-After checking in with Raw and Smackdown, I might as well give ROH TV another look.
-From Baltimore, MD. Our hosts are Kevin Kelly, Truth Martini, and Caleb Seltzer.
-Veda Scott interviews Tadarius Thomas backstage. QT Marshall quickly interrupts, mocking Thomas for mispronouncing his name. Thomas does his talking in the ring so he storms off, leaving Marshall to put himself over. Both of these guys are fairly blah talkers.
-Kevin Kelly explains that Charlie Haas no-showed an autograph signing so BJ Whitmer filled in. When Haas found out, he took action.
-ROH cameras catch BJ Whitmer shaking hands at his signing (in an auto dealership). Haas shows up and feigns insult. Haas punches Whitmer in the face, and they brawl into the parking lot. Haas smashes Whitmer through a car window and kicks the door into him. Joe Koff calls Haas off, but he only nails Whitmer with an Olympic Slam onto the car. BJ always does well in blood feuds, so this should lead to something good.
-Steve Corino is accompanying Rhino and cuts a promo. He promises that “EVIL IS COMING” to the 11th Anniversary Show and the company will become “Ring of Scum.” That doesn’t have a very good ring to it.
-Veda Scott interviews Silas Young backstage. Young is offended that Scott isn’t addressing him properly as he’s the last real man in pro wrestling. He plans on breaking Matt Taven in their Top Prospects match.
-Veda Scott interviews Matt Taven backstage. Taven knows he’s in for a tough fight against Silas Young, but he’s on his way to the top.
-Kevin Kelly hosts Inside Ring of Honor!
-Matt Hardy WENT TOO FAR at a recent live event. Hardy targeted the injured neck of BJ Whitmer with multiple Twists of Fate. Hardy demands that ROH “Match Maker” Nigel McGuinness give him a shot at Adam Cole’s TV title. Cole comes out and tells Hardy to shut up. Hardy attempts a low kick but Cole blocks and takes the fight to him. Hardy retaliates with a belt shot to the head.
-Adam Cole is PISSED OFF at that SON OF A BITCH, Matt Hardy. He accuses Hardy of being a fraud and promises to rip him limb from limb.
-Nigel McGuinness was trying to film some exclusive footage when he’s interrupted by Charlie Haas, who is still angry about getting “screwed” by Nigel’s recent booking decisions. Haas demands another tag title match for him and Shelton Benjamin. McGuinness says they can get the shot but if they lose they can never team again in ROH. I guess this fuels speculation that Benjamin is WWE-bound.
-The Briscoes, sporting ridiculous new beards, trash-talk Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team, as well as Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby “the fish.” Their redneck gimmick has been turned up a few notches.
-Veda Scott interviews Jimmy Jacobs about his match against Jay Lethal. She wonders if Jimmy has his marching orders from Kevin Steen. Jacobs doesn’t know why Lethal is getting a title shot and plans on picking him dry. He’ll hurt Lethal because he enjoys it, not because Steen wants him to.
-Rhino storms the ring and signals a gore on Lethal, but Caprice Coleman runs in for the save. Corino trips Coleman, allowing Rhino to connect with the GORE. Jacobs holds Lethal still as Kevin Steen joins the party. Steen seems to be calling off the troops and offers a hand to Lethal, who wisely rolls out of the ring.
Final Thoughts: Most of the relevant angle development took place during the Inside Ring of Honor block, leaving the majority of the show to focus on the Top Prospects tournament. That’s a lot of time spent on getting fresh talent over, so I applaud the effort. Thumbs up for an enjoyable program that makes me want to open my wallet for the I-PPV.