Ever since forging an alliance and training with his past rival, The Brian Kendrick, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Akira Tozawa has been within reach of the Cruiserweight division’s greatest prize. However, fellow former titleholder Cedric Alexander is determined to return to The Grandest Stage of Them All and once again capture the championship.
Thus, the stage was set for the former champions to collide in the opening round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament in their first-ever one-on-one encounter. Shaking hands before the match began, both Superstars were hell-bent on proving they were the best. The Stamina Monster worked to keep Alexander grounded, and The Soul of WWE 205 Live started to grow frustrated with Tozawa’s ability to keep his momentum at bay.
Alexander finally turned the tide by countering a dive to the outside with a strike to the stomach before dropping Tozawa with a gut-buster. After a series of calculated strikes, Alexander used his technical ability to apply pressure to his opponent’s midsection, hoping to wear him down. Despite a flurry of offense from The Stamina Monster, Alexander countered a Senton by getting his knees up and inflicting more damage on Tozawa’s lower body. Continuing to dish out punishment, Alexander slammed Tozawa into the apron on the outside before once again locking his arms around the back and midsection.
As the WWE Universe began to chant in favor of Tozawa, the Japanese Superstar broke free with a series of elbow strikes before unleashing on Alexander, eventually dropping him first with a dive to the outside, followed by a missile dropkick for a near-fall.
Despite Tozawa’s impressive offense, the damage was done and he struggled to capitalize as he battled through the pain of his lower back. With Tozawa unable to maintain his offense, Alexander seized the opportunity to execute a high-impact maneuver but still could not secure victory.
The former WWE Cruiserweight Champions exchanged blows, counters and near-falls in the center of the ring, with Tozawa taking control after a series of kicks and countering a Lumbar Check into a DDT. Proving their mettle with WrestleMania on the line, they continued to battle, with The Stamina Monster nearly securing victory after spiking his opponent into the mat.
Again exchanging blows, Tozawa managed to apply the Octopus Stretch, but Alexander refused to give up even as Tozawa turned the hold into a modified fujiwara armbar. With Alexander exhausted and reeling, The Stamina Monster painfully climbed to the top and prepared to execute the Senton, but Alexander stopped him momentarily. Knocking Alexander back down to the canvas, Tozawa again prepared for the Senton, but The Soul of WWE 205 Live pulled his opponent off the top rope, caught him and executed the Lumbar Check for a hard-fought victory.
After the captivating match, Alexander helped Tozawa to his feet and the two Superstars embraced in the center of the ring, showing what WWE 205 Live is truly all about.
Article source: WWE.com
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