ROH From the Beginning.

This streak of Mox wrestling hoopers in the opener is the most assured i've felt of a banger on Dynamite every week since the Orange Cassidy International Title run. #AEW

I think the only thing that could make me happier than Darby vs Claudio is if Darby main evented Dynamite fighting a literal bear. #AEW

So you want to get into DPW: a primer on the black and orange in 2024 - Joseph Montecillo Good choice, welcome. What took you so long? No matter. What’s important is you’re finally here. As far as I’m concerned, Deadlock Pro Wrestling has been the must-watch promotion on the American indie...

If you've seen enough of the regular guys there to know you'll enjoy it, absolutely. They're probably the most consistent promotion in the US over the last few years. Joseph Montecillo has an excellent primer if you want to dip your toes in.

www.josephmontecillo.com/2024/12/17/s...

YouTube video by Game Changer Wrestling GCW - [FREE MATCH] Violence Is Forever vs Astronauts | #LONGLIVEGCW

That's 2025 only but the last few years have been great for tag wrestling in the US. GCW has a free match from last year between ViF and Astronauts and it might be better.

Mike Bailey & Jake Something vs ViF from DPW 3rd Anniversary last year is a humper too.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqF_...

DPW is your friend

Violence is Forever vs GYV - DPW No Pressure
Same again - DPW Title Fight in Vegas
Workhorsemen vs Cowboy Way - DPW Tag Festival
ViF vs Astronauts - DPW Spirit Rising

Also just check out everything Astronauts have ever done, including their singles matches vs each other.

My world is not a political world.

Now let me pause the show to air a puff piece for our fascist president.

I will be taking no questions. 🤼

Kyle Fletcher is pictured lying on his stomach on the mat with blood congealing around a wound on the top of his head. Littered in the background are remnants of weapons and props used in the match. He is clutching a screwdriver and staring maniacally at Dustin Rhodes, who is out of shot.

Dustin is an incredible veteran babyface this much is known.

But holy shit Kyle is winning me over, I hated his head drop laden bombfests for the longest time but he's putting it together quickly now.

A touch fanwanky to say this was his Orton vs Foley moment, but its in that neighbourhood. #AEW

ROH Match card graphic for tonight's title match between Bandido and Adam Priest, the graphic is largely in a red and black palette, with Bandido picture on the left doing his signature finger gun pose, while Adam Priest is pictured on the right with a slightly smug smirk. They advertise the event on Honor Club with a Special Start Time at 6/5c Thursday

This may just move mountains #ROH

The Outrunners are simply a good tag team now.

No caveats required. They're just good. #AEW

It also helps that the first act actually impacts the throughline of the match as a whole and isn't instantly discarded as soon as they start doing moves, a luxury not afforded by any of the other matches. #AEW

Okada/Omega is beautiful in a way that none of the first 4 are. They do less moves, but wrestling is best when it's as real as possible. And the story of shattered Kenny desperately throwing bombs to try and recapture past glory and hang with Okada is wonderfully real, and deeply engaging. #AEW

The more I think about this the more insane I think it is from a wrestling historian.

The divide between the "superstar" heel and the everyman babyface is incredibly commonplace right up until like...right now, in one particular company.

It's just an insanely myopic view of wrestling. 🤼

The pageantry can come out for the match, but when people talk, we want to hear from a person, not a "superstar". Something that WWE strays further and further away from on a weekly basis.

Basically, this is a long way around to "heroes don't wear suits, heroes wear sweatpants."

This is a catastrophic misreading of what makes a babyface likeable.

Will being a neurodivergent boy from Essex who dresses like a lad out on the lash on a Friday night is exactly what makes him relatable.

Evergreen post.

Fletcher is gloating climbing through the ropes after successfully countering a Buckshot Lariat attempt, he mouths "one more time" - threatening to hit Hangman with another apron brainbuster.

Hangman Page vs Kyle Fletcher - AEW Dynamite 30/04/25 🤼

If not the best match Kyle Fletcher has ever been involved in, certainly the best Kyle Fletcher performance in a match. One singular head drop placed in desperation, and given space to breathe with excellent heel wrestling throughout. - ****

I would very much enjoy if Hangman Page - one of wrestling's most logical and thoughtful characters - would realise that The Buckshot Lariat is too telegraphed and counterable and change his finish.

