Ring of Honor is making their champions stay active. New contenders for Dragon Lee’s ROH TV Championship and Jonathan Gresham’s ROH Pure Championship have been announced.
First on the docket is Pure gold. Gresham and ROH Dojo coach Will Ferrara wanted to reward their students with an opportunity to earn a title shot. They proposed to the ROH board of directors that Joe Keys, Dante Caballero, Ken Dixon, and Eric Martin participate in a gauntlet match with the winner getting ranked #3 and receiving a Pure Championship contest against Gresham.
That bout took place on ROH Week by Week (starting at 16:25). Dixon defeated Martin via powerslam in the opening round. Caballero eliminated Dixon on a crucifix pin variation in the second round. Dixon demonstrated poor sportsmanship with an attack to Caballero after his loss. Caballero rallied back despite the pain, but Keys came out on top with an elevated single leg crab to win the gauntlet. Keys will get his chance against Gresham on next weekend’s TV episode of ROH Wrestling.
Dragon Lee is fresh off a successful TV title defense against Rey Horus, and Brian Johnson is fresh off signing a new contract with ROH. Now, the two will go one-on-one at a date to be announced. Johnson earned the opportunity by winning a fan poll as part of ROH The Experience.
ROH Week by Week also updated the singles rankings.
ROH World Television Championship
5. Bandido
4. LSG
3. Kenny King
2. Dak Draper
1. Tony Deppen
Champ: Dragon Lee
Rey Horus’ loss to Dragon Lee gave him the boot. Bandido entered at #5. Everyone else moved up one spot accordingly.
ROH Pure Championship
5. Fred Yehi
4. Rhett Titus
3. Joe Keys
2. Josh Woods
1. Tracy Williams
Champ: Jonathan Gresham
Flip Gordon was suspended from the Pure division after not respecting the rules in his win against Rhett Titus. Josh Woods moved up one spot, and Joe Keys entered at #3.
ROH World Championship
5. Jay Briscoe
4. Mark Haskins
3. Matt Taven
2. Brody King
1. Shane Taylor
Champ: Rush
This is the debut of the world title rankings. All signs point to Shane Taylor being next in line for Rush, most likely at an ROH PPV. Mark Haskins and Flip Gordon both have previous title shots yet to be cashed in.
Would you bet any money on an upset victory from Joe Keys or Brian Johnson? Do you agree with the current rankings?
