Noam Dar vs Cedric Alexander
Interesting match structure here, as Dar really dominates
for the most part. Love the way that Dar seems to have a gameplan from the
offset, working the left arm of Alexander from a headlock reversal right from
the get go. From there, Dar seems to use the arm as a focal point, stopping
every Alexander comeback with a quick kick to the arm, or locking on an armbar.
That’s not to say Cedric doesn’t get a few choice spots to shine here. Loved
him going for a tope, Dar ducking to avoid, and Cedric instead waiting to hit a
slingshot dropkick through the ropes. The armwork is the main crux of the
match, and Dar does some neat things as part of his control. Loved him pulling
down Alexander’s elbow pad to grind his knuckles into the arm and his wrapping
the ropes to inflict more punishment. Alexander puts over the pain too,
including having to adjust his bodyweight during a pin attempt due to leaning
on the arm, making it easier for Dar to escape. The end sees Cedric missing a
corner charge, ramming the bad arm into the ringpost, and Dar has the opening to
hit a running kick for the win. Really fun match, really put Dar over strongly.
Jack Gallagher vs Ariya Daivari
Third time these two have fought, and Gallagher is still
selling the leg that Daivari had injured on Raw. Love Gallagher thinking about
his usual leap into the ring to enter, but thinking better of it. The focal
point of Daivari’s attack, unsurprisingly, was the leg, but Gallagher still
managed to be his peer on the mat despite this. Loved them throwing in a few
references to previous matches. Gallagher again did his handstand in the corner
schtick, but this time Daivari decided to grab a leg, only for Gallagher to use
it to push him away. Daivari got to show a vicious side by focusing on
Gallagher’s leg, but his offence on it wasn’t particularly interesting. Mainly
just him hitting it into things. Loved Gallagher trying flash pins to get the
win, aware that he needed to get out of the match as quickly as possible. He
also had a moment where he looked to be considering the corner dropkick, but
decided against it. This gives Daivari time to take the leg out again and hit a
frog splash to win. Not as good as last weeks match, Daivari isn’t a
particularly compelling offensive wrestler.
Rich Swann vs The Brian Kendrick
Last weeks match was really good, and whilst this week was
fun, it was still the lesser match. Loved Kendrick hitting Sliced Bread on the
floor early to damage the neck of Swann, the neck he’d damaged the previous
week. Kendrick’s offence concentrates on the head and neck from this point,
which looks really good. Nice crossfaces to the head, and I loved the way he
hit a big Dragon suplex and went straight into the Captain’s Hook. Shows the
desperation he has to win the belt early. Swann makes a comeback, including a
nice tumbleweed to the floor, but his neck injury prevents him being able to
really follow up on moves. Kendrick gets the Hook again, and I love how he
works it, adjusting his body position to prevent Swann making the ropes as well
as cranking on the pressure of the move. Kendrick essentially flatliners Swann
into the ringpost, which looked nasty. The end is sadly a bit hooky, as in
escaping a Dragon sleeper, Swann throws Kendrick into TJ Perkins, who is
commentating. This distracts Kendrick, who goes face to face with Perkins,
leaving him prone to a roundhouse kick for the Swann ring. Not a fan of the
finish, as Kendrick has been shown as obsessed with the Cruiserweight title, so
him letting Perkins distract him didn’t ring true. Still, this was fun.
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