Posts Tagged ‘Jay White’

Jay White Comments On Turning Against The Guerrillas of Destiny At No Surrender

At Impact Wrestling’s No Surrender PPV over the weekend, Jay White and Chris Bey turned on the Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) and helped The Good Brothers retain the Impact Tag Team Championships. Impact Wrestling recently posted a backstage interview with Jay White, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, and Chris Bey.

“I said that I was going to create the best version of Bullet Club across New Japan Pro Wrestling, AEW, and Impact. I also said that the best tag team in the history of Bullet Club was going to walk away the Impact tag team champions and I was right,” White said during the interview.

“Listen, there ain’t no Bullet Club if the Machine Gun and the Big LG ain’t in it,” Anderson then said. “This right here, like I said since Day 1, since May 3rd of 2013, Bullet Club is 4-life.”

“There was no better place for the Bullet Club to reunite and become one again than here in New Orleans, Louisiana,” Gallows added.

The 4 then gave each other the 2 sweet hand signal, but White said there would be no more throwing the hand signal low as the group had been doing recently.

Following the angle in Impact Wrestling, there was also some tension teased between El Phantasmo and Taiji Ishimori on a recent NJPW card. The two had a bit of a disagreement regarding the tag match they were in. Jado also expressed to the commentary team that he had no idea White was going to do what he did. Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa will be back in Japan next month for the New Japan Cup. Jay White will not be back in Japan for the tournament, however.

Kenny Omega Open To Another Match With “New” Version Of Jay White

Kenny Omega isn’t opposed to mixing it up with Jay White again, although the circumstances would be far different this time.

On night two of NJPW’s The New Beginning in Sapporo event back in 2018, Omega put the IWGP United States Championship on the line against White. Omega suffered an upset loss after he was hit with the Blade Runner and pinned.

Omega vs. White Again?

At the time of Jay White’s victory over Kenny Omega, fans weren’t entirely sold on “Switchblade.” It wasn’t until Jay began to develop his character more that he was truly embraced as a top player in NJPW.

Speaking to Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer, Omega expressed his belief that the immediate expectations for Jay may have been unfair (h/t Wrestle Purists).

“I really feel that he was sort of unfairly compared to me and or others when he was given this incredible responsibility of being a top guy when maybe it was really soon, too soon.”

Omega went on to say that he is quite impressed with how Jay was able to grow into his role and thinks another matchup with “Switchblade” is an exciting thought.

“He was able to transform his look, his character, his wrestling style to really be something unique and something that fits him. So I would love to have that rematch with Jay (White), but the current version of the new Jay.”

White has been appearing on AEW television the past couple of weeks. He’s fresh off a victory over Trent Beretta on the Feb. 18 episode of Rampage.

Omega has been out of action since losing the AEW World Heavyweight Championship to Hangman Page at Full Gear back in Nov. 2021. Kenny told Meltzer that the targeted February return time frame is likely off the table.

Jay White Appears On AEW Dynamite

“Switchblade” Jay White made an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite when during a backstage segment where The Young Bucks and Adam Cole attacked Roppongi Vice members Trent Baretta and Rocky Romero.

White has been mentioning All Elite Wrestling in recent weeks while doing promos. In a night full of surprises, White was just one of them that AEW President Tony Khan was talking about. 

White broke into the pro wrestling business in 2013 and first worked for NJPW in 2015 before going to ROH in 2016 then back to New Japan Pro Wrestling. While working for the Japan-based promotion, he held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Intercontinental Championship, NEVER Openweight Championship, and United States Heavyweight Championship.

Through NJPW’s affiliation with Impact Wrestling, White started working for the promotion last year. His most recent win in Impact came on the January 22nd episode of Impact when he teamed with Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa to defeat Violent By Design (Deaner, Eric Young & Joe Doering). 

White hasn’t worked a match in Japan since NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2021 – Tag 2 on May 4, 2021. Instead, the promotion has been using them for the NJPW Strong brand here in the United States. 

White is slated to wrestle Eric Young at next Saturday’s Impact No Surrender special. 

NJPW Star Jay White Set To Make Impact Wrestling Return

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White will be making his way back to Impact Wrestling.

“Switchblade” made quite a splash on the Impact brand during his most recent stay. He was able to snag Chris Bey for the Bullet Club stable. With that said, there has been some tension between Jay and BC members Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa over the direction of the faction.

Jay will have to wait to settle things on that front but for now, he’ll be reunited with the man he recruited.

Jay White Continues ‘New Era’ In Impact

Impact Wrestling has announced that Jay White is returning to the promotion on Jan. 21. He will also attend the Jan. 22 tapings. Both set of tapings will be held inside the Charles Dodge Center in Pembroke Pines, FL.

Things are rosy between NJPW and Impact once again. The two had been in cahoots before with NJPW sending Young Lions off on excursion to TNA. In return, some TNA stars appeared at NJPW events such as Wrestle Kingdom.

The relationship soured over time as NJPW reportedly didn’t trust how TNA was using its talent. After a regime change on Impact’s part, the two sides are working together again.

Jay White Is Tired Of Being Asked When He’ll Appear In AEW

NJPW star Jay White has had enough of the questions regarding a potential appearance on AEW TV.

There was a lot of hoopla surrounding Jay’s status this year. After failing to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 15, Jay cut a heavily praised promo during a press conference that led some to believe he may be done with NJPW.

Ultimately, it was revealed that Jay’s deal isn’t up and he ended up winning the NEVER Openweight Championship four months later.

Don’t Ask Jay White This Question

Chris Van Vliet got a chance to sit down with Jay White at the NJPW LA Dojo. During the interview, Jay went scorched earth on those who constantly ask him if he’ll be appearing on AEW Dynamite.

“They need to stop asking me about when I’m doing that because again like we just touched on, why would you wanna know in the first place anyway? Secondly, you think I’m really actually gonna tell you?

“And even if I do tell you, do you think I’m telling you the truth? If I tell you that I’m gonna be there this Wednesday, are you gonna believe me?

“If I tell you, ‘No, I’m not gonna be there this Wednesday,’ how do you know I’m telling the truth? That question gets me going as you can tell.”

Just for good measure, Jay was sure to drive the point home.

“Every single time, every interview, every signing, every appearance it’s, ‘When are we gonna see you here? Are you gonna do this?’ I’m not gonna f*cking tell you am I?”

This isn’t the first time Jay has gotten peeved over something AEW-related. During an interview with Fightful Select, Jay said he was none-too-pleased with false rumors claiming that he was in talks with AEW at one point this year.

Please H/T SEScoops with a link if you use any quotes from this article

Jay White Denies Rumors About Being Approached By AEW

Jay White claims the rumor of him being in contact with AEW isn’t true.

