Tag: g1 standings - Page 3

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

Posted on October 5, 2020 by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches —

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

Report —

Yuya Uemura defeated Gabriel Kidd (7:51)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Young Lions had to separate them post-match.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

Post-match, Ibushi cut a short promo.

**********

G1 Climax 30 Standings

A Block

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

B Block

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

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

Posted on September 30, 2020 by Parker Klyn

Recommended Matches:

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

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

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Yuya Uemura (7:53)

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

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

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

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

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

**********

El Desperado joined the commentary team.

**********

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

This was nice and compact action, but nothing special.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax 30 Standings

Block A

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

Block B

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

NJPW G1 Climax 30 night six results: Naito vs Goto

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Chick Fritts

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

Report —

Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura

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

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

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

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

Crisp work from both men but especially Uemura.

G1 Climax B Block: YOSHI-HASHI defeated SANADA

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

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

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax B Block: KENTA defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

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

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Juice Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax B Block: Toru Yano defeated EVIL

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

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

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

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

G1 Climax 30 B Block: Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

**********

G1 Climax 30 Standings —

A Block

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

B Block

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

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

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Ethan Renner

Recommended matches —

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

Report —

Yota Tsuji defeated Gabriel Kidd (9:15)

Excellent opener. Well worth checking out.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***** Intermission ****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naito hit Destino but Tana kicked out at two.

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

**********

Naito closed the show with a promo.

**********

G1 standings —

B Block

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

A Block

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

NJPW G1 Climax 29 night 13 results: Okada vs. SANADA

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Ethan Renner

The G1 Climax 29 continued today in Osaka with A Block action.

Here are the results and match recaps.

**********

JUICE ROBINSON & TOA HENARE DEFEATED REN NARITA & YOTA TSUJI

Henare worked most of the match for his team. He gave the Young Lions quite a bit of offense, but pinned Tsuji with a Toa Bottom.

TOMOHIRO ISHII, HIROOKI GOTO & YOSHI-HASHI DEFEATED TORU YANO, JEFF COBB & TOMOAKI HONMA

Not much to this one.

Goto and Cobb had a nice exchange after some early Yano comedy. Honma and YH paired off. After missing one kokeshi, Honma hit two in a row.

The match broke down, leaving YH and Honma the legal men, and YH used the Butterfly Lock to submit Honma.

TETSUYA NAITO, SHINGO TAKAGI & BUSHI DEFEATED MINORU SUZUKI, TAICHI & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU

Suzuki-gun turned this into a crowd brawl at the outset. BUSHI made a comeback against Suzuki, and Naito and Taichi got tags.

Taichi targeted Naito’s ear, which had been busted open the other night. Naito hit a flying forearm, and Kanemaru and Shingo tagged in.

Kanemaru hit a satelite DDT. Suzuki entered for the illegal double-team. Near the finish, Suzuki, Naito, BUSHI and Taichi brawled to the outside.

Shingo caught Kanemaru coming off the top rope, then hit a pop-up DVD, a Pumping Bomber, then used Made in Japan for the pin. The way they worked to the finish was excellent.

Naito and Shingo face off tomorrow. They shared the LIJ fist bump after the match, but then had a brief staredown.

JAY WHITE & CHASE OWENS DEFEATED JON MOXLEY & SHOTA UMINO

This was fun and told a good story. White was afraid of Moxley and did everything he could to avoid him.

Umino had Owens in a crab, and it looked as though Owens would tap, but White made the save. Moxley jumped in and chased White outside. Owens hit a dropkick through the ropes, taking out Moxley.

Back inside, Owens hit a knee strike, then tagged White. White hit the Blade Runner right away, and pinned Umino.

A BLOCK MATCH: BAD LUCK FALE DEFEATED KENTA (7:20)

Fale tried for a tree slam right off the bat, but KENTA avoided it. Fale took the referee, allowing Jado to hit a kendo stick shot on KENTA from the floor.

Fale sent KENTA into the barricade, then worked over his lower back with stomps. KENTA tried to fire up with slaps, but Fale countered with his own slap, and KENTA fell to the mat.

KENTA used a guillotine to clothesline Fale on the top roe, then targeted his legs with dropkicks. KENTA hit a series of boots in the corner, then hit a delayed dropkick.

KENTA hit a double stomp off the top. He covered, but only got a two count. KENTA teased the Go To Sleep, but he couldn’t get Fale up. Fale hit a lariat, then covered for a nearfall.

Fale went for the Grenade, but KENTA jumped up and slapped on a triangle choke. He transitioned to the Game Over submission, but Chase Owens jumped up from the commentary table to distract the ref.

With Owens distracting the referee, Jado entered and tried to hit KENTA with the kendo stick. KENTA caught the stick, but Fale used the distraction to schoolboy him for the pin.

KENTA worked well with Fale, which is no easy task. All of the interference was to be expected given how many bells and whistles you need to make a Fale match passable.

A BLOCK MATCH: ZACK SABRE JR. DEFEATED LANCE ARCHER (10:44)

The contrast in styles here made for a good story, and this felt like two guys trying to win an athletic contest. It had a real sports feel. Good stuff.

Sabre made Archer chase him at the outset, figuring that he would have an edge when it came to agility. Archer kipped up off a trip takedown, and Sabre was forced to think of another strategy.

Archer went for a twisting body press out of the corner, but missed. Sabre tried for a guillotine, but Archer threw him off. Sabre rolled outside. Archer teased a flip dive off the apron, but Sabre jumped to the apron, then used the ropes to slow Archer. He applied a guillotine, but Archer fought it off.

Archer tried for a pounce, but Sabre caught him in a guillotine in a nice misdirection spot. Archer reached the ropes, then tried his rope-walk. Sabre crotched Archer, then tried another guillotine. Archer pushed Sabre off, then hit a crossbody off the top for a nearfall.

Back on the mat, Sabre was able to get a triangle choke applied, then transitioned to an omoplata. Archer reached the ropes, forcing a break. Archer hit a powerbomb for a two count.

Archer went for the EBD Claw, but Sabre avoided it. Sabre went after Archer’s arms with kicks. Archer came back with a Boss Man Slam for a nearfall.

Archer hit a chokeslam. He had Sabre pinned, but he pulled him up at the count of two to do more damage. Archer went for Blackout, but Sabre slid out the back. Sabre applied a rear naked choke, then pulled Archer down into a crucifix for a pin.

A BLOCK MATCH: EVIL DEFEATED WILL OSPREAY (17:09)

At a certain point, you run out of superlatives for Ospreay matches. This was excellent, but probably not even in the top ten best Ospreay matches this year. EVIL was great here as well. He is a master of misdirection spots.

Ospreay came out on top in the opening sequence, sending EVIL to the outside. He teased a dive, but posed instead. EVIL tried to bait Ospreay with a chair, but Ospreay declined it, and allowed EVIL to get back inside.

EVIL missed a senton. Ospreay tried a standing shooting star, but EVIL got his knees up. EVIL sent Ospreay to the floor with a clothesline, then used a chair shot on the ramp to take control of the bout.

EVIL used a chinlock, then went for a vertical suplex. Ospreay twisted out of the suplex, turning it into a cutter. Ospreay hit a flying forearm, then connected with Pip Pip Cheerio for a nearfall.

Ospreay missed with a Robinson Special. EVIL hit a mid kick, then suplexed Ospreay into the buckle. Ospreay got a brief hope spot with a trip takedown in the corner, but EVIL cut him off with a corner clothesline.

EVIL teased a superplex, but Ospreay fought it off. EVIL tried to use the referee as the base for a Magic Killer, but Ospreay slipped out. Ospreay sent EVIL to the outside with a backflip kick, then hit a Sasuke Special.

Ospreay hit a coast-to-coast for a two count. Ospreay hit a tiger wall flip, but EVIL cut him off with a big lariat. They exchanged strikes on the mat. They climbed to their feet, still trading. EVIL dropped Ospreay to his knees with a big forearm.

EVIL went for Darkness Falls. After a series of reversals, he finally connected with the move for a nearfall. EVIL tried for Everything is EVIL, but Ospreay reversed it into a Liger Bomb for a great nearfall.

