Impact Wrestling Multiverse United Results returned as the introductions were made.
They jockeyed for position early on as Kushida kept going into guard and tried to convince Rush to take him up on it, and after a few quick moves, Rush made the same offer.
Kushida offered him a hand up and went for a Hoverboard Lock but Rush made it to the ropes to break it.
Rush fired off a series of kicks to sent Kushida sprawling, and they traded chops and kicks.
On the floor, Rush put on some impressive moves to get the advantage over Kushida with a hurricanrana, but when he tried to get back in the ring Kushida pulled him out so he could enter first.
Kushida then kicked Rush’s left arm when he tried to slide in and Kushida kept after his arm.
#KUSHIDA looking STRONG.#NJPWxIMPACT #MultiverseUnited pic.twitter.com/NO2r5muNFY
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 31, 2023
Rush fired off a few shots to get some distance and went for a hand spring, but Kushida kicked out his left arm.
Kushida locked in a hammerlock on Rush, but Rush found a way out and hit Kushida with a kick to send him to the floor and followed it with a dive.
After Rush avoided a Hoverboard Lock, they traded blows, and Rush went for a guillotine, but Kushida countered with a Hoverboard Lock.
Rush fought free and went for a roll up and then hit a couple of kicks to keep Kushida at bay.
Rush hit a reverserana and a Come Up for a pin attempt but Kushida grabbed the ropes to break it. Kushida then caught Rush in mid air with a Hoverboard Lock for the win.
New Japan Strong Openweight Championship – KENTA (c) vs. Minoru Suzuki
They spent the opening part of the match jockeying for a test of strength, and Kenta rubbed Suziki’s hed to infuriate him and Kenta went into the ropes to force the ref to keep Suzuki back.
The second time Kenta tried it, Suzuki kicked away at his left leg, then locked in a triangle choke on the top rope before he pulled Kenta to the floor and hammered away on him.
The more Kenta hammered him with uppercuts, the angrier Suzuki got. Kenta then went to his eyes and put him into the ring where he slapped Suzuki to embarrass him.
When Suzuki fired off a few shots, Kenta went back to the eyes.
.@KENTAG2S is targeting the eyes of @suzuki_D_minoru!#NJPWxIMPACT #MultiverseUnited pic.twitter.com/DMT5qBoRMr
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 31, 2023
Kenta kept working over Suzuki and while it’s worked do far, we’re willing to bet it’ll backfire before too long.
Suzuki had enough and absorbed a dozen kicks before he caught Kenta’s leg and hammered his knee before he beat him down for some payback.
Suzuki locked in a leg lock, but it didn’t prevent Kenta from trash talking and then rolling to the ropes to break the hold.
They traded blows in the middle of the ring and Suzuki demanded more from Kenta before he knocked Kenta out with a single right.
Kenta came back and they traded boots with Kenta coming out the brief victor.
After a dropkick, Kenta hit a double stomp for a near pinfall, but Suzuki fought free and locked in a sleeper hold.
Kenta fought free, but Suzuki locked it in a second time. Kenta pulled the ref into them and hit a low blow and then pinned Suzuki by using the ropes for leverage.
While Kenta stood in the ring celebrating and taunting Suzuki, Suzuki grabbed a chair and security had to retain him.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
