Back in 2016, a younger and less experienced Moose faced Tomohiro Ishii on a ROH/NJPW joint show. This was a mismatch, and Ishii was able to fairly easily take Moose down. However, tonight is a different story. Moose is now a more experienced and well rounded competitor, and will look to flaunt his size advantage over Ishii. This could be the hardest hitting fight of the night, and the winner is unclear.
Moose Isn’t A Rookie This Time Around
Moose would stare down at Ishii, but knows to not underestimate the Stone Pitbull after last time. He’d shove Ishii into the corner and hit some mocking palm strikes before Ishii came back with some forearms. Moose shrugged them off, but Ishii kept coming. He’d stand tall as Ishii rushed in with shoulder tackles, before dropping Ishii with one of his own. This time Moose is a finished product, and he was in control as he threw Ishii around.
Ishii would however keep on fighting, and would make some progress on chopping him down, before Moose fired back with a shoulder tackle. Moose would nail some chops in the corner, and the chest of Ishii was getting red and this was just getting started. A running dropkick from Moose would be followed with a Shibata style hesitation dropkick. Moose has done his homework.
On the outside, Moose would try to run Ishii through the barricade, but was side-stepped. Back in the ring, he’d take advantage with an axe handle to the back, before trading chops and showing Moose that he can hit just as hard. Moose would win out, but Ishii kept on coming and even tried for his Vertical Drop Brainbuster. He’d stomp the foot of Moose to try and loosen him up, before getting fully stopped.
Ishii would keep on coming, nailing a headbutt to the mid-section and nailing a perfect suplex on his bigger opponent. The crowd was fully behind him, and he’d alternate between chops and elbows in the corner. Moose would block a shoulder tackle with one of his own, but was feeling the damage that Ishii has been dishing out. A powerbomb was set up, but Ishii held down the fort and fought out.
He’d absorb a big boot to the face and dodge a rolling elbow to hit a backdrop. Fighting spirit was flowing on both sides as they clashed with lariats before both falling to the ground. Moose would go high risk with a springboard crossbody, shocking everyone before hitting a big powerbomb for the two count.
Ishii was set up on the top rope, and Moose had plans to slam him down, but was fought off with headbutts. Moose nailed a dropkick to stun Ishii, and hit a big sitout spinebuster for a two count. Ishii would get back up, and Moose looked horrified. He’d kick him in the face, only for Ishii to pop up and hit a lariat. A massive dropkick that rivaled Okada’s would drop Ishii, who still dodged the spear and hit a German Suplex.
Ishii nailed a lariat, before coming in hard with a headbutt and an even bigger lariat for a two count. Vertical Drop Brainbuster was set, but Moose countered and dropped Ishii on his head with a Uranage. A ripcord lariat was countered, and Ishii hit a jumping high kick and sliding lariat for a two count. He’d get Moose up for the Vertical Drop Brainbuster, and claim a big and hard fought win.
Moose really impressed in this match, proving that he is now able to hang with someone like Ishii. They traded heavy blows, but Ishii just kept coming back. It was a fantastic brawl of a match, and that was with them keeping it as simple as possible. Match Rating: 4.25/5 (**** 1/2)
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