LOW - Legends of Wrestling

[Crimson Cross]

That is a great victory by the Roos and I'm glad they took the gold, plus too bad Striker didn't have a better showing and outcome versus 2CS. I really like the war between the Hell Angels and Williams&Gordy, so the rematch should be killer...

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson, next up is action from the NWC...

LOW Northern Wrestling Corporation - Convention Hall - Atlantic City, NJ (Card #757)

1) Dick Hutton defeated Virgil:
The opening match saw Tulsa, OK, native Dick Hutton take on “Wrestling Superstar” Virgil of All-Star Wrestling. Hutton controlled most of the early action before Virgil trapped him in the Cobra Clutch for a submission chance. Virgil also scored a two count after striking with the combo punches. Hutton battled back and caught Virgil in a sleeper hold before transitioning into the Abdominal Stretch resulting in a submission victory.

2) Cowboy Bob Orton defeated Henry Irslinger:
A very competitive bout saw Henry Irslinger of All-Star Wrestling, who also makes his home in Atlantic City, up against “The Ace” Cowboy Bob Orton. Irslinger more than held his own in this one which included the referee going down when Orton came off of the top rope (deathjump, ch) with a forearm shot. Orton dominated the down time but then Irslinger struck back scoring a two count with the Flying Headlock. Orton cut off his momentum with an attack on the outside and then hit a second rope powerslam to set up his devastating finisher, the Superplex, resulting in a pinfall victory for the St. Louis, MO, native.

3) Johnny & Greg Valentine defeated Pepper Gomez & Ilio DiPaolo:
The tag team division in the NWC is very strong as evidenced by the first of three feature tag bouts on the card. Here it was the popular combination of Pepper Gomez & Ilio DiPaolo testing their skills against the Captain Lou Albano-led father-and-son team of Johnny & Greg Valentine. Gomez and DiPaolo were on fire early which included Gomez scoring successive two counts on Johnny with a counter sunset flip and dropkick. Greg took over on offense midway through scoring a near fall on DiPaolo with a counter cradle hold before trapping him in the Figure Four Leglock. Johnny prevented a save there but DiPaolo was able to grab the ropes for a break. It came down to Johnny delivering the brutal Atomic Skullcrusher on a weakened DiPaolo to score the pin.

4) Tony Atlas defeated Drake Younger:
A hard fought bout saw the popular “Mr. USA” Tony Atlas squaring off against the “Psycho Shooter” Drake Younger. Atlas used his power to dominate early before Younger took control out on the floor. He then scored a near fall after Atlas missed with a dive off of the top rope. Atlas was in trouble when Younger caught him with Drake’s Landing, his version of the dangerous Vertibreaker, but the muscleman from Roanoke, VA, kicked out just before the three count. Atlas struck back with the jumping headbutt and delivered the Press Slam and Splash but Younger got his foot on the bottom rope at the count of two. A defensive move ended this one as Atlas surprised Younger with a Counter Sunset Flip off of the ropes to score the pin.

5) Jerry Lynn & Arik Cannon defeated Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik:
A big grudge match saw Jerry Lynn & “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon out for revenge against Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik after the foreign duo had put Cannon out of action with a neck injury. Volkoff and Sheik jumped Lynn and Cannon at ringside before the bell getting this one off to a wild start. Early action saw the Sheik going to his trademark suplex attack to soften up the opposition. Lynn would weather the storm and tag out to Cannon after hitting a DDT. Cannon took a beating from Volkoff and at that point things weren’t looking good for him and Lynn. That all turned around in an instant, though, when Cannon hit the Glimmering Warlock out of nowhere and covered Volkoff for the pin as Lynn prevented the Sheik from making the save. The crowd erupted in cheers as Lynn and Cannon picked up a big win that will get them one step closer to gaining a shot at the LOW World tag team titles.

6) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Ed Lewis© defeated Diamond Dallas Page to retain the title:
Jersey Shore native Diamond Dallas Page received a huge opportunity in his backyard as he challenged Ed “Strangler” Lewis for the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. In his near seven-year career in LOW the popular DDP has yet to hold championship gold but has come close on several occasions. He looked great during this one and was able to counter the technically sound Lewis several times. He had Lewis reeling after hitting the Diamond Dream, his version of the DDT, forcing the champion to bail out of the ring. He would also connect with the swinging neckbreaker and discus clothesline before Lewis caught him in a double wristlock for a submission chance late in the bout. Lewis is known for his Strangler’s Headlock but much to the credit of DDP he was never able to secure it in this one. It would be a counter move that led to the finish as DDP missed with a charge into the corner and Lewis executed a Roll-Up to score a snake eyes pin. It was the version eight defense of the title for Lewis and the crowd cheered both men post-match as they shook hands in a show of great sportsmanship.

7) Samoan Island Tribe defeated The Sheepherders by DQ:
Grudge tag team action between two double tough teams saw the Samoan Island Tribe (Alofa & Samu) face The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams). This one was fought in and out of the ring and resulted in several dramatic near falls. The Sheepherders executed both the Double Gutbuster and Battering Ram but the SIT were able to break up the pin attempts. Samu, who was busted open during this one, showed great resilience as he battled back against Butch and Luke. He caught Luke with a Diving Headbutt for a big near fall late in the match. Both teams were determined to win this one but it would not come via a clean finish as the Sheepherders got disqualified when Luke assaulted Alofa with a chair at ringside. The referee had trouble restoring order post-match and had to call for LOW officials to run down to the ring and break up the two battling teams.

8) Gorgeous George defeated Randy Savage by DQ:
A highly anticipated main event saw freelance star Randy “Macho Man” Savage taking on Gorgeous George who was accompanied by his valet, Cherie Dupre. The flamboyant George, a former LOW International Heavyweight and LOW Junior Heavyweight champion, met an equally colorful match in Savage who is known for his trademark robes and bandanas. Savage was on fire early taking the fight to George including nailing him with the flying axe handle from the top rope to the floor. It was looking good for the “Macho Man” until George picked him off of the top rope with a bodyslam. George followed with a small package with tights for a two count and then locked on the Spinning Toe Hold going for the submission. Savage was able to escape and mounted another offensive delivering the neckbreaker clothesline and the vaulting neck snap. He had George reeling but then made a critical mistake as outside interference by Dupre led to him taking the match out to the floor. He roughed up George, including running him head first into the ring post, and that resulted in the disqualification decision. The crowd jeered the decision as Dupre assisted the stunned George to the back. Savage, meanwhile, threatened the referee before vaulting over the top rope to exit the ring drawing cheers from the crowd.

[Crimson Cross]

Knowing it was by disqualification, the victory by Gorgeous George over Randy Savage is huge. I also liked the win by Dick Hutton over Virgil, excellent action Crue...

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson, next up is ladies action from SHIMMER with some history being made...

SHIMMER - Women Athletes - The Eagles Club - Berwyn, IL (Card #758)

1) Sumie Sakai defeated Nicole Matthews:
A fast paced opener saw popular Japanese star Sumie Sakai up against former Canadian Ninjas member Nicole Matthews. A past holder of the SHIMMER tag team titles with Portia Perez, Matthews has been attempting to establish herself as a singles competitor after the team was forced to split. She looked good early scoring two counts with a side backbreaker and kicks to the chest. Sakai used her speed advantage to battle back and floored Matthews with a missile dropkick. She also tied her up in the choking Camel Clutch and a Scorpion Deatrhlock (ch). The finish saw the larger Matthews going for another side backbreaker but Sakai was able to counter that and strike with a Hurricanrana for the pin.

2) Tina Moretti defeated Veda Scott:
This one was over pretty quickly as the veteran Tina Moretti took Veda Scott to school. Scott, working out of Providence, RI, held the advantage early but Moretti was able to turn things around executing a scoop slam, dropkick, and Legdrop in quick succession to score a snake eyes pin.

