Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:0022 runs gonna carry the one I must have been just finished my GCSEs Kevin
00:04what is that by sight finishing middle school
00:09I was working in the WWE oh it was the F then we hadn't got the F out okay and then in 2003
00:23they told me to get the F out but that was a different story and I bring that up only because
00:28that's the last time that there was a semi-final round well that was the last time we had four
00:34blocks game in I mean in a the two block format we have had semi-finals in the past going back to
00:402009 true four blocks is what I meant to say but the winner of the B block yesterday was Tama Taga
00:49exercising the demon that is switchblade Jay White but the goal for Tama all tournament
00:58long is to get to this point one match at a time one goal at a time and the post-match comments
01:08yesterday for Tama Taga emotional motivational and it's time to fly
01:16very well chosen and very well spoken words with Tama Taga thank you for pushing me from the ledge to
01:30prove that I can fly but he can use that ability to ascend to greater heights or will the wings of
01:38Icarus melt in Kazutika Okada's glory here in just a little while
01:45it's Tama Taga's first time out of the block in his G1 career has been out of the block three times
02:11he's won the G1 each of those times
02:14he's never lost he's never lost in a single elimination she won climax match great and of
02:25course those stop being semi-final situations but still the point remains but with the lights
02:31on bright and the stage the biggest it can be Kazutika Okada is the man
02:38it's a shortlist
02:55Katsuki Okada looking to add his name to the mix
03:07off to Tama but he's got work to do here tonight
03:14Kazutika Okada's numbers edge stunning
03:19well both been tied five and one records and ten points in their individual blocks
03:24so far in singles matches this year
03:28Kazutika Okada is 14-3
03:32in the last year 365 days 25 and five one of those to Tama Taga head-to-head Tom has only beaten Okada once and that was last year in the G1 as Hiromu Takahashi looking splendid has joined the Japanese announced team at ringside and Okada's G1 record all time
03:39seventy twenty-five and four the best winning percentage all time
03:46for the three time and could be four time
03:53G1 Climax champion looking to go back to back
04:00here we go semi-final number one is underway
04:07crowd applaud him for the start this match and then an extra little surge of electricity when they touched hands there
04:15unlike block matches here in the semifinals in the finals no time limit no time limit indeed and obviously damage accumulated through the tour so we've got a big range in the times where we have been
04:22in the finals where we have been running
04:24G1 Climax champion looking to go back to back
04:26here we go semi-final number one is underway
04:27crowd applaud him for the start this match and then an extra little surge of electricity when they touched hands there
04:31unlike block matches here in the semi-finals in the finals no time limit
04:35no time limit no time limit indeed and obviously damage accumulated through the tour so we've got a big range in the times where we have had semi-finals big range in terms of time here shortest semi-final six minutes 23 seconds Kazuki Fujita beat Toshiyaki
04:54in 2005 going all the way up to 22 38 the longest semi-final in 2002 Takiyama over Osama Nishimura
05:08Osama Nishimura went 22 minutes with Takiyama yeah my god what a war that must have been
05:14battle for those two guys
05:18all right so now after the first collision
05:22both competitors could settle in obviously this is uncharted territory for Tama Tonga
05:29and Kazuki Okada might see this semi-final round as a bit of an inconvenience
05:35it's interesting to think about that Tama's thrilled to be here and Okada's like I've got to get through one more match
05:41just to get to where I need to be which is the finals
05:44yeah perhaps but I think Kazuki Okada also feels that okay it's another oh boy
05:51it's another building where I can turn up the heat for the people get more of that energy for the crowd
05:57and I don't think Okada resents having to face anybody in any match in any situation
06:04so Okada yesterday took a great deal of punishment to his neck
06:09and I was wondering if he was going to come out taped up like we saw with Shingo earlier on such is not the case
06:15but obviously I'm sure Jato setting the game plan for Tama here in this semi-final match
06:22making him well aware so we can look for Tama to perhaps target the neck of Okada
06:28picture-perfect set up for the gun stun
06:35Mariasami the official for semi-final number one
06:43Congratulations
06:45Congratulations
06:50There isn't really much data to suggest that the longer you go here the more it might be
06:58disadvantageous for you tomorrow
07:00you tomorrow. That's a fact when we have had semifinals 10 times over the course of G1
07:06history apart from when it was single elimination. Six of those times it was the longer semifinal
07:13winner that won the G1. After the neckbreaker on Tama, the leg hooked. The kick out at two.
