The show begins with a video package highlighting some of the best moments from past Final Battle shows, as well as detalining the events that lead to each match here tonight. We are then welcomed by announcers Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman as they run down the card, setting us off for the first match.
Bandido vs Dalton CastleFinal Battle opens with a match between two well established names of the ROH roster. Bandido opens the show for a second consecutive year, after defeating his tag team partner Rey Horus in last year's fast paced opener. This match was different though, with a clear clash of styles between Bandido's lucha libre and Castle's amateur wrestling background. They are also two of the pound-for-pound strongest men on the roster, which made for a fun opener that showcased the different styles present in ROH. After about 15 minutes of crisp wrestling and some false finishes that got the crowd going, Bandido was able to reverse Bang-a-Rang into the Mexican Destroyer, and follow it up with the 21plex for the win!
Winner: Bandido
****3/4
Miranda Alize, Willow Nightingale and Death Party vs Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans and Fire N'DiamondsThe so called midcard of ROH's women's division had a good showcase here, with a decent 8-women tag. These girls have worked together a lot over the past few months and have mostly been sort of running through the motions while getting an occasional crack at the spotlight, so it was nice to see this match getting some time and each woman was able to get a bit of shine. The "Lucha Goodie" Miranda Alize would get her payback and the win for her team, pinning Diamante after a Shining Wizard.
Winners: Miranda Alize, Willow Nightingale, Holidead and Session Moth Martina
***1/4
25-Man Honor RumbleThe Honor Rumble generated some intrigue, with a few big names being present this year, and 2 unannounced participants that could really come from anywhere. Entrant #1 was
Lio Rush, with the M.O.T.H. making his return to the Final Battle stage after coming back to ROH last summer. Rush is one of the names that has been touted as a favorite, and his inclusion early on in the match means he's likely to have an important role. But as #2 is announced the crowd pops hard for the return of one of the most popular names in early ROH, the high flying
Amazing Red. Rush and Red kick off the match with some good fast paced action to kick off the rumble, until the clock brings out #3
Flip Gordon. Another high flyer to join the mix as the three participants have some pretty good sequences, soon to be joined by entrant number #4, the Australian
Adam Brooks who goes after all three men. Eventually Rush and Red get the better of the other two, with Red popping the crowd by hitting a Code Red on Gorgon and throwing out for the first elimination of the match and Lio getting Brooks. The two men that started the match are alone again and stare down as number 5 comes and it's
Adrian Soriano. The first member of the Primal Fear trio comes in fresh and wipes out both guys, but they eventually are able to match up with him until #6 comes, and it's his tag partner
Gabriel Hodder. The two team up on Lio and Red, wearing both guys out as the pace of the match starts to slow down a bit. Number 7 is
Slex, and the Australian comes in and gets a few licks in, but is eventually outmatched by Soriano and Hodder, and they are the only ones standing when number 8 comes, the other member of Primal Fear
Matthew Omen. The trio work together to control the match, eliminating Slex together. They are unable to throw Lio Rush or Amazing Red out before #9 arrives, and it's M-Dogg
Matt Cross. The veteran joins Rush and Red as they take it to Primal Fear and eventually overcome them, with each man getting an elimination to take out the stable. Then they start wrestling eachother as #10 comes in, the Last Real Man
Silas Young arrives to a chrorus of boos. The veteran goes after all three babyfaces and revels in the negative response. Number 11 comes in and it's Brian Johnson, who surprisingly teases a fight with Young right away. The two of them then point and laugh at the crowd before teaming up on the three favorites. But another fan favorite comes in next, #12 is
Cheeseburger! The lightweight is somewhat of a rumble specialist and he goes at Young and Johnson for a while, but eventually does get overpowered. The ring is starting to fill up and the action is a little slower as #13 arrives and it's
Flamita. He comes in and picks things up again, getting into it with Cross, Rush and Red for some high speed sequences.
Eli Isom is #14, and he comes to the aid of his trainer Cheeseburger, who is about to get eliminated by Young and Johnson, he mixes it up with the two heels as we have ourselves a mini tag match. Entrant #15 is
Rey Horus, and he goes straight at his former MexiSquad team mate Flamita. The two go right at eachother, and as Flamita slides out of the ring Horus goes right at him with a dive through the ropes and they brawl on the outside. The action in the ring continues as #16 comes and it's...
