ROH Final Battle 2022: Staff Predictions And Match Card Preview
ROH Final Battle is shaping out to be an extremely good show. With seven high-stakes matches announced for the card, anything can happen. This pay-per-view can change the landscape of ROH’s future. Every ROH title is on the line and there are a few must-see grudge matches. Overall, this show has all of the potentials in the world to be one of the best this year. So with a lot on the line, let’s take a look into what to expect in each match. Also, I asked fellow staff member, Dillon O’Brien, for his predictions of every match.
Swerve in our Glory vs. Shane Taylor Enterprises
Preview
Swerve in our Glory has been having issues as of late. Ever since Swerve Strickland first turned on Kieth Lee a few months ago, things have been rocky. The two have worked things out and were on the same page for a while. That was until Swerve Strickland had a bit of an attitude change. Strickland became more violent and less rational. Kieth Lee was so over Strickland that he walked out on him during their Tag Team Championship Match a few weeks ago. But on AEW Dynamite, Shane Taylor arrived and challenged Lee to a tag team match at Final Battle. Lee needed a partner, which meant he has to team back up with Swerve Strickland. Can Swerve Strickland and Kieth Lee coexist?
Prediction
It’s obvious that Strickland and Lee have had their differences and I think it is going to cost them this match. I’ve been waiting for Strickland to turn on Lee and I think it finally happens at ROH Final Battle. Thus costing them the match and giving Shane Taylor Promotions the victory.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Shane Taylor Promotions def. Swerve in our Glory
Dillon: Shane Taylor Enterprises def. Swerve in our Glory
*ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship Match*
Gates of Agony & Brian Cage vs. Dalton Castle & The Boys (c)
Preview
Dalton Castle and the Boys are set to defend their Six Man Tag Team Championships against the Gates of Agony and Brian Cage. While the Gates of Agony has only competed in a handful of matches this year, they are still a serious threat to Dalton Castle and the Boys. Although Brian Cage and the Gates of Agony haven’t held any gold as a team, Bishop Kaun is a former ROH Six Man Tag Team Champion. Furthermore, Brian Cage has held his fair share of titles also. So Dalton Castle and the Boys have their work cut out for them if they want to retain their titles at ROH Final Battle.
Prediction
I don’t think anything too crazy is going to happen during this match. However, I do think Dalton Castle and the Boys will retain their titles. Castle got to show everyone what he’s made of when he challenged Chris Jericho for the ROH World Championship a few months ago. So I think ROH needs to keep the titles on them.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Dalton Castle & The Boys def. Gates of Agony & Brian Cage
Dillon: Dalton Castle & The Boys def. Gates of Agony & Brian Cage
*ROH Tag Team Championship Double Dog Collar Match*
The Briscoes vs. FTR (c)
Preview
FTR is having the best year of their lives. They have countless matches of the year and currently hold three tag team championships. One of them is the ROH Tag Team Championships, which they will be defending at ROH Final Battle. But this won’t be any ordinary match. This match is a double dog collar match. This means that each member of the Briscoes and FTR will be attached to the other by a dog collar. A dog collar match is one of the most dangerous matches in professional wrestling history. Just having two men connected at the neck is what makes this match so dangerous. But FTR holds two victories over the Briscoes this year and is looking to make it three at Final Battle. Will the Briscoes reclaim their tag titles or will FTR prove once and for all they are the better team?
Prediction
This match has all of the potential to be the best tag team match ever. But you could argue that these teams’ first two encounters were some of the best tag team matches of all time as well. But I do think that the Briscoes are going to walk out of Final Battle as the new ROH Tag Team Champions. I think this is going to be the start of FTR losing their three titles and becoming the new AEW Tag Team Champions. Plus with the Briscoes already having two losses against FTR, I don’t think they can afford another one. Even though the Briscoes are the underdogs in the Final Battle odds, I’m taking them to win this match.
