For the final time, Matt Lott gives us a recap from the studio. Everything has led up to this, and tonight it will be #4 ranked Aaron Solow taking on the #1 ranked Olympic Wrestler, Jeff Cobb. Before we get to the match, everything from the season is recapped in a really great video package. Dojo Pro has thrived with these videos, seemingly having each one outdo the other.
Aaron Solow says he only has one more match left to win, and it’s against a man he HAD a lot of respect for, until Cobb beat up a fan on Episode #1. Cobb was an olympic athlete, and you can see it in the ring because of how hard he throws people. His ranking doesn’t mean much to him, because at the end of the day he’ll suplex people all over the ring, win the black belt, and cash the check. Solow is very familar with Cobb, but Cobb doesn’t fear Solow, as he’s a man he’s thrown around a hundred times before. Solow says if he loses it will still have been a great experience, but he’s sick of great experiences, he wants an opportunity. He didn’t come to get this close, he came to go all the way. Cobb says this tournament is about the future talent, but Cobb is the current talent, and it doesn’t matter what any rookie like Solow does, Cobb will win this. Solow will beat Cobb with his speed and cardio, but Cobb will definitely be his toughest test.
As a special bonus for the Season Finale, Todd Sinclair will be the official for tonight’s match.
Dojo Pro Black Belt: Aaron Solow (White Belt Champion) vs. Jeff Cobb (#1 Ranked)
While not on the level of Solow/Strickland from last week, this was an absolutely awesome match that had yet another surprising outcome. Solow learned pretty early on that his high flying wasn’t going to work out, as Cobb caught Solow when he went for a tope suicida. Solow used his speed and quickness to get away from Cobb at times, like when he fought off of Cobb’s shoulders to send him into the ring post. Cobb wasn’t able to ever hit the Tour of the Islands, but a big side slam almost finished things, except Aaron Solow has too much heart. In the end, Solow hit his Cradle DDT and shockingly pinned Jeff Cobb to pick up the victory, along with the Black Belt. Streamers immediately flew into the ring, and the entire thing was just a great moment for Solow.
Winner: Aaron Solow
Match Rating: ***1/2
The always great Rob Johnston is in the ring with Aaron Solow, and he immediately asks him how he feels. Solow feels beat up, but it feels to good to be the Black Belt. There can only be one first, and Aaron Solow did that here tonight. From all the struggles of being an independent wrestler, it all paid off with this win, and from here, it’s time to challenge for the ROH TV Title. Johnston asks Solow what the ROH TV Champion should do to prepare for Solow, and Solow tells them to study, because if not, it’ll end up like everyone Solow beat on his way to win the Black Belt.
Final Thoughts:
As a whole, this had to be the best Dojo Pro episode to date. We got an awesome video package to kick things off, recapping everything that happened in the tournament from there. After the interviews with Solow and Cobb, things already felt bigger with Todd Sinclair being announced as the referee. The crowd was hot the entire night, and throwing streamers in for Solow’s win made it ten times better. The emotion from Solow in his post match interview was great, and it was definitely an outcome that I never saw coming. Dojo Pro was a great series, and I really, really hope there’s a second season, because this absolutely rocked.
Final Rating: 8.0/10
If you would like to watch Dojo Pro, you can purchase Season 1 for $19.99 here or watch it for FREE with your Amazon Prime membership.