NJPW G1 Climax A-Block Finals: Results, Grades, and Analysis

KENTA (8 points) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (6 points) (Suzuki-gun)

Sabre and KENTA started the match with a few wrestling exchanges, but Zack couldn’t seem to find an opening against his old mentor. KENTA almost kicked his head off, but Sabre ducked and ran away. Sabre wrestled him into the corner and connected with a big uppercut. Sabre hit a series of European uppercuts, but KENTA no sold them and hit a huge forearm that drove ZSJ to the mat.

KENTA then hit a series of hard kicks and forearms that kept Sabre at bay. You can’t lock him up in a submission if a foot is constantly striking your face or back. KENTA went for a sleeper, but that was a mistake, as Sabre countered and escaped. KENTA almost got caught as Sabre tried to lock on a submission, but he just got out and hit a series of knee drops and a cocky little kick to the head.

Sabre managed to grab KENTA’s arm and work it over. ZSJ went for a kimura, but KENTA fought out and hit a series of hard knees to Zack’s head. KENTA proceeded to kick the crap out of him at the ropes. Sabre rolled through and went back to the arm and locked on a an armbar before trying to hold KENTA’s shoulders down. KENTA kicked out.

Sabre hit a snapmare and then cranked the neck of KENTA. KENTA hit a powerslam and then a tornado DDT onto the top rope, causing ZSJ to hit his throat on the top rope. Sabre went for a kick, but KENTA caught it. ZSJ slapped him. KENTA killed him with slaps of his own, a big boot in the corner, and a stalling dropkick. KENTA went to the top rope and went for a double stomp but ZSJ moved and hit an uppercut.

ZSJ hit a Norther Lights Suplex and floated over into an armbar, but KENTA got to the ropes. Sabre continued to target KENTA’s left arm, but KENTA kept hitting hard forearms with his right. Both men exchanged shots, and KENTA hit a spinning back fist that send Sabre to the mat before both men collapsed to the mat. KENTA told him to get up and hit him.

Both men started to exchange forearms and strikes on their knees. Zack hit a kick to the arm and a big uppercut. KENTA responded blocking a PK, and hit a clothesline followed by a double stomp, but ZSJ kicked out. KENTA went for the GTS, but ZSJ fought out. ZSJ hit a PK, but KENTA kicked out at one.

Both men exchanged strikes before KENTA hit some very hard slaps that dropped Sabre. Sabre managed to duck a kick and went for the European Clutch Hold, but KENTA kicked out. Both men started to exchange submission and pinfall attempts until Sabre locked on a Triangle, but KENTA rolled through into a crossface! Sabre made it to the ropes.

KENTA kicked Sabre right in the chest and hit a flying knee, but ZSJ kicked out. KENTA called for the Go to Sleep, but ZSJ countered into a triangle choke and rolled him through into an armbar, and then again into a an armbreaker on KENTA and KENTA tapped out! Holy crap!

Result: Zack Sabre Jr. (8 points)

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

This was an absolutely spectacular match.