3) Sara Del Ray & Daizee Haze defeated Athena & Courtney Rush:
There has always been some tension between Sara Del Ray & Daizee Haze, going back to their days in the BDK in CHIKARA, but whenever they unite they make for a tough tag team as Athena & Courtney Rush found out in this one. Athena shined early executing such moves as the spinwheel kick, running dropkick, and sleeper. It was Rush continuing that offensive on Haze until the action went out to the floor. Haze dominated Rush on the outside and that led to her and “Death Ray” gaining control of this one. The finish came via snake eyes again as Del Ray planted Rush with the devastating Royal Butterfly to score the pin.

4) Joyce Grable defeated Kellie Skater by DQ:
A grudge match saw the “Rate Tank” Kellie Skater, accompanied by Jessie McKay, up against veteran star Joyce Grable who had Nora Greenwald in her corner. The seconds on the outside didn’t last long, however, as the referee ordered both McKay and Greenwald to the back. Grable dominated the early action with dropkicks and a giant swing. Skater then made a counter off the ropes and hit a Northern Lights Suplex before securing an ankle lock for a submission chance. Grable made a counter of her own as Skater went up top (ch) but she was caught with a superplex. Grable looked to be back in control until they went outside where Skater received a surprise assist from none other than Madison Eagles. The enraged Aussie, who has been out several months due to an injury inflicted on her by Grable, Greenwald, and Sherri Martel, jumped over the ring barrier and assaulted Grable. Skater joined in on the attack until Grable was able to escape to the back with a disqualification victory.

●Amber Gertner made her way to ringside to interview Madison Eagles and Kellie Skater who were joined by Jessie McKay. The three Australian stars made it clear that they were out for revenge and wanted a six-woman tag team match against Sherri Martel, Nora Greenwald, & Joyce Grable. Gertner asked Eagles if she was ok to return from injury and she said “one hundred percent yes” drawing a big cheer from the crowd. That means that the indefinite suspension on Martel will be lifted and it was announced that the big match will take place on the next SHIMMER card in Berwyn, IL (Card #768).

5) MsChif & Christina Von Eerie defeated Lacey & Rain:
With the SHIMMER tag team titles being contested on the next edition of LOW All-Star Wrestling (Card #761 in Memphis, TN), as the Glamour Girls (Leilani Kai & Judy Martin) defend against Mildred Burke & Jazz, it was important for both MsChif & Christina Von Eerie and the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew (Lacey & Rain) to pick up a victory here. Both teams are in line for a title shot and it has been made known that a tag team title match will headline the next SHIMMER card. This one was back and forth most of the way highlighted by Lacey and Rain hitting the Tomikaze, a tandem inverted double underhook facebuster, on MsChif. Lacey went for the cover but Von Eeerie reversed the pin allowing MsChif to get a near fall. MsChif then hit the Desecrater on Lacey with Rain making a last second save. Rain was a standout in this match taking the fight to both MsChif and Von Eerie. The finish came when Von Eerie got the upper hand hitting a springboard crossbody on Lacey that was followed up by the 138, a tilt-a-whirl facebuster, for the pin.

6) Portia Perez defeated Ida Mae Martinez:
The popular Ida Mae Martinez, a four-time SHIMMER champion, took on the spunky Portia Perez in this challenge match. Perez has been feeling disrespected since her and Nicole Matthews were forced to disband the Canadian Ninjas and she looked to take it out on her opponent here. Martinez had different ideas, however, and was able to dominate most of the action. Martinez scored with the cross bodyblock and flying headscissors setting up a bodyslam and press for a two count. She went up top but Perez picked her off with a bodyslam and quickly followed up with the Divorce Court to score a snake eyes pin. Perez was not done there and continued to attack Martinez post-match injuring her left arm and shoulder. Alere Little Feather, who was not scheduled to compete, ran in afterward to chase Perez out of the ring.

