ROH 03/23/19 TV Review: Coast to Coast vs Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham
02/09/19
RP Funding Center
Lakeland, FL
This week was the fourth episode from the set of tapings from Lakeland, FL. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed us to the show.
First Match: Dalton Castle & The Boys vs. Life Blood (Juice Robinson, Bandido
Castle and Robinson started off for their squads. The action quickly spilled to the outside as Robinson’s momentum sent him outside and then both traded chances to show off a bit as they looked to dump the other outside to hit poses. The two strutted to a stalemate and quickly both tagged out. Castle and the Boys took control for a spell until Robinson was able to overpower the Boys.Robinson hit Pulp Friction but as Cabana said, Castle was spying on the cover like Cody Banks and pulled Robinson from the ring to break up the pinfall. After a bit of back and forth from both sides, Bandido used Boy 2 as a weapon, launching him into Castle, sending the team captain to the arena floor. Bandido then took the opportunity to hit the 21Plex to pick up the pinfall victory.
Winners: Life Blood
An excellent Jay Lethal promo package centered around his defense at Madison Square Garden and the importance of defending the title in the arena.
Second Match: NWA National Heavyweight Championship Match
Rhett Titus vs. Willie Mack(c)
Ever since he has become less of a comedy wrestler, Titus has had some great showings as of late. Why he earned the title shot here was not really explained, but nonetheless, this was a solid match-up between the two. Mack has made the most of his opportunities in ROH and this was no different. He is definitely someone who would be a much added benefit to the roster moving forward. In the end, Mack hit a stunner after choosing not to pin Titus and followed it up with a frog splash to retain the championship. Solid match here, even if it was a bit unclear why the match was made in the first place and how NWA title shot are earned.
Winner: Willie Mack
Main Event: Coast to Coast vs Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham
Seeing Coast to Coast elevated back to the position they achieved before Shaheem Ali’s injury is a boon for the division as a whole. Normally having a team like Gresham and Lethal defeat a consistent team in the division would be nonsensical, but as Lethal and Gresham have proven themselves to be a solid and legitimate tag team, replete with tandem maneuvers. The crowd felt about listless here, which is hard to avoid with two face teams squaring off with nothing more than pride to go on. This was also a part of the last episode of the set of tapings from Lakeland and fatigue could have been a factor here as well. The in ring work was crisp and both teams worked well together as commentary really pout overt LSG and Ali during the match here. In the end,Lethal and Gresham combined for their finisher, Cornette Cutter (or according to Colt, the Louisville Lunge) on Ali for the pinfall victory.
Winners: Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham
Final Reaction: C+
There was by no means anything unenjoyable on the show, but this did not really push the narrative for the show this weekend in Baltimore. There was some build to the G1 Supercard show, would should be the focus overall, but even then the matches themselves here did not feel as they were meant to really build toward the shows in any way. This often occurs when the date of the tapings and the last episode air and this followed suit. With next week being a new set of tapings, expect a much large push to the G1 Supercard show and some video packages to raise everyone’s hype level.