NJPW G1 Climax 2022 G1 Climax 2022 Block C Match Result: Zack Sabre Jr. [2] Submits KENTA [0] After Brutal Fight (07/17)

Zack Sabre Jr. is coming into the G1 Climax with a chip on his shoulder, having swept the field in the New Japan Cup. When in tournament mode, he can be near unstoppable, and tonight will start his G1 Climax tournament against a familiar foe. Since 2011, he’s wrestled KENTA in four singles matches, with one in Pro Wrestling NOAH and three in previous G1 Climax tournaments. KENTA holds three victories over ZSJ, including in 2020 & 2021. Having not wrestled since Wrestle Kingdom, KENTA could have some ring rust however – which could be the opening ZSJ needs.

Zack Sabre Jr. Is A Tournament Wrestler

These two would be shoving into each other before the bell had a chance to ring, and this could continue as the match began with an exchange of strikes. ZSJ is a fine striker, but KENTA is the best striker in NJPW when motivated. He’d kick ZSJ in the jaw, and take the return strikes with barely a flinch.

KENTA would take this down to the floor, and drive ZSJ into the barricades. A DDT on the concrete floor would follow, with KENTA breaking the referee’s count before nailing some knees and mid-kicks. This assault continued in the ring, before it went back to the floor.

ZSJ would get the upper hand, and used the steel bars of the barricade to attack the leg of KENTA. He’d allow KENTA to get back into the ring, and would quickly go for the submission. Both legs would be attacked, but KENTA rolled free only to wind out in the Bow & Arrow stretch.

KENTA would get free of this hold, and kicked ZSJ in the spine – before offering ZSJ a chance to kick him in the spine. ZSJ obliged and gave the same offer, and regretted it immediately. KENTA would offer ZSJ another shot, but instead got the neck snap.

KENTA Plays With His Prey A Little Too Long

ZSJ would start to work over the previously injured left arm of KENTA, snapping it in an unnatural manner using his strong legs. KENTA would catch ZSJ with the powerslam, before coming off the top rope with a diving lariat. ZSJ would grab the arms of KENTA into a submission, but was unable to get the submission.

Tomahawk Kick to the arm landed on KENTA, who would respond with a backfist – only to take a dropkick to the arm. Both men would stand and trade strikes in the middle of the ring, before KENTA would nail Green Killer. Soaring dropkick in the corner would land, before KENTA went up and down with the double stomp for a near fall.
ZSJ would hit some palm strikes, and KENTA responded with five of his own. Go To Sleep was attempted, but ZSJ blocked before another palm strike. Another attempt at the finish saw KENTA trapped in the Rear Naked Choke, but ZSJ would release the hold in favour of an ankle lock.

KENTA fling ZSJ off into the corner, before blocking a double leg attempt with a knee to jaw. Running knee would follow, and ZSJ somehow kicked out. A second running knee, and KENTA got cocky and pulled ZSJ off the mat at two before a roundhouse kick.

Again, he broke up the pinfall – before slapping ZSJ silly. ZSJ would grab a submission, and was able to grab the arm and force a speedy submission victory out of nowhere. KENTA would say he didn’t tap, but the referees decision is final.

Should KENTA have wrapped this match up sooner? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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