White has emerged as a major star for NJPW. In a short period of time, White went from Young Lion to IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion. Jay eventually captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and became an IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

Jay White Slams AEW Rumor

Earlier this year, there were rumors about AEW being interested in signing White. Tony Schiavone poured cold water on the rumor, noting that Jay still had contractual obligations with NJPW. During an interview with Fightful Select, Jay White took a final dagger to the rumor.

“I was never or have never been approached in regards to AEW. Especially when they were starting up. I don’t know where that rumor came from. It’s just like everything else to do with wrestling in regards to wrestling, people just like to push sh*t out there as if it’s true and everyone just eats it up. No, I was never approached in regards to AEW. I don’t know where that came from.

“It just hurts my brain. The only part of that where there was any truth is the very first part of it, talking about the start of this year and about a certain company. Anything after that, none of that is true. It’s completely false. People, I’m sure, they’re probably going to respond and say, ‘Oh, he’s just saying that because he’s not into telling the truth.’ But I’m doing you a favor and telling you the truth here—them approaching me and some contract I was on, both things 100% false.”

White is the current NEVER Openweight Champion. He has taken advantage of cross-promotion as he’s appeared on Impact Wrestling. He’s scheduled to put his title on the line against Tomohiro Ishii at NJPW Battle in the Valley on Nov. 13.

It’s possible that Jay can eventually show up in AEW even if he’s still under contract with NJPW. Since those rumors first surfaced, AEW and NJPW have become chummy when it comes to doing business with one another.

H/T Heel By Nature for the quotes

Kenny Omega reportedly wants to face two major NJPW stars

AEW Champion Kenny Omega reportedly wants to face two major New Japan Pro Wrestling stars in Jay White and Will Ospreay.

This news was reported in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter amid both Ospreay and Omega going back and forth on social media.

Although AEW does not actually have any plans to have the Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay match in the company at this time, both men are eager to get the ball rolling and get the contest confirmed.

“There are no plans at this writing for such a match, but no doubt both guys want it and with Ospreay coming to the U.S. every month going forward, it’s more feasible now than at any time. We do know that Omega would love to have matches with both Ospreay and Jay White, who both brought up AEW at the recent New Japan Resurgence show in Los Angeles. Their top ten were Omega, Reigns, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, Kota Ibushi, Jon Moxley, Ospreay, Finn Balor, Shingo Takagi and Rich Swann”

WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER

It remains to be seen if All Elite decides to bring in Ospreay, as clearly there is a want from the EVP and Champion of the promotion to have the match.

Jay White is also an intriguing proposition, as the leader of Bullet Club has more of a storyline intertwined with The Elite ‘leader.’

White has also been working for IMPACT Wrestling over the past couple of months, so there is potentially scope for him to make the move to All Elite based on the ‘Forbidden Door’ concept bringing AEW, IMPACT and NJPW together in a working relationship.

NJPW Resurgence Quick Results: New Champion Crowned

NJPW Resurgence is in the books.

Earlier tonight (Aug. 14), NJPW Resurgence emanated from The Torch at LA Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The main event saw IWGP United States Champion Lance Archer put his gold up for grabs against Hiroshi Tanahashi. In the co-headliner, Jay White defended the NEVER Openweight gold against David Finlay.

Resurgence also saw a surprise appearance from former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay. He revealed that he has been medically cleared to compete but he will not be participating in the G1 Climax due to issues with NJPW brass.

We also got an appearance from Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. The two confronted Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson after their match against Jon Moxley and Yuji Nagata. After a back-and-forth verbal exchange, the Good Brothers left the ring.

Here are quick results for NJPW Resurgence.

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Lance Archer – For IWGP United States Championship
  • Jay White (c) def. David Finlay
  • Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson def. Jon Moxley & Yuji Nagata
  • Tomohiro Ishii def. Moose
  • Juice Robinson def. Hikuleo
  • Lio Rush, Adrian Quest, Chris Dickinson, Fred Yehi & Yuya Uemura def. Tom Lawlor, JR
  • Kratos, Jorel Nelson, Royce Issacs & Danny Limelight
  • Ren Narita, Clark Connors & TJP def. Rocky Romero, Fred Rosser & Wheeler Yuta
  • Karl Fredericks def. Alex Coughlin

Jay White To Make In-Ring Debut For Impact Wrestling Next Week

NJPW Never Openweight Champion Jay White made his Impact Wrestling debut during the Slammiversary PPV last Sunday. The company has now confirmed the date for his in ring debut as well.

This week’s episode of Impact Wrestling saw the Bullet Club leader offering Impact Wrestling star Chris Bey a spot in the nefarious faction. Though Bey initially declined the offer.

White called out the Elite later in the show claiming that they were not relevant anymore. The segment led to The Good Brothers attacking White and delivering a nasty beatdown.

This was until Chris Bey came out to help the NJPW star. The former X Division champion helped make things even. The duo then sent the team of Gallows and Anderson retreating.

Impact Wrestling announced after this that Jay White will return to the show next week. He will make his in ring debut for the promotion and team up with Bey to take on The Good Brothers in a tag team match.

There is no word yet on who could be Kenny Omega’s next challenger but the recent interactions between him and Jay White are suggesting that we are gonna see a rematch between these two sooner rather than later.

Spoiler On Jay White’s Role In Impact Wrestling

The conclusion of the Impact Wrestling Slammiversary show featured “Switchblade” Jay White confront Kenny Omega. The camera cut away before fans could see if White would give The Elite the 2 Sweet hand signal, however.

Spoilers for the last two days of Impact Wrestling tapings have leaked and we now know what White’s role in the promotion will be over the next month.

Jay White Denies The Good Brothers Re-Entry Into Bullet Club

7/18 tapings:

On the shows taped on the 18th, White cut a promo on facing David Finlay at NJPW Resurgence for the NEVER Openweight title. He also said that he was not letting the Good Brothers back into Bullet Club. This led to Anderson and Gallows coming out to attack White but Chris Bey ended up making the save. The Good Brothers would then pick up a win over White and Bey in tag action later in the tapings.

Chris Bey Added To Bullet Club

7/19 tapings:

While White won’t let the Good Brothers back in Bullet Club, he did add a new member to the faction from the Impact roster. Impact posted a clip recently featuring Chris Bey finding a Bullet Club shirt near his locker.

On the second night of Impact’s tapings, Bey formally joined the group after being offered a spot by White himself. This occurred after Bey defeated Juice Robinson in singles action.

Later in the tapings, Bey and White would face FinJuice in tag-team action. The match ended in a disqualification after White hit Robinson with a chair.

The episodes filmed will take Impact up until mid-August. White will face David Finlay at NJPW Resurgence on August 14th.

Jay White In Impact Wrestling

White’s involvement with Impact Wrestling was addressed recently on Wrestling Observer radio.

“It’s part of the deal for getting the New Japan talent. Jay White and Finlay is the co-main event for the Los Angeles New Japan Show,” said Dave Meltzer. “So, I’m sure that we’ll see this on New Japan World, and perhaps part of the deal to get some of these guys on the show, especially Jay White, is that they get to shoot that angle for their own show.” 

Impact Spoiler: Jay White Adds New Member To Bullet Club

“Switchblade” Jay White arrived in Impact Wrestling at the conclusion of the Slammiversary PPV this weekend. White also took part in the recent Impact television tapings in Nashville. During the tapings, the leader of Bullet Club added a new member to his faction.

Recently Impact Tweeted out a short clip featuring Chris Bey discovering that someone left a Bullet Club shirt by his locker. Live reports from the recent Impact tapings are stating that White formally invited Bey into the group and Bey accepted by throwing up the 2 Sweet hand signal.

Chris Bey Joins Bullet Club

The 25-year-old Bey is a highly-touted up-and-comer. He was trained by the Future Stars of Wrestling promotion in Las Vegas and made his pro-debut in 2017. In 2020, he ranked at #202 in the PWI Top-500. Last year, Impact Wrestling viewers voted Bey the “One to Watch in 2021.” He’s also a former X-Division Champion.

The faction he just joined was formed 4 years before Bey made his pro-debut in 2013. The 4 founding members of the faction are Prince Devitt (Finn Balor), Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, and Karl Anderson. Bey is the first new member of the group in over a year since Dick Togo was added to the faction last summer.

What Happened After Slammiversary Went Off The Air, Backstage Impact News

Last night at Slammiversary, Jay White came out at the end of the night and stood in the ring with Kenny Omega, Don Callis, and the Good Brothers. The show would go off the air before fans could see if White was aligning with the Elite, however.

While it might have felt as though the show cut out early before fans had a chance to see the angle, this was the intention all along.

What happened after the show went off the air was addressed on Wrestling Observer Radio.

“I was told it went off exactly as planned,” said Dave Meltzer regarding the finish of the PPV.

Bryan Alvarez then detailed what happened after the show went off the air.

“FinJuice hit the ring and Jay White laid them out,” said Alvarez. “And apparently I guess we can watch that on TV this coming week.”

Meltzer then detailed how the angle came together.

“It’s part of the deal for getting the New Japan talent. Jay White and Finlay is the co-main event for the Los Angeles New Japan Show. So, I’m sure that we’ll see this on New Japan World, and perhaps part of the deal to get some of these guys on the show, especially Jay White, is that they get to shoot that angle for their own show.”

“It certainly would appear that there is a Kenny Omega and Jay White match coming somewhere in Impact,” Meltzer continued. “Perhaps at Bound for Glory and that’s a really interesting match.”

Thunder Rosa, Jay White, Chelsea Green & Other Surprises From Impact’s Slammiversary PPV

Impact Wrestling’s Slammiversary PPV was once again built around the intrigue of who could show up. Between WWE releases that are free of their 90-day no-compete windows to wrestlers walking through the forbidden door, the show was filled with surprises, teases, and new roster additions. Every surprise from the show is listed below:

Jay White Is In The Impact Zone!

After Kenny Omega defeated Sami Callihan in the main event, he was celebrating in the ring with the Good Brothers and Doc Gallows. Then Bullet Club music hit and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and current NEVER Openweight Champion Jay White entered.

White and Omega’s history in Bullet Club runs deep. White actually turned down an offer to join the faction from Omega himself, instead siding with CHAOS. It would be White who would defeat Omega for the IWGP United States Championship in 2018. Later that year, White would join Bullet Club but only after the Elite was established as being a separate group. Has the Bullet Club civil war started up again?

The camera cut away before fans could see if White put up the 2 Sweet sign for the Elite. Fans will just have to wait until Thursday night to find out.

Thunder Rosa Faces Deonna Purrazzo

Thunder Rosa was the surprise opponent for Deonna Purrazzo at Slammiversary. She put up a solid outing against the Knockouts Champion but Purrazzo came out the victor with the Queen’s Gambit in the end. Today is the 1 year anniversary of Purrazzo first winning the title. She lost it briefly to Su Yung for a period of 3 weeks but then won it back. She’s been Knockouts champion 49 out of the last 52 weeks.

Mickie James Invites Deonna Purrazzo To NWA Empowerrr

After Deonna Purrazzo had defeated the former NWA Women’s World Champion, Thunder Rosa, Mickie James came to the ring. James invited Purrazzo to be part of the NWA Empowerrr PPV next month in St. Louis. Purrazzo was more upset that James stole her moment, however. The Knockouts Champion told Mickie to grab her trash bag and get out of there.

Chelsea Green Is Back!

Chelsea Green was a surprise at the Ring of Honor PPV last weekend, and now has done the same for Impact this weekend. She was Matt Cardona’s surprise partner against Brian Myers and Tenille Dashwood. Green had teased she would not be there due to her arm, but she found a way to use her injury to her advantage as she hit Dashwood with her cast. Green finished off Dashwood with the UnPrettyHer to cap off her return.

No Way Jose Arrives In Impact Wrestling

No Way Jose was released by WWE last year. After Tommy Dreamer referencing the guy on occasion for the last year, he finally actually arrived on the show. Just wrestling under the name “No Way”, he was Fallah Bah’s surprise partner for the 4-way tag title match.

The Drama King Is On His Way

The former Aiden English was teased in a vignette on Slammiversary. “The Drama King” was revealed to be on his way to the promotion. The former Vaudevillian and Rusev Day member didn’t appear on camera and wasn’t on the show, but appears to be coming to the promotion soon.

FinJuice Returns!

Former Impact Tag Team Champions, Juice Robinson and David Finlay, are back in the promotion. In an impromptu unadvertised match, FinJuice defeated Madman Fulton and Shera. The last time they were in Impact, they defeated the Good Brothers for the tag titles. The Good Brothers just won those titles back.

Watch Jay White Confront Kenny Omega At Slammiversary

AEW champion Kenny Omega had a confrontation with the NJPW’s Never Openweight Champion Jay White during tonight’s Slammiversary PPV event.

The Cleaner defended his title against Sami Callihan in a NO DQ main event during tonight’s PPV. Omega managed to pick up the victory in the bout after delivering a one winged angel to Callihan over thumbtacks.

The world champion was celebrating with his partners in Impact tag champs The Good Brothers and Don Callis when the lights went out. The Bullet Club leader Jay White then made his entrance.

As White got in the ring, the other wrestlers offered up the ‘Too Sweet’ hand gesture. The NJPW champion was still considering his next move when the cameras stopped rolling and the show came to a close.

https://twitter.com/SkullsMedia/status/1416593529082548225

People in attendance noted that after the cameras went out, the team of David Finlay and Juice Robinson collectively known as FinJuice came out and tried to attack Jay White.

However, the Bullet Club member managed to hit his finisher on Robinson before heading back. FinJuice had made their surprise return to Impact Wrestling earlier in the night.

There is no word yet on whether White will feud with Omega or join forces with him. We will have to wait and see what the officials have planned for the two.

Multiple NJPW Wrestlers Reportedly Upset With Company

It’s been a difficult last few weeks for New Japan Pro Wrestling. The company has postponed its two planned “Wrestle Grand Slam” events including the May 29th show which was to eminate from the Tokyo Dome. At least 9 wrestlers on its roster has tested positive for COVID-19 following night 2 of Wrestling Dontaku at the start of the month. On top of all that, Will Ospreay has been forced to vacate the IWGP World title due to a neck injury.

According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, several of the promotion’s foreign talent are upset with the company over being kept in the dark regarding the company’s schedule and quarantining rules.

“There is also a lot going on behind-the-scenes with New Japan since the COVID outbreak and unhappiness regarding going through quarantine, particularly among the foreign contingent,” wrote Dave Meltzer.

The report would continue to say that wrestlers who have tested positive for the virus have been quarantining in the Dojo. The only reported names at this point are David Finlay and Jay White.

“There is a lot of unrest among some of the foreign talent because of the situation there, the dates canceled and the feeling they’ve been kept in the dark,” Meltzer continued.

David Finlay Considering Leaving NJPW?

Recently, it was reported that David Finlay is looking at options outside of NJPW. His father Fit was on a podcast recently and spoke to his sons situation.

“I don’t know how New Japan are going to handle this new outbreak or, I don’t know, no one does,” Finlay said (transcriptions via POST Wrestling). “But, he’s a little bit confused at the minute as what to do next, you know? Is he going to stay in Japan, does he want to try here, like WWE or whatever. But him and I are gonna sit down when he does eventually come home and try and figure it out but he just needs a little bit of wisdom put in his head. Not that I have any.”

Jay White Takes Shot At Bullet Club Reunions, Young Bucks Respond

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Jay White returned to NJPW at yesterday’s Road to New Beginning event in Korakuen Hall. The promotion has recently published White’s backstage comments from the event where he takes a shot at recent “Bullet Club reunions” in other promotions.

“In case you forgot, in case there is any question to it, it’s still my era!” White said. “New Japan, across the world of pro-wrestling, it’s still my era. It is the real era!”

“I’m still Bullet Club, I’m real Bullet Club. This is real Bullet Club right here!” White continued. “We’re not a cheap ripoff trying to recreate the past to try and regain some relevance and doing corny reunions just so you can sell sh**ty t-shirts to you all but, of course, you all still buy them because you are you.”

“Let me tell you what real Bullet Club is about. It’s about change, it’s about moving forward, it’s about progression. It’s not about living in the past, it’s not about going backwards. So, what’s next for me? What am I progressing towards? You just saw, you just saw out there. Ishii, that’s who I’m moving towards.”

The official Young Bucks Twitter account responded to White’s comments.

“The original Bullet Club t-shirt design hadn’t been in the Top Sellers List for two years.. until the night we all decided to throw up Too Sweet again. You’re welcome,” the account Tweeted.

Footage of White returning at the February 1st Road to New Beginning event at Korakuen Hall can be seen in the player below. Backstage comments appear later in the same video.

Jay White Returns To NJPW At Road To New Beginning

Despite seemingly having quit the promotion at New Year’s Dash, Jay White is back with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He returned last night/this morning at the Road to New Beginning event in Korakuen Hall. White attacked Tomohiro Ishii after a match featuring his Bullet Club stablemates.

Shortly after White stated he was leaving NJPW, a report from the Super J-Cast stated that there was real concern he was leaving the company. There was also said to be interest from WWE in White.

According to comments made by Dave Meltzer, however, White was never leaving NJPW. He reportedly told AEW in 2018 that he signed a 7-year deal with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Tony Schiavone also poured cold water on the idea of White joining AEW. He expressed skepticism that White really was a free agent recently on an AEW Dynamite post-show.

“I don’t think so,” Schiavone responded to a fan question. “I think he’s pretty much locked into what he’s doing there.”

In storyline, White said after losing to Kota Ibushi at Wrestle Kingdom that New Year’s Dash would be his last show with NJPW.

“I am out here in Japan wasting my life away for what? During a global pandemic. I’m not going to do this anymore. If this is all it’s for, I’m not going to do it. If they wanna make me show up tomorrow…I’ll show up tomorrow if you want me to. But after that…that’s it. I’m done.”

Jay White Update: Tony Schiavone Throws Cold Water On Him Joining AEW

We have an update on Jay White’s status, courtesy of AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone.

Switchblade has been in the news as of late. He recently competed at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15. He challenged Kota Ibushi for the IWGP World & Intercontinental Championships, but came up short. A despondent Jay White announced after the event that he was leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling. He bemoaned, “I will never be appreciated like I should be” before stating that it might be time to take his talents elsewhere. “I am not going to do this anymore.. maybe my time would be better spent some place else.”

It has been rumored that Jay White’s contract with New Japan is expiring soon. If this was the case, he could test the waters by negotiating with other promotions.

During Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite post-show, Tony Schiavone was asked about the possibility of AEW signing Jay White. Schiavone revealed this is unlikely. He thinks Jay White is committed to NJPW longterm.

“I don’t think so,” Schiavone responded to a fan question. “I think he’s pretty much locked into what he’s doing there.”

Dave Meltzer on recently stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that AEW was interested in signing Jay White when the company launched in 2018. White reportedly told AEW executives that he had several years left on his NJPW contract.

For what it’s worth, Jay White’s profile has been pulled from the NJPW Website.

At only 28 years old, Jay White is one of the top pro wrestlers in the world. He would certainly be a top free agent, if he did leave New Japan. For now, it appears he is staying put for the foreseeable future.

Jay White Leaving NJPW A Real Possibility, Interest From WWE (Report)

Jay White could be leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling for real.

According to Super J-Cast, a podcast focusing on NJPW, several sources indicate it is unlikely that Switchblade will sign a new contract with the Japanese promotion. His current deal is rumored to be up later this month. He’s been with New Japan since 2016.

WWE is said to be making a ‘strong play’ to get White onboard. AEW would be another option for the 28-year-old star, White’s association with the Bullet Club.

@WrestleVotes notes that “a few of the boys” have gone out of their way to vouch for Jay White with WWE management.

For what it’s worth, Jay White also “liked” this tweet by NXT Champion Finn Balor earlier this week:

Jay White Hints At Leaving NJPW

“Switchblade” faced Kota Ibushi on Day 2 of Wrestle Kingdom with the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles on the line. However, he could not secure a win in the match.

Overwrought with his loss, White cut a promo during the backstage media scrum, where he said that he felt “physically closest to death” than he has ever been. He complained about never being appreciated for the sacrifices he has made over the years for wrestling at NJPW.

Regretting all the time he has spent away from his family for this, White said, “I am not going to do this anymore. Maybe my time would be better spent someplace else.”

He would at most appear at NJPW’s New Year’s Dash, but after that he is done with the promotion, a distraught White said.

It seems like there was some truth in Jay White’s words after all.

You can watch the video of Jay White’s comments below:

Jay White Says He’s Done With NJPW After New Year’s Dash (Video)

Jay White’s days in New Japan Pro Wrestling could be coming to an end.

“Switchblade” challenged Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom (Day 2). Unfortunately, he came up short. After the event, he was so distraught that he announced his plans to leave the promotion after New Year’s Dash.

During the post-show backstage media scrum, White said, “I feel like I am physically closest to death that I have ever been, and hopefully that I ever will be. You just all saw what I put on the line. I put myself at risk. Not directly for your entertainment. For myself.”

He questioned why nobody came to help him when he was in such bad shape, physically and emotionally.

Jay White bemoaned, “I will never be appreciated like I should be” before talking about everything he’s had to sacrifice in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He’s spent years away from his family and put everything into his career, only to fail on the biggest stage of them all. No matter how much he believed this was his moment, his time, his destiny – he was wrong.

White then yelled, “I am not going to do this anymore” and announced, “maybe my time would be better spent some place else.” New Japan Pro Wrestling can make him show up at New Year’s Dash, but after that, he’s done.

You can watch Jay White’s comments after Wrestle Kingdom 15 in the player embedded below:

Kota Ibushi Retains IWGP Titles at Wrestle Kingdom 15

New Japan Pro Wrestling hosted Night 2 of their Wrestle Kingdom 15 event earlier today. The two day event would be headlined both nights by the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Double Championship matches.

Night 1 would see Tetsuya Naito defend his Championships against Kota Ibushi. The ‘Golden Star’ had earned the opportunity to challenge for the titles initially by winning the 2020 G1 Climax tournament.

Ibushi would subsequently lose the title match opportunity to Jay White at Power Struggle 2020, where White put his feet on the ropes to get the pinfall. As is traditional in New Japan; winners of the G1 Climax have to rematch against the performers they lost to in the tournament itself; with the winner taking the title opportunity briefcase, as Jay White did at Power Struggle.

Despite this setback, Tetsuya Naito stated that he wanted to headline both nights of Wrestle Kingdom 15. Naito he challenged Kota Ibushi to a match on Night 1 for the Championships. As mentioned, Ibushi won the match to go on and face Jay White on Night 2. This will be his first defence of the IWGP titles.

Kota Ibushi would defeat Jay White after nearly 50 minutes of action. Ibushi hit the Kamigoye to take the pinfall victory and retain the belts he won the night before.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 15 Results (Day 2)

Today is the second day of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s largest event of the year, Wrestle Kingdom.

This event will be streamed live on NJPW’s streaming service, NJPW World, and on Fite TV. English and Japanese commentary are available on both platforms. This event will have a reduced attendance capacity to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

NJPW World VOD (English Commentary)
NJPW World VOD (Japanese Commentary)
Fite TV

Start Times: January 5, 12AM Pacific, 3AM Eastern, 8AM UK, 5PM Japan, 7PM East Australia

Results

Four Way Match for the Provisional KOPW 2021 Championship: Toru Yano def. Chase Owens, BUSHI, Bad Luck Fale (7:34)
Both BUSHI and Toru Yano were refusing to enter the ring, at first, but were forced to break up the pin when Chase Owens laid down for Bad Luck Fale to let him win. Owens and Fale worked together to abuse Yano, while BUSHI mostly tried to avoid getting involved. Yano tried to body slam Fale, who fell on top of him and nearly pinned him then and there. Fale and Chase double teamed BUSHI and put him down with the Grenade Launcher, but kept breaking up each other’s pin attempt. They argued with each other and the referee until Yano slid in, low blowed them both, and pinned the still down BUSHI. Toru Yano is the provisional KOPW 2021 Champion, but will only be crowned as such if he retains the trophy until the end of the year.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match: Suzuki-gun (El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) def. Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato
The tornillo that Master Wato pulled off on El Desperado might have been the most impressive he has looked since his return. He and Taguchi took advantage early until Suzuki-gun focused their team efforts on Taguchi, working his legs and cutting off the ring, and attacking Master Wato whenever Taguchi got even close to tagging him in. A hip attack from Taguchi gave him the room needed to rally, but Desperado and Kanemaru’s generous amount of tag team offense had him playing defense soon again. Taguchi tried for the Dodon, but El Desperado rolled through it for a near pinfall. El Desperado decisively finished off Taguchi with the Loco Mono straight punch, followed by Pinche Loco. Suzuki-gun retain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Shingo Takagi (c) def. Jeff Cobb (21:11)
Shingo Takagi found himself in the rare position of being the smaller, weaker man in a singles match, as Jeff Cobb ate his strikes and returned heavier ones, and tossed the former junior heavyweight like a ragdoll. Takagi was forced to get creative, pushing Cobb into the ropes and using the bounce to finally take him off his feet with a backdrop driver. Cobb tried to retaliate with a crucifix powerbomb from the apron to the floor, but Shingo avoided it, knocked Cobb off the apron, and came hurtling through the air. You don’t often see a tope con hilo from Shingo Takagi. Shingo tried to follow up with the Noshigami, but Cobb was too heavy, and he picked Shingo up from behind to land a black tiger bomb. Feeling desperate, Shingo immediately fought back with a Death Valley driver, followed by a superplex. He gave a Pumping Bomber with such speed that, despite impacting Jeff, he couldn’t stop and fell out of the ring. He came back in and immediately looked to the leg, taking Cobb off his feet again with a dragonscrew leg whip, and then hoisting him in the air for Made in Japan, which earned a near fall. Shingo came running for another Pumping Bomber, but Cobb pushed him into the ropes, then caught him on the rebound to deliver Tour of the Islands. He was too hurt to go for the pin right away, and when he did, Takagi’s foot found the bottom rope, breaking the pin. He tried to take Shingo for another Tour of the Islands, but was blasted with one more Pumping Bomber! With the Last of the Dragon, Shingo Takagi retains the NEVER Openweight Championship.

