ROH Death before Dishonor on July 21 was not the best built event. None of the ROH ppv’s have but this one blew last year’s out of the water. While there were a few matches that were definitely filler for the card. Most of those did truly deliver. We had continuations of feuds that are building as well as a banger of a blow off match between the Dark Order and the Righteous. The show built greatly towards the main event as the first few matches were on the weaker but still strong side of the show. The crowd wasn’t the best that I have seen for ROH but was strong for certain matches of the show.
The Second ROH PPV of the year is now. ROh Death Before Dishonor on July 21 2023 is headlined by two marquee matches. Athena and Willow Nightingale collide in a tiebreaking match for the ROH World Women’s Championship. After Blood and Guts, PAC’s betrayal leads to getting a championship match against BCC”s Claudio Castagnoli. Lucha Brothers defend in a four corners match against Best Friends, The Kingdom and Aussie Open. Pure Rules for the Pure Championship as Katsuyori Shibata defends against a sports entertainer in Daniel Garcia. And a six man Fight Without Honor between the Dark Order and the new Righteous.
Zero Hour:
Josh Woods Vs Tracy Williams – Pure Rules Match:
Results: Josh Woods by Submission via Guillotine
JD Drake and Anthony Henry Vs Action Andretti and Darius Martin:
Results: Andretti and Darius by Pinfall via Doomsday Neckbreaker
Leyla Hirsch Vs Trish Adora:
Results: Leyla Hirsch by Submission via Cross Armbar
AR Fox Vs Shane Taylor:
Results: AR Fox By Pinfall via 450 Splash
Main Show:
ABOVE AVERAGE Komander Vs Gravity: ROH Death Before Dishonor Opening Match
Fundamentals: 0.50
Atmosphere: 0.50
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.50
Innovation: 0.75
In a similar fashion, ROH wanted to kick off a PPV with a Lucha styled match. This was not the match to kick the show off, as it struggled to kick it off to the best of its ability in the same way Komander and Vikingo did. This match not only lacked the chemistry despite both men being tag partners. It also lacked the story, they have teamed up before and have been a part of each other’s career for the last few years. And I shouldn’t need to look that up to know that. The crowd wasn’t too hot to start the show either. Being honest, I would have put the Shane Taylor and AR Fox match in this place.
Results: Gravity by Pinfall via School Boy Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GREAT Dalton Castle Vs Samoa Joe – ROH World TV Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.50
Making the most of everything you do. Dalton Castle is such a ROH guy because he has had such a history in this company. Everything about the character fits and everything done in the ring is done for the character. Seeing the Boys get involved by saving Dalton a number of times. With the Boys playing an integral part of the result in the match. Joe making Stokely eject the Boys before kicking Dalton low and choking him out. The match was fun and solid but nothing over the top amazing.
Results: Samoa Joe by Submission Stoppage via Coquina Clutch
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
AMAZING The Kingdom Vs The Best Friends Vs Aussie Open Vs Lucha Brothers – ROH World Tag Team Championships:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 1
This was the type of match that should have been done in April to honor Jay Briscoe. Not only was this match done great, there were a lot of innovative sequences and I would say a perfect ending. We had a really hot crowd for all teams. And tensions grew not only between the four teams, but between The Best Friends and the Lucha Brothers. I liked the Lucha Brothers taking things up a notch to get to the best friends by using the chair. Aussie Open is back as a team and I couldn’t be happier.
Results: Aussie Open by Pinfall via Coriolis On “Trent?”
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.25 Stars
GREAT Brian Cage, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun Vs Ryusuke Taguchi, Leon Ruffin and Master Wato – ROH World Six Man Tag Championship:
Fundamentals: 0.75
Atmosphere: 0.50
Storytelling: 0.50
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 1
A match that had the most random make shift team ever that was challenging the Mogul Embassy. Not only did this match deliver, it was probably the best ROH six man tag championship match of this current reign. I really liked the finish because it played on the fact that Leon is a smaller guy and getting launched like that fit. All challengers got to shine in their own way.
Results: The Embassy by Pinfall via Three Person Deadlift Launch
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
AMAZING Katsuyori Shibata Vs Daniel Garcia – Pure Rules, ROH Pure Championship Match:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 0.75
Are you not sports entertained? Not only is this match what you expect from a pure rules match. It is hard hitting, it is technical and we will forever be gracious that Daniel Garcia will thrust for us. The finish of Shibata having a sleeper hold on Daniel and he is thrusting while fading away before getting the PK is great. And that isn’t the only time Garcia is thrusting. Simple yet effective storytelling between the two and solid psychology.
Results: Katsuyori Shibata by Pinfall via Penalty Kick
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.00 Stars
MUST WATCH John Silver, Alex Reynolds and Evil Uno Vs Stu Grayson, Dutch and Vincent – Fight Without Honor:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 0.75
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 1
This match is the main storyline that was ROH exclusive that had a stipulation to live up too. This match was very everything it needed to be. Intensity with amazing spots. I loved not only using tacks but Evil Uno bringing out Legos. Match started off with everyone brawling except Stu and Uno before they engaged with the fight. There were a large amount of table spots that were really good including Dutch going off the stage through a barbed wire board. This match had the violence it needed too as well as the crimson. I just think it wasn’t a 1 star atmosphere.
Results: The Dark Order By Pinfall via Team Assisted BlackOut.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.75 Stars
MUST WATCH Claudio Castagnoli Vs PAC – ROH World Championship:
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 0.75
Psychology: 0.75
Innovation: 1
In a match booked off of events from blood and guts. This wasn’t the main event. There was a lot of really good stuff and good transitions. From the counters of the neutralizer, the Ricola bomb, the brutalizer all big moves were counters. These guys made it seem like they have a very elaborate past. In a prediction I said on the WR Daily, someone from the BCC needed to be there. Wheeler Yuta was the distraction that helped Claudio retain.
After the match, The Lucha Brothers come out and the death triangle attacks Yuta and Claudio. The Best Friends and Orange Cassidy run out to attack The Lucha Brothers and PAC. Cassidy sucker punches Claudio as the best friends stand tall.
Results: Claudio Castagnoli by Pinfall via Ricola Bomb
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 4.50 Stars
PERFECT Athena Vs Willow Nightingale – ROH World Women’s Championship: ROH Death Before Dishonor Main Event
Fundamentals: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Storytelling: 1
Psychology: 1
Innovation: 1
Second best Women’s match of the year. By far a match that not only felt important but for being the third match it felt like they were rivals for years. Willow and Athena tore the house down with edge of your seat action. Nearfalls that added to the match and grew in tension. It was a true toss up for either winning the match. With Willow taking everything that Athena threw at her for offense, her body gave up on her. Willow was truly able to showcase her fighting spirit in this match and it was great. Everything Athena did looked really good. Absolutely a 5 star match with the WR system. Great Clip HERE
Results: Athena by Submission Stoppage via Crossface
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 5.00 Stars
Overall…
ROH Death before Dishonor on July 21 was not the best built event. None of the ROH ppv’s have but this one blew last year’s out of the water. While there were a few matches that were definitely filler for the card. Most of those did truly deliver. We had continuations of feuds that are building as well as a banger of a blow off match between the Dark Order and the Righteous. The show built greatly towards the main event as the first few matches were on the weaker but still strong side of the show. The crowd wasn’t the best that I have seen for ROH but was strong for certain matches of the show.
Matches: 0.75/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 1/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 4/5 Stars
Photo Credit: ROH – July 21 2023
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
