Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino welcome us to the show and hype the main event.
Colin Delaney vs Mark Briscoe
After a bit of back-and-forth action, Briscoe gets the advantage with a powerbomb, which sends Delaney to the outside. Briscoe connects with a diving baseball slide and a suplex on the ring frame. Delaney fights back with a diving kick and a neckbreaker for a two count. Briscoe counters out of a suplex attempt and responds with some redneck kung fu. He climbs to the top and connects with the Froggy Bow to pick up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Mark Briscoe
ROHWorld.com’s Thoughts: Yes, it’s that Colin Delaney. This is the first time I’ve seen him since the WWECW days, and I was really impressed by what I saw. He’s gotten in a lot better shape and he has a pretty good luck. Most importantly, he looked pretty decent in the ring. Mark Briscoe was his usual entertaining self and this was a good win for him heading into “Best in the World.” It wasn’t much more than a squash but it was effective.
Nigel McGuinness is in the ring with Jay and Mark Briscoe and announces it’s brother vs brother for the title at “Best in the World.” This brings the American Wolves to the ring. Davey Richards says it will be brother vs brother: Eddie Edwards vs Richards. He says he and Edwards made “Best in the World” famous. Corino cuts them off and says it’s ridiculous. He says McGuinness had the chance to right a wrong after “Border Wars.” He says whoever is the champion after “Best in the World” will have to defend the belt against Matt Hardy. Jay tries to punch Corino, but he ducks and Jay hits Richards. The Briscoes and the Wolves brawl before officials break them up. Michael Elgin makes his way down the ramp and watches from ringside.
Veda Scott is backstage and says MsChif tried to blind her. Scott says she has nothing to lose and says she will never stop fighting. She asks McGuinness for a match against MsChif.
Cherry Bomb vs MsChif
MsChif immediately unloads a series of chops, but Bomb uses her speed to keep a couple of quick pin attempts. MsChif connects with several short-arm clotheslines. MsChif drives Bomb face-first into the mat and gets a two count. Bomb fights back and locks in the Cattle Mutilation but MsChif reaches the ropes. She misses a charge into the corner and MsChif responds with a running knee strike. She clubs Bomb and Veda Scott distracts MsChif. This allows Bomb to hit a missile dropkick and her finishing move to pick up the upset victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Cherry Bomb
ROHWorld.com’s Thoughts: This match went about seven minutes, which was about four minutes too long. The action was brutally boring when MsChif was in control and just plodded along. It did pick up when Cherry Bomb was on offense, but that was only in short spurts. At least the Women of Honor are getting a proper feud and I’m excited to see what Veda Scott is capable of in the ring.
It’s now time for Inside ROH. ACH talks about wrestling his hero Jay Lethal June 1 in San Antonio. Kevin Steen cuts off Nigel McGuinness and asks McGuinness when he’s getting his rematch. McGuinness says he’s not entirely sure if Steen’s head is in the right place. Steen tells McGuinness to give him every single S.C.U.M. member one-on-one and he’ll prove he’s worth getting a rematch.
Roderick Strong says Taiji Ishimori is just the challenge he’s been looking for. He says despite facing each other many times in Japan, it’s the first time Ishimori has faced Mr. ROH in an ROH ring.
Roderick Strong vs Taiji Ishimori
Ishimori sends Strong to the outside with a dropkick and tries a baseball slide, but Strong is able to avoid it. Ishimori tries to go to the top but Strong pulls him back down and hits a backbreaker on the apron as the show goes to commercial.
Back from the break, and Strong is still in control using backbreakers. Strong ties Ishimori up in the corner and connects with a spear for a two count. Ishimori tries to fight back but Strong answers with a series of backbreakers, which gets him a near fall. Ishimori puts Strong down when he goes for a powerbomb and a handspring enziguri sends Strong to the outside. He’s successful with a huge dive over the top rope. Back in the ring, Ishimori connects with a nice double stomp for a two count. Strong lands another innovative backbreaker to regain control of the match. Strong counters another handspring attack attempt into a backbreaker and locks in the Strong Hold but Ishimori reaches the ropes. Ishimori catches Strong in a Death Valley Driver for two count and gains the advantage in the match. He hits a sick looking Shining Wizard but Strong is able to kick out. He goes up top for the 450 but Strong moves out of the way. Strong goes for the Gibson Driver but Ishimori counters out of it with an awesome looking hurricarana! They slug it out in the middle of the ring. Ishimori counters out of the suplex into the double knees and unloads a series of kicks. He once again climbs to the top and Strong cuts him off. Ishimori drops Strong across the top, which allows him to hit the 450 to pick up the pin.
Winner by Pinfall: Taiji Ishimori
ROHWorld.com’s Thoughts: This match took a little bit to get going, but once the action picked up, it turned into an awesome match. This was a great match and a fantastic main event. Taiji Ishimori is so much fun to watch and I hope ROH continues to bring in foreign talent to help fill out the shows and deliver great matches. This match is definitely worth going out of your way to see.