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ROH Wrestling Live 5/9/25: The Ultimate Preview – War, Redemption, and Championship Glory
By [Watch Wrestling], Elite ROH Insider & Event Blogger
The air is electric, the stakes are sky-high, and the Ring of Honor faithful are counting down the hours until ROH Wrestling Live on May 9th, 2025 explodes into action. This isn’t just another show—this is a collision of rivalries, a battleground for supremacy, and a night where legends will be made and broken.
From brutal grudge matches to championship showdowns that could redefine the future of ROH, this card is stacked with must-see moments. The wrestlers are hungry, the storylines are white-hot, and the fans are ready to witness history.
So, let’s dive deep into the full preview of what promises to be one of the most unforgettable nights in ROH history.
ROH World Championship Main Event: The Defining Battle
“The Apex Predator” Shane Taylor (c) vs. “The Technical Messiah” Jonathan Gresham
The ROH World Championship is on the line in a match that pits raw power against flawless technique. Shane Taylor has been an unstoppable force, bulldozing through every challenger with his devastating Greetings from 216 finisher. His reign has been dominant, but now he faces perhaps his most dangerous opponent yet—Jonathan Gresham.
Gresham, the master of submissions and counter-wrestling, has been laser-focused on reclaiming the title he once held. His recent victories have been surgical, dismantling opponents with his Octopus Stretch and Figure-Four Leglock.
Key Questions:
- Can Gresham outmaneuver Taylor’s brute strength?
- Will Taylor’s power be too much for the technical wizard?
- Is this the night the championship changes hands?
Prediction: A 30-minute classic that could go either way, but Taylor’s ruthless aggression might just edge out Gresham’s precision.
ROH Women’s World Championship: A Clash of Titans
Athena (c) vs. Billie Starkz – No Disqualification
The ROH Women’s World Championship will be defended in a No DQ war, and if their last encounter was any indication, this will be absolute chaos. Athena, “The Fallen Goddess,” has ruled with an iron fist, using every underhanded tactic to retain her gold. But Billie Starkz is no longer the rookie—she’s a reckoning.
Starkz has vowed to dethrone Athena by any means necessary, and with weapons legal, expect chairs, tables, and possibly even blood.
Key Questions:
- Will Starkz finally overcome Athena’s mind games?
- How far will both women go to win?
- Could this be the end of Athena’s dominant reign?
Prediction: Starkz finally gets her moment, but not without surviving hell first.
ROH Pure Championship: A Masterclass in Wrestling
Wheeler Yuta (c) vs. “The Foundation’s Finest” Tracy Williams
The Pure Championship is all about tradition, skill, and endurance, and this match will be a wrestling clinic. Wheeler Yuta, the reigning champion, has elevated the title with his blend of technical mastery and unrelenting aggression. But Tracy Williams, one of the most underrated technicians in the world, is coming to prove he’s the true standard-bearer of Pure Rules.
With limited rope breaks and strict enforcement of the rules, every move counts.
Key Questions:
- Can Williams out-grapple Yuta in a Pure Rules setting?
- Will Yuta’s championship experience be the difference?
- Could this be the match of the night?
Prediction: A 25-minute classic where Yuta barely escapes with his title intact.
Grudge Match: Violence Unlimited vs. The Foundation – Street Fight
Chris Dickinson, Brody King & Homicide vs. Jay Lethal, Rhett Titus & Lee Moriarty
This isn’t just a match—it’s a war. Violence Unlimited (Dickinson, King, Homicide) have been tearing through ROH with their brand of unfiltered brutality, while The Foundation (Lethal, Titus, Moriarty) represent tradition and excellence.
With no rules, this will be hardcore wrestling at its finest. Expect kendo sticks, trash cans, and bodies flying through tables.
Key Questions:
- Can The Foundation withstand the onslaught of Violence Unlimited?
- Will Homicide bring his legendary street fight experience to bear?
- Who walks out standing after this war?
Prediction: Violence Unlimited leaves their opponents broken, but The Foundation will make them earn it.
Tag Team Turmoil: Future of the Division on the Line
The Briscoe Brothers vs. The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) – Triple Threat Tag Team Match
The ROH Tag Team Division is stacked, and this Triple Threat will determine who deserves the next title shot. The Briscoes, the most decorated team in ROH history, are looking to reclaim their throne. The WorkHorsemen bring old-school toughness, while Top Flight is all about high-flying innovation.
