Ring Of Honor Results: Jonathan Gresham vs. Tracy Williams [Finals Of Pure Title Tournament]

It all comes down to this. Out of a field of sixteen, two men have proven they’re the best technical wrestlers in ROH, the two best Pure Wrestlers in this tournament. Tonight, either Tracy Williams or Jonathan Gresham will be the new Pure Champion.

These are two wrestlers in the prime of their careers, and have just had some of their best matches ever. Now, they will bring some honor back to ROH. Gresham came in more dangerous than ever, but Williams is calm and calculated. Who will walk away with the gold, and become the first Pure Champion since 2006?

Jonathan Gresham & Tracy Williams Are Equals

Of course, Code of Honour would be adhered too, before they’d get right to his final match. The tournament all comes down to this, and it was set to be a classic. Williams would be taken to the mat instantly with a headlock takeover, but break out just as quick before staring Gresham down.

They’d lock up, and exchange standing switches as they battled for control and a hip toss. Williams would get the hip toss, and send Gresham right over the top rope to the floor, but follow after. Gresham would again go for that simple headlock takeover. Williams countered again with ease, but would be dropped with a hip toss.

It was a stalemate on the outside, Williams being the first to get back into the ring. A collar and elbow tie-up would come, but the low center of gravity benefitted Gresham. He’d get Williams down, but on the mat, Williams gained control and went for the crossface, only to get heavy resistance and instead opting for a hammerlock.

Gresham worked his way out and went after the knee of Williams. Interestingly, Gresham came in with the bad knee but worked that limb, while Williams with a bad shoulder went after Greshams. An odd choice from both men.

Tracy Williams Gets Dropped

After a quick commercial break, we had another stalemate but Gresham won out after being forced into the corner, fighting out. He’d roll WIlliams onto the mat and finally target that hurt arm. Strikes would target the shoulder, and a double wrist lock would be applied and Williams had to use a rope break, his first of the match.

The hold would be broken, but there wouldn’t be any break as Gresham launched a chop, only for Williams to come right back with one of his own. Gresham would be dropped with a back suplex, and then be locked in a cravate. Williams would nearly force a pinfall with the cravate, but when Gresham got back to his feet, he’d use his first rope break to free himself.

More strikes would come from both men, but after being whipped into the corner, Gresham exploded out with a hard spear. He’d take too long following up, only to be dropped with a big chop. Williams set something up on the top rope, but Gresham slipped out and looked for another spear, being caught by Williams. Gresham powered up and hit the suplex, but would be dropped by another chop.

That chop was effective tonight, dropping him a third and fourth time before Gresham popped up and hit an enziguri followed by a German Suplex. This got a two count, before he’d run into a lariat for another two count. Another commercial break would come and go at this point, bringing the match to the ten minute mark.

One Hold Is All It Takes

Gresham would take refuge in the corner, but when Williams tried to shove him off, he’d drag his opponent to the outside with him. Williams got into the ring first, and caught a slingshot spear attempt into a suplex, before getting the crossface applied. Gresham had to tap or go for the ropes, choosing the ropes and using his second rope break, as many as he used in the tournament up to this match.

Williams would go for a lariat, but Gresham dodged and hit a low angle German for a near fall. He’d rush in with three running elbows, only getting two each time. After the third kickout, he’d grab the arm and try for the double wrist lock, but Williams fought out and almost got the piledriver. More fighting, and the Piledriver would drop Gresham, who used his final rope break to save the match.

This was Williams’ game now, and he’d go for another chop, but it was countered and Gresham would apply the Octopus Stretch. Williams had nowhere to go, Gresham brought him to the mat, and this one was over just like that. A pure wrestler only needs one well timed hold to win a match, and that was exactly what Gresham did. He’s the first Pure Champion since 2006, and that is well deserved.

Who will be the first to challenge the reign of Gresham? Will it be his partner, Jay Lethal? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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