ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe provided a Cinderella story that many did not expect against Kevin Steen to pick up the ROH title. Tonight at ROH Border Wars, Briscoe defends the belt against the young gun, Adam Cole. Plus, Davey Richards takes on a returning legend in Paul London. All that and more tonight on ROH Border Wars!
We are live from Toronto, Ont. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness have the call for tonight’s proceedings.
Match One: Caprice Coleman & Cedric Alexander vs. ACH & Tadarius Thomas
Match starts with Caprice Coleman and Tadarius Thomas. The men exchange grappling ties and nearfalls, neither man able to get a definitive advantage. ACH and Cedric Alexander are brought in. The two men ducking each other while running the ropes, but ACH gets a beautiful arm drag for a nearfall.
Tadarius Thomas in. Suplex earns him a nearfall before ACH is brought back inside. Quick tags between the team of Thomas and ACH. The teams exchange flying attacks to the outside, incapacitating ACH temporarily. Coleman and Alexander now working Thomas over. Quick tags between them, isolating the now worn Thomas. Thomas thwarts a double team with some quick feet and ACH is in. Chops to the chest of Coleman, followed by a dropkick. ACH cleaning house here. Some beautiful flying maneuvers exchanged by both men. Hurricanrana from Coleman and a frog splash from Alexander.
Winners by pinfall: Caprice Cole & Cedric Alexander
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Match Two: Mike Bennett (w/Maria Kanellis) vs. Roderick Strong
Lockup leads to a stalemate to start. Roderick Strong lands his infamous chop, sending Mike Bennett to the outside to regroup. Bennett with a shoulder block. Strong lands a dropkick in return. Strong stomping Bennett down in the corner. Maria tries to get involved, but Strong scares her off. Strong with another chop and a backbreaker for a nearfall.
Bennett with a kick to the stomach, but Strong with a backslide for a nearfall. Strong Hold attempt in, but Bennett crawls to the ropes. Strong sent outside, but he chops Bennett once he meets him. Strong with a series of hard chops. Bennett with a spinebuster on the apron. In control now, Bennett starts tossing Strong around into the barricade. Action moves inside and Bennett gets another nearfall.
Chinlock in for Bennett. Bennett maintains control, but Strong gets a few clotheslines and a dropkick to turn the tide. Bennett taken up top and Strong lands a superplex for a nearfall. Spinebuster from Bennett earns yet another nearfall. The two exchanging nearfalls and momentum going back and forth like a pendulum. Cheeseburger comes out and steals a kiss from Maria, allowing for Strong to land a kick.
Winner by pinfall: Roderick Strong
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Match Three: BJ Whitmer vs. Rhett Titus
This is an “I Quit” match.
Steve Corino starts with a promo trashing BJ Whitmer.
The match starts with chops being exchanged. Rhett Titus is sent out. Suicide dive by Whitmer. Nigel McGuinness sends for some referees and Steve Corino is sent back to prevent any interference.
Action back inside. Whitmer in control, unloading chops to the chest of Titus. Titus sends Whitmer outside. Neckbreaker for Titus on the arena floor. Whitmer’s head against the ring post and Titus drives a running knee into the head.
We move back inside once again and Titus locks in the Camel Clutch. Titus with a running dropkick to Whitmer. Titus locking in a bridge neckbreaker submission, but Whitmer fights out. Titus striking Whitmer, but Whitmer comes forward and asks for more. Whitmer strikes with the right hand and lands a suplex. Titus with some dirty tactics to put Whitmer down.
Titus gets some zip-ties. Titus looking to lock Whitmer to the top rope, but Whitmer hits a big boot to put Titus down. Whitmer now holds the zip-ties and locks the right hand of Titus on the rope. He gets the second tie and throw right hand after right hand after right hand. Titus refusing to quit, spitting in the face of Whitmer. Whitmer gets the chair and Corino rushes out. Corino kneels down, sacrificing himself to save Titus. Titus quits to prevent the beating.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Post-match, Jimmy Jacobs and Cliff Compton of S.C.U.M. come out to attack Whitmer. Michael Elgin and Jay Lethal make the save and it looks like the next match has started.
