Back in June, TNA announced in New York, before their debut taping in the city, that Bound for Glory would be held in Karokuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It is a joint card with Wrestle-1 Pro. Kaz Hayashi is representing the Japanese group in this match.
Before the match, we go to a pretaped promo from the champion backstage the previous night. He says he doesn’t know why he’s here defending his belt. (by this time Low Ki had won the title at a taping, but the match hadn’t been televised, that’s literally why.) He says it’s because he wants to bring respect back to the X-Division, the only division with no limits and no restrictions then puts over his reign and opponents, finishing by telling them they will have to up their limits to take his title. Low Ki makes his way out as Tenay mentions both Joe and Low Ki’s history in Japan. Kaz Hayashi has music that is too upbeat for his entrance and Mike Tenay talks about his WCW run in the late 90’s. Samoa Joe makes his way out and we’re reminded that his style is heavily-influenced by the Japanese Strong Style. This is Joe’s 5th reign with the X-Division Championship. We get special in-ring introductions from Jeremy Borash.
Mike Tenay and Tazz are on commentary for this match.
SAMOA JOE © VS. LOW
KI VS. KAZ HAYASHI
(TNA X-Division
Championship)
TNA Bound for Glory 2014 (12th October 2014)
Samoa Joe conducts a “Joe’s gonna kill you” chant as the bell rings. He exchanges kicks with Low Ki but none have any real effect. Low Ki knocks Kaz Hayashi back, and the Japanese star bails as Samoa Joe throws a forearm.
Low Ki chops Joe's chest and is backed into the corner, Joe sends him across the ring but gets boots to the face. Kaz Hayashi makes an appearance and runs at Low Ki with a kick, sending himself over to the apron. Samoa Joe sends Hayashi into Low Ki in the corner and hits a running back elbow. Low Ki is still standing in the corner waiting for the enziguri that knocks him down. Samoa Joe jabs at Kaz Hayashi, Kaz is taken down with a snapmare, chop to the back and kick to the chest before Joe puts the exclamation point on with a knee drop to Hayashi. Samoa Joe looks over to Low Ki before covering for a nearfall. Kaz Hayashi gets some shots on Joe but runs into a back elbow that knocks Kaz back into the ropes. Kaz Hayashi low-bridges Joe, bringing down the top rope and sending him over to the floor. Low Ki fires a chop, European uppercut and headbutt at Kaz Hayashi, but he’s sent across the ring. Hayashi leapfrogs Low Ki and sends him into Samoa Joe as Low Ki kicks the champion through the ropes!
Kaz Hayashi stuns Low Ki with a spinning heel kick and the fans surprisingly aren’t behind their countryman. Kaz Hayashi tries to suplex 280lbs of Samoa Joe into the ring, but gets brought over to the apron. He fires off strikes at Joe but one knife-edge chop drops Hayashi to the floor. Samoa Joe wants the running forearm through the ropes but Low Ki cuts him off with a springboard kick. Low Ki covers but only gets 2. He sends Samoa Joe to the floor and goes to find Hayashi. Ki and Kayashi exchange chops on the floor and Hayashi is sent into the guardrail, he may have stopped most of the momentum, the camera missed it, but catches Low Ki running into a back elbow. It’s all for naught as Joe runs through them both with a double clothesline. He brings Kaz Hayashi into the ring as the fans chant for Joe. They’ve been uncharacteristically vocal for this match. Samoa Joe hits an inverted atomic drop and a running big boot. Samoa Joe hits the back senton and covers, but Low Ki breaks it up at 2. Low Ki knocks Samoa Joe back into the corner, a chop and forearm keep him there before Joe is sent across the ring.
Low Ki connects with a running forearm and climbs to the middle rope to rain more strikes down on Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe powerbombs Low Ki out of the corner, holding him down for a pin, which Low Ki kicks out of at 2. Samoa Joe turns it over into a modified boston crab, then transitions into the STF in the middle of the ring. Kaz Hayashi breaks Samoa Joe’s grip on Low Ki and puts Joe in a crossface. Kaz Hayashi reaches further for a double crossface! Samoa Joe breaks it with an elbow to the midsection after the photographers get pictures. Kaz Hayashi takes a shot at Samoa Joe as they get to their feet. Samoa Joe slaps Hayashi repeatedly and Kaz Hayashi responds with kicks to the head! Kaz Hayashi with a running big boot, but it just fires Samoa Joe up! Kaz Hayashi ducks a clothesline and takes Samoa Joe down, 1, 2, no! Kaz Hayashi struggles to lift Samoa Joe and Low Ki runs into the mass of humanity with a dropkick, I don’t know who he hit but I don’t think he cares much.
Low Ki focuses on Hayashi, Low Ki fights off the fireman’s carry but gets tripped. Kaz Hayashi sends Low Ki into the corner but Ki lands on the middle rope and hits a double stomp out of the corner! He tries to cover but Kaz Hayashi’s shoulder won’t find the mat so he only gets 2. Low Ki reaches for Samoa Joe through the ropes but gets kicked, Samoa Joe drags Low Ki to the floor and waits for Kaz Hayashi to make a run for the ropes. Samoa Joe slides back in the ring as Hayashi leaves it and hits the Tope Suicida forearm knocking both challengers into the guardrail. Samoa Joe chops Hayashi before bringing it back to the ring. Kaz Hayashi sends Samoa Joe into the corner but runs into the STJoe! Samoa Joe calls for the Muscle Buster and has Kaz Hayashi in position. Low Ki charges across the ring and Joe moves out of the way so Kaz Hayashi takes a cartwheel kick from Low Ki, sending Wrestle-1’s representative down to the floor! Low Ki and Samoa Joe exchange forearms and slaps in the ring. Low Ki backs Samoa Joe into the corner and softens him up with a forearm shot.
Low Ki has Samoa Joe in a fireman’s carry but struggles under the weight. Samoa Joe strikes Low Ki with his elbow and drops to his feet, locking in the Coquina clutch. Low Ki goes limp and the match is called for Samoa Joe.
WINNER: SAMOA JOE (STILL TNA X-Division Champion
This was a fun match, three competitors helped the pace
stay constant whilst the third man gets a breather, they hit hard and the (as
previously mentioned, quiet) Japanese crowd stayed invested and showed support
throughout. This match was a good example of the X-Division at a time I don’t
remember it having much importance. [***] 6.5/10
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