Tag: g1 30 results

NJPW G1 Climax 30 finals live results: Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The G1 Climax concludes today in Ryogoku’s Sumo Hall. 

A Block winner Kota Ibushi will face B Block winner SANADA to determine the G1 Climax 30 winner. Ibushi is appearing in his third consecutive finals, the only man to ever do so.

Ibushi won the G1 in 2019, defeating Jay White in the finals, and lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi in 2018’s G1 finals. The two have met twice before, both in G1 block action in 2018 and 2019. Each has one victory over the other. 

This is SANADA’s first appearance in a G1 finals. 

The undercard was announced late on Saturday Eastern time. 

LIJ’s Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI will face EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi from Bullet Club in the semi-main. 

Kazuchika Okada & SHO will team against Will Ospreay and Great-O-Khan.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Jeff Cobb & Master Wato will face KENTA, Jay White, Gedo & Taiji Ishimori in an eight-man tag. 

Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi will team against Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. 

The show opener is Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado & DOUKI. 

Our live coverage begins at 2 a.m. Eastern time. 

**********

Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado & DOUKI defeated Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii, YOSHI-HASHI & Toru Yano (10:34)

This was all about setting up challengers to the NEVER Six-Man titles. The match was nothing special. 

Taichi and Ishii started off, trading kicks to each other’s bad legs. Sabre and Goto tagged in and Suzuki-gun turned this into a brawl around ringside. When the dust settled, Sabre began working over Goto’s bad shoulder. 

Goto managed a tag to Yano. Sabre and Yano did some comedy. 

DOUKI and YH tagged in for the closing sequence. Desperado jumped in and hit YH with a right hand. Sabre and Taichi hit YH with Zack Mephisto. 

Taichi threw DOUKI on top of YH and DOUKI actually scored a pin. 

**********

Post-match, Suzuki-gun continued to beat down Ishii, Goto and YH. DOUKI used a steel pipe on Goto. Sabre used an octopus on Yano. Sabre hit a dragon screw on Ishii. 

Suzuki-gun then posed with the NEVER Six-Man titles. 

**********

Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (11:55)

As you might expect, the intensity was off the charts in this one. 

As soon as he stepped through the ropes, Suzuki went after Shingo. All four brawled around ringside. Kanemaru cut Hiromu off with a drive-by dropkick on the apron. 

Kanemaru and Suzuki worked over Hiromu. Shingo got a hot tag and had an awesome exchange with Suzuki. They did a series of near-misses on signature spots. Suzuki avoided a sliding lariat. Shingo fought out of a choke. Suzuki no-sold a DVD. Shingo ate a PK. 

Kanemaru and Hiromu tagged back in. Suzuki jumped in for a double team and again Hiromu found himself being worked over. 

Kanemaru hit a Deep Impact but Shingo saved for Hiromu. Shingo hit a pop-up DVD on Kanemaru and fired Hiromu up. 

Hiromu hit a running DVD into the buckle, then followed with Time Bomb and pinned Kanemaru. 

**********

Suzuki and Shingo had a pull-apart after the match. 

Hiromu also grabbed Kanemaru’s Jr. Heavyweight Tag belt and they pushed on commentary that Hiromu and BUSHI want Kanemaru and Desperado’s Jr. Tag titles. 

**********

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Jeff Cobb & Master Wato (w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan) defeated KENTA, Jay White, Gedo & Taiji Ishimori (9:04)

They got very little time. As a result, this was all action and basically a fun house show match. 

White teased starting off with Juice but begged off. 

Ishimori and Wato started instead. Wato got cut off right away as Bullet Club turned this into a brawl around ringside. Bullet Club worked Wato over in their corner. 

Cobb got a hot tag. He hit White with a dropkick before both tagged out. 

Tana and KENTA went heads-up. KENTA blocked a slingblade and tagged Gedo. 

Tana hit Gedo with a dragon screw. White jumped in and hit a dragon screw on Tana. Cobb press slammed White and Ishimori into Gedo. Juice hit a plancha to White. Wato hit a tornillo on Ishimori. 

Tana hit Gedo with a slingblade. Cobb followed with a standing moonsault. Tanahashi then used a cloverleaf and Gedo tapped out. 

**********

Wrestle Kingdom 15 was officially announced for January 4 and January 5, 2021. 

**********

***** Intermission *****

Will Ospreay & Great-O-Khan (w/Bea Priestley) defeated Kazuchika Okada & SHO (12:35)

This was a decent showcase for Ospreay’s new faction. 

Okada went right after Ospreay while making his entrance. They brawled around the ring while O-Khan and SHO started the match. 

O-Khan used a variety of face rakes and chops in working SHO over. Ospreay tagged in for a couple of quick spots here and there but it was mostly O-Khan. 

O-Khan missed a charge into the corner, allowing SHO enough time to set up a spear and tag out. 

Okada hit O-Khan with a running back elbow and a DDT. O-Khan tied Okada to the tree of woe and used a series of stomps. O-Khan hit a sliding dropkick to Okada. Ospreay tagged in for Pip Pip Cheerio and a near fall. 

Okada and Ospreay traded strikes. Okada blocked a tiger kick and hit a dropkick before tagging out. 

SHO went for a power breaker but Ospreay escaped and went after SHO’s right knee. Ospreay took the ref and Priestley hit a dragon screw in the ropes on SHO. 

Ospreay then used a figure four to submit SHO, while O-Khan sent Okada to the mat with a claw slam. 

EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi (w/Dick Togo) defeated Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI (14:15)

I guess we’re not done with EVIL and Naito. 

I thought KENTA beating Naito Saturday would lead to something, and perhaps it still will, but EVIL looks to be next for Naito after this one. 

The match began with Yujiro and EVIL illegally doubling up Naito. Naito made a comeback on Yujiro. Yujiro and EVIL resorted to brawling on the floor to regain the advantage. EVIL used chairs on Naito. 

Back inside, Yujiro worked over BUSHI. BUSHI came back with a rana and tagged Naito. Naito hit Yujiro with a combinacion in the corner but kept his eyes focused on EVIL the whole time. 

Yujiro bit Naito’s hand and EVIL tagged in. Naito hit a swing DDT. Both tagged out. 

BUSHI hit a tope suicida and a DDT to EVIL. Togo took the ref. Yujiro jumped in for the double team. EVIL recovered and hit a fisherman buster for a two count. 

Everyone jumped in for a big move near the finish. Yujiro sent Naito outside after a big boot. EVIL hit a lariat to cut BUSHI off before he could make his comeback. 

EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a near fall, then used a scorpion deathlock for the submission. 

**********

After the match, Togo choked out Naito with a ligature. EVIL then hit Naito with Everything is EVIL and posed over him with the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles. 

**********

G1 Climax 30 Finals: Kota Ibushi defeated SANADA (35:12)

My enjoyment of this was tempered by thefact that I was worried that Ibushi was concussed. The 35-plus minutes flew by. They really kicked it into high gear after the 20 minute mark and some of the near falls were amazing. 

They started slowly, sizing each other up. Ibushi used a hammerlock and looked to be going after SANADA’s left arm. They traded a few holds. 

They went to striking after a few minutes. Ibushi’s left leg was taped up after his kick war with Taichi on Friday. SANADA kicked at the bad leg. 

There was a weird spot where SANADA went for a dropkick. Ibushi ducked under the dropkick but got caught by a SANADA forearm on top of his head. Ibushi rolled outside. Tough to say how much of this was selling and how much was legit but Ibushi looked out of it. 

Ibushi got back in and they went back to trading holds on the mat. SANADA used an ankle lock. Ibushi slapped on an STF. 

From there, they returned to striking. You almost never see anyone call spots in NJPW but you could see SANADA calling spots to Ibushi here. SANADA dropped Ibushi with a palm strike. SANADA then used a figure four. Ibushi forced a break. 

SANADA dropped Ibushi with a forearm strike. Ibushi came back with a sunset flip into a standing moonsault for a near fall. We were past the 15 minute point and this still had not kicked into second gear. 

SANADA rolled outside. Ibushi hit a plancha. Back in, Ibushi connected on a springboard missile dropkick for another two count. SANADA hit his leapfrog dropkick and follow-up plancha. SANADA tried to fire up the crowd. 

Ibushi fought off a TKO. SANADA missed a moonsault. Ibushi hit a powerslam. Ibushi missed a phoenix splash. SANADA tried a moonsault but Ibushi rolled out of the way. SANADA landed on his feet out of the missed moonsault and sent Ibushi outside with a rana. 

Ibushi reversed the position and sent SANADA to the floor. Ibushi teased a golden triangle. Instead, SANADA jumped up on the apron. Ibushi hit a double stomp on the apron. SANADA answered with a magic screw off the apron to the floor. 

They teased a double countout at 23 minutes. Both made it back in at 18. 

They did a striking sequence, both going after the other’s neck with forearm shots. SANADA hit one kick to the leg and then hit a magic screw inside the ring for a near fall. 

SANADA locked on Skull End. Ibushi powered out at the 25 minute call. 

SANADA tried for his springboard dropkick but Ibushi caught him coming off the ropes into a last ride. Ibushi sold his leg on landing and could not follow up with a cover. 

Ibushi hit a strike combination and another last ride for a near fall. Ibushi made the motion that he was setting up for Kamigoye. 

SANADA dropkicked Ibushi’s legs as Ibushi went for wrist control. Ibushi answered with a lariat. SANADA ducked a right hand and hit a tiger suplex for a two count. 

SANADA went for a TKO. Ibushi grabbed a dragon sleeper on the way down. SANADA reversed into his own dragon sleeper before using a spinning Skull End. 

SANADA got the full Skull End with body scissors in on the mat. Like an idiot, SANADA gave up the hold as Ibushi was about to have his arm dropped three times by the referee. SANADA always gives up on Skull End just when it’s working. It’s a logic flaw in his matches. 

SANADA missed a moonsault. Ibushi hit a high kick at the 30 minute call. Ibushi hit a Bomaye for a near fall. Ibushi went for Kamigoye. SANADA blocked and hit a TKO. 

SANADA hit a moonsault to Ibushi’s back. He went for a standard moonsault but Ibushi got his knees up. Ibushi sold the damage to his bad leg in blocking the move. 

SANADA got Skull End. Ibushi walked the ropes and reversed the hold. They teased a lawn dart. SANADA got back to Skull End. Ibushi reversed and hit a bastard driver for a great near fall. 

Ibushi went for Kamigoye. SANADA flipped into a backslide. Ibushi powered out and went for Kamigoye again. SANADA used a sunset flip. Ibushi slid out. SANADA used a Japanese clutch for the closest near fall you’ll ever see. 

SANADA tried Skull End again. Ibushi hit a high kick, a bicycle knee and a Kamigoye for another extremely close near fall. 

Ibushi then hit a second Kamigoye for the 1-2-3. 

Ibushi is The One for the second consecutive year. 

**********

Chono entered the ring and presented the G1 Climax trophy and flag to Ibushi. They posed together for the ringside photographers as Ibushi fought back tears. 

Ibushi cut a promo in the ring. He thanked the fans and thanked Chono. Ibushi said he can’t wait for things to get back to the way they used to be with full buildings. 

Ibushi said he intends to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and he will become God. 

The show ended with streamers falling from the ceiling and Ibushi posing with his trophy and flag.

**********

After the show, Ibushi sat at a table backstage for his post-match comments. 

Jay White entered. They drank Zima together. 

White said Ibushi isn’t really the winner. He said sometime soon, they’re going to give Ibushi a briefcase to signify his win. White said he’s going to take that case from Ibushi. 

Ibushi then gave his comments. He said he will face Jay at any time.  

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 18 live results: B Block finals

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • SANADA vs. EVIL

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (8:16)

They went the technical wrestling route for most of the contest. Uemura was incredible here. 

Uemura used a knuckle lock, then a short arm scissors which he used to roll Kidd around the ring. Kidd used a chancery to soften Uemura up for his buttefly suplex. 

Uemura tried to strike with Kidd. That was his downfall. Kidd hit a forearm, a dropkick, then used the butterfly suplex for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: YOSHI-HASHI defeated Toru Yano (6:11)

This was absolutely horrendous. I’m a fan of Yano comedy but this didn’t work. 

YH tried taping Yano to the barricade and his bo staff. Yano tried to spray hand sanitizer in YH’s face. There were two ref bumps. Yano exposed a buckle. 

For the finish, YH blocked a low blow and used Yano’s arm to cradle him for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: Juice Robinson defeated Hirooki Goto (12:09)

Goto got a couple of hope spots but the bulk of this was Juice going after the bad shoulder.

They came out firing off strikes. Juice sent Goto outside and hit a plancha. Goto sold his taped shoulder after the impact of the plancha and that became the story of the match. 

Juice blocked an ushigoroshi and hit a superplex. He maintained neck control on the landing and went for a jackhammer. Goto blocked and hit a neckbreaker. 

Goto finally connected with an ushigoroshi. A series of counters and teases ended with Goto blocking Pulp Friction and locking on a sleeper. Goto used the sleeper to set up a pair of cradles for near falls. 

Juice connected with a Left Hand of God. He followed with an awkward-looking Pulp Friction and pinned Goto. 

Goto really sold this as a big deal in the post-match with his facial expressions. A pro’s pro job by Goto. 

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (12:02)

This was a fun match. These two have great chemistry, but they have had more crisp matches. 

Sabre scored early with a couple of quick cradles. Tanahashi took a second to regroup, then used a side headlock takeover. He maintained the hold for a long time. Sabre eventually transitioned to a headscissors. They traded these two holds for quite a while. 

Sabre went after Tanahashi’s neck with neck cranks and a triangle. Sabre used an octopus. Tanahashi reversed into his own octopus. Sabre went for a Euro clutch. Tanahashi reversed into his own clutch hold for a near fall. 

Tanahashi focused on Sabre’s right knee with a low dropkick and inverted dragon screw. Sabre used an inside cradle and a guillotine. Tanahashi reversed the guillotine into twist and shout. 

Tanahashi went for a slingblade, the first time either guy hit the ropes in the match. Sabre blocked. Tanahashi got it on his second attempt. 

Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow. Sabre rolled through on the landing. Tanahashi trapped Sabre in a cradle and got the flash pin. 

Tanahashi held the cradle for a few extra seconds and Sabre threw a tantrum as a result. 

G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Tetsuya Naito (21:06)

I was not a fan of this match. I thought they had a good eight minutes laid out and stretched that into 21:06. The finish was very clever. 

Both stalled at the outset. KENTA stole a near fall off a cradle. Naito went for a walk around the ring and stalled some more. 

They tied up. Naito went after KENTA’s bad shoulder with a hammerlock. KENTA rolled to the floor and grabbed his briefcase. KENTA shoved the ref down and Naito ate a briefcase shot. KENTA went to work from there. 

KENTA used a chinlock, a headscissors and a headlock at the 10 minute call. Naito hit his combinacion cabron in the corner and a crucifix. KENTA responded with a top rope clothesline for a two count. 

The match finally picked up as Naito made his comeback. Naito hit a poison rana and a series of back elbows, looking to soften up KENTA’s neck for Destino. Naito hit Gloria for a two count. 

KENTA blocked Destino and went for a GTS at the 20 minute call. Naito reversed into a Destino but could not follow up with a cover. 

Naito rang up the arm and went for Destino. KENTA hit two spinning back fists. Naito answered with Valentia. 

Naito went for Destino. KENTA caught Naito’s legs and cradled him for the flash pin. 

This loss eliminated Naito. 

G1 Climax B Block: SANADA defeated EVIL (27:00)

Lots of Bullet Club-style interference in this one but a good main event with a good story. 

Hiromu Takahashi was at the commentary table and played an important role. 

Nothing of consequence came from the opening volley. EVIL teased an Everything is EVIL. SANADA teased a Skull End. 

EVIL rolled to the floor. SANADA teased a plancha but flipped to his feet on the apron, then pulled himself back into the ring to pose. 

After a trip from Togo, EVIL used a snap suplex on a stack of chairs on the floor to take control of the match. 

Back inside, EVIL used a scoop slam and a cocky, one-foot cover. Red Shoes refused to count the pin due to the underhanded tactics used on the floor. 

