Ring of Honor Final Battle 2004

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

Headline: In Depth Preview Of Sunday's "Final Battle 2004"

 

Teaser: Tickets are available at the door for the 12/26 6pm start time event with Joe vs. Aries, Foley/Steamboat confrontation, Danielson vs. Ki, Fight Without Honor and much more!!!

 

Ring Of Honor is set for a very special show this Sunday, December 26th, in Philadelphia featuring a huge World Title match, a violent fight, a clash of two hall of fame legends and much more!!! The day after Christmas will be "Final Battle 2004" with a 6pm belltime at the National Guard Armory in Philly. For info, tickets and directions go to ROHwrestling.com or call 215-781-2500. There will be tickets available at the door. Please note the special 6pm belltime. Doors will open at around 5pm.

 

The building is just minutes off I-95 as well as the PA & NJ Turnpikes making it an easy drive from all locations. The address is 2700 Southampton Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154.

 

 

 

ROH Merchandise will be there with a huge merchandise table featuring new DVDs including 11/5 and 11/6 "Weekend Of Thunder" featuring Jushin Liger, Secrets Of The Ring with Dusty Rhodes and new Straight Shootin' interviews with Mr. Fuji and Brad Armstrong. All these releases are available now for immediate delivery at ROHwrestling.com.

 

 

 

This show has something for everyone as ROH ends 2004 in grand style. Just check out this lineup:

 

 

 

World Title Match: Samoa Joe defends vs. Austin Aries of Generation Next- Joe is coming off his classic trilogy vs. CM Punk and is now looking to take his World Title reign into its 22nd month. Austin Aries rose to stardom in 2004 as part of Generation Next. The faction concentrated on taking all the top spots in ROH and so far has been successful. Now Aries has a chance to take THE top spot by winning the World Title.

 

 

 

Confrontation: Mick Foley vs. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat- The two have been embedded in a war of words with Foley defending hardcore wrestling while Steamboat insists the pure wrestling style is superior. Things have gotten heated between the two and now they will come face-to-face again on 12/26 in Philly. There is no telling what will happen when these two legends collide!!! Anything is possible!!!

 

Grudge Match: "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson vs. Low Ki of The Rottweilers with Julius Smokes- These two collided for the love of the sport on just the second ever ROH show and the result of this 3/30/02 bout was a match of the year contender. Now 53 shows later we will finally get the rematch, but this time it's about pure hatred. Low Ki has led two attacks on Danielson and now for the first time in his career Danielson is angry and looking for revenge. This clash of two of the best in the world is going to be intense!!!

 

Pure Title Match: John Walters defends vs. Jimmy Rave of The Embassy with Prince Nana- This is a rematch of 12/4 where Walters defeated Rave by countout. Prince Nana insists that his charge only lost because he and The Outcast Killaz were banned from ringside. Nana got his lawyers on the case and now Rave gets his rematch and all the members of The Embassy will be allowed at ringside. Nana insists that The Embassy will enter 2005 with a champion leading the stable putting Rave in a must win position. Can Walters continue to raise the prestige of the Pure Title?

 

Fight Without Honor: The Carnage Crew of Loc & Devito vs. Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer- Allison Danger's quest to see Maff & Whitmer destroyed led to this violent contest being signed. There are no rules when these two teams fight it out to see who is the toughest duo in ROH. Mick Foley dubbed ROH to mean Ring Of Hardcore and he is sure to keep an eye on this anything goes battle. These two teams have bled and fought up and down the ROH circuit and now we will see a conclusive winner this Sunday!!!

 

Tag Team Grudge Match: Steve Corino & Second City Saint leader CM Punk with Tracey Brooks vs. Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong of Generation Next- The Saints vs. Generation Next feud has raged throughout the fall and now it could come to an end in Philly. Corino returned in surprising fashion on 9/11/04 and is now ready for his first match in ROH in over a year. Can Generation Next continue to climb the ladder and take the top spots or will Punk finally get revenge?

 

Special Attraction Match: Homicide of The Rottweilers with Julius Smokes vs. Josh Daniels- Homicide will be eligible to fight Samoa Joe in 2005 and wants to get back in the World Title picture. Josh Daniels wants 2005 to be his breakout year and a win over a main eventer like Homicide would skyrocket him up the card. This one is going to be hard-hitting as both have a lot on the line!!!

 

Special Challenge Match: Jay Lethal vs. Prince Nana's Weapon Of MASK Destruction #2- Nana has declared war against Jay Lethal on behalf of The Embassy and the nation of Ghana, West Africa. Lethal embarrassed Nana by slapping him and the other members of The Embassy in the face on 11/6. Now Nana has raised taxes in Ghana and spent the military budget to develop a new Weapon Of MASK Destruction to take out Lethal. There is no telling what you are going to get here.

