A Block & B Block have their penultimate Block matches today in Takamatsu as NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament hits the final stretch.
In the main event, 4-1 Kazuchika Okada looks to rebound from a loss to Will Ospreay in a bout against KENTA.
In the semi-main, two of the proclaimed Reiwa Three Musketeers do battle, as Shota Umino battles Yota Tsuji.
The full card:
B Block: Kazuchika Okada (4-1, 8 points) vs. KENTA (2-3, 4 points)
A Block: Shota Umino (2-1-2, 6 points) vs. Yota Tsuji (1-2-2, 4 points)
B Block: Will Ospreay (4-1, 8 points) vs. Tanga Loa (2-3, 4 points)
A Block: SANADA (5-0, 10 points) vs. Gabe Kidd (2-2-1, 5 points)
B Block: Taichi (3-2, 6 points) vs. El Phantasmo (2-3, 4 points)
A Block: Chase Owens (2-3, 4 points) vs. Ren Narita (0-3-2, 2 points)
B Block: YOSHI-HASHI (2-3, 4 points) vs. Great-O-Khan (1-4, 2 points)
A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya (2-1-2, 6 points) vs. Hikuleo (2-3, 4 points)
Our live coverage begins at 6 a.m. Eastern time.
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Recommended Matches
SANADA vs. Gabe Kidd – I don’t think it’s a stretch to call Kidd an MVP contender at this point—outstanding performance after outstanding performance, and this match is no exception.
Shota Umino vs. Yota Tsuji – This was their first meeting post-excursion, and it did not disappoint.
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Hikuleo defeated Kaito Kiyomiya
This match was all about Kaito working from behind to ground the big man. Kaito slowly worked his way to a finish, but in the end, Hikuleo caught Kaito with a chokeslam to win the match.
This win leaves Hikuleo on the upper end of A Block with 6 points, keeping him alive.
Great-O-Khan defeated YOSHI-HASHI
With YH’s tournament on the rocks, you would expect something more urgent here. Instead, O-Khan just coasted through control until YH launched a late rally. After a few nearfalls, O-Khan dropped YH with an eliminator to eliminate him from this tournament.
O-Khan played spoiler here, moving up to 4 points.
Ren Narita defeated Chase Owens
While not great, this match between two guys who are already virtually eliminated was far from awful. Ren put in a strong performance, eventually forcing Owens to submit with the cobra twist.
This win formally eliminates Owens from playoff contention.
El Phantasmo defeated Taichi
These guys worked hard throughout this match, splitting the crowd. After extended back-and-forths and false finishes, ELP secured the Gedo clutch.
This win moves ELP to 6 points, but both men are on rocky ground in B block.
SANADA defeated Gabe Kidd
From before the opening bell, Kidd brutalized SANADA using chairs and environmental offense to take the lead. The SANADA rally that followed was one of the best in his title reign. SANADA caught Kidd with a low blow after eating a closed fist, opening up for deadfall and the win.
SANADA’s perfect run continues, making him the only man in the tournament with 12 points.
Tanga Loa defeated Will Ospreay
This match didn’t play to Ospreay’s strengths whatsoever. Both guys got a lot before Loa took the fight to the outside. On the floor, Loa threw Ospreay into the chairs as the referee’s count climbed. Before Ospreay could get back in the ring, Loa hit him with a spear and beat the count himself to win the match via countout.
This massive upset leaves Loa with 6 points, keeping himself and a lot of B block in playoff contention.
Yota Tsuji defeated Shota Umino
This match opened hot before transitioning into a Shota control segment toward the later middle. The closing sequence saw Tsuji fight back in a furious strike exchange before attempting a spear. Umino reversed into a curb stomp but failed to hit the Death Rider; instead, Tsuji freed himself and connected with the spear to win.
This win moves Tsuji to 5 points, keeping himself and a lot of A Block alive in the process.
Kazuchika Okada defeated KENTA
An underdog KENTA forced Okada to work from behind for the duration of this match. KENTA utilized weapons and wear-down offense to maintain a lead for most of the runtime. Regardless, Okada was able to hit the rainmaker to win the match.
This win makes Okada the only person in B block with 10 points, ensuring his place in the playoffs and eliminating KENTA, YOSHI-HASHI, and Great-O-Khan.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with C Block & D Block matches in Aichi at Dolphin’s Arena.
In the main event, Hiroshi Tanahashi face Hirooki Goto in the seventeenth career singles meeting between the two NJPW veterans. Both enter the match with 2-2 records in this year’s G1.
In the semi-main, the 3-1 Tama Tonga faces 2-2 Shingo Takagi in the first career singles meeting between the two.
The full lineup:
D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (2-2, 4 points) vs. Hirooki Goto (2-2, 4 points)
C Block: Tama Tonga (3-1, 6 points) vs. Shingo Takagi (2-2, 4 points)
D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (3-1, 6 points) vs. Shane Haste (2-2, 4 points)
C Block: EVIL (2-2, 4 points) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (1-3, 2 points)
D Block: Tetsuya Naito (2-2, 4 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (1-3, 2 points)
C Block: Eddie Kingston (2-2, 4 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-3, 2 points)
D Block: Jeff Cobb (4-0, 8 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-4, 0 points)
C Block: David Finlay (4-1, 8 points) vs. HENARE (1-4, 2 points)
Our live coverage begins at 3 a.m. Eastern time.
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Recommended Matches
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Hirsooki Goto – A fantastic match built around selling the ware of the G1. Both men looked good in their agony and delivered a superb, emotional match.
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David Finlay defeated HENARE
This match felt like it was going through the mid-tournament motions. Finlay closed out the match with Oblivion.
This win leaves Finlay with 8 points, leaving him awfully close to a guaranteed playoff spot.
Toru Yano defeated Jeff Cobb
This was a short match with Yano trying to spoil Cobb’s perfect tournament. Cobb played some of Yano’s games, but in the end, Yano won. After getting a face full of cold spray, Yano rolled up Cobb, ending his undefeated streak.
