Ring of Honor: Are You Ready?

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Ty2J

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As the wrestling world has changed rapidly over the last few years, with the formation of All Elite Wrestling, the stepping down of Vince McMahon, and the aftermath of a pandemic causing the entire independent scene to need an entire rebuild, the industry is at a volatile point where nobody really knows what comes next. With all the uncertainty in the air, the most interesting, to me, is always “What if?” That’s the point of this thread. What if, indeed. At the end of last year we saw the massive overhaul and purging of the original black and gold NXT and the formation of NXT 2.0. Around that same time, we also heard the formal announcement that Ring of Honor, long-time independent promotion that many of this generation’s top stars used as their jumping off point. We now know that NXT 2.0 became a brand run by Shawn Michaels, while Triple H eventually came to be the creative leader for WWE not long after. We also know that ROH was bought by Tony Khan to prevent WWE from adding it to their tape library and ending the brand. But… What if things didn’t end up this way? What if the wrestling world turned even further upside down than we could have even imagined? With a perfect storm of talent releases, expiring contracts, and opportunity from people who had years of practice/setting up infrastructure able to actually play for their own vision instead of fading back into the corporate background, there is only one real question left…

Are You Ready?


THEY THINK THEY CAN TELL US WHAT TO DO
Big shake ups in WWE were the first sign that there were going to be cracks in the ship. In September 2021, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was relieved of his duties running WWE’s developmental territory NXT with some believing that the failure to stop AEW Dynamite’s momentum led to a loss of faith in the product’s vision by executives. In the subsequent weeks of this demotion happening, people who were seen as “Hunter’s Guys/Girls” started being removed from the product, if not outright released. With the writing on the wall, it seemed uncertain if Levesque would really be entrusted to run the creative side of the company should McMahon step down in the future like previously thought.

That uncertainty didn’t last long, however, as it became certain just three months later in the first week of December as the wrestling world would change forever in a very quick timespan. As talent releases nearly got to the triple digits as we near the end of the year, something nobody saw coming hit major news outlets. On December 5th, 2021 Paul Levesque officially left the WWE and cashed out his remaining stocks and benefit options, totaling to a profit of just over 8 figures. Alongside Levesque, his best friend and longtime tag team partner Shawn Michaels also stepped down from his role as trainer and creative director for developmental.


MEANWHILE
One of the premiere independent companies for the last 2 decades, Ring of Honor, had an easier time than most during the pandemic as it is owned by Sinclair Broadcasting. However, Sinclair as a whole did not have as easy a pandemic financially. Due to this, entire divisions of the company have been downsized and some departments even cut. ROH went on a hiatus for TV tapings over the summer, instead airing various “Best Of” episodes for members of their roster. Things still seemed to be normal, however, as they announced they would be taking part in the yearly WrestleMania Weekend events of shows with one of their flagship events Supercard of Honor. On October 27th, 2021, the announcement went live on all ROH social media platforms that effective on January 1st 2022 all ROH contracts would be considered null and void.

ROH management were adamant that the company would continue in a new form, though unclear what that form may be, and that the first event where we would see the “new” Ring of Honor would in fact be that Supercard of Honor event. ROH management were correct about some things; Supercard of Honor would be the next ROH show and it would be the start of a new era for not just the company, but for the entire industry.



BOW TO THE MASTERS
Friday February 18th, news dropped officially that Shawn Michaels and Paul Levesque had made a move that could rival their Kliq brothers The Outsiders in terms of shocking company moves. It was announced through a press release on multiple avenues, the day before WWE’s Elimination Chamber show in Saudi Arabia, that the former executive had officially purchased Ring of Honor. With a message of change, evolution, and faith in their vision, the new ROH confirmed that there would be Supercard of Honor taking place as previously announced. There was also a Press Conference held with the new executive board of ROH to give statements publicly for the first time after the purchase held the next day at 2 PM EST.

