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Hideo Itami vs Roderick Strong
Well, the match started as expected, the former and current NXT Superstars exchanged some impressive holds and submission moves, peppered with stare-downs.
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There were some great striking exchanges with Nigel McGuinness saying Itami has a great kickboxing background while Strong's cardio is second to none.
If Dean Malenko was the man of 1000 holds, this was the match of 1000 holds with both men putting on an incredible technical showing early on - but there were strikes aplenty too with aggression being probably the key word to describe this clash.
Itami hung Strong on the middle rope before going up top and driving his knees into the back of the NXT man.
This was an incredibly tough match, the polar opposite of the opening match with a much slower pace and some wonderful storytelling.
Strong pulled off an incredibly innovative gutbuster off the ropes too. It all looks good for the 34-year-old.
Roderick Strong delivered a pumphandle backbreaker which Nigel McGuinness compares to The Bitter End - Pete Dunne's finisher - but it doesn't finish Itami with the Japanese star kicking out at two.
The pair exchange strikes before Strong hits a perfect standing dropkick. Every move here seems incredibly innovative. It's all either hard-hitting strikes or wonderful reversals as Itami pulls off an incredible DDT.
Strong pulls out an Angle Slam, but only manages a two-count. However, it isn't long before we see yet more aggression.
Both men end up back in the ring, their chests both burning red from some very stiff chops, and Itami hooks the armbar. It looks all over!
But Strong grabs the rope and gets some respite. In true traditional Japanese style, we see the pair exchange more aggressive strikes before Strong delivers a gutbuster followed by Cloud 9, but Itami kicks out again.
Itami hits a Super Falcon Arrow to seemingly end the match...
But Strong incredibly kicks out! Both men gave everything and, while Itami hit yet more stiff strikes and almost hit the GTS, Strong blocked and hit the Strong Breaker to finally win it.
And an impressive debut from Strong sees him shock the world to advance in the tournament!
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