ROH: New Beginnings

[Just Juice]

Episode Six

Honor 101 would begin with a cold open as AJ Styles would stand in the ring and make it known that he didn't see there being a benefit in having to wait another three weeks before himself and Jerry Lynn would tangle in the ring for their second match in their best of five series. Instead he would strongly suggest that the wily old goat make their way out from the back and face him right now at the very top of the show. Lynn was never someone to turn away from being called out and would emerge from behind the curtain ready to accept the challenge and kick the night off with a bang.

- Match One - Best of Fiver Series -
| AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn |
Their first encounter at Final Battle 2002 set the bar high, with Lynn earning the initial victory. This second chapter began at a blistering pace, both men countering each other’s signature moves like they’d studied every step. Styles relied on explosive athleticism crisp dropkicks, springboard forearms, and lightning-quick reversals while Lynn matched him move for move with ring awareness and flawless timing. Midway through the bout, Styles began targeting Lynn’s neck and shoulder, slowing the pace with methodical holds and a backbreaker to cut off Lynn’s veteran momentum. But Lynn’s resilience kept him alive; every time Styles built rhythm, Lynn found a counter. The two traded near falls: Styles hitting a spinebuster into a kip-up, Lynn countering with a tilt-a-whirl DDT that drew a standing ovation. The closing minutes saw the action spill to the apron, where Styles attempted a Styles Clash to the floor. Lynn fought out, sending AJ crashing into the barricade before rolling him back inside and nailing the Cradle Piledriver for the emphatic three-count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn (lead series 2-0)

After the bell, Styles sat stunned in the corner while Lynn offered a nod of respect before heading up the ramp. Commentary noted that while Lynn now holds a commanding lead in the series, Styles’ frustration is clearly boiling, making their next meeting all the more volatile. The added point would me made by Prazak that if Styles lost he would not be able to compete on Ring of Honor for the rest of the calendar year with the chances of Lynn being forced to retire seeming less and less likely.

* * *

The Sandman who hadn't been seen since his match against Ronn Killings for the ROH World Championship would speak backstage with Pamela Paulshock. The former ECW loyalist would vent that his chance of becoming the world champion had been stolen by outside interference and that he wasn't one to put the past in the past and let go of grudges as he would turn to his left and joined by the infamous Sabu. The Sandman would inform The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki) that at the Anniversary Show he had the match set in stone that all four men would meet in Tornado Tag No DQ match and he promised that their would be blood. To add some extra spice to the build up, he would confirm that Sabu would make his ROH in-ring debut later on tonight against Minoru Suzuki.

* * *

- Match Two - Singles Match -
| Hirooki Goto vs. Charlie Haas |
The second match of the night featured two technically gifted competitors looking to climb the ROH ranks, as Japan’s Hirooki Goto faced the powerhouse technician Charlie Haas, who was still seeking his first victory since debuting in Ring of Honor. The opening exchange was crisp and deliberate, both men testing each other with takedowns and grappling holds. Goto’s speed and aggression gave him the early advantage, landing sharp forearms and a running lariat that sent Haas reeling into the corner. But Haas, known for his patience and ring IQ, adapted quickly cutting Goto off with a precision drop toe hold into a crossface variation that shifted the pace in his favor. Haas began systematically targeting Goto’s left arm, working joint manipulation and suplex combinations to wear him down. Goto fought back valiantly, hitting a backdrop suplex and a spinning heel kick for a close near fall, but Haas’ determination shone through. After dodging Goto’s lariat, Haas exploded with a German suplex trio, holding the bridge on the third for a dramatic two-count. In the final moments, Goto went for a desperate clothesline, only for Haas to catch him mid-motion and transition flawlessly into the Haas of Pain submission. Trapped in the center of the ring, Goto had no choice but to tap out.

Winner: Charlie Haas

The crowd applauded as Haas stood tall, celebrating his first ROH victory. Goto offered a respectful handshake, which Haas accepted a show of sportsmanship that underscored ROH’s emphasis on competition and respect and perhaps that the Pure Rules element that Danielson was promoting was starting to be proactively be believed in by other members of the roster.

* * *

Christopher Daniels would cut a promo from the Triple X locker-room room area although do so without either Elix or Low Ki anywhere to be seen. Daniels would demand that Killings give him a shot at the ROH World Championship and the fact that he had held the champ down for the three count meant that from his point of view he deserved for that shot at the belt at a big time event and so was thus expecting the shot to be granted at the Anniversary Show. Daniels would offer high praise to Low Ki and would admit he had expected him to get a direct shot at the belt first, but he wasn't one to let an opportunity pass him by. Before he could say anything more he would be blindsided with a steel chair being driven into the back of his head as he would collapse to the floor with none other than Killings standing over the fallen Daniels. Killings would shout that Daniels had got lucky and only big names got to appear in pay per view main-event, but if Daniels managed to dust himself and recompose himself then he would give him a shot at the belt tonight. To add insult to injury Killings would punt Daniels in the ribs before walking out of shot leaving Daniels look worse for wear and really not in the best fighting position to challenge for the belt later on this evening.

* * *

- Match Three - Singles Match -
| Sabu vs. Minoru Suzuki |
In one of the most anticipated bouts of the night, hardcore legend Sabu made his Ring of Honor debut against the calculating and ruthless Minoru Suzuki, representing The Kill Team. What followed was a fascinating clash of chaos and control Sabu’s wild, unpredictable offense meeting Suzuki’s cold, methodical precision. From the start, Sabu went full throttle, launching himself at Suzuki with a running chair-assisted leg lariat and immediately sending the match spilling to the outside. He used his trademark unpredictability - hurling chairs, leaping off the barricade, and keeping Suzuki completely off balance. The crowd erupted as Sabu hit a diving moonsault from the apron to the floor, showcasing why his reputation preceded him. Suzuki weathered the early storm, biding his time. Once he got Sabu grounded, the match turned violent in a different way - Suzuki targeting Sabu’s arm with brutal submissions and joint locks, grinning coldly as the referee checked for a break. Every time Sabu tried to fire back, Suzuki found a counter, transitioning into holds that twisted limbs at impossible angles. Just as Sabu began to rally, hitting an Arabian Facebuster and signaling for a triple jump moonsault, Monty Brown made his way down the ramp, shouting at Sabu and drawing his attention. The distraction was enough as the referee warned Brown, Suzuki struck from behind with a low blow, sending Sabu to his knees. Suzuki then rolled him up with a tight small package for the three-count.

Winner: Minoru Suzuki

After the match, Suzuki smirked as Brown entered the ring to raise his hand, both men taunting the fallen Sabu. The crowd booed heavily until The Sandman would emerge with two kendo sticks in hand chuck one to Sabu. The boos would transform to cheers as the former ECW members would go on the offensive and proceed to chase both members of The Kill Team not just backstage, but cameras would actually get footage of Suzuki and Brown jumping into a car and driving away from the arena to avoid further backlash.

* * *

Doug Williams would appear frustrated and annoyed as he would state he was annoyed that Jeff Jarrett had insulted him greatly by picking Sterling and not himself to be a member of his team of four at the Anniversary Show and would make the point that he wasn't going to miss out on the match and would confirm that he had agreed to team up alongside James, Waltman and Konnan and looked forward not only breaking a guitar over Jarrett's head but reminding the word that he had always been the strongest link of Home & Away.

* * *

- Main Event - ROH World Championship -
| Ronn Killings (c) vs. Christopher Daniels |
After the brutal backstage assault earlier in the night, few believed Christopher Daniels would even make it to the ring - let alone challenge for the ROH World Championship. But as the lights dimmed and 'The Fallen Angel' theme hit, Daniels emerged slowly from the curtain, ribs taped, and a visible gash above his eyebrow. The crowd rose to their feet, rallying behind him as he stepped into the ring to face the ever-arrogant Ronn Killings, who swaggered out with the title draped over his shoulder, smirking with confidence. From the opening bell, Killings toyed with his wounded challenger, taunting him with slaps and evasive footwork. Every move Daniels tried seemed to backfire his strikes lacked their usual precision, and Killings targeted his taped ribs mercilessly with knee lifts and gutbusters. But Daniels refused to stay down. Every time Killings went for the cover, Daniels kicked out slower each time, but with growing defiance. The turning point came midway through when Killings went for a flying forearm, only for Daniels to counter with a desperation uranage slam, both men crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted, sensing a possible comeback.

Daniels fought through the pain, stringing together a burst of offense a blue thunder bomb, a standing enzuigiri, and a diving clothesline that nearly leveled the champion. Killings tried to regroup, looking to his corner for support, but The Kill Team: Monty Brown and Minoru Suzuki were nowhere to be found, reportedly barred from ringside earlier in the night after a backstage altercation. For the first time, Killings was truly on his own. In the closing moments, Killings hit the Lie Detector and seemed to have the match won, but Daniels somehow got a foot on the bottom rope. Enraged, Killings grabbed the title belt and tried to use it as a weapon, only for the referee to pull it away. That split-second distraction gave Daniels the opening he needed a kick to the gut, followed by the Angel’s Wings in the center of the ring. The crowd counted along: one, two, three! And the arena exploded.

Winner: Christopher Daniels (to become the new ROH World Champion)

Daniels collapsed to his knees as the referee handed him the belt, blood on his face and tears in his eyes. The fans chanted “Fallen Angel! Fallen Angel!” as he held the title high, the culmination of months of determination and the ultimate statement of defiance against The Kill Team’s dominance. The show closed on Daniels standing tall on the turnbuckles, championship raised, while Killings was shown storming up the ramp, shouting that Daniels’ win was a “fluke.” But the truth was undeniable Christopher Daniels had overcome the odds and claimed the top prize in Ring of Honor and changed the entire main-event landscape in the process.​

 

[Just Juice]

In a clear bid to encourage fans in Philadelphia to attend pre-recorded episodes live from 'The 101' (Murphy Recreation Center - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) in the next slot of episodes [Episode 9-17] that will build up to the Best In The World PPV that will see the promotion return to the Printscape Arena in Pittsburgh. A tournament will take place featuring two pools each made up of five wrestlers that will face off in a round robin tournament, with the top two from each pool facing off in final matches at the pay per view. The prize and focus of this tournament will be centered around a brand new championship belt - the X-Division Championship.

The championship will be established as a second tier belt with a focus on fast-paced, acrobatic wrestling and that will have 15-minute time limits during episode of 'Honor 101' but with the option of being extended at major events. The ten men that will feature in this tournament have yet to be announced, although rumours suggest that a few member of the current NJPW roster may feature but as of yet nothing has been confirmed. ​

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Seven

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage. The cameras would cut to the office of Simon Diamond (Head of Talent Relations) who would offer high praise to Christopher Daniels for becoming only the second man to be in possession of the ROH World Championship. Diamond would book a match to start off the night to determine the man who would challenge Daniels for the belt at the Anniversary revealing that former champion Ronn Killings, Steve Corino, Shane Douglas & Silvio Maritato would square off in a Four Way Dance and if any person interfered in the match they would be given a life time ban from ROH. This was clearly done to prevent The Kill Team from getting involved in aiding Killings in getting an easier chance of reclaiming the belt.

* * *

- Match One - #1 Contender's Match -
| Ronn Killings vs. Steve Corino vs. Shane Douglas vs. Silvio Maritato |
The match began with chaotic energy, each man bringing a different style to the table. Douglas and Corino exchanged stiff strikes, reigniting their long-standing rivalry, while Maritato used his technical prowess to frustrate Killings early on, catching him with quick takedowns and submission holds that forced the former champion to regroup on the outside. Corino was the first eliminated after a surprise roll-up from Maritato, but his frustration showed immediately attacking Maritato from behind with a forearm before exiting, leaving the Italian star vulnerable. Killings pounced, hitting the Lie Detector to score the second elimination, leaving only himself and Douglas. The final stretch turned into a fight between two veterans with something to prove. Killings used his athleticism to wear Douglas down, landing a top-rope leg drop for a near fall, but Douglas refused to quit. He rallied with a series of clotheslines and a swinging neckbreaker before catching Killings with a Franchiser DDT out of nowhere for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Shane Douglas

Douglas looked incredibly pleased with himself and would take the opportunity to openly mock Killings who look less than pleased before exiting to the back. Daniels was shown watching from backstage, title over his shoulder and a subtle smirk on his face, ready to meet his next challenger at the upcoming Anniversary Show.

* * *

It would be confirmed in a short promo made by Paul London, that he would be tuning up by facing off against one of the men he would be teaming up with at the Anniversary Show Bryan Danielson and couldn't think of a better way to do it than in a Pure Rules match. London alongside Danielson was a big fan favourite, so this match alone was enough to generate a buzz from the 101 faithful.

* * *

- Match Two - Pure Rules Match -
| Bryan Danielson vs. Paul London |
The second bout of the night was a technical masterpiece under Pure Rules, pitting two of ROH’s most gifted young stars against one another — Bryan Danielson, the embodiment of precision and discipline, versus the explosive high-flyer Paul London, whose heart and athleticism have made him one of the most beloved names on the roster. The match began cautiously, with both men feeling each other out through chain wrestling and clean breaks. Danielson immediately looked to control the pace, working London’s left arm and forcing him into early rope breaks. London answered with bursts of energy quick dropkicks and a standing moonsault that earned him a near fall and the crowd’s approval. As the match wore on, Danielson’s strategy became clear: slow the pace, isolate a limb, and dismantle London piece by piece. He tied London up in complex holds, bending his opponent in ways that drew gasps from the audience. London refused to stay down, countering into a series of flash pins and landing a desperate superkick that nearly stole the win. But the turning point came when London went for the 450 Splash and missed, crashing hard on his already injured arm. Danielson immediately capitalized, locking in the Cattle Mutilation in the center of the ring. With no rope breaks remaining and nowhere to go, London was forced to submit.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

After the bell, Danielson helped London to his feet and offered a respectful handshake with Gorman noting that Danielson continues to look untouchable in Pure Rules competition and now held a record of 4-0 on Honor 101 (and an overall Pure Rules record of 7-1, with the singular loss being to Samoa Joe). Prazak would add that although the 'American Dragon' was an expert of the discipline that had only ever been one other Pure Rules match that hadn't featured Danielson as a competitor.

* * *

In a promo that was clearly recorded off location Kaz Hayashi would offer high praise for the tag team Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red) as he spoke in Japanese with subtitles offered. Hayashi would confirm that himself and Whipwreck had come to agreement and decided that Redscape would be the team that would face them at the Anniversary Show with the tag team straps up for grabs.

* * *

Simon Diamond would make an additional announcement that would confirm that next week's episode would provide an opportunity for the rest of the talent that wasn't booked to compete at 'A Year of Honor: ROH Anniversary Show' to impress him and that not a single man or woman booked to compete would feature on next week's episode.

* * *

- Main Event - Singles Match -
| Samoa Joe vs. Elix Skipper w/ Low Ki |
The main event of Honor 101 was a brutal and emotional showdown that served as the final step toward the highly anticipated Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki clash at the upcoming ROH Anniversary Show. Joe faced Elix Skipper, Ki’s Triple X stablemate, in a match that was less about victory and more about sending a message. From the moment the bell rang, Joe radiated menace. Skipper tried to use his speed and agility to stay out of the Samoan’s grasp, peppering Joe with kicks and evasive offense. The early exchanges saw Skipper land a beautiful spinning heel kick and a slingshot leg drop, but Joe absorbed the punishment, his expression never changing. As the match progressed, Joe’s strategy became disturbingly clear - he wasn’t here to win quickly, but to hurt Skipper. He cornered him and unleashed a barrage of strikes: chopping, elbowing, and kneeing him into the mat. Each blow echoed through the arena, and the referee had to physically separate them more than once. Skipper fought back valiantly, hitting a top-rope hurricanrana and a diving crossbody for a near fall, but Joe caught him mid-motion moments later with a capture suplex that folded him in half. The match turned ugly when Joe locked in a Fujiwara armbar and transitioned into a brutal arm snap, appearing to break Skipper’s arm. The referee immediately called for the bell as Skipper screamed in agony.

Winner: Samoa Joe

Low Ki rushed the ring instantly, shoving Joe away from his fallen partner. What began as a confrontation exploded into a full-blown brawl, with both men trading furious strikes and forearms as security poured in to separate them. Joe broke free twice, tackling Ki into the corner, while Ki answered with a stiff roundhouse kick that staggered Joe. The show went off the air with the two men still trying to fight through officials with there very much a feeling being felt by many that whoever walked away from the fight at the Anniversary Show as the winner would no doubt end the first year of Ring of Honor as the man most deserving of challenging for the ROH World Championship. ​

 

[Stojy]

I liked Simon Diamond taking a moment to promote Christopher Daniels as the World Champion. Puts it over as a big deal, although I must admit, Daniels not doing anything on his first night as champ except watch a match in the back felt like a bit of a letdown. I would have assumed he'd be a bigger part of the show to continue the whirlwind of momentum since he just shocked the world and became champ. ROH is supposed to be about wins and losses so I'm not sure how all these guys got themselves into a number one contenders match for the World Title either, as in I'm not even entirely sure guys like Corino and Douglas have winning records? I'm sure the match will be fine, just calling this out as a thought that popped in my mind as I read.

Outside of my point above, I don't mind Shane Douglas as a winner. Being the slower, older, stronger of the two, he plays the perfect heel to Daniels, and it feels like a really good defense for Daniels. Putting Douglas in the main event of the first big PPV event makes sense as well, due to his name power.

London/Danielson agreeing to the match just to keep themselves going is exactly what faces in ROH should be doing. Match would have been fantastic and Danielson continuing his dominance in Pure Rules (except for against Samoa Joe) is the smart move. Considering the Anniversary Show is fast approaching, I do wonder if the injury to London's arm could come into play.

Redscape taking on the tag champs sounds good to me.

I've actually lost track of who has/hasn't been booked on the Anniversary show so next week's show could be anything to me at this point lol.

Joe was ALWAYS beating Skipper here, and the brawl afterwards with Ki was a nice way to continue probably the most heated feud you have at the moment. Can't wait for these two to lock horns.

More fun stuff here.

 

[Just Juice]

I liked Simon Diamond taking a moment to promote Christopher Daniels as the World Champion. Puts it over as a big deal, although I must admit, Daniels not doing anything on his first night as champ except watch a match in the back felt like a bit of a letdown. I would have assumed he'd be a bigger part of the show to continue the whirlwind of momentum since he just shocked the world and became champ. ROH is supposed to be about wins and losses so I'm not sure how all these guys got themselves into a number one contenders match for the World Title either, as in I'm not even entirely sure guys like Corino and Douglas have winning records? I'm sure the match will be fine, just calling this out as a thought that popped in my mind as I read.

Outside of my point above, I don't mind Shane Douglas as a winner. Being the slower, older, stronger of the two, he plays the perfect heel to Daniels, and it feels like a really good defense for Daniels. Putting Douglas in the main event of the first big PPV event makes sense as well, due to his name power.

London/Danielson agreeing to the match just to keep themselves going is exactly what faces in ROH should be doing. Match would have been fantastic and Danielson continuing his dominance in Pure Rules (except for against Samoa Joe) is the smart move. Considering the Anniversary Show is fast approaching, I do wonder if the injury to London's arm could come into play.

Redscape taking on the tag champs sounds good to me.

I've actually lost track of who has/hasn't been booked on the Anniversary show so next week's show could be anything to me at this point lol.

Joe was ALWAYS beating Skipper here, and the brawl afterwards with Ki was a nice way to continue probably the most heated feud you have at the moment. Can't wait for these two to lock horns.

More fun stuff here.

Yeah its still not the perfect article for me. A couple things I need to do before I actually can be proud of the product. I still dont think its ROH enough yet, although the alternative history without TNA existing has created a tasty answer. And thanks for the comments it always useful getting comments like this.

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Eight

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage. The commentary duo of Dave Prazak and Jeff Gorman would confirm that tonight everyone booked to take part at the Anniversary Show would not feature on tonight's card and for this reason this episode would focus solely on action in the ring.

* * *

- Match One - Tag Team Match -
| Hirooki Goto & James Storm vs. The Briscoes (Jay & Mark) |
The latest episode of Honor 101 opened with a burst of energy as The Briscoe Brothers, Jay and Mark, made their long-awaited ROH tag team debut, facing the experienced yet untested pairing of Hirooki Goto and James Storm. The crowd was electric from the moment the young Briscoes hit the ring the brothers showing off their trademark mix of aggression, grit, and seamless teamwork. Goto and Storm, both strong singles wrestlers, started well, using their experience to slow the pace. Storm landed a sharp lariat on Mark, while Goto targeted Jay’s midsection with precise kicks. But once the Briscoes found their rhythm, the tide turned fast. Their chemistry was undeniable — quick tags, double suplexes, and fast transitions kept their opponents on the defensive. Jay displayed his growing confidence, hitting a diving clothesline, while Mark brought his usual wild flair with a corkscrew plancha to the outside that had the crowd roaring. In the final stretch, Goto tried to rally with a backdrop driver on Mark, but Jay broke the pin. The brothers then hit a perfectly timed Doomsday Device, with Mark leaping off Jay’s shoulders to take out Storm for the three-count.

Winners: The Briscoes (Jay & Mark)

* * *

- Match Two - Six-Man Tag Team Match -
| Ken Anderson & The Naturals (Andy Douglas & Chase Stevens) vs. The Mob (Silvio Maritato, Eddie Kingston & BLK Jeez) |
From the opening bell, The Mob made their intentions clear they were there to fight, not to wrestle pretty. Kingston opened with heavy strikes on Douglas, flooring him with a spinning backfist before tagging in Maritato, who used crisp technical control to wear the former champion down. BLK Jeez followed with quick offense, including a running knee to the corner that nearly scored an early pinfall. The Naturals fought back through teamwork, isolating Jeez and cutting the ring in half. Their fluid double-team offense quick tags and tandem dropkicks turned the momentum, and Anderson’s confidence shone through as he taunted The Mob while landing sharp uppercuts. For a moment, it looked like the newcomers had full control. But The Mob thrived in chaos. Kingston bulldozed his way back into the match, blasting both Naturals off the apron before tagging in Maritato, who grounded Anderson with a snap DDT. The closing sequence erupted into a full six-man brawl bodies flying in and out of the ring as the crowd roared. In the end, Maritato trapped Anderson in an Italian Stretch #2 while Kingston took out Douglas with a backfist and Jeez hit a top-rope double stomp to ensure there’d be no rescue. Anderson had no choice but to tap.

Winners: The Mob (Silvio Maritato, Eddie Kingston & BLK Jeez)

* * *

- Match Three - Singles Match -
| Steve Corino vs. Ronn Killings |
Two of ROH’s most outspoken and battle-tested competitors collided as Steve Corino went one-on-one with former ROH World Champion Ronn Killings. With Killings still furious over losing the title to Christopher Daniels, he entered this match with something to prove and it showed from the opening bell. Corino, ever the tactician, tried to slow Killings down early, using tight headlocks and deliberate pacing to frustrate the former champion. Killings countered with explosive athleticism leapfrogs, dropkicks, and quick reversals that had Corino on the defensive. The two veterans traded momentum throughout the first half, with Corino landing a swinging neckbreaker for a close near fall before taunting the crowd with a smirk Killings’ frustration boiled over mid-match. After surviving Corino’s Old School Expulsion attempt, he shifted gears and unleashed a flurry of offense a spinning heel kick, a leg lariat, and his signature splits punch that drew huge cheers. Corino tried one last desperate roll-up with a handful of tights, but Killings kicked out and immediately connected with the Lie Detector to seal the victory.

Winner: Ronn Killings

After the match, the titantron screens would cut to live footage showing Doug Williams being attacked in a hotel room supposedly near The Viking Hall (fka the ECW Arena) by two men wearing ski masks, with the English man handcuffed to some steel pipes and sporting two black eyes and coughing up a lot of blood. One thing was certain and that was that he was in no fit shape to compete in just two days time at the Anniversary Show. The camera would cut back to Ronn Killings wo with a microphone in hand would declare that if BG James and Sean Waltman had any sense, they would call him up as soon as the show ended and have him replace Williams in this weekend's elimination tag team match. Before tossing the microphone and heading towards the back.

* * *

- Main Event - Scramble Match -
| Homicide vs. Jay Lethal vs. Petey Williams vs. Tony Mamaluke vs. Charlie Haas |
The Honor 101 main event delivered the kind of high-octane chaos fans have come to expect from an ROH Scramble Match, featuring five competitors with wildly different styles all battling for momentum ahead of the Anniversary Show. The opening minutes were pure frenzy quick tags, dives, and reversals lighting up the crowd. Jay Lethal, still early in his ROH run, impressed with his speed and agility, hitting a springboard dropkick that took out both Mamaluke and Williams. Homicide, ever the brawler, quickly changed the tone, using a chair outside the ring to level the field before tossing Mamaluke back in for a vicious suplex. Charlie Haas played the technician of the group, grounding the action with suplexes and submission holds, including a perfectly executed bridging German that nearly got him the win. Mamaluke, meanwhile, used his veteran savvy to pick his spots, trapping Lethal in a guillotine choke that forced the rookie to barely reach the ropes. As the pace quickened again, all five men found themselves involved in a wild series of near-falls and breakups. Homicide hit the Ace Crusher on Haas, only for Williams to springboard in with a missile dropkick that knocked everyone down. The crowd roared as Williams signaled for the end, dodging a charging Mamaluke and catching him perfectly with the Canadian Destroyer to score the emphatic three-count.

Winner: Petey Williams

After the match, Williams celebrated with the fans as commentary noted that the young Canadian had just earned a major boost heading into ROH’s biggest event of the year despite not actually being part of this weekend's card. Meanwhile, Homicide fumed at ringside, glaring at Williams with a level of frustration in his eyes as the episode came to a close.​

 

[Just Juice]

The Viking Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | 22nd February 2003

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

- - -

N.B. Feel free to make prediction. Will find some sort of prize to attach to it after the show. Unlike Glory By Honor, this upcoming show feels like it has a real strong chance of creating a strong identity for this project moving forward. Thanks everyone for reading so far though, I really do have high hopes moving forward. ​

 

[BattleTank]

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas
I don’t see Daniels losing it so quickly. Your build of Douglas has been tremendous, he really comes off as that old head who thinks he knows everything. Curious to see if there is any interference in this one.

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki
Low Ki getting the win here doesn’t really hurt Joe at all. Plus a Ki/Daniels matchup down the line sounds fun.

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles
AJ needs to get on the board, and here seems like the perfect place to pick up the first win.

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

Just a personal preference on this one, it really is anybodys match to win.

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

I really like this version of these four, they have always been interconnected during the time period. I can see one of them turning to join up with Jarrett, but I don’t think it happens quite yet

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

They just won the straps, don’t think they will lose them so soon.

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)
The ECW guys can afford to lose. Looking forward to this one being a spot fest.

Best of luck with this, my friend. Excited to see how this show pans out.

 

[Roy Mustang]

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

 

[EZ3]

The Viking Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | 22nd February 2003

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas

I will go with Douglas just to be different. I love the idea of heel Shane Douglas as an old head in 2003 as the ROH World Champion, though. I think it's not the time, but I definitely believe there's a great deal of promo material with Douglas holding the title.

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

As someone who will always push Shane Helms, I cannot do anything other than a title switch here.

