ROH Pure Championship Match: Jonathan Gresham (c.) vs. Jay Lethal
Our kick-off match is the sole title match of the night. I thought that to be a strange booking decision, but we will see how that will work out. All four members of The Foundation make their entrance together, and we are off to the races.
Lethal and Gresham start off with some technical wrestling. This technical wrestling advances into a test of strength, and then back into a quickened form of technical wrestling. Gresham seems to work the arm throughout the majority of the early going. Gresham locks Lethal in a headlock, rotating the shoulders to land a two-count of the former ROH World Champion. Jay Lethal manages a reversal and attempts a cartwheel splash but is caught by Gresham in another arm-based attack.
We return from commercial break to Jay Lethal working the arm of Jonathan Gresham. Lethal lands a beautiful hammerlock suplex, but Gresham kicks out. This entire match-up seems to be a technical wrestling clinic. Lethal lands a cutter on Jonathan Gresham and attempts the pinfall. Gresham utilizes one of his three allowed rope breaks, and the match rolls on.
We return from a second commercial break, and the action is picking up heavily. Jay Lethal attempts a suicide baseball slide to Gresham on the outside, but Gresham ducks the attempt. Gresham attempts to land a springboard maneuver on Lethal in the ring but is caught. Lethal locks in a Boston Crab causing Gresham to utilize his second rope break, leaving him with one. Lethal then locks in the Rings of Lethal and Jonathan Gresham uses his last rope break. This leaves Gresham capable of being pinned or submitted underneath the ropes. The match ends in a quick fashion after a flurry of counters between the two men leads to a la magistral pinfall. Jonathan Gresham retains the ROH Pure Championship in 16:38.
Result: Jonathan Gresham pins Jay Lethal and retains the ROH Pure Championship.
Walker’s Words: I thought it was a weird move to begin your big anniversary show with the sole championship match of the night, but this was a very entertaining bout. You can tell that these two enjoy working with each other, and they’re two incredibly talented individuals. This match wasn’t hard-hitting, and it didn’t have to be. With this being my first ROH Pure match I’ve ever witnessed, I was thoroughly impressed. I was pulling for Lethal, but admittedly, I am excited to see how Gresham’s reign progresses.
Grade: B+
