For the first time ever, the ROH women's title was on the line in the main event of Final Battle. Athena won the belt at last year's Final Battle and has dominated ROH for over a year as the most active champion, so having her in the main event was the right call.
Starkz has been serving as Athena's minion for months but turned on the champ a few weeks ago after it became clear Athena didn't value her. Both women waved off the Code of Honor, which felt appropriate given their history. Athena donned a protective mask to cover up the broken nose Starkz gave her on Thursday's episode of ROH.
The 19-year-old got in a couple of nice moves before Athena took her out of the ring and started throwing her into anything with a hard surface. The ref had to make her back off to check on Starkz to make sure she could continue after having her face smashed into the barricade numerous times and busted open.
There are many different kinds of wrestling matches. Some focus on exciting spots, some focus on hardcore action, some focus on technical prowess, and others focus on the storyline behind the fight. This bout definitely falls into that last category.
Everything they did felt like it had a purpose. Athena was overbearing during their alliance, so it makes sense that she would be just as overbearing with the violence she was dishing out against her former student.
The teenage prodigy did a fantastic job selling everything and looking like the underdog who was trying to overcome her more experienced bully. The crowd, which had been there for nearly five hours by this point, was still chanting "This is awesome" to show its appreciation for these wrestlers.
A lot of people went into this show thinking Athena would drop the title to her former protege, but she was able to retain the belt by making Starkz tap out. They had a staredown and got into an argument after the match as the crowd chanted "Hug it out."
They did end up hugging and Athena raised Billie's hand in a show of respect. Nair joined them to pose in the ring to end the show.
Result: Athena defeated Billie Starkz
Notable Moments and Observations
- Athena's entrance gear was a reference to Bane from DC Comics.
- Lexy Nair served as the special guest ring announcer. She has done a great job during this storyline.
- The fans were chanting "Women's wrestling" as the match got going.
- Starkz has a nice spear, but the flip she did over the top rope almost didn't work.
- The way Starkz hit the barricade when Athena hit a running dropkick was brutal.
- The high-angle German suplex Athena hit from the middle rope was one of the best spots of the night.
