WILLIAM REGAL VS. TAJIRI

 Before the match, Mr McMahon is backstage with the current WCW Champion, Chris Jericho and The Rock. Jericho is defending his championship against Kurt Angle and The Rock is challenging for Steve Austin’s WWF Championship.

 

  Vince McMahon tells them both to get on with each other for the night, so they can both return to the USA as Champions, he doesn’t care if they get on or become buddies, but he asks them to shake hands. Chris Jericho holds his hand out for a tense handshake. Jericho tells The Rock not to lose another big one again before they brawl.

 

  William Regal is the first one out, he represents The Alliance as the Commissioner and an in-ring talent. The signs don’t show much love for the crowd’s countryman tonight. He has the microphone, William Regal says he is glad the crowd paid their hard-earned money to see him and calls himself their hero before taking a shot at Manchester United. Regal says that if anyone idolises the local footballers they will end up in StrangeWays Prison. Tajri makes his way out and JR says the match isn’t for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship because Regal doesn’t qualify.

 

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

 

WILLIAM REGAL VS. TAJIRI

WWF Rebellion 2001 (3^rd November 2001)

  They lock up, and William Regal backs Tajiri in the corner and breaks clean. Regal blocks a kick and they lock up again. William Regal grabs a headlock, Tajiri counters into a top wristlock but is forced into the ropes for another break. Tajiri switches positions for the break as the fans chant “Regal Sucks” Regal shoves Tajiri away but walks into a kick to the face.

  William Regal takes Tajiri down and forces his shoulders to the mat for 1 but Tajiri kips up in the knuckle lock. William Regal takes Tajiri over with a monkey flip, rolling back to try and force Tajiri’s shoulders down again. The referee isn’t in position before Tajiri gets his shoulder up, Regal rolls through the roll-up attempt and gets to his feet, but is taken down with a headstand headscissors from Tajiri. Tajiri kicks Regal in the ribs and knocks him out of the ring with an enziguri. Maybe not that lucky, as Tajiri dropkicks him through the ropes as Heyman is calling for a time-out. William Regal sidesteps, sending Tajiri into the ring post before throwing him onto the apron. Tajiri’s chest is bounced off the apron, Regal hits a forearm to the chest as he brings it back into the ring. Tajiri reverses an irish whip, sending Regal into the corner and backdrops him on the walk back to the middle of the ring. Tajiri hits a standing moonsault and covers but only gets 2. William Regal sends Tajiri off the ropes into a forearm shot and covers for 2. Another immediate cover gets Regal 2, so does the third.

  Tajiri is put in a chinlock on the mat, Regal places his knee in Tajiri’s back but Tajiri is able to get to his feet. He tries to fight back but is cut off with a knee to the midsection. William Regal hits the ropes and knocks Tajiri down with a knee to the head. William Regal covers and only gets 2. Regal traps Tajiri’s arm before putting him in a chinlock. Tajiri gets to his feet and strikes Regal in the midsection. Tajiri hits the ropes, he ducks under the back elbow but his cross body is caught. Regal crotches Tajiri across the top rope and kicks him in the knee. William Regal scrapes Tajiri’s face with his boot before hitting the double knees to Tajiri’s head. William Regal stomps on Tajiri and backs him into the corner with a European uppercut. Tajiri reverses an irish whip, Regal blocks his trip into the corner but walks into a chop from Tajiri. William Regal avoids the dropkick and connects with a knee, he tries to send Tajiri into the corner but Tajiri vaults over to the apron. William Regal walks into a kick in the head and hits a missile dropkick. 1,2, No! William Regal reverses an irish whip, Tajiri’s handspring elbow just scrapes him.

  William Regal sends Tajiri into the corner but runs into the Tarantula. Tajiri breaks the hold before the 5 count and goes to the top rope for a moonsault. William Regal rolls out of the way and Tajiri eats shit, The Regal Stretch STF is applied and Tajiri taps out.

WINNER: WILLIAM REGAL

 This match was a fun sprint. Tajiri got most of his spots in and William Regal had to take advantage when Tajiri made mistakes and had to slow the match down where he could before  It was a good warm up[**] 4.25/10