Kazuchika Okada was gunning to become the first reigning IWGP Heavyweight champion to reach the G1 Climax Final since Yuji Nagata in 2007, and the first to win New Japan’s legendary tournament since Kensuke Sasaki in 2000. The Rainmaker headed into the last day of A Block action today (Aug. 10) needing two wins to pull off the feat and call his own shot for the Tokyo Dome next January.
It was not to be. As fate (and Gedo) would have it, the other man who could win A Block and advance to Monday’s Final was Okada’s opponent, Kota Ibushi. And after approximately 25 minutes in front of a hot Tokyo crowd, two Kamigoyes ended the champion’s quest for history:
KAMIGOYE!!!!!!!!!!! @ibushi_kota #g129 #NJPW https://t.co/d63mH2znnl pic.twitter.com/4N4T3Ti5G7
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) August 10, 2019
With a clean win over Okada, Ibushi has set himself for an IWGP Heavyweight title shot whether he wins or loses on Monday. Backstage comments from both men certainly pointed toward a rematch at Wrestle Kingdom 14, if not sooner:
【バックステージコメントも続々アップ！】
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) August 10, 2019
飯伏は「僕は、これからもオカダさんと戦っていきたい。強すぎる」
「おたがいにまだまだ、続きを見せましょう」
オカダは「負けたらクソダセェな……」
☆8.10武道館大会をスマホサイトで詳報中！
⇒https://t.co/nP0EbVNTG7#njpw #g129 pic.twitter.com/ALntLxFCGe
As to who Ibushi will face on Monday, the picture is somewhat murkier. Jay White wins B Block if he can beat Tetsuya Naito on Sunday while Hirooki Goto loses to Shingo Takagi. Naito advances with a win and a Jon Moxley loss to Juice Robinson, while Mox will represent the Block in the Final if he beats Juice, Naito beats Switchblade, and CHAOS’ Fierce Warrior loses. Goto also has a chance at facing Kota if he beats Shingo and White wins.
I think? Correct me if I’m wrong in the comments, Cagesiders.
No matter what happens, we’re in for an exciting couple of days from Nippon Budokan!
Get full results from Saturday here, and check out all of our G1 Climax 29 coverage here.