Tag: g1 live results

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

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Ethan Renner

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

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

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

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

The undercard was announced late on Saturday Eastern time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

**********

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

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

White teased starting off with Juice but begged off.

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ibushi is The One for the second consecutive year.

**********

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

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

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

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

**********

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

Jay White entered. They drank Zima together.

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

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

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

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (8:16)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This loss eliminated Naito.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SANADA then used a Japanese clutch and got the pin.

SANADA wins B Block.

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

G1 Standings —

B Block

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

A Block

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

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

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

**********

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (6:52)

They worked quickly and kept things simple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yujiro hit Pimp Juice and got the tainted victory.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****Intermission*****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An insane sequence followed.

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

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

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

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

**********

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

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

Ospreay, Priestley and O-Kharn left together.

This was a huge angle and a fantastic match.

**********

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ibushi wins A Block.

**********

After the match, Ishii limped to the back.

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

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

**********

G1 Standings —

A Block

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

B Block

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

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

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura (8:06)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was pretty good, but unspectacular.

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post-match, SANADA cut a promo.

G1 Climax 30 standings —

A Block

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

B Block

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

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

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

**********

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura (8:47)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naito continued mocking Juice’s mannerisms after the match.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EVIL closed the show with a quick promo.

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

B Block

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

A Block

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

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

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

Report —

Ao-re Nagaoka in Niigata was the venue.

**********

Yota Tsuji drew with Gabriel Kidd (15:00)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tanahashi’s post-match celebration was great.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

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

**********

G1 Climax 30 Standings

B Block

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

A Block

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