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Episode Six
Honor 101 would begin with a cold open as AJ Styles would stand in the ring and make it known that he didn't see there being a benefit in having to wait another three weeks before himself and Jerry Lynn would tangle in the ring for their second match in their best of five series. Instead he would strongly suggest that the wily old goat make their way out from the back and face him right now at the very top of the show. Lynn was never someone to turn away from being called out and would emerge from behind the curtain ready to accept the challenge and kick the night off with a bang.
- Match One - Best of Fiver Series -
| AJ Styles vs. Jerry Lynn |
Their first encounter at Final Battle 2002 set the bar high, with Lynn earning the initial victory. This second chapter began at a blistering pace, both men countering each other’s signature moves like they’d studied every step. Styles relied on explosive athleticism crisp dropkicks, springboard forearms, and lightning-quick reversals while Lynn matched him move for move with ring awareness and flawless timing. Midway through the bout, Styles began targeting Lynn’s neck and shoulder, slowing the pace with methodical holds and a backbreaker to cut off Lynn’s veteran momentum. But Lynn’s resilience kept him alive; every time Styles built rhythm, Lynn found a counter. The two traded near falls: Styles hitting a spinebuster into a kip-up, Lynn countering with a tilt-a-whirl DDT that drew a standing ovation. The closing minutes saw the action spill to the apron, where Styles attempted a Styles Clash to the floor. Lynn fought out, sending AJ crashing into the barricade before rolling him back inside and nailing the Cradle Piledriver for the emphatic three-count.
Winner: Jerry Lynn (lead series 2-0)
After the bell, Styles sat stunned in the corner while Lynn offered a nod of respect before heading up the ramp. Commentary noted that while Lynn now holds a commanding lead in the series, Styles’ frustration is clearly boiling, making their next meeting all the more volatile. The added point would me made by Prazak that if Styles lost he would not be able to compete on Ring of Honor for the rest of the calendar year with the chances of Lynn being forced to retire seeming less and less likely.
* * *
The Sandman who hadn't been seen since his match against Ronn Killings for the ROH World Championship would speak backstage with Pamela Paulshock. The former ECW loyalist would vent that his chance of becoming the world champion had been stolen by outside interference and that he wasn't one to put the past in the past and let go of grudges as he would turn to his left and joined by the infamous Sabu. The Sandman would inform The Kill Team (Monty Brown & Minoru Suzuki) that at the Anniversary Show he had the match set in stone that all four men would meet in Tornado Tag No DQ match and he promised that their would be blood. To add some extra spice to the build up, he would confirm that Sabu would make his ROH in-ring debut later on tonight against Minoru Suzuki.
* * *
- Match Two - Singles Match -
| Hirooki Goto vs. Charlie Haas |
The second match of the night featured two technically gifted competitors looking to climb the ROH ranks, as Japan’s Hirooki Goto faced the powerhouse technician Charlie Haas, who was still seeking his first victory since debuting in Ring of Honor. The opening exchange was crisp and deliberate, both men testing each other with takedowns and grappling holds. Goto’s speed and aggression gave him the early advantage, landing sharp forearms and a running lariat that sent Haas reeling into the corner. But Haas, known for his patience and ring IQ, adapted quickly cutting Goto off with a precision drop toe hold into a crossface variation that shifted the pace in his favor. Haas began systematically targeting Goto’s left arm, working joint manipulation and suplex combinations to wear him down. Goto fought back valiantly, hitting a backdrop suplex and a spinning heel kick for a close near fall, but Haas’ determination shone through. After dodging Goto’s lariat, Haas exploded with a German suplex trio, holding the bridge on the third for a dramatic two-count. In the final moments, Goto went for a desperate clothesline, only for Haas to catch him mid-motion and transition flawlessly into the Haas of Pain submission. Trapped in the center of the ring, Goto had no choice but to tap out.
Winner: Charlie Haas
The crowd applauded as Haas stood tall, celebrating his first ROH victory. Goto offered a respectful handshake, which Haas accepted a show of sportsmanship that underscored ROH’s emphasis on competition and respect and perhaps that the Pure Rules element that Danielson was promoting was starting to be proactively be believed in by other members of the roster.
* * *
Christopher Daniels would cut a promo from the Triple X locker-room room area although do so without either Elix or Low Ki anywhere to be seen. Daniels would demand that Killings give him a shot at the ROH World Championship and the fact that he had held the champ down for the three count meant that from his point of view he deserved for that shot at the belt at a big time event and so was thus expecting the shot to be granted at the Anniversary Show. Daniels would offer high praise to Low Ki and would admit he had expected him to get a direct shot at the belt first, but he wasn't one to let an opportunity pass him by. Before he could say anything more he would be blindsided with a steel chair being driven into the back of his head as he would collapse to the floor with none other than Killings standing over the fallen Daniels. Killings would shout that Daniels had got lucky and only big names got to appear in pay per view main-event, but if Daniels managed to dust himself and recompose himself then he would give him a shot at the belt tonight. To add insult to injury Killings would punt Daniels in the ribs before walking out of shot leaving Daniels look worse for wear and really not in the best fighting position to challenge for the belt later on this evening.
