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RADICAN’S NJPW G1 CLIMAX 29 NIGHT 18 REPORT
AUGUST 11, 2019
BUDOKAN HALL
TOKYO, JAPAN
AIRED LIVE ON NJPW WORLD
G1 CLIMAX 29: NIGHT 18 VIEWING GUIDE
Note:This section will provide spoiler free recommended matches to watch from each night of the tournament if you’re pressed for time and only want to see the essentials. The matches worth seeing will start at ***¾ or higher.
(6) Taichi vs. Tomohiro Ishii. (****)
(8) Shingo Takagi vs. Hirooki Goto. (****¼)
(9) Tetsuya Naito vs. Jay White. (****)
Commentary: Kevin Kelly, Rocky Romero and Chris Charlton.
UNDERCARD RESULTS
(1) Ren Narita & Shota Umino beat Yuya Uemura & Yota Tsuji in 7:35.
(2) Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi & Bad Luck Fale beat BUSHI & SANADA & EVIL in 8:00.
(3) Toa Henara & Tomoaki Honma & Kota Ibushi beat KENTA & Karl Fredericks & Clark Connors in 8:20.
(4) YOSHI-HASHI & Will Ospreay & Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay beat Yoshinobu Kaneamaru & Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr. & Lance Archer in 10:40.
B BLOCK RESULTS & ANALYSIS
(5) JEFF COBB (6) vs. TORU YANO (8) IN A G1 CLIMAX 29 B BLOCK MATCH
Yano took his shirt off and had something pointy in his tights. It turned out to be three rolls of tape. Cobb asked the ref to check him when he turned around and he had several rolls of tapes there too. He asked the ref to check Cobb and rolled him up for a nearfall. He then tied up Cobb in his singlet and got another nearfall. Cobb freed himself and looked very upset. Yano promised to not do anything else and offered a handshake, but Cobb squeezed his hands hard. Yano went to the floor and eventually took the corner pad off. Cobb went after him, so Yano went to the other corner and exposed the pad. Cobb ducked a charge and Yano ran into the exposed corner. Cobb followed up with a belly to belly suplex. Yano then fired back and hit a belly to belly suplex of his own! Cobb fired back and hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Cobb blocked several low blow attempts and hit Tour of the Islands for the win after a superkick.
WINNER: Jeff Cobb (8 pts) in 5:20. (**½)
(Radican’s Analysis: Cobb finishes with a respectable 8 points in his first G1.)
(6) NEVER OPENWEIGHT CHAMPION TOMOHIRO ISHII (8) vs. TAICHI (W/MIHO ABE) (6) IN A G1 CLIMAX 29 B BLOCK MATCH
Taichi jumped Ishii and nearly got the win after hitting a backdrop suplex. Taichi worked over Ishii for a long period of time. Ishii finally caught Taichi with a powerslam to stop his momentum. Ishii hit a big German with Taichi trying to fight it. He had a rough landing. Ishii hit a stalling superplex in the corner a short time later for a nearfall. Ishii hit a backdrop suplex, but Taichi got right up only for Ishii to deck him with a clothesline. Goto hit the sliding lariat for a nearfall. He went for the Vertical Drop Brainbuster, but Taichi blocked it and hit a big enzuguri to the back of Ishii’s head in the corner. Taichi hit an axe bomber a short time later for a two count. Ishii tried to fire back, but Taichi hit an axe bomber and a jumping kick to Ishii’s head. He then hit the last ride for a nearfall and the fans went nuts and chanted for both men. Taichi ripped his pants off and went for a superkick, but Ishii got out of the way. He went for Black Mephisto, but Ishii countered it. They went back and forth trading blows. Taichi no sold a clothesline and Ishii finally hit a clothesline to deck Taichi and the fans roared. WOW!
Ishii got a running start and wiped out Taichi with a big clothesline. The fans chanted for Taichi and Ishii went for his finish again, but Taichi blocked it. They went back and forth and Taichi blocked the Vertical Drop Brainbuster again and eventually hit a backdrop suplex, but Ishii got up! Taichi hit an enzuguri and Ishii no sold it. HE then hit another backdrop suplex for a nearfall. HOLY S–T! ISHII IS A MADMAN!! Ishii hit an enzuguri and Taichi fired back with a superkick. Taichi then hit Black Mephisto for the win. WHAT A MATCH!
WINNER: Taichi (8 pts) in 12:00. (****)
(Radican’s Analysis: Shocking to see Taichi win a match clean outside of jumping Ishii to start things off. This was a back and forth war and the fans got behind Taichi HUGE here. The announcers teased a babyface turn for Taichi, so that will be something to watch going forward.)
(7) IWGP U.S. CHAMPION JON MOXLEY (W/SHOTA UMINO) (10) vs. JUICE ROBINSON (6) IN A G1 CLIMAX 29 B BLOCK MATCH
This is effectively do or die for Moxley. He needs to win here and wins for Shingo and Naito to get to the final as the best scenario. Robinson is already eliminated. Robinson has had a lot of damage done to his leg between White and Moxley in the last several days. They went at it hot and heavy right away with blows and headbutts exchanged. Moxley went for a suplex and Robinson countered it, but hurt his leg when he landed. Moxley went right after Robinson’s leg. Kelly mentioned that Moxley wanted to end Juice’s career in this match as he continued to target his leg. Moxley got a figure four a short time later and cranked away on it. The fans tried to rally behind Robinson. Both men traded slaps to the face. Robinson tried to turn it over and eventually he did it. Moxley got to the ropes fairly quickly. Moxley blocked a Juice Box attempt and locked in the cloverleaf. Robinson almost got to the ropes, but Moxley dragged him back to the middle of the ring. Robinson bit Moxley’s ear and he ended up biting his earring off. He tossed the earring into the crowd and Moxley looked upset. Robinson got on track with a flapjack and a big clothesline.
Robinson hit a big clothesline in the corner and Moxley slumped into the corner. Robinson hit a cannonball and sold his leg right away. The fans fire dup and Robinson went up top. He hit a splash, but Moxley rolled through and nearly got a leg submission. Robinson used his legs to push Moxley to the floor. Moxley cut Robinson going for a dive. He went to get a table a short time later, but Robinson caught him with a slingshot splash and favored his knee. Robinson put the table back under the ring and the fans applauded. Moxley then tripped him right into the barricade.
Moxley went to hit Robinson’s leg against the ringpost with a chair, but he got out of the way. Robinson was going to use the chair on Moxley a short time later, but he put it down. They went to a big strike exchange in the ring and Moxley hit a big clothesline. Moxley went for Death Rider and Robinson went for Pulp Friction. They traded counters and Moxley got an ankle lock. Robinson was going for the ropes and Moxley let go and hit some big forearms to Robinson’s neck. He then locked in a STF. The ref checked Robinson’s arm and he was about to call for the bell, but he grabbed the ref’s leg. Moxley thought he had won and let go of the hold. Moxley hit a Regal Knee and then a big release suplex. Moxley went to the outside and tossed a bunch of plunder into the ring. The ref tried to clear the ring. Moxley tossed a table into the ring. The ref said he would DQ moxley if he used it. Robinson got a rollup for a nearfall. Moxley bit at Robinson’s eyebrow, but Robinson hit a right hand and then two Left Hands of God. Robinson hit Pulp Friction and it was good for the win.
WINNER: Juice Robinson (8 pts) in 16:30. (***½)
(Radican’s Analysis: Good action here start to finish. Moxley kept trying to introduce weapons and Robinson ended up getting the win as a result of Moxley getting distracted.The way the announcers were talking, it sounded like Robinson would get a U.S. Title shot in the near future.)
(8) SHINGO TAKAGI (6) vs. HIROOKI GOTO (10) IN A G1 CLIMAX 29 B BLOCK MATCH
If Goto wins, he beat Jay White and lost to Naito. So if White wins and Goto wins, Goto wins. If Naito wins, then he would win the block in that scenario. If Goto wins and Naito and White draw, Goto would win in that scenario as well. Takagi backed Goto into the ropes and nailed him with a hard chop. Both men began trading forearms. They then traded shoulder tackles until Takagi took Goto down. Goto hit several big forearms on Goto. He then began hitting him with some light kicks. Goto fired back and eventually hit a discus lariat. Takagi rolled to the floor to regroup. Goto ended up handing Shingo over the top turnbuckle and hitting a neck breaker for a two count. Goto worked a headscissors, but Shingo managed to get his foot on the bottom rope. Shingo tried to fire out of the corner, but Goto clotheslined him right back into it. Goto told Shingo to bring it and they began trading blows. They went back and forth and Goto went for a misdirection, but Shingo hit a snap backdrop driver. Both men got up and Shingo hit a big clothesline for a two count. The fans fired up and chanted for Shingo. Goto fired back with a backdrop driver for a two count.
Shingo blocked a Ushigoroshi attempt. The announcers said Shingo needed a win to get future opportunities in G1 and in the heavyweight division. Goto worked a sleeper, but Shingo lifted him up and drove him backwards with his weight landing right on top of him. Shingo hit a sliding lariat and then Noshigami. He made the cover, but only got a two count. Goto blocked Made in Japan. They traded clotheslines and then hit clotheslines at the same time in the middle of the ring. Goto finally took Shingo down with a big clothesline. He then hit Ushigoroshi for a near fall. Goto hit several mid micks to Shingo’s chest. He then measured Goto and hit a huge kick. Shingo blocked a GTR, both men staggered after Shingo hit a headbutt. Goto nearly had another Ushigoroshi, but Shingo countered it into Made in Japan for a near fall! Not a fan of the headbutts, but the Ushigoroshi into MIJ was great there. Shingo hit a big Pumping Bomber a short time later for a near fall. Shingo called for the end and went for Last of the Dragon. Goto countered it and they went back and forth. Goto hit a big headbutt to Shingo’s chest and hit a GTR. He set up for a big mid kick, but Shingo popped up out of nowhere and hit a HUGE lariat to wipe him out and the fans fired up. Shingo hit a Pumping Bomber, but Goto somehow kicked out. Shingo then hit Last of the Dragon for the win. WOW! Goto is eliminated.
WINNER: Shingo (8 pts) in 15:00. (****¼)
(Radican’s Analysis: Just a great hard-hitting war between these two. This was a great finish to the tournament for Shingo beating two heavy hitters in Ishii and Goto.)
Jay White and Tetsuya Naito will now wrestle until there’s a winner to determine the winner of the block.
Jay White came out for the main event to massive boos. White has ripped off five wins in a row after starting 0-3.
(9) JAY WHITE (W/GEDO) (10) vs. IWGP IC CHAMPION TETSUYA NAITO (10) IN A G1 CLIMAX 29 B BLOCK MATCH
Naito took a long time to take off his entrance gear. If they go to 30 minutes and draw, they would continue wrestling under sudden death rules. The bell rang and White rolled to the floor. White got back in the ring and rolled right back out. Naito then teased a dive and hit his pose. White ran into the ring and now it was Naito’s turn to go to the floor and stall. Naito teased getting into the ring and rolled right back out. Naito ducked a clothesline from Gedo on the floor a short time later and shoved him into White. He then tossed White into the barricade and said tranquilo to him. White tried to go to the floor a short time later, but Naito kicked the ropes into his nuts and went on the attack. Naito went for his signature corner dropkick, but White grabbed Naito by the hair and pulled him down onto the apron. White sent Naito into the barricade and went back into the ring and hit Naito’s pose on the turnbuckles. White ran Naito back and forth between the barricade and the apron. White worked over Tanahashi on the mat and he tried to get up, but White slammed by the hair back down onto the mat.
They went back and forth across the ring until Naito caught White coming off the ropes with a jumping boot. Naito hit his signature corner dropkick successfully a short time later. Naito hit a pair of neck breakers on White for a two count. Naito got a full nelson on White using his legs and White struggled, but managed to get to the ropes. They went back and forth and White countered a clothesline into a flatliner and then he hit a deadlift German right away. Naito went for a flying forearm, but White turned it into a big uranagi. He then went for the Kiwi Crusher, but Naito turned it into a DDT! The fans fired up and chanted for Naito. Naito went for Gloria, but White pulled the ref into him. Gedo went for a brass knuckles shot, but Naito ducked it and kicked him right in the junk. White went for a low blow, but Naito blocked it, hit a flying forearm, and then hit Gloria. WOW! Naito went for Destino a short time later, but White collapsed. He then fired up suddenly a short time later and hit a big snap backdrop suplex. He then hit another. He followed it up with the Kiwi Crusher for a near fall.
