The headline match of G1 Climax 30 Night One saw Bullet Club member “Switchblade” Jay White make his return to the main branch of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) to face Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) member and former NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi for the second straight year during the G1 Climax.
While Jay White has become infamous for his Pure Heel tactics of using dastardly tricks to cheat his way to victory, or wasting time to get under the skin of his opposition — he was mostly forced to battle Shingo toe to toe during the contest.
Shingo who recently lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Suzuki-Gun leader Minoru Suzuki wanted to immediately regain his form. Fortunately for Shingo, he was able to bring his fan-favorite physical style, bringing the fight to Switchblade.
White was up to the task, using numerous suplex techniques throughout the match to hold off the brutal advance of Takagi. Yet, Gedo would make his presence know by distracting and attempting to interfere with the match to benefit Switchblade.
While Gedo was mostly ineffective, he did allow Jay White to collect himself during several crucial moments of the battle. Eventually, after a brief barrage of offense Jay White was able to get the fall over Shingo with his Blade Runner technique at the 19 minute and 28-second mark.
The second straight G1 Climax victory over Takagi allows Jay White room for error as he chases down his goal of winning Block A. While the defeat is likely frustrating for Takagi, he can take solace in the fact he nearly defeated a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Neither Switchblade nor Gedo made mention of the rumored friction within Bullet Club surrounding unit leadership after the match.
