Hirooki Goto (4-4) vs. Juice Robinson (3-5) (G1 Climax 30 B-Block Match)
The next B-Block contest was Hirooki Goto facing Juice Robinson. Both men were eliminated from winning the block in the G1 Climax 30. They had split their four meetings overall, so this was a rubber match.
The two men came out hot to start the G1 Climax 30 match charging each other and trading strikes. Things went back and forth until Juice attacked the injured right shoulder of Goto. Juice worked over the arm on the outside and inside the ring. Goto cut off Juice's attack with a back suplex.
Goto followed up with a spinning heel kick in the corner and running bulldog for a two count. Juice broke out of Ushigoroshi attacking the arm. Juice then hit a cannonball and rallied the Ryogoku crowd for this G1 Climax 30 contest. Juice hit a superplex and tried following with a jackhammer, but Goto reversed into a neckbreaker onto his knee. The two men met with a collision of lariats in the center of the ring. Goto then caught Juice with Ushigoroshi.
Fans got to see a series of reversals, which led to Juice catching the mid kick into the Right Hand Of God. Goto reversed Pulp Friction into a sleeper hold. Goto transitioned into a pinning combo for a near fall. After more reversals, Juice finally landed the Left Hand of God twice. He then followed with Pulp Friction for the win in twelve minutes. Juice Robinson got his fourth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30.
That was a solid G1 Climax 30 encounter. Both men worked hard and made for a physical match. Juice has grown to become one of the best babyfaces in NJPW right now.
Results: Juice Robinson (8) defeats Hirooki Goto (8) via pinfall
Star Rating: ***1/4
***Intermission followed***