Tag: g1 30

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*

Updated NJPW G1 Climax 30 standings and scenarios

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Eight wrestlers remain mathematically alive as NJPW’s G1 Climax 30 enters its final stretch.

Four competitors still have a shot in each block with one A Block show and one B Block show remaining before Sunday’s final. In A Block, Jay White controls his own destiny. In B Block, it’s EVIL who controls his own fate. 

After that, things get more cloudy.

White, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, and Will Ospreay still have a chance to win A Block.

The most likely A Block scenarios would be White winning with a victory over Ishii or Ibushi winning with a win over Taichi and a White loss. Ospreay needs to win and get help. Okada needs to win or draw and Ibushi and White both to lose. 

In B Block, EVIL, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and Zack Sabre Jr. are still in the running. 

A scenario exists in B Block where there could be a three-way tie for the lead heading into Sunday, although it seems far more likely that Saturday’s EVIL vs. SANADA matchup will determine the B Block winner. 

Here are the updated standings and scenarios: 

G1 Climax 30 standings —

A Block

  • Jay White — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Ishii*
  • Kota Ibushi — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Taichi and a White loss/draw/no contest*
  • Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Ospreay, White and Ibushi losses/draws/no contests or a draw with Ospreay and Ibushi/White losses/no contests*
  • Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-3) *ties for the block win with a win over Okada, White and Ibushi losses/no contests*
  • 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

  • EVIL — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over SANADA or a draw/no contest with SANADA, Naito loss and Sabre loss/draw*
  • Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win/draw over KENTA and an EVIL loss/no contest*
  • SANADA — 10 points (5-3) *wins the block with a win over EVIL and a Naito loss/no contest*
  • Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-3) *ties with Naito & EVIL for block win with a win over Tanahashi, a Naito loss, and a SANADA/EVIL no contest*
  • Hirooki Goto — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • KENTA — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
  • Toru Yano — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
  • Juice Robinson — 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 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 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)

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night three results: Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Taichi
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Will Ospreay
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White

Report —

Today’s Block A show was at Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center, which is where the New Beginning in Sapporo takes place.

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (7:36)

Whatever match you have pictured for these two in your head, this was exactly that: pristinely wrestled, compact, and hard-hitting.

The two Young Lions wrestled back and forth to start. Uemura eventually gained the upper hand with an Indian deathlock, but Kidd reached the ropes and hit a slam.

Uemura was forced into a corner and met with big chops from Kidd. He broke out with forearms and the two exchanged strikes before Kidd downed Uemura with a back elbow for two.

Kidd continued to hit overhand chops, but was met with Uemura’s picture-perfect dropkick. A hip toss got two, and Uemura immediately transitioned into a single-leg crab, but Kidd reached the ropes.

Uemura tried to hit his overhead suplex, but Kidd fought out and the two had a forearm battle, which Kidd won. Kidd hit a dropkick and a butterfly suplex for the win.

G1 Climax 30 Block A: Jeff Cobb defeated Shingo Takagi (11:40)

This was solidly worked and hard-hitting, but Cobb remains a step slower than other NJPW wrestlers who perform a similar style, such as Shingo, Ishii, Goto, and even Taichi. 

Shingo took control early on with a shoulder block. He and Cobb had an Irish whip battle, which Cobb won, following up with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Cobb continued to target Shingo’s midsection, concluding with a back suplex.

After fighting out of a suplex, Shingo hit his jab/lariat striking sequence and a delayed suplex for two. He went for the sliding lariat but Cobb blocked. Shingo then turned a rope rebound into a backdrop suplex.

The two traded clotheslines and exploder suplexes. They had a seated striking battle which gradually transitioned into a standing one including forearms, thrust kicks and headbutts. Cobb won that battle with a lariat, but Shingo immediately hit the noshigami.

Cobb avoided the Pumping Bomber but Shingo got him on the rebound for a near fall. Shingo set up for Last of the Dragon, but Cobb powered out and hit his series of gutwrenches, ending with a gutwrench powerbomb for two. 

