NJPW G1 Climax 33: Night Ten
July 30, 2023
The Dolphin’s Arena
Aichi, Japan
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A BLOCK: (SANADA, Shota Umino, Hikuleo, Kaito Kiyomiya, Chase Owens, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji, and Gabriel Kidd)
B BLOCK: (Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, KENTA, Taichi, El Phantasmo, The Great O-Khan, Yoshi Hashi and Tanga Loa)
C BLOCK: (Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi, David Finlay, Eddie Kingston, EVIL, Tama Tonga, Aaron Henare and Mikey Nicholls)
D BLOCK: (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, Zack Sabre Jr, Jeff Cobb, Hirooki Goto, Toru Yano, Shane Haste and Alex Coughlin)
Transcription by Josh Lopez
First Match: (6) David Finlay w/Gedo vs. (2) Aaron Henare In A G1 CLIMAX 33 C BLOCK Tournament Match
Finlay shoves Henare after the bell rings. Rockers Punches. Henare HeadButts Finlay. Henare drops Finlay with a shoulder tackle. Henare kicks Finlay in the back. Henare with a Senton Splash for a one count. Finlay slams Henare’s head on the top rope. Finlay with a double leg takedown. Finlay is raining down haymakers. Finlay dumps Henare out of the ring. Finlay tees off on Henare. Finlay repeatedly drives the back of Henare’s head against the steel barricade. Finlay with clubbing sledges against the chest of Henare for a two count. Finlay with Two Leg Drops for a two count. Finlay follows that with a NeckBreaker for a two count. Finlay argues with the referee. Finlay drives his knee into Henare’s back. Finlay applies a rear chin lock. Henare with heavy bodyshots. Finlay answers with The Irish Curse BackBreaker for a two count.
Finlay reapplies a rear chin lock. Finlay goes into the lateral press for a two count. Finlay applies the cravate. Heare fights from underneath. Finlay with three uppercuts. Henare decks Finlay with a back elbow smash. Finlay with a forearm smash. Henare responds with The Pop Up Samoan Drop. Henuare unloads a flurry of shots in the corner. Henare with a corner clothesline. Henare hits The Berzerker Bomb for a two count. Finlay blocks The PK. Henare combo palm strikes. Henare blocks a boot from Finlay. Henare with a Spinning Heel Kick. Henare blasts Finlay with The PK for a two count. Finlay denies The Rampage. Finlay sends Henare to the corner. Finlay drops Henare with a DDT. Finlay with clubbing crossfaces. Finlay with a Sliding Lariat across the back of Henare’s neck.
Finlay goes for The Blue Thunder Bomb, but Henare blocks it. Finlay avoids The Rising Knee Strike. Finlay sends Henare crashing to the outside. Finlay launches Henare face first into the steel ring post. Finlay rolls Henare back into the ring. Finlay with The Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Finlay with clubbing blows to Henare’s back. Finlay goes for Into Oblivion, but Henare lands back on his feet. Henare with a Running Knee Strike. Henare goes for The Streets Of Rage, but Finlay lands back on his feet. Finlay drives Henare face first into a neutral color corner pad. Finlay with forearm shivers. Finlay with repeated headbutts. Finlay follows that with The Rolling Elbow. Henare HeadButts Finlay. Henare with another Rising Knee Strike. Henare delivers The Rampage. Finlay avoids The Streets Of Rage. Finlay connects with Into Oblivion to pickup the victory.
Winner: David Finlay via Pinfall
Second Match: (8) Jeff Cobb vs. (0) Toru Yano In A G1 CLIMAX 33 D BLOCK Tournament Match
Cobb kicks Yano in the gut. Short-Arm Reversal by Yano. Yano pulls Cobb down to the mat. Yano removes a turnbuckle pad. Cobb with a straight right hand. Beer Cans and Rolls Of Tape fall out of Yano’s t-shirt. Cobb delivers The Spin Cycle. Cobb takes a sip of the beer. Cobb goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Yano gets his knees up in the air for a two count. Yano blocks a boot from Cobb. Yano delivers the low blow. Yano with the backslide cover for a two count. Cobb dropkicks Yano. Cobb whips Yano across the ring. Yano holds onto the ropes. Yano goes towards the red chair. The referee admonishes Yano. Yano blinds Cobb with the sanitizer spray. Yano rolls Cobb over to pickup the victory.