07:26Okada, it's almost as if he's drawn off the strength of all of his opponents. He's overcome all the monsters in the A Block, even what could have been a friendly with a faction mate, Yano had to go back and dial up his violent past to bring the mother of all Yano's into the fight with Okada. But he came out better for it, Okada did. The one blemish to Jonah.
07:56Come here. No, no, no, no, no, no.
08:02That's like what can cut a diamond or what can sharpen a diamond is another diamond. The more you're pushed and the more Okada is pushed, the better and better he gets. That's what it's been like for the last decade.
08:20Oh, and boy that DDT continues to pay dividends for Okada, that DDT on the floor devastating.
08:27Yeah, and that could really set the pace in this match, Jardel a little bit concerned,
08:35of course knows Kazuki Okada inside and out when they were both in chaos.
08:41Now you'd hate to see it end like this, but it might. Tama is at rings edge and looks like he- No!
09:05Oh no, it could be- You've got to get in there. Oh man.
09:13It's a lot closer than I think Tama would have wanted and Okada would have liked,
09:20sort of almost shooting a disapproving look. Yeah, the same neutral corner he retreated to
09:25after Ibushi dislocated his shoulder in last year's final. And certainly Kazuki Okada does not want
09:31this match to end in similar style. I think, look, I mean, his man.
09:38It's a very easy right but when somebody comes this match Wred Wenn нее not allowed
09:41those guys like kung an-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
09:56Damnit!
09:58Wow. Oh with fury comes firing out! Tama puts Okada down.
10:03And I think Tama puts Okada down, thanks in small part to that anger from Okada himself.
10:14And I think we saw it with El Desperado right here in this building.
10:19Okada really doesn't like being in a position where he has an underdog in front of him
10:24because he wants to face the very best.
10:28So that's why he gets up in the face of his opponents.
10:33Yeah!
10:35That's it!
10:39Tama started his G1 this year with a victory over Chase Owens.
10:42Then his one and only to defeat was Totomo Hiroishi.
10:45The pivotal stretch, back-to-back Knights, Knights 14 and 15,
10:50wins over Taichi and the Great Okan.
10:55Back suplex, stays tight with the cradle, it gets a near fall.
10:59No, no, no, no.
11:03Tama was just so consistent.
11:06Had the consistency, I think, that he was perhaps missing in last year's tournament.
11:11Where he just had that really big highlight spotlight win.
11:15As I said, you know, last year he proved that he can beat anyone on any night.
11:21And this G1 has proven that he can beat almost everyone on any night.
11:27Including the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Switchblade Jay White one night ago.
11:35Underneath the clothesline goes Okada and the elbow knocked down.
11:40That insane acceleration we talked about, still one of the fastest over the 50-yard dash in Nogue Dojo history.
11:48Would have been a track athlete in high school if he'd have gone to high school.
11:53But instead flew himself to Mexico to start his wrestling career.
11:57He's just a teenager.
12:02And Okada hits another DDT.
12:04This one in the ring.
12:05And now the cover and a kick out of two.
12:07Okada's journey through the monster-filled A block started with a win over Jeff Cobb.
12:12Then we talked about the violent side of Toriano coming out for win number two.
12:17Bad Luck Fale was next.
12:19And then Jonah.
12:20And you wondered how would Okada respond after his one and only defeat.
12:25He got the win over Filthy Tom Lawler.
12:28Finished in incredible style last night.
12:33Earning a very hard fought victory over Lance Archer.
12:37Who beat Okada from one end of the gym to the other.
12:40And did everything but pin him for the 1-2-3.
12:43Yeah there's no doubt that Okada took his lumps on the way to this semi-final.
12:49Just by Jonah as you mentioned but Tom Lawler so so close to pulling off a submission.
12:56Way in Tongan Twist.
12:58Bringing your white right into the ring with the Tongan Twist there.
13:04First of two semi-finals.
13:07To come our main event.
13:09Will Ospreay versus Tetsuya Naito.
13:13Winners face in the finals.
13:15G1 Climax 32.
13:16Tomorrow.
13:17Watch out.
13:18Tama caught it in the midsection.
13:19Ribs first.
13:20And now.
13:21Oh!
