Fortunately, The Miz was shown backstage watching this on TV (at a preposterous angle of course) with megaphone in hand, rather than shouting through it at ringside. An admission here that that particular piece of this promising nascent Neville storyline did not work on Monday night.
Lots of Neville using his speed to avoid Rusev and employ some trusty arm-wringers to start here – before the Bulgarian caught him off a cross-body attempt and fallaway slammed him leading into the break. Back with Rusev continuing to get the heat, working a slow methodical pace that fails to hold the interest. Neville manages an enziguri to start his comeback and follows up with a missile dropkick and a superkick to set up the Red Arrow.
Rusev rolls to the floor to avoid however, so Neville hits him with a moonsault to the outside instead, before rolling Rusev back into the ring for a second bite at the Red Arrow apple. This is Lana’s cue to climb the ringsteps and point at Neville, which is apparently enough of a distraction to cause him to hesitate and allow Rusev to recover. Rusev slams Neville off the top, before hitting the kick to the head and locking on the Accolade for the submission finish.
Pretty boring heel offence from Rusev here. The match was briefly enlivened by the moonsault highspot, only for it to eventually fall victim to the dumbest of dumb distraction finishes.
Post-match, Rusev shows exactly why he’s so awesome by ad-libbing a fantastically furious reaction to his flag failing to unfurl properly from the ceiling. He grabs his own handheld version and waves it furiously, before handing it off to Lana and cussing out the WWE staff at ringside in Bulgarian instead. Fantastic stuff.
Jack Swagger def. Bo Dallas by submission (12:08)
Alas, Vince McMahon did not appear to call a premature end to this clash of the titans. Bo shows off his jiggle with an early victory lap, before Swagger takes control leading into the break with a vicious running clothesline on the outside.
Swagger is still dominant when we return, only for Bo to kick off his heat with a double sledge off the ropes. Dallas then continues his gimmick of shouting “BOLIEVE!” while applying restholds. One too many Bolieves allows Swagger to recover and shoot for an anklelock, which Bo escapes, only to eat yet another running clothesline.
Bo gets the knees up off a Swagger Bomb attempt, but gets thrown to the outside, where he trips Swagger on the apron and throws him into the steps for a close nine-count. Bo signals for the Bodog, but Swagger reverses it into the Patriot Lock for the submission, to put a merciful end to this disjointed and dull affair.
– We get our obligatory RAW recap, focusing on Roman Reigns’ one-night ascension to the top of the company. Worth noting that they did not show the Brogue Kick kick-out here, but did show the post-match celebrations with the Usos and Dean Ambrose. Still no explanation as to where those guys were on Sunday night, though.
The Usos def. The Ascension by pinfall (5:55)
Jimmy gets the shine on Konnor to start us off, before tagging in Jey – your babyface-in-peril for the evening – who immediately gets caught with a flapjack to start the heat. Viktor tags in and hits an excellent looking STO to Jey on the outside. He applies a headlock inside the ring, before neatly swatting away an attempted dropkick from the Uso. A damn crisp worker is our Viktor.
Konnor comes in and ruins everything by eating a Jey elbow off an attempted corner charge. Enziguri from Jey leads to the hot tag to brother Jimmy, who runs wild on Viktor – hitting him with the usual Samoan Drop and corner hip attack combo.
Double superkicks to both Konnor and Viktor follow, before Jimmy hits the Superfly Splash on the latter for the pinfall victory. Short, by-the-numbers and perfectly acceptable tag match, highlighted by Viktor’s contribution.
Final Thoughts
A pretty bleh show this week, highlighted by Rusev’s ability to think on his feet and react to the overhead flag malfunction. As for the actual wrestling, there’s not much to recommend here. An eminently skippable outing for Main Event, I’m afraid.
Kansas City, Kansas: – Bob Orton defeated Alo Leilani to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title
1985
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – The Cobra defeated Gama Singh to win the Stampede British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title
1994
Nagoya, Japan: – Ricky Fuji defeated The Great Sasuke to win the FMW Independent World Junior Heavyweight Title
1996
Middleton, New York: – The Eliminators (Perry Saturn & John Kronus) defeated The Gangstas (New Jack & Mustafa) to become ECW World Tag Team Champions
1997
Osaka, Japan: – Hayabusa, Masato Tanaka & Hisakatsu Oya defeated Atsushi Onita, Tetsuhiro Kuroda & Hido to win the FMW World Street Fight 6-Man Tag Team Title
1999
– Bret Hart vacated the WCW World Title – Hart defeated Goldberg to win the WCW World Heavyweight Title
2009
Orlando, Florida: – Tara defeated ODB to win the TNA Knockouts Tite
Thumbs way up! Best match: Jay Lethal vs AJ Styles Worst match: By default, The Kingdom vs War Machine
Everything on this show was good to great, except for the tag match which was obviously hindered by Taven’s leg injury. I’ve become a ROH fan in 2015 after never really watching them before and I have no reservations about continuing to give them my money for their top-notch professional wrestling product.
Jon
-Thumbs up for the show
– Best Match: AJ Styles vs Jay Lethal
– Worst Match: 6 Man Tag Match
Interesting show when it’s all put together. The opener was great and got the crowd pumped (still shocked at the ANX heat). Castle vs Young & the six man tag match felt a little flat. The Cole & O’Reilly match tore the house down along with the AJ & Lethal match. Fish vs Roddy and Elgin vs Moose were very solid matches.
The crowd was very hit and miss. I was there live and a portion of the crowd (10-20 people all lumped together) were absolutely putting out garbage chants for attention that took away from some matches. Other parts of the crowd were surprisingly quiet, which let the obnoxious ones sound loud. At times the crowd got it together and really supported the in-ring work. Far cry from the amazing crowd at War of The Worlds night 2.
Taven’s injury looked bad when it happened. When he was being helped out you could see him crying, the man was devastated, thinking its a nasty injury.
Luis Gonzalez
I was there live, sitting on the camera side in the 6th row.
Thumbs up!