Ariya Daivari? It' another surprise as the Persian Lion comes to the ring, but the cheers quickly turn to boos when he immediately tgeams up with Silas Young and Brian Johnson to eliminate Cheeseburger and Eli Isom. The three then team up against the tree tired wrestlers currently in the ring, Matt Cross Lio Rush and Amazing Red. #17 comes out and is the upstart
Rayo, who comes in hot against Daivari, Young and Johnson and surprisingly gets the better out of them for a bit, before getting outnumbered. Big
Dak Draper comes in at #18, sees the tree guys dominating the match right now and decides to avoid them, picking his spots to target Lio Rush and Amazing Red who started the match, while the other three team up on Rayo and Matt Cross. The ring filling up as #19 appears and it's...
Shota Umino! The NJPW rising star is in ROH and he comes in full of piss and vinegar, dropping Dak Draper with Death Rider and then facing off with Daivari, Youn and Johnson... and surprisingly getting the better of them. Shooter teams up with Matt Cross and Rayo to eliminate both Silas Young and Brian Johnson, but then Daivari sneaks up from behind to toss out Rayo. Daivari admires his handiwork but immediately pays for it, when Matt Cross uses Shota's back as a step ladder and hurracanrana's him out of the ring. The trio is gone! Cross and Shota wave goodbye at them... and then Matt Cross throws out Shota Umino! M-Dogg smiles and points at his head, the veteran telling the rookie that he needs to be aware at all times!
Akira Tozawa comes out at #20, getting into it with everyone and after a bit Lio Rush scores another elimination, lowbridging Dak Draper over the top rope. Number 21 comes out and... it's
Danhausen! The crowd pops for the very nice, very evil fan favorite as he makes his entrance, but as he heads to the ring he gets caught by an incoming Flamita, who was still fighting Rey Horus in the outside. The two make their way back to the ring... and Horus immediately eliminates Flamita! Horus smiles as Flamita is in shock, but as he turns around his rival immediately gets in the ring and throws him out from behind! The two start fighting again on the outside until they are escorted out by security. Time for #22, and it's
Josh Woods! The Goods makes his way to the ring and immediately takes out Danhausen, who still hasn't gotten in the ring. Woods then slides in the ring and takes out everybody.
Kenny King enters next, #23 is a former Honor Rumble winner! The LFI member makes a beeline for Lio Rush, who he's had an eye on since getting bested at Survival of the Fittest, and drops him with Royal Flush, and then hits the same move on Matt Cross and Amazing Red as well before staring down Woods. But before they can get into it it's time for #24 now... oh! It's
Delirious! The former head trainer is back in ROH! He circles the ring, running around for the amusement of the crowd, gets in... and is immediately thrown out by Kenny King! What a buzzkill! Only two people enjoyed that in the whole building and, they were Kenny King and Josh Woods, who high fives him... before also getting dropped with a Royal Flush. He then gets taken out by Amazing Red who has been in the match since the start. Code Red on King! He staggers to the ropes, Amazing Red is gonna eliminate him... but Kenny King kicks him low and throws him out instead! Kenny King is the only man standing in the ring, reveling in the boos of the crowd... but who is #25?? The crowd pops for the sound of... KAZE NI NARE! It's
Minoru Suzuki! He's the last entrant! Kenny King can't believe it, as he immediately leaves the ring! That's the real King of Pro Wrestling! Suzuki makes his entrance as everyone in the ring goes at him, and eats a forearm. Suzuki is on a rampage and eliminates Tozawa and Matt Cross! Kenny King gets back in the ring and takes him out from behind though! We have one man in each corner of the ring! Kenny, Suzuki, Woods and Lio! Woods and King decide to team up on the other two Woods goes at Lio and King goes at Suzuki... who immediately locks in the sleeper and then hits the Gotch Piledriver! Suzuki throws out Kenny King! And then drops Woods with a forearm! Suzuki and Lio Rush then stare down! The first man in the match against the lastt one, and they're going at it! Lio Rush is not backing down! And he clotheslines Suzuki over the top rope! But Woods from behind! Eliminates Lio! Josh Woods is standing tall! He's won the Honor Rumble and he's celebrating like crazy, going up on the corner! But wait, what's this? The crowd cheers ans he gets pushed off! It's Danhausen! He just pushed Woods onto the floor He never even got in the ring, so he was never eliminated! Danhausen has won the Honor Rumble and now has an opportunity for a title of their choosing!
Winner: Danhausen***3/4After the match Josh Woods gets back in the ring and tries to attack Danhausen, but he ducks and hits him with a Superkickhausen, before going to celebrate with the crowdhausen!
Trish Adora vs Mei SurugaTrish and Mei have tangled a lot over the past year and a half, and their great chemistry was the reason they renewed their rivalry on this big stage again. They had a very different match here though, going at 1000 miles an hour from start to finish. As soon as the bell rings Trish ran right through Mei with a huge dropkick and we went from there. The crowd was on their feet the entire duration of it, and the girls packed a ton of action and a lot of big moves and false finishes in a short time. This all out war ended with Mei Suruga picking up the win after a Shooting Star Press from the top.
