Will Ospreay had a simple question after he defeated Tetsuya Naito on November 5th, and that was who is man enough to step up to the greatest wrestler in the world today. Seemingly no one was ready to answer this challenge, except someone who just arrived back in Japan and is itching for a fight. No longer a Young Lion, Shota Umino has taken the nickname of Roughneck, and is set to battle for the belt his mentor Jon Moxley made famous.
Tonight, we see Shota Umino go for gold for the first time in Japan – as the IWGP United States Championship is on the line, and after his match with Ospreay in the UK ended in referee stoppage as his father Red Shoes Uno stopped it early – he might be more determined than ever before. Tonight Red Shoes is the referee again, but this time – the stakes are higher.
Will Ospreay Pays Tribute To Hayabusa
On his way to the ring, Will Ospreay would be decked out in gear paying tribute to the late great Hayabusa, showing respect for those who came before. Umino & Ospreay would quickly turn this into a brawl, with Ospreay able to outspeed Umino with ease. OsCutter would be blocked into a potential Death Rider, before a high speed segment that saw Umino able to keep up with Ospreay briefly.
Umino would slow the pace down with a sleeper hold, before an elbow to the crown of Ospreay’s head. Ospreay was able to hotshot Umino on the top rope, before running him down with a boot to the face. Umino would take an elbow to the neck, before being lifted up and dropped with a backbreaker.
Ospreay would look for a suplex, before Umino blocked – taking Ospreay down and hitting a running dropkick. Umino would be able to hit a twisting neckbreaker, getting a two count. Ospreay was sent out to the floor, and Umino followed him with a Jushin Liger style flipping senton off the apron.
Umino would hit the shotgun dropkick off the top rope, before a Fisherman Suplex for the near fall. The Fisherman Suplex was his finisher as a Young Lion, but it doesn’t cut it now. Hammer & Anvil Elbows would follow, before Ospreay found his feet, and hit the back handspring kick to send Umino to the floor – before a dive to the floor kept the pressure on.
Back in the ring, Ospreay would nail the Springboard Forearm Smash, getting a two count on Roughneck. Kawada style kicks from Ospreay were matched by knee strikes to the face from Umino. A trade of forearms would favour Umino, with Ospreay folding and taking some Claudio Castagnoli style uppercuts.
Shota Umino Chooses To Stand And Fight
Umino would be tripped up, but knew to get his knees up for the Shooting Star Press. Ospreay would be dropped with a pop up powerbomb, before being sent off the ropes. A dropkick from Umino would be caught in the air by Ospreay into a Liger Bomb. Umino would get the dropkick on the second attempt, and a third dropkick caught Ospreay in the face.
Ospreay would get crotched on the top rope, with Umino looking to take him down with a superplex. Umino would be instead sent to the mat, and hit with the Firebird Splash – fitting with the Hayabusa style year. Ospreay would hit the OsCutter, before battering Umino with elbow smashes to the back of the neck – with Umino taking refuge in the ropes.
Umino would almost be deemed unable to continue, before he’d prevent his father for calling for the bell. He’d rise into a superkick, with Ospreay following with a second. Umino was wobbly on his feet, and would stumble into the clutches of Ospreay and the Chelsea Grin. Hidden Blade would be set, but Umino ducked before the pop up knee smash and the Cross Rhodes.
A second would follow, getting a near fall before looking for Death Rider. He’d land one, getting a two count before taking a hook kick. Umino would hit Swiss Death, before a running neckbreaker for the near fall. An elevated Death Rider would follow, before Ospreay hit the pop up elbow and Hidden Blade to the face. Still, Umino refused to stay down – taking another and Stormbreaker for the finish.
Who will challenge Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom? We’d get a message from the first ever IWGP United States Champion, Kenny Omega – calling him out for January 4th! Will Omega reclaim his title in Tokyo Dome? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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