McXal's Reviews

I haven't been shy in my criticism of the last month of Ring Of Honor television. Despite some bright individual matches and moments, on the whole it has been a poor viewing experience and certainly not one I would consider a 'premium' product worthy of the Honor Club subscription fee (let alone the reputation and legacy of ROH). But there are mitigating factors which I completely understand; Tony Khan has many priorities and Ring Of Honor is quite a way down that list, ROH doesn't have a PPV or tentpole event to be building towards at this point, and when the TV show needs to be taped around the far greater demands of All Elite Wrestling's schedule then clearly it is understandable that Ring Of Honor's product suffers as a result. And that is why the next month of television is really exciting, since we're back at Universal Studios for a self-contained, dedicated Ring Of Honor TV taping - in front of an audience of ROH fans who are there to specifically see ROH. And longer term, with AEW removing Dark/Elevation from their schedule and reportedly taping Dynamite/Rampage midweek and Collision/ROH at the weekend, hopefully we should start to see more meaningful content on ROH television. And this week looks good! Our main event is the much-anticipated ROH Women's Title showdown between champion Athena and challenger Skye Blue. The TV Title is also on the line as Samoa Joe defends against Blake Christian. NJPW's Kyle Fletcher returns to square off with former TV Champion Tony Deppen...and speaking of former TV Champions, Shane Taylor meets Mark Briscoe in a match which is sure to have connotations for who moves into contention for a future shot at Joe. World Champion Claudio Castagnoli is also in action, teaming with Wheeler Yuta against Rhett Titus and Tracy Williams. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman and Nigel McGuinness are in Orlando, FL.

We begin the broadcast with this pretty substantive match. Mark Briscoe's dream is to be TV Champion, and he is still rebuilding after coming so close but failing to take it from Samoa Joe at Supercard (and has plenty on his plate in AEW as he is stuck in the middle between Jay Lethal on one hand and FTR on the other). In the opposing corner, Taylor is considered one of the most dominant ROH TV Champions ever - and enters this incredibly hungry and motivated to cement a more permanent spot in the 'new ROH'. He was a central figure in the last couple of years of Sinclair ownership, but has been on the periphery since the Khan buy-out. A win over ROH mainstay Mark Briscoe would certainly get him some attention...

Shane says he's going to beat Mark's ass 'just like I beat your brother's ass', which of course lights a fire under Briscoe. But it causes him to make a mistake, sling-shotting right into Taylor's version of the Tower Of London. Briscoe aggressively strikes Taylor to the outside, then dives right out after him with a senton off the apron. He tries to set up one of his big dives off an open steel chair, but Shane knows it is coming and decks him with a lariat. Shane T stays on Briscoe in the corner; hammering him with elbows and knees before dragging him out into another big lariat for 2. Mark starts teeing off right back with big boots, eventually loading up a version of Roddy Strong's Sick Kick to knock Taylor off his feet. He dodges Taylor signature knee strike and COUNTERS with a Pele Kick! SOMERSAULT PLANCHA OFF AN OPEN CHAIR TO THE FLOOR! Back in the ring Mark hauls Taylor off the ropes into a DVD! Froggy Bow evaded by Taylor...WELCOME TO THE LAND! MARK KICKS OUT! Taylor is in disbelief, and attempts an ill-advised splash off the second rope which misses badly. URINAGE by Briscoe! Jay Driller blocked with a vicious headbutt! STO Slam into a Warrior Splash by Taylor gets 2. Mark escapes a Package Piledriver attempt and unloads on Taylor with forearm strikes. RUNNING LARIAT! JAY DRILLER NAILED! Mark wins at 09:45

Rating - **** - An ultra-generous rating for sure, but I can't think of a better opener in the eleven-episode run of this new TV show thus far. The intensity, quality and the reaction of the more intimate, ROH-dedicated crowd were all leaps ahead of what we've been seeing in the quiet, cavernous AEW arena episodes of late. They were given a semi-decent time allocation and rose to the occasion with an incredibly exciting, hard-hitting back and forth contest which genuinely felt unpredictable at every turn. I've been a vocal fan of Taylor for some time; he is so authentic, his matches always feel violent and he has an imposing presence which pulls you in (even if aesthetically he doesn't immediately strike you as the archetypal 'TV' wrestler). If I were Tony Khan he is someone I would have under contract and a central part of the new ROH. I know we're steering towards a Joe/Mark rematch for now - but Joe vs Shane Taylor is something I'd absolutely love to see.

