G1 Climax 32 is going to be very different.

For NJPW’s 50th year, the 32nd G1 Climax will have 28 entrants! And there are four HUGE match-ups for opening night of this month long series!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tom Lawlor VS Kosei Fujita; Lawlor win.
• Bad Dude Tito & JONAH VS Toru Yano & Ryohei Oiwa; Tito & Jonah win.
• Six Man Tag: Tama Tonga, Jado & David Finlay VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• 8 Man Tag: Suzuki-Gun VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
• Six Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; Chaos wins.
• G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Aaron Henare; Henare wins.
• G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo; Ospreay wins.
• G1 Climax 32, B Block: SANADA VS Jay White; White wins.
• G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G1 Climax 32, C Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Aaron Henare!

The opening night of the biggest G1 yet has former tag partners face off! Once #HenarACE, the Hammerhead became the Ultimate Weapon, and he looks to trump The Ace in the first round! Will Henare get a win for the United Empire? Or will the Once in a Century Talent refuse to be conquered?

Tanahashi shows off the muscles and the fans cheer. The bell rings and fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Tanahashi and Henare circle, tie up, and Henare puts Tanahashi on the ropes. Tanahashi turns it around, lets off clean, and fans cheer again. The two reset and circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Henare elbows out, waistlocks, but Tanahashi elbows out. Tanahashi headlocks, Henare pries at the hold, but Tanahashi clamps on tight. Henare pulls hair, and Tanahashi has little to pull back! The ref reprimands as Henare puts Tanahashi in the corner, and Henare lets go of the hair to throw heavy body shots!

The ref reprimands as Henare fires off and CLUBS Tanahashi. Henare whips him corner to corner then runs in, but Tanahashi elbows back. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up for the air guitar. Tanahashi runs in but Henare elbows back, and goes up to FLYING KICK! Henare mocks the air guitar and “smashes” it! Henare looms over Tanahashi while fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Henare drags Tanahashi up but Tanahashi throws body shots in return. Tanahashi throws a forearm but Henare hits him back! Henare eggs Tanahashi on, the forearms keep flying, but Tanahashi fires off a strike fest!

Henare throws a heavy body shot back, then snapmares and KICKS Tanahashi in the back. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up but Henare KICKS Tanahashi again. Henare rains down forearms, then roars and tells fans to shut up with the clapping! Henare looms over Tanahashi, eggs him on, and KICKS him in the leg. Tanahashi stands, Henare KICKS him more, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Cover, TWO! Henare drags Tanahashi around, ties up the legs, and then gets a chinlock for a QUEEN ANGELITO! Tanahashi endures, pushes up, pries the chinlock but Henare just shifts to a motorcycle stretch and STOMP! Henare pushes Tanahashi to a cover, TWO!

Henare snarls and fans rally up again. Tanahashi slowly gets up, Henare storms over but Tanahashi throws body shots! Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Henare throws a knee, forearm and HEADBUTT! Henare whips Tanahashi to ropes but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS back! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he stands Henare up for more fast hands. Tanahashi brings Henare around to scoop and SLAM into a drop zone. Tanahashi goes up, for the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi keeps his focus and fans rally up again. Henare stands, Tanahashi runs, but Henare follows and clotheslines Tanahashi at the ropes!

But Tanahashi SHOTEIS back! Tanahashi runs again, but Henare scoops him for a BERZERKER BOMB! But Henare can’t make the cover from being tired and sore! Fans rally up as both men stir, and Henare stands up first. Henare KICKS Tanahashi, ROCKS him with a forearm, then fires off forearms in the corner! Henare whips Tanahashi corner to corner, runs in and SHINING WIZARD! Then a fireman’s carry for a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Tanahashi is still in this, but Henare goes up the corner. Henare leaps for a SUPER SENTON! Tanahashi writhes, Henare covers, TWO! Fans rally again and Henare is growing frustrated.

Henare waits on Tanahashi, then hooks on the ULTIMA FULL NELSON!! Tanahashi resists, fights the grip, but Henare’s hands are so close! Fans rally, Tanahashi keeps fighting, and he powers up! Tanahashi gets free, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi holds on to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! And then a wrench into a SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Henare is still in this but fans fire up! Tanahashi climbs, Henare stands, HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Tanahashi isn’t done there! Fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to the corner for HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Henare knows Tanahashi, he got him at the last moment!

