ROH live results: Lio Rush vs. Lee Johnson TV title match
Ring of Honor is back on HonorClub tonight.
Matches booked for the show include Athena and Billie Starkz teaming against Viva Van and Lacey Lane.
Shane Taylor Promotions’ Shane Taylor, Shawn Dean, Carlie Bravo, and Lee Moriarty will face Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Tommy Billington, and Adam Priest.
Desmond Xavier of The Rascalz will take on Brandon Cutler, while Alec Price and Jordan Oliver will be in tag team action against MXM Collection.
ROH is also advertising that it will air the Ring of Honor Tag Team title match from Arena Mexico last Friday, with El Sky Team’s Mascara Dorada and Mistico defending against Los Hermanos Chavez.
The Kingdom will be in action against The WorkHorsemen, Alan Angels will face AR Fox, and “Main Man” Oro will compete.
Plus, Dalton Castle and The Outrunners will defend the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles against The Premier Athletes and Beef.
The ROH World Television title will also be on the line as Lio Rush defends against “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson of The Swirl.
Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.
ROH HonorClub TV begins with a Lio Rush vignette just as freaky as you’d expect. His TV Title is apparently talking to him, as black goo pours over it, constantly saying “It’s Fine.”
Dalton Castle & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) vs. Premier Athletes (Tony Nese & Ari Daivari w/Mark Sterling & Stori Denali) & Beef for the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles
(This match got a lot of time to kick off the show. Beef is a good punching bag for The Athletes for the time being and hopefully he’ll lose his mind on them down the line. Has it ever been addressed where Josh Woods is and why he hasn’t teamed with Nese & Daivari for nearly 2 years? Regardless, the tag champs are the most charismatic crew in wrestling right now, as I wish we got more Castle & The Outrunners on AEW TV.)
We’re told Beef is a pledge for the Athletes, while Floyd kept up with tradition in that his belt stays on and has ever since they won the Six-Man Titles. Magnum & Nese kick things off with a quick opening sequence, capped with a Magnum head scissors. Double splash from Magnum & Castle, as Floyd tags in, with Nese scurrying away to tag Beef. Neither budge off shoulder tackles and clotheslines, until finally, Beef cartwheels out into a dropkick. Daivari orders a tag and trash talks his own partner, resulting in The Outrunners planting him with a back suplex and pose. Cheap shot from Nese on the apron, as Magnum is isolated for an extended period. Sterling ran distraction, as Beef was thrown a title belt, but decided not to use it and got backdropped as a result into a reset.
Floyd a bodyslamming machine off the hot tag, until Beef saved Nese, leading to locomotion corner splashes. Charging cross body from Beef got a nearfall, as he was scolded for not hooking a leg. Daivari decides to stall everything with a rest hold, but Floyd powers up, only to eat a high knee. Floyd starts hulking up, punching everything that moves, turning Nese inside out with a lariat. Castle beckons for a tag and Floyd falls right into one, as Castle couldn’t be stopped. Spinning back elbows and throws aplenty, but The Athletes broke up the trifecta elbow. Nese & Daivari went for a double team, but had friendly fire, as Castle went for a Bangarang, only Beef saved Daivari initially, but ran into him soon after. Beef was planted with Total Recall, followed by the trifecta Son of a B*tch elbow for the victory.
Post-match, Ian Riccaboni gets in to interview the champs, as Magnum said nothing succeeds like success, Floyd said he thinks someone is jealous he couldn’t feel the steal or tickle the nickel like they do. Castle asked what more could they give these people that they didn’t just spread all over the ring? They claim to be the greatest trio to ever step foot in the ring. Riccaboni brings up The Lethal Twist being undefeated as well, which upsets Castle’s tummy. Floyd says good luck taking the title off his waist, not even he can do that. They hit their go home line and I fully expect this happening at Death Before Dishonor.
