NJPW on AXS wraps up the 28th G1 Climax with what else? The Finals! Will Hiroshi Tanahashi or Kota Ibushi win that Wrestle Kingdom title match contract?

This coverage of the G1 Climax 28 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.

Gifs can be found on http://frentique.tumblr.com/

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• G1 Climax 28 Finals: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kota Ibushi; Tanahashi wins and earns the Wrestle Kingdom 13 IWGP Heavyweight Championship match contract.

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NJPW and AXS set the scene for this tournament finale!

The Ace looked to be reaching to end of his illustrious career given injuries and defeats. But Hiroshi Tanahashi would not give up so easily. He has done the best he’s ever done in his 17 years of competing in the G1 Climax and took the A Block! The 7-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion seeks his third G1 Finals victory, but the B Block’s Golden Star stands in his way. Kota Ibushi battled hard against every opponent, especially his best friend in the Best Bout Machine, Kenny Omega. Ibushi won the block and reaches the finals, but must now surpass Japan’s Wrestling God! Will the Ace ace the tournament? Or will the Golden Star make himself into a mega star to then again be able to battle his best friend?

G1 Climax 28 Finals: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kota Ibushi!

There’s no time to waste, we get right to the action! Who will win and earn that coveted Wrestle Kingdom 13 contract for a match with THE IWGP Heavyweight Champion?

Ibushi has his best friend in Kenny Omega ringside as his corner man while Tanahashi has Shibata, who sadly had to retire early from his own serious injury. This match truly begins after the break.

NJPW on AXS returns with the bell and we begin! There is NO time limit for this amazing match, because there has to be a winner! Fans are already thunderous as Tanahashi and Ibushi circle. They approach and feel it out, but then back down to calm themselves. They circle again and tie up. Tanahashi gets a waistlock but Ibushi pries his way out to a wristlock. Ibushi wrenches but Tanahashi reverses to a wristlock of his own. Tanahashi brings Ibushi to the mat, but Ibushi counters with a leg takedown. Ibushi resists Tanahashi’s half nelson while going after the knee. Tanahashi powers his way to a rear mount and grinds his forearm into Ibushi’s head. Ibushi slips around to get lose, but Tanahashi gets the arm. Ibushi gets ropes, so Tanahashi lets go.

The fans rally up again as both men stand. Tanahashi and Ibushi circle, approach, and Ibushi lunges in. Tanahashi gets away and they circle again. Now Tanahashi lunges in and gets a waistlock. Tanahashi shifts to a hammerlock then a headlock but Ibushi gets free again. Fans enjoy the even exchange as the two men circle again. They continue to feel this out, and Ibushi tries a jab. Tanahashi is ready to put his dukes up but Ibushi goes for a kick. Tanahashi avoids it and gets the hammerlock again. He gets the headlock and brings Ibushi down to a knee. Ibushi gets up and tries to power out, but Tanahashi holds on. Tanahashi throws Ibushi with the headlock takeover but Ibushi counters with the head scissor. Tanahashi moves around and pops out to get the headlock. Ibushi gets the head scissor again, and squeezes.

Tanahashi works his way out of the hold again to float to a headlock. Ibushi reverses but Tanahashi reverses back. Ibushi endures the squeeze and fights out with elbows. He powers out but Tanahashi comes back with the big shoulder, only for Ibushi to kip right up! Ibushi roundhouses Tanahashi down, but has to catch his breath a moment. Tanahashi sits up but Ibushi is on him with forearms. Ibushi has Tanahashi in the corner, then whips corner to corner. Tanahashi comes out with the basement dropkick! He takes out Ibushi’s legs, and then focuses on them with stomps. Tanahashi drops elbows on each leg, then stomps more. He then drags Ibushi around and wants the Sharpshooter or some such. He does the same modified deathlock he used against Okada in the A Block finals!

