McXal's Reviews

The premiere date for this episode is the eve of Final Battle, but since Sinclair has always used ROH as filler content on their syndicated stations they know this will be airing against the PPV in some markets so, as always, cannot reliably use this as a go-home show. Our main event is a big one for Eli Isom; getting the chance to face EC3 in a TV headline bout. We'll also see Chelsea Green face Miranda Alize in Women's Division action, plus PCO and Sledge looking to end their rivalry in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Quinn McKay welcomes us to Final Battle weekend. Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman and Holidead provide commentary in Baltimore, MD.

The relationship between these two has been strained for much of the second half of the year. Despite Danhausen's curious attempts to keep the peace, these two just don't like each other. Before ROH goes on hiatus, these two want to make sure they've settled the score between them.

Sledge jumps PCO from behind and boots a garbage can into his head. He wants to put him through an open chair on the floor as well, but finds PCO blocking his path with a legsweep into the barricade. Not to be deterred, Sledge back drops him through a ladder instead for 2. During the break he hits PCO with a chair backbreaker as well...but somehow the former World Champion avoided defeat and fought back with a ROPE WALK flying headscissors. PCO-Sault gets knees! Sledge unleashes a flurry of chops...which only fire PCO up until he swings a chair into Sledge's spine. Sledge is deposited on a table on the floor, after which PCO climbs up the ropes. QUEBEC CANNONBALL THROUGH THE TABLE ON THE FLOOR! To the delight of Holidead, the fight spills into the empty crowd areas; PCO smacking Sledge about with a chair relentlessly. The Metalhead Manic creditably refuses to stay down - and fights back by diving off a chair into a flying tackle over the guardrail! They brawl on the stage next, where Sledge hits an implant DDT...which PCO totally no-sells! IMPLANT DDT OFF THE STAGE THROUGH A TABLE! Sledge wins at 11:30 (shown)

Rating - *** - My somewhat mean-spirited take on this is that neither man should be in ROH at this point. Sledge has never been good enough, and PCO's novelty wore off around the time he participated in one of the weirdest and most appalling ROH World Title Matches of all time at Final Battle 2019. But, it was impossible not to admire their courage and hard work here. With just a handful of crew to watch or appreciate them, they beat the hell out of each other and took some horrific bumps. Good for PCO for putting Sledge over as well. The reality is that well before ROH announced their planned hiatus, PCO had already confirmed he was leaving. He had already started revealing plenty of 2022 bookings; in short he isn't immediately struggling for work. Sledge, on the other hand, will be badly hurt by losing the exposure that occasionally getting on ROH TV or working with Danhausen provides. It was a nice gesture by PCO to put him over, and one which Sledge will gain a great deal more from than if PCO had won...

This is a preview of Final Battle, where these women will be on opposite sides of a trios match also featuring The Allure and The Hex. Green is someone who has stood up for Rok-C when she has been targeted by heels like Angelina Love, Mandy Leon or Miranda...and Alize is still extremely sore at losing the Women's Title Tournament final to Rok-C at Death Before Dishonor. After being involved in a confrontation during the Willow/Mandy #1 contendership bout, these two now meet in singles action. Considering what a big-time piece of recruitment she was for ROH, Chelsea really hasn't wrestled on television all that often. The Allure replace Caprice and Holidead for commentary with Ian for this one...

