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00:00All the way back, in the early 1990s,
00:15Money Mark, in charge of an optician, decided he wanted to start a wrestling company.
00:25In the wake of that collapsing in 1992, Genichiro Tenyu started a promotion called W.A.R.
00:34War, right? Yeah.
00:37Wrestle and romance. Oh.
00:40They were inextricably linked concepts.
00:44It's something that Tenyu understood all the way to his last match with our other finalist,
00:50Katsuki Krakato. And maybe it's something that only Naito understands better.
00:56His record here is incredible.
00:5911 and 12 overall.
01:02Hasn't wrestled a singles match here since 2020, before that was 2017.
01:07But his moments here are indelible.
01:10Tonight, he wants to beat a man that he's never been before.
01:15To take a step.
01:18Tomorrow, on the sixth anniversary, to the day of his last G1.
01:24To be, once again, the strongest of the summer.
01:29A romantic night, indeed, in Nino Gorky.
01:36Back in 2017, he had to do the unthinkable and beat the unstoppable.
01:41And now, tonight, if Okada is number one in the world, Will Ospreay's 1A.
01:56Or maybe, maybe, just maybe, they're reversed.
02:00Maybe it's Okada that's 1A.
02:03And the number one man in the world of professional wrestling is Will Ospreay.
02:09And now, we've told fans time and time again, Naito is on the clock, so to speak.
02:30Both men are here tonight.
02:32They may not be another one more year for him when it comes to January the 4th in the Tokyo Dome.
02:42Will Ospreay, who wants to show him that he is the best in the world and the best organisation in the world.
02:49He's gone till January to do it in the Tokyo Dome.
02:52He's gone till January to do it in the Tokyo Dome.
02:57A big part of that goal.
02:59To make sure he wins a sold out G1 Climax Final.
03:06He beat Kenny Omega.
03:10Will Ospreay!
03:12He beat Katsuka and Nata.
03:15He knows he can beat Tensio Naito.
03:18The question is, will he?
03:20With 32 years remaining from Chono being MUTO here in Nihilogoku.
03:28To become the first ever G1 winner.
03:3111 years since the protocol.
03:333rd musketeer return for the wilderness.
03:36And 8 years, the last battle of the new musketeer, Sontanahashi vanquished Nakamura.
03:42But in their wake, Will Ospreay has said, we don't need 3 musketeers, we need 1 assassin.
03:49And there he is.
03:51IWGP US Heavy Q Champion.
03:56And the real assassin.
03:59Will Ospreay!
04:21Will Ospreay-
04:44Ospreay in his corner as they were.
04:46Ospreay!
04:48Ospreay!
04:49Ospreay won the IWTP World
04:51Everywhere Championship right
04:53here in 2021.
05:19Out in 2021.
05:37Sure is only 6,500 there.
05:4312,000.
05:55Identical records in the tournament for Ospreay and Naito, each finishing 5-2, 10 points.
06:00Naito cutting down Hikaleo to advance.
06:16Will Ospreay outlasting David Finlay.
06:20The winner faces Kazuchika Okada in the finals.
06:26Bell sounds and they're underway.
06:56I gotta say I'm a bit surprised.
07:02I thought that it would be mixed, but it feels like more Ospreay than Naito.
07:08Do you think Will Ospreay beat Naito twice last year?
07:16Okay, what could the difference be for Naito this year?
07:20And the difference could be this crowd.
07:23Yes.
07:25Yes.
07:26But at the same time.
07:31Listen to this crowd.
07:35But maybe Naito's a little better at being Naruto.
07:39And if that's the way they want to go.
07:45But then the Naito supporters are there.
07:55And they can go in with a collar elbow tie.
08:01And they can go in with a collar elbow tie.
08:07We talked earlier on about Will Ospreay's success here at Ryogoku.
08:19Did drop his first New Japan Pro Wrestling match here in Japan.
