Yokohama Budokan plays host to the final night of action in the C block of the 2023 G1 Climax tournament.
Unlike in some of the other G1 blocks we’ve seen so far this week, there’s a lot still to decide in the C block, which we’ll see today, and the D block, coming up tomorrow. Tonight, in the main event, Shingo Takagi and EVIL go to war to try and stake their claim in the playoffs. Who amongst this group can advance to the quarterfinals?
Undercard
Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb)
Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya and New Japan Young Lion Ryohei Oiwa unite for the second show in a row to take on the United Empire contingent of Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb. United Empire exploited the youngster, Oiwa, for the majority of the match and, despite some intervention from Kiyomiya, Great-O-Khan pinned Oiwa for the win.
Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano vs. BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd)
In no mood for comedy, Alex Coughlin and Gabe Kidd jumped their less than serious opponents, Tomoaki Honma and Toru Yano to begin a dominant showing in our next tag team match. This match would also serve as a preview of sorts, with Coughlin and Yano facing off in tomorrow’s D Block finale. War Dogs would win this one easily and continue the beatdown long after the bell.
Guerrillas Of Destiny (Hikuleo & Jado) & Shota Umino vs. Strong Style (El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki & Ren Narita)
Strong Style made a rare appearance together, next, as they took on the unique group of Hikuleo, Jado and Shota Umino. Hikuleo looked to build momentum in this match while also looking ahead at who he will face in the quarterfinals. While putting the sole of his boot through the members of Strong Style, individually, Hikuleo and Shota Umino were let down by Jado, who was defeated by Ren Narita.
CHAOS (Hirooki Goto & YOH) & Oskar Leube vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste & Zack Sabre Jr.)
The next contest saw Oskar Luebe team with Hirooki Goto and YOH to take on TMDK. The match was a good showing for the Young Lions Luebe and Kosei Fujita, as well as an opportunity for Zack Sabre Jr. and Hirooki Goto to make their marks ahead of tomorrow’s important D block finale. Shane Haste, who is mathematically eliminated from G1, picked up the win for TMDK.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Master Wato & Togi Makabe vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji)
Another preview of tomorrow’s D block ender next, as Hiroshi Tanahashi and Testuya Naito faced off, teaming with Master Wato and Togi Makabe, and BUSHI and Yota Tsuji, respectively. Young up and comers Yota Tsuji and Master Wato did the majority of the work in this match, with Tsuji picking up the win. After the match, Naito locked Tanahashi in the Texas Cloverleaf outside of the ring, gaining himself the advantage before they face off tomorrow.
RELATED: NJPW G1 Climax 33 Day 13 Results (August 5th, 2023)
C Block Closes Out
G1 Climax 2023 Block C Match – Tomohiro Ishii (1-5) vs. Mikey Nicholls (2-4)
The business end of this even in Yokohama kicked off with a match only for pride when the mathematically eliminated pair of Tomohiro Ishii and Mikey Nicholls squared off. This match was a strike fest with the two men laying in their hardest shots back and forth.
As the match progressed, Ishii gained the upper hand with a German Suplex but he was not able to capitalise with another move or pinfall attempt. He hit the Sliding Lariat for a two count but was dropped by Nicholls who picked up his own nearfall, following a Moonsault. It was Tomohiro Ishii that was able to close out his G1 with a win, though, delivering the Vertical Drop Brainbuster to Nicholls to secure himself a three count.
G1 Climax 2023 Block C Match – Tama Tonga (3-2-1) vs. HENARE (2-4)
The next match saw HENARE take on Tama Tonga. HENARE’s tournament is over but Tama Tonga must win for any hope of advancing to the next stage of G1 33. Tonga held momentum of the match early, cornering HENARE in the corner and looking for pinfalls frequently. HENARE fought back into the contest using his heavy striking style but fell victim to Supreme Slow, from which Tonga gained a nearfall.
HENARE locked a Full Nelson in on Tama Tonga, trying to force him to submit, but the Guerrilla of Destiny countered the move into a Gun Stun. He followed up, blocking the offense of HENARE and delivering the Dive Shack Driver to pick up the win. Tama Tonga would have to wait and see the lay of the land later in the night before knowing his G1 fate.
RELATED: NJPW G1 Climax 33 Day 14 Results (August 6th, 2023)
G1 Climax 2023 Block C Match – Eddie Kingston (4-2) vs. David Finlay (4-2)
The progression is simple in this one, win and you’re in, as Eddie Kingston took on David Finlay. After fighting outside the ring early, the pair went back and forth. Finlay held momentum for a time but Kingston avoided the doom of a Lariat to the back of the head and moved into his own offensive flurry, trapping Finlay in the corner for several sets of Machine Gun Chops.
After Kingston looked poised to take the win, Finlay was able to push him out of the ring and drive his skull into the ringpost. Kingston was glassy eyed as he beat the 20 count but was able to rally and deliver the Spinning Back Fist. Normally enough to put opponents away, this endeavour only got him a two count. Finlay escaped loss once again, by getting his foot on the bottom rope, and surprised the Mad King with Into Oblivion. He couldn’t capitalise on this big move, though and the match continued. Under five minutes to go, David Finlay rallied and was finally able to put Kingston away with a second Into Oblivion.
G1 Climax 2023 Block C Match – Shingo Takagi (3-2-1) vs. EVIL (4-2)
Before the night’s main event, the ring announcer brought us up to date with the news that if Shingo Takagi wins the match, he would be tied at 9 points with Tama Tonga and, because the pair of them tied in their match, a sudden death contest would take place immediately to determine who would join David Finlay in the quarterfinals. Wow.
EVIL began the match using his traditional underhanded tactics, exploiting Shingo Takagi both inside and outside the ring. EVIL threatened to shave the hair of Takagi, perhaps foreshadowing the fact that he has vowed to shave his head if he does not make it to the quarterfinals.
The other members of House of Torture made their way to ringside as EVIL continued to maintain control of the match and the three laid boots into Takagi as he laid outside the ring. He delivered Darkness Falls to Shingo for a very close nearfall and Dick Togo got involved. EVIL and Togo looked to deliver the Magic Killer but Takagi countered it and co-opted Togo into delivering the Magic Killer to EVIL.
Shingo Takagi hit Made in Japan on EVIL and went for the pin but the House of Torture pulled referee Red Shoes Unno out of the ring. An all out brawl broke out as Los Ingobernables de Japon came to the aid of Shingo Takagi, allowing The Dragon to go on the offensive. Poised for victory, EVIL poked Red Shoes in the eye and delivered a low blow, following up with Everything is Evil to pick up the win, save his hair, rob us of our extra main event and punch his ticket to the playoffs.
Evil always wins.
One More Time in the Blocks!
Back tomorrow for the last of the group action! Join us here at jezsports.com for all the coverage.
Just one night of competition remains before the playoffs begin. Who will advance in D block? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
