ROH Weekly Recap: 7/20/2018
History is made as the ROH World Title changes hands for the first time on ROH TV.
As always, any improvements, criticisms, feedback or suggestions are all welcome via the website or my Twitter account (@SteJay215). So now let’s get on with the show!
Venue – Eagle Bank Arena – Fairfax, VA.
Commentary Team – Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana (1st Match & Main-Event)
Before the show started, there was a highlight package recapping “Best in the World.”
Jay Lethal opened the show and said because he had defeated all the opponents who had beaten him, he should be the next number-one contender for the ROH World Title. Lethal was then joined by Matt Taven, who explained why he felt he should be the next contender, noting that he has only had two world title shots in six years (a fact I had forgotten), and that he was the “Real World Champion,” so all others should get in line before him.
Following Taven, Cody came out with Bernard the Business Bear, to stake his claim as to why he should be the number-one contender. Then, after all these interruptions, ROH World Champion Dalton Castle appeared, and noted that although he was hurting he would take on all challengers and, after persuasion from the crowd, said he would defend his title in a Four-Corner-Survival match in the main event!
Women of Honor Championship Match: Hazuki [with Team Stardom] vs. Sumie Sakai (Referee = Todd Sinclair)
One thing I have always loved about ROH is the showcase of international talent. World Wonder Ring Stardom (shortened to STARDOM) is the premier joshi promotion in Japan, and it is a privilege to see some of the best wrestlers in the world (no gender binaries here) tear it up in ROH.
The Code of Honor was aggressively followed by Hazuki, leading her to take the early advantage over Sakai with some brutal boots and knees, that lead into a splash from the second turnbuckle to the floor. As the match progressed, Sakai gradually picked up momentum and fought back with some stiff dropkicks and forearms helping even the odds. The crowd was solidly behind Sakai, starting a ravenous “This is Awesome” chant as a forearm exchange ensued.
After a devastating hangman codebreaker off the second turnbuckle to Sakai, Team STARDOM tried to distract referee Todd Sinclair for a cheap victory. However, miscommunication between the teammates caused an opening and Sakai picked up the victory with her “Smash Mouth” neckbreaker.
Winner (Successful Defence) = Sumie Sakai
I really, really enjoyed this match. This is what I have wanted to see from the “Women of Honor” since I began these recaps and it was most certainly worth the wait. It had a big fight feel and the crowd was electric. A thing to note is that Hazuki is only 20 years old, and if she is already putting on this calibre of match, it looks a very bright future for her.
We then cut to the back where Marty Scurll jumped Gregory Shane Helms after Helms mocked Scurll for not winning the ROH World Title at “Best in the World.”
Main Event – Ring of Honor World Championship Match: Four-Corner-Survival – Matt Taven vs. Jay Lethal vs. Cody (with Brandi Rhodes and Bernard the Business Bear) vs. Dalton Castle (with The Boys)
I am unsure if the readers of my recaps have gathered, but I try not to read spoilers for the ROH TV tapings. I am old-school at heart, and there is something to be said for the element of surprise in pro wrestling. As this match was widely publicized when it was originally taped four weeks ago and available for early viewing as part of the “Honor Club” subscription service, the element of surprise was unfortunately lost on me when I watched it. But it was a very fun contest.
ROH has always produced innovate and exciting four-way matches and this one was no different. The Code of Honor was not followed by any of the men involved, and it soon dissolved into a frantic sprint. It was nicely noted on commentary the historical intertwining of feuds among the combatants and their individual roads to this main event. Dalton Castle did not really play much of a part in the match. Instead, the three challengers did the brunt of the work, which does not bother me, as I would rather Castle be kept safe to return than risk a significant career-ending injury.
Plus, seeing Castle with pain on his face and tape covering his back, knee and right fist was quite uncomfortable. It reminded me a lot of Nigel McGuinness during the latter half of his ROH World Title reign, where he was in noticeable pain and really suffering in the ring. But, there were a lot of fun moments in this match (due to the significance of it I want you to watch it and enjoy it rather than me transcribe it), and I liked how each person played their part. However, there was one spot which I was very unnerved by.
While Jay Lethal was delivering suicide dives to everyone outside the ring, Cody sneakily got a steel chair and he looked like he was going to attack Matt Taven with it. Instead, he changed tactics and placed the chair right in front of Lethal as he ran through the ropes for another suicide dive, and it hit Lethal right in the head!?
If you have ever seen the Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit Intercontinental Title Ladder Match from the 2001 Royal Rumble, you will know the spot I am talking about. It was dangerous then, and it is dangerous now, and something I never want to see again. Thankfully Lethal was not seriously hurt and after much back and forth action, he was able to pick up the victory with a “Lethal Injection” on Castle to win his second ROH World Title.
Winner and New Champion = Jay Lethal (2nd Reign | 29th Champion)
Once the match was over, among the falling celebratory streamers, Lethal placed the ROH World Title on the mat and shook hands with Castle, thus adhering to the Code of Honor. Ian and Colt wished Castle a speedy recovery from his injuries, and a close up of Castle caught him saying “Thank you” to Lethal, which closed out the show.
Conclusion
This was a historic episode of ROH Wrestling and not just because it was a world title change. This was the first ROH World Title change to ever take place on Ring of Honor TV programming (including the HDNET era). For a die-hard fan like myself, it was a huge milestone, and although the suspense was spoiled, it was still a great match, and an episode of ROH Wrestling all wrestling fans should go out of their way to see. Plus, the Women of Honor match had me on the edge of my seat and needs to be seen to be believed!
You can watch last week’s and this week’s episodes for free on Fite TV:
Episode 356 – www.fite.tv/watch/roh-356/2o7pw/
Episode 357 – www.fite.tv/watch/roh-357/2o804/
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