While he’s already out of the running, this win gets Yano on the board with 2 points.
Eddie Kingston defeated Mikey Nicholls
This was a bit of a plotting match built around mid-tournament ware. Everything these guys threw out was substantial, even if it wasn’t at a blistering pace. Eddie closed this match out with a spinning back fist.
This result keeps Eddie in the running, 6 points, and eliminates Nicholls from contention.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Alex Coughlin
Unlike most of his G1, Coughlin was unable to control the pace of this match. With the match at Naito’s pace, Naito was able to withstand Couhlin’s pushes for control, eventually leading to the Destino and the win.
This win moves Naito toward the top of D block, with 6 points.
EVIL defeated Tomohiro Ishii
This was a very physical match, but in case you suspected something else, EVIL worked dirty throughout. Ishii matched EVIL’s energy to gain control, leading to multiple colossal exchanges between the pair. To close, EVIL distracted the referee, allowing Dick Togo to kick Ishii low; Evil followed up with Everything is Evil and pinned Ishii for the win.
EVIL remains in strong standing with this win, tieing Finlay atop of C block with 8 points.
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Shane Haste
This inter-faction TMDK matchup was competitive throughout. After extended exchanges of moves and strikes, Haste was looking to break from a hold with a powerbomb, but ZSJ caught him in a trap pin, winning the match suddenly.
ZSJ ties Jeff Cobb with 8 points, leading the D block.
Time Limit Draw: Tama Tonga vs. Shingo Takagi
Another by-the-numbers match here. These guys went back and forth in all the typical ways, leading into the move-heavy closing sequence. The clock eventually ran out in about the least climatic way possible.
The draw leaves Tama just behind the C block leaders with 7 points, and Shingo in the middle of the pack with 5.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Hirooki Goto
This match was all about both men being in severe pain from the opening bell. The selling was fantastic throughout, enhancing every moment of this match. Tanahashi is seemingly trying to retire himself with High Fly Flow, which he landed on his second attempt to win the bout.
Tanahashi’s win leaves him just two points behind block leaders, staying steady with 6 points.
Kazuchika Okada faces Will Ospreay today in G1 Climax 33 B Block action in a rematch of last year’s G1 finals.
Okada holds a 7-1 career singles record against Ospreay, and a win would lock Okada into the eight-man playoffs round.
In the semi-main, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA can also guarantee a spot in the playoffs round with a win over Ren Narita.
Today’s full lineup:
B Block: Kazuchika Okada (4-0, 8 points) vs. Will Ospreay (3-1, 6 points)
A Block: SANADA (4-0, 8 points) vs. Ren Narita (0-2-2, 2 points)
B Block: KENTA (2-2, 4 points) vs. El Phantasmo (1-3, 2 points)
A Block: Yota Tsuji (1-2-1, 3 points) vs. Hikuleo (1-3, 2 points)
B Block: Great-O-Khan (1-3, 2 points) vs. Tanga Loa (1-3, 2 points)
A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya (2-1-1, 5 points) vs. Gabe Kidd (2-2, 4 points)
B Block: Taichi (2-2, 4 points) vs. YOSHI-HASHI (2-2, 4 points)
A Block: Chase Owens (2-2, 4 points) vs. Shota Umino (1-1-2, 4 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
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Recommended Matches
Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Gabe Kidd – Even if the War Dog run-in is a bit repetitive, it has worked wonders in this tournament. This match played perfectly into the structure of the G1 and both men’s strengths—my favorite match of the tournament.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay – This match was exactly what you would expect from this pair in this format. In effect, this was a big-time main event with two of the most important wrestlers in New Japan condensed into the G1 package. There is no doubt in my mind that this match will have a lasting impact.
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Shota Umino defeated Chase Owens
This match featured a lot of outside scrambles and slow mat work. The highlight of the match was also the finish, when Shota escaped the package piledriver, beautifully reversing into the Death Rider to secure the win.
With this win, Shota stays competitive, moving up to 6 points.
Taichi defeated YOSHI-HASHI
This was a strike-heavy encounter, with almost all exchanges being strike based before the closing stretch. In the closing minutes, they graduated to throws, suplexes, and power moves. Taichi won out in the end, hitting Black Mephisto to secure the pin.
This win leaves Taichi with 6 points, keeping him in solid playoff contention.
Double Count Out: Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Gabe Kidd
This match was excellent. Kidd, in War Dog fashion, brutally attacked Kaito before the bout, setting Kaito up for a match full of sympathy building—something no one is better at. Kaito answered violence with violence, leading to passionate exchanges in and out of the ring. In the end, the fight wouldn’t end in the ring, as neither man was willing to back down from a brawl on the outside, leading to a double count out. Even after the bell, the pair brawled for minutes, forcing an army of ring crew to break them up and carry Kaito to the back.
This draw leaves both men in the upper-middle of A block—Kaito with 6 points, Kidd with 5.
Tanga Loa defeated Great-O-Khan
O-Khan controlled a lot of this match by working over Loa’s legs. Loa answered by getting on his feet, launching a comeback, and hitting a reverse piledriver to win.
Loa’s win keeps him alive theoretically with 4 points. This loss eliminates O-Khan from playoff contention.
Hikuleo defeated Yota Tsuji
This match was fairly interesting on a structural level. This could’ve been a typical big man vs. big man match, but instead, Tsuji wrestled as much like a junior as possible while still utilizing his power. Hikuleo ultimately answered with a wicked boot, a scoop slam, and a chokeslam to win the match.
Hikuleo barely stays alive with this win, sitting in the lower end of viability with 4 points.
El Phantasmo defeated KENTA
KENTA tried icing out ELP before the match could begin, but ELP followed him to the floor, leading to extended fighting on the ground. In the bleachers, KENTA drew color from ELP. The pair used weapons, with KENTA gaining significant advantage. The match finally started once KENTA rolled ELP into the ring. KENTA tried for a GTS, but ELP reversed into a pin, stealing the win.
