A six-way Survival of the Fittest match for the Ring of Honor World title headlines tonight’s ROH Final Battle from Columbus, Ohio.
Originally set to defend against Rush, Bandido will now defend against Hechicero, Sammy Guevara, The Beast Mortos, Komander and Blake Christian.
Athena will look to keep her 1000+ day ROH Women’s World title run going as she defends against CMLL’s Persephone while ROH Women’s TV Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Red Velvet.
AEW National Champion Ricochet defends the title for the first time as he takes on Dalton Castle while ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Shane Taylor Promotions defend against SkyFlight.
Two new champions are guaranteed as Deonna Purrazzo vs. Billie Starkz will determine the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion while Sammy Guevara & The Beast Mortos vs. Tommy Billington & Adam Priest will determine the new ROH Tag Team Champions.
The main card is rounded out by a 30-minute Iron Man match between Nigel McGuinness vs. Lee Moriarty, and Eddie Kingston vs. Josh Woods while the pre-show will see Lee Johnson vs. Ace Austin.
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Here we go, friends! It’s the finalest of battles with over half a dozen titles on the line, an instant classic tee’d up and an Eddie Kingston match. Does it get better than that? I don’t think so. But ZERO HOUR is upon us, so let’s see if it does!
ZERO HOUR: The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum) vs The Premier Athletes (Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari) w/ Mark Sterling and Stori Denali
These are definitely two tag teams that would have made sense in the title match later tonight. But that said, it’s always nice to see the Outrunners dropping double elbows on jerks the caliber of the Athletes.
Nese and Magnum kicked things off with some posing, then some wrestling, then some more posing, before finally settling on some wrestling. Eache held their own (because they are pretty good at this) but Nese got the better of Magnum with some headgames.
The match proceeded as expected from there, lots of quick tags, double teams and shenanigans from the Athletes. At one point Sterling tried to get involved and Denali took on Magnum in a staredown, but the Outrunners were able to keep their momentum.
In the end, Floyd came in off of a hot tag and the Outrunners disposed of Nese and Daivari with their classic double elbow into a Total Recall with Magnum getting the pin on Daivari.
Match Result: The Outrunners defeated The Premier Athletes
ZERO HOUR: Leila Grey vs Zayda Steel
Steel was one of the hottest free agents out there when Tony Khan snapped her up. She immediately set her sights on ROH mainstay Grey, so we will see if Steel can back up her rep in her ROH/AEW debut.
The two chain wrestled back and forth for the first part of the match, working each other pretty evenly. Steel began to take control until Grey hit a killer neckbreaker and some big lariats. Steel wasn’t out yet though, delivering some hard strikes and luring Grey into a half-crab hold.
Grey hit a devastating iron butterfly and it knocked Steel clean out. Grey got the pin and victory, but Steel looked great and will do well in AEW/ROH.
Match Result: Leila Grey defeated Zayda Steel
ZERO HOUR: Lee Johnson vs. Ace Austin
I’m 78% sure this match is happening because Johnson came to the event with Christian and was sad that he couldnt be in the Survival of The Fittest Match too. But that’s just speculation.
Austin and Johnson are both very, very athletic, so it was a match that was full of hold switches, lots of whips and lariats and standoffs as the two clashed in the air and on the mat. Johnson broke an Indian Death Lock with an eye poke at one point, and Austin was able to use brute strength to keep Johnson at bay.
Austin hit a Blue Thunder Bomb, but as we know, it’s impossible to win matches with that. Johnson tried to respond with one of his own, but again, no joy. Austin kept up with Johnson, dodging and reversing everything thrown at him until he managed to get Johnson with a huge slam to pick up the win in his ROH debut.
Match Result: Ace Austin defeated Lee Johnson
ZERO HOUR: Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) vs The Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia)
Two more teams that would not be out of place in the upcoming Tag Team title match, GYV have had some bangers this year. Yuta and Garcia are fresh off of a victory last night on Honorclub. Jon Moxley accompanied them to the ring and sat in on commentary for the match. I could almost understand what he was saying through the mumbles.
Yuta and Drake set the pace with a really fast and fun exchange off the top. Garcia took on Gibson in a technical display that saw Garcia worm his way out of everything that Gibson threw at him. Drake at one point climbed the ladder and jumed what seemed like 10 feet high to take out Yuta.
A great double hot tag gave the match it’s best sequence with Gibson and Garcia going absolutely wild on each other. Gibson threw Yuta into Garcia in the corner via a pumphandle slam, which was awesome. Garcia grapevined Gibson into a Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring which Gibson powered out of, but he couldn’t power out of the double beatdown the Riders gave him.
Drake went coast to coast with a dropkick on Yuta’s head, but it only got a two count. Garcia trapped Drake beneath the steel steps and he and Yuta delivered a double dropkick to the stairs, possibly killing him. After that, Yuta hit his big knee on Gibson and Garcia scooped him up for the pin.
Match Result: Death Riders defeated Grizzled Young Veterans
And with all that said, 8pm EST arrived and FINAL BATTLE began!
At the end of Zero Hour, Jon Moxley decided that he was going to stay on commentary. I took that to mean he’d hang around for the final moments of the pre show. Nope. There he was, dryly mentioning things as Final Battle began.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Finals of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship Tournament: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Billie Starkz
The Tournament to crown the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion was announced on April 12, 2025. On August 29, 2025, at Death Before Dishonor, the tournament bracket was revealed. Last night (December 4, 2025) Queen Aminata had to forefeit her match against Purrazzo because of injury, sending her to the finals. Starkz beat Yuka Sakazaki on the same show to get her ticket punched. So here we are with the finals, almost 8 full months after the tournament of 16 women was announced.
Starkz tried to hit a lariat off the code of honor, but Purrazzo saw it coming and turned it into an armbar, forcing Starkz to use her first rope break just a few seconds into the match. Starkz did her best to enrage Purrazzo who channeled that anger into an armbar with a fish hook cherry on top.
Purrazzo controlled the match in the early going, having an aswer for everything Starkz threw at her. Starkz took some time to find her footing, but after luring Purrazzo to the outside used that foot to drive Purrazzo’s head into the steel steps.
Back in the ring, Starkz stalked Purrazzo around the ring, throwing strikes and driving Purrazzo to the mat with a snap DDT. Purrazzo came back though, continuing to work Starkz’ arm before sending her outside into the barricade.
Purrazzo tried to whip Starkz into the ringpost, but Starkz reversed it and threw some crazy forearms. Purrazzo eventually ducked though and Starkz hit the ringpost, further damaging that arm. Purrazzo then hit a side Russian leg sweep on Starkz, driving the back of her head onto the announce table.
Purrazzo threw Starkz back into the ring and locked in a Koji clutch. Starkz worked out of it and hit a spinning kick, sending both women to the mat. Purrazzo got up first and locked in another arm bar. Starkz refused to tap and dragged them both to the ropes, using her second break at 50:48.
Starkz hit a backbreaker that got a two count, but Purrazzo wasn’t fazed by it. She lured Starkz onto the apron, but Starkz got her with an Alabama slam and a cannonball off the apron. She threw Purrazzo back in and landed a picture-perfect swanton, but Purrazzo kicked out.
Starkz locked in a sleeper, but at 48:38, Purrazzo fell on the ropes, using a break for the first time EVER. From there, Purrazzo reversed a slam into a piledriver, but Starkz kicked out at two. Purrazzo went back to the armbar, but at 47:35 Starkz grabbed the ropes to break the hold.
Purrazzo then went to a surfboard hold through the ropes, but Starkz pulled herself out of it. She hit a DDT and then went up top for a second Swanton. PUrrazzo kicked out at two and locked in a Venus De Milo hold. Starkz couldn’t get to the ropes and was forced to tap, giving the match and the RON Women’s Pure Championship to Purrazzo.
Match Result: Deonna Purrazzo defeated Billie Starkz
After the match, an injured Queen Aminata came down to the ring to congratulate Purrazzo and put herself in line for a future shot at the title.
It took 8 months, but the matches and outcome were worth it. Starkz was great in this match and Purrazzo had a counter for everything she threw at her. It was a killer opener and worthy finals for the Women’s Pure Tournament.
30-minute Iron Man match: Nigel McGuiness vs. Lee Moriarty
McGuinness is often called the greatest Pure Champion in Ring of Honor history. Moriarty is no slouch either, holding said title for 498 days as of today, becoming the longest reigning Pure Champion. This match is nothing but an absolute gift to wrestling fans and can be justifiably called a classic before the show has even started.
McGuinness came to the ring with his “classic” Pure Title belt, setting the tone for this technical clash. Moriarty came to the ring with Shane Taylor, which also set a certain tone (a rumbling one).
