The fourth match of G1 Climax 30 Night One saw Suzuki-Gun leader and NEVER Openweight Champion Minoru Suzuki face former two-time Undisputed Revolution Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion and five-time former NEVER Openweight Champion, CHAOS member Tomohiro Ishii.
The contest was only their fifth singles match and the first time the two have encountered during the G1 Climax. As expected, Suzuki and Ishii did not hold back, nor stray far from their normal tactics.
Suzuki and Ishii approached the match as it were within the NEVER Openweight division, and they battered one another for the duration of the match.
Ishii showed his typical resilience that has gained him a passionate following among New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) fans in the west. Suzuki is credited for his training pedigree from the NJPW Noge Dojo, Karl Gotch, and numerous other icons of the international catch wrestling scene.
However, this match was focused around Suzuki challenging the unrelenting spirit of Ishii who wanted to earn 2 points and a future opportunity for the NEVER Openweight Championship.
Ishii did not back down, making life for his technically superior opponent difficult. Despite Suzuki’s efforts to break Ishii’s will, the Stone Pitbull would not relent on his attack.
However, after an impressive chain wrestling display, Suzuki’s Gotch Style Piledriver technique put an end to the match at the 13-minute mark. The victory sees Suzuki pick up 2 points in Block A of G1 Climax 30.
Despite the defeat, Ishii will be a nightmare for the rest of Block A as he progresses through the tournament. His form against block favorites Jay White, Kota Ibushi, and Kazuchika Okada will likely determine who ends up advancing to the finals.
Suzuki will also be a danger for those considered to be the favorites to win Block A.
