Whenever Taichi & SANADA meet, fans usually expect an epic. Both men have roots in All Japan Pro Wrestling, and will tend to work the Kings Road style instead of the usual Strong Style of NJPW. However – tonight with the 15 minute time limit enforced by the NJPW World Television Championship tournament, both men will have to choose their moves wisely.
Taichi proved his ability to work fast in his series of matches with Shingo Takagi over the KOPW 2022 trophy, but SANADA tends to go long in his victories – which will potentially be his downfall tonight. With Miho Abe in his corner and his mentor Toshiaki Kawada watching from ringside – failure might not be an option for Taichi tonight.
Taichi Pulls Out The Ganso Bomb To Impress His Mentor
Taichi would start mindgames as he stole some of the spotlight during the entrance of SANADA, mimicking his actions on the apron and unmasking at the same time. SANADA would keep his usual cool demeanour, and would force Taichi to the ropes on the opening lock up – but allowed a clean break. Taichi would call for a push up contest, luring SANADA into perfect position for the Gedo Clutch.
He’d only find a two count, before SANADA got a near fall off the O’Connor Roll. SANADA would look for the moonsault, but Taichi avoided and nailed the Axe Bomber. Taichi would pull out a move from the past of Kawada, and spiked SANADA on his head with the Ganso Bomb – a move Kawada used to defeat the mentor of SANADA, Keiji Mutoh, in the past.
SANADA would be choked on the mat by Taichi, unable to find his feet after the dangerous drop Taichi pulled off. The referee checked him, and SANADA said he could continue, as Taichi hit some mocking kicks to the face. SANADA would be pulled to his feet and dropped with a hook kick – getting Taichi a two count.
Fast Paced Action As Taichi & SANADA Flirt With Chance
The Kawada face kicks would follow, with SANADA blocking before nailing a massive lariat. SANADA would bounce up to his feet, before leapfrogging a running Taichi twice and sending him to the floor with a dropkick. Vaulting Body Press would take Taichi down, with SANADA keeping the pressure on – having recovered from the Ganso Bomb.
Back in the ring, the TKO would be blocked with Taichi hitting a kick to the arm – before a second to the head. Taichi ripped his pants off, before SANADA would look to apply Skull End. This was unsuccessful, with Taichi hitting a chokeslam for a one count. TKO would land, with Taichi fast to his feet as SANADA was dropped with a Dangerous Backdrop.
Taichi was launched with a Tiger Suplex moments later, before SANADA collapsed and both men rolled to the floor. Back into the ring after a moment of recovery, they’d trade strikes with Taichi hitting another hook kick. SANADA stood tall and hit an uppercut, before taking an elbow smash, Axe Bomber to the back of the head and a gamiguri as he turned.
Soulful Powerbomb would follow, and SANADA somehow kicked out before three. SANADA would respond with a Tiger Driver, but was unable to follow up with a pinfall. Avoiding Black Mephisto, SANADA would instead be chucked to the mat but blocked the Gedo Clutch and applied the Dragon Sleeper. He’d move into Skull End as we passed the one minute mark, but let it go in favour of the moonsault – getting a two count. Another moonsault would be blocked and before Taichi got the Gedo Clutch. SANADA would kick out, move into the European Clutch and win at 14:57. Three more seconds, and this one would have been decided via coin flip.
Was this the best match between SANADA & Taichi? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