●Ida Mae Martinez will miss at least one SHIMMER card due to the shoulder injury she suffered at the hands of Portia Perez. Alere Little Feather spoke with Amber Gertner afterward and said she was on stand by in case a replacement was needed and saw what Perez was doing so she jumped in. She then challenged Perez to meet her on the next SHIMMER card. Perez answered the challenge saying that she would do the same to Little Feather en route to becoming the “Queen of SHIMMER”!

7) Saraya Knight defeated Lufisto:
A battle between two of the toughest women in SHIMMER pitted the “Super Hardcore Anime” Lufisto against Saraya Knight. This was about what you would expect with both women trading stiff punches, forearms, headbutts, and chops throughout the match. Knight scored a big near fall when she avoided a corner charge by Lufisto and executed a roll-up. The two battled out to the floor several times dishing out even more punishment. Lufisto scored with a Tiger Suplex and locked on a rear naked choke putting Knight in a vulnerable state. Knight recovered and battled back hitting a vicious looking DDT followed up by a Side Suplex to score the pin.

8) SHIMMER title: Cheerleader Melissa defeated Mercedes Martinez to win the title:
The main event saw the popular Cheerleader Melissa, a former SHIMMER champion, attempting to regain the gold against the woman she lost it to in the form of the “Latina Sensation” Mercedes Martinez. It was the attempted version two defense of the championship for Martinez who won the belt from Melissa in a heated match in Berwyn, IL (Card #738). Martinez dominated the early action and set up Melissa for her finisher, the Fisherman Buster, resulting in a big near fall. Melissa battled back hard and this one went out to the floor several times nearly resulting in a disqualification decision. Melissa showed that she could indeed hang with the double tough Martinez under those circumstances. Martinez used one of her signature moves, the 3 Amigas which is two vertical suplexes into a German Suplex, but was unable to put the determined challenger away. Backed by a supportive crowd it was Melissa hitting on all cylinders building to a great finish that culminated in her hitting the Air Raid Crash, an over the shoulder back to belly piledriver, on Martinez to score the pin. The crowd erupted in cheers as a tearful Melissa was crowned a two-time champion of SHIMMER under the LOW banner. Martinez stared down Melissa post-match before leaving the ring without the championship she had fiercely defended.

[bookerbill]

The Shimmer main event sounded intense. Enjoyed Macho Man against the Human Orchid. The George card is one of my favourites from the introduction set.

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Bookerbill. Melissa vs. Mercedes was really intense and is becoming a great rivalry in my SHIMMER fed. Savage vs. George was a lot of fun to roll out. Next up is action from CHIKARA...

CHIKARA - Home Sweet Home - The Palmer Center - Easton, PA (Card #759)

1) Mister ZERO & Los Ice Creams defeated Gregory Iron, Shane Storm, & Dragon Dragon:
Exciting trios action opened things up as the popular combination of the “Handicapped Hero” Gregory Iron, Shane Storm, & Dragon Dragon took on Mister ZERO and his partners Los Ice Creams (El Hijo del Ice Cream & Ice Cream, Jr.). Iron shined in the early going roughing up ZERO with moves like the Hangman’s Kneeling Neckbreaker and springboard front shin flip to the floor. ZERO took a beating from all three men before turning things around with a German Suplex on Dragon. Los Ice Creams proved to be valuable partners for the “Middle Aged Office Worker” as they caught Storm with El Asesino for a big near fall. ZERO also hit his finisher, the Last Shaven Unicorn Drop, on Storm for a near fall. The lovable Dragon managed to score a near fall on El Hijo del Ice Cream late in the battle by executing the dragon suplex. El Hijo del Ice Cream got revenge on Dragon, however, hitting a top rope tackle followed by the Two Scoop Slam and press for the pin.

