Kenta Sawada beat The Bob 2 falls to 1: x The Bob beat K. Sawada via the The Horse Stomp in 0:25:56 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:33:36 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:37:57 Rating: ****
The Bob chops Kenta Sawada. The Bob punches Kenta Sawada. The Bob sets up Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. The Bob uses a superplex on Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts to place Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. The Bob runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada executes a bulldog against The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs a stomp against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada complains about a slow count. Kenta Sawada sends The Bob into the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada runs shoulder-first into the corner, but The Bob moves out of the way. The Bob tries an arm triangle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada executes a chop against The Bob. Kenta Sawada punches The Bob. Kenta Sawada kicks The Bob. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a backdrop. The Bob uses an elevated power bomb on Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. The Bob uses a flying dropkick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob uses a running kick to the head on Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada performs an atomic drop against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for an Exploder suplex, but The Bob counters it with an elbowsmash. The Bob kicks Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada. The Bob chops Kenta Sawada. The Bob takes Kenta Sawada down with a double-leg takedown. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with an elbow. The Bob attempts an F-5, but Kenta Sawada counters it with an inverted DDT. Kenta Sawada tries a back suplex, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob chops Kenta Sawada. The Bob kicks Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits a flying shoulderblock on Kenta Sawada. The Bob runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada executes a stomp against The Bob. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a double underhook suplex. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada performs a hiptoss against The Bob. Kenta Sawada hits a flying axhandle on The Bob. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes. The Bob goes for a running cross body, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada tries a flying axhandle, but The Bob counters it with a punch. Kenta Sawada re-reverses it. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a flying dropkick. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. The Bob rolls out under the bottom rope. The Bob throws Kenta Sawada back into the ring. The Bob is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob hits an armlock legsweep DDT on Kenta Sawada. The Bob goes for a cradle piledriver, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backdrop. Kenta Sawada executes a chop against The Bob. Kenta Sawada kicks The Bob. Kenta Sawada kicks The Bob. Kenta Sawada takes The Bob down with an Exploder suplex. Kenta Sawada executes a slingshot facebuster against The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a spin kick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a flying dropkick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a fallaway slam on The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada performs a stomp against The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a stomp against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada attempts a Samoan Drop, but The Bob counters it with a sunset flip. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob executes an F-5 against Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, thr... kickout. The Bob attempts to place Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. The Bob goes for an F-5, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada performs a bodyslam against The Bob. Kenta Sawada catches The Bob in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. The Bob reaches the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. Kenta Sawada misses with an elbow. Kenta Sawada tries a clothesline, but The Bob counters it with a Gorilla Press. The Bob executes a brain buster against Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts a flying fistdrop, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a fist to the midsection. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes. The Bob performs a running cross body against Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits the Angle Slam on Kenta Sawada. The Bob tries a flying somersault legdrop, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a double underhook suplex. Kenta Sawada hits a back suplex on The Bob. Kenta Sawada climbs to the top turnbuckle, but The Bob nails him in the stomach. Kenta Sawada falls onto the top turnbuckle. The Bob performs a superplex against Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. The Bob tries a flying fistdrop, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a fist to the midsection. Kenta Sawada executes an armbar takedown against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for a clothesline, but The Bob counters it with a crucifix. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. The Bob places Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. The Bob launches Kenta Sawada across the ring with a superplex. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. Kenta Sawada uses an armbar takedown on The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a thrust kick to the head against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada tries a kneebar, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with an F-5. The Bob hits a Cradle DDT on Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob hits a flying dropkick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob executes a flying fistdrop against Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. The Bob hits a backbreaker on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against The Bob. Kenta Sawada hits an elbowsmash on The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with an elbow. Kenta Sawada executes an armbar takedown against The Bob. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. The Bob rolls out under the bottom rope. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob throws Kenta Sawada into the ringpost. The Bob executes a brain buster onto the knee against Kenta Sawada. The Bob knocks Kenta Sawada into the ringsteps. The Bob knocks Kenta Sawada into the ringpost. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob executes a flying fistdrop against Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts an atomic drop, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada shoves The Bob into the guardrail. Kenta Sawada throws The Bob back into the ring. Kenta Sawada hits a spin kick on The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs a bodyslam against The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a hiptoss against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses an armbar takedown on The Bob. Kenta Sawada hits a flying dropkick on The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for an atomic drop, but The Bob counters it with a headlock takedown. The Bob executes a running cross body against Kenta Sawada. The Bob executes a Cradle DDT against Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob catches Kenta Sawada in a boot choke. Kenta Sawada makes it to the ropes after 5 seconds. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada throws The Bob into the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada runs shoulder-first into the corner. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada tries a thrust kick to the head, but The Bob ducks out of the way. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the turnbuckle. The Bob charges into the corner. The Bob hits a flying dropkick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob gets a bodyscissors submission on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada manages to grab the ropes after 8 seconds. The Bob hits a belly-to-belly suplex on Kenta Sawada. The Bob executes a cradle piledriver against Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, thr... shoulder up. The Bob attempts a boot choke, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada attempts an Exploder suplex, but The Bob counters it with an elbowsmash. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with a backbreaker. The Bob covers Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with a flying elbowdrop. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, thr... kickout. The Bob puts Kenta Sawada in a boot choke. Kenta Sawada is valiantly trying to break the hold. Kenta Sawada is inching his way towards the ropes. Kenta Sawada gets ahold of the ropes after holding out for 18 seconds. The Bob goes for a bodyscissors submission, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada executes an armbar takedown against The Bob. Kenta Sawada tries a high kick, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob catches Kenta Sawada in an arm triangle. Kenta Sawada inches his way towards the ropes after being locked in the hold for 5 seconds. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada kicks The Bob. Kenta Sawada chops The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes a backbreaker against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the turnbuckle, but The Bob reverses it. Kenta Sawada comes back, but is met with a clothesline. The Bob performs an atomic drop against Kenta Sawada. The Bob runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a kick. Kenta Sawada attempts a bodyslam, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob executes a running cross body against Kenta Sawada. The Bob kicks Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada punches The Bob. The Bob kicks Kenta Sawada. The Bob punches Kenta Sawada. The Bob executes a Cradle DDT against Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob goes for an arm triangle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on The Bob. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a kick. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on The Bob. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a flying dropkick. Kenta Sawada attempts a kick to the thigh, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob performs a running cross body against Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts a belly-to-belly suplex, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada takes The Bob down with an armbar takedown. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs an armbar takedown against The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs a flying dropkick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, kickout. Kenta Sawada performs a mounted elbowsmash against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a flying elbowdrop on The Bob. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, in the ropes... Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with an elbow. Kenta Sawada locks The Bob in an Indian deathlock. The Bob is struggling to reach the ropes. The Bob manages to grab the ropes after being trapped for 19 seconds. Kenta Sawada performs an Exploder suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a backbreaker on The Bob. Kenta Sawada gives the sign for the moonsault. Kenta Sawada tries a moonsault, but The Bob rolls out of the way. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob goes for a running cross body, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada executes an Exploder suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada attempts a fallaway slam, but The Bob counters it with a forearm smash. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob misses with a clothesline. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a shoulderblock. The Bob uses a belly-to-belly suplex on Kenta Sawada. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. The Bob sets up Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. The Bob goes for a block buster suplex off the top rope, but Kenta Sawada counters it with an elbowsmash. Kenta Sawada performs a flying dropkick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a flying clothesline on The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a kick. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. The Bob goes through the ropes. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with a cradle piledriver. The Bob throws Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob performs a double foot stomp against Kenta Sawada. They're brawling inside the ring area. The Bob executes a flying elbowdrop against Kenta Sawada. The Bob knocks Kenta Sawada into the ringsteps. The Bob throws Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob hits a backbreaker on Kenta Sawada. The Bob shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob performs a flying shoulderblock against Kenta Sawada. The Bob throws Kenta Sawada back into the ring. The Bob covers Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob uses a flying fistdrop on Kenta Sawada. The Bob locks Kenta Sawada in a boot choke. Kenta Sawada is inching his way towards the ropes. Kenta Sawada manages to grab the ropes after 12 seconds. The Bob uses an atomic drop on Kenta Sawada. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with an elbow. The Bob uses a kick to the midsection on Kenta Sawada. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob goes for the The Horse Stomp, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. The Bob executes a back heel kick against Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits a back heel kick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts a cradle piledriver, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backdrop. In turn, The Bob counters it with a sunset flip. Rudy Charles counts: One, shoulder up. The Bob sets up Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. The Bob hits a superplex on Kenta Sawada. The Bob hits a back heel kick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob places Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. The Bob uses a superplex on Kenta Sawada. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada attempts a flying clothesline, but The Bob steps out of the way. The Bob tries a flying shoulderblock, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada gives the sign for the moonsault. Kenta Sawada goes for a moonsault, but The Bob rolls out of the way. The Bob executes a brain buster onto the knee against Kenta Sawada. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob executes the The Horse Stomp against Kenta Sawada. The Bob goes for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, three.