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

 

[Stojy]

The Viking Hall (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) | 22nd February 2003

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

 

[K-Fabe]

ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christopher Daniels (c) vs. Shane Douglas

SINGLES MATCH
Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki

SINGLES MATCH - BEST OF FIVE SERIES [Match Three | 2-0]
Jerry Lynn vs. AJ Styles

2ND ANNUAL WOMEN’S RUMBLE
Mercedes Martinez (c) vs. Alexis Laree vs. Alison Danger vs. Daizee Haze vs. Jackie Gayda vs. MsChif vs. Rochelle Loewen vs. Rumi Kazama vs. Sara Del Rey vs. Trinity vs. Cheerleader Melissa vs. Sumie Sakai vs. April Hunter vs. Talia Madison vs. Nikki Rox vs. Mickie Knuckles vs. Miss DeVille vs. Tara Charisma

ELIMINATION TAG TEAM MATCH
BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (c) vs. Redscape (Shane Helms & Amazing Red)

NO DISQUALIFICATION TORNADO TAG MATCH
The Sandman & Sabu vs. The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

 

[Just Juice]

The voice of Barry Scott would cut through the darkness of a blacked out screen as Ring of Honor’s one year anniversary would go live.

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN ONE YEAR

CHAMPIONS WERE CROWNED

AND RIVALRIES WERE BORN

TONIGHT THE BIGGEST FEUD OF THE YEAR FINALLY COMES TO A HEAD.

SAMOA JOE AND LOW KI LOCKS HORNS ONE FINAL TIME, WHICH MAN WILL STAND TALL AS THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN RING OF HONOR

VETERANS OF THE SPORT CLASH IN ELIMINATION TAG. FORMERS MEMBERS OF AN OLDER GENERATION GO TOE TO TOE WITH JEFF JARRETT’S PICK FOR THE FUTURE. WHO WILL BE THE LAST TO SURVIVE!

AND FINALLY - NEW RING OF HONOR WORLD CHAMPION DEFENDS THE BELT AGAINST THE FORMER FIVE TIME WORLD CHAMPION SHANE DOUGLAS!
WELCOME TO THE ANNIVERSARY SHOW!

WELCOME TO A YEAR OF HONOR!

The black screen cuts away to The Viking Hall as we get a live performance of ‘Fight Until We Die’ by Manowar.



* * *

The ROH Anniversary Show opened with an electric tag team title bout that perfectly set the tone for the night. The reigning champions, WH Power the unlikely yet cohesive duo of Mikey Whipwreck and Kaz Hayashi defended their gold against the dynamic and high-flying tandem of Shane Helms and Amazing Red, collectively known as Redscape. The atmosphere was intense from the bell. Red and Hayashi began the match in a breathtaking exchange of fast-paced chain wrestling and counters, drawing loud applause from the crowd. Helms, the more experienced of the challengers, tagged in and began to isolate Whipwreck, grounding him with crisp technical offense while taunting the fans and the champions alike.

Once Hayashi re-entered, the momentum shifted. The Japanese veteran used pinpoint precision lightning kicks and spinning back elbows to dismantle both challengers. Red attempted to rally, connecting with a standing shooting star press and a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Hayashi for a near fall that had the crowd on edge. The closing stretch saw chaos erupt. All four men entered the ring, trading signature moves at breakneck speed: Helms hit the Shining Wizard, Red followed with the Code Red, and Hayashi responded with a Hands-Free Frankensteiner. Amid the scramble, Whipwreck caught Red with a Whipper-Snapper off the ropes, allowing Hayashi to immediately follow up with a Final Cut Moonsault for the decisive pinfall.

Winners: WH Power (Mikey Whipwreck & Kaz Hayashi) (to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championships)

* * *

The match erupted into sheer chaos before the opening bell even sounded. As The Sandman made his trademark entrance through the crowd, beer in one hand and Singapore cane in the other, Sabu dove over the ropes to start the fight early, crashing into Monty Brown and Minoru Suzuki at ringside. The referee barely had time to signal the official start and that didn’t matter. This was a brawl from start to finish. Under No Disqualification, Tornado Tag rules, all four men tore into each other without restraint. Sabu unleashed his usual brand of controlled insanity: chair-assisted dives, springboard leg drops, and a running Arabian facebuster onto Suzuki through a propped chair. The Sandman, ever the chaotic enforcer, swung his cane like a madman, sending Brown staggering into the guardrail.

The Kill Team, however, weathered the storm and used their raw power and cold precision to shift momentum. Suzuki focused on isolating Sabu, twisting his arm in brutal submissions, while Brown brutalized Sandman around the ringside area, driving him spine-first into the steel steps. Every few minutes, weapons came into play: chairs, kendo sticks, and even a ladder, which Sabu used for a risky moonsault that missed by inches. In the closing sequence, The Sandman went for a White Russian Legsweep on Suzuki through a table, but Brown speared him through it first, splintering the wood. With Sabu still trying to recover, Suzuki delivered a wicked Gotch-Style Piledriver onto a pile of debris for the three-count.

Winners: The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki)

After the bell, The Kill Team refused to stop. Brown and Suzuki stood tall over their fallen opponents, then dragged both men back to their feet only to send them each through tables with a double powerbomb and a spinebuster combination. The crowd booed relentlessly as The Kill Team raised their fists, standing over the wreckage with cold, satisfied expressions. Prazak closed the segment by calling it a brutal statement of dominance, with The Kill Team proving they were more dangerous than ever and that no one in ROH, champion or not, was safe from their brand of violence with the added motivation now that Killings was no longer the world champion.