The bell rang, the clock started and the “Holy sh*t” chants began. The two chain wrestled for the first minute or so, with McGuinness wrapping Moirarty’s wrists in various locks and holds before Moriarty kicked him off.
Neither man was in a rush here, using every second of the thirty minutes to place very deliberate and clearly thought out holds. Moriarty started showing a cocky side though, often mugging for the crowd.
The speed picked up about 5 minutes in with a flurry of offense from Moriarty that ended in a Border City Stretch. McGuinness tapped at 26:10, giving Moriarty the first point of the match.
Moriarty started working the clock, stepping out to talk to Taylor and taking his time engaging McGuinness. McGuinnes put on a wrist lock and Moriarty scrambled to the ropes to break it. McGuinness repsonded by grabbing Moriarty’s ear and twisting his head around to work the neck.
From there, the two locked arms and took turns wrenching on them. McGuinness eventually stepped over and hyperextended Moriarty’s arm. McGuinness tried to pick up the pace, but Moriarty kept it as slow as possible to eat up the clock.
McGuinness started getting frustrated at the pace and left an opening for Moriarty to put on an Octopus. McGuinness powered out and locked in an abdominal stretch, but Moriarty was able to get to the ropes to break it.
Moriarty tripped McGuinness onto the second rope and hit a 619. McGuinness went for a Tower of London, but Moriarty slipped out of the ring to run down more time. McGuinness followed and threw some European uppercuts, or as he calls them, Uppercuts.
Moriarty slid back into the ring and grabbed McGuinness in a quick rollup. The Ref counted to three and Moriarty went up 2-0 at 18:30.
McGuinness hit a hammerlock DDT and went back to working Moriarty’s arm. Moriarty reversed it into an ankle lock. McGuinness kicked his way out of it and put on London Dungeon. He was too close to the ropes though and Moriarty grabbed it to break the hold.
McGuinness changed tactics and went to strikes, kicking Moriarty in the back before grape vining the arm again. He got Moriarty in a shoulder stretch in the center of the ring, but Moriarty kicked out. Not before McGuinness hyperextended his arm again.
As the match passed the halfway point, McGuinness put Moriarty on the top turnbuckle. Moriarty pushed him off and hit a high crossbody. He went for an elbow drop, but McGuinness moved and turned it into a London Dungeon. Again, Moriarty was able to get to the ropes to break it.
Moriarty went for a spring board, but McGuinness dodged it and drove him into the corner to chop him as hard as he could. Moriarty reversed it for some chops of his own, but McGuinness poked the eye and regained control.
McGuinness put Moriarty in London Dungeon at 10:45 and Moriarty tapped, giving McGuinness his first point and making it 2-1 in favour of the Pure Champion.
McGuinness went back to the London Dungeon, but Moriarty flipped him over and got a three count to move the score to 3-1 at 9:55.
McGuinness continued working the arm and shoulder of Moriarty, but Moriarty wouldn’t go down. McGuinness put on an inside scissor lock to Moriarty’s arm, before using the London Dungeon again. Moriarty pulled his ankle and McGuinness fell, breaking the hold.
With eight minutes left, Moriarty switched to defense, trading blows with McGuinness while time ticked away. Another London Dungeon with a surfboard element lured Moriarty into a triangle choke. Moriarty resorted to fingerpulling, but McGuinness transitioned in to a Border City Stretch. Moriarty’s toe just grazed the ropes though, ending the hold.
Four minutes were left when McGuinness tried to grab Moriarty, but Moriarty squirmed out of everything. McGuinness went for a figure four, but Moriarty got out of it just in time to eat a flying lariat. McGuinness went for the pin, but Moriarty kicked out.
Moriarty slid to the outside and Shane Taylor stepped between them. That allowed Moriarty to grab McGuinness in a choke, holding it until 7 of the countout before scrambling back into the ring ring. McGuinness followed, but ended up right into a Border City Stretch. McGuinness rolled it over into a pin though, picking up a three-count with just a minute and a half left.
With the score 3-2 and time short, McGuinness and Moriarty ran into each other. With 30 seconds left, McGuinness hit a drop toe hold and pinned Moriarty. He got another quick one, but Shane Taylor knocked McGuinness out and Moriarty got another pin to tie the match at four as time expired.
McGuinness started up the ramp, but Moriarty grabbed a mic and said that they werent finished. Surprising no one officials decided that the match would go to one more fall, sudden death.
