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G1 Climax 30 Finals: Kota Ibushi (A Block winner) vs. SANADA (B Block winner)
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SANADA started 0-3 and has won six straight to make it to the G1 Climax 30 Finals. Kota Ibushi went 7-2 and made history with three consecutive Finals appearances. He looked to become the first man since Hiroyoshi Tenzan in 2003 and 2004 to win back to back G1 tournaments. Ibushi came in with a wrapped up left quadricep, following his kicking war against Taichi on Night 17.
We got a tentative start from both men to start the G1 Climax 30 Finals. The two men then traded strikes, picking up the pace a bit. SANADA laid in forearms and went after the left leg of Ibushi. After Ibushi took a break on the floor, SANADA worked over the leg of Ibushi until Kota reversed into a camel clutch. He transitioned into an STF in an ode to Masahiro Chono at ringside.
The two men traded strikes again, with SANADA taking control of this G1 Climax 30 Finals. He focused on the leg again and put Ibushi in the Figure Four until Kota reached the ropes. Ibushi came back with a mid kick and standing moonsault for a two count. Ibushi followed with a frankensteiner, sending SANADA to the outside. Kota then hit a plancha to the floor.
Back in the ring, Ibushi hit a springboard dropkick for the two count. SANADA hit a pair of leap frogs and a dropkick, sending Ibushi to the floor. He followed with a plancha to the outside himself. In the ring, SANADA looked for his Muta-sault, but Ibushi moved. SANADA landed on his feet and hit a frankensteiner. He then did his fake dive to the apron, but Ibushi slid in the ring and kicked SANADA down. Ibushi went for the Golden Lovers moonsault to the outside, but SANADA tried for the low dropkick to stop him. However, Ibushi caught him with a double stomp on the apron. SANADA responded with a Magic Killer using the apron on the floor. Both men are down in this G1 Climax 30 Finals.
After a strike exchange in the ring, SANADA attacked the leg again and then hit a rope-assisted Magic Killer. Ibushi reversed a springboard dropkick into a sit-out powerbomb in another great counter during this G1 Climax 30 Finals. Kota then hit another sit-out powerbomb for two. SANADA hit a low dropkick, but Ibushi responded with a lariat. SANADA reversed another lariat into a Tiger Suplex for a near fall. He then followed with a TKO, but Ibushi held on into the Skull End. SANADA reversed and got on the Skull End. He got the hooks in and looked for the submission.
The ref checked Ibushi and appeared to be out, but SANADA released and looked for the Muta-sault to end this G1 Climax 30 Finals. However, he missed. Ibushi landed a high kick and followed with Bomaye for a near fall. SANADA hit a pop up TKO for a two count. He then followed with a Muta-sault to the back. SANADA looked for another to the front, but Ibushi got his knees up.
SANADA did a moonsault into the Skull End, which led to another series of reversals in this G1 Climax 30 main event. Ibushi then nailed the Bastard Driver for a close near fall. SANADA reversed Kamigoye into a backslide for a two count. He reversed another Kamigoye into a cradle for another near fall.
SANADA got the O'Conner Bridge that he won the B Block with for a very close near fall. Ibushi landed a high kick and followed with a V Trigger. He hit Kamigoye for a very close near fall. Ibushi followed with a second Kamigoye for the win and took the G1 Climax 30.
This was a tremendous finishing sequence to a great closing match here. These two men had amazing chemistry that created a fabulous G1 Climax 30 Finals. That was the longest G1 Finals in history, eclipsing Ibushi vs. Tanahashi from two years ago by 12 seconds at 35:12.
Results: Kota Ibushi defeats SANADA via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/2
