TAZZ VS. TAJIRI

Before the match, Tajiri is shown with William Regal in Regal’s office. Regal is fired up after his loss earlier in the night, he tells Tajiri to go sort out Tazz.

Jim Ross and Michael Cole are on commentary for this match.

Tazz makes his way out first, Cole says Tazz downed the whole pitcher of Paul Heyman’s kool-aid. Tajiri has been William Regal’s assistant since appearing in WWF, he runs to the ring as he gets down the ramp.

 

TAZZ (ECW) VS. TAJIRI

WWF Invasion (22^nd July 2001)

  The bell rings, and Tazz stomps and clubs at Tajiri as he makes it to his feet in the ring. Tajiri  is sent off the ropes, he ducks a clothesline and knocks Tazz down with a spinning leg lariat, pinning for 2.

Tazz is sent into the turnbuckle, Tajiri connects with chops, but the irish whip is reversed. Tazz runs into Tajiri’s boot but throws him overhead and across the ring.

  Tazz forces Tajiri to his feet and clubs at the back of his neck, but Tajiri lands on his feet from the suplex attempt and unleashes a flurry of offense. He hits the ropes and Tazz turns him inside out with a clothesline. He stomps at Tajiri and sends him off the ropes but ducks too early. The spinning kick misses, Tazz snapmares Tajiri over and starts striking at his face. Tazz connects with overhand chops and kicks in the corner, but Tajiri gets out of there with more strikes, he elbows Tazz in the back of the neck but Tazz takes it to the mat, covering for 2. Tazz tries to put Tajiri in an armbar, but Tajiri reaches the ropes. Tajiri is sent into the corner, he tries to float over Tazz but is slammed to the mat. Tazz takes a second before covering and it costs him as Tajiri kicks out at 2. Tajiri lands on his feet from the slam attempt, he’s sent off the ropes but springs back with a back elbow, knocking Tazz down,

  Tazz decides to take a break on the outside, Tajiri vaults over to the apron and tries to kick Tazz, but he’s dragged to the floor. Tazz sends Tajiri into the ring steps and gets back in the ring. Tajiri is sent into the corner as he returns but he locks Tazz in the Tarantula, which he can only hold on to for 4 seconds. Tajiri knocks Tazz down with a running dropkick to the jaw and covers 1, 2, no!

  Tajiri kicks Tazz in the chest, but the third kick is caught, Tazz suplexes Tajiri overhead. He shoves the referee out of the way and goes to pick up Tajiri but is hit with the green mist! Tajiri hits the Buzzsaw Kick and covers for the win.

WINNER: TAJIRI

This was a good match for the short time they had. They both got to look strong and Tajiri had a counter to Tazz throwing him around, which was Tazz’s counter to getting kicked like a football. It didn’t mean much and wasn’t an all-time classic but it was a good place on the card and the fans were behind Tajiri when Tazz had the heat. [*¾] 3.510