Battle in the Valley the last in NJPW for the Switchblade
After a stipulation added at the last minute by Eddie Kingston and Jay White, it was loser leaves NJPW when the two collided one on one for the first time at Battle in the Valley February 18.
After Juice Robinson had gotten himself involved in the STRONG Openweight Championship bout earlier in the evening, BULLET CLUB was barred from ringside for the bout, which started with the Switchblade avoiding contact and waiting for an opportunity to take control.
That early advantage came with a chop out of the corner on Kingston and blows in the corner, but the Mad King would respond with a flurry of his own. Still the ultimate counterpuncher however, a DDT from the Switchblade, and the Bladebuster would see the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion in charge.
Kingston would battle back from the back foot, bringing chops to the Catalyst that sent White careening through the ropes to the floor below. In full control, Kingston went for the Uraken, but a quick duck led to the Complete Shot and deadlift German, before White powered through the mad King with a wild lariat for two. The uranage too would see Kingston kick out, as frustration and concern mounted in the BULLET CLUB leader.
After chops from White, a wobbled Kingston would fire back in kind, both men bringing KENTA Kobashi like volleys in the corner. White would find a sleeper suplex on Kingston and went for the Bladerunner; as the referee tried to gain control of the match after a rake of the eyes by Kingston, a low blow and Bladerunner connected, but Kingston rolled to the floor to the Swtichblade’s despair.
Back in, a sudden Uraken from Kingston got a very near two. After White rejected a fist bump of respect from Kingston, two more Uraken were met with a half and half suplex, and a Northern Lights Bomb for a sure fire three, but the Switchblade somehow kicked out to a rapturous reception. A second Northern Lights Bomb, and White was exiled from NJPW.
