NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 29 Results: Taiji Ishimori [6] Defeats Alex Zayne [4] (05/21)

Taiji Ishimori came into the tournament this year with some extra pressure. He is the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion – but has been able to thrive, claiming back to back wins. Tonight, he meets another man on a hot streak in Alex Zayne, who has already become a fan favourite with the fans of NJPW for his unique look and crazy in-ring style. Whoever wins here moves to six points much like Hiromu Takahashi, which is an incredible way to start the tournament.

Taiji Ishimori Has A Target In Mind

Coming into this match with a wrapped up arm could practically be a death sentence for Zayne. Ishimori is one of the best submission wrestlers on the roster, only topped by Zack Sabre Jr. himself. Barely three seconds into the match, Ishimori already went after the arm, but Zayne was able to fight him off.

Zayne tripped Ishimori up before a knee drop, running skytwister senton, before a senton over the top rope. Ishimori would shove Zayne into the apron, before looking to use a steel chair. Instead, Zayne blocked and hit Ishimori himself. Ishimori was sat on the chair, but Zayne took the long way to a dropkick, and was dropped face first onto the chair.

In the ring, Ishimori would expose a corner of the ring. An armbar would be applied by Ishimori in the ring, but Zayne would fight instead of tapping out. He’d get free, only to nearly end up tapping out to the Yes! Lock moments later.

No Choice But To Tap Out

Zayne would nail a back elbow with his good arm, before setting up the front flip leg drop to the neck. An axe kick would follow, clipping the back of Ishimori’s head. The exposed corner finally came into play, as Ishimori would drive Zayne shoulder first into the corner – before ripping any supportive tape off the arm.

Ishimori would be dropped with Baja Blast, before avoiding Cinnamon Twist. Bone Lock would be applied, but Zayne was too close to the ropes. Bloody Cross would land before La Mistica into Bone Lock. He’d have no choice but to tap out, and this one was over.

Who will be able to defeat Taiji Ishimori? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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