Ospreay hit a hook kick. He missed with a Hidden Blade, but followed up with another hook kick. EVIL survived the exchange, then hit a headbutt. EVIL hit the ropes, but ran right into a Spanish Fly. Ospreay hit an Oscutter, but EVIL kicked out at two.

Ospreay called for Storm Breaker. EVIL slid out. EVIL tried for a German, but Ospreay landed on his feet, then hit a Robinson Special.

Ospreay tried for a super Oscutter, but EVIL caught him, then hit two half-and-half suplexes. EVIL hit a lariat for a two count.

EVIL followed up with Everything is EVIL, and got the 1-2-3.

A BLOCK MATCH: KOTA IBUSHI DEFEATED HIROSHI TANAHASHI (15:54)

This was a great match, and felt like a career-defining moment for Ibushi.

They made the psychology of the match clear from the outset. Tana has bad knees, and wanted to keep Ibushi grounded.

So, after an early exchange of headlocks, Ibushi hit a dropkick. Tana had enough of that, and took Ibushi down. He worked over Ibushi’s legs with kicks and stomps.

Ibushi came back with a big mid kick, then hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Tana came back with a dropkick to the legs, then a dragon screw to the right leg. Tana hit a second dragon screw to the right leg, then applied a cloverleaf. Ibushi stayed in the hold for a long time, but finally reached the ropes.

Ibushi rolled to the apron. Tanahashi hit a rope-assisted dragon screw to Ibushi’s left leg. Tana went up top and teased a High Fly Flow to the floor, but Ibushi cut him off, then hit a rana off the top rope, back into the ring.

Ibushi avoided a low dropkick, and landed a double stomp. Ibushi lawn-darted Tana into the turnbuckle, and Tana rolled to the apron. Ibushi climbed the ropes, and hit a deadlift German for a two count.

Tana avoided a Last Ride, and hit a slap to the face. Ibushi no-sold it. They traded a series of slaps to the face and neither man sold any of them. Ibushi finally ended the sequence with a lariat, into a double down. Ibushi was bleeding from the mouth.

Ibushi hit a Last Ride, but only got a two count. Ibushi went for Kamigoye, but Tana reversed into Twist and Shout, which he hit three times. Tana hit slingblade for a nearfall.

Tanahashi went up top, and landed a standing High Fly Flow. He went for another with Ibushi down, but Ibushi rolled out of the way, and Tanahashi sold his right knee on the landing.

Ibushi hit a Bomaye, but Tanahashi kicked out.

Ibushi went for Kamigoye, but Tanahashi turned it into a cradle for a nearfall.

Ibushi hit a high kick, but Tana didn’t go down. Ibushi hit a second high kick, and Tana dropped to the mat.

Ibushi followed with a Kamigoye for the pin.

Ibushi was in tears after the match. Tanahashi pulled Ibushi in and shared some words with him. This was clearly very meaningful to Ibushi and a very cool moment.

I won’t call this a passing of the torch, because I think Tanahashi will be in the top mix as long as he can walk. That said, with Ibushi signed long-term, this certainly felt like he was permanently placed in the main event picture with this win.

A BLOCK MATCH: SANADA DEFEATED KAZUCHIKA OKADA (29:48)

This was superb. Almost as important as the wrestlers in the match, referee Red Shoes was incredible in his role. Without him selling the near-submissions towards the end, this would not have been nearly as dramatic.

They began with some very basic stuff, trading headlocks and leg sweeps. SANADA hit a dropkick, then scored with a back elbow. Okada came back with his own back elbow for a knockdown, a back elbow in the corner, then a DDT out of the corner for a nearfall.

SANADA avoided a top rope elbow, and Okada rolled through. SANADA went to the top rope, but Okada hit a dropkick, sending him to the floor. Okada sent SANADA into the barricade, then knocked him over the railing with a big boot.

Still outside, Okada hit a draping DDT off the barricade. They did a countout tease, but SANADA got back in at 15. With SANADA seated, Okada hit a dropkick. Okada covered with one boot, but Red Shoes refused to count. Okada flat out playing heel.

Okada hit an uppercut. He teased a dropkick, but SANADA hit a low dropkick to Okada’s legs. SANADA followed with his leapfrog dropkick. Okada rolled to the outside, and SANADA hit a pescado.

