NJPW G1 Climax 33: Night Thirteenth
August 5, 2023
Edion Arena Osaka
Osaka, 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: Jeff Cobb & The Great O-Khan vs. Taichi & Douki
The Great O-Khan and Taichi will start things off. Chop Exchange. Palm Strike/Mongolian Chop Exchange. Taichi with a Running Boot. Khan with a Pump Kick. Taichi answers with a Spinning Back Kick. Khan drives his knee into the midsection of Taichi. Khan delivers another Pump Kick. Taichi drops Khan with The Big Boot. Khan backs Taichi into the blue turnbuckle pad. Cobb tags himself in. United Empire gangs up on Taichi. Cobb rocks Taichi with a forearm smash. Short-Arm Reversal by Taichi. Taichi with a Hook Kick. Taichi tags in Douki. Douki ducks a clothesline from Cobb. Douki with two dropkicks. Douki stomps on the left foot of Cobb. Douki thrust kicks the midsection of Cobb. Douki with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Douki nails Cobb with The Bell Clap. Douki sends Cobb tumbling to the floor.
Douki lands The Suicide Dive. Douki rolls Cobb back into the ring. Douki with a Running Double Foot Stomp for a two count. Cobb denies The Day Break. Cobb picks Douki off the mat. Cobb dropkicks Douki. Douki turns a Hurricanrana into an Axe Bomber from Taichi. Douki hits The Day Break for a one count. Khan reverses out of the irish whip from Taichi. Khan with a Running NeckBreaker. Douki dropkicks the left knee of Khan. Cobb blocks The Gory Bomb. Cobb delivers The F5000. Cobb tags in Khan. Khan stomps on Douki’s chest. Uppercut Exchange. Khan goes for The TTD, but Douki rolls him over for a two count. Douki with a double throat thrust. Khan shrugs off a lariat from Douki. Khan applies The Sheep Killer. Khan uses Douki’s legs as a weapon. Khan with a BackBreaker. Khan makes Douki tap out to The Sheep Killer.
Winner: Jeff Cobb & The Great O-Khan via Submission
Second Match: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi Hashi and YOH vs. David Finlay, KENTA and Gedo In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Bullet Club attacks Chaos before the bell rings. Finlay is putting the boots to Goto. Kenta rakes the eyes of Hashi. Hashi sends Kenta chest first into the steel barricade. Finlay repeatedly kicks Goto in the face. Finlay uppercuts Goto. Finlay repeatedly stomps on Goto’s chest. Finlay HeadButts Goto. Goto reverses out of the irish whip from Finlay. Goto blocks a boot from Finlay. Goto kicks the right hamstring of Finlay. Goto with a Backdrop Driver for a two count. Finlay with forearm shivers. Finlay uppercuts Goto. Goto reverses out of the irish whip from Finlay. Double Shoulder Tackle. Chaos with Two Hip Tosses. Goto lays Kenta flat on the top rope. Hashi dropkicks Kenta to the floor. Double Toe Kick. War Drums to Gedo. Finlay decks Goto with a back elbow smash. Finlay dumps Goto face first on the top rope. Finlay kicks Goto in the gut. Finlay drops Goto with a DDT. Finlay is raining down haymakers. Finlay with clubbing shoulder blocks. Gedo is choking Goto with his boot. Bullet Club starts mauling Goto in the corner. Kenta with a straight right hand. Kenta delivers a gut punch. Kenta tags in Gedo.
Gedo kicks Goto in the ribs. Gedo stands on Goto’s ribs. Goto with two overhand chops. Gedo answers with a gut punch. Gedo buries his knee into the midsection of Goto. Gedo kicks Goto in the chest and ribs for a two count. Gedo argues with the referee. Finlay tags himself in. Gut Punch/Toe Kick Exchange. Finlay kicks Yoh off the ring apron. Finlay applies the cravate. Finlay hammers down on the back of Goto’s neck. Finlay kicks Goto in the gut. Chop Exchange. Finlay with repeated headbutts. Finlay tags in Kenta. Kenta with clubbing shoulder blocks. Kenta with a knee drop. Kenta talks smack to Goto. Kenta with two haymakers. Goto fires back with three overhand chops. Kenta drives his knee into the midsection of Goto. Goto reverses out of the irish whip from Kenta. Kenta kicks Goto in the face. Goto drops Kenta with a Misdirection Lariat. Goto tags in Hashi. Hashi scores the elbow knockdown. Hashi clears the ring. Kenta kicks Hashi in the gut. Hashi with a running chop. Hashi thrust kicks the midsection of Kenta. Hashi with a NeckBreaker for a two count. Kenta rakes the eyes of Hashi. Hashi with a Spinning Mule Kick. Kenta kicks Hashi in the face. Kenta with a Tornado DDT against the top strand.
