Pennsylvania National Guard Armory – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – March 1, 2014
Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino are on commentary.
MATCH #1: Michael Elgin vs. Matt Hardy Raymond Rowe
Not sure what happened to Hardy, but the reason Elgin gives is that his “flight was cancelled.” Elgin says that since Hardy isn’t there, he will give a chance to an unknown to make a name for himself. He offers the chance to Raymond Rowe, who made it to the finals of the Top Prospect Tournament, only to get defeated by Hanson.
Rowe shows no fear, going right after Elgin and attempting the Death Rowe. Elgin escapes and is able to deliver an impressive delayed vertical suplex. Time for a commercial.
Upcoming ROH Live Events include March 7 in Milwaukee, March 8 in Chicago Ridge, March 22 in Dayton, Supercard of Honor VIII on April 4 and and a TV Taping on April 5 in New Orleans, and another TV taping in Baltimore on April 19. Visit ROH Wrestling Dot Com for more details.
“Ring of Honor Wrestling Vol. 1: The Best of Episodes 1-100″ is available now on DVD. You can order it at ROH Wrestling Dot Com.
We come back from the break and both men are trying to establish an advantasge with their power. Rowe hits a t-bone suplex, and Elgin pops up and hits one of his own. They clothesline each other and neither man goes does. Elgin wins the clothesline battle and covers but Rowe kicks out at one! That just makes Elgin clothesline him harder, this time for a two-count. Elgin goes for a powerbomb but Rowe slips out and hits an overhead belly-to-belly suplex that sends Elgin to the floor. Rowe tries to follow him with a dive but Elgin avoids it. Elgin hits a Buckle Bomb into th eguardrail and rolls Rowe back in the ring. He hits the Elgin Bomb to get the pin.
WINNER – Michael Elgin
Elgin and Rowe show respect to each other after the match. ROH World Champion Adam Cole sneaks in and tries to hit Elgin with his title belt but Rowe stops him. Elgin goes for the Elgin Bomb on the Champ but Michael Bennett comes to Cole’s rescue with two low blows. Jay Briscoe then runs out to make the save for the save, and he starts to brawl with his opponent tonight, Bennett. Briscoe is a house afire and he sends Bennett to the floor. That’s a nice time for a commercial after all that action.
ROH 12th Anniversary is now available to watch on iPPV.
Upcoming ROH Live Events include March 7 in Milwaukee, March 8 in Chicago Ridge, March 22 in Dayton, Supercard of Honor VIII on April 4 and and a TV Taping on April 5 in New Orleans, and another TV taping in Baltimore on April 19. Visit ROH Wrestling Dot Com for more details.
MATCH #2: Jay Briscoe vs. Michael Bennett
Back from the break, Briscoe is on the mic and he is ready for this match to start. They take it right to the floor and Briscoe is dominant. Kelly notes that they were supposed to show the TV Title match between Tommaso Ciampa and Hanson this week, but since these two wanted to fight so bad the TV Title match is getting bumped to next week. The battle continues ton the floor an Maria Kanellis distracts Briscoe long enough for her fiance to take control. It doesn’t last long and they head back into the ring for Briscoe to go to work. Finally Bennett comes back and catches Briscoe with a spinebuster for two. Time to go to a commercial.
ROH World Champion Adam Cole will defend the title against Chris Hero on TV next week. He cuts a promo about Hero not being in his league.
Back from the break and what do you know, Briscoe is beating up on Bennett. Briscoe shrugs off a superkick and hits a forearm smash and a hangman’s neckbreaker for two. He goes to the top rope and Bennett punches him right in the mouth. Bennett goes up top but Briscoe knocks him down and hits a Frog Splash for a near-fall. Bennett catches Briscoe with the Box Office Smash for a two-count. Briscoe comes back with a superkick and the Falcon Arrow for two. He goes for the Jay Driller but Adam Cole comes out for the distraction. Bennett hits a low blow and rolls Briscoe up for two. Maria and Cole distract the referee, and this time it’s Briscoe hitting the low blow. Briscoe follows up with the Jay Driller to get the pin.
WINNER – Jay Briscoe
Still to come tonight – Jay Lethal vs. AJ Styles! Lethal is fired up about the match and what it could mean to his ROH career.
MATCH #3: AJ Styles vs. Jay Lethal
ROH matchmaker Nigel McGuinness joins the commentary team. Styles and Lethal feel each other out, as I believe it has been several years since they were last in the ring together in TNA. The crowd is behind both wrestlers. Lethal works a headlock and Styles counters by going after the arm. They take turns knocking each other to the floor but it’s Lethal who’s first able to connect with a dive and we take a break.
When we come back Lethal and Styles are trading maneuvers in the ring. Lethal hits a low dropkick for two. He puts on an inverted Cloverleaf and Styles reaches the ropes. They battle on the apron and Styles is able to hit a snap suplex! Back in the ring Styles presses the advantage and keeps Lethal on the mat. Styles hits The Dropkick. He continues to wear Lethal down with a variety of holds and strikes. Lethal fires back and they trade shots. That goes well for Lethal, and he hits the Lethal Combination. Lethal hits a pop-up neckbreaker for two. Styles fights back and hits the springboard flying forearm for a two-count. He goes for the Styles Clash but Lethal avoids it. Lethal hits a couple of clotheslines and a superkick. Styles responds with a flurry of strikes. He goes for the Clash again but Lethal fights it off. Lethal hits a leg lariat off the second rope and both men are down. Back on their feet Styles hits the Pele. Lethal comes back with a release Dragon Suplex. He goes up top and hits Hail to the King but Styles kicks out at two. Lethal tries the Lethal Injection but Styles counters it. Styles hits a powerbomb and rolls it right into the Styles Clash to get the pin.
WINNER – AJ Styles
Lethal and Styles shake hands as Kelly plugs next week’s Cole versus Hero main event, with the ROH World Title on the line!
