Hiromu Takahashi is once again at the top of the Junior Heavyweight division, after coming out of the Fatal Four Way match for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 17. While Master Wato, El Desperado and Taiji Ishimori might want title shots before long – YOH would jump the line at New Years Dash. With a record of 1-3 against Takahashi, YOH looks to finally get a big time victory over Takahashi and become a singles champion for the very first time.
YOH Has Gained Confidence Since Last Singles Meeting With Hiromu Takahashi
YOH & Hiromu would lock up in the middle of the ring, with neither man wanting to give up ground early. Hiromu was sent off the ropes, with YOH tripping him for the sliding dropkick – sending the champion to the floor. YOH would follow Hiromu out, only to be driven into the barricade and chopped right in the throat.
Back in the ring, a lariat in the corner would set up the Shotgun Dropkick, already getting Hiromu a two count. Headscissors would be applied – with Hiromu letting YOH free just to take him to the floor and ram him into the barricade before a suplex onto the concrete. YOH would make it back into the ring at the count of 19 – really flirting with being counted out.
Hiromu would hit a unique Texas Cloverleaf backbreaker in the middle of the ring, before applying a submission. YOH was able to fight free, nailing the dropkick in the middle of the ring. Hiromu would roll out to the floor, and YOH was able to keep the pressure on with a perfect plancha over the top rope. Back in the ring, YOH would avoid the Pop Up Powerbomb, and nail a Falcon Arrow.
Hiromu & YOH would trade strikes in the middle of the ring, with Hiromu creating the distance needed to hit the Shotgun Dropkick into the corner. YOH would be able to hit a basement dropkick to a rushing Hiromu before the follow up. Focusing in on the knee of Hiromu, he’d simply lift him and throw him down in a double kneebreaker, before applying the kneebar.
Hiromu Takahashi Takes The Best Blows Of YOH
Hiromu was able to get free using the bottom rope, and had a high risk move in mind. YOH was able to catch Hiromu on the top rope, hitting the Inverted Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Figure Four Leg Lock would be applied in the middle of the ring, with Hiromu considering tapping out. Hiromu was having difficulty reaching the bottom rope – but was able to wiggle to the ropes and get the break.
With the speed of Hiromu taken out of the mix, YOH would get lax – only to be rammed into the corner with the Death Valley Driver. Time Bomb was set – with YOH able to counter into a roll up for the two count. Hiromu would roll to his feet and hit the ropes, coming right back into a stiff lariat from YOH. Direct Drive would be set, with Hiromu planting to try to avoid the finisher.
YOH was able to hammerlock the arm of Hiromu, leaving him defenceless as YOH nailed a series of stiff forearm smashes. A dropkick to the back of the knee would set up another Dragon Screw, with Hiromu just able to counter into the Hiromu Roll. YOH was able to kick out, but was lifted right into Victory Royale.
YOH Fails To Get The Job Done
Hiromu would only get a two count, before the superkick and Dragon Suplex – getting a two count in the process. Time Bomb would be the response, as the crowd was split 50/50 in Hiromu & YOH. Time Bomb II was set, with YOH trying to kick his way free – able to the Drop The Needle – but Direct Drive was countered again.
Stunner would be followed by the J-Driller, with YOH barely kicking out. Five Star Clutch would get the closest fall yet for YOH, with Hiromu firing off a Hiromu Bomber to stop the late match rush of YOH. The second Hiromu Bomber was followed by Time Bomb II – and YOH will need to try harder next time to become a singles champion while Hiromu is in charge.
This puts the record at 4-1 in favour of Hiromu Takahashi, but YOH came closer than ever before. His confidence is rising with every match, the mental block of the Roppongi 3K break up finally in the past. He will be one to watch in this year’s Best of The Super Juniors. Hiromu would now pass the attention onto Shingo Takagi, with him challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship next week. Hiromu won his big match, and so did Naito – so now it’s Shingo’s time.
Who will challenge Hiromu Takahashi next? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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