08:24That was at Ryogoku to Kushida back in April of 2016.
08:29Since then, 6 at 0.
08:33And not just, you know, partly tune-up matches.
08:36Those are matches including revenge over Kushida for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
08:41Including being the first to beat Shingo Takagi in New Japan.
08:45To win best of the Super Juniors in 2019.
08:48Included winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Kojo Ibushi.
08:54Big spots.
08:58Big spots.
09:08Naito with a bigger body of Werner.
09:12But Ospreay has a better winning percentage all time in this tournament.
09:19Both are way above 500.
09:23Red Shizuno calling for a clean break.
09:25No, no, no, no.
09:26Naito for his part, as I said, hasn't wrestled a singles match here since last night, a block in 2020.
09:36And then before that, he had to go back to 2017, which speaks to Ospreay going on the offensive, joining some of those boos from the Naito fans.
09:46Speaks to how long Naito's been in the wilderness when it comes to the main event.
09:56He had it, thought he had it, thought he had it instead.
09:58Miss, hit blade.
10:00Miss, hit blade.
10:08Miss, hit blade.
10:10Miss, hit blade.
10:12Naito's got all the time in the world, no time limit and playoff matches.
10:31It's 20 minutes, not a factor.
10:36Naito and Eddie Kingston talked about it when he was with you on commentary of
10:44guys that need to get hit in the face a few times, settle into a match.
10:50And that's been what Naito has done historically in this tournament.
10:54Usually the longest match time holder has been Tetsuya Naito historically.
11:01Tonight right around, as Chris Sampson said,
11:04right around the same match time as Will Ospreay, just a few seconds apart.
11:08Ospreay denying Naito.
11:10Might be the hardest hand in wrestling.
11:14Not safe out there.
11:28Chomps him all right down.
11:34Not safe out there.
11:38Again, Osprey can take his time.
11:45He's got all night.
11:46There is no time limit.
11:48Poised to strike with an aggressive punch.
11:50And Will Osprey did, yes he beat Kazuchika Okada in the league setting, but to him, that isn't finishing the story.
12:19He's doing it in the T1 Climax Final tomorrow.
12:25Daring Naito and now looking to spring.
12:34And like Naito, Chris, Osprey put himself on the clock.
12:40Yeah, after he lost to Kenny Omega in Tokyo Down.
12:46Said he'd give himself a year.
12:50And in that year thus far, he's done everything that he's set out to do.
12:55He has to be recognized.
12:57Cover.
12:59Anyone, frankly, whose opinions matter as the best wrestler on the planet or
13:04if not one then 1A as he said.
13:06He beat Kenny Omega, got that US title back.
13:12On the road in Canada.
13:14Yeah, in the most hostile of settings.
13:16With agitator Don Callis making it an even more arduous climb for Will.
13:22Continued to put out unbelievable performances, whether required of him or not.
13:33Whether for New Japan Pro Wrestling was contractually based or be it in AEW or be it in Rev Pro Wrestling.
13:42Because the British scene is so important to him personally that he wants to make it succeed.
13:50Cover.
13:51After the backbreaker kick out.
13:52And every time you feel Will Ospreay add another responsibility, whether it's family life for him now as well.
14:07Right.
14:08You know, it feels like you worry for the man in terms of when will it be too much.
14:14But it feels like every step of the way too much is not enough for Will Ospreay and he just keeps going, keeps excelling, keeps excelling.
14:23He hasn't been a G1 Climax winner yet.
14:27I think it's that drive to be great that separates Will from others.
14:33That and God given talent, his athletic ability unmatched.
14:42Now for Tetsuya Naito of course, has climbed the mountains before, but wanted to get back and this year saying,
14:51well I couldn't make it 17, I'm going to do Wrestle Kingdom 18.
14:54And to your point, Chris you've made throughout this tournament, if Naito doesn't get it done this year,
15:00there's not going to be another year.