Best match: AJ Styles VS Jay Lethal, but O’Reilly/Cole was great Worst match: Kingdom VS War Machine, poor Matt Taven
Crowd was into everything. Biggest pops were for the Young Bucks, the entire finish of Lethal/Styles, Dalton Castle and the Boys reuniting, Roderick Strong was actually very very over as a babyface, little to no boos, Adam Cole was very over, even cheating to win he got a huge pop. It’s crazy how well ROH can put on an entertaining show, everyone looks good, everyone gets over, and they have great wrestling matches. It’s ridiculous how much talent is on this roster and the kind of guys that I saw tonight, the promos I saw tonight, and the fact that WWE or TNA reject these guys and won’t even take a flyer on them when they’re better talkers or workers than 90% of the WWE roster. Guys like Adam Cole, Jay Lethal, the Briscoes, Fish/O’Reilly, Roderick Strong, not even mentioning AJ Styles. Just crazy.
Richard Kelly
Best matches were a tie between the main event and Cole / O’Reilly. Moose & Elgin was very good too.
Six man, TV title, and Tag title matches were all disappointing, but I guess it’s understandable in the tag title match given the injuries. For the Six Man, the reveal of Alex Shelley as the man in the mask was a good angle but poorly delivered. There was no buildup to Sabin coming out for the segment and Shelley just walks out and unmasks and that’s it. For the TV title, I just didn’t care. I’m blaming Fish, since Roddy was my favourite wrestler this year probably.
I had actually thought the main event would have some sort of referee screwup since Sinclair was the official. Wonder if that goes anywhere.
I have no interest in Lethal vs. Lynn if it happens.
Overall thumbs up, but not as good as my expectations (though they were sky high).
Kevin Elliott
ROH Final Battle feedback
Thumbs up
Best match: Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly
Worst match: Rhett TItus and Kenny King vs The Briscoes vs The Young Bucks
The three-way tag match was fine but was the low end of stuff on the show for me. The bell-to-bell stuff in the tag title change was short but I really like War Machine and could never dislike this match.
Cole and O’Reilly had an incredible match, doing state-of-the-art working style with strikes and submissions.
There was lots of other great stuff to. Strong and Fish had a good match and I was actually ok with the finish. And Elgin going over Moose was good by me too.
The world title match delivered in my mind. Given some people’s contract statuses it is hard to know what is coming at the Dome show but I do think some freshening up of the roster would be good. But to be positive everything was quite good on this and it caps off a great year for the company
Montreal, Quebec, Canada: – Cy Williams defeated Yvon Robért for the Montreal World Heavyweight Title
1939
Dayton, Ohio: – Bily Weidner won a tournament to become the first Midwest Wrestling Association World Junior Heavyweight Champion
1947
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Tug Carlson defeated Orville Brown to win the Midwest Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title
1957
Amarillo, Texas: – Dory Funk won the Amarillo NWA North American Heavyweight Title by defeating Danny Plechas
1962
Los Angeles, California: – The Destroyer and Dan Moukian defeated Haystack Calhoun and Abe Jacobs to win the NWA International Television Tag Team Titles
1963
Kansas City, Kansas: – Sonny Myers and Pat O’Connor defeated The Mongolian Stomper and Mike Sharpe in a tournament final to become the first Central States NWA North American Tag Team Champions
1968
Okiyama, Japan: – Billy Robinson defeated Toyonobori to win the first IWE (International Pro Wrestling) World Series tournament and become the first IWE World Heavyweight Champion
1969
Atlanta, Georgia: – The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeated Buddy Fuller and Ray Gunkel for the NWA Georgia Tag Team Title
Mexico City, Mexico: – Carlos Elio Colisetti defeated Ray Mendoza to win the NWA World Light Heavyweight Title
Los Angeles, California: – The Great Kojika defeated Mil Máscaras for the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title
Sydney, Australia: – King Curtis Iaukea defeated Billy Robinson for the International Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Title – Spiros Arion and Mario Milano defeated Brute Bernard and Skull Murphy to win the IWA World Tag Team Titles
1970
Los Angeles, California: – Giant Baba won the NWA International Heavyweight Title from Gene Kiniski
Atlanta, Georgia: – Luke Graham defeated Bobby Shane for the NWA Georgia Television Title
1973
Jackson, Mississippi: – Ken Mantell defeated Danny Hodge to win the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1978
Tampa, Florida: – Jos LeDuc defeated Mr. Uganda (Ciclón Negro) to win the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
1979
London, England: – Wayne Bridges defeated Spiros Arion for the United Kingdom World Heavyweight Title
1984
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Ricky and Rocky Johnson defeated Super Fly Tui and Super Samoan Sakalia to win the NWA Polynesian Pacific Tag Team Titles
1985
Albuquerque, New Mexico: – Dusty Rhodes defeated Buddy Landel for the NWA National Heavyweight Title (This was a fictitious match as Landel was fired as the champion)
1992
Bremen, Germany: – David Finlay defeated Eddie Gilbert in round seven to win the vacant CWA World Middleweight Title – Buffalo Patterson defeated The Warlord in round five to win the vacant CWA Intercontinental Heavyweight Title – Road Warrior Hawk defeated CWA World Heavyweight Champion Rambo in round six to win the title
1993
Naucalpan, Mexico: – Canek defeated The Canadian Vampire Casanova (Vampiro) to win the UWA World Heavyweight Title
1994
Memphis, Tennessee: – Tommy Rich defeated Brian Christopher in a Loser Leaves Town match to win the USWA Heavyweight Title
1998
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – ECW World Tag Team Champion Sabu defeated Justin Credible and FTW Champion Taz in a Three-Way Dance to win the title
1999
Washington, DC: – Chris Benoit defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Ladder match to win the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Title – Madusa defeated WCW Cruiserweight Champion Evan Karagias to win the title
2000
Charlotte, North Carolina: – Edge and Christian defeated WWF Tag Team Champions The Rock and The Undertaker to win the title
32 events later (that we picked from anyway), we’re here at the finish line. We’ve seen quite a bit this year with the rise of superstars, the falls of others, a lot of title changes, and a lot of flotsam and jetsam along the way.
