ROH 9/08/18 TV Review: Lethal vs. Gresham 30 Minute Iron Man Match
07/21/18
Center Stage
Atlanta,GA
This week was the fourth 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: Mark Briscoe vs. Frankie Kazarian
The show got off to a hot start with these two brawling in the ring as the show began. The really laid into each other quickly spilling to the arena floor and displacing barricades and viciously lacing into each other as commentary sold that these two have their issues after SCU prevented the Briscoes from attacking the Young Bucks after the tag team title match at Best in the World. Jay made his way down to the ring and seemed to distract Mark in the end. After the break Briscoe missed a froggy bow, allowing Kazarian to roll him up with a crucifix. Right after the bell, Jay attacked Kazarian prompting Christopher Daniels and Scorpio Sky to come down for the save. As it seemed SCU had things in control, Punishment Martinez came down an evened the odds, standing tall with the Good opener here contouring the issues between SCU and the Briscoes heading into the title match at Death Before Dishonor. SCU has done a marvelous job during this run and continues to impress.
Winner: Frankie Kazarian
A video package hyping the match between Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham.
Clips of the show were show here and it started in progress as Cheeseburger was making a comeback against the Dawgs. As Ferrara and Cheeseburger will be having a match in the coming weeks on ROH Television, this was a bit of a reminder of the issues between the two.
Backstage footage of the fallout of last week’s match aired, showing Silas Young being very displeased with Bully Ray. Ray countered by saying that Young has lost his way, which did not sit well with the Last Real Man.
Main Event: ROH Championship 30 Minute Iron Man Match
Jay Lethal(c) vs. Jonathan Gresham
Thhis match used every single second wisely, starting off with both men feeling each other other and then slowly building to a frantic crescendo. Gresham worked on lethal’s arm as he had in their first encounter and commentary did well to point out how the punishment would affect Lethal’s Lethal Injection finisher. Gresham hung in there with the champion, trying to chip away at Lethal methodically. At about the 26 minutes mark Lethal went for a Lethal Injection but Gresham kicked out the injured left arm. Gresham quickly hooked Lethal into the Octopus stretch, forcing Lethal to tap. Gresham leads 1-0. Lethal went right after Gresham and locked on a figure four with about two minutes left in the match. Rach time Gresham tried to get up Lethal knocked him back down and stopped Sinclair’s counts. Gresham could not take it anymore at the 90 second mark eventually had to tap out and both men were smarting with 60 seconds left in the match, tied at one pinfall a piece. Gresham desperately attempted a number of pinfall attempts but Lethal could not be held down and the bell sounded signaling the end of the match. Gresham grabbed a mic and implored Lethal for another five minutes so that the match would not end as a draw. Lethal acquiesced to Gresham’s plea and the two went right at it, exchanging forearms shots to start the overtime period.
This was a really fun wrestling match-it was a throwback to ROH’s title matches of yesteryear with absolutely sublime wrestling and psychology. Gresham and Lethal both poured their hearts into this one and it showed here.
Winner: Jay Lethal
Final Reaction: A+
This may seem like a bit of high praise, but simply on the strength of the main event this show rises to a great show level. Lethal and Gresham’s match started off slowly and worked its way to a fever match, drawing in the crowd as they went along. This is the most “ROH” match that I have seen in years. There was little pomp and circumstance and instead this was a wrestling match in the truest sense of the phrase. Go out of your way to watch this. ROH recently released and uncut version of the match on Honor Club but if you can only catch it on Fite TV, do so immediately. Easily a MOTY contender showing how truly skilled Gresham is and that Lethal is a great champion for the company.
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