NJPW G1 Climax 33: Night Seventeeth
August 10, 2023
Funabashi Arena
Funabashi, 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: Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi and Yota Tsuji vs. Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste and Kosei Fujita In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Shingo Takagi and Kosei Fujita will start things off. Fujita with forearm shivers. Fujita kicks Takagi in the gut. Fujita applies a side headlock. Takagi whips Fujita across the ring. Fujita runs into Takagi. Shoulder Block Exchange. Takagi kicks Fujita in the gut. Fujita holds onto the ropes. Fujita with a knee lift. Takagi drops Fujita with a shoulder tackle. Takagi bodyslams Fujita. Takagi with a Knee Drop. Takagi tags in Takahashi. Chop Exchange. Takahashi with a corner clothesline. Takahashi with a running basement dropkick. Takahashi tags in Tsuji. Tsuji stomps on Fujita’s chest. Tsuji with a knife edge chop. Tsuji whips Fujita across the ring. Tsuji with a Back Body Drop for a two count. Tsuji stands on Fujita’s face. Tsuji toys around with Fujita. Forearm Exchange. Fujita chops Tsuji. Tsuji goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Fujita lands back on his feet. Tsuji delivers a gut punch.
Fujita reverses out of the irish whip from Tsuji. Fujita dropkicks Tsuji. Fujita tags in Haste. Haste clears the ring. Haste with three uppercuts. Haste sends Tsuji to the corner. Haste with a Running Uppercut. Takagi attacks Haste from behind. Short-Arm Reversal by Haste. Haste with a Backdrop Driver. Haste repeatedly kicks Tsuji. Haste with a Reverse Powerslam for a two count. Haste tags in Nicholls. Tsuji blocks The Double Crucifix Slam. Double Toe Kick. Double Irish Whip. Tsuji shoves Nicholls into Haste. Tsuji ducks a clothesline from Nicholls. Tsuji with a Running Headscissors Takeover. Tsuji drops Nicholls with The Big Boot. Tsuji tags in Takahashi. Nicholls with a running shoulder tackle. Nicholls tags in Fujita. Fujita dropkicks Takahashi. Fujita with forearm shivers. Fujita uppercuts Takahashi.
Standing Switch Exchange. Takahashi with three sharp elbow strikes. Takahashi sends Fujita to the corner. Fujita chops Takahashi. Fujita with a Shotgun Dropkick. Fujita with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Takahashi blocks The Wheelbarrow Suplex. Tsuji with The Stinger Splash. Takagi with a corner clothesline. Tsuji with a Pump Knee Strike. Takagi scores a right jab. Running Dropkick/Belly to Back Suplex Combination for a two count. Takagi with a DDT/Flatliner Combination. Takahashi applies The Boston Crab. Fujita grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Fujita ducks a clothesline from Takahashi. Takahashi with two back elbow smashes. Fujita slaps Takahashi in the face. Takahashi responds with a Lariat. Takahashi hits The Falcon Arrow for a two count. Fujita rolls Takahashi over for a two count. Fujita with an inside cradle for a two count. Takahashi with a Running Death Valley Driver into a turnbuckle pad. Takahashi connects with The Time Bomb to pickup the victory.
Winner: Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi and Yota Tsuji via Pinfall
Second Match: The Guerrillas Of Destiny, El Phantasmo and Shota Umino vs. Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Ren Narita and Hiroyoshi Tenzan In A 8-Man Tag Team Match
Shota Umino and Ren Narita will start things off. Narita ducks a clothesline from Umino. Umino blocks a boot from Narita. Umino sends Narita into the ropes. Misfired Clotheslines. Narita kicks Umino in the face. Forearm Exchange. Narita whips Umino across the ring. Umino dodges The Big Boot. Umino ducks under another clothesline from Narita. Umino with a Running Headscissors Takeover. Umino scores the elbow knockdown. Narita answers with The Big Boot. Tonga and Desperado are tagged in. Tonga with a shoulder tackle. Desperado avoids the elbow drop. Desperado kicks Tonga in the gut. Tonga reverses out of the irish whip from Desperado. Tonga drops down on the canvas. Desperado walks over Tonga’s back. Desperado with a deep arm-drag that sends Tonga to the floor. Desperado ducks a clothesline from Tonga. Desperado with a right hand. Tonga kicks Desperado in the face. Tonga with a Superman Forearm. Tonga tags in Umino.
Hontai clears the ring. Double Irish Whip. Tonga with a gut punch. Loa uppercuts Desperado. Purple Nurple Party. Quadruple Big Boot for a two count. Umino gets distracted by Narita. Umino tags in Loa. Loa with Two Spinning Bodyslams. Desperado kicks Loa in the gut. Umino blasts STRONG Style off the ring apron. Loa drives Desperado back first into a turnbuckle pad. Desperado kicks Loa in the face. Desperado with forearm shivers. Loa HeadButts Desperado. Loa goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Desperado lands back on his feet. Desperado with a forearm smash. Desperado tags in Suzuki. Suzuki with forearm shivers. Tonga and Phantasmo attacks Suzuki from behind. Double Irish Whip. Suzuki side steps Tonga into a turnbuckle pad. Suzuki with Three Big Boots. Suzuki applies The Sleeper Hold. Suzuki drives his knee into the midsection of Loa. Loa clotheslines Suzuki. Suzuki applies a front choke. Loa escapes with The Jack Hammer.