At the press conference, we saw the executive layout of the company to be far more than just Michaels and Levesque. While not all members were in attendance, there was a structure of 9 official executive roles introduced. Some included were former WWE talent/management, some former ROH management, and some outsiders as well. The full list of known ROH executives are;



Paul “Triple H” Levesque - Owner and President
“Heartbreak” Shawn Michaels - Chief Creative Officer and Head of Talent Relations
“Road Dogg” Brian Armstrong - President of Talent Development
“Lord” William Regal - Head Talent Scout and Training Head Coach
Brandi Rhodes - Chief Brand Officer and President of Community Outreach
Jeff Jarrett - Chief Event Coordinator
Cary Silkin - Company Ambassador and Brand Consultant
William Patrick Corgan - President of NWA and Head Music Industry Liaison

Anikka Evans - Executive with Amped Insurance & Head of Human Resources

Things that shocked some that we learned from this press conference - with Billy Corgan on the ROH board came the announcement that the NWA would actively work as a feeder/developmental company for ROH and that NWA championships would at times appear on ROH television. Levesque cited the storied history of the NWA, as well as Corgan’s mind for both wrestling and music as a reason he was glad to work alongside Corgan. Anikka Evans of Amped Insurance shocked some as well, with the partnership being announced that ROH would be working alongside the sports insurance firm to get health benefits as a part of the ROH contracts. While many had wondered in the last 24 hours how ROH would combat the finances behind AEW and WWE to lure talent to work for them, the answer may just come in the health benefits they would receive from signing on with ROH. Perhaps the one that turned the most heads, however, was Brandi Rhodes officially being on the ROH executive board. While Cody Rhodes is still without a contract apparently, Brandi was said to be approached independently of her husband due to her history running community events with AEW early on. Whether this will lead to Cody signing to ROH rather than the expected WWE return many were quick to debate on twitter, but Cody was neither mentioned nor hinted at during the event. The conference was relatively short, making sure to explain the roles of each of these people yet not seeming to go much further than the surface level explanations. Things were intentionally held close to the vest. Levesque would end the press conference telling everyone to keep an eye out for announcements coming soon for Supercard of Honor, and that big changes were going to be coming to the professional wrestling world.

With not too much clear about the upcoming future to the company, behind the scenes moves were swiftly being made. From contacting talent both familiar and new to the new regime, to looking to align unique working relationships among companies foreign and domestic, to even figuring out the issue of a television deal without Sinclair as owners, one thing is for certain - Supercard of Honor is going to be a must-see show.



UPCOMING TIMELINE:

NEXT - SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2022 PRESS CONFERENCE // UPDATED CODE OF HONOR & RULES ANNOUNCEMENT // PREDICTION CONTEST

THEN - SuperCard of Honor // April 1st 2022 - Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX



Author’s Note: Figured I’d jump over with everyone else, and wanted to do something I thought would’ve flooded the market way more than it did; a Triple H custom fed idea from the end of last year. I have some fun ideas for this thread and have a decent amount planned, let’s see where it goes. The “timeline” is January 1st starting, with all WWE releases happening as did in real life. This also may lead to more releases at some point in the future of the thread, and more contracts expiring since Triple H wont take over WWE, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I think there's room for a third big company in America, kinda like ECW, and I also think this will be my chance to book some indie/foreign talent that AEW or WWE threads wouldn't have let me. Plus, ROHHH gives me a bit more freedom to build what I want than something like Impact without me having to fully create a company and start from scratch. Here's hoping this lasts for a bit, I'm excited to be back in the BTB game!
 
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Ty2J

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Ty2J

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Stojy

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Glad to see you make the jump, Ty. An interesting concept for sure. Trips and Shawn owning running ROH just feels so bizarre. Looking forward to seeing how you keep the values of original ROH, but merge it into the vision of two guys who have been pro WWE guys forever. Shall be a fun journey for sure.

Best of luck mate.
 
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UPDATED CODE OF HONOR// RULES

CODE OF HONOR:
1. Shake hands before and after the match out of respect for your opponent.

2. Respect all officials.

3. Keep the playing field fair.


RULES OF HONOR:
1. In respect to the lucha libre culture that has helped reshape the image of Ring of Honor, all matches involving tags will be contested under Lucha Rules. No physical tags are required to be made; if someone leaves the ring, then the next eligible competitor to enter the ring becomes the legal man.

2. DQ counts for team maneuvers are increased to a count of 10. Rope breaks remain a count of 5 before disqualification.

3. Intentional unmasking of a masked competitor [outside the results of a Lucha de Apuestas] will result in an immediate disqualification.