2) Chuck Taylor defeated Hydra:
The “powerful” Hydra, a member of the Order of the Neo Solar Temple, was hoping to come up big in this match against F.I.S.T. member Chuck Taylor. It was not to be, however, as Taylor dominated the action from the opening bell. The “Kentucky Gentleman” scored an early near fall after hitting a somersault suicide dive. He then delivered the popular Invisible Grenade Elbow Drop before planting Hydra with the devastating Omega Driver to score the pin.

3) Green Ant vs. Archibald Peck was a Draw:
This was a heated battled that saw Colony member Green Ant taking on Archibald Peck, one-half of Peck-N-Hammer along with Jakob Hammermeier. The “Drumline Daddy” marched to the ring along with his band mate, Veronica, and looked to put away the most powerful member of the Colony. Green Ant dominated early and twice trapped Peck in the Cloverleaf but he was able to get a rope break. Peck then hit Green Ant with the Baton Smash while Veronica had the referee distracted and followed up with the Cranial Crescendo for a near fall. With time running out it was Green Ant trapping Peck in the Torture Rack and then hitting a jumping splash for a near fall before the bell rang ending the match in a time limit draw.

4) The Batiri defeated 3.0:
A battle between two top contending tag teams saw 3.0 (Scott “Jagged” Parker & “Big Magic” Shane Matthews) take on The Batiri (Obariyon & Kodama). This one was high energy from start to finish featuring some nice near falls. A big one came when Parker caught Obariyon with a backdrop off the ropes and combined with “Big Magic” on the 3.0 Lung Blower. Obariyon barely kicked out but then struck back with an Air Raid Crash on Matthews for another near fall. Kodama looked great for his sideand caught Matthews with the Flying Blockbuster only to have Parker make a last second save. Both teams showed off their double-team moves and it was the Batiri Blitz Kicks that helped set up the finish. Matthews was in a bad way after that and Obariyon scored with a wrist-clutch exploder driver before planting him with a Belly to Belly Suplex to score the pin.

5) Mike Quackenbush defeated Icarus:
CHIKARA founder “Lightning” Mike Quackenbush faced F.I.S.T. leader Icarus in a battle of longtime rivals. With the recent introduction of the CHIKARA 12-Large Grand Championship both men were looking to get a win here to qualify for a title shot. Quackenbush looked strong early, including hitting the Quackendriver II for a near fall, until Icarus picked him off of the top rope with a bodyslam. Icarus struck with a Pedigree and the Emerald Frosion keeping Quackenbush on the defensive for a good stretch. Things turned around for Quackenbush when he scored a near fall with a counter sunset flip and then trapped Icarus in the Chikara Special. He was able to get a break in the ropes but it was downhill for Icarus from there as Quackenbush nailed him with the Quackendriver to score the pin.

6) Larry Sweeney & Gran Akuma defeated Eddie Kingston & Jigsaw:
An exciting tag team bout saw reigning CHIKARA 12-Large Grand Champion the “War King” Eddie Kingston & Jigsaw taking on the Director of Fun Larry Sweeney & Gran Akuma. After losing by count out to Kingston in a title match on the last card most expected Sweeney to grant himself a rematch but instead he chose to oppose the champion in a tag team match. This one had a little of everything including Akuma hitting the Tenchi Crash, which is a reverse piledriver dropped into a wheelbarrow facebuster, on both Kingston and Jigsaw for near falls. A great sequence saw Jigsaw surprise Akuma with a superkick followed by the Jig N’ Tonic but the referee was pulled out of the ring by Sweeney preventing a three count. Kingston later blasted Sweeney with the Backfist to the Future for what looked to be a sure pin but Akuma made the save. This one ended in some controversy as Akuma caught Kingston with the Tenchi Crash on the floor and tossed him back inside where it was Sweeney coming off of the top rope with the 12 Large Elbow Drop to score the pin. It was a huge victory for the DOF and he celebrated by strutting around the ring and taunting the fallen Kingston.

