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Following Supercard of Honor, Ring of Honor held a post-PPV Media Scrum. Highlights:
Tony Khan brought new ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata out first. He was asked how he felt about winning the belt and the Pure Rules. He felt that the belt defines him and said this is the start of his resurgence in the United States. He praised Wheeler Yuta.
He was asked how conditioning or wrestling style has changed after returning so he can continue to perform at a high level. He said that for today's match, he tried to get to peak level of preparation but had an accident yesterday and didn't arrive until LA until this afternoon and came right to the arena. He joked, "But no problem" because his condition is so good.
He was asked if he has any interest in defending against Bryan Danielson. He said that by winning the title, he is one step closer in making the challenge to wrestle Danielson.
He was asked if he's signed to any sort of term with Tony Khan for either ROH or AEW. He said there is no deal at this moment but wants to keep wrestling here. Tony Khan said they like working with each other on a match by match situation as part of the relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling, giving him a chance to plug Forbidden Door 2. He praised the partnership and said he thinks tonight was one of those great moments.
He wants to challenge himself by wrestling as many talents in the United States as often as possible. He said being in the AEW or ROH ring is a big dream. Fans worry about him after his big injury, but he keeps wrestling to hurt himself or die, but to keep living his life.
Tony Khan plugged AEW will be in NYC and Rhode Island next week and Shibata will be at those tapings when they film ROH TV.
Khan was asked why they didn't film ROH TV tonight. He said that they had four hours of emotional peaks and valleys and didn't think it was right to have additional content. He said that even months ago, who would have thought this would have been possible. He said that after the emotional end to an amazing main event match. He felt with the live Rampage, the NY taping allowed them to bring ROH back to New York. He can't think of a better champion for that.
Next up was ROH Women's Champion Athena.
She was asked about potentially defending against Trinity Fatu. Athena said she wanted to come out and support tonight and she would love the opportunity.
Athena was asked about the bout with Yuka Sakazaki tonight. Athena mockingly asked who would attack someone from behind the way Yuka did on ROH TV. She noted that she was coming off the flu before the bout and praised the bout.
Athena was asked about the change in her personality. She said she's never stopped being her own hero. There are people who wish they could punch their boss in the face or another woman or whoever. She wrestled for ten years on the independents and is still going to bring it and deliver every time. She's not going to let anyone take anything from her.
Tony Khan announced Athena vs. Miyu Yamashita for the 4/5 New York taping. Athena said being on the indies for ten years, the dream was to go to Japan and still hasn't had that opportunity so anyone who comes from Japan, she's going to want to fight and beat the brakes off of all of them to prove herself.
Athena said that she specifically asked to face Hyan on AEW Dark, given their backgrounds training under Booker T. Athena said that Willow was a bucket list match for her. She said there's a lot of great wrestlers out there. She wants to suck everyone in with the violence and the drama.
Athena was asked about working for ROH with fewer restrictions. She said that she's about the match not herself. Someone who is about themselves in ROH comes in the door and then they are gone. There are amazing talents building themselves up. She said those in ROH won't be denied. They want to show that ROH is the best brand. She wants to wrestle talents from STARDOM, New Japan, Masha Slamovich and Mercedes Mone among others. She's never face Trish Adora and Toni Storm. She's open to any challenge that steps in her way. You have to take the pressure to show you can deliver in every single match. She was born to be in ROH.
She was asked where she falls in the Outcast vs. AEW story. She said she's a solo act but she would listen to them if they knocked on her door but she has a championship and wonders what they would be offering.
Mark Briscoe was next.
Mark was asked about the emotional toll of wrestling on his first PPV without his brother. He said that after an indy date in NYC, it was the first time in a long time they didn't have any matches booked. He said that as strange as it sounds, it was peace. If they had a match coming, he didn't have peace. He had everything on the brain and was focused on that. He said that because of Jay's passion, he was rarely chilling but was instead focused on the next thing. He said that he was about winning titles and making the family and the legacy proud. He's not going to pout. Samoa Joe was a hell of a fighter but he's not done with Samoa Joe. He feels his brother every day but especially when he's in between the ropes. It's been that way since they were young, young kids. He's trying to figure out this "new thing" (his singles career) works.
