When put in the ring with rival Taichi in the first round of the NJPW World Television Championship, SANADA was three seconds away from the match going to chance. It was a hard hitting match, with it truly coming down to the wire. The same can’t all be said about KENTA vs. Hikooki Goto – but the hard hitting part rings especially true, with KENTA unleashing a brutal finishing combo to put Goto down for the count.
Now, KENTA meets SANADA in the second round – with the singles record stacked against him. In 2019 & earlier this year, SANADA would defeat KENTA in the G1 Climax tournament, with the first taking 16 minutes, and second taking 11 minutes. KENTA is more than capable of defeating anyone in fifteen minutes, but will need to prove that tonight, as a title match in Tokyo Dome remains in reach.
Despite The Strict Time Limit, KENTA Found Time For Mind Games
KENTA would head to the floor to stall as the bell rang, a risky move given the strict fifteen minute time limit. SANADA made chase, and KENTA would slip into the ring – getting the high ground – but giving it up as SANADA entered the ring, fleeing back to the floor. SANADA would be fine taking a count out victory, but would open the ropes to invite KENTA back into the ring.
KENTA accepted, going into the ring and right back out. SANADA would crawl under the ring, looking to catch KENTA by surprise. This would be the case, and a Toe Kick to the midsection would finally get this match physical. In the ring, SANADA would put KENTA in the Paradise Lock, and freed him with a dropkick to the arse.
KENTA would rake the eyes of SANADA before hitting a neckbreaker, and dumping him out to the floor. The corner pads would be removed, with SANADA kept to the floor after a boot to the face. SANADA would get back into the ring, sending KENTA to the floor and missing a Vaulting Body Press.
KENTA would get tripped face first into the barricade, before SANADA would use the barricade to hit a Magic Screw Neckbreaker. Back in the ring, KENTA would hit the Green Killer DDT on SANADA, regaining the advantage. KENTA would throw SANADA into the referee to take them down, before hitting a DDT and grabbing a steel chair.
Cheating Doesn’t Pay Off As SANADA Uses KENTA’s Tricks Against Him
SANADA would avoid the chair shot from KENTA, and would hit a dropkick – sending the chair into the face of his opponent. Moonsault to the back would follow, with a second countered as KENTA got his knees up – allowing for a Cradle Pin for a two count. KENTA would hit a knee strike to the midsection, before a diving foot stomp for a two count.
Go To Sleep would be attempted but countered, with SANADA getting a near fall off a tight roll up. Time was running low, and KENTA would uncork some heavy palm strikes before taking a rolling elbow. SANADA would get another roll up, with KENTA battling for control and getting the upper hand – but only a two count.
O’Connor Roll would see KENTA pushed into the exposed corner, with SANADA getting the victory off an O’Connor Roll of his own. He will now face Ren Narita on November 5th, with a spot in the finals at Wrestle Kingdom on the line. Can SANADA keep the wins coming? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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