ROH WORLD TITLE MATCH SIGNED FOR DEFY YEAR 5
“Jonathan Gresham might not know a ton about me. He’s probably overlooking me. And that’s fine.”
SEATTLE – Controversy is already brewing as the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Championship is set to be defended at DEFY Wrestling’s YEAR 5 event inside Seattle’s historic Washington Hall on Saturday, February 12.
ROH World Heavyweight Champion Jonathan Gresham will defend the title against Classic Cody Chhun.
Taking the Ring of Honor belt on the road, Gresham is answering challenges from promoters to face some of the best, and most-deserving, up-and-coming wrestlers around the country. Chhun returns to Washington Hall notwithstanding his defeat in a Loser Leaves DEFY match.
At DEFY Mad Kingdom on Sept. 25, 2021, Chhun and partner Nick Wayne challenged DEFY Tag Team Champions The Midnight Heat (Ricky Gibson and Eddie Pearl) to a match after having previously been defeated in underhanded fashion. The champions agreed to the rematch, but added a stipulation; whoever was pinned had to leave DEFY for good. Pearl scored the pinfall over Chhun, unfairly using the ring ropes for leverage.
“Because this is a Ring of Honor sanctioned match, Chhun will be allowed to compete despite his defeat in a loser leaves DEFY match to The Midnight Heat several months ago,” DEFY matchmaker Matt Farmer said. ”Ring of Honor handled the negotiations for this bout, and the contract for the match is a Ring of Honor contract.”
“DEFY is home for me, and I can’t wait to show The DEFYANCE what I’ve picked up during my time away,” Chhun said. “Jonathan Gresham might not know a ton about me. He’s probably overlooking me. And that’s fine. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’m counting down the days.”
“We’ve already filed an official objection with DEFY. This is in direct conflict with the agreed upon and contractually obligated stipulation.”
The Midnight Heat, who defend the DEFY Tag Team Championship against The Bollywood Boyz in a ladder match at DEFY YEAR 5, were not pleased. “This is ridiculous,” Gibson said when reached for comment. “Cody agreed to a stipulation, and DEFY’s competition by-laws back us up. Why is he back here? We’ve already filed an official objection with DEFY. This is in direct conflict with the agreed upon and contractually obligated stipulation.”
Farmer said DEFY management quickly overruled the objection by The Midnight Heat. “It’s not a DEFY match,” Farmer added. “It’s a Ring of Honor match. It’s really that simple.”
Tickets for DEFY YEAR 5 on Sat. Feb. 12 are available now at defywrestling.com. An incredible night of action features a matchup between DEFY Interim World Champion Christopher Daniels and 16-year-old rising star Nick Wayne. This event is tracking to sell out. Very few standing room tickets remain.
DEFY YEAR 5
Celebrating DEFY's 5-year anniversary! Title fights, blood feuds, debuts, returns, and surprises!
Saturday, Feb. 12 / Washington Hall (153 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122)
Doors - 7 p.m. Bell Time - 8 p.m.
*** Parental Advisory: Explicit Content ***
Street Parking | Alcohol available | Food and drink available from Lunchbox Laboratory
Card Subject to change | Proof of vaccination required | No Refunds | 16+
—DEFYANCE—