Match Result: Dalton Castle & The Outrunners defeated Premier Athletes & Beef to retain the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles when Castle pinned Beef
Angelico vs. Tim Bosby
(I’ll make this quick, reminding folks that Angelico remains one of the most underutilized performers in the game.)
While Bosby got the early takedown, it was Angelico getting the first submission, sending Bosby scrambling to the rope break. Bosby was able to pop Angelico with a hard right and big bodyslam before following with a huge belly-to-belly throw for two. Bosby whiffed on a corner splash, as Angelico fought off a sunset flip into a double stomp. Sweeping enzugiri led to the Navarro Death Roll for the submission.
Match Result: Angelico submitted Tim Bosby
Main Man Oro vs. Mark Davidson
(Riccaboni & Coleman talked about the young prospects in ROH and I enjoy matches like this, allow these newer, unproven talents (I know Oro was in NXT previously) to get some ring time and hopefully develop into contenders on the roster. This reminded me of the AEW Dark days where guys would get 5-minutes to show what they got.)
Fast back and forth to start, as Oro faked a kip up and hit an up kick to the face. Both trade near falls and big boots, until Oro connected on a standing Superman Punch. Looking for it again, Davidson had it scouted, rolled through off a second rope dive, but Oro was there to meet him with a Liger-esque Koppo Kick and snap suplex for two. Davidson battled back with a jawbreaker, only to have his legs immediately dropkicked out, as Oro violently threw him face first into the ropes and T-Bone to follow. Taking too much time to follow, Davidson was able to respond with a rolling Cutter for two. Davidson lost his momentum, as Oro hit a spin kick and pop-up kick that led to another Koppo Kick in the corner. Neck trapped Exploder finished Davidson off for the win.
Match Result: Main Main Oro defeated Mark Davidson
The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) vs. The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
(This was a hard-hitting match that just ended with shenanigans out of nowhere. The Kingdom high fived folks during their entrance, but stole the win, as Riccaboni did remind us they’re heels early in the match. Not sure why they couldn’t get the pin, but heels gotta heel, so I guess it’s not a surprise. I wouldn’t mind these guys running it back.)
Very quick pace set from Taven & Henry, as they trade a series of takedowns and dropkicks, as Bennett tagged in, Henry escaped a Proton Pack, but Taven stayed in to connect on a big boot. Blind tag from Drake, who immediately used his power to mow down Bennett with a tackle for one. Chop battle ensues, which Drake wins, as Henry tags back in for knees and twisting at the neck. Taven with a great reference from the apron, saying Bennett is Neck Strong. Bennett continues to be isolated, until Drake tossed his shirt off and missed a Vader Bomb. Hot tag to Taven, who ran wild with splashes and thrust kicks, until Henry hit an enzugiri, only to run into a corner boot. Pop-up right from Bennett gets two, as Taven right back in, but walked right into a desperation Henry brainbuster for the reset.
Drake & Bennett in, with Drake no selling chops, lowering the straps and giving Bennett free shots. Both start ramping up another chop battle, this time, Drake thought wiser and put the straps back up and decided to just run through Bennett with a clothesline and belly-to-belly. Bennett bails outside, where he countered Drake’s bounce back forearm with one of his own, as The Kingdom went for a spike piledriver, but Drake saved Henry. Wild Sky Splitter leg lariat off the second by Drake for two, as Bennett rises and Drake asks “why won’t you die?” as they ramp up more chops, until Taven got a blind tag. Drake fought both men off, until Taven got a school boy with his feet all the way on the top rope to steal the win.
Match Result: The Kingdom defeated The Workhorsemen when Taven pinned Drake
-Earlier today, AR Fox was sitting backstage ready to deliver a promo when Alan Angels walks in, saying he was signed to AEW before anyone knew who Fox was. Fox reminded Angels he doesn’t even work there anymore, then pump faked and Angels flinched, storming off.
AR Fox vs. Alan Angels
(These two had one heck of a battle here, as Teacher vs. Student got a little over 10-minutes and made the most of all of them. I’d say go out of your way to check this one out.)