4. Any championship from an outside promotion being defended in ROH will be held under the home promotions’ rule set.

5. To second a wrestler you must either have a valid manager’s license, or be an active competitor approved by the active ROH matchmaker ahead of bell time.



KeSewDQ.png

SUPERCARD OF HONOR PRESS CONFERENCE//BACKSTORY//PREDICTION CONTEST
Hosted By Shawn Michaels, Cary Silkin, and William Regal

Ring of Honor Presents:
SuperCard of Honor 2022 Prelim Card
Friday, April 1st 7 PM EST - Live On YouTube

[The story of the matches will be conveyed but will not be written in full.]

PRELIM MATCH #1:
Exhibition - Six Person Tag Team Match - 20 Minute Time Limit
Willow Nightingale, Session Moth Martina, & VENY v. Thekla & Team 200 Kg (Yuu & Chihiro Hashimoto)


Opening our show with a showcase of the ROH women’s division, we will see multiple women step into our ring for the first time ever. On the first team are ROH mainstays, “The Babe With The Power” Willow Nightingale alongside ROH’s resident mad lass, the grinding Session Moth Martina! These two fun and upbeat competitors will be joined by the international sensation VENY! VENY, a 7-year veteran in the Japanese scene, has held titles in Diana, WAVE, SEAdLINNNG, and DDT. Proving herself a formidable competitor, she looks to make her first lasting impression on the American fans with her ROH debut. On the opposite side, an eclectic pairing of joshi forces. Thekla, the Austrian “Toxic Spider” has made her presence felt in Ice Ribbon and STARDOM though will be making her debut on US soil with this match. Also making their US debuts are the team of “The Dream Fighter” Yuu and “Big Hash” Chihiro Hashimoto - Team 200Kg! Despite only teaming for the last 3 years, the duo has run roughshod over the Sendai Girls promotion in Japan where they are currently tag team champions nearing 600 combined days as champions. As these trios are filled with colorful and dynamic personalities, it is going to be a showcase of the bright future of the ROH women’s division!

PRELIM MATCH #2:
Exhibition - Singles Match - 20 Minute Time Limit
“The Suplex Assassin” Alex Kane v. Tony Deppen


Kane makes his Ring of Honor debut against former ROH Television Champion Tony Deppen! Neither man have ever stepped foot inside the ring with one another, but both have had unique rises through the independent rankings. Tony Deppen made a name for himself in GCW and Chikara before signing with Ring of Honor and making waves throughout the pandemic era. Now, as ROH returns with fans, Deppen looks to solidify himself as a legitimate player in the company. Alex Kane dominated Major League Wrestling, with a lengthy reign as Openweight Champion. Kane is a hard-hitting shooter with an arsenal of brutal throws and violent strikes that should lead to a brutal battle between both men as each looks to gain footing in this exhibition match. Kane made it clear in the conference that he has his sights on championship gold and will be looking to make a statement with this match. Deppen told him that Deppen’s nobody’s steppingstone and he wants to get back into the mix for “his” ROH TV championship once more.

PRELIM MAIN EVENT:
ROH Six Man Tag Team Championship
Invitational Trios Gauntlet [5 Challenging Teams] - No Time Limit
The Righteous[c] Defend


The team of Vincent, Dutch, and Bateman collectively known as The Righteous were accompanied by Vita VonStarr, though the 5 challenging teams were not present. The group dressed in formal white clothes discussed the future of ROH, cutting a promo on the uncertainty of it all. They also ran down the currently announced trios that will be competing in the match - a team of ROH legends The Amazing Red, Jack Evans, and Homicide / former ROH World Champion Dalton Castle and The Boys / Timothy Thatcher and The Workhorsemen [JD Drake & Anthony Henry] / the reunion of an experienced trio now being called Lucha World Tour [Mascara Dorada, Lince Dorado, and Samuray Del Sol] / A Mystery final team. The Righteous cut a promo addressing each set of challengers, as well as making teases about potentials for the final team, though VonStarr moved the group along as they ranted.



