Two new champions were crowned tonight on the second day of Wrestle Kingdom 15.
Toru Yano will once again be the provisional KOPW champion. He defeated Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, and BUSHI to win the trophy, which was vacated at the start of the year. The finish came when Fale and Owens argued over who should pin BUSHI, who was laid out. They moved to chokeslam the referee. Yano came in, low blowed both, then pinned BUSHI to win the trophy.
Meanwhile, Hiromu Takahashi regained the IWGP Jr. title, defeating Taiji Ishimori to win the title for the fourth time, securing the win with a Time Bomb II. Ishimori had held the title for 129 days, defeating Takahashi at Summer Struggle in Jingu on August 29.
Kota Ibushi retained the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles on tonight’s show, defeating Jay White in a match that went 48 minutes. Ibushi won after a kamigoye to the back of the head, then another with his exposed knee to White’s face. SANADA, who defeated EVIL earlier in the show, came out to challenge Ibushi for the titles next. Ibushi accepted.
One night after defeating Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, Kota Ibushi defends those titles against “‘Switchblade” Jay White in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night two.
These two last met in singles competition in November 2020 at Power Struggle, where White illegally used the ropes for leverage to pin Ibushi and win the right to challenge for the top IWGP titles on tonight’s show.
In tonight’s semi-main event, Taiji Ishimori will defend the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship against Best of the Super Jrs. 27 winner Hiromu Takahashi. Hiromu earned his spot in this match by beating 2020 Super J-Cup winner El Phantasmo on last night’s show.
Former tag team partners SANADA and EVIL will face off in a special singles match, Shingo Takagi will defend the NEVER Openweight Championship against Jeff Cobb, while El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru will defend the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team titles against Ryusuke Taguchi and Master Wato.
In the main card opener, The provisional KOPW 2021 Champion will be decided in a four-way. Toru Yano, BUSHI, Chase Owens and Bad Luck Fale will square off for the title after being the final four in last night’s New Japan Ranbo.
Two Stardom matches will be held on the pre-show, but not broadcast on NJPW World. Mayu Iwatani and Tam Nakano will take on Giulia and Syuri, plus Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani & AZM will face Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi.
Our live coverage begins with the main card at 3 a.m. Eastern time.
Giulia & Syuri defeated Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano (12:49)
Giulia beat Nakano with a Glorious Driver.
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Provisional KOPW 2021 Championship match: Toru Yano defeated Bad Luck Fale, BUSHI & Chase Owens to win the title (7:24)
This featured a lot of comedy and a little bit of good wrestling. There were the usual Yano shenanigans, and those will continue in the new year with his victory here.
Yano and BUSHI teased not getting in the ring at the opening bell. Fale and Owens did a finger poke of doom. Fale covered Owens, but Yano and BUSHI jumped in to break up the pin.
Yano exposed a buckle and BUSHI missed a charge into the exposed steel. Owens used the turnbuckle pad as a weapon on Yano. BUSHI teased a tope to Owens, but Fale pulled him to the floor. Fale and Owens doubled up on Yano. BUSHI saved Yano from an Owens pin.
BUSHI hit a bulldog/dropkick combo on Owens and Fale, then hit a tope suicida on Owens. Fale took out BUSHI with a shoulder tackle. Yano tried to slam Fale. Fale collapsed on Yano and covered for a two count.
BUSHI and Owens had a nice exchange. BUSHI hit a rewind kick and a backstabber. Owens blocked an MX. BUSHI blocked a package piledriver attempt. Fale and Owens hit the Grenade Launcher on BUSHI. Owens covered, but Fale kicked him to break up the pin.
Fale and Owens argued over who should get to pin BUSHI. They decided to try a chokeslam on the referee. Yano used that opportunity to hit a double low blow on Fale and Owens.
Yano then covered BUSHI for the pin.
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato (w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan) to retain the titles (13:20)
This was a solid undercard tag, but these guys weren’t out there to steal the show.
Wato fired off an immediate shotgun dropkick to Desperado. He then knocked Kanemaru off the apron with a running boot. Wato sent Desperado rolling to the floor after a series of strikes. Wato then hit a tornillo.
Taguchi tagged in and tried some comedy with Desperado. Taguchi got sent outside and whipped into the barricade. Desperado took the referee. Kanemaru brought a chair into the ring and drove Taguchi’s left leg into it.
Desperado and Kanemaru used quick tags and continued attacking the left leg of Taguchi. Taguchi missed one hip attack, but hit a second and tagged out. Wato hit a springboard uppercut to Kanemaru. Kanemaru used the ref as a human shield three times, then hit an enzuigiri. Desperado tagged in and ate a mid kick from Wato.
Desperado blocked a Taguchi hip attack. Taguchi hit a series of strikes with his butt, then hit a hip attack. Taguchi hit three amigos for a near fall. Desperado came back with a Numero Dos. Wato jumped in to break up the submission attempt.
Desperado went for Pinche Loco. Taguchi blocked and got an ankle lock applied. Taguchi threw Desperado into the ropes. Wato kind of hit a sloppy 619. Taguchi hit Dodon. Kanemaru broke up the ensuing pin attempt.
Taguchi tried another Dodon. Desperado rolled through for a cradle and a near fall. Wato was late on the save.
Kanemaru jumped in with a whiskey bottle. Taguchi threw Desperado into Kanemaru. The ref was distracted by the Kanemaru interference. Desperado then hit a closed fist strike.
Desperado then hit Pinche Loco and pinned Taguchi to retain.
NEVER Openweight Championship match: Shingo Takagi defeated Jeff Cobb to retain the title (21:11)
This was an awesome match. This was Cobb’s best NJPW match to date.
A striking battle kicked things off. After the strikes resulted in a stalemate, both tried a series of tackles. Shingo used a misdirection spot to send Cobb into the buckle, then hit a hip toss. Shingo then scored with a tackle for a one count.
Cobb came back with a dropkick, then hit a belly-to-belly on the floor. Back inside, Cobb tried working a side headlock. Shingo used the ropes to aid him in hitting a back suplex.
They fought on the apron. Shingo teased a DVD on the apron. Cobb blocked and teased a razor’s edge off the apron to the floor. Shingo escaped and hit a tope con giro. Back in the ring, Shingo hit a DDT and an elbow drop for a near fall.
Cobb fought out of a noshigami attempt and hit a spin cycle. Cobb hit a leaping uppercut forearm and two gutwrench suplexes. Shingo escaped a third suplex attempt with a headscissors takeover. Cobb hit a black tiger bomb for a great near fall.
Cobb set up for Tour of the Islands. Shingo blocked and hit a death valley driver. Shingo hit a corner lariat and a superplex. He followed with a wheelbarrow suplex. They traded strikes and suplexes. Shingo rolled to the floor for a countout tease, but made it back in at 19.
Cobb hit a gonzo bomb for a near fall. Shingo hit a dragon screw and Made in Japan for a two count.
They traded strikes. Cobb hit a German and a Tour of the Islands, but Cobb sold his knee giving out on the landing. Shingo got hit foot on the ropes as Cobb made a late cover. Cobb then hooked both legs but only got a two count.
Cobb teased a Tour of the Islands off the top rope. Shingo slid out and hit a powerbomb. Shingo tried a pumping bomber. Cobb blocked and hit a lariat. Cobb hit a moonsault powerslam. Shingo hit a pumping bomber but Cobb didn’t go down. Shingo hit two more lariats, a headbutt, a jab and another headbutt, but Cobb refused to go down. Shingo hit a belly-to-belly throw into a double down.
Shingo was first up and hit a pumping bomber. He followed with Last of the Dragon and scored the pin.
***** Intermission *****
SANADA defeated EVIL (w/Dick Togo) (23:40)
If you can set aside the usual Bullet Club hijinks and ref bumps, this was very good. They worked it like a true grudge match.
EVIL hit a kick to the knee and tried to bait SANADA into following him outside. SANADA refused. They did a quick series of finisher teases as EVIL went for Everything is EVIL, SANADA teased a Skull End, then SANADA teased Everything is EVIL. SANADA got a paradise lock applied and broke it with a dropkick.
SANADA teased a tope. EVIL side-stepped. SANADA tried a moonsault off the apron to the floor, but EVIL stepped away from that as well. EVIL whipped SANADA into the barricade, wiping out ring announcer Abe on the other side. EVIL and Togo set up a table to use later.
EVIL put a chair around SANADA’s neck and hit a baseball swing with a second chair. Back in, EVIL used a cocky cover for a one count. Togo exposed a turnbuckle and EVIL sent SANADA into it. They went back outside and EVIL again sent SANADA into the barricade. Abe took another bump.
Togo used a chair on SANADA while the ref was on the outside tending to Abe. EVIL covered for a couple of two counts. SANADA came back with a low dropkick and a TKO attempt. EVIL slid out. The camera missed a move while Togo was fiddling with a table on the floor and EVIL regained control of the match.
They fought on the apron. EVIL teased Darkness Falls off the apron through the table. SANADA blocked and teased a TKO through the table. EVIL escaped. They fought back into the ring. EVIL tried a ref-assisted Magic Killer. SANADA blocked and hit a magic screw.
SANADA hit a Tiger suplex for a near fall. SANADA used a spinning Skull End. EVIL tried Everything is EVIL. SANADA blocked and went back to Skull End. EVIL rammed SANADA into the exposed buckle to break the hold.
EVIL hit a superplex, then applied the Darkness Scorpion. SANADA reached the bottom rope to force a break. EVIL hit Darkness Falls for a near fall at the 15 minute call.
SANADA blocked Everything is EVIL. EVIL took a sternum-first shot into the exposed buckle. SANADA hit a back suplex and a TKO for a two count.
SANADA hit a backbreaker and went for a moonsault. EVIL rolled away and SANADA landed on his feet. EVIL threw SANADA into the ref, who took a bump.
Togo jumped in and hit SANADA with a series of strikes. EVIL and Togo hit corner clotheslines and a Magic Killer, EVIL and SANADA’s former tag team finisher. Togo teased a senton bomb. SANADA shoved EVIL into the ropes and crotched Togo, who fell to the floor.
SANADA used a cradle for a near fall, then hit the rounding body press to set up Skull End. SANADA grounded EVIL with Skull End and applied the body scissors with the hold.
SANADA gave up the hold and hit a moonsault to the back. SANADA tried a second moonsault. EVIL got his knees up to block at the 20 minute call.
Togo jumped up to the apron and choked SANADA with his cord. SANADA escpaed and shoved EVIL into Togo. Togo took a bump off the apron through the table.
SANADA used an O’Connor roll for a near fall. EVIL answered with a huge lariat for his own near fall.
SANADA blocked Everything is EVIL and blocked a low blow. SANADA hit Everything is EVIL.
SANADA then hit a pop-up TKO and a moonsault for the pin.
IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship match: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Taiji Ishimori to win the title (25:31)
This really would have benefitted from having a crowd that could make noise. They were out there killing themselves, working a crazy pace for 25-plus minutes to almost absolute silence. The match was great, but a victim of the pandemic era in that this won’t reach that iconic match status.
They came out going a million miles an hour. They teased some moves on the apron. Hiromu went for a sunset bomb. Ishimori landed on his feet on the sunset attempt, but Hiromu hit a pop-up apron bomb.
Hiromu teased a running shotgun dropkick on the long entrance ramp. Ishimori caught him with what was supposed to be a powerbomb on the ramp, but the timing got messed up and the move didn’t look good.
Ishimori exposed a buckle, then hit a golden triangle moonsault off the post. Ishimori sent Hiromu into the exposed buckle. Hiromu came back with some palm strikes to the chest, a flying headscissors, a shotgun dropkick and a falcon arrow for a near fall.
Ishimori hit a sliding German, then a springboard 450 onto Hiromu’s left arm. Ishimori used the Yes Lock. Hiromu reached the ropes for a break. Hiromu hit a release German into the corner pad, then hit a running DVD.
Ishimori escaped a Time Bomb attempt and hit a jumping knee strike. Hiromu hit a German. Ishimori hit a destroyer into a double down. They traded forearm strikes. Hiromu finally dropped Ishimori with a big forearm strike. Ishimori fired up and dropped Hiromu with a forearm.
Ishimori hit a series of hard forearm strikes, unanswered. Ishimori continued with the hard shots at the 15 minute call. They teased a ref stoppage as Ishimori continued hammering away with hard strikes for several minutes.
Ishimori sent Hiromu’s left shoulder into the post, then hit a shoulder breaker. Ishimori used La Mistica to set up the Yes Lock. Ishimori applied the hold in the center of the ring. Hiromu fought his way to the ropes for a break.
Ishimori hit a cipher utaki for a near fall. Hiromu blocked a Bloody Cross attempt and hit victory royal into a double down.
Hiromu hit a lariat, then followed with a DVD into the exposed turnbuckle. Hiromu hit Time Bomb, but Ishimori kicked out. Ishimori blocked Time Bomb II and used the Bone Lock. Ishimori rolled through and tried a Bloody Cross. Hiromu blocked and hit another victory royal at the 25 minute call.
Hiromu then connected with Time Bomb II and pinned Ishimori to win the title.
IWGP Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Intercontinental Championship match: Kota Ibushi defeated Jay White (w/Gedo) to retain the titles (48:05)
This was an epic and an all-time classic.
Ibushi is one of the very best ever. White should enter the conversation surrounding the best of his generation after this performance. This was the match of his life. This will sound blasphemous, but White is a modern Ric Flair. His moves won’t blow you away, but in-ring he is the perfect heel pro wrestler.
White started out with his customary stalling. He then agreed to lock up. He backed Ibushi into the ropes and feigned a clean break, but Gedo tripped Ibushi and White pounced. White hit a series of stomps.
Back in the center of the ring, White used a headlock to keep Ibushi grounded. Ibushi kipped up off a shoulder tackle, then missed with a wild kick. After some misdirection from White, Ibushi hit a flying mid kick.
