When this tournament was announced, everyone knew Jonathan Gresgam was going to go all the way. He’s the best technical wrestler in the world today, and would probably even give some of the Pure Champions of the past some serious trouble. However, if anyone can beat him, it’s Josh Woods.
This match is what the Pure Championship is all about, and whoever wins this one, might very well be the favorite in the finals. Historically, Gresham has the edge, with a 7-1 record against Woods, and 3-0 in terms of singles matches.
Josh Woods Is In Control
Code of Honor would be adhered too, and they were laser focused right out of the gate. Gresham would go for the single leg takedown, but was completely shut down. Woods would not be taken to the mat, and controlled the middle of the ring to the best of his ability.
Gresham would almost be hit with a Gutwrench Suplex, but used his first rope break of the entire tournament to break free. This only served to frustrate him, and helped Woods get into the head of Gresham, who took some time on the outside. Gresham tried to take Woods down again, and completely failed again.
Woods would deadlift Gresham, hit one gutwrench suplex and hold on for another. He was able to break out, only to be sent to the outside, as we went to a commercial break. During the break, a vertical suplex attempt would lead to both men tumbling over the top rope. That gave Gresham an opening, as this hurt the shoulder of Woods.
Jonathan Gresham Is Persistent
Getting back to the action, Woods would hit an armbreaker over the top rope, giving both men one good arm.Gresham camped on the apron, and when Woods went for a knee strike, he’d hit the dragon screw and drop Woods. He’d go up top, but Woods followed him, grabbed the wrist, locked the fingers and just threw Gresham across the ring. This would have been a pinfall, but Gresham used his second rope break to survive.
Woods again would deadlift Gresham, and hit two Gutwrench Suplexes, but the arm would give out on the third. Gresham quickly noticed this and applied the Octopus Hold, forcing Woods to try for a rope break. The other arm would be trapped to keep it away from the ropes, and Gresham rained down elbow strikes to the side of the head.
Despite all this, Woods would fight through and drop Gresham to the mat, getting some space. Gresham ducked a strike, and tried to take Woods down again. This looked to be as successful as previous attempts, until Gresham hyper-extended the knee and dropped Woods.
A Finish Out Of Nowhere
The figure four would be attempted, but Woods kicked Gresham off. He’d run the ropes and bait Woods to leapfrog over, him landing hard on the leg. Going for the Figure Four again, Woods would counter into an inside cradle, but Gresham would counter, and they’d kinda just roll around the ring looking for control, before Woods got a two count.
Gresham got right back to his attack, tried for the Figure Four, but was kicked off again. He’d come right back with a perfect Sunset Flip, and get the surprise pinfall. This makes Jonathan Gresham our first finalist, even if Josh Woods out-wrestled him.
Do you think Gresham will be our next Pure Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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