EVIL took the ref. Togo pulled SANADA to the floor and sent him into the barricade, then tossed SANADA back in. EVIL used a single-leg crab. SANADA responded with a dropkick to the knee and a back suplex. 

SANADA hit his trademark plancha. He put both EVIL and Togo in paradise locks, then broke the holds with a single dropkick. 

EVIL gouged the eyes and hit a ref-assisted mid kick, avoiding a TKO in the process. A clever sequence ended with SANADA avoiding a misdirection lariat and hitting a springboard dropkick. 

SANADA used the threat of a TKO to set up a Skull End but EVIL powered out. SANADA hit a magic screw and a tiger suplex for a two count. The crowd really got into the match at this point. 

SANADA used a spinning Skull End as a precursor to a moonsault attempt. EVIL rolled out of the way and SANADA crashed to the mat. Togo exposed a buckle. SANADA missed a charge into the corner and got sent into the exposed steel twice. 

EVIL hit a superplex to set up a scorpion deathlock. SANADA fought to the bottom rope to force a break. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count at the 20 minute call. 

SANADA blocked Everything is EVIL and hit a TKO. They did a lengthy double down, prompting Red Shoes to check if both men wanted to continue. They did. 

SANADA avoided the exposed buckle and used a moonsault to transition to Skull End. EVIL slid out but SANADA immediately got the hold applied agai and locked in the body scissors. EVIL pried his head free, but SANADA popped up and hit two moonsaults. 

Red Shoes went to count the pin. Togo pulled the ref out of the ring. Togo used a chair on SANADA and peppered him with right hands. 

EVIL and Togo hit a Magic Killer. Hiromu Takahashi jumped up from the commentary table to come to SANADA’s aid. Hiromu hit a superkick to Togo. EVIL hit a low blow on Hiromu. EVIL and Togo hit a Magic Killer on Hiromu at the 25 minute call. 

Togo revived the ref. SANADA stole a near fall off a cradle. EVIL planted SANADA with a lariat. EVIL hit a second big lariat and called for his finisher. 

SANADA reversed Everything is EVIL into Skull End. EVIL grabbed the ref. Togo choked SANADA from the apron. Hiromu superkicked Togo and SANADA recovered. 

SANADA then used a Japanese clutch and got the pin. 

SANADA wins B Block.

SANADA closed the show with a quick promo and said he’ll see us tomorrow. 

G1 Standings —

B Block

  • SANADA — 12 points (6-3) *B Block winner* 
  • EVIL — 12 points (6-3)
  • Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-3)
  • KENTA — 10 points (5-4) 
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-4)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Juice Robinson — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-6) 
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 4 points (2-7) 

A Block

  • Kota Ibushi — 14 points (7-2) *A Block winner*
  • Jay White — 12 points (6-3)
  • Will Ospreay — 12 points (6-3)
  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-3)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Taichi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-5)  
  • Shingo Takagi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-6) 
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 2 points (1-8) 

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 17 live results: A Block finals

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Shingo Takagi vs. Minoru Suzuki
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Taichi
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White

**********

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (6:52)

They worked quickly and kept things simple. 

Tsuji fired off a dropkick at the bell, then used a splash for a series of quick near falls. Kidd recovered and hit a sunset flip and used an inside cradle for a pair of two counts. 

Kidd grounded Tsuji with a headlock. Tsuji made the ropes to force a break. Kidd used a couple of more cradles and hit a dropkick. Tsuji came back with an inside cradle and a spear. 

Tsuji hit a powerslam for a two count. Tsuji locked on a Boston crab, then switched to a giant swing. 

Tsuji transitioned back from the swing to the crab and Kidd tapped out. 

G1 Climax A Block: Yujiro Takahashi defeated Jeff Cobb (10:30)

They had about as good of a singles match as Yujiro is capable of having. They threw in a couple of twists and the match peaked at the right time. 

Cobb landed a series of forearms. Yujiro tried to bail out but Cobb kept him in the ring. Yujiro bit Cobb’s hand. Cobb hit a dropkick. They played cat and mouse on the outside. Yujiro avoided a suplex on the floor and hit an inverted DDT. 

Yujiro raked Cobb’s face before jumping back in. Cobb beat the count back inside. Yujiro hit a couple of short legdrops and a headbutt in working Cobb over. Yujiro used a stroke for a near fall. 

Cobb fired back with chops. Cobb missed a standing moonsault and Yujiro connected on a low dropkick. Cobb hit a series of shoulder tackles and an overhead belly-to-belly out of the corner. Cobb hit a running back suplex for a two count. 

Yujiro blocked a charge with a hotshot. Yujiro hit a wheel kick and a fisherman buster for a near fall. Cobb blocked Miami Shine and tried a gutwrench lift. Yujiro again resorted to biting Cobb to free himself. 

Cobb hit a spin cycle out of the corner and a standing moonsault for a two count. Yujiro blocked Tour of the Islands and used a cradle for a two count. 

Yujiro shoved the ref away. Yujiro used his cane on Cobb and hit an olympic slam for two. Yujiro hit Miami Shine for another two count.

Yujiro hit Pimp Juice and got the tainted victory. 

G1 Climax A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Minoru Suzuki (12:30)

They didn’t get a ton of time and this didn’t reach the heights of their Summer Struggle match. This was still a very good brawl. 

They came out swinging. Neither went down after a series of strikes. Suzuki baited Shingo to the ropes where he locked on a rope-assisted armbar. They spilled to the floor. They traded slaps to the face before Suzuki claimed control by whipping Shingo into the barricade. 

Back in, Suzuki tried a PK. Shingo caught the kick and hammered away with strikes. They traded shots again. Suzuki lured Shingo in for a rear naked choke. He went for a Gotch piledriver but Shingo hit a DVD. Shingo sold the damage from the armbar to his right arm. 

Shingo hit some Misawa elbows and a sliding lariat for a two count. Suzuki blocked a Pumping Bomber by locking in a flying armbar. Suzuki slid to a triangle choke, again working the right arm. Shingo could not power Suzuki up to break the hold. 

Suzuki gave up the choke and hit a series of kicks to the right arm. Suzuki fought for, then finally applied, a Fujiwara armbar. Shingo forced a rope break but not before Suzuki did more damage to the right arm. 

Suzuki got a rear naked choke. Shingo slid out and hit a series of lariats. Suzuki refused to go down and hit a series of palm strikes. Suzuki hit a headbutt. Shingo blocked a second headbutt attempt and hit a series of his own headbutts. 

Suzuki used a misdirection spot to set up another choke. Shingo countered out of the choke with a wild right hand and Suzuki finally went down. 

Shingo hoisted Suzuki up for Last of the Dragon. He connected and pinned Suzuki. 

Post-match, Suzuki sold his head. He also used a series of awesome facial expressions to convey that he liked the pain. A rematch between these two for the NEVER title seems imminent. 

*****Intermission*****

G1 Climax A Block: Will Ospreay defeated Kazuchika Okada (17:03)

The story of the match was Okada failing to implement his pace and being forced to work at Ospreay’s speed. The match was fantastic and the angle was impactful. 

Ospreay immediately hit a shotgun dropkick, Sasuke Special and Pip Pip Cheerio for a near fall. 

Ospreay hit a high kick and went for an Oscutter. Okada blocked and used the Money Clip. Ospreay forced a rope break. They went outside where Okada hit a draping DDT off the apron to the floor. Ospreay beat the count back in at 15. 

Okada asserted control of the match with a swinging neckbreaker. Okada clearly found his target in Ospreay’s neck. Okada hit a series of back elbows to the neck in the corner. 

Ospreay created some distance with a backdrop. He followed with a standing shooting star for a near fall. Okada went back to the neck with a DDT. 

Ospreay avoided an air raid crash neckbreaker and hit a handspring kick. Ospreay avoided a shotgun dropkick. Okada sat Ospreay on the top rope and went for a dropkick. Ospreay blocked, reversed the position, then hit his own dropkick. Okada crashed to the floor. 

Ospreay hit an insane tope over the post to the floor. Back in, Ospreay hit a springboard forearm off the top for a two count. 

Okada fought off a Storm Breaker attempt. They traded forearms. Ospreay hit a tiger wall flip kick. Okada missed a dropkick. Okada got his knees up on a standing shooting star. Okada tried the dropkick again but Ospreay caught him flying in with a powerbombfor a two count. This spot ruled. 

Ospreay hit a thrust kick and a hook kick. Okada avoided Hidden Blade. Okada escaped a Storm Breaker mid-air and hit a short Rainmaker, maintaining wrist control on landing. 

Ospreay ducked a Rainmaker. Okada hit a rebound dropkick. Okada hit a tombstone. Okada got the Money Clip applied. Ospreay forced a rope break. 

Ospreay slapped Okada across the face and said “I’m just as good.” Okada hit a shotgun dropkick. Ospreay blocked a tombstone. Ospreay turned a spinning Rainmaker into a standing Spanish fly for a near fall. 

Okada slid out of a Storm Breaker and captured Ospreay’s legs for a two count. Ospreay hit a poison rana and Okada landed awkwardly on his neck. Ospreay hit an Oscutter. 

Ospreay tried for Storm Breaker again. Okada reversed into another Money Clip. Ospreay escaped. 

An insane sequence followed. 

Okada used a backslide to set up a Rainmaker attempt. Ospreay ducked it and tried a Rainmaker. Okada ducked that. Okada went for a Rainmaker. Ospreay turned it into a Spanish fly, then changed his mind mid-Spanish fly and tried a Storm Breaker. Okada escaped that and hit a spinning Rainmaker. 

Okada got the money clip applied. Bea Priestley ran in. Okada gave up the Money Clip and hit a spinning tombstone. Okada went back to the Money Clip. 

Priestley jumped in the ring and took the ref. The Great O-Kharn, the former Tomoyuki Oka, ran in and planted Okada with a claw slam. 

Ospreay looked around, feigning surprise. Ospreay then hit Storm Breaker and pinned Okada. 

**********

After the match, Ospreay ran back to the ring and hammered Okada with a Hidden Blade. 

Ospreay cursed Okada and said that Okada held him back and this was a long time coming. 

Ospreay, Priestley and O-Kharn left together. 

This was a huge angle and a fantastic match. 

**********

G1 Climax A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Taichi (17:12)

This was the most unique match I’ve ever seen. A complete original. 

All they did was kick each other. There was one missed suplex and one Kamigoye finisher. Aside from that, only kicks. And it worked. This was incredible. 

They didn’t touch for the first minute of the match. 

From there, they traded kicks for eight minutes. Just kick, kick, kick, kick. They no-sold each other’s kicks, they offered each other free kicks at each other’s backs, just every kick thing you can think of. 

Taichi hit a back suplex at the ten minute mark. Ibushi landed on his feet and they went back to trading kicks. They went into a double down after exchanging high kicks to the head. 

Both made it to their feet. They continued trading kicks, limping around as they recovered in between throwing and absorbing kicks. Taichi tore his pants off. Ibushi dropped Taichi with a kick. 

Ibushi called for a Kamigoye. Taichi took Ibushi’s legs out from under him with a sweeping kick. 

Both needed the aid of the ropes to stand at the 15 minute call. They held each other up and continued to kick each other into oblivion. 

Ibushi hit one final high kick, then delivered a Kamigoye for the pin. 

Tsuji carried Taichi to the back. Ibushi limped to the back under his own power. 

G1 Climax A Block: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Jay White (24:36)

Excellent main event. Ishii was incredible and White more than held up his end of things. 

White began with his customary stalling. He danced around Ishii, taunting him. White slapped Ishii. Ishii responded with a forearm, dropping White. White rolled outside. Ishii went out after him. Gedo distracted Ishii and White took control, whipping Ishii into the barricade. 

Back inside, White used a legdrop and a slam for a pair of near falls. Ishii tweaked his left ankle trying to run the ropes. White tried a charge out of the corner but Ishii hit a powerslam. 

Ishii hit his chop combinations in the corner. White hit a DDT and a Blade Buster for a two count. White went after Ishii’s taped right knee, slamming it into the mat and hitting it with kicks. 

Ishii no-sold a series of forearms. White went back to the knee to cut Ishii off. White ducked a sliding lariat, hit a complete shot, then used a German suplex to plant Ishii. Ishii got a hope spot with a series of strikes, but White remained in control. 

White hit a uranage, kicked at the knee, then suplexed Ishii into the buckle. Ishii answered with a German into the same turnbuckle. White blocked a superplex and went back to the knee, using a dragon screw in the ropes. 

Ishii knocked White off the apron with a headbutt to the chest. Ishii dragged White back in and hit a delayed superplex for a near fall. White pancaked on the mat to avoid a lariat. Ishii hit a headbutt. White blocked a jumping kick and hit two more dragon screws.  

White used the TTO submission. Ishii sold this like crazy. Red Shoes also did his part to sell this as a near finish. Ishii finally fought to the ropes to force a break. 

White hit a chop block and a sleeper suplex. He followed with a Kiwi Krusher for a two count. 

White called for the Blade Runner. Ishii blocked and hit an inverted dragon screw. Ishii powered White up and hit a knee breaker onto his own bad knee. 

Ishii was now out for White’s right knee. Ishii used a kneebar at the 20 minute call. Gedo jumped in while White took the referee. White shoved Ishii into the referee. 

Ishii ducked a brass knuckles shot from Gedo. He teased a brainbuster on Gedo but White saved. Ishii hit a German to Ishii. As the referee came to, Ishii hit a sliding lariat for a near fall. 

Gedo took the ref. Ishii tried for a brainbuster. White slid out and hit a low blow. White then hit a Regal suplex for another near fall. 

Ishii blocked a cross-armed DDT with a headbutt. Ishii fired himself up in the corner. White hit a sleeper suplex. Ishii no-sold it. White hit another sleeper suplex.

They did a series of finisher teases. Ishii hit a cutter. 

Gedo shoved the ref down. Ishii hit Gedo with a lariat. Ishii then hit White with a lariat for a two count. 

Ishii followed with the vertical drop brainbuster and pinned White to eliminate him. 

Ibushi wins A Block. 

**********

After the match, Ishii limped to the back. 

Gedo helped White to the back and told him that the referee screwed him, he’s still the best and this wasn’t White’s fault. 

In his backstage comments after the match, White said he was King Switchblade. He also said he would sincerely cheer for EVIL tomorrow, but warned EVIL to watch out for the referees. 

**********

G1 Standings —

A Block

  • Kota Ibushi — 14 points (7-2) *A Block winner*
  • Jay White — 12 points (6-3)
  • Will Ospreay — 12 points (6-3)
  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-3)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Taichi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-5)  
  • Shingo Takagi — 8 points (4-5) 
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-6) 
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 2 points (1-8) 

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-2)
  • EVIL — 12 points (6-2)
  • SANADA — 10 points (5-3)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • KENTA — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-7) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 16 results: Tanahashi vs. SANADA

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura (8:06)

These two have incredible chemistry, and they continued to display that here. They performed technical wrestling to start. Uemura displayed a couple of cool escapes and counters as he worked over Tsuji’s arm. He locked on a relatively early key lock, and Tsuji had to fight hard to escape with a powerbomb.

Tsuji hit a scoop slam and jumping splashes for two, but Uemura reached the ropes before he could lock on the Boston crab. Uemura regained arm control and went for his overhead suplex, but Tsuji turned it into a crab in a great spot. Uemura fought to reach the ropes, but Tsuji turned it into a cloverleaf before he was forced to break. 

They exchanged forearms and Tsuji hit a spear. Tsuji performed a giant swing and locked on the crab, forcing Uemura to tap.

G1 Climax 30 Block B: KENTA defeated YOSHI-HASHI (17:45)

This match was eminently average for the majority of its duration, but it did pick up at the end.

KENTA taunted his opponent at the start, but YOSHI-HASHI hit forearms and chops followed by the Headhunter, forcing KENTA to take a break outside. He baited YOSHI-HASHI to the floor by grabbing his staff and sent him into the barricade and the ring post. 

Back inside, KENTA locked in a double wristlock, but YOSHI-HASHI reached the ropes. KENTA beat down YOSHI-HASHI with kicks and continued to attempt arm submissions. YOSHI-HASHI fired up with chops but was cut off with more arm-wrenching. He turned a submission into a sleeper of his own, followed by a vertical suplex.