These four are all extremely decorated athletes in Ring Of Honor history. Castagnoli is a former Tag and the current World Champion. Yuta is the only two-time Pure Champion ever, whilst their opponents - The Foundation - have both held the Tag and TV Titles. Tracy and Rhett have won lots of plaudits for their work in the new ROH, in particular their matches at the last set of Universal Orlando tapings were both excellent. But they haven't won, and they know how impactful a win over the Blackpool Combat Club (staples at the very top of both ROH and AEW programming) would be. Claudio comes into this having beaten Rey Fenix on Dynamite to earn a future Tag Title shot with a partner of his choosing.

Riccaboni does an awesome job explaining the intricate history and lineage in training and influences between Claudio, Tracy and Wheeler. Hot Sauce shows his class but out-wrestling Yuta early on and almost snapping his leg with an anklelock - until Castagnoli breaks it. He admonishes Wheeler then demands he be tagged in...into a KILLER exchange of holds and strikes with Williams. Titus looks for an armdrag, but Claudio simply over-powers him and elbows him to the mat! The Foundation realise they need to isolate Yuta and keep the World Champion out of the fray, so hit a few double-teams on him. Tracy again tries to work the legs with a Cloverleaf...but again Claudio makes the save, allowing Yuta to take him out from behind. Quickly Williams is bludgeoned and weakened; his back targeted and his fighting spirit diminished under the brutal, relentless attack from the BCC. He almost collapses as he dives out of the way of a tackle from Double C, but in doing so causes Claudio to collide with the ringpost. Wheeler cuts Hot Sauce off from a tag, but Williams fights out of the corner with the SUPER TURNBUCKLE DDT! Hot tag to Rhett, who almost snaps Yuta in half with a belly to belly suplex for 2! Claudio again runs in to save his partner, but this time Titus sees him coming and hits the DROPKICK! KNEE STRIKE OFF THE APRON by Tracy! Dropkick/Discus Lariat combo on Yuta gets 2 for The Foundation! GUTWRENCH TO THE FLOOR from Claudio to Titus, followed by a RUNNING UPPERCUT THROUGH THE GUARDRAILS! Wheeler pokes Tracy in the eyes, and is joined by his partner for a Rocket Launcher Splash! Blackpool Combat Club win at 08:05

Rating - **** - This was an outstanding eight-minute TV-length tag team wrestling match. There was so much intricacy, so much great work and so much to unpack. First of all, the commentary here was excellent in how they succinctly conveyed the history and direct pathway of wrestling knowledge passed from Claudio to Tracy through to Wheeler. I was (and still am) absolutely furious that the Claudio/Fenix match was given away on Dynamite when it should have been on ROH TV, but having Castagnoli wrestle with a guaranteed title shot (with a partner of his choosing) gave all the work the BCC did real needle and purpose. Little touches like Claudio admonishing Yuta's errors, the arrogance with which he tried to bully his opponents too - it was arguably one of Castagnoli's finest individual performances since becoming champion (he really was THAT good here). I liked that twice BCC were able to assert their dominance by having Claudio save Wheeler...but when they tried it a third time The Foundation were dangerous and clever enough to not only prevent it - but actually use it to their advantage and almost finish Yuta off. Right down to the smallest nuance, and most minute of grappling intricacies, this was incredibly slick and polished. One of my favourite matches from the entirety of the new Honor Club TV series thus far.