Ring of Honor Presents:
SuperCard of Honor 2022 Main Card
Friday, April 1st 8 PM EST - Live On Pay-Per View

MATCH #1

Singles Match - 30 Minute Time Limit [Winner Receives NWA World's Heavyweight Championship Match]
Swerve Strickland v. Biff Busick


As Ring of Honor has a newly announced partnership alongside the National Wrestling Alliance, this match involving two of ROH’s newest signees has major interpromotional stakes. Both men have experience as a world champion, however this time they compete for a shot at one of the most prestigious championships in the sport; the 10 Pounds of Gold. Swerve Strickland kept his usual cool and confident energy around the conference, deferring to his team a decent amount as he seemed more entertained by getting under his opponent’s skin than participating in the interview. Busick stated that he’s hungry to prove himself against the best fighters in the world, with as many different styles as possible. Busick said that he is looking to prove that he is the toughest wrestler alive and that this is the first step in proving it. With this match leading to a shot at the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship, it is going to give both men the chance not just to up their momentum, but the chance to potentially etch their names into the history books!

MATCH #2

ROH Television Championship
Singles Match - 60 Minute Time Limit

Rhett Titus[c] v. Matt Cardona w/ His Entourage

The challenger was late, and so this portion started off with just the defending champion answering questions. Rhett Titus mentioned how proud he was to be champion and that he was excited for the future of ROH as the Television Champion. As Titus was discussing his history with Ring of Honor and what he hopes the new ROH could be, the doors opened and a commotion started as the challenger arrived. Flanked by Chelsea Green and Brian Myers, standing behind his legal representation Smart Mart Sterling is the cocky and brash Matt Cardona. In shades with a smirk on his face, Cardona lounged about as Sterling answered any and all questions on behalf of the challenger. Sterling stated that Cardona has proved himself in the last 2 years as the “King of DeathMatch wrestling”, the “Undisputed Best Independent Wrestler Alive” and that Cardona’s job was to get the TV championship so that the “company would have a champion worth putting on television.” Titus fired up and challenged Cardona to answer for himself, but Cardona held the vibe that he would rather be anywhere but this conference. Myers stood between Titus and Cardona as security quickly stopped the

MATCH #3

Exhibition - Singles Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
Mia Yim v. “Portugal’s Prizefighter” Killer Kelly


One of the most interesting style match-ups on the entire card, social media have been buzzing about this match as a dark horse for match of the night. As the trained and lethal mixed martial artist Killer Kelly has the submissions and strikes to defeat the biggest and baddest of the competition - the street tough, iron hearted Mia Yim is ready to put her to the test. When two of the fiercest competitors in women’s wrestling today square off for the first time ever, it’s anybody’s guess who might come out on top. At the conference, Mia Yim was adamant that she is out to remind the people just how tough she is and just what she can do bell to bell. Yim reminded everyone that she is a 5-time women’s champion across the world, and she will not rest until the ROH World Women’s title is the next one on that list. Killer Kelly responded curtly, calling herself a prodigy in the sport, winning her first women’s championship the year after she debuted and saying that she reached most people’s “dream contract” in her first two years wrestling. Kelly said that she’s going to prove herself in ROH, and the first step in that path is on Yim’s throat. The two got heated and in each other’s face before being separated by event security.

After the last two matches got a bit tense with security involved, Regal reminded everyone that ROH would be expecting decorum in events like this. He plainly said that there would be ramifications for anybody ignoring this warning and that the Code of Honor is to be respected.

MATCH #4

ROH Pure Championship
Pure Rules Match - 30 Minute Time Limit
“The Technical Beast” Josh Woods[c] v. “The King” Minoru Suzuki


Josh Woods noted that he is the underdog in nearly every sense of the word for this match, against one of the most legendary men to ever step in a ring. Woods mentioned new training techniques and partners, stating that he planned to step into Supercard of Honor as a whole new man than ROH fans have seen before. Suzuki would not speak until the very end of the two of their time, but what he said was methodical and with purpose, much like The King’s in ring style. Suzuki flatly stated that he has never won a championship in America, and now is the time. The two stared down for a photo op, with Woods’ determined glare being contrasted by the typical tongue out smile of the challenger.

