Tag: g1 climax

NJPW G1 Climax 31 night four results: Okada vs. EVIL

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The G1 Climax 31 B Block continued today in Tokyo at the Ota City General Gymnasium. 

Here are results and a report from today’s show. 

**********

Recommended matches —

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto
  • Jeff Cob vs. YOSHI-HASHI
  • Tama Tonga vs. Chase Owens

Report —

B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Hirooki Goto (14:10)

This was two veterans working a very good opener. They didn’t kick out of a bunch of finishers or do countout teases, they kept the match in the ring and left you wanting more.  

Tanahashi took virtually all of the offense in the first ten minutes. 

Tana dominated a chain wrestling sequence at the outset. Goto got one brief hope spot with his wheel kick and bulldog out of the corner, but Tana used a deathlock, a senton and strikes to maintain control. 

Tanahashi hit a somersault senton for a two count. They did a great series of misdirection spots as Goto hit a lariat, then Tana hit a dropkick to the legs. Goto started to come back with a top rope neckbreaker. 

Tana avoided a top rope superplex and tried to turn it into a sunset bomb, but Goto slid out. Tanahashi blocked Shouten Kai and hit slingblade. Tana hit a standing High Fly Flow. Goto rolled out of the way of a second High Fly Flow, allowing him to hit a lariat to the back of Tanahashi’s head. 

Tanahashi hit a palm strike to the face, but Goto countered with a headbutt and an inverted GTR for a near fall. 

Tana reversed a GTR attempt into an inside cradle for the flash pin. 

B Block: Tama Tonga defeated Chase Owens (12:59)

This was much better than you might expect. 

They began with a solid back and forth technical wrestling battle. Each avoided the other’s finisher. 

After exchanging holds, they turned to a more traditional brawling style. Owens used a hip toss into a neckbreaker, a flurry of strikes and a Jewel Heist for a near fall. Tama came back and hit a Tongan Twist. 

Owens used a tiger driver for another near fall. Tama blocked a jumping knee. Owens connected on another v-trigger. 

Owens went for the package driver, but Tama hit a great reversal into the Gun Stun and got the pin. 

B Block: Jeff Cobb defeated YOSHI-HASHI (13:21)

YH low-bridged Cobb to the floor and sent him into the barricade. Cobb cut YH off with a huge shoulder tackle as they got back in. Cobb hit a dropkick and a delayed vertical throw. YH answered with a dragon screw as he looked to take out Cobb’s base. 

YH tried a sunset flip, but Cobb blocked. YH teased a powerbomb, but Cobb launched him into orbit on a backdrop. Cobb hit a series of strikes in the corner, then used a belly-to-belly and a spin cycle for a two count. 

Cobb hit a standing moonsault for a two count. YH came back and hit a snap dragon suplex, then hit a lariat for a two count. Cobb blocked another powerbomb. YH hit a thrust kick, then a Canadian destroyer for another near fall. YH hit a meteora for a two count. 

YH used the butterfly lock to set up a Kharma attempt, but Cobb blocked. Cobb hit a snap German suplex. They traded thrust kicks. YH blocked two Tour of the Islands attempts, then rolled Cobb up for a two count. 

Cobb hit a spear, then ended things with Tour of the Islands and a pin. 

B Block: Taichi (w/Miho Abe) defeated SANADA (25:15)

The small crowd and their inability to be vocal due to the pandemic restrictions really hurt this match. They didn’t help themselves by starting really slowly, but they were working hard once they got into the near falls and it was as though they were wrestling in an empty building. 

They opened with a quick chain wrestling sequence, then they tried to work the crowd with some pec popping. The referee didn’t sell the pec pop battle and they just dropped the idea. 

Taichi used a kitchen sink, then used a variety of rest holds. SANADA came back with a dropkick to the left knee and a plancha. Taichi hit a high kick. SANADA went back to the legs with a dropkick, then hit a magic screw. 

Taichi avoided a TKO and tried for a stretch plum, but SANADA blocked. Taichi no-sold a tiger driver and hit a backdrop suplex. Both stumbled out of the ring, selling. Kind of a goofy spot. They did a double countout tease, then a double down once they beat the count back in. 

They traded strikes. Taichi blocked Skull End. SANADA blocked a chokeslam. Taichi blocked an O’Connor roll. SANADA kicked out of a Gedo clutch. SANADA missed a moonsault into another double down. 

SANADA used a moonsault to try to set up Skull End, but Taichi blocked. SANADA blocked Balck Mephisto, but Taichi hit a gamengiri and a backdrop suplex for a near fall. Taichi kicked out of an O’Connor roll. 

Taichi avoided another moonsault, then hit a forearm and Black Mephisto for the pin.

B Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated EVIL (w/Dick Togo) (21:46)

NJPW has doubled down on EVIL and this version of the character is killing every show he’s on. The Bullet Club House of Torture is just that. Okada is one of the greatest wrestlers to ever live, but even he can’t make a match with 2021 EVIL work. 

EVIL rolled outside and immediately stalled. Togo exposed a buckle. They brawled to the floor, where EVIL sent Okada into the barricade. The ring announcer took his first bump. Okada made a quick comeback with a back elbow and a DDT after EVIL missed a charge into the exposed buckle. 

EVIL rolled back to the floor and again sent Okada into the barricade and the ring announcer. While the ref checked on the announcer, EVIL hit Okada with a chair. EVIL tried a running kick with Okada seated on the chair, but Okada hit a drop toe hold on the chair. 

Back in, Okada avoided a misdirection lariat and hit a dropkick. Okada used the Money Clip, but EVIL reached the ropes. Okada hit the Rainmaker pose, but EVIL used interference from Togo to cut him off. Togo used a chair on Okada while EVIL took the ref. EVIL hit a tackle for a near fall. 

EVIL hit a superplex and tried a pin while grabbing the trunks, but Okada kicked out. Okada fought off Everything is EVIL and used a cradle for a two count. 

Okada hit a short Rainmaker. EVIL ducked under a second Rainmaker, but Okada nailed him with a dropkick and a spinning tombstone. Okada went for another Rainmaker, but EVIL pulled the referee in his path. The ref took a bump. EVIL hit a low blow. 

EVIL revived the ref. EVIL tried Everything is EVIL, but Okada reversed into a Money Clip attempt. Before he got the hold applied, EVIL bumped the ref again as Red Shoes rolled to the floor. 

Togo jumped in and hit Okada with a series of right hands. Okada fought off a Magic Killer and sent EVIL into the exposed buckle. Okada hit a shotgun dropkick to Togo. 

Red Shoes was revived. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a two count. Okada blocked a lariat and hit EVIL with Everything is EVIL. 

Okada hit a sit-out tombstone and another Rainmaker for the pin. 

**********

Here is the lineup for the next show: 

G1 Climax 31 night five, Sunday, September 26, 3 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • A Block: Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • A Block: Tomohiro Ishii vs. KENTA
  • A Block: Toru Yano vs. Tanga Loa
  • A Block: Great-O-Khan vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • Shingo Takagi vs. Yuji Nagata
  • Master Wato vs. Kosei Fujita

NJPW G1 Climax 31 night three results: Shingo vs. Sabre

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The G1 Climax 31 A Block continued today in Tokyo at the Ota City General Gymnasium. 

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi and Zack Sabre Jr. face off in the main event, while Kota Ibushi took on Tomohiro Ishii in the semi-main. 

Tanga Loa earned two points by way of Tetsuya Naito forfeiting their G1 match due to injury. Instead of a tournament bout, Loa faced Yuji Nagata in a special singles match in the opener.

Here are results and a report from today’s show. 

**********

Recommended matches —

  • Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sare Jr.
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

Report —

Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Yuji Nagata (15:35)

This was a good opener. Nagata was moving well today and everything they did made sense. 

After some chain wrestling, Loa used a right hand to the throat to take over. He hit an axe handle off the apron to the floor and sent Nagata into the barricade. 

Loa maintained the advantage with brawling offense in the ring. Loa used a blue thunder bomb for a two count, then used a chinlock. Nagata fought back with punches and a kitchen sink. 

Nagata began working on Loa’s legs with kicks and a dropkick to the knee, then used a butterfly suplex for a two count. Nagata used a heel hook, but Loa forced a rope break. 

Loa hit a flatliner and slapped on the OJK. Nagata escaped the hold and used an ankle lock. Nagata grapevined the legs, but Loa crawled to the ropes. Nagata hit some more kicks to the leg and an exploder suplex. 

Loa hit a hotshot across the top rope, then used a spear and a powerslam for a two count. Nagata escaped Apesh*t and hit a German. Loa rolled through on landing, but Nagata hit another kick for a near fall. 

Nagata hit an enzuigiri, but Loa answered with an immediate lariat and hit Apesh*t for the pin. 

A Block: Great-O-Khan defeated Toru Yano (11:30)

These two had a blood feud earlier this year where Yano tied O-Khan’s hair to the barricade and O-Khan was forced to cut one of his braids off to escape. O-Khan also tried to stab Yano with scissors at some point. O-Khan saved the braid that was cut off six months ago and brandished it as Yano made his entrance. 

I appreciate the continuity here, but the match was hot garbage.

O-Khan attacked Yano as he entered and choked him with the braid. O-Khan pounded on Yano and used an Anaconda Vice. Yano forced a rope break. 

Yano sprayed hand sanitizer in O-Khan’s eyes. O-Khan produced a pair of handcuffs. Yano exposed a buckle. They fought over the corner pad. O-Khan bumped the ref with the corner pad. Yano hit a dragon screw and wrestled the corner pad away. 

Yano tried to cuff O-Khan to the barricade, but O-Khan reversed and cuffed Yano to the barricade. Yano freed himself by prying the barricade apart and beat the count back in. 

O-Khan fought off two cradle attempts and hit the Eliminator for the pin. 

Yano hit a low blow after the match and ran to the back. O-Khan chased after him with a chair, so this feud must continue. 

A Block: KENTA defeated Yujiro Takahashi (w/Pieter) (15:48)

KENTA is smart and picks his spots for when to work hard. Tonight was not one of those spots.  

I will always pop for Kevin Kelly explaining Pieter’s interpretive dance.

Yujiro and Pieter both refused Too Sweet hand gestures from KENTA. 

They brawled in slow-motion. Yujiro gained the upper hand as they fought to the floor. Yujiro danced in front of Pieter. KENTA hit a DDT on the floor and could have won by countout, but threw Yujiro back in. 

