Ring Of Honor was arguably the gold standard of independent wrestling. ROH launched careers that would lead to the big leagues in WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, and many more. There was a point where many called ROH the best wrestling company in the world, and to be the ROH World Champion meant that that wrestler was one of the best in the world.

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The likes of Bryan Danielson, Samoa Joe and CM Punk have all held the title. Despite ROH not having the hype and excitement that it had in the early 2000s, the ROH World Championship is still one of the most prestigious titles in all of wrestling.

10 Bryan Danielson vs. Samoa Joe (Fight Of The Century 2006) - 9.4

Bryan Danielson vs. Samoa Joe Fight Of The Century 2006

Bryan Danielson came into Fight Of The Century as ROH World Champion defending against challenger Samoa Joe. These are two of the greatest ROH World Champions in company history, and they showcased just how good both competitors were. Joe had a legendary championship run years prior, and he was desperately trying to get back the ROH Champion but couldn't seem to beat Danielson, who was at his peak. This was no different as they fought to a 60-minute time limit draw.

9 Bryan Danielson vs. Roderick Strong (Supercard Of Honor 2006) - 9.42

Bryan Danielson vs. Roderick Strong (Supercard Of Honor 2006)

This match is regarded as Roderick Strong's best match by Cagematch.net, just beating out Strong's matchup against James Gibson by .01 points. Strong came in as a young challenger with a bright future against Bryan Danielson, who was on the run of his life.

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After nearly 60 minutes of wrestling, Rodrick Strong put Danielson in a submission, and it looked like Danielson would tap out and Strong would take the championship. However, Danielson reversed it into a pin and got the three count to remain ROH World Champion. Strong earned the champion's respect, and it was a look into the future as Strong would capture the ROH World Championship four years later.

8 Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (6th Anniversary Show) - 9.43

Bryan v McGuinness

The first of many of their legendary bouts to make this list is one of their later contests against each other. Danielson and McGuinness were truly inseparable from 2006 to 2009, having numerous classic matches and is regarded as one of the greatest ROH rivalries ever. This rivalry and this match helped stake the claim that he who holds the ROH World Title is the best wrestler in the world, and it's really hard to argue against it watching this one.

This match saw McGuinness come in as champion and prove that he would do anything to keep his title. McGuinness worked his heel tactics to perfection, going after Danielson's previously injured eye before putting him in a submission to which Danielson passed out.

7 Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson (Manhattan Mayhem II) - 9.44

morishima

Takeshi Morishima walked into Manhattan as the Ring Of Honor World Champion and also represented the Goliath in this David vs. Goliath bout. It's not too many times that the highly acclaimed Danielson is not favored in an ROH match, but it made sense as Morishima was a giant compared to Danielson. Although Danielson tried to use his speed and kicks to keep Morishima away, but when the big man got his hands on Danielson, he brutalized him, even detaching his retina from Morishima's hard lariats. Despite Danielson firing up and giving his all, Morishima hit a Backdrop Driver to retain the title.

6 Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (All Star Extravaganza II) - 9.52

Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (All Star Extravaganza II)

The first match that doesn't feature Bryan Danielson on this list is arguably a more important rivalry with Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk. Samoa Joe and CM Punk's rivalry in ROH put both wrestlers on the map and the two were as important as any two wrestlers can be to a company. Their All Star Extravaganza match was the final installment in their fued and isn't the only match from their trilogy on this list.

Both matches previously went to a 60-minute time limit draw, but ROH fans finally got a winner in this one as the match had no time limit. Joe retained his ROH World Title in an iconic match that will live in ROH history and in hardcore wrestling fans' hearts forever.

5 Nigel McGuinness vs. Austin Aries (Rising Above 2007) - 9.52

via Nigel McGuinness
via theclassical.org

Nigel McGuinness had classic matches with multiple wrestlers in Ring Of Honor, this one being with Austin Aries. Aries is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in ROH history as he is a former ROH World Champion himself and was the one that ended Samoa Joe's World Championship reign. Aries came in challenging McGuinness for the World Championship and nearly won it on this night. But the bloody McGuinness hit a devastating lariat, causing Aries to fall on his head and begin to pick up the win. This McGuinness title run was one of the greatest in the companies history.

4 Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (Rising Above 2008) - 9.56

Danielson McGuinness

In another installment of the classic "The American Dragon" Bryan Danielson versus Nigel McGuinness feud, again they delivered a classic. McGuinness had a ton of jealously for Danielson as the fans regarded him as the best wrestler in the world, while McGuinness was the one that held the ROH World Championship and believed that the fans should consider him the best.

The match sees a run-in from Sugarfoot and Claudio Castagnoli AKA Cesaro. Instead of the typical McGuinness dawning a crimson mask, it was Danielson's face that was pouring blood. There's a ton of psychology in this match, and it is a wonderful watch.

3 Samoa Joe vs. CM Punk (Joe vs. Punk II) - 9.59

CM Punk Samoa Joe

This is the second match in the legendary Samoa Joe and CM Punk feud. Their first match was so iconic to the company that named the entire show after their main event, and luckily for every wrestling fan, it did not disappoint. Any of the matches in the trilogy has a great argument to be the best in the trilogy or even the best in ROH history, as they might be the most famous.

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However, the second match ended the same way that their first match bout did, with a 60-minute time limit draw, showcasing how difficult it is to pin Samoa Joe and take his World title, and how good Punk was as he was able to stand toe to toe with Joe and Joe couldn't beat him twice. These matches helped make the moments even more special when Punk became the main guy in ROH.

2 Bryan Danielson vs. KENTA (Glory By Honor V Night 2) - 9.6

Two of the most iconic strikers in all the professional wrestling history when added at the second night of Glory By Honor V, with Danielson putting his ROH World Title on the line against KENTA. Danielson's title reign at this point had every hardcore fan needing to see every defense that he had.

Bringing KENTA in from Japan was a great way to find a foe that could beat Danielson out of the company. The two performed some of the hardest leg kicks and elbows in a match that never truly loses excitement and keeps a perfect pace throughout.

1 Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (Unified 2006) - 9.64

Bryan Danielson delivering a dropkick to Nigel McGuinness

In the best of their phenomenal rivalry, Bryan Danielson took on Nigel McGuiness in Liverpool, England, with the winner unifying the ROH World Championship and the ROH Pure Championship. Danielson came in as the World Champion while McGuiness returned to his home country as the Pure Champion.

The two legendary ROH wrestlers waged war in the main event of the first ROH show in the UK, with the crowd favoring McGunniess, and once McGuinness just makes the 20 count with blood pouring from his face, the crowd is begging for McGuinness to win. However, Danielson would win the match and unify the titles after numerous elbows to the jaw knocked McGuinness out.