Finals set for this year’s NJPW G1 Climax tournament

Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi will determine the 28th G1 Climax champion.

For all the math involved going into each block finals, the results were relatively simple. For the A Block, Jay White lost the match he needed to stay alive, then Tanahashi drew with Kazuchika Okada. Since Tanahashi had two more points than Okada going into the match, he advanced to the finals.

For the B Block. Tetsuya Naito could not get the win needed to spoil the main event, falling to a Zack Driver by Zack Sabre Jr.. Instead, it was Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega who determined the B Block. After a fierce match with tons of crazy spots, a kamigoye sealed the deal for Ibushi, who won the block with the win.

Ibushi and Tanahashi have faced off in three big singles matches in the past. Tanahashi originally beat Ibushi during the 2015 G1 tournament. Ibushi scored a win at last year’s tournament, but failed to take the Intercontinental title off of Tanahashi at last year’s Power Struggle.

We will have live coverage of tonight’s finals starting at 2:00 a.m. EDT.

**********