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ROH Survival of the Fittest

Professional wrestling tournament held by Ring of Honor


Summary

Professional wrestling tournament held by Ring of Honor

Survival of the Fittest is a professional wrestling tournament held by Ring of Honor (ROH). The inaugural tournament took place in 2004, and - with exceptions (2008, 2013, 2019–2020, 2022) - has become an annual tradition in ROH ever since.

Format

Wrestlers compete in a variety of "qualifying" matches, usually either singles matches or tag team matches, with the winner(s) of each match advancing to an elimination match where the last remaining competitor would be deemed the Survival of the Fittest winner, and receive a future ROH World Championship match (except the 2023 and 2024 tournament winner will be crowned ROH World Television Championship).

History

The tournament setup is based on Maryland Championship Wrestling's Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup, as ROH was to continue the Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup following the shutdown of MCW in 2003. However, following a controversy with ROH's owner in early 2004, MCW dropped their association with Ring of Honor, and ROH renamed the already scheduled tournament "Survival of the Fittest".

In 2019, it was announced the event would take place on November 9 and 10, but the shows were ultimately cancelled.

List of winners

  • 2004 – Bryan Danielson
  • 2005 – Roderick Strong
  • 2006 – Delirious
  • 2007 – Chris Hero
  • 2009 – Tyler Black
  • 2010 – Eddie Edwards
  • 2011 – Michael Elgin
  • 2012 – Jay Lethal
  • 2014 – Adam Cole
  • 2015 – Michael Elgin (2)
  • 2016 – Bobby Fish
  • 2017 – Punishment Martinez
  • 2018 – Marty Scurll
  • 2021 – Bandido
  • 2023 – Kyle Fletcher
  • 2024 July – Atlantis Jr.
  • 2024 December – Komander
  • 2025 – Bandido (2)

Championship match for winner

: – Championship victory : – Championship match loss : – Championship match draw/no contest

#WinnerEventYearChampionship match
1Bryan DanielsonMidnight Express Reunion2004Danielson unsuccessfully challenged Samoa Joe for the ROH World Championship.
2Roderick StrongThis Means War2005Strong unsuccessfully challenged Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Championship.
3DeliriousHonor Reclaims Boston2006Delirious unsuccessfully challenged Bryan Danielson for the ROH World Championship.
4Chris HeroGlory By Honor IV - Night 12007Hero unsuccessfully challenged Nigel McGuinness for the ROH World Championship.
5Tyler BlackFinal Battle2009Black wrestled ROH World Champion Austin Aries to a sixty-minute time limit draw. Black defeated Aries in a rematch to win the ROH World Championship at the 8th Anniversary Show.
6Eddie EdwardsManhattan Mayhem IV2010Edwards defeated Roderick Strong to win the ROH World Championship.
7Michael ElginShowdown in the Sun - Night 22011Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Davey Richards for the ROH World Championship.
8Jay Lethal11th Anniversary Show2012Lethal unsuccessfully challenged Kevin Steen for the ROH World Championship.
9Adam ColeFinal Battle2014Cole unsuccessfully challenged Jay Briscoe in a Fight Without Honor for the ROH World Championship.
10Michael Elgin (2)All Star Extravaganza VIII2015Elgin unsuccessfully challenged Adam Cole for the ROH World Championship.
11Bobby FishManhattan Mayhem2016Fish unsuccessfully challenged Adam Cole for the ROH World Championship.
12Punishment MartinezRing of Honor Wrestling (February 10, 2018)2017Martinez unsuccessfully challenged Dalton Castle for the ROH World Championship.
13Marty ScurllG1 Supercard2018Scurll challenged Jay Lethal in a three-way ladder match for the ROH World Championship, also involving Matt Taven. Taven won the match.
14BandidoBest in the World2021Bandido defeated Rush to win the ROH World Championship.
15Kyle FletcherFinal Battle2023Survivor of the Fittest for the vacant ROH World Television Championship. Fletcher defeated Komander, Lee Moriarty, Bryan Keith, Dalton Castle and Lee Johnson to win the championship.
16Atlantis Jr.Death Before Dishonor2024Survivor of the Fittest for the ROH World Television Championship. Atlantis Jr. defeated Shane Taylor, Brian Cage, Lee Johnson, Lio Rush, and Johnny TV to retain the championship.
17KomanderFinal Battle2024Survivor of the Fittest for the ROH World Television Championship. Komander defeated Brian Cage, Willie Mack, AR Fox and Blake Christian to win the championship.
18Bandido (2)Final Battle2025Survivor of the Fittest for the ROH World Championship. Bandido defeated Sammy Guevara, Blake Christian, The Beast Mortos, Hechicero, and Komander to retain the championship.