Shingo powered out of a fireman’s carry and hit his sliding lariat. After beating Cobb down, he hit Made in Japan for two. Cobb powered out of Last of the Dragon, and the two traded standing lariats. Cobb hit a German suplex and the Tour of the Islands for the win.

G1 Climax 30 Block A: Kazuchika Okada defeated Yujiro Takahashi (12:00)

While we did get an admittedly exciting closing sequence, this was as lifeless as a G1 match can get. Nobody buys into Yujiro as a competitor and Okada’s style is suboptimal in the pandemic crowd setting.

Aside from his signature bite spot, Yujiro wrestled completely cleanly. Okada went for a suplex early on but Yujiro escaped with his hand bite. He then brought Okada outside for a neckbreaker and running dropkick on the ramp, which led to an extended heat segment where Yujiro beat Okada down.

There were lots of rest holds. Okada made his comeback by avoiding a boot and hitting a running uppercut. He hit a DDT but Yujiro rolled outside to avoid the cover, so we got a rare pescado from Okada. 

Back in, Yujiro fought out of a suplex and hit the fisherman’s buster for two. The two had a striking battle, which Yujiro won with an eye rake. Okada hit his dropkick and the tombstone piledriver. He then locked on the cobra clutch but Yujiro escaped with a bite and a Saito suplex.

Okada missed the rolling Rainmaker and Yujiro hit his twisting fireman’s carry drop and a big lariat. Okada attempted the dropkick but Yujiro had it scouted. He set up for Pimp Juice but Okada fought out and hit the rolling Rainmaker. After locking on the cobra clutch, Yujiro was forced to submit.

G1 Climax 30 Block A: Taichi defeated Minoru Suzuki (12:42)

This was different than most G1 matches, more of a plunder brawl than anything else with an excellent strong style sequence at the finish.

Suzuki attacked before the bell. The two were all over each other, going for illegal chokes and closed-fist strikes. When the official attempted to break it up, he ended up taking a bump and both competitors grabbed chairs.

After a wacky chairs battle in the ring, Suzuki sent Taichi outside and beat him down with another chair. Suzuki continued the attack, choking his stablemate with the chair and taunting him. Taichi attempted to fight back, but Suzuki downed him with a forearm.

We got more and more brawling as the two spent nearly five minutes outside. Suzuki brought yet another chair into the ring. The referee took another bump when he tired to stop Suzuki. Taichi took advantage with a strike from the mic stand.

Outside once again, Taichi began to choke Suzuki with electrical cords. Suzuki stumbled up the ramp, but Taichi stopped him with a chair shot. Taichi removed his pants without celebration, showing that he meant business in this one. 

Taichi hit Kawada kicks, which woke up Suzuki, who downed him with one forearm. The two had a long strike exchange. Taichi hit an Axe Bomber to the back of Suzuki’s head, followed by the gamengiri. 

Suzuki went for the sleeper but Taichi powered out and hit a backdrop suplex and another gamengiri. He went for another Axe Bomber, but Suzuki countered with another sleeper. Suzuki locked on the Gotch grip, but Suzuki powered out of the piledriver.

Taichi then hit Black Mephisto to pin his stable leader.

G1 Climax 30 Block A: Will Ospreay defeated Tomohiro Ishii (18:14)

This was excellent, but perhaps a bit different than you might expect. There was less of a focus on an extremely fast pace and more of a focus on innovative spots and counter-based wrestling.

It’s remarkable how much bigger Ospreay is than Ishii. There was an incredible moment at the bell where Ospreay offered up a handshake with his dumb smile, which Ishii ignored to attempt a lariat. Ospreay offered another handshake but Ishii refused once again, this time with a kick. They each attempted their big moves but missed. 

Ospreay hit a stiff slap and Kawada kicks before Ishii leveled him with a chop and a shoulder block. It was all Ishii for a while as he beat Ospreay down with strikes. Ospreay eventually attempted a comeback, but Ishii cut him off with a throat chop.

The handspring kick gave Ospreay a moment to recover. Despite his bulked-up physique, Ospreay is still able to hit a picture-perfect standing shooting star press and Pip Pip Cheerio. The two traded reversals and counters before Ospreay forced Ishii off the apron with a dropkick.