A crazy number of counters from both to start, as it’s really driven home on commentary how Fox trained Angels, so this is personal. While Angels enjoyed the upper hand early, Fox fought back with a up and over takedown and leaping arm drag into a leg lariat. Fox slowly stood up and just booted Angels square in the face before leaping into a Cutter out of the corner and spinning brainbuster for two. Matrix counter from Angels, into a Moonsault out of the corner, as punches and bunches followed. Angels dropkicked out the leg on the apron and hit a slingshot double stomp, but Fox blocked a dive into a 619 on the bottom rope. Angels took too long getting back in the ring and Fox was ready with a hanging DDT. Thrust kick led to an up and over brutal double stomp and somersault dive from the apron by Fox.
Slingshot DDT back inside, as Angels tried rolling through, but Fox maintained wrist control and pulled Angels into a Cutter. Massive Swanton Bomb halfway across the ring got a near fall, as Fox went back up top for a 450, rolled through, as Angels met him with a combo strike and low bounce back Half and Half. Spin kick cracked Fox flush for two, as Angels looked for Angels Wings, but Fox bridged out, kipped up into an enzugiri. Kick stunned Fox, as Angels went to the corner, but Fox met him with Lo-Mein Pain and a 450 Splash to follow for the hard fought win.
Match Result: AR Fox defeated Alan Angels
El Sky Team (Mistico & Mascara Dorada) vs. Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja) for the ROH Tag Team Titles
This match was taped July 10th in Mexico City in front of 16,000+ fans and these entrances in CMLL are so special, I’m also happy whenever I get to take in the Mistico entrance. Each team have one guy wearing silver and one in gold (this is a tribute to the Los Hermanos Chavez characters), so they did the Spider-man meme immediately and this match will confuse the living hell out of me trying to identify everyone, so my apologies early. Mistico with an early spinning arm drag out of the corner on Roja, as Dorada & Oro in each trading head stands until a head scissors sent Oro to the outside. Snap hurricanrana by Dorada, as Mistico in to follow with a head scissors. Sky Team connects on dueling dives, but Los Hermanos Chavez respond with one of their own. Riccaboni hilariously makes a Spider-man meme reference as well, as Mistico is worked over with a double team slingshot senton. Dorada got kicked low, which we’re told was a hamstring (it wasn’t), as a pop-up punt kick sent Dorada to his partner on the ramp, allowing Oro & Roja to pose for the crowd.
Running start from Mistico down the ramp, as Dorada popped him up into a hurricanrana back in the ring, as Dorada followed with a 360 arm-drag. Sky Team hit dueling Tornillos, as we got gold on gold and silver on silver. Back inside, Dorada with a beautiful hurricanrana, as he moonsaults out of the corner into an arm-drag. Dorada nearly dazed himself flipping so much and had to put on the brakes at one point, with Mistico calling time out to his partner. Everything pretty much stops momentarily, as Mistico got clipped with a knee from behind and is double teamed. Mistico missed on a handspring, still was able to fight off both, with a top rope leaping hurricanrana, landing on his feet. Round the World head scissors sent Oro to the floor, as another sent Roja packing, as a slingshot hurricanrana and one from Dorada off the apron for good measure.
Very slow two count from the ref, as Mistico popped up into a Code Red on Oro for two. Double arm slam from Roja, as Dorada made the save with a wild Electric Chair neckbreaker for two. Falcon Arrow from Oro, who did the deal for a near fall, as Sky Team battle back and each go up top, but were cut off. Oro & Roja with double snap dropkicks for dueling two counts. Taking way too long to follow, Dorada & Mistico with stereo springboard hurricanranas for two. Falcon Arrow & Front Gory Bomb off the second sent Dorada crashing onto his partner for the closest near fall of the match. Dorada was able to hit a wild snap hurricanrana to the outside, with Mistico connecting on La Mistica to get the submission.