He was pushed to the limit by Mark Briscoe at Supercard, but on Ring Of Honor television Joe has reigned supreme and dismissed all challengers with real authority. Even an experienced old rival like Christopher Daniels last week was despatched swiftly and brutally. So perhaps a young up and comer, full of heart and courage, might be the man to topple the mighty Samoan Submission Machine. 

Christian literally back flips off the apron to avoid being stomped by Joe in the opening seconds; luring the champ to the ropes where he can surprise him with a handspring enzi. He delivers a Tiger feint kick to the leg as well, picking apart Joe's leg with real purpose and aggression. The Samoan gratefully grabs the bottom rope as he almost gets trapped in a Figure 4 Leglock. But Blake gets overzealous...and is flattened by a senton splash! Joe snarls in fury as he violently stomps the challenger into the mat. Again Christian kicks at the leg, this time to avoid a powerbomb. But this time, even whilst bent double in pain, Joe is able to pivot into a powerslam. Choke blocked...ST-Joe blocked too! MUSCLEBUSTER! Joe retains at 04:00

Rating - *** - On paper it would be easy to be disappointed in another short, filler title defence for Joe. But thematically it is clear that a trademark of this Joe title reign is quickly and violently ending televised title defences. It was frustrating last week when one of the big marquee matches for the episode (Joe/Daniels) barely lasted five minutes - but less so here. And even in four minutes there was lots of fun to be had. Christian's evasive start and attack on the leg were really well-executed. He was completely believable in how he attacked Joe and made for a compelling, extremely likeable victim. As a match to continue the trend of short, dominant TV Title defences for Joe, this was a good one.

Mark Sterling is interviewed, flanked by members of the Varsity Athletes and the Trust Busters. He complains about the internal fighting and politics of the Dark Order 'putting a strain' on the ROH locker room, so he has put together a super-team tonight to take them out altogether...

Fittingly after we just saw an interview focused on the Dark Order, it is now The Righteous who come to the ring. The return of Vincent and Dutch, and their apparent preoccupation with Stu Grayson, has caused dissent in the Dark Order ranks. This is only the third time Vincent and Dutch have competed in an ROH ring since the Final Battle 2021, and they'll be keen to pick up another victory...

The Righteous start hugging their opponents before the bell, which Ian points out is just another tactic they use to make people feel uncomfortable and disturbed. Shawn Dean uses his speed and athleticism to get the better of Vincent in the opening minute, but attention quickly turns to the entrance stage where Stu Grayson has appeared to observe The Righteous. Dutch clobbers Dean from behind, and gestures to an unmoved Grayson as he does so. They isolate Dean, who clings on to block the Autumn Sunshine (Acid Drop) and stay in the match. Bossman Slam from Dutch to Bravo! ASSISTED Autumn Sunshine on Dean gives The Righteous victory at 04:25(ish - my stream dropped out briefly).

Rating - * - I may be in the minority, but since I sat through the last days of the Sinclair-era (and was genuinely interested in The Righteous as a faction by the end of 2021) I am invested in this angle between them and Stu Grayson. This match was far longer than it needed to be. If Tony/ROH management didn't want to completely squash The Infantry then Vincent and Dutch should've been facing someone else. We didn't need almost five minutes to get to the point they were trying to make.

Vincent and Dutch walk up the aisle and celebrate with a confused Stu Grayson - calling him 'one of us'.

The Kingdom are fed up of 'little kids' using 'their company' - ROH - as a stepping stone, but have been challenged to a Fight Without Honor next week by two men who they believe fall into that category (Action Andretti and Darius Martin). The OGK say the youngsters don't even know what a Fight Without Honor is, but will find out the hard way next week.

