[2000-07-12-IWA-MS-Survive This] American Kickboxer vs Hy-Zaya (Shoot Style)

[soup23]

This was a neat match. It is a squash for Kickboxer right up until the finish. His strikes and MMA are really strong here and I wish he went more that way instead of the highspot oriented style as this holds up a lot better. The finish has some interference from Uncle Honkey which puts Kickboxer out and Hy-Zaya to get the win after getting decimated for the entire match. **3/4

 

 

 

[Tim Evans]

This was better than the other Shoot match. Kickboxer dominates by trying to break Hi Zaya's arm. He also throws some nice knees. The finish was weird with the run ins and the choke out finish. I guess that counts as a knockout. Good match.

[GSR]

That blonde woman giving Hy-Zaya grief looks like the same one who was on their case at the ‘Heroes, Hurt & Hot Wax’ show.  Another outdoor IWA-MS card and the same match stipulations as Kickboxer/Richard X from eleven days prior.  A stiff kick to the knee causes Zaya to crumple and he at least looks more competent in this environment than X did.  Kickboxer is not giving him a moment’s rest bite though, dropping him with a knee to the head.  Zaya manages to catch a kick, exploder suplex and he takes Kickboxer’s back looking for a choke.  Boxer fights his way out and applies a cross armbar telling Zaya to “give it up” before he breaks it.  He doesn’t break it and he doesn’t get the submission, Zaya grabbing the ropes.  Kickboxer with a leg lock, but he leaves his own leg too close to his opponent who slaps on a heel hook.  That forces Boxer to release his own grip as he then repeatedly open hand slaps Zaya across the head to get him his.  A pair of kicks double Zaya over and Kickboxer follows that with one to the back of head.  Richard X runs out but Kickboxer sees him coming and decks him the moment he puts his head through the ropes.  Someone who I don’t recognise jumps X and the referee heads outside to try and restore some order.  With the official’s back turned, Honky enters the ring and chokes out Kickboxer.  Zaya then applies a rear naked choked to the unconscious Boxer for the win. 

A better match than Kickboxer/X and Boxer again looks good working this style.  The interference laden finish meant this ended on a downer for me, although Kickboxer proceeded to milk the applause from the fans for all he was worth before he finally left.