The G1 Climax 30 Night 15 headline match saw current NEVER Openweight Champion and Suzuki-Gun leader Minoru Suzuki face former IWGP Heavyweight, IWGP Intercontinental, IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, and Bullet Club member “Switchblade” Jay White.
Suzuki came in off a tough defeat to former IWGP Intercontinental Champion “Golden Star” Kota Ibushi, while Switchblade had a contentious win against fellow Bullet Club member Yujiro.
Jay White came into the match with 10 points and Suzuki came in with 6 points. Switchblade needed a win to keep his place atop of the A Block, yet Suzuki came out aggressive and would punish Switchblade after the latter attempted his typical mind tricks at the beginning of the match.
Switchblade’s manager Gedo would play a role in lessening the pressure Suzuki was applying to White during several points in the match. Gedo would even take a tough palm strike from the decorated Catch Wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist during the later stages of the match.
Jay White would manage to fight his way back into the match during several points, but his moments often ended with him getting sent back to the ground by a Suzuki strike.
Despite taking a beating Jay White was able to gain the fall at the 20 minutes and 30 seconds mark with his Bladerunner technique. Switchblade used the Bullet Club Salute, uppercut low blow to set up the Bladerunner after Gedo distracted referee Red Shoes Unno briefly.
The victory puts Switchblade in the situation where if he defeats CHAOS member and former five-time NEVER Openweight Champion Tomohiro Ishii during G1 Climax 30 Night 17 he goes on to the finals after winning the A Block.
Suzuki finishes up his tournament against former NEVER Openweight Champion and Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) member Shingo Takagi. If Suzuki loses he will likely have to defend the title against the man he defeated for it.
