G1 Climax 33 got off to an intriguing start on night 1 in Sapporo, with Will Osprey taking an ‘L’ in his first match. Night 2 promises to have its share of talking points as well, as it’s the first time we’ll see the competitors from the C and D blocks in action.
There are some tasty matchups in store toward the end of the card, including Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr., and the main event that pits Tetsuya Naito against the power of Jeff Cobb. Still, the big draw for American wrestling fans is almost sure to be the G1 Climax debut of Eddie Kingston, who will have his hands full right out the gate with Shingo Takagi.
Without the multi-man matches that usually kicked off G1 Climax shows in some past years, it means we’ll be getting right to the tournament bouts on night 2. Let’s jump into it!
G1 Climax 33 night 2 results from Sapporo:
David Finlay def. Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall – C Block match
Nothing surprising in the opening minutes as Ishii and Finlay appear content to go right at each other. A chop block by the Bullet Club leader seems like a good idea, as it allows him to slow the pace.
The fans attempt to rally Ishii, but Finlay appears to have an answer each time. A big backbreaker coming out of the corner finds the mark, but Ishii kicks out at two.
Ishii’s big superplex gets a strong crowd reaction but isn’t enough to win the bout. After several near falls both ways, Ishii nails a headbutt and a powerbomb and still sees Finlay kick out in time.
A running clothesline also looks like it might win it for Ishii, but a series of counters allows Finlay to hit Into Oblivion and get the dub. Bullet Club teases some abuse for the Stone Pitbull after the bell but decides against it.
Hirooki Goto def. Toru Yano by pinfall – D Block match
These two wrestled a very quick match a few years ago, and the pace of the first few minutes makes it look like it might be over in a blink again. There’s almost always something wacky in any Yano match, and the two men tiring each other out on the floor by continually reversing Irish whips certainly qualifies.
So does Goto ending up wearing a mascot head against his will, nearly getting counted out. Goto manages to survive all the hijinks and pick up the win, however.
Mikey Nicholls def. Aaron Henare by pinfall – C Block match
Both of these gents are candidates to be the “guy who does surprisingly well” in C Block, but it’ll need to start with a win here. Nicholls suffers for his craft, getting busted open and bleeding pretty nicely from the face, probably during an exchange of headbutts.
A nasty running corner knee by Henare isn’t going to make his face feel any better, but to his credit, Nicholls prevails and picks up the victory.
Shane Haste def. Alex Coughlin by pinfall – D Block match
Coughlin is stronger than he looks. That’s the biggest takeaway from the first few minutes of this contest. He also tries to use some chairs and his title belt, but those efforts backfire, and Haste is able to put him away.
Eddie Kingston def. Shingo Takagi by pinfall – C Block match
Kingston just seems like he’s a perfect fit for Strong Style contests like this one. He certainly welcomes a chopping contest with the Dragon, which not everyone would.
Their battle goes to the floor as well, where Kingston simply runs over his foe before the ref begins to count. Into the corner they go, trading strikes until Eddie can execute a suplex for a near fall.
A lariat earns Shingo a breather as he fans begin to clap. He treats Eddie to a generous helping of the suplex game, though eventually both men end up down on the mat. Kingston shrugs off a flurry of offense to kick out at one, then kicks out at two following a running clothesline.
Kingston hits his own clothesline after a series of reversals, but now it’s Shingo kicking out at one. He isn’t as fortunate next time, however, and Kingston wins a hard fought G1 Climax debut.
Zack Sabre Jr. def. Hiroshi Tanahashi by pinfall – D Block match
This seems like a cruel first pairing for the Ace, who hasn’t been in the best of physical condition the last few months. Tanahashi holds up fine in the opening mat exchanges, but we’ll see if he can keep that up.
He’s certainly game for an exchange of uppercuts, and Tanahashi works his own submission game to boot. But ZSJ starts targeting his left leg, forcing him to endure both pain and taunting.
The Ace swings things back in his favor and even scores a near fall, and he hip tosses his way out of potential octopus hold danger. Tanahashi ends up on his back and threatening Sabre with a leg triangle, but the TMDK frontman escapes and goes after the left leg again.
Not even sure what ZSJ’s hold is called, but Tanahashi reaches the ropes to force a break. It’s his turn to dish out targeted damage, working repeatedly on Sabre’s left arm. Both men hit low dropkicks and the Ace nails a Sling Blade for a quick two count.
Tanahashi flies for a high cross body, but Sabre rolls through and kicks his foe in the chest for a near fall. As both men try to pull off armbars on each other, ZSJ is able to roll through and keep Tanahashi’s shoulders pinned just long enough for the ref to count to three.
EVIL def. Tama Tonga by pinfall – C Block match
EVIL wastes no time showing his true colors, attacking Tama before the bell. He fares less well in the opening minutes of the actual match, but he eventually takes his foe partway up the ramp for a suplex and then fights further out into the crowd. EVIL rings the bell to imply he’s going to win by countout, but Tama hustles to return by the time the count gets to 19.
Jado urges on Tama along with the fans, and he responds with a corner splash for a two count. Red Shoes tries his best not to get caught up in the action, but he finally takes a bump.
That brings Dick Togo into the fray, helping to stomp Tama after smacking Jado off the apron. A Magic Killer gives EVIL a chance to cover just as the ref is coming to, but Tonga kicks out.
A Scorpion Deathlock puts Tama through some agony before he can work his way free. A flurry of offense includes a Tongan Twist, and he flies from the top rope with a splash for two.
Togo gets involved again and almost sets Tama up for Everything is Evil, but EVIL has to settle for a lariat instead after some counters. Darkness Falls is on target too, but Tama manages to kick out.
Though wobbly, Tonga is able to survive some lariats, coming back with an even stronger one of his own. Togo runs in and gets a Gun Stun, and Tama signals for the finish. Alas, after Red Shoes is shoved into the corner, EVIL uses a low blow to set up Everything is Evil and get the three count.
Jeff Cobb def. Tetsuya Naito by pinfall – D Block match
Naito matches always take a while to get going, but he probably wishes this one took longer as he’s thrown right into a battle on the outside. Cobb is able to match him dropkick for dropkick back in the ring, cracking a smile afterward.
Cobb teases a dive to the floor and does his version of Naito’s trademark pose. Naito is slow to rise and takes until the count of 16 to return to the ring, where more punishment awaits him.
That changes as he connects on several consecutive moves, including the Cabron Combinacion. He tries for an armbreaker but is hoisted to his feet, and they battle to the top turnbuckle where Cobb delivers a hellacious falling powerbomb. Jeff crawls for a cover but sees his foe kick out not once but twice.
Naito’s next flurry leads to a Destino attempt that is countered with a Tour of the Islands, and now both men are down as the ref counts. They beat the 10 count, leaning on opposite ropes.
Several near falls are scored by Naito before he is dumped on his head with a suplex. Another Tour of the Islands follows, and Cobb picks up a huge win.