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From Kobe World Hall, Hyogo, Japan:
1. Master Wato vs. Kosei Fujita
Lots of mat wrestling to start. Wato tapped Fujita in a Camel Clutch but Fujita gets to the ropes. Fujita hits a dropkick and a series of elbows. Fujita applies a Boston Crab but Wato gets to the ropes. Wato applies his own Boston Crab.
Fujita taps out.
After the match, Wato has words with Fujita and helps him up from the mat to an applause from the crowd.
2. Yuji Nagata vs. Shingo Takagi
Nagata is filling in for the injured Tetsuya Naito. Naito and Takagi were supposed to main event this card tonight.
Takagi has his right elbow wrapped up, due to Zack Sabre Jr. submission victory at the last A Block event.
Both men start with strikes with elbows and chops. They battle to the floor and Nagata throws Takagi with an Exploder Suplex. Nagata went after the left arm of Takagi with arm bars and kicks to the arm. Nagata attacked the right arm and Takagi retreated to the floor. Nagata was consistent by keeping his attack on the arms of Takagi. Takagi fought back with power moves, hitting lariats and a Death Valley Driver. Nagata stuns Takagi with a knee strike and a brainbuster. Nagata locks in a several submissions. Nagata ducked a sliding lariat and trapped Takagi in arm submission, but Takagi refused to tap. They trade more strikes. Nagata hits a top rope Exploder. Two count. Takagi with a Pumping Bomber and a back suplex. Nagata counters with his own back suplex. They trade more strikes. They are beating the hell out of each other.
Takagi hits another Pumping Bomber. Two count. Takagi hits Last of the Dragon.
Takagi pins Nagata.
Takagi got his Belt and acknowledged Nagata as he left ringside. Big applause for both men.
Good match. Both men fought hard, even if this was not for the title or counted towards the G1.
G1 Climax 31 A Block Matches:
3. Great O-Khan vs. Yujiro Takahashi, with Pieter
O-Khan started on the mat and invited Takahashi to mat wrestle. Both men grappled on the mat, until Takahashi bit the hand of O-Khan. Takahashi takes the match to the floor and hits O-Khan with his Pimp Stick. O-Khan almost gets counted out. O-Khan was selling his injured back. Takahashi used quick moves to keep O-Khan on the mat, with body slams and dropkicks to the face. O-Khan fights back with a gut wrench suplex. Takahashi hits a Collegiate Slam. Takahashi hits a Miami Shine. Two count. Pace picks up. Takahashi goes for Big Juice. O-Khan avoids it and locks in the Sheep Killer. He then hits the Eliminator.
O-Khan pins Takahashi.
Great O-Khan earns 2 points and remains in the lead with 8 points.
4. Toru Yano vs. Tanga Loa, with Jado
Yano brings a bag to ringside. Inside the bag are handcuffs and rolls of tape. Tanga Loa says Yano should be disqualified. They ring the bell and they trade elbows. Match goes to the floor and both get thrown into guardrails. Tanga Loa pulls Yano’s shirt over his head and throws a young lion into him. Yano is almost counted out. Tanga Loa uses his power to keep Yano in the ring. Tanga Loa hits a Blue Thunder Bomb and applies the Operation Jado Killer. Yano gets the rope break. Yano tries to low blow Tanga but the referee stops him. Tanga pushes Yano into the referee. Jado jumps in the ring. Yano gets the kendo stick and hits Tanga Loa with it, then throws the stick to Jado. The referee goes after Jado.
Yano hits Tanga Loa with a low blow and rolls up Tanga Loa for the pin.
5. Tomohiro Ishii vs. KENTA
KENTA avoided locking up with Ishii early on. KENTA kept leaving the ring. Ishii had enough and pulled KENTA by the hair into the ring. Ishii hit big strikes on KENTA then took him outside into the guardrails. KENTA took the ring bell and smashed Ishii in the arm. KENTA whipped Ishii’s body into guardrails and onto the concrete floor. KENTA continued to attack the right arm of Ishii, as a set up for Game Over.
Ishii fought back and blasted KENTA with chops and elbows. KENTA hit a dropkick in the corner and tried for a double stomp. KENTA missed and hits a release German Suplex into the corner. They continue to trade chops and lariats. KENTA nails a double stomp. Two count. They trade strikes and KENTA takes down Ishii and applies the Game Over. Ishii gets a rope break. KENTA hammers Ishii in the back of the head with elbows. Ishii fights back and hits a superplex. KENTA hits a Psycho Knee. But could not go for the pin. He hits another Psycho Knee. Two count.
KENTA pushed Ishii into the exposed bolt in the turnbuckle. Ishii face smashes metal. KENTA rolls up Ishii, grabs his tights, and pins Ishii.
KENTA earns 2 points and he is tied for second place with 6 points.
Good match. Both men beat each other up and I do not know how they are still standing as they both took so much punishment.
6. Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Both tried to grapple on the mat. ZSJ was able to counter Ibushi’s moves. Once Ibushi threw his kicks, ZSJ retreated. ZSJ kicked the arm of Ibushi and stomped on his elbow.
I apologize. Go watch this match. No recap can do justice to the wrestling I just saw.
Ibushi tried for knock out blows with his kicks but ZSJ withstood the attacks and waited for his moment to lock on a submission.
ZSJ trapped Ibushi in an ankle lock but kept changing and slowly tied up Ibushi into knots.
Ibushi tapped out after he could not escape.
There was an audible gasp in the crowd when the referee called for the bell. Kevin Kelly said the audience started leaving once they knew Ibushi had lost.
Zack Sabre Jr. wins and earns 2 points and tied for second place with 6 points. Three matches in the G1. All submission wins. Wow!
Zack Sabre Jr. is wrestling at another level.
A Block Standings as of 9/26:
Kota Ibushi - 4
Yujiro Takahashi - 4
Great O-Khan - 8
Tanga Loa - 2
Toru Yano - 6
KENTA - 6
Zack Sabre Jr. - 6
Tomohiro Ishii - 2
Shingo Takagi - 4
Tetsuya Naito - Forfeit
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