Tournament results

2004

ROH's first Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on June 24, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • Qualifying match: Mark Briscoe defeated Alex Shelley to advance
  • Qualifying match: Colt Cabana defeated Trent Acid to advance
  • Qualifying match: Generation Next (Austin Aries and Roderick Strong) defeated John Walters and Josh Daniels
    • This match was originally scheduled to be a singles match between Walters and Aries, but was changed to a tag team match after Generation Next attacked Walters.
    • As a result of scoring the victory, Aries advances to the finals.
  • Qualifying match: Homicide defeated Jay Briscoe to advance
  • Qualifying match: Bryan Danielson defeated Jack Evans to advance
  • Qualifying match: Samoa Joe defeated Matt Stryker to advance
  • Final match: Bryan Danielson defeated Austin Aries, Colt Cabana, Homicide, Mark Briscoe and Samoa Joe in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Samoa JoeColt CabanaPinned with a sunset flip15:22
Colt CabanaMark BriscoePinned after a shooting star press17:06
HomicideMark BriscoeBoth men pinned each other19:05
Mark BriscoeHomicide
Austin AriesBryan DanielsonSubmitted to an Elevated Boston crab42:28
Bryan Danielsoncolspan="2"

2005

ROH's second Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on September 24, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • Qualifying match: Jay Lethal defeated Sal Rinauro to advance
  • Qualifying match: Colt Cabana defeated Ricky Reyes to advance
  • Qualifying match: Austin Aries defeated Jimmy Rave by disqualification to advance
  • Qualifying match: Samoa Joe defeated Milano Collection A.T. to advance
  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated Jerrelle Clark to advance
  • Qualifying match: Christopher Daniels defeated James Gibson to advance
  • Final match: Roderick Strong defeated Austin Aries, Christopher Daniels, Colt Cabana, Jay Lethal and Samoa Joe in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest.
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Samoa JoeRoderick StrongPinned after Daniels hit Joe with the Best Moonsault Ever13:57
Christopher DanielsAustin AriesPinned with a sunset flip19:12
Jay LethalRoderick StrongPinned after Death by Roderick31:23
Colt CabanaPinned after a pildedriver35:51
Austin AriesSubmitted to the Stronghold50:30
Roderick Strongcolspan="2"

2006

ROH's third Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on October 6, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Qualifying match: Matt Sydal defeated Davey Richards to advance
  • Qualifying match: Delirious defeated Jimmy Rave to advance
  • Qualifying match: Austin Aries defeated Christopher Daniels to advance
  • Qualifying match: The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark) defeated Homicide and Roderick Strong to advance
  • Qualifying match: Bryan Danielson vs. Samoa Joe ended in a 20-minute time limit draw
    • As a result of a draw, neither wrestler advances
  • Final match: Delirious defeated Austin Aries, Jay Briscoe, Mark Briscoe and Matt Sydal in a Five-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest.
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Austin AriesJay Briscoe and Mark BriscoePinned after a Doomsday Device11:17
Jay BriscoeMatt SydalPinned with a roll-up19:04
Mark BriscoePinned after the Shooting Sydal Press23:06
Matt SydalDeliriousSubmitted to the Cobra Stretch34:51
Deliriouscolspan="2"

2007

ROH's fourth Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on October 19, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated Brent Albright to advance
  • Qualifying match: Chris Hero defeated Karl Anderson to advance
  • Qualifying match: Rocky Romero defeated T. J. Perkins to advance
  • Qualifying match: Austin Aries defeated Delirious to advance
  • Qualifying match: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Davey Richards to advance
  • Qualifying match: Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness ended in a 20-minute time limit draw
    • As a result of a draw, neither wrestler advances.
  • Qualifying match: Human Tornado defeated Shane Hagadorn and Tony Kozina
    • This was originally scheduled as a non-tournament match, but turned into one as a result of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness wrestling to a draw.
  • Survival of the Fittest: Chris Hero defeated Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli, Human Tornado, Rocky Romero and Roderick Strong in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest.
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Human TornadoChris HeroPinned after the Hero's Welcome3:58
Rocky RomeroPinned after Aries hit Romero with a 450° splash13:32
Austin AriesPinned with a roll-up15:38
Colt CabanaPinned after the Hero's Welcome35:51
Claudio CastagnoliPassed out in the Hangman's Clutch50:30
Chris Herocolspan="2"

