ROH Wrestling Recap: Episode 336, Feb. 23, 2018
Kenny King vs. Silas Young (c) (w/ The Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas)– Ring of Honor Television Championship
Both men adhere to the Code of Honor before the match by shaking hands, and the match begins with some nice chain wrestling between the two. Neither man can gain the advantage as they exchange some fast paced spots before Kenny manages to floor Silas with a drop toe hold and a side headlock. Kenny hits the ropes, and the Beer City Bruiser trips King and sends him to the mat.
This draws the ire of Bully Ray, who says a rather non-PG phrase as he sends Milonas and Mr. Beer to the backstage area to the delight of the crowd. Kenny King locks in an armbar on Silas, and looks to take advantage of this new situation. Kenny hits the ropes, but Silas sends him flying over the top rope to the outside of the ring. Silas follows and hits a kick to the head on Kin before sending him back in.
Silas hits a slingshot double footstomp. As Silas charges from the corner, Kenny hits a spinning kick and looks to regain the advantage. Kenny hits some punches, sends Silas to the outside, goes for a dive, but Silas dodges. Silas goes for a dive, but Kenny dodges. After a few quick counters, Silas drives Kenny into the apron. Silas looks to send Kenny into the guard rail in front of the stage, but Kenny jumps on the guard rail, then onto the stage, and springboards backwards into a flip dive! Very nice.
Kenny takes a selfie with a fan, then brings it back into the ring and hits a very nice spine buster on Silas. Kenny calls for the Royal Flush, but Silas escapes. He rakes the eyes of Kenny King, hits a big knee to the face, and goes for Misery, but Kenny blocks. Silas manages to hit a slingshot neckbreaker, but King kicks out. There is a series of quick counters, and a submission attempt by Kenny King. Silas makes it to the ropes and rolls to the outside.
Young tries to run away, but Kenny rolls him back into the ring. Silas rolls out again, and Kenny goes after him and rolls him back in again. Young takes the tape of his fist and the ref takes it away to keep him from cheating with it. Silas then kicks Kenny king low, hits a roll through fireman’s carry, and goes for Pee Gee Waja Plunge but Kenny King kicks out! Young can’t believe it. Silas picks up Kenny, sends him to the corner and chases after him. Kenny dodges and rolls him up and gets the pinfall! We have a new ROH Television Champion!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
This was an excellent match, with great back and forth action. Totally worth the watch, and a very good main event to close the show. Some might think I went too high with my star rating, but this match really resonated with me. This was great stuff.
The show closes with Kenny King celebrating in the ring, as only the third man in ROH history to hold the ROH Television Championship twice. The other two? Bobby Fish and Jay Lethal. That’s good company to be in.
Next: Bullet Club Divided - Cody vs. Kenny Omega
Last Impressions
A very easy to watch episode of Ring of Honor TV. Nothing here was bad, and everything was building the larger stories that ROH and New Japan are telling. We saw more fissures in the Bullet Club, albeit subtle ones, and we saw the crowning of a new champion! We also had plenty of hype for the upcoming ROH shows – Manhattan Mayhem, the ROH 16th Anniversary, and Supercard of Honor. All in all, a very enjoyable hour of TV!