Narita submits Bateman in debut bout

Ren Narita got his career on Friday nights off to a strong start on January 22, with a victory over ROH’s Bateman in a promising debut. 

The singles bout started in classical form, Narita showing the benefit of his mat training as he attempted to out grapple the veteran Bateman who wasn’t giving an inch. 

Bateman would instead take a mile, using his fingers to fish hook the nose of Narita and keeping the Young Lion where he wanted him with unorthodox viciousness. Narita battled back, landing his Narita Special front suplex and a half hatch, but was cut off by a Bateman boot. 

 The Ring of Honor representative maintained the pressure on Narita, but the former Noge Young Lion would not be denied. A massive German suplex connected and Narita followed up with a Texas Cloverleaf to force an impressive submission. Post match, Narita would state that he had plenty more to learn and that his journey was far from over, but he is undeniably a figure to watch going forward on Fridays.