Winner: Toru Yano via Pinfall
Third Match: (4) Eddie Kingston vs. (2) Mikey Nicholls w/Kosei Fujita In A G1 CLIMAX 33 C BLOCK Tournament Match
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Nicholls backs Kingston into the red turnbuckle pad. Nicholls slaps Kingston in the face. Nicholls tells Kingston to bring it. Strong lockup. Nicholls with a forearm smash. Nicholls dodges The Spinning Back Fist. Nicholls with a Saito Suplex. Kingston regroups on the outside. Nicholls with The Slingshot Pescado. Nicholls rolls Kingston back into the ring. Nicholls rakes the eyes of Kingston. Nicholls with The Delayed Vertical Suplex for a one count. Nicholls fish hooks Kingston. Nicholls with a Knee Drop. Nicholls applies a rear chin lock. Nicholls starts biting Kingston’s forehead. Kingston unloads two knife edge chops. Nicholls drives his knee into the midsection of Kingston. Kingston blocks The Mikey Bomb. Nicholls goes for The O’Connor Roll, but Kingston holds onto the ropes. Kingston drops Nicholls with a DDT. Nicholls side steps Kingston into the blue turnbuckle pad. Kingston kicks Nicholls in the face.
Kingston with a Diving Bulldog. Machine Gun Chops. Kingston delivers The Face Wash. Kingston with a Twisting Fisherman’s Suplex for a two count. Nicholls avoids Spinning Back Fisst. Standing Switch Exchange. Nicholls with a DDT. Nicholls with two corner clotheslines. Nicholls whips Kingston across the ring. Nicholls with The SpineBuster for a two count. Kingston avoids The Mikey Bomb. Nicholls hits The Death Valley Driver. Nicholls with a Sliding Lariat for a two count. Nicholls talks smack to Kingston. Chop/Forearm Exchange. Kingston blocks a boot from Nicholls. Kingston with The Exploder Suplex. Kingston with a Saito Suplex. Kingston ducks a clothesline from Nicholls. Kingston with The Half & Half Suplex. Kingston with a Sliding Elbow for a two count. Nicholls blocks The Spinning Back Fist. Nicholls with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Kingston connects with The Spinning Back Fist to pickup the victory.
Winner: Eddie Kingston via Pinfall
Fourth Match: (4) Tetsuya Naito vs. (2) Alex Coughlin In A G1 CLIMAX 33 D BLOCK Tournament Match
Naito is playing mind games with Coughlin. Naito rolls under a clothesline from Coughlin. Tranquilo Pose. Naito rolls himself out of the ring. Naito is trying to get Coughlin flustered. Coughlin runs after Naito. Naito kicks Coughlin in the gut. Naito with a Running Headscissors Takeover. Naito ducks a clothesline from Coughlin. Naito kicks Coughlin in the face. Coughlin with a Fallaway Slam. Coughlin whips Naito into the steel barricade. Coughlin slaps Naito in the chest. Coughlin sends Naito back first into another barricade. Coughlin poses for the crowd. Coughlin with a Deadlift GutWrench BackBreaker for a two count. Coughlin puts his knee on the back of Naito’s neck. Coughlin applies a side headlock. Naito rakes the eyes of Coughlin. Coughlin repeatedly stomps on Naito’s chest. Coughlin chops the back of Naito’s neck. Coughlin with two knife edge chops. Coughlin spits at Naito. Coughlin sends Naito to the corner. Naito dodges the flying clothesline. Naito kicks Coughlin in the gut. Naito drops Coughlin with a NeckBreaker.
Naito with a forearm smash. Naito with a toe kick. Naito punches Coughlin in the back. Naito whips Coughlin across the ring. Naito with a deep arm-drag. Naito scores the elbow knockdown. Naito dropkicks the back of Coughlin’s neck. Naito with a Corner Dropkick. Naito sweeps out the legs of Coughlin. Combination Cabron for a one count. Naito applies the cravate. Coughlin with a BackBreaker. Coughlin with a Belly to Back Suplex. Coughlin chops Naito. Naito goes for The Swinging DDT, but Coughlin counters with a Pop Up PowerBomb for a two count. Coughlin goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Naito lands back on his feet. Naito with a back elbow smash. Naito with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Coughlin blocks The Destino. Naito with clubbing back elbow smashes. Coughlin hits The Black Hole Slam. Coughlin with an Inside Out Lariat for a two count. Coughlin goes for The Jack Hammer, but Naito counters with The Reverse DDT for a two count. Naito connects with The Destino to pickup the victory.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito via Pinfall
Fifth Match: (2) Tomohiro Ishii vs. (6) EVIL w/Dick Togo In A G1 CLIMAX 33 C BLOCK Tournament Match
EVIL attacks Ishii before the bell rings. EVIL with clubbing blows to Ishii’s back. EVIL attacks Ishii with the t-shirt. EVIL dumps Ishii out of the ring. EVIL kicks Ishii in the gut. EVIL rolls Ishii back into the ring. EVI stomps on the midsection of Ishii. EVIL kicks Ishii out of the ring. Ishii repeatedly whips EVIL chest first into the steel barricade. Ishii toys around with EVIL. Ishii with a chop/forearm combination. EVIL reverses out of the irish whip from Ishii. Togo trips Ishii from the outside. EVIL drives Ishii back first into the barricade. The ring announcer goes down in the process. Togo removes the blue turnbuckle pad. EVIL rakes the eyes of Ishii. EVIL wraps the cable cords around Ishii’s neck. EVIL sends Ishii chest first into the barricade. EVIL wraps the chair around Ishii’s neck. Ishii avoids the home run shot. Ishii with forearm shivers. EVIL wraps the chair again around Ishii’s neck. EVIL sends Ishii neck first into the steel ring post. EVIL is choking Ishii with the chair. Ishii gets back in the ring at the count of ten.
EVIL slams Ishii’ head on the exposed steel. EVIL continues to rake the eyes of Ishii. Ishii kicks out of multiple pinning predicaments. Ishii rolls EVIL over for a two count. EVIL stands on the back of Ishii’s neck. EVIL talks smack to Ishii. EVIL is going to the well with these eye rakes. EVIL goes for The Fisherman’s Buster, but Ishii counters with a Vertical Suple. Ishii with three knife edge chops. EVIL reverses out of the irish whip from Ishii. Ishii starts bending EVIL’s fingers. EVIL blocks a boot from Ishii. EVIL thrust kicks the midsection of Ishii. Ishii with a Backdrop Driver. Misfired Clotheslines. Ishii decks EVIL with a back elbow smash. Ishii ducks a clothesline from EVIL. Ishii goes for a German Suplex, but EVIL holds onto the referee. EVIL and Ishii plays hot potato with the referee. Togo shoves Ishii into the referee. Togo repeatedly stomps on Ishii’s chest. Togo wraps the garrote around Ishii’s neck. EVIL rips off Ishii’s t-shirt. EVIL hits The Magic Killer for a two count.
Ishii blocks Everything Is EVIL. EVIL drives his knee into the midsection of Ishii. Ishii sends EVIL chest first into the exposed steel. Ishii with a Release German Suplex. EVIL with another eye rake. Ishii with two throat chops. Ishii floors EVIL with The Kamagiri. Ishii pulls back the arms of EVIL. Ishii gets distracted by Togo. EVIL inadvertently knocks Togo off the ring apron. Ishii clotheslines the chair into EVIL’s face. Ishii with a Running Lariat for a two count. EVIL blocks The Vertical Drop BrainBuster. Ishii shrugs off a Lariat from EVIL. Ishii HeadButts EVIL. EVIL responds with a Falling Lariat. EVIL with a Running Lariat. EVIL hits The Darkness Falls for a two count. Ishii blocks Everything Is EVIL. EVIL goes for The Fisherman’s Buster, but Ishii lands back on his feet. Ishii nails EVIL with Everything Is ISHII. Ishii with a Sliding Lariat for a two count. EVIL denies The Vertical Drop BrainBuster. EVIL tugs on the referee’s shirt. Togo delivers the low blow. EVIL connects with Everything Is EVIL to pickup the victory.