YOSHI-HASHI hit more strikes and a running dropkick for two. He tried to keep up the attack but was surprised with a powerslam and KENTA’s tornado DDT into the rope. The top-rope clothesline got two. They traded strikes before KENTA hit the Shibata running dropkick in the corner, followed by a diving stomp for two.

YOSHI-HASHI hit a mule kick and a thrust kick followed by a Liger Bomb for two. He immediately applied the butterfly lock. After a long battle, YOSHI-HASHI transitioned to a sleeper but missed a meteora. KENTA tried to lock on Game Over, but YOSHI-HASHI reached the ropes. 

They traded kicks and forearms, and KENTA won the striking battle with spinning backfists. YOSHI-HASHI turned the Go To Sleep into a DDT before hitting a dragon suplex and a western lariat. He hit a fisherman’s buster but only got two.

KENTA tried to fire back with strikes, but YOSHI-HASHI attempted Karma. KENTA escaped, locked on Game Over, rolled his opponent away from the ropes, and got the submission victory.

G1 Climax 30 Block B: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Juice Robinson (14:24)

This was pretty good, but unspectacular.

The story early on was that Juice had Sabre completely scouted. Sabre attempted to take advantage with technical wrestling to start, but Juice matched him all the way before Sabre broke it up with an uppercut. Juice knocked him down with a tackle, but Sabre turned a senton into an armbar.

Sabre targeted Juice’s arm, wrenching it and stomping on it. He went for his arm-twist backflip kick, but Juice avoided it and hit a senton. Juice hit straight punches and a big chop followed by a spinebuster.

Juice set Sabre up top, but Sabre applied a double wristlock and uppercut him off the top before locking on a jumping guillotine. Juice tried to suplex Sabre out of it, but Sabre continued to transition into different holds before Juice reached the ropes.

Juice fired up but Sabre fought out of the Juice Box and hit a soccer kick and a tornado DDT for two. He immediately transitioned into an armbar and then a triangle. The crowd’s stomp-stomp-clap fired Juice up and he escaped with a powerbomb. The corner cannonball followed, but Sabre turned Pulp Friction into an octopus hold. Juice fought out and hit the Juice Box for 2.

Sabre fought out of Pulp Friction again, and the two exchanged cradles before Sabre locked on the European Clutch to escape with a win.

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax 30 Block B: Tetsuya Naito defeated Toru Yano (8:04)

This may have been the wackiest Yano match yet for this G1, but it was really entertaining. They convinced the crowd that Yano was beating the IWGP double champion at points.

The two wouldn’t let each other start the collar and elbow tie-up. Naito rolled Yano up for a great near fall right away, before Yano made his way out to the crowd. The official started to count, but Yano couldn’t find a way back into the ring. He rolled in at nineteen but was met with stomps from Naito.

Naito missed a clothesline and was sent outside, so Yano mocked Naito’s ingobernable dive tease, but instead of doing the LIJ pose, he did his signature shrug. Both men grabbed turnbuckle pads, but Yano won the battle, sending Naito outside. 

Yano produced a roll of tape, but Naito popped up and threw the tape to the official. Yano sprayed his cleaner in Naito’s eyes as well as Yota Tsuji’s at ringside, then taped their wrists together through the barricade. Tsuji squeezed through the barricade and both Naito and Tsuji made it in just before the count of twenty.

With their wrists still taped, they downed Yano with a clothesline, before the referee removed the tape.

Naito offered the LIJ pose to Tsuji, but kicked him and slammed him onto Yano. Naito tried to slam the official onto Yano, but Yano hit a low blow and a chop block.

Naito rolled out of a cradle, hit a low blow of his own, and cradled Yano for the pin.

G1 Climax 30 Block B: EVIL defeated Hirooki Goto (15:33)

This was better than most EVIL matches from this tournament, but your enjoyment will still be a function of how much you tolerate Togo’s interference.

Goto’s shoulder was taped heavily. He picked up the advantage early on after a shoulder tackle. EVIL whipped Goto into the ropes where he was tripped up by Togo. EVIL kept up the beating on the outside, hitting the homerun swing with chairs.

Goto tried to bring the fight back in the ring, but was whipped into an exposed turnbuckle. Goto fought back with strikes and sent EVIL into the exposed turnbuckle before hitting a Saito suplex and a running bulldog for two. EVIL fought out of the ushigoroshi and hit his official-assisted low kick. He set up for Darkness Falls, Goto fought out, and the two both tried some misdirected rope-running before Goto hit the ushigoroshi.

Goto made his way to the top rope, but Togo distracted him long enough for EVIL to bring him down hard, following with a lariat for two. Darkness Falls was next for another two.

Goto fought out of Everything is EVIL and drove EVIL’s head into his knee. Goto clotheslined EVIL over the top rope and hit a rare dive onto EVIL and Togo. 

Back inside, Goto hit a top-rope elbow drop. He tried for the GTR, but EVIL raked his eyes. EVIL distracted the official as Togo attempted to garrote Goto, but Goto immediately fought out and hit a ushigoroshi, followed by a standing headbutt on EVIL. The mid kick followed, and Goto hit a reverse GTR for two.

They each tried for their finishers, but EVIL pushed Goto into the official, which gave him enough of an opening to hit Everything is EVIL for the win.

G1 Climax 30 Block B: SANADA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (28:28)

This was the only match from tonight’s show worth going out of your way to see. It was an excellent technical battle to start, building and building to a really exciting closing sequence.

They wrestled around to begin, but neither man could gain an advantage over the other. SANADA locked on a leg nelson, but Tanahashi turned it into a bow and arrow, forcing the two to break. They each had the other by the leg, but refused to set it down, so SANADA attempted the paradise lock. Tanahashi escaped and kicked out SANADA’s leg.

Tanahashi continued to target SANADA’s leg before SANADA came back with a dragon screw. SANADA performed his high leapfrogs followed by a dropkick and a plancha to the outside. Back in, SANADA applied the paradise lock and broke it with a dropkick. He tied Tanahashi up in the ropes with an upside-down paradise lock and hit another dropkick for two.

SANADA set up for a TKO, but Tanahashi kicked out his leg and hit a dragon screw. SANADA rolled to the outside and Tanahashi hit a ridiculous standing High Fly Flow from the top rope to the floor. SANADA made it back in at the count of nineteen but Tanahashi hit dragon screws and locked on a Texas Cloverleaf. Tanahashi sat down deep on it before SANADA eventually reached the ropes.

SANADA went for another TKO, but Tanahashi hit Twist and Shout twice. He went for it a third time, but SANADA turned it into a rope-assisted Magic Killer. SANADA finally hit the TKO for two. Tanahashi whipped SANADA, who hit a springboard dropkick. SANADA attempted the moonsault but missed and tweaked his leg, allowing Tanahashi to hit a Sling Blade followed by an arm-trap German suplex bridge for two.

Tanahashi went for the High Fly Flow, but SANADA got his knees up. SANADA flipped out of the corner into the Skull End. Tanahashi tried to escape by targeting SANADA’s injured leg, but SANADA re-applied the hold. He let go and went for the moonsault, but Tanahashi got his knees up.

At the 25-minute mark, Tanahashi hit repeated dragon screws. SANADA fought out and went for a jumping hurricanrana, but Tanahashi turned it into another Texas Cloverleaf. After a really long battle, SANADA pushed up and fought his way to the ropes. 

SANADA went for a cradle, but Tanahashi applied the same cradle for two. Tanahashi tried for SANADA’s Japanese Clutch Hold, but SANADA kicked out and locked on Skull End. Tanahashi flipped himself over to apply Skull End himself, and SANADA couldn’t do the same.

Tanahashi attempted a High Fly Flow, but SANADA turned it into a TKO in a really unique spot. SANADA then hit two consecutive moonsaults for the three count.

Post-match, SANADA cut a promo.

G1 Climax 30 standings —

 A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 12 points (6-2)
  • Jay White — 12 points (6-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-3)
  • Taichi — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated* 
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4) *eliminated*
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-8) *eliminated*

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-2)
  • EVIL — 12 points (6-2)
  • SANADA — 10 points (5-3)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • KENTA — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-7) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 15 results: Okada vs Ishii

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Yuya Uemura defeated Gabriel Kidd

Kidd scored a takedown in the early going and began working over the entirety of Uemura. Uemura was able to scramble free and secure Kidd’s left arm in the process. Kidd was forced to resort to the ropes and sneak in some strikes to free his arm.

Once free, Kidd landed a suplex and tried securing the arms for his new finish. Uemura recaptured arm control as Kidd let his guard down. Uemura’s arm work was cut short by a stomp to the chest and an echoing slap nearly left him unconscious. 

A strike exchange ended with a Kidd dropkick. Kidd tried again for his double-arm suplex and Uemura slipped free. Uemura used a quick arm drag to take the match briefly to the ground.

Uemura then hoisted Kidd up in double overhooks and landed a suplex with the hooks still in. Uemura used the leverage to pin Kidd. 

A very easy watch with strong performances from both men.  

G1 Climax A Block: Jeff Cobb defeated Will Ospreay 

Ospreay burst from the corner immediately with a dropkick to set the pace of the match. A frustrated Cobb tried striking Ospreay but instead was ejected to the outside by a rana.

Ospreay entered a sprint for the Ospreay special but was caught by Cobb mid-flip. Cobb, still on the apron, lifted Ospreay, teasing both a driver to the ring corner and a powerbomb to the outside. Ospreay freed himself and landed a knee to send Cobb back to the mat. Ospreay then landed the Ospreay special completing the dangerous dance on the outside.

Cobb and Ospreay had a short exchange of strikes, slightly favored Ospreay. Ospreay tried diving onto a standing Cobb but was caught mid-flight and hit with a giant suplex. Cobb followed up with a backdrop, headbutt, and a pseudo-slam from standing suplex position. 

A kick to the midsection was caught by Cobb, who then converted with a chop and a senton. Cobb then tried for Tour of the Islands but was blocked by a clever grabbing of the arms. Ospreay flipped into a powerbomb while still attached to Cobb.

Ospreay tried for Storm Breaker but Cobb escaped the underhooks. A quick sequence ended by Ospreay landing a Spanish fly followed. Ospreay landed a 450 and was shocked as Cobb kicked from the pin attempt.

Ospreay tried for the Oscutter but was blocked by Cobb. Cobb then lifted Ospreay onto his shoulders and launched him with a ridiculous F5. 

Ospreay and Cobb both tried and failed to land their finish before Ospreay finally connected with his cutter. After Cobb kicked out, Ospreay tried and failed to land Storm Breaker.

It was instead Cobb who landed a German suplex which he followed with Tour of the Islands. Cobb pinned Ospreay after landing the move.

What a match. Spectacular pacing and impactful wrestling.

G1 Climax A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Yujiro Takahashi 

Takahashi broke free of Ibushi-favored collar-and-elbows by sending Ibushi to the outside. Takahashi tried striking Ibushi, but failed in landing anything significant. Takahashi instead gained some momentum by blocking an Ibushi dive and landing a DDT on the outside.

Once inside the ring, Takahashi landed a few strikes that caused Ibushi’s face of rage to grow. Takahashi still held onto his lead, even landing a suplex and a big boot prior to Ibushi gaining any type of foothold.

Ibushi landed a kick to the midsection before kicking a hole into Takahashi’s chest. 

Takahashi threw Ibushi onto the ropes and landed a lariat in his next show of offense. This time it was an impressively-timed double foot stomp that broke Takahashi’s momentum.

Takahashi didn’t give up, however, as a bite on Ibushi placed him back into front. Miami Shine left both men winded. Takahashi lifted Ibushi to the top rope and landed a super fisherman buster. 

Ibushi freed himself from Pimp Juice but missed the rebound Kamigoye. A short sequence allowed Ibushi to land the Kamigoye and pin Takahashi. 

It will never not be strange to see Takahashi scoring near falls over top stars. Anyway, this match was fine.  

G1 Climax A Block: Taichi defeated Shingo Takagi 

Takagi landed a lariat to the corner followed by a shoulder tackle sending Taichi to the outside. On the floor, Taichi elected to use a hammer to inflict punishment. The referee freed Takagi from a Taichi choke and forced the match to return to the ring.

Back inside, it was Taichi who continued choking Takagi. Any sign of Takagi defiance was blocked prior to a dangerous backdrop attempt. Takagi landed a suplex after being given the least bit of space. A brainbuster and sliding lariat followed.

Takagi whipped Taichi into the corner but was kicked before he could follow up. Taichi was dropped moments later to a Takagi lariat.

Takagi followed the lariat with a noshigami and a failed attempt at Last of the Dragon. A striking contest broke out that featured both men landing larger and larger moves. Taichi landed the dangerous backdrop to end the one-upmanship.

A pumping bomber from Taichi resulted in a two count and the removal of Taichi’s breakaway pants. Takagi immediately flattened Taichi with a lariat. 

Takagi landed some strong strikes before an awkward roll-up nearly left him with a win. In following up, Takagi used Made in Japan and a pumping bomber, both of which yielded a near fall.

A Taichi-favored sequence followed. Taichi ended the sequence with Black Mephisto and pinned Takagi. 

This was good enough. With both men already mathematically eliminated prior to the match itself, a dramatic masterclass shouldn’t be expected.

G1 Climax A Block: Jay White defeated Minoru Suzuki 

White left the ring immediately following the bell. Once Suzuki succeeded in baiting White into a match, he manipulated the fingers, nullifying the effectiveness of one of White’s hands. Suzuki then chopped White in the corner before returning his attention to the digits.

Gedo then interfered in the match on White’s behalf by just gaining the focus of Suzuki. 

White chopped Suzuki on the outside which awoke a monster on the face of Suzuki. White temporarily stopped the monstrous Suzuki from encroaching with a chinlock. White threw Suzuki into the ropes, where Gedo threatened to strike Suzuki with a chair. With the referee occupied with Gedo, White tried for a chair shot of his own but Suzuki countered, grabbing the chair and landing multiple shots across the back of White. 

Gedo stole enough of Suzuki’s attention for White to reenter the fold and a sadistic attack on the leg of Suzuki emerged from the opening. Suzuki rose in defiance to his knees as fully standing was now an impossibility. Suzuki was chopped and chopped, never fell, but instead rose. Suzuki was dropped by a DDT once regaining footing.

Suzuki gained an opening by apprehending the arm of White. Though nothing followed directly from gaining the arm, Suzuki was able to land a strike that sent White to the floor. Suzuki followed White to make sure he returned to the ring.

White started back at the leg of Suzuki but was caught in a leglock after daring to challenge Suzuki on the mat. White was forced to grab the bottom rope. A pair Suzuki forearms left White limp. Before the third could be delivered, Gedo peculated the awareness of Suzuki once again. 

White dropped Suzuki with a chop block. The Blade Runner attempt that followed was transformed into a Suzuki armbar. Gedo hopped onto the apron just in time for the referee to miss White submitting. Suzuki then clubbed Gedo, sending him crashing back to the outside.

A Suzuki striking sequence almost ended in disaster as a ducked strike left White in position for a Blade Runner. Suzuki avoided the move twice in quick succession. 

Suzuki locked in a sleeper to weaken White and positioned for the Gotch piledriver before Gedo reasserted his presence. A distracted referee led to a White low blow and a Blade Runner. White pinned Suzuki to further his great standing. 

Sadly, the incessant Gedo interference reduced what would have an incredible match to a very good match. 

G1 Climax A Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated Tomohiro Ishii

An early standoff combined with their immeasurable reputation built to an intense air around the match. Small moves, an Okada shoulder block, for example, felt huge.

Okada landed a few elbows, a single leg dropkick, and secured a chinlock to lay an offensive foundation. A standing suplex from Ishii did the same for him.

Okada’s chest was chopped, causing him to fall to the corner. A chop to the throat yielded a more devastating result as Okada was forced to gasp for air. Ishii tried to follow up with an Irish whip but was caught by a flapjack.

An Okada DDT allowed him to toy with Ishii, triggering a strike exchange. A solid elbow dropped Okada. 

Under the lead of Ishii, they climbed to the top rope. Ishii met resistance but nothing came from the ascent. Instead, on the safety of the mat, Okada landed an Air Raid Crash, initiating Ishii’s survival instincts. Ishii landed a quick suplex on Okada.

