NJPW G1 Climax 2019 Night 13 (August 3) - A BLOCK: Every Match Ranked From Worst To Best
1. Kazuchika Okada Vs. SANADA
An expertly-worked battle, the latest meeting between in-ring rivals Kazuchika Okada and SANADA was elevated and informed by the latter's prior defeats to the IWGP Champion, not least at the critical moment in the final minutes where he released the potentially-devastating Skull End.
'The Rainmaker' was sensational in the closing sell, appearing limp and listless in the hold to the point where referee Red Shoes looked ready to ring the bell. His last bursts of energy dedicated to surviving, he teased SANADA's release before using his knees to counter what looked like certain victory.
It was, this time, not enough.
SANADA fought through his latest setback, scoring with moonsaults to Okada's back and front to pick up the victory with less than 15 seconds remaining. His last loss to Okada in May went 38 minutes, five longer than his New Japan Cup defeat in March which itself went two longer than their IWGP Heavyweight Title match the prior year.
This has been the only story between them - the Los Ingobernables de Japon star forcing Okada to go harder with every clash before still falling short. Here, he changed the latest chapter, and repositioned the potential quality of a title match this summer.