thomas heads up top, but Alexander shoves ACH into the corner, crotching Thomas on the turnbuckles. ACH catches Alexander with a kick, but then Coleman backs ACH into the same corner. Alexander charges and connects with a running dropkick.
C & C then hit Overtime on ACH for the victory.
Winners: The C & C Wrestlefactory by pinfall (Overtime)
C & C celebrate their win as Kevin Kelly mentions that due to a training accident this week, Mike Mondo will not be on tonight’s show, where he was scheduled to face Mike Bennett & Roderick Strong in a Triple Threat Match. Instead, we will get Bennett vs. Strong, which is our next match.
ROH TV Return Match: “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett w/”The 1st Lady of ROH” Maria Kanellis vs. “The Messiah of the Backbreaker” Roderick Strong
Bennett slaps Strong’s hand away on a Code of Honor attempt before the bell sounds. Bennett backs Strong into the corner and the ref pulls Bennett back. Strong now backs Bennett into the corner and nails him with a chop, sending Bennett to the outside. Back in the ring, Bennett with a side headlock, followed by a shoulder tackle. Strong with a leapfrog, then catches Bennett with a dropkick. Bennett is sent to the corner as Strong stomps away at him. Maria hops up on the apron, but Strong nails Bennett with a boot to the head. Strong with a hard chop, followed by a backbreaker for a 1 count. Strong stomps away, then chokes him with his boot in the corner. Strong counters a backdrop attempt with a backslide for a nearfall. Strong goes for the Strong Hold, but Bennett quickly gets to the ropes. Bennett sends Strong to the outside, but Strong pulls him out with him and nails Bennett with a series of chops. Strong with a forearm, followed by another pair of chops. Strong high-fives some of the fans, but that allows Bennett to come back with a spinebuster onto the apron.
Bennett sends Strong hard into the barricade not once, but twice. Bennett now with a chop, but Strong comes back with forearms. Bennett sends Strong again into the barricade before sending him back in the ring. Bennett gains a nearfall, then applies a chinlock as the crowd wills on Strong. Strong fights out, but Bennett comes back with a back elbow for a nearfall. Bennett with a slam, followed by a leg drop while taunting the crowd for another nearfall. Maria argues about the referee’s count as Bennett with a back elbow in the corner. Bennett runs into a boot, but comes right back with a big clothesline for another nearfall. Maria joins the commentary table as Bennett begin trash talking Strong. Exchange of forearm until Strong gains advantage. Bennett misses a clothesline and Strong with a boot. Strong then avoids Bennett and hits a clothesline.
Strong with another clothesline, followed by a dropkick. Strong charges, but Bennett gets his boot up. Strong avoids a charge and hits a chop. Strong places Bennett on the top and goes up with him. Bennett knocks him off the ropes, but Strong with an enziguri. Strong slips on the top rope, but is able to hit a top rope superplex with both men standing on the top rope. Strong with a cover, but Bennett is somehow able to kick out. Strong goes for a Urnangi, but Bennett fights out with elbows. Strong goes off the blind side and hits a knee to the gut, but Bennett comes back with a spinebuster for a nearfall. Bennett takes aim, but Strong avoids a charge. Strong with a running knee, a running forearm in the corner, followed by a belly-to-back into a backbreaker for a nearfall. Strong lifts up Bennett, but Bennett grabs onto the ropes. Strong runs into a boot, but Strong lifts him back up. Strong goes for the Death by Roderick, but Bennett counters into a Jackknife Pin for a nearfall. Bennett then hits the Spear for a close nearfall. Bennett again motions like he is calling his shot, signaling for the Photo Finish. Bennett lifts up Strong, but Strong fights out. Strong then gets Bennett back in the Strong Hold, but Maria hops back on the apron. The ref is distracted with Maria as Bennett is tapping out to the Strong Hold. Strong goes over to the ref to complain, but that allows Bennett to drill him with a superkick. Bennett hits the Box Office Smash, but somehow Strong kicks out. Bennett goes for Strong’s own Strong Hold, but then all of a sudden, Cheeseburger comes out of the back, dips Maria and gives her some sugar with a kiss! Bennett gives chase to Cheeseburger, who runs into the ring.
Bennett goes back in after him, but runs right into the Sick Kick by Strong for the victory.
Winner: “The Messiah of the Backbreaker” Roderick Strong by pinfall (Sick Kick)
Bennett & Maria are fuming mad afterwards while Strong celebrates his win.
We see video from ROH TV where SCUM turned on Kevin Steen.
