It should prove to be another fun episode tonight as it's packed with the best and brightest ROH has to offer: The Briscoes, Silas Young, Jonathan Gresham and (spoilers ahead) a new world champion. Plus so much more, so let's not waste any more time and get right into it.
Matt Taven Opener
Taven saunters to the ring as the newly crowned ROH World Champion, then cuts a promo where highlights his recent exploits in ROH and CMLL, tracing his road to title glory. He then proclaims whoever wishes to challenge for his title needs to earn it as he did. Flip Gordon comes out, addresses his knee injury situation, then reveals he's the new #1 Contender to the world title after speaking with ROH officials.
Silas Young vs. Jonathan Gresham
It's the absolute definition of scientific wrestling from the get-go as both wrestlers exchange various holds and counters, weaving these exchanges in and out of the ring through well-placed hip toss spots. So far it's a stalemate as neither man has really gained the advantage over the other. Gresham displays more frustration and aggression, throwing an illegal closed fist; Young smirks in the corner, setting his psychological game in motion.
The two exchange wrist lock counters and takedowns, still a stalemate for the most part. Gresham escapes Young's wrist lock and hits him with a dropkick, then drop toe-holds him into the corner before hitting him with a follow-up seated dropkick. After another quick technical exchange, Gresham hits Young with a tilt-a-whirl DDT. Outside the ring, Young sneaks in a hammer while bringing a chair in the ring. With the referee distracted, Young hits Gresham with the hammer and then locks in an abdominal stretch/chin lock combo to the pick up the victory.
Another great match from these two and a nice continuation into what could really be a damn good feud. Young is such a fantastic heel, and his performance so far with Gresham really shows. He baits Gresham in with promises of pure, clean wrestling only to break it and cheat in the end. It's bringing out a more frustrated, aggressive side of Gresham, while simultaneously displaying Young's technical prowess. Not lying here when I say this might be my favorite feud in ROH right now. I'm super hyped to see what the rubber match turns out to be.
Soberano, Jr. & Caristico vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark)
Mark and Soberano, Jr., start the match off, with Mark attempting to ground the luchador enmascarado, who responds with a rope-walk hurricanrana. Caristico and Jay are tagged in now, who hits Jay with a running hurricanrana, then a rope-walk arm drag, sending him to the outside. The brothers rest for a bit on the outside, then get back in the ring and start working in the technicos over, sending them back to the outside.
Back in the ring once again, the brothers have isolated Caristico and attempt to break him down further. He escapes and tags in Soberano, Jr., who hits them with a diving crossbody then anelevated double dropkick, sending them to the outside. After Soberano, Jr. connects with a fosbury flop, Caristico delivers a crossbody to the brothers, then gets Mark back in the ring. Mark throws palms strikes and sends Caristico to the outside, who responds by superkicking Jay on the apron and nailing Mark with a springboard crossbody.
Soberano, Jr. is tagged in as he and Caristico hit Mark with a Doomsday-style crossbody, which Jay breaks up. Jay then dukes it out with Soberano, Jr., dishing out a death valley driver before Mark and him connect with their signature Redneck Boogie (crucifix powerbomb/neckbreaker) tag combo. Soberano, Jr. kicks out, then Jay spikes him with the Jay Driller before Mark hits him with the Froggy Bow. Jay takes the cover and secures the victory for his team.
A great tag team match and a damn fine way to close out the show. A very nice clash of styles as lucha libre collided with the remixed version of slam-bang wrasslin', displaying excellent chemistry throughout. The overall MVP of the match has to be Soberano, Jr., as he put on an absolute clinic with the brothers, taking Jay and Mark to the limit anytime he got the tag. As long as they keep putting on solid performances like they did tonight, I'm looking forward to seeing more of this luchador team in the future. Combine them with the always reliable GOAT Briscoes and you can't lose.
So while a good portion of the show was dedicated to getting us caught up on the happenings in ROH following Supercard, we're still treated to a couple of damn good matches, and a very decent episode overall. Young/Gresham put another crisp technical showcase, furthering their solidly executed rivalry. Briscoes/Caristico and Soberano, Jr. was some good tag team wrestling, and I for one am definitely looking forward to Taven's reign as ROH World Champion. A very solid episode, and one you should peep out when you get the chance.
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