They lock up and Hanson wrestles K-Hard down into a waistlock; Hardaway powers his way free but Hanson belly-to-back suplexes him down into a butterfly lock. Hardaway backs Hanson into a corner but the referee breaks it up; Hanson takes advantage and clubbers Hardaway down. Hardaway quickly comes back with a flying reverse elbow; he then hits a nice vertical suplex. Hardaway pounds away in the corner and hits a bodyslam and legdrop for two. He tries a running powerslam but Hanson slips off and clobbers him from behind with a clothesline. Legsweep backbreaker into an STO!
Hanson continues to work over the back with forearms. Hardaway explodes with a shoulder tackle; he hits some shoulderblocks in the corner and finishes with a clothesline. Hanson takes out his leg with a lunge to the knee; a big kick follows for two. Hanson settles into a keylock and then works a body scissors. Hardaway comes back, but cannot lift him for a bodyslam because his back is too hurt, and Hanson clobbers him with a lariat.
Hanson maintains control until Hardaway hits a Samoan drop; Hanson charges again but runs into a knee. Hardaway hits a second-rope shoulderblock and a spinebuster for two. Hanson takes a little too long capitalising, allowing Hanson a belly-to-belly slam. Hanson tries the Metal Heart Suplex but Hardaway gets the knees up and blocks; floating out into a sleeper that looks to be taking Hanson down. But Hanson slips free, connects with a big toe kick and nails the Metal Heart Suplex for the victory!
Your winner, Ben Hanson!
A big win for Hanson, showing some domination in this opening round. Hardaway will be disappointed to have fallen at the first hurdle, but Hanson looks to be on fine form and could go all the way here tonight.