McGuinness returned to the ring and tried to steal one quick, but Moriarty kicked out. McGuinness tried two quick rollups, but no dice. The two rolled through a bunch of times, but neither could score the pin. The two rolled around until Moriarty was able to get a bridge pin and win the match, 5-4 in overtime.
Match Result: Lee Moriarty defeated Nigel McGuinness
After the match, McGuinness quieted the crowd and handed his classic Pure Title belt to Moriarty. The two bowed to each other, showing the ultimate respect to the passing of the torch.
27 minutes of that match were amazing. The quick pins to tie things up at the end were too fast and just made things confusing. I know what they were trying to do, but someone needs to let wrestling know that it’s ok for an iron man match to just end. They don’t ALL need to go to overtime.
-Next, Moxley decided that he was done with commentary and grabbed a mic to address his hometown Ohio crowd. He cut a promo on Konosuke Takeshita who he will face on Collision tomorrow. Then he left.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ROH Women’s Television Championship: Mercedes Mone (c) vs Red Velvet
As is required by law, if there is a vacat title in wrestling, it must end up on Mone’s shoulders. Red Velvet carried the TV title for 481 days before she was forced to step back due to injury. That allowed Mone to become the “Interim” champion until the two held a unification match on the Not-ROH show, Collision on November 19th, 2025. Mone won that and Velvet gets a chance at revenge here in the rematch.
Velvet jumped Mone during the introductions and began pounding her on the mat. Mone got back up and went to hit Velvet with her TBS title belt, but the Ref intervened and the two locked up and rolled through a few pinning combinations.
From there, they traded high speed shots until Velvet went for a flipping slam and Mone caight her and dropped her on her head. Money went to a couple of suplexes and earned a two count before hanging Velvet up in the ropes.
Velvet fought back, but Mone put an end to the comeback with a stiff forearm. Mone went for some three amigos suplexes and after the third, thew Velvet to the mat. Mone went up top for a crossbody, but Velvet got the knees up. A groaning Mone came back with a dropkick into the corner.
Mone started talking smack which drew Velvet out of her shell and she started throwing punches and then a big DDT. She executed a bulldog, but Mone kicked out at two. Velvet charged Mone in the corner, but Mone caught her in a lungblower, sending her to the outside.
Mone went for a baseball side, but Velvet caught her and wrapped her up in the ring skirt. Mone fought back and climbed the stairs for a leaping knee strike, driving Velvet into the concrete. Mone threw Velvet back into the ring where Velvet tried a quick pin, but no victory.
Mone tried to set Velvet up for the Money Maker, but Velvet reversed it. Mone grabbed her and set her on the turnbuckle. Mone set Velvet up for a super Money Maker, but Velvet fought back and hit a sunset flip into a two count.
Velvet hit a Stir It Up Kick, but Mone kicked out at two. She went for a big right hand, but Mone hit a lungblower to get a two count of her own.
Mone got up first and set Velvet up on the turnbuckle. She went for a Gut wrench from the second rope, but Velvet reversed it into a destroyer. She went for Mama’s Kitchen, but Mone kicked out at two and a half.
Mone pulled Velvet face down onto the bottom rope, stunning her. She set her up for the Money Maker, but Velvet turned it into a face buster. Velvet hit a spinning kick and Mone grabbed her in a crossface. Velvet got her foot on the ropes and used it to kick over and pin Mone to regain the ROH Women’s Television Title.
Match Result: Red Velvet defeated Mercedes Mone
That was, as one old Oklahoman would say, a Slobberknocker. Those two beat the hell out of each other. The finish was a little quick, but no one thought Mone was going to be sticking around ROH so Velvet winning was no big shock. She earned it though and I’m looking forward to her next feud.
Vacant ROH Tag Team Championship: The Beast Mortos & Sammy Guevara vs. Adam Priest & Tommy Billington
Guevara had a long run with the belts with Dustin Rhodes as his partner, until Rhodes had to vacate for injury reasons. Then, he had a reign with Rush, who had to vacate for injury reasons. The lesson here? Mortos should be careful being Guevara’s partner. As for Priest and Billington, they are a great team and great wrestlers, but it’s kind of strange that they get the shot here and nhot one of the more established ROH team. But I digress.
Billington and Priest came to the ring with Jay Lethal for some reason, who left when they got there.
