ROH 3/23/18 TV Review: Scorpio Sky vs. Flip Gordon
03/10/18
Sam’s Town
Las Vegas, Nevada
This week was the first episode from the set of tapings from Las Vegas,NV. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
The Kingdom made their way to the ring and complained about a Kingdom conspiracy. Bully Ray came out and told the Kingdom that they suck and that they won’t have a match at Supercard of Honor and that they are also barred from the event altogether.
A recap of the Women of Honor tournament thus far aired.
First Match: WOH Championship Tournament Match
Kelly Klein vs. Mandy Leon
After an opening salvo of strikes Klein took control, tossing Leon around and taking the time slowly work her opponent over. Klein struck Leon with knee strikes and methodical kicks to the back before locking on a sleeper. Leon finally fought her way out of a neck vise and tossed Klein to the arena floor, following up with a flipping senton to the outside. After the break Leon was perched on the top rope, taking Klein out with a clothesline, though when she attempted to run at her opponent in the corner, she found herself eating a turnbuckle. Despite this, she hoisted Klein up in the rite of Passage position and dropped her neck first across the knee. Klein was able to prevent Leon from jumping off the top rope and tossed Leon overhead with a fallaway slam from the top. The two battled from the mat to a standing position before Klein was able to apply the End of the Match submission, but Leon slipped out and hit a pump handle slam that led to a very near fall. Klein found herself in a submission and tapped on Leon’s leg, without referee Paul Turner seeing it. Leon thought herself the winner and instead, found herself locked in the End of the Match and unconscious. This was one of the better WOH matches thus far and although the end of the match did not need the extra movements, Klein showing that she will do anything it takes to win is smart and it protected Leon, one of the most prominent members of the division. In the event she challenges for the title later, possibly even Klein, then this could be used as reasoning for her to say she deserves a shot. (**3/4)
Winner: Kelly Klein
Jay Lethal promo about Supercard of Honor match against the Briscoes, teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi to challenge for the titles and how the tag titles are something he wants to add to his list of accomplishments.
Recap of Scorpio Sky and The Addiction winning the ROH World 6-Man Tag Team championships. The segment continued with a SoCal Uncensored promo, celebrating their championship victory.
Second Match: Adam Page & Marty Scurll vs. The Boys w/ Dalton Castle
Castle joined commentary for this match Scurll was dressed in a blazer and dress pants, but did doff the jacket and rolled up his sleeves before getting in Boy one’s face before tagging out to Page. Page challenged the Boy to a test of strength and feigned being overcome, only to easily escape and overpower his opponent. Page was easily in control, despite a brief flurry of offense. Scurll did tag in, but then quickly tagged out and as he and Page seemed to have a disagreement, the Boys pulled some twin magic. An unsuspecting Page was almost pinned with a small package and found himself briefly on the mat as the Boys double-teamed him. As Scurll messed with Castle at commentary, Page took one of the Boys head off with a buckshot clothesline before scoring the pinfall victory. This was a bit of a head-scratcher- a match complete chalked up to antics from Scurll to rile up Castle here. The Boys, teaming together without Castle by their side on the apron, were made to look like no match for Adam Page at all. After signing them this year, it is a bit odd to see them lose handily when essentially wrestling a handicapped Page, as Scurll never truly engaged in any wrestling. (**)
Winners: Adam Page & Marty Scurll
Breaking backstage news as Silas Young and Kenny King brawled for about 5 seconds before the footage shifted to a short Briscoes promo about how they will keep the titles at Supercard of Honor.
Young and King then brawled to the entrance ramp and brawled to the area around the ring, striking security so that they could continue to brawl. Young grabbed a mic and addressed Bully Ray, saying that Young had King pinned and that he deserved a rematch. King said something to Bully and then was encouraged to make the announcement himself. When he did, he then announced their rematch would be a Last Man Standing match at Supercard of Honor.
Main Event: Scorpio Sky vs. Flip Gordon
Sky offered a code of honor, but Gordon thought better of it. Gordon quickly gained control with a handstand into a hurricanrana that sent Sky outside. Gordon followed with a senton over the rope to the outside. However, after the break Sky took control of the contest, slowing things down a bit. Gordon avoided a corner attack by flipping over and then using a 619 to send Sky to the mat before going for a Samon pop. Sky slipped out but Gordon did connect with a springboard sling blade. The Addiction hit the ring and as Christopher Daniels distracted referee Todd Sinclair as Frankie Kazarian tried to attack Gordon. Gordon sent Kazarian packing and then rolled up Sky to steal the victory. As he was beaten down in ring, the Young Bucks ran out and defended Gordon. Matt offered Gordon a hand, who was still hesitant to accept the sign of peace. Matt held the hand and then went in for a hug. Bully Ray then came out and congratulated Flip for weathering the ribbing. Bully then found the numbers to be fascinating and equal, inspiring him to make a match between the two sides in a ladder match at Supercard of Honor. The match could have used a bit more time, as the ending had so many moving parts that the end was directly due to interference. The post-match interaction with the Young Bucks felt like a culmination of months of storytelling in a very satisfying way. (**3/4)
Winner: Flip Gordon
Final Reaction: C
This was a very story heavy episode, with every match playing into a larger narrative in some manner. Bully Ray was originally presented as an enforcer and proclaimed not be an authority figure, but making three appearances in this episode really solidifies him in that role and could have been spread out differently so as not to feel heavy-handed. The Kingdom being off Supercard seems as if would indicate some resolution down the line with Ray for taking them off a major event-but Bully Ray is retired. The show did well to build to Supercard of Honor, even if the wrestling took a back seat here.
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