'%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)
Hiroshi Tanahashi (8) vs. Kota Ibushi (8)
Trending
Ibushi and Tanahashi have headlined the G1 Climax Finale in the past, so this is a high stakes rematch that could go until the 30-minute mark is called. They're both audience darlings and so the crowd's energy drove the match's start. Red Shoes Unno referred.
Tanahashi won their last G1 showdown in 2015, and he intimidated Ibushi in a rest hold that Ibushi reversed in short order. If Ibushi won, it would decisively change the trajectory of his relationship with Tanahashi, so he focused on Tanahashi's leg. Tanahashi returned the favour by focusing on Ibushi's tender ankle mercilessly in seemingly endless holds.
The Ace hit a combo of strikes, but a flying mid-kick from Ibushi meant he had to absorb a combo of kicks from the Golden Star. Tanahashi's pair of dragon screw leg whips looked vicious before he wrapped Ibushi in a beautiful pair of submission holds in the middle of the ring.
Ibushi threw himself into a dedicated and textbook hurricanrana and double stomp in his attempt to fell his rival. Ibushi threw Tanahashi into the ring post via his neck and connected a deadlift German suplex from the second rope.
Tanahashi and Ibushi stared each other down, forehead to forehead, trading slaps until Ibushi ended the exchange with a lariat. Ibushi's Last Ride powerbomb pushed Tanahashi to the 2-count.
Tanahashi reversed the Kamagoye with two Twist and Shout moves, and an Aces High didn't stop Ibushi from rolling away from Tanahashi's second rope splash. Tanahashi barely kicked out of Ibushi's running knee, but another Kamagoye kept his shoulders down for the 3-count.
Ibushi celebrated by bleeding from the mouth and thanking his fans one by one in the audience. He still has a chance to steal the top spot in the Finals from Okada, who hasn't yet lost a match and sits at the top of the A-Block.
Results: Kota Ibushi (10) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi (8) via pinfall