Winner: Mei Suruga
*****1/4
Before the Pure Championship match, we get a recap of what the Pure Rules are and were introduced to the three judges for tonighe, should the match reach the 15 minute time limit. The judges were Jerry Lynn, Sumie Sakai and a surprising appearance by Adam Pearce.
ROH Pure Championship
Pure Rules Match
Drew Gulak (c) vs Joe HendryGulak and Hendry renew their rivalry in a rematch of last year's Final Battle, for the same championship but with roles reversed. Gulak is the champion this time, while Hendry has presented himself as a hungry challenger after a year that didn't exactly go his way. And that was apparent in his mannerisms too, unlike this year there was no elaborate entrance and funny music, Hendry was focused. The match started slowly following the code of honor, with the two competitors being cautious and feeling eachother out, despite their previous encounters, with both men not wanting to make mistakes early. After sometime it would pick up though, and Gulak and Hendry had another entertaining bout. The champion would retain his title after pinning Joe Hendry with a Bridging German Suplex.
Hendry did get a foot on the ropes in an attempt to break up the pin, but he had already used up his three rope breaks by that time, meaning the pin was still valid.
Winner: Drew Gulak
****3/4After the bell rings there's a moment of tension where a dejected Joe Hendry hesitates for a moment, before eventually respecting the code of honor and shaking Gulak's hand, before leaving the ring as the champions celebrates a big win.
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship
Fight Without Honor
The Foundation (c) vs Shane Taylor Promotions
Unlike the last match there was no feeling out process here. These teams have been fighting non stop for the past few months, and that's what led to the fight without honor stipulation being added here. These rules seemed to favor the challengers at least in theory, with The Foundation being the antithesis of the hardcore style, but Gresham, Williams and Titus did make surprisingly good use of the environment around them to punish their opponents. The match turned into a very chaotic brawl, with action happening all over the Manhattan Center, with the violence esalating at every turn. The final third of the match would see the Soldiers of Savagery work together to take out Rhett Titus, leaving The Foundation on a numerical disadvantage. Williams and Gresham fought hard but ultimately succumbed to the challengers, with Shane Taylor getting a big win for his team after hitting a knockout right hand, followed by Welcome to the Land on The Octopus, and pinning the former world champion to regain the titles.
Winners: Shane Taylor, Moses and Kaun
****3/4As the match ends a distraught Tracy Williams rushes to Gresham's aid and checks if he's ok. Eventually Gresham is responsive and Williams helps him up to his feet, hugging his partner... and then he kicks him right in the balls! What the **** just happened? Gresham collapses in front of his partner...
Piledriver from Williams to Gresham! What the hell is he doing? Williams is beating the hell out of Gresham! He picks up a steel chait and breaks it over Gresham's back in a brutal assault. He then props Gresham up in the top rope...
Avalanche Piledriver! Gresham isn't moving! He just took three piledrivers in such a short time, and might be seriously injured! Tracy Williams cusses out his partner (or former partner, I guess) and walks out amongst a chorus of boos as the former ROH World Champion is left broken in the ring, needing to be stretchered out to the back. A video package announcing the next iPPV Honor Reigns Supreme plays, while the staff clears out the weapoms at ringside for the next match.
ROH World Television Championship
Mark Haskins (c) vs Rush Haskins has had the title for a year already, but he is facing what a lot of people think is his toughest challenger so far in Rush, to the point where it would be somewhat of an upset if he did manage to retain. But the Brit is definetly used to the underdog label, which is already thrown at him often due to his small size. He's proven himself for being tough as nails, with an impressive catalog of title defences racked up over this year. Rush is seemingly on a different pedigree though, and despite not having held gold for a while he is still one of the few men to have held the ROH World Championship twice. This made for an unpredictable matchup, where yes, Haskins was being forced to fight from underneath as expected. And while he does that well, at some point this does take a toll on him and Rush seemed more and more in control as the match goes on... however the challenger was unable to capitalize
In the late stages of the match Rush sets Haskins up in the corner and goes for Bull's Horns... but Haskins rushes him with a superkick that sees Rush now propped up in the corner!
BULL'S HORNS! HASKINS HITS RUSH WITH HIS OWN MOVE!
1!
2!
KICK OUT!
Haskins has the advantage now! He tries to lock Rush in the Sharpshooter, but El Toro Blanco gets to the ropes! The hold is broken, but as Haskins tries the next move Rush strikes him with a headbutt! Haskins slumps to the corner while Rush gingerly gets to his feet! He's going for Bull's Horns again! But Haskins moves and Rush crashes into the corner! Haskins catches him in a roll up!
