Akira Tozawa vs. Buddy Murphy
Backstage, Buddy Murphy was seen walking and passed by Aleister Black’s door. Murphy banged on the door and said he was here to pick a fight with Black, only to quickly say “that’s just what I thought, all talk.” Murphy then walked off and turned the corner just as Aleister Black burst out his door and looked around to see who had knocked.
After a commercial break, we saw Akira Tozawa and Buddy Murphy head to the ring for their own match. Things got off to a stiff start with Murphy taking control, but Tozawa fought back. Murphy tried a high knee in the corner, but Tozawa ducked it.
Tozawa managed to hit a hurricanrana that sent Buddy Murphy to the outside, and he followed it with a dropkick to Murphy while he was on the apron. Tozawa then went for a suicide dive, but Tozawa caught him mid-dive and hit a huge suplex on the floor.
After some more in-ring back and forth, Tozawa nailed a big superkick, enziguri, and top-rope missile dropkick to really take control of the momentum. He hit a running boot in the corner and went for a spin kick moments later, but Murphy countered. Tozawa slipped back into a snap German Suplex that earned him a near fall.
Tozawa then hit a shining wizard which earned another near fall, but Murphy regained control with a big superkick. Tozawa countered moments later with a reverse-rana, but Murphy instinctively rolled to the outside.
He got back in and was draped over the ropes a few moments later as Tozawa hit a big senton to the back of Murphy. It was enough for one final near fall, but Buddy Murphy hit a huge knee strike seconds later before planting Tozawa with Murphy’s Law for the victory.
After a commercial break, Murphy was seen backstage again and approached Aleister Black’s door. He shouted “hey, Aleister” and was about to knock, but Aleister Black immediately stepped out into the hall and stared down Murphy without a word as things cut away.
Grade: A, From knocking on Aleister’s door, to a fantastic showcase from two cruiserweight veterans, to the staredown after, this was great stuff all around. Can’t wait to see Aleister Black take on Buddy Murphy.
Erick Rowan vs. Alex Malcom
Next up we saw Erick Rowan, who had been seen backstage earlier talking to some sort of creature or animal in a cage. He carried the burlap-covered cage to the ring with him again this week. In the ring already was local competitor Alex Malcom to take on Rowan.
As things got started, The Singh Brothers (including WWE 24/7 Champion Samir Singh) suddenly came running down the ramp followed by R-Truth. Frustrated, Rowan slid out of the ring and clotheslined both Singh Brothers to the ground. Truth responded by running around the ring and down the ramp to escape.
Back in the ring, the bell sounded and Rowan started by tossing Alex out of the ring and into The Singh Brothers. Erick Rowan slid out of the ring and built up some steam to hit a huge crossbody that took out The Singh Brothers and Alex Malcom.
Rowan tossed Malcom back into the ring to hit a big Iron Claw Slam. He stood on him to earn the pinfall and take a dominant victory. Rowan approached the burlap-covered cage and carefully exited the arena, seemingly very protective of whatever was inside the cage.
Grade: B, This was a decent squash match with a WWE 24/7 Championship diversion during it. I’m still intrigued by what they’re doing with Rowan, but this didn’t really advance it.