Jonathan Gresham to defend ROH World title at Impact Hard to Kill

The Ring of Honor World Championship is set to be defended in Impact Wrestling for the first time ever.

It was announced today that ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham will put his title on the line against Chris Sabin at next month’s Impact Wrestling Hard to Kill pay-per-view. The PPV is being held at The Factory in Deep Ellum in Dallas on Saturday, January 8.

Earlier this month, Gresham became ROH World Champion by defeating Jay Lethal at ROH’s “End of an Era” Final Battle PPV. Gresham was originally supposed to challenge Bandido for the title at the show, but Bandido was pulled from the card due to testing positive for COVID-19. The ROH World title was declared vacant with Bandido unable to wrestle at Final Battle.

Gresham’s first title defense took place at GCW’s Blood on the Hills last Friday. He defeated AJ Gray in a Pure Rules match.

Gresham is also scheduled to defend the ROH World Championship against Blake Christian at The Wrld on GCW in New York City on Sunday, January 23. That show is GCW’s Hammerstein Ballroom debut.

With ROH going on hiatus for the first quarter of 2022, Final Battle and the post-Final Battle edition of ROH Week By Week featured tribute videos from members of the AEW and Impact Wrestling rosters who used to wrestle for ROH. Impact’s Moose, Eddie Edwards, and Jimmy Jacobs were among those who sent videos. Moose will defend his Impact World Championship against Matt Cardona and W. Morrissey in a triple threat match at Hard to Kill.

It’s also been announced that Knockouts Tag Team Champions The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) will defend their titles against The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood) at Hard to Kill. The updated card for the PPV is listed below:

  • Impact World Champion Moose defends against Matt Cardona and W. Morrissey in a triple threat match
  • Texas Death Match: Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James defends against Deonna Purrazzo
  • Ultimate X match for a future Knockouts Championship shot: Lady Frost vs. Rosemary vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Tasha Steelz vs. Chelsea Green vs. Rachael Ellering
  • Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) defend against The Influence (Madison Rayne & Tenille Dashwood)
  • ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham defends against Chris Sabin
  • Josh Alexander vs. Jonah
  • Hardcore War 10-man tag match: Violent By Design (Eric Young, Joe Doering & Deaner) & The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Heath & Rhino