ROH 8/25/18 TV Review: The Kingdom vs Bullet Club
07/21/18
Center Stage
Atlanta,GA
This week was the second episode from the set of tapings from Atlanta, GA. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: Christopher Daniels vs. Jay Briscoe
This mach was a rematch between the two at the same location. Daniels won the previous encounter, winning the Decade of Excellence tournament, eventually winning the ROH World title for the first time. The match was in many ways a call back to the last match and there was good back and forth between the two, as they telegraphed each other’s moves throughout the match and the winner seemed to really be a toss up. Just as it seemed the end was near,Mark ran out just as Daniels was going for a BME and attacked him with a chair. Jay and Mark beat him down until Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian ran out for the save. A good contest here that continued the issues between SCU and the Briscoes.
Winner: Christopher Daniels by DQ
A Jonathan Gresh/ Jay Lethal video package aired hyping their match for the ROH World title.
A short video package aired of Madison Rayne become number one contender for Sumie Sakai’s WOH title.
King then had his own segment, explaining his actions. He spoke about winning the TV title after being on the Bachelor and how he felt very positive. After footage of him losing to Aries aired, King pointed out that Flair become a world champion by playing dirty and that he will do what it takes to win. He ended by saying that he isn’t a bad guy-he’s just a man with options.
Second Match: Silas Young vs. Flip Gordon
Young predictably did not adhere to the code of honor and quickly had Gordon floored, working a slow pace with high impact moves. Young kept jawing at Gordon, mocking him and deliberately keeping him grounded. Gordon fought back and the two traded strikes here, creating separation. Throughout the match, Riccaboni did well to tell the story that this was a callback to their previous match and that Gordon has grown since that match. In the end, Gordon countered Young and rolled through of the ropes, pinning Young with a bridging jackknife. As Gordon offered Young the code of honor handshake, Bully Ray came out from the back and low blowed Gordon. He then stared down Young and nodded in disapproval before the segment ended.
Winner: Flip Gordon
Marty Scurll cut a short backstage promo about Kenny King beating him the week before by cheating. Scurll vowed to avenge the loss, stating that he was out to get King from here on out.
King then had his own segment, explaining his actions. He spoke about winning the TV title after being on the Bachelor and how he felt very positive. After footage of him losing to Aries aired, King pointed out that Flair became a world champion by playing dirty and that he will do what it takes to win. He ended by saying that he isn’t a bad guy-he’s just a man with options.
Main Event: 6-Man World Tag Team Championship Match
The Kingdom vs. Bullet Club (The Young Bucks & Cody)
Nick Aldis replaced Coleman on commentary for the main event. Once the bell rang the Kingdom attacked Cody and sent the Bucks to the outside, but the Bucks quickly recovered and saved Cody from a suplex. Bullet Club then tripled teamed Taven, O’Ryan and then Marseglia, sending them all to the outside. Matt and Nick slingshotted themselves to the outside before Cody followed with a leap of his own. Matt was set to take down O’Ryan until Marseglia took Matt’s knee out. The two worked Matt’s leg over and kept him on their side of the ring. Matt eventually fought out for the corner and hit a double clothesline, giving himself space to tag Nick in. Nick dominated for a brief while until Marseglia popped a balloon in his ear. Cody did finally make his in and there was quickly a triple sharpshooter in the ring. The final stretch saw a number of finishers whipped out and a leap from Brandi to the outside. All the while, Riccaboni pointed out that Taven was the legal man. Cody hit Marseglia with one more CrossRhodes and scored the three count. The show ended with the Kingdom arguing with Turer that they shouldn’t have lost the match, as Taven was the legal man. Great match here with a very well told story here. The Kingdom Conspiracy continues, which has become more important in many ways than them carrying the titles.
Winners: The Young Bucks and Cody
Final Reaction: B+
This was a very enjoyable week of ROH television. The battle between two former ROH champions to start the show was a particularly strong way to kick things off and continued the issues between the two. As with the first match, Gordon/Young showed the evolution of Gordon and commentary did well to build that story. The main event reinforced the Conspiracy angle the Kingdom has been along the whole time and everything in general felt integral to stories being told.
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