Match Four: Michael Elgin & Jay Lethal vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Cliff Compton of S.C.U.M.
Brawl to unofficially start, with Jay Lethal and Michael Elgin taking charge. Elgin ragdolling Compton, while Lethal goes against Jimmy Jacobs. Jacobs tossed into the barricade by the bigger Elgin. Compton gets the same from Lethal. Elgin with a big boot that sends Compton into the crowd.
The match moves into the ring and Lethal and Jacobs are matched up. Jacobs in control of Lethal in the corner, but Lethal with chops in the corner. Elgin in and he holds a long delayed vertical suplex. Elgin gets a nearfall.
Lethal in and the two double-team Jacobs for a nearfall. Cliff Compton in, but Jay Lethal hits him with a springboard back elbow for a nearfall before bringing Elgin in. Elgin picks up Compton and he gets the same delayed vertical suplex on Compton. Jacobs tries to end this, but Lethal picks him up for a vertical suplex as well. Elbow drop from Elgin gets a nearfall.
Cliff Compton in control on Jay Lethal, but Michael Elgin comes in. Lethal tries a suicide dive on Jacobs, but he injures his knee in the process. Elgin and Compton in the ring together and Elgin with a tilt-a-whirl slam for a nearfall.
Steve Corino on the outside, asking for the match to be stopped to award his team the victory. The referees and Elgin attempting to get Lethal back into it. S.C.U.M. in the ring celebrating as Lethal is sent to the back.
Michael Elgin now battles S.C.U.M. alone. Jacobs attempts a spear, but he is caught and powerbombed onto Compton in the corner. Elgin puts one man on his shoulders and one in his arms, hitting a fallaway slam and drop for a nearfall.
Compton sends Elgin into the ring post and this changes the complexion of the match. Jacobs in and he hits a DDT on the outnumbered Elgin. Compton in and he hits a leg drop into a headscissors choke. Elgin sends Compton outside with raw power, but Jacobs in and he has a sleeper. Compton charges, but he eats a boot. Elgin still fading, but he picks up Compton for a German Suplex while falling onto Jacobs.
Kevin Steen makes his way through the crowd. He tells McGuiness to put him in and he does. Steen now tagging in. Cannonball sentons into the corner for both members of S.C.U.M. Jacobs sent into the barricade on the outside. Compton gets the same.
Action back inside and Steen hits Compton with a popup powerbomb. Steen looking for the Package Piledriver, but Jacobs with a rollup from behind.
Winners by pinfall: S.C.U.M.
Rating: 3 3/4 out of 5 stars.
QT Marshall and RD Evans come to address the crowd. The two are drowned out by boos, all the while RD Evans still rambles on.
The lights dim and Tommaso Ciampa returns. Ciampa quickly dispatches of the team, who scurry out with their tails between their legs.
Steve Corino comes out to join commentary. He says that he has a lot to do tonight and has something to unveil, but he will take his role at commentary on the next TV show.
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Taiji Ishimori kicks Eddie Edwards. |
Match Five: Taiji Ishimori vs. Eddie Edwards
Lockup and a grappling exchange leads to a stalemate. Both men reset and Eddie Edwards grabs a side headlock and a shoulder bump. Taiji Ishimori with a headscissors and he takes control by sending Edwards out. Moonsault from the top sends Edwards down to the floor.
Back inside, Ishimori grabs a nearfall. Ishimori bodydropped to the apron. He tries to attack, but leaps right into an enzuigiri from Edwards. Edwards with a corkscrew dive to the outside, sending both hard into the barricade. Edwards with a nearfall inside. Shining wizard gets Edwards another nearfall.
Edwards with a hard chop in the corner, followed by a snap suplex for a nearfall. The two exchange chops in the middle of the ring. Saito suplex attempt is flipped out of by Ishimori. He is up top, but Edwards with an enzuigiri. Chin Check jawbreaker lands for a nearfall, prompting Edwards to lock in the Achilles Lock.
Both men back up and they exchange forearms. Ishimori sent into the ropes, but he hits a springboard backflip enzuigiri. Double stomp from the top by Ishimori gets him a nearfall. Flying double knees from the top again by Ishimori gets another nearfall. Ishimori again goes for the springboard attack, but Edwards flips him into a facebuster. Hard chops in the corner from Edwards. Edwards with a fisherman’s suplex after a double knee drop for a nearfall.
Ishimori takes control back and lands a sprinting kick to the downed Edwards for a nearfall. The two men exchanging nearfalls after some brutal offense. Super kicks exchanged. Reverse hurricanrana by Ishimori, but Edwards pops back up with a strong lariat to put both men down. Both men exchange forearm after forearm. Edwards unloads with chops, but a super kick and a spinning back kick to the head by Ishimori gets a nearfall.
450 Splash attempt from Ishimori causes him to land on the knees of Eddie Edwards. Ishimori up top, but Edwards with two enzuigiris. Edwards heads up top to land a hurricanrana. Super kick from Edwards leads to a series of powerbombs that only earn him a nearfall. Die Hard Driver by Edwards.
Winner by pinfall: Eddie Edwards
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Match Six for the ROH World Telelvision Championship: Matt Taven (c)(w/Truth Martini & The Hooplah Hotties) vs. Mark Briscoe
Mark Briscoe drives Matt Taven into the corner to start. Briscoe grabbing a side headlock and firmly in control. Taven moves to the outside to try to stifle the momentum of Briscoe.
Back inside, lockup leads to Taven slapping Briscoe across the face. Briscoe snaps with strikes and brutal chops. Taven using some flying defense, but Briscoe clubs him in the face with forearms. Briscoe with a mule kick to send Traven hard into the corner. Belly-to-belly lands for Briscoe.
Traven moves outside, but Briscoe follows with a missile kick to send him into the barricade. Traven sent into the barricade. Briscoe with a suplex onto the apron. Traven tries to get back in the ring, but Briscoe again with a dropkick. Saito Suplex onto the apron by Briscoe. He heads up top, but a distraction leads to Truth Martini sending Briscoe ricocheting of the ropes.
We again move inside. Traven in control, landing a Divorce Court for a nearfall. Traven locking on Briscoe, but Briscoe escapes to go off the ropes. Traven plans him with a spinning kick. Briscoe regaining control with his signature Redneck Kung Fu. Martini cracks Briscoe with the Book of Truth to earn Traven a nearfall.
Vertical suplex from Taven. Mark Briscoe up top with a flying chop and more chops. Kick from Briscoe. Fisherman’s suplex into the corner for Briscoe gets a nearfall. Side slam sends Briscoe up top, but he misses the maneuver. Taven with the rolling neckbreaker that earns another nearfall.
Taven with a scoop slam and he goes up top, but Briscoe meets him in time. Briscoe earns a powerbomb nearfall. Briscoe has him up, but Taven slips out. Taven slips on the ropes trying to do something flashy and Briscoe powerbombs him. Martini’s Hooplah Hotties up on the apron and begin a makeout session to distract Briscoe. Briscoe scares them off, but it allows Taven to rollup Briscoe.
Winner by pinfall and still ROH World Television Champion: Matt Taven
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
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Davey Richards wraps up Paul London. |
Match Seven: Paul London vs. Davey Richards
Match starts with some submission grappling. Paul London grabs wristlocks to get the first effective hold. Davey Richards turns it into a straitjacket choke. London turns it into his own. Richards gets a headscissors choke, but London scoots out and taunts Richards. The two men again with a beautiful exchange of holds that leads to a London nearfall. Many more pinning predicaments lead to a reset from both men.
Dropkick from London sends Richards outside. Richards takes his time getting back in. London getting struck, but he is sent to the apron. He lands a hurricanrana. Richards catches London on the float over and sends him outside on top of a photographer. Running boot from Richards on the apron.
