NEVER Openweight Championship
Tomohiro Ishii (c) vs. Togi Makabe
Ishii has his arm heavily tapped. We get a “bowling shoe ugly” comment and a “slobber-knocker” from JR.
Ishii with a belly-to-belly throw right away, but Makabe hits him with a stiff elbow. Ishii with knife-edge chops that have no effect; Makabe with right hands that have no effect. A very physical feeling out process early on, with the champ having a very small advantage.
Ishii with a lot of throws but Togi comes back and hits a Northern Lights suplex and goes on the attack in the corner. He hits move after move (mostly suplexes) but can’t pick up the pin. Tomohiro yells back at him as he gets chopped. He gets planted on the top rope, and Makabe picks him up and drops him with the Super Fireman’s Carry slam. The challenger can’t believe it, and hits a wicked lariat, but Ishii kicks out at one!
The champ comes back with an exploder suplex followed by a stiff clothesline for a two-count. Slowly both guys get back up and trade short-arm clotheslines. Makabe with chops to the shoulders, but Ishii headbutts him and gets a running clothesline for a very close nearfall. Step-up enzuigiri connects. Again then collide with more clotheslines; this time Ishii takes the advantage with a gorgeous Dragon suplex for two.
Slow rise again from both men. Ishii fires off with a dozen elbow shots; Makabe kicks out at one. Makabe hits a crazy hard clothesline; Ishii kicks out. The challenger goes to the top rope and comes down with a diving knee to the back of the neck. 1…2…3.
Winner and NEW CHAMPION: Togi Makabe
