May 28, 2017
Episode 296
(taped May 14, 2017)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Venue: 2300 Arena
Tour: War of the Worlds
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana
Ring Announcer: Bobby Cruise
Video
Clips of Adam Cole getting fired from Bullet Club and replaced by Marty Scurll.
Intro Video
“War Zone” by 615 Music
Ring Area
The Young Bucks and Hangman Page head to the ring. Matt Jackson says Bullet Club has entered a new era. He then introduces the newest member of the Bullet Club, Marty Scurll. Scurll is happy about causing a “spot of bother” in New York. As a celebration Scurll would like to have a tea party. He calls for people to bring some English tea to the ring, but instead he gets Adam Cole coming out to the stage.
Cole explains why kicking him out of Bullet Club was a moronic idea. For one thing, Bullet Club has made an enemy. Hangman Page gets on the mic and says he’ll run Cole out of ROH. Cole assumes that means Page wants a match, so he accepts the challenge.
Video
Clips of Josh Woods getting attacked by David Starr.
Match 1
David Starr vs Josh “The Goods” Woods
(referee: Mike Posey)
Result: Josh Woods wins via submission with a knee bar
Time: 4:36
Match Thoughts
This was pretty good. I like the matchup. Starr is quick and fights like a jerk, and Woods is kind of slow but he goes for a lot of good submissions. The match was a little short and seemed like they could both use some more time in the ring together, but I think they could put on a really good match if they got more familiar with each other.
Video
A promo package for Punishment Martinez.
Ring Area
Silas Young and the Beer City Bruiser head to the ring. Young doesn’t understand why Jay Lethal is loved by so many people. What makes Lethal better than Young? He then accuses Lethal of being the victim after Young attacked him.
Jay Lethal comes out and heads to the ring. Young and the Bruiser exit the ring as Lethal enters it. Lethal says they don’t talk about problems in ROH, they settle them in the ring. Lethal wants a fight with Young right now, but Young doesn’t give him what he wants. Instead, tonight Lethal will get the Bruiser.
Match 2
Beer City Bruiser w/ Silas Young vs Jay Lethal
(referee: Todd Sinclair; guest commentary: Silas Young)
Result:Jay Lethal wins via DQ after Lethal and Young fight at ringside
Time: 5:21 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
A pretty good match. The first part was a slug fest mostly at ringside, then Lethal started to take over in the ring. The match was cut short when Lethal attacked Silas Young at the announce table though. This was heading to being a surprisingly good match before that happened though.
Ring Area
After the match, Young and the Bruiser both attack Lethal. Bobby Fish then runs to the ring with a chair to even the odds. Young and the Bruiser leave the ring as Fish enters and back away down the ramp.
Video
Clips of the triple threat World Title match at War of the Worlds.
Ring Area
Cody heads to the ring. He gets on the mic and says that tonight should have been different. Everyone should be looking at Cody the new World Champ right now. He blames the higher ups in Ring of Honor for not wanting a free agent as their World Champ. As a “witness,” Cody calls out Colt Cabana. He has Cabana repeat something he said on commentary, that Cody had Lethal “flat on his back” during the match. Therefore, Cody says he actually pinned Jay Lethal in the title match.
Match 3
Cody vs Frankie Kazarian
(referee: Paul Turner; guest commentary: Kevin Kelly)
Result: Cody wins via pinfall after Cross Rhodes
Time: 9:38 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Kaz started off strong, but the match quickly evened out. Cody seemed to get a slight advantage after a while, but the match could have gone either way up until the end.
Ring Area
After the match, Hangman Page heads to the ring. He congratulates Cody then starts to attack Kaz. Christopher Daniels runs to the ring to stop the attack before it happens. Cody and Page leave the ring area.
Show Impressions
This was a pretty good show. It had some decent story line buildup and the main event was good. The Lethal/Young thing was mostly all about story, but it was well done.
Match of the Night
Cody vs Frankie Kazarian
This kind of felt like a must-win for both guys, and they fought like they both needed it.