This is the 2nd Night of the annual New Japan and Ring of Honor early-year tour in Japan. As I wrote for the previous night's show, this tour is especially important given that both companies are co-promoting the upcoming G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden on WrestleMania Weekend.
This show has several championship matches, including both the IWGP Heavyweight and ROH Tag Team Championships being on the line as well as the ROH World Championship. With only 6 weeks left until WrestleMania weekend, you can expect some build towards the G1 Supercard show.
Here we go!
NJPW and ROH Honor Rising 2019
Night 2- 2/23/19
Korakuen Hall- Tokyo, Japan
1) Jonathan Gresham and Toa Henare vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku
Taka does the introductions for his team again in English. Henare just bulldozes both Taka and Zack to start the match. The match starts with Henare slamming Taka a couple times. Taka goes to the floor and gets in his corner to tag ZSJ. Henare tags in Gresham. (This should be excellent technical wrestling here.) Chain wrestling by both men starting off. Both men focus on the arm of the other trying to get the advantage. More technical wrestling by both men with Gresham and ZSJ taunting the other at different points as they transition from hold to hold. ZSJ continues to work the arm of Gresham, but Gresham cartwheels his way out of the hold and pets ZSJ on the head. ZSJ gets suckered in to a Gresham dropkick seconds later. But ZSJ gets the backbreaker on Gresham to finally get the advantage on Gresham.
Tag to Taka by ZSJ. They trade forearms, but Taka ends that with a poke to the eyes. Taka continues the attack with a running knee into the corner and some headlocks in the middle of the ring. ZSJ gets tagged back in to continue that attack. Gresham and Sabre trade strikes, but Gresham doesn't tag out. Sabre and Gresham continue to go at it until Gresham gets the suplex in on Sabre. Henare gets the tag and goes right after Sabre and Taka. Sabre gets knocked down. Samoan Drop by Henare. 2 count. Guillotine Headlock by Sabre. Henare gets out and hits a lariat. Tornado DDT by Sabre followed by a tag to Taka. Taka goes after Henare, but he gets a Samoan Drop for his troubles.
Tag back to Gresham. Gresham fights off both Taka and ZSJ. An Asai Moonsault to Sabre in the ring followed by a Suicide Dive to Taka on the floor. Taka is rolled back in and gets hit with a Shooting Star Press off the top rope by Gresham. 2 count only as Sabre makes the save. Taka gets locked into the Octopus Lock by Gresham and is forced to tap out.
Winner: Jonathan Gresham and Toa Henare
Match Grade: B-. Another very solid match here. Gresham shined in this match as he wrestled 90% of the match for his team for good reason. ZSJ and Gresham continue to show the greatness of technical wrestling in 2019, and I look forward to future matches between the two. (G1 Supercard perhaps?)
2) Marty Scurll vs. Robbie Eagles
They collide immediately as the bell rings. Eagles gets a head scissors takedown on Scurll early on. Great fast-paced action here with Scurll and Eagles working on speed and technical wrestling in their match. Scurll gets a surfboard on Eagles. Springboard Missile Dropkick to the knee of Marty Scurll by Eagles. Shining Wizard to the back of Scurll's head. 2 count. Eagles takes the advantage, attacking multiple body parts, and locking in a chinlock. Scurll attacks Eagles on the ropes and then hits the Apron Superkick to Eagles on the outside.
Scurll and Eagles come back to the ring. Enziguri and a Stack Powerbomb by Scurll only get a 2 count. Eagles hits a Snap Mare into a variant of a One-Winged Angel for a 2. 450 Attempt by Eagles misses. 20 seconds of Roll-Ups by both men only yield a 2 count each time. Superkick by Eagles is met with the kick to the knee. Several kicks by Eagles, but he is met with a lariat by Scurll. Package Piledriver by Scurll only gets a 2. Half and Half Suplex on Eagles, dumping him on his head. Eagles and Scurll are fighting on the corner. SUPER FRANKENSTEINER BY EAGLES! 2 count! Kicks to the chest by Eagles. Eagles gets caught taunting Scurll. But the finger snap is avoided. Swinging punch by Scurll followed by the Crossface Chickenwing. Immediate tapout.
Winner: Marty Scurll
Match Grade: B. Another fun match on this card with Eagles and Scurll trading some good offense back and forth. Scurll has looked awesome on this tour, and this is the best match I've seen Eagles do (which admittedly isn't much).
3) Delirious and Cheeseburger vs. Colt Cabana and Toru Yano.
The Comedy "Dream Team" is formed with Yano and Cabana. Yano and Cabana are a riot before the bell rings as both argue with the other about who will start the match. Finally, Yano gets the nod, but he's starting the match with Delirious. The bell rings, and much like last night, Yano is running for his life away from Delirious. Delirious and Yano go after chairs and go to use them. Their partners take the chairs away. "NO DEATH MATCH," yells Cabana. Cabana and Cheeseburger get the tags.
Cabana is dancing around to the applause of the crowd. Cheeseburger plays walking away from the match until the crowd cheers for him. Cabana plays up to the crowd while flipping and being flipped. Lol. Delirious starts a "Cheeseburger" chant. Cheeseburger goes for a headlock, but Cabana picks him up awkwardly. Leg Scissors Takedown by Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger dives off the top towards Cabana, but Colt just walks off. He tags in Yano. Yano checks on an "unconscious" Cheeseburger. The referee counts Cheeseburger on the mat. Burger gets to his feet by 9. Yano asks if he's ok. Then he starts beating him. Yano and Cheeseburger trade taunts.