●Immediately following the tag team match, DOF Larry Sweeney got on the mic and called out Eddie Kingston calling the “War King” a “coward” who tried to run but was caught by Gran Akuma. The delusional DOF, forgetting that he lost by count out to Kingston in their title match, said that Kingston owes him a rematch for the CHIKARA 12-Large Grand Championship. He also thanked Akuma and said that on the next CHIKARA card in Philadelphia, PA (Card #769) he will receive a shot at the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title. Kingston, recovering from the match, became enraged and went after Sweeney and said that he could have his title rematch but this time it will be inside of a Steel Cage! Sweeney freaked out and tried to back out of it as Sweeney led the fans in retaliatory chants of “coward” at the DOF. Finally Sweeney could take no more and said that it was on and that in Philadelphia a new champion will be crowned.

7) Vin Gerard defeated Ultramantis Black by Count Out:
This grudge match saw Ultramantis Black, the leader of the Order of the Neo Solar Temple, take on the “unstable” Vin Gerard who was accompanied by his manager The Dark Menace. It was the first of two consecutive matches for the controversial manager to be stationed at ringside. Gerard took the fight to Ultramantis early and really wore him down with the STF. Ultramantis showed great resilience to the punishing hold as he refused to tap out and managed to find an escape. He bounced back strong and caught Gerard with his finisher, the Praying Mantis Bomb, for what looked to be a sure pin but The Dark Menace distracted the referee. Ultramantis was out of his mind after that as victory eluded his grasp. This one would end in further controversy as Gerard took it to the outside and, with his manager distracting the referee, he grabbed the cane of The Dark Menace and struck Ultramantis over the head with it leading to the count out decision.

8) Campeonatos de Parejas: The Roughnecks© defeated The Throwbacks (2-0) to retain the titles:
The main event saw the popular team of The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield & Sugar Dunkerton), accompanied by third member “Mr. Touchdown” Mark Angelosetti, challenge the Dark Menace-led duo of The Roughnecks (Brodie Lee & Grizzly Redwood) for the Campeonatos de Parejas. After Gavin Loudspeaker finished his ring introductions, senior referee Bryce Remsburg gathered the four competitors in mid-ring briefly explaining the rules and going over the two-out-of-three falls stipulation that would decide the championship. Dunkerton and Lee almost got into it but were pulled back by their respective tag team partners getting this one off to a tense start.

First Fall: An explosive opening fall saw both teams leave it all in the ring as they attempted to go ahead 1-0. The Throwbacks hit the Grandslam Dunk on Redwood in the early going but he managed to kick out just before the three count. Lee, otherwise known as the “Big Rig”, looked dominant during his time in hitting such moves as the Black Hole Slam and the Brodie Bomb. He nailed Hatfield with the Big Boot late in the battle resulting in a big near fall. Redwood followed up with a Little Boot and then he and Lee laid out Hatfield with Roughnecked but Dunkerton made a last second save. Dunkerton and Lee went at it with reckless abandon but after surviving a Knee-Lift Uranage it was Lee striking with a superkick followed by a Package Piledriver to score the pin.

Second Fall: With their backs against the wall The Throwbacks put in an all out effort in the second fall trying to even things up. Hatfield took a great beating during the opening fall but he was fired up on offense against both Lee and Redwood. The Dark Menace paced at ringside hoping for his men to find a way to win. For all of the effort that they gave The Throwbacks found themselves on the losing end here. It was Hatfield who fell victim to Roughnecked and Lee covered him to score the pin giving the defending champions a decisive 2-0 victory in their version five defense of the championship.

[Crimson Cross]

Home Sweet Home was a fun event Crue with a cool draw between Green Ant and Archibald Peck, but it's a shame the Throwbacks lost their shot at taking the gold...

[cruefan68]

Thanks for the comments Crimson. I was hoping to see The Throwbacks pull off a title win as well but they were unable to overcome The Roughnecks on this night. Next up is action from Ring of Honor...