Fans rally up as hard as they can, “Let’s Go, Ace!” Henare aims from a corner, Tanahashi slowly rises, and Henare runs in, RAMP- NO, Tanahashi fights off the Rampage Spear, and SHOTEIS! Tanahashi runs, into a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and fans are fired up again! Henare roars, he stalks Tanahashi again, ULTIMA!! Henare has it locked on, Tanahashi endures, and fans rally! Tanahashi fights the hold but Henare thrashes him around! Then Henare scoops Tanahashi, but Tanahashi fights off Streets of Rage! Henare throws a heavy body shot, then HEEL KICK! Fans are thunderous as Henare roars!

Henare drags Tanahashi up, hooks the leg, STREETS OF RAGE!! Cover, Henare wins!!

Winner: Aaron Henare, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)

The Ultimate Weapon has trumped The Ace! Henare takes the first win of the C Block, and is the first of the United Empire here tonight. Will the rest of the Empire follow suit?

G1 Climax 32, D Block: Will Ospreay VS El Phantasmo!

Once upon a time, the Commonwealth Kingpin was where the Headbanga is now: a Junior Heavyweight being given a great honor to enter this grueling heavyweight round robin. But will Ospreay show ELP that he’s not ready for this level yet? Or will ELP start to follow in Ospreay’s footsteps and use the G1 to raise his game?

ELP makes fun of Ospreay looking like a yeti Jake Paul in that new robe and pants. Fans rally up, “O-SU-PREAY!” “E L P!” The bell rings and Ospreay SHOTGUNS ELP down! Fans fire up, ELP bails out and Ospreay builds speed to SASUKE SPECIAL! Direct hit and Ospreay gets up to jog around. Ospreay drags ELP up and puts him back in to then PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! Ospreay says this is “slow and sensual” for him, and he drags ELP up. ELP fights off the powerbomb and CLAWS Ospreay’s back. Ospreay CHOPS ELP down for that one. Ospreay drags ELP up, whips him to ropes, but ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to RAN-

NO! Ospreay blocks the rana to bring ELP up into a fireman’s carry! HOTSHOT toss, and then a RUNNING BOOT! Fans fire up while Ospreay paces. ELP slowly gets to a corner but Ospreay drags him up to ROCK him with a haymaker. Ospreay throws more hands but ELP gives them back, until Ospreay CHOPS him again. “Slow… and sensual!” Ospreay drags ELP up, ELP resists, so Ospreay claws at ELP’s face! The ref reprimands, Ospreay lets off and whips ELP corner to corner. ELP goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges and springboard CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO, but ELP somersaults to LIONSAULT! Ospreay dodges but ELP lands on his feet!

Ospreay bails out, ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and ELP drags Ospreay up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Ospreay drops, ELP goes up the apron, to TOP ROPE ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit again and fans fire up again! ELP throws up the Too Sweet and says this is slow AF. ELP drags Ospreay up as the ring count climbs, and he SMACKS Ospreay off the apron. The count is 10 of 20 but ELP puts Ospreay in. ELP stands Ospreay up to ROCK him with a forearm. ELP ROCKS Ospreay again, then again! Ospreay staggers away but kicks back. Ospreay and ELP throw forearms back and forth and fans fire up!

ELP ROCKS Ospreay gain, then digs his fingers into Ospreay’s face! The ref counts, ELP stops at 4 to whip corner to corner hard! Ospreay bounces off buckles, ELP hoists him up to put him in the Tree of Woe. ELP stomps a mudhole into that Tree, the ref counts but ELP stops at 4. Fans rally up, ELP goes to the far corner and runs in, to basement dropkick! Fans rally up, “O-SU-PREAY!” “E L P!” and ELP stomps Ospreay to the rhythm. ELP goes around again, corner to corner, for a BIG basement dropkick! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ELP is annoyed but he drags Ospreay up to snapmare him for a chinlock.

