Lee Moriarty is ready for anything.
Lee Moriarty has held the ROH Pure Championship since he beat Wheeler Yuta for the title at ROH Death Before Dishonor in July. He has defended the title three times, and he will put the title on the line in an open challenge at ROH Final Battle on December 20.
Speaking with Fightful's Grapsody podcast, Lee Moriarty was asked about preparing for an open challenge.
"With Pure Rules, you need more preparation than a regular match because there are so many different obstacles. For me, I take pride in TAIGASTYLE, and that is the ability to adapt to my opponent in any situation. I can go in there with one gameplan, but because I’ve studied every style of pro wrestling, I can change it just like that. I’m not going to have a problem with that. It doesn’t make me nervous. Anybody who has followed along with me through my Pure Rules journey, every match, I’ve gotten better at Pure Rules. My most recent title defense against Taven, I’ve gotten better than my first one when I defeated Wheeler Yuta. It’s a progression and I’m ready for whoever might come through the open challenge door, or Forbidden Door," Moriarty said.
Moriarty was also asked about carrying the proverbial ROH flag and the ROH Pure Championship into the Hammerstein Ballroom, and he stated that it meant a lot to him. He stated that ROH had given him the tool to reach the next level, and he was ready to carry the flag and prove himself as someone who could be the face of the company.
"It means a lot to me because the Pure division, specifically, is important to the wrestler that I’ve become. There has only been 13 people to hold the championship, me included. When you look at the list, they are some of the greatest professional wrestlers to have ever existed, and some are the most important figures in Ring of Honor history and their growth, development, and establishing what Ring of Honor is. Now, we’re entering a new era of Ring of Honor under Tony Khan’s ownership, and I feel Ring of Honor has given me the tool to step up and reach that next level. I am very ready to carry that flag going into Hammerstein and Final Battle. This time last year, I was fighting at Final Battle, but I came up short in a TV Title match. Now, I’m going in the champion and I’m ready to step up and continue to prove why I am one of the best options to be the face of a company. I say that with all confidence that maybe I didn’t have a year ago. I’ve proven myself. I’m ready to step up because there is no one like me in pro wrestling. I can say that 100% with all of my heart," Moriarty said.
When asked whether there was anyone he was preparing to face at ROH Final Battle, Moriarty pointed out that AEW worked with several companies, so anyone could answer the challenge. He noted that Homicide could potentially show up because they'd be in New York City. Moriarty then stated that he was prepared to accept whatever challenge he wound up facing.
"It’s hard to say. The reason is, AEW has so many great working relationships, whether that’s with CMLL, STARDOM, New Japan, DDT, anything. Anybody can come through that door, step through that curtain, and challenge me. I don’t know what to anticipate, but I’m ready. We’re in New York. Maybe Homicide is going to come through that curtain. Homicide in Pure Rules. I’m not sure, but I know that I’m prepared to accept whatever challenge comes through and I’m excited to find out who that is," Moriarty said.
Moriarty recently discussed learning from Bryan Danielson. Check out his comments here.
Moriarty recently spoke with Cameron Hawkins for Fightful. The interview can be found here.
Fightful will have coverage of ROH Final Battle as it airs on December 20.
