G1 Climax 33: Night Six | SUN JULY 23 2023 | Nagano

Welcome to night six of the G1 Climax 33 taking place in Big Hat, Nagano. It’s another exciting night of action with the field starting to see it’s first real leaders from the C Block and D Block. Toru Yano and Tetsuya Naito continue their G1 dance while David Finlay and EVIL go to war in the main event. We finally get to see Tomohiro Ishii and Shingo Takagi face off in this tournament while Zack Sabre Jr and Jeff Cobb continue their amazing run at the top of D Block.

This year is also a little different, we have an even bigger selection of wrestlers than before while continuing the four-block format from the previous year. On top of that, the time limit for each tournament bout has been reduced from 30 minutes to 20, making for an even more fast-paced and frantic set of matches this year. The last three nights will see the top two scoring participants from each block enter the playoff stages, fighting it out to be crowned the winner of the G1 Climax 33 and a guaranteed match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom.

D Block: Alex Coughlin [Bullet Club: War Dogs] Vs Zack Sabre Jr [TMDK]

We start off with D Block and two of the best submission wrestlers in New Japan face off. Alex Coughlin is looking to pick up a win here showing off his strength and brutality but he has to be careful as the veteran Zack Sabre Jr is a master and also deciovenley strong. He also isn’t adverse to popping out some joints or even breaking a few bones.

This is a very competitive match between these men with Coughlin surprisingly taking a lot of the match in the first 5 to 10 minutes. It’s strange after all these years to see Zack Sabre Jr fighting from beneath but that is what’s happening here, this is a master class and a great match for those who just love pure wrestling. It’s very traditionally in it’s approach with lots of back and forth, but in classic Zack Sabre Jr style he manages to get the win out of nowhere using his superior submission abilities.

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr

Rating: *****

D Block: Mikey Nicholls [TMDK] Vs Tama Tonga [Guerrillas of Destiny]

TMDK Vs Guerrillas of Destiney is next with Mikey Nicholls facing off against Tama Tonga as both men look to get themselves up to four points tonight. One half of two of the best tag teams in the world this is a very competitive match, with Tama Tonga being one of the favorites while Mikey Nicholls might not be looked it in that way but he has all the tools to succeed and ruin Tama’s G1 asperations. This is a lovely little match with a beautiful Stun Gunn delivered to Nicholls as he attempts a Moonsault.

Winner: Tama Tonga

Rating: ***.75

D Block: Shane Haste [TMDK] Vs Hirooki Goto [CHAOS]

Shane Haste is just so loveable and all I want for him is to do well and pick up some point in the G1 this year. He is facing off against Hirooki Goto who has won the G1 multiple times. Haste is a rare talent that can adapt to any opponent and is absolutely captivating even when it comes to the little things. Goto is coming into this match with a rib injury after the absolute classic he had against Tetsuya Naito. This match is very short and I’m thinking its down to the injury, with Goto getting the win with a sly roll up.

Winner: Hirooki Goto

Rating: ***

C Block: HENARE [United Empire] Vs Eddie Kingston [AEW]

Eddie Kingston has just been a breath of fresh air and absolutely amazing so far in this tournament, enjoying every moment of his time in Japan while wrestling a very hard hitting style. He loves Japanese wrestling with his skill set being ingrained in the men he grew up watching. Henare on the other hand has a background in armature wresting and MMA, this is something that sets him apart from a lot of wrestlers that come to New Japan.

This match has so much fighting spirit in it, with both men wanting to get the upper hand. Kingston delivers some beautiful Exploder Suplexes and he really isn’t given the credit he deserves by how good he is technically and safe he is as a worker. I am so happy to see him doing well in Japan and hearing from Kevin Kelly that he is very popular with the fans make my me very happy. This match is hard hitting in so many ways and Kingston might be the breakout star of this years G1.

Winner: Eddie Kingston

Rating: ****.5

D Block: Toru Yano [CHAOS] Vs Tetsuya Naito [L.I.J.]

Yano makes his way to the ring ready for tomfoolery and absolute chaos, Tetsuya Naito on the other hand takes his time, when Yano tries to get him to hurry, he just retreats allowing for Yano to get back in the ring. He takes so much time that music loops again and he heads back up the entrance ramp to re-do his entrance. Naito is a little shit and we love him for it.

He finally gets to the ring and then takes an age to get his entrance gear off. Yano by this point is irate. Not very tranquillo of him. Naito like to put in minimal effort when it comes to Yano and get a quick victory and mind games. You do really have to play him at his own game, especially during the G1. This is less of a match and more a comedy skit but after all those hard hitting matches you need something fun and light. A pallet cleanser if you will.

Yano is frustrated at this point, taking off turnbuckle pads and trying to hurt Naito on the outside. We get a roll of tape moment but this time its Yano who is tied up and nearly get counted out. Naito and Yano then get into a roll up battle with Naito scoring the win.

Winner: Tetsuya Naito

Rating: *****

C Block: Shingo Takagi [L.I.J.] Vs Tomohiro Ishii [CHAOS]

Now for the match we have all been waiting for The Dragon Shingo Takagi against the Stone Pitbull Tomohiro Ishii. This should be a barnburner of a match. Straight off the bat it is hard hitting and everything that the New Japan fans want and like. They are one of the greatest G1 rivalries to emerge in the last five years and both men are looking for their first two points here. Their matches never go under 20 minuets so this should be an interesting and fast paced bout.

hard hits, big power movers and a match full of toughness that you will only see inside of a New Japan ring. Neither man can get the upper hand and that is the magic of their bouts, cause you never truly know who is going to win. Headbutts are abound and even a Suplex off of the top rope delivered by Takagi. Ishii delivers his own one with a flurry of near falls scattered amongst this match from both men. This crowd are chanting and loving every minute of this intense bout.

Winner: Shingo Takagi

Rating: *****

G1 Climax 33 Semi Main Event | D Block: Jeff Cobb [United Empire] Vs Hiroshi Tanahashi

In the semi main event we have the ACE Hiroshi Tanahashi facing off against the United Empires’ Jeff Cobb. The ACE has been having a rough time this tournament and as of late as his body has started breaking down after years of carrying New Japan on his back. Will he be able to defeat the unstoppable force of Cobb?

The start of the match doesn’t look good with Tanahashi as his opponent wears him down and mocks him, even stretching him out and playing him like a guitar, you need to see it. In classic Tanahashi style he feels the crowd support and starts fighting back. He wants to show that he is still one of the best in the world at what he does. But it just isn’t enough to put the great behemoth of Jeff Cobb.

Winner: Jeff Cobb

Rating: ****.5

G1 Climax 33 Main Event | C Block: EVIL [Bullet Club: House of Torture] Vs David Finlay [Bullet Club: War Dogs]

EVIL is here and has come out not just with Dick Togo tonight, but also with his House of Torture brethren Yujiro Takahashi and SHO. David Finlay comes out with Gedo and Gabe Kidd, neither team will leave ringside so Red Shoes brings in his own reinforcements to help keep the match under control. This match starts off fast and hard with both men beating the hell out of each other.

This match is crazy and really feels like a turf war more than a wrestling match. You also know no one here is going to play the game cleanly. So much happens in this match with ref bumps, interference and actually some really great wrestling between both competitors. Finlay needs to get the win here to establish his position as Bullet Club leader. And he does, in spectacular fashion.

Winner: David Finlay

Rating: ****.5