A struggle for footing left Ishii in perfect position for a German suplex into the corner. Ishii then lifted Okada to the top rope and suplexed him back to the mat, completing the prior tease. 

Okada landed his dropkick to transition into the match’s next phase. A tombstone piledriver followed and the Money Clip forced Ishii into the ropes. Okada slowed after this, a fact that Ishii took full advantage of.

A German suplex allowed Ishii to temporarily gain a lead, but a triad of quick pins left the match back in Okada’s favor. A big boot, elbow, and shotgun dropkick left Okada back in position for the Money Clip. Ishii freed himself from the hold with a DDT. 

A failed suplex from Ishii allowed Okada to reset the match with a tombstone. Okada established wrist control but was blocked by a barrage of Ishii headbutts. A Rainmaker failed to make Ishii move.

Ishii landed an enzuigiri and Okada a dropkick. Okada locked in the Money Clip again and allowed Ishii to fade. A last-ditch headbutt reopened the match for Ishii. Ishii landed a lariat and nearly scored the fall.

Ishii lifted Okada for a brainbuster but Okada freed himself. Okada set up for the Money Clip while standing, but Ishii used his knees to break the hold.

A sequence of near-hits played out and was punctuated by Okada’s dropkick. Okada locked the Money Clip in once again and allowed Ishii to slowly fade from consciousness. The bell was called for leaving Okada the victor.

The match’s early feeling of intensity was somewhat drained as the match failed to pick up. While at times sluggish, these men still delivered a strong performance heading into the last stretch of the tournament. 

G1 Climax 30 standings —

 A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 12 points (6-2)
  • Jay White — 12 points (6-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-3)
  • Taichi — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated* 
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4) *eliminated*
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-8) *eliminated*

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 10 points (5-2)
  • EVIL — 10 points (5-2)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 8 points (4-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-3)
  • SANADA — 8 points (4-3)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-4)
  • KENTA — 6 points (3-4)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-4) 
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-4) 
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-6) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 14 results: Naito vs. EVIL

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji 

Following a collar-and-elbow tie-up and a trading of strikes, Kidd dropped Tsuji with an arm drag and knife-edge chop. Soon after Tsuji used a dropkick, which he followed with two standing dive variations.

Tsuji then turned his attention to the leg of Kidd, placing him in a unique submission that he converted into a pin attempt. Kidd was able to survive the dual-pronged finish and reassert his position with an uppercut. 

Kidd prevailed in a fight for a brainbuster. That left him a favorable position that he fumbled almost immediately. Tsuji was able to milk this opportunity with a slam, but Kidd popped up and responded with a dropkick.

Kidd then secured the underhooks and landed his finishing suplex.

This was a weaker Young Lion outing. Instead of the typical application of a simple story, this felt like an exhibition of moves. 

G1 Climax B Block:  Zack Sabre Jr. defeated YOSHI-HASHI

Sabre’s ground game was at work from the opening bell. He immediately took YOSHI-HASHI to the mat and kept him there.

YH, once standing, was able to connect with some high impact strikes but soon after found himself back on the mat. Sabre toyed with YH and even allowed him to show signs of defiance but Sabre was clearly on a different level. Even still, YH was holding on.

YH was able to interrupt Sabre’s offense with a kick to the head. This opening allowed YH to land multiple dropkicks and attempt a powerbomb. Sabre slipped free of the more setup intensive maneuver but was dropped with a chop. YH landed the powerbomb and locked in the butterfly lock. Sabre, after a long stint in the hold, fought to the bottom rope.

Sabre scored a takedown which he followed with a double foot stomp to YH’s arm. Sabre tried for a pin following a kick to the chest but YH kicked free and immediately returned to his feet; a strike exchange followed. YH won out and connected with a double knee and a superkick, both landing a near fall.

Sabre was able to take YH back to the mat, arm in hand. YH, try as he might, was unable to fight free and eventually submitted to Sabre. 

This match was a tip-top YH performance. The volatile energy he exuded made a finish feel imminent at all times. 

G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Toru Yano

Prior to the start, Yano was searched by the referee. Multiple rolls of tape were found in his tights. 

Following the bell, KENTA grabbed his briefcase and Yano grabbed a chair. Yano was tricked into ditching the chair, so he grabbed a turnbuckle pad to be on equal footing. Yano was again tricked into dropping his weapon and tried grabbing another pad. KENTA this time actually disarmed before leaving the ring. Yano also exited.

Both men stayed outside in a game of chicken, only returning at the referee’s count of 19. KENTA left the ring again immediately after. Yano pursued KENTA and succeeded in whipping KENTA into the barricade. KENTA began to fight back but was distracted by a roll of tape the referee failed to confiscate from Yano. Yano sprayed KENTA with a bottle of sanitizer and pummeled him with a turnbuckle pad. 

KENTA made his way back in and whipped Yano into an exposed turnbuckle. KENTA then tried using the bottle for himself but was blocked by Yano. Yano avoided the liquid but was whipped back into the exposed corner. KENTA was then free to use the bottle. KENTA splashed Yano with the sanitizer and tried pinning him to no avail. 

Both men returned outside, fighting over the bottle. A spill left the referee blind. KENTA then led Yano up the ramp while brandishing his briefcase. KENTA hit Yano with the briefcase and tape flew from within. KENTA then used the tape to secure Yano to the entranceway. Late in the referee’s count, KENTA entered a sprint leaving Yano trapped.

Yano was unable to escape leaving KENTA with a count-out victory. 

This was a Yano match and not a particularly good one. 

G1 Climax B Block: SANADA defeated Juice Robinson 

In the early going, Robinson tried to take SANADA to the mat but was stopped by a SANADA dropkick. SANADA tried something similar but Robinson’s elbow found SANADA’s face.

Robinson connected with a spinebuster that sent SANADA rolling to the outside. Robinson whipped SANADA into the barricade and landed a backbreaker and a senton once back in the ring. Robinson was able to further his advantage by avoiding SANADA’s counter attempts and landing a back body drop.

SANADA rolled out of the way of a Robinson cannonball to temporarily extinguish Robinson’s flame. Robinson found himself on the receiving end of another dropkick and a plancha. As the two’s short stay on the outside ended SANADA was caught by Robinson in a fireman’s carry. SANADA was able to slip free, secure a takedown, and lock in the paradise lock all in a matter of seconds. 

SANADA broke the lock with a dropkick and worked Robinson into the corner. Robinson was able to fight free and land a quick uranage. SANADA crawled to the corner to catch his breath. Robinson pounced at the positioning of his opponent and landed a cannonball. SANADA was then lifted to the top rope and hit with a superplex, which fed into a jackhammer. 

Robinson connected with a powerbomb and began to strike. SANADA ducked the Left Hand of God and locked in the dragon sleeper. Robinson fought free and nearly connected with Pulp Friction.

This same sequence played out again in a similar fashion before a set of grappling nearly allowed Robinson to steal a win via a cradle.

Instead, SANADA locked in the Skull End. Once Robinson’s body was limp SANADA scaled to the top, landed a moonsault, and pinned Robinson. 

Something felt off here. Maybe it was the gray SANADA clashing with Robinson’s glow. Either way, it resulted in a lackluster dynamic and a fine-at-best match of moves. 

G1 Climax B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi

Both fought for dominance in the early going with light moves and chain wrestling. A knee breaker allowed Tanahashi to transition to the mat.

After returning to their feet it was Goto who won out in a strike battle and landed a backdrop and a bulldog. Tanahashi fought free of a fireman’s carry and a dragon screw took the leg out from under Goto. Goto was then hit with another leg whip, this time into a rope. Tanahashi began a continued wearing down on Goto’s leg.

Goto caught Tanahashi with a quick ushigoroshi and initiated a passionate strike exchange. Goto landed a clothesline but was unable to follow up. Tanahashi whipped the neck of Goto before landing a slingblade.

An open palm strike then dropped Goto long enough for Tanahashi to climb to the top but not long enough to land a move. Goto triggered a top rope fight and after a headbutt landed a ushigoroshi from the top rope.

Tanahashi tried falling out of the way but Goto was able to pull through and connect with GTR. Goto then hooked the leg and pinned Tanahashi for the first time inside of the G1 format. 

Strong execution from both men in a to the point, all business match. 

G1 Climax B Block: EVIL defeated Tetsuya Naito 

EVIL clubbed Naito immediately following the bell, but failed to follow up. Naito instead connected with an arm drag and rana that sent EVIL to the outside providing Naito with a perfect opportunity to taunt the defector.

EVIL was stretched out on the mat once returning to the ring. Naito hit the ropes but was grabbed by Dick Togo. Togo struck and whipped Naito into the barricade before EVIL took over.

Naito then was sent crashing into chairs on the outside. EVIL followed up by hitting his signature double-chair baseball swing on Naito. EVIL continued his illegally gained dominance inside the ring. 

Naito stuffed a suplex attempt and avoided a senton, reopening a window of opportunity. An elbow and dropkick placed Naito back in the driver’s seat. A dropkick to Togo only prolonged his chance of staying there.

EVIL tried using further underhanded tactics and was able to stifle Naito’s lead with the unwilling aid of the referee with his leg catch spot. Naito stuffed a suplex attempt once more and took EVIL back to the mat just in time for Togo’s reemergence. 

While Naito was seemingly distracted by Togo, EVIL ran for a tackle of sorts that Naito was able to sidestep, sending EVIL crashing into Togo. Naito then landed a spinebuster and continued his ground work on EVIL. 

EVIL powered free of Naito’s control with a fisherman’s buster.  EVIL hoisted Naito onto the top rope and connected with a superplex. Naito just barely kicked from the pin attempt that followed.

EVIL then locked in a scorpion deathlock on his prone opponent but Naito crawled into the ropes. EVIL set up for a lariat but was caught by a well-placed kick which was followed by Gloria. 

Naito gained wrist and waist control shortly but EVIL freed himself with a simple shove and a senton. Naito then was pushed into turnbuckles that became exposed at some point, hit with a tiger suplex, and a giant lariat. Naito kicked out from the pin attempt. 

EVIL lifted Naito onto his shoulders but Naito wiggled into Destino. Naito was unable to follow up. EVIL hit Darkness Falls following a brief struggle. Naito stuffed two attempts at Everything is Evil.

Enter Togo.

Togo distracted Naito and the referee long enough for EVIL to land a low blow. Togo threw a chair into EVIL. While the referee was paying attention to the armed EVIL, Togo began chocking EVIL with a band. 

Naito, now on his last legs, landed a shoulder tackle after shoving off Togo. EVIL stuffed a suplex and Naito stuffed Everything is Evil. Naito then landed Destino and scored a near fall.

Naito tried for another Destino, but EVIL reversed into Everything is Evil and pinned the double champion. 

This match was long, boring, and another EVIL win over Naito means we will likely see it again.

That said, any other result would leave a lot of A Block without any conceivable means of victory, so the finish makes sense regardless of how frustrating it is. 

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 10 points (5-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 10 points (5-2)
  • Jay White — 10 points (5-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-2)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4)
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-4)
  • Taichi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Jeff Cobb — 6 points (3-4)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-7) *eliminated*

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 10 points (5-2)
  • EVIL — 10 points (5-2)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 8 points (4-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-3)
  • SANADA — 8 points (4-3)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-4)
  • KENTA — 6 points (3-4)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-4) 
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-4) 
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-6) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 13 results: Okada vs. Shingo Takagi

Posted on by Chick Fritts

Yuya Uemura defeated Yota Tsuji 

Both tried for a ground-based advance in the opening moments. Uemura turned his attention to the arm of Tsuji. Tsuji employed a headlock which allowed him to take the match to the mat. Both men were on equal footing in this domain before Uemura regained arm control.

Uemura maintained arm control for some time before Tsuji was forced to slam him. A Tsuji splash followed, but yet again Uemura was able to slip into control of Tsuji’s arm. Tsuji interrupted the torment of his arm with a dropkick. 

Following the dropkick, Tsuji locked in the Boston crab. After a struggle, Uemura crawled to the ropes. Uemura again snatched the arm of Tsuji and hoisted him into a double arm suplex. Uemura then pinned Tsuji for the win. 

A fun opener with an excellent display of systematic dismantling, a la Jay White. There are few better ways to open a show. 

G1 Climax A Block: Jeff Cobb defeated Tomohiro Ishii 

A collar-and-elbow tie-up favoring Ishii started the match but the strength of Cobb allowed him to force Ishii into the ropes. The two then entered a feeling out series featuring ducks and some moderate striking.

An Ishii shoulder tackle left Cobb laying for just a moment. Ishii and Cobb started a strike exchange featuring many an Earth-shaking chop. Cobb was able to hook the leg of Ishii after falling to a chop. With the leg in hand, Cobb threw Ishii far into the air with an exploder suplex. A gargantuan backdrop followed.

Cobb tried for a couple of moves that met resistance and an eventual Ishii reversal in the way of a brainbuster. Ishii then started to unload strikes onto Cobb who was showing resistance only in emotion.

Cobb crumbled. The referee began to check on Cobb but Ishii still tried to follow up. After Ishii hoisted Cobb to his feet, Cobb caught Ishii with a German suplex. Ishii returned the favor.

Cobb then landed a ram-like headbutt to the lower jaw of Ishii sending both men crashing to the mat. 

Cobb hit a lariat and a standing moonsault that only yielded a two count. Ishii then connected with an enzuigiri to effectively reset the match.

A closed fist from Cobb drew the attention of the referee and allowed Ishii to land a giant lariat. A brief struggle on the mat led to an Ishii German suplex. Another lariat resulted in an Ishii near fall. 

Ishii slowly lifted Cobb for a brainbuster only for Cobb to slip out and land another toss. Ishii immediately powered back to his feet. Another headbutt left both men back on the mat.

Ishii and Cobb then entered another brief offensive exchange, but it was Cobb who would hit a pop-up powerbomb. He immediately followed with Tour of the Islands. Cobb folded Ishii up and secured the win.

This match was fast and uncompromising. If there ever was a match deserving of the car wreck metaphor, it was this one.  

G1 Climax A Block: Jay White defeated Yujiro Takahashi

Following White’s signal, Takahashi assumed the position flat on his back. White teased the pin a couple of times but Takahashi kicked out when White actually tried for one.

Takahashi then popped up to his feet and tried rolling White up. Takahashi tried the same thing again before hitting White with a forearm, a low blow, and Miami Shine. White kicked out from the pin attempt that followed.

Enter Gedo. A White low blow and a Blade Runner allowed White to secure the win.

**********

Post-match, White grabbed a chair and threatened to hit Takahashi, but Gedo talked him down from the cliff. 

I guess no one bothered to tell Takahashi he was eliminated from the tournament and that White is supposed to be the head of his faction. Oh well. 

**********

G1 Climax A Block: Will Ospreay defeated Taichi

Ospreay tried to bait Taichi into showing interest, but Taichi was not biting. Taichi, instead of engaging in the match, fixed his hair. Ospreay messed it up. This gave Taichi all the motivation he would need. A quick kick to the midsection from Taichi led to a rana from Ospreay. Taichi fell to the outside. Once both were outside, Taichi hit Ospreay in the gut with a hammer before choking him with its handle. 

Back inside, Taichi continued at the throat of Ospreay, pressing his hands across it. Ospreay eventually was able to use his speed to land a kick and gain some control.

Taichi rolled to the outside and was hit with the Ospreay special. An Ospreay flying palm, shooting star press, and 540 Corkscrew Senton Bomb followed. Taichi reset the match with an enzuigiri. 

Ospreay tried for the Oscutter but was caught with a Taichi suplex. The two climbed to the top rope and a brief struggle led to a Cheeky Nandos Kick from Ospreay.

Ospreay then ascended, dove for the 450, but was stopped by the knees of Taichi. A high kick and a powerbomb left Taichi with a near fall and without pants.

Ospreay immediately kicked Taichi in the back of the head. Ospreay tried for the Oscutter but was kicked mid-flight. 

Taichi hoisted Ospreay for Black Mephisto but lost control. Ospreay tried for Storm Breaker but suffered the same fate. A second Black Mephisto/Storm Breaker failed struggle occurred.