Match Result: El Sky Team defeated Los Hermanos Chavez to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles
Chopping It Up with Caprice Coleman & Sammy Guevara
Coleman brings up the Visa issues with the ROH Tag Titles recently, but Guevara still shows up to work and gets the job done. Guevara said everyone is talking about the Spanish Daddy, who has held the ROH Tag Titles back-to-back-to-back, never losing the title three consecutive times and says he’s like water, he can go in any form. Some people don’t like water, they’re unhealthy, but it doesn’t matter who you put him with, he can do everything. He’s won matches and titles, but still gets a lack of respect. Coleman said we’ve seen Guevara grow up in front of the camera and now he’s got a family and more mature. Guevara feels like he’s at war with his old self, but is grateful for his daughter (Hi, Luna) who, as long as she thinks he’s #1, nothing else matters. He wants his daughter to know her father is doing his best and despite any setbacks, he dusts himself back off and wants to win that World Title. This started off as a standard heel promo, but turned into a pretty strong babyface promo. I’m not sure if that was the intention, but it’s what it was.
Bustah & The Brain (Alec Price & Jordan Oliver) vs. MxM Collection (Mason Madden & Mansoor)
(MxM always bring the comedy and this was no different, with Bustah & The Brain being one of the most underrated teams in wrestling IMO. I’d love to see them take on Mistico & Dorada for the Tag Titles, which would be a no brainer of a great match.)
MxM controlled Oliver early on, touching tips for tags before delivering locomotion corner strikes, low dropkick by Mansoor and Rump Shaker from Madden as we get a perfect Wreckx-n-Effect reference from Riccaboni. Mansoor tried a leap frog, but Oliver speared him in mid-air to tag in Price. Quick tags from Bustah & The Brain, but Mansoor floated over a back suplex, blind tags Madden, who mowed down both Oliver & Price. Oliver kicked out a two, but Madden told referee Aubrey it was five. Mansoor grabbed his comb, Aubrey took it from him, allowing Madden to pass something off to Mansoor, who popped Oliver in the throat with a cheap shot. Madden had enough, saying he’s going to kill Oliver, reminding Aubrey if he does that, he wins. Mongolian thrusts and double team DDT led to another near fall.
Oliver was trapped in a Tree of Woe, Mansoor climbed up and opted to comb his hair, allowing Oliver to lean up into a release German. Hot tag to Price, who got a crazy head of steam lariat, the camera couldn’t even keep up with him. Price brushes under his trunks with the comb and Mansoor fights it off, but took a drop toe hold and had his beard brushed. Riccaboni begged for a Red X on the screen. Corner dropkick/enzugiri combo led to the double piledriver attempt, only Madden made the save into a Chokeslam/German for two. Price hit a Stunner out of a second Chokeslam attempt on Madden and used his chest to deliver a Tornado DDT to Mansoor. Thrust kicks to Madden, who ate multiple lariats, finally taking the big man off his feet with a double flapjack. Mansoor leapt in and took a Spear, as Oliver & Price hit a double Styles Clash for the win in a fun one.
Match Result: Bustah & The Brain defeated MxM Collection when Oliver pinned Mansoor
Brandon Cutler vs. Dezmond Xavier
(This was surprisingly back and forth considering we rarely see Cutler in singles action, but I’d say this was one of the best Cutler showings I’ve seen in AEW/ROH. He is usually the comedy guy, but I’m glad he switched it up tonight and we got a competitive match.)
Opening moments were filled with trading of mat work and takedowns, until a dropkick from Xavier sent Cutler reeling to the outside. No rest for Cutler, as Xavier connects with a low Tope, but rolled through a 450 back inside. Cutler threw a superkick and tilt-a-whirl back breaker to gain control. Xavier tried a head scissors, but Cutler countered into a nice powerslam for two. Match slows briefly, as Cutler hit a top rope cross body for another near fall. Xavier caught a charging Cutler with a thrust kick in the corner, as it was followed up with a Tornado DDT for two. Cutler responded with an arm-trapped Cutter, but wound up being crotched on the top. Xavier went up top, but Cutler just sprung up into a huge hurricanrana and Shining Wizard for two. Xavier tried a corner hurricanrana of his own, Cutler initially caught him, but Xavier snapped through into a driver for two. Backflip Pele Kick clocked Cutler for the win.