We got a ridiculous sequence where Ospreay went for the Fosbury Flop, but Ishii moved. Ospreay then sprung back up to the apron and flipped into an inverted front chancery. Ishii fought out and Ospreay jumped back off the railing and hit an Oscutter. Ishii just made it back in at 19 and was immediately met with a springboard dropkick for two.

Ospreay made his way back up to the top rope, but Ishii forced him off his balance by hitting the ropes. He then essentially performed a pull-up into a headbutt to Ospreay on the top in an innovative spot, followed by a superplex. Ishii hit forearms, but the two began a string of countering each other’s big moves before Ospreay finally hit a thrust kick.

More kicks followed. Ospreay missed the Oscutter and was floored with a forearm. Ishii followed up with a powerbomb and a sliding lariat, each getting two. Ishii went for a lariat but Ospreay turned it into a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Ospreay then hit the Oscutter for another good near fall.

Ishii powered out of the Stormbreaker and hit a headbutt. Ospreay went for the super Oscutter but settled for a hook kick before Ishii downed him with a lariat. Ishii attempted another but Ospreay turned it into a powerbomb.

The two battled with strikes once more. Ishii hit a headbutt but Ospreay turned the brainbuster into a stunner. Ospreay hit a reverse hurricanrana and appeared to set up for the Stormbreaker but turned it into a piledriver for a fantastic near fall.

The Hidden Blade and the Stormbreaker followed for three.

G1 Climax 30 Block A: Jay White defeated Kota Ibushi (20:27)

I thought this was a very compelling match. White did a great job targeting the knee and Ibushi did just as good a job selling it. Your enjoyment is probably a function of how much you like or dislike the Gedo interference, but I thought it was very well done. These two have phenomenal chemistry.

This matchup has been greatly protected as they’ve only met twice, once in the G1 finals and once at Wrestle Kingdom. Switchblade was joined by Gedo. White taunted the fans at the start, imploring them to chant Ibushi’s name, which they can’t do due to pandemic regulations.

Ibushi beat White down but White took advantage by forcing Ibushi’s knee into the ring apron. Outside, White drove Ibushi into the barricade and continued to target the knee. The methodical attack by White went on for an extended period of time.

Ibushi eventually made a comeback with a dropkick and a standing moonsault. He attempted his springboard corner moonsault but White moved out of the way, and Ibushi sold his knee. The Blade buster got two, followed by a German suplex where Ibushi landed right on his head.

Every time Ibushi attempted a comeback, White would target the knee and cut him off. Ibushi was able to force White to the apron to attempt his apron German but Gedo grabbed White’s foot to stop it. That gave White the opening to hit a dragon screw and a uranage for two. Gedo called for the Kiwi Crusher but Ibushi fought out and hit a cradle piledriver.

White went back to his plan of attacking the knee but Ibushi snapped into his trance-like state and was unaffected. White attempted more strikes but Ibushi downed him with a lariat. Ibushi countered a German suplex into one of his own. He went for the Bomaye but White countered, so Ibushi hit a roundhouse kick. 

White regained control with more dragon screws before locking on the TTO submission. Ibushi nearly tapped but he reached the ropes. White hit a sleeper suplex but Ibushi hit the Bomaye and the Last Ride for a good near fall.

Ibushi set up for the Kamigoye but White grabbed the official. In front of eerie silence, White attempted a couple forearm. Ibushi shook it off, leveling White with a forearm and a kick of his own. Gedo distracted the official and White hit a low blow, followed by a leglock suplex for two.

Ibushi hit a V-trigger and dispatched Gedo with a high kick but White hit the Blade Runner out of nowhere for the win.

**********

Post-match, White cut a completely unhinged promo calling the fans stupid for robotically clapping –– most of the fans probably don’t understand what he’s saying in English. He called Ibushi stupid for caring what the fans think. This was sensational.

Okada is up next for White, their first meeting since Madison Square Garden.

**********

Updated Block A Standings:

  • 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)

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night two live results: Naito vs. Tanahashi

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

  • Gabriel Kidd vs. Yota Tsuji
  • Juice Robinson vs. YOSHI-HASHI
  • KENTA vs. Hirooki Goto
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (9:15)

Excellent opener. Well worth checking out. 