White signaled for Blade Runner, but Naito countered it into a poison rana that he didn’t get all of. Naito then hit a running Destino for a near fall. Naito wound White up and went for another Destino, but White turned it into a sleeper suplex. The fans fired up and chanted for Naito. White set up for Blade Runner, but Naito tried to counter it into Destino. White turned it back into a Blade Runner. They traded counter after counter until White hit another sleeper suplex. That was quite the exchange with both men going for their finishers over and over. White hit a big DDT. He then set up for the Blade Runner and hit it for the win.
WINNER: Jay White (12 pts) in 19:00. (****)
Kelly said people were leaving the building as soon as White won. White is the block winner with 12 points. He ran the table going 6-0 after starting 0-3. White stood over Naito after winning and hit his pose. Naito eventually left the ring with help.
(Radican’s Analysis: This was a good match, but it wasn’t the best of Jay White, as he’s had better matches in the tournament.)
White cut a promo after the match. He said tranquilo to Naito and the fans booed. He then mocked the fans for leaving after he had beaten another one of their heroes. White said he told everyone when he was 0-3 that this was his G1. White said he told the fans to trust him and breathe with him. White said he’s now in the G1 final. White then said Ibushi’s name which drew Ibushi chants from the fans. Ibushi came out to a good pop from the crowd. White said there he is. White asked Ibushi to get into the ring since it would just be him and Ibushi with Gedo out of the ring. Ibushi hesitated and the fans chanted his name.
He said tomorrow they would go 1 on 1 with no Gedo. Kelly said he doesn’t believe it. He said you and me 1 on 1. He offered his hand and Ibushi shook it. White went for a kick, but Ibushi avoided it and went for one of his own, but White ducked it. White slumped to the ropes and smiled. Ibushi went to leave and Gedo grabbed his leg. White then chopped his injured angle. White then hit a dragon screw on Ibushi’s injured ankle. Gedo tossed some chairs into the ring and the fans booed. White put Ibushi’s ankle into the chair and then hit it with another chair twice. The fans booed big time. He hit his ankle one more time with the chair. He said tomorrow, Ibushi would breathe with the Switchblade. The fans booed as White left the ring and went down the entrance ramp. Kelly said White would now face an injured Ibushi in the final.
They followed White backstage and he said he will make Ibushi the biggest embarssment in G1 history by beating him in under 10 minutes. He said everyone would then breathe with the Switchblade.
Overall thoughts: This was a great final night of B block action. Moxley got eliminated losing to Robinson, which will set up another match between them most likely in the near future for the IWGP U.S. Championship. Shingo and Goto had an incredible hard-hitting match and Shingo eliminated Goto from contention to set up the main event between Naito and White.
Naito and White had an excellent back and forth match, but it didn’t have the layers and story that some of White’s better matches of the tournament have had. White got the win over Naito and was tremendous as a hell in the post-match to set up his match with Ibushi tomorrow.
White is a top level heel ready to main event at Wrestle Kingdom at this point and it wouldn’t shock me if he won the whole thing after tonight. He gets a ton of heat unlike you see just about anywhere else in wrestling. He baited Ibushi into the ring after beating Naito and did a ton of damage to his already injured ankle. I can’t wait to see the story White and Naito tell tomorrow.
FINAL G1 CLIMAX 29 STANDINGS THROUGH NIGHT 18
A BLOCK
Kota Ibushi 7-2 (14 pts) – WINNER A BLOCK
Kazuchika Okada 7-2 (14 pts)*
EVIL 4-5 (8 pts)*
Hiroshi Tanahashi 4-5 (8 pts)*
Zack Sabre Jr. 4-5 (8 pts)*
KENTA 4-5 (8 pts)*
SANADA 4-5 (8 pts)*
Bad Luck Fale 4-5 (8 pts)*
Will Ospreay 4-5 (8 pts)*
Lance Archer 3-6 (6 pts)*
B BLOCK
Jay White 6-3 (12 pts) – WINNER B BLOCK
Tetsuya Naito 5-4 (10 pts)*
Hirooki Goto 5-4 (10 pts)*
Jon Moxley 5-3 (10 pts)*
Tomohiro Ishii 4-5 (8 pts)*
Toru Yano 4-5 (8 pts)*
Taichi 4-5 (8 pts)*
Jeff Cobb 4-5 (8 pts)*
Juice Robinson 4-5 (8 pts)*
Shingo Takagi 3-8 (6 pts)*
*-eliminated from A/B Block final
Contact Sean at radicansean@pwtorch.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/sr_torch.
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