Staff Predictions
Mark: The Briscoes def. FTR
Dillon: The Briscoes def. FTR
*ROH Television Championship Match*
Juice Robinson vs. Samoa Joe (c)
Preview
Samoa Joe has been on an absolute tear since becoming ROH Television Champion and TNT Champion. He has dominated anyone who dared to step up to him and made them pay the price. Joe is no stranger to being on a big stage in ROH since he has spent a lot of his career there. But this time he will be taking on someone he has never faced before. Juice Robinson is a new addition to the AEW team and immediately gets an opportunity at a title. Robinson has wrestled mostly for NJPW but has made some appearances in the United States. Also, Robinson has wrestled for ROH briefly before so he knows the atmosphere well. Will Juice Robinson be able to end the “King of Televisions” reign?
Prediction
I think Samoa Joe is going to win this one in somewhat of a dominant fashion. I don’t think it is going to be a squash match, but I don’t think there will be any doubt that he will win. That being said, I think we may get a return or debut following this match. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if Wardlow shows up to confront Joe.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Samoa Joe def. Juice Robinson
Dillon: Samoa Joe def. Juice Robinson
*ROH Pure Championship Match*
Wheeler Yuta vs. Daniel Garcia (c)
Preview
Daniel Garcia is set to defend his ROH Pure Championship under Pure match rules. Garcia and Wheeler Yuta are bitter rivals. They have battled many times before and will continue to battle each other forever. Yuta is a former ROH Pure Champion but lost the title to Garcia on AEW Dynamite. Now Yuta has an opportunity to get revenge and get back his title. Also, Garcia and Yuta are a part of two groups that hate each other, the Jericho Appreciation Society and the Blackpool Combat Club. Now the two enemies are set to do battle once again at ROH Final Battle.
Prediction
This match has a lot of potential for returns or debuts. And I think we will be getting a return in the form of Nigel McGuinness. If it’s not McGuinness then I think it will be a new challenger for the Pure Championship. Regardless of the outcome, this can be the match of the night and maybe even the match of the year.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Daniel Garcia def. Wheeler Yuta
Dillon: Daniel Garcia def. Wheeler Yuta
*ROH women’s World Championship Match*
Athena vs. Mercedes Martinez (c)
Preview
Athena has been on a mean streak as of late. She has shown a new aggressive side to her. She has been extremely violent in her matches and even attacked AEW referee Aubrey Edwards. But she was confronted by ROH Women’s World Champion, Mercedes Martinez. Martinez beat Serena Deeb at Death Before Dishonor this year to win the title. Although Martinez hasn’t defended it yet, she has been wrestling on the independent circuit. Athena and Martinez have faced each other before, but that was about ten years ago. So now Athena has a major opportunity to win a world title at ROH Final Battle.
Prediction
I think Athena is going to win this match almost with ease. She has been extremely dominant and viscous as of late and I don’t think that will stop now. I think she is going to be in control for almost the entire match and walk away with the ROH Women’s World Championship. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a new challenger for the title following this match.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Athena def. Mercedes Martinez
Dillon: Athena def. Mercedes Martinez
*ROH World Championship Match*
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho (c)
Preview
Since beating Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship, Chris Jericho has vowed to destroy ROH and its legacy. ROH has produced some of the best wrestling matches of the past decade and many of the best wrestlers in the world have gone through them. Jericho has defeated numerous former ROH champions and has disgraced the company in any way he could. Now he must defend his title against eh man he took it from, Claudio Castagnoli. But if Castagnoli loses, he will be forced to join the Jericho Appreciation Society.
Prediction
This match can easily be the match of the night. Jericho has been on another level since becoming “the Ocho.” He proves time and time again that he can reinvent himself when he needs to. And I don’t think he will be stopped any time soon. I’m thoroughly enjoying this storyline with Jericho and I think it is going to continue after Final Battle. so that’s why I’m taking Jericho to retain his title.
Staff Predictions
Mark: Chris Jericho def. Claudio Castagnoli
Dillon: Chris Jericho def. Claudio Castagnoli
Returns
Mark: Nigel McGuinness returns during the Daniel Garcia vs Wheeler Yuta match.
Dillon: Nigel McGuinness returns during the Daniel Garcia vs Wheeler Yuta match.
Turns
Mark: Swerve Strickland turns on Kieth Lee costing them the match
Dillon: Swerve Strickland turns on Kieth Lee costing them the match.