They rolled to the floor. Gedo tried to get involved. Ibushi hit him with an elbow to the ribs. As they climbed back inside, White hit a DDT to regain the upper hand. White threw Ibushi outside, then hit a back suplex onto the apron.
White continued to target Ibushi’s core and continued to use the ring frame as a weapon. He drove Ibushi’s ribs into the apron. White continued methodically working over the abdomen and lower back. Ibushi tried to fire off a dropkick, but White avoided it.
White hit a DDT. White spent some time jawing with Red Shoes in the corner. Ibushi used that opening to hit an overhead kick. He followed with two mid kicks and a standing moonsault for a near fall, his first significant offensive sequence of the match.
Ibushi sent White outside. White rammed Ibushi into the edge of the ring and into the barricade. On the way back in, White hit a dragon screw in the ropes. Ibushi tried to fire off a springboard attack, but White shoved him off the ropes to the floor.
Ibushi climbed back inside and ate an underhook suplex into the turnbuckle pad. White covered for a near fall. Gedo called for the Kiwi Krusher. Ibushi blocked and hit a snap German. They exchanged forearm strikes.
Ibushi strung together a combination of strikes at the 20 minute call. They traded cradles for quick near falls. Ibushi rolled through on a cradle and hit a bastard driver for a two count.
Ibushi missed a Bomaye and went knee-first into the turnbuckle. White hit a half-and-half suplex and a uranage for a near fall. White hit the Kiwi Krusher for a two count.
White called for the Blade Runner. Ibushi countered into a back suplex. Ibushi hit the Bomaye for a two count. White tried a pin with his feet on the ropes in the way that won him the match at Power Struggle, but Red Shoes caught his feet on the ropes and stopped the count.
They fought to the top rope at the 25 minute call. White teased a sleeper suplex off the top. Ibushi elbowed out and White dropped to the mat. Gedo grabbed Ibushi and bought White some time. White hit a chop block and two dragon screws to the right leg.
White used the TTO submission. Ibushi grabbed the bottom rope and forced a break. White hit some short kicks to the face. Ibushi no-sold them and went into his no-selling trance. Ibushi no-sold a series of strikes, then dropped White with a palm strike.
White crawled to the corner. Ibushi hit more strikes with White in the ropes. Ibushi stood in the middle and demanded that White strike him. White obliged. Ibushi no-sold and dropped him with one strike. They repeated that again. They traded forearms. White rolled to the floor after one shot from Ibushi.
Back inside, Ibushi offered up his neck. White laid on his back and begged Ibushi to cover him. Ibushi refused and hit a series of strikes. Red Shoes tried to pull Ibushi off. Ibushi shoved Red Shoes down. White then hit a low blow.
They rolled to the floor. White sent Ibushi into the barricade and the ring again and again. White posted Ibushi. White dragged Ibushi to the ramp and hammered away with forearms. White went back to the ring and Ibushi followed, staggering.
White hit a complete shot at the 35 minute call. White hit a pair of deadlift German suplexes. They fought on the apron. White teased a German on the apron. Ibushi blocked and hit a high kick. Ibushi hit a German off the second rope back into the ring.
Ibushi hit a last ride for a super close near fall. Ibushi called for Kamigoye. White blocked and dumped Ibushi on his head with a sleeper suplex. White hit another sleeper suplex. White hit a Regal suplex for a near fall at the 40 minute call.
White called for the Blade Runner. Ibushi used a backslide to set up Kamigoye. Ibushi connected, but White kicked out at two.
Ibushi hit a phoenix splash. Red Shoes counted 1, 2 — but Gedo pulled Red Shoes out of the ring. Gedo jumped in with brass knuckles. Ibushi blocked the shot and hit a Kamigoye on Gedo.
Ibushi revived the ref. Ibushi slowly walked towards White. White popped up and hit a Blade Runner. Ibushi kicked out at the last possible instant.
White tried for another sleeper suplex. Ibushi elbowed out. Ibushi tried to set up a German. White rolled through and applied the TTO. Ibushi tried to fight his way to the ropes. White pulled him back to the middle of the ring. Ibushi teased tapping out, but finally crawled to the ropes at the 45 minute call.
White tried a Blade Buster. Ibushi escaped and hit a v-trigger. White hit another Regal suplex for a near fall. White hit a bloody sunday DDT. Ibushi popped up and hit another v-trigger.
Ibushi grabbed the wrists. They traded kicks. Ibushi hit another v-trigger. Ibushi tried a Kamigoye. White reversed into a Blade Runner attempt. Ibushi escaped and hit a high kick.
Ibushi hit a Kamigoye to the back of the head, then hit a standard Kamigoye. Ibushi covered for the 1-2-3.
**********
White was great in the post-match, clawing for the titles, clawing for Ibushi while Young Lions pulled him out of the ring.
SANADA came to the ring and challenged Ibushi for a future match. Ibushi accepted.
Ibushi cut a short promo as SANADA left. Ibushi said he has done it, he has become God.
Ibushi posed on the turnbuckles with his title belts. He walked around ringside and bowed to Jushin Liger.
Ibushi took his time as he walked up the ramp. He then posed on the stage, holding his belts aloft as fireworks shot off.
This felt like a huge deal. This is how it’s done.
For the first time in his career, Kota Ibushi is IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night one to win both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental titles. With that, the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 15 night two is now official. Ibushi will defend both titles against Jay White.
After the night one main event, Naito took both title belts from the referee before presenting them to Ibushi. White then confronted Ibushi. White cut a promo telling Ibushi to enjoy this moment — because it’s only going to last for one night. White said that every time Ibushi is about to reach the heights he’s aiming for, White will be there to pull him back down.
Ibushi then cut a promo to close the show. Ibushi vowed that his title reign won’t end after one night. He thanked Naito for their match, the fans for being there in these difficult times, and said White is finished.
Ibushi won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship one year after coming up short at Wrestle Kingdom 14. Ibushi unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night one. Naito then defeated Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night two to become a double champion.
Ibushi lost to White at Wrestle Kingdom 14 night two. Ibushi won the 2020 G1 Climax, but White later defeated him for the Wrestle Kingdom 15 double title shot contract.
Prior to losing to Ibushi, Naito had been double champion since regaining the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles from EVIL at August’s Summer Struggle in Jingu.
Wrestle Kingdom 15 will begin at 3 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, January 5. Here’s the full card for the show:
IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Kota Ibushi defends both titles against Jay White
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori defends against Hiromu Takahashi
SANADA vs. EVIL
NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi defends against Jeff Cobb
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defend against Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato
KOPW 2021 four-way match: Chase Owens vs. Bad Luck Fale vs. BUSHI vs. Toru Yano
Stardom dark match: Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano vs. Giulia & Syuri
Stardom dark match: Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani & AZM vs. Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi
NJPW’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom, begins tonight in the Tokyo Dome.
In the main event, IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito will defend both titles against Kota Ibushi, the G1 Climax 30 winner. Ibushi lost the right to challenge for the titles when Jay White beat him for the G1 briefcase at Power Struggle in November 2020.
