ROH 6/09/18 TV Review: The Briscoes vs. Roppongi 3K
05/13/18
The Odeum
Chicago, Illinois
This week was the fourth episode from the set of tapings from Chicago, Illinois. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show as Jonathan Gresham made his way to the ring to start the festivities.
First Match: Jonathan Gresham vs Flip Gordon
The two adhered to the code of honor before the match got underway., Gresham quickly slipped out of the lock up and wrapped up Gordon’s wrist, working it over as Gordon tried to flip out. Gresham matched him flip for flip and roll for roll, dominating the early part of the match as he really worked on the arm and later the back with an abdominal stretch Gordon tried to hip toss Gresham out, but as Gresham does, he used his center of gravity to prevent from getting tossed. It’s those little movements that are so believable from him that really add to the matches. Gordon was able to finally connected with a dropkick that sent Gresham to the arena floor and Gordon followed with a springboard plancha off the turnbuckle. The match sped up a bit after the commercial break, with both really giving it their all here. Gordon won after hitting a Star Spangled Stunner outta nowhere for the win. Good opener between two guys the company needs to continue to focus on. Post match, Bully Ray came down and made amends with
Winner: Flip Gordon
Second Match: Kelly Klein vs Deonna Purrazzo
Purrazzo came out in street clothes and went right at Klein. The two brawled on the inside and rolled back in, with Klein eventually rolling back out and yanking Purrazzo off the apron. Klein followed with a fallaway slam to the outside. Good back and forth between the two. That was interrupted by a referee bump. Deonna had the pin, but no one was there to make the count. Purrazzo roused the ref, leaving left herself open to an attack by Klein. She prevented a suplex and locked on the Fujiawara, but Klein escaped and applied on the End of Match for the submission victory. As Purrazzo is leaving the company to venture off to NXT, it is good that Klein went over here and looked stronger because of it. The end of the match came across a bit sudden, but otherwise this was a spirited match.
Winner: Kelly Klein
After teasing a Jay Lethal announcement last week that never came, we finally got it this week. Jay Lethal announced that he was going to be facing Kushida at Best in the World. He sold the match as the rubber match between the two.
Main Event: ROH World Tag Team Championship Match
The Briscoes(c) vs. Roppongi 3K
Briscoes did not adhere to the code of honor and attacked Sho and Yo from behind, brawling outside for a spell. R3K took control, with Yo working Mark over in the corner. Mark was able to fight his way back and took control over Yo and we got some classic heel tag team wrestling. SHo became infuriated after Jay spit at him, allowing the Briscoes to double-team Yo behind the referee’s back.
Hot tag to Sho after a missed neckbreaker. Mark weathered the storm and tagged Jay in, who immediately took Sho down with a big boot. It seemed like the end of the match here, but then we had both sides teaming together to walk out with a win, especially the Briscoes who grew frustrated that they couldn’t put the match away. I went in assuming this would be ho-hum and I was very wrong. R3K had the crowd behind them and almost looked as if they could win after finally hitting their finisher. Mark kicked out and took a lungblower and thrust kick after. Jay threw a chair in the ring, allowing Mark to hit a low blow. Briscoes won after Jay hit Yo with a Jay Driller as Mark had the rear naked choke on show.
Winners: The Briscoes
Final Reaction: B+
This episode was a hoot! The opener between gresham and Gordon was excellent-both really show why they should be wrestlers that are featured on every ROH show. The Women’s match did an excellent job of making Klein look stronger while Purrazzo leaves the division she help rebuild and the main event was a legitimately fun ending to the show. Before the show, I had my doubts about giving R3K a title shot that they did not earn, but this was get out of your seat fun. Sho and Yok really have evolved and the crowd being behind them and getting into the false finishes really elevated the match as a whole.
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