A war between Mox and KENTA ends with the US Champion retaining

After months of anticipation, Jon Moxley and KENTA finally locked horns on February 26 on NJPW STRONG with the IWGP United States heavyweight Championship at stake. 

With so much pent up aggression, neither competitor was going to wait for any ceremony or circumstance, and indeed charged at one another at the bell, with Jon moxley gaining the upper hand in the early stand up. Going instead to the floor, KENTA would swing the pendulum of momentum back in his favour with a shot from the IWGP United States briefcase, and a DDT on top of the case on the floor. 

Granted full control of proceedings, KENTA showed Moxley his world class striking ability in the ring with devastating kicks being delivered to the champion. Who responded with a wild suicide dive to his challenger.  As the match spilled back outside, Moxley took over and introduced a table to proceedings, but the champion appeared at the brink of defeat when he was driven through the table by a KENTA elbow drop, and suffered a devastating double stomp back inside. 

Yet Mo0xlery wouldn’t say die. The US Champion battled back against his challenger, and evaded the Go2Sleep, landing a short double arm DDT for two. KENTA proudly resisted defeat, but in the end the Death Rider struck, and Jon Moxley logged his third defense of the US gold. What next for the championship, and NJPW STRONG at large? We’ll have to find out next Friday at 10/9c on NJPW World!