Naito later held a press conference where he threatened to boycott the event unless he was given a chance to defend against Ibushi and the match was later sanctioned.
The winner will go on to defend both titles against Jay White in tomorrow’s main event of night two.
In the semi-main, Kazuchika Okada will face Will Ospreay. This match was set up when Ospreay beat Okada on the final night of A Block action in the G1 in October 2020. Ospreay turned against his stablemate Okada, siding with Bea Priestley, Great-O-Khan and later Jeff Cobb to form the new Empire faction.
Speaking of O-Khan, he gets his toughest test since returning from excursion when he face Hiroshi Tanahashi tonight.
KENTA will defend his right to challenge certificate for the IWGP United States Championship against Satoshi Kojima, while Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr. will defend the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles against 2020 World Tag League winners Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa.
In the first match on the main card, Best of the Super Jrs. 27 winner Hiromu Takahashi will face 2020 Super J-Cup winner El Phantasmo. The winner of that bout will go on to face Taiji Ishimori tomorrow for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title.
The pre-show match is the New Japan Ranbo, a 22-man elimination match with timed entrances. Eliminations can take place via pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope. The final four competitors will go on to face off in a four-way on tomorrow’s show for the provisional KOPW 2021 title.
Our live coverage begins with the pre-show at 2 a.m. Eastern time.
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New Japan Ranbo: Chase Owens, BUSHI, Bad Luck Fale & Toru Yano were the final four and advance to tomorrow’s KOPW 2021 match (34:40)
This was an enjoyable battle royal. It did go a little long for my taste.
The production team did well with getting shots of entrances and eliminations up until the very end when guys started getting thrown out left and right.
This was advertised as a 22-man match on NJPW’s site, yet there were only 21 entrants.
Nagata and Suzuki battler to the apron. Henare clotheslined them off for the first eliminations. Nagata and Suzuki continued fighting on their way to the back.
Ishii threw Henare out over the top rope. Makabe eliminated Goto and YH with a double clothesline over the top rope. Honma and Tenzan teamed up to eliminate Makabe.
DOUKI was disqualified for using his steel pipe as a weapon on Romero.
BUSHI low-bridged Yujiro out of the ring. Ishii and Owens fought on the apron. Fale knocked Ishii off the apron for an elimination. Fale then threw out Tenzan, Romero, SHO and Tiger Mask in short order.
The Young Lions teamed up to try to take out Fale. Instead, Fale threw out Kidd, Uemura and Tsuji.
Yano was the final entry and never made it into the ring, as only three competitors remained.
I would ask those who were critical of this, what is the ratio of good to bad battle royals you have seen in your life? There aren’t a lot of good ones.
Order of entry —
Chase Owens
Tomohiro Ishii
Minoru Suzuki
Yuji Nagata
Toa Henare
Hirooki Goto
Yujiro Takahashi
YOSHI-HASHI
Togi Makabe
Tomoaki Honma
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Rocky Romero
DOUKI
SHO
BUSHI
Tiger Mask
Bad Luck Fale
Gabriel Kidd
Yuya Uemura
Yota Tsuji
Toru Yano
Order of elimination —
Yuji Nagata
Minoru Suzuki
Toa Henare
Hirooki Goto
YOSHI-HASHI
Togi Makabe
DOUKI
Yujiro Takahashi
Tomohiro Ishii
Tomoaki Honma
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Rocky Romero
SHO
Tiger Mask
Gabriel Kidd
Yuya Uemura
Yota Tsuji
**********
Don Kinashi opened the main show as the special guest ring announcer. He introduced Riki Choshu, who walked to the ring with his grandson in his arms.
The show began with a Don King impersonator, Riki Choshu and a baby in a tuxedo, as is tradition.
They declared the show had started.
Next, we had a video package highlighting tonight’s matches and the safety precautions being taken.
**********
Hiromu Takahashi defeated El Phantasmo to remain number one contender for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship (17:46)
Every move you can imagine was on display in this good back-and-forth battle. We also had the customary Bullet Club ref bump here in the opener.
ELP rolled outside at the opening bell. He grabbed Hiromu’s BOSJ trophy and threw it. He then grabbed his own Super J-Cup jacket and demanded that Jushin Liger put it on him. While he was taunting, Hiromu landed a shotgun dropkick off the apron, sending ELP crashing through a gate and off the raised platform around ringside.
Hiromu hit a seated senton off the top rope to the floor. He went for a sunset bomb, but ELP escaped and hit his own sunset bomb. ELP followed up with a beautiful Asai moonsault off the ropes to the ramp.
ELP teased a terminator dive. Hiromu landed a shotgun dropkick in the ring. ELP answered by stomping away at various limbs. ELP walked the top rope. Hiromu responded by biting his hand and hitting a cradle driver off the top rope for a near fall.
ELP did a finger break spot. He teased a Styles Clash. Instead, Hiromu blocked and hit a Dynamite Plunger for a two count. They traded thrust kicks. Hiromu hit a victory royal for a two count, but still sold the damage from the finger break spot and ELP stomping on his hand.
ELP used a victory roll for a near fall. Hiromu hit a thrust kick. ELP teased an airplane spin neckbreaker. Hiromu blocked that, but fell victim to a bastard driver for a two count.
They fought on the top rope. ELP bumped the referee, then hit two low blows to Hiromu. ELP hit a super rana off the top, then hit a frog splash for a two count.
ELP tried CRII. Hiromu blocked and sat down for a two count. ELP then hit a Styles Clash for another near fall. He then hit a v-trigger and teased a One-Winged Angel. Hiromu escaped and hit a DVD into the buckle.
ELP countered out of Time Bomb and used a bridge with his feet on the ropes for a close near fall.
ELP went for CRII. Hiromu blocked and hit a hurricanrana, then trapped ELP’s legs for the pinfall.
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (w/Jado) defeated Taichi & Zack Sabre Jr. (w/DOUKI) to win the titles (19:18)
This was very long, but very good. Dangerous Tekkers sort of played babyfaceto make the match work rather than doing a deal where two heel teams tried to out-cheat each other.
The teams and their respective seconds began brawling before the opening bell. Taichi and Sabre established the early upper hand, trading quick tags and using various chokeholds on Tama.
Jado provided a distraction from the outside and allowed Tama to tag out. Jado used a kendo stick on DOUKI on the floor. Tanga went to work on Taichi and GOD cut him off in their corner. Taichi as babyface in peril is something to see.
Taichi hit a jumping high kick in the corner and tagged Sabre. Sabre has a heck of a babyface hot tag. He used a European clutch on Tama for a near fall. Sabre used an octopus on Tama. Tanga saved with an attack from behind. Sabre was then cut off and worked over.
Sabre tried to use a guillotine on Tanga. Instead, Tanga broke the hold with a powerbomb. GOD hit Sabre with Guerrilla Warfare, but did not attempt a cover. Jado called for the super powerbomb. Tama set it up with a Stinger splash in the corner. Sabre used a guillotine on Tanga on the top rope. Taichi used a stretch plum on Tama.
Sabre and Taichi hit a stacked-up superplex on Tanga for a near fall. Taichi then got a hot tag. All four guys jumped in as the match broke down. Tama hit a Gun Stun on Sabre. Taichi blocked a Gun Stun and hit a backdrop suplex on Tanga for a two count. Taichi took his trousers off.
Tama jumped in with Taichi’s iron glove. He used it on Taichi. GOD then hit Apeshit and pinned Taichi to win the titles.
GOD did a big celebration on top the dugout in the stadium.
**********
A Jon Moxley video promo aired.
Moxley said everyone who’s fought for the right to challenge him probably thought they’d get off easy, but they’re wrong. Mox said he’s the boogeyman of NJPW and whoever wins the contract tonight, he’s coming for them.
**********
IWGP United States Championship right to challenge certificate match: KENTA defeated Satoshi Kojima (w/Hiroyoshi Tenzan) to retain the briefcase (14:12)
This was kept simple, with just a few big moves and lots of selling between the big spots. The match worked because of Kojima’s selling.
KENTA tried some of his customary stalling at the outset. He got distracted by Tenzan at ringside and Kojima was able to use the distraction to get some early offense.
KENTA used Kojima as a weapon on the outside, shoving him into Tenzan. KENTA then hit a DDT on the floor. Back in, KENTA hit a top rope clothesline for two.
Kojima came back with some Mongolian chops and machine gun chops. KENTA went for his draping DDT. Kojima blocked and they fought on the apron. KENTA teased a vertical suplex on the apron. Kojima blocked and hit a DDT on the apron.
Kojima hit a Koji Cutter for a near fall. Kojima teased a lariat. KENTA blocked and hit a powerslam. KENTA went outside and grabbed his briefcase. He bumped the ref and tried a briefcase shot. Kojima hit a lariat on the case and knocked it away. KENTA blocked one lariat. Kojima hit a left arm lariat for a near fall.
KENTA ducked another lariat attempt and hit a busaiku knee. They traded strikes. KENTA hit another busaiku knee for another near fall.
KENTA then followed with the Go 2 Sleep for the pin.
**********
There was a commercial for NJPW Strong Spirits, a mobile game coming in 2021. A promo also aired teasing the NJPW U.S. and U.K. television deal. The English announcers made reference to the color purple being significant to theTV deal.
*****Intermission*****
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Great-O-Khan (17:13)
This picked up when Tanahashi made his comeback. Tana is one of the best sellers of all time. But when he’s selling O-Khan’s goofy offense, it takes you out of the match. O-Khan has some building blocks that can be useful, but he needs to make his strikes look better.
They started with some mat work. They established that O-Khan can hold his own on the mat. O-Khan tried to throw Tana over the top rope. Tana tried to skin the cat back in and O-Khan chopped his hands.
O-Khan posted Tanahashi and hit a slam on the ramp. They did a countout tease, but Tana made it back in. O-Khan hit some of his wacky Mongolian chops. He used a kneebar, but Tana reached the ropes.
O-Khan tried a kick. Tana blocked and teased a dragon screw. O-Khan slid out and went for another kick. Tana then hit a dragon screw. Tana hit a series of flying forearms, but sold damage to his knees from landing on them on the forearms.
Tana hit a slam and a somersault senton for a near fall. O-Khan blocked a slingblade and drove Tana into the mat with a unique throw. O-Khan hit some more Mongolian chops. O-Khan used a kneebar. Tana forced a break.
O-Khan hit an overhead throw, teasing dumping Tana to the floor. Tana skinned the cat this time, then hit twist and shout and a slingblade for a near fall.
Tanahashi went up top, teasing a High Fly Flow. O-Khan cut him off and used the claw grip to pull Tana to the center of the ring. O-Khan used a cobra twist with the claw grip to the face still applied. O-Khan hit an inside-out back suplex for a near fall.
O-Khan hit an inverted suplex for a two count, then grabbed a chair. O-Khan called for a Dominator on the chair. Tana slid out and hit another twist and shout. Tana teased using the chair, but tossed it outside. Tana then hit a dragon suplex for a near fall.
Tana went up top and hit a High Fly Flow to the back. He flipped O-Khan over, then hit a second High Fly Flow. Tanahashi covered for the pin.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Will Ospreay (w/Bea Priestley) (35:41)
This was excellent, as you might expect from two of the best to ever do it. A very brutal match with a lot of hard strikes. I need to watch this again, but the time flew by on first viewing.
After locking up, Okada did his customary clean break on the ropes. Ospreay didn’t take kindly to being little brothered like that and fired off a strike. They traded a series of strikes. Okada hit a running back elbow and a DDT.
Okada hit a rope-assisted tope con giro. Priestley started jawing at Okada as he climbed back inside. Ospreay used the distraction to hit a dropkick, sending Okada crashing to the floor.
Ospreay and Priestley tore up some of the padding on the ring platform, exposing the wood. Ospreay teased a piledriver on the wood. Okada teased a DDT. Ospreay had to settle for a neckbreaker on a padded section of the platform.
Red Shoes refused to count the pin as Ospreay threw Okada back in after the tactics on the outside. Ospreay hit a back suplex for a near fall. Ospreay used a chinlock and remained in control.
Okada hit a backdrop at the ten minute call to turn the tide. Okada hit some bump-and-feed strikes, then a flapjack for a two count. Okada teased his air raid crash neckbreaker. Ospreay blocked. Okada hit a big boot, then hit the air raid crash for a two count.
Ospreay came back with a pip pip cheerio. Ospreay hit a strike on the belt line, then hit a German into a bridge for a near fall. Ospreay went for a Storm Breaker. Okada hit a backdrop out, then hit heavy rain.
The two traded strikes. Ospreay sat on the top rope. Okada hit a dropkick and Ospreay fell to the floor. Okada sent Ospreay into the barricade. Ospreay blocked a running boot. Okada avoided an Oscutter off the barricade and hit a Woo dropkick on the floor.
Back inside, Okada hit a picture-perfect shotgun dropkick off the top rope. Ospreay fought off a tombstone attempt and hit a cheeky nando’s kick. Ospreay hit a reverse bloody sunday DDT for a near fall.
Ospreay hit a hook kick. Okada hit a dropkick. A crazy sequence followed. Ospreay countered a dropkick attempt with a running powerbomb for a near fall at the 20 minute call. The fight spilled back to the exposed platform on the outside.
Ospreay teased a suplex on the timekeeper’s table. Okada teased a tombstone on the exposed platform. Ospreay suplexed Okada over the barricade and through two timekeeper’s tables. Both guys were down on the floor on the other side of the barricade.
Ospreay dragged Okada back to the ring. Ospreay hit a springboard forearm strike off the top rope to the back of the head for a near fall. Ospreay hit a running powerbomb for another two count. Ospreay teased a Storm Breaker off the apron to the exposed floor, but Okada blocked.