Delirious eventually gets the tag. After arguing with Cheeseburger about a "Double Brainbuster," Delirious just starts scratching at Yano. Lol. Yano and Delirious go from corner to corner trading turnbuckle shots, but Delirious continues hitting himself a good 20 seconds after Yano let go. Yano goes after the turnbuckles. Yano can't remove the turnbuckles. So, Colt goes under the ring to get the regular NJPW corner pad for him to use. Lol. Delirious uses it against Yano and ALMOST gets the 3. Delirious keeps the pad and tags in Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger goes for the Sunset Flip on Yano. Yano sells the flip forever while Colt gets ANOTHER corner pad. Yano gets the pad and smashes it against Cheeseburger's head. (This is actually hilarious.)
Tag to Colt. Splash on Cheeseburger. 2 count only. Cheeseburger fights off Colt and hits the SHOTEI on Colt! 1-2-KICKOUT! Tag to Delirious. Cabana and Yano do the rope taunt to Delirious and Cheeseburger. Burger and Yano both go to the floor. Delirious and Colt are left in the ring. Colt goes for the Reverse Boston Crab, but Delirious's bare feet are too gross to maneuver. He wipes his hands on the referee while TAKING A LOW BLOW FROM DELIRIOUS! Roll-Up! 1-2-Kickout by Cabana. Ten Clotheslines in the Corner by Delirious. He puts Colt on the corner, but Colt hits the Chicago Skyline. The Superman Diving Rollup gets the win for Cabana and Yano.
Winners: Yano and Cabana
Match Grade: B. That was a hilarious comedy match. Yano and Cabana made for a great comedy dream team. Cabana's comedy works with Yano, and I can seriously see the two of them working as a team at the G1 Supercard event. Meanwhile, I thought Cheeseburger and Delirious looked good here as well. Delirious's nonsensical jibberish with Cheeseburger was another highlight of the match. Well done.
After the match, Yano takes an ice bag and puts it on Colt's privates. The referee follows suit. And now a Young Boy is following Colt around with that bag. Cheeseburger comes in and shakes hands with the winners. Burger bows to the crowd.
4) Will Ospreay and Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb and Dalton Castle
Castle comes out without the usual attire on. So no Peacock entrance tonight.
Cobb and Goto start off the match, resuming their battle from Night 1. Collisions in the center of the ring. Both men trade shots until we get a break. Castle needs to punch someone in the face. He gets the tag as does Ospreay. Castle gets elevated in a Monkey Flip. Ospreay does his flip pose. Castle and Ospreay continue to go at it. Castle muscles Ospreay up and over his head in a Fall-Away Slam followed by a Gutwrench Suplex. Cobb gets tagged in and out as both men trade Ospreay into a pair of Gutwrench Suplexes (literally trading him in mid-lift.) Castle does some impressive transitions with Ospreay in the Gutwrench. The fight goes to the floor as Castle and Cobb get the worse end of the action. Castle gets rammed a couple times into the guard rails.
Back in the ring, Castle gets worked over by Ospreay and Goto. Both men take turns beating down on The Peacock (that sounds weird, doesn't it? Lol.). Castle gets Double Shoulder Tackled by Goto and Ospreay. Castle fights off Goto and gets the tag to Cobb. Cobb catches Ospreay running at him and hits a big Belly to Belly Suplex. Cobb hits a Samoan Drop, Kip Up, and Standing Moonsault on Goto. 2 count only. Goto gets a spinning kick on Cobb. Ospreay gets the tag and kicks Castle off the apron sending him flying back to the guard rail. A kick by Ospreay just angers Cobb. Flipping Back Kick by Ospreay gets a 2 count. Ospreay gets a Springboard Forearm. He does a Corkscrew Moonsault off the back of Goto for a 2 count. He signals for Oscutter. He superkicks Cobb on the back of the head. He's going for Strombreaker, but physics get in the way. Step Up Enziguri by Ospreay, but Castle runs in to beat down on Ospreay. Ushigaroshi by Goto to Castle. Robinson Special by Ospreay. Oscutter is caught in mid-air. Spinning Back Suplex by Cobb gets a 2. Tour of the Islands blocked by Ospreay. Big Forearm to the back of Cobb's head. He now goes for Stormbreaker! HE HITS IT!!!! 1-2-3!!!! Ospreay just pinned the ROH TV Champion. And he muscled that big hoss over his head to do it.
Winner: Ospreay and Goto
Match Grade: B-. I felt like Dalton Castle got somewhat forgotten in this match in the last few minutes. It's like he just disappeared. Ospreay looked phenomenal (as usual) in this match and got a HUGE victory by beating a guy who is a monster in ROH. I think this is setting up something for the G1.
5) The Kingdom (Taven and Vinny) vs. LIJ (Naito and Shingo)
The Kingdom jump LIJ to start the match. Naito and Taven are the legal men in the ring. Naito works the arm and tags in Shingo. Shingo continues the work on Taven and tags in Naito a moment later. Taven uses the referee to stop Naito from attacking him. The Kingdom then attacks Naito. Taven sends Naito crashing backwards into the guard rail on the floor and mocks the Tranquilo pose in the ring. The Kingdom take turns beating down on Naito in the ring. Double-Team Offense by The Kingdom. Shingo gets thrown to the floor after breaking up a pin attempt. Naito continues to get tortured by The Kingdom nonetheless. Taven and Vinny hit a (Taven) Stunner with a (Vinny) Running Boot. 2 count. Taven tells Naito he's going to end it now, but Naito gets the Swinging DDT.
