Jeff Cobb (3-4) vs. Will Ospreay (5-2) (G1 Climax 30 A Block Match)
The A Block opener was Jeff Cobb versus Will Ospreay. Cobb stood at 3-4 following his huge win over Ishii, while Ospreay came in at 5-2 following a win over Taichi on G1 Climax 30 Night 13. This was a rematch from the G1 Supercard in MSG, and Cobb was victorious there.
We got a lightning quick start to this G1 Climax 30 A Block opening contest. Both men evaded offense until they fought on the apron for a powerbomb and Frankensteiner respectively. This ended with Ospreay landing the Sasake Special. Back in the ring, Ospreay landed a corner dropkick for only the one count.
Cobb got the upper hand in this G1 Climax 30 match when he got Ospreay on a springboard into the front suplex. He then landed a backdrop suplex for a two count. Cobb got a bearhug and transitioned into gutwrenches before Ospreay reversed out. The latter then hit a springboard overhead kick. They traded chops with Cobb then looking for a standing moonsault, which he missed. Ospreay then hit a standing shooting star press. He followed with a Pip Pip Cheerio for a two count.
Ospreay missed the Hidden Blade. Cobb then hit a Pop up lariat and followed with the standing moonsault. Ospreay reversed the Tour of the Islands into a Code Red. Ospreay then looked for the Stormbreaker, but Cobb backdropped out. A series of reversals in this G1 Climax 30 encounter ended with Cobb hitting a Superkick.
Ospreay then caught a running Cobb with a standing C4. He quickly followed with a springboard 450 splash for a near fall. Ospreay hit a side Superkick and looked for the Oscutter. However, Cobb caught him and hit a F-5000 for a near fall.
Ospreay reversed the Tour of the Islands and looked for the Oscutter again. Cobb caught him and threw him to the corner where Ospreay then hit a second rope Oscutter for a near fall.
Cobb reversed a Stormbreaker into a pop up German Suplex. Cobb followed with Tour of the Islands for the win in twelve and a half minutes. Jeff Cobb got his fourth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30. That was a great power vs speed encounter filled with fun sequences throughout.
Results: Jeff Cobb (8) defeats Will Ospreay (10) via pinfall
Star Rating: ****1/4