[2017-01-04-NJPW-Wrestle Kingdom XI] Adam Cole vs Kyle O'Reilly

[bradhindsight]

Here's your Ring of Honor title match sandwiched on the Wrestle Kingdom card. Initially watching this spoiler-free the morning of the show, it had heightened dramatics given the O'Reilly contract situation. So that story was the elephant in the ring throughout. I realize I'm high man on this one, but I really liked Cole here and thought this was an exceptionally sound, good match and a contrast to their match at Final Battle, which was centered around hardcore/No DQ stuff. Cole hits a couple finishers and wins this one clean as a sheet. ***1/2

[ShittyLittleBoots]

WAY better than their recent ROH matches - the best ROH World Championship in quite a while in general. They worked it smartly; Cole going after Kyle's shoulder, and that hurt shoulder being the story of the match. Pretty good match, definitely way better than I expected it to be given their recent ROH matches against each other. **3/4