Back inside, SANADA used the paradise lock. He broke the hold with a dropkick to Okada, then covered for a two count. After a series of reversals in the corner, Okada hit a flapjack, into a double down.

Okada missed a dropkick, and SANADA hit one instead. SANADA hit a back suplex for a two count. SANADA teased a springboard dropkick, but Okada cut him off with an air raid crash. Okada hit a top rope elbow.

Okada hit his Rainmaker pose. SANADA reversed the Rainmaker into Skull End. Okada fought to the turnbuckle, stepped up, and flipped over into a tombstone. Okada went for a Rainmaker, but SANADA turned it into a draping neckbreaker, as they went to another double down.

They exchanged strikes from their knees. They climbed back to their feet, and Okada started to trash-talk. Okada demanded that SANADA hit him in the neck. SANADA obliged, and they continued to trade shots.

SANADA finally dropped Okada with a series of hard uppercuts. Okada came right back with two dropkicks. Okada teased a Rainmaker, but SANADA ducked under. SANADA tried for Skull End. Okada slipped to tombstone position, but SANADA pulled him back into Skull End. SANADA gave up the hold, then hit a tiger suplex for a nearfall.

SANADA hit a TKO for a two count. SANADA went for a moonsault. Okada got out of the way, and SANADA landed on his feet. SANADA hit a moonsault into Skull End, but Okada pulled out of the hold and hit a short Rainmaker.

Okada maintained control of SANADA’s wrist, and hit a second Rainmaker. Okada posed. He went for a spinning Rainmaker, but SANADA countered with his own Rainmaker.

SANADA used a spinning Skull End. He dropped to the mat, and used a bodyscissors, with Skull End still applied. Okada popped his head out of the hold, as SANADA kept the bodyscissors applied.

SANADA managed to get back to Skull End from the bodyscissors. Okada sat back into a pinning position for a nearfall.

SANADA pulled Okada back into Skull End. SANADA finally gave up the hold.

With two minutes left, SANADA went for a moonsault. Okada got his knees up, and we got another double down, this one with time running short.

SANADA went for Skull End, but Okada escaped, and hit a dropkick. Okada went for a Rainmaker, but SANADA turned it into a pop-up TKO.

SANADA hit two moonsaults, and finally got the pin.

G1 STANDINGS

A BLOCK

⦁ Kazuchika Okada 12

⦁ Kota Ibushi 10

⦁ Hiroshi Tanahashi 8

⦁ EVIL 8

⦁ KENTA 8 (eliminated)

⦁ SANADA 6 (eliminated)

⦁ Zack Sabre Jr. 6 (eliminated)

⦁ Lance Archer 4 (eliminated)

⦁ Will Ospreay 4 (eliminated)

⦁ Bad Luck Fale 4 (eliminated)

B BLOCK

⦁ Jon Moxley 10

⦁ Tomohiro Ishii 6

⦁ Juice Robinson 6

⦁ Toru Yano 6

⦁ Tetsuya Naito 6

⦁ Hirooki Goto 6

⦁ Jay White 6

⦁ Jeff Cobb 6

⦁ Taichi 4 (eliminated)

⦁ Shingo Takagi 4 (eliminated)

NJPW G1 Climax 29 night three results: Tanahashi vs. KENTA

Posted on July 14, 2019 by Ethan Renner

The G1 continued today in Ota, and the A Block continues to produce some early upsets.

Hiroshi Tanahashi, The Ace of New Japan, and Kota Ibushi, considered by many to be the A Block favorite, remain winless after Sunday’s action. Both will look to rebound on Thursday in Korakuen Hall.

B Block continues tomorrow in Hokkaido, with Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi, and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White in the headline matches.

Here are full results and match recaps from today’s show, as well as the current G1 standings.

**********

JUICE ROBINSON, TOA HENARE & YOTA TSUJI DEFEATED HIROOKI GOTO, TOMOAKI HONMA & YUYA UEMURA

Honma missed a kokeshi, which was an early momentum shifter. Juice and Goto had an intense faceoff ahead of their upcoming tournament bout. Both countered some signature spots, teasing them for the singles bout.

Henare and Uemura exchanged strikes, but Henare put an end to that with a big headbutt to the chest. That led to a Toa Bottom, and Henare picked up the pin. A solid opener.

JEFF COBB & REN NARITA DEFEATED JON MOXLEY & SHOTA UMINO

Narita started off hot, hitting a shotgun dropkick in the first move of the match. Cobb and Moxley got in, and Moxley flew around for Cobb. He twice slipped out of Tour of the Islands, while Cobb also avoided the Death Rider.

Umino got a tag, and hit a missile dropkick for a nearfall. Cobb made his own comeback, hit Tour of the Islands, and pinned Umino. Cobb and Moxley had a staredown after the match.

TOMOHIRO ISHII, TORU YANO & YOSHI-HASHI DEFEATED JAY WHITE, YUJIRO TAKAHASHI & CHASE OWENS

White teased starting off with Ishii, but he begged off. Yujiro and YH then tagged in. Yujiro used every heel trick in the books, including biting and hair pulls. YH tried for a dropkick off the roes, but Gedo grabbed his ankle, allowing Bullet Club to take over.

A brawl around ringside saw White send Ishii over the barricade. Back inside, Bullet Club took turns working over YH. YH hit a heel kick, then managed a tag to Ishii. Ishii no-sold White’s offense. White tried to bail to the outside, but Yano tossed him back in.

White avoided a brainbuster, and floated over for a DDT. They teased hitting finishers, but the sequence ended with White hitting a Saito suplex into a double down.

Owens and Yano tagged in. Yano untied a corner pad, but Owens grabbed it and used it as a weapon. Owens and Yujiro doubled up on Yano. Owens hit a running knee for a nearfall, but YH saved.

The match broke down, and Ishii nailed White with a powerslam. Owens swung the corner pad, but Yano ducked. Yano hit a low blow, and hit a schoolboy on Owens to earn the victory. White and Ishii should have an excellent match tomorrow.

MINORU SUZUKI, TAICHI & YOSHINOBU KANEMARU DEFEATED TETSUYA NAITO, SHINGO TAKAGI & BUSHI

Suzuki-gun quickly turned this into a brawl. Kanemaru hit Naito with a leg slice over the barricade, and Suzuki-gun went to work on Naito in their corner.

Taichi used a stretch plum on Naito, but BUSHI broke it up. Taichi took his trousers off. He went for a buzzsaw kick, but Naito cut him off with a neckbreaker. Kanemaru and Shingo tagged in and had an intense exchange. Kanemaru held his own, and blocked a pop-up DVD.

Suzuki tagged in and scored some offense on Shingo. He used a PK and a guillotine, but Shingo powered out with a vertical suplex. BUSHI made the save for Shingo, and LIJ went three-on-one against Suzuki.

While Shingo, Kanemaru, Taichi and Naito brawled to the floor, Suzuki slapped a rear naked choke on BUSHI. He transitioned to a Gotch-style piledriver, then covered for the pin.

After the bell, Taichi choked Naito with a camera cable on the floor. Those two will face off tomorrow.

A BLOCK MATCH: LANCE ARCHER DEFEATED BAD LUCK FALE (10:12)

They started off hot, as Archer hit Fale with a tackle, and they fell through the ropes to the floor. Archer sent Fale into the announce desk, and a monitor flew off the table. Jado used a kendo stick on Archer on the outside. Archer no-sold it, but the distraction gave Fale the chance to take over.

Archer is billed at 6 feet, 8 inches, but found himself working as a babyface in peril by default here, which was a sight to behold. Fale sent Archer flying into several rows of chairs. Archer made it back inside, where Fale continued working over his back.

Archer came back with a big strike, then tried his rope-walk spot. Jado nailed him with the kendo stick from the floor, and Archer ended up seated on the top rope. Fale hit a monstrous superplex for a nearfall.

Fale teased his own rope-walk, but Archer cut him off. Archer teased a Blackout off the second rope, but Fale escaped. Fale hit a Grenade for a nearfall.

Fale went for a Bad Luck Fall, but Archer fought it off. Archer fought off a Jado attack, then hit a pounce. Archer hit a chokeslam for a nearfall, then used the EBD Claw to pin Fale.

