ROH: New Beginnings

[Just Juice]

Episode Nine

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage. The camera would then cut to Dave Prazak who would talk about the second year of Ring of Honor having officially begun with the first round of matches in the X-Division Championship Tournament. Dave Prazak would hype up the tournament and talk about the strong potential that this second singles championship would offer in raising the overall prestige of the promotion. Jeff Gorman would add that considering how competitive ROH was proving to be, it was very possible that the winner of the tournament would one day become a ROH World Champion.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Sterling James Keenan vs. Petey Williams |
The early going was a masterclass in pace control. Williams tried to quicken things with fluid arm drags and headscissor takeovers, while Keenan slowed the rhythm down, grounding his opponent with precision strikes and methodical holds. Keenan repeatedly used the ropes and corners to his advantage, keeping Williams trapped and frustrated. Williams fought back with his trademark explosiveness ducking a clothesline and springboarding into a dropkick that sent Keenan reeling. The momentum swung back and forth, with Keenan landing a nasty short-arm lariat for a close near fall, followed by a series of knees to the midsection that nearly took the wind out of the smaller man. As the 15-minute time limit began to approach, the crowd grew restless, sensing urgency. Williams avoided a MK Ultra DDT, countering it into a wheelbarrow facebuster, then signaled for the end. The fans rose as he connected with the Canadian Destroyer, stunning Keenan and earning the decisive three-count with just under two minutes left on the clock.

Winner: Petey Williams

After the match, Williams celebrated to a standing ovation and it was a big win consider SJK was a former tag team champion, Keenan, meanwhile, sat on the mat glaring at him no handshake offered, no words exchanged, just cold resentment for what was very much a terrible and unexpected start for a man who was considered by many as a hot prospect but had no find himself as the bottom of the pecking order.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| Shane Helms vs. Tony Mamaluke |
From the opening bell, Mamaluke wrestled like a man with something to prove. He immediately targeted Helms’ arm, grounding the high-flyer with punishing armbars and joint manipulation. Helms, ever the resilient performer, tried to create distance with his speed hitting a basement dropkick and a flying neckbreaker that briefly swung momentum his way. But Mamaluke’s relentless mat game controlled the majority of the match. Every time Helms tried to go to the air, Mamaluke cut him off — first with a dragon screw, then with a beautifully executed northern lights suplex that nearly earned him the pin. As the minutes ticked down, the crowd grew louder, willing Helms to rally. He connected with a Shining Wizard in the final minute, but couldn’t make the cover in time. When the bell rang at the 15-minute mark, both men collapsed to the mat, completely spent.

Result: Time Limit Draw

While Shane Helms survived, Tony Mamaluke walked away looking like the more dominant competitor, clearly frustrating Helms. Jeff Gorman would make note that Mamaluke’s technical dominance had made a strong statement and surely he was someone to watch for the rest ouf tournament.

* * *

Backstage Pamela Paulshock would be joined by Elix Skipper who not only was wrestling against Jerry Lynn tonight in the X-Division Tournament but was the man who had very much cost Christopher Daniels the ROH World Championship at the Anniversary Show. Elix Skipper would reveal that he had been made an offer he simply couldn't refuse and would confirm that money had exchanged hands and he was certainly richer for his involvement. Skipper would then reveal that he was no longer aligned with Triple X as he had no intention of playing third fiddle and instead was had joined 'The Franchise' as there was no one he could gain more insight and wisdom from then Shane Douglas.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Jerry Lynn vs. Elix Skipper |
The X-Division Tournament continued with a marquee matchup between two world-class athletes Jerry Lynn, the veteran technician currently leading his Best of Five series with AJ Styles, and Elix Skipper, the lightning-fast opportunist who recently shocked the wrestling world by betraying Christopher Daniels at the Anniversary Show. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, still hot from the fallout of Triple X’s implosion, and Lynn wasted no time setting the tone. From the opening lock-up, he grounded Skipper with textbook chain wrestling, forcing him into defensive positions and showcasing why he’s one of the most respected veterans in the sport. Skipper’s agility kept him alive walking the top rope with ease and dropping Lynn with a springboard spinning heel kick that drew audible gasps. He taunted the crowd a clearly relishing his newfound spotlight. But Lynn, composed and unflappable, waited for the right moment to strike back. The pace quickened halfway through as Lynn unleashed a flurry of offense a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, a flying crossbody, and a cradle DDT for a close two-count. Skipper tried to end it with his Play of the Day finisher, but Lynn countered mid-motion, rolling through into the Cradle Piledriver to score the decisive three-count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

After the match, Lynn helped Skipper to his feet in a show of respect, only for Skipper to shove him away and roll out of the ring, glaring back angrily. The crowd applauded Lynn’s effort, who career still wasn't secure until his match series with AJ Styles came to a conclusion still needed just one more win. Skipper on the other hand clearly had been hoping to pick up a win now as a member of 'The Franchise'.