ELP leans on the hold, Ospreay endures, but ELP grinds him down. Ospreay pries at the hold, ELP claws at Ospreay, but the ref reprimands. Ospreay fights up, ELP facelocks but Ospreay throws body shots. Ospreay throws forearms, but ELP gets around to back suplex. Ospreay lands on his feet, ducks the back elbow, and runs to handspring, NEURALIZER! Direct hit with that kick and fans fire up again. Ospreay and ELP slowly stand, and Ospreay knees ELP to then JAWBREAKER and KICK! ELP falls and Ospreay fires up! Ospreay wants ELP to get up and fans rally. Ospreay runs corner to corner but ELP puts him on the apron!

Ospreay ROCKS ELP, then springboards, only for ELP to get under! ELP mule kicks, runs, but into the SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is annoyed but the fans still rally up. Ospreay drags ELP up, but ELP elbows free. ELP atomic drops to then CLOBBER Ospreay. Ospreay gets up but ELP scoops and SLAMS him in a drop zone. ELP goes up, for a FALLING KNEE DROP! ELP slashes his throat, vowing to end this. ELP drags Ospreay up but Ospreay back drops free! Fans rally, Ospreay and ELP slowly rise. Ospreay ROCKS ELP, then glares at him. ELP ROCKS Ospreay, but Ospreay laughs it off.

ELP eggs Ospreay on and Ospreay applauds. Ospreay ROCKS ELP and ELP staggers around. Fans fire up as ELP comes back to ROCK him back. ELP keeps egging Ospreay on, and Ospreay ROCKS ELP again! Ospreay wants the fans to get louder and they oblige as ELP slowly comes back. ELP winds up, and the forearms start flying back and forth! ELP gets the edge, but Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay catches ELP’s haymaker to full nelson but ELP breaks free and back elbows, ducks the hook kick and mule kicks back! ELP runs, into the Tiger Wall Kick, but ELP ENZIGURIS! ELP suplexes, but Ospreay STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES!

Ospreay calls it, goes up the corner, but ELP follows! REVERSE SPANISH FLY! ELP crawls to the cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and fans rally up again! ELP gets up in the corner and he tunes up the band! ELP aims, SUDDEN- NO, Ospreay blocks, flips ELP and ROLLING ELBOWS! Turn and DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Ospreay fires up, prepares his elbow pad and takes aim! But ELP RANAS, only for Ospreay to block again! SIT OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! But Ospreay keeps on ELP, suplex to POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! ELP is still alive and fans are thunderous! Ospreay gets to a corner and climbs! But ELP trips him!

ELP throws haymakers, climbs up after Ospreay, and he brings Ospreay up for forearm after forearm! ELP even HEADBUTTS! Both men stand up, SUPER STEINER! ELP hurries up again, for- Wait, Ospreay moves. ELP readjusts and still leaps! THUNDERKISS FLOPS as Ospreay moves again! ROBINSON SPECIAL! Ospreay springboards, OSC- NO, ELP dodges to SUDDEN DEATH!! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay survives and ELP can’t believe it! ELP hurries to get Ospreay up, reel him in and hook him up. C R- NO, Ospreay handstands and fights, to tuck ELP into a sunset, TWO! ELP has a cover, TWO! Ospreay has a cradle, TWO!

Ospreay gets around, HOOK KICK! Springboard, OS- BACKSLIDE! TWO!!! HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 2 points; ELP earns 0)

Slow and sensual turned fast and furious, and Ospreay cuts down Phantasmo! Another win for the United Empire, are they going to conquer the G1 Climax?

G1 Climax 32, B Block: SANADA VS Jay White w/ Gedo!

The Cold Skull was a victim of misfortune when it came to the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. But perhaps his luck could be turning around. Will he open the G1 with a golden shortcut to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship? Or will he just the first in this tournament to Breathe with the Switchblade?

White and Gedo Too Sweet and fans applaud. The bell rings and White mocks the claps for “SA-NA-DA!” by chanting out loud. White of course keeps poking at the rule about fans not being able to shout and yell, but then White goes outside of the ring and wants fans to say “Sanada,” not clap it. But the fans stick to the rules and clap instead. Red Shoes tells White to return to the ring, but White says Sanada should hold the ropes open for the world champion. Sanada walks over to hold the ropes open, but White doesn’t want the bottom rope. No jokes! Middle ropes! Sanada goes out to the apron, apologizes, and holds the middle rope open.