Before our next match, we hear the familiar voice of Steve Corino. Corino says SCUM is here as he comes out with Rhett Titus, who is a part of our next match. Corino says ROH & Nigel McGuinness thinks that one of my men will say I Quit. Well, unlike cowards like yourselves and all the people in the back fighting for ROH, we will not only make BJ Whitmer scream I Quit, but the rest of SCUM will defeat Jay Lethal & Michael Elgin and not only will get I to sit on commentary every week on ROH TV, but whomever is the ROH World Champion at the end of tonight, one of them will have to face one of my men. BJ, come on out here!
I Quit Match: “Ruthless” Rhett Titus (SCUM) vs. “The Buzzsaw” B.J. Whitmer (ROH)
BJ rushes out to the ring and goes after Titus as the bell sounds. Whitmer with right hands & chops, but Titus comes back with chops of his own, but they do not faze Whitmer. Exchange of right hands, but then Corino pulls at Whitmer’s leg. Whitmer sends Titus to the outside, gets a head of steam and nails Titus to the outside. Nigel goes to the back and comes back out with multiple referees to eject Corino from ringside. Whitmer sends Titus off the apron and then into the barricade. Crowd chants “Get the F Out” at Corino, who goes back from where he came. Whitmer with chops, then sends Titus back in. Whitmer with a snapmare, then pulls at Titus’s face. Titus is sent into the corner, then Whitmer with some more chops, followed by an elbow to the neck. Whitmer places Titus on the top turnbuckle and goes up with him. Whitmer goes for a rana, but Titus counters by hot-shotting Whitmer off the top turnbuckle.
Titus chokes Whitmer with his boot and stomps away at him. Titus with clubs to the neck of Whitmer, then sends him to the outside. Titus with a club to the neck off the apron, followed by one to the back. Titus with a neckbreaker on the outside. Titus continues to choke Whitmer, but Whitmer refuses to say I Quit. Titus places Whitmer by the ringpost, then Titus with a running boot to the head that sends Whitmer’s head into the ringpost. Titus with a chinlock as the crowd chants that they want tables. Titus has words with the crowd, then hits a sliding dropkick to the head of Whitmer. Titus bites at Whitmer, then locks Whitmer in the Muta Lock. Whitmer refuses to quit as Titus puts on more pressure, then is able to fight out. Titus with back clubs, but that only fires up Whitmer. Titus with a right hand, but it has no effect on Whitmer. More right hands by Titus, but Whitmer tells him to bring it. Whitmer now with right hands, but Titus with a knee to the gut. Titus off the ropes, but Whitmer catches him with the Exploder Suplex. Titus begs off as Whitmer is all fired up. Titus sends Whitmer face-first off the middle turnbuckle, then gets one of the zip ties that SCUM has been known to use recently. Titus backs Whitmer into the ropes and tries to tie up Whitmer, but Whitmer fights out. Whitmer with a running boot and the zip ties go flying. Whitmer now with the zip ties and tries to tie up Titus and gets one arm tied up in the ropes. Whitmer now with the 2nd tie and he hooks Titus’s other arm in the ropes. Titus has nowhere to go as Whitmer unloads with right hands. Titus refuses to quit now, but Whitmer continues to unload with right hands. Again, Titus refuses to quit and he then spits in Whitmer’s face. Whitmer goes to the outside and grabs a steel chair. Whitmer points at Titus, but then Corino comes back out through the crowd and gets in the ring. Corino stares at Whitmer, then turns his back to him and drops to his knees, almost sacrificing himself for Titus. The ref pleads with Whitmer not to do it, but Whitmer tells him off.
Whitmer is about to hit Corino, but then Titus screams that he quits so that Corino doesn’t have to be hit with the chair.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Corino is smiling as it seemed like that was his plan all along. Cliff Compton & Jimmy Jacobs come out from the back and attack Whitmer. Crowd chants “BS” at the decision of the I Quit Match. The assault continues until Michael Elgin’s music hits and he & Jay Lethal rush out to the ring, signaling the beginning of our next match.
SCUM vs. ROH Tag Team Match: Cliff Compton & “The Zombie Princess” Jimmy Jacobs (SCUM) vs. “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin & Jay Lethal (ROH)
(If ROH wins, Steve Corino must leave ROH. If SCUM wins, Steve Corino is the permanent color commentator and a member of SCUM will receive an ROH World Title shot.)
