'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We are on the closing stretch of the G1 Climax 30. While the B Block standings are pretty much in the air, the A Block standings became clearer heading into the final block competition night. After a show of the year candidate on Night 13, this evening was headlined by a battle of CHAOS members.
The main event was Tomohiro Ishii meeting Kazuchika Okada. We also saw two of the best heels in NJPW with Suzuki-gun's Minoru Suzuki facing Switchblade Jay White of the Bullet Club. The other A Block matches saw Shingo Takagi battling Taichi, Kota Ibushi against Yujiro Takahashi and Will Ospreay versus Jeff Cobb.
We had a socially-distanced, limited-capacity crowd in Hamamatsu. This crowd had to be responsive to match the level of the Osaka crowd from Night 13. Our A Block standings heading into G1 Climax Night 15 were:
- Jay White, Kazuchika Okada, Kota Ibushi, Will Ospreay (5-2)
- Jeff Cobb, Minoru Suzuki, Shingo Takagi, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi (3-4)
- Yujiro Takahashi (0-7)
For this evening, your "Matches To Watch" are:
- Jeff Cobb vs. Will Ospreay
- Minoru Suzuki vs. Jay White
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Tomohiro Ishii
The fans in Hamamatsu were treated to another battle of the Young Lions to kick off the action.
G1 Climax 30 Night 15: Gabriel Kidd vs. Yuya Uemura
Our opening contest was a rematch from G1 Climax 30 Night 12 with Gabriel Kidd facing Yuya Uemura. These two men, along with Yota Tsuji, all have four wins in the "unofficial" C Block between these New Japan dojo trainees during this tour.
We got our usual grappling start to this G1 Climax 30 encounter. Kidd took advantage, bringing Uemura to the ground. Uemura gained the upper hand by getting wrist control and working over the arm. Kidd regained the advantage and hit a dropkick for a two count.
In the end, Kidd tried the butterfly suplex. However, Uemura reversed and got the armbar. He quickly transitioned into a double underhook suplex with a bridge for the win in eight and a half minutes.
Yuya Uemura is the first to five wins in the C Block of the G1 Climax 30. This was a solid encounter once again. The two men worked well and executed everything at the right time. With three nights remaining, it will be interesting to see who has the most wins out of the three Young Lions.
Results: Yuya Uemura defeats Gabriel Kidd via pinfall
Star Rating: ***
Jeff Cobb (3-4) vs. Will Ospreay (5-2) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
The A Block opener was Jeff Cobb versus Will Ospreay. Cobb stood at 3-4 following his huge win over Ishii, while Ospreay came in at 5-2 following a win over Taichi on G1 Climax 30 Night 13. This was a rematch from the G1 Supercard in MSG, and Cobb was victorious there.
We got a lightning quick start to this G1 Climax 30 A Block opening contest. Both men evaded offense until they fought on the apron for a powerbomb and Frankensteiner respectively. This ended with Ospreay landing the Sasake Special. Back in the ring, Ospreay landed a corner dropkick for only the one count.
Cobb got the upper hand in this G1 Climax 30 match when he got Ospreay on a springboard into the front suplex. He then landed a backdrop suplex for a two count. Cobb got a bearhug and transitioned into gutwrenches before Ospreay reversed out. The latter then hit a springboard overhead kick. They traded chops with Cobb then looking for a standing moonsault, which he missed. Ospreay then hit a standing shooting star press. He followed with a Pip Pip Cheerio for a two count.
Ospreay missed the Hidden Blade. Cobb then hit a Pop up lariat and followed with the standing moonsault. Ospreay reversed the Tour of the Islands into a Code Red. Ospreay then looked for the Stormbreaker, but Cobb backdropped out. A series of reversals in this G1 Climax 30 encounter ended with Cobb hitting a Superkick.
Ospreay then caught a running Cobb with a standing C4. He quickly followed with a springboard 450 splash for a near fall. Ospreay hit a side Superkick and looked for the Oscutter. However, Cobb caught him and hit a F-5000 for a near fall.
Ospreay reversed the Tour of the Islands and looked for the Oscutter again. Cobb caught him and threw him to the corner where Ospreay then hit a second rope Oscutter for a near fall.
Cobb reversed a Stormbreaker into a pop up German Suplex. Cobb followed with Tour of the Islands for the win in twelve and a half minutes. Jeff Cobb got his fourth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. That was a great power vs speed encounter filled with fun sequences throughout.
Results: Jeff Cobb (8) defeats Will Ospreay (10) via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/4
Yujiro Takahashi (0-7) vs. Kota Ibushi (5-2) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
The next A Block match was Yujiro Takahashi of the Bullet Club against Kota Ibushi. Takahashi was winless heading into this match, while Ibushi stood at 5-2 following a win in a thriller over Suzuki on G1 Climax 30 Night 13.