Thank you for following along with the 2015 picks, and I’m happy to say we’ll be back for another year…but with a different captain helming the ship. Paul Fontaine will be penning these starting in 2016 and will be joining the picks group along with fellow staff writer Ryan Frederick. Everyone, including yours truly, will be back with the exception of Sherdog’s Jack Encarnacao who is taking his victory lap tonight and will leave a champion.
For the final time in 2015, I present your picks panel:
– Jack Encarnacao (111-46 | .707): Sherdog Rewind host, The Lapsed Fan podcast co-chair
– Josh Nason (90-67 | .573): JNPO host, Wrestling Observer digital media and content guy, WON Twitter guy
*****
> UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos (24-7) vs. Cowboy Cerrone (28-6-0-1) II
It feels like it’s been two years since we saw RDA shock the MMA world in dispatching Anthony Pettis back in March to win the title. Since 2012, RDA is 9-1 with wins over Cerrone, Nate Diaz, Pettis, Benson Henderson, and a slew of lower-tier lightweights. His sole loss in that stretch? To oft-injured Khabib Nurmagomedov. The winner of four straight has a lot of MMA gossip bees buzzing about how different his body looked, but at weigh-ins, there wasn’t a discernable difference. Underappreciated? Yes. Overlooked? Yes. A win tonight would help that a lot.
Cerrone’s UFC career began back in 2011 following the WEC merger, and he’s been nothing if not active and a winner in that time. In 18 trips to the Octagon, he’s won 15 times and is on an eight-fight win streak. The heads of Edson Barboza, Jim Miller, Eddie Alvarez, Myles Jury, and Benson Henderson were mounted on his trophy wall during that time and a possible tilt with featherweight champion and game-changer Conor McGregor awaits him if he can pull out a win. There’s a lot riding on tonight.
> Junior dos Santos (17-3) vs. Alistair Overeem (39-14-0-1) Heavyweights
I feel like this fight has been talked about for a solid year and to no surprise, it’s been a year since we last saw JDS winning a brutal bout with Stipe Miocic on Fox. The big question here is whether the beatings JDS has taken in the past few years have caught up with him to the point where he wilts in a fight he should win. He’s 11-2 in a long UFC career with two losses coming to a guy named Cain.
The Reem is a free agent after this fight, so it’s in his best interest to put on a great show. He’s only fought once this year, a March decision win over Roy Nelson that I remember nothing about. He’s won two straight and has had an odd UFC career the past few years, a mix of no-doubt KOs that had him looking up at the lights and a few decision wins that kept him alive. What’s the value of a 35-year-old heavyweight free agent? His performance tonight should help give us an answer.
> Michael Johnson (16-9) vs. Nate Diaz (17-10) Lightweights
Holy Christmas, I can’t wait to see this. The two had a pull-apart earlier this week and are intense enough where you know they’re not going to mess around in there. Johnson was steamrolling through a slew of veterans until rising prospect Beneil Dariush stopped that cold in August with a split decision win. This is a big spot for him and one that UFC has to expect him to win. He’s just got to do it.
It’s been a solid year since we last saw Diaz, a loser in three of his last four. In those three, those defeats have come at the hands of Benson Henderson, Josh Thomson, and the current lightweight champion with his only win coming over a guy in Gray Maynard who should be retired. He’s an underdog here and for a good reason. He’s in fantastic shape, but with the Diaz brothers, there’s always more of a question of what’s happening between the ears.
> Randa Markos (5-2) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (7-0) Strawweights
This is the first fight on big Fox for a reason, friends. The 30-year-old Markos is 1-1 in the UFC and is coming off an April decision win over Aisling Daly. However, the Polish Double-K is the real reason to pay attention here. The undefeated 30-year-old is making her UFC debut just a few years into her pro career. To no surprise, she’s on a similar career track to countrywoman Joanna Jedrzejczyk and with two or three impressive wins, you could see an all-Polish title fight happening in that country in late-2016 or early-2017.
> Charles Oliveira (20-5-0-1) vs. Myles Jury (15-1) Featherweights
The 26-year-old Oliveira missed weight…again. It’s the third time he’s failed to hit 145 in eight efforts. While it might not seem like a big deal, it is. Oliveira saw a four-fight win streak (three finishes) snapped in August due to a ruptured esophagus against Max Holloway, a very strange finish to one of the most anticipated featherweight fights of the year. He’s got a chance here to get back in the conversation and to perhaps get a Holloway rematch with a big win.
The 27-year-old Jury makes his featherweight debut in his first fight since getting his first loss in January to Donald Cerrone. Before that, he had won all six of his battles in the Octagon including Michael Johnson, Diego Sanchez, and Takanori Gomi. He can be a force at 145 if his body adapts appropriately and if his skills continue to evolve. I see lots of good things ahead for Jury if both of those come together.
Kansas City, Kansas: – Orville Brown beat Al Lovelock to retain the MWA Title – Fred Blassie beat Yukon Eric (as Eric Holmback) 2 falls to 1
1965
Minneapolis, Minnesota: – Non Title: Verne Gagne & Mighty Igor Vodik beat AWA Tag Team Champions Larry Hennig & Harley Race – Chris Markoff beat The Crusher dq – Ivan Kalmikoff beat Danny Plechas – Larry Heiniemi beat Jack Pesek – Terry Funk beat Guy Taylor
1969
Bristol, England: – Tony Charles defeated Al Hayes (Lord Hayes) to win the Southern Area title
1970
Houston, Texas: – Toru Tanaka defeated Fritz Von Erich to win the NWA American Heavyweight Title (later to become the World Class World Heavyweight Title)
1975
Tokyo, Japan: – Giant Baba won All Japan Pro Wrestling’s 20-man Open Championship tournament, beating out second place finishers Abdullah The Butcher and Dory Funk Jr. by one point
1978
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – Ricky Steamboat defeated Ric Flair to win the NWA United States Title
Tokyo, Japan: – Antonio Inoki declares himself the inaugural Martial Arts title holder
1982
Chicago, Illinois: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Tito Santana – Hulk Hogan & Dick The Bruiser beat Ken Patera & Bobby Duncum – Jesse Ventura beat Baron Von Raschke – Bobby Heenan & Jerry Blackwell beat Rick Martel & Spike Huber – Jerry Lawler beat Steve Regal – Tom Lintz beat Sonny Rogers
1983
Chicago, Illinois: – AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel beat Blackjack Lanza by countout – AWA Tag Team Champions Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera beat Greg Gagne & Rick Martel – Mad Dog Vachon & the Crusher (sub for Hogan) beat Mr. Saito & Jesse Ventura – Billy Robinson beat Superstar Billy Graham – Buck Zumhofe beat Ray Stevens – Brad Rheingans beat Bill White
1991
Acapulco, Mexico: – Blue Panther defeated Satanico in a tournament final to become the first CMLL World Middleweight Title
1993
Breman, Germany: – Hiroyoshi Yamamoto (Tenzan) defeated Alex Wright to win the CWA Jr heavyweight title
2011
– Big Show defeated Mark Henry to win the World Championship in a chair match – Daniel Bryan cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase and defeated the Big Show to become new World Champion – WWE Champion CM Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio and The Miz in a TLC match to retain the title
YESTERDAY IN FLORIDA HISTORY (thanks to Barry Rose)
1956 – Argentina Rocca beat Wild Red Berry (Tampa)
The go-home show leading to Final Battle was the second installment in the current series of Ring of Honor television episodes from the Nashville Fairgrounds. The focus was on building the pay-per-view and every match had some purpose in an upcoming PPV match. Jerry Lynn returned to ROH for an interview segment and a confrontation with ROH world champion Jay Lethal. After this show aired, ROH announced Lynn would also appear at Final Battle.
The show opened with the entrance of Adam Cole. The announcers, Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuiness, talked about Cole’s upcoming match at Final Battle against Kyle O’Reilly.
Adam Cole beat Corey Hollis
Cole began squashing him while showcasing a variety a moves like a fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker and a shining wizard. Hollis made a comeback but Cole quickly cut him off. Though he was over with the crowd, the villainous Cole mocked some ringside fans. Hollis sidestepped an attempted superkick and used a schoolboy to roll up Cole for a nearfall.
Moments later, Cole hit a bicycle kick that they had teased earlier in the match. Hollis countered a suplex into a stunner then did a fireman’s carry into a spinebuster. Hollis jumped off the top rope and ate a superkick. Cole picked him up for a suplex into a neckbreaker for the pinfall. Afterwards, Cole remained in the ring to cut a promo. He promised to keep it short and said when he makes a promise he means it. He promised to beat O’Reilly at Final Battle and “end” him in Ring of Honor.
Last week on ROH TV, the show ended with three tag teams brawling. In a follow-up, Kevin joined Nigel (who is also the matchmaker in storyline) in announcing a three-way tag match at Final Battle with the Briscoes vs. Young Bucks vs. ANX.
Related to the tag team picture, the next match on the go-home show showcased War Machine as they readied to challenge the Kingdom on the PPV for the tag team titles.
War Machine (Hanson & Raymond Rowe) beat the Washington Bullets (Jon & Trey Williams)
In an updated version of a Road Warriors squash match, Hanson and Rowe wrecked shop on the Bullets. They did power moves all over the place and manhandled their opponents. Rowe held one Bullet over his knee while Hanson jumped off the ropes with flying legdrop for the pin. War Machine looked impressive and menacing.
Before the next match, Mike Posey from “the hood” in Trussville, Alabama, marched to the ring with a posse. His five-person entourage included three dudes and two women. In doing a white rapper gimmick, Posey began rapping badly and dissing Dalton Castle. Poesy’s entourage encouraged his behavior.
Dalton Castle beat Mike Posey
The announcers talked up Castle’s return grudge match at Final Battle with Silas Young over who should rightly have custody of The Boys. Castle took most of the offense in this match with Posey. At one point, the entourage caused a distraction allowing Posey some offense. Posey dove off the top rope into the arms of Castle, who caught him and tossed him over the ropes on to the posse at ringside. Castle gave Posey his finish, the Bang-a-Rang, to score the pin.
In a post-match promo, Castle eloquently compared himself to the Aurora Borealis and vowed to kick Silas Young’s ass before calling him out right then. Instead of Silas confronting him, The Boys sauntered to the ring and confronted Dalton.
With Dalton distracted by The Boys and their newfound attitudes, Silas attacks him from behind and gives him the Misery finisher to leave Castle down and out. The Boys raised the hands of Silas and acted as if their time with the “Last Real Man” truly has transformed them, creating another layer to the drama that will play out at Final Battle.
In an in-ring interview segment, Kevin Kelly brought out Jerry Lynn. Kelly asked Lynn about his recent surgery and Lynn thanked the fans for their support during his recovery. Kevin brought up the upcoming ROH world title match at Final Battle and asked for Jerry to predict a winner.
Though he tried to avoid directly answering the question, Kelly pressed him while Lynn dodged the question putting over both guys in the process. Cue House of Truth theme music and Jay Lethal emerges carrying his ROH world title belt while also accompanied by Truth Martini and Taeler Hendrix.
Lethal confronted Lynn, who offered a friendly handshake. Lethal no-sold the handshake and said he was out there for one reason, which was he really wanted to hear the answer to the question. Lethal instructed Lynn to “turn your hearing aid up because he asked you a question.”
The expression on Lynn’s face immediately changed. Lynn said he knew Lethal and his family for years.
“You are not the Jay Lethal that I knew back then,” Lynn said. “You’re an arrogant prick!”
Lynn then basically said that overconfidence would be Lethal’s downfall and AJ Styles will beat him to become the champion. The crowd chanted for AJ in response. Lethal ordered the audience to shut up before saying Lynn and everybody else blindly follows AJ and Lethal said he “don’t give a damn” what Lynn thought. He threatened to kick Lynn’s ass.
Lynn countered by bringing up he has known Lethal’s parents for as long as he has known Lethal. Lynn said Lethal wanted to make them proud, but by attacking him they would be ashamed instead. Lethal thought it over for a moment before snapping.
