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G1 Climax 30 A Block Match: Jeff Cobb (2-3) vs. Kazuchika Okada (3-2)
Our next A Block match of the evening was Jeff Cobb facing Kazuchika Okada. Cobb came in at 2-3 after his win over Switchblade in Hiroshima, while Okada stood at 3-2, following his victory over Suzuki on G1 Climax 30 Night 9. This was a first-time-ever match.
We got a tentative start to this G1 Climax 30 encounter. Okada is able to gain control with a sliding dropkick. He wore down Cobb until he responded with a front suplex. Okada started to pick up the pace and use his speed to regain the upper hand. We got a strike exchange between the two ending with a lariat from Cobb.
Jeff started displaying his power by gutwrenching Okada around from a standing position. He then turned a powerbomb attempt into an Athletic Plex with great ease. He followed with a standing moonsault for a two count. Okada regained control by landing his signature dropkick.
Okada followed up with the tombstone and locked on the Money Clip submission. Cobb fought to his feet, but Okada did a backslide looking for a lariat. However, Cobb hit a dropkick himself. He then did the Rainmaker pose showing some confidence in this G1 Climax 30 contest and set up for a ripcord Tour of the Islands. Okada reversed, but hit a German instead. He looked for Tour of the Islands, but Okada did a small package for a two count.
In the end, we saw a series of reversals finally ending with Okada rolling up Cobb for the win in eleven minutes. Kazuchika Okada gets his fourth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. This was a well-worked and paced, solid affair. With more time, it had all the potential to be great. It settled for a good match on this night.
Results: Kazuchika Okada (8) defeats Jeff Cobb (4) via pinfall
Star Rating: ***1/4
***Intermission followed***
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
