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NJPW G1 Climax 29 Night 1: Results, Grades, and Analysis

By Josiah MacDonald

OSAKA, JAPAN - JUNE 09: Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito compete in the IWGP Intercontinental Championship bout during the Dominion 6.9 In Osaka-Jo Hall of NJPW on June 09, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
OSAKA, JAPAN - JUNE 09: Kota Ibushi and Tetsuya Naito compete in the IWGP Intercontinental Championship bout during the Dominion 6.9 In Osaka-Jo Hall of NJPW on June 09, 2019 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA

Both men start with a lock up and Ibushi and KENTA make a clean break at the ropes, but KENTA tries to hit a massive strike. Kota ducks and goes for a kick, but KENTA ducks as well. KENTA hit a hard leg kick, and Ibushi walked it off.

Both men worked a very MMA style in the early portions with the striking. KENTA went for a go behind, but Ibushi floated over. KENTA then spun out into a front face lock. Both men stood up and KENTA slapped Ibushi right in the face.

Ibushi fired back with a slap that was even harder, and KENTA hit the mat! Ibushi then proceeded to kick and stomp on KENTA in brutal fashion. Ibushi hit a huge kick to the chest and sent KENTA to the corner. KENTA sent Ibushi to the apron and hit two huge kicks and second rope knee drop on Ibushi who was draped over the middle rope. KENTA kicked Ibushi in the head and chest a few times, but Ibushi woke up from it!

KENTA hit two more and drove Ibushi to the mat, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA locked on a headlock, trying to ground Ibushi. Kota hit the ropes but KENTA hit him with a kitchen sink and then followed up with a killer PK that sent Ibushi crashing to the mat. Kevin Kelly called it clearly “KENTA hits you like you owe him money.” KENTA drove big knees to the back of Ibushi’s head and then teased a bare bone knee strike, but simply stepped over and likely kicked Ibushi with a back kick.

Ibushi and KENTA started to exchange forearm strikes and KENTA came out on top with a very hard kick to the chest. Ibushi kicked out at one, and KENTA immediately went back to hard kicks to the back. Ibushi kicked out at 2. Ibushi fought to his feet and managed to hit a huge dropkick that sent KENTA to the mat. Ibushi ran to the corner and floated over KENTA before hitting a powerslam and then a second rope moonsault, but KENTA kicked out.

Ibushi hit the ropes, but KENTA hit a big leg lariat. KENTA hit a series of lariats and asked Ibushi to get up before hitting a capture suplex that threw Ibushi across the ring. KENTA went to the top rope and hit a flying clothesline on Ibushi, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA hit a kick to the face as Ibushi ran to the corner, and went to the middle rope, going for a tornado DDT. Ibushi reversed and hit a massive chop on KENTA.

Ibushi went for a superplex, but KENTA fought out, so Ibushi just smashed him with a strike that sent him to the apron. Ibushi went for his apron dead lift suplex, but KENTA fought out with some elbows. Ibushi then hit a Pele Kick that sent KENTA to the floor. Ibushi went for a tope, but KENTA countered with a knee that hit Ibushi in the knee and head. KENTA draped Ibushi on the barricade.

KENTA went to the apron and hit a flying double stomp onto Ibushi’s back! KENTA then hit a springboard dropkick, a Yakuza kick in the corner, and a stalling dropkick on Ibushi. KENTA went to the top rope and hit a killer flying stomp on Ibushi, but Ibushi kicked out. KENTA called for the finish and picked up Ibushi for the Go to Sleep, but Ibushi countered by grabbing the ropes and then floating out.
KENTA blocked a clothesline with a kick to the arm, but as KENTA spun around, Ibushi hit a huge clothesline. Ibushi hit a Golden Star Bomb, but KENTA kicked out. Ibushi pulled down his kneepad indicating that he’s going for the Kamigoye! KENTA countered and went for the Go to Sleep, but Ibushi countered into a crucifix pinfall attempt. KENTA kicked out and hit a massive flying knee!

KENTA and Ibushi both started exchanging forearms from the middle of the ring and each man struggled to get to their feet as the strike exchange happened. It broke down to kick attempts as Ibushi tried for a palm strike and KENTA kicked him in the head, and Ibushi went down! Ibushi kicked out at two, but KENTA picked up him and kicked him in the head three times.

KENTA picked him up for a fourth and hit it, but Ibushi somehow managed to kick out! KENTA took the kneepad down and called for the Go to Sleep! KENTA picked him up and hit a massive Go to Sleep and Ibushi is out! KENTA wins by pinfall!

Prediction: KENTA

Result: KENTA (1-0) (2 points)

Rating: **** (4 stars out of 5)

KENTA wanted to make a statement, working a stiff match here in the style that he was used to. He definitely did that. Beating Ibushi was a major statement, and this was a very physical and intense match. KENTA has started the tournament right. After the match, KENTA helped Ibushi to his feet and showed concerned that he was hurt. KENTA bowed to him and had the crowd cheer him as he left the ring. Ibushi was hurt, but he smiled at the match and hugged KENTA.

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