Key Questions:
- Can Top Flight’s speed overcome the power of the WorkHorsemen?
- Will the Briscoes prove they’re still the kings?
- Which team makes the biggest statement?
Prediction: The Briscoes win, setting up a future title match.
Undercard Showstoppers: Rising Stars Collide
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Daniel Garcia – Dream Match
Two of the best technical brawlers in the world go head-to-head. Claudio’s raw power vs. Garcia’s relentless submission game—this could steal the show.
Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Martinez – Battle of Powerhouses
A hoss fight between two of the toughest women in wrestling. Expect stiff strikes, brutal slams, and a fight that spills all over the arena.
Dragon Lee vs. Blake Christian – High-Flying Spectacle
If you love daredevil athleticism, this is your match. Both men will attempt to out-insane each other with breathtaking moves.
Final Thoughts: Why You CANNOT Miss ROH Wrestling Live 5/9/25
This isn’t just another wrestling show—this is ROH at its finest. Every match has high stakes, every rivalry is personal, and the in-ring action will be unmatched.
- Will Shane Taylor continue his reign of terror?
- Does Billie Starkz finally topple Athena?
- Which tag team emerges as the top contenders?
- Who steals the show in the undercard?
One thing is certain: May 9th, 2025, will be a night that ROH fans remember forever.
Are you ready? Because ROH Wrestling Live is coming… and it’s going to be LEGENDARY.
Stay tuned for our full recap and analysis after the event!
What do YOU think will happen? Let us know in the comments!
Very good show
I think his Ic run being so long hurt him as a credible world champion. It’s like he fought all the same guys and crushed them for a mid card belt now we are supposed to believe they are an actual challenge to him as a world champion? Lol when they took the intercontinental title off of him they should have moved him to SmackDown and put a new list of challengers in front of him. And moved Cody and the WWE championship to raw
Very good episode,
imagine being deluded enough to think a multi billion dollar company with guys who literally have wrestling in their blood hot shoted a heel turn storyline because they booked themselves into a corner. are you serious dude? that is the most ridiculous thing i have read in a minute lol. good luck bro.
Great episode.
Punk/Cody was there for the taking and Cena could’ve gone up against Gunther.
They knee jerked a heel turn because they booked themselves into a nepotism corner
Very good show
honestly don’t get the hate. like sure, there’s no major story here YET. But Punk/Rollins/Reigns has a lot of potential to be a high quality match. I’m legit looking forward to it and love that these three have wound up in a match together.
Great episode.
The triple threat match between them at Wrestlemania is gonna be awesome. Super stoked for this match
Great show
Let’s mention the women’s match in every live/hate challenge. Easiest task for this group of “journalists” ever. Each one of these love/hates are more embarrassing than the last. We get it, women’s wrestling is amazing and should main event every show and if a women’s match is bad it’s because where it is on the card or the booking it’s never the talent, all the women are top tier wrestlers.
Very good show
You wanna find out who the real simps and shills are? Mark down anybody who defends that main event match! Even the diehard AEW fans are crapping on that main event. It was terrible.
This Moxley stuff is stinking out the entire show and the dude seems to think he is Brock Lesnar.
The sad part is that this wasn’t a terrible show overall and with all things taken into an account. But at the end of the day, a bad ending can ruin a whole show for a lot of people. “Game of Thrones season 8” style.
Great show
So the crux of it all is that the PLE started strong…then ended with a sour belch.
The fans most remember how you left them and the fans are going to remember this show with a resounding “bleh”!
And any casual fan who watched with their buddies who are more diehard fans, may have left the viewing saying aloud, “That guy was pretty good. He should go to WWE”.
Great show.
I’ve said before but I think one of the issues here is that Tony is a massive fan of NJPW and often looks to emulate their PPV card structure. NJPW cards typically build to a climax with the big matches back to back and tend not to feature cool down matches or spots. Problem is western audiences haven’t been conditioned for that over the last 40 years, so often results in burnout. Personally I would have laid out the card like below giving breathing spaces, opening with the Steel Cage match and building to the Hollywood Ending as the main event.
Storm vs. May
Mox vs. Cope
Hangman vs. MJF
Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners
Takeshita vs. Omega
Swerve vs. Ricochet
Okada vs. King
Mone vs. Watanabe
Ospreay vs. Fletcher
Great episode.
