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KENTA (8) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (6)
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KENTA is a kick-focused striker, and ZSJ is a submission specialist. These two have a complicated history as ZSJ was KENTA's junior during training, so the match wasn't just for points. It was for pride. Red Shoes Unno refereed.
The bell rang and the men began grappling, trading hold attempts that felt surprisingly equal. ZSJ pushed KENTA into the ropes and taunted him as their hold was cleanly broken: "Senpai!" He called to his mentor.
A top AEW star just called one of his colleagues 'spoiled' and 'narcissistic' HERE.
KENTA's kicks and knee strikes remained hidden away as he forced ZSJ into a trading of blows. ZSJ quickly met the mat multiple times because he couldn't access his own special move set at striking distance.
ZSJ gained some momentum once KENTA got closer for a submission hold, but again KENTA's strength prevailed. KENTA's tender left arm came to ZSJ's attention, and once he was able to put his holds in to trap KENTA's legs and torture his arms.
The hold broke when KENTA rolled upwards, and he began his kicks again. ZSJ didn't allow that to continue for even a minute, putting KENTA's whole body in different quick holds to attempt a pinfall. The stamina ZSJ kept meant that KENTA's moves became more predictable.
That predictability dissolved when KENTA slammed ZSJ into the mat, and he threw himself into a clothesline from the ropes to nearly pin ZSJ. As they separated into opposite corners, KENTA took the space initially but ZSJ closed the gap with brutal holds. KENTA's ring awareness caused him to roll over within the hold and find the bottom rope for the break.
ZSJ tortured KENTA's arm while receiving chops and kicks from him, and KENTA finally broke the hold with a chop to the throat. The exhausted duo fought on their knees as they struggled to their feet. ZSJ gave KENTA a kick combination to deliver a bit of his own medicine, but in moments, KENTA was on the top rope with a stomp.
KENTA began to set up for the Go To Sleep (GTS) finisher, and he didn't lose the advantage even as he survived a pinfall attempt. He locked in his Game Over face hold but ZSJ had little trouble breaking the hold once his hand touched the bottom rope.
KENTA couldn't finish his GTS, as ZSJ wrapped himself around KENTA and forced him to submit; Unno had to call it as KENTA's arms and hands were too involved for him to physically tap.
Results: Zack Sabre Jr. (8) def. KENTA (8) via submission
