ROH Episode 74 Review: “Twas the Night Before Death Before Dishonor”
Although it was a bumpy road to get here, we finally made it to Death Before Dishonor. Only one of our champions wrestled on the go-home show, and three of them appeared in front of a live audience in typical ROH fashion. Nonetheless, let's review the final ROH episode before tomorrow's pay-per-view!
Mark Briscoe Promo:
Briscoe says that after he helped Team AEW win after Blood and Guts he is focused and ready for his title match tomorrow. Mike Bennett appears and talks to Briscoe as a friend, telling him he has to slow down if he still wants to live a long life for his family. Matt Taven and Rodrick Strong then attack him from behind. Strong says that after tomorrow night not only will he be the new ROH World Heavyweight Champion, but he will also be Mr.ROH.
Kingdom Promo:
Mike Bennett and Matt Taven say that they contacted Tony Khan about their opponents for tomorrow but he has yet to answer their messages, so they believe they have the night off. Paul White appears and says that Tony Khan has appointed him to the board of directors for ROH. He also says that The Kingdom will defend their tag team titles against Tomohiro Ishii and Kyle O’Riley. The Kingdom then walks away upset and disappointed.
Lee Moriarty and Anthony Ogogo vs Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli:
The fans in Texas enjoyed Castagnoli as everything he did got a massive ovation. This was a fun opener, it set up tomorrow’s Pure Title match and got the crowd into the ROH Taping. After the match ended Yuta and Moriarty kept going at it, as Taylor headbutted Yuta as he got massive boos.
Winners: Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli
Red Velvet and Queen Aminata Interview:
Lexy asked Velvet and Aminata biased questions and never let them answer. Aminata said Athena got what she deserved as they got interrupted by Athena. Athena says they are both uncultured to do an interview segment with Lexy. Athena says they both have been bullies as they injured Athena and jumped Starkz from behind. Athena says that neither one of them is ready for the opportunity to face her or Starkz tomorrow as Starkz attacks them from behind. Nair takes Athena's boot off to reveal that she is cleared and healthy as the four of them go at it.
Serpentico and Angelico vs Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun:
In my opinion, I thought this match was too long. Liona and Kaun who compete on ROH regularly for storyline purposes should have beaten this team in around five minutes and this match was almost double that time. Liona and Kaun still got the win dominantly as they look towards championship gold in the future.
Winners: Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun
Jon Cruz vs EJ Nduka:
Our first squash match! It only took 40 minutes into the episode!
Winner: EJ Nduka
Johnny TV and Shane Taylor vs Lio Rush and Atlantis JR:
Glad our TV Champion decided to show up on the go-home episode for the pay-per-view tomorrow. This was a fun tag match especially since the crowd got to see Atlantis perform live. Taylor pinned the TV champ, which can make things interesting heading into tomorrow, he and Johnny exchanged some words before they both celebrated their big win together.
Winners: Johnny TV and Shane Taylor
Abadon vs Dulce Tormenta
Second squash of the night…
Winner: Abandon
Bronson, Boulder, Jacked Jameson, Anthony Henry, and Nick Comoroto vs Darius and Dante Martin, Action Andretti, Komander, and Fuego Del Sol:
It was very nice to see Fuego back on TV and he got a nice reaction in front of the Texas audience. If you have been following my ROH reviews, you know that I hate any tag team match that has more than six people involved, so you all already know my reaction when I saw this match on tonight's episode. Faces win this one as the Texas crowd is pleased!
Winners: Darius and Dante Martin, Action Andretti, Komander, and Fuego Del Sol
The Von Erichs (Marshall and Ross) vs Alex Reynolds and John Silver:
The Von Erichs are going to be featured a lot more apart of this Texas Residency and they deserve it. This match was quick but The Von Erichs impressed the crowd a lot throughout the matchup. After the match was over the Dark Order kept beating them down when Dustin Rhodes made the save. After hitting the Iron Claw on Reynolds The Von Erichs and Rhodes were standing tall to end this week's ROH Episode.
Winners: The Von Erichs(Marshall and Ross)
Overall:
I truly love the Arlington Residency. The crowd was into a lot of the matches and it was a change of pace from the weekly episodes we have been seeing for the majority of 2024. Although I would have loved to see more of the ROH Champions on the go-home show for the pay-per-view, I guess I will take a minor victory in the crowd caring.
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