Ospreay teased an Oscutter off the post to the apron. Okada blocked and hit a tombstone on the apron at the 25 minute call.
Okada jumped back in the ring. Ospreay beat the count in at 18, but ran right into a short Rainmaker. Ospreay ducked another Rainmaker, but Okada hit a dropkick. Okada used a Money Clip. Ospreay slid out, but right into a spinning tombstone.
Okada went back to the Money Clip. Priestley jumped on the apron. Okada threw Ospreay in Priestley and she took a bump off the apron. Okada maintained the Money Clip. After a long struggle, Ospreay reached the bottom rope to force a break.
The story now was that Ospreay was out of gas, while Okada still had plenty in the tank.
Okada hit a series of heavy forearm strikes. Okada hit some short kicks at the 30 minute call. Ospreay tried to fire up with strikes. Okada no-sold the strikes and hit a slam. Okada went to the top rope. Ospreay cut him off and they traded strikes. Ospreay hit a running boot.
Ospreay hit a top rope Spanish Fly for a near fall. Okada blocked an Oscutter. Ospreay escaped a Money Clip, then connected with an Oscutter. Okada kicked out at two.
Ospreay hit a series of strikes from the mount. He followed with short kicks to the face. Red Shoes tried to intervene, so Ospreay threw him down. Ospreay hit a sick strike to the brain stem. Ospreay teased a Hidden Blade, but Okada caught him with a dropkick.
Ospreay ducked a spinning Rainmaker and went up top. Okada caught Ospreay coming off the top with another dropkick. Ospreay escaped a Money Clip and hit a tombstone and a Rainmaker for a near fall at the 35 minute call.
Okada blocked a Storm Breaker and hit a sit-out tombstone. He followed immediately with a Rainmaker for the pin.
IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championship double title match: Kota Ibushi defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the titles (31:18)
This was very good. They were in a tough spot having to follow the last match. They had a much safer match than any from their 2019 series.
They started with some mat work, bringing the crowd down a bit after the last match.
The pace picked up and they fought to the floor. They did a series of counters and teases on the apron and the floor, befofre Naito hit a belly-to-back suplex on the ramp. Ibushi made it back in at 15.
Naito used a headscissors on the mat, then hit a series of elbows in the corner. Ibushi fought out of a DDT and hit a jumping mid kick and a standing moonsault for a near fall at the 10 minute call.
Naito hit a wicked back elbow. He tried a follow-up combinacion cabron in the corner. Ibsuhi cut him off with a lariat on the apron. Naito fell to the floor. Ibsuhi went outside after him. Naito hit a neckbreaker on the floor. Naito hit another neckbreaker off the apron to the floor, which looked sick.
Back inside, Naito used a crucifix. Ibushi forced a rope break. Ibushi blocked a flying forearm and hit a German. Naito no-sold the German, but immediately fell victim to a double stomp from Ibushi. There was a double down at the 15 minute call.
Ibushi hit a powerslam, but missed a moonsault. Naito applied Pluma Blanca. Ibushi forced a rope break. Naito hit a series of forearms and elbows to the neck, setting up for a later Destino. Naito hit Gloria for a near fall.
Naito tried to set up a top rope frankensteiner. Ibushi slid out and hit a backflip kick, sending Naito crashing to the mat and rolling to the apron. Ibushi teased a package driver on the apron. Naito blocked and hit a backdrop on the apron. Ibushi answered with a hurricanrana off the apron to the floor. They teased a countout, but Naito made it back in at 19.
They fought on the ropes. Naito hit a reverse frankensteiner off the top rope. Naito teased a Destino. Ibushi blocked the attempt with two high kicks. Ibushi teased a Kamigoye. Naito avoided it and hit a Destino, but Ibushi kicked out. Naito went for a second Destino. Ibushi blocked and hit a bastard driver. They did another double down at the 25 minute call.
They traded a series of strikes. Naito used a rolling capo kick. Ibushi answered with a lariat, then hit a last ride. Ibushi maintained wrist control after hitting the Last Ride. Ibushi hit a Kamigoye, but Naito kicked out at two.
Ibushi missed a phoenix splash. Naito hit a second Destino, but Ibushi again kicked out. Ibushi slid out of a Destino attempt and hit a mid kick, then hit a second Kamigoye. Naito kicked out at two.
At the 30 mnute call, Ibushi pulled his right knee pad down. Naito hit an enzuigiri and valentia. Naito went for another Destino. Ibushi slid out and hit a jumping knee strike.
Ibushi then hit a third Kamigoye, covered and pinned Naito to win double IWGP gold.
**********
Ibushi sold his victory as though he was in a trance. It was really quite an artistic performance.
Things got weird for a second when Ibushi tried to pin Naito after he came out of his trance.
Red Shoes went to present Ibushi with the title belts. Naito took the belts from Red Shoes. After a tense moment, Naito handed the belts to Ibushi and raised the new champ’s arm.
Jay White entered with Gedo. White said that Ibushi’s reign will last for one night. He said he’s taking everything from Ibushi tomorrow. He said Ibushi won’t become God tomorrow, White will expose him as a fraud. White said every time Ibushi is about to reach the pinnacle, Jay will be there to pull him down.
White said Ibushi will help him fulfill his destino tomorrow when Jay becomes God. Jay said Ibushi will breathe with the Switchblade tomorrow.
Ibushi then took the mic as White and Gedo retreated to the aisle.
Ibushi thanked Naito. He said his reign will not end after one day. He thanked the crowd for being there in such trying times. Ibushi promised to keep the titles tomorrow and to become God tomorrow night.
The show ended with fireworks and Ibushi posing on the entrance stage with both titles.
Tetsuya Naito has said he will face Kota Ibushi on January 4 and Jay White on January 5, defending both of his titles on both nights of Wrestle Kingdom 15.
In a translated interview that took place during a Wrestle Kingdom 15 press conference Sunday morning, Naito said that he would wrestle Jay White on January 5. However, he will also wrestle an opponent of his choosing on 1/4, Ibushi. Naito explained that since Ibushi had won the G1 Climax tournament, he deserved a championship match. He mentioned that Ibushi had won the G1 Climax back to back, something he did not do, and Naito wanted revenge.
He told NJPW to consider his idea, even suggesting the idea that he may boycott both nights of Wrestle Kingdom if he didn’t get the matches.
Ibushi lost the briefcase to Jay White during Saturday morning’s Power Struggle event. White later came out after Naito had successfully defended the title against EVIL and said he would face Naito on 1/5. Kota Ibushi came out, which then caused White to back away.
Jay White has beaten Kota Ibushi to win the contract that will grant him a double title match at Wrestle Kingdom 15, challenging Naito for January 5.
White scored the shock win after he blocked a kamigoye attempt by Ibushi. He instead countered with a backslide and put his feet on the ropes to score the win.
After the match, White openly taunted Ibushi with the briefcase. White celebrated on his way out, while a dejected Ibushi sulked to the back.
This is the first time that the Wrestle Kingdom contract briefcase has changed hands. Earlier on tonight’s show, KENTA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi, successfully defending his briefcase that will give him a title shot against the current champion, Jon Moxley.