Renegade has stood out in recent weeks with her performances, even if she hasn't necessarily scored the victories she would have liked. She pushed both Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue to the limit, and tonight has her sister Charlette in her corner as she looks to get a long-overdue win. Vixen is a familiar face for enhancement talent duties on AEW programming going back a few years, with a number of losses on Dark and Elevation to her name (and even a couple of losses to Jade Cargill on Rampage). She is a respected independent worker too, and is just back from her first tour of TJPW in Japan.

Vixen immediately makes a statement by moving faster than her opponent and repeatedly over-powering her to the mat. Charlette Renegade creates a distraction immediately, allowing Robyn to hit a shotgun dropkick and start stomping her down into the corner. Vert hits back with a slingshot tumbling Stunner, followed by a flatliner for 2. Renegade absorbs that and locks in a gruesome Octopus Stretch on the canvas to submit Vixen at 02:57

Rating - N/A - I think the aim of this was to put over Renegade. That was certainly my interpretation based on the brevity of the contest and the emphatic nature of the submission victory. But the methodology of this didn't quite land with me, since most of the match seemed to be Vert hitting cool spots. I enjoyed watching them, however the result is that I don't think this landed as quite the 'statement' victory for Robyn Renegade that it was supposed to be.

Dasha Gonzalez interviews Prince Nana and the Mogul Embassy, but they are interrupted by a furious Dalton Castle, who reveals that someone has attacked one of his Boys. Since The Boys were scheduled to face the Gates Of Agony tonight, it seems like their match is cancelled. (Nana subsequently reveals that he is holding one of The Boys' masks, indicating he was indeed behind the assault)...

This is an ROH return for Ninja, who was part of the very first Ring Of Honor event under Tony Khan's ownership back in 2022 (although he was actually given the booking by Sinclair before the buy-out I believe). He returns having spent much of the last year working in Japan with Pro-Wrestling NOAH. 

Willie tries to get into Ninja's head with some showmanship and posturing...but then uses his power and repeatedly dumps the masked man on his face. They take turns doing handstands and cartwheels; battling to an uncomfortable stalemate. RUNNING RANA by Willie! He follows that with a running enzi which sends Ninja spinning to the floor...into the path of a TOPE ATOMICO! Ninja is unsettled, but still fast enough to evade Willie's standing moonsault. He strings together some strikes which rattle Willie, before scrambling across the ring into a standing corkscrew SSP for 2. Samoan Drop from Willie, who now hits the standing moonsault at the second time of asking. They empty the gas tanks going for a flurry of flash pins, ending when Willie catches Ninja jumping out of the corner - into a LIGERBOMB! Willie wins at 06:10

Rating - *** - The kind of wrestling Jim Cornette hates, and at times it was a little bit overly-choreographed and silly, but I had a lot of fun watching this. It was unorthodox, completely different from anything else on the show so far and very much in the same spirit as matches like Komander/Angelico or Blake/Gringo that we've seen in recent weeks (i.e. lucha-inspired spot-filled sprints which don't have enormous substance but are enormously enjoyable to watch). 

Since The Boys are apparently unavailable to face Kaun and Toa tonight, instead the Six-Man Champions will see trios action. I'm familiar with Priest and I believe Lucky Ali's work in DPW has drawn a LOT of praise - but they are up against it tonight given the dominant run The Embassy have been on in ROH.

Priest starts with Kaun, and he has to fight like hell to stay alive as Kaun comes at him with scary amounts of power and athleticism. Cage and Ali in next, and The Machine CRUSHES his foe with a huge German suplex. Liona and Benjamin collide soon after, with Toa rocketing Victor right across the ring as well. Victor throws a few MMA-influenced strikes back at Toa...who f*cking kills him with a lariat! Buckle Bomb from Cage to Lucky! Kaun pins Benjamin (using Priest as a weapon) at 03:20

Rating - N/A - Unlike Renegade/Vixen earlier, this felt like a purposeful and effective squash. It doesn't do much to advance the characters of Cage, Kaun and Toa (since this is all they've really done for months) but it does keep them ticking over if nothing else. 