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| AJ Styles vs. Monty Brown |
The first week of the X-Division Tournament closed with a clash of styles literally and figurativel as the high-flying, innovative AJ Styles faced the powerhouse predator of The Kill Team, Monty Brown. The match was billed as “speed vs. strength,” and it delivered that and more in a hard-hitting main event that left the crowd buzzing. From the start, Styles played the smart game, using movement and misdirection to stay one step ahead of the heavier Brown. He opened with dropkicks, evasive counters, and lightning-quick forearms, trying to wear down the former NFL star before he could find his rhythm. Brown, however, only needed one shot to change everything every time he landed a strike, Styles felt it. Five minutes in, Brown caught Styles mid-springboard and launched him across the ring with a fallaway slam that sent shockwaves through the crowd. Styles regrouped, hitting a sudden Pele Kick to shift momentum, followed by a Springboard Moonsault DDT for a close two-count. The two men traded bursts of offense Styles dazzling with agility, Brown retaliating with raw power until both collapsed in exhaustion. The finish came when Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm, springboarding from the ropes with perfect height and precision only for Brown to explode forward and Pounce him clean out of the air. The collision drew a thunderous reaction as Brown covered Styles for the three-count.

Winner: Monty Brown

After the bell, Brown roared over his fallen opponent, shouting “Welcome to the Serengeti!” as the crowd erupted. Styles, clutching his ribs, nodded in grudging respect knowing he had been caught by a perfect strike. Gorman praised it as one of the defining moments declaring that Monty Brown’s mix of power and presence made him an instant favorite to win the entire competition. The show closed with Brown standing tall, pointing to the Kill Team insignia on his gear, while AJ limped from the ring, as he would be passed by Minoru Suzuki and Ronn Killings who would come to offer their support for Monty's victory.​

 

[K-Fabe]

Hey Just Juice.

A Year of Honor was a great show. I didn't mind Daniels losing the title so soon due to the way he lost. Going to be fun to see him chase the belt.

I'm surprised you have 5 shows dedicated only to the tournament, seemingly putting some storylines on ice. Not a bad thing though. Interesting to see how it all plays out.

I am a big fan of Monty Brown and the Pounce, so glad to see him pick up a victory.

I don't think I can send DMs yet, but perhaps if you message me I am able to respond?

Keep up the great work!

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Ten

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history with particular focus on matches that featured men that were taking part in the X-Division Tournament as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage would blast out at full volume. As the video package closed Bryan Danielson would stand backstage and actually be joined by Jeff Jarrett.

Double J would make a point to introduce Danielson as the sole survivor from The Anniversary Show and from his point of your the single greatest asset on Ring of Honor's books. He would then shake hands with Danielson and wish him the best of luck and make it clear that he very much thought the best thing for business would be if the 'American Dragon' became the inaugural X-Division Champion. With Danielson alone with the camera, Bryan would state that for now his desire for purity in wrestling and for Pure Rules to become a staple of ROH for now was being put on hold as would make an oath that his primary focus from this point onwards was to wrap the red and gold championship belt and create a legacy in the process. Before walking off and heading to the ring with it now clear he would competing in the first match of the evening.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Elix Skipper vs. Bryan Danielson |
The latest chapter of the X-Division Tournament opened with a striking contrast in attitudes and approaches Elix Skipper, still riding high on his controversial betrayal of Christopher Daniels, versus Bryan Danielson, the pure wrestling machine whose precision and discipline have made him the most respected technician in ROH. Although Skipper had failed to win last week he was still clearly riding the waves of what he had done to his former Triple X unit member. Skipper came in cocky, showboating and mocking Danielson before the bell, but his confidence evaporated almost immediately once the match began. Danielson dismantled him from the start no wasted motion, no hesitation. Within the first minute, he had Skipper grounded in a hammerlock, transitioned into a headscissors, and rolled through into a surfboard stretch, forcing Skipper to flail helplessly. Every attempt Skipper made to counter ended with him being taken down again. Danielson’s grappling was surgical working the arm, twisting the wrist, and using short forearms to the jaw that rattled Skipper’s composure. The crowd, initially divided, quickly rallied behind the American Dragon as he dominated with pure, merciless efficiency. After just under five minutes, Danielson caught Skipper’s leg mid-kick, swept him down, and locked in the Cattle Mutilation. Skipper struggled for a few seconds before tapping furiously.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Danielson didn’t celebrate he simply released the hold, adjusted his wrist tape, and walked straight to the corner to bow to the fans before exiting. He look deeply focused with Prazak theorizing that perhaps Danielson would only celebrate when he had the championship belt in his possession.

* * *

Doug Williams who had originally been meant to team up with BG James, Sean Waltmann and Konnan before being attacked by The Kill Team that had resulted in Ronn Killings taking his place in the match. Doug would speak that candidly about that fact that if Sterling had been a true friend he would never have abandoned him in his hour of need and as he saw it Home & Away was over. Instead he would speak that if he was going to have people watching his back he was going to have to rely on people who had grown up his side of the pond and would spin the camera around to reveal to masked wrestlers.

