KUSHIDA has finally arrived in NXT, and fans are starting to see why he was the Junior Heavyweight ace in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He’s been on a hot streak, but that might change as he faces one of the hardest hitting men to ever step into a WWE ring, Timothy Thatcher. This one will leave both men battered and bruised, but it will be a delight to watch.
Thatcher has been in the eyes of Tommaso Ciampa as of late, as has KUSHIDA, so he might also find a way to get involved in this one. His students are watching on backstage as well, and lord knows they want to see him get a taste of his own medicine.
Tommaso Ciampa Got A Front Row Seat
As expected, Ciampa came to ringside with a steel chair, but chose to sit at the ramp. He just wanted a front row seat. KUSHIDA got the early edge, but Thatcher was his equal in terms of technical wrestling. A wild sprawl broke out in the middle of the ring, and really neither man got control.
KUSHIDA channeled Inoki with some seated kicks, before hitting a forearm and looking for a straight right. Thatcher caught this and hit a Belly to Belly suplex. KUSHIDA bounced back, took Thatcher down and nabbed a combination of a deathlock and a Muta Lock, with Thatcher countering out.
Thatcher was sent down with the hip toss and a dropkick, sending Thatcher to the apron. KUSHIDA went in for a kick, but had his ankle caught. He’d be punished briefly with a hold over the ropes, before being let go. We’d go to a commercial break, with Thatcher in control and Ciampa still watching on.
KUSHIDA Gets The Edge
Coming back from the break, KUSHIDA & Thatcher would trade strikes. KUSHIDA managed to get the better of his and took Thatcher to the mat, trying to apply the Hoverboard lock. Thatcher was able to counter this into one of his own, knowing the perfect way out. KUSHIDA was just as ready to fight this hold, and was able to move into a cross armbreaker, then an ankle lock. Thatcher rolled through that, but KUSHIDA was ready to counter as well, going into a pinfall attempt.
Back to their feet, KUSHIDA was locked in a sleeper hold, and would send Thatcher over the top to escape.Thatcher got distracted by Ciampa and was run into the post, then hit with a big armbreaker.Back in the ring, KUSHIDA got the PK to the arm, but was hit with a double underhook suplex. Ciampa was now standing up, Thatcher again distracted and put in the Hoverboard Lock, forcing a submission. Thatcher tapped out, and that’s embarrassing for him.
Will Thatcher face Ciampa at NXT Takeover: War Games? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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