15:03They just, I mean, Naito now all very much more of his career behind than in front.
15:12But his experience and the little tricks of throwing that knee.
15:19That was, yeah, I think Ospreay was expecting to absorb a hip toss.
15:24And that knee caught him by surprise.
15:27Right in the trap.
15:30And fired those pins and needles down his right arm.
15:35That is a veteran move.
15:37That is nasty.
15:46Arm drag.
15:47Playing tight with that arm drag.
15:48Here it comes.
15:49Now Naito's going to stop moving.
15:52That bullseye is on that net.
15:54Ospreay doesn't have a great one.
16:04To the corner, sweeps the legs.
16:05And who will look for?
16:06The combination, cabrón.
16:11Footwork is true from Naito.
16:13No starter steps, Chris.
16:15No hitches.
16:16He seems to be moving free and easy.
16:19Yeah, and it's not just the knees, the bad knees, the bad neck, the bad body that has affected Naito over the years.
16:27But bad eyes that have almost at one point threatened retirement for Tetsuya Naito a few years ago.
16:35A dislocated cornea, which meant that he was seeing double for a good portion of his years.
16:43Can you imagine the precision of trying to go for that corner combination when you're seeing two blue corners at any one time?
16:52All right, so now Ospreay shot to the ropes.
16:55Again a second time.
16:57Again.
16:59Oh, and Ospreay's in bad shape.
17:07The early beginnings of every wrestler in training, they learn hip toss, how to give, how to take.
17:19Sure.
17:20And it just becomes muscle memory instinctual.
17:23I've been in that situation as well, you know, in the limited experience I've had where I've wrestled people that have done stuff in Mexico.
17:33Oh, I'll show you the Mexican version of a hip toss, which has the knee in there.
17:36Yeah.
17:37And, you know, I mean, you don't know because in Mexico they're taught to take a roll rather than a bump because the rings are so hard.
17:44Ospreay tensing, setting for that impact, to try and lessen that impact, spread it over a wide area.
17:51You take that hip toss straight down across the knee.
17:55So into the ropes, Tetsuya Naito may conveniently forget how to let go of this hold that is applied.
18:04The members of the United Empire who are cornering Ospreay begin protesting.
18:11They're right to protest, but you should apply the count.
18:15And Naito right to say, well, I'm not being counted.
18:19Or I can't get free, is the traditional excuse.
18:24You're relying on someone who's ungovernable to all of a sudden govern himself.
18:29Oh, we haven't seen this in a tournament.
18:31Oh, yeah.
18:32This used to be the old set up for the Stardust Press.
18:35That's what I'd say.
18:37Too soon, my friend.
18:39Watch this.
18:40Lightning.
18:45Listen.
18:46Flames might be shooting out of his right arm after those knees in the trap, but lightning
18:52strikes just that quickly with the boot of Ospreay.
19:00It was, the crowd was a difference maker for Ospreay over Okada in Ota.
19:08And Funibashi as well over David Finlay.
19:13Now Naito down.
19:16And a kick out at two.
19:18So obviously that the crowd vacillating back and forth.
19:23Ospreay supporters, Naito supporters, everybody loving it.
19:27That's what this tournament is all about.
19:29That's what professional wrestling is all about.
19:31Naito!
19:36That's why the semifinals this year have drawn the same, if not slightly out drawn,
19:41the finals of last year.
19:44Because we want this energy.
19:46And that energy is gonna fire Ospreay to take a leap of faith to the floor.
19:50Of course.
19:51Of course.
19:52And Tetsuya Naito knows what risk is all about.
19:56Ospreay has been affected in this situation.
20:09Ben's last two matches.
20:14Yep, they know the risk though.
20:17Fans are howling.
20:18I know.
20:19It's been with this, Kev.
20:20He's got it on the right side this time.
20:22Here we go, Ospreay.
20:23Jesus.
20:24Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute, got him hooked and down and a breaker.
