'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Zack Sabre Jr.
The final of G1 Cup culminated with Zack Sabre Jr. facing Hiroshi Tanahashi. This was the third encounter between the two men, both with a win each.
Trending
Sabre had beaten the likes of Sanada, Ibushi, and Naito to reach the finals, so he had a lot of momentum coming into the match.
Sabre started the match, as usual, using his trademark submission holds. But Tanahashi was able to outsmart Sabre, countering most of his offense. Sabre finally gained control by attacking Tanahashi’s injured arm. Sabre’s work over Tanahashi’s arm was fantastic, and Tanahashi sold that exceptionally well.
Tanahashi was then forced to change his game, as he started going after Sabre’s leg. The drama was excellent as both men were injured in a particular area. The crowd was fully behind Tanahashi, as both men tried to capitalize on their opponent's injured area.
This was an excellent match with great near falls, drama, and a hot crowd. Sabre played the intelligent worker with his submission holds, while Tanahashi played the underdog fighting for survival.
