ROH Final Battle 2014 Preview and Predictions

    • ROH Final Battle 2014 Preview and Predictions

      ROH Final Battle in NYC. It’s probably going to snow that night.

      Giving their thoughts and predictions on what to expect from the PPV are members of the site @JoeySplashwater, @TimWelcomed and @TomBlargh.

      Mark Briscoe vs. Hanson vs. Jimmy Jacobs vs. Caprice Coleman

      Joey:

      Typical fun match to get guys on the show. These happen frequently in ROH and often delivers as a nice opener. Hanson has been wonderful to watch this year and I think he has to get the victory here.

      Interest Level: 6/10
      Prediction: Hanson wins.

      Tim:

      This should be a nice opener. Don’t have much to say about it besides I think Hanson should win this one. He’s been a delight. Also, Jimmy Jacobs is a personal favorite of mine.

      Interest Level: 5/10
      Prediction: Hanson wins

      Tom:

      Alright, Final Battle! Despite being an NYC resident, I’m not going to the show. The venue’s weirdly awkward to get to, it seems badly set-up in terms of seating and the ticket pricing is just wacky (I’m not paying $20 to stand up to watch wrestling, NO CHANCE). Man, I miss Hammerstein.

      However, even in spite my whining, I’ll still likely order it because the last one was a good laugh (and my ROH PPV party pictures are testament to that):

      Great times. ANYWAY, THIS MATCH. ROH fourways are generally an enjoyable mess, and I’m sure this one will continue that trend.

      Interest Level: 6/10
      Prediction: Hanson wins.

      Roderick Strong vs. Adam Page

      Joey:

      Adam Page is talented but I don’t know if he’s talented enough for what ROH is expecting here. They’ve clearly positioned this as a big match which is meant to be Page’s coming out party. The whole Decade story has been confusing and weird so it’s hard to really be into this. I don’t know what to expect but feel there’s something significant being planned. I’ve skipped so many Roderick Strong matches the last few months that it feels like the first time I’m seeing him in a while!

      Interest Level: 6/10
      Prediction: Adam Page wins.

      Tim:

      I’m not really into Adam Page and I feel I should be. I’ve also had trouble getting into any of this story. Do I think Adam Page can impress? Definitely. I just don’t know if this is where he’ll do that for me though. I’m interested in a curious way but that doesn’t go very far here. Roderick Strong can be awesome to watch but he’s been so stale for years now.

      Interest Level: 4/10
      Prediction: Adam Page wins.

      Tom:

      Adam Page isn’t The Decade’s YOUNG BOY anymore! YOUNG BOY! That’s a puro term because this is RING OF HONOR, baby! AMERICAN STRONG STYLE!

      Interest Level: 3/10
      Prediction: Adam Page wins.

      Moose vs. RD Evans

      Joey:

      I like RD Evans act and Moose has been a pleasant surprise from what I expected when he debuted. The New Streak ended at the right time as it was getting stale and this match actually should be fun in the right place. I don’t know if New York City is that place. Fans were unfamiliar with both guys on the recent Summer show in NY so I don’t know if they’ll be up to date or invested in this. As for the match, Veda Scott turning on RD is expected.

      Interest Level: 5/10
      Prediction: Moose wins.

      Tim:

      This is a match I can get behind. RD Evans is one of the best around! Moose has definitely won me over. I haven’t seen a spear like his since *lowers sunglasses* Rasche Brown… except Moose actually has my attention (for the timebeing, anyway). This should be interesting and I’m expecting Moose to go over, of course.

      Interest Level: 8/10
      Prediction: Moose wins.

      Tom:

      I bet they could get the hot dog costumes from Coney Island in for this match if they wanted to. I’m not saying that’s what they SHOULD do, just that it’s an option they should strongly consider. The dream of RD Evans wrestling a hot dog will NEVER die.

      Interest Level: 7/10
      Prediction: Moose wins.

      Michael Elgin vs. Tommaso Ciampa

      Joey:

      I don’t have much invested in this other than it will be fun to see Ciampa fuck up Elgin. They’ve already had two matches in the last few months in ROH/PWG that were a little disappointing but that seemed to be the narrative of Elgin’s title reign. I wish Ciampa was wrestling Nigel McGuinness and Elgin was wrestling Hanson or Moose.

      Interest Level: 5/10
      Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa wins.

      Tim:

      I’m still not really into Ciampa and I’ve been trying to be for years now. Maybe I’m just missing something. I’m really not into Elgin. What a doofus. These two facing off hasn’t done anything for me before and I really doubt it will do so this time. I’m hoping Ciampa finally wins me over.

      Interest Level: 2/10
      Prediction: Tommaso Ciampa wins.

      Tom:

      I don’t really get what’s going on with either of these guys in storyline right now. I’d like to see Ciampa do some more stuff, I think? Probably? I don’t really want to see ‘Straight Shooter’ Michael ‘Home Run’ Elgin do anything for a while, to be honest. He is a silly man who needs to sit down and have a think about things.

      Interest Level: 5/10
      Prediction: Ciampa wins.

      The Young Bucks and ACH vs. The Addiction and Cedric Alexander

      Joey:

      I can’t see a scenario where this isn’t amazing. Especially on a live PPV where more eyes are on the show than usual, expect them to go all out here and likely steal the show.

      Interest Level: 9/10
      Prediction: The Young Bucks and ACH win.

      Tim:

      YES PLEASE. This is why I watch. I really don’t want to think about this being any less than what it has potential to be.

      Interest Level: 9/10
      Prediction: The Young Bucks and ACH win.

      Tom:

      Are The Addiction still working as faces or are they finally full-blown heels again? I’ve not really been into any of their matches since their return to the indy scene because they’re so much more fun when they get to properly be a couple of dickheads. Regardless, I’m still onboard with this and hoping it’ll be great.

      Interest Level: 7/10
      Prediction: The Young Bucks and ACH win.

      Jay Lethal vs. Matt Sydal for the ROH TV Championship

      Joey:

      Jay Lethal has been excellent this year. Matt Sydal looked good in PWG so I’m expecting his classic work here. The match is an interesting one that could make or break the PPV. Obviously, Sydal is a favorite of the people who make big decisions in ROH and is an ex WWE star. I see him being the one to end Jay Lethal’s TV title reign.

      Interest Level: 8/10
      Prediction: Matt Sydal wins.

      Tim:

      I’ve grown to enjoy Jay Lethal with Truth Martini and I have liked what I’ve seen from post-WWE Sydal thus far besides his… attire! You thought I was going to say hair. His wrestling attire used to be Alex Shelley tier. This match has to be somewhat enjoyable. I see them putting THAT TV STRAP (that’s biz lingo, junior) on Matt Sydal here because I can see what everyone else sees.

      Interest Level: 8/10
      Prediction: Matt Sydal wins.

      Tom:

      I haven’t seen ANYTHING from Matt Sydal since his return to the indy scene. NUFFINK. What am I doing with my life? Not watching that much indy wrestling, that’s what. I’ll bet you thought that was a rhetorical question but i gave you an answer anyway.

      BUT YEAH. Jay Lethal as a heel with Truth Martini is super duper lollipops weird but he’s still great. Sydal’s haircut is a rough time but he’s very good. This should be fun! Probably!

      Interest Level: 8/10
      Prediction: Jay Lethal wins.

      reDRagon vs. The Time Splitters for the ROH Tag Team Championship

      Joey:

      Two great teams should deliver a great match. KUSHIDA is one of my favorite NJPW guys and he looked like a star when NJPW visited NYC in May. Hoping for lots of KUSHIDA/Kyle O’Reilly interactions.

      Interest Level: 9/10
      Prediction: reDRagon wins.

      Tim:

      The match I’m looking forward to the most. KUSHIDA is grand and I really like how he and Shelley work together. ReDRagons are and always have been fan-damn-tastic. My eyes were made to watch this match.

      Interest Level: 10/10
      Prediction: reDRagon wins.

      Tom:

      FINALLY, SOME FUCKING PURO TALENT. Match of the night, right? Most likely? I can’t imagine a world in which this isn’t a proper good time.

      Interest Level: 9/10
      Prediction: reDRagon wins.

      Jay Briscoe vs. Adam Cole in a Fight Without Honor for the ROH World Championship

      Joey:

      My favorite thing about this match is that I’m unsure who’s winning. I feel like smart money would typically be on Cole given the positives that can come with his presence for the brand. But he’s wrestled everyone for the title and there’s not much more he can do with the current heel character unless there’s a really deep storyline with Tommaso Ciampa.

      On the other hand, Jay Briscoe has had interactions with Ciampa that makes you believe they have to face off sooner or later. Briscoe vs. AJ Styles has also yet to happen since Styles returned. I’m thinking Jay loses it in surprising fashion at some point in early 2015 but not this Sunday. If Cole wins, he’s likely turning face soon. Even if he loses, that’s possible.

      Oh yeah, and I think the match will be good.

      Interest Level: 8/10
      Prediction: Jay Briscoe wins.

      Tim:

      Adam Cole is awesome but I’m not super invested into him like I once was. It’s probably just me being a lame ass or something. Maybe a title win would help me get back into him but that already ran its course the first time. Jay Briscoe has mad talent but I feel no excitement from him in 2014. It’s also not easy to like the guy at all.

      I’m not really interested in this match but I’m sure the match will be solid and entertaining. Definitely something I don’t mind watching. I figure Jay Briscoe will retain but I do like the feeling of not knowing for sure.

      Interest Level: 6/10
      Prediction: Jay Briscoe wins.

      Tom:

      Adam Cole is really terrific. The last ROH thing I went to was the mad Coney Island baseball stadium show and, even in a fourway match with Elgin, Briscoe and AJ Styles, Adam Cole was the stand out to me. He did have the benefit of being the only real heel out of all of them but he was still just distractingly good and fun in everything he did.

      I’m not that crazy for Jay Briscoe – he’s good, but I find him pretty stale and I can’t imagine being surprised or excited by much that he’ll do. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong! Maybe this match will be super fun! I just don’t know.

      Interest Level: 7/10
      Prediction: Adam Cole wins.

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