10 Greatest Ring Of Honor Matches Ever
This ain't no WWE...
Formed back in 2002, Ring Of Honor was viewed as a company that could ably plug the gap left by groups like the original ECW in the pro wrestling market. The sheer number of former ROH veterans who have ended up on the current WWE roster and in AEW is a true testament to the forward thinking nature of the independent promotion.
Originally, the organisation was designed to allow RF Video to continue trading tapes, but it has grown to mean so much more. Performers like Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black (Seth Rollins) and CM Punk all later went on to become WWE World Heavyweight Champions, but they cut their teeth in Ring Of Honor first.
That trio feature heavily on this list; one looking at 10 utterly essential wrestling bouts contested under the ROH banner. As notable as their eventual achievements were at a higher level, the likes of Danielson, Black and Punk all had some of their best matches on the independent circuit.
ROH has been at the forefront of that scene for years, as the quality of wrestling on offer throughout each match examined proves. With Tony Khan's purchase of the organisation now complete, the value of the archive will take on a monetary element like never before, with the contests from the past now part of its bold new future...
10. Tyler Black Vs. Davey Richards (Death Before Dishonor VIII, 2010)
Back in 2010, Tyler Black and Davey Richards were amongst the new wave of talent Ring Of Honor relied upon to carry the load as new company headliners. Judging by their match at the Death Before Dishonor iPPV, they were both a success in that spot.
Going close to 35 minutes, Black and Richards worked a formula many ROH fans are familiar with. Work rate and near falls come first in the promotion's main event scene, but there was also an interesting dynamic between the personalities involved. Richards was portrayed as a driven wrestling machine, whereas Black was more of a cocky individual.
It's not difficult to see why WWE eventually decided to hand Tyler Black a developmental deal - his work was incredibly smooth at this point. There's a whole bunch of close near falls that really up the excitement levels, most memorably an agonising 2 count from a Richards lariat that had the live crowd fooled.
For anyone who believes ROH dipped spectacularly when the likes of CM Punk and Samoa Joe left, this match proves otherwise.