We go back inside where Richards works a few kicks. Inverted atomic drop and standing hurricanrana from London. London looking for a flip in the corner, but Richards puts him down with an enzuigiri. Snapmare into an Indian Deathlock from Richards. Richards with a kick and working London in the corner. Running dropkick and flip dive from London to the outside. Rolling sunset flip from London for a nearfall.
Standing shooting star press from London earns another nearfall. Richards with a kick, but London moves to the apron and lands a double stomp from the top for a nearfall. Arm drags by Richards. Kick and a German Suplex by Richards earns another nearfall.
More back and forth from the men leads to the action moving outside. London brings Richards into a piledriver, but Richards turns it around and spikes London with a piledriver on the floor. London trying to make the count and barely makes it.
Richards with a running dropkick. He heads up top as London is draped across the apron. Flying stomp to the face of London. London looks out of it and the referee allows it to continue. Richards puts London in the corner and puts him up top. Richards puts London on his shoulders on the top, but London rolls through for a powerbomb. Shooting Star Press lands on the knees of Richards, allowing the jackknife cover from Richards.
Winner by pinfall: Davey Richards
Rating: 3 3/4 stars out of 5.
Post-match, Richards thanks London for his contributions to the company and encourages the fans to give him a hand. London thanks Richards for the match.
Match Eight for the ROH World Championship: Jay Briscoe (c) vs. Adam Cole
Lockups to start, but neither man gaining an advantage. Jay Briscoe with a drop toehold into a front headlock, but Adam Cole counters out into a side headlock. Now Briscoe gets a side headlock. Shoulder bump from Briscoe sends Cole outside.
Cole returns to the ring and gets a drop toehold. Cole snatches the front headlock, but Briscoe moves to the ropes. Cole with a cheap shot attempt off the break. Briscoe working Cole over in the corner and the men begin to exchange heavy strikes. Back elbow from Briscoe earns a nearfall.
Uppercut from Briscoe and he stomps Cole into the ground in the corner. Briscoe put on the apron and Cole with an enzuigiri. Suicide dive to Briscoe on the outside. Back inside, Cole up top and lands a crossbody for a nearfall.
Snapmare from Cole and knees to the back by Cole. Dropkick from the challenger. Cole in control with forearms in the corner. Sleeper is locked in for Cole. Briscoe spikes Cole into the ground. Scoop slam and leg drop from Briscoe earns a nearfall.
Briscoe maintaining control, landing a suplex after some work in the corner. Camel Clutch variation from Briscoe in. Back and forth from the two leads to a Falcon Arrow from Briscoe for a close nearfall.
Briscoe going for a Jay Driller, but his knee gives out after the work Cole has put in on it in this match. Shoulderbreaker from Cole earns him a nearfall. Both men move to the apron and Cole tries a boot, but Briscoe nails a Death Valley Driver onto the apron.
Both men move inside. Big boot from Briscoe leads to a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Briscoe looking for the finish, but Cole drops down and locks in the Figure Four Leglock. Briscoe struggling to fight off the hold. Inching towards the ropes and he gets them. Briscoe put up top and Cole gets his back. Elbow sends Cole back down, but he gets back up and nails a German Suplex. Superkick to the face, then to the back of the head. Florida Key earns a nearfall for Cole.
Figure Four in once again for London. Briscoe struggling to fight it off, but he kicks Cole off right into the referee. Steve Corino up top and he throws Cole a S.C.U.M. shirt. Nigel McGuiness again off of commentary and he hits the Tower of London on Corino. Jay Driller on Adam Cole as action refocuses back on the ring.
Winner by pinfall and still ROH World Heavyweight Champion: Jay Briscoe
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Post-match, Cole looks for a sneak attack, but moves out of the ring after thinking better of it. Show closes with Briscoe celebrating his defense.
Event Rating: 3 1/4 out of 5 stars.
- Nolan Howell can be reached at nth993@gmail.com for any questions or comments. Click here to follow Nolan on Twitter.