Winner: EVIL via Pinfall
Sixth Match: (6) Zack Sabre Jr vs. (4) Shane Haste w/Kosei Fujita In A G1 CLIMAX 33 D BLOCK Tournament Match
Standing Switch Exchange. Haste applies a side headlock. Sabre whips Haste across the ring. Sabre drops down on the canvas. Arm-Drag Takeover/Headscissors Escape Exchange. That leads us to a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Sabre applies a wrist lock. Haste with an arm-drag takedown. Haste kicks Sabre in the back. Sabre calls Haste a prick. Front Boot Exchange. Uppercut Exchange. Running Boot Exchange. Haste dropkicks Sabre to the floor. Haste rolls Sabre back into the ring. Haste with a running back kick. Haste puts his knee on Sabre’s back. Haste pulls back the right shoulder of Sabre. Sabre gets Hasted tied up in a knot. Haste grabs the bottom rope which forces the break.
Haste with combination kicks. Haste stomps on the left knee of Sabre. Haste repeatedly kicks the left hamstring of Sabre. Sabre dropkicks Haste. Following a snap mare takeover, Sabre kicks Haste in the back. Sabre cranks on Haste’s neck. Sabre applies a front face lock. Haste drives Sabre back first into the red turnbuckle pad. Haste blocks a boot from Sabre. Sabre with another neck crank. Sabre with a Bridging Half Hatch Suplex for a two count. Sabre slaps the back of Haste’s neck. Sabre applies a front face lock. Sabre transitions into The Kimura Lock. Haste escapes with The Falcon Arrow. Haste with forearm shivers. Palm Strike Exchange. Overhand Chop Exchange.
Second Palm Strike Exchange. Both men are knocked down after a Double Boot. Sabre blasts Haste with The PK. Haste blocks The Zack Drive. Haste with a SitOut PowerBomb for a two count. Sabre dodges The Flying Kick. Sabre applies The STF. Sabre pulls back the left arm of Haste. Sabre transitions into a grounding full nelson lock. Haste puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Sabre with a Mid-Kick. Sabre scores another PK. Haste responds with a Lariat. Haste goes for The Bomb Valley Death, but Sabre counters with a Sleeper Hold. Haste with The Backdrop Driver. Haste drops Sabre with another Lariat for a two count. Haste goes for The Bomb Valley Death, but Sabre counters with The Triangle Choke. Sabre connects with The European Clutch to pickup the victory.
Winner: Zack Sabre Jr via Pinfall
Seventh Match: (4) Shingo Takagi vs. (6) Tama Tonga w/Jado In A G1 CLIMAX 33 C BLOCK Tournament Match
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Takagi with a waist lock go-behind. Tonga applies a hammerlock. Wrist Lock Exchange. Takagi drop steps into a side headlock. Tonga whips Takagi across the ring. Takagi drops Tonga with a shoulder tackle. Tonga drops down on the canvas. Takagi catches Tonga in mid-air. Tonga fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Takagi with a back elbow smash. Forearm Exchange. Tonga runs into Takagi. Tonga with a flying shoulder tackle. Tonga stomps on Takagi’s back and chest. Tonga with forearm shivers. Takagi blocks a boot from Tonga. Takagi applies a waist lock. Back Elbow Exchange. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi with The Ryukon Lariat. Takagi clotheslines Tonga to the floor. Takagi dumps Tonga face first on the ring apron. Takagi stomps on Tonga’s chest. Takagi rolls Tonga back into the ring. Takagi with a Vertical Suplex. Takagi with a running elbow drop for a one count.