They started with a very solid grappling battle. There was some MMA influence in the grappling. There was some lucha influence. It was awesome. 

Things broke down into a striking battle. Tsuji got the upper hand at first and hit a splash for a two count. Kidd fired back and gained the upper hand with some stiff strikes. 

Tsuji hit a backdrop out of a powerbomb attempt from Kidd. They traded strikes. Kidd hit a picture-perfect dropkick and locked in a single-leg crab. Tsuji forced a rope break. 

Tsuji hit a brainbuster. Kidd came back with two quick cradles for a pair of near falls. Tsuji fired up and hit a spear and a powerslam for a near fall. 

Tsuji locked on a Boston crab. Kidd fought the hold but eventually tapped out in the center of the ring. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Juice Robinson defeated YOSHI-HASHI (15:57)

We still haven’t seen a bad match in this tournament as these two had a really good one. 

Juice has a new Blues Brothers look, new hair, new gear. It works for him. 

Juice got the crowd into it right away and they were with him for the whole match, it was some of the best crowd work by anyone in a really long time. 

This was all Juice for the first several minutes. He went after YH’s bad knee which caused him to miss some shows this summer. YH fried back but got cut off again. Juice hit a cannonball in the corner for a two count. 

Juice teased a superplex. YH hit a running powerbomb out of the corner for a two count. YH hit a lariat for a two count. YH used a butterfly lock but Juice forced a break. 

Juice hit a Juice Box for a near fall. YH used a cradle for a quick near fall before Juice hit two left hands of God and a Pulp Friction for the pin. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Toru Yano defeated SANADA by countout (6:16)

Yano comedy matches are a nice change of pace in G1. Not every match can have super intensity. 

The ref took two rolls of tape out of Yano’s knee pads before the match started. 

There were the usual Yano shenanigans with turnbuckle pads and such. SANADA used a rolling cradle for a near fall. 

Yano grabbed a chair and sat in the aisle. SANADA refused to go out after him. They dueled with turnbuckle pads. SANADA missed a moonsault but landed on his feet. Yano rolled him up for a two count before hitting a slingshot into an exposed buckle. 

SANADA sent Yano into an exposed buckle and cradled him for a two count. SANADA hit a plancha. SANADA put Yano in the paradise lock in the aisle. Uemura freed Yano. 

SANADA tried to put Uemura in the paradise lock. Yano taped SANADA and Uemura together and beat the count back in for the win. 

***** Intermission ****

G1 Climax 30 B Block: KENTA defeated Hirooki Goto (17:15)

Very good match. Much more of a storytelling match with an emphasis on selling than a collection of flashy moves. 

KENTA stalled early, then tricked Goto into chasing him outside. KENTA took over and tried to get the crowd to boo, but booing is not allowed. 

Goto tried to come back with a back suplex but KENTA cut him right back off. KENTA hit a series of short kicks, taunting Goto. Goto lost his temper and KENTA slapped in a triangle before transitioning to a Game OVer attempt before Goto reached the ropes to force a break. 

Goto hit a back suplex for a two count. KENTA connected with a high kick and double stomp off the top rope for a near fall. 

KENTA hit a busaiku knee for a two count. He used a throat slash gesture before trying a G2S. Goto blocked and hit an ushigoroshi. 

Goto used Shoryu Kekkai but KENTA forced a break. Goto used an ushigoroshi position to st up a GTR attempt but KENTA blocked. 

KENTA got Game Over applied. Goto fought for the ropes but KENTA managed to roll through and keep the hold applied. Goto tapped. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated EVIL (w/Dick Togo) (14:54)

The finish was excellent here. I’m as tired of ref bumps as the next person but I liked the finish enough to overlook the ref bump. 

Togo taunted Sabre before the match. Sabre attacked Togo which allowed EVIL to attack Sabre. 

Red Shoes rang the bell and they brawled to the floor with Sabre still in his ring jacket. EVIL sent Sabre into the barricade and worked on his lower back. 