MATCH #5

ROH World Women's Championship
Singles Match - 60 Minute Time Limit
“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo[c] v. Toni Storm


Deonna Purrazzo had spent the last few months on Impact Wrestling doing the #ChampChampChallenge where she would defend both the ROH and Impact championships that she has held onto. After these challenges, the Supercard of Honor logo began to appear with a countdown clock. After a few weeks, the clock would strike zero - And it was Toni Time! Toni Storm would walk out on an episode of Impact, and officially announce the match for Supercard of Honor between the two. These two have only fought three times, twice being title matches, but Toni Storm is 3-0 against Deonna. A fact which was brought up early at this press conference. Purrazzo, though, was quick to respond that she has flourished in recent years and has been at the top of not just her own game, but all of women’s wrestling across the independent scene. Deonna pledged not only to avenge her prior losses to Storm, but to do so by making Toni submit. Storm simply said that the only thing that will be different than the last few times, is that instead of defending her own belt, Toni plans to be taking one away from Deonna.

MATCH #6

4 Corner Survival Match - No Time Limit
Ninja Mack v. “The Iron Demon” Shane Mercer v. Jake Something v. “Best Kept Secret” Buddy Matthews


These four are all men who, for vastly different reasons, have a lot of buzz from different groups of the wrestling fandom. Ninja Mack has been setting the independent scene on fire with his innovative aerial maneuvers and said that he feels as though this is his moment to break out. Mack cited some of the past great highfliers in ROH’s history like Jack Evans, Matt Sydal, and AJ Styles who became some of greatest of all time in ring. Mack would simply say that they made their mark in/on ROH and that he wants to do the same, and that he would be the first out of those names to become ROH World Champion. Shane Mercer, pound for pound possibly the strongest wrestler on the card, is preparing to use this moment as his breakout as well, but as Mercer would say – he’s not particularly worried about the past of ROH or even the future of ROH as a whole. Mercer’s goal was to throw people around and to prove what he has known himself for 15 years; Shane Mercer is the baddest man alive. Mercer ran down a list of his feats of strength on the indies, as he put it “lifting up bleachers out of the ground to throw onto somebody, throwing someone into the 5th row, hitting a mother*cker with another mother*cker.” Mercer finished his time by saying that he’s been overlooked for far too long, and he’s not happy about it like some people – Mercer directly says that he’s coming for heads and he wants to “make up for lost time.” Jake Something would keep it simple and short, saying he had a lot to prove coming back to ROH. Something feels his time in Impact made him a more complete wrestler than he in his last run. Something seemed focused, a trainee of the ROH Dojo coming back for the first time in 7 years it feels like young stars in Japan going on excursion to find themselves and coming back as an evolution of who they used to be. The final component to this match, ironically dubbed the “Best Kept Secret” despite his name being trending in the hours following this match’s announcement; Buddy Matthews making his Ring of Honor debut. Buddy said that he’s been used to needing to go above and beyond to prove that he is better than everybody else he steps in the ring with – he started with a division, and he’s moved on to an entire company now. Matthews says that his career peak so far was winning a championship in his home country. Matthews vowed not only to win gold again, but to bring Ring of Honor Wrestling to Australia to make his second career peak in front of his family. Though, that is the future, Matthews would concede – when asked about the here and now Matthews was driven in his immediate goal. Win matches. Matthews says that time and again when he has needed to prove himself, he buckles down, keeps winning, and he does what he set out to do – this time would be no different. All four men stood together for a photo op in multiple configurations.

MATCH #7

ROH World Tag Team Championships
Tag Team Match - 60 Minute Time Limit
The Briscoes[c] v. Kings of Wrestling


