Eck’s Files: Chelsea Green Tells All On ROH Podcast; Exclusive Interview With Bandido; Joe Keys Replaces Injured Jonathan Gresham In Eight-Man Tag

Eck’s Files: Chelsea Green Tells All On ROH Podcast; Exclusive Interview With Bandido; Joe Keys Replaces Injured Jonathan Gresham In Eight-Man Tag

July 18, 2021

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By Kevin Eck

Shortly after becoming one of the hottest free agents in pro wrestling a few months ago, Chelsea Green made it clear on social media that she wanted to compete in Ring of Honor.

Still, it was a surprise when “The Hot Mess” showed up during the Best in the World pay-per-view in Baltimore last Sunday because there were still a few days remaining on her
WWE 90-day non-compete clause.

Green joined me on the latest episode of the ROHStrong Podcast, which drops Monday morning on ROHWrestling.com and most podcast platforms, to explain how she was able to appear on the ROH show.

“I contacted Maria [Kanellis-Bennett] right away when I was released and I said, ‘I don’t know what you guys are doing but I want to be a part of Ring of Honor,’” Green said. “She was obviously very receptive. We’ve worked together in the past and have a great relationship, so I’m thankful for that. The funny thing is that logistically it wasn’t going to work because I had a 90-day non-compete with WWE and this fell on Day 86, I believe, something like that. 

“So I was four days short of being able to compete in the women’s tournament or even be at Ring of Honor at the tapings. So I was really bummed about that. And then I thought I’m just going to take things into my own hands, and I contacted WWE and asked for a week off of my non-compete, and they actually granted me that week off, which was so shocking and such a pleasant surprise.”

 

Green, who is a former Impact champion and has wrestled for Stardom in Japan, said competing in ROH has been on her bucket list for years.

“For some reason before I signed with WWE, Ring of Honor and I were like two ships passing in the night,” Green said. “We could just never get on the same page, whether it was dates, or times, or if they even needed another girl. So I think this all worked out in the most perfect and magical way.”

Unfortunately, as we saw at Best in the World, Green has a broken arm and cannot compete in the ROH Women’s World Title Tournament because the Maryland State Athletic Commission won’t clear her. She will be doing commentary for some of the matches in the tournament, which begins on ROH TV the weekend of July 31.

On the podcast, Green also talked about her provocative podcast, Green With Envy; her desire to work with Playboy; playing Daniel Bryan’s therapist on Raw after being in the business just a few months; her time on WWE Tough Enough; working as Laurel Van Ness in Impact, and much more.

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I had the privilege of conducting an exclusive video interview with new ROH World Champion Bandido for ROH’s YouTube channel.

Bandido talked about winning the title from RUSH at Best in the World; his relationship with RUSH’s brother, Dragon Lee; making his first title defense against Flip Gordon at Glory By Honor Night 1 on Aug. 20 in Philadelphia, and more.

 

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I have to give credit to senior referee Todd Sinclair for allowing a great deal of latitude during the Bandido-RUSH match.

There were several occasions in which Sinclair had cause to disqualify RUSH, but he chose not to because it would’ve made for a deflating finish to the main event and also taken away Bandido’s chance to win the title.

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ROH Dojo member Joe Keys is replacing his coach, Jonathan Gresham, in the eight-man tag match between The Foundation (Jay Lethal, Tracy Williams and Rhett Titus) and Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, O’Shay Edwards and Soldiers of Savagery’s Moses and Kaun) that headlines this weekend’s episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling.

Gresham was banged up after competing in two matches at Best in the World and then tweaked his knee training in the ring with Keys. 

Gresham still wanted to wrestle in the eight-man tag, but Tracy Williams told him to sit this one out because he’s the Pure Champion and doesn’t need to take the risk. Williams suggested Keys, who was taping Gresham’s knee at the time, take his place, and Gresham agreed.

Also on TV this weekend: Quinn McKay faces Mandy Leon, and if McKay wins she’ll receive the final ticket to gold for the ROH Women’s World Title Tournament; and Rey Horus takes on Fred Yehi.

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Speaking of Keys, did you catch the backstage interview with him and fellow Dojo member Dante Caballero prior to their match against the Briscoes on ROH TV this past weekend?

Keys and Caballero acted like they were scared to death. The key word is “acted.”

Keys told me he and Caballero were just trying to lighten the mood and calm their nerves heading into a match against the baddest tag team in ROH history.

Keys and Caballero knew they were in for a rough time, but trust me, I’ve known these guys since they started training in MCW Pro Wrestling several years ago, and they’re definitely not cowards.

 

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After failing to win the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Title at Best in the World, Dalton Castle, Eli Isom and Dak Draper will meet in a triple threat match on Ring of Honor Wrestling the weekend of July 24.

Also on the show: After their staredown at Best in the World, PCO and Sledge will square off; and Gordon meets World Famous CB.

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Speaking of Castle, he will be appearing on an upcoming episode of “Celebrity Family Feud” on ABC. Castle is a member of former WCW World Champion David Arquette’s team of pro wrestlers.

I approached Castle for a comment when I saw him backstage at the recent ROH TV tapings, but he started talking on his cell phone when he saw me and mouthed “I’m very busy” as he continued walking. Later, I saw him talking on his Bluetooth headset while simultaneously taking a call on his cell phone and taking notes on his Palm Pilot.

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Until next time, keep safe and stay #ROHStrong!

Kevin Eck is a veteran pro wrestling journalist who has worked for The Baltimore Sun, WWE and WCW before joining ROHWrestling.com. Eck’s Files appears every Friday.

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Be sure to visit Ring of Honor for more news and updates

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