EVIL bests Umino for V1 in Sapporo
EVIL placed his NEVER Openweight Championship on the line February 23 in Sapporo, seeking his first successful defense of the title since defeating Tama Tonga for the championship at New Beginning in Nagoya. Shota Umino would step up to the challenge.
Before the bell officially rang, Umino made the first attack to HOUSE OF TORTURE’s EVIL in the midst of EVIL spray painting the NEVER Openweight Championship black. After a flurry of office in the beginning, EVIL would grab a hold of the referee, leading to Dick Togo attacking Umino at ringside, later leading EVIL to drive Shota Umino into the ringside guardrails, and grabbing the microphone to make a declarative statement.
EVIL would control the early goings of the match, with Umino turning the tide following a picture perfect dropkick. Umino would keep control of the match until EVIL would utilize distracting tactics to gain the upper hand once again.
Shota Umino would battle back into contention, looking to soften EVIL up for his patented Blaze Blade/Deathrider combination. Umino would lock in the STF hold, with the bell suddenly sounding to the shock of all involved. Yujiro Takahashi would be seen ringing the bell in typical HOUSE OF TORTURE fashion, leading Umino to believe he had won the match.
As the referee was knocked out by HOUSE OF TORTURE, Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL would assault Shota Umino, with Umino eventually fighting off the hoard. This moment of hope would fade quickly for the challenger, who again fell foul of the numbers game. A final flash of offensive maneuvers from Umino made it appear as though we would crown a new NEVER Openweight Champion in Sapporo, but EVIL would survive, and delivered the finishing blow to put Shota Umino away for his first defense in 2024.