Phantasmo and Tenzan are tagged in. Tenzan with a shoulder tackle. Tenzan unloads Three Mongolian Chops. Tenzan HeadButts Phantasmo. Tenzan kicks Phantasmo in the gut. Tenzan with another headbutt in the corner. Tenzan with a corner clothesline. Tenzan drills Phantasmo with The BrainBuster for a two count. STRONG Style gangs up on Phantasmo. Double Irish Whip. Narita with a running back elbow smash. Desperado with a corner clothesline. Suzuki follows that with The Helluva Kick. Tenzan hits The Mountain Bomb. Tenzan applies The Anaconda Vice. Umino breaks up the submission hold. A pier six brawl ensues in the ring. Second Forearm Exchange. Palm Strike Exchange. Exploder Suplex Exchange. Tenzan HeadButts Phantasmo. Phantasmo with forearm shivers. Mongolian Chop Exchange. Phantasmo connects with Sudden Death to pickup the victory.
Winner: The Guerrillas Of Destiny, El Phantasmo and Shota Umino via Pinfall
Third Match: Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Douki and Taka Michinoku vs. KENTA, Chase Owens, Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd In A 8-Man Tag Team Match
Kenta clocks Kanemaru with the Defy World Title before the bell rings. The referee tells Kenta and Taichi to put their belts down. Taichi kicks Kenta in the gut. Kenta stops Taichi in his tracks. Kenta presents Taichi with his belt. Kent with two quick rollups. Kenta with a toe kick. Taichi blocks The GTS. Kenta blocks The Dangerous Backdrop Driver. Kenta hammers down on the back of Taichi’s neck. Short-Arm Reversal by Taichi. Taichi nails Kenta with The Hook Kick. Taichi sends Kenta to the corner. Taichi with a corner clothesline. Taichi tags in Kanemaru. Just Five Guys gangs up on Kenta. Kanemaru whips Kenta across the ring. Kanemaru dropkicks the left knee of Kenta. Kanemaru slams the left knee of Kenta. Kanemaru blocks The Knee Crusher. Kanemaru kicks Kenta in the gut. Kenta reverses out of the irish whip from Kanemaru. Coughlin drives his knee into Kanemaru’s back. Kenta with a toe kick. Kenta with a NeckBreaker. Kidd clears the ring. Kenta is raining down haymakers. Kenta applies the greco roman throat hold.
Kenta tags in Kidd. Kidd unloads three knife edge chops. Kidd kicks Kanemaru in the face. Bullet Club are mauling Kanemaru in the corner. Kidd tags in Coughlin. Coughlin with Two BackBreakers. Coughlin with a Fallaway Slam for a two count. Coughlin applies a front face lock. Coughlin tags in Owens. Owens punches Kanemaru in the ribs. Following a snap mare takeover, Owens applies a rear chin lock. Kanemaru with elbows into the midsection of Owens. Owens pulls Kanemaru down to the mat. Owens clears the ring. Owens starts drinking Whiskey. Kanemaru blocks The Suntory Surprise. Kanemaru with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Kanemaru tags in Douki. Douki with a Flying Crossbody Block. Douki ducks a clothesline from Owens. Douki push kicks Kidd into the ropes. Douki with a Back Body Drop to Coughlin. Douki with a Double Headscissors Takeover. Douki lands The Suicide Dive. Douki rolls Owens back into the ring. Owens uppercuts Douki in mid-air. Owens with The Slingshot Death Valley Driver. Owens tags in Kidd.
Kidd toys around with Douki. Douki with two overhand chops. Kidd starts biting Douki’s forehead. Kidd is trying to remove Douki’s mask. Douki with heavy bodyshots. Kidd punches Douki in the back. Kidd goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Douki lands back on his feet. Kidd decks Douki with a back elbow smash. Douki dropkicks the left knee of Kidd. Douki tags in Michinoku. Michinoku and Taichi clears the ring. Double Irish Whip. Michinoku with a corner clothesline. Kanemaru with a running back elbow smash. Taichi follows that with a Spinning Back Kick. Following a snap mare takeover, Michinoku with a Running Knee Strike for a two count. Michinoku applies The CrossFace. Kanemaru gets tangled up with Coughlin. Kidd blocks The Michinoku Driver. Kidd with a blistering chop. Michinoku answers with the greco roman eye poke. Kidd kicks Michinoku in the gut. Michinoku nails Kidd with The Pump Kick. Michinoku goes for The Michinoku Driver, but Kidd lands back on his feet. Michinoku knocks down the referee. Kidd delivers The Knockout Punch to pickup the victory.
Winner: KENTA, Chase Owens, Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd via Pinfall
Fourth Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii and Eddie Kingston vs. Jeff Cobb, The Great O-Khan and Aaron Henare In A 6-Man Tag Team Match
Hiroshi Tanahashi and The Great O-Khan will start things off. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Tanahashi grabs Khan’s braid. Tanahashi kicks Khan in the gut. Tanahashi with combo strikes. Khan reverses out of the irish whip from Tanahashi. Tanahashi decks Khan with a back elbow smash. Tanahashi with a SpringBoard Crossbody Block. Khan chops the left ear of Tanahashi. Tanahashi skins the cat. Tanahashi shoves Cobb and Henare back first into the steel barricade. Khan uses The Mongolian Chop to free Tanahashi’s fingers from the ropes. Khan wraps his braid around Tanahashi’s back. Ishii attacks Khan from behind. Khan blocks The German Suplex. Khan with a back elbow smash. Ishii ducks a clothesline from Khan. Double Dropkick to Khan’s knees. United Empire answers with Stereo Shoulder Tackles. Kingston unloads a flurry of chops. Kingston drives his knee into the midsection of Cobb. Kingston with an Inverted Atomic Drop to Henare. Kingston with a Running Boot. Kingston talks smack to Henare. Khan nails Kingston with The Pump Kick. Khan with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Khan tugs on Tanahashi’s hair. Khan slams Tanahashi’s head on the blue turnbuckle pad. Khan punches Tanahashi in the back. The Great Wall Of Khan. Khan tags in Henare.
