Athena calls herself the “Forever Champion” of Ring Of Honor, and it’s getting difficult to argue with her.

Billie Starkz, her 20-year-old minion and a lifelong ROH fan before stepping into the ring, seemed poised to dethrone Athena.

These two met at last year’s Final Battle, with Athena winning. History repeated itself, as Athena hit the “O-Face” (top rope stunner) and retained the title in the main event.

HONORABLE CHAMPIONS?

Two other ROH champions retained their belts in less-than-honorable ways.

Chris Jericho beat Matt Cardona after using his ROH World title as a weapon. Former ROH champion Bandido saved Cardona from a post-match attack by Jericho, Bryan Keith, and Big Bill.

Red Velvet hung onto her ROH women’s TV title by hitting “Legit” Leyla Hirsch with a wrench.

WELCOME BACK

Nigel McGuiness answered Lee Moriarty’s open challenge for the ROH Pure Rules title.

Moriarty retained the belt by forcing Nigel to use his three rope breaks and then using the ropes along with the Border City Stretch submission holds.

McGuiness is one of the greatest ROH World and Pure champions, and he returned at All In this summer in London from a seemingly career-ending injury.

(Fun fact: I was the ring announcer for Nigel’s ROH debut at Wrath of the Racket in 2003).

OTHER ACTION

Danhausen also returned to ROH, popping out from under the ring during Atlantis Jr.’s victory in the opener over Mansoor (of MxM Collection).

Katsuyori Shibata won a technical wrestling battle with “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington.

Jay Lethal defeated QT Marshall as both wrestlers dressed up as Randy “Macho Man” Savage. Marshall was the new World order (nWo) version.

Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated The Righteous in a Texas Bullrope match. Dustin pointed up to Dusty Rhodes in heaven before bashing Dutch with the cowbell for the win.

Komander won the ROH TV title in a Survival of the Fittest match by pinning Blake Christian. Other participants were Willie Mack, Mark Davis, AR Fox, and previous champion Brian Cage.

ZERO HOUR

The Grizzled Young Veterans defeated Dark Order to kick off the Zero Hour pre-show on YouTube. Hanako (from Stardom) defeated Harley Cameron.

Former ROH tag team champions The Undisputed Kingdom beat The Infantry.  Gates of Agony won their tag team match against ED Nduka & Lee Johnson.