Kenta with a Side Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Hashi blocks The GTS. Forearm Exchange. Hashi unloads three knife edge chops. Kenta with a Spinning Back Kick. Hashi answers with a blistering chop. Kenta with a Front Boot. Hashi puts Kenta down with a Lariat. Yoh and Gedo are tagged in. Yoh scores two forearm knockdowns. Gedo reverses out of the irish whip from Yoh. Yoh with a flying forearm smash. Yoh pops back on his feet. Yoh with a leaping back elbow smash. Yoh bodyslams Gedo. Yoh with a Twisting Senton Splash for a two ount. Finlay kicks Goto in the gut. Finlay with forearm shivers. Finlay uppercuts Goto. Goto hits The Ushigoroshi. Goto goes for another Ushigoroshi, but Kenta lands back on his feet. Hashi SuperKicks Kenta. Hashi kicks Gedo in the gut. Head Hunter/Side Russian Leg Sweep Combination. Gedo avoids The SuperKick. Gedo unloads two right jabs. Yoh ducks a clothesline from Gedo. Gedo with a straight right hand. Yoh SuperKicks Gedo to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi Hashi and YOH via Pinfall
Third Match: Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi and Bushi vs. EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi and SHO w/Dick Togo In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Shingo Takagi and EVIL will start things off. Takahashi attacks Takagi from behind. EVIL tags in Sho. House Of Torture gangs up on Takagi. Double Irish Whip. Takagi holds onto the ropes. Takagi with a shoulder tackle. Takagi bodyslams Sho. Takagi punches Sho. Takagi tags in Bushi. Bushi repeatedly stomps on Sho’s chest. Bushi hammers down on the back of Sho’s neck. Bushi tags in Naito. Double Irish Whip. Double Elbow Knockdown for a two count. Naito applies the cravate. Sho avoids The Corner Dropkick. Naito tugs on Sho’s hair. Sho starts bending Naito’s hair. EVIL removes the blue turnbuckle pad. Sho whips Naito into the exposed steel. Takahashi clears the ring. Sho is choking Naito with his boot. Sho tags in EVIL. EVIL wraps a t-shirt around Naito’s neck. EVIL goes into the lateral press for a two count. EVIL tags in Takahashi. Takahashi stomps on Naito’s chest. Takahashi drives his knee into the midsection of Naito. Following a snap mare takeover, Takahashi with a Leg Drop/Elbow Drop/Falling HeadButt Combination for a two count.
Takahashi drives Naito back first into the exposed steel. Takahashi pie faces Naito. Naito with forearm shivers. Sho drives his knee into Naito’s back. Bushi kicks Takahashi in the back. Bushi dumps Sho out of the ring. Takahashi kicks Bushi in the gut. Naito with a toe kick. Sunset Flip/Basement Dropkick Combination. Naito tags in Takagi. Takagi blasts EVIL off the apron. Takagi blocks a boot from Takahashi. Takagi with a corner clothesline. Takagi with forearm shivers. Sho attacks Takagi from behind. Takagi reverses out of the irish whip from Sho. Takagi with two corner clotheslines. Standing Switch Exchange. Sho applies a full nelson lock. Takagi kicks Takahashi in the face. Takagi decks Sho with a back elbow smash. Takagi with a double clothesline. Takagi with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Takagi with repeated back elbows. Takahashi dodges The Sliding Lariat. Takahashi starts biting Takagi’s fingers. Takahashi sends Takagi back first into the exposed steel. Takahashi tags in EVIL.
House Of Torture are putting the boots to Takagi. EVIL thrust kicks the midsection of Takagi. EVIL with a corner clothesline. Takagi blocks The Fisherman’s Buster. EVIL rakes the eyes of Takagi. Takagi decks EVIL with a back elbow smash. Takagi scores a right jab. Takagi with The Ryukon Lariat. Takagi tags in Bushi. Bushi with a Missile Dropkick. Bushi knocks Takahashi off the apron. Double Irish Whip. Bushi with a running back elbow smash. Naito with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Naito follows that with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Bushi drops EVIL with The BackStabber for a two count. Naito dumps Sho out of the ring. Takahashi runs interference. Takagi clotheslines Takahashi. Sho rakes the eyes of Takagi. Takagi answers with a running short-arm lariat. Togo trips Takagi from the outside. Sho nails Bushi with the wrench. EVIL connects with Everything Is EVIL to pickup the victory.
Winner: EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi and SHO via Pinfall
Fourth Match: Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare vs. El Phantasmo & Togi Makabe
Will Ospreay and El Phantasmo will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Standing Switch Exchange. Phantasmo drop steps into a side headlock. Ospreay whips Phantasmo across the ring. Ospreay drops down on the canvas. Ospreay leapfrogs over Phantasmo. Arm-Drag/Headscissors Escape Exchange. Misfired Clotheslines. Phantasmo goes for a Hurricanrana, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Phantasmo avoids The Roundhouse Kick. Ospreay goes for a Standing MoonSault, but Phantasmo ducks out of the way. Ospreay avoids Sudden Death. Phantasmo dodges The Hidden Blade. That leads us to a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Ospreay kicks Phantasmo in the gut. Ospreay with a forearm smash. Ospreay slams Phantasmo’s head on a turnbuckle pad. Ospreay with two haymakers. Short-Arm Reversal by Phantasmo. Forearm Exchange. Ospreay chops Phantasmo. Phantasmo dropkicks Ospreay. Phantasmo transitions into a corner mount. Ospreay with an Inverted Atomic Drop. Phantasmo dives over Ospreay. Phantasmo ducks a clothesline from Ospreay. Phantasmo with a SpringBoard Crossbody Block.
Phantasmo goes for The LionSault, but Ospreay gets his knees up in the air. Henare blasts Makabe off the ring apron. Henare whips Makabe into the steel barricade. Double Irish Whip. Double Shoulder Tackle. Double PK for a two count. Ospreay rocks Phantasmo with a forearm smash. Ospreay kicks Phantasmo in the face. Ospreay tags in Henare. Henare with heavy bodyshots in the corner. Following a snap mare takeover, Henare repeatedly kicks Phantasmo in the back. Henare with a Senton Splash for a one count. Henare slams Phantasmo’s head on the blue turnbuckle pad. Henare tags in Phantasmo. Phantasmo with forearm shivers. Ospreay applies the cravate. Ospreay hammers down on the back of Phantasmo’s neck. Ospreay with a straight right hand. Ospreay tags in Henare. Phantasmo with a chop/forearm combination. Phantasmo applies the purple nurple.