Elgin & Lethal with right hands to SCUM as Titus is still tied up with the zip ties. Jacobs tries to send Lethal into Titus, but Lethal blocks it and hits an inverted atomic drop, followed by a superkick to a still helpless Titus. Elgin sends Compton to the outside while Lethal goes out after Jacobs. Compton is sent hard into the barricade by Elgin while Lethal & Jacobs exchange right hands. Jacobs is sent off the apron while Elgin slams Compton. Titus is finally released from the zip ties and helped to the back. Lethal now with Compton and Elgin now with Jacobs. Jacobs with a headbutt, while Lethal with the 10 punches to Compton. Elgin sends Jacobs into the barricade while Corino argues with the ref. Compton is then sent hard into the barricade by Lethal. Elgin charges and connects with a running boot to Compton, sending him into the front row. Back in the ring, Jacobs goes after Lethal while Elgin has words with Corino. Its now settled into a tag match as Jacobs with a chop, but Lethal comes back with some of his own. Lethal sends Jacobs into Elgin’s outstretched boot, then tags him in. “F him up, Elgin, F him up” chants by the crowd as Elgin lifts up Jacobs, walks around with him, does a squat and hits a 50 second delayed vertical suplex, but only for a nearfall. “That was awesome” by the crowd as Lethal tags in. Double hiptoss, then a cartwheel and a front dropkick by Lethal, followed by a back senton by Elgin for a nearfall. Jacobs comes back by raking the eyes and tags in Compton. Lethal slides under his legs, then hits a handspring elbow for a nearfall. Tag to Elgin, who hits a kick to the lower abdominals. Elgin now looks like he is gonna do the delayed vertical to Compton. He lifts Compton up, but then Jacobs comes in to stop it. Lethal stops him with a dropkick, then lifts up as well for a delayed vertical. Lethal drops down at 15, while Elgin drops down at 30 seconds.
Elgin with a back senton to Compton for a nearfall. Tag to Lethal, who hits a back club. Lethal with right hands, but Compton goes to the eyes. Blind tag by Elgin as Lethal side-steps a backdrop, then sends him into a slingshot shoulder block by Elgin. Lethal with a springboard dropkick to knock Jacobs off the apron, then superkicks Compton. Elgin has trouble the 1st time, but the 2nd time works as he hits Compton with Shock Treatment. Lethal with a head of steam and takes out Jacobs with a tope suicida. Elgin gains a nearfall, but unfortunately, Lethal is holding his knee as he landed awkwardly off the dive. Elgin runs into a boot, but comes back with a clothesline, followed by a Black Hole Slam for a nearfall. Elgin notices that Lethal is hurt as he goes out to check on him. Corino wants the ref to count Lethal out as multiple referees come out to check on Lethal. Nigel goes over to check on Lethal as Corino is arguing that the ref should stop the match due to Lethal’s injury. Compton & Jacobs are celebrating like they have won while the ref is talking with Nigel. Crowd chants for Lethal as Corino continues to plead his case while Elgin looks like he is gonna go it alone. Elgin with right hands to SCUM, followed by a pump kick to Compton. Northern Lights to Jacobs, then a backfist to Compton. Jacobs goes for the Spear, but Elgin catches him in mid-air and BUCKLE BOMBS JACOBS INTO COMPTON! Elgin lifts up Compton, then Jacobs as well and hits a DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP, but somehow, Compton kicks out. Nigel says Lethal told him he can’t continue as Elgin fires up. Elgin goes for a powerbomb, but Jacobs breaks it up. Elgin goes for it on Jacobs, but Compton sends him shoulder-first into the ringpost.
Compton stomps away at Elgin while Jacobs chokes him. Compton now chokes him, then taunts the crowd. Tag to Jacobs and they double-team Elgin in the corner with right hands & stomps. Corino trash talks Elgin, but Elgin grabs him by the neck. Jacobs gets Elgin out of the corner and hits a DDT. Jacobs mocks Elgin, then taunts him. Tag to Compton, who hits a leaping leg drop into a headscissors. Elgin tries to fight out, but Jacobs tags in. Elgin powers out and sends Compton to the outside, but Jacobs leaps onto his back and applies a Sleeper Hold. Elgin backs Jacobs into the corner, then nails Compton with a boot. Jacobs goes back to the Sleeper, but Elgin grabs Compton and takes them both over, hitting a Deadlift German on Compton! Crowd chants for Elgin as all 3 men are down. All of a sudden, Kevin Steen comes out through the crowd and goes onto the apron on Elgin’s side. Elgin doesn’t want to tag Steen in as Steen pleads with Nigel to put him in the match. Nigel says yes and Steen is tagged in, to a HUGE reaction by the crowd!
Steen with right hands & forearms to SCUM, then throws them into adjacent corners. Steen charges and nails Jacobs with the Cannonball, then does the same to Compton. Steen is all fired up as he goes after Jacobs on the outside and sends him into the barricade not once, but twice. Steen sends Compton into the barricade, then plays to the crowd. Steen sets up Jacobs and hits the Apron Powerbomb. Compton with a right hand and rakes the eyes of Steen. In the ring, Elgin hits the Buckle Bomb and goes for the Revolution Elgin Bomb, but Compton comes in and chop blocks him. Steen comes back in and throws Jacobs to the outside. Steen hits the Pop-Up Powerbomb and signals for the end.