Ospreay hit the ropes and landed Oscutter only for Taichi to kick out. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for the pinfall victory. 

This match’s contents in no way justified its length. It lacked any sort of tangible tension and therefore was a hard watch.   

G1 Climax A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Minoru Suzuki

They approached each other with open hands, raised as if they were heading into pankration. Both men traded blows before Suzuki secured a takedown. Ibushi found the ropes before any harm could be done. Suzuki grabbed the arm of Ibushi but it was Ibushi who scored a takedown in retort.

Both men gained control of each other’s ankle from the mat and rolled in and out of pressure before finding the ropes. Instead of breaking, the two just began kicking each other. 

Ibushi sent Suzuki to the outside with a kick. While outside, Suzuki was thrown into the barricade. Ibushi then returned to the ring but Suzuki, instead of joining Ibushi, traveled to the top of the ramp and dared God to duel in no man’s land. Ibushi accepted and the two began beating each other down in front of the entranceway.

Suzuki won the exchange and returned to the ring mid-count. Suzuki stopped the count in time for Ibushi to return to the ring. 

Suzuki began to strike down Ibushi once back in the ring. A dropkick from Ibushi reversed the pace of the match.

Ibushi began to unload kicks onto a willing Suzuki. In the middle of the kick storm, Suzuki released a roar. Suzuki rose from his semi-seated position and dropped Ibushi with a single forearm. Suzuki waited for Ibushi to rise to his feet before the two began discharging strikes. 

With both men staggered, a laugh-filled barrage of back and forth forearms and slaps ensued.

Ibushi was then caught in the clutches of Suzuki’s sleeper and nearly a Gotch piledriver. Instead, Ibushi rolled through and tried for the Kamigoye. Suzuki caught Ibushi’s leg in a Boston crab. Ibushi fought free and hit a standing Kamigoye which he followed with another typical Kamigoye.

Ibushi then folded a smiling Suzuki up and pinned him in the middle of the ring. 

This was fantastic from bell to bell. Each act of the match was distinct yet still worked towards a central, integrated whole.  

G1 Climax A Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated Shingo Takagi

They entered a typical, inconsequential feeling out process in the opening moments — waistlock, wristlock, collar-and-elbow, side takedown, etc.

Two Takagi shoulder blocks forced Okada to dig deep for a kick. Okada worked Takagi in the corner before a scoop slam. Takagi retreated to the outside and avoided an Okada plancha.

Takagi then hit Okada with a DDT on the floor, before driving Okada into every surface available to him. Takagi continued his offense for a considerable duration inside of the ring.

Okada began to fight his way back into the match following some taunting kicks from Takagi. A flapjack left Okada in a favorable position. A hip attack and DDT from Okada furthered his advantage.

This was short-lived as a struggle ensued, and it was Takagi who emerged from the chaos with a drop from the fireman’s carry. A similar scuffle followed almost immediately, but this time it was Okada who emerged from the fog with an air raid crash.

They traded forearms after both men returned to their feet. Okada, after being given an inch of space, landed a dropkick that sent Takagi crashing to the outside. Okada then took to seeking justice, driving Takagi into the outside elements before planting him into the floor via a DDT. 

Back in, Takagi was able to resist the advance of Okada, landing a lariat. Takagi tried hoisting Okada onto his back but was placed into the Money Clip. Takagi fought free and landed the Noshigami and a wheelbarrow suplex. Okada found the rope to break the pin attempt that followed. 

Takagi hit the ropes but was stopped mid-sprint with Okada’s dropkick. A tombstone piledriver immediately followed leaving Okada with a clear opportunity to lock in the Money Clip. Takagi crawled to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Okada climbed to the top rope and was cut off by Takagi. Takagi landed a superplex which he followed with a running lariat into the corner. Okada bounced from the corner with an attempt at recovery. Okada landed a dropkick and Takagi an elbow, leaving both men grounded. 

Okada tried hoisting Takagi up for the tombstone but Takagi fought free. Takagi then began leveling Okada with forearms but failed in delivering Made in Japan.

Okada tried for a quick pin and landed a tombstone after Takagi kicked free. Okada then locked in the Money Clip once more before landing a Rainmaker. Takagi powered up following the near finish and landed a Rainmaker of his own.

Takagi landed Made in Japan and nearly pinned Okada in the following attempt. A Pumping Bomber followed and yielded Takagi the same result.  

Takagi hoisted Okada up for Last of the Dragon but Okada fought free. Okada hit a lariat and locked in the Money Clip again.

Takagi fought and fought but eventually faded to the clutch of Okada. Okada’s Money Clip caused Takagi to pass out, leaving Okada victorious. 

Okada matches still struggle in the opening act due to the reduced input of the crowd. The match’s climax and falling action were great even with the lackluster opening. 

**********

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 10 points (5-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 10 points (5-2)
  • Jay White — 10 points (5-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-2)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4)
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-4)
  • Taichi — 6 points (3-4)
  • Jeff Cobb — 6 points (3-4)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-7) *eliminated*

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 10 points (5-1)
  • EVIL — 8 points (4-2)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-3)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 6 points (3-3)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 6 points (3-3)
  • SANADA — 6 points (3-3)
  • KENTA — 4 points (2-4)
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-5) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night 12 live results: EVIL vs. Tanahashi

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Hirooki Goto vs. YOSHI-HASHI 
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Juice Robinson
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL

**********

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (8:47)

Kidd got the better of a nice chain wrestling battle. This was going to be contested on the mat until one of them got frustrated and started striking. 

Uemura broke first. He fired up and hit a slam and some strikes. Kidd no-sold a tough forearm strike but Uemura dropped him with another. 

Uemura tried for his double underhook suplex but Kidd blocked. Uemura hit the ropes but ran into a Kidd dropkick. 

Kidd used a brainbuster for a near fall, then hit a double-arm suplex for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated YOSHI-HASHI (14:12)

Great effort from both guys. YH was eliminated from contention with the loss, but he has had a series of excellent performances in this G1. 

YH acted as though he was going to break cleanly against the ropes. Instead, he hit a chop. YH tried to out-power Goto with shoulder blocks but Goto established the power advantage. 

YH then went after Goto’s taped-up shoulder. He used arm wringers and a hammerlock, sending Goto shoulder-first into the buckle. YH tried for a cross armbreaker but couldn’t get full extension. Goto forced a rope break. 

Both fought for a vertical suplex. Goto blocked and hit a back suplex out of the corner instead. Goto hit a wheel kick and a bulldog for a two count. 

YH fought out of an ushigoroshi attempt and hit a headhunter. YH hit a series of chops. Goto answered with an ushigoroshi. YH fought out of a GTR attempt. They used a misdirection spot to set up simultaneous lariats. YH then hit a thunderous lariat to end the sequence. 

YH ducked a lariat and hit a dragon suplex. YH hit a meteora for a two count, then slapped on a butterfly lock. YH modified the hold as Goto tried to fight for the ropes. YH eventually transitioned to a sleeper, then hit a backstabber. 

YH hit a fisherman buster for a near fall at the 10 minute mark. Goto blocked a Kharma attempt and hit a GTW but could not follow up with a cover. 

They traded strikes. Goto hit a big forearm. YH ducked a lariat and hit a lariat of his own. YH blocked a GTR and hit a headbutt. Goto answered with a headbutt. 

They traded slaps. Goto hit a stiff slap, a GTR, then covered for the pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Toru Yano (12:21)

I can’t believe they went twelve minutes. They made it work, though.

Yano pulled four rolls of tape out of his tights at the opening bell in an effort to demonstrate that he was going to fight fair. 

Both broke cleanly against the ropes after locking up. Yano then took another roll of tape out and threw it away. Yano offered Sabre a free amateur hold and Sabre accepted. Sabre used a headscissors but Yano made the ropes immediately. 

Sabre allowed Yano a chance to apply a hold. Sabre tied Yano up and tried a cradle but Yano made the ropes. The fight spilled to the floor. Yano used a chair on Sabre and taped him to the chair through the barricade. Sabre beat the count back in at 19. 

After a struggle, the referee freed Sabre from the chair. Yano offered an apology and bowed to Sabre. Yano wanted to shake hands. Sabre accepted the handshake but Yano used it to set up an eye rake and a fireman’s carry. 

They again fought outside. Sabre used an ankle lock to drag Yano towards the entrance. Sabre raced Yano back to the ring. Yano just beat the count at 19. 

Sabre attacked the left leg with strikes and a kneebar over the bottom rope. Sabre went back to the ankle lock. Yano fought his way to the corner and removed a turnbuckle pad. Yano shoved the ref and hit Sabre with the pad. 

Sabre tried a clutch but Yano reversed into a cradle. They traded pinning combinations for near falls. Yano sent Sabre into the exposed turnbuckle. 

Yano tried a powerbomb but Sabre caught him in a guillotine. Yano reversed the hold and used a cradle for two. Sabre blocked a low blow and again applied an ankle lock. Yano hit Sabre with the pad but Sabre no-sold it. 

Sabre then transitioned to a modified figure four. Yano finally tapped. 

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax B Block: SANADA defeated KENTA (11:24)

This was well-worked and had a creative closing sequence. 

KENTA tossed his briefcase in the air to distract the referee and attacked SANADA before the opening bell. KENTA chose SANADA’s neck as his target. He used a neckbreaker and a headlock early. KENTA hit a back elbow for a one count, then applied a headscissors on the mat. 

SANADA came back with a backdrop, still selling the damage to his neck. SANADA used a paradise lock and broke it with a dropkick. KENTA blocked an attack in the corner and hit a swing DDT, dropping SANADA’s neck across the top rope. 

KENTA hit a top rope clothesline for a two count. SANADA teased a plancha but KENTA side-stepped and tripped SANADA on the apron. KENTA then hit a draping DDT for a near fall. 

KENTA hit a yakuza kick and a stalling dropkick in the corner. He followed with a double stomp off the top rope for a two count. 

SANADA blocked a GTS. KENTA slipped out of a dragon sleeper. KENTA fought to get Game Over applied, but SANADA reached the ropes before he could get it. SANADA hit a TKO.

KENTA shoved SANADA into the ref at the 10 minute mark. KENTA hit a DDT. With the ref still down, KENTA grabbed his briefcase. KENTA swung and missed with the briefcase. SANADA dropkicked the briefcase into KENTA’s face. 

SANADA went for a moonsault. KENTA got his knees up and cradled  SANADA for two. KENTA used two more quick cradles. SANADA reversed the second into an O’Connor roll and got the flash pin. 

G1 Climax B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Juice Robinson (25:02)

This was excellent. It took three Destinos for Naito to put Juice away, but Juice never hit Pulp Friction, so they have a story for the next time they face off. 

Juice did some crowd work right away. They did a couple of comedy spots, teasing locking up but ducking out of the way at the last second. 

They fought to the floor. Juice whipped Naito into the barricade. Naito climbed back in and hit a flying headscissors. They rolled back outside and Naito repeatedly sent Juice into the ring frame and the barricade. 

Back inside, Naito hit some short, taunting kicks. Naito used a crucifix andmocked Juice’s earlier crowd work. Juice fought to the ropes to force a break. Naito continued his taunting. 

Juice came back with a series of jabs and a DDT. Naito avoided an attack from the top rope. Juice landed on his feet. Naito hit a hip toss and a dropkick. Naito hit a neckbreaker over his knee, a second neckbreaker, then used Pluma Blanca. Juice forced a rope break. 

Juice avoided a flying forearm and hit a full nelson slam into a double down. Juice hit a cannonball and again got the crowd fired up at the 15 minute mark. 

Juice hit a superplex, maintained control of Naitos neck on landing, then hit a jackhammer for a two count. Naito fought off a Pulp Friction attempt and a Juice Box. Juice then connected with a Left Hand of God. 

Juice went for a Juice Box. Naito reversed into a poison rana. Naito hit a top rope frankensteiner. Juice answered with a leg lariat. They did another double down at the 20 minute call. 

Naito tried a tornado DDT. Juice blocked and hoisted Naito up. Naito countered into Destino. Juice kicked out at two. 

Juice blocked a second Destino attempt and hit a powerbomb. They had an intense striking exchange. Naito took a flip bump off a left hand. Naito blocked a Pulp Friction attempt. Juice connected with a Left Hand of God. 

Naito blocked another Pulp Friction attempt and ducked a left hand. Naito hit another Destino but Juice again kicked out. 

It took a third Destino for Naito to finally put Juice away, 1-2-3.

Naito continued mocking Juice’s mannerisms after the match. 

G1 Climax B Block: EVIL (w/Dick Togo) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (19:58)

This was a Bullet Club main event with ref bumps and interference aplenty. To the surprise of nobody, Tanahashi still put on an incredible performance. 

EVIL hit a kick to the gut and used a side headlock at the opening bell. Tanahashi escaped and employed a headlock takeover. He maintained the headlock as they got to their feet. Each pulled the other’s hair. Tanahashi hit a second rope crossbody and played some air guitar to close the opening sequence. 

EVIL took the referee. Togo pulled Tanahashi to the floor, hit him with punches, then whipped him into the barricade. EVIL pulled a pile of chairs from under the ring. He Pillman-ized Tanahashi’s neck against the post with a chair, then suplexed poor Yota Tsuji onto two chairs. 

EVIL exposed a buckle as Red Shoes began to count Tanahashi out. Tana beat the count back in at 14. EVIL hit a snap suplex but Red Shoes refused to count the pin. EVIL went to work on Tanahashi’s left leg. 

EVIL tried to use Red Shoes to assist in a mid kick. Tanahashi blocked and hit a dragon screw instead. EVIL tried to send Tanahashi over the top rope but Tana skinned the cat back in. EVIL immediately hit a German and a fisherman buster for a two count. 

Tanahashi tried for a cloverleaf but EVIL fought it off. Tana hit a baseball slide to Togo and a dragon screw in the ropes to EVIL. 

Tanahashi then got the cloverleaf applied. EVIL fought out and tried a low blow. Tanahashi blocked the low blow but got sent into the exposed buckle. 

EVIL hit a misdirection lariat for a two count. Tana blocked Everything is EVIL and turned a Darkness Falls attempt into a slingblade. 

Tana went to the top rope. Togo jumped on the apron. Tsuji jumped up and tackled Togo. Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow. Tana locked in a cloverleaf. Togo fought free of Tsuji, jumped in and bumped the ref, then choked Tana with a steel cable. Tanahashi fought out of the choke and sent Togo packing. 

Tanahashi hit twist and shout and a slingblade for a two count. 

Tanahashi went up top and hit a High Fly Flow to EVIL’s back. He flipped EVIL over and went for another. Togo threw a chair at Tanahashi. Tana caught the chair. Tana gave the chair to the ref. Togo then crotched Tana on the top rope. 

EVIL hit a superplex and made a cover. Tanahashi kicked out at two. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for another two. 

EVIL hit Everything is EVIL. It was as though all the life was sucked out of the crowd with that move. EVIL then covered for the pinfall victory. 

EVIL closed the show with a quick promo. 

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 10 points (5-1)
  • EVIL — 8 points (4-2)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-3)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 6 points (3-3)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 6 points (3-3)
  • SANADA — 6 points (3-3)
  • KENTA — 4 points (2-4)
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-5) *eliminated*

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 8 points (4-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 8 points (4-2)
  • Jay White — 8 points (4-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 8 points (4-2)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-3)
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-3)
  • Taichi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Jeff Cobb — 4 points (2-4)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-6) *eliminated*

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night eleven results: Ibushi vs. Takagi

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Will Ospreay
  • Jay White vs. Taichi
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Shingo Takagi

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (7:13)

The Young Lions wrestled a little differently this time. There was almost no technical wrestling, as this was a battle of strikes and power moves.

Both men exploded out with strikes at the bell. Kidd took control and nailed some loud chops in the corner. More strikes led to some quick covers, but it was too early to pin Tsuji.

Tsuji took control with a corner lariat and a running splash, but Kidd hit a body slam. They fought each other, both trying to hit a suplex, but Kidd won the strength battle. Kidd went for the underhook suplex, but Tsuji fought out with forearms.

They traded forearms, a battle which Tsuji won. Kidd turned a shoulder tackle attempt into a standing dropkick. Tsuji fought back with an open-hand strike, a powerslam, and a spear for a near fall.