Although he’s out of contention, this win gets ELP on the board with his first 2 points.
SANADA defeated Ren Narita
This was a fairly stale back-and-forth match. There were a few exciting moments, especially during transitions, but in the end, they were sparse. Narita got a lot of control time in the match, but in the end, SANADA won with Deadfall.
This win makes SANADA the first man to qualify for the second phase, standing tall with 10 points.
Will Ospreay defeated Kazuchika Okada
Okada was stoic in his approach, especially early, while Ospreay threw everything at the wall from the open. The mid-to-late match came quickly, with both men hurling bombs as soon as it was viable. Okada focused heavily on wear-down moves, such as the money clip, while Ospreay tried for match-enders like the OsCutter. The closing five minutes were filled with false finishes and giant transitions of momentum. Ultimately, Ospreay was able to finish the job, hitting storm breaker to win the match.
This win leaves Ospreay tied in points with Okada on top of B block. Both men sit with 8 points.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with C Block & D Block matches in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall.
In the main event, Zack Sabre Jr. faces Jeff Cobb in a battle of unbeatens. Both enter the match with 3-0 records in this year’s tournament.
In the semi-main, the undefeated David Finlay faces Tama Tonga.
The full lineup:
D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (3-0, 6 points) vs. Jeff Cobb (3-0, 6 points)
C Block: David Finlay (3-0, 6 points) vs. Tama Tonga (2-1, 4 points)
D Block: Tetsuya Naito (2-1, 4 points) vs. Shane Haste (1-2, 2 points)
C Block: Eddie Kingston (2-1, 4 points) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (0-3, 0 points)
D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (1-2, 2 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-3, 0 points)
C Block: Shingo Takagi (1-2, 2 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-2, 2 points)
D Block: Hirooki Goto (2-1, 4 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (0-3, 0 points)
C Block: EVIL (2-1, 4 points) vs. HENARE (1-2, 2 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Shingo Takagi vs. Mikey Nicholls – An action-packed match with some color. Wonderful.
Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii – This match was nothing short of fantastic—easily amongst the best matches of the tournament and the best individual performances from both men—a must-watch.
Jeff Cobb vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – Another match that is in the running for “best match of the tournament”. This was ridiculous bell-to-bell action packed full of ZSJ nuance and Cobb’s stunning acts of athleticism—a must-watch.
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EVIL defeated HENARE
From the pre-match chair attack to the outside fighting, this was a full-blown HOT match. In the end, a referee distraction left EVIL free to hit a low blow, followed by Everything is Evil for the win.
Evil sits strong in his block with 6 points.
Alex Coughlin defeated Hirooki Goto
This has been a breakout tournament for Coughlin, if I’ve ever seen one. It shouldn’t be a surprise at this point, but Coughlin worked a violent match here. After dominating Goto for the entire runtime, Coughlin dropped Goto with a jackhammer to win his first match in the G1.
With this win, Coughlin avoids mathematical elimination, earning his first 2 points.
Shingo Takagi defeated Mikey Nicholls
With lots of powerful exchanges that built to an explosive finishing stretch, this was a great Shingo outing. Shingo bested a bloody Nicholls with a body press that looked it was supposed to be a pumping bomber; either way, it was awesome.
Takagi sets in the middle of C block with 4 points following this win.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Toru Yano
Even after a challenge from Tanahashi to get serious, this match was anything but. Only after minutes of Yano chicanery Tanahashi closed the match with High Fly Flow.
With this win, Tanahashi moves up to 4 points and eliminates Yano from playoff contention.
Tomohiro Ishii defeated Eddie Kingston
This match was all about Ishii working over Eddie’s injured back in the beginning. Eddie was forced to challenge Ishii with strikes, leading to some electric exchanges. Once the striking ended, the bout exploded into the most impressive back-and-forth in the G1 so far. The war ended once Ishii lifted Kingston for a picture-perfect brain buster.
This win puts Ishii on the board, earning his first 2 points.
Shane Haste defeated Tetsuya Naito
This match was a definite cooler compared to the last, but this was still good. Naito worked the neck during his periods of control, setting up Destino. After kicking out of one, Naito attempted another, but Haste reversed into Bomb Valley Death for an upset victory.
This win leaves Haste with the majority of D block with 4 points.
Tama Tonga defeated David Finlay
In a bit of a dynamic flip, Tama rushed Finlay in the opening moments, which Finlay was able to take advantage of. Finlay took the action to the ring, where the match played out with multiple momentum shifts. After hitting a spear, Finlay hoisted Tama up for a powerbomb, but Tama reversed into a pin, stealing the win.
This win ended Finlay’s undefeated streak and ties Tama with block leaders, sitting at 6 points.
Jeff Cobb defeated Zack Sabre Jr.
My God, this match was incredible. Cobb dominated the early portion of the match; his size played as a constant check to ZSJ throughout the open while remaining agile and grapple-hardy throughout the runtime. ZSJ eventually swung back, utilizing holds to keep himself in the match. In the end, this wasn’t enough, as Cobb connected with throw after throw before finishing the match with Tour of the Islands.
This win leaves Cobb as the only man undefeated in D block with 8 points.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with A Block & B Block matches in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall.
In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA takes on NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya in a battle of unbeatens.
In the semi-main, the undefeated Kazuchika Okada takes on fellow CHAOS member YOSHI-HASHI.