Very good show, but the ending is what people remember. WWE ended Elimination Chamber with a huge heel turn. AEW ended Revolution with that abominable ending.
it doesn’t totally undo a great show, but it might have done more harm than good.
Very good show
I can already see Trips the mark statues, Trips the mark with a 20 minutes speech, the camera focusing onTrips the mark every 30 seconds when he is on the crowd.
Great show.
I’m glad they are bringing it back to a nice venue. The idea of hosting it immediately after Smackdown is insane. Why not put a highlight show or broadcast the Hall of Fame instead of airing Smackdown that week.
best of the best
Very good show tonight
clickbait
clickbait
It’s good
Yes
Loving it
Fantastic Article
Raw vs SD
The only switches from Raw vs SD were Breakker, and Jax?
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw.
Super excited about Kiana James to Raw. She’s been great on NXT so hopefully they don’t ruin her momentum.
I dunno what the Final
I dunno what the Final Testament want, but at this point I am afraid to ask.
Save yourself time and money a
Save yourself time and money and just say everyone on smackdown will stay on smackdown, everyone on raw will stay on raw. What clown wrote this episode?!
Willow should NOT lose
Willow should NOT lose to Moñe at Double or Nothing.
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni,
I love the work Mariah’s done with Toni, but Ngl I would also love her just gal-palling around with Mina for a spell
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW.
I’m all in on joshi invasion of AEW. I’m kinda down for joshi invasion of all promotions honestly
Danielson is also a 21st century
That line makes me laugh like Danielson is also a 21st century wrestler
I’ve never heard of.
Uhg, some other random wrestler from a promotion I’ve never heard of.
This is going to be a squash match right?
Wait, Anna Jay isn’t in Dark Order?
not even the security guard
not even the security guard with the hogan beard is dragging me out of daily’s rn
Kurt V Bret V Perfect
Three other Ospreay dream matches
V Kurt V Bret V Perfect
I have never seen mina before.
I have never seen mina before…. But from the entrance alone i am a fan
I’ve ever seen. Good lord
Anna Jay one of the finest women I’ve ever seen. Good lord
May gets all the ladies.
May gets all the ladies.
Daily’s Place just feels right
Anna Jay match in Daily’s Place just feels right
Is Mina’s theme
Is Mina’s theme a rip of Danza Kaduro? 🕺🏻
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring,
I enjoy Fallon’s work in ring, and her character work. I just wish she didn’t scream so much- every single move.
Was late tuning in tonight,
Was late tuning in tonight, went and watched the women’s title match, Tatum showed up and showed tf out. Sad she didn’t win but the sky’s the limit
Jensen getting back together
first step to Briggs and Jensen getting back together
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up,
I wonder if Fallon Henley gets called up, she’s not really in any important angles in NXT.
John Cena style
Jasmyn has that chiseled chin. John Cena style
“Thank you, Trish Jacey”
Jacey Jayne wants Thea to say “Thank you, Trish Jacey”
What a woman
Her weave fallen off and her not skipping a beat. What a woman. I’m all in on jaida parker
Jaida to get her feet
This OTM side quest was good for Jaida to get her feet wet but her ceiling is sooo much higher than Lucien, Bronco & SCRYPTS
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship.
Really don’t like that it’s the Women’s NXT North American Championship. Besides being an awkward mouthful, it’s too derivative of Men’s midcard title.
Gratitude is not an option
“Gratitude is not an option but a debt that you will repay to me” lmao damn Jacy sounds so badass and ominous 😭
She’s got a really bright future.
Jaida’s only been doing this for a year and a half. She’s got a really bright future.
I love the implied narrative that
I love the implied narrative that it’s Nattie who is singlehandedly selling out a WWE tour of Europe
All these talks about call-ups,
All these talks about call-ups, I feel Jacy Jayne is more overdue than most. One of the best character workers around.
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week
I feel like Jaida has been winning every week for a while now but it hasn’t really gotten her anywhere lol
Booker’s about to faint during
Booker’s about to faint during the sexiest contract signing of all time.
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING
SOMEONE CLIP THAT LEXIS KING PART IN THE NXT SHOP COMMERCIAL AND MAKE IT A MEME
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done
So.. Natalya had a ton of work done on her face right? She had some weird angles to it when the camera followed her walking
Any recognise the photographer
Any recognise the photographer in the Baron/Lexis segment?