Fans applaud, White goes in the ring, and White keeps chanting “SA-NA-DA!” while clapping. Sanada walks in, and he blocks White’s cheap shot! Sanada headlocks, White endures and powers up. White pries free to headlock but Sanada switches it back on him. White pulls hair, headlocks again but Sanada gets it right back. White powers out, things speed up, Sanada counters hip toss to an arm-drag! Sanada then dropkicks White out and fans fire up. Sanada goes out after White but Gedo protests. Sanada puts White in, but then Gedo tries to get after Sanada. Gedo backs down when Sanada glares at him, and Red Shoes reprimands Gedo.

Sanada gets in the ring, but White bails out the other side. Sanada PLANCHAS, but White moves! White swings, Sanada dodges, but then White blocks Sanada’s clothesline to COMPLETE SHOT Sanada into railing! White then mocks the fans rallying up, “SA-NA-DA!” White brings Sanada up, to SNAKE EYES him off the railing, and then RAM him into apron, and then RAM him into railing! White whips Sanada hard into railing, then leaves him behind. Sanada writhes on the ground while White keeps mocking the clapping. White says if the fans won’t chant it, they should just shut up. White then fetches Sanada, telling Red Shoes not to do the ring count.

White brings Sanada up and into the ring, covers, ONE!! Sanada is still in this but White stomps him down. White kicks Sanada, clamps on a top wristlock, then hits Sanada hard in the ribs! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed but he fixes his hair and again taunts the fans clapping. White kicks and stomps Sanada to a corner, RAMS into him with shoulders again and again, then brings Sanada out to snapmare and rear bearhug! Sanada endures, White leans on the hold and taunts Sanada with his chanting. Sanada fights up, pries at the hold, tries to throw elbows but White keeps moving around. White CLUBS Sanada and whips him into a corner.

Sanada bounces off buckles, into a Too Sweet CHOP! Sanada falls and White taunts him. White drags Sanada up, and he wants the fans to say it with him. Too Sweet~ CHOP! Too Sweet~ CHOP! White whips again, but Sanada ducks the chop to fire off forearms! Sanada whips, White reverses, Sanada reverses back, ducks ‘n’ dodges and trips White! White kicks Sanada away bout Sanada dropkicks the leg out! Both men are down and fans rally up with “SA-NA-DA!” Sanada kips up and fires up and the fans are with him! Sanada rallies on White, forearms and arm-drags, then a BIG atomic drop! White hobbles into a trip!

Sanada ties White up and fans fire up, but White kicks free again. White CHOPS, runs, but Sanada RANAS! Roll through, Sanada has the legs again, and he ties White up in Paradise! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. White wiggles around but is stuck, and the fans hit the right thunderous volume for Sanada. Sanada nods and takes aim at White, to dropkick White out of Paradise! Cover, ONE! Sanada keeps cool and drags White back up. Sanada fireman’s carries but White fights free. White waistlocks, Sanada switches and ducks a back elbow, but White hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Sanada gets to the ropes and White wants fans to chant for him. They clap “SWITCH-BLADE!” instead, but White runs in to uppercut Sanada all the same. White suplexes, for BLADE BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” as White drags him up. White reels Sanada in but Sanada fights the clinch. Sanada throws elbows, ducks a chop, but walks into a COMPLETE SHOT! White drags Sanada into a deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gedo fires up and White says Sanada’s a baby. URENAGE! Cover, TWO! White is annoyed and Gedo is frustrated but Sanada is still in this. White drags Sanada up, clamps on and drags Sanada up, but Sanada fights the sleeper!

Sanada powers White into a corner and is free! Sanada fires off back elbows on White, then whips White corner to corner. White reverses but Sanada goes up and out, only for White to DECK him! White goes out after Sanada and drags him up to put back in. Gedo likes what he sees, but Sanada fireman’s carries for a TKO! Fans fire up again while both men are down. Sanada gets up and drags White up. White swings, but Sanada ducks to dragon sleeper! SKULL SWING! Then SKULL END! Body scissors are in and White is being bent way back! Gedo gets on the apron to protest, and Sanada lets White go to chase Gedo off.

