TAJIRI (C) VS. RHYNO

 Before the match Tajiri and Torrie Wilson are in William Regal’s office, with the Commissioner. Regal wants to make sure Tajiri is OK after being injured on Smackdown, he is going to ban all outside interference for the match tonight. Torrie says she wants to be there for Tajiri and won’t get involved in the match, so Regal changes his mind.

  We cut to Stacy Keibler at WWF New York and she shows a video of her shaving her legs in the bath earlier. Heyman says he would marry Stacy if she were Jewish.

  Rhyno makes his way out first, he Gored Tajiri on the previous episode of Raw and in wrestling logic that makes him the #1 contender. Tajiri makes his way out with Torrie Wilson, his ribs are taped up following his rough week, but he’s still putting the title on the line.

Jim Ross and Paul Heyman are on commentary for this match.

 

 

TAJIRI © VS. RHYNO (WCW United States Championship

WWF Unforgiven 2001 ( September 2001)

  They lock up and Rhyno connects with a knee and clubbing blows to Tajiri, focusing on the midsection early.

  Tajiri sidesteps Rhyno, sending him over to the floor before connecting with a dropkick through the ropes. Tajiri hits the Asai moonsault but sells the ribs, Rhyno sends him into the apron on the way back to the ring. Tajiri ducks a clothesline, knocking Rhyno down with a kick, a running dropkick to the knee keeps Tajiri on top as he takes Rhyno to the corner for some chops. Tajiri is sent into the corner, a running shoulder thrust turns the tide for Rhyno and he gets a 2 count from the powerslam. Tajiri rolls Rhyno up for 2 but the belly-to-belly suplex plants him, Rhyno covers and gets 2. Rhyno snapmares Tajiri down into a chinlock, using his knee on Tajiri’s back for leverage. Tajiri fights to his feet but gets kicked in the gut. Tajiri gets out of the powerbomb and gets a hurricanrana, a spinning heel kick from Tajiri gets 2. Rhyno reverses the irish whip, Tajiri connects with the handspring elbow, rebounding off the ropes and covers for 2. Tajiri gets a flurry of offense before running into a spinebuster for 2. Rhyno kicks at Tajiri’s midsection before turning his attention to Torrie Wilson. Torrie twists her ankle getting back in the ring so Rhyno sets up the Gore but runs into the Buzzsaw Kick! Tajiri covers 1, 2, NO! Tajiri connects with another kick but Rhyno blocks the tornado DDT. Tajiri puts him in the standing octopus hold, before transitioning to the Turantula in the ropes.

  Rhyno ducks another kick and hits the T-Bone suplex, Rhyno sets himself up in the corner and waits patiently to Gore Tajiri for the win.

WINNER: RHYNO (NEW WCW United States Champion)

 This was a good match for the short time they got. Rhyno looked dominant throughout, Tajiri got some shine and the only thing I would say is that for all of the talk about Tajiri's martial arts his kicks looked weak in this match. [*1/2] 2/10