KENTA hit some stomps and mocked Yujiro’s dancing. KENTA hit some kicks and used a front facelock. Yujiro fought back with strikes and a sliding dropkick. KENTA answered with a DDT and a diving clothesline off the top for a two count. 

KENTA used an STF. Yujiro forced a break. Yujiro avoided one double stomp off the top, but KENTA hit it on his second try and earned a near fall. 

Yujiro reversed a GTS into a DDT. Yujiro hit an Angle slam and Miami Shine for a pair of two counts. KENTA used a jackknife and a rollup for two near falls of his own. 

KENTA hit a Busaiku knee. Yujiro blocked GTS and tried a low blow, but KENTA caught the arm and used it to set up Game Over for the submission.  

They made amends and hugged and did the Too Sweet after the match. 

***** 

A PSA for saving lions aired with Togi Makabe and a player from the Seibu Lions. This was the best thing on the show to this point. 

*****

A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Tomohiro Ishii (17:42)

If these guys wrestled ten times, they would probably have a better match than this one nine of those times. I’m giving this a mild recommendation because of who these guys are, but this was not the classic you would expect. 

Ibushi tried to break cleanly against the ropes of the opening collar and elbow, but Ishii slapped him across the face. Ibushi kipped up after a shoulder tackle, but Ishii took him down with another tackle. 

Ibushi got dropped with a forearm strike. Ishii hammered away with chops, dropping Ibushi against the ropes. They had a slap fight, then Ibushi scored his first significant offense of the match with a mid kick at the five minute mark. 

Ibushi sent Ishii outside with a snap rana. He followed with a plancha, then a powerslam and a moonsault as the fight returned to the ring. Ishii answered with a backdrop suplex. Ishii no-sold a dropkick and hit a diving shoulder tackle. 

Ishii hit a delayed superplex for a two count. Ishii missed with an enzuigiri. Ibushi missed on a standing moonsault and almost landed on the top of his head. Ishii missed a sliding lariat. Ibushi hit a mid kick into a double down. 

They traded strikes. Ibushi ducked under a lariat and hit a German suplex. Ishii sprawled to avoid a last ride attempt. They traded strikes. Ibushi hit a lariat into another double down. 

Ibushi hit a powerbomb for a two count. Ibushi called for the Kamigoye, but Ishii fought it off. Ibushi hit a head kick, but Ishii immediately countered with a headbutt into another double down. 

Ibushi kicked away a lariat, but Ishii hit a clubbing forearm and a German. Ibushi landed on his feet out of the suplex, but then was dropped with a clothesline. Ishii hit another lariat and Ibushi took a flip bump. Ishii got a two count. 

Ibushi slid out of a Vertical Drop Brainbuster attempt and hit a high kick. Ishii blocked Kamigoye and hit a clothesline. Ibushi missed a v-trigger. Ishii tried a lariat, but Ibushi blocked with a v-trigger. 

Ibushi hit two Kamigoyes and scored the pin. 

A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Shingo Takagi (27:17)

Great psychology in this match. Shingo worked on Sabre’s right leg, while Sabre worked on Shingo’s right arm the entire match. Sabre won out. 

Sabre avoided an early lariat attempt. They traded arm drags and each escaped from holds on the mat. Shingo missed a sliding lariat, but hit a shoulder tackle and Sabre rolled outside. Shingo teased a dive, but did Naito’s Tranquilo pose instead. 

Shingo missed on a senton and Sabre used a neck twist. Shingo rolled outside to collect himself, but Sabre went right after him and threw him back in to keep the pressure on. 

Sabre blocked a hip toss and used a cobra twist. Shingo fought out and hit a DDT. Shingo hit a clothesline in the corner, then turned to chops. Sabre blocked a chop, avoided a DVD, then used an octopus hold in the ropes. 

Sabre began to attack the right arm. Shingo caught a PK and hit a dragon screw. Sabre blocked a sliding lariat and twisted on the right arm with his legs. Sabre stomped on the right arm. Shingo hit noshigami and a diving forearm strike to Sabre’s right leg. 

Sabre used a triangle choke. Shingo hit a powerbomb out of the hold, then used an inverted STF. Sabre forced a break. Sabre blocked Made in Japan and hit a German, but Shingo rolled through and answered with his own. 

Sabre blocked multiple lariat attempts with the right arm with kicks. Shingo kicked at Sabre’s right leg and hit a sliding lariat. Sabre used a cradle and a Euro clutch for two near falls. Sabre hit a PK, but Shingo popped right up and hit a lariat. 

Sabre cut Shingo off as he went for a superplex and used a wristlock. Sabre hit a swing DDT, then hit a La Mistica. Sabre transitioned to the Clarky Cat submission hold just past the 20 minute mark. Shingo rolled to the ropes to force the break. 

Sabre wrenched on the right arm. He blocked a pop-up DVD attempt and tried a guillotine, but Shingo escaped and hit a diving forearm strike. Sabre blocked a Pumping Bomber and hit the Zack Driver for a near fall. 

Sabre hit a series of elbows to the neck. Shingo ate all of them and powered through to finally hit the DVD he had been trying to land all match. Sabre escaped a choke. Shingo blocked a PK and turned it into Made in Japan for a near fall at the 25 minute call. 

Shingo hit the Pumping Bomber, but sold the work to his right arm and could not follow with a cover. Sabre blocked Last of the Dragon. Shingo hit a right hand, then tried Last of the Dragon again. Sabre blocked with a choke. 

Sabre switched to a crucifix hold, then slipped to a triangle choke. Shingo tried to power out, but Sabre kept the hold applied and Shingo tapped out. 

Sabre taunted Shingo with the IWGP World title after the match. 

**********

Here is the lineup for the next show: 

G1 Climax 31 night four, Friday, September 24, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • B Block: Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
  • B Block: SANADA vs. Taichi
  • B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. Jeff Cobb
  • B Block: Tama Tonga vs. Chase Owens
  • B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirooki Goto

Tetsuya Naito out of NJPW G1 Climax due to knee injury

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Image: NJPW

One of NJPW’s top stars is out of this year’s G1 Climax.

NJPW has announced that Tetsuya Naito will miss the remainder of G1 Climax 31 due to suffering an injury to his left knee. The injury happened in Naito’s match against Zack Sabre Jr. during the opening night of the G1 on September 18. Naito suffered damage to his left meniscus and MCL.

With Naito unable to compete, he’ll forfeit his remaining tournament matches. The opponents that he was supposed to face will automatically gain two points.

NJPW noted that Naito currently doesn’t have a timetable to return.

Naito’s scheduled opponents will instead wrestle in special singles matches on the nights that they were supposed to face him. The matches will be against wrestlers who aren’t in the tournament. Here’s the schedule of those matches:

  • September 23 (G1 Climax 31 night three): Tanga Loa vs. Yuji Nagata
  • September 26: G1 Climax 31 night five): Shingo Takagi vs. Yuji Nagata
  • September 30: G1 Climax 31 night seven): Yujiro Takahashi vs. BUSHI
  • October 3: G1 Climax 31 night nine): Toru Yano vs. BUSHI
  • October 7: G1 Climax 31 night 11): KENTA vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • October 9: G1 Climax 31 night 13): Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hiromu Takahashi
  • October 13: G1 Climax 31 night 15): Kota Ibushi vs. Satoshi Kojima
  • October 18: G1 Climax 31 night 17): The Great-O-Khan vs. Satoshi Kojima

Naito was part of the A Block in the G1. He lost to Sabre in their tournament match.

Night three of the G1 will take place at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo this Thursday. The tournament runs through October 21, when the finals will be held at Budokan Hall.

NJPW G1 Climax 31 night two results: Okada vs. Tanahashi

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The G1 B Block kicked off today in Osaka.

NJPW G1 Climax 31 night two results: Okada vs. Tanahashi

The G1 Climax 31 B Block kicked off today in Osaka. 

Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi squared off in the main event, while Taichi took on Hirooki Goto in the semi-main. 

Here are results and a report from today’s show. 

**********

Recommended matches —

  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi
  • SANADA vs. Tama Tonga

Report —

SHO defeated Kosei Fujita (8:09)

SHO hasn’t found his rhythm yet as a heel. He looks like a guy cosplaying as a heel, plus he’s incorporating an element that makes Bullet Club matches insufferable when he rolls outside to stall at the opening bell. 

SHO rolled outside to stall, then beat Fujita up with strikes. Fujita made a quick comeback with forearm shots and a nice dropkick. 

SHO cut Fujita off with a lariat, then used the Snake Bite for the submission win. 

B Block: EVIL (w/Dick Togo) defeated YOSHI-HASHI (17:15)

YOSHI-HASHI was good in this match. He sold well. The EVIL shtick is beyond played out, though. 

They kicked things off by trading side headlocks. 

If you have been watching NJPW for the last 15 months, you know what happened next –Togo got involved and allowed EVIL to take control on the floor. EVIL and Togo exposed a buckle. EVIL bumped the ring announcer. YH made a comeback, EVIL bumped the ring announcer again. 

YH used the butterfly lock, but EVIL forced a break. EVIL tried to bump the ref twice, but the ref fought back and slapped him. YH hit a brainbuster for a two count. 

EVIL blocked Kharma. Togo jumped in the ring. YH had a rolling cradle applied, but Togo took the ref and EVIL escaped.  

EVIL hit a low blow and the STO for the pin.

B Block: Jeff Cobb defeated Chase Owens (12:11)

I presume that Cobb is going to win a lot in this tournament, maybe even winning the whole thing. He gave Owens enough to not totally make him look like a job guy, but not so much that it hurt Cobb. 

Owens is in better shape than maybe at any point in his career. 

Cobb hit one shoulder block, then Owens began stalling. This was different than the stalling in the previous two matches in that they were telling a David and Goliath story, Owens wasn’t just stalling for heat. 

Cobb clobbered Owens around the ring with his power moves. Owens got some hope spots with v-triggers and a Jewel Heist. Cobb hit his running powerslam, his standing moonsault, thrust kicks, lots of his signature spots. 

Owens made one last attempt to put Cobb away with v-triggers. Cobb blocked, then hit the Tour of the Islands for the pin. 

B Block: SANADA defeated Tama Tonga (w/Jado) (19:04)

This over-delivered. A very good match. 

They opened with a nice series of quick counters and teases out of a side headlock from Tama and some arm drags from SANADA. 

Tama baited SANADA into posing on the turnbuckles for applause to take control, attacking him from behind and sending him outside. Tama sent SANADA into the barricade for a countout tease. 