Tags to Shingo and Vinny. The Kingdom double-team Shingo, but Shingo gets the advantage and dumps Taven to the floor. Shingo suffers a dropkick on the apron as Vinny helps. Shingo brings Taven back in the ring after regaining the advantage and suplexes Taven for a 2 count. DDT by Taven. Vinny is legal again. Russian Leg Sweep and Just The Tip (of The Knee) Double Team gets a 2 count for Vinny. Now, it's Shingo getting beaten down by The Kingdom. Taven's Face-First Suplex connects, but the Redrum Swanton misses from Vinny. Shingo fights off The Kingdom and tags in Naito.
Naito fights off both members of The Kingdom. He hits a corner dropkick to Taven, which Taven sells a knockout for. Backbreaker by Vinny. CLOSE 2 count. Shingo and Naito double-team Vinny. Taven runs in and gets double-teamed by LIJ. Vinny suffers an Enziguri and a lariat. DESTINOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 1-2-3!
Winner: LIJ
Match Grade: B. A very good tag team match with all four men having moments to shine. The Kingdom continue to be good performers saddled with a bad gimmick. Meanwhile, LIJ continue to be the hottest act in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Naito and Shingo worked really well for a team (I think Kevin Kelly said this was their second time ever working as a tag team). Good work by all involved.
After the match, the referee gets his eye raked by Naito.
6) ROH World Championship
Jay Lethal (c) vs. TK O'Ryan
As Lethal makes his entrance into the ring, he lays the championship down and DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AT TK!!!! Lethal goes right after TK on the floor and continues the assault. (Remember Lethal was jumped by The Kingdom last night after the main event.) Suplex on the floor by Lethal. TK continues to get beaten up by Lethal on the floor. Both men are in the ring finally. The bell rings.
TK takes a HUGE Backdrop and a Cartwheel Dropkick by Lethal. 2 count. Lethal continues to apply the pressure by attacking TK over and over. He chops TK a couple times for the audience. TK starts finally fighting back with chops, but Lethal unloads with about 7-8 unanswered chops. TK starts firing back. Again, TK just gets assaulted by Lethal. Dropkick and a Vertical Suplex gets a 2 count. TK finally gets Lethal off of him on the floor and hits a Baseball Slide.
TK now takes over in the ring with some punches. TK takes some chops from Lethal, but he's able to quickly reassert control. It's all about TK O'Ryan, according to TK O'Ryan. He continues to work the crowd as he beats down on Lethal. Lethal jabs at O'Ryan, but he gets hit with a Spinebuster. 2 count. Front Chancery by O'Ryan. Lethal gets a backdrop on O'Ryan and gets a cutter on him seconds later.
Lethal starts to mount his offensive comeback on O'Ryan. Lethal Combination to O'Ryan. Spiccoli Driver by Lethal. He gets caught on the corner by O'Ryan. Lethal blocks a Superplex, sending O'Ryan to the mat. Lethal hits a superkick on O'Ryan. Figure Four Leg Lock. O'Ryan almost gets counted down, but he gets to the ropes. (That's what I love about that move: You can tap or get pinned in it.) Lethal goes for it again, but he gets rolled up instead. 2 count. Lethal Injection avoided by O'Ryan. He pummels Lethal. Roll-Ups by both men. But Lethal gets LETHAL INJECTION! 1-2-3!
Winner: Jay Lethal (STILL ROH World Champion)
Match Grade: C-. O'Ryan didn't seem to be in Lethal's league for most of this match. O'Ryan shows promise, but he's nowhere near ready to be given a world championship. So, there wasn't much excitement for this match for me. This was mostly Lethal wrestling Lethal, or at least that's how I saw the match. I'm not writing off O'Ryan yet. He can still grow into a better wrestler. But this was not a compelling match in any way.
After the match, Taven blasts Lethal with the championship and holds it up above Lethal's unconscious body. He'll see Lethal in Vegas.
7) IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
Evil and Sanada (c) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (w/ Jado)
The bell rings. Tonga and EVIL start the match. Both tease hitting their finisher. Evil gets a shoulder tackle on Tonga. Big dropkick by Tonga moments later. Evil gets beaten up by The G.O.D. with frequent tags and double team attacks. Evil continues to be beaten down by the heels for a good 3 minutes of the match. Evil finally gets the tag to Sanada. Paradise Lock is executed to Loa. Jado swings the Kendo Stick at Sanada. Sanada dives out on Jado and rolls back in to kick Loa out of the Paradise Lock. Loa and Sanada trade moves back and forth, but Sanada gets sent into the Kendo Stick attack by Jado. The referee "sees nothing." (Though the announcers put over the fact that you can hear it clearly.) Sanada is brought out into the crowd and is thrown into the concrete walls of the building. Tonga beats down on Sanada repeatedly and throws him into a barricade in the crowd. Meanwhile, Loa is beating down on EVIL on the other side of the building. Evil goes face first into the side of the building. The count is on. Tonga almost stops Sanada from rolling in, but he gets in at 19.
The G.O.D. continue to beat up Sanada. Double Dropkicks by the brothers. 2 count. Sanada jumps up, but Tonga goes after the calf muscles coming down. (It looked like a flub to me, but it was so quick that it could be missed.) Dragon Screw by Sanada to Loa, but Tonga takes Evil out of the corner in order to prevent the tag. Double Dropkick by Sanada to G.O.D. Tag to EVIL! Evil goes after G.O.D. beating them both down. Bulldog/Clothesline by Evil. Fisherman Buster by Evil. 2 count only. Loa gets the advantage and puts Evil on the corner. They fight back and forth on the corner until Loa hits a Superplex on Evil. Evil kicks out of a pin attempt at 2. Misdirection Clothesline by Evil.