The winner is The Bob. Time of match: 0:25:56
The Bob tries an elevated power bomb, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada executes a spin kick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada attempts an Exploder suplex, but The Bob blocks it. The Bob attempts to place Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. The Bob uses a brain buster onto the knee on Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts an arm triangle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada hits a flying axhandle on The Bob. Kenta Sawada tries a thrust kick to the head, but The Bob ducks out of the way. The Bob runs into the ropes. The Bob attempts a back heel kick, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada goes for a kick to the thigh, but The Bob counters it with a dragon screw. The Bob goes for a flying dropkick, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada goes for a Northern Lights suplex, but The Bob counters it with a swinging neckbreaker. In turn, Kenta Sawada counters it with a Fujiwara armbar. The Bob is inching his way towards the ropes. The Bob is valiantly trying to break the hold. The Bob breaks the hold after 23 seconds. The Bob punches Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob. Kenta Sawada chops The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits a clothesline on The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada complains about a slow count. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. The Bob attempts a running cross body, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada uses a clothesline on The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada hits a clothesline on The Bob. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada uses an elbowsmash on The Bob. Kenta Sawada throws The Bob into the turnbuckle. The Bob comes back, but is met with an elbow. Kenta Sawada executes a back suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada hits a hiptoss on The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada hits a mounted punch on The Bob. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada goes for a flying clothesline, but The Bob counters it with a powerslam. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes, but The Bob reverses it. The Bob uses a body punch on Kenta Sawada. The Bob uses the Angle Slam on Kenta Sawada. The Bob is going for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob performs a flying somersault legdrop against Kenta Sawada. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada executes a clothesline against The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs a running power bomb against The Bob. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada performs a spin kick against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for a German suplex, but The Bob counters it with a facerake. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with a flying shoulderblock. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with an armlock legsweep DDT. The Bob tries an arm triangle, but Kenta Sawada counters it with an elbowsmash. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. The Bob hits a back heel kick on Kenta Sawada. The Bob goes for a Cradle DDT, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada uses a jawbreaker on The Bob. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a running power bomb. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada performs a jawbreaker against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for a flying axhandle, but The Bob counters it with a fist to the midsection. The Bob attempts a cradle piledriver, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with a Samoan Drop. Kenta Sawada performs a backbreaker against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a gutwrench suplex on The Bob. Kenta Sawada covers The Bob. Rudy Charles counts: One, kickout. Kenta Sawada executes a flying clothesline against The Bob. Kenta Sawada is going for the cover. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Kenta Sawada whips The Bob into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. The Bob attempts a backbreaker, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada performs a snap suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada hits an elbowsmash on The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs an Exploder suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada sets up The Bob on the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada hits a superplex on The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Kenta Sawada. Time of match: 0:33:36
