Okada and Ospreay Advance to Elite Eight
The second day of action in EDION Arena Osaka on August 6 concluded the B Block competition, with Will Ospreay joining Kazuchika Okada in the quarterfinals. The main event of the evening featured a battle for second place in B Block between Will Ospreay and El Phantasmo. ELP surprised Ospreay at the start of the match, gaining the support of the crowd in Osaka. However, Ospreay quickly regained control with an aggressive plancha. The back-and-forth action continued, with both competitors showcasing their high-flying abilities. Ultimately, it was Ospreay’s sheer aggression and determination that secured him the victory, advancing him to the next round.
Meanwhile, Kazuchika Okada secured first place in B Block against Tanga Loa. Okada made a bold statement before the match, promising to show Loa what the G1 really means. True to his word, Okada dominated the match, delivering a devastating DDT and unleashing a brutal assault on Loa. Despite Loa’s attempts at a comeback, Okada’s Rainmaker proved to be too much, solidifying his first-place finish in the block.
Other matches of the night included Taichi facing off against Great-O-Khan in a battle for pride. Both competitors had been eliminated from the tournament, but Taichi demanded more from his opponent. The match showcased Taichi’s mastery of submission holds, but Great-O-Khan unleashed his full power and secured a victory with a head and arm choke.
YOSHI-HASHI took on KENTA in a highly anticipated match. KENTA initially had the upper hand, but YOSHI-HASHI fought back valiantly. However, a well-timed inside cradle from KENTA secured him the win.
With the conclusion of B Block, Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay have advanced to the elite eight. Okada will face the runner-up of D Block, while Ospreay awaits the winner of C Block. The winners of C and D Blocks will be determined in upcoming league matches.
For those who missed the action, the replay is now available on NJPW World. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the G1 Climax on ProWrestlingWars.com.