Guevara and Billington started things off. Guevara took a little too long showboating and Billington went to work with hard strikes and technical holds. Guevara grabbed Billington’s nose to break a hold and went back to showboating while the crowd chanted for Mortos.
Guevara gave them what they wanted and tagged in Mortos. Priest did the same and charged him. Mortos no-sold the shoulder tackle and Priest ducked a Mortos charge into the corner. Priest didn’t waste any time and peppered Mortos with shots.
Billington tagged in and got Mortos off his feet with a jumping kick. Priest joined him for a douible team back body drop while Guevara stole Ian Riccaboni’s headset and joined commentary for a moment. Mortos knocked Priest down and shoved Billington off the apron. He tagged in Guevara who took some shots at the depleted Priest.
Guevara pretended he was going for Spanish fly, but then just kicked Priest in the face before tagging Mortos back in. Priest tried to escape, but Mortos followed him and dragged him back into the ring. Mortos hit a lungblower on Billington and Guevara followed it up with a knee from the top rope.
Mortos and Guevara isolated Priest in their corner and took turns beating him up. Priest fought back though, biting Mortos. That just seemed to make Mortos madder, and he continued the beating until Priest was able to slip a DDT in and tag Billington.
Billington cleaned house and went up top, hitting Mortos with a missile dropkick. Billington started to make headway, but Guevara entered the fray, giving Mortos a second to regain his composure. Mortos got Billington in an electric chair and Guevara went to make it a Doomsday Device but Billington ducked it.
Priest and Billington combined for a suplex/lariat on Mortos, knocking him off his feet. They went for a double suplex, but Mortos threw them off. Priest managed to land a hirricanrana and Billington went up top. Hechicero got involved out of nowhere and Guevara hit a low blow on him in the melee.
Mortos went up top for a moonsault, landed it and pinned Billington to win the match and the ROH Tag Titles for him and Guevara.
Match Result: The Beast Mortos & Sammy Guevara defeated Adam Priest & Tommy Billington
So, does this make Guevara a three-time tag champ? He’s definitely the first three-time tag champ who has never actually lost the titles.
Eddie Kingston vs. Josh Woods
Eddie Kingston is great. Josh Woods is great. So lets watch them hit each other for a bit, shall we? This is actually a tune-up match for Kingston’s upcoming match with AEW Champion Samoa Joe. As I look at the clock and see that this show has been on for three hours and there are still five matches to go, I can say yes, this is a good use of ROH time.
I’ll say this though: Kingston looks great. He’s really slimmed down and while he hasn’t lost his brawler edge, he looks very fit.
The bell rang and they grappled into the corner. Woods tried a takedown, but Kingston turned it into a series of stomps. Woods then hit a springboard knee to the head and put on a key lock, working Kingston’s arm.
The two started trading strikes with Woods pounding Kingston’s arm before whipping him into the corner. Woods threw some splashes and knees in the corner before suplexing Kingston into a two count.
Kingston got up and started throwing machine gun chops in the corner. Woods grabbed him into an armbar and Kingston wailed in pain. He finally reached the ropes and Woods was forced to break the hold. Woods went back to working the arm, but Kingston turned it into a lariat in the corner.
Kingston delivered a second rope suplex to Woods, but only got a two count. Woods fought back, driving his knee into Kingston’s shoulder. Woods went for a bridge pin, but Kingston grabbed the ropes. Kingston caught Woods in a springboard and turned it into an exploder.
The straps came down and Kingston dumped Woods down with a DDT to get the pin.
Match Result: Eddie Kingston defeated Josh Woods
Hey, that’s great. I’m glad that Eddie could have this practice match before taking on Samoa Joe. That’s called SYNERGY, friends.
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Shane Taylor Promotions (c)(Shane Taylor, Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean vs Skyflight (Scorpio Sky, Dante Martin & Darius Martin)
STP are the most dominant group in wrestling right now. They kick ass, talk trash and no one has come close to taking those belts since they won them at Death Before Dishonor. Also, I accidentally typed “Skyfight” instead of Skyflight and I think they might have missed an opportunity there.
All six men brawled off the top, with Sky and Dean remaining in the ring. When the dust settled, Darius had tagged in and brought Dante with him. They double teamed Dean and Darious tagged back in, bringing Sky with him. Dean drove Sky into the STP corner and all three started punching him.
Taylor tagged in and he and Sky threw hands. Dean tagged in and went for the BBC but Sky moved and sent Dean to the mat before diving through the ropes to take out Taylor. Bravo then dove onto Sky, completing the Sky-fecta.
