Ring of Honor (ROH) delivered its 18th annual Supercard of Honor on July 11, 2025, at the Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas. It was the lead-in to AEW All-In weekend and was streamed exclusively on Honor Club. The event featured a compact yet high-quality card with six title matches, a mix of cross-promotional talent from AEW and CMLL, and storyline developments.
Match Recaps
The event featured a Zero Hour pre-show and a main card. It had a total of eight matches, including six championship bouts.
ROH Zero Hour Pre-Show
Blake Christian defeated Jay Lethal (8:09)
The pre-show opened with a fast-paced singles match between the high-flying Blake Christian and ROH veteran Jay Lethal. Christian, who has been positioned as a rising star, showcased his athleticism with a series of dives and high-impact moves. Former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal leaned on his technical prowess and cunning, but Christian secured the upset victory, potentially signaling a push toward a future title opportunity.
This win is significant for Christian, as defeating a stalwart like Lethal elevates his stock in ROH. The match served as a tone-setter, highlighting ROH’s commitment to blending new talent with established names. The relatively short runtime kept the pre-show brisk, but the result suggests Christian could be in line for a bigger role.
Dark Order (Evil Uno, John Silver, and Alex Reynolds) defeated The Frat House (Preston Vance, Griff Garrison, and Cole Karter) (10:29)
This six-man tag match pitted the comedic yet resilient Dark Order against the heelish Frat House faction led by Preston Vance. The match featured chaotic multi-man spots, with John Silver’s explosive offense and The Frat House’s underhanded tactics keeping the crowd engaged. Dark Order’s victory came via a well-coordinated team pinfall.
The match advanced the ongoing rivalry between Dark Order and The Frat House, a feud rooted in contrasting personalities. Dark Order’s quirky camaraderie versus The Frat House’s frat-boy arrogance. This win keeps Dark Order relevant in ROH’s tag division, though the lack of title implications suggests this was more about maintaining momentum than moving up the ranks for a title shot.
Diamante defeated Lady Frost (5:58)
A quick, hard-hitting women’s match saw Diamante overpower the agile Lady Frost. Diamante’s aggressive style contrasted with Frost’s high-flying approach. The short runtime limited storytelling, but Diamante’s win reinforced her as a credible threat in the women’s division. This match felt like a showcase for Diamante, who may be positioned in the newly introduced ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament. Lady Frost, despite the loss, remains a compelling underdog whose athleticism could earn her a bigger spotlight with more consistent booking.
Marshall and Ross Von Erich defeated Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari (8:41)
The Texas-native Von Erichs received a strong hometown reaction, facing off against the heel tandem of Tony Nese and Ariya Daivari. The match leaned on the Von Erichs’ brawling style and legacy. The crowd was firmly behind them. They secured the win with their signature double-team move.
This match capitalized on the Von Erichs’ regional popularity, especially in Arlington. While not a title match, it served to keep the Von Erichs relevant and potentially sets them up for a future challenge against The Sons of Texas. The heel work of Nese and Daivari was effective, but it felt like a placeholder feud. My big question is will we see the Von Erichs anywhere else? They have only wrestled in Texas for AEW.
Main Card
Hechicero defeated Michael Oku (11:32)
This opener was a technical wrestling clinic. CMLL’s Hechicero showcasing his mat-based mastery against the high-flying Michael Oku. The match featured a mix of submissions, counters, and high-risk maneuvers. This included Oku’s moonsault to the outside and Hechicero’s creative ankle lock finish. The crowd’s “HOLY SHIT” chants reflected the match’s intensity, with Hechicero’s victory coming via a spiked flying head scissors.
This match was rated highly (4.25+ stars by some fans), and it was a standout for its technical brilliance and fast pace. Hechicero’s win strengthens ROH’s partnership with CMLL. Oku’s performance positions him as a credible international star.
Four Way Match: AR Fox defeated Atlantis Jr., Lee Johnson, and Adam Priest (9:14)
This fast-paced four-way match highlighted ROH’s high-flying talent. AR Fox’s veteran instincts and aerial offense stood out, while Atlantis Jr. brought CMLL flair, and Johnson and Priest added energy. Fox secured the win with his high-impact moves, earning a strong reaction for his veteran performance. I just couldn’t believe this was the chosen winner of this match. I thought that Tony Khan would want to showcase Adam Priest.
This match was rated at 3.75 stars by Cagematch. It was a fun showcase, but lacked significant stakes. Fox’s victory could position him for a future title shot. However, I don’t feel like Tony Khan truly wants to push AR Fox, but enjoys using him for his willingness to try anything. The inclusion of Atlantis Jr. reinforces ROH’s cross-promotional efforts, but Johnson and Priest need more defined roles to stand out.
ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty (C) defeated Blue Panther
This Pure Rules match was a technical masterpiece, with Moriarty’s innovative submission game clashing with Blue Panther’s legendary CMLL experience. The match adhered to Pure Rules (limited rope breaks, no closed-fist strikes), emphasizing grappling and strategy. Moriarty retained after a hard-fought battle, earning a 4.25-star rating from fans for its technical excellence. Moriarty’s retention solidifies him as a cornerstone of ROH’s Pure division, while Blue Panther’s involvement elevated the match’s prestige. The high rating reflects the match’s quality.
