After a jam packed episode last week, we are back with episode two of ROH TV! This episode was heavily focused on a lot of the storylines and matchups we are going to see at SuperCard of Honor in three weeks. So, let’s break down the episode.
Ring of Honor TV Championship Samoa Joe vs Tony Deppen: The funniest part was how edited Samoa Joe’s entrance had to be because he lost the TNT Championship at Revolution. Deppen is a former TV Championship and is also one hell of a wrestler. Deppen put on a really good performance as this was a great back-and-forth match. Unfortunately, he was not enough for the king of television. Winner: “And Still” Samoa Joe
After the match, Joe welcomes the fans to the new era of ROH. Joe says that even though it is a new era he will always run ROH. He calls out anyone in the back to challenge him for the TV title and Mark Briscoe comes out. He says that the TV title is his destiny and he wants a shot at Joe, which he accepts.
Dalton Castle and the Boys talk about how even though they lost the six-man titles at Final Battle they are ready to bounce back and reclaim their titles. They call out the Embassy for a shot at the six-man titles down the line.
Marcus Kross, Cody Chunn, and Guillermo Rosas vs Dalton Castle and The Boys: This match was nicely paced as Kross Chunn and Rosas got a lot of offense throughout the match. This was a statement match to set up Dalton Castle and The Boys vs The Embassy for SuperCard of Honor. Also, how can you hate Castle and The Boys, they are so much fun. Winners: Dalton Castle and The Boys
The Kingdom cut a promo saying they are after the tag team championships. Since they have won gold in Impact, New Japan, and ROH they feel as if gold is coming at them left and right. Bennett calls out Top Flight for spoiling their return last week and Maria ends the promo by saying gold will cement the legacy of the Kingdom.
Serpentico and Angelico vs Rush and Dralisitco: Serpentico and Angelico being used is a win for everyone. Fun match all around between four talented individuals. Rush beats down Serpentico and rips off his mask when the match ends cementing his heel run. Winners: Rush and Dralisitco
Billie Starkz vs Trish Adora: The 18-year-old makes her ROH debut!! Welcome to ROH Billie Starkz! This was a great showing for Starkz as she will most likely be signing after her high school graduation this year. Adora picks up a win as she shows a more heelish side of her, exciting match. Winner: Trish Adora
Christopher Daniels talks about wanting to win tag team gold in ROH. Sydal joins him as the two have been ROH Tag Team Champions in the past. Sydal tells Daniels that he will do anything to make sure the two win tag team gold down the line.
Ari Davari and Slim J vs Jake Crist and Man Scout: Davari and Slim J get the win quickly as Davari gloats about beating Metalik clean last week. Metalik comes out and gets beat down quickly as Blake Christan makes the save. The Trustbusters fit in great in ROH and you will most likely see more of them throughout ROH. Winners: Slim J and Ari Davari
Ring of Honor Pure Championship: Timothy Thatcher vs Wheeler Yuta: This was what the Pure Rules matches are all about. Thatcher and Yuta are some of the hardest-hitting wrestlers on the ROH roster and they showed that throughout the match. Now that the BCC are full heels, it came as no surprise that Yuta cheated to win by hitting Thatcher with a closed fit behind the referee’s back. Yuta retains in champion’s style. Winner: “And Still” Wheeler Yuta
After the match, Yuta cuts a promo calling out the “fellas in tracksuits” also known as the people from the LA Dojo, which is a part of New Japan. Clark Connors comes out to confront Yuta and challenges him to a match next week. Yuta walks out of the ring before screaming you’re on.
Rhett Titus and Tracy Williams vs Aussie Open: Aussie Open was able to keep up with the former ROH Tag Team Champions in Williams and Titus. Aussie Open has been used a lot recently on Dynamite, Rampage, and ROH so it would not surprise me if they are signed in some capacity to the company. This episode has been very tag team heavy and the ROH Tag Team division is heating up and these two teams will play a big part in it. Winners: Aussie Open
Eddie Kingston vs Ben Dejo: This was a squash to build up to Kingston going after the world championship. This was a really good way to give Kingston some momentum heading into SuperCard of Honor.
After the match, Kingston called out Claudio Castagnoli and demanded a shot at the ROH World Heavyweight Championship. Castagnoli said “A man without honor will never be ROH Champion” and walked to the back. Lexy Nair tried to ask Castagnoli why he said what he said to which he replied “did I stutter” as Kingston tried to catch him on his way out. No matter who wins this match at Supercard of Honor, this match is going to be great.
Video package for the main event where Willow talks about how she is ready to win a championship. She has worked tirelessly to get an opportunity and she will not take it for granted. Athena says Willow is not ready and she will not take the title from her.
Ring of Honor Women’s Championship: Athena vs Willow Nightingale: WOMEN’S MAIN EVENT!! For a company that did not have a women’s division for the longest time, Tony Khan is making sure the women get recognized in the new ROH. This match was the first time an ROH main event was a women’s match, and this was great. To me, this should have been the pay-per-view match but there are probably better plans. Athena’s heel turn has been nothing short of fantastic as it showed throughout the entire match and how can anyone hate Nightingale? These two will be the faces of the ROH Women’s Division throughout the year as they deserve. Athena beat down Nightingale to end the episode in true heel fashion. This match was a great back-and-forth between two phenomenal wrestlers, watch this one guys. Winner: “And Still” Athena
Overall: These episodes have been very well-paced. The two hours fly by with the amount of action that takes place and the storylines that are evolving each week. This week was great as we are on the road to SuperCard of Honor on March 31st!!
