Eck’s Files: Does Flip Gordon Deserve His Pure Title Shot? Big Opportunity For The Bouncers

Eck’s Files: Does Flip Gordon Deserve His Pure Title Shot? Big Opportunity For The Bouncers

December 11, 2020

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By Kevin Eck

Before getting into this week’s news and views, I want to wish a speedy recovery to Bandido, EC3, Flamita and Kenny King.

As announced by ROH earlier today, they have been taken off the Final Battle pay-per-view on Dec. 18 due to pre-travel COVID-19 testing protocols. All four performers are doing well and resting at home.

As upsetting as this development is, the good news is that all the other ROH stars scheduled for Final Battle are safely in the ROH bubble in Baltimore after passing their second round of COVID-19 tests. The same goes for the ROH production staff and general staff.

Kudos again to ROH and the Maryland State Athletic Commission for putting stringent testing protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of ROH talent, staff and fans.

Changes to the Final Battle card given this development will be announced during Final Battle Hour One, which airs free from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern on Best on the Planet, STIRR City, Facebook, YouTube, FITE, pay-per-view and for HonorClub members on ROHWrestling.com.

Final Battle Hour One features the four-way match between Tony Deppen, Dak Draper, LSG and Josh Woods for a shot at ROH World Television Champion Dragon Lee later that night.

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When it was announced that Flip Gordon was going to face ROH Pure Champion Jonathan Gresham for the title at Final Battle, my initial thought was: Why does Gordon deserve a Pure Title match? After all, Gordon has never even competed in a Pure match. 

As it turns out, that’s exactly why Gordon petitioned ROH officials for the match with Gresham. Gordon believes he should have been invited to participate in the 16-man Pure Title Tournament. 

ROH officials were in agreement that Gordon had a valid point. I think so, too.

Gordon often gets labeled as a high flyer, but he’s not one dimensional. He has a background in MMA and amateur wrestling, and he’s developed a solid ground game since transforming into “The Mercenary.” He should’ve been in the tournament.

Before facing Gresham, Gordon takes on Woods in a Pure Rules Match on this weekend’s episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling.” If Gordon can defeat Woods, one of the best competitors in the Pure division, no one can say Gordon isn’t worthy of his title opportunity at Final Battle.

As for Woods, if he defeats Gordon, it’s logical to assume he’d get a shot at the winner of the Gresham-Gordon bout.

On a side note, Gordon also has a guaranteed shot at the ROH World Championship, which he earned by winning a No. 1 contender’s battle royal in February. It’s possible that Gordon could end up holding the ROH World Title and the ROH Pure Title simultaneously.

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The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser and Brawler Milonas) are in a similar situation as Woods. On this weekend’s episode of “Ring of Honor Wrestling,” they’re facing the newly formed duo of Mark Briscoe and PCO, who are challenging ROH World Tag Team Champions Gresham and Jay Lethal at Final Battle.

This is a big opportunity for The Bouncers to make a statement. They can put themselves in line for a title match post-Final Battle if they defeat Briscoe and PCO.

Considering the championship pedigree of Briscoe and PCO, The Bouncers are the underdogs. However, Bruiser and Milonas have been teaming together for two years and are a cohesive unit, while Briscoe and PCO have been opponents but never partners.

Moreover, The Bouncers say they are out to prove that they’re more than just a couple of fun-loving, beer-swilling guys who enjoy a good fight.

“We’re done being the guys that, ‘Oh, yeah, you lost, so let’s all go have a beer.’ No, we’re done with that,” Bruiser said. “We’re going to do whatever it takes. We’re going to punch whoever we have to punch. Because our goal, our mindset, is set on winning the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Championship.”

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Rhett Titus was my guest on the latest episode of “The ROHStrong Podcast,” which drops this Monday morning on ROHWrestling.com and most podcast platforms.

Titus discussed his 14-year run in ROH, including: becoming a father as a teenager and beginning his pro wrestling training at the ROH Dojo at the same time; his ups and downs with Kenny King in The All Night Express; wrestling as The Romantic Touch; becoming a member of The Foundation; participating in the first-ever Pure Rules Tag Team Match at Final Battle against Fred Yehi and Wheeler Yuta; and much more.

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Expect to see more of John Walters in ROH. The former Pure Champion made a good accounting of himself in a losing effort against Tracy Williams in a Pure Rules Match on “Ring of Honor Wrestling” last weekend. 

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It’s an All-RUSH weekend on ROH’s YouTube channel. This Saturday and Sunday, ROH will stream RUSH’s greatest matches in ROH, including both times he won the ROH World Championship.

RUSH will defend the ROH World Title against Brody King in the main event at Final Battle.

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Until next time, keep safe and stay #ROHStrong!

Kevin Eck is a veteran pro wrestling journalist who has worked for The Baltimore Sun, WWE and WCW before joining ROHWrestling.com. Eck’s Files appears every Friday.

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Be Sure to Visit Ring of Honor for more news and updates

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