Final Battle is Ring of Honor’s biggest pay per view of the year. As the 21st Final Battle takes place with the biggest attendance and largest pay-per view gate this show had a lot of implications. Now, this show absolutely rocked and I would recommend it to anyone, especially that tag team match. With major championship matches and the start of a new era in Ring of Honor, here is my Final Battle review.
Mascara Dorada vs Jeff Cobb: So, no one told me that Mascara Dorada was actually former WWE Superstar Gran Metalik, but damn he is really talented. Cobb has shown that he is such a good wrestler, and this match was really fun. Such a good way to showcase both men and get the crowd ready for an exciting afternoon of honorable wrestling.
Winner: Jeff Cobb
“Daddy Magic” Matt Mernard and “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker vs Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger and Eli Isom): Parker and Mernard are two of the best sports entertainers on the AEW roster right now and you can not convince me otherwise. This was fun and a great opening night for the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Winners: Matt Mernard and Angelo Parker
Trish Adora vs Willow Nightingale: Although they did not wrestle each other in the inaugural tournament to crown the Ring of Honor Women’s Championship, they did team together and they made a great team. This match screams the future of the Ring of Honor Women’s Division. These two are super talented and they showed that in this match, also Tony Khan please sign Trish Adora. This was great, please watch this match.
Winner: Willow Nightingale
The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) vs Top Flight (Daunte Martin and Darius Martin): Finally they have used The Kingdom on TV!! Welcome back to your house! This match had its moments, but overall this was really fun. I was shocked that Top Flight won, especially because ROH is The Kingdoms backyard, but overall a fun way to end the pre-show.
Winners: Top Flight
Final Battle 2022 Main Card:
Dralistico and Rush vs A.R. Fox and Blake Christian: This match was incredible. Four amazing athletes putting everything on the line. There was truly so much action going on at times it was hard to keep up, but that is the fun part of wrestling. The ending was a bit rough with the referee counting to three when Dralistico kicked out, but this can lead to a second match at some point.
Winners: A.R. Fox and Blake Christian
Ring of Honor Women’s Championship: Mercedes Martinez vs Athena: The crowd was annoying at the end but this was fantastic. The storytelling was there, the moveset was there, and more importantly Athena IS OVER!! Go and watch this match, my honorable heart was definitely full!
Winner: “And New” Athena
Swerve In Our Glory (Keith Lee And Swerve Strickland) vs JD Griffey and Shane Taylor: The eruption from the crowd when Lee and Taylor finally faced off with each other was truly legendary. The tension continuing between Swerve and Lee throughout the match was really good and definitely adds to the storytelling of this match. Taylor definitely just has this presence about him that makes him so good, please sign him. The call back to Full Gear where this time Swerve walks out on Lee was also a nice touch, this match was really fun.
Winners: Swerve In Our Glory
Ring of Honor Six Man Tag Team Championship: Dalton Castle and The Boys (Brandon and Brent Tate) vs The Embassy ( Brian Cage, Toa Liona, and Kaun): WHY! This match was great except the wrong people won. The interesting thing is that ROH does not have a lot of trio teams, so it should be interesting to see what is next for them. Seriously though, WHY
Winners: “And New” The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona, and Kaun)
Ring of Honor Pure Championship: Daniel Garcia vs Wheeler Yuta: This match was everything I expected it to be. Awesome storytelling and one amazing rubber match. These two continue to prove why they are the future of this sport. Little upset that Yuta won over Garcia, but I expect both things for both of them going into the new year.
Winner: “And New” Wheeler Yuta
Ring of Honor Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Hardwood and Cash Wheeler) vs The Briscoes (Mark and Jay Briscoe): I have absolutely no words. This match was absolutely amazing. Unbelievable spots, lots of blood, and even the referee getting busted open. PLEASE GO WATCH THIS MATCH
Winner: “And New” The Briscoes
Ring of Honor TV Championship: Samoa Joe vs Juice Robinson: For this match being in a bad spot they killed it. Robinson and Joe both had really good offense and both were able to get their stuff in. Unfortunately, Robinson did not have enough for the King of Television.
Winner: Samoa Joe
Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Championship: Chris Jericho vs Claudio Castagnoli: Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman have done amazing commentary all night, but in this match they truly shined. This match was really fun. I did not know that the swing was considered a submission move, but here we are. Nice moment where Jerry Lynn, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli all share the ring and celebrate.
Winner: “And New” Claudio Castagnoli
This show was really fun and it really showed that we are entering a new era for Ring of Honor. Now although they do not have a TV deal as of writing this I am excited to see what is next. If you did not order the card, I suggest that you order the replay because it was fantastic.
Comments are closed.