After a video package and a pyro display, we’re live at the All-State Arena in Chicago for Backlash! Dolph Ziggler is out first to a mixed reaction. His opponent, Shinsuke Nakamura, gets anything but a mixed reaction. The fans are absolutely in love with the King of Strong Style!
Ladies and gentleman…. The #KingOfStrongStyle has arrived to #WWEBacklash! @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/HkGR0woKqh
— WWE (@WWE) May 22, 2017
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Dolph Ziggler
The bell rings and both men circle each other before locking-up. Ziggler takes the back of Shinsuke but the King of Strong Style breaks out and swings a big kick that narrowly misses Dolph. A warning shot.
Again they lock-up and Ziggler forces Nakamura to the corner, then slaps him in the face. Nakamura responds with a knee to the gut that floors Dolph. Nakamura goes for a wrist-lock but Dolph ties him up and looks for a pin attempt but is unsuccessful.
Dolph grounds Shinsuke with a wristlock of his own but Nakamura spins around, kips-up, does a handstand, and gets Dolph in one of his own. Dolph moves to the ropes to break the hold and Nakamura rests his head against the back of Dolph, then shoves him in the face. Nakamura stands in the middle of the ring and taunts Dolph to bring it, then knee’s him hard in the guy as he runs at him.
Nakamura lands a knee drop to Ziggler before Good Vibrations in the corner. Ziggler rolls from the ring but Nakamura follows him and throws him back inside. Dolph kicks Shinsuke as he re-enters the ring, then lands a neckbreaker across the ropes. Ziggler slows things down and pulls Nakamura’s hair before raking the eyes and applying a sleeper. Nakamura eventually rolls Dolph off but the Showoff catches him with a picture-perfect dropkick.
“YOU SEE ME, BOY!” @HEELZiggler is feeling pretty cocky as he takes control early on! #WWEBacklash @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/1KnOC8aDBU
— WWE (@WWE) May 22, 2017
Ziggler keeps control of the match, landing headbutts and elbow drops. Nakamura catches Dolph with an enziguri to create some separation. Ziggler starts clobbering Ziggler with some hard kicks and a running knee in the corner. Nakamura places Dolph on the top rope before rolling backwards and kneeing him off. Ziggler elbows Nakamura as he looks for a reverse exploder. Ziggler looks for a roll-up but Nakamura reverses into a triangle but Dolph quickly gets to the ropes.
Ziggler catches Shinsuke with a big snap DDT for a near-fall. Nakamura takes Ziggler down with another knee, then looks for Kinshasha but Dolph dodges it and looks for another roll-up to no avail. Ziggler catches Nakamura with a Fameasser for another near-fall. Ziggler takes to the corner and starts up the band, looks for a superkick but Nakamura dodges. Ziggler catches Nakamura with a Zig-Zag but he kicks out!!
Dolph grabs Nakamura for a powerbomb but can’t get him up. Shinsuke gets out and hits Dolph with a hard knee to the gut, then a kick to the back of the head. He looks for the reverse exploder but Ziggler lands on his feet and superkicks the back of Nakamura’s head! Ziggler crawls to make the cover but Shinsuke kicks out. Ziggler gets frustrated and punches the back of Nakamura’s head repeatedly.
They stand face-to-face and Ziggler spits in his face! Ziggler shoots for a takedown but Nakamura sprawls and starts laying in knees to the head and shoulder. Nakamura elbows Ziggler across the bottom rope, then hits a running knee on the apron. Nakamura takes to the top rope and looks for Kinshasa but Ziggler moves. Shinsuke elbows Dolph on the back of the head, hard, hits the reverse exploder, then Kinshasha for the win!
KINSHASHA!!!! #TheArtistKnownAs @ShinsukeN has COME TO LIFE in this hard-fought battle! #WWEBacklash @HEELZiggler pic.twitter.com/mA5ExmJ8EP
— WWE (@WWE) May 22, 2017
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Nakamura celebrates his huge debut win after a great match and gets a standing ovation from the Chicago crowd.
