NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING

NEWS

JUN.20.2022

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Connors, Ishii advance to AEW Qualifier

Two to meet in Korakuen Tuesday

Watch the New Japan Road replay free!

Korakuen Hall saw two qualifiers for AEW’s inaugural All Atlantic Championship four way match on the New Japan Road June 20, with Clark Connors and  Tomohiro Ishii advancing to Tuesday’s bout to decide NJPW’s representative. 

Connors was first to qualify as he bested Tomoaki Honma. Connors would gain an early advantage as he powered Honma into the corner and landed mounted blows. The Wild Rhino would keep the pressure on Honma, and connected with a hard Jeep Flip at the five minute markbefore preparing for the Spear, but Honmawas able to catch the blow and fell his foe with a Rocket Kokeshi.

Honma stayed on offense with a Facewash in the corner, and landed heavy forearm shivers, but the LA Dojo graduate refused to fall to his lariats. After a misdirection in the ropes, Honma would finally fell Connors and connect with a Kokeshi; as he went to the top for a follow up he would be stopped as Clark went for a superplex, but Honma would counter with a powerbomb attempt. Connors just barely escaped to his feet, and threw bombs at Honma, who rallied with an elbow, headbutt and reverse Rocket Kokeshi. Connors recovered however, connecting with a wild spear and powerslam for two, before the Trophy Kill for the win. 

Having viciously attacked Tomohiro Ishii’s knee earlier in the tour, Yoshinobu Kanemaru tried to get the jump on Ishii before the bell, and wanted a countout victory. Ishii would work his way back to the ring though, and hurled the Heel Master with a backdrop suplex. Kanemaru would try to get back on offense, but couldn’t slow the seemingly inpenetrable Ishii until a basement dropkick finally took the base away from the Stone Pitbull.

The CHAOS member gutted through the pain to land his own vicious knee crusher, bringing out an Ishii like lariat from Kanemaru. A Figure Four followed, Ishii desperately trying to block and howling in pain as the hold was cinched in. The heavyweight would find the ropes, and finally created distance with a mighty shoulder tackle before a mammoth delayed superplex, but still only got two as the fans encouraged both men. 

Kanemaru would shove the referee into Ishii’s path and spiked his foe with a DDT before going for some liquid courage, but Ishii make sure the whiskley mist went to waste, burying his shoulder into the bread basket. Still Kanemaru refused to lose, and neither did Ishii from a low blow and Samson Clutch, nor Deep Impact, Ishii shockingly kicking out at two. Finally though it was Ishii’s will that proved stronger. Keeping his positioning as Kanemaru kicked his knee to set for Touch Out, Ishii hoisted his foe for a snap Vertical Drop Brainbuster to secure victory.

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