In the first round of the Japanese Bracket of the AEW World Women’s Eliminator Tournament Ryo Mizunami was able to move past Maki Itoh, while Aja Kong used her brute force and experience to steamroll Rin Kadokura. These two heavy hitters meet tonight to see who will make the quarter finals, in what could be an instant classic. If anyone can match power with Aja Kong, it’s Mizunami. Kadokura didn’t stand a chance in the first round, but Kong will have to try tonight.
Ryo Mizunami Cuts Kong Down To Size
Mizunami & Kong would pace around the ring, before finally locking up. Kong would show a power edge early on, but allowed the clean break. Mizunami would get in with some elbow strikes and a shoulder tackle before hitting the ropes for another. She took Kong off her feet, and laid in some chops in the corner.
Mizunami would hype herself up for the running lariat in the corner, while Kong just walked up and slapped her in the face. Kong got cocky as well and hit from behind, but came back with a scoop slam and elbow drop. Mizunami dodged and hit two big leg drops, getting a one count. Kong dropped down for a kick, but Mizunami went for a knee bar. Mizunami got the extension, but Kong quickly got the ropes.
Mizunami would keep on the leg of Kong, but Kong got the eyes of Mizunami and tore at the eyes. Kong was able loosen the hold, but Mizunami kept her hold of Kong’s leg before letting up to stomp it. Taking the leg of Kong out takes away her vertical base and a lot of her power, but Mizunami didn’t do enough. Kong got up and threw some strikes, but Mizunami cut the knee down again.
Aja Kong Is A Living Legend
Mizunami waited for Kong to get up, but missed a spear and spilled to the outside. Kong followed and hit a big throat thrust before getting a brawl going on the outside. Mizunami met the ring post, and was dumped back into the ring. Kong grabbed the trash can she brought to the ring, the referee took it away, so instead she hit a backdrop driver. Another soon followed, and Kong was ready for the Uraken.
Mizunami blocked, but still took a knee. Kong kicked her while down, but Mizunami got the knee with a dragon screw. Mizunami hit a leg drop bulldog, before applying a head & arm choke to Kong. She resisted passing out, and got the bottom rope but damage was done. Mizunami would go for some lariats as Kong got up, but was dropped.
Kong went for the second rope elbow drop, but was taken down with a powerbomb, spear, and diving leg drop for a two count. Kong nailed the Uraken, and Mizunami collapsed to the mat, but Kong couldn’t get right into the pin. Mizunami was taken up to Hikaru Shida, and hit off the trash can, but she sprinted back to the ring and dropped Kong at an 8 count, and got back in the ring for the count out win!
Aja Kong is very limited at this point of her career, and this is about as good of a match as you can get out of her. Personality shined, and Mizunami did most of the heavy lifting. Kong hit her big strikes like expected, some snug backdrop drivers, and sold the knee wonderfully. She was protected in the loss, as Ryo Mizunami showed her crafty nature. Match Rating: 3.25/5 (*** ¼)
Can Ryo Mizunami beat Yuka Sakazaki in the finals? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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