Kenta Sawada attempts a side headlock, but The Bob throws him off. The Bob puts Kenta Sawada in the cross-face chicken wing. Kenta Sawada breaks the hold after 9 seconds. Kenta Sawada performs a bulldog against The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a shoulderblock. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a backdrop. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. The Bob goes through the ropes. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. The Bob tries a backbreaker, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada reenters the ring. The Bob climbs back into the ring. Kenta Sawada performs a back suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a thrust kick to the head on The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for a snap suplex, but The Bob counters it with a small package. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, kickout. The Bob nails Kenta Sawada with the Angle Slam. The Bob attempts an arm triangle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada uses a spin kick on The Bob. Kenta Sawada tries a clothesline, but The Bob ducks out of the way. The Bob attempts to place Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. The Bob goes for a kick to the midsection, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada goes for a thrust kick to the head, but The Bob counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada gets a side headlock on The Bob. The Bob is valiantly trying to break the hold. The Bob makes it to the ropes after being trapped for 7 seconds. Kenta Sawada punches The Bob. Kenta Sawada punches The Bob. Kenta Sawada performs a gutwrench suplex against The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a flying dropkick on The Bob. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada hits an Exploder suplex on The Bob. Kenta Sawada attempts a side headlock, but The Bob counters it with a back suplex. The Bob whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. The Bob hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. The Bob executes a bodyslam turnbuckle smash against Kenta Sawada. The Bob attempts a brain buster onto the knee, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a small package. Rudy Charles counts: One, kickout. Kenta Sawada hits a chop on The Bob. Kenta Sawada uses a flying axhandle on The Bob. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits The Bob with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada nails The Bob with an armbar takedown. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against The Bob. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against The Bob. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Rudy Charles counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Kenta Sawada. Time of match: 0:37:57
The Bob had ended Kenta Sawada's unbeaten streak in their fourth-round match and in fairly dominant fashion to boot. So it shouldn't have come as a surprise that the man from Saitama, Japan had something to prove. It turned out to be a back-and-forth war in which the first fall alone lasted twice as long as their last match.
The Bob looked fantastic for most of the first fall, scoring near-finishes with an F-5 after ten minutes, a cradle piledriver around the 17-minute mark and a flying elbowdrop shortly thereafter.
Sawada stayed competitive the entire time and even scored a flying elbowdrop of his own - who knows if The Bob could have kicked out but he was close to the ropes and was able to use his ring smarts to grab the ropes and get the referee to halt the pin.
By this time, 20 highly competitive minutes had passed and both wrestlers were looking worse for wear. Sawada was able to block a Horse Stomp but missed a flying clothesline shortly thereafter. The Bob sought to capitalize but his own flying shoulderblock also only hit air.
This was when Kenta Sawada made perhaps his biggest mistake yet: he played to the crowd, giving the sign for his patented moonsault. These extra few seconds may have cost him dearly, as The Bob managed to roll out of the way. Sawada crashed and burned, and The Bob quickly capitalized on it by giving Sawada a brutal brain buster onto Bob's knee. Without missing a beat, The Bob ran into the ropes, picked up some momentum and came down hard on Kenta Sawada's face with a Horse Stomp for the pin.
Kenta Sawada stood with his back against the wall, and like all great wrestlers before him, he dug deep. The Bob tried to keep his momentum going but it was obvious he had used a lot of energy in the final burst that gave him the win in the first fall.
Kenta Sawada took over with a devastating Fujiwara armbar which must have done major damage to The Bob's arm. Just as it seemed like the referee was going to stop the fall, The Bob fought his way out of the armbar. But when he threw a punch right afterwards, it was obvious his arm was no longer functional. Kenta Sawada took over and began to dominate, getting a 2.9 count with a flying clothesline at the 32-minute mark. Sawada continued to chip away at The Bob with a snap suplex, an Exploder and a standing superplex off the top rope and used his Uranage finisher to win the second fall.
The Bob had now been pinned for the first time in this tournament, the match stood tied at one fall each - and both competitors were absolutely exhausted.
The first two minutes of the third and deciding fall were characterized by both competitors trying various moves but not having enough gas left in the tank and getting blocked or countered. Even when they managed to land a move successfully, they were too exhausted to even go for the pin.
The Bob managed to get Sawada up for the move that had spelled the beginning of the end for the man from Japan in the first fall, the brain buster. But at the highest point, Sawada started wiggling his legs, causing The Bob to lose his balance and Sawada was able to roll him up with a small package.