Steen goes for the Package Piledriver, but Jacobs comes in and rolls up Steen for the victory.
Winners: S.C.U.M. by pinfall (Roll-Up)
Steen is disgusted with himself afterwards while Corino gets in Nigel’s face. Corino celebrates with his men while Elgin is fuming mad over losing. Elgin yells at Nigel for putting Steen in the match as Steen goes to apologize, but Elgin leaves and has words with Steen. Steen is left in the ring as we go to intermission.
Intermission
We are back from intermission as Kevin Kelly says he spoke to Paul London during intermission, who says he cannot wait to face Davey Richards later tonight. We then hear the music of Barrister RD Evans & QT Marshall, who make their way to the ring. QT is now sporting a shaven head. RD has a mic and says something in French. RD says his voice is hoarse tonight, so he hopes the crowd shows him the courtesy of complete silence. Crowd boos at that. RD begins to talk, but the crowd begins Fandangoing. RD is confused by this, thinking its the Canadian National Anthem. RD says he is out here to do a favor for the crowd. Its a shame that you people in Toronto do not get a Tag Title match. ReDRagon didn’t bother to show up, so they should be stripped of the Tag Titles and that the new champions should be he & QT. We then hear some beeping over the loudspeaker and the lights flickering. We then see on the video wall some images, with them saying “The Sicilian Psychopath Awakens”. The lights continue to flicker, then go out as the video ends.
We then hear the familiar music of someone and Tommaso Ciampa is BACK in ROH!!!!! Ciampa gets a good-sized reaction from the crowd as he makes his way to the ring. RD & QT can’t believe it, then RD shoves QT in the path of Ciampa. Tommaso unloads with right hands to QT, followed by the Knockout Knee. Ciampa drops the kneepad as the crowd chants “Welcome Back”. Ciampa goes for the running knee, but RD pulls QT out to the outside. RD & QT run to the back while Ciampa stares at them from the ring.
Steve Corino comes back out and joins the commentary table. Corino says he won’t be the commentator tonight because he has something big to unveil later tonight. Corino leaves as we go to our next match.
Pro Wrestling NOAH vs. Ring of Honor: “Die Hard” Eddie Edwards (ROH) vs. GHC Jr. Champion Taiji Ishimori (NOAH)
Ishimori comes out wearing a unique mask and gets a good reaction. Code of Honor adhered to as the bell sounds. This is Ishimori’s 1st match in the US. Edwards goes to work on the arm, but Ishimori with a flip using the ropes to counter out. Edwards counters back into a wristlock, then takes Ishimori down with a side headlock. Ishimori gets out and we have a stalemate. Edwards goes back to the side headlock, followed by a shoulder tackle. Edwards slides under the legs, but then Ishimori with a spinning headscissors that sends Edwards to the outside. Ishimori goes to dive, but instead fakes out Edwards with a 619-like move. Back in the ring, Edwards rolls through a Sunset Flip, Ishimori avoids a kick, Edwards rolls through a roll-up, Ishimori avoids another kick, but connects with a rana that sends Edwards back to the outside. Ishimori with a back kick to Edwards from the apron, then Ishimori heads up top and hits a Picture Perfect Moonsault Press onto Edwards, landing on his feet.
“That was awesome” chants by the crowd as Ishimori sends Edwards back in the ring and gains a nearfall. Ishimori with a chinlock as the crowd wills on Edwards. Edwards fights out and Ishimori is sent onto the apron. Ishimori goes for a springboard, but Edwards catches him on the way up with an enziguri, knocking Ishimori down to the outside. Edwards with a head of steam, soaring and scoring with a tope suicida that sends Ishimori crashing into the barricade. “Holy S**t” chants by the crowd as the ref begins his 20 count. Edwards sends Ishimori back in and gains a nearfall. Edwards with a Shining Wizard for another nearfall. Ishimori is sent into the corner, then Edwards hits him with a big chop. Edwards with a snap suplex for another nearfall. Edwards with 2 knee drops to the forehead, followed by another big chop. Ishimori with one of his own, then Edwards responds. Chop exchange ensues, then Ishimori gets out of a back suplex attempt. Ishimori goes to the 2nd rope, but Edwards nails him with an enziguri, followed by the Chin Checker for a nearfall. Edwards then transitions right into the Achilles’ Lock. Ishimori is then able to reach the ropes to force a break. Forearm exchange ensues until Edwards with a chop. Ishimori follows in and hits a back elbow, then reverses a whip and hits a beautiful handspring back elbow. Ishimori with Shotgun Knees in the corner, followed by a front slam. Ishimori then with a headstand on the turnbuckles into a double stomp to the chest for a nearfall. Ishimori heads up top and hits Meteora for another nearfall. Ishimori goes for another handspring elbow, but Edwards catches him and connects with the Front-Plex.
