The United Empire are in full force tonight, with Will Ospreay in the main event against Tetsuya Naito. Aussie Open are finally making their way to Japan, looking to regain their footing following losing the NJPW Strong Tag Team Championships to the Motor City Machine Guns. With “The Orchestrator” Gideon Grey and “Ultimate Weapon” Aaron Henare in their corner for an eight man tag to face Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay, Alex Zayne and Toru Yano.
The United Empire Prove Why Aussie Open Are Their Tag Team Aces
Gideon Grey would earn double the paycheck tonight, acting as the ring announcer for his United Empire allies. Henare would kick things off with Finlay, overpowering The Rebel to the ropes – but Finlay escaped the unclean break. Henare would run him down with a shoulder tackle, before Finlay got a one count off a small package. Spinning Backdrop would follow, getting a two count on Henare.
Zayne would get the tag, and hit the Baja Blast on Henare – before the springboard knee drop and running Cinnamon Twist. Some heavy forearm smashes would follow, before Henare would shove Zayne away from the corner for the springboard roundhouse kick. The United Empire would run down their opponents on the floor, as Henare nailed a powerful mid kick.
Aussie Open would work together on a delayed vertical suplex, with Davis dropping Zayne – before missing a running senton splash. Zayne would hit a Pele Kick, and complete the tag to Tanahashi. Dragon Screw would send Henare from the ring, and Grey rushed Tanahashi and was knocked out with a slap. Davis would take the Somersault Senton, before a Slingblade attempt was blocked.
Fletcher got the tag, and took the Twist & Shout. Yano would get the tag, and blamed Fletcher for exposing a corner, before running him into it and getting a deep roll up for a two count. United Empire would work together to run down Yano in the corner, with Grey holding him in place. Aussie Open hit the Dental Plan on Yano, with Tanahashi making the save.
Double roll up from Yano & Tanahashi would follow, before Aussie Open would crush them with spinebusters. Yano would find himself isolated, and Corealis brought the win. For those keeping track, that’s 2-0 for the United Empire tonight.
Hikule’o Sent A Message To Anderson
Hikule’o was supposed to face Karl Anderson tonight, with the NEVER Openweight Championship on the line. However, Anderson signed a new deal with WWE – and is booked to wrestle later today in Saudi Arabia. Despite missing a previously set date, Anderson was not stripped of his championship – as Hikule’o doesn’t want Anderson to take the cowards way out. Instead, Hikule’o will get his shot at a later date, and tonight goes one on one with a former NEVER Openweight Champion – Yujiro Takahashi.
Takahashi would flee the ring before the bell, allowing SHO to attack from behind with a chop block. House of Torture would double team Hikule’o, all before the bell rang. Hikule’o would hit the big boots, before ringing their heads with headbutts. The bell was rung, and a snap powerslam and chokeslam – and this one was over. Karl Anderson might not last much longer, if he ever shows his face in Japan again.
When will Hikule’o get his title shot? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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