Ring of Honor Wrestling on Sinclair
March 15, 2014
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (National Guard Armory)
Commentators: Kevin Kelly, Steve Corino
Recap by: Jason Namako of Wrestleview.com
We see the usual intro, then we go to the opening match.
Team Benchmark (Bill Daly & Will Ferrara) vs. Raymond Rowe & Hanson
Team Benchmark refuse to adhere to the Code of Honor before the bell. Daly & Hanson start, but then Ferrara says he wants to start. Hanson with a back club and a knee to the ribs. Big slam, Rowe tags in. Double shoulder tackle by Rowe & Hanson. Rowe with a chop and a forearm. Short-arm into a belly-to-belly. Another chop, Hanson tags in. Rowe with a forearm, then Hanson with a knee to the ribs. Rowe with a knee strike, then Hanson with a German, but Daly breaks up the pin. Ferrara rakes Hanson’s eyes, tags in Daly. Daly with a right hand a chop. Knee to the ribs, but Hanson sidesteps a backdrop with a cartwheel! Hanson misses a clothesline and Daly tags in Ferrara. Hanson then wipes out Ferrara with a clothesline. Rowe in, hits a snap T-Bone to Ferrara. Big forearm, Hanson tags in. Hanson & Rowe stomp away at Ferrara in the corner. Back suplex by Hanson, Rowe tags in. Rowe with a gut shot and a big chop. Daly with a knee to Rowe’s back and he tags in. Daly with knee strikes and a chop. Slam, followed by a fist drop. Rowe with a big forearm, Ferrara tags in. Rowe catches him with a big spinning slam. Daly with a big boot to Rowe, then Hanson with a big boot to Daly. Ferrara avoids the Spin Kick of Doom by Hanson, but Rowe grabs him.
Death Rowe for the win.
Winners: Raymond Rowe & Hanson by pinfall (Death Rowe)
Rowe & Hanson celebrate their win, then the music of Michael Elgin hits and he makes his way to the ring.
Elgin has a mic and says there is a term in wrestling and in life that gets thrown around way too easily and that’s respect. In ROH, there’s only one way to get it, you earn it. In Pittsburgh, I came out and saw you two guys give it all you had to be the top prospect in ROH. I saw you two fight tooth and nail because you realize that ROH represents the best wrestling in the world. “ROH” chants by the crowd. Elgin says that Rowe came out on the 12th Anniversary and showed me that you have what it takes to earn my respect. Hanson, you beat him to become the top prospect, that earned my respect. When you come to ROH, you set your sights on one thing and that’s championship gold. Michael Elgin has your back and I see tag team gold around your waist, much sooner than later. But, when it comes to having people’s backs, I’ve been in this ring too many times when too many people had Adam Cole’s back and nobody had mine. So, if I’m gonna have your back, I need you guys to have my back. Adam Cole, count the minutes, count the seconds, because its only a matter of time before “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin is the new ROH World Champion!
Elgin shakes hands with Rowe & Hanson and leaves the ring as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial, Kevin Steen is in the ring with a mic. Steen says he has something to say to Cliff Compton and calls Compton. However, the music of Outlaw Inc. hits and they make their way to the ring. Eddie Kingston comes out wearing Cliff Compton’s hat.
Kingston has a mic and asks how the Philly crowd, who are a bunch of sheep, are doing tonight. What’s going on Kevin? You looking for Cliff, huh? We took care of that little problem for you. Kingston throws Compton’s hat down. Listen, don’t get all mad and dissheveled. I got a proposition for you. A while back, you were with that scumbag, pointing at Corino on commentary and a couple other people. Well, we want you to join a real group. Sinclair screwed us, just like they screwed you, why don’t you become an Outlaw, homie, and join a real clique? Kingston tells the crowd to shut up and let Steen speak.
Steen says that you guys want me to join the two of you in Outlaw Inc? I appreciate the offer, but the last time I did align myself with some people, it didn’t work out too good for me and with all due respect, they were better men than the both of you. So, I respectfully decline.
Kingston goes after Steen, but Steen shoves both of Outlaw Inc. aside. Multiple referees come out along with match-maker Nigel McGuinness. Nigel tells everyone to calm down and listen. I’ve been around the block a few times and I know how this ends. You guys wanna fight? Fair enough, but we will do it under ROH rules. Whichever one of Outlaw Inc. wants to face Steen, make that decision, referee, ring the bell, let’s get this match started!
Commercial
“Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen vs. “The Notorious 187″ Homicide w/”The War King” Eddie Kingston
Homicide wails away at Steen in the corner early. Steen fights back with a series of forearms, but Homicide with some of his own. Steen with a back elbow and a chop. Steen with right hands while Homicide is in the ropes. Snapmare and a kick to the back. Back senton, but Homicide slips out of a slam and dropkicks the knees of Steen, sending him to the outside. Homicide looks to dive, but goes for a sledge off the apron, however Steen catches him with a gut shot. Homicide sent into the barricade multiple times. Steen with right hands, then gets Homicide back in. Homicide avoids a clothesline, but Steen catches him with the Go-Home Driver for a nearfall. Steen runs into a back elbow, then Homicide goes to the middle rope and hits a Tornado DDT for a nearfall. Homicide runs into a boot, then Steen goes to the middle rope, but Homicide catches him with a right hand. Homicide goes up top with Steen, but Steen bites his ear, sending Homicide off the ropes. Steen hits the Steenton Bomb for a nearfall. Homicide sent into the corner, but Kingston pulls Homicide to the outside to avoid the Cannonball. Steen then goes onto the apron and wipes out Outlaw Inc. with the Cactus Jack Crack Smash! Homicide slips out of the Package Piledriver, but Steen gets out of the Gringo Cutter and hits Homicide with the Pop-Up Powerbomb!
Steen goes for the Package Piledriver again, but Kingston comes in and hits Steen with the Backfist to the Future, forcing the ref to call for the bell.
Winner: “Mr. Wrestling” Kevin Steen by DQ
Kingston with right hands to Steen, then chokes him. Kingston with a soccer kick to the ribs, then grabs the ring bell from the outside. Homicide nails Steen in the back with the ring bell, then chokes him with it. Cliff Compton then comes out of the crowd and clears the ring of Outlaw Inc. with a chair. Outlaw Inc. leave as Compton points at Steen. Compton leaves the ring as we go to commercial.
Commercial
Back from commercial, Nigel McGuinness is in the ring. Nigel says that in New Orleans on the biggest weekend on the wrestling calendar, ROH will present “Supercard of Honor.” On that night, the ROH World Title will be defended. I can’t think……..
All of a sudden, Jay Briscoe’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Nigel says that he was about to say that he couldn’t think of a time in ROH history where there were so many credible contenders for the ROH World Title and Jay, you are one of those credible contenders. Jay says he appreciates Nigel calling him a credible contender, but I just want you to remember, I hope that you didn’t forget, down in San Antonio, I beat Adam Cole’s ass 1-2-3, right in the middle of this ring. Adam Cole got beat by the man who never got beat for the ROH World Title. Now, the way I see it, this belt that I got on my shoulder, this is the ROH World Title. I truly believe that I am the ROH World Champion, hell, ain’t nobody ever beat me. I’m the ROH World Champion and this belt on my shoulder holds the true lineage of the ROH World Title. So Nigel, think about this. You got two guys walking around, claiming to be the champion. We can’t have that, there can only be one. Nigel says that Jay is right, I don’t disagree at all. I’ve been thinking about this, I want to be absolutely clear who is the ROH World Champion. And as I am thinking about this, Jay, there is only one way to do this and that is to take your belt and hang it high above the ring. Take Adam Cole’s belt, hang it high above the ring, so high there is only one way to get those belts back down and win the match and that is with a ladder. So in New Orleans, Supercard of Honor, the lineage of the ROH World Title will be restored as Adam Cole & Jay Briscoe to fight to see who will win in…………………..LADDER WAR!!!
Adam Cole’s music hits and he makes his way onto the rampway. Cole says this is absolutely unbelieveable. I didn’t think it was possible for Nigel to get more stupid, but apparently, you proved me wrong. Example #1 in Pittsburgh in the 3-team main event, right before the match began, you decided to say that whoever pins me gets a ROH World Title shot, so it became a 4-2 match. But because I am so great, I defeated Chris Hero. Then, in San Antonio, Jay Briscoe gets a tainted win over me and now he’s bullied you, he’s convinced you that there’s a dispute over the ROH World Title. There is no dispute! There is only one, Jay, and his name is Adam Cole. Jay, if it means at Supercard of Honor that I have to beat you within an inch of your life to prove that you aren’t the champion and I am, then let’s do it! But Jay, the best part about this is that you really think that you have the advantage going into Supercard of Honor, when in reality, you have no idea what is about to hit you!
Michael Bennett comes in through the crowd and low blows Jay from behind! Cole & Bennett stomp away at Jay as Nigel calls for referees. Mark Briscoe runs into make the save with a chair. Cole & Bennett walk up the ramp as we see Maria with an evil smile on the rampway. Cole, Bennett & Maria raise each other’s hands as we go to commercial.