Sawada simply didn't have the power left to hold on to the pin - but The Bob was worse for wear. If you had looked him in the eyes, the word ''TILT'' would have stared back at you.
Sawada was slow to get up but used a chop, a flying axhandle, an armbar takedown and a flying clothesline which hit The Bob while he was on one knee, unable to even stand up at this point. With his final bit of energy, Sawada pulled The Bob to his feet, stepped to his side, wrapped him arms around The Bob and gave him one more Uranage for the 1... 2... 3.
Kenta Sawada was a 3-1 underdog going into the match based on their initial encounter. He was a 76-1 underdog after the first fall had gone against him. But tonight, the quiet man from the Land of the Rising Sun wouldn't be denied. Tonight he showed the fighting spirit his country is known for.
And it catapulted Kenta Sawada right into the TNM Christmas Brawl final!
Match #2
Our colleague Michael Dropps is standing by backstage with the unbeaten Luna Rose.
Dan Mastriani, I have observed your run throughout this tournament and have been impressed. However, sorry to disappoint you but I am no audio technician thus will not be an easy target, probably much to your dismay! You see, while you are the so-called ''Master of the Shining Wizard'', I am the Queen of Lunacore -- which isn't just a style of wrestling but a way of life, and it has guided me to this point in the Christmas Brawl. I may have unfinished business with the Russian, but my focus is entirely on winning this tournament, and I have come too far to get complacent in my spot now.
We're going to go out there, and I am going to take all the shine from you as I advance to the final. And hey, whether it's The Bob or Kenta Sawada that I face in the final, I'm sure both of them know that I'm not going to lie down for them like their other opponents have done. I can, and I will, win this Christmas Brawl.
We understand Rose's opponent, ''Gaijin'' Dan Mastriani, has put together a video of his own which will be showing you now.
Dan Mastriani beat Luna Rose 2 falls to 0: x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:05:22 x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:11:07 Rating: *** 1/2
Dan Mastriani uses a waterwheel drop on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani performs a mounted elbowsmash against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani whips Luna Rose into the ropes. Dan Mastriani misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani hits Luna Rose with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani is going for the cover. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani gets a kneebar on Luna Rose. Luna Rose inches her way towards the ropes after being trapped for 7 seconds. Dan Mastriani attempts a dropkick to the knee, but Luna Rose steps out of the way. Luna Rose gets an arm grapevine on Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani gets ahold of the ropes after being locked in the hold for 13 seconds. Luna Rose runs into the ropes. Luna Rose executes a facebuster onto the knee against Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose goes for the Famous Last Aphorism, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a dragon screw. Dan Mastriani goes for the Diamond Dust, but Luna Rose blocks it. Luna Rose tries a facebuster onto the knee, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani whips Luna Rose into the ropes, but Luna Rose reverses it. Dan Mastriani misses with a kick. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani falls out of the ring. Luna Rose jumps onto him with a flying axhandle. Luna Rose throws Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. Luna Rose throws Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. Luna Rose hits a backbreaker on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose performs a running knee strike against Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose performs a Russian legsweep against Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. Luna Rose reenters the ring. Dan Mastriani rolls back in under the bottom rope. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Dan Mastriani executes a kick to the midsection against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani hits a springboard side kick on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani tries a back fist, but Luna Rose ducks out of the way. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani with a kick. Luna Rose attempts an arm twist ropewalk chop, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a kick to the midsection. Dan Mastriani throws Luna Rose out of the ring. Dan Mastriani jumps onto her with an Asai moonsault. Dan Mastriani throws Luna Rose back into the ring. Dan Mastriani executes a drop toe hold against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani tries a thrust kick to the head, but Luna Rose counters it with a low blow. Luna Rose puts Dan Mastriani in an achilles tendon hold. Dan Mastriani tries to escape the hold. Dan Mastriani grabs the ropes after being locked in the hold for 16 seconds. Luna Rose performs a facebuster onto the knee against Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose executes the Famous Last Aphorism against Dan Mastriani. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Luna Rose throws Dan Mastriani out of the ring. Dan Mastriani grabs the top and second ropes. Dan Mastriani pulls himself back in. Dan Mastriani nails Luna Rose with an enzuigiri. Dan Mastriani performs a dropkick to the knee against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 0:05:22