13:22Target twist on the floor.
13:24I wonder was Okada thinking landslide Chris.
13:26He was thinking landslide or perhaps a tombstone on the floor.
13:30That is used from time to time.
13:31Tama saving his skin right there with that Tongan Twist and also dealing some heavy damage to Okada.
13:37Thanks to Chris Sampson.
13:38Thanks to Chris Sampson and the Chris Sampson on Twitter.
13:44SportaproWrestling.com tonight Okada's 100th career G1 Climax match.
13:45One of only seven.
13:46One of only seven.
13:47One of only seven.
13:48One of only seven.
13:50Tanahashi, Nagata, Yano, Tenzan, Goto, Makabe.
13:53And Naito.
13:54Thanks to Chris Sampson and the Chris Sampson on Twitter.
14:01Sportaprowrestling.com, tonight it's Okada's 100th career G1 Climax match.
14:08One of only seven.
14:11Tanahashi, Nagata, Yano, Tenzan, Goto, Makabe, and Naito.
14:24And for Tama, who a few years ago gave up an opportunity to beat the G1 because he wanted to focus on becoming the best tag team in the world.
14:32With his brother Tangaloa, Gorillas of Destiny certainly did that seven times. All we go.
14:37Oh, Pleno. Okada was trying to work three.
14:41Couldn't do it. Two.
14:44I think Tama didn't quite get all of it, but he got enough for two.
14:49He didn't have to because, again, the damage that Archer did to Okada's neck last night.
14:54That match started with a choke slam.
14:57And it got worse from there.
15:03Here we go.
15:04Up on the shoulder was looking for SRC instead.
15:06Spinning Raker.
15:07Mean Raker out the way.
15:10Second time a basket.
15:12And gets the SRC.
15:14And it'll look to fly.
15:16The Supreme flow as Jada gives his approval.
15:20You don't want to spend too much time even against the damage to Kada.
15:25And Tama, Tonga to the top.
15:30Here we go.
15:31Supreme flow.
15:32Oh, what a landing for Tama on top.
15:36No, no, no.
15:37Okay.
15:39Tama.
15:40Tama.
15:41Tama.
15:42Tama, Tonga in the fan votes for the predictions of our semifinals was definitely the underdog.
15:52Okada was the clear favorite.
15:54Tama has long said to hell with your narrative so I'll create my own.
16:03And we are about to see a huge upset in this tournament.
16:11Here we go, Gunstun!
16:13No!
16:15Snaps the neck, and now Okada will clamp on the money clip.
16:20And he's got it tight.
16:23Look at the right arm underneath the jawline of Tama.
16:28That means that forearm is across the carotid artery,
16:31cutting off the blood flow to the brain of Tama Tonga.
16:37And the setup for that was the Gunstun.
16:39We saw how dogged and determined Tama had to be to get that Gunstun off on Jay White.
16:45Last night, it is very, very rare for Tama to be able to hit that move on the first try.
16:51But he knows that if he does get it, it's over for 100% sure.
16:59So it's high risk, high return.
17:06And Okada, who has labored with the body slam through so many of these monster matches in the A Block.
17:13And now will soar from the top rope the elbow!
17:17Tama!
17:18Tama!
17:20Tama!
17:22Tama!
17:24Tama!
17:26Tama!
17:28Tama!
17:29Tama!
17:30Tama!
17:31Tama!
17:32Tama!
17:34Tama!
17:35Trap the arm. Here we go. Spin him out. No, Tama.
17:40Right back.
17:48Dropkick.
17:51How many times have we seen Okada do exactly the same thing to his opponent?
17:56Trying to close distance.
17:59Tama, expert with that dropkick.
18:05And look, Bloody Sunday worked like a charm to Jay White.
18:11Oh, the dropkick. Okada extending the legs and putting Tama down.
18:20And now, Tama Tonga. Here we go. Raymaker. No.
18:25Oh, he got it. Down. Across the neck.
18:29Bloody Sunday. Leg is hooked. Great by two. Almost had it.
18:33Okada has felt that shot from the innovator, Prince Devon.
18:39Come on, come on. Come on, Okada.
18:42Tama almost as effective with it right there.
18:45And now he's closing in.
18:49This is what did it in the G1 last year.
18:54Okada has the answer this year.
18:59He's got the onset and he's got the wrist.