Lethal yelled at Lynn saying he was standing in the ring with the ROH champion and claimed he was the greatest wrestler in the world. Lethal shouted about climbing a ladder this past year to get where he is while AJ only climbed a step stool. With just a touch of trepidation in his voice Lethal continued screaming about AJ being pushed to the main events and the title picture unfairly.
Lethal went on to say he would not attack Lynn because he needed Lynn healthy so Jerry could console AJ when Lethal beats him at Final Battle. Lethal said that is when AJ will learn Lethal himself is the greatest just like he claims. Before storming off, Lethal concluded with the proclamation, “I am professional wrestling.”
Following an announcement of Moose vs. Michael Elgin being signed for Final Battle, a video package highlighted their feud. Their story is they both want a shot at the ROH world title and each stands in the other’s way on their journey to a title shot.
Alex Shelley came to ringside to provide guest commentary for the main event tag match. They quickly recapped the scene from last week in which Shelley unveiled himself as the mysterious masked character that had been causing grief for Chris Sabin and the Addiction. Shelley is set to team with Matt Sydal and ACH in a six-man tag match at against the Addiction at Final Battle.
Matt Sydal & ACH beat Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero & Trent Baretta)
Sydal and Romero start slow but quickly picked up the pace with Sydal executing a monkey flip and later a hurricanrana on Romero, who begged off. ACH and Baretta squared off. At one point, ACH did a backflip then immediately sprung up with a dropkick.
After a commercial break, Roppongi Vice were in control with Romero getting heat on Sydal. ACH came in off the hot tag. He does a crossbody off the top, an enzuigiri on Romero and catches Baretta on the outside with a soccer kick. ACH then runs across the ring, springs off the middle rope with one foot and does his crazy flip dive over the ropes to the outside.
Romero and Baretta cut off ACH with a series of great double team moves. Sydal makes a bling tag only to get caught with sliced bread from Romero. However, ACH jumps off the top with a double foot stomp on Romero. Sydal and Baretta exchange strikes with Sydal gaining the advantage. Romero jumped in to make the save for Baretta and ACH jumps in to make the save for Sydal moments later.
ACH did a handspring over the ropes into a dive on the floor. Sydal went for the shooting star press but Baretta got his knees up. Roppongi Vice went for their finisher. As Romero did a springboard off the top rope, ACH flew in out of nowhere off a springboard to wipe out Romero. Sydal executed a code red on Baretta to score the pin.
Kansas City, Kansas: – Frank Gotch defeated Fred Beel to win the American Heavyweight Title
1930
St. Louis, Missouri: – World Champion Jim Londos beat Milo Steinborn to retain the title – Fred Grubmeier beat Ray Steele
1965
Dothan, Alabama: – Chris and Ken Lucas defeated The Mysterio Medics to win the Gulf Coast version of the NWA Southern Tag Team Title
1967
St. Paul, Minnesota: – AWA Tag Team Champions Mitsu Arakawa & Dr Moto beat Bill Watts & Rock Rogowski (Ole Anderson) – Dr X beat Mighty Igor Vodik – Harley Race beat Bob Geigel – Luke Brown beat Bill Green – Rene Goulet beat Chris Markoff dq – Eddie Sharkey beat Steve Druk
1968
Dallas, Texas: – Fritz Von Erich & Dan Miller defeated The Spoiler & Gary Hart to win the NWA American Tag Team Title (later to become the World Class World Tag Team Title)
1969
Brisbane, Australia: – King Curtis Iaukea defeated Billy Robinson to win the IWA title
1970
– Kim Il and Pak Song defeated Gorgeous George, Jr. and Rufus R. Jones to win the NWA Texas Tag Team Title
1971
– The Royal Kangaroos (Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles) defeated Beauregard and Dutch Savage for the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Title
1973
Miami, Florida: – Buddy Colt defeated Eddie Graham for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
Vancouver, British Columbia: – Buck Ramstead and Mr. X (Guy Mitchell) defeated The Samoans (Afa and Sika) to win the Vancouver version of the NWA Canadian Tag Team Title
1977
San Juan, Puerto Rico: – The Hollywood Blondes (Jack Evans and Larry Sharpe) defeated Carlos Colon and Victor Jovica for the WWC North American Tag Team Title – Jose Rivera and Invader I defeated The Samoans (Afa and Sika) for the WWC World Tag Team Title – Joe Novak defeated Hercules Ayala for the WWC Caribbean Heavywight Title
1978
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: – Dino Bravo defeated Gene Kiniski to become the first holder of the Toronto version of the NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
Dallas, Texas: – Tiger Conway, Jr. and Bull Ramos defeated Killer Karl Krupp and Mark Lewin for the NWA Texas Tag Team Title
1979
New York City: – Bob Backlund defeated Bobby Duncum in a Texas death match to win the vacant WWF World Heavyweight Title
1985
Ames, Iowa: – Bob Brown defeated Brett Sawyer to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title
1987
Acapulco, Mexico: – El Gran Markus, Jr. defeated Super Halcon for the Mexican National Heavyweight Title
1988
Bayamon, Puerto Rico: – Hercules Ayala defeated Ricky Santana for the WWC Puerto Rico Heavyweight Title
1989
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico: – Leo Burke defeated Carlos Colon to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title
1993
Tokyo, Japan: – Gran Hamada defeated Villano IV to win the WWA World Junior Light Heavyweight Title
1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: – Tommy Dreamer & Cactus Jack defeated Tommy Cairo & The Sandman – ECW World Champion Shane Douglas defeated Ron Simmons – ECW World Tag Team Champions The Public Enemy defeated Sabu & Taz
1995
Hershey, Pennsylvania: – The Undertaker defeated King Mabel in a Casket match – Bret Hart pinned The British Bulldog to retain the WWF Title
Mexico City, Mexico: – Dr. Wagner, Jr. defeated Atlantis to win the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title
1999
Nashville, Tennessee: – Masato Tanaka defeated Mike Awesome for the ECW World Heavyweight Title
2000
Washington, DC: – Kevin Nash & Dallas Page defeated Shawn Stasiak & Chuck Polumbo to win the WCW World Tag Team Titles – Goldberg defeated Lex Luger – Scott Steiner defeated Sid Vicious to retain the WCW World Title
2005
Edison, New Jersey: – Austin Aries and Roderick Strong defeated Sal Rinauro and Tony Mamaluke to win the ROH Tag Team Titles – Bryan Danielson defeated Naomichi Marufuji to retain the ROH World Title – KENTA defeated Low Ki to retain the GHC Junior Heavyweight Title
2006
Richmond, Virginia: – The Undertaker defeated Mr. Kennedy in a Last Ride Match – Chris Benoit defeated Chavo Guerrero to retain the US Title
YESTERDAY IN FLORIDA WRESTLING HISTORY (thanks to Barry Rose)
1958 – Sylvia Torres won 5 woman Battle Royal (Lake Worth)
1960 – Chief Big Heart & Chief Big Eagle beat Eddie Graham & Buddy Austin via DQ (Miami Beach)
1968 – Great Malenko & Louie Tillet & Tarzan Tyler beat Rene Goulet & Jose Lothario & Wahoo McDaniel (Orlando)
1969 – Dory Funk Jr. beat Dale Lewis to retain NWA title (Tampa)
1972 – Great Malenko & Big Bad John beat Paul Jones & Buck Robley (Lakeland)
1974 – Toru Tanaka & Dick Slater retained Florida tag titles over Eddie & Mike Graham (Orlando)
1975 – Terry Funk beat Jack Brisco to retain NWA title (Tampa)
1978 – Dusty Rhodes beat Pak Song in a bullrope match (Lakeland)
1979 – Dusty Rhodes & Manny Fernandez beat Bugsy McGraw & Bad Leroy Brown in a cage match (Orlando)
1980 – Dusty Rhodes beat Dick Murdoch (Tampa)
1981 – Barry Windham beat The Spoiler via DQ in a Southern title match (Miami Beach)
1983 – Blackjack Mulligan beat Ron Bass in a bullrope match (St. Petersburg)
CIMA has been removed from the card due to a minor illness. The rookie Yamamura has been moved into his spot, and now facing Mochizuki in his place will be the always vivacious Yosuke <3 Santa Maria.
T-Hawk vs. Gamma
A match randomly picked by children at the last show. Gamma gained control early and managed a trademark wipe-of-his-saliva all over T-Hawk, but was given a receipt in the form of a brainbuster. He regained the advantage but ate a splash mountain from T-Hawk. T-Hawk going for the Niteride early. An attempted spit in the face of T-Hawk was blocked, as Gamma was hit with a reverse powerslam, but managed to get a couple two counts off a roll up. Despite their efforts, the match reached it’s 5 minute time limit. They shook hands. A draw, then Gamma spit in his face and ran out of the ring. Gross.
Genki & Ryu started out trading headlocks. Genki got a dropkick and a kip up. They tagged out, where Kong quickly won a test of strength. Genki back in, but was dropped and nailed with a DiBiase-like falling fist. Jimmyz did manage to regain some momentum with some double teaming on Ryu until Kong interfered. Other members of VerserK smiled in approval from the outside. Ryu mounted Genki in the corner and rubbed his crotch in Genki’s face. Some double teaming from VerserK, but Genki out at two. He attempted a rana, which Kong blocked, but was successful hitting a DDT. Tag into Saito, both Ryu & Saito attempted Saito’s cycling yahoo with Saito finally getting it on a 3rd attempt. More VerserK double teaming left the Jimmyz down, but Saito broke up a two count off a big Kong Frog Splash. Combinations from the Jimmyz now, also ending in a two count being broken up off a Frog Splash. Finally, some VerserK miscommunication led to Saito getting the pin. There appeared to be dissension between the two VerserK members following the match.
Over Generation came out for an in-ring promo after the match. They called a kid into the ring who was wearing their t-shirt.
Big R Shimizu vs. Kaito Ishida
The kid was supposed to ring the bell to start the match, but accidentally jumped the gun prematurely, in a funny bit. Shimizu displayed his power to start, tossing Ishida around the ring. There was a point this year where Big R Shimizu was having a better year than Big E Langston, though it is clear the latter has regained the lead. Ishida attempted chops but was no match for the big man. Ishida is mighty small at this point to come across as a threat. He did slap him in the face twice and nail a missile dropkick for a two however. He connected with kicks, extremely technically sound in doing so. Shimizu regained control and hit the big spinning slam, and a tree slam for two. Ishida managed a nice roll up for a fun two count, but was quickly put down with the Shot-put Chokeslam for a three.
Yosuke <3 Santa Maria vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
No idea why she wasn’t on the card in the first place, as entertaining as anyone on the roster. Yosuke cut a promo before the match, wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and welcomed her opponent to the ring. Mochizuki won in less time than Conor McGregor, and made a beeline for the locker room. Yosuke cut another promo, asking for an immediate rematch, this being a staple of Dragon Gate.
Yosuke <3 Santa Maria vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
Big chops from Yosuke, ducking Mochi’s offense and hitting a dropkick. Then no selling his stuff and showing some athleticism, and hit a gigantic dive to floor, placing her foot on his head in triumph. Awesome. Dragon screw from Yosuke as she is controlling the entire match. Mochi regained control and stiffed her with a gigantic boot in the corner. Two count, but Yosuke fighting back. Huge right hand from Mochi. Yosuke with a sweet spring board dropkick and leg lariat for two. Rather than rub her face in his crotch in a trademark spot, she hit the bonzai drop instead. She ate two boots in return, but showed fight and returned fire with a chop, but was nailed with two more kicks, however kicking out at two. Crowd behind her now, and she hits a suplex.
To the top, but Mochi follows her up there. Superplex but she pops right up! Big kiss and crucifix for an absolutely great two count. A couple kicks from Mochi and she gets another one. Another couple nearfalls and the crowd is way into this. Mochi finally gets the three with the Sankakugeri. Mochi led the crowd in applause for Maria Chan after the match. She planted a kiss on him and he reciprocated. This was absolutely everything you want out of pro wrestling, mixing a great match with fun entertainment.
Jimmyz (Jimmy Susumu & Jimmy K-Ness) vs. Dia.HEARTS (Dragon Kid & Kzy)
Susumu was a reindeer here. Kzy & K-Ness started with a few minutes of comedy, well received by the crowd, not so much by their partners. A little bit of action, but the match morphed back into comedy shortly after. Finally something of a match broke out. Double teaming from the Jimmyz, as they maintained control of Kid. Susumu & Kid traded strikes, with Susumu coming out on top. Kid came back with a rana and made the tag to Kzy. Dia.HEARTS now taking it to the Jimmyz, as Kid hits an Ibushi-like moonsault from the second turnbuckle to the floor. Exploder from Susumu for two, on Kzy. Jimmyz lock in duel submissions, firmly in control now.
Double gutbuster into a delayed double suplex combo. Huge Susumu lariat stops a Kzy comeback, for two. Kid to his partner’s aid, and he hits K-Ness with an assisted rana from the top rope. Big Kzy frog splash gets broken up at two by Susumu. Susumu and Kzy to the top now. Exploder from the top on Kzy. K-Ness with his series of spinning rollups on Kid, but broken up by Kzy. Finally, Kid gets the Bible (crucifix) for the win. Funny how your typical average DG midcard tag match is still worlds better than any other company’s standard average midcard tag match. While this was standard fare in DG terms, a forgettable match in reality, it would be the most athletic thing on the entire show of most other companies.
VerserK (Shingo Takagi, Yamato & Kotoka) vs. Over Generation (Eita, Punch Tominaga & Takehiro Yamamura)
Again, no Cima, instead the rookie Yamamura. They brawled into the crowd, while back in the ring Shingo took it to the rook, who was in attire similar to Cima. He tagged out to Punch, who locked up with Yamato. Hands in his pockets for power, Punchy hulked up and was impervious to pain. Kotoka in, and Over Generation put the boots to him. Eita went to work on his right leg, which was taped. We’ll see if that plays into their championship match at the big year-end PPV in a week and a half. Punch in. Big kick to the nuts from Kotoka, with the bad leg which he sold heavily. Yamato returned with a big dropkick, and a stroking of his bangs, as VerserK put a whopping on Punch in their corner. Literally beating on Punch for minutes at a time, double teaming and punking him out in general.
VerserK miscommunication led to a tag Eita came in, a house of fire. Huge dive to the outside wiping out VerserK. Yamamura in, but Shingo manhandled the rookie. Yamamura was evasive however and eventually hit a fisherman suplex for a two. This was more competitive than when Punch was in there. Punch back in there with Yamato who he will be wrestling for the tag titles in a week and a half. Yamato remained in control, but finally Punch got an STO for a two count. Triple dropkick put Shingo on the floor and the faces turned their attention to Kotoka.
Some pretty fantastic triple teaming ending with a PT BME. VerserK regained control shortly after though. Alabama Slam on Eita from the champ got two. The rook in there now, gets nailed from the outside with the suitcase, but it’s only a two. Ref distraction and the whole VerserK squad enters the ring to beat the shit out of Yamamura, but Kaito Ishida (dressed as Yamamura) pulls some twin magic behind the ref’s back, replacing his spent stablemate and Over Generation gets a clever upset. Good match, nice finish.
Monster Express (Masato Yoshino, Akira Tozawa, Shachihoko BOY), Naoki Tanizaki & Kenichiro Arai vs. “El Lindaman” Yuga Hayashi, Naruki Doi, Metal Warrior, Super Shisa & Jimmy Kanda
This was a match, once again, randomly picked by young children on the last show, essentially drawing names out of a hat. The irony being Yoshino, Tozawa & Shach all ended up on the same team. Metal Warrior was beaten down by Gamma before the match and dragged to the locker room and replace by Karaoke Machine #1 (Don Fujii in a mask). The match is supposed to lead to odd pairings but the oddest thing here is VerserK members on opposite sides. We start with Yoshino & Doi, which the crowd pops big for. A very nice exchange of moves and countermoves leaves both at a stalemate, and they go at it again. More technical mastery between the two and the crowd pops again. They tag out. Shach & Machine in there now. But he comidically hurts his knee getting in there and tags out. Tozawa and Shisa going at it now, culminating with Tozawa faking a dive to the floor. Too Easy. Fujii in there now, and he takes on the entire opposition 5-on-1 in a chopfest. Now his own team is in there and it’s 9-on-1. Match settles back down into Tozawa & Lindaman, and Tozawa gets his chops in the corner, and proceeds to punch out all five opposing members, and teammate Tanizaki. Yoshino & Lindaman now trading chops. Yoshino killing him with those.
We then get your standard 180 mile an hour rope running exhibition from Yoshino. Tag into Arai, who shushed the crowd, and hits a headbutt with a sickening thud that resonates throughout the building. So unnecessary, poor friggin’ Hayashi. Everybody going at it now with multiple highflying moves to the floor. Everybody gets in on the act. Tozawa, Shach, Yoshino. Finally Machine, but he throws up an airball. Yoshino & Arai with a nice exchange back in the ring leading to a two count off an Arai dicing headbutt, as this thing is all nonstop action. Tozawa senton on Kanda off the top gets two. He goes for the German but it;s reversed. Doi nails him with a cannonball in the corner. Machine with a chokeslam, broken up. Shisa with the code red but Tozawa escapes. Double teaming from Shach & Tanizaki gets two on Shisa. Lindaman wuith a judo throw. Shisa gets the code red but not a theree. Doi attempts a series of double teams with his squad but misses all four. He leaves. Hilarious. Five-on-four now. Tozawa up top. Brainbuster off the top and Lindaman is down.
Quintuple team in the corner on Lindaman, who gets Germaned by Tozawa and tombstoned by Tanizaki. Machine in though, he breaks it up and now all nine men hit consecutive moves on each other in a frenzy you’ll only see in Dragion Gate. Lindaman with the Locomotion suplex series on Shach gets the win. Second year in a row he gets the big pinfall in the final Korakuen match of the year. Super fun match. After the main event, kids are once again brought in to throw darts at a board, selecting teams for a 10-man tag at the next Korakuen show.
Very fun, well paced show. The three hours just flew by. It’s after 4:30 am and I’m late to work, but it was worth it, the mark of a good show.
