NJPW G1 Climax 31: Results for night six of the tournament

After two nights of Block B action Jeff Cobb, Taichi and Kazuchika Okada sit at the top with two wins. Okada is in the main event tonight against CHAOS stablemate YOSHI-HASHI, Jeff Cobb battles it out with Hirooki Goto and Taichi opens the show with a battle against EVIL. Will these three make it 3-for-3? NJPW and the G1 Climax 31 heat up as we end the first third of the tournament in style!

The home of Japanese wrestling, Korakuen Hall, just outside the Tokyo Dome is the host of tonight’s round of G1 Climax action; a regular stop for just about every New Japan tour. The historic arena always has a special atmosphere and mystique despite the COVID-19 restrictions still in place. This is the first of three stops at the legendary venue during the G1 Climax tour.

Results for Night 6 of the 31st G1 Climax

*EVIL defeats Taichi by referee stoppage (Block B)

*SANADA defeats Chase Owens by pinfall (Block B)

*Jeff Cobb defeats Hirooki Goto by pinfall (Block B)

*Hiroshi Tanahashi defeats Tama Tonga by pinfall (Block B)

*Kazuchika Okada defeats YOSHI-HASHI by pinfall (Block B)

EVIL v Taichi (Block B)

In a battle between two out and out rule-breakers, there was little concern over broken rules. Despite that, EVIL would truly live up to his name in his victory over one half of the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

“Dangerous T” was taking no chances as he decided to try and take out Dick Togo on the outside early. Despite that, EVIL got back into the match ramming Taichi into the barriers on a couple of occasions which sent the ring announcer, Ozaki-san, flying in the bleaches at Korakuen Hall.

An early attempt at Everything is Evil was countered by Taichi with several elbow strikes and ramming EVIL into the exposed turnbuckle. Taichi should have won the match after a low blow and the Gedo Clutch but Dick Togo distracted the referee.

With all the cheating by both men, it would be Dick Togo who took it too far, as usual, when he grabbed Miho Abe on the outside, which distracted Taichi and allowed EVIL to use the low blow and Everything is Evil. He then hooked the Darkness Scorpion on an unconscious Taichi forcing the referee to call for the bell as the dastardly “Spoiler” forced Miho Abe to watch her man get beaten.

After the match, a staggering Taichi had to be held back by the Young Lions as he attempted to follow EVIL to the back for some revenge.

Chase Owens v SANADA (Block B)

Our second match of the evening was a classic match of wrestling technique and athleticism in stark contrast to our opening match.

Chase Owens tried to hook in a Paradise Lock to impress Milano Collection AT on Japanese commentary but failed to manage it as always. Despite that, he got back into the match, including hitting a neckbreaker in tribute to the late Bobby Eaton.

A TKO got SANADA a two count but Owens rolled out of the way of the moonsault and escaped an attempt at Skull End. SANADA should have won the match after Owens went for the Jewel Heist but Owens pulled the referee down as “Cold Skull” turned it into an O’Connor Roll.

Bullet Club’s “Crown Jewel” went for the Package Piledriver but it was countered into a hurricanrana. Owens attempted his own O’Connor Roll but this was turned into Skull End followed by a moonsault and the three points for SANADA.

Jeff Cobb v Hirooki Goto (Block B)

Former G1 Climax winner, Hirooki Goto, started very aggressively against the United Empire’s “Imperial Unit” as he initially targeted Cobb’s left arm and used the barriers on the outside to his advantage.

Despite the fast start from Goto, we would see Cobb take control as his power became difficult for Goto to counter. Goto would roll out of the way of the standing moonsault but he would eventually come out on the short end of a headbutt exchange, allowing Cobb to nail Tour of the Islands and remain unbeaten.

Tama Tonga v Hiroshi Tanahashi (Block B)

It was clear from the start of the match what Tama Tonga’s goal was: hit the Gun Stun. Several attempts were battered back by Tanahashi near the start of the match but Tonga always had an answer for “The Ace of the Universe” whenever he tried to take control as well.

In tribute to his father, Haku, we would see Tonga break out the Tongan Death Grip but the referee decided it was a choke as opposed to a nerve hold which meant Tonga couldn’t take full advantage of the move. Tanahashi used the same move on Tonga before hitting a Dragon Screw.

“The Ace” would go for the High Fly Flow but Tonga would roll out of the way and finally hit Gun Stun but spent too long celebrating. He made a lazy cover which Tanahashi turned into a crucifix for the win leaving Tama Tonga in a state of shock.

YOSHI-HASHI v Kazuchika Okada (Block B)

CHAOS’ “Head Hunter” came in the match against his old tag team partner with his left shoulder taped up after his defeat to Jeff Cobb last time around. This is a reoccurrence of an old injury that has bothered YOSHI-HASHI on and off for the past several years.

Okada was not in the mood for playing around with his stablemate as he dropped YOSHI-HASHI with two DDTs on the outside. Despite that, YOSHI-HASHI would make it back in the ring and actually hook in his Butterfly Lock on “The Rainmaker” but Okada would make the ropes. He would try the Money Clip but YOSHI-HASHI would likewise make the ropes.

NJPW’s franchise player hit the top rope elbow drop on YOSHI-HASHI but YOSHI-HASHI avoided the Rainmaker. A second attempt at the Rainmaker would see YOSHI-HASHI counter with his own big clothesline.

Several near falls from “The Head Hunter” were followed by another Butterfly Lock but Okada again escaped and hit a Tombstone piledriver. Despite that, YOSHI-HASHI would get Okada prone and pulled out his old and amusingly named Loose Explosion finisher (his version of a Swanton Bomb) but Okada rolled out of the way. Another Rainmaker attempt was foiled by YOSHI-HASHI when he turned it into a roll-up for yet another near fall.

Okada would get the win however when he hit the sitout Tombstone followed by finally hitting the Rainmaker to join Jeff Cobb on six points.

Block B standings after night six:

6 points: Jeff Cobb and Kazuchika Okada

4 points: EVIL, Taichi, SANADA and Hiroshi Tanahashi

2 points: Tama Tonga

0 points: Chase Owens, Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI