introductory guide to ring of honor wrestling
TRANSCRIPT
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INTRODUCTION
Earlier this month I questioned Wreddit if it had any desire for an introductory guide to
Ring of Honor Wrestling, the regional wrestling promotion which brought light to such
popular names as CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, Austin Aries and many more.After a surprisingly enthusiastic response I got to work and after hours of typing,
revision and searching I have created what I feel is an adequate guide for any aspiring
Ring of Honor Wrestling fan.
The following details the more historic moments in ROHs history which has helped
shape the company until 2011, when purchased by Sinclair Broadcasting. From there
I go in-depth on almost everything until the present day.
Utilizing links I have attempted to allow you the opportunity for further insight with
videos, images, wikipedia pages and more; hopefully this assists you to get a mental
image of all this information.
So without further procrastination I hope you enjoy my Introductory Guide to Ring of
Honor Wrestling.
February 23, 2002 - The Era of Honor Begins
[ROH was founded in early 2002 by the head of RF Video Rob Feinstein, who was
seeking a new promotion to head his video sales but was unable to persuade anyactive promotion to do so. Funded by RF Video and booked by Gabe Sapolsky, the
sometimes dubbed protoge of Paul Heyman due to his work in Extreme
Championship Wrestling under him, ROH staged its first showThe Era of Honor
Beginson February 23, 2002 in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, headlined by Eddie
Guerrero vs. Super Crazyand a Triple Threat match between Low-Ki, Christopher
Daniels and Bryan Danielson, a trio known to ROH fans as the founding fathers.
In the beginning ROH was intended to be a super-indy, bringing together all the top
stars from all the independent promotions across the United States and Canada, due
to the excess amount of indy performers at the time following the demise of WCW
and ECW to the WWE. For two years it operated on either one show a month or two
shows a weekend basis, its first major show being Glory by Honor which featured
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](/spoiler)
The Best In The World
[For the first three years of ROHs existence, no matter who had the World
Championship, no matter what was happening, all fans viewed one man as their hero,one man as the face of the company, one man as the best. That man was American
Dragon Bryan Danielson. After chasing the ROH World Championship for three years,
like Punk coming up short each time he gained an opportunity, Bryan announced he
would take a leave of absence because he didnt think he deserved to be in ROH.
When his return was announced months later, James Gibson was now champion and
Bryan made one request upon his return which was for a title match. Bryan spoke in a
cryptic fashion but alluded that if he didnt beat Gibson he would never wrestle again.
At Glory By Honor IV after months in Japan, Bryan returned to defeat Gibson and
become Ring of Honor World Champion, leading to a huge celebration in the arena
between wrestlers and fans alike.
Bryans title reign is recognized by many as the second best off Samoa Joes. While
not as long, Bryan defended the title 38 times in his 462 days as champion, travelling
the world with it and wrestling with an array of injuries including a detached retna,
minor dislocated shoulder, broken fingers, broken nose and even at one point a
fractured rib.
During his title reign Bryan would lose control of himself, turning on the fans and ROH
management(Jim Cornette), proclaiming he was the Best In The World and coining
during this time the all popular phrase, I have till five!](/spoiler)
oe vs. Kobashi
It was built simply as Joe vs. Kobashi. Japanese wrestling legend Kenta Kobashi had
never wrestled in the United States at this point, so when Ring of Honor contacted
Pro Wrestling NOAH and agreed to do business he was the first person Sapolsky
wanted. Kobashi and Joe fought for 20 minutes in a function room of a New York hotel,
in what is not only a five star match but also one of the hardest hitting matches of all-
time. There was no backstory, there was no aftermath, it was simply two monsters
battling it out for supremacy.
Honor Goes Ultraviolent ROH vs. CZW
[In the winter of 2005, Bryan Danielson, now a cocky, self-obsessed heel entered a
CZW evening show and ran down CZW, its fans, its wrestlers and most importantly its
champion at the time Chris Hero. Chris Heros response was to travel to an ROH show
and make an impromptu challenge to Danielson for his ROH World Championship.
Hero lost but the feud had only begun as both Ring of Honor and Combat Zone
Wrestling went to war over who was the best, one which lasted until July of 2006.
Featuring names such as Samoa Joe, Claudio Castagnoli (Antonio Cesaro), Adam
Pearce, Super Dragon, Nate Webb, John Zandig (at the time CZW owner), Necro
Butcher, Ace Steel, BJ Whitmer, Kevin Steen, Eddie Kingston, Homicide, Bryan
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Danielson and Chris Hero as the main characters with the respective rosters featuring
in places, Ring of Honors war with Combat Zone Wrestling brought many bloody
brawls and even a CZW invasion of sorts when at Arena Warfare, CZW took over the
event, Zandig spray painting the CZW initials over ROHs on the ring canvas.
For several months CZW events were interrupted by Ring of Honor, who in turn hadtheir events interrupted by CZW. A lot of bloody matches would occur, the most
bloody coming at Dissension between Adam Pearce and Necro Butcher. Eventually
something had to give and John Zandig had the solution a Cage of Death match
pitting five from ROH against five from CZW.
It would happen at Death Before Dishonor IV, ROH being represented initially by
Samoa Joe, Adam Pearce, BJ Whitmer, Ace Steel and Bryan Danielson against CZWs
Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli, Necro Butcher, Nate Webb and Eddie Kingston.
However, despite he being the one of the main catalysts in the feud, Bryan Danielson
would turn on ROH and leave them one man down. Jim Cornette was furious and all
hope seemed to be lost until Homicide, whod been tore between the two
promotions saved the day and helped ensure victory for ROH.](/spoiler)
Unified 2006
[When Bryan Danielson won the ROH World Championship in 2005, Nigel McGuinness
had just began his reign as ROH Pure Champion, a pure wrestling title the first of its
kind. From August 2005 until the summer of 2006, the duo stole the show at every
event they featured, if it wasnt whatever match Danielson was in besting whatever
match Nigel was in, it was vice versa. Eventually it came to the point that the two titles
were equal in stature and it was decided that to decide who was the best, they wouldunify the titles, the first attempt ending in a countout victory for McGuinness which
meant he couldnt win the World Championship, but the second encounter having a
winner.
Bryan defeated Nigel on August 12, 2006 in Liverpool, England at an event I had the
honor of attending.
The Pure Championship was no-more, but their feud had only just begun.](/spoiler)
Ring of Homicide
[Homicide, bad or good was always a fan favorite in Ring of Honor. Once hed finally
concluded his feud with Steve Corino, Homicides next obstacle was ROH
commisioner Jim Cornette. For helping ROH defeat CZW, Cornette allowed Homicide a
reward, one being he could have a final match with Corino and the other that hed
receive a World Championship match. Cornette rejected his third wish for Low Ki to be
reinstated which saw Homicide spit in Cornettes face, beginning a small feud with his
bodyguard Adam Pearce.
Homicide decreeded that if he did not win the ROH World Championship by the end of
2006 he would leave ROH, and at Final Battle 2006, the final show of the year in the
main event against Bryan Danielson, whod defended his title at this stage 38 times,
with the odds stacked against him Homicide defeated Bryan and became the ROH
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World Champion.
Homicides reign wouldnt last long however due in part, to a Japanese Monster, but
more on that later.](/spoiler)
Ballad of Lacey/Whitmer vs. Jacobs
[Lacey was one of the first females in ROH. She originally managed the group known
as Special K before a tag team called Laceys Angels, but when the original Laceys
Angels never managed to catch on she dropped them and replaced them with the
team of Jimmy Jacobs and BJ Whitmer. Laceys mission was to make Jacobs, a mascara
wearing, feminine wrestler who fans laughed at more-so than cheered into a serious
wrestler, which in-turn made Jacobs fall in love with Lacey, beginning one of the
weirdest romance stories in wrestling history, with Lacey abusing her power once BJ
Whitmer, fed up with Jacobs infatuation with her abandon his tag team partner. Lacey
demanded Whitmer be put out of action and Jacobs tried, in what would be below
Homicide and Corino one of the most violent feuds in ROH history.
It featured two notorious spots, one being a top rope Powerbomb where Whitmer
slipped and Jacobs went crashing to the outside, hitting his head off the apron and
nearly knocking him out. At Dragon Gate Invasion this accompanied by the Ballad of
Lacey song got Jacobs over with the fans but his feud with Whitmer had not ended.
Once Jacobs was cleared to compete he faced Whitmer again only this time Whitmer
would successfully Powerbomb Jacobs off the top rope into the second, third and
fourth rows.
Their feud would culminate in a Steel Cage match where Jacobs tore his ACL, butimmys story had only begun in ROH. As his true, shining moment was only around
the corner.](/spoiler)
Takeshi Morishima
[As a part of a trade with Pro Wrestling NOAH, stars such as KENTA, Naomichi Marufuji,
Go Shiozaki and others began appearing in the company more often, leaving a lasting
impact and gaining high praise from fans. But it wasnt untilTakeshi Morishima, in his
third match for the company on only his second night defeated Homicide in
monstorous fashionthat the eyes of the audience had been opened and a new
monster had been unleashed.
Standing 63 and 280 pounds Morishima was one of the hardest hitting, toughest,
barbaric wrestlers to have ever stepped foot in the company. His ROH World
Championship reign only lasted 231 days but in that time he managed to defend it 20
times, a record for title defenses in that span of time. He was also the first Japanese
wrestler to hold the title. Morishimas victims include a laundry list of names from
Bryan Danielson to BJ Whitmer, Austin Aries to Nigel McGuinness, Jay Briscoe to
KENTA, Jimmy Rave to SHINGO, Roderick Strong to Homicide.](/spoiler)
ROH Does Pay-Per-View
In 2007 Ring of Honor hosted its first taped pay-per-view Respect is Earned from the
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Manhattan Center in New York City. They would go on to hold 13 pay-per-views
between July 2006 and August 2009 when they changed to iPPV. ROHs most highly
acclaimed iPPV is titled Man Upand featured the end of a war.
Steenerico vs. The Briscoes Ladder War
Kevin Steen and El Generico burst onto the scene in ROH as a tag team immediately
beginning a feud with The Briscoes over the ROH World Tag Team Championships.
Their feud would last six months and feature no less than a Steel Cage match, a
Tables match, a Boston Street Fight, a 2 Out of 3 Falls match and finally to end it all a
Ladder War at Man Up 2007. The event would be named by Wrestling Observer as the
best show of 2007 and extra credit was given to the Ladder War for being able to
stand out from other companys ladder matches despite being no different.
The Age of the Fall
[Following the Ladder War, Jimmy Jacobs flagged by a young Tyler Black (Seth Rollins),
Necro Butcher and Lacey, who impressed with how much of a leader Jacobs had
became was now infatuated with him, attacked The Briscoes, tying Jay to the hook
which held the ROH World Tag Team Championships above the ring and lifting him
above it. As a bloodied Jay Briscoe hung from the ceiling, Jimmy Jacobs, wearing a
white coat stood beneath him, Jays blood raining over him and began to cut a promo
which would begin one of the most controversial angles in ROH history, their debut so
bloody that it was edited from the final Man Up PPV cut.
The Age of the Fall would last two years and revolved around outcasts trying to
succeed. The biggest victory of Jimmy Jacobs career came during this period whenhe defeated Bryan Danielson cleanly. Jacobs and Black would defeat The Briscoes for
the ROH World Tag Team Championships, when the group attempted to make Austin
Aries join and he refused, Lacey began a new romantic affair with him drawing the
wrath of Jacobs who had a mental breakdown and in a video posted online ended
Laceys ROH career in an unknown fashion.
During its time together The Age of the Fall included members such as Delirious,
Brodie Lee (Luke Harper), Joey Matthews (Joey Mercury), Zach Gowen, Allison
Wonderland, MsChif and Rain of TNA fame. It is seen by many ROH fans as the catalyst
to Tyler Blacks ascension. Black ended AOTF by hanging Jacobs from the ceiling as
he had done Jay Briscoe when AOTF began. Jimmy would not be seen for nearly two
years after this.](/spoiler)
In It To Win It Nigel McGuinness Title Reign/McGuinness vs. Danielson
[Nigel McGuinness defeated Takeshi Morishima in under fifteen minutes to not only
end his reign but finally capture the ROH World Championship at Undeniable in 2007.
It would begin another historic title reign with McGuinness defending the title 38
times during his 545 day reign, which lasted from October 2007 until April 2009.
Nigels reign is most notable for the injuries he suffered during it, tearing his right
bicep yet deciding to continue as a fighting champion and when he legitimatelysuffered a concussion at the hands of Austin Aries and a guard rail and was unable to
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compete, fans booed his decision, leading to McGuinness turning on the fans and
stating he was going to do what was best for Nigel.
This change in attitude re-ignited the feud between he and Bryan Danielson. While
they had faced each other and even been tag team partners between their Unified
2006 match and Nigels turn at the 6th Anniversary Show where utilizing elbows tothe head of Danielson, which had been previously injured by Morishima he retained
the ROH World Championship, making him submit to the London Dungeon, despite a
prior agreement that neither man would touch the others head due to the
concussions they had recently suffered.
Danielson promised he would avenge McGuinness deceit and chased him for the
remainder of the year, taking a non-title match at Battle of the Best just so he could
inflict pain on McGuinness for what hed done to him. Nigel would lose to Bryan but
then defeat him once the title was on the line at Rising Above 2008 in what was built
as Bryans final chance to defeat him.
During his title reign McGuinness defeated names such as Austin Aries, Tyler Black,
Kevin Steen, KENTA, Go Shiozaki, Claudio Castagnoli, Jerry Lynn, Roderick Strong, El
Generico and many others. At Supercard of Honor IV, Nigel would finally lose the title
in an upset loss to Jerry Lynn. Nigels title reign is on-par with Danielsons, sadly the
biggest difference is, Nigels would wind up costing him his career.](/spoiler)
Gabe Is Fired; Adam Pearce Comes In
[In 2008 Gabe Sapolsky, who was the recipient of the Wrestling Observers Booker of
the Year four years running and seen as the mastermind behind ROHs hard hitting,apanese influenced style was released by owner Cary Silkin as several people within
the company didnt like Gabes, we should be happy with what we have attitude,
never aspiring to bring ROH to television like his mentor Paul Heyman had done with
ECW and instead arguing that they should appeal solely to their already devout
hardcore fanbase. The aftermath of the firing continues to this day with Gabe notable
for taking sly shots at ROH whenever it does wrong and not allowing his promotions,
Evolve and DGUSA wrestlers appear for ROH but they can appear just about
anywhere else.
In his place Gabe was replaced by former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Adam
Pearce.](/spoiler)
ROH on HDNet
[Starting on March 21 until April of 2011Ring of Honor began its first weekly episodic
television show ROH on HDNet. Filmed between the ECW Arena in Philadelphia and
The Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky on the advice of Jim Cornette, ROH on HDNet
was widely praised by viewers for delivering top wrestling action every week. It was
voted by Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Pro Wrestling Illustrated as the best
weekly wrestling show of both 2009 and 2010, the first show not named Monday
Night Raw to do so in nearly a decade at the time.
The first main event of ROH on HDNet saw Tyler Black vs. Davey Richards. The final
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match in April 2011 was ROH World Champion Roderick Strong and ROH World Tag
Team Champions Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Davey
Richards and The Briscoes.](/spoiler)
erry FN Lynn
[Jerry Lynn had appeared for ROH previously but in 2008 when he became a full-time
roster member Lynn challenged Nigel McGuinness for the ROH World Championship
at Supercard of Honor IV. In a huge upset which made many fans leap out of their
seats in shock, Lynn defeated McGuinness bringing the second longest ROH World
Championship reign in history to a close. Nigel would scream like a scared child, Go
away, this isnt your time anymore!
Lynns reign wouldnt last long, losing it to Austin Aries in a Three Way Dance also
involving Tyler Black, but it was a great feel good moment and for that short period of
time, Lynn was once again able to call himself a World Champion.](/spoiler)
Kevin Steen vs. El Generico
[At Final Battle 2009 after a loss to The Young Bucks, Kevin Steen took a microphone
and began alluding to an Internet rumor that he was going to retire. Steen had been
suffering from a niggling knee injury for quite awhile and in a short space of time had
gained a considerable amount of weight. As he cut the promo thanking the fans, El
Generico, overcome with emotion hugged Kevin Steen, pulling back Steen said into
the microphone, El Generico I hate your fucking guts, and kicked him in the groin,
getting a Steel Chair and hitting his former tag team partner in the head with it.
What would ensue was a year long feud which featured Kevin Steen, on the advice of
Steve Corino turning on Generico due to the monster that was in him, Steen realizing
he was being held back by Genericowho he viewed as weak. For months Steen
would antagonize Generico, attempting to goud him into attacking him. It took six
months for Generico to finally hit Steen. In Genericos corner was Colt Cabana who
was unable to believe what Steen was doing. This brought to light Steen saying,
good people are capable of bad things.
The year long feud revolved around Steen and Generico but was in-essence a tag
team feud pitting Steen and Corino against Generico and Cabana. It would also be
one of the rare feuds that brought out a serious side in Cabana who would face both
Steen and Corino on numerous occasions in a wide variety of matches.
When it seemed like everything was going to end at Glory By Honor IX during a double
chain match between the two alliances, Steen would remove the mask of El Generico
trying to reveal his ugly face. Kevin would proceed to use the mask in-order to taunt
Generico, even creating a symbol with Genericos head being represented by his
mask on a steel chair.
The two would meet in what was built as their final match, an unsanctioned Fight
Without Honor which co-main evented Final Battle 2010, where if El Generico lost hewould unmask but if Steen lost he would leave ROH forever. Generico would defeat
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Steen by hitting him in the head with a steel chair, the same exact one Steen had
used one year prior over Steens head to pick up the victory and banish Kevin Steen
from ROH.
Or so we thought.](/spoiler)
ROH Does iPay-Per-View
In 2009 ROH opted not to renew their deal with G-Funk and Sports Entertainment to
keep their PPVs on the Dish Network, opting instead to begin what has became the
iPPV craze in independent wrestling. The first iPPV was Final Battle 2009 and was co-
main evented by The American Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards)
defending the ROH World Tag Team Championships against The Briscoes, plus Austin
Aries defending the ROH World Championship against Tyler Black in what would be a
sixty-minute draw.
The Final Countdown Tour
It was announced in late 2009 that both Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness
would be signing with the WWE. With this ROH scheduled a series of events dubbed
The Final Countdown Tour to Glory By Honor VIII where the two would main event in
their final ROH match and what would inevitably be their final match against one
another. Bryan Danielson would win the match and the two would receive a standing
ovation, as every wrestler emptied from the locker room and thanked the two men
who are recognized as ROH legends.
Tyler Blacks Rise
[Following The Age of the Fall, Tyler Black began pursuing Nigel McGuinness and the
ROH World Championship, the two faced each other in a phenomenal series of
matches which also saw Black compete in highly praised matches against the likes of
Bryan Danielson, Davey Richards and Austin Aries. After taking some time off for
surgery Black returned and entered the Survival of the Fittest tournament, where the
winner gets a shot at the ROH World Championwhip. Black would defeat Kenny King,
Claudio Castagnoli, Colt Cabana, Delirious, Chris Hero and finally Roderick Strong in
the final to earn his chance at the World Championship.
Following his sixty-minute time limit draw with Aries at Final Battle 2009, Blackcontinued pursuing the title and was gifted one more match which he won at ROHs
iPPV the 8th Anniversary Show. Tyler would then go on to retain the title against Aries,
Roderick Strong and Davey Richards before it was announced he was signing with
WWE. Fans immediately labeled him a sell-out and this would cause Black to turn
heel, using his real life personal feelings in promos. His final ROH appearance was at
Glory By Honor IX where he lost to Roderick Strong due to interference from the
House of Truth.](/spoiler)
ROH World TV Championship
[With them now having a TV show, ROH decided to introduce a Television
Championship. A tournament was held on television between eight men, Kevin Steen,
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Rhett Titus, Eddie Edwards, Colt Cabana, Delirious, Davey Richards, El Generico and
Kenny King. The finals wound up being The American Wolves, Eddie Edwards and
Davey Richards in their first match against one another. Edwards would win the title
and become its inaugural champion.
World TV Championship title holders are Eddie Edwards, Christopher Daniels, ElGenerico, Jay Lethal, Roderick Strong, Adam Cole and current ROH World TV
Champion, Matt Taven.](/spoiler)
Pearce Fired; Delirious Comes In But Not For Long
[Adam Pearces run as head booker came to an end in 2010 when he was fired by
owner Cary Silkin and replaced by Hunter Delirious Johnston. Despite Ring of
Honors achievements at the time and the high praise their product had, many felt
Pearce just wasnt the person to take the company forward hence why he was gotten
rid of.
Delirious took over the head booker position with Jim Cornette acting as his
consultant and mentor.](/spoiler)
Davey Richards Hunt, Eddie Edwards Upset
[The American Wolves decided to begin pursuing singles titles in mid-2010, still
teaming together and having each others backs when needed. After Edwards
became the World TV Champion, Davey Richards pursued the ROH World
Championship, challenging Tyler Black and coming up short, then challenging
Roderick Strong at Final Battle 2010 in the co-main event, losing to Roderick Strong
after a referee stoppage due to a concussion from kicks to the head at the hands of
Roderick.
Richards took some time off but returned, still pursuing the ROH World
Championship. Meanwhile Eddie Edwards had earned a number one contender spot
to Rodericks title by winning Survival of the Fittest 2010 and at Manhattan Mayhem IV
in one of the biggest upsets in ROH history, defeated Roderick Strong to become the
ROH World Champion.
Davey refused to face Edwards for the ROH World Championship because he didnt
want to be the one to end his reign. Edwards took offence to this and demandedDavey face him or else hed quit the company. Davey agreed on the condition that if
he didnt win, he would reitre. Davey would defeat Edwards for the ROH World
Championship at Best In The World 2011, days after Sinclair Broadcasting had
purchased the company from Cary Silkin.](/spoiler)
SINCLAIR BROADCASTING ERA
2011 2012
The Birth of the Television Product
Sinclair Broadcasting, a multi-million dollar syndicated network corporation trading on
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the stock market purchased Ring of Honor from Cary Silkin in June 2011. With it they
announced that Ring of Honor Wrestling would return to TV on their syndicated
channels giving ROH the third largest televised wrestling show in North America. The
purchase also meant ROH was no longer an independent promotion as they were no
longer independently funded.
