McXal's Reviews

This show marks the final stop on the Global Wars 2018 Tour and our final live event before Final Battle. After a rather uninspired week of ROH vs NJPW competition, it has to be said that most of the 'money matches' for the tour have been held back for this show, even with Cody dropping out of his scheduled IWGP US Title defence against Trent Beretta due to a knee injury. Top of the bill is Jay Lethal making his final pre-Final Battle World Title defence against Kenny King, with SCU defending the Tag Titles against the Super Smash Bros one of three high quality tag bouts an undercard which also includes Briscoes vs EVIL/SANADA and Young Bucks vs Kushida & Chris Sabin. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana provide commentary in Toronto, ONT.

The winner of this advances to the Women Of Honor World Title four-way at Final Battle. That makes this a major opportunity for Diemond, a Canadian talent who Ian informs us has spent time on excursion in China as well as performing across Europe, making her ROH debut this evening. Karen is more familiar to us; loud-mouthed and brimming with confidence, she has impressed every time she has appeared in ROH. Her quality across the independent scene saw her participate in the WWE 2018 Mae Young Classic. Kelly Klein joins commentary to scout opponents ahead of Final Battle.

Kaitlin is visibly taller than Karen and uses that size to muscle her around the ring in the early exchanges. Q tries to punch the debutants lights out but Diemond responds with some crisp Japanese armdrags. Sumie Sakai walks down the aisle and sits with Bobby Cruise to get a closer view of the action - and watches as Karen starts choking, pulling hair and gouging Kaitlin's eyes to get ahead. It's too early for the Spring Roll, but when Diemond tries to counter it Karen cartwheels into a straight kick right into the chest for 2. Handspring elbow/Yakuza kick combo nailed, right into an exploder suplex getting another 2-count. Mafia kick by Kaitlin, with a bicycle kick immediately afterwards. Side Effect gets 2, almost producing a big upset. Diemond still refuses to be put into the Spring Roll, countering into an inverted crab of her own. Colt Cabana is unhappy about the gimmick infringement and decides to bury her on commentary for it, which even with his cheeky, jovial delivery feels a little mean-spirited. Karen escapes and hits a full nelson slam...into the Spring Roll. Diemond taps out at 06:29

Rating - ** - I commend ROH for including this on the main card and letting them open the show, rather than as a dark match. Unfortunately the problem of only giving the Women Of Honor division paltry time allowances remains. The match wasn't bad, with Karen showing plenty of her signature tenacity and Diemond looking considerably more competent than some female talents who have been featured since the division was relaunched. There wasn't a whole lot more they could realistically have accomplished in six and a half minutes. Karen's inclusion in Final Battle is welcome but as she is already on WWE's radar (eventually signing in early 2019) she isn't likely to be a stable or long-term addition to the WOH roster.

Sumie gets into the ring and raises the belt in Karen's direction...then takes her down when Q tries to cheap-shot her. Klein leaves commentary, jumps Sakai from behind and is joined in putting the boots to the WOH Champion by Karen. Madison Rayne comes out to make the save and security is required to separate the four women. The fight spills outside, so of course Sumie climbs to the top for a crazy suicide dive onto a pile of bodies.

Rhett Titus comes out in his speedo to do some posing, with an ice hockey stick because he's in Canada. He makes it to the announce table without being dragged out tonight, so will be on commentary for our next bout.

These two men were part of the triple threat tag team main event two nights ago in Buffalo. Chuckie ended the night victorious, with the ultra-competitive Hangman out to get some payback for that. Page is also calling himself one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the world and is deep into preparations for Jeff Cobb and the TV Title at Final Battle...

