After reclaiming the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship from KENTA in a brutal hardcore match at Wrestle Kingdom, Hiroshi Tanahashi has a goal. He wants to get this title back to classical wrestling roots, and this made his challenge to SANADA a perfect fit. SANADA is perhaps one of the most graceful technical wrestlers in the world, and a man who is just one singles championship win away from being a superstar for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Tonight, two men who have been mentored by Keiji Mutoh meet in their seventh ever singles match – and with three wins a piece, it’s a hard match to predict.
Both Men Are Relying On Their Chain Wrestling Tonight
SANADA would get shoved to the corner on the first lockup, but shoved Tanahashi to the ropes on the second lockup. He’d grab a rear waistlock and be taken to the mat with a drophold, before Tanahashi grabbed an armbar. Tanahashi kept that wrist control into an armdrag as SANADA fought, going back into the armbar.
SANADA would wrestle his way free, before being kicked off as he grabbed the wrist of Tanahashi. Looking for the Cobra Twist would see Tanahashi get the counter, before SANADA was able to counter out. Passing the five minute mark, we’d still be at a stalemate. Tanahashi would get the worst of a test of strength, before relying on his wrestling and getting the hammerlock.
SANADA would get the ropes, but Tanahashi threw a punch after the clean break. Tanahashi followed up with the springboard crossbody, before looking to get SANADA in the Paradise Lock but ultimately failing. SANADA would go for an armdrag, but they’d counter until they hit the ropes. Tanahashi had the wrist and took this control to the outside, where they traded control of the hold.
They’d chain wrestle until Tanahashi used the ring post before getting yanked into the post face first. He’d just break the twenty count, before ending up in the Paradise Lock. SANADA let Tanahashi think about it before breaking the hold with a dropkick straight to the rear. Some downward elbow strikes to the neck of Tanahashi would set up the Skull End or the TKO, and a cravate did some extra damage.
SANADA Almost Wins Gold Off Skull End
SANADA moved into the double wrist clutch before Tanahashi fought free and nailed some hard elbow strikes. Tanahashi would be unable to drop SANADA, before he’d be thrown off the ropes and soared back with a flying forearm strike. Slingblade was set, but Tanahashi threw SANADA off with the basement dropkick and Dragon Screw instead.
Again, he’d fail to get the Paradise Lock, but SANADA blocked. Sunset Flip from SANADA led to another attempt, and he finally got the puzzling hold applied. Proud of himself, Tanahashi soaked in the crowd before a dropkick. SANADA rolled outside, and Tanahashi followed with Aces High to the floor – and SANADA just made the 19 count.
Tanahashi caught SANADA in the ropes with back to back Dragon Screws before applying the Texas Cloverleaf Hold for the submission attempt. SANADA fought free, and Tanahashi followed up with a Slingblade attempt, only to be caught with an attempted Frankensteiner. Tanahashi had this scouted, and was able to again move into the Texas Cloverleaf – but SANADA was able to get the rope break once again. Slingblade would be blocked into the Skull End attempt, before SANADA let it go and was hit with the Slingblade. Tanahashi went up top, and High Fly Flow met the knees of SANADA.
Equal damage was done to Tanahashi and SANADA on this impact, but Tanahashi was first to this feet. SANADA would get the elbow up as Tanahashi charged in, and flipped into Skull End. Tanahashi got free and looked for the Dragon Sleeper, but SANADA went right back into his finishing hold.
SANADA Finally Claims Singles Gold In NJPW
SANADA would let go of Skull End and look for the Muta Moonsault, only to crash down onto the knees of Tanahashi. Tanahashi would nearly end up back in Skull End, before twisting around into the Dragon Sleeper. They’d trade control of the hold, before Tanahashi nailed back to back to back Twist & Shout Neckbreakers.
Slingblade landed for a two count, before Tanahashi went up top and seemingly nailed Aces High… only for SANADA to roll through and set up the TKO! Moonsault to the back would land, and a second moonsault would just get canvas as Tanahashi made the last second dodge.
Both men would struggle to their feet and trade forearm blows. Tanahashi uncorked a left hand blow to the jaw, and SANADA slumped. He’d fire back with a rolling elbow and an attempt at TKO before being taken down with the Straight Jacket German Suplex for a near fall. Slingblade would land, and Tanahashi went for High Fly Flow but missed. SANADA got the Leg Roll Clutch – AND WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
How long will SANADA reign during his first singles reign in NJPW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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