By @specficluchador

Since the company’s inception, ROH has arguably established itself as the premier brand of pure wrestling in the US. Boasting a high calibre alumni such as Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Seth Rollins amongst current exceptional talent such as Roderick Strong, Jay Lethal, Adam Cole and Kyle O Reilly, it is fair to say ROH has produced some of the best matches in North America since 2002.



Before we get into the list, I must first clarify two things: firstly, I have only chosen matches that were available to include a link to the match. For example, Bryan Danielson/KENTAs masterpiece from 2006 would have featured high up on the list however it is not readily available. Secondly, this list is based on matches that have given me the most enjoyment and is by now means an objective look at the best ROH matches ever.

So, enough preamble lets get to the list.

5. Available to watch here.

Who? KENTA (C) vs Low Ki

What? GCH Junior Heavyweight Championship Match

Where? Final Battle

When? 17th December 2005

Background: Despite his notoriety as someone difficult to work with, Low Ki gained much critical acclaim through excellent matches with the likes of Danielson, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. Working a unique style, Low Ki established himself as one of the very best in the world.

In 2005, at Final Battle, Low Ki faced KENTA, prominent feature in NOAH, for the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship being defended for the first time in the US.

4. Available to watch here.

Who? Davey Richards (C) vs Michael Elgin

What? ROH World Championship Match

Where? Showdown in the Sun

When? 2012

Background: At Showdown in the Sun, Davey Richards defended his ROH World Championship against a relative newcomer to ROH in Michael Elgin.

The previous night, Michael Elgin signalled his intentions to capture the ROH World Championship for the first time: following Davey Richards’ successful title defence against Roderick Strong and his former partner, Eddie Edwards, Michael Elgin took advantage of Richards’ lethargy by delivering an Elgin Bomb to the champion, making a statement of intent.

It would be fair to suggest the crowd were not expecting what was to come.

3. Available to watch here.

Who? Samoa Joe vs CM Punk II

What? Singles match.

Where? ROH

When? October 16th 2004

Background: Back in 2004 in the iconic city of Chicago, two men stood in opposite corners of the ring: on one side you have the Samoan Submission Specialist, a man who, at this point, had held the ROH Championship for almost two years.

In the opposing corner, the challenger, the straight edge messiah hell bent on making his way to the very top of the industry. This match is the second of a trilogy of matches between the two men; it is the best one out of the three. The match told a simplistic story of two men who just wanted to prove that they are better than the other.

2. Available to watch here.

Who? Takeshi Morishima (C) vs Bryan Danielson

What? ROH World Title Match

Where? Manhattan Mayhem

When? 2007

Background: In 2006, Bryan Danielson, or Daniel Bryan, was undeniably the best in the world; successful title defences against Chris Hero, Austin Aries, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Colt Cabana, KENTA and numerous other high profile names ensured he surpassed Samoa Joe’s record of most ROH World Title defences with the fans cheering him along each step of the way.

Danielson would eventually be dethroned by Homicide in the winter of ’06 and would not receive a title shot until he faced Takeshi Morishima, the man who defeated Homicide for the ROH World Title. Weighing in at 300 pounds, standing just short of 6ft 5’, Takeshi Morishima dwarfed much of the ROH roster, including Danielson who stood at a mere 5ft 9’, weighing under 200 pounds in comparison.

1. Available to watch here.

Who? Kenta Kobashi vs Samoa Joe

What? Singles match.

Where? ROH

When? October 1st 2005

Background: The contest wasn’t just another technical master-class, though it was, it was a match that touched people in a way that few wrestling matches ever have done.

Sure, this was far from the best match I have ever seen but the crowd elevated this match to a whole different level: in the first minute, when nothing had happened, the crowd were chanting this is awesome.

It was a unique mood in which the occasion of the spectacle rendered the outcome of the match irrelevant: the crowd not only treated Kenta Kobashi like a wrestling God, but Samoa Joe also.

Enjoy.