Ospreay defeats the Ace in Long Beach

Will Ospreay will advance to face Lance Archer in Osaka at Dominion June 4 with the victor getting a title shot against Kenny Omega, it was learned at Resurgence May 21, as Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in a gripping semi main event. 

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The Long Beach crowd had been energetic all night long, and gave an enthusiatic reaction to both men before settling in to see both feeling one another out. An early exchange of holds was even, but Tanahashi got the first knockdown off a second rope crossbody; moments later though it was Ospreay with a high plancha over the top. Now in control, Ospreay went after the back of the Ace; chops angered Tanahashi but were answered with a handspring overhead. 

After a springboard forearm, Ospreay made gestured to his elbow and delivered the Chelsea Grin. At just ten minutes, Ospreay wanted the Hidden Blade, but was caught coming in with a basement dropkick. Now picking his spot, Dragon Screws would take away the base of Ospreay as Tanahashi started to take control, pressuring with a Texas Cloverleaf. 

Even as Ospreay freed himself from his predicament, Tanahashi would remain in charge with a series of strikes, only to be met with a hook kick. Feeding off the crowd’s energy, the two fought to their feet and traded elbows; Ospreay rocked Tanahashi with a hard boot to the face, and just barely willed himself to the top rope for a flying elbow to the back of the head. Tanahashi would counter Stormbreasker with a Slingblade in mid air though, and a second in ring would get two as the match reached 15 minutes.  

Tanahashi headed up this time and got the High Fly attack, but Ospreay rolled through for a nail biting two. Ospreay countered a school boy with a big double stomp and landed the OsCutter but couldn’t finish the Ace; the Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker did the job however, as Ospreay advanced to face Archer in Osaka at Dominion.