Tonga attacks the midsection of Takagi. Takagi answers with three jabs. Takagi drives his knee into the midsection of Tonga. Tonga dropkicks Takagi. Tonga with heavy bodyshots in the corner. Tonga with a running back elbow smash. Takagi reverses out of the irish whip from Tonga. Tonga with a running clothesline. Tonga takes off his ring vest. Tonga with The Stinger Splash. Tonga with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Tonga goes for a Running Powerslam, but Takagi lands back on his feet. Tonga catches Takagi with The GunStun against the top strand. Tonga rolls Takagi back into the ring. Takagi with a chop/forearm combination. Tonga kicks Takagi in the gut. Tonga with a forearm smash. Tonga with a knee lift. Tonga Powerslams Takagi for a one count. Tonga stomps on Takagi’s chest. Tonga with a Snap Vertical Suplex for a two count. Tonga with repeated back elbow smashes. Tonga chops Takagi. Tonga whips Takagi across the ring. Takagi holds onto the ropes. Takagi kicks Tonga in the face. Takagi blocks The Uranage Slam.
Takagi decks Tonga with a back elbow smash. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi drops Tonga with The Fakeout DDT. Takagi with a shoulder tackle. Takagi bodyslams Tonga. Takagi with a Senton Splash. Takagi blocks a boot from Tonga. Takagi with a corner clothesline. Takagi with The Sliding Lariat for a two count. Takagi HeadButts Tonga. Takagi puts Tonga on the top turnbuckle. Back Fist/Forearm/HeadButt Exchange. Takagi with The SuperPlex. Tonga blocks Made In Japan. Takagi blocks The Tongan Twist. Tonga applies a guillotine choke. Takagi PowerBombs Tonga for a two count. Takagi applies The Grounding Cobra. Tonga grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Takagi goes for Last Of The Dragon, but Tonga blocks it. Takagi with a short-arm lariat. Tonga applies The Scorpion Death Lock. Takagi grabs the bottom rope which forces the break.
Second Forearm Exchange. Takagi kicks Tonga in the gut. Takagi shoves Tonga. Third Forearm Exchange. Tonga hits The SRC. Tonga lands The Supreme Flow for a two count. Takagi blocks The GunStun. Tonga avoids The Pumping Bomber. Takagi with The Tiger Driver #91 for a two count. Takagi with a Sliding Elbow. Takagi follows that with anvil elbows to Tonga’s chest. Takagi goes for Last Of The Dragon, but Tonga counters with The Tongan Twist. Takagi blocks The Valeno. Takagi with a right jab. Tonga with a right jab. Tonga drills Takagi with The BrainBuster for a two count. Takagi denies The Jay Driller. Takagi with a Back Body Drop. Takagi with a Pop Up Cutter. Takagi delivers The Pumping Bomber for a two count. HeadButt Exchange. Takagi with a Sliding Lariat for a one count. Takagi clotheslines Tonga. Takaig goes for Last Of The Dragon, but Tonga counters with The GunStun for a two count. Takagi goes for the jackknife hold as time expires.
Match Result: Time-Limit Draw
Eight Match: (4) Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. (4) Hirooki Goto In A G1 CLIMAX 33 D BLOCK Tournament Match
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Tanahashi backs Goto into the ropes. Goto turns Tanahashi over. Goto kicks Tanahashi in the gut. Goto with forearm shivers. Tanahashi reverses out of the irish whip from Goto. Goto with a Counter Hip Toss. Goto runs into Tanahashi. Tanahashi blocks The GTR. Tanahashi drives his knee into the midsection of Goto. Tanahashi with an inside cradle for a two count. Tanahashi with a gut punch. Tanahashi sends Goto to the corner. Goto drops Tanahashi with a shoulder tackle. Goto kicks Tanahashi in the ribs. Goto rolls Tanahashi back into the ring. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Goto. Tanahashi with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on the middle rope. Tanahashi tosses Goto back inside the ring. Tanahashi delivers another Dragon Screw Leg Whip in the ropes. Tanahashi poses for the crowd. Tanahashi repeatedly stomps on the left hamstring of Goto. Goto answers with two up kicks. Tanahashi stomps on the midsection of Goto. Tanahashi puts his knees on Goto’s ribs.