Taylor and Darius faced off in the ring and Darius made the mistake of throwing hands. Taylor knocked him silly and hit a 747 splash before tagging in Bravo for a devastating shoulder block. Dean joined him and they went for a double back body drop, but Darius saw it coming and kicked them both. Bravo responded with a DDT and the dance continued.
STP took turns splashing Darius in the corner and then Dean leapt over the top rope to take out Dante and Sky. That made Dante made and he cleaned house coming in off of a hot tag. He even leapt off the top rope onto Taylor on the outside.
Dante and Bravo remained legal as Trish Adora grabbed Dante’s ankle. Turnabout was fair play and Leila Grey grabbed Bravo’s ankle. That brought both women into the ring and then started throwing punches. That allowed Anthony Agogo to get in the ring, but Christopher Daniels cut him off. That left Bravo and Dante in the ring and Dante hit a slingshot cutter to get a two count, broken up by Dean.
Taylor came in and Dante hit a DDT form the top rope to send him packing. Bravo hit a Carlie Crossover and Sky came in on a blind tag and took out both Infantry members. Taylor reached through the ropes and knocked Darious into nest week, allowing Bravo to stack him up and get the victory to retain the titles.
Match Result: Shane Taylor Promotions defeated Skyflight
I loves me some STP and this was as hard hitting as they come. I love it when STP takes on teams that can fly with the Infantry and it made for some exciting action.
AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) vs Dalton Castle
Inaugural AEW National Champion Ricochet defends the title he won two weeks ago in a Casino Gauntlet Match here against Dalton Castle because, why not? Ricochet? Good! Castle? Gooder! An AEW title defended on an ROH event for the first time? Again, why not?
Off the top, the two chain wrestled, with Ricochet matching Castle’s technical prowess blow for blow. Ricochet went for an elbow drop, but Castle dodged it and started working the core with an alligator roll. Castle ragdolled Ricochet for a bit, but Ricochet escaped and went out of the ring.
A frustrated Ricochet threw chairs, kicked stairs and then made the mistake of kicking on of Castle’s Boys. That brought him out of the ring, and Ricochet scrambled back in to land a corkscrew dive. He tossed Castle back in and started hitting Stone Cold style elbows off the ropes.
Castle fought back, driving Ricochet into the corner. Ricochet picked up the speed and landed a pendulum dropkick to get a two count. Ricochet went up top, but Castle rolled out of the ring. Ricochet threw him back in and went up top again, but Castle rolled out of the ring one more time.
This happened three times while the crowd chanted “roll forever.”
Castle snapped to attention after that though and caught Ricochet, delivering a huge suplex. The Boys cheered as Castle threw Ricochet around the ring, hitting suplex after suplex. Castle went for a Bangarang, but Ricochet turned it into a sunset flip followed by a running shooting star press.
Castle ducked a lariat and almost got a Bangarang on, but Ricochet reversed it into an around the world DDT for a two count. Ricochet went up top for a flipping slam, but Castle moved. Ricochet brought Castle out onto the apron, but it didn’t work out as Castle suplexed him on the apron (the boy-est part of the ring!).
Back in the ring, Castle went for Bangarang again and finally landed it. He covered Ricochet, but only got a two count. Ricochet hit a spirit gun before Castle could recover and got the pin to retain the AEW National Title.
Match Result: Ricochet defeated Dalton Castle
I love ultra-serious Ricochet taking on the weird and wonderful Castle. This was a fun match and I’m glad it happened, but I’m also pretty excited to move on to the first part of the double main event!
Survival of the Fittest match for the ROH World Championship: Bandido (c) vs Blake Christian vs The Beast Mortos vs Sammy Guevara vs Komander vs Hechicero
Bandido has carried the ROH title for 244 days after winning it from Chris Jericho. He’s defended it in some of the best matches I’ve seen all year, against all comers, including Hechicero. Komander has been tearing it up recently (defeating Mortos just last night) but the rest of the field in this match are headscratchers. Guevara and Mortos are a tag team (and now Champions), so will they help or hinder one another? Christian, for his part, complained his way into the match, like you do.
The bell rang and alliances were quickly formed. Guevara, Mortos and Hechicero, Bandido and Komander, and Christian was left alone because only Lee Johnson likes Christian. After some posing and crowd work, the fight began with Bandido, Komander and Christian bailing form the ring.