Match Result: Dezmond Xavier defeated Brandon Cutler
Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo, Shawn Dean & ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty w/Christyan XO & Anthony Ogogo) vs. Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Tommy Billington & Adam Priest
(Your party match of the night, I liked that Priest got the win for his team here, as like I said in the recap, they teased him getting a ROH Pure Title shot down the line. I sure do miss Eddie Kingston on AEW TV. I’m happy he wants to be here to help ROH grow and work with younger talent, but his presence is missed on Dynamite & Collision weekly.)
A good old-fashioned criss-cross from Ortiz & Bravo to start, with Ortiz winning that echange before tagging in Kingston, who fired off some Japanese arm-drags. Billington & Priest in with a double shoulder block and wishbone, with Riccaboni begging for them to think of the BBC and Coleman pleaded not to (that actually happened, folks). Moriarty in and immediately goes after Priest, who gets tripped up by Dean outside and hung up with a trifecta of strikes on the apron. Kingston had to be restrained by referee Mike Posey, as he charged with a chair ringside, as STP yelled he was a hooligan as they kept Priest isolated. They really put an emphasis on Moriarty working with Priest, with commentary teasing this could be a fun Pure Title Match. Priest took the BBC in the corner from Dean, as Bravo told the camera there’s three things that’s for sure, Death, Taxes & The BBC.
Priest was finally able to get the reset off a double clothesline, as Kingston tagged in and hit everything and everyone in his path. Kitchen sink and neckbreaker to Dean, as he ramps up the Kobashi machine gun chops in the corner. Locomotion corner splashes from the babyfaces led to a Kingston Exploder for two. STP return the favor with a locomotion of their own, leading to a Uranage and huge splash from Taylor, as Dean flew in with a Frog Splash for a near fall. Match breaks down, as Billington tried to start a strike battle with Taylor and was waffled in the face with a right hand for his troubles. Everyone starts firing high impact moves, leaving Dean to hit a pump knee on Kingston. Priest tags in, as a snap DDT spiked Dean, as Moriarty flew outside with a low Tope on a pile. Ortiz followed with a cannonball of his own, with Bravo clearing the top onto everyone. This left Dean & Priest, who chop blocked a leg out and sank in a Half Crab. Priest no sold a Bravo right hand, as Billington flew in with a Shotgun Dropkick. Priest ultimately would roll-up Dean for the flash pin for his team.
Match Result: Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Tommy Billington & Adam Priest defeated Shane Taylor Promotions when Priest pinned Dean
ROH Women’s Champion Athena & Billie Starkz (w/Diamante) vs. Viva Van & Lacey Lane
(I feel like I ask this anytime I get to recap ROH, but what’s the end game here with Athena’s title reign and especially this story with Starkz? Is that even a thing anymore? Is Starkz just a heel and we’ve moved on from that multi-year build with these two? Are they just scrapping that to pivot to Maya World getting a shot eventually and winning it? They teased that after World lost the Owen (don’t get me started on that decision) and I haven’t seen or heard much anything to follow that up, either. I guess where they go with the ROH Women’s Title and if it will be Starkz, World or whomever, is anyone’s guess.)
Lane with snazzy early pin attempts on Starkz, as Van made a blind tag, floated over into the ring with a Koppo Kick. Van stumbled on a springboard, as I think Athena was supposed to trip her up initially, but did so the second try. It didn’t matter, as Van kicked free into a cross body on Starkz for two. Diamante distracted the ref long enough for Athena to jump in and destroy Van with a stiff right and take control of the match, isolating Van. Starkz with the smart move, crashing Lane into the steps before a tag could be made, as she argued with the ref long enough for Diamante & Athena to hit a double team and Starkz followed with a Swanton Bomb for two. Van again hit a desperation Koppo Kick for the double down and full reset.