* * *

Participants: Mercedes Martinez, Alexis Laree, Alison Danger, Daizee Haze, Jackie Gayda, MsChif, Rochelle Loewen, Rumi Kazama, Sara Del Rey, Trinity, Cheerleader Melissa, Sumie Sakai, April Hunter, Talia Madison, Nikki Rox, Mickie Knuckles, Miss DeVille, and Tara Charisma

The second annual ROH Women’s Rumble brought together eighteen of the top female competitors from across the wrestling world, each determined to earn a shot at Mercedes Martinez’s ROH Women’s Championship. The ring filled quickly, chaos erupting as soon as the bell rang. Early eliminations came fast Rochelle Loewen and Miss DeVille were the first out, both tossed over the ropes by a dominant Rumi Kazama, who seemed to pick up where she left off last year as one of the most dangerous competitors in ROH’s women’s division. Cheerleader Melissa and Sara Del Rey squared off in a stiff, technical exchange that drew the crowd’s attention, trading suplexes and forearms in the middle of the ring. Meanwhile, MsChif continued to prove her resilience, hanging on despite a three-on-one assault from Trinity, April Hunter, and Talia Madison.

As the match progressed, alliances formed and shattered in seconds. Alison Danger shockingly eliminated Daizee Haze, only to be thrown out herself moments later by Mercedes Martinez, the reigning champion competing for pride rather than necessity. Martinez tore through the field, eliminating Sumie Sakai and Jackie Gayda, before being confronted by Sara Del Rey in a long-awaited face-off between the division’s two most dominant forces. The final four came down to Sara Del Rey, Mercedes Martinez, MsChif, and Alexis Laree. MsChif was eliminated after a double suplex by Del Rey and Martinez, leaving the two powerhouses and Laree in a tense final exchange. Laree tried to surprise both with a top-rope crossbody, but Del Rey caught her mid-air, hurling her out of the ring. Moments later, Martinez went for the Fisherman Buster, but Del Rey countered, tossing the champion over the top rope to win the match.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

After the bell, Del Rey and Martinez locked eyes from opposite sides of the ring - no animosity, just mutual respect knowing they would soon be locking horns in the ring.

* * *

The crowd buzzed in anticipation as both men circled each other, aware of what was at stake. The opening minutes were a clinic in counter-wrestling Lynn using his experience to frustrate Styles, who responded with speed and explosiveness. Every exchange felt like two masters testing each other’s limits, with neither gaining a clear advantage early on/ Styles eventually took control with his trademark athleticism, landing a springboard forearm and a standing moonsault for a near fall. Lynn, resilient as ever, responded with a brutal tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a diving DDT that nearly ended the match. The intensity rose with every minute, both men countering each other’s finishers in a flurry of reversals that had the fans on their feet. The turning point came when Lynn went for the Cradle Piledriver, but Styles wriggled free, countering into a Styles Clash in one fluid motion. The impact left Lynn motionless, and Styles covered him for the long-awaited three-count, finally putting himself on the board.

Winner: AJ Styles (Series now 1–2)

* * *

BG James, Sean Waltman, Konnan & Ronn Killings vs. Jeff Jarrett, Paul London, Bryan Danielson & Sterling James Keenan

The ROH Anniversary Show hit another level when eight of wrestling’s most distinct personalities collided in a high-stakes Elimination Tag Team Match. The match opened with Ronn Killings and Jeff Jarrett, the crowd immediately coming alive as the two former allies stared each other down. Old wounds resurfaced fast, a tense exchange of words gave way to fists flying. Killings’ athleticism gave him the early edge, ducking Jarrett’s swing and landing a spinning leg lariat. The crowd erupted when Killings nailed the Lie Detector, but Jarrett scrambled to the ropes, escaping elimination by inches.

Killings tagged out to Konnan, who lit up Sterling James Keenan with his signature rolling clotheslines and furious body shots in the corner. Keenan, however, refused to back down, drilling Konnan with a brutal knee strike and a DDT before tagging in Bryan Danielson, whose methodical pace slowed the chaos. Danielson went to work on Konnan’s arm, twisting it in directions it wasn’t meant to go, drawing audible gasps from the crowd. The first elimination came ten minutes in when Paul London hit an incredible 450 Splash on BG James after countering a Shake, Rattle & Roll attempt, getting the three-count. The former D-Generation X member stormed out of the ring in frustration, leaving his team down a man.

Konnan quickly evened the odds, however, catching Sterling James Keenan with a Facebuster out of nowhere, then tapping him out with a rolling armbar. The momentum shifted again when Danielson trapped Konnan in the Cattle Mutilation, forcing the veteran to submit after a grueling struggle. That left Killings and Waltman against Jarrett, London, and Danielson and things turned violent. Jarrett, ever the opportunist, blindsided Waltman with his guitar while the referee’s attention was on London. The crowd booed loudly as Jarrett hit The Stroke and pinned Waltman, eliminating him.

Now it was 3-on-1, with only Ronn Killings standing tall for his team. But the former world champion came alive under pressure ducking London’s superkick and hitting the Truth or Consequences to send him packing. Jarrett tried to sneak up for another cheap shot, but Killings blocked it, reversed, and hit The Lie Detector to eliminate his old rival in a measure of revenge. That left it down to Killings and Bryan Danielson, and the tone shifted instantly. The crowd rose to their feet, sensing they were about to see something special. What followed was ten minutes of pure wrestling brilliance Killings’ explosive athleticism against Danielson’s relentless technical precision. Killings hit a spinning kick to the ribs and followed with a top-rope leg drop, but Danielson kicked out. Danielson countered with a German suplex and a diving headbutt, but Killings fought through it, nearly ending things with a desperation roll-up. In the final moments, Danielson slipped behind Killings during a forearm exchange, locking in a Regal Stretch in the center of the ring. Killings screamed, clawing for the ropes, but Danielson dragged him back to the middle and wrenched back even tighter. With nowhere left to go, Killings tapped.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Exhausted but triumphant, Danielson knelt in the center of the ring as the fans gave him a standing ovation. The referee raised his arm high as commentary declared it “a defining performance for the American Dragon.” As he would be joined in the ring by the rest of his team with Jeff Jarrett looking particularly pleased with himself before showing a shot of a very frustrated looking Ronn Killings.

