NJPW Presents: G1 Climax 30

Night 1
Will Ospreay vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Ospreay hits a snap rana & does his fake out dive doing a back flip back inside, then tries a slingshot plancha, but lands on his feet. Yujiro sends him into the railing & hits a reverse DDT on the floor. Back inside, Yujiro gets a running corner boot & snap dropkick for 2, then a bodyslam for another 2. Legdrop, elbow drop, headbutt combo gets another near fall as Ospreay starts fighting back, tries for a suplex & Yujiro bites his way out. Ospreay hits a handspring Pele kick & standing shooting star for 2, then hits Pip Pip Cheerio, tries for Storm Breaker, but Yujiro slides out. They trade reversals with Ospreay hitting a wall walk dropkick & enzugiri, but Yujiro catches him with an Angle Slam for the double down. Yujiro connects with Miami Shine for a close 2, tries for Pimp Juice, but Ospreay gets a roll up for 2. He gets up & Yujiro folds him up with a lariat. He tries for Pimp Juice again, but Ospreay escapes & hits a Hidden Blade to the chest, then Storm Breaker for the 3. Fun little sprint of an opener. Say what you want about the stories/rumors you hear about Ospreay outside of New Japan, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss seeing him wrestle.

Jeff Cobb vs. Taichi
Tell me if you heard this before, Taichi stalled to start. Cobb went after him & Taichi used the ring bell hammer to go after the left leg. Back inside, he zoned in on it, but Cobb fought back with a splash & lariat. He missed a back elbow in the corner & Taichi cracked him with a jumping high kick. Taichi goes back to the well as he hits another one after they had traded some strikes. Off come the pants, but Cobb blocked the buzzsaw kick, flattens Taichi with a brainbuster & standing moonsault for a 2. Tour of the Islands is countered into a back suplex, as Taichi hits an Axe Bomber for a close 2. Black Mephisto attempt, but Cobb is too heavy, so he answers with 3 suplexes. Tour of the Island attempt again, but Taichi hits the thrust kick & Black Mephisto for the 3. On the Taichi Bullshit Level, this was a perfectly fine little match with a lot of action. If we got this kind of Taichi the whole tournament, I’d love it; unfortunately I don’t see that happening.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Minoru Suzuki
The wallpaper on my computer is a black & white picture of Suzuki vs Ishii from a RevPro show. Bell sounds & within the first 30 seconds, these two have already thrown 30 forearms a piece! The counters are insane as they finally scramble away, but immediately start throwing forearms again. I wish I kept an official count. Suzuki wraps up Ishii with an armbar in the ropes, releases & we go outside where Suzuki does Suzuki things, mainly murdering Ishii with a psychotic look. Back inside, Suzuki allows Ishii to forearm him, he eats it & flattens Ishii with forearms, running boot, but runs into a snap Ishii powerslam. Saito suplex connects as Ishii starts toying with Suzuki, but it ends in both men throwing violent forearms (Suzuki laughing after eating his). Ishii crumbles as Suzuki hits three PK’s, but it only wakes Ishii up. Misdirection spot ends with Suzuki hitting two big boots, but Ishii answers with a snap German. Some unprotected headbutts on their knees turns to forearms, turns to slaps that echo through the arena. Ishii hits a violent heabutt, then drops Suzuki with a lariat. Suzuki tries the rear naked choke, but Ishii counters into an Air Raid Crash that drops Suzuki on his head. Sliding D gets a 2 count, as Suzuki fights off the brainbuster, but Ishii hits an enzugiri. Both up & scream at the same time as they start throwing dueling slaps & Suzuki stands tall. Ishii pops up & flattens Suzuki with a lariat, but the Murder Grandpa laughs getting up, so Ishii murders him with a lariat. Brainbuster attempt countered & Suzuki hits the Gotch piledriver for 3. What the hell can I say; these are two of the greatest of all time.

Shingo Takagi vs. Jay White
Switchblade is shredded as shit. It takes 90 seconds before Gedo attacks Shingo, but it doesn’t work, as Shingo sends Switchblade into the post. Gedo hooks the leg & White sends Shingo into the railing multiple times (like A LOT) as they tease the countout spot. Shingo slides back in, but White targets the lower back. He choked Shingo in the ropes, tried for 2, but Red Shoes wouldn’t count “people do way worse, why no count?” which I got a chuckle out of. Switchblade remains in control, but slams Shingo down by his hair, so Shingo pops right up, grabs the hair & lariats White in the neck. Hair mare by Shingo, who clotheslines White to the outside where Shingo has a little Violence Party ala Super Dragon, then chucks White into the railing & DDTs him down. Back inside, snap suplex by Shingo, but nonchalant cover gets 2. Shingo misses a corner splash & White answers with a snap back suplex, corner uppercut, atomic drop & DDT combo, then hits a Blade Buster for 2. They trade uppercuts, but Shingo avoids one & his Noshigami. Wheelbarrow slam & some 12-6 forearms starch White, who tries throwing a wild forearm & Shingo stares at him. “Ohhh, Noooo” says White, who chucks Red Shoes into Shingo, hits a Flatliner & German that stacks Shingo up. Uranage connects for 2, but Shingo grabs wrist control & they double headbutt each other. 11 unanswered forearms & 2 sliding lariats by Shingo, who hits a pump handle gut buster for 2. White screams for Gedo, who right on cue pops up on the apron to let White get a school boy, but Red Shoes notices the feet on the ropes. Pumping Bomber misses, White with a snap German & Kiwi Krusher for 2. Switchblade wants Blade Runner, but Shingo counters into Made in Japan 1…2…KICK OUT!! White grabs the ref, here goes Gedo, who gets starched, White tries to attack, but Shingo hits a Pumping Bomber! He wants Last of the Dragon, but they do a fucking shitty ref bump as Shingo hits the move, but there’s no Red Shoes. Switchblade gets a low blow as miraculously Red Shoes recovers to see White hit a suplex for 2, then a crucifix suplex & Blade Runner for the 3. Tell you what, I get it, Jay White is a shitty little heel, but it comes at a price as the finishes to his matches are usually bullshit. This was a match bookmarked by said bullshit, but the match in the middle was excellent. I’ll take 95% great and 5% bullshit and grateful it’s not the other way around.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi
No biggie, just the main event of Wrestle Kingdom Night 1 last year is the main event to kick of your tournament. They trade headlocks for the opening minutes, but Ibushi snap ranas Okada to the floor. He tries an attack off the apron, but Okada pulls him down & slams him into the railing & DDT’s him on the floor. Snap dropkick back inside by Okada, but Ibushi fires back with a dropkick of his own, then hits a mid kick & standing moonsault for a near fall. Okada answers with a back elbow & hanging DDT in the corner, but Ibushi responds with a Pele Kick. Money Clip is countered, so Okada settles for an Air Raid Crash on the knee. Russian leg sweep into Money Clip as Ibushi starts to fade, but he pretty much falls & gets the ropes luckily. Okada insanely wanted a Tombstone on the floor, but luckily Ibushi floats over, ducks a clothesline, scales the ropes & hits an Asaii Moonsault! Springboard dropkick out of the corner back inside as Okada is set in the corner & Ibushi (almost losing his balance) manages to hit a springboard hurricanrana for a near fall. I don’t think anyone else could’ve maintained their balance like that. They trade Tombstone attempts, Ibushi tried a Crunchy, but Okada reversed & hit the Tombstone for the reset. They slowly rise & we get a forearm exchange (not to the level of intensity of Suzuki & Ishii, but that’s downright impossible). They’re daring each other to hit them with forearms as they get to their feet & the battle continues and Ibushi wins it as Okada crumbles off a palm strike. Head kick again crumbles Okada as Ibushi turns into Shinsuke Nakamura with the YEAOH in the corner, charges for Bomaye, but Okada hits the Tombstone again & sinks in Money Clip once more. Ibushi slowly gets up, tries for a lawn dart, Okada back to Money Clip, but Ibushi arm drags out. Okada tries for the John Woo dropkick, but Ibushi dives away & Okada crashes. 20 minute call, Okada wants a third Tombstone, but Ibushi avoids it & hits a high kick and V-Trigger. Ibushi wants Kamigoye, but Okada dropkicks out of it & hits his signature snap dropkick. Okada wants Kamigoye, but Ibushi powerbombs out of it, charges & hits Bomaye, then a Kamigoye for the 3 count! Excellent main event to a super strong opening night.