SANADA def. EVIL (23:40)
SANADA attacked EVIL with an uncharacteristic ferocity at Power Struggle, but on this day, in the Tokyo Dome, EVIL was ready with weapons. He tossed SANADA into the barricade, causing the timekeeper’s table (and the timekeeper) to be knocked over. He set up a table outside the ring and attempted to STO SANADA through it, but it didn’t take. Nevertheless, EVIL maintained control, partly thanks to aid from Dick Togo on the outside. He lifted SANADA to the top, then brought him crashing down with a superplex. EVIL applied a scorpion deathlock, but SANADA achieved a rope break. Despite this, he was too hurt to make a comeback, and EVIL landed Darkness Falls, but SANADA weakly kicked out. As soon as SANADA rose to his feet, EVIL barreled towards him, looking for a lariat, but SANADA pushed EVIL into the exposed turnbuckle that he himself was the cause of. Seeing his advantage slip away, EVIL pushed SANADA into the referee, allowing Dick Togo to make his presence known. The two performed the Magic Killer, and Dick Togo rose to the top turnbuckle for a senton, but SANADA kicked EVIL into the ropes, causing Togo to lose his balance and fall. From there, SANADA mounted his first major comeback, trapping EVIL in the Skull End. He went for a top rope moonsault, and then another, but EVIL lifted his knees on the latter. As EVIL distracted the referee, Dick Togo tried to come in and choke SANADA out, but SANADA freed himself and pushed EVIL into Togo, causing Togo to comically crash through the table that EVIL placed. With Togo out, SANADA hit EVIL with EVIL’s own finish hold, and then landed a top rope moonsault for the pinfall victory. No bloodshed, but victory nonetheless.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match: Hiromu Takahashi def. Taiji Ishimori (c) (25:31)
At this point, Hiromu and Ishimori know what it’s like to fight each other very well, and often had a hard time making their moves work without being countered. Ishimori’s early strategy was to work over Hiromu’s arms, smart considering many of Hiromu’s best moves start with a fireman’s carry hold. His early attempt at the Yes Lock, with which he tapped Hiromu out at Summer Struggle, was thwarted by a rope break. Before Ishimori’s arm work could pay off, Hiromu was on the offensive, delivering multiple death valley bombs into the corner. Having already wrestled against El Phantasmo last night, Hiromu wasn’t as fresh as Ishimori, and he tried to finish the match early with the Time Bomb. Ishimori would slip out of it and land a Canadian Destroyer to stop Hiromu in his tracks. He kept Hiromu on his knees with the hardest elbow strikes that his compact but overdeveloped body could produce. With a La Mistica into the Yes Lock, Ishimori had Hiromu working for every centimeter as he wriggled to the ropes for one more rope break. Hiromu’s Victory Royale granted him a moment of respite, and he then bowled Ishimori over with a lariat, then drove him into the corner that still had no turnbuckle pad from the previous match. The Time Bomb connected, but Ishimori was not out yet! He tried once more for the Yes Lock, but Hiromu lifted him onto his shoulders and finally pinned Ishimori with the Time Bomb II. “Mr. Belt” is back in the possession of Hiromu Takahashi.

IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match: Kota Ibushi (c) def. Jay White (48:05)
It feels like Jay White has been a thorn in Kota Ibushi’s side for years. True, Ibushi defeated him to win his first ever G1 Climax, but he also lost to Jay, and became the first person to ever lose the G1 briefcase. The first ten minutes were almost all Jay, as he grinded Ibushi into the mat with strikes and holds. White cleverly cut off all of Ibushi’s comebacks, sweeping Ibushi’s legs out from under him when he tried for any sort of aerial offense. Gedo called for the Kiwi Crusher, and Jay tried to oblige, but Ibushi fought him off and rallied with a half nelson suplex, followed by the hitodenashi driver. His bicycle knee missed, and Jay was finally able to connect with the Kiwi Crusher for a near fall. He tried for his first Blade Runner, but Ibushi wasn’t having it. Jay tried to roll Ibushi into a pin with his legs elevated on the ropes, but the referee noticed it and refused to count the three. Angered, Ibushi ate Jay White’s elbow strikes and blasted him with kicks, forcing him into the fetal position. He growled for Jay to hit him harder, and would return every strike twice as hard. Ibushi shoved the referee away when they told him to let Ibushi up, but Jay White pounced with a low blow. He took control with repeated German suplexes, and brought Ibushi to the apron. Ibushi rocked him with a high kick and delivered his patented rope-assisted inside to outside German suplex. His first Kamigoye missed, and this gave Jay an opening for him to dump Ibushi on his head with suplexes. He tried again for the Blade Runner, but again Ibushi avoided it, and landed a Kamigoye flush, but Jay kicked out! With no hesitation, Ibushi ascended to the top turnbuckle and delivered a beautiful phoenix splash, but Gedo pulled the referee out of the ring. He tried to hit Ibushi with brass knuckles, but Ibushi caught him and obliterated him with a Kamigoye. Ibushi brought the referee back in, but Jay sprung with a Blade Runner, keeping Ibushi down until just shy of 3. Jay locked in the TTO leglock, but Ibushi crawled with all his might and made it to the ropes. Jay hit a cross-arm Bloody Sunday and tried again for the Blade Runner, and got blasted with a bicycle knee. Jay desperately tried again for the Blade Runner, but Ibushi leveled him with a lariat! He delivered a Kamigoye to the back of Jay’s head, then spun him around for another, and it was all over. Kota Ibushi is still your IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

SANADA appeared and civilly challenged Kota Ibushi. KENTA could learn a thing or two from him.

NJPW Power Struggle Card Announced For Nov. 7th

Following the ending of the G1 Climax 30 tournament yesterday, NJPW is moving forward with the Power Struggle tour. The live-streamed events for this tour on NJPW World will October 23, November 1, November 2, and the major event to end the tour on November 7th.

It was also announced that the Wrestle Kingdom 15 contract will allow its holder to challenge for both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at Wrestle Kingdom.

NJPW Power Struggle 2020 Card

New Japan has announced the full card for the upcoming Power Struggle event on November 7th. Six singles matches are signed:

  • King of Pro-Wrestling 2020 Championship: Toru Yano (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Shingo Takagi
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Great O-Khan
  • IWGP US Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Match: KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Wrestle Kingdom 15 Contract Match: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Jay White
  • IWGP Heavyweight & IWGP Intercontinental Championships Match: Tetsuya Naito vs. EVIL

Results: NJPW G1 Climax 30 Day 11

New Japan Pro-Wrestling thirtieth annual G1 Climax tournament has arrived!

Watch on NJPW World with a paid subscription. Only live Japanese commentary available. English commentary will be uploaded within several days. This event will have reduced attendance capacity to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

Start Times:

  • Pacific: 10/7 2:30AM
  • Eastern: 10/7 5:30AM
  • UK: 10/7 10:30AM
  • Japan: 10/7 6:30PM
  • East Australia: 10/7 8:30PM

NJPW World Video

G1 Climax 30 Day 11 Results

Yota Tsuji def. Gabriel Kidd (6:43)
Two of the last three opening singles matches between young lions have ended in time limit draws, including the last one between Tsuji and Kidd. Evidently, the two of them had taken that to heart and didn’t want it to happen again. They spared the audience the formality of grappling at all and went straight to brawling and trying for their finishing holds. After much striking and grunting, Tsuji hit a spear on Kidd and locked in the Boston crab. He leaned back to put even more tension on Kidd’s spine and Kidd had nowhere to go.