After Tetsuya Natio retained both of the Intercontinental and Heavyweight titles in the main event, Jay White came out and raised Naito’s hand. He said on January 4, he would take the day off. He then said on January 5, he would challenge for both championships.
Kota Ibushi then emerged. White reiterated that he had won the contract title briefcase and Ibushi had lost. Ibushi chased him and manager Gedo away, implying that their feud wasn’t done.
Kota Ibushi has won the G1 Climax tournament for the second year in a row.
Ibushi defeated SANADA tonight at Sumo Hall to become the first back-to-back G1 Climax winner since Hiroyoshi Tenzan in 2003 and 2004. In a back and forth match that lasted over 35 minutes, Ibushi defeated SANADA after landing two kamigoyes.
After the match, Masahiro Chono awarded Ibushi the G1 Climax 30 trophy and flag. After the ceremony, Ibushi talked about how he wants to get back to the way things used to be. He wants to take the G1 and take the opportunity it represents. He won’t escape, he won’t lose, he won’t run away. He ended the promo by promising to “become God.”
With the tournament win, Kota Ibushi will now receive a briefcase that will allow him to challenge the IWGP Heavyweight champion at Wrestle Kingdom 15, which will be held on January 4 and 5, 2021.
Past G1 winners have defended the briefcase in the months prior to Wrestle Kingdom, usually against opponents who beat them during the course of the tournament. During a backstage interview following the match, Jay White confronted Kota Ibushi and challenged him to a match for the briefcase, which Ibushi accepted.
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.
The undercard for tonight’s G1 Climax 30 finals has been revealed.
The card mostly contains a number of tag team matches. Great-O-Khan, who made his return to NJPW at the A Block finals, will team with Will Ospreay to take on Kazuchika Okada and SHO in a tag team match. Great-O-Khan helped Ospreay pin Okada, eliminating Okada from the G1 tournament. It seems that the duo, along with Bea Priestley, are alligned with one another.
Tetsuya Naito and EVIL will see each other in action as well. Naito will team with BUSHI to face EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi in a tag team match.
Kota Ibushi, who won the A Block, will face B Block winner SANADA in the main event.
Here is the full card for this morning’s show, which starts at 2 a.m. Eastern:
Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI- Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi, Zack Sabre Jr., El Desperado, DOUKI
Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Juice Robinson, Jeff Cobb, Master Wato vs. Jay White, KENTA, Taiji Ishimori, Gedo
Kazuchika Okada and SHO vs. Will Ospreay and Great-O-Khan
Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI vs. EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi
The finals for the G1 Climax 30 tournament have now been set.
SANADA won the B Block this morning, defeating EVIL in the main event. Based on the B Block math, whoever won the main event would advance to tomorrow’s finals against Kota Ibushi.
The finish featured tons of interference from Dick Togo, who took out the referee and attacked SANADA after he had landed two moonsaults. Hiromu Takahashi, who was doing commentary at ringside, came to the aid of SANADA.
The ring cleared out for a bit, but soon Togo once again interfered, choking out SANADA with a chain. Takahashi struck Togo with a superkick. EVIL tried to attack SANADA, but SANADA dodged, sending EVIL right into Togo on the apron. SANADA followed with a roll up into a bridge, pinning EVIL for the win.
After the match, SANADA cut a short promo, saying he would etch his name in G1 history tomorrow when he defeats Kota Ibushi.
Tomorrow’s show will take place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The undercard for the finals has not been set as of this writing.
Kota Ibushi has won the A Block in NJPW’s G1 Climax 30 tournament and is advancing to this weekend’s finals.
Ibushi defeated Taichi in the semi-main event of this morning’s A Block finals. He still needed help to advance, with Jay White and Tomohiro Ishii facing off in today’s main event. After a back-and-forth match, Ishii hit the vertical brainbuster to pick up the win and eliminate White from the tournament.
Ibushi finished A Block action with 14 points, while White finished with 12 after his loss today.
The G1 finals are being held at Sumo Hall in Tokyo this Sunday (October 18). Ibushi’s opponent for the finals will be determined when the last night of B Block action is held at Sumo Hall on Saturday. EVIL vs. SANADA, Tetsuya Naito vs. KENTA, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Juice Robinson vs. Hirooki Goto, and Toru Yano vs. YOSHI-HASHI are Saturday’s tournament matches.
Here are the current standings and scenarios heading into the B Block finals, compiled by Ethan Renner:
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*
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.
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.
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.
G1 Climax 30 made its last stop before arriving in Tokyo with a stacked card from the tournament’s A Block in Kobe.
Report —
Gabriel Kidd defeated Yota Tsuji
Kidd started the match by taking Tsuji to the mat. Tsuji was able to gain some ground by grappling in retort, but overall Kidd’s mat work left him in the driver’s seat early.
The power of Tsuji was the main means of thwarting Kidd’s advance. A large shoulder block led to an extended showcase of Tsuji offense. Tsuji locked in a single leg Boston crab that forced a desperate rope break from Kidd. The rope break allowed Kidd to regain a semblance of control, but again Tsuji’s strength seemed to be too much.
Kidd managed to withstand the storm and catch Tsuji off guard with a passion-filled sequence punctuated with a double arm suplex. Kidd then pinned Tsuji in the middle of the ring for his first win over Tsuji.
A fun match that was fundamentally sound. Kidd’s fervor really stood strong at the conclusion. A simple story executed well.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Taichi defeated Yujiro Takahashi
This match started abruptly as Takahashi rammed his cane into Taichi as the opening bell sounded. Takahashi was disarmed but maintained the momentum until Taichi returned the favor with a hammer. Taichi took to assaulting Takahashi on the outside of the ring, driving him into the ring post and choking him with cables. Takahashi returned the favor of an environmental beating.
Takahashi’s offense inside the ring was short-lived as Taichi gouged for the eyes. A Taichi enzuigiri only cemented his rebound. Taichi kicked Takahashi in the temple before trying for a pin that Takahashi only just kicked out from.
Taichi wasted no time as tried he tried to hoist Takahashi for a slam but Taichi’s hand found its way into the mouth of Takahashi. With Takahashi’s teeth pressed into his hand, Taichi again turned to raking the eyes of Takahashi, a cute moment in what had been a trivial match.
Takahashi won a striking victory and followed up with an Olympic slam. Taichi reset the match with a suplex of his own. Taichi landed a lariat, re-energizing him late in the match.
After Takahashi kicked from the pin that followed Taichi’s breakaway pants were torn from his thighs in one fluid motion. Takahashi hit Miami Shine immediately after Taichi’s theatrics.
Taichi was able to fight free from Pimp Juice and down the referee in the process. A low blow and quick rollup followed leaving Taichi with another win.
This match was what one should expect with these two, nothing special. Some interactions were fun but not enough to carry them to a good match.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Minoru Suzuki defeated Jeff Cobb
Suzuki started the match by baiting Cobb to the mat. Cobb was able to hold his own against Suzuki’s ground game but Suzuki eventually forced Cobb into a rope break.