Sinlair employed Jim Cornette as the head booker, promoting him from his consultant
position. Hunter Delirious Johnson was to work under him as his understudy and a
road agent of sorts. Nigel McGuinness was brought back in as the new color
commentator for Ring of Honor Wrestling TV and pay-per-views. With Davey Richards
as the new ROH World Champion he was promoted as the face of the company while
Kevin Steen had returned, interrupting Best In The World 2011 and screaming, Fuck
Ring of Honor before attacking Steve Corino and Jimmy Jacobs who were trying to
convince people they were changed men.
Meanwhile the tag team division was on fire as Wrestlings Greatest Tag Team
(Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas) reigned as ROH World Tag Team Champions,
defending their titles against The Kings of Wrestling, The Briscoes and The All Night
Express (Kenny King and Rhett Titus) at Best In The World 2011.
2011 would be one of the worse years in ROHs existence. The television show didnt
start out too well with several lighting and sounding issues plaguing the first few
episodes. The product began slowly moving away from wrestling which irritated the
hardcore ROH fanbase as the company aimed to bring in a more casual audience
such as the one WWE has. And Davey Richards World Championship reign was
criticized because when he should have been defending the title he was instead
wrestling in Japan for NJPW.
The most promising aspects of the first six months of Sinclairs ownership were
Michael Elgins slow and steady emergence as a great addition to the roster. Kevin
Steens gradual return to the company which after six months of interrupting shows
concluded at Final Battle 2011 when he defeated Steve Corino w/ Jimmy Jacobs as the
special guest referee to earn his job back. Post-match he Package Piledrived Jimmy
acobs, tried to Package Piledriver Jim Cornette and successfully Package Piledrived El
Generico.
2012 December 2013
Wrestlings Worst Nightmare/ Smokey Mountain of Honor
2012 has been dubbed by many ROH fans as the dark days, with Jim Cornettes
influence regularly showing and not in a good way. In 2013 ROH began re-hashing old
Smokey Mountain Wrestling angles and when fans realized this, did Cornette stop?
No he continued doing it anyway. The most positive thing to happen in the first
quarter of the year was Kevin Steens pursuit of the ROH World Championship and
Davey Richards, featuring a number one contenders match at Showdown in the Sun:
Day 1 where Kevin defeated Generico in Le Revencha Last Man Standing. Generico
would be put out of action weeks later at the hands of Steen and his new partnerimmy Jacobs.
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Another one of the few positives was Davey Richards title reign had finally became
interesting after having been heavily criticized until Final Battle 2011 when he
defended it against Eddie Edwards who for some unknown reason had Dan Severn in
his corner it was originally intended to be Ken Shamrock who pulled out a week
before the planned shoot. Richards would have a five-star match with Michael Elgin
on Showdown in the Sin: Day 2.
Steen and continued chasing the World Championship while World TV Champion
Roderick Strong defended the ROH World TV Championship at Border Wars against of
all people, Fit Finlay. Meanwhile WGTT and The Briscoes continue feuding and The All
Nighh Express earned another opportunity at the World Tag Team titles which they
would get at Best In The World 2012. Young stars such as Michael Elgin, Tommaso
Ciampa, Adam Cole and Kyle OReilly continued breaking out, with Elgin beginning to
grow tired of Roderick Strong, a fellow member of The House of Truth and sometimes
tag team partners crap, and the former Futureshock partners, Kyle OReilly and Adam
Cole began feuding over who was better.
At Border Wars the biggest plus of 2012 came when Kevin Steen achieved his goal
and became the ROH World Champion, defeating Davey Richards in his home country
of Canada with Jimmy Jacobs in his corner. After the match Steve Corino and Steen
hugged bringing to rise the formation of the original trio known as SCUM. Richards
would seek a rematch though despite Cornette not wanting to do it, but with a
stipulation placed that were Richards to lose he could never challenge Steen for the
title again, the match was made for Best In The World 2012.
At BITW 2012, Kevin Steen retained the ROH World Championship defeating Davey
Richards in the main event. Adam Cole and Kyle OReilly had their breakout matches in
the company, in a Hybrid Wrestling Rules match, where Cole despite suffering a huge
gash to his mouth continued blood spraying from his mouth every time he exhaled.
And ANX, after two years of trying finally captured the ROH World Tag Team
Championships from WGTT it wouldnt last long though as Kenny King decided to
join TNA, a decision hes probably regretting now.
Following BITW, Kevin Steen and his SCUM stable continued their mission to destroy
the company believing ROH was a shell of its former self. Steens first big opponent
was Eddie Kingston, who was the Chikara Grand Champion which coincided with the
ROH vs. CHIKARA mini-angle which occurred over the summer culminating in an eventcalled Synergy. ROH created a tournament to decide new ROH World Tag Team
Champions including teams such as The Briscoes, a mix of WGTT and ANX with
Charlie Hass teaming with Rhett Titus, BLK-OUT of CZW fame, The Guardians of Truth
(The Headbangers in masks; yes The Headbangers were on TV in 2013), SCUM
(Corino and Jacobs) who would inevitably win the tournament and the ROH World Tag
Team Championships.
Michael Elgin and Roderick Strongs detiorating alliance came to a boiling point when
after Kevin Steen defeated Rhino to retain the ROH World Championship at Death
Before Dishonor X, Steve Corino pushed Strong into Elgin which led to Strongapologizing but Elgin having enough, after months of frustration finally hitting Strong
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with the Elgin Bomb to Truth Martinis horror. At Glory By Honor XI it was announced
Elgin would challenge Steen for the World Championshipin a match taglined, The
Unbreakable Hope in their home country of Canada.
At Glory By Honor XI, Steen defeated Michael Elgin with a top rope Package Piledriver
for the victory. After the match he was given a box by Nigel McGuinness which Steenunwrapped to remove El Genericos mask. Matt Hardy returned to the promotion after
six years to provide commentary for Adam Coles ROH World TV Championship match
against Mike Mondo. After the match Hardy told Cole that at his age, he was better
than Cole is.
On the undercard Jay Lethal had taken on a new persona following advice from Jim
Cornette to show a killer instinct, Lethal would begin showing a more aggressive,
take no prisoners attitude which saw him pick up a great win against Davey Richards
at Glory By Honor XI. This event marked a new dawn for ROH as behind the scenes a
big transition had been made.
Bye-Bye Cornette, Enter Delirious Again
Delirious was implemented as the new head booker following Jim Cornettes
suspension and then firing from ROH at the end of 2012. With Cornette gone,
Delirious influence began showing as he brought back El Generico, someone
Cornette saw little value in. He also made the Final Battle 2012 main event a Ladder
War between Kevin Steen and Generico.
Final Battle was the first ROH iPPV with Delirious as bookerand included Roderick
Strong defeating Michael Elgin with use of Truth Martinis book of Truth, Jerry Lynnsfinal ROH match against Mike Bennett, the reunion of The American Wolves to face
Daveys protoge Kyle OReilly and Eddie Edwards Pro Wrestling NOAH tag team
partner, Bobby Fish, now known as reDRagon and Matt Hardy vs. Adam Cole, which
Hardy won.
2013 Present
SCUM; Steel Cage Warfare
2013 was a year or recovery for Ring of Honor. First the company needed to get back
to what made it popular wrestling. Delirious did this by bringing in names such asBobby Fish, a world traveled veteran, ACH, noted as one of the top prospects on the
independent scene, pushing young talent like Matt Taven, Adam Page, bringing back
independent veteran Silas Young and pushing him as a main heel in the company and
utilizing affiliations with Pro Wrestling NOAH and New Japan Pro Wrestling to bring in
names such as Karl Anderson, The Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky
Romero), KUSHIDA, Taiji Ishimori and bringing back names like Paul London as special
attractions.
Delirious first big angle would be SCUMs expansion into a stable, with Steve Corino
slowly moving into the power positionover Kevin Steen who began growing affection
for ROH once again something based off a real life hatred he had for Jim Cornettes
style of booking and thought process and defended his ROH World Championship
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against Jay Lethal at the 11th Anniversary Show, many believing Lethal would be the
one to end Steens reign and finally capture the title. Instead Steen would win with a
top rope Brainbuster in-tribute (or in spite depending how you look at it as it was
announced the week before Generico had signed with WWE) to El Generico, picking
up the win and bringing to rise SCUMs growth with the emergence of Rhino, Jimmy
Rave, Cliff Compton, Rhett Titus and Matt Hardy as members of the group alongside
the original trio.
Kevin Steen remained silent for the next month as Nigel McGuinness devised a plan
to get the ROH World Championship away from SCUM. He would place ROHs top
contenders against Steen, starting with Jay Briscoe. Jay Briscoe stood for everything
ROH meant and despite a legitimate shoulder injury guaranteed he would fight Steen
for the title at Supercard of Honor, this a month after losing the ROH World Tag Team
Championships to new holders Kyle OReilly and Bobby Fish, reDRagon.
ReDRagon continued their feud with The American Wolves, Davey and Eddie utilizingtheir victory over the two from Final Battle to their advantage in-order to gain a shot at
Supercard of Honor on WrestleMania Weekend. At Supercard of Honor, reDRagon
retained the ROH World Tag Team Championships in a great match with OReilly
holding Richards tights for the win. Meanwhile below the card Michael Elgin and Jay
Lethal faced one another in what many believe is the Match of the Year for #1
Contendership to the ROH World Championship, Elgin winning and earning his future
opportunity.
In the main event Jay Briscoe upset the odds and with his entire family ringside
defeated Kevin Steen to win his first ever singles title and become ROH World
Championship, the entire locker room emptying in-order to fend SCUM off as Jay won
the title a moment not seen by iPPV viewers due to a lag in the stream which would
see many fans enraged. Kevin Steen would shake Jays hand post-match which would
lead to his inevitable face turn at the next TV taping where he insulted Matt Hardy
leading to a beatdown and his immunity from SCUM by new leader Steve Corino.
Steve Corino began chasing the ultimate goal of killing Ring of Honor with much more
tenacity. Nigel McGuinness, now on-screen ROH matchmaker would be his biggest
rival, challenging SCUM every bit of the way with stars he believed stood for Honor.
The majority of these talents were Michael Elgin, Jay Lethal, The Briscoes and from
Border Wars until the angles conclusion Kevin Steen.
ay Briscoes first big challenge as ROH World Champion would be Adam Cole, at
Border Wars, an annual event held in Canada. Cole began showing more
determination towards capturing the ROH World Championship and despite the two
showing mutual respect for one another throughout the angle, it would be the
beginning of what has been Delirious biggest masterpiece which all leads to this
months Final Battle event. At Border Wars, Briscoe retained but post-match Adam
Cole threatened to Superkick him in the back of the head, not doing it and walking to
the back.
Following Jays successful defense, his next would be in the form of his own blood,
younger brother Mark Briscoe. Mark and Jay would meet at Best In The World 2013
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with the tagline being, Nobody Fights Like Family. At this point SCUM had began
taking as much power as they could, defeating Michael Elgin and Jay Lethal at Border
Wars after Lethal was taken to the back and Kevin Steen stepped in, in street clothes
making his return, being rolled up for the loss. As a stipulation to this match when
SCUM won Steve Corino became the new color commentator for ROH Wrestling and
Matt Hardy would receive an ROH World Championship match with whichever Briscoeleft BITW as World Champion.
ay defeated Mark, but following the event news broke that The Briscoes would be
leaving ROH, speculation running rampant that it was to join WWE or another
promotion. Instead it was all planned, which will be detailed further on. Jay would retain
against Matt Hardy but during a post-match attack have his shoulder dislocated so
that he couldnt defend his title and would eventually be stripped of it by ROH
matchmaker Nigel McGuinness.
Nigel had decided enough was enough and that SCUM had to end once and for all.
So in an agreement with Steve Corino, SCUM would battle Team ROH in a five-on-five
Steel Cage Warfare (ROHs version of War Games) match, where if SCUM won Steve
Corino would get Nigels job as booker therefore having authority to destroy the
company, but if Nigel won, SCUM would disband and never come together again.
On ROH Wrestling TV which aired July 27th, Team ROH defeated SCUM in Steel Cage
Warfare after Kevin Steen pinned Jimmy Jacobs following a Package Piledriver and
interference from Nigel who stopped Steve Corino from lighting Kevin Steen and the
ring on fire with his finishing Lariat maneuver. SCUM were forced to disband and leave
ROH immediately which began a new era in Ring of Honor where Nigel promised to
restore Honor.
Tag Division Madness; Outlaw Inc
Ring of Honor has always prided itself on having the best tag team division in
professional wrestling and from May until now, theyve proven it, having had a tag
team division which has been on fire starting at a TV taping prior to All Star
Extravaganza V where The Forever Hooligans, (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero) upset
reDRagon to become ROH World Tag Team Champions, simultaneously holding them
and the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Championships.
However, their reign would only last two weeks as at All Star Extravaganza V, The
American Wolves would defeat Forever Hooligans in the main event to capture their
second ROH World Tag Team Championship reign, Edwards and Richards going on to
Manhattan Mayhem V where they would defend the titles against reDRagon, losing
them after OReilly made Davey Richards submit with a Cross Armbreaker in the
middle of the ring.
As this was going on The Young Bucks made their return to ROH to face C&C Wrestle
Factory, the team of Cedric Alexander and Caprice Coleman. A young team Adrenaline
RUSH, ACH and TaDarius Thomas emerged at the start of the year following the Top
Prospect Tournament which both were participants in. And at Manhattan Mayhemfollowing their title victory, reDRagon were ambushed by the returns of Homicide and
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Eddie Kingston, the duo known as Outlaw Inc who vowed to help Ring of Honor by
eliminating people such as reDRagon.
At Final Battle not only do Outlaw Inc, undefeated thus far in ROH get their opportunity
at OReilly and Fish, but The Young Bucks will take on Adrenaline RUSH.
immy Jacobs Trial Series
Following SCUM, Jimmy Jacobs vanished for a couple months, emerging during
promos to beg Nigel McGuinness for a booking only for Nigel to turn him down. Jimmy
would still appear at ROH events, gaining support from fans who believed he was
sorry for turning on ROH and applauding his attempt to stop Steve Corino from
burning Kevin Steen and the ring during Steel Cage Warfare. It wouldnt be until BJ
Whitmer legitimatelty broke his neck and had to retire that Jacobs would be worked
into the promotion again, BJ requesting Nigel give him a chance, McGuinness initiating
a trial series if Jacobs could defeat three of five hand picked opponents hed have
his job back.
The first opponent would be Michael Bennett. Bennett would defeat Jacobs utilizing
his new Piledriver finishing maneuver. His second opponent would be Kevin Steen,
who defeated Jimmy at A New Dawn with the Package Piledriver. His third opponent
and first victory came on TV when he defeated Silas Young. His fourth opponent was
Adam Page who he defeated at Glory By Honor XII and his final opponent was
Roderick Strong who he defeated at a live event.
As per he and Nigels agreement,Jimmy won his job back and would get a shot at the
ROH World Championship, only the second time he would receive one. At Pursuit:Night One in his hometown of Dearborn, Michigan,Jacobs challenged Adam Cole for
the ROH World Championship in a losing effort.
Steve Corino Returns
Much like Jacobs, Steve Corino would show up to ROH events following the demise of
SCUM, but instead of pleading forgiveness would act oblivious to anything anyone
said about SCUM or him trying to set Kevin Steen and the ring on fire at Steel Cage
Warfare. Corino would threaten legal action against ROH and Sinclair unless they
allowed him to meet his contractual obligation as the color commentator for all ROH
events. With help from Veda Scott, the new secretary for RD Evans law firm, Corinomanaged to return to the announce table alongside Kevin Kelly at Glory By Honor XII.
Battle of the Piledrivers Steen vs. Bennett
Mike Bennett never really fit into Ring of Honor the idea was good, a sports
entertainer trying to succeed in a wrestlers world and despite having Maria Kannelis
by his side Bennett was never able to make the fans believe he was a threat, always
using the same old cocky shtick people have seen a million times before. But during
the summer Mike Bennett took a transformation and became Michael Bennett, a
much tougher individual, debuting a new finishing maneuver in the Piledriver which
he would use to defeat opponents such as Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards in
upset victories.
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Bennett would begin bragging that he had, the best Piledriver in pro-wrestling, until
Kevin Steen took offense and began mocking Bennett. Bennett and Steen would
begin a feud which has so far seen Bennett attack Steen from behind three times,
hitting him with the Piledriver twice and even getting a victory over Steen at Glory By
Honor XII following a distraction from Maria Kannelis. Steen would attack Bennett butthus far in their feud has not been able to hit him with his Package Piledriver.
The two meet at Final Battle in the first ever ROH stretcher match, where the loser
may never use the Piledriver again.
Mark Briscoe vs. Silas Young
Mark Briscoe defeated Silas Young in a one-on-one match at A New Dawn. Later in the
night Silas attacked Briscoe and Mark would wind up eliminating Silas from the Honor
Rumble, a Royal Rumble like match to determine that nights opponent for Adam Cole.
In that weeks Honor Roll, ROHs weekly promo segment, before he could even speak
Mark Briscoe was attacked by Silas Young from the side. A week later Briscoe tried to
get at Young during the Honor Roll but was stopped by officials.
At Glory By Honor XII, Silas Young defeated Mark Briscoe with his feet on the rope and
post-match whipped him with a leather belt hed taken from referee Todd Sinclairs
pants. This is what has led to their Strap Match, another ROH first which happens at
Final Battle.
ROH World Championship Tournament; Final Battle
At Border Wars, Jay Briscoe defeated Adam Cole, post-match Cole threatened to hit
ay from behind but changed his mind at the last second, leaving the ring. Cole
promised to pursue to title once again but then went into a feud with Roderick Strong
who was annoyed by Coles increasingly bad attitude. Jay would go on to defend the
ROH World Championship at BITW against his brother Mark, and against Matt Hardy at
the TV tapings the following day, but that weekend rumors broke that The Briscoes
were done with the company, instead it was all a ploy.
In Jay Briscoes absence from the promotion as a character he began cutting promos
from his home begging Nigel McGuinness not to strip him of the World Championship
Nigel did and a tournament was set-up to determine a new champion. It would starton television and conclude at Death Before Dishonor IX in Philadelphia, the birthplace
and home of Ring of Honor I say home because ROH relocated to Baltimore this
summer.
Adam Cole and Michael Elgin were the hotly tipped favorites, Elgin opting not to be
handed the title after Nigel had offered due to him being the #1 Contender since
Supercard of Honor in April, as he vowed to do two things before becoming ROH
World Champion stop SCUM and defeat NJPWs Karl Anderson whod beaten him on
television in one of the TV matches of the year. Elgin helped stop SCUM and in the
tournament (coincidently) defeated Anderson to progress to the semi-finals at DeathBefore Dishonor where he would face Kevin Steen.
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Adam Cole was drawn against Tommaso Ciampa in the semi-finals of the tournament,
Ciampa having returned at Best In The World 2013 in Triple H-like fashion, ten months
after ACL surgery which many doctors view as near impossible. Ciampa was/is now a
fan favorite and despite giving Cole a challenge would tap out to the Figure Four
Leglock after Cole had worked over his previously torn ACL all match. Michael Elgin
would finally defeat Kevin Steen to advance but was exhausted, the two having gone
24 minutes and Elgin only having an hour to rest-up before the final.
In the final Adam Cole cleanly defeated Michael Elgin to win the ROH World
Championship, but he would have to be handed the title itself from Jay Briscoe who
was reluctant to do so, but off advice given to him from his dad Papa Briscoe said he
would as long as the person won the tournament like a man. He handed Cole the title
but as he turned to walk away, much like how hed threatened to do so at Border
Wars, Cole Superkicked him in the back of the head cementing his gradual heel turn
following his ROH World Championship victory.
ay Briscoe was pissed and would show up at ROH shows to attack Cole for what hed
done, claiming to still be ROH World Champion having never lost the belt. He wasnt
the only person with an argument though as Michael Elgin had pinned Cole in their
World Title Tournament final match, but Todd Sinclair was down and couldnt make
the count so he viewed himself as the Uncrowned World Champion. A match was
booked for Glory By Honor XII where the promotions champions would face their top
contenders in a Champions vs. All Stars match, where whoever pinned Cole would
receive a World Championship match. Jay Briscoe was banned from appearing at the
or any ROH event unless he had a doctors permit, which he received, promising to
show-up and beat Adam Cole.
After a 74 minute match, Michael Elgin pinned Adam Cole with an Elgin Bomb off the
top rope into the ring to earn his shot at Final Battle.Jay Briscoe would appear and lay
both men out, revealing his own World Championship belt, a custom made title,
claiming to be the Real ROH World Champion. Jay would defeat Kevin Steen at an
event titled The Golden Dream where Steen was originally supposed to face Cole for
the ROH World Championship, but Adam had to drop out due a concussion suffered
at Glory By Honor XII. Jay defeated Steen and on the word of Nigel McGuinness, would
be added to the ROH World Championship match at Final Battle, which takes place
December 14th, from the Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City, where the
Uncrowned World Champion, Michael Elgin faces the Real World Champion, JayBriscoe and the ROH World Champion, Adam Cole.
WHO IS ON THE ROH ROSTER?
Adam Cole; ROH World Champion in Kevin Kellys words he is, worth millions of
dollars, and is in the eyes of many a future headliner of the biggest events in
wrestling. Also competes for Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG) where he is PWG World
Champion. Formerly a member of Futureshock, a tag team with Kyle OReilly. Haspreviously held the ROH World TV Championship.
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*ACH* one of the most athletic men in all of wrestling, joined ROH at the start of
2013 after impressing in the Top Prospect Tournament. Is one-half of Adrenaline
RUSH alongside TaDarius Thomas.
Adam Page 20-years-old and full of potential, Adam Page featured for ROH in the
2013 Top Prospect Tournament. It took awhile but after a good TV match with Silas
Young, Page was signed to ROH. His biggest match to date was against NJPWs
KUSHIDA at All Star Extravaganza V.
Bobby Fish; ROH World Tag Team Champion Bobby Fish has been one of
the most impressive ROH performers of 2013. Remaining undefeated until Glory By
Honor XII where he was pinned by Michael Elgin. Fish has spent a majority of his
career competing in Japan for NOAH, also featured for EVOLVE after its inception. Is
of reDRagon alongside Kyle OReilly.
Caprice Coleman a veteran with over a decade of experience, Coleman is mostnotable for being of C&C Wrestle Factory with Cedric Alexander. He is also a real life
minister and motivational speaker.
Cedric Alexander young and full of potential, Cedric can often be found
competing for PWX in North Carolina where he is a former PWX Champion. Had a great
second-half of 2013 with a ton of great matches. Is of C&C Wrestle Factory with
Caprice Coleman.
Eddie Edwards first ever Triple Crown Champion in ROH. Eddie Edwards is viewed
by many fans as an ROH legend. First ever ROH World TV Champion, notable as of
The American Wolves alongside Davey Richards. Edwards makes his final ROHappearance at Final Battle.
Eddie Kingston recognized as Chikaras Grand Champion, Kingston is a notable
name in ROH history despite spending little time in the company. Has previously
fought Chris Hero in a Fight Without Honor, was banished from the company, returned
to face Kevin Steen for the ROH World Championship and returned as of Outlaw Inc
with Homicide.
Homicide former ROH World Champion, viewed as a cornerstone of ROH. Homicide
has had many enemies in ROH ranging from Samoa Joe to Bryan Danielson, Steve
Corino to Colt Cabana to Jim Cornette. of Outlaw Inc with Eddie Kingston.
ay Briscoe; Real World Champion had the first ever singles match in ROH in
2002 vs. Amazing Red. 8X ROH World Tag Team Champion with younger brother Mark,
former ROH World Champion, recognizes himself as the current Real World
Champion. Is of The Briscoes alongside Mark Briscoe.
ay Lethal made his ROH debut as Hydro, changed his name to Jay Lethal as he
became the protoge of Samoa Joe, challenged CM Punk for the ROH World
Championship during the Summer of Punk, former ROH World TV Champion, often
teams with Michael Elgin although not recognized as an official team.
imm Jacobs ROH veteran, former ROH World Tag Team Champion w/ Tyler Black
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and BJ Whitmer respectively. Former leader of The Age of the Fall. Former member of
SCUM. Nicknamed, The Zombie Princess.
Kevin Steen- Mr. Wrestling, former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team
Champion, viewed as the face of the company. Notable for his team/feud with El
Generico.
Kyle OReilly; ROH World Tag Team Champion former protoge of Davey
Richards, of current ROH World Tag Team Champions reDRagon with Bobby Fish.
Maria Kannelis- The First Lady of ROH a play off Miss Elizabeths monicker The
First Lady of Wrestling. Manages real life and on-screen fiance Michael Bennett.
Occasionally wrestles.
Mark Briscoe made his ROH debut at 18-years-old, youngest ROH World Tag Team
Champion of all-time at just below 20-years-old. Known for his Redneck Kung-Fu
gimmick, 8x ROH World Tag Team Champion and of The Briscoes with older brother
ay.
Matt Taven; ROH World TV Champion young, good look, managed by Truth
Martini, Scarlett Bordeaux, Kasey Ray and Seleyzia as The House of Truth. Defeated
Adam Cole cleanly to become ROH World TV Champion at the 11th Anniversary Show.
Longest reigning ROH World TV Champion of all-time.
Michael Bennett formerly The Prodigy Mike Bennett, viewed by many as a future
WWE Superstar, won the Top Prospect Tournament in 2011, managed by real-life
fiance Maria Kannelis.
Michael Elgin current fan favorite, known for his ability to put on a great match with
seemingly anyone as well as his amazing strength. Can hold a vertical suplex for over
a minute. Formerly a member of The House of Truth. Nicknamed, Unbreakable.
MsChif features regularly in the Women of Honor division. Notable for her work in
SHIMMER.
R.D. Evans known to Chikara fans as Archibald Peck. Former member of The
Embassy, of Marshall Law with QT Marshall. Now managed by secretary Veda Scott.
Roderick Strong- Mr. ROH, ROH veteran second Triple Crown Champion, former
member of Generation Next.
Scarlett Bordeaux a Hoopla Hottie in The House of Truth. Manages Matt Taven.
Silas Young independent wrestling veteran, The Last Real Man, nephew of Stan
The Lariat Hansen.
TaDarius Thomas trained by Truth Martini, former Mixed Martial Artist, utilizes his
Coperia style in wrestling, of Adrenaline RUSH with ACH.
Tommaso Ciampa- Sicilian Psychopath, former WWE developmental worker,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpMtaDuSEh8https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e83mLZQgBmkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya7iHzzZLo4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkSYCJsYG2Ihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL6FYFRJb0Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv_6sjF4vQAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KcAzBeeOu4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfeIYT4-bDYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeFs9gPGqIQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcjqH8beufghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZt0WSZeL7Qhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_CHzXceCYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I19K9wYqVt0 -
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played Muhammad Hassans lawyer on TV, returned from a torn ACL in 10 months, a
fan favorite, faces Matt Taven for the ROH World TV Championship at Final Battle.
Truth Martini long-time ROH manager. Has managed Roderick Strong to the ROH
World Championship, Christopher Daniels to the ROH World TV Championship, Matt
Taven to the ROH World TV Championship, managed Michael Elgin in 2012, leads TheHouse of Truth.
Veda Scott has featured once in the Women of Honor division vs.MsChif. Former
backstage interviewer/ringside attendant. Currently manages RD Evans as a secretary
for Marshall Law.
Part-Time:
Alex Koslov world traveled wrestler, contracted to NJPW, former ROH World Tag
Team Champion, former WWE developmental talent as Peter Orlov, of The Forever
Hooligans with Rocky Romero.
Antonio Thomas former member of The Hearthrobs in WWE. Has featured many
times for the promotion.
Athena Texas based female wrestler, featured in the Women of Honor division.
Brian Kendrick known to ROH fans as Spanky, returned to ROH in 2011, did so
again in 2012 competing in the ROH World Title Tournament suffering a first round
loss to Kevin Steen.
Cheeseburger student at the ROH school, a member of the ring crew, made hisROH debut at A Night of Hoopla teaming with Roderick Strong and challenging for the
ROH World Tag Team Championships. A fan favorite.
Cliff Compton debuted at the 11th Anniversary Show as a member of SCUM. Was
legitimately told by Jim Cornette hed be signed but never was. Departed following
SCUMs break-up, returned to interrupt a Kevin Steen promo in November after The
Golden Dream.
Corey Hollis of Alabama Attitude with Mike Posey. Will feature in the 2014 Top
Prospect Tournament.
Delirious ROH legend, behind-the-scenes head booker, former ROH World Tag
Team Champion.
essy Sorensen notable for his work in TNA, made ROH debut against Tommaso
Ciampa at Glory By Honor XII in a losing effort.
Karl Anderson nicknamed The Machine Gun or Machine Gunka, contracted to
NJPW, featured in 2013 twice against Michael Elgin and once against Roderick Strong,
member of NJPWs Bulletclub stable with Prince Devitt and The Young Bucks among
others.
Kasey Ray a Hoopla Hottie, member of The House of Truth, manages Matt Taven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCxr2B7Vrkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSkhzqjCJ8s -
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KUSHIDA contracted to NJPW, appeared at All Star Extravaganza V against Adam
Page. of The Time Splitters with Alex Shelley.
Matt Hardy made his ROH debut in 2004, everyone loved him for screaming the
promotions name on Raw. Returned in 2012, everyone hated him because [enterreason here]. Former member of SCUM. Calls himself an ICON and the Jesus
Christ of Professional Wrestling.
Mike Mondo formerly Mikey of The Spirit Squad, competed regularly in ROH
between 2011 and late 2012. Released in 2013 but featured at Manhattan Mayhem V
in a losing effort to Matt Taven.
Mike Posey of Alabama Attitude with Corey Hollis.
Monster Mafia (Josh Alexander and Ethan Page) known for their work in AIW
(Absolute Intense Wrestlimg). Made their ROH debuts in October, were booked forNovember but had to cancel due to Visa issues.
