ROH Episode #397 Review

Finally, ROH is moving on to the fallout from G1 Supercard of Honor.  Matt Taven’s victory and ROH World Championship have barely been addressed since Madison Square Garden.   Silas Young and Jonathan Gresham continue their feud this week.  The Briscoes fight two CMLL superstars.  Finally, LifeBlood address Bully Ray.

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Quick Results:

Flip Gordon is named the Number 1 Contender for Matt Taven’s ROH Championship

Silas Young defeated Jonathan Gresham

The Briscoes defeat Caristico and Soberano Jr.

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Matt Taven Claims His Crown

Matt Taven comes down to the ring to address the crowd wearing his ROH World Title.  He goes through the list of things he’s accomplished over the last year.  His accomplishments include winning the 6-Man Titles and the NWA Welterweight Title in CMLL.  He also referenced pinning Jay Lethal, which wasn’t recognized by the ref.  However, Taven’s glad the way things have worked out.  The turn of events allowed him to claim the title at the biggest ROH show in history and cemented his legacy.  Finall, he tells anyone who wants a title shot, they are going to have to earn it.

Flip Gordon comes out.  Gordon reminds Taven of his Sea of Honor Tournament Victory.  However, Taven  says that’s not in the same league as winning a triple threat ladder match at MSG.  Flip tells Taven he’s earned it. His knee is 100% and ROH officials agree.  He is the new number one contender.  The match will take place in 3 weeks on ROH’s 400th Episode.

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Silas Young vs Jonathan Gresham

ROH runs a video package of the Gresham/Young feud.  A few weeks ago, Gresham almost beat Young. However, Young hit a low blow on the ref and was able to pick up a cheap win.  Since then, Young promised to beat Gresham with a wrestling move.  Tonight is his chance.

Early on, Young matched Gresham move for move.  Actually, he outshined Gresham.  Young offered Gresham his wrist twice, but Young was able to counter.  Eventually, Gresham gave Young his wrist.  Young heeled it up here.  He hit Gresham in the back of the head.  After some back and forth, Young rolls out of the ring.  He grabs a chair and the bell hammer.  After the ref removes the chair, Young hits Gresham with the Hammer.  Young puts a knocked out Gresham in the abdominal stretch.  The ref has no choice but award the match to Young.

This was a pretty solid match, but we’ve see our fair share of Young and Gresham.  I think it might be time to move on.  Although, I’m sure there’s one more match coming.  Gresham needs to get the victory here.

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The Briscoes vs. Soberano Jr. and Caristico

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This match had everything you’d expect with these 4 men.  Early on, the luchadors gained the advantage with high flying, lucha moves.  Eventually, the Briscoes manned up and took control.  They worked over Caristico.  Soberano Jr. got the hot tag and took out both men.  He scored a near fall on Mark Briscoe, but Jay made the save.

Soberano Jr. kicked out of a death valley driver.  However, a Jay driller and Froggy Bow, put the young, high flyer away.  The Briscoes gain back some steam after getting disqualified at the Crockett Cup. The tag team scene in ROH is in flux.

The titles are on the Guerillas of Destiny.  We’ve got The Briscoes, LifeBlood, The Kingdom, and Villain Enterprises.  One of these teams is going to have to get those titles back.  In a recent interview, Billy Corgan stated he plans to expand the relationship between the NWA and ROH.  Might we see some of those NWA faces in ROH?  Jax Dane, Crimson, Royce and Lattimer might be welcome additions to the ROH Tag scene.

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Final Take

This week gets a 3 out of 5. The two matches were solid.  LifeBlood calls out Bully Ray.  Gordon challenges Taven.  Neither of the matches were homeruns, but compared to some of the other wrestling shows this week, ROH pulled out a solid TV show.  The CMLL stars add a nice pop of excitement to the show.  Young is a true heel in every sense of the word.

We finally had the first glimpse of Taven as champ on the weekly show.  I thought he had a really good promo.  Flip is a good challenger for him.  Flip’s not ready to be champ.  It won’t be his last shot.  It will be a good title win for Taven.  He’ll be facing a guy who’s over with crowd, but not someone who the crowd will be devastated when Flip loses.  I’m not sure who will be the next challenger after Flip.  Will Lethal get a rematch?  Does Rush step up?  Does ROH go all in on Bandido?  I don’t know that Taven will be a long term champ, but getting victories over guys like Flip will help elevate him and the title.  I’m interested to see where the run takes him.

• Briscoes
• flip gordon
• ROH
• Matt Taven

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