C5 Ion and Akira Kobayashi exit their corners slowly as the bell rings, Ion with his hand outstretched. After a moment of hesitation Akira accepts his handshake and the two men back up a few steps as portions of the crowd applaud their sportsmanship. The two come back together for a lock-up, which Akira quickly takes control of by pushing Ion back-first into the ropes. The ref starts to count, causing Akira to release the lock-up and break clean. As he comes off the ropes Ion once again gestures for a lock-up, but this time Akira only feints to accept it and instead slips around behind his opponent, putting him in a waist lock. Ion grasps Akira's hands in an attempt to pull them apart, but his larger opponent keeps the grip on tight. In response Ion rolls forward, grabbing Akira's legs as he goes over and ending up in a victory roll position, earning a one-count before Akira pushes him off. The two start to pace around, slowly getting warmed up as they feel each other out. Coming back to the centre of the ring, Ion seems more reluctant to lock up, a which reservation pays off as he sidesteps out of the way of a double leg takedown attempt from Akira. With Akira off balance, Ion takes his chance to dropkick his opponent in the back, knocking him through the ropes and out onto the floor. Ion starts to clap, and very quickly the crowd joins in as Akira uses the guard rail to steady himself. Ion runs at the ropes and starts to spring back looking for a suicide dive, but Akira quickly catches on and walks out of the way. Ion responds by casually pulling out a tiger feint and jogging back to the centre of the ring while howling, prompting cheers and howls back from the crowd.

Cedar: Ion looks like he's warming up a bit, but he doesn't want to get too cocky. Getting caught in a grappling contest or a brawl would really hurt his chances here.

Akira rolls back into the ring and lunges at Ion with a high boot. Keeping his momentum going Ion commando rolls under the kick, charges off the ropes, and on the rebound attempts a shoulder block on Akira. The shoulder block knocks Akira back maybe a foot or two, but beyond that it barely seems to phase him and he quickly responds by slapping Ion across the face almost mockingly, to the amusement of the crowd. Again Ion runs off the ropes and looks for a shoulder block, and once again he can barely move Akira. For a second time Akira slaps Ion, prompting chants of "you got bitch slapped" to ring out around the arena. For the third time Ion runs at the ropes and rebounds, but this time instead of throwing a shoulder block Ion stops himself just short of Akira and throws a slap of his own, catching his opponent by surprise. Ion backs up a few steps while laughing, and the crowd's "you got bitch slapped" chants reignite, this time aimed at Akira. Clearly unhappy at being made a fool out of, Akira lunges forward for a double leg take down, which Ion easily dodges with a side step. Akira quickly gets back on his feet and goes for another take down, and this time Ion avoids it by leaping over him, planting his foot on Akira's back and pushing off so he lands just short of the ropes. Akira turns to see Ion leaning on the ropes, beckoning for him to try again. This time, however, Akira only fakes shooting for a take down, and when Ion leaps to the side he dives at him and drives him into the corner. Now trapped, Ion can only throw his hands up to try and block the flurry of elbows that Akira throws at him, lasting until the referee gets in the way and breaks them up.

Cedar: Ion C5 got too cocky and he got punished for it. What did I say?

Miles: You say a lot of things, Ted. I try not to listen.

As soon as the ref moves out the way Akira charges back at Ion, who wisely ducks the incoming lariat to get out of the corner. Catching his opponent by surprise, Ion hits a picture perfect standing drop kick that catches the turning Akira right in the chin, making him stumble back into the corner holding his jaw. His moment of weakness only lasts for a second, however, as Akira wastes no time rushing out of the corner and nailing Ion with a European uppercut which sends the high flier reeling back. Akira follows up by grabbing Ion by the arm and putting in a wrist lock, a clear attempt to keep his more agile opponent off the ropes and on the ground. Ion screws up his face in pain before flipping forward to release the pressure and kicking Akira in the midsection, making him relinquish his grasp. Ion once again hits the ropes, but this time Akira is right behind him. The Japanese shooter lays in a huge forearm to Ion as he hits the ropes, stopping him dead in his tracks. Grabbing Ion by the hair, Akira straightens him up and hammers away with another series of forearms until Ion falls back into the ropes and the ref steps in to force a break. Akira backs up into the centre of the ring and patiently waits for Ion to come to him, throwing his arms up in a beckoning motion. Ion charges in with the intent to land a flying clothesline, a move which Akira avoids by ducking down and grabbing Ion around the waist in position for a northern lights suplex. Akira quickly hits the suplex and holds the bridge, earning a two count before Ion can kick-out. Ion starts to get to his feet, but before he can even get off his knees Akira dives on him and starts to throw elbows.

Cedar: And this is exactly where Ion doesn't want to be!

Miles: Not so smart now you're getting your face smashed in, huh little man?

Ion throws up a foot and pushes off of Akira's chest, allowing him to roll away and back to his feet. Now fully focused on the task at hand, Ion nails Akira with a rolling savat kick to the chest as he tries getting up, pushing the momentum of the match back in his favour. Before Akira even hits the mat Ion is out on the apron, planning his next move. He grabs the top rope, jumps, and lands on Akira with a fluid and effortlessness sling shot senton, earning a two count. Ion pulls Akira to his feet, jumps up to his shoulders and takes him down with a hurricanrana through into a pin, once again netting a two count. Akira gets up, and this time he throws a series of palm strikes as he does it, knocking Ion backwards into the opposite ropes. Letting out a war cry, Akira charges at Ion with his arm up looking for an elbow. He's denied, however, by Ion dropping down and low bridging the top rope, sending Akira outside the ring. This time Ion doesn't waste time getting the crowd behind him, and instead he comes straight off the ropes and nails Akira with a suicide dive back first into the barricade. Ion re-enters the ring while howling, prompting the crowd to join in.

Cedar: C5 Ion's got this match back in his favour, Joey. The quicker pace is really working for him.

Akira takes more time than normal getting back into the ring, barely beating the ten count in a bid to let some of Ion's adrenaline wear off. The two square up, and this time it's Akira who runs the ropes. He comes running back at Ion, who easily leaps over him to get out of harms way. Akira rebounds back again, but Ion uses his quick reflexes to catch him with a monkey flip, flooring Akira. Going back to where he feels most at home Ion runs the ropes, going past Akira as he gets to his feet. Akira runs at Ion looking for a clothesline which is easily ducked, and when Ion arrives at the opposite set of ropes he leaps up onto the top rope. In an awe inspiring display of balance and agility Ion manages to hesitate on the top rope for a second to wait for Akira to turn before moonsaulting over him, catching Akira in an inverted DDT. Ion dives onto Akira, getting a two count that seems just a whisper short of three. With the crowd firmly behind him Ion motions for the 450 splash before ascending the turnbuckle, leaving Akira down on the mat. Ion stands up and howls, but before he can leap off the corner and possibly finish the match Akira Kobayashi gets to his knees and dives at the corner, hitting it hard enough to cause Ion to drop down and land crotch first. Ion lets out a loud yell as he struggles to stay upright and Akira gets up to his feet.

Cedar: As a man you hate to see that!

Miles: Hahaha I love it! Look at his face!

Akira holds Ion by the hair, leans him forward slightly and starts to hit him with open palm strikes, uppercuts and elbows. After a vicious flurry of strikes Akira starts to ascend the turnbuckle, putting himself up on the second rope. Akira starts to lift up Ion, who quickly responds with a series of punches. Akira falls back off the second rope but quickly flies back in with a headbutt which knocks both men loopy. With Ion now even further immobilised Akira climbs back up the turnbuckle, this time to the top rope. He lifts Ion up, positioning him for an avalanche exploder suplex style move, but Ion's sense of self-preservation sets in. A pair of hard knees to the liver area make Akira stumble as he releases his grip and leans dangerously close to falling off the corner to the outside of the ring. Ion drives a third knee home and Akira wisely goes off the top rope of his own volition, landing on the apron. Now down at his opponents feet, Akira grabs Ion's legs and shoves him back, trying to send him flying off the top rope to the outside. Like Akira, Ion manages to land on the apron, albeit on the opposite side of the turnbuckle. With the corner post now separating them the two men exchange slaps back and forth, an exchange which Akira quickly gains the advantage in. With Ion dazed, Akira leans across and tries to hook him up for a suplex. Despite being fairly stronger and larger than Ion, Akira can't manage to lift him, especially with Ion hooking his feet onto the bottom rope. Akira releases his grasp of Ion and goes for another slap, but this time Ion is ready. Ducking under the oncoming strike, Ion grabs the top rope in both hands, jumps, and nails Akira with an enziguri, knocking him loopy. Akira holds the top rope to avoid spilling down to the floor as Ion raises his arms up, calling for the crowd to get behind him, which they quickly do. Ion grabs the ropes in front of him, hoists himself up onto them, takes a quick step over onto the ropes in front of Akira, and then drops down, catching Akira in a tornado DDT as he falls. In a split second Akira goes from being stood upright to having his face driven down into the apron with a sickening spike DDT which looks like it just about knocked him out cold, his only saving grace being his hands flying up in the fencing response so he can grab onto the bottom rope and stay on the apron.