Green shows her class early; repeatedly taking the excitable Alize down until the Lucha Baddie has no choice but to flee the ring. Alize blows Chelsea up by making her chase her around the ring, then ambushes her against the barricades whilst Green gasps for air. She returns to the ring with the slingshot sliding rana for 2. Lungblower in response by the Hot Mess, leaving them both down. A thumping basement dropkick almost knocks Miranda's head off her shoulders, and is followed by a soaring missile dropkick off the top for 2 as well. I'm Prettier blocked with a GTS though. Green dumps her into the turnbuckles with a Curb Stomp instead...which is the cue for The Allure to abandon commentary. They mess around in the 'crowd', creating a distraction that allows Alize to hit an Ace Crusher. Drive-By nailed, giving Alize the win at 07:28 (shown)

Rating - *** - A smart and competitive wrestling match, which coupled solid in-ring action with some last-minute hype for a Final Battle match. I'm certain they could have a better match under different circumstances, but it was a professional performance which hit all the beats they needed to hit. As with Sledge going over PCO earlier, Miranda getting to beat Chelsea here feels like a generous move and an earnest attempt to boost Alize's profile as she prepares to re-enter the independent scene.

After a bewildering, confusing and muddled year in Ring Of Honor, EC3 is going to Final Battle with plenty of questions to answer about whether he found honour in ROH. The hiatus ROH is about to enter doesn't curtail his efforts to promote his 'Control Your Narrative' agenda, and he has already started running events under his 'Free The Narrative' banner - competing against Matt Cardona (Zack Ryder) and Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) there. A youngster like Eli Isom, who has developed from a young kid coming out of the ROH Dojo to accomplished member of the roster, perennial TV Title contender and 2021 Survival Of The Fittest finalist could be the most wholesome embodiment of honour that EC3 has encountered in his entire ROH run. EC3 comments that the 'time for honouring three letters has come to an end' and he is now looking to help the helpless and directionless (like Isom?)...but only if they pay with their blood.

EC3 is stronger and more experienced, and starts the match by almost forcing Eli to the ground. Isom refuses to be bullied and actually out-wrestles Carter in that initial exchange. Eli's speed and agility cause real problems for the veteran; repeatedly taking him down with armdrags. Armbreaker over the ropes nailed as well...and it is only when Isom makes an error (looking for a springboard move way too early) that Carter finds a way back into the match. With his arm still hurting him he ambushes Isom on the apron, delivering multiple strikes to the head. He delivers an Irish whip so forcibly that Isom collapses to the floor, his entire upper body and neck racked with pain. Diving STO snaps that neck again...then Carter roundly dismisses the youngster with an emphatic powerbomb. Spinning suplex by the tenacious Eli, prompting EC3 to hang his injured neck over the top rope. Springboard dropkick knocks Carter outside, and Isom hauls his weary body up for a SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT to the floor! It floors Carter, but leaves Isom battling a knee injury on top of his ailing neck/back. It means he is too slow to climb the ropes again, allowing EC3 to blind-side him in the corner. Frog Crossbody by Eli - but his knee crumples under him again! Carter chopblocks the bad leg, setting up an Olympic Slam. ECD blocked into a LEG-SELLING bridging pin for 2! EC3 hits another tackle to the legs, then finally does land the ECD. The Purpose causes Isom to submit at 13:39

Rating - **** - ULTRA generous rating, but this stands out as one of my favourite ROH TV matches for some time, and probably slides in just behind the Jay Briscoe PPV match as EC3's best ROH bout. Isom made an awesome opponent for Carter; fast, athletic and bounding around the ring full of enthusiasm - he is a total stylistic contrast to EC3. It meant they gelled really well as opponents, Isom's speed periodically threatening but EC3's methodical power and thoughtful strategy ultimately proving too much for the youngster to overcome. Eli has had some killer TV main events in 2021...

Isom looks devastated, trying to come to terms with both losing the match and a future without the company for whom he has represented for his entire in-ring career. EC3 sits on the canvas alongside him, whispering creepily in his ear then hugging him before walking out...

Tape Rating - *** - One of the better episodes of ROH TV we've seen in weeks. Green/Alize was solid, Sledge/PCO was commendably weird and violent, and the EC3/Isom main event is something of a hidden gem. Considering this is little more than filler, airing alongside Final Battle in the potential dying days of the promotion's very existence, it is actually surprising the show was this good. If nothing else find fifteen minutes to seek out the main event...