Coming off his biggest singles match ever against Will Ospreay – David Finlay has another chance to claim singles gold in NJPW. He entered into the tournament to crown the first ever NJPW World Television Champion. With 15 minute time limits set for matches, Finlay and his uncanny speed is a strong contender for the first champion – but he can’t look past Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Kanemaru might be one of the oldest men in the tournament, but he can beat anyone in a matter of minutes – as proven by his run in Best of The Super Juniors earlier this year, defeating reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori in 2 minutes.
Fifteen Minutes To Win It Means Zero Time To Waste
Kanemaru would take Finlay down to the mat with a side headlock, before baiting Finlay into running the ropes. He’d nearly end it with a cradle pinfall, but Finlay fought free – before taking him into another headlock. While headlocks aren’t fast, Kanemaru knows the clock is ticking – and would really wrench the pressure on.
Finlay would fight free and look for the backdrop – and ending up back in the headlock. Kanemaru would be forced into the corner – and hit with some heavy headbutts. You don’t play with someone like Kanemaru, and Finlay would learn this with a headscissor takedown. The hold would be maintained on the mat, but Finlay would not tap out.
Finlay would roll down to the floor, and Kanemaru keep that hold applied. A countout victory would get Kanemaru through, and Finlay would be let free at 17 – forcing Finlay to move quickly. Back in the ring, Finlay would be able to hit a dropkick in the middle of the ring – finally granting an opening.
David Finlay Advances To Next Round Of NJPW World Television Title Tournament
The diving european uppercut would get Finlay a two count, as the crowd would get behind him. Irish Curse backbreaker would be blocked, but the Blue Thunder Bomb landed for a near fall. Trash Panda would be attempted but Kanemaru slipped free and hit a big impact move with the Satellite DDT.
He’d follow up with the moonsault press, before heading up to the middle rope for Deep Impact. Finlay would catch Kanemaru in the sky and hit a Stunner. Backpack Stunner into Blue Thunder Bomb would put Kanemaru down for the near fall. Four minutes on the floor, a spear into the Irish Curse would get another close fall – and Trash Panda would get Finlay the win at 11:52.
Will David Finlay finally claim singles gold in NJPW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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