Crowd chants for Edwards as he hits a series of chops, then unloads in the corner with Kobashi-style chops, finalizing with a big one that slumps down Ishimori. Edwards gets his boot up off a charge, then follows Ishimori off the ropes and hits a clothesline that slumps him down. Edwards with Shotgun Knees, followed by Die Hard, but Ishimori somehow kicks out. Edwards goes again for Die Hard, but Ishimori slips out. Ishimori also slips out of a German, then counters a Tombstone attempt and hits a Tombstone Lung Blower. Ishimori then with a running kick to the side of the head for a close nearfall. Ishimori signals for the end, but Edwards fights out. Ishimori runs into an elbow, then Edwards knocks him off the ropes when Ishimori tried to run up them. Edwards hits the Boston Knee Party, then rolls him up for a nearfall. Both men then exchange roll-ups back and forth until Ishimori gains a close nearfall. Edwards avoids an enziguri, but Ishimori nails a spin kick. Both exchange superkicks, then clothesline each other at the same time. Ishimori blocks a clothesline and hits a reverse rana, but Edwards pops right up and drills Ishimori with a lariat and both men are down. Crowd chants “ROH” as both men get up and meet in the center. Exchange of forearms until Edwards with 3 big chops. Edwards goes for a discus chop, but Ishimori comes back with 2 big kicks to the head, but Edwards somehow kicks out. Ishimori with a front slam, then heads up top. Ishimori goes for the 450 Splash, but Edwards gets his knees up. Edwards runs into a boot and Ishimori goes to the 2nd rope, but Edwards nails him with not 1, but not 2 enziguris. Edwards goes up with Ishimori and both stand on the top rope. Edwards hits a super rana off the ropes, then goes for a powerbomb, but Ishimori rolls through it, however Edwards nails him with a basement superkick. Edwards with a powerbomb, followed by a sit-out powerbomb, but somehow, Ishimori kicks out.
Edwards then hits the Die Hard Driver for the victory.
Winner: “Die Hard” Eddie Edwards by pinfall (Die Hard Driver)
“That was awesome” chants by the crowd as Edwards celebrates his win. Edwards motions that he wants the GHC Jr. Title as Ishimori begins to come to. “Please come back” chants for Ishimori as he & Edwards shake hands and embrace.
We see video of how we got to the TV Title match before we go to the 1st of 2 title matches.
Ring of Honor Television Title: Mark Briscoe vs. Matt Taven w/Truth Martini & The Hoopla Hotties (Scarlett Bordeaux & Seleziya Spark)
Spark is from the AIW promotion out in the Midwest. “New champ” chants as Taven sticks his hand into his pants to adhere to the Code of Honor, but Briscoe will have none of it. Mark backs Taven into the corner and breaks clean. Taven charges, but Mark with a drop toe hold into a side headlock. Mark takes down Taven, but Taven with a headscissors. Mark kips out, then takes Taven back down. Taven counters into a hammerlock, but Mark with a snapmare into a chinlock. Mark removes Taven’s bandanna, but Taven counters into a wristlock. Mark counters out, but Taven with a right hand. Mark flips out of a backdrop, Taven misses a clothesline and Mark hits a leg lariat. Taven goes to the outside as the H.O.T. check on him. Taven puts back on his bandanna and heads back in. Taven backs Mark into the corner and hits him with a slap. Mark avoids a charges and hits a series of overhand chops. Taven blocks a whip, avoids a charge, but Mark knocks him down. Mark with a series of Crossface shots, but Taven gets to the ropes. Mark then with a pair of armdrags into an armbar. Mark backs him into the corner and breaks clean, but then nails Taven with an Uncle Mule Kick. Mark with a belly-to-belly suplex, then goes for a Crossface, but Taven gets to the ropes and goes to the outside. Mark nails Taven with a baseball slide dropkick, then sends him into the barricade. Martini complains at the commentary table to Kelly while Mark suplexes Taven onto the apron. Mark with another sliding dropkick to knock Taven back off the apron. Mark then back suplexes Taven onto the apron, followed by slamming him on the outside. Mark sets him up and heads up top, but Spark stands in his path. Scarlet distracts the ref while Martini goes onto the apron and pushes Mark off the ropes, hot-shotting him on the top rope. Taven comes back and hot-shots Mark’s arm across the top rope.