Back in, Tama used a chinlock. SANADA came back with a basement dropkick to the knee out of a whip into the buckle. SANADA hit another nice arm drag and a backbreaker, then hit planchas to both Tama and Jado. 

SANADA used a sunset flip to set up a paradise lock. A dropkick broke the hold. Tama blocked Skull End and hit a Tongan Twist. Tama hit a powerslam for a two count. SANADA blocked a Skull End attempt with another arm drag. 

SANADA used Skull End. Tama reversed into his own Skull End. SANADA escaped and hit a magic screw. SANADA hit a TKO for a near fall after a strike exchange. Tama reversed Skull End into an inside cradle for a near fall. 

Tama hit an underhook piledriver for a near fall. SANADA blocked a Gun Stun and used Skull End. He gave up the hold and tried a moonsault, but Tama got his knees up and cradled SANADA for a near fall. 

SANADA blocked two more Gun Stun attempts and used an O’Connor roll for the pin. 

B Block: Taichi (w/Miho Abe) defeated Hirooki Goto (18:30)

They worked this as an intense fight and had a very good brawl. 

Taichi was taunting Goto with his IWGP Tag title belt before the opening bell. Goto snapped and the fight was on. 

Taichi choked Goto with a camera cable to take control early. Taichi repeatedly choked Goto. Goto finally fought back and began choking Taichi. They exchanged hard kicks. Goto hit his wheel kick in the corner and a bulldog for a near fall. 

Taichi regained control with chokes. Taichi hit a chokeslam for a near fall. Goto hit a Shouten Kai out of nowhere, but could not follow up with a cover. Taichi came back with a buzzsaw kick and a gamengiri. 

Goto blocked Black Mephisto and hit a headbutt into a double down. Taichi blocked a GTR attempt with a choke, then hit a chokeslam for a two count. Goto blocked a thrust kick. 

Taichi hit a forearm out of a three-point stance, then hit Black Mephisto for the pin. 

B Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi (29:36)

This was a real treat. Two of the best to ever do it, if not the two very best to ever do it. Tanahashi deserves consideration for wrestler of the year. His in-ring this year has been outstanding.

They began slowly with some basic chain wrestling. Tana ducked an early Rainmaker attempt, then began to attack Okada’s legs with dragon screws. 

They rolled outside, where Okada hit a DDT on the floor to capture the momentum. Back inside, Okada hit a flapjack and an air raid crash neckbreaker. Okada placed Tana on the top rope and dropkicked him to the apron. Tana crashed to the floor. 

Tana blocked an Okada boot and hit a dragon screw on the floor. Tana teased a High Fly Flow to the floor, but Okada cut him off and tried for a tombstone on the apron. Tana slid out and hit another dragon screw in the ropes. Tana hit an Ace’s High Fly Flow to the floor. Okada barely beat the count back in at 20 minutes.

Tana blocked another air raid crash attempt and hit three twist and shouts and a slingblade for a two count. Tana hit a standing High Fly Flow, but Okada rolled through on the landing and locked on the Money Clip. Tana fired up and reached the ropes. 

Each tried to hit a tombstone. Okada was eventually successful. Tana ducked a Rainmaker. Okada sat down into a cradle for a two count. Okada hit a shotgun dropkick at 25 minutes. 

Okada hit a top rope elbow drop and the Rainmaker pose. Tana ducked a Rainmaker, ducked a spinning Rainmaker, then hit two slingblades. 

Tana went to the top for High Fly Flow. Okada got his knees up. They did a double down with three minutes left. 

Okada hit two Rainmakers. Tana reversed a spinning Rainmaker into an inside cradle for a great near fall. Tana hit a German, then hit a dragon suplex. Okada kicked out at one at 28 minutes in.

They traded strikes. Okada hit a dropkick with under a minute left. 

Okada hit a tombstone and a Rainmaker for the pin. 

**********

Here is the lineup for the next show: 

G1 Climax 31 night three, Thursday, September 23, 5:30 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • A Block: Shingo Takagi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • A Block: Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • A Block: Tetsuya Naito vs. Tanga Loa
  • A Block: KENTA vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • A Block: Toru Yano vs. Great-O-Khan

NJPW G1 Climax 31 night one results: Shingo vs. Ishii

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The G1 Climax 31 tournament kicked off today in Osaka with A Block action. 

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi and Tomohiro Ishii squared off in the main event, while Tetsuya Naito took on Zack Sabre Jr. in the semi-main. 

Here are results and a report from today’s show. 

**********

Recommended matches —

  • Shingo Takagi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Report —

SHO defeated Ryohei Oiwa (6:08)

Great intensity from both guys in this quick opener. 

Oiwa fired off a series of strikes right away. SHO quickly cut him off and dropped him with a forearm. SHO took the fight to the floor and whipped Oiwa into the barricade. 

SHO stayed on offense as the fight returned to the ring. Oiwa made a fiery comeback and ht a series of strikes and a slam. SHO avoided a crab, then hit a lariat to halt Oiwa’s momentum.

SHO used the Snake Bite and Oiwa tapped out. 

G1 Climax 31 A Block: Yujiro Takahashi (w/Pieter) defeated Kota Ibushi (11:31)

So the story they’re telling is that Ibushi has yet to fully recover from pneumonia and is vulnerable. Still, this was a pretty shocking result. 

Ibushi hit one dropkick early, but this was pretty much all Yujiro. Yujiro hit stomps. Yujiro kicked Ibushi off the top rope to the floor as he tried a springboard attack. Yujiro used his walking stick to hit Ibushi. Yujiro hit some stomps. 

Ibushi made a comeback with a mid kick, a striking combination and a standing moonsault. Ibushi hit a snap rana and sent Yujiro to the floor. Yujiro blocked the Golden Triangle moonsault off the post and sent Ibushi crashing to the floor. Yujiro hit a reverse DDT on the floor. 

Back in, Yujiro used a boot and a fisherman buster for a near fall. Yujiro ducked a high kick and hit an Angle slam for another two count. Ibushi fought off two Miami Shine attempts and hit a high kick and a last ride for a near fall. 

Yujiro blocked Kamigoye. Ibushi blocked Pimp Juice and hit a v-trigger. Yujiro used the threat of a ref bump to hit a low blow and Pimp Juice for a two count. 

Yujiro hit a Big Juice implant DDT and got the pin. 

G1 Climax 31 A Block: Great-O-Khan defeated Tanga Loa (w/Jado) (17:45)

Booking these guys to go more than ten minutes with each other is promotional malpractice, but this is also the same company that booked Chase Owens and Toru Yano to go nearly half an hour two weeks ago. 

They began with a long collar and elbow, ending in a stalemate. O-Khan rolled outside and Jado threatened to get involved, but stayed away from O-Khan at this point. 

Loa took over after a spear. Loa took the ref and threw O-Khan outside. Jado chopped O-Khan and hit him with a kendo stick. Loa hit a suplex on the floor for a countout tease. 

O-Khan made a comeback with an inverted suplex and some of his unconventional offense. They traded strikes. Loa got a two count off a lariat. Jado took the ref for some reason as Loa locked on the OJK. The interference didn’t lead to anything. O-Khan forced a rope break.

Loa got a two count after a blue thunder bomb. They traded strikes, then O-Khan used a standing choke. Jado hobbled into the ring and O-Khan bumped him. Loa avoided an Eliminator and hit a powerbomb for a two count. 

O-Khan avoided a Michinoku Driver and hit the Eliminator to end this. 

G1 Climax 31 A Block: Toru Yano defeated KENTA (11:07)

Yano G1 matches are a wrestling comedy artform. You have to learn to love them, or else you’ll just be miserable all month. 

KENTA gave the ring announcer a sheet of accomplishments to read off to match the length of Yano’s introduction. 

The referee confiscated a roll of athletic tape from each man before the bell. 

KENTA stalled for the first minute. Yano then followed suit and rolled outside. They did some comedy. KENTA sprayed Yano in the eyes with hand sanitizer. They fought on the ramp and the stage. 

KENTA stashed two rolls of tape on the entrance stage. Yano threw one away, but KENTA used the other to tape Yano to the entrance truss. Yano freed himself and beat the count back in. 

Yano exposed a turnbuckle and hit a slingshot on KENTA into it. Yano used a schoolboy for two. KENTA sent Yano into the exposed steel and hit a Shibata dropkick. KENTA hit a double stomp off the top for two. 

Yano avoided a GTS. They pulled each other’s hair. They fought to the outside. KENTA bumped Yano into the ref. KENTA taped Yano’s wrists together and threw him under the ring, then revived the ref. Yano beat the count back in and hit a low blow and a schoolboy for a near fall. 

Yano used another low blow and cradled KENTA for the pin. 

G1 Climax 31 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito (27:05)

This was excellent. These two don’t always have the best matches with each other for some reason, but the psychology here was perfect. Naito always goes after the neck, Sabre went after Naito’s knees, Naito gave out first. 

They opened with some chain wrestling. Each won one of the two opening exchanges. Sabre used a neck crank to send Naito outside. Back in, Sabre used Naito’s own arms to choke him. Naito would try to reverse, but Sabre kept working back to the same position. 

Naito made a comeback ten minutes in with a dropkick and his combinacion cabron in the corner. Sabre cut Naito off again with an ankle pick and a PK. Sabre laid in some uppercut forearms. 

Sabre blocked a swing DDT and a flying forearm, then used Naito’s momentum to hit a dragon suplex for a two count. Naito then connected with a DDT and began to target Sabre’s neck to soften it up for Destino. 

Naito hit Esperanza. Sabre caught Naito coming in and used a heel hook with a body scissors, but Naito fought to the ropes to force a break. Sabre tried a knee breaker, but Naito blocked and hit a spike DDT. 

Naito went for a top rope frankensteiner, but Sabre blocked and used an octopus on the top rope. Sabre hit a sunset bomb off the top for a two count. Sabre used another heel hook, Naito forced another break. 

Sabre kicked at Naito’s legs. Naito hit Destino, but could not follow with a cover. They traded strikes. Naito blocked a Zack Driver and hit Valentia. Sabre blocked Destino and used a clutch for a two count. 

Sabre hit a dropkick to the legs and a leg sweep. Sabre hit a double stomp to the knees. Sabre tried a Zack Driver, but Naito countered into a clunky Destino. 

Sabre used a double wristlock with a body scissors on the mat, almost a modified octopus hold from a seated position, he calls it YES! I AM A LONG WAY FROM HOME. After a ref stoppage tease, Naito tapped out. 

Naito continued to sell his knees as he was helped to the back after the match.