Lane & Athena tag in, with Lane hitting a handstand back heel kick and spinning cazadora into a thrust kick. Springboard guillotine legdrop gets another near fall, as Athena battled back with a backstabber and Starkz in with a lungblower. Friendly fire by the heels, as Van tagged back in with a two for one double dropkick and facebuster onto Athena. Diamante up to distract again, but took a forearm for Van this time for her troubles. Athena rolled through a sunset flip and powered Van up into a powerbomb stack and Super Dragon-esque Surfboard Stomp for the win. Post-match, Athena smashed Van’s face onto the ROH Women’s Title for good measure as Starkz & Diamante cackled while looking on.
Match Result: Athena & Billie Starkz defeated Viva Van & Lacey Lane when Athena pinned Van
Lio Rush vs. Lee Johnson for the ROH TV Title
(While I genuinely enjoy this Blackheart character and I’m glad to see it showcased on AEW & ROH, there were some spots in this that didn’t really make sense, even for Rush’s whacky character. Why did he go under three sides of the ring to look for something that was never there? Are the voices messing with him already? Regardless, his finisher is rad and this was ultimately a very good main event on a show that had, in my opinion, no business being 2 hours and 45 minutes.
The thing I like about ROH is the 90-minute length that makes it feel completely different than Dynamite or Collision. I am, however, happy I got to see and recap some matches tonight of folks I don’t usually get to anymore on AEW programming.)
Rush apparently calls his TV Title “Shadow”, but it’s not the black covered ROH Title we’ve seen in the past (I’m going to assume that’s because this was taped about a month ago), so Riccaboni told us this one isn’t Shadow. Johnson posed with the title before the start of the match and woke Rush up to mow him down at the bell, as he then shook Johnson’s hand. Misdirect led to a chest rake, but Johnson didn’t know what to make of the speed of Rush, who did a Matrix into an enzugiri for two. Johnson finally got control by delivering a back suplex on the apron, as back inside, he spiked Rush with a snap suplex to maintain control with a cocky cover for one. PK hits, as does the follow standing moonsault as he mocked Rush saying “The Rain” repeatedly. Rush again relies on the misdirect to lead to a huge Spear into the reset.
Brutal snap Stunner from Rush, as a flying lariat turned Johnson inside out. Johnson missed a charge to the outside and Rush was right out with a low Tope within a second before galloping around inside before hitting another dive. Back in the ring, Rush with a Jackhammer for two, as he picked Johnson up, talked to him briefly before delivering another snap Stunner. Up to the corner they go, as Rush said they’re going for a ride, but Johnson blocked, spiking Rush with a moonsault reverse DDT that he just got enough of for two. Multiple Half and Half suplexes plant Rush on his head, as he fought off a third with a spinning enzugiri. Low Cutter blocked, Johnson tried a brainbuster, Rush floated over into a Low Cutter for two. Johnson fought off a back suplex, but Rush met him with a discus lariat. Rush started hearing voices and went under the ring multiple times, but found nothing (that wasted an obscene amount of time), as Blake Christian just appeared ringside and distracted Rush enough for Johnson to hit a wild dive. Huge Cutter back inside led to a sit-out powerbomb for two. Johnson up top for a double stomp, missed, rolled through, as Rush connected on the running C4 into a bridging Cravat to put Johnson to sleep.
Match Result: Lio Rush defeated Lee Johnson via referee stoppage to retain the ROH TV Title
Since 2022, Ryan has been the Recapper/Reviewer for both AEW PPVs & Dynamite for F4WOnline & the Wrestling Observer. Previously, he recapped AEW Dark from 2021-2022 for PWTorch.