NJPW G1 Climax Night 9 results (July 27, 2019)

Hiroshi Tanahashi (4) vs. SANADA (2)

G1 CLIMAX 29 愛知大会！第8試合Aブロック公式戦、@tanahashi1_100 VS @seiyasanada！ 現在2勝2敗の昨年優勝者、棚橋！ここで負けると優勝戦線から遠のいてしまうが…結末やいかに!?登録＆視聴▷https://t.co/bOMLzsJ1KO#njpw #njpwworld #G1Climax #G129 pic.twitter.com/FDoV9fHET1

— njpwworld (@njpwworld) July 27, 2019

SANADA has the coolest entrance mask in NJPW and you can't change my opinion. The crowd was hot for Tanahashi, and when he stripped his coat off, everyone was impressed enough to yell. Still, the audience was chanting for SANADA before the starting bell. Red Shoes Unno refereed.

They traded holds in the middle of the ring but once they separated, they gauged the audience. More cheered 'SANADA' than his name, and so Tanahashi decided to fight harder for their approval. They caught each others' legs and agreed to let go, but SANADA didn't let go.

SANADA failed at his first paradise lock attempt, but his second left Tanahashi open for a sliding knee. Tanahashi kicked out of SANADA's moonsault, but he ate a dragon screw leg whip and a dropkick.

Tanahashi returned SANADA's dragon screw leg whip and added in a dropkick. Outside of the ring, Tanahashi paid for his second wind, and once back inside, they mirrored each other's moves, trading stingers and chops.

He couldn't complete his TKO finisher and Tanahashi was able to take him to the mat with a slingblade. He went to the top rope and once he jumped, SANADA wasn't there. SANADA once more mirrored the attack, showing how well matched these two fighters are.

An inside cradle traded back and forth left SANADA dominant with a long, series of painful holds. The crowd began to turn in Tanahashi's favour as the men wore each other down. Two high splashes left SANADA on the mat for the 3-count.

Results: Hiroshi Tanahashi (6) def. SANADA (2) via pinfall