The full lineup:
A Block: SANADA (3-0, 6 points) vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (2-0-1, 5 points)
B Block: Kazuchika Okada (3-0, 6 points) vs. YOSHI-HASHI (2-1, 4 points)
A Block: Ren Narita (0-1-2, 2 points) vs. Hikuleo (0-3, 0 points)
B Block: Tanga Loa (1-2, 2 points) vs. El Phantasmo (0-3, 0 points)
A Block: Chase Owens (1-2, 2 points) vs. Yota Tsuji (0-2-1, 1 point)
B Block: Taichi (2-1, 4 points) vs. KENTA (1-2, 2 points)
A Block: Gabe Kidd (1-2, 2 points) vs. Shota Umino (0-1-2, 2 points)
B Block: Will Ospreay (2-1, 4 points) vs. Great-O-Khan (1-2, 2 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Will Ospreay vs. Great-O-Khan – A great little inter-faction match that blew past my expectations.
Gabe Kidd vs. Shota Umino – An absolutely violent match with a fantastic set of rallies from Umino.
SANADA vs. Kaito Kiyomiya – This is my new favorite tournament match thus far. A masterfully executed bout, bell-to-bell.
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Will Ospreay defeated Great-O-Khan
Even though this United Empire showdown, neither man held their punches. This match featured focused strike exchanges and weapon-based fights on the floor. After multiple false finishes from both men, Ospreay hit a 540° Corkscrew Senton Bomb to win the match.
Ospreay caught block leaders with 6 points.
Shota Umino defeated Gabe Kidd
Kidd opened the match by rushing Umino in the Korakuen crowd, leading to a violent start. Kidd maintained this energy throughout the match’s runtime, dominating Umino for some time; this also opened the door for some of the best rallies in Umino’s career. Ultimately, Umino was able to hold on, hitting a Death Rider to win the match.
Umino earned his first win here, making his way to 4 points.
KENTA defeated Taichi
This match opened with a battle of the belts, with Taichi showing off the KOPW title and KENTA the Defy strap; KENTA used this opportunity to flatten Taichi with his belt before the opening bell. What followed was a silly back-and-forth, ending when KENTA blocked a knee strike with his belt and rolled up Taichi for a quick win.
With this win, KENTA sits at 4 points.
Yota Tsuji defeated Chase Owens
For whatever reason, this was a heavily Owens-controlled match. Only after surviving multiple C-triggers, a Jewel Heist, and an attempted package piledriver was Tsuji able to land a spear to win this match.
Tsuji earns his first win, working his way up to 3 points.
El Phantasmo defeated Tanga Loa
This match certainly happened. After minutes of escalation and moves trading, ELP secured Loa in a crucifix pin to score a sudden win.
With this win, ELP is on the board with 2 points.
Hikuleo defeated Ren Narita
While a little long, this was a decent big-man/little-man match. Hikuleo looked pretty good in this position, and Narita put in a firey performance, as always. In the end, Hikuleo withstood Narita’s rallies, winning with a choke slam.
Hikuleo’s first G1 win earns him 2 points.
Kazuchika Okada defeated YOSHI-HASHI
Okada worked an unserious opening match here, bordering on disrespect for YH. Okada’s lack of consideration for YH opened the door for a prolonged YH offensive sequence. An extended back-and-forth followed, with Okada eventually connecting with the rainmaker to maintain his undefeated streak.
Okada remains the last undefeated competitor in B block, standing tall with 8 points.
SANADA defeated Kaito Kiyomiya
This match was something special. In a rare sight, this was a truly emotional SANADA match, filled with dramatic sequences. The multiple false finishes in the closing moments were nothing short of exhilarating. Ultimately, Kaito’s inability to win the big one in New Japan continues, as SANADA won with a shining wizard with two seconds on the clock.
With this win, SANADA remains the only undefeated wrestler in his block with 8 points.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today in Nagano with C Block & D Block matches.
In the main event, EVIL takes on David Finlay in a C Block battle. Both men are 2-0 in the tournament.
In the semi-main, the 1-1 Hiroshi Tanahashi faces United Empire’s Jeff Cobb and his 2-0 record.
Today’s full lineup:
C Block: EVIL (2-0, 4 points) vs. David Finlay (2-0, 4 points)
D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (1-1, 2 points) vs. Jeff Cobb (2-0, 4 points)
C Block: Tomohiro Ishii (0-2, 0 points) vs. Shingo Takagi (0-2, 0 points)
D Block: Tetsuya Naito (1-1, 2 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-2, 0 points)
C Block: Eddie Kingston (1-1, 2 points) vs. HENARE (1-1, 2 points)
D Block: Hirooki Goto (1-1, 2 points) vs. Shane Haste (1-1, 2 points)
C Block: Tama Tonga (1-1, 2 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-1, 2 points)
D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (2-0, 4 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (0-2, 0 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Alex Coughlin – This pair has had one of the most consistent tournaments independently, and it’s no surprise that they kept that up in this match.
Eddie Kingston vs. HENARE – This was a fantastic sell-heavy Eddie match.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi– Filled with bombs, this was exactly the match you would expect from this pair, so if that sounds enticing, check this out.
**********
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Alex Coughlin
This pair has had one of the most consistent tournaments independently, and it’s no surprise that they kept that up in this match.
This match, structurally, was about what you would expect from this pair. Coughlin used his strength in an attempt to wear down ZSJ, while ZSJ caught Coughlin in holds whenever an opportunity presented itself. ZSJ won this battle by utilizing an armbar.
With this win, ZSJ becomes the first man in D block with 6 points.
Tama Tonga defeated Mikey Nicholls
This match was fairly Nicholls-dominant for quite some time. In the end, that didn’t matter, as Tama was able to win with a pair of gun stuns.
Tama has tied C block leaders with 4 points.
Hirooki Goto defeated Shane Haste
This was a strange, brief match. Haste was very aggressive from the opening bell. Goto withstood the rush and turned a rear-naked choke into a pin to win the match in about two minutes. Throughout and after the short runtime, Goto held his midsection as if he was in horrible pain.
Goto advances to 4 points.
Eddie Kingston defeated HENARE
This was a great match built on Kingston’s selling. Even before the opening bell, HENARE put Kingston on the backfoot. Kingston’s rallies were fantastic, including the final one, which saw him rock HENARE with a spinning back fist before collapsing on him for the pinfall victory.
