When Maki Itoh responded to being part of the Japanese Bracket for the AEW World Women’s Championship Eliminator tournament with a wholesome “HELLO MOTHERF*CKERS” before getting into a Twitter feud with Jim Cornette, AEW fans quickly fell in love. Itoh is a former J-Pop idol turned professional wrestler after being kicked out of her group for having a big forehead. She’s talented as they come in the ring, but a bit of a rookie. Meanwhile, her opponent Ryo Mizunami is a seasoned veteran.
Mizunami has 14 years experience, and if not for AEW might have hung her boots up in 2019. It was getting to show up at Double or Nothing infront of 10k fans that brought back her passion for professional wrestling. She teamed alongside Hikaru Shida & Riho to beat Aja Kong, Emi Sakura & Yuka Sakazaki on that night, and now gets a chance to get back in the mix of AEW. It’s loud mouthed rookie vs. a more calm and collected veteran, a classic set up.
Maki Itoh Sings Herself To The Ring
Using her idol skills to good use, Itoh sang her own entrance music and that’s an entrance that will get fans in Jacksonville jumping if she wins this one. Mizunami had just as much flash as Itoh, but seemed more ready to fight, whereas Itoh seemed to be here to perform. Itoh & Mizunami shook hands, yelled at each other and got into this one.
Mizunami lost the opening lockup, being taken to the rope and hit with a cheap shot. Itoh got hit twice as hard, and would play mind games by howling in pain, lurring Mizunami in and stomping the foot. Mizunami would hit an effortless shoulder tackle, Itoh just running in and crashing into Mizunami to fall down. Itoh was hit with a big scoop slam and leg drop, but kicked out at two.
Mizunami would batter Itoh with chops, before hitting a running elbow strike and a very flashing running lariat which got a two count. Itoh attacked the knee of Mizunami and hit the Hammerlock DDT, before hitting a diving back elbow and running bulldog! Mizunami would get hit with a kokeshi from Itoh, putting her head to good use. Itoh applied the Boston Crab, and Mizunami easily powered out.
Ryo Mizunami Is A Fighter
A huge powerslam from Mizunami dropped Itoh, before she hit a big lariat, a flashing leg drop, getting another near fall. Mizunami & Itoh traded blows in the middle of the ring, with Itoh just firing her opponent up. Itoh was the first to fall, but countered a charge into a single leg crab! Mizunami had her arm hit with a headbutt, and would foolishly tried for a headbutt of her own.
They traded headbutts like two stubborn bulls, Itoh winning out and hitting a series of DDT’s for a near fall. Itoh went for the big diving headbutt, missed and was dropped with a charging spear. Mizunami would apply a head & arm choke, and force the submission. This puts her to 2-0 in AEW.
The comedy antics of Maki Itoh aren’t the full story, as shown by this match. Ryo Mizunami however might be one of the most complete stars we will see from this side of the tournament, and someone who we can expect to see a lot more of. Match Rating: 3.5/5 (*** ½)
Ryu Mizunamki will now face the winner of Aja Kong & Rin Kadokura. Can she remain undefeated on her way to Revolution? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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