They start with some chain-wrestling which is pretty slick considering that isn't really something either man is particularly famous for. Chuck wants to test his 'heavyweight' strength with Hangman and is duly deposited on the deck with a tackle. Fallaway slam nailed, tossing Chuckie straight out of the ring and into position for a tope suicida from Page. Deadlift, stalling, bridging pumphandle suplex gets 2! He then almost breaks Taylor's jaw with a thudding elbow strike. The Kentucky Gentleman is in serious trouble and apparently unable to cope with Page's power. Sensibly Chuck tries to quicken the pace - running the ropes and eventually catching his foe with a sit-out powerbomb. Next he whips Page through the guardrails, but in doing so takes the fight to the floor and leaves himself vulnerable to his more powerful opponent ramming his skull into the ringpost. SSP tackle off the apron dodged into a FLATLINER ON THE FLOOR! Back in the ring Taylor misses a double stomp though and is punished with a discus lariat then a folding powerbomb for 2. He clings to the top rope to block Rite Of Passage, countering into a Sole Food/standing Shiranui sequence. Buckshot Lariat! Rite Of Passage COUNTERED TO A SNAP PILEDRIVER! Both men are down. Page is up first, flipping out of the Awful Waffle into RITE OF PASSAGE! Page wins at 10:43

Rating - *** - Aimless and rather spotty at times, however, still a really fun match for its placement on the card. When they were ON (i.e. countering each other's signature moves into something brutal) it was fantastic. Both of these guys are great when trading absolute bombs with an opponent, but this particular match felt like they were holding a lot back and never looked particularly comfortable in doing so. By this point it was already all but certain that Page was leaving along with the Bucks and Cody...but less well-known that Chuckie would be joining them in AEW. We are coming to the end of Taylor's ROH run and honestly it feels like Delirious has barely scratched the surface of what he can do

Rhett Titus' old stable-mate Caprice Coleman comes out with the unfortunate news that Rhett Titus is being ordered back to the locker room. He replaces Rhett on commentary...

This is a significant opportunity for The Kingdom, who took this match at late notice as Naito and BUSHI were originally scheduled to face someone else before Cody's injury forced a reshuffle. They step out of Matt Taven's shadow and get the opportunity to face the stars of Los Ingobernables de Japon for themselves. Naito is the biggest NJPW name on the Global Wars 2018 Tour; Vinny and TK know their reputation will be enhanced if they can beat him. In theory opportunity is there for LIJ as well. Should they be so inclined, victory over The Kingdom this evening surely puts them in the conversation for a future shot at the Six-Man Title. 

Marseglia goes after Bushi's mask in the first minute, succeeding in loosening it which in theory makes it harder for Bushi to see. In response Naito distracts t ref whilst Bushi starts choking Vinny with his t-shirt. O'Ryan comes in but is sent packing by Naito. Marseglia NAILS Naito when he tries to do his Tranquilo pose though! Vinny also stops Naito hitting his slingshot dropkick spot in the corner and lays him out on the arena floor. The Kingdom appear to have Naito totally scouted and isolate him in their corner using frequent double-teams. Spinebuster/diving headbutt gets a tight nearfall and emphasises the dominance that The Kingdom currently hold over one of the biggest stars in New Japan. Finally O'Ryan makes a mistake and is punished with a tornado DDT. Bushi gets the tag and is much to quick for his opponents - setting them up for a double hurricanrana. REDRUM BACKBREAKER gets 2 for The Kingdom. Naito rescues Bushi from House Of 1000 Horses and takes the fight to Marseglia whilst TK is outside beating up Bushi against the guardrails. Destino blocked...House Of 1000 Horses nailed! BUSHI SAVES! That was seriously close. Black Mist from Bushi to TK! Marseglia hits an inverted DDT on Bushi, but turns his back on Naito as the latter recoils to unleash the Destino. LIJ win at 11:33

Rating - * - 'Lacklustre and forgettable' is my brutally honest assessment of this. The Kingdom's scouting and repeated countering of Naito's spots was the only real bright point for me. Unfortunately neither LIJ performer looked overly interested in selling a great deal, nor did they move at any great speed at any point which did stunt some of almost all of the drama. 

Matt Taven is quickly on the scene and jumps Naito to show solidarity with his fallen comrades. He doesn't get to put the boots to the leader of LIJ for long though. His scheduled opponent Christopher Daniels - on a quest to redeem himself and earn a new contract - makes a noble save. BUSHI drives TK and Marseglia away as Taven and Daniels' match begins inside the ring.

