ROH Final Battle 2016 Review: Adam Cole vs. Kyle O’Reilly, Cody Rhodes Debuts

Credit: Cody Rhodes Facebook, Ring of Honor

Addiction Promo

Before the match started, the Addiction came out to cut a promo on Jay Lethal and Cody. They put over Lethal and called him one of the greatest ROH world champions ever. Christopher Daniels brought up Dusty Rhodes, how he inspired him to wrestle, and what he could have done for his own son. Daniels says, Cody has to go through Lethal, him, and Frankie Kazarian. The Addiction then say they are doing guest commentary.

Safe to say these guys are going to get involved in the match.

Cody vs. Jay Lethal

Result: Cody Rhodes defeated Jay Lethal via pinfall.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Well, this certainly will have people talking.

As noted, the Addiction entered the ring to give a promo and go on commentary. There didn’t seem to be much to this at first, but given what happened at the match’s end, something else is probably in store with them.

Lethal and Cody put on a very fun match. It may have been my favorite match of the former’s too, even including WWE. The Battleground 2013 match with the Shield comes close, but in singles bouts, this may have been at the top. Probably helps that the company isn’t around to limit his move set too.

The finish saw Lethal and the referee bump heads. With the official distracted, Cody decided to kick the former ROH World Champion below the belt, hit Cross Rhodes, and got the win. This led to a loud “f–k you, Cody” chant as he trashed ringside and pushed down commentator Steve Corino.

Clearly, Cody is going to return to ROH at some point, maybe for Saturday’s TV taping. He could go into an extended program with Lethal and even do something with Corino, who could be heading for WWE. 

Friday night started things off well for Rhodes, who is continuing to light up the independent scene.