NJPW G1 Climax 32 C-Block Results: Hirooki Goto [6] Defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi [6] Via GTR In Strong Style Classic (08/10)

When we last saw Hiroshi Tanahashi & Hirooki Goto meet in singles action, it was a much more simple affair to decide who would go on to main event AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door against Jon Moxley. However tonight, these two potentially decide the fate of the G1 Climax’s hotly contested C-Block in tonight’s main event.

Hiroshi Tanahashi walks in with a lead at 6 points, putting Goto in a must win situation after back to back losses to Zack Sabre Jr. & KENTA. If Goto wishes to exclaim that the G in G1 stands for Goto again, he needs to earn the points, and gain a crucial tiebreaker here tonight in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall.

Hiroshi Tanahashi Knows How To Beat Goto

They’d lock up hard in the middle of the ring, with Tanahashi able to force Goto to the ropes before a punch to the gut. Tanahashi would grab the wristlock, and took Goto to the mat before grabbing a leglock. He’d float into a side headlock, and Goto would have a hard time breaking the grip.

Goto would be able to fight free, and would strike down on Tanahashi. He’d get sent into the corner and hit the springboard crossbody, before being thrown over the top rope. Tanahashi tried to skin the cat, but Goto would slip out and get the strike in.

Back in the ring, Tanahashi would hit the basement dropkick, before applying a leglock – Goto would be able to find the ropes. Tanahashi would stomp on the knee of Goto, only to be dropped with the discus lariat. Spinning heel kick would be followed by the running bulldog, and Tanahashi would be able to kick out at two.

Tanahashi would slip free of two attempts at Ushigoroshi, before hitting the reverse slingblade. Texas Cloverleaf would be applied, and Tanahashi would crank back – but Goto was able to fight to the ropes. A Stan Hansen style lariat would follow from Goto, before he’d climb to the top rope.

Hirooki Goto Gets Bloody

Goto would be met by Tanahashi, before turning this into an attempt at a sunset flip powerbomb. Tanahashi held firm, and was able to nail a perfect superplex. This hurt Tanahashi just as much on impact, and Goto would bend away at the arm of Tanahashi on the mat – but the rope break would make the save.

Twist & Shout Neckbreaker would be blocked with a forearm smash, and Tanahashi would fight back. European Uppercut was met with a headbutt, before the Dragon Palm strike would rock the jaw of Goto – before Tanahashi fell into an accidental lowblow.

Slingblade would land, before Aces High would land. High Fly Flow would be avoided at the last possible section, and Goto was gushing blood from his mouth. He’d keep on fighting, and hit the Russian Leg Sweep into a cradle pinfall, but would only get the two count. Shoto out of the corner would land, and Lance Archer called this match the very definition of Strong Style wrestling. Midkick would land, before the Ushigoroshi would be blocked into a small package for a 2.9 count, before Goto would hit Shoten Kai. GTR landed, and Goto would claim the victory.

Does Hirooki Goto have a chance of winning the G1 Climax? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.

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