But White kicks the ropes and the ropes low blow Sanada! Sanada falls with Red Shoes none the wiser! Fans rally up for “SA-NA-DA!” while Red Shoes warns Geod. White brings Sanada up but Sanada throws a forearm! White shakes his head so Sanada throws another forearm! White eggs Sanada on by mocking the clapping. Sanada grits his teeth to ROCK White. White CHOPS Sanada, then EuroUppers! But Sanada falls in a way where his foot kicks White low! White feels the sting of karma! Gedo is pissed but this was all happenstance! Sanada goes up, ROUNDING BODY FLOP as White moves! White protests now but Red Shoes says again, it was an accident.

White is furious that Red Shoes won’t call him the winner but now he’s shoving Red Shoes! Red Shoes shoves White, and Sanada rolls him up! Cover, TWO!! White escapes, rushes in, but Sanada O’Conner Rolls and sits deep! TWO!!! White escapes by the literal seat of his pants, but Sanada ROCKS, ROLLING ELBOWS, then RUNNING ROLLING ELBOWS! Fans fire up with White down, and Sanada drags White up to a gut wrench and Canadian Rack! AK47 TKO!! Cover, TWO!!! White survives again and Sanada can’t believe it! Fans fire up again and Sanada gets to the corner again. But White trips him up!

Fans rally while White drags Sanada into a Canadian Rack of his own! DOMINAT- NO, Sanada lands on his feet! But White reels him into the clinch, but Sanada slips out to get the dragon sleeper! White snapmares free of that, and clinches again, BLADE- NO, O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO!?!? Sanada is shocked but he hurries to fireman’s carry! Throw into the dragon sleeper! White starts to fade in the Skull End, and fans rally up! White fight sup, throws hands and gets around, but Sanada switches. White powers trough to SNAP SLEEPER- Sanada lands on his feet!! DRAGON SLEEPER!! White moves around, CLAWS Sanada’s eyes!!

White goes up the corner, turns things around, BLADERUNNER!!! Cover, White wins!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sanada earns 0)

The Cold Skull came so close to taking down the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but White went after that weakened eye! Will White get so lucky as the G1 Climax rolls on?

G1 Climax 32, A Block: Kazuchika Okada VS Jeff Cobb!

The Rainmaker and the Imperial Unit meet in the A Block once again after each man had an impressive run last year. But in that 31st G1 Climax, it was Okada who moved on to the finals. Will history repeat itself already? Or will Cobb take Okada on a Tour of the Islands and completely alter this tournament’s course?

The bell rings and fans are fired up already as the two stare down. Okada and Cobb tie up, Cobb powers Okada back against the ropes, and Red Shoes calls the ropebreak. Cobb lets off, but copies Okada’s feint and shoulder pat. Fans applaud but Okada frowns. Okada and Cobb circle, tie up, and Okada tries to power Cobb back, but Cobb shoves him away! Okada bails out but Cobb waits patiently. Okada takes a moment to steady himself, and then he comes back. Cobb and Okada circle and tie up, but Okada kicks low! Okada headlocks, grinds the hold, but Cobb powers up and carries Okada to ropes! Cobb powers out, and they RAM shoulders!

Fans rally up as the two stare down again. Okada runs, RAMS Cobb, but Cobb doesn’t budge. Cobb dares Okada to try again, so Okada runs and RAMS him. Still nothing, and fans fire up. Okada tries again, building up a lot of speed, but Cobb runs Okada over! Cobb wants the cam to be on him, but then he feints the Rainmaker pose to run. Okada leaps, but Cobb catches him with one arm! To then FALL AWAY SLAM him! Okada bails out and fans fire up as Cobb dusts his hands off. Cobb waits on Okada as the ring count climbs, but then decides to fetch Okada. Cobb ROCKS Okada, SMACKS him off the apron, and CLUBS him in the chest!

Cobb follows Okada around the way, CLUBS him at the railing, then drags Okada up to whip around hard into the railing! Cobb assures commentary they were never in danger, then he steps on Okada. Cobb pretends he didn’t see Okada there, then goes to the ring. Fans rally up for “O-KA-DA!” while the ring count starts. Okada sits up at 6 of 20, slowly rises and stands at 10 of 20 to get in at 13. Fans applaud but Cobb stomps Okada down. Cobb CLUBS Okada, drags him to the ropes, and stomps him again. Cobb stands on Okada to surf on him! The fans applaud and Cobb steps off again. Okada writhes but Cobb drags him up.

