ROH Honor For All 2018: Nick Aldis vs. Flip Gordon Results And Grades

Nick Aldis (c) vs. Flip Gordon – NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship

Ian Riccaboni made a great point that Aldis has been defending the NWA title all around the world, and it’s possible that he’s running himself thin with all the defenses. Maybe it’s time for him to lose the title. Cody was great on commentary here, hyping the title and how important it was, and pointing out Flip’s shoulder being injured.

Flip started the match out wrestling Aldis and locking in a side headlock. Aldis locked in a hammerlock and drove Flip down to the mat, but Flip powered back up. Aldis body slammed Flip, but Flip popped right back up and shoved Nick Aldis. Flip yelled that he was going to win and he was going to be All In.

Aldis overpowered Flip and hit a major vertical suplex. Cody said on commentary that Flip might have been getting his experience before he’s ready for it, because he wasn’t ready when he was on WWE TV at 20 years old. Aldis hit a powerslam, but Flip kicked out. Aldis locked in a camel clutch and started working slowly over Gordon.

Aldis hit a pair of fallaway slams and locked on a headlock. Flip managed to get out, but Aldis went right back to the sleeper hold. Gordon hit a jawbreaker, but Aldis followed up with a Texas Cloverleaf. Flip made it to the ropes. Cody made note that Flip has good basics in wrestling because he was trained by Brian Fury. Flip Gordon jumped up the ropes and executed a mid-air superkick on Aldis. He followed this with a suicide dive, and a missile dropkick.

Flip hit a big dropkick in the corner and a springboard spear, but Aldis kicked out. Gordon decided to change tactics and locked on the crossface! Aldis struggled and rolled through, but Flip stayed with him and kept the hold locked in. Nick Aldis managed to make it to the ropes. Gordon ducked a punch, hit a kick up, and then a pele kick! Gordon hit a Samoan pop and a standing shooting star press, and a middle rope moonsault! Aldis kicked out.

Flip hit a superkick and climbed the top rope. Flip went for a 450 splash, but Aldis got his knees up and then hit a piledriver. Aldis went back to the top rope and hit a big flying elbow drop. The referee counted to 3, but Flip’s foot was on the ropes! Cody even commented that he couldn’t leave it go like that. Cody came down and argued with the ref, and the other referee’s agreed. The referee ordered that match be restarted! Aldis was angry at Cody, but he came back down to the ring.

Cody started rooting for Flip here, and the crowd cheered. Flip Gordon hit a massive tope con giro to the outside of the ring and dropped Aldis with a superkick! Gordon hit a Star Spangled Stunner, but Aldis kicked out! Cody made it back to the commentary booth and said he couldn’t let it end like that. Gordon went for a springboard, but Flip’s knee went out. Cody started cheering for Flip, which was weird, but Flip has won him over!

Aldis got a fireman’s carry, but Flip got out of it. Aldis hit two massive powerbombs, and Flip Gordon kicked out! Aldis locked on a Texas Cloverleaf. Flip passed out instead of tapping out, and the referee stopped the match! Holy crap, what a great showing for Flip.

Result: Nick Aldis

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was an absolutely excellent old school wrestling match. Flip might have gotten more over in losing here than winning. Cody also seemed to have a change of heart. Cody went down to the ring, and the crowd was chanting “Book Flip!” Aldis offered Flip a handshake, and Flip accepted. Cody and Aldis helped Flip get up. Aldis showed great respect for Flip, and Cody hugged him as the fans chanted “All In!” Cody raised Flip’s hand and told him something that we couldn’t hear. The fans chanted Flip, and I think he’s now a legit main eventer. Cody left the ring to Flip and went backstage.

Bully Ray ran down and low blowed Flip! Bully Ray trash talked him and said, “You aren’t all in Flip!” and mocked him. Ray was showered in boos. Ray went after Ian and Caprice and said, “Where’s your boy?” in reference to Colt Cabana. Bully chased both commentators away and then after causing a little destruction, left for the backstage area.