Shibata takes pure title on big night for ROH
March 31 in Los Angeles would see Ring of Honor present ROH Supercard, with the ROH Pure Championship on the line in the semi main event, Katsuyori Shibata challenging champion Wheeler Yuta. Yuta would be accompanied to the ring by Jon Moxley to defend his title in the bout where rope breaks were limited, and the match would go to judges’ decision should the match reach its time limit.
Shibata would work over Yuta with confidence on the mat, and had just as much in hand in the stand up, scoring the first strikes before avoiding a dropkick from the champion. In full control as the match passed three and then four minutes, torturing Yuta with a figure four for well over a minute before the champion finally went to the ropes, using his first rope break but bring struck with repeated 12-6 elbows as he continued to be schooled by the Wrestler.
Yuta finally created an opening at the seven minute mark, targeting the arm of Shibata, but would be cut off with brutal strikes; just as Shibata went for a soaring dropkick though, he would be met with a low blow that the official didn’t see, and a closed fist to the face that he did, being given an official warning from the referee. The challenger had no need for closed fists as he brought Yuta to the brink of unconsciousness with a forearm shiver, and landed his soaring dropkick in the corner, and a half hatch got two at eleven minutes.
Yuta used a second rope break to try and get reprieve from his opponent, but was rocked with a suplex all the same, Shibata getting two and pulling the champion up rather than taking the title. Despite a sickening spit to the face from Yuta, Shibata rocked the champion with an overhand right and then the PK, becoming the new ROH Pure Champion.
Under 24 hours after they challenged for IMPACT Tag Team Championship gold at Multiverse United, Aussie Open would be in line for Ring Of Honor Tag Team Championships in a Reach for the Sky Ladder Match. A chaotic bout as expected, bodies flew everywhere from jump, with Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher picking their spot to take out Dralistico and Rush with the Dental Plan; their advantage didn’t last long as the Lucha Brothers sandwiched Davis and Fletcher in between ladders and struck with a senton.
Aussie Open almost tasted disaster at the hands of the Kingdom as they wanted stereo Jay Drillers on the ramp but were dropped with a piledriver from Davis and Grimstone from Fletcher in response. Grabbing huge ladders, the Aussies started their ascent to the belts, only to be cut off by Rey Fenix as the match continued. As the bout grew ever more violent, Top Flight gained an edge, but Davis and Fletcher would re-enter to prevent an ascent; a massive double beal sent Penta into a ladder in the corner and the two began a climb, but Dante Martin of Top Flight would springboard in to stop them again.
Davis and Fletcher got their revenge on Dante with Corealis, and brother Darius would be planted on a ladder that bridged the ring and the guardrails. Dralistico scored a Deja Vu on Davis though, before sending Fletcher off the apron and into the announce position with a tijeras. Davis would fight his way back into the match but would be hurled off the apron through a ladder by Rush, and as Dante was drilled with a Destroyer off a ladder through four tables at ringside by Penta, Fenix picked up the pieces to win the match for the Lucha Brothers.
Hiroshi Tanahashi faced Daniel Garcia one on one at Supercard. With Garcia bringing with him the expectations of mentor Chris Jericho, who has his own violent past with the Ace, the young upstart didn’t grant Tanahashi a clean break in the ropes and tugged at the Ace’s hair before paying with a cross body from the second to the delight of the crowd. Garcia would take advantage on the floor though, sending Tanahashi into the ring steps and following with shots to the knee.
Hobbled, Tanahashi would fire back with body shots and a somersault senton, but was cut off as Garcia went back to the knee and followed with an ax kick. A German suplex would follow for Garcia, who was pushing the Ace hard, but a Twist and Shout and Slingblade would score for Tanahashi, who went up for High Fly Flow and connected for three.
The Zero Hour kickoff for Supercard of Honor would see Tracy Williams, preparing for a Collision in Philadelphia ROH Pure Rules match with Alex Coughlin, taking on Jeff Cobb. Williams tried to take Cobb down early but got dropped with a Spin Cycle, followed y a running brainbuster. Williams would escape a standing moonsault from Cobb and worked for an armbar, calling an audible with a side suplex and charging into the corner.
Cobb tried to pull Hot Sauce out of the corner, but was rocked with a DDT in midair by Williams who tried to power up Cobb. A German suplex would be the result for Williams though, and Cobb landed an Aloha Maker style Tour of the Islands for three.
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