Tonight, the inaugural TNM Christmas Brawl tournament comes to an end.
It's a story of two paths which couldn't have been more different.
Kenta Sawada won his first-round match against John Lamb with the Uranage and followed it up with Uranage wins over the winner of yesterday's TNM Christmas Rumble, Basher Loadstone, and Hampton Doubleday. Sawada went into the fourth and final round of the group stage in the knowledge that he most likely was going to qualify for the Final Four no matter what. He put up a valiant effort anyway but lost clean to The Bob. The way the tournament was laid out, the #1 finisher of the group round would face the #4 finisher in the first semi-final so Kenta got a shot at redeeming himself against The Bob. And redeem himself he did in the most grueling match of the tournament thus far. Almost 26 minutes into the match, The Bob took the lead, and Sawada knew he only had 19 more minutes to score two falls if he wanted to stay alive in the tournament. It lit a fire in him, and Kenta Sawada took two falls off of The Bob in only 12 minutes, punching his ticket to the final and returning the favor of taking way The Bob's unbeaten streak.
''Gaijin'' Dan Mastriani faced The Bob in the opening match of the tournament and put on an embarrassing performance, losing in only 3:30 minutes. Whatever swagger Mastriani may have come into the tournament with, it had now been replaced with a chip on his shoulder. ''Gaijin'' Dan made short work of Bobby Goodwin with the Shining Wizard in the second round and defeated JL Stinger the same way in round three. Mastriani went into his fourth and final match against Jonny B. Gawdz knowing that he needed a win or he would be going home. A Shining Wizard after 9:35 minutes gave him the points he needed to reach the Final Four - but it was anything but an easy match for him. Knowing that he was only reaching the semi-finals because he had faced the tougher competition in his first three rounds than others who were tied with the same number of points only served to grow that chip on his shoulder. He wanted to make an example out of his semi-final opponent, Luna Rose. Beating her in two straight falls, both ending via Shining Wizard in about 5 1/2 minutes each, did just that.
Will Kenta Sawada's perseverence carry him to victory? Or will Dan Mastriani being hell-bent on proving his loss to The Bob was a fluke give him the edge in this 60-minute Iron Man match?
While Kenta Sawada has sequestered himself in his locker room, meditating and getting ready for his match, Dan Mastriani has a clear - and confident - message for his opponent.
And with that, it is time to go down to the ring and get this match on the road.
Dan Mastriani beat Kenta Sawada 4 falls to 3: x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:42:41 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:46:15 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:50:46 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:54:03 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:55:51 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:58:25 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 1:01:38 Rating: ******
Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada into the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada comes back, but is met with a kick to the midsection. Dan Mastriani tries a back fist, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a choke sleeper. Dan Mastriani inches his way towards the ropes after being locked in the hold for 5 seconds. Kenta Sawada sends Dan Mastriani into the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada charges into the corner, but Dan Mastriani moves out of the way. Dan Mastriani executes an armbar takedown against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits a punch on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits a punch on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani punches Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani attempts a waterwheel drop, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada chops Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani sends Kenta Sawada into the turnbuckle. Dan Mastriani runs shoulder-first into the corner, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. Kenta Sawada uses an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada kicks Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses a German suplex on Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada executes a kick to the thigh against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. Dan Mastriani uses a roundhouse kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for an elbowdrop, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada attempts a clothesline, but Dan Mastriani ducks out of the way. Dan Mastriani performs the Diamond Dust against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani catches Kenta Sawada in a flying armbar. Kenta Sawada is struggling to reach the ropes. Kenta Sawada is valiantly trying to break the hold. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after holding out for 11 seconds. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a thrust kick to the head. Kenta Sawada performs an elbowsmash against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani gets ahold of the ropes after being trapped for 13 seconds. Kenta Sawada executes a bulldog against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada attempts a stomp, but Dan Mastriani rolls out of the way. Dan Mastriani tries a somersault senton, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani uses a punch on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani executes a double arm DDT against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani places Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. Dan Mastriani performs a top-rope huracanrana against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani puts Kenta Sawada in the cross-face chicken wing. Kenta Sawada tries to escape the hold. Kenta Sawada makes it to the ropes after being trapped for 21 seconds. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada hits a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada takes Dan Mastriani down with a double underhook suplex. Kenta Sawada executes a flying axhandle against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses a snap suplex on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada sends Dan Mastriani into the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Dan Mastriani charges in with a Yakuza kick, but Kenta Sawada lifts his leg. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada performs an armbar takedown against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada locks Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani reaches the ropes after being locked in the hold for 17 seconds. Kenta Sawada performs a bulldog against Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani springs to his feet. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with an Asai moonsault. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani uses a back fist on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani puts Kenta Sawada in an Indian deathlock. Kenta Sawada makes it to the ropes after holding out for 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani catches Kenta Sawada in a cobra clutch. Kenta Sawada is valiantly trying to break the hold. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after being locked in the hold for 10 seconds. Dan Mastriani hits a drop toe hold on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with an elbow. Kenta Sawada covers Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada goes for a gutwrench suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani uses a mounted elbowsmash on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani covers Kenta Sawada. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani hits an elbowdrop on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a double underhook suplex. Kenta Sawada performs a double underhook suplex against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a Northern Lights suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a kneelift. In turn, Kenta Sawada counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada tries a German suplex, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani executes a superkick against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani performs the Diamond Dust against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada out of the ring. Dan Mastriani rolls out under the bottom rope. Dan Mastriani shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani knocks Kenta Sawada into the ringsteps. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. Dan Mastriani uses a dragon suplex on Kenta Sawada. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. Dan Mastriani grabs a chair. Dan Mastriani sets up the chair. Dan Mastriani attempts a dragon suplex, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backward kick. Kenta Sawada shoves Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. Kenta Sawada covers Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, shoulder up. They're brawling behind the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada attempts a flying clothesline, but Dan Mastriani steps out of the way. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. They're brawling behind the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani goes for the People's Elbow, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in an Indian deathlock. Dan Mastriani breaks the hold with a punch after 9 seconds. They're brawling behind the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani performs a rolling kick against Kenta Sawada. They're brawling up the aisle. Dan Mastriani climbs back into the ring. Kenta Sawada follows him back in. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani misses with a kick. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with an elbow. Kenta Sawada takes Dan Mastriani down with an armbar takedown. Kenta Sawada hits an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a bodyslam on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a back suplex, but Dan Mastriani turns in mid-air and lands on him. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Dan Mastriani goes for a roundhouse kick, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a shoulderblock. Dan Mastriani executes a punch against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for a back fist, but Kenta Sawada ducks out of the way. Kenta Sawada performs a high kick against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a running power bomb against Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, kickout. Kenta Sawada attempts a double underhook suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani tries a springboard legdrop, but Kenta Sawada rolls out of the way. Kenta Sawada executes a bulldog against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a bodyslam, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a front facelock. Kenta Sawada tries to escape the hold. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after 11 seconds. Dan Mastriani leaves the ring. He returns with a chair. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes and springs off the chair. Dan Mastriani hits a dropkick to the knee on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani goes for the Shining Wizard, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a duck-down move. Kenta Sawada performs a fallaway slam against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with an enzuigiri. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits a clothesline on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a bulldog. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Nick Patrick removes the chair from the ring. Kenta Sawada uses an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs an armbar takedown against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses a jawbreaker on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a bulldog against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada attempts a spin kick, but Dan Mastriani ducks out of the way. Dan Mastriani hits a roundhouse kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani gets the cross-face chicken wing on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after being trapped for 7 seconds. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani misses with an elbow. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani attempts an Asai moonsault, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada hits an armbar takedown on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada covers Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada performs a jawbreaker against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada performs a slingshot facebuster against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada attempts a spin kick, but Dan Mastriani ducks out of the way. Dan Mastriani attempts a back heel kick, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada uses an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a double underhook suplex on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a stomp against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with a kick. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani out of the ring. Kenta Sawada rolls out under the bottom rope. They're brawling inside the ring area. Kenta Sawada uses a backbreaker on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada shoves Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. Kenta Sawada gets a single-leg takedown into a leglock on Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick asks Dan Mastriani if he's still there. Dan Mastriani nods. Dan Mastriani is close to escaping the hold. Dan Mastriani is barely hanging in there. Nick Patrick checks Dan Mastriani's arm. He lifts it... it falls. He lifts it... it falls. He lifts it... it stays up! Dan Mastriani fights his way out of the hold after 37 seconds. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada performs an elbowsmash against Dan Mastriani. They're brawling down the aisle. Kenta Sawada goes for a stomp, but Dan Mastriani rolls out of the way. They're brawling up the aisle. Dan Mastriani uses a waterwheel drop on Kenta Sawada. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani uses a punch on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, kickout. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani executes the People's Elbow against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada back into the ring. Dan Mastriani gets a dragon sleeper on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani puts Kenta Sawada in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Kenta Sawada inches his way towards the ropes after 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani uses a roundhouse kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, kickout. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani misses with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada puts Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani makes it to the ropes after 5 seconds. Kenta Sawada goes for a double underhook suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani goes for a superkick, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani misses with a kick. Dan Mastriani uses a dropkick to the knee on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani gives the sign for the Shining Wizard. Dan Mastriani goes for the Shining Wizard, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Dan Mastriani goes for a palm blow, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada hits an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani and Kenta Sawada get hit with a double clothesline. Dan Mastriani tries a thrust kick to the head, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada performs a running power bomb against Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada attempts to place Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Kenta Sawada attempts to place Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Kenta Sawada attempts to place Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a slingshot facebuster. Kenta Sawada executes a chop against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada executes a back suplex against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a Northern Lights suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a guillotine choke. Kenta Sawada makes it to the ropes after 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada out of the ring. Dan Mastriani rolls out under the bottom rope. Dan Mastriani runs Kenta Sawada into the ringsteps. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani attempts a leg lariat, but Kenta Sawada ducks out of the way. Kenta Sawada runs Dan Mastriani into the ringsteps. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against Dan Mastriani on the concrete floor. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. They're brawling inside the ring area. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani over the guardrail. Kenta Sawada attempts an Exploder suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with an elbowsmash. Dan Mastriani is going for the cover. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani goes for a waterwheel drop, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani over the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani over the guardrail. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada is starting to bleed. Dan Mastriani uses a kick to the midsection on Kenta Sawada. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada into the ringsteps. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani performs an elbowdrop from the second turnbuckle against Kenta Sawada. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada back into the ring. Dan Mastriani brings the table into the ring. Kenta Sawada attempts to place Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Kenta Sawada attempts a side headlock, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a back suplex. Dan Mastriani attempts a leg lariat, but Kenta Sawada ducks out of the way. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani goes for a flying armbar, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada hits a spin kick on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a gutwrench suplex on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses a gutwrench suplex on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a clothesline on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani grabs the ropes after being locked in the hold for 12 seconds. Kenta Sawada puts Dan Mastriani in an Indian deathlock. Dan Mastriani is struggling to reach the ropes. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani inches his way towards the ropes after 8 seconds. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Dan Mastriani catches Kenta Sawada in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Kenta Sawada is valiantly trying to break the hold. Kenta Sawada is struggling to reach the ropes. Kenta Sawada grabs the ropes after 14 seconds. Dan Mastriani tries a spinning toe hold, but Kenta Sawada throws him off. Kenta Sawada attempts to place Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Kenta Sawada tries a thrust kick to the head, but Dan Mastriani ducks out of the way. Dan Mastriani hits a back heel kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani uses a rolling kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada uses a clothesline on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in an Indian deathlock. Dan Mastriani is struggling to reach the ropes. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Kenta Sawada lets go after 18 seconds. Kenta Sawada uses an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada puts Dan Mastriani in the STF. Dan Mastriani reaches the ropes after being trapped for 6 seconds. Kenta Sawada tries a mounted elbowsmash, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani uses a superkick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits the Diamond Dust on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani uses a back heel kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani leaves the ring. He returns with a chair. Dan Mastriani sets up the chair. Dan Mastriani uses the Sling Blade onto the chair on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani tries a soccer kick, but Kenta Sawada counters it with an inside cradle. Nick Patrick counts: One, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada is bleeding like a faucet. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a back suplex against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. Nick Patrick removes the chair from the ring. Dan Mastriani executes a kick to the midsection against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani executes the Diamond Dust against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a kick. Dan Mastriani misses with a kick. Dan Mastriani misses with a shoulderblock. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada misses with an elbow. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a backdrop. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. Dan Mastriani jumps onto him with a springboard plancha. Dan Mastriani knocks Kenta Sawada into the ringpost. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling inside the ring area. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada over the guardrail. Dan Mastriani shoves Kenta Sawada into the guardrail. They're brawling behind the guardrail. Kenta Sawada hits a chop on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada flings Dan Mastriani over a row of chairs. They're brawling down the aisle. Kenta Sawada uses an atomic drop on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling down the aisle. Kenta Sawada goes for an enzuigiri, but Dan Mastriani steps out of the way. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. They're brawling in the back of the arena. Kenta Sawada executes a thrust kick to the head against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a jawbreaker against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a kick to the thigh against Dan Mastriani. They're brawling in the back of the arena. Kenta Sawada uses a chop on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling up the arena stairway. Kenta Sawada goes for the Uranage, but Dan Mastriani counters it with an elbowsmash. They're brawling on the first floor. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with an enzuigiri. They're brawling on the first floor. Kenta Sawada throws Dan Mastriani into the stairway. Kenta Sawada performs an elbowsmash against Dan Mastriani. They're brawling up the arena stairway. Kenta Sawada hits a bulldog on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling on the second floor. They're brawling on the second floor. They're brawling on the second floor. Kenta Sawada tries a Northern Lights suplex, but Dan Mastriani blocks it. Dan Mastriani executes a series of punches against Kenta Sawada. They're brawling on the second floor. They're brawling on the second floor. Dan Mastriani flings Kenta Sawada over a row of chairs. Dan Mastriani executes a double arm DDT against Kenta Sawada. They're brawling on the second floor. They're brawling down the stairway. Dan Mastriani gets a single-leg takedown into a leglock on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada is close to escaping the hold. Dan Mastriani lets go after 21 seconds. They're brawling down the stairway. Dan Mastriani executes a mounted elbowsmash against Kenta Sawada. They're brawling in the back of the arena. Dan Mastriani goes for a roundhouse kick, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada uses a jawbreaker on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling in the back of the arena. They're brawling up the aisle. Kenta Sawada hits a backbreaker on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a snap suplex. They're brawling in mid-arena. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Nick Patrick asks Dan Mastriani if he should call for a stop to this. Dan Mastriani shakes his head. Nick Patrick asks Dan Mastriani if he's had enough. Dan Mastriani shakes his head. Dan Mastriani tries to escape the hold. Dan Mastriani tries to fight the pain. Dan Mastriani summons one last burst of energy. Nick Patrick tells Dan Mastriani to respond or he'll call for the bell. Dan Mastriani nods. Nick Patrick tells Dan Mastriani to respond or he'll call for the bell. Dan Mastriani nods. Nick Patrick asks Dan Mastriani if he's had enough. Dan Mastriani shakes his head. Kenta Sawada lets go after 50 seconds. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. They're brawling in mid-arena. Kenta Sawada hits an elbowsmash on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling down the aisle. Kenta Sawada performs an elbowsmash against Dan Mastriani. They're brawling in the back of the arena. Kenta Sawada uses a stomp on Dan Mastriani. They're brawling up the aisle. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against Dan Mastriani on the concrete floor. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Kenta Sawada. Time of match: 0:42:41