He would introduce the two younger men as 'The Union' with the men (from left-to-right) being introduced as Windsor & Regent and that these two men may be rookies in Ring of Honor, but he had confidence that these two men would bring the killing to the Kill Team.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| AJ Styles vs. Shane Helms |
From the opening bell, both men displayed their signature crispness and creativity, turning the ring into a chessboard of movement and counters. Styles controlled the early exchanges with his explosive agility, landing arm drags and a dropkick that nearly took Helms’ head off. But Helms, the more methodical of the two, slowed the pace, grounding AJ with a headlock takeover and switching smoothly into a series of pin attempts to keep Styles guessing. The crowd stayed hot as the two exchanged near-falls, reversals, and one-upmanship Helms dodging the Phenomenal Dropkick, Styles flipping out of a Swinging Neckbreaker. Midway through the match, both men tumbled to the outside after a double crossbody attempt, drawing applause as they dragged themselves back in before the referee’s count. As the final five minutes ticked down, desperation kicked in. Styles connected with the Pele Kick and followed with the Springboard Moonsault DDT, but Helms kicked out at two-and-a-half. Helms fired back with the Shining Wizard, but Styles rolled to the ropes to break the pin. Both men staggered to their feet, exhausted, as the clock wound down. Helms went for another Wizard, but Styles countered mid-motion into the Styles Clash just as the bell rang.

Result: Time Limit Draw

The crowd gave a standing ovation as both men lay flat on the mat, breathing heavily, each realizing how close they’d come to victory. Afterward, Helms offered a handshake Styles hesitated, then accepted, nodding in respect before rolling out of the ring although at this point both men knew that if they had any hopes of advancing they would both have to win their next two matches in the tournament.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Jerry Lynn vs. Sterling James Keenan |
The X-Division Tournament continued with a fascinating clash between generations the seasoned ring general Jerry Lynn, still riding momentum from his earlier tournament win over Elix Skipper, taking on the dark and cerebral Sterling James Keenan, looking to rebound after a narrow loss to Petey Williams. The match started slowly, with Keenan trying to assert control through deliberate pacing and psychological warfare. He refused to lock up at first, circling Lynn, smirking, and forcing the veteran to chase him around the ring. But Lynn’s patience and experience paid off. When Keenan finally engaged, Lynn snapped him down with an armdrag and transitioned straight into a headlock, setting the tone for a match that would be fought on his terms. Keenan found openings through brute impact, catching Lynn with a knee lift and a short-arm clothesline that flattened him. He followed with calculated offense, targeting Lynn’s lower back to neutralize the veteran’s power-based moves. Lynn, ever resilient, absorbed the punishment and rallied with crisp counters hitting a spinning elbow, a backdrop, and his classic guillotine leg drop over the middle rope to reassert control. In the closing minutes, Keenan tried to end things with his MK Ultra DDT, but Lynn blocked it, shoved him into the ropes, and caught him on the rebound with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. The crowd roared as Lynn signaled for the end, hooking Keenan and planting him with the Cradle Piledriver for the clean three-count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

After the bell, Lynn offered a brief handshake, but Keenan rolled out of the ring, glaring back in silence his pride wounded having now lost two wins in a row. Whilst for Jerry he was currently looking to be the strong performer out of all ten men involved in the tournament so far.

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| Paul London vs. Monty Brown |
With Brown coming off a massive win over AJ Styles the week prior, and London still chasing his first marquee victory since his ladder match triumph at Final Battle, both men entered with something to prove with London clearly wanting to begin the tournament with a win to his name. The opening minutes set the tone: speed versus power. London darted around the ring, using feints and quick dropkicks to frustrate Brown, who swung heavy and missed wide early on. But once Brown caught him driving London hard into the corner with a shoulder tackle that nearly folded him in half the tide shifted. The Alpha Male began to maul his smaller opponent, hitting a crushing powerslam and tossing him halfway across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex that sent the crowd into shock. Still, London refused to stay down. Every time Brown flexed or taunted, London would fire back a standing shooting star press here, a flying forearm there chipping away at the powerhouse with sheer resilience. Midway through, Brown attempted the Pounce, but London rolled through, sending Brown crashing into the turnbuckle before connecting with a springboard dropkick and a standing moonsault for a near fall. As the clock ticked past twelve minutes, both men were running on fumes. Brown hoisted London up for a powerbomb, but London wriggled free, landing on his feet and countering with a superkick to the jaw. He quickly climbed to the top rope, steadied himself, and launched the London Calling (Shooting Star Press) perfectly onto Brown. The crowd erupted as London hooked both legs for the three-count.

Winner: Paul London

Jeff Gorman closed the show declaring it a vital win for Paul London who for many ROH fans was seen as one of the key figures and biggest rising stars during Year One but that with three rounds of the pool stages still to occur the tournament to crown the first ever X-Division Champion was still wide open and that all ten men remained in contention for the strap.​