* * *

If there was one match the entire wrestling world had circled on the ROH Anniversary Show card, it was this one. A dream match months in the making Samoa Joe, the unrelenting powerhouse, versus Low Ki, the stoic warrior whose precision and intensity made him one of ROH’s most feared competitors. Both men had built reputations on dominance and pride, and tonight they were finally colliding on the biggest stage possible.

The bell rang, and the tension in the arena was electric. Neither man moved for the first several seconds, the crowd chanting “This is awesome!” before a single strike was even thrown. When they did engage, it was ferocious Ki’s sharp kicks echoing through the venue, Joe answering with thunderous chops that turned Ki’s chest bright red within minutes. The opening stretch was a battle for control. Joe tried to ground Ki early, using his size to bully him into the corner and land stiff knees to the ribs. Ki responded with explosive speed, countering a powerbomb into a double foot stomp and stunning Joe with a running enzuigiri that nearly sent the big man to the floor.

Midway through, the match turned violent. Joe launched Ki into the barricade with a powerbomb-to-the-apron, then followed with a running boot that sent the challenger tumbling into the front row. Ki fought back through sheer will, landing rapid-fire strikes and a springboard kick that dropped Joe to one knee. Every exchange grew louder, stiffer, more personal, both men refusing to give an inch.
The final ten minutes were nothing short of magic. Joe hit a devastating Muscle Buster, but Ki somehow kicked out at two, leaving Joe staring in disbelief. Ki countered with a Ki Krusher, but Joe barely rolled a shoulder before the three. The crowd was split down the middle, half chanting “Let’s go Joe!” and the other half “Low Ki!” as both warriors staggered to their feet.
In the closing moments, Ki ducked a lariat, hit a vicious spinning back kick to the head, and followed with the Tidal Crush from the top rope. As Joe stumbled, Ki struck with a second Ki Krusher, hooking both legs for the pin - one, two, three!

Winner: Low Ki

The audience erupted in applause as both men lay exhausted on the mat. Ki, visibly spent but unbroken, slowly rose to his feet and bowed in respect to Joe, who sat against the ropes nodding in acknowledgement. Jeff Gorman called it “a match that defines what Ring of Honor is all about - respect, endurance, and excellence.” As the crowd chanted “Thank you both!,” Joe extended his hand. Ki accepted. No words were needed; this wasn’t the end of their rivalry, merely the next chapter in ROH’s growing legacy of legendary battles.

* * *

The inaugural ROH Anniversary Show came to a dramatic close with the World Championship on the line Christopher Daniels, fresh off his hard-fought victory over Ronn Killings, defending against “The Franchise” Shane Douglas, a veteran determined to prove he could still reign atop the wrestling world. From the moment the bell rang, the tension was palpable. Daniels, still banged up from weeks of attacks and title defenses, entered with a confident but weary focus. Douglas, meanwhile, looked rejuvenated, flanked by his new protégé Tony Mamaluke, representing the emerging alliance calling themselves The Franchise.

The match began technically, both men exchanging holds and mind games. Daniels controlled the pace early, grounding Douglas with armdrags and crisp chain wrestling before driving him into the corner with rapid chops. The champion looked sharp, countering nearly every move in Douglas’s arsenal while taunting him with smirks and measured arrogance. But Douglas the grizzled strategist shifted gears midway through. After feigning a knee injury, he lured Daniels in and dropped him face-first on the turnbuckle, following up with a belly-to-belly suplex that nearly ended the match. The two veterans traded momentum back and forth, Douglas focusing on Daniels’ neck while the champion fought through the pain, landing a Best Moonsault Ever for a close near fall.

Then came the turning point. As Daniels began to build momentum and signaled for the Angel’s Wings, Tony Mamaluke suddenly sprinted down the ramp. The referee turned to intercept him as Mamaluke climbed onto the apron, yelling at Daniels and drawing his attention away from Douglas. Daniels motioned for Triple X to come out for backup and Elix Skipper answered the call. But in a shocking twist, Skipper slid into the ring and drilled Daniels in the face with a spinning heel kick. The crowd erupted in disbelief as Skipper pulled a small metal object, a powder capsule from his tights and hurled it into Daniels’ eyes, temporarily blinding the champion. Daniels staggered, clutching his face, screaming that he couldn’t see. Douglas wasted no time. He hooked the blinded Daniels from behind and delivered a thunderous Franchiser DDT, covering him as the referee turned back just in time to count the fall.

Winner: Shane Douglas (to become the new ROH World Champion)

The arena filled with boos as Douglas rolled out of the ring, clutching the title while Mamaluke raised his arm in triumph. Skipper stood over Daniels, smirking - his betrayal complete. Low Ki sprinted down the ramp moments later, sliding into the ring to check on Daniels, who was still writhing in pain and wiping powder from his eyes. Ki glared up at Skipper, who backed away slowly, shouting, “It’s not personal - it’s business!”

As the show closed, Douglas held the ROH World Championship high at the top of the ramp beside Mamaluke, declaring, “The Franchise runs this company now!” Meanwhile, in the ring, Low Ki helped the blinded Daniels to his feet; the fallen champion looking both heartbroken and furious, realizing his own brother-in-arms had just torn Triple X apart as the Anniversary Show came to an end.​