20:34A turning point in this match.
20:37And again.
20:38The sound you just heard.
20:42Might have been Ospreay's neck breaking.
21:07A sick thud.
21:15And we'll take another look.
21:28He's talking to the referee, telling Red Shoes not to stop it.
21:35One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.
21:46Well, I think he was telling his corner.
21:50Not telling them.
21:51No, I'm getting spazzes down my arm.
21:53They're telling Jeff Cobb, giving the advice, keep trying to squeeze your arm.
21:57And 19 coming up and he is able to get in.
22:10And immediately, just like Ospreay would, Naito capitalizes.
22:15Here we go.
22:17Now, Gloria.
22:18Perfect, good scene with it.
22:20One, two.
22:22Chris, it's the setup for, historically, something we don't need to see.
22:26But how about this?
22:27Yeah, Puma Blanca, though.
22:28Historically, Gloria was set for the starters, Chris.
22:33Tonight, Naito rolling into that Puma Blanca, which is a hold he started to develop when he won his first G1 in 2013.
22:42Go to your left.
22:46Go to your left.
22:49Go to your left.
22:58Go to your left.
23:05All right, so here's the scenario.
23:10Osprey finds himself with the grip of Fumablanca.
23:13He is struggling to try to get to the ropes.
23:15It is a move that can bring unconsciousness because...
23:21But sometimes the threat of stoppage is almost as scary
23:25as the feeling of impending unconsciousness.
23:29And that's why Osprey sprung into action.
23:31Red Shoes knows how to motivate an athlete to get a rope break.
23:35No, he's fine, he's okay, he's okay.
23:40No problem, no problem.
23:41He's not doing it.
23:42No, you don't.
23:44No, you don't.
23:45No, you don't.
23:45He's okay, he's okay.
23:50And Red Shoes, I think, are going to the corner saying,
23:55well, I need you guys to be there for Osprey.
23:59Because Osprey's not going to say, yeah, I give.
24:02And Red Shoes doesn't want to be the one to stop.
24:05Now, how many times has Naito struggled to find his footing?
24:10If this hits, he'll win.
24:13It doesn't.
24:16Not yet, at least.
24:19Oh, no.
24:20Oh, that hit.
24:22Oh, but something even more dangerous might hit, Kevin.
24:30Not just the franken, but the poison.
24:35Oh, wait!
24:36Saved his own life.
24:38Turn around, feel the blade for Naito.
24:46Doesn't get down, back to the corner.
24:49Aspa, forget it.
24:55Oh, no, oh, no.
25:04Naito dangling.
25:05Naito dangling.
25:07Naito's trying to find an escape.
25:09Dangerously.
25:10He's trying to get off that rope, but he's putting himself in worse.
25:13Oh.
25:14And now, here we go.
25:20The leg of all, the two.
25:25The leg of all, the two.
25:55With destiny, he will have to deny Naito his own.
26:01Going to the final.
26:02No, wait, stopped at his tracks.
26:05Four.
26:09Oscutter, here we go.
26:11No.
26:12Oh, look at this.
26:14Ospreay's up first.
26:19And the leg is hooked isn't enough, it almost is.
26:34We've just got 8 o'clock local.
26:37The train is leaving the station.
26:39Uh-oh.
26:40I don't know whether he's going Stormbreaker or Stormdriver.
26:43Naito just jumped on the leg.
26:47My God, what a DDT.
26:50Another day.
26:56Hey.
26:57Hey, guys.
27:00Listen up.
27:04Just listen.
27:09This is the definition of grade one.
27:30And his semi-final bad reach, it's climax, but for whom?
27:40Boy, that was not the same starchy head on that striker earlier on.
28:00Oh, Naito knows it.
28:02Naito knows it, Chris.
28:05Easy duck, easy ending.
28:08And here we go, easy ring up for the DDT.
28:13And now, oh my, watch out.
28:18Valencia, courage to back to destiny.
