Although Mustafa Ali spent time in the hospital last week and was advised by doctors that he’s been pushing himself too hard, The Heart of WWE 205 Live insisted to WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick that he was ready to compete.
Ali’s resilience faced a major test in the form of the hard-hitting Hideo Itami. Early in the battle, Ali managed to avoid his opponent’s strikes and maintain control with agile counters and quick strikes. Forcing Itami to the outside, Ali soared to the outside and flattened his opponent. However, The Heart of WWE 205 Live came down awkwardly, and although he did damage to Itaimi, he also began to favor his back.
Moving back into the ring, Ali continued the pressure but paused to favor his lower back, thus allowing Itami to strike. The two Superstars began trading brutal strikes in and out of the ring. The Japanese Superstar unloaded on his opponent with brutal kicks to the chest that forced Ali to the floor. Continuing to exchange blows with Ali on the ring apron, Itami charged forward with a dropkick, driving Ali back first into the ring post.
Itami mercilessly continued his attacks, leaving Ali reeling. Inside the ring, the Japanese striker methodically kicked the devastated Ali, seemingly proving that all was not well with The Heart of WWE 205 Live. Even as Ali attempted to counter his opponent’s advances, Itami would only strike harder.
However, Ali has proven himself to be one of the most resilient Superstars in WWE and battled back, mounting a surging offense before being stopped dead in his tracks as he rolled into the ring, directly into a brutal kick from Itami.
Refusing to stay down, Ali again found the energy to charge forward and take control, again attempting – this time successfully – his rolling facebuster. With the WWE Universe behind him, the Chicago native continued to push forward, entering another exchange with his opponent that left them both laid out in the center of the ring.
Hideo once again took control, nearly scoring a pinfall following a Falcon Arrow. As the battle raged, the Japanese Superstar prepared a superplex but was countered, and Ali scored a near pinfall with a jaw-dropping powerbomb. The match continued with a series of counters, ending with Itami tossing Ali into the turnbuckle.
Frustrated that he couldn’t secure victory, Itami dragged Ali to the corner and prepared to dropkick his opponent into the steel steps. Ali managed to move away and execute an uncanny DDT from the top rope to the floor below. With victory in sight, Ali prepared to execute the 054, but he lost his balance before being taken down by Itami.
With Ali caught on the ropes, Itami executed three brutal running dropkicks to secure a hard-fought victory. After the match, Ali was unable to leave the ring on his own power, leaving WWE 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick scrambling to help The Heart of WWE 205 Live.
Article source: WWE.com
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