Taven hits a dropkick, followed by a Divorce Court for a 1 count. Taven with a key lock as the crowd chants “Man Up” to will on Mark. Mark fights out, but Taven catches him with a Cyclone Boot for a nearfall. Mark gets out of a suplex attempt and begins to unload with some Redneck Kung Fu. Mark catches Taven with a forearm, but is distracted by Martini and that allows Taven to hit a spin kick for another nearfall. Taven chokes Mark in the ropes, then has words with the ref. Crowd chants for Mark as Taven hits a delayed vertical suplex, followed by kipping up. Taven then with a springboard corkscrew senton for another nearfall. Mark fights back, but Taven with right hands. Mark is sent onto the apron, but he nails Taven with a shoulder to the ribs. Mark heads up top and hits a tomahawk chop on Taven.
Mark begin unloading with some more Redneck Kung Fu, followed by a running boot to the head. Mark charges and hits a clothesline, then catches Taven when he tries to go up & over and hits an Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckles for a nearfall. Mark with a belly-to-back into a slam, then heads up top. Mark goes for the Froggy Bow, but Taven gets the knees up and does damage to the injured arm of Mark. Taven with a Moonlight Drive, but Mark is able to kick-out. Taven with a slam, then heads up top, but not before having words with the crowd. Taven takes too long as Mark stops him on the turnbuckles. Taven blocks the Iconoclasm, but Mark shoves Taven aside when he leaps off the ropes. Mark then hits a powerbomb, but somehow, Taven is able to kick-out. Mark goes for the Cut-Throat Driver, but Taven slips out. Taven goes for a springboard, but slips and Mark catches him with a spinebuster. “You F’d up” chants at Taven as Mark with some more Redneck Kung Fu. Mark hits the Cartwheel DVD, but Martini then comes into the ring. Martini goes to swing the Book of Truth at Mark, but Mark ducks and Martini goes flying to the outside. The Hoopla Hotties then go on the apron to distract the ref and do so by making out on the apron. The ref doesn’t know what to make as the crowd begins the “YES” chant. Mark then gets their attention and screams at them to get them off the apron.
However, that distraction allows Taven to roll-up Mark and hook the tights to steal the victory and retain the title.
Winner and STILL Ring of Honor Television Champion: Matt Taven by pinfall (Roll-Up w/hook of tights)
The Hoopla Hotties check on Taven while Martini is still down on the outside. Martini is then left alone with Mark, who nails him with some Redneck Kung Fu, sending him to the outside. The Hoopla Hotties check on Martini and Spark lifts up Martini and helps him to the back.
Special Challenge Match: “American Wolf” Davey Richards vs. “The Intrepid Traveler” Paul London
This is London’s 1st match in ROH since 2003. London does his usual walk around the ring and slap everyone’s hand routine before getting into the ring. “Welcome Back” chants for London. Code of Honor adhered to as the bell sounds. Dueling chants by the crowd as Richards goes to work on the arm. Richards with a snapmare, but London counters into a hammerlock. Richards gets out and we have a stalemate. They go to a Test of Strength with London gaining advantage. Commentary makes mention that London’s ring attire is the same he wore in his final ROH match back in 2003. Richards gains advantage and locks London in a stranglehold. Richards drops back to the mat, but London counters and hooks his own stranglehold. Richards counters into a headscissors, but London flips out and messes with Richards’ hair. “You still got it” chants for London as Richards has some words with the crowd. Code of Honor by the two and London with a side headlock. Richards with a leapfrog, followed by a dropkick. Richards messes with London’s hair, London with a leapfrog, but Richards catches him when he tries for a dropkick. London counters into a roll-up for a nearfall. London with an armdrag, but Richards counters into a headscissors. London gets out, but Richards with a roll-up for a nearfall. Richards with an armdrag, but London counters with a headscissors. Richards gets out and we have a stalemate. London again wants a handshake, but Richards kicks his hand away, but London hits a Dropsault, sending Richards to the outside. London sets to dive, but Richards moves to prevent London from doing so. Back in the ring, Richards with back clubs, then sends London onto the apron. London comes back with a headscissors, followed by a clothesline. Richards then catches London when he goes up & over and sends him to the outside. Richards connects with the running apron kick, then yells at the crowd “Best Wrestler in the World”, to which the crowd boos at.