Tanahashi is putting the boots to the left knee of Goto. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Goto. Goto unloads a flurry of overhand chops. Tanahashi kicks the left knee of Goto. Goto reverses out of the irish whip from Tanahashi. Tanahashi kicks Goto in the face. Goto drops Tanahashi with The Misdirection Lariat. Goto with forearm shivers. Goto blocks a boot from Tanahashi. Goto kicks the right hamstring of Tanahashi. Goto with a Spinning Wheel Kick. Goto with a Running Bulldog for a two count. Tanahashi punches Goto in the ribs. Goto answers with a forearm smash. Goto clotheslines Tanahashi over the top rope. Goto rolls Tanahashi back into the ring. Goto ascends to the top turnbuckle. Tanahashi with a gut punch. Forearm Exchange. Tanahashi buries his elbow into the midsection of Goto.
Tanahashi goes for The SuperPlex, but Goto blocks it. Goto HeadButts Tanahashi. Tanahashi with an Avalanche Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi ducks a clothesline from Goto. Tanahashi drops Goto with The SlingBlade. Goto blocks The Dragon Suplex. Tanahashi with The Bridging Straight Jacket German Suplex for a two count. Tanahashi goes for The High Fly Flow, but Goto ducks out of the way. Goto goes for The Ushigoroshi, but Tanahashi lands back on his feet. Tanahashi slaps Goto in the face. Goto hits The Ushigoroshi. Tanahashi blocks The GTR. Tanahashi with forearm shivers. Goto with Two HeadButts. Goto connects with The GTW for a two count. Goto goes for The Shouten Kai, but Tanahashi falls on top of him. Tanahashi delivers another SlingBlade for a two count. Tanahashi with The Ace’s High. Tanahashi plants Goto with The High Fly Flow to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi via Pinfall
THE UPDATED C & D BLOCK STANDINGS
THE C BLOCK
1.) David Finlay (4-1) – 8 Points
2.) EVIL (4-1) – 8 Points
3.) Tama Tonga (3-1-1) – 7 Points
4.) Eddie Kingston (3-2) – 6 Points
5.) Shingo Takagi (2-2-1) – 5 Points
6.) Mikey Nicholls (1-4) – 2 Points
7.) Aaron Henare (1-4) – 2 Points
8.) Tomohiro Ishii (1-4) – 2 Points
THE D BLOCK
1.) Jeff Cobb (4-1) – 8 Points
2.) Zack Sabre Jr (4-1) – 8 Points
3.) Tetsuya Naito (3-2) – 6 Points
4.) Hiroshi Tanahashi (3-2) – 6 Points
5.) Hirooki Goto (2-3) – 4 Points
6.) Shane Haste (2-3) – 4 Points
7.) Alex Coughlin (1-4) – 2 Points
8.) Toru Yano (1-4) – 2 Points
POST MATCH COMMENTS
Aaron Henare: That is not the same Finlay that I came up with. That’s a different, Finlay. That is the son of The Belfast Bruiser. That is one hell of a fifth-generation wrestler. And tonight was the first time that I saw you bring that out, Finlay. This whole time, I’ve not once beat you, but I know it’s coming. And you’ve got that belt I’ve also long for. I almost had you tonight, but the damage, maybe the damage was too much. It’s just one thing I’ve been wanting to say. Not about David, about my next opponent. Let’s wind the clock back. 2018. Korakuen Hall. Road To Dontaku. Tomohiro Ishii vs Toa Henare.
You slapped the shit out of me, beat me up, just like a young boy. At the time I thought, hey, this guy must respect the shit out of me. Looking back, I knew all you wanted to was beat the shit out of me, give me a hazing so I run back to New Zealand. Go back to my government job. Go back to teaching. No, no, no, but you know me by now, Ishii. The heart of a true warrior. That heart, that spirit that I wear on my face. It’s not the same boy you fought back in 2018. No face paint, motherfucker, this is for real. 2020, our singles match, New Japan Cup was taken from each of us. And I know you’ve been hungry, like a hungry dog wanting to rip into this young boney meat. Hiroshima, you finally get that rematch, Ishii. Stone Pitbull vs. Stone Moldy Head.