Tsuji applied the Boston crab. Kidd nearly reached the ropes, but Tsuji pulled him back to the center of the ring and deepened the hold, forcing Kidd to tap out.

G1 Climax A Block: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Yujiro Takahashi (15:28)

This was probably the best Yujiro match of this year’s G1, but if Ishii can’t get better than a decent match out of somebody, they probably don’t really belong in the tournament. I have no idea why this went as long as the Ibushi/Ospreay main event from a couple nights ago.

Yujiro attacked before the bell with a lariat. He brought Ishii to the ramp, went for Pimp Juice, but settled for a standard DDT. Back in, Ishii attempted to come back with a lariat but Yujiro turned it into a tilt-a-whirl slam.

Yujiro tried for the fisherman’s buster, but Ishii turned it into a vertical suplex. They exchanged strikes before Ishii leveled him with a headbutt. Yujiro escaped a suplex attempt with his bite spot and hit a seated dropkick.

Ishii went for a running move but Yujiro flapjacked him into the top rope. He no-sold some Yujiro firearms and hit a Saito suplex. Ishii attempted a suplex but Yujiro turned it into a fisherman’s buster.

A strange moment happened then as Ishii sold his wrist and neck like he’d been legitimately injured, and the official stopped letting Yujiro wrestle momentarily. It must have been selling because Ishii immediately hit a German suplex into the corner pad followed by a superplex for two.

Yujiro fought out of a powerbomb attempt and hit a spinebuster, a lariat, and what looked like an Olympic slam for two. He hit his twisting fireman’s carry slam for another near fall. Ishii escaped a Pimp Juice attempt and hit another German.

Ishii hit an enzuigiri and a lariat for two. He went for the vertical drop brainbuster, but Yujiro fought back multiple times and turned it into a brainbuster of his own. Ishii went for it again, but Yujiro turned it into an inside cradle for a good near fall.

Ishii exploded with a jumping headbutt and a sliding lariat for two, followed by the vertical drop brainbuster for three.

G1 Climax A Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated Jeff Cobb (11:01)

This was a very enjoyable first-time meeting, if a bit short as NJPW are clearly sacrificing some of Okada’s great match quality to tell the story of not wanting to win with the Rainmaker. Cobb has looked quite impressive in these 10-12 minute sprints.

Okada showed off with his rope break spot right away. Cobb caught an Okada dropkick attempt out of midair and turned it into a vertical suplex in a great power spot. Okada avoided a corner elbow and hit a DDT.

Okada worked over Cobb’s head and neck. He went for a corner elbow of his own but Cobb moved out of the way and hit shoulder tackles followed by an overhead throw and a running back suplex.

They traded forearms before Cobb downed Okada with a lariat. We then got a ridiculous display of power as Cobb transitioned a gutwrench to both sides of his body, attempted a powerbomb, caught Okada’s escape attempt in midair, then hit a twisting back suplex.

Cobb went for a lariat but ran straight into a dropkick followed by a tombstone. Okada locked on the Money Clip cobra clutch and turned Cobb’s attempt to reach the ropes into a backslide for two. He went for another running move but Cobb hit a dropkick of his own. Cobb followed by stealing Okada’s Rainmaker pose.

Cobb attempted Tour of the Islands, but Okada turned it into a roll-up for two. A thrust kick sent Okada to the mat, but he locked on the same seated cradle as his win over Suzuki for the flash pinfall. 

***** Intermission *****

G1 Climax A Block: Will Ospreay defeated Minoru Suzuki via pinfall (14:34)

This was another very good first-time matchup. Suzuki was effective in picking apart Ospreay’s arm, and Ospreay’s selling was solid. The finish did seem a bit abrupt.

Ospreay hit a dropkick that sent Suzuki to the outside, followed by a plancha. He attempted Pip Pip Cheerio over the barricade but Suzuki turned it into a Fujiwara armbar. 

Suzuki continued to work over Ospreay’s arm on the outside. Back in, he continued the attack. Suzuki bullied and taunted Ospreay in the corner, daring Ospreay to fight back. Ospreay sold his arm every time he attempted a strike. Suzuki returned fire with chops and forearms.

One of the chops made Ospreay’s chest bleed, which was evident as Suzuki applied an octopus hold. Ospreay attempted a comeback but Suzuki turned Pip Pip Cheerio into another armbar.

Ospreay reached the ropes, but Suzuki leveled him with more forearms. Ospreay eventually fought his way back and finally hit Pip Pip Cheerio. They made their way to the top rope which led to a cool sequence where Ospreay attempted a 450, missed, rolled through, hit a high kick, then Suzuki hit a slap, and Ospreay hit a hook kick to win the battle.

Ospreay adjusted to his arm injury by switching arms for a forearm battle, which wasn’t enough to stop Suzuki’s strikes. Ospreay went for the handspring enzuigiri but Suzuki turned it into a sleeper, which Ospreay himself turned into a vertical suplex.

Suzuki avoided the Hidden Blade and turned a tilt-a-whirl into a sleeper. Ospreay hit an enzuigiri when Suzuki attempted the Gotch piledriver, then hit Stormbreaker for the win.

G1 Climax A Block: Jay White defeated Taichi (15:32)

While not a technical classic, this was about as fundamentally entertaining as a G1 match can get. Taichi had his second straight fantastic performance while White has just had a really great tournament overall. 

Switchblade and Taichi had a genuinely hilarious interplay at the start, which the crowd just loved. Taichi’s a heel but he was definitely playing babyface here. He would copy White every time he powdered and got back in the ring.

They both attempted a strike but Taichi escaped to the outside and drove White into the barricade. He choked White with an electrical cord, but Gedo provided a distraction by driving Taichi into the ring post and the barricade.

Back in, White hit a neckbreaker for two. White continued his beatdown, but Taichi eventually came back with an enzuigiri. He went for another enzuigiri, but White chop blocked his leg and hit a DDT. The Bladebuster followed for two.

White went for a backdrop driver, but Taichi hit an Axe Bomber to the back of his head. Taichi set up for the Last Ride, but White pancaked out of it, which led to Kawada kicks. Another attempt at the Last Ride was turned into a dragon screw.

Taichi missed another enzuigiri and White hit a German suplex, but Taichi popped right up and was met with a uranage. Taichi fired up again and hit a backdrop suplex for the double down.

They had a fighting spirit striking battle, with the catch being that when one would signal for the other to hit their chin, they’d hit something completely different. Taichi won the exchange with yet another enzuigiri. He locked on the Gedo clutch, but Gedo himself distracted the referee.

White went for a low blow, but Taichi stopped him before being shoved into the referee, who took a bump. Taichi dispatched Gedo with a low blow and hit a second on White, leading to the Gedo clutch for a super close near fall.

Taichi stacked White up with the Last Ride for two. The pants were off, but White moved the official in between him and Taichi before the buzzsaw kick. Taichi went for Black Mephisto, but White hit the Blade Runner out of nowhere for the pin.

G1 Climax A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Kota Ibushi (22:11)

These two men beat the hell out of each other, resulting in a fantastic main event which capped off a show in which each match was better than the last. They left enough on the table to leave people excited about the prospect of a rematch down the line.

This was our third first-time matchup of the night. Both men teased signature moves. A forearm exchange looked to give Shingo the advantage, but he ran into a dropkick and was sent outside.

Back in, Shingo regained the advantage by catching a springboard. He dropped Ibushi into the top rope before clotheslining him outside. Shingo beat Ibushi down using the barricade and ring and concluded the attack with a DDT.

Ibushi attempted a comeback but was leveled with a forearm. Multiple further Ibushi comebacks were easily foiled by Shingo. Eventually, a jumping hurricanrana bought Ibushi some time. His signature strike sequence and a moonsault got two.

Shingo rolled to the outside, leading to Ibushi hitting a plancha. Back in, Shingo fought his way out of a powerbomb and the two exchanged strikes before Shingo hit his own signature strike sequence.

Ibushi fought out of the Noshigami and turned into a Kamigoye attempt. Ibushi missed and Shingo finally hit the Noshigami for two. Shingo hit a backdrop suplex but Ibushi fired up and hit a half-and-half suplex for the double down.

They traded stiff slaps before Shingo transitioned into chops and Ibushi hit kicks. Ibushi flipped his way out of a German suplex and hit a great-looking buzzsaw kick. The Last Ride followed for two.

Shingo popped Ibushi up onto his shoulders and hit a DVD. He set up for Last of the Dragon, but Ibushi fought out and hit a jumping knee. Shingo countered the Kamigoye with a headbutt and hit Made in Japan for a good near fall.

Shingo hit two Pumping Bombers for another near fall. He set up for Last of the Dragon, but Ibushi fought out. Shingo leveled Ibushi with a lariat. Ibushi hit a huge lariat of his own followed by the Bomaye, but Shingo countered the Kamigoye into Last of the Dragon for the win.

Post-match, Shingo cut a promo addressing the Hiroshima crowd.

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

  • Kazuchika Okada — 8 points (4-2)
  • Kota Ibushi — 8 points (4-2)
  • Jay White — 8 points (4-2)
  • Will Ospreay — 8 points (4-2)
  • Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-3)
  • Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-3
  • Taichi — 6 points (3-3)
  • Jeff Cobb — 4 points (2-4)
  • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-6)

B Block

  • Tetsuya Naito — 8 points (4-1)
  • Juice Robinson — 6 points (3-2)
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-2)
  • EVIL — 6 points (3-2)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-2)
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 4 points (2-3)
  • Hirooki Goto — 4 points (2-3)
  • KENTA — 4 points (2-3)
  • SANADA — 4 points (2-3)
  • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-4)

    NJPW G1 Climax 30 night eight live results: Naito vs. SANADA

    Posted on by Ethan Renner

    Recommended matches —

    • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. YOSHI-HASHI
    • Tetsuya Naito vs. SANADA

    Report —

    Ao-re Nagaoka in Niigata was the venue. 

    **********

    Yota Tsuji drew with Gabriel Kidd (15:00)

    The emphasis here was on selling. The work was technically sound but there was not much in the way of action. 

    Kidd dominated the early part of the match, grounding Tsuji with holds. Tsuji sold damage to his neck and lower back. Tsuji came back with two slams and used a leg lace. Kidd sold his left leg. 

    Kidd won a striking battle and tried to fire up the crowd. Kidd got double underhooks and tried for a suplex. Tsuji blocked and hit a powerslam. 

    Tsuji hit a running forearm and used a dropkick for a two count. Kidd hit a hip toss and used a crab. Tsuji fought for the ropes and finally got there to force a break. 

    Kidd again worked for a butterfly suplex. Tsuji blocked. Kidd used a sunset flip for a near fall. Tsuji hit a backdrop. Kidd fought out of a Boston crab and hit a dropkick. 

    Tsuji hit a spear and used a cradle for a two count. Kidd used a small package for a near fall as the time limit expired. 

    They fired off a few strikes after the bell before both guys collapsed, selling exhaustion. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Juice Robinson defeated Toru Yano (6:42)

    I usually like Yano’s comedy as a change of pace on these G1 shows but it wasn’t clicking today. 

    Yano offered Juice a Yano t-shirt. Juice went to put it on and Yano used a schoolboy for a near fall. Yano sprayed hand sanitizer in Juice’s eyes and rolled him up for two. 

    They rolled outside where Juice poured a bottle of sanitizer in Yano’s eyes. They teased a countout but Yano made it back in at 19. 

    Yano exposed a buckle. Juice avoided a slingshot into the exposed buckle. Yano bailed and tried to bait Juice to the floor. Juice tore up the t-shirt. 

    Yano hit an inverted atomic drop in the aisle and taped Juice’s feet together. Juice beat the count back in at 17. Juice hit a full nelson slam and freed his feet. 

    Yano ducked a Left Hand of God and tried to backslide the ref. Juice hit a Left Hand of God. Yano blocked Pulp Friction and tried a schoolboy. Juice blocked and cradled Yano for the pin. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Hirooki Goto (4:00)

    This was different. A total sprint. Goto’s right arm and shoulder were heavily taped. 

    Sabre used a cross armbreaker. Sabre used a misdirection spot to set up an octopus. Goto reversed into an ushigoroshi attempt but Sabre blocked. Sabre hit a PK. Goto hit a running mid kick. 

    Goto hit an ushigoroshi and a mid kick. He went for a GTR but Sabre blocked and used a clutch hold for the pin. 

    ***** Intermission *****

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated YOSHI-HASHI (18:41)

    I think we need to start asking ourselves a question — is YOSHI-HASHI good now? 

    In this case, he was in there with one of the greates wrestlers ever, but he’s had a series of very good matches this year. 

    Tanahashi used a trip takedown and a Fujiwara armbar. YH countered with a dragon screw to the right leg. Tanahashi answered with his own dragon screw. Tana fired up and hit a somersault senton off the second buckle for a two count. 

    They had a chop battle. YH got the best of it and hit a series of kicks. YH hit a sit-out powerbomb for a two count. Tana blocked a fisherman buster. YH blocked a dragon suplex. Tanahashi hit a straightjacket German for a near fall. 

    YH blocked a slingblade with a chop. Tanahashi hit slingblade on his second attempt. Sensing victory, Tanahashi went for High Fly Flow. YH got his knees up. They had a lengthy striking battle in the center of the ring. YH dropped Tanahashi with a forearm shot. 

    YH avoided a slingblade and hit a lariat for a two count. YH used a butterfly lock. Tanahashi tried like hell to sell this as a potential finish. YH eventually gave up the hold and hit a backstabber. Tanahashi blocked Kharma and hit twist and shout. 

    Tanahashi hit a dragon screw. They traded quick cradles. Tanahashi hit another dragon screw. YH avoided slingblade and hit a dragon suplex. YH hit a meteora for a two count and a sidewalk slam for another two count. 

    Tanahashi blocked Kharma. YH went for a lariat but Tanahashi ducked and hit a slingblade. Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow. 

    Tanahashi then hit another High Fly Flow and picked up the pinfall victory. 

    Tanahashi’s post-match celebration was great. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: EVIL (w/Dick Togo) defeated KENTA (15:40)

    This was about what you would expect with two heels from the same faction. KENTA played underdog to make the match work. The finished product was okay. 

    KENTA offered a too sweet before the bell. EVIL declined and gave Togo a too sweet instead. 

    KENTA went for a walk at the opening bell. He grabbed Togo in a threatening manner. Back inside, they traded kicks. They rolled to the floor where KENTA established the advantage, slamming EVIL into the barricade and posting him. 

    KENTA continued to hold the advantage and hit some short kicks. Togo tripped KENTA from the floor. They went back to the outside. EVIL Pillmanized KENTA’s left arm against the post. 

    EVIL went to work on the left arm. He used a hammerlock and sent KENTA shoulder-first into an exposed buckle. EVIL used a slam and a Fujiwara armbar. 

    KENTA cameback with a lariat and a vertical suplex. After a standing switch, KENTA hit a swing DDT and a top rope clothesline for a two count at the 10 minute mark.

    Togo jumped on the apron. KENTA was distracted and EVIL jammed the left arm over the top rope. EVIL again used a hammerlock into the exposed buckle. EVIL used a suplex for a near fall. 

    EVIL pulled Red Shoes into KENTA’s path and the ref took a bump to the floor. KENTA grabbed his briefcase. Togo tried to take it away from him but KENTA nailed him with it. 

    KENTA used a briefcase shot on EVIL. KENTA hit a top rope double stomp as the ref was revived. KENTA hit a busaiku knee for a near fall. 

    EVIL fought out of a GTS attemptand sent KENTA into the buckle. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count. EVIL hit a lariat for another near fall. KENTA fought off Everything is EVIL and hit a series of palm strikes at 15 minutes. 

    Togo jumped on the apron. KENTA pulled him in the ring. KENTA tried for a GTS on Togo. EVIL shielded the ref and hit a low blow, then used Everything is EVIL for the pin. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: SANADA defeated Tetsuya Naito (27:08)

    This was a great main event. There were some scary moments towards the end when both guys were slick with sweat and there were nearly some inadvertent head drops. SANADA got his first win of the tournament and this set up a potential challenger for Naito later in the year. 

