ROH on Sinclair - Episode 544 - 18th February 2022
We roll on with our 'Hall Of Fame Specials' as ROH continues to fill time on the countdown to Supercard Of Honor in Texas in April - which dependent on who you talk to is definitely happening, or is definitely at risk of NOT happening despite talent starting to be booked and at least a couple of matches announced. The next inductee announced was the incredibly deserving Samoa Joe. After the Briscoes, for their longevity in ROH and Bryan for being (in my opinion) the finest wrestler/ROH champion ever to come through the company, Joe is a fitting third pick for the Hall Of Fame class. His two year run as World Champion remains the longest single run in history, during which time he carried the company on his back through some incredibly turbulent times; building a platform of excellence and setting standards when it comes to integrity, quality and value of a championship that would set ROH up for the creative peaks it went on to hit in the mid-00's both with Joe, and after he left.
A TV edit of Xavier vs Samoa Joe for the ROH Title from Night Of Champions is shown
I haven't watched Joe's title win in years, and I'd completely forgotten he wore long tights for that match. They didn't stick around. From there we go into his other singles title victory during his Ring Of Honor career...
A TV edit of Jay Lethal vs Samoa Joe for the ROH Pure Title from Manhattan Mayhem is shown
We end with arguably Joe's finest hour in ROH. 'Arguably' being appropriate as his career is so legendary that are a lot of incredible moments to choose from...
A TV edit of Samoa Joe vs Kenta Kobashi from Joe vs Kobashi is shown
Tape Rating - N/A - As with the Danielson episode last week, if you are a newer fan of Ring Of Honor and you've not seen legendary classics from ROH's golden era like Joe/Kobashi or Joe/Lethal then you NEED to see this show. TV edits aren't necessarily the best, but they give a real sense of why following Ring Of Honor in the mid-00's was such an electrifying and wonderful ride and why those of us who were around to see it feel so privileged. Joe/Kobashi in particular will never not be an absolutely joyous, euphoric watch...