Claudio Castagnoli can finally call himself a world champion, after defeating Jonathan Gresham to claim the ROH World Championship back in the opening match of Death Before Dishonor. Tonight, Dustin Rhodes has a chance to capture that same glory, and take himself off the list of “Great Wrestlers Who Never Won The World Championship”. The Natural has been on fire in AEW, but a lack of ring time in 2022 combined with taking on a man in his physical prime? That could lead to him having to pull out some dirty tricks if he wants to hold the gold.
Dustin Rhodes Promises To Bring The Best Natural Ever
Rhodes would be backed up by Arn & Brock Anderson, and before this match – he’d double down on saying we’re about to see the best Natural Dustin Rhodes that we’ve ever seen. He’d look as motivated as ever before, but so was Castagnoli – who would have ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta in his corner tonight.
They’d start off with Rhodes hitting a shoulder tackle and grabbing a quick roll up, before a snap armdrag. Castagnoli would grab a side headlock, before running Rhodes out of the ring with a shoulder tackle. He’d try to force the pinfall in the ring, before Rhodes kicked out at one. Rhodes would look for the crossbody, but Castagnoli ducked to send Rhodes out to the floor the hard way.
In the ring, Castagnoli would get a near fall off a neckbreaker, the closet fall yet. Focusing in on the neck, Castagnoli pressed his knee across the neck before a running elbow drop. Crossface would be applied, and Rhodes would be close to tapping out.
Claudio Castagnoli Remains ROH World Champion
Castagnoli would continue to crank back on the crossface, but Rhodes would hang on. Rhodes would fight back to his knees, before finding his feet. They’d trade punches in the middle of the ring, before Castagnoli went to throw an uppercut, and was blocked into a short arm lariat. Castagnoli would sent to the floor, and Rhodes would follow with the cannonball senton off the apron.
In the ring, the Code Red would get Rhodes a near fall. Castagnoli would recover and manage the Giant Swing, and went back into the crossface in the middle of the ring. Rhodes would break free, and drop Castagnoli for a near fall.
Anderson called for Rhodes to end this, and he’d look for the powerslam out of the sky, getting an unintentional low blow. Castagnoli would fire back with a Very European Uppercut, and managed the victory to remain ROH World Champion!
Who will challenge Castagnoli for this belt next? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlBrxQ2CaB8
