Eddie Kingston finally hit the summit as a professional wrestler as he captured the ROH world title against bitter rival, Claudio Castagnoli at AEW Grand Slam in front of an ecstatic crowd.
The result was the biggest win of Kingston’s lengthy career but was advice from his wrestling heroes the reason why the popular New Yorker grabbed the crown?
After competing in NJPW’s G1 Climax earlier this year, Kingston, an ardent supporter of Japanese wrestling, took some time to indulge in his new environment.
This included a meeting with Toshiaki Kawada, one of his wrestling idols, and during the chat, Kawada kindly provided Kingston with advice regarding the wrestling business.
A master of the powerbomb, Kawada appeared happy to share strategy with the man who idolises him and it appears Kingston took the information onboard.
The puroresu great advised Kingston not to attempt to pay tribute to him by using his Northern Lights Bomb finisher, but instead look to use his other favourite move, the powerbomb.
Following a gruelling battle with Castagnoli, who was sporting gear similar to that of Kawada's nemesis, Mitsuharu Misawa, Kingston indeed could not get the three count with a Northern Lights Bomb. So, he instead hit the powerbomb, Kawada-style with the fold-up pin straight after impact, and it finally gave Eddie the significant win over his 15-year nemesis.
With the partisan New York audience in euphoria, Kingston received a begrudging handshake of respect from Castagnoli before raising his first World title above his head.