ROH news and video thread

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

I want an IWGP tag team title for Christmas too!

[mcmahonfan85]

[mcmahonfan85]

[mcmahonfan85]

FIGHT WITHOUT HONOR FOR THE ROH WORLD TITLE
Sunday, Dec 7th LIVE on PPV 8e / 5p



When Ring of Honor was established in 2002, it set out to be truly different from the mainstream professional wrestling offerings. Officials were looking at various options and created the Code of Honor. The Code of Honor stated: You must shake hands before and after every match, no outside interference, no sneak attacks and no harming of officials. Also, any action that results in a disqualification would violate the Code of Honor.

With the code set forth, Ring of Honor embarked on changing the landscape of professional wrestling. As history sometimes dictates, when two combustible elements meet, standard rules often don’t apply.

In October 2002 Samoa Joe faced off against Low Ki in what Ring of Honor officials titled “a Fight without Honor”. A Fight without Honor is exactly as the title suggests: it does not require participants to adhere to the Code of Honor. There is no disqualification, no count out and ultimately there must be a winner!

Throughout Ring of Honor’s storied history there have been 16 “Fights without Honor”. These fights have seen legendary competitors in Ring of Honor and professional wrestling in general settle their differences. The history of this type of fight is rich, intense, brutal and sometimes very bloody.

Ring of Honor fans have seen Homicide fight Trent Acid two different times. Current Ring of Honor color commentator Steve Corino also once went toe to toe with Homicide in a fight that had to take years off their careers.

In a sign of how strong rivalries can be, former ROH World Champion Low Ki battled Current ROH Television Jay Lethal in a Fight without Honor twice in one night!

Delirious is the only wrestler who has competed in multiple Fights without Honor and remained undefeated. He also holds a victory in the only Fight without Honor held outside of the United States as well, as he defeated “Mr ROH” Roderick Strong in Tokyo, Japan.

Ring of Honor’s biggest show of the year, Final Battle, has a storied history when it comes to a Fight without Honor. It saw its first fight in 2003 when “Hurricane” John Walters took on Xavier. In 2008 a Fight without Honor provided a fitting end to the legendary feud between Bryan Danielson and Takeshi Morishima.

At Final Battle 2010 Kevin Steen fought his former best friend and tag team partner, El Generico, in Fight without Honor. This fight saw Steen risk his career while El Generico put his mask on the line.This match set a new standard for violence and hated within an ROH ring.

What every one of these fights had in common was the need to go beyond traditional means. These fights featured more hatred, more emotion and an immeasurable desire to inflict damage that went well beyond standard matches.

On Sunday December 7, 2014, Terminal 5 in New York City will be the site of Final Battle. This live on PPV will give the world the chance to see a Fight without Honor. This fight will see current Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Briscoe defend against perhaps his greatest career rival, Adam Cole!

On one side of the ring you will have the gritty farm boy from Sandy Fork, Delaware, Jay Briscoe. On the other side you have the well to do, good looking, brash, well dressed “Panama City Playboy” Adam Cole. This rivalry was born not necessarily out of cultural differences, but out of Cole’s natural disrespect for everything that Jay Briscoe represents.

Jay Briscoe is a tough they come. He was raised in a family full of fighters. His battles in Ring of Honor are the stuff of legend. In ROH: At Our Best on March 13, 2004 fans witnessed Jay walk into a steel cage against then ROH World Champion Samoa Joe. This match saw Jay Briscoe spill buckets of blood. He did not win the ROH World Championship on this occasion but this match ensured his toughness could never be questioned. Briscoe's reputation for talking a big game is very much backed up by his willingness to dish out the Briscoe brand of violence. With no internal sensor or limit as to the lengths he will go to “Man Up”, one has to wonder exactly how far Jay Briscoe is willing to go to end this rivalry.

Adam Cole is a lot tougher than many people might think. Beyond the good looks and long hair is someone who truly believes that he is the very best in professional wrestling. Wrestling experts point to June 24, 2014 at Best in The World as a sign of Cole’s physical toughness. This was the night he suffered a serious mouth injury in a physically devastating bout with former partner Kyle O’Reilly. Cole is someone who is always thinking two steps ahead. Having won Survival Of The Fittest 2014, he guaranteed himself an ROH World Title opportunity. But he couldn’t just stop there. He took things to a much higher level: he challenged Jay Briscoe but not just to a standard one on one match up. He went far beyond that and challenged him to a Fight without Honor! Cole will not have his normal entourage at Final Battle, as his fellow Kingdom stable mates Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis are all currently on tour in Japan and not due back till after the completion of Final Battle. This begs the question: what does Adam Cole have up his sleeve?