Boston, Massachusetts: – John McMahon defeated H.M. Dufur to win the American Collar-and-Elbow Title
1917
Humboldt, Iowa: – Frank Gotch died on this date from kidney failure
1941
Mexico City, Mexico: – Black Guzman defeated Tarzan Lopez to win the NWA World Middleweight Title
1949
Houston, Texas: – Verne Gagne defeated Leo Newman to win the NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
Atlanta, Georgia: – George Flynn defeated Danno O’Connor for the Georgia version of the NWA Southern Heavyweight Title
1952
San Francisco, California: – Fred Atkins and Ray Eckert defeated Ben and Mike Sharpe to win the San Francisco version of the NWA World Tag Team Title
1954
Kansas City, Kansas: – Ray Villmer defeated Joe Dusek to win the NWA Central States Title
1955
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Al Lolotai defeated The Zebra Kid (George Bollas) to win the NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Title
1962
St. Paul, Minnesota: – Mr. High and Mr. Low (Doug Gilbert and Dick Steinborn) defeated Art and Stan Neilson to win the AWA World Tag Team Titles – Crusher beat Moose Evans – Rocky Hamilton beat Jack Lanza – Larry Hennig beat Jack Allen – Stan Kowalski beat John King
1963
Indio, California: – Edouard Carpentier won the World Wrestling Association (Los Angeles) World Heavyweight Title by forfeit, when Bearcat Wright no-showed a title defense
1965
Kansas City, Kansas: – Cowboy Bob Ellis and Sonny Myers beat Bob Geigel and Bob Brown 2 falls to 1 – Pat O’Connor drew The Viking – Terry Funk beat Chris Belkas – Lee Henning and Jim Wehba (Skandar Akbar) beat Victor Rivera and Don Soto
1966
St. Joseph, Missouri: – Mike DiBiase defeated The Viking to win the NWA Central States Heavyweight Title
Chicago, Illinois: – Larry Hennig & Harley Race beat AWA Tag Team Champions Dick the Bruiser & the Crusher dq – Killer Kowalski beat Verne Gagne dq – Wilbur Snyder beat Mitsu Arakawa – Chris Markoff beat Jack Lanza – Reggie Parks beat Joe Tomasso – Doug Gilbert beat Igor Volkoff
1970
Nashville, Tennessee: – Mighty Atlas and Oni Wiki Wiki defeated Bobby Hart and Lorenzo Parente for the Mid-America version of the NWA World Tag Team Title
Mobile, Alabama: – Bob Kelly won the NWA Gulf Coast Heavyweight Title by defeating The Wrestling Pro
Honolulu, Hawaii: – Bill Robinson defeated The Destroyer (Dick Beyer) for the Hawaii version of the NWA North American Heavyweight Title
1971
Tampa, Florida: – Ole Anderson defeated Jack Brisco for the NWA Florida Television Title
1972
Calgary, Alberta, Canada: – George Gordienko and Super Hawk defeated Danny Babich and Michel Martel for the Stampede International Tag Team Title
1975
– Rock Riddle and John Tolos defeated Micky Doyle and Mando Lopez to win the NWA Americas Tag Team Title
1977
Los Angeles, California: – The Canadian (Roddy Piper) won the NWA Americas Heavyweight Title by defeating Chavo Guerrero
1978
Chattanooga, Tennessee: – Bobby Eaton and George Gulas defeated Gypsy Joe and Tojo Yamamoto for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title
1980
Tokyo, Japan: – Jackie Sato defeated Nancy Kumi to win the vacant WWWA World Singles Title
1983
St. Petersburg, Florida: – Mike Rotundo defeated Greg Valentine in a tournament final for the vacant NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
1984
Mexico City, Mexico: – Blue Panther defeated El Matematico for the UWA World Welterweight Title
1986
Tampa, Florida: – Hacksaw Higgins and Kareem Muhammad defeated The Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn and Stan Lane) for the Florida version of the NWA United States Tag Team Title
Orlando, Florida: – Bad News Allen defeated The Falcon to become the final NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Champion
1988
Tokyo, Japan: – Terry Gordy and Stan Hansen won the vacant AJPW Unified Tag Team Title
1989
Rochester, Minnesota: – AWA Champion Larry Zbyszko dcor Unknown Soldier – Paul Diamond & The Trooper beat Destruction Crew Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom to win AWA Tag Title (Decision later reversed. Wrong man pinned) – Amateur Rules Match: Baron Von Raschke beat Wayne Bloom dq
1990
St. Louis, Missouri: – Lex Luger defeated Stan Hansen in a Bullrope match to win the NWA United States Title – Rick and Scott Steiner defeated The Great Muta and Mr. Saito to win the one night Pat O’Connell tag team tournament – Sting defeated the Black Scorpion (Ric Flair) in a steel cage match
1994
– The Cowboys (Silver King and El Texano) defeated Emilio Charles, Jr. and El Satanico to win the vacant CMLL World Tag Team Title
1995
Bremen, Germany: – Ludwig Borga (Tony Halme) defeated Rambo to win the CWA title
2000
Carolina, Puerto Rico: – Thunder and Lightning won the WWC Tag Team Title by defeating The West Texas Rednecks (Barry and Kendall Windham)
2006
Caguas, Puerto Rico: – Carlito defeated Jon Heidenreich to win the WWC Universal Heavyweight Title
2007
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: – Edge defeated Batista and The Undertaker to win the WWE Championship
2012
New York, New York – Kevin Steen retained the ROH World Title in a Ladder match over El Generico – The Brisco Brothers defeated SCUM and Cedrick Alexander & Caprice Coleman to win the ROH Word Tag Team Titles – The American Wolves defeated Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly – Jay Lethal defeated Rhino – Roderick Strong defeated Michael Elgin – Michael Bennett defeated Jerry Lynn – Matt Hardy defeated Adam Cole – Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin defeated Rhett Titus & BJ Whitmer
Brooklyn, New York – Dolph Ziggler defeated John Cena in a Ladder match for the Money in the Bank contract – Big Show defeated Sheamus to retain the World title in a chairs match – Antonio Cesaro defeated R-Truth to retain the US title