A Block: Tomohiro Ishii def. Yujiro Takahashi (15:25)
Yujiro attacked Ishii before the bell and spent the opening minutes controlling the match against the Stone Pitbull. After slowing Yujiro’s role with a vertical suplex, he took his shirt off and threw it at the laying Yujiro, which drew applause from the crowd. Ishii threw Yujiro with a German suplex into the turnbuckle pad, then lifted him to the top rope for a superplex and a near fall. Yujiro was hurt, but he managed to reverse Ishii’s powerbomb and hit an Olympic slam for a two-count and the Miami Shine for yet another. Yujiro tried for the Pimp Juice DDT, but Ishii blocked it. Yujiro blocked his multiple attempts at the vertical brainbuster, and managed to hit a brainbuster of his own. Desperate, Yujiro tried to roll Ishii up, but that didn’t work. With a headbutt, a sliding lariat, and the vertical drop brainbuster put Yujiro away. Credit to him for lasting as long as he did, though. Ishii 6 points, Yujiro 0 points

A Block: Kazuchika Okada def. Jeff Cobb (11:03)
Okada realized that he would be fighting an uphill battle against the powerhouse Cobb once the opening bell rang. As Cobb was coming off the ropes, Okada tried to jump over him, but Cobb caught him in midair and laid him out with a vertical suplex. Cobb missed a corner splash and Okada used this opportunity to use multiple swinging neckbreakers to ready Cobb for the Money Clip. This was not enough to slow Cobb, though. Okada, a deceptively large man in his own right, experienced being tossed multiple times like an infant. Cobb’s Athletic-Plex and standing moonsault both received close near-falls from the Rainmaker. However, Okada would block Cobb’s try at the Tour of the Islands and hit a standing dropkick and Tombstone piledriver to even the odds. Okada applied the Money Clip, but Cobb was able to get to his feet and hit a standing dropkick of his own! Okada dropeped multiple more attempts at the Tour of the Islands and applied a rana pin for the victory. Okada 8 points, Cobb 4 points

A Block: Will Ospreay def. Minoru Suzuki (14:26)
From jump, the wily Suzuki was frequently ready for Ospreay’s moves. On the outside of the ring, Ospreay tried to do a flying forearm off the barricade, but Suzuki caught him in an armbar. Suzuki kept attacking Ospreay’s right arm, and when Ospreay tried to pop up and hit an elbow strike, he recoiled in pain. Not the smartest tool in the shed. Suzuki laid in his chops and had Ospreay bleeding from the chest. A handspring kick and standing shooting star press helped Ospreay gain some breathing room, but another top rope attack led to him being trapped in an armbar yet again. He was able to put his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold, but Suzuki was still in control. He laughed at Ospreay’s feeble strikes, and when Ospreay tried to go to the top rope again, Suzuki caught him, only for an Ospreay headbutt to send him to the mat. Suzuki blocked Ospreay’s attempt at the Stormbreaker, but Ospreay hit a suplex to grant himself some slight reprieve. Suzuki dodged the Hidden Blade and applied a sleeper hold. He tried for the Gotch-style piledriver, but Ospreay got out of it and hit an enzuigiri, followed by the Stormbreaker for the win. Ospreay 8 points, Suzuki 6 points

A Block: Jay White def. Taichi (15:16)
Every time Jay tried to leave the ring to troll Taichi, Taichi left the ring too, like a never-ending battle of who could hold out for longer. Eventually, Jay got tired of this, and threw Taichi into the barricade. He brought Taichi back in and focused on attacking Taichi’s back until Taichi retaliated with his powerful kicks. When he missed a kick in the corner, Jay capitalized with a chop block, followed by the Bladebuster. After landing a uranage, Jay attempted the Blade Runner, but Taichi blocked it and hit a backdrop driver at the 10-minute mark. Jay couldn’t land the snap sleeper suplex and Taichi applied the Gedo Clutch, but Gedo himself came in to distract the referee so he couldn’t count the pin. Jay pushed Taichi into the referee, and Gedo tried to interfere, but Taichi kicked him in the crotch. Then he kicked Jay White there too, but he kicked out of the Gedo Clutch at 2. Taichi hit an elevated powerbomb for another near fall, then set up for a thrust kick. As he went for it, Jay caught his leg, then swiftly hit the Blade Runner. Jay 8 points, Taichi 6 points

A Block: Shingo Takagi def. Kota Ibushi (21:56)
Ibushi and Shingo have never wrestled in a singles match before, and this match was highly anticipated. These two men are both incredible athletes who can do most anything, but Ibushi has the advantage in speed, Shingo in strength. The winner of this match would be he who could press that advantage greater, and at first it was Shingo. He battered Ibushi with strikes that Ibushi couldn’t match, and Ibushi was confident enough to play Shingo’s game. Finally, Ibushi wised up, and took the advantage using his trademark aerial offense. Shingo would continually cut Ibushi off, though, as his left arm lariat made Ibushi land on the mat head-first, and then he landed the Noshigami for a near fall on last year’s G1 Climax winner. Shingo tried for a German suplex, but Ibushi backflipped out of it and kicked the sitting Shingo right in the back of the head. After Ibushi’s sitout powerbomb achieved a near fall, Shingo would grant himself some space with a death valley driver, then lift Ibushi for the Last of the Dragon. It did not work, but he avoided a kick from Ibushi to land the Made in Japan for a near fall once more. Shingo followed up with two Pumping Bombers, but Ibushi kicked out just in time! Shingo lifted Ibushi to his feet and went for the Last of the Dragon again, but Ibushi shifted his weight to avoid it. A big lariat from Ibushi put Shingo on his back, and a Boma Ye put Shingo down for a two-count. Ibushi tried to finish the match with the Kamigoye, but Shingo grabbed Ibushi’s knee, and lifted him by it into the Last of the Dragon! Shingo 6 points, Ibushi 8 points

G1 Climax 30 Standings

A Block:
8 points – Kota Ibushi, Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, Jay White
6 points – Taichi, Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Shingo Takagi
4 points – Jeff Cobb
0 points – Yujiro Takahashi

B Block:
8 points – Tetsuya Naito
6 points – Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Juice Robinson, EVIL
4 points – KENTA, Zack Sabre Jr., Hirooki Goto, SANADA
2 points – YOSHI-HASHI

Results: NJPW G1 Climax 30 Day 9

New Japan Pro-Wrestling thirtieth annual G1 Climax tournament has arrived!