This one of the biggest ROH singles matches on the entire tour. The leader of The Kingdom, bringing disgrace on Ring Of Honor by proclaiming himself to be the 'Real World Champion' faces one of the founding fathers of the company. Daniels is a former World, Tag, TV and Six-Man Champion but is not having his contract renewed, as promised by COO Joe Koff right at the start of the year. With no championship leverage around his waist (partially due to Taven's Kingdom stealing the Six-Man belts at Supercard Of Honor, then taking them in a match on the War Of The Worlds Tour), Daniels is seeking to atone for his past indiscretions and earn a new contract by becoming a force for good.

Daniels smacks Taven around the ring, with Taven completely caught off guard. Arabian Press to the floor nailed, followed by a flying crossbody back inside for 2. Angel's Wings countered to Just The Tip though, buying Matt some respite for the first time. Dalton Castle struts onto the stage then towards the commentary table, and ejects Ian Riccaboni from commentary since he thinks he'll be able to scout Taven better if he has to call his match. In the ring we see Taven level Daniels with a gourdbuster for 2. Lionsault blocked though, kick-starting a sequence where Daniels goes for repeated pinfalls...then gets dumped on his head with a Taven DDT. Rolling neckbreaker countered into a running STO by Daniels. Blue Thunder Driver gets 2...so Taven gives him a jumping enzi and hits a Blue Thunder of his own! Kick Of The King scores, followed by a Russian legsweep/swinging neckbreaker combo. Climax COUNTERED to Angel's Wings! But Daniels' neck has sustained so much damage that he can't cover before Matt grabs a rope. O'Ryan and Marseglia return, creating a substantial distraction for Daniels to overcome. He lays out Vinny with Taven's purple title belt, obviously turning his back on Taven and sidelining Todd Sinclair in the process. Matt kicks him in the balls, hits the Climax and wins at 09:33

Rating - ** - For the third time on this tour, a potentially interesting Chris Daniels singles match gets completely shafted for time and winds up being unfortunately underwhelming and forgettable. At least, like the Juice Robinson match in Lewiston, this match provided us with some good wrestling alongside the lazy, unimaginative finish and distracting commentary gimmick with Castle replacing Riccaboni. Taven working over the neck made sense both as a set-up for his finish, but also because Daniels has been nursing a neck injury suffered at the hands of the Briscoes coming out of the last TV taping.

Taven and Castle exchange words and stare across the arena at each other as a forlorn Daniels ponders the reality that Final Battle may be his last chance to save his ROH career...

ROH and NJPW have been running these cross-promotional shows for quite a few years now. I feel like I've lost count of the amount of decent-but-forgettable EVIL/SANADA tags I've sat through thinking about how I'd rather ROH just book them in a straight-up fight against the Briscoes. Tonight is that show. Promotional bragging rights are at stake and with both teams perennial challengers for the Tag Championships in ROH and New Japan, a win over the other could but them in line for a future shot at either set of belts...

Evil and Mark start; the LIJ man looking to use his size to take control but finding the experience, resourcefulness and rule-breaking of his opponent a tough proposition. He also doesn't reckon on Jay piling into the ring and attacking him from behind. Incredibly Evil is so powerful that he tears through both Briscoes single-handedly! Mark shoves Sanada away to avoid the Paradise Lock, feeding him into a running lariat from Jay. Sanada is quickly isolated; the Briscoes putting on a tag team wrestling clinic by manipulating the rules, busting out double team moves and tagging in and out with fluidity. Mark is so confident he starts egging Sanada on to hit him...eventually provoking him into hitting a missile dropkick. Jay is in place to stop him tagging though, before Mark hauls Evil off the apron as well. Evil does finally get the tag...but once again has to face both Briscoes at once. For a second time he manhandles both of the Briscoe brothers. It needs some Redneck Kung Fu to halt his momentum. Mark and Evil then squabble over a fisherman buster - a battle which Evil's greater strength wins. Paradise Lock/ass dropkick from Sanada to Jay...and the same to Mark seconds later. Apron blockbuster to the floor from Mark to Evil, taking him out so the Briscoes can hit the Redneck Boogie on Sanada for 2. Jay Driller blocked for a BACK DROP DRIVER by Sanada! Mark saves his brother from the Magic Killer...and NAILS Sanada with a chair when he looks for Skull End. Referee Paul Turner didn't see it, but does see Jay land the Jay Driller to score the victory at 13:56

