NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 11 (July 30) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best

2. Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. EVIL

EVIL’s best match of the G1 Climax came, perhaps unsurprisingly, against an ‘Ace’ entering the exact same sort of form he found this time last year as the unlikeliest of tournament victories suddenly became a distinct possibility.

Yet again, Hiroshi Tanahashi absorbed an awful lot of punishment on his weathered frame. Yet again, Hiroshi Tanahashi looked down and out, not just of the match but Block-winning contention. Yet again, Hiroshi Tanahashi made wife-eyed believers out of us all.

The contest did much to confirm the final standings of both, in fact. With this loss, the LIJ man isn’t eliminated, but isn’t looking in the best of health with so few clashes remaining. With this win, Tanahashi puts himself amongst a field of only a select few that could realistically catch and overthrow runaway Block A leader Kazuchika Okada.

A union with ‘The Rainmaker’ made their opening night main event the most convivial of their legendary battles so far, but things could look awfully different of Tanahashi yet again found himself on the verge of Tokyo Dome history.