We got a slow tentative start between the former partners. Action went to the outside in this G1 Climax 30 contest where Ibushi got the upper hand. However back in the ring, Takahashi started to land strikes. Ibushi responded with a dropkick. Ibushi looked for a plancha to the floor, but Yujiro grabbed his leg to drag him out. He then threw him into the guardrail and hit a reverse DDT.
After a bit of a struggle in this G1 Climax 30 match, Takahashi hit a suplex in the ring. He followed with a running boot into the corner. Ibushi responded with a jumping mid kick to a running Yujiro. Ibushi hit a series of strikes and followed with the standing moonsault for a two count. Yujiro took back control landing another big boot followed by a lariat for a near fall.
Ibushi reversed a sliding dropkick into a standing foot stomp. Yujiro blocked the Last Ride by biting Kota's fingers. Ibushi hit a high kick. However, Yujiro reversed the Last Ride into an Intercollegiate Slam.
Yujiro then hit an avalanche fisherman's buster and followed with a standard fisherman's buster for a near fall. He looked for the Pimp Juice, but Ibushi reversed into a backslide and looked for Kamigoye. Yujiro reversed, but Ibushi hit a V Trigger and quickly followed with Kamigoye for the win in twelve and a half minutes.
Kota Ibushi gets his sixth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. This was one of Yujiro's better matches of the tournament so far.
Results: Kota Ibushi (12) defeats Yujiro Takahashi (0) via pinfall
Star Rating: **3/4
***Intermission followed***
Taichi (3-4) vs. Shingo Takagi (3-4) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
A Block competition resumed with Taichi against Shingo Takagi. Both men came in at 3-4, with Taichi losing to Will Ospreay and Shingo losing a classic to Okada on G1 Climax 30 Night 13. Both men are seemingly out of the running to win the A Block, so this match is for pride.
We got Taichi stalling to start and wasn't looking to locking up in this G1 Climax 30 encounter. Shingo hit a shoulder block that sent Taichi to the outside. On the floor, Taichi took control by using the timekeeper's hammer again. Back in the ring, the two men traded strikes until Taichi used Shingo's hair to bring him down. We then saw some reversals, which led to Shingo hitting a backdrop driver. Shingo then hit a suplex and followed with the sliding lariat for a two count.
Taichi got control by evading a corner lariat and hit a high kick to the head. Shingo evaded a strike and hit a lariat. He quickly followed with Noshigami for a near fall. The two men then traded strikes and kicks in this G1 Climax 30 match until Shingo chopped Taichi down.
Shingo challenged Taichi to kick him, which he obliged. Another strike exchange followed with both men landing lariats at the same time. Taichi then reversed Pumping Bomber into a backdrop driver. Taichi hit a Pumping Bomber of his own for a near fall.
Shingo landed a series of strikes. He reversed a roundhouse kick from Taichi into Made In Japan for a near fall. Takagi followed with his own version of the Gedo Clutch for another two count. He then hit the Pumping Bomber for another close two. Taichi reversed Last of the Dragon and hit one of his own for a two count. Shingo blocked the thrust kick, but Taichi hit an enziguri instead.
He followed with the Gedo Clutch for a near fall. The two men then traded strikes until Taichi hit a thrust kick and followed with Black Mephisto for the win in sixteen minutes. Taichi wins his fourth match and gets two more points in the G1 Climax 30.
That was an engrossing, hard hitting affair. Everything they did worked and made both men look like they could win the entire way. Taichi has been on a roll, and Takagi continued his MVP run in the G1 Climax 30.
Results: Taichi (8) defeats Shingo Takagi (6) via pinfall
Star Rating: ***3
Minoru Suzuki (3-4) vs. Jay White (5-2) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
The semi main event of the evening was faction leaders battling out with Suzuki-gun's Minoru Suzuki against Bullet Club's Jay White. Suzuki came in at 3-4 following a loss to Ibushi, while White stood at 5-2 following a win over Yujiro on G1 Climax 30 Night 13. With a win here, Jay White would need one final victory to win the entire A Block.
We got Switchblade stalling to kick this G1 Climax 30 encounter off. Once in the ring, Suzuki is able to get control laying in chops. He then got on an armbar across the top rope. On the outside Jay was able to get the upper hand. Back in the ring, White worked over Suzuki, while Suzuki no sold kicks from White until Jay raked his eyes. Gedo distracted the ref for White to use a chair, but Suzuki reversed and got the chair himself. He landed chair shots to the back until the ref returned to the ring in this G1 Climax 30 encounter.
