ROH 5/4/18 TV Review: The Kingdom vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys
04/14/18
Stage AE
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This week was the second episode from the set of tapings from Pittsburgh,PA. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: The Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas vs. Coast to Coast (LSG & Shaheem Ali)
We got a brief recap of BCB and Milonas taking LSG out before the tag team gauntlet, dashing C2C’s chance to win a tag team title shot. There was also a short promo from Coast to Coast, during which they vowed revenge. LSG and Ali attacked Milonas and BCB before the code of honor and dominated on the outside for a short while but succumbed to the size difference. Just as it seemed that Bruiser and Milonas were going to win the match after hitting the Last Call superplex/splash combination, Ali interrupted the count. Ali managed to avoid being splashed in the corner by both Milonas and Bruiser, serving as a jumping off point for the recover LSG who set BCB to the outside with a code breaker. A double elbow to Milonas from C2C allowed them to hit Coast to Coast for the win. Another big one for Coast to Coast who are finally getting a chance to shine in the tag division. They are natural babyfaces, especially against larger foes like Milonas and BCB and the story going into the match gave them a reason to come out guns blazing.
Winners: Coast To Coast
Jay Lethal cut a promo saying that he is lost and does not have any gold, but that soon enough he will right the ship and get his hands on ROH gold again.
The Young Bucks started with Matt asking Nick what they could cut a promo on and he reminded him about the tag title shots they have next week. Matt then launched into his bit, saying that the fans will get a PPV quality match for free next week.
Second Match: Will Ferrara w/ Rhett Titus vs. Jonathan Gresham
Titus joined commentary for the match just as the two locked up. Ferrara pushed Gresham into the corner and did not break evenly. This lit a fire under Gresham, but Ferrara kept in step with Gresham, working over a wristlock that he hung on to through a monkey flip. The two both worked over each other’s arms and it came into play when Gresham was not able to lock on the Octopus submission. Despite the injury, Gresham was able to pin Ferrara after a magistral cradle into a bridging pin. Post-match, Ferrara and Titus put the boots to Gresham, but were chased off by the Motor City Machine Guns. Gresham continues to impress and it was good to see Ferrara wrestle here and move away from the schtick with Titus.
Winner: Jonathan Gresham
Marty Scurll and Cody cut a promo next, as Scurll spoke about his title shot at Best in the World, Cody used to time to remind everyone that Bullet Club is fine.
Socal Uncensored cut a promo about possibly interfering in the main event to get their titles back from The Kingdom.
Third Match: Shane Taylor vs. Ryan Nova
Shane Taylor cut an in-ring promo, speaking to the fans in Pittsburgh, about how he does anything if the price is right. He turned to Ryan Nova and complained that he would get paid more if there were fewer people like Nova on the roster. He ended by saying Mo Money, Yo Problem, which was awesome. Nova’s promo from backstage aired, where he claimed he would win. Taylor destroyed Nova and hit a sit down driver that apparently knocked Nova out so quickly, referee Todd Sinclair called the match. Coleman had been looking for a pen and missed the entire match. Total squash match that accomplished its objective here. Taylor is excellent on the mic and is a smart choice for the company to push into a title contention spot on the roster.
Winner: Shane Taylor
Main Event: The Kingdom (Matt Taven, Vinny Marseglia & TK O’Ryan) vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys
A Kingdom promo aired as they made their way to the ring. Taven said that he plans on collecting more gold after beating Dalton Castle in Lowell during the War of the Worlds tour. O’Ryan then brought up pawning the belts and Taven said he knew a guy. Taven then paid off Taylor for some extra protection for the 6-Man belts. Castle started off against O’Ryan for their respective teams. Castle quickly disposed of O’Ryan with a t-bone suplex, leading to Marseglia tagging in quickly. The Boys tagged in and essentially double-teamed Marseglia, hitting a top rope dropkick that led to a two count. Marseglia sent one of the Boys towards the Kingdom’s corner and worked him over, cutting the ring off. Taven tagged in and immediately demanded Castle tag in, to which the champion obliged. Castle took control in the corner and clotheslined Taven over the top to the outside. Castle tried going for a dive to the outside, but the Kingdom stopped him and took the Boys out. The Kingdom then worked on Castle’s hand until the Boys tagged in and went after Marseglia and O’Ryan. The Boys dropkicked Taven but were quickly overwhelmed. Daniels came down to ringside and tried to take the titles, but was pushed away by Taylor as the Boys pulled a switcheroo. Castle was able to tag in and tossed the Boys to the outside, as Riccaboni mimicked Oprah giving gifts away in a hilarious moment. After the shenanigans, Taven used one of the titles as protection and Castle punched it, injuring himself. Taven was then clear to hit the Climax on one of the Boys for the pinfall victory. Post-match the Kingdom attacked Castle with a chair, using it to inflict more damage on the hand as Taven jumped off the top rope onto it. A fun main event here with the right team winning and leading into the War of the Worlds show on Wednesday night.
Winners: The Kingdom
Final Reaction: B+
Each match on the show had a clear purpose this week and fed into larger storylines or built towards the War of the Worlds tour. Coast to Coast is quickly acclimating to the push they are receiving and Taylor and Gresham are being used effectively here, building them up as future singles titles challengers. Taven and the Kingdom attacking Castle before his upcoming title match was well done and this was an overall good show of ROH, with the backstage promos really adding to the show overall.
Thanks for stopping by again this week and look for more Ring of Honor coverage the same time next week. Until then, please go over to Running Wild Podcast and take a listen to a show that covers oodles of wrestling news and ridiculous conversations. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud