NJPW G1 Climax 33 night eight live results: Sabre vs. Cobb

NJPW’s G1 Climax 33 tournament continues today with C Block & D Block matches in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall.

In the main event, Zack Sabre Jr. faces Jeff Cobb in a battle of unbeatens. Both enter the match with 3-0 records in this year’s tournament.

In the semi-main, the undefeated David Finlay faces Tama Tonga.

The full lineup:

  • D Block: Zack Sabre Jr. (3-0, 6 points) vs. Jeff Cobb (3-0, 6 points)
  • C Block: David Finlay (3-0, 6 points) vs. Tama Tonga (2-1, 4 points)
  • D Block: Tetsuya Naito (2-1, 4 points) vs. Shane Haste (1-2, 2 points)
  • C Block: Eddie Kingston (2-1, 4 points) vs. Tomohiro Ishii (0-3, 0 points)
  • D Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi (1-2, 2 points) vs. Toru Yano (0-3, 0 points)
  • C Block: Shingo Takagi (1-2, 2 points) vs. Mikey Nicholls (1-2, 2 points)
  • D Block: Hirooki Goto (2-1, 4 points) vs. Alex Coughlin (0-3, 0 points)
  • C Block: EVIL (2-1, 4 points) vs. HENARE (1-2, 2 points)

Our live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time.

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Recommended Matches

  • Shingo Takagi vs. Mikey Nicholls – An action-packed match with some color. Wonderful.
  • Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii – This match was nothing short of fantastic—easily amongst the best matches of the tournament and the best individual performances from both men—a must-watch.
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – Another match that is in the running for “best match of the tournament”. This was ridiculous bell-to-bell action packed full of ZSJ nuance and Cobb’s stunning acts of athleticism—a must-watch.

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EVIL defeated HENARE

From the pre-match chair attack to the outside fighting, this was a full-blown HOT match. In the end, a referee distraction left EVIL free to hit a low blow, followed by Everything is Evil for the win.

Evil sits strong in his block with 6 points.

Alex Coughlin defeated Hirooki Goto

This has been a breakout tournament for Coughlin, if I’ve ever seen one. It shouldn’t be a surprise at this point, but Coughlin worked a violent match here. After dominating Goto for the entire runtime, Coughlin dropped Goto with a jackhammer to win his first match in the G1.

With this win, Coughlin avoids mathematical elimination, earning his first 2 points.

Shingo Takagi defeated Mikey Nicholls

With lots of powerful exchanges that built to an explosive finishing stretch, this was a great Shingo outing. Shingo bested a bloody Nicholls with a body press that looked it was supposed to be a pumping bomber; either way, it was awesome.

Takagi sets in the middle of C block with 4 points following this win.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Toru Yano

Even after a challenge from Tanahashi to get serious, this match was anything but. Only after minutes of Yano chicanery Tanahashi closed the match with High Fly Flow.

With this win, Tanahashi moves up to 4 points and eliminates Yano from playoff contention.

Tomohiro Ishii defeated Eddie Kingston

This match was all about Ishii working over Eddie’s injured back in the beginning. Eddie was forced to challenge Ishii with strikes, leading to some electric exchanges. Once the striking ended, the bout exploded into the most impressive back-and-forth in the G1 so far. The war ended once Ishii lifted Kingston for a picture-perfect brain buster.

This win puts Ishii on the board, earning his first 2 points.

Shane Haste defeated Tetsuya Naito

This match was a definite cooler compared to the last, but this was still good. Naito worked the neck during his periods of control, setting up Destino. After kicking out of one, Naito attempted another, but Haste reversed into Bomb Valley Death for an upset victory.

This win leaves Haste with the majority of D block with 4 points.

Tama Tonga defeated David Finlay

In a bit of a dynamic flip, Tama rushed Finlay in the opening moments, which Finlay was able to take advantage of. Finlay took the action to the ring, where the match played out with multiple momentum shifts. After hitting a spear, Finlay hoisted Tama up for a powerbomb, but Tama reversed into a pin, stealing the win.

This win ended Finlay’s undefeated streak and ties Tama with block leaders, sitting at 6 points.

Jeff Cobb defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

My God, this match was incredible. Cobb dominated the early portion of the match; his size played as a constant check to ZSJ throughout the open while remaining agile and grapple-hardy throughout the runtime. ZSJ eventually swung back, utilizing holds to keep himself in the match. In the end, this wasn’t enough, as Cobb connected with throw after throw before finishing the match with Tour of the Islands.

This win leaves Cobb as the only man undefeated in D block with 8 points.

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Standings

A Block

  • SANADA (4-0) – 8 points)
  • Kaito Kiyomiya (2-1-1) – 5 points
  • Gabe Kidd (2-2) 4 points
  • Chase Owens (2-2) – 4 points
  • Shota Umino (1-1-2) – 4 points
  • Yota Tsuji (1-2-1) – 3 points
  • Ren Narita (0-2-2) – 2 points
  • Hikuleo (1-3) – 2 points

B Block

  • Kazuchika Okada (4-0) – 8 points
  • Will Ospreay (3-1) 6 points
  • Taichi (2-2) – 4 points
  • YOSHI-HASHI (2-2) – 4 points
  • KENTA (2-2) 4 points
  • Tanga Loa (1-2) 2 points
  • Great-O-Khan (1-3) 2 points
  • El Phantasmo (0-3) 0 points

C Block

  • David Finlay (3-1) – 6 points
  • EVIL (3-1) – 6 points
  • Tama Tonga (3-1) – 6 points
  • Eddie Kingston (2-2) – 4 points
  • Shingo Takagi (2-2) – 4 points
  • HENARE (1-3) – 2 points
  • Mikey Nicholls (1-3) – 2 points
  • Tomohiro Ishii (1-3) – 2 points

D Block

  • Jeff Cobb (4-0) – 8 points
  • Zack Sabre Jr. (3-1) – 6 points
  • Hirooki Goto (2-2) – 4 points
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi (2-2) – 4 points
  • Tetsuya Naito (2-2) – 4 points
  • Shane Haste (2-2) – 4 points
  • Alex Coughlin (1-3) – 2 points
  • Toru Yano (0-4) – 0 points