This was the best Fale match in forever, and Archer is on a real roll.

A BLOCK MATCH: WILL OSPREAY DEFEATED SANADA (17:06)

The opening sequence saw some mat wrestling, then both men kipped up into a pose. SANADA offered a handshake, then tried to catch Ospreay off-guard with a kick. Ospreay caught it, then teased applying a paradise lock. SANADA escaped and applied the hold himself, but Ospreay kipped up out of it.

Ospreay hit a dropkick. SANADA came back with a paradise lock, applied over the bottom rope. SANADA broke the hold with a dropkick to the floor. Back inside, SANADA went after Ospreay’s legs with a dropkick, then used a chinlock and strikes to target the neck.

Ospreay hit a backflip kick, a top rope 619, a standing double stomp, then landed a standing shooting star press for a nearfall. Ospreay hit a Sasuke Special to the floor, then hit Pip Pip Cheerio on the inside.

SANADA hit a leapfrog dropkick, then followed with a pescado. SANADA hit a back suplex for a nearfall. Ospreay hit a hook kick, avoided a TKO, then landed another hook kick. SANADA caught Ospreay off a backflip, then hit the TKO.

They traded strikes. Ospreay hit an enziguri, then teased a Spanish fly, but SANADA avoided it. Ospreay hit a Liger bomb for a nearfall, then used a shooting star press for another. Ospreay teased Storm Breaker, but SANADA blocked the first attempt.

Ospreay tried for Storm Breaker again, but SANADA reversed it into Skull End. SANADA went for the moonsault press, but Ospreay avoided it. SANADA landed on his feet, enabling Ospreay to hit a standing Spanish fly for a nearfall.

Ospreay hit the Robinson Special. SANADA blocked an Oscutter, and hit Skull End again. Ospreay slid out. SANADA tried for an Oscutter, but Ospreay avoided it. Ospreay hit an Oscutter, then followed with a Storm Breaker for the pin.

This was great. If they had gone five more minutes, this could have been an epic on the level of the best Ospreay matches this year.

A BLOCK MATCH: KAZUCHIKA OKADA DEFEATED ZACK SABRE JR. (12:00)

Sabre used a variety of holds to target Okada’s left arm. Okada did a great subtle sell of the arm after the opening volley. They traded neck holds, then high kick attempts. Okada hit a big boot. Sabre avoided a dropkick, then used a European clutch for an awesome early nearfall.

Sabre used another quick cradle for a two count. Getting people to buy nearfalls this early was really something. Sabre used a banana split, but Okada rolled to the ropes. Okada hit a back elbow in the corner, then a DDT.

Okada went to the top for an elbow, but Sabre avoided it, forcing Okada to change direction and land on his feet. Sabre blocked a DDT, then used a guillotine. Okada broke the hold with an air raid crash, then landed a top rope elbow.

Okada hit his Rainmaker pose. Sabre kicked the arm away, but Okada countered with a tombstone. Okada tried again for the Rainmaker, but Sabre turned it into an octopus hold. Okada reached the ropes, forcing a break.

Sabre was selling his neck after the tombstone. He stomped away at Okada’s Rainmaker arm. They traded standing strikes. Sabre went for a PK, but Okada caught it. Okada hit a pair of dropkicks.

Okada went for the Rainmaker, but Sabre turned it into a European clutch for a nearfall. Sabre used another cradle for a nearfall. Sabre blocked a tombstone, then applied an octopus variation. Okada spun out, and hit a Rainmaker. He followed with a second Rainmaker for the pin.

This was different than your typical long Okada match, but it was excellent. Okada worked a lot like Omega here in terms of how the match was laid out, and where and how he hit his signature offense.

A BLOCK MATCH: EVIL DEFEATED KOTA IBUSHI (19:12)

They came out firing, exchanging a flurry of strikes. Ibushi hit a massive mid kick, but EVIL quickly grounded Ibushi. EVIL went to work on Ibushi’s bad ankle. He used a leg lock, then stomped on it. The pace slowed, as EVIL continued working over the ankle.

