Review: ROH Final Battle 2024

ROH Final Battle is LIVE from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York!

As usual with this stuff, I’ll keep the Zero Hour (watch here) stuff free to read about — partially because I keep myself free to make food or whatever during that hour — and then the main show will be behind the paywall. You gotta know what I think of Mansoor vs Atlantis Jr and don’t even act like you don’t, so buy yourself an early Christmas gift with a paid subscription today!

(And seriously, it’s deeply appreciated and helpful/encouraging, thank you so much if you’re a subscriber!)

Zero Hour!

• Grizzled Young Veterans vs John Silver & Alex Reynolds: “Some people play too much in the locker room,” Caprice explains as GYV’s motivation to beat up Dark Order. “Johnny Hungiee” sure is funny! But the match is alright, once they pick up the tempo they’re doing the opening match thing of setting the tone. I mean, it’s, you know, the first opening match. Whatever opens the main show behind the HonorClub paywall is also the opening match with the same job. That’s what makes these pre-shows funky. GYV win, the match is fine. ***

• HANAKO vs Harley Cameron: People are saying “Harleystein Ballroom.” I’m hearing this more and more. Expecting some chop here, honestly. Harley’s making great strides, Hanako is promising, but there’s obviously going to be a lack of familiarity with them. That’s not a bad thing, you only develop familiarity by, you know, developing it, but still. Yeah, it’s a little rocky, but it’s very enthusiastic on both sides, and it’s fun enough to watch them try to figure this out. Hanako maybe doesn’t kick out when she was meant to kick out, but whatever. The Rampage watchers of the building want to help Harley be more over than this is. Hanako does get the win. Not going to lie and say it was great, but both added some experience and a Hammerstein match. Harley observes the Code of Honor because she is a professional.

• Mike Bennett & Matt Taven vs The Infantry: Five years ago, Matt Taven won the ROH title at Madison Square Garden. It’s a crazy world. Take that however you wish.¹ Infantry have been unbeaten since joining Shane Taylor Promotions but this is definitely a step up in their competition. Good match; Bennett and Taven are a terrific tag team. Would be kinda sick if AEW actually had a tag team division even if it’s not going to feature the post-prime Young Bucks and the FTRs so much anymore. The Kingdom boys win it because they’re not the average scrub AEW G-League team for the Infantry to rack up a paper record against. Callin’ it like I see it! Also how I see it, for real: Good match and the Infantry are also a good team. ***¼

• “LeEJ” vs Gates of Agony: It’s Lee Johnson and EJ Nduka. That is a terrible eFed name and should be thrown in the bin. Gates of Agony is just dorky. The Gates teased a possible split on HonorClub this week after Johnson beat Bishop Kaun in a singles match. Nduka and Toa Liona hammering one another a bit. Very different style of tag match from the other two tag matches on Zero Hour, at least. And there’s a bit of story here. Johnson gets stuck fighting the Numbers Game but what do you know, he gets the better of both guys. But not for long. He does kick out of their finish, so I think this tag team is officially dead. They try it a second time and that time it works. Never mind! Well then. That’s an odd choice. Nduka just kinda hanging out, as is often the case. Post-match, both Gates offer the Code of Honor and embrace a bit, maybe the Gates have found a newfound respect. They’re all raising arms now, so no — but it’s “LeEJ” who attack! And they’re going to be Diesel & Shawn, it seems. ***

On to the main show!