David Finlay: Credit where credit is due, Finlay. You are one tough son of a bitch, but, hell, isn’t everybody in C Block? That’s not really special. No, this is murderous row we’re dealing with. And what do I do, what have I done and what will I do with every single person I stood across the ring from. I beat the absolute piss out of them. Ask Ishii. Ask Mikey Nicholls. Ask EVIL. Sure, Tama got a quick one on me. Sure, Tama got lucky, I still beat the piss out of him. Who walked out of Korakuen Hall with their hands raised? Me. Tama once again got carried out, so, sure, he got my two points, but that just helped him catch up. That didn’t deter my lead, I’m still in first place.
So, who do I have next? Shingo? Big Main Event in Hiroshima. Big chance for Shingo Takagi. Well, you are going against the baddest man in this company. The current NEVER Openweight Champion, the favorite to win the G1 Climax, the greatest leader in Bullet Club’s history. Shingo, there’s not a scenario which you’ve beaten me. Not in tags, not in multi-mans, and never in singles. So, please, bring the spirit of the dragon or whatever the hell you call it. Please bring all your fighting spirit, because you’ll need every ounce of it. Because you are the next person I will beat the piss out of, with ease. This is my G1. Tama is the only loss I’m taking. The rest of this tournament, it’s clean swept by The Rebel. Let’s go, Gedo.
Jeff Cobb: Ahh, you die. Toru Yano, I already got misted by the greatest. And tonight, you want to put your spray sanitizer in my eyes? It’s The G1. It’s The G1, Yano. Be serious. I’m bringing this to the board of the directors. Who’s my boss? Yano, watch your back, Yano. You’re going to get it, boy.
Toru Yano: Lawson’s Gold Master Beer is fantastic. Whoa, that was scary.
Mikey Nicholls: I know they say, you never really lose, but you just learn. You know what I learned tonight? I’m sick of fucking getting beat. Who do I have next? EVIL? You know what? If The G1 is over for me, you better believe I’m going down swinging. EVIL, I’m the motherfucking devil. Welcome To Hell.
Eddie Kingston: That one felt good. That was so good. After losing to Ishii at Korakuen, ladies and gentlemen, you should have seen the demons running in my head after that match. I needed this win, especially against someone like Mikey, who’s been a champion in other places. And is to me, one of the most underrated human beings in this great sport. Somebody better put some respect on his name. But, I got that win, I needed that. Next is another man who I respect, more than anyone will ever understand.
Not because of his family and the heritage and the legacy that comes from there, but the fact that he started here as a young lion and stayed at it when so many foreigners would quit. So many foreigners would have said, ahh, forget it, I’ll go to a regular school in America, have a couple of training sessions and then wrestle. No, he stayed in as a young lion and fought with a lion’s pride. Tama, you better have that same lion’s pride when we faceoff, brother, because the dream, as long as I’m breathing, look behind my eyes so you can understand, if I’m still breathing, the dream lives on.
Alex Coughlin: This just goes to show the inevitable the future holds. I thought it was my destiny to come in and sweep the G1 on my first try. Because I’m Alex Coughlin, damn it, and that’s what I do. I pick people up who don’t get picked up. And I slam people who don’t get slammed. Nobody does it better than me. That’s why Gabe and I beat Bishamon, one of the strongest tag teams this side of the Mississippi for these belts. But tonight was not my destiny.
Tanahashi, I may be eliminated from this tournament, but now I understand that my future is with you. And I’m going to tear your head off and put it up on my wall because I got a point to prove. It’s no longer about winning the G1, no longer about points, it’s about proving that I belong here in New Japan Pro Wrestling and I belong with The War Dogs. I brought gold, now I bring bodies. And I’m going pop up your head like a zit and keep your hair as a trophy, so you better come prepared.
Tetsuya Naito: Shane Haste, who I fought in my last G1 league match and Alex Coughlin, my opponent today, two wrestlers for who I had to question. Why did they get a G1 spot? That’s what I thought, then I lost to Haste. I may have beaten Coughlin today. But I have no doubt they have the ability to be worth of a G1 entry. So why did I originally wonder whether they deserved a spot? I’ve been watching the G1 Climax since I was a fan as a kid. It’s a league only for those who are invited. For only the strongest fighters in the world. The four block format may make things interesting, sure.
