Ever since Shota Umino made his proper return to NJPW, he’s been a thorn in the side of Tetsuya Naito. Umino would even be the man to get the winning fall over Los Ingobernables De Japon, pinning BUSHI while teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi & Keiji Muto. With Naito set to be the final opponent of Muto later this month – he needs to send a message to the legend. Tonight, he has the chance to do just that, as he will likely look to not simply pin or submit Umino – but force his father Red Shoes Uno to call for a referee stoppage.
Shota Umino Enters The First Of Many Main Events In New Japan Pro Wrestling – But Is He Ready?
In 2012, you would have found Tetsuya Naito in the position of Shota Umino tonight – facing an idol, that being Keiji Mutoh. Naito wasn’t ready that night, and was ran out of the building. Umino has taken a lot of his style away from Naito & Hiroshi Tanahashi, down to taking his time taking off his entrance gear. Imitation doesn’t make a star however, and Naito knows that better than anyone – given his failed Stardust Genius persona.
Umino would apply a wrist lock as this match began, with Naito able to counter before being taken down to the mat. Naito would be able to grab a potential kneebar, with Umino able to find the bottom rope. Side headlock would be applied, with Naito able to counter and apply the hold himself. They’d have a stalemate of holds, before hitting some signature poses.
Naito would roll to the floor, only to come into the ring and take the Hip Toss into dropkick. Somersault Senton would land, before Naito again went to the floor – with a dive set to follow. Umino was able to pivot, and hit the tranquilo pose of Naito in the middle of the ring. Naito would change up his tactics, yanking the hair of Umino before sending him to the floor – hitting a dropkick into the barricade.
A brawl onto the floor would follow, with Umino out of his element – not picking up the affinity of brawling from Jon Moxley. Naito hit a neckbreaker over the steel barricade, and was ready to take the countout victory. Umino dragged himself to his feet at the count of 14, and made the ring by 17 – right into another neckbreaker and the Double Leg Nelson in the middle of the ring.
Tetsuya Naito Breaks Down The Young Neck Of Umino
Naito would have to let the hold go after a rope break, but ‘forgot’ how to do so – getting a few extra moments of pain on Umino. Combinación de Cabrón landed in the corner – before applying a cravat. Naito would draw attention to the lack of Umino chants who was getting destroyed – proving he doesn’t belong in this spot yet.
Umino would be able to break free of the hold and hit a dropkick, before hitting a big boot to the face. Armdrag would follow before a rushing dropkick to the face. He’d win some fans over with this exchange, but it was still 90% Naito fans in the arena. Fisherman Suplex would follow, before apply the STF in the middle of the ring – with Naito crawling to the ropes to get free.
An elbow to the back of the neck would follow, before the Swing DDT out of the corner. Death Rider was signalled, but Naito would drive Umino off into the corner. Naito would hit a snap arm drag, with Umino ending up in a headlock moments later. Letting Umino free, Naito would trade strikes before taking a dropkick and being sent to the floor.
Umino kept the pressure on with a dive, before applying an STF in the middle of the ring again – with Naito able to find the bottom rope. Hammer & Anvil Elbows would follow, before looking for the Exploder. Naito would be able to block and hit the Tornado DDT – before honing in on those driving elbows to the neck.
Tetsuya Naito Puts Shota Umino Down
Super Rana would follow, and Gloria was up next – with Umino countering and ending up in Puma Blanca. Umino was pulled off into the corner, and the Esperanza would land. Naito would set up the Destino, with Umino blocking and hitting the Roll of The Dice. The uphill battle of Umino all led to this final exchange, and he missed the flipping neckbreaker. Rolling Liger Kick into Gloria would land, getting Naito a two count.
Spinebuster would follow, with Umino blocking the Destino into the Bastard Driver – not quite dropping Naito on his neck. Umino would look for another variant of the Bastard Driver, getting a two count this time around. Flipping Neckbreaker would hit this time, but only got a near fall. Umino tried for Death Rider – but was spiked with Valentia again.
Naito hit those driving elbows he favours late in the fight, just nailing Umino again and again – begging him to fire up. Umino would show some fire, but it was quickly snuffed out. Destino would be blocked, with Umino hitting the Death Rider in response. Umino tried for an elevated DDT but took two attempts, with Naito slipping the first time.
He’d hit the second time but did the Stardust pose during the pinfall – making the Naito kick out easy. Destino would land, and got the two count. A second Destino would land, and Umino would stay down this time. This was a test of Umino, and he lasted 32 minutes in the ring with Naito – but Naito toyed with him a lot.
Will Umino reach his potential in 2024? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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