ROH: Final Battle Parents Guide

Typical ROH Wrestling Style

ROH wrestling features a fast-paced, high-impact style with many high risk maneuvers. Matches often incorporate weapons like tables, ladders, and chairs. There is a strong emphasis on technical mat wrestling as well as high flying acrobatic moves.

The physicality of ROH matches means injuries are not uncommon. Wrestlers put their bodies on the line to entertain fans. Serious injuries have occurred during ROH events, including Dante Martin suffering a possible broken leg during a ladder match. Parents should be prepared for matches to get violent at times.

The high risk wrestling style also takes a cumulative toll on wrestlers' bodies over time. Even top stars like AJ Styles have faced many injuries throughout their careers from the ROH style of wrestling, including to their back, hip, and ankles.

Language Concerns

Although ROH and most wrestlers try to keep swearing to a minimum, occasional profanity and crude taunts are known to happen during Final Battle matches. Fans on Reddit report hearing wrestlers drop F-bombs and other expletives at times when emotions run high in the ring. There is also some risk of wrestlers using profanity in other languages that may go uncensored.

A 2022 report cited ROH wrestler Jonathan Good (known as Jon Moxley) being fined for "excessive profane language" during a match. So parents should be aware profanity does occur and prepare kids accordingly if choosing to allow them to watch the event.

Revealing Wrestler Attire

One concern parents may have is the occasional provocative outfits worn by wrestlers, especially female wrestlers. While most wrestlers wear athletic attire, some opt for more revealing gear like crop tops, short shorts, and bodysuits.

For example, one Reddit user commented that "I prefer they dress for their character so that it works, if you're a shoot wrestler type, wear something a amateur wrestler would wear, singlet or something." 

So while provocative wrestling outfits aren't the norm at ROH events, parents should be aware it is a possibility, especially with certain female wrestlers. The sexualized attire may be something to discuss with your child if you allow them to watch.

Adult Themes

Some of the matches at ROH Final Battle feature violent themes that parents may find concerning. It's common to see wrestlers using weapons like chairs, tables, and garbage cans during hardcore-style matches. For example, the Final Battle 2005 main event was a "Fight Without Honor" between Samoa Joe and Jay Lethal that involved a bloody brawl using multiple weapons (Swearing, Violence & Adult Themes (FFXVI Prologue)).

In addition to violence, some storylines feature mature themes as well. Wrestlers will occasionally use profanity or make lewd gestures during promos. At Final Battle 2006, there was a controversial angle where ROH owner Cary Silkin was hung by the ropes in a mock lynching by the wrestler Homicide which many parents found offensive (Maturing Manga: An Analysis of Adult Themes in Shōnen Manga).

Parental Guidance Reviews

Most parental guidance resources recommend ROH Final Battle for teens 13 or older. The program typically receives a PG-13 rating for its moderate violence and occasional adult language.

While the event is not targeted specifically toward mature audiences, parents should be aware that some of the matches feature violent elements like wrestlers using weapons and bleeding. There may also be some revealing attire and sexualized behavior at times.

Reviews indicate Final Battle is not appropriate for young kids, but mature teens can likely handle the adult themes with guidance. Parents are advised to watch along with their teen and stop viewing if they feel uncomfortable.

Overall, ROH Final Battle carries a PG-13 designation, but parents are encouraged to exercise caution with pre-teens and know there may be some risqué or violent content at times.

Specific Matches to Note

While most matches at ROH Final Battle are relatively tame, there are a few bouts parents may want to be aware of that feature more violence and risque elements than others:

The 2006 ROH Final Battle featured a particularly violent tag team match between the Briscoe Brothers and the team of Samoa Joe and Homicide. Called the "Fight Without Honor", it featured unrestrained use of chairs, tables and other weapons (Wikipedia).

Another notably bloody match was Jay Briscoe vs Adam Cole at Final Battle 2013, which left both men bloodied and featured the heavy use of chairs and other objects (YouTube).

More recently in 2020, the tag team championship main event between FTR and The Briscoes contained some mature language and middle fingers that parents may want to avoid (The Ringer).

While extreme violence is rare, a few matches at Final Battle have pushed boundaries parents may be uncomfortable with, so researching matches beforehand is advised.

Age Recommendation

Most reviewers recommend ROH Final Battle as best for teenagers ages 13 and up, but with some parental discretion advised. According to the parental guidance website Roh Parents Guide, the event is given an age rating of 15. The Royal Opera House website notes that children age 5 and above are permitted, but must sit with an accompanying adult.

While ROH Final Battle is not overly explicit, the wrestling style, occasional adult language, and revealing costumes make it unsuitable for young kids. Parents of pre-teens are encouraged to exercise caution and monitor their child's viewing. However, for mature 13+ teens interested in wrestling, Final Battle can be an exciting event to watch with some guidance.

Alternatives for Younger Kids

For parents of young children who want to encourage active, roughhouse play in a safe environment, there are some alternatives to watching professional wrestling events like ROH Final Battle.

Organized youth wrestling programs, offered through schools or community centers, provide structured opportunities for kids to learn wrestling fundamentals and grappling techniques from coaches. These programs have age-appropriate rules and supervision to prevent injuries.

Backyard family wrestling with parents can also allow younger kids to playfully emulate wrestling moves they see on TV, while avoiding the violent elements of professional matches. Parents can set ground rules and ensure the play remains lighthearted fun.

For rougher forms of active play, some alternatives include pillow fights, tug-of-war, potato sack races, wheelbarrow races, and supervised games of touch football which allow physicality and rowdiness in safe ways.

While high-flying wrestling moves should be avoided, parents can also encourage roughhousing activities like sock wrestling, cartoon sumo, and indoor obstacle courses to satisfy kids' craving for boisterous play.

Final Takeaways for Parents

When it comes down to it, ROH Final Battle is best suited for more mature teen wrestling fans ages 13 and up, with parent discretion advised. While it does not feature the same level of edgy content as WWE programming aimed at adults, parents should still use caution and consider their child's maturity before allowing them to view some of the more violent matches unsupervised. 

Watch together and skip overly brutal or inappropriate matches to provide a safer, guided viewing experience. Consider recording the event so you can control what is watched. For preteens and younger wrestling fans still establishing their tastes, try introducing them to family-friendly WWE shows or PG-rated alternatives instead until they are older. Use your own parental judgement on what they can handle.