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As expected, the reign of the Juggernaut has been quite a dominant one. Buddy Murphy has not only survived every title defense but has run through all competitors standing across the ring from him. No longer the Best Kept Secret, he hopes to become the greatest Cruiserweight Champion of all time, but that goal has brought him to a match against former Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa.
Not only has Tozawa held the gold before, but he said something that seemed to get under the skin of Murphy. During the contract signing backstage on the latest episode of 205 Live, Murphy asked what makes him worthy of a shot at the belt.
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Tozawa replied that Murphy wasn't the only unbeatable man to run 205 Live. In fact, Tozawa was the one to beat that man, known as the King of the Cruiserweights, in a match where many considered him to be an underdog.
The comparison left Murphy furious. Did others see him as "Neville-light"? Tonight, Murphy had a chance to prove Tozawa, and everyone else in the WWE Universe, wrong.
Cruiserweight Championship Match: Akira Tozawa vs Buddy Murphy (c)
Murphy and Tozawa worked each other early on with a wristlock, rolling in and out of control with each other. Tozawa finally broke the chain, chopping Murphy repeatedly in the chest. Murphy brought Tozawa outside and went for a chop of his own, but Tozawa dodged, sending Murphy's hand into the ring post. Tozawa rolled him back inside, but when he came in was sent up in the air, crashing down face first.
Tozawa got back on his feet and sent Murphy outside with a hurricanrana. Murphy caught his suicide dive attempt, suplexing him on the ground. Tozawa barely got back in before the ref hit the 10 count, and was immediately punished by the relentless champion.
In the corner, Tozawa shook Murphy off. When Murphy caught his attempt at a kick, he was yanked off the top, allowing Tozawa to lock in the Octopus Stretch. Murphy broke out, bringing Tozawa down on his knee with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Murphy slowed everything down here, locking in a rear chin lock in the middle of the ring. Tozawa broke out and launched the Unstoppable one over the ropes with a hip toss.
Murphy ran back in while Tozawa regained composure and was met with a superkick. Tozawa ran into the corner, and though Murphy launched him over the ropes, Tozawa landed on the apron, connecting with an enziguri followed by a top rope missile dropkick. A running boot into the corner stunned Murphy, but he caught his challenger in the middle of his striking combination. Tozawa escaped a back suplex, planting Murphy with one of his own, following up with a shining wizard.
Tozawa went up top for the Senton Splash, but Murphy got to his feet, forcing Tozawa to abort. Murphy stunned Tozawa with a boot and went up top for a high flying manoeuvre of his own, only for the former champion to stop him. They fought atop the turnbuckle, and it seemed that Murphy finally had control, going for a high angle pop up powerbomb. Tozawa countered into a hurricanrana, sending the champion across the ring.
Tozawa leaped across the ring for a crossbody, but Murphy caught him, putting him in the fireman's carry position before spinning him around for a facebuster on his knee. Murphy followed up with an arm trapped running knee and a running suplex. Tozawa kicked out at two.
Tozawa made it to his feet, and though Murphy avoided his stiff right jab, Tozawa eventually landed it, rocking the Juggernaut. A brutal clothesline and a German suplex nearly earned Tozawa his second Cruiserweight Championship, but Murphy kicked out.
Tozawa looked to go high again but was caught by Murphy, who went for the corner package superkick. Murphy countered with a kick of his own, then leaped off for a springboard inverted hurricanrana. Outside of the ring, Murphy was caught with two bullet-speed suicide dives. Tozawa brought Murphy back inside, going for the Senton Splash again.
Murphy rolled to the apron but was stunned by Tozawa's boot, leaving him hanging in between the ropes. A beautiful Senton Splash on a hanging champion looked like it was enough, but Murphy still kicked out. On his knees, Tozawa connected with another striking combination, but Murphy caught him with a jumping knee coming off the ropes.
Tozawa locked him in another octopus stretch as the champion fell to one knee. Murphy powered out, turning it into the Murphy's Law, finally putting away Tozawa.
Results: Buddy Murphy defeated Akira Tozawa via pinfall to retain the Cruiserweight Championship.
Tozawa definitely brought Murphy one of his toughest title bouts yet, and it's possible that on any other night, it would've been Tozawa with his arm raised and gold around his waist. Tonight, however, Murphy made all the right moves, and walked away still Cruiserweight Champion.