A Block Standings
2 Points – Will Ospreay, Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Jay White, Kota Ibushi
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi, Jeff Cobb, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, Kazuchika Okada

Night 3
Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi
Chop battle ensues early, with Shingo hitting a shoulder tackle, but Cobb answers with a dropkick. Shingo avoids a suplex, tries for a whip, but Cobb is built like a refrigerator & overhead suplexes Shingo down. He controls Shingo in the corner & hits a leaping back elbow and stalling back suplex for 2. Shingo wiggles out of a powerslam & they trade forearms, but it’s Shingo who drops Cobb with a hard lariat. The third try finally gets Shingo his suplex for 2, as he tries a sliding lariat, but Cobb blocks it. Shingo settles for a snap exploder suplex & hard corner clothesline. They exchange exploder suplexes & start a headbutt/forearm/striking battle. Shingo wants a Pumping Bomber, but Cobb turns him inside out with a lariat. Tour of the Islands blocked into Noshigami as Shingo murders Cobb with a Pumping Bomber 1…2…NO! Last of the Dragon attempt, but Cobb turns it into rolling gut wrench suplexes, ending with a powerbomb for 2. Standing moonsault gets another 2 as Shingo spins out of a fireman’s carry into a DDT. He wears Cobb out with strikes & a sliding lariat, then tries for Made in Japan and gets it 1…2…KICK OUT! Shingo tries for Last of the Dragon, but Cobb gets free. Shingo throws multiple lariats, but Cobb answers with a comeback German & Tour of the Islands for the 3. Hard hitting fun little match.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Clean break by Okada, but he knows Yujiro and cuts off the sneak attack attempt, only to get clotheslined to the floor, where he gets a neckbreaker out in the entrance way & running single leg dropkick. Back inside, it’s all Yujiro and it’s a super slow pace with a Helluva Kick & bodyslam for 2 as he slaps on a rest hold. Okada fights back with an uppercut & plants Yujiro with a DDT as he bails outside. Okada then connects with a plancha! Back inside, Yujiro avoids an Air Raid Crash, hits another Helluva Kick, then Fisherman’s Buster for 2. Okada slips out of Miami Shine & they have a forearm exchange and Okada hits his dropkick and Tombstone as he tries Money Clip, but Yujiro bites the hand. He counters into an Angle Slam, tries for Pimp Juice, but settles for Miami Shine for 2. Okada avoids the DDT & hits a big boot, uppercut, charges & Yujiro drops him with a lariat. Okada reverses a whip, misses his dropkick & Yujiro tries Pimp Juice, but Okada counters into a Rainmaker, then slaps on the Money Clip for the submission. This was pretty damn boring for the most part, the quietest Okada match you’ll ever hear. Yeah there were a few near falls, but zero people bit, because it’s Yujiro. Aside from the Yano match, this was the weakest tournament match thus far.

Minoru Suzuki vs. Taichi
Battle of the Suzuki-gun members, as they do a ref bump spot early and both grab chairs. They swing at each other & it’s Suzuki who wins that battle, murdering Taichi with a chair shot to the back outside. He chokes Taichi with the chair & the two start trash talking each other as Suzuki straight up floors Taichi with forearms. Suzuki just starts walking all around the floor, looking for something, I think stalling for the ref to recover, as he grabs a chair to bring back in & the ref wrestles the chair away, so Suzuki throws him down again. Taichi cracks him with the microphone stand & we go outside where Taichi gets control & revenge. He chokes Suzuki with the cable cord & Suzuki’s facial expressions for this are priceless. He grabs a chair & smacks Suzuki up the ramp, choking him with it. You know this is serious Taichi, he took his pants off with zero theatrics. Back inside, Taichi just starts toying with Suzuki, then hits Kawada Kicks that wakes up Suzuki, who smiles at his opponent. Taichi gets turned into a mannequin off a Suzuki forearm, but Taichi fights back with an Axe Bomber and jumping kick. Both slow to get up as Suzuki ducks a boot, slaps on the Rear Naked Choke, spins him around for the Gotch, but Taichi turns it into a suplex, another jump kick. He runs for an Axe Bomber, but Suzuki catches him into the Choke, tries the Gotch, they do a lot of counters, ending with Taichi hitting Black Mephisto for the 3!! Taichi defeats the leader of his faction! Yes the first 5-7 minutes were on the floor brawling, but I was fine with it, both are dastardly heels, willing to do anything to win, even to their running buddy. Ultimately the student overcame the teacher clean too.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Will Ospreay
We go from a Suzuki-gun battle to CHAOS members colliding. They trade a bunch of counters early; with Ospreay slapping Ishii and that only pisses him off, so we have a chop exchange in the corner. I’ll give you a guess who won that one. Ishii beats the hell out of Ospreay, who foolishly keeps slapping Ishii in the face. It’s like Ishii can’t believe Ospreay is trying this shit, but it works, as Ospreay gets him off his game & hits his handspring kick. Cool atomic drop, kick, leg sweep, standing shooting star combo as Ospreay caps it with Pip Pip Cheerio & toys with Ishii with soft kicks, forearms & slaps. Ishii starts walking through the forearms & drops Will, who hangs Ishii up on the top rope. Tries for a springboard double stomp, misses & hits a springboard dropkick on Ishii on the apron, knocking him outside. Sasuke Special misses, Will lands on his feet, tries a moonsault off the apron into a neckbreaker, but Ishii counters, tries a brianbuster, Will sends him into the railing & hits a springing Oscutter off the railing! Amazing! Ishii beats the count at 19, rolls right into a springboard dropkick for a 2 count. Ospreay up top, but he gets crotched and Ishii hits an uppercut headbutt (that’s right) & superplex. Forearm battle turns into Counter-Palooza with a wall walk into a sliding D counter into Hidden Blade counter into lariat counter, ending with an Ospreay hook kick & head kick. Oscutter avoided & Ishii folds him up with a forearm. Powerbomb folds Ospreay up for 2, as does the sliding D. Brainbuster blocked, but the release German isn’t as Ishii charges, but Ospreay hits a standing Spanish Fly for 2. Oscutter connects 1…2…NO! He tries for a super Oscutter off the top, Ishii blocks, Will hits a Hook Kick, but Ishii eats it & levels Will with a lariat. Ospreay floats over a lariat & hits a sit out powerbomb for 2. Storm Breaker avoided as Ishii hits an enzugiri & turns Ospreay inside out with a lariat for 2. Ospreay knees out of a brainbuster, but gets starched with a headbutt. Ospreay counters a brainbuster into Stundog Millionaire & reverse rana. Ishii pops up, eats a Roaring Elbow & Ospreay hits a Jay Driller 1…2…KICK OUT!! Hidden Blade connects flush, then Storm Breaker for the 3 count. HOLY SHIT, this match! This was incredible.

Kota Ibushi vs. Jay White
White tries to goad the crowd into chanting for Ibushi on the mic, knowing full well they aren’t allowed to chant, so Ibushi wipes him out with a plancha. White snaps the leg through the ropes through and mocks the crowd again. He slams Ibushi back first into the railing repeatedly, then targets the leg. Ibushi mounts the comeback back inside with a bunch of kicks & standing moonsault and snap powerslam. He tries a springboard moonsault off the second, but sells the leg and White hits a Blade Buster for 2. High angle German drops Ibushi on his head, but Ibushi fights back. White picks the bad leg & dragon screws it down. Ibushi kicks free with the good leg & nails a snap German to allow him to recover a bit. Each time Ibushi tries to grab White, he’d kick away at the bad leg. Switchblade rolls to the apron & Ibushi tries his crazy German, but Gedo holds the leg and White snaps Ibushi’s leg through the ropes. Uranage connects for a 2 count as you can hear Gedo scream for KIWI as White tries a Kiwi Crusher, but Ibushi counters into a reverse Crunchy! White starts throwing forearms, but Ibushi no sells them, avoids the leg attack & turns White inside out with a lariat. Switchblade counters a German into his own, but Ibushi answers with a snap Dragon. Ibushi signals for Bomaye, almost runs into a Blade Runner, but spins out into a high head kick. Dragon screws by Switchblade, who slaps on a reverse figure four & Ibushi slowly crawls to the ropes. Sleeper suplex connects, but Ibushi rolls through it & hits a running knee with the good leg. Last Ride powerbomb connects 1…2…NO! White got his shoulder up by like a millimeter as he barely lifted his arm to kick out. It is dead silent as White gets up and throws forearms that have zero effect. Ibushi murders White with one of his own & hits a Buzzsaw Kick. He wants Kamigoye, but Gedo pops up on the apron, allowing White to hit the low blow with Red Shoes turned. Leglock suplex with a bridge gets a close 2, as White goes for a suplex, Ibushi fights out & hits V-Trigger, then punts Gedo off the apron. He signals for Kamigoye, but White surprises him with a Blade Runner for the 3! 99.9% of this match was awesome, as the Gedo shit right at the end was dumb, but its Switchblade, so we’re getting that in every match, I know that. I did like the Blade Runner coming out of nowhere though.

A Block Standings
4 Points – Will Ospreay, Jay White, Taichi
2 Points –Minoru Suzuki, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, Jeff Cobb
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi

Night 5
Taichi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
The only match this entire block I was dreading. They traded weapon shots & spent the first 5 minutes taking turns choking each other. Yujiro hit a reverse DDT on the floor & fisherman’s buster for 2. He tries for Miami Shine, but Taichi raked the eyes & hit a leaping corner kick. Taichi cracked Yujiro right in the jaw with a Buzzsaw Kick for 2, tries for powerbomb, but Yujiro bit at the hands, while Taichi raked the eyes with his free hand. They have a forearm exchange that Yujiro wins, then flattens Taichi with a lariat. Taichi tries a surprise thrust kick, but Yujiro turns it into an Angle Slam. He’s too slow to follow up and Taichi gets a Saito suplex for the double down. Axe Bomber gets a super close 2, as the britches come off Taichi at the 10 minute mark. He misses a superkick & Yujiro hits Miami Shine for 2. Yujiro misses Pimp Juice, Taichi shoves the ref down & gets a low blow and roll up for the win. First 5 minutes were boring, but the second half was ok (which, considering the pairing, would be considered really good for others). Hoping the wheels fall off for Taichi soon, I can’t believe he’s the first person to 6 points.

Jeff Cobb vs. Minoru Suzuki
Almost immediately Suzuki lays on his back & dares Cobb to wrestle him. Cobb hangs with him for a bit, even finding himself on top of Suzuki, who promptly picked an ankle & Cobb got the ropes. Stiff chops by Cobb, who misses a corner splash & Suzuki locks on the arm bar through the ropes as we go outside where Suzuki starts his murder rampage. Cobb beats the count at 16 and rolls back into punishment & Suzuki boots and punts for only a 1 count. Cobb ducks a boot & hits a few shoulder blocks, corner splash & leaping corner uppercut, capped by a running back suplex for 2. They start a forearm exchange & Suzuki laughs to start, then drops Cobb with a violent one. Cobb hits a dropkick, charges & Suzuki does a misdirection momentarily, but Cobb literally does what Vader used to do & just run through his opponent. Cobb tries the revolution gut wrenches, but only gets one suplex as Suzuki fights out. Cobb powers Suzuki up into an Oklahoma Stampede out of the corner & standing moonsault for 2. Tour of the Islands blocked into a Rear Naked Choke, transitioned into the Gotch Piledriver and Suzuki wins it. Hard hitting, fun wrestling, fun counters, wish it went longer though (fucking Yujiro & Taichi went longer). I loved after the match, Suzuki got the crowd to clap along to his theme, then got to the top of the ramp & held his ear up wanting to hear the crowd chant Kaze Ni Nare, but they can’t (and he knows it), so he just smirks as he went to the back.

Kota Ibushi vs. Tomohiro Ishii
HOLY SHIT, THIS MATCH! Just getting one out of the way now because I assume I’m going to type that later. They trade clean breaks in the ropes to start, but Ishii misses a chop & Ibushi misses a high kick. They trade counters & misdirection, but Ibushi connects with the first strikes of the match & we have a face off that turns into a forearm war, which Ishii wins as he fires brutal chops. Ibushi throws 5 forearms in response, but Ishii stares at him and 1 chop drops Ibushi. He starts kicking Ibushi so much that he rises, throws forearms & Ishii eats those as well, so he drops him with a frankensteiner. Combo by Ibushi leads to a standing moonsault for 2. The chop/kick battle that ensues is incredible as its Ishii who miraculously backs off first, clutching his chest that Ibushi keeps punting. Ishii rises & Ibushi hits a snap powerslam and missile dropkick, but Ishii rolls through to his feet & hits a snap powerslam of his own. Ibushi no sells it & hits a snap German, ISHII NO SELLS, snap German by Ishii, IBUSHI NO SELLS, Ishii charges & Ibushi hits a snap dropkick for the double down. They’re both on their backs & start kicking each other in the head, which leads to a slap battle as they are fucking each other up with palm strikes. It gets to a crazy level & Ibushi finally drops Ishii, who rises & starts the throat chops. The ref tries to stop him, but Ishii throws him down & goes back after Ibushi, who goes into a sort of trance & PUNCHES ISHII IN THE THROAT then hits a high kick and Last Ride powerbomb for 2. Ishii gets up & murders Ibushi with a headbutt, then hits a lariat for 2. Ishii wants his brainbuster, but Ibushi fights out, tries Kamigoye, but Ishii pulls up into a headbutt, then a Sliding D 1…2…NO! Ibushi hits a Pele Kick, then actually hits Ishii with his own brainbuster finisher!! Ibushi charges for a Bomaye, but Ishii turns him inside out with a lariat. Ibushi flips out of a German, hits a Bomaye 1…2…NO!! Ibushi folds Ishii up with a lariat, hits a V-Trigger, then the Kamigoye for the 1…2…3!! HOLY SHIT, THIS MATCH!! (told you) They beat the living shit out of each other and for that, I’m forever grateful. Even after the match, Ishii, while on his stomach, has to be restrained, as he’s still trying to throw punches. Unbelievable.

Will Ospreay vs. Shingo Takagi
Well, if there were any two in this tournament that could follow what we just saw, it’s these two, who had arguably Match of the Year in 2019 in their Best of Super Juniors final. I’m just going to say, they countered like 87 different moves to start and I’m not going to begin to type them all out. These two are fast, you know that. Ospreay knocks Shingo outside & does his backflip taunt in the middle of the ring as Shingo regroups. Ospreay starts a few Kawada Kicks inside, does a stalling dropkick, as he looks for a plancha outside, lands on his feet, sending Shingo into the railing. He charges & Shingo hits a pop up DVD! Hot shot back inside, followed by a DDT, as Shingo works the neck in a cravat to slow things down. They start a chop exchange, which Shingo thinks he won, as he shoots Ospreay off the ropes & Will does his handspring wheel kick into a double down. Enzugiri, atomic drop, standing shooting star gets Ospreay 2, who goes to the apron & tries Pip, Pip Cheerio, Shingo avoids, but not the wall walk, as Ospreay charges & Shingo turns him inside out with a lariat. Noshigami countered, but Shingo hits a dragon screw & sliding lariat for 2. Ospreay regains control with Pip, Pip Cheerio, then a Sasuke Special perfectly outside. He hangs Shingo up in the Tree of Woe & does a Coast to Coast dropkick!! He flattens Shingo with a reverse DDT for 2, then goes up top, Shooting Star Press 1…2…KICK OUT! Oscutter attempt is countered into Noshigami as both men are down! They start throwing forearms, Ospreay tries a handspring again, but Shingo catches him into a Burning Hammer, but he hangs Ospreay up on the ropes. Pumping Bomber attempt countered into a float over Last Ride 1…2…NO! Oscutter connects flush for 1…2…NO! Hook Kick by Ospreay, who looks for Storm Breaker, but Shingo floats over & hits Made in Japan 1…2…KICK OUT! Shingo absolutely annihilates Ospreay with a Pumping Bomber for 2, as he looks for Last of the Dragon, but Ospreay gets out, hits the Hook Kick & poison rana! He looks for a discus lariat, but they both collide heads and we have another double down. They’re on their knees & start headbutting each other, then to their feet with forearms, as Shingo hits a lariat, Ospreay hits a standing Spanish Fly, Shingo pops up & Ospreay pops him with a lariat for ANOTHER reset! Ospreay wants Hidden Blade, Shingo ducks, eats an Ospreay hook kick & roaring elbow, but Ospreay doesn’t cover him, he tries for a super Oscutter, but Shingo cuts him off. He folds Ospreay up off the top with a lariat, then goes to the second rope for a spinning DVD for 2! Pumping Bomber turns Will inside out 1…2…KICK OUT!! Last of the Dragon connects for the 1…2…3!! This is the match of the tournament thus far to me. They’re also 1 win a piece, so we’re getting a rubber match down the line.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White
Either of the last two matches should’ve main evented, but it’s Okada, so I get it. It’s just Okada hasn’t been the same this year & is the one who is hurt the most by not having a crowd chant during matches. I was also on this wrestling high and now the bell sounds for this and its Switchblade stalling, so my high is gone. White mocks the Okada clean break he usually does, so Okada fires off a forearm & big boots White to the floor, where Gedo attacks. The race is on as Switchblade attacks Okada back inside for like 5 seconds before going to the floor again into the railing repeatedly. Okada in at 17 as White works the back for the next few minutes. Okada ultimately fights back with a flapjack for our first double down. Gedo trips him and Okada stalks him up the ramp. White follows, but Okada lays out both with a double DDT on the ramp as we head inside. Okada can’t get an Air Raid Crash due to the back, so White hits an atomic drop/DDT combo. He folds Okada up with a suplex into the corner for 2, then a Blade Buster connects for another near fall. White takes too long to follow up and Okada is able to his the Air Raid Crash for a reset. Forearm battle wakes Okada up, as White is flattened & he tells the ref his arm is going numb, but it’s a ploy. Okada has it scouted, Gedo gets knocked from the apron, Okada goes for, but misses his dropkick. White hits a release German as Gedo screams for the Kiwi Crusher, but changes his mind and screams for a Rainmaker. White does the pose, tries it, but Okada boots out & hits his dropkick. Tombstone connects as he slaps on Money Clip (the crowd doesn’t give a shit about this finisher for Okada and neither do I, it sucks), but White gets the ropes. Okada wants another Tombstone, but White floats over & hits a Uranage for a reset. They both rise, trade a bunch of counters, as Gedo runs in the ring, gets dropped, Okada locks on Money Clip again, but White gets a thumb to the eye. Okada hits a spinning lariat, back to the fucking Money Clip a third time as Gedo throws something at the ref, who turns & White low blows Okada. Blade Runner blocked into, I shit you not, the fucking Money Clip a 4th time, which White gets out, hits a snap German & Blade Runner for the 3 count! Ok, I don’t know what I hate more, Bullet Club constant interference or that fucking Money Clip. It sucks so much and it takes me out of Okada matches. He’s just not the same, I’m sorry. I didn’t care for this match.

