Takaaki Watanabe vs. "Unbreakable" Michael Elgin
Watanabe is the youngest of the NJPW here in Toronto. The crowd is about 100% in favor of Elgin, who controls the opening minutes of the match. He goes right into a stalling vertical suplex, which he holds for a count of 30. Elgin slaps on a side headlock, but Takaaki drops down with a jawbreaker to shake him off. The big man goes up to the turnbuckle, but misses a corkscrew senton. Elgin tries for a lariat, but Watanabe ducks under and hits a running neckbreaker.
Watanabe starts to impress the crowd with some stiff uppercuts, followed by a powerful display, lifting the much bigger Elgin up for a back suplex. Elgin responds with a stalling German suplex with a bridge for a count of two. They two brawl to the apron and Watanabe crotches him on the second turnbuckle, following up with a backbreaker. He comes off the top rope but Elgin counters with an uppercut, the Buckle Bomb, and the Elgin Bomb for the 1-2-3.
Winner: Michael Elgin
KILLAM: Eh. The fans are really loud BETWEEN matches right now, but they're dead silent for all but the major spots. We get a show of respect from both guys after the match. The card should pick up soon with some of the more story-driven matches, which will help. So far the openers feel like more of a pre-show build to next week's show in New York.