EVIL exposed a buckle. They traded cobra twists. EVIL used a single-leg crab. Sabre avoided a whip into the exposed buckle and twisted various parts of EVIL’s anatomy with his legs. Sabre focused his attack on EVIL’s left arm. 

EVIL hit a mid kick into a double down. EVIL sold his arm while Sabre sold his back. Sabre avoided a misdirection lariat out of the corner and used an octopus hold. EVIL escaped by grabbing Sabre’s ear. EVIL hit a fisherman buster into another double down. 

EVIL hit a superplex for a near fall. He went for Everything is EVIL but Sabre blocked. EVIL blocked a Zack Driver. Sabre used a cradle for a two count. 

Togo jumped on the apron. Sabre knocked him off and gave up the hold he had applied. EVIL sent Sabre into Red Shoes and the ref took a bump to the floor. Togo jumped in and attacked Sabre. 

Togo and EVIL hit Sabre with running sentons. Sabre fired up and tried to use a cross armbreaker on Togo but EVIL saved and stomped on Sabre’s arm. 

Sabre blocked a low blow and used an ankle lock. EVIL threw Sabre off into the exposed buckle. The ref was revived. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count. 

EVIL went for Everything is EVIL. Sabre blocked and rolled into a European Clutch and got the pin. 

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (27:17)

This was the best version of Tanahashi that we have seen since at least the Wrestle Kingdom match with Kenny Omega in January 2019. This was the match of the tournament so far. 

They started with some grappling with neither gaining the clear upper hand. Tana played some air guitar. Naito teased locking up but hit some strikes instead. 

Tana made it clear that this was not the same Tana we’ve been seeing sell match after match all year. Instead, he was aggressive and went on the offense in response to Naito’s attack. 

Tanahashi kicked out Naito’s left leg with a low dropkick and followed with a leg lock on the mat. Naito rolled to the floor to collect himself. They played cat and mouse. Naito hit his tranquilo pose. Tana tried a senton but Naito avoided it and continued posing. 

Naito sent Tanahashi into the barricade and choked him. Tana sent Naito into the barricade. Naito popped off the rail with a one-legged dropkick and maintained the advantage. Back in the ring, Naito used a crucifix. Tana forced a rope break. 

Tanahashi fired back with strikes. He blocked the combinacion cabron in the corner and hit a uranage into a double down. Tanahashi firmly established control of the match after a flying forearm and a somersault senton off the second rope. 

Tana sent Naito to the floor after a dragon screw. Tana hit an awesome High Fly Flow to a standing Naito on the floor. 

They teased a countout but Naito made it back in. Tana hit a dragon screw in the ropes as Naito climbed back inside. Tana went for a cloverleaf. Naito reversed into a cradle for a two count. Naito hit a spinebuster as the momentum shifted again. 

The following sequence is where this thing found a new gear. 

Naito hit a top rope frankensteiner but Tana rolled through into a cradle for a great near fall. Tana hit two dragon screws before trying the cloverleaf again and this time he got it. Naito was in the hold for over a minute before he reached the ropes. Tana blocked a flying forearm. Naito blocked a dragon suplex. Tanahashi hit a straight jacket German into a bridge for a two count. 

Naito hit a swing DDT. Naito went for Gloria but Tana blocked and hit a slingblade. Naito countered a Michinoku Driver attempt into an inverted DDT. They did a lengthy double down. 

Both guys fired up and they traded strikes. Naito blocked an Irish whip and hit a series of back elbows as it looked like Tana might be fading. Naito maintained wrist control through all of these elbows. Naito hit Gloria for a near fall. 

Naito went for Destino. Tana blocked and hit three twist and shouts. Naito blocked a slingblade and hit an enzuigiri. Tanahashi hit a slingblade at the 25 minute call. 

Tanahashi hit another slingblade. He went up top for High Fly Flow. He hit a standing High Fly Flow and went back up for another but Naito slid out of the way and Tana crashed to the mat. 

Naito hit Destino but Tana kicked out at two. 

Naito went for another Destino. Tana blocked. Naito blocked a palm strike and hit Valentia. Naito then hit another Destino for the pin. 

**********

Naito closed the show with a promo. 

**********

G1 standings —

B Block 

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

A Block 

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