Alex Zayne won the hearts of many during his debut tournament in NJPW with Best of the Super Juniors, and now he’s back for an encore. He was a no-brainer for the NJPW World Television Championship tournament, with a focus on fast action. However, Zayne has one of the hardest starts in the tournament as he faces Zack Sabre Jr. One of the best tournament wrestlers in the world, ZSJ was the winner of the 2022 New Japan Cup – and had a strong showing in the G1 Climax. This well could be his belt to lose, and his path starts tonight in a first time ever match with Zayne.
Alex Zayne Starts Fast
Before ZSJ even hit the ring, Zayne would attack – sending him down into the barricade before a dive over the top rope. Cinnamon Twist would be set, but ZSJ would roll to safety and Zayne opted for a running senton. ZSJ would roll to the floor, and was hit with a clubbing blow to the spine before the knife edge chop found it’s mark.
He’d fire back with an uppercut, but was dropped with a forearm smash. Zayne would hit a backdrop onto the apron, before ZSJ would apply the submission through the ropes. Able to move into the ring and crank the legs, ZSJ would find his flow in the match as Zayne grabbed a rope break.
A quick bodyslam would drop ZSJ, before Zayne was baited into a vicious necklock, with ZSJ twisting around to grab at the knee as well. Zayne would find another rope break, before ZSJ would hit a headbutt to the stomach. Surfboard stretch would turn into a kneebreaker, which might have taken the high flying away from Zayne’s style.
ZSJ would go after the foot of Zayne, exploiting the split toe boots to do more damage before just kicking away at the leg. Zayne would be able to hit a frontflip kick to the neck, forced to use the leg to do any real damage. ZSJ was set up in the corner before the jump up frankensteiner would launch ZSJ.
Zack Sabre Jr. Is Already Drawing It Close
Baja Blast would be blocked, with ZSJ going for the European Clutch – getting a two count. Zayne would get kicked in the knee as he tried to follow up on a downed ZSJ, before rocking him with a palm strike to the face into a lariat. There was about four minutes left on the clock before this one ended up going to chance.
Triangle Choke was applied by ZSJ, with Zayne able to counter out with a powerbomb. Cinnamon Twist would be set up, but Zayne would crash and burn. ZSJ went after the ankles with a double clutch, before Zayne would get the bottom rope. Two minutes left, ZSJ was looking desperate to get a solid submission away from the ropes.
ZSJ went after the leg, but took a clubbing blow to the spine – before he’d stomp the knee of Zayne. There was enough power to kick ZSJ off as we hit the one minute mark. Taco Driver was blocked into a kneebar, and Zayne would fight hard. ZSJ would be able to tighten the grip with five second on the clock – and advances in this tournament to meet David Finlay.
Is Zack Sabre Jr. going to go on another tournament hot streak and claim the belt? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPB4BYeUGXY