A Block Standings
6 Points – Jay White, Taichi
4 Points – Will Ospreay, Minoru Suzuki, Kota Ibushi
2 Points – Kazuchika Okada, Jeff Cobb, Shingo Takagi
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii

Night 9
Shingo Takagi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
After an early forearm exchange, Shingo sends Yujiro outside with a shoulder & posts him on the floor. Yujiro puts the brakes on being sent to the railing, sending Shingo crashing into them twice. Yujiro wastes too much time on the apron & gets his legs clotheslined out from under him. Shingo gets up on the apron with him, but Yujiro quickly hits a reverse DDT on the hardest part of the ring. Headbutts & elbows get a 2 count and a snap single leg dropkick for another near fall. Shingo tries fighting back, but Yujiro bites at his hand, tries for a corner Helluva Kick, but Shingo blocks & drops him. They trade reversals before Shingo bites at the hand this time & hits a brainbuster for 2. Shingo lowers the head too early & Yujiro nails a reverse DDT and fisherman’s buster for 2. Forearm battle commences as Yujiro apparently didn’t learn anything from his Suzuki match, as he dares Shingo to hit him & he just murders him. They hit double lariats & don’t go down, Shingo charges & Yujiro hot shots him. They trade lariats this time & both collapse in a great back & forth segment. Pumping Bomber blocked into an Angle Slam as Yujiro hits a running boot & Miami Shine for 1…2…KICK OUT! Short superkick, then one to the ribs, as Yujiro charges & Shingo clocks him with a lariat and sliding D 1…2…NO! Yujiro tries biting the hand again, gets scolded by the ref, so he just tosses him down. He tries to hit Shingo with his pimp cane, but Shingo blocks, as Yujiro pops him with a forearm, trying for a powerbomb, but Shingo counters into Noshigami. They do a few more blocks until Shingo hits a Pumping Bomber then Last of the Dragon for the 3. This was by far and away the best Yujiro match I’ve seen in years, YEARS.

Jeff Cobb vs. Jay White
Bell sounds & White stalls, shocking! He briefly gets the upper hand, but once Cobb gets control, he bails. Switchblade tries to grab Gedo on the floor for help, so Cobb just drags them both in & double noggin knockers them. Cobb tosses White back inside, but Gedo holds the leg & White takes over on offense. Shoulders to the midsection & neckbreaker for 2 as White works the lower back. Petty kicks allow Cobb to recover & hit a Samoan drop. Flying uppercut in the corner & stalling back suplex gets Cobb a 2. White floats over a suplex & DDTs Cobb down for the reset as he hits a few uppercuts & a half suplex folding Cobb up in the corner. Blade Buster connects for a near fall, but he can’t hit the Uranage as Cobb starts no selling, as we get into a forearm exchange. Cobb goes for a home run shot, but White hits a Flatliner. He wants a German suplex, Cobb spins out, but White hits a massive Uranage for 2. White hits an arm drag of the leg & wisely works the leg over, but Cobb just powers him into a strong Irish whip and White takes a Bret Hart buckle. Pull up swinging back suplex gets Cobb 2, standing moonsault 1…2…NO! Tour of the Islands blocked, Blade Runner blocked, snap German connects by Cobb, as Switchblade clutches the ropes, kicking away. White takes the ref as here comes Gedo to run distraction. Half & half by White drops Cobb on his neck, as he looks for a Blade Runner, but Cobb counters into a variation of Tour of the Islands! Gedo gets in, but Cobb gorilla presses him onto White. He shoots Switchblade off for a proper Tour of the Islands for the 3!

Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki
Mat work from Suzuki early who is just showing that he’s a better grappler than Okada, as he has a smirk on his face doing so. Okada gets a takedown, but Suzuki reverses into a cross face as Okada scrambles to the ropes. Suzuki stomps on the arm as they start their forearm exchange. Suzuki wins that battle & sinks in a triangle choke through the ropes. To the floor we go where Suzuki sends Okada into the railing, continuing to work the arm. Okada beats the count & slides into a Suzuki punt and a kimura lock. Okada gets a rope break, as Suzuki charges & Okada gets double boots up and a neckbreaker. Forearm battle again as Suzuki is connecting with some super violent ones as Okada’s look like he’s hitting Suzuki with a feather. Misdirection by Suzuki, who tries for the Gotch, but Okada counters into an Air Raid Crash neckbreaker. Uppercut battle as Suzuki isn’t moving at all after taking uppercuts from Okada. He lights up Okada with slaps, hits the ropes & runs into an Okada dropkick. Tombstone is blocked, Suzuki throws headbutts, but Okada blocks one, hits the Tombstone and here comes the Money Clip. Suzuki thankfully counters into a cross arm breaker, but Okada quickly gets the ropes. Backslide by Okada into a Rainmaker, but Okada can’t follow up. He maintains wrist control, Suzuki ducks a Rainmaker & sinks in the Rear Naked Choke! Okada slowly gets up, they trade submission attempts, Suzuki tries for a Gotch piledriver, but Okada backdrops him. Suzuki tries a sunset flip, but Okada drops down, holds the legs 1…2…3!! Shock win out of nowhere as Suzuki is a mad man outside, furious! Loved this ending and it was a very good match. We need matches like this in the tournament where wins come out of nowhere.

Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi
Both men no sell out the gate as Taichi throws kicks & Ishii throws chops. This goes on for quite a while, like 20 a piece before Ishii winces first & Taichi drops him with a leg kick. Taichi takes over outside as he grabs the ring hammer & smacks Ishii with it, then chokes him right in front of Red Shoes, who just essentially stands there. Back inside, Taichi keeps choking Ishii and Red Shoes again, does NOTHING! Even for Red Shoes this is ridiculous. Taichi throws more kicks & Ishii screams at him to bring it on, so Taichi foolishly starts doing petty paint brush kicks, which wakes Ishii up; he plants Taichi with a snap powerslam, then does a Violence Party in the corner. Ishii keeps stomping on his head & runs over Taichi with a shoulder tackle, tries a back suplex, but Taichi fights out. Corner boot & jump kick drops Ishii as we get a reset. Taichi knees out of a brainbuster & hits a Buzzsaw Kick as off come the britches, which actually wakes Ishii up, as he pops right up. Jump kick in the back of the head as Taichi hits Kawada Kicks that Ishii no sells, so Taichi promptly murders him with a forearm! Saito suplex hits as Taichi looks for Black Mephisto, but Ishii blocks into a buckle bomb & lariat. Taichi tries the ref assisted kick, but Ishii blocks & drops him, then hits a stacked powerbomb for 2. Super lariat turns Taichi inside out for the closest near fall of the match. Ishii tries the brainbuster, but Taichi wiggles out, throws the ref into Ishii, hits a low blow, Gedo clutch 1…2…NO!! Last Ride connects as Taichi tries the hook kick, but Ishii hits a German, that Taichi no sells. Ishii headbutts him down & screams, then he starts ramming his own head into the corner to hulk himself up. Lariat connects 1…Taichi kicks out! He hits a Saito suplex on Ishii for 2 and we get another reset. Ishii avoids Black Mephisto with a jumping high kick & sliding D for 2, then hits a Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the 3 count. This was Taichi’s best match so far in the tournament and to no surprise, it was against Ishii, who I really hope goes on a run of wins here. This was also the best match of the night so far.

Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay
Ospreay does a clean break off a lock up & messes the hair up of Ibushi like he’s a little kid. Ibushi tries a drop down, but Ospreay stands on top of him like a surfboard & rubs the face of Ibushi into the mat, which just pisses him off. Snap rana by Ospreay sends Ibushi outside & he does his fake out pose. Ibushi nearly runs into the ring & hits a Kamigoye off it, but Ospreay hits the handspring wheel kick & a flying forearm off the apron outside. Back inside, Ospreay chops away, then applies a submission (think Tequila Sunrise/Sharpshooter combo), but Ibushi gets the ropes. Ibushi starts fighting back with kicks & does a standing moonsault for 2. Both men dare the other to charge at him, as Ospreay hits a double chop, Ibushi kips up & does a double stomp on Ospreay, who was trying a baseball slide through the legs! Ospreay fights out of Last Ride, hits Pip Pip Cheerio, then nails the Sasuke Special outside! Reverse Bloody Sunday back inside gets Ospreay 2, as he goes up to the top, but Ibushi cuts him off. Zero clue what Ibushi is trying for, as he looks like he’s trying for a Super Tiger Bomb, but Ospreay knocks him to the apron. Ibushi springboard hurricanranas Ospreay off the top rope, but OSPREAY LANDS ON HIS FEET!! Ibushi looks like he saw a ghost & can’t believe it, as he charges and we have a forearm exchange. Ospreay wins the battle, but Ibushi turns & stares at him before DEMOLISHING Ospreay with a slap to the chest & kicks. Ibushi tries a lawn dart, Ospreay hits a wall walk enzugiri, but as he goes to hit the ropes, Ibushi holds on & hits a German suplex for 2. Bomaye connects 1…2…NO! He grabs wrist control, tries Kamigoye, but Ospreay avoids it, hits the Hook Kick, looks for Storm Breaker, but settles for a spinning Liger Bomb 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ospreay measures him for Hidden Blade, but Ibushi blocks it, hits a high kick & crazy Last Ride for 2! Ospreay nearly gets a shock roll up, spins over a clothesline, tries Storm Breaker, but Ibushi gets the wrist, tries Kamigoye, misses, Ospreay springs off the ropes for an Oscutter, but IBUSHI HITS A V-TRIGGER IN MID AIR!! Kamigoye connects 1…2…3!! What a match! Ibushi grabs the hand of Ospreay (who is down) & shakes it as this match was fantastic, but I honestly think they were holding back for another showdown. Which is insane to think.

A Block Standings
8 Points – Kota Ibushi
6 Points – Jay White, Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada
4 Points –Shingo Takagi, Jeff Cobb, Tomohiro Ishii
2 Points –
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi

Night 11
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Yujiro attacks at the bell with a big boot, lariat & DDT on the floor before heading back inside. He gets a few near falls of a boot & standing powerslam. Ishii takes over off a counter of a fisherman’s buster into a suplex before firing off forearms & a headbutt. Yujiro bites out of a powerbomb attempt & hits a one leg dropkick. Hot shot connects, but Ishii fights back with a Saito suplex. Yujiro hits a Fisherman’s suplex & Ishii is really clutching his neck (he’s selling his hand is numb too). Yujiro charges, but Ishii ducks & German suplexes Yujiro into the corner. Huge stalling superplex off the second for Ishii, who gets a 2 count. Yujiro tries a desperation lariat, but Ishii no sells & flattens him with one. Powerbomb is blocked into an Alabama Slam by the Tokyo Pimp. Big lariat by Yujiro, who hits an Angle Slam for 2. Ishii throws a headbutt, but charges right into a Miami Shine for a Yujiro 2 count. He wants Pimp Juice, but Ishii counters into a release German & follows with an enzugiri and murder lariat for 2. Ishii wants the finish, but Yujiro keeps blocking the brainbuster until he hits one of his own. Super close cradle gets Yujiro 2, as he tries a DDT, but Ishii pushes him away and hits an UPPERCUT HEADBUTT, sliding D 1…2…NO! Vertical drop brainbuster connects & Ishii wins it. This was the best Yujiro match of the tournament, which should come as no surprise it was against Ishii.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Jeff Cobb
First time these two have ever wrestled, which is cool. Standard back & forth to start as Okada tries a leapfrog, but Cobb catches him in mid air & hits a stalling suplex. Okada bails, selling the back, as he gets back in & hits a neckbreaker on Cobb, despite barely having a neck. Snap single leg dropkick to the face & DDT as he really wrenches away at a chin lock, which Cobb powers out of. Okada misses a corner elbow & Cobb hits a few shoulder blocks and overhead belly to belly suplex. Cobb hits the leaping corner uppercut & stalling back suplex for 2. Okada answers with a leaping back elbow & DDT once more for a 2 of his own. Okada wants an Air Raid Crash, but Cobb is built like a brick shit house, so that doesn’t work & Cobb levels him with a lariat for a double down. Revolution gut wrenches transitioned into a spinning back suplex for 2, then standing moonsault for 2 as well. BREAKING NEWS: JEFF COBB IS A STRONG MOTHERFUCKER!! Cobb tries Tour of the Islands, but Okada avoids it & hits his dropkick, then Tombstone. He slaps on Money Clip, but releases & tries a Rainmaker, which Cobb ducks & hits a dropkick of his own. Rainmaker pose from Cobb, who looks for Tour of the Islands again, but settles for a snap German. He goes for his finish again, but Okada nearly gets 2 off a roll up. They pop up and Cobb hits a superkick, tries for a lariat, but Okada blocks, he goes for an Air Raid Crash, but opts to backdrop Cobb, who hangs on for a sunset flip, only Okada drops his knees & gets the flash pin! The same way he beats Suzuki. Fun little match, thankful that Okada didn’t submit Cobb to that damn Money Clip. They’re almost telling the story that Okada is lucking into these last two wins.

Will Ospreay vs. Minoru Suzuki
Another first time matchup that starts with a forearm that Suzuki wins. We get a bunch of counters & Ospreay hits a plancha outside. Ospreay tries Pip Pip Cheerio off the railing, but Suzuki catches him into an arm breaker. He tries for the chair, but the ref takes it away, so Suzuki uses the railing to snap the arm. Cross arm breaker using the ring post was cool. Inside the ring, Suzuki keeps on the attack of the arm, daring Ospreay to hit him, which he does, but the arm is weak, so they have no effect. Suzuki proceeded to murder him with strikes. Suzuki chopped Ospreay so hard HE MADE HIS CHEST BLEED, as he sank in an Octopus Hold. Ospreay gets free & hits a desperation handspring wheel kick and standing shooting star for 2. He goes for Pip Pip Cheerio again, but Suzuki counters into the arm breaker for a second time. Ospreay gets the ropes & Suzuki hits a Helluva Kick and PK (to the arms, as Ospreay had his hands up to protect his face). He dares Will to fight back & he does so, with his good arm in the forearm battle, which Suzuki just wears him down with. Ospreay boots Suzuki away from the ropes & the third attempt of Pip Pip Cheerio hits, but only for 2. He knocks Suzuki off the ropes & tries a 450; lands on his feet, Hook Kick, Suzuki slap counter, Hook Kick into the reset. Suzuki cranks the arm to avoid Storm Breaker, but Ospreay starts a forearm battle foolishly, which Suzuki murders him as a result. Ospreay tries a handspring, but leaps right into a rear naked choke attempt, as he spins out & drops Suzuki with a suplex for 2. Hidden Blade is avoided as Suzuki does a spinning head scissors almost into the rear naked choke! Ospreay fades, but as Suzuki goes for the Gotch, Ospreay catches him with an enzugiri & Storm Breaker for the 3 count! This was the most I’ve ever seen Will Ospreay sell and I enjoyed it. His matches tend to be sell for like 5 seconds before doing flippy/high impact move, repeat. This time, he sold the arm out the gate & incorporated it into his offense. Suzuki rules, so that’s no surprise there.

