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SANADA (0-1) vs. Hirooki Goto (0-1) - G1 Climax 30 B Block Match
In the first match of B Block competition, SANADA of Los Ingobernables de Japon faced one-third of the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions, Hirooki Goto of CHAOS. Both men lost their B Block opening matches, so this was an important match. We didn't mention in the Night 2 review that SANADA has a nice haircut and new attire for the G1 Climax 30. Goto suffered a shoulder injury in the block opener against KENTA and it was heavily taped here.
Early in this G1 Climax 30 encounter, the fight moved to the outside where SANADA evaded a lariat as Goto ran his injured shoulder into the ring post. From there, SANADA worked over his right arm. The Cold Skull countered Goto continuously, even locking in Skull End early. However, Goto escaped and nailed a discus lariat but reaggravated his injured shoulder.
The two men traded finisher attempts and pinning combinations. SANADA then nails his opponent with Goto's own Ushigoroshi but he missed his signature Muta-sault. Then, Goto hit a rope-assisted GTR, followed by a GTW to force a near fall. Goto quickly landed a stiff kick to the chest and the GTR for the win in eleven minutes. Hirooki Goto picked up his first two points in the G1 Climax 30.
This was a good match to kick off the event. There were plenty of entertaining counters and sequences that showed off the chemistry between these two men. B Block favorite, SANADA, is now 0-2.
Results: Hirooki Goto (2) defeats SANADA via pinfall
Star Rating: ***1/2
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
