Original Air Date: January 7, 2018
Event Date: December 16, 2017
City: Philadelphia, PA
Venue: 2300 Arena
Commentary: Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana
Ring Announcer: Bobby Cruise
Video
Clips of Final Battle 2017 are shown, including Dalton Castle beating Cody for the ROH World Title.
Intro Video
“War Zone” by 615 Music
Ring Area
The new ROH World Champ, Dalton Castle, heads to the ring with The Boys. Castle is very happy to be out there tonight. He’s made a lot of mistakes in his life, but being in Ring of Honor was never a mistake. People told him he’d never be champ, but he’s learned a lot since then. Cody tried to beat Castle down, but he kept getting up and became the champ. Castle isn’t just a big fish in a little pond, he’s a megalodon.
Jay Lethal comes out and heads to the ring. Castle is mockingly shocked. Lethal has never attempted to interact with Castle, so why could he possibly be out here tonight? Lethal thinks Castle is a “strange dude,” but he’s also holding the ROH World title which makes him the best wrestler in the world. Lethal wants his shot.
Castle wants to discuss this like “grown ass men,” so he offers Lethal a seat on one of his boys. Lethal tries to sit but refuses. Lethal wants to leave, but before he goes, he wants his name at the top of Castle’s list. Castle agrees, so Lethal leaves happy.
Punishment Martinez then rushes into the ring and attacks Castle from behind. Martinez holds up the ROH World Title while Castle is down and The Boys appear too shocked to do anything.
Backstage
The Kindgom is coming for everyone and every title in 2018.
Match 1
ROH World TV Title Match
Simon Grimm vs Silas Young (ROH TV Champ) w/ Beer City Bruiser
(referee: Paul Turner)
Result: Silas Young wins via pinfall after Misery and retains the title
Time: 4:52 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. Grimm showed some impressive strength and some good moves, but Young seemed to be a few steps ahead of Grimm for most of this match. Young combined his strength with his surprising agility to put together a good fight in his first title defense.
Ring Area
After the match, Kenny King comes out to the stage. King says that Young stole his TV Title at Final Battle by hitting on the head with a bottle. Silas says King is stupid and doesn’t know how the pro wrestling business works. It’s all about results, and Silas is the champ. King says this isn’t about a rematch, he’s already filed to get one. King is just out here to fight.
Young tells Bruiser to back off. He’s got this. King gets up on the apron and spits beer in Young’s face. King gets in the ring as referees rush in to separate the two men and prevent a brawl.
Video
Still images from the Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer versus Briscoes match at Final Battle are shown.
Video
A clip of Ian Riccaboni announcing the Women of Honor title and tournament.
Match 2
The Briscoes vs Ryan Nova & Eli Isom
(referee: Mike Posey)
Result: Mark Briscoe pins Eli Isom after a Froggy Bow
Time: 1:33
Match Thoughts
Squash.
Ring Area
After the match, Mark Briscoe talks about ending Bully Ray’s career at Final Battle. Next on The Briscoes’ list is taking the ROH Tag Titles from the Motor City Machine Guns. Mark says the Guns are good, but no one is on the level of The Briscoes.
Backstage
Beer City Bruiser wants Silas Young to calm down. Bruiser also wants to go after tag team gold. Young says he already has a title, but Bruiser says he has a guy in mind he wants to tag with. Young gives Bruiser his blessing to go for the tag titles with a new partner.
Backstage
The Young Bucks and Hangman Page are still upset about SoCal Uncensored attacking them at Final Battle. If The Addiction and Scorpio Sky want a 6-Man Title match that badly, they can have one.
Match 3
Flip Gordon vs Marty Scurll (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champ)
(referee: Todd Sinclair)
Result: Marty Scurll wins via pinfall after a Ghostbuster
Time: 11:26 (2 breaks)
Match Thoughts
Great match. Flip Gordon lived up to his name, flipping and flopping around the ring early in the match. Gordon was able to throw Scurll off at first, but Scurll eventually figured out how to attack Gordon despite his unusual movements in the ring. What started as sort of a fun comedy match turned into quite competitive fight in the later stages. Gordon and Scurll worked well together, moving all around the ring and ringside area trading holds and strikes. There are a few nice near falls before the well-done finish.
Show Impressions
Good show. Even though it was taped in 2017, it felt like a good way to start 2018. The reign of Dalton Castle will be fun.
Match of the Night
Flip Gordon vs Marty Scurll
I could watch this match a few times in a row. This set a high bar for ROH TV in 2018.