One half of the G1 Final is set

For the fourth straight year, Kota Ibushi will fight for the G1 Climax briefcase, and the Wrestle Kingdom title shot that comes with it.

With his win over KENTA today (Oct. 18), Ibushi won G1 Climax 31’s A Block. In the process, he extends a record he set last year as the only wrestler to ever compete in more than two consecutive finals of New Japan’s most prestigious - and grueling - tournament.

The Golden Star overcame a two losses in his first three matches in this year’s G1, finishing with five straight wins to amass 14 points. He came into Monday’s action tied with three men, including KENTA. His victory, combined with Zack Sabre, Jr.’s loss to Tanga Loa and IWGP World Heavyweight champion Shingo Takagi’s double countout draw with Yujiro Takahashi, earned Ibushi a spot in Thursday (Oct. 21)’s finals.

Ibushi won the match when he blocked a GTS attempt by KENTA, then answered with V Trigger. Two Kamigoye allowed him to pin the Bullet Club veteran.

His opponent will be determined on Wednesday with the final day of B Block action. Jeff Cobb is undefeated in the tournament and leads that group with 16 points. But he’ll face the man right behind in the standings on Oct. 20, and if Kazuchika Okada can defeat Cobb, he’ll have the same point total and advance thanks to a head-to head tiebreaker. The American can advance with a win or draw.