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

Will Ospreay (CHAOS) (4 points) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (8 points)

Ospreay offered a test of strength at the start of the match, wanting to show that he should be a heavyweight. Tanahashi tried to get him down to the mat and almost succeeded, but Ospreay bridged up and broke Tana’s grip. Both men started to exchange some chain wrestling. Tana hit a shoulder block, but Ospreay kicked up right away and played air guitar.

Ospreay hit a hurricanrana and then went for a dive, but Tana moved. Ospreay hand springed back to the middle of the ring. The crowd went nuts cheering for both men. Tanahashi began to work over Will’s leg, trying to ground him. Tanahashi locked up Will’s legs and did a neck bridge to put pressure on the knees of Ospreay.

Ospreay managed to roll over and get to the ropes. Tanahashi and Ospreay started to exchange forearms, and Tana kicked Ospreay’s knee, but Ospreay hit a handspring into a kick on Tanahashi. Ospreay attempted to springboard into the ring, but Tana cut him off and hit a forearm to send him to the floor.

Ospreay ended pulling Tana over the top rope and hit a Sasuke Special on Tanahashi, all while selling his knee. Ospreay hit a standing shooting star press off one leg but only got a two count. Tana ducked a kick, but Ospreay hit a hit a forearm and a top rope 619. Ospreay went for the Pip Pip Cheerio, but Tana ducked and Ospreay tweeked his knee.

Tanahashi drop kicked him. Ospreay went for the flip kick but hurt his knee. Ospreay then managed to hit the enziguri, but Tanahashi kept a hold of the foot and hit a dragon screw. Tanahashi followed this with a Texas Cloverleaf, and Ospreay screamed in pain. Ospreay somehow got himself to the ropes, and crowd roared in approval.

After an exchange, Ospreay rolled up Tana with a front clutch, but Tana kicked out. Ospreay hit a Robinson Special and went for the OsCutter, but Tanahashi countered him with a modified sling blade before hitting a straight jacket suplex with a bridge. Ospreay kicked out. Tanahashi hit the ropes, but Ospreay bounced up and hit a one-man Spanish Fly!

Ospreay made it to the tope rope on one leg and hit a shooting star press, but Tanahashi kicked out. Ospreay followed up with the OsCutter and got another near fall! Ospreay picked up Tanahashi for a Stormbreaker, but Tanahashi switched directions mid move and hit a sling blade! That was incredible. Tanahashi hit another sling blade but Ospreay kicked out.
Tanahashi hit a standing High Fly Flow, but Ospreay rolled through and got a near fall! Ospreay stood up and hit a hook kick and a Hidden Blade on Tanahashi! Ospreay followed it up with a Storm Breaker for the pinfall! Will Ospreay has beat Hiroshi Tanahashi! This is astounding. This is easily the biggest win of Will Ospreay’s career.

Result: Will Ospreay (6 points)

Rating *****1/4 (5.25 stars)