Ibushi endures the Ace’s Scorpion Triangle and gets a ropebreak! Tanahashi lets Ibushi go, but he comes back to bring Ibushi up. Ibushi fires forearms, but Tanahashi kicks the bad leg. Tanahashi runs but into the flying enziguri! Both men are down, as Ibushi’s legs are slowing him down now. Ibushi still stands first, then whips Tanahashi corner to corner. Tanahashi reverses but Ibushi goes up and over to get the powerselam! Then the moonsault! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Ibushi gets those legs moving again. Ibushi stands but Tanahashi follows. Ibushi gets a waistlock but Tanahashi kicks his way out. Tanahashi runs but into the dropkick! Tanahashi bails out while fans rally again.

Ibushi takes aim, runs, and fakes Tanahashi out on the Golden Triangle. He sees Tanahashi going to dropkick, so he jumps for double stomps on the apron! Ibushi catches his breath and Tanahashi rolls into the ring while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Ibushi slides into the ring. He stalks Tanahashi, then brings him up. Tanahashi fights back with furious forearms, then he blocks a kick to elbow it. Ibushi kicks with the other leg, but Tanahashi blocks that to elbow that knee, too. Tanahashi runs but into a roundhouse! He still runs but takes another roundhouse. He tries again and blocks the kick into a dragon screw! Fans fire up while both men are down. The fans chant for Tanahashi while Omega coaches Ibushi up. Tanahashi stands and runs in for a corner dropkick, but Ibushi immediately double stomps Tanahashi’s back! Ibushi stands but Tanahashi dropkicks him back down! Ibushi bails out now but Tanahashi climbs up. Tanahashi reaches the top but Ibushi stops him there. Ibushi drags Tanahashi out, aiming for the other corner, but Tanahashi turns it into a crossbody drop!

Ibushi rolls to a corner, but Tanahashi takes aim. Tanahashi runs in for the basement dropkick! Shibata coaches Tanahashi up as he drags Ibushi up. Ibushi throws a forearm, but Tanahashi gives on back. Tanahashi eggs Ibushi on and now we have a forearm brawl. They go back and forth, Tanahashi then Ibushi then back to Tanahashi. Ibushi shakes the cobwebs out to throw another, but Tanahashi does the same. They accelerate and are fast and furious now! Tanahashi gets the edges with the body shot and kick to the leg. Tanahashi runs at Ibushi but into the boot! He comes back but Ibushi dumps him out. Tanahashi skins the cat, but Ibushi is ready as he grabs Tanahashi in a wheelbarrow. Package Tombstone! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi was so close right there!

Ibushi keeps his focus while fans build up energy. He drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi counters with a leg takedown, to immediately dragon screw the bad leg! Then again! Ibushi clutches that leg, but now Tanahashi has him for the Cloverleaf! Tanahashi has the legs, then follows through to turn Ibushi over. Tanahashi sits down and Ibushi endures from legs to spine. Ibushi crawls as Omega coaches him up. Tanahashi drags him away from the ropes, then sits way down! Ibushi digs his fists into the mat and drags himself back, for the ropebreak! Tanahashi lets Ibushi go, but then comes back to stomp that bad leg. Ibushi gets to the apron but Tanahashi drags him up. Ibushi hits back but then Tanahashi grabs a leg to dragon screw it between ropes!

Fans fire up again as Tanahashi climbs up top. He aims for Ibushi, and leaps for the High Fly Flow Crossbody! Direct hit! The Ace fires up from having toppled the Golden Star. Tanahashi goes back into the ring to rest, leaving Ibushi at the mercy of the 20 count. Ibushi stirs at about 8, but doesn’t rise until 18 to finally get back in. Tanahashi runs at Ibushi, but into the huricanrana! Tanahashi ends up outside now, and fans build to another rally. Ibushi gets himself moving, and slingshot springboards for a GOLDEN Asai Moonsault! Both men are down from exhaustion, but the 20 count motivates them to move. Ibushi stands at 6 this time, to drag Tanahashi up and over. He puts Tanahashi in at 12, then takes aim from the apron. Ibushi wants Tanahashi to stand, then springboards for a missile dropkick!