Aussie Open were a big part of the success of the first round of ROH TV tapings in Universal Studios, and Fletcher is back tonight now as both IWGP and NJPW Strong Tag Champion. His opponent is still trying to establish himself in the new era, and will have his sights set on defeating a major international talent like Fletcher in order to do so.

The match begins at a methodical pace and largely stays on the mat, which favours Deppen who looks to target Kyle's midsection (knowing that the Australian came into this with injured ribs). Fletcher tries to create some space where he can build momentum and use his range advantage to get ahead - soon driving Tony onto the apron. But from there Deppen launches himself into a slingshot lungblower - which again delivers a huge blow to the ribs. Kyle tries to power through his opponent but Deppen continually strikes at his midsection. It means that even when Fletcher lands a huge suplex, he is so hurt that he visibly has to pause to recover afterwards. SNAP TIGER SUPLEX by Fletcher! Aussie Arrow blocked though, with Deppen hitting a slingshot stunner then the TOPE CON HILO UP THE AISLE! RUNNING ELBOW to the back of the head gets 2! Fletcher can barely stand but smiles and still goads Deppen into throwing strikes with him. GERMAN SUPLEX by Deppen, followed by a double knee strike. DOUBLE STOMP TO THE RIBS gets 2! Kyle is spent, but musters up his last ounce of energy to hit a Michinoku Driver and escape with the win at 08:07

Rating - *** - I'm not sure what happened at the finish (Deppen seemed to kick out, and Fletcher didn't immediately realise he'd won either), but that doesn't deter greatly from a very entertaining match. I didn't quite have it on the same level as Briscoe/Taylor earlier because, unlike that one, it never really felt like Deppen was a credible contender to actually defeat Fletcher. However, I'd actually go so far as to say this was probably Deppen's best ROH singles match ever. I really liked the way he worked the ribs. It was aggressive and tenacious, but never theatrical or overblown (which surprised me a little, as some of his facial expressions and mannerisms can sometimes be a little too pantomime-like for my taste).

One of the best things about ROH still existing in 2023 is that it gives someone like AR Fox a platform to perform. He actually hasn't been as featured as I'd have liked since the last pay-per-view, but he is back in singles action tonight, in the same building which saw him main event the very first episode of this show in challenging for the World Title against Claudio Castagnoli. Henry and The WorkHorsemen are another act who probably fall into that same category as Fox - i.e. ROH is the perfect place for them to get to work since there isn't enough room for them in AEW.

JD Drake immediately distracts Fox, setting up Henry to jump him from behind to get us started. AR responds by dumping him to the floor and hitting ROLLING SUICIDE DIVES! Anthony tries to take evasive action with his tag team partner, only for Fox to give chase and take them both out with a somersault plancha as well. Henry catches Fox trying another leap off the turnbuckles...for a PILEDRIVER ON THE APRON! Fox barely beats the 20-count to stay alive in the match after that. He walks straight into another brutal piledriver that gets Henry a nearfall. He punts Fox in the neck then levels him with ROLLING BRAINBUSTERS! BRAINBUSTER BY FOX in response! ARKO blocked, but Fox hits a rebound Stunner instead. SWANTON BOMB gets 2! Henry curtails his momentum by dumping him on his neck again with a German suplex, and follows it with a Slingshot Suplex for 2. Dragon Sleeper applied, only for Fox to roll out. Lo Mein Pain COUNTERED to a sleeper...so Fox rolls through into a pin! Iconoclasm/ARKO combo gets 2! Drake again tries to distract Fox, except this time he gets punted in the face. SOMERSAULT PLANCHA OVER THE TURNBUCKLES ON DRAKE! Henry misses a double stomp off the top. LO MEIN PAIN! 450 SPLASH! Fox wins at 09:38

