Post by Cauchi on Mar 26, 2020 13:05:46 GMT -5
RoH Wrestling
Friday, March 27th, 2020
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Announcers: Mauro Ranallo & Christian
No lights, no pyro. We start off tonight’s show with a pre-taped segment from Ring of Honor Owner Eric Bischoff.
Bischoff welcomes everyone in a somber tone to what will be the last episode of RoH Wrestling for the time being. He explains the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic that has rocked the entire world, before informing everyone watching at home that in order to insure the safety of both the fans and the staff, he’s decided to put Ring of Honor on hiatus after this week, at least until things start to get a little better in North America. Bischoff explains tonight that there will be no audience in the crowd due to the Province’s limit on gatherings of more than 10 people, before agreeing with the decree as being what is best for everyone at the moment. Before signing off, Eric Bischoff wishing everyone both watching tonight, and all around the MUW Universe well as the scene fades out.
*****
We then see Mauro Ranallo joined alongside Christian in what appears to be an isolated studio. Ranallo welcomes everyone to tonight’s show before introducing Christian as his broadcast partner for this episode due to Steve Corino and Tazz not being able to travel in to Canada at this time. Ranallo quickly explains that due to COVID-19, both he and Christian were considered non-essential to be at the arena this week and are instead calling the matches remotely from the RoH Headquarters just down the street from the arena.
Christian brings up that we only have one match scheduled tonight as Kevin Owens will be defending his Ring of Honor Television Championship against 1 half of the Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions, Michael Elgin. He then mentions that his best friend Edge is in the arena to address the fans watching at home before we head to over to the ringside area.
*****
YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME!
The music of Edge plays as he makes his way down to the ring, trying not to look too distracted by the empty arena surrounding him. He stops at the entrance ramp and does his usual taunt, but there is no pyro to accompany him this time around.
Once in the ring, Edge grabs the microphone and mentions that tonight is a strange night, for multiple reason. First, there is the fear and uncertainty of when he will get to step in a RoH ring again, as he has no idea when the company is going to be able to return. Secondly, frustration. Frustration that he was going to get an opportunity to face Seth Rollins next week for Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championship after beating him at SuperCard, but not that’s not going to happen for a little while. Edge tell Rollins he hopes that he is watching and to listen very carefully because he wants him to know that if they get a chance to meet each other in the future he promises…..no, Edge GUARANTEE’S that he’ll walk out as the new Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion!
Edge drops the mic and goes to leave the arena, but is stopped when the Music of The Hart Dynasty begins to play from the speaker. Out from behind the curtain come Tyson Kidd and Davey Boy Smith, Jr. as they make their way in to the ring to greet Edge.
Tyson Kidd tells Edge that just like him, they’re frustrated as well. They are frustrated because they just showed up here in Ring of Honor and haven’t even had a chance to make a real impact around here. Edge looks confused, but Kidd quickly assures him that they aren’t out here to disrespect Edge, but they would like to challenge him to a match tonight. Edge chuckles as Kidd explains that since they’re here and neither of them have anything scheduled for tonight, why not have a match just for fun.
Edge likes this idea, but says he’s got one even better. Edge tells Kidd and Smith that instead of a 1-on-1 match, why not have a tag team match tonight instead? Kidd and Smith agree, but Kidd then questions Edge’s partner as Christian isn’t here tonight due to being on commentary and the only other wrestler’s in the arena are wrestling each other. Edge then jokes about teaming with Toronto’s very own, Alicia Atout which draws laughs from all three men in the ring, before Edge tells Kidd he ran in to a member of the Ring of Honor roster backstage that most people forgot about, and he’s sure that he’d love an opportunity to step in to the ring tonight…..
Just then, the music of Kenny Omega hits the arena and out he comes standing at the top of the stage, nodding his head. Kidd and Smith look both surprised and excited for this impromptu tag team match as we slowly fade out to our first commercial break of the evening.
