Action and drama before title match showdowns
Five title matches and a Wrestle Kingdom preview would top the card in Texas for Lonestar Shootout, but there was plenty of action on the undercard as well.
One of the undoubted highlights of the card saw an international dream match between TJP and Mistico. The Public Enemy was happy to wear the rudo hat at the start of the match, starting fast and taking to Mistico on the floor, only for the masked icon to build momentum and impressive offense in the ring. Back outside though, and TJP took control, allowing him to stretch Mistico with a vicious bow and arrow.
With balance and core strength matching his heart, Mistico struck back with a an escalada into an arm drag before a tope suicida. Now firing on all cylinders, Mistico left TJP badly reeling, and in desperation the Public Enemy went to the eyes to slow the masked man. An Ospreay like corner kick for TJP, and the United Empire member denied both a moonsault and la Mistica to get a ground octopus stretch. Mistico wasn’t to be denied though, and La Mistica would come out of nowhere to submit TJP.
Eight man action saw the Intergalactic Jet Setters of KUSHIDA and Kevin Knight team with Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa to face the BULLET CLUB side of Chase Owens, Alex Coughlin, Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors. In a wild affair, Tama Tonga would single out Kidd to the delight of the Texas crowd, but Connors and then Knight turned the tables one way then the other. A Gunstun from Tama on Chase and a Spike DDT from Knight to Kidd scored, but a spear caught Knight in mid air, and an assist No Chaser scored the victory for BULLET CLUB.
Joey Janela would make his NJPW debut against Toru Yano, and though Yano came out to the ring as his normal affable self, Janela wanted no DQ rules. Janela would bring chairs into the equation, but regretted his decision after a belly to belly suplex on the steel; turnabout would be fair play as a piledriver on the chairs left Yano dazed and in danger.
Janela set up a pair of chairs dead center in the ring , but received a Demon Killer powerbomb from Yano, who taped his opponent to a seat in the middle. Instead of a punshing blow from Yano, it would be a DVD on the chair from Janela followed by a top rope stomp, but Yano still kicked out; Janela taped Yano’s hands together and had designs on using his signature chair, but after a backfire, a schoolboy ended his night.
The main card would get started with a CMLL showcase in trios action. The new Mascara Dorada made his debut in spectacular form, but Tiger Mask would bear the brunt of the rudos Hechicero, Rocky Romero and Ultimo Guerrero, but Atlantis would come to the aid of his fellow veteran partner, and then Mascara Dorada brought spectacular fire to Rocky.
As the match broke down, the llave sorceror Hechicero caught Dorada in a punishing series of holds, but a picture perfect Shooting Star Press from the young masked man would put Hechicero away.
The kickoff for Lonestar Shootout was highlighted by the continuation of Tom Lawlor and Fred Rosser’s storied rivalry. A highly physical contest saw heavy strikes from the get go; the fight would soon spill to the outside and the Filthy One made a lap of the Curtis Culwell Center to punt his foe in the face. Rosser would battle his way back into the match, but a single leg dropkick would cut him off; bringing Rosser to the apron, Lawlor landed a pair of boots to the head but Mr. No Days Off responded with a patented apron suplex.
Back inside, Rosser went for a Gutcheck; initially countered into an ankle lock, Rosser got the move on a second try but couldn’t get an effective cover. With base weakened, Rosser fell victim to a hard slam from Lawlor, but responded with a Death Valley Driver for a near two; Emerald Flowsion connected and then the Crossface Chickenwing. Neither move finished the match for Rosser, and nor did the NKOTB for Lawlor, but as Rosser went for the Chickenwing STF once more, a cradle pin got the W for Fred.
Also on the kickoff, NJPW Academy’s Matt Vandagriff saw success over Barrett Brown with a 450 Splash- his second straight victory will see him a part of the action at Battle In The Valley January 13.
