History will be made at Wrestle Kingdom 17, as we will see the first ever NJPW World TV Champion crowned. A tournament was held to determine who would make the finals, with Ren Narita defeating Tomohiro Ishii, Toru Yano & SANADA to earn his spot tonight. Zack Sabre Jr. would defeat Alex Zayne, David Finlay & EVIL on his path to this match. Considering Narita has modelled his style after mentor Katsuyori Shibata, ZSJ knows what to expect – and this match is also really about who is the true successor to Strong Style?
Ren Narita Gives His All In The Tokyo Dome
There is 15 minutes on the clock for all matches over the NJPW Strong TV Championship, and draw tonight means a rematch at a later date for these two. ZSJ would go right after the arm of Narita as this match began, nearly getting the cross armbreaker applied. Narita would hit the running big boot to the face after finding his feet, only to be sent into the mat shoulder first in brutal fashion.
ZSJ would block a Cobra Twist on Narita, before looking for the hold himself. Narita would be able to counter, before being sent to the floor with a hip toss and kicked in the spine. The Shibata in Narita would show, as he returned the kick and offered his spine for a bone rattling kick. ZSJ would allow the same, learning why Narita is the “Son Of Strong Style” before hitting a PK for a one count.
Narita would absorb a series of European Uppercuts from ZSJ and was able to get the insane Bridging Exploder Suplex, with his nose touching the mat as he pinned ZSJ for a two count. ZSJ would go right into an attempt at a kneebar, with Narita quickly rolling to the ropes, but taking a series of kicks to the chest.
Zack Sabre Jr. Makes History, Finds New Faction Home
Narita would hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count, before ZSJ would go for the cross armbreaker again – having his face stomped. ZSJ would get a two count off a European Clutch, before they’d trade German Suplexes. Narita would be nearly caught with a Sunset Flip, but kicked out at 2.9. They’d battle for control of the Cobra Twist, with Narita going for a kneebar and being caught in an armbar and tapping out instantly, knowing it was tap or snap.
After the match, ZSJ would be confronted by some old Pro Wrestling NOAH pals in Shane Haste & Mikey Nicolls. With Suzuki-gun shut down, ZSJ is a free agent in NJPW – and he’s joined TMDK. JONAH left the company to join WWE again, but ZSJ is the new leader of this dominant faction!
Will ZSJ recruit any former Suzuki-gun allies to TMDK? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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