The rivalary between the young lions is just a constant part of New Japan, and that persisits in the NJPW L.A Dojo. During the 2019 Young Lion cup, a loss to Alex Coughlin stands out as a sore spot. Connors was getting constant praise, working with names like TJP in the Super Junior Tag League, and he was blitzed by Coughlin. Now he gets a chance at revenge, in the first match of the first episode of Lions Break Collision. Who would walk away the victor?
Hard Hitting With Very Little Flash
The Young Lions are the home to the purest wrestling in the world. They have simple movesets, they have simple gear, and they tell a simple story. But that’s all they need, and if this match had a crowd, they’d be on fire by the end with the passion that young lions always bring. A 10 minute time limit gives them enough time to kick each others ass, and not much else.
They would lock up, and Connors would take control early, sending Coughlin to the mat before shoving him into the corner. A clean break would give a short breath, before Connors taking Coughlin down, and picking the left leg as a target. Back to their feet, Coughlin wouldn’t show any damage to the leg yet, but more work on the mat would change that. Connors was relentless with his submission assault, going for a Bow & Arrow Lock, with Coughlin slipping off into a pinfall before taking control himself.
The cold and focused Coughlin would apply a tight short-arm scissors to Connors, and hold it on through plently of struggling. Connors would get to the rope, but a kick to the face would shut him back down, with Coughlin maintaining arm control, but another rope break ruined that. With a quick headlock, Connors would gain control, but Coughlin would slip out and apply a head scissors as the five minute mark slipped past.
Alex Coughlin Almost Gets Another One Up On Clark Connors
A headstand would free Connors from the grasp of Coughlin, but a brash lariat would miss and it’d be right back to being caught in a submission. This time, a cravate would be applied to Connors, before being sent down with a snapmare into a rear-chinlock. Not lasting long in this hold, Connors would be back on his feet and rushing into Coughlin with a shoulder tackle before getting a near fall.
Things would get very physical, as stiff strikes would fly in the corner, with chops, knees and uppercuts being thrown without worry. The training of Katsuyori Shibata has ensured they can hit hard, and take those hits just as well. As the three minute warning would add an air of urgency to this match, Coughlin would hit a big bodyslam, followed by a bridging Fallaway Slam for a near fall. He’d follow this up by grabbing the arm and leg of Connors, stretching him like Stu Hart.
Down To The Wire
Two minutes remain, and Connors would hit a big scoop powerslam and sit in deep for a boston crab, before letting go one leg for a single leg crab. The damage to the arm earlier made it too hard to apply the move properly. This made it hard to keep that middle of the ring location, and Coughlin got the ropes. Time would escape them, and they’d use their precious last seconds to fire off hard chops, but a spear from Connors would miss, Coughlin would hit a Gutwrench Suplex for a two count. The time would reach ten seconds, and a Russian Leg Sweep wouldn’t finish it, and time was up. This one is a draw.
The story here was simple. Coughlin showed more focus and care, while Connors was brash and powerful. A level head will win out in this situation, and with another minute or two to work with, Coughlin had this one in the bag. Who do you think would have won if this match went to overtime? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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