Luna Rose goes for a punch, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Dan Mastriani hits a drop toe hold on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani puts Luna Rose in a cobra clutch. Luna Rose gets ahold of the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani performs the People's Elbow against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Luna Rose goes for a palm blow, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani hits a rolling kick on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Luna Rose uses a punch on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Luna Rose hits a roundhouse kick on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose runs into the ropes. Luna Rose goes for a palm blow, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani nails Luna Rose with a superkick. Dan Mastriani sets up Luna Rose on the turnbuckle. Dan Mastriani performs a top-rope huracanrana against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani uses a drop toe hold on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani whips Luna Rose into the ropes. Luna Rose and Dan Mastriani get hit with a double clothesline. Luna Rose performs a snap suplex against Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose is going for the cover. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, kickout. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the turnbuckle. Luna Rose runs shoulder-first into the corner. Luna Rose hits a clothesline on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani performs a dropkick to the knee against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani goes for the Shining Wizard, but Luna Rose counters it with a duck-down move. Luna Rose nails Dan Mastriani with a Russian legsweep. Luna Rose runs into the ropes. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani with a kick. Luna Rose places Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle. Luna Rose hits a rope hung cutter on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose attempts a clothesline, but Dan Mastriani ducks out of the way. Dan Mastriani kicks Luna Rose. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose runs into the ropes. Luna Rose nails Dan Mastriani with a rolling kick. Luna Rose goes for a Cradle DDT, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani nails Luna Rose with a thrust kick to the head. Dan Mastriani gets a kneebar on Luna Rose. Luna Rose inches her way towards the ropes after being locked in the hold for 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani performs a soccer kick against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani puts Luna Rose in a flying armbar. Luna Rose is valiantly trying to break the hold. Luna Rose gets ahold of the ropes after holding out for 6 seconds. Dan Mastriani executes a dropkick to the knee against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Dan Mastriani puts Luna Rose in a spinning toe hold. Luna Rose breaks the hold after 11 seconds. Luna Rose throws Dan Mastriani into the turnbuckle. Luna Rose runs shoulder-first into the corner. Luna Rose hits a backbreaker on Dan Mastriani. Luna Rose whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Luna Rose hits Dan Mastriani with a clothesline. Luna Rose gets a leg scissors cross kneelock on Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani breaks the hold after 6 seconds. Dan Mastriani punches Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani chops Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani throws Luna Rose into the turnbuckle. Dan Mastriani hits a dropkick to the knee on Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Luna Rose. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Mike Chioda counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 0:11:07
Knowing how dangerous Luna Rose is, Dan Mastriani tried to get the jump on her early, attacking her knee right away. Rose quickly tried to show him who is boss by going for her Famous Last Aphorism finisher but ended up having more damage done to her knee through a dragon screw counter.
Realizing what was happening, Rose kicked it up a notch, sent Mastriani flying out of the ring with a backdrop, jumped straight onto him with a flying axhandle and brutalized him further outside the ring, including a running knee that would have made Hikaru Shida go ''damn, girl!''.
Luna kept fending off Mastriani's offense, managing to turn the tables with a low blow when Mastriani attempted a thrust kick to the head. She grabbed an achilles tendon hold to ruin Mastriani's mobility and methodically followed it up with a facebuster onto her knee and her feared Famous Last Aphorism finisher.
Luna Rose seemed destined to blitz her opponent in this first fall but Mastriani kicked out of her finisher at the very last possible moment. It had appeared to ringside observers that Mike Chioda's hand had hit the mat for a third time but the official denied having done so.
In frustration, Luna threw Mastriani out of the ring and turned her attention back onto the referee. What she had missed, however, was Mastriani having held onto the ropes and having pulled himself back in. As Rose was arguing with Mike Chioda, the ''Gaijin'' nailed her with an enzuigiri, followed it up with a dropkick to his dazed opponent's weakened knee and ending the first fall in shocking fashion with his Shining Wizard. It only took him 5 minutes and 22 seconds.