Rating - *** - A good match, albeit one which was very clearly at the lower end of what these four are capable of together. The Briscoes and EVIL were really good here, so most of what they did together was extremely solid. Unfortunately SANADA was way off the pace and apparently unwilling to do any more than autopilot his way through his signature spots. His contribution was some lethargic, uninterested selling whilst Jay and Mark worked him over, some Paradise Lock skits and not much else. It was his uninspired performance and another tedious finish involving referee ineptitude and clear cheating that really dragged this one down for me.

A furious EVIL lays out the Briscoes with a steel chair...

I'm writing this review a few days after these two stole the show at Final Battle 2020, so this should be interesting. They share a common enemy in the form of Bully Ray, but it is Flip who prepares to face the former ECW star at Final Battle so can ill-afford a loss. Gresham grows increasingly comfortable in his role as arguably the best technical wrestler on the roster and he has his own big match at the PPV to prepare for (the debuting Zack Sabre Jr). Silas Young replaces Caprice on commentary.

Two great young wrestlers in the ring...so of course the cameras cut to Silas Young at the announce table talking about Bully Ray rather than filming their early exchanges. Flip is wrestling with tape on his shoulder which is a concern, so he looks to keep some distance from The Octopus and launches his body at him with a tope suicida. Gordon's landing on the floor is rough though and he appears to injure his knee. He tries his PK strike rolled into the standing moonsault, but his leg gives out under him preventing him from hitting that signature sequence of his. Gresham kicks the knee and rolls backwards into a single leg crab...WITH anklelock! Gordon makes the ropes but can't even get back to his feet before Gresh hits him with a shinbreaker/dragon screw combo. A second shinbreaker is blocked sending both men into a prolonged rolling cradle sequence. Flip nips up, almost collapses, then lands a LEG-SELLING PELE KICK! Falcon Arrow gets 2 before Gordon takes way too long trying to get to the top rope. SPRINGBOARD SUPER RANA by Gresham, then RUNNING ELBOWS for 2! ONE-LEGGED Springboard Spear! FLIP-5! Gordon wins at 09:07

Rating - *** - MOTN so far, from two men who deserved more time and deserve to be a far bigger part of ROH's product than they currently are. Gresham was masterful at times in the way he sought to target Flip's leg injury, and Gordon's selling was incredibly fun (if bordering on slightly pantomime-ish). They had a lot more left in the tank and could have delivered far better with a greater time allowance. Flip's win, when it came, felt extremely sudden.

Flip gets a microphone to run down Bully Ray. He says there is nothing Bubba can do to make him quit, so challenges him to make their Final Battle showdown an 'I Quit' Match.

Surely there's no way we can justify SSB getting a title shot, but their presence on the tour is welcome. Last time we saw them they were facing the Young Bucks in one of the best ROH 2-on-2 tag matches of the entire year during the War Of The Worlds Tour. They return looking to dethrone SCU, and pencil themselves in for a potential full-time contract and a spot on the Final Battle card...

