The Honkytonk Man came out and lip synched his theme song. That never, ever, EVER gets old for me.
Roderick Strong vs. Jushin "Thunder" Liger.
Nice Liger chant when he hit the ring. I never get tired of getting the chance to see Liger live. I mean, it's freakin' Jushin Liger!
They had some good back and forth wrestling early and then faced off. Liger took Strong to the mat and tied him up. Liger pulled him backward hard into a chinlock but Strong grabbed the ropes. They faced off again, this time with Strong working over Liger's arm and leg.
They faced off again and shoved each other. Strong sent Liger into the ropes but he was shoulderblocked down. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger threw him to the outside, nailed a dropkick through th ropes and hit a flip bump off the apron to the floor. Strong staggered around the ring, trying to regain his composure.
Back in the ring, Liger tried to avoid a charge but was caught in a Strong backbreaker. Strong stomped the hell out of Liger and chopped him hard in the corner. Strong suplexed Liger over for a two count. Strong chopped Liger hard. Liger fired back and finally nailed a nice back throw suplex. Both men were down but fought to their feet. Liger continued to control Strong and locked on the bow and arrow.
Strong came back with a lift into a sideslam for a two count. He peppered Liger's chest with chops and nailed a running clothesline. Liger was locked in a Boston Crab. Liger fought his way to the ropes. Strong went for a suplex but Liger broke free and nailed a series of chops. Strong cut him off with a running knee to the gut and a gutbuster. They continued to battle back and forth until Liger nailed a superplex.
Liger went back to the top but Strong attacked him. Liger went for a sunset flip off the ropes but Strong held on. Liger held onto him and rose, nailing a running Ligerbomb for a two count. They exchanged near falls. Strong ducked a clothesline and used a landslide for a two count. He drilled Liger and nailed an over the knees backbreaker for a two count.
Strong nailed a sitdown powerbomb and scored the pin.
Your winner, Roderick Strong!
Very, very good back and forth match. The crowd seemed legitimately surprised by the finish.
Strong helped Liger up and raised his hand after.
Still to come:
*Hardcore Rules: Raven & CW Anderson vs. Tommy Dreamer & Rhino.
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