Luna Rose's undefeated streak was no more.
Rose wanted to keep going right away but she didn't have her feet back under her yet, giving Mastriani a chance to keep countering her. Mastriani for his part kept working over Rose's knee which he had been targeting since the first minute of the match.
When he landed another dropkick to her knee, Rose knew what was coming, though, and was prepared for it. She ducked out of the way of the Shining Wizard and managed to get the upper hand, even dropping Mastriani right on his face with a rope-hung cutter.
The ''Gaijin'' clearly didn't like what he was seeing as he came back with a thrust kick to the head which caused Luna's head to snap back in sickening fashion. Mastriani followed it up with a kneebar to her bad knee, causing Rose to go for a rope break.
Mastriani clearly had plans to go for the kill at this point. He stepped back, leaned against the ropes, waiting for the perfect moment to land the Shining Wizard. Rose stayed down, however, so he switched gears and kicked her in the face with a running soccer kick. Sensing he had Luna Rose on the brink of defeat, he quickly put on an armbar which caused Luna to go to the ropes once again.
As she was pulling herself up, Mastriani charged at her with a dropkick to the knee, jumped back up, backed into the ropes and waited for Luna to stagger back to one knee before building up a head of steam and nailing her with the Shining Wizard for the 1... 2... and as Mike Chioda's hand was coming down on the mat, Luna rolled to her side, lifting a shoulder off the mat and breaking the pinfall.
Mastriani went back to working over her knee with a spinning toe-hold but Rose mustered all the energy she had left and kicked him into the turnbuckle. Luna hit a backbreaker and put her opponent in a leg scissors cross kneelock.
She didn't get it on right, probably due to having had her bell rung earlier, and Mastriani broke the hold. Sensing victory, he whipped Luna Rose into the turnbuckle, hit a final dropkick to her injured knee, and when as she crumbled, his right knee hit her square in the face... and this time, there would be no kicking out.
Referee Mike Chioda's hand hit the mat three times and Dan Mastriani had his hand raised for the second time in only eleven minutes.
As devastatingly one-sided as this match was, Luna Rose - who had never been in a tournament before - will learn from this experience and only come back stronger. She was punching well above her weight and not only kept coming but kept overachieving. Every fairytale comes to end eventually, and this - unfortunately was the end of the road for hers.
Meanwhile, Dan Mastriani made quite the comeback after having been squashed by fellow semi-finalist The Bob in the opening match of the TNM Christmas Brawl tournament. Hardly anybody at that point would have expected him to make the Final Four. And no sane sports gambler would have bet on him to make it to the tournament finals.
Yet here we are.
Kenta Sawada will be facing ''Gaijin'' Dan Mastriani in a 60-minute Iron Man Match on December 22.
Sawada is going into the final after having wrestled for 38 grueling minutes and having had the shit kicked out of him for 26 of those.
Mastriani went through Luna Rose like a hot knife goes through butter, picking up two back-to-back falls in only 11 minutes. He hasn't had a single match in this tournament go past the 12-minute mark. And he is expected to enter the grueling 60-minute finale as the fresher man.
Will Sawada's proven experience in long matches be enough to overcome the edge Mastriani will have being the much fresher competitor? Check back on at noon Eastern on Tuesday to see the conclusion of the inaugural TNM Christmas Brawl tournament.
Match Times
11:07
Dan Mastriani beat Luna Rose 2 falls to 0: x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:05:22 x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:11:07
37:57
Kenta Sawada beat The Bob 2 falls to 1: x The Bob beat K. Sawada via the The Horse Stomp in 0:25:56 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:33:36 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:37:57
Match Ratings
****
Kenta Sawada beat The Bob 2 falls to 1: x The Bob beat K. Sawada via the The Horse Stomp in 0:25:56 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:33:36 x K. Sawada beat The Bob via the Uranage in 0:37:57
*** 1/2
Dan Mastriani beat Luna Rose 2 falls to 0: x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:05:22 x Gaijin D beat Lunarosa via the Shining Wizard in 0:11:07
