G1 Climax 31 continues to roll on, as the combatants make their way down to Aichi. It’s quite a loaded night of block action, and it’s all headlined by the match that was canceled a few months ago as IWGP World Champion, Shingo Takagi battles Kota Ibushi in the main event. The race is getting shorter and points aren’t going to come easy.
G1 Climax Day 9 Card – Ibushi vs Takagi
Great-O-Khan [8] vs KENTA [6]
Kicking off the night is a first-time matchup between Great-O-Khan and KENTA. The two have been going back and forth on Twitter, as KENTA is quite the troll. But, with all jokes aside this is a must-win situation for both. Both men lost at the Korakuen Hall show with ‘The Dominator’ losing the undefeated battle against Zack Sabre Jr. Meanwhile KENTA couldn’t put down the IWGP World Champion. KENTA with two losses already cannot afford another one. While O-Khan can easily take the lead back with a win here it could go either way.
Yujiro Takahashi [4] vs Tanga Loa [2]
Next up it’s another Bullet Club inner warfare match with Yujiro Takahashi taking on Tanga Loa. ‘The Silverback’ is having a tough time in his first G1 Climax, and is looking to get his first win here. However, his faction mate is looking to get back on the winning track after a singles win against BUSHI. ‘The Tokyo Pimp’ has the advantage as a singles wrestler and in G1. However, the biggest question is will they keep it clean? KENTA and Yujiro did, but they’re partners. Will Yujiro give Tanga Loa that same respect, and vice versa? Desperate men do desperate things for a set of G1 points.
Tomohiro Ishii [4] vs Zack Sabre Jr [8)
Zack Sabre Jr has been on an absolute tear this year. From injuring Tetsuya Naito to winning four straight matches sitting undefeated at eight points. On the other hand, it’s been rather somber for Tomohiro Ishii who dropped his first three matches and finally got a win against Tanga Loa. Ishii knows he’s fighting an uphill battle, and that’s when he thrives. If anyone in this block can put a stop to ZSJ’s dominant run it’s Ishii. However, Zack does hold the G1 competition record over Ishii with a 2-0 record. Will he extend that streak 3-0, or will Ishii bring him back to reality?
Shingo Takagi [6] vs Kota Ibushi [6]
In the main event, it’s the match that was supposed to take place at the Tokyo Dome for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Shingo Takagi and Kota Ibushi do battle for the second time in a New Japan ring. In last year’s G1 Climax, ‘The Dragon’ rampaged on with a victory over Kota Ibushi. Yet, Ibushi still managed to win the tournament. The story of the tournament for Ibushi is the question if he has truly recovered from his pneumonia. This will be the big test to tell if Ibushi is ready to jump right back to the top of New Japan.
Both men fell to Zack Sabre Jr, but Ibushi also fell to Yujiro Takahashi in the opener. Now both men sit at six points apiece, and this match will have many implications. Not only will the winner move closer to the top of the block, but a win by Ibushi guarantees him a future IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match even if he does not win the tournament. As for Shingo, a win by him here puts him one step closer to his hopes of making Shingo Takagi vs Tetsuya Naito happen once more.
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