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G1 Climax 30 B Block Match: SANADA (4-3) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (3-4)
Our main event of the evening was SANADA facing Hiroshi Tanahashi. SANADA came in at 4-3 following four consecutive wins, while Tanahashi stood at 3-4 following a loss to Goto on G1 Climax 30 Night 14. These two were even in their past meetings.
We got a tentative start to this G1 Climax 30 main event. Both men traded control on the ground with head scissors. Both men then caught the other's foot and exchange counters until Tana hits a low dropkick to the knee. Tanahashi worked over the leg until SANADA regained the upper hand. He did two leap frogs and hit a dropkick to send Tana to the floor. SANADA followed with a plancha before returning to the ring. After reversing a sunset flip attempt, SANADA locked Tanahashi in the Paradise Lock before dropkicking him to break it.
Tanahashi regained the upper hand in this G1 Climax 30 contest with a low dropkick followed by the dragon screw sending SANADA to the floor. The Ace followed with High Fly Flow to the outside. When SANADA got on the apron, Tana hit the dragon screw twice. He then locked on the Texas Cloverleaf until SANADA made it to the ropes.
Tanahashi reversed a TKO into two Twist and Shouts. On the third attempt, SANADA reversed and hit a rope-assisted Twist and Shout. He then followed with a TKO for the near fall. SANADA looked for Skull End to finish this G1 Climax 30 encounter, but Tana broke free. SANADA then hit a springboard dropkick and looked for the Muta-sault. Tanahashi moved, making SANADA tweak his knee and hit a Sling Blade for a near fall.
Tanahashi hit a Tiger Suplex with a bridge for a two count in this G1 Climax 30 main event. He went for High Fly Flow, but SANADA got his knees up that once again hurt him in the process. SANADA then hit the moonsault into the Skull End and got the hooks in. Tana got his head free, but SANADA reapplied. SANADA broke the Skull End and once again went for the Muta-sault, but Tana got his knees up.
Tanahashi hit the dragon screw to a laid-out SANADA twice. He went for the Cloverleaf, but SANADA kicked free. However, Tana reversed a frankensteiner into a Texas Cloverleaf. After a struggle, SANADA made it to the ropes, though. SANADA evaded Sling Blade and looked for a rollup, but Tana reversed into one of his own for a near fall. SANADA transitioned that into Skull End, but Tana broke free. Tanahashi hit a curtain call and then the Sling Blade. SANADA caught Tana mid-air on the High Fly Flow into a TKO. He followed with the Muta-sault twice for the win in under 29 minutes. SANADA got his fifth win and two more points in the G1 Climax 30.
That was a fantastic encounter that peaked at just the right time. Both men have excellent chemistry, which created a memorable matchup here. SANADA continued his winning streak and now needs a Naito loss, followed by a win over EVIL on Saturday to win the B Block of the G1 Climax 30.
Results: SANADA (10) defeats Hiroshi Tanahashi (6) via pinfall
Star Rating: ****