Khan clears the ring. Henare with heavy bodyshots in the corner. Henare HeadButts Tanahashi. Following a snap mare takeover, Henare kicks Tanahashi in the back. Henare with a Senton Splash for a two count. Henare knocks Kingston off the ring apron. Henare slams Tanahashi’s head on the blue turnbuckle pad. Henare tags in Cobb. Cobb headbutts the lower back of Tanahashi. Cobb with clubbing shots to Tanahashi’s ribs. Cobb is trying to bait Kingston into the ring. Tanahashi with forearm shivers. Cobb kicks Tanahashi in the gut. Cobb sends Tanahashi to the corner. Tanahashi side steps Cobb into a turnbuckle pad. Tanahashi blocks a boot from Cobb. Tanahashi drops Cobb with The Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi tags in Ishii. Ishii runs into Cobb. Ishii ducks a clothesline from Cobb. Ishii with a forearm smash. Khan runs into the ring. Standing Switch Exchange. Ishii kicks Henare in the face. Ishii pulls Henare into the path’s of Cobb and Khan. Ishii with a running shoulder tackle. Cobb blocks The Vertical Suplex. Standing Switch Exchange. Ishii decks Cobb with a back elbow smash.
Cobb ducks a clothesline from Ishii. Cobb with a leaping shoulder tackle. Ishii avoids The Standing MoonSault. Cobb dropkicks Ishii. Ishii responds with a Counter Vertical Suplex. Kingston and Henare are tagged in. Kingston unloads a series of chops. Kingston sends Henare to the corner. Henare side steps Kingston into a turnbuckle pad. Cobb with a Running Uppercut. Khan with a corner clothesline. Cobb follows that with The Spin Cycle. Henare blasts Kingston with The PK for a two count. United Empire gangs up on Tanahashi. Double Irish Whip. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Khan. Tanahashi ducks a clothesline from Cobb. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Cobb. Henare slaps Tanahashi in the face. Tanahashi dropkicks the left knee of Henare. Double Lariat to Henare. Double Enzuigiri. Tanahashi hits The SlingBlade. Kingston with The Exploder Suplex. Henare rises back on his feet. Henare blocks The Spinning Back Fist. Henare delivers his combination offense. Henare with a Spinning Heel Kick. Henare with a Pump Knee Strike. Kingston blocks The Streets Of Rage. Kingston connects with The Spinning Back Fist to pickup the victory.
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii and Eddie Kingston via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. Hikuleo w/Jado In A Quarter-Final Round Match In The G1 Climax 33 Tournament
Naito is playing mind games with Hikuleo. Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Hikuleo backs Naito into the ropes. The referee calls for a clean break. Hikuleo pats Naito on the chest. Naito spits at Hikuleo. Naito ducks a clothesline from Hikuleo. Forearm Exchange. Hikuleo goes for a Powerslam, but Naito lands back on his feet. Naito sends Hikuleo tumbling to the floor. Naito dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Tranquillo Pose. Hikuleo regroups on the outside. Hikuleo slowly gets back in the ring. Naito repeatedly dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito drops his elbow on the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito applies a toe and ankle hold. Hikuleo grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Naito stomps on the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito applies The Indian Death Lock. Hikuleo grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. Naito stomps on the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito wraps the left leg of Hikuleo around the middle rope.
Naito kicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito with a forearm smash. Naito blocks a boot from Hikuleo. Hikuleo decks Naito with a back elbow smash. Naito avoids The Snake Eyes. Naito dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Naito with a NeckBreaker onto the knee. Naito dropkicks the back of Hikuleo’s neck for a two count. Naito toys around with Hikuleo. Naito is throwing haymakers at Hikuleo. Hikuleo unloads two knife edge chops. Hikuleo with a palm strike. Naito side steps Hikuleo into a turnbuckle pad. Hikuleo delivers The Snake Eyes. Hikuleo with a running clothesline. Hikuleo levels Naito with The Body Avalanche. Hikuleo with a Vertical Suplex for a two count. Hikuleo stomps on Naito’s back. Hikuleo with two blistering chops. Hikuleo whips Naito across the ring. Hikuleo goes for The Snap Powerslam, but Naito holds onto the ropes. Second Forearm Exchange.