G1 Climax 31 A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Tomohiro Ishii (27:56)

This was everything you would expect from these two. Hard-hitting and a great match with insane pacing that flew by. Big, meaty men slapping meat. 

They began at a crazy pace, firing off shoulder tackle attempts and trading forearms. Shingo scored the first knockdown. They fought to the floor, where Ishii hit a powerslam on the floor to establish the early advantage. 

Back in, Shingo hammered away with forearms. Shingo dodged a headbutt and hit a DDT to win back control of the match. Shingo hit a series of strikes and a senton. Shingo hit some taunting kicks, so Ishii fired up and began to no-sell Shingo’s strikes. Ishii dropped Shingo with a forearm. 

Ishii continued to fire off chops and forearms in the corner. Shingo fired back and dropped Ishii with a forearm. Shingo then began hammering away with strikes in the corner. Shingo hit a diving back elbow off the top for a two count. 

Ishii avoided a sliding lariat, but Shingo hit a vertical suplex. Ishii answered with his own vertical suplex. Each no-sold two suplexes from the other. Shingo hit a sliding lariat on his second attempt. 

Shingo hit a top rope superplex for a two count. Shingo hit a lariat. Ishii stumbled. Ishii fired off a lariat and dropped Shingo. Ishii ducked a lariat and hit another lariat. Ishii dropped Shingo as he tried a superplex. They realized what was happening as Ishii was losing his grip and Shingo was able to land safely. 

Ishii hit the superplex on a second attempt. Shingo answered with a clothesline. They traded short forearm strikes. Shingo hit Made in Japan for a two count. Shingo hit a short clothesline to the back of the neck. Ishii hit a German. Shingo popped up and hit another lariat for a two count. 

Ishii reversed Last of the Dragon into a crucifix bomb for a two count. They hit simultaneous lariats. Ishii hit an enzuigiri and bumped Shingo into the referee., but Red Shoes popped right back up. Ishii hit a powerbomb with a stack cover for a two count. Ishii hit a sliding lariat for another near fall. 

Ishii blocked the Vertical Drop Brainbuster and hit a death valley driver. Ishii hit a half-and-half suplex and another lariat for another two count. Shingo blocked another brainbuster attempt and hit a dragon suplex. 

Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber, Ishii kicked out at two. Ishii hit a series of chops. They traded headbutts. 

Shingo blocked a forearm shot and lifted Ishii for Last of the Dragon and pinned him. 

**********

Here is the lineup for tomorrow: 

G1 Climax 31 night two, Sunday, September 19, 1 a.m. Eastern time on NJPW World —

  • B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • B Block: Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi
  • B Block: SANADA vs. Tama Tonga
  • B Block: Jeff Cobb vs. Chase Owens
  • B Block: YOSHI-HASHI vs. EVIL
  • SHO vs. Kosei Fujita

Daily Update: Weekend shows, AEW ticket sales, new MMA league

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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WON NEWSLETTER: September 20, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Big E wins WWE Championship, WWE at MSG

Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on the 9/13 Raw to win the WWE championship from Bobby Lashley, signifying his switching brands and reuniting The New Day.

Born Ettore Ewen, the 35-year-old Tampa product was a state heavyweight champion wrestler at Wharton High School and football player, who went to the University of Iowa, and after college, became a powerlifter.

A mutual friend contacted Jim Ross, and he was given a WWE tryout in 2009 and WWE signed him to a deal at that time. He started as Big E Langston in Florida Championship Wrestling, which was shortened to Big E. He was popular due to his personality and those in developmental thought he could be a groundbreaking performer with his leaping ability and agility and power combination.

In 2012, he was brought up to the main roster, and on November 18, 2013, won the IC title from Curtis Axel. But his career took off in 2014 as part of the New Day tag team. The idea started out silly but ended up being tweaked by the three guys in it and the group held the Raw tag team titles twice and Smackdown version of the titles six times.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.

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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE

Garrett Gonzalez and I will be back for Wrestling Observer Radio and it’s not like we don’t have some major topics with Dark Side of the Ring and the fallout on Ric Flair and Tommy Dreamer (and not Brock Lesnar), what this week’s ratings really mean past who won and lost and the pattern, plus this is a huge weekend of major event including the start of G-1.

Ariel Helwani reported earlier this week on a new promotion called the World Fight League that is scheduled to launch in 2023. He said the promotion will be run by several former and current pro athletes from the NFL, NBA and MMA including former world champions, five former MMA promoters, as well as actors and recording artists. The idea is a team sport with four conferences, one in North America, South America, Africa and Europe with eight to 24 teams in each conference and each team will have 24 fighters, three in each weight class. There will be a union and fighters will get health insurance, pension, a union and fighters will be paid 50 percent of revenue.

A few on sale numbers that indicate “Houston, we have a problem.” The next New York battle is AEW vs. WWE at the UBS Arena. WWE tickets were put on sale to the public today and are less than 1,000 for Raw on 11/29.  AEW was bout 5,500 first day for its 12/9 Dynamite. To say this is shocking is an understatement.

AEW’s first day ticket sales for the Dynamite on 11/24 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago at last look was over 5,800. The place sells out at about 7,000 for the pro wrestling set up so it’s pretty much a lock that the show will sell out.

Smackdown tonight from Knoxville,TN has Rick Boogs vs. Robert Roode, a homecoming celebration for Bianca Belair and Seth Rollins will talk about the Edge angle.

AEW Rampage taped from Wednesday night in Newark, NJ:

  • Penta & Fenix vs. Butcher & Blade for tag titles (told this was really good)
  • Anna Jay vs. The Bunny
  • Miro vs. Fuego del Sol TNT title vs. Fuego’s car

There is also a Ruby Soho/Britt Baker angle and interviews with Bryan Danielson and Kenny Omega for both matches on Wednesday from New York.

UFC has a full ESPN+ show tomorrow starting at 4 p.m. Eastern:

  • Emily Whitmire (125) vs. Hannah Goldy (125)
  • Gustavo Lopez (135) vs. Heilli Alateng (136)
  • Impa Kasanganay (170.5) vs. Carlston Harris (170)
  • Erin Blanchfield (125) vs. Sarah Alper (126)
  • Montel Jackson (136) vs. JP Buys (136)
  • Brandon Jenkins (155.5) vs. Rong Zhu (158) – Zhu missed weight and will forfeit 20 percent of his purse
  • Pannie Kianzad (136) vs. Raquel Pennington (135.5)
  • Mike Rodriguez (202) vs.; Tafon Nchukwi (204.5)
  • Nate Maness (135) vs. Tony Gravely (135.5)
  • Joaquin Buckley (184.5) vs. Antonio Aroyo (186)
  • Arman Tsarukhyan (155.5) vs. Christos Giagos (155.5)
  • Ariane Lipski (126) vs. Mandy Bohm (125.5)
  • Ion Cutelaba (205) vs. Devin Clark (206)
  • Anthony Smith (205.5) vs. Ryan Spann (206)

The Nikolas Motta vs. Cameron VanKamp fight was pulled from the show due to an injury to one of the competitors.

Bellator runs the SAP Center in San Jose tomorrow night at 10 p.m. Eastern on Showtime:

  • Christian Edwards (204.3) vs. Ben Parrish (205.6)
  • Georgi Karakhanyan (155.6) vs. Saul Rogers (155.7)
  • Alejandra Lara (125.2) vs. DeAnna Bennett (129.2) – missed weight by 3.6 pounds and will be fined
  • Neiman Gracie (170.6) vs. Mark Lemminger (169.9)
  • Phil Davis (206) vs. Yoel Romero (205.4)

Last night’s Dark Side of the Ring did 153,000 viewers and an 0.07 in 18-49. That was the lowest number in show history, largely because of going head-to-head with the NFL game (New York Giants vs. Washington) which was the most watched Thursday game on NFL Network in three years. The game did 7,327,000 viewers and 2.38 in 18-49 on television and another 532,000 streaming.

G-1 starts at 4 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning from the Osaka Edion Arena:

  • Sho vs. Ryohei Oiwa (non-tournament)
  • Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
  • Toru Yano vs. KENTA
  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi

There is a second show at 1 a.m.Eastern tomorrow night with Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada as the main event:

  • Sho vs. Kosei Fujita
  • Yoshi-Hashi vs. Evil
  • Jeff Cobb vs Chase Owens
  • Tama Tonga vs Sanada
  • Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi
  • Tanahashi vs. Okada

CMLL has its El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show tonight at Arena Mexico, honoring both Sangre Chicana and Salvador Lutteroth. The two main events are Felino vs. Cavernario in a hair vs. hair match stemming from their early 2020 feud that never had a chance to be resolved, plus Volador Jr. vs. Gran Guerrero in the finals for the Copa Independencia.

Brian Cage is out with knee issues coming from recent stem cell therapy and will be out of the Battleground Championship Wrestling show in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena tomorrow night.  Bobby Fish will replace him in the first big match of Buddy Matthews, the former Buddy Murphy, since leaving WWE.

Impact Victory Road will be taped tonight for airing tomorrow on FITE and Impact +:

  • Tenille Dashwood vs. Taylor Wilde
  • Matt Cardona vs. Rohit Raju no DQ
  • Chris Bey & Hikuleo vs. Juice  Robinson & David Finlay
  • Sami Callihan & Eddie Edwards vs. Moose & W. Morrisey
  • Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack for tag titles
  • Havok & Rosemary vs. Tasha Steelz & Savannah Evans for Knockouts tag titles
  • Josh Alexander vs. Chris Sabin for X title
  • Christian Cage vs Austin Austin for  Impact title

Game Changer Wrestling tonight from Los Angles on FITE:

  • Minoru Suzuki vs.  Jonathan Gresham
  • Tony Deppen vs. Ron Funches
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Chris Dickinson
  • Effy vs. 2 Cold Scorpio
  • Atticus Cogar vs. Ninja Mack
  • Alex Zayne vs. Jordan Oliver
  • Second Gear Crew vs; Nick Wayne & Riley & Starboy Charly  

WWE

UFC

  • Tickets for the 11/6 show  in Madison Square Garden went on sale today.
  • Raphael Assuncao vs. Ricky Simon has been added to the 12/18 show.

OTHER NOTES

  • Kevin Eck’s weekly look at the ROH news.
  • A story on dressing for pro wrestling promos is in GQ (thanks to Lee Wall)
  • Stand Alone Pro Wrestling on 10/9 in Lacey Township, NJ at the High School.
  • Maryland Championship Wrestling tonight at the MCW ARena at the Joppa Market Place in Joppa, MD with Matt Hardy, Mojo Rawley, Tammy Sytch, Ray Lyn, Scott Norton and others at the meet and greet before the show.
  • Combate Globo tonight on Paramount + at 11 p.m. Eastern is headlined by Martin Bravo (11-3) vs Andrew Whitney (16-9).
  • WAR Wrestling on 10/9 in Lima, OH at the Empowered Sports Center.
  • Paradigm Pro Wrestling on 10/15 in Sellersburg, IN with both UWFI rules matches and hardcore matches.  Myron Reed vs Suge D and Calvin Tankman vs. Shane Taylor are the top matches.  Davey Richards will be on bot shows.  Both shows are on IWTV and take place at American Legion Post 204.
  • Legacy Fighting on 10/22 from Vail, CO at the Dobson Arena has Renato Valente (8-4) vs. Josh Fremd (7-2) in the middleweight main event for a live show at 10 p.m. Eastern on UFC Fight Pass.
  • 559 Fights tomorrow night in Visalia, CA at the Valley Strong baseball stadium headlined by Sal Bruno (3-2-2) vs. Marvin Garcia (3-0) as the main event of a 17-fight show.
  • Matt Cardona returns to AIW on 10/2 in Akron, OH at the Tadmor Shrine.
  • The Bollywood Boys, formerly the Singh Brothers in WWE, have been added to the 9/25 Defy Wrestling show in Seattle at Washington, Hall, facing Cody Chhun & Nick Wayne (the son of Buddy Wayne) on a show that includes Eddie Kingston, Brody King and Christopher Daniels. They also run 9/9 in Portland, OR at the Kliever Armory with Kingston and King, and 10/14 in Los Angeles at the Highland Park Lodge Room with Kingston, Daniels, Daniel Garcia and Calvin Tankman.
  • NWA By Any Means Necessary on 10/24 in Oak Grove, KY at th Valor Hall Event live on FITE TV with Jax Dane vs. Crimson in cage match plus NWA champion Trevor Murdoch, Kamille, Nick Aldis, Tim Storm, Thom Latimer, The Pope and more.
  • Nicole Savoy vs. Holidead has been added to MLW’s 10/2 show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
  • NFC tomorrow in Atlanta for ten MMA and Muay Thai Fights at The District.

Daily Pro Wrestling History: Ric Flair wins his first NWA World title

CONTACT INFORMATION

VIDEO: Watch Speak Now with Denise Salcedo tonight at 8 pm PT

Posted on by F4W Staff

Denise Salcedo will return tonight for her second episode of Speak Now Pro Wrestling. You can check it out below:

Denise’s show can be seen LIVE every Wednesday at 8 PM Pacific. Additionally, Denise will also be doing AEW PPV post-shows on our Twitch channel, going live shortly after the PPV wraps.

Website subscribers will be able to listen to the show in podcast form as well.

Denise joins a group of content creators that includes Dave Meltzer; Bryan Alvarez; MLW wrestler, former UFC fighter and current PFL fighter “Filthy” Tom Lawlor; former WWE wrestler Antonio Thomas (Thomas Santell on the indies); Mike Sempervive & Adam Summers’ Big Audio Nightmare; Vince Verhei; Karl Stern: Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa, and more.

Sign up for an online subscription that gets you access to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and all our podcasts, or if video is more of your preference, check out our Twitch channel, or our YouTube premium channel where you can watch Wrestling Observer Live, the Bryan & Vinny Show, Bryan Rose playing video games, and more.

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

Posted on by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

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

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (7:13)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

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

B Block

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

    NJPW G1 Climax 30 night nine results: Ibushi vs. Ospreay

    Posted on by Parker Klyn

    Recommended Matches —

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

    Report —

    Yuya Uemura defeated Gabriel Kidd (7:51)

    In terms of excitement, this was one of the weaker Young Lion matches on this tour. It wasn’t bad, but there was much more of a focus on technical wrestling exhibition than a competitive fight.

    There was a test of strength at the start. Both men had their hands locked for a long time. Kidd won the power battle, but Uemura’s bridge was too strong to break.

    Uemura locked on a long side headlock. They didn’t throw a single strike until nearly five minutes in, where they had a forearm battle. Kidd got the upper hand with a big overhand chop but Uemura fought back with a shoulder tackle and an elbow smash.

    Kidd hit a dropkick and went for his underhook suplex, but it was turned into a cradle exchange. Uemura applied the Boston crab. Kidd reached the ropes, but Uemura immediately hit his overhead belly-to-belly and locked on a Lion Tamer variation for the submission.

    G1 Climax A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Yujiro Takahashi (13:39)

    This was no good, one of the least exciting matches from the entire tournament. It was perfectly serviceable in-ring but there was no energy or crowd investment and the ref bump nonsense is way overdone. At least the other Yujiro matches have been much shorter.

    After an early shoulder tackle, Yujiro was sent outside. Shingo attempted to whip Yujiro into the barricade, but Yujiro blocked and forced Shingo himself into the barricade.

    When trying to re-enter the ring, Yujiro drove his boot into Shingo’s head, but Shingo clotheslined Yujiro’s legs and he took an apron bump. After a brief fight, Yujiro hit a reverse DDT on the apron.

    Yujiro continued to beat down Shingo until the latter fired up with chops and forearms. Yujiro bit his way out of a suplex attempt. Shingo took advantage with a shoulder tackle and escaped a fisherman’s buster with the same bite move that Yujiro uses.

    Yujiro fought his way out of Noshigami and hit the fisherman’s buster for two. They each avoided each other’s running power moves. Shingo finally hit a Pumping Bomber but Yujiro popped up right away and nailed a lariat of his own.

    An Olympic slam from Yujiro and his swinging fireman’s carry slam got two. He went for another lariat but Shingo hit his signature striking sequence and a sliding lariat.

    Shingo went for Last of the Dragon but Yujiro fought his way out with another bite while shoving down the official. He tried to attack with his staff but Shingo broke it in half with a forearm.

    With the referee back up, Shingo hit another Pumping Bomber and the Last of the Dragon for three.

    G1 Climax A Block: Jeff Cobb defeated Jay White (12:26)

    I don’t know if it was ring rust or something else, but Cobb has gotten better with every single match on this tour. This was an excellent babyface performance showcasing his power and athleticism, and against all odds he upset Switchblade in picking up the win. 

    White went for takedowns at the bell but they were all easily countered by Cobb. He gave Cobb a quick slap and then powdered to the outside to stall. Back in, Cobb hit a huge dropkick. There are lots of excellent standing dropkicks in NJPW, but Cobb may have the best one outside of Okada.

    Gedo entered the ring. Cobb clunked Gedo and Switchblade’s heads together, but White took advantage after Gedo grabbed Cobb’s leg. White beat Cobb down in the corner. After a while, Cobb hit a Samoan drop to even the playing field.

    A massive overhead belly-to-belly gave Cobb the advantage, followed by a corner splash and a running back suplex. White fought back with uppercuts and a head-and-arm suplex into the turnbuckle pad. White hit Bladebuster for two.

    The two men traded strikes in the center of the ring. Cobb won the striking battle but White turned a lariat into a flatliner. White attempted a German suplex but Cobb fought out, so he turned it into a uranage for two.

    White picked Cobb apart but Cobb just whipped him headfirst into the corner. Cobb hit his catching suplex and a standing moonsault for two. White fought his way out of Tour of the Islands and attempted the Blade Runner, but Cobb fought out and hit a German.

    Gedo entered the ring and distracted Cobb which allowed White to hit a sleeper suplex. Cobb popped up and hit Tour of the Islands. Gedo tried to interfere again but Cobb press slammed him into White and hit a second Tour of the Islands for the win.

    ***** Intermission *****

    G1 Climax A Block: Kazuchika Okada defeated Minoru Suzuki (14:20)

    They’re telling a story with Okada and his Money Clip submission, namely that it usually doesn’t work. The match was a good technical battle that never really sniffed greatness.

    It was evident based on the crowd response at the bell that they were excited about this one. They wrestled back and forth at the start. Okada went for his corner elbow but Suzuki avoided it and locked on his rope-assisted armbar, sending both men outside.

    Suzuki sent Okada into the barricade and beat him down with kicks. Back in the ring, Suzuki hit a soccer kick and went for a double wristlock, but Okada reached the ropes. Suzuki continued to target the arm.

    Okada avoided a boot in the corner and hit a neckbreaker for his first bit of real offense eight minutes in. They exchanged forearms. Suzuki hit his crushing forearms to end the back-and-forth.

    Suzuki applied the sleeper and went for the Gotch piledriver, but Okada turned it into the air raid crash neckbreaker. They continued to exchange forearms as Suzuki dared him to hit him. 

    Okada hit his dropkick and a tombstone before locking on the Money Clip. Suzuki rolled out and turned it into an armbar but Okada reached the ropes. Okada went for a Rainmaker. Suzuki kicked his arm away, but Okada hit a short Rainmaker anyway.

    Okada attempted another Rainmaker but Suzuki turned it into a rear naked choke. Okada fought his way out and attempted the Money Clip. Suzuki tried for the Gotch, but Okada turned it into a cradle for the win. This was the same finish as the first fall in his Omega classic and against Jericho at Dominion last year. 

    G1 Climax A Block: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Taichi (18:36)

    Ever since their first singles match last year, we’ve known that Ishii is Taichi’s best opponent. They affirmed this here with a pretty unbelievable closing sequence, on the level of any stretch from Ishii/Shingo on night seven.

    They both fired out of the gates with offense right away. Ishii hit chops and Taichi hit kicks. Taichi won when Ishii’s leg gave out and the action moved outside, where Taichi hit Ishii with the ring bell mallet and choked him with it.

    Taichi kept up the advantage in the ring with strikes. Ishii eventually powered up and hit a powerslam. Ishii alternated strikes and forearms in the corner. They continued to battle with strikes until Taichi hit an enzuigiri in the corner.

    Ishii avoided the buzzsaw kick and attempted a suplex, but Taichi fought his way out and hit the kick. The pants were off, and Ishii fired up. They collided and Taichi hit another enzuigiri. Taichi went for Black Mephisto but couldn’t hit it. Taichi hit Ishii with Kawada kicks, a forearm smash, an Axe Bomber and a backdrop driver.

    Taichi tried for Black Mephisto once more but Ishii turned it into a buckle bomb and a lariat. Taichi pushed the official, but Ishii blocked a low blow. Ishii completely no-sold a buzzsaw kick and leveled Taichi with a forearm and a powerbomb for two.

