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ROH Episode 96 Review: Boxing Day Brawl
ROH presents Boxing Day Brawl for the first time, which is technically the fourth Hammerstein Show wrestling fans will see over the last week, which is exciting. Since I was there live at the show I can tell you there were good things and bad, but one thing is certain: this newbie Toni Storm has something and can be quite the main eventer here in ROH! Let’s review.
Blake Christian vs AR Fox:
One thing I will say here is that this match was way too long. This was one of the last matches on the tapings and it dragged. Fox and Christian did what they could given the situation if their match went on late, but it did not do them any favors. At one point Fox pinned Chrisitan and landed on top of Rick Knox due to poor ring awareness, which I assumed they were going to cut from the episode but they did not Christian hit a low blow while the referee was distracted as he kicked Fox and was able to get the win.
Winner: Blake Christian
Serpentico vs Lee Johnson:
One of the best things to come out of the Final Battle pay-per-view was LEEJ turning heel. The heel turn fits them as a team more and you can tell how much more comfortable Nduka and Johnson are that fit their new heel era. Johnson was able to get the win easily over Serpentico as LEEJ looked to add more wins to their resume in the new year.
Winner: Lee Johnson
Shane Taylor Promotions Promo:
Taylor says that he and everyone in STP’s place is in ROH and to win championship gold. Others in ROH do not have this place and their job is to sing and dance around while everyone else does the work. He vows that 2025 will be their year and they will run ROH.
Premier Athletes (Ariya Davari and Tony Nese) vs Tommy Billington and Katsuyori Shibata:
I would love it if ROH used Billington regularly after he showed out this past weekend. He and Shibata not only had good chemistry during their match on Friday but also worked well together during this tag team match. Before the match, Mark Sterling said New York was just a bootleg version of New Jersey and also had the entire crowd saying athletes suck like they do every week. Shibata got the pin which led him and Billington to get the big win in NYC.
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata and Tommy Billington
Toni Storm vs Rebecca Scott:
This kid Toni Storm has what it takes to be a big star in the future! What a debut. Yes, this is a storyline and was a squash match just go along with it.
Winner: Toni Storm
Our throwback match for the night was a Soccer Riot match between Nigel McGuinness and Colt Cabana at Night of the Grudges II in 2005, which was right after my fourth birthday.
QT Marshall and Aaron Solo vs Rocky Romero and Homicide:
I was wondering if ROH was going to use any alumni who are local either on the pay-per-view or the TV taping and they did exactly that with this match. Homicide got a nice reaction both nights he wrestled (there’s another tag team match that will air next week). I thought it was also a nice touch when Homicide came out and Caprice Coleman exclaimed that this was the ROH he loves. Before the official match got underway Marshall cut a promo saying that everyone in attendance should be ashamed for chanting Homicide and 187. He says that the crowd does not deserve to hear what else he has to say and the match begins. This match was fine, it was more so for Homicide to get a nice pop and have the New York ROH sickos go crazy like only they can.
Winners: Homicide and Rocky Romero
MxM Promo:
Mason Madden is upset that Danhausen got involved in Mansoor’s match last weekend. He says that Danhausen ruined Mansoor’s perfect pay-per-view match and caused him to lose. Mansoor says he hates singles matches and trashed Atlantis Jr. He says that Atlantis can not live up to the hype of his family in CMLL and he got lucky on Friday with the win.
MXM (Mason Madden and Mansoor) vs Dustin Waller and Kylon King:
Our second squash match of the night. Sigh.
Winners: MXM (Mason Madden and Mansoor)
New York Minute:
Chris Jericho says he is still feeling the New York Minute and he has one more gift for all of his fans in New York. He says that on Collision he was not ready, but Friday on Rampage he will be and challenges Anthony Bowens to a match. He says that he hopes Bowens is ready for what he asked for because as he sees it Bowens is running out of friends.
Minion Expulsion Meeting:
Lexy Nair welcomes us to the first ever Minion Expulsion Meeting and introduces both Athena and Billie Starkz. Athena says that last week we saw another historic victory by her and we are here to expel a minion for the first time ever. Athena says we have had nothing but problems with Starkz because she is ignoring Athena’s guidance and even though she is doing her best with the skills she has she still sucks. She says that all Starkz does is complain and moan while Athena wonders week after week how to teach this kid. When moving on to Nair she says that Nair has surprised her and has always risen to the occasion when she has needed her. Athena says that it will be here and Starkz from here on out. She says Nair gave her a bad introduction at the pay-per-view, she did not wear the matching penguin costume to Athena’s two faced cosplay and when she almost dropped the microphone during the match she almost cost Athena the win. She exspells Nair as the New York faithful sing her out of the ring. Athena says that now that Nair is gone this is a stepping stone for Starkz because Athena cares about her and her future. Now it will be Athena and Starkz forever…
ROH World Television Championship: Komander vs Johnny TV:
I was shocked when I saw Komander win this title last week, but after he worked all three days of the Hammerstein shows as well as seeing him on the scrum I am happy he won. This was a perfect first defense for Komander as he faced a veteran in Johnny TV who has a similar style to him. MxM also sitting in the rafters with a sign saying “If Johnny loses we will be really sad” was not only the perfect touch but also hilarious. Komander retains in a fun one after taking out MxM as him and Alex Abrahentes celebrate to close out the show.
Winner: “And Still” Komander
Overall:
I did not expect much from this episode due to the fact it was the last one for the year, but you can tell we were right back to regular ROH shows with squash matches and little storyline progression. The M.E.M. The segment was great and I am excited to see how they can develop this story even further, but as always the ROH episode was okay and we are here hoping for a better episode next week.
On a personal note this is my last ROH Review on PWInsider. I am leaving wrestling media to chase another crazy dream in the wrestling world and I can not wait to see what is next. I would just like to thank Mike Johnson for giving me an opportunity to write for one of the biggest wrestling news outlets in the country for a brand I love so much in ROH. I would also like to thank everyone who has read my reviews over the last year and has supported me on PWInsider. I really appreciate it :)
Note from Mike: THANK YOU KIMMY! We wish you all the success in the world!
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