So this is the first time I’ve seen J-Rod. Once again, we get some interesting background information from AEW Enhancement Talent (@AEWEnhance) on Twitter:
J-Rod, Jessica Roden (@jsroden on Twitter), already in the ring, is wearing Stone Cold Steve Austin-level understated gear. Just a flat black aesthetic. She’s tall and in incredible athletic shape.
Mercedes Martinez opens the match by tripping J-Rod and then giving her a “noogie”. J-Rod gets up and puts Mercedes in a standing arm bar which Mercedes rolls out of. Mercedes returns the favour with a standing arm bar of her own and J-Rod does a one-handed cartwheel out of that.
Martinez hits J-Rod with a series of strikes and runs over her with some running clotheslines and then hits a running knee strike. J-Rod escapes a Fireman’s Carry, then escapes a double underhook position before picking Mercedes up and Snakeeyes-ing her on the top turnbuckle. J-Rod follows this up with a Handspring Elbow to Martinez in the corner followed by a running Bulldog. She gets a 2-count.
J-Rod sets up like a Vader Bomb but adds a twirl to it. Martinez eventually comes back with some chops in the corner then hits a DVD for two. Running stomp in the corner. A twisting neck breaker off the ropes.
There appears to be a camera cut used. They show a replay of the neck breaker then we come back and, while there’s nothing jarring about the presentation, J-Rod is in a different position on the mat and Martinez applies the Brass City Sleeper in a different fashion than she normally would for the win. Makes me wonder if another attempt was made but Martinez couldn’t keep her legs intwined with J-Rod’s. In any case, as I say, what is shown on television is what’s canon so we take it at face value. Post match Serena Deeb comes out and stares down Mercedes Martinez.
J-Rod looks like she could be an interesting prospect. Definitely presented as a powerhouse, she’s about the same size as Mercedes Martinez and she showed some really impressive athleticism.
Watch Match on YouTube
Note: Just because I give a match a low rating doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it for what it was nor is it necessarily a commentary on the competitors. Not all matches are meant to be 3-to-5 star matches.
Mercedes Martinez wins via submission
Mercedes Martinez wins via submissionElite
- Intriguing presentation of J-Rod
Mid
- Short enhancement match