    Two huge lariats turned Taichi inside out for another two. Taichi fought his way out of the vertical drop brainbuster, pushed Red Shoes out of the way, hit a low blow, and applied the Gedo Clutch for a great near fall.

    The Last Ride powerbomb stacked up Ishii for another good near fall. Ishii hit a German suplex. Taichi fired up, so Ishii just downed him with a clothesline. Another clothesline led to Taichi kicking out at one and hitting another Axe Bomber and backdrop driver for two. 

    They traded signature offense and strikes once more, with both hitting an enzuigiri for a double down. Ishii hit a sliding lariat for two, followed by the vertical drop brainbuster for three.

    The Young Lions had to separate them post-match. 

    G1 Climax A Block Kota Ibushi defeated Will Ospreay (15:54)

    This had very good, hard-hitting, fast-paced action but it never came close to reaching the level of their previous two singles matches, mostly due to the relatively short match length. Still, this was a worthy G1 main event.

    I really hope they’re not trying to portray this version of Ospreay as a babyface, because he’s such a blatantly unlikable presence, out-of-ring concerns notwithstanding.

    Ospreay teased Ibushi with the Okada rope break and a walk-over sequence before sending him to the outside with a hurricanrana.

    Ibushi immediately attempted the Kamigoye but Ospreay escaped and hit his handspring kick. Ibushi avoided a plancha but fell victim to a soccer kick.

    Back in, Ospreay nailed big chops on Ibushi in the corner before locking on a modified scorpion deathlock. Ibushi escaped and they battled with strikes before Ibushi took the advantage with a dropkick. Ibushi hit his signature striking combination and a standing moonsault for two.

    They had a really cool counter-based strike exchange which Ibushi concluded by just crushing Ospreay with a double foot stomp. Ospreay hit Pip Pip Cheerio followed by a picture-perfect Sasuke special.

    A lifting inverted DDT from Ospreay got two. They fought up top, which led to Ibushi hitting a springboard hurricanrana where Ospreay landed on his feet, the same spot we see in every Ospreay/Ibushi match.

    Ospreay laid in forearms and Kawada kicks, but Ibushi entered his glassy-eyed trance-like state. Ibushi leveled Ospreay with a palm strike. Ibushi continued to beat down Ospreay with kicks, but Ospreay hit his backflip into an enzuigiri. He went for the handspring kick again but Ibushi turned it into a German suplex followed by the Bomaye for a near fall.

    Ospreay avoided the Kamigoye and hit a hook kick. Ibushi fought his way out of the Stormbreaker, but Ospreay hit a Liger bomb for two. Ospreay went for the Hidden Blade but was downed with a high kick and the Last Ride for two.

    Ibushi removed his kneepad and called for the Kamigoye, but Ospreay turned it into a cradle. Ospreay went for the Oscutter but Ibushi kneed him out of midair and hit the Kamigoye for the win.

    **********

    Post-match, Ibushi cut a short promo.

    **********

    G1 Climax 30 Standings

    A Block

    • Kota Ibushi — 8 points (4-1)
    • Kazuchika Okada — 6 points (3-2)
    • Jay White — 6 points (3-2)
    • Will Ospreay — 6 points (3-2)
    • Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-2)
    • Taichi — 6 points (3-2)
    • Tomohiro Ishii — 4 points (2-3)
    • Shingo Takagi — 4 points (2-3)
    • Jeff Cobb — 4 points (2-3)
    • Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-5)

    B Block

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

      NJPW G1 Climax 30 night seven results: Ishii vs. Takagi

      Posted on by Parker Klyn

      Recommended Matches:

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

      Korakuen Hall got its first look at G1 Climax Block A tonight, headlined by Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi in the main event.

      Report —

      Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura (7:53)

      Korakuen famously loves its Young Lion matches. This was the third meeting between these two on the tour, and I felt it was their best yet. 

      Tsuji won a test of strength with a Greco-Roman knuckle lock, but Uemura’s bridge was too strong to break. After more chain wrestling, Tsuji landed the first move of the match with a running shoulder tackle.

      A jumping body press got an early two for Tsuji, but Uemura had too much left in the tank for him to lock on the Boston crab. A dropkick allowed Uemura to make his comeback, followed by a running forearm for two.

      Uemura laid in strikes in the corner. After being whipped into the opposite corner, Tsuji exploded back with a spear, which finally allowed him to apply the crab.

      Uemura nearly reached the ropes to escape the crab, but Tsuji pulled back with a giant swing. After a longer-than-usual submission fight, Uemura was forced to tap.

      **********

      El Desperado joined the commentary team.

      **********

      G1 Climax Block A: Minoru Suzuki defeated Yujiro Takahashi (7:58)

      This was nice and compact action, but nothing special.

      They shoved each other around before the bell, and Suzuki quickly downed his opponent with a big boot. On the outside, Yujiro took the advantage by striking and choking with his staff.

      After more strikes in the ring, Suzuki snapped, sending Yujiro back outside. He smashed Yujiro with chair strikes and shoved down the official, then choked Yujiro with an electrical cord.

      Back inside, Suzuki applied a sleeper hold. Yujiro caught a soccer kick and hit a running dropkick, followed by a fisherman’s buster for two.

      They traded forearms, but Suzuki’s super-stiff forearm sent Yujiro to the mat. After firing back up with a lariat, Yujiro attempted his swinging fireman’s carry slam, but Suzuki escaped.

      Suzuki turned Pimp Juice into the rear naked choke, followed by the Gotch piledriver for a quick win. 

      G1 Climax Block A: Kota Ibushi defeated Jeff Cobb (10:44)

      I thought this was Cobb’s best performance yet, but the match ended just as it was getting great.

      They performed chain wrestling to start. After a big chop from Cobb, they went right into a striking battle. Ibushi hit his striking sequence, finishing with a moonsault for two.

      Ibushi ran the ropes but Cobb hit an impressive standing dropkick to take control. Ibushi fought back with a jumping hurricanrana and a plancha to the outside. He missed a springboard but avoided a spear and hit a double stomp.

      Cobb caught a mid kick and hit a back suplex. He ran in with his jumping uppercut in the corner, followed by his catching back suplex and a standing moonsault for two. 

      Cobb set up for a running lariat, but Ibushi turned it into another stiff striking battle, which Cobb won with a standing lariat. He then hit his series of gutwrenches, but Ibushi fought out of the powerbomb, so he turned it into an F5 for a near fall. 

      Ibushi fought out of Tour of the Islands and hit a high kick and a V-Trigger, followed by the Kamigoye for the win.

      ***** Intermission *****

      G1 Climax 30 Block A: Kazuchika Okada defeated Taichi (17:30)

      This started slowly with too much brawling, but it built to a really exciting finish. I thought this was better than their overlong New Beginning main even from earlier in the year. Okada’s back was heavily taped, and he just didn’t move as effortlessly as we’re used to seeing from him.

      Taichi attacked before the bell, and sent Okada into the barricade outside. El Desperado, who had been on commentary, distracted the referee while Taichi hit chair shots. I’m not sure why that was necessary considering Suzuki hit chair shots right in front of the exact same official earlier in the show.

      Back inside, Taichi beat Okada down with kicks. Okada rolled outside again, and Taichi shoved him into the ring apron. Back in, Okada was beaten down for a while before fighting back with a running forearm. 

      Okada hit his running back elbow and his corner DDT sequence for two, but Taichi fought out of the Money Clip cobra clutch. Taichi rolled outside once again, driving Okada’s back into the ring barricade. Okada finally got the best of the exchange with a DDT to the floor.

      Okada missed a missile dropkick which sent him crashing to the mat. Taichi hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and locked on a single-leg crab, but Okada reached the ropes.

      Okada fought out of the Last Ride, so Taichi was forced to hit Kawada kicks. Another Last Ride attempt was countered into the Air Raid Crash neckbreaker. Taichi avoided a corner lariat and hit an enzuigiri.

      Taichi ran the ropes but had the Okada dropkick scouted. He hit a buzzsaw kick, and the pants were off, but Okada hit his dropkick. Okada tried to apply the Money Clip but Taichi turned into a backdrop suplex. 

      Okada fought out of the Last Ride once again and hit a spinning tombstone piledriver, which allowed him to lock on the Money Clip. Taichi fought out with an illegal choke, but Okada hit a short Rainmaker and maintained wrist control. 

      Taichi pulled the official in front of a second Rainmaker attempt and used the Gedo Clutch for a great near fall.

      Another jumping enzuigiri led to a striking battle. Taichi finished it off with a Rainmaker of his own. 

      Okada fought out of Black Mephisto and locked on the Money Clip, but Taichi forced his way out. He tried for Black Mephisto one more time, but Okada hit a backbreaker with the Money Clip applied, leading to a referee stoppage. 

      G1 Climax 30 Block A: Will Ospreay defeated Jay White (18:49)

      This was fantastic, maybe White’s best match all year. They kept the Gedo interference to a minimum, and White’s timing in avoiding big moves is so perfect that it makes them all the more satisfying when they hit.

      Gedo joined Switchblade as always. His gimmick on this tour has been taunting the fans for being unable to chant. He powdered to the outside at the bell, and continued to do so for a few minutes. 

      Once inside, White beat Ospreay down in the corner. Ospreay fired back out with a huge chop, reminiscent of his massive chop against Okada during last year’s G1 Korakuen stop. 

      A lariat sent White to the outside, but Ospreay feinted on his space flying tiger drop attempt. Back in, White dispatched Ospreay with an overhead suplex from inside the ring to the apron, sending him crashing to the floor. 

      White maintained control during a long heat segment. Ospreay finally made a comeback with a handspring kick followed by a standing shooting star press for two. Pip Pip Cheerio followed, but White moved out of the way of the space flying tiger drop.

      Gedo grabbed Ospreay’s leg as they made their way back inside the ring, allowing White to take advantage once again. The Bladebuster got two for White. Ospreay tried to hit his backflip into an enzuigiri, but his leg gave out. Another distraction from Gedo gave White enough time to counter Pip Pip Cheerio into a German suplex.

      The two fought on the top rope, but Ospreay hit a springboard dropkick, forcing White into the tree of woe. White moved out of the way of the Coast to Coast and rolled outside, which allowed Ospreay to hit the space flying tiger drop.

      Back in, a springboard 450 splash from Ospreay got two. White avoided the Oscutter and hit a uranage for a double down. The Kiwi Krusher got two, but Ospreay fought out of the Blade Runner and hit a Liger bomb. 

