Taichi is the singles ace of the newest NJPW faction, as he was one of the men to form “Just Four Guys” alongside DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taka Michinoku. Looking to establish himself as a threat now that Suzuki-gun has disbanded. One way to do that is to defeat one of the best wrestlers in the world today – and tonight he gets that chance against Will Ospreay. Back at Wrestle Kingdom 17, Ospreay was crushed by Kenny Omega, and the long road to a hopeful rematch starts tonight.
Will Ospreay Tries To Overwhelm Taichi
Taichi & Ospreay would start quick with big kicks as this match began, starting things hot. They’d moved to leg kicks and forearm smashes, before Taichi missed the gamiguri but avoided the early Hidden Blade attempt. Ospreay would take a hook kick to the face – before the Kitchen Sink knee to the midsection.
Taichi would be flapjacked onto the top rope, before being dropped with a big boot – rolling to the floor. Ospreay would follow with a plancha, keeping the pressure on. Taichi would be set up on the apron, and Ospreay would land a knee drop to the back of the neck, getting a two count in the ring. Ospreay would talk some trash as the crowd cheered for Taichi, saying their boy was getting messed up.
Taichi would be whipped hard into the corner, before the rear chinlock would be applied. Backbreaker would follow, with Ospreay getting a two count as a follow. Barely five minutes into this match, Taichi was already being overwhelmed by Ospreay, only to land a kick to the face – and get a much needed chance to breathe. An Axe Bomber would follow, and Taichi would yank his pull off pants off before looking for the thrust kick.
Pulling Pages From Misawa & Kawada
Ospreay was able to dodge before hitting the back handspring blast kick. Taichi would rise into the Springboard Forearm, getting another close fall – but was able to avoid the OsCutter into a Dangerous Backdrop right in the middle of the ring. Both men were down, with Ospreay rising first and starting a trade of Kawada Kicks, with Taichi hitting everyone flush – knowing them well after being trained by Kawada.
Ospreay would play with Taichi too much in the kick exchange, before switching to chops. Getting into a striking battle with Taichi is never that great of an idea, but Ospreay was able to hold his own – but folding after a kick to the chest took his breath away. Taichi would follow up with more Kawada kicks, before a stiff Buzzsaw Kick to the face.
Last Ride Powerbomb would be avoided, with Ospreay landing on his feet for a Hook Kick. Hidden Blade to the face was the plan, but Ospreay instead took an elbow to the jaw for a two count. Black Mephisto would be countered, but an Axe Bomber to the neck and the Gamiguri would again see Ospreay fold onto the mat.
Taichi Refuses To Lose By Knockout
Another attempt at Black Mephisto would be blocked, with Ospreay trying for Stormbreaker, but going for a Tiger Driver ‘98 instead. OsCutter would follow, but Taichi refused to stay down. Super OsCutter from the top rope would be caught – with the Triple Crown Bomb following after Ospreay resisted a powerbomb. Taichi knows all the tricks of Kawada, including his most dangerous.
Ospreay would take a Hidden Blade style elbow from Taichi, but managed to kick out. A dropkick would set up the Dangerous Backdrop, and Ospreay barely kicked out. Ospreay was able to block the side kick from Taichi and hit the Poisonrana before the Super OsCutter was blocked into a Gedo Clutch for two, with Ospreay kicking out into the Hidden Blade. Stormbreaker would be blocked, with Ospreay hitting a Flying Hidden Blade.
Taichi would rise again, and they’d trade strikes in the middle of the ring – Ospreay choosing to walk the King’s Road. Ospreay pummelled away at Taichi, who refused to fall – taking 15 strikes to hit one flush strike. Rolling Elbow followed from Ospreay, and a KO count was initiated – with Taichi rising into the Hidden Blade & Stormbreaker for the finish.
Is Will Ospreay the best wrestler in the world right now? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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