ROH Final Battle is coming soon on Friday, December 4, and Athena is hatching an evil plan for her world title defense.
Athena’s last rival for the ROH world title was Maya World. The Minion Overlord was frustrated that Maya turned down her advances for mentorship. Maya’s tag team partner, Hyan, gained Athena’s attention when she beat Billie Starkz in singles action.
The gears started churning in Athena’s mind to recruit Hyan for M.I.T. Like a proper cult leader, Athena is focusing her pitch on family and how Maya allegedly abandoned Hyan. (Maya did not abandon Hyan.)
Athena didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. Her plan is to defend the ROH Women’s World Championship against Hyan at Final Battle. Hyan needs to understand that Athena is the best and that she needs Athena’s guidance. The Forever Champ’s logic is that beating Hyan to a pulp will open her eyes to join M.I.T. It’s worked on Starkz and Diamante, and they are both her minions.
ROH made the title bout official for Final Battle in San Antonio, Texas.
Let’s take a look at how the rest of the Final Battle card is taking shape. We can start with the champions roll call.
- ROH World Championship: Bandido
- ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena
- ROH World Tag Team Championship: Mistico & Mascara Dorada
- ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty
- ROH Women’s Pure Championship: Deonna Purrazzo
- ROH World Television Championship: Action Andretti
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet
- ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Jay Lethal, Blake Christian, & Lee Johnson
Aside from Athena, I don’t see any obvious directions right now on ROH TV. Bandido and Lee Moriarty both closed the chapter on their latest challengers. The Most Wanted was wanted by Bishop Kaun. Bandido stood tough to retain the gold on the 21 Plex. So, who’s next? Do Toa Liona or Ricochet demand a shot at Bandido? Perhaps Texas Death at AEW Full Gear unfolds in a way for unfinished business with Swerve Strickland or Kofi.
AR Fox dueled Lee Moriarty in Pure rules to a time-limit draw in the Proving Ground match. Fox didn’t have to wait long for his official title bout. He tested Moriarty hard. The Pure champion used his final rope-break to escape a pinfall. Fox’s downfall was jamming his knee landing on a springboard leap. Moriarty attacked like a shark to blood. A leglock on the knee caused Fox to use his final rope-break. Moriarty continued with the upper hand for an ankle lock. Fox reached the ropes, but he hand no more breaks remaining. Moriarty transitioned to the Border City Stretch, and Fox tapped out in defeat. As for next up to challenge Moriarty for the ROH Pure Championship, Nigel McGuinness never received his shot due to injury. Perhaps ROH goes that direction if McGuinness is healthy now.
Mistico and Mascara Dorada retained the ROH tag titles on AEW Collision this week. Sky Team bested Blake Christian & Lee Johnson. On ROH TV, Shane Taylor introduced the Infantry as the next champions. I don’t know if that is a hint for Final Battle or just a manger hyping his team.
Share you thoughts about Athena’s evil plan to recruit Hyan. How do you think the Final Battle card shakes out? Who would you like to see challenge for ROH titles on this PPV?