2009

ROH's fifth Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on October 10, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • Due to his performance in an ROH World Championship match the night before, ROH Executive Producer Jim Cornette gave Delirious a bye into the finals of the tournament.
  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated Rhett Titus to advance
  • Qualifying match: Tyler Black defeated Kenny King to advance
  • Qualifying match: Colt Cabana defeated Kevin Steen to advance
  • Qualifying match: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Petey Williams to advance
  • Qualifying match: Chris Hero defeated Kenny Omega to advance
  • Final match: Tyler Black defeated Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, Claudio Castagnoli, Delirious and Roderick Strong in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest.
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Claudio CastagnoliColt CabanaPinned after Hero hit Castagnoli with a rolling elbow23:00
Colt CabanaDeliriousPinned with a roll-up23:05
DeliriousRoderick StrongPinned after the Sick Kick24:59
Chris HeroTyler BlackPinned with God's Last Gift28:38
Roderick StrongPinned after the Avada Kedavra39:36
Tyler Blackcolspan="2"

2010

ROH's sixth Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on November 12, 2010 in Dearborn, Michigan.

  • Qualifying match: Rhett Titus defeated Colt Cabana to advance
  • Qualifying match: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Grizzly Redwood to advance
  • Qualifying match: Kevin Steen defeated Kyle O'Reilly to advance
  • Qualifying match: Adam Cole defeated Steve Corino to advance
  • Qualifying match: Eddie Edwards defeated Chris Hero to advance
  • Qualifying match: Kenny King defeated El Generico to advance
  • Final match: Eddie Edwards defeated Adam Cole, Claudio Castagnoli, Kenny King, Kevin Steen and Rhett Titus in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Kevin SteenClaudio CastagnoliPinned after a bicycle kick0:08
Adam ColePinned after a lariat9:19
Rhett TitusPinned after a pop-up European uppercut12:18
Claudio CastagnoliKenny KingPinned after the Royal Flush14:23
Kenny KingEddie EdwardsSubmitted to an Achilles lock16:12
Eddie Edwardscolspan="2"

2011

ROH's seventh Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on November 18, 2011 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio.

  • Qualifying match: The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark) defeated The Bravado Brothers (Lancelot and Harlem) to advance
  • Qualifying match: Kyle O'Reilly defeated Andy Ridge to advance
  • Qualifying match: Eddie Edwards defeated Mike Bennett to advance
  • Qualifying match: Michael Elgin defeated Adam Cole, Kenny King and Tommaso Ciampa in a Four Corner Survival match to advance
  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated Rhett Titus to advance
  • Final match: Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Edwards, Jay Briscoe, Kyle O'Reilly, Mark Briscoe and Roderick Strong in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Jay BriscoeEddie EdwardsPinned after Die Hard18:21
Mark BriscoeSubmitted to a dragon sleeper18:37
Roderick StrongPinned with a schoolboy20:41
Eddie EdwardsMichael ElginPinned after a spinning back fist / lariat combo20:58
Kyle O'ReillyPinned after the Elgin Bomb33:19
Michael Elgincolspan="2"

2012

ROH's eighth Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on September 22, 2012 at the Du Burns Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The tournament was recorded in a single day for Ring of Honor's television show, and aired on a taped delay over the span of several weeks.

  • Qualifying match: Adam Cole defeated TaDarius Thomas to advance
  • Qualifying match: Davey Richards defeated Mike Bennett to advance
  • Qualifying match: Jay Lethal defeated Q. T. Marshall to advance
  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated Homicide to advance
  • Qualifying match: Mike Mondo defeated Kyle O'Reilly to advance
  • Qualifying match: Michael Elgin defeated Rhino to advance
  • Final match: Jay Lethal defeated Adam Cole, Davey Richards, Michael Elgin, Mike Mondo and Roderick Strong in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Mike MondoRoderick StrongPinned after the Sick Kick4:49
Roderick StrongAdam ColePinned after a superkick6:41
Adam ColeMichael ElginPinned after the Elgin Bomb7:32
Michael ElginJay Lethal and Davey RichardsDouble pinned after both men hit him with a Buzzsaw Kick13:32
Davey RichardsJay LethalPinned after the Lethal Injection21:26
Jay Lethalcolspan="2"

2014

ROH's ninth Survival of the Fittest tournament took place on November 8, 2014 at the Seagate Convention Center in Toledo, Ohio. The tournament took place over a span of 2 days.

