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Welcome loyal readers to this week’s episode of ROH on HDNet. It’s finally time for the Ring of Honor World Television Title tournament to begin. Let’s get right to the action.

World Television Title – First Round – Kevin Steen (1) vs. Rhett Titus (8)

In this first round match we have heel vs. heel. Since Steen is so despised right now you might think that Titus would be the sympathetic choice of the crowd. Here’s an early indicator, when Rhett comes out the crowd chants “Hepa-Titus”. Steen injures Rhett Titus’s shoulder early on and proceeds to work the arm for most of the match. Titus mounts a little offense but there isn’t much he can do with a bum shoulder. Sure enough, Steen eventually catches Titus in the Cross face for the quick tap out. And just like that, Mr. Wrestling is on to the semis where he will face either Colt Cabana or Eddie Edwards. Recently I wrote an article for the camelclutchblog.com breaking down the tournament brackets and I had Steen as the favorite. I saw nothing in this match to make me regret my choice.

The “Big Bang” Theory

Jim Cornette is seated with Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, and ROH World Champion Tyler Black. Cornette announces that the main event at the next pay-per-view, Big Bang, will be a triple threat match for the World title. Roderick Strong is not happy, since he thought he was getting a one on one title match. Strong says some disparaging things about Cornette and ROH in general before storming out. This seems to me like Strong is doing his impersonation of Bret Hart whining about the WWF circa 1997.

The Kings of Wresting vs. The Bravado Brothers

The Kings are back after a successful tour of Japan with Pro Wrestling NOAH. I have to admit that I was surprised to see Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli reform The Kings of Wrestling. I saw Chris Hero as a rising singles star and felt he had more potential going for the World title. However, with the departure of The Young Bucks and the possible breakup of the American Wolves, the tag team division could be wide open for them. The Bravado Brothers put up only token resistance before The Kings finish them off. This is basically just a tune up match for The Kings, who will be meeting The Briscoes for the tag team belts at the Big Bang pay-per-view.

Backstage with Prince Nana

Kyle Durden interviews Prince Nana. He discusses the reformation of The Kings of Wrestling and the suspension of the Necro Butcher for punching out the time keeper a couple of weeks ago. He also comments on the hottest free agent in ROH, “SkullKrusher” Rasche Brown. Which brings me to the next match…

“SkullKrusher” Rasche Brown vs. Caleb Connelly

How’s that for a segue? I am starting to get tired of Rasche Browns matches. Every week it’s another squash against another nameless opponent. This week is no different. Power move followed by the Burning Hammer finisher for the win. HO-HUM

Backstage with Colt Cabana

Kyle Durden interviews Colt Cabana about his match next week with Eddie Edwards in the first round of the TV Title tournament. Steve Corino comes out to again warn Cabana about getting involved with El Generico. In my tournament preview I picked Cabana to win in the first round but with a qualifier. I said Edwards might win if Corino or Steen interfered in the match. It looks like I might be onto something here.

The American Wolves…Is The Hunt Over?

Next is a video package covering the recent struggles of The American Wolves. Both members are in the TV Title tournament and will be in action next week. In my tournament preview I said that if Eddie Edwards gets past Colt Cabana, look for an all Wolves finals which might signal the end of The American Wolves. By the way, that’s three mentions of my tournament preview article and that’s my quota for self promotion for one week.

World Television Title – First Round – Kenny King (2) vs. El Generico (7)

This match will be the most telling match of the night in my opinion. As I alluded to in my tournament preview article (all right, one more plug) I felt this match would reveal the booking of the entire tournament. If El Generico wins then I see him going to finals only to lose to Kevin Steen. But if Kenny King goes over here, especially with interference from Steen or Corino, then I think things are set up for an American Wolves finals. Be sure to check out my tournament preview article for a complete breakdown of all these scenarios (okay now I just feel dirty). Kenny King injures the arm of El Generico and works it for most of the match. I feel like I’m watching the Kevin Steen match all over again. Generico starts to mount some top rope offense, including a Van-Terminator at one point. However he goes to the well once too often and King hits the Royal Flush for the 1-2-3. Surprisingly, there was no interference in the match.

This was a decent episode of ROH. A triple threat World title match was announced that is sure to cause problems for the next few weeks. The TV Title Tournament got under way, albeit slowly. I think these were definitely the weaker of the four first round matchups. Next week should be really good with both members of The American Wolves in action.

Vince DeHoratus lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two kids. He has been a life long wrestling fan and he has passed that love onto his son. Though not quite yet “middle aged and crazy”, he is fast approaching it.

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