NJPW and IMPACT collide in big singles action
NJPW and IMPACT’s Multiverse United was highlighted on March 30 by some incredible singles matches, two of which being first time ever affairs.
The main event of the evening would see Hiroshi Tanahashi facing Speedball Mike Bailey for the first time. The scale of the occasion not lost on Bailey, Speedball was tentative against the Ace, who launched a second rope cross body, but was met with quick kicks. As Tanahashi went out to the floor, Bailey stepped up his aggression and traded with Tanahashi on the outside, gaining an upper hand with a big boot to the Ace.
Tanahashi would take advantage back inside though, a basement dropkick creating an opening on Bailey. With base weakened, Speedball nonetheless launched a dropkick from the second rope and started to strike in combination, but Tanahashi’s veteran composure saw him regain control and squash Bailey with a somersault senton. Speedball would battle back, but a brutal Dragon Screw through the ropes severley hindered Bailey.
Tanahashi wanted to cut Bailey’s base off entirely with a basement dropkick through the ropes, but split second timing saw Bailey land a stunning quebrada. Both men just barely making it back into the ring before being counted out, Tanahashi and Bailey traded hard shots before Speedball landed moonsault double knees, and a perfectly placed head kick that got a very near two.
Trying to will himself to land a tornado kick, Bailey went for the move but with a damaged base would be hit with Slingblade. Tanahashi had designs on High Fly Flow, but was met by Bailey; the Ace buried bitter boots to his opponent, but Speedball’s will saw him ascend and land a Frankensteiner that drilled Tanahashi to the mat. A brace of hard kicks rocked the Ace, and Bailey this time had enough for the Tornado Kick, but Ultimate Weapon would miss, and Bailey’s knee was crushed into empty canvas.
Tanahashi made Bailey pay with a trio of Twist and Shouts, a Slingblade and then went for High Fly Flow, connecting for three. Tanahashi would raise Bailey’s hand in respect and celebration as the sold out crowd would be sent home happy.
Earlier in the night, Moose would collide with Jeff Cobb in a clash of athletic powerhouses. Moose would look to use his height to his advantage, but couldn’t drive Cobb to the mat; taking to the skies instead, it would be a big dropkick that put the Imperial Unit down. Cobb responded with a big beal though, and with the battle lines clearly drawn, they engaged in a chop exchange in the corner before Cobb showed his own dropkicking ability.
Moose slowed the United Empire member with a massive dropkick, and a Sky High out of the corner to Cobb. As he looked to follow with a spear into the corner though, he only found the turnbuckle, and was hurled from apron to center ring with a massive superplex. Resetting, an exchange of strikes and headbutts saw neither man bow down, and as both looked to get quick, a massive collision would see both spill to the floor.
Starting to build momentum back inside, Moose would run up to the top rope to deliver a superplex to Cobb, before a high cross off the top, but Cobb would roll through, muscling up Moose and landing the Tour of the Islands.
KUSHIDA went head to head with Lio Rush for the first time at Multiverse United. Both men would show each other their skill early, KUSHIDA going for Rush’s arm early, but being out quicked and met with a kick to the head. The Timesplitter would catch the Bad Child though, and as a baseball strike took Rush to the floor, wanted a kick down the apron line, but would be caught by an escalada from the apron and then a quebrada to the outside.
As Rush got back into the ring, KUSHIDA found his opening and scored with a heavy kick to the left arm. Using the ropes to his advantage, the Timesplitter snapped both arms for Rush and kept his foe trapped firmly to the mat. In full control, KUSHIDA indicated it was time, and looked for a Hammerlock Suplex, but an adrenaline shot from Rush saw him surprise his Hontai foe with a tope suicida and a right sided clothesline.
With arm damage slowing his ascent to the top rope, Rush was caught by KUSHIDA, but the CHAOS member was able to fight off his foe, and scored an overhead kick. As both reset Rush was able to satellite himself into a front choke, but was countered into a double wrist lock from KUSHIDA; a big kick from Rush scored, but KUSHIDA responded with Back to the Future for a near two.
KUSHIDA was in control, but was surprised with a poison rana and Rush Hour for the nearfall. Following up, Rush wanted Final Hour but was caught in midair with the Hoverboard Lock for the win, maintaining momentum as he heads into a shot with Steve Maclin for the currently vacated IMPACT World Championship.