He was asked which of his moments with Jay were his favorite. He said that's like asking which of his seven kids are his favorite. He praised Briscoes vs. FTR I which took place a year ago tomorrow. Jamin did everything with passion, even landscaping. He joked he was probably better at that than wrestling. If a match didn't go the way he wanted, Jay wouldn't be right until the next thing but FTR will always be special.
I asked Mark about the post-match reaction he received. He said that love is the trump card and is above and beyond. He talked about his faith and how profound dates are. They debuted in 2000 and stole the show at CZW Best of the Best a year later in 2001. His brother passed on the 17th and Mark's birthday was the 18th. He was moved by the reaction of the fans tonight.
Tony was asked what was next for Mark Briscoe. He said Mark is still learning a different style and there's more to come from Mark Briscoe. This is the start of a new journey. Tony said he feels like Jay is with all of them. He tried to get into more of his spiritual side when his mother was sick back in October and he found it with Mark and his famiiy. He said Mark and Jay are not going to be going anywhere. He said that the connection of the fans tonight was special and they knew it was the start of a journey. People all over the world love Mark because he's such a special person.
Mark was asked what advice he can give to others going through horrible situations. He said he could cut to the chase and say Jesus. He said there was a time where he struggled with his faith and wondered if the died, if there was really a heaven. He said when God shows up, it's like the wind. You can't see it but can feel the effects of the wind. When he started feeling the effects of God in his life, he got peace and comfort. He grew up in a Christian family but that doesn't mean anything until you feel it. The night that Jay passed, Mark said his brain was reeling and he couldn't comprehend. On the way to the hospital for his nieces, he thought WTF is happening and thought did he believe what he said and since he did, he knew Jay was good and they needed to worry about the girls and the family. He said in the craziest way, he's still doing better than Mark. Mark wrestled Samoa Joe tonight and Jay probably wrestled Eddy Guerrero.. Everyone has their personal beliefs and those are his.
The final guest was ROH Champion Claudio Castagnoli.
When asked about the match, he said, "Well, I won."
When asked about how Eddie Kingston speaks and trashes members of the roster, he said it's not good for the brand, the pro wrestling business or for someone who wants to be Champion.
When asked about the next challenger, Claudio said whoever has the guts to do so. He said there were some great matches on ROH TV and Zero Hour tonight. He feels ROH is red hot and when you watch, every talent is trying to prove themselves and get to the title. He's looking forward to every single challenger. It's a good idea and they have spoken about it.
He was asked about Shibata. He praised him as a talent but gave him a "general warning" that we don't want to see him go back on the shelf.
Claudio said right after the match, Kingston said things you can't broadcast and publish and acted in a way the ROH Champion shouldn't. It didn't take two minutes to prove what Claudio was correct.
Claudio said that any time he gets to defend the new ROH World title belt, it will be the most fightignest championship. He said the belt is about honor and representing the company. It's about the best Pure Wrestling. He said that AEW has the best wrestling on TV but ROH is where you found the next great talents who stepped up, like himself, Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness. It was about discovering who the next guy you have to follow. He praised talents being able to showcase themselves across the world now on Honor Club. He said he wants to defend the title with all his heart every single time.
Claudio was asked about the idea of Chris Hero coming in to challenge the belt. He said Forbidden Door is coming and that opens a lot of doors. There are a lot of New Japan talents he would like to wrestle but anyone who wants to step up and earn it, he's willing if Tony wants it but you can't just walk in and get a title match. You need to be ready and show you are ready. There's lots of former ROH Champions he'd like to step into the ring with including Rush and more. He wants to step into the ring with those who have fire and want to step up.