Richards sends London back in and hits a kick to the chest. Richards says to the crowd “He still got it, right?”, then hits another kick to the chest. Richards with elbows to the back of the head, followed by an European Uppercut. Richards trips when London drops down and the crowd gets on him for it. Richards has words with the crowd, but then London hits an inverted atomic drop, followed by a rana that sends Richards onto the apron. London goes for a springboard dropkick, but Richards nails him with an enziguri. Richards says to the crowd “Who’s f’ing up now, huh?”, to which the crowd again boos. Richards wraps up London’s legs, does a little hip swivel, then drops back in an Indian Deathlock. Richards hooks both arms of London and does a reverse surfboard of sorts, turning into a pinning predicament for a nearfall. Richards with a kick to the chest, but London fights back with back elbows. London flips out of a back drop attempt and nails Richards with a spinning heel kick that sends Richards to the outside. London with a head of steam and hits a flip dive onto Richards.
Back in the ring, London with a slingshot Oklahoma Roll for a nearfall. London with a soccer kick, followed by a standing Shooting Star Press for a nearfall. Richards comes back with a spinning back kick to the ribs, but London gets his boot up and flips onto the apron. London with a shoulder to the ribs, followed by a springboard double stomp onto Richards’ back for a nearfall. London grabs his leg as he may have hurt off the double stomp. Richards gets out of a suplex attempt, but London gets his boot up off a charge. London charge, but Richards catches him with a roundhouse kick to the head, followed by a German Suplex for a close nearfall. Richards again taunts the crowd, then London comes back with a forearm. Forearm exchange, then an exchange of spinning back kicks to the ribs. Richards hits the Alarm Clock kick, but London comes back with a superkick. Richards slips out of a German Suplex attempt, but London nails him with another superkick, followed by a Dragon Suplex for a close nearfall. Richards with another spinning back kick that sends London onto the apron. Richards goes after him, but London headscissors and gets Richards in Tombstone position. Richards then counters and TOMBSTONES LONDON ON THE OUTSIDE!!!
“Holy S**t” chants by the crowd as the ref begins his 20 count. “This is awesome” chants as London starts to get back up. Richards yells at him to stay down as London gets back in before the count of 20. Richards instantly nails him with a baseball slide, then heads up top and hits a DOUBLE STOMP RIGHT TO LONDON’s FACE!!!! Ref checks to see if London can continue as the crowd chants “You killed Paul”. London is barely moving as Richards picks him back up, but London can’t even stand. Richards sends him into the corner and paintbrushing him. The infamous “please don’t die” chants for London as Richards places him on the top turnbuckle. Richards goes up with him, but London fights back. London is then somehow able to hit a Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the turnbuckles.
London heads back up top and goes for London Calling, but Richards gets the knees up and rolls up London for the victory.
Winner: “American Wolf” Davey Richards by pinfall (Roll-Up)
Richards flips off the crowd in victory and celebrates his win while referees come out to check on London. We see replay of the double stomp, then comes back as London gets to his feet, gets in Richards’ face and tells him to come to the center. Richards grabs a mic and says he talks a lot of s**t, me & Toronto haven’t always got along, but why ROH is where it is is because of guys like him. Guys like me, Adam Cole & Jay Briscoe wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. In the ring, I’m all business, I’m kind of an a**hole, but I respect you and it was my honor. Richards shakes London’s hand and says to the crowd to give it up for Paul London.
Crowd cheers for London as he gets the mic. London thanks the crowd and tells Davey to come here. London says Davey gave him a hell of a match and he should be extremely proud. London says he has been in the Twilight Zone for the last 9 years and its nice to snap back into it. Davey gave him an ass whipping and London says he likes that, he can respect that. The honor is all mine! London & Davey embrace and London raises Davey’s hand. London gives Davey the ring and Davey again celebrates his victory.
We see video of what led us to the ROH World Title match before our main event.
Main Event for the Ring of Honor World Title: “The Panama City Playboy” Adam Cole vs. Jay Briscoe (c)
“Man Up” chants before the bell sounds. Code of Honor adhered to as the bell sounds. Jay backs Cole into the corner and breaks clean. Cole goes to work on the arm, but Jay gets out and takes Cole down into a front chancery. Cole trips up Jay and goes to a side headlock. Jay counters to his own side headlock, then hits a shoulder tackle that sends Cole to the outside to re-group. Back in the ring, Cole with a drop toe hold, then a series of counters until Cole with a front chancery, backing Jay into the ropes. Cole breaks, but then goes for a right hand and Jay avoids it, but surprised that Cole would do that. Jay backs Cole into the corner, but then begins hitting a series of forearms & right hands. Cole comes back with a forearm, but then Jay with a headbutt to knock him down. Jay with a back elbow for a 1 count. Jay with a forearm uppercut, then begins stomping away at Cole in the corner. Jay with a running boot, followed by a headbutt. Jay is sent onto the apron by Cole, then Cole with an enziguri that sends Jay to the outside. Cole with a head of steam and takes out Jay with a tope suicida. Back in the ring, Cole heads up top and hits a big crossbody for a nearfall. Cole with a snapmare, followed by a pair of knees to the back. Cole with a running basement dropkick, but gets no count. Cole stomps away at Jay in the corner, followed by a forearm. Cole with a snapmare, then locks in a chinlock. Crowd wills on the champion as he fights out. Cole lifts up Jay, but Jay slips out and hits a full nelson slam. Jay with a slam, followed by a jumping leg drop for a nearfall. Jay with a chop, but Cole with a gut kick. Jay with another forearm uppercut, a headbutt and some more stomps in the corner. Jay with a snap suplex for a nearfall. Jay now with a chinlock, sitting on the back of Cole, but Cole is able to reach the ropes. Jay begins peppering Cole with left-hand jabs, followed by a headbutt and finally a back elbow. Jay with a chop, but Cole gets his boot up not once, but twice. Cole goes to the 2nd rope and hits a missile dropkick to the leg of Jay.