Grayson and Kazarian get us started, evenly matched and maintaining a brisk pace. Stu is the faster of the two it seems and he gets the better of the opening skirmish as a result. Uno and Sky replace them, similarly going hold-for-hold at real speed...until Uno's bulk sees him tackle Scorpio to the mat. SCU team up to put Evil Uno on his ass for a period, but Player Dos gets a tag and joins his partner for a flurry of combo moves culminating in a springboard elbow drop/sidewalk slam combo. Caprice puts SSB over as veterans and they demonstrate that by forcing Kaz deep into their corner whilst they work him over. Frankie dodges and evades them like he's in a kung fu movie, tagging in Scorpio who double stomps Uno's head! The big man rides that and uses the ref as set-up for a diving neckbreaker. Frog crossbody by Stu...only to moonsault into Sky's knees moments later. Jerry Lynn rope legdrop by Kaz, into a SLINGSHOT RANA TO THE FLOOR on Grayson, rocketing him into a spear on his own partner. TOPE ATOMICO by Sky! Assisted tornado DDT gets 2 for the champions, but they are then floored by a double Pele by Grayson. ROCKET LAUNCHER belly to belly on Sky, hurling him into cannonball on his own partner. CHASING THE DRAGON gets 2! After unloading frenetic and intricate offensive sequences on each other for ten minutes, all four are feeling the heat now. Lungblower/slingshot cutter combo on Uno...INTO a slingshot cutter on Grayson as well. Stereo Dragon Clutches! SSB team up to escape and everyone starts punting each other in the face. SOMERSAULT PLANCHA OVER THE RINGPOST TO THE FLOOR BY GRAYSON! SWANTON BOMB BY UNO! 450 SPLASH BY DOS! SKY KICKS OUT! The Toronto crowd start booing, as they really want the Smash Bros to win. RUNNING FRANKENSTEINER from Sky to Grayson! Flatliner/lungblower combo on Stu, setting up SCU to retain at 13:27

Rating - **** - Booking this as a title match was a TERRIBLE idea, and an example of how fundamentally wrong ROH's understanding of its audience is right now. Their fanbase wasn't more into this one because the Tag Titles were on the line. It made the result a formality, and distracted fans who couldn't get past how outright silly it was that the SSB's were being handed a title shot. Literally every review I've read of this show has made the same point, and I'm absolutely amazed Delirious couldn't, or didn't want to acknowledge this. Having the result an obvious formality actually hurt some of the drama they were trying to build too. Had this been non-title the place would have been red hot for the closing stretch, such was the clear support in the room for the Smash Bros. This delivered largely what you'd want to see from these four. It wasn't long and didn't waste time ambitious story-telling. Instead they worked fast, sensibly played to the strengths of the participants and spent most of the time building a high impact spot-heavy encounter. It really isn't a surprise that Uno and Grayson found a home in AEW the following year. They've been ready for a long-time and just looking for someone to take a chance on them (and get them out of Canada). Unfairly saddled with the stigma of some ignorant, flippant comments Jim Cornette made about them years ago they perform with real veteran poise now - aware of their limitations but also very aware of what they do well. The wrecking ball physique and power of Evil Uno is the perfect match for the fluent aerial antics of Grayson. I'm sad ROH weren't the promotion who gambled on them...

We go back to the announce desk, where Ian reminds us of the card having to be reshuffled after Cody suffered a knee injury in Buffalo which caused him to pull out of a scheduled IWGP US Title defence against Trent Beretta tonight. In conjunction with NJPW, Juice Robinson has been drafted in to replace the injured American Nightmare.

On what has been a seriously flat series of shows, Robinson has been one of the stand-out performers. 3-0 for the week so far, including wins in decent undercard bouts against former World/Tag/TV/Six-Man Champion Christopher Daniels in Lewiston, plus 2-time former TV Champion Silas Young in Buffalo. Beretta will obviously be disappointed to miss out on his title shot, but clearly the winner of this will be in prime position to go on and challenge Rhodes for the IWGP US Title in the near future. Juice is, of course, the man Cody beat to become US Champion in the first place.

