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The air is getting crisper, the nights are drawing in, but the fire inside the ROH ring is burning hotter than ever. There’s a certain magic to a Ring of Honor event—a palpable sense of history in the making, of legacies being forged and shattered in the space of a single evening. It’s not just a wrestling show; it’s a testament to the pure, unadulterated art of professional wrestling.
On Thursday, September 18th, 2025, the stage is set for another chapter in this storied legacy. This isn’t just another event on the calendar; this is a crossroads. Titles will be defended, grudges will be settled, and the very future of ROH will be shaped before our eyes. The faithful will be watching live, but for those who need to witness every moment, every chop, every high-flying maneuver, there’s only one place to go: watchwrestling.sbs. It’s the undisputed home for pristine, reliable streams for the global ROH audience.
Strap in, honor-bounds. We’re going deep into the heart of the action.
Main Event: The House Always Wins? Samoa Joe vs. “The Foundation” Cole Stevens for the ROH World Television Championship
The Story: Samoa Joe, the reigning, defending, undisputed ROH World Television Champion, is a monster who has laid waste to every conceivable challenger. His reign isn’t just dominant; it’s a public execution of hope. He doesn’t just beat his opponents; he dismantles their will to fight. Enter Cole Stevens, a product of the ROH Dojo and the embodiment of “The Foundation’s” principles—grit, technical mastery, and an unshakable belief that honor matters. Stevens didn’t earn this shot through a tournament or a battle royal. He earned it by standing up to Joe’s backstage bullying week after week, taking a brutal beating but never staying down. This is the classic irresistible force meets the (seemingly) immovable object.
The Stakes: For Joe, it’s about maintaining his aura of invincibility and continuing his path of destruction. For Stevens, it’s about proving that heart and technique can topple even the most brutal power. It’s about validating the very soul of ROH.
The Breakdown: This is a nightmare matchup for Stevens on paper. Joe’s size, strength, and vicious striking game are a perfect counter to a technical ground game. Stevens cannot get into a slugfest. His path to victory is a war of attrition: target the legs to neutralize the Muscle Buster, use his speed to create angles, and relentlessly hunt for a submission. But one mistake, just one, and Joe will make him tap to the Coquina Clutch or put him to sleep. The question is: does Cole Stevens have the fortitude to survive long enough to execute a perfect game plan?
The Prediction: My gut says experience prevails. Joe is too savvy, too brutal. He’ll absorb Stevens’ best shots, mock his efforts, and eventually trap him. Winner and STILL ROH World Television Champion: Samoa Joe. But don’t be surprised if Stevens’ valiant effort earns him a standing ovation and a future rematch.
Grudge Match: The Final Note – The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. The Dark Symphony (Kaito & Silas)
The Story: This isn’t about rankings or titles; this is about art versus ego. The Dark Symphony, the enigmatic duo of the technical virtuoso Kaito and the brutalist composer Silas, have declared that ROH’s tag team division is “out of tune.” They targeted The Kingdom, the flashy, veteran champions of style and spectacle, calling their music “empty noise.” What followed was a series of brutal attacks, interrupted promos, and a psychological war that has gotten deeply personal.
The Stakes: Pride, legacy, and the right to call themselves the true artists of tag team wrestling. A win for The Kingdom solidifies their status as all-time greats. A win for The Dark Symphony proves their new sound is the future and puts them first in line for a tag title shot.
The Breakdown: This is a classic clash of styles. The Kingdom’s experience and chemistry are their greatest weapons. They know how to cut the ring in half, make quick tags, and win by any means necessary. The Dark Symphony will look to isolate Bennett from Taven, with Kaito working his lightning-fast limb work and Silas coming in for the power-based crescendo. The key will be whether Taven’s high-risk offense can disrupt The Symphony’s rhythm.
The Prediction: This feels like the moment a new team arrives. The Kingdom is legendary, but The Dark Symphony’s aura is undeniable. I see a shocking, albeit brutal, victory for the newcomers. Winners: The Dark Symphony.
ROH Pure Championship Open Challenge: “The Technician” Alex Saxon’s Gauntlet Continues
The Story: Since winning the Pure Championship, the incredibly gifted but arrogantly condescending Alex Saxon has issued an open challenge every week, not out of a sense of honor, but to prove his intellectual superiority over the entire ROH roster. He’s picked apart rookies and veterans alike with his devastating array of submissions, all while lecturing them on their technical deficiencies.
The Stakes: The prestige of the Pure Championship itself. Who will be brave—or foolish—enough to answer the challenge this week? The mystery adds a layer of incredible intrigue. Will it be a returning veteran? A hungry newcomer from the dojo?
The Breakdown: Saxon has every advantage. He knows he’s wrestling, and he has time to prepare. His opponent will have mere moments to get ready. Saxon’s game plan will be to immediately target a limb and use his limited rope breaks wisely to avoid any surprise pinfalls.
The Prediction: The open challenge stands as a brilliant device, but Saxon’s hubris will be his downfall. I predict a surprise answer from a name we haven’t heard in a while—maybe even a Tracy Williams or a Josh Woods—someone who can match him technically and use his arrogance against him. However, logic dictates Saxon survives another week. Winner and STILL ROH Pure Champion: Alex Saxon (via a tainted, controversial roll-up to set up a future rematch).
The Ascent Continues: “The Prodigy” Haley Cruz vs. “The Veteran” Miranda Alize
The Story: Haley Cruz is the future. There’s no doubt about it. With a mix of luchadora flair and a shocking amount of power for her size, she has blitzed through the women’s division. Miranda Alize is the present. A hardened veteran who has seen every trick in the book, she represents the toughest test of Cruz’s young career. Alize has publicly stated that she respects Cruz but wants to teach her that “potential” doesn’t equal “greatness.”
The Stakes: A win for Cruz rockets her directly into the title picture. A win for Alize is a reminder that experience is the ultimate teacher and keeps her firmly in the hunt.
The Breakdown: This is a fantastic stylistic matchup. Cruz will look to use her speed and aerial assault to keep Alize off-balance. Alize will look to ground “The Prodigy,” work a methodical, powerful game, and wear her down. Can Cruz hit her devastating Cruz Control (a spinning sit-out powerbomb) on the powerful Alize?
The Prediction: This is where a star is made. Haley Cruz will win, but she will have to dig deeper than ever before. She’ll survive Alize’s best shots and finally hit her finisher to score the biggest win of her career. Winner: Haley Cruz.
The Kick-Off War: The Foundation (Rhett Titus & Taylor Rust) vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
The Story: The battle for the soul of ROH begins before the main show even starts. The righteous, chaotic family of Vincent and Dutch has declared war on the principled, technical wrestling of The Foundation. This is ideology played out in the ring. Order vs. Chaos. Tradition vs. Anarchy.
The Stakes: Momentum. The winners carry the energy of the crowd into the main show and stake their claim as the true force in the tag team division.
The Breakdown: Power vs. Technique. The Righteous will use their unorthodox double-team moves and sheer brute force to try and overwhelm Rust and Titus. The Foundation must stick to their fundamentals, use quick tags, and break the bigger men down with technical precision.
The Prediction: In a match this volatile, chaos usually wins. Winners: The Righteous, likely by nefarious means, setting off a brawl that security will have to contain.
Final Thoughts & How To Watch
This card is stacked from top to bottom with meaning. Every match tells a story, and every story is a thread in the rich tapestry of Ring of Honor. You do not want to miss a single second of the action on September 18th.
For the absolute best, highest-quality viewing experience, make sure your destination is watchwrestling.sbs. It’s the reliable, fan-friendly hub for all things professional wrestling.
The crucible awaits. Who will be tempered by its fire, and who will be consumed by it? Tune in and find out.
For more deep dives into the world of professional wrestling, its history, and its evolving landscape, check out these fantastic resources:
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Figure Four Online) – For decades, the gold standard of wrestling journalism and insider news.
- Pro Wrestling Torch – Another pillar of the industry, offering fantastic news, analysis, and editorials.
- Cagematch.net – The unparalleled database for match histories, wrestler stats, and event cards. An essential tool for any fan.
- PostWrestling.com – Excellent podcasts and reviews for after you’ve watched the show and want to hear the discussion.
Enjoy the show, honor-bounds. See you on the other side.