One does not willingly walk into a fight with Jay Briscoe if he doesn’t have a plan. Adam Cole definitely has the talent to beat Jay Briscoe or anyone in a one on one match. But Cole must understand this isn’t just a match, this is a fight. This is a fight in which the odds are not even slightly in his favor.

Briscoe has been with Ring of Honor since its inception. During his tenure in ROH, Jay has never been in a Fight without Honor. With no limitations to the amount of damage he can inflict, could Jay tire himself out ? Is Cole’s strategy to simply prepare himself to counter everything Jay brings, hoping that he runs out of gas ? Can Cole possibly handle everything that Briscoe has for him? These questions are part of the reason the world will be watching Live on Pay Per View.

ROH fans have seen all the twist and turns of the Cole/Briscoe rivalry. Now the time has come for ROH officials to go outside the box to devise a resolution. That time comes December 7, 2014 at Terminal 5, live on Pay Per View. At Final Battle 2014, two of the most decorated wrestlers in Ring of Honor history stand toe to toe in the middle of the ring for the most treasured prize in professional wrestling, the Ring of Honor World Championship. This rivalry now transcends tradition. For the first time ever, Live on Pay Per View, The Ring of Honor Title will be defended in a Fight without Honor. In the final match up of Ring of Honors 2014 calendar, Jay Briscoe defends against Adam Cole in fight that involves hatred, betrayal, frustration, determination and just about every emotion imaginable.

The history books will be re-written on this Sunday night. Not just in Ring of Honor but for all of professional wrestling. Be sure you are witness to what everyone will be talking about the next morning!

There is one way to see this - LIVE on Pay Per View. For a list of providers in your area click here or to order online click here.

[Deleted]

It is odd to me that ROH didn't get Styles on either of their PPVs (this year?). Was it a NJPW thing or just booking? I mean with someone with that much name value and as talented as he can be, it seems odd to not have him on at least one of these shows.

[mcmahonfan85]

he was working for New Japan during Best in the World and he's over in Japan right now

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2014 23:46:11 GMT -5 mcmahonfan85 said:

he was working for New Japan during Best in the World and he's over in Japan right now

Alrighty. I kinda figured that was the deal now what with the WTL going on/ending and then Wrestle Kingdom first of the year. Wasn't sure about BITW.

[The Scuba Guy]

Hopefully they can get him for the Anniversary Show in Vegas in March, which should be a PPV.

[Talent Name]

For those that can't watch Finale Battle Tonight PW is going to be tweeting the show here is their link
twitter.com/pwponderings

[mcmahonfan85]

[Deleted]

Shit, that may be the best promo I've ever heard Elgin give. Damn good.

[mcmahonfan85]

FINAL BATTLE THOUGHTS...
A View from Ringside By Kevin Kelly



A new series of articles begins in 2015 on ROHWrestling.com from ROH Play-by-Play Announcer Kevin Kelly titled “A View from Ringside” but Kevin wanted kick off the series with his thoughts from Final Battle.

I got home early Monday morning from NYC and Final Battle was fresh in my mind. To be honest, going into the event, I was fearful of a letdown. After all, Best in the World was ROH’s live PPV debut and I wondered if we could duplicate our debut effort. Could the match quality exceed what was an amazing June event? Would fans say Final Battle exceeded expectations?

Running the results over and over in my mind, I jotted down these takeaways from the incredible night at Terminal 5.

-Roderick Strong is poised to challenge for Gold in 2015. His match with Adam Page demonstrates just how special and talented Roddy is and I haven’t seen him better. Page’s best is yet to come and he will take lessons learned from Final Battle into what I predict will be his Breakout year.

-I wonder if Hanson will capture a singles title in ROH before Raymond Rowe comes back from injury and War Machine goes for the Tag Team titles. The biggest surprise of 2014 is Hanson but he won’t be able to sneak up on anyone in the New Year.

-Pound-for-pound, Jimmy Jacobs is the toughest man I have ever seen in a wrestling ring.

