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Here’s a preview of this weekend’s episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling:”
Pure Rules Match: Flip Gordon vs. Josh Woods
Woods has taken a major step forward as a singles wrestler in 2020. On the heels of a breakout performance in the Pure Title Tournament that saw him advance to the final four, Woods scored what was easily the biggest victory of his career when he pinned two-time former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal two weeks ago.
Gordon has already established himself as a top singles competitor. “The Mercenary” has an ROH World Title shot coming to him by virtue of his win in a No. 1 contender’s battle royal in February. One of the best high flyers in the sport, Gordon wants to prove that he’s also a great technical wrestler.
Gordon, who has a background in MMA and amateur wrestling, feels disrespected over not being invited to participate in the Pure Title Tournament. He petitioned for a shot at ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham at the Final Battle pay-per-view on Dec. 18, and ROH officials granted his request.
A case could be made that Gordon, who has never competed in a Pure Rules match, hasn’t earned a Pure Title opportunity. However, if he defeats Woods this weekend, no one can argue that Gordon isn’t a worthy contender.
Of course, beating Woods is easier said than done, especially in a Pure Rules Match. Just ask Lethal, “The Franchise of ROH.”
Woods has his own title opportunity at Final Battle, as he is competing in a four-way match with Dak Draper, LSG and Tony Deppen, with the winner receiving a shot at ROH World Television Champion Dragon Lee that same night. Woods obviously wants to head into Final Battle with momentum.
Mark Briscoe and PCO vs. The Bouncers
Mark Briscoe has been laser-focused on regaining the ROH World Tag Team Title that he and his brother Jay lost at Final Battle last year. Jay, however, has been consumed with his personal issue with EC3.
So with Jay signed to face EC3 in a grudge match at Final Battle, Mark went out and found himself a new partner to challenge ROH World Tag Team Champions Lethal and Gresham at the pay-per-view. PCO, a former ROH World Champion, World Tag Team Champion and World Six-Man Tag Team Champion, jumped at the opportunity to wear gold around his waist again.
Mark Briscoe and PCO are both incredibly intense individuals with no regard for their own safety, but whether they can jell as a team remains to be seen. They have had some bloody battles against each other, but they’ve never fought on the same side.
Conversely, The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser and Brawler Milonas) are best friends who have been teaming together for two years. They’re looking at this match against Briscoe and PCO as an opportunity to prove that they’re more than just a couple of fun-loving, beer-swilling guys who enjoy a good fight.
“We’re done being the guys that, ‘Oh, yeah, you lost, so let’s all go have a beer.’ No, we’re done with that,” Bruiser said. “We’re going to do whatever it takes. We’re going to punch whoever we have to punch. Because our goal, our mindset, is set on winning the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship.”
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