KUSHIDA got that first big win in WWE NXT when he was able to knock off the Undisputed WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar to claim the championship. However, he knows that someone like Escobar won’t leave him alone until he’s able to defend the championship against him, and prove that the previous victory was not a fluke.
KUSHIDA had the perfect plan however, and it pulls from the history of lucha libre & NXT, so Escobar gladly accepted. It’s time for a two out of three falls match, with the belt on the line. Whoever comes out on top is truly worthy of being the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Santos Escobar Will Have To Do It Himself
They wouldn’t waste time as the bell rang, as Escobar nailed a kick and threw KUSHIDA outside. He’d try to distract the referee as Wilde & Mendoza attacked, but MSK evened the odds and everyone was sent to the back. Escobar tried to dispute this, but only ended up in the path of a diving senton from KUSHIDA who dove to the floor as we went to an early commercial break.
Back from the break, Escobar nailed a dropkick and it was still at 0-0. He’d apply a stretch on KUSHIDA in the ring, before driving him into the corner for a chop. Escobar took KUSHIDA up top and teased an avalanche Phantom Driver, but instead would drop him across the top rope. KUSHIDA was again bent on the outside, with a modified Boston Crab around the ring post, before being sent in the ring for a surfboard stretch.
Escobar moved into a camel clutch, looking to both wear KUSHIDA down and get a potential first fall advantage. KUSHIDA wouldn’t quit, but Escobar remained firmly in control with some strikes, including a running double knee strike in the corner before pummeling KUSHIDA with more punches.
He’d set up a frankensteiner off top rope, and KUSHIDA countered into a sunset flip for a two count. KUSHIDA would pick up the pace, but get dumped with the Phantom Driver as Escobar took the first fall of the match. Escobar was ahead in points and damage, and looked to close it out before ending up in a cross armbreaker which got KUSHIDA his first fall via submission!
Sudden Death Time, And KUSHIDA Was Up To The Challenge
With both men having a fall each, this one was basically down to a normal match. Next fall wins, and KUSHIDA kept control of the arm with a jumping armbreaker and arm snap on the mat. Suddenly, Escobar was the one on the defensive, as he took another armbreaker on the mat.
All KUSHIDA has to do to win is apply the Hoverboard lock, but Escobar would do his best to prevent the hold. He’d fight to keep KUSHIDA from properly locking it in, and spill both men to the outside, to get free. KUSHIDA was driven into the barricade, and Escobar would go for the Arrow From The Depths of Hell. Back in the ring, Escobar was able to get a two count only.
He’d leave his elbow open for a knee strike, as KUSHIDA nailed the right hand strike, and basement dropkick. Escobar slipped to the outside, and took an armbreaker on the floor. Back in the ring, Escobar dodged a PK to the arm but nearly got rolled up. He’d counter a Hoverboard Lock attempt into a small package for a near fall, before hitting a leg lariat.
Setting up the Phantom Driver would see KUSHIDA counter into a pinfall attempt, and they’d trade control but only get a two count at best. Both men hit the ropes, and crashed into each other with lariats for a double down. KUSHIDA went up top but got cut off by Escobar who nailed him with a gamiguri.
Escobar set up the Avalanche Phantom Driver, but KUSHIDA took him down into the Hoverboard Lock and Escobar had no choice but to pull his way to the rope. KUSHIDA hit the hammerlock suplex into the corner, before a second in the middle of the ring for the win.
This was another great two out of three falls match from NXT, and a showcase of just how good the talent at the top of the Cruiserweight division really are. They stole the show easily, and gave a much better match than their first encounter. This felt like the end of Escobar in the Cruiserweight division, and KUSHIDA officially has taken his spot as the ace of the division. Match Rating: 4/5 (****)
Is Escobar ready to chase the North American or NXT Championships? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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