5/12 ROH/NJPW WAR OF THE WORLDS special report: Live coverage of web-exclusive Guerrillas Of Destiny vs. The Briscoes for the ROH tag titles

ROH WAR OF THE WORLDS
MAY 12, 2019
VILLA PARK, IL AT THE ODEUM
AIRED ON ROH HONOR CLUB
REPORT BY HARLEY R. PAGEOT, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Commentary: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana

We went live to the arena at 9:46 EST. Riccaboni and Cabana gave some big match hype to the tag title match. Despite this taking place at the TV tapings, Riccaboni stressed that this match will not eventually air on television. This one’s exclusive to Honor Club subscribers alone.

(1) IWGP TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS GUERRILLAS OF DESTINY (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) vs. THE BRISCOES (Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe) – ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Jay and Tonga started with a hockey fight. They went right to ringside. Loa got involved so Mark did too. The brothers paired off and brawled around ringside. Loa into the guardrail. The Briscoes double-teamed Tonga and isolated him back in the ring. They slowed things down and tagged in and out. Redneck Boogie to Tonga at 4:15 but Loa broke up the pin. Tonga backdropped Jay over the top rope and straight to the floor. Loa provided a distraction and Tonga hit Mark with a stinger splash. Loa tagged in and dropped Mark with an open-hand slap. Running powerslam. Double-team backdrop. Tonga tagged in for a snap suplex to Mark. The champs continued to work him over. They goaded Jay into the ring and then double-teamed Mark as referee Todd Sinclair tried to get Jay back onto the apron. Jay had enough of their cheap shots and jumped into the fray illegally himself.

All four men wound up fighting at ringside again. Jay chucked into the guardrail. Mark with a cannonball off the top rope onto G.O.D. at ringside. Mark and Tonga traded chops. Jay threw Loa into the guardrail again. Mark was bleeding from the mouth. Dueling “Man Up” and “Too Sweet” chants. Jay and Tonga glimpsed each other from across the ring. They both gave each other the finger before meeting in the center of the ring. They traded blows. Mark and Loa returned and took each other out with a double clothesline. Jay with a huge lariat to Tonga. Loa with a running powerslam. Mark with a ura nage. Tonga with CrossRhodes. All four men were down again at 13:45. “This is awesome” chant from the crowd. Magic Killer to Mark but he kicked out. Diving headbutt + top rope splash combo from G.O.D. but Mark kicked out again.

Loa fed mark to Tonga for a top rope powerbomb but he hurricanranaed out. Both Briscoes blocked cutters from Tonga. Neckbreaker from Jay. Froggy-bow! Tonga kicked out at 2.8. Tonga up for the Doomsday Device. Loa shoved Mark off, crotching him on the top rope. Tonga raked Jay’s eyes. Loa nailed him with the tag title as Sinclair checked on Mark. Tonga rolled up Jay with a handful of tights for extra insurance.

WINNERS: G.O.D. in 17:17 to retain the tag titles.

-Riccaboni was disgusted that this would end due to shenanigans. He put over G.O.D. thinking they’re above the ROH tag titles and the belts are nothing but pieces of tin to them. Tonga spoke to the camera as they exited. “This place has no honor. Bullet Club rule #1 – we do whatever the fuck we want.”

(Pageot’s Perspective: Super hot match. The bad blood established over the past couple months along with the dream match booking of two of the most-decorated tag teams in ROH and NJPW history, both of whom happen to be brothers, made this all feel really special. The fact that this was heel vs. heel didn’t even matter because people were invested in the fight itself, though the live crowd did seem to lean slightly towards G.O.D., perhaps because it’s such a rarity to see them compete in the U.S.

As for the outcome, I’m all for it. A lot of people expected the Briscoes win the titles back here but G.O.D. only made their first appearance as ROH tag champions four nights ago. There is still a lot more story to tell with them holding the belts hostage in Japan and having no respect for ROH or the titles. Will we see them make some more excursions to the States to defend the belts against other ROH teams? Will the Briscoes get a street fight rematch at the Best In The World pay-per-view on June 28? Will G.O.D. defend the titles in Japan? There were hints during last night’s show that Evil & Sanada’s record in ROH could warrant them a title shot. This can go in many directions and that uncertainty and excitement is something ROH desperately needs. There’s only one thing really clear for sure coming out of this match and that is that The Briscoes are babyfaces once again.)