Kingston continues to keep up with the top of the heap, earning his 4th point in C block.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Toru Yano
The highlight of this match was Naito refusing to enter the ring until Yano behaved, resulting in Naito making multiple ring entrances. This game of chicken continued throughout a lot of the runtime. Naito was eventually able to roll up Yano to win the match.
Naito worked his way to 4 points with this win.
Shingo Takagi defeated Tomohiro Ishii
This match was exactly what you would expect from this pair, a lot of heavy striking sequences which turned into powerful move exchanges later in the match. Only after a string of false finishes with the time limit drawing near was Shingo able to close the match with a pumping bomber.
Shingo ended what was beginning to look like a losing streak to earn his first 2 points.
Jeff Cobb defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
This match was built around Cobb overwhelming Tanahashi while Tanahashi tried to find openings in Cobb’s game. Ultimately, Cobb was able to keep up the pressure long enough to with a Tour of the Islands.
Cobb remains undefeated, making his way to 6 points.
David Finlay defeated EVIL
If you thought the Bullet Club melodrama was over, this match stepped in to ruin your day. Throughout the runtime, the HoT and War Dog Bullet Club sub-factions teased all-out war, which eventually came to pass after a ref bump. The match was filled with cheating and your typical Bullet Club goofiness. In the end, Finlay used the shillelagh before landing Oblivion to win the match.
Finlay remains the last undefeated man in C block, standing firm with 6 points.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today in Niigata with A Block & B Block matches.
In the main event, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA will try to remain undefeated in this year’s G1 as he takes on Yota Tsuji. Tsuji will be looking for his first win after a draw and a loss in his first two G1 bouts.
It will be a battle of two undefeated wrestlers in the semi-main, with 2-0 Kazuchika Okada facing 2-0 Taichi.
Today’s lineup:
A Block: SANADA (2-0, 4 points) vs. Yota Tsuji (0-1-1, 1 point)
B Block: Kazuchika Okada (2-0, 4 points) vs. Taichi (2-0, 4 points)
A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya (2-0, 4 points) vs. Shota Umino (0-1-1, 1 point)
B Block: Will Ospreay (1-1, 2 points) vs. KENTA (1-1, 2 points)
A Block: Chase Owens (1-1, 2 points) vs. Hikuleo (0-2, 0 points)
B Block: Great-O-Khan (0-2, 0 points) vs. El Phantasmo (0-2, 0 points)
A Block: Gabe Kidd (1-1, 2 points) vs. Ren Narita (0-0-2, 2 points)
B Block: YOSHI-HASHI (1-1, 2 points) vs. Tanga Loa (1-1, 2 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Gabe Kidd vs. Ren Narita – This match was remarkable, easily amongst my favorite from the tournament.
Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Shota Umino – I knew going into this match would be special, and it lived up to all of my expectations and then some—my current favorite from G1 33. This was the best singles performance in Shota’s career.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Taichi – A great, dramatic match and particularly exceptional Taichi outing in the last act.
SANADA vs. Yota Tsuji – As good, if not better, than their IWGP title match.
YOSHI-HASHI defeated Tanga Loa
This was built like a much bigger match than it needed to be. After a ton of dry chops and power move sequences, YH was able to close with a crucifix bomb.
YH has tied the leaders of B Block.
Gabe Kidd defeated Ren Narita
Oh my, this match. From the opening moments, it was electric. Narita and Kidd matched each other’s energy from the open, making for one of my favorite matches from the tournament thus far. Kidd won out in the end after hitting a low blow and a piledriver.
Kidd catches the A block leaders with this win, leaving him with 4 points.
Great-O-Khan defeated El Phantasmo
This match was all about ELP trying to fly and O-Khan trying to ground him. After surviving all of ELP’s dives, O-Khan hit a Tenzan Tombstone Driver on the floor and forced ELP to tap with an iron claw.
This was the most aggressive outing from O-Khan this tournament, and it worked to score him his first 2 points.
Chase Owens defeated Hikuleo
Unsurprisingly, this match was about Hikuleo using his size to bully his former faction mate and Owens trying to weasel his way out of the situation. Also unsurprising, this match was not good. Chase closed with a shot from his knee brace, followed by a knee strike.
Chase continues to keep up with the block leaders, moving up to 4 points.
Will Ospreay defeated KENTA
KENTA worked a very violent match, not giving Ospreay a chance from the beginning. Even after being brutalized with moves on the floor, weapons, and a low blow, Ospreay held on, hitting a Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker to win the match.
With his second win in block action, Ospreay secures 4 points.
Time Limit Draw: Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Shota Umino
This match was a showcase between two very similar wrestlers in different stages of their careers. Throughout the match, Shota held his own, maintaining control for significant portions; this provided Kaito considerable time to sell, which he’s better at than everyone in the world. This match was a breeze, even as it approached the time limit. At different points, it looked like both men would close, but in the end, neither could secure the win.
This draw leaves Kaito ahead in A block with 5 points. Shota is behind with 2 points, both from draws.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Taichi
This was a great match. Okada seemed indifferent throughout the match’s runtime, simply brushing off most of Taichi’s offense. This allowed Taichi to eventually caught Okada with a powerbomb, leading to a prolonged sequence of power moves and nearfalls. Even still, Okada held on, eventually winning with a sudden pin out of a reversal.
Okada retakes the lead of B block, remaining the only man with all wins and 6 points.
SANADA defeated Yota Tsuji
While the stakes weren’t comparable, this was as good as their IWGP match, with the urgency created by the 20-minute time limit playing a significant factor. Tsuji looked incredible at certain points, establishing himself as a threat throughout the match. In the closing seconds, SANADA kicked out of a curb stomp and reversed a spear attempt before landing a moonsault and Deadfall to secure the win.
SANADA maintained his perfect record and retook the lead in A Block with the last perfect record and 6 points.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with C Block & D Block matches in Sendai.
