Ring of Honor Wrestling #143: Road Rage Edition (Adam Cole, Kevin Steen)

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Ted Reeve Arena – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Saturday, June 14, 2014

Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino are commentary. They put over the stars from New Japan Pro Wrestling that appeared on this show and then showed a video detailing the Cedric Alexander/Roderick Strong feud.

MATCH #1: Cedric Alexander vs. Roderick Strong

Alexander charges the ring and unloads on the veteran Strong. The crowd is juiced up for this grudge match. Strong is able to withstand Alexander’s early onslaught and go after Alexander’s knee. That leads us into the first commercial break of the evening.When we come back Strong is still beating on Alexander, but the resilient Alexander hits a spin kick to the face. Both men are down. Back to their feet Alexander unleashes a flurry of offense, including a Michinoku Driver for two. Strong responds with a backbreaker and he is back in control. Alexander avoids another backbreaker with a crucifix for two, but Strong cuts him off right away. The crowd gets on Strong’s case as he goes up for a superplex. Strong hits it and then locks on a Stronghold. Alexander counters with a small package for two, but Strong stays right on top of him. Once again Alexander shows his resilience and unloads with a flurry of kicks. Strong comes back with the gutbuster but when he tries the Sick Kick Alexander catches him with the Lumbar Check! That almost gets a pin but Strong gets his foot on the bottom rope. Strong hits a knee to the face and goes for the End of Heartache but Alexander counters with an inside cradle to get the upset pin!

WINNER – Cedric Alexander

After the match members of The Decade (Jimmy Jacobs, BJ Whitmer, and TaDarius Thomas) make their way out and beat Alexander down. Strong sets up some chairs and suplexes Alexander through them. Ouch.

Backstage – ROH World Champion Adam Cole says that all of Kevin Steen’s problems were brought on himself, and that there is no way Steen will win the title from him.

We come back from a break with a video recap of the Matt Taven versus Truth Martini feud that also happens to involve ROH World TV Champion Jay Lethal.

MATCH #2: ROH World Title Match – Adam Cole vs. Kevin Steen

Cole has been the Champion since 9.20.13, and this is his tenth defense. They start off hot and Steen uses hard strikes to take the early advantage. Cole comes back by targeting the knee, which is wise because Steen has had knee problems and Cole frequently uses the Figure-Four Leglock. Steen avoids a dive and Cole crashes to the floor. Time for a break.

But before we leave, we cut to a backstage promo from Jay & Mark Briscoe, who want to tell Matt Hardy how pissed off they are and how badly they are going to destroy him at Best in the World 2014.

When we come back Steen is abusing Cole all around ringside. Cole slips out of a back suplex and shoves Steen into the ring post. It matters not though, as Steen is able to ram Cole crotch-first into the post for the third time. Back in the ring Steen continues the abuse. Steen celebrates too much and Cole superkicks him in the leg. Cole attacks the leg for several minutes, but Steen is able to come back with a Rope-hung DDT. The Champ rolls to the floor and sweeps Steen’s legs out from under him. Steen comes back with the powerbomb on the apron and we apruptly cut to commercial. We come back in time to see Steen hit the Swanton Bomb for two. A series of reversals ends with Cole hitting the Death Valley Neckbreaker for two. Cole tries a superplex but Steen counters with a super fisherman buster for a near-fall. Steen misses a Cannonball, and when he goes for the Package Piledriver his knee buckles. Cole locks on the Figure-Four. The challenger is able to reverse the hold and Cole releases the hold. Cole goes back to the knee but Steen hits a pop-up powerbomb for two, and then turns it into the Sharpshooter! Steen’s knee doesn’t allow him to keep the hold on though. Back on their feet Steen hits the Sleeper Suplex for two. Steen tries to follow up but Michael Bennett runs out to interfere and takes a Package Piledriver for his troubles. Cole drills Steen with a superkick to the back of the head, a release German Suplex, and the Florida Key but Steen kicks out! The Champ hits more superkicks but Steen survies and is able to put the Sharpshooter back on! Cole reaches the ropes. He goes to the floor and hits Steen with the enziguiri. Back in the ring Steen hits the top-rope brainbuster and Cole somehow kicks out! Cole grabs a quick small package for two, Steen goes for the Package Piledriver but Cole slips out and hits a superkick for the pin.

WINNER – Adam Cole

We close with a video preview of Best in the World 2014, live on Pay-Per-View Sunday June 22.

I grew up and now I write for Inside Pulse. Oh, and one time I saw a blimp!