ROH TV
Episode 470
#ROHPure
Original Air Date: September 18, 2020
Event Date: September 9, 2020
City: Baltimore, MD
Venue: UMBC Event Center (empty arena)
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman
Ring Announcer: Nick Lendl
Pure Tournament Judges: Gary Juster, Will Ferrara, Sumie Sakai
Video
Sixteen men have been entered in a tournament based on the core principles of ROH. When the smoke clears, a new champion will be crowned.
Intro Video
Video
Quinn McKay welcomes us to week two of the Pure Title tournament.
Backstage
After his match last week, Jay Lethal talks about overcoming Dalton Castle and continuing on his way to becoming the only two-time Pure Champion. He also doesn’t care who he faces next (either Rocky Romero or David Finlay).
Backstage
After his match last week, Jonathan Gresham says nothing will stop him from completing his destiny and reshaping ROH from the ground up.
Video
Quinn McKay introduces tonight’s two tournament matches.
Video
A look at David Finlay and his journey back to an ROH ring.
Video
A look at Rocky Romero and his history with ROH, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and David Finlay.
Match 1
ROH Pure Tournament Round 1 Match
Rocky Romero vs David Finlay
(referee: Joe Mandak)
Result: David Finlay wins via pinfall after a vertical drop ushi garoshi
Time: 13:02 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Great match. Romero got off to a good start and forced Finaly to use a rope break early, but Finlay quickly adjusted to the rules of the match and was more careful after that. Romero and Finlay know each other very well, and that helped make this a very entertaining back and forth battle with both guys thinking a few steps ahead. Romero seemed to have the better game plan throughout most of the match, but Finlay used his new leg submission (a modified Indian deathlock) to great effect late in the match. Romero was noticeably slowed by Finaly’s attacks, and that led to a very nice finish.
Video
A look at Matt Sydal and his mind, head, and heart game.
Video
A look at Delirious… with subtitles.
Match 2
ROH Pure Tournament Round 1 Match
Delirious vs Matt Sydal
(referee: Todd Sinclair)
Result: Matt Sydal wins via submission with a cobra clutch
Time: 9:57 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Great match. Matt Sydal wrestled with speed and agility, but Delirious’s chaotis style kept Sydal off-balance for portions of the match. It was fun watching Sydal react and adjust to whatever Delirious came up with, and after a while it seemed like Sydal was in control of the match. A few big moves from Delirious put Sydal’s control in jeopardy though, and that led to a very good finishing sequence.
Show Impressions
This was another highly entertaining night of Pure Tournament action. There’s a lot of history helping support these shorter first round matches, and that’s a great way to set up the winners with some good momentum heading into the next round and beyond.
Match of the Night
Rocky Romero vs David Finlay
I enjoyed that back and forth nature of this match a bit more than Sydal versus Delirious, but both matches were about equal in terms of quality action.