NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 13 (August 3) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Kota Ibushi
Ahead of the repeat performance of last year's G1 Climax final, Kevin Kelly noted in the commentary that Kota Ibushi and Hiroshi Tanahashi had mere seconds of cumulative ring time between them ahead of a battle booked as a passing of the torch but one that fell slightly short due - somewhat ironically - to a rather punctuated run-time.
It shouldn't be misunderstood - this match was still mostly fantastic, not least because of the incredible sympathy 'The Ace' will generate from now until the day he retires but also because of 'The Golden Star's own remarkable charisma. Ibushi sold the journey he had to take through his evocative facials. Switching from pensive, to passionate and finally palid, Ibushi made relatively straightforward work of wrapping things up with his opponent as soon as he reconciled the need to fulfil his Tokyo Dome destiny.
The match-winning Kamigoye brought about the end of Tanahashi's chances of retaining the G1 Climax trophy, but also a new beginning for both men as they traded trajectories going forward. Can Ibushi follow remove last year's heartbreak in 2019? After this, he no longer has his "god" to fear.