AEW Dark continues and we have a pretty unique match with Michael Nakazawa going up against Brandon Cutler. Of course any match is fairly unique when Nakazawa’s involved, there’s really only one of him out there. Cutler seems to get a pretty middling die this time around.
Brandon Cutler vs. Michael Nakazawa
Lock-up, Cutler transitions to a waistlock. Nakazawa already going for the turkish oil but Bryce Remsburg does not want it, he grabs the oil from his hands and throws it away! But luckily Nakazawa has a backup – only for Cutler to grab it and toss it as well! But this opens him to a series of cradles and crucifixes from Nakazawa for a couple quick 2 counts. Cutler avoids an O’Connor roll, Springboard Clothesline for a nearfall! Side Russian Legsweep from Cutler. He springs off the bottom rope for a big forearm drop, 2 count! Forearms exchanged, Nak wins out. Hits the ropes, ducks a clothesline, hits him with a mighty spear! Man, surprising. Cutler side steps a corner charge, roundhouse kick, springboard enziguri gets a nearfall!
Pulls him up, hooks for a suplex, Nakazawa blocks it and sends him away, he’s looking for some oil but there’s nothing in there anymore. Tries a suplex but Cutler reverses it! 2 count. Nakazawa was digging so furiously that he’s torn a hole into the back of his trunks. Cutler chops him in the corner until Nakazawa reverses, only for Cutler to turn it right back. Punch to the face, Nakazawa reverses and drives the shoulder into his ribs over and over. Whip to the opposite corner, charging back elbow! Whip to the opposite, charges, Cutler gets a boot up. He’s got a cut over his eye, nails a roundhouse kick and goes up top, big senton for a close nearfall!
Brandon sees the blood coming from his head… hoists him up onto his shoulders with some difficulty, torture rack position achieved though – and he tosses him over the top rope and onto the ramp! Body slam onto the ramp as well! Cutler is outright asking for a count out… but no, he hits a Springboard Elbow Drop across Nak’s back instead! Nakazawa rolls to the floor from the ramp as Cutler seems conflicted… pulls him up, body slams him. Seven count. Cutler is banging on the apron… wants a slam, Nakazawa escapes, drives him into the barrier and then rushes back into the ring – Cutler can’t make it back in time and he’s counted out!
Winner: Michael Nakazawa
Cutler finally showing some frustration and man that was some lucky blood there it really played into the story well. Commentators may have actually missed the fact that Cutler was conflicted on whether or not he really wanted to go for a count-out win, atleast that’s how I interpreted the way he was acting between moves. Either way that’s the first count out in AEW history.
SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!