Naito dropkicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito with repeated back elbow smashes. Naito with a low dropkick in the corner. Naito goes for The Esperanza, but Hikuleo counters with a Running Powerslam. Hikuleo applies a waist lock. Naito with three sharp elbow strikes. Hikuleo drops Naito with The Big Boot. Hikuleo goes for a PowerBomb, but Naito lands back on his feet. Naito kicks the left knee of Hikuleo. Naito goes for The Swinging DDT, but Hikuleo counters with The Last Ride for a two count. Hikuleo goes for The Chokeslam, but Naito rolls him over for a two count. Naito ducks a clothesline from Hikuleo. Naito with repeated back elbow smashes. Naito with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Naito goes for The Destino, but Hikuleo counters with a Powerslam. Hikuleo goes for The Chokeslam, but Naito counters with a DDT. Hikuleo denies The Destino. Hikuleo with a Spinning Slam. Hikuleo goes for The Chokeslam, but Naito counters with Two Destino’s to pickup the victory.
Winner: Tetsuya Naito via Pinfall
Sixth Match: Will Ospreay w/The United Empire vs. David Finlay w/Bullet Club War Dogs In A Quarter-Final Round Match In The G1 Climax 33 Tournament
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Hair Pull Exchange. Ospreay backs Finlay into the ropes. The referee calls for a clean break. Finlay uses the ropes as a shield. Finlay slaps Ospreay in the face. Finlay applies a side headlock. Ospreay whips Finlay across the ring. Ospreay drops Finlay with The Big Boot. Ospreay slams Finlay’s head on a turnbuckle pad. Ospreay transitions into a corner mount. Ospreay with a Back Body Drop. Forearm Exchange. Ospreay sends Finlay to the corner. Finlay launches Ospreay over the top rope. Ospreay catches Finlay with a forearm smash. Finlay shoves Ospreay off the ring apron. Finlay repeatedly drives Ospreay back first into the steel barricade. Finlay with a straight right hand. Finlay stomps on Ospreay’s back. Finlay grabs the timekeeper’s table. Finlay is raining down haymakers. Finlay goes for a PowerBomb, but Cobb gets in the way. Finlay spits at Cobb. Cobb shoves down Finlay. The referee has ejected Jeff Cobb from the ringside area. The War Dogs gangs up on Ospreay.
Kidd slaps Ospreay in the face. Finlay rolls Ospreay back into the ring. Finlay hooks the outside leg for a one count. Finlay uppercuts the back of Ospreay’s neck. Ospreay kicks Finlay in the gut. Finlay with heavy bodyshots. Finlay whips Ospreay sternum first into the turnbuckle pad. Finlay with repeated headbutts in the corner. Finlay stands on Ospreay’s ribs. Finlay whips Ospreay back first into a turnbuckle pad for a two count. Ospreay with a forearm smash. Finlay kicks Ospreay in the face. Second Forearm Exchange. Finlay reverses out of the irish whip from Ospreay. Finlay goes for a Hip Toss, but Ospreay counters with The Cobra Twist. Finlay reverses the hold. Ospreay with a Hip Toss. Finlay attacks the midsection of Ospreay. Ospreay explodes out of the corner with a Running Lariat. Ospreay with a back elbow smash. Finlay answers with repeated headbutts. Tiger Wall Flip Kick. Ospreay with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Finlay reverses out of the irish whip from Ospreay. Ospreay with a Handspring Roundhouse Kick. Ospreay drops Finlay with Pip Pip Cheerio for a two count.
Ospreay bodyslams Finlay. Finlay yanks Ospreay off the top turnbuckle. Finlay goes for The Dominator, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Finlay with three sharp elbow strikes. Ospreay chops Finlay. Finlay rakes the eyes of Ospreay. Finlay starts biting Ospreay’s forehead. Ospreay with a Big Boot. Ospreay with a Release German Suplex. Ospreay goes for The OsCutter, but Finlay counters with The SpringBoard Side Russian Leg Sweep. Finlay goes for a Running Uppercut, but Ospreay counters with The Standing Spanish Fly for a two count. Ospreay goes for The Hidden Blade, but Finlay counters with The Spear. Finlay drops Ospreay with The Dominator for a two count. Finlay sets up a table on the floor. Finlay with clubbing blows to Ospreay’s’ back. Finlay goes for a PowerBomb, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Ospreay SuperKicks Finlay. Ospreay nails Finlay with The OsCutter on the ring apron. Ospreay lays Finlay on the table. Ospreay is raining down haymakers. Kidd pulls Finlay off the table. Finlay avoids The Slingshot Pescado. Ospreay SuperKicks Kidd. Finlay repeatedly slams Ospreay’s head on the table. Finlay goes for a PowerBomb, but Ospreay lands back on his feet.
Ospreay PowerBombs Finlay through the table on the floor. Finlay gets back in the ring at the count of nineteen. Ospreay with The SpringBoard Coast To Coast Dropkick for a two count. Finlay blocks The OsCutter. Finlay goes for The Lifting Reverse DDT, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Ospreay ducks a clothesline from Finlay. Ospreay hits The OsCutter for a two count. Ospreay drags Finlay to the corner. Ospreay goes for The Leap Of Faith, but Finlay pulls the referee into the path. The War Dogs once again ambushes Ospreay. Khan and Cobb brings the fight to Kidd and Coughlin. Khan lands The SomerSault Plancha. Ospreay ducks a clothesline from Finlay. Ospreay with The Hook Kick. Ospreay goes for The Hidden Blade, but Finlay counters with a shillelagh shot. Finlay PowerBombs Ospreay for a two count. Finlay with a Rolling Elbow. Finlay goes for Into Oblivion, but Ospreay counters with a Stundog Millionaire. Finlay avoids The Hidden Blade. Finlay goes for Into Oblivion, but Ospreay lands back on his feet. Ospreay delivers The Hidden Blade. Ospreay connects with The Storm Breaker to pickup the victory.
Winner: Will Ospreay via Pinfall
Seventh Match: Sanada vs. EVIL w/Dick Togo In A Quarter-Final Round Match In The G1 Climax 33 Tournament
EVIL kicks Sanada in the gut. EVIL applies a side headlock. Sanada whips EVIL across the ring. EVIL drops Sanada with a shoulder tackle. Sanada drops down on the canvas. Sanada leapfrogs over EVIL. Sanada ducks a clothesline from EVIL. Sanada with two dropkicks. Sanada with The Slingshot Pescado. Sanada plays to the crowd. Sanada rolls EVIL back into the ring. EVIL begs for mercy. Sanada blocks a boot from EVIL. Sanada with a back heel trip. Sanada goes for The Paradise Lock, but Togo gets in the way. EVIL attacks Sanada from behind. EVIL dumps Sanada out of the ring. EVIL rakes the back of Sanada. EVIL drives Sanada back first into the steel barricade. The ring announcer goes down in the process. EVIL and Sanada starts brawling in the crowd. EVIL flings Sanada into multiple rows of chairs. EVIL jams a chair into the midsection of Sanada. EVIL is choking Sanada with the same chair. Sanada gets back in the ring at the count of fifteen. EVIL shoves Sanada back first into the barricade. EVIL poses for the crowd. Sanada gets back in the ring at the count of fourteen. EVIL whips Sanada into the exposed steel.
Red Shoes ignores EVIL. EVIL stomps on the midsection of Sanada for a one count. EVIL stands on Sanada’s face. EVIL toys around with Sanada. Sanada with three overhand chops. EVIL drives his knee into the midsection of Sanada. Sanada side steps EVIL into the exposed steel. Sanada dropkicks EVIL. Sanada pops back on his feet. Sanada gets distracted by Togo. Sanada drags Togo into the ring. Sanada with a back heel trip. Sanada applies The Paradise Lock. Sanada with a drop toe hold into Togo’s backside. Sanada with a Belly to Back Suplex for a two count. Sanada blocks Darkness Falls. Sanada drops EVIL with The TKO for a two count. EVIL avoids The Muto MoonSault. EVIL retreats to the outside. EVIL with a gut punch. EVIL tosses Sanada around the ringside area. EVIL rolls Sanada back into the ring. Sanada blocks The Darkness Scorpion. EVIL kicks Sanada in the gut. EVIL tosses Sanada out of the ring. Togo drives Sanada back first into the barricade. EVIL applies The Darkness Scorpion. Sanada grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. EVIL goes for Darkness Falls, but Sanada counters with Skull End.
Sanada shoves EVIL into Togo. Sanada reapplies Skull End. EVIL with the snap mare escape. Sanada responds with The Shining Wizard. EVIL shoves Sanada towards Red Shoes. EVIL delivers the low blow. Sanada denies Everything Is EVIL. Sanada with a low blow of his own. Sanada with The Bridging O’Connor Roll for a two count. Togo pulls Red Shoes out of the ring. Togo wraps the garrote around Sanada’s neck. Sanada blocks The Magic Killer. Sanada with The Magic Screw. Sanada with Two Shining Wizards. Sanada checks on Red Shoes. Sanada with a BackBreaker. Sanada lands The Muto MoonSault for a two count. EVIL denies The Dead Fall. Sanada ducks a clothesline from EVIL. Sanada dropkicks EVIL. Sanada with The Rolling Elbow. EVIL responds with a Lariat for a two count. Sanada blocks Everything Is EVIL. Sanada with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Sanada with another Shining Wizard. EVIL negates The Dead Fall. EVIL connects with Everything Is EVIL to pickup the victory.
Winner: EVIL via Pinfall
Eight Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr w/Kosei Fujita In A Quarter-Final Round Match In The G1 Climax 33 Tournament
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Okada backs Sabre into the ropes. Sabre turns Okada over. Red Shoes calls for the clean break. Sabre pats Okada on the chest. Strong lockup. Okada bulldozes Sabre into the ropes. Sabre ducks under a forearm from Okada. Sabre uppercuts Okada. Okada kicks Sabre in the gut. Okada applies a side headlock. Sabre whips Okada across the ring. Okada runs into Sabre. Shoulder Block Exchange. Sabre with Two Big Boots. Following a snap mare takeover, Sabre repeatedly kicks Okada in the back. Sabre with clubbing mid-kicks. Okada hammers down on the right knee of Sabre. Okada dumps Sabre out of the ring. Okada tosses Sabre around the ringside area. Okada goes for The Tombstone, but Sabre lands back on his feet. Sabre with a forearm smash. Sabre applies The Octopus Stretch on the barricade. Sabre goes for a Vertical Suplex, but Okada blocks it. Okada drops Sabre with The Draping DDT on the floor. Sabre gets back in the ring at the count of thirteen.