Juice scores the first knockdown, looking pumped up to participate in a higher profile match on the card than he'd been expecting. Trent, disappointed at not getting his US Title shot obviously, looks more cautious. Next Robinson pummels him with strikes...forcing him into action. Beretta violently whips Juice so forcefully that he rockets right over the top rope. He wipes him out again moments later with a pescado too. SPEAR INTO THE GUARDRAIL by Juice! GUARDRAIL CANNONBALL MISSES! Robinson's hapless body crumples over the railing and into the front row. Trent hangs him over the barricades again then climbs onto the opposing rail on the other side of the aisle. DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE RAILS NAILED! Robinson's back is a mess after those two big spots on the outside - with bruising and blood immediately visible. Beretta tries to make it worse with a tornado DDT but Robinson counters with a stalling gourdbuster over the top rope. With his own back killing him, he starts attacking Trent's back and misection too; sacrificing his own body with REPEATED jumping sentons across the ribs. Beretta backs into the corner...so Juice gives him a crunching tackle deep into the ribs again. He tries the same tactic a second time, only for Beretta to move. Juice FLIES into the ringpost, then the floor! SOMERSAULT PLANCHA BY TRENT! Both competitors lie on the arena floor wounded after that. Beretta tries to capitalise with a flying crossbody, but Juice leaps and counters with a mid-air lungblower. Juice Box COUNTERED to a tornado DDT by Beretta! They crawl to the apron clutching their injuries. PILEDRIVER ON THE APRON scores for Beretta! That spot almost ended BJ Whitmer's career in this very building. Trent's ribs are so busted he barely has the strength to get Juice back into the ring though. GOBSTOPPER TO THE NECK! Left Hand Of God almost knocks Beretta out too and they both lie motionless on the canvas. Robinson goes for broke with a dive from the top only to be crotched by Trent. The Best Friend doesn't have enough in his ribs to elevate Juice...so runs at him instead. BELLY TO BELLY SUPERPLEX! NO SOLD! GOBSTOPPER COUNTERED TO THE JUICE BOX! They start striking the sh*t out of each other. Beretta rolls through Pulp Friction...but then Juice counters the Dudebuster. Jumping enzi to Juice's injured neck before a big lariat spins him through the air. Robinson hits at Trent's ribs to stop him hitting the Dudebuster again. SNAP PILEDRIVER INSTEAD! Springboard knee by Trent BLOCKED WITH THE LEFT HAND! PULP FRICTION! Juice wins at 18:51

Rating - ****1/2 - This gets a much-deserved standing ovation. At one point in time matches like this were commonplace in ROH. A decent time allowance, no bullsh*t, just smash-mouth, intense professional wrestling. Something about this reminded me of AJ Styles vs Chris Hero from Flyin' High in 2014, or Roderick Strong vs Alberto El Patron from the 2015 Winter Warriors Tour in that there was almost zero relevance to the long-term ROH product, but we saw international stars sent out with license to steal the show...and duly delivering a violent, gruelling classic. They each worked a body part, each sold their injury well, with both injuries setting up their finishing moves and directly playing into the climactic sequence. Wrestling doesn't have to be complicated - just send two talented wrestlers to the ring and let them do their thing. I loved this match. It's positioning suggests ROH had plans to feature both in the 2019 post-Elite exodus wasteland, which clearly didn't work out as Trent wound up being part of that exodus whilst the 'ROH experience' was enough to convince Juice he wanted to go back to Japan.

Juice Robinson gets on the microphone and puts Cody on notice that he is coming for the IWGP US Championship (which would end up taking place at Wrestle Kingdom).

This is a rather interesting match. Sabin and Kushida have enjoyed some success after forming their hybrid Time Splitter/Machine Gun team; and have both experienced prolonged rivalries with the Young Bucks as part of their core pairing with Alex Shelley. It would mean a lot to them to score a win over the Bucks and derail Matt and Nick Jackson significantly on the road to Ladder War at Final Battle. This is actually Kushida's last ROH match before leaving New Japan and signing with WWE. Of the NJPW talent to come in, he has consistently been the hardest working and has contributed more truly 'great' ROH matches than any other too. Here's hoping he goes out with a bang.

