The G1 Climax ended Monday with a sold-out show from Budokan Hall with Kota Ibushi representing the A Block against B Block winner Jay White.
In front of an announced audience of 12,014, Kota Ibushi won his first G1 Climax tournament after 31 minutes and 1-second scoring the win with his second Kamigoye. It was an electric atmosphere down the stretch that included Gedo’s interference being thwarted by a head kick from Ibushi. In White’s key spot, he hit the Blade Runner but could not capitalize and cover Ibushi.
Ibushi now earns the right to challenge for the IWGP heavyweight championship at Wrestle Kingdom next January, although it’s unknown if his match would be on January 4th or 5th at the Tokyo Dome.
Ibushi was defeated by EVIL and KENTA during the tournament and could defend the briefcase in the fall.
There was also a major angle shot on the show when KENTA walked out on partners Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi and joined The Bullet Club. As KENTA went to address the audience, Katsuyori Shibata stormed the ring and attacked KENTA with his signature offense including the PK and sliding dropkick into the corner.
The Bullet Club assisted KENTA and they beat down Shibata with KENTA hitting him with the PK and crossing his legs to sit on top of Shibata with his pose.
Shibata has not wrestled since April 2017 when it seemed his career was over following a head injury in a match with Kazuchika Okada. Shibata suffered a subdural hematoma in the match and has never wrestled since. In 2018, he became the head trainer at New Japan’s Dojo in Los Angeles.
Wai Ting and I will have a full review of Monday’s show later today for members of the POST Wrestling Café.
