PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

RING OF HONOR EPISODE 500 TV REPORT

 

It is the historic 500th episode of Sinclair Broadcasting presenting Ring of Honor.  We get an opening video package showcasing some of the major stars that paved the way all the way through 2021.  Quinn McKay, our lovely host, welcomes us to this historic night.  Tonight we get ROH fans' dream match between Jay and Mark Briscoe.  Not to be outdone, we've got a Pure Title match kicking us off.  Quinn thanks the fans for making ROH what it is.

Jay Lethal and Jonathan Gresham offer their comments.  I love the concept of the Foundation.  Yes, they're a faction.  Yes, Lethal and Gresham are a team and best of friends.  But the Foundation doesn't mind fair competition against each other, whilst not creating dissention within the group.  The promos make this match seem even bigger than it is.

Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman have the call for tonight's show.

ROH Pure Championship: Jonathan Gresham (champion) vs. Jay Lethal

In a touch I've never seen before, Lethal and Gresham come out together, flanked by Rhett Titus and Tracey Williams.  Quick reminder that Williams and Titus are your ROH World Tag Team Champions and Williams holds the TV Title.  Code of Honor adhered to.  Lockup, hammerlock by Lethal.  Gresham reverses and gets a double wristlock.  Lethal takes him down with a single leg and Gresham gets a headscissors for a 1 count.  Test of strength, Lethal gets the better of it and even gets a 2, a series of them, actually.  They trade arm twists and we have a stare down.  Gresham blocks a single leg and gets an abdominal stretch, Lethal blocks it but Gresham grabs a front facelock into a headlock takeover for 2.  Lethal tries a headscissors but Gresham bears down harder on the headlock.  Honestly never seen this before.

5 minutes elapsed of a 60 minute time limit.

We're getting a major headlock struggle, Gresham scores a series of takedowns as we go to commercial.

We're back and Lethal has the advantage with a hammerlock.  Gresham steps through and escapes but Lethal doesn't give him the leverage and nails a hammerlock belly to back suplex.  Lethal works the left bicep. Lethal applies a wristlock at the 10 minute mark.  Gresham reverses and extends Lethal's arm and goes to work on a high hammerlock.  LEthal throws him off and there's a double shoulderblock.  Lethal with a bodyslam but Gresham rolls him over into another double wristlock.  Gresham puts tremendous pressure on the right arm of Lethal.  Rollup for 2 by the champion.  Lethal with a takedown, he goes for a figure 4 but gets rolled up for 2.  Lethal with a cutter and scores a 2, as Gresham uses his first rope break as we go back to commercial.

We return and Gresham is on the outside.  He evades a tope suicida.  Upon re-entry Lethal applies the Boston Crab and Gresham has to use his second rope break.  Gresham goes back to work on the shoulder but Lethal nails him with an arm drag.  Lethal goes for the Lethal Injection at the 15 minute mark but his shoulder injury prevents him from completing the move.  He does apply a crossface.Gresham.  Lethal turns it into the Rings of Saturn.  Gresham has to use his final rope break.  We have a staredown and a series of arm twist reversals. Gresham with a headscissors rollup out of nowhere for the pin in 16:43.

WINNER: Jonathan Gresham (retains championship)

Post match code of honor adhered to.

We see highlights form Episode 1 of ROH from 2011

Mark Briscoe vs. Jay Briscoe

Code of Honor adhered to.  Lockup, we have a stalemate.  Jay is 4-1 against his brother in ROH.  Test of strength and another lockup.  Go behind by Mark and a back elbow.  Ian is rightfully thanking everyone who had something to do with ROH, from Joe Koff to the cameramen.  Front facelock by Mark, Jay reverses it.  Headlock takedown by Mark, Jay rolls him up into a headscissors.  Mark escapes but Jay hangs on with a waistlock.  Jay with a chop and a whip into the corner, Mark rolls to the outside.  Jay nails a dive to the outside as we go to commercial.

We're back and roles have reversed as Mark nails a Cactus Jack elbow on the outside. Mark rains punches and kicks.  Jay fights back and we're going back and forth. Jay with a big boot to the face and Mark goes over the barricade.  Jay breaks up the count, throws some chops and rolls his brother back in.  Jay to the top and Mark catches him with an uppercut and palm strikes.  Mark with a slam off the top for a 2 count.  Chop by Mark, Jay blocks a Rock Bottom and fires away with open hand strikes.  Mark catches him and nails the Rock Bottom.  They exchange chops, elbows and Jay with a headbutt but MArk with a right hand.  Jay falls to the floor and Mark hits a blockbuster.  Mark sets up a chair for his dive but, as he goes into motion, Jay catches him with a Spicoli Driver on the chair.  Jay with a neckbreaker for 2.

It's a chopfest.  Mark blocks a Jay Driller.  Spicoli Drive by Mark, he nails a Froggy Bow for 2.  Mark with an elbow and a chop.  Jay backdrops out of a Jay Driller and nails one of his own for 2.  Jay hits another Jay Driller and Mark instinctively rolls out of the ring.  Jay follows and nails a kick and a headbutt.  Jay sets up the table but Mark drives forearms and elbows and sets up Jay on the table.  Mark to the top rope and nails a Froggy Bow to the outside.  Mark Briscoe barely beats the referees count while Jay staggers on the outside.

WINNER: Mark Briscoe (count out)

We go to credits

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet