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Hiro going to the well once too many times proved disastrous as his short-lariat whiffed entirely, Nuke going underneath it and turning quickly, wrapping his arms around Hiro's waist. The Ethnic Enigma waved his arms out in front of him, trying desperately to grab ropes that were too far away, and was eventually lifted from his standing position and slammed back down on the mat onto his left shoulder with the impressive German Suplex. Hiro quickly rolled onto his knees and kept his blood head pressed against the mat, a hand on his shoulder as he was in a pretty real amount of pain from the awkward landing. The ref came over and began to check on him, but Hiro told him it was fine and he quickly backed off.

The fans loved what they were seeing, a hot start to what was going to be a big time show. Hiro struggled to use his left arm, his shoulder radiating with pain to a degree that would perhaps stop the match for a less pain-tolerant man. However, the match had to go on, so he pushed himself using both hands to his knees and a few moments after Nuke managed to get to his feet, turning to face his opponent again. He kept his right hand up as he did, preparing to defend himself if need be -- but going on the offensive in the moment was a bit of an impossible task.

Hiro looked out into the cacophony of sounds that physically manifested themselves around him in the shape of this crowd. Nuke had acknowledged their cheering and support, enjoying the actions of both men so far as they threw caution to the wind in the early goings and landed big blows. He couldn't help but feel, if just for a second, as he did seven years ago on the night that he won the WWF:G Legacy Championship. The Ethnic Enigma was not one to revel in perhaps what he deserved, but would like nothing more than to wash away his worries and doubts that had been overtaking him since his return. It was then when Nuke reached out his hand, perhaps so the two could pose for the crowd again, give them a feel good picture to take. Hiro would slowly reach towards his opponent, but with an extra drop of vigor Nuke grabbed his wrist, pulling him in closely before shoving him away and yanking him back into a MASSIVE Bull Hammer elbow!

The fans let out a loud "OOOOOOHHH" and a small portion even booed as Hiro's body slammed down to the ground, his hand covering his face as more blood was squeezed from his opened forehead wound from the pressure. Hiro's foot slammed against the ground as he thought to himself: "I can't believe I feel for that. How could I not have seen that coming?"

Hiro's leg was hooked by Nuke and he found himself in a bad way, on the precipice of losing the match. The elder Fusion decided to open his mouth however, hooking Hiro's leg but adding in some potential parting-words...and they angered Hiro, at least a little bit. He was reminded of what happened seven years ago. Nuke did something then, too -- something that was "just business". That business got him paid, but also cost Hiro his championship and seven years of what he thought would be a life long friendship. The ref would slap the mat just once as Hiro pushed his aching shoulder from the mat, not giving Nuke the satisfaction of even getting a two count. The bull hammer had rocked his head and his back hurt like the dickens, but Hiro's emotions were definitely a driving force behind that kick out.

Hiro shoved Nuke off of him, getting another whispered earful as the Redeemer stood up above him. Once again, Hiro found himself at the feet of Nuke Fusion, his head aching and his body hurting -- a small bruise to his pride. Hiro began his ascent back to a standing position, Nuke giving him the time to do so. Hiro wiped some of the blood from his forehead and rubbed it off on his chest, it now as red as Nuke's -- and he charged at his opponent, looking to wrap an arm around his waist! He'd use the wrap to pivot around Nuke and try to catch him with an elbow to the neck!

Hiro held his hold on Nuke tight, his elbow sticking it to the veteran and reminding him the match was still in it's infancy: more would be coming! Hiro began to push forward, trying to run Nuke across the ring and into the ropes wanting to rebound the both of them in an attempt to roll them backwards with Hiro on top of Nukes lower body pinning him to the mat! Classic wrestling with the roll up, still alive and well in this battle!

Hiro stumbled upward as Nuke kicked out, keeping his balance and gritting his teeth as he turned back to his friend, trying to run up to him and kick him square in the rips before he could get back up entirely! It seemed like Hiro found it important now to let Nuke get up just yet, he wanted to keep him down, perhaps for both their sake of taking a short break -- regardless, it all came down to how Nuke reacted to Hiro's attempt!

Nuke rolled out to ringside, Hiro not wanting that to happen but having to pay the price for his kick's momentum. There are worse things that can happen, so he decided to make lemonade with these lemons. He looks around at the crowd as Nuke sucked in some air from his knee-and-elbow position, and decided he would try a dangerous maneuver. The fans could feel Hiro's gears turning themselves, a dull cheer picking up into a growing roar and claps as Hiro looked up and gulped, deciding not to delay things any further. He took off running at the ropes behind him and rebounded, rushing towards the opposite ropes full speed as he leaped and landed with one foot on the top rope! It was a better outcome than when he tried this against Jamie Bader, as he didn't immediately slip off the rope! However, with only one foot planted he didn't get a great jump but regardless he tried to crash directly into Nuke's body on the way down!