Phantasmo dodges The Spinning Heel Kick. Phantasmo with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Phantasmo tags in Makabe. Makabe with a shoulder tackle. Makabe knocks Phantasmo off the apron. Makabe with a corner clothesline. Makabe transitions into a corner mount. Ospreay blocks The Northern Lights Suplex. Double Irish Whip. Makabe delivers a double clothesline. Makabe with a Running Lariat for a two count. Makabe with forearm shivers. Henare answers with a back elbow smash. Henare with a Spinning Heel Kick. Henare blasts Makabe with The PK for a two count. Henare applies The Ultima. Ospreay dumps Phantasmo out of the ring. Phantasmo avoids The Slingshot Pescado. Phantasmo thrust kicks the midsection of Ospreay. Ospreay with a SpringBoard Coast To Coast Dropkick. Henare scores a liver punch. Ospreay nails Makabe with The Hook Kick. Henare with The Uranage Slam for a two count. Henare connects with The Streets Of Rage to pickup the victory.
Winner: Will Ospreay & Aaron Henare via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii vs. The Guerrillas Of Destiny & Hiroyoshi Tenzan w/Jado In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Kazuchika Okada and Tanga Loa will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Loa backs Okada into the ropes. Okada drives his knee into the midsection of Loa. Okada punches Loa in the back. Okada with a forearm smash. Okada whips Loa across the ring. Loa drops Okada with a shoulder tackle. Okada kicks Loa in the face. Loa with a Hip Toss. Loa bodyslams Okada. Loa goes for a Powerslam, but Okada lands back on his feet. Okada with a Backdrop Clutch for a two count. Okada with a Drop Toe Hold/Elbow Drop Combination. Okada tags in Ishii. Ishii runs into Loa. Shoulder Block Exchange. Forearm Exchange. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Loa. Okada with a Big Boot. Ishii with a running shoulder tackle. Double Dropkick to Tonga. Okada with a Running Boot. Ishii knocks Tenzan off the ring apron. Tanahashi tags himself in. Tanahashi kicks Loa in the gut. Tanahashi slams Loa’s head on a turnbuckle pad. Tanahashi scores a liver punch. Loa blocks The Bodyslam from Tanahashi. Loa with a forearm smash. Loa goes for a Powerslam, but Tanahashi lands back on his feet. Tanahashi rocks Loa with a forearm smash. Loa with a Counter Vertical Suplex. Loa tags in Tenzan.
Tenzan stomps on Tanahashi’s chest. Tenzan with Two HeadButts. Mongolian Chop Exchange. Tenzan headbutts the midsection of Tanahashi. Tenzan with a falling tomahawk chop. Tenzan applies the greco roman throat hold. Tenzan repeatedly stomps on Tanahashi’s chest. Tenzan tags in Tonga. Tonga scores two bodyshots. Tonga with a Superman Forearm. Tonga applies a chin lock. Ishii with clubbing sledges. Ishii with a forearm smash. Ishii ducks a clothesline from Tonga. Ishii and Tonga are running the ropes. Tonga drops down on the canvas. Tonga dropkicks Ishii. Misfired Toe Kicks. Tanahashi with The Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi tags in Okada. Okada with forearm shivers. Tonga reverses out of the irish whip from Okada.Okada scores the elbow knockdown. Okada blasts Tenzan off the apron. Okada with forearm shivers to Loa. Okada sends Tonga to the corner. Okada with a leaping back elbow smash. Okada kicks Tonga in the gut. Okada drops Tonga with The DDT for a two count. Loa dumps Okada out of the ring. Loa hammers down on the back of Okada’s neck. Loa with a forearm smash. Okada whips Loa into the steel barricade. Tonga escapes The Money Clip. Tonga ducks a clothesline from Okada. Tonga with The Tongan Twist. Tonga tags in Loa. Second Forearm Exchange. Loa with a Running Powerslam. Loa goes for The Diving HeadButt, but Okada ducks out of the way. Okada with The Reverse NeckBreaker. Okada tags in Ishii. Ishii with a short-arm lariat. Ishii ducks a clothesline from Loa. Loa Spears Ishii.
