ROH 10/27/18 TV Review: Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Jushin Liger & KUSHIDA
09/30/18
The Orleans
Las Vegas, NA
This week was the third episode from the set of tapings from Las Vegas, NA. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: Scorpio Sky vs. Adam Page
This was a strong opening to the show. Sky is currently one half of the tag team champions, but does not come out with the title here as the win has yet to occur. Sky works well with SCU but shows in this instance that he is able to work as a singles wrestler down the road, depending on the fallout from SCU’s contract renewal situation after Final Battle. Page has been pushed strongly after his return from Japan and this continued here. A back and forth contests that was pretty even. Sky looked strong here but eventually succumbed to a Rite of Passage, earning Page a pinfall victory.
Winner: Adam Page
Backstage Taven and the Kingdom cut a promo about the conspiracy being dead and the championship being around the waist of the true champion.
Post-match Page cut a promo backstage about how he has his sights set on the ROH gold, seemingly gunning for TV and World championships.
Second Match: Shane Taylor vs. Eli Isom
Isom had some moments here but Taylor was large in charge.
Commentary sold Isom being a fighter, but it just was not enough as Taylor hit the Greetings from 216 driver for the win. After the match, Taylor went to grab a chair to punish Isom, but Cheeseburger came out for the save, only to quickly be taken out by Taylor as well. Flip Gordon came down next and used the chair to take Taylor out, screaming that he would fight Bully Ray in a match of the legend’s choosing. Ray agreed but as they were in Vegas, Ray came up with an idea that they would each choose someone to wrestle in their place. Whoever’s choice wins will choose the future match stipulation. Gordon agree and Ray introduced him into his choice, Silas Young. The Gordon/Ray build has been strong and this connects the episodes in a stronger way. Taylor looked strong here but was more of an afterthought.
Winner: Shane Taylor
Main Event: Jay Lethal & Jonathan Gresham vs. Jushin Liger & KUSHIDA
Lethal and KUSHIDA started off this one for their respective teams. This was a bit of a special attraction match, more about the names included here than any real story between the two, although Lethal and KUSHIDA’s “rivalry” was played up about here. Lethal and Gresham have essentially formed a unit, despite their competitive relationship, they have respect for each other and can count on one another. KUSHIDA always delivers when he’s on an ROH card and Liger continues to impress, even at the age of 53. The end came when Liger was sent reeling after a series of kicks, giving Lethal the space to hit the Lethal Injection to pick up the win via pinfall. The right team won here and although this match result does not truly move anything forward, but was still really enjoyable.
Winners: Lethal and Gresham
Final Reaction: C+
This was a fun hour of ROH television. The set up between Gordon and Ray did a great job of setting up a payoff down the line. Gordon is evolving as a performer and much of that credit has to go to Bully Ray, who has played the role of the foil perfectly well. Page’s star continues to rise and it would not be shocking to see him win Survival of the Fittest, earning himself a title shot. Page could very well be at the center of ROH’s future and it seems like he will be elevated sooner rather than later. Not an Earth-shattering episode this week, but solid from top to bottom.