Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat joins the announce team to keep a closer eye on this one. Bryan Danielson once again has “The Final Countdown” as his entrance theme, which is great. Ricky Starks doesn’t get the strap attached to his wrist right away, and he attacks Danielson with a weight belt before the match even officially starts.
Finally, Ricky decides to let himself get strapped up, and the match gets underway with Danielson already bleeding. Starks strikes his pose as they fight from the outside back into the ring, covering for a two count.
The crowd boos as Starks mocks Danielson’s “yes” chant. He wraps the strap around his foe’s neck, and Bryan’s face is full of blood as he crawls to the corner. A headbutt finally allows Danielson to drive Starks back, but Ricky snaps the strap across the side of his head on the apron.
Starks’ decision to go up top may cost him, as Danielson slithers back out of the corner and brings the strap hard across his opponent’s back repeatedly. With Starks in the Tree of Woe, he takes more shots from the leather across his chest. Ouch.
Low kicks from Danielson smack into Starks’ face as he remains upside-down. His shoulder is dragged into the post as well, and the fans are chanting “yes” in support of the American Dragon.
With the strap wrapped all the way around him, Starks is opened up as his face is dragged against the post. Steamboat reminds the announcers that it was Starks who wanted a Strap match.
Starks eats a series of kicks in the corner, but then comes charging out with a desperation lariat. Both men rise slowly, forehead to forehead, and just wail away on each other with the strap.
Danielson asks for more and seems to discourage Starks with his sheer toughness. He blasts Starks with kicks, but Big Bill is on the apron to attack the American Dragon. Steamboat hauls Bill off the apron, and just when it appears the legend is in trouble, Danielson tosses Starks out then flies and lands on both of them.
Back in the ring, Starks hits a spear and is agonized when Danielson kicks out. A running knee shot comes the other way, and Starks kicks out in turn.
Danielson is able to get the LeBell Lock in, then uses the strap to choke Ricky instead. Starks yells “no” but ends up going out, giving Danielson the win.