[54min, Pop culture, Sports Entertainment, Wrestling]
As always, I stumbled with my promise but now I'm back to make up for it. Better late than never!
Starting the last episode of the first round with a second generation wrestler against another strong import from the Land of the Rising Sun, we are going to see how Paul Ellering's daughter with fare against Lady Godzilla. Despite mostly known as the manager of the Road Warriors, you can see the potential in the still young Rachel Evers (despite a number of visible newbie faults in awkward wait, butt-adjusting at the turnbuckle and not much air for the Spinebuster for example) as she tried to keep the pace with Hiroyo Matsumoto, an effectively ruthless adversary that really lives up to her moniker by conquering her opponent for the majority of the match. The stomach bump and double knee of the top rope couldn't keep the spirit of the young eager beaver down as Rachel keeps coming back again and again to the surprise of Hiroyo that relentlessly laying down hits after hits but just isn't enough. This is a great showcase of where Evers could go in the future but for now, the monster will go through with a Powerbomb and the Rock Drop to finally snuff the fire of youth with the power of experience.
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Creating your own wrestling persona is by basing it on your own personality that has been turned up to eleven and you can see two of the best examples here in these two contestants, one is a bubbly cheerleader-type while the other is an ambitious judoka that understandably clash in the ring. Jessica Elaban needs to take Taynara Conti seriously as her array of attacks are quickly followed up by judo throws and vicious arm submissions. You can see the black belt Brazilian (the first to wrestle here) will not stop at anything to win the match with the nonstop pin attempts and how far she is willing to inflict pain on the left hand by herself or even with the ropes. There is a good storyline being told here with how obsess Taynara was with Jessica's hand that she accidentally hurt her leg and allow the underdog to mount up a nice comeback in the end. Despite Elaban's best efforts though, Conti was able to pull out a Judo throw that transitions into a Side Slam to end the bout in her favour.
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A cocky American and a Scottish goddess, both coming into this tournament with different motivations in mind with the former to make up for being an alternate last year while the latter is trying to represent her home country to the best of her abilities. After a reserved exchange at the start, both began to show their fangs with Nicole Matthews laying down debilitating moves while Isla Dawn fight back with kicks and forearms in retaliation. The fair lassie does not give up though as she is able to fight back with a running knee, a Side and a Fisherman Suplex. Despite giving her all though, that extra oomph by the girl in plaids allows her to edge out the competition with a hard Clothesline and an excellently executed Boston Crab with an added pressure with her knee. She'll be one to watch when she is facing Tegan Nox in the next round.
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Finally, they certainly is saving the best for last as one of most the most well known talents in Japan is finally making the jump into the global scene while the youngest prospect yet to fight in the competition will take another step in establishing her name with a bright future ahead of her. Having to postpone her WWE debut after missing the inaugural tournament with a knee injury and cannot go in hand in hand with her friend and the winner of the first edition, Kairi Sane, Io Shirai have to wait in the sidelines and bid her time, going into this match much more hungrier than ever before. Xia Brookside is another second generation wrestler, being the daughter of Robbie Brookside that is an European legend and now an NXT coach, but she is using his name by backing it up with her talents. Knowing what a mountain she needs to conquer, the nineteen years old starts guns blazing but she is soon being overpowered by the smiling assassin with vicious double knees and a quick counter with Cripple Crossface. Her moves are so clean and smooth, certainly living up to her strong style and highflying attributes. Don't you see how easy and clean she gets up to the top rope to execute that seamless Moonsault? Just like Michael Cole said, "as good as advertised." You shouldn't take anything away from Xia though as she put in a hell of a fight but just isn't enough in the end. Zeuxis is next for Io, a match that would be memorable for the lovers of the sport.
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Well, that was it as we see thirty two contestants battling it out with the remaining sixteen that comes on top will move on to the next round. The level of quality for the matches will certainly increases but will the favourites predictably move on or will there be some upsets?
Execution = over 90% with every talent having great chemistry with each other and putting out excellent match after another!
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gaiju throw evolves as advertised.
Reviewed by alllifeinfate
on
October 12, 2018
Rating: 5
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