 

Mixed Tag Team Match: Angel Dust & Becky vs. Deranged & Lacey- Special K has split into two groups and now the first war between the factions will take place with the first ever mixed tag team match in ROH history. There is a lot of hostility between these two groups and it will explode on the day after Christmas.

 

Bonus Bout: Trent Acid vs. Jimmy Jacobs- This card is so loaded that this is your opening match!!! Both need a win here to solidify their spot in 2005. The loser might even be dropped from the roster. Everything is at stake in this one.

 

In addition to all this you'll also see Dunn & Marcos, Allison Danger, Gary Michael Cappetta and more on this can't miss event. "Final Battle 2004" will be the show that sets the tone for 2005. Be there or you will regret it!!!

[Guest DeputyHawk]

Sounds like another amazing show. ROH is the best fed in the U.S. right now without a doubt. I'm feeling a title switch to Aries, don't know why. I guess Joe's really done all he can on top, and honestly how can you best that run against Punk? Aries would freshen things up big time and I really think he could run with it. Then again, the temptation to roll that little bit further onto a 2-year title reign for Joe must be pretty high.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

"There is no telling what you are going to get here."

 

Indy sleaze. Lots of indy sleaze.

[Guest Duncan Eternia]

"There is no telling what you are going to get here."

 

Indy sleaze. Lots of indy sleaze.

Maybe not. ROH consistently puts out something new and fresh on each show. The Lethal vs. Nana angle is interesting. Keeps fans guessing who his opponent will be.

 

Rest of the card looks great - I will be there.

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

Joe will retain again. He will NEVER lose the title.

 

It's a shame Jay Lethal can't do something more interesting than this Mask crap.

[Michrome 0]

I'm sure it's leading somewhere. They tend to take their time on angles--the special k breakup was built for like 9 months. Jay's just rackin' up some wins.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Joe will retain again. He will NEVER lose the title.

I think the plan is for Joe to outlast RVD's TV Title reign, at least. I'd be shocked if Joe didn't make it to the 24 month stage. Hell, Doug Williams held the FWA Title for 20 months, so I'm sure Joe'll beat that.

 

So, Aries won't win.

[Guest OSIcon]

I think the plan is for Joe to outlast RVD's TV Title reign, at least. I'd be shocked if Joe didn't make it to the 24 month stage. Hell, Doug Williams held the FWA Title for 20 months, so I'm sure Joe'll beat that.

 

Well, he's already past 20 months as December 22nd is technically the 21 month anniversary of Joe's title reign.

 

I think it is possible that the idea is to have Joe "beat" RVD's ECW TV title reign, even though I think that that would be pretty silly. Both scenarios are really pretty different and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to keep the title on him for that reason. I do think he'll retain on Sunday, though Aires winning wouldn't be totally out of left field.

[natey2k4 0]

Looks like an amazing card. Only disappointment is Jack Evans is nowhere to be seen.. hopefully he's on the show someplace though.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

evans is booked elsewhere on 12/26.

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

I'm pretty sure Joe will make 2 years with the belt, and then maybe drop it to Aries. With Jamie Gibson/Noble coming in, an Aries-Gibson title match would be pretty great.

[Sideburnious 0]

Looks like a good card. Ill have to get it when it comes out on DVD.

 

 

They should reallygive the belt to someone other than Joe though. He's like HHH with that thing

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

No he isn't. Not even close.

 

Joe elevated the title. Joe defends it legit, he doesn't bury everyone; He just beats them.

[Michrome 0]

I don't get the comparison at all. One guy has a long reign cause the booker wants to make the belt something special. It has been a success. The other guy has it because he bangs the booker's daughter.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

I don't get the comparison at all.

It comes from people not bothering to actually think both situations through, and only making a surface comparison. It's just so they don't have to think too hard.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I'd say his reign is much more like Bruno Sammartino's reign in the early days of the WWF or Hogan's first run as champion.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

Here's the ultimate difference...

 

HHH jobs it left and right and wins it right back to lengthen his reign history. Joe makes the title MEAN what it means as he has retained in now over 26 straight title defenses.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

Quickie Results...Complete details as they become available.

 

via ROHBoard

 

1) JIMMY JACOBS over TRENT ACID

 

After the match, Acid proclaimed to the "World" that he was QUITTING Ring of Honor

2) Lacey & Deranged over Becky & Angel Dust, when Lacey pinned Becky after an inverted DDT.

 

After the match, the heel part of Special K went to attack Angel Dust, but Dunn & Marcos made the save and the faces danced.

3) ROCKIN' REBEL over DEVON MOORE

4) Homicide over Josh Daniels

5) JOHN WALTERS retained the Pure Title over JIMMY RAVE

 

Walters made Rave tap on the outside of the ring, literally ONE SECOND before both men would be counted out.