Tags to Sanada and Tonga. Double Leap Frog and a Dropkick by Sanada. Skull End is reversed into the Tongan Twist. All four men start going at it in the ring. Loa gets clotheslined to the floor by Evil. They signal for the end. Magic Killer is reversed into a DDT by Tonga. Skull End is countered. Gun Stun is countered into Skull End. It is locked in by Sanada. Sanada lets go and goes for the Muta Moonsault. It misses! Loa crawls in the ring. Evil and Sanada double-team Loa with a lot of strikes and a German Suplex by Evil. Magic Killer again is avoided by G.O.D. Sanada gets kicked into the referee, who goes to the floor. Magic Killer is stopped by a German Suplex to Sanada by Tonga. Guerrilla Warfare on Evil. Sanada gets the Elevated Gun Stun!!! Stinger Splash to Sanada. Super Powerbomb OFF THE CORNER!!!! 1-2-3!!!! WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B+. A very good match here between two great teams. G.O.D. are vastly underrated as a tag team in professional wrestling today, and they deserve more attention. They have gelled into a great tag team over the last couple years. Evil and Sanada are another great tag team, but they are, in all honesty, two singles wrestlers who just happen to make a good tag team. Personally, I hope this leads to Evil and Sanada branching out to greater success as singles wrestlers. Then again, I've had this same hope for almost 2 years now. So, I won't get my hopes up.
MAIN EVENT
ROH World Tag Team Championships
The Briscoes (c) vs. LifeBlood (Juice Robinson and David Finlay)
(Chris Charlton says on commentary that the IWGP Tag Team Title change might be the first one at Korakuen Hall since 1987. Wow!)
The bell rings. And it is Juice and Mark Briscoe starting off the match. Mark and Juice exchange pops getting louder and louder with each one until Mark uses the knee on Juice. Juice gets dumped on the floor and beaten up by Jay Briscoe. Cactus Jack Elbow off the apron by Mark. Back in the ring, Jay gets the tag from Mark. The beating of Juice continues. Frequent tags by The Briscoes to continue the beat down. (As Gorilla Monsoon might say, they are "tag team specialists.") Juice starts fighting back, but he runs into a dropkick by Jay. Again, another tag to Mark Briscoe. Mark beats down on Juice for another minute, but Juice is able to clothesline Mark down.
Tag to Finlay. Those Finlays love to fight, and this one is no different. Finlay beats down on The Briscoes and nails a back elbow off the corner on Mark for a 2 count. Jay gets a blind tag and hits a big boot on Finlay. A CORKSCREW SENTON OFF THE TOP CORNER BY MARK BRISCOE TO FINLAY AND JUICE ON THE FLOOR!!!! WOW! Jay hits a Face First Sit-Down Suplex on Finlay for a 2. The Briscoes continues the beating on Finlay. Juice breaks up a pin attempt on Finlay to save the match.
Eventually, Mark and Juice get the tags for their team. Juice rams into both Briscoes with clotheslines and CANNONBALLS!!!!!! Airplane Spin by Juice followed by the Gutbuster (Juice Box). 1-2-Kickout. Jay comes in and helps Mark get back into the match. Mark flips Juice off the corner and sits down on the move. 2 count only. Tag to Jay Briscoe. He goes for Jay Driller. SNAP Death Valley Driver by Jay Briscoe. 2 count. Jay superkicks the hell out of Juice. Mark tags in. Double Flapjack by LifeBlood. Double Cannonballs off the aprons onto The Briscoes on the floor!!!! Stereo Cannonballs now into the barricade by Lifeblood!!!! Mark and Juice are the legal men. SUPERPLEX BY FINLAY! HEADBUTT OFF THE TOP BY JUICE! 1-2-Kickout! Tag to Finlay. Double-Team is stopped by Jay Briscoe. Juice is dumped to the floor. SUPERPLEX TO FINLAY! FROGGY BOW!!!! 1-2-KICKOUT!
Tag to Jay Briscoe. Doomsday Device misses as Finlay rolls through! 1-2-KICKOUT! Spear by Finlay to Mark. Urinage/Backbreaker by Finlay. Razor's Edge with an Elbow Off The Top by Finlay gets a 2 count. Finlay tells the referee that his shoulder is out. (It looks like a legit injury.) Juice gets sent to the rail below, and Froggy Bow to the gut ends this.
Winners: The Briscoes (STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B. Another very good match here on this show with an unfortunate ending. Hate to see Finlay get injured like that, especially since it looked like he was building up some steam in ROH and in New Japan. Meanwhile, all four men did a great job in this match and told a great story. The Briscoes are truly one of the best things about Ring of Honor at this point, and their forays on New Japan TV continue to prove that their style of wrestling translates worldwide.
Jay Briscoe gets on the mic. (Oh boy.) He puts over his team as the best team on the planet. He talks about what happened in the previous match (The G.O.D. winning the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships). THE BRISCOES CHALLENGE G.O.D. FOR A TITLE FOR TITLE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN AT THE G1 SUPERCARD! The G.O.D. come out. They put over their 5th time winning the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Loa formally accepts their challenge for his team! April 6th has one great match already signed up.
Show Grade: B. I don't know if I enjoyed this as much as I did the previous show, but this was still another really good show that should help hype the G1 Supercard show. A lot of breadcrumbs were laid down for the show, including the big angle at the end of this particular show. The comedy match on this show was a welcome breath of fresh air on the show and worked well. I do feel that the ROH World Championship match was a bit of a let-down and was perhaps the worst match on the card. But the rest of the show delivered more or less. Overall, Honor Rising provided almost 6 hours of great entertainment and is worth the time if you are a fan of either NJPW or ROH.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
This show has several championship matches, including both the IWGP Heavyweight and ROH Tag Team Championships being on the line as well as the ROH World Championship. With only 6 weeks left until WrestleMania weekend, you can expect some build towards the G1 Supercard show.