Taichi vs. Jay White
So we essentially got double Doinks to start, as every time White stalled, Taichi did the same exact thing. Finally Taichi took the fight outside & slammed White into the railing, choking him with the cable cord. Gedo interfered though & posted Taichi, allowing White to take over inside with a neckbreaker. It was all Switchblade until Taichi hits an enzugiri, looked for another, but White chop blocked him, DDT, Blade Buster for a near fall. Saito suplex countered into an Axe Bomber right to the noggin as he looked for Last Ride, only for White to get out. Kawada Kicks for Taichi, who looked for the powerbomb again, but White got a dragon screw. White hits a German off a missed enzugiri, but Taichi no sells, charges & White nails a massive Uranage. Taichi no sells yet again & plants White with a backdrop suplex for the reset. They start daring the other to hit them (which they do), but everything they tell their opponent to hit them with, the other does the opposite. Taichi hits what feels like his 20th enzugiri this match & tries the Gedo clutch (how fitting) as Gedo took the ref. Switchblade tried a low blow, but Taichi blocked & shoved him into the ref for a bump. Gedo hopped in & got low blowed for his efforts, as did White for a close 2 as the ref miraculously recovered right in time. Finally Taichi got his Last Ride for another 2, as off come the britches, but White pulls the ref in front of him, avoiding the Buzzsaw Kick. Taichi looked for Black Mephisto, but was met with a flash Blade Runner for the 3. I was dreading this pairing coming in, as I thought it’d be bullshit for a majority, but it was the contrary, pretty damn enjoyable match. They played the heel vs heel stuff good and Taichi was the babyface pretty much. Both looked real good in this one.

Kota Ibushi vs. Shingo Takagi
The opening sequence was strike, strike, counter, repeat and it was fantastic. They trade forearms (like, a LOT) before Ibushi buckles, but suckers Shingo in with a dropkick to the floor. Shingo had the plancha scouted, as he bailed around the ring. Ibushi attacks right as he gets back in, tries for a springboard, but Shingo catches him in a fireman’s carry. He places Ibushi on the apron & just pops him with a forearm, crashing to the floor. He slammed Ibushi into the railing, side of the ring & dropped him with a DDT, as we headed back inside. Ibushi tried fighting back with forearms, but Shingo caught a kick & hit a dragon screw, working over the leg. Ibushi just stared at him & hit a snap hurricanrana for the reset. Ibushi hits a standing moonsault for 2, Shingo rolls outside & Ibushi hits his plancha. He tries for a powerbomb inside, but Shingo back drops out and they face off in the center of the ring. They trade kicks & blocks, before Shingo hits a back elbow/snap back fist & lariat combo. Noshigami blocked twice, backslide, Kamigoye blocked, Noshigami hits 1…2…NO! Sliding D avoided as they collide with double clotheslines, then they trade snap half & half Germans for another reset. Really wish a large crowd was here for this one (for all of this obviously) as the lack of crowd reaction for that spot was disappointing, but I understand. They trade headbutts & forearms on their knees, then come the slaps, which Shingo stops that immediately (smart move), as Ibushi throws kicks & Shingo no sells. He throws chops & Ibushi winces, but doesn’t go down either. Ibushi’s kicks are echoing as Shingo hits a snap right hand & a series of forearms. Ibushi flips out of a German & punts Shingo in the head! Last Ride connects for 2, but Shingo answers with a pop up DVD. Shingo hits the ropes, but Ibushi hits a V-Trigger. He tries for Kamigoye, but Shingo counters into a stalling Made in Japan 1…2…KICK OUT! Ibushi’s facial expression for that was amazing. 2 Pumping Bombers hit, with the second dropping Ibushi right on his neck 1…2…NO!! 20 minute call as Shingo hits a lariat & right hand that nearly folds Ibushi up. Ibushi fires back with a strong lariat as he lowers the knee pad, wants a Bomaye & hits it 1…2…KICK OUT! Both knee pads down, he was Kamigoye, but Shingo counters into Last of the Dragon for the 3! This ruled, but the fact that it felt as if these two were holding back for a bigger match down the line is downright scary.

A Block Standings
8 Points – Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Jay White
6 Points – Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi
4 Points – Jeff Cobb
2 Points –

0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi

Night 13
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb
Battle of the refrigerators as these two literally just bounce off each other before Cobb hits the first shoulder block knock down. After another back & forth, Ishii hits a shoulder of his own, but Cobb kips up, so Ishii hits a back suplex. They trade forearms until Ishii headbutts Cobb down, chopping him to the corner. Weak kicks wake Cobb up, who fires up with an overhead leg trapped Taz-plex. Leaping corner uppercut & running back suplex get Cobb the first near fall. They trade suplex attempts, with Ishii finally hitting one, throwing chops. Cobb tells Ishii to bring it on, which was a mistake, as Ishii crushes him with chops & forearms until he’s down. They trade forearms before Ishii hits one that drops Cobb like a ton of bricks. Cobb face planted as the ref checks on him for a TKO stoppage, but there’s fight left as he hits a massive overhead belly to belly. Both men slowly up at the same time & Ishii hits a snap powerslam & German! Ishii charges for a lariat, but runs right into an Exploder suplex. Cobb with a CHARGING UPPERCUT HEADBUTT giving Ishii a taste of his own medicine. Deadlift German gets a close 2 count as he goes for Tour of the Islands, but Ishii lariats out, Cobb drops him, standing moonsault 1…2…NO! Ishii wiggles out of Cobb’s finish again & hits an enzugiri for the reset. Ishii charges & Cobb popped him with a stiff right, charges himself, but Ishii destroys him with a lariat! Sliding D looks like it connects, Cobb catches him, tries for a Uranage, but Ishii hits a German! He turns Cobb inside out with a lariat 1…2…KICK OUT! Cobb avoids a brainbuster with a spinning back suplex, but Ishii no sells and they clonk heads at the same time! Series of reversals end with Ishii headbutting Cobb down, but he runs into a Cobb pop up powerbomb and Tour of the Islands 1…2…3!! This was the best Cobb match in this tournament, I loved this opener.

Jay White vs. Yujiro Takahashi
Battle of the BC boys as Switchblade is wearing track pants, tank top & headband for this, not in his gear at all. Hell, he’s wearing sneakers. Yujiro lays down for him, knowing he’s out of the tournament; he just wants a seemless win for Switchblade. White covers him, but Yujiro kicks out at 2. He apologizes and says its habbit, as White turns and looks at Gedo. Yujiro school boys White for 2, small package for 2, as White shoves him, so Yujiro hits a lariat and Angle Slam 1…2…NO! Miami Shine blocked as White almost runs into the ref, low blow by Yujiro, school boy 1…2…NO! Miami Shine connects 1…2…NO! Gedo runs distraction, low blow by White, who hits Blade Runner for the 3. I was fine with this; keep it short and White gets his win. He literally did one move. Post match, a pissed off Switchblade grabs a chair, but Gedo calms him down and White storms off.

Will Ospreay vs. Taichi
We get a bored Taichi (oh, no) stalling to start, as Ospreay tried to get him going, messing his hair up. Taichi fired off kicks (was that all it took to get Taichi to try?), but Ospreay hit a rana to the floor. Taichi took over, hitting Ospreay with the ring hammer & choking him with it. Taichi targets the throat in the ring, but as he rolled outside, Ospreay hit the Sasuke Special. Back inside, shooting star & corkscrew connects, but Taichi pops an enzugiri for a double down. Ospreay tries an Oscutter, but Taichi countered into a suplex. They get in the corner & Ospreay traps Taichi with Cheeky Nandos. He went for a 450, but Taichi got the knees up. Powerbomb by Taichi gets 2 as the britches came off. Ospreay hit a kick, tried Oscutter again, but was punted in mid air! Taichi & Ospreay both tried Black Mephisto and Storm Breaker, but neither was able to connect. Ospreay was finally able to hit the Oscutter for 2, so he hit Hidden Blade & Storm Breaker for the 3. I was very bored by this match, especially at almost 17 minutes. Taichi didn’t have his working boots on this match and it obviously shows when that’s the case. Ospreay’s was fine, but without an opponent with drive, his performance ultimately suffers as well.

