Moose vs. Colt Cabana
The two indie veterans were up in action next and the match was quite decent for the time it lasted. This bout was another back and forth contest with both men canceling each other out at different occasions. Moose’s strength advantage was evident all throughout the match. There were some good spots in the match; one of which was Moose’s springboard bodypress followed by a powerbomb on Cabana.
The final moments saw Cabana on top, only to see Moose fight back and connect with the discuss clothesline for the win.
Result: Moose def. Colt Cabana via pinfall
Sami Callahan vs. Brian Cage
The fans were hot for this match as both men gave it their all in another topsy-turvy battle. Some excellent spots; both in and out of the ring in this one. Callihan got powerbombed on the apron apart from being planted face first as a result of an electric chair drop. The former WWE star got the better of the lumbering giant when he reversed Cage’s pinfall into a stiff muffler, forcing a tap-out from the Lucha Underground star.
A solid match with ample reversals and spots to keep the fans invested.
Result: Sami Callahan def. Brian Cage via submission
Johnny Mundo vs. Fenix
The high-flying contest between the two Lucha Underground standouts was a perfect way to warm the fans up for the steel cage main event. Mundo and Fenix complemented each other by their ariel move-set.
This match had everything – Fenix’s big flip on Mundo to the outside, 450 splashes, and many high impact moves. There was one botchy moment when Morrison slipped while going for the springboard. Unsurprisingly, the Philly crowd ripped him apart with their chants.
Fenix almost pulled off a victory with a double springboard to a Hurricanerana roll-up, but Mundo kicked out and perfectly executed a Spanish Fly. Mundo hit the popular Starship Pain and picked the win after an explosive match.
Result: Johnny Mundo def. Fenix via pinfall
Broken Matt Hardy vs. Tommy Dreamer (Steel Cage Match)
The fans were waiting for the main event with baited breath, and it was certainly worth the wait. Hardy kicked off the match by saying he knew Dreamer would come. An epic brawl ensued between the two, that spilled over to ringside. Dreamer smacked Hardy in his nuts with the ring bell to officially kickstart the bout. They finally got inside the cage and the hard-hitting action began.
Dreamer used the cage to inflict pain on the Broken one and delivered a sweet Russian leg sweep from the top rope. Hardy got some offense in when he executed the Side Effect that yielded a near fall. The match took a chaotic turn when referee Kevin Keenan, the official licenced from the Hardy Compound, barred Dreamer from leaving the cage. Sandman came out and slammed the trash can across the ref’s head. An insane cutter from Dreamer on Hardy almost got the job done. Matt’s broken brethren Jeff ran out to level the playing field, by taking out Sandman.
The Philly crowd were enjoying every bit of the mayhem as they chanted ‘holy sh**’ in unison. In the end, Brother Nero aka Jeff Hardy proved to be the difference as he clobbered Dreamer with the Singapore cane. He scattered thumbtacks all around the ring, and Matt took advantage by executing a side slam on Dreamer. He successfully got the pinfall and stood tall over Dreamer’s lifeless body to end the main event.
Result: Broken Matt Hardy def. Tommy Dreamer via pinfall
After the match, the fans urged Jeff to go up top and give them an epic Swanton Bomb, but Matt convinced him not to by telling him to fight his addiction and not become a spot monkey. Classic Broken moment!
According to reports, the match was cut short owing to the delay caused due to the technical glitches at the beginning of the show.
All in all, HOH 23 lived up to the hype by putting together a show filled with talented wrestlers, epic matches and an emotionally drenched farewell of Tony Nese.
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