In what has to be considered a huge surprise, Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH) has decided to change direction with their world champion. They have removed the title from one of the hottest independent talents in Cody Rhodes and given the belt to the flamboyant challenger Dalton Castle.

If developments stay as they are after Friday night came to a close, the Wrestle Kingdom 12 match against Kota Ibushi will not involve the ROH World championship. That is, unless Cody Rhodes either wins the title back in the next two week or ROH offers another huge swerve and has Castle take his place.

In the past, Cody Rhodes has used all sorts of tricks and shortcuts to keep his gold. Whether it be the running mates The Young Bucks getting involved, a new member of the Bullet Club or his wife, Brandi Rhodes, helping secure a victory, none of that happened on Friday. When all was said and done, The Party Peacock kicked out of Rhodes' Disaster Kick, then offered a quick reversal to nail Rhodes with his own finisher, Bangarang, to win clean and land a three-count.

Perhaps the best part of the entire evening included an incredible in-ring entrance for Castle and an even more amazing celebration to close the show. Sitting in the ring cross-legged and across the backs of His Boys, he held the title up under a storm of confetti.

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The ROH show itself was jam-packed with awesome action and the cherry on top was the surprising title change. It could be as simple as having a way that Rhodes could take the pin at Wrestle Kingdom 12 and not lose his title (since he's now already lost it), or it could be that this shocking moment won't last long.

No one should be surprised if Rhodes finds a way to win the title back over the next couple weeks. Considering ROH tapes on Saturday, anything can happen. For now, Dalton Castle is the new ROH Champion! Let the Peacock Era begin.

RELATED: DALTON CASTLE REVEALS ORIGINS OF HIS ICONIC ENTRANCE