ROH TV Report
March 15, 2014
Taped in Philadelphia, Pa.
Report by Mike Metzger, PWTorch VIP Member

The ROH TV opening aired.

Tonight: Tommaso Ciampa defends his TV title against Jay Lethal!

1 - “THE BENCHMARK” BILL DALY & WILL FERRARA vs. HANSON & RAYMOND ROWE

Team Benchmark came out to the ring holding up a sign with various sponsors listed on it. Hanson and Rowe fought each other in the finals of the ROH Top Prospect tournament, but the announcers pointed out that they have found a collective bond and will team together tonight. You may remember “The Benchmark” Bill Daly from the Top Prospect tournament as well - he was the guy who cut a promo claiming that he had an ankle injury and could not compete back in January on ROH TV. Hanson and Rowe extended their hands for the Code of Honor, but Team Benchmark refused.

It looked like Hanson and Daly were going to start off, but the much smaller Ferrara blind tagged himself into the match. Hanson man-handled Ferrara early on with a slam and then tagged in Rowe. Hanson and Rowe delivered a double-shoulderblock to Ferrera. Rowe continued to dominate Ferrara with some chops. The Top Prospect finalists continued to show their cohesion as a team when Rowe whipped Ferrara into his partner’s waiting knee, followed by a huge back suplex by Hanson!

Hanson got a nearfall, but Ferrara was able to rake him in the eyes and then tag in “The Benchmark” who immediately delivered a stiff right hand to Hanson. The announcers commented that Daly was known for his stiff blows. Daly sent Hanson to the ropes and went for a backdrop, but Hanson cartwheeled out of the way. Perhaps feeling outmatched, Daly quickly tagged Ferrara into the match. Ferrara was immediately clotheslined by Hanson.

Rowe tagged in at 2:20 and just dominated Ferrara. Rowe fought Ferrara into the corner, where he and Hanson again double-teamed Ferrara. Hanson and Rowe continued to dominate for the next minute with some quick tags. This was broken up by Daly, who hit a knee on Rowe from the outside. Daly tagged in and got some offense, but Rowe was able to reverse with a fist to the face of Daly. Ferrara tagged back in, but was met with tilt-a-whirl powerbomb! Rowe didn’t have time to celebrate, as Daly came out of nowhere with a huge kick. Hanson tagged in and nailed Daly with a kick of his own. Ferrara ran in and dodged Hanson’s Spinkick of Doom, but ended up running directly into Rowe’s finisher.

WINNERS: Hanson & Raymond Rowe at 4:50 (*1/2)

After the match, Michael Elgin came out and talked about how respect had to be earned in Ring of Honor. Elgin praised the work of Hanson and Rowe in the Top Prospect tournament. Elgin said that both men had earned his respect and would be future tag team champions. He said he would have their backs if Hanson and Rowe had his. Elgin then told Adam Cole that it was only a matter of time before “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin was the new ROH champion.

ANALYSIS: Good match to introduce these two new teams. I was hoping for Hanson to get a singles run, but this will strengthen the depleted tag team division in the meantime. Not sure if the Elgin endorsement really helps or not, but it shows ROH is serious about pushing these guys at least.

[Commercial Break]

Back from commercial, Kevin Steen was in the ring with a microphone. Steen was planning to address his victory over Cliff Compton at the 12th Anniversary, but soon the sirens of Outlaw Inc. blared throughout the National Guard Armory. Eddie Kingston grabbed a mic and said that he and Homicide took care of Compton so Steen didn’t have to worry about him. Kingston asked Steen to join them in their battle against Sinclair Broadcasting. Apparently Outlaw, Inc. is upset that they were storyline suspended after Final Battle 2013. Steen referenced his history with S.C.U.M. and said that things didn’t go too well the last time he joined up with other people and that those people were much better men than Kingston and Homicide!

Steen turned to leave the ring, but was immediately attacked by Outlaw, Inc. Steen started to fight back, but it was immediately broken up by referees. ROH matchmaker Nigel McGuinness came to the ring and ordered a sanctioned match between Steen and one of the members of Outlaw, Inc. to begin.

[Commercial Break]

2 - KEVIN STEEN vs. HOMICIDE (w/Eddie Kingston)

Homicide won a round of Rock, Paper, Scissors to earn the match against Steen and then immediately battled the former World champion into the corner. Homicide nailed Steen with blows, but Steen fought back with some strikes of his own. Eddie Kingston joined the announcers at the commentary desk. Steen struck Homicide with some chops in the corner and then nailed him with a standing senton. Steen picked up Homicide, but he slipped free and dropkicked Steen to the outside.

Homicide went for a dive, but then purposely stopped himself to draw boos from the crowd. Homicide went to axehandle Steen from the apron, but Steen caught him. Steen took control on the outside after throwing his opponent into the hockey boards a few times.

Back in the ring, Steen got a two count on Homicide. Homicide was able to regain control with a tornado DDT from the second rope. Homicide set Steen up on the top turnbuckle. He looked to be going for a top rope huracanrana, but Steen countered by biting Homicide on the forehead! Homicide fell to the mat in perfect position for a senton from the top rope by Steen. On commentary, Kingston was very upset about pretty much everything. Kingston walked over to help Homicide, but Steen was able to break this up with a rolling senton onto both men on the outside!

Back in the ring, Steen went for the Package Piledriver, but Kingston ran in and nailed Steen from behind causing the disqualification.

WINNER: Kevin Steen via disqualification at 4:40. (n/a)

Outlaw, Inc. continued their attack on Steen after the match. Kingston grabbed the bell from the timekeeper’s table and handed it to Homicide. Homicide nailed Steen with it, but the attack was broken up by Cliff Compton of all people! Steen and Compton stared each other down as the crowd chanted “tag team! tag team!”

ANALYSIS: Some good action at first, but this was more of an angle than a match. It looks like ROH is just treading water with Steen until they are ready to re-insert him into the world title picture. Hopefully that will be soon because I’m not very interested in Steen/Compton vs. Outlaw Inc.

[Commercial Break]

Nigel McGuinness was in the ring and announced that Adam Cole would defend the ROH World Title at "Supercard of Honor" in New Orleans on April 5. Before he could announce the number one contender, self-proclaimed world champion Jay Briscoe came out to the ring.

McGuinness talked about the crowded title picture and stated that Briscoe was indeed a credible contender. Jay reminded Nigel that he defeated Adam Cole in San Antonio last month. Briscoe declared that his title belt held the true lineage of the ROH World Championship. He went on to say that two men were currently claiming to be the champion but there could only be one. Nigel agreed and said that the only way to eliminate the controversy would be to hang both belts above the ring. At Supercard of Honor it will be Adam Cole vs. Jay Briscoe in a Ladder War!

Adam Cole walked out on the entrance ramp and blasted Nigel for his stupid decision. He talked about his recent title defenses. Cole said that Briscoe’s recent victory over him was tainted and that there was no disputing that he was true World champion. Cole walked to ring and stared down Briscoe, but this turned out to be a distraction as Michael Bennett nailed Briscoe with a low blow from behind. Cole and Bennett double-teamed Jay until Mark Briscoe ran out with a chair to make the save. Maria appeared at the entrance ramp, as Kevin Kelly wondered if the Cole/Bennett alliance was her doing.

[During the commercial break, The Decade hyped their match against the team of Adrenaline Rush and Andrew Everett next week on ROH TV.]

A recap of the recent three-way TV Title match between Ciampa, Lethal, and Taven aired. Back in the arena, Matt Taven joined the announcers on commentary.

3 - ROH TV champion TOMMASO CIAMPA vs. JAY LETHAL - ROH TV Title match

Ciampa entered the ring and immediately started throwing fists before the ring introductions could be made. Both men exchanged blows and Ciampa came out on top with some stomps in the corner. Lethal rolled out of the ring to break up the momentum, but Ciampa followed him out. Back in the ring, both men again exchanged blows. Lethal came out on top this time with a dropkick. Lethal followed up with another dropkick, this time off the top rope! Lethal went for yet another one, but this time Ciampa ducked out of the way. Lethal landed hard and this allowed Ciampa to swing Lethal from the apron to the hockey boards on the outside! Ciampa followed up with a running knee to Lethal on the outside. He went for another one, but Lethal reversed!

Lethal rolled Ciampa into the ring at 3:30, but only got a one count. Lethal hit Ciampa with a brainbuster, but could only get two. Both men exchanged chops in the ring, with Lethal coming out on top. Lethal was in control until he went for a backdrop, but Ciampa saw it coming and kicked him in the face instead. Tommaso crotched Lethal on the top rope and then hit a superplex! The champion scored a nearfall as ROH went to commercial at 6:00.

[Commercial Break]

Back at 8:16, Ciampa was still in firm control. Lethal battled back and went for the Lethal Injection, but Ciampa was able to reverse it into a backstabber! This drew a “this is awesome” chant from the crowd. Lethal regained control with a dropkick that sent Ciampa to the outside. Lethal then hit three consecutive dives onto Tommaso on the outside! Lethal rolled Ciampa into the ring and then nailed his “Hail to the King” elbow smash. This drew a “Randy Savage!” chant from the crowd.

Lethal called for the Lethal Injection, but Ciampa caught his opponent with a kick and then hit Lethal with a kryptonite crunch on the apron. As both men were down on the outside, Truth Martini walked out to ringside. Taven assured the announcers that he would keep his cool, despite his hatred for Martini. The ref’s count made it to 19, but both men were able to roll back into the ring just in the nick of time.

Ciampa was able to take control after he nailed Lethal with a neckbreaker from the top rope. Lethal responded with a Lethal Combination and immediately transitioned his new submission hold. Ciampa was able to reverse into the Sicilian Stretch, but Lethal was able to make it to the ropes. The referee got distracted by Taven and Martini on the outside, as Lethal had a visual pinball on Ciampa in the center of the ring. By the time the ref turned his back, Tommaso nailed Lethal with Project Ciampa and scored the pinball victory.

WINNER: Tommaso Ciampa at 14:30 to retain the ROH TV Championship. (**3/4)

After the match, Matt Taven applauded at ringside. A roughed-up Truth Martini left the ringside area. Taven grabbed the mic and said that Ciampa was simply holding a belt that will soon be his again! In the ring, Lethal and Ciampa stared each other down as the show faded to black.

ANALYSIS: Another good match between these two, but it just never got into that next gear. It looks like Lethal is now out of the TV title picture for the moment, which is probably a good thing. Nothing against Lethal - I’m just ready for him to move onto something new at this point.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Storyline-heavy episode of ROH TV this week. It looks like they are really trying to build up the Supercard of Honor iPPV during WrestleMania weekend. Overall, despite not having any truly must-see matches this week, the show was still newsworthy if you follow the ROH product.

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