Cole goes to the outside and proceeds to do the Bret Hart special, the Figure 4 around the ringpost. Cole has to break before being DQ’d and he does at the count of 4. Back in the ring, Cole with a knee to the back of the leg, then locks Jay in a leg lock. Jay tries to fight out, but Cole puts on more pressure. Jay is able to reach the ropes to force a break. Strike exchange until Cole gains advantage. Jay then comes back by peppering Cole with more left-hand jabs, but Cole comes back by kicking Jay in the leg. Cole goes after Jay, but Jay surprises him with the Flatliner into the corner. Jay with a headbutt, but can’t lift up Cole. Cole lifts up Jay, but Jay fights out with elbows. Cole runs into a boot, then Jay with a discus forearm for a nearfall. Jay with another headbutt, but Cole side-steps a backdrop. Cole avoids a clothesline, lifts up Jay and this time hits his Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker for a nearfall. Cole goes for the Figure 4, but Jay fights him off. Cole catches Jay’s foot, but Jay with a forearm. Jay goes to the 2nd rope, but Cole catches him on the way down with a superkick. However, Jay responds by hitting Cole with a big clothesline. Jay then hits the Falcon Arrow for a close nearfall. Jay sets for the Jay Driller, but the knee gives out. Cole then hits the Brainbuster onto his knee for a close nearfall. Jay rolls out onto the apron and Cole goes out after him. Cole with right hands and charges, but Jay catches him and hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER ONTO THE APRON!!!!
Back in the ring, Jay hits a big running boot. Cole tries to fight out of a Hangman’s Neckbreaker, but not to be denied, Jay is able to hit it for a nearfall. Jay goes again for the Jay Driller, but Cole takes him down and locks Jay in the Figure 4 right in the middle of the ring. The ref counts Jay’s shoulders down for a close nearfall. Jay fights the Figure 4 and is somehow able to reach the ropes to force a break. Cole places Jay on the top turnbuckle with Jay facing the crowd. Cole goes up with him, but Jay knocks him off. Cole then with another shot to Jay and heads back up with him. Cole then RELEASE GERMAN SUPLEXES JAY OFF THE TOP ROPE!!! Cole with a superkick, then one to the back of the head. Cole hits the Florida Key, but JAY KICKS OUT!!!! Cole goes right back and locks in the Figure 4 in the middle of the ring. Jay again tries to fight it, but Cole puts more pressure on the hold. Jay is then able again to reach the ropes, but Cole holds onto the hold ’til the count of 4. Cole sets to lock Jay in the Figure 4 again, but Jay kicks him off and it sends Cole into the referee, knocking him down.
All of a sudden, Steve Corino comes out and shows Cole a SCUM t-shirt as it seems like Corino wants Cole to join SCUM. Corino goes on the ropes to show Cole the shirt, but Nigel McGuinness leaves the commentary table and gets on the apron. Nigel removes his jacket, but then drops down and acts like he is going to the back to get help. However, Nigel comes back and crotches Corino on the turnbuckles. Nigel then gets into the ring and HITS CORINO WITH THE TOWER OF LONDON!!! Nigel rolls Corino out of the ring and drags him to the back.
While this is going on, Jay gets Cole, who was looking at the rampway and the SCUM t-shirt, and hits him with the Jay Driller to retain the title.
Winner and STILL Ring of Honor World Champion: Jay Briscoe by pinfall (Jay Driller)
Jay celebrates his title retention, then notices the SCUM t-shirt. Jay questions Cole, who shoos it off and shakes Jay’s hand. Jay goes to celebrate some more, but Cole gets set to nail him with a superkick. However, when Jay turns around, Cole stops himself and leaves the ring. Jay holds up the title in celebration as we close the show.