Dan Mastriani catches Kenta Sawada in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Kenta Sawada inches his way towards the ropes after 5 seconds. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada gets a side headlock on Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani grabs the ropes after holding out for 5 seconds. Kenta Sawada hits an armbar takedown on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada tries a slingshot facebuster, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a small package. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani complains about a slow count. Kenta Sawada uses a knee to the back on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs a flying dropkick against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a mounted punch on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits a clothesline on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani executes a roundhouse kick against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits an enzuigiri on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits an elbowdrop from the second turnbuckle on Kenta Sawada. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Dan Mastriani performs a punch against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani performs the Sling Blade against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani takes Kenta Sawada down with an armbar takedown. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes, but Dan Mastriani reverses it. Dan Mastriani performs a dropkick to the knee against Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada goes for the Uranage, but Dan Mastriani counters it with an elbowsmash. Dan Mastriani attempts a back heel kick, but Kenta Sawada ducks out of the way. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with an Exploder suplex. Kenta Sawada performs a backbreaker against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada performs an armbar takedown against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a high kick. Kenta Sawada hits an enzuigiri on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada hits an armbar takedown on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Kenta Sawada. Time of match: 0:46:15
Dan Mastriani punches Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada kicks Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada kicks Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani chops Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada punches Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada chops Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada tries a flying clothesline, but Dan Mastriani counters it with an intercept superkick. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada is bleeding like a faucet. Kenta Sawada executes a Northern Lights suplex against Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada locks Dan Mastriani in a side headlock. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani is struggling to reach the ropes. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani tries to escape the hold. Dan Mastriani manages to grab the ropes after being trapped for 23 seconds. Kenta Sawada hits a flying axhandle on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada works the crowd. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with a thrust kick to the head. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in a side headlock. Dan Mastriani is inching his way towards the ropes. Dan Mastriani gets ahold of the ropes after being locked in the hold for 14 seconds. Kenta Sawada executes an armbar takedown against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a flying axhandle, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a punch. Dan Mastriani executes an armbar takedown against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with an elbow. Dan Mastriani uses a kneedrop on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with a tiger suplex. Dan Mastriani executes a dragon suplex against Kenta Sawada. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Dan Mastriani tries the People's Elbow, but Kenta Sawada moves out of the way. Kenta Sawada locks Dan Mastriani in a side headlock. Dan Mastriani tries to escape the hold. Dan Mastriani is struggling to reach the ropes. Kenta Sawada lets go after 23 seconds. Kenta Sawada goes for a high kick, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a legsweep. Kenta Sawada springs to his feet. Kenta Sawada uses a German suplex on Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with a thrust kick to the head. Dan Mastriani uses the Sling Blade on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani places Kenta Sawada on the turnbuckle. Dan Mastriani executes a top-rope huracanrana against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 0:50:46
Dan Mastriani executes a rolling kick against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani tries the cross-face chicken wing, but Kenta Sawada counters it with an elbowsmash. Kenta Sawada uses a slingshot facebuster on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada takes Dan Mastriani down with a German suplex. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada catches Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani is valiantly trying to break the hold. Dan Mastriani inches his way towards the ropes after 9 seconds. Dan Mastriani springs to his feet. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with a roundhouse kick. Dan Mastriani executes a series of punches against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani tries a dropkick to the knee, but Kenta Sawada steps out of the way. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with an elbow. Dan Mastriani is going for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada falls out of the ring. Dan Mastriani jumps onto him with a Space Flying Tiger Drop. Dan Mastriani uses a rolling kick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani puts Kenta Sawada in a cobra clutch. Kenta Sawada is struggling to get out of the hold. Kenta Sawada is close to escaping the hold. Dan Mastriani lets go after 23 seconds. Dan Mastriani throws Kenta Sawada back into the ring. Dan Mastriani brings the table into the ring. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada runs shoulder-first into the corner. Kenta Sawada puts Dan Mastriani in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Dan Mastriani grabs the ropes after holding out for 13 seconds. Kenta Sawada tries a clothesline, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a crucifix. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 0:54:03
Kenta Sawada is bleeding profusely. Dan Mastriani puts Kenta Sawada in the cross-face chicken wing. Kenta Sawada reaches the ropes after being locked in the hold for 9 seconds. Dan Mastriani uses a kick to the midsection on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani executes an armbar takedown against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani tries a dragon suplex, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backward kick. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a running power bomb. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, kickout. Kenta Sawada places Dan Mastriani on the turnbuckle. Kenta Sawada uses a belly-to-belly superplex on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a gutwrench suplex. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a shoulderblock. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada executes a thrust kick to the head against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada tries a double underhook suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a backdrop. Dan Mastriani goes for a dragon suplex, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backward kick. Kenta Sawada executes the Uranage against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Kenta Sawada. Time of match: 0:55:51
Dan Mastriani kicks Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani punches Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada kicks Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada chops Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada tries a snap suplex, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a vertical suplex. Dan Mastriani performs a back fist against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani catches Kenta Sawada in a cobra clutch. Nick Patrick asks Kenta Sawada if he's had enough. Kenta Sawada shakes his head. Kenta Sawada breaks the hold with an armdrag takedown after 17 seconds. Kenta Sawada executes a hiptoss against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada takes Dan Mastriani down with a bodyslam. Kenta Sawada executes a mounted elbowsmash against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada uses an atomic drop on Dan Mastriani. Dan Mastriani inadvertedly knocks down Nick Patrick. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a double underhook suplex. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with an elbow. Dan Mastriani performs a snap suplex against Kenta Sawada. Andrew Thomas comes running down to the ring. Dan Mastriani gets the cross-face chicken wing on Kenta Sawada. Kenta Sawada makes it to the ropes after being trapped for 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani locks Kenta Sawada in a cobra clutch. Kenta Sawada inches his way towards the ropes after holding out for 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani executes a roundhouse kick against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Andrew Thomas counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 0:58:25
Dan Mastriani hits an STO on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani uses a running front dropkick on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Dan Mastriani nails Kenta Sawada with a rolling kick. Dan Mastriani tries a double arm DDT, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backdrop. Nick Patrick shakes off the pain. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Kenta Sawada hits Dan Mastriani with a backdrop. Kenta Sawada uses a stomp on Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada nails Dan Mastriani with a running power bomb. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, shoulder up. Kenta Sawada hits a flying elbowdrop on Dan Mastriani. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, thr... kickout. The bell rings. The time limit has expired. The falls are tied. We now enter... SUDDEN DEATH! Nick Patrick lets the match continue. Kenta Sawada attempts a hiptoss, but Dan Mastriani counters it with a facerake. Dan Mastriani executes a punch against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes. Kenta Sawada misses with a clothesline. Kenta Sawada performs a thrust kick to the head against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada is bleeding like a faucet. Kenta Sawada performs a flying clothesline against Dan Mastriani. Kenta Sawada goes for a flying elbowdrop, but Dan Mastriani moves out of the way. Dan Mastriani whips Kenta Sawada into the ropes, but Kenta Sawada reverses it. Dan Mastriani tries the Sling Blade, but Kenta Sawada ducks out of the way. Kenta Sawada whips Dan Mastriani into the ropes. Dan Mastriani hits Kenta Sawada with a kick. Dan Mastriani tries a double arm DDT, but Kenta Sawada blocks it. Kenta Sawada runs into the ropes. Dan Mastriani locks Kenta Sawada in a single-leg takedown into a leglock. Kenta Sawada manages to grab the ropes after 5 seconds. Dan Mastriani executes an elbowdrop against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani hits a springboard legdrop on Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani attempts a tiger suplex, but Kenta Sawada counters it with a backward kick. Kenta Sawada goes for a flying dropkick, but Dan Mastriani steps out of the way. Dan Mastriani gives the sign for the Shining Wizard. Dan Mastriani executes the Shining Wizard against Kenta Sawada. Dan Mastriani goes for the pin. Nick Patrick counts: One, two, three.
The winner is Dan Mastriani. Time of match: 1:01:38
What a war of attrition!
Kenta Sawada and Dan Mastriani fought for over 42 grueling minutes before the first fall was conceded.
This included both men continually working over each others' legs, Sawada scrambling to avoid being hit by the Shining Wizard multiple times, Mastriani barely getting out of a leglock but having the wherewithal to shift his weight to go for a cover while doing so, ''Gaijin'' Dan being hit with the Uranage on the concrete floor and barely kicking out, Sawada being busted open while they were brawling over the entire inside the arena, Mastriani landing an elbowdrop from the second turnbuckle to outside the ring and only getting a two-count, Sawada surviving a Sling Blade onto a chair, Mastriani getting a 2.9 count with the Shining Wizard, Sawada sending his opponent flying over a row of chairs, Mastriani foiling an Uranage from down the arena stairs, Sawada returning the favor and holding Mastriani in a leglock for almost a minute with Dan refusing to tap... but then barely being able to kick out the ensuing cover, and Mastriani finally conceding the longest fall in TNM history after Kenta Sawada finally hit another Uranage after 42:41 minutes.
Both were absolutely exhausted by that point but still had over 17 minutes to go.
Mastriani countered a slingshot facebuster attempt by rolling up Sawada in a small package, only got two and then complained to referee Nick Patrick - with some merit - that the count had been slow. Mastriani was able to prevent an Uranage attempt two minutes later but Sawada softened him up some more with an Exploder suplex, a backbreaker, an armbar takedown, a high kick and an enzuigiri before finishing the second fall with the Uranage in 46:15 minutes. Kenta Sawada was up two falls to nil with only 13:45 minutes remaining.
Fall number three was gut check time. Both Kenta Sawada and Dan Mastriani refused to concede and kept trading near-falls and near-submissions until Sawada landed badly taking a backdrop. Mastriani followed up with a thrust kick to the head, a Sling Blade and hit a top-rope huracanrana. ''Gaijin'' Dan had two options: he could go for the pin and risk Sawada kicking out AGAIN - or he could try for his Shining Wizard and hope Sawada wasn't playing possum. He decided to go big - and it paid off. Dan Mastriani almost took Sawada's head off with the Shining Wizard and got the one... two... three at 50 minutes and 46 seconds. But Kenta Sawada was still up one fall. This wouldn't be good enough.
Both men went into the fourth fall with very little gas left in the tank. The hits kept coming closer and closer. Sawada barely kicked out of a cover following an errant elbow to the face by Mastriani. Mastriani even broke out his rare Space Flying Tiger Drop and followed up by attempting to choke out Sawada with a cobra clutch outside the ring. He squeezed and squeezed but when Sawada just refused to go out, Mastriani let go after over 20 seconds, not wanting to waste precious energy. Something was in the air at this point: Everything little thing they did could be it. Back in the ring, Mastriani barely made the ropes during a Sawada leglock attempt. Sawada followed up with a sloppy clothesline attempt which Mastriani turned into a crucifix pin and another 2.9 count. Sensing the end, ''Gaijin'' Dan kicked the still-downed Sawada hard twice, backed into the ropes and nailed him with one of the most brutal Shining Wizards ever seen, with blood flying everywhere. Mastriani could probably have gotten a five-count at this point. When Nick Patrick's hand hit the mat for the third time at 54:03 minutes, it tied up the match 2-2 with just under six minutes to go.
Sawada was a bloody mess at this point. Mastriani put him in a cross-face chicken wing submission right away but Sawada made the ropes. Mastriani tried a dragon suplex but was kicked low and Sawada followed up with a running power bomb and made a bit of a comeback before Mastriani dumped him unceremoneously in countering a double underhook suplex. With a smirk on his face, ''Gaijin'' Dan locked on the dragon suplex but just as he was about to launch Sawada in the air, the man from Japan sandbagged him, threw another backwards kick which hit Mastriani low, turned around and hit the Uranage to win the fifth fall at 55:51 minutes. Sawada was now up again by 3-2 falls.
Mastriani took it to Sawada right at the beginning of the sixth fall. Sensing urgency, he hit a back fist and tried to put Sawada away with the cobra clutch. Nick Patrick asked Sawada if he had had enough... and it was as if that question had turned the lights back on. Sawada shook his head emphatically and finally managed to break the hold with an armdrag takedown. Sawada mounted a babyface comeback which was cut short by an atomic drop of his causing Mastriani to collide with the referee. In the ensuing chaos afterwards, Mastriani took control again while replacement referee Andrew Thomas sprinted to the ring. As ''Gaijin'' Dan applied the cross-face chicken wing again, you could see the life drain out of Kenta Sawada's face. He barely made the ropes, Mastriani wanted to go for the kill and transitioned to the cobra clutch. Sawada was still too close to the ropes, though, and managed to reach them one more time. As Kenta Sawada was on one knee, Mastriani took aim, sent his heel into the side of Sawada's face with a roundhouse kick, ran into the ropes and landed the Shining Wizard before collapsing onto his opponent for the pin. At 58:25 minutes, Dan Mastriani tied the match at three falls each with only 95 seconds remaining in the match.