Watch on NJPW World with a paid subscription. Only live Japanese commentary available. English commentary will be uploaded within several days. This event will have reduced attendance capacity to comply with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

Start Times:

  • Pacific: 10/5 3AM
  • Eastern: 10/5 6AM
  • UK: 10/5 11AM
  • Japan: 10/5 7PM
  • East Australia: 10/5 9PM

NJPW World Video (Japanese Commentary)

G1 Climax 30 Day 9 Results

Yuya Uemura def. Gabriel Kidd (7:35)
The neck strength fostered at the NJPW Dojo, and likely most of the dojos in Japan, is truly otherworldly. It’s not even the first time they did this in this series of tournament matches, but watching Uemura bridge while an adult man is kneeling on his torso never fails to impress. What also never fails to please is when someone takes the most obvious move possible, to break the hold they’re trapped in, seen in this match when Kidd ended Uemura’s arm wringer with a loud elbow to the face. I enjoy the struggle that young lion matches embody and oftentimes non-young lions focus more on showcasing their repertoire than embodying that struggle. Yuya Uemura won by submission with a high-angle Boston crab.

A Block: Shingo Takagi def. Yujiro Takahashi (13:38)
Yujiro was sensible enough to understand that fighting dirty was the only hope he had against a powerhouse like Shingo. He bent the rules in every way possible, between hair pulling, biting, and slamming Shingo’s head into the corner post, and a reverse DDT on the apron for good measure. Eventually, Shingo got frustrated enough to bite Yujiro on the hand the way he did to Shingo earlier. It must hurt being bitten by a dragon. Yujiro pushed Shingo harder than I expected, hitting the Miami Shine and trying to set up for Pimp Juice, but Shingo stopped him. Eventually, Yujiro pushed the referee and tried to hit Shingo with his pimp cane, but Shingo lariated it away. A following Pumping Bomber and Last of the Dragon put Yujiro away in decisive fashion. Shingo 4 points, Yujiro 0 points

A Block: Jeff Cobb def. Jay White (12:24)
Taking a lesson from Bullet Club stablemate Yujiro in the previous match, Jay White used underhanded tactics to try and cut Mr. Athletic down to size. At one point, Gedo tried to interfere but Jeff Cobb caught both him and Jay, and delivered a double noggin knocker, something I’m surprised not to see more of in wrestling. Impressively, White was able to lift the rotund Cobb for the Bladebuster, but found himself thoroughly outmatched in a battle of strikes. Jay then transitioned into taking out the big man’s legs with a chop block and a dragonscrew. Cobb fired up and still had enough of a base that he could still try for the Tour of the Islands. Jay blocked it at first, but Gedo came in to distract Cobb and give Jay a moment of reprieve. However, this backfired spectacularly, when Cobb lifted Gedo up, press-slammed him into Jay White, and then hit the Tour of the Islands to pin Jay White. Cobb 4 points, White 6 points

A Block: Kazuchika Okada def. Minoru Suzuki (14:10)
Okada tried to grapple with Suzuki only to get summarily stretched, and then rocked when he tried to throw elbows with Suzuki. Okada has come back from behind to defeat Suzuki in the past, but it never seemed quite so one-sided. Okada tried to run off the ropes, but Suzuki caught him in a sleeper hold and went for an early Gotch-style piledriver. Okada blocked it and hit the Reverse Neckbreaker, which was the most relevant moment of offense he had achieved thus far. Still, Suzuki had the mettle to hold his hands behind his back and challenge Okada to hit him hard enough to hurt. Instead, Okada hit a standing dropkick followed by a Tombstone piledriver, then applied his cobra clutch, the Money Clip. Suzuki got to his feet and made it out of the hold. He put on a sleeper hold with bodyscissors, and when Okada managed to stand up out of it, he applied it again, but Okada grabbed Suzuki’s legs and pushed him down into a prawn hold for the pinfall victory. Likely the least earned win Okada has had in this tournament, and has ever had over Suzuki. Okada 6 points, Suzuki 6 points

A Block: Tomohiro Ishii def. Taichi (18:48)
Taichi truly has come along way over the last several years. In the early going of this match, Taichi was trading his kicks for Ishii’s forearm strikes and coming out the better man for it. Of course, Ishii did eventually find the werewithal to push through the pain and start laying the boots to Taichi. Perhaps his hubris got the better of him, as he went for an early attempt at the brainbuster, but Taichi blocked it and a cracking head kick put Ishii’s head flat on the mat. Ishii made it back to his feet but Taichi continued to punish him with heavy strikes. Ishii popped up yet again and hit a buckle bomb and a lariat, then endured a buzzsaw kick to the head and continued laying on his strikes. He went for the brainbuster yet again, but Taichi dropped out of it. In a moment of desperation, he pushed the referee at Ishii and kicked Ishii in the groin, but even this could not put Ishii away for a three-count. Ishii stood up and hit a lariat but Taichi kicked out at one, then stood up and dropped Ishii on his head with a backdrop driver! Down but not out, Ishii blocked Taichi’s attempt at Black Mephisto and hit a jumping high kick, followed by a sliding lariat. The vertical drop brainbuster finished Taichi off in emphatic fashion. Ishii 4 points, Taichi 6 points

A Block: Kota Ibushi def. Will Ospreay (15:56)
The way Ospreay behaved towards Ibushi as this match began was almost comically condescending. He ruffled Ibushi’s hair with his hand when they were locked up against the ropes, then again with his boot later when Ibushi was on the mat. Ibushi did not take this lightly. When Ospreay did his fakeout Sasuke Special and posed in the ring, Ibushi bolted in and grabbed his arms for a Kamigoye attempt. It did not land, but it’s the thought that counts. Similar to their encounter late last year, Ibushi tried for a top rope Frankensteiner, only for Ospreay to land on his feet out of it, albeit with a bit less balance than last time. He was also getting the better of Ibushi when it came to striking too. Ospreay tried for a Stombreaker early on but couldn’t make it stick, and hit a gnarly sitout powerbomb to put Ibushi down for a two-count. Ospreay set up in the corner for the Hidden Blade, but Ibushi stood up just in time to block it, and hit a powerbomb of his own for a near fall. Feeling the need to end the match quickly, Ospreay went for the Oscutter, but Ibushi hit a jumping knee to hit Ospreay in midair, and then the Kamigoye for an abrupt but utlimately satisfying victory. Ibushi 8 points, Ospreay 6 points

G1 Climax 30 Standings

A Block:
8 points – Kota Ibushi
6 points – Taichi, Jay White, Minoru Suzuki, Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada
4 points – Shingo Takagi, Jeff Cobb, Tomohiro Ishii
0 points – Yujiro Takahashi

B Block:
6 points – Toru Yano, Tetsuya Naito, Juice Robinson
4 points – KENTA, Zack Sabre Jr., Hiroshi Tanahashi, EVIL
2 points – Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, SANADA