Rating - **** - There was so much to like here. You had AR Fox doing what he usually does, i.e. casually hitting crisp, super-athletic and outrageously exciting sequences with inexplicable ease...and his opponent doing an awesome job looking like he straight-up wanted to murder Fox. Some of Henry's work on AR's head and neck was astonishingly violent. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from these two, but they produced a blistering little match. In many ways this is a blueprint for how the 'new Ring Of Honor' should work. Henry and Fox are two very talented wrestlers who don't necessarily move the needle for a mass-audience product like AEW, but to a more niche product like Ring Of Honor are extremely valuable - if booked right and given the right platform. When ROH runs separately to AEW, in its own venues, with its own crowd and where matches get more time in the ring (this would have been five minutes MAX if they were taping at Dynamite) everyone wins. 

The WorkHorsemen don't take defeat well and beat Fox down after the bell. Shane Taylor comes out to help them...so AEW Tag Champions FTR come out to make a save! They join forces with Fox to clear the ring. As Anthony Henry retreats up the aisle Eddie Kingston blocks his path, meaning he gets beaten up too. The scene fades out with Kingston, FTR and Fox in the ring together celebrating...

As we heard earlier, Smart Mark has assembled a joint Varsity Athletes/Trust Busters 'dream team' in an effort to take out the destabilising presence of the Dark Order. There is dissension in the ranks of Dark Order, with Grayson seemingly linked to The Righteous in an unknown way. Are they able to stay united in pursuit of victory this evening? Ari Daivari and Smart Mark are both at ringside in the corner of their team.

Evil Uno and the Technical Beast start, with Evil dragging Josh into the Dark Order corner and pointedly not tagging in Grayson. Mark Sterling heads into the Dark Order corner to pick a few arguments, allowing Jeeves and Slim J to haul Silver into their half of the ring to start working him over. With plenty of help from the outside, they maintain control over Silver for a few minutes...until finally John battles everyone away and finds only Grayson still standing in his corner to tag in. Stu tags and wipes out both Kiss and Woods with a Pele Kick - before diving onto them both with a somersault plancha as well. Lionsault gets 2 on Slim J...but he misfires and accidentally collides with long-time partner Evil Uno. It means Uno eats offence from all three Trust Busters and is almost beaten until Reynolds and Silver make the save. Grayson dives in front of an enzi meant for Reynolds. FATALITY by the Super Smash Bros! Reynolds pins Slim to win at 06:04

Rating - ** - Relentless spots with no obvious mishaps, but nothing here that was particularly outrageous or that you needed to see either. The moments of tension between Grayson and his team-mates were subtle and well-executed though and that really was the main purpose of the segment.

Stu Grayson watches from the floor as the rest of Dark Order celebrate without him...

This is a championship match which has been building for months. As far back as the Jay Briscoe Tribute show in January we saw Athena bullying and attacking Skye (after she defeated one of Blue's friends in AEW, Madison Rayne). Blue is undefeated on ROH television and is tired of the Fallen Goddess trying to intimidate her. Last week she laid out the challenge, which Athena was quick to accept. Blue is looking to dethrone one of the most imposing champions anywhere in wrestling right now, whilst Athena is looking to 'stomp another porcelain hussy' who she feels doesn't belong in 'her division'...

