NJPW G1 Climax 28 Night 2: Results, Grades, and Analysis

Kota Ibushi (Golden Elite) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (Suzuki-gun)

This started with some great technical wrestling. ZSJ had some awesome submission chains here, and after about 5 minutes I think they were still in their first lock up. After a series of kicks Ibushi got free and went for a Golden Triangle Moonsault, but Sabre cut him off and pulled him off the middle rope onto the apron and locked on a leglock. ZSJ then began to work over the knee of Ibushi. Sabre kicked Ibushi, but Ibushi punched him right in the stomach with a huge thud.

ZSJ then hit a series of quick kicks and knocked Ibushi to the mat before he locked in a bunch of leg submissions. Ibushi got out a few minutes later and hit a massive kick to the chest of Sabre. Zack went for a low dropkick, but Ibushi jumped into the air and hit a double stomp. That was awesome. Ibushi then hit a flying cross body to the outside.

The advantage didn’t last long as ZSJ locked in a leglock and grapevined Ibushi’s arm at the same time! Ibushi made the ropes. Zack blocked three lariats with a kick to the arm, and blocked a Pele Kick with an Ankle Lock! Ibushi rolled through and hit a lariat. Sabre got up and locked in a series of submissions again.

Ibushi hit a powerslam, but missed a moonsault. Sabre hit a Penalty Kick but Ibushi kicked out at 1! Sabre hit another PK, but Ibushi kicked out at 2. ZSJ and Ibushi exchanged strikes again, and Ibushi blocked a kick and hit a big right hand, dropping Sabre. They started exchanging palm strikes, rocking each other. Sabre got placed on the top turnbuckle, and Ibushi kicked him in the back and hit a German suplex. ZSJ kicked out.

Sabre blocked the Kamigoye 3 times with his own knee. ZSJ locked on a Triangle Choke, but Ibushi powerbombed him! Sabre kicked out and locked on an Octopus stretch. Both men almost went spilling to the outside of the ring, but ZSJ recovered and locked in an abdominal stretch. Ibushi hit a headkick, and Sabre rolled him up afterwards, but Ibushi kicked out.

There was a series of exchanges that ended with a straight jacket suplex, but ZSJ kicked out. Ibushi hit a Kamigoye and got the pinfall! Holy crap this match was awesome.

Result: Kota Ibushi

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

This was such a fun match. ZSJ worked over Ibushi brilliantly, and Ibushi had the perfect counter to everything.