Click:1P 2 200kA Surge
NJPW's G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with C Block & D Block matches in Sendai.
In the main event, Tomohiro Ishii faces Tama Tonga in a battle of NJPW veterans. Both are looking for their first win of the tournament.
In the semi-main, Hirooki Goto faces Tetsuya Naito in another matchup of NJPW stalwarts.
The full lineup:
C Block: Tomohiro Ishii (0-1, 0 points) vs. Tama Tonga (0-1, 0 points)D Block: Hirooki Goto (1-0, 2 points) vs. Tetsuya Naito (0-1, 0 points)C Block: Shingo Takagi (0-1, 0 points) vs. HENARE (0-1, 0 points)D Block: Shane Haste (1-0, 2 points) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (0-1, 0 points)C Block: Eddie Kingston (1-0, 2 points) vs. EVIL (1-0, 2 points)D Block: Jeff Cobb (1-0, 2 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (0-1, 0 points)C Block: David Finlay (1-0, 2 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-0, 2 points)D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (1-0, 2 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-1, 0 points)
Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.
**********
Recommended Matches
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Toru Yano – While not a must-watch, this was easily the best Yano match since his 2019 encounter with Jon Moxley, and that's worth a mention. ZSJ is remarkable at everything he does.
Jeff Cobb vs. Alex Coughlin – This was an engrossing match on a structural level and an outstanding performance from Coughlin.
HENARE vs. Shingo Takagi – If you're a fan of this pairing or big-match-Shingo, this is a must-see.
**********
Results
Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Toru Yano
This was an entertaining/clever match, even if it was borderline absurd. From both men having young lion doppelgangers to Yano tapping ZSJ's legs together, this was a silly Yano match from the beginning. In the end, ZSJ caught Yano with a rollup after Kosei Fujita provided some assistance.
ZSJ takes lead of D block with 4 points.
David Finlay defeated Mikey Nicholls
This was a slow-built match structured around prolonged segments of Finlay control. Finlay utilized this control to close the match with Oblivion.
David Finlay stays undefeated with 4 points.
Jeff Cobb defeated Alex Coughlin
In a cool twist, this match was all about Coughlin proving he could match Cobb's power. While Cobb did his fair share of power moves, it was all the more impressive when Coughlin stood toe-to-toe. Cobb ultimately ended Coughlin's hubris with a Tour of the Islands.
Cobb continues his hot start, advancing to 4 points.
EVIL defeated Eddie Kingston
Click Here: Jamie Vardy jersey sale
This match didn't come together at all for me. EVIL, unsurprisingly, worked a dirty match from the opening bell. Eddie attempted to fight off the barrage but fell to Everything is Evil after a Dick Togo distraction.
EVIL remains on top with 4 points.
Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Shane Haste
Haste established control early and used it to wear down Tanahashi for long stretches. Tanahashi eventually launched a rally, enabling him to hit High Fly Flow and win the match.
Tanahashi is on the board with two points.
HENARE defeated Shingo Takagi
This match was comparable to a Shingo main event in a compressed package. Only after prolonged back-and-forth sequences, multiple major momentum shifts, and false finishes did HENARE manage hit streets of rage to close the match with less than 30 seconds in the match remaining.
HENARE has scored his first win in block action, earning 2 points.
Tetsuya Naito defeated Hirooki Goto
This was the kind of match you would've expected from this pairing a few years ago. Both guys were on the ball, leading to dramatic back-and-forth sequences. Naito was able to close with Destino, ending one of his best performances in a long while.
Naito earned his first points in D block.
Tama Tonga defeated Tomohiro Ishii
This was a reasonably standard Ishii affair. Most of the twists were built around Ishii avoiding the gun stun. Once Tama hit the gun stun, he followed up with a Jay Driller to win the match.
Tama scored his first win and two points.
**********
Standings
A Block
SANADA (2-0) – 4 points)
Kaito Kiyomiya (2-0) – 4 points
Chase Owens (1-1) – 2 points
Gabe Kidd (1-1) 2 points
Ren Narita (0-0-2) – 2 points
Shota Umino (0-1-1) – 1 point
Yota Tsuji (0-1-1) – 1 point
Hikuleo (0-2) – 0 points
B Block
Kazuchika Okada (2-0) – 4 points
Taichi (2-0) – 4 points
YOSHI-HASHI (1-1) – 2 points
Tanga Loa (1-1) 2 points
Will Ospreay (1-1) 2 points
KENTA (1-1) 2 points
Great-O-Khan (0-2) 0 points
El Phantasmo (0-2) 0 points
C Block
David Finlay (2-0) – 4 points
EVIL (2-0) – 4 points
HENARE (1-1) – 2 points
Eddie Kingston (1-1) – 2 points
Mikey Nicholls (1-1) – 2 points
Tama Tonga (1-1) – 2 points
Tomohiro Ishii (0-2) – 0 points
Shingo Takagi (0-2) – 0 points
D Block
Zack Sabre Jr. (2-0) – 4 points
Jeff Cobb (2-0) – 4 points
Shane Haste (1-1) – 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi (1-1) – 2 points
Hirooki Goto (1-1) – 2 points
Tetsuya Naito (1-1) – 2 points
Alex Coughlin (0-2) – 0 points
Toru Yano (0-2) – 0 points