Pure Rules: Brian Johnson vs. PJ Black
In a pre-match promo, “The Mecca” says everyone in the Pure Division is going to honor him. Black, his mentor, says if Johnson thinks he’s ready, he’ll win this bout. If he does, Johnson will earn the black headband to signal his progression. Johnson says Black is the only guy who’s not a “bozo” on this roster, but he’s about to show “The Darewolf” that he’s surpassed him. “The Mecca” also makes it clear that he’s targeting the ROH Pure Championship.
The two men shake hands before the bell rings. They feel each other out with technical holds, and the match is a stalemate early on. Black briefly gains the upper hand, but the two competitors are evenly matched. “The Darewolf” sends Johnson to the outside with a dropkick, forcing “The Mecca” to regroup. A hurricanrana sends Johnson crashing to the outside, and Black dives onto him outside the ring.
A diving crossbody earns Black a two count, but Johnson dodges a springboard moonsault. “The Mecca” takes control and talks some trash. Black fires back and forces Johnson to use his second ropebreak with an innovative submission hold. “The Darewolf” grounds Johnson and plants him with a back suplex. Both men are down after a double clothesline. The student trades blows with his mentor, and Black hits a springboard moonsault for a two count.
Johnson thumbs Black in the eye, punches him behind the referee’s back and hits The Process for the win.
Winner: Brian Johnson
After the match, Black tells Johnson and says he’ll go do great things. They shake hands after Black says he’s there for “The Mecca” if he needs him.
Backstage, Black emphasizes that he taught Black what he knows, and he’ll be there for Johnson. Johnson says “Pure” is spelled “M-e-c-c-a”.
In a video package, several members of the women’s division hype it up.
Eli Isom cuts a promo about his match with Ryan Mooney, which will air on this week’s episode of ROH Week By Week. Isom says Mooney will showcase his skills in the bout, but he won’t stop him in his quest for the ROH World Television Championship. Meanwhile, Mooney says Isom has never truly proven that he’s the better competitor.
Four Corner Survival: Brody King vs. Kenny King vs. Jay Lethal vs. Shane Taylor
In pre-match promos, Kenny King points out how warring gangs used to have sitdowns, but these factions are about to fight, and Taylor states that this match is both a chance to climb the rankings and get revenge on Kenny.
Brody reminds everyone that he has defeated both Taylor and Lethal, but Kenny always avoids what’s coming to him. Still, he says he’ll do whatever it takes to get a world title shot. Finally, Lethal says this bout is all about getting one step closer to earning a title shot for the most prestigious title in wrestling, and he’s the only one in this match who knows what it feels like to hold the gold. He states that he need to have that feeling again.
Lethal and Brody start the match, and the former world champion gains the upper hand. Taylor tags in, as per the rules of the bout, and drives Lethal into the corner. He drills “The Franchise” with a body shot and floors him with a clothesline. Lethal targets Taylor’s leg and takes him down with a dragon screw. Kenny tags in and trades counters with Lethal. He blasts Lethal with a closed fist and catches “The Franchise” with his own cartwheel dropkick.
Kenny grounds Lethal, and Brody tags in. He floors Lethal with a cheap shot and exchanges blows with Kenny. Brody drops King with a stiff strike to the face. He continues to overpower Kenny and squashes him with a senton. Kenny rallies with a dropkick and plants Brody with a blockbuster. He dives onto Taylor outside the ring and rocks Lethal with a big boot.
Brody turns Kenny inside out with a lariat, thanks to a distraction from Taylor. “The Baddest of All Time” tags in and trades blows with Brody. Lethal dives onto Brody outside the ring, and Taylor catches Kenny with a cutter. Taylor blasts Lethal with a headbutt and drops him with a piledriver. Kenny somehow lifts Taylor for a Blue Thunder Bomb. Brody gets the three count on Taylor with a lariat.
Winner: Brody King
Brody helps Taylor back to his feet, and “The Baddest of All Time” makes it clear that he wants to face him in a singles match. Brody shakes hands with Lethal and walks to the back.
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