Ring of Honor’s Final Battle at the Hammerstein Ballroom brought plenty of action, but it was the surprise return of AEW’s quirky icon Danhausen that left fans screaming like they’d been cursed by a sentient haunted doll.
The night kicked off with Mansoor (representing MxM Collection) facing off against Atlantis, Jr., a former ROH TV Champion. Things seemed straightforward until Mansoor’s partner, Mason Madden, decided to exchange pleasantries with the crowd in the most condescending way possible. Enter the masked man — crawling out from under the ring like a possessed raccoon at a backyard BBQ.
As Madden turned around, the mystery man dramatically unmasked to reveal… Danhausen! The crowd erupted louder than Tony Khan’s caffeine-fueled announcement binges. Without hesitation, Danhausen delivered a patented low blow to Madden, a move as effective as it was… well, evil. This distraction gave Atlantis the opening to channel his inner lucha libre Superman, hitting a tope suicida on Madden before securing the win over Mansoor.
But Danhausen wasn’t done being both very nice and very chaotic. Post-match, he tried to slap a curse on Madden, only to be throttled like he owed Madden money. Danhausen retaliated with a crisp German suplex, a handful of his signature teeth (don’t ask where he keeps them), and a running kick that sent Madden to his next dental appointment. Teaming up with Atlantis, Danhausen celebrated like he’d just sold out of his merch table — which, to be fair, he probably did.
Where’s Danhausen Been?
Danhausen’s last AEW appearance was at the Worlds End 2023 pre-show, marking nearly a year of absence. In ROH, his last outing was in February, where he defeated Brandon Cutler. Despite being off AEW television, Danhausen has remained active on the independent scene and at conventions, delighting fans with his signature mix of spooky weirdness and oddly marketable charm.
Recently, on Marcus “Buff” Bagwell’s podcast, Danhausen hinted that he might have a “Max problem,” suggesting MJF wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for him. But if Final Battle proved anything, it’s that Danhausen doesn’t need anyone’s approval — just a ring, some teeth, and the element of surprise.