Ibushi fires himself up and he puts Tanahashi on the top rope. He climbs up to join Tanahashi, and wants a superplex, but Tanahashi SLAPS him! Ibushi hops down to the apron but then hops right back up, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! He was again so close, but Ibushi still hasn’t won. Ibushi drags Tanahashi up, full nelson for the Dragon Suplex! With bridge! TWO, and Tanahashi still lives while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and Ibushi wants to finish Tanahashi. He grabs both hands but Tanahashi resists. They struggle for control, but Ibushi still pries the hansd apart. Ibushi thrusts the knee, but Tanahashi dodges and rolls him up! Cover, TWO, and Ibushi runs in with a knee! Ibushi hits Tanahashi in the shoulder but can’t cover from exhaustion. Omega is there to coach Ibushi up, but fans are dueling. Ibushi stands and drags Tanahashi up. He wants the powerbomb, but Tanahashi slips out to palm strike! He stays standing from that strike, and Tanahashi dares him to come back. Ibushi does with a clobbering haymaker! Ibushi throws more heavy hands, then kicks Tanahashi into the corner.

The Golden Star toys with the wrestling god, but Red Shoes works to pull him away. Ibushi keeps getting kicks in while he backs off, but Tanahashi comes back with a palm strike! Ibushi gives it back, then another, but Tanahashi grows stronger with each hit. Tanahashi eggs Ibushi on, and that alone is backing Ibushi up. Ibushi keeps hitting Tanahashi but then Tanahashi barrels into him! Ibushi hits Tanahashi again but is immediately met with a strike from Tanahashi. The two start throwing palm strikes without stopping or backing down. Sweat flies as fingers slap face! Tanahashi gets shots on Ibushi and Ibushi starts wavering. He hits Ibushi hard enough to turn him around, but Ibushi comes back with a discus clothesline! Both men fall but everyone fires up, even Omega and Shibata.

Ibushi and Tanahashi slowly stir. They grind forehead to forehead, then Ibushi throws a forearm. Tanahashi gives one back. Ibushi drags Tanahashi up by his hair to give another, but then Tanahashi returns it. Ibushi gives another forearm, but Tanahashi stands up and powers up, brother! Tanahashi hits Ibushi, but Ibushi shakes his head before giving back another. Tanahashi hits Ibushi, and Ibushi shakes his head. Ibushi hits Tanahashi, and Tanahashi stomps his feet. Tanahashi hits, Ibushi hits, and repeat. They pick up speed again, and Ibushi winds up for his. Tanahashi stands up tall before firing off European Uppercut after uppercut! Tanahashi gives not just one, not just two, but nine EuroUppers in a row, but Ibushi chops! They stagger, Ibushi whips but Tanahashi reverses to a slingblade! Cover, TWO!!

Tanahashi grabs Ibushi for a full nelson but Ibushi breaks free, only to end up in a straitjacket waistlock! Straitjacket German, with bridge, TWO!! Ibushi survives and fans fire up, but Tanahashi climbs to the top again. High Fly Flow meets knees! Both men are down, gasping for air. Fans are thunderous while Ibushi stands. Tanahashi sits up, to get a shining wizard from behind! Ibushi isn’t done with Tanahashi, either, as he hits the knee-sault! The same move he used on Omega in the B Block finals! Then Ibushi drags Tanahashi up, scoops him, and aims for a corner. Human Long Dart! Tanahashi clutches his wrist while Red Shoes checks on him. Tanahashi doesn’t want to quit, so Ibushi kicks him in the side. Ibushi kicks Tanahashi more, then drags him up from the apron. Ibushi gets the waistlock, the deadlift, and the SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!

But that’s not all, Ibushi calls for his finish. The powerbomb lift, Golden Star sit-out! Cover, TWO!? Whether the Ace is a wrestling god or not, he’s surely not human to survive that! Fans are thunderous all over again as Ibushi drags Tanahashi up. He still has one more move to try, but Tanahashi knows it. Tanahashi dodges the Kamigoye, but then Ibushi dodges Tanahashi’s clothesline. Ibushi uses the Straitjacket German Suplex on Tanahashi now, with bridge, TWO!! But Ibushi still has wrist control. He turns Tanahashi around and sits him up, but Tanahashi body blocks Ibushi into the swinging neckbreaker! And now Tanahashi holds on to bring Ibushi up again, for a second! But he wants the trifecta, only for Ibushi to suplex. Tanahashi slips out, but Ibushi breaks free of the full nelson again, and we return to palm strikes!

Ibushi swings a kick, misses, full nelson and Dragon Suplex, with bridge! TWO!! But Tanahashi won’t let up, he climbs up! Tanahashi leaps, High Fly Flow to the back! Then Tanahashi turns Ibushi over and climbs up again, High Fly Flow Crossbody! Ibushi is down in the drop zone a third time, so Tanahashi climbs a third time. HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall; Tanahashi is the G1 Climax 28 Champion, and earns the WK13 IWGP Heavyweight Championship contract

Three forms of the High Fly Flow in a row, and it gives the Ace his third G1 Climax title. The Once in a Century Talent recovers while we take a break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Shibata helps Tanahashi stand. Shibata even lifts Tanahashi onto his shoulders for a triumphant lap around the ring. He then carefully sets Tanahashi back down and raises his hand in victory. Omega helps Ibushi up to his feet. Fans chant for Ibushi to show their appreciation of all his amazing effort. Ibushi stands with Tanahashi a moment, and the two clearly still respect each other. Ibushi takes his leave with Omega, and now the final presentation can begin. Tanahashi is presented with the big golden trophy of the G1 Climax, has his photo op, and is then presented the NJPW banner from Masahiro Chono. Tanahashi proudly stands with Chono, the flag resting on his shoulder.

The banner is placed back in its stand, the fans cheer for Tanahashi, and Tanahashi takes a moment to soak it all in. Then Tanahashi takes the mic to speak. “I won the G1 Tournament!” Tanahashi also admits he survived the G1. But what does that mean? It means he survived in NJPW. From here, to the Tokyo Dome and beyond, Tanahashi promises to lead NJPW forward! With that, he thanks the fans, then says to Budokan, “Let’s rock!” Air guitar session! That’s how The Ace celebrates the G1! He thanks the fans again, and promises “The Ace is back for good. Stay tuned!” And finally, “I love you~!” The streamers fly, and the Once in a Century Talent is ready for Wrestle Kingdom. Will he make it all the way to the New Year to then become the new champion?

Backstage interviews.

Kota Ibushi can barely stand, but he manages to say that “I worked really hard to get here.” He worked harder this last month of the G1 than he has his entire 36 years of living. But even still, he didn’t win. Ibushi just wasn’t good enough yet.

As for Tanahashi, he says that “Ibushi’s power, emotion, technique” and everything is superior, he admits it. But the difference was the heart. That is Tanahashi’s best attribute, and that is something surely Ibushi understands. Tanahashi will surely show that same superhuman heart in every match he has between now and Wrestle Kingdom, but will his body make it there? Will Kenny Omega even be IWGP Heavyweight Champion by the time Wrestle Kingdom comes?

My Thoughts:

What a great episode! And since it was just one match, what a great match! There was great story with Ibushi looking up to Tanahashi, as well as the general wear and tear of the G1 Climax being such a difficult tournament just on its grueling schedule. Both men had body parts to sell damage on, but they did a great job of having Tanahashi go after Ibushi’s legs. Ibushi’s legs are such an important part of his offense, from the kicks to his moonsaults and powerbombs and Kamigoye knee strike. Tanahashi anticipating that knee strike was also a great story element, as even one Kamigoye could’ve likely won it for Ibushi.

However, Ibushi is a freelancer and is therefore not 100% under NJPW, so it makes sense as a business for NJPW to not give Ibushi the guaranteed IWGP Heavyweight title match. Tanahashi has been NJPW’s pillar for a long time, so naturally he wins out. Of course, the contract is like a title in itself, so there will be challenges for it like any other belt. Tanahashi has a long way to go before challenging the champion in January, but perhaps if anyone can make it there, it’s Tanahashi.

My Score: 8.8/10