Tsuji definitive winner of feud as Uemura left to reinvent
The semi main event of New Beginning in Sapporo day two saw a Hair versus Hair match between Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura in a match designed to draw a line under a long running rivalry, at least for the time being.
With stakes high for both men, it was a tense start, grappling seeing Uemura work for Tsuji’s arm. While close up, Uemura had the edge, Tsuji was dangerous at distance, and used that distance to deliver a huge body blow that sent his foe crumpled to the mat.
There Tsuji was able to control not only the pace but the breath of Yuya Uemura. A Boston Crab punished and humiliated Yuya, and the Just Five Guys member was in danger until he finally got a patented armdrag and then negotiated a painful hammerlock. Tsuji was pained and almost fell victim to the Deadbolt suplex, but an escape instead saw Uemura again labouring in the Boston Crab.
As the match progressed, it suddenly became a game of oneupmanship, each man looking to out technique the other. Flash pins one way and the other didn’t get the three, before Uemura landed Deadbolt but couldn’t bridge. As the result still seemed far off, the match turned past the 25 minute mark.
With five to go, both men separated and like Young Lions in an exhibition, went back to the fundamental square one. Headlocks and body slams were quickly exchanged, before Tsuji tried to close distance with the Gene Blaster spear. Uemura countered once with a cross armbreaker and a second time with a crucifix, refusing to go down to the move while Tsuji refused to lose to moves that had beaten him before. In the blink of an eye though, Tsuji had enough space for a third, perfectly hit Gene Blaster that ended the match.
Post match, Tsuji cut through Uemura’s pony tail before shaving a strip through his mop; Uemura was man enough to do one more pass himself though as he now faces consequences of his defeat and a potential new direction.