***COMMERCIAL***
Match #1: Singles Match – No Time Limit
Michael Elgin vs. Kevin Owens ©
Ring of Honor Television Championship
We get back from commercial to some in ring action as Kevin Owens defends his TV title against Michael Elgin. We hear from Mauro Ranallo and Christian that due to this match being the only bout scheduled when we first came on the air, the 10-minute time limit stipulation was suspended for this match. Owens and Elgin put on one hell of a match as the two Champions shows everyone at home why they are both currently wearing gold in this company. Elgin proves to be the biggest threat KO has had to face since becoming Television Champion so far as he’s able to out muscle and over power Owens on quite a few different occasions. After a missed clothesline attempt from Owens, Elgin tires to put KO in the Elgin Bomb, but Owens manages to slide out of it and hit Elgin with the KO Stunner!
Owens covers Elgin, but he’s able to kick up at 2! The match continues with both men bringing the fight to each other as they continue to give it everything they’ve got though both are starting to look winded as this match progresses passed the normal 10-minute time limit. Elgin tosses Owens in to the corner, but Owens manages to move out of the way when Elgin charges at him. Seeing his opponent staggered, Owens goes for another KO Stunner, but Elgin swats Owen’s leg away. Reacting quickly though, Owens kicks Elgin in the knee, causing him to buckle and allowing Owens to hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb for the victory. It’s worth noting that with no crowd in attendance, a very audible “Screw You Logan!” could be heard from Owens during the Powerbomb.
Winner & STIIIILLL RoH TELEVISION CHAMPION: Kevin Owens by pinfall @15:22
*****
We head backstage to Alicia Atout who is standing by with Kenny Omega. Alicia asks Omega what he’s doing here tonight and Omega explains that he was in Toronto finalizing the terms in his new RoH contract around the same time the pandemic came in to Canada, and decided it would be best to stay in Ontario a while longer instead of returning to Manitoba. When he received a call from Eric Bichoff, he knew that Eric was in need of some help with so many RoH superstars being stuck in the US, so he immediately agreed to show up tonight and now he’s got himself a tag team match with Edge and the Hart Dynasty. Alicia asks Omega what his mind set is as he’s set to make his RoH debut in an empty arena, but Kenny politely cuts her off. Omega explains that it is indeed different to not have the arena packed with chanting fans, but they’re still out there for the people at home, the people that need something to look forward to tonight to take their minds off things, even if it’s only for an hour. Omega tells Alicia he’s excited to team with Edge tonight, and more excited to hopefully face him one day down the road as well.
***COMMERCIAL***
Main Event: Tag Team Match
Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd & Davey Boy Smith, Jr.) vs. Kenny Omega and Edge
A rather entertaining match considering the circumstances surrounding it. Both team played their babyface role in this match, with the Hart Dynasty working a little more heelish towards the end, just to add some drama for the audience watching at home. The main topic of conversation for this match was Kenny Omega making his RoH debut and his comments about wanting to face Edge one day, but there were zero signs of tension between the two who worked rather well together as a tag team. The Hart Dynasty also did a great job looking strong in this match, as RoH was creative not to job them out against two much bigger stars before a potentially long layoff, especially if they are seemingly about to pick up a feud with The Kingdom. The finish comes just shy of the 20-minute mark after Edge hits Davey Boy Smith, Jr. with a Spear that rolls him out of the ring and allows Kenny Omega to put Tyson Kidd away with the One Winged Angel for the win.
Winners: Kenny Omega & Edge by pinfall @ 19:31.
Omega and Edge celebrate together after the match, before having some playful words that were inaudible to the camera, but one can only imagine it had something to do with Omega’s comments during his interview with Alicia Atout. As RoH slowly fades to the close, Mauro Ranallo and Christian wish everyone the best and plead with those watching at home to stay safe as RoH Wrestling signs off for the foreseeable future.
***END OF THE SHOW***
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Note: This will be my last show for a while as previously announced. Once things start to clear with this COVID-19 pandemic and life slowly starts to get back to normal, I’ll be back and ready to continue right where I left off last week. I’ll still be around on the board, but don’t expect to do much writing for now. Please stay safe everyone.