      Ospreay fought out of another Blade Runner and hit the Oscutter for two. He set up for the Hidden Blade, but White collapsed out of the way. Ospreay laid in ground and pound to the back of White’s head, which forced the official to break it up.

      Ospreay continued his beatdown with Kawada kicks, but White tripped up the official on as he set up for the Stormbreaker. Gedo tried to use his brass knuckles, but Ospreay easily downed him with a forearm and foiled White’s attempt at a low blow.

      The Hidden Blade followed and Ospreay hit the Stormbreaker for the upset victory.

      G1 Climax 30 Block A: Tomohiro Ishii defeated Shingo Takagi (26:02)

      This was a rematch of many people’s match of the tournament from last year, and I’d say it mostly lived up to that expectation. I’d put it on the level of their match from earlier this year. These two absolutely killed each other, even more than you’d imagine. It didn’t truly pick up until the closing sequence, but these two have such a high floor when they’re in the ring together that even with a more muted crowd reaction, the match is still excellent. 

      They had a striking exchange right at the bell. Ishii gained the upper hand at the start with a shoulder tackle and a couple big chops. Outside, Shingo was sent into the barricade, but he fired up with a shoulder tackle and a lariat. 

      Back in, Shingo hit elbow drops and a leaping senton. The two hit big chops on each other, concluding with a massive two-hand chop from Shingo. Ishii regained the upper hand with a suplex.

      Ishii beat Shingo down in the corner with forearms and chops. He whipped Shingo into the other corner, but Shingo hit his signature strike combination followed by a lariat.

      They continued to battle with strikes. Shingo hit a wheelbarrow German suplex for two. He hit the Pumping Bomber, but Ishii popped up and the two hit lariats for a double down.

      They fought up top and Ishii hit a superplex. Ishii fought out of Made in Japan, but Shingo improvised and hit a gutbuster. Made in Japan and a Pumping Bomber each followed for two. 

      A short lariat downed Ishii. Shingo went for another Pumping Bomber but Ishii turned it into a backdrop suplex and hit a second for good measure. They traded strikes once more, and Ishii hit a powerbomb for two.

      Ishii attempted the Vertical Drop Brainbuster but Shingo popped him up into a DVD. Ishii fired back up and hit a lariat but Shingo kicked out at one, followed by a sliding lariat for two. 

      Shingo fought out of the brainbuster again and hit a sliding forearm smash. They domed each other with clunking headbutts which garnered audible groans from the crowd. That was brutal.

      They each hit a series of forearms, but Shingo trapped Ishii in the ropes and hit a GTR. A picture-perfect Pumping Bomber landed for a great near fall. Ishii fought out of Last of the Dragon and hit a DDT at the 25-minute mark.

      They traded lariats and Ishii hit a jumping enzuigiri and another big lariat, allowing him to hit the Vertical Drop Brainbuster for his first win.

      Post-match, they both sold like they didn’t realize the fight was over and continued to go after each other. 

      G1 Climax 30 Standings

      Block A

      • 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)

      Block B

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

      NJPW G1 Climax 30 night six results: Naito vs Goto

      Posted on by Chick Fritts

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

      Report —

      Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura

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

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

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

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

      Crisp work from both men but especially Uemura. 

      G1 Climax B Block:  YOSHI-HASHI defeated SANADA 

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

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

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

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

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

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

      G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Zack Sabre Jr. 

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

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

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

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

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

      G1 Climax B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Juice Robinson 

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

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

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

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

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

      G1 Climax B Block: Toru Yano defeated EVIL 

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

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

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

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

      G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      **********

      G1 Climax 30 Standings —

      A Block

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

      B Block

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

      NJPW crowns winner of G1 Climax 29

      Posted on by Joseph Currier

      Kota Ibushi is the winner of this year’s G1 Climax.

      Three straight nights at Budokan Hall wrapped up today with Ibushi defeating Jay White in the G1 finals. After White kicked out of a Kamigoye, Ibushi hit another one to win the tournament.

      White had attacked Ibushi’s left ankle with a steel chair in an angle at the end of Sunday’s B Block finals. After saying that Gedo wouldn’t accompany him against Ibushi, White came out with Gedo and the Bullet Club. Referee Red Shoes had the Bullet Club ejected from ringside before the match, then had Gedo ejected after he interfered early.

      Gedo got involved later in the match until being taken out of the ring by Rocky Romero.

      This was the second straight year that Ibushi made the finals of the G1. He lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi in last year’s tournament.

      On Saturday, Ibushi defeated Kazuchika Okada to win the A Block. Ibushi went 7-2 in block action and finished with 14 points. His two losses were against KENTA and EVIL.

      By winning the G1, Ibushi has been set up as the IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenger for Wrestle Kingdom 14. He’ll likely defend the title shot between now and January.

      Wrestle Kingdom 14 will be a two-night event with shows on both January 4 and 5. Okada is the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

      NJPW G1 Climax 29 finals live results: Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White

      Posted on by Ethan Renner

      After eighteen shows, the 29th G1 Climax tournament is set to end this morning at Budokan Hall.

      Kota Ibushi, the winner of the A Block, will face B Block winner Jay White in the main event. Ibushi looks to do what he fell short of last year by winning the final match of the tournament. Jay White has promised that Gedo will not be at ringside, but promises only go so far in the Bullet Club.

      The rest of the card features a number of tag team matches that will likely set the direction for the rest of the year. Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada will team up in the co-main event to face Zack Sabre Jr. and Minoru Suzuki. Tanahashi pinned Sabre in yesterday’s B Block finals, and may have an opportunity at Sabre’s British Heavyweight Championship down the line.

      Join us for live coverage starting at 2 a.m. ET. There will be English commentary for the event.

      **********

      CLARK CONNORS & KARL FREDERICKS DEFEATED REN NARITA & YOTA TSUJI

      They’re playing up a rivalry between the Japanese dojo students and the Los Angeles dojo students. This played into that story. A fun, different opener. 

      Connors submitted Tsuji with a crab after what was nearly a squash match. After the closing bell, they all continued to brawl. 

      JEFF COBB, JUSHIN LIGER & TIGER MASK DEFEATED TAICHI, LANCE ARCHER & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU

      The crowd was hot for this, as they loved seeing Liger. The match was paint-by-numbers, with not much standing out. 

      Taichi attempted to unmask Liger and Tiger. Tiger came back with kicks, and hit a Tiger Driver for a nearfall. 

      Archer and Cobb tagged in and did some big man spots, the highlight being Archer hitting a pounce on Cobb. 

      Suzuki-gun continued to dominate the proceedings until Kanemaru got in. Kanemaru tried for Deep Impact, but Cobb caught him, and hit a release belly-to-belly. Cobb followed with a Tour of the Islands on Kanemaru, and got the pin. 

      WILL OSPREAY, SHO & YOH DEFEATED YUJIRO TAKAHASHI, CHASE OWENS & TAIJI ISHIMORI

      They didn’t get much time. Ishimori and Owens worked over Roppongi 3K at the outset. Owens worked especially well with the lads. 

      Ospreay got a tag and made a comeback against Yujiro. SHO and YOH hit stereo cope con giro’s to the floor, taking out Owens and Ishimori. 

      The finish saw Ospreay hit Storm Breaker on Yujiro for the pin. They strongly put over on commentary that Ospreay had just beaten another heavyweight. 

      JUICE ROBINSON & TOA HENARE DEFEATED JON MOXLEY & SHOTA UMINO

      Not much to the match. Henare pinned Umino with a Toa Bottom. The real highlight here was the post-match. 

      Moxley and Juice had a staredown in the ring. Juice went to leave, and Moxley hit him with the U.S. title belt. 

      Moxley set up a table. He said Juice looks like he belongs in a 1990s jazzercise class and he’s going to toughen him up. 

      Moxley slammed Juice through the table and left him laying, then left with Umino. Juice sold being put through the table as though he had fallen off a skyscraper. 

      TETSUYA NAITO, SHINGO TAKAGI, EVIL, SANADA & BUSHI DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO, TOGI MAKABE, RYUSUKE TAGUCHI, TORU YANO & TOMOAKI HONMA

      The early part of the match was built around Taguchi comedy. He sold his ass after a series of missed hip attacks. 

      Honma missed a kokeshi, of course. Goto tagged in and made a comeback for his team. Honma tagged back in, and SANADA cut him off. 

      SANADA hit a TKO for a two count. He followed up with a backbreaker, then hit a moonsault for the pin on Honma. 

      LIJ shared their traditional fist bump after the match. EVIL participated as well, which he had not done since just before the G1. 

      TAMA TONGA, TANGA LOA & BAD LUCK FALE DEFEATED TOMOHIRO ISHII, YOSHI-HASHI & KENTA

      This just screamed “angle alert”. And what an angle it was. KENTA joined Bullet Club, and Katsuyori Shibata did physicality in a strong angle. 

      YOSHI-HASHI and Fale began. YH hit a headhunter. Tama Tonga tried to cut him off from the apron, but Fale accidentally hit him instead. Fale made his own  comeback, and Bullet Club worked YH over in their corner. 

      YH finally managed to tag Ishii after an extended beatdown. Fale took Ishii down with a shoulder tackle, and Bullet Club then went to work on Ishii. Ishii fought off a gun stun from Tonga, then hit a suplex on Loa. 

      Ishii went to tag KENTA. KENTA jumped off the apron, leaving Ishii hanging. Tonga hit a frog splash on Ishii for a nearfall. 

      YH jumped in to save Ishii, but ate a sloppy gun stun. Tonga went for a gun stun on Ishii, but Ishii turned it into a powerslam. 

      Fale tried to save Tonga, but Ishii hit him with a brainbuster. KENTA entered and hit Ishii with a running knee. Tonga then covered Ishii for the pin. 

      YH and the L.A. Dojo boys jumped in to save Ishii from an extended beatdown, but Bullet Club sent them outside. 

      As KENTA posed in the ring, Katsuyori Shibata jumped in. Shibata hit a series of strikes, then a delayed dropkick in the corner on KENTA. 

      Tonga jumped in, but Shibata fought him off with strikes. Loa jumped in, but Shibata fought him off. Shibata used a rear naked choke on KENTA, and set him up for a PK. Instead, Jado cut him off with a kendo stick shot from the floor. 

      Bullet Club ganged up on Shibata in the ring. KENTA hit a PK on Shibata, and sat on top of him in Shibata’s pose. KENTA threw up the too sweet hand signal, and joined Bullet Club. 