Commercial
We go to a promo from the Decade. Jimmy Jacobs says Andrew Everett and Adrenaline RUSH are what we like to call the “flavor of the month.” We’ve seen a 120 of you come and go. Roderick Strong says the line has been drawn and the opportunity is here for you three to gain our respect. Jacobs says we want you to earn our respect. We’re not bad guys, we’re not here to hurt, we’re here to help. We established the company and want the next 10 years of ROH to be something special. So next week, Everett, Adrenaline RUSH, please, I’m begging ya, don’t follow these other kids, earn our respect and then and only then, we’ll shake your hands.
We see video from the Wrestling’s Finest show and the TV Title Triple Threat Match between champion Tommaso Ciampa, Jay Lethal & Matt Taven which saw Ciampa retain, but at one point, Lethal had Ciampa beat, however the ref was distracted by an argument between Taven & Truth Martini. This leads to our main event.
Matt Taven joins commentary for our main event.
Main Event for the Ring of Honor Television Title: Jay Lethal vs. “The Sicilian Psychopath” Tommaso Ciampa (c)
No Code of Honor as Lethal & Ciampa instantly slug it out as the bell sounds. Ciampa stomps away at Lethal, then sends him into the corner. Down comes the kneepad, but Lethal goes to the outside. The two slug it out on the outside, with Ciampa getting Lethal back in. Lethal hits a hiptoss and does a cartwheel, but Ciampa gets to his feet before Lethal can complete the hiptoss/cartwheel/dropkick combo. They slug it out again, then Lethal with an enziguri. Lethal goes to the apron, then hits a springboard dropkick. Ciampa goes to the apron, but drops down to the outside to avoid another springboard dropkick by Lethal, causing Lethal to crash and burn. Ciampa grabs Lethal in a wheelbarrow and drives him into the barricade! Lethal sent again into the barricade and seated on a chair. Ciampa charges and connects with a Running Knockout Knee! Lethal sent again into the barricade, but as Ciampa charges in for another Running Knockout Knee, Lethal catches him and hits the hiptoss/cartwheel/dropkick combo. “ROH” chants by the crowd. Back in, Lethal gains a nearfall. Snap suplex for a nearfall. Ciampa comes back with a series of chops, but Lethal with some of his own. Slam, followed by a snap legdrop for a nearfall. Ciampa sidesteps a backdrop attempt and hits a big clothesline for a nearfall. Ciampa places Lethal up top and goes up with him. Ciampa with elbows to the back of Lethal’s head, then hits a Top Rope Superplex for a nearfall.
Commercial
Back from commercial as Ciampa stomps away at Lethal. Lethal fights back with a series of strikes, but Ciampa catches Lethal off a back handspring with a backstabber for a nearfall. Lethal holds onto the ropes and sends Ciampa onto the apron. Lethal with a springboard dropkick that knocks Ciampa off the apron and to the outside. Lethal gets a head of steam and wipes out Ciampa with a trifecta of tope suicidas, with the final one sending Ciampa over the barricade and into the crowd! Back in, Lethal heads up top and hits Hail to the King, but Ciampa kicks out! Ciampa rolls out onto the apron and Lethal goes out after him. Ciampa with a knee strike, then hits Lethal with an AIR RAID CRASH ON THE APRON!! Both men fall down to the outside. Ref begins his 20 count as we see Truth Martini head out to ringside and begin yelling at Taven on commentary. Both men get back in at the ref’s 19 count. Ciampa runs into a boot, but hits a forearm. Lethal with a chop and a running forearm. Ciampa avoids a charge, then hits a Burning Hammer to Lethal for a nearfall. Lethal catches a clothesline and hits the Lethal Combination, then locks in the Koji Clutch. Ciampa gets free and locks in the Sicilian Stretch, but Lethal gets to the ropes. Martini continues to yell at Taven on the outside, but Taven knocks the Book of Truth out of Martini’s hands. Taven grabs Martini and chokes him on the apron. In the ring, Ciampa goes for a Sunset Flip, but Lethal drops down and cradles Ciampa. Lethal gets a visual three count, but the ref is with Martini & Taven on the apron. Martini gets away from Taven and at the same time, Ciampa gets out of the cradle from Lethal.
Ciampa deadlifts Lethal and hits Project Ciampa for the win.
Winner and STILL Ring of Honor Television Champion: “The Sicilian Psychopath” Tommaso Ciampa by pinfall (Project Ciampa)
Ciampa extends his hand for the Code of Honor afterwards, but Lethal slaps his hand away and yells that he had Ciampa beat. Ciampa & Lethal exchange words, then Lethal finally adheres to the Code of Honor, but still yells that he had Ciampa beat as we close the show.