Loa tags in Tenzan. Tenzan with a running shoulder tackle. Tenzan kicks Ishii in the gut. Tenzan unloads Two Mongolian Chops. Tenzan is mauling Ishii in the corner. Tenzan drills Ishii with The BrainBuster for a two count. Tenzan applies The Anaconda Vice. Tonga with a gut punch. Tonga uppercuts Tanahashi. Tanahashi reverses out of the irish whip from Tonga. Both Ishii and Tanahashi dropkick the left knee of Tonga. Meeting Of The Minds. GOD and Tenzan clears the ring. Double Irish Whip. Loa with a corner clothesline. Tenzan hits The Mountain Bomb for a two count. Ishii with clubbing blows to Tenzan’s back. Tenzan HeadButts Ishii. Ishii responds with a Lariat. Loa rocks Ishii with a forearm smash. Okada dropkicks Loa. Tonga uppercuts Okada. Tanahashi drops Tonga with The SlingBlade. Okada with a Running Boot. Tanahashi slaps Tenzan in the face. Ishii with a running forearm smash. Okada with The Landslide. Tanahashi follows that with The High Fly Flow. Ishii connects with The Sliding Lariat to pickup the victory.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii via Pinfall
Sixth Match: (5) Yota Tsuji vs. (5) Gabriel Kidd In A G1 CLIMAX 33 A BLOCK Tournament Match
Kidd attacks a Tsuji impersonator before the bell rings. The real Tsuji rocks Kidd with a forearm smash. Tsuji with a BackBreaker. Tsuji sends Kidd face first into the canvas. Tsuji stomps on the back of Kidd’s head. Kidd regroups on the outside. Tsuji lands The Suicide Dive. Tsuji kicks Kidd in the gut. Tsuji tosses Kidd around the ringside area. Tsuji ducks a clothesline from Kidd. Tsuji goes for a Bodyslam, but Kidd lands back on his feet. Kidd with a Backdrop Driver on the floor. Kidd attacks Tsuji’s sidekick. Kidd bodyslams the Tsuji sidekick on top of Tsuji. Kidd grabs the microphone and starts cursing up a storm. Kidd with a Chop/HeadButt Combination in the corner. Kidd with a corner clothesline. Kidd follows that with a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Kidd toys around with Tsuji. Chop Exchange. Kidd slaps Tsuji in the face. Second Chop Exchange.
Kidd kicks Tsuji in the face. Tsuji with a Tilt-A-Whirl BackBreaker. Kidd starts laughing at Tsuji. Forearm Exchange. Kidd with a blistering chop. Tsuji answers with a Pump Knee Strike. Tsuji with a Hook Kick. Kidd fires off another chop. Kidd scores two right jabs. Kidd with a straight right hand. Tsuji blocks The Leg Trapped PileDriver. Tsuji with a Back Body Drop. Kidd with a vicious palm strike. Tsuji with a Running Pump Knee Strike. Kidd kicks Tsuji in the face. Misfired Clotheslines. Kidd with The Western Lariat for a one count. Kidd drills Tsuji with The BrainBuster for a two count. Kidd goes for The MoonSault, but Tsuji ducks out of the way. Tsuji with a GourdBuster. Tsuji with a GutWrench Suplex. Tsuji lands The MoonSault for a two count. Tsuji hits The Falcon Arrow for a two count. Tsuji delivers The Curb Stomp. Tsuji goes for The Spear, but Kidd counters with a Running Boot. Tsuji ducks a clothesline from Kidd. Palm Strike Exchange. Tsuji HeadButts Kidd. Tsuji ducks a clothesline from Kidd. Tsuji connects with The Spear to pickup the victory.
Winner: Yota Tsuji via Pinfall
Seventh Match: (6) Kaito Kiyomiya vs. (4) Ren Narita In A G1 CLIMAX 33 B BLOCK Tournament Match
Feeling out process after the bell rings. Chain Grappling Exchange. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Kiyomiya with a waist lock go-behind. Wrist Lock Exchange. Kiyomiya drops Narita with Two Dragon Screw Leg Whips. Kiyomiya applies The Figure Four Leg Lock. Narita grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Narita regroups on the outside. Narita blocks a boot from Kiyomiya. Narita with combo palm strikes. Narita with clubbing blows to Kiyomiya’s back. Narita drives his knee into the midsection of Kiyomiya. Narita rocks Kiyomiya with a forearm smash. Narita whips Kiyomiya across the ring. Narita with a Running NeckBreaker for a two count. Narita applies a rear chin lock. Narita transitions into a cravate. Kiyomiya with heavy bodyshots. Narita hammers down on the back of Kiyomiya’s neck. Kiyomiya dropkicks the right knee of Narita. Kiyomiya stomps on the right hamstring of Narita. Kiyomiya slams the right knee of Narita on the canvas.
Kiyomiya with a Running Seated Senton. Kiyomiya applies a waist lock. Narita with three sharp elbow strikes. Kiyomiya once again dropkicks the right knee of Narita. Narita with a Spin Kick. Narita with a twisting back elbow smash. Narita follows that with a Half Hatch Suplex for a two count. Narita applies The Sleeper Hold. Kiyomiya with elbows into the midsection of Narita. Kiyomiya dropkicks Narita. Kiyomiya with a Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Narita reapplies The Sleeper Hold. Narita transitions into a standing guillotine choke. Kiyomiya goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Narita lands back on his feet. Narita applies The Cobra Twist. Kiyomiya grabs the top rope which forces the break. Narita with a knee lift. Narita with The Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Kiyomiya blocks The Front Suplex. Kiyomiya with another Dragon Screw Leg Whip.
Kiyomiya with a Missile Dropkick to the right knee of Narita. Kiyomiya follows that with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Kiyomiya reapplies The Figure Four Leg Lock. Narita grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Narita blocks The Tiger Suplex. Kiyomiya escapes The Cobra Twist. Narita with a forearm smash. Kiyomiya uppercuts Narita. Palm Strike Exchange. Kiyomiya with The Rolling Elbow. Narita with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Narita nails Kiyomiya with The Pump Kick. Kiyomiya blocks The Front Suplex. Kiyomiya with The Hurricanrana for a two count. Narita dodges The Jumping Knee Strike. Kiyomiya hits The Bridging Tiger Suplex for a two count. Kiyomiya with a Modified Tiger Driver for a two count. Kiyomiya goes for The Shining Wizard, but Narita counters with The Front Suplex to pickup the victory.