      Shibata walked to the back under his own power. Wow. 

      MINORU SUZUKI & ZACK SABRE JR. DEFEATED KAZUCHIKA OKADA & HIROSHI TANAHASHI

      A very good match. This also sets Suzuki up for an IWGP title match in the near future, perhaps in London at Royal Quest on August 31. 

      Okada and Tanahashi hit some tandem offense, including a back elbow to Sabre. Suzuki jumped in and slapped an armbar on Okada over the ropes, while Sabre simultaneously got a flying armbar on Tanahashi. 

      Suzuki and Okada brawled on the outside, while Sabre worked over Tanahashi’s right arm in the ring. Suzuki sent Okada into the barricade, taking him out of action for a bit. Suzuki and Sabre used quick tags in their corner, continuing to attack Tanahashi’s limbs. Okada jumped back on the apron, but Suzuki sent him to the floor with a running boot. 

      Tanahashi came back with a dragon screw on Sabre, then managed to tag Okada. Okada hit a back elbow in the corner, a DDT, a slam, then went up top. Sabre rolled out of the way of an elbow, and Okada rolled through on landing. 

      Okada went for an air raid crash, but Sabre blocked it with an octopus. Sabre tagged Suzuki, who hit a PK for a nearfall, then a running boot to Okada. Suzuki went for a kimura. Tanahashi jumped in for the save, but Suzuki no-sold his offense, then sent him outside. 

      Suzuki grabbed a front facelock on Okada. He teased the Gotch-style piledriver, but Okada blocked it, hit an air raid crash, then tagged Tanahashi. Suzuki also tagged Sabre. 

      Tanahashi hit Sabre with slaps. Sabre got the octopus hold, but Tanahashi slid out. Tanahashi hit Twist and Shout, then a slingblade. He covered, but Suzuki made the save. 

      Okada and Suzuki fought to the floor. Tana went for High Fly Flow, but Sabre got his knees up, then tried for an armbar. Tanahashi bridged into a cover for a nearfall, but Sabre came back with a PK. 

      Okada and Suzuki got tags. Okada hit a shotgun dropkick, then a top rope elbow. Okada hit his Rainmaker pose. He went for the Rainmaker, but Suzuki elbowed out of the attempt. 

      Suzuki and Okada exchanged forearm strikes. Okada missed on a dropkick, and Suzuki hit a PK. Suzuki applied a rear naked choke. He tried to transition to a piledriver, but Tanahashi saved with a slingblade. 

      Tanahashi sent Sabre outside with a slingblade, then hit a pescado. Okada hit Suzuki with a dropkick to the back. Suzuki avoided another dropkick, then used La Mistica. Incredible. 

      Tanahashi jumped in for the save, but Sabre took him out with a flying guillotine. 

      Suzuki used a rear naked choke, then hit Okada with the Gotch-style piledriver for the pin. 

      Suzuki cut a promo after the match. He told Okada that he lost to a guy that wasn’t allowed in the G1. Suzuki told Okada to hand over the IWGP belt to him. 

      Okada was helped to the back with his title. Suzuki said NJPW can’t escape him, and that Suzuki-gun is ichiban. 

      G1 CLIMAX 29 FINAL: KOTA IBUSHI DEFEATED JAY WHITE (31:01)

      This was an all-time great match. The bar was set ridiculously high over the last five weeks, and these guys had to absolutely tear the house down to meet that standard. They did, and then some. What a match. 

      The entire Bullet Club came to the ring with White. Red Shoes ejected them from ringside before the opening bell. Gedo bargained with Red Shoes, who allowed him to stay. 

      Gedo tried to trip Ibushi shortly after the opening bell, so Red Shoes ejected him as well. 

      Ibushi hit a dropkick, and White rolled outside. Ibushi teased a Golden Triangle off the post, but White pushed him into the post, then went to work on Ibushi’s bad ankle on the floor. 

      Back inside, White hit a double underhook suplex into the turnbuckle. Ibushi went for a snap hurricanrana, but his ankle gave out. He got the rana on his second try, but continued selling his ankle. 

      Ibushi hit a powerslam, then a moonsault. He followed up with a flurry of kicks, then hit a standing moonsault. He went for a backflip kneedrop, but White rolled to safety, and Ibushi continued selling his legs. 

      White hit a Blade Buster for a two count. He went for his TTO submission, but Ibushi kicked him off at the 10 minute mark. 

      Ibushi hit a double stomp to the back. White hit a flatliner, then a German suplex. White hit a superplex. He went for a kiwi krusher, but Ibushi blocked it. Ibushi hit a spike package driver. 

      White came back with a uranage, then used a kiwi krusher for a nearfall at the 15 minute mark. 

      White called for Blade Runner. Ibushi escaped the move. Ibushi tried for a Kamigoye, but White blocked it. White tried for a sleeper suplex, but Ibushi reversed it into his own sleeper suplex. 

      Ibushi teased lawn-darting White into the turnbuckle. White slipped out, then shoved Ibushi into Red Shoes. Red Shoes took a bump, then rolled to the floor. 

      White hit a low blow. Gedo came back to the ring, and slid a chair in. Gedo held Ibushi’s leg while White hit it with a chair. Gedo rolled outside, and White hit an inverted dragon screw. Gedo revived the referee and rolled him back in. 

      White applied the TTO. After a long struggle, Ibushi reached the bottom rope for a break at the 20 minute mark. 

      White tried for a sleeper suplex, but Ibushi hit a backflip kick. Ibushi lawn-darted White into the buckle. White rolled to the apron, and Ibushi hit a deadlift German off the second rope into the ring. 

      They got back to their feet, where White hit a palm strike to the chest. Ibushi no-sold it, then lit White up with strikes. Ibushi dared White to hit him. White hit a palm strike to the face. Ibushi hit one of his own, and White dropped to the mat. Ibushi tried to pull White up for a lariat, but White hit a dragon screw. 

      Ibushi hit a lariat, then used a Last Ride for a two count at the 25 minute mark. 

      Ibushi called for a bomaye. White dropped to the mat before Ibushi could hit the move, playing possum. White took the referee. Gedo jumped in with brass knuckles. Ibushi ducked the knucks, then kicked Gedo. 

      White hit a sleeper suplex. Ibushi no-sold it, then hit a Bomaye. Red Shoes called Rocky Romero from the commentary table to pull Gedo out of the ring. Ibushi hit a second Bomaye for a nearfall. 

      Ibushi went for Kamigoye, but White blocked it, kicking at Ibushi’s bad leg. Ibushi hit a pair of high kicks. He went for Kamigoye, but White reversed it into a Blade Runner. White could not follow up with a cover right away. 

      White grabbed Ibushi’s wrists. He teased a Kamigoye or a cross-armed brainbuster, but Ibushi hit a headbutt to the chest, cutting him off. 

      Ibushi hit a straightjacket German He went for a Kamigoye, but White blocked and hit a sleeper suplex. White hit a second sleeper suplex, dropping Ibushi on his head. 

      White went for a Blade Runner. Ibushi hit a Kamigoye. Ibushi hit a jumping knee strike, then another Kamigoye. White kicked out at two. 

      Ibushi hit a third Kamigoye, and pinned White. 

      Harold Meij presented Ibusho with a flag and the G1 trophy. Ibushi posed for a couple of minutes, then cut a promo. 

      Ibushi said this G1 has been the most important month of his life. Ibushi said he made the finals last year, but one year later, he won. He said he could not be happier than he is right now. 

      He said that he was able to win thanks to the efforts of all 20 men in the tournament. 

      Ibushi said that all together, we are going to tear up the wrestling world. He said a new era in NJPW starts today. He thanked everyone, and said he’ll see everyone at next year’s G1. 

      NJPW reveals full card for G1 Climax 29 finals

      Posted on by Joseph Currier

      NJPW has revealed the full card for the G1 Climax 29 finals.

      The show is taking place at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan overnight tonight and will air live on New Japan World starting at 2 a.m. Eastern time (11 p.m. Pacific). It will be headlined by A Block winner Kota Ibushi facing B Block winner Jay White in the tournament finals.

      In the semi-main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi & IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will team against Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki. Tanahashi pinned Sabre in a tag match at the B Block finals this morning, and NJPW looks to be building to Sabre defending his RPW British Heavyweight Championship against Tanahashi at Royal Quest in London, England on Saturday, August 31.

      Here’s the full card for the G1 finals:

      • Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White in the G1 Climax 29 finals
      • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Minoru Suzuki
      • KENTA, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) & Bad Luck Fale
      • Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma & Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Tetsuya Naito, EVIL, SANADA, Shingo Takagi & BUSHI
      • Jon Moxley & Shota Umino vs. Juice Robinson & Toa Henare
      • Will Ospreay, SHO & YOH vs. Taiji Ishimori, Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
      • Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask & Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Archer, Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
      • Ren Narita & Yota Tsuji vs. Karl Fredericks & Clark Connors

      Finals set for NJPW G1 Climax 29

      Posted on by Joseph Currier

      The finals for this year’s G1 Climax are now set.

      It will be Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White in the G1 finals at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan overnight tonight. The show will air live on New Japan World and will begin at 2 a.m. Eastern time (11 p.m. Pacific).

      Ibushi defeated Kazuchika Okada on Saturday to win the A Block, while White became the B Block winner by defeating Tetsuya Naito in this morning’s main event.

      After White vs. Naito, there was a post-match angle where White called Ibushi out to the ring. White claimed that Gedo wouldn’t be in his corner for the G1 finals. White offered a handshake to Ibushi. White went to attack him, but Ibushi avoided a kick. White then ducked a kick from Ibushi.

      Gedo grabbed Ibushi’s leg as he went to leave the ring. White targeted Ibushi’s left ankle, putting it inside of a chair and using another one to give Ibushi multiple chair shots.

      In today’s other tournament matches, Shingo Takagi defeated Hirooki Goto, Juice Robinson defeated Jon Moxley, Taichi defeated Tomohiro Ishii, and Jeff Cobb defeated Toru Yano.

      Ibushi went 7-2 in A Block action and finished with 14 points. White went 6-3 in his tournament matches and ended up as the B Block winner with 12 points.

      Before going on to win their blocks, Ibushi lost his first two tournament matches and White lost his first three. Ibushi was defeated by KENTA and EVIL. White lost to Goto, Ishii, and Yano.

      The winner of Ibushi vs. White will be set up as the IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenger for Wrestle Kingdom 14, though they’ll likely defend their title shot between now and January.