C, D Block hit Aichi
Match 5 for blocks C and D sees G1 Climax 33 hit Dolphin’s Arena in Aichi on July 30.
Watch all of G1 Climax 33 live in English on NJPW World!
Main event: Hiroshi Tanahashi (2-2) vs Hirooki Goto (2-2)
Singles record: 12-4 Tanahashi
Familiar foes, with many a meeting at key junctures in their respective careers, Hirooki Goto and Hiroshi Tanahashi do battle for the fourth consecutive G1. After defeating Toru Yano in Koeakuen Hall, Tanahashi is even at 4 points. For Goto, a loss to Alex Coughlin has given a similar four point record, but with lingering rib issues stemming from a quick cannonball to the chest courtesy of Shane Haste in Nagano at the weekend that saw a speedy victory for the Deadeye Dreadnought in the Hall. Can he withstand the main event onslaught of Tanahashi? Will the Ace manage to get into the top flight conversation as time runs out in the block?
7th Match: C Block- Tama Tonga (3-1) vs Shingo Takagi (2-2)
Not just a first time singles encounter, an almost completely fresh meeting altogether for Shingo Takagi and Tama Tonga, with only a pair of World Tag League meetings and a 2019 elimination tag to their records. After a very hard fought second win against Mikey Nicholls, Shingo is till in the conversation at four points. Meanwhile, Tama is tied right at the top with six after putting an end to David Finlay’s winning streak. As Tama rides a hot hand, and Takagi starts to get in motion, this could be a crucial turning point for both men.
6th Match: D Block- Zack Sabre Jr. (3-1) vs Sane Haste (2-2)
Singles record: 2-0 Haste
TMDK members go head to head in our sixth match of the evening. In Korakuen Hall Wednesday, Zack dropped his first decision of the tournament to Jeff Cobb. Now he faces the 2-2 Shane Haste, fresh off the biggest upset of the tournament to date over Tetsuya Naito, and not for the first time. Over a decade ago, long before Sabre became the Frontman of TMDK, both men were in Pro-Wrestling NOAH, where a pair of singles encounters saw Haste come out on top. Could over ten years of history repeat tonight, or will ZSJ show why he leads the TMDK band?
5th Match: C Block- Tomohiro Ishii (1-3) vs EVIL (2-2)
Singles record: 4-3 Ishii
After finally getting his first points on the board in Korakuen this week, Tomohiro Ishii seeks to keep his slim progression hopes alive against the 3-1 EVIL. While Ishii has a 4-3 record against the King of Darkness, the Stone Pitbull’s weakness is definitely in the HOUSE OF TORTURE. Since EVIL formed the sinister BULLET CLUB sub group, Ishii has never had his hand raised against him in singles action, and with EVIL sure to pull all the dastardly stops in Aichi, this might be the night that puts Ishii out of the running.
4th Match: D Block- Tetsuya Naito (2-2) vs Alex Coughlin (1-3)
Coughlin must score
Ever opinionated, Tetsuya Naito was frank as ever before the tournament when it came to breaking down his competition. He was particularly uncharitable when it came to Shane Haste and Alex Coughlin, declaring that their tag team credentials mattered little in the singles environment of the G1. Haste took those words right out of Naito’s mouth in Korakuen; after Naito dropped a shocking upset to the TMDK member to stay on four points, can he put the record straight and send Coughlin effectively out of the running tonight?
3rd Match: C Block- Mikey Nicholls (1-3) vs Eddie Kingston (2-2)
It’s been a turbulent road for both Mikey Nicholls and Eddie Kingston in their first G1s. After four matches, both have had their ups and downs, but have gone full throttle all the way with some of the hardest hitting matches of the tournament. Kingston has professed a respect for Mad Mikey’s straight ahead style, but can he come away with the two points?
2nd Match: D Block- Toru Yano (0-4) vs Jeff Cobb (4-0)
Singles record: 2-0 Cobb
Yano is mathematically eliminated
Jeff Cobb looks to continue a highly impressive unbeaten record tonight in Aichi, and effectively guarantee progression to the quarterfinals in the process. At eight points, he might be on track to match or beat his 8-0 streak of 2021, but tonight faces the ultimate trap game. Toru Yano has been a streak buster in the past, and despite a 2-0 record against the Master Producer, Cobb has to be on his guard.
1st Match: C Block- HENARE (1-3) vs David Finlay (3-1)
Singles record: 2-0 Finlay
The first singles match for Henare and David Finlay in close to seven years will start off the evening. At one point, Finlay and HENARE’s immense potential not being enough for them to be included in a two block 20 man lineup would see their tag encounters affectionally dubbed the unofficial C Block of G1. Now they are more than worthy of inclusion, but find themselves colliding in the actual C Block this year.
Not that either have time for the cute happenstance. At 1-3, HENARE is on the bubble, and one more loss will likely put him out the running. Finlay meanwhile has been all but unstoppable through his first four matches, but a loss to Tama Tonga might have disrupted everything. Can he get back on track, or will the Rebel fall to the Face of Fury?