Winner: Ren Narita via Pinfall
Eight Match: (12) Sanada vs. (4) Chase Owens In A G1 CLIMAX 33 A BLOCK Tournament Match
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Standing Switch Exchange. Owens applies a side headlock. Sanada backs Owens into the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the clean break. Sanada pats Owens on the chest. Owens wants Sanada to shake his hand. Owens gives Sanada a thumbs up. Misfired Toe Kicks. Owens with a back heel trip. Owens doesn’t have the keys to The Paradise Lock. Owens kicks Sanada in the gut. Owens whips Sanada across the ring. Sanada goes for a Sunset Flip, but Owens counters with The Paradise Lock. Owens mocks Sanada. Owens with a low dropkick. Owens is fired up. Milano Collection AT gives Owens the seal of approval. Sanada is not impressed. Sanada with clubbing blows to Owens back. Sanad sweeps out the legs of Owens. Sanada applies The Paradise Lock on the bottom rope. Sanada dropkicks Owens to the floor. Owens avoids The Slingshot Pescado.
Owens tosses Sanada around the ringside area. Owens starts removing the ringside padding. Owens with a straight right hand. Sanada blocks The Package PileDriver. Sanada ducks a clothesline from Owens. Owens blocks The Magic Screw. Owens drives Sanada back first into the barricade. Owens nails Sanada with The DDT on the exposed floor. Sanada gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Owens delivers The C-Trigger. Sanada avoids The Package PileDriver. Owens gets Sanada trapped in Skull End. Sanada puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Owens tries to hit Sanada with his knee brace. Sanada dropkicks Owens. Owens avoids The Muto MoonSault. Owens shoves Red Shoes towards Sanada. Owens clocks Sanada with the knee brace for a two count. Owens with two sharp knee strikes. Owens goes for The Package PileDriver, but Sanada counters with a Hurricanrana. Sanada drops Owens with The Shining Wizard. Sanada connects with The Dead Fall to pickup the victory.
Winner: Sanada via Pinfall
Ninth Match: (6) Hikuleo w/Jado vs. (6) Shota Umino In A G1 CLIMAX 33 A BLOCK Tournament Match
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Hikuleo outpowers Umino. Umino kicks Hikuleo in the gut. Umino applies a side headlock. Hikuleo whips Umino across the ring. Umino runs into Hikuleo. Shoulder Block Exchange. Umino dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Hikuleo with Two Bodyslams. Hikuleo stomps on Umino’s back and chest. Hikuleo is choking Umino with his boot. Umino with forearm shivers. Umino ducks a clothesline from Hikuleo. Umino dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Umino with clubbing blows to Hikuleo’s back. Umino goes for a Bodyslam, but Hikuleo falls on top of him for a two count. Hikuleo sends Umino to the corner. Hikuleo with a Biel Throw for a two count. Short-Arm Reversal by Umino. Umino kicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Umino with Two Running Uppercuts. Misfired Bodyslams. Umino avoids The Big Boot. Umino thrust kicks the midsection of Hikuleo. Umino with a Running Dropkick. Umino bodyslams Hikuleo. Umino with a Missile Dropkick for a two count. Hikuleo blocks The Reverse DDT. Hikuleo with a flurry of strikes. Hikuleo levels Umino with The Body Avalanche.
Hikuleo with The Snake Eyes. Hikuleo with a running clothesline. Hikuleo follows that with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Hikuleo goes for a Stampede, but Umino lands back on his feet. Hikuleo decks Umino with a back elbow smash. Hikuleo with a blistering chop. Hikuleo whips Umino across the ring. Hikuleo goes for a Powerslam, but Umino counters with a Double Foot Stomp. Hikuleo dodges The Ignition. Hikuleo goes for The Big Boot, but Umino counters with The STF. Hikuleo grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Umino repeatedly stomps on Hikuleo’s back. Umino delivers The Drive By. Umino drops Hikuleo with The Slingshot DDT. Hikuleo blocks The Death Rider. Hikuleo Powerslams Umino. Forearm Exchange. Umino kicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Umino uppercuts Hikuleo. Hikuleo reverses out of the irish whip from Umino. Hikuleo goes for another Powerslam, but Umino holds onto the ropes. Umino with a running forearm smash. Hikuleo uppercuts Umino.
Hikuleo goes for a Chokeslam, but Umino lands back on his feet. Hikuleo blocks The German Suplex. Umino with a Rolling Elbow. Umino with a knee lift. Umino follows that with The Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Hikuleo responds with The Big Boot. Hikuleo PowerBombs Umino for a two count. Hikuleo goes for The Chokeslam, but Umino counters with a DDT. Umino with a Shotgun Dropkick. Umino puts Hikuleo on the top turnbuckle. Hikuleo is raining down strikes. Umino with a leaping uppercut. Umino with The Avalanche BrainBuster for a two count. Umino hits The Ignition for a two count. Umino slaps Hikuleo in the face. Umino with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Umino goes for The Death Rider, but Hikuleo counters with an Inside Out Lariat. Hikuleo goes for The Chokeslam, but Umino counters with The Sunset Flip for a two count. Umino with The La Magistral for a two count. Hikuleo blocks The Backslide Cover. Hikuleo Powerslams Umino. Hikuleo connects with The Chokeslam to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hikuleo via Pinfall
THE FINAL A BLOCK STANDINGS
1.) SANADA (7-0) – 14 Points, Advances To The G1 Climax 33 Playoffs
2.) Hikuleo (4-3) – 8 Points, Advances To The G1 Climax 33 Playoffs
3.) Yota Tsuji (3-3-1) – 7 Points
4.) Ren Narita (2-3-2) – 6 Points
5.) Kaito Kiyomiya (2-3-2) – 6 Points
6.) Shota Umino (2-3-2) – 6 Points
7.) Gabriel Kidd (2-4-1) – 5 Points
8.) Chase Owens (2-5) – 4 Points
POST MATCH COMMENTS
Taichi: I’ve got nothing to say to O-Khan. But I don’t like the idea of fighting him at the end of the block. Okamoto, I’ll smack him a few times for you Tokyo Sports guys, too. Look, whoever my last opponent is, I know exactly what I have to do. Whatever the result, even if I’m not moving on, I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna fight just as hard in every single match I have. One day at a time. One step at a time, for Taichi and YouTube. Come at me tomorrow with whatever you’ve got. A joke like you is never gonna get to me. You damn cueball. Whatever he does, he’s still bald. You think so, too, right, Okamoto? If you do, hit that subscribe button on my channel.