    They started with some mat work. SANADA fought for a cross armbreaker but couldn’t get it. Naito used a headlock but SANADA used a headscissors escape. 

    SANADA used a hammerlock to set up a side headlock. SANADA broke cleanly against the ropes but Naito did not. Naito hit a kick and SANADA rolled outside. Naito went for his tranquilo pose but SANADA pulled him to the floor. SANADA hit a pose back in the ring instead. 

    They teased locking up but Naito wanted to brawl instead. Naito hit some strikes and a one-legged dropkick. On the floor, Naito sent SANADA into the barricade. SANADA beat the count back in at 17. 

    Naito hit a neckbreaker and used a crucifix. SANADA forced a rope break. Naito hit a slingshot dropkick in the corner before taunting SANADA by stepping on his face. SANADA fought out of a neckbreaker attempt and hit a dropkick, taking out Naito’s left leg. 

    SANADA hit a leapfrog dropkick and a follow-up plancha before firing up the crowd. SANADA avoided a flying forearm. He fought for a suplex but Naito hit an arm drag out of it. Naito hit a swing DDT and SANADA sold his neck. 

    SANADA avoided a top rope frankensteiner and hit a dropkick while Naito was seated on the top rope. SANADA drove Naito off the top rope into his knee, then used a tiger suplex with a bridge for a near fall at the 15 minute call. 

    Naito blocked a Skull End attempt and hit a spinebuster. Naito hit some short elbows to the neck, setting up for a later Destino attempt. Naito hit a top rope frankensteiner for a near fall. Naito tried Gloria but SANADA blocked. Naito hit Esperanza. 

    Naito went for a Destino but SANADA blocked and hit a TKO into a double down at 20 minutes. 

    They traded strikes from their knees. They climbed to their feet and continued to trade. The crowd really got into this striking battle. 

    SANADA used a moonsault press to set up Skull End. He used a spinning Skull End before dropping to the mat and adding a bodyscissors to the Skull End. Naito popped his head out of the hold twice, but SANADA went right back to it both times. 

    SANADA gave up the hold and went up top. SANADA missed a moonsault. Both men were still down selling at the 25 minute call. 

    Naito slipped on a Destino attempt. He escaped the Skull End coounter attempt and hit Destino. SANADA kicked out. 

    SANADA blocked another Destino attempt. Naito tried Gloria but stumbled and almost dropped SANADA on his head. 

    SANADA hit a Destino for a near fall, then hit two moonsaults for the win. 

    **********

    Post-match, SANADA offered an LIJ fist bump. Naito accepted the gesture, then left the ring and the mic to SANADA. SANADA closed the show with a promo. They turned the house lights down and the crowd lit up the arena with their phones. 

    **********

    G1 Climax 30 Standings

    B Block

    • Tetsuya Naito — 6 (3-1)
    • Juice Robinson — 6 (3-1)
    • Toru Yano — 6 (3-1)
    • Zack Sabre Jr. — 4 (2-2)
    • EVIL — 4 (2-2)
    • KENTA — 4 (2-2)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 4 (2-2)
    • Hirooki Goto — 2 (1-3)
    • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 (1-3)
    • SANADA — 2 (1-3)

    A Block

    • Jay White — 6 (3-1)
    • Will Ospreay — 6 (3-1)
    • Taichi — 6 (3-1)
    • Kota Ibushi — 6 (3-1) 
    • Minoru Suzuki — 6 (3-1)
    • Kazuchika Okada — 4 (2-2)
    • Shingo Takagi — 2 (1-3)
    • Tomohiro Ishii — 2 (1-3)
    • Jeff Cobb — 2 (1-3)
    • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 (0-4)

    NJPW G1 Climax 30 night six results: Naito vs Goto

    Posted on by Chick Fritts

    For the first time in this year’s G1 Climax, the B Block takes us to Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

    Report —

    Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura

    The match began with a brief scramble which Kidd came out on top of. Kidd took to targeting the arm of Uemura in his early groundwork and continued to do it throughout the match.

    After multiple Uemura transitions, Kidd would ultimately return his attention to the arm. After a test of strength and a show of athletics favoring Kidd, Uemura secured a takedown and began working a headlock. Only after an extended period under the control of Uemura would Kidd break free with a rope break and a dramatic dropkick.

    Kidd and Uemura then traded advantage, first with Kidd laying boots into a cornered Uemura followed by Uemura doing the same to Kidd. Uemura tried to further his lead with a return to the headlock but Kidd landed a slam effectively resetting the match. 

    After an exchange of strikes, Uemura took the match back to the mat and locked in the Boston crab. A submission soon followed, leaving Uemura the victor. 

    Crisp work from both men but especially Uemura. 

    G1 Climax B Block:  YOSHI-HASHI defeated SANADA 

    SANADA and YOSHI-HASHI started the match with a brief in-ring struggle that spilled to the outside. YH gained an early advantage in the outside brawl but after SANADA drove YH into the barricade, the match became all SANADA. After barely beating the referee’s count YH was brought to the mat. He stayed there for some time under the control of SANADA. 

    After a neckbreaker, YH was in the driver seat. This was followed by a short offensive streak that was cut short by a SANADA dropkick. Likewise, SANADA’s offense was short-lived, as it was cut short by a YH lariat.

    YH landed a powerbomb before attempting a Swanton. SANADA’s knees found YH’s back during his descent. SANADA took advantage of his damaged adversary by locking in the Skull End. After YH had seemingly faded from consciousness, SANADA ascended to the top rope and tried for a moonsault but found himself in the knees of YH. 

    With both men on equal footing, it was a struggle to find a finish. SANDA teased a second try for Skull End but instead was nearly rolled up by YH.

    YH landed a double knee and secured a near fall. YH then landed Kharma and pinned SANADA in what must be considered an upset.

    This match was nothing to write home about. Its shining moments featured YH’s determination to hold on, he truly is a gem.

    G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Zack Sabre Jr. 

    KENTA lured Sabre to the ground by giving up his guard in the opening moments. Sabre unsurprisingly came out on top, triggering KENTA stalling. Sabre returned KENTA’s favor this time, but instead of engaging in grappling, KENTA took to striking his prone opponent. KENTA kicked Sabre inside the ring and out before Sabre caught a kick and nearly submitted KENTA.

    Sabre then took time to kick at a downed KENTA, an action that KENTA mimicked after withstanding the storm. Sabre and KENTA traded blows for a while, with noting feeling meaningful. KENTA eventually landed a flying forearm and a fisherman buster before returning to the mat. More striking followed their rise

    A KENTA lariat left him in control long enough to land a hangman’s DDT which he followed with a pair of dropkicks. KENTA rose to the top rope and landed a double foot stomp and a near fall. A running knee resulted in another two count.

    Sabre resisted as KENTA tried for the GTS. KENTA dropped Sabre with a chop but was caught by Sabre as he attempted to follow up. A ground struggle favoring Sabre followed. Sabre tried for a quick pin and some strikes but a surprise knee from KENA led into the GTS which Sabre did not kick out from. 

    This match’s luster was outweighed so much by its pacing that it’s hard to forgive. It was slow.  Both men’s striking and groundwork felt like filler instead of a logical progression to a finish. When the finish finally came there was no feeling, no emotion, just a change in standings. 

    G1 Climax B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Juice Robinson 

    Tanahashi and Robinson had a feeling out that did nothing more than to reassure viewers of both men’s charisma. Robinson gained a leg up early as he landed a backdrop which he followed with a full nelson. Tanahashi fought out but Robinson reasserted his lead with a headbutt to the upper back of Tanahashi. It took a quick dropkick for Tanahashi to start playing catchup. 

    Enter Tanahashi dragon screws. After two leg whips, Tanahashi tried for the cloverleaf but an aware Robinson rolled Tanahashi up, nearly pinning him. Robinson then hit the stunned Tanahashi with a spine buster and a flurry of strikes. Robinson tried for a standing suplex but left himself open for another dragon screw, this time of the neck variety. Robinson did not let this set him back for long as he regained the full nelson and landed a lariat mere moments later. Robinson set up in the corner and landed the cannonball. 

    Tanahashi was positioned on the top rope where a struggle ensued. Robinson held on to his lead, landing a super-standing suplex followed immediately by a mat-bound standing suplex. Down come the straps of Robinson’s tank top just in time for a Tanahashi sling blade. After a second sling blade, Tanahashi tried for a pin. After Robinson kicked out, Tanahashi tried for a crossbody but found himself being pinned after Robinson rolled through it. 

    A strong strike from Robinson nearly left him the victor but Tanahashi’s limp body forced him to lean in too far. Instead of Robinson following up, Tanahashi rolled Robinson up and commandeered his first block victory.  

    A very fun watch with tons of energy. A perfect collision of character that left everything else on the card feeling gray by comparison. 

    G1 Climax B Block: Toru Yano defeated EVIL 

    Yano’s antics started as soon as the bell sounded. The turnbuckle padding was immediately removed from every corner and subsequently used as a weapon by EVIL. Dick Togo tried to interfere on behalf of EVIL but was taped to the barricade as soon as Yano was given the chance. Yano tried to do the same to EVIL but was forced to re-enter the ring as the 20 count inched near.  

    EVIL landed multiple Irish whips into the exposed buckle after returning to the ring. Yano returned the favor. Before Yano could follow up, Togo revealed he was free from Yano’s trap. Togo extended the turnbuckle padding just in time to save the back of EVIL. EVIL was then aided as Togo distracted the referee long enough for an EVIL eye rake and a low blow. Yano was seemingly unbothered and landed a low blow of his own. 

    Togo hit a low blow on Yano but Yano immediately returned the favor. Yano again hit EVIL in the nether regions before rolling him up for the win.

    A Yano match bell to bell — after all, what else could it be? Yano’s continual B Block dominance is an interesting road to a horizonal cliff.  

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto 

    Goto took to a headlock as soon as the bell sounded. After fighting free, Naito turned his attention to the taped shoulder of Goto, whipping it downwards. Goto retreated to the outside where he fell victim to Naito’s malice. After being whipped shoulder first into the barricade Goto was choked against the blue steel.

    Once the contents returned to the ring, Naito continued to target the shoulder. A neckbreaker with a slight tilt left Goto to crash against the same shoulder. Naito strikes seemed to hit Goto’s shoulder without fail. At every turn, Naito had one target in mind.   

    After ducking an elbow, Goto landed a backdrop to reset the match. He took advantage with a bulldog but soon after was again on the receiving end of Naito’s targeting. Goto’s resistance was proving to be futile as Naito went after that elbow.

    Naito drove Goto back-first into the corner before ascending to the top rope. Goto was able to stun Naito during his ascent, leading to a top rope standing suplex that reset the match in his favor.

    Goto took to the skies with a plancha before landing an elbow drop on Naito. Goto’s offense was not enough however as a well-placed kick from a dazed Naito left Goto reeling. 

    Naito was able to regain control with a simple strike and further his lead with a barrage of elbows to the shoulder. Naito moved his attention further up as his strikes were soon finding the side of Goto’s head. A top rope frankensteiner cemented Naito’s change in target. 

    Naito had victory in his sight when he tried for Destino. Goto was able to catch Naito in the middle of his finish and prevent doom. Goto had a brief offensive stint before lifting Naito into the fireman’s carry. Naito fell from the carry driving Goto into the mat at the same time. 

    A last-ditch strike exchange left both men winded. Naito tried for a slam of sorts but instead was reversed into a ushigoroshi. Goto slowly lifted Naito to his feet and was hit with a surprise Destino. During Naito’s attempt for another Goto reversed, driving Naito to the mat. 

    A well-placed kick found the chest of Naito. Naito was lifted back to his feet but he reversed Goto with Valentia. Naito then landed another Destino and pinned Goto for the win.

    A very good match. Goto was excellent playing from underneath. Likewise, Naito being anything short of commanding would have been out of place. The execution was fantastic as well. This without question was the best match of the night. 

    **********

    G1 Climax 30 Standings —

    A Block

    • Jay White – 6 points (3-0)
    • Taichi – 6 points (3-0)
    • Will Ospreay – 4 points (2-1)
    • Kota Ibushi -4 points (2-1)
    • Minoru Suzuki – 4 points (2-1)
    • Kazuchika Okada – 2 points (1-2)
    • Jeff Cobb – 2 points (1-2)
    • Shingo Takagi – 2 points (1-2)
    • Tomohiro Ishii – 0 points (0-3)
    • Yujiro Takahashi – 0 points (0-3)

    B Block

    • Tetsuya Naito — 6 points (3-0)
    • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-0)
    • Juice Robinson — 4 points (2-1)
    • KENTA — 4 points (2-1)
    • Hirooki Goto — 2 points (1-2)
    • Zack Sabre Jr. — 2 points (1-2)
    • EVIL — 2 points (1-2)
    • YOSHI-HASHI — 2 points (1-2)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 2 points (1-2)
    • SANADA — 0 points (0-3)

    NJPW G1 Climax 30 night five results: Ibushi vs. Ishii

    Posted on by Chick Fritts

    G1 Climax 30 made its last stop before arriving in Tokyo with a stacked card from the tournament’s A Block in Kobe.

    Report —

    Gabriel Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji 

    Kidd started the match by taking Tsuji to the mat. Tsuji was able to gain some ground by grappling in retort, but overall Kidd’s mat work left him in the driver’s seat early.

    The power of Tsuji was the main means of thwarting Kidd’s advance. A large shoulder block led to an extended showcase of Tsuji offense. Tsuji locked in a single leg Boston crab that forced a desperate rope break from Kidd. The rope break allowed Kidd to regain a semblance of control, but again Tsuji’s strength seemed to be too much.

    Kidd managed to withstand the storm and catch Tsuji off guard with a passion-filled sequence punctuated with a double arm suplex. Kidd then pinned Tsuji in the middle of the ring for his first win over Tsuji. 

    A fun match that was fundamentally sound. Kidd’s fervor really stood strong at the conclusion. A simple story executed well. 

    G1 Climax 30 A Block: Taichi defeated Yujiro Takahashi 

    This match started abruptly as Takahashi rammed his cane into Taichi as the opening bell sounded. Takahashi was disarmed but maintained the momentum until Taichi returned the favor with a hammer. Taichi took to assaulting Takahashi on the outside of the ring, driving him into the ring post and choking him with cables. Takahashi returned the favor of an environmental beating. 

    Takahashi’s offense inside the ring was short-lived as Taichi gouged for the eyes. A Taichi enzuigiri only cemented his rebound. Taichi kicked Takahashi in the temple before trying for a pin that Takahashi only just kicked out from.

    Taichi wasted no time as tried he tried to hoist Takahashi for a slam but Taichi’s hand found its way into the mouth of Takahashi. With Takahashi’s teeth pressed into his hand, Taichi again turned to raking the eyes of Takahashi, a cute moment in what had been a trivial match. 

    Takahashi won a striking victory and followed up with an Olympic slam. Taichi reset the match with a suplex of his own. Taichi landed a lariat, re-energizing him late in the match.

    After Takahashi kicked from the pin that followed Taichi’s breakaway pants were torn from his thighs in one fluid motion. Takahashi hit Miami Shine immediately after Taichi’s theatrics.

    Taichi was able to fight free from Pimp Juice and down the referee in the process. A low blow and quick rollup followed leaving Taichi with another win.

    This match was what one should expect with these two, nothing special. Some interactions were fun but not enough to carry them to a good match. 

    G1 Climax 30 A Block: Minoru Suzuki defeated Jeff Cobb

    Suzuki started the match by baiting Cobb to the mat. Cobb was able to hold his own against Suzuki’s ground game but Suzuki eventually forced Cobb into a rope break.

    Now that the two were standing, Cobb tried to crush Suzuki with his strength. Suzuki again was able to get the best of the situation. The two spilled to the outside of the ring. Suzuki and Cobb again seemed to be near equals, but even here it was Suzuki who proved to be ahead. 

    It was only by a collision of bodies that Cobb was able to pull ahead. Cobb was able to maintain his advantage in a striking exchange and subverted a Gotch piledriver. Cobb used his power to block almost every attempt at a Suzuki comeback. Suzuki’s wherewithal eventually proved to be too much even for Cobb’s power.

    A choke attempt from Suzuki seamlessly lead into a successful Gotch piledriver leaving Suzuki with a clean pin. 