28:22And two.
28:34The long and winding road to Wrestle Kingdom 18.
28:38Oh, what are you thinking?
28:39No.
28:40What are you thinking?
28:41No.
28:42Come in.
28:43The pound of the chest.
28:45Go big, one go home.
28:48He's going home.
28:50He didn't play.
28:51He didn't play, but he can't cover.
28:53He can't follow up.
28:54Night-time victory in his grasp.
28:58Just like against a man who was talking home years ago.
29:05Stars in his eyes.
29:08And now stars in what he sees.
29:11But they're in a bag from where else go.
29:14Come on, baby.
29:15You got this.
29:16You got this shit.
29:18There will be no double down.
29:28We must have a winning.
29:30Red Shoes is telling both competitors he's gonna start a count if they don't get moving.
29:36And now they're coming for Naito.
29:46The same people that were screaming for Ospreay.
29:51And now they're coming for Naito.
30:04The same people that were screaming for Ospreay, I'm watching them.
30:07They're now screaming for Naito.
30:08Ready for the most.
30:10Whoever needs it the most.
30:22The fans really are the difference in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
30:40Wait a minute now.
31:05Ospreay starting to exert his will.
31:09Naito staggered back on his heels.
31:14No, but still that wild, the back elbow, now the wrist control.
31:20And a third, mighty swing brings the tree down.
31:30All the damage, at the 25 minute mark all the damage that
31:36Ospreay has absorbed in his neck, not just here tonight,
31:41but for his entire career.
31:47Ospreay is the light that burns thrice as brightly, but for a third as long.
31:57The cannon burn just a little longer to put away to Naito.
32:02And with no time limit, no worries about a draw.
32:13Back up the hook, and a corner, and a chump, and he's keeping coming.
32:22Flies in with that hook kick, and now he's gonna hit him with another one.
32:26Oh, Jesus.
32:27The blind side of that eye.
32:29And again, the side of the head, the eye, and the eye.
32:36Hey, he's gonna kill him.
32:37And he's broken it all with a bone of Sinatra the same way.
32:41He'll keep going unless you actually pulse him off.
32:43And again, Naito having suffered corneal damage.
32:52One, two, three, four, three, four, three, six, seven.
33:06Is he gonna need him to get all the way back up?
33:08Cuz he's not gonna do it.
33:09Nine.
33:10He's not gonna do it.
33:11Oh, Naito pushing red shoes away, almost out and out of the ring.
33:17Oh, man.
33:18Hidden plate, stand down.
33:20And two, he is down.
33:22Oh, no.
33:31Oh, it's killer.
33:35One, two, three, four.
33:39Oh, my God, he's kicked out again.
33:47Stay down, Naito, stay down.
33:50And now it's time for Ospreay to take a leap.
33:56But Faith, an eerily similar move to the Stardust Press.
34:01Hey.
34:02And that is all.
34:03And Will Ospreay is coming home.
34:05It's coming home.
34:06It's coming home.
34:07Stop kidding me.
34:09What?
34:10Are you freaking kidding me?
34:19Star breaker, or perhaps even worse.
34:37Here we go.
34:40The driver is up, or the brake kick.
34:47Either way, it's over.
34:49Here we go, here we go, Naito is out.
34:55You can breathe, take one last breath.
35:10And Naito, he couldn't, he couldn't, he couldn't follow up anymore again.
35:20It's over.
35:22Naito is out on his feet.
35:25Naito is done for.
35:27And it's just a matter of time before Will Ospreay puts him away.
35:32Watch it for Will Ospreay.
35:35Always say it to Naito, you can do it, you can stand up.
35:39I'll put you out of your misery.
35:43It won't be for Matsunga.
35:46Just stay down.
35:47What?
36:09What?
36:13For one more, you can't believe it will last much longer.
36:26Cover, cover, cover.
36:28And he's done it.
36:43Just look at all these people.