For the third time in his career Kota Ibushi has made the finals of the G1 Climax tournament.
Kota Ibushi now waits to take on the winner of B Block on Sunday’s finale. B Block concludes tomorrow. Ibushi won last year’s event.
The winner of the G1 Climax tournament is rewarded with a contact for an IWGP Heavyweight Championship match at the Wrestle Kingdom Tokyo Dome show on January 4th. Often the winner has been forced to, made to or opts to put that contact on the line before Wrestle Kingdom.
Ibushi’s victory over Taichi pushed him past second-place finishers Will Ospreay, Jay White and Kazuchika Okada.
Ibushi’s match with Taichi was also extraordinary for one reason, besides Ibushi’s Kamigoye finisher the entire match consisted of both wrestlers stiff kicking each other over and over until Taichi couldn’t carry on any further.
The other big news from the finals of A Block was that Will Ospreay turned on Chaos and Kazuchika Okada. It was Okada himself who enlisted Ospreay to be a part of Chaos in the first place.
Osprey’s real-life girlfriend, Bea Priestley, showed up at ringside at a crucial moment to cheer Ospreay on as he fought against Okada’s Money Clip submission.
Bea Priestley is in New Japan. Courtesy: NJPW.
“You can beat him! Come on, Will!” she shouted.
Priestley then entered the ring arguing with the official.
From the other side of the ring the returning Great O-Kharn arrived. He stepped through the ropes and choke slammed Okada. Ospreay appeared shocked and stunned, unsure of what to do.
Great O-Kharn re-introduces himself to Okada. Courtesy: NJPW.
Ospreay pinned Okada with Storm Breaker as the Great O-Kharn smiled from outside.
After kissing and speaking to Priestley, Ospreay rushed back into the ring hitting Okada from behind with a Hidden Blade.
“F—k you!” he shouted giving a fallen Okada the finger.
The NJPW power couple celebrates. Courtesy: NJPW.
“You held me back! This has been a long time coming! I really hope that hurts in the morning. F—k you!” he said.
Priestley and Ospreay headed to the back with Great O-Kharn in tow.
Final G1 CLIMAX 30 A BLOCK STANDINGS
| Wrestler | Points |
|---|---|
| Kota Ibushi | 14 |
| Will Ospreay | 12 |
| Jay White | 12 |
| Kazuchika Okada | 12 |
| Taichi | 8 |
| Jeff Cobb | 8 |
| Tomohiro Ishii | 8 |
| Shingo Takagi | 8 |
| Minoru Suzuki | 6 |
| Yujiro Takahashi | 2 |
G1 Climax 30 Night 17 Results
Yota Tsuji versus Gabriel Kidd
Same finish as last time. Tsuji with the Big Swing and Boston Crab.
Winner: Yota Tsuji
Jeff Cobb versus Yujiro Takahashi – G1 CLIMAX 30 – A BLOCK TOURNAMENT MATCH
Cobb picks up Yujiro, runs out of a corner slamming Yujiro hard on the canvass in another great feat of strength from this future main eventer. Yujiro shoves the official into Cobb. He snatches his cane clobbering Cobb in the head. He gets his very first win of the tournament with Pimp Juice.
Winner: Yujiro Takahashi
Shingo Takagi versus Minoru Suzuki – G1 CLIMAX 30 – A BLOCK TOURNAMENT MATCH
Suzuki gets creative. Courtesy: NJPW.
Suzuki defeated Takagi for the Never Openweight Championship at Summer Struggle in Jingu back in August so this is a very personal battle. Takagi and Suzuki throttle each other exchanging stiff kicks, punches, slaps, forearm smashes and head butts. Takagi pins Suzuki with Last of the Dragon. One wonders if he will get a rematch for the title.
Winner: Shingo Takagi
Kazuchika Okada versus Will Ospreay – G1 CLIMAX 30 – A BLOCK TOURNAMENT MATCH
Winner: Will Ospreay
Kota Ibushi versus Taichi – G1 CLIMAX 30 – A BLOCK TOURNAMENT MATCH
A devastating battle of the stiff kicks. Ibushi wins with a Kamigoye.
Winner: Kota Ibushi
Tomohiro Ishii versus Jay White – G1 CLIMAX 30 – A BLOCK TOURNAMENT MATCH
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii