Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
We continue on with Mark and Jay Briscoe. When this company launched, Mark wasn't even legally allowed to wrestle for it in Philly because he was too young. Talk about two talents that grew up under the banner and are the true forefathers of the company. Maria Kanellis returned in her role as the manager of ROH Tag Team Champions The OGK.
Cary Silkin joined the commentary booth for this one. Cary is the man. Like Tod Gordon, he spent a lot of money on the wrestling he wanted to see and spent a lot of time, money and effort creating the stage for a lot of young men and women to have a place where they could learn, make money and find themselves as stars. Cary did it out of love and if anyone ever tells you otherwise, they are full of absolute sh**. Pro wrestling is a better place because of Cary.
Lots of good back and forth wrestling here. Taven went for his big dive but took out his own partner, Mike Bennett, by accident. During the match, Cary thanked Sid Eick, Ross Abrams, ROH's old PR flack Mike G, Gabe Sapolsky and Adam Pearce for everything they did for ROH. Mark Briscoe battled back from a two on one. Jay Briscoe was busted open.
They battled back and forth with good action where they really took it to each other. Lots of big moves. Maria was taken out. Crazy near falls. They kept going with tons of good exchanges. Some AWESOME near falls. Matt Taven kicked out of the Jay-Driller for the first time in his career. They keep going under The Briscoes win the titles one more time to close things out. That's how it should be.
The Briscoes said it might be the end of an era but it's not the end of the Briscoes. They said any team that wants a piece of them, they are righ here. The lights went out and when they returned, it was AEW'S FTR. They started brawling. There had been some back and forth on Twitter between the two. There was a massive pullapart. They started brawling again. Obviously, Tony Khan sent them tonight to give ROH something extra as the lights fade.
ALL OF THIS WAS AWESOME. The match and the angle.
The last video message was from Bryan Danielson. He said that if it wasn't for the opportunities given to him in ROH, he wouldn't be where he is. He talked about his Final Battle matches with Homicide and Takeshi Morishima. He thanked the company but said he wanted to thank the fans for making ROH what it was. He said he hopes ROH does stick around, but whatever happens, he says thank you from the bottom of his heart.
They aired a video package showing every former ROH World Champion.
Before the main, I do want to mention Joe Koff. Had it not been for Joe, ROH would have faded away a long time before tonight. Cary Silkin was looking at shutting down in the wake of Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinnness leaving and if it hadn't been for Jim Cornette and Gary Juster delivering the company to Joe, there would have been a lot of talents who never had the chance to appear and lots of moments that never would have taken place under the ROH umbrella. You can call into question moves that were made over the last decade, but without Koff as the company's protector and cheerleader within Sinclair, ROH would have died a long, long time ago.
Now, it's time to close the chapter, the door and the era with Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham for the ROH World title. AEW sending Lethal back really saved ROH's rear end tonight.
Some good back and forth technical action early on. Lethal gained control but Gresham kept having the solution for every Lethal problem, until he was hit with a big powerslam. Back and forth dueling chants. All that stuff started with ROH's Epic Encounter - Paul London (who should have been shouted out tonight as the first true self-made ROH babyface that had never been established elsewhere) vs. Bryan Danielson.
They went back and forth, countering each other's work and scoring near falls. Lethal eacaped the Backlund Bridge but was drilled in the arm. Gresham began focusing on that extremity. They began to chop each other back and forth. Jay gained control but Gresham rolled out of the way of a potential flying elbow. Some great nearfall combinations I expect we'll see others utilize in the weeks to come. Lethal whipped out the Torture Race. Lethal's bad arm gave out during an attempted Lethal Injection. Gresham went for the crossface chickenwing and finally scored it. Lethal fought to his way with Gresham hanging on his back, turning it into a cutter.
The ROH locker room surrounded the ring for the end of the final ROH title bout. They battled back and forth. Near falls galore. Lethal went for Lethal Injection but was caught with a backslide. Gresham locked in an Octopus and Lethal tapped.
Your winner and new ROH Champion, Jonathan Gresham, closing the door on ROH as we knew it.
Fittingly, Cary Silkin presented the belt to Gresham. His wife, Jordynne Grace, hit the ring to be there for the moment.
The PPV ended with the words WHEN ONE ERA ENDS, ANOTHER BEGINS. APRIL 2022. I sure hope that is the case.
ROH changed a lot of lives and if we are going to be honest, my own. I made a lot of wonderful friends thanks to ROH and traveled to I don't know how many cities across the country in order to do that. We saw everyone from Kenta Kobashi to Jushin Liger to Paul London to Low Ki grace their rings, and it was a pleasure covering it and being there for so many moments. They ran Madison Square Garden. Like, come on, how cool was that, minus the Enzo and Cass garbage?
I am very blessed to have covered Ring of Honor from before Gabe Sapolsky's wife Rebecca came up with the official name of the promotion to what may have been the very bitter end tonight. Through the fun stories and the crappy ones, the highs and the lows of the promotion, all of it helped me build my name as a reporter over the last two decades. Thanks to all of you for allowing me to have that privilege.
I want to thank you for reading this, and just in general for supporting everyone at PWInsider.com.
I honestly have no idea when I'll resume my normal schedule, audios and duties here given everything going on, but I'll do as much as I can.
I'm going to go be there for my dad and my family now.
So, until I see you again, thank you and I'll see you soon.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