Ring of Honor - Born Into This - Du Burns Arena - Baltimore, MD (Card #760)

1) Kings of Wrestling defeated Mike Mondo & Shane Hollister:
The crowd was on their feet in anticipation of the opening match as “No Fear” Mike Mondo & Shane Hollister took on the returning Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli). The KOW were also accompanied by third member Tyler Black who it has been learned will be part of a Freebirds-style tag team along with Hero and Castagnoli. This was all KOW as they assaulted Mondo from the opening bell with Hollister never being able to tag in. Mondo was hit with both the KRS Two and the Loaded Rolling Elbow by Hero with Hollister making the save. Hero then put this one away as he nailed Mondo with the Hangman’s Elbow followed up by a Leaping Senton for the pin. Hero, Castagnoli, and Black posed in the ring post-match gesturing to their waists sending a clear message to Shelton Benjamin & Charlie Haas that they are after the ROH tag team titles.

2) Mike Bennett defeated Michael Elgin:
The “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin has been looking to climb up the singles ranks in ROH and here he was tested against “The Prodigy” Mike Bennett who had both Maria Kanellis and Brutal Bob in his corner. Unfortunately for Elgin both would play a pivotal role in the outcome of the match. Elgin dominated early nailing Bennett with the Deadlift Power Bomb and charging lariat resulting in a few near falls. A referee distraction by Brutal Bob saved Bennett at one point. Bennett came back and hit both of his finishers, the Photo Finish and Box Office Smash, but the powerful Elgin survived. Elgin looked to be in control late in the bout when Maria distracted the referee allowing Brutal Bob to deliver a Chair Shot across the back. Bennett took advantage of that and covered Elgin for the pin. The crowd jeered the decision and encouraged Elgin to not adhere to the Code of Honor with a smirking Bennett but he shook hands with him using a powerful grip to bring “The Prodigy” to his knees.

3) Mark & Jay Briscoe defeated El Generico & Tommaso Ciampa:
The fairly new tandem of El Generico & Tommaso Ciampa took on former ROH tag team champions Mark & Jay Briscoe in a solid bout. The tag team experience of the Briscoe Brothers was evident here as they controlled a good portion of the bout but Generico and Ciampa were able to keep pace. Early action saw Mark score a big near fall on Ciampa after executing a shooting star press. He also took Ciampa down with a dose of Red Neck Kung-Fu. Generico made a nice comeback for his side hitting such moves as the suicide dive and cradle DDT. Ciampa also scored a two count on Mark with a counter lariat out of the corner. This one ended after a battle on the floor with the Briscoe Brothers nailing Ciampa with a Double Football Tackle allowing Jay to score the pin.

4) LOW Tex-Arkana Television title: Ed Lewis© defeated Delirious by DQ to retain the title:
The version nine defense of the LOW Tex-Arkana Television title by Ed “Strangler” Lewis came against House of Truth member “Red Poison” Delirious who had his manager Truth Martini in his corner. It was an important match for Delirious, a former holder of the belt himself (Card #479-489), as he looked to strike gold again. It was back and forth in the early going which including Lewis countering a diving huracanrana and locking on a full nelson. Lewis used his power advantage to frustrate Delirious who would ultimately lose his cool costing him the match. Delirious took it out to the floor and was dominating Lewis when the referee got involved. The ref tried to get it back inside but an angry Delirious tossed him aside resulting in the disqualification decision. Martini protested the call by the official but the decision was allowed to stand and Lewis retained the title.

