G1 Climax 30, Night 9 Preview

September 18, 2020
By: Lou Pickney

Here is a preview of the ninth night of G1 Climax 30, the annual two-block round-robin heavyweight tournament in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In recent years, the G1 has featured a flurry of ultra high-end matches.

The star ratings are from highly respected journalist Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON). The number next to it is the cagematch.net (CM) score for the match as of last check before publication.

IMPORTANT: A subscription to the New Japan World streaming service (¥999/month) is required to watch the linked videos.

G1 Climax 30, Night 9 (A Block)
October 5, 2020 — Takamatsu, Kagawa, Japan

1. Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay

The series is tied 1-1, with Ibushi getting the victory in their lone previous G1 matchup. Fans in Takamatsu can look forward to what should be an outstanding main event.

Previous singles matches

1. Ospreay: January 4, 2019 — Tokyo Dome
Wrestle Kingdom 13
WON: ****3/4 & CM: 8.70

2. Ibushi: July 18, 2019 — Tokyo (Korakuen Hall)
G1 Climax 29
WON: ***** & CM: 9.26

2) Taichi vs. Tomohiro Ishii

Ishii leads the series 4-1, though Taichi beat Ishii in their only G1 match to-date in last year's tournament.

Previous singles matches

1. Ishii: November 30, 2009 — Kyoto, Japan
New Japan Alive
WON: N/A & CM: N/A
This match is not currently available on New Japan World

2. Ishii: February 10, 2010 — Osaka, Japan
New Japam ISM
WON: N/A & CM: N/A
This match is not currently available on New Japan World

3. Ishii: March 13, 2019 — Okayama, Japan
2019 New Japan Cup, Second Round
WON: **** & CM: 8.23

4. Ishii: June 9, 2019 — Osaka, Japan
Dominion 6.9
WON: **** & CM: 8.19

5. Taichi: August 11, 2019 — Tokyo (Nippon Budokan)
G1 Climax 29
WON: ****1/2 & CM: 8.67

3) Kazuchika Okada vs. Minoru Suzuki

Okada leads the series 5-1-2, including Okada being unbeaten against Minoru in three previous G1 matches (2-0-1). Minoru's lone singles win to-date over Okada happened in their first singles match.

Previous singles matches

1. Minoru Suzuki: February 10, 2013 — Hiroshima, Japan
New Beginning
WON: ****1/4 & CM: 7.92

2. Okada: May 3, 2013 — Fukuoka, Japan
Wrestling Dontaku
WON: ***3/4 & CM: 7.57

3. Okada: August 8, 2014 — Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
G1 Climax 24
WON: ****1/2 & CM: 8.79

4. Okada: February 5, 2017 — Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
New Beginning in Sapporo
WON: ****3/4 & CM: 8.79

5. 30-minute time limit draw: August 8, 2017 — Yokohama, Japan
G1 Climax 27
WON: ****3/4 & CM: 9.38

6. 30-minute time limit draw: June 23, 2018 — Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Minoru Suzuki 30th Anniversary Outdoor Festival "Draw in the Downpour"
WON: N/A & CM: 7.84
FREE MATCH

7. Okada: August 2, 2018 — Fukuoka, Japan
G1 Climax 28
WON: ****1/2 & CM: 7.71

8. Okada: August 31, 2019 — London, England, UK
Royal Quest
WON: ****1/2 & CM: 9.36

MORE:

G1 Climax 30, Night 1 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 2 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 3 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 4 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 5 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 6 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 7 Preview
G1 Climax 30, Night 8 Preview

See any mistakes, omissions, or needed corrections? Please let me know: @LouPickney