ROH World Champion Dalton Castle and The Boys take on The Kingdom (Matt Taven, TK O'Ryan and Vinny Marseglia) in a 6-Man Tag Team main event. But before we get to that, let's cover everything else.
Coast to Coast vs. Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas
C2C (LSG and Shaheem Ali) start the match off fast, pulling the top ropes down and sending Bruiser and Milonas over. The two then attempt slingshot planchas; Ali is successful onto Bruiser, LSG isn't as he's caught by Milonas. However, thanks to a dropkick assist from Ali, LSG takes Milonas down and C2C appear to be in control for the time-being. Bruiser tries to take control back with an outside cannonball, but C2C move out of the way.
C2C's momentum stops as Milonas slams both of them at the same time, and the favor shifts to his and Bruiser's side. The two punish Ali for a brief respite before LSG gets tagged in and he goes to work on both Bruiser and Milonas. Following a series of strikes and evasions, LSG seems to gain the advantage. Bruiser and Milonas attempt to take it back and win with their Last Call finisher, but thanks to a pinfall break-up from and Ali and some quick tandem offense, C2C hit Milonas with their finisher of the same name and pick up the win.
I'm really impressed with C2C. At first, I was super invested with their story of being lovable losers, but ever since defeating War Machine, they've been on a tear picking up several impressive victories. They're solid workers who have excellent chemistry together, and I dig that they're finally picking up momentum. Also, I have to say: Bruiser and Milonas are an excellent hoss tag team. No frills, no bullshit. Just two big-ass dudes throwing their weight around and beating people up. Overall, a nice way to kick the show off.
Jay Lethal and Young Bucks Backstage
Following the opening match, we cut backstage to Jay Lethal delivering a promo. He explains that he feels lost without championship gold around his waist, and he vows to defeat everyone who's recently beaten him. He reiterates that he's lost without a title, but promises that it's going to change.
Next up backstage, it's the Young Bucks. Nick Jackson keeps track of their 45-second time limit, while Matt talks about their tag team gauntlet victory and their upcoming title match next week against The Briscoes, promising it will be a PPV-quality event on free TV.
The promos were brief, but engaging. They gave you a glimpse into each performers' personalities: Lethal being the distraught yet focused competitor determined to reclaim his top spot in ROH, and the Bucks being the fun-loving yet absolutely elite (get it?) tag team performers.
Will Ferrara vs. Jonathan Gresham
In this showdown, Gresham takes on Ferrara, one-half of the tag team The Dawgs (along with Rhett Titus). The two start the match off with a series of rest holds, trying to gain advantage over the other. Both competitors target each other's arms, with Gresham briefly in control. The tide seems to shift towards Ferrara's favor following a hammerlock lariat, then a cobra clutch/crossface combination. Gresham gets to the ropes and the two trade forearm smashes.
Following a quick enzuguiri/german suplex combo, Gresham rolls Ferrara up in a la magistral/back bridge combo for the victory.
A short match, but a fun one. It highlighted Gresham's vast technical background, while also giving Ferrara a chance to show off his mat-based prowess. If you're an old-school, catch-as-catch-can wrestling fan, you'd definitely dig this match.
Cody and Marty Scurll/SoCal Uncensored backstage
We get another brief backstage promo as Cody and Marty Scurll discuss the fate of the current ROH World Champion Dalton Castle. Cody reminisces about claiming the world title at last years's Best In The World, while hinting at his intentions at this year's BITW event. He then throws it to Scurll, assuming The Villain will give the rub to him. Rather, Scurll repeatedly states he, not Cody, will defeat Castle for the world title. Frustrated, Cody leaves. We then cut to SCU, who are still pissed at The Kingdom for stealing their 6-Man Tag belts. They explain they're not above fighting dirty to get back what's theirs.
I love the constant fragmentation of Bullet Club, and we got a brief glimpse here. It's clear less and less people in BC are on Cody's side, with Marty being one of the few exceptions. However, with this brief promo, it seems like Scurll is focused on his own aspirations rather than supporting Cody. I love it and I want more of it. Plus, I dig this heel vs. heel feud between SCU and The Kingdom. Just a bunch of assholes who piss each other off and want to absolutely destroy one another.
Shane Taylor vs. Ryan Nova
Prior to the match, Taylor cuts a promo where he states his position in ROH is to get paid to beat people up. Following the promo, Taylor quickly squashes Nova.
Not much more to say, but it showcases Taylor's mercenary gimmick.
Dalton Castle and The Boys/The Kingdom
It's main event time as the ROH World Champion Castle teams with his Boys to take on The Kingdom. Castle and O'Ryan start the match off attempting to gain leverage. Marseglia is quickly tagged in and tries to turn the tables on Castle, but to no avail as Castle promptly suplexes Marseglia out of his socks and tags in one of The Boys (they're interchangeable, so you'll just see Boy 1 and Boy 2 from this point on).
The Boys try to go to work on Marseglia, but are quickly stopped by his Kingdom compatriots. Taven gets tagged in and demands Castle. The two lock horns in the corner with Castle gaining the advantage. The champ attempts a suicide dive, but Marseglia and O'Ryan quickly stop it and attempt to take out The Boys in the process. It's unsuccessful, as all 6 men eventually face off in the ring, with one of the Boys tagging themselves in.
The Kingdom take control, though and take turns punishing Boy 2 with a devastating array of offense. Christopher Daniels comes down to the ring and tries to take his titles back, but is blocked by Shane Taylor, who's being paid by Taven to guard the belts. Following the distraction, Boy 1 gets tagged in, then tags in Castle, who goes to work by tossing The Boys onto each member of The Kingdom, who are on the outside.
However, Castle and The Boys only have the advantage for a brief respite as Taven hits Castle with one of the 6-Man Tag title belts, then plants one of The Boys with his Climax finisher for the victory. After the match, The Kingdom attack Castle and further Castle's hand injury.
While not as good of a match as the opener, this one told a better story with The Kingdom in possession of SoCal Uncensored's 6-Man Tag belts while also attempting to soften up Castle in order for Taven to snatch the belt off Castle at War Of The Worlds. They're getting a solid, deserved push with this two-fold angle. On top of that, it makes Castle that much more of a sympathetic champion, fighting against the odds with all his might despite the deck being stack against him.
Overall Thoughts
This was a solid show from top to bottom, with the opener and the closer being the main highlights. C2C and Bruiser/Milonas stole the show in impressive fashion, while Castle and The Boys/The Kingdom told a good story and provided a nice little wrap-up going into War Of The Worlds. On top of that, the backstage promos were short-but-sweet entertainment. If I had anything negative to say about the episode, I wasn't a fan of the Shane Taylor. While it did show off Taylor's role as ROH's hired gun (which I definitely dig), it just felt empty and unnecessary.
Despite the Taylor/Nova match, this was a fine episode. Go check it out.
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