Tom Lawlor has been the STRONG Openweight Champion for 359 days now, and tonight will get to test a legend of the industry in Yuji Nagata. Lawlor has refused to put the gold on the line tonight, but should Nagata score the win – a title shot will not be far behind for Blue Justice.
Lawlor hit the ring early to get a beat down on Fred Rosser- who was able to submit Black Tiger to win a ten man tag team match. Nagata would rush the ring to make the save, and started this one off hot.
Blue Justice Makes This A Title Match By Calling OUt The Manhood Of The Champion
Nagata would send Lawlor running – and asked why tonight is not a title match. Lawlor is a coward, and was scared of the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Nagata would say he’s taking that belt tonight, and if Lawlor refuses he’s no real man. Lawlor decided this was now a title match, and the STRONG Openweight Championship is on the line!
They’d start fast with some heavy strikes in the ring, with Lawlor getting the edge. He’d force Nagata into the corner, only to realise that Nagata is no slouch as the leg kicks would put Lawlor down. Nagata would fake Lawlor out with the basement dropkick feint, before nailing the pump kick.
Lawlor would grab a chokehold on the ropes, using all of the referee’s five count. On the floor, Lawlor would beat Nagata down – and applied a chokehold using the ropes for leverage. Lawlor strutted in the ring, before the russian leg sweep saw him float right over into a pinfall.
Nagata would be able to block the cross armbreaker attempt, before having his leg attacked on the ropes. Lawlor nailed a series of hip drops on the right leg of Nagata, looking to remove both the vertical base needed for suplexes – and his lethal strikes.
Nagata would be on the ropes and take the strikes of Lawlor – able to fire up and almost apply Nagata Lock. Lawlor would block right into the rear naked choke – but Nagata got the bottom rope to force the break. Nagata rolled to the floor and almost got the exploder suplex.
Tom Lawlor Outlasts The Legend Of Yuji Nagata
Lawlor tried to get the chokehold in, but was jammed into the apron and tossed onto the floor. He’d get back into the ring at the count of 17 before taking the mid kick assault of Nagata. A butterfly suplex got a near fall, before Lawlor looked for an ankle lock. Nagata blocked into the Nagata Lock II. In the center of the ring, Lawlor would be able to find the ankle of Nagata and apply Nagata Lock to the veteran – but Nagata got the bottom rope to break the hold.
Lawlor would miss an enziguri before taking one from Nagata. In the middle of the ring, Nagata Lock II was applied, but Lawlor was able to get his fingertips on the ropes. Justice Knee was followed by an attempt at a super exploder – with Lawlor crashing down onto the Lion Mark in the middle of the ring.
Nagata would call for the Back Drop Hold – but Lawlor would try and block into a chokehold. They’d trade blows in the middle of the ring, with the 53 year old Nagata standing tall before getting a shoulder breaker. Lawlor would hold strong and go into the sleeper to set up a PK.
Nagata would be able to fire up after a kick out, before the surge of adrenaline was met by a cross arm sleeper. The blindside knee to the back would end this match – Lawlor remaining champion.
Who can possibly end the reign of Tom Lawlor? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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