Rush wins ROH World title at Death Before Dishonor

Ring of Honor has a new World Champion.

Rush won the ROH World title by defeating Matt Taven in the main event of Friday night’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view at Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas. Rush pinned Taven after hitting two Bull’s Horns dropkicks.

Rush and Taven shook hands after the match. Rush also celebrated with his family, including his brother Dragon Lee. Lee appeared at Death Before Dishonor and was added to Shane Taylor, Flip Gordon, and Tracy Williams’ Television title match. Taylor retained by pinning Gordon, but it was teased that Lee will be getting another shot at the TV title.

Taven’s contract with ROH has been set to expire at the end of this month. Prior to Death Before Dishonor, he spoke to the Orlando Sentinel about his future:

“You don’t get to have too many surprises in this business, but I’m keeping this one close to the vest. This is a life-changing decision and a million different things go into it, so I have to weigh my options. No matter what, I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given so far in my career and I don’t forget where I came from. I’m just going into this with an open mind and let the chips fall where they may.”

In an interview with CBS Local Sports that was published this Thursday, ROH COO Joe Koff was asked if contract talks with Taven are trending in the right direction:

“I think so. First of all, Matt has been a tremendous champion for Ring of Honor. He has taken on every single person that’s come at him, and he’s done an amazing job. His matches are just, bar none, some of the best matches I’ve ever watched. And this goes back to his first match back in Brooklyn when he won the tournament to get a title shot at Jay Lethal. I remember it being in Brooklyn, and in the cage was their first match, and the amount of athleticism and artistry and just smart, ring smarts, that Matt Taven has. He’s just been a superb champion. I see an unbelievable future with Ring of Honor. We’re happy to have him, happy to have him as our champion. … So, yeah, I think things are looking up with Matt.”

Jeff Cobb is scheduled to challenge for Rush’s World title at ROH’s Honor United show in Bolton, England on October 27.

The Women of Honor World Championship also changed hands at Death Before Dishonor, with Angelina Love defeating Kelly Klein to win the title. Love was attacked by Maria Manic after the match.