Here we go!
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Title vs. Title is set for G1 Supercard
NJPW/ROH Honor Rising 2019
Night 2- 2/23/19
NJPW World
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NJPW and ROH Honor Rising 2019
Night 2- 2/23/19
Korakuen Hall- Tokyo, Japan
1) Jonathan Gresham and Toa Henare vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and Taka Michinoku
Taka does the introductions for his team again in English. Henare just bulldozes both Taka and Zack to start the match. The match starts with Henare slamming Taka a couple times. Taka goes to the floor and gets in his corner to tag ZSJ. Henare tags in Gresham. (This should be excellent technical wrestling here.) Chain wrestling by both men starting off. Both men focus on the arm of the other trying to get the advantage. More technical wrestling by both men with Gresham and ZSJ taunting the other at different points as they transition from hold to hold. ZSJ continues to work the arm of Gresham, but Gresham cartwheels his way out of the hold and pets ZSJ on the head. ZSJ gets suckered in to a Gresham dropkick seconds later. But ZSJ gets the backbreaker on Gresham to finally get the advantage on Gresham.
Tag to Taka by ZSJ. They trade forearms, but Taka ends that with a poke to the eyes. Taka continues the attack with a running knee into the corner and some headlocks in the middle of the ring. ZSJ gets tagged back in to continue that attack. Gresham and Sabre trade strikes, but Gresham doesn't tag out. Sabre and Gresham continue to go at it until Gresham gets the suplex in on Sabre. Henare gets the tag and goes right after Sabre and Taka. Sabre gets knocked down. Samoan Drop by Henare. 2 count. Guillotine Headlock by Sabre. Henare gets out and hits a lariat. Tornado DDT by Sabre followed by a tag to Taka. Taka goes after Henare, but he gets a Samoan Drop for his troubles.
Tag back to Gresham. Gresham fights off both Taka and ZSJ. An Asai Moonsault to Sabre in the ring followed by a Suicide Dive to Taka on the floor. Taka is rolled back in and gets hit with a Shooting Star Press off the top rope by Gresham. 2 count only as Sabre makes the save. Taka gets locked into the Octopus Lock by Gresham and is forced to tap out.
Winner: Jonathan Gresham and Toa Henare
Match Grade: B-. Another very solid match here. Gresham shined in this match as he wrestled 90% of the match for his team for good reason. ZSJ and Gresham continue to show the greatness of technical wrestling in 2019, and I look forward to future matches between the two. (G1 Supercard perhaps?)
2) Marty Scurll vs. Robbie Eagles
They collide immediately as the bell rings. Eagles gets a head scissors takedown on Scurll early on. Great fast-paced action here with Scurll and Eagles working on speed and technical wrestling in their match. Scurll gets a surfboard on Eagles. Springboard Missile Dropkick to the knee of Marty Scurll by Eagles. Shining Wizard to the back of Scurll's head. 2 count. Eagles takes the advantage, attacking multiple body parts, and locking in a chinlock. Scurll attacks Eagles on the ropes and then hits the Apron Superkick to Eagles on the outside.
Scurll and Eagles come back to the ring. Enziguri and a Stack Powerbomb by Scurll only get a 2 count. Eagles hits a Snap Mare into a variant of a One-Winged Angel for a 2. 450 Attempt by Eagles misses. 20 seconds of Roll-Ups by both men only yield a 2 count each time. Superkick by Eagles is met with the kick to the knee. Several kicks by Eagles, but he is met with a lariat by Scurll. Package Piledriver by Scurll only gets a 2. Half and Half Suplex on Eagles, dumping him on his head. Eagles and Scurll are fighting on the corner. SUPER FRANKENSTEINER BY EAGLES! 2 count! Kicks to the chest by Eagles. Eagles gets caught taunting Scurll. But the finger snap is avoided. Swinging punch by Scurll followed by the Crossface Chickenwing. Immediate tapout.
Winner: Marty Scurll
Match Grade: B. Another fun match on this card with Eagles and Scurll trading some good offense back and forth. Scurll has looked awesome on this tour, and this is the best match I've seen Eagles do (which admittedly isn't much).
3) Delirious and Cheeseburger vs. Colt Cabana and Toru Yano.
The Comedy "Dream Team" is formed with Yano and Cabana. Yano and Cabana are a riot before the bell rings as both argue with the other about who will start the match. Finally, Yano gets the nod, but he's starting the match with Delirious. The bell rings, and much like last night, Yano is running for his life away from Delirious. Delirious and Yano go after chairs and go to use them. Their partners take the chairs away. "NO DEATH MATCH," yells Cabana. Cabana and Cheeseburger get the tags.
Cabana is dancing around to the applause of the crowd. Cheeseburger plays walking away from the match until the crowd cheers for him. Cabana plays up to the crowd while flipping and being flipped. Lol. Delirious starts a "Cheeseburger" chant. Cheeseburger goes for a headlock, but Cabana picks him up awkwardly. Leg Scissors Takedown by Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger dives off the top towards Cabana, but Colt just walks off. He tags in Yano. Yano checks on an "unconscious" Cheeseburger. The referee counts Cheeseburger on the mat. Burger gets to his feet by 9. Yano asks if he's ok. Then he starts beating him. Yano and Cheeseburger trade taunts.
Delirious eventually gets the tag. After arguing with Cheeseburger about a "Double Brainbuster," Delirious just starts scratching at Yano. Lol. Yano and Delirious go from corner to corner trading turnbuckle shots, but Delirious continues hitting himself a good 20 seconds after Yano let go. Yano goes after the turnbuckles. Yano can't remove the turnbuckles. So, Colt goes under the ring to get the regular NJPW corner pad for him to use. Lol. Delirious uses it against Yano and ALMOST gets the 3. Delirious keeps the pad and tags in Cheeseburger. Cheeseburger goes for the Sunset Flip on Yano. Yano sells the flip forever while Colt gets ANOTHER corner pad. Yano gets the pad and smashes it against Cheeseburger's head. (This is actually hilarious.)
Tag to Colt. Splash on Cheeseburger. 2 count only. Cheeseburger fights off Colt and hits the SHOTEI on Colt! 1-2-KICKOUT! Tag to Delirious. Cabana and Yano do the rope taunt to Delirious and Cheeseburger. Burger and Yano both go to the floor. Delirious and Colt are left in the ring. Colt goes for the Reverse Boston Crab, but Delirious's bare feet are too gross to maneuver. He wipes his hands on the referee while TAKING A LOW BLOW FROM DELIRIOUS! Roll-Up! 1-2-Kickout by Cabana. Ten Clotheslines in the Corner by Delirious. He puts Colt on the corner, but Colt hits the Chicago Skyline. The Superman Diving Rollup gets the win for Cabana and Yano.
Winners: Yano and Cabana
Match Grade: B. That was a hilarious comedy match. Yano and Cabana made for a great comedy dream team. Cabana's comedy works with Yano, and I can seriously see the two of them working as a team at the G1 Supercard event. Meanwhile, I thought Cheeseburger and Delirious looked good here as well. Delirious's nonsensical jibberish with Cheeseburger was another highlight of the match. Well done.
After the match, Yano takes an ice bag and puts it on Colt's privates. The referee follows suit. And now a Young Boy is following Colt around with that bag. Cheeseburger comes in and shakes hands with the winners. Burger bows to the crowd.
4) Will Ospreay and Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb and Dalton Castle
Castle comes out without the usual attire on. So no Peacock entrance tonight.
Cobb and Goto start off the match, resuming their battle from Night 1. Collisions in the center of the ring. Both men trade shots until we get a break. Castle needs to punch someone in the face. He gets the tag as does Ospreay. Castle gets elevated in a Monkey Flip. Ospreay does his flip pose. Castle and Ospreay continue to go at it. Castle muscles Ospreay up and over his head in a Fall-Away Slam followed by a Gutwrench Suplex. Cobb gets tagged in and out as both men trade Ospreay into a pair of Gutwrench Suplexes (literally trading him in mid-lift.) Castle does some impressive transitions with Ospreay in the Gutwrench. The fight goes to the floor as Castle and Cobb get the worse end of the action. Castle gets rammed a couple times into the guard rails.
Back in the ring, Castle gets worked over by Ospreay and Goto. Both men take turns beating down on The Peacock (that sounds weird, doesn't it? Lol.). Castle gets Double Shoulder Tackled by Goto and Ospreay. Castle fights off Goto and gets the tag to Cobb. Cobb catches Ospreay running at him and hits a big Belly to Belly Suplex. Cobb hits a Samoan Drop, Kip Up, and Standing Moonsault on Goto. 2 count only. Goto gets a spinning kick on Cobb. Ospreay gets the tag and kicks Castle off the apron sending him flying back to the guard rail. A kick by Ospreay just angers Cobb. Flipping Back Kick by Ospreay gets a 2 count. Ospreay gets a Springboard Forearm. He does a Corkscrew Moonsault off the back of Goto for a 2 count. He signals for Oscutter. He superkicks Cobb on the back of the head. He's going for Strombreaker, but physics get in the way. Step Up Enziguri by Ospreay, but Castle runs in to beat down on Ospreay. Ushigaroshi by Goto to Castle. Robinson Special by Ospreay. Oscutter is caught in mid-air. Spinning Back Suplex by Cobb gets a 2. Tour of the Islands blocked by Ospreay. Big Forearm to the back of Cobb's head. He now goes for Stormbreaker! HE HITS IT!!!! 1-2-3!!!! Ospreay just pinned the ROH TV Champion. And he muscled that big hoss over his head to do it.
Winner: Ospreay and Goto
Match Grade: B-. I felt like Dalton Castle got somewhat forgotten in this match in the last few minutes. It's like he just disappeared. Ospreay looked phenomenal (as usual) in this match and got a HUGE victory by beating a guy who is a monster in ROH. I think this is setting up something for the G1.
5) The Kingdom (Taven and Vinny) vs. LIJ (Naito and Shingo)
The Kingdom jump LIJ to start the match. Naito and Taven are the legal men in the ring. Naito works the arm and tags in Shingo. Shingo continues the work on Taven and tags in Naito a moment later. Taven uses the referee to stop Naito from attacking him. The Kingdom then attacks Naito. Taven sends Naito crashing backwards into the guard rail on the floor and mocks the Tranquilo pose in the ring. The Kingdom take turns beating down on Naito in the ring. Double-Team Offense by The Kingdom. Shingo gets thrown to the floor after breaking up a pin attempt. Naito continues to get tortured by The Kingdom nonetheless. Taven and Vinny hit a (Taven) Stunner with a (Vinny) Running Boot. 2 count. Taven tells Naito he's going to end it now, but Naito gets the Swinging DDT.
