10 Essential Jay Briscoe Matches
8. Jay Briscoe Vs. Adam Cole (ROH Final Battle 2014)
Jay Briscoe and Adam Cole's 2014 Final Battle collision promised a violent outcome.
Given its Fight Without Honor stipulation and the heated nature of the rivalry, there was little leeway for the match's direction. It was violent. A little too much in some places, it could be argued. But it was all worth it as Jay Briscoe finally slayed Adam Cole, his greatest singles rival, to begin his rightful run as ROH World Champion.
Jay was fired up. While he had previously held the championship, an injury ruined his run and left the championship vacant by the summer. Who lifted the newly-vacated title? Who Superkicked him after Jay presented the new champion with the belt? Who made it personal by decking Papa Briscoe?
Adam Cole. Bay bay.
The match was a perfect clash of styles that brought out the best in both. For all the cockiness that Adam Cole displayed, Jay got the better of him, standing opposite him as a valiant warrior who exemplified the very meaning of being the ROH World Champion. He put everything on the line just to relive those halcyon days, even taking a Superkick with a mouth full of thumbtacks.
Ending the match, Jay laid the title out in front of Cole, reminding him of what had consumed them for the previous year-and-a-half, and spiked him with a Jay Driller onto the gold.
Flawless storytelling.