The rivalry of Zack Sabre Jr and Will Ospreay has been growing for years. Once it was to prove who the best of the UK was, before it became about who the best wrestler from the UK in NJPW is. Now, it’s about who will make the semi-finals of the New Japan Cup. This echos their last meeting, a brutal encounter in the 2021 New Japan Cup – but with Ospreay having bulked up more since then, can the skills of ZSJ break him down?
Two Old Rivals Back At It Again In 2022
Ospreay would quickly charge ZSJ down, before ZSJ would apply a quick Cobra Twist. ZSJ would be unable to maintain the hold, and Ospreay fled to the outside and hid behind the United Empire as he caught his breath.
Back in the ring, ZSJ would get Ospreay on the mat, and grab a hammerlock on the left arm. He’d try and also grab the right leg of Ospreay, but couldn’t take it. Ospreay would break free, before once again ending up in the hammerlock.
After tossing ZSJ aside, he’d nail the boot to the face – and took this one to the outside. In a brawl, Ospreay would win every time over ZSJ – but that’s not what this is. Back into the ring, Ospreay would choke ZSJ with his boot – before hitting some downward forearm smashes.
Ospreay looked for the back handspring kick but ZSJ was able to easily counter – before stomping the back of the knees. A dropkick to the back of the head would follow, but only got a two count. Ospreay would manage a heavy blow sending ZSJ to the floor before nailing the plancha.
Back into the ring, Ospreay couldn’t complete the springboard – but was able to nail a forearm smash. The knee had buckled, and ZSJ noticed. He’d go right after the knee, before being shoved off and settling for the PK.
Will Ospreay Gets Tapped Out By Zack Sabre Jr
On the mat, both men would throw kicks and palm strikes but no flash KO. ZSJ would look for the chokehold before Ospreay hit the spinning backbreaker. He used the right knee, but the left knee was the base – and gave Ospreay more issues.
Ospreay would keep things simple and throw some heavy handed chops – and ZSJ was standing and taking them. He’d get chopped out of the ring, and Ospreay followed – launching him off the ropes and into a chop on the floor. ZSJ would take the OsCutter on the floor, with Ospreay launching off the barricade. No count out victory would be found, as ZSJ got back into the ring at 18.
Ospreay looked for a dropkick, and ZSJ dodged before grabbing a hanging kneebar off the apron. ZSJ would be hit with a German Suplex – but the knee of Ospreay prevented him from maintaining the bridge. Stormbreaker was attempted, but ZSJ would move into an Octopus Stretch – only to be driven down with the Bastard Driver… another move that jams the knee of Ospreay into the mat.
Ospreay would look for the Hammer & Anvil elbows, and ZSJ would quickly counter into a pinfall attempt – getting the Crucifix Pin. He’d get two before being run down with a lariat and spiked with a powerbomb. Hidden Blade was countered into the triangle choke, before ZSJ moved to the heel hook. Ospreay tried to counter – but ended up putting his leg in a worse spot – and had to tap before it broke.
Can Zack Sabre Jr. defeat Shingo Takagi and make the finals of the New Japan Cup? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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