Guevara, Mortos and Hechicero went after Bandido and Komander and Christian casually watched from the entrance ramp. In the ring, Guevara tried to take Komander’s mask off while Hechicero wrapped Bandido’s ankle in a chair on the outside.
Hechicero entered the ring and stomped Komander with Mortos. Christian asked if he could play and Hechicero and Mortos surrounded him. Christian flew through the ropes and he and Guevara had a really fun high-speed exchange. Guevara came off the ropes and Christian hit him with a Spanish Fly.
Mortos then hit a bulldog on Christian. Jay Lethal was shown on a monitor disapproving of Guevara using his strut.
In the ring, Mortos and Guevara turned on Hechicero, stomping him in the corner. Hechicero fought back, but it was short lived as the stomping continued. Hechicero got some momentum, sending Mortos into the corner and hitting a backbreaker on Guevara.
Bandido and Komander entered and sent Hechicero packing to the outside. Christian followed him with a dive and then threw him back into the ring, trying to ally himself with Bandido and Komander. They didn’t buy it and kicked him out.
Komander and Bandido got together for the sickest top rope DDT I’ve ever seen on Hechicero and Christian. Komander then stood on Bandido’s shoulders and leapt out of the ring to take out Guevara, Christian and Hechicero. Then Bandido did the same to Mortos.
Christian wandered back into the ring just in time to take a double back elbow from Bandido and Komander. Komander hoisted Christian up and threw him onto Bandido’s knees. Komander and Bandido were about to face off when Guevara came in and knocked them both down.
Bandido hit an x-Knee and Komander hit his springboard 450 to pin and eliminate Guevara. That made Mortos mad, and he entered and hit a pop up samoan drop on Komander, a backbreaker on Christian and a big shoulder block on Hechicero.
Komander hit s spingboard poisonrana and Bandido landed a German suplex on Mortos. Christian then used Komander as a springboard to hit a Canadian destoryer on Mortos. That allowed Hechicero to slide in and hit a driver to pin and eliminate Mortos, clearing LFI from the match.
Hechicero put a cross armbar on Bandido, trying to get him to tap, but Christian broke it up. Hechicero turned his attention to Komander, but Komander dodged it. Bandido got Hechicero on his shoulder and slammed him. Bandido and Komander went up top, but Christian climbed up and hit a double poisonrana. He then hit a Lethal Injection on Komander, pinning and eliminating him.
Bandido, Hechicero and Christian remained and Hechicero and Christian joined forces to beat up Bandido. They took turns working him over, but Christian tried to roll up Hechicero, ending the budding friendship.
Bandido hurricanrana’d Hechicero out of the ring and then tossed Christian onto him. Bandido was the only one standing and he sent Christian back into the ring. Hechicero went up top and hit a frog splash, but Christian kicked out at two.
Bandido went for the 21-plex, but Christian reversed it into a Lethal Injection. He went for the pin, but Bandido kicked out. Christian went for a second Injection, but Bandido caught him with an X-Knee. Hechicero took advantage, hitting a spinning hammerlock backbreaker.
Hechicero grapevined Christian’s legs, twisting and turning him. Bandido got up and Hechicero put a Sleeper on him. Christian charged and Bandido broke free and hit a mexican destroyer to pin Christian, eliminating him.
That made Christian really mad and he hit a shoulder breaker on Bandido on his way out. Hechicero went for Bandido and continued working the previously injured shoulder. He grabbed the steel steps, but doctors came out to check Bandido before he could do anything with them.
Hechicero demanded a countout and the ref held him at bay while they checked on Bandido. Bandido climbed back into the ring and Hechicero brought a chair in. The ref removed it and Bandido started chopping Hechicero with one arm.
Hechicero threw him off and sent him to the corner for some punches to that injured shoulder. Hechicero suplexed Bandido on the ring apron, driving him shoulder first into the mat. He then placed the stairs next to the apron for a pile driver, but Bandido blocked it. Hechicero dove over the top rope, but Bandido moved and Hechicero landed on the steel steps.
Bandido got back in the ring and dove out onto Hechicero, quickly bringing him back into the ring for a frog splash. Hechicero kicked out at two though. Bandido started chopping Hechicero who demanded more.
Hechicero hit a flapjack and then rolled Bandido around, putting more pressure on the injured shoulder. Bandido then hit a poisonrana into a quick rollup to get the 1-2-3, eliminate Hechicero and retain the ROH World Title.
Match Result: Bandido survived Blake Christian, The Beast Mortos, Sammy Guevara, Komander, and Hechicero
After the match, Brody King came to the ring to congratulate his tag team partner.
That was a fun match, I love the Survival of The Fittest match concept and with the talent in the match, it was guaranteed to deliver. These multi-person matches can drag, but this one was well timed, with the eliminations coming fast enough, but not too fast. Great effort from everyone involved.
ROH Women’s Championship: Athena (c) w/Diamante vs Persephone
As of this writing, Athena has held the ROH Women’s World Championship for a measly 1092 days. Persephone is making waves coming out of CMLL, but I don’t konw if she has it to end the reign of the Forever Champion.
The two locked up and Persephone sent Athena into the corner. They were pretty evenly matched strength-wise and Athena was doing her best to get into the head of Persephone. Fed up, Persephone slapped her and they locked up in a test of strength.
Athena came out on top and tried for a pin, but Persephone arched her back, lifting her shoulders. Persephone popped up and hit a hurricanrana. Athena rolled out of the ring, demanding “time out.” after a quick discussion with Diamante, Athena re-entered the ring.
Athena tried to get the drop on Persephone, but she saw it coming and dropkicked Athena to the mat. Athena exited the ring again and Persephone followed. Athena got the jump on her, but Persephone countered and sent Athena into the barricades twice.
Persephone went to throw Athena into the stairs, but Diamante got between them, allowing Athena to leap off the stairs and drive her knees into Persephone’s back. Athena threw her back into the ring, but was favouring her back as she climbed in after her.
Athena started driving knees into Persephone’s sides, then hung her up on the ropes for some stiff kicks. Athena picked up the speed and suplexed Persephone in spite of the pain in her back. Persephone tried to fight back, but Athena knocked her down and hit a running senton.
Athena pulled Persephone up by the hair and threw her into the corner. Athena charged, but Persephone moved out of the way and grabbed her in a tilt-o-whirl backbreaker. Athena got caught by Persephone again for another backbreaker. Persephone then repeatedly drove her knees into Athena’s back, finishing up with a standing surfboard.
Persephone sent Athena into the corner, smashing her face on the turnbuckle. She stomped Athena on the bottom rope and then threw her into the corner. Athena put a big boot up and tried a waistlock takedown but Persephone punched her in the back. Athena left the ring and Persephone followed. They started throwing punches and Athena sent Persephone into the barricades.
Persephone came back and lifted Athena up by the throat, slamming her onto the announce table. Persephone threw her back into the ring and knocked Athena down with a huge kick. The two ran the ropes and then ran into each other with a double clothesline.
They got back to their feet and Persephone sent Athena back down with a pump-kick. She stomped Athena in the corner and started throwing fists and chops at her. She went for a stalling splash, but Athena dropkicked her, sending Persephone to the outside. Athena dove through the ropes onto her. She tried it again, but Persephone caught her in mid air and turned it into a fallaway slam.
Persephone went for a powerbomb, but Diamante made the save. Athena tried to throw a forearm, but Persephone ducked and she hit Diamante. Persephone threw Athena back into the ring and went up top for a shotgun dropkick. She went for a cover but Athena kicked out at two.
Persephone put Athena in a Texas Cloverleaf, well out of reach of the ropes. Athena struggled but finally made it there, breaking the hold. Persephone charged, but Athena caught her in a flapjack on the top rope. Athena hit a springboard Moonsault, but Persephone kicked out.
Persephpone hoisted Athena up for a Razor’s Edge, but Athena reversed it into a Koji Clutch. Persephone was able to get up though and Athena broke the hold with some running knees. She grabbed her again and re-applied the Koji Clutch. After some time, Persephone was able to get her foot on the ropes.
Athena got up first and started kicking Persephone. Persephone caught her leg and went for a bridge after a series of Northern Lights Suplexes. Persephone went for another Razor’s Edge, this time hitting it in the middle of the ring. Somehow, Athena kicked out though.
Persephone went up top but Athena scrambled up and hit a suplex, dropping her on her head. Athena went up and hit an O-Face and that was it. She pinned Persephone 1-2-3 and retained her title. Athena will see 1100 days as Champion.
Match Result: Athena defeated Persephone
ROH PPV events never fail to deliver and honestly for $10, they are absolutely worth the money. It was a damn good night of wrestling and a great way to finish out the 2025 ROH PPV slate.