Cobb ROCKS Okada, fans rally up, and Cobb CLUBS Okada to then suplex. Cobb holds Okada up to run and SLAM! Fans applaud the show of strength and Cobb covers, TWO! Cobb keeps cool and looms over Okada. Cobb drags Okada up, HEADBUTTS him in the back, then clamps on a bearhug! Okada endures as Cobb squeezes and carries him around! Okada CLUBS away on Cobb but Cobb SLAMS Okada down! Cobb looms over Okada, taunts him, kicks him around, but fans rally up. Cobb slaps Okada around, then elbows him in the head! Okada gets up and fires off forearms, but Cobb just grins. Cobb then THROAT CHOPS!

Cobb hoists Okada up but Okada fights the suplex. Okada hooks a leg, throws body shots, then suplexes, but Cobb is too much! Cobb suplexes Okada again, but Okada fights it! Okada keeps trying but Cobb suplexes Okada! Okada slips out, kicks low and hits a DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down, but Okada is up first. Okada throws forearms on Cobb, whips, but Cobb reverses. Okada ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Cobb with the elbow! Cobb gets up but Okada is on him in the corner. Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, but Cobb elbows him back. Cobb runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Fans fire up as Okada turns things around!

Okada drags Cobb back up, has the arm, and he clamps on the MONEY CLIP! Red Shoes does his best to fix a protruding ring board while Cobb endures. Cobb reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Okada lets off quickly, and Cobb bails out. Red Shoes works on the ring board while Okada goes out. Okada whips Cobb into railing! Then runs in, only for Cobb to block the boot! Cobb reels Okada in, Okada fights free, gets around and kicks low to DDT to the floor! Fans fire up while both men are down again and Red Shoes checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a ring count starts.

Okada and Cobb are stirring at 5 of 20, and Okada sits up at 7. Okada stands at 12 of 20, fetches Cobb, and he puts Cobb in at 17 of 20. Fans applaud as Okada continues this in the ring. Okada waits on Cobb to rise and he reels him into an Alabama Lift! For the REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Cobb is still in this but Okada stays cool. Okada goes to a corner and climbs up. Fans rally, Cobb stands, Okada jumps over him! Okada comes back, Cobb gets around to waistlock but Okada elbows free. Okada goes to run but Cobb reel him in for a waistlock! Okada elbows free again, whips, but Cobb reverses, only for Okada to avoid the dropkick!

Okada runs, but Cobb DROPKICKS him after all! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Cobb and Okada stir, Okada rolls his way to the corner, and Cobb runs in to UPPERCUT! Cobb grabs Okada’s legs but Okada holds onto the ropes. So Cobb YANKS Okada up into the ATHLETIC PLEX! Fans fire up and Cobb watches Okada go to the apron. Cobb storms over to that corner, climbs up and drags Okada up! Cobb brings Okada up in a deadlift SUPER- NO, Okada fights it and is on the corner. Okada fires off forearms, he sends Cobb down, but Cobb comes back to DROPKICK Okada! Okada clings to the top but Cobb almost copied him there!

Cobb goes up to, gut wrenches Okada up, SUPER GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Okada bounces off the mat as that loose board comes loose again! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives that nasty landing but Cobb GACHIMUSHI MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives again and Cobb is beside himself. Fans are thunderous for “O-KA-DA!” but Cobb calls for the tour! Cobb hauls Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada SHOTGUNS Cobb down! Okada hurries but he can’t gut wrench Cobb! Cobb gut wrenches Okada, to TOMBSTONE! But Cobb holds on to bring Okada up! Okada fights it around to SPINNING TOMBSTONE!!