In the main event, Tomohiro Ishii faces Tama Tonga in a battle of NJPW veterans. Both are looking for their first win of the tournament.
In the semi-main, Hirooki Goto faces Tetsuya Naito in another matchup of NJPW stalwarts.
The full lineup:
C Block: Tomohiro Ishii (0-1, 0 points) vs. Tama Tonga (0-1, 0 points)
D Block: Hirooki Goto (1-0, 2 points) vs. Tetsuya Naito (0-1, 0 points)
C Block: Shingo Takagi (0-1, 0 points) vs. HENARE (0-1, 0 points)
D Block: Shane Haste (1-0, 2 points) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (0-1, 0 points)
C Block: Eddie Kingston (1-0, 2 points) vs. EVIL (1-0, 2 points)
D Block: Jeff Cobb (1-0, 2 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (0-1, 0 points)
C Block: David Finlay (1-0, 2 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-0, 2 points)
D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (1-0, 2 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-1, 0 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Toru Yano – While not a must-watch, this was easily the best Yano match since his 2019 encounter with Jon Moxley, and that’s worth a mention. ZSJ is remarkable at everything he does.
Jeff Cobb vs. Alex Coughlin – This was an engrossing match on a structural level and an outstanding performance from Coughlin.
HENARE vs. Shingo Takagi – If you’re a fan of this pairing or big-match-Shingo, this is a must-see.
**********
Results
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Toru Yano
This was an entertaining/clever match, even if it was borderline absurd. From both men having young lion doppelgangers to Yano tapping ZSJ’s legs together, this was a silly Yano match from the beginning. In the end, ZSJ caught Yano with a rollup after Kosei Fujita provided some assistance.
ZSJ takes lead of D block with 4 points.
David Finlay defeated Mikey Nicholls
This was a slow-built match structured around prolonged segments of Finlay control. Finlay utilized this control to close the match with Oblivion.
David Finlay stays undefeated with 4 points.
Jeff Cobb defeated Alex Coughlin
In a cool twist, this match was all about Coughlin proving he could match Cobb’s power. While Cobb did his fair share of power moves, it was all the more impressive when Coughlin stood toe-to-toe. Cobb ultimately ended Coughlin’s hubris with a Tour of the Islands.
Cobb continues his hot start, advancing to 4 points.
EVIL defeated Eddie Kingston
This match didn’t come together at all for me. EVIL, unsurprisingly, worked a dirty match from the opening bell. Eddie attempted to fight off the barrage but fell to Everything is Evil after a Dick Togo distraction.
EVIL remains on top with 4 points.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Shane Haste
Haste established control early and used it to wear down Tanahashi for long stretches. Tanahashi eventually launched a rally, enabling him to hit High Fly Flow and win the match.
Tanahashi is on the board with two points.
HENARE defeated Shingo Takagi
This match was comparable to a Shingo main event in a compressed package. Only after prolonged back-and-forth sequences, multiple major momentum shifts, and false finishes did HENARE manage hit streets of rage to close the match with less than 30 seconds in the match remaining.
HENARE has scored his first win in block action, earning 2 points.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto
This was the kind of match you would’ve expected from this pairing a few years ago. Both guys were on the ball, leading to dramatic back-and-forth sequences. Naito was able to close with Destino, ending one of his best performances in a long while.
Naito earned his first points in D block.
Tama Tonga defeated Tomohiro Ishii
This was a reasonably standard Ishii affair. Most of the twists were built around Ishii avoiding the gun stun. Once Tama hit the gun stun, he followed up with a Jay Driller to win the match.
NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today in Yamagata with A Block & B Block action.
In the main event, Kazuchika Okada faces El Phantasmo in B Block. Both enter the match 1-0 in the tournament.
In the semi-main, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA takes on Shota Umino. Umino & Ren Narita went to a time limit draw in their first tournament bout, while SANADA scored a win over Hikuleo.
The full lineup:
B Block: Kazuchika Okada (1-0, 2 points) vs. El Phantasmo (1-0, 2 points)
A Block: SANADA (1-0, 2 points) vs. Shota Umino (0-0-1, 1 point)
B Block: Will Ospreay (0-1, 0 points) vs. YOSHI-HASHI (1-0, 2 points)
A Block: Ren Narita (0-0-1, 1 point) vs. Yota Tsuji (0-1, 0 points)
B Block: Taichi (1-0, 2 points) vs. Tanga Loa (1-0, 2 points)
A Block: Hikuleo (0-1, 0 points) vs. Gabe Kidd (0-1, 0 points)
B Block: KENTA (0-1, 0 points) vs. Great-O-Khan (0-1, 0 points)
A Block: Kaito Kiyomiya (1-0, 2 points) vs. Chase Owens (1-0, 2 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
There was nothing “must-see” from tonight’s show. There were some strong individual performances (Okada, Kaito, and Kidd come to mind), but no matches that stand out as particularly great.
Kaito Kiyomiya defeated Chase Owens
This was a simple match structurally. Chase got and maintained the heat for most of the bout. Kaito eventually launched a comeback before winning with the shining wizard.
Kaito now leads A Block with 4 points.
KENTA defeated Great-O-Khan
This was a strange one. The match featured a lot of outside brawling, with both men utilizing chair shots and environmental offense. Back in the ring, the match was built around failed ref bumps, which didn’t even play into the finish. KENTA used the ropes after a rollup to win the bout.
KENTA scores his first 2 points of the tournament.
Gabe Kidd defeated Hikuleo
Ruthless Kidd is such a fantastic addition to this roster. His matches always feel urgent. Kidd rushed Hikuleo before the match could begin, setting up another brawl-heavy bout. Hikuleo won the advantage on the floor, which he maintained in the ring. Kidd eventually landed a low blow and a pile driver to eke out a win.
This was Kidd’s first win, leaving him with 2 points.
