Ring Of Honor Results: Dalton Castle vs. Josh Woods [Pure Rules Match]

Dalton Castle has been having a rough time as of late in ROH. He’s lost all this recent big matches, including to Rey Horus at Final Battle. For a former ROH World Champion, that is a poor record to say the least. Tonight, he looks to change his fortunes as he faces the #2 ranked contender in the Pure Division.

This is Josh Woods, who recently beat another former champion in Jay Lethal, and who just keeps getting better. However, he’s also on a two match losing streak, losing to Flip Gordon and in a Fatal Four Way match at Final Battle.

Woods & Castle are good as grapplers get in Ring Of Honor, and this should be an excellent Pure Rules contest. Both men get only three rope breaks, one closed fist, and after 15 minutes if goes to the panel of judges. Which man will break their losing streak?

Josh Woods Is Relentless

They’d both go for the takedown, and Woods won the opening exchange, with Castle slipping out of the ring to catch his breath. Castle came back in with another attempt to get Woods down, only to end up in an armbar. Woods would throw Castle across the ring, and was unphased when he was countered, and was able to throw Castle around before applying a tight armbar.

Castle had to fight off Woods who almost got the same hold that beat Jay Lethal, and was finally able to get some ground in this match. Woods once again outwrestled Castle, who was flustered and couldn’t figure out how to crack the code that is Woods. He finally got his opening when Woods threw a lariat, which Castle blocked before nailing a huge spinning back elbow.

As quick as he got it he lost it, Woods countering an Irish Whip into the corner, and having the pop over scouted, instead sending Castle ribs first off the top rope. Woods would press this advantage with some shoulder tackles in the corner and a hard irish whip into the corner. Even a simple body press on the mat caused great damage, and Castle tried to fight free but took more body blows.

Castle was tied up in the ropes and got nailed with a huge kick, before Woods went for a Fisherman Suplex out of the ropes. Woods argued this was a rope break, and Castle got the single leg in a blink and you’ll miss it moment. Castle couldn’t maintain this, and was hit with a T-Bone Suplex, before having to fight off an Abdominal Stretch. Castle got the ropes, and even fought off a German Suplex with a hard back elbow.

Dalton Castle Hits His Stride

Not giving up another advantage, Castle would throw Woods over the top rope with a hip toss, with his back crashing off the apron on the way down. Back in the ring, Castle hit a big DDT, and even forced the first rope break of Woods with an armbar. Another back elbow and a lariat dropped Woods, who would respond by throwing Castle over the top rope.

Castle was hurt, but still alive and would run Woods into the barricade and then the ring post. It’s not fitting with Pure Rules, but Castle doubled down with an exploder suplex to the barricade. He’d drag Woods back into the ring for a running knee to the side of the head. Woods managed to kick out at two, and had to fight off a suplex attempt.

Castle was once again tied up in the ropes, hit with a knee to the back before a German Suplex for a near fall. Woods got the deadlift gutwrench suplex, and Castle came back with a deadlift German suplex. Castle was rocked with a running boot to the gut, and they’d trade blows as we entered the final minute. Another big knee to the ribs, and Woods was ready to end it with a knee to the head.

Instead, he found himself on the shoulders of Castle, who wanted Bang-A-Rang. Woods would quickly slip out, get the legs and apply the cloverleaf for the submission victory, with just 34 seconds left.

Josh Woods reminds me of Kurt Angle, with his insane wrestling ability and goofy charisma. Match him with another wrestling machine like Castle, and of course you’re getting a classic. This is the best Castle has looked in a long time, and the last minute was wrestling drama at it’s finest. Match Rating: 4/5 (****)

Would Josh Woods have won the judges decision in this match? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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