Ring of Honor’s Matt Taven taking part in Mike Bennett reunion

Matt Taven and Mike Bennett’s reunion in Ring of Honor is one amongst the most uplifting tales in pro wrestling at the present time.

The pair first teamed together in 2014 and gather enjoyed great success. They are old Unusual Japan IWGP mark champions, to boot as Ring of Honor mark champs, touring endless miles on the highway together since their debut match as a crew almost seven years ago. And the previous now meets the show as Taven and Bennett, identified together as The OGK, pickle ROH mark champs Rhett Titus and Tracy Williams on this weekend’s version of ROH Wrestling.

Sooner than Bennett’s return to Ring of Honor in 2020, he and Taven hadn’t teamed up since 2015. The two grew even closer in their time aside, setting up a nuanced sense of appreciation for one every other in an trade the put performers will no longer be persistently afforded the chance to work with someone they respect, trust and love.

“We’re extremely confident in what we are in a position to achieve together, and we win to repeat that in the match this weekend,” Taven says. “That is the origin of our probability to flourish together. We’ve been attempting forward to this for five years. We’re two fully diversified folk now, so it’s hard to no longer imagine what we are in a position to achieve together now that we’ve had all these diversified experiences on our beget.”

The two took extremely diversified paths at some stage in their separate journeys. A torn ACL in December 2015 put Taven’s occupation in jeopardy however he recovered and returned with a vengeance. He had success with CMLL in Mexico and in the damage became the Ring of Honor champion at the heralded Madison Sq. Garden repeat in 2019.

The pickle turned into entirely diversified for Bennett, who signed with TNA, making his debut in 2016 alongside his valuable other Maria Kanellis. He then joined WWE the following twelve months below the name Mike Kanellis. His three years in WWE were no longer what he imagined, failing to fulfill the excessive standards he blueprint for his occupation. Since his exit from WWE, Bennett has dedicated himself to proving that he stays an elite performer in the ring, which is on prove when tagging with Taven.

“Mike’s been thru so well-known,” Taven says. “He’s came at some stage in one intention to flip negatives into positives, and he’s so gay to be in Ring of Honor. He’s ancient every part that didn’t fling his skill to inspire himself. Mike’s himself every other time, and to me, that’s very intelligent.”

Taven and Bennett gather an opportunity to showcase the kind of wrestling show in Ring of Honor with their mark match against Titus and Williams. Titus has been a share of ROH for over a decade, and he is placing forth the most compelling work of his occupation. That is extra amplified working beside Williams, one amongst the premier wrestlers currently performing in the trade. To boot to wrestling for the titles, Taven notes that this match is a probability to extra improve the that formulation unhurried the mark crew championship.

“That is a match I’m so proud of. It’s tall wrestling and captures our personalities,” Taven says. “Mike is re-setting up his identity and showing why he’s one amongst the most consuming wrestlers on the earth, and right here’s a tall opportunity to clarify himself every other time as a wrestler.

“And the backbone of Ring of Honor is constructed on guys treasure Rhett Titus. He’s at the absolute most consuming he’s ever been. His in-ring work is so unbelievably true. And Tracy is one amongst these guys that doesn’t have to say a observe. He lets his art be in contact for itself, and he’s an wonderful performer. I desire his TV title mosey turned into a bit of longer, however one thing tells me he’ll be a two-time champ sooner than too long. We’ve by no formulation wrestled this crew sooner than, and as well you’re going to hunt down the evolution of all four of us in the ring.”

Taven is now coming into his top. He will lastly earn a rematch for the ROH title, which he has but to receive since shedding the title to Bustle in September 2019. He is furthermore on the inaugural card for the unique Federación Wrestling promotion, which would per chance gather its debut repeat subsequent month in Mexico. And while his feud with Vincent and The Righteous persists, Taven is grateful to over every other time residing his name beside Bennett’s in the mark crew ranks of loyal wrestling.

“We gather loads to repeat,” Taven says. “Both for my part and professionally, I believe in Mike Bennett. He is one amongst the most consuming wrestlers on the earth, and this match goes to be a immense sight-opener. This weekend, folk will explore that Mike Bennett is relief.”

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Justin Barrasso can be reached at [email protected]. Prepare him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.