Jeff Cobb: Yeah, don’t worry guys. Don’t worry. Fun and games will end soon. But for our two days here in Osaka, I am off. I may got tag matches, but really, what I say before? Piece of cake, too easy, it’s a walk in a park. Tonight, Douki and Taichi, you gotta remember. Tomorrow, The Great O-Khan is going to destroy you Taichi. And as for this thing right here, boom, you shall not pass. Douki, you want this back? I’ll give it to one of the young boys. I don’t need this. What is this? It looks like you stole this from a gold’s gym. Come on, bro.
David Finlay: At this point, you guys should have my chair ready for me so I don’t have to look all over the arena looking for it. Now, Eddie Kingston is my final opponent in C Block. And if I have my facts straight, which I always do, when I beat Eddie Kingston, it’s an automatic first place victory for me. That means I am the champion of Murder’s Row. Now, Eddie Kingston, you and I couldn’t be anymore different if we tried. Starting with the fact that when you won your STRONG Openweight Championship in Korakuen Hall, you were brought to tears after. You were crying saying, I want to thank my mother and my father for never giving up on me, for always believing in me. But you know why you were brought to tears, Eddie? Because you knew in that moment, you overachieved. Now, after I dominated Tama Tonga to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, I felt absolutely nothing because I’ve always know I was destined to be a champion. Eddie, you talk about how it’s your dream to wrestle in a New Japan ring.
And for decade after decade, you struggled, fought, stole, swindled, did whatever you had to do and finally at 41 years old, you made it happen. Congratulations. I’ve achieved your dream at 21 years old and I did it without even trying. All it took for me was one phone call, Eddie. And even then, I dicked around for years, I didn’t take anything seriously because I knew I could get away with it. But don’t you worry, Eddie, I’m very serious now. Dead serious. So much as you want to talk about struggle equating to progress, the truth is, I was born better than you, I was born tougher than you. And nothing, no amount of struggle, no amount of effort, absolutely nothing you can do or ever do to change those facts. So, Eddie, I will see you in a few days time. And I cannot wait to drag you into the deep end waters, drown you, beat the shit out of you, and walk out of that arena as the champion of the C Block, and still the favorite to win the entire fucking tournament.
KENTA: Seriously, that ugly bastard is messing with me. What’s up with that damn ugly face of his? Give me a break. He was right up in my face at the end, and you know what he said? Damn, I’m looking good today. It scared the hell out of me. Those bug eyes of his were totally sincere. How in the hell did he even get the words out with a straight face? Terrifying, man, dull faced bastard. I know I shouldn’t be bashing people’s looks all the time. But what the hell am I supposed to say about him? He’s ugly. If you’re ugly, you’re ugly. That’s it. Seriously, tomorrow I’m not messing around. I’m taking responsibility no matter the result, win or lose. Up until now, all the losses have been your fault, Fatty. Tomorrow, no excuses. Because I’m winning for sure.
Got it? I met you before the show today and I was talking about how I’m gonna win tomorrow. Let’s get that win tomorrow, you said with a stupid grin on your face. These losses have all been your fault. What the hell do you mean, let’s get that win? Anyway, back to that uggo, Yoshi Hashi. He’s going down tomorrow. I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll kick his ugly ass outta this G1. You heard me? Got it? I’m not gonna put a foot wrong tomorrow. I’m gonna finish off this G1 in style. You hear me? That’s all I gotta say. This really hurt, you ugly bastard. I’ll remember that tomorrow. Anyway, what I really came here today to say was, I really, really, really can’t lose tomorrow. I can’t lose and I don’t want to lose. I’ll win, no matter what.
Yoshi Hashi: Tomorrow, I will finish off my G1 Climax with a victory. I’ll make sure of it. And my opponent in the final match of my league. KENTA, you’ve been carrying around a singles belt. No one has talked much about it. Which title is that? I don’t know which belt it is, but you’re a singles champion, right? I feel bad no one has been talking about your belt. So, I’ll do you a favor. I’m gonna beat your ass tomorrow, then I’ll challenge you for that title.
YOH: Hey, Bullet Club. Thanks to you guys, I got a good sweat on out there. But because of that, next time, every single damn one of you, I’m locking you bastards in the damn sauna.
Hirooki Goto: Sounds good to me. Anyone one wants to join The Sauna Club? Sauna Club t-shirts are available now. Get them while you can. I’ve finally healed enough to get the tape off my ribs. I’m coming into the last league match in better shape than ever.
Shingo Takagi: Alright, I’m fired up now. August 8, Yokohama Budokan. My last match of the C Block against EVIL. EVIL, I got a big win over Finlay in Hiroshima. I’m gonna use that momentum to kick your ass. And EVIL, I haven’t forgotten what you said at the G1 Press Conference. You remember what he said, Okamoto? If I don’t make the finals, I’ll shave my head. EVIL, I know I used to call you princess for a while, but you’re a man, aren’t you? Need I say anything more? If you don’t make it, you better keep your word. I can even lend you a set of clippers. Our fans don’t wanna see you in the finals. What they wanna see is EVIL with no hair. Leave it to me.
Tetsuya Naito: It’s a shame that I don’t have an official league match here in Osaka. After all, I wanted to show these fans here in Osaka a Tetsuya Naito singles match. As for LIJ, we have Yota’s match today, then Takagi vs. EVIL at Yokohama Budokan. My next match is against Tanahashi in Hamamatsu on August 9. So Tanahashi, how you feeling? Banged up? Or managing to keep it together? You’ve got a match tonight, right? I’ll check it out with my own eyes. Looking forward to our singles match, Tanahashi. Can’t wait for Hamamatsu. So don’t let me down, ace. See you guys tomorrow here in Osaka. Adios!
EVIL: Takagi, what exactly are you aiming for? Win the G1, take the belt from Sanada. And a singles match with Naito at the Tokyo Dome? Is that it? Anything else you might want? You can wish for it all you want. But I’m gonna throw all those hopes of yours in the trash where they belong. Now that I’ve taken Masahiro Chono’s nickname. The new Mr. G1 is gonna crush you. Remember that.
El Phantasmo: Naito has heard it before. Okada has heard it before. And tonight, Will, you got a little taste of it. You got a little taste of the ELP chants being louder than anybody else. And what a day it’s gonna be tomorrow, Will. Our very first time, one-on-one in Osaka. The place that loves me more than anywhere else. I am gonna give them something to cheer for, Will. You accomplished your goal of beating Okada clean. My goal is I’m gonna use you to get me to the next level. It’s what I want. It’s what the fans want. Tomorrow, it happens.
Will Ospreay: What’s up my little sex slaves? You gotta admire the heart, right. You can see, ELP is banged up. You can see they ain’t ready for this and this must win for him. Hell, I can just lay back and get that 20 minute limit. I’m fruit. For you, do or die, El Phantasmo. And he even showed maybe you’re starting to win a few people over. It even seems like Makabe starting to take a like into you. It don’t matter. Ain’t about friends over here, it’s about who’s the one in the G1. And the G stands for Goat and you know his name.
Aaron Henare: You know, I didn’t even know I was eliminated until after I beat Ishii. But I beat the two hardest guys this side of the block. Let’s face it, if that first match didn’t go the way it went, I wouldn’t have had as much damage for that. But, hey, it doesn’t matter. I went into that Ishii match not knowing I was eliminated and I caught him in front of everyone in Hiroshima. Yelling for the victory. Tama Tonga is next. We had a New Japan Cup match, one of the most fiery matches ever. Tama, how about we teach these Japanese people, we teach these yanks about the history. Tonga. The last you saw us was on the shores of Tongatapu.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan: You saw it. Tanahashi got me right in the gut with that High Fly Flow. Boy, I felt the electricity from that one. Okada’s Falcon Arrow, as well. And Ishii with that lariat, that bastard. Ishii was moaning about something. Hey, I wasn’t even in G1, but I fought today. Even if I’m not in it, if I’ve got a chance against guys like Ishii and Tana, I’m gonna go all out. I’ll make things happen for me. I’ll team up with some more guys from overseas tomorrow. I’ll take every chance I get. Even though I’m not in G1, I’ll keep on fighting.
Tama Tonga: It’s been an honor being in the ring with him. Finally beside him. And shoot, it was a long time I was across the ring from him. But times have changed. My plan didn’t go as I wanted it to for this G1 and I’m hanging in the balance. And, yeah, you heard, I’ve got Henare next. You know, I can’t take this lightly because I see there’s a new attitude with Henare. There’s a new power, new viciousness that’s coming out of him and you know what? I’m proud of you Henare. I’m proud of you for digging deep, taking steps. Shit, I can understand. I’ve been there, trying to find oneself and I’ve seen that come out of you in this G1. Well, it is you and I, again. It comes down to the wire for me. Henare, I expect nothing but the best from you. Nothing but the best.
Tanga Loa: What a night, huh? So good to be back and see Tenzan in the ring with us. It’s been the first time I’ve been back in the ring with Tama in over a year and a half. Crazy, what a good night. Unfortunately, we lost tonight and that’s very unfortunate. But, what I do look forward to is tomorrow. Okada, I’m telling you right now, I’m having too much fun. And you, you’re the best, there’s no doubt about that. My goal has been exceeded. I just wanted to come here, have fun. I got three wins. I thought I was only gonna get one. Coming back, still, my knee, not 100%, but I pulled out some wins. That last one, Ospreay, well shoot, I gotta be smarter about how I win these, don’t I? If I’m not 100%, I gotta conjure up some ways to get these two points. So tomorrow, Okada, please, just bring your best and I’ll give you whatever I got left.
Kazuchika Okada: Damn, you’re boring, Tanga Loa. It’s not just about doing moves. Put some damn heart into it. Show some damn fire. You’re the least qualified of anyone to appear in this G1 Climax. We’ve all been busy with singles matches, so our 6-Man team was not as sharp today. But we’ll keep getting stronger and stronger from here on out.
Hiroshi Tanahashi: G1 Climax league matches, just a single match left. It’s been tough, but fighting in this G1, I feel like my condition has improved over time. Maybe it’s too late. But I’m really glad that I’m feeling in better shape. As long as the chance isn’t absolutely zero, is it zero? If I start to talk about next year, I may curse myself, but I’ve still got a prelim match tomorrow. Then I’ve got Naito in my last league match. Put aside the G1 Climax for a second, I simply just don’t want to lose to that guy.
