Multiple Title Changes Occur At ROH Final Battle 2022

As Ring of Honor saw an eventful 2022 out in style with Final Battle, with it came the promise of a new dawn heading into 2023, as several titles changed hands at the event.

The ROH Women’s Division has a new standard bearer, as Athena toppled Mercedes Martinez to win the ROH Women’s World Championship. This was Martinez’ first defence since Death Before Dishonor in July, and with it ends a run that started at Supercard of Honor XV when Martinez won the vacant Interim title on April 1. The crowd were firmly behind the challenger, and erupted when Athena got the win with The O-Face (fka The Eclipse) after dropkicking Martinez into an exposed turnbuckle.

The Embassy also tasted gold, as the team of Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona left Final Battle with the ROH Six Man Tag Team Titles. Dalton Castle and The Boys put on a spirited display but they could not figure with the dirty tactics of Prince Nana, with Castle getting distracted by Nana as The Embassy pummelled one of The Boys, hitting a huge sit-out powerbomb for the win and the titles.

Despite using all his rope breaks in under eight minutes, Wheeler Yuta fought back from what looked like the brink to regain the ROH PURE Championship, with the ref stopping the bout after Yuta locked in the Danielson elbows to stop Champion Daniel Garcia in his tracks. Yuta now stands as the only two-time PURE Champion in the history of the title, with Garcia begrudgingly throwing the title at Yuta as he made his way to the back.

It was also a good night for The Briscoes, as ‘Dem Boys’ Mark and Jay finally defeated FTR to regain the ROH World Tag Team Championship for a record setting thirteenth time. A truly wild blood spattered double dog collar match, all four competitors - and the ref - were bleeding, with Jay Briscoe getting the win with a chain assisted crossface on Dax Harwood, with Harwood passing out as Cash Wheeler tried in vain to save his partner. Hell of a way to round out their 2022 trilogy.

And finally, in the main event Claudio Castagnoli defeated Chris Jericho to win the ROH World Championship for a second time. A busy night for Ring of Honor.