KUSHIDA scoops singles win
IMPACT Wrestling this week led off with as ingles preview of a hotly anticipated six man bout at No Surrender, as KUSHIDA took on Chris Bey. With KUSHIDA, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin forming the ‘Time Machine’ team in the face of BULLET CLUB’s Bey, Ace Austin and KENTA on February 24, Austin accompanied Bey to ringside, while KUSHIDA had the backing of the double IMPACT and NJPW STRONG Tag Team Champions the Motor City Machineguns.
KUSHIDA had a clear edge on the ground in the opening moments of the match, with Bey needing to create motion in order to fight his way into the bout. This he did, using the ring ropes to his advantage and then dropping a double stomp to the back of the Timesplitter. KUSHIDA would respond with a handspring back elbow though, and after misdirection on the floor, caught Bey coming back into the ring with a kick to the left arm.
KUSHIDA kept up a relentless pressure on the hurt limb of Bey, who had to use the apron on the outside to slingshot himself into a 619 on KUSHIDA. With a desperation double lariat following, Bey and KUSHIDA almost got counted out, but beat the referee inside to continue beating at one another with heavy rights. Bey would come out on top of the exchange, and landed a neckbreaker for two, and went for the Art of the Finesse, but was met with a handstand kick and then a huge plancha over the top rope to the floor.
As KUSHIDA wanted to get the Hoverboard Lock on Bey, the Finesser responded with a massive guillotine ax kick from the ropes. A jaw dropping counter to the Art of the Finesse again almost saw KUSHIDA come away with a tap out victory before being countered with a Gedo Clutch for a near two, but it was a hammerlock inside cradle that gave KUSHIDA victory.