Okada with a NeckBreaker for a one count. Okada slams Sabre’s head on a turnbuckle pad. Okada with a forearm smash. Okada decks Sabre with a back elbow smash. Okada is choking Sabre with his boot. Okada slams Sabre’s head on the red turnbuckle pad. Okada with repeated back elbow smashes in the corner. Sabre gets up in Okada’s grill. Sabre uppercuts Okada. Okada drives his knee into the midsection of Sabre. Okada sends Sabre to the corner. Okada with a leaping back elbow smash. Okada kicks Sabre in the gut. Okada goes for a DDT, but Sabre counters with The Swinging Arm-Ringer. Okada buries his knee into the midsection of Sabre. Sabre dodges The Big Boot. Sabre goes for a Cobra Twist, but Okada counters with a Hip Toss. Following a snap mare takeover, Sabre cranks on Okada’s neck. Sabre dropkicks the back of Okada’s head. Sabre applies the cravate. Okada with an arm-drag takeover. Sabre side steps Okada into the blue turnbuckle pad. Sabre applies The Hanging Guillotine Choke.
Okada puts Sabre on the top turnbuckle. Sabre kicks Okada in the face. Sabre with a Flying European Uppercut. Sabre drops his weight on the left leg of Okada. Sabre grapevines the legs of Okada. Sabre works on his joint manipulation game. Sabre ties Okada up in a knot. Okada puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Okada decks Sabre with a back elbow smash. Okada goes for The Reverse NeckBreaker, but Sabre counters with The Octopus Stretch. Okada escapes with The Reverse NeckBreaker. Okada applies The Money Clip. Okada puts Sabre on the top turnbuckle. Sabre kicks Okada in the face. Okada dropkicks Sabre in mid-air. Okada applies a wrist lock. Okada with a short-arm clothesline. Okada with three sharp elbow strikes. Sabre answers with Two Front Boots. Sabre dodges The Spinning Rainmaker. Sabre with a German Suplex for a two count. Okada blocks The PK. Sabre with forearm shivers. Okada with a German Suplex. Sabre avoids another Rainmaker.
Okada dropkicks Sabre. Okada goes for The Landslide, but Sabre counters with The Grounding Cobra Twist. Sabre transitions into a Modified Bow and Arrow. Sabre applies The Cross-Arm-Breaker. Okada puts his foot on the bottom rope which forces the break. Okada blocks The Zack Driver. Uppercut/Forearm Exchange. Okada with The Dynamic Dropkick. Okada nails Sabre with The Landslide. Sabre avoids The Rainmaker. Sabre drops Okada with The Zack Driver. Forearm Exchange. Uppercut Exchange. Sabre slaps Okada in the back. Second Uppercut/Forearm Exchange. Sabre with a Counter Rainmaker. Sabre maintains wrist control. Okada with The Backdrop Clutch for a two count. Rollup Exchange. Sabre uppercuts Okada. Okada with a Shotgun Dropkick. Sabre responds with The PK for a one count. Okada dropkicks Sabre. Sabre refuses to stay down. Palm Strike Exchange. Okada ducks a clothesline from Sabre. Okada with a Spinning Rainmaker. Sabre avoids The Rainmaker. Sabre reapplies The Octopus Stretch. Okada hits The Cobra Flowsion. Okada connects with The Rainmaker to pickup the victory.
Winner: Kazuchika Okada via Pinfall
THE G1 CLIMAX 33 SEMI-FINAL LINE UP
1.) Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
2.) Tetsuya Naito vs. Will Ospreay
POST MATCH COMMENTS
Shane Haste: You know what, that was a nice little cool down after the G1. You see, he’s just taking a rest because how much he beat him up. He had to hit him with The Time Bomb. He had to hit his biggest move to keep him down, because this kid’s got fire. We stoke the fire, and he brings it. He’s the gas that keeps on going. Me and Mikey could’ve finished that anytime we wanted to. We are tag team specialist. But, no, we wanted him to shine. Win and losses doesn’t matter. We may have lost this, but later on tonight, Zack Sabre Jr is gonna pin, tap out, he’ll probably tap him out. Okada, the money maker, the golden boy, the cash money man of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Zack is gonna tap him out and he’s gonna win. And a win for him is a win for TMDK. We win together, baby. And we grow from losing, no problems.
Mikey Nicholls: You see, we might have taken the L tonight, and you know what? That’s never fun, but Shane and I are out of the G1. But no matter how it goes, one thing is for sure, when you see the letters G and the number one, there’s gonna be four letters next to that, TMDK. Zack Sabre Jr is going all the way. You did good, kiddo.
Kosei Fujita: Hiromu, I got your message, loud and clear. It doesn’t matter if I’m young, or considered a Young Lion, when I step to you, I aim to beat you. And as I am in this junior division, my eyes are on you holding that belt. I’ll snatch it from you.
Hiromu Takahashi: It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a New Japan ring. It was awesome. I’ve been making the rounds at other promotions, but as expected, nothing beats the New Japan ring. That’s why it’s my first love. Nice to be reminded of that feeling. By the way, Fujita, I like the fire in your eyes. The same look I had over 10 years ago when I was getting worked by Kanemoto and Liger. I had the same I’m gonna crush them attitude you do. I love it. I think you’re meant for big things in the Junior Heavyweight Division. So, I told him in the ring, welcome to the junior world. Reach for it, if you can. I like your spirit. Oh, also! Tomorrow, at Freedoms, I have a match against Dragon Libre and Katori. I can tell Fujita’s learned and absorbed a lot over time. I want Young Lions to watch closely and, well, I guess Fujita isn’t a Young Lion anymore. But I’d like to clash with what the youth has to offer. Well, I don’t have much to say about my Freedoms opponents. But I am looking forward to tagging with a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Takaiwa. Of course, as the current champ, I’ll absorb what I can from a legend.