Athena almost breaks Skye's jaw with an elbow in the first ten seconds! Blue commendably gets back up from that and goes hold-for-hold with the champion in an exciting sequence, but it ends with Athena again almost breaking her jaw (this time with a big boot). Skye tries a frantic pinfall next, so Athena decapitates her with a dropkick, knees her in the face then brutally dumps her through the ropes to the floor! She sets up to permanently injure Blue with the ring steps (as she has done to other rivals), only for Skye to counter and launch her right into the steps herself! But it's only momentary respite and Athena is soon back up and hauling Blue all the way up the aisle. Skye hits an armdrag in front of the Cary-tron; fighting for her life until Athena SUPERKICKS HER OFF THE STAGE! The champ literally drags her opponent from the arena floor to the ring like a predator playing with her prey - kicking at the head and back on the way. Still Skye refuses to surrender and almost catches the over-confident champ out going for pin after pin. Shades of Madison Rayne as Skye hits a running big boot for 2...and gets another fall moments later after a flying crossbody. BRUTAL ELBOW STRIKE by Athena to shut her down! Blue mobs her in the corner before she can hit the O-Face...and powers the champ over with a frankensteiner. Standing Shiranui gets 2! But Athena catches her again, delivering a vicious backbreaker that leaves the challenger screaming in pain. Unable to stand...but Blue is STILL fighting and throwing strikes back in defiance of her bullying opponent. SKYE FALL by Athena...but Blue kicks out! O-FACE BY SKYE! Athena kicks out! SKYE FALL gets 2! Athena crawls out of the ring, maliciously positioning herself in front of the steel steps once again. She and Blue brawl over the on the apron, but Skye counters and hits a facebuster on the apron! Athena lies KO'd on the steps as Skye climbs the ropes. ATHENA IS UP! TOP ROPE POWERBOMB ON THE METAL STEPS! WRATH OF THE GODDESS! ONE COUNT OF DISRESPECT! SMALL PACKAGE BY SKYE GETS 2! SKYE FALL...COUNTERED TO THE CROSSFACE! SKYE TAPS! Athena retains at 14:41

Rating - **** - The last minute of this one is absolutely scorching; a real blockbuster finish which I really enjoyed. Some of the match that precedes it is a little inconsistent to watch; Athena in her element as the imposing, bullying champion at the very top of her game, but Skye is a little raw and unproven in high profile main events like this and wasn't always as clean and crisp as you'd like. What really keeps this on the rails, however, is a heartfelt and relatable story that any wrestling fan can get behind. Skye Blue is visibly out-matched - a fact that is established in the first ten seconds of the match when Athena almost knocks her out cold. But rather than be intimidated, Blue shows courage and fighting spirit - wilfully defying Athena and searching in vein for an unlikely victory even as near-certain defeat looms large over her. Athena should take a lot of credit for the success of this match, but it isn't a total carry job by any means. This match hinges on how much you believe in Blue as the valiant underdog and in that department she really was excellent. 

Athena shakes hands and raises Skye's arms to the crowd in a show of respect to her fallen opponent. But of course it is a set-up, and she quickly knocks Blue out again before smashing her face against the title belt. She stands tall as the episode ends...

Tape Rating - **** - I have this as comfortably the best episode of the series so far. In my mind this is what I'd like the new Ring Of Honor to be. The improvement here - with ROH taped separately in front of a crowd paying to see an ROH product and with wrestlers unencumbered by the need to get stuff taped as quickly as possible so the crew can set up for Dynamite - was palpable. And it wasn't just the wrestling that was better (and lets be clear, the wrestling was a LOT better), but with Tony not distracted by AEW the entire episode felt like a tighter, more storyline driven product with far fewer filler, Dark-style squash matches which have ravaged the quality of the product since it went on the road with AEW. There was a clear purpose to almost every segment, a clear direction of travel for a lot of talents - and most importantly time in the ring and high quality matches produced by a bunch of talents who don't get as much time to shine as they might like in AEW. Her performance wasn't perfect by any means, but Skye Blue will be infinitely better for being given a fifteen minute TV main event championship-level platform with Athena. The likes of Anthony Henry, AR Fox, Shane Taylor, Tracy Williams or Rhett Titus barely make AEW TV - but they were tearing the house down here. This episodes delivers the best opener of the eleven episode run so far, another stellar Women's Title Match, an unexpected banger between Fox and Henry...and one of the very best matches of the series so far in Claudio/Wheeler vs The Foundation. It is must-see television, and the kind of show which absolutely delivers value to Honor Club subscribers. I really cannot stress how much better Ring Of Honor is when it allowed to be its own thing, rather than a rushed pre-show at an AEW taping.