When ROH announced that Survival of The Fittest was coming back, fans instantly got excited for a chaotic finals match. Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen plenty of qualifying matches and have our field of six. Demonic Flamita, Brian Johnson, Chris Dickinson, Eli Isom, Bandido & Rhett Titus will now duke it out for a future title shot at the ROH World Championship.
Titus is the only one who has experience being in the finals, but has never won the tournament. The rules are simple. Six men enter, and it’s elimination rules. Last man standing wins. Two in at a time, with tag or lucha rules, which keeps the action coming.
Wasting No Time Getting Things Going
Bandido & Flamita would start off with their insane speed, but a spear from Flamita sent Bandido to the outside. Flamita followed, and Dickinson & Titus took the ring. Titus would fight off an armbar attempt to get a head scissor. Dickinson countered but was taken down, as these two men went from move for more. Titus would catch a slingshot shoulder tackle into a powerslam, sending Dickinson to the outside.
Isom would take the ring and fend off Titus to send him outside, before Brian Johnson finally got into the ring. Johnson would take a sky high back body drop, before Isom hit a Golden Triangle moonsault onto Dickinson & Titus on the outside. Bandido took the ring and dropped Johnson with a crescent kick, before looking for a moonsault but being caught by Flamita.
Flamita would be picked up, and we’d see a fallaway slam moonsault off the top to the outside, onto the four other men in the match, knocking everyone down. Bandido was back up first and took Flamita into the ring but his springboard was caught into a powerbomb. Johnson ran into the ring, and Flamita focused on him and got rolled up by Bandido for the first elimination!
Flamita would snap, and powerbomb Bandido through the timekeeper’s table, before whacking him some steel chair shots. Bandido would be saved by Rey Horus, but was down and out at ringside for now. Knowing ROH, Flamita will face repercussions from this assault.
Chris Dickinson Takes The Opening
Back in the ring, Isom & Johnson would go at it in the ring, with Isom. Johnson would counter the Belly to Belly suplex with an ear clap, before getting a Fisherman Suplex for a two count. Isom was beaten into the corner, and Johnson of course found room to talk some trash. Johnson might have talked too much as he’d miss a fist drop and Isom hit a stalling release Northern Lights Suplex, and looked for The Promise brainbuster.
Isom took a poke to the eye, and Johnson nailed the Tower of London before Trust the Process, but Isom slipped out of the ring. Dickinson came in and nearly took Johnson out, but the second he was out of bounds Titus came in with the hydraulic dropkick to take Dickinson down.
Johnson would take the chance to roll up Titus, only getting a two count before taking the Belly to Belly Suplex. A kick to the knee had Titus stumble to the ropes, and Johnson came off the top with a lariat before hitting Mecca Locomotive and wanting Trust The Process. Titus countered with a dropkick, two pump kicks and a knee drop, eliminating Johnson.
Dickinson was right in to attack the knee of Titus which Titus had some pain with after the knee drop. A straight knee bar would get the submission, meaning there are just three left. Bandido would finally get back into the ring, but seemingly has an injured shoulder. Dickinson hit a Saito Suplex on the shoulder before going for an armbar, but Isom saved Bandido.
Bandido Punches His Ticket To Best In The World
Dickinson would quickly stomp Isom out before hitting some armbreakers in the ring, hyper extending the arm and driving it onto his shoulder. Bandido managed a superkick, before being thrown to the mat and taken to the mat with a cross armbreaker. Dickinson was eager for a submission, but Isom again made the save.
This time, Bandido was pulled to the outside and Isom took his place in the ring. They’d trade blows, not generally smart with someone like Dickinson. He’d absorb an enziguri and block the Promise, before choking Isom on the apron. Bandido saw his opening, and would set up and nail 21Plex on Dickinson, taking him out.
Just Isom & Bandido left now, with whoever wins getting a PPV main event. Isom kicked Bandido down before nailing a massive lariat. He’d hit a sidewinder back suplex, but Bandido kicked out at two. Isom wanted the Rings of Saturn, but Bandido crawled to the ropes. The Promise was set up, but with one arm Bandido fought free and hit the X-Knee.
Bandido couldn’t get the 21Plex, and Isom nailed the Air Raid Crash for a two count. A quick dropkick took Isom down, and Bandido came off the second rope right into a backbreaker. Bandido again avoided the brainbuster, and applied a submission. Middle of the ring, arm trapped right, and Isom had no choice but to tap.
This match should have been saved for a full crowd, but the timing wasn’t right. All of these men gave great performances or played their role to perfection. Isom & Bandido had a great final stretch, and either man was a convincing winner by the end. Just hectic action from bell to bell, a fantastic match. Match Rating: 4.25/5 (**** 1/4)
Can Bandido be the man to finally stop RUSH? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
Remember to stay up to date with the latest news on TheOvertimer. Don’t forget to visit Gamestingr for great videos, news, and gameplay!