Shingo Takagi: Man, Hiromu really loves to talk. That wasn’t enough action for me. Mikey’s fun, but I want more of Shane, too. I’m already looking forward to next year’s G1. I’ll keep the disappointment of not making the quarter-finals this year close to my heart. My G1 may be over, but my summer isn’t. I’ll start prepping for what’s next.
Yota Tsuji: Hey, Shane Haste, you seemed pretty pleased with tripping Jeff Cobb up last night. Took one for the team, huh? So lame. As a wrestler, you should find a way to win. Well, I didn’t make the next round, so I shouldn’t be talking much. But I’m just not that into you.
Minoru Suzuki: Everyone’s yapping like schoolchildren. My G1 is over. G1 isn’t done yet. Shut the hell up. Listen to how you blabber on. I don’t give a damn what you’re doing. My hot summer is far from over. And I’m turning up the heat all August.
El Desperado: I’m not into multiple partner play.
Ren Narita: We could settle this during this G1 series. If not, we’ll work it out next series. I’m persistent. Watch your back.
Tama Tonga: As you last saw, we had a little talk with ELP. Obviously, it was a good dinner. He enjoyed himself. It’s good to be back. It’s been a minute between both of us, but we could put that, you know, what happens in the past, we could let it go. We move forward. Today is a new day.
Shota Umino: I beat Narita. But I love y’all.
Gabriel Kidd: What? Was that supposed to be a challenge or something? I beat him with a punch, fam. I punched him in the skull and he could not kick out. Do you understand? Do you understand the levels that we bring to this game? I don’t think you. We keep telling you, we keep showing you, but you still cannot get it through your brains. You Japanese people, you love to follow all these rules, oh, Gabe can’t be this until he’s done five years on the roster. Hey, shut your mouth, suck your mom. I don’t care. I don’t give a shit about none of that. We run this. Look at what he did to Yano, yesterday. I seen him on commentary like a little fucking fool. This man decimated, Yano. Evil Yano, what, is that suppose to be a threat? Come on, man. Tell them, Alex.
Alex Coughlin: We’re here. We’re hungry. Because we the war dogs. And I’d like to see you do something about it, because we’re the dogs, for real.
KENTA: Hey, you’re not fatty. Long time no see, featureless one. You’ve been good? Hold on, Fatty is with me all tour but skips out on today? Really? What’s the meaning of this? He made me lose during G1, but now he’s not here? Give me a break. Were you thinking, oh, this’ll be easy because Fatty’s got the KENTA gig? You can’t help but be so brutally honest. You may not have any discernible features, but your will is what makes you stand out. You’re not getting any love, are you? That’s what I thought. Nothing cute about honesty. But, in some ways, being frank can be kind of attractive, right? Yeah, you’ve got that. And what about Fatty? He’s not here? Come on. Did you see what happened yesterday? This is DEFY. I’ve been carrying this around, so I want you to remember it. DEFY! DEFY! DEFY! Come on! How many times, DE-FY. Come on, already. It’s DEFY. Did you see my match with Mr. Dull Face the other day?
The match was fine, but every time I call him ugly, lames on Twitter say, no, you’re ugly. Or they say, neither of you is any better looking than the other. Yeah, at no point was I looking for your input on the matter. When you geeks talk, it makes me want to avoid you all. You’re definitely those strange kids in class. Were you that type? No? I’m mistaken? Give me a break. I say he’s ugly, so they say I’m ugly. Is that what we’re doing here? Some people take it to a weird place and suck the fun out of it. Just stay quiet. Fatty really isn’t here? When he’s not here, I’m worried. When he’s here, I’m upset. It’s a complicated relationship. Is this, love? Am I in love with fatty? You think? Love? Whatever. G1 goes on. Well, I’m eliminated, all thanks to Fatty. But the series continues. Are they coming? You don’t know? I’d be disappointed if Fatty didn’t show. What is this feeling? Is it love? It can’t be. Anyway, what I came here to say was, I think I’m in love with Fatty.
Aaron Henare: Why are you carrying me? Fuck. Two times, really? Serious? Back Fist. That’s two times, AHHHH!!
Jeff Cobb: Yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re wondering, where are you for comments last night? Zack Sabre Jr, you, my friend, you are welcome. Better yet, for the fans out there that don’t understand what I’m talking about, don’t I look like Maui from Moana? Maybe I’ll say it in your language. Zack, you are welcome. In fact, that Japanese was for you, Naito because you’re welcome as well. Yeah, my loss is your two’s gains. Same two people, same people in the G1 Finals, over and over again because this company is afraid of change. This company is afraid of what’s going to happen when The United Empire takes over.
They were afraid of what’s going to happen if there’s a four empires in the final eight, in the elite eight. So, Zack, you’re welcome for what Shane did, because I already beat you. And, Naito, you’re welcome as well, because I already beat you as well. So, just an FYI, I’m gonna root for one of you twos to win the G1, then look over your back because, remember, I beat you guys, both of you. Remember? I’m not gonna yell anymore. I’m gonna relax, sit back and watch two more days of the G1, to relax and watch and plan. So, Zack and Naito, I already said you’re welcome, so now I’m gonna say, good luck.
Hiroshi Tanahashi: My summer ended yesterday, but I’ll be sure to watch the quarter-finals, semifinals and finals closely. And what will I do next? I can go out and face all 32 other G1 entrants. Well, minus me, 31 other entrants. I can beat them all, besting the G1 and IWGP champions. Simple. I mean, that’s how I’m feeling. G1 may be over, but I’ve got fuel to burn. I’ve still got drive, hope, and ambition. And there are still some views I want to see. I’ll do my best.