5) Jay Lethal defeated Tim Donst:
They say that the third time is the charm and that was what was needed in this match as Jay Lethal took on Tim Donst. Both men looked good here and there were some great moments including Lethal countering Donst on the top rope with a superplex followed up by a moonsault (ch). Donst used the Gator Roll for a submission chance and also caught Lethal with the deadly belly to belly suplex over the top rope. He also returned to his CHIKARA roots applying the Inverted Chikara Special. Lethal was able to mount a big rally late in this one and after laying out Donst with Hail to the King he delivered his third Lethal Injection of the match to score the pin. Both men adhered to the Code of Honor pre-match but Donst drew jeers from the crowd when he refused to shake hands post-match and left the ring.

6) Homicide defeated Rhino by DQ:
A big feature match saw the “Notorious 187” Homicide locking horns with the “Man Beast” Rhino, a member of the House of Truth. This one nearly ended early when Homicide thwarted attempted interference by manager Truth Martini hitting Rhino with the Book of Truth followed by Da Gringo Killer for a big near fall. Rhino was able to survive and battle back but victory eluded him. Homicide used his fork to gouge Rhino busting him open and went for Da Gringo Killer a second time when once again SWA star Necro Butcher hit the ring attacking him. Rhino and Martini bailed out of the ring as Necro assaulted Homicide resulting in the disqualification decision and it took a host of ROH officials to break things up. A smiling Necro hopped the guard rail and taunted Homicide as ROH officials restrained him bringing this one to a chaotic end.

●ROH officials had a heck of a time trying to keep Homicide and Necro Butcher apart following the match. They also had a hard time confining Homicide in the locker room area afterward. Homicide sent word that he wanted Necro in a match and that he wouldn’t stop at anything to get it even if it meant going after him in the SWA. It was later learned that it wouldn’t be necessary as ROH officials announced that they have signed Necro Butcher to a contract and that the hardcore stars has terminated his contract with the SWA. That means that Homicide vs. Necro Butcher will take place on the next ROH card in Las Vegas, NV (Card #770).

7) Future Shock defeated Steve Corino & Jimmy Jacobs:
Grudge tag team action saw Future Shock (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly) against S.C.U.M. members “King of Old School” Steve Corino & “Zombie Princess” Jimmy Jacobs. It was the return from injury for Jacobs who was put out of action by Future Shock avenging the previous injury Cole had suffered at the hands of S.C.U.M. It was all Future Shock early as they got the heat on Corino for an extended stretch which included Cole scoring a near fall with the Flying Crossbody. O’Reilly also got a near fall on Corino with the Regalplex. Jacobs rallied back for his team and nearly pinned Cole following a low blow and diving senton. Corino then nailed O’Reilly with the Old School Lariat for another near fall. The finish saw O’Reilly counter a snap suplex attempt by Jacobs into an Ankle Lock which he cinched on scoring the submission victory as Cole cut off an interfering Corino. It was a nice revenge win for Future Shock in their war with S.C.U.M.

8) ROH Heavyweight title: Kevin Steen© defeated AJ Styles to retain the title:
A highly anticipated main event saw “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles challenge “Wrestling’s Worst Nightmare” Kevin Steen for the ROH Heavyweight title. It was the version two defense of the championship for Steen and it came against a very determined Styles. The popular Gainesville, GA, native only recently arrived in ROH but set his sights on the gold and earned this shot with a recent win over Roderick Strong. Early action saw Styles in control as he caught Steen with the springboard 450 splash and the Spiral Tap. Steen would counter a corner whip and trap Styles in the sharpshooter turning things around. He also showed off some of his aerial skill as he caught Styles with the high-angle senton bomb and the 450 splash. The crowd was at a fever pitch going into the home stretch as Styles hit a Torture Rack Power Bomb but Steen shook hit off and would mount a nice comeback capped off by hitting the F-Cinq, a fireman’s carry facebuster, for the pin. Steen retained the title fending off a strong challenge from Styles who afterward surprisingly refused to adhere to the Code of Honor and left the ring.

[Crimson Cross]

A solid ROH event, but too bad Elgin lost and Styles too. It was good to see Homicide with a victory, even via disqualification...

[ajcostello]

Great action in the latest few cards.

Always on my reading list.