Taichi defeated Tanga Loa
This wasn’t great. The match opened as a sluggish strike-heavy affair. The ending sequence was moves-heavy, with Taichi coming out on top with his Gedo Clutch variation.
Taichi remains undefeated with 4 points.
Time Limit Draw: Ren Narita vs. Yota Tsuji
This match played out as you would imagine, with Tsuji using his power to gain and maintain a lead, with Narita’s fire acting as a constant check. As time wound down, both men grew desperate and climbed to the top rope where the match would find its end.
Will Ospreay defeated YOSHI-HASHI
This match was a fairly standard Ospreay affair with a fair bit of back-and-forth. YH survived an awful lot of Ospreay offense, but in the end, a corkscrew senton marked the end.
Ospreay is on the board with 2 points.
SANADA defeated Shota Umino
This was a match with no real urgency, even as the clock ticked on. Just before the time limit, SANADA hit the shining wizard and deadfall to win the match.
SANADA maintains his position on top of A block with 4 points.
Okada defeated El Phantasmo
Okada was indifferent for most of the match, which allowed ELP to gain advantage. After avoiding a Rainmaker, ELP hit CR2, a moonsault to the floor, and a tombstone but failed to finish. In the end, it was an Okada Rainmaker that marked the end for ELP.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eight wrestlers remain mathematically alive as NJPW’s G1 Climax 30 enters its final stretch.
Four competitors still have a shot in each block with one A Block show and one B Block show remaining before Sunday’s final. In A Block, Jay White controls his own destiny. In B Block, it’s EVIL who controls his own fate.
After that, things get more cloudy.
White, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, and Will Ospreay still have a chance to win A Block.
The most likely A Block scenarios would be White winning with a victory over Ishii or Ibushi winning with a win over Taichi and a White loss. Ospreay needs to win and get help. Okada needs to win or draw and Ibushi and White both to lose.
In B Block, EVIL, Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, and Zack Sabre Jr. are still in the running.
A scenario exists in B Block where there could be a three-way tie for the lead heading into Sunday, although it seems far more likely that Saturday’s EVIL vs. SANADA matchup will determine the B Block winner.
Here are the updated standings and scenarios:
G1 Climax 30 standings —
A Block
Jay White — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Ishii*
Kota Ibushi — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Taichi and a White loss/draw/no contest*
Kazuchika Okada — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over Ospreay, White and Ibushi losses/draws/no contests or a draw with Ospreay and Ibushi/White losses/no contests*
Will Ospreay — 10 points (5-3) *ties for the block win with a win over Okada, White and Ibushi losses/no contests*
Taichi — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
Jeff Cobb — 8 points (4-4) *eliminated*
Tomohiro Ishii — 6 points (3-4) *eliminated*
Shingo Takagi — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
Minoru Suzuki — 6 points (3-5) *eliminated*
Yujiro Takahashi — 0 points (0-8) *eliminated*
B Block
EVIL — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win over SANADA or a draw/no contest with SANADA, Naito loss and Sabre loss/draw*
Tetsuya Naito — 12 points (6-2) *wins the block with a win/draw over KENTA and an EVIL loss/no contest*
SANADA — 10 points (5-3) *wins the block with a win over EVIL and a Naito loss/no contest*
Zack Sabre Jr. — 10 points (5-3) *ties with Naito & EVIL for block win with a win over Tanahashi, a Naito loss, and a SANADA/EVIL no contest*
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.
Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji went to a time limit draw
Both men tried and failed to gain an upper hand in the early going, both upright and on the mat. An Uemura headlock and takedown allowed him to temporarily pull away, but Tsuji’s superior power permitted him a quick slam to reverse the match into his favor. Tsuji tried to maintain this lead with various strikes but fell victim to the headlock again.
The same gaining and loss of momentum played out once more, this time featuring a Tsuji back body drop before Uemura’s speed proved to be too much. Uemura locked in a deep Boston crab that forced Tsuji into the ropes.
Uemura then slowly tried to chop Tsuji into further weakness but was leveled with a spear. Tsuji locked in a Boston crab of his own, which after an extended struggle, forced Uemura into the ropes.
Uemura withstood Tsuji strikes and regained control with a forearm. Uemura tried two quick cradles, but was interrupted by the bell, signifying a time limit draw.
This was really strong. This was a match packed full of energy and passion, drama and theatrics.
G1 Climax 30 B Block: Hirooki Goto defeated Toru Yano
This set a record for the quickest match in G1 history.
Yano threw his towel in the face of Goto before being leveled with a lariat. Goto then folded Yano up, pinned him, and left victorious.
This match was over before it started. Goto wore a serious face of determination during his entrance that was still there during his exit.
G1 Climax 30 B Block: SANADA defeated Zack Sabre Jr.
Sabre followed the bell with a burst of energy. A scramble left both struggling for a pin in the opening minute. After they separated it was Sabre who gained control once the two met again.
Sabre worked SANADA on the mat, but SANADA trying for a pin scared Sabre back into standing. The standing only lasted long enough for Sabre to pull SANADA to the mat with an armbar. SANADA escaped the submission attempt, grabbing the arm of Sabre at the same time, but found himself in it again.
SANADA fought to his feet only to be dropped again by Sabre headscissors. SANADA worked his way free but Sabre immediately exited the ring, extinguishing any SANADA momentum.
Once the match continued, a test of strength led into Sabre strikes and a SANADA dropkick. Sabre again retreated to the outside.
While outside, Sabre was joined by SANADA who was stretched for his trouble. Once back in, Sabre tried to twist his leg to torque the arm of SANADA but fell after putting weight on his taped appendage. A SANADA dragon screw to the target leg made it clear Sabre was still hurting.
Sabre landed a few kicks but found himself tied up in the dragon sleeper. Sabre rolled free which triggered a sequence of pin attempts. SANADA was able to place Sabre in dragon sleeper position, land a rope assisted DDT, and connect with a moonsault.
SANADA then pinned Sabre, clean in the middle.
