With opening weekend in Osaka now in the rear view mirror we head to the northern city of Sapporo for more A Block action for night 3 (Wednesday 23rd September) of G1 action. It was an incredible night with 6 good to incredible matches. Here’s a quick overview of the results along with current points after night 3:
- Gabriel Kidd defeated Yuya Uemura by pinfall
- Jeff Cobb (2pts) defeated Shingo Takagi (0pts) by pinfall
- Kazuchika Okada (2pts) defeated Yujiro Takahashi (0pts) by submission
- Taichi (4pts) defeated Minoru Suzuki (2pts) by pinfall
- Will Ospreay (4pts) defeated Tomohiro Ishii (0pts) by pinfall
- Jay White (4pts) defeated Kota Ibushi (2pts) by pinfall
Gabriel Kidd v Yuya Uemura
Gabe Kidd had a fantastic showing against Uemura here picking up his first 1 on 1 victory in NJPW. A double underhook suplex gave Kidd the victory who might have one of the best dropkicks in the world right now. So this means our unofficial C Block between our 3 Young Lions is all tied with all three having had 1 win and 1 defeat.
2pts: Gabriel Kidd
2pts: Yota Tsuji
2pts: Yuya Uemura
Shingo Takagi v Jeff Cobb
These guys put on a hell of a display of power and athleticism. Suplexes, forearms and the biggest standing moonsault in the business from Cobb. It was a Tour of the Islands from Cobb that got his first 2 points of the competition. Worryingly, Shingo remains on 0 points. He’s going to need some big performances over the next few weeks to catch up.
Yujiro Takahashi v Kazuchika Okada
With no Gedo by his side it looks like Gedo’s revenge is over. Yujiro put in his best performance of the year but Okada still won reasonably easily. Without any shenanigans (barring biting his way out of a few moves) Yujiro doesn’t have a chance. For Okada it’s 2 easy points thanks to his Cobra Clutch (the Money Clip). He’ll need them with Jay White coming up next.
Taichi v Minoru Suzuki
Well, the bad blood between stable mates hasn’t ended it seems. The Holy Emperor and King of Wrestling went at it 100mph from the very start. Referee Marty Asamai spent a good chunk of the match laid out after repeated abuse while Taichi and Suzuki spent the first half of the match strangling each other or smashing chairs over the others back or brawling on the outside. This vicious brawl would see the biggest upset of the tournament when Taichi hit Black Mephisto for the win. A massive, star making performance from Taichi and 4 points in the bag.
Will Ospreay v Tomohiro Ishii
An awesome and heavy hitting match between Chaos stable mates. I could be reading too much into this but humble Ospreay is taking a backseat to cocky git Ospreay since he returned. Against Ishii his trash talking turned up. Are we looking at Ospreay turning heel by the end of this? Either way, Ospreay picked up his second win thanks to the Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker. Worth noting a particularly nasty Stormbreaker into a Piledriver part way through the match that made my skin crawl. The Stone Pitbull sits at zero currently, not a great start despite 2 great performances.
Jay White v Kota Ibushi
Yet another incredible match. Jay White got a measure of revenge for last year’s G1 Climax final defeat with a Blade Runner and only a bit if shenanigans. There was a low blow, there was help from Gedo but this wasn’t an undeserved win. At Wrestle Kingdom 14 Jay White beat Ibushi but it’s fair to call that one a screw job. White dominated most of the match, attacking Ibushi’s knees throughout.
Highlight of the match had to be King Switch trying to get the crowd to chant “Ibushi”. NJPW rules in force for the pandemic mean the crowd are discouraged from making any noise with their mouths but are encouraged to clap and stamp their feet instead. Jay White is the heel 2020 deserves.
With an MSG rematch against Okada up next for White are we seeing King Switch one step closer to his anointing?
A Block standings after Night 3:
4pts: Taichi
4pts: Will Ospreay
4pts: Jay White
2pts: Kota Ibushi
2pts: Minoru Suzuki
2pts: Jeff Cobb
2pts: Kazuchika Okada
0pts: Shingo Takagi
0pts: Yujiro Takahashi
0pts: Tomohiro Ishii
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