When KUSHIDA signed with NXT, there was one match that everyone wanted to see. Back in 2015, he faced Kyle O’Reilly in the finals of that year’s Best Of The Super Juniors tournament. It is widely considered one of the best matches for both men, and tonight they run it back. O’Reilly needed to challenge someone this week, and he would pick KUSHIDA. It will be a battle of pure respect and skill, and has the potential to be incredible.
KUSHIDA Is Near Unmatched On The Mat
These two old rivals would waste no time grappling it out. O’Reilly got the ankle of KUSHIDA, and took him down to the mat as they battled for control. KUSHIDA got on top, but O’Reilly refused to let him take the full advantage and fought free. O’Reilly would look for a triangle hold, but KUSHIDA got free.
KUSHIDA went for the first strike of the match with a handspring back elbow, but O’Reilly countered into an armbar attempt. This was resisted, and O’Reilly moved into an abdominal stretch before taking a hip toss and a basement dropkick from KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA got a mid kick, before going for another takedown, but O’Reilly went for the leg at the same time and they’d meet each other head to head… literally.
Throughout the picture in picture break, KUSHIDA would finally gain proper control of the match as he tied up the arm of O’Reilly with his legs. He’d get the Hammerlock, and fall back to snap the arm. O’Reilly would keep fighting and hit some knee strikes to the arm of KUSHIDA, before looking for a cobra twist.
Kyle O’Reilly Is Just One Step Ahead
Coming back to full screen, KUSHIDA would have broken free and nailed an armbreaker, before taking a jumping knee strike. O’Reilly took KUSHIDA to the mat with a judo throw and looked for a bodyscissor, but KUSHIDA would use his legs to bend the ankles of O’Reilly. KUSHIDA nailed a lariat before a hip toss into a cross armbreaker, before shifting into a hoverboard lock attempt.
O’Reilly resisted, and they’d go counter for counter as they looked to get a submission. KUSHIDA would kick away at the arm of O’Reilly before hitting the Hammerlock Suplex, getting a two count before O’Reilly got a foot on the ropes. O’Reilly dodged the knee strike off the top rope and went for a knee bar, but KUSHIDA rolled into a pinfall.
A knee strike from O’Reilly set up a brainbuster, getting a two count. O’Reilly looked for the knee strike off the top rope, but took too long and KUSHIDA shoved him down to the apron and hit an armbreaker into the turnbuckle supports. KUSHIDA followed up with the Hammerlock Suplex on the apron.
Back in the ring, KUSHIDA kicked the arm before looking for the Hoverboard Lock. O’Reilly countered into a knee strike before hitting Axe & Smash, only to take the straight right hand from KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA leapt into the Hoverboard Lock, with O’Reilly countering into a roll up to win.
With these two, you were always going to get a technical wrestling clinic. They took each other to their limits, with them hitting all their big blows while mixing in some excellent mat wrestling. O’Reilly was just a bit better tonight, but there is still nothing but respect. Match Rating: 4.25/5 (**** 1/4)
Following the match, Cole would slip into the ring and start a brawl with O’Reilly. Samoa Joe was quick to get the security into the mix, but back in the ring Diamond Mine would make their debut. Led by Roderick Strong, Tyler Rust and Hideki Suzuki, with Malcolm Bivens as their manager. Will this new faction boost Strong to the top of NXT? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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