It took place on November 22, 2008, from the Frontier Fieldhouse in Chicago Ridge, Illinois.

Rising Above 2008 featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers working for the Ring of Honor promotion.

The major feuds leading into the event were those between Austin Aries and Jimmy Jacobs and Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson.

The feud escalated to the point in which it was decided the pair would face each other in an "I Quit" Match.

The Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson feud largely revolved around their very competitive previous matches.