Sensing the urgency of the situation, Mastriani staggered right back to his feet, landed an STO, a running (well... barely) front dropkick and a rolling kick before trying to put Sawada away with a double-arm DDT, which Sawada managed to escape with a backdrop. With 18 seconds remaining, Sawada hoisted ''Gaijin'' D up and delivered a running power bomb but couldn't get the three. Sawada climbed to the top rope on wobbly legs, hoisted his arms into the air as if he were the ''Macho Man'' and landed a beautiful flying elbowdrop onto Dan Mastriani with four seconds remaining. Nick Patrick hit the mat once, he hit it twice - and then Dan Mastriani's shoulder shot up at the very moment the one-hour time limit expired. When he could have most likely been saved by the bell, Mastriani once again showed his fighting spirit by defiantly refusing to take the easy way out.
After 60 hard minutes of combat, the score between Kenta Sawada and Dan Mastriani was three falls apiece, and since there had to be a winner, the match entered Sudden Death where the next person to score a fall would win the final and the tournament.
Both competitors mobilized their last bits of energy and picked up the pace one more time. Bleeding heavily, Sawada landed a thrust kick that caused Mastriani's head to snap back and his eyes to roll back into his head - but he refused to go down. Sawada ran into the ropes and landed a flying clothesline that took ''Gaijin'' Dan off his feet and he went back to the top rope one more time. He thrust his arms into the air and it was clear he was intending to finish this now. He leapt into the air, shifted his weight to the side with his elbow pointing down at Mastriani's sternum. But at the last moment, ''Gaijin'' D was able to roll out of the way, causing Kenta Sawada to crash and burn. This initiated a final back-and-forth sequence with Mastriani ending up getting the better of it. As ''Gaijin'' Dan locked Sawada's arms behind his back for a tiger suplex, Sawada kicked him low once more, causing Mastriani to wince in pain. Sawada climbed to the second turnbuckle and launched himself at Mastriani feet-first but only hit air. ''Gaijin'' Dan had seen him coming and while the back of Sawada's head hit the mat, Mastriani had staggered back into the ropes. We all knew what was coming. As Kenta Sawada tried to get back up, all he could see was Dan Mastriani's knee approaching, then hitting him in the orbital bone - and that was the last thing he remembered. Kenta Sawada's flame had been extinguished. Nick Patrick hit the mat once, twice, and on the way down for the three-count, you could tell he hesitated momentarily, half expecting a last-second kickout, as he had seen so many times during this match. But it wasn't to be. As Nick Patrick's hand hit the mat for the final time, everybody in the audience realized they had witnessed one of the best and most brutal matches in wrestling history and a worthy final to the inaugural TNM Christmas Brawl tournament.
At the 1:01:38 mark, ''Gaijin'' Dan Mastriani ascended to legend status. He had gone from a heartbreaking loss to the Bob in the tournament's opening match to coming back strong and taking one of the finest competitors in the world, Kenta Sawada, to his limits and finally breaking him in the end.
Tonight we celebrate the winner of the inaugural TNM Christmas Brawl tournament, ''Gaijin'' Dan Mastriani.
Match Times
1:01:38
Dan Mastriani beat Kenta Sawada 4 falls to 3: x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:42:41 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:46:15 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:50:46 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:54:03 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:55:51 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:58:25 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 1:01:38
Match Ratings
******
Dan Mastriani beat Kenta Sawada 4 falls to 3: x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:42:41 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:46:15 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:50:46 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:54:03 x K. Sawada beat Gaijin D via the Uranage in 0:55:51 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 0:58:25 x Gaijin D beat K. Sawada via the Shining Wizard in 1:01:38