YOSHI-HASHI, EVIL advance to October 27
Watch the Battle Autumn night two replay!
The NJPW World Television Championship tournament continued on October 15, as Korakuen Hall bore witness to Aaron Henare versus EVIL and YOSHI-HASHI taking on Jeff Cobb in the first round.
Henare was first against the King of Darkness and wrestled how he had to, meeting EVIL with heavy shots right out the gate. Yet EVIL was wholly true to form, as was Dick Togo in his corner; the match would come down to a numbers game the Ultimate Weapon couldn’t hope to win.
When Henare managed to survive the common opening gambits of shots into the timekeepers table and into an exposed buckle, Henare went for the Ultima on the former Double IWGP Champion, only for the lights to go out in Korakuen. In the darkness, the referee was downed and Henare hit low; EVIL wanted the coup de grace with a steel chair that exploded over the head of Henare, but the United Empire member only got a surge of adrenaline from the blow.
Roaring at EVIL, Henare got the Rampage for two, and ensured that Dick Togo was taken well and truly out the game. Yet EVIL, showing flashes of his own brute toughness in ring, prevented Streets of Rage, before rolling out the way of a massive Saito Senton. Barreling Henare into the earlier exposed ring post, EVIL followed with the EVIL finish to advance.
YOSHI-HASHI headed into his tournament match with Jeff Cobb a distinct underdog, but the Headhunter wrestled a tactical masterclass to get the job done.
As Cobb had the early advantage, YOSHI-HASHI was on the back foot, barely getting knees up in the way of a standing moonsault. While a dropkick to the base of Cobb in the ropes would see the way to a Headhunter, it was a moment’s hesitation on a plancha that saw him caught and driven into the ring post on the floor.
Yet as Cobb brought YOSHI-HASHI back in and connected with a massive top rope gut wrench suplex, another standing moonsault landed flush- and hurt the Imperial Unit’s knee. Instantly aware of the damage Cobb had done himself, YOSHI-HASHI found a knee bar that had Cobb crying out.
YOSHI-HASHI couldn’t hit either Kumagoroshi or Karma on the hulking Cobb, but he was able to think fast in the moment. Popping himself up into a Tour of the Islands attempt, YOSHI-HASHI used Cobb’s own momentum against him for an inside cradle to get two. Then the Headhunter would tease Karma once more, but as Cobb tried to shift his weight down and forward he fell right into the trap that was the Go cradle for three.
YOSHI-HASHI now faces EVIL with a cheering crowd behind him October 27 in Korakuen. The tournament continues with more first round matches on October 16, Taichi meeting SANADA, and Hirooki Goto facing KENTA.
