We were supposed to get this match a few weeks back, but KUSHIDA and his family had to fight off COVID-19 first. Now, he’s healthy and cleared to return to the ring, where he will look to finally shut Roderick Strong & Diamond Mine up. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship is on the line, in what might be the best match ever held over the championship in terms of pure talent.
Strong is a former NXT North American & Tag Team Champion, Dusty Rhodes Classic Winner, and veteran of WarGames. The Undisputed Era is dead, but his skills are still undisputed. KUSHIDA meanwhile is one of the best cruiserweights in the history of professional wrestling. Best Of The Super Juniors, Super J-Cup, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and now NXT Cruiserweight Championship. These are truly two legends in the making.
KUSHIDA & Strong Are Equals In The Early Goings
The crowd was ready to go and so were both men. Strong went for a big knee strike, and KUSHIDA some takedowns, before Strong would take KUSHIDA down to the mat. He’d go for an armbar, but be shut down. KUSHIDA got some forearm blows before Strong would grab a headlock.
Being shoved off just led to a shoulder tackle from Strong before a hip toss into an armbar from KUSHIDA. Strong fought off this first armbar attempt, before having his arm snapped back causing a retreat to the outside. We’d go to a commercial break, and this was so far just showing the technical skills of both men.
Back from the break, KUSHIDA would counter an Angle Slam before being whipped into the mat arm first. A few pushing shoteis would get some damage before a hip toss into dropkick. KUSHIDA nailed a punch to the jaw, and Strong came back with some of his chest splitting chops. KUSHIDA went to the top rope and Strong thought he caught him, but took an armbreaker off the top rope instead.
Diamond Mine Helps Roderick Strong Claim Gold
Big kick to the arm from KUSHIDA was followed by a kick to the face from Strong. One of the signature backbreakers of Strong was followed by an Angle Slam for a two count. Strong wouldn’t be able to hit his dashing elbow strikes, and was caught in the Hoverboard Lock on a counter. KUSHIDA couldn’t get full control, and Bivens would get the foot of Strong on the bottom rope.
Bivens would distract the referee as Diamond Mine mauled KUSHIDA, allowing Strong to steal the NXT Cruiserweight Championship with End Of Heartache. This one is just the first of a series of battles I’m sure, but for now we have a new champion.
A fast paced and technically sound battle from two of the best, with a messy but fun finish. KUSHIDA & Strong have great chemistry, and this might be the start of an epic trilogy. Match Rating: 3/5 (***)
After the match, Grayson Waller hit the ramp and looked for a title shot next week. Bivens would consult with Strong, and the match was made. Can Strong remain champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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