-Has Tomasso Ciampa’s ROH career come to an end? Has Michael Elgin begun to resurrect his? Judging from Nigel McGuinness’ reaction at Final Battle, it’s clear that only one moment from the Ciampa/Elgin match is sticking in the matchmaker’s mind. How long will we wait for an answer?

-While I respect RD Evans, Moose is a star on the rise and there may be no stopping him. That is, of course, if Moose’s controversial representation doesn’t lead him down the wrong path. Guidance is good but too many cooks in the kitchen can spoil the meal. Moose is the star of the show, not the supporting cast.

-The Young Bucks are the most entertaining act in Professional Wrestling but ACH capped off an amazing 2014 in spectacular fashion. Some wondered if the uber-enthusiastic ACH had the maturity to wrestle in the big time but what the now 27-year old man has accomplished since his travel letdown in September proves that he can and will become a champion in ROH.

-If anyone asks you who the number one tag team in the world is, tell them it is ReDRagon. Around the world, other teams may argue but it is settled business. Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly proved it in emphatic fashion at Final Battle. No one is better than the Two-Man Smash Machine.

-On the 13th anniversary of his debut in Professional Wrestling, Jay Lethal has reason to celebrate. His win at Final Battle cements his claim as “the best wrestler on television” but how long will the most victorious TV Champion of all time be satisfied with that honor?

-Calling Matt Sydal matches is a huge treat for me. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time and I was thrilled when he came back to ROH. On a level playing field, with no outside interference, I have to wonder if there would be a different outcome in the World Television title match. Sydal deserves a rematch and I look forward to calling it.

-Anyone who knows me knows I despise violent matches. I am a purist, with a love of the sport and a care for the well-being of the athletes who compete in it. But, there are times when blood feuds must be settled and such was the case in the Fight Without Honor between ROH World Champion Jay Briscoe and former champion Adam Cole.

-The fact that they were competing for the ROH World Championship was second to their hatred for one another. Cole taunted Jay Briscoe throughout, hoping the champion would make a mistake. Each man paid the price in an effort to end this feud.

-Jay Briscoe has not been pinned or submitted in over two years but will the toll from Final Battle make defeat a stronger possibility in the near future? Because, while it may never be over between Jay Briscoe and Adam Cole, I have to wonder if either man will ever be the same again following Final Battle.

-2014 was the best year of my now 23-year Professional Wrestling broadcasting career. My love for Ring of Honor has never been stronger and I anxiously await the New Year.

Since I didn’t get to watch the Pay-Per-View at home, I have ordered the replay of Final Battle. Even though I was there live, I have to watch it again. If you missed Final Battle on Sunday, I recommend you order the replay as well. Call your cable operator or satellite provider.

I actually jotted a note last week that read “letdown?” Would Final Battle somehow top Best in the World? I can scratch that question out and replace it with “Triumph!” because that was the takeaway of Final Battle for me.

Happy Holidays!
KK

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

Christ, Elgin looks more like an adult-sized baby than ever.

[chazraps]

Dec 8, 2014 23:38:47 GMT -5 @jinxed said:

Shit, that may be the best promo I've ever heard Elgin give. Damn good.

I agreed up until the "pay for your sins" part. After that, this still reigns supreme:

[mcmahonfan85]

FINAL BATTLE AND FINAL THOUGHTS ON 2014
By Nigel McGuinness



What an exciting, interesting, year it has been for ROH. Adam Cole began the year as a seemingly unstoppable world champion, racking up a string of title defenses before Michael Elgin unseated him in June. Elgin fulfilled his prophecy, only to fall from grace within three months when Jay Briscoe shocked every person in attendance - except himself it seemed - that night in Toronto. Suddenly, Jay Briscoe stood as the second-ever two-time ROH world champion.

We lost one of ROH’s most enigmatic hell-raisers in Kevin Steen, but saw the return of plethora of world class former ROH stars including Christopher Daniels, Matt Sydal and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles. The young talent all turned up the game to keep pace, with ACH sky-rocketing through the competition to become one of the most exciting and sought-after performers in the sport today. World Tag Team Champs reDRagon justifiably laid claim to being the best tag team in the world, adding the prestigious IWGP junior tap straps to their resume in Japan. The Decade have continued their embittered and ultimately fractured journey toward an absolution some say will never come. And Tommaso Ciampa came up short in his quest to be world champion, losing the plot and nearly his job when he attacked both Bobby Cruise and Kevin Kelly. As always, his story - along with every other - came to a head at Final Battle.