Paul London ROH legend, returned to the company at Border Wars after a near ten
year absence.
QT Marshall of Marshall Law with RD Evans. Appeared as a jobber on an episode
of NXT.
Raymond Rowe made his ROH debut during Honor in the Heart of Texas. Will
feature in the 2014 Top Prospect Tournament.
Ricky Marvin world travelled wrestler, known for his stints in Pro Wrestling NOAH
and CMLL. Faced Roderick Strong and Davey Richards during Death Before Dishonor
XI weekend in 2013.
Rocky Romero former multiple time ROH World Tag Team Champion with Davey
Richards as No Remorse Corps and Alex Koslov as The Forever Hooligans. of The
Forever Hooligans with Alex Koslov.
Seleyzia a Hoopla Hottie, member of The House of Truth, the bodyguard of Matt
Taven.
Sonjay Dutt has featured on and off for many years. Most recent appearance in
the ROH World Title Tournament, a first round TV loss to Jay Lethal.
Taiji Ishimori Pro Wrestling NOAH star, competed against Eddie Edwards and
Roderick Strong during Border Wars weekend.
The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) well known independent tag team.
Signed ROH contract in 2011 following TNA release, rarely used as Jim Cornette didnt
like them. Returned in 2013 at All Star Extravaganza. Will face Adrenaline RUSH at Final
Battle.
Authorities/Announcers/etc
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Nigel McGuinness; Matchmaker ROH legend, on-screen authority, former ROH
World Champion, ROH Pure Champion, formerly Desmond Wolfe of TNA, part-time
color commentator.
oe Koff; COO Sinclair Broadcasting Executive, usually appears to enhance anangle or make an announcement.
Cary Silkin; Ambassador former Owner, always hands the new World Champion
the title as a show of respect, sits front row at a majority of ROH shows.
BJ Whitmer; Ambassador ROH legend, former ROH World Tag Team Champion,
featured heavily in the ROH vs. CZW war, retired after a career ending injury at All Star
Extravaganza V.
Kevin Kelly; Play-by-Play former WWE commentator/backstage interviewer.
Steve Corino; Color Commentator ROH legend, former ECW World Heavyweight
Champion, former ROH World Tag Team Champion, former NWA World Heavyweight
Champion, former leader of SCUM, The King of Old School.
Bobby Cruise; Ring Announcer ROH veteran, lead announcer.
Larry Legend; Secondary Announcer/Backstage Interviewer N/A
Notable Alumni
Adam PearceAJ Styles former ROH World Tag Team Champion, ROH Pure Champion
Alex Shelley
Alexis Laree (Mickie James)
Amazing Red former ROH World Tag Team Champion
Austin Aries former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion
Brodie Lee (Luke Harper)
Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag
Team Champion
Chris Hero former ROH World Tag Team Champion
Chris Sabin
Christopher Daniels former ROH World TV Champion
Claudio Castagnoli (Antonio Cesaro) former ROH World Tag Team Champion
CM Punk former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion
Colt Cabana former ROH World Tag Team Champion
Davey Richards former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team Champion
Douglas Williams - former ROH Pure Champion
Eddie Guerrero
Erick Stevens
Fit Finlay
Go Shiozaki
Jack Evans
Jerry Lynn former ROH World Champion
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Jigsaw
Jim Cornette manager, head booker, authority figure
Joey Matthews (Joey Mercury)
Kenny King former ROH World Tag Team Champion
Kenny Omega
KENTAKenta Kobashi
Lance Storm
Larry Sweeney (RIP)
Low Ki former ROH World Champion
Matt Sydal (Evan Bourne) former ROH World Tag Team Champion
Mick Foley
Naomichi Marufuji
Necro Butcher
Raven
RhinoRicky Reyes
Samoa Joe former ROH World Champion, ROH Pure Champion
Sara Del Rey
Takeshi Morishima former ROH World Champion
Teddy Hart
Terry Funk
Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) former ROH World Champion, ROH World Tag Team
Champion
FINAL BATTLE 2013
Date:December 14, 2013 Location:Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan Center,
New York City
ROH World ChampionshipAdam Cole (c) vs. Jay Briscoe vs. Michael Elgin
ROH World Tag Team ChampionshipsreDRagon (Kyle OReilly & Bobby Fish) vs.
Outlaw Inc (Homicide & Eddie Kingston)
ROH World Television ChampionshipMatt Taven (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Stretcher Match Loser Loses their PiledriverKevin Steen vs. Michael Bennett
w/ Maria Kannelis
Eddie Edwards Farewell MatchEddie Edwards & ??? vs. Roderick Strong & Jay
Lethal
Strap MatchMark Briscoe vs. Silas Young
Tag Team MatchThe Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Adrenaline RUSH (ACH& TaDarius Thomas)
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Singles MatchAdam Page vs. Matt Hardy
Adam Cole wrote in a blog in late November that he had invited a special
guest to Final Battle, his mentor whod watch him retain his ROH World
Championship. Who is Adam Cole referring to?
After Davey Richards spoke poorly of the company ROH decided not to give him
his farewell match and instead give the spot solely to Davey Richards. Nigel
McGuinness and ROH have promised Eddies tag team partner will be someone
special, who could it be?
Following his Trial Series, Jimmy Jacobs was told by ROH management that he
wouldnt be included in Final Battle, Jacobs is now petitioning to get a match. Will
the Zombie Princess appear?
How & When Can I Watch Final Battle?
ROH has promised that Final Battle will be available on Monday at ROHWrestling.com.
HOW CAN I WATCH RING OF HONOR WRESTLING?
Head to ROHWrestling.comand sign-up to become a member. If you wish to sign a
subscription youll receive extras such as the Video on Demand service which lets
you watch a ton of past ROH TV shows, PPVs, iPPVs and events. If you dont want to
pay a subscription every Thursday, Ring of Honor Wrestling becomes available to GAmembers, for free.
An alternative to this is to head over to WatchWrestling.netwhere Ring of Honor
Wrestling is uploaded weekly as well as VOD events. Here are links to the last three
episodes of Ring of Honor Wrestling plus Glory by Honor XII in-full which includes the
unedited 74 minute Champions vs. All Stars Match:
Glory by Honor XII October 26, 2013; Champions vs. All Stars, Paul London vs.
Roderick Strong
Ring of Honor Wrestling November 23, 2013; Eddie Edwards vs. Jay Lethal, Jay
Briscoe vs. Silas Young
Ring of Honor Wrestling November 30, 2013; Adam Cole vs. Jimmy Jacobs, Davey
Richards vs Roderick Strong
Ring of Honor Wrestling December 7, 2013; Michael Elgin vs. Jay Lethal vs. Roderick
Strong vs. Matt Taven
Feel free to post any questions you may have below!
Apologies for any formatting issues.
http://watchwrestling.net/watch-roh-wrestling-12713/%5dhttp://watchwrestling.net/watch-roh-wrestling-113013/http://watchwrestling.net/watch-roh-wrestling-112313/http://watchwrestling.net/watch-roh-glory-honor-xii-102613/http://tmp/www.watchwrestling.nethttp://tmp/www.rohwrestling.comhttp://tmp/www.rohwrestling.com -
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I will edit this over the weekend when I have time.
I hope this assists any aspiring viewers into checking out the product. As a lifelong
wrestling fan whose watched everything from WWE to TNA, ECW to WCW, NWA to
numerous indies, since 2004 Ive not been able to give up on Ring of Honor. If fans
crave an alternative to the WWE then people need to get behind something and IMOtheres no promotion more deserving than Ring of Honor.