Former two-time IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Juice Robinson and Bullet Club member, former NEVER Openweight Champion and winner of New Japan Cup 2020 USA Kenta met for the first time in singles competition during G1 Climax 30 Night 4.
Juice came into the match after starting B Block action by defeating CHAOS member Yoshi-Hashi in a physical contest during G1 Climax 30 Night 2. Kenta would defeat another CHAOS member, former two-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion and G1 Climax 18 winner Hirooki Goto.
Kenta would use the same stalling tactics himself and “Switchblade” Jay White has made famous within Bullet Club to get into the mind of Juice during the beginning stages of the match.
However, when the blows began to ring out it became a battle of wills as neither Juice nor Kenta was willing to back down from one another in their quest to start G1 Climax 30 2-0 in the B Block.
While Kenta has some noted submission skills past his kickboxing background, Juice is mostly known for his unrefined brawling skills to go along with his impactful offense and undeniable fighting spirit.
Despite taking a serious amount of offense from Kenta, Juice was able to persevere and turn the tables on the Bullet Club member.
Juice was able to gain the fall over Kenta at the 17 minutes and 1-second mark after hitting his Pulp Friction technique. The victory moved Juice to 2-0, giving him a solid start within tournament action.
While falling to 1-1, Kenta remained in a position to make noise throughout the tournament. It’s unlikely Kenta or Juice won’t make their presence known throughout G1 Climax 30 B Block action.
However, Juice beginning his G1 Climax campaign on a hot start will give him the confidence and flexibility to go for it all against some of the block favorites later on.
