Tomohiro Ishii has a knack for bringing out the best in his opponents, and Taichi is no exception. Every time they meet, Taichi seems to hit harder and harder, and with this being the G1 Climax – is expected to go all out tonight. Ishii is coming off a knee injury, and Taichi knows this all too well. His leg kicks can cause anyone issues, and Ishii might as well have a massive target on him tonight.
No Time For Games Tonight
Ishii is famous for having a bit of a slow start in the G1 Climax, but with the smaller blocks – he can’t afford to give anything besides 100% in this tournament. Before the bell even rang, Ishii would slap Taichi – saying there’s no time for games tonight.
Both men were all business, and would start with a collar and elbow tieup. Neither man wanted to budge, before Taichi hit a strike and rocked Ishii. Ishii would get back up, and his Taichi twice as hard with a forearm smash.
Some mocking kicks to the face would follow, before Taichi stood and fight. Some leg kicks were followed by a takedown attempt, before Ishii shoved him to the mat. Taichi would strike Ishii down in the corner, before ripping his pants off and throwing them at Ishii.
Ishii threw chops and Taichi responded with leg kicks, before hitting the spinning solebutt to the midsection and Buzzsaw Kick to the head. Ishii was rocked once again, but it was not a KO. Taichi would be taken up to the top rope for the superplex, and would be taken down the hard way.
Taichi Puts The Stone Pitbull Down
Taichi would get back to his feet and nail the Axe Bomber – before a heavy forearm to the jaw. Ishii got back up, only to be nailed between the eyes with a Gamiguri and a Last Ride powerbomb for a near fall. Ishii kicked out, before taking the Dangerous Backdrop for another near fall.
Taichi would be shocked as Ishii left his feet for a dropkick, before nailing a lariat – with Taichi kicking out at one. Axe Bomber landed, before a bridging Dangerous Backdrop for a two count.
Black Mephesito was blocked with headbutt, before a driving shoulder tackle and enziguri. Taichi responded with a hard elbow smash and Black Mephisto, claiming the win and two very important points. He joins Jay White at the top of B-Block, each at two points.
Toru Yano Knows How To Slay A Giant… By Cheating
Toru Yano is infamous for being a bracket buster in the G1 Climax. Placed in the A-Block with the heaviest hitters gives a few chances to claim some major wins, and tonight that starts with JONAH. Formerly known as Bronson Reed in WWE, JONAH has proven his skills as one of the best heavyweights in NJPW Strong, and earned his way into the tournament. Crushing Yano to start the tournament would kick things off in an incredible way for him.
Yano would be intimidated and hid in the corner to start this match, before trying to bribe JONAH with a T-Shirt. He’d pull the shirt over the eyes, before rolling up JONAH for a two count. JONAH ran him down with a shoulder tackle, before stealing his rolls of tape.
Yano was chased outside, and caught between JONAH and Bad Dude Tito – before taking a headbutt. Back in the ring, a waist lock would be applied, before Yano was crushed into the corner. Yano would avoid the running senton, ripped off a corner pad and led JONAH into it before a roll up for two.
JONAH would wind up for a lariat, and took the Manhattan Drop and Belly to Belly Suplex! JONAH would set up the diving splash, but Yano fled the ring. He’d hit a low blow at 18 with JONAH on the floor, and was able to win by countout!
Can JONAH bounce back after this upset loss? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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