NJPW G1 Climax 2022 C-Block Results: Hiroshi Tanahashi [2] Defeats Tetsuya Naito [0] (07/24)

The history between Tetsuya Naito & Hiroshi Tanahashi is a storied one. They’ve headlined massive shows in five star matches, and tonight they’re once again in the main event. Both men have already suffered losses in what should have been very winnable matches, meaning tonight is a time to get serious.

This years G1 Climax has a max total of 12 points for each wrestler, and falling behind early all but removes your chances at the finals. Tetsuya Naito has put extra pressure on himself, saying the G1 is his only path to the main event of Wrestle Kingdom – and that path could start tonight. However, Naito loves having his back to the wall – and could be dangerous tonight.

Tetsuya Naito Starts Fast

Tanahashi & Naito would lock up hard in the middle of the ring, with Tanahashi getting the wrist lock. Naito would prevent a full submission from being applied, before another collar & elbow tie up. Tanahashi would force him into the corner, before some downward elbow strikes. He’d strike a pose to mock Naito, before having his eyes raked.

Tanahashi would be thrown over the top rope, and would skin the cat before taking a dropkick to the back. Naito would drive Tanahashi into the barricade, before a neckbreaker on the floor before the Leg Nelson, which almost led to a double count out. He’d get Tanahashi in the ring, and reapply the hold.

Naito released the hold just to hit the neckbreaker, before putting Tanahashi up top and pulling him down by his neck. Tanahashi would hit the swatting left hand, the slap that broke Goto’s jaw in the past. Naito would get sent into the corner, and taken to the middle of the ring with the Dragon Screw.

Tanahashi would look to apply the Texas Cloverleaf, but opted for another snapdragon screw first. Slingblade was blocked with a manhattan drop, before Combination Cabron in the corner. Pluma Blanca would be applied, but Tanahashi found the bottom rope.

Hiroshi Tanahashi Finds The Path To Victory

Naito would start those driving elbow strikes to the neck, setting up for Destino. Superana would come out of the corner, but Tanahashi held on and got the pinfall for two. German Suplex would land to Naito, before he’d manage a spinebuster. Tanahashi would grab the leg, and got the Dragon Screw.

An exchange of strikes would see neither man get the upperhand, until Naito went back to the elbows and hit the enziguri. Tanahashi shot back with the Slingblade, before going up top for high fly flow. Naito would take Aces High first, before dodging the High Fly Flow and getting the flash pinfall for a two count.

They’d exchange some blows, before Naito hit Valentia. Destino would be set, but an inside cradle would get the three count – Tanahashi wins!

Can Naito come back to win the block after two crushing losses? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

SUBSCRIBE NOW: Get TheOvertimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!