Kevin Kelly welcomes us to the show and hypes the main event of ROH World TV Champion Matt Taven defending against ACH.
Kevin Steen makes his way to the ring without the championship belt for the first time in almost a year as streamers rain down on him and fans chant “Thank you Kevin.” Before he can say a word, Steve Corino makes his way through the crowd saying he understands losing the belt was a big hit to Steen’s ego, but the mission to kill ROH is still in tact. Steen says the mission used to make sense, but the company is just fine the way it is now that Jim Cornette is gone. He says the only mission he has is earn another shot at the ROH World Title. Jimmy Jacobs, Cliff Compton, Rhett Titus, Matt Hardy and Rhino surround the ring. Corino says S.C.U.M. needs the title, but maybe not on Steen and the focus should change to someone else. Steen says he would follow Corino’s plan through anything, except for bringing in Matt Hardy. Corino says their not on the same page anymore and they should go their separate ways as S.C.U.M. enters the ring. Steen says they’re about to start something they’re all going to regret. Steen goes after Hardy, but the rest of S.C.U.M. easily overpowers him until security pulls the group off. S.C.U.M. backs off ans allows Hardy to his the Twist of Fate on Steen.
Roderick Strong vs. Mike Bennett w/ Brutal Bob
It’s good to see Mike Bennett back, but where’s Maria? Mike Mondo is on commentary and wants to know the same thing, but it’s far creepier when he wants to know.
Strong gets a boot up when Bennett tries to charge him in the corner and hits a dropkick for a quick two count. They go to the outside and Bennett throws Strong into the barricade. Bennett gets Strong back in the ring and delivers a nice spinebuster. Strong fights back with a series of chops and a leg lariat. Strong sends The Prodigy to the floor and hits a dropkick between the ropes. Bennett throws Strong into Mondo, which causes Mondo to get up from the commentary table. Bennett tries to spear Strong, but he sidesteps and Bennett spears Mondo into the barricade. This allows Strong to hit a backbreaker on the ring apron to gain control of the match. Bennett answers back with a spear but Strong is able to kick out at two. Brutal Bob gets on the apron, but Mondo stops him from interfering. Mondo jumps on the apron and rings Bennett’s throat on the top rope, which allows Strong to hit his finisher for the pinfall.
Winner by Pinfall: Roderick Strong
ROHWorld.com’s Thoughts: This was kind of disappointing to be honest. I’m a big fan of both of these wrestlers, but there was an odd dynamic. They can’t seem to figure out whether Strong is a face or a heel or what they want to do with Bennett. This never got out of the first gear as it seemed to be mostly about advancing Mondo’s feud with both wrestlers. It wasn’t a horrible match, but it’s not anything worth watching.
Jorge Santi vs. Tadarius Thomas
Santi ties a hurricarana, but Thomas lands on his feet. Thomas attempts a monkey flip, but Santi is able to land on his feet. They both try different strikes and neither can get the upper hand, but S.C.U.M. hits the ring and beats down both wrestlers. Rhino gores Santi to the delight of the crowd.
No Contest
Corino says he wanted to make it perfectly clear doesn’t take S.C.U.M. away from its focus. He says they just destroyed Steen and you’ll probably never see his face again. Nigel McGuinness comes out and says S.C.U.M. is dissolving. Corino says their stronger than ever and that he’s the voice of reason. McGuinness brings out Jay Lethal and Michael Elgin and tells S.C.U.M. to get out of the ring. Corino says he’s spreading his words of wisdom and that’s why his spiritual son will be the next and final ROH World Champion. McGuinness says none of them deserve a shot. Corino says he’ll leave ROH but McGuinness has to give S.C.U.M. one shot. He says McGuinness is a bitter man. McGuiness says he has his match. At Border Wars, it’s Michael Elgin and Jay Lethal versus any two members of S.C.U.M. If S.C.U.M. wins, they get an ROH World Title shot, but if they lose, Corino is gone forever. Corino says no deal, but says he’ll agree if he also gets a spot on commentary if S.C.U.M. wins. McGuinness, Elgin and Lethal get in the ring and McGuinness says he’ll see Corino at Border Wars, but Corino says he’ll see them next week.
It’s now time for Inside ROH. ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe asks Adam Cole who the hell he thinks he is. ACH says history will repeat itself when he beats Matt Taven. He says always count on heart. Mark Briscoe says he would rather face ACH because Matt Taven probably has some kind of disease from hanging out with Truth Martini. He says he already caught one from a tractor a few years ago, but don’t worry about that.
ROH World Television Champioship
Matt Taven (c) w/ Truth Martini & Scarlett vs. ACH
Mark Briscoe on commentary, which makes this match even better. Briscoe says he doesn’t like that the majority of the belt is in Taven’s crotch area. ACH sends Taven to the apron and sticks him between the second and third ropes and hits a nice dropkick. ACH sends Taven to the floor and connects with the Air Jordn as the show goes to commercial.
Back from the break and Taven misses a corkscrew lionsault. ACH sends Taven to the outside again and hits a crazy suicide dive. He climbs to the top rope and hits a crossbody for a two count. ACH tries to hit the ropes but Martini pulls the rope down. ACH goes after Martini, which gives Taven the opportunity to connect with a dropkick. Taven hits a nasty looking apron-assisted spinning neckbreaker. ACH gets back in the ring moments before the referee gets to 20. ACH goes for his finisher, but Taven counters out of his and hits the snake eyes. Scarlett distracts the Todd Sinclair, which allows Martini to grab ACH’s foot. This gives Taven the opportunity to hit his modifies DDT to retain the title.
Winner by Pinfall and STILL ROH World Television Champion: Matt Taven
ROHWorld.com’s Thoughts: For the second week in a row, the main event was criminally short. This match was less than 10 minutes long. That being said. it wasn’t the best match either of the two wrestlers have put on. They seemed to just be doing a series of moves with no rhyme or reason behind them, which is something I don’t enjoy. This is another disappointing title defense for Taven, but I still think he can be a very good champion given time. At least Scarlett looked incredible at ringside.