ROH: Samoa Joe Dominates as ROH Television Champion

April 13 marked one year as ROH Television Champion for Samoa Joe. He defeated Minoru Suzuki on Dynamite. In that 12 month period, he was also the AEW TNT Champion. He dubbed himself “King of Television”.

The champ missed some time last year when he was filming a project. He played a dual role of Sweet Tooth in Twisted Metal for Peacock.

In the 8 weeks that the “new era” of ROH has been on Honor Club, Joe has defended his title four times. Tony Deppen, Cheeseburger, and Mark Briscoe all stepped up to the plate, but struck out.

On Thursday’s episode, ROH fan favorite, Colt Cabana had his shot at being the one to finally defeat Joe. Cabana has faced Joe for the ROH Heavyweight Championship and Pure Championship in the past. He reflected on what the Television Championship opportunity meant to him.

“I’m so proud to be back here on Ring of Honor television. Ring of Honor has such a huge place in my heart. So when I heard Tony bought it and it was coming back, I was on Cloud 9. And so to be able to back here and back in the promotion and a huge matchup; I guess you couldn’t ask for anything more. And I didn’t know where my place was going to be here. But obviously I’ve been given this opportunity. I’m going to make the most of it and I’m going to plan winning a title I’ve never won in Ring of Honor television championship and going to be a huge staple here on Ring of Honor television.”

Cabana brought it to Joe and made him work hard to retain his championship. While he came up short, it sounds like Cabana will be in an ROH ring more often.

Joe looks like a man who can’t be beat. Over the last couple of months, he’s faced names that are synonymous with the company. Deppen is a former ROH Champion, winning it back in 2020.

ROH will have to continue feeding competitors to the champion because he has a stronghold one the Television Championship and no one seems prepared to pry it from his grip.