Suzuki laid in strikes until White hit a head and arm suplex into the corner. The two men then traded strikes in this G1 Climax 30 semi main event with Suzuki getting the upper hand sending Jay to the floor. Suzuki landed strikes in the corner until Switchblade attacked his leg.
White wore down the left leg of Suzuki and hit a death valley driver for a two count. The two men traded chops until White attacked the leg and hit a DDT. Suzuki blocked the sleeper suplex by attacking the arm. He then hit a palm strike that sent White to the floor.
Both men looked for signature moves until White attacked the leg again. However, Suzuki reversed and put on a heel hook until White made it to the ropes. Suzuki landed some stiff forearms to a wore down Switchblade until Gedo distracted again in this G1 Climax 30 match. White used that to chop block the leg and hit the Blade Buster. Suzuki reversed the Blade Runner into a cross armbreaker in an cool reversal. White tapped out, but Gedo distracted the referee.
Suzuki laid out Gedo and slapped White. Suzuki looked for the sleeper hold, while White looked for the Blade Runner until Suzuki landed another forearm. Suzuki locked on the sleeper and transitioned into the Gotch Piledriver, but Gedo distracted the ref again. This allowed White to hit a low blow and the Blade Runner for the win in twenty and a half minutes. Jay White got his sixth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. If White wins on Friday, he wins the A Block.
That was a very good semi main event. The heel shenanigans of Switchblade against the ruthless brutality of Suzuki made for a compelling G1 Climax 30 contest. Suzuki has had one hell of an in ring year at 52 years old.
Results: Jay White (12) defeats Minoru Suzuki (6) via pinfall
Star Rating: ***3/4
Tomohiro Ishii (3-4) vs. Kazuchika Okada (5-2) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
The main event for the G1 Climax 30 Night 15 was Tomohiro Ishii facing his CHAOS stablemate Kazuchika Okada. Ishii came in at 3-4 following a loss to Cobb, while Okada stood at 5-2 following a win over Shingo. Ishii defeated Okada in the G1 four years ago.
The two men traded shoulder blocks early with Okada getting the better. Okada then followed with a snapmare and sliding dropkick for a two count. Ishii evaded strikes and landed a suplex to take the upper hand. Ishii started to lay in the chops on Okada. The two men traded more strikes until Ishii hit throat chops.
Okada regained control in this G1 Climax 30 match with a flapjack. We got another strike exchange with Ishii getting the upper hand following a stiff forearm. The two men then traded strikes on the top rope before Ishii went for a headbutt, but Okada met it with a forearm.
After some counters, Okada landed the air raid neckbreaker. Ishii then reversed a lariat into a powerslam and followed with a German Suplex into the corner. Ishii hit a series of forearms and then ran right into the Okada dropkick. Okada then followed with the tombstone and transitioned into the Money Clip. Ishii made it to the ropes.
Ishii reversed a tombstone into a German Suplex. Okada then reversed a powerbomb into a roll up for a near fall in a callback to his other G1 Climax 30 wins. The two men then traded rollups for near falls. Okada reversed the sliding lariat into another Money Clip submission. Ishii reversed and hit a DDT and then followed and transitioned into a Kimura.
Ishii transitioned that into a cross armbreaker until Okada got to the ropes. Ishii ran into the corner, which Okada reversed to place him on the top for his dropkick. However, Ishii no sold and hit a second rope knee drop to the neck. He then hit a sliding lariat for a near fall.
Okada then reversed the brainbuster into another tombstone in this G1 Climax 30 encounter. Ishii blocked the Rainmaker with headbutts and followed with a lariat. Okada met a running Ishii with a dropkick, which he no sold. Okada followed with a discus lariat and locked on the Money Clip again. Ishii made it to his feet where Okada flipped him over. However, Ishii responded with a headbutt right to the jaw to a loud response to this G1 Climax 30 main event from the Hamamatsu crowd. He followed with a lariat for a two count. Okada blocked the brainbuster and transitioned into the Money Clip, but Ishii hit a codebreaker to break free.
The two men traded reversals until Okada hit a Rainmaker variation. Ishii broke out of wrist control and looked for the lariat, but Okada met him with the dropkick and locked back on the Money Clip. Ishii tried making it to his feet, but Okada hit a neckbreaker from the cobra clutch position and locked back on the Money Clip.
Ishii couldn't respond to the referee, which gave Okada the win via referee stoppage in 26 minutes. Kazuchika Okada got his sixth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. Okada now needs to win on Friday, along with Ibushi and White losses to win the block.
The G1 Climax 30 main event was a tremendous match. Both men had hard-hitting offense, entertaining sequences and a thrilling finish. Okada once again won with the Money Clip and stays alive in the A Block of the G1 Climax 30.
Results: Kazuchika Okada (12) defeats Tomohiro Ishii (6) via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