The Briscoes are the heart and soul of Ring of Honor – it is at the point in both the team and company’s legacies that you cannot go in depth about one without thoroughly discussing the other. One of the greatest tag teams of the generation has held down ROH for just about all its two decades alive. Perhaps the biggest news out of the gate for this show is the return of one of the greatest tag teams not just in Ring of Honor history, but in all professional wrestling – Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero, The Kings of Wrestling. When ROH management mentioned they were bringing in a major threat to The Briscoes reign, there were speculations of some teams, but none came close to the shock that ended up being reality. After over a decade without teaming together, KOW reunite to take on one of their greatest rivals of all time. These two have fought wars against each other in past ROH shows, and this time would be no different. The Kings of Wrestling would be upfront about the match up – the duo is excited to return to the ring together and are ready to show the ROH faithful that they are still the pinnacle of tag team wrestling. The Briscoes took umbrage with the warm welcome back that KOW were receiving. To Mark and Jay, they saw KOW as someone who left for greener pastures because they didn’t believe in ROH like The Briscoes did. The Briscoes said that they ARE Ring of Honor and coming back to ROH to fight is all well and good, but The Briscoes never left because they were “too busy running the show week in and week out.” Hero mentioned Claudio staying tuned in tag team matches even if it wasn’t alongside Hero, and that there was more to Kings of Wrestling now than we saw last time they teamed together. Claudio would also agree that The Briscoes are Ring of Honor and said that is proven by the fact that they were the first tag team inducted into the Ring of Honor Hall of Fame. KOW said that it’s now their job to prove that they aren’t the number 2 tag team in Ring of Honor, they aren’t the 1B or even tied for the best – Kings of Wrestling want to prove that the first ever Hall of Fame tag team in ROH should have been them and to do that, we have to once again see Kings Reign Supreme.

MATCH #8 - MAIN EVENT

Undisputed ROH World Championship
Singles Match - No Time Limit

“The Octopus” Jonathan Gresham v. “El Más Buscado” Bandido

The main event, and the match that many seem most uncertain of the outcome as betting odds are almost exactly split down the middle – the crowing of an Undisputed ROH World Champion. Bandido, in some peoples’ eyes the rightful champion, never lost his ROH World Championship. Being forced to vacate the championship due to testing positive for COVID-19 before Final Battle 2021. In his stead, Jonathan Gresham would go head-to-head with one of the greatest Ring of Honor champions of all time, Jay Lethal for the then vacant World Championship. Jonathan Gresham would come out on top and spend the next number of months defending the Ring of Honor Championship across various independent companies including Black Label Pro, PROGRESS, and Impact Wrestling. The time has come, however, to put to rest the idea of who should be the rightful Ring of Honor World Champion. With no time limit sanctioned for this match, there MUST be a winner – one way or the other we will know who the best wrestler in the world is following the result of this match. Gresham, the very slight favorite in betting odds, would say that Bandido got out of Final Battle luckily by not having to lose his championship at ROH’s largest stage of the year, but that luck has run out. Gresham would go on that while he has been proud to wave the banner for ROH across the wrestling scene, that it was time to erase any doubt of who belongs on the mountaintop of the new Ring of Honor. While Gresham defended the ROH title and kept ROH’s legacy alive in the last few months of uncertainty, all he was able to hear people talk about was the eventual rematch/unification/whatever you want to call it. Despite Gresham being champion, the fans still only wanted to discuss Bandido around him, and that festered inside Jonathan Gresham until he couldn’t wait any longer. Gresham ended his impassioned speech with a vow to not only stretch out Bandido, but to force a submission in the center of the ring. Bandido spoke with a translator and was adamant that he is still the rightful Ring of Honor World Champion. Bandido said that he was happy for Gresham to continue representing ROH, but that it would have been Bandido if he wasn’t stripped of a title and not allowed a rematch until now. Bandido goes on to say that there is no hard feelings and he respects Gresham as a bell to bell wrestler, but that there can only be one best in the world. Bandido would even concede that Gresham may have him beat in terms of technical wrestling acumen, but that ROH has evolved over the last few years thanks to him and some of his lucha brethren. Bandido stated that ROH fans welcoming luchadors into the company with open arms was something that he appreciated, and he was adamant that to pay back their belief in him that Bandido’s duty was to reclaim the ROH World Championship. The photo op for the match did involve both men holding their ROH World Championship belts, with the visual contrast of Gresham’s old school Ring of Honor Championship from the early 2000’s squaring off against the most recent ROH World Championship design. This truly is a clash of ROH’s identities – classic versus new age, the heart & soul against the lifeblood – as both men go to war to prove their superiority, one thing remains certain; the last man standing will be somebody well worth marching Ring of Honor forward into the bright future.



UP NEXT - ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR 4/1/2022
 

Stojy

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Looking forward to the show mate, here's some predics:

Willow, Moth and VENY
Tony Deppen
The Righteous
Swerve
Cardona
Kelly
Woods
Storm
Buddy
The Briscoes
Gresham
 
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