Kota Ibushi vs. Minoru Suzuki
Both in kickboxing stance to start as they trade kicks, which turns to slaps & strikes as Suzuki wrestles Ibushi down. Rope break as they do some solid mat based work & counters of submission attempts as Suzuki gets trapped in a triangle, but he picks Ibushi’s ankle, who answers with an ankle pick of his own. They roll into the ropes and neither man want to release the hold. Finally Suzuki rolls to the apron, tries to sucker Ibushi into the arm bar in the ropes, but Ibushi has it scouted & knocks Suzuki to the floor with a big boot. Suzuki storms up the ramp pissed, dares Ibushi to come after him, which he does. They have a forearm battle at the entrance, which Suzuki wins. Finally Red Shoes puts a count on this, right as Suzuki flattened Ibushi with strikes. Ibushi in at 17 as Suzuki keeps his punishment up. Ibushi keeps rising, almost asking for more, so Suzuki grants his wish & kicks the living shit out of him. Ibushi fires up with forearms and SUZUKI LAUGHS, dropping him with 1 forearm. Helluva Kick in the corner, Suzuki hits the ropes & Ibushi pops a dropkick. More striking combos from both as Ibushi is kicking Suzuki so hard in the chest, but SUZUKI DOESN’T FALL! The facial expressions on Suzuki are incredible as finally Ibushi kicks him all the way down. Toy kicks just wake up Suzuki, pissing him off, as he starts laughing again & face plants Ibushi with 1 forearm. Violent forearms from Suzuki as they trade boots, Ibushi with a roundhouse kick, SUZUKI NO SELLS, hits a forearm and BOTH collapse! THEY BOTH START LAUGHING WHILE THROWING LIKE 20 FOREARMS A PIECE!! Holy shit, then it turns to slaps before Suzuki ducks a shot sinks in a Rear Naked Choke, he tries for the Gotch, but Ibushi back drops out. He looks for Kamigoye, but Suzuki avoids it into a Boston Crab (almost Liontamer) as Ibushi rolled out, gets up & hits a jump knee. Standing Kamigoye, then a proper one for the 3 count! Holy shit, this match was fun! Suzuki has a smile on his face after the match! 16 minutes of pure awesome. I love you Minoru Suzuki, you glorious psychopath.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Shingo Takagi
After such a fun match, I was completely uninterested in the slow feeling out process to start this. After your standard opening minutes, Okada tried a plancha, but Shingo moved & dropped him with a DDT outside. He chucked Okada into railing after railing, then slowly wore down Okada back inside. Finally Okada made a comeback after Shingo essentially dared him to fight back. Okada connected with a flapjack, hit a DDT of his own for 2. We’re already 10 minutes in, which is insane as not a whole lot has happened. Shingo hits a pop up DVD for a near fall, but Okada answered with an Air Raid Crash on his knee and Shingo clutched his neck. Match picks up as a forearm exchange turns to jabs, but Okada blocks, sets Shingo on the second rope, dropkicking him to the floor. Payback time from earlier, as Okada sent Shingo into all the railings before hitting a DDT out there as well. Slowly back in, Shingo blocks a Tombstone, hits a lariat, tries Noshigami and gets it after a struggle. Wheelbarrow suplex gets 2, as Shingo fires off a few 12/6 forearms, hits the ropes & Okada pops up for his dropkick and TOMBSTONE ON SHINGO’S HEAD! He landed weird as Money Clip is applied for the first time (I guarantee not the last) as Shingo promptly gets a rope break. Okada goes to the top, but Shingo cuts him off with headbutts and a HUGE superplex for 2. Corner lariat wakes Okada up, as they have a fast back & forth, Shingo rolls through a John Woo dropkick & hits a sliding lariat for the reset. Okada wants another Tombstone, Shingo got out with forearms & sliding uppercut! Made in Japan countered, Okada teased the roll up he’s won his last two matches with, but Shingo kicked out. Okada hit a Tombstone, then goes back to Money Clip, lets it go & hits a Rainmaker (which he hasn’t hit much this tournament). He goes for it again, but Shingo gets out and hits a Rainmaker of his own! Rainmaker pose by Shingo, who misses a Pumping Bomber, but does hit Made in Japan 1…2…KICK OUT!! Shingo absolutely murders Okada with a Pumping Bomber 1...2…NO!! Last of the Dragon countered, Money Clip countered, shotgun dropkick is rolled through by Shingo as he runs right into an Okada lariat!! Okada grabs the wrist as if he’s going to go for another Rainmaker, but instead locks on Money Clip. Shingo fights, subsequently fading, passing out. First 10 minutes were boring, but boy did it pick up. Shades of the old Okada in that final 17 minutes and that’s what made it a great main event. It also didn’t hurt that Shingo is one of the best in the world. Post match, Shingo made it known, he didn’t tap, he passed out.

A Block Standings
10 Points – Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada
6 Points – Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, Jeff Cobb

Out of Contention
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi

Night 15
Will Ospreay vs. Jeff Cobb
Bell sounds & Ospreay immediately shotgun dropkicks Cobb to the corner, but he throws a chop & forearm, which wakes Cobb up. Cobb hits 1 chop and Ospreay falls like a mannequin, but he pops up & hits a rana sending Cobb outside. Ospreay tries a handspring, but Cobb jumps on the apron & gut wrenches him THROUGH THE ROPES, faking a powerbomb to the floor, but Ospreay flips into the ring, knocks Cobb to the floor & hits the Sasuke Special! Holy shit, we’re 30 seconds into this! Dropkick in the corner gets Ospreay 2, so he tries Pip Pip Cheerio, but Cobb catches him with an overhead belly to belly. Leaping corner uppercut & stalling back suplex get Cobb 2. He slaps on a bear hug, a move I have no idea why he hasn’t used in the G1 up to this point. Ospreay fights out, Cobb hits revolution gut wrenches, then powers Ospreay up in a choke, but Ospreay dropkicks out. Handspring wheel kick, atomic drop, Cobb bumps him with a chop, misses a standing moonsault, so Ospreay hits a standing shooting star. Pip Pip Cheerio connects for 2 as he tries Hidden Blade, misses, Cobb hits a lariat, standing moonsault for 2. Cobb tries a clothesline, but Ospreay goes round the world into a Code Red for a close near fall. Cobb backdrops out of Storm Breaker, but Ospreay hits a wall walk dropkick, superkick, Cobb answers with a superkick of his own, charges, Ospreay with the standing Spanish Fly 1…2…NO! Springboard 450 out of the corner 1…2…NO! Ospreay with a superkick & hook kick, tries Oscutter, but Cobb blocks into the F-500 for 2!! Tour of the Islands blocked, Oscutter blocked, Cobb caught him, but chucked Ospreay into the corner, where he sprung out with the Oscutter 1…2…NO! Ospreay tries Storm Breaker, but Cobb hits Kenny Omega’s CROYT’S WRATH, then a Tour of the Islands 1…2…3!! They fit 22-25 minutes worth of stuff into 12 and it fucking ruled.

Kota Ibushi vs. Yujiro Takahashi
For someone who hasn’t won a match yet, Yujiro stalling early seems like a questionable tactic. Ibushi chases after him & back inside Yujiro hits forearms, but Ibushi hits 1 dropkick and Yujiro rolls outside again. He drags Ibushi out, rakes the eyes & chucks him into the railing before hitting a reverse DDT. Yujiro with super slow offense back inside, as Ibushi gets 1 shot off before Yujiro tries a Fisherman’s Buster, but settles on a standard suplex after a fight from Ibushi initially. Yujiro charges & Ibushi hits a leaping kick to get his first real advantage in this one as he lights Yujiro up with kicks & standing moonsault for 2. Yujiro hits a Hot Shot, running boot & lariat turns Ibushi inside out for 2. Ibushi avoids Miami Shine, Yujiro tries a sliding D, but Ibushi with a double stomp in mid air! Yujiro bites at the hand & they both trade a series of counters before Ibushi hits a Buzzsaw Kick, tries Last Ride, but Yujiro counters into an Angle Slam in the best moment of the match thus far. AVALANCE FISHERMAN’S BUSTER, then a proper Fisherman’s Buster 1…2…KICK OUT!! Holy shit, Yujiro almost killed Ibushi with that avalanche. Pimp Juice blocked, superkick blocked, backslide by Ibushi, Kamigoye blocked, Yujiro looks for Miami Shine, Ibushi wiggles out, V-Trigger, Kamigoye, 3 count! Why couldn’t the rest of the match be like the last 2 minutes? It was like 2 completely different matches. First half was the worst Ibushi of the tournament (which he’s been awesome this whole time, I know), but the last 2 were Yujiro’s best.

Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi
Standard little back & forth to start, with Shingo being sent outside & Taichi doing the hammer work, VINTAGE TAICHI! Back inside, slow offense by Taichi, until Shingo hits one forearm and it wakes Taichi up, who violently throws Shingo down. He tries for a backdrop driver, but Shingo fights free and hits one of his own. Kitchen sink knee, suplex, sliding D combo get a 2 count as the camera zooms in on Taichi, who was too busy making sure his pants didn’t fall off before selling what he just took. Shingo eats a corner boot & pump kick as Taichi again makes sure the pants are coming off yet. They trade back elbows before Shingo hits a snap jab, lariat & Noshigami for 2. Made in Japan blocked, Pumping Bomber no sold by Taichi, big boot no sold by Shingo, they trade chops & kicks, which goes on for a while. They trade Axe & Pumping Bombers before colliding at the same time and Taichi nails a snap Backdrop Driver for the reset. That was a friggin awesome back & forth spot as Taichi hits an Axe Bomber that clobbers Shingo for a 2 count. The pants finally come off, but he takes too long as Shingo charges and clocks Taichi with a lariat. Made in Japan blocked, Taichi shoves the ref, tries a low blow, but Shingo scouts it, Gedo Clutch 1…2…NO! He winds up the arm for a Pumping Bomber, but Taichi tries a high kick, Shingo ducks, Made in Japan 1…2…NO! Pumping Bomber hits so hard sweat bursts off Taichi 1…2…KICK OUT! Last of the Dragon attempt, but Taichi rakes the eyes, Buzzsaw Kick, TAICHI HITS LAST OF THE DRAGON 1…2…NO! Hook kick blocked, but enzugiri hits, Gedo Clutch 1…2…NO! They trade strikes, struggling to stay standing before Taichi hits a stiff superkick & Black Mephisto 1…2…3!! Slow, boring, standard Taichi start, but holy shit this kicked into high gear and it turned into the best Taichi match of the tournament. I was blown away by the second half of this match.

Minoru Suzuki vs. Jay White
First 5 minutes was Switchblade stalling every way possible. Suzuki didn’t have time for this bullshit, as he grabs the wrist & wrenches away, chopping in the corner. Helluva Kick connects as Suzuki sinks in the rope assisted triangle. Gedo was going to attack, but Suzuki (upside down mind you) death stares Gedo, who backs up slowly. White recovers & we get a brawl on the floor before Switchblade is on the attack inside with boots & neckbreaker. White makes the biggest mistake of his career, tapping Suzuki with kicks, waking Murder Grandpa up, who rises, but White rakes the eyes. Gedo grabs a chair, takes the ref & White gets another chair, but Suzuki gets it away and starts going nuts with it before Red Shoes takes it from him. White hits a suplex into the corner, tries a Uranage, but Suzuki fights out. White hits forearms and Suzuki gives the death stare again, flattening White with a forearm. These are so violent White tumbles outside, he slowly rolls back in & the murder tour continues. Switchblade finally stops it, chop blocking Suzuki’s leg, which is what he focuses on before he starts throwing chops. ON HIS KNEES, SUZUKI CRAWLS AFTER WHITE WANTING MORE CHOPS! He rises, but White kicks out the leg & DDTs him down. Kiwi Crusher avoided, striking combo by Suzuki sends Jay outside yet again. He’s able to sucker Suzuki in & wipes out the leg once more, but before he can sink in a leg lock, Suzuki counters into an ankle pick badly, but Jay gets the ropes. Suzuki lifts White by his goatee & murders him with a forearm, goes for it again, but Gedo runs distraction and White hits a Blade Buster. He goes for Blade Runner, but Suzuki leaps up into a cross arm breaker counter! JAY TAPS OUT but Gedo has the ref! Suzuki lets the hold go in order to punch out Gedo, he lights White up with strikes, they trade finisher attempts until Suzuki drops him with another forearm. Rear Naked Choke applied, Gotch attempt, Gedo trips the ref, allowing White to get a low blow & Blade Runner for the 3 count. This was a really great match, as Gedo & White overcame the onslaught and White’s selling & Suzuki’s facial expressions made this really strong stuff. Post match, Suzuki has to be pulled away from Red Shoes, as he’s in his face screaming at him giving him a death stare up the ramp before dropping a few young lions.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Feeling out process lasted a few minutes before we transitioned into counters, as these two have wrestled so much they have each other scouted quite well. Neckbreaker by Okada doesn’t even get a 1 count before he applies a rest hold. Ishii gets out and starts chopping away while selling his taped up leg. Chops aplenty as Okada crumbles before Ishii wakes him up with light slaps, so that’s all Okada needed to start no selling. He throws his bad looking forearms before Ishii CHOPS HIM IN THE THROAT repeatedly! Okada hits a flying forearm & back elbow, but Ishii hits an uppercut headbutt to the midsection as Okada sells it incredibly. Ishii starts slapping him, so Okada fires off a forearm & DDT that Ishii sells like he’s Rob Van Dam for a 2 count. He gets Ishii up to have a forearm battle (bad move) as it takes Ishii about 4 before he flattens Okada. They go to the top & have a forearm battle up there as Okada knocks Ishii down, Ishii tries his uppercut headbutt, but Okada forearms him in the air and hits an Air Raid Crash neckbreaker. They slowly rise and Okada no sells a snap powerslam, but Ishii hits a German suplex into the corner and Okada has stars in his eyes! Ishii puts him in the corner again & hits the stalling superplex for a close 2. Okada ducks a lariat, but eats a jump kick. Forearms by Ishii, but he runs into the Okada dropkick and Tombstone. Okada grabs the wrist & slaps on Money Clip (something tells me that won’t be the only time he has this hold on) as Ishii crawls to the ropes. Uppercuts by Okada, who goes for another Tombstone, but Ishii wiggles free & hits a release German. They do the false finish backdrop/sit down spot Okada has won matches with before, but Ishii kicks out. They do some counter strikes before Okada hits a Shotgun Dropkick, Ishii rolls through, Sliding D blocked as Okada gets Money Clip again. Ishii spins out, hits a DDT and a kimura is applied into an arm breaker! Okada gets a rope break, but Ishii locks in an arm bar through the ropes before Red Shoes tells him to let it go. Okada sets up Ishii on the second, hits his dropkick, but clutches his arm, allowing Ishii to no sell & hits a King Kong Knee (shout out Makabe) off the second and Sliding D for 1…2…NO! He charges, but Okada hits a desperation Tombstone for the double down. Okada tries a Rainmaker, but ISHII HEADBUTTS HIM, hits the ropes, Okada nails his dropkick, uppercut, SPINNING RAINMAKER, then sinks in Money Clip a third time. Ishii’s fight slowly fades before Okada tries to hit a back breaker off of it (like Randy Orton does), but Ishii bursts up with an uppercut headbutt! HE’S STILL ALIVE! Lariat folds Okada up 1…2…KICK OUT! Ishii signals for the end Vertical Drop Brainbuster countered into Money Clip, but Ishii hits a lungblower to escape! They trade backslides until Okada demolishes Ishii with a Rainmaker, dropkick, then Money Clip a 5th time in the center of the ring. He hits the backbreaker to sink it in better and Ishii fades. Fucking phenomenal main event.

A Block Standings
12 Points – Kota Ibushi, Jay White, Kazuchika Okada
10 Points – Will Ospreay

Out of Contention
8 Points – Jeff Cobb, Taichi
6 Points – Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi
0 Points – Yujiro Takahashi

Here's some mind numbing math on who needs what to happen in order to win. It's down to 4 guys in each block that have chances at winning this thing. Remember, Draws are 1 point, No Contests are 0 points.

Okada (2 options)

-Needs to defeat Ospreay and also White & Ibushi need to lose/draw/no contest in their matches

-Needs to draw Ospreay and also White & Ibushi need to lose/no contest (not a draw though)

White

-Needs to defeat Ishii

Ibushi

-Needs to defeat Taichi and also White lose/draw/no contests against Ishii

Ospreay

-Needs to defeat Okada and White & Ibushi need to lose/no contest their matches

EVIL (2 options)

-Needs to defeat SANADA

-Draw/No Contest with SANADA and also Naito loses to KENTA & Sabre loses/draws against Tanahashi

Naito

-Needs to defeat/draw KENTA and EVIL loses/no contests SANADA

SANADA

-Needs to defeat EVIL and Naito loses/no contests KENTA

Sabre

-Needs to defeat Tanahashi, Naito to lose and SANADA/EVIL to end in a no contest