Tags to Shingo and Vinny. The Kingdom double-team Shingo, but Shingo gets the advantage and dumps Taven to the floor. Shingo suffers a dropkick on the apron as Vinny helps. Shingo brings Taven back in the ring after regaining the advantage and suplexes Taven for a 2 count. DDT by Taven. Vinny is legal again. Russian Leg Sweep and Just The Tip (of The Knee) Double Team gets a 2 count for Vinny. Now, it's Shingo getting beaten down by The Kingdom. Taven's Face-First Suplex connects, but the Redrum Swanton misses from Vinny. Shingo fights off The Kingdom and tags in Naito.
Naito fights off both members of The Kingdom. He hits a corner dropkick to Taven, which Taven sells a knockout for. Backbreaker by Vinny. CLOSE 2 count. Shingo and Naito double-team Vinny. Taven runs in and gets double-teamed by LIJ. Vinny suffers an Enziguri and a lariat. DESTINOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 1-2-3!
Winner: LIJ
Match Grade: B. A very good tag team match with all four men having moments to shine. The Kingdom continue to be good performers saddled with a bad gimmick. Meanwhile, LIJ continue to be the hottest act in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Naito and Shingo worked really well for a team (I think Kevin Kelly said this was their second time ever working as a tag team). Good work by all involved.
After the match, the referee gets his eye raked by Naito.
6) ROH World Championship
Jay Lethal (c) vs. TK O'Ryan
As Lethal makes his entrance into the ring, he lays the championship down and DIVES THROUGH THE ROPES AT TK!!!! Lethal goes right after TK on the floor and continues the assault. (Remember Lethal was jumped by The Kingdom last night after the main event.) Suplex on the floor by Lethal. TK continues to get beaten up by Lethal on the floor. Both men are in the ring finally. The bell rings.
TK takes a HUGE Backdrop and a Cartwheel Dropkick by Lethal. 2 count. Lethal continues to apply the pressure by attacking TK over and over. He chops TK a couple times for the audience. TK starts finally fighting back with chops, but Lethal unloads with about 7-8 unanswered chops. TK starts firing back. Again, TK just gets assaulted by Lethal. Dropkick and a Vertical Suplex gets a 2 count. TK finally gets Lethal off of him on the floor and hits a Baseball Slide.
TK now takes over in the ring with some punches. TK takes some chops from Lethal, but he's able to quickly reassert control. It's all about TK O'Ryan, according to TK O'Ryan. He continues to work the crowd as he beats down on Lethal. Lethal jabs at O'Ryan, but he gets hit with a Spinebuster. 2 count. Front Chancery by O'Ryan. Lethal gets a backdrop on O'Ryan and gets a cutter on him seconds later.
Lethal starts to mount his offensive comeback on O'Ryan. Lethal Combination to O'Ryan. Spiccoli Driver by Lethal. He gets caught on the corner by O'Ryan. Lethal blocks a Superplex, sending O'Ryan to the mat. Lethal hits a superkick on O'Ryan. Figure Four Leg Lock. O'Ryan almost gets counted down, but he gets to the ropes. (That's what I love about that move: You can tap or get pinned in it.) Lethal goes for it again, but he gets rolled up instead. 2 count. Lethal Injection avoided by O'Ryan. He pummels Lethal. Roll-Ups by both men. But Lethal gets LETHAL INJECTION! 1-2-3!
Winner: Jay Lethal (STILL ROH World Champion)
Match Grade: C-. O'Ryan didn't seem to be in Lethal's league for most of this match. O'Ryan shows promise, but he's nowhere near ready to be given a world championship. So, there wasn't much excitement for this match for me. This was mostly Lethal wrestling Lethal, or at least that's how I saw the match. I'm not writing off O'Ryan yet. He can still grow into a better wrestler. But this was not a compelling match in any way.
After the match, Taven blasts Lethal with the championship and holds it up above Lethal's unconscious body. He'll see Lethal in Vegas.
7) IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships
Evil and Sanada (c) vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (w/ Jado)
The bell rings. Tonga and EVIL start the match. Both tease hitting their finisher. Evil gets a shoulder tackle on Tonga. Big dropkick by Tonga moments later. Evil gets beaten up by The G.O.D. with frequent tags and double team attacks. Evil continues to be beaten down by the heels for a good 3 minutes of the match. Evil finally gets the tag to Sanada. Paradise Lock is executed to Loa. Jado swings the Kendo Stick at Sanada. Sanada dives out on Jado and rolls back in to kick Loa out of the Paradise Lock. Loa and Sanada trade moves back and forth, but Sanada gets sent into the Kendo Stick attack by Jado. The referee "sees nothing." (Though the announcers put over the fact that you can hear it clearly.) Sanada is brought out into the crowd and is thrown into the concrete walls of the building. Tonga beats down on Sanada repeatedly and throws him into a barricade in the crowd. Meanwhile, Loa is beating down on EVIL on the other side of the building. Evil goes face first into the side of the building. The count is on. Tonga almost stops Sanada from rolling in, but he gets in at 19.
The G.O.D. continue to beat up Sanada. Double Dropkicks by the brothers. 2 count. Sanada jumps up, but Tonga goes after the calf muscles coming down. (It looked like a flub to me, but it was so quick that it could be missed.) Dragon Screw by Sanada to Loa, but Tonga takes Evil out of the corner in order to prevent the tag. Double Dropkick by Sanada to G.O.D. Tag to EVIL! Evil goes after G.O.D. beating them both down. Bulldog/Clothesline by Evil. Fisherman Buster by Evil. 2 count only. Loa gets the advantage and puts Evil on the corner. They fight back and forth on the corner until Loa hits a Superplex on Evil. Evil kicks out of a pin attempt at 2. Misdirection Clothesline by Evil.
