Animosity is not a strong enough word to describe the feeling between Mustafa Ali and Hideo Itami. In their first meeting, Itami sidelined The Heart of WWE 205 Live for a few weeks after a brutal contest. The second time they faced off, the battle ended in a double count-out after Ali executed a 450 splash onto Itami on the ring apron. Looking to settle the score, the only option was a Falls Count Anywhere Match.
Following the opening bell, the two Superstars exchanged unpleasantries before engaging. Itami took control with precision strikes and a powerful kick driving Ali from the ring. As The Japanese Superstar demanded respect, Ali recovered and utilized his speed to drive his opponent out of the ring and score a near-fall.
The bitter enemies quickly engaged in a wild slugfest that spilled outside the ring. Charging after his opponent on the outside, Ali found himself in the timekeeper’s area. Trying to use the barricade as a launchpad also prove fruitless, as Itami pushed The Heart of WWE 205 Live’s leg away, sending him crashing to the floor. As Itami looked for respect from the WWE Universe, Ali recovered, this time successfully using the barricade to launch himself onto his opponent.
With the match quickly degrading into a brawl, Ali prepared to use the announce table to his advantage. Itami countered and applied a single-leg Boston crab on top of the table. Despite Ali reversing the hold, Itami did his best King Leonidas and Spartan-kicked Ali off the table and into the barricade. After briefly battling among the WWE Universe, Itami delivered a brutal kick that stunned Ali long enough for the Japanese Superstar to toss his opponent into the steel steps.
Pushing their physical limits, both Superstars exchanged strikes on the entrance ramp that ended with Itami delivering a crushing clothesline. Back inside the ring, Itami attempted to suplex Ali onto the steel steps below. The Heart of WWE 205 Live fended off his nemesis and delivered a crossbody from the top rope to the floor.
Itami moved the second set of steps, and when Ali tried to use them, he once again had his legs pushed out from under him, driving him into the steps. Itami attempted to sandwich his opponent between the steps, but Ali moved just in time and answered with a tornado DDT off the steel steps.
Instead of pinning the dazed Itami, Ali set up a table and placed his opponent atop it. Ascending the ropes, Ali delivered a jaw-dropping 450 splash through the table to pick up the victory.
Article source: WWE.com
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