NJPW G1 Climax Night 3 (July 14, 2019): KENTA makes his mark

Kazuchika Okada (2 pts) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (0 pts)

G1 CLIMAX 29 大田区大会！第7試合Aブロック公式戦、@rainmakerXokada VS @zacksabrejr！ザックの関節技地獄に苦戦するIWGP王者オカダ・カズチカ！日英王者対決を制するのは!?登録＆視聴▷https://t.co/XKHy3UQncl#njpw #njpwworld #G1Climax #G129 pic.twitter.com/NBTU6XZhQj

— njpwworld (@njpwworld) July 14, 2019

Cocky title holder Sabre Jr. looked ready to face the Rainmaker, who approached the ring covered in royal jewel tones and bright gold fringe. His coats are always a fashionable joy, as they stand for frivolous spending and peacock tendencies.

Complex floor grappling showed off the men’s versatility. Sabre Jr. is as talented as he is heelish, so while Okada brought the audience to his side, Sabre Jr. was the star here. He recovered from a strong kick to tangle the Okada up in his long limbs, attempting 2 pinfalls, both pushing Okada to the count of 2.

Sabre Jr.’s calf crusher/banana split combination hold took a good deal of fight out of Okada. Still, Okada’s strikes and superior brutality evened the odds once more. Sabre Jr.’s submission-based defense wasn’t enough to stop Okada from delivering a tombstone.

He rallied to tangle Okada in a black widow, but the hold was broken when Okada found the closest bottom rope. Stiff strikes, dropkicks, and submission-based pin attempts gave Okada the opening he needed to attack Sabre Jr. with his Rainmaker finisher.

Result: Kazuchika Okada (4) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (0)