Claudio was asked about the change in his theme song presentation and how it has enhanced his presentation. He said he loves both of those entrances. He said that he loved the original but as he integrated himself in AEW and ROH, he felt he needed a change. The new music is very much him and sums up who he is. It's fantastic.
Claudio said Bryan Danielson being back was like having the band back together. He said it was like having your brother back. He said that there will be more on Wednesday.
Claudio thanked everyone for being there and said it was a great day for Honor and for professional wrestling.
They closed out with Tony Khan.
Dante Martin is at the hospital with Darius. They are waiting to hear his status and his heart goes out to the family. They love them and it appears Dante will be out for some time, He cares very much about Dante. He hopes he's going to be OK.
Khan was asked if ROH would have a role at Forbidden Door 2. He said there was involvement last year and there's potential for it again.
Khan was asked about Vikingo's recent matches. He said tonight was a great way to kick things off with a blast. He hopes Vikingo and Komander will be back more. He praised Vikingo vs. Omega bringing them a rating. He plugged Komannder vs. Sammy Guevara this Wednesday.
Khan praised LA and noted this week will be the five week anniversary of the discussions here in Los Angeles that led to the formation of AEW.
Khan talked about the emotional moments of the show and where all of this leaves Eddie Kingston going forward. He felt the Shibata moment surprised people. He felt the unpredictablity of the card worked. He compared it to The Empire Strikes Back. It's a new era and journey for Mark Briscoe. It was a great night of wrestling and leaves in a great place going forward.
Khan was asked about Goldberg in ROH. He said no. He said he it would be interesting for AEW, but there are differences between ROH and AEW.
Tony said there's a big announcement for AEW this Wednesday.
Khan was asked about all his different duties and trying to balance them. He said private aviation makes it possible to be in different places ASAP. He said he's been feeling good since October and had a whole new lease of life at that point. He said that some of the stresses in life were gone. He's been able to balance everything and he loves that ROH allows him to open up a different part of his wrestling mind.
Khan was asked about the evolution of content on Honor Club and potential exclusive content for the platform. They are working on putting together different things for the platform. It's still new for them doing the weekly show for subscribers. He's hoping the new champions will help add more subscribers. He said they can never replace The Briscoes but having one of the best tag teams in the world in the Lucha Brothers is a great thing.
Death Before Dishonor will continue on.
Asked where he'd like to see AEW and ROH go. He praised returning to NYC to bring ROH there. He would like to see ROH back in Canada and doing other international events. He feels like ROH has been a good compliment to AEW.
Khan said that he really likes Brian Cage and would like him to stay. He's praised the Embassy.
Khan was asked to look at first year and where he stands one year in. He feels a lot of things have come almost full circle.
I asked about Nigel McGuinness' status going forward, Khan said he is looking forward to having discussions and wanted to work with him tonight for the first time so they could introduce themselves to each other. They want to honor the past of ROH as they evolve it.
When asked about a potential new show and potentially shifting people to different rosters, Khan said he's seen some success with it with AEW and ROH rosters.
Khan praised Tanahashi and Shibata coming in and how much Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta had stepped up. He discovered some of the stars of the future during the pandemic. He went into deep details.
On the length of ROH TV being two hours, Khan said he likes having the creative freedom and it might not always be that length. He doesn't have the same constraints that AEW programming on TBS and TNT have.
Tonight's PPV will be released after 90 days on Honor Club.
On signing talents, Khan said it's a case by case basis on why you sign someone. They have partnerships and they know if someone comes here, he's not going to pressure talents to work his shows and not theirs. He said people get excited about the free agent market in sports and people wants to see their favorites get signed.
On the taping schedule, it will be a hybrid of the Universal tapings and on the AEW tapings.
On potentially having Maria Kanellis' Womens Wrestling Army, he said they are working to scale up and this was a busy week for them and praised the crew for making it happen. He's excited about the evolution of Honor Club. He's been working to bring in younger names and they've brought in international talents and had big women's matches. What he adds would be in context of ROH.
He thanked everyone for being here tonight.
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