The event featured professional wrestling matches, which involve different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds, plots, and storylines that play out on ROH's television programs. Wrestlers portray villains or heroes as they follow a series of events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.[2]
When the main event was announced, PCO's election as Rush's rival for the World Championship was questioned, due to his age (51 years old).[7] Also, PCO's title win was criticized.[8][9] On the December 23, Wrestling Observer Newsletter published a poll where the PCO vs Rush was voted as the worst match of the event. Dave Meltzer gave the match a one star, saying "There were style issues between the two and the craziness just didn’t work in a world title situation".[10]