    This match was fast-paced and well structured. In a test of brains versus brawn, Suzuki’s demanding presence gelled perfectly with Cobb tonight for an outstanding match. 

    G1 Climax 30 A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Tomohiro Ishii

    Following an intense staredown, Ibushi and Ishii entered a series of tie-ups. After the collapse of the felling out process, they entered an extended striking sequence. Ishii was unmoving for the sequence and was perpetually standing over Ibushi during any pause.

    Ibushi was able to withstand the strikes and ultimately end the first striking session with a rana. It wasn’t long after that the striking continued as if it had never stopped, but this time Ibushi had the edge. 

    An Ibushi slam and dropkick that would have dropped any other left Ishii standing. Before the shock of Ishii’s resistance could fully set in Ibushi was hit with a power slam. Ibushi this time refused to fall. The two then entered a test of will where no move could drop either man. 

    A tempo-resetting dropkick from Ibushi triggered an open palm brawl. Ibushi was able to drop Ishii for a moment, but Ishii rose with even more striking. 

    This awakened the beast in Ibushi.

    Ibushi punched the heart of Ishii before nearly kicking his head off. Ishii was then hoisted by Ibushi into a powerbomb which only yielded a two count.

    Ishii was not done fighting.

    Ishii and Ibushi entered another struggle. This time it was an Ishii headbutt that caused Ibushi to fall. An Ishii lariat resulted in a near fall for the Stone Pitbull, but again Ibushi continued to resist.

    Now on his last legs, Ibushi landed an enzuigiri followed by a brainbuster. Ibushi dropped his knee pads and landed a Kamigoye only for Ishii to kick out again.

    Ishii and Ibushi traded their final swings at this point. Ishii’s headbutts and knees, in the end, proved to be just short of enough as another Kamigoye left Ibushi the victor.

    What a match. These men beat the breaks off of each other. With everything left in the ring, topping this would be a real challenge. 

    G1 Climax 30 A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Will Ospreay 

    Ospreay’s speed met Takagi’s power as soon as the bell sounded.

    Ospreay and Shingo struggled for any advantage in a fantastic opening arrangement. Ospreay forced Takagi to retreat to the safety of the outside after his speed in combination with his new bulk proved to be too much. Takagi avoided any significant offense before dropping Ospreay with a Fireman’s carry takeover on the arena floor. 

    Takagi took his lead between the ropes, slowing the pace and overpowering Ospreay. Takagi landed a few elbows and a knee drop before taunting Ospreay. Ospreay responded with the initiation of a chop exchange which he left victorious. Ospreay’s offense picked up temporarily but was cut short by Shingo’s power. Shingo was just as unsuccessful in maintaining long-term sway as an unexpected stunner threw the match back in Ospreay’s direction.

    In the first prolonged offensive stint of the match, Ospreay landed a flying forearm and the Sasuke special. Ospreay positioned Takagi in the tree of woe once returning to ring, where he delivered a swift kick to the skull and a picture-perfect coast-to-coast dropkick. A bloody Sunday and moonsault failed to close the match for Ospreay. 

    Ospreay tried for a springboard variation but was caught by a ready Takagi. Takagi dropped Ospreay face-first on the mat. Takagi was experiencing offensive success in the match for the first time. A sit-down powerbomb from Ospreay cut Takagi’s hopes short. An Oscutter and near fall seemingly reset the match.

    Takagi and Ospreay began trading more and more impressive moves. Ultimately it was Takagi’s Made in Japan that left him ahead.

    A pumping bomber almost closed the match for Takagi. Instead of a victory, the move triggered Ospreay’s final efforts. A poison rana from Ospreay and a headbutt from Takagi again reset the match. 

    Both men were now left to slug it out. Forearms reigned in prior to a burst of speed. Ospreay landed a one-man Spanish fly, a lariat and a brutal forearm to set up for a finale.

    Takagi met Ospreay with a lariat of his own to subdue what would be the match’s end. Takagi then hoisted Ospreay onto his shoulders and dropped him from the second rope. Ospreay kicked out. Takagi landed a lariat. Ospreay kicked out.

    Finally, Takagi connected with the Last of the Dragon, pinning Ospreay for the win.  

    This pair brings out the best in each other and now a rubber match is necessary. They put on a great match with little room for improvement.

    G1 Climax 30 A Block: Jay White defeated Kazuchika Okada

    White journeyed to the outside as soon as the match started, as this match was going to be on his terms.

    Okada tried for his typical rope pat down but this match was at White’s pace. White actually was the one patting down Okada, which upset him greatly.

    Okada took to beating down White, but again, this was under White’s control. Gedo clubbed the back of Okada, gaining his attention long enough for White to regain advantage. 

    White began his systematic dissection of Okada’s back at this point, driving Okada back first into any rigid object at his disposal. Okada tried to fight free but his back was proving to be his weak point. Plenty of knees and forearms from White crashed into the spine of Okada. Whenever Okada showed signs of life, his back stopped him. 

    Okada eventually landed a facebuster on White and began a slow climb back into this match.

    Forearms, a hip attack and a DDT left Okada in control but for some unimaginable reason, Gedo became the center of Okada’s attention. A double DDT, ignoring the previously damaged back, dropped both White and Gedo. 

    Once in the ring again Okada’s back failed again. White regained advantage with a DDT of his own and once again the beating of Okada’s back continued.  

    Okada was able to catch a methodical White with a neckbreaker, resetting the match. The two traded forearms back and forth before White collapsed. Gedo tried to interfere again but was subverted by Okada. An Okada dropkick attempt was avoided, further punishing the back. 

    White tried the Rainmaker but Okada responded with a forearm. An Okada dropkick, piledriver, and Money Clip left Okada in control. Gedo entered the ring and found himself on the receiving end of a dropkick.

    Okada locked in the Money Clip again only for Gedo to grab at the leg of the referee. White landed a low blow before grabbing the wrist of Okada. Okada tried again for a desperation Money Clip, but White landed a suplex in retort.

    A transition into a Blade Runner allowed White to pin Okada.  

    **********

    White grabbed a microphone and thanked Okada for celebrating the two year anniversary of White’s and Gedo’s Chaos defection while simultaneously claiming Okada’s glory days are behind him. 

    If you still somehow need convincing of White’s brilliance, this match will do it for you. It is everything you should expect in a White showing — a complete dissection and change of scenery when compared to everything else in New Japan. This was a great match that was only held back by the overuse of Gedo. 

    **********

    G1 Climax 30 Standings —

    A Block

    • Jay White – 6 points (3-0)
    • Taichi – 6 points (3-0)
    • Will Ospreay – 4 points (2-1)
    • Kota Ibushi -4 points (2-1)
    • Minoru Suzuki – 4 points (2-1)
    • Kazuchika Okada – 2 points (1-2)
    • Jeff Cobb – 2 points (1-2)
    • Shingo Takagi – 2 points (1-2)
    • Tomohiro Ishii – 0 points (0-3)
    • Yujiro Takahashi – 0 points (0-3)

    B Block

    • Tetsuya Naito — 4 points (2-0)
    • Juice Robinson — 4 points (2-0)
    • Toru Yano — 4 points (2-0)
    • Hirooki Goto — 2 points (1-1)
    • KENTA — 2 points (1-1)
    • Zack Sabre Jr. — 2 points (1-1)
    • EVIL — 2 points (1-1)
    • YOSHI-HASHI — 0 points (0-2)
    • SANADA — 0 points (0-2)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 0 points (0-2)

    NJPW G1 Climax 30 night four live results: Naito vs. Sabre

    Posted on by Ethan Renner

    Recommended matches —

    • YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL
    • Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

    Report —

    This was the second straight night in Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo.

    **********

    Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura (8:13)

    This was solid but these guys have had much better matches. 

    They started off with some mat wrestling. Uemura went after Tsuji’s left leg with an ankle pick and a toe hold. Tsuji came back with some forearm strikes and worked a kravate. 

    Tsuji landed some more forearms and a chop. Uemura hit a running forearm strike and a dropkick. Uemura went for a crab but had to settle for a heel hook. Tsuji forced a rope break. 

    Tsuji hit a unique running powerslam for a two count. He got a Boston crab applied and Uemura tapped.

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated SANADA (11:03)

    They didn’t get a lot of time for two guys who are pushed at their level, but they did well with the time they had.   

    They brawled outside at the outset. SANADA teased a moonsault press off the apron but Goto stepped out of the way. Goto went for a lariat but SANADA dodged it and Goto hit the post with his right arm. 

    SANADA went after the right arm with strikes. Goto avoided a standing moonsault but SANADA hit a dropkick for a two count. 

    SANADA missed a charge into the corner. Goto hit a back suplex for a near fall. Goto hit a wheel kick in the corner and used a running bulldog for a two count. Goto teased an ushigoroshi but SANADA slid out. SANADA hit his leapfrog dropkick and a follow-up plancha. 

    A series of counters and teases ended with SANADA getting Skull End applied. Goto reached the ropes to force a break. Goto hit a lariat but sold the earlier damage to his right arm. They traded finisher teases but neither could hit a big move. 

    They traded a series of cradles for near falls. SANADA hit an ushigoroshi and a snap slingshot suplex. SANADA missed a moonsault and they did a double down. 

    SANADA used a moonsault press to set up Skull End. Goto escaped and hit an elevated GTR for a two count. 

    Goto hit the GTW and a mid kick. He followed up with a GTR and got the pin. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Toru Yano defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (7:15)

    Yano now has wins over both Tanahashi and Okada in the last 30 days. Wrestler of the year?

    Yano tried to bait Tanahashi into chasing him outside but Tana refused. They traded a couple of holds before Yano went for a corner pad. Tana also went for a corner pad but decided not to break the rules. 

    They did some comedy with Yano’s corner pad. Tanahashi played air guitar with the pad. Tana hit a dragon screw. They rolled outside where Yano sent Tanahashi into the barricade. They fought all the way to the entrance. Yano used an eye rake and made poor Tanahashi run all the way back to the ring to beat the count. Yano used a quick cradle for a two count. 

    Tanahashi hit a somersault senton for a two count before using another dragon screw. Tanahashi missed a pescado. Yano grabbed a roll of tape and threatened to tape Tanahashi to the barricade. Instead, Tanahashi used the tape to blindfold Yano. Yano beat the count back in. 

    Still blindfolded, Yano pulled the ref in the path of a flying forearm. Tanahashi pulled up at the last second and avoided the ref. Yano hit a low blow and rolled Tanahashi up for the victory. 

    ***** Intermission *****

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Juice Robinson defeated KENTA (17:01)

    This started very slowly. It picked up once they got to the closing sequences but they could have cut five minutes and had a better match. 

    KENTA began with his trademark stalling. 

    I get that the Bullet Club guys are working for the people in the building and not everyone watching every show on the tour at home, but having KENTA, Jay White and EVIL all start their matches with a ton of stalling wears on you. 

    Juice hit a kick and used a headlock takeover as they continued the slow start. Juice went for a series of jabs but KENTA rolled outside and took a walk after the first strike. 

    KENTA caught Juice coming back in and hit a knee drop off the second rope to take the early advantage. KENTA used a chinlock, hit a kick, then used a different chinlock. He then repeated the same sequence. 

    Juice tried a Juice Box but KENTA raked his face to escape. KENTA hit a powerslam and a diving clothesline off the top for a two count.  Juice made a comeback with corner clotheslines and a cannonball. 

    KENTA blocked a superplex with headbutts and hit a missile dropkick. KENTA followed with a yakuza kick and a stalling Shibata dropkick. KENTA hit a top rope double stomp for a near fall. 

    Juice avoided a busaiku knee and hit a slam. They traded strikes. Juice hit the Juice Box for a two count. KENTA blocked Pulp Friction and laid in some stiff strikes. 

    KENTA went for a GTS but stumbled. Juice avoided two more GTS attempts and hit a Left Hand of God. Juice then hit Pulp Friction and covered for the win. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: EVIL defeated YOSHI-HASHI (17:21)

    These guys injected some life into the show. This was an excellent match with awesome near falls. 

    EVIL brought a chair into the ring. He went to hit YH with it as YH entered but YH hit EVIL and Goto with his staff. YH controlled the open with a series of strikes. 

    EVIL used interference from Dick Togo to gain the upper hand. Togo tripped YH and whipped him into the barricade while EVIL took the ref. 

    EVIL went to work and sent YH into an exposed buckle. YH came back with a headhunter. EVIL cut him off again and used a superplex. EVIL used the exposed buckle two more times before hitting Darkness Falls for a two count. 

    YH avoided Everything is EVIL and sent EVIL into the exposed buckle twice. YH hit a hook kick and avoided a misdirection lariat. YH hit a brainbuster for a two count. 

    YH used the butterfly lock. Togo jumped on the apron and YH gave up the hold. YH sent EVIL into Togo and hit a backstabber. 

    YH went back to the butterfly lock. They were going to stay in this hold until they got the crowd. They finally did. YH transitioned to a kimura but YH reached the ropes. 

    EVIL tried to bump the ref and hit a low blow. The ref didn’t go down and YH blocked the blow. EVIL then hit a lariat into a double down at the 15 minute call. 

    YH hit a dragon suplex and a meteora for a two count. He followed with a swanton bomb for another close near fall. 

    EVIL took the ref while Togo choked YH out. YH fought off the ligature and knocked Togo down. YH hit a hook kick and a lariat for a near fall. 

    EVIL blocked Kharma, hit a low blow, then connected with Everything is EVIL for the tainted victory. 

    G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (28:29)

    This was a war of attrition. They completely worked Sabre’s style and that usually works given that no one else works like Sabre on these shows. 

    They began with five minutes of very nice mat work. Sabre used a series of three cradles for near falls

    Sabre twice sent Naito outside after tripping him. Sabre continued with his ground work. Naito came back with his signature low dropkick before using a crucifix hold. Sabre rolled to the ropes for a break. 

    Naito used a kravate. Sabre slid out and spiked Naito on top of his head with a tornado DDT. At the 15 minute call, Sabre used a hurricanrana to set up a triangle choke. Naito forced a rope break. 

    They had their first real striking battle of the match. Naito used a trip takedown to pull Sabre to the apron. Naito hit a neckbreaker off the apron to the floor. Back in, Naito hit a series of back elbow strikes. 

    Naito hit a top rope frankensteiner just past the 20 minute call. Sabre popped up and hit a series of uppercuts. Naito used a swing DDT for a two count. Naito tied up Sabre with a Pluma Blanca but Sabre forced a break. 

    Naito went for Gloria but Sabre blocked. Naito tried a flying forearm but Sabre caught him flying in and used an octopus hold. Sabre kept the hold applied as they fell to the mat. Naito fought the hold for a long time before rolling to the ropes. 

    They traded finisher teases around the 25 minute call. Naito hit a Destino. He went for a second but Sabre turned it into a Zack Driver. Neither guy went for a pin. 

    Sabre used a guillotine to set up a European clutch and a rolling Japanese leg hold for a pair of near falls. 

    Sabre went for a Zack Driver. Naito countered into Destino for a near fall at 28 minutes. 

    Naito then hit another Destino and got the pin. 

    **********

    Naito closed the show with a promo. 

    **********

    G1 Climax 30 Standings

    B Block

    • Tetsuya Naito — 4 points (2-0)
    • Juice Robinson — 4 points (2-0)
    • Toru Yano — 4 points (2-0)
    • Hirooki Goto — 2 points (1-1)
    • KENTA — 2 points (1-1)
    • Zack Sabre Jr. — 2 points (1-1)
    • EVIL — 2 points (1-1)
    • YOSHI-HASHI — 0 points (0-2)
    • SANADA — 0 points (0-2)
    • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 0 points (0-2)

    A Block

    • Jay White — 4 points (2-0)
    • Will Ospreay — 4 points (2-0)
    • Taichi — 4 points (2-0)
    • Kazuchika Okada — 2 points (1-1)
    • Kota Ibushi — 2 points (1-1)
    • Minoru Suzuki — 2 points (1-1)
    • Jeff Cobb — 2 points (1-1)
    • Shingo Takagi — 0 points (0-2)
    • Tomohiro Ishii — 0 points (0-2)
    • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-2)