  • Qualifying match: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Will Ferrara to advance
  • Qualifying match: Roderick Strong defeated TaDarius Thomas to advance
  • Qualifying match: Adam Page defeated Cedric Alexander to advance
  • Qualifying match: Adam Cole defeated Delirious to advance
  • Qualifying match: Hanson defeated Jay Lethal to advance
  • Qualifying match: Matt Sydal defeated A. C. H. to advance
  • Final match: Adam Cole defeated Adam Page, Hanson, Matt Sydal, Roderick Strong, and Tommaso Ciampa in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Roderick StrongAdam PagePinned with a roll-up17:08
Adam PageMatt SydalPinned after the Shooting Sydal Press21:10
Matt SydalTommaso CiampaPinned after Project Ciampa31:13
Tommaso CiampaAdam ColePinned after Michael Elgin hit Ciampa with a steel chair32:03
HansonPinned after the Florida Keys40:50
Adam Colecolspan="2"

2015

Main article: Survival of the Fittest (2015)

2016

Main article: Survival of the Fittest (2016)

2017

Main article: Survival of the Fittest (2017)

2018

Main article: Survival of the Fittest (2018)

2021

ROH announced the tournament would return in 2021, taking place throughout the month of June on ROH's flagship TV program Ring of Honor Wrestling, and their online show ROH Week by Week.

There were 12 participants competing in six qualifying matches, with the winners advancing to a six-way elimination finals (aired June 26 on Ring of Honor Wrestling) where the winner received an ROH World Championship match at Best in the World.

  • Qualifying match: June 5 Ring of Honor Wrestling – Demonic Flamita defeated Rey Horus
  • Qualifying match: June 8 ROH Week by Week – Brian Johnson defeated Sledge
  • Qualifying match: June 12 Ring of Honor Wrestling – Eli Isom defeated Dak Draper
  • Qualifying match: June 15 ROH Week by Week – Chris Dickinson defeated O'Shay Edwards
  • Qualifying match: June 19 Ring of Honor Wrestling – Bandido defeated Bateman
  • Qualifying match: June 22 ROH Week by Week – Rhett Titus defeated Danhausen
  • Final match: June 26 Ring of Honor Wrestling – Bandido defeated Brian Johnson, Chris Dickinson, Demonic Flamita, Eli Isom, and Rhett Titus in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest
EliminatedWrestlerEliminated byMethodTime
Demonic FlamitaBandidoPinned with a roll-up4:50
Brian JohnsonRhett TitusPinned after the King Kong Knee Drop12:56
Rhett TitusChris DickinsonSubmitted to a kneebar13:27
Chris DickinsonBandidoPinned after the 21-Plex18:56
Eli IsomSubmitted to an omoplata23:51
Bandidocolspan="2"

Note - In late 2021, ROH was sold to Tony Khan, the owner and general manager of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and with that ROH was then effectively absorbed into AEW.

2023

On the November 8, 2023 episode of AEW Dynamite, Samoa Joe, who had held the ROH World Television Championship for a record 574 days, voluntarily vacated the title to concentrate on pursuing the AEW World Championship.

Tony Khan announced a week later on ROH Honor Club TV that Survival of the Fittest would return and be used in crowning a new champion. Qualifying matches took place on ROH Wrestling, leading up to the six-way finals on December 15 at Final Battle, with the winner becoming the new ROH World Television Champion. This was the first Survival of the Fittest where a championship was on the line rather than an opportunity at one, and the first where it was contested for the ROH World Television Champions rather than the ROH World Championship.

