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KENTA vs. Satoshi Kojima for the Right To Challenge Contract for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1)
Before the next match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1, we got a video package hyping the return of Jon Moxley. He was in a NJPW USA ring and called himself "The Boogie Man of New Japan Pro Wrestling." Moxley said he will be waiting whoever walked out with the Right To Challenge Contract.
The third match at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 was KENTA defending the Right To Challenge Contract for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Satoshi Kojima. The Bullet Club member was supposed to face Juice Robinson here, but he got injured, with Kojima replacing him.
KENTA started this Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 bout slowly by heading to the floor. KENTA ran Kojima into Tenzan and hit a DDT on the floor. He then worked over Kojima in the ring with kicks. Kojima hit forearms and chops in the corner. KENTA cut him off on the top rope and hit a superplex. He then followed with a diving clothesline for a two. Kojima cut off KENTA on the apron and hit a DDT on the edge of the ring.
KENTA hit a boot in the corner as well as stalling dropkick. KENTA then hit the double stomp off the top for a near-fall. Kojima blocked GTS and hit the Koji cutter. KENTA reversed the lariat into a powerslam. Kojima swatted the briefcase out of KENTA's hands and then hit a short arm lariat for a two count. KENTA avoided another lariat and hit the running knee.
Kojima hit a series of forearms and looked for the lariat, but KENTA hit consecutive palm strikes and another running knee for a near-fall. He then followed with the Go To Sleep for the win in 14 minutes at Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1. This was the sixth time he has successfully defended the contract, more times than any IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion has defended that title. This was a rock-solid, hard-hitting contest.
Results: KENTA defeats Satoshi Kojima via pinfall
Star Rating: ***1/2
*Intermission for Wrestle Kingdom 15 Day 1 followed*
They announced during the break that NJPW will be coming to TV in America and the UK soon.
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