Now that the two were standing, Cobb tried to crush Suzuki with his strength. Suzuki again was able to get the best of the situation. The two spilled to the outside of the ring. Suzuki and Cobb again seemed to be near equals, but even here it was Suzuki who proved to be ahead.
It was only by a collision of bodies that Cobb was able to pull ahead. Cobb was able to maintain his advantage in a striking exchange and subverted a Gotch piledriver. Cobb used his power to block almost every attempt at a Suzuki comeback. Suzuki’s wherewithal eventually proved to be too much even for Cobb’s power.
A choke attempt from Suzuki seamlessly lead into a successful Gotch piledriver leaving Suzuki with a clean pin.
This match was fast-paced and well structured. In a test of brains versus brawn, Suzuki’s demanding presence gelled perfectly with Cobb tonight for an outstanding match.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Kota Ibushi defeated Tomohiro Ishii
Following an intense staredown, Ibushi and Ishii entered a series of tie-ups. After the collapse of the felling out process, they entered an extended striking sequence. Ishii was unmoving for the sequence and was perpetually standing over Ibushi during any pause.
Ibushi was able to withstand the strikes and ultimately end the first striking session with a rana. It wasn’t long after that the striking continued as if it had never stopped, but this time Ibushi had the edge.
An Ibushi slam and dropkick that would have dropped any other left Ishii standing. Before the shock of Ishii’s resistance could fully set in Ibushi was hit with a power slam. Ibushi this time refused to fall. The two then entered a test of will where no move could drop either man.
A tempo-resetting dropkick from Ibushi triggered an open palm brawl. Ibushi was able to drop Ishii for a moment, but Ishii rose with even more striking.
This awakened the beast in Ibushi.
Ibushi punched the heart of Ishii before nearly kicking his head off. Ishii was then hoisted by Ibushi into a powerbomb which only yielded a two count.
Ishii was not done fighting.
Ishii and Ibushi entered another struggle. This time it was an Ishii headbutt that caused Ibushi to fall. An Ishii lariat resulted in a near fall for the Stone Pitbull, but again Ibushi continued to resist.
Now on his last legs, Ibushi landed an enzuigiri followed by a brainbuster. Ibushi dropped his knee pads and landed a Kamigoye only for Ishii to kick out again.
Ishii and Ibushi traded their final swings at this point. Ishii’s headbutts and knees, in the end, proved to be just short of enough as another Kamigoye left Ibushi the victor.
What a match. These men beat the breaks off of each other. With everything left in the ring, topping this would be a real challenge.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Shingo Takagi defeated Will Ospreay
Ospreay’s speed met Takagi’s power as soon as the bell sounded.
Ospreay and Shingo struggled for any advantage in a fantastic opening arrangement. Ospreay forced Takagi to retreat to the safety of the outside after his speed in combination with his new bulk proved to be too much. Takagi avoided any significant offense before dropping Ospreay with a Fireman’s carry takeover on the arena floor.
Takagi took his lead between the ropes, slowing the pace and overpowering Ospreay. Takagi landed a few elbows and a knee drop before taunting Ospreay. Ospreay responded with the initiation of a chop exchange which he left victorious. Ospreay’s offense picked up temporarily but was cut short by Shingo’s power. Shingo was just as unsuccessful in maintaining long-term sway as an unexpected stunner threw the match back in Ospreay’s direction.
In the first prolonged offensive stint of the match, Ospreay landed a flying forearm and the Sasuke special. Ospreay positioned Takagi in the tree of woe once returning to ring, where he delivered a swift kick to the skull and a picture-perfect coast-to-coast dropkick. A bloody Sunday and moonsault failed to close the match for Ospreay.
Ospreay tried for a springboard variation but was caught by a ready Takagi. Takagi dropped Ospreay face-first on the mat. Takagi was experiencing offensive success in the match for the first time. A sit-down powerbomb from Ospreay cut Takagi’s hopes short. An Oscutter and near fall seemingly reset the match.
Takagi and Ospreay began trading more and more impressive moves. Ultimately it was Takagi’s Made in Japan that left him ahead.
A pumping bomber almost closed the match for Takagi. Instead of a victory, the move triggered Ospreay’s final efforts. A poison rana from Ospreay and a headbutt from Takagi again reset the match.
Both men were now left to slug it out. Forearms reigned in prior to a burst of speed. Ospreay landed a one-man Spanish fly, a lariat and a brutal forearm to set up for a finale.
Takagi met Ospreay with a lariat of his own to subdue what would be the match’s end. Takagi then hoisted Ospreay onto his shoulders and dropped him from the second rope. Ospreay kicked out. Takagi landed a lariat. Ospreay kicked out.
Finally, Takagi connected with the Last of the Dragon, pinning Ospreay for the win.
This pair brings out the best in each other and now a rubber match is necessary. They put on a great match with little room for improvement.
G1 Climax 30 A Block: Jay White defeated Kazuchika Okada
White journeyed to the outside as soon as the match started, as this match was going to be on his terms.
Okada tried for his typical rope pat down but this match was at White’s pace. White actually was the one patting down Okada, which upset him greatly.
Okada took to beating down White, but again, this was under White’s control. Gedo clubbed the back of Okada, gaining his attention long enough for White to regain advantage.
White began his systematic dissection of Okada’s back at this point, driving Okada back first into any rigid object at his disposal. Okada tried to fight free but his back was proving to be his weak point. Plenty of knees and forearms from White crashed into the spine of Okada. Whenever Okada showed signs of life, his back stopped him.
Okada eventually landed a facebuster on White and began a slow climb back into this match.
Forearms, a hip attack and a DDT left Okada in control but for some unimaginable reason, Gedo became the center of Okada’s attention. A double DDT, ignoring the previously damaged back, dropped both White and Gedo.
Once in the ring again Okada’s back failed again. White regained advantage with a DDT of his own and once again the beating of Okada’s back continued.
Okada was able to catch a methodical White with a neckbreaker, resetting the match. The two traded forearms back and forth before White collapsed. Gedo tried to interfere again but was subverted by Okada. An Okada dropkick attempt was avoided, further punishing the back.
White tried the Rainmaker but Okada responded with a forearm. An Okada dropkick, piledriver, and Money Clip left Okada in control. Gedo entered the ring and found himself on the receiving end of a dropkick.
Okada locked in the Money Clip again only for Gedo to grab at the leg of the referee. White landed a low blow before grabbing the wrist of Okada. Okada tried again for a desperation Money Clip, but White landed a suplex in retort.
A transition into a Blade Runner allowed White to pin Okada.
**********
White grabbed a microphone and thanked Okada for celebrating the two year anniversary of White’s and Gedo’s Chaos defection while simultaneously claiming Okada’s glory days are behind him.
If you still somehow need convincing of White’s brilliance, this match will do it for you. It is everything you should expect in a White showing — a complete dissection and change of scenery when compared to everything else in New Japan. This was a great match that was only held back by the overuse of Gedo.