Cedar: JESUS CHRIST!

Miles: He's fucking dead! We bring in ONE Asian guy and he's already fucking dead!

Cedar: C5 Ion may have just knocked Akira Kobayashi out cold with what can best be described as a double springboard impaler DDT onto the ring apron, and if anybody still doubts this kid they must have blinked and missed that!

The crowd explodes as Ion lands on the outside, catching his breath as even he struggles to process the move he just pulled off. Using the ring apron as support Ion gets to his feet and rolls in as Akira groggily hugs the bottom rope, drawing on his years of fighting experience to instinctively hold onto something so he can't be pinned or locked in a hold. Ion still tries, but he can't manage to pull Akira away from the ropes before he regains his senses and starts to get up. Clutching the top of his head with one hand while holding the ropes with the other, Akira takes his time getting back into the match, much to the frustration of Ion. After a good fifteen seconds of waiting Ion charges in looking for a flying clothesline, resulting in Akira grabbing his outstretched arm out of the air, pivoting around and arm dragging him down into the centre of the ring. Akira holds onto Ion's arm as he kneels up behind him, trapping him in an armbar which Ion finds himself unable to slip out of. After a few seconds of pain Ion manages to wriggle his arm loose enough to pull himself up to his knees. This, however, seems to play to Akira, who releases the armbar, knees Ion in the kidney and grabs his left leg. Before Ion realizes what's happening he finds himself locked in a tight kneebar at the hands of Akira, who roars out in anger. Ion lets out a blood curdling scream as Akira leans back, wrenching away at the hold so hard Ion feels like his knee is about to pop out of the socket. Out of sheer desperation Ion shakes his free leg around, managing to boot Akira in the ribs a few times but not hard enough to escape the hold. Admitting defeat, Ion claws away at the mat, trying to edge closer to the ropes. His hands smash into the mat as the crowd chants for him, but still Ion struggles to drag both men's weight, and Akira continues to pull back on the knee. After what feels like an eternity, Ion manages to grab the bottom rope, forcing Akira to release the hold. Although free, Ion finds himself clutching his left knee with both hands as excruciating pain sets in. He slides out to the floor, gritting his teeth as the crowd try to cheer him into continuing.

Cedar: Ion might no have tapped, but it'll definitely slow him down!

Miles: We're gonna be seeing a few less flips from this guy!

After a few moments of hesitation Ion slides back into the ring, and as soon as he gets upright Akira nails him in the left leg with a series of kicks. Ion hobbles backwards while wincing as Akira continues to pressure forward, eventually locking up and pulling Ion back away from the ropes. Ion tries fighting off Akira with elbows and punches, but the pain in his knee distracts him enough that he can't put enough force behind the strikes to do much damage. Akira reaches down, hooks Ion's right leg up before sweeping his left leg out, painfully dumping Ion down to the mat to the chagrin of most of the crowd. Seeing his opening, Akira bounces off the ropes and on the rebound lands a brutal double stomp onto Ion's knee which leaves him screaming in pain and rolling around on the mat. The ref pushes Akira back as he checks on Ion, asking him if he's OK to continue, which Ion responds to by silently climbing up to his feet. Ion starts to run to the ropes, but in his damaged state Akira easily catches him from behind in a waistlock and slams him down into the mat. Grabbing Ion's back, Akira hooks his legs around in a vice grip and starts trying to work towards a sleeper, which Ion can only really defend himself from with his hands. It doesn't take long for Akira to get the choke locked in, taking advantage of Ion's inability to fight him off to try and end the match. After some struggling Ion manages to roll himself on top on Akira, still in the sleeper and slowly fading. With his one good leg Ion pushes up, forcing Akira's shoulders down. It only gets two, but in his haste to get his shoulders up Akira loosens his grip and Ion manages to elbow his way out of it.

Cedar: Close call for both men there, and you've got to be thinking that if Ion's knee gets any worse the ref might have to call this one.

Miles: I hope the ref doesn't stop this, do you think the Jap might be able to break his leg?

Cedar: You're a racist and a sadist, Joey, try to be professional for once!

Akira backs up as Ion crawls to his feet, the crowd even more behind the highflier than before as he tries to find something in him to block out the pain. Akira runs off the ropes and comes back with his arm up looking for a lariat as Ion throws his head back and howls. Hopping more than he is running, Ion takes a few steps forward to gather momentum and drives his boot into Akira's jaw with a dropkick, albeit a slightly more ugly one than previously. Ion crawls onto Akira but can only get a one count out of it, causing him to pound his fists into the mat in anger. Ion grabs the nearby ropes to pull himself up and grabs Akira by the hair, pulling him up. Akira breaks the clinch and starts slapping Ion across the face with alternating left and right hands, making half the crowd cheer and half boo. Ion backs up and starts to fight back with his own slaps, but very quickly it becomes clear he's not going to win a strike battle. Ion drops to the mat and rolls out of the ring, and when Akira follows him out to the floor Ion jumps him with an elbow smash followed by an STO, ensuring to use his right leg for the trip to take some strain off of his left knee. Ion rolls back into the ring and slaps the side of the knee a few times to try and regain some feeling in it besides pain; a DIY medical procedure which proves to be somewhat helpful. Ion gets to his feet just before Akira and runs at the ropes, slightly slower than he normally would. Ion charges back towards the side of the ring Akira is stood outside of on the rebound, his limping having given Akira enough time to recover. Ion ducks his head to prepare to dive between the second and third ropes just before Akira slaps his elbows and starts to spin. The realization that he should have aborted the dive hits Ion at about the same time as Akira Kobayashi's elbow, leaving him hanging face down on the middle rope half in the ring and half out.

Cedar: A VICIOUS ROLLING ELBOW BY AKIRA KOBAYASHI!

Miles: HE'S OUT ON HIS ONE WORKING FOOT!

Akira walks to the corner of the ring and ascends the steps, ending up stood on the apron. After taking a few seconds to catch his breath Akira runs along the apron, jumps, and double stomps Ion on the back of his head, sending him tumbling down onto the floor as Akira lands on his feet next to him. The ref slides outside the ring and once again asks Ion if the wants to quit, which results in Ion yelling no at him loud enough for the cameras to pick up. Akira pulls Ion up and rolls him into the ring before sliding in after him looking for the cover. 1...2..th-KICKOUT! The crowd erupts in support of Ion as he stays alive, to the annoyance of Akira Kobayashi. Ion sits up and slams his hands into the mat, trying to will himself back into it as Akira stalks him, lining up a soccer kick. Ion gets up to his knees and dives out of the way of Akira's kick aimed directly at his head, and with his opponent distracted runs in and hits him with a discuss elbow smash. Akira falls back into the ropes, stumbles off, and ends up dropping to his knees in the middle of the ring, his back to Ion. Ion adjusts his left knee pad slightly to try to further alleviate the pain before stepping forward and landing a rolling savate kick into the back of Akira's neck.

Cedar: How is C5 Ion still in this?!

Ion looks at Akira, then up at the top rope, his head darting back and forth. After taking some time to think, Ion motions for the 450 for the second time in the match, once again causing the crowd to cheer for him. Ion climbs out onto the apron and tries to climb up, but the combo of the pain in his left knee and the dizziness from the rolling elbow and stomp cause his foot to slip off the rope. Ion steadies himself before grasping the top rope and pulling himself up, ascending far slower than he usually would. Just as Ion gets both feet planted on the top Akira gets to his feet and charges in, again winding up for a rolling elbow. This time Ion sees it coming and dodges it by leaping off the turnbuckle over the oncoming Kobayashi, but as he lands his leg gives way beneath him. This one moment of weakness throws Ion off, making him trip over his own feet and grab his knee in pain. Akira sees his chance and runs in behind, grabbing Ion and heaving him over and down onto the mat with a backdrop driver. Akira doesn't go for the cover and instead rolls Ion onto his left side and, while laid behind him, wraps his own legs around Ion's left leg. With the leg secure, Akira grabs Ion's right arm, pulls it back and tucks it under his own arm, wrenching it back and grabbing Ion in a facelock. Akira pulls back on both the leg and Ion's face, contorting him like a ragdoll as Ion finds himself to defend himself due to his injured knee and blurred vision from the backdrop driver.

Miles: What the fuck is this?

Cedar: It's called The Twister, Joey, and if Ion doesn't tap soon it's going to snap his damn spine!

Ion screams out in pain, using his one free arm to desperately try and claw his way out. He thrashes around as Akira grits his teeth and pulls with all his might, screaming at Ion to tap to the point it wouldn't be hard to believe that Akira wants Ion to tap just to save himself from harm. Still, though, Ion tries to fight, tries to wrestle his arm free. At last, after longer than any man should have to suffer in The Twister, Ion starts to tap out, causing the ref to dive on Akira to force him to break the hold.