At the ROH Final Battle event, history was made as the men’s world champion was decided for the first time through a Survival of the Fittest match. Bandido successfully defended his title against challengers Sammy Guevara, The Beast Moltos, The Commander, Blake Christian, and Hexero.
Earlier in the night, Guevara and Moltos claimed the vacant tag team championships with assistance from Hexero, forming a temporary alliance. Bandido and The Commander also allied, leaving Christian as the only competitor without a partnership. The match kicked off with chaos outside the ring, while Christian stayed aloof until entering the ring, where he faced double-teaming by Hexero and Moltos, sparking a series of intense confrontations. Alliances shifted rapidly with LFI betraying Hexero and ongoing battles involving Bandido, The Commander, and others leading to near-eliminations and high-flying maneuvers, including Bandido’s impressive Tornillo and Fosbury Flop moves.
As the match progressed, Christian broke the alliance between The Commanders and Bandidos by eliminating The Commander himself and teaming up with Hexero to double-team Bandido. The climax saw a fierce back-and-forth where Bandido executed a combination of moves including a Poizrana, frog splash, and the final finishing move that held Hexero down for the victory, retaining his title. The event concluded with Brody King and The Commander joining Bandido in celebration, much to the delight of the fans.
Fan Take: This groundbreaking survival match highlights the evolving prestige of ROH titles within AEW’s ecosystem and showcases the incredible athleticism and storytelling that keeps fans invested. Bandido’s victory solidifies his position as a top-tier champion, promising exciting rivalries and elevating the sport’s competitive spirit.
