The final battle.
There was major hype and speculation coming into tonight's 'Final Battle' pay-per-view and the majority of that hype deriving from wrestling fans were locked onto the ROH World Championship match between the current IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion Cody and the current ROH World Champion Jay Lethal. With all the talk of Cody and 'The Elite' potentially kick-starting their 'All Elite Wrestling' promotion and Cody openly stating that he is a free agent come January of 2019, many wondered would Cody walk out of 'Final Battle' as the ROH World Champion.
The crowd at #ROHFinalBattle loves the American Nightmare! As for @CodyRhodes? Well... #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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Snake? Snake? SNAAAAAAAAAAAAKE! #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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Throughout the match, Cody and Jay Lethal went tit-for-tat and Brandi Rhodes who was at ringside also got her fair share of action in as she speared both Jay Lethal and her husband Cody which was by accident. At one point during the match, Adam "Hangman' Page who competed against Jeff Cobb earlier in the night attempted to ring the bell while Cody had Lethal in a submission to give Cody the ROH World Title.
.@TheBrandiRhodes with the bionic shoulder! #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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.@CodyRhodes will meet you at the Cross Rhodes! #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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The tactic did not work and neither did the remaining tactics that Cody and Brandi had up their sleeves. Jay Lethal did end up playing their game as he continuously attacked Cody's injured meniscus and hit it with the championship belt and after a series of exchanges, Lethal locked in the "Figure Four Leg Lock" and submitted Cody in the middle of the ring.
.@TheLethalJay Injection!! #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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.@TheLethalJay IS Ring of Honor. #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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Post-match, Marty Scurll came down to the ring and confronted Jay Lethal because Marty is the number one contender to the ROH World Title, but out of nowhere was the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis accompanied by Kamilla Kaine and Aldis gave Lethal a round of applause.
The champ needs his belt, right @MartyScurll? Take care of that, @TheLethalJay... #ROHFinalBattle #HonorClub
— TDE Wrestling (@totaldivaseps) December 15, 2018
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-------- https://t.co/bTFRQJ0Uxl
— NWA (@nwa) December 15, 2018
Ring Of Honor's 'Final Battle' pay-per-view is coming to a close so check out the Fightful Pro Wrestling YouTube channel where our crew will be reviewing the show in its entirety.