ROH World Tag Team Championship: The Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara) (C) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean)
The Sons of Texas were backed by strong Texas crowd support. They faced The Infantry in a competitive but underwhelming match. The Infantry earned their shot by defeating Top Flight on the July 3rd ROH episode. Rhodes and Guevara’s chemistry shone. However, the match was criticized for its lackluster pacing. It earned a 3.5-star rating. Post-match, Shane Taylor Promotions attacked the champions, only for the Von Erichs to intervene with chairs. This set up an eight-man tag challenge for AEW All-In’s Zero Hour on July 12th.
The match was the weakest on the card. Fans noted a lack of excitement. The post-match angle was the real highlight of this PPV section. This storyline between the Sons of Texas with the Von Erichs against Shane Taylor Promotions could revitalize ROH’s tag division.
ROH World Television Championship: Nick Wayne (C) defeated Titan with help from The Patriarchy
This rematch from a prior time-limit draw at Global Wars: Mexico saw Titan push Wayne to his limits with high-flying offense. Wayne, backed by The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Kip Sabian, Mother Wayne), used their interference to secure the victory. After the match, Christian Cage celebrated with Nick Wayne. The match earned a 4.25-star rating for its intensity. Wayne’s retention keeps The Patriarchy’s storyline strong in ROH. Titan’s performance was excellent, but the interference finish may frustrate fans hoping for a clean outcome.
Interim ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Mina Shirakawa defeated Miyu Yamashita, Persephone, and Yuka Sakazaki
With Red Velvet sidelined by injury, this four-way match determined an interim champion. The match featured a mix of styles, with Shirakawa’s charisma, Yamashita’s hard-hitting strikes, Sakazaki’s high-flying, and Persephone’s heel tactics. Persephone initially played possum. She let her opponents wear each other down, but Shirakawa emerged victorious. Red Velvet watched from ringside. She cut a promo expressing disappointment at her inability to compete. The winner will face Red Velvet later to determine the undisputed champion. The match earned a 3-star rating. Shirakawa’s win is a coup for ROH, given her star power in Stardom. The interim title adds intrigue, setting up a future clash with Red Velvet. The match’s lower rating reflects its chaotic nature. It effectively showcased the women’s division depth. Persephone’s heel work could lead to a singles push.
ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (C) defeated Thunder Rosa
This highly anticipated match stemmed from a heated feud. This was sparked when Thunder Rosa aided Rachel Armstrong against Athena’s post-match attack on the June 6th ROH episode. Athena’s dismissive promo fueled the rivalry. This led to a tag team win for Thunder Rosa at Global Wars: Mexico. At ROH Supercard of Honor, the two delivered a hard-hitting, emotional bout. Athena retained after a record-setting reign. The match earned a 3.5-star rating.
Athena’s reign continues to be a cornerstone of ROH’s women’s division. Her heel persona as “The Fallen Goddess” contrasted with Thunder Rosa’s fiery babyface energy. The match was solid but didn’t reach the heights of their buildup. Rosa’s loss may lead to a rematch.
ROH World Championship: Bandido (C) defeated Konosuke Takeshita
The main event was a 30-minute instant classic, and that could be an understatement. This match was unbelievable. It was the best match of the night. Bandido’s high-flying lucha libre style clashed with Takeshita’s hard-hitting, technical approach. Takeshita, accompanied by Don Callis, rejected Bandido’s handshake. It drew “FUCK DON CALLIS” chants from the crowd. The match featured breathtaking sequences, including Bandido’s cartwheels and Takeshita’s power moves. Fans rated it 4.75 stars, with some calling it an ROH Match of the Year contender.
This match showcased why Bandido is ROH’s top star and Takeshita is a rising force. The heel dynamics of Takeshita and Callis added drama, while Bandido’s clean win reinforces his babyface aura. The match’s quality elevates ROH’s reputation for delivering top-tier wrestling. A rematch could headline a future PPV.
Overall Verdict
Supercard of Honor 2025 was a critical success. It had reviewers praising its high-quality wrestling and compact card. Ryan Ciocco of 411MANIA called it a “great show” that delivered on nearly every front, highlighting the Bandido-Takeshita main event, the Pure title match, and the women’s title bouts as exceptional. The event earned a B+ or higher from most sources, with the main event considered a Match of the Year contender.
Some of the PPV’s strengths were the main event, the ROH Pure title match, and the ROH TV title match. The Hechicero-Oku opener was a surprise hit, proving ROH’s ability to deliver with international talent. The inclusion of AEW (Takeshita, Rhodes, Guevara) and CMLL (Hechicero, Blue Panther, Titan) talent added variety and prestige, reinforcing ROH’s role as a hub for global wrestling. The post-tag title brawl, interim women’s TV title, and Athena’s reign advanced key narratives, tying into AEW All-In and setting up Death Before Dishonor.
Some of the PPV’s weaknesses were the limited card size. With only eight matches (four on the main card initially announced), the event felt lean compared to past ROH Supercard of Honor iterations. While this ensured quality, some fans may have wanted more variety. The Sons of Texas vs. The Infantry was the weakest link. The post-match angle saved it, but the division needs more compelling teams.
Fans and critics alike praised the event. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reflecting excitement for the in-ring action and optimism for ROH’s future. As ROH heads toward Death Before Dishonor, the groundwork laid here promises continued momentum for Tony Khan’s revitalized promotion.
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