But I still have my doubts about inviting this many entrants. But hey, I don’t have a championship title. Whether I’m worth a G1 invite, I might be right on the edge. I said what I said because I think it’s interesting for wrestlers like us to earn their G1 worth. This G1 may have more opportunities, but it may not be Grade 1 in the traditional sense. Just my honest opinion. Anyway, next up, I’ve got Zack Sabre Jr, in my adopted hometown of Hiroshima. We’re getting to the pointy end of this league. If I don’t win here, I’m done. But hey, I think I’ll be fine. Naito’s G1 isn’t over yet. See you guys again on August 2 in my second home of Hiroshima. Adios.
Zack Sabre Jr: Is that 4-1? Two more to go. I’ve been so close before, so close. People have their critiques about the four block system. I’m a football fan, mate. This is the World Cup, I love it. But now more than ever, four blocks, two qualifiers. If I don’t get through this block, I’m in deep trouble. So my only focus is D Block. I always boast about everything being easy. My problem, I’ve always been too skilled technically, sometimes I can coast, but then I lose. So, you know, this year, I’ve never taken a tournament more seriously. Getting out of the block, baby.
Tama Tonga: Shingo, I respect you, man. I respect what you’ve done in this world of pro wrestling and everything that you’ve done since entering New Japan Pro Wrestling. I watched you over the years, and, man, you are one hell of a talent. And if someone wants to test their skills, it would definitely be you. Shingo, that was a lot of fun. Shit, I love beating the shit out of each other. Who can outlast who? Who can take the most beatings during this tournament and turn around and come back. Shingo, you and me, let’s do it again. Anytime, anywhere, you name it, I’ll be there.
Shingo Takagi: Not even close. I’m not done yet. Takagi’s got plenty left in the tank. Do you get it? I didn’t think I’d hit that 20 minute wall. Kiani, Ohbari, which of you came up with this stupid time limit idea? You guys are stopping it just as it gets interesting. Five more minutes. No, even three more. I would’ve crushed him. Well, who knows, maybe he would’ve pulled one over on me, if he had five more minutes. Tama-chan, I said before I didn’t know whether it was Tama Tonga or Toma Tanga, but I know damn well now. Tama Tonga! Same age as me, in our first singles match. I had an ide of how good he might be, but he was way better than I expected. Speed, power, explosivity, inside work, all top notch. I said on my YouTube channel that I had no choice but to win all of my matches from today on.
I didn’t manage a win today, but I’ll be damned if I’m giving up. I don’t care even if Finlay or EVIL are near the top of the rankings. I just have to win. I have to win. Finlay is probably the most improved New Japan wrestler of the past year. I don’t think our match at last year’s G1 is gonna be useful tape to study anymore. But Shingo Takagi is no fool, Finlay. You may be confident, but I love nothing more than destroying fools like you who get way too big headed. Hasebe, what should we Japaense wrestlers do in these desperate situations? Where should we turn? We have to rely on our spirit and pure guts. Yamato spirit can never die. Just watch me.
Hirooki Goto: Damn it. I couldn’t get the win today. But now you guys know, our generation isn’t finished just yet. We, of the Tanahashi generation, we’ve still got a lot to give. Until the bitter end, I’ll never give up.
Hiroshi Tanahashi: With this, I’m up to six. A positive record at least. Of all the matches in this year’s G1, this building and that opponent, this situation and the timing, the stars aligned for me to give 110%. Without that extra boost, the Tanahashi of 2023 might struggle a bit. Hiroshima is special to me, not just to Naito. And he’s my last opponent in Shizuoka. I’m gonna make sure I’m in top shape for Osaka. Make sure eyes are on the D Block. And at the end, I’ll make sure I pull out a win. In a snap. I promise I’ll win this G1.
Checkout Episode 371 of The Hoots Podcast
Pro Wrestling Transcriptions 