It was the first show we ever had at Terminal 5, a more intimate, club-style, venue on the west side of Manhattan. Standing room only day of, we managed to squeeze in as many fans who’d showed up as possible. It was an honor, no pun intended, to be able to present my friend and former ROH owner Cary Silkin with a lifetime achievement award. Jimmy Jacobs really elucidated the point when I talked to him before the show, noting how different the landscape of professional wrestling be today if Cary had not continued to financially back the company through all those hard years. Think of all the guys who came here to become the high level performers they did and the effect they have all had on the professional wrestling world since. Whatever else happens in the future, I believe ROH will always have a strong chapter in the annals of pro wrestling history. It is in no small part due to the hard work of everyone involved, but ultimately because Cary put his money where his heart was.

I always consider it a blessing when my match-making and other official duties allow me to sit ringside to call the action alongside the best announce team in the business right now. The show started with an exciting four-way, followed by a brutal, hard-fought, smash-mouth, match between former Decade member Roderick Strong and current member Adam Page; or vice versa if you ask Jimmy Jacobs. Then Tommaso Ciampa took on Michael Elgin, more than living up to Tommaso's promise of beating the hell out of each other. But then he clotheslined the ref: Everyone saw it; no way of denying it. At the same time, one could also protest - as he did at the time and later that evening - that it was purely accidental. I really feel it’s too soon to make any decision on this. I wish to consult the people he attacked before and the higher up Sinclair officials, as well as contemplating what precedent it will set if I don’t stand by my word. After going straight to the back to consult with Ring Of Honor COO Joe Koff, I have decided I will make a final decision live in Nashville on January 3rd.

I watched the rest of the show from the balcony and as always was so proud of the talent we have amassed here in ROH. Cedric Alexander and The Addiction vs. The Young Bucks and ACH blew the roof off the place, more than living up to the match people had been salivating about since the moment it was signed. Matt Sydal vs. Jay Lethal turned into the fantastic matchup everyone expected also, with Lethal retaining the World Television title, and also furthering his claim to be the most consummate professional wrestler in the company today. reDRagon retained in a fast moving technical masterpiece against the world class duo of former ROH star Alex Shelley and New Japan star KUSHIDA. Moose continued his streak with the help, whether he needed it or not, of the venomous Veda Scott, who nonetheless has her finger firmly on the pulse of things as we go forward. I’d felt mixed emotions signing the Fight Without Honor between Jay Briscoe and Adam Cole...but it seemed the only way to settle things. I wouldn’t watch the match; but at the end of the day Jay Briscoe was standing tall as World Champion once again and I for one find it hard to see someone taking that belt from around his waist any time soon.

As I look into 2015, I feel some pressure immediately concerning my decision about Tommaso's conduct, but beyond that I have no concerns for the company as a whole. There is so much talent gunning for the top positions that my job as matchmaker is an easy one for me. Enjoy the holidays and New Year celebrations. We’ll see you in Nashville January 3rd, 2015.

[________ has left the building]

Anyone knows what happened to TD Thomas? He basically disappeared after Jimmy Jacobs took his side in the Decade feud.

[CATCH_US IS the Conversation]

Dec 10, 2014 14:52:33 GMT -5 ________ has left the building said:

Anyone knows what happened to TD Thomas? He basically disappeared after Jimmy Jacobs took his side in the Decade feud.

I think he's out of the group altogether.

[AdamAFL was sooooo wrong]

Dec 10, 2014 14:52:33 GMT -5 ________ has left the building said:

Anyone knows what happened to TD Thomas? He basically disappeared after Jimmy Jacobs took his side in the Decade feud.

He had a No DQ match with Page on a show (it was sold as the Decade pitting their dogs against each other both for their own amusement and to see whether Jimmy or BJ was right). During the match TD turned on The Decade and since then has just been wrestling random matches with seemingly no direction. Either way I'm glad he's not involved with The Decade anymore because that is one of my favourite story arcs in the company right now.

[Deleted]

I'm curious why everyone hates TD so much. I think the capoeira style is really unique and interesting, he just needs to develop a personality to go with it.

[Steveweiser]

Dave Meltzer reports in the new Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Alberto El Patron will be appearing on several ROH shows starting next month. The news was meant to be announced during the PPV on Sunday, but ROH didn't receive his videotaped promo in time for it to air.