1!
2!
3!
Haskins steals the win from under Rush's nose! The champ retains!
Winner: Mark Haskins
****3/4
ROH Women's World Championship
Utami Hayashishita (c) vs Rok-CThis match has been building for about 6 months, and it seemingly has an air of cunclusion about it, so it's appropriate that it hapens at Final Battle! Utami beat Rok-C twice already, and she seemed to be taking her challenger a little lightly at the start, or was at least pretending to, toying around with the Prodigy for a few minutes. Whether it was disrespect or just the champion trying to get under her skin, Rok-C quickly responded and the intensity of the match rose quickly. While the aura of novelty from their first encounter was gone, this one was perhaps their most closely fought match to date, with Utami looking more in trouble than ever before since arriving in ROH. For 20-something minutes the match picked up gradually, with lots of counters from two girls that know eachother's offence well already. But eventially the Rose-Red Apex was able to finally connect with her Air Raid Crash finisher and it's lights out from here...
1!
2!
ROK-C KICKS OUT!
Utami can't believe it, it's the first time in ROH that anyone kicks out of the Air Raid Crash! Rok-C rolls to the apron, trying to create some separation but Utami goes after her!
Another Air Raid Crash! This time off the apron to the floor! The champion rolls the challenger back into the ring... picks her up one more time...
A THIRD CONSECUTIVE AIR RAID CRASH TO ROK-C! Utami goes for the pin!
1!
2!
3!
Winner: Utami Hayashishita
****3/4Post match Rok-C staggers back to her feet somehow, but is unable to stand for long. Utami looks at this for a moment, before extending her hand to help her foe up. Rok-C accepts and they then embrace in a sign of mutual respect, and an ovation from the crowd.
ROH World Tag Team Championship
The Briscoes (c) vs FTRWe had true dream match vibes for this one, as for the first time ever two of the best tag teams in the world, The Briscoes and FTR faced off. The energy in the Manhattan Center was off the charts for this, with the crowd hyped even before there was any action. This match has been bulding for so long without the two teams ever touching in the ring, and the moment is finally here. It was a tag team classic, very much in FTR's wheelhouse, with hope spots, hot tags and great false finishes for over 25 minutes minutes. But there's a reason that The Briscoes are 14 time ROH tag champs, and when just when FTR seemed to have control they wouldmake their comeback. Nearing the finish, The Briscoes have got Dax Harwood set up for the Doomsday Device! But Cash Wheeler pushes Mark off the top rope, sending him crashing to the floor! Dax counters out of the electric chair! He's got Jay set for a piledriver!
Spike Piledriver to Jay Briscoe! He's out! FTR the get the legal Mark Briscoe back in the ring!
BIG RIG! Dax goes for the pin!
1!
2!
3!
The year long reign of the Briscoes is over! FTR are the new World Tag Team Champions!
Winners: Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler
*****
ROH World Championship
Tony Deppen (c) vs Dragon LeeNo two men in Ring of Honor have had their stock risen over the past 2 years more than Tony Deppen and Dragon Lee. Both have put on multiple memorable encounters, and the quality and consistency of their preformances means that a big showdown is surely on the cards here, in the main event of ROH's biggest show of the year. It had a feeling similar to other great ROH World Championship matches of the past, a long epic that had a slower start and built up to a red hot finish. For around 40 minutes Deppen and Lee took eachother to their limits, throwing everything they had at the other without being able to get the win. Strikes, throws, counters, dives, flips and submissions were all present in an epic match that can hold up to any other Final Battle main event. The finish sees Deppen roundhouse kick Lee in the head, and as the Mexican collapses Deppen picks him back up...
BRAINBUSTER! That's how Deppen won the title!
1!
2!
KICK OUT!
Deppen is undeterred, he signals for a Tombstone now!
REVERSED! Lee spikes the champ on his head! Deppen looks lost, as Dragon Lee yells out and lowers his knee pad!
OH SHIT! HE JUST KNEED DEPPEN'S HEAD OFF! Dragon Lee signals for the end! He picks Deppen up for a Powerbomb... no wait! He puts him in the package position! No! This is too much!
PHOENIXPLEX!! PHOENIXPLEX!! DRAGON LEE DROPPED DEPPEN ON HIS HEAD! HE GOES FOR THE PIN!
1...
2...
3!
HE DID IT! DRAGON LEE IS ROH WORLD CHAMPION!
Winner: Dragon Lee*****1/2Dragon Lee celebrates as he's crowned World Champion for the first time in his career! Big brother Rush joins him as he puts the belt around his waist and Los Hermanos Ingobernables now both have reached the top of the mountain!
Show Rating:
****1/2