Ibushi came back with mid kicks, then hit a standing moonsault for a two count. EVIL fought off a straightjacket German attempt, and landed a senton for a nearfall. Ibushi blocked Darkness Falls, hit a powerslam, then landed a moonsault for a two count.

Ibushi went to the top rope, but EVIL crotched him. EVIL hit a superplex, then used a lariat for a nearfall. EVIL flipped out of a German, then hit his own German. Ibushi no-sold it. They hit simultaneous clotheslines, and both collapsed to the mat.

They exchanged forearm blows. EVIL went for a Scorpion, but Ibushi rolled to the ropes. Ibushi hit a mid kick. EVIL sent Ibushi into the referee, who took a bump. EVIL hit a mid kick, but Ibushi came back with a high kick for a nearfall. The ref bump didn’t really play into anything.

Ibushi tried for a Kamigoye, but EVIL caught his legs, and applied the Scorpion Deathlock. Ibushi dragged himself to the ropes, forcing a break. EVIL missed a senton off the top rope, enabling Ibushi to hit a Bomaye to the back of the head. Ibushi hit a second Bomaye to the face, but only got a nearfall.

EVIL blocked a Kamigoye. Ibushi blocked Everything is EVIL. EVIL hit a lariat, and Ibushi took a flip bump. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a nearfall, then hit Everything is EVIL for the pin.

They struggled to get the crowd into the match early, but this built well.

A BLOCK MATCH: KENTA DEFEATED HIROSHI TANAHASHI (18:36)

They locked up. KENTA backed Tana into the ropes, then slapped him on the break. Tanahashi returned the favor on the ensuing break. Tana hit a series of strikes, then a senton. Tana played air guitar, but KENTA ended the taunt with a kick to the back of the head.

Tana pulled KENTA to the floor, then whipped him into the barricade. KENTA sent Tana into the barricade, then kicked him over the fence. KENTA hit a DDT on the floor, then sent Tana into the post.

KENTA drove his knee into Tana’s neck, then stomped on his head. KENTA used a knee lift for a two count, then used a headscissors on the mat. Tana came back with strikes, but KENTA cut him off with another knee lift. KENTA then used a PK for a nearfall.

Tana caught an attempted yakuza kick, and hit the first dragon screw of the match. Tana hit a flying forearm, then a somersault senton for a two count. KENTA hit a pair of big boots, then a mid kick. He blocked a slingblade attempt, then hit a powerslam.

KENTA hit a springboard dropkick, a yakuza kick, then a delayed dropkick in the corner. He hit a double stomp off the top, but only got a two count. Tana slipped out of a GTS, then hit a dragon screw. He followed with an inverted dragon screw on the mat.

Tana used a cloverleaf. After a struggle, KENTA turned the hold into a small package for a close nearfall. KENTA used a draping DDT, then hit a running knee in the ropes. Tana caught him coming in on another running knee attempt, and hit slingblade.

They exchanged strikes. KENTA blocked an open hand slap, then hit a discus lariat. Tana countered a GTS attempt into three Twist and Shouts. Tana hit a second slingblade for a nearfall.

Tana hit a High Fly Flow to a standing KENTA. He went for a second, but KENTA got his knees up. Tanahashi did an awesome sell on the landing.

KENTA got a sleeper hold applied. He tried for a PK, but Tana caught the leg. KENTA blocked a dragon screw, then hit the PK. KENTA hit the GTS — and got the pin. A very good main event.

KENTA offered a handshake after the match, but Tanahashi refused it.

KENTA cut a promo to close the show. He said he came to NJPW to win the G1. He told the fans to remember his face, and remember his name, KENTA.

G1 STANDINGS

A BLOCK

Kazuchika Okada 4
KENTA 4
Lance Archer 4
SANADA 2
Bad Luck Fale 2
EVIL 2
Will Ospreay 2
Kota Ibushi 0
Zack Sabre Jr. 0
Hiroshi Tanahashi 0

B BLOCK

Hirooki Goto 2
Tomohiro Ishii 2
Toru Yano 2
Jon Moxley 2
Juice Robinson 2
Shingo Takagi 0
Taichi 0
Tetsuya Naito 0
Jeff Cobb 0
Jay White 0