NJPW G1 Climax 2022 C-Block Results: Hiroshi Tanahashi [4] Defeats Zack Sabre Jr. [4] With Flash Pinfall (07/30)

Hiroshi Tanahashi & Zack Sabre Jr are no strangers to each other. They’ve battled in Madison Square Garden and the UK, but tonight meet in the main event of tonight’s G1 Climax. Tanahashi leads the series against ZSJ at 5-4, but is lagging behind in the block with 2 points – while ZSJ has a perfect 4, and looks to tap out Tanahashi to move to 6. He knows what parts of Tanahashi’s body are broken down, and could look to take advantage of his endless knowledge of submissions here tonight.

Zack Sabre Jr. Targets The Arm Of Hiroshi Tanahashi

They’d lock up hard in the middle of the ring, with an exchange of standing switches before a stalemate. ZSJ would take Tanahashi to the mat and apply a tight headscissor. Tanahashi would turn in and out to get free, grabbing the legs of ZSJ before ending up in a cravate. The ropes would get Tanahashi free, and ZSJ allowed for the clean break.

ZSJ would quickly grab the wrist of Tanahashi, and Tanahashi would be able to try and break free – but ZSJ was relentless. With one hand, ZSJ was able to completely control the movements of Tanahashi – until a punch to the ribs. ZSJ would take more body blows, Tanahashi knowing that was a weak spot after the match with Henare.

Tanahashi would hit the back elbow in the corner, before the slingshot crossbody – some air guitar, and a ZSJ esque neck crank. ZSJ would roll to the floor, before getting back into the ring as Tanahahsi left, and catching him with a Dragon Screw in the ropes before a neck lock in the ropes.

ZSJ would stomp the elbow of Tanahashi into the apron – before bending the wrist and yanking the arm. Tanahashi would be stretched in the corner, before taking some mocking kicks in the corner. A tight european uppercut would follow, and Tanahahsi would fire up.

Some elbow smashes to the jaw would meet ZSJ, before he’d take Tanahashi to the floor with the Fujiwara Armbar, before moving to the ankle lock to get back to the double arm lock. He’d move between holds every six seconds, until Tanahashi moved into a pinfall, before another arm lock saw Tanahashi get his foot on the bottom rope.

Tanahashi would be taken into the Cobra Twist, before trying to break out and apply the hold himself – but instead got the Dragon Screw leg whip. ZSJ would be slammed to the mat before a somersault senton – but a rope break got ZSJ free. ZSJ would look for another armbar, while trapping the neck – before rolling into a sitting armbar, but again, Tanahashi found the ropes.

Tanahashi would run into a boot from ZSJ, before being taken right back down to the mat and into the cross armbreaker. The arm went straight, but Tanahashi was able to roll into a position to get the ropes. A kick from ZSJ was caught before the left leg was nailed with the dropkick. Slingblade attempt was blocked, but Twist & Shout would land twice before a front choke was applied.

Zack Driver was blocked, with Tanahashi hitting one of his own. Slingblade would fold ZSJ, but only got a two count. Aces High was blocked into a leg roll clutch, but Tanahashi kicked out a split second before three. Dragon Screw was blocked into an armbar, before a roll up got Tanahashi the win – despite the arm of ZSJ under the ropes!

Can ZSJ dispute this finish? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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