 

After the match, Prince Nana offered Walters a spot in The Embassy, to which Walters ACCEPTED and joined forces with Nana, Rave, and The Killaz.

6) Dan Maff & BJ Whitmer over The Carnage Crew in a Fight Without Honor

 

Mick Foley brought out thumbtacks and DeVito was slammed on them.

 

Foley and Steamboat made up.

 

Foley called out Joe and wanted to put the water between them under the bridge stemming from what Joe said about Mick on 12/4. They shook hands and as they were about to hug, Joe ATTACKED Foley and turned on him!

 

7) JAY LETHAL over WEAPON of MASK DESTRUCTION #2 (UNKNOWN)

 

8) CM Punk & Steve Corino over Alex Shelley & Roderick Strong

 

Post-match, Austin Aries came down and told Alex Shelley to step down, so he could have the top spot in GN.

 

This lead to Aries beating down Shelley and Roderick joining in with Aries.

 

9) BRYAN DANIELSON versus LOW KI was a NO-CONTEST

 

Hanson threw the match out late due to the two guys fighting in the crowd.

 

10) Austin Aries over Samoa Joe to become the 4th, and NEW Ring of Honor World Champion.-

 

HUGE SHOW!

 

Joe turns full heel. Attacks Legend in Foley. Joe's reign ends.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Now that is how to make a title change mean something. Reading that news had more of an impact on me than actually watching almost every major title change in the last few years. I'm shocked, if only because I thought Joe would at least get to the 2 year mark, and I didn't think Aries would be the one to do it.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

Aries winning is a shocker. About Devon Moore - he's a talented kid. Works in CCW and a couple other PA feds. Very, very athletic lightweight. Interesting that they matched him up vs. Rebel.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

He only made the card because of Rebel's license (Gabe doesn't have a promoter's license but Rebel does) and was likely in the area.

 

The important thing is the HUGE HUGE TITLE CHANGE here.

 

Gabe promised a BOMB and delivered it across the board with Aries taking out Shelly, Joe attacking Foley and the Title change.

 

Aries/Cabana is already booked for 1/15 in Cambridge.

 

Joe/Foley looks to be setting up for 2/19 in Elizabeth for night one of the 3YA.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

He only made the card because of Rebel's license (Gabe doesn't have a promoter's license but Rebel does) and was likely in the area.

Ya, I know. Actually, now that I think about it, it's not very surprising they paired him up with Rebel, since they've worked together a few times in CCW.

[The Mandarin 0]

What, is Joe heading to WWE or something?

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

No. Not yet anyways.

 

Joe pretty much ran his course as champion save for the Ki/Joe and Joe/Xaiver title defenses.

 

Aries as champion reopens the field now.

[Guest Joshua A. Norton]

What, is Joe heading to WWE or something?

More likely New Japan.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Wait...SAMOA JOE LOST THE TITLE!? (cries like a bitch) Wha... Wha... Wha... (passes out)

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

I doubt this was a "Joe's leaving, put the title on aries" situation...since it's not.

 

Joe has stuff simmering regardless without the title, Ki/Joe is *still* around, Joe/Cide and of course Joe/Foley.

 

Not to mention he gets a rematch @ some point.

 

I believe Punk wins the title @ 2.26 in Chicago and Joe/Punk meet on the one year annerversy of WTC in Dayton with the tables turned.

[The Mandarin 0]

I doubt this was a "Joe's leaving, put the title on aries" situation...since it's not.

 

Joe has stuff simmering regardless without the title, Ki/Joe is *still* around, Joe/Cide and of course Joe/Foley.

 

Not to mention he gets a rematch @ some point.

 

I believe Punk wins the title @ 2.26 in Chicago and Joe/Punk meet on the one year annerversy of WTC in Dayton with the tables turned.

I don't know about that. I can't see them making someone who finally dethroned the champ just a transitional champion.

[Guest LooneyTune]

I doubt this was a "Joe's leaving, put the title on aries" situation...since it's not.

 

Joe has stuff simmering regardless without the title, Ki/Joe is *still* around, Joe/Cide and of course Joe/Foley.

 

Not to mention he gets a rematch @ some point.

 

I believe Punk wins the title @ 2.26 in Chicago and Joe/Punk meet on the one year annerversy of WTC in Dayton with the tables turned.

I don't know about that. I can't see them making someone who finally dethroned the champ just a transitional champion.

Yeah, ROH isn't WWE where they fuck up even the simplest things.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

That's not fucking anything up. If anything Punk's beating Aries, maybe not at 2.26 but at some point in '05. Aries won't have as long as a reign as Joe did.