The Owen Hart Memorial Cup is here – and the men’s tournament begins tonight. Fitting with the theme of Forbidden Door, it will see a member of the NJPW roster battle the AEW roster. On the NJPW side is the legendary Satoshi Kojima, who recently spent time as the GHC Heavyweight Champion, completing the Japanese Triple Crown.
Meanwhile, CM Punk will represent AEW in his first singles match since her return to the ring earlier this month. Punk has been in action with two multiman tag team matches and has shown no ring rust – but a singles match will be the true test of his abilities.
Satoshi Kojima Shows His Expert Level Striking
Punk would be put in a headlock as this match began, but was able to shove Kojima off – and stood his ground as the shoulder tackle landed.
Kojima would corner Punk and hit some crushing elbow smashes before running Punk down with a big shoulder tackle. Punk would notice Kojima taunting and playing to the crowd, and shoved him to the floor – where he’d land a chop to the chest.
Kojima would show his chopping expertise, and would send Punk flying into the timekeepers area with a heavy handed chop. Punk would get up onto the apron, but took a lariat to the back of the knee. Back in the ring, Punk would get an upper hand and would hit a scoop slam and leg drop, but he’s no Hogan.
Kojima & Punk would trade blows in the ring, with Kojima winning out before being cornered and punched in the face. Punk would stomp away at the knee, before rolling Kojima to the mat for a two count. Kojima would take some lariats in the corner, while Punk would verbally berate him.
Backdrop suplex would follow, before Punk would mock the longtime partner of Kojima by hitting the Mongolian Chop. Kojima would avoid a splash into the corner and unloaded a full clip of Machine Gun Chops. Punk tried to escape, but only took more rapid fire chops as he was cornered once again.
CM Punk Moves Forward In Owen Hart Memorial Tournament
Diving Elbow Drop would land on Punk, with Kojima hitting a bit low. Rolling Elbow and DDT would follow, before the Koji-Cutter was planned. Punk would block and hit the rising knee into a short arm lariat. Up on the top rope, Punk would look for an elbow drop of his own, getting Kojima across the throat.
Anaconda Vice would be applied, but Kojima would break free using some open palm strikes. Punk called for the Go To Sleep, before Kojima hit some Mongolian Chops of his own before a successful Koji-Cutter. The lariat was signalled, and if it lands, Kojima wins – that’s been clear over the past two decades.
Punk was able to block into a swinging neckbreaker, before trying for the Go To Sleep. Kojima was able to block, and would hit a sheerdrop brainbuster for a near fall.
Lariat was signalled once again, but Punk ducked and hit a roundhouse kick before the Go To Sleep for the win, and to move to the next round. He will face the winner of Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe.
Orange Cassidy Enters Another High Risk Title Defense
Orange Cassidy has bene a hard working champion as the AEW International Champion, and the toll on his body has been clear. Despite this, he has found himself in one of his toughest battles to date.
Tonight, he will defend against NJPW legend Katsuyori Shibata, the cunning Zack Sabre Jr, and the determined Daneil Garcia. With Cassidy not needing to be involved with the decision tonight – his reign is at risk, but after surviving a Battle Royal as champion? It would be foolish to bet against Cassidy.
Cassidy would start with his mocking low kicks, before quickly heating up and taking ZSJ & Shibata out of the ring. Garcia was rolled up for a two count, before applying The Dragon Tamer.
Shibata would kick Garcia to free Cassidy, before trading uppercuts with ZSJ. Garcia tried to get involved, but both men would take turns striking him before he’d take down both.
Cassidy got another roll up for a near fall, before a four way strike left all men on the mat. ZSJ & Shibata would apply Cobra Twists, and inch close to each other for some strikes. Shibata would catch ZSJ with a suplex after Cassidy & Garcia were set free. Garcia hit a suplex on Shibata, before taking a Swinging DDT from Cassidy for a near fall.
ZSJ would stop the Orange Punch by attacking the injured hand of Cassidy. Garcia would remember that no DQ’s and attacked Shibata with his ROH Pure Rules Championship, but Shibata would manage to kick out. A series of forearm smashes to the jaw would follow, with Shibata shrugging them off before setting up the hesitation dropkick.
Cassidy Gets Defense #25 As Champion
Cassidy & Shibata would meet in the middle of the ring, and sat before trading palm strikes. Things would heat up as they rose to their feet, and Shibata hit some Kawada Style kicks.
Cassidy hit the ropes for the Orange Punch, but it was weakened due to injury – and Shibata did not fall. Beach Break would land, getting Cassidy a two count.
ZSJ would get back into the ring and go after the arm of Cassidy. He blocked the Mouse Trap into an armbar attempt, but Garcia broke this up. ZSJ would effortlessly take Garcia out, before going back to the arms of Cassidy. Shibata would kick ZSJ in the spine before setting up the PK.
ZSJ would duck before getting the European Clutch, but Garcia broke the pinfall up at two. Garcia would get a deep backslide before a stiff piledriver.
Shibata would take advantage with a PK – only for Cassidy to shove him from the ring and get the pinfall on Garcia for the victory. The ring IQ of Cassidy is very high, and he proved this tonight.
Who will take the AEW International Championship away from Cassidy? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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