ROH: Zack Sabre Jr.’s World TV title is a coveted prize

Zack Sabre Jr. made his return to ROH on episode 12. Back on the very first episode of the “new era”, he defended his NJPW World Television Championship against Blake Christian.

On Thursday, he entered as a champion for 134 days. He put his title on the line against AR Fox. It was a clash of styles between technical wrestling and high-flying. On paper, it sounded like a good match. In the ring, the match exceeded expectations.

If you’re unfamiliar, NJPW World Television Championship matches have a 15-minute time limit. If the match goes the full-time, the match ends in a draw. Fans saw this scenario when ZSJ faced Jeff Cobb at NJPW’s Dontaku show earlier this month.

ZSJ is considered one of the best technical wrestlers in the world and he regularly puts his skill on full display every time he defends his title. He has an arsenal that’s so full of moves that if he doesn’t make his opponent tap to a move in six seconds, he switches to another move. He is constantly playing chess to defeat his opponent.

Fox brought a different game to the champion. He has been severely underrated for years and every time he wrestles in ROH and AEW, he proves that he should’ve been signed long ago. While he made ZSJ play his game throughout the match, Fox showed that he was adept at playing ZSJ’s game. There were a few times that Fox nearly got the best of his opponent.

In the end, Sabre was victorious and ready for his rematch against Jeff Cobb next month at Dominion.

Following his victory, he was greeted by none other than ROH’s Television Champion, Samoa Joe. “In the world of television championships, here in Ring of Honor — as far as I’m concerned — there can be only one.” Joe knows that the “Powers That Be” don’t want either one losing their match, but points out that there are no “Powers That Be” around. Joe suggested that they face each other tonight.

Before ZSJ could answer, they were interrupted by Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels. Daniels has been a television champion before, but Sydal is “long overdue of some singles gold, whether it’s Ring of Honor or New Japan.” Sydal can feel the tv titles pulling him to them.

“I’m only here for the big matches and that’s why I’ve got my eye on these two.” When Daniels asks which one wants to give Sydal an opportunity, ZSJ tells “Samoan Joseph” that he has a “cunning plan”. He suggests that the current tv champions team up against the former tag team champions. If Sydal and Daniels are victorious, Sydal gets the title shot.

ZSJ then teased a one-on-one match with Joe. This seems to be leading to a match between the two at Forbidden Door II. The match could be a Winner Takes All match or a Tile versus Title match. While many fans have been clamoring for ZSJ vs. Bryan Danielson, that match could potentially be saved for ALL IN: London. The long game would be at Wrestle Kingdom 18.