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Welcome to the New Japan on AXS TV report for Week One of Wrestle Kingdom 17!
IWGP United States Champion Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega.
Omega had an entrance inspired by the old Playstation 1 Final Fantasy game. Thanks to Steven Wright.
Ospreay was at Omega's throat at the press conference for the show, so they should come out of the gate hot.
Out hot they did with a lot of athletic stuff from Ospreay until Omega caught and drilled him off the apron, slamming him backwards into the barrier at ringside. Omega began attacking the lower back and neck. He was in control for a long time. Ospreay finally made a comeback but when he went for the Ozcutter outside, Omega held onto the ropes and he crashed and burned. Omega pulled out a table and slammed it on Ospreay. He double stomped the table onto Ospreay. Omega missed a move, allowing Ospreay to nail a twisting moonsault to the floor.
They battled back into the ring. Ospreay escaped a Dragon suplex off the top and nailed the Ozcutter. Omega blocked him while they were on the top and nailed a DDT onto the top turnbuckle while they were standing on the top. United Empire all checked Ospreay, who was busted open. Omega smashed his head through the table over and over. The announcers teased the match could be stopped. Ospreay refused. Omega kept scoring two counts. Ospreay battled back but again, Omega smashed him into the top turnbuckles. They are really putting a ton of sympathy on Ospreay.
Omega nailed the V-Trigger and went for One-Winged Angel off the top. Ospreay was pulled up so he could eat another V-Trigger. Then, another, and another. Ospreay finally grabs the boiot and blocks. He went for a series of Kawada kicks. Omega nailed a lariat but Osreay flipped and landed on his feet and snatched Omega in a sit-out powerbomb for another near fall. Ospreay nailed some big strikes and a leaping Ozcutter for a near fall. The crowd was super behind Ospreay at this point..
Omega escaped the Stormbreaker but was caught with a Styles Clash. The battle of attrition went back and forth as they abused each other with hard strikes and shots until one more fatal V-Trigger and a One-Winged Angel led to Ospreay being pinned. Omega is the new Champ.
This was very much the Omega in NJPW formula from years ago with a lot of time and moves and strikes. If you are a fan of either competitor, you'll really enjoy this. I expect a lot of raves for this one. It was the best Omega performance since his match with Hangman Page. He was absolutely unbridled and violent as a heel, which made Ospreay have to really fight back.
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