Battle of the Belts III (8-6-2022)

TNT Championship Match!

Wardlow (c.) vs. Jay Lethal (with Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh)!

Lethal ambushed Wardlow as Dutt distracted Wardlow from outside the ring. Wardlow popped right back up with a big boot to Jay Lethal, following up with a back body drop.

Lethal took advantage of another distraction from Dutt and Satnam, hitting Wardlow with a sliding kick. Wardlow slammed Lethal with a tilt-a-whirl. Jay Lethal dropkicked Wardlow but Wardlow swatted him away. Lethal went down clutching a knee but he was playing possum.

“Very crafty by the veteran,” said Taz, as Lethal clocked Wardlow with a tope suicida. Lethal concentrated on Wardlow’s left knee, smacking it against the steel ring post. Wardlow, somehow able to stand, tried for a powerbomb but Lethal escaped.

Lethal tried for the Lethal Injection but Wardlow dodged it and then headbutted Lethal in the jaw!

“Lethal is completely stunned and doubled over,” said Excalibur.

Wardlow powerbombed Lethal, covered him and then pinned him!

Sonjay Dutt hit Wardlow from behind after the match. Satnam came into the ring and stood on Wardlow, putting his massive foot on the throat of the TNT Champion. Jay Lethal applied the figure four to Wardlow as Satnam’s weight held Wardlow down on the mat.

Wardlow broke free from Lethal. Wardlow kicked Satnam and then attempted a powerbomb but Lethal rocked Wardlow with a stiff shot. Satnam choke slammed Wardlow through a table! Lethal posed with Wardlow’s belt after the match.

“It’s not Lethal’s title but it does look good in his hands,” said Taz.

AEW Women’s World Championship Match!

Thunder Rosa (c.) (with Toni Storm) vs. Jamie Hayter (with Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. & Rebel)!

“Thunder Rosa brought the back up in Toni Storm,” said Excalibur.

Hayter rocked Rosa from behind with a shot and then dropped rights and lefts. Hayter stomped a mudhole into Thunder Rosa in the corner. Hayter hit Thunder Rosa with an explosive snap suplex.

Thunder Rosa fought back with two consecutive dropkicks, creating some separation. She tried for a tope suicida but Hayter clocked Thunder Rosa, countering it. Hayter whipped Thunder Rosa into the steel guardrail. Thunder Rosa blocked a suplex and then DDT’ed Jamie Hayter on the arena floor!

Britt Baker distracted Thunder Rosa, holding up Thunder Rosa’s championship. Jamie Hayter slammed Thunder Rosa on the steel ring steps with a back breaker!

“This is a slug fest, guys,” said Tony Schiavone.

Thunder Rosa rallied back with a Northern Lights Suplex on Hayter for a near fall. Thunder Rosa walloped Hayter with a dropkick and then a senton, crushing Hayter on the floor!

Thunder Rosa connected with a diving cross body but Hayter kicked free. Hayter hoisted up Thunder Rosa and flattened her with a back breaker and then a sheer drop brainbuster for a two-count!

Britt Baker began to interfere in the match as the ref had her back turned, but Toni Storm pulled Baker back. Toni planted Baker with a DDT on the floor! Thunder Rosa cradled Jamie Hayter and pinned her!

“A hell of a performance by Jamie Hayter but Thunder Rosa pulled through and scored the victory,” said Excalibur.

“That was a battle for the belt, you’re damn right it was,” added Tony Schiavone.

Main Event Time!

ROH World Championship Match!

Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli (c.) (with William Regal and Wheeler Yuta) vs. Konosuke Takeshita!

Caprice Coleman joined the commentary team for this match.

William Regal also joined the broadcast booth for the main event.

The Code of Honor was observed before the bell rang.

The champ charged at Takeshita at the start of the match. Claudio muscled Takeshita to the mat but Takeshita bridged up, using his savvy to compete with Claudio’s strength. Takeshita used a hip toss on the champ.

“Takeshita showing remarkable poise here tonight,” said Excalibur.

Takeshita connected with a leg lariat on Claudio. Outside the ring, Takeshita cracked Claudio with a stiff forearm. Back in the ring, Claudio singled out Takeshita’s lower back, working it over with a back breaker!

Takeshita surprised Claudio with an El Generico-esque dive. Claudio rallied back with a gut wrench off the turnbuckles. The fans were on their feet cheering on Claudio, wanting to see the Giant Swing. Claudio obliged the fans!

“That’s putting more pressure on the lower back of Takeshita,” said Excalibur.

Takeshita surprised Claudio with a Blue Thunder Bomb out of nowhere for a near fall! Claudio and Takeshita battled on the second turnbuckle and then Takeshita drilled Claudio with a turnbuckle DDT! Takeshita tried to finish Claudio with a frog splash but Claudio kicked out of the pin attempt.

Claudio intercepted a knee strike attempt by Takeshita. Claudio rocked Takeshita with a European Uppercut. Claudio placed Takeshita in the Scorpion Death Lock but Takeshita rolled through. Takeshita nailed Claudio with two German Suplexes and then a jumbo lariat for a near fall on Claudio!

“Every match, Takeshita brings out a little more,” said Coleman.

Takeshita walloped Claudio with a brainbuster for a (very) near fall!

“2.999,” said Excalibur.

Takeshita was looking for the Cinnabomb but Claudio countered and then stomped onto Takeshita. Claudio attempted the Ricola Bomb but Takeshita countered with a hurracanrana with a near fall!

Claudio plucked Takeshita out of the air as Takeshita was trying for the jumping knee and then Claudio countered with the Death Valley Driver! Claudio planted Takeshita with the Ricola Bomb and then pinned him!