This match was good enough but at no point felt great. The technical displays from Sabre were par for the course, there was not enough emotion to make them anything more.
G1 Climax 30 B Block: EVIL defeated Juice Robinson
EVIL jumped an unsuspecting Robinson as soon as the bell sounded. Robinson fought free and landed a crossbody which he followed with a sequence of chops. Dick Togo grabbed the leg of Robinson to prevent any further offense. EVIL then distracted the referee, allowing Togo to beat down Robinson with no repercussion.
After Robinson was driven into the barricade EVIL traveled to the outside himself, creating a platter of chairs that he drove Robinson’s back into.
Back in the ring, EVIL locked in a single-leg Boston crab which left Robinson’s back in worse shape. Robinson tried to show signs of life but found himself falling victim to more of EVIL’s shenanigans. An eye rake and an unprotected turnbuckle shot allowed Robinson to fall further behind.
EVIL was caught by a Robinson kick on a rebound. Robinson unloaded strikes on EVIL before landing a huge spinebuster. Togo was also taken out by a Robinson crossbody leaving Robinson alone with EVIL.
A cannonball and a crossbody left Robinson with a near fall. EVIL freed himself from a full nelson and, with unwilling aid from the referee, landed a kick. EVIL was unable to follow up as Robinson avoided his attempt at a senton. Robinson lifted EVIL to the top rope and connected with a huge suplex.
Robinson was interrupted by the chair of Togo.
EVIL landed a lariat and a powerbomb once back in the driver’s seat. Robinson continued to struggle against EVIL’s advances, landing a big right hand.
The camera pulled away, revealing Togo distracting the referee. EVIL landed a low blow, Everything is EVIL, and pinned Robinson.
This match was hurt by the constant interference. Robinson, try as he may, couldn’t save a match stranded in Togo land.
G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated YOSHI-HASHI
YOSHI-HASHI gained early control on the mat but this was short-lived. A calm Naito taunted him in his typical fashion. YH landed a shoulder tackle and a rana, which left Naito on the outside. YH’s followup in the ring was over in moments. Naito landed an atomic drop and neckbreaker, his first display of offense thus far. Naito at this point had an extended offensive stint.
YH fought free with a float-over neckbreaker after a failed attempt at a Naito Destino. YH connected with a dropkick that sent Naito crashing to the outside. YH followed up with a diving somersault senton. YH’s offense was temporarily stopped after Naito turned a powerbomb attempt into a rana. YH’s grit pulled through as he landed the powerbomb after Naito ascended to the top rope.
Naito connected with a DDT to regain his footing. A knee to the back, Gloria, and a spinebuster followed. YH reversed a lariat attempt to reset the match.
A strike exchange allowed YH to pull ahead. YH drove the head of Naito into the mat and locked in a sleeper. From the sleeper, YH connected with a backbreaker and locked in the butterfly lock. Naito was in the hold for a long time before finding the bottom rope.
Once standing, Naito connected with multiple elbows to the head but was caught, by a YH headbutt. A dragon suplex and a lariat left YH with a near fall. YH hoisted Naito up, only for Naito to fall into a partial Destino. Naito tried for a second but YH connected with a bunker buster. The near fall that followed was exquisite.
Once standing, Naito hit a surprise enzuigiri. Naito had a short show of offense before landing Destino for the pinfall victory.
This match had me bite on a YH near fall over the double champion. Naito’s lack of credibility paid to YH nearly and believably led to a career-defining upset. Instead, we had a match that was way better than what could be expected.
G1 Climax 30 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated KENTA
A collar-and-elbow tie-up in the opening sequence allowed KENTA to mess up the beautiful hair of Tanahashi and escape to the outside. Tanahashi interrupted the games of KENTA with a dropkick before dragging him back between the ropes.
KENTA turned his attention to the leg of Tanahashi with a chop block, boots, and a pair of slammings into the ring post. Tanahashi was held down by his leg in the middle of the ring before struggling into the bottom rope. A figure four from KENTA resulted in the same.
KENTA took the action outside where he drove the leg into the barricade. Back inside, KENTA delivered more of the same. Tanahashi, with pain across his face, began to fight to a standing position. Tanahashi would then land a dragon screw and a sunset flip, but a quick powerslam allowed KENTA to continue his offense.
KENTA locked in the figure four again. After Tanahashi found the bottom rope, an apron struggle would determine the next phase of momentum. Tanahashi was beating KENTA down when he was interrupted by a dropkick to his knee. Still on the apron, KENTA landed a leg whip, leaving Tanahashi stranded on the outside. Tanahashi just barely beat the referee’s count to return to the ring.
KENTA landed a double foot stomp that nearly scored the fall. KENTA locked in the figure four again. This time Tanahashi took to slapping at his opponent. KENTA became irate, dropped the hold, and hit forearms from full mount.
KENTA lifted Tanahashi to his feet and hit the ropes. Tanahashi caught KENTA on the rebound with a slingblade, resetting the match.
KENTA and Tanahashi began trading strikes. Tanahashi hit a dragon screw into the ropes. Another dragon screw, a cloverleaf, and a dropkick left Tanahashi ahead for the first time.
KENTA stopped Tanahashi by throwing him into the referee. With Tanahashi laying on top of the referee KENTA landed a splash. KENTA grabbed his briefcase and flattened Tanahashi. A drive-by kick and a running knee from KENTA landed just as the referee returned to consciousness. Tanahashi kicked out the pin attempt that followed.
KENTA began to strike Tanahashi before turning to the GTS. Tanahashi slipped free from the finish and landed a neck whip. Tanahashi connected with a sling blade before climbing for High Fly Flow.
Instead of trying for a pin on KENTA, Tanahashi locked in the cloverleaf submission in the middle of the ring. KENTA tapped out moments later.
This was a great outing from both men that played entirely to their strengths. KENTA was the perfect foe for the undeniable hero, Hiroshi Tanahashi. A fantastic way to close the show.