Gabriel Kidd: I am a madman, you know. What is that? Two wins, one draw, four losses. Does it look like I lost a single match I was in? Are you mad? Are you silly? Being in this tournament, wasn’t even supposed to be in this shit. Every match, match of the night, win, lost, draw, I don’t give a shit. I am the MVP of this whole A Block. MVP of this whole tournament. I don’t give a shit about wins and losses. I turn the fuck up, that’s exactly what I said I was gonna do. Listen, this is a message for everyone on this roster here. Every one of you little fuckers. The levels have evolved. The game has changed.
We’re Evoluting, Revoluting, I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying right now. I’m feel too much pain. The game has changed. All you old 40 year olds trying to keep up, you had a lot to say, Naito, didn’t you? You had a lot to say about certain men that didn’t deserve to be in this tournament. Well, guess what, mate? You walk around with so much damage to your head, half the time, one of your eyes are on the other side of your skull, you fucking dickhead. Okada. Takagi. Ishii. All you men are getting old and I’ll happily come in and finish you all off. Who’s next? I’m ready for war. You don’t know what I’m on.
Yota Tsuji: Before this G1 Climax started, I said to Gabe, this is a G1 Climax that they’ll let anyone into. And I said that Gabe, in particular was one of those wrestlers that didn’t belong. Well, knowing what we know now, I’m sure you all have noticed it was a mistake to say that. I was wrong. I didn’t realize the edge he had. Didn’t realize he could stand toe-to-toe with a Gene Blast. I’ll admit it. You were the eye of the storm in the A Block, the disruptor, but I’m the one who won today. Hey, respect for leaving the LA Dojo and branching out, doing your own thing, and getting noticed. But more importantly, you’ve loosened some of my all-important teeth. Are they still attached? Are they okay? They’re still bleeding. How much do you think it costs to maintain teeth like these? And that suit of mine you ripped at the press conference, it’s gonna cost you a fortune in more ways than one, Gabe Kidd.
Kaito Kiyomiya: I can’t believe my G1 Climax is over. Not yet, my journey to becoming the top guy in this sport is not over yet. I’ll be back in the G1 Climax. You bet I’ll be back here again. And when that time comes, I’ll be the star of the G1. I’m taking that championship.
Ren Narita: Sorry, I’m a bit beat up. Two wins, two draws, three losses, This was all I was capable of right now. I know now I’m still immature. I couldn’t even make it to the knockout tournament. I’m gonna learn what I can from this experience. Onto the next tour. Thanks.
Chase Owens: Shit. Well, there you have it. There’s the G1, all right. That’s my final match. But it’s not my last chance because my contract is until 2027. What’s that at least four more G1 chances. At least I don’t know if I’m gonna re-sign, so wo cares I got more than four chances, but you know what today wasn’t? A complete failure. You see what I did out there? I hit The Paradise Lock. Yeah, that’s all that was missing. Sanada, next time, next time you won’t be so lucky.
SANADA: I’ve gotten through the A Block with all wins. Am I the only one to do it? You know, I figured I might get booed if I won every league match. Booed by Osaka. Well, hey, that’s the price you sometimes pay for being on top. That’s just the way it is. Next up are the quarterfinals. Wonder how they’ll react if I make the finals. Well, three more matches to go. I’m coming for that G1 Championship.
Shota Umino: This is a brutal feeling. I’m frustrated, I’m upset. On November 5, I came back to NJPW. I declared to the world that I was gonna beat Ospreay. I lost. February, I lost to Naito in Hokkaido. March, a loss to Finlay in the New Japan Cup. April, defeated by Zack Sabre Jr in Ryogoku. And June? Beaten by Okada in Osaka Jo-Hall. The G1 Climax 33, lost to Sanada, lost to Tsuji, lost to Hikuleo. An underdog who always gets beaten in the end, I might as well be a practice dummy. But I swear I’ll make up for every single loss I’ve taken. I’m never gonna forget how bad these losses felt.
Because if I do, I’m finished. This is the starting line for next year’s G1 Climax. And I just heard the starter’s pistol. I can’t let myself dwell on my loss today. I’ve said it before. I believe NJPW is the greatest pro wrestling in the world. And I want to be at the top of the best pro wrestling organization in the world. I have to make it. I’ll never forget this defeat. But if I don’t give up, if I don’t forget my defeats, this G1 doesn’t end here for me. I won’t let it become a distant memory. I’m gonna carry this frustration with me into next year, and for as long as I’m a pro wrestler. And with that feeling burning inside of me, I’ll stand at the top of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hikuleo: 4 wins in a row. 4 to come back. I can’t give up. I was down 0-3 at the start of this tournament. Just gotta keep a positive mindset and keep pushing forward. I know it’s cheesy and all, but with all the negativity in this world, it gets to you. Gotta keep fighting, keep pushing to get to the next level. Shota, he’s next level, honored to be part of his class. We were in the same DOJO class. I was in Bullet Club, but I learn my way once I went back home. The new generation really showed out in this tournament. Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino. For the New Japan standard, that’s all my teammates there, all my good friends. I already believe there’s a new standard in New Japan. Alright, enough with the cheesy shit. I just gonna enjoy tonight and see who my opponent is next. See you soon.
Checkout Episode 372 of The Hoots Podcast
Pro Wrestling Transcriptions 