Fans are thunderous as both men are down! Cobb and Okada stir then slowly rise. Okada brings Cobb around, wrenches the arm, and puts on the MONEY CLIP! But Cobb puts Okada in a corner and gets free! Cobb runs back in, but Okada dodges. Cobb hits buckles, Okada hoists him up top, but Cobb BOOTS him. Cobb hurries but swings into a BACK2BACKBREAKER, and it’s back to the MONEY CLIP! Cobb reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go quickly and fans rally up. Okada grits his teeth and gets up. He stands Cobb up, scoops him and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Okada climbs, for the MACHO ELBOW!

And of course, that means Rainmaker Pose! Fans fire up, Okada drags Cobb up and reels him in to wristlock, but Cobb fights with elbows. Okada uses that to backslide, but Cobb rolls through! Cobb ducks the lariat but not the DROPKICK! Okada hurries to ripcord, but Cobb gets under to ripcord and steal RAINMAKER! But Cobb falls over from hitting his own lariat and fans are thunderous again! Cobb catches his breath and drags himself up. Cobb brings Okada back up, but Okada throws a forearm! Cobb wobbles just a bit but Okada drops to his knees. Cobb brings Okada up again, Okada forearms again!

Okada throws more forearms, and more, and more! Cobb ROCKS Okada right back! Cobb drops to his knees but Okada drops to the mat! Cobb hurries to get Okada up, whips him to ropes, but Okada fights the scoop! Okada gets the MONEY CLIP! Cobb endures, Okada spins and DISCUS RAINMAKER! Fans fire up again as Okada gets Cobb back up. Ripcord, and HEADBUTT from Cobb!! Okada falls over and Cobb wobbles around! Cobb gets Okada up, whips him to ropes, scoop and TOUR- NO, Okada slips out to ENZIGURI! Okada scoops for a POWERSLAM! But Okada keeps going, ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Cover, Okada wins!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Cobb earns 0)

The Imperial Unit falls, the one defeat for the Empire today! Is the run to the finals already over for Cobb? As for Okada, he catches his breath and gets the mic. Okada drums the mic and fans chant “O-KA-DA!” Okada then says, “SAPPORO~!” Fans applaud, and Okada thanks them for their hot, hot support once again. Okada also says the G1 Climax is back in the summer where it belongs. He says this sweat on the chest is also fitting of a summer G1. Okada says that was just the first monster of many to beat in the A Block. “And as tough as that was, that means it’s all the more fun! Line ’em up!”

Okada continues to say that Sapporo is a little bit cooler than Tokyo right now, but it got hot here and can get even hotter. And of course, NJPW will be back again tomorrow so they hope to see you all back! This G1 Climax is just getting started, with so much more to come, so thank you for supporting NJPW and Okada! The Rainmaker is victorious and ready to take over the biggest G1 yet! Will Okada reach the finals and take that golden ticket to WrestleKingdom? Or is there a monster waiting in the wings to take him down?

My Thoughts:

What a great start to this year’s G1. It’s still odd not having everyone compete in a G1 match, but this is all so there’s no scheduling concerns, as well as health concerns. If AEW’s injury woes has taught us anything, there is such a thing as going too hard for too long. Hell, NJPW probably learned from today that the ring itself can’t take too much at once. That board that came loose was probably because of all the big, BIG men active tonight. Jonah Rock, Lance Archer, Bad Luck Fale, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi and Jeff Cobb, that is some serious weight to be throwing around in one ring.

But anyway, great stuff out of the G1 matches we got. What a wild surprise that Henare beat Tanahashi, but also a sign that NJPW is letting Henare move up the ranks a bit. This is certainly going to be Henare’s biggest win of the tournament, who knows how far he really gets. Ospreay VS Phantasmo was awesome stuff, especially for the character stuff between these former Junior Heavyweight rivals. Ospreay winning makes sense, he’s going to build up and have a good shot at winning his block. Ospreay still has to get the actual US Championship belt from Juice Robinson, I bet that becomes the whole crux of their match down the line.

Sanada VS White also had a lot of great character stuff with White still trying to break the “no shouting” rule as part of getting Heel heat. They let Sanada look great even though he lost, but of course the world champion is going to start strong. Okada VS Cobb was awesome stuff and that loose board really came into play for a second. But much like White, Okada of course starts his G1 strong and gives a good promo to see everyone off. Even with a different format, this is still going to be a great G1, can’t wait to see who makes it to the semifinals in August.

My Score: 8.8/10