Kushida and Nick start - and it's every bit as good as you'd expect. Nick hauls him back into the Bucks' corner and hits an explosive flurry of double team neckbreakers/backbreakers with his brother. The fluidity and experience of the Jackson brothers as a team quickly starts to overwhelm both opponents. Sabin eventually gets fed up and trips Nick to the floor from the outside. He sets Kushida up to almost break Matt's arm with a brutal kick, then joins his partner for the Dream Sequence on Nick. CRISS-CROSS CANNONBALLS off the apron by Sabin and Kushida! They take turns trying to wrench Nick's arm out of the socket, settling on a dropkick/armbar combo! Cross armbreaker on Matt when he tries to make a save! Nick Superkick's Sabin's knees, positioning him the corner for the hanging lungblower. Matt tags...who Superkicks Kushida! FLIPPING CUTTER on the floor! Worst Case Scenario on Sabin gets 2. Combo neckbreaker/backbreaker from the Bucks to Sabin as well. Stereo PK's by 'Time Machine' miss...DOUBLE SUPERKICKS NAILED by the Bucks. Meltzer Driver blocked into a missile dropkick/flatliner combo. THROUGH-THE-LEGS TOPE SUICIDA! PELE KICK CRADLE SHOCK gets 2! Matt blocks Back To The Future...Nick rescues his brother from the double Rubix Cube too. More Bang For Your Buck COUNTERED TO A TRIANGLE CHOKE! ROPE RUN GERMAN SUPERPLEX FROM SABIN TO MATT! SUPERNOVA SKULL & BONES FOR 2! Doomsday Missile Dropkick...but Matt back flips into a SUPERKICK FLURRY BY THE BUCKS! ROPE RUN CORKSCREW PRESS TO THE FLOOR! MELTZER DRIVER! KUSHIDA BREAKS THE PIN! Matt tries to tap Sabin out to the Sharpshooter...as Nick knocks him out with the slingshot X-Factor! Sabin taps as Nick decks Kushida with a moonsault to the floor. 15:19 is the time.

Rating - **** - A somewhat sad reminder of the kind of quality that ROH will be missing out on with Kushida no longer an option for the NJPW tours and the Bucks on the way out the door too. It was thrilling, thoroughly modern tag team wrestling; packed with intricate combo spots, elaborate layered sequences and a finish which was as much violent and vicious as it was spectacular. The Bucks are, of course, the masters of this type of match, however it was the Sabin/Kushida duo who were the revelations here. Their twisted takes on classic Time Splitter/Machine Gun combo moves were a joy to watch. Certainly not one to convert any critics of the Young Bucks, but for fans of this 'style' you'll have a blast with this. 

After Best In The World King's career looked to be on a downward spiral. He'd lost the TV Title back to Silas Young, he'd been betrayed by his long-time friend and mentor Austin Aries, then been beaten by A-Double at the PPV for not having the killer instinct to snatch opportunity when it came along. But that desperation sparked a change in attitude and a remarkable career resurgence. He spent the summer beating the best from Bullet Club, legends like Jushin 'Thunder' Liger and more to force his way into World Title contention. But that journey to World Title contention is a path Lethal himself is no stranger to. He once participated at an event called 'Killer Instinct' directly named because he'd been questioned about whether he was ruthless enough to be a credible challenger for then-champion Kevin Steen. He doesn't like Kenny's 'new attitude', goes off on a somewhat unnecessary tangent about King spending time filming reality TV shows rather than concentrating on wrestling and ends his somewhat rambling interview with a promise to reinforce his status as one of the greatest ROH champions of all time...

Shotgun Knees by King, starting the match during the ring introductions! He is pumped up - punting Jay in the back as he tries the Lethal Injection, booting him through the ropes so he lands on his head on the floor...then absolutely cleans him out with the corkscrew pescado. Lethal  realises he is in a real fight here and dumps Kenny on the arena floor with a suplex. King responds with a corkscrew senton off the apron. Back in the ring he hits an inverted neckbreaker before dumping Jay again with a lariat. The champ brings out his big strikes to mount a comeback; sufficiently softening King up so he can start working over his back. NECK-FIRST BELLY TO BELLY INTO THE TURNBUCKLES by King! Jay stumbles out - right into a spinebuster for 2. It leaves the champion so injured he crawls out of the ring and collapses on the floor. King gets cocky and starts playing to the ground, so is instantly punished by Lethal who plants him on that back again with a powerslam. Jay thinks about a tope suicida...so Kenny arms himself with the title belt and threatens to KO him. Jay hesitates (even though if King used the belt Lethal would retain via DQ)...giving the challenger an opportunity to launch him neck and shoulder first into the ringpost. Dual-focused submission holds pile the pressure onto both of Lethal's injuries but King cannot force a submission so engages the champ in a striking exchange instead. Blue Thunder Driver gets 2. Superplex in response by Lethal...even though it decimates his injuries as much as it does Kenny's. TOPE TRILOGY! Each dive rattling King's back against the guardrails too. The challenger returns to the ring only to be put into the Figure 4 Leglock until he grabs a rope. Ace Crusher scores...as does the Lethal Combination. King counters the Lethal Injection into the Chin Checker for 2. But then Jay starts blocking the Royal Flush. Lethal Injection COUNTERED to the rope-jump guillotine. ONE NIGHT STAND NAILED! Missile dropkick into the ribs by Lethal, who sprints into a running DVD. Hail To The King COUNTERED to a crucifix pin for 2. Lethal Injection ducked...ROYAL FLUSH! JAY KICKS OUT! SHOOTING STAR PRESS MISSES! LETHAL INJECTION! FOR 2! The champ is furious; climbing on top of Kenny and just trying to knock him out. Todd Sinclair tries to stop him, and is shoved to the ground for his trouble. Kenny profits - pinning Lethal using the ropes and getting a three-count at 21:41. But Todd saw the feet on the ropes after the pin so doesn't call for the bell and over-rules the decision. Lethal Injection wins it for Jay at 22:16

Rating - **** - Jay Lethal has been on fire in 2018, so clearly in a 20+ minute World Title main event he brought the goods. King can be inconsistent but has gotten better at delivering big performances in big matches too. I don't think he was perfect here, but from the moment he arrived on the stage his body language and demeanour had me believing that this match was a big deal. The way he carried himself really enhanced this. I really liked that both men largely targeted their offence on specific body parts...but never made it over-bearing or the main focus of the match. I also don't really want to criticise the finish too much. Although overbooked, it made absolute sense given how King has repeatedly cheated to win matches on the way to this title bout. And after complaining about the referees being made to look stupid multiple times this year - Todd Sinclair was empowered to rectify an obvious mistake was a pleasing, unexpected twist. If I were to be critical I thought this was a little unfocused at times; with a few too many sequences which felt like they were included to pad out the run-time rather than legitimately enhance or progress the contest. Not in a harmful way, but it is why this one sits below Lethal's 2018 defences against Gresham, Haskins, Ospreay and even Silas in terms of quality.

Tape Rating - *** - The best show of the Global Wars 2018 Tour by an absolute mile, and probably the only one that genuinely approaches being 'must-see'. The first 90 minutes are as drab and forgettable as (most of) the rest of the tour which prevented me from going any higher on the show rating, but thankfully the second half of the card is packed full of quality - highlighted by the superb Trent vs Juice bout. I completely understand that four shows in a week is a big ask for the talent - but it really is a shame that this was the only show of the Global Wars Tour which had any genuine effort or thought put into it. This run of four events has been a real slog to sit through and review. I'm pleased that the Toronto show was worth my/your time and packed in a number of really good matches. But it doesn't change how lazy and irrelevant some of the earlier events (Lewiston and Lowell) in particular were. They really have damaged ROH's momentum going into Final Battle which is such a shame. This show is easy to recommend - and is pretty much the only show from this tour that anyone but the most hardcore of fans need bother with.

3) Young Bucks vs Chris Sabin/Kushida (****)

2) Jay Lethal vs Kenny King (****)

1) Juice Robinson vs Trent Beretta (****1/2)

7) Frankie Kazarian/Scorpio Sky vs Super Smash Bros (**** - Toronto)

6) Best Friends vs Jay Briscoe/Mark Briscoe vs Cody/Adam Page (**** - Buffalo)

5) Jay Lethal vs Chris Sabin (**** - Buffalo)

4) Young Bucks vs Tetsuya Naito/SANADA (**** - Buffalo)

3) Young Bucks vs Chris Sabin/Kushida (**** - Toronto)

2) Jay Lethal vs Kenny King (**** - Toronto)

1) Juice Robinson vs Trent Beretta (****1/2 - Toronto)