There was a perfect opportunity to switch to The Angel's Wings full time and I fear they missed it 🤼

I Want You To Get The Word Out There That We Back Up The Wire GIF Alt: I Want You To Get The Word Out There That We Back Up from The Wire

I believe the obligatory gif is this one 🤼

CM Punk on his knees in the classic ROH Black Ring, Microphone in one hand, ROH Title in the other.

Hello. I am not dead.

Sadly got a little busy and watching a 4 hour show every day become unsustainable and then when I couldn't keep up the pace, the whole endeavour felt overwhelming and pointless.

But, i'm going to put out a more sensible schedule starting soon(TM).

It's Summer of Punk time. 🤼

It might just be a product of them being in better shape, and it's only a 2 match sample size, but I *really* appreciate this new Bucks initiative of just going out and having the most 2010s PWG matches imaginable 🤼

It's an injection of stupid sprinty fireworks wrestling that the product needs.

a woman wearing glasses and a lanyard that says i 'm sorry it took so long on it Alt: a woman wearing glasses and a lanyard that says i 'm sorry it took so long on it

Sorry for inactivity kids, i'll be back soon. Been a little too busy during my days to watch full ROH shows, i'll be back once I have my backlog built up again, which is looking like it should happen pretty soon. 🤼

Bryan Danielson holding his neck after the conclusion of the main event. A stern and slightly distant stare across his face.

Overall - 7/10 🤼

Solid enough but enough filler to keep it out of the 8's. As mentioned in the intro there's a slight sense of wheel spinning setting up for Punk vs Aries down the line.

This is a pivotal character moment for the evolution of Danielson though, a piece of him stays with Homicide.

They save this mediocre series right at the end. This and the lumberjack match really shine a luminous glare on the fact that these two have worked best together in the matches that have forced them to remain in a ring together and wrestle 🤼

Also this absolute one in a million throw, lovely ***3/4

Homicide vs Danielson - Bo5 - Cage (2-2) 🤼

Firstly, the opening commentary. Fucking *thank you*, if only someone had been pointing this out about every cage match you've done so far. Prazak bemoans how stupid it would be to have this series end by one running away from the other. ⬇️

But then, the negative. I feel safe now calling out that Gibson is not a great seller. Previously he's been inconsistent, here he is consistent but not intense. Arm work is a huge focus of this match, and a spot like this divorce court I would want to hear a piercing scream ring out. 🤼

***3/4

Austin Aries (c) vs James Gibson 🤼

First, the positives. This is just so mechanically excellent again, emphatically watchable purely on nuts and bolts. Gibson 100% has the crowd in the palm of his hand here as well, working the anticipation for his big comebacks beautifully. Very sound structure. ⬇️

Jack Evans vs Delirious vs Ebetaro vs Samoa Joe 🤼

A match a lot of people have a lot of fondness for, it's fine. Inoffensive fun. I genuinely find Jack funnier in normal matches, but Ebetaro and Delirious have some great stuff. Joe is working hurt here so wanted something light. - ***

Alex Shelley vs Roderick Strong 🤼 #ROH

This feels like the first match that Shelley really finds a groove working babyface, and he gets the desired response from the crowd because of it. Roddy is really starting to shine as an explosive physical problem for guys to solve on the way up. - ***1/4

DVD Cover for ROH's The Final Showdown, Homicide and Bryan Danielson are pictured with the latter looking remarkably like Hbomberguy

The Final Showdown - 13.05.2005 🤼 #ROH

We are well and truly on the road to The Summer of Punk now, and these next few shows feel like they are slotting final pieces into place for what is truly one of Gabe's crowning moments of storytelling.

Small matter of the Bo5 series to wrap up too.

I think it's a pretty positive sign for overall engagement and sentiment towards AEW that they managed to put on a widely heralded fantastic show last night with pretty minimal great wrestling on it.

Of course ideally they do both. 🤼 #AEW