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Athena is called the Forever Champ for a reason. The Fallen Goddess remain ROH women's world champion after beating Billie Starkz in the main event of Final Battle (Dec. 20, 2024).
Starkz was dressed in gear to honor Sumie Sakai, the first ROH women's champion who is set to retire at next month's NJPW Battle in the Valley PPV. Athena paid homage to Two Face from Batman.
Athena aggressively worked the left knee. Starkz retaliated by throwing haymakers. The action spilled outside for Athena to powerbomb Starkz on the apron. Athena maintained control to grind her opponent. She sprinkled in some power moves as well, such as an avalanche fallaway slam and a deadweight lift into a facebreaker.
Starkz picked up steam with an Alabama slam on the apron. She followed for a swanton on the floor and the Star 10 finisher. Athena kicked out at 2 on the cover. This is when the match starting getting serious to determine a winner.
Starkz had another near fall. Athena hit a suicide dive to collide into Starkz and referee Mike Posey. With the ref incapacitated, Athena called for the microphone from Lexy Nair to use as a foreign object. Starkz blocked the cheap trick to counter for an electric chair driver. The referee was a little slow to return to start his count. Athena was able to kick out at 2.
Athena and Starkz tussled in the corner. The middle turnbuckle pad came off when Athena was trying to grab onto anything to prevent Starkz from pulling her to the center of the ring. Starkz charged forward, Athena clipped the knee, and Starkz hit the exposed steel. Athena made the most of that opportunity with the O-Face to win. Starkz cried on the mat in defeat, while Athena mocked her tears with laughter.
Even though there was much clamoring for Starkz to win the title here, I think this was the right result. This matchup felt slapped together quickly and didn't have the best story heat. Starkz is still a heel, so now this gives time to build her up as a proper hero for the eventual trilogy match as true enemies. Make no mistake. It should definitely be Starkz who dethrones Athena, who has now carried the ROH Women's World Championship for 740 days and counting.
It looks like the next step of their story will take place on ROH TV when Athena kicks out a member of M.I.T. (Minions in Training).
Share your thoughts on Athena defeating Billie Starkz in the main event. Check out full results for Final Battle. The replay is available for streaming through the Honor Club subscription.