Yoshinobu Kanemaru slated for special referee spot in NEVER title bout
Ahead of Sakura Genesis’ NEVER Openweight Championship match, a singles preview in Korakuen Hall on April 3 saw challenger Shingo Takagi face Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
With the Heel Master Kanemaru expertly targeting Takagi’s arm, and with a lack of outside interference uncommon for a HOUSE OF TORTURE match, an impressive singles bout played out in the Hall with Kanemaru surprising on top. Takagi’s trademark grit saw him rocket in a headbutt to the Heel Master though, followed by an emphatic Pumping Bomber. Just as he went for Last of the Dragon though, the referee was pulled down, and the HOUSE OF TORTURE crew hit the ring.
After outside interference, Kanemaru called for a new referee, official Sakamoto only counting two. Incensed, Kanemaru struck the official, resulting in a DQ loss; in response, Kanemaru took the referee’s shirt off Sakamoto and counted a faux three as EVIL struck Takagi to the mat. EVIL took to the microphone and derided Shingo ‘thinking you could get a title shot so easy,’ declaring that Kanemaru would be special guest referee Saturday. Can Takagi deal with the stacked deck in Ryogoku?
