June 4, 2017
Episode 297
(taped May 14, 2017)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Venue: 2300 Arena
Tour: War of the Worlds
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana
Ring Announcer: Bobby Cruise
Intro Video
“War Zone” by 615 Music
Match 1
Will Ferrara & Cheeseburger vs War Machine (IWGP Tag Champs)
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Raymond Rowe pins Cheeseburger after a pop-up powerslam
Time: 4:14
Match Thoughts
This was a very fun match. Cheeseburger and Ferrara had a surprising amount of offense, mostly from using War Machine’s size and momentum against themselves. Cheeseburger also had a great moment where he managed to survive an all out assault by both members of War Machine. This was a great opening match for TV.
Ring Area
After the match, Rowe says that Philadelphia is an important town for War Machine. War Machine formed in Philadelphia, and they became ROH Tag Champs in the 2300 Arena. Now they want the ROH titles back, so Rowe issues a challenge to The Young Bucks.
Video
Clips of Cody making the case that he had Jay Lethal pinned at the War of the Worlds triple threat title match.
Backstage
Christopher Daniels says that he will end the nightmare that is Cody Rhodes in their title match at Best in the World.
Match 2
BUSHI & SANADA & EVIL (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Champs) & Tetsuya Naito (IWGP IC Champ) vs The Briscoes & Bully Ray (ROH 6-Man Tag Champs) & Dalton Castle w/ The Boys
(referee: Tiger Hattori; guest commentary: Kevin Kelly)
Result: Tetsuya Naito pins Jay Briscoe after white mist from BUSHI
Time: 7:19 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was a very fun match. It was mostly a bunch of comedy with some brawling thrown in, but it was highly entertaining. Naito and Bully Ray carried this match with their interactions.
Ring Area
After the match, the Briscoes and Bully Ray are mad at Dalton Castle and The Boys.
Backstage
Hangman Page says that people are lined up for Adam Cole’s “swan song.” Kenny Omega kicked Cole out of Bullet Club, and tonight Page will kick Cole out of Ring of Honor.
Video
A promo for Punishment Martinez.
Backstage
Jay Lethal says his story with Silas Young is far from over. He has a tag match teaming with Bobby Fish against Young and the Beer City Bruiser, but he warns Fish to stay away from Young. Lethal wants Young all to himself.
Video
Roppongi Vice has a problem with The Young Bucks and Hangman Page. Rocky Romero wants a handicap match, but Trent Barreta has a guy. Then they open a door and get a pair of superkicks from the Bucks and some stomps from Page.
Match 3
Hangman Page vs Adam Cole
(referee: Todd Sinclair; guest commentary: Kevin Kelly)
Result: Hangman Page wins via pinfall after two Rites of Passage
Time: 11:37 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Very good match. Both guys went all out in this match, and both guys hit and received numerous bug moves. This really did feel like a grudge match with both guys wanting to hurt each other. I think this match did a lot to improve Page’s status.
Ring Area
After the match, Page takes Todd Sinclair’s belt and whips Adam Cole with it. He gets a few strikes in before Kazarian runs to the ring and chases Page away.
Show Impressions
This was a very good show. Two fun matches and one very competitive match. I think this was one of the better shows in a while.
Match of the Night
Hangman Page vs Adam Cole
All of the matches were good, but this was the most serious.