Cesar
Ring of Honor’s Final Battle 2023 delivered a memorable night of pro wrestling action, solidifying its status as one of the best shows in recent memory. While not without a few minor hiccups, it earned a commendable 8.3/10 rating in my books, proving it can compete with many WWE events.
The attendance may not have been massive, but the raw energy and unique fan engagement set it apart from the mainstream competition in terms of anything we see televised.
The undercard featured some unexpected additions, like Taya Valkyrie’s dominant performance against Jazmin Allure, signaling a potential challenger for the ROH Women’s World Title. The Zero Hour matches showcased the Von Erichs’ victory over The Outrunners and Bryan Keith’s triumph against Jack Cartwheel, adding excitement and diversity to the lineup.
The I Quit Match between Ethan Page and Tony Nese surpassed expectations, providing a solid blow-off to their feud.
Nyla Rose’s victory over Vertvixen served its purpose as a showcase for Rose, setting the stage for new challenges in the women’s division. The Survival of the Fittest Finals, featuring Kyle Fletcher’s triumph, stood out with an outstanding closing stretch, reminiscent of past classics.
Wheeler Yuta’s successful defense of the ROH Pure Title against “Filthy” Tom Lawlor delivered a good match, though the finish raised some eyebrows. Keith Lee and Shane Taylor’s encounter, rooted in their history, was solid with mama Lee (at ringside) getting the crowd behind him every step of the way.
The Fight to Honor Jay Briscoe, a tag team match involving FTR and Mark Briscoe against the Blackpool Combat Club, paid a fitting tribute to the late Jay Briscoe. The chaotic hardcore brawl captured the essence of the Briscoes’ legacy, earning a well-deserved rating of 4.5 stars. This match started out slow and slowly evolved into one of the best hardcore matches in recent memory with the addition of forks, ladders, tables, thumbtacks, stairs, brawls in the crowd, and so much more.
The Proving Ground Match between ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston and Anthony Henry, despite a questionable setup, delivered a solid encounter. Kingston’s victory showcased his dominance, maintaining his momentum as the champion.
In the main event, Athena successfully defended the ROH Women’s World Title against Billie Starkz in a brutal and hard-fought match. While the result was surprising, the bout showcased Athena’s dominance and Starkz’s resilience, earning a well-deserved 4-star rating.
Final Battle 2023, despite feeling overbooked at times, maintained the high standard of recent ROH PPVs under Tony Khan’s ownership. With standout matches, surprising moments, and a mix of wrestling styles, it’s a must-watch for fans looking for a diverse and compelling pro wrestling experience.
ROH has what it takes to go head to head with NXT or AEW, the issue being that the overbooking sent many home a bit too early. As stated above, the event should have ended at the highest point – that being the Fight To Honor Jay Briscoe. Fans were drained after the hardcore brawl and for good reason. Hopefully, we see a change in the number of matches while still keeping up this quality. 8.3/10.