* * *
- Match Three - Singles Match -
| Sabu vs. Minoru Suzuki |
In one of the most anticipated bouts of the night, hardcore legend Sabu made his Ring of Honor debut against the calculating and ruthless Minoru Suzuki, representing The Kill Team. What followed was a fascinating clash of chaos and control Sabu’s wild, unpredictable offense meeting Suzuki’s cold, methodical precision. From the start, Sabu went full throttle, launching himself at Suzuki with a running chair-assisted leg lariat and immediately sending the match spilling to the outside. He used his trademark unpredictability - hurling chairs, leaping off the barricade, and keeping Suzuki completely off balance. The crowd erupted as Sabu hit a diving moonsault from the apron to the floor, showcasing why his reputation preceded him. Suzuki weathered the early storm, biding his time. Once he got Sabu grounded, the match turned violent in a different way - Suzuki targeting Sabu’s arm with brutal submissions and joint locks, grinning coldly as the referee checked for a break. Every time Sabu tried to fire back, Suzuki found a counter, transitioning into holds that twisted limbs at impossible angles. Just as Sabu began to rally, hitting an Arabian Facebuster and signaling for a triple jump moonsault, Monty Brown made his way down the ramp, shouting at Sabu and drawing his attention. The distraction was enough as the referee warned Brown, Suzuki struck from behind with a low blow, sending Sabu to his knees. Suzuki then rolled him up with a tight small package for the three-count.
Winner: Minoru Suzuki
After the match, Suzuki smirked as Brown entered the ring to raise his hand, both men taunting the fallen Sabu. The crowd booed heavily until The Sandman would emerge with two kendo sticks in hand chuck one to Sabu. The boos would transform to cheers as the former ECW members would go on the offensive and proceed to chase both members of The Kill Team not just backstage, but cameras would actually get footage of Suzuki and Brown jumping into a car and driving away from the arena to avoid further backlash.
* * *
Doug Williams would appear frustrated and annoyed as he would state he was annoyed that Jeff Jarrett had insulted him greatly by picking Sterling and not himself to be a member of his team of four at the Anniversary Show and would make the point that he wasn't going to miss out on the match and would confirm that he had agreed to team up alongside James, Waltman and Konnan and looked forward not only breaking a guitar over Jarrett's head but reminding the word that he had always been the strongest link of Home & Away.
* * *
- Main Event - ROH World Championship -
| Ronn Killings (c) vs. Christopher Daniels |
After the brutal backstage assault earlier in the night, few believed Christopher Daniels would even make it to the ring - let alone challenge for the ROH World Championship. But as the lights dimmed and 'The Fallen Angel' theme hit, Daniels emerged slowly from the curtain, ribs taped, and a visible gash above his eyebrow. The crowd rose to their feet, rallying behind him as he stepped into the ring to face the ever-arrogant Ronn Killings, who swaggered out with the title draped over his shoulder, smirking with confidence. From the opening bell, Killings toyed with his wounded challenger, taunting him with slaps and evasive footwork. Every move Daniels tried seemed to backfire his strikes lacked their usual precision, and Killings targeted his taped ribs mercilessly with knee lifts and gutbusters. But Daniels refused to stay down. Every time Killings went for the cover, Daniels kicked out slower each time, but with growing defiance. The turning point came midway through when Killings went for a flying forearm, only for Daniels to counter with a desperation uranage slam, both men crashing to the mat. The crowd erupted, sensing a possible comeback.
Daniels fought through the pain, stringing together a burst of offense a blue thunder bomb, a standing enzuigiri, and a diving clothesline that nearly leveled the champion. Killings tried to regroup, looking to his corner for support, but The Kill Team: Monty Brown and Minoru Suzuki were nowhere to be found, reportedly barred from ringside earlier in the night after a backstage altercation. For the first time, Killings was truly on his own. In the closing moments, Killings hit the Lie Detector and seemed to have the match won, but Daniels somehow got a foot on the bottom rope. Enraged, Killings grabbed the title belt and tried to use it as a weapon, only for the referee to pull it away. That split-second distraction gave Daniels the opening he needed a kick to the gut, followed by the Angel’s Wings in the center of the ring. The crowd counted along: one, two, three! And the arena exploded.
Winner: Christopher Daniels (to become the new ROH World Champion)
Daniels collapsed to his knees as the referee handed him the belt, blood on his face and tears in his eyes. The fans chanted “Fallen Angel! Fallen Angel!” as he held the title high, the culmination of months of determination and the ultimate statement of defiance against The Kill Team’s dominance. The show closed on Daniels standing tall on the turnbuckles, championship raised, while Killings was shown storming up the ramp, shouting that Daniels’ win was a “fluke.” But the truth was undeniable Christopher Daniels had overcome the odds and claimed the top prize in Ring of Honor and changed the entire main-event landscape in the process.
