ROH 2/23/18 TV Review: Silas Young Defends Against Kenny King
02/10/18
Center Stage Theater
Atlanta, Georgia
This week was the first episode from the set of tapings from Atlanta,GA. The show opened with a recap of the ROH 6-Man title match from last week that saw So Cal Uncensored win the titles, only to have Bully Ray come out and restart the match, ending with Bullet Club retaining. Bully Ray then started the show off explaining his actions and that he plans on keeping ROH the purveyor of the best wrestling on the planet as he enforces the Code of Honor that defines the company. Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana were on commentary and welcomed everyone to show.
First Match: The Young Bucks vs. So Cal Uncensored (Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky)
So Cal came out first and conspicuously absent was Christopher Daniels. The duo attacked the Bucks immediately, but had the tables turned quickly. Just as the Bucks seemed to be hitting their stride, Cody came out and before he joined commentary, we are off to commercial break. Cody spoke about how Bullet Club in fine, with Cabana agreeing with him. Riccaboni then brought up Matt Taven and Cody commented that Taven is a hack and that Cody will regain the ring. All the while, So Cal was running on all cylinders, in control of the match, even cinching in dueling dragon sleepers. The Bucks escaped, applying dueling sharpshooters. The Bucks seemed to have Kazarian wrapped up for the win, but he slithered out of Matt’s grasp as Riccaboni mentioned that Matt’s back may still be ailing. Nick took Kazarian to the outside and hit a moonsault, setting Sky up for the Meltzer Driver. The previously mentioned Daniels came out and attacked the Bucks from behind, but Cody took his sweet time getting to the ring, not entering until Adma Page ran down with a chair and chased Daniels off. Commentary highlighted how long it took Cody to take action. Lots of moving parts here, but they all worked well, keeping So Cal as competitors for the Bullet Club, while continuing the dissension in the ranks. (***1/2)
Winners: The Young Bucks
Recap of the issues between Kenny King and Silas Young stemming from the recent six-man tag match between King and Coast to Coast/Young, the Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas. A backstage segment aired during which Bruiser and Milonas taunted King until Young ran in and started attacking King backstage. As Milonas and Bruiser held King, Young granted King a rematch before laying him out with a kick to the head.
A Briscoes promo aired next, interspersed with footage of the Briscoes attacking the Motor City Machine Guns. A match between the two teams was announced for the 16th Anniversary show.
Second Match: WOH Championship Tournament Match
First Round: Kelly Klein vs Bonesaw Jessie Brooks
A video package aired, alternating between Bonesaw Jessie Brooks and Kelly Klein talking smack before transitioning to highlights of the match between the two, which Klein won with a knee to the face, advancing to the next round.
Winner: Kelly Klein
First Round:Deonna Purrazzo vs. Holidead
Next up was the video package of Deonna Purrazzo against Holidead, with Holidead staying in character and Purrazzo becoming emotional as she spoke about the opportunity to win the Women of Honor championship and how she wants to be more than eye-candy and instead be a role model. We then were treated to highlights of the end of their match, with Purrazzo escaping a torture rack type maneuver that Purrazzo escaped, locking on the Fujiwara armbar for the win to advance in the tournament.
A bit of an odd choice here, but both Kelly Klein and Deonna Purrazzo have been major draws, garnering some of the highest Youtube views against all of ROH’s other content. Both moved on and will hopefully see ROH TV action again in the next round, as the tournament heats up, however, it was a disappointment to not see the talent presented in full on the episode.
Winner: Deonna Purrazzo
A number of promo packages aired all about the 16th anniversary show.
Main Event: ROH World Television Championship Match
Kenny King vs. Silas Young w/ Beer City Bruiser and Brian Milonas (C)
An even start to the match between the two, with Young and King showing off their wrestling skills, replete with dueling dropkicks. King gained control but was quickly tripped up by the Bruiser, which prompted Bully Ray, ROH’s resident enforcer of the Code of Honor to come out and boot both Milonas and Bruiser to the back to even the odds for the match. Young attacked King from behind but was quickly floored and found himself in an armbar. Young avoided a King leap to the outside and briefly gained control, but celebrated a bit too early, allowing King to get the jump on him. The two battled on the apron, with King dropping Young with an Eddy Gordo. Young recovered and knocked King from the apron, but used his agility to leap to the stage and flip off, taking Young to the ground before stopping to take a selfie with a fan. King then hit a high cross body back in the ring, followed by King’s picture perfect spinebuster. King could only get a two count and Young almost scored with Misery, but King countered with a crucifix. The two traded a number of near falls before King leapt over Young in the corner and caught Young with a sunset flip pinning combination, stealing the win unexpectedly from a furious and exasperated Silas Young. The end was perfectly done as the match told the story that these two are very much on par with one another, so King “stealing” the win with a creative roll up was a smart call that keeps Young looking strong despite the loss. (***3/4)
Winners: The Hung Bucks
Final Reaction: B
This was technically the last show before ROH’s Manhattan Mayhem event, as even in markets that receive the show on Saturday nights will air after the show. The issue between the Bullet Club and So Cal Uncensored played out well here in a good match between the two. The Women of Honor segment was more of a tease than a full segment and I would like to see the company return to airing the full matches during the hour of television, even if it is difficult to juggle. The main event was definitely the match to watch here and the use of Bully Ray showed that he isn’t simply being used against So Cal Uncensored, but rather any violators of the code. It was surprising to see Young drop the title so soon, so it’ll be interesting what the next step with him is.
Thanks for stopping by again this week and look for more Ring of Honor coverage the same time next week. Until then, please go over to Running Wild Podcast and take a listen to a show that covers oodles of wrestling news and ridiculous conversations. You can find us on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud