Zack Sabre Jr. records first defence
Zack Sabre Jr. is still NJPW World Television Champion, the first ever defence of the championship gold taking place on February 5 against a determined Tomohiro Ishii.
The 15 minute time limit bout started with challenger Ishii surprising the champion somewhat, going to an armbar and Achilles hold in the early going. As the normally straightforward Ishii added wrinkles to his gameplan, Sabre fired back with his own Ishii like strikes, a soccer ball kick ringing off the spine of his foe.
When the champion did go to the mat it was with signature brutal efficacy, multiple joints targeted as it was all Ishii could do to counter a tornado DDT with an overhead throw in response. Still, the Stone Pitbull was building steam, and a backdrop suplex followed for the challenger, before Sabre snapped first one arm and then the other on Ishii.
Ishii had to stamp on the face of the Briton to escape Sabre’s clutches, and used a sliding lariat to target Sabre’s arm instead. With time running short, Sabre found a punishing arm triangle, but Ishii made the ropes before finding an uncharacteristic Cobra Twist, a follow up to an even more unexpected on the YoshiTonic/Code Red from Ishii.
Now the time limit was becoming a distinct factor as offense grew more desperate from both parties. Ishii kicked out of two European Clutches, while Savre withstood a crunching lariat and enzuigiri. Finally, and with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock, the Zack Driver would see ZSJ claim victory after a gripping encounter.