Tags to Sanada and Tonga. Double Leap Frog and a Dropkick by Sanada. Skull End is reversed into the Tongan Twist. All four men start going at it in the ring. Loa gets clotheslined to the floor by Evil. They signal for the end. Magic Killer is reversed into a DDT by Tonga. Skull End is countered. Gun Stun is countered into Skull End. It is locked in by Sanada. Sanada lets go and goes for the Muta Moonsault. It misses! Loa crawls in the ring. Evil and Sanada double-team Loa with a lot of strikes and a German Suplex by Evil. Magic Killer again is avoided by G.O.D. Sanada gets kicked into the referee, who goes to the floor. Magic Killer is stopped by a German Suplex to Sanada by Tonga. Guerrilla Warfare on Evil. Sanada gets the Elevated Gun Stun!!! Stinger Splash to Sanada. Super Powerbomb OFF THE CORNER!!!! 1-2-3!!!! WE HAVE NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B+. A very good match here between two great teams. G.O.D. are vastly underrated as a tag team in professional wrestling today, and they deserve more attention. They have gelled into a great tag team over the last couple years. Evil and Sanada are another great tag team, but they are, in all honesty, two singles wrestlers who just happen to make a good tag team. Personally, I hope this leads to Evil and Sanada branching out to greater success as singles wrestlers. Then again, I've had this same hope for almost 2 years now. So, I won't get my hopes up.
MAIN EVENT
ROH World Tag Team Championships
The Briscoes (c) vs. LifeBlood (Juice Robinson and David Finlay)
(Chris Charlton says on commentary that the IWGP Tag Team Title change might be the first one at Korakuen Hall since 1987. Wow!)
The bell rings. And it is Juice and Mark Briscoe starting off the match. Mark and Juice exchange pops getting louder and louder with each one until Mark uses the knee on Juice. Juice gets dumped on the floor and beaten up by Jay Briscoe. Cactus Jack Elbow off the apron by Mark. Back in the ring, Jay gets the tag from Mark. The beating of Juice continues. Frequent tags by The Briscoes to continue the beat down. (As Gorilla Monsoon might say, they are "tag team specialists.") Juice starts fighting back, but he runs into a dropkick by Jay. Again, another tag to Mark Briscoe. Mark beats down on Juice for another minute, but Juice is able to clothesline Mark down.
Tag to Finlay. Those Finlays love to fight, and this one is no different. Finlay beats down on The Briscoes and nails a back elbow off the corner on Mark for a 2 count. Jay gets a blind tag and hits a big boot on Finlay. A CORKSCREW SENTON OFF THE TOP CORNER BY MARK BRISCOE TO FINLAY AND JUICE ON THE FLOOR!!!! WOW! Jay hits a Face First Sit-Down Suplex on Finlay for a 2. The Briscoes continues the beating on Finlay. Juice breaks up a pin attempt on Finlay to save the match.
Eventually, Mark and Juice get the tags for their team. Juice rams into both Briscoes with clotheslines and CANNONBALLS!!!!!! Airplane Spin by Juice followed by the Gutbuster (Juice Box). 1-2-Kickout. Jay comes in and helps Mark get back into the match. Mark flips Juice off the corner and sits down on the move. 2 count only. Tag to Jay Briscoe. He goes for Jay Driller. SNAP Death Valley Driver by Jay Briscoe. 2 count. Jay superkicks the hell out of Juice. Mark tags in. Double Flapjack by LifeBlood. Double Cannonballs off the aprons onto The Briscoes on the floor!!!! Stereo Cannonballs now into the barricade by Lifeblood!!!! Mark and Juice are the legal men. SUPERPLEX BY FINLAY! HEADBUTT OFF THE TOP BY JUICE! 1-2-Kickout! Tag to Finlay. Double-Team is stopped by Jay Briscoe. Juice is dumped to the floor. SUPERPLEX TO FINLAY! FROGGY BOW!!!! 1-2-KICKOUT!
Tag to Jay Briscoe. Doomsday Device misses as Finlay rolls through! 1-2-KICKOUT! Spear by Finlay to Mark. Urinage/Backbreaker by Finlay. Razor's Edge with an Elbow Off The Top by Finlay gets a 2 count. Finlay tells the referee that his shoulder is out. (It looks like a legit injury.) Juice gets sent to the rail below, and Froggy Bow to the gut ends this.
Winners: The Briscoes (STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions)
Match Grade: B. Another very good match here on this show with an unfortunate ending. Hate to see Finlay get injured like that, especially since it looked like he was building up some steam in ROH and in New Japan. Meanwhile, all four men did a great job in this match and told a great story. The Briscoes are truly one of the best things about Ring of Honor at this point, and their forays on New Japan TV continue to prove that their style of wrestling translates worldwide.
Jay Briscoe gets on the mic. (Oh boy.) He puts over his team as the best team on the planet. He talks about what happened in the previous match (The G.O.D. winning the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships). THE BRISCOES CHALLENGE G.O.D. FOR A TITLE FOR TITLE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN AT THE G1 SUPERCARD! The G.O.D. come out. They put over their 5th time winning the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Loa formally accepts their challenge for his team! April 6th has one great match already signed up.
Show Grade: B. I don't know if I enjoyed this as much as I did the previous show, but this was still another really good show that should help hype the G1 Supercard show. A lot of breadcrumbs were laid down for the show, including the big angle at the end of this particular show. The comedy match on this show was a welcome breath of fresh air on the show and worked well. I do feel that the ROH World Championship match was a bit of a let-down and was perhaps the worst match on the card. But the rest of the show delivered more or less. Overall, Honor Rising provided almost 6 hours of great entertainment and is worth the time if you are a fan of either NJPW or ROH.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. Spread some awesomeness.
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