This was one hell of a match and I was so enthralled for most of it I forgot to write some of my report, so excuse me for summarizing in parts here.
The two friends had some early mat wrestling exchanges, and Osborne ended up locking Hardaway in an early headlock. Hardaway suplexed CJ, but Osborne held onto the headlock. Osborne remained in control on the mat for several minutes, trying to wear down the former Champ.
Hardaway eventually took control and went for a sharpshooter at around the five minute mark. Osborne countered quickly and clotheslined Hardaway, both flipping over the top rope to the floor. Osborne got a good cheer from the crowd as shouted something to them. Hardaway ended up lifting Osborne onto his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and then charged backward, driving Osborne into the ring-post.
These two men maybe good friends but CJ wants to prove he can cut it at the top of this business and K-Hard wants to vent some anger due to some personal issues. That and the fact he see’s CJ as being the man who cost him the GFC Championship to Gabe Gambino on an MWA show.
The two men went back to mat work for several minutes, clearly pacing themselves for a long match. Osborne hit a crossbody block of the top rope onto Hardaway at ringside after quarter of an hour, although his knee seemed to give out or he slipped on the launch so he didn’t have as much height as you’d expect. Possibly a touch of ring-rust.
Hardaway attempted to back suplex Osborne off the ring apron. Osborne held onto the ropes, elbowed Hardaway’s head, and then mule kicked him to the floor. Osborne caught his breath, and then springboarded over the top rope onto Hardaway on the timekeepers table. The table didn’t give much, which only makes it hurt more!
Osborne stomped the mat and went for a superkick, but Hardaway caught his foot and applied the Ankle-lock. Osborne escaped, but Hardaway rolled through and applied it again. Osborne quickly leveraged out and went into a roll-up for what most would describe as a “long two count.”
Hardaway blocked an Osborne big elbow and gave him a KTFO~! for a very near fall at around the twenty minute mark. Hardaway then went to the top rope. He went for a moonsault, but Osborne moved out of his path. But not far enough as K-Hard landed on his feet and almost instantly followed through into a standing moonsault!
As Hardaway trash-talked Osborne, Osborne came out of nowhere with a burst of energy and superkicked Hardaway, seemingly knocking him out! Osborne took a moment but eventually draped his arm over Hardaway’s chest for a VERY near fall; K-Hard just getting his elbow up in time, the crowd LOVE this match.
Hardaway used the ropes to get to his feet but CJ grabbed him and booted him in the gut. He looked set for Redemptions Last Ride but Hardaway reversed into a Huricanranna. Quickly up to his feet he bounces off the ropes and takes Osborne down with a huge decapitation lariat!
The crowd on their feet as Hardaway screams out, pumping himself up. He lifts Osborne onto his shoulders for the Angelina’s Crossing but as he spins Osborne around for the spinning powerbomb the MWA exec shifts his weight and spins out, grabbing Hardaway’s head and planting it into the canvas with a massive DDT!
“This is awesome!” chant the crowd as both men are flat out on the canvas. The referee begins the mandatory ten count and both men finally get up around eight. Hardaway tries for the KTFO~! Again, connecting with the kick but missing the elbow as Osborne ducks it. Osborne goes for the Edge of the Blade and nails it!
He rolls Hardaway up, but he REVERSES THE ROLL-UP!! 1…2…3!!
Your winner, Kevin Hardaway!
Great match from those two men, the fans were on their feet at the end of that one. Osborne may not have won the match but he can be proud of that effort, that’s for sure.