From 2017 to 2019, Shinsuke Nakamura had an interesting few years with Survivor Series. Each time ended in a loss, but he represented Smackdown in a 5 on 5 tag in 2017, faced Seth Rollins in 2018, and Roderick Strong & AJ Styles in 2019. This year he’s once again Intercontinental Champion, and will meet United States Champion Damien Priest one on one. Bragging rights are all that can be offered to the winner, but the fans could be the real winners in this one. They got a short straw in being on the pre-show, but that hasn’t stopped others from stealing the show.
Damien Priest Snaps, Hands Shinsuke Nakamura The Winners Share Of The Purse
This is the first meeting from Nakamura & Priest, and kickoff match or not – they would come read to play. Priest would grab the arm of Nakamura early, wrenching it down to ground Nakamura early. Rik Boogz would give a guitar solo to distract Priest and motivate Nakamura, and Nakamura would get the headlock. Priest shoved him off and got an armdrag, before nearly being knocked out with a head kick. Nakamura would get Priest downed in the corner, and give some good vibrations before looking for and missing a knee strike.
Priest would nail a diving leg drop to a standing Nakamura for a two count, before applying a side headlock. Boogz would again run a distraction, and get a final warning from Priest. Nakamura would be free all the same and nailed the diving boot, before showing why he earned the nickname The King of Strong Style (though that’s actually a longer story, but that’s for another day) before the sliding German Suplex was set up for a two count.
Priest would block a diving single leg dropkick with a spinning wheel kick, getting another big chance in this one. He’d send a nasty right to the face of Nakamura before a big flapjack. The rolling lariat would miss, and Nakamura had a chance at a Kinshasha, before Priest dodged. Priest went for the springboard kick and took a kneestrike.
Another attempt at the finish led to Nakamura running into South of Heaven. Priest followed up with Hell’s Gates, but Boogz played again. This was beyond the final warning, and Priest snapped and beat down Boogz & Nakamura with the guitar – giving Nakamura a win via DQ. A fine match, but a lackluster finish for sure.
Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair Need No Feeling Out Process
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Back when Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair last met in singles action, Dio Maddin was on commentary, COVID-19 hadn’t swept the world, and Brock Lesnar was WWE Champion while Seth Rollins was Universal Champion. However, one thing remains the same – and that’s Charlotte Flair & Becky Lynch are always down to steal a show.
Charlotte went right in with a big forearm smash, before charging Lynch into the corner. Lynch threw some kicks but took a chop block. Natural selection was blocked into Disarmher, but Flair slipped free. Flair took a kick to the face and came back with a spear as this one spilled to the outside. Lynch sent Flair into the post, and Lynch took the high ground, stomping Flair as she got back into the ring.
Flair would take control with some more brawling, but trying to boot Lynch off the apron would almost see her be taken out – before Lynch was thrown into the post. Lynch would block the moonsault, shoving Flair off the top rope and down to the floor – potential knee injury on the landing.
Leaving It All In The Ring
Back in the ring, they’d slug it out before a massive lariat from Flair. Lynch fired back with a back elbow before taking some signature Flair chops. She’d weather the storm and try for the Disarmher again, but Flair powerbombed her way free. Yet another attempt blocked, but Lynch kept going forward.
Bexploder was blocked, and Flair hit one of her own into the corner. Moonsault would miss, but Charlotte followed up with a standing moonsault for a two count. Lynch blocked a suplex into an inside cradle, getting one, before landing some strikes after Flair was stranded on the apron. Leg Drop to the neck, another two count.
Flair would have to survive a double armbar, but Lynch moved into a pinfall for two. Lynch would pull out a move from Andrade, teasing a big boot and hitting a back elbow strike. Flair nailed a massive big boot, and still not enough to keep Lynch down! She’d nail a reverse DDT, and has gained control of the match. Flair was pummeled, and Manhandle Slam would land, but Flair got her foot on the ropes. Lynch would apply a heel hook, before they’d brawl in the submission and Flair reversed the pressure.
Flair would send Lynch outside, before nailing the moonsault to the floor! Back in the ring, she’d apply the Disarmher, and bend the fingers back for extra pain – but Lynch got the ropes. Flair tried to use a roll up but used the ropes and was caught – only for Lynch to counter, use the same trick with more stealth, and that’s that!
Going straight to 11, this one was a perfect hot opener. They wasted no time, and got right into a brawl for the ages. This is the kind of unhinged brawl you get from people that know each other well. One of their best meetings yet, and about as brutal as a match without weapons in WWE can get. Match Rating: 4.25/5 (**** 1/4)
Where does this rank among Lynch vs. Flair matches? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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