19:02Oh, he does.
19:04And at the 15 minute mark, an all too familiar position for opponents of Kazuchika Okada.
19:15It's time to meet your Rainmaker.
19:21Tama Tonga! Tama Tonga!
19:25Tama Tonga! Tama Tonga!
19:30Tama Tonga!
19:33Does Tama Tonga have an answer?
19:35Here we go. Rainmaker tucked him in.
19:37Yes he does, but not for long.
19:39That might have been his last ditch effort.
19:42Wait a minute.
19:43But maybe not.
19:45Uh-oh, landslide.
19:49Now it's over.
19:52This.
19:53Here we go.
19:55Oh, but he got stuck.
19:56Got stuck.
19:57But he can't make the cover.
19:58sticking.
20:05To cover, cover, cover, cover, cover, cover!
20:08We're on the verge of a monumental upset in the first semifinal of the G1 Climax 32.
20:14Tama, cover, 2, and E!
20:17Oh!
20:19Tama, no, no, no, no, no, no.
20:21No, no, no, no.
20:24Tama, no, no, no.
20:26How many dozens of scores of times have we seen that landslide be the direct precursor to the Rainmaker?
20:41And I'm sure Atama knew it.
20:44Had just enough to hit the gun stand, couldn't make the cover.
20:50But now he's in the plus position.
20:56The DSD.
21:07And Okada almost wrong footing Atama anything he can to try to prevent the lift.
21:14Not in a position to fight back, but just in a position to forestall.
21:26He's going to try it again, but Okada sits down perfectly, too. Almost got it.
21:37This match started with Okada trying to bring the fire out of Tama Tonga.
21:43This match started with Okada trying to bring the fire out of Tama Tonga.
21:48And now it might be burning away the rain.
21:52Hangs on, the drop kick comes up empty.
21:54Oh, here we go, Kevin.
21:58No.
22:00No.
22:02Okada hanging desperately on to the wrist at his G-work climax.
22:07Here we go, Tama.
22:09God's done again. Okada hangs on.
22:12Refused to go.
22:13Bunny clip.
22:14This time Tama in the center of the ring, but he's got an answer.
22:29An inside cradle.
22:30An inside cradle.
22:31Oh.
22:32Got blasted right back with the Pele.
22:39Tama's feeling it.
22:41Okada is rocked.
22:43Bunny gets free on it.
22:46Tama can smell victory in the semifinals.
22:50He believes he can fly.
22:52No.
22:55Oh, the injury.
22:56Lindsay.
23:00And the Cobra.
23:01Flosian.
23:07And now...
23:09Rainmaker!
23:15It's over.
23:17Because Chica O'Connor advances to the finals of Chica climax.
23:2132.
23:26Okada!
23:28Okada!
23:30For new fans who might just be jumping in, Chris here with the G1.
23:33It's the first time we've seen Okada have to use that winning formula here with this year so special.
23:40Talk about its origin.
23:42The 50th anniversary year of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Kazuchika Okada carrying that standard and using the Enzigiri,
23:49which is a callback, of course, to the signature finishing move of Antonio Inokia founder.
23:56That Cobra twist almost into an Emerald Flosian.
24:01Much alike the key figures for both Strong Style and King's Road.
24:07And I don't think there is any more effective or as dangerous a 1-2-3 combination as that Enzigiri, the Cobra Flosian, the Rainmaker, in all of professional wrestling.
24:23So, Kazuchika Okada keeps his perfect record alive in terms of elimination matches in the G1 Climax.
24:37He goes back to a final once again, his fourth final tomorrow.
24:48And the defending champion got one hell of a fight from Tama Tonga.
24:55He's just learning to walk with new legs post-Bullet Club.
24:58He's just learning to walk with new legs post-Bullet Club.
25:02So, we got half in the final.
25:05We'll see Okada in the main event tomorrow.
25:08And don't think for a second, folks, that Tama Tonga has peaked.
25:19He's just learning to walk with new legs post-Bullet Club.
25:25And yesterday, he learned to fly.
25:28And now that he's taken flight.
25:31Man, oh man.
25:33There's no telling how high he could go.
25:37But today, the Rainmaker was that much better.
25:42And tomorrow, Okada looks to make history.
25:45So, the second semi-final coming up momentarily.
25:54Do you think Okada would have a preference of opponent?