  • Qualifying match: November 22 ROH Honor Club TV (aired November 30): Komander defeated Gringo Loco
  • Qualifying match:November 22 ROH Honor Club TV (aired November 30): Dalton Castle defeated Evil Uno
  • Qualifying match: December 2 ROH Honor Club TV (aired December 7): Kyle Fletcher defeated Gravity
  • Qualifying match: December 2 ROH Honor Club TV (aired December 7): Lee Johnson defeated Josh Woods
  • Qualifying match: December 2 ROH Honor Club TV (aired December 7): Lee Moriarty defeated Tracy Williams
  • Qualifying match: December 15 Final Battle Zero Hour: Bryan Keith defeated Jack Cartwheel
  • Final match: December 15 Final Battle: Kyle Fletcher defeated Bryan Keith, Dalton Castle, Komander, Lee Johnson, and Lee Moriarty in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest and the vacant ROH World Television Championship

2024 July

On July 25, Tony Khan announced a Survival of the Fittest match for the following day's Death Before Dishonor event, where ROH World Television Champion Atlantis Jr. would defend his title against Brian Cage, Johnny TV, Lee Johnson, Lio Rush, and Shane Taylor. This would be the first Survival of the Fittest where none of the participants had qualifying matches and the first in which a championship was defended.

  • Atlantis Jr. (c) defeated Brian Cage, Johnny TV, Lee Johnson, Lio Rush, and Shane Taylor in a Six-Way Elimination match to win Survival of the Fittest and retain the ROH World Television Championship

2024 December

On December 13, ROH announced another Survival of the Fittest match for the ROH World Television Championship, this time for Final Battle. Here, champion Brian Cage would defend the title against Willie Mack, Mark Davis, Komander, AR Fox, and Blake Christian.

  • Komander defeated Brian Cage (c), Willie Mack, Mark Davis, AR Fox, and Blake Christian in a Six-Way Elimination match to win the ROH World Television Championship.

2025

On November 27, Tony Khan announced that, for the first time, the ROH World Championship would be contested for in a Survival of the Fittest match at Final Battle. The champion, Bandido, would defend the title against Blake Christian, Hechicero, Komander, Sammy Guevara, and The Beast Mortos.

  • Bandido (c) defeated Blake Christian, Hechicero, Komander, Sammy Guevara, and The Beast Mortos in a Six-Way Elimination match to retain the ROH World Championship.

References

References

  1. "It's "Survival of the Fittest 2012!" This Weekend!". [[Ring of Honor]].
  2. "ROH Year Three Archive: Looking Back at Ring of Honor's Most Controversial Year". PWInsider.com.
  3. "Dark Pegasus Video Review: Ring of Honor - Survival of the Fittest 2004". 411mania.com.
  4. "ROH - Survival of the Fittest, June 24, 2004, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania". 411mania.com.
  5. (29 October 2019). "ROH pospone Survival of the Fittest por un 'conflicto operacional'".
  6. "ROH TV results". [[Ring of Honor]].
  7. "Past events". [[Ring of Honor]].
  8. "Dark Pegasus Video Review: Ring of Honor - Survival of the Fittest 2005". 411mania.com.
  9. (20 September 2011). ""Survival of the Fittest 2011" - Dayton, OH". [[Ring of Honor]].
  10. "ROH Survival of the Fittest 2011 DVD Review: The Largest Field in SOTF History Vies for a Shot at th ROH World Title, Steve Corino's Road to Redemption Continues as He's Finally Ready to Face El Generico, a Champions' Challenge with All Four ROH Champions in One Match, and More". PWInsider.com.
  11. "ROH Survival of the Fittest 2012 DVD Review: Twelve Men Vie for a Shot at the ROH World Title, Rhett Titus and His New Partner Get One Over on Haas & Benjamin, the Guardians of Truth Reveal Their True Identity, and More". PWInsider.com.
  12. [http://www.fightful.com/wrestling/roh-reveals-bracket-survival-fittest-tournament ROH reveals bracket for Survival of the Fittest tournament - Fightful.com]
  13. "6-Way Survival Of The Fittest To Crown New ROH World Television Champion Set For ROH Final Battle".
  14. Nason, Josh. (July 25, 2024). "Survival of the Fittest TV title match announced for ROH Death Before Dishonor". [[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]].
  15. Lambert, Jeremy. (December 13, 2024). "ROH TV Title Match Announced For ROH Final Battle". Fightful.
  16. Lambert, Jeremy. (November 27, 2025). "Bandido To Defend ROH Title In Survival Of The Fittest Match At ROH Final Battle". Fightful.
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