Hikuleo: Damn. Got damn, I love this sport. I love pro wrestling so much. I hope I put on for group A. I hope I didn’t disappoint Group A. Losing in the first playoffs, I love it just as much as any of them. Ren Narita, Shota Umino, Yota Tsuji, heck, even Gabe Kidd, Kaito Kioymiya. I hope I represented for the A Group. I did the best I could, but that man’s on another level, man. He had a counter for everything. I love this sport. I hope I represented Group A, GOD and my family. Thank you, Jado. Come back better, stronger, faster. I hope I put on for guys my size. 6’10. 275 pounds doing this shit. God damn, I love this thing, man. This is where the best come to play. See you next year.
Tetsuya Naito: My first singles match with Hikuleo. I really like facing guys like him. It’s true that it was a close call, but it was a lot of fun. And I’m really looking forward to Hikuleo’s future. Now I move on to this G1’s best four. I don’t know who my next opponent will be, either Finlay or Ospreay. But the venue will be Ryogoku in the middle of summer. I’ve experienced many G1’s as a fan before. For G1, you can’t beat Ryogoku in the summer. It doesn’t matter who I face in this mid-summer G1, on my home turf, I will enjoy myself to the fullest and get the best result. See you Saturday at Ryogoku. Adios!
David Finlay: Ospreay, you just made the biggest mistake of your stupid life. Oh, you just took my Tokyo Dome main event away from me. I do not forgive and I certainly do not forget, Ospreay. You are a marked man and you better keep eyes in the back of your head. I am coming for you when you least expect it. I’m gonna take you out. I will take everything from you, do you understand me? You english piece of shit, I will end you. I will end Will Ospreay.
Will Ospreay: I couldn’t have done that without Jeff Cobb and The Great O-Khan. They had the numbers game on me. But thankfully, United Empire is about brotherhood, it’s about having one another’s back when we need it the most. And thank you, Jeff, thank you, Khan. I know Henare would’ve been there, but he got the shit kicked out of him and he’s gonna rest up and comeback for Eddie Kingston. Onwards, we go. Finlay, the more things change, the more they stay the same. You got lucky last year, I’ll give you that one, mate. But you will never get that lucky ever again, I promise you that. You got creepy music, creepy hair, a weird coat and all your weird fucking friends. But no matter what, I will always be above you. I will always be better than you, Finlay. And now, onwards, it’s Ryogoku like I said, I said to everyone I’d make it to the semi-final. And let me say now, I will make it to the finals, so get your damn tickets. And I’m against Naito. Just like year, semi-final, G1 and you stand in my way. I hope you learn your lesson from last time because there’s a lesson for you that I’m going to give in singles competition in Ryogoku.
I have lost one match, that was my first match against, Kushida. Since then, look up in the history books. Every time Ospreay is in a one on one situation in Ryogoku, home field, I’ll come out on top. I call it home field because 2019, I moved to Japan and I stayed in Ryogoku. And every single day I would pass Sumo Arena, have a little wonder and admire the beauty of that venue. Get that feeling that I got the first i ever walked into that building, goosebumps. One of these days, I’ll probably have the title on my arm somewhere, how much I love that building. And, Naito, that building loves me. That building is my property. That building is my mana. Shout out to Paul Robinson. This is my time now. You hear these people, that’s not just here, that’s everywhere I’ve gone except Osaka against El Phantasmo. But everywhere else, everyone knows who is the number one wrestler in the world today. Naito, rest up. See you in Ryogoku.
SANADA: If this is what I’m capable of in moments like these, then I’m not as strong a champion as I should be. I’m grateful to EVIL for teaching me that. In that case, allow me to pay you back for this.
EVIL: Oi, SANADA. Suck it up, you sad sack. You can change factions all you want, you’re still just a chump when you step to me. Who’s next? Not that it matters. Mr. G1 will kill them all. Remember that.
Zack Sabre Jr: Fucking one step forward, you take two steps back. It’s every time. It’s always like this at this fucking company. Why can’t you beat Okada? Why can’t I beat Okada in Japan? I want to throw furniture around until I vomit, but that won’t achieve anything. I should’ve won this tournament 7 years ago. Out of everyone who’s been in this tournament, year in, year out, I should already won this. And the only reason I haven’t is my own complacency. I can’t blame anyone else but myself. I’m sure I’m suppose to be saying something inspiring about getting knocked down and getting back up. That’s the whole mantra of TMDK, right? I’ll tell you what, losing sucks, losing really fucking sucks. And I don’t know what else to say. This just fucking sucks, it sucks.
Kazuchika Okada: It’s hot. This is real G1 sweat. The kind of sweat that comes after 20 minutes. Charged by adrenaline and the cheering fans. I’m glad I could get to this point, and hear those loud cheers. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to face such a strong Zack. From here on out, as its been all G1, the competition only gets tougher. Well, I’m unsure what kind of fight EVIL is putting up these days. He did beat the champion. Looking forward to it. Try to pull whatever you want, it’s still not enough to beat Okada. It’s all good. Got it? I’m no longer hindered by a 20 minute limit. Prepare for the full Okada.
Checkout Episode 372 of The Hoots Podcast
