NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING

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APR.26.2021

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Colder Skulls prevail as SANADA victorious in Hiroshima

An electric battle in Hiroshima sees SANADA victorious

The first of two singles main events on the Road to Dontaku in Hiroshima saw Aaron Henare in his first singles match as part of the United Empire facing SANADA. 

Henare did not wait for the bell and instantly attacked SANADA as he entered the ring, taking his opponent to the floor and hurling him violently into all four sides of the guardrails. Back inside, Henare looked to continue the assault, but was caught with an atomic drop and trapped in the Paradise Lock, SANADA firing up the Hiroshima crowd before releasing his opponent the hard way. With Cold Skull too however, the advantage did not remain for long, SANADA’s attempt at aerial offense stopped with a heavy boot.

Henare would do focus on SANADA’s knee outside, using the ringside environment to his advantage before looking for a suplex mid ring. SANADA shifted his center of mass downward, but went over for the move anyway, Henare deadlifting Cold Skull from the mat all the way over as the match passed the five minute mark. 

Now with a definitive edge, Henare set to work on the left leg of his opponent, wrenching with a knee bar. SANADA would rely on his speed edge however, a basement dropkick followed by a second mid ring and a plancha. A hesitation in following up at the ten minute mark however, and Henare was quick to punish, a rugby punt followed by stinging mid kicks, and a Berserker Bomb garnering a near fall. 

With the Ultimate Weapon closing on victory, SANADA would just barely escape a Henare Rampage Tackle attempt, and outquicked his opponent to land a springboard dropkick, before a side suplex got two. Magic Screw garnered two more from Red Shoes Unno, and SANADA headed upstairs for a Moonsault, but Henare again took advantage of the hesitation, evading the move. Another Rampage attempt however, and the LIJ member locked in Skull End, but he was countered at the 15 minute mark with a leg pick, Henare locking in a modified Ground Cobra that SANADA barely made the ropes from. 

Henare would take SANADA up to the top and looked to finish with a superplex. With SANADA desperate to escape, the two exchanged stiff elbows, with Henare falling; a cross body was countered though with a Maori Drop and rugby punt to the chest. On the third time of asking, the Rampage tackle scored, but only got two. SANADA evaded Streets of Rage, and flipped into Skull End, but was caught and swung around with a version of Henare’s own. 

Again SANADA escaped Streets of Rage was countered, with an O’Connor Roll into the Skull End. Henare faded at the 20 minute point, but a follow-up Moonsault met Henare’s knees. Both battled to their feet with a crushing series of strikes, but Henare would hit a blow to the liver that doubled up his man, following with headbutts and a roundhouse. Henare once more